Hafta letters: Air India crash, Bihar SIR, speaking slower

A node in the network

I believe my previous letter was lost in the sea of subscriber letters. While continuing my research, I had the opportunity to work on ‘safety engineering’ and stumbled across the use of a safety tool for journalism at a workshop, which might be quite useful to your organisation. Since they are still developing their tool, it might be a good idea to have a potential discussion with them.

More importantly, with the recent report on the crash of Air India flight, I have seen speculations, and I believe Dr John P Thomas (an expert in safety at MIT) voices more accurate information on LinkedIn. You could check some of the information he has put out on the report or potentially invite him to NL Hafta. Amazing work as always.

Regards,

Node in the Network

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Ankur

Thank you for reading my last letter. In NL Charcha 545 and Hafta 380, Shri Anand repeated the same points regarding the SIR exercise in Bihar – that the opposition and certain section of digital media had created a narrative that the ECI is flouting norms to disenfranchise voters. It’s  clearly evident that the BLOs are under pressure and a large number of forms are being filled by the BLOs without the citizenry participation just to project that the ECI is doing a fantastic job. Anand even dismissed Ajit Anjum’s coverage, calling it as nothing miraculous. 

Why does Anand feel compelled to justify the ECI? Because ECI is in cahoots with the central government? 

While talking about the violence inflicted by the kanwariyas in UP, he blamed only certain lumpen elements, then is it not the state responsibility to ensure that no such incidents happen or are repeated? The UP CM seems to be openly endorsing these hooligans and emboldening them. Why can’t Anand outrightly call out the state and BJP?

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Inayat Khan

Hello!

Love your program, it keeps my mental health and perspective in place. Than you so much. Love Abhinandan and Manisha.In the last episode 545 if felt Abhinandan and Shardool were speaking over and interrupting the guest speaker a lot. Doesn't sound like Newslaundry. 

PS: You are my new favourite. Please speak little slow. Sometimes you are too fast for my brain.

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Manan 

I am watching Newsance released today and its about the Bihar SIR. It just seems India is a cheap copy of the US. The Indian elite has always copied the west crazily and now its reflected in our politics and media. Like why are we worried about Bangladeshi immigrants ? We don't get anything decent from the government in terms of civilian benefits, no good health system, no decent infrastructure, no proper security of job, house or even basics - water or food. Why are we worried about illegal immigrants again? In Europe and the US you get benefits, that's why people go there illegally. WHy would anyone come here?

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Spandan 

Dear NL-TNM Team,

Your outstanding journalism has impressed me since I subscribed during the Covid period. 

News stories often generate buzz, dominate discussions, and then fade, leaving the public unaware of their root causes or outcomes. With increasingly busy lifestyles, few have time to research updates on past stories like the PM Cares funds investigation, the Prajwal Revanna case with substantial evidence, or the electoral bonds mismanagement, which your team investigated brilliantly.

I propose a new show or podcast, “After the Buzz”, to keep audiences informed about ongoing developments in significant news stories after public attention diminishes. This would ensure people stay updated on critical cases and investigations. 

I thank the team for your remarkable work, keep it up!

Thanks and cheers!

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Ishita

A book recommendation specifically for Abhinandan as I was annoyed by him for going on and on about Ruchir Sharma’s book. Please read Our Lives in their Portfolios by Brett Christophers. It’s a better economics book as it talks about how deeply managed our lives by asset managers. Not as dry as Sharma’s book is. 

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