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Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s “beat with shoes” remark did the trick. Thackeray’s hint that shoes are also to hammer sense into politicians and political parties gone astray worked. The Congress took the hint, and stepped down from its high horse. Thackeray said people would “beat with shoes” those who talked of elections but didn't offer solutions to people’s problems. Of course, this was in response to a likely move to replace him.

For the time being, the BJP leadership may be content with the fact that it has somehow managed to douse the fire of rebellion in the state by preventing its disgruntled MLAs from leaving the party. The internal rift, however, hasn’t died. It has just slowed down. The alertness of the saffron party’s Delhi leadership by sending BL Santosh, the party’s general secretary (organisation), forced the dissenters to tone down their rebellious voices.

Covid-19 induced pandemic since early 2020 has brought untold miseries to India with unprecedented loss of lives, livelihood, loss of jobs, innumerable/unaccounted/undercounted deaths for shortages of medicines, for lack of oxygen, lack of beds, people dying on roads, on pavements of hospitals, black marketing of life saving drugs, black marketing of oxygen, indignity in deaths for cremation or burial of loved ones, never ending serpentine queue of dead bodies at crematoria and burial grounds, mismanagement in vaccines, deaths of more than 1000 medical doctors registered with Indian Medical Association, overcharging by private hospitals, government denying all that, glaring failure of leadership, resulting in all round collapse of modern healthcare that put spotlight on massive failure of the government to maintain a modicum of barest minimum medical care (Medicare).

It is obvious that the secular camp is hoping against hope to revive the moribund Congress so that it can take on the BJP. Some in the group are also banking on Rahul Gandhi to shed his part-timer tag and take to the field in real earnest. The validity of both the objectives cannot be doubted.

Imagine illegal migrants from India running hotels, call centres, fake financial services firms, hawala rackets and spy outfits in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Guangdong or in any other popular business hubs in China, which is known to mercilessly control the entry and exit of foreigners! Leave alone the illegal entry, ordinary Indians have been barred to even enter China legally since last year. According to India’s foreign ministry (MEA), travel for Indian nationals, including businessmen and students, to China has become impossible since November 20.

Recently deposed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is as much American as he is Israeli. While other Israeli leaders have made their strong relationship with Washington a cornerstone in their politics, Netanyahu’s political style was essentially American from the start.

A curious paradox prevails in Bangladesh: There is more anger at home about the growing spiral of non-political crimes and violence, than among Western diplomats, companies and investors. In broad sections of the Bangladeshi media there is much anguish expressed over the recent spate of murders, thefts, financial fraud and drug trafficking. A strong criticism of the functioning of the police in such a narrative follows naturally.

The euphoria over the release of the three student activists after one year of their stay in Tihar jail is being re assessed just within 24 hours of granting their bail, after the Supreme Court stating on June 18 that the manner in which the HC had interpreted the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act “will probably require examination” by the top court and the HC order will not be treated as a precedent and shall not be relied upon by anyone before any court. The three students who were feeling acquitted and free have suddenly been made to realise that they continue to be suspect in the eyes of the law.

“Flying Sikh” is no more. The legendary runner Milkha Singh passed away late last night at Chandigarh leaving behind legions of fans and admirers sad and mourning.

A doctor was called to the police station for inquiry into a complaint lodged by him against someone who had misbehaved with him. The police officer asked the doctor that why he did not retaliate when the said person was misbehaving. The doctor politely replied that as a doctor he is not trained to shout at anyone but to be modest, polite, caring, listening and serving to best of his ability. This is true for most of the medical professionals who have been bound with the books in their teenage and then on entry into the medical college further burdened with the huge syllabus which they must remember to be a doctor.