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The Maharashtra government has decided to revive a tax-rebate scheme, which was withdrawn in the wake of Covid-19 in 2020. This scheme provides the wineries using grapes grown within the state a refund of 16% of the 20% VAT they pay. The decision would be enforced retroactively, covering the last four financial years – from 2020-21 to 2023-2024.

Inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is by and large seen to have significantly strengthened his political clout. However, the way the similar controversies surrounding Mathura and Kashi were raised thereafter by the RSS-VHP-BJP clan is indicative of their doubt that they could not generate enough passion to win the forthcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024.In place of unity among Hindus, the organisers found them divided, many criticizing them for reducing the religious occasion to mere politics, many abstained from the celebrations, and many celebrated the occasion separately.

Is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's judgement coming under scrutiny? The critics wonder whether he promoted aides who ultimately betrayed him and the Congress. The recent departure of former minister Milind Deora has shrunk his inner circle, leaving only a few close aides who remain loyal. It's worth noting that the BJP has welcomed many aides who have left Congress and even encouraged some to defect from the Party.

Consecration of Ram temple on January 22 in Ayodhya has thrown open multiple questions in the public domain. Question such as who has the patent right for Ram, is it the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat or Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and whether it’s the only one person and none else, RSS’s mandir-man Modi has the right to enter into the mandirs across the country. Also, why, the most important issue, persons like L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, who had launched and spearheaded the movement for demolition of Babri Masjid and construction of Ram Mandir in the 1980s and 90s, were not allowed access to the celebration, and whether RSS is on a mission to redefine the religious importance and relevance of Ram through Modi.

As Finance Minister presents her interim budget for 2024-25 on February 1 this year, she has to keep in mind that this year promises to be a watershed year for India’s space exploration! The year, 2024, has been marked as ‘The Year of Gaganyaan’ by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somanath, who elaborated on the Gaganyaan timeline.

The latest moves of the far right forces in a number of countries in Europe have finally awakened the common liberal masses leading many of them to join the protest demonstrations against the continuing campaign of the right wing forces. Germany is the latest example where massive demonstrations were held on Saturday and Sunday against the activities of the far right AfD.

Democratic governance, backed by popular mandate is the sole path towards political stability, rule of law and much needed reforms. It is a contention none has any quarrel with.

India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar may disagree, but the country has failed to use its import trade muscle to improve its diplomatic relations with China. His recent statement on Sino-India relations at a gathering in Nagpur earlier this month that “a strife-torn border and good business can’t go together” lacks clarity and goes against the factual position with regard to the country’s growing imports from China despite the latter’s growing military postures along India’s land and maritime borders. The trade with China has been practically one-sided with India importing more and more from China and exporting less and less due to rigorous Chinese restrictions. India has failed to react. India continues to feed China and its economy with billions of dollars of imports every year helping the Chinese industry and trade keep millions of their people employed at India’s cost. This is irrespective of increasing Chinese military threats along India’s borders.

January 22, 2024 has just become an epoch-making date in Indian History. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi led the rituals with Rashtriya Swayamsevak chief Mohan Bhagwat by his side and inaugurated the new Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Since Sunday, every nook and corner of the country under RSS clan’s influence saw the frenzy of whipped up religious passions. On January 22 Deepavali was observed across the country. However, the history will remember the occasion only as controversial, when brute political power was on show overwhelming the country in the name of religion.

It is a historical attainment for RSS. On January 22, it succeeded in striding one stable step towards altering the character and identity of India, from being a secular, socialist country to a theological Hindu Rashtra.