The economy is on a recovery path in the third quarter, driven by festive activity and rural demand.

A Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in an article, said that the Indian economy was showing signs of recovery after a slowdown in momentum in the previous quarter. (April to June 2024).

In July-September of 2024, the country's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is a measure of gross domestic product, fell to its lowest level in seven quarters at 5.4 percent. The RBI projected that the economy would grow by 6.8 percent in the quarter of October-December 2024.

The article titled 'State of the Economy,' published in the December Bulletin of the RBI, stated that "High frequency indicators" (HFIs), for the third quarter of FY2024-25, indicate the Indian economy has recovered from the slowdown of momentum seen in Q2 of FY2025. This recovery is attributed to strong festival activity as well as a sustained increase in rural demand.

In November, the volume of e-way bills increased 16.3 percent (y-o y) (Graph III.4a). In November 2024 toll collections grew by double digits, both in volume and value terms. In November 2024, vehicle registrations grew by double digits year-over-year (y-o y), with an increase in non-transport vehicles. Fuel consumption in the country increased in November 2024 due to farm harvesting, rural activity, and robust air travel.

Michael Patra, the RBI's deputy governor, and other officials from central banks prepared this article. The RBI stated that the opinions expressed in the article were those of the authors, and not the institution.

India's growth trajectory will accelerate in the second half 2024-25, primarily due to a resilient demand for private consumption at home. The article stated that rural demand is growing, mainly due to the record-high foodgrain production.

It said that "sustained government expenditure on infrastructure will further stimulate economic activity, and investment."

The global headwinds pose a risk to the future outlook of growth and inflation .

In the article, it was also stated that India's growth trajectory is expected to be resilient in the future, but with a more sustainable foundation, as a result of climate action. This includes a greater focus on renewable energies, electric vehicles (EVs), and green hydrogen.

These coordinated efforts point to a promising route towards achieving net-zero emission. The use of global frameworks to facilitate carbon trading, and the scaling up of climate finance including green bonds will reinforce the decoupling between growth and emissions.

India, too, is riding the digitalisation wave to boost its growth, increase productivity, and expand the reach of services and products. This is a result of a shift in consumer behavior and the growing popularity of online shopping in small towns.

The article stated that "this surge also highlights a growing investor's confidence and the momentum behind innovative energies which are driving India's FinTech ascent."

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After 5 years of diluted RTE Act, the government ends its no-detention policy for KVs and JNVs. The decision will impact 3,000 schools

If a student is held, the class teacher will guide both the child and the parent, if needed, as well as provide specialised inputs, after identifying learning gaps in various stages of assessment.

The Centre has abolished the policy of no-detention in all schools under its control, including Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) and Jawahar Nvodaya Vidyalayas (JNV). This allows students from Classes 5 and 8, to be kept back during the current academic session.

Around 3,000 Central Schools will be affected by the decision, including Sainik Schools that function under the Ministry of Defence and Eklavya Model Residential Schools under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

This comes five years after the Right to Education Act of 2009 was amended in 2019. The amendment included a clause allowing the "appropriate governments" to decide whether to hold back children in Class 5 and 8. In the five years since, 18 states and union territories (UTs), have abolished this policy.

In a notice issued last week, Ministry of Education added a section to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules of 2010, which deals with the detention of students in classes 5 and 8.

According to the new rules, if the student in Class 5 or 8 does not meet the promotion criteria at the regular examination held at the end academic year, they will be given "additional instruction and the opportunity for retesting within two months" following the declaration of results. The student can be held back if he/she still fails to meet the promotion criteria following the re-examination.

If a student is held, the class teacher will guide both the child and the parent, if needed, as well as provide specialised inputs, after identifying learning gaps in various stages of assessment.

The rules add that the "head of the school" must keep a record of all children who have learning gaps and monitor their progress in relation to those identified gaps.

The examination and re-examination are "competency-based exams to achieve the holistic growth of the child", and "not based upon memorisation or procedural skills". The rules stipulate that no child will be expelled until the completion of elementary school.

Section 16 of Right to Education Act 2009 prohibits schools from detaining children up to class 8. The no-detention rule was implemented to prevent students from dropping out of school if they are detained.

Since then, several states have called for the scrapping of the policy. In 2016, the Central Advisory Board of Education adopted a resolution that called for the scrapping of the policy, citing the fact that students no longer took their studies seriously.

In 2019, the Act was amended to allow "appropriate governments...to hold back an child in fifth class, eighth class, or both classes" if they fail the re-examination. The decision to scrap the policy of no-detention was left to the states.

Then HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "it's a very important law and the majority of state governments support this proposal." When the Bill to amend the RTE Act was introduced in the Lok Sabha he had stated that it is "a very important legislation" and the majority of the state governments have supported the proposal. This brings accountability to our elementary education. He added that, "Schools are only used for the mid-day lunch and education is missing."

Since the amendment 18 states and UTs no longer have a policy of no-detention: Assam (Bihar), Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir, Jharkhand Punjab, Rajasthan Sikkim Tamil Nadu Tripura Uttarakhand West Bengal Delhi Dadra Nagar Haveli Daman Diu, Daman and Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman Diu, Daman and Diu, Daman and Diu, Daman and Di

According to the Ministry of Education Haryana and Puducherry have yet to make a final decision.

The rest of the States and UTs - Andhra Pradesh (including Arunachal Pradesh), Goa, Chhattisgarh (including Kerala), Karnataka (including Kerala), Maharashtra, Manipur and Mizoram), Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh - continue to follow this policy.

A senior official was asked why the Centre had waited so long to end the policy of no-detention. He said that the National Education Policy came out in 2020, and the Centre chose to wait until the National Curriculum Framework for School Education also came out in 2023 to "take a holistic approach" to the issue.

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Omi Vaidya, aka Chatur, gave up her role in How I Met Your Mother to audition for Aamir Khan's film. 15 Years of 3 Idiots

Omi Vaidya, aka Chatur Ralingam, or Silencer is one of the most memorable character from Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots. The American actor was also known for his Hollywood stints on The Office, From Embers and Shameless. Omi recalls his audition, first-day on set, relationship with the team and more as the timeless film celebrates its 15th anniversary.

15 Years of 3 Idiots

In an exclusive interview with SCREEN he says, "It's great, and it hasn't felt that long." The people keep watching the film, and that keeps it alive. This film is the exception. Movies come and go, but this one stays. "I knew it was a great film, but I never imagined it would still resonate 15 years later."

'I had watched 2-3 Hindi films in my entire life'

The actor admits that he didn't want to do 3 Idiots but was offered the role. "I was concentrating on my Hollywood roles and the development of The Office. At that time, they were searching for newcomers to America. At that time, none of the roles had been cast, and the half of the script hadn't yet been written. They were looking only for American-Indians. One of my Ohio friends told me to audition when I was in India attending a wedding. She was working as the assistant co-writer for the film Abhijat Joshuai at the time. She asked me to come to their office in Bombay. "I said that in my life I'd only seen 2-3 Hindi movies, and I didn't have much interest in them," he says.

Omi adds: "I never worked on Bollywood films, but always on American projects. She told me that I probably won't be able to get the job, but she said to send them your The Office material and we'll see what happens. My mother told me that auditioning for a Bollywood movie is a great experience. They gave me Raju's lines when I went. I practiced two pages of lines for four hours. The casting director told me that I didn't know the language. Thanks for coming, but you could leave. "I never auditioned for this role."

He was then called back, and given Sanjay's Lage Raho Munna Bhai script. They called me again and told me that they would give me a script to practice at home. The script is from a film called Lage Raho Munna Bhai. I had never seen the movie and knew nothing about its plot. The script said that SanjayDutt was talking about injustice. I told them I wouldn't be able do justice to his performance, as he takes it so seriously. I'll have some fun and pretend I don't understand what he's saying. I knew that I wouldn't be getting the role, and I was auditioning for fun. I was confident during my audition. I made mistakes on purpose. "They were laughing. I went back to America and didn't even think about it," he says.

"Had To Give Up A Role In How I Met Your Mother"

The 42-year old had to turn down a fantastic offer to star in a popular Hollywood series so that she could go to the next round. "I almost got the role in How I Met Your Mother. These guys said we also liked your audition. The video was circulated and everyone loved me. Aamir had been cast by that time. The company asked me to go to New Mexico to audition again, so I had to turn down the very good offer for HIMYM. After the audition Raju called to say, "You are improving in Hindi, do not do better." We want you to have weak Hindi. Omi says, "Don't even think about learning it.

The actor decided to accept the role against the advice of his American agents. I did stereotypical roles for my Hollywood projects. I didn't even read the script, but I knew that it would be a decent part. I decided to do just one Bollywood movie in my lifetime. All of my American agents said that I was crazy to do the movie and risk my career. It was the Indian wave that swept through here, and I missed out on many projects. "But I enjoyed making that film," he says. I had to gain weight or lose weight and shave my hair to look older. The script was given to me three days prior to the shoot. "They did it on purpose to get me to use raw language."

When asked about Silencer's famous Chamatkar speech scene (Balatkar), when he said the wrong one in college, he replied, "I never saw the humor in it. I even didn't try to play up comedy in the movie. It was a tragic character who couldn't speak Hindi. That's all it was for me. If he could speak Hindi well, he wouldn't be funny. When I first saw the speech I was only thinking about the character. I think it's an amazing speech he wrote, and he's unaware that the words were changed. "It's his time to shine. That's what I read in the script!"

He then reveals that he knew the exact meaning of every speech. "I speak Marathi. It was easy to understand. My character does not know this. It's rumored that I didn't understand what I said, but it's not the truth. He continued to address the jokes surrounding the topic - "Memes have become a part the culture and that's awesome." I'm from America, so I don't see these things very often. However, people have sent them to me on occasion. "I see these and I feel good about Chatur's power and his presence everywhere."

A joke by Rajkumar Hirani

Omi also reveals that Rajkumar Hirani played a hilarious joke on him on the first day of filming 3 Idiots. We were filming the ragging scenes on the first day of shooting. I'm a dedicated actor and I trust my director. When it came time to shoot they brought in something shiny and gold. "I was uncomfortable in such little clothing, and then it was a gold thong. But I wanted to do my best for my director," he says.

The actor continues to laugh and says, "I talked to Rajkumar, and I said that, 'I'm not sure if this is good for the character. I think the American version would be a better choice'. He said, "Oh no, it was just a joke." It's funny you actually planned to wear it. Everyone knew that it was Raju’s joke."

When asked about Silencer's famous Chamatkar speech scene (Balatkar), when he said the wrong one in college, he replied, "I never saw the humor in it. I even didn't try to play up comedy in the movie. It was just a tragic, non-Hindi speaking character for me. I think he wouldn't be funny if he could speak Hindi. I was only thinking about the character's perspective when I watched the speech. I think it's an amazing speech that he wrote, and he's unaware that the words were changed. "It's his time to shine. That's what I read in the script!"

He then reveals that he knew the exact meaning of every speech. "I speak Marathi. It was easy to understand. My character does not know this. It's a rumour I didn't understand what I said, but it's not true. He continued to address the jokes surrounding the topic - "Memes have become a part our culture and that's awesome." I'm from America, so I don't see these things very often. However, people have sent them to me on occasion. "I see these and I feel good about Chatur's power and his presence everywhere."

A joke by Rajkumar Hirani

Omi also reveals that Rajkumar Hirani played a hilarious joke on him on the first day of filming 3 Idiots. We were filming the ragging scenes on the first day of shooting. I'm a dedicated actor and I trust my director. When it came time to shoot they brought me a shiny, gold thing. "I was uncomfortable in such little clothing, and then it was a gold thong. But I wanted to do my best for my director," he says.

The actor continues to laugh and says, "I talked to Rajkumar, and I said that, 'I'm not sure if this is good for the character. I think the American version would be a better choice'. He said, "Oh no, it was just a joke." It's funny you actually planned to wear it. Everyone knew that it was Raju’s joke."

Rajkumar Hirani's unique filmmaking style

Omi says "I've worked with many directors, and they all seem to be very serious, focused and stressed while shooting. He was so easy to work with. He appeared to be so prepared, he could relax. It was like an uncle having fun, but still very present, for making something timeless. He used to chat and have some tea with Aamir, as well as play badminton in the morning. He trusted his characters, just as he cast the best actors and let them do their job."

He calls him a great actor and reveals that was never afraid to give his suggestions. “Of all actors, he gave the most suggestions. He would ask the most questions during rehearsals. It was wonderful to have someone so involved in his role and other roles. He did not want to change anything but to improve the situation. His suggestions were not always implemented, but sometimes they were extremely beneficial. There was no ego in his refusal to use them. "He was only interested in making sure the film came out well," he concludes.

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Look at Politics in 2025: A landscape of rifts, challenges and rifts

A record number of nations voted in 2024 to elect new governments. In India and other countries, 2024 saw political relations become more strained, and the middle ground shrink. The year 2025 is a good time to think beyond elections.

In 2024, the political landscape in India and its immediate surroundings, as well as in many other countries, took an unexpected turn.

In some cases, these developments were rapid and unexpected. They could also be a catalyst for dynamic shifts in narratives and discourses.

In India and other countries, the relationships between political actors and parties continued to deteriorate. The divisions between governing parties and opposition parties grew, and their mutual hostility worsened.

The world was stunned by the scale of Donald Trump’s victory in America and Keir starmer’s landslide win in the United Kingdom. Long-standing regimes like Bashar al-Assad's in Syria and Hasina's in Bangladesh also fell in a matter of days.

Many people in India's neighborhood did not predict the victory of Anura Dissanayake, in Sri Lanka. Pakistan's political turmoil continued to worsen.

In Europe, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, there were political upheavals. The governments lost the confidence of the Parliament, signaling uncertainty and possible crises for the New Year.

In India, a second term for Prime Minister NarendraModi and the BJP was on the cards. Many thought the Lok Sabha elections were a formality. After the opening of Ayodhya's Ram Temple, the BJP had a positive outlook. The Stock Market performed well. It looked like the deal was done.

But , the result stunned the BJP and forced Modi to for the first time of his political career form a coalition government with regional parties that were ideologically diverse. The opposition was jubilant and many believed that the BJP would soon lose its hold on power.

Then came another surprise. In spectacular fashion, the BJP recovered in the Assembly Elections in Haryana, and Maharashtra. It regained its electoral mojo, and put the opposition under pressure, particularly the Congress. The Congress, who was inexplicably euphoric following its third consecutive defeat in Lok Sabha election, now faces increased challenges from its INDIA partners.

In the same year, Jammu & Kashmir saw the return of democratic elections. The people remained loyal to mainstream parties despite the presence of candidates supported by Engineer Rashid’s Awami ittehad party and Jamaat-e-Islami.

After a record-breaking 24 years, Naveen Patel, and the BJD left power in Odisha. This was a small political earthquake.

2024 was a year of elections. The year 2025 is a great opportunity to see beyond elections. This year will be one in which governance takes centre stage. The economic front is facing pressing challenges, as the growth rate has been slower than expected during the second quarter.

Here are five major issues, trends and developments which could influence the political discourse of India in 2025.

1. Political bitterness is increasing

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections sent a message that the people preferred continuity and moderation. Both the BJP as well as the Congress appear to have deliberately misread the mandate. They have consolidated their positions and have brought this bitter rivalry to everyday politics, the Parliament and beyond. The winter session of Parliament was the low point in the relationship between the ruling party, and the opposition.

The two sides, by their words and actions have reduced the scope for the democratic requirement of dialogue or engagement - whether in Parliament or out. First time in Indian history, the opposition parties attempted to remove the vice president from office, but failed. The move was not directed at Jagdeep dhankhar but clearly was aimed at government.

Anger will grow as a result of the ugly fight in Parliament and the filing of a FIR by the Leader of Opposition Rahul Ahmed. In order to restore some semblance to normality, both sides must find a middle ground of engagement and discussion, while pursuing their political and ideological goals.

2. Mandir-Masjid: Continued

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the flood of civil lawsuits challenging the ownership of Muslim places-of-worship that were allegedly built on top of the ruins of Hindu temples. RSS Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, has stated that it is not acceptable to raise similar issues after the construction in Ayodhya of the Ram Temple.

It is unlikely, however, that the politics surrounding mandirs and masjids will end in 2025. At least 18 court cases involving 10 mosques/shrines are currently in the courts. Most of the suits claiming Hindu right over Muslim sites were filed in Uttar Pradesh where the BJP was heavily defeated by the SP and Congress during the Lok Sabha elections. The political climate in Uttar Pradesh is already heating up, even though the Assembly elections are still two years off.

3. Two Elections, Three Brands

Three major political brands will be tested in the 2025 Assembly elections: Nitish Kumri Arvind Kjriwal and Narendra Modi.

Nitish has been able to turn political and electoral failures into opportunities for more than 20 years, always staying afloat. He was also accused of choosing politics over ideology.

The Assembly elections in Bihar scheduled for October/November 2025 will be a major test for Nitish whose political demise has been predicted more than once. Tejashwi, who has been waiting for a long time to become Bihar's Chief Minister, will also be tested by the election.

Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi party in Delhi, which has been in power since 2013, is facing pressure unlike any other time. Will Kejriwal be able, after he was released on bail and was put in jail on corruption charges, to lead the AAP into a third consecutive term?

AAP was India's most popular political startup more than a decade back. Today, Kejriwal’s image as well as his brand of politics is at risk.

Both in Bihar and Delhi, the brand value of Prime Minister will also be tested. Delhi has been a political desert for the BJP for over two-and-a-half decades despite it winning all seven Lok Sabha Seats thrice since 2014

4. Legislation that is controversial

In 2025, the Parliament will take up at least two controversial and polarising Bills -- the Constitution Amendment Bill for synchronising Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections and the Bill regulating Wakf Properties.

The One Nation, One Election Bills, which have been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament, will test the BJP’s ability to work across the aisle. A special majority of at least 50% of all members of the House, plus two thirds of those present and voting is required to pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill. The BJP doesn't have this kind of majority in either House.

In the past 10 years, BJP has been able to pass controversial legislation including the Bill that would divide Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. Now, the dynamics are completely different. The opposition is almost unanimously against the One Nation One Election plan. The Wakf Bill is a test of the BJP’s ability to negotiate, especially with its allies TDP and JD(U), who have a large Muslim base.

5. Caste, Census and UCC

The rhetoric about caste is only going to get louder in a year, when the central government plans to start the decadal Census exercise. The biggest question is whether or not the government will include caste in its Census -- a politically explosive issue that the BJP so far has avoided.

The Congress believes that caste and social injustice can counter the BJP’s Hindutva. It is also for this reason that the BJP uses slogans such as " Batenge Toh Katenge " and " ek hain to safety hain". The Prime Minister has described the farmers, the youth, the poor and the women as "the biggest castes". The language in Parliament about the legacy of B R Ambedkar shows that the gloves have been taken off.

In his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister stressed the need to move towards a "secular" civil code instead of the "communal" civil code that currently exists. He returned to this topic when he responded to the debate in Lok Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution.

Amit Shah , the Home Minister of , has announced that BJP governments will introduce a civil code in all states. Uttarakhand's UCC is set to come into force in January 2025. The BJP is represented by Chief Ministers of 14 states including those in the Northeast. The UCC could lead to new political cleavages if efforts are made to expand the envelope.

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Protests over reservations policy in J&K, CM Omar Abdullah’s son joins the stir

Before the Assembly elections in early this year, the administration led by the lieutenant-governor introduced the reservation policy for admissions and jobs.

A group of political leaders and students gathered in front of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence to demand a review of reservation policy that was implemented by the lieutenant-governor-led administration this year.

Ruhullah Mahdi, a member of Abdullah's party (National Conference), was present with the students. In a Sunday post on X, he called for a demonstration at Gupkar Road in front of the CM's residence office to demand rationality.

Abdullah’s son joined Mehdi, the students and Abdullah.

What is the policy of the company?

Before the early-year assembly elections, the policy of the administration led by LG Manoj Sinha reduced the percentages for general categories and increased them for reserved categories.

Then, the administration approved 10% reservations for Paharis as well as three other tribes. This brought the total reservation percentage under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category to 20%.

The SEBC Commission recommended that 15 new castes be added to the OBC list. It also gave 8% reservations to other backward classes (OBCs).

During the budget session in February, the Parliament approved reservations for ethnic groups such as Pahari, Paddari, Kolis and Gadda-Brahmins.

The Administrative Council, under LG Sinha, met in March and approved the proposal by the social welfare department for amending the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules 2005, in light of the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation Amendment Act 2023, dated 15/12/2023, Constitution (Jammu & Kashmir), Scheduled Castes Orders (Amendment Act) 2024, Constitution(Jammu & Kashmir), Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment Act) 2024 and the recommendations of Jam

Protests and anger are triggered by policy

Politicians and students were not happy with this reservation policy. The valley was awash with calls for reversing the policy and reviewing it.

He clarified that while NC MP Ruhulla Mehdi promised to the students in November to join their outcry, the new government did not take any action on the reservation policy because there was confusion over the devolution between the newly-elected Omar Abullah led government and LG Sinha.

"I have been told that there's some confusion over the division of rules of business between the elected office and the undemocratically-imposed office on a number of issues, and this is one of them. "I am assured that the Government will make a decision soon to rationalise this policy," he said.

J&K government forms panel to review policies

The Jammu and Kashmir Government set up a panel of three members to review policy on reservation in employment and admissions.

The panel includes health minister Sakina Itoo, forest ministry Javed Ahmed Rana, and Science and Technology minister Satish Sharma.

The committee has not yet set a deadline for submitting its report.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court asked the government to respond within three weeks after hearing a new petition that challenged the reservation policy.

The court also merged the previous petition and the most recent.

Will obey court decision: CM

Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of the state of Saudi Arabia, said on Sunday that his government will follow the court's directions in this matter despite the fact that it has set up a committee to examine the policy on reservations.

Abdullah said that while he understood the emotion surrounding the reservation issue, his JKNC party is committed to reviewing every aspect of its manifesto.

As a continuation of the commitment, a cabinet subcommittee has been formed to work towards fulfilling this promise. This sub-committee has only been recently notified & it is now in the process to start its work, engaging with all stakeholders," Abdullah stated in a post posted on X.

He said that the High Court has also challenged the policy, and that his government would be bound by any judgement "when the last legal options have been exhausted".

Chief Minister said that it was brought to his attention by the chief secretary, "that a protest in Srinagar is planned to highlight the injustice of the reservation policy." I am not going to deny anyone the right to peaceful protest. But please do protest, knowing that this issue hasn't been ignored or swept beneath the rug.

He assured the people that they would all be heard, and a fair judgment would be made after following proper procedure.

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Messi-Ronaldo Era Ends amid Manchester City Crisis; Sunil Chhetri Bidding Farewell Highlight Drama-Packed 2024 2024 was an eventful year in football - from triumph to heartbreak it saw it all!

Real Madrid enjoyed an outstanding campaign, winning both La Liga and Champions League trophies simultaneously. Manchester City continued their dominance of domestic league play by retaining their Premier League crown - yet Pep Guardiola's squad only managed a single victory out of twelve matches over that span, something unprecedented among reigning champions.

Sunil Chhetri announced his international football retirement for 2024 with emotional resonance for Indian football fans. Meanwhile, Spain ushered in a golden age on the European stage by winning UEFA Euro 2024 championship over England with a thrilling comeback win.

Rodri won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, beating Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. Rodri was an integral player for Manchester City during their recent success and played an integral part in Spain's triumph at UEFA Euro 2024, where he earned himself Player of the Tournament honors.

Manchester City have felt Rodri's injury absence acutely this season - one of their worst campaigns since 2010. This underlines his immense importance to their team. Real Madrid were infuriated after his Ballon d'Or win caused much debate and decided to boycott its ceremony as a protest measure, further inflaming the rivalry between these two giants.

Lionel Messi's performances for Inter Miami this past season demonstrated that his move into Major League Soccer (MLS) wasn't simply retirement plan. The Argentine maestro proved both his enduring brilliance and desire for success; Miami became an immediate title contender despite losing this year.

Messi had an outstanding campaign for David Beckham-owned Miami FC, scoring 20 goals in 19 matches while providing 16 assists en route to becoming their top scorer and helping guide them to an impressive 74 regular-season points total. Messi made an even larger mark during their postseason run; although Miami were unfortunately eliminated in their opening round playoff match. He earned himself the Most Valuable Player award as recognition of his efforts, further solidifying his legacy as one of soccer's greatest ever players.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano may soon reach the end of their respective eras in 2024, after both veterans were conspicuously absent from the Ballon d'Or's 30-player shortlist for 2024. Between them, these veterans have won 13 world footballing awards (usually against each other) with 11 runners-up finishes; both currently play for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia while Messi remains with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami; expectedly both are nearing retirement with the 2026 World Cup likely being their last international contests before retirement in 2026.

Manchester City were expected to dominate the English Premier League this season after winning it last year, yet Pep Guardiola's team have fallen into an unprecedented slump, winning only one match from their last 12 compared to nine losses and two draws; far removed from their usual dominance.

Erling Haaland, City's star striker, has struggled in his early season form. Haaland began the year on fire scoring 10 goals in City's first five Premier League matches; since August his output has decreased and now only has three goals; which is an extra blow during an already difficult period for City.

Real Madrid had an exceptional first half of 2024. Under Florentino Perez's leadership, they won both La Liga and European Cup championships - beating Borussia Dortmund in both Finals 2-0 - for their 36th La Liga and 15th European Cup titles respectively. Carlo Ancelotti led them to yet another European victory - his sixth overall and his third in Madrid alone! This success cemented Ancelotti as the most successful coach ever in this competition's history.

Dani Carvajal outdid legendary figures like Karim Bale, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo by winning six European Cup titles himself like Paco Gento.

Sunil Chhetri announced his Retirement

Sunil Chhetri has long been a source of frustration among fans of Indian football, yet his continued inclusion on their side has caused many concerns among them. Now 40, this legendary figure has announced his departure from international football after an illustrious and successful career which netted him 94 goals over 18 seasons and ended on 6 June in Kolkata for a 0-0 tie against Kuwait - his final appearance!

Chhetri holds the all-time top scorer title in Indian Super League history and currently plays with Bengaluru FC. Additionally, he is India's all-time top scorer which adds yet more recognition of his greatness within football history.

Kylian Mbappe decided not to renew his PSG contract and joined Real Madrid instead, signing a five year contract which began on January 1. Since joining Madrid he has shown mixed results; scoring nine goals out of 15 matches but failing to impress in major matches like losing an El Clasico against Barcelona.

Mbappe now plays as a central striker for Real Madrid, an unfamiliar position compared to his time at PSG and France as a left winger. Adjustment has been difficult; fans eagerly anticipate whether Mbappe can fully embrace Madrid life and deliver big moments.

Spain won UEFA Euro 2024 with young talents such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams leading their starting lineup. Spain defeated host nation Germany in their quarterfinal matchup and secured victory 2-1 over England for an amazing journey that ultimately culminated in winning their historic third Euro title!

Dani Olmo of Barcelona was Spain's leading scorer, scoring three goals to share this honour with England's Harry Kane and Georgia's Georges Mikautadza as well as Germany's Jamal Musiala as well as Cody Gakpo and Serbian Ivan Schranz from Netherlands Cody Gakpo and Serbia Ivan Schranz respectively. Rodri won Player of Tournament while Yamal claimed Young Player of Tournament status while his stunning semifinal goal against France earned Goal of Tournament status from him and Goal of Tournament designation!

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Gukesh, world champion: "My goal is to be the best player in all of the world... this is what motivates me more easily"

Gukesh Dommaraju, who has spent 18 days and 635 moves in a chess war in Singapore that lasted 56 hours, is taking a break. It's not voluntary. The media, politicians and well wishers have all demanded his time.

In the 10 days that have passed since Gukesh was crowned world champion, he has spent more time away than he allowed himself to do in the last decade.

"I've been trying to relax my body and mind over the last few days because last year was very intense. It was hard work and discipline that were required. Now I'm taking it easy. Gukesh says, "I will be returning to chess very soon," as he is traveling from one public event to another. "I feel a lot of enthusiasm to play in the next tournament and get back to playing chess, but it is smart to take some time to recover and then get back into chess."

Gukesh said that becoming a world champion was his "reason for waking up every morning" during a press event in Singapore. You wonder if a boy who's been driven by a single childhood dream for the past decade is experiencing something that borders on a motivational vacuum. Abhinav bindra felt the same way after becoming an Olympic champion at Beijing 2008. He was emotionally and mentally exhausted.

"I do not feel any lack of motivation. A Shot At History, Abhinav bindra's autobiography is one of my favorites. I am really inspired by him. Our cases are different, but I do think that ours is a little bit different. The Olympics is the ultimate goal in his sport. The four-year preparation for the Olympics is intense. The World Chess Championship also ranks pretty high in the world of chess. For me, my goal was to be the best player on the planet. Since it will still be a long road and there will still many challenges, I find it easier to motivate myself," said Gukesh. He has stated more than once that Magnus Carlsen remains the best player of the world.

Gukesh will compete in the Tata steel chess tournament at Wijk aan zee, from January 17-February 2, against a group of compatriots including Arjun Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa as well as Leon Luke Mendonca and some of the top stars around the globe like Fabiano Caruana and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Vincent Keymer, one of his second players, will be at the tournament.

Gukesh, as the world champion, will be scrutinized at every event he attends.

"It was difficult to become world champion, but I'm sure there will be more challenges in the future -- and they will be even harder." But I love challenges, and I'll do my best to learn and improve every day. I want to be my best self. As the World Champion, it's obvious that a lot players will want to beat me. "I'm excited to play against them and prove my strength," says he.

Wasn't expecting Ding to be so tough'

Gukesh has been preparing for the World Championships since April of this year. He won the Candidates, and thus earned the right to challenge Ding Liren as world champion. Grzegorz Gajewski assembled a team of five members, including Pentala Harikrishna. Radoslaw Wojtaszek. Jan-Krzysztof duda. and Vincent Keymer. Paddy Upton, a mind-guru, was also brought in to help him prepare.

Was there still a surprise in Singapore at the start of the action?

"The World Championship was intensely prepared for. It was a long trip! I am so grateful to my team for their support and help in this journey. It was a goal that I set from the start and it means a great deal to me to have achieved this. I must admit that I didn't expect Ding to be so tough in games where he was placed in a worse position. It was a little surprising, but we adapted quickly," says Gukesh.

Gukesh has a number of obligations off the board that will keep him from playing chess for now. He is not bothered, knowing that being a world champion brings with it a certain amount of responsibility.

Open doors for sponsorship

The crown will return to India after 11 years and this is great news for Indian chess. The government has supported the sport in many ways, but I believe this victory will open up the door for many sponsors (for chess-players). The future of chess looks bright. "I'm so grateful to be a part of this chess boom."

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As a new dispute erupts, the GST rate on popcorn is reduced. Insurance premiums are also delayed.

The Goods and Services Tax Council (GST), in its 55th Meeting held in Jaisalmer on Saturday, deferred the decision to lower tax rates for health and life insurance and food delivery fees charged by e-commerce companies such as Swiggy or Zomato. The council also discussed the inclusion of Aviation Turbine Fuel under GST but decided to defer a decision because most states did not want to lose their taxing rights.

The Council's explanation of why different types of popcorn, i.e. regular, salted, spiced and caramelised, are subject to different GST rates, was what caught the attention of many. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress spokesperson, called it "absolutely incredible" and "sheer nonsense".

The Council discussed taxes on popcorn that is ready to eat and mixed with spices and salt. The Council clarified and agreed that popcorn with spices and salt has the essential characteristics of namkeen, and therefore should be subject to a 5 percent GST (others than pre-packaged products). If the popcorn is packaged and labelled, then the GST rate should be 12 percent. If mixed with sugar, (e.g. Caramel popcorn was considered a sugar confectionery item (items that have 'added' sugar) and would therefore attract GST of 18%.

There is no new tax being imposed in this case. It is only a clarification, as some field units demanded different tax rates. The GST Council is therefore recommending a clarification to settle disputes that arise from interpretation," said an official statement. The GST Council has decided to normalise the taxation of popcorn in the past, on an "as-is" basis.

The Group of Ministers on Rate Rationalisation (GoM) requested more time to discuss the proposed rate changes for up to 148 items. This will be discussed by the Council at a later date. Council also gave the GoM on compensation cess an extension to make its recommendations.

It's (rate-rationalisation) an exercise that looks at the whole picture of reducing the burden for everyday items. Rates will need to be reduced from the current levels for more than five years. All agreed on a certain level of stabilisation. They are looking at the issue in a holistic manner," said Union Finance Minister Nirmala SITHARMAN after the Council Meeting.

The GST Council has recommended that the GST rate for used electric vehicles be harmonised at 18%. Sitharaman stated that the Council had decided to increase the tax rate on all used EVs to 18% from 12 percent, as it did for non-electric cars.

No GST will be charged on the sale of used EVs to individuals. For the sale of used EVs outside of individuals, GST of 18% will be levied. This is the difference between the price of the vehicle and the selling price, or the depreciated value if it is claimed. "At the moment, new EVs attract a 5 percent GST. The Centre, with 1/3rd of the voting rights, proposed that GST be 5% on used and old EVs. After a thorough deliberation it was decided to charge 18% on the selling price of old and used EVs," Sitharaman stated.

The GST Council also recommended that there will be no GST payable on penalties levied by banks and NBFCs against borrowers who do not comply with the loan terms or default on loans. The Council recommended a reduction of the GST rate for fortified rice to 5 percent from 18 percent, regardless of the end use. They also decided to grant an exemption for gene therapies.

GST Council has approved in principle a concept note on the registration issues of small companies. Sitharaman stated that this may require changes to GST laws in order to make it easier to register small businesses.

A decision has not been made on the taxation of charges for food delivered by platforms such as quick commerce or food delivery. Sitharaman stated that the Fitment Committee would review the matter again. The Fitment Committee is currently debating whether the tax on food should be equal to the GST of 5 percent or higher.

Samrat Chaudhary (Bihar's Deputy chief minister), who is also convenor of ministerial panel on rate rationalisation, insurance premiums and other issues, said earlier in the day that many ministers felt that a second meeting was needed to discuss in depth the issue before the final submission of GoM report. We will hold another meeting to discuss the issue, whether it's for senior citizens insurance, group insurance or individual insurance. "We will cover it all at the next meeting," Chaudhary stated.

Council discussed the inclusion of ATF in the GST ambit. The matter will be further discussed later. The Council discussed a special request by Andhra Pradesh for a discussion on levying an additional 1 percent GST above the 28 per cent top rate in case disasters. This is similar to the flood cess imposed by Kerala in 2019. The GST Council decided to refer the discussion on a special tax for disasters to an GoM.

According to sources, there was no consensus reached in the GoM meetings on insurance premiums. Some states were worried about revenue losses for the states due to the proposed GST rate reduction. We are also awaiting comments from the insurance regulator IRDAI on this issue.

GoM discussed earlier exempting GST from premiums for senior citizens who pay for health insurance, and for all term life insurance premiums. The GST exemption on term insurance premiums was discussed for all people, including family plans. The exemption of senior citizen health insurance premiums, regardless of coverage, was also being considered.

Health insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh was exempted for other citizens. For health insurance coverage above Rs 5 lakh, the existing 18% rate would have continued.

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Ahmedabad University Vice-Chancellor Prof Pankaj Chandra: 'IIMs must become universities...or else they will shrivel up and die.

Newness is our advantage. You could experiment without penalty... Why should we exist if we design something similar to them (existing organizations) at a brand new institution? We have to change our thinking.

Ahmedabad University launched the International Fintech Institute at GIFT City in collaboration with IIT-Gandhinagar, University of California San Diego and IIT-Gandhinagar. In an exclusive interview, AU Vice Chancellor, Dr Pankaj Chandra, talks about the importance of liberal arts and the challenges facing students today.

Excerpts:

What do you think the IFI will look like in five years' time?

GIFT City is a huge fintech hub. One of the biggest challenges is that it has about 600 companies. They kept complaining that they didn't have enough talent. The biggest problem is that many operations people have no idea about technology. What finance program in this country teaches technology? The tech guys who have computer science degrees know nothing about banking, finance, regulatory tech, insurance and pensions. The need for a different training is evident. These (IFI) trained people will be a very strong supply of relevant talent to GIFT or other companies in the country, and for those who wish to start up.

What would you say about AU in comparison to other institutions?

You could experiment without any penalty... You could experiment without penalty... Why should we even be here if we are going to start designing things similar to them (existing organizations)? We have to change our thinking.

Do you mean by 'them' the IIMs or not?

IIMs and IITs are all existing institutions. IIMA was my university, and other colleagues came from IITs. We felt we needed to bring complex issues into the classroom. We created four studio courses. They are: Climate Change, Democracy and Justice, and Neighbourhoods. This is an urbanisation proxy. In the water studio we give kids bottles on the first day to collect samples from all the wards of the city. First time ever, the kids will be going from South Bopal in West Ahmedabad to Maninagar in South Ahmedabad or Juhapura in a Muslim neighborhood or anywhere else. This is an educational experience, in my opinion. You'll be able to see different types of people. They'll then go and collect data. They build an instrument, and then measure the water quality. They then learn data science and put these data on a GIS Map. They'll map out the entire city -- This is research-based thinking. You can now teach them any theory because they are primed.

Do you have parents who object to their children going to certain parts of the city?

We cancel their admission. We tell them to go home. This is our education...we started in 2019....I sat down with a 50-child class on the first day. The engineers and scientists were sarcastic, saying "what is this foundation program?" and the children in social science and management and humanity were ecstatic. Students from across the country are now coming to AU because of our Foundation Programme.

What are the main challenges you have faced since taking over in 2015?

Our education system has a strong content focus. Everyone talks about content, not pedagogy...we needed to hire people with very different backgrounds. We have created a curriculum that is different than anyone else in India or anywhere else. We put arts and science together because we want people to talk with each other. The physicists and biologists sit together with the history professors and talk. They also conduct classes together. The NAAC chair said: "You're an institution for the future."

What percentage of the NEP (National Education Policy, or National Education Policy) do you implement?

We did not implement it "as NEP". We have just followed good practices we learned from other places. We still have a long way to travel. If I have to climb 20 steps, I'm probably at step 5. We have a strategy for 2035.

Do you have any expansion plans?

We will continue to grow, but not in terms of geography. Our masters will increase. We currently have 4,000 students, but we could reach 6,000 in five years. We currently have 200 full-time professors, and we will increase that to 500. We are opening a new performing arts school in the visual arts. We are setting up a brand new STEM lab and enhancing STEM in a big way. In partnership with ATIRA, (Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association )...last year's academic year we launched a new program, called BXMX. This programme allows you to do your bachelors at one school and then go on to complete your masters at another.

Many people pursue liberal arts, but they don't get jobs. What do you think of this?

Liberal arts education is important to me. The companies are the problem. Parents and students need to be educated on the importance of liberal arts. They are bright kids, but they can't get into IIM MBA because of the stupid CAT exam. It is biased towards those with a quantitative bent. You want to discuss business as an agent for social change. How can you create that agent? Engineers are not the answer. It is possible to make it in the workplace by bringing people who are different from you, with different training, and a different understanding of society. Liberal Arts Education has a long way to go.

What do you think is the problem with IIMs?

These institutions (IITs, IIMs, AIIMSs) are "siloed". You can't solve COVID epidemics if you're a mere biologist. If you're a manager, you can't solve the financial crisis. You need humanities. You need social sciences. Only universities can provide the other people you need to come. All great business schools around the world are part of universities, such as Harvard, Wharton, and Stanford. They (IIMs, etc.) have been very successful in serving India. They have excellent faculty and attract top-class students. These institutions should expand and be influenced by other knowledge systems. They would eventually shrivel up and die.

It's very complex. With the rise in income, I believe there has been a big gap between parents. The bridge between parent and child has been broken somewhere. There is so much information on the internet that the kids aren't mature enough to handle. We have a counseling system, and I get monthly reports on what the kids are talking about... it's all about the family and relationships, not academics or job pressures.

Growing up, you had always a friend who was there for you. I don't believe that the current generation has such ties. The schools have also been "over-pressured". Despite the pressures (at AU), we have decided to not hold any exams or tests. Each test increases your anxiety.

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Composite license: only private insurers are eligible

The composite license allows the insurer to run multiple lines of business, such as life, health and nonlife insurance, under one entity. As of right now, this is not permitted.

In the event that the government amends the Insurance Act to allow composite licenses, it will likely put public insurers at a competitive disadvantage with their private counterparts. Only the latter are eligible to receive these licenses.

Insurance experts have warned about the uneven playing field that exists for PSU insurers, who are already on the defensive against the intense competition unleashed in the domestic markets by their counterparts from the private sector.

On November 

26, the Finance Ministry had proposed an Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2024 by amending various provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938, including raising foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100 per cent, reduction in paid-up capital, and provision for composite license allowing insurers to do life/general/health in single registration/insurance.

The introduction of composite licences is intended to increase the penetration of insurance in the country. This will be achieved by allowing insurers operate multiple lines of businesses under one entity. (Representative/ File)

In the event that the government amends the Insurance Act to allow composite licenses, it will likely put public insurers at a competitive disadvantage with their private counterparts. Only the latter are eligible to receive these licenses.

Insurance experts have warned about the uneven playing field that exists for PSU insurers, who are already on the defensive against the intense competition unleashed in the domestic markets by their counterparts from the private sector.

On November 26, the Finance Ministry had proposed an Insurance (Amendment) Act, 2024 by amending various provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938, including raising foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100 per cent, reduction in paid-up capital, and provision for composite license allowing insurers to do life/general/health in single registration/insurance.

Insurance sector officials stated that, based on the current plans, composite licenses will only be available to private insurers after appropriate legislative changes. PSU insurers cannot apply for these licenses. The decision could hinder the ability of PSU insurers to compete with private insurance companies, who will be able to offer multiple products under one license.

The composite license allows the insurer to run multiple lines of business, such as life, health and nonlife insurance under a single entity. As of right now, this is not permitted.

The government must amend two Acts to allow PSU insurers to obtain composite licenses. These are the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 (GIBNA) and the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 (LICA). According to the Office Memorandum and the list proposed amendments however, these documents do not contain such provisions.

The General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 2002 (GIBNA) was enacted to nationalise the general insurance industry in India. It also governs the operations of the four PSU General Insurance Companies that transact general insurance.

New India Assurance (also known as United India Insurance), Oriental Insurance Company, National Insurance Company, and New India Assurance are the four PSU general insurers.

The Life Insurance Corporation Act of 56 nationalised India's life insurance industry by transferring the business to a corporation, and setting up regulations for its management. The Life Insurance Corporation of India was established on September 1, 1956, after the act passed in Parliament.

The government has proposed some amendments to the LIC Act of 1956, but no enabling clauses are mentioned that would allow the corporation the option of going composite. After it was created in 1956, by merging life insurers that also did non-life insurance, the corporation was doing non-life and had a department to manage its business until a few years ago.

The government's plans to introduce composite licenses to the insurance industry have nothing to do the corporation's foray into health insurance. It doesn't require a composite licence to partner with a health insurer.

"Composite registration will be allowing insurers to do life/general/health in single registration/insurance company promoting operational efficiency for insurers having common brand across different lines of business,'' said one of the proposed amendments proposed by the Finance Ministry.

The note from the ministry stated that a review of the entire legislative framework for the sector was conducted in consultation with IRDAI, and the industry.

It said that such changes would help improve the efficiency of the insurance sector, facilitate ease of business, and increase insurance penetration in order to reach the goal of "Insurance for All By 2047".

By allowing insurers the ability to run multiple lines of insurance under one entity, composite licenses aim to increase penetration of insurance in the country. The move by the government is part of an effort to reform and make more competitive the insurance industry. The government's decision to exclude PSU insurers, who are not eligible for composite licenses, may have implications on their viability in the long term and ability compete with private players.

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What's new in Saudi Arabia: A futuristic arena, domes along the Red Sea Coast, and quirky roof designs

Saudi Arabia secured the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup, the sporting equivalent to the jewel on the crown. Saudi Arabia has elaborate plans for the spectacle, despite critics calling their massive spending on sporting events'sportswashing.' They have done this to boost Saudi's stature and reputation.

Stadiums are being proposed for the future

According to the FIFA report, Saudi Arabia's World Cup bid has proposed 15 stadiums. Eight of these are described as new-builds. Three of the stadiums are currently under construction, and four of the existing ones would be renovated.

King Salman International Stadium, Riyadh: According to Saudi's bid document, the stadium will host both the opening and final. The stadium will be built in the north east of Riyadh, near the airport. The stadium is expected to be finished by 2030, and will be the home of Saudi Arabia.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Riyadh Stadium: Located in the southwest part of Riyadh it will host matches, including the third place playoff. According to FIFA, it will have a unique "three-sided design" and be integrated with a cliffside location. Construction will begin in 2026, and should be completed in 2029. The stadium will host two Saudi Pro League teams, but after the 2034 World Cup. It is also a multipurpose entertainment facility.

NEOM stadium (NEOM) : This is one of most talked-about stadiums. It is being built 350 meters above ground level in Neom, the futuristic city currently under construction. This is the first phase of THE Line, a sustainable development plan that uses renewable energy. The stadium will use giant express lifts to transport people vertically, along with horizontally integrated metros and diagonal pedestrian thoroughfares, to create a 'three-dimensional approach to transportation', according to the FIFA document.

Qiddiya Coast Stadium, Jeddah: The stadium will be located north of Jeddah along the Red Sea Coast and will feature a unique design that will look like the Mexican Wave. According to FIFA, after the World Cup the stadium's capacity will be lowered and the retractable field will be used as a multipurpose entertainment venue in the Qiddiya coast development.

The retractable pitch of the stadium will facilitate the hosting e-sports events and concerts following the World Cup. After the World Cup, the upper-tier seating will also be removed to reduce the venue's capacity from 46,096 to 25,000.

King Abdullah Economic City Stadium, Jeddah: The planned state-of-the-art stadium will host matches up to the Round of 32. It is located north of Jeddah along the Red Sea Coast. Construction will begin in 2027, and should be completed by the year 2032.

The FIFA document stated that after the World Cup it would serve as an entertainment venue with multiple uses at the center of the King Abdullah Development City. Its stadium precinct would be open to the public to encourage connections with nature.

New Murabba Stadium, Riyadh: This stadium will be built in the north-west area of Riyadh and host matches up to the Round of 16 fixtures. It will have a roof design based on native acacia bark. Construction will begin next year, and be completed in 2029.

ROSHN stadium (Riyadh). The stadium will be constructed in the south-west part of Riyadh. Its structure will feature a crystalline pattern that will blend in with the surroundings. Work is expected to begin in 2028, and finish in 2032.

South Riyadh Stadium, Riyadh: The new stadium is being built to the south-west and will connect the Wadi Nmar park. It will also be part of the Green Riyadh Project. The stadium's construction will begin in 2029, and be completed by the year 2032.

Stadiums under construction: Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City Stadium; Jeddah Central Development Stadium; Aramco Stadium

Potential dates

Saudi Arabia has not confirmed it but it is possible that it will be in winter like Qatar's edition in 2022. The document states that temperatures are at their mildest in October and April. The average daily temperature during these seven months ranges from 15 to 30 degrees. Between May and Septembre, however, the average daily temperature is between 17 and38 degrees.

Saudi Arabia will be hosting the Asian Games in Riyadh from November 29 until December 14, 2034. Therefore, it may not be possible to host a FIFA World Cup at this time. The organizers would also take Ramadan into consideration, which is the month-long period of fasting and prayer that occurs between mid-November to mid-December.

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Bills on simultaneous voting are approved by the Union Cabinet

Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and other CMs call it an attack against democracy and federalism

The Union Cabinet approved on Thursday (12 December 2024) two Bills relating to the implementation simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha as well as State Assemblies. This will pave the way for the introduction of the draft legislations to Parliament during the Winter Sessions.

The first bill amends the Constitution in order to have simultaneous elections. The second amends provisions of laws that deal with Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies, so as to bring them into line with other Legislative Assemblies.

Chief Ministers from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu responded with sharp words, calling the draft Bills an "attack on democracy and federalism".

Sources say that no official announcement has yet been made, but the Bills will be referred to the joint committee once they have been introduced in the House.

The Cabinet has approved the draft legislation to hold simultaneous elections in the Lok Sabha, and Legislative Assemblies. Sources said that the Constitution Amendment Bill for simultaneous elections will not need to be ratified at least by 50% of states.

The Cabinet decided to not take up the issue of simultaneous local body elections. A high-level panel, led by the former President Ram Nath Kovind had recommended it. It would have required not only a Constitutional Amendment to add a new Article 324, but also ratification from half of the State Assemblies.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minster M.K. Stalin stated, "This unpractical, anti-democratic action will erase regional voices and erode federalism. It will disrupt governance. #INDIA, rise up! "Let us resist this attack against Indian democracy with all of our strength!"

In a separate X-post, West Bengal Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee described it as "an authoritarian encroachment designed to undermine India’s democracy and federal system".

"Our MPs are going to fight this draconian law in Parliament tooth and nail. Bengal will never bow down to Delhi's dictatorial whims. "This fight is about saving India from autocracy!" added she.

In an X-post, Jairam Ramesh reiterated Congress' opposition to simultaneous elections and shared Mallikarjun Kharge’s letter to Kovind's panel. In a country with parliamentary system of government, the concept of simultaneous polls has no place. The government's proposal for simultaneous elections goes against the federalism guarantees in the Constitution.

The second bill on simultaneous elections aims to align the terms of the Legislative Assemblies in three Union Territories - Puducherry (India), Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir - with those of other Legislative Assemblies, and the Lok Sabha as proposed by the Constitution Amendment Bill.

The government wants to consult with the Speakers of the various State Assemblies via the joint committee in order to have a wider consultation on the draft Bills. The Kovind committee submitted its report to President India in March. However, the Union Cabinet accepted it in September. The draft Bills represent the first steps in implementing simultaneous elections.

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, has advocated for simultaneous elections in order to reduce poll-related expenses and the number of days that the government is affected by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which is implemented across the country when polls are held. Modi's government also noted that the country held simultaneous elections for both its Lok Sabha and Assembly between 1951 and 1967.

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Reliance-Disney JV : a media giant arrives in India

Uday Shankar, despite months spent in a frenzy of deal-making, is calm and collected as we meet him on the 36th level of a Mumbai skyscraper. Shankar, dressed in a white T-shirt with a blue shirt and a blue tie, was observing the expanse that was the former home of Mumbai's textile factories when we arrived.

Shankar's office at Disney India is a short drive from Star India. He held this position between 2007 and 2020, first as Star India’s CEO and then after Disney acquired Star India. Viacom18 (Reliance Industries Ltd) has fought Disney for dominance in India's media landscape. Big money was spent on media, but not always with success. Reliance's acquisition of Network18 by Reliance in 2014 was a major event. Ownerships have changed dramatically. Disney then bought Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox for $71 billion, giving them the crucial India piece.

Reliance and Disney jointly announced on November 14 that they had completed a deal to create a joint-venture. The merged entity, valued at Rs 70,352 (approximately $8.5 billion), will have over 100 TV channels in nine Indian languages, as well as two OTT platforms (over-the top) and more than 30,000 hours of television content per year.

Shankar, who will provide strategic guidance, will be the vice chairperson. The Chairperson will then be Nita Amanani, currently Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, and formerly a director at Reliance Industries.

Shankar, whose outfit is now a publicly listed company, chooses carefully his words as he sits for this interview less than 24 hours following the announcement of the deal. He talks about the big picture, the prices of cricket rights and the new competitive environment (read the accompanying interview). The size, scope or sheer impact of Reliance-Disney is undeniable. It will control 40% of television advertising and 44% subscriptions.

Disney's India operations are still struggling to get back on track after massive losses due to its high-stakes bets made on cricket rights.

Imagine it. Imagine watching a game of the Chennai Super Kings, Rohit Sharma hitting the ball into the air to win the T20 Cricket World Cup Final, a crucial moment on Bigg Boss or an award show for films in the South. All of this can be seen on the digital or TV channels owned by Reliance-Disney.

In any industry, scale can be an advantage that creates entry barriers. Reliance and Disney will have a huge reach across genres and languages, and its channels are reporting high advertising rates and massive audience interest. It's all about revenue and dominance, whether it be advertising revenues, eyeballs or distribution. If it hadn't been cancelled, only the Zee/Sony merger could have come close.

Shashi Sinha is the CEO of IPG Mediabrands India. This division provides media and marketing services for the advertising giant Interpublic Group. He believes that the joint venture benefits the industry. With its deep pockets, it will be possible to invest in content and technology. "These are expensive areas and money must be invested in them", he says. India is one of only a few markets that are growing fast, in TV and OTT. Reliance-Disney is the market leader with a 33% market share through JioCinema, Hotstar and JioCinema.

Vivek Menon is the Managing Partner of NV Capital. A debt fund that invests in the media and entertainment industry. He says having the support of India's biggest industrial conglomerate, is a big plus.

Why? The media business of the joint venture is today a technology-based play and that requires huge spending. In the US for example, he explains, the line between pure media and technology is blurring. "A tech company like Netflix, Apple or Amazon can be seen as a media company. Menon adds that a telecom like AT&T also has a stake on media via Warner Bros and Discovery.

In terms of opportunities in India, he mentions Netflix and Amazon. Both have high budgets for content and are committed to investing in India. They want to expand here. Apple TV is creating content. It may be only a matter of time before Apple enters the Indian market.

Reliance-Disney's reliance on digital media can change the entertainment landscape dramatically. The dependence on advertising is only going to increase with the rise of digital. Menon says that subscriptions could take the form of bundles, standalone contracts or transactions.

Reliance intends to invest a significant portion of its investment in technology, which amounts to Rs 11,500 crore. "Digital infrastructure is still being constructed in India, even though the majority of OTTs offer user-friendly platforms. Menon states that the majority of money will go to content acquisition.

Check out the money spent on media rights for the Indian Premier League (IPL). Star India purchased the rights in September 2017 for Rs 16,348 billion. Disney Star, Star India's acquired avatar, will have to pay nearly three times as much in 2022 at the next round. According to a rival broadcaster, paying such a high price for the rights puts the industry in an awkward position. In the IPL only the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is making money. The broadcaster says that if less money is spent on acquiring rights, the money will be returned to the system and can then be used more strategically.

Will Reliance-Disney increase advertising rates given its dominance? IPL cricket fixtures in 2024 will cost anywhere between Rs 16-19 lakhs for a 10-second ad spot.

"There's a good chance that it will happen but India is a market with a very low cost per thousand," Sinha, of IPG Mediabrands says. Advertisers have many options. The rival broadcaster quoted above agrees, and believes it could have lead to a monopoly situation had the majority of money been focused on TV.

"There's no doubt that Reliance-Disney has a huge engine. But advertisers will also be looking at Google and Facebook." "Broadcasters of entertainment and sports must look for niches to be more attractive to advertisers," said the broadcaster.

Balu Nayar is the former MD of IMG, a global sports and entertainment firm, and the architect of the IPL. He says that it's rare to see the merger of two of the top players in a market. The No. 1 and No. 2 players on a given market are rare to see merged. "The combined Reliance and Disney entity will be way ahead in the Indian TV market. Other transactions, such as the proposed Zee-Sony merge, were not on the same level.

The entity is in a strong position, and far ahead of the competition. (See accompanying graphic). In regional markets with smaller advertisers it is always a disproportional share. With a variety of channels it also helps control the distribution. Reliance purchased majority stakes in Hathway Cable, Den Networks and other distribution companies to improve the distribution component.

Reliance-Disney has agreed to divest seven channels in accordance with the Competition Commission of India: Star Jalsha (Bengali entertainment), Colors Marathi (Kannada Entertainment), Colors Super (Kannada HD), Hungama, and Super Hungama for children.

Disney, who acquired Star India in 2019 reported a loss on revenues of Rs 18,587 for FY24. In the prior year, it had reported a profit of Rs. 1,465 crore. How did it happen? Disney India's wager on cricket rights.

Disney paid $3 billion in August 2022 for the ICC TV and digital rights for 2024-27. In a sub-licensing deal with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (Zee), it licensed the TV portion. Zee, however, was counting on the merger between Sony and its parent company to provide the financial muscle needed to fund the deal. Zee was unable to honor the agreement when the merger talks failed. The Disney-Zee merger has now been referred to arbitration. Zee is disputing the $940 million damages demand. Disney had to put aside Rs 12,319 Crore for the ICC contract, which they now call an "onerous agreement".

This is just one part of the tale.

In February, the Reliance-Disney partnership was announced for the first time. The deal valued the Burbank-headquartered Disney's 36.4% holding in the venture at just over $3 billion. Emkay Global, an investment and research firm, stated in a report that the valuation of Disney's 36.4% stake was less than estimated $15-17 billion at the time Disney acquired 21st Century Fox. "It is also significantly lower than previous media estimates, which were $7-10 billion." The decline "reflects its growing expected losses in the sports business where rights costs are increasing substantially". The Indian financial figures would not be available for many months, but there was a growing sense of trepidation.

Eight months had passed since the end of the bidding process for media rights to IPL 2023-2027. Disney was expected go all-out for the digital rights, given the potential of the medium. They were less aggressive with TV. Viacom18 won the digital rights at 23.758 crore and Disney, who was more conservative, bought the TV rights at 23.575 crore. The difference between the two purchases of 183 crore added to the intrigue. This was just a preview of what lies ahead.

Reliance then offered to give away the IPL season 2023 on JioCinema, its OTT platform. Disney's TV business model was destroyed by the Reliance gamble. Disney was forced to make the T20 World Cup 2024, won through the ICC bid, available for free on Disney+ Hotstar. Disney acquired Hotstar when it purchased 21st Century Fox in 2019, the parent company of Star India. However, it failed to maximise its potential.

Nayar says that the primary reason for the purchase in India was Hotstar. Then, they decimated its value by focusing instead on the IPL TV broadcasting rights. This merger (Reliance and Disney) was made in a weak position. Disney sold an asset that it bought for $15 billion for $3.5 billion. Nayar blames Disney for the "mismanagement" in its Star India acquisition.

Disney's global revenue for FY24 was up by 3%. However, the problem lay with the Indian sports business. In the fourth quarter of last year, the company's revenue was $58 million. This is a small amount but it represents a 37% drop from the $92 million in the previous period.

Disney India has been struggling since its entry into the market at the beginning of the 1990s via a joint venture formed with the K.K. Modi Group created Buenavista TV and launched three channels. The JV was never really successful, as the business was largely limited to advertising sales. In 2001, partners were struggling to maintain their relationship due to Disney's plans to launch a 100 percent subsidiary. In 2004, Disney launched Toon Disney and Disney Channel, two channels for kids.

Disney purchased Hungama TV from Ronnie Screwvala in mid-2006. It also acquired a minority stake of UTV Software Communications. Disney purchased UTV Software in July 2011 for $454m. In mid-2018, Disney's parent company acquired Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox (then known as Star India) for $71 billion.

Menon, from NV Capital, believes that Disney would exit the Indian market if it was "offered a compelling cost". It will be interesting to find out what players are willing pay for IPL rights in the next round of auctions.

Nayar believes that the Reliance and Disney merger has brought about a major change in Indian sports broadcasting. "There will be a far lower bid for rights, with only one serious buyer unless Meta or Amazon or other digital entities become aggressive." He says that BCCI and IPL owners should be prepared for lower IPL revenue.

Reliance-Disney holds the BCCI rights to all matches played in India, as well as ICC tournaments including the World Cup and Champions Trophy. "It would mean the marginalisation of other sporting media entities."

Tech, Tech, and Tech

Will Reliance-Disney play a major role in digital? It stands to gain a significant amount of revenue by securing the digital rights for IPL.

Harish Iyer (EVP, Media & Investments), Interactive Avenues' largest digital agency in India, believes that the entity could achieve this through advanced technology, personalised recommendations for content, or expanding distribution across multiple markets. Cost efficiencies and a strong market position will help you compete with global platforms. He says that synergistic partnership with telecom operators can also help drive growth. Local and global content allows advertisers to target a wider demographic, increasing the effectiveness of their campaign.

Advertisers can get insights into viewer behavior and preferences by using data analytics. Iyer says that integrating the message across all platforms is an easy way to reach the audience.

Reliance and Disney's deal will be successful if it can demonstrate its technological prowess. Amaresh Godbole (CEO, Digital Technology Business, Publicis Groupe India) says Netflix is "the global standard for technology and user experience, as well as innovation in video content delivery".

Godbole said Reliance-Disney had a lot data and an understanding about user behaviour, and could use AI in order to extract the most out of it. It's worth considering new technologies, such as LLMs. They could transform the navigation and discovery games.

The growth potential is obvious, even if scale is not an issue. What is the future of the tech sector? What does the horizon hold for the tech-driven sector?

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Arvind Kejriwal promises Rs 2,100 for AAP if AAP wins, Delhi gives women Rs 1,000/month

The former chief minister also clarified, despite the fact that registrations begin tomorrow, the money won't be paid immediately because the dates for the Delhi Assembly elections will be announced within the next 10-15 days.

Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party's chief, announced on Thursday that the Delhi Cabinet had approved a proposal to provide financial assistance for women older than 18.

The former Delhi chief minister also announced that Rs. 1,000 in assistance -- initially announced in March - would be increased to Rs. 2,100 in case the AAP returns to power at the upcoming Assembly elections.

Kejriwal said the money wouldn't be credited to bank accounts because elections were expected to be announced shortly. However, he added that registrations for Mukhyamantri Mahila Yojana would begin tomorrow.

Kejriwal, who was in the company of Delhi Chief Minister Atishi at an event for the Mahila Samman Yojana, said: "Registrations will start tomorrow and will cost Rs 2,100 instead of Rs 1,000."

"I promised that I would give Rs 1,000 each woman. Some women told me that the inflation would make Rs 1,000 not enough. All women will receive Rs 2,100 deposited in their accounts. The proposal was approved by the cabinet meeting, which was chaired this morning by Atishi.

The Mukhyamantri Samman Yojna, launched by the Kejriwal government in March of this year, provides Rs 1,000 per woman aged above 18 years old living in Delhi.

The Delhi initiative resembled Madhya Pradesh’s Ladli Behna Yojana. Under this scheme, women from lower and middle class homes receive a transfer of Rs 1,000 per month into their account.

In his speech today, the former chief minister said that the scheme will prove to be a boon to the Delhi government because it will "be blessed by mothers and sister" who benefit from the monthly funding.

We consider it a privilege to assist them. We overcome the greatest obstacles together with Delhi's 2 crore people. "No obstacle can stop us from doing good for the citizens of the city", he said.

Kejriwal, who slammed the BJP for its scheme announcement in March, said he hoped it would be implemented by at least May.

"But they conspired to send me to prison based on a fraudulent case." Since I returned from prison, I've worked with Atishi to implement this plan," Kejriwal stated, referring his arrest by Enforcement Directorate in march in connection with the Delhi liquor policy.

The Supreme Court granted bail to him on September 13, and he was released from Tihar jail. He resigned from his position as Delhi Chief Minister four days later.

The 70-member Delhi Assembly is expected to hold elections in January 2025. AAP has so far published two lists of candidates for the polls

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The Milky Way Galaxy as a baby is revealed

Firefly Sparkle has not yet been assembled, but it is estimated to have a mass of 10 million solar masses.

James Webb Space Telescope of Nasa has made an important discovery. It identified a galaxy called Firefly Spangle, which dates from the early universe.

This galaxy, which resembles bioluminescent stars due to its shining star clusters gives astronomers a unique insight into how the Milky Way might have looked at its infancy.

Firefly Sparkle, located approximately 600 million year after the Big Bang is still in the assembling process and has a weight equivalent to 10 million solar masses.

This galaxy has ten star clusters that are densely packed. Eight of them are located in the central region, and two others along an extended arm. It is approximately 1,000 light years across. This formation is a major evolutionary stage in the evolution of galaxies at this time.

Lamiya Mowla is an astronomer from Wellesley College, and the co-author of the Nature study. She stressed the importance of her observation: "The Milky Way formed very early in the history of the universe, probably around the time of Firefly Sparkle."

Firefly Sparkle was about 10,000 times smaller than our Milky Way at the time.

The galaxy looks like a bunch of fireflies, hence the name "Firefly Sparkle".

Mowla explained that "a group of fireflies" is called a'sparkle.' The galaxy was accompanied by Firefly Best Friend and Firefly New Best Friend. All of these would have fit within the Milky Way of today.

Researchers believe that the formation of early galaxies such as Firefly Sparkle was caused by the collapse under extreme conditions of dense gas clouds. Kartheik, a co-lead researcher and Nasa Hubble fellow at Columbia University, said that these galaxies are built up by interactions and mergers of smaller galaxies.

Webb's advanced abilities allowed scientists to observe Firefly Sparkle with unprecedented detail. gravitational lenses from a foreground galaxycluster magnified the light by 16-26.

This allowed astronomers examine different star clusters in the galaxy. The varying colors indicate different stages of formation.

Webb's exploration of the cosmos continues, and discoveries such as Firefly Sparkle have reshaped our understanding of galaxy evolution in the earliest times.

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