The Vidhan Bhavan is increasingly witnessing scenes of bad blood and sharp exchange between legislators. While sarcastic one-liners comments and humorous leg pulling have been traditionally acceptable and even encouraged, the current exchange of barbs between political rivals has taken on a downward spiral. So, when the BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar questioned Sharad Pawar’s family members following different faiths, not surprisingly, it was followed by NCP(SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad passing nasty remark to Padalkar when the latter was giving bites to news channels. The duo continued their duel right till the parking lot of the Vidhan Bhavan. The discourse turned further downwards when Opposition members turned up in banians and towels to poke fun at Eknath Shinde’s MLA Sanjay Gaikwad turning up in that gear at the MLA hostel in a viral video. In fact, Aaditya Thackeray and Nitesh Rane had a one-to-one duel on the floors of the assembly over the former terming the latter’s party as Chaddi-Banian party. Even the normally genial Aaditya Thackeray did not spare others and called out deputy chairperson of the legislative council Dr Neelam Gorhe for her comment that Mercedes had to be gifted for posts in the Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. The TV cameras caught Gorhe returning an angry stare. The same evening saw Aaditya’s cousin and fellow legislator Varun Sardesai accusing Gorhe’s bodyguards of pushing him around, again the spat flowing out before full media glare. While the TV cameras positioned outside the Vidhan Bhavan provide much needed oxygen in such reel-worthy and hits-hungry viral times, it’s not surprising to see the political friction play before the media gallery at this monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

There is a worry in top echelons of the government that a lobby of busy-bodies has emerged in the power echelon in Delhi that eagerly offers to fix appointments with government officials and secure policy solutions for some consideration. The rise of such a busy-body has begun to deter honest bureaucrats from entertaining any requests for interactions with any non-familiar persons. It is being said PM Modi felt it was necessary for the officials to come up with public feedback on government policy decisions for improving delivery. In the absence of any interaction with common citizens and NGOs, officials were also not coming up with fresh ideas. It is in this context that Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan’s letter to secretaries of the central government asking them to interact with people is interesting and makes sense. He flagged the “perceived reluctance” among several senior central government officials to give appointments to people, saying such interactions can give insights into ground realities, and clarify misunderstandings about “government policies or intentions”. In his letter, Somanathan made it clear that such meetings should be held in offices and not clubs or hotels. He said people from various sections of society have told him that there is a “perceived reluctance” among several secretaries of the central government and other senior officers to give appointments to people other than officials, who may wish to meet with them in connection with the work of their ministries. He said the work of the government is such that it affects or benefits many people and organisations. In some cases, “if you feel it is necessary as a precaution, you could ask another officer to be present.”

The Bombay High Court is not amused with the second ‘closure’ report filed over the sensational June 2020 Disha Salian unnatural death case that lived on like a political potboiler ever since. On July 2, 2025, the closure report in the case was submitted to court bearing the signatures of Malvani police station’s senior police inspector Shailendra Nagarkar (in SIT) and a state public prosecutor, neither of whom bothered to attend the day’s court proceedings. Strong observations followed over their absence particularly since no ‘closure’ report was sought by the court in the first place. The court also considered invocation of contempt proceedings against the officers concerned. A legal source reveals, “A disgraced IPS officer, allegedly responsible for the first closure report filed in the case under then MVA ruled Maharashtra is believed to have actively ensured the second closure report also by the SIT set up during the current litigation through the writ petition filed by Disha’s father seeking a CBI probe into his daughter’s death. The High Court justice questioned why the missing in action officers submitted the closure report in the first place and will take issue with them come July 16.” A well placed political source in Delhi notes, “Then Mumbai police commissioner, Parambir Singh, thoroughly disgraced the city’s police force by acts of omission and commission, was even cited for the so-called Thane model of corruption and yet, only five days back he was acquitted in the extortion and corruption case in Thane. He was also suspended following the ‘Antilla’ case (Ambani residence) when he was Mumbai CP and yet, continues to operate with impunity or tacit political backing.” Reportedly, his son is married to a Nagpur-based politician’s daughter.

Migration of India’s well-placed millionaires has now become a concern area for India. As per Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2024, 4,300 millionaires will leave India by the end of 2025 indicating nominal slow down. In 2024, 5,100 Indians moved their houses from India opting to work in Dubai, London, Europe, USA, Singapore and others.  This year, though there is a ‘wee bit ‘ slowdown of high networth individuals’ (HNIs) migration, what comes out loud and clear from the report is that for these HNIs, India is no longer where their heart is. They think that greater opportunity, freedom, and stability lie elsewhere. The HNIs have chosen Singapore, Middle East, Dubai, London, Europe and America and other countries as their destination of work, leisure and stay. The worrisome part is, there is now an increasing trend to renounce Indian citizenship as well. As of 2023, over 216,000 Indians holding Indian passports have already surrendered their citizenship. Sanjaya Baru, ex-Media Advisor to Dr Manmohan Singh, in his latest book Secession Of The Successful explores why India as a country increasingly becoming nationalist but the elite and successful are quite happy to migrate to other countries, a trend which is now increasing. He says Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have become Non-Returning Indians. According to him, individuals are leaving India because India has not created an environment to retain the talent. The dichotomy is India’s HNIs chant “Bharat Mata ki Jai” while opting to live and work overseas but not returning to India for good. The challenge for any government is to improve the civic and urban life facilities making it worthwhile for people to come back.

KL Rahul, a true blue of Test match cricket, became the second Indian after Dilip Vengsarkar to make the crowd at the fabled Lords cricket ground in London applaud a three-figure knock a second time; Vengsarkar earned the sobriquet “Lord of the Lord’s” for his three  centuries at the celebrated venue in the capital city of England. On the third day of the third Test between England and India, the stoical, but stylish opener scored an exact 100 and he must have felt emotions running high. Lord’s is without a doubt the Mecca of cricket. The famous cricket correspondent of the ‘Yorkshire Post’ James Maurice Kilburn referring to the Lord’s, wrote in ‘Overthrows’: I always feel as though I am stepping into history. Top batters regret not getting the magical number at Lord’s, but 10 Indian batsmen have made together 13 centuries at the Marylebone Cricket Club which is the home ground for the Middlesex County. The first Indian to carve a century at Lords was the great all-rounder, Mulvantrai Himmatlal ‘Vinoo’ Mankad in a Test match known as “Mankad’s Test” because he scored 72 and 184 and took 5 for 196 in the first innings of the 1952 series.  After Mankad’s stupendous effort with the bat and ball, Gundappa Viswanath, Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Mohammed Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid,Ajit Agarkar,  Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul have sparkled at the Lord’s. The Honours Board at the venue was embellished with names — 173 batsmen with a total of 252 centuries in all. England’s Joe Root made the count 253 and Rahul 254. Rahul had lorded over Lord’s in August 2021 making 129!  

Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd (TAFE) of the Amalgamations group appears to have used `the naked licensing’ argument to press its claim for the iconic Massey Ferguson brand when it was engaged in legal battle with its over 65-year-old partner AGCO Corporation of the U.S. Of course, both have settled their dispute out of court and TAFE has been confirmed the owner of Massey Ferguson in India and two other countries. The term “naked licensing” in the context of trade mark laws refers to the practice of granting a licensee the right to use a trademark without demonstrating any control or supervision of the trade mark. In this instance, though TAFE has been using the Massey Ferguson brand for over six decades, AGCO had taken virtually no interest or contributed to its development in India. Apparently, this has proved a significant legal roadblock for AGCO to claim the ownership of Massey Ferguson brand in India. Also, TAFE has been strategic in its relationship with AGCO Corporation over the years. Its decision to invest in AGCO (it has over 16% shareholding in the U.S. company) has given TAFE the negotiating edge in effectively sealing its ownership for the Massey Ferguson brand in India. From hindsight, it could be argued that TAFE did well in consistently persuading AGCO Corporation to pare its holding in TAFE gradually from 49% a few years ago to less than 21%.  The strategy, assiduously initiated by TAFE over the years, appears to have emerged victorious in the end. If proof is required, the out-of-court settlement is there for all to see.

How credit worthy is the Malayalee! Obviously, with banks depending on credit information bureaus like TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark, Keralites are just not satisfied with their own creditworthiness. This has seen many flocking to private lending agencies like Muthoot Finance, Muthoot Fincorp, Manappuram Finance etc. These private agencies offer their services at much higher interest rates but with less intensive scrutiny and speedy disposal of applications. Experts here say that lack of creditworthiness is also used as a ruse by banks to dissuade current account holders from moving over to other banks with better offers. Recently, a case surfaced of an individual who applied for a housing loan. The application was rejected for want of the required credit score. On close scrutiny, it was revealed that the applicant had earlier taken a two-wheeler loan which was finally settled. But before closing the loan, the loanee had defaulted once which was settled, including meeting the penalty. This is a clear case of the credit information bureaus not updating its stats on a real-time basis and thus depriving an applicant of a housing loan. In this case who is at fault? This has been just one of the many cases highlighted by the Kerala media in recent times. Perhaps, it was because of such news reports that the senior-most Deputy Governor of the RBI, M Rajeshwar Rao, was prompted to say at a conference organised by CIBIL that “We must aspire to have more frequent updates. Real-time or near real-time credit reporting will improve underwriting precision, enable timely reflection of borrower actions like loan closures or repayments and deliver a superior experience.” Sure, all this will entail additional costs because of investments in technology but the benefits will far outweigh the cost.

Recognised by Cornell University in USA as “a promising Asian student,” Yashasri Gopinath Munde is all set to enter active public life. The youngest of Gopinath Munde, Yashashri has been a director of the Vaidyanath cooperative sugar, a power base of the Munde family. She kept away from politics. But, now, there seems to be a rethink. She has filed nomination for The Vaidyanath Urban Co-Op Bank Ltd election in Beed, signalling her intentions of moving forward in public life. The bank has remained a battleground in Beed’s politics. Hence Yashashri’s entry in the fray is considered an indication of her plans. The district’s politics, however, has remained a fiefdom of the Munde family and Yashashri’s appearance on the horizon will reshape it soon, it is felt. Her two elder sisters, Preetam and Pankaja, are already in politics. While Preetam has been elected to the Lok Sabha twice from their hometown Beed, Pankaja has been representing the assembly constituency and been a cabinet minister in Maharashtra over the years. Their father, Gopinath Munde, was a deputy chief minister in the state and a cabinet minister in the first team of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. Munde married BJP leader Pramod Mahajan’s sister and the two ruled the state BJP firmly for a couple of decades. Munde’s abrupt death was a setback for the family but did not thwart the political career of his two daughters. This is going to be one more addition to the tradition of family rule in the state, critics say.

An increasing number of Bengali actors are heading to Mumbai, reflecting a growing trend of migration from Tollywood to Bollywood. Over the past few years, noted actors like Saswata Chatterjee, Jisshu Sengupta, and Parambrata Chattopadhyay have featured in several Hindi films and web series. Even big names such as Prosenjit Chatterjee and Jeet have stepped into Bollywood. Meanwhile, many TV stars from Bengal are also seeking roles in Hindi serials, hoping to make it big in Mumbai. Casting directors like Mukesh Chhabra have gained prominence, especially with the rise of social media. Known for discovering Sushant Singh Rajput, Chhabra is considered a star-maker. He recently visited the sets of Raktabeej 2 and reportedly selected Mimi Chakraborty to play Dona Ganguly in the upcoming Sourav Ganguly biopic. He recently conducted a three-hour workshop in Kolkata which was hosted by Pritimoy Chakraborty, who runs the Kolkata studio. This open-to- all workshop generated widespread interest, especially among Tollywood actors like Tota Roychowdhury, Debdut Ghosh, Debleena Dutta, and Dibyajyoti Dutta. The initiative aimed to build confidence among Bengali actors. He noted that many actors face challenges in diction and presentation, which are crucial in Mumbai’s competitive industry. The workshop addressed how to audition, develop mental strength, and present oneself effectively. Debleena Dutta stated that Kolkata’s work opportunities have visibly shrunk with nepotism affecting casting decisions. Debdut Ghosh highlighted that TV serials in Kolkata have dropped from 40–50 to around 20, and films have declined from 70–100 to around 20. Likewise, investment has halved from Rs 1,200 crore earlier.

Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, has chalked up plans to enter 10 new destinations including four domestic locations in India. UK’s Manchester and Amsterdam are the first two cities identified by IndiGo to start direct flights thus paving the way to enter the European market. Elbers is confident that by 2030 IndiGo global ranking will change, and it will not be labelled as LCC in the European market. He doesn’t see any conflict with its code-sharing partner airlines. Elbers also put to rest the rumours by stating that the direct flight to Manchester will depart/arrive from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Andheri. Yes, IndiGo has a huge hub at the second airport coming at Panvel, Navi Mumbai. The reason for sticking to the city airport is because the new airport as of now lacks adequate connectivity.  Meanwhile the Indian diaspora is very happy with IndiGo’s direct flights connecting Mumbai and Manchester.  Direct flight is an economic booster as it will save time and money. A study indicates an extra £11.8 mn a year will be spent by additional Indian visitors to the region as a result of the three-times-a-week service between Manchester. Experts say cost, time, and productivity savings worth £9 mn a year will be unlocked. About 234,000 people travel from Manchester airport’s catchment to Mumbai every year. Roughly 70,000 of them flew via Manchester. It is estimated that the new route will increase the overall number of people who travel between Manchester and Mumbai by 21,000 per year.  

It has been another vexing cricket summer of ball changes in England. As the Dukes ball, which had built such a reputation for a hard seam and leather elements that stood up well to wear and tear, comes under pressure from modern batsmen batting aggressively and hitting the ball with greater power from state-of-the-art bats. And it is the Indian origin Jajodia whose company makes the hand-stitched balls who is in the crosshairs. And another who is being blamed now for a quixotic ball change in the course of the England innings is Md Siraj. He was seen throwing the ball to the umpire seeking a ball change just as Jasprit Bumrah was running through the middle order. Maybe, the ball became like soap but why change it when ‘Boom’Rah was bending it like Beckham? At least one commentator trained his guns on Siraj for seeking a ball change, and that too without consulting Bumrah, the team and the world’s premier fast bowler. Cricinfo stats revealed that the old ball with which Team India was taking wickets was swinging 1.869 degrees and seaming 0.579 degrees whereas the replacement ball swung only 0.855 and seamed less. An out of shape new ball was doing the trick for Bumrah but the ball change saw him seem more human than superman as England recovered to put up a challenging total. As the wag said, cricket is more than just the balls. It is about tactics too.

The political reunion of the Thackeray brothers — Raj and Uddhav Thackeray — has disturbed political calculations in the state forcing parties to reassess and redraw their political strategies as per the new ground realities. The direct impact of this reunion is obviously on Eknath Shinde, who officially holds the Shiv Sena party name and flag, and is eyeing the same pie of the Marathi manoos vote bank, that is now facing consolidation under the Thackeray brand. Shinde air-dashed to New Delhi in the middle of this assembly session to meet Union home minister Amit Shah. Shah is believed to have sought his opinion on how to deal with the Thackeray reunion in the forthcoming polls and if launching an attack on them could prove helpful or counterproductive. Shah is also said to have shared details of local surveys conducted by his party to assess the atmosphere post the Thackeray brothers reunion. Shinde, who is upset with the BJP local leadership, is also said to have shared his concerns about his minister receiving income tax notices, funds for his ministers being curtailed, and his party being kept away from power equations.. Analysts feel that the BJP could delay the elections in a bid to diffuse the strong buzz that the Thackeray brothers have successfully generated around the Marathi language issue. The BJP is keen to gain power at the BMC with vital projects like Dharavi redevelopment and other redevelopment projects unfolding in the city.

In the atmosphere of levelling unfounded allegations, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut is now tasting his own medicine following a serious charge made against him by a BJP spokesman. Raut is seen time and again, day in and day out, on TV channels, making some claims or allegations. His latest such utterance is about deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde’s unscheduled Delhi visit, incidentally on the Guru Pournima day. Raut said Shinde had gone to the national capital suddenly to touch the feet of his mentor, Union home minister Amit Shah and to seek the chief ministership again, which he had vacated after the Maharashtra assembly election late last year. Owing to persistent reports that Shinde is sore ever since he had to accept the deputy CM post, Raut’s allegation was widely reported. However, BJP spokesman Ram Kulkarni has caught Raut unawares with a counter-charge. Kulkarni said that Raut had called on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a few days ago to urge him to forestall the handshake of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. The statement by Kulkarni has the backdrop of the impending civic elections, including in Mumbai, soon after the monsoon. If the Thackeray cousins fight the elections jointly, it could have some impact on the outcome. Raj has maintained silence on the issue but Uddhav has repeatedly emphasized that their alliance is solid. Hence Kulkarni’s charge is seen as an attempt to checkmate Raut at his own game.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat  and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were born in the same year and same month. A couple of days ago, Bhagwat made a remark that has gone viral, many interpreting it as a signal to Modi to step down. At a book release function, Bhagwat quipped that 75 was the age to bid adieu and retire. Immediately, Modi baiters were overjoyed as if the PM had actually handed over his resignation. This has reference to a statement made by Modi many years ago that the retirement age in politics should be 75. As soon as he emerged as the sole leader, Modi gently but firmly sent away the old guard, led by LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, into the sidelines. The rule was implemented across the states, too, with rare exceptions. Hence, discussion has been rampant about Modi’s own decision. While there is silence on the BJP front about Bhagwat’s oblique advice, a few Modi followers have ventured to suggest that the suggestion could have been about the RSS chief himself. It is well-known that the RSS is disciplined to such an extent that even its head is not allowed to breach its ironclad culture. In the past, Balasaheb Deoras and Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) themselves relinquished the position, among the most coveted in India, owing to their advancing age and failing health. On the other hand, Bhagwat is physically fit and enjoys attending cultural events. Many of his speeches have become a guiding light for the RSS rank and file. Hence, all eyes are now on the Dussehra rally, traditionally used by RSS chiefs to announce some pathbreaking decision.

Actor Kangana Ranaut, the BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, is showing herself to be a misfit in politics. Naturally, the BJP high command is upset with her. But they do not know how to handle her moods. Mandi is reeling from the impact of cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods. Firstly, Kangana did not rush to Mandi from Mumbai, where she normally stays. After the natural disaster that killed 85 people, Kangana was asked by BJP leaders to reach Mandi. On reaching there, she said she had no power or post to do anything. “I have no cabinet, no funds’ during a visit to Mandi on July 6.  Since her comments drew a negative reaction, BJP chief J P Nadda decided to go to Mandi himself. Nadda belongs to Himachal Pradesh. Accompanied by Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, and Himachal BJP chief Rajeev Bindal, Nadda met with people impacted by the heavy rainfall in Mandi. Kangana was not part of his entourage despite being the local MP. Later, Thakur oversaw the relief efforts. A BJP MLA, Vinod Kumar, and another party MLA, Deep Raj, were given the responsibility to help affected people. At this rate, Kangana is indicating that she is no longer interested in politics. She told a podcast recently that “It’s a very different kind of work, more like social service…I’ve never thought of serving people.” No politician speaks the truth. What more, Kangana feels that “I’ve fought for women’s rights, but that’s different… Somebody’s naali (drain) is broken, and I’m like, ‘But I am an MP and these people are coming to me with panchayat-level problems… they come to you with problems like MLAs, broken roads, and I tell them that’s a state government issue, and they say, “You have money, you use your own money.” With that kind of comments, can Kangana survive in the BJP as an MP for long?

Has ‘Sheesh Mahal’ jibe returned to haunt the BJP?  First it was Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami who went on to splurge on a swimming pool in his official bungalow. And then Delhi CM Rekha Gupta came up with doing up her quarters. The Opposition called it ‘Maya Mahal’. This has left the BJP high command very angry. Taking a dig at Dhami’s “Jal Mahal” — a play on Arvind Kejriwal’s “Sheesh Mahal”jibe coined by the BJP — the Congress has asked “how many crores” the CM spent on the “modern, all-weather” pool. Last year, the BJP had released a video of Kejriwal’s erstwhile Civil Lines residence, calling it “Sheesh Mahal”, a “museum of corruption”, and a “luxury palace” of Kejriwal, in an attack on the AAP chief’s ‘common man’ image. AAP had lost Delhi to the BJP in the elections that followed. Dhami had shifted to the CM’s official bungalow in 2021. Built over 10 acres, the residence was termed as jinxed by many, as the previous three CMs were not able to complete their tenures. Some say Dhami apparently added the swimming pool to improve the Vaastu of his residence. The now-cancelled renovation plan for Gupta’s residential bungalow allegedly included extensive electrical upgrades, the installation of 14 air conditioners, televisions worth Rs 9 lakh, and light fixtures worth Rs 6 lakh. Improvements for Delhi CM’s bungalow ran into controversy as tender orders for 14 ACs had to be cancelled as it became a throwback to Kejriwal’s days. Gupta had been allotted two bungalows on Raj Niwas Marg by the Public Works Department, with one to serve as her residence and the other one for a camp office, which she inaugurated last week.

Metro In Dino directed by Anurag Basu, has opened to disappointing box office numbers, grossing approximately Rs3.35 crore, a stark contrast to its hefty production budget of Rs100 crore. Despite the film receiving mixed reviews, with some intellectual critics praising its love story, music, and performances—particularly from the lead actress—audience reception has been lukewarm at best. The disconnect between critical acclaim and public enthusiasm is evident, as mainstream viewers have not resonated with the film, leading to a significant drop in expectations. The film’s three-year production timeline raises questions about its viability in an increasingly saturated market. The concept of love anthologies, once fresh and engaging, has been extensively explored across numerous OTT platforms, diluting its novelty. When “Life in a…Metro” was initially conceived in 2007, it boasted a unique premise and a strong musical score, but the landscape has shifted dramatically. With audiences now inundated with similar narratives, the film struggles to stand out. Moreover, the star cast, featuring Aditya Roy Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, and Pankaj Tripathi, lacks the mass appeal necessary to draw in larger crowds. While each actor possesses talent, they do not command the box office clout that would ensure a successful opening. The ambitious attempt to revisit a concept after 18 years has proven misguided, as audiences have moved on, leaving the film feeling outdated.

Despite recent efforts at mending fences, internal rifts in the Bengal BJP have resurfaced after senior leader and former state president Dilip Ghosh reignited controversy with remarks seemingly soft on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. This comes even after Ghosh’s meeting with newly appointed state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya and a visit to Delhi where he met BJP national joint general secretary Shiv Prakash. Ghosh stated again that Mamata herself is not named in any corruption cases, blaming those around her instead — a comment that runs contrary to the BJP’s aggressive anti-Mamata narrative and has triggered discontent within state ranks. Without naming him, Ghosh also appeared to take aim at Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, saying that some recent entrants into the party are trying to stoke divisions — a likely reference to criticism he faced after attending the inauguration of Digha’s Jagannath Temple on Mamata’s invitation. Ghosh later insisted he was merely stating facts, not giving Mamata a “clean chit.” In an effort to contain the damage, state president Samik Bhattacharya met Ghosh at the party office and publicly reaffirmed his place in the BJP, declaring, “He was in BJP, is in BJP, and will remain in BJP.” Tensions date back to Ghosh’s April 30 Digha’s Jagannath temple visit, which drew flak from Adhikari and then-state chief Sukanta Majumdar. Ghosh was subsequently sidelined from key meetings, including on leadership selection, and complained of deliberate alienation—even being denied a chair during meetings. His latest remarks, though intended to reaffirm party ties, have once again unsettled the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

For well over half a century, Sunil Manohar Gavaskar (SMG) has fascinated the game’s followers — as a legendary opening batsman, the first in the history of the game to go past the 10000-run aggregate and Don Bradman’s 29 Test centuries, World Cup winner at Lord’s in 1983, captain of the World Championship of Cricket in Australia, media personality, administrator at the BCCI and ICC, Charity and what not! His 1979 teammate in England, Yajurvindra Singh, also with a nickname “Sunny” waxed eloquent about the Indian batting legend on his 76th birthday celebrations by the Legends Club (LC) at the Cricket Club of India (CCI). The President of the LC, Yajurvindra said that SMG was 20 steps ahead of most and that he was systematic in all walks of life, even the way he used the toothpaste! Thanks to the wholehearted support by CCI that chose Madhumati Lele Shrivastava as President for a second term and the Club’s Executive Committee, the activities of the LC were revived after the pandemic-forced break. The LC celebrates the birthdays of Vijay Merchant, Vinod Mankad, Vijay Hazare, Nandu Natekar, SMG, Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar. And so, on SMG’s birthday celebrations, Yajurvindra recalled his conversations with the batting great and some bizarre events, including that of the steward at the Lord’s Cricket Ground preventing the India opener from entering the venue during a Test match. For around 20 years the members of the LC have been listening to the SMG stories and in the most recent meeting at the CK Nayudu Hall, there was only pin drop silence with the aficionados lapping up everything that Yajurvindra spoke about.

It seems to be a point of No Return in the PMK family feud. Now, 85-year old Dr S Ramadoss has denied his son Dr Anbumani even the right to use his name. Ramadoss senior is seriously contemplating bringing his daughter Srikanthi to lead the party he founded and continue his legacy. Combative and razor sharp Ramadoss is preparing his cadres for the ensuing elections and keeping the Vanniyars vote bank intact. He did hint that his daughter Srikanti could be his succession choice. In front of his party workers, the wily doctor even sang the opening of a popular Tamil film song, Poga Poga  Theriyum …….Inda poovin Vaasam theriyum. Meanwhile, Dr Anbumani with wife Sowmya and his daughters is taking a totally different political stance, quietly consolidating his status as political heir.  Since he has the Election Commission’s stamp that he is the party’s leader till the 26 June 2026, he is confident that these emotional edicts and anger filled statements by his father may not carry legal weight. Both have approached the Election Commission for settling the legacy dispute for party name, symbol and leader, as candidates must file their nominations. There are those who ask why does senior Ramadoss knock at the doors of courts and Election Commission when his age and experience should be mature enough to not air family feuds in public? But a very poignant meeting of Anbumani with his ailing mother Saraswati Ramadoss, at the Thailapuram family home garnered enough emotional weight. It is well known that she has more affection for the son. At least now Anbumani can claim “Mere paas Maa Hai”.

Manmohon Samal has been re-elected as Odisha BJP president for the fourth time. And this did not surprise anyone, neither the ruling BJP nor the Opposition BJD and Congress leaders. Samal’s win uncontested also means a setback for the Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His nominee Golak Mohapatra VP Odisha BJP wanted to enter the fray but it seems the high command was not keen.  His claim to fame is that the Odisha BJP under Samal’s leadership not only wiped out the Biju Janata Dal from the Lok Sabha map of Odisha but in the process brought to end the long reign of Naveen Patnaik’s government, an outcome few had imagined possible. Unfortunately, Samal lost the last election to BJD and this explains why BJP’s central high command has now reposed confidence on his leadership style once again, bringing him back to action mode after one-year gap. Samal’s job is well defined. He has to build BJP cadres at 30 district level, train them and make them acceptable to the people which is somewhat weak today, compared to BJD’s Naveen Patnaik whom an average Odites loves, supports and admires. Hailing from the OBC community, which constitutes a significant portion of Odisha’s population, Samal’s reappointment is now seen as a strategic move to further consolidate the party’s base in Odisha given Samal’s strong organizational skills and grassroots connect.

Three days after their joint rally at Worli, the Thackeray brothers bounced back on the streets, forcing the BJP and even Eknath Shinde on the backfoot. Their cadres turned up in large numbers to showcase Thackeray’s street strength at Mira Road, on the outskirts of Mumbai, which is emerging as the laboratory for polarisation of identity and communal politics. What Raj Thackeray lacks in political strength of numbers — he has zero legislators or corporators — he made up with his street-smart strategy, as he had vowed at the joint rally.  Both Thackeray’s stayed out and kept mum, letting cadres to defy midnight detainment by police, take train to outwit police and successfully put the BJP on the mat on the Marathi issue. Eknath Shinde’s minister Pratap Sarnaik, who tried to participate in the MNS showdown, was booed and forced to retreat within minutes. That chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had to step in, to distance itself from the critical remarks made by BJP Jharkhand MP Nishikant Dube as also to explain lack of police permission to protest, reflected the party’s failure to handle the Marathi language issue. That this street show is just the beginning can be gauged from the fact that Raj Thackeray has restrained his leaders from commenting on alliance issues. Interestingly, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, known to enjoy close equations with Raj, too has restrained his people from criticising Raj Thackeray or his party. Shinde has been very selective in reserving his criticism only for Uddhav Thackeray and showering praise on Raj, post the Thackeray’s joint rally.

Lead realtor executing the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), the Gautam Adani group will extend its footprint in Mumbai city with several more slum clusters actively taken up for redevelopment. Well-placed sources say projects in line include Goregaon located Motilal Nagar in the western suburbs, to be followed by the Bharat Nagar slum cluster in the BKC business district. Thereafter, the Kurar slums will be taken up followed by the ghettos in Malwani region in the western suburb of the Mumbai metropolis. “The DRP special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up for the Dharavi recast entails a contractual clause allowing lead developer (Adani) first right of refusal for any slum cluster redevelopment in Mumbai, going ahead. Naturally, even CMs of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh evinced interest in replicating the model for slum redevelopment for their respective political domains, the roadmap to make Mumbai slum-free is on accelerated mode with CM Devendra Fadnavis mandating an eight-year timeline for make the city totally free of slums,” according to a source. Notwithstanding the eight-year deadline to transform 45% of Mumbai’s land mass housing 50% of its population in slum clusters may probably need a couple of years of extension for the target human rehabilitation within a decade. Considering the fact that the Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) was able to provide only 2.5 lakh free homes to slum dwellers over 28 years, the emphasis on real time redevelopment of all slums in the next decade is certainly an ambitious plan but, not undoable.

There is a new player in the eternal Indian cycle in which the cricketers want to be actors on screen and actors want to play cricketers on screen. He is Suresh Raina who will be making his debut as the hero in a Tamil film that has just been announced. Considering the former Test, ODI and IPL batsman has had offers from Bollywood that he turned down in life after cricket, his choice of medium is piquant. But then Raina may have found an easy choice in his favourite city Chennai to take a serious offer to don the greasepaint, that too as the protagonist. And he will be playing a role that may come naturally to him as he is a cricketer in the film. No, it is not a biopic, just a story woven around cricket and politics.  A close lieutenant of Dhoni who was ‘Thala’ (boss or chief), Raina was known as ‘Chinna Thala’ in his CSK playing days when he was as much a batting super star as his boss. Raina may feel at home in Kollywood where he will take on this new role. The film is being directed by Logan for the Dream Knight Stories banner and will be a medium budget release with big ambitions. There have been movies in which cricketers like Bravo, Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh have also starred. Where Raina and his film may end up is anybody’s guess. But this won’t be the last story you will read on cricketers chasing films and film stars chasing cricketers to play them on screen. This cycle began early with Salim Durrani one of the first to try a hand at becoming a matinee star while others like Sandeep Patil also fell for it.

The Calcutta High Court directed the Union government to resume implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in West Bengal from August 1. The scheme, which provides 100 days of wage employment to rural households, had remained suspended in the State since March 2022. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chatterjee noted that the Ministry of Rural Development had invoked Clause 27 of the MGNREGA Act to withhold funds to the State, a provision that permits stoppage of fund flow for a reasonable period of time. Though the court pointed out that the Union government was within its rights to impose special conditions for implementation to avoid irregularities, Justice Sivagnanam stated that the Act “does not envisage a situation where the scheme would be put to cold storage for eternity.” The Bench also took note of irregularities in wage disbursement flagged by Central teams. Responding to the HC order the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in an interview to The Business Line, pointed out that there should be some rationale with which money is to be distributed. “It’s also a question of how based on the BE (Budget Estimates), within the first half year itself, everything gets exhausted. If it is a demand-driven scheme, a certain BE is announced so that money can be apportioned. How does the BE get exhausted every year in every state much before the first half of the year? This is a scheme which has got to be in force when it is the non-agricultural season. So, come the rains, you shouldn’t have demand coming. But the demand is still in place even during the rain.”  Pointing out how there are states where senior citizens taking money out of MGNREGA–it is a C&AG’s observation–she wanted to know if they are productive enough to be employed and given payment? 

Vivek Oberoi may have been crucified by Bollywood because of his fallout with Salman Khan but the same actor today is a successful entrepreneur and real estate baron in Dubai.  The actor’s company has a turnover of Rs 1200cr and many Bollywood stars have bought apartments in Dubai through him. Oberoi’s second act or changing career track has impressed one and all. The 49-year old Vivek, son of actor Suresh Oberoi, made his debut as a gangster in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company which was a runaway hit. More success followed. But his relationship with Aishwaraya Rai seemed to have upset Salman Khan. This rivalry saw him losing out as most producers decided to back Salman and sidelined him. With not many offers coming his way, it is learnt that for a fleeting moment he contemplated what Sushant Singh Rajput did. Then he picked up the gauntlet, moved to Dubai and plunged headlong into the real estate business. He was successful. There is a lesson here for lakhs of people; Vivek did not allow lobbies in Bollywood to decide his future and is now doing films on his terms. He was recently seen in Kesari Veer and will be seen playing vidyutjeeva in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan. The actor now lives in Dubai and shuttles between Mumbai, Delhi and Dubai. Not many are aware of his philanthropic activities in the areas of education (he does not like to talk about it) and healthcare. He helps the underprivileged children of Vrindavan and also cancer patients. Vivek had a reason to change his track and fortunately he was successful. Others have tried but in vain. Rajesh Khanna plunged into politics full time while people like Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini, Ravi Kishan managed both the world. Amitabh Bachchan’s eternal regret is his political odyssey. 

BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL), which was losing importance following the setting up of a new unit at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, is getting a fresh lease of life. The unit, which is owned by BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL), a joint venture between India and Russia, is expected to be taken over by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). BAPL, headquartered in New Delhi has an integration complex in Hyderabad and production unit in Thiruvananthapuram. According to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former IT Minister and BJP Kerala president, he has been assured that DRDO will take over BATL. This will bring BATL employees directly under the Central government structure and align the unit with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, which would not have been possible if it was functioning as a JV with a foreign entity. BATL was set up in 2007, with the Kerala government transferring Kerala Hi-Tech Industries (KELTEC), sitting on 15.8 acres of land near Thiruvananthapuram airport to the JV. The land had recently become a contentious issue following the expansion of the International airport. The Kerala government has now offered BATL 186 acres of land at Nettukalters near Neyyar Dam in Thiruvananthapuram, to relocate the unit.  The defence ministry is believed to be evaluating the proposal. BATL, is a jewel in Kerala’s industrialisation plan and the first defence unit in the state. BAPL took over KELTEC and converted it into a world class missile making unit in India. BAPL was set up in 1998 as a JV between DRDO (50.5%) and Mashinostroyenia (49.4%) Russia.

The number of IPOs on SME Platforms of Exchanges have been declining for some time now. Investors are not showing much of the interest especially in QIB categories. Ditto: HNIs and Retail category investors. Merchant Bankers even after getting the approval want to be fully sure about the success of the public issue and therefore there is delay in opening the issue. It has been also observed that on the day of listing there is huge selling happening which is creating downward pressure on the price of the stocks. Recently few companies got listed at discount to the IPO price and this is further keeping the investors away from the primary market. According to Ajay Thakur, the brain behind BSE SME Exchange, who has now set up his own outfit TGI SME Capital Advisors, “In the first six months of the current calendar year SME Platforms have observed lacklustre performance as response from all categories of investors were lukewarm. However, from last week of June things have started looking up. Most of the SME companies are getting listed at a premium and naturally there is heavy selling on the day of listing. But, the good development is that one is not seeing the euphoria like we saw in 2024. This indicates that Investors are maturing and the expectations are reasonable. Greed is the biggest killer for everyone whether investors or intermediaries or anyone. Intermediaries also need to do proper due diligence before SME companies can tap the capital market.  

About 767 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra between January and May 2025. These include about 229 farmer suicides in the month of April,2025. Of these, the families of only 373 farmers were found eligible to receive compensation of Rs 1 lakh from the state. Out of these, 327 families have received compensation, the balance 46 families’ paperwork are being processed. Claims for compensation of about 200 families were rejected as ineligible. These figures were provided by minister for relief and rehabilitation Makarand Jadhav Patil, in a written reply in the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The state has witnessed crop losses across 36 million hectares worth Rs 7000 crore in damages over the last five years. Maharashtra being highly vulnerable to climate change with the state witnessing 142 extreme weather events in 2024, only adds to the conundrum. The Opposition have been contending that the farmer suicides have been on the rise due to failure of the State to protect farmers from crops loss impacted by climate change, failure to provide fair support price, ensure crop insurance and failure to provide loan waivers to farmers. The state has recently scrapped crop insurance for farmers with a premium of Re 1. Maharashtra has the highest number of farmers suicides in the country with the parched regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada registering the highest numbers. Over 250 farmers committed suicide in March alone this year in these regions. The Opposition has been demanding that a higher compensation be awarded to farmer suicides on the lines of compensation provided to those who die due to wild animal attacks.

Popular south star Priya Mani Raj, known as Priyamani has many comfort zones as a superb actor (she won the National Award for Paruthiveeran in which she played a rape victim), the OTT series The Family Man was as much about her as the Sri Lankan Terrorist  Samantha, ‘1234 get on the dance floor where she sizzled in a racy fun number with Shah Rukh Khan in Chennai Express and many a role as cop or CBI officer. She laughs as she says “I have done so many CBI /cop roles that I may be given a citation”. But even as she indirectly does not want typecast roles, she is grateful that she has gained this recognition…her pleasant looks, versatile performance in all language formats and impact filled roles make her an apt choice for all reasons. So, when Revathy directed Good Wife started filming, Priya was the obvious choice. She plays the role of a lawyer who has hung up her robe, but when her husband is charged in a scandal, she dons her lawyer robe once again. This 6-episode is based on the American OTT series. Forty-one year old Priyamani is also starring in Vijay’s last film (he claims) Jana Nayakan to be released in January, and in a third season of The Family Man on Amazon Prime. This unassuming lady from a middle class South Indian family has truly come a long way. 

As tensions escalate between a section of Tollywood’s directors and the Federation of Technicians, a pertinent question looms large over the Bengali film industry—can it afford to lose celebrated talents like Parambrata Chatterjee, Anirban Bhattacharya, Aritra Sen, Subrata Sen, Sudeshna Roy or heavyweight producers like SVF if this deadlock continues? Anirban, one of the industry’s most respected actor-directors, who also worked opposite Rani Mukherjee in her Chatterjee Vs Norway has openly expressed his frustration over the prevailing impasse. Despite recently wrapping up the shoot of Raghu Dakat, the actor revealed that he hasn’t received any new work offers in weeks. He was unable to shoot for the second part of the song Hooliganism for his band. He pointed out that while there are rumours of a boycott, there has been no official written or verbal statement. He now wonders if continued silence over the next few months might signal the end of his screen career altogether. This unofficial ban is not unique to Anirban.  Thirteen directors who had moved court against the Federation are being blocked from work. So too their close collaborators. Director Aritra Sen, an associate of Parambrata Chatterjee, has seen his projects stalled, while Souvik Mondal’s TV serial was halted due to his association with one of the 13 filmmakers. Although the Calcutta High Court has clearly stated that the Federation cannot interfere with the directors’ work or autonomy, filmmakers claim the reality defies the ruling.

The Odisha government headed by Mohan Charan Majhi has chalked up big plans to transform Puri, which houses the famous Lord Jagannath Temple, into a world class tourism hub so that tourists spend more days at Puri. For starters, it is planning to upgrade Puri from municipality to a municipal corporation. A municipal corporation is a larger, more autonomous body than a municipality, typically governing big cities while municipality governs smaller towns. Puri’s envisaged municipal corporation status will now include around 10 adjacent Gram Panchayats, expanding the city’s size and providing enhanced facilities for residents and tourists. Other plans include: a world class museum and library complex showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Lord Jagannath and an auditorium for daily light and sound shows in multiple languages plus an open-air theatre. This decision by the Majhi government to enhance Puri’s appeal comes at the back of a large influx of devotees – both from India and overseas. With this upgrade proposal, Puri now joins Odisha government’s plan to establish a metropolitan development region of 7,000 sq km encompassing Bhubaneswar, Khurda, Jatni, Cuttack, Paradeep and Puri making an integrated economic corridor. For now, CM Majhi’s focus is clear, he wants to make Puri one of the liveable cities of the country.

Right on the heels of Ayothi and Tourist Family, Tamil audiences who have turned picky and particular about strong story lines and sinewy scripts are about to be treated to another cute film about the obstacles in acquiring a 3 BHK flat. R Sarath Kumar and his wife, a struggling middle class couple, want to realise their dream to own a house. Nothing monumental you may say but what they encounter as problems nearly scorches their aspiration. Was it just a coincidence or planned that the Saturday, June 28 the Chennai editions of Times Of India and The Hindu were peppered with housing projects ads. The Chennai real estate market is often called a surplus housing realty market. Yet modest budget aspirers are left out of this aspiration circle …cost and EMI speed bumps. Suddenly, a video of a 27-year old Sarath Kumar film, Sooryavamsam surfaced to draw the attention of netizens. The film, a blockbuster story and its hard-hitting dialogues, is still remembered and talked about. This particular hook video had a compelling Sarat telling his wife Devyani in chaste Tamil, “Enra kudumbathil elleraum vandachu, photo edunga”.(all my family members are here, take the photo) A tentative Devyani soulfully asking “Chinraasu”, referring to her estranged son waiting in the wings to reconcile with his dad. In this promo video, Siddharth is shown as the lonely one, hopefully, waiting in a corner. A powerful idiom for yet another father-son feud, with a helpless mother wanting to bring them close. This innovative promo for 3 BHK has already whetted audience expectations …small budget films, with identifiable story lines, that leave a strong emotional impact.

Mohammed Siraj is an aggressive fast medium bowler and an ambitious cricketer. He thrives on needle contests, and on occasions gives an impression that he doesn’t want to play second fiddle to anyone. In recent times, India’s new ball operators have been the compelling Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, but many a time, Siraj has got the opportunity to share the SG Test, Kookaburra or the Dukes ball with Bumrah. In the ongoing second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham though, and in the absence of Bumrah, he was the spearhead. He gave a rip-roaring performance taking 6 for 70 in 19.3 overs. It was the 43rd instance of an Indian seamer taking 6 wickets and more, and 27th overseas. On the third day morning he had dispatched Joe Root who nicked an on-side deflection to the keeper and then surprised Ben Stokes with a lifter. And taking the second new ball after 80 overs and after a leather-hunt by Jamie Smith (184 not out) and Harry Brooks (158), Siraj mopped up the tail to hasten England’s first innings to an end. Siraj’s best effort though is a 6 for 15 in the first innings of the second Test against South Africa at Cape Town in the first week of January 2024 and won the Test for India. With 102 wickets before the start of the series in Old Blighty, Siraj who has missed 10 Tests after his debut — he knew that he will have to bear the burden with Bumrah to miss two Tests — rose to the occasion to give his team a sizable first innings lead. Whatever may be the outcome of the Edgbaston, Siraj showed the inclination to bend his back!

The BJP has appointed Kolkata-centric and RSS-backed Samik Bhattacharya as the president of its West Bengal unit, marking a strategic departure from its previous leadership patterns. Bhattacharya, known for his clean image and strong ties with party stalwarts including outgoing state president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, LoP Suvendu Adhikari, and even sidelined party veteran Dilip Ghosh, is seen as the party’s attempt to build cohesion ahead of the crucial 2026 assembly polls. Political observers suggest this move is also a subtle endorsement of Adhikari as BJP’s projected face against chief minister Mamata Banerjee. With smooth coordination between Bhattacharya and Adhikari—both sharing a cordial rapport—the party aims to enter the electoral battlefield with a unified front. Sources indicate Bhattacharya’s urban, middle-class image could help the BJP strengthen its hold in key regions like Greater Kolkata and Durgapur. His long standing role as BJP spokesperson, with consistent media engagement, has lent him the acceptability required for a high-visibility opposition leader—a trait Suvendu is often criticised for lacking. His rise, however, comes after years of inner-party marginalization, reportedly due to both electoral surprises and internal resistance. Despite winning the 2014 bypoll in Basirhat South and staying loyal through political highs and lows, Bhattacharya was never fully empowered—possibly due to his independent success unsettling the power structure. His elevation comes amidst the BJP’s acknowledgment of the “Kolkata factor.” After successive non-Kolkata-based leaders like Dilip Ghosh and Sukanta Majumdar, the party now bets on the historical trend where successful state leaders like Jyoti Basu, Didi and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee all had strong urban roots. Now a Rajya Sabha MP, Bhattacharya has sounded the election bugle stating that this election is Bengal’s final chance to stop brain drain and save the identity of Hindu...

Despite much excitement and buoyancy among the cadres and the average Marathi manoos about the reunion of the Thackeray brothers — Raj and Uddhav — after two decades, the road ahead seems far from smooth. Though the Thackeray brothers are yet to announce anything concrete, talking more in cryptic clues and hints, how they manage their seats adjustments will determine the future of the political breakthrough. Even if a political reunion does get announced, as is expected at their joint victory rally on July 5, ironing out the creases may not be a smooth affair. For starters, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) could be uncomfortable with the entry of Raj Thackeray. While the Congress may have warmed up and collaborated with the sober Uddhav Thackeray wing of the Shiv Sena, joining hands with the strident Raj Thackeray of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena could prove a difficult pill to swallow for them. Particularly with Bihar elections on the anvil, enlisting Raj in the opposition coalition MVA could prove difficult. Prithviraj Chavan, the party’s senior leader has already stated that they would deal only with Uddhav vis-a-vis their alliance. Be it about his anti-migrants stance or about loudspeakers in mosques, Raj Thackeray has refused to break bread or make conciliatory notes towards North Indians or the Muslim community. Uddhav’s  Sena, on the other hand, has successfully earned sizable political dividends in the last 2024 assembly elections thanks to his outreach towards the Muslim community. Of the 20 seats won by Uddhav, 10 of them were from Mumbai, particularly its Muslim dominated constituencies like Jogeshwari (E), Bandra (E), Versova and Mahim. While visuals of their cadres from Sena and MNS dining together may make for great photo op, the actual give and take of seats particularly in the Marathi-dominated belt, will determine how this plays out on the ground.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has proved his worth and weight on numerous fronts in these past four years. Even though it is easy to pass it off as osmosis by being trained by the political Machiavelli, dad Karunanidhi, he has honed his skills and political instincts by using every trick in the trade. Most significantly, he has been able to stand up to a powerful central government and find his own resolutions to problems. Not that charges of corruption, dynastic polity and Tamil isolationist fervour have not been thrown at him. But he has developed into a powerful leader who projects his state at every chance …and of course showcases himself. So when he showed up in the higher middle class neighbourhood of Chennai’s Alwarpet on July 3 with a clarion call “Oranyil Tamil Nadu” (TN in one formation), people were impressed. All the more when he asked leading questions …do you think the doles of my government should be continued? How is our government, what did you gain? Should we protect our “Mann, Mozhi, Manam” (our land, language, identity) at any cost? The speed brakes on our educational system, unjustified delimitation, our share of the country’s finances …should we protect our rights or blindly accept? His ministerial colleagues and all regional functionaries have been instructed to do this door-to-door feedback/survey for 45 days. Meanwhile, the Opposition parties are still getting their alliance act together. Will it be the hare and tortoise race or the early bird gets the worm case?

After 65 years, this tractor company will be a fully Indian organization. Chennai-based Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd. (TAFE) will buy out its partner AGCO Corporation of the U.S. in the company.  The American firm has 20.7% in TAFE. This will be bought for a consideration of $260 million. The two were engaged in a legal fight over Massey Ferguson brand.  The two have now hammered out a comprehensive out-of-court settlement that is sure to bring the curtain down on the spat between the two. Though TAFE holds 16.3% in AGCO, it has decided to stay out of the board and remain a long-term investor. Significantly enough, this comprehensive agreement confirms TAFE as the sole owner of the iconic Massey Ferguson brand in India and two other countries. Two things emerge out of this agreement. For one, it makes TAFE a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Amalgamation group, a 100% Indian firm at that. For another, the decision to stay out of AGCO board gives TAFE the leeway to chart its own business strategy in the international marketplace. Well, the agreement should do a world of good to both TAFE and AGCO.

After the first Test reverse in Headingley, Leeds, the Indian think tank would have mulled over a lot about the ways to take 20 wickets in order to level the series quickly in the second Test in Edgbaston, Birmingham. It’s not going to be easy at all with Jasprit Bumrah not having taken the call to take the field or not. India’s seasoned campaigner Mohammed Siraj is likely to lead the attack and the support staff led by Head Coach Gautam Gambhir would like the sprightly Hyderabadi to up his display with the ball by a few notches and take wickets. Prasidh Krishna conceded over 200 runs at Leeds and that’s hell of a lot. Allrounder Shardul Thakur was of no use and his place is likely to be taken by the left arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. It’s not known if the team management will gamble picking left arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, who has the ability to swing the ball, but he doesn’t have to speed to unnerve the batters. It’s a five Test series, and India has to bounce back before the third Test at Lord’s which inspires cricketers the world over. A bowling combination in Bumrah (5 scalps in the first innings of the first Test), Siraj, Krishna, Thakur and left hand spinner Ravindra Jadeja did not click and took only 15 English wickets and lost the Test in the land of Freddie Trueman and Geoffrey Boycott, but a slight tweak in the bowling set and with a bit of luck, Gill’s team would be hoping to turn the tide.

It’s now an embarrassing moment for the Odisha government’s Principal Finance Secretary, Saswat Mishra IAS who took a hasty decision of dropping three major private sector banks — HDFC, ICICI, Axis — from its panel of banks authorised to handle the state government’s business. And surprisingly, he chose to reverse his decision on June 21 with a clarification that no new account shall be opened henceforth by the respective banks till the banks improve their performance parameters. Many questions have been raised over Mishra’s action. Was it the pressure from Delhi that saw Mishra reversing his decision? What went wrong in the first place for Mishra to de-empanel them? The real story, sources say, is that all these three banks, listed on the stock exchanges, fearing NPAs refused to lend small ticket loans to the weaker section of the society without collaterals, citing the danger of black money routing scam and the inability of the recipients to pay back, particularly PMEGP scheme. This seems to have upset Mishra. Though his official stance is “the action on three banks were taken because of their consistently poor performance in the banks flagship schemes spread over two years”. Clued-in observers say Mishra has opted for carrot and stick policy in dealing with the banks. At the moment the three private sector banks are in a quandary as to how to protect themselves from potential NPAs without collaterals and meeting fiduciary responsibilities amidst RBI’s continued apprehension regarding the danger of unsecured lending.

Is censorship back in India, 50 years after it was first introduced during the Emergency. Modi 3.0, which boasts of strengthening constitutional principles and opposing attempts to subvert it, is arming the Indian censor board with license to change names of central characters in a feature film. The Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Tourism, Suresh Gopi’s first film, after becoming a minister, has run into rough weather following its title.  The Malayalam movie, Janaki Vs State of Kerala (JSK), which was cleared by the local censor’s in Thiruvananthapuram a month back, has hit a roadblock at the hands of the revision committee. The committee, which previewed the movie in Mumbai, has suggested that the name of the titular character, Janaki be changed to get a certification. The CBFC revising committee has verbally informed the makers of the film to change the name of the titular character, as Janaki is another name of Goddess Sita. The producer of the film moved the Kerala High Court as they are unable to comply with the orders of the CBFC. The court has questioned the basis for CBFC order when movies like Seeta Aur Geeta, Ram Lakhan had no problems. The name Janaki is mentioned over 90 times throughout the film thereby making it impractical to change things. In fact, the trailers of the movie, cleared by the Thiruvananthapuram-based board, have been running at the theatres, TV screens etc for close to a month. Meanwhile, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has announced a protest march to the local Censor board office in Thiruvananthapuram. Interestingly, the name change is not a new issue in the Kerala film industry. Earlier, the film, Token Number, was cleared for release only after the female character’s name was changed from Janaki to Jayanthi.

Researchers TS Karthy and GV Gopi at the WildLife Institute of India (WLII) have slammed the Odisha government for its greed to turn chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s home district Anugul into a coal mining hub. They have urged the state government to reconsider their business decision as it will squeeze elephants out of its habitat. They say, ensuring Odisha elephants survival is important to WLII because Odisha holds the highest number of Asian elephants in the east central region of India numbering about 1,976. Anugul, CM’s home district accounts for 20% of India’s coal reserve and Majhi’s interest is to revive the closed coal mines to bring in employment and revenue to his government. This possibility has now set the alarm bells ringing at WLII asking how coal mines and elephants will cohabit together? WLII’s two researchers say “if the Majhi government green lights all the inactive coal mines into operation at Anugul, it would mean destruction of 390 sq km of forest in the protected area which is already hindering the movements of the elephants.

Marathi celebrities and film stars find themselves getting called out for their silence on the Marathi issue. The issue of the imposition of Hindi language for primary students has raised hackles in Maharashtra since it is being perceived as an anti-Marathi decision. While a strong groundswell of protest has got both the estranged Thackeray cousins to rally together on this issue, Raj Thackeray is particularly upset that the average Marathi celebrity, particularly those from the Marathi film fraternity, have failed to stand up and speak about the issue. The fact that the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti government is pushing the initiative, makes it doubly difficult for many to voice their support. Asha Bhosale not just refused to take a stand but also publicly feigned knowing the Thackerays. Raj Thackeray, a known art aficionado, is known to patronise artists, academics and even film stars in a big way. Through his party — MNS film wing — he is known to fight for more theatre screens for Marathi films. He threatened to watch out for those who failed to support the issue. The Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut specifically called out Nana Patekar, Madhuri Dixit and even Prashant Damle for their silence on this issue. Patekar is known to be a vocal voice on political issues and also known for his proximity with many political leaders.. Even the demigod of cricket Sachin Tendulkar was not spared for his silence. But, fortunately for him, the ex-ICC president chief Sharad Pawar rushed to defend him. Pawar stated that he should be allowed only to hold forth on subjects of his expertise. Now with both the Thackeray’s together, it remains to be seen how many celebrities from the Marathi film industry turn up on the streets for the Marathi language issue.

Diljit Dosanjh, a popular figure in the Punjabi music and film industry, finds himself at the centre of a brewing controversy that could significantly impact his career. His film Sardaarji 3, which features Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has sparked a fierce debate within the Indian film fraternity. It reflects deeper tensions between Indian and Pakistani artists, particularly in light of the ongoing geopolitical issues between the two nations. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), a prominent body representing various stakeholders in the Indian film industry, has voiced its discontent regarding the film’s release. Their concerns stem from a broader sentiment within the industry that seeks to distance itself from Pakistani artists due to past incidents, including provocative social media statements made by some Pakistani celebrities. The FWICE’s opposition is significant, as it holds considerable influence and credibility within the industry, and their stance could lead to serious repercussions for Dosanjh. When confronted with the backlash, Diljit’s dismissive comments about Bollywood raised eyebrows. His apparent indifference to the Indian film industry, which has nurtured his career, could alienate him from a substantial segment of his fanbase. Such behaviour may be viewed as irresponsible, especially for someone in his position, and it poses a risk of escalating tensions further. As the situation unfolds, the potential for a ban on Diljit’s work in India looms large, threatening to overshadow his popularity and success. While he may continue to thrive in international markets, the lack of support from the Indian film community could hinder his growth and acceptance within his home country. While Jasbeer Jassi stood by him, Mika condemned his stand.

The $ 110 mn F-35B fighter jet grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is turning out be butt of jokes among Malayalees. The fighter was on a routine exercise off the Indian coast when it made an emergency landing on June 14. Reason given initially was that the aircraft ran out of fuel. After landing, the pilot of the ill-fated jet refused to leave the aircraft from his eyesight. He requested for a chair, so as to sit next to the aircraft. Then the reasons for the aircraft’s emergency landing kept changing day by day. First, it was low fuel which made it difficult to land on the aircraft carrier. Then it shifted to hydraulic problems. Finally, the British High Commission came out with a statement that a specialist UK team is being flown in to carry out repairs on the USA made fighter jet. This announcement led to the malayalee mind working overtime. Questions like have parking charges been imposed on the British Navy? Has it been occupying the VIP landing area? Why is it not being shifted to the Air India hanger? Amidst all this, an enterprising Malayalee put the aircraft on sale on OLX for $ 4 mn. Another post warned that with the overstay of the aircraft, the Waqf board has now claimed that the aircraft belongs to them as it is on their land. Other memes include film clippings of yesteryear Actress Shobana (IAS Official) questioning a PWD contractor – Mohan Lal, (a Priyadarshan movie – Vellanakalude Naadu) why his road roller which has been under repair for long has not been removed despite promises that it will be removed today, tomorrow and day after.

The name Salar Jung is famous as it is identified with a well-stocked museum in Hyderabad. Salar Jung was Diwan (Prime Minister) to the Nizam, once upon a time the wealthiest individual in the world. Curiously, the Salar Jung family is in the news now. Reason: Descendants of the great collector have reportedly gifted a plot of land, claimed to be worth Rs 150 crore, in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in Marathwada region of Maharashtra to an individual. But more curious is the fact that the recipient of the windfall is none other than the driver of Shiv Sena MP Sandipan Bhumre, a close confidant of deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. The MP and his MLA son Vilas have both denied any connection with the controversial transaction, claiming that it was a personal affair of the driver, Jawed Rasul Shaikh, who has been working for them for the past 13 years. Notice Boards installed at the property name Shaikh as the owner. For some time, all was well. But the EOW received a complaint from Advocate Mujahid Khan about the gift and has started an inquiry. The land was gifted to Shaikh through a Hibanama (gift deed) by Mir Mahmood Ali Mazhar Ali Khan and five other descendants of the Salar Jung family, the complaint noted. Shaikh maintains that he had close ties with the Jung family, which resulted in him getting the land. So far, the EOW has not taken any further steps. 

Notable things are happening in Samantha’s frenzied cinematic and real life. Strangely enough, much is not happening in her life and as rumours fly thick, every move is watched and noted…occupational hazard of a female star. Samantha started off in Tamil films, Khushi, Theri, Ega full of promise …her looks and talent were evident. Things moved fast after the initial success. Her marriage to Nag Chaitanya and the eventual breakup made news. A more defying fate hit when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease , myositis and her world seemed to crash around her ….even though she was an electrifying presence after her hot number ‘Ooh Antava’ in Pushpa The Rise….the remuneration of Rs 5 crore for a single item song opened jaws as much as her sensuality. Her Amazon OTT series , and her  incredible performance in The Family Man was much talked about. Suddenly things started nosediving…her films fared poorly, especially the much anticipated Shakuntala and the web series Citadel: Honey Bunny. What hit her most was that the new sensation Srileela was chosen for the sequel of Pushpa …same item number at much less cost. Talk was rife that Samantha had a tiff with Srileela, but at the GQ event Samantha openly asked her competitor to join her for a photo op. Recently, Samantha has stirred up more talk, about her vacation in Abu Dhabi. The destination was not significant but the escort, director Raj Nidimoru in close comfort raised a storm.

Kolhapuri chappal is a famous hand-crafted pure leather footwear and comes in various forms, named for specific reasons. For instance, Athani make derives its name from that of a village in the vicinity. Kapshi is a distinct design and hue. Visitors to Kolhapur invariably buy a pair after taking darshan of Goddess Ambabai. Kolhapuri chappal is famous abroad as well. Sensing its market potential, Prada has introduced a footwear model for its Milan show. For this Prada had to face a backlash on social media by government officials and artisans in India. They feel that the brand has appropriated a rich Indian tradition but failed to acknowledge the legacy. The unique leather chappals made for the Milan Fashion Week resemble the Kolhapuri chappal. Reacting to this criticism, Prada Group’s Lorenzo Bertelli, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility admitted in a letter Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture that “We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men’s 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognize the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.” The controversy became more widespread after BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik led a Kolhapuri chappal artisan delegation to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. They have demanded action to protect the footwear’s GI rights and cultural importance. A pair of Kolhapuri chappals cost somewhere around Rs 500 but will be sold by Prada for around Rs 1 lakh. 

After a quiet spell, Tollywood is finally finding its rhythm again. The first half of 2025 has brought a surge in film releases like Binodini: Ekti Nadir Naam, Kilbil Society, Puraton, Amar Boss, Batsarik, Raas, Grihoprobesh to name a few. Despite fears of a downturn due to geopolitical tensions like the Pahalgam incident and Indo-Pak conflict, two films entered the crore club at national multiplexes: The Eken: Benarasey Bibhishika (Rs 3.12 cr in five weeks, outpacing Dev’s 2023 hit Khadān) and Amar Boss (Rs 1.42 cr). In broader earnings, The Eken grossed Rs 7 cr, Amar Boss Rs 4 cr, Kilbil Society Rs 2.5 cr, Puraton Rs 1.5 cr and Satyi Bole Satyi Kichhu Nei Rs 1.3 cr. Other films’ earnings were anywhere between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 96 lakh. According to Shiboprosad Mukherjee, director and actor of Amar Boss, consistent releases have kept audiences engaged. He pointed out 2025 as more promising than 2024, citing steady performance in single screens and varied content preventing viewer fatigue. Upcoming releases like Dear Maa, Mrigaya and Bhootpurbo are expected to maintain this momentum. Director Saurav Palodhi’s Ank Ki Kothin, a low-budget, star-less film, found success through word-of-mouth. He stressed that commercial hits like The Eken and Amar Boss are vital to support smaller films.  Distributors like Shatadeep Saha and Bablu Damani agreed the industry isn’t in crisis. Saha noted that consistent film output over three years, and Damani highlights Raas touching Rs 50 lakh without major studio backing.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor did not expect a second foreign tour so quickly after delivering exceptionally well as team lead of the (Indian) Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs’ outreach to the world post ‘Operation Sindoor’. The Indian diplomat turned MP was invited to PM Modi’s residence late night, and following an hour-and-a-half long meeting, dispatched out-and-out to Russia without even returning home to pack his bags. Tharoor met Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov the following day and was not surprised when the Russian leader commenced his parlance in French. India’s former UN delegate comfortably, consciously negotiated the rest of the conversation in French with aplomb. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on out-of-the-box thinking now extends without the BJP party lines, making him the first Indian premier to command international statesmanship across party lines for national progress. Another first in Indian international history was Union defence minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to China to attend the SCO summit where he not only refused to sign on the dotted line of the resolution for excluding references to Pak terrorism but also sidelined the courtesy call meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister who was also in attendance. Singh’s visit to China simultaneously witnessed India’s NSA Ajit Doval holding talks with his Chinese counterparts emphasizing Pakistani double speak vis-a-vis China and USA respectively. Next up, MEA S Jaishankar’s visit to China that may well accomplish another major diplomatic win for India. So, what else is new? 

When it was announced that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge would interact with the media to mark Emergency anniversary, it was presumed he would come up with some punitive step against Shashi Tharoor, for intensifying his praise of PM Modi in an article published in The Hindu. However, Kharge appeared rather muted and merely stated for the party, “it is country first”, contrasting it with the view that “for some” individuals for whom it is, “Modi first and then the country comes.”  Pushed to specifically comment about Tharoor, he made it clear that the Gandhis had possibly not favoured any action against him. Tharoor enjoys rather good equations with both Sonia and Priyanka. Kharge merely said “Mr Tharoor is very fluent in English. I can’t read English well. His language is very good. That’s why we have made him a Congress Working Committee member”. A senior Kerala Congress leader also made it clear that no one in the state unit is pushing for action against Tharoor.” We hear Tharoor is looking to position himself as India’s candidate for next UN Secretary-General. It is likely that the Modi government may back him. Along with support from the U.S., Tharoor could possibly clinch it — an office he once bid for in 2006.”  Little wonder then Tharoor had responded to critics in the Congress with a message about birds “not seeking permission to fly”. Tharoor, currently at the centre of a row within the party, was on a private visit to Russia to promote a documentary series based on his book “Inglorious Empire” and had meetings with key members of the Russian leadership such as foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.