The Buzz & Beyond

  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...

  Modi’s Manipur Visit: Symbolism, Promises, and the Road Ahead Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Manipur — his first since the ethnic conflict erupted in May 2023 — carried weighty symbolism and a string of promises. By reaching out to both Churachandpur in the Kuki-Zo hills and Imphal in the Meitei-majority valley, the PM sent a clear message of unity: peace must be the foundation of progress. Key Highlights of His Address Peace as a cornerstone : Modi termed violence an “injustice” to both ancestors and future generations, stressing reconciliation as vital for progress. Support for displaced families : 7,000 new homes, a ₹3,000-crore package, and ₹500 crore for relief reflect direct central commitment. Stronger local governance : Promised more funding and empowerment of local bodies, particularly addressing tribal concerns. Infrastructure push : Highways, the Jiribam–Imphal rail link, and urban projects worth thousands of crores were positioned as unif...