Good morning! Cricket fans witnessed a spectacular return of the legends as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma dominated the ODI against South Africa on December 1, 2025. Meanwhile, Parliament's Winter Session begins amid potential confrontation between the government and opposition parties.
Kohli-Rohit Masterclass Silences Critics
Two cricketing giants made a triumphant return to One Day International cricket following India's disappointing Test performance against South Africa. A massive crowd of approximately 38,000 spectators gathered to watch the veteran players in action, and they were not disappointed.
After an early setback with Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal, Virat Kohli joined Rohit Sharma on the pitch and delivered an outstanding performance. Kohli smashed a massive 135 runs - marking the 52nd century of his illustrious career. This remarkable innings ultimately helped India secure victory over South Africa.
As national sports editor Sandeep Dwivedi observed, "Kohli didn't look like a cricketer approaching 40… the old master has displayed both brutality and finesse."
Rohit Sharma contributed significantly to the partnership, sending three balls flying to the boundaries. His final boundary earned him a new record: the batsman with the most ODI sixes in history.
Parliament Winter Session Faces Stormy Start
The Winter Session of Parliament commences today with tensions already brewing. An all-party meeting held on Sunday revealed potential confrontations ahead. Opposition parties are firmly demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, currently underway in 12 states and Union Territories.
The Election Commission has extended the deadline for electors to submit enumeration forms from December 4 to December 11. This decision comes following the tragic deaths of at least five booth-level officers involved in the task, reports of mounting pressure, and an ongoing Supreme Court hearing challenging the exercise's constitutional validity.
The government has yet to commit to the Opposition's demand for discussing SIR, while the opposition has signaled it may stall Parliamentary proceedings if its demands are not met. Meanwhile, the government is pushing for a discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
Health and Environmental Concerns
Air pollution continues to pose significant health risks beyond respiratory issues. Studies have found that PM2.5 particles can damage joints by entering the bloodstream. These tiny particles represent a serious health threat that extends throughout the body.
The government has taken steps to address pollution monitoring gaps. At a high-level task force meeting in October, the Prime Minister's Office directed the Commission for Air Quality Management and Central Pollution Control Board to expedite work on new emission inventory and source-apportionment studies.
In economic news, the rupee has weakened against four major currencies: the US dollar, euro, pound, and yen. Analysis of Nominal and Real Effective Exchange Rate indices may explain this decline, with experts closely monitoring the currency's future trajectory.
Human Interest Stories
In Uttar Pradesh, hundreds of young people who participated in 2022 protests against the Agnipath Army recruitment scheme now have renewed hope. A recent review of cases initiated by the state government offers them a chance to rebuild their lives after facing arrests that crushed their military aspirations.
Meanwhile, cross-border love stories have emerged from Pakistan's Islamkot tehsil. Two couples - Toto and Meena, and Popat and Gauri - crossed the border seeking to be together. While Toto and Meena reached Ratanpur in Kutch after a three-day, 50-kilometer walk, Popat and Gauri were intercepted by BSF. Both couples remain in custody as authorities investigate their motives.
The collapse of BluSmart this year particularly affected women drivers from the company's Sakhi Programme. For these women, driving represented more than employment - it offered the power to choose their hours, steady income, and the profound experience of navigating Delhi independently. Many now struggle with unemployment and debt while hoping for better opportunities.
