5.19 Rukmini Shrinivasan: Numbers and Myth Busting: The stories behind the stats

Find out what data can and cannot tell us about modern India - from the way we eat, work, pray, and marry! Join Tara and Michelle in conversation with Rukmini S , the author of ‘Whole Numbers and Half Truths’, a book which uses data to decode and demystify the private, but social lives and habits of modern Indians. What does an independent data journalist do? How can numbers and data be used to tell a story? How to have conversations about sensitive issues as a journalist and writer? Tune in to find out! Books mentioned in the episode:•Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo•Raag Darbari by Shrilal Shuklal •A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth•Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh Khan by Shayana Bhattacharya •Planning Democracy: Modern India’s Quest for Development by Nikhil Menon•India Moving: A History of Migration by Chinmay Tumbe •Age of Pandemics (1817-1920) by Chinmay Tumbe•Ants Among Elephants by Sujatha Gidla•Lady Doctors: The Untold Stories of India’s First Women Doctors by Kavita RaoProduced by Aishwarya JavalgekarSound edit by Kshitij JadhavApplications for The Bound Publishing Course 2026 are now open.The Bound Publishing Course is a 3-month intensive course on book, magazine, and digital publishing. Through live sessions, workshops, and industry-facing projects, participants gain practical publishing skills and exposure to careers across the industry.Cohort size: 50 seatsFirst round of acceptances: 15th June 2026Applications are reviewed on a rolling bas‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.