Weeklong May Day Celebrations in Telangana

MAY Day celebrations in Telangana have transformed from mere customary events to occasions that have all-round participation of the working class and the people at large. The special initiatives introduced last year have further enhanced the celebrations this year. It goes without saying that the customary practices, such as adorning decorations with red flags and the attendance of workers at meetings and demonstrations wearing red shirts and sarees on May Day, continue to be observed. These were observed this year as well.

The Short History of A Large Note

The withdrawal of the Rs 2,000 note marks the end of a sordid chapter in the demonetisation sagaTHE withdrawal of the Rs 2,000 note from circulation by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which it announced on May 19, 2023, marks the end of a sordid chapter in the tragi-comic demonetisation saga. The presence of the Rs 2,000 note in circulation was a constant reminder of the horrors of a “nation in the queue”. The note was also an object of ridicule, particularly due to bizarre claims at the time of its introduction, of a nano chip implanted in it.

Undermining Workers’ Rights: The Push for 12-Hours Working Day

DURING the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when people were grappling with the dual concerns of preserving their health and sustaining their livelihoods, the BJP-led Modi government at the centre, along with certain state governments, attempted to extend the working hours of employees from 8 hours to 12 hours per day. This contradicts the principles outlined in the tripartite ILO Convention on Working Hours, to which India is a signatory.

Odisha: ‘Defeating Neo-Liberalism & Neo-Fascism is Both Imperative & Attainable’

ON the occasion of the first death anniversary of Sivaji Patnaik, a distinguished person who was a former member of CPI(M) Central Committee, former secretary of CPI(M) Odisha state committee, a former member of Parliament, and a revered Communist leader of Odisha, rich tributes were paid to him in Bhubaneswar on May 23.

United Farmers’ Movement Paves the Way

UNDER the leadership of the All India Kisan Sabha, the ongoing farmers' movement of Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh has been successful in instilling renewed faith in the united struggle of farmers and landless farm workers. What started on April 25, 2023 in Greater Noida, has now entered its 36th day with support among farmers increasing every day.

LIC Agents Hold Sixth National Conference

THE sixth All India Conference of LIC Agents’ Organisation of India (LICAOI-CITU) was held at Alluri Seetharamaraju Vignana Kendram in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh from May 22 to 23.A massive rally was held with thousands of agents, which culminated at the public grounds opposite the LIC Divisional Office on the first day of the conference. A public meeting was organised after the rally, and it was chaired by L Manjunath, vice president of LICAOI.

Is “De-Globalisation” Occurring?

MANY economists these days talk of a process of “de-globalisation” taking place; some others talk of the neoliberal regime of yesteryears no longer existing. Of course, nothing remains the same forever: as the Greek philosopher Heraclitus had said “You cannot step into the same river twice”; some change in the neoliberal order therefore is inevitable with the passage of time.

Let’s Not Misread Recent Fall in Inflation

THIS is indeed good news that the combined general consumer price index (CPI) declined for the fourth consecutive month from January 2023 to April 2023. In rural areas the successive decline in inflation as per the general CPI is also recorded for the past four months and in case of urban areas, the decline in inflation is for the third consecutive month.Inflation figures measure the change in prices on a month on month or year on year basis reflecting the rise in prices with reference to previous time point.

Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 Undermines Forest Laws, Nullifies Power of Grama Sabhas, says BAA

RESPONDING to the joint parliament committee’s (JPC) invitation for suggestions and comments from the public over the proposed Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, the Bhumi Adhikar Andolan (BAA), an umbrella organisation of outfits working on land rights, said that there are serious concerns regarding the proposed amendment bill.

China’s Large Passenger Jet Enters Commercial Service: Lessons in Self-Reliance for India

IT has been some time coming, but China’s first large home-made passenger jet finally entered commercial service last week on May 28, 2023 on a China Eastern Airlines flight from Shanghai to Beijing. The C919 jetliner, with a 156-168 seat capacity and a nominal range of 4000-5500km, is made by State-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China or COMAC.

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