The return of Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as his deputies, underscores the complex and often turbulent nature of coalition politics in India. While the Mahayuti alliance’s overwhelming mandate demonstrates the electorate’s faith in the coalition, the prolonged negotiations and last-minute agreements reveal deep fault lines, in effect suggesting a battle for spoils that could challenge its stability and governance efficacy. Coalition politics is rarely about ideological alignment; it is more about negotiating power and portfolios. Mr Shinde’s initial resistance to accepting the deputy chief ministership, reportedly linked to his demand for the home portfolio, is emblematic of this power tussle. His insistence on retaining the chief minister’s chair, despite the BJP’s dominance in the alliance, reflects a larger struggle for visibility and relevance for his faction of the Shiv Sena. Mr Shinde’s eventual agreement to step down came after intense negotiations, but his reluctance may leave lingering tensions within the alliance. The symbolism of the oath-taking ceremony at Azad Maidan, a historic ground for dissent, was striking. While the event showcased the alliance’s unity and strength, the prolonged suspense leading up to it revealed the undercurrents of mistrust and negotiation. This juxtaposition highlights the delicate balancing act required to govern effectively in such a coalition. Mr Ajit Pawar’s role as the second deputy chief minister further complicates the dynamics. Having split from his uncle, Sharad Pawar, to align with the Mahayuti, the younger Mr Pawar has cemented his faction’s position within the ruling coalition. However, his presence underscores the fragility of opposition politics in Maharashtra, where the once-formidable Maha Vikas Aghadi has been reduced to a mere 46 seats. Advertisement The opposition’s weakened state raises concerns about the lack of a robust counterbalance to government policies, which is critical for a healthy democracy. For Mr Fadnavis, this tenure represents an opportunity to solidify his legacy after a bumpy political journey. His previous term as chief minister was marked by significant developmental initiatives, but the shadow of his brief and controversial stint in 2019 has lingered. Now, with a commanding majority and two deputies, Mr Fadnavis has the chance to focus on governance. Yet, balancing the competing interests of his allies will require political acumen and tact. The Mahayuti’s formation and its current composition highlight a broader trend in Indian politics: the emphasis on pragmatism over principle. The BJP’s refusal to concede the chief ministership to Mr Shinde, despite parallels to its compromise in Bihar, signals its intent to assert dominance. While this strategy strengthens the BJP’s control, it also risks alienating smaller partners whose support is crucial in coalition dynamics. Ultimately, the success of the Mahayuti government will depend on its ability to rise above internal discord and deliver on its promises of development and good governance. The coming months will reveal whether this coalition can function cohesively or whether its internal contradictions will overshadow its potential to drive progress. AdvertisementWilliam Saliba Real Madrid latest: Arsenal defender future update as Mikel Arteta hunts Liverpool down
DENVER , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) has been awarded one of PepsiCo Foundation's 2024 Community Impact Awards. The PepsiCo Foundation is the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP), one of the world's leading food and beverage companies. The program supports local communities by offering resources for employment services to justice-impacted job seekers. CEO Denver is one of 100 public charities and organizations across the United States and Canada to receive a Community Impact Award for its dedication and commitment to the communities it serves. Through strategic partnerships, such as the Community Impact Awards, the PepsiCo Foundation aspires to provide lasting change by tackling the challenges of inequality, whether through access to economic opportunity, clean water, or food security. "This award enables us to expand our reach and provide justice-impacted individuals with the support they need for long-term employment and economic stability," said Sam Schaefer , Executive Director of the Center for Employment Opportunities. "Since 2017, CEO Denver has helped countless individuals secure steady work, build skills, break employment barriers, and achieve socioeconomic mobility. This award will empower individuals to build brighter futures for themselves and their families." "At the PepsiCo Foundation, we believe that the strength of our communities lies in the hands of local leaders and nonprofit organizations who understand the unique local social challenges and opportunities of their community. The PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Awards allow us to celebrate these trailblazers who are driving meaningful change in our communities across North America ," PepsiCo Foundation President and Global Head of Social Impact at PepsiCo, C.D. Glin said. "We invited PepsiCo employees to nominate local organizations of their choice and our employee's most admired nonprofits were selected as Community Impact Award recipients. We are honored to work alongside these inspiring organizations to amplify their efforts to create lasting positive social impacts across North America ." CEO currently operates in 30 cities and believes that anyone with a recent criminal history who wants to work has the preparation and support needed to find a job and stay connected to the labor force. The PepsiCo Foundation's dedication to partnering with local nonprofits stems from its understanding that these organizations are deeply rooted in the communities where PepsiCo employees live and work. By collaborating with local partners, the Foundation can more effectively address community-specific needs and leverage each organization's unique strengths to foster local, leading, and lasting solutions. The full release can be found here . Contact: Tiffany Elder , Regional Communications Manager telder@ceoworks.org | (323) 973-7775 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/center-for-employment-opportunities-denver-named-a-top-100-nonprofit-in-north-america-awarded-pepsico-foundation-community-impact-award-302313667.html SOURCE Center for Employment OpportunitiesShelia Poole | (TNS) The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ATLANTA — Holidays are a time for families and friends to gather, but for older people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, it can cause so much stress and confusion that they could be in danger of what experts calls wandering. Related Articles Health | Health officials say Louisiana patient is first severe bird flu case in US Health | What’s behind rising autism rates: A broader definition of autism and better screening Health | Most US teens are abstaining from drinking, smoking and marijuana, survey says Health | An Alabama woman is doing well after the latest experimental pig kidney transplant Health | Walking in a rhythmic wonderland with holiday songs that could help save lives “I would say around the holiday time is the biggest challenge for people with dementia,” said Kim Franklin, senior manager of programs and services at the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Schedules are changing, people are traveling, families are coming together and friends are coming over. There’s a lot of chaos going on and that can cause a person to wander. They want to get away. It’s hard for them to process what’s happening.” The Alzheimer’s Association reports 72% of dementia patients who wander are found alive by the next day. Alerting 911 as soon as the person goes missing is critical. The odds of survival decrease as more time passes. Angel Alonso, president of Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery based in Gwinnett County, said the vast majority — between 60% and 70% — of the 30 to 40 calls the nonprofit received last year involved people with the disease. The GESAR is a volunteer-driven organization that works with law enforcement to find people who have gone missing, including children, people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and people lost during major disasters. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Vice President John Clark, who is also volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. For caregivers and loved ones, a relative who goes missing is devastating. Two of Clark’s grandparents had dementia, so he gravitated to search and rescue to help other families and caregivers keep their loved ones safe. He’s consulted with police departments across metro Atlanta on the best ways to find people with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can cause people to lose their ability to recognize people and places that are familiar. According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are often warning signs that a person might wander. Six in 10 people with dementia will wander during the course of the disease. That includes people returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual. Or they may talk about fulfilling former obligations, such as going to work or talk about going home even when they’re at home. Sometimes they become restless and pace or make repetitive movements. Clark recounted one call for help when a family reported a missing relative, but they insisted she couldn’t have gone far because of a bad knee that limited her to walking no further than the mailbox. Searchers found the missing woman 7 miles from home. Even those who have never shown an interest in wandering might start without warning. Dan Goerke is fortunate. His late wife, Diane, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012, once went missing from the car of a caregiver. The caregiver had stopped for an errand. Diane had waited alone in cars as people ran errands before. But this time, when the caregiver returned, Diane was gone but her seat belt was still fastened. “It was like she disappeared into thin air,” said Goerke, who said he doesn’t blame the caregiver. Fortunately, she was found uninjured and nearby a short time later that same day. Goerke said it’s hard for caregivers to always be on guard for wandering. “We have so many things to juggle that’s not necessarily at the top of our minds. We have to manage medications, take them to doctor’s appointments, cook meals and taking care of things day to day,” he said. Clark said when searching for someone with dementia, one of the keys is to know what the person was like before their diagnosis. Often their long-term memories are still strong. They once found a woman who walked out of her home and went to where she used to shop and to her old job, although it had closed. Recently, GESAR unveiled a new tool to search for missing people: Maverick. An 8-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever, Maverick is in training to be part of the GESAR search and research team that will track missing people, including wandering dementia patients in metro Atlanta. In cases involving children and people with dementia, a dog’s personality can also be an asset. Labs like Maverick are friendly and affectionate, not imposing or threatening like some other breeds — and less likely to scare the person who is lost. Canines can be used in searches in both rural and urban areas. “He’s an asset,” said Maverick’s handler, Carmen Alonso. “His nose can pick up odors and track where a person has been that we might not think to go that direction.” At the Cobb County Police Department, Public Information Officer Sgt. Eric Smith said if dogs are needed to search for a wanderer they call the sheriff’s department, which has bloodhounds. “They’re not apprehension dogs so there’s little or no likelihood of a bite,” he said. Technology can also help, Smith said. Searchers can use drones and families can install technology on a person’s car to help locate it or use other kinds of trackable devices including on their phone. “We get so many Alzheimer’s calls,” said Clark, who is also a volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Most cases they’ve worked on have had favorable results, according to the Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery organization. No two searches are the same, said Sgt. Jeremy Blake of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. “When responding to calls for a missing person, the response is different than that of a fleeing suspect,” he wrote in an email. “The K-9s that are used to track missing persons are not trained in the apprehension of suspects. ... Often times, if the K-9 cannot locate the missing person, they can provide officers with a more accurate direction of travel than they may previously had.” Nearly 7 million U.S. residents age 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s according to the most recent Facts & Figures report . Of those, more than 188,000 Georgians ages 65 and older also have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association Georgia Chapter. There is a better chance of being found in urban environments because of a higher probability of a “good Samaritan” stepping in. Wanderers may give no forewarning. Often those with memory issues wander away during activities they’ve done safely in the past, such as shopping or sitting on a front porch. Some people who still drive can become disoriented and drive for miles away from home. According to the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, on average, half the calls for missing persons involve the elderly or someone with disabilities. Call 911 as soon as possible. Have a photograph available for first responders and an article of clothing to provide a scent for search dogs. Sharing what the missing person liked to do in prior years can be a key: Did they have a job they went to every day? Did they like to fish or go to a certain spot? Searchers will need to know the last time the person was seen to help determine how far a person might have wandered. (Source: Alzheimer’s Association and Cobb County Police Department.) ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Parkinson’s community ‘felt left out in the cold’ – Rory Cellan-Jones
Thomas Jr. scores again as Titans get swept by JaguarsPalantir, Anduril sign partnership for AI training in defense
“Squid Game” Season 3 Release Sets WindowMichael Jordan’s Game-Worn Baseball Cleats Can Soon Be Yours