Ishita 

Hello,

As a PhD researcher studying in the UK, I have gone through VFS for a visa and continue to do so time and again. I was wondering how this company gained such a monopoly. Funnily enough, it started in Mumbai, India. I was thinking if there is a story in this. And if you would like to explore it.

Soumya 

Hi NL team! I have two questions for Anand.

1) In an earlier Hafta episode, Anand said that the ECI’s approach towards SIR could have been more humane. However, it appears that the recent SC judgment doesn't make any such observations. So, does he still maintain his stand and if yes, why did the SC miss it?

2) The SC has given a lot of emphasis on the “purity” of electoral rolls. Have they provided any method to audit the purity? After such a massive exercise, if the purity reduces, a lot of public money may not have been utilised prudently.

Aditya  

Hello, 

I’m a big fan of your work. I have been a subscriber for the past year, and I encourage my family to do the same. I usually listen to Newslaundry over long drives and flights. Lately, however, I have been having problems with the app. The same episode of Charcha plays no matter what episode I start. I wasn’t able to listen to episode 425, as only episode 424 played. I couldn’t listen to both Charcha and Hafta this week. Please fix this! Is there a Spotify version or a video version? I am getting frustrated with the app. Love your work. 

Rohan 

The College Scholastic Ability Test (or Suneung) in South Korea is the country's standardised university admissions test. A Korean friend told me that on the day of Suneung, the entire country adjusts itself around students:

1. The stock markets in Busan and Seoul open late.

2.  Public transport, including the metro system, railways and bus services, is increased to avoid traffic jams and allow students to get to the testing sites more easily. 

3. The Korean armed forces change the schedule of military activities to minimise the noise levels.

4.  Flights are grounded during the English listening section so that the aircraft noise does not disturb students.

5. In some cases, students running late are escorted to their test centres by police officers on motorcycles.

This is what it looks like when a country treats education as a national priority.

There is a reason some countries are way ahead of the rest.

Methodman 

I am guessing you will discuss Helle Lyng this week. I wish you wouldn't, because I've not seen such a dumb controversy in my life. The question was stupid. The answer was possibly a bit less stupid, but not by much. And to watch the reporter continue to demonstrate her naivete and wilful ignorance in her interview with Samarth Grover was… enlightening. 

I think you should produce a proper, balanced report on the press freedom index. I don't think it measures anything of value besides India's size. And I think the index's obvious flaws make it easy to dismiss, thereby making it harder for the media to air legitimate grievances.

Small teams can do great things. All it takes is a subscription. Subscribe now and power Newslaundry’s work.