In today’s edition: the 13.5% growth of the Indian economy and what lies ahead; the Mikhail Gorbachev-Rajiv Gandhi connection; questions about congressional chief polls; the last of the Asian Cup; and more
The big story
India’s economy grew by 13.5% from a year ago in the April-June quarter of this fiscal year, its fastest annual growth rate in four quarters.
🔴 But this was lower than the Reserve Bank of India’s estimate that the GDP growth rate should be around 16.2% in the first quarter.
🔴 What awaits us? : Finance Secretary TV Somanathan said India’s economy is “on track” to achieve growth of over 7% this financial year.
🔴 However, going forward, there are headwinds looming, including deteriorating global growth prospects, the impact of rising inflation on consumption, and gradually rising interest rates that could eventually dampen growth momentum throughout the year.
Only in the Express
The government has asked public sector banks to increase disbursement of education loansciting several complaints received from various circles concerning the delay in the sanction and the refusal for “weak reasons”, The Indian Express has learned. PSBs have been reluctant to disburse small education loans as ‘defaults are increasing’ as ‘starters are not able to find jobs as easily as before’.
From the first page
Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh convened a Sikh community gathering on September 5 to discuss alleged “forced conversions” in Christianity. Talk to The Indian ExpressSingh said the Sikh community should “seriously think about demanding an anti-conversion law” in Punjab.
Hours after a 34-year-old pregnant Indian tourist died while being transferred from one hospital to another in Lisbon due to the unavailability of a bed, Portuguese Health Minister Marta Temido resigns amid intense criticism from the National Health Service.
must read
Mikhail Gorbachev, who died Wednesday at the age of 92, came to lead the Soviet Union just months after Rajiv Gandhi became India’s prime minister. The relationship between the two leaders ushered in a five-year waltz between the two countries. We take a look at how Rajiv and Gorbachev forged Indo-Soviet relations.
In scenes reminiscent of 2000, when the transparency of the electoral process became a bone of contention in the run-up to the contest between Sonia Gandhi and Jitendra Prasada to President of Congressat least three party leaders demanded that voter lists be made public to ensure the transparency of the process.
Considering the dispute over Ganpati festivities among the Idgahs in Bangalore and Hubbali, Faizan Mustafa is of the opinion“A Muslim initiative to allow Ganpati pooja in Idgah would have been the appropriate response to those who want to profit politically from people’s religious sentiments. May there be peace between religions and fraternity between communities.
Whereas Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand sent most of the ruling alliance’s MPs to Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh to deter an alleged “poaching” attempt by the BJP and overthrow its government, the saffron party is not without its share of obstacles in his so-called “Mission Jharkhand” as the governor awaits the recommendation reported by the polling panel to exclude Soren as an MP.
The demolition of the Supertech twin towers left behind 80,000 tonnes of debris, of which 28,000 tonnes will be scientifically processed at a Concrete and Demolition (C&D) waste plant in Noida by Re Sustainability and Recycling Private Ltd. For dealing with debris from the Twin Towers, staff will work between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with two hours before and after the shift dedicated to carrying out plant maintenance work.
And finally…
There is no more reassuring spectacle for his club and his country than Suryakumar Yadav big at bat in a T20 game. The entrance is indescribable – there is no bluster or strut, rather a desire to start knocking as soon as possible. Yadav is perhaps only 25 games away from his international career, which for his sparkling gifts has blossomed belatedly. But already he has been given an aura, carved out a place for himself among the T20 cricketing royalty of his time and firmly established that in his current form he is the best T20 batsman in his country.
Delhi Confidential: At the head of a parliamentary delegation to Suriname, Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla told the foreign country’s National Assembly that India is ready with an action plan to become a developed state by 2047. But he reminded lawmakers that effective legislation is always the result of constructive discussions . Back home, the opposition say Birla’s message is for the ruling party, which they say is passing key bills without proper debate.
🎧 In today’s episode of ‘3 things podcastwe talk about the debate around the resignation of Ghulam Nabi Azad from Congress, the floods in Pakistan and Punjab banning proxy male sarpanches.
Until next time,
Sonal Gupta and Srishti Kapoor
