On May 11th, 2023, Thursday, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the three-year-long crisis sparked by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde’s revolt which led to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray’s led alliance named Maha Vikas Aghadi in 2022. The Supreme Court further mentioned that they can not eliminate the Eknath Shinde-led government and declined the submission to take back Uddhav Thackeray as the chief minister, because it was his decision to resign rather than facing a test of Strength.  

Eknath Shinde along with 39 MLAs rebelled against the leadership of Shiv Sena which resulted in the division of the party and collapse of the MVA government in June 2022, which also compromised the Congress and NCP. Eknath Shinde later joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party to return as the CM. Uddhav Thackeray,  former CM of  Maharashtra, said that those who had left his party had no right to ask him any questions regarding anything, and also if Eknath Shinde has any morals and ethics, then he should resign at the earliest.

A five-member Constitution bench led by the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, had been hearing a batch of petitions filed by both the groups of the Shiv Sena from February this year. It is said that the Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s decision to call for a floor test by the ministers was not in accordance with the law. The former chief minister of Maharashtra and Shiv Sena UBT President Uddhav Thackeray said while reacting to a court verdict, “Eknath Shinde won after murdering the democracy. He should now resign on grounds of moral value.” 

The bench also said that the decision of the speaker to appoint Bharat Gogawale, a whip of the Eknath Shinde group, was illegal. The Supreme Court further mentioned that floor tests can not be used as a medium to settle party’s intra-inter party disputes. The final judgement was delivered by the five-judge bench including DY Chandrachud, Justice Krishna Murari, Justice Hima Kohli, Justice MR Shah, and PS Narasimha. 

The United States is currently facing the challenge of the approaching debt ceiling, raising questions about whether President Joe Biden will utilise the 14th Amendment to circumvent a potential crisis. 

What is the 14th Amendment?

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, holds immense constitutional importance. Its primary objective was to guarantee equal protection under the law for all citizens and safeguard the rights of former slaves. However, Section 4 of this amendment specifically bears relevance to the ongoing debt ceiling debate.

Section 4 of the 14th Amendment states that “The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorised by law, shall not be questioned.” Legal scholars have interpreted this provision as a prohibition against actions that could undermine the nation’s ability to fulfil its financial obligations.

Brief history of the Debt Ceiling and Past Crises

The debt ceiling was established in 1917 as a mechanism to control government spending and borrowing. Its purpose was to ensure that Congress had oversight and control over the nation’s debt. Over the years, the debt ceiling has been raised numerous times to accommodate growing fiscal obligations.

Past debt ceiling crises have caused significant turmoil. In 2011, a political standoff over increasing the debt ceiling led to the first-ever credit rating downgrade of the United States. Another notable crisis occurred in 2013 when the government entered a partial shutdown due to a deadlock over the debt ceiling. These episodes highlighted the potential economic repercussions and raised concerns about the stability of the global financial system.

Overview of the Current Situation and Potential Consequences

As of today, the United States is fast approaching its debt ceiling limit. Failure to raise or suspend the debt ceiling would result in the government’s inability to meet its financial obligations, risking a potential default. The consequences of a default would be dire, causing widespread economic turmoil, damaging the country’s creditworthiness, and jeopardising international confidence in the U.S. economy.

In light of these risks, there has been speculation about whether President Biden could invoke the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to circumvent the debt ceiling. 

The relevant section of the amendment states that “the validity of the public debt of the United States […] shall not be questioned.” Advocates argue that this clause empowers the President to take necessary actions to prevent default and protect the nation’s creditworthiness.

However, the applicability of the 14th Amendment in this context remains a topic of legal debate. Biden Opponents and Critics argue that invoking the amendment to bypass the debt ceiling would be an overreach of executive power, as the authority to borrow funds is explicitly granted to Congress. Critics also contend that such a move could trigger a constitutional crisis and undermine the checks and balances system.

Can the 14th Amendment be used to avoid a Debt Ceiling Crisis?

Arguments in favour of using the 14th Amendment

Advocates of invoking the 14th Amendment argue that this provision deems it unconstitutional to default on the national debt. They contend that if the debt ceiling is not raised in a timely manner, the President possesses the authority to prioritise debt payments, thereby sidestepping default and averting a potentially catastrophic financial crisis.

Arguments against using the 14th Amendment

Opponents of invoking the 14th Amendment maintain that it was not originally intended as a mechanism to bypass the debt ceiling. They assert that the power to raise or suspend the debt ceiling lies exclusively with Congress, and any invocation of the 14th Amendment would undermine the Constitution’s principle of separation of powers.

Historical examples of the 14th Amendment being invoked for financial purposes

Throughout history, the 14th Amendment has been invoked for financial purposes, albeit in different contexts. For instance, during the Civil War, the Union government utilised the amendment to repudiate Confederate debts. However, the application of the 14th Amendment to the debt ceiling remains a matter of debate.

Biden’s Stance on the 14th Amendment

Statements made by Biden and his administration

President Biden and his administration have refrained from explicitly expressing whether they would invoke the 14th Amendment to navigate a debt ceiling crisis. Instead, they have focused on urging Congress to address the issue through legislative means. Biden has emphasised the dire consequences of failing to raise the debt ceiling, highlighting the potential impact on the economy and financial markets.

Discussion of the political implications of invoking the 14th Amendment

Invoking the 14th Amendment to bypass the debt ceiling could entail significant political implications. Critics argue that it could be perceived as a contentious move, potentially setting a precedent for future presidents to disregard Congress’s authority over fiscal matters. Such a decision might lead to a political standoff and potential legal challenges.

Alternatives to invoking the 14th Amendment

Possible legislative solutions to the debt ceiling crisis

Rather than relying on the 14th Amendment, Congress has the power to raise or suspend the debt ceiling through legislative measures. Various proposals have been put forth, including eliminating the debt ceiling altogether or implementing automatic debt ceiling increases tied to budgetary factors. However, reaching a consensus on these proposals often proves challenging due to partisan divisions.

Analysis of the effectiveness of these solutions

Legislative solutions necessitate bipartisan support and prompt action to avert a debt ceiling crisis. Unfortunately, the history of debt ceiling debates reveals a pattern of last-minute negotiations and brinkmanship. The uncertainty surrounding these discussions strengthens the argument that a more permanent solution, such as eliminating the debt ceiling, may be necessary.

Pros and Cons of invoking the 14th Amendment

Pros:

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution contains a clause stating that “the validity of the public debt of the United States […] shall not be questioned.” Proponents argue that this clause provides the President with the authority to take necessary actions to prevent default and protect the nation’s creditworthiness. By invoking the 14th Amendment, President Biden could potentially bypass the debt ceiling and ensure the continued payment of the nation’s financial obligations.

Cons:

Opponents of invoking the 14th Amendment argue that such action would be an overreach of executive power. They contend that the authority to borrow funds is explicitly granted to Congress, and circumventing the debt ceiling through the amendment would undermine the principles of checks and balances. Critics also caution that invoking the 14th Amendment to avoid a debt ceiling crisis could trigger a constitutional crisis, further exacerbating the political and economic uncertainties surrounding the issue.

As the United States confronts the debt ceiling crisis, finding a solution that averts default and safeguards the nation’s financial stability is of utmost importance. While the idea of invoking the 14th Amendment has been proposed as a potential course of action, its legality and the potential consequences remain subjects of debate.

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On May 11th, 2023, Thursday, there was a big win for the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi as the Supreme Court pronounced its most awaited verdict in the disputes between the Centre and Aam Aadmi Party, the government of Delhi on who should control the administrative services in the national capital. The Supreme Court directed that the Delhi government has executive and legislative powers over the services issues in an unanimous verdict.

The Apex Court of India in its verdict stated that the government of Delhi has control over administrative services in all aspects except for public order, land, and police. The Supreme Court didn’t agree with the judgements made by Justice Ashok Bhushan in 2019 that the government of the city has no power over the services issues. The leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party hailed the judgement and called it a victory for the ‘Delhi people.’

Pronouncing the verdict, the Supreme Court further stated the real power of administration must reside in the elected arm of the state, Delhi and the Centre both have powers as the government which is elected, represents the expression of the people’s will. In the absence of law by parliament, the Legislature of Delhi and its executives have the power to take the decisions. As the hearing began Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that the verdict was unanimous, and mentioned that the apex court did not agree with Justice Ashok Bhushan in the 2019 split verdict where he held that the government of Delhi has no power over services. 

 The case was referred before the Constitution bench after a request made by the Centre to a larger bench to look into this matter in May 2021. The Apex Court announced a split verdict on the questions regarding the powers of the Union Government and Delhi Government over the issues of services and referred the matter to a three-judge bench. The bench which was assigned to hear the pleas on six matters had given an unanimous order on the left out five issues except the issue related to control over the services. 

Andromeda Sales and Distribution Private Limited is India’s leading distributor of loans. The company has its headquarters in Mumbai and branches in 1000+ cities in India. Andromeda also enjoys a strong agent network of more than 25,000 across the length and breadth of the country and an employee strength of over 3000 people. Through this network, it disburses loans and distributes other financial products such as credit cards, real estate and insurance. The organization was established in 1991 under the esteemed leadership of Mr. V Swaminathan.

Major highlights of FY22-23

In the fiscal year 22-23, Andromeda achieved a significant milestone with an annual turnover of over INR 1000 cr. In addition to this remarkable achievement, the company’s annual loan disbursals grew from INR 18,000 cr in FY20-21 to INR 38,000 cr in FY21-22 and further to INR 60,000 cr in FY22-23. More so, the company’s insurance premiums, from its subsidiary corporate agency, rose from INR 32 cr to INR 75 cr in the period from FY21-22 to FY22-23.

This growth was fueled by increased digitization and the use of technology, which helped the company counter the headwinds of interest rate increases through the period. Despite the uncertainty in the lending industry, the organization was equipped with the requisite digital skillsets and cultural alignment that helped drive sales. This has helped Andromeda streamline its operations, reduce costs and improve customer experience. At the same time, embracing digital technology has helped the company remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market.

Other factors driving Andromeda’s growth

Its diversified financial product offering also has played a significant role in this success. Andromeda’s volumes are diversified across home loans, personal loans, mortgages, business loans and insurance products.

Moreover, the organization has more than 120 active partners across banks, NBFCs and fintech companies across the country. It is considered amongst the ‘top 3 most-preferred channel partners for loans’. And particularly in FY22-23, it led disbursal volumes for all major partners. Andromeda’s growth is a reflection of the long-standing associations with its partners, such as HDFC Bank, Tata Capital, Future Generali and MoneyWide.

The company’s success is a testament to the extensive usage of data and analytics in its business models. This entails offering its agents and 30 million+ customer footprint a wide range of products across multiple service providers. The sole purpose of this is to create a robust communication strategy between its partners and customers, which inevitably contributes to its annual turnovers.

Major thrust area for FY23-24

In the new fiscal year, Andromeda’s major area of focus is on developing a technology platform for agents to earn and sell seamlessly. It will be coupled with increased digitization and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) across all major partners. The organization is building a digital infrastructure that will serve it well in the coming years.

The initiative is a reflection of the broader trends in the Indian lending ecosystem. It has become imperative to adapt to the trends and become more data-rich, digitally savvy and process-oriented. Given the fact that customers are looking for innovative and smooth experiences in all online transactions, investing in cutting-edge technology is the need of the hour. Besides, the digital transformation also adds value to Andromeda’s rich legacy of three decades.

Wrapping up

Andromeda’s achievement of an annual turnover of over INR 1000 cr is a major milestone. While adding branches and people to sustain its growth momentum will be paramount, the company aspires to integrate the best practices in digital and technology to maintain its growth in the coming years and consolidate its stance as India’s largest loan distributor.

On May 11th, 2023, Thursday, the polling for the second and final phase of local body polls in 38 districts of Uttar Pradesh is underway. The voting for the election started at 7 am in the morning amid the heavy security arrangements. The first phase of voting for the elections was held in 37 districts on 4th May. An average of 52 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of the local body elections. The counting of the votes for both phases, first and second is scheduled for Saturday. 

The people were seen queuing outside the polling booths to cast their respective votes for the final phase of local body polls in 38 districts. The elections are being held for 199 of Nagar Palika Parishad Chairperson, 544 of Nagar Panchayat Chairperson, 17 seats of Mayor, 5,327 of Nagar Palika Parishad Member, 1,420 of Corporator, and 7,178 seats of Nagar Panchayat Member. Soon, after the voting started, complaints were reported related to technical problems in an EVM  (Electronic Voting Machine), from one of the polling booths in Ayodhya. 

A voter who came to cast their vote said that “I came to vote but the collector has informed us that there is a malfunction in the EVMs so after some time we will be back to cast our votes again. Voting for the right candidate is our duty so we will definitely fulfill it.” Over 1.92 crore registered voters are set to decide the fate of 39,146 poll aspirants in the districts including Ghaziabad, Meerut, Aligarh, Kanpur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Ayodhya, and Kanpur. 

The State Election Commission mentioned earlier that the election would be held on 14,684 seats in 760 urban local bodies of the state. The voting for the first phase which was held on May 4th registered an average of 52 percent voters who cast their votes which was 5.52 percent less than the poll percentage recorded in 37 districts in the 2017 Elections. The results of these elections will be out on May 13th.

On May 9th, 2023, Tuesday, a tragic bus accident took place in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district. At least 15 people have been killed and 25 left injured after a private passenger bus fell from a bridge in Khargone district, informed Dharam Veer Singh, Superintendent of Police (SP). The incident happened in the morning at Dongargaon bridge under the police station. Reportedly, around 50 passengers were travelling on the bus when the incident took place. 

The bus was travelling to Indore with nearly 50 passengers when it skidded off the bridge and fell. The government of Madhya Pradesh has announced immediate financial help of INR 4 lakhs each to the families of the deceased. Further, the government added that people who got seriously injured will get INR 50,000 each while those with minor injuries will be given INR 25,000 each. The Police administration and ambulances reached the spot immediately after receiving the information about the incident and started their rescue operations. 

Also, several rescue operations were launched by the locals of that area, and those who got injured were admitted to the hospital. The collector Shivraj Singh Verma arrived at the scene of the incident. PM Modi also expressed grief over the bus accident in which 15 people lost their lives and declared ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and injured ones. The SP Dharamveer Singh said “15 people lost their lives and 25 got injured after a bus fell from a bridge in Khargone. Rescue operation is going on.” 

The Prime Minister’s office took to Twitter and said “The road accident in Khargone is very sad. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragic incident. I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured persons. Under the supervision of the government of the state, the local administration is providing all possible help on the spot.” According to some reports, the driver of the bus lost control of the bus on a slope as it was on its way through Andheri Station. Further details are awaited. 

The Probe Agency NIA (National Investigation Agency) on Tuesday, conducted searches at six places in Tamil Nadu’s four districts in relation to a case related to unlawful activities of the banned terror outfit PFI (Popular Front of India). The official sources said that the searches are going on in Chennai, Dindigul, Theni, and Madurai districts. The team of the National Investigation Agency detained two people, Sadiq Ali, the SDPI district secretary of Theni, and Mohammad Qaiser, the regional president of PFI  in this case. 

The NIA conducted these raids with its team members at the residential and other premises of the accused in the case in close connection with the Tamil Nadu Police. The case was registered by the National Investigation Agency on September 19th, 2022. Since last year, when the case was registered NIA has arrested a dozen cadres of PFI so far. Last year, the NIA carried out searches on the premises of the arrested accused persons in different locations in Tamil Nadu, and several incrimination documents and articles, and digital devices were seized. 

The fresh raids were carried out almost five months after 10 accused were arrested by the NIA in this particular case. The National Investigation Agency arrested a resident named Umar Sheriff R alias Umar Juice, resident of Sungam Pallivasal Street, Nelpettai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu for conspiring and indulging in unlawful activities such as creating enmity among various groups on grounds of religion and carrying out activities which disturb the peace of the public as well as the reason of disaffection against India. 

During an investigation NIA revealed that Umar Sheriff arranged various physical training courses, classes with the dangerous weapons to the cadre of PFI to get successful in the objective. These courses trained them to attack the people selected by leaders of PFI at the district and state levels.  A total number of 10 accused persons have been arrested in this case till now. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued an open letter to the people of Karnataka a day before the Assembly elections in the state. The state will go to polls tomorrow with the ruling party BJP aiming to break the 38-year-old anti-incumbency factor in Karnataka to have victory in the state elections for a second consecutive term.

 “I’ve always felt loved and cherished by you. In my opinion, it is a divine feeling,” PM Modi wrote in the letter. “We Indians have intended to transform our beloved nation into a developed one in our ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Kaal’. Karnataka is eager to lead the initiative and realise the movement’s goals. At present India is the fifth largest economy and our aim now is to reach the top three. That will only be possible when Karnataka rapidly grows to become a $1 trillion economy.” The letter further read. 

PM Modi also held a 26-kilometre roadshow in Bengaluru on Saturday as a part of the BJP’s aggressive campaigning in the state in order to counter the threat posed by the Congress, led by political heavyweights DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, and the JD(S) led by HD Kumaraswamy. 

The PM further emphasised in his message the party’s dedication to Karnataka and its citizens. “Under the BJP government, Karnataka received over 90,000 crore in foreign investment per year during the COVID-19 epidemic. Under the previous administration, it was only about 30,000 crore,” the PM wrote. “We aspire to make Karnataka the best state for entrepreneurship, education, and employment as well as for investment, industry, and innovation.”

The BJP government will continue to work to develop next-generation urban infrastructure in Karnataka, modernise transport, improve the quality of life in rural and urban areas, and create opportunities for women and young people, the PM wrote in response to concerns about rural and urban infrastructure, transport, and jobs. The PM also stated in his letter, “The dream of every citizen of Karnataka is my dream.” 

Additionally, PM Modi urged Karnataka voters to cast votes on election day to make their state ‘No. 1’ in a different video message. 9.17 lakh of Karnataka’s 5.2 crore eligible voters first cast their votes in round one. The BJP has 224 candidates, the Congress has 223, and the JD(S) has 207 candidates. Voting for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will begin tomorrow and the counting will be done on May 13. 

Photography has been considered as a full-time career by several people over the years. The skill set required, the eye for art, capturing the details and various other factors make it an interesting career option. While Photography itself has several sub-categories, each of them is unique in its own way. The recent addition to the world of photography is Newborn photography. It requires a different set of skills other than the conventional photography skills.

Dealing with newborns, making them comfortable during the photo shoots, choosing the right props that are comfortable and safe for the kids, outfits, set-ups to work with and making sure each parent goes back home satisfied with the outcomes; everything that goes into newborn photography requires patience and enthusiasm at every stage. For every photography enthusiast who wishes to dive deep into this world of newborn photography must know the appropriate usage of props. Wraps, small wooden furniture as props, tents, etc are a must when it is newborn photo shoots that we are talking about.

A few ages ago humans had limited career options while today the scenario has drastically changed. People have moved past engineering and medical fields and have slowly started exploring the artistic world. Art today isn’t just a medium to express but also an incredible career option. Newborn photography, a sub-category of photography is a beautiful blend of art and technicalities which if worked out well gives amazing outcomes. It takes courage to choose an unconventional path but if dine whole-heartedly becomes exceptionally rewarding.

Newborn photography is about documenting the initial memories of kids in aesthetic way and as a popular newborn photography place for the Ahmedabadis, Littolo House provides all the creative solutions under one roof understood the need for a well-curated range of equipment, and experts required in the field and have been consistently working towards achieving the goal of making the early days of these kids memorable. All in all, the ultimate aim for the newborn photographers  is to make sure that every parent goes back home with a smile after the photo shoot of their little one.

The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen has been making headlines since the trailer of the film was released, but amid all the controversies the film is ruling the box office. In a recent situation, a crew member of the film receives a threatening message from an unknown number. The Mumbai Police has provided security amid the ongoing controversies regarding the film. Recently, the film was made tax-free in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, but on the other hand CM Mamata Banerjee banned the film in West Bengal. 

According to Mumbai Police, the director of the film, Sudipto Sen informed the police that a crew member of the film received a threatening message from an unknown number, which said ‘not to step out.’ “The message threatened the crew person not to step out from their home alone and that they didn’t do a good thing by showing the story,” Mumbai Police said in a statement. The written complaint has not been received yet and an FIR is to be registered, but the police have already provided security to the crew members. 

On May 8th, the government of Trinamool Congress took the decision of banning the film and CM Mamata Banerjee directed the state chief secretary to stop the screening of the film in all theatres with immediate effect as it is citing ‘maintenance of peace’ and to avoid any incidents of ‘hatred and ruckus’ in the state. Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the producer of the film said that the team will take legal action against the decision of the Trinamool Congress for banning the film. Recently, the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ has been stopped in the multiplexes of Tamil Nadu. ‘The Kerala Story’ shows the ordeal of a woman who is trafficked to ISIS camps after being converted to Islam through marriage. 

Some Muslim political groups and other political parties like TMC, DMK, and INC have protested against the film. The film has received both backlashes as well as praise and also faced political heat due to its controversial content. The film shows the ugly truth of terrorism as well as terrorists’ design. The film received appreciation by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party from PM Modi to Anurag Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting who will watch the film with his family and colleagues on May 11th. Recently, Yogi Adityanath, the CM of Uttar Pradesh made this film tax-free in the state. ‘The Kerala Story’ touches the mark of 50 crores club.