Effects of the Union Budget 2018: A long and tiring day

Today was a hectic day. The morning started with looking at the Union Budget 2018 in the office boardroom. If it were not enough, the actual task had just started - preparing quotes, texts and guest columns on behalf of the company’s MD and Business Unit Heads that would then find their place in the various newspapers or news websites. Quotes, unquote, interpretation of the various rebates and deductions, explaining how the incumbent government’s decision concerning the country’s health with its effect on the Indian population in the long run was the order of the day. Applauding certain proposals made in the budget while subtly criticizing some of its amendments or explaining the keystones in the budget were the highlight that consumed most of my time.

It was fulfilling as much as it was tiring - feeling ecstatic after having able to submit all the articles on time and seeing one of the articles being published in a reputed news website within few minutes. Now that I am done with my entire day’s work, I suddenly feel a shot of pain in my back. This feeling is not something new to people like me who spend hours glued to their seats in front of their computers. Sedentary lifestyle has its own way of affecting health adversely. 

The day is over. In a few minutes, I would be packing my bags getting ready to return home to my family. 

From projection to protection

The resounding performance of the Aam Aadmi Party over the Congress candidate, Sheila Dikshit and the poll results clearly depicting an ignominious defeat of the Congress party, it is no secret that the Congress party will now hurriedly shift its focus from projecting Rahul Gandhi as the party leader to protecting the Gandhi scion from criticism for the assembly poll fiasco.

The Congress, till date, citing higher voter-turnout as an indication of the anti-incumbency factor may suddenly shift to declaring that anti-incumbency is a state-specific matter.

While the party leaders may debate on the line that the party’s failure at the assembly elections are not a reflection of Rahul’s leadership qualities, it is clear that the Congress decimation in nearly every state will shift its focus on shielding Rahul Gandhi from critical assessment at the hands of the media and condemnation from the public.