The Buzz & Beyond

  GST 2.0: From Festive Boom to Sustained Growth — Can India Maintain the Momentum? In a recent press briefing, several Union Ministers announced that GST 2.0 has been a major success. Introduced just ahead of the festive season, this revamped tax structure—featuring only two simplified slabs —was positioned as a “bonus for the people,” designed to spur spending and accelerate economic growth. And it worked. The electronics sector recorded a 25% surge in sales during Navratri , while Maruti Suzuki sold 51,000 cars on Dhanteras alone —that’s roughly 35 cars a minute ! Hyundai too reported a 25% rise in festive sales . With increased car sales came a ripple effect—boosting demand for accessories, furniture, and sweets—driving a broader surge across the economy. So far, so good. But is that enough? The Need to Move Beyond a Festive Surge While India is projected to clock the highest growth rate globally at 6% , this still falls short of its own 8% target . Realistically, even ...

  Trump’s Trade Gamble: America First or America Alone? Donald Trump’s unilateral trade policies have stirred one of the most heated global economic debates in recent years. Supporters hail them as a bold defence of American interests, while critics dismiss them as “economic bullying” — and both sides have a point. “When power replaces partnership, the global order begins to crumble. In his second term, Trump’s administration has pursued an aggressive and confrontational trade strategy aimed at reshaping global commerce to favour the United States. However, by alienating allies and bypassing multilateral frameworks, this approach risks isolating America and potentially triggering a global recession. To be fair, there is logic behind Trump’s hardline stance. The U.S. has long grappled with a steady decline in its manufacturing base — a challenge with far-reaching economic and geopolitical implications. Reviving domestic industry is not merely about jobs; it’s about national power...

  कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन। मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥ Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani I would like to respectfully differ from the general interpretation given to this verse. Often, people quote only the first line of this verse, overlooking the second line that completes its meaning. Let us first observe the phrase (कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते) Karmanyevadhikaraste —sometimes written as “Karmanye Vadhikaraste,” which is also acceptable. When split further, we get Karmanya, Eva, Adhikara, Aste. A rough translation of this verse is: “You have the right only to work, but never to its fruits. Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.” While many scholars have offered spiritual interpretations, I prefer to view this through a management lens . Every journey begins with a destination in mind. When we want to go nowhere, every road is our road . Similarly, every...

  Karur Tragedy: When Hero-Worship Turns Deadly This weekend, Karur witnessed a tragedy that should shake every thinking citizen. Tens of thousands gathered to see Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar — “Thalapathy” Vijay — actor-turned-politician. Hours of delay, unbearable heat, and poor crowd control turned the rally into chaos. A stampede followed. 40 lives lost. Many injured. Even toddlers died. Vijay is one of Tamil Nadu’s most successful actors and is running for office in state elections scheduled to be held in early 2026. He was there for a political address. Chaos prevailed and yet, in the middle of this human disaster, speeches continued, slogans roared, and the frenzy went on. Nobody is asking: What were little children doing at a political rally?  In India, cinema is more than entertainment — it’s an emotion. We laugh, cry, and celebrate with our favourite stars. Over time, these actors become part of our families, part of our identity. So when they step into politics, it’s...

Protest in Leh Over Statehood and Sixth Schedule Safeguards Turns Violent On September 24, 2025 , Leh city in the Union Territory of Ladakh witnessed a major protest demanding constitutional safeguards for statehood and tribal status under the Sixth Schedule . What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly escalated into violence, leaving several people dead and many others injured. The incident reflects the growing tensions in Ladakh , where local communities feel their political and social rights remain unaddressed since the region’s reorganization in 2019. Central to their demands is inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution , a move seen as critical to preserving Ladakh’s tribal identity, land rights, and cultural heritage. The Sixth Schedule: Constitutional Background The Sixth Schedule, incorporated under Articles 244(2) and 275(1) of the Constitution, provides for autonomous governance of tribal areas . Rooted in the recommendations of the Bardoloi Committee, i...

  PAKISTAN – SAUDI ARABIA STRATEGIC DEFENCE PACT – 2025 On 18 September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Defence Pact , under which both nations pledged to assist each other in the event of an attack by any enemy — including nuclear threats. The pact was announced with much fanfare: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aircraft was accorded a grand reception, comparable to the welcome extended to U.S. President Donald Trump just weeks earlier. Immediately after signing, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir departed for the UNGA conference in the U.S., where they were scheduled to meet President Trump on the sidelines. While the event is being projected as historic, I hold a contrarian view: this pact is more show than substance. In reality, it represents Washington’s strategy of keeping Pakistan firmly within its orbit, rather than granting it “strategic autonomy.” Free lunches in the White House are never truly free; they always demand repayment in k...

  What is the Waqf Act, 1995? The Waqf Act, 1995 is a central law enacted in India to ensure the effective administration, management, and protection of Waqf properties —endowments of property created under Muslim law for religious or charitable purposes. The Act provides for the establishment of Waqf Boards at both the state and central levels to supervise these properties, ensuring their proper use in line with their intended objectives, and to maintain transparency and legality in their management. In 2025, the Act was amended through the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 , also referred to as the UMEED Act (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development). Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 Trusts Excluded : Muslim trusts governed by other charity laws are treated as separate from Waqfs. Inheritance Rights Protected : Women and children must receive their rightful inheritance before property is designated as Waqf. Protection of Tribal L...