Hello team,

Fantastic job, guys. I appreciate what you are doing in the news space.

I usually listen to Hafta episodes on my weekend road trips and when Anand is on the panel, I always think of writing to you guys but I forget it by the end of the trip. Like two Haftas ago, you can rewind the episode and listen to Anand not making a point. Anand just describes the question in an arduous manner where the listener forgets what the topic was. I was listening to the recent Hafta and again, whether the cricketers topic or the Yogi topic, he did not contribute anything rather than just rephrasing the history.

Plus, as Manisha/Abhinandan said, it is difficult to get him to join a panel discussion. Actually that shows in his responses. Half of which gets lost in translation.

Keep up the good work. Also, you guys discussed the Tarun Tejpal case for 70 minutes. Thought it was stretched a bit far.

Vishal Zade

***

Dear Abhinandan and team,

I am a new subscriber from Germany. I subscribed to Newslaundry as soon as I got my PhD offer. Firstly, I would like to say that you guys are doing a great job and I love the noble work you do. So, thank you :)

I believe you might touch on this topic in the coming Hafta. Anyway, I would like to hear your thoughts on the "the SSR case"! What baffles me is that for the past year (and still ongoing), the so-called "SSR-ians" are regularly trending one hashtag after the other. My questions to the panel are: Who are these people? What do they want? How is this conspiracy drama still ongoing?

They clearly do not appear to be true SSR fans. Most might even be bots. Aren't you surprised by this? Am I missing something that is too obvious? Would like to hear the panel's thoughts.

Thanks in advance and keep up the good work :)

Best regards,

Muhammad Sajid Ali

***

Hi Newslaundry team,

First of all, congratulations on the wonderful job. I am a recent subscriber and an avid follower of Newslaundry reports on YouTube and Hafta. Manisha, thank you for your unique perspective. I hope you find time to read the email or at least address the request.

Would like to see more/frequent bites or quotes from Hafta/Charcha on social media.

I was curious to know whether anyone has taken stock of Covid in Amethi. I tried to check online and apparently both the Congress and the BJP woke up to Amethi in the last few days of May.

If possible, please invite Jignesh Mevani for a discussion.

On Biden being a better president than Obama, he never ran because he was Black; his USP was coming from serving classes and rising to the ranks. The same USP that Modi sold to India and later sold India to his corporate buddies. Obama still accomplished a lot (good or bad) compared to the sitting token president of India Ram Nath Kovind. I have not seen a single statement from him nor any steps that he might have taken for the upliftment of scheduled castes/tribes so that people can move away from reservation.

Thank you, keep doing the wonderful work!

Onika S

***

Dear NL team,

Love your work.

This is based on an last year's news.

I was watching a video on ISIS members' (not alive now) wives requesting refuge in India last year. Many of them married Muslim men and went to the ISIS region to live an Islamic life.

Of course, the general sentiment is that you can't trust them, and it's a national security concern.

Going by that logic, what's your opinion on Rohingya or Myanmar refugees? Should they be allowed?

Sorry, if this has already been answered or discussed.

Thanks and stay safe!

Vivek Mohan

***

Hi NL team,

Recent subscriber, loving the content you guys put out every day, especially the podcasts and videos. Hoping to get a few friends to join soon.

I started following politics fairly recently, around four years ago, and, like many, have been growing concerned with the slow death of democratic norms. Cognizant of the word limit, I'd like to put forth two thoughts and request the NL team's views on them:

1) We’re seeing a lot of cases filed purely as a form of intimidation with nearly no follow through. Why is it that we never see a countersuit filed by the defendant, for defamation, intimidation, public mischief, abuse of power, etc? Is it a legal issue or a will issue or something else?

2) Do you think you could do a show where you respond (for lack of a better word) to the ruling party claims in the same format that they respond to opposition claims – a form of political satire – for example, the union law minister recently said Congress states have high VAT. How would the ruling party have responded to that had they been the opposition?

Looking forward to your views.

With best regards,

AB

Proud subscriber!

***

Dear NL team,

I am a huge fan of NL. I want to thank all the Hafta team for the thoughtful discussion.

I have a small suggestion regarding student subscription, I would recommend a free subscription to students below 18 years of age. And the other students should be given an 80-90 percent discount, not completely free. Because charging a small amount of money will give them a sense of responsibility. This will inculcate a sense of social responsibility and awareness among the young generations.

Freebies are not a good way of sustenance of any establishment. Paying a small amount will help value the content and you will know who truly appreciates your content.

This just a suggestion from my side.

You guys are doing a fantastic job.

Love and regards from Germany

Pravesh Tamang

***

Hi Abhinandan ,

I am Vishwas from Mysore, a subscriber of Newslaundry.

I am sharing with you a documentary made by an acquaintance on Varanasi. I liked the documentary and wanted to know more about the issue. Not sure if NL has covered it or not. Don’t remember having read about it. Obviously, can’t find much info on this in mainstream media.

If possible, please do a story on the same, may be, once the pandemic subsides.

Thank you.

Cheers,

Vishwas Krishna

***

Hello NL team,

I am Prasoon, a recent subscriber (since February 2021). I never miss:

1) Hafta for weekly updates;

2) TV Newsance: I thoroughly enjoy Manisha's show and wonder how shameless these news anchors have become (Manisha, have you got any feedback from the anchors?);

3) and the profound Tippani.

I am wondering about the paralysis (or incompetence?) that the current government has fallen into. Major decisions are lately being U-turned, losing valuable time in fighting the pandemic, and there is no accountability. The parliament has not met for many months now. If the world can telework, why can't Indian parliament? Please share your thoughts.

Stay safe,

Prasoon

***

Dear NL team,

Hi, I’m Kriti, a student subscriber! Listening to Abhinandan on this week’s Hafta regarding mental health was frankly quite jarring. Deteriorating mental health is almost an epidemic within my generation across the board because of the times we grow up and currently live in. We are the first generation to grow up with a plethora of exposure and access to information from everywhere, surely that has an impact on our well-being.

More than anything else, Abhinandan, when you’re so dismissive of mental health issues publicly, what message are you sending to your employees if they are struggling? Yes, there are people who cite mental health sometimes as an excuse for ridiculous things such as casteist comedy, and we should definitely still hold them accountable. But the general assumption that people are using mental health always as an excuse to get out of stuff is dangerous at best. We cannot deny the worsening mental well-being of younger generations and we have many unfortunate examples for that (SSR, etc).

Similarly, regarding the Naomi Osaka issue, there should be a system in place where Osaka should have been introduced to a professional who could confirm her anxiety and give her a doctor’s note. She should have been enrolled in some sort of therapy or a professional program so she can overcome that anxiety and then continue her contractual obligations. Until then, she should indefinitely get a break from press. Also, anxiety can manifest physiologically and she’s a sportsperson so it should be taken seriously.

If you want to learn more about depression and anxiety, I unfortunately have firsthand experience, much like many of my friends and acquaintances, and will gladly enlighten you, but please do not be so quick to opine and invalidate others’ experiences.

Lastly, much love NL team. Stay positive and keep testing negative! ❤️❤️

Kriti Mehra