South Central

Chinmayi Sripaada, a celebrated playback singer and activist, joins the hosts to discuss her brave stance against sexual harassment in the Tamil film industry, sharing her journey of isolation and resilience. She reflects on her emotional comeback through her recent Thug Life performance, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women's voices in music. The conversation also delves into the chaotic aftermath of the Bengaluru stampede, questioning accountability and the challenges of ensuring public safety during large events. It's a deep dive into art, activism, and society.

Join journalist Venkat Ananth, who unpacks the branding strategy of RCB, as he discusses the shockingly tragic stampede that occurred during the team's victory celebrations, claiming 11 lives. Purushothama Bilemale, President of the Kannada Development Authority, dives into the heated debate around Kamal Haasan's comments on Kannada’s origins and the broader implications for Dravidian languages. They dissect the intersection of language, culture, and sports while advocating for better safety and planning for large public events.

Join Seema Chishti, editor at The Wire, and TM Krishna, a renowned Carnatic vocalist and activist, as they tackle pressing issues in Indian politics. They delve into the BJP's conflicting messaging about Muslim representation, shedding light on communal tensions and political narratives. The duo also grapples with the ethical quandary of separating art from the artist, discussing the moral responsibilities tied to controversial creators. Their insights spark a rich conversation about accountability in both art and governance.

Join Shabbir Ahmed, Chennai Bureau Chief of The News Minute; Sudipto Mondal, a commentator on societal issues; and Vinay Srinivasa, an activist known for his relentless protests. They dive into Shashi Tharoor’s potential exit from Congress, dissecting the internal strife within the party. The discussion also addresses alarming instances of police brutality in Tamil Nadu and systemic violence in Indian policing, emphasizing the urgent need for reform in law enforcement and the protection of marginalized communities.

Join veteran journalists Prem Panicker, a seasoned reporter with 30 years of experience, and Sushant Singh, a former military officer turned editor, as they dive deep into the modern India-Pakistan tensions. They discuss the impact of the media's sensationalism, questioning its role during military escalations. Prem addresses the challenges of accuracy amidst misinformation, while Sushant critiques how narratives shape public perception. Their insights call for a more responsible media approach that prioritizes truth in conflict reporting.

Join journalist Smita Sharma, an expert on foreign policy, and Nitin Pai, co-founder of the Takshashila Institution, as they dissect India's Operation Sindoor and its regional implications. They discuss the strategic significance of targeted strikes against terrorist camps, the complexities of Pakistan's retaliatory strategies, and the troubling rise of militarism in Pakistan. Smita highlights the media's role in shaping narratives amidst conflict, while Nitin warns of escalating tensions as both nations navigate this charged landscape.

Nirupama Subramaniam, a seasoned journalist with four decades in the field, joins the discussion to analyze the aftermath of the tragic Pahalgam attack and the potential responses from India. Delving into the complexities of geopolitical tensions, she highlights the implications of the Indus Waters Treaty and the growing communal violence in India. The conversation also tackles recent shifts in the World Press Freedom Index, raising questions about the realities of media independence amid political pressures and the role of independent journalism in a democratic landscape.

Join lawyer Suhrith Parthasarathy, comedian Nithin Kamath, and journalist Anisha Sheth as they tackle Bengaluru's pressing migrants vs. locals issue. Nithin observes how social media inflates regional tensions, with sentiments swirling around every local incident. Suhrith discusses the judiciary's vital role in balancing political power. The trio delves into the economic struggles tied to regional identity, revealing how these historical conflicts shape today's civic landscape. It's a lively exploration of culture, politics, and the fabric of Bengaluru.

In Episode 23 of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s dig at Indian startups and the Supreme Court verdict on Tamil Nadu Governor that revived the debate on federalism. Joining them are chairman of Aarin Capital Mohandas Pai, political and policy consultant Tara Krishnaswamy, and TNM’s senior news editor Shabbir Ahmed. On the startup debate, Pai says, “Delivery-based startups should not be demeaned, they are also a part of the innovation cycle. India has spent just USD 160 billion on startups since 2014. Compare that to China’s USD 845 billion. The problem isn’t delivery apps, it’s the lack of domestic capital and investment in research and development.”Tara adds, “Amazon started as a delivery platform. To build a deep-tech ecosystem, we need to invest in education, research, and infrastructure. India doesn't lack talent, it lacks systems that support it.”Pooja points out how only 8% of Indian startups make it beyond 10 years. “We talk about being a 1.4 billion market—but only a small fraction can actually afford these services,” she says.As the conversation shifts to the State-Governor tussle, Shabbir says, “The recent Supreme Court verdict is a win for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other opposition-ruled states. Governor RN Ravi sitting on bills was a clear abuse of power.”Tara highlights, ““Only 25% of governors have completed their terms. Most are either political appointees or retired judges. This is not sustainable.”Dhanya points out, “In Kerala, the last governor sat on a bill for 23 months. The Constitution makers did not probably think that we are going to have governors who will sit on bills for months and not act on them.”On whether the post of Governor serves a purpose, the panel agrees that reforms are overdue. Tara proposes, “Let’s have governors elected through an electoral college, like the President. Another option would be to abolish the post entirely.”All this and more—tune in.Once a month, we will invite one TNM subscriber to the show. Write to us on what you would like to speak about to southcentral@thenewsminute.com Send your thoughts, suggestions and criticism as well.Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Intro00:01:24 - Announcements00:02:19 - Headlines 00:20:24 -Startups00:49:41- Governors 01:21:58 - RecommendationsCheck out the recommendations and references from this episode.Become a subscriber- Click here.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here. To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereProduced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor at The Hindu and host of the popular YouTube show 'Worldview,' tackles the alarming trend of US deportations targeting Indian students, stressing the erosion of due process. Zafarullah Khan, Senior Counsel from Chennai, provides insight into the controversial Waqf Amendment Act, highlighting its failure to address administrative shortcomings and questioning the government's true intentions towards the Muslim community. The discussion paints a grim picture of both legal and cultural challenges in contemporary India.