THE third term of the Modi government seems to be more aggressive than its previous two terms, particularly in its current onslaught against the electricity sector. Notably, there has been a direct and overt attempt to privatise various State-owned DISCOMs in regions like Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana. In addition, the government has launched a widespread push for privatisation through the implementation of private-sector smart metering across nearly all states.

IN 1922, the renowned Bengali satirist Rajsekhar Basu (better known by his pen name Parshuram) penned the delightful story ‘Shri Shri Siddheshwari Limited,’ introducing the infamous fictional character of Ganderiram Batparia (where "Batparia" translates to "unscrupulous plunderer" in Bengali). Ganderiram was not just a conman; he was a bold risk-taker, a master of fraudulent business schemes. The story describes his impact as: "The moment the audacious entrepreneur Ganderiram stepped onto the scene, the entire atmosphere crackled with energy, as if lightning had struck.

ON December 2, 2024, Sarbananda Sonowal, the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, presented the Coastal Shipping Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to promote coastal trade using Indian-flagged vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for commercial needs. The bill also grants the director-general the authority to issue licenses, taking into account factors such as the crew's citizenship and the vessel's building requirements and aims to create employment opportunities for Indian seafarers and promote the growth of shipbuilding in India.

IN preparation for the 24th state conference of the CPI(M) scheduled for  January 29-31, 2025, the primary unit and local committee conferences have been successfully completed. Currently, the sub-divisional and district-level conferences are going on across the state.Prior to the commencement of the primary unit conferences, a set of guidelines, based on the framework prepared by the Polit Bureau and aligned with the state’s political and organisational situation, was circulated across all levels of the Party.

ON December 6, SAHMAT organised an event remembering one of the leading lights of the Left Movement in India, Comrade Sitaram Yechury. Held at Jawahar Bhawan, Delhi, the event saw intellectuals, students, Party whole-timers, peasant leaders as well as artists, coming together to pay tribute to Yechury. The event was unique in that, instead of focusing only on the more well-known facets of his life and political career, several little known and fascinating aspects of his, otherwise colourful life, were brought to light.