🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
- dhadakkamgarunion0
- Aug 7
- 4 min read
🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
The recent administrative conflict between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the appointment of BEST's General Manager reflects deeper tensions within the Maharashtra ruling alliance. When two top leaders issue contradictory orders for the same post, it not only confuses the bureaucracy but also undermines the credibility of governance. The appointment of Ashish Sharma by Fadnavis and Ashwini Joshi by Shinde for the same role showcases a clash of authority and ego that has now spilled into the public domain. This has led to murmurs within administrative circles about political one-upmanship directly affecting governance. It signals that all may not be well between BJP and Shinde Sena, especially when such decisions are becoming power plays rather than cooperative actions.Adding to the political turbulence, several Shinde Sena ministers are currently under fire. Allegations against Sanjay Shirsat and Yogesh Kadam — both considered close aides of Shinde — have brought additional embarrassment. Shirsat’s leaked video showing cash-filled bags and Kadam’s family-run bar being raided by police have damaged the moral standing of the faction. Furthermore, with CM Fadnavis now keeping tight control over urban development expenditures exceeding ₹500 crore, it seems the BJP leadership is strategically asserting its dominance, subtly sidelining Shinde's influence. This internal tug-of-war within the Mahayuti not only threatens administrative stability but could also pave the way for future political realignments in Maharashtra.
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🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
The devastation caused by the natural calamity in Uttarkashi’s Dhanolti region is a grim reminder of nature’s unpredictable fury and our increasing vulnerability to climate disasters. Homes, trees, and human settlements were swallowed in minutes, as described in the article, leaving behind debris, despair, and a dire need for rescue. The soil erosion, massive landslides, and water gushing through mountains have not only destroyed infrastructure but also disrupted countless lives. With multiple people feared trapped and 28 tourists still missing, the human toll continues to rise while rescue teams work against time. The haunting silence post-tragedy reflects the fragile state of human settlements in ecologically sensitive zones.This catastrophe also raises critical questions about the unchecked expansion of tourism, real estate, and infrastructural activities in the hilly terrains of the Himalayas. The death toll and economic loss outlined in the report stress the need for stronger environmental safeguards and disaster preparedness. While the Ganga river’s increasing pollution levels and changing behavior are mentioned metaphorically, they serve as a powerful symbol of nature’s revenge against human neglect. It’s time policymakers reassess development in such regions, prioritizing sustainable practices over short-term profits. As citizens, we must also introspect: Are we pushing our environment too far, and is nature now pushing back harder?
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🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
The recent confrontation in Dadar over the pigeon-feeding zone reflects a growing clash between public sentiments and civic responsibility. On one side, we have members of the Jain community who view the ban on pigeon feeding near the Kabutarkhana as a restriction on their religious and social tradition. On the other, civic authorities and courts have highlighted the health and hygiene risks caused by pigeon droppings and overpopulation. The visuals of protests and police involvement underscore the tension between faith-based customs and urban regulations. The protesters, especially women, raised slogans and faced off with law enforcement, demanding their right to continue feeding pigeons — turning a symbolic act of peace into a contentious issue.
This situation reveals the deep emotional ties that communities have to cultural practices — even those challenged by modern civic norms. However, it also emphasizes the role of the judiciary in upholding public health. The High Court’s interim order prohibiting pigeon feeding, while reasonable in its logic, needs a careful outreach strategy to avoid social friction. The way forward must involve creating designated zones, public education about health risks, and constructive dialogue between religious bodies and the BMC. Mumbai, being a melting pot of diverse traditions, must evolve mechanisms where emotion, belief, and science coexist without conflict.
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🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
The question surrounding UPI (Unified Payments Interface) being "free" or not is no longer just speculative. With RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das hinting at the possibility of levying charges on UPI transactions, the conversation has taken a serious turn. UPI has become the backbone of India's digital payment ecosystem — with crores relying on it for everything from grocery payments to rent transfers. If any charges are imposed, it will disrupt a system that was built on the idea of “Digital India,” where cashless convenience came without cost. A nominal fee, if introduced, might be justified from a banking infrastructure point of view, but the psychological impact on daily users and small merchants could be significant.The government faces a complex challenge: maintaining UPI’s reach and accessibility while also making the system economically sustainable for service providers. The fact that UPI remains completely free at this moment is a strong reassurance, but the signs indicate that this model might not last forever. In a country where adoption of digital platforms is just gaining momentum in rural and semi-urban belts, this debate must be handled with utmost sensitivity. If handled poorly, it could result in a digital divide where only certain sections of the population benefit from UPI, defeating the very purpose of the digital revolution.
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🖋️ From the desk of Abhijeet Rane:
Donald Trump’s latest decision to double tariffs on Indian imports — from 25% to a shocking 50% — is a direct economic jolt that exposes the fragility of Indo-US trade ties. This move, reportedly triggered by India continuing to buy oil from Russia, has not only soured diplomatic undertones but threatens the balance of trade in multiple sectors. Trump’s aggressive protectionist stance, branding India’s moves as “unfair and uncooperative,” reflects a larger shift in US policy to punish economic partners who don’t align with its geopolitical agendas. The abrupt nature of this hike, effective immediately and further increasing from August 27, suggests a tactic meant to arm-twist rather than negotiate.Economically, this…
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