South Central

The News Minute
  • 4.3 (3)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 10-minute delivery at what cost? South Central on gig worker rights | Episode 56

    2D AGO

    10-minute delivery at what cost? South Central on gig worker rights | Episode 56

    In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the strike by gig workers on December 25th and 31st, what their demands are and whether the existing framework of payouts and stipulated minimum delivery time violates their rights. The hosts are joined by Shaikh Salahuddin, founder and president of Telangana Gig And Platform Workers Union, and Maitreyi Krishnan, a lawyer and president of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice. In the second part of the discussion, the hosts delve into the upcoming elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and what alliances will fly and which of them will likely fail. The hosts are joined by senior journalist Dr RK Radhakrishnan. 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- Introduction  00:03:10 - Headlines  00:12:03 - Gig Workers Strike   00:52:16 - TN & Kerala Elections  01:27:02- Recommendations 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. 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 Megha Mukundan, edited by Jaseem Ali, written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 32m
  2. Hafta X South Central: Highs & lows of media in 2025, influencers in news, Arnab’s ‘turnaround’

    12/27/2025

    Hafta X South Central: Highs & lows of media in 2025, influencers in news, Arnab’s ‘turnaround’

    For this special year-ender episode, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri and Manisha Pande and The News Minute’s Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna are joined by columnist and media critic Santosh Desai. The conversation begins with a wrap of the Indian media ecosystem this year. Santosh says, “Institutions are struggling to retain credibility and resist pressure.” Dhanya argues that mainstream media exerts significant influence over people, but on social media, the results vary. Discussing the state of the media more specifically in Karnataka, Pooja notes that although it's “heavily compromised”, it can still be seen as a “lesser evil” compared to the Hindi and English media. Manisha argues that, in terms of news consumption, the internet can be very ruthless – in contrast to legacy media, which does not have to face the crash and burn. She cites the example of Beer Biceps, whose rapid rise and fall illustrate this ruthlessness. Some influencers, Dhanya says, have also realised that “credibility comes with consistency”. On the economic front, Abhinandan explains, “It is the lethargy of legacy media that is reflected in their belief about how business is done – in large spaces and studios. Hence, sustainability and viewership become two completely different things.” The panel also discusses advertisements that make them nostalgic. Dhanya says, “Now, we pay to remove ads. I cannot remember the last time I watched an ad.” Meanwhile, Abhinandan notes, “The death of ads is the death of jingles, which in turn traces to the death of radio.” While discussing Arnab Goswami's recent shows that questioned the central government, Pooja remarks, “This man can damage the country by stooping so low, but all it takes for him to be viewed as a crusader is the targeting of a soft issue as a larger strategy.” This and a lot more. Tune in! Letters to NL Hafta and South Central: ‘Pointless’ Nikhil Kamath article, love for Dhanya and improving AQI 2025 is coming to an end, make it count: https://rzp.io/rzp/gnWUWkc Support the show: https://rzp.io/rzp/south-central For viewers outside India: https://buy.stripe.com/dR6bK841T9ll0GAeVg South Central Feedback Survey: https://forms.gle/fotHnLrY7uEVbzSB8 Recommendations: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SuGm5-JwvRc4SCazAtW9956IKfsy3RrTJOFMsvbhmGE/edit?gid=0#gid=0 To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introductions & announcements 00:02:16 - Headlines 00:07:30 - Brands vs individuals: Understanding news models  00:33:15 - Karnataka Hate Speech Bill 00:38:00 - How has advertising changed? 00:59:00 - Santosh’s recommendations 01:00:00 - Arnab Goswami’s turnaround  01:07:00 - Christmas violence   01:12:00 - Letters 01:35:13 - Recommendations  Song: Badumbaaa - Zumba Zumba References Prasar Bharati’s curliest tale: How taxpayer money was used for influencer content Kiran Bedi Tapes: Does the law allow a ‘concerned mother’ to request a surveillance operation? Read Santosh Desai’s columns  Abhinandan’s interview with Dhruv Rathee  Abhinandan’s interview with Harvinder Kaur Chowdhury Recommendations Santosh Desai  New India by Rahul Bhatia  Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Pluribus The Expanse Abhinandan  Believer's Dilemma: Vajpayee and the Hindu Right's Path to Power, 1977–2018 by Abhishek Choudhary Vajpayee: The Ascent of the Hindu Right, 1924–1977 by Abhishek Choudhary  Pooja Prasanna A Controversial Judge  Dhanya The Dig: Keeladi and the Politics of India's Past by Sowmiya Ashok Serial The Muhammad Yunus government played with fire, now Bangladesh burns again Believer's Dilemma Manisha  Shattered Lands : Five Partitions and the Making of Modern Asia by Sam Dalrymple Gods Guns & Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity by Manu S. Pillai Subscribe to Newslaundry and The News Minute Lapgun DJ Check out previous Hafta recommendations, references, songs and letters. Recorded and produced by Priyali Dhingra. Production assistance by Megha Mukundan and  Ajay. Edited by Saif Ali Ekram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 43m
  3. Census, Delimitation & MNREGA Pushback | South Central Episode 55

    12/19/2025

    Census, Delimitation & MNREGA Pushback | South Central Episode 55

    In this year-ender episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss federalism and how it has fared in India. They are joined by economist and author Rathin Roy, and TNM’s Associate Editor Nandini Chandrasekhar. 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. 00:00:00- Introduction  00:02:01 - Headlines  00:15:53 - Federalism 01:17:29- Recommendations  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. 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.

    1h 21m
  4. The State of Investigative Journalism in 2025 India | South Central Episode 54

    12/12/2025

    The State of Investigative Journalism in 2025 India | South Central Episode 54

    In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss whether investigative journalism is becoming one of the most endangered professions in India or is that a misplaced fear. Looking back at 2025, the conversation focuses on how much space investigative reporting still has, the risks journalists face, and whether strong reporting is able to create real impact.  They are joined by investigative journalists Josy Joseph, founder of Confluence Media, Rema Nagarajan, senior editor-research at Times of India and independent journalist Nikita Saxena. 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  00:00:51 - Kerala Actor Assault Case 00:01:48 - Headlines  00:13:07 - Investigative Journalism in India  01:03:10- 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.

    1h 10m
  5. Secularism, Religion and the Indian State in 2025 | South Central 53

    12/05/2025

    Secularism, Religion and the Indian State in 2025 | South Central 53

    In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna discuss India’s Constitutional value of secularism and the contradictions in its practice. The panel delves into how India has fared, or not, in prioritising Constitutional values vis-à-vis political agenda. They are joined by journalist and activist Aakar Patel and Seema Chishti, the editorial head of The Wire. Reporting Fund: The Shady Business of Stolen Footage 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  00:01:07 - CCTV series 00:03:56- Dileep Case Verdict 00:06:07 - Headlines  00:16:29 - Secularism in India 01:29:41- 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 and written by Sukanya Shaji Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 33m
  6. The Dileep case and how SIR is unfolding across states | South Central 52

    11/28/2025

    The Dileep case and how SIR is unfolding across states | South Central 52

    In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the Kerala actor assault case of 2017, which superstar Dileep is accused of orchestrating. As the verdict is expected in a week, the hosts take us through the details of the case and its impact on Kerala society. They are joined by TNM’s Associate Editor, Sukanya Shaji and Breaking News Head, Azeefa Fathima. In the second session, the hosts delve into the SIR, the pressure exerted on BLOS, and the discrepancies in the process itself. The guests are joined by TNM’s Tamil Nadu Bureau Chief Shabbir Ahmed. The News Minute & Newslaundry 26% discount offer 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  00:01:11 - 26% Discount 00:05:16 - Headlines  00:12:57 - Dileep Case Verdict  00:48:03 - SIR Across States 01:16:22- 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 and written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 20m
  7. Sridhar Vembu’s Anti-Vaccine Claim and Privatisation of Govt Hospitals and Medical Colleges | South Central 51

    11/14/2025

    Sridhar Vembu’s Anti-Vaccine Claim and Privatisation of Govt Hospitals and Medical Colleges | South Central 51

    In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna first discuss the anti-vaccine statements made by billionaire Sridhar Vembu. In the second session, the hosts delve into the efforts of several governments, including Karnataka and Andhra, to implement a PPP model in the health education sector. The hosts are joined by Dr PV Ramesh, IAS, and Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health doctor with more than two decades of experience. Let Me Explain is 100 not out 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  00:01:08 - LME 100 00:02:22 - Headlines  00:13:33 - Vembu’s Anti-Vax Claim  00:47:36 - Privatisation of hospitals  01:18:53- 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 and written by Sukanya Shaji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 25m
  8. How Kerala says it ended extreme poverty, & inside Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral win | South Central

    11/07/2025

    How Kerala says it ended extreme poverty, & inside Zohran Mamdani’s NYC mayoral win | South Central

    In this episode of South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth first discuss Kerala’s announcement that it has eradicated extreme poverty. They are joined by T.V. Anupama, IAS officer and Special Secretary, Local Self Government Department and Devaswom, and Freddy Thomas, Assistant Professor at the School of Law, Christ University. The discussion explores how families were identified, the state’s micro-plan approach to welfare, and the challenges of sustaining such interventions over time. In the second part of the episode, the hosts are joined by senior journalist Prajwal Bhatt from New York to discuss Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York City’s mayor. Prajwal explains how Mamdani’s campaign mobilised young voters and sections of Indian Americans, including “Hindus for Zohran,” while drawing sharp reactions from segments of the Indian right wing. Read: Ayodhya of the south 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  00:01:44 - Ayodhya of the south  00:04:03 - Headlines  00:14:02 - Kerala eradicates extreme poverty  00:49:26 - Mamdani wins 01:09:51 - Yogendra Yadav on SIR   01:25:02- 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.

    1h 28m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

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
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The News Minute
  • Show Website
    South Central

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