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Nitin gadkari_004
Nitin Gadkari's Due Diligence In Dealing With Queries
With Parliament back to business, Union ministers are busy and back on their toes. No one was found more diligent than Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. He made it a point to field questions of his ministry during the Question Hour, notwithstanding the fact that it was a big day for the BJP in Maharashtra .The Devendra Fadnavis led government was to be sworn into office.  But then questions had been lined up for the minister. Opposition MPs particularly from Rajasthan wanted to know why the Delhi- Mumbai national expressway, inaugurated by PM Modi in February 2023, had become accident prone and suffered from serious quality issues. In his defence, Gadkari explained that the expressway had reduced the distance between Delhi and Mumbai by 200 km and it was possible to travel to the cities either way within 12 hours. Built at the cost of Rs 1 lakh crore the expressway used for the first time a new technology of perpetual pavement with Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA).”This technology is used in high-density corridors across the USA and Europe. It provides a superior riding quality to cement-concrete as an alternative,” Gadkari informed members. As for the potholes, the minister explained that his ministry had commissioned a study by IIT, Kharagpur and IIT, Gandhinagar. “Investigations have found that there were deficiencies in the SMA layer resulting in rutting”. He added that the contractors are responsible for fixing defects for the 10 years. As for the accidents, he talked about himself as a victim of road accidents. “I have been a victim myself. My leg was broken in four places when I was leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra.”
singhvi dhankar
Wad Of Notes In Rajya Sabha, Cong Response Could Spur Sharing Of More Details
Discovery of wad of notes in the seat allotted to Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the Rajya Sabha became a flash point of controversy between the BJP and Congress. As soon as Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, informed the House that security officials found the cash from seat number 222 allotted to Singhvi during the anti-sabotage check after the adjournment of the House on December 5, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge protested naming of the MP. Springing to Singhvi’s defence, Kharge said he had no objection to the probe, but the Chair should not have named the MP since a probe was underway. An avant garde Supreme Court lawyer himself, Singhvi, may not need the Congress to defend him. He  dismissed any link with the wad of notes found and insisted he  “carries only Rs 500 to Rajya Sabha” He also pointed out that he was barely inside the House for 3 minutes — between 12.57 pm and 1 pm — when the House rose”. At the same time Singhvi called for a probe saying it was possible for “people to come and put anything anywhere in any seat.” This means the RS will be compelled to share more details. The matter sparked uproar with Leader of the House and BJP chief JP Nadda terming it an “insult” to the Rajya Sabha’s integrity.  Backing Chairman, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said there was nothing wrong in naming the person involved in the issue.  The discovery of cash in the RS was a throwback to years ago when cash was brought to the Lok Sabha in 2008 to establish a cash for votes scam unleashed by the UPA government to survive a confidence vote.
mahayuti_007
Mahayuti’s Reality Check: Landslide Victory Achieved, Now Scrutiny Of Ladki Bahin Beneficiaries
With the Mahayuti government finally managing to better their own targeted victory in 2024 Maharashtra elections, the focus has now shifted on the flagship program — the Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme. The scheme, which was introduced just six months prior to elections to get a vantage advantage and tide over factors like agrarian distress, unemployment, caste reservation rift, anti-incumbency etc has clearly served the purpose and now it was time for reality check. In his very first press briefing post taking over, third time chief minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that 24.3 million beneficiaries would be scanned to prune out those ineligible, clearly hinting at a lax scrutiny followed earlier in the rush of electoral generosity.  The BJP’s former finance minister Sudhir Mungatiwar had already said that the promised hike of stipend amount to Rs 2100 could happen only later in the fiscal year around Bhau beej. Fadnavis also said that financial assessment was in order before the promised stipend hike. Ex-CM Eknath Shinde, however, is determined that promises be kept and said that officials have been asked to disburse the December instalment. State bureaucrats have already been waiting for the election to get over to get into tighter fiscal discipline mode to face the reality of Rs 7.8 lakh crore of debts that Maharashtra currently faces. Babus fear that such largesse in welfare spendings could derail government spendings and functioning.
sjm
Swadeshi Jagran Manch’s Clarion Call, Boycott Bangladeshi Products In West Bengal
Amid escalating communal unrest in Bangladesh targeting Hindu minorities and the arrest of an ISKCON monk, the RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has announced a campaign to boycott Bangladeshi products in India, starting with West Bengal. The campaign involves street protests, door-to-door advocacy, and identifying Bangladeshi goods in the market. The Manch plans to rally members of Sangh-aligned organizations, including the BJP, before extending the boycott call to the general public. It also aims to pressure the central government to halt imports of Bangladeshi goods, particularly textiles, and restrict the export of cotton and other essential materials to Bangladesh. Additionally, the group demands suspension of medical visas for Bangladeshi citizens. Amlankusum Ghosh, the SJM’s eastern sector leader, emphasized the urgency of the movement, stating, “History shows that unrest in Bangladesh impacts Bengal significantly. Given the current persecution of Hindus, Bengali Hindus must lead the protests. We urge a total boycott of Bangladeshi products in Bengal.” The movement is gaining momentum. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has demanded the closure of trade routes like Petrapole.
pink ball
India Will Have To Cross The Pink-Ball Hurdle To Enter The ICC World Test Championship
Pink-ball Tests will remain in the “corridor of uncertainty” for batters and bowlers. It is still at a very nascent stage, with the full members of the ICC reluctant to roster a pink-ball contest in a series featuring two to five Tests. It is just nine years old in a format seen as the ultimate test even by the multi-day competition’s seasoned campaigners. Having debuted at the charming Adelaide Oval in South Australia in November 2015 and in the form of a scrap between the Steve Smith-led home team and its Tasman rival led by Brendon McCullum, the pink-ball showed its bias with a pronounced unpredictable behaviour in the air and off the pitch. The fast bowlers and their ilk had a field day, with Australia’s Josh Hazlewood and New Zealand’s Trent Boult taking five-wicket hauls in the second innings. The team totals in the match were: New Zealand 202 and 208 and Australia 224 and 187 for 7. The low-scoring game ended in a three-wicket victory for Australia, which has played seven Tests of the pink-ball variety in Adelaide and maintained a clean record of seven wins. India lost the Adelaide Test match of 2020 by eight wickets, shot out for 36 in the second innings, with Hazlewood and Pat Cummins playing havoc. India has played four pink-ball Tests and won three, all at home in Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. After a spectacular win in the first Test in Perth, where Jasprit Bumrah was the big game-changer, India will have to cross the pink-ball hurdle to win the big points and enhance its chances of advancing to the ICC World Test Championship final.
kanguva amaran
Strange Request: Tamil Film Producers Seek Gag Order On Film Reviews For The First Three Days After Release
The latest petition from the Tamil Film Producers’ Association, is perplexing. Justice S Sounthar refused to grant an interim stay adding that film criticisms are part of freedom of speech and expression that cannot be curtailed. It’s not hard to delve into why this gag order is sought legally. The recent disaster of Kanguva at the box office is probably the reason for this drastic demand. High stakes and high jinx political grandstanding. The sop…journos are invited for a press show before the release either in a preview theatre or regular ones. And the press note gives the synopsis, star cast etc. The reviews in print or digital are read by people who decide — given today’s looming OTT presence — whether they want to see it or wait for a week or two. …it seems most decide to wait. Amaran is yet to debut on OTT….5th December after much demand. Because the film is still running to decent shows not managed by incentives Amaran came quietly with a feel good heart touching theme all could relate to. Kanguva thundered “Audience will lap it up. Open mouthed”. We rest our case.
pakistan cricket board
Was Pakistan Pushed To The Corner For Hybrid Model Champions Trophy?
There was an inevitability to the ICC Champions Trophy going the way India (BCCI) wanted it to happen; a hybrid model with one group, with India in it, playing the preliminary stage at a neutral venue (most likely in  Dubai or more venues in the UAE) and the second group with host Pakistan in it, playing at home. Being the host nation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to take the unbending position initially for public consumption at home. But after the latest round of ICC Board meetings, the PCB has been made to come around to a view that the hybrid model is the way forward to make possible the revival of the eight-team tournament last played in the English summer of 2017. One can surmise that the other cricket boards understood the sensitive situation better following the BCCI’s communication to the ICC that it would not risk sending its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns. India’s national cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 2008, and the Narendra Modi government has been steadfast in holding on to the call taken by the previous governments. It’s possible that the boards, the non-Asians would have aligned themselves with India’s position for a hybrid model. Pakistan won the last Champions Trophy at `The Oval’ in London in June 2017 and will be keen to give its best shot to defend the title. The PCB — pushed to the corner — wants a similar arrangement for the ICC events in the coming years thus throwing the ball in the ICC court!
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Former IPL Czar Lalit Modi Tells All In Podcast
In an tell-all podcast, Figuring Out with Raj Shamani, the London resident Lalit Modi bared his soul before revealing why he left India abruptly on the night of IPL-3 final in 2010. The cricket czar fashioned the cricketainment package of the limited-overs game, big biz and Bollywood buzz into the biggest money spinner in pro sport. He was hounded out of India with a combination of people against him, including the Congress party, its HQ at 10 Janpath, N Srinivasan who went on to rule world cricket on Modi’s exit and the betting mafia under Dawood Ibrahim’s D Company. Congress and the Gandhis were against him because he resisted Shashi Tharoor’s girlfriend Sunanda Pushkar being a sweat equity partner in an IPL team bid from Kochi until he was blackmailed into permitting it, with disastrous consequences, of course. In taking IPL-2 to South Africa and out of India at poll time, he ran headlong into ruling party versus opposition politics of the worst kind. Congress wanted him out for daring to take the game away after contemplating playing it only in BJP-ruled states. The Establishment threatened to withdraw the security cover he was given as IPL Commissioner and with serious death threats hanging over him, he made an exit from India under the eyes of the ruling party which could not stop him at the airport gates. He had set the IPL on the path to its greatest glory showering BCCI coffers with billions of dollars but the founder who thought it up had to find a home outside India. His story, regardless of whether he is a fugitive or not, is believable.
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BJP Peeved As Shinde Plays Spoilsport
The auspicious day December 5, 2024, was scheduled by BJP for the swearing in function of Maharashtra’s next chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, without awaiting erstwhile Shiv Sena CM Eknath Shinde’s decision to enjoin with the government. Meanwhile, consternation is brewing in New Delhi over Shinde’s recalcitrance to formally announce his party’s stand like Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Ajit Pawar has done. Friday (Nov 29) night’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah was marked by Shinde making a solo appearance even as Pawar was flanked by Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and three four other party colleagues. Shinde’s apparent reluctance to enjoin formally has not gone down well with the BJP leadership despite his family doctor announcing that Shinde was under the weather set to improve over two days of medical treatment. The first discord before the new government is formed relates to Shinde’s insistence upon being accorded the same status as erstwhile DCM Fadnavis who enjoyed full control over the Home department. This fell foul of the BJP template of always holding crucial portfolios to include Home, Rural Development, Revenue and even Finance as a thumb rule. This equation was altered only to accommodate Ajit Pawar who was handed over the Finance department. Highly placed sources indicate that Shinde may be contemplating offering outside support to the BJP led government. 
fardeen khan
After 14 Years Break Fardeen Khan On A Comeback Trail
Making his appearance on a reality show Indian Idol the 50-year old Fardeen Khan, son of successful actor-producer Feroz Khan, looked boyish and subdued. Indeed, he has quietly made a comeback on the big screen and OTT after 14 years of self-imposed exile. Although he was signed by Sanjay Gupta for Visfot which took a really long time to release as there were no takers for Gupta’s films; Covid-19 was the main culprit. But it helped Fardeen who got a chance to work with one of the biggest OTT shows Heeramandi directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali which signalled his comeback in 2024. This was followed by Khel Khel Mein with Akshay Kumar which didn’t do well. But Fardeen who played the role of gay man certainly impressed the audiences and critics in a big way. Fardeen made his debut in 1998 with Prem Aggan. Post that he signed up for several films. Overall his career graph did not pick up. In 2010 after the release of Dulha Mil Gaya he took a break from acting. During this long hiatus he worked on his craft. Fardeen who was married to yesteryear actor Mumtaz’s daughter Natasha now separated has a daughter and son. He often brings his children to the sets. Currently, he is working with Akshay Kumar in Housefull 6 which is set for 2025 release. He may have missed out on No Entry Mein Entry. Will Feroz Khan’s son make a big impact in his second innings?
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Shinde's Reluctance To Play Second Fiddle Doesn't Promise A Smooth Run In State
There seems to be no end to turbulent times in Maharashtra’s politics despite the people voting in the Mahayuti alliance with a thumping majority. Despite the landslide victory, thanks to cracks developed, the next few years promise some unpredictable times thanks to the BJP misjudging the nature of Eknath Shinde. Three years back when the BJP catapulted Shinde to the top job in state, he was expected to work in the background like he had always done in the united Shiv Sena. His ascendance as CM saw him assume a larger than life image thanks to his penchant to meeting people day and night right till the crack of dawn. His generosity in doling out public funds to the public, has reaped in historical and record breaking results. The BJP is discovering the hard way that Shinde is no pushover and they are having a tough time handling him. From demanding the CM’s seat promised to him to refusing to play deputy to his erstwhile deputy Devendra Fadnavis to insisting on having the powerful home portfolio, Shinde is a tough nut to crack despite Ajit Pawar’s tame surrender giving the BJP a strong upper hand on the negotiating table. A sulking Shinde would validate the BJP’s use and throw policy. Not something they want at a time when it needs him to decimate Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena in their Mumbai bastion. Shinde’s reluctance to play second fiddle to Fadnavis or any fresh CM’s face doesn’t promise a smooth term here on, in the state.
suriya jothika
Popular Tamil Film Stars Suriya-Jyotika Take To Temple Runs
 A few weeks back, Tamil star Jyotika took her public role seriously and advised her adoring fans, “Why put money in temple Hundis. Instead, use that for buying books and helping poor students”. But if this statement is made onstage in Thanjavur, with a big temple looming over you like a colossus, worshippers are bound to react. Netizens came down heavily on her. The family, including father -in-law, veteran actor Sivakumar have been in the crossfire of late for their alleged atheist stance. Looks like Karma, according to believers, was just waiting to bring her down. After much hype and hoopla, husband Suriya’s movie Kanguva, made with Rs 350 crore released to negative publicity, barely squeaking through Rs 120 crore revenue. Jyotika and Suriya, were left devastated with this box office disaster to their home production. No wonder, every podcast and filmi news picked up the trail of Suriya and Jyotika last week, as they visited four big temples in seven days. Why the sudden change to religion? Some wags say that an astrologer advised them to seek redemption for their “anti-God” views. Kanguva’s failure was the divine wages of sin. At Tirupathi, Jyotika happily posed for pictures with the hoi polloi. It was the couple’s puja for Suriya’s 45th film at Pollachi Masani Amman temple that went viral. In a society that is driven by the alchemy of religion and politics, even cinema has to heed the environment. Megabucks drive art, and art is driven by public sentiments.
isckon das
As Dhaka Whips Up Anti-India Sentiments, Mood Sours In India
With Bangladesh top law officers declaring that the issue of banning ISKCON was a “high priority” for the Mohammad Yunus Interim regime, it may certainly seem as if things could be getting tough for ISKCON in that country. But then what Dhaka may not have bargained for is that if it continues to view ISKCON with suspicion, it would realise that the anti-India sentiment it is whipping up could be reciprocated. Already a private hospital in Kolkata went public declaring it will henceforth not treat any “Bangladeshi patient”. “The country which disrespects our flag, kills minorities we cannot treat them. For us our country is first,” tweeted the hospital. Then a rally, near the Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner’s office in Agartala, that was taken out under the Hindu Sangharsh Samity’s banner to protest the arrest of ISCKON leader stormed the premises of the Bangladesh consular office. Regretting the breach, the MEA issued a statement saying “Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances.” “Don’t let Dhaka get away with spilling Hindu blood. Don’t buy products sourced from Bangladesh,” were campaigns flooding X. “Meanwhile, the RSS came out strongly denouncing violence against the Hindus. In a strongly worded statement RSS Sarkaryvah Dattatreya Hosabale flayed the arrest of the ISKCON Sanyasi Pujya Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das who was leading a “peaceful protests of Hindus”. He urged the Indian government to continue with every possible effort to prevent the ongoing atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and take necessary steps to garner international support in this regard. It may be recalled that it was the attacks on Hindus by Islamists in Bangladesh that spurred UP CM Yogi Adityanath to give a clarion call for Hindu unity with his popular “batenge toh katenge“– a call that was endorsed by the Sangh and had helped BJP sweep Maharashtra.
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RG Kar Incident Casts Shadow On KIFF 2024, Event Shifted To Smaller Venue
Kolkata’s cultural calendar is abuzz as the 30th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) approaches, set to run from December 4 to 11. However, this year’s celebration of cinema is overshadowed by controversies and protests within the Tollywood industry. The festival, showcasing 175 films from 41 countries with a spotlight on French cinema, has been relocated from the sprawling Netaji Indoor Stadium to the smaller Dhanodhanya Auditorium by chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s government. The shift in venue, coupled with a reduced guest list, reflects the tension brewing between Bengal’s film industry and TMC government. This uncurrent stems largely from the aftermath of the RG Kar hospital rape incident, which sparked a citizen’s movement involving many prominent Tollywood stars coming out in open against the government. Party insiders revealed that Didi expressed dissatisfaction with Tollywood, remarking that the stars’ involvement had fuelled public outrage. Adding to the friction, a faction of directors and producers is protesting against Swarup Biswas, president of the Federation of Cine Technicians & Workers of Eastern India, accusing him of running a “syndicate raj.” Legal disputes, including defamation cases have escalated tensions further alienating a significant section of the film industry. This year, a notable portion of Tollywood has reportedly boycotted the festival, marking a shift in its traditionally warm relationship with Didi. Over the years, Didi fostered strong ties with Tollywood, even nominating several actors to political office. Yet, the current unrest signals a growing rift, with critics suggesting the RG Kar protests lent momentum to public dissatisfaction with her administration. This has strained the once-strong bond between Didi and the industry.
Iffi
Was Glamour Quotient Missing At The 55th International Film Festival Of India?
The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa every year was bigger in scale and ambition. There were more venues for screenings. Besides Panjim there were places like Porvorim including beach screenings at Anjuna and Miramar. The 9-day celebration showcased over 200 films from 75 countries. But, the glamour quotient was missing. Telugu superstar Allu Arjun whose name was sent out by the media cell of the festival did not turn up instead asked his Pushpa 2 co-star Rashmika Mandanna to stand in for him. Although IFFI is about the convergence of cinema from all over the world, the perception is always made by the big Bollywood and international names attending. And this was not impressive. The only big names from Hollywood were Hugo Weaving and Chuck Russell who are no longer part of the mainstream cinema. Every year there are huge delegate queues waiting to watch films but that was missing this year, an indication that cinephiles are losing interest in the festival. A few complained that the booking app showed it was houseful but the reality was just the opposite. The Film Bazaar, the biggest marketplaces,a big attraction for young filmmakers and storytellers seems to have attracted less number of buyers — both Indians and foreigners. The Indian Express in its editorial said that various institutions “over the years, pumped in funds and energy into making the IFFI as prestigious as the Cannes Film Festival — as envisioned when Goa was selected as the festival’s permanent home in 2004. Yet, 20 years on, unlike its model on the French Riviera — whose selections and winners go on to dominate the international festival circuit and awards season — the IFFI is far from shaping global cinematic imaginations and sensibilities.”  
modi odisha
Elections over, Yet PM Modi Is Visiting Odisha Frequently
It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third visit. This time it was a 3-day visit to attend among other things All India Conference of DGP / IGP’s, CRPF, Chiefs of RAW, NSG, SPG at Bhubaneswar to discuss security and law enforcement issues in the country. PM Modi who spent three days at Bhubaneswar had multiple engagements including dinner with state BJP members. According to source, Modi is expected to visit Odisha again on January 8 and January 28, 2025, marking his fourth and fifth visit to inaugurate Pravasuli Bharatiya Divas and attend the Make in Odisha Enclave. In the past no other PM has given the state so much importance. According to Odisha Law Minister Harichandan BJP’s plan is to make Odisha the growth engine of Eastern India. But Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Lok Sabha MP Sasmit Patra is not convinced and his party has decided to go on aggressive mode. He asks why Odisha has not been given special status like Andhra Pradesh. Patra said, BJD will raise four issues. One, AP’s Polavaram dam project which will submerge thousands of acres of land in Odisha Malkangiri district displacing 6,000 tribals. Two, BJD will pursue what progress the BJP government has made to settle the Mahanadi river water dispute with Chhattisgarh. Three, it will demand the opening of AIIMS at Balasore, Sambalpur, Koraput. Four, BJD will also push for withdrawal of GST on kendu leaves and inclusion of Ho, Mundari, Bhumji,Kui and Saora language in the 8th schedule of the constitution. Looks like Naveen Patnaik’s BJD is going full blast to unnerve BJP.
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Oxford University Lauds PM Modi's Hands-On PRAGATI For Infra-Push In India
Nothing could have cheered PM Narendra Modi more than the manner in which a study by Said Business School, Oxford University — From Gridlock to Growth: How Leadership Enables India’s PRAGATI Ecosystem to Power Progress, validated his hands-on approach to governance. Lauding Modi’s leadership, the   study highlighted how Modi’s PRAGATI platform had revolutionised project execution in India. Launched in 2015, PRAGATI, short for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, has facilitated the resolution of bureaucratic challenges, accelerating the completion of key infrastructure projects. By June 2023, over 340 projects worth Rs 17.05 lakh crore ($205 bn) had been reviewed –including projects that were due for three to 20 years. Taking pride in validation by the Oxford study, PM Modi posted on X “PRAGATI represents a wonderful amalgamation of technology and governance, ensuring silos are removed and projects are completed on time. Am glad that the effectiveness of PRAGATI has been recognised in the study by @OxfordSBSand @GatesFoundation”. Listed among some eight transformative projects under PRAGATI are Jammu Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link, J&K (approved in 1995). With 38 tunnels and 931 bridges, it’s set for completion by 2025, connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India. Also Navi Mumbai International Airport, Maharashtra. Plagued by land acquisition delays since 2007, saw PRAGATI’s intervention in 2015 resolved disputes, and construction is set for completion by December 2024. A thumbs up from Oxford University for Modi’s quick infra development is bound to silence his critics in the Opposition.
sandeep patil
The Adelaide Oval, A City Of Runs, Wins And Ruins For India!
After scoring a forceful win against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth, India return to the lovely city of Adelaide. Old timers quickly jog their memory to recall the country’s first popular hero in the cathedral city, Sandeep `Sandy Storm’ Patil although Capt Vijay Samuel Hazare extracted a century in each innings (116 and 145) against “Bradman’s invincibles’’ in January 1948 – when India toured Australia for the first time. Patil’s swashbuckling 174 (off 240 balls with 22 x 4s and 1 x 6) in the first innings of the Adelaide Test in 1981, after being felled by fast bowler Len Pascoe in the first Test in Sydney earned the Mumbai marauder the moniker `Adelaide Hero’. India’s 11 batters have scored 14 centuries at the famous ground in South Australia and this includes three by Virat Kohli with red ball. But India lost the two Test matches and the champion craftsman made 74 and 4, when India was shot out for 36 in 21.2 overs in the second innings of the pink ball Test four years ago. After Hazare, the likes of Dattu Phadkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Patil, Mohammed Azharuddin and the “fab 3’’ in Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Venkatsai Laxman, the flamboyant Virendra Sehwag, the steadfast Cheteshwar Pujara and the great accumulator Kohli became part of the “Adelaide 100 Club’’ but for many, Patil’s 174 hammering of the likes of Dennis Lillee, Len Pascoe, Rodney Hogg – the second highest by an Indian after Dravid’s 233 in 2003 – has been one for posterity. The beautiful Oval is also the venue where Ajit Agarkar took 6 for 41 and won India the Test there two decades ago.
devendra amit_Shinde
CM-In-Waiting Devendra Fadnavis’ Refreshed Cabinet Of New Ministers
With the Maharashtra chief ministership media narrative turning into a non-issue the focus of political attention in the state laser focuses on the fresh new faces to be inducted into CM-in-waiting Devendra Fadnavis’ cabinet of ministers. “One thing is sure there will be the induction of fresh new faces from the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions where the BJP enjoys brilliant showing of MLAs. The emphasis on forthcoming BMC elections likely in January will witness winning MLAs of Mahayuti from Mumbai, Thane cities figuring in the state council of ministers,” says a senior BJP leader. He insists that further micromanagement will be evident as Mumbai’s MLAs given cabinet rank will include a good mix of Marathi, Gujarati and north Indian winners. The BJP today boasts of seven Jain MLAs today representative of real minorities in India to also include Christians and Sikhs despite which these communities are largely bereft of fruits of conventional reservations in the political sector, job sector that aimed at social empowerment as was enshrined in the Indian constitution. Erstwhile BJP ministers Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Sudhir Mungantiwar among BJP stalwarts currently seized of political palpitations over being possibly overlooked in the new state cabinet. Will Girish Mahajan, who delivered on his promise to politically checkmate Fadnavis’ BJP bete noir Eknath Khadse and got into former CM Eknath Shinde’s cabinet by the skin of his teeth the last time, be able to repeat his magic once again? Other veteran political stalwarts from Shiv Sena and NCP can only hope BJP’s political template change does not manifest with either Eknath Shinde or Ajit Pawar’s scheme of politics in Maharashtra.
bjp vote
Shock & Surprise: BJP Victorious In Muslim-Dominated Assembly Constituencies In Maharashtra
Disregarding the voting pattern in the Lok Sabha election earlier this year, the BJP has won 14 seats in the Maharashtra assembly election in Muslim-dominated constituencies. This score is more remarkable since the Vote Jihad campaign was a talking point during the electioneering for the fiercely fought battle for the reins of the state. Interestingly, the BJP did not have a single Muslim candidate. Still, all its winning candidates in such constituencies have been elected with huge margins. In the Lok Sabha election, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was leading in 155 assembly segments against Mahayuti 125.  Mahayuti, the ruling saffron alliance, bagged 21 seats out of the 38 segments identified as having a majority Muslim population. This fact has astounded the self-appointed analysts, most of whom had predicted a re-run of the Lok Sabha pattern. The opposition MVA could capture 14 seats in these areas with the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray winning six, followed by the Congress which managed to win five though the minority vote is considered its vote bank. The NCP under Sharad Pawar has won three seats whereas the Samajwadi Party has got two and the AIMIM just one. According to the last census of 2011, the Muslim population in the state was over 11.50% or around 1.30 crore. At least six of the assembly constituencies house more than 20% Muslim voters. All these seats have voted in favour of the BJP. This election has revealed several intriguing facts, defying expert clichés based on the statistics of castes, sub-castes and religion.
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Mamata Reasserts Her Control Over The Party, Nephew Abhishek's Reforms Stalled
Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has firmly reasserted her authority within the party, sidelining immediate plans for a leadership overhaul proposed by her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee. The decision follows TMC’s sweeping victory in the November 13 by-elections, which bolstered the party’s confidence under her stewardship. At a recent organisational meeting at Mamata’s Kalighat residence, the Chief Minister emphasized her role as the party’s ultimate decision-maker, effectively putting Abhishek’s youth-driven restructuring plans on hold. The rejig intended to replace underperformers and inject younger leaders into the party, was initially announced by Abhishek during the TMC’s annual Martyr’s Day rally in July. Abhishek announced that action would be taken within three months against underperforming leaders in TMC-run civic and rural bodies, as well as against organisational heads in regions where the party trailed the BJP in the general election. Incidentally, during the recent meeting, the party has established three disciplinary committees to oversee conduct: one for parliamentary leaders, another for state legislative assembly leaders, and a third for other party members. Interestingly, all leaders who are part of these three disciplinary committees are close to Mamata and that signals her intent to maintain the status quo. The committees have already issued show-cause notices to Abhishek loyalist and Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir and sidelined another loyalist Arup Chakraborty, indicating a crackdown on those challenging Mamata’s leadership. The developments underline Mamata Banerjee’s control over the party, with the old guard retaining key positions.
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Raj Thackeray Attacks EVMs, Move Surprises Followers
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray has once again made a surprising move, joining the chorus against the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Immediately after the results of the state assembly election started pouring in, the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray and some state Congress worthies began complaining about the so-called discrepancies between the EVM vote figures at 5 pm and the final tally. Although senior leader Sharad Pawar took a cautious position by declaring that he will comment only after some solid data is available, the anti-EVM protests kept on swelling. This did not dampen even after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition demanding returning to the old paper ballot system. MNS is the latest to join the campaign. While the ruling Mahayuti has swept the polls, the three MVA partners are reduced to minuscule numbers in the 288-member assembly. MNS had fielded around 125 candidates but failed to get even a single seat. The most humiliating defeat was of Raj Thackeray’s son Amit, whose electoral debut was watched with considerable interest. Raj has been ambivalent on and off about his relationship with the BJP. In 2014, he supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi wholeheartedly but became his critic in 2019. In the Lok Sabha election this year, he stood wholeheartedly with the BJP but for the assembly, he decided to go alone. Despite this, he said, he will be supporting the NDA. Hence, his attack against the EVMs has come as a surprise.
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Is Chennai Emerging As The Next Frontier For Global Corporation?
According to a recent report by CBRE, an American commercial space and investment firm, Chennai ranks #3 after Bengaluru #1 and Hyderabad # 2. The report titled: TN, The Next Frontier For Global Corporations says, a whopping 12-13 million sq ft of premium office space is set to be added to Chennai’s existing plush offices by 2025 and 2026. For global money to flow in, the report says the GCC index is critical. Tamil Nadu has developed many Global Capability Centres. Chennai boasts of over 250 such GCC’s currently and the plans to hit 460 by 2030. The most developed GCC centres are on OMR, Mount Poonamallee and PT Road accounting for 92% of the commercial leasing space.  Chennai has grown from 1.4 million sq ft ready to move in office & commercial space in 2022 to 2.3 million sq ft in just nine months of 2024. American firms accounted for 67% of this GCC capability. At the global summit meeting held in Chennai some time back, the Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said that his government’s aim is to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Now with a strong focus on developing AI capability, both as learning/teaching and application. TN at $ 300 billion is all set to turn into a South Indian Tiger economy, a status held by Hong Kong, UAE.
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Pushpa 2: Can Allu Arjun Deliver Again?
Will Telugu sensation Allu Arjun do an encore? Pushpa 2 releases and the film trade is saying it will rewrite the box office history.  It may be recalled that Pushpa: The Rise became a sensation and his mannerisms became very popular. It emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film in 2021 and ranked among the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time. The film also earned Arjun his first National Film Award. A clued-in trade analyst says that after KGF Chapter2 Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 will create the same type of buzz. Unlike RRR, this is a contemporary movie and more people can relate to it. Common man can relate to the character Pushpa, who rises from the bottom. It’s a masala story that’s bound to click. It is learnt that Allu Arjun is travelling all over to promote his film. His event at Patna has increased the curiosity amongst the audience in the Northern belt. The music of the film is already a big rage and the 42-year old star who has connect with the audience is definitely going to create a bigger market for his films and himself. Exhibitors like Girish Wankhede feel that the Hindi collection of Pushpa 2 is expected to be a major surprise. It has the potential to surpass the post COVID-era benchmark of Rs 66 crore on its opening day, with projections indicating that it could reach between Rs70-75 crore for its Hindi version. The total collections may exceed Rs 250 crore worldwide.
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Now, Celebrity Weddings Shot As Films For Eager Audience
December 4th is a red letter day for the Hyderabadi glitterati. Nag Chaitanya and Shobhita Dhulipala are to solemnise their marriage at a lavish ceremony to be held at the Annapoorna Studios, the Akkineni family’s heritage studio named after the late Akkineni Nageswara Rao’s wife. Sentiment, scale, spend and super social event to mark this second wedding of 38-year old Nag Chaitanya, divorced from Samantha Ruth Prabhu in 2021. The talk is that 32-year old Shobitha has been gifted specially woven Kanjivaram saree and choli in gold lace and stunning jewellery befitting the Akkineni family. The ceremony is to run over 8 hours. The big buzz is that this gala event’s filming and exhibition rights have been sold to Netflix for Rs 50 crore! Rings a bell? Nayanthara and Vignesh Sivan’s wedding event and its OTT telecast. Even as the camera greedily laps up the stunning costumes and staggering jewellery on display, the long line of filmi invitees waiting to pose in their boast worthy bling are on view. And OTT streamers have their own original edited content. And the families earn back the money spent on the weddings. Business Schools have yet to teach this ROI. The only troubling thought …after all this, why are divorces taking place so often? Even as Nag Chaitanya and Shobitha Dhulipala soon to be streamed wedding events are making news, Dhanush and Aishwarya Rajinikanth are given the family court’s verdict. Divorced.
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Ajit Pawar, Family Unwinds In Delhi Ahead Of Meet With PM-HM
NCP leader and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who arrived in Delhi, a day ahead of  outgoing CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, to meet with PM Modi and HM Amit Shah to discuss issues of  Maharashtra government formation  was a picture of cool player.  The national media, which always treated his uncle Sharad Pawar with deference for his capacity to take on leaders in  Delhi, now  viewed Ajitdada in awe.  How did he establish his supremacy in the Baramati  assembly seat, vanquish his cousin Yugendra Pawar  backed by his veteran uncle? Ajitdada patiently  tackled  every query, every doubt in a free-wheeling chat. With Praful Patel , who played host, adding very interesting inputs. However, the secret of NCP’s  phenomenal showing in Baramati and in rest of Western Maharashtra seems to lie in the kind of effort put in by Ajitdada’s own family — his gracious wife Sunetra, now a Rajya Sabha MP, and son Parth. Sunetra, who has always managed her husband’s elections, says she had  gone “house to house” seeking votes. And  it is her quiet voter outreach that seems to have finally paid off. Parth is every chip of the old block; in the sense he is more like family patriarch Sharad Pawar. He is more ambitious for the NCP and vows to  travel across India as he wants the party to expand beyond Maharashtra. He is in no hurry to become a MP or MLA. He asserts at least 2 to 3 Cong MLAs are already in touch with him to join the NCP. Naresh Arora of Design Box, who  advised the NCP in Maha polls, is likely to have a  say in the party’s expansion too.
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Lefty Jaiswal Joins The Big League Of Kohli, Tendulkar And Gavaskar
A tour to Australia demands a high level of skill and commitment from an Indian cricketer. The batters find the pitches there hard, bouncy and arriving at them quickly off the pitch. Sometimes the harsh sunlight makes it very tough to focus. Though at the receiving end on most occasions, many Indian cricketers have found ways to adjust to the speed and bounce, like Sachin Tendulkar, who as a teenager stroked his way to two centuries in Perth and Sydney on his first tour of Australia during the 1991-92 series. And now the young lefty Yashasvi Jaiswal has cut and carved a century in his first Test in Australia scoring 161 in the second innings after not opening his account in the first. Thus he joined an elite group of Indians who have scored the magic three figure mark in Perth. His immediate predecessor was Virat Kohli. The others were the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, doughty Mohinder Amarnath and master blaster Tendulkar, all making centuries at the famous WACA ground, known for pace and bounce. After a not so bright tour of South Africa early this year falling to fast bowlers Nandre Burger (3 times) and Kagiso Rabada, the attacking left-hander is on another tough tour, especially with the prospect of thwarting the home team’s troika in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. He fell to a loose drive in the first innings, but made amends in the second, grinding it out for seven hours and forty minutes to make a 296 ball century, the highest by an Indian in Perth. Great going Yashasvi, one has to say!  
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Dhanush Slaps Nayanthara With Rs 10-Crore Notice For 3-Second Clip
The Nayanthara-Vignesh Shivan wedding in 2022 was much talked about, kindled oodles of curiosity and news. Okay, Nayan is known as the Lady Superstar of Kollywood and this couple were newsmakers for a long time …speculations and guesswork rife over whether it was yet another Nayan dalliance in her longline of ditched paramours Prabhudeva, Simbu in that list. Finally the wedding was celebrated with pomp and style, Netflix signed a deal for OTT rights at an astronomical figure, no one could corroborate. Then, all concerned moved on … .Nayan is now mother to two cute boys. The wedding footage and other highlights of Nayan’s films were curated to make a biopic, Nayanthara, Beyond The Fairy Tale, and it went OTT live with many expectations that it would hit the high jinx for Nayan…actually it has not garnered much praise. But the Fairy Tale turned into a Horror Story when she was slapped with a notice to pay Rs 10 crore for a 3-second clip from her movie Naanum Rowdy Thaan, a hit movie from Dhanush’s home production. Nayan was livid. Adding insult to injury, Dhanush further insisted that the clip be deleted immediately. Currently Dhanush is directing Idli Kadai produced by Akash Bhaskar. His recent wedding attended by Sivakarthikeyan, Anirudh, Dhanush and Nayanthara, husband in tow turned viral worthy … .the angry vibes both conveyed made news. The protagonists were sitting poles apart and faces turned away. Karma, it is said, has a way of punching holes in egos.
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BJP’s Clean Sweep In Maharashtra Could Pave The Way For BMC Elections
A clean sweep for the BJP could pave the way for the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls in the state. Elections for India’s richest civic body and politically significant Mumbai city had been kept in abeyance for over two years to prevent Uddhav Thackeray from getting the upper hand in Maharashtra. The BMC, with a budget of over Rs 52,000 crore, had been UBT’s major source of its political and financial clout for decades, making him a dominating force in Mumbai. The Sena had been accusing the BJP of being too scared to take polls in Mumbai. But after a sharp drubbing of Uddhav in the state polls, the gates could now be open for the BMC polls along with the various pending local body polls. The BJP, it seems has got into the act. It’s launching a membership drive for the party, clearly to wrest control of the BMC, which has a huge corpus of over Rs 80,000 crore. The BJP has other factors working for it too. Though the Shiv Sena won the highest number of elected corporators with 84 seats, the BJP was quite close to it with 82 seats in 2017. Mumbai’s sharp demographics shift — with the Maharashtrians being reduced to less than 39% of the population of Mumbai, could work to the advantage of the BJP. After this assembly poll drubbing, it remains to be seen how the politically and financially weakened Thackeray’s Shiv Sena rises up to fight against the BJP in the forthcoming city elections, its last bastion left.
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TMC Reshuffle On Cards: Will Abhishek Banerjee Be Appointed As Deputy Chief Minister?
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is witnessing an internal debate over a potential elevation of Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s National General Secretary and nephew of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for the position of deputy chief minister. With an organisational reshuffle looming, Abhishek has submitted a comprehensive report to Didi, sparking resistance from the party’s old guard. Prominent leaders, such as Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir, are openly advocating for Abhishek to be made deputy CM and Home Minister. Kabir cited recent law and order issues, RG Kar rape case and attack on Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor as reasons for stronger leadership. However, veteran leaders like Saugata Roy expressed reservations about the Kolkata Police’s efficiency, a veiled critique of current governance. Firhad Hakim, a senior minister, clarified his stance, emphasizing unwavering support for Mamata’s leadership while defending his earlier comments. Hakim reiterated that Didi remains the cornerstone of TMC’s electoral success and governance credibility. This internal friction comes against the backdrop of TMC’s strong performance in the recently concluded bypolls. The party swept six constituencies, including Madarihat in North Bengal, a seat it won for the first time. The success has bolstered confidence in the leadership duo of Mamata and Abhishek, who jointly selected the winning candidates. A national working committee meeting at Mamata’s Kalighat residence on November 25 is expected to address the reshuffle issue. For TMC balancing generational aspirations with the experience of senior leaders remains a critical challenge.
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Cong Refuses To Accept Reality Of Maha Verdict, Wonders How Can Things Change In 5 Months
Even as the Congress got demolished in the Maharashtra polls and scored the worst ever tally of 16 seats, the party went on to draw satisfaction from the fact it had at least secured the Dharavi assembly  seat with a margin of 24,000 votes. Just to showcase how the locals had given their verdict on the redevelopment plan to be undertaken by Adanis. Victory for the Congress in the area was seen as a rejection of the tender given to Adani for redeveloping the place. As for the bad news in the results, the party managers did not care if it was a complete rejection of its politics of appeasement, caste census and minority quota. The party insisted that the results were “absolutely strange, inexplicable and beyond comprehension”, considering BJP had fared so poorly in the Parliament elections barely 5 months ago. “The farmers were angry, the working class in the state was against the government but the results that have come are completely opposite,” pointed out a senior party leader. Congress sources, however feel much of the damage to the MVA was done by high handedness of Congress chief Nana Patole who was fancying himself as the next CM and had spurred Sharad Pawar’s suggestion of projecting Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as CM candidate. Another thing that hit the Congress was most leaders rushed to Wayanad where Priyanaka Gandhi was anyway going to win.  
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TTK Healthcare’s Unique Drive To Usher In Clean Home Environ At Orphanages, Old Age Centres
This one is a well-known name in South India and a popular one at that. And, it has come out with a unique campaign. Well, it has launched a year-long Diwali-to-Diwali campaign. Christened “Your Happy Nest,” this campaign will see Good Home, a brand of the consumer product division of TTK Healthcare, embark on an innovative initiative to inculcate the culture of a clean home environment. Good Home is a Rs 100-crore plus brand, and one of the fastest growing brands in the TTK Healthcare portfolio. Under the “Your Happy Nest“ campaign, Good Home will clean one orphanage/old age home every week until next Diwali, using its cleaning and home care product range to deliver “clean, hygienic and fragrant homes.” To begin with, it has launched a campaign in a home for elderly ladies – Parivartan Mahila Sanstha – in Dombivali East in Thane district of Maharashtra and also in a children’s home – Udavum Nanbargal in Alathur in Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu. Good Home will provide the selected centres a year-long supply of cleaning and air care products and provide tips on maintaining cleanliness. The “Your Happy Nest” campaign will soon move to other states. The objective is to uplift these chosen homes and bring comfort and happiness to the residents. Well, they also serve who make the homes sweet!
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Will Maharashtra Assembly Function Without LoP?
The next legislative assembly in Maharashtra may have to function without a recognised leader of the opposition (LoP) unless the ruling Mahayuti decides to grant the status to one of the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners as a political favour to the other side. This situation has arisen since none of the opposition parties has been able to secure the minimum 29 seats in the lower house required to gain the status of the LoP, as is required by rules and precedents. The piquant legislative logjam is created as the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition has won a landslide victory, bagging 233 seats in the house of 288 seats. On the opposition side, the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray has obtained just 20 out of 95 seats it contested. The Congress being the largest partner of the MVA had contested 103 seats but won only 16. Veteran leader Sharad Pawar’s NCP is the worst sufferer with barely 10 seats. In the past, various small opposition parties would form a group that would be recognised by the speaker to grant LoP status. Such an understanding took place in Maharashtra in 1986 when socialists Mrinal Gore and Nihal Ahmed and PWP’s Datta Patil were made LoP though they had very few members each. But such a gesture was not shown by the Modi government in the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019. Hence what happens in Maharashtra will depend upon both sides.
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Major Reshuffle In Odisha, 11 IAS Officers Get Fresh Appointments
Though Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi was PM Narendra Modi’s selection, now it seems he is under pressure to deliver results on all fronts — governance practices, wooing investments into the state, employment generation and delivery of social welfare schemes. The yardstick to measure him is whether his governance style is better than his predecessor Naveen Patnaik, a tall leader. Effectively, it means Majhi needs the right man for the right job. And this explains why he has embarked on a major reshuffle exercise within the state bureaucrats. To start with he has requested the centre to depute two senior IAS Odia officers Manoj Kumar Sahoo (Amrut Cadre) and Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra (ex-Secretary & Controller of Examinations of NRA) to Odisha to work in the CMO’s office. In October 2024, Majhi had shuffled 55 IPS officers, including SPs of 21 districts. Again on November 23 he effected a major reshuffle in the IAS cadre by transferring 11 officers and giving them new assignments including strengthening his own home ministry. He has now brought in Trilochan Majhi IAS as Additional Secretary Home to support him in key decisions making. He has appointed Sudhansu Mohan Samal, Additional Secretary, Water Resources Department, as Managing Director of Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd. Effectively many senior IAS officers have got new postings. Will this reshuffle help Majhi effectively run his government?
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Uddhav’s Jilt, Pawar’s Jibe Saw MVA’s Political Last Rites!
The “Mahayuti” NDA government being installed in Maharashtra will register PM Narendra Modi’s emphasis upon fresh faces with mission Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in January also prioritized. Devendra Fadnavis handled seat sharing talks independently of BJP high command for general elections to 48 Maharashtra parliamentary seats and then 288 assembly constituencies, facing no competition for CM post though no Monday morning swearing in is scheduled either while partymen were advised to maintain radio silence on the subject. Erstwhile Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde’s men gloss over popular Ladki Bahin Scheme reiterating his repeat candidature even as NCP chief Ajit Pawar rues his vociferous opposition to batenge toh katenge theme launched by BJP to counter ‘Vote Jihad’. Even after a record Maharashtra victory BJP cites 34 MVA MLAs elected through ‘Vote Jihad’ to include Mankhurd, Byculla, Mumbadevi, Dharavi, Versova, Bandra (east), Kurla, Anushakti Nagar, Malad (west), Chandivalli, Sion Koliwada, Kalina, Mahim, Malwani, Malegaon assembly segments. Matoshree now worries over the UBT motley crew of MPs taking flight. PM Modi on Saturday ticked his ‘To Do’ box created in 2019 for decimating the Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar led political formations from Maharashtra after Matoshree’s alliance jilt and Pawar’s retirement jibe. The Thackeray legacy lies politically squandered over secular ties and now, even cousin Raj’s MNS political future stands jeopardized though MLA aspirant son Amit will likely find MLC accommodation. BJP’s Pankaja Munde, Ashok Chavan may rue their opposition to party tagline. Eventually Modi’s nuanced poll theme Ek Rahenge To Safe Rahenge inspired by old English adage, “United we stand, divided we fall” won Maharashtra’s political bout. So, what was the brouhaha all about?
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Sanjay Raut Blames Chandrachud, RSS For MVA’s Electoral Rout
For the first time perhaps, the judiciary has been held responsible for an electoral rout. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has been blaming the former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for his party’s electoral defeat. The Sena spokesman has also attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s decimation in the Maharashtra assembly election in which the opposition has been reduced to a minuscule presence. In the 288 member house, 236 members will belong to the treasury (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP) benches. Enraged at the poll outcome, Raut retorted while referring to the various petitions pending in the Supreme Court in regard to proceedings against certain MLAs in Maharashtra that Chandrachud had emboldened the defectors by not deciding on the disqualification pleas against them. Raut said the former CJI’s name will be written in black ink in India’s history. Taking a swipe at the RSS, he said the Sangh played a key role in the campaign. The poisonous campaign it conducted hit us adversely. Harping upon the BJP’s so-called Gujarat connection, he advised that the swearing-in ceremony of the new government should be held in the neighbouring state. “If it is held at Shivaji Park, it will be an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and if held at Wankhede Stadium, it will be a disrespect to the memory of the 105 martyrs who laid down their lives for the demand for Samyukta Maharashtra movement,” he quipped. Sena’s mouthpiece Saamna also has lashed at the thumping majority of Mahayuti. It is edited by Sanjay Raut.
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Congress Finds Bizarre Reasons To Explain Its Maharashtra Waterloo!
When Karnataka minister G Parameshwara, as AICC observer for Maharashtra polls  pinned the blame on INDIA Bloc partners Sharad Pawar’s NCP(SP) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) for “failing to campaign as planned” in the Maharashtra assembly elections, Maharashtra Congress leaders were shocked. They wondered who he was trying to protect! Why was he slamming INDIA partners…to save the skin of PCC chief Nana Patole? Or more importantly protect Congress boss Rahul Gandhi. He pointed out that Pawar’s group and Uddhav’s group were not aligned, didn’t campaign as planned, and did not give the Congress “many seats in Vidarbha.” Notwithstanding all this official bluff and bluster, shocking details are now emerging about how the Congress completely messed up with the election management from the word go. From candidate selection to media mis-management, the Maharashtra Congress under Patole relied on professional surveys rather than on feedback of its state leaders and party cadres to pick candidates. “State parliamentary board was not consulted. Professionals conducting the pre-poll surveys who were unfamiliar with even names of local leaders were on the job to finalise the Cong list”. It is unfair to blame Pawar for our loss. For instance in Pune, he made it clear that none of the three candidates picked by us would win. Imagine fielding Ravindra Dhangekar who resoundingly lost LS polls, once again from Kasbapeth,” said a party source. Besides, media management was completely lacking. This when the PCC had something like 24 spokespersons on board. In a last minute rush the AICC media team got party veteran Anant Gadgil to salvage the situation. Party sources pinned real cause for the Congress meltdown on a deal for Muslim votes to provide amnesty to those held in the 1993 Mumbai blast case. This united the Hindus against the MVA.
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Maharashtra Landslide Win: BJP May Owe Much To Management Skills Of One Man, Bhupendra Yadav
As the BJP savours its unprecedented election victory in Maharashtra, if there is one person who has to be credited for crafting this fabulous performance then it is Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav who along with I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was put in charge of the state. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis who is being much toasted for the record performance of the BJP– a win of 132 seats out of 149 seats it contested, marking a 85 % strike rate, acknowledged Yadav’s role and felicitated him. Yadav is a trusted aide of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is reputed for his election management skills. He took charge of Maharashtra soon after the disastrous performance of the party in the Lok Sabha elections securing only 9 of the 48 seats in the state. As soon as he entered the scene, Yadav advised state leaders to drop their personal animosity and work cohesively as one unit. He also advised them from going to the media. Party leaders working in the election team said Yadav injected a sense of cohesiveness and purpose. What also worked was the dedicated campaign of RSS workers who undertook more than 60,000 meetings across the state mobilising Hindu voters. Party sources recalled how 20,000 such meetings by the RSS in Haryana had helped swing the north Indian state. After delivering Maharashtra, it is most likely Yadav will be rewarded with something bigger.  He was once hoping to become the Law Minister. Now it is likely he may be the next party chief.
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Boom, Boom Bumrah Still A Long Thorn In The Aussie Flesh
John Wright and Mumbai Indians must be given all credit for unearthing a raw talent in Jasprit Bumrah. One can add the then Gujarat skipper Parthiv Patel to this short list. As a talent scout for the Reliance Industries owned IPL franchise, Wright was in Motera to see a Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 tournament match in 2013. It’s not just Bumrah’s awkward action that caught Wright’s attention, but a bumper that sailed over wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel’s head to the sight screen. After the day’s play, Wright went up to Patel and asked him: “If that particular short ball was the fastest from Bumrah” and the reply was a “Yes”. Wright called up Mumbai Indians and asked them to sign up the fledgling fast bowler from Gujarat. It has to be seen as the best ever signing for an IPL franchise in the 16-season old Twenty20 tournament. Eleven years after his find by a former New Zealand captain and India coach, Bumrah is ruling the roost in world cricket. As he proved at the magnificent Optus Stadium in Perth on Saturday – after his team was skittled out for a paltry 150 in the first innings of the first Test – with a hostile opening burst to jolt Australia to take the top three wickets. It was not about his calibre but taking responsibility in the face of adversity. India’s pace pack had proved to be a long thorn in the Australian batters’ flesh on the previous two tours to the Southern Hemisphere, with Bumrah and Mohammed Shami stealing the thunder. But on this tour, Bumrah is without his illustrious partner who has been laid low since the ICC World Cup final against Australia. All the more, a superb show by Boom, Boom Bumrah!
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Naidu Feels Andhra Image Will Be Hit As State Figures In Adani Kickback List
At a time when Usha Chilukuri Vance, the soon to be second lady of the United States, has her roots in Andhra — her father a mechanical engineer from IIT Madras hails from Andhra there is nothing that could have shattered the Andhra story more than the reports about allegations stemming from court filings by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Of the Rs 2000 crore alleged pay-off made by industrialist Gautam Adani across various states in India, Rs 1,750 crore were paid in Andhra to secure solar power contracts. That is why while addressing the state assembly, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu called the actions of Adani Group of bribing his rival and former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy “damaging” to Andhra Pradesh’s reputation and vowed to take action. At the same time, he made it clear that the action on U.S. bribery allegations involving Adani and Jagan Reddy, would be based on evidence to protect his state’s reputation. That means, TDP which is an important ally of the NDA would not be needlessly going on a reckless witch hunt of its rival. Naidu is known to be industry friendly. In neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK is equally distraught by reports of this scanner on Adani who is undertaking development of two greenfield airports in the state. Chief minister MK Stalin’s son-in law V Sabareesan, known to liaise with high-profile biz guys like Adani likely to steer party’s views on the U.S. findings. Only ex-CM Bhupesh Bhagel of Chhattisgarh can pretend “nothing happened during my time”, even if he bankrolled Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in a big way.
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Bengal CPI (M)’s Pathbreaking Move, To Hire Political Analysts And Marketing Professionals
In a bid to rejuvenate its electoral prospects following a string of disappointing results in Bengal, the CPI(M) has turned to professional expertise. The party recently posted a recruitment advertisement on social media, seeking applications for several key positions, including that of political analysts, mass communication writers, graphic designers, and digital marketing executives. CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammad Salim announced the move via Facebook, emphasizing that the party aims to adopt a more professional approach. People have seen CPM Digital for so long, this time CPM will look professional, and this is the beginning, Salim stated, indicating a strategic shift in the party’s functioning. The most notable position advertised is that of political analysts, drawing comparisons to the role played by prominent strategists like Prashant Kishor. However, the party has refrained from officially framing this move as a complete overhaul of its strategy. The decision comes in the wake of the CPI(M)’s dismal performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party failed to secure any seats in Bengal. Despite forming an alliance with Congress, the party was sidelined by the bipolar contest between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP. Veteran leaders like Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suffered losses, and only two CPI(M) candidates, including Salim himself, managed to save their deposits. Internal discussions within the party have highlighted the inability to adapt to modern electoral trends and lingering reliance on outdated strategies. By embracing professional inputs, the CPI(M) appears to be gearing up for the 2026 Assembly elections, signaling a departure from its traditional framework.
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Voting By More Women, Less Muslims, Will Tilt Outcome In Maharashtra
Increased voting by women and a comparatively lower turnout of the Muslims for the Maharashtra assembly elections are likely to be the two major factors which can tilt the outcome of the crucial battle that will conclude on Saturday evening. These two trends have been commented upon repeatedly by several analysts while making a comparison with the Lok Sabha election’s voting pattern. As the turnout for this election has been the highest at more than 66% over the past three decades, both sides are claiming that it will benefit their candidates. For instance, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has suggested that the Laadki Bahin Yojana was one reason for the handsome response of women, who would support the Mahayuti nominees. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) failed to gauge the potency of the scheme whereby eligible women receive Rs 1500 per month from the state. Both sides have promised to enhance the provision after watching the unprecedented welcome it has received. Similarly, the lack of enthusiasm of Muslim voters as compared with the Lok Sabha voting complexion has emerged as another important factor for the final outcome. At least a dozen Lok Sabha seats went to MVA owing to en bloc minority voting. In Dhule, while the other five assembly segments supported the Mahayuti, voting in the Malegaon assembly changed the picture and the seat went to MVA. In view of such aspects, the results are awaited eagerly.
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48 Hours After Results Will Be Decisive In Maharashtra
As the term of the present Maharashtra assembly ends on 26 November, the political calculations to capture power will have to be finalised within just 48 hours once the results are out. This has heightened the suspense about the outcome of the election since the richest state of India will play a crucial role in shaping the national political future. A mandate in Maharashtra will strengthen the prospects of both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The state saw a brief spell of President’s Rule in 2019 as none of the claimants was ready to form a government within the deadline. Making preparations to avert any such eventuality, Mahayuti and MVA planners have booked dozens of rooms in five star hotels in Mumbai for the possible winners. Moreover, chartered planes and helicopters have also been booked in readiness to ensure the availability of the future MLAs. Another precaution is to keep them under watch so that sides are not changed at the eleventh hour. But the Lok Sabha results changed the picture as MVA won 30 out of the 48 seats. The exit polls for the assembly election have predicted a keen race, making it imperative for both sides to count on each vote. Therefore, the 48 hours after the results will become the game changer.
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Tamil Nadu Alliance Politics In Turmoil With The Entry Of Actor Vijay On The Electoral Stage
Alliance politics, an eternal feature of the Tamil Nadu political scene, has turned sharper with the advent of actor Vijay on the electoral stage. All the parties save the ruling DMK are running helter-skelter in their bid to stitch up an alliance before the 2026 Assembly polls. DMK is content to wait out the drama with parties rejecting each other as potential allies since this helps the ruling party to stay ahead in poll percentages. The arithmetic is simple. If the votes split three ways as they did in the Lok Sabha polls, the DMK stands to gain the most, or sweep everything as it did with 39 of 39 seats. If the votes are going to split four ways after Vijay’s entry, the DMK will be laughing all the way to Raj Bhavan for the swearing-in ceremony. The AIADMK, a shrewd player of alliance politics in the time of J Jayalalithaa, has not only split on her demise but also stands isolated in the alliance race. They don’t want to join the BJP again after the stinging 2021 experiment. Vijay does not want to join the AIADMK though the party would very much want the youthful politico on his side. The BJP is keeping the door open for AIADMK provided those shunted out are part of a united package. The DMK is only keen to keep VCK and its current allies on board. The more divided the opposition is, the better for MK Stalin and family.
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TAFE Vs AGCO : Madras HC Orders Status Quo Over Ownership Rights Of Massey Ferguson
 In the wake of escalating face-off between the Chennai-based Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) and its American partner AGCO over the ownership rights of Massey Ferguson in India, a two-member bench of the Madras High Court has stepped in to direct the warring parties to “maintain status quo until the original applications are heard and disposed of by the learned single judge. “For avoidance of doubt, we hasten to add that the observations made herein are tentative and solely intended for the purpose of disposing of these appeals. We have not delved much into the various rival submissions. All rights and contentions are kept open,” the two-member bench said in its order on Monday. The relationship between TAFE, an Amalgamation group company, and AGCO Corporation of the U.S. hit a nasty bump in April last when the AGCO management terminated commercial agreements -– including the one on licensing the Massey Ferguson brand — with TAFE. The Chennai firm quickly got a stay on this from a commercial court. When AGCO subsequently confirmed the termination, TAFE filed a contempt petition in the Chennai commercial court. Separately, TAFE also moved the Madras High Court, asserting its ownership right to Massey Ferguson brand. TAFE had got a favourable interim order from the Madras High Court. TAFE had filed a civil suit before the Madras High Court against Massey Ferguson Corporation, a subsidiary of AGCO, claiming that the said trademarks are distinctive of TAFE in India and exclusively owned by it. It had sought the Madras High Court to declare that TAFE owns the Massey Ferguson brand/trademarks in India. With the HC bench asking both parties to maintain status quo, all eyes are on the upcoming proceeding before the single judge.  It is “advantage TAFE” at the moment, however.
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Who Will Be The Next BCCI Secretary With Jay Shah Moving Over To ICC From Dec 1?
With only 12 days remaining for the BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to take charge as independent chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), clarity has not emerged as to who would perform the duties of the Secretary from December 1, 2024. First and foremost, election has not been called for the post, and this could be because the BCCI Constitution has adequate provisions for its Joint Secretary to perform the Secretary’s duties. The BCCI Constitution says: “The President shall, in the event of a vacancy or indisposition of an office bearer, delegate the functions to another office-bearer until the vacancy is duly filled up, or the indisposition ceases.” In this case the BCCI President Roger Binny has the right to assign duties to any other office-bearer. Shah who has been the Secretary from 2019 may be allowed a grace period to hand over the work to someone else. Next week is going to be hectic for the ICC to take a call on the format and venues of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Feb-Mar) because the BCCI has conveyed to the ICC that India will not travel to Pakistan. The BCCI, nay Jay Shah, would like to see a finality to the Champions Trophy issue, in particular where India will play before he takes charge of the ICC. If the Champions Trophy has to take place, the Pakistan Cricket Board has to accept a hybrid model with one group (with India in it) playing league matches, most likely in Dubai and keeping the venue of the semi-finals and final, open. The PCB may not be in a position to lose the hosting rights and thereby with it a fee of around $ 70 million!
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Satta Bazaar Doubles Down, Dampened Spirits Over MVA Likely Win!
The ‘Satta Bazaar’ is betting down (dampened market sentiments) over Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) forming Maharashtra’s next government. A market player says, “Punters have never been wrong before. Dampened stock market spirits indicate the Mahayuti Alliance is unlikely to win notwithstanding sops galore unleashed by CM Eknath Shinde.” Differing with market pundits, BJP says, “Markets crashed after Foreign Portfolio Investors withdrew Rs 1.25 lakh crore in October (out of total Rs 71 lakh crore total stock investments in India) seeking better pastures after China announced stimulus. FPIs sold Rs 8700 crore stocks in April, Rs 25,600 crore in May then bought Rs 26,600 crore worth in June, Rs 32, 400 crore in July, Rs 7300 crore in August and Rs 57,700 crore in September before the big sell off in October. Already overleveraged NSE slumped, the subdued corporate sector quarterly results after much hype triggered a profit-booking mindset among investors.” Donald Trump’s ascendancy as the next U.S. president (previous tenure witnessed negative bias towards precious metals) bodes badly setting price corrections of gold and silver even as the U.S. dollar firms up, adding to Indian stock market woes. The BJP leader adds, “Maharashtra contributes around 14% to India’s GDP but even when MVA ruled for 2.5 years Modi-nomics ensured high buoyancy on Indian bourses despite stalling of bullet train project, Rs 14,000 crore cost escalation of Metro project.” The market punter, however, cites India’s financial capital Mumbai in Maharashtra that ensures most Indian business gravitates around the state while explaining the gloomy market mood over MVA’s likely win. November 23 will reveal the truth when the political bets are finally called out.
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Kejriwal Suffers A Setback In Delhi With Exit Of Top Minister Kailash Gahlot
In a massive setback to AAP, Delhi’s transport  minister and Jat leader Kailash Gahlot resigned from the party, citing “grave challenges” and “awkward” controversies in a letter to  AAP  convener Arvind Kejriwal  months ahead of Delhi Assembly polls. He has joined the BJP. Gahlot’s exit is well timed in the sense that it comes days before Maharashtra goes to polls. AAP, an INDIA Bloc partner that has no stake in the state polls.  But it must be said Gahlot’s exit was something that was in the works for some time now. It is believed that the seeds of discord between Gahlot and the AAP leadership were sown on August 15 over unfurling the national flag during the Delhi Govt’s I-Day celebrations. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was in jail on charges linked to the alleged liquor policy scam, had wanted Education Minister Atishi to unfurl the flag.  Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena however felt Gahlot was more suitable for the job as he held the Home Department. Meanwhile, Kejriwal indicated that Gahlot had quit as he was under pressure from the ED and IT.  In his resignation letter, Gahlot pointed to how “Political ambitions have overtaken our commitment towards people, leaving many promises unfulfilled”. In an apparent swipe at Kejriwal, he referred to “many embarrassing and awkward controversies like the “Sheeshmahal” — a term used by the BJP to refer to the CM’s residence renovated during Kejriwal’s term costing the exchequer Rs 45 crore.
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Tollywood Directors File Rs 23-Crore Defamation Suit Against Technician Federation President Swarup Biswas
A major controversy has erupted in Tollywood as over 233 directors from films, TV and independent media have filed a defamation suit against Swarup Biswas, president of the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India. The Rs 23-crore lawsuit follows Biswas’s contentious remarks alleging rampant sexual harassment in the film industry, with 60% of complaints purportedly against directors and producer-directors. The hearing will take place on January 10. Swarup, the younger brother of Aroop Biswas, Bengal’s Power and Housing Minister and a close aide of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, finds himself at the centre of an unprecedented protest by Tollywood’s creative community. This is, perhaps, the first time that Tollywood has publicly challenged the Federation. Directors and producers have also criticized what they call “red-tapism” and “arbitrary demands” imposed by the Federation, including its control over unit sizes, pay scales, working hours, and technician selection. At the Eastern India Motion Picture Association’s (EIMPA) recent AGM, Swarup Biswas proposed that producers deposit Rs 5 lakh each as security to ensure timely technician payments, citing Rs 50 lakh in pending dues. Producers have outright rejected the demand, questioning the Federation’s accountability and EIMPA’s silence on the matter. Veteran actor-director Aparna Sen has publicly questioned Swarup Biswas’s credentials, asking for proof of his contributions to the industry. Biswas holds an assistant director’s card, which is reportedly issued only to those involved in at least two films. Actor-politician Roopa Ganguly also criticized the Federation, accusing it of politicizing the industry and questioning why filmmakers often seek the CM’s intervention during crises.
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Election Pangs: Soybean Growers’ Distress Worries Mahayuti, Congress Attempts Exploiting Situation
If rising onion prices decided the election outcome in many states some decades ago, falling soybean prices could impact the outcome in around 70 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra. Hence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, representing two ends of the political spectrum, are found promising farmers of much higher rates, but only after they are elected on 20 November. The sensitive constituencies are spread in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, where cotton and soybean are the main cash crops. The current market rate of Rs 4000 per quintal is unacceptable to the growers though they have no choice but to sell the produce as it can’t be stored for long. The MSP is Rs 4800 but not enough stocks are lifted by the machinery. The ruling saffron alliance has been promising better tariffs. The government hiked the soybean import duty in a bid to jack up the prices but the hike was of only around Rs 400, still leaving a gap of the same amount. Sensing the distress and the government’s inability to make any major announcement, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has promised Rs 6000 per quintal of the legume. To go a step further, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has pledged to pay Rs 7000. Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has also joined the chorus. The two regions had by and large supported the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi during the Lok Sabha election. Hence, Mahayuti leaders are wary of saying anything that can dampen their prospects.
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Are Re-Runs Becoming A New Revenue Model For Bollywood?
Are the re-runs slowly becoming a revenue model both for producers and exhibitors who have been grappling to bring back the audiences to cinema halls? Diwali turned out to be decent but then again we are gone back to re-release of films. Shah Rukh Khan’s Veer Zara re-release has been appreciated. Rakesh Roshan plans a re-release of Karan Arjun with a huge number of screens after 30 years of its release. This again has Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan coming together for the first time on screen. SRK’s Kal Ho Naa Ho and Pardes too are re-releasing in cinemas. Those in the trade feel that re-release of Tumbbad, Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein and Laila Majnu have given courage to producers to cash on re-runs. The re-runs have stirred both excitement and curiosity. Traditionally, re-releases were reserved for timeless classics, but now more recent films are being revived, prompting questions: Is this trend purely nostalgic, or is there a deeper strategy at play? According to Trade Analyst Saurabh Varma, the re-release phenomenon is benefiting the cinema industry in multiple ways. For producers, re-releasing films is a cost-effective option. The marketing and distribution expenses are far lower than for new releases. Re-releases tap into the large fan bases of iconic films, giving long-time fans a chance to relive their favourite stories on the big screen. Furthermore, these revivals provide a unique opportunity for younger viewers who may have missed these films during their initial release. The combination of nostalgia and iconic music resonates deeply with audiences.

TRENDS & VIEWS

Editor’s Note: Big Punch In Small Pack

It is the Third Anniversary of Short Post and as a news media startup launched during the Covid-19 pandemic it certainly feels better than good to find ourselves where we are today. Here, I must cite the unstinted support of our seasoned contributors, all senior editors in the country, who brought a great degree of maturity and sagacity to the Short Post newsroom. But for them, our tagline “Authentic Gossip”, an Oxymoron, would not have matured viably. Our user numbers may be small but our stories have created the desired impact among people who matter — decision makers and influencers. We offer a big punch in a small pack and Short Post with its 225-word stories has been punching above its weight category. Having posted close to 3,000 stories in the last 36 months, Short Post, I feel, is an idea whose time has come.
And this is vindicated by our two marquee advertisers – IDFC FIRST Bank and ICICI Lombard. Both believed in our story and have supported us from Day one. A big thank you to both.
If you look at the media landscape – print, TV and digital — it is a mixed bag. There are job losses as some outfits have closed down while a lucky few were bailed out by large corporate houses. Yes, there is a lot of action in the digital space. However, the entry of corporate houses has raised the question of independence of news media outfits. Sadly, there are just a handful of independent media outfits in the country that are highly respected for their neutrality. At Short Post, our credo is not to take sides, prejudge issues or be biased but, informing readers of behind-the-scenes happenings. In essence, Short Post strives to be a neutral editorial platform — neither anti-establishment nor pro-establishment.
As I said last year, disruptions in the media world are moving at a fast and furious pace. Technology is playing a very big role in how content is generated and consumed. But, we are neither alarmed nor perturbed as it is all a part of the evolution process. What gives us comfort is that AI is unable to create original gossipy content. And that is the news arena where we have achieved a distinction.