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As India’s economy stagnates, PM Modi revives UPA’s Economic Advisory Council

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Narendra Modi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The five-member panel will be headed by Bibek Debroy and include Surjit Bhalla, Rathin Roy, Ashima Goyal and Ratan Watal

Three years into his government, hit by predictions of an impending doom in the Indian economy – wounded severely by demonetisation and a hasty rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has revived the UPA government’s ‘think-tank’, the Economic Advisory Council, to help him steer the nation back to a growth trajectory.

Of course, the EAC predictably has as its members economists who are more aligned with the Modi regime’s ideas of economic reform and development, unlike the several panels that existed for different spans of time under former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s UPA government wherein members were often picked not purely for their ideological affiliations with the ruling party but for their expertise in different fields of the economy.

Nevertheless, Modi’s decision to revive the EAC with NITI Aayog member Bibey Debroy as its head is a significant move that – despite claims by the Prime Minister, finance minister Arun Jaitley, other senior ministers and BJP members – can be seen as the Prime Minister’s tacit admission of the fact that India’s growth story has taken a hit and needs expert ‘advise’ for revival.

Besides Debroy, who as member of NITI Aayog (Prime Minister’s redesigned version of the erstwhile Planning Commission) worked on several ideas on economic reforms that Modi held dear, other EAC members are Surjit Bhalla, development economist Rathin Roy and macro-economics expert Ashima Goyal. Ratan Watal, principal advisor to the NITI Aayog and a former finance secretary, will serve as the member-secretary of the panel.

The EAC members, all of whom seem well aligned with Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley’s idea of a making India’s economy more liberal (read: pro-market, pro-private sector and disinvestment), are expected to work closely with the NITI Aayog and senior bureaucrats of the Union finance ministry, including the government’s chief economic adviser Arvind Subramaniam and principal economic adviser Sanjeev Sanyal.

“Addressing issues of macroeconomic importance and presenting views thereon to the Prime Minister. This could be either suo-motu or on reference from the Prime Minister or anyone else,” is the key term of reference for the panel.

Taken at its face-value, the EAC appears to be the perfect team of economists who can draft a blueprint for reviving investor sentiment in the nation’s economy and suggest policy reforms that are in line with Modi’s vision (the this may be a matter of concern for many given the country’s experience in dealing with the Prime Minister’s demonetisation idea).

However, it may be worth exploring whether the constitution of the EAC – belated as it is – at a time when the government has less than two years left in power, will actually have enough time to realize its objectives. More importantly, given the slew of Assembly elections due across the country in the run up to the mega general election scheduled for April-May 2019 and the political compulsion of governments to adopt populist economic policies over pragmatic ones in state/union budgets that precede these polls, it remains to be seen whether the EAC will actually accomplish anything more than just filing copious reports on its recommendations.

The decline in India’s economy – despite contrary claims made by Modi and Jaitley – is more than evident and the recent figure of GDP growth rate declining to 5.7 per cent in the last quarter – falling to a three-year low – endorses this notion comprehensively. Besides just boosting figures and data, which mean little to a common man who doesn’t understand economic jargon, the major challenge for the EAC would be to suggest way of boosting India’s stagnant job market. All indications are that the Congress and opposition’s attack on the BJP during polls would include lack of jobs and the resultant unemployment as potent ammunition.

Modi doesn’t have the drawback that his predecessor, Dr Manmohan Singh, was constantly bogged down by – having to accommodate views of the National Advisory Council headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and comprising activists who wanted the government to focus more on social empowerment, often at the cost of economic progress. But given the Prime Minister’s style of functioning, the bigger question seems to be whether he will actually be open to advise given by his council of economic advisors.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Cricket news

India vs England T20 series 2025: Complete guide to matches, squads, and streaming info

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Promotional image for India vs England 2025 T20 series featuring match details

After wrapping up two months of intense Test cricket, Team India is ready to transition to the white-ball format with the much-anticipated five-match T20 series against England. This series not only offers India a chance to regroup after some challenging Test matches but also sets the stage for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the same opponent and the ICC Champions Trophy later in the year.

Series Schedule and Venues: The action begins at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and will move through four other major cricketing venues across India. Each match promises to be a display of high-octane cricket under the lights, with start times pegged at 7 PM IST to maximize audience engagement both at the grounds and on television.

Full Schedule:

  • 22 January: 1st T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
  • 25 January: 2nd T20I at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
  • 28 January: 3rd T20I at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
  • 31 January: 4th T20I at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
  • 2 February: 5th T20I at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Head-to-Head Record: India and England have a competitive T20I history with India leading slightly with 13 wins to England’s 11 in 24 matches. In India, the record is also closely contested, with England winning 9 of their 17 matches on Indian soil.

Viewing Options: Fans can catch all the live action on the Star Sports Network, and streaming is available on Disney Plus Hotstar. This accessibility ensures that fans won’t miss a moment of this enthralling series.

Detailed Squad Information:

India’s Squad:

  • Suryakumar Yadav (Captain): The dynamic batsman leads the team, known for his innovative stroke play.
  • Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper): A versatile player known for his aggressive batting and sharp wicketkeeping skills.
  • Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy: Young talents who have shown promise in domestic circuits.
  • Hardik Pandya: An all-rounder known for his ability to change the game with both bat and ball.
  • Axar Patel, Washington Sundar: Skilled spinners who can also contribute with the bat.
  • Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh: Emerging fast bowlers expected to bring energy and pace.
  • Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi: Experienced in their roles, crucial for their bowling attack.
  • Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper): Another young wicketkeeper with impressive domestic performances.

England’s Squad:

  • Jos Buttler (Captain): The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman leads the English side with his aggressive play.
  • Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith: Formidable batters known for their fast scoring.
  • Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed: Young players who bring fresh energy and skills.
  • Liam Livingstone: A powerful all-rounder known for hitting long sixes and bowling effective spin.
  • Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood: A strong bowling lineup with a mix of pace and spin, crucial for T20 format.

With both teams featuring a blend of seasoned internationals and exciting new talent, the T20 series is expected to be a closely contested affair. As the squads gear up for this high-profile series, the cricketing world eagerly awaits to see if India can maintain their formidable form in T20s or if England can disrupt their winning streak on Indian soil.

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Gadgets

Oppo Find N5 set to launch with 50W wireless charging and IPX9 water resistance

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Oppo Find N5 being tested underwater to showcase its IPX9 water resistance rating.

Oppo has officially confirmed that its latest innovation, the Find N5, will support 50W wireless charging and feature an IPX9 water resistance rating. The announcement comes as part of a series of teases highlighting the capabilities of this next-generation foldable smartphone, set to launch in February.

According to recent leaks, the Find N5 will be the first smartphone to incorporate the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, signaling significant performance enhancements. Pete Lau, Oppo’s Chief Product Officer, has touted the device as the “thinnest foldable phone,” positioning it against leading competitors like the latest iPhone in terms of sleek design.

Zhou Yibao, head of the Oppo Find series, shared insights via Weibo about the Find N5’s advanced features. The device not only matches the wireless charging speeds of newly released models like the Oppo Find X8 Pro and OnePlus 13 but also integrates seamlessly with in-car systems from major electric vehicle brands such as BYD and NIO.

In a compelling demonstration of its durability, a recent video posted by Yibao showed the Find N5 being submerged underwater, showcasing its capability to withstand significant water exposure, evidenced by its IPX9 rating. This test included recording underwater videos, highlighting the phone’s versatile camera capabilities in extreme conditions.

The Find N5 also sports a refined design with slimmer borders and a larger overall form factor compared to its predecessors, which could attract users looking for a sleek yet robust foldable phone.

As anticipation builds, Oppo has begun sharing images of the Find N5, revealing a foldable design as thin as a USB-C port when opened. This device promises to merge aesthetic appeal with functional excellence, setting a new benchmark in the evolving foldable phone market.

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India News

Saif Ali Khan out of hospital six days after stabbing at his residence

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Detained individual linked to the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan being escorted by police.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has returned to his home after being discharged from the hospital, where he was treated for injuries sustained from a stabbing incident at his residence last week. The actor, known for his roles in films such as “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Tanhaji,” was reportedly attacked unexpectedly in his home, leading to his hospitalization.

The incident, which sent shockwaves through the Bollywood community and his fanbase, occurred late at night and resulted in multiple injuries for Khan. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received immediate medical attention. The specifics of the incident, including the motive and the identity of the assailant, have not been publicly disclosed by the authorities.

During his stay at the hospital, Khan was under constant medical supervision and underwent several treatments to address his injuries. His discharge comes after a six-day period of intensive care, indicating a stable recovery.

Family members and representatives of Khan have expressed their gratitude to the medical team for their efforts and to fans for their support and well wishes during this challenging time. While the actor has been released from the hospital, he is expected to continue his recovery at home under the guidance of his personal doctors.

The Mumbai Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

This troubling event has sparked a conversation about the safety of public figures and the pressures they face. As Khan recuperates at home, the film industry and his supporters worldwide hope for his full recovery and return to the silver screen.

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