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She quit her high-paying job after learning this about her employer: Red flags to look out for in corporates

She quit her high-paying job after learning this about her employer: Red flags to look out for in corporates

Even after several months of deliberations, the resignation did not come. It came quickly, almost suddenly, and despite what most would consider a dream proposal. His salary is twice as big as his previous salary. A role that promised growth. A company that, on paper, seemed progressive. And within a few days nothing felt right. It wasn’t workload. These were not people. These were not even expectations. This was something much more subtle and much more disturbing. Cameras.Not the usual security cameras placed on corners or entry points. These were different. These were designed to observe, measure and explain human behavior at a microscopic level. They monitored eye movements. They monitored blinking patterns. They quietly collected data on how attentive employees were at any given time. And that was enough for him. She left.When observation turns into monitoringThe story, shared by a career coach @Simon_Ingariquickly gained popularity online—not because people were surprised that someone quit, but because of why he did so. This raises many uncomfortable questions. Employers today have access to increasingly sophisticated technology. Tools that measure keystrokes, track screen time, analyze communication patterns, and now—even study biological signals like blinking. The rationale is often simple: better data leads to better performance management. But this incident reveals another aspect. When every movement is monitored, work stops feeling like work. It starts to feel like a test you didn’t agree to take. Experts argue that such systems don’t just monitor productivity – they reshape behavior. Employees begin to act not naturally, but strategically. They make a show of “being productive” rather than actually focusing on meaningful output.A decision that sparked debateWhat makes this matter more shocking is the response of the leadership. The company’s CEO reportedly did not see any problem in the system. If seen from the management perspective, it makes sense. In-depth analysis of employee behavior can play a role in increasing productivity. And needless to say, this will lead to better accountability.But not everyone liked that approach. Critics say the issue isn’t related to cameras — which are already in most offices anyway. But it’s about intention. If a company feels the need to measure how many times a person blinks, what does that say about how it views its employees? As the discussion spread, many professionals began to question whether such practices were the future of work – or a step too far. false illusion of dream jobOutwardly the employee’s decision may seem quite illogical, but in fact it says a lot about his attitude towards the company and its employees. But this story highlights a deeper truth: Compensation alone doesn’t define a good job.A role may provide financial rewards and yet fail to provide psychological security. In fact, high-paying jobs can sometimes hide deeper issues. The promise of money can delay difficult questions:Do I feel respected here?Am I confident in doing my job?Can I work without constant monitoring?In this case, the answers became clear very quickly. And when they did, the salary didn’t matter. psychology of seeingThis is why surveillance in the workplace leads to strong reactions. Humans behave differently when they know they are being monitored. This isn’t just anecdotal – it’s backed by decades of psychological research.Constant monitoring can lead to the following results:

  • increased stress and anxiety
  • lack of creativity
  • low intrinsic motivation
  • sense of loss of autonomy

Instead of promoting productivity, it often creates pressure to appear busy rather than actually be effective. In extreme cases, it can even drive people away—which is exactly what happened here. The irony is hard to ignore: A system designed to improve performance cost the company a valuable rent.trust vs controlEssentially, this story is not about the camera. It’s about philosophy. Some organizations work on trust. He believes that if employees are given autonomy and clarity they will deliver results. Others work on control. He believes that performance must be continuously measured to ensure performance. Technology has made the second approach easier than ever. But easier doesn’t always mean better.Career experts argue that excessive monitoring can be counterproductive. Many jobs that require creativity, knowledge-based roles, problem-solving abilities and deep thinking cannot be measured or controlled by ‘tools’. You can measure time. You can measure activity. But measuring thinking – the kind that leads to real breakthroughs – is far more complicated.Widespread changes in workplace expectationsThis incident is not alone. This reflects a broader change in the way people think about work. Today’s professionals—especially young ones—are increasingly prioritizing:

  • Flexibility
  • autonomy
  • Objective
  • mental well-being

Salary still matters, but it is no longer the only factor. In fact, stories like this show that people are willing to give up good job opportunities if the work environment is not in line with their values. The old adage that “money is everything” is slowly losing its power. This situation is a good example of a common mistake that modern businesses make: over-optimization. Companies sometimes use tools without thinking about how they will affect people in the pursuit of efficiency. What starts out as a harmless metric, like tracking attention, can turn into something much more intrusive. And when that happens, workers don’t feel as if they’re being monitored. They feel diminished—just data points, patterns, and metrics. The change may be small, but its impact is big. Because once people feel like they’re not supposed to be working people, they’ll likely stop caring about their job.Why he decided to leave and it’s a lesson for everyone The employee in this story had to make a decision that was based on one question: What kind of place do I want to work? She could have stayed there. She could change. She could bear the pain and focus on money. But he did not do so. Instead, she decided to put something less concrete, but arguably more important, at the top of her list: her sense of independence and dignity. And that choice is what influenced so many people. This story teaches us one thing: technology alone cannot make a great place to work. Tools can help you get more done, but they can’t replace trust. If companies rely too heavily on surveillance, they risk making their workplaces feel more like prisons than places where employees can live on their own. And it becomes difficult to keep people in these types of places.After all, skilled workers have choices. And this case shows that they are willing to walk away from even high-paying jobs if those jobs offer something that money can’t buy.more important questionsAs technology in the workplace continues to improve, things like this will likely happen more often. This makes me think about an important question: just because you can measure something doesn’t mean you should. At this time, there is no single answer. But for one employee, the answer was clear enough to leave a good job and start working elsewhere. And in doing so, he may have exposed a truth that many people are just beginning to see: A job that pays well just to watch you blink can be very expensive.

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KMVN gas manager dies, colleagues cite ‘work pressure’ india news

KMVN gas manager dies, colleagues cite 'work pressure'
Representative image (IANS)

Pithoragarh: A 55-year-old manager of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) gas agency in Champawat district died after returning from work on Sunday evening. His colleagues at the gas agency claimed that he consumed the poisonous substance because he could not cope with the work pressure due to the prevailing conditions in the country due to the conflict in West Asia. However, the family members denied this and said that the cause of death will be known after the postmortem report comes. On Monday, some KMVN employees went on strike and did not distribute cooking gas at some places in Kumaon. Co-workers claimed that the victim, Dayal Singh Rawat, had recently told his friend that “he was having a physical and mental breakdown due to too much work pressure and was facing heat from consumers and administration alike.”SP Rekha Yadav said that his death will be investigated. “Rawat’s family members did not say anything about consuming poison,” Yadav said. Rawat’s brother-in-law Rajendra Singh Bora told TOI on Sunday that he looked normal when he came home from work. Bora said, “He called me around 6.30 pm on Sunday evening and told me that he was going to the hospital to discharge his maternal uncle, who had undergone gall bladder surgery. Both returned after an hour. Rawat soon complained of uneasiness and asked his family to take him to the hospital, where he died.”Champawat police station in-charge BS Bisht said, “The district hospital informed us about Rawat’s death. The body was handed over to the family after postmortem, the report of which is awaited.”KMVN Pithoragarh gas manager Usha Rana said Rawat’s death was not due to work pressure, though she admitted that gas distribution workers are under pressure due to the current situation. This story was carried forward from the page 1 story in the newspaper. We have added it below for your reading convenience.‘Work pressure’: Gas agency MGR ends his lifeA 55-year-old manager of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Gas Agency in Champawat, Uttarakhand died after returning from work on Sunday. His colleagues at the gas agency claimed that he consumed poisonous substances because he could not handle the work pressure.

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Punjab MSMEs: Energy audit: Punjab to help 1,875 MSMEs cut costs, power | chandigarh news

Energy audit: Punjab to help 1,875 MSMEs cut costs, power

Chandigarh: To improve energy efficiency and reduce the operating costs of the industry, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) will conduct a comprehensive energy audit of 1,875 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the state.The initiative aims to help MSMEs understand their energy consumption patterns and identify areas of savings. For enterprises operating on thin margins, even small reductions in energy use can reduce costs, improve competitiveness and support decarbonization efforts.Under the project, the audit will assess energy consumption patterns, identify energy conservation and process improvement measures, and estimate potential savings in energy, costs and carbon dioxide emissions. This exercise will also help in generating bankable and implementable audit reports, besides setting state-level energy efficiency baseline for MSMEs.The audit will include investment-grade energy audits (IGEA) to determine the current energy performance of each facility. Major energy-consuming systems such as motors, boilers, furnaces, furnaces, cooling towers and compressors will be examined, and unit-specific energy-saving interventions will be recommended.A techno-economic assessment will also be conducted to assess the feasibility of the proposed measures, including payback analysis and internal rate of return (IRR) based financial assessment.Officials said the audit will analyze at least 12 months of historical utility data, including power and fuel consumption as well as production profiles and operational parameters such as working hours and equipment schedules. A detailed implementation roadmap will also be prepared.The exercise will cover electrical, thermal, utility and process systems, while also exploring rooftop solar, solar thermal applications and waste heat recovery.This initiative is being taken in consultation with the Department of Industry and Commerce under the Rampage and Enhancement of MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme. PEDA has started the process of appointing consultants for the project, which is to be completed within nine months.Officials said the initiative is expected to provide actionable insights to MSMEs to reduce energy usage, cut costs and move towards more sustainable operations.

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NFL Trade Rumors: Houston Texans eyeing $5 million deal for former Cleveland Browns star CB after brutal setback last season nfl news

NFL trade rumors: Houston Texans eyeing former Cleveland Browns star CB for $5 million after brutal setback last season
The Houston Texans are eyeing a $5 million deal for the former Cleveland Browns star CB after a tough losing season last season. (Image via NFL.com)

The Houston Texans didn’t get off to a good start last season, but they turned in very strong performances and finished the season with 12 wins and just 5 losses.The 2025 season was one of the most successful seasons in Houston Texans history, but the team suffered a blowout loss to the New England Patriots in the divisional round. Ahead of the new season, it seems like the team is completely focused on working on its roster.

Houston Texans target East cleveland browns‘ star towards the corner, martin emerson jrAfter a strong season

A few hours ago, NFL Network’s popular NFL insider Ian Rapoport posted on X, writing, “Former Browns starting CB Martin Emerson Jr., who missed last season after tearing his Achilles, is on a visit with the Texans, source said…”NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Emerson was entering a contract year after starting 27 games for Cleveland before his injury. “Potential addition now in Houston.”Although this has sparked debate among fans, neither the Houston Texans nor former Cleveland Browns star player Martin Emerson Jr. have yet responded to the speculation.25-year-old cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. has experienced some tough moments on the field the past few seasons.In the 2023 season, Martin Emerson Jr. recorded an impressive performance, as he finished the season with 59 combined tackles (45 solo), 14 pass deflections, and four interceptions in 16 games and 12 starts.But in 2024, his performance saw a steep decline with 82 combined tackles (62 solo) as he had five pass deflections in 15 starts.According to Pro Football Focus, Martin Emerson Jr.’s overall grade dropped from 65.3 in 2023 to 47.9 in 2024.To make matters worse, former star player for the Cleveland Browns, Martin Emerson Jr., missed the 2025 season because he suffered a serious ACL injury during training camp in July 2025.A few months ago, Martin Emerson Jr. reflected on his performance over the past few seasons, saying, “Honestly, I think there’s a lot more in the tank.” “I feel like I haven’t reached my full potential. It’s been a year. It was full of a lot of growing pains, a lot of learning, a lot of lessons learned.”“And when you’re on fire, all you see is smoke, it’s pretty tough,” the popular cornerback said.For now, all eyes are on where Martin Emerson Jr. will be next as he battles tough times.

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Indian-origin engineering student dies due to drowning in New Zealand lake; Parents want immediate repatriation

Indian-origin engineering student dies due to drowning in New Zealand lake; Parents want immediate repatriation

A 21-year-old Indian-origin engineering student has died after being pulled unconscious from New Zealand’s Lake Taupo during an Easter holiday trip with friends, according to a family friend.Emergency services were called to Whakamoenga Point in Acacia Bay at about 3.20am on Sunday, April 5, after the young man was pulled from the water. Police confirmed that despite the efforts of first responders, he died at the scene.“A man has died after being pulled unconscious from the water at Lake Taupo. Police were called to Whakamoenga Point in Acacia Bay about 3.20pm after a man was pulled from the water,” a police spokesperson said. He added: “Sadly, despite best efforts, the man died at the scene.”The death has been referred to the coroner as part of standard procedure.Family friends told The Indian Weekender that the student, identified as Shaurya, was originally from Mumbai and had gone to Taupo with friends for the Easter holidays. His family is said to be devastated by his death and is now asking for assistance to speed up the repatriation process.According to people close to the family, Shaurya entered the lake during a walk but started struggling in the water. After being taken out, friends could not bring him back to consciousness.Shaurya was an engineering student at the University of Auckland. Those who knew him described him as passionate about his studies and his time in New Zealand.

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Crime against Luthra not among most heinous crimes: Court goa news

लूथरा के खिलाफ अपराध सबसे जघन्य अपराधों में से नहीं: अदालतPanaji: The Mapusa court, in its order granting him bail, said that the crime of culpable homicide against Birch by Romeo Lane owners Gaurav Luthra, 44, and Saurabh Luthra, 40, does not fall in the category of the most heinous crimes like murder, where the punishment can extend to death or mandatory life imprisonment.Last December, 25 people had lost their lives in a fire that broke out at Birch in Romeo Lane, Arpora.The court observed that the Luthra brothers have been in custody for more than three months since December 16, and said that prolonged incarceration without the possibility of an early conclusion of the trial would amount to pre-trial punishment.It states that culpable homicide, where there is neither knowledge nor intention to cause death, is of a comparatively lesser degree than crimes involving intent to cause death. Additional Sessions Judge 1, North Goa, Mapusa, Dwijapal V Patkar, said Luthra “is not accused of a crime of a serious nature like murder, and the allegations, at the highest level, do not involve any intention to cause death.”The court said it had to balance the interest of society with Luthra’s fundamental right to personal liberty. It noted that a charge sheet has been filed, indicating the conclusion of the investigation and the case is in the preliminary stage.The trial is unlikely to conclude in the near future, given the current “docket explosion, number of old cases, custody/undertrial prisoners’ cases, Disha cases and the nature of the proceedings, including the fact that the charge sheet runs into over 4,000 pages, contains numerous documents and cites 306 witnesses, including outside witnesses, and 13 accused persons have been convicted”, the court said. “Such continuous imprisonment would be punitive, which is legally unacceptable,” it said.The Luthra brothers, represented by lawyer Parag Rao, told the court that the charge sheet did not mention any specific role of theirs in committing any of the alleged crimes. Rao told the court that the allegations have been leveled against partners and managers in general.Anjuna Police objected to the bail considering the severity of the sentence, the scale of the incident and the gravity of the crime. The PI had said that granting bail would shake society’s faith in the criminal justice system.Government lawyer J Santamaria objected to his bail, saying he had disregarded the law and human life by fleeing the country, and said he was in a position of influence over his employees and witnesses. She argued that the crimes against them were serious, resulting in the deaths of 25 people, with all witnesses being Birch employees.________________________________________________Order reserved in NOC fraud casePanaji: Mapusa court has reserved its order for Wednesday on the bail pleas of Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra in the NOC forgery case registered by Mapusa police. By Romeo Lane The Birch brothers and owners were granted bail in the main fire case last week, but were then taken into custody by the Mapusa police in connection with the forgery case, for which they have not yet been granted bail. He was accused of using fake NOC from Candolim Health Center to run a night club. Mapusa police filed a separate FIR on the complaint of the health officer of Candolim Primary Health Centre, stating that unauthorized persons from Birch impersonated him, forged his signature and made forged entries in the register to obtain the health NOC. news network

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Auston Matthews trade rumors: NHL insider Elliotte Friedman hints at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ major offseason trade decision on Auston Matthews | nhl news

NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman hints at the Toronto Maple Leafs' major offseason trade decision on Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews suffered a Grade 3 MCL injury and quad contusion that will cause him to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season (Image via Getty Images)

As trade rumors regarding Auston Matthews have dominated and gained momentum in recent weeks, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently gave a hint at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ big offseason trade decision. Speculation has run rampant these days as the club made significant organizational changes this week, including the dismissal of GM Brad Treliving, while head coach Craig Berube also remains uncertain with the team.Previously, NHL insider Darren Dreger suggested that top NHL teams such as the San Jose Sharks and Utah Mammoth have emerged as potential trade fits for Matthews if the Maple Leafs star decides to move on. Meanwhile, Matthews is in his recovery period after he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear and quad injury during a knee-on collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. It should be noted that, until his injury, Matthews had 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists) in 77 games this season for the Maple Leafs (32-31-14).

Elliotte Friedman hints at big offseason changes for the Maple Leafs on Auston Matthews trade decision

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has indicated that the Toronto Maple Leafs are headed for a potentially transformative offseason, with significant roster and organization changes expected after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. Maple Leafs captain, Auston MatthewsTrade speculation has dominated the headlines as the team misses the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Elliotte Friedman said Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs is not yet finalized and could depend on how the team performs at the start of next season. Speaking on his April 3 episode of 32 Thoughts, he said, “That’s my theory, that’s totally my theory based on what I’ve heard this week, is they will tell him, ‘We’re back on track next year or trying to be,’ and will come back at the beginning of the year, and see how it goes.”” Friedman said.

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What does the future hold for Auston Matthews? | saturday headlines

He further cited the example of the Vancouver Canucks’ handling of Quinn Hughes, who waited for his season to be evaluated before trading Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in early December, a move that ultimately signaled the beginning of a rebuild after their season was derailed.“Like, I think the Quinn Hughes thing, every player in that league, every team in that league saw how the Quinn Hughes thing went this year,” Friedman said. “And that is, you start the year, you see how it goes, and then if it goes off track, you adjust as necessary,” Friedman said. He added, “We’ll see. I could be wrong about this. But that’s my theory right now.”It should be noted that Matthews will remain on a four-year contract through the 2027-28 season. However, his absolute no-movement clause gives him complete control over any possible move without his consent or decision.

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Abhishek Sharma: Staying authentic is the biggest lesson fame has taught me

Abhishek Sharma: Staying authentic is the biggest lesson fame has taught me

Abhishek Sharmawhat is visible Sargun Mehta And Ravi Dubey’s Tu Juliet Jatt Di, understands that apart from applause and lights, the industry he works in gives him recognition and attention. “I try to stay focused on my work and remind myself why I started,” he said.“Fame is a part of the journey, but I believe staying humble and down to earth helps me handle the attention better,” she said.His passion for the craft keeps him motivated, and he said, “It helps me move forward. Difficult times are part of growth, and I see them as opportunities to learn and become stronger.”And he was quick to mention that he has experienced the same self-doubt as other actors. He added, “I handle it by reminding myself how far I’ve come and focusing on improvement instead of overthinking.”

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Despite a busy schedule, he makes time for things he enjoys apart from work. “Like spending time with family and friends or doing activities that help me relax and rejuvenate,” she said.He also admitted that his family and close friends play a huge role in keeping him grounded. She further added, “They remind me of who I am beyond my work and always support me sincerely, which keeps me balanced.”When asked how he deals with criticism from both critics and social media, he said. “I try to take constructive criticism as a way to improve and ignore negativity that doesn’t add value. It’s very important to stay positive. I focus on maintaining a healthy routine, staying active, and taking time to rest and reflect when needed.”Along with that, he also makes sure to stay grateful, work hard, and believe in his abilities every day. “Small positive habits can make a big difference,” he said.Abhishek makes sure that he reminds himself that work is just a part of his life. “It’s important not to let work take over your individual identity. Also, maintaining hobbies, relationships and personal interests helps maintain balance,” he said.What’s the biggest lesson fame has taught you? Abhishek concluded, “To stay authentic. No matter how much things change, being true to yourself is what really matters.”

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Esha Malviya on her relationship with Ravi Dubey and Sargun Mehta: They are like family

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Disobedience or sabotage? What does AAP’s move in Kerala indicate for Congress in the assembly elections? india news

Disobedience or sabotage? What does AAP's move in Kerala indicate for Congress in the assembly elections?

New Delhi: Does Aam Aadmi Party not want this? Congress win in Kerala assembly elections?India Bloc’s inability to form a unified front ahead of Kerala Assembly elections brilliantly exposed after Arvind KejrivalThe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released its sequential list of candidates, signaling its intention to fight a full-scale battle on all 140 seats in Kerala.The southern state, recently renamed Keralam in honor of its cultural and linguistic heritage, now stands as the latest battleground where AAP’s ambitions are at loggerheads with the Congress.Kerala’s electoral rhythms have long resisted continuity, with voters refusing to give a second consecutive term to most incumbents. This pattern puts the main opposition Congress in a favorable position in the race for power in Thiruvananthapuram.Nevertheless, your strong entry has brought a new twist. Is Kejriwal’s party merely expanding itself, or complicating Congress’s path to power? With limited organizational depth in the Malayalam-speaking state, AAP may not hold significant relevance, but with Arvind Kejriwal and his team emerging from the shadow of the Delhi liquor case, their presence may still, even if marginally, change the political equation in Kerala.The ruling Left party, which is also part of the broader opposition, remains the primary rival of the Congress, while BJP Path as the distant third. In this triangular contest, the AAP might not be able to cause much damage to the Left or the BJP, but it could cut into the Congress’s vote share enough to change the final verdict and impact the margins where elections are often decided.Is Delhi’s revenge being served in Kerala?2025 started with the shocking defeat of Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. Earlier, reluctant allies, AAP and Congress had decided to fight the elections separately while the former had nothing to lose and launched an aggressive campaign against the ruling Arvind Kejriwal-led government.The grand old party also got a chance as the Kejriwal cabinet came under suspicion in the Delhi liquor policy matter, and agencies like CBI and ED were investigating the matter. Several senior AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, faced legal trouble, leading to a period when the government functioned under the chief ministership of party ally and loyal Atishi.While AAP ultimately lost to the BJP, the Congress also played an indirectly important role in preventing its ally Bharatiya Janata Party from winning for the fourth consecutive time.The “vote-cutting” factor proved important in several constituencies, including New Delhi, where Sandeep Dikshit, son of former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, was fielded against Kejriwal. Although he finished third, the votes he received contributed to Kejriwal’s defeat and helped BJP’s Parvesh Verma emerge as a “giant killer”.Hypothetically, if those votes had gone to Kejriwal, the outcome could have been different. AAP’s seats dropped from 62 to 22, while Congress once again failed to open its account.Despite years of political bitterness, the herculean efforts that brought AAP and Congress into an arranged marriage to counter the BJP’s strong might in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections have once again been exposed in the 2025 assembly elections, reflecting a familiar pattern of rivalry.AAP, which emerged from the India Against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, directly challenged the Sheila Dikshit-led government and established a dominant hold on Delhi, reducing the Congress from a ruling force to total insignificance.The Congress, which has been under the strong leadership of Sheila Dikshit for 15 years, has failed to win a single seat in the last two assembly elections (2020 and 2025), and has also not won any seats in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections (2014, 2019 and 2024).Just as the Congress damaged AAP’s prospects in the Delhi Assembly, the AAP may now hurt the Congress’s prospects in states like Kerala as it seeks to maintain its relevance within the national opposition.alliance for confrontationAllies in the Lok Sabha became rivals in the Assembly, the fight between estranged allies was anything but polite.At a rally, Arvind Kejriwal didn’t hold back: “The problem with the Congress is its sense of entitlement. They think they have the divine right to lead the opposition because of their past, even if their presence on the ground is zero. He is not fighting the BJP; They are fighting with regional parties who actually defeat the BJP. In Delhi, Congress is nothing but a ‘vote-cutter’ designed to help BJP.The Congress, in turn, took advantage of the troubles surrounding the Delhi excise policy issue and attacked AAP where it suffered the most.Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led rallies across Delhi and slammed Kejriwal and other AAP leaders as “corrupt”. At one such rally, Rahul Gandhi remarked: “Kejriwal ji keeps telling lies. Just as Narendra Modi lies, Kejriwal also lies. There is not much difference between them. But I will tell you one thing – Kejriwal is probably more clever and sophisticated than the Prime Minister in misleading people.A few weeks later, when a Delhi court acquitted Kejriwal and his associates in the liquor policy case, the Congress alleged that it was part of the BJP’s larger strategy of a “Congress-free India”.Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera attacked the BJP, calling it an “icchhadhari naag” (shape-shifting snake) and accused it of using central agencies as political tools.Kejriwal hit back sharply, questioning Congress’s claims and targeting its leadership, saying, “Kejriwal went to jail. Did Robert Vadra go to jail? Sanjay Singh went to jail. Did Rahul Gandhi go to jail? Did Sonia Gandhi go to jail? What is Congress saying? Doesn’t it have any shame?”To reduce Congress’ footprint?Congress, the oldest party with roots in the independence movement, has been struggling with insecurity for more than a decade.Apart from Delhi, it has steadily lost ground in many states, helping the BJP increase its dominance in national politics. This decline has also opened the door for other players to challenge his position within the opposition.Among states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Kerala where elections are due, Kerala appears to be the one where the Congress still has a real chance of returning to power by ousting the Left. This makes it an important battlefield.In such a scenario, AAP’s entry could be seen as an attempt to further damage the Congress, leading to a situation where it would struggle for relevance and also limit the growth of the Congress.Kejriwal’s Kerala effort, with candidates in different constituencies, could help establish AAP as a more serious national player. The state offers a relatively low-risk opportunity, allowing the AAP to contest the elections without huge stakes while keeping both the BJP and Congress in control.Repeating Gujarat in Kerala?From Delhi and Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal has wielded a strong political hold, successfully running a full-fledged government in Punjab under the leadership of party colleague Bhagwant Mann, while also ruling the Union Territory of Delhi for over a decade with an imposing presence in the Assembly.However, the journey of Aam Aadmi Party has not been limited to Delhi only. Its steady, often indirect expansion has established Kejriwal as an emerging alternative in national politics. He has also made inroads in Gujarat, which has been considered Narendra Modi’s stronghold for a long time.In its debut in Gujarat, AAP won more than 13 percent of the votes, making a huge impact on the Congress. In the 2017 assembly elections, Congress had secured 42.2 percent votes, giving a tough competition to BJP after Modi entered national politics. However, AAP’s entry in 2022 upset that balance, reducing Congress’s vote share to 27.7 per cent.While AAP made an impressive start with around 13 per cent of the votes, the BJP registered only a marginal increase – from around 50 per cent to 53 per cent.A similar pattern may emerge in Kerala, where AAP may not emerge as a major force but may influence the outcome by cutting into the Congress’ vote share, potentially benefiting the incumbent Left – as happened in Gujarat.To expand the scope of AAP?Since its birth from the Anna movement in 2013, AAP has been making continuous efforts to expand its footprint across India. So why not Kerala?For Arvind Kejriwal, ambition was never limited to Delhi. After ending Sheila Dikshit’s long-standing dominance, she quickly burst onto the national stage, taking on Narendra Modi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The contest in Varanasi may have ended in defeat, but it marked Kejriwal’s arrival as a major challenge.He secured more than 20 percent of the vote, enough to push the Congress to third place in Varanasi. Its candidate Ajay Rai could get only about 7 percent votes.Therefore, the foray into Kerala is less external and more a continuation of that journey, an attempt to test the party’s reach in the far south.Beyond its strongholds in Delhi and Punjab, AAP has steadily ventured into new political arenas.In Gujarat, it emerged as a significant player with over 13 per cent of the vote, largely at the expense of the Congress. In Goa, it garnered about 7 percent and won two seats, once again cutting into the Congress base.The party has also made its presence felt in Jammu and Kashmir, where Mehraj Malik won from Doda.New interest in AAP has arisen from the northernmost area of ​​Jammu and Kashmir to the southern tip of Kerala.Kerala of Rahul, Priyanka and TharoorKejriwal’s entry into Kerala holds symbolic significance, especially for the Congress, for which the state has become an important political base in recent years. In moments of crisis, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, both descendants of the Gandhi family, turned to Kerala.In 2019, when Rahul Gandhi lost his own Amethi seat, it was Wayanad that gave him a landslide victory. He returned to Wayanad again in 2024 and won comfortably, although he ultimately decided to retain Rae Bareli.“I was a stranger to you and yet you believed in me. You embraced me with unbridled love and affection. It doesn’t matter which political formation you support, it doesn’t matter which community you belong to or which religion you believe in or which language you speak,” Rahul said.He said, “I am saddened, but I am consoled because my sister Priyanka will be there to represent you. I am confident that she will do an excellent job of being your MP if you decide to give her a chance. My central commitment to you and the people of Rae Bareli is that we will fight and defeat the hatred and violence being spread in the country.”Moving away from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi thanked voters and paved the way for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s electoral debut from the same constituency. He won a landslide victory in the by-elections, further strengthening the family’s ties with the state.After her win, Priyanka said, “I thank the people of Wayanad for giving me the honor of representing them. It’s a testament to the hard work my brother put in there, their love for them and the trust they had in me.” I think it’s a great honor and I will honor it completely.”Apart from the Gandhi family, Kerala is also home to one of the most prominent national faces of the Congress, three-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor.In this backdrop, Kejriwal’s thrust on Kerala is not just another electoral experiment, it is a move that could destabilize established equations and complicate the political calculus for players in the state.Kejriwal vs Rahul?Following the formation of the India Bloc, the BJP-led NDA retained power at the Centre, and Rahul Gandhi became the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.When Rahul rose to that position, questions remained over his leadership ambitions. Within the opposition faction, differences began to emerge and AAP’s stance often appeared less in line with it.AAP has, at various points, attempted to project Kejriwal as a potential national challenger to Narendra Modi, while sidelining Rahul Gandhi’s prospects.With repeated electoral setbacks to the aggressive expansion of the Congress and AAP, the contest within the opposition sector may now be not just against the BJP, but also between its key players.

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India’s first aircraft converted into a seaplane conducts test flight on Ganga Barrage

India's first aircraft converted into a seaplane conducts test flight on Ganga Barrage

New Delhi: India on Monday for the first time saw a turboprop aircraft of a non-operational airline being converted into a seaplane by installing floats and conducting a test flight. The aircraft, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, conducted a test (maintenance) flight to and from the Ganga Barrage at Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Once approved, the aircraft, which now belongs to Avani Singh-led Skyhop Aviation, will operate in Andaman and Nicobar after the airline gets a license from the DGCA.The aircraft belonged to the former Fly Big airline, which had stopped flying some time ago. After emphasizing on seaplane service in this budget, Union Aviation Secretary Sameer Sinha asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to certify the conversion of this aircraft into a seaplane by getting it floated. Accordingly, after the aircraft was modified in India and floated here, the DGCA issued a Certificate of Airworthiness to the aircraft, and approved its operating procedure.The aircraft had its first test flight in Uttarakhand on Monday – not over the Tehri Dam as originally planned but from the Ganga Barrage. If everything goes according to plan, it will soon take off in Andaman. The government is keen to launch seaplane services on a large scale in India.This is the first time that an aircraft converted/modified as a seaplane has flown in the skies in India. In the past, seaplanes would come to India as seaplanes and then fly here with a mixed record of continuing operations on a sustained basis.In this Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said: “To enhance last mile and remote connectivity and to promote tourism, I propose to incentivize indigenous manufacturing of seaplanes. A Seaplane Viability Gap Financing Scheme will also be launched to provide support for operations. The recently revised UDAN scheme also plans to provide more seaplane services.SpiceJet promoter Ajay Singh’s daughter Avni Singh’s Skyhop Aviation may be one of the first companies to restart seaplane services in the country. It plans to use three of the four de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft from predecessor Fly Big airline. De Havilland has floats for these amphibious aircraft so they can take off and land on water. The remaining two are expected to be floated within two months.SpiceJet had briefly started seaplane services in Gujarat a few years ago, but could not sustain it. This time, officials hope things will be different with a renewed government focus on the service.

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