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In the US there is a concept of measuring the consumer feel-good factor through inflation expectation. If the consumer feels that the inflation is likely to ease, they feel good about it and do not mind paying higher prices in the short run. In fact, the consumer settles for a higher price, and the business settles for a higher nominal wage. The forward-looking business managers do not mind paying higher wages to the workers, as they realize higher profits. This process of wage-price spiral continues for a while and eventually settles down to an inflation level within the comfort zone of the central bank.

Even before the strategy session of the opposition meet makes public its common minimum programme and broader paradigm of their electoral policy at Shimla on July 12 the opposition leaders have decided to accord a distinct ideological character to their endeavour and identify it as Patriotic Democratic Alliance. What is really significant is the proposal surfaced just within 48 hours of the formal announcement that the second conclave will be held at Shimla to give their effort a definite organisation character.

The increasing import of cheaper Russian crude oil during the current fiscal may not necessarily lead to an encouraging economic growth for India this year. Cheaper oil imports from Russia are not helping to energise the economy. This is because the lower oil import cost benefits are not being passed on to the consumers who are continuously made to pay artificially inflated prices of petroleum products, including diesel and petrol. It is stifling the growth of an allround demand for goods and services in the country.

For some reasons, railway connectivity projects to improve Northeast India’s linkages with Bangladesh and the Indian mainland have been plagued by major delays. The situation spells concern for Tripura Government authorities, who have referred the matter to the Railway Ministry and the Prime Minister himself in recent months. Unfortunately, there has been no improvement in the situation.

Summarily dismissing the Aam Aadmi Party’s appeal that the opposition parties start their campaign with a show of unity on the issue of the Delhi ordinance is not good for the Opposition. More so because Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a massive hit on how democracy has fared under his watch during his US visit. And the Delhi ordinance is a direct hit on democracy; also a perfect example of “undeclared emergency”, which came in for scrutiny on yet another anniversary of the Emergency declared in 1975.

Cyber crime is a reality and cyber financial fraud a harsher fact. According to the RBI annual report, the banking sector recorded 9,103 cases of frauds involving Rs. 60,414 crore in 2021-22 and 7,359 cases of fraud involving Rs.1, 38,211 crore in 2020-21. May 2023 saw a sudden surge in bank fraud/internet banking fraud cases. Thousands of people get scammed daily and lose money to Internet banking fraud or mobile banking fraud.

The assumption is general elections 2024 will see people voting with their feet and it will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swansong whether he likes it or not. The plethora of opposition parties are sure Modi was on his last legs when he addressed the US Congress on June 23. For them, Modi’s overseas popularity is a chimera born out of a mirage.

Theatre has always been an integral part of politics as it now allows political leaders their private motivations and their public motivations. Sharad Pawar has employed all the skills, gathered over five decades of political experience, seamlessly to pull of three-act power play.

India and the United States will witness national elections to choose the top executives next year. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will seek a third term in the government. President Joe Biden is seeking reelection in the USA, while reports suggest that Michelle Obama, the former first lady, could be brought in as the Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate. During the Presidential race, Joe Biden had asked Michelle Obama to join him as the Vice Presidential candidate. It’s believed that the Obamas practically run the current Joe Biden administration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's four-day red carpet visit to the United States constitutes a microcosm of what a 21st-world order century will likely look like.