Dakshin Dialogues will welcome varied and multiple points of view: Vasu Gandikota

Gandikota noted that talks such as these often begin with speakers stressing that they are meeting at a unique moment, and are at a rare point in history.

“But today, when we look around, we can’t help but feel that — in fact — we have been here a while,” he said.

Dakshin Dialogues, he said, would welcome varied and multiple points of view, and offer equal opportunity to the full range of the ideological spectrum.

“What we need most now is dialogue, and it is our earnest aim to engage with and bring together diverse voices,” he said.

Speaking about South First, he said: “Hyderabad is where South First is headquartered. Geographically, the city lies nearly in the middle of the country, sitting as it were at the crossroads of culture. This is how, we too, see ourselves. As journalists on a good perch to bear witness to the sharp, ongoing, socio-cultural transformation around us.”

He also explained why he launched the venture: “South First — as the name suggests — will aim to provide accurate and non-partisan news from the southern states; and more importantly, create a platform for informed analysis of politics and policy in the region.”

He added: “No aspect of our lives is unaffected by politics — be it economy, social welfare, public health, or even cinema. Hence the focus on politics and policy.”

Link to the livestream of the inaugural Dakshin Dialogues event held by South First: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-AEKnYA704

Link to all the videos from the event: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbZMvW807JWuNBOcYK5c91w/videos

Link to the news reports from the event: https://www.thesouthfirst.com/category/dakshin-dialogues/