Below the Line – The Hindu BusinessLine

Tennyson comes to the rescue

Hinting at the changes at the top level of the RBI, staff including Deputy Governor M. D. Patra (who resigned on January 15), ended their State of the Economy report, published in last month’s newsletter, on a poetic note – drawing on the Victorian work of the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson (Ulyssesin poems, 1842).

They noted that the year 2025 begins and the old order is changing, giving way to the new: “He will build taller mansions as others leave, saying goodbye. The hum and the ringing are dying. The spring songs fell silent, receding into the morendo far away. The falcon’s cries grow fainter as it turns again and again in ever-widening circles away from the falconer. But winter also has its music, a final crescendo to rage against the dying light. This life we ​​leave behind is like an arch through which gleams the uncharted terrain of the future to follow like a guiding star and discover. We should strive for this, going beyond all the limits of human thoughts and efforts.”

“We may not be the force that once moved the earth and the sky, but what we are, we are; strong in the will to strive, seek, find and not give in.”

Delhi’s welfare war

On the electoral battlefield in Delhi, revadi (freebie), thank you (charity), prasad (gift), i vikas (development) are new buzzwords.

The AAP defends its welfare model as essential governance, while the BJP decries it as unsustainable, ironically offering its own set of tricks.

Is this a smart social investment or just vote-baiting?

For business, this is a game-changer, with government-funded services holding back private sector growth and infrastructure-oriented policies opening the door for investment.

The voters of Delhi will decide, but one thing is clear: welfare is not going anywhere – only the branding is changing.

Watching the competition

The competition on the theme “How long can you look at your wife” started by the head of L&T became crowded, India Inc used it brilliantly to sell its products. Zomato advised all eligible bachelors, “If you don’t have a wife, feel free to look at your order coming into the app.”

While Shaadi.com had a solution: Want a partner to look up to? Sit on the Shaadi.” Flower delivery app FNP pushed viewers with harsh words: “How long are you going to look at your wife? Get her flowers.” JioFibre says Sunday is for watching screen (with wife).

Basmati piracy

Indian basmati rice faces problems due to piracy. In particular, Pakistan received Indian basmati varieties such as Pusa-1121 and 1509. Upset by this piracy, the agricultural scientist appealed to the relevant authorities. In particular, he shared a video from Pakistan where some were renaming and selling them as Pusa 1121 Kainat and Pusa 1509 Kisan. The official wanted Indian authorities to act against piracy. But the answer of the authorities confused the scientist. They questioned whether the videos were authentic and the web addresses were correct, and wondered why someone else couldn’t have posted them. The scientist immediately dropped this question, extremely disgusted.