Drishti

Dear Newslaundry,

I watched the Dhurandhar movies, both 1 and 2.

In Dhurandhar 1, Aishwarya claims that no one negotiated closely. However, reports from the BBC and Times Now confirm that Ajit Doval personally negotiated with the hijackers."

The segment on 26/11 effectively captures Indian media coverage at the time, specifically featuring Arnab Goswami during his tenure as anchor at Times Now.

In Dhurandhar 2, various sources reported that Javad Khanani had around rupees 40,000 crores of fake Indian currency in 2016. Also, he had a lot of money from ISI.

I'm in the habit of checking facts after every movie based on real-life events.

By the way, it's your personal opinion, which is okay.

You do your best work as always.

Regards and thanks, 

Drishti Bhattacharya 

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Orpita

Hello!

Over the last 4-5 years, speaking to Modi-lovers around me in an open, judgment-free way, I've sometimes gotten them to agree that the suppression of the media is bad, and playing with religious beliefs for votes is wrong. “But we have no alternative but Modiji,” they will say.  The longer I stay in India, the more I appreciate the improvements. The rate of change is unlike anything I've experienced anywhere I've lived. But am I beginning to support Modiji too? I am scared. As the global order shifts toward strongman rule and NATO/WTO/UN look weak, will more people look to Modi for authoritative strength?

PLEASE START A SERIES ON LEADER ALTERNATIVES — at any level of government. What do they stand for? What are they doing? Help India find its next set of leaders.

Second question: How do you make sure your reporters aren't trapped in their own social media bubbles? Do you have guidelines like watching the PIB briefings, etc.? Here are reliable sources, and here are the known biases of XYZ org. How do you escape the algorithm?

Best, 

Orpita 

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Erbil

So, my mother lives in Gurgaon, and all her maids are taking leave to travel to West Bengal to vote. Trains are fully booked, and one of them is actually travelling by bus for 3 days.

They’re saying, “Didi ne kaha Aadhaar card cancel kar denge agar vote nahi diya.”

I know it’s totally wrong to do it this way, but I kind of agree with the idea because it’s at least getting people to turn up and vote. If the BJP is playing dirty with the voter lists, then what’s wrong with “encouraging” people to come and vote?

I’ve always wondered whether migrant workers think of travelling home to exercise their right to vote the way the privileged do. At my workplace, it’s totally acceptable to take leave and go home to vote.

I’m even suggesting that my mom help them out – maybe pay for their tickets or get them flights.

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Jasmeet 

Hello team, I would like to thank Manisha for recommending Ronan Farrow's piece in The New Yorker. I found it to be quite incisive. I would love to know her and others' views on it. Also, a question: do you think that having direct access to the subject of a profile compromises objectivity? I am comparing Farrow's piece with the profile on Sajid Khan on NL's website.

Lastly, I would like to recommend Michael Scherer's piece in The Atlantic on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Keep up the great work!

Regards, 

Jasmeet Singh

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Prashant 

Hi Team, 

Thanks a lot for the extended discussion on the letters last week. I appreciate and respect your courage. Regardless of how it plays out, you always have my support!

Best,

Prashant

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