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The present strategy and structure of trade unions, evolved during the period when welfare economics prevailed and existing technology saw the evolution of big corporations with big manufacturing units, employing hundreds and hundreds of workers. The evolution of Fordism with assembly line production, deskilling of workers, etc, was seen during the period. But constant class struggle that was unfolding, power of workers to stop production was an important factor in increasing their bargaining strength along with the existence of socialist world, which also helped in increasing power of workmen vis-à-vis capitalists.

For over two years now, the world has been facing a pandemic the like of which has not been seen for a century, and which has already taken 15 million lives according to the WHO, without being anywhere near an end. This is an unprecedented crisis for humanity as a whole, which requires a massive effort on the part of every government, especially governments in third world countries where the people are particularly vulnerable not just to the disease but also to the destitution it brings in its train.

The mood in Uttar Pradesh is different from what it was before the last assembly elections. Things are on an unprecedented boil. Kashi, Mathura, Agra… Things happening with far-reaching implications. Before the elections, there was AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi making a pitch for the Muslim vote, claiming he alone cared for the Muslims of Uttar Pradesh. The claimants for Uttar Pradesh’s Muslim votebank till then were Akhilesh Yadav and Behan Mayawati.

In some Indian states, the two major regional parties the Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, sworn as they are to battle against the ruling BJP — find themselves unavoidably drawn into a bitter struggle to upstage each other in their quest to achieve organizational growth.

In 1998 that is 24 years back on 11th May India carried out first nuclear weapon test under the Vajpayee government. The event was celebrated with fanfare; public was jubilant over that India has now become a power to reckon with. Those who termed the event as a step towards mutually assured destruction were ridiculed. But just after 17 days on 28th May Pakistan too did the same. Observers felt that Pakistan has become at par with India in nuclear weapons race. Mood of the supporters of nuclear weapons in the country got subdued. Some experts argued that India who had superiority over Pakistan in conventional warfare has lost that since both countries have become nuclear armed. Exact figure unknown but there are estimates that both have 100 plus nuclear weapons each.

The Horn of Africa, also known as Somali Peninsula, is making big news these days but somehow it’s not reaching us with the same high decibel resonance as the Sri Lankan economic and political crisis or the Russia-Ukraine war. A geographical region that spans several African countries — Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda, the Horn of Africa is in the grip of a prolonged and devastating drought.

The 75th year of Indian independence, which the government named as 'Amrith Kaal' is marked by the growl of the bulldozers. It has become a day-to-day affair in the national capital where the authorities come with bulldozers to the neighbourhood of Delhi where the poor people dwell in huge numbers. Jahangirpuri, Govindpuri, Shaheenbagh, Sarojini Nagar- thus the list grows. It shows the class character of the RSS - BJP government and its approach to the concerns of the poor. Shelter is a fundamental right of every human being living on this earth. For the BJP, that is easily forgettable if the victims are poor or Muslims. This is an outrageous violation of Article 21 of the constitution.

The May 9 incidents of violence in Sri Lanka bought into sharp relief the deteriorating situation caused by the grave economic crisis which has gripped the country. The economic crisis has now engulfed the political system and the entire society.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the late far right dictator Ferdinand Marcos won the Presidential elections in Philippines on May 9 signaling the ousted the comeback of the worst forms of authoritarianism that marked the tenure of the elected President’s father in the 1980s. The namesake son of the ousted President won the elections with big margins by defeating the incumbent vice president Leni Roberto who stood as the candidate of opposition.

BHOPAL: Supreme Court’s direction to hold local bodies elections without reservation for OBCs has created serious dilemma for the BJP led Madhya Pradesh Government. The BJP was very keen that seats in local bodies should be reserved for OBCs. It is the considered opinion of the BJP that OBCs constitute solid base for the party.