Pakistan plays India in the T20 World Cup. No handshakes as earlier. India wins to enter Super-eight.
In Telangana, Congress won a majority (1537) of 2996 wards across 123 urban local bodies that went to polls on 11 February. Followed by BRS (781). BJP is at a distant third (336). Now we have to wait for the election of Mayors/Chairpersons, and their deputies on 16 February.
After 18 months of an interim Government led by Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh went for elections on 12 February. Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, won a landslide victory (209/299). Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured second most seats (68). These include 5 seats won by National Citizen Party (NCP), out of 30 seats it contested. Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was disallowed to contest the elections. We need to wait and watch what Yunus would be doing after handing over the reins to Tarique Rahman soon.
The Prime Minister’s Office moves out of the South Block. Now, PMO is in Seva Teerth. Seva Teerth includes National Security Council Secretariat and Cabinet Secretariat too. South Block and North Block are expected to become museums. Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 are expected to accommodate several major ministries, including Finance, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Corporate Affairs, Education, Culture, Law and Justice, Information and Broadcasting, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Chemicals and Fertilisers and Tribal Affairs.
Our taxation is supporting start-ups but not collectives. There is no tax for 3 years for a start-up, not even Minimum Alternate Tax, MAT. MAT of 15% is chargeable on collectives.
Large capital gets to pay no tax for 15-18 years. Are we friendly to the marginalized, poor?
India’s top philanthropies and CSR spenders – Shiv Nadar, Shiv Nadar Foundation; Reliance, Reliance Foundation; Azim Premji, Azim Premji Foundation; and Tata Trusts.
Mahashivarathri, Har Ratri, Herath. Great Night of Shiva. Spiritual. Tandava, cosmic dance of Shiva. Shiva-Parvathi Kalyanam. A day of upavaas, and jaagaran. Fasting during the day and staying awake throughout, keeping the spine erect. Dance festival, Music festival.
We celebrate: completing 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 years. At 60, Shashti, introspection begins and we move to ‘what truly matters’; at 70, we want peace, and move to preserving relationships, rather than winning debates; at 80, Sathabhishekam, Sahasra Chandra Darshan, our presence becomes a blessing; at 90, Navathi, our egos retire, gentle stillness settles in; at 100, Shatamaanam, we complete our lives. Can we get ready for these transitions, as we age, as we move forward?
How do we grow? Even under criticism. By not ignoring it, by not withdrawing, by not losing track. By pausing, reflecting and responding with compassion, kindness and care. Can we stay calm and listen? Can we take time to process – for emotions to settle, for reflection? Can we separate feelings from facts? Can we seek clarifications? Can we control our urge to justify? Can we be grateful for time, feedback, response, criticism? Can we act, follow-up? Can we grow, grow up?
Can we reset our priorities and pursue them? more relevant and useful. Can we keep doing it?
Yes, we can. If we coexist, flowing. Living the planned practices. In N? sopaanayoga for 7L.