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Atishi
Kejriwal’s New Political Guru, As Atishi Marlena’s CM Tenure Shuru
AAP’s former CM Arvind Kejriwal has a new political guru in Congress MP and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, instrumental in his enlargement on bail. Initial plans to reward Singhvi with Rajya Sabha seat failed, even blowing up in Kejriwal’s face over l’affaire Swati Maliwal, with Congress accommodating their estranged leader from Telangana instead. Senior BJP leader Mahendra Jain says, the non-resignation drama first, by Arvind Kejriwal, continuing during incarceration over five months and then, precipitating as two-day resignation drama played over worries about Delhi LG, VK Saxena’s imminent intention to seek his resignation following Supreme Court’s diktat against Kejriwal attending CMO, other official duties. While incarcerated, Kejriwal pretended to carry on as CM from jail although no government papers were signed by him over issues of confidentiality and directives of SC. Even his note to the LG seeking approval for AAP’s CM incumbent Atishi (Marlena Singh) hoisting the tricolour on August 15 was rejected by Saxena instead authorizing AAP minister Kailash Gehlot.” The LG took issue over Kejriwal’s access to official CMO letterhead over the communique with SC also curbing jail visitors thereafter. Plans to reach consensus over two days for better half Sunita Kejriwal as incumbent CM were shelved as LG would cite her unelected status with less than five months to state assembly elections in Delhi. With Atishi helming AAP, BJP lost no time raking up her parents’ leftist leaning as ideologues demanding release of parliament attack terrorist Afzal Guru. The saffron party insists moniker ‘Marlena’ was a combination appended to Atishi Singh’s name by parents assimilating leftist philosophers: Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin.
old parliament
Vaastu Matters: BJP, Cong Reluctant To Shift Their Parliamentary Party Offices To New Building
Political parties have their own whims and fancy notions about good luck charms of their parliamentary party offices. That’s why when it comes to the new Parliament complex, it seems — both the Congress and the BJP– are reportedly being reluctant to move their parliamentary party offices from the old Parliament House. Both the offices are on the ground floor and have plenty of history to it. Of course ministers and the LoP do have their offices in the new complex. The only party which has moved into the new building is the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) which stormed to power in Andhra Pradesh winning 164 of 175 assembly seats in an electoral alliance with Janasena Party and the BJP and has 16 seats in Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha Secretariat allocated a new office, F09, to the TDP on the first floor of the new Parliament, a prime location that also houses the offices of the Prime Minister and Union Ministers. This change marks a transition from the party’s previous office, Room No 5, which was situated in the old Parliament building. Recalling how the YSRCP led by Jagan Mohan Reddy had occupied TDP’s office after party was routed in 2019 elections, a TDP source pointed out that in the 2019 LS polls, the YSRCP had swept the elections, winning 22 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state and TDP was reduced to just 3 seats. Official sources said regional parties like DMK are also reluctant to move into the new Parliament complex.
venu srinivasan
Venu Srinivasan Headed TVS Group Forays Into Health Insurance Space
A new star has joined the Indian insurance galaxy! Galaxy Health Insurance Co Ltd is the new addition. The birth of Galaxy signals the re-entry of yet one more family of the erstwhile TVS group into the insurance space. Significantly enough, this happens a few years after the formal legal separation of four families of the erstwhile TVS group. Galaxy Health Insurance is promoted by Venu Srinivasan and his family.  V Jagannathan, former CMD of United India Insurance Company and the founder of Star Health & Allied Insurance, is the co-promoter. Industry stalwart G Srinivasan, former head of United India Insurance, is the MD & CEO. The Galaxy board comprises Dr Sai Satish, a renowned cardiologist, and Sudarshan Venu, MD of TVS Motor Company.  Galaxy Insurance is all set to commence its operations shortly. Insurance business is nothing new to the Chennai-based TVS Group. It was the owner of Madras Motor and General Insurance before the industry’s nationalization. After nationalization, Madras Motor merged into United India Insurance. Subsequently, in the post-liberalization era, Sundaram Finance, initially promoted by Madras Motor, launched Royal Sundaram Insurance, a general insurance company. Ironically enough, two former heads of United India Insurance will be guiding Galaxy Health Insurance to make a mark in the space. The size of the Indian health insurance sector was estimated at Rs 1.17 lakh crore in FY 2024, and is currently growing at a CAGR of 20%. Post the legal separation, assorted organisations who once formed part of the erstwhile TVS group are now freely exploring the freedom of opportunity, it appears.
nitin gadkari_003
Timing Of Nitin Gadkari’s Disclosure Raises Eyebrows
Top BJP minister Nitin Gadkari’s sensational disclosure that he had been offered support for Prime Ministership by a prominent opposition leader before the Lok Sabha election is considered significant owing to its crucial timing. Gadkari generally avoids commenting on political developments and does not entertain any media questions in this regard. Hence, his candid revelation has surprised the BJP brass, which has refrained from reacting to it. The opposition, by and large, also has kept away from the potential bombshell. Gadkari has refused to name the opposition leader who made this offer to him. But the political grapevine is on overdrive to identify the opposition emissary. Various algorithms are applied to find out who it could be. Is he from Maharashtra? From Nagpur or Vidarbha? A former BJP member? Close to Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge? Or someone having tacit approach to the RSS decision makers? Of course, all these are supposition without any factual backing. Still, the suspense is mounting in view of the coming assembly elections. It is deepened since Gadkari has declared on multiple occasions that he is not interested in the topmost job and is happy with his ministry. In the past, his name was being discussed to become the Maharashtra CM but he had firmly rejected the idea. His only connection now with the state elections is that he is one of the star BJP campaigners.
rg kar
RG Kar Incident: Bengali Film Stars Trolled For Balancing Protests And Work
The ongoing RG Kar Medical College protests have cast a shadow over the Bengali film industry, with many in the fraternity struggling to return to work amid constant backlash and online trolling. While several actors, directors, and singers actively participated in the protests, some have gone back to work sparking mixed reactions from the public. The situation intensified after West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s call to “return to festivities”. This statement was widely criticized. Amidst this political tension, prominent figures in the Bengali entertainment industry have found themselves facing undue criticism from netizens. Celebrities like singer Iman Chakraborty, actors Swastika Mukherjee, and Sohini Sarkar, all of whom supported the protests, became targets of online trolling. Swastika faced particular backlash after promoting her upcoming film Tekka, despite her regular attendance at protest rallies. Dev, who stars in Tekka and is also a Trinamool Congress MP, defended his stance, supporting the movement while stressing that livelihoods, especially during Durga Puja, should not be affected. He pointed out that marginalized groups, such as dhakis, decorators, and vendors, depend on the festive season. Singer Shilajit, another victim of online criticism, echoed similar sentiments. He defended the importance of continuing work, noting that events contribute significantly to artists’ earnings. Director Raj Chakraborty expressed concern over how easily celebrities become targets for trolls, leading many to avoid social media. Amid this growing tension, promotions for upcoming Puja releases, such as Bohurupi and Shastri, have been toned down to avoid further controversy. The Bengali film industry continues to navigate these challenging times with caution.
gautam gambhir_004
Gautam Gambhir's Time Starts From Chennai Test Against Bangladesh
The mantle of head coach of the Indian cricket team has passed on smoothly from Rahul Dravid to Gautam Gambhir. The once famous ‘Wall’ of Indian cricket has returned to IPL’s Jaipur franchise, Rajasthan Royals, but the immediate focus will be on the doughty left hander from Delhi who showed guts and gumption for India across the three formats, scored 10324 runs in 242 matches embellished with two World Cup titles — the Twenty20 In 2007 and the 50 over format in 2011. Gambhir’s international career spanned from 2003 to 2016 after which he spent time as a BJP member of the Lok Sabha from 2019 to 2024 before he joined Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders. His success there has catapulted him to the national team that won the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies in July. Gambhir’s first major work will be to facilitate India qualify for the final of the World Test Championship. India under Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri and Rohit Sharma and Dravid finished second best against New Zealand and Australia in the two previous cycles of the WTC, the finals being played in Rose Bowl and The Oval. India has to win at least five of the remaining 10 Test matches to be in the running for a third consecutive WTC final appearance, and this time the final will be played at the famous Lord’s Cricket Ground in London from June 11 next. Gambhir will have five home Tests — two against Bangladesh, starting this Thursday and three against New Zealand — before the historic five-Test series in Australia from November 22.  Guiding India to the WTC summit before the ICC Champions Trophy in February- March 2025 in Pakistan will give a perspective about Gambhir’s coaching and mentoring philosophy.
yamini jadhav
Free Burqa Distribution By Shinde Sena Leader Highlights Uneasiness Within Mahayuti
A free burqa distribution programme organised by a Eknath Shinde camp legislator highlighted the uneasiness between the ruling alliance partners particularly over the Muslim vote bank. While the BJP did express its displeasure about such acts as “appeasement politics”, they clearly had to leave it at that. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena neither publicly disowned nor criticised the drive, thus recognising the need to woo core voters. The MLA concerned, Yamini Jadhav recently lost from the prominent Mumbai South Parliamentary constituency by over 50,000 votes mainly due to the fact that the Muslim voters there chose to throw their weight behind Uddhav’s nominee, Arvind Sawant. The fact that 50% of voters in her Mazgaon constituency are Muslims, could not have been lost on her as she faces her electorate yet again to reclaim her MLA seat. All this, while the prominent alliance partner, the BJP continues to adopt an aggressive pro-Hindu pitch with Nitesh Rane’s diatribe against Muslims being the order of the day. The BJP has also been critical of Uddhav’s recent success in garnering the support of the Muslim vote bank terming it as a result of not being sincere to core Hindu ideology.  The third partner, Ajit Pawar, has already clarified that he would continue to be secular, in spite of his alliance with the BJP. Pawar has gone ahead and almost-declared the candidatures in key Muslim-dominated seats like Bandra East (Zeeshan Siddiqi) and Anushakti Nagar (Nawab Malik’s daughter Sana Malik) ignoring the BJP.
MK Stalin_003
Stalin To Meet PM To Seek Release Of Funds Blocked
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said he would be seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and personally request him to release funds meant for the second phase of the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) project as well as the funds due to the State under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) relating to school education. Both funds have been blocked by the Centre. His finance minister Thangam Thennarasu has already issued a statement hitting out at the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for saying that the ongoing CMRL second phase for Chennai was a State sector project. He had pointed out that the project envisaged in 2017 was a central sector project in which the Union government’s share had worked out to Rs 7,425 crore. He also refuted a statement by Ms Sitharaman that the state had spent only Rs 5,880 crore on the 119-km phase II whereas the state had already expended more than Rs 18,000 crore so far. The step motherly treatment being meted out to Tamil Nadu, considered the last bastion against the ruling BJP is borne out by the fact that funds allocated for Metro Rail schemes in cities like Bengaluru (Rs 30,399 crore), Kochi (Rs 1,957 crore), Nagpur (Rs 6,708 crore), Pune (Rs 910 crore) and Thane (Rs 12,200 crore), are all from the Centre’s kitty while not even what was promised for Chennai Metro expansion has been delivered.
jayam aarti
Why Tamil Film’s Popular Star Jayam Ravi Dropped The Divorce Bombshell
Even as film fans across the country are wildly speculating about divorce in the Bachchan’s family comes the news from Kollywood that Jayam Ravi, one of the most dependable performers (the standout star of Ponniyin Selvan) dropped a bombshell on his 44th birthday (Sept 9) that he is seeking divorce from wife Aarti after 15 years of marriage. The couple have two children. A shell shocked Aarti, a successful entrepreneur in her own right, said “Ravi did not consult me, nor was I aware that he is about to drop this bombshell on me and the kids. This unilateral announcement never gave me a chance …much as I tried to talk to him.” Coincidentally, Ravi’s first hit, M.Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi was a film that touched the hearts of many. It is about a single mother who brings up her son with no help from a husband who walked out on the marriage. Ironically, Ravi asking for divorce will see Aarti face a similar predicament. Aarti is the daughter of successful TV serial producer Sujatha Vijayakumar. Has Ravi come to the end of his tether because of perceived interference of his in-law? Inspite of his busy schedule, Ravi has always given quality time for his family says sources. No one is aware of the real reason for Ravi’s ultimate break decision. But the way he has done it made Aarti lament, “My grace and individuality have been knocked out by the media speculations.” She still hopes for a rapprochement. Marriages are made in heaven, but hit the rocks in this fantasy world of tinsel make believe.
chandrababu naidu
Finally, Chandrababu Naidu's World Class City Amaravati To Become A Reality!
It was Chandrababu Naidu’s dream to create a world class city — Amaravati — as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. But, he lost the 2019 assembly elections badly and the new government headed by Y Jagan Mohan Reddy put his plan on the backburner. A kind of political vendetta. With Naidu’s TDP sweeping power in Andhra Pradesh 2024 Assembly elections Naidu is going all out with his dream capital plan. The new city, to be built from the ground up, will start from December 1. The Modi government has already sanctioned Rs 15,000 crore for the project, besides Naidu is talking to multilateral agencies like World Bank seeking soft loan for this mammoth project. Sources say Naidu definitely wants a city which is resilient, creates value, drives new markets and responds to future demand. For now the 29,966 farmers who had pooled in 34,400 acres of land for this ambitious project eight years ago are in a celebratory mood.  The land prices have zoomed from Rs12,000 to Rs35,000 per square yard. Naidu has roped in renowned London-based architectural firm Foster + Partners to design the government complex to house the legislative assembly, high court and secretarial buildings. Sources say Amaravati would require a budget of at least Rs 40,000 crore.
Uddhav_011
Uddhav Thackeray Blows Hot And Cold, Miffs Supporters
Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray has miffed his supporters by declaring that he has never hankered for the chief ministership. In the same breath, he has expressed determination to wrest power in the coming election. Conversing at a rally of an Old Pension Scheme organisation, Uddhav said, “You, the people of Maharashtra are my power, which none can take away.” Uddhav performed darshan of Sai Baba at Shirdi and later addressed the OPS meet at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. His observation is viewed in the context of the persistent efforts of his supporters to project him as the next CM of the state. The campaign had dampened some time ago as veteran NCP leader Sharad Pawar and state Congress president Nana Patole had publicly clarified that this issue will be discussed only after the assembly election results are out. Uddhav has refreshed the issue by giving an emotional touch to the meeting by saying that he had been invited to speak with its members though he had no power, no office now. “But you are my power. Nobody can retire me from this position. I don’t care for power, I am concerned for your future,” he said. Nonetheless, he assured the audience that he will wrest power and dispense justice to them and the people of Maharashtra. Uddhav has thus dwelt on both possibilities, although not in explicit terms. His statement, hence, can be interpreted in any way but will make his supporters think before taking any stand.
vinesh phogat
Haryana Polls: A Herculean Task For Olympian Vinesh Phogat To Win Julana Constituency
Haryana state assemblies, set for triangular fight between Congress, BJP and AAP, saw Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s timely enlargement on bail suiting BJP’s poll strategy although facing tough anti-incumbency itself. Congress authorized former CM Bhupinder Hooda to finalise poll prospects, refusing to cede 10 assembly constituencies to AAP for pre-poll alliance. Hooda’s son Deepinder, a Lok Sabha MP organized fanfare for Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat (a Jat) on her return following the Olympic debacle. She was part of the Jantar Mantar agitation over molestation charges against ex-president WFI and BJP MP Brijbhushan Singh. Julana constituency choice for Phogat, however, raises questions over winnability with Congress never winning the seat and potential loss of face for the party that garnered 10,000 votes at best from here. AAP fielded former WWF wrestler Kavita Dalal against Phogat to further dampen Congress prospects while Kejriwal who steps down as Delhi CM utilizes bail time to canvas against Hooda’s choice of candidates. Brijmohan Shrivastav, Chief National Spokesperson NCP (Ajit Pawar) feels Phogat will emerge victorious in husband Somvir’s home constituency as Jat and Rathee communities will combine in her favour since caste is dominant factor in Bihar, UP and Haryana. Phogat’s recent disqualification at Olympics and perception of BJP not backing her up upset the two communities. It may be recalled that Phogat and wrestler husband Rathee even challenged norms at their wedding ceremony, opting for eight rounds (vows) of holy havan kund including extra phera emphasizing the girl child (Beti Bachao, Beti Padao, Beti Kilao) over gender bias evident in population ratio of Haryana. Will Julana solemnize Vinesh’s Congress alliance too?
harmanpreet_Smriti
Onus On Harmanpreet Kaur And Smriti Mandhana At The ICC T20 World Cup In The UAE
Will Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana pull off a coup at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates? The two stalwarts of the Indian team are the top two run-getters in the format for India and among the top three in the world. Kaur has played 153 innings from 173 matches, scored 3426 runs, and has featured in 92 wins, while Mandhana, 135 innings from 141, scored 3493 runs and has featured in 79 wins. Kaur has played all eight previous world cups, and Mandhana has five. But both have been erratic in the global competition which is reflected in Kaur’s average of 20.57 and Mandhana’s 22.45. That India is placed in a tough group along with six-time winners Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka means that they cannot make a faltering start against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on October 4. India has won 55.56% of its World Cup matches and has a 50% record against Australia and New Zealand (played 4 and 2 wins each), four wins against Sri Lanka out of five and five wins against Pakistan from seven matches. Since only two advance to the knockout from the preliminary stage, India starts its campaign with a pressure match against New Zealand. India has not played a single Twenty20 international in Dubai, as is the case with Australia. But Pakistan and Sri Lanka have. India has played 36 matches since January 1, 2023 and lost 10 including the Asia Cup final to Sri Lanka.
vidharbha bjp
Internal Survey Predicts Gloom For BJP In Vidarbha
Maharashtra BJP is facing a quandary since the mass media is awash with reports about a purported internal survey conducted by the party in Vidarbha region. The reason – the prediction that neither the BJP nor the Mahayuti will fare well in the region. Although BJP leaders are yet to react to the news stories, the survey has reportedly said that the Mahayuti can win around 25 seats out of the total 62 in the BJP’s traditional stronghold. Vidarbha was once the Congress citadel and had stood by Indira Gandhi even after the post-emergency election in 1977. However, it has been a cakewalk for the BJP since 2014. The first jolt it received was the Lok Sabha election earlier this year as the Congress performed unexpectedly well, at the cost of the BJP. In 2019, the BJP-led saffron alliance had won 39 of the seats. However, after the splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP, the configuration has undergone a sea change. In view of the Lok Sabha voting pattern and analysis, the Mahayuti will have no problem in remaining at the top but its dominance will be dented seriously, if one wishes to trust the so-called survey findings. According to the survey assessment, the BJP will be able to win 18 seats while the Sena (Shinde) will bag just five and the NCP under Ajit Pawar a token two. The overall tally of 25 for the Mahayuti will impact the alliance’s ambition of returning to power in the state in the election, most likely to occur in November this year.
ajit pawar_025
Poll Ready Ajit Pawar Ends Suspense, To Contest From Baramati
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has finally rung down the curtains on the speculation surrounding the prestigious Baramati assembly constituency by giving out ample indications that he will contest the seat this time, too. Ajit took this decision after he was advised that his shaky stance could cost the NCP(A) heavily. Ajit has also scored over the two other Mahayuti partners – the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde) — by finalising nearly two dozen assembly candidates. Both these parties are still to decide on their nominees. Internecine power struggle and past rivalry with each other are hindering the list finalisation. The picture on the Maha Vikas Aghadi is a little different. None of the MVA partners has so far declared any name of a prospective candidate. Against this backdrop, Ajit has overtaken all other parties in the state. Equally important is his willingness to enter the fray after dilly-dallying for a long time. The other names in Ajit’s list include former home minister Dilip Walse Patil, senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal and the legislative assembly’s deputy speaker Narahari Zirwal. Not to take a chance, Ajit’s team started combing the Baramati constituency much earlier. The contest will be a fierce one if Ajit’s nephew Yugendra Pawar decides to take on his uncle. Yugendra is groomed by NCP founder Sharad Pawar ever since Ajit broke away from the parent party. Whatever the outcome, the seat will remain with the Pawar family, which has been holding it for the past 55 years.
MK Stalin_002
Stalin Back From The U.S., Was He Advised By Durga's Stargazers To Stay Away From Chennai?
Even as Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin signed off his U.S. sojourn with a “goodbye USA” post, there is still a lot of speculation about the real purpose behind his nearly month-long tour across America. Though the official reason being given is that he had gone there to talk up foreign investment for the state, but both his critics and well-wishers are not convinced that the kind of business meetings that Stalin had lined up with CEOs reveal foreign investment had driven the DMK leader to camp in the U.S. Sources close to Stalin say the real purpose of the CM staying away from Chennai was that he was advised by astrologers, consulted by wife Durga, that the CM must stay away from his home, preferably travel  across seven seas for the sake of his well-being and future of his politics.  That is why in view of the inauspicious times, he also put off elevating son Udhayanidhi as Deputy CM  as  he was not sure of its impact on senior DMK leaders  His critics have been panning his U.S. trip in social media as a waste of public money.
sitaram yechury_003
Bengal CPI(M) Seeks Pro-Bengal Successor Even As Party Mourns Yechury
 The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Bengal is grappling with a significant leadership void following the sudden demise of Sitaram Yechury, the party’s General Secretary since 2015. Known for his pivotal role in steering the CPI(M) through turbulent political waters, Yechury’s death has left a profound impact, particularly on the Bengal State Committee, with which he had close ties. His demise has now triggered discussions within the party regarding his successor, with sources close to Alimuddin Street indicating that the Bengal faction is seeking someone aligned with its interests. Among the names being floated for the interim general secretary position are Brinda Karat and Prakash Karat. However, sources close to the party’s leadership in Bengal suggest that Brinda Karat has the edge, primarily due to her past association with Bengal. She was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by CPI(M) Bengal secretary Anil Biswas, further solidifying her connection with the state’s leadership. As there are also whispers about Maryam Alexander Baby, a former Kerala minister, as a possible successor to Yechury, in the upcoming Central committee meeting, the state unit is likely to push hard for a leader with pro-Bengal sentiments to take up the national leadership role owing to Yechury’s Bengal connections. Mohammad Salim, the current Bengal State Secretary, is another figure whose name has been suggested for a possible elevation to the national level. If Salim were to step up, the Bengal unit would need to find a new state secretary..
kejriwal_005
Out On Bail, Kejriwal Will Get To Test His Acceptability In Haryana
Six months after he was first arrested in the liquor policy scam, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal got bail in the CBI case. The AAP chief will now walk out of Tihar jail having been granted interim bail in the ED’s money laundering case in June. Fifth leader to get bail after AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh in the same case, Kejriwal’s release may help the AAP go full throttle in its campaign in Haryana — where it will be taking on both incumbent BJP as well as the Congress, which refused to ally with it.  Haryana-born Kejriwal will also have the advantage of testing his acceptability in the state even as AAP rules adjoining Punjab. The bail conditions make it difficult for Kejriwal to return to Delhi CM’s office. It is likely that he may go for an interim CM,  elevate wife Sunita. Legally, the bail verdict has cast the CBI in a poor light as one of the judges invoked “caged parrot” analogy of the coal scam era and dubbed CBI arrest as “unjustified” after Kejriwal had secured bail in the ED case. Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul ‘Engineer’ Rashid, who had been incarcerated in a terror-funding case under PMLA for 5 years, was recently freed by a NIA court to take part in J&K polls. To his surprise, the man who had trounced former CM Omar Abdullah in Baramulla was shocked to find that only fewer people had turned up to listen to him as he addressed his first election rally in Baramulla. Will Kejriwal’s experience be different from Rashid’s?
Rahul Ilhan
Was Rahul Gandhi’s Photo-Op With Pro-Pak U.S. Law Maker Ilhan Omar Deliberate With An Eye On J&K Polls?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with U.S. lawmaker Ilhan Omar sparked controversy, with the ruling BJP accusing him of aligning with anti-India forces. “…He has become the first LoP from India who met with a declared anti-India MP Ilhan Omar notorious for speaking against our country,” said BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi. Ilhan Omar serves in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis and nearby suburbs. Omar has introduced resolutions in the U.S. Congress that criticised India’s policies and spoke against India’s decision to revoke Article 370, which gave special status to J&K. In April 2022, she visited Pakistan, met with top Pakistani leaders, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and travelled to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). India condemned the U.S. Congresswoman’s visit to POK. In June 2023, Omar boycotted PM Modi’s address to the U.S. Congress. In June 2023, she introduced a resolution calling on the US Secretary of State to designate India as a country of particular concern for alleged violations of religious freedom. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of siding with Ilhan Omar, whom he described as a Pakistan-sponsored anti-India voice. His reaction came a day after Rahul in an address to the diaspora, took a jab at the BJP, saying people are no longer afraid of PM Modi after Lok Sabha results. In the backdrop of J&K polls, it would be interesting to see how Rahul’s photo-op interaction with Ilhan Omar plays out in the UT.
kandahar hijack
Are BJP Leaders Upset With Ashwini Vaishnaw Over Netflix IC814 Series?
Netflix India’s content head Monika Shergill met Union I&B Ministry officials answering summons over controversy surrounding Anubhav Sinha’s IC814 -– The Kandahar Hijack web series aired worldwide. The inadequate disclaimer tagged alongside the series was promptly rectified with additions reflecting, “During the hijacking of IC814 (Indian Airlines plane) terrorists used aliases, code names. The names of terrorists were: Ibrahim Athar (alias Chief), Shahid Akhtar Sayed (alias Doctor), Sunny Ahmed Qazi (alias Burger), Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim (alias Bhola), Shakir (alias Shankar).” While expected to bring closure to issue, BJP is livid at the selective advisory being aired limitedly on Netflix India while global feeds (aired through U.S.-based servers) continue depicting the old disclaimer. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw faces flak from within BJP for the limited clarification. “The Indian Hindu diaspora is a global phenomenon in every corner of the world. Why is disclaimer restricted to resident Indian audiences? I&B Minister must take issue with Netflix,” senior BJP leader Mahendra Jain says. Another leader states, “Vaishnaw knows the old disclaimer was amended to include fresh advisory to be put out globally to set the record straight. This is now akin to hijacking the clarification itself to suit Netflix’s convenience. When newspapers issue rejoinders over inaccurate facts, it’s not limited to one segment alone but carried across editions so all readers are well informed.” He added BJP’s former I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad lost his ministry over a smaller faux pas after being tasked by PM Narendra Modi for tackling X over pejorative content regularly tweeted. “Back then, Prasad’s own twitter account was suspended which did not go down well with the BJP higher ups and he lost his job. Vaishnaw must pull up his socks or else face a similar fate.”
NCLT IRDA
NCLT And IRDA Cross Swords Over Merger Of Two Firms With Shriram Insurance Arms
The Chennai-headquartered Shriram Group has become a bone of contention between NCLT and IRDA.  One of the largest financial services companies in the country underwent a series of reorganization in the not-so-distant past. Ostensibly, the objective was to un-clutter its cross-holdings to usher in a simplified structure. By doing so, it sought to consolidate its focus on its core business. The restructuring process also involved two group companies — Shriram Life Insurance Company Ltd and Shriram General Insurance Company Ltd. As part of the process, the separate investments of Shriram Capital in these two insurance ventures were demerged into two SPVs (special purpose vehicles) – Shriram LI Holdings and Shriram GI Holdings.  These investments were described as businesses while setting in motion the demerger process. This was done mainly to address the taxation angle.  Within a year or so of the formation of these two SPVs, a move was initiated to amalgamate these two with the  Shriram Life Insurance Company Ltd and Shriram General Insurance Company Ltd. The NCLT in Jaipur (where Shriram General is headquartered) and NCLT in Hyderabad (where Shriram Life is headquartered) heard these cases for approval. Insurance regulator IRDA raised objections to the amalgamation at Jaipur NCLT. The IRDA insisted that it had sole powers to approve since the merger related to the insurance entity. The Jaipur NCLT, however, declared that a merger of a non-insurance company with the insurance firm falls within the purview of the Companies Act, and, hence, IRDA has no power. The NCLT Jaipur suggested that only transfer of shares would come under the Insurance Act. In this instance, the amalgamation will result in the issue of fresh shares only. Hence, the NCLT Jaipur is convinced that fresh share issue comes under its purview only. The amalgamation move, no doubt, has the NCLT nod. But the NCLT Jaipur order has a lot to ponder over for the IRDA. Consequent to the NCLT Jaipur...
RavenShaw
BJP's Name Changing Overdrive In Odisha Backfires, Don't Rename Ravenshaw University Warns Students
Looks like the BJP government in Odisha is in a hurry to obliterate all things related to the previous Biju Janata Dal government headed by Naveen Patnaik. No sooner he took over as chief minister, BJP’s Mohan Charan Majhi renamed Naveen Patnaik’s 40 popular schemes. Seeing no resistance to this move seems to have emboldened the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to go one step ahead by mooting the idea of renaming Odisha’s 156-year old prestigious Ravenshaw University, named after a Britisher Thomas Edward Ravenshaw who was Commissioner of Odisha in 1865. Pradhan’s idea seems to have backfired and created a major uproar across all classes of people in the state.  Alumni members of Ravenshaw and Odisha’s intelligentsia have formed the Ravenshaw Heritage Forum to protest against this name change initiative. They say, there are two temples in Odisha, one is the Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri and the other one is Ravenshaw University and we will not allow name change of the university.. The BJP seems to have realised their folly and are now trying to back-peddle saying it was Pradhan’s personal opinion. Devdas Chottray, the first Vice Chancellor of Ravenshaw University said “University’s identity is related to its name representing both pre-modern and modern Odisha”. The university represents not just an institution of learning, but is an integral part of Odisha identity which produced eminent statesman like Biju Patnaik, Harekrushna Mahtab, Pratibha Ray, poet Jayant Mohapatra, Madhusudan Das, Gopabandhu Das and others. Former Indian Ambassador to Philippines Lalduhthlana Ralte who studied in Odisha said “Nothing wrong in having a colonial past, it reminds us to be resilient”. 
nana prasad
Politicians In Big "Q" At Mumbai Cricket Association!
Why are politicians these days making a beeline towards the corridors of power at the Mumbai Cricket Association? Nothing new to an association that has won the Ranji Trophy 42 times; barrister Sheshrao Wankhede was a politician, but he did not throw his weight around and bring party politics into the MCA’s daily affairs. The Stadium is named after him because of his role in the development of the Stadium in South Mumbai. Observers at the D Road venue in Churchgate say that Manohar Joshi (Shiv Sena); Sharad Pawar (NCP).and Vilasrao Deshmukh (Congress) — all Chief Ministers — and Ashish Shelar (BJP) did  not play petty politics  in cricket administration. Wankhede was from Nagpur, Pawar from Baramati, and Deshmukh from Latur, but though Joshi was born in Raigad, he was a ‘Mumbaikar’ residing in Shivaji Park and Shelar is known as a “Bandra Boy.” Dr Vijay Patil who was the President for one term belonged to a political family based in Navi Mumbai. Political parties made their presence in a big way  at the MCA election of 2022 Jitendra Awhad of the NCP, Milind Narvekar, Nilesh Bhosle (SS-UBT) and Vihang Sarnaik (SS) — all got elected. Top of it all was Amol Kale — backed by Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP — who got elected as President. Politicians seen at the recent election for Secretary were Nana Patole (MPCC President), Ramdas Athawale (RPI and Union Minister) and Prasad Lad (BJP). Cricket gives politicians visibility, but the latest entrants (politicians) “have to contribute to Mumbai cricket’s legacy, not just win elections and occupy the seats”, says an insider!   
Tollywood_003
Sexual Harassment Claims Ignite Debate in Bengal Film Industry Over Women's Safety
The rape-murder of RG Kar hospital doctor has led to a wave of revelations in the Bengali film industry. Women across all levels have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against influential figures, including directors and producers. In response to these allegations, the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India (FCTWEI) recently announced the formation of a special 15-member committee, named ‘Suraksha Bandhu,’ aimed at safeguarding women in the industry. However, the formation of the committee has sparked controversy, with the Directors Association of Eastern India (DAEI) questioning the legitimacy of the new body. Director Sudeshna Roy representing DAEI criticized the FCTWEI for not adhering to a proper process when selecting committee members. She also challenged the Federation’s statement that claimed 60% of directors and 40% of producers were implicated in the complaints. Roy pointed out that the technician’s association is led by Swaroop Biswas, brother of state minister Aroop Biswas, and alleged that Swaroop made the sole decision to constitute the women’s protection committee without consulting other key stakeholders. She argued that the Federation is not the industry’s sole regulatory body and questioned its authority to unilaterally form such a committee.  In contrast, DAEI has proposed the creation of a new committee, ‘Women’s Forum of Screen Workers Plus,’ which would be tasked with addressing complaints of sexual harassment. It may be recalled that celebrated director Arindam Sil was banned by the Directors Guild following multiple complaints of sexual harassment. The ban will remain in effect until Sil is proven innocent, signalling that the industry is taking the allegations seriously.
omar abdullah
Omar Runs Scared To Badgam, Abrar Plays Kingmaker ‘Khuleaam’
Omar Abdullah runs scared of Rashid Engineer’s son Abrar, whose incarcerated-over-separatism charges father dealt him a blow in the Baramulla parliamentary constituency. Omar insists his twin efforts from Gandharbal and Badgam assembly constituencies emanate from confidence though his party’s three-time MLA and Mayor from Badgam Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a Shia cleric, is peeved over sacrificing his family bastion for affording his party boss a winning seat. What really scared junior Abdullah is that following Rashid Engineer’s win from Baramulla, son Abrar announced 15 candidatures for the assemblies. Omar’s desperation was apparent with his recent emotional appeal to voters in Gandherbal assembly constituency, Kashmiri-Topi-in-hand, “My honour is in your hands.” It is more than just his honour at stake with Abrar Engineer’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) set to field a sizable number of candidates cashing in on their recent victory. Omar’s desperation is further evident by the fact that the Badgam assembly constituency alone saved him the blushes within Baramulla Lok Sabha seat registering high number of voters despite his overall loss in the remaining five assembly segments. While Ganderbal assembly seat is Omar’s family bastion, grandfather and father Farouq Abdullah were elected from there, he himself lost the seat on his debut into electoral politics in 2002, though he won it back in 2008. Also, while he had won from the Beerwah assembly seat, adjoining Badgam, in 2014 the recent Lok Sabha results dampened his spirits after this assembly segment of the parliamentary constituency registered fewer voters in his favour. 
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Muhammad Kutti Hated His Nickname Mammootty
You say what’s in a name, it is what you make of yourself that finds your name in history. There is at least one mega star who would differ aggressively…actually the very name he shunned turned into the mega brand, loved and idolised. Many have wondered what the name Mammootty meant. For the past 50 odd years, it has shot into global popularity and respect. Mammootty who turned 73 on September 7 was born into a conservative family. His parents Ismail and Fathima ran a modest trade business in clothing and rice in Kerala. Mohammad Kutti, the eldest of their six children, dreamt of getting into films but family pressure saw him graduate from Ernakulam’s Maharaja College and forced him to study law so as to add the prefix Advocate to his name. Wanting to be known as Omar Sharif, the Egyptian killer star, Kutti hated his nickname Mammootty, the abbreviated choice of his friends and family. Now comes the filmy twist. One day the postman knocked on the Advocate’s door, asking “Who is Mammootty…I have a letter from MT Vasudevan Nair of Janasakti Films, addressed to Mammootty”.  The rest is magical cinematic history. Mammootty , christened and chosen by the genius Vasudevan Nair went on to become the tallest Malayalam film star, with 420 films in his bag…a mix of good, bad and passable. In 2000, Mammootty hit the mother lode of four scorching hits —Narasimhan, Valletta, Dada Saheb and Kandukondein Kandukondein. With four National Awards and countless State Awards, at this age Mammootty still causes heart flutters in women. A nickname turned into a legend, and a guaranteed audience draw. Mammootty, destiny’s child is acclaimed by his son Dulquer Salman as a hard act to follow. 
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An Upbeat Rahul Gandhi Agrees To Aggressively Campaign In Forthcoming Maharashtra Elections
Rahul Gandhi gave clear hints that he will be taking more interest in Maharashtra in the forthcoming elections. Rahul Gandhi, who is upbeat about a Congress victory in Maharashtra, told his partymen that he would be available anytime they needed him to come. “Wherever you need me, I will come. You just have to order me and I will be there,” Rahul Gandhi said at Sangli, the sugar heartland that had once been a party bastion. This is significant considering that there were complaints of high-handedness from the Maharashtra state coordinators, who were accused of not conveying the party workers’ sentiments to the top party leadership, particularly candidate’s selection process. While people like Vishwajeet Kadam chose to fight this upfront by staying within the party forum, others like Sanjay Nirupam were forced to quit the party after the party leadership paid no heed to their grievances. Nirupam had accused five power centres operating within the Maharashtra Congress — namely led by Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and also KC Venugopal — in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Congress managed to bag the highest tally in MVA in spite of this factionalism. Rahul Gandhi’s signal of being available here is thus taken as a hint of him taking charge of the scenario here, of leading from the front. How this will play out in the ticket distribution process, the campaigning and beyond, now remains to be seen. 
yojana doot
Eye On Elections: Maharashtra Govt’s Yojana Doot Drive Bound To Receive Opposition Flak
After the spectacular response generated by the Maharashtra government’s “Laadki Bahin” drive, a new initiative called “Yojana Doot” has been announced by the Mahayuti regime. Under this, 50,000 youths will be recruited to propagate various beneficial schemes among the public at a monthly remuneration of Rs 10,000.  It will be implemented under the Chief Minister’s Yojana Doot programme. It has the backdrop of the Laadki Bahin drive which has evoked tremendous response, surprising the ruling alliance. To further consolidate public support, the Yojana Doot progamme is launched. It will be open to all youths between 18 and 35, provided that the applicants are graduates, are conversant with computer operations, are domiciles of the state and own a mobile phone. While one Yojana Doot will be appointed for each gram panchayat, for urban areas, every 5000 population will get one. Their assignment will be to take various state government schemes to the needy and help them to receive the benefits under them. The duration of the employment will be six months and will not be renewed under any condition, the announcement has clarified. Each Yojana Doot will have to prepare a daily report of his/her work and upload online. In case any Yojana Doot breaches the conditions of employment, he will be relieved of the responsibility. This programme, too, is bound to come under fire from the opposition parties, which have been attacking the Laadki Bahin scheme.
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Ajit Pawar’s Ambivalence Can Revise Electoral Equations In Maharashtra
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has once again publicly repented for parting ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar. This is considered an implied signal for the Mahayuti leadership to prepare for any eventuality, including Ajit’s probable decision to do a homecoming act. Although he has not said anywhere that he will desert the Mahayuti, his recent statements can be interpreted by his detractors to mean just that. At a rally in Gadchiroli, he advised the daughter of NCP(A) minister Dharmarao Baba Atram to reconsider her decision to enter the NCP (SP). Ajit said, “People don’t like creating rifts in one’s own family.” In Baramati, he said he had been elected uninterrupted since 1991 but if people wanted otherwise, someone else would be the MLA from Baramati. He, however, did not indicate who the next incumbent will be but his supporters are discussing the name of his son Jay, who has started touring the constituency, the fiefdom of the Pawar Parivar since 1967. Ajit’s chagrin over the defeat of his wife Sunetra in the Lok Sabha election is coming to the fore time and again. Coincidentally, some BJP workers from Pune have started expressing their opposition to the NCP(A). As Ajit has admitted to his own ambivalence in the present political atmosphere, revised electoral equations can emerge in the state.
bhupinder hooda
Cong-AAP Talk Fails, Haryana Headed For Three-Cornered Contest
With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) releasing its first list of 20 candidates for Haryana assembly elections amidst stalled pre-poll alliance talks with the Congress, it now seems the state is headed for a three- cornered contest. Apparently, the talks were stuck over the number of seats to be contested by the AAP with the party demanding 10 seats while the Congress was only offering five. Haryana Congress leaders have not been keen on accommodating AAP as they feel the Congress under former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda is expected to make a strong comeback after a lacklustre two-term stint of the BJP. Party sources said even Rahul Gandhi himself had been  pushed to accommodate INDIA Bloc mainly  by anti Hooda leaders like Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala “Rahulji was otherwise not keen. Considering how well Congress has performed in Punjab In the Lok Sabha. In Haryana, Congress is synonymous with Hooda. Of course Kumari Selja too had gathered a lot of mass support through her yatra. Which is why it is not simply possible for us to hand the goodwill for the Congress on a platter to the AAP,” a senior party pointed out. Sources said 80% of the 90 seats could go to Hooda’s supporters, a handful to Selja’s backers.  In the 2024 LS polls, AAP had contested 22 seats mostly solo across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Assam and had managed to win only 3 seats in Punjab where it is in power.  The party had failed to even open its account in Delhi in spite of its flawed alliance with the Congress. This is what gives the Congress the bargaining chip.
vinesh
Will A Phogat & Punia Help Congress-Hooda Sweep Haryana Assembly Polls?
Olympian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat joined the Congress and is all set to contest Haryana assembly elections from Julana seat. Famous for missing the silver medal by 100 gm in the Paris Olympics as she had breached the category in which she entered the contest, Vinesh had received a hero’s welcome as soon as she returned to India. She was given a grand welcome at Delhi airport by the Haryana Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son, Deepinder. Her name was finalised as soon as she formally became a member. While wrestler Bajrang Punia has been appointed as working president of All India Kisan Congress.  Entry of the wrestling icons, who are both Jats, means consolidation of Jat votes behind the Congress. Former CM Hooda is determined to make a comeback with Jat vote power after 10-year BJP rule in Haryana. Phogat termed her political innings as a new chapter and said that she will continue to work for the rights of other athletes. Referring to the ongoing sexual harassment case against former WFI chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh, she made it clear that only the Congress had understood “our tears”.  “I will work for other athletes so that they don’t have to go through what we went through,” Phogat said. “I could have quit wrestling at Jantar Mantar because the BJP’s IT cell was publicising that we were spent forces. They said I did not want to play in the nationals but I did; they said I did not want to do trials, I did that… They said I could not go to the Olympics but I did… Unfortunately, it was not God’s will,” she said.
supriya devendra
Fadnavis Main Target For NCP (Sharad), Supriya Denies
Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule’s latest allegation against NCP MP Supriya Sule has enraged her supporters. Supriya herself has vehemently refuted the charges and challenged him to produce the evidence to substantiate it. A staunch follower of BJP heavyweights Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP leader has stunned the state polity with his so-called disclosure. According to Bawankule, she had said, “If Fadnavis comes back to power, we will be nowhere and this will be the last election for Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.” Different versions of Supriya’s directions to her party’s spokespersons regarding the coming elections are floating around. The general tenor of the reports is that she has indicated to them to go soft on chief minister Eknath Shinde and avoid any statement on Maratha leader Manoj Jarange but zero in on Fadnavis. Referring to these news stories, Bawankule has attacked Supriya while making his allegation. Taking him to task over his remarks, Supriya has challenged Bawankule to produce proof that she had asked her party spokespersons to hit only Fadnavis. “Show me a video making such a statement,” she has said. Fadnavis and Supriya are the two names which are repeatedly making rounds of the political grapevine as the next CM choice. Hence Bawankule’s advocacy of Fadnavis is hardly surprising. Other major parties in the state have so far kept away from this slanging match.
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Away In The U.S. Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Remains Connected With Politics Via X
In the backdrop of the Modi government releasing a Rs 100 coin to mark birth centenary of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi on August 18 and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailing him as “titan” of Indian politics, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has always been anxious to assure his allies in the secular INDIA Bloc that he is not inching close to the BJP. Away in the U.S. since the end of last month along with his wife Durga to pitch for foreign investment in his state, Stalin has been making it a point to enjoy ordinary things like working out at a gym in San Francisco or a bike ride near Lake Michigan in Chicago. His post on X, “Evening’s calm sets the stage for new dreams”, somehow caught the attention of Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi who replied to Stalin’s post with a playful comment, “Brother, when are we cycling together in Chennai?”. Responding to Gandhi, Stalin proposed a leisurely ride to explore the heart of Chennai. “Dear brother @Rahul Gandhi, whenever you’re free, let’s ride and explore the heart of Chennai together!  A box of sweets is still pending from my side. After our cycling, let’s enjoy a delicious South Indian lunch with sweets at my home.” Incidentally, Rahul will also be briefly in the U.S. — September 8-10 — to interact with the Indian diaspora as well as key business and academic figures. This will be his first visit to the U.S. since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, after the Congress made significant gains. His visit precedes PM Modi’s planned appearance at the UN General Assembly later in the month. Gandhi will visit Dallas and Washington DC during his time in the U.S.
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Uddhav No Choice For Next CM: Devendra Fadnavis
Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar’s choice for the next Maharashtra CM will not be Uddhav Thackeray. This sensational claim made by DCM Devendra Fadnavis has further dented the campaign started by the Shiv Sena leader’s followers to project him as the future chief minister. Pawar and state Congress president Nana Patole have publicly negated Uddhav’s demand to declare the name of the next Maha Vikas Aghadi CM in advance. Both have reiterated that a decision in this regard will be taken at an appropriate time. The Sena (UBT) has maintained a stoic silence ever since on this issue, unlike its practice to react to any development, big or small, instantly. Using the opportunity of his interview taken by a private news channel, Fadnavis ridiculed the efforts being made to project Uddhav as the unanimous MVA leader in Maharashtra. Fadnavis did not mention any other name in this connection but left his remark hanging, so that enough suspense pervades the opposition camp. Pawar himself has added to the guessing game. Though he had claimed that his party would not be in the race for the post, he has now added another rider by stating that the party with the largest number of MLAs will stand the chance. Fadnavis rubbed Uddhav the wrong way by remarking that the three-day recent visit of the Sena leader to Delhi had failed to obtain Sonia Gandhi’s backing to his name for chief ministership. Uddhav’s backlash is awaited.
united news of india
United News Of India On Verge Of Extinction, Corporate India Missing In Action
Six decades have gone by since it was incorporated in 1959 as a company with charitable objects under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (now Section 8, Companies Act, 2013). Ostensibly, it was set up with the object to promote the spread of knowledge across assorted areas – such as politics, culture, art, history, sports and the like – and disseminate news to the general public both about Indian and foreign affairs. United News Of India (UNI) is a multilingual news agency. Once upon a time, it was one of the largest news agencies in India with several hundred subscribers across the length and breadth of the country. Today, it is a shadow of its past. Struggling to survive, UNI has now come under the IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code) resolution process. A process to invite resolution was initiated in August last year. However, based on a decision taken by the Committee of Creditors, a “Round 2” of the entire Resolution Process for inviting EOI (Expression of Interest) for submission of Plans has been now initiated. With just about 175 employees and revenue of less than Rs 7 crore, this once iconic news agency is on the verge of extinction. With the whole media industry going through tough times, UNI is hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel. Will the resolution process throw up a Good Samaritan? Fingers are crossed, indeed.
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CPI(M) Faces Internal Pressure to Hire Political Strategists After Major Electoral Losses
Amid a series of electoral failures, including a hat-trick of zero wins in major elections, the CPI(M) in Bengal is facing growing internal pressure to reconsider its approach and hire an external political strategist. Alimuddin Street, party’s headquarters, has received feedback that the organization’s current state is “disgraceful” and it must consider “alternatives.” Most political parties – BJP, Cong, TMC, AAP and DMK — have from time to time roped in political strategists/consultants. For instance, the Trinamool Congress’s 2021 victory was largely credited to IPAC, led by Prashant Kishor. Likewise Congress party has benefited from strategic insights provided by Sunil Kanugolu. CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammad Salim stated that though the party cannot afford to hire a professional agency, professionalism must be increased. The party had hoped that its alliance with Congress for the Lok Sabha polls would increase its vote share. Leaders had predicted a three-way contest between Trinamool, BJP, and the Left-Congress combine. However, the reality was a two-way fight between Trinamool and BJP, leaving CPI(M) without a seat, and Congress lost key constituencies like Baharampur, where five-time MP Adhir Chowdhury was defeated by TMC’s Yusuf Pathan. Party insiders have highlighted organizational failures, including an inability to deploy agents in polling stations. Again, in the RG Kar incident relating to rape-murder of doctor, where the CPI(M) youth wing DYFI, led protests in Kolkata, the party failed to mobilize at the district levels. Also, it has alienated women voters in the state by terming the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme as “alms”.
patangrao
A Resurgent Congress In No Mood To Relent To Coalition Partners Demands In Maharashtra
Vishwajeet Kadam, who jolted the MVA alliance in the recent Parliamentary polls, is set to ruffle feathers again in the forthcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Kadam, who backed Congress rebel Vishal Patil to victory over the MVA’s official Sena nominee, now seems to have the backing of the Congress high command this time too. The message was sent loud and clear when Rahul Gandhi flew down on September 5 to unveil his father –Patangrao Kadam’s statue in the presence of the entire top brass of Congress and even NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. The prominent positioning of rebel Vishal Patil MP on the dais at the event, between the state Congress and NCP chief — Nana Patole and Jayant Patil — signalled Vishwajeet’s insistence to have things work his way. The high-profile event estimated to cost over Rs 50 crore, with over 1.5 lakh people housed in a Rs 8 crore canopy spread over 20 acres, was also meant to pitch Vishwajeet for the top slot in state politics. The absence of Uddhav Thackeray from the event clearly signalled that the friction between the Congress and Sena, is here to stay. Currently, of the eight legislative assemblies in Sangli, only two are held with Congress. Another two seats are held with the BJP, which is keen to wrest control of the prosperous sugar belt. The Congress, which has sensed victory in Maharashtra, after emerging with the highest tally among MVA partners in the recent LS polls, is in no mood to relent to their coalition partners’ demands. The NCP has been tamed while the recalcitrant Uddhav is being ignored. The Congress which wants to play the big brother could give Vishwajeet a free hand to chart party’s revival in the state.
raja ranadhir
Raja Randhir Singh Rakes Up National Sports Code Restrictions!
Raja Randhir Singh may have triggered a fresh debate on whether administrators’ maximum tenure of 12 years is good for developing sport in India. India’s National Sports Development Code (NSDC) 2011 specifies terms, tenures, age, and cooling-off rules for sports federations.  A five-time Olympian, several-time Asian Games participant in the Trap and Skeet shooting event, a gold and bronze medal winner has been an administrator for around four decades at the national and international sports bodies and is all set to become the 44th President of the Olympic Council of Asia wef September 8. In recent interactions, the 77-year-old former member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said that Yoga will become a medal sport from the 2030 Asian Games, but more significantly, he touched upon an essential aspect of the governance structure and strict rules.  He believes more than 12 years is needed for administrators at the sports bodies. While the NSC stipulates a 12-year time restriction for national sports federations, the Justice Lodha Committee report that the Supreme Court has endorsed stipulates a maximum period of nine years together at the State and BCCI and with a cooling off period after six years that was initially three years. Being an experienced hand, Raja Randhir may have a point that will only get full support from the BCCI, but the Apex Council of the country believes that sports federations cannot be a fiefdom for an individual or group of people. The BCCI has been lucky to get relief from the Supreme Court on the cooling-off period restriction, but they may hope for further ease in restrictions. Given a chance, both the BCCI and the sports federations would like the cooling-off period and tenure restrictions, junked!
k viswanathan
After Exiting India Cements, N Srinivasan & Co Consolidates Holding In CSK
Now that N Srinivasan-headed India Cements has changed hands, the focus is clearly on what will happen to Chennai Super Kings Ltd. Once a division of India Cements, CSK was spun off into an independent entity following the conflict of interest issue. Post-India Cements sale, the focus obviously has turned to CSK. Where is it heading? Well, Srinivasan and his family have now consolidated their holding in CSK. They have increased their stake in CSK to nearly 42% from just above 28% in March 2023. The promoters now hold 158,016,303 shares. They had 86,726,373 shares in March 2023. The equity share has a face value of Rs 0.10 (ten paise). CSK Ltd. is the owner of the Chennai franchise of the IPL (Indian Premier League) T-20 cricket team. With the player auction for the upcoming IPL season coming up soon, the consolidation of holdings by the Srinivasan family in CSK reflects the commitment and passion of the promoter group to the cause of cricket. Not surprisingly, the board of CSK has decided to elevate K Viswanathan, popularly known as Kasi, a close loyalist of Srinivasan, as the managing director for a three-year term. Well, the context may have changed following the sale of India Cements. Srinivasan and Co, nevertheless, is focussed like a blinkered-horse on furthering the cause of cricket.
congress bjp
Congress-SP-AAP ‘Mange’ More, BJP’s Secret Nuh Poll Plan In Store
Caste dynamics has political formations of India in a tizzy for the imminent Haryana state assembly elections with the BJP set to also launch a new poll strategy to dampen the Congress dream of a clean sweep in the Nuh belt of the state along with others where the minority vote plays a dominant role. The AAP and Congress vowed to fight solo after the zero-voter verdict their alliance evoked in Delhi’s seven Lok Sabha constituencies, then kissed and yet, to make up. While AAP wants 10 seats, Congress is willing to part with only seven. The SP too wants seats to field candidates in Muslim proliferated constituencies. Congress believes minority votes will accrue to itself, particularly in three assembly constituencies in Nuh region dominated Muslim voters. Only former Congress CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda appears worried over his political future. The BJP too, worried over anti-incumbency, wants to buck the political tide and announced 16 OBC candidates, 13 from Jat community with 17 reserved SC seats. Though the OBC community is the majority voter segment in Haryana, Jat community always holds sway over political affairs be it the Lal clan troika (Bansi Lal, Devi Lal) or the Chautala clan among dominant segments of farmer leaders. The BJP elevated another community leader Kiran Choudhary to the Rajya Sabha and will also accommodate her daughter for state assemblies. Similarly, late Jat leader Ajit Singh’s son Jayant Choudhary was inducted into the NDA alliance for the Haryana assembly. The BJP has topped up its poll plans by clearing a slew of farmer packages in the state before the elections were notified in the state to include most of the crops sown in Haryana under the ambit of its MSP protection.
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Can Superstar Vijay Replicate His Success In Political Theatre?
The pre-release hype and hoopla for top star high budget films are hard to ignore. But Archana Kalpathi, Creative Head of Kalpathi Films has more than swivelled 360 degrees to hit the target for Great Of All Time (GOAT) – superstar Vijay’s penultimate film. The usual suspense about extra shows ended when TN cinemas announced a special 9 am show. Kerala went a step further and had a 4 am show as crazed fans from Coimbatore and state border towns pole-vaulted to Kerala cinemas. The (unofficial) ticket cost of Rs 1000 shot up to 2k. Such is the hold of superstars and the besotted fans…a launch pad for politics that TN stars transit from formula films to politics with ease. Tamil news had snippets of who watched GOAT where …top heroine Trisha watched the movie with Archana, Director Venkat Prabhu preferred Kamala cinema. If the delirium surrounding Vijay was not already palpable, another snippet conveyed that Thala Ajit was one of the first to call, and wished Vijay all the best for his mega hit. The buzz about the AI and De-ageing technology used in the film to differentiate between father Vijay and his son is sure to kindle curiosity. The last few years had a rush of filmi gossip about Vijay’s estranged parents and wife Sangeeta, even son Sanjay’s rebellion. Suddenly, photos of the entire family bonding watching the film at this time were flashed in the media.Vijay’s newly minted party TVK is now planning the mother of all public gatherings to present Vijay as the new messiah of TN. Interestingly, throughout the film, Vijay drives a car with the number plate TN07 CM 2026! Talk about subtlety!
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Doctors’ Protest Dampens Kolkata's Festive Spirit, Businesses Apprehend Huge Losses
In the wake of the horrific rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata has been rocked by widespread protests. This disturbing incident has had a profound impact on the business landscape, leading to a significant decline in consumer activity. From the traditional pottery artisans of Kumortuli to the bustling marketing hubs, sweetmeat shops, and restaurants, the city’s economic pulse has noticeably weakened. The usual pre-Puja rush, which begins usually at this time, is notably absent and instead of shopping bags, people are holding placards demanding justice. The usually bustling Kumortuli, the heart of Durga idol creation in Kolkata, has fallen into an unusual quiet this year unlike previous years. Karthik Pal, Secretary of the Kumartuli Potters Association, attributed this change to the recent tragic incident, stating that the usual influx of enthusiastic photographers, young people with cameras, crowding the place even on weekends, has dwindled. Further, there has been less number of buyers for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi and Vishwakarma Puja this month. The food and restaurant businesses have seen a decline of 15% in August and if protest continues September could losses of upto 30% says Sagar Daryani, All India Vice President of the National Restaurant Association of India. Dhiman Das, state president of the traders’ organization Mishi Udyog and director of KC Das & Sons, said that from Vishwakarma Puja to Diwali, the profit from this period sustains businesses for the rest of the year. However, if the agitation continues, the industry is fearing a 70% drop in business.
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Will Casting Couch Accusations Hit Cong In Kerala?
At a time when the Congress in Kerala had hit the streets against the CPI(M) for not letting go of its actor Kollam MLA M Mukesh against whom a rape case had been registered in the wake of the unveiling of the Justice Hema Committee report on the basis of complaint by an actress, allegations of casting couch in the Congress by a former party functionary and PSC member, Simi Rose Bell John, seemed to have come at an inopportune time. That is because Simi John did not get support from women leaders within the party who may have suffered at the hands of their male colleagues. The Congress top leadership as usual managed to push everything under the carpet and promptly expelled Simi John from the party to contain the damage of her “revelations”.  However, the “casting couch in Congress” may have come as a brief relief to the Pinarayi Vijayan government that was battling with its LDF ally CPI, which also wanted MLA Mukesh to resign. In a statement, Kerala PCC described Simi John’s accusations as being aimed at mentally harassing and defaming lakhs of women leaders and workers in the Congress movement. It was felt Simi John may have been allegedly in collusion with political adversaries. She had alleged that only those close to the leadership get opportunities in the party. She also made it clear that women who have dignity and pride could no longer work in the party. Challenging the party to release evidence of the alleged conspiracy with the CPI(M), Simi fondly recalled her close bond with former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Kerala Congress leaders feel Simi’s outburst will not hit the party in the state.
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Chandigarh-Based KDDL Owns 92% Stake In A Swiss Company That Makes Favre Leuba Watches
Tatas, Birlas, Wipro and many other business houses have done it – acquiring brands/companies abroad and making the country proud. Joining this prestigious list is the Chandigarh-based KDDL, a pioneer in watch dials, which has acquired 92% stake in a Swiss company which owns the iconic brand Favre Leuba. Favre Leuba, established in 1737, was a popular luxury brand in India too.  A whole generation in the 60s, 70s, 80s grew wearing this brand. The watchmaker headquartered in Grenchen, Switzerland is the second oldest watch brand in the world, with Blancpain being the oldest. The iconic Favre Leuba brand was relaunched on August 29, this year at the decentralised event, Geneva Watch Days. KDDL founded by Yash Saboo is a pioneering manufacturer and supplier of watch dials, hands and indexes to top end global watch brands. Its subsidiary Ethos Watches is India’s largest chain of luxury watch boutiques with more than 60 stores selling over 60 premium luxury watch brands.  KDDL had bought Favre Leubra from Titan a few years back. Making a comeback, Favre Leuba has ambitious and exciting plans for the Indian market. The company plans to offer affordable and yet high value watches with a strong vintage inspiration specifically from the 1960’s when the brand was known for their robustness and functionality. The brand is looking to unveil 22 references across three distinct collections – Deep Blue, Sea Sky and Chief. 
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Is Tamil Nadu’s Knitwear & Textile Industry Safe Haven For Illegal Bangladesh Migrants?
Tamil Nadu leads in current headlines. Yes, F4 is what you are thinking. The first family has come a long way from the modest roots of Thiruvarur. Today Stalin Jr is conducting a car race event…you’ve come a long way, baby. But intel reports are pointing out that Bangladesh illegals too have come a long way to escape strife ridden country, seek jobs and livelihood and perhaps turn TN into a state like Kashmir? The Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has warned TN authorities about this increasing penetration by illegals with fake IDs like Aadhaar cards and others. The Dibrugarh to Trivandrum train via Coimbatore brings job seekers and migrant workers, and it is easy to “vanish” in the crowded industrial and knitwear centres of the hinterland. A labour hungry knitwear industry gobbles up labour. According to KM Subramanian, Tiruppur Exporters Association, “TN textile industry is one of the largest…so illegals head job prospecting head straight to Tiruppur and Karur with fake documents”. About 8 lakh people are employed in the knitwear sector, with 2.5 lakhs from North India. Even 20,000 workers can be absorbed at any given time. The penny dropped with frequent visits of chief Ajit Doval to TN. His latest meeting with Governor RN Ravi has catapulted this security issue to high levels. Is this frequent visit by Doval, a signal that Governor Ravi may get an extension? 
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No Animosity, But Mumbai Cricket Association Members Have To Make A Choice!
For the second time in three months, near about 380 member-voters of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) have been called upon to cast their vote for the high-profile position of Secretary, a post that needed to be constitutionally filled after Ajinkya Naik (Secretary) was elected President in July. There has not been a political drama preceding the election on September 3 and people are not even speculating whether Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is playing behind-the-scene role; he appears to have done before the election of the President following the untimely demise of his friend Amol Kale. Candidates believe that they need to have the backing of bigwigs across the political spectrum and in recent times Fadnavis’ name has surfaced more than any other. Abhay Hadap, one of the two candidates for the Secretary’s post, is banking on the goodwill he has gained following his work at maidan level for three decades and his rapport with the Secretary and officials of member clubs. Suraj Samat’s candidature proposed by Sachin Tendulkar has puzzled the cricketing fraternity in the city who feel that the legendary cricketer has been, hitherto, sagacious not to be on a particular side of the electoral process. Hadap and Samat were elected to the MCA Apex Council two years ago and were probably looking forward to hierarchical progress next year, but Kale’s death on June 10 left a vacuum providing an opportunity for the ambitious ones to try their strength and popularity.  People in the MCA feel that the two ‘by-elections’ — for the President and Secretary doesn’t matter much, and that next year’s election for the Apex Council will see either the Mahayuti (NDA) or Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA- INDIA Bloc) call the shots. 
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Kangana Ranaut Once Again In The Eye Of The Storm
Controversy seems to be the middle name of this 38-year old Queen of Bollywood. Once again actor-director-politician Kangana Ranaut is making headlines over soon-to-be released movie, Emergency where she plays the role of Indira Gandhi. Even as she hops from news channel to news channel promoting her movie and giving her version of the story, the political parties like Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have sought a ban on the movie. Looks like she is a proxy for hitting the BJP.  SAD, which has sent her a legal notice wants Kangana to delete a scene which shows Indira Gandhi being assassinated by Sikh security guard.. Surprisingly, even though her party BJP is backing her, the movie is yet to receive the go ahead from the Central Board of Film Certification. Most of her movies in the last few years have not done well. Nearly six of her movies like Katti Batti, Simran Panga and Tejas have not got big numbers at the box office. According to Trade Analyst, Girish Wankhede Emergency does not look strong enough to resurrect her career. Reportedly, she has decided to quit films after being elected from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency. It is learnt that more than Rs 80-90 crore is riding on Emergency. A hardcore nationalist, Kangana who speaks her mind and not bothered of consequences has been told by her party to not to give comments on any issues.  
Murali Malayappan
Shriram Properties Steps Out Of Group’s Shadow, Creates New Brand Identity
Quarter century is indeed a cause for celebration.  Why not? For, it has come a long way and is now seeking to carve out a new identity for itself. With a portfolio of close to 50 projects spanning over 24.4 million square feet, primarily in Bengaluru, and Chennai, and Kolkata, Shriram Properties is gearing up to pursue a new path.  Many in Southern India often relate this to the indomitable spirit of R Thyagarajan, the founder of the Shriram Group. An iconic name in Tamil Nadu, especially, the Shriram group has gone on to hit national headlines with a series of reorganisation. Today, the group is prominently known in the financial services space. As it gears up to chalk out a hectic growth path, Shriram Properties is ready to step out of the shadows of the Shriram group. Founder Thyagarajan is ever ready to acknowledge the fact Shriram Properties is largely the creation of Murali Malayappan, its Chairman and Managing Director. As Murali is preparing to take control of the company, Shriram Properties has chosen to have its own logo. This signals its first step towards having an independent identity. Yet, claims to be a part of the Shriram groups in its advertisements. Yet, the logo change signals the transition away from the Shriram group for this company conceived and nurtured largely by Murali. Shriram Properties, perhaps, is among the earliest organised players to get into the realty field. As he tries to lay a new road for Shriram Properties, Murali has a definite task on hand.
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Malayalee Audiences Lapping Up Old Re-Releases In A Big Way
Thrust the Malayalam film makers to rework things amidst the OTT boom, especially yesteryear producers/directors who are missing the present day boom. Malayalee film goers are queuing up to watch some of the yesteryear classics like Manichitrathazhu, Devadoothan, Spadikam etc first released 20 to 30 years back. The re-release boom is fast catching up with at least 15 to 20 old Malayalam classics being lined up for re-release. Film maker Sibi Malayil, who is behind the re-release of Devadoothan, says that “one thing we need to ensure is that the quality of the visuals and sound improves on re-releasing a movie. Better quality raw materials help in giving audiences a better theatre experience, he added. It costs about Rs 1 crore to rework an old movie to give a 4K experience. Devadoothan, a Mohanlal starrer was a colossal flop when it was released first, 24 years back. Today, after restoring the film, re-editing and removal of unnecessary scenes and even adding spice to some of the fight scenes, the film has grossed Rs 4 crore in two weeks at the theatres. The movie is still running full house in the third week. Movies being lined for re-release include Mohanlal’s Devasuram (1993), Araam Thampuran (1997), Mammoothy’s Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989) and Palery Maanikyam Oru Pathira Kolapaathakathinte Katha (2009). But, theatre owner Liberty Basheer sounds a word of caution. “We cannot predict the audience. Most of these films are available on YouTube or have been telecast on TV. Not everyone would want to experience the 4K version. “Kerala of late has been witnessing huge footfalls at theatres following successful launches of new generation films like Manjummel Boys, Avesham, Premalu etc which have grossed theatre collections over Rs 100 crore. 
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Tamil Nadu BJP-AIADMK Turf War Turns Bitter
Their dreams of seizing power or even sharing it long over, the BJP and AIADMK are fighting a turf war for second place in Tamil Nadu in a bitter manner. The language of exchange between the two parties has hit a nadir with BJP TN chief K Annamalai calling former CM Edappadi K Palaniswami a ‘frog in the well’ and an ‘ignoramus,’ among other things. Not to be outdone in verbal calisthenics, AIADMK leaders took potshots at Annamalai calling him ‘an octopus’ and ‘a leech’ and burning his effigies routinely until he left for the UK for a 3-month sabbatical to join the Chevening Gurukul Fellowship for Leadership and Excellence programme. It is hard to imagine the two friendly parties in J Jayalalithaa’s time and officially allies after her death in 2016 for seven years till Sept 2023 could turn out to be such sworn rivals. The fight is for second place in TN behind the ruling DMK, which both parties are aspiring for in the 2026 assembly polls though the dynamics in those elections may be churned by the presence of superstar Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) that will be splashing its entry into state politics this month. With Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh releasing a commemorative Rs 100 coin for M Karunanidhi centenary in Chennai, the rumour mills are working overtime imagining secret pacts between BJP and DMK. As they say, anything is possible in politics, more so in TN. 
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Ajit Pawar Keeps Away From RSS, Triggers Speculation
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar’s ambivalence regarding his relationship with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has once again rubbed the saffron sympathisers the wrong way. The second deputy chief minister of Maharashtra is still somehow finding it difficult to align with the BJP fully, since time and again, he has chosen to keep his distance from the RSS. His latest two-day Nagpur visit was more in the news due to his absence from the RSS headquarters where chief minister Eknath Shinde and DCM Devendra Fadnavis bowed before the memorial to RSS founder KB Hedgewar than his party political activity. Interestingly, Shinde and both DCMs later held a marathon meeting behind closed doors to discuss and plan their strategy for the assembly election. Ajit’s cautious approach towards the BJP-RSS stands in stark contrast with Shinde’s unhesitant camaraderie with Fadanvis and Union home minister Amit Shah, among others. Shinde has been complimented by PM Narendra Modi during his Maharashtra visits, sending mixed signals. In Nagpur, Ajit held a series of meetings with his followers to assess his prospects in Vidarbha after his break away from his uncle Sharad Pawar.  Although the BJP has reportedly promised to accommodate the NCP(A) in the post-election equation, the speculation surrounding him does not end. The Nagpur visit has only provided cannon fodder to Ajit’s detractors, who have been making use of such incidents to corner him. 

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.