Nothing may have rankled the Congress more than Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s assertion that former PM Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to use government funds to build Babri Masjid. Remembering India’s first Home Minister at the ‘Sardar Sabha’ organised in Gujarat’s Vadodara, Singh explained how Patel did not look to appease communities, unlike Nehru, who questioned the reconstruction of Somnath Temple. “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was truly secular. He never believed in appeasement. When Jawaharlal Nehru spoke about spending government funds on the Babri Masjid issue, if anyone opposed it, it was one born in Gujarat, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel…” said Rajnath Singh. He said that earlier parallels were drawn between the reconstruction of the Gir Somnath temple, but Patel rejected similarities between the two cases, highlighting that the Somnath temple was rebuilt with donations instead of government money. The Defence Minister said, “The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya too has not been funded by government money. The people of this country have borne the entire cost.” Was Singh imagining this conflict of ideas between Nehru and Patel? Of course not. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said the differences between Nehru and Patel were drawn from the reminiscences and references made by Patel’s daughter Maniben Patel in her book, The Inside Story of Sardar Patel. It mentions all the correspondence between the two leaders from 1936 to 1950. Giving a context to dragging in Nehru and Babri, Sudhanshu Trivedi says how Nehru insisted that Raja Jam Saheb should stay away from the inauguration of Somnath Temple in April 1951, India’s first PM had publicly declared his disappointment in seeing the beautiful temples in south India. This Nehruvian aversion to temples best explains why the Gandhis have stayed away from Ram Temple in Ayodhya till now.

Last week, when PM Narendra Modi was at Ayodhya to hoist the flag of Ram Mandir — marking the completion of the construction of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple — there was a lot of discussion in the social media over the way Modi’s prayerful hands quivered soon after the hoisting ceremony. No, it had nothing to do with the height or weight of the saffron flag, which is 22 feet long and 11 feet wide, raised on a 42-foot pole atop the 161-ft high shikhara of the Ram temple. In fact the flags were effortlessly hoisted through a click of a few gears. While some odd concerns were expressed about Modi’s health, such views didn’t gain currency as the PM has always defied age. After all, he had landed in Ayodhya on Nov 25 after keeping a hectic schedule at the G-20 summit in South Africa. So, what explains the quivering of PM Modi’s hands? His prayerful hands were raised towards the sun/shikhara. It is being explained as a yogic mudra; actually, an act of prayer. A devout Hindu, Modi had apparently performed Naga Hasta Kampana. when fingers quiver like a rising cobra. It stirs Kundalini energy, moves prana, dissolves tamas, balances the heart centre and draws one closer to divine union. Nāga-hasta-kampana is mentioned in Hindu scriptures, specifically in tantric and Purāṇic texts related to nāga-sādhana (serpent deity worship) and certain Śākta-Śaiva āgamas. As for the flag, it was crafted over 25 days by the Ahmedabad-based parachute manufacturing company using parachute-grade cloth for longevity. Its specifications were finalised after consultations with senior Army officials. As for symbols on the flag is the Kovidar tree which is a hybrid of the Mandar and Parijat trees, created by Rishi Kashyap, as per the Valmiki Ramayana. It also denotes purity, prosperity, and “Ram Rajya”.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will remain the Bengal BJP’s main campaign face for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls, but the party is consciously limiting his appearances to avoid “overuse” of its most popular leader. State unit insiders believe Modi’s speeches and announcements at select rallies will shape the state-wide narrative, with the party machinery ensuring these messages resonate across districts. Modi is expected to begin his Bengal campaign later in December. BJP sources said he may address his first rally on a Saturday or Sunday during Parliament’s winter session. From December until the end of the campaign, he is likely to hold 14–15 rallies across the state, according to a senior party source. With the election announcement still at least three months away and the polling process expected to stretch two to two-and-a-half months, the campaign period could run nearly five months. Sources further informed that under the current plan, Modi will not exceed 15 rallies. This marks a shift from 2021, when the BJP’s campaign was heavily Modi-centric. Despite the high-voltage campaign, the BJP could not breach Mamata Banerjee’s stronghold. Since then the party has adopted a restrained approach in other states. In Maharashtra, Modi addressed only nine rallies during the 2024 polls, compared to far more in 2014 and 2019. In Haryana, he reduced from 10 rallies in 2014 to four in 2024. State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya said no formal decision had been taken on Modi’s rally count. He maintained that whether Modi holds 21 rallies or 12, the BJP is confident of the Trinamool Congress’s exit in 2026.

With the central BJP leadership ticking off former Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai for running a campaign against incumbent president Nainar Nagendran and AIADMK chief Edappadi Palanisawami (EPS), Annamalai’s options are now running out within the BJP. He has been so severely censured for running a social media campaign against NDA ally — AIADMK chief EPS — using his personal troll army, that he has been advised to disband it forthwith. It is being said Annamalai may have felt a little encouraged after PM Modi patted his back at Coimbatore airport during his mid-November. But that did not help him get an appointment with the PM even after multiple requests. This hugely disappointed him. Party sources feel Annamalai’s lack of access to PM Modi may have a lot to do with declining clout of a key official — Hiren Joshi in the PMO (more about it later) — his pointsman for Delhi operations. So, what triggered the tough talk on Annamalai? It has a lot to do with TN BJP chief Nagendran’s recent visit to Delhi, where he met national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh, national secretary Arvind Menon, and election in-charge Baijayant Panda. It was Santhosh who read the riot act to Annamalai that he must stop using his troll army against EPS and Nagendran from BJP-linked handles. It is being said he had already begun to skip key party strategy meetings.  With Delhi leaders also being hostile to him, Annamalai is also expected to go out like the way rebel AIADMK leader Sengottaiyan did and join actor Vijay’s TVK. Only it is not clear if Annamalai exits the BJP will he first float his own party or directly land at Vijay’s office. Will he exit from BJP’s Kamalalayam to land in TVK’s Panaiyur office?

The Rs 67000-croreTata Power Company is preparing for one of the most ambitious clean energy solar bets in Odisha — the kind one has never seen in India. It is investing Rs 10,000 crore to set up 10 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing plant. The ingot and wafer plants are important for solar industries because they produce solar-grade silicon for manufacturing solar cells which then becomes the foundation for solar panels, wherein, India wants to become an integrated manufacturer of solar panels. This move is a clear indication that Tatas are serious about clean energy.  Speculations are rife that Tatas are finding Odisha conducive for its greenfield project and that electricity cost in Odisha is very competitive. Tata Power sources say the company will finalise the location in the next two months. Industry watchers say, Gopalpur Tata SEZ in Odisha is uniquely suited for Tata Power’s ambitious project as it will be designed to provide world class infrastructure, tax incentives and regulatory flexibility to attract the Tata Power’s big time investment in globally competitive industries. Tata Power which earned a net profit of Rs 4,775 crore on a turnover of Rs 66,992 crore in FY25, has an installed electricity generation capacity of 14,707 MW from thermal power and green energy sources. It is India’s largest integrated power company employing 23,562 people.

Navi Mumbai-based Tembo Defence Products Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Tembo Global Industries Ltd, is accelerating its entry into India’s small-arms manufacturing sector with a Rs 1,000-crore greenfield facility planned at MIDC Amravati, Maharashtra. The company has already secured a comfort letter from MIDC for the allotment of nearly 100 acres of industrial land. The MoU for the project was signed with the Government of Maharashtra during the World Economic Forum at Davos. In the first phase, the company will manufacture .45 mm 1911 pistols and matching ammunition under a “Make in India, Export-First” strategy. Production is targeted to begin between July and August 2026, with expansion expected over the next three years. A major technological boost comes through Tembo’s supply and technology agreement with a 140-year-old European defence manufacturer that will provide equipment, technology and production integration support, with 50% of the project proposed to be financed by the partner. According to the D&B India TEV review, Tembo’s Small Arms Line is designed for an annual capacity of 42,240 units, covering CNC machining, heat treatment, coating, assembly, QC and automation. The assessed cost of Rs 267.89 crore aligns with European benchmarks. The Ammunition Line, designed for 30 million rounds annually, has an assessed cost of Rs 214.31 crore, matching global standards for case forming, propellant filling and bullet assembly. The company also plans additional pistol models inspired by global platforms for the U.S. and European markets, projecting 30,000 units annually across two lines. Once operational, this facility positions Tembo Defence as an emerging Indian contender in the global small-arms export ecosystem, backed by modern European manufacturing systems.

At the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa, the audience stood up for this 74-year old legend as he accepted ‘The Lifetime Achievement Award’ not with filmi flamboyance, but remarkable humility and palpable sincerity “I love cinema and acting. How quickly 50 years have passed…for me it seems like 15 years…in every Janam I take I want to be born as Rajinikanth ” His only other competitor is Amitabh Bachchan. But the similarity of incomparable lifetime fame and name ends there…AB was born in high society, parents acclaimed artists. Rajini and the much-recounted story of a Bengaluru bus conductor and his meteoric, stylish and remarkable zoom to the very top of fame and fortune is a lore oft-repeated. His legion of fans who swoon over his every action and every movie stand as testimony that he is no accidental superstar. But his humility and simplicity remain unparalleled. His neighbors see him every day as he takes his morning walks on Raghava Veera Avenue …headphones on, tuft and fringe of white hair around a bald pate, in non-flashy attire. Just an elderly person on his walking routine .put him in front of the camera, glam make up, slick wig etc…lights, camera, action…a high voltage super energetic 40 something swashbuckler leaps and lunges at his enemies…an electrifying hero whose style hits you …was this man a bus conductor who hypnotized millions and still remains a heartthrob? Superstar Rajini has achieved phenomenal fame…yet his unchanged humility makes him Thalaiva.

Ahmedabad or Amdavad has proudly joined the list of global cities that has played host to the Commonwealth Games (CWG). There are not many takers for hosting the CWG; even the next year’s CWG — originally awarded to Victoria, Australia — will be held now at Glasgow, Scotland, the second time the British Isles country will host the event in 12 years; but with competition in fewer sports. Right from the time the Narendra Modi led NDA came to power in 2014, his government has taken steps to give an impetus to sports culture in the country and alleviate the needs of the top sportspersons by founding the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. A handful of States, including Odisha have been on an overdrive to embrace sports, and Ahmedabad lobbied and pushed for the CWG and recently its CWG membership was confirmed at Glasgow. Significantly, Ahmedabad will host the Centenary of the CWG, the inaugural games being held at Hamilton, Canada in 1930. Most international events were held in New Delhi – the capital city hosted the games in 2010 and endeavour will be put up a dazzling display in Ahmedabad which owns the biggest cricket stadium in the World. Most relevantly Ahmedabad will get an opportunity to show case itself through the live broadcast of the events.

Controversial artiste Rakhi Sawant’s shocking comments on actor Dharmendra’s demise rankled his fans and even some members of the public. A couple of days ago, Rakhi was present for an event in Mumbai. During the media interaction on the subject, Rakhi showed her acting prowess by donning a serious look instantly. She made many audacious claims. At one point, she alleged that Dharmendra had breathed his last two or three days before 24 November. Asked to state the basis of this shocker, Rakhi nonchalantly replied that several people had told her this. Unabashed, she claimed that Dharmendra had appeared in her dream. Rakhi lamented that she was hurt just like his numerous fans as she couldn’t get to see him one last time before his final rites. Rakhi is known for never missing a chance to create a sensation or to hog the limelight. Rakhi continues to face flack for her latest outpouring but is unfazed. Several social media posts have been uploaded against Rakhi. Most have described her as ‘insensitive’ for passing such hurtful remarks on the late superstar. Rakhi knows how to make waves. Her well-known roles have been in reality TV shows and Hindi movies. Rakhi has starred in a number of Bollywood films and is well-known for her item songs and fearless public persona. After appearing in “Bigg Boss 1” and making it to the finals of “Bigg Boss 14,” she gained wide publicity. To remain noticed, she manages to send shockwaves.

Although the use of laser beams is banned for public celebrations, the restriction is more observed in breach than compliance. The same is the case with installing Dolby speakers, which can damage the hearing owing to their high decibel intensity. However, a Pimpri resident will henceforth represent all those ignoring the rules after learning it the hard way himself. Pimpri is a suburb of Pune and its municipal corporation is among the richest in India, given the proliferation of industrial units in its environs. Expectedly, the flaunting of money is quite common. Gopi Pandharinath Lokhande, president of Bhairavnath Mitra Mandal in Pimpri, has been sentenced to simple imprisonment for two days and a fine of Rs 1000 for use of laser beam lights during the Ganesh festival procession taken out on 4 September 2024. He was found guilty of flouting Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Samhita. The police presented video recording of the procession and the preventive notice served on the Mandal regarding the ban on using laser beams. These proved conclusive. If the laser beams fall directly, they can seriously hurt eyes. Children, senior citizens and women are especially vulnerable. Similarly, they can distract airplane pilots if projected near airports or airways. The Pimpri court has underscored this restriction through the punishment it has awarded to Lokhande.