South Central

The News Minute
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Welcome to South Central, a podcast from The News Minute dedicated to bringing the south of India to the forefront. Each episode dives into the stories, challenges, and perspectives that shape the region and often go unheard in national conversations. South Central is led by TNM's Editor-in-Chief Dhanya Rajendran and co-hosted by TNM's Reporting Head, Pooja Prasanna. Together, they bring sharp insights, on-the-ground expertise, and a commitment to exploring the issues that truly matter in the south. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. TN and Kerala exit polls: Believable or not?

    5 DAYS AGO

    TN and Kerala exit polls: Believable or not?

    In the first part of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the Kerala and Tamil Nadu exit polls and the recent political developments in both states. They are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu bureau chief Shabbir Ahmed, Kerala bureau chief Haritha John, and senior reporter Azeefa Fathima. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the World Press Freedom Index 2026, in which India has slipped down to 157. They are joined by senior journalist Laxmi Murthy, who is also the founder and co-editor of the Free Speech Collective. Audio timecodes: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:58 - Headlines 00:14:04 - Kerala & Tamil Nadu exit polls 00:51:25 - India slips in Press Freedom Index 1:18:15 - Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. 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. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced by Jaseem Ali, Megha Mukundan, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji, Camera by Ajay R Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 23min
  2. The delimitation question & Telangana caste survey | South Central Podcast

    24 APR

    The delimitation question & Telangana caste survey | South Central Podcast

    In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss delimitation and what states should now be discussing with the Union government. They are joined by former IAS officer Rangarajan Ramakrishnan. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the Telangana government’s Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey 2024, its main findings, how poverty intermingles with caste to create marginalisations, and more. They are joined by academician and commentator Professor PL Visweshwar Rao, and TNM’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal. 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. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes  00:00:00 - Introductions  00:01:59 - Headlines  00:08:55 - Delimitation  00:40:23 - Telangana Caste Survey 01:12:17 - Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. Become a subscriber - Click here. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced & edited by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Vignesh Manickam & written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 19min
  3. Tamil Nadu elections: Delimitation row, alliances & what will decide the vote | South Central 71

    17 APR

    Tamil Nadu elections: Delimitation row, alliances & what will decide the vote | South Central 71

    In this episode of South Central, Pooja Prasanna and Azeefa Fathima discuss the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, focusing on the delimitation row, alliances, welfare politics, and what may ultimately decide the vote. They are joined by Frontline’s Senior Associate Editor R K Radhakrishnan, The Hindu’s Chief of Bureau Ramya Kannan, and academic and activist Dr C Lakshmanan. The panel examines whether the election is being framed as Tamil Nadu vs Delhi, the role of the BJP in the state, the limits of the Vijay factor, and how voters are responding on the ground. The 2026 reset: Assam to Puducherry Election Fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/zTQadhQFFT 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. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes  00:00:00 - Introductions  00:03:40 - Delimitation 00:12:50 - Tamil Nadu Elections 01:06:51 - Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. Become a subscriber - Click here. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced & edited by Bhuvan Malik, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 12min
  4. Can Vijay break DMK–AIADMK hold? | Bennix–Jayaraj case: Why verdict stands out | South Central

    10 APR

    Can Vijay break DMK–AIADMK hold? | Bennix–Jayaraj case: Why verdict stands out | South Central

    In this episode on South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. They are joined by The Deccan Herald’s Assistant Editor Sivapriyan and journalist and translator Kavitha Muralidharan. In the second segment of the episode, the hosts discuss the verdict in the Sathankulam police station case in which Bennix and Jayaraj were tortured to death. A court in Madurai gave the death penalty to nine police officers, and the hosts go into the details of the verdict. They are joined by Anisha Sheth, TNM’s Karnataka Bureau Chief. The 2026 reset: Assam to Puducherry Election Fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/zTQadhQFFT 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. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes  00:00:00 - Introductions  00:02:25 - Headlines  00:09:17 - Tamil Nadu Elections 00:46:56 - Bennix-Jayaraj Case 01:03:46 - Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. Become a subscriber - Click here. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 7min
  5. New IT rules and how it will impact what you post| Kerala Election | South Central 69

    3 APR

    New IT rules and how it will impact what you post| Kerala Election | South Central 69

    In this week’s South Central, Dhanya Rajendran, Anisha Sheth, and cartoonist Rachita Taneja discuss the Union government’s proposed amendments to the IT law and what they mean for online speech. Why is the government bringing in these changes, and how will they impact people sharing news and opinions online? In the second part, guests from Kerala discuss the upcoming Assembly elections. Environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan says that none of the major parties are prioritising environmental concerns, pointing to a decade of aggressive infrastructure development that ignores the state’s ecological fragility. The 2026 reset: Assam to Puducherry Election Fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/zTQadhQFFT 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. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introductions 00:02:29 - Headlines 00:11:23 - New IT Rules 00:39:32 - Kerala Elections 01:20:21 - Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. Become a subscriber - Click here. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced by Ajay R & Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 24min
  6. Does LDF or UDF have an edge in Kerala? | Transbill Horror | South Central 68

    27 MAR

    Does LDF or UDF have an edge in Kerala? | Transbill Horror | South Central 68

    This week South Central looks at Kerala’s elections and the transgender amendment law. Hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by MG Radhakrishnan, Sreejan Balakrishnan, and TNM’s Haritha John to unpack why the UDF may have a slight edge but no clear wave against Pinarayi Vijayan. In the second segment, Azeefa Fatima and Lakshmi Priya discuss the trans bill’s fallout, with reports of fear, threats, and uncertainty within the community. The 2026 reset: Assam to Puducherry Election Fund: https://pages.razorpay.com/zTQadhQFFT 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. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introductions 00:02:22 - Headlines 00:09:27 - Kerala Elections 00:51:39 - Trans Bill Horror 01:11:57 - Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. Become a subscriber - Click here. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 16min
  7. Bill 2026: BJP’s war on self-identification & KD The Devil song: Why does misogyny still get a free pass? | South Central 67

    20 MAR

    Bill 2026: BJP’s war on self-identification & KD The Devil song: Why does misogyny still get a free pass? | South Central 67

    In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026, which has triggered protests across the country. They are joined by advocate Arvind Narrain of the Alternative Law Forum, who was part of the panel of lawyers who fought for IPC 377 to be struck down. Joining in is also Rumi Harish, a musician and a queer, trans, masculine and social justice activist. In the second part of the episode, the hosts discuss the controversy over the lyrics of the new song from the movie KD: The Devil, and the problematic gaze of ‘item songs’. They are joined by TNM senior reporter Shivani Kava and Associate Editor Sukanya Shaji. 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. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introductions  00:02:21 - Headlines  00:11:20 - Trans Bill 2026 00:43:16 - KD Song Lyrics  01:13:56 - Recommendations Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. Become a subscriber - Click here. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 21min
  8. LPG Crisis Fears & Why Opposition Wants Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar | South Central 66

    13 MAR

    LPG Crisis Fears & Why Opposition Wants Impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar | South Central 66

    In the first segment of this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss the LPG crisis and what that could mean for India going forward. They are joined by energy journalist and policy expert Shreya Jai, and climate journalist and researcher Aruna Chandrasekhar. In the second segment, the hosts discuss the recent no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the one anticipated against Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They are joined by journalist Sravasti Dasgupta, senior political correspondent at The Wire. 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. You can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. Audio Timecodes  00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:22 - Headlines  00:13:57- LPG Fears 00:51:05-CEC Impeachment  1:14:11 - Recommendations Become a subscriber - Click here. Contribute to our reporting fund. Click here.  To check out our other shows, Click here  To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Produced by Bhuvan Malik, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Check out the recommendations and references from this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 19min
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About

Welcome to South Central, a podcast from The News Minute dedicated to bringing the south of India to the forefront. Each episode dives into the stories, challenges, and perspectives that shape the region and often go unheard in national conversations. South Central is led by TNM's Editor-in-Chief Dhanya Rajendran and co-hosted by TNM's Reporting Head, Pooja Prasanna. Together, they bring sharp insights, on-the-ground expertise, and a commitment to exploring the issues that truly matter in the south. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    The News Minute
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The News Minute
  • Show Website
    South Central

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