THE beginning of the digital monopoly age, the age in which the digital monopolies start emerging and the neoliberal economic model has been roughly coterminous. Both come of age in the 90s. While the neoliberal economic model seems to be in a crisis, the digital monopolies show no sign of flagging. On the contrary, along with the continued expansion of older players, we are witnessing the rise of many new ones.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on June 10THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) conveys its heartfelt condolences on the death of one of contemporary India’s creative minds, Girish Karnad.An exceptional writer, director, theatre personality and actor, he steadfastly upheld the commitment to social upliftment and secularism. His death is a big loss to modern India.The CPI(M) conveys its heartfelt condolences to his son Raghu Karnad and other members of his family.   

THE Karnataka State IT and IT-enabled Services Union (KITU) protested against the state government for alleged inaction against the information technology firms for prolonged violation of labour laws.The KITU highlighted the fact that the four norms mentioned in the Industrial Employment Standing Orders Act 1946, to set up or run an IT or ITeS firm, are being violated by many companies in the state. According to the government orders, every workplace should constitute an internal committee as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.

IT is both apt and reductive that two images dominate others as Girish Karnad is remembered on social media: one, with Gauri Lankesh, protesting the killing of Karnad’s fellow Dharwadian Prof M S Kalburgi; the other, wearing the MeTooUrbanNaxal placard, at the memorial to mark the first anniversary of Gauri Lankesh’s own killing. Over the past few years, Karnad was seen as one of the most consistent, fearless and principled defenders of freedom of speech, cultural diversity and democracy.

PAKISTAN and China showered their respective bombs and benedictions on India in the midst of election season. The Pakistani establishment presented Pulwama on a platter for Modi to respond with Balakot air strikes. China filled Modi’s election kit by ensuring that Masood Azhar is placed in the international terrorist list.The twin external influences strengthened the sentiment across the country that Modi is a decisive leader who has made India stand tall in the comity of nations.