How Yogi Crafting a National Image
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is steadily shaping his public persona beyond regional politics, aiming for a national leadership role. Central to this image-building spree is the upcoming biopic Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, based on his life and inspired by the book The Monk Who Became Chief Minister by Shantanu Gupta. Slated for a release this year in five Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam—the film seeks to project Yogi as a symbol of discipline, sacrifice, and strong governance. Directed by Ravindra Gautam and starring Anant Joshi, the film emphasizes his spiritual journey and political rise from a village boy in Uttarakhand to the chief minister of India’s most populous state. With a high production value and a carefully curated cast, the film positions Yogi as a leader with pan-India appeal.
This cinematic venture is not occurring in isolation. It coincides with subtle political messaging and a growing portrayal of Yogi as a leader who blends Hindutva ideology with administrative toughness. His frequent comparisons to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both governance style and rhetoric suggest he is being projected as a natural successor within the BJP’s power structure. In contrast to earlier political biopics like The Accidental Prime Minister or Emergency, which struggled commercially, Ajey appears more strategically timed and carefully constructed to influence public sentiment ahead of future elections. It is a calculated move to extend Yogi’s influence beyond Uttar Pradesh. With growing visibility in national media, calculated appearances, and now a biopic, Yogi Adityanath is clearly positioning himself for a broader role in Indian politics. Whether this image will resonate with the wider electorate remains uncertain, but the script for his national ambitions is already being written—both politically and cinematically.
Where there is PM, there is A Way
PM
Modi hit upon a new scheme to resolve a long pending crisis which is
considered a bureaucratic coup. The
Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) under Modi untangling a
knotty problem that’s haunted the government for decades. A new
policy is set to engage hundreds of surplus technical staff—engineers
and specialists may now be redeployed into non-technical roles,
turning idle talent into a powerhouse of productivity.
The surplus
technical personnel may be considered for redeployment against
non-technical vacancies reported to the Central Surplus Cell. Modi’s
decisive intervention has changed the game. However, this will apply
to the non-Gazetted technical staff. The policy permits surplus
technical staff to fill non-technical vacancies while respecting
their qualifications and seniority. This ensures no employee is left
idle, aligning with Modi’s “maximum governance, minimum
government” vision. This move will accelerate redeployment for
hundreds of technical staff.
For years, the central government
has struggled to redeploy surplus employees, especially those with
technical backgrounds. While non-technical surplus staff are
redeployed relatively faster, their technical counterparts were left
waiting for months or even years — due to limited availability of
technical vacancies. This posed administrative challenges and they
faced prolonged waiting periods for redeployment.
It is
expected that this move will not only streamline the workforce but
also significantly reduce idle salary expenditure and bring
administrative efficiency and optimum human resource management. The
under-utilized will now be given a chance to re-enter active service
across departments.
Spa Diplomacy Blooms Near Parliament
Just a stone’s throw from Parliament’s daily drama, another kind of heat is being worked out — quite literally. At the Constitution Club of India’s swanky gym and spa, MPs across party lines are sweating it out over steam rooms, hot stone massages, and body-sculpting therapies. From BJP’s Kangana Ranaut pumping iron at the gym to TMC’s Mahua Moitra unwinding at the salon, and AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi slipping in for a spa detox, the list of regulars reads like a cross-party wellness alliance. “Inside Parliament, they’re all fire and fury. Here, it’s all zen and zen-like,” grinned a club insider.
The spa menu is nothing short of indulgent: organic almond oil massages, bamboo rubdowns, tummy-trim sessions, and body polishing therapies — priced between ₹2,000 and ₹5,000. Staff, discreet and five-star trained, are under strict orders: no name-dropping, no leaks. “The footfall triples during Parliament sessions. MPs come in with their spouses, especially on weekends,” says a spa attendant. “They may fight inside the House, but here they’re soaking in the same steam.”
The gym is off-limits to the public, reserved for MPs and their kin. But the salon-cum-spa? Open — as long as you’ve got an MP reference in hand. A senior Congress leader, who’s on the club’s governing council, admits: “The gym brings MPs and their families together. It’s good for both fitness and friendship.” The governing council comprises of all party members, after all. Turns out, the real detox this session may not be political — but personal.
India’s Manufacturing Mirage
For all the thunderous talk of "Make in India" and turning the country into a global manufacturing powerhouse replacing China, the ground reality in 2024–25 was sobering — only three foreign manufacturing companies established new operations in India. That’s not a typo. Just three. In 2025-26, the situation may surely improve. The number, tucked away in an official report with no press release or fanfare, has raised eyebrows across business circles and sparked quiet panic in government corridors. One senior BJP leader sheepishly admitted,“This is embarrassing.” Despite lavish investor summits, glossy brochures, and globe-trotting ministers pitching India as the next China, multinationals don’t seem to be buying the story. According to insiders, several big-ticket names — including a major South Korean electronics giant and a European auto parts firm — pulled out after long delays in land acquisition and unpredictable tax regimes.
Some companies complained of shifting goalposts and a lack of coordination between the Centre and state governments. “It’s like getting married into a chaotic family — nobody knows who’s in charge,” said a top executive whose company ultimately chose Vietnam over Gujarat. Meanwhile, domestic industry captains are watching nervously. “We can't just survive on service exports and slogans.” Though a total of 5228 foreign companies were registered in India as of March 2025, only 3286 are active. With global giants looking elsewhere, India’s bold manufacturing dream risks becoming just that — a dream. Bold steps are needed as Donald Trump wants manufacturing to shift to the USA.
