All eyes are on the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections and we thought it appropriate to do a comprehensive package on that along with a special story on the other polls in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. Written with deep political insight, our Cover Story affirms that the BJP victory in Gujarat is a foregone conclusion while the debate is only about who will be the runner-up – an aggressive AAP or a subdued Congress. The report also delves into the reasons why the BJP is headed for a record win and how, and where, the Congress Party has gone wrong. Extending the poll package to Centrespread, we carry a detailed report explaining the ‘Gujarat Model’ and the reasons behind its continued success. The other story on the page analyses the Himachal poll scenario and concludes that here, too, the BJP has an edge.
As a precursor to India’s glorious moment on the world stage – the assumption of G20 presidency – Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the premium forum’s official logo and theme; and that is the lead story on our G20 Podium. As one of the oldest civilisations, India has a lot to offer to the world and its G20 presidency logo and theme are a reflection of its deep-rooted belief in universal equality and harmony, says our report. Quoting extensively from PM Modi’s speech, the report says that India’s G20 theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ not only emphasises the value of all life forms but also celebrates the idea of interconnectedness. It also explains the significance of the seven leaved lotus logo in Indian culture and highlights the PM’s remarks that the world is going through a series of disruptions and the Indian approach will unite and bring hope to it. Besides, we carry a report on the Bali Summit of the G20 Religion Forum and introduce a new feature on the weekly events associated with India’s upcoming G20 presidency.
We revive the Globetrotting Page with spotlight on Georgia, a transcontinental country that shares historical ties with India. Today, the two countries have robust cooperation in wide-ranging fields and the possibilities of signing an FTA are also being explored, says our report. It also focuses on Georgia’s importance as a major hub for transportation and logistics because of its strategic location in the Black Sea region. Alongside, we carry an informative piece on Georgia’s martyred Queen Ketevan, who reigned in the 17th century and the fragments of whose body were found buried in Goa centuries later. A related box describes how Georgia has become a hub of medical education for Indian students.
In the context of the ongoing meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 27) in the seaside city of Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, we carry two special reports contributed by experts in the field of science and environment. Among the top stories on our news pages are UP Government’s quest to hit the trillion-dollar economy target and the dilemma faced by Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray in mending fences with the BJP.
Enjoy reading!
