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Striking a hopeful note, IMF sees a “gradual strengthening” of global economy in the new year, as constraints on economic activity “start to ease”, and projects global growth at 3.5 per cent in 2013 from 3.2 per cent last year. In a New Year update, IMF, however, maintains broadly its earlier forecasts except in the euro area where mild recession will continue into 2013.

Ultimately Nitin Gadkari had to forego his ambition to lead BJP for the second consecutive term. He was under cloud ever since the disclosure by the Arvind Kejriwal about his complicity with the Congress led government of Maharashtra, in which he had acquired the surplus land of farmers in record time. Then came the disclosures of his use of his Ministerial power to favour a construction company, which later paid a huge amount to his Company Purty Limited. It was also found out that many investment companies, which had invested in his Purty, were fake and had false addresses.

LUCKNOW: BJP has launched its campaign for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls with the “Atal Shankhnaad rally” held in Lucknow in January 21.

Skirmishes at the India-Pakistan Line of Control (LoC) in the Mendhar sector in Jammu have spilled blood—both soldiers’ and civilians’—and precipitated a crisis that could snowball into a destructive conflict unless it’s resolved through skilful diplomatic intervention.

Having covered the historic plenary session of the Congress in December 1985 in Bombay in which Rajiv Gandhi made his frank and forthright “power broker” speech and having listened to Rahul Gandhi at Jaipur AICC meeting last Sunday, I can draw comparison between the two. Though the times have changed, the tone and tenor of the speeches of both father and son were almost identical.

Notwithstanding existing plethora of schemes for the Minority communities, the persistent backwardness of the Muslims has drawn the attention of the Government. With a view to rectify the anomalies, the recently released 12th Five Year Plan document has suggested restructuring of the existing schemes and has also launched six fresh schemes in view to ameliorate the abject situation of the Muslims in India.

Rahul Gandhi’s coronation hints at the return of feudalism to the government’s helm after more than two decades. As the Congress vice-president and number two in the organization, the uncertainties about his prime ministerial goal have been largely removed. If his party wins in 2014, he may well become India’s second youngest prime minister.