On this week’s episode of TV Newsance,  we  look at the brutal reality of India’s gig economy. This isn’t a usual episode – we step away from studio shouting matches and spotlight some actual good reporting.

We break down a ground report by Soumyarendra Barik of The Indian Express. Instead of debating gig work from studios, the reporter spent a day each as a delivery worker for Zomato, Blinkit and Swiggy. And what he found was not “flexibility”, but long hours, conditional incentives and constant pressure.

What emerges is a system that looks like full-time work, feels like full-time work – but comes without full-time protections.

In this episode:

- How gig work quietly mimics regular employment, minus rights

- How little delivery workers actually earn once incentives are unpacked

- Why 10-minute delivery isn’t convenience – it’s risk transferred to workers

We also look at two analytical pieces by Vivek Kaul on Newslaundry. One shreds through Zomato CEO’s defence, and another explains why what quick commerce companies do can’t be considered capitalism. 

Meanwhile, Arnab Goswami has finally found a sparring partner that won’t shout back – artificial intelligence.

After years of primetime screaming matches with students, activists and opposition leaders, Arnab has now taken on a machine, accusing it of being verbose, soulless and corporate-controlled – which is quite something, coming from a man who has turned volume into ideology.

Watch the full episode and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Reading list

When I signed up to make deliveries on Zomato, Blinkit and Swiggy for a day

When privilege pretends to be economics: Why Deepinder Goyal gets it royally wrong

Get your Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand right: Zomato and Blinkit aren’t capitalism

Love TV Newsance? Then support our work. Click here to subscribe.