Venkateshwarlu.K

Former Resident Editor, The Hindu, Andhra Pradesh, commentator on political, social and environmental issues. RTs do not imply endorsements.

[William Dalrymple @DalrympleWill]

Appropriately lit by the flicker of flames and attended by the stench of sulphur....

[Revathi @revathitweets]

“Switch off lights and fans. Save electricity, Save water. There is El Niño”, Honourable CM of Telangana’s advice to people just two days ago!!!

Deputy CM’s residence today.

But again - El Niño is for common people like us 😊🙏🏽

[Yogendra Yadav @_YogendraYadav]

दिल्ली के सबसे व्यस्त बाज़ार चाँदनी चौक के बीचोंबीच मंच लगाकर प्रदर्शन करने के लिए क्या भाजपा ने दिल्ली पुलिस से 10 दिन पहले अनुमति ली थी? या बिना अनुमति ही प्रदर्शन हो रहा है?

शायद अब इससे व्यापार का कोई नुक़सान नहीं होगा!

[Rana Safvi رعنا राना @iamrana]

The Alhambra Palace of the Lodhi Era| Bada Gumbad Mosque | Historic Persian Art
https://t.co/wLVRGkp2Zi

[G Sampath @samzsays]

Do tune in.

[Venkateshwarlu.K @warlu99]

@NaseerGiyas Sad who is this unfortunate journalist bhai ?

[Sanjay Jha @JhaSanjay]

WHY RAHUL GANDHI, ABHIJEET DIPKE AND NEHA BORA SHOULD BE SMILING THIS MORNING? THERE IS HOPE!

IS IT ENDGAME FOR THE RIGHTWING?

SERBIA’S STUDENTS HAVE SHOWN THE WORLD HOW TO DEFEAT AUTHORITARIANISM! BRAZIL HAS FOLLOWED BY DEFEATING SOMEONE WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN DONALD TRUMP’S PUPPET (THERE ARE MANY AS WE ALL KNOW).

Populist demagogues all over the world who have ruled ruthlessly over years must be in panic. Is it endgame?

What a way to start a Monday morning ( IST). What an extraordinary moment for democracy!

In Serbia, a fearless student-led movement has defeated Aleksandar Vučić after nearly two years of protests against corruption, violence and authoritarianism. Young people took to the streets, mobilised a nation and converted public anger into electoral victory. 100% democratically achieved success.

Students didn’t just protest. They changed history.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defeated Flávio Bolsonaro, denying Donald Trump another ideological ally in Latin America. Most thought he had no chance after he lost the first round of votes.

Two countries. Two powerful democratic verdicts. One unmistakable lesson: political power is never permanent. I have been saying this for long: Don’t fall for the braggadocio on “ We will rule for 50 years etc” from BJP’s Chanakya. It is utter nonsense emerging from vulgar arrogance.

Liberal democracy desperately needs this resurgence. Across the world, independent institutions face pressure, dissent is throttled, minorities are targeted and political strongmen increasingly behave as though the Constitution is their personal toilet-roll. Divisiveness has been weaponized, and the critics demonized. It is precisely why India’s Gen Z are on the streets as well; To protect a flailing democracy gone sideways.

But let us not get carried away. Having been in the opposition for long, I am circumspect although prodigiously sanguine. The challenges remain. Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future in Israel and Marine Le Pen’s movement in France, which is experiencing a violent turmoil, deserve close attention. They could still win, and we know what the repercussions of their exclusionary politics could be.

The silver lining could still be Donald Trump’s likely annihilation in American midterms. A Republican defeat which is being forecasted by most political pundits could dramatically change the global political conversation. But stranger things have happened in America. Remember, the world’s richest man with enormous media clout is funding the Trump campaign. Propaganda is the far-right’s go-to-brainwashing detergent.

But for now this morning, from Belgrade to Brasília, the message is electrifying: Fear can be defeated. Young people can change history. The opposition can overcome the institutional capture. Democracy can fight back.

The future belongs to citizens, not strongmen. Has the democratic awakening begun?

Have a great week ahead.

@INCIndia @RahulGandhi @Jairam_Ramesh @Cockroachisback @neha_aisa

[Abhijeet Dipke @abhijeet_dipke]

Came back home to find a book waiting for me, and that too from none other than Mr. @Ram_Guha himself!

Thank you, sir! It’s a great honour❤️

[William Dalrymple @DalrympleWill]

On the Hill of Nimrod

[Priyanka Gandhi Vadra @priyankagandhi]

The truth can never be suppressed for long.

This government has spent unprecedented resources on a filthy campaign to malign my brother, to defame him and slap bogus cases on him simply for fearlessly telling the truth.

It takes immense courage, tenacity and the perseverance of a true warrior to stand against an onslaught of lies the way he has.

One by one the chips will fall. The truth will emerge clear and strong. This is just the beginning.

[Harsh Goenka @hvgoenka]

With no engineering degree, Ravi Tamta from Uttarakhand is building an electric flying car prototype, powered by curiosity and sheer determination. India’s next big innovation may emerge from a small town and a mind that dares to dream. All it needs is a chance to fly.

[Cristian Murillo @socialholico]

Cuando los brasileños se dieron cuenta que Musk y Zuckerberg estaban manipulando el algoritmo para interferir en elecciones de su país se volcaron hacia las RRSS y la llenaron de videos de Lula elaborados con IA.

Fenómeno social a estudiarse por décadas.

[churumuri @churumuri]

🕉️ Speeches peppered with Sanskrit shlokas

🕉️ Invoking Ramayana during Op Sindoor

🕉️ Ram Temple CEO job to IAF pilot post retirement

"One can detect the growing disillusionment of juniors with seniors who are taking the Hindutva route to the top": Ajai Shukla in @the_hindu

[Ravikanth N @rkannthbl]

From @businessline

[Mohammed Zubair @zoo_bear]

Three accused held for pelting stones at Vande Bharat Express near Surat. If the accused were Muslims, The media would have immediately highlighted their religion and people from the right wing would blame the entire Muslim community.
The accused were identified as Golu Kumar Chaudhary, Sandesh Kumar and Mantosh Mukhiya.

[Satyya @TheSatyaShow]

Please listen to the original not an AI.😂🤣

[Sucheta Dalal @suchetadalal]

What an amazing, enlightening, informative and inspiring evening! The talk by @Tukaram_IndIAS - the quality of questions, the gravity and diversity of his replies! Thank you for all you are doing Mr Mundhe- and I hope everyone has gone home and cleaned their fridge!!

[Ritu Choudhary @RituChoudhryINC]

अब ये किसने किया 😂😂

[Live Law @LiveLawIndia]

CJI Chandrachud Used To Seek Government's Pre-Approval Before Collegium Discussed Names For Judicial Appointments : Justice Kaul

Justice Kaul said CJI Chandrachud was too deferential to the Government in appointment matters.

https://t.co/lF646mgikZ

[Saurav Das @SauravDassss]

Apt.