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Keen On Alliance With Actor Vijay’s TVK, TN Cong Lobbies For Dumping DMK
In an interesting twist to politics in Tamil Nadu and Kerala ahead of assembly elections in the two states next year, it is being said a section of Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu are keen on sealing an electoral alliance with popular film star Vijay who has floated Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Party MPs like ManickamTagore are reportedly sending delegations from the state to lobby with the AICC leadership on advantages of dumping its traditional ally, the DMK and opt for a political newbie like actor Vijay’s TVK. While the 2026 election would be actor Vijay’s first political foray into electoral politics, what is giving the Congress’s confidence to invest in him is his popularity rating among the Tamil Nadu youth and his ability to reach out to young and depressed classes. Congress leaders also feel the DMK is not in a good shape and is facing a lot of political headwinds as of now. Of course, a Congress tie-up with TVK is not being pushed by Manickam Tagore alone. It is being said that AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, who hails from Kerala, also feels having a tie-up with the TVK would boost Congress prospects in neighbouring Kerala assembly polls. He feels Vijay’s campaign in Kerala could boost UDF prospects as his films are popular in Kerala too. As of now in TN, AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is an early starter and his campaign tours have begun to draw huge response.  With BJP making right organisational change by appointing Nainar Nagendran to head its state unit, AIADMK-BJP tie-up does pose a strong challenge to the incumbent DMK.
mamata bangla
Delhi Police Kicks Up Bangla Row; Mamata Wades Into It
Delhi Police kicked up a language row when it wanted to proceed against eight Bangladeshi nationals “residing illegally in India”. It made the mistake of seeking help of Banga Bhawan — that houses the West Bengal government’s office in Delhi – to identify texts written in “Bangladeshi” language and wanted it translated. Obviously, Delhi Police dealing with the matter were not aware that Bangladesh and West Bengal were united by Bengali language and there was nothing like” Bangladeshi” language, only Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas. Quickly, seizing upon the language issue, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee slammed the premier police agency’s faux pas. She pointed out how the Delhi Police functioned under the direct control of the Union Home Ministry and felt the government was describing Bengali as “Bangladeshi” language! It was left to BJP’s Amit Malviya to defend the Delhi Police. He said, “Nowhere in the Delhi Police letter is Bangla or Bengali described as a ‘Bangladeshi’ language. To claim otherwise and call upon Bengalis to rise against the Centre is deeply irresponsible.” Explaining further he said Delhi Police is absolutely right in referring to the language as Bangladeshi in the context of identifying infiltrators. The term is being used to describe a set of dialects, syntax, and speech patterns that are distinctly different from the Bangla spoken in India. The official language of Bangladesh is not only phonologically different, but also includes dialects like Sylheti that are nearly incomprehensible to Indian Bengalis. There is, in fact, no language called “Bengali” that neatly covers all these variants. “Bengali” denotes ethnicity, not linguistic uniformity. So when the Delhi Police uses “Bangladeshi language,” it is a shorthand for the linguistic markers used to profile illegal immigrants from Bangladesh — not a commentary on Bengali as spoken in West Bengal.
op sin part 2
Pak Army Re-Activates Terror Camp; Operation Sindoor-Part 2 Likely
It is for good reason that the government asserted that Operation Sindoor has only been paused and isn’t over yet. Now that the Parliament has deliberated on the military operations, it is being said that the PMO and Ministry of Defence are assessing the possibilities of Pakistan resorting to misadventure again. Reason: Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir is in Beijing. He has met the Chinese vice-president and foreign minister. Reports have also come about that the Pakistani army has reactivated terror camps that were destroyed by India during Operation Sindoor in both Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. India’s Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has warned Pakistan to desist from activating terror bases of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. Terror launch pads and training centres have been set up in Looni, Phutwal, Jamila Post, Umranwali, Chaprar, Chhota Chak and Janglora jungles. Pak Army has installed thermal imaging systems, foliage penetrating radars and satellite surveillance equipment in at least 13 ISI terror launch pads that were closed after Operation Sindoor. These launch pads have been activated in Kel, Dudhniyal, Jura, Leepa Valley, Pachhiban Chaman, Naiyali, Jaknote, Chakati and Nickale. Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar addressed his cadre in Bahawalpur and appealed for funds, while Lashkar commanders are collecting funds by organising rallies. Presently, an impression is being created in Pakistan as if the U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to browbeat India. China has become the protector and guardian of Pakistan. The impoverished nation is also getting loans from multilateral organisations. In such circumstances, one should not be surprised if Gen Asim Munir starts losing his mental balance.  One thing is certain. If Pakistan carries out a misadventure again, it will have to pay a heavy price.  
not lucky
Are Stars Aligned Against Team India?
Are all the stars aligned against India? It would appear so if its captains can lose 15 tosses in a row. The chances of that happening are said to be 0.003 %. Of the 15, Shubman Gill lost five, emulating Virat Kohli who did that in England in 2018. But beyond the mathematics of such bad luck, there are serious conspiracy theories floating around, one of which is that everyone is conspiring to ensure Team India does not win or even draw the series in England. The tourists have had reason to believe one of the umpires, the Australian Paul Reiffel, was not too much in their favour in any decision-making. They had a run-in with a biased groundsman who thinks Indians should be at least 2.5 metres away from his pitch while the Kiwi coach of Team England was welcome to walk all over it. What may have proved most crucial between India standing a chance to win and trying to save it was the ball change at Lord’s. With the out of shape Dukes ball, barely 10 overs old and swinging and seaming and producing wickets, the Indians took a disastrous call to have it changed. And they were given a 30-over old ball as replacement which did nothing in the air or off the pitch. When they sought to switch back to the ball they had just changed, they were refused — and rightly too, as those are the rules. That ball change suited the home team which left Team India 193 to win rather than a much smaller target and India lost by 22 runs. Whether it was the stars, a conspiracy or poor cricket, the result is India’s chances of going ahead 2-1 at Lord’s were lost and they were left fighting to square the series in the Oval Test on that biased groundsman’s pitch.
coolie
Rajini's Multi-Starrer ‘Coolie’ Gets A Certificate, Director Lokesh Kanagaraj Happy
Coolie is an endangered species even in the busiest of railway stations dominated by all pervasive airline luggage. Yet the megalith entertainment company, SUN Pictures chose this archaic title for the 50th year of Rajini’s super stardom, an enviable success many a hero yearns for. Coolie, certified A, is a big budget, big production teeming with big stars from other languages…big music and naturally big stakes for all concerned. Why did director Lokesh Kanagaraj, who has a whole universe named after him, choose this archaic title for hero Rajini? Maybe he carries the entire load of the film on his superstar back, despite the alphabet language soup of regional stars Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruthi Hassan and Pooja Hegde pitching in their weight. Pan India, Coolie is insured to bring in fans of each star …the sum of the parts exceeding expectations. Cinema is truly challenging for number crunchers. To add sound to the music, Anirudh has drummed up a storm with his style of Gen Z music. His hit numbers Powerhouse (Rajini, of course), Chikkudu Vibe, Monica (item song for which Pooja Hegde has swivelled her svelte self) have already stormed Spotify and YouTube. Chennai’s iconic launch pad, the Nehru Stadium went turbo on Coolie’s audio launch. Milling crowds clashed …delirious fans and genuine pass holders had a free for all according to media reports! But quickly quelled by the guards even as Rajini stood up in the sun roof car and acknowledged the cheering crowds. Age cannot wither his style nor custom stale the variety. 
jaiswal
Yashasvi Made 411 Runs, He Could Have Done A Bit More!
Yashasvi Jaiswal has completed his batting duties on his first tour of England. As an opening batter, the left-hander can be termed a success because he coped well in easy and difficult conditions to make 411 runs in 10 outings, with two centuries and as many half, for a strike rate fractionally lower than 70.  Those who saw him play a shot that can be described as “unwarranted, nay, reckless” — as he did in the second innings of the third Test at Lord’s — feel that his response to fast bowler Jofra Archer in the seventh ball he faced was a gift to England. He was dismissed for 0 and India lost the Test by 22 runs. The argument that, India — in spite of the swashbuckler’s don’t care attitude when his team required only 193 to win — should have won the Test and taken a 2-1 lead midway through the series is correct, but his fans and critics as well believe that someone playing his third full series — England in India, Australia in Australia and England in England — lacked common sense on that occasion. After a century plus start, in the first innings of the Leeds Test, Yashasvi finished the series with a second century in the second innings of the Oval Test, but here was a heavy duty left hander who could have gone past 500, just as his captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja did. England would have indeed told Jaiswal that he could have done a bit more with the bat!
smriti
Compulsion Or Passion: Why Some Stars-Turned-Politicians Are Returning To Acting
Forty-nine-year old Smriti Irani, who took a long break from the entertainment world after plunging into politics, is now back with a bang with her most iconic TV serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus. Will her second innings after be successful? But she is not the first to re-enter the acting world.  Big B, Govinda staged a successful comeback. In recent times, Kangana Ranaut, who was successfully elected on a BJP ticket from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in 2024, is also scripting her return to the big screen. Tanu Weds Manu girl will be seen on screen with Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan, also a force to reckon with in the political world. Successful Kollywood star Khushbu Sundar who entered politics long ago, changed several parties, has been appointed vice president of Tamil Nadu BJP cell. This articulate speaker is also making sure her acting career is also chugging along. The two leading ladies of the 70s Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan continue to be in active politics…not chasing roles barring a few ads and occasionally signing up for movies. But when it comes to male stars like Vinod Khanna, Shatrugan Sinha and Rajesh Khanna they have not been a spectacular hit in politics. Sure, Sinha became a minister but could not keep that title for too long. Shotgun, a diehard BJP man was forced to quit BJP to join Congress and later TMC. After a long stint in both Samajwadi Party and Congress, Raj Babbar re-entered Bollywood. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari is more of a spokesperson and is seen focusing more on making music videos and songs. Ravi Kishan who is an MP is facing some resistance in UP politics and therefore is looking for more work in TV, OTT and films.  It’s an art to manage both worlds. 
prez marcos
Philippines President’s India Visit Keenly Watched By Geopolitical Experts
The big news is India and Philippines ties are taking a strategic leap. After a gap of 17 years, the Philippine’s President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, elected in 2022, is on a five-day visit to India. This visit is being dubbed as a landmark diplomatic engagement between Philippines and India. President Marcos India visit coincides with 75th anniversary of Indo-Philippines diplomatic relations, the discussions will revolve around India-Philippine bilateral military defence cooperation particularly BrahMos missiles, training exchanges, regional security, maritime law and shared Indo-Pacific vision and deepening India-Philippine overall relationship with regard to science & technology.  This is because the Philippines is already an integral pillar of New Delhi’s Act East Policy, Vision Mahasagar and the Vision of Indo-Pacific. However, President Marcos’ visit is now being watched with keen interest by geo-political experts. What will be cooked between New Delhi and the Philippines this time? Is it just a symbolic push for further mutual cooperation spread between regional security? The buzz is India would push for Indo-Pacific power dynamics empowering Philippines further through defence cooperation to support New Delhi’s Act East Policy. The Philippine President’s first trip to India is also coinciding with the first planned naval exercise between the two countries in the South China Sea. Ex- Indian Ambassador to Philippines, Amit Dasgupta says India has already secured Philippines trust to become a key dependable pillar in Philippines maritime security by demonstrating its effectiveness in its Brahmos missiles, he indicated that Indian drones could be another attraction for Philippines considering India’s success story at the recent Indo-Pak war. 
raj jain
After Building UPI, RS Software Eyes Global Market With New Payment Platform
Kolkata-based tech giant RS Software (India) Ltd has taken its first step into developing a global payments integration platform to ease international trade flows, following its pivotal role in building India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in 2015. The company is set to invest over Rs 100 crore over the next five years to further strengthen its payments network across India — an ambitious move aligned with India’s rising influence in the fintech space. With the government entering into several bilateral agreements to enable members of the Indian diaspora to use UPI for payments abroad, RS Software is actively working with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to integrate these international payment systems. The integration of bilateral payment platforms is currently underway across 10 countries, including the UAE, Singapore, and France. RS Software MD & CEO Raj Jain confirmed the development, noting that UPI’s growing global footprint has opened the door for India to collaborate with other nations on digital payment interoperability. According to Jain, RS Software has been instrumental in executing many of these bilateral integrations alongside NPCI. The company sees immense opportunity in addressing longstanding challenges in cross-border transactions, which in 2024 reached a total value of $162 trillion. These transactions often suffer from high fees, sluggish settlement times, and lack of transparency. Jain feels there is the need to make low-value cross-border payments simpler and more efficient. To closely focus on the next phase of development, the company recently appointed Samik Roy as COO. Roy will be overseeing the integration of international digital payment systems and expanding the company’s global footprint. 
iveco
Tata Motors Acquisition Of Iveco To Alter Commercial Vehicle Landscape
In a landmark deal, Tata Motors announced its intention to buy the commercial vehicle business of Iveco group of Italy. The transaction is valued at approximately $4.4 billion. This supposedly strategic acquisition is ostensibly designed to catapult Tata Motors into the league of truly global commercial vehicle manufacturers, significantly expanding its capabilities, reach and resilience in a dynamic global market. What does this signify? A quick trip down time machine will put things in perspective and help understand the changing times and emerging market dynamics. Once upon a time, Iveco had a very strong partnership with Chennai-headquartered Ashok Leyland Ltd. (ALL), the flagship company of the Hindujas. The Italian group had both technical and financial relationship with Ashok Leyland, an arch rival of Tata Motors in the domestic market. Somewhere along, the alliance between Iveco and Ashok Leyland ended for assorted reasons. The Indian dream of the Italian group could not travel to its logical destination. Ashok Leyland subsequently aligned with the Japanese firm to roll out Hino model engines. Given this backdrop, long-time watchers of the automobile industry in India are expecting the acquisition of the commercial vehicle business of Iveco by Tata Motors to seriously alter the domestic playing ground. How will this play out in the coming days? Well, the fingers are crossed at the moment. 
raanjahhna
Is ‘Raanjhanaa’ A Case In Point Of AI Misuse?
The 2013 film Raanjhanaa directed by Aanand L Rai, stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, featuring an unconventional pairing of Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor. Its memorable music and poignant direction marked a significant milestone in Indian cinema, propelling Rai into the realm of celebrated directors. The film’s narrative, with its bittersweet ending, resonated deeply with audiences, creating a lasting emotional impact akin to classics like Sadma, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Ek Duje Ke Liye. In the age of artificial intelligence, the temptation to alter established narratives for the sake of novelty or entertainment poses a significant threat to the integrity of original works. The notion of revisiting Raanjhanaa to create a happier ending, albeit under the guise of innovation, undermines the artistic vision of its creators, including the director and writer. Once a film is released into the public domain, it becomes a shared experience, and any post-release alterations—especially those that disregard the original intent—can be seen as a disservice to the creative process. Eros International, the rights holder of Raanjhanaa pursuing an alternate ending without the director’s consent is not just an inappropriate approach; it sets a troubling precedent for other producers. Such actions could lead to a slippery slope where the creative authority of filmmakers is undermined, allowing producers to alter endings at will. Using AI to trivialize or distort established narratives is a misuse of technology. As we navigate the intersection of technology and creativity, it is crucial to uphold the sanctity of original narratives, ensuring that the heart of storytelling remains intact.
param shah
Arvind Group's Param Shah Earns Praise For Valuable Inputs On India-UK's FTA
Guess who played a very active role in the recently signed Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK? Param Shah, Group Head — Strategic Communications & Government Relations Arvind Ltd. Shah who has Ph D in management had joined the Ahmedabad-based company some time ago.  The reason he could significantly contribute to the FTA is because of his earlier role as director at FICCI UK and Europe. Shah, under the guidance and leadership of Baroness Parashar, submitted the memorandum, and it has been meaningfully incorporated into the final India-UK Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) that marks a historic leap in the bilateral partnership.  It may be mentioned that final CETA eliminates tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, directly supporting value-added manufacturing. Before FICCI UK, he was Head, Gujarat State Council, FICCI from 2009 till 2017, followed by his UK stint. Recognising his immense industry knowledge and networking edge, Arvind’s vice chairman Kulin Lalbhai created this role to woo him back to India from the UK. Shah is expected to look after all seven group companies. Insiders say this is a role that involves both Global and India-related work of the companies. Before Shah entered the scene, Lalbhai used to handle this portfolio. Shah’s will also help the Group’s non-business entities, including Ahmedabad University, CEPT University, Ahmedabad Education Society, and ATIRA’s Government and Corporate Affairs related matters. 

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Editor’s Note: Short Post Noticed By People Who Matter

Four years have zipped by and we are crossing another milestone on 31st January 2025 – it’s our 4th Anniversary. It feels good.
Looking back at the 1460 days, I must say Short Post has made its mark with people who matter via 4000 stories published in the areas of politics, business, entertainment and sports. All made possible by the unflinching commitment and dedication of our senior editors, most of whom have been part of this journey from Day One.
Small pack, big impact is in essence the story of Short Post which was launched at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. It shows our conviction. In all humility, I can say, we have created a new niche in the news segment space like Hindustan Unilever which created a new segment, when it launched CloseUp Gel.
Yes, we have created a brand (in a limited sense), created demand (readers) and created supply (senior journalists). But we are facing teething problems like all start-ups. What makes us happy and confident is the recognition of our efforts. For instance, we have an arrangement with the OPEN Magazine, part of the $4.5 billion Kolkata-based Sanjiv Goenka-RPG Group. This arrangement sees around 10 Short Post stories posted on OPEN Magazine website every week. This arrangement is testimony that our content has been well received! Also, I may add that the Maharashtra government has recognised Short Post and has allowed our senior editor to cover the Assembly sessions. Ditto: Odisha.
Our goal is to ensure that Short Post becomes a habit. I would like people to keep checking their smartphones to know the latest Authentic Gossip. As regards AI and the fear of it disrupting all businesses including media. On that, personally, I have no such fear as I am confident AI cannot smell news particularly Authentic Gossip. That’s the place we are well entrenched.