At a time when the Modi government is thinking of handing a bonanza to the Indian consumers and kickstarting the economy, the Opposition is already thinking of ways and means to create hurdles. At a meeting convened at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, 8 eight Opposition ruled states resolved to demand protection of their revenue interests when the GST rationalisation exercise comes up before the GST Council at its 56th meeting on September 3-4. The biggest cut in GST is expected now, and apprehensions about revenue losses to states have surfaced. These states estimate a revenue loss to be around Rs 50,000 crore during this financial year and nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore next financial year. While NDA-ruled states are backing the Centre’s strategy of cutting GST, the Opposition-ruled states do not want to grapple with potential revenue losses, especially at a time when Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala are heading for Assembly elections. Besides, the Congress has a political problem with GST cuts. That is because the GST cuts were part of PM Modi’s Independence Day speech when he promised GST cuts on items used by common people as a Diwali bonanza. The Opposition states are demanding a 5-year compensation for the rate cut, the sort of compensation that they received when GST was introduced in 2017.  Congress leader Jairam Ramesh demanded compensation to all states for a period of five years with 2024-25 as the base year, since their revenues are bound to be adversely impacted by the rate cuts. He also wanted additional levies on ‘sin’ and luxury goods over and above the proposed 40% should be fully transferred to states. Today the Centre gets close to 17-18% of its revenue from various cesses that are not shared with the states.

IPL franchises are powerhouses, and they will have their way. Never mind if some great players will have a falling out with them and walk away. In the matter of a few days, Rajasthan Royals saw Rahul Dravid walking away after being offered another role rather than that of the Chief Coach that he valued as the Karnataka cricket brain fancies himself more in team and player management around the cricket rather than as being part of the expanding cricket business. Just a week earlier, another legend in Ravi Ashwin decided to hang up his IPL boots and look for opportunities both on the field in leagues such as the popular Big Bash in Australia and other T20 club competitions. He fell out with his old franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) that had picked him up again in an auction, paying a fancy Rs 10 crore for a player who had retired from international cricket. An intelligent player who has made a name as one of the game’s deep thinkers about the game and its demands on technique, would now like to look at a coaching or managerial position in any franchise, if need be outside India. Ashwin fell out with CSK after he had aired thoughts about how much they may have paid “under the table’ for Dewald Brevis who was with Mumbai Indians earlier. The billion-dollar franchise did not take kindly to being called a cheat. And it has reason to fear any illegality as it once lost two years when it was banished from the IPL for one of its owning family members betting on the game. What the fracas at CSK reveals is the IPL franchises are not to be toyed with. They will hire and fire at will.

The soon to be released film Manusi led by singer and talented actor Andrea Jeremiah directed by Aram fame Gopi Nainar has a parallel story of its own to recount before release. Manushi is swinging like a pendulum between the Central Board Of Film Certification Board (CBFC), the filmmakers and the Madras High Court. For added misery to producer Vetrimaaran, the film is ready, yet its public viewing is uncertain. So what’s delaying it? The CBFC is apparently unhappy with the film’s potshots at the government, fiery dialogues and what is apparently seen as a mix up with communist ideology. So Vetrimaaran, approached the CBFC and the Madras HC after several cuts of scenes, dialogues chopped and probably ended up making an impactful film, insipid and inane; falling between two stools. CBFC did not give any certificate so the producer approached the HC. Recently, Sun Pictures’ got ‘A’ certificate for Rajini starrer Coolie. Sun Pictures moved the court to get ‘UA’ instead of ‘A’. Probably the makers wanted the youth and kids to view this masterpiece. The Court promptly set aside the plea. But like the Scottish folklore of Robert Bruce, producer Vetrimaaran try again approach seem to have with the HC. He approached the court, objected to the multiple cuts and changes. This time, Judge Anand Venkatesh watched the movie. He was so moved by Manusi and its portrayal of “the dark underbelly of power”. His review of this film was carried in all media. All one can say is that the learned Judge taught movie reviewers to fully understand the nuances of a film before reviewing it. He also ordered a few changes in the film but more importantly, the CBFC had to issue a certificate for release within two weeks. 

What happens when the bride and groom opt for an ethical living, that too in a muslim wedding? A wedding ceremony in Parappanangadi, Malappuram, Kerala has kicked up a larger social and religious issue, thanks to the unconventional mehr involved — ethical investment. The groom, Farsind, the son of a prominent Islamic scholar and comparative religion expert MM Akbar gifted his bride not the traditional ornaments or cash, but financial shares. And, this novel gesture, rooted in both personal conviction and religious adherence, has sparked admiration, debate and curiosity. In the Islamic custom, the mehr is a gift from the groom to the bride and it forms an integral of the marriage contract. While it often takes the form of gold or cash, religious scholars have long supported the idea that mehr can be anything of value, provided it is agreed upon by both parties. “Minha, the bride, has no interest in gold said Akbar. ‘She preferred something with lasting value and spiritual integrity. As a family we respect that”. The decision was made after consulting both the bride and father, Habeeburahman, who were both aligned in their preference for a more ethically grounded mehr: The mehr comprised 614 shares of four companies — Hyundai Motors, Godrej Agrovet, Nava Ltd and Genesys International — chosen from their alignment with Sharia principles. It did not take long for the couple’s wedding clips to go viral. The video of the family accepting shares struck a chord with netizens. While many applauded the move as a step towards financial literacy and ethical living, it has emerged as a subject for debate especially since it involves the conservative muslim community.

Sixty-one-year old Govinda, who ruled Bollywood throughout the 90s and then saw years of no work, seems to be in the news for all the wrong reasons. The rumours of his divorce from Sunita has been making headlines at regular intervals. While some dismiss it as a publicity stunt, a few film insiders say it’s for real. A few days back there were reports that wife Sunita and her son Yashvardhan were spotted in the family court, Bandra, Mumbai’s western suburb. A few days later paparazzi got an invite from Govinda-Sunita for the Ganpati festival just to indicate all is well between the couple. Not only those close to the couple say that there were issues and Sunita had been vocal about it. And few it’s a publicity stunt to invite attention. Again, people close to Sunita, she did move the court in December 2024 alleging cheating and desertion. During this time there were strong rumours of some Marathi actress entering Govinda’s life. The latest buzz is that counselling is on and the next court hearing is at the end of the year. Ideally, his diehard fans would want Govinda who has acted in over 165 films to make a big comeback and save his marriage. Wishful thinking! 

Odisha is now preparing for the biggest leap in the aviation space thanks to the backing of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu.  He wants to make flying affordable even for those wearing ‘chappals’.  In months ahead Odisha government is keen to promote sea planes at Chilika and Hirakud dam. In fact, the minister had announced the creation of the Chilika Water airdrome. It also wants to start heli-taxi from Bhubaneswar-Puri as well apart from pursuing Puri International airport which has already received Centres go-ahead. In terms of spread, the Odisha government is planning to develop 14 airports and 15 heliports across districts who are without air connectivity and also convert 22 unused airstrips by upgrading it suitably. The Odisha government also wants to have a world class aviation flying school and training centre at Dhenkanal for tribal girls including UAV training and aero-sports. The Odisha government has already signed a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) agreement with Mumbai-based Air Works, to establish a state-of-the-art facility at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. Sources say this facility will also be used for skill development training and jobs for Odisha youth. In the past 14 months, Odisha has been connected with 15 new destinations already 

It’s not the case of “now or never” for the women in blue team as it targets the ICC 50-over World Cup yet another time, but another opportunity to shine for possibly the near-perfect team chosen for the September – November event to be held in India and Sri Lanka. India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur has played 26 matches over four World Cups from 2009 in Australia and Smriti Mandhana has played 16 over two World Cups from 2017 and they will be in the vanguard of over a month-long campaign. They along with all-rounder Deepti Sharma would be keen and eager to win the title. The likes of Anjum Chopra, Neetu David, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami had memorable careers, but the big prize eluded them; Mithali, Jhulan, Harmanpreet, Deepti and Smriti almost got it in 2017 in England. This World Cup will also keep the likes of Richa Ghosh, Jemima Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sheh Rana, Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav in the centre stage along with newcomers Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy and Sree Charani. The big miss in this talented list is the flamboyant Shafali Verma who has hit 7x6s and 81x4s in 28 matches. Australia, the 6-time title winner and which enjoys a 20-4 H2H record against India can turn out to be a stumbling block. The other two winners England and New Zealand and South Africa will compete hard for a place in the knockout with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, but India which has played 29 matches since January 2024 will fancy its chances. The preparatory three match series at home against Australia can be seen as a dry run.

‘Param Sundari’s opening weekend has put a spotlight back on Siddharth Malhotra’s commercial pull — and the picture isn’t flattering. The film debuted with a Friday of roughly Rs 7.25 crore and, with mixed-to-negative reviews and early controversies (criticism over the portrayal of a Malayali character by Janhavi Kapoor, stereotypical use of Mohiniyattam and jasmine motifs, claims about one song’s origins), is now pegged to finish the weekend near Rs 25 crore. With an estimated production cost of around Rs 50 crore, and reported fees of about Rs 12 crore for Siddharth and Rs 5 crore for Janhvi, theatrical recovery looks challenging unless the film finds strong legs or ancillary revenue. Siddharth’s track record in recent years has been uneven. He has had high points — notably Ek Villain and his supporting turn in Kapoor & Sons — but several solo outings such as Yodha, Thank God, Jabariya Jodi, Mission Majnu, Marjaavaan and others failed to translate into consistent box-office domination. That patchy filmography suggests he is not, at present, a reliably bankable solo star who can guarantee big openings that make producers comfortable taking large commercial bets. In Param Sundari’s case, the controversies and perceived lack of charm relative to mainstream entertainers have clearly dampened audience enthusiasm. The film also invited unfavourable comparisons to more successful masala entertainers like Chennai Express. For Siddharth to reassert himself as a genuine box-office force he needs sharper script choices, stronger director collaborations, and perhaps strategic fee negotiations so producers can allocate more to production and promotion. After Param Sundari he is not a guaranteed box-office anchor. 

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been having a testing time in its attempts to make Maharashtra’s state festival of Ganeshotsav eco-friendly. Though the Bombay High Court relented on its ban on Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols this year, it insisted that idols below 6 ft must be immersed only in artificial ponds and not in the 70 natural water bodies including lakes, rivers or seashores earmarked for immersions. In a bid to incentivise clay idols, the BMC has been providing free clay to Ganesh idol makers. This year, the BMC also provided free eco-friendly colours to artisans to reduce pollution in water bodies. Over 990 metric tonnes of clay along with 10,800 litres of paint in five different colours were given free to over 500 idol makers in the city to reduce water pollution. For the first time this year, the BMC plans to collect the PoP from the immersed idols from the city’s 288 artificial ponds and process it at a facility at Bhiwandi, close to Mumbai. This follows consultations with over 12 institutions on ways to handle the PoP waste.  Senior officials have already warned that water from these artificial ponds should not be allowed into natural water bodies. Flower waste will be recycled into fertilisers. Considering the scale and popularity of the Ganesh festival, managing environmental concerns has been a huge challenge for the BMC. Last year, the city had seen 1557 community Ganesh idols and over 77,874 households Ganesh being immersed. However, this year, immersions of over 35,000 Ganesh idols have been reported within the very first two days of the festival. 

Pay Rs.500 and cry for an hour in “a safe, non-judgmental space to express emotions.” You can do this at a venue where ‘warm lighting and calming ambience’ will be present. You will be provided with tissues and a cup of tea amidst ‘emotional support music.’ This facility has been advertised by the Cry Club, which has been receiving good response from Mumbaikars. One can visit the therapy at upmarket Linking Road in Bandra West. The concept is not novel. A Healthy Crying Club has been present in Surat, the diamond city of India, since 2017. Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad also are reported to be hosting informal vulnerability circles inspired by Ruikatsu, a Japanese concept on which the concept is based. Ruikatsu means ‘tear activity’ or ‘tear-seeking.’ It has been designed as a wellness trend. Undergoing this, one is encouraged to perform an intentional act of crying. The crying person experiences relief from stress, improvement in emotional health and enhanced mental well-being. According to the Crying Club website, ranting, crying and hugging are encouraged. But you can’t just walk in. You have to buy an online ticket and carry valid identification evidence that you are an adult. This will also allow you to buy alcohol, ‘if available.’ Plus, your behaviour must be decorous. People pay and join the sessions to unburden themselves. The sessions are advertised on the website or tickets are available on BookMyShow.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recovered 952 metric tonnes of wet waste from its seven beaches following massive garbage deposited by the sea waters. The scale of the pile-up on its beaches including Girgaum, Dadar, Mahim, Juhu, Versova, Madh-Marve and Gorai, was so large that the BMC was forced to undertake a massive 24×7 clean-up. Over 380 personnel from six different agencies were involved in this week-long exercise to clear the beaches off the garbage thrown back by the sea following a heavy downpour. Maximum garbage weighing 375 metric tonnes were recovered from Juhu beach followed by 300 tonnes from the Dadar-Mahim beachfront. The cleanest stretch of Mumbai’s 34 km coastline seems to be Gorai with barely 20 tonnes of garbage recovered. Mumbai is now installing trash booms on six major storm water drains to prevent floating waste from flowing into the Arabian Sea. Collectively costing over Rs 22 crore over the next three years, these thrash booms will also help to keep the city’s beaches clean. The city currently spends an estimated Rs 3 lakhs daily to keep its beaches clean. Environmental activists like Zoru Bhathena wonder why the BMC does not put up the cheaper trash boom nets across all its nalla outlets. “Why can’t our city simply stop the garbage from flowing into the sea rather than waste revenue and resources cleaning up its beaches?” he asks.

The protestors supporting Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil have started receiving more than just moral backing from parts of Maharashtra. After news became viral that a large number of them, who have come from across the state, were finding it difficult to find food and water, voluntary groups in the countryside have risen to the occasion. For instance, 5000 water bottles and over 10000 bhakris (jowar roti) were collected within three hours of a social call in Baramati, the Pawar clan’s hometown. The collection will go on till Jarange’s agitation for pressing the demand for reservations for the Maratha caste continues in Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. Women belonging to the Maratha Kranti Morcha are leading this initiative. ‘One tiffin from one house’ was the appeal made in Kopargaon in Ahilyanagar district. In response, bhakaris, rotis, groundnut chutney and water bottles started pouring in. Soon, a truckload of food and water was dispatched to Mumbai. The organisers said that people belonging to all castes and religions had contributed to this effort. The gesture is receiving compliments from all around. The paucity of food and water was felt since the turnout for the protest action was beyond anyone’s imagination. The rural folk, not familiar with Mumbai, started searching for food and water. Local eateries, overwhelmed by these crowds, downed their shutters as a precaution. When this was flashed by TV news channels, voluntary food mobilisation efforts took off, in a bid to support the agitation.

The unprecedented turnout in Mumbai from various parts of the state to back Maratha leader Manoj Jarange Patil has generated extreme political heat. His opponents have made allegations that the agitation triggered by the proponent of Maratha caste’s demand for reservations is actually aimed at destabilising the government of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. The name of deputy CM Ajit Pawar has been dragged into this attack, which was launched by OBC leader Lakshman Hake. From the beginning Hake has been leading the opposition to Jarange’s agitation. The presence of a handful MLAs belonging to Pawar’s NCP at Jarange’s demonstration in south Mumbai on Friday has unsettled the OBC community. In a retort, OBC leaders have warned the government that they, too, will bring hordes of their supporters to Mumbai to rebut the stir started by Jarange. Reiterating his stand, Fadnavis said the agitations against his government were taking place since ‘resources’ were provided to them. He did not spell out any names but said, “We are committed to providing social justice and have already granted 10% reservation to the Maratha caste.” The gravity of Hake’s charge has increased since it concerns a Mahayuti partner, the NCP of Ajit Pawar. Although Hake has not elaborated on his statement, there is a caste undertone to it as the NCP is seen, by and large, a party of the Marathas. Incidentally, both deputy CMs of Maharashtra – Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar – are Marathas.

Over the past week, the electronic media coverage of Maharashtra has been hovering around just two topics. Firstly, the agitation launched by Manoj Jarange Patil to press the demand for granting reservations to his caste is the hottest issue. Secondly, a meeting between two Thackerays – Uddhav and Raj – has dominated the TV bulletins. The impact of the Trump Tariff, the footage of devastating floods, the destruction caused by incessant rains to the crops and all such subjects have been pushed to the backburner. Jarange monopolised the TV time in connection with his agitation, which is recurring many times over. Last year, too, he had come to Mumbai and went back after getting assurances from the government. Over the three years, he has done eight fasts unto death. As far as the Thackeray cousins are concerned, their second meet, which took place at Raj’s Shivaji Park residence, was constantly in the news, before, during and after. Pressing issues like the pitiable condition of roads, internal and highways, received scant coverage. Those active on Social Media have lambasted the TV Marathi channels for this situation. They have expressed chagrin since the matters concerning the nation have been ignored by the electronic media houses. The honchos administering the media have pleaded that it is their duty to reflect what is going on in the state so that public education is done. However, this defence has few takers.

As Bengal gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections, Nandigram has once again returned to the political spotlight. The constituency, which staged the dramatic face-off between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari in the last polls, is already buzzing with speculation and strategy. The controversy from the previous election still lingers. Trinamool Congress (TMC) had accused the BJP of manipulating votes through orchestrated power cuts, and the case continues in court. Yet, long before a verdict, the battlefield is being readied for the next round. The central question remains whether Mamata Banerjee would contest from Nandigram in 2026 or not. The BJP seems convinced. Pralay Pal, Tamluk district vice-president, declared on social media that “confidential sources” and a “secret report” by TMC’s National General Secretary and Mamata’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, confirm the West Bengal chief minister’s candidature from Nandigram in 2026. He went further, asserting that the BJP would repeat its victory. The TMC camp, however, is striking back with confidence. However, Bappaditya Garg, president of Nandigram Block 1 TMC, dismissed the BJP’s claims and stressed that the party’s candidate would be revealed in due course. Yet, he was emphatic on one point: Suvendu Adhikari will not fight from Nandigram again. Garg buttressed his claim with electoral data—TMC’s win in Adhikari’s own booth at Nandanayekbari during the cooperative polls, a 412-vote lead in his locality in the Lok Sabha election, and a 2,500-vote lead from Panchayat Samiti voters in the same.

Sunil Gavaskar was known as a man of “centuries” — with the willow in hands and dispersing the most fearsome fast bowlers of his time. There are a number of centuries to his credit; but a day after his statue was unveiled outside the Mumbai Cricket Association’s brand new Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum that’s located in between the Cricket Centre where the BCCI is a tenant and the Garware Club House, India’s all-time best batting maestro, must have created another century of sorts at his party, humbly shaking hands with over hundred people, all teammates of his school, college, Dadar Union Club, Mumbai and India teams, other teams and of course his dear friends from different walks of life. It’s a much-awaited SMG annual get-together, nay a convivial party with a strict “no no” to speeches, with the little giant of a man playing a perfect host. This time around he remembered teammates and friends who were full of beans in the previous year dos, but had sadly made their departure to the Elysian Fields. Milind Rege, Padmakar Shivalkar, Dileep Doshi, Vijay ‘Papa’ Karkhanis , Anshuman Gaekwad, Ehsan Hakim and Abdul Ismail’s names were displayed on miniature bat at the Boundary Hall of the MCA Recreation Centre. Only recently the Gavaskars had celebrated the centenary birth anniversary of their mother and soon after, the MCA inaugurated his life size statue that prompted Amul to announce to the world that “Sunny dais are here again.” A famous name in the sporting world, Gavaskar has been part of the cricketing canvas and folklore for around six decades!

At an interactive session marking Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s centenary celebrations in Delhi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made it clear that there weren’t any differences between the Sangh and BJP. Responding to a bunch of pre-submitted questions at Vigyan Bhawan, he made it clear that while there may be “struggle” between the two organisations, “there is no quarrel”. “There can be matbhed (difference of opinion) here, but no manbhed (heart-to-heart disagreement). We need to move forward in one direction, and not different ones,” he asserted. He added that the goals of the two organisations are the same. A big takeaway from Bhagwat’s interaction was that he clarified on his idea of retiring at 75 years of age, which was widely seen as a reference to PM Modi. Even as the event coordinator read out a question that said, in as many words, that his statement “was seen as a reference to PM Modi — he will turn 75 next month.  Bhagwat, who is a week older than Modi, clarified that “I never said I will or someone else should retire. At the Sangh function in Nagpur, I was merely quoting a witticism by Moropant ji (senior Sangh leader Moreshwar Nilkanth Pingle aka ‘Moropant’) about how when someone gives you a ceremonial shawl at 75, you should think of retirement.” So, this is not for the retirement of anybody or myself he said. Another highlight was Bhagwat making it clear that Sangh doesn’t get to choose who will be next BJP president…if the RSS indeed had a say it would probably not have taken so long. In the same breath Bhagwat added that political leaders must have space to act independently.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin is currently the man for all reasons of political strategy …dumping an invitation for an Ayyappa event in Kerala, he winged his way to Bihar on August 27, to participate in Rahul Gandhi led Voter Rights Yatra to protest against the sudden deletion of 65 lakh “fake” voters from Bihar electorate. Stalin’s party heavyweights wondered about this trip, even as Stalin was scheduled to visit London and Germany on August 30. Meanwhile, despite his huge show of power, actor Vijay knows that a nascent party like TVK at best  can divert votes, what he really needs is a sinewy party to really break the incumbent. And his Chanakyas, Aadav Arjun and John Arogyasami have marketed a Congress alliance like the Holy Grail. Vijay has already sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi, a play that Rahul is said to have nimbly avoided being lured by the sound and fury of a cinematic organisation. Surely, Rahul and his party are well aware of the 360-degree strategic strength of the DMK. Why rock the boat when this Opposition alliance has gained respectable traction? But the Judas in every party will try their to open trap doors or pull up drawbridges . Established leaders like Thirunavukkarasu, Manikam Tagore, Selvakumar are enticing the party with claims that aligning with Vijay will fetch them 60 to 70 seats, and TVK will share power with Congress.

Naveen Patnaik headed Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is in a sticky situation. Being the principal opposition party in Odisha, all eyes are on BJD’s position vis a vis Vice-President election on September 9. The Congress is rooting for INDIA Bloc candidate B Sudershan Reddy. The question is who will BJD Supremo Patnaik support? NDA or INDIA Bloc… Once upon a time it would have been NDA because of his close proximity and respect for PM Modi. It was mutual. But post 2024 polls where BJP turfed out BJD, the scenario has changed. Political observers say BJD’s decision has consequences over V-P poll. Should he go with the INDIA Bloc then he is openly challenging PM Modi. That does not augur well for a party whose future is hanging in balance because of succession issue. His man Friday VK Pandian who went under the radar for more than a year is now openly seen with Patnaik. He was holding his mentor’s hand and leading him out of the hospital. An speculations are rife that Pandian could well take over the reins of the party. What goes against him, he is an outsider –Tamilian from Tamil Nadu. If Naveen goes by Pandian’s advise chances are BJD will back NDA candidate. In the end the options before Patnaik is: One, abstain from voting , two,  side with Congress instead,  three, go for conscience voting like last time which divided BJD party members, four , support NDA’s choice.

Karnataka government’s decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysuru Dussehra festivities was censured after a video went viral in which she was seen criticising the worship of the Kannada language in the form of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. At the 2023 Jana Sahitya Sammelana, Banu Mushtaq had said the appropriation of Kannada as Goddess Bhuvaneshwari draped in yellow and red, the colours of turmeric and vermilion, was “exclusionary” to people like her (minorities).  BJP state president BY Vijayendra asked Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the Mysuru Dussehra only after accepting the Sanatana culture and rituals.  “The Sanatana Dharma includes idol worship and offering prayers to the deity. Do you agree with that?” He also took exception to Siddaramaiah’s decision to invite only Banu Mushtaq and ignore translator Deepa Basthi.  Hindutva proponents asked how Banu Mushtaq agreed to “bow down before Chamundeshwari’s grandeur when “she cannot tolerate Kannada Bhuvaneshwari”.  BJP MP Tejasvi Surya claimed that there was a bigger “game plan” behind having Banu Mushtaq. He felt these were not isolated moves… “The so-called Anti-Communal Task Force, the Hate Speech Bill, the Rohith Vemula Bill pushed at Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on  the dubious Dharmasthala SIT, and now the Congress government’s decision to invite Banu Mushtaq…are  part of a single, well-orchestrated game plan scripted by urban naxals and Marxists, executed with the full enthusiasm of Siddaramaiah government.” On her part, Banu Mushtaq made course corrections. She termed Dussehra a state festival and said referring to Mother Chamundeshwari with love and affection is a part of our culture. “That’s why it is dear to me as well. People call her Mother Chamundeshwari. I respect the people’s sentiment.”

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has decided to skip the ‘Global Ayyappa Sangamam’ being organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board at Pampa in Kerala as part of its 75th anniversary on September 20. Oddly, he has cited “prior commitments” in his letter to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan, and has deputed two state ministers to participate. The political buzz is that Stalin most likely   excused himself from the event because of the pressure exerted by the BJP. The invitation from Kerala CM had kicked up a political row with the BJP criticising the invitation extended to Stalin. TN BJP president Nainar Nagenthran, in his post on X, wrote that deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, minister TRB Rajaa, former Minister K Ponmudy and DMK treasurer TR Baalu had made “disgraceful remarks” against Hindus. Nagenthran had said if Stalin intends to attend the event, as a first step, he should make the above DMK leaders apologise for their remarks. Besides, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar strongly objected to Stalin’s participation. He demanded that both chief ministers apologise to Hindus “Pinarayi, Stalin and his Deputy Chief Minister son Udhayanidhi Stalin have hurt the sentiments of the Hindus and are trying to sabotage Hindu beliefs. Pinarayi government jailed many Ayyappa devotees and unleashed brutal police attacks against devotees who tried to protect the belief on restriction on women’s entry to Sabarima Ayyappa temple,” Chandrasekhar said in a statement. It is most likely in this backdrop that Stalin has chosen to skip visiting Kerala.

Can Opposition leaders like Trinamool Congress Supremo Mamata Banerjee or Congress CM Siddaramaiah or AAP CM Bhagwant Mann shun a high-level panel being set up by the Centre to prepare for the centennial birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee? Just because they are politically opposed to PM Modi. Of course, not. The Ministry of Culture has notified three high-level committees for the commemoration of 150th birth anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Birsa Munda, and the centennial birth anniversary of Vajpayee. PM Modi will chair each committee which as members have several CMs as well as union ministers. The committee for Sardar Patel will have 124 members is top heavy panel and includes former Presidents Pratibha Patil, Ramnath Kovind, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and has 21 CMs, including Opposition CMs Siddaramaiah, Omar Abdullah, Sikhvinder Singh Sukkhu, MK Stalin and Revanth Reddy. The committee also has Patel’s family members Nandini and Diribhai Patel. The committee on Birsa Munda has 118 members, including President Patil and President Kovind, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, several cabinet ministers and 20 Governors and L-Gs. The committee also has over 20 CMs, including Opposition CMs Hemant Soren, Pinarayi Vijayan and Revanth Reddy, besides Naidu and Advani. The Committee on Vajpayee has 124 members, and in addition to the former Presidents and Cabinet ministers, Advani and Naidu, 19 Governors and L-Gs and 17 CMs including Mamata Banerjee and Bhagwant Mann, besides Soren and Siddaramaiah. This committee also has as members Ranjan Gogoi, spiritual guru Ravi Shankar, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Ram Madhav, Suresh Prabhu, Kapil Dev, Azim Premji as well as Advani’s daughter Pratibha Advani.

Raj Thackeray’s equidistant relationship with political leaders across the political spectrum in Maharashtra continues to baffle political analysts. His meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at the CM’s official residence, followed by his son Amit Thackeray meeting up with senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar the very next day, has been raising eyebrows in political circles. Even after officially joining stage with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, there is no official announcement of the same and Raj continues to hold parleys with Eknath Shinde’s pointsman Uday Samant. Though the first foray of the Thackeray brothers in the BEST credit society has been a cropper, their political strength in the civic polls, cannot be ignored. Incidentally, despite meeting with the CM, Raj continued to be in unison with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray on the issue of raising discrepancies in the electoral rolls that has been strongly flagged by Rahul Gandhi.  The Congress unit from Panvel has found 85,211 duplicate voters in the electoral rolls. Uddhav Thackeray too has asked his cadres to scrutinise the electoral rolls for discrepancies to prevent electoral setbacks. That the brothers are raising the same issue as raised by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi hints at the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) warming up to join the bandwagon of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. At this juncture, Raj Thackeray’s public meet-ups with leaders from both sides is being viewed as pressure tactics to secure a better deal for himself at the bargaining table for the upcoming polls. Though the MVA coalition has decided to fight the forthcoming local self-government elections separately, Raj Thackeray’s oratorical skills, which commands strong public turnouts at election rallies, could serve as a handy tool for both coalitions.

With the government spelling out its stand that Team India will continue to participate in multilateral events like the World Cup and Asia Cup which will also feature Pakistan, the Asia Cup gets a clearance that may not be popular with sections of the public because of the tensions with Pakistan post-Pahalgam terror attack. However, this is a stand Team India followed even in the Champions Trophy but in which it stressed that it will not play in Pakistan and nor would the BCCI expect Pakistan to play in India though they did that in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The picking of the squad for the Asia Cup was a clear pointer to the BCCI being confident of getting clearance to take part in the Asia Cup which it will host in the UAE. Not that the squad the selectors picked was universally popular. The omission of Shreyas Iyer was the biggest talking point but equally mysterious was the omission of Yashasvi Jaiswal who was a member of the T20 World Cup winning team in 2024. Some former players used their time to think about picking a squad out of those not selected for the Asia Cup and they came up with a playing XI that could be expected to give Team India a run for its money. Here is the alternate team for the Asia Cup: Shreyas Iyer (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudarshan, KL Rahul, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Ramandeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. That is a pretty good playing XI quite capable of upsetting the real Team India. Of course, what the XI of those left out conveys best is the depth of Indian cricket when it comes to white ball competitions

Growing up is a process. But it isn’t an easy task. It involves quite a challenge. How to navigate the growth challenges? That thought is exercising the minds of the top honchos (read the promoters) of this organisation. This iconic enterprise stood as a shining star in the industrial landscape of Tamil Nadu. Somewhere along, however, it fell into bad times and almost went into oblivion. But the arrival of a new promoter changed the fortunes of this Chennai-based Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd completely. New promoter J Rafiq Ahmed got KICL relisted, helped the company become debt-free, brought investment from a Qatar firm connected to the ruling family, got the organisation to quickly move into areas such as non-leather footwear, drones, publishing, food, waste management et al. Well-meaning Ahmed is a man in a hurry. The man lays much store by empowering women in rural areas. Alert to time sense, he feels that his organisation has to move into the fast lane not just to catch up what it has lost but also to move ahead of others. A robust system is critical as the organisation glides into higher growth orbit. Not surprisingly, he has drafted the service of a top-notch global consultant to put in place an organisational structure which absorbs and addresses the growth challenges. A robust organisation is essential to its sustainability in the long run. The focus is now on putting the systems in place so that the organisation runs without let or hindrance and sans individual bias.

Once again filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has been mired in controversy. This time it’s over his soon-to-be-released The Bengal Files. Since the launch of its trailer in Kolkata, it has been locked in legal disputes, political allegations, clarifications from lead actors and objections from freedom fighter Gopal Mukherjee’s grandson. Agnihotri has accused the Mamata Banerjee government of trying to stall the release. He claimed actors Saswata Chatterjee and Sourav Das were compelled by Didi’s government to issue media statements. The Bengali actors distanced themselves, saying they were unaware of the full script and were only briefed on their roles. Saswata Chatterjee, who plays the antagonist, clarified his role was limited to acting, with no involvement in political or historical debates. He admitted he had not read the complete script—describing this as common in the industry—and learned of the title change from The Delhi Files to The Bengal Files only after shooting ended. Santana Mukherjee, grandson of freedom fighter Gopal Mukherjee (Gopal Patha), filed a FIR objecting to the portrayal of his grandfather as a butcher. He described this as distortion, stressing that Patha, a member of Anushilon Samity, owned two goat-meat shops, was a wrestler, and had taken up arms in 1946 to protect civilians from Muslim League attacks. He alleged misrepresentation without consulting the family. Sourav Das, who plays Gopal Patha, distanced himself too, saying he was only briefed on his role. Amid the uproar, National award-winning filmmaker Goutam Ghose released a video statement, noting Bengal’s pioneering role in India’s independence but also its scars from Partition. Ghose insisted films on Partition or communal riots must rest on rigorous research rather than political or emotional motives.

The Paris-headquartered Calderys, a refractory solutions company with presence in over 30 countries, has chalked out big plans for India. It is committed to invest over $100 million in Odisha to cater to both India and APAC countries. At Bhuinpur, Khorda district, Bhubaneshwar it is setting the world’s largest single site production hub for refractories production and steel casting fluxes. The six-phase project has already seen the completion of the first leg of Refractory manufacturing at Bhuinpur, Khorda district. As per reports, full-fledged production at its Khorda plant will begin in the second half of 2026. Calderys APAC Region, Sr Vice President & MD Ish Mohon Garg says “India’s $ 2 billion refractory market is poised to double by 2030, driven by surge in infrastructure, manufacturing and energy projects”. When asked what made Calderys consider Odisha for investments, Garg praised Odisha’s top end bureaucracy saying “we were hypnotised by Odisha, particularly the speed of action, decision making and clarity of thought without any follow up. Everything was wrapped up in three months, thanks to efficient IAS bureaucrats like Hemant Sharma, Bhupendra Singh Poonia at IPICOL and Collectorate & District Magistrate of Khorda and others”. He assured that Calderys will provide cutting edge refractory solutions to its customers. He said the first production line of acidic monolithics refractories having exceptional chemical resistance and thermal stability has already commenced and sales have started for the domestic market.  Odisha’s economic growth seems unstoppable. After steel, aluminium, mining, semiconductor forays, the state is now focusing on refractories.

Aryan Khan’s directorial debut arrives with a confident, offbeat pulse that immediately distinguishes it from routine star launches. The promo’s cheekiest beat comes when Aryan breaks the fourth wall, addressing the camera as the familiar, violin-laced Shah Rukh Khan motif plays — an audacious, meta wink that signals reverence without reverence’s usual stiffness. That tonal gamble pays off: the piece feels mischievous and smart rather than self-important. Visually, the promo is polished and assured. Clean frames, slick colour palettes and an Arri Alexa–style sheen hint at streaming-grade cinematic ambition. Art direction and sound design suggest a larger production muscle at work, while the supporting cast — names like Bobby Deol and Raghav Juyal — promise layered turns that complement Aryan’s youthful voice rather than overshadow it. The world he sketches is slightly chaotic and deliberately uncertain, an apt playground for an emerging filmmaker aiming to stake out an identity. Beyond style, the project carries heavyweight goodwill. Glimpses of Shah Rukh Khan and buzz from industry peers amplify attention; Netflix’s visible enthusiasm — from executives in India to global leadership — underscores how much is riding on the series as a conversation-starter for the streamer.  But flash isn’t the same as staying power. The promo does its job: it teases tone, talent and production values and provokes curiosity rather than answers. Whether Aryan “scores” will depend on what follows — sharp writing, assured long-form direction and committed performances across episodes. This moment also sits within a broader trend: star children and actor-turned-directors reworking industry legacies into new careers. From the lineage of filmmakers such as Randhir Kapoor and Rakesh Roshan to contemporary scions like Utkarsh Sharma, Junaid Khan and Krishna Shroff exploring directoral roles, filmmaking has long been a family trade.

In her recent interview to Tamil magazine Kumudam, ageless wonder and popular actress Nadhiya talks about the secret of her youthful looks, energy and enthusiasm as if it is as easy as plucking a low hanging fruit off a tree. She made her mark even in her first Tamil film Poove Poochoodava in which she played the granddaughter of another rocking beauty, Padmini. Not just looks but talent too, earning a Filmfare Award. But several Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films later, it was her role as a single mother in M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi that brought her a huge wave of adulation ..Ravi Mohan, Asin and Prakash Raj were just foils to this dedicated actor …she takes her son to be enrolled in school…the Principal insists that the field “father” must be filled. Nadhiya just grabs the pen and fills the form as Son of Mahalakshmi. This scene inspired many single mothers. Then she looked like an older sister to Ravi Mohan …now, paradoxically, he looks like her older brother. At the height of her career, in 1988, she married Shirish Godbole and winged off to America, to live her life as a family maker. What made her give up fame, celebrity status? She is clear why…I knew him as a student, we planned to marry only after he settled down. Two daughters and American life did not erode her magnetism. When she flew into Mumbai, her fans accepted her. Even if she sashayed into her modelling role, she could have launched several products — bangles, sarees, sandals. She shares the secret of her youth and energy…a down to earth attitude to life, eat only when needed, workouts are non-negotiable and focus on tasks. Her fans are perplexed about why this talented and striking beauty is not chosen for more rewarding roles.

A docile and law-abiding people, Parsees are always held in high esteem. Their contribution in nation building is unmatched. It is very rare to see a Parsee breaking law. But there was an exception. A municipal action against stray dogs in then Bombay about 200 years ago had so angered the microscopic community that its fury exploded in a terrible riot. The fateful day was 6 July 1832, a holy day for the Parsees. When they ventured out of their houses in the Fort area, civic dog catchers were seen catching the dogs loitering around. About 200 Parsees tried to stop the action but to no avail. Soon, a clash started and two policemen were attacked. The protest spread to other communities. Hindus, Jains and Muslims, too, joined the free for all. Several prominent Parsees were arrested, only to add oil to the fire. Mumbai came to a standstill. Like the present Supreme Court has done, the British authorities were forced to rescind their original decision. Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, the doyen of the local people, demanded an immediate stop to the culling and proposed that stray dogs should be relocated outside the city. The British agreed.  The regulation mandating the killing of stray dogs was withdrawn. The Bombay Dog Riots of 1832 floods many memories about the then Bombay, a city loved by the British and her inhabitants equally. As far as the SC is concerned, the lesson is – history repeats itself.

So far it has been a one-sided game with the pro-Shreyas Iyer group outnumbering a minuscule going with the senior national selection committee’s call to not pick him for the Asia Cup Twenty20 in Dubai. Iyer has not been part of the Men in Blue Twenty20 team since the first week of December 2023 and the selection committee say that Iyer has to first “settle down’ after being in the bad books of the powers that be after the second Test (Visakhapatnam) of the home series against England in February 2024. He was thrown out of the Central Contract by the BCCI. But the Mumbaikar staged a comeback for the ICC Champions Trophy in the United Arab Emirates and was awarded a Grade B Central Contract. The Iyer-group — Sanjay Manjrekar being the most recent to express surprise at Iyer missing the bus for the Asia Cup — feels that the smart batter who has the wherewithal to force the pace and is strong against spin bowlers should have been an automatic choice in the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup.  But the Selection Committee steered by Ajit Agarkar has stuck their neck out retaining Rinku Singh for his quick-witted approach to batting in any given situation. But this column understands that Iyer is very much in the scheme of things for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup to be played in India and Sri Lanka. The selection committee announced a 15-member squad for Asia Cup in the Gulf region and five standbys. The committee may have shortlisted the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Iyer and Mohammed Siraj for the home World Twenty20 in India next year. Iyer could be even recalled for the white ball series, including the Twenty20 series, in Australia in two months.

Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has kept himself and his MLAs away from the RSS but his wife Sunetra presence at a meeting of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti in Delhi has put him on the backfoot. BJP MP and film star Kangana Ranaut had organized the meeting in the national capital by inviting prominent Sevika volunteers. When the pictures of the meeting became viral, the surprising face was that of Sunetra, a Rajya Sabha member. Interestingly, in all these years, Sunetra was never seen in a political meeting. Though the RSS says it is a cultural and not a political organization, the detractors of the saffron outfit do not spare a single opportunity to needle its followers. The same sequence was enacted when Sunetra’s picture was seen all around. Ajit’s nephew Rohit Pawar, who is emerging as a powerful figure in grandfather Sharad Pawar’s NCP, was in the forefront of launching the attack. He reminded Ajit that the latter was always claiming to be proceeding on the path led by social reformers like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Shahu Maharaj. The clue was picked by others and finally Ajit Pawar had to quip at a public event to rebut the assault. He said, “I don’t monitor my wife’s movements minute to minute.” On her part, Sunetra said, “I attended the meeting to understand the thinking of those present. I spoke barely two words there. Hence, do not draw any political inferences.”

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has been given a delicate task for the Vice-President election by being asked to play the ‘Maharashtra Card’ since the NDA’s candidate, CP Radhakrishnan or CPR, will contest as a voter from the state. He became governor of Maharashtra in July 2024 and cast his vote in the subsequent Vidhan Sabha election, hence he has filed his nomination as a voter from the state. This is a fortunate situation for the NDA since the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray has used the Maharashtra card twice in the past, defying the NDA fiat. In 2007, the then unified Sena had supported Congress candidate for President, Pratibha Patil, arguing that she belonged to the state. In 2012, Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray had blessed Congress candidate Pranab Mukherjee, who had visited Matoshri to seek the former’s support. Using the analogy, Fadnavis will appeal to the voters, MPs, to elect ‘the candidate from Maharashtra.’  The Uddhav Sena has 9 Lok Sabha and 2 Rajya Sabha members while the NCP led by Sharad Pawar has 8 LS and 2 RS members. Together, both command 21 votes in the V-P election, which seems to become a keen tussle. Hence, the vote bloc from Maharashtra will prove to be crucial. While Fadnavis has been told by Pawar in no uncertain terms that his party will stand by the INDIA Bloc candidate Sudarshan Reddy, the decision of Uddhav is yet to be announced. This became clear after Fadnavis urged him to back the CRP. Looks like Fadnavis will try to wrest some INDIA Bloc votes by using his political skills.

Wayanad Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra takes her role as a lawmaker very seriously. Not only does she articulate problems of her constituency inside the Lok Sabha, she is also known to take up issues of her constituency with Union Ministers. It is being said when she meets Central ministers, it is not for a private tete a tete. She is always taking along a delegation of Kerala MPs. State MPs, one hears, are extremely happy that the Gandhi girl has made it possible for Opposition MPs to have dialogue with the government on state issues. She recently had a meeting with Health Minister and BJP President JP Nadda on issues of Wayanad. She was accompanied by Kerala MPs, mostly from the Congress. Sharing details of her interaction on X, Priyanka requested Nadda to expedite some health projects in Wayanad and to apprise him of the severe difficulties being faced by the local population in the absence of the Medical College in Mananthavady. “We also discussed the need for better healthcare for Wayanad’s tribal population, their specific health issues, pending NHM funds and the need for a specialised trauma centre catering to cases of animal attacks in the area. Along with this all of us also renewed the long-standing request for an AIIMS for Kerala.” On her X timeline, one finds, she has showcased how Wayanad Coffee has received a Special Mention under Category A – Agriculture in the GoI’s ODOP program — the first such recognition for any product from Kerala. This honour celebrates the dedication of Wayanad’s farmers and the unique identity of their GI-tagged Robusta Coffee, a pillar of Wayanad’s economy.  Unlike her brother Rahul who is determined to push even a fake narrative of inflated vote count by the BJP to win 2024 polls, Priyanka seems focussed on governance issues.

Even as established parties struggle for superiority among the voters and ideological battle formations, a Johnny-come-lately, just trapezes from his cinema stardom to an iconic leader with solutions to every issue in Tamil Nadu. The second, mega public podium of Vijay in Madurai drew huge crowds that saw National news TV covering it live. At the venue, a 100 feet flagpole to hoist the TVK flag broke and collapsed …superstitious Tamils tut tutted. But Vijay brushed it off and kicked off his super self-projecting show with elan…and arrogance. His ramp walk’s style braved by the fan crowd in 102 degree heat could be seen as his total hold over the audience (fans), notwithstanding fainting kids and adults, first aid in ambulances and the expected melee of crowd behaviour. But what needed to address issues of omission and commission of the incumbent party, quickly turned into an arrogant slugfest. Established superstars Rajini and Kamal were baited, unconcealed. But the Tamil Nadu chief minister addressed as Uncle Stalin raised eyebrows. Is Vijay pointing out his youth or Stalin’s old age? He referred to the AIADMK as MGR’s party and challenged PM Modi and the BJP…in cinematic style with an MGR song. The late Vijayakanth was remembered as my “dear brother”. Even as huge grease drums were placed to prevent the incited crowds to come near him, Vijay cited a Lion’s exclusivity…lions come only to kill and eat the prey. Never to stand and watch. But throughout this harangue, not once did Vijay offer his electorate concrete suggestions. Throwback to Aesop’s Lion and the Mouse parable…invincibility is better underpinned by humility.

Even as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is moving in Bihar on ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, he is being hailed as ‘compassionate’ and dubbed ‘a leader of the poor and the needy’ after he secretly got a new pucca house built for party member Bhagirath Manjhi, a resident of Gaya in Bihar. Bhagirath Majhi is the son of Dashrath Manjhi, known as the ‘Mountain Man’ for having cut a large mountain block to build a road to his native place, Gehlaur in Gaya, all by himself. As per the Bihar government records, Dashrath had carved a path — 110 m long, 9.1 m wide and 7.7 m deep — through a ridge of hills using only a hammer and chisel. Dashrath completed the daunting task single-handedly with the sole objective of connecting his remote and inaccessible village with the Wazirganj block in Gaya district. Bhagirath Manjhi, considered influential among the local tribals and someone who has an inclination for politics, had joined the Congress in January 2025 in a jolt to the ruling JDU, which he had joined in 2023. On June 6, Rahul visited the mud hut of Bhagirath, sat with the family, shared coconut water and listened to their concerns. Rahul then asked the local leaders to ensure that a brick house was built in place of the mud hut and provided funds for the same. Over the past months, Rahul had been engaging with local icons, marginalised communities and symbolic figures besides holding ‘Save Constitution’ conclaves to regain political ground in Bihar, where assembly elections are due in October-November. Bhagirath Manjhi, who had attended the ‘Save Constitution’ meet in Bodh Gaya, may well get a Congress ticket to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from the Bodh Gaya constituency.

Mysuru’s iconic Dasara celebrations are set to soar to new heights this year with an IAF air show planned as part of the festivities. In a major boost, the Modi government approved shifting the annual air show from Bengaluru where it is normally held to Mysuru. An elated Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah thanked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and extended a formal invitation to him to attend. In a letter addressed to Singh and shared by Siddaramaiah’s office, he said: “It would be a great honour if you could personally grace the occasion. Your august presence will be a source of immense encouragement to the citizens of Karnataka and will further strengthen the bond of respect and admiration that we hold for our Armed Forces.” Dasara 2025, Karnataka’s ‘Naada Habba‘, will be held in Mysuru from September 22 to October 2. The celebrations will feature a blend of traditional and grand events including the Gajapayana (elephant march), extended palace illumination, vibrant cultural programmes, and the majestic Vijayadashami procession, Jamboo Savari. Meanwhile even as Karnataka CM  was only  too happy  with the Centre for being kind to him with its move on IAF air show  and as well as bringing  a law to block leaders with  criminal antecedents from holding office (hopefully implicating DKS), his deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who has been probed by  the ED, surprised his colleagues in the state assembly and flaunted his familiarity with RSS’s signature anthem “Namaste Sada Vatsale“. It wasn’t clear if DKS was sending a desperate message to the Gandhis or trying to reach out to the Centre.

In West Bengal the Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has challenged chief minister Mamata Banerjee once again, stating that he is prepared to contest against her in the next Assembly election, even from Bhabanipur. Referring to the ongoing “special intensive revision of electoral rolls,” Adhikari claimed that several names would be struck off the voter’s list. BJP sources indicated that Adhikari has initiated a survey in Bhabanipur to assess the voter base, booth-level details, and party performance. There is also speculation that he may establish a separate office in the constituency. Meanwhile, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has shifted focus to Nandigram, Adhikari’s constituency. Over the past few weeks, he has held meetings with district-level leadership across several organisational units. Abhishek met leaders from the Barasat and Tamluk districts. According to party sources, Abhishek stated during the discussions that he would convene a separate meeting dedicated to Nandigram. Booth presidents, local leaders, and functionaries of different party wings from the constituency are expected to be part of the deliberations. Though the date of the meeting has not been finalised, the constituency is set to receive additional attention in Trinamool’s electoral preparations. In the 2021 Assembly election, Nandigram witnessed a high-profile contest between Didi and Suvendu, who won by 1,956 votes. The outcome remains under judicial review. Political sparring between the two parties has continued since then, with the TMC describing Adhikari as the “load-shedding Leader of Opposition,” while the BJP refers to Mamata as the “compartmental chief minister.”

On the penultimate day of Monsoon Session of the Parliament, PM Narendra Modi once again reloaded his battle against corruption–a theme which had won him the historic mandate for the first time in 2014. It is a battle in which people have always stood with him. Coming on the eve of Bihar elections, it surely helps set the mood for the polls. Home Minister Amit Shah moved the 130th Constitutional Amendment in the Lok Sabha that brought the PM’s office into the ambit of law along with that of CMs, State Ministers and other Ministers. By this amendment Modi was essentially reversing the 39th Constitution Amendment which Indira Gandhi had brought during the Emergency in 1975 to exclude her office from prosecution. Of course, Rahul Gandhi explained it as going back to medieval times when the king could just remove anybody at will. An entire Opposition saw a BJP design to destabilise their government. The Centre had legitimate worries. Delhi saw 3 AAP leaders reluctant to quit during their jail term — Arvind Kejriwal, Satyender Jain and Manish Sisodia. Then there has been the classic case of Senthil Balaji in TN who the DMK inducted into the cabinet while on bail. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal attacked Shah. He said, leaders of the BJP are saying that this bill is to bring morality into politics. “Can I ask the Home Minister a question? When he was the home minister of Gujarat, he was arrested. Did he uphold morality at that time?” Quickly rebutting Venugopal, Shah said when the Congress trapped him in a completely fabricated case, he had resigned even before being arrested. “I did not hold any constitutional position and even after being released on bail, until the court fully acquitted me.”

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin was apparently livid on learning that a section of his party leaders had begun to project the Vice-President election as a “Centre Vs DMK battle”. He was particularly shocked to find out that party’s Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva had thrown his hat in the ring by offering to be Opposition Veep candidate. This DMK leader known to often break into Mohammed Rafi songs fancied he could win some popular rating among MPs. The main concern was that DMK votes do not go to Tamil candidates offered by the NDA – CP Radhakrishnan (CPR). Siva’s soundbite was all over Tamil news channels. This at a time when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had reached out to Stalin seeking his support for CPR. It is being said Stalin gave an earful to Siva. DMK’s hyperactivity made TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee oppose a Tamil candidate; she wondered why everyone was mollycoddling the DMK when TMC was a larger party with 28 Lok Sabha MPs than DMK’s 22. That’s why the Opposition opted for pro-left Justice Surendra Reddy. A pro Left judge, his appeal could be among those ideologically backing him, not culturally. The YSRCP which is outside the NDA has already extended support to CPR. More Opposition votes are likely to cross over or abstain. As for Stalin, he is still struggling to cope with the charge about how his father Karunanidhi had not helped a Tamil president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam get a second term as Sonia Gandhi was opposed to it. In all probability Stalin who enjoys a good equation with CPR may not repeat his father’s mistake. Meanwhile CPR who is in Delhi is not staying in Maharashtra Sadan though he continues to be Maharashtra Governor. He is staying at the residence of Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, his campaign manager for the elections.

The India-Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup T20 tournament scheduled in Dubai, come September 14, was inadvertently called off on August 11 itself when the Indian Parliament cleared two new laws to henceforth govern domestic, international sporting encounters. The National Sports Governance Bill and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bills became the national authoritative laws governing sports emanating out of India, established a clear legal framework for sports bodies, introduced stricter accountability and dedicated mechanisms for dispute resolution. The Anti-Doping Amendment Bill aligns India’s anti-doping agency with global standards. The National Sports Board has authority to recognize/derecognize National Sports Federations, can suspend bodies while enjoying the powers of a civic court of law with its decision being final only allowing for appeal before the Supreme Court of India. While the ostensible reason for the NSB is to clear the currently pending backlog of 350 court cases, sources indicate that the cancellation of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup tie is already a foregone conclusion. Already public opinion has consolidated against India playing the fixture against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack following which India has not only cut off the rogue nation’s water supply under the Indus Waters treaty of 1960 but also cut off all further ties with Pakistan. Even the BCCI, mostly independent of government funding, has been brought under provisions of the RTI. The bill was amended so that RTI would only apply only if the private cricket trust accepts government funding to allay fears of unwanted government controls. However, the BCCI has consistently accepted waivers of tax levies and fees payable for conducting the multibillion-dollar IPL, other cricket tournaments for years now.

The successful redevelopment of the first phase of the Bombay Development Directorate (BDD) or famously known as BDD chawls, with keys being handed over to 556 of the over 15,000 residents, marks a significant beginning for Asia’s largest urban redevelopment project in the housing sector of Mumbai. The journey of the 556 residents from 160 sq ft to 500 sq ft houses, has been marked with much political churning with the chawl residents being historically divided into various community specific groups like Maharashtrians, Dalits and even Telugu residents. Spread over 92 acres in Worli, Naigaum and Sewri, the 206 three-storied chawls housing about 15,593 residential and 960 commercial units will now be housed in 68 buildings of minimum 19-34 storied. The project will be subsidized thanks to eight sale component buildings of 41-66 plus storied plush buildings. Incidentally, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has been battling charges of the Marathi-manoos, the native man, being displaced out of Mumbai, urged the BDD residents to not sell their flats and safeguard it for their future generation akin to family gold. On the same day, while addressing a builder’s body, Fadnavis lamented how despites sops being offered to developers, they had not helped in making housing affordable for the common man. He wondered why projects kept lagging behind schedule at a time when the world had technology to build 80-storied buildings within 120 days. Meanwhile, in another major leap, after developing Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, the Maharashtra government is planning to develop an education hub termed third Mumbai. Spread over 300 acres, the educational hub, close to the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport has plans to host 14 foreign varsities with residential facilities for one lakh students.

On paper this film had everything: a near Rs 400 crore production, two of India’s biggest stars — Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR — backed by Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor and Ashutosh Rana, and the marketing muscle of a major studio. It should have been a global blockbuster. Instead it collapsed under its own weight, and the fault lies squarely with the writers. The story is credited to Aditya Chopra, a name associated with some of Hindi cinema’s biggest commercial properties. The screenplay and execution were entrusted to Sridhar Raghavan (whose earlier work on big projects raised expectations) and dialogue by Abbas Tyrewala, a writer capable of sharp lines. Together they should have turned this star-studded canvas into a taut, emotional spectacle. Instead, overconfidence and sloppy plotting have produced a film that looks spectacular but feels hollow. Technically, the film often delivers: lavish set pieces, slick VFX and ambitious action set-pieces that scream big-budget cinema. But those production values only highlight the script’s failures. Characters are one-dimensional; motivations are perfunctory; scenes exist to justify action rather than to emerge from character. Even sequences that should thrill — aerial dogfights, tense confrontations — veer into the absurd and invite laughter instead of awe. This is not a failure of stars or resources but of storytelling. Aditya Chopra’s confidence in scale seems to have tipped into complacency: the belief that marquee names and massive budgets can substitute for a coherent story. What should have been a Rs 1,000 crore-level tentpole looks unlikely even to cross Rs 250 crore. This movie is a reminder: scale magnifies both strengths and weaknesses. No amount of star wattage, stunts or VFX can compensate for an unmoored script.

It is not only Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray’s criticism of India playing Pakistan in September that will be ringing in Indian ears. Whatever the BCCI’s justification for fielding Team India in the Asia Cup T20 tournament in the UAE next month, it is certain to prove unpopular. This will certainly be displayed most on social media where people have already noted that it is BCCI’s greed that is driving this move to resume sporting ties with Pakistan. Coming as they do so soon after hostilities on the border have barely ceased and the success of Operation Sindoor is being spoken of in Parliament and outside, India-Pakistan matches may not have the same resonance as before. And to prove how greedy they are about putting up this spectacle, the organisers of the Asia Cup have shown some ingenuity in trying to bring about at least two meetings between India and Pakistan in the league and Super Four stage but also a possible third match if both teams qualify for the final. UAE may be the safest place in the world at present to host these matches, but the hit on the national sentiments of Indians and cricket lovers may be deep. “Blood and water cannot flow together,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi thundered when abrogating the old Indus Waters Treaty. Apparently, blood and cricket can now flow together. There may be some logic to BCCI trying to ensure no threat to a place for Team India in the Los Angeles Olympics of 2028, but to think playing in the Asia Cup will help is a stretch. It will be ironic if Pakistan pulls out of the matches against India.

The chatter in the social media as to whether India should play Pakistan — after the Pahalgam terror attack — in the Asia Cup Twenty20 in Dubai in September has subsided a bit; it may gather steam though once the Indian team is announced on Tuesday (Aug 19), but the media has already gone on an overdrive to speculate the likely squad for the eight nation tournament. The Continental tournament is the first of a handful that will help the big boys in Asia to prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026 and so India – the ICC World Twenty20 winner last year – would be keen and eager to put its team through the wringer from now on. India will play Pakistan on September 14, in between its opening campaign against UAE and Oman. The Asia Cup spins around India-Pakistan clashes with a full house assured at the Dubai International Stadium. India is the host of the Asia Cup, but it has chosen to run the competition in Dubai because of Pakistan’s presence in the competition and also that a hybrid model would not work what with India refusing to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy that Rohit Sharma’s team won in Dubai six months ago. With India drawing the Test series (2-2) in England and with skipper Shubman Gill in good nick, the grapevine is rife with speculation of who all will make the cut, in particular Jasprit Bumrah, Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer etc. The selection committee will look at a basket brimming with players, all talented bringing in their explosive dynamics to the 120-ball format.

After steel, aluminium and mining leadership, Odisha is now focusing big time on niche semiconductor business. It now wants to contribute to the national semiconductor ecosystem. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet has approved the U.S. chip major Intel-backed 3D glass semiconductor manufacturing unit in Odisha with an investment of Rs 1,943 cr. The plant will be set up by Hetrogenous Integration Packaging Solutions Pvt Ltd with an annual production of 5 crore units. Apart from this a silicon carbide semiconductor plant will also be set up at Bhubaneswar with an investment of Rs 2,066 cr by SiCem Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Clas-SIC  Wafer Fab, UK to manufacture 9.6 million Silicon carbide chips per year which will be used in missiles, satellites, telecom towers, rockets, railway engines, solar power, fast chargers and others. Immediately, Odisha focus area will be chip assembly and training and workforce development meeting infrastructure needs. Odisha seems confident to take the leap first by chip assembly followed by chip manufacturing, backed by government incentives. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan feels Odisha will emerge as a semiconductor hub because of “PM’s purvodaya vision of Look East Policy.” He said chip manufacturing process is part of PM’s election promise to double Odisha’s income. Sources say, though actual investment will take time to materialise, however serious assessment has already begun where Odisha stands particularly with regard to the availability of engineering talents from IITs, National Institute of Science Education & Research which compliments semiconductor start-ups. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav feels with these plants Odisha will be able to attract the best of brains to Odisha.

Malayalam movies abound in realism, and low budgets. But even as these movies gained recognition for down to earth plots, the reality of gender exploitation had become a scourge…female artists often faced casting couch exploitation, and other forms of sexual harassment. AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) under superstar Mohanlal faced serious charges, chapter and verse instances that could not be swept under the carpet. The Hema Committee Report forced the entire body to resign and face fresh elections. When former Miss India Femina Beauty Queen, 51-year old Shwetha Menon threw her hat in the ring, the male oligopoly did not take it as a serious threat. But just to ensure Shwetha got besmirched by bad publicity, a scandal campaign on Shwetha made the rounds; it quoted and charged her under Section 67 A of the obscene films law …a smear campaign that would have scorched any other female artist. But not her…she got acquitted. Not only that she worked her way to win 159 votes against actor Devan who got only 132 votes. For the first time in its 31-year old history, AMMA has a female artist as its head. Even though she tries to pun on AMMA, “Yes, a real Amma heads the Association now.” She has a plan but first she wants to get all the members on her side and work without rancour. Workplace sex exploitation is widespread. But women are now getting tough and willing to crack the whip on those whose touch is creepy.

A pigeon, or a white dove, is a widely recognized symbol of peace. This symbolism is rooted in various cultural and religious contexts, particularly in the story of Noah’s dove in the Bible. Nonetheless, the issue of feeding these birds in open public places has created unprecedented heat in Maharashtra politics for over a fortnight. The clash between the two sides has been showing alarming indications since some of those reacting on social media are seen to be using their language indiscriminately. At the core of the controversy is a fiat by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation or BMC whereby feeding of the pigeons in public places called ‘Kabutarkhana’ has been prohibited. Those flouting the ban are liable for penal action. Mumbai High Court has endorsed the BMC’s decision till further orders. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has advised both camps to exercise restraint so that an amicable solution can be found. However, even mundane issues are seen to be painted with linguistic and community shades. Pigeons have been an integral part of Mumbai life and countless references to their existence in the metropolis are found in historical records. However, there are valid concerns since many medical experts have opined that the habitation of the pigeons causes serious health problems, occasionally fatal. The pro-feeding proponents argue that the findings are open to challenge. All said and done, passions have inflamed on both sides, some bird lovers feeding them in defiance of the ban and accepting to pay the fine.  

After years of CIA and FBI stranglehold on the global cinema audience, an Israeli spy story series Fauda in 2015 became the benchmark for spine-chilling storytelling, pitting bitter enemies in death strangleholds. Fauda and later Teheran much-watched and lauded spawned a long line of spy thrillers, some even playing out the most recent and may be still unfolding events of Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond. Fauda was cloned as Tanaav for India. But why clone, when we have our own braveheart stories? Our creative teams scaled new heights in espionage thrillers with Sare Jahan Se Accha, The Family Man, Special Ops (two seasons of pure thrills, spills and chills in which Kay Kay Menon plays the antagonist-protagonist), Sarzameen, Rannneeti: Balakot & Beyond and currently Salakaar, a hit show guaranteed to nail bite to stumps. Naveen Kasthuria, an unmistakable Ajit Doval with Mouni Roy, the alluring honey trap Mariam aka Shrishti, give a new meaning to heroism. Are these new genres building new age heroes? The valiant and versatile intel agents who risk their lives as much as the military combatant, gathering invaluable humint? We predict OTT will be the future launch pad for real life (but unseen) heroes …the reel life ones have had their day. No one denies that these thrillers carry significant hype…intel failures have changed the course of border protection. But it is clearly an era of Sare Jehan Se Acha.

Odisha’s KIIT-KISS University promoter Achyuta Samanta is on an image building exercise. It may be recalled that for last one year Samanta, founder of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University and ex-Biju Janata Dal MP, has been mired in controversy over alleged suicide of a Nepalese girl student in his campus and forcible eviction of 1,000 Nepali students from KIIT campus. This move caused a diplomatic embarrassment as India and Nepal enjoy a good relationship. Recently, he invited Hon’ble Justice N Santosh Hegde, Former Judge of the Supreme Court and Former Lokayukta of Karnataka, to KIIT & KISS as chief guest to talk on “Fall in social values and its consequences”. While talking on the subject Justice Hegde heaped praises on Samanta’s contribution to KISS/KIIT institutions. He lauded the generous dedication and remarkable contributions of Dr Samanta, towards humanity and the upliftment of society. Justice Hegde said in his lifetime he has visited 1,861 institutions, yet had never seen anything like KIIT. He praised the exceptional educational infrastructure, cleanliness, and discipline maintained across the campuses. He also noted that KISS Deemed to be University—the higher education wing of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences—is the only university in the world exclusively for indigenous scholars. Justice Hegde compared Samanta with Atlas – the Greek mythology figure who carries the entire load on him, saying Samanta’s institution is second to none. This open praise from an impeccable Justice Hegde has indeed bolstered the tarnished image of Samanta but it has also set tongues wagging.

 ‘Sholay’ has become a legend and keeps on attracting film lovers even after half a century. Many stories, real and apocryphal, associated with it abound. It has been widely reported how some of the actors in ‘Sholay’ were paid small sums for their performances and how they accepted the amounts without any murmur. One of them is veteran Marathi actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, who also has recently celebrated his film career spanning 50 years. Sachin’s role of Ahmed in ‘Sholay’ was very brief but quite powerful. The grandson of a wheelchair-bound septuagenarian, played by AK Hangal, the then teenager Sachin is remembered even today for the effective depiction. Equally interesting is the fact that Sachin was gifted with a refrigerator instead of monetary remuneration. He did not grumble since it was a common practice in those days to compensate in kind. Sachin has since appeared in numerous films and is an icon for the Marathi stage and cinema. His wife Supriya is a household name due to her varied film roles while their daughter Shriya, too, has made her debut on the screen and is well accepted. Recalling the history, Sachin has said in a social media post, “Sholay is an emotion. A celebration. I’ll always be grateful to Ramesh Sippy Ji who I considered one of my Gurus for making me a part of this magnum opus and for giving me the opportunity to learn so much even behind the scenes.”