There is tremendous pressure on the Modi government to replace Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan because of the NEET controversy which has eroded public confidence in BJP’s governance style. India’s major political parties and Odisha Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik of BJD are mounting pressure on PM Modi to sack Dharmendra Pradhan considered to be one most trusted election strategist. Congress leader and LoP Rahul Gandhi is already targeting PM Modi for the crises. Dharmendra Pradhan and his family are also facing the flak on social media. It’s learnt that Pradhan’s daughter has already shut off her Instagram account amidst online backlash. As of now the message that is coming out of BJP’s camp is that Pradhan may not be replaced. Instead, it will fix the failed educational system. Pradhan’s role far exceeds that of an education minister. He has proved his mettle in Odisha, Bihar, Haryana, UP and other states elections. It was largely because of Pradhan that BJP ended 24-year rule of BJD in Odisha. This apart, he is considered to be close to both PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Political observers say “Pradhan remains untouchable as he is the tallest OBC leader who could well become the next chief minister of Odisha.”  

The nearly month-long protest that had intensified at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi with Sonam Wangchuk announcing indefinite fast to secure justice for NEET students has drawn to a close. Reportedly, two Union Ministers, JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met fasting Sonam Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram on July 21. The ministers conveyed to the activist that the doors of communication were “open”, signalling the government’s willingness to hold a dialogue with the protesting students. Wangchuk who had amplified  the  agitation of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) led by Abhijit Dipke, by his indefinite fast on June 28 announced that he would end his hunger strike if the government assured him that no punitive or retaliatory action will be taken against students and protesters who took part in the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march  to the Parliament. Clearly, it was the entry of this Ladakhi leader that had amplified the protest and made political parties such as the AAP hitch its bandwagon to the agitation. With CJP leader Dipke being a former AAP volunteer, it was only natural that senior AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia were found mobilising support for CJP’s protest march.  AAP leaders wanted to use the Delhi protest outcome to influence Punjab Assembly elections early next year where the Congress is seen to have an upper hand. The Congress which had initially kept away acquired a competitive interest in highlighting NEET issues only after Rahul Gandhi picked up the gauntlet. As the Lok Sabha LoP himself put across succinctly at a presser on July 22, that he did not mind any attack on him. He said, “The very cops who dragged me away whispered in my ear…‘Get rid’ of this government.” Sources say the Delhi police was forced to lift him and other Congressmen as they had tied “zip tags” to their wrists meant to deter cops from picking them up.

Could this be the final public performance of one of Goa’s most loved musical icons? Goan musical heartthrob and Bollywood singer Remo Fernandes, best known for the hit Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, is all set to arrive in London for the Goan Festival 2026 on Sunday, 2 August 2026, at the Cranford Community College Grounds. The festival marks the Diamond Jubilee of the Goan Association UK, celebrating 60 years of service, culture, community engagement and charitable outreach. Adding an emotional touch to the event is growing belief that this could be Remo’s last public performance, making the festival a must-watch for fans eager to see the ageing superstar take the stage one more time. Sharing the spotlight with him will be some of Goa’s biggest musical names, including DJ Ryan Nogar, Godgodo, Raagas2Riches, Altitude and WestCoast, promising a spectacular day of music and nostalgia. The UK Goan Festival has grown into one of the world’s largest overseas Goan cultural celebrations, attracting more than 15,000 attendees every year. To make the celebration even more special, leading Goan bands are flown in from Goa to perform alongside Remo. Over the years, the festival has welcomed distinguished guests including Reita Faria, the first Goan Miss World; Longinus Fernandes, the choreographer behind Slumdog Millionaire; and Lorna Cordeiro, widely celebrated as the Nightingale of Goa. If reports are true that this will indeed be Remo Fernandes’s final public appearance, the 2026 UK Goan Festival could become one of the most memorable chapters in the singer’s illustrious career.

The July 21 Martyrs’ Day event across Kolkata exposed the deepening cracks within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ever since the Suvendu Adhikari-led BJP government assumed office in West Bengal. While former chief minister Mamata Banerjee managed to draw a large crowd, rival TMC factions failed to match the turnout. The Congress emerged as the surprise performer with a massive mobilisation. Mamata’s rally near the Birla Planetarium drew thousands of supporters, with crowds spilling onto adjoining roads through the afternoon. In contrast, the rebel TMC camp led by LoP Ritabrata Banerjee attracted a comparatively smaller gathering. In New Delhi, another breakaway faction comprising 20 Lok Sabha MPs led by Sudip Banerjee and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, now merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), observed the day at Rajghat. The annual event commemorates the 13 Youth Congress workers killed in police firing during a march to the then Writers’ Building in 1993. For nearly two decades after the TMC came to power, the programme remained among Kolkata’s largest political mobilisations. This year, however, the observance was split across venues after prohibitory orders barred a gathering at Central Business district of Kolkata. The Calcutta High Court subsequently permitted the TMC to hold its programme near the Birla Planetarium, while the Ritabrata faction was allotted space near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Maidan and the Congress assembled at Shahid Minar. Addressing supporters, Mamata reaffirmed her commitment to the Opposition INDIA bloc while attacking the BJP and rebel leaders. The rebel camp sharpened its attack on Mamata’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee. Former ministers Madan Mitra and Firhad Hakim claimed Abhishek’s political stature was built by lakhs of Trinamool workers and urged Mamata to “hold the hands of grassroots workers” instead of her nephew. The Congress rally at Shahid Minar also drew thousands from across the state. Former MP Adhir Ranjan...

Union Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh along with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, went across PM Narendra Modi’s official residence at — 7, Lok Kalyan Marg — on July 21 afternoon to have a chat with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge, to end their sit-in protest.  He was apparently instructed to reach out to senior Congress leaders by PM Modi. Inspite of being very vocal about a discussion on NEET-related issues in the Parliament, Dr Singh disclosed that “The Congress Party had not given any notice to date for a formal discussion on this serious matter as per rules.” The minister was sent by PM Modi ‘in view of the dignity of the senior delegation”. A request was apparently made to Rahul Gandhi to end his sit-in, as the site – in the high security zone – was not meant for protests. Rahul Gandhi put forward the demand that if the government agrees to discuss in Parliament all issues related to NEET, he would immediately end his sit-in. Within a few moments, after taking permission from the government’s top leadership, Rahul was assured that his demand has been accepted. When this information was conveyed to Rahul, he said that he would not agree to this alone but also sought assurance for the resignation of the Union HRD Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. Clearly, government’s move to reach out to the Congress on NEET irked the AAP which had lent a lot of support to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) dharna at Jantar Mantar. AAP MP Sanjay Singh alleged that PM Modi had got Rahul Gandhi to sit in front of his house only to weaken the thrust of the youth movement of that got a boost with recent protests.

Will the wave of street protests unleashed in the central business district on a working day in Delhi by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) achieve its goal? The disruptors may not have managed a regime change in the country but it now seems they will have the satisfaction of having some of their goals being partially met. It is now likely that the student community could perhaps have a new HRD minister. In fact, emergence of Union Health Minister and former BJP president JP Nadda as points man is being seen as a sincere move by Modi government to open the dialogue with student community. Nadda met with CJP representatives a day ahead of the protest at his official residence. The buzz is that while Nadda could take charge of the HRD Ministry, the much-reviled Dharmendra Pradhan could be shifted to some significant portfolio or they could be possibly swapping departments. It is being said that the emergence of Nadda as a trouble shooter is not accidental. Nadda brings a combination of political stature, organisational experience and a reputation as a consensus-builder in the party. Within the BJP, Nadda has cultivated the image of a low-key organiser rather than an aggressive leader. A Himachal-born leader who has worked in Bihar, Nadda is often deployed when the party wants to lower the political temperature. Colleagues describe him as accessible, patient and willing to hear out opposing viewpoints before responding. His appeal to the CJP delegation reflected that approach. Instead of rejecting the demands outright, he assured them that the government leadership would deliberate on the issues raised by them. Significantly as Health Minister, he reached out to the injured in hospitals. Rahul Gandhi, LoP in Lok Sabha, and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi also met the injured at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.  

BJP’s National vice president, the 62-year old Baijayant Jay Panda seems to have proved his mettle within the party. Reportedly, PM Modi is quite pleased with Jay Panda’s contributions and achievements for the party. This came to fore, when PM Modi recently visited Odisha’s Rairangpur along with President Droupadi Murmu. In the course of his speech, PM Modi was heaping praise on some of the BJP leaders present at the dais…and then suddenly he praised Jay Panda’s for his immense contribution even though he was not physically present at the said meeting. This immediately set the rumour mill buzzing that Panda may be rewarded with the ministerial berth at the Centre. Panda who hails from an illustrious business family, quit the Biju Janata Dal and joined the BJP in 2019. In a short time, he emerged as a key organizational strategist, successfully leading the state campaigns and won the Lok Sabha seat in 2024 from Kendrapara constituency. It may be recalled that he was entrusted with handling of critical party units and campaigns, serving as the election in-charge for states like Assam and Delhi. He played a pivotal role in the BJP’s core group for the amendment of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir and chaired the High-Level Expert Committee for the revamp of the NCC. He is regarded as an articulate and effective party strategist, operating quietly behind the scenes to help manage organizational affairs and deliver successful electoral outcomes.    

The Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) annual July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally, the party’s biggest political mobilisation for nearly three decades, has turned into a battle for legitimacy following its defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and the subsequent split within the organisation. The day commemorates the killing of 13 Youth Congress activists in police firing on July 21, 1993, when Mamata Banerjee was a Youth Congress leader. Since the formation of the TMC in 1998, the anniversary has become synonymous with Didi’s political rise and the party’s organisational strength. This year, however, rival TMC factions, the Congress and the ruling BJP are all seeking to shape the political narrative around the anniversary. Mamata will address the official TMC rally from a new venue after the party failed to secure permission for its traditional venue. The rebel faction of TMC led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee is organising a parallel July 21 programme. The camp, which claims the support of 65 of the party’s 80 MLAs, views the event as its first major public demonstration of organisational strength and its claim to the party’s legacy.  However, sources of Ritabrata faction said several senior leaders and one time aides of Didi including Arup Roy, Firhad Hakim, Javed Khan, Chandrima Bhattacharya and Madan Mitra, continued to acknowledge Mamata’s electoral appeal even as they projected the programme as that of the Trinamool Congress rather than any faction. The Congress has also sought to reclaim the anniversary, with state president Subhankar Sarkar inviting Mamata to its July 21 programme while arguing that the 1993 movement belonged to the Congress.  The BJP, meanwhile, questioned the TMC’s organisational strength, suggesting Brigade Parade Ground as a more appropriate venue and portraying the controversy as evidence of the party’s declining political relevance.

It was the first day, first show of Christopher Nolan’s eagerly expected The Odyssey at the original showcase of Chennai, Sathyam Cinemas. For an afternoon show, the crowd was overwhelming…80% were young people, film buffs who had descended not just for a rediscovered theatre experience…but many other touch points that attract youth. Are you surprised that a 2800 years old Greek epic, The Odyssey has churned up so much enthusiasm for Greek Gods and Goddesses? Have the young had enough of streaming, now wanting to participate in tradition showcased, celebrate cinematic oeuvres by masters? These young enthusiasts sat through the 3 hours, no cat calls, no disparaging whistles…just an audience immersed in the talent of Christopher Nolan unfurling the epic features of the Greek civilisation. Those of us who were taught Greek history could identify the similarities of Homer’s saga with our own grand epics —The Ramayan and Mahabharata. The Odyssey is a gripping legend of war, the rise and fall of Greek supremacy, and the conflict between faith and human failures. Matt Damon as Odysseus, the colossus who leads his army to Troy, encounters human and monstrous powers, and fights his way back to his beloved Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and his kingdom, Ithaca, plays the lead with restraint. Tom Holland as Telemachus, the son and heir to the throne is a fitting choice, as he persistently refuses to accept that his father is dead or lost. This film adaptation of Homer’s epic was made at a cost of $230 million …a scale and grandeur reflected in every frame …the Trojan Horse, the Blue Aegean Sea, the depiction of the Siren Song …are masterful skill. But the intense involvement of Nolan in his film has made it somewhat lengthy.

When Vijay won CM’s status of Tamil Nadu, talk about his twin competitor, Ajith Kumar hogging the top film status in this void reached a high decibel. The two had entered the film world almost simultaneously and commanded enviable, and high remuneration per film. Even as Vijay nurtured his political ambition, Ajith had carved a parallel passion track as a Formula1 racer, speeding in a Porsche, 992 GT 3 in European and Middle East high stake races. The dashing dare devil race car driver and his alter ego persona, film hero, aligned perfectly. His last film, Good Bad and Ugly was promoted as a high voltage entertainer. Clint Eastwood and his iconic namesake film had made the spaghetti Western, a cult. Ajith’s film made at a cost of Rs 270 crore just about managed Rs 212 crore worldwide. News of Ajith Kumar’s next film, tentatively named AK 64, directed by Aadik Ramchandran sent his fans into a tizzy, starved as they were for their hero’s film and his notable absence. News circulated fast about which production house would be bank rolling AK 64. But there were no takers, including Sun Pictures…strange!  The real reason circulated fast and furious …the hero had stipulated Rs 150 crore as his salary. Thiruppur Subramaniam who heads the Tamil Films Distributors Association said, “not many can afford this”. Suddenly the news spread that his wife Shalini Ajith Kumar would turn producer, after decades of hibernation. The final list of cast, crew and other details would be announced by Shalini in August. Ajith Kumar is all set to stride the screen with guns blazing.