IT was a truly historic and unprecedented manifestation of worker-peasant unity in action. Such a widespread nationwide struggle with the participation of such a broad spectrum of trade unions and peasant organisations had never been seen in India since independence.Tens of thousands of workers, peasants and agricultural labourers thronged the capitals of almost all states in the country for three days from November 26 to 28, 2023, in actions that ranged from mahapadavs (sit-in struggles) to rallies to marches to the Raj Bhawans (governors’ mansions).

THE annual climate summit is upon us, with COP28 taking place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023. COP28 is a milestone event since it will take up the first five-yearly Global Stocktake (GST) to assess where the world stands with regard to decisions taken under the Paris Agreement (PA). The GST covers mitigation, adaptation, financing and other support to developing countries.

PORTUGAL is moving for snap elections after the prime minister Alberto Costa was forced to resign on the allegations of corruption. Though it was later reported that the investigative agencies were confused with the name Costa and had wrongly blamed the prime minister (instead of the finance minister Costa), the damage was done.

MASSIVE participation marked the 72 Hour Mahadharani (Mahapadav) during November 26-28, at Bangalore on the call of joint nation-wide call given by Samyuktha Kisan Morcha and Central Trade Unions. In Karnataka, Mahadharani was organised by SHK (Samyukta Horata Karnataka – a united platform of struggles of kisan, agricultural workers, dalit, women's, student and youth organisations and trade unions) and JCTU (Joint Committee of Trade Unions – a platform of state units of Central TUs and state level independent Employees’ Federations of various sectors).

THE National Education Policy 2020 (NEP), supposedly introduced to modernise and revamp India's education system, is currently being actively implemented nationwide in various phases and at varying paces. As India enters the second quarter of the 21st century, being the most populous country globally and anticipating a youth dividend, a contemporary and fair education system is imperative.