Instagram reel,Sugar has been blamed for a long time as the main culprit in modern diets that are the cause of most lifestyle diseases. As a result, a lot of health-conscious people have gone as far as to cut it out completely in the hope of achieving better health. Instead, natural alternatives like jaggery, honey, and dates are becoming popular and are generally considered good and healthier options. But more and more medical experts are disputing this view.In his Dr. Prashant Katakol, a neurosurgeon who has specialised in neuroscience for more than 30 years, warns that changing sugar sources does not make a food product automatically healthier. He explains that the body doesn’t react to food based on how natural or old-fashioned it looks. Instead, metabolism works with the total glucose intake for the day, no matter if it is from refined sugar or natural sweeteners.

Do natural sweeteners affect blood sugar differently

Natural sweeteners are often promoted as safer alternatives to sugar, but they still contain glucose and fructose. If these sweeteners are used excessively or without fibre, they can elevate blood sugar levels to the same extent as refined sugar. In case insulin demand stays high, the possibility of insulin resistance, an increase in body fat, and metabolic disorders is still there.What actually improves blood sugar controlChanging the ingredients in your food won’t make your long-term metabolic health better; better eating habits will. Eating whole foods that are sweet, including fruits that are high in fibre, can help slow down the absorption of glucose. Even if foods look clean or natural, it’s important to stick to the right portion amounts. It’s much better to know how glucose works in the body than to believe health labels or old ideas.It’s also very important not be emotionally attached to certain elements. People often think that some foods are good because of tradition or how they seem, but the body only reacts to biochemical effects, not intent.

The truth about sugar substitutes and metabolic health

Replacing sugar with natural options doesn’t fool the body. Glucose is metabolised according to the quantity, frequency and context of ingestion. People might experience improvements when switching sweeteners, but the only true way to regulate blood sugar is to be aware of what is eaten, eat in moderation and opt for reasonable foods. The real search for sugar substitutes is superfluous: we must learn to master glucose and blood sugar and improve our general metabolic health.

As India fine-tune their squad composition ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, a clear statistical and tactical divide has emerged between Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill. While Gill’s overall pedigree and peak performances cannot be ignored, Samson’s T20I numbers, strike rate and role flexibility have given him a decisive edge in the World Cup pecking order.

Selectors and analysts agree that the modern T20 template demands explosive powerplay impact and adaptability – areas where Samson has consistently outperformed Gill over a larger sample size.

Shubman Gill vs Sanju Samson: Overall T20I career comparison 

A look at their T20I career numbers highlights the contrast in approach:

Shubman Gill: 36 matches, 36 innings, 869 runs, average 28.03, strike rate 138.59, one century, three fifties, highest score 126 not out

Sanju Samson: 52 matches, 44 innings, 1032 runs, average 25.80, strike rate 148.06, three centuries, two fifties, highest score 111

Gill’s standout moment remains his 126 not out against New Zealand, which briefly propelled him into elite T20 discussions. However, that peak has not been sustained. Samson, on the other hand, has maintained a career strike rate above 145 across a significantly larger number of matches, reinforcing his reputation as a higher-impact T20 batter.

Gill’s extended lean patch in T20Is

One of the biggest factors hurting Gill has been his prolonged dip in form. Despite his early promise, Gill has gone 18 T20I innings without a half-century, with his returns tapering sharply through 2025.

Across 15 T20Is in the 2025 calendar year, Gill managed only 291 runs at an average of 24.25, striking at around 137. Those numbers fell well short of the powerplay aggression selectors were actively seeking for World Cup conditions, where fast starts are considered non-negotiable.

Samson’s current form matches runs

Interestingly, Samson scored a similar number of runs to Gill across his last 15 T20Is, but did so at a higher strike rate of 137.26 while showing far more intent during the powerplay. This aggression – especially against pace in the first six overs – was a critical selector criterion for the World Cup squad.

While Samson’s average remains slightly lower, selectors value impact per ball more than time spent at the crease in T20 cricket. On that metric, Samson consistently came out ahead.

Beyond pure batting numbers, Samson offers two key advantages Gill does not. First is his wicketkeeping ability, which allows India to field an extra batter or bowler depending on conditions. Second is his versatility, with the ability to bat anywhere in the top four, adapting to different match situations.

This flexibility significantly enhances squad balance, especially in a 15-man T20 World Cup group where every role must be covered without redundancy.

Also READ: Fans left shocked as BCCI drops Shubman Gill from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Why selectors backed Samson over Gill in India’s T20 World Cup 2026?

A T20-specific call, not a talent judgment

The batting analysis frame Gill’s omission as a tactical decision, not a reflection of his overall ability. Gill’s more anchor-style T20 approach, combined with his extended lean patch, worked against him in a setup prioritising maximum aggression at the top.

Former players have echoed that view, suggesting Samson fits the modern T20 blueprint more naturally, even if Gill remains one of India’s most gifted all-format batters.

Also READ: Kapil Dev shares his honest view on Gautam Gambhir’s coaching tenure ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026

NEW DELHI: As another week of December begins, stock markets will also invoke hopes for investors but also caution. Foreign investors, currency movement and global macroeconomic data announcements will drive investor sentiments for the week. Notably, this week will not have the usual five days of trading as Thursday, December 25 will mark a stock market holiday on account of Christmas. This will be significant as it’s the last complete week ending in 2025. However, an expert quoted by PTI said that market activity could be subdued on account of Christmas and New Year.“This week marks the onset of the year-end festive period and will be holiday-shortened due to the Christmas break, which may keep trading volumes subdued. On the domestic front, markets will track infrastructure output data, along with updates on bank loan growth, deposit growth, and foreign exchange reserves. Currency movement and crude oil prices will also remain important variables,” said Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd.Meanwhile, Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, an online trading and wealth tech firm was quoted by PTI saying, “While strong domestic liquidity continues to act as an effective buffer against deeper downside risks, lending resilience to the market structure, the re-emergence of foreign fund inflows is increasingly being viewed as a potential catalyst for the market’s next leg higher, improving overall risk appetite.”Further talking about international factors, he added, “Globally, performance of major markets—particularly the US—will be closely monitored for directional cues.” That said, the durability of the late-week momentum will largely depend on key global macroeconomic indicators, especially the forthcoming US GDP and core personal consumption expenditure (PCE) data, which are expected to provide clearer insights into the health of the US economy amid shifting inflation–growth dynamics, according to Ponmudi R.Last week, the BSE benchmark fell by 338.3 points, or 0.39 per cent, while the Nifty declined by 80.55 points, or 0.30 per cent. Meanwhile, on Friday, the Sensex surged 447.55 points, or 0.53 per cent, to close at 84,929.36, while Nifty advanced 150.85 points, or 0.58 per cent, to end at 25,966.40. “Selling pressure dominated most sessions; however, a recovery in the final trading day—driven by value buying and renewed interest from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs)—helped limit the downside.” Mishra added.Also sharing his insights, Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Research – Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, said, “This week, we expect markets to trade in a range with a positive bias, following signs of improving FII participation (buying in two continuous trading sessions offering some relief after weeks of relentless selling) and a marginal recovery in INR vs USD. Several global markets will see subdued activity on account of Christmas and New Year holidays.“Key macro data releases during the week include US and UK GDP, US consumer confidence data. Overall, market is likely to remain sideways, with investor focus gradually shifting towards the upcoming Q3 corporate earnings season,” he added.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market and other asset classes given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

England coach Brendon McCullum (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Geoffrey Boycott, one of English cricket’s most outspoken voices, has launched a scathing attack on England’s ‘Bazball’ experiment following the team’s 3-0 thrashing in the Ashes in Australia. The former England batsman didn’t hold back in criticising the ultra-aggressive approach adopted under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Boycott said, “A lot of credit should go to Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes for what they have done for our cricket but it is obvious that Bazball has run its race.”

Boycott argued that the philosophy has become a case of hubris overtaking common sense. “Hubris has taken over from common sense and that cannot be allowed to carry on. Stokes and McCullum are like men digging a hole to nowhere. If what you are doing isn’t working then stop digging,” he wrote. The veteran insisted that change was necessary if England want to compete with the best sides in world cricket. “Change is absolutely necessary to step up to the next level. What would I do? Change the coach. We are tired of this duo talking a good game but not delivering against the best teams so Rob Key, it is time for you to assert yourself,” Boycott said, directly calling for McCullum to be replaced. He also suggested potential replacements, highlighting both domestic and international options. “Many people would cherish the England coach’s job because it is very high profile and exceptionally well paid. Jason Gillespie did a great job at Yorkshire, or they could go for an English coach like Alec Stewart,” he advised. At the heart of Boycott’s critique was his frustration with the attacking style of play that McCullum had championed. “I would like this ‘gung-ho’ batting to stop… Nobody wants dour, defensive cricket but let’s get back to textbook cricket with guys assessing the situation, thinking on their feet and batting with discipline. We were always told to use our brain. A thinking cricketer is a better cricketer,” he said. With the Ashes already out of reach, England will still get chances to salvage some pride in Melbourne and Sydney. But Boycott’s words reflect a broader sentiment that the team’s high-risk approach has failed to deliver when it mattered most.

MUMBAI: At a time when India’s drug addiction crisis is deepening even as access to care remains uneven and stigmatised, researchers at Nagaland University have put forward a proposal that seeks to reframe rehabilitation for the digital age. Scholars from the university’s Department of Law have advanced the idea of a ‘Digital Rehabilitation Law’ — a forward-looking legal framework that integrates artificial intelligence, telemedicine and mobile health technologies into the country’s addiction recovery ecosystem.The proposal emerges from a comprehensive doctrinal study that examines how India’s existing legal architecture could be retooled to support technology-driven rehabilitation models. The researchers argue that conventional rehabilitation systems have, for decades, struggled with limited reach, chronic understaffing and social stigma, leaving large sections of those in need without sustained support. In this context, they position rehabilitation not as an adjunct, but as a central pillar of national public health and drug policy.The research was undertaken by Dr. Rumi Dhar and Ms. Tania Anya of the Department of Law, Nagaland University, and has been published in the KDU Law Journal, a peer-reviewed publication of the Faculty of Law at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka, indexed internationally in HeinOnline. One of the earliest legal analyses of its kind in India, the study focuses on law and policy rather than clinical outcomes, mapping how ethical technology adoption could reshape addiction recovery.Commending the work, Prof. Jagadish K. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, underscored the broader role of universities in addressing complex social challenges. “I congratulate our researchers for proposing the innovative concept of a Digital Rehabilitation Law, which explores how ethical AI integration can strengthen India’s drug addiction recovery ecosystem. This work reflects Nagaland University’s commitment to socially relevant research that upholds patient rights, expands access to care, and supports evidence-based policymaking. I am confident that such forward-looking scholarship will contribute meaningfully to national dialogues on public health and technological governance,” he said.The study evaluates the compatibility of key Indian statutes — including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023), the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines (2020), and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985) — with emerging digital rehabilitation tools. While acknowledging the promise of AI-driven relapse prediction models and virtual counselling platforms, the researchers flag significant legal gaps around privacy protection, informed consent, algorithmic transparency and accountability.Elaborating on the findings, Dr. Rumi Dhar said, “This study is both unique and urgently relevant. Our proposed legislative model of a ‘Digital Rehabilitation Law’ will harmonize India’s current legal provisions to support safe, ethical and tech-enabled addiction treatment. The research underscores that while technology can significantly improve access to rehabilitation, particularly for rural and underserved communities, robust legal safeguards must protect patient rights and dignity.”Ms. Tania Anya outlined concrete policy recommendations flowing from the analysis. “Our key recommendations include establishing a National Digital Rehabilitation Regulatory Authority, amending the NDPS Act to formally recognise digital rehabilitation pathways, launching pilot programs for AI- and telemedicine-based interventions and implementing nationwide training to improve digital literacy among healthcare providers and patients,” she said.Drawing on global examples, the study highlights how mobile health tools and digital platforms have already improved recovery outcomes elsewhere. App-based interventions such as Australia’s Daybreak and peer-support networks like Sober Grid demonstrate how everyday technologies can strengthen motivation, community engagement and long-term adherence. International models using AI-powered relapse prediction in the United States and European Union further illustrate how early alerts can enable timely clinical intervention.Telemedicine frameworks like Project ECHO and Vermont’s hub-and-spoke model are cited as evidence that digitally connected specialists can extend consistent care to remote regions. The researchers argue that integrating similar architectures into India’s national platforms, including e-Sanjeevani, could dramatically expand access to supervised addiction treatment — if supported by a clear, rights-based legal framework.Taken together, the proposal positions digital rehabilitation not as a technological shortcut, but as a carefully governed public health intervention — one that blends innovation with accountability, and access with dignity.

A massive power outage affected nearly 30% of San Francisco as the city plunged into darkness for hours, paralysing the city’s infrastructure and leaving hundreds of Google-owned Waymo self-driving vehicles stranded in the middle of busy roads. People on social media posted videos and photos of Waymo vehicles in the middle of the road, affecting smooth traffic.According to a report by SFGate, Waymo was forced to suspend its operations at approximately 8 p.m. (local time) after the vehicles became unable to safely navigate intersections without functioning traffic signals.“We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services given the broad power outage in San Francisco,” a Waymo spokesperson was quoted as saying. “We are focused on keeping our riders safe and ensuring emergency personnel have the clear access they need to do their work,” the spokesperson added.

Social media clips show chaos at roads due to Waymo cars

Multiple videos on social media showed at least four Waymo vehicles stopped in the centre of a major intersection with their hazard lights flashing, triggering significant traffic congestion. Reportedly, in one incident, a passenger was trapped inside a stationary vehicle during the blackout until he was manually rescued.

What caused power outage in San Francisco

The blackout affected over 130,000 homes and businesses in neighbourhoods including the Richmond, Sunset, Presidio and Golden Gate Park. Officials traced that a portion of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) substation caught fire, knocking out critical grid components, leading to “significant transit disruptions.” Not only the autonomous cars, the city’s rail lines were shuttered and municipal buses were forced to bypass multiple stops in the affected zones.PG&E confirmed on Sunday that the grid has since been stabilised and no further outages are expected. Manual traffic control and city buses are returning to standard operations, the report said.

Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy laid out his vision of American identity on Friday at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, urging conservatives to embrace ideals over lineage. He rejected what he called the race- and identity-obsessed vision of the “woke left” and certain quarters of the “online right” that link American identity to heritage. “I think the idea of a heritage American is about as loony as anything the woke left has actually put up,” he said at Turning Point’s conference in Phoenix, Arizona. “There is no American who is more American than somebody else. … It is binary. Either you’re an American or you’re not.” Ramaswamy said belief in the ideals of 1776, rather than ancestry, made someone an American, describing himself as the proud son of “legal immigrants.”

He added: “What does it mean to be an American in the year 2026? It means we believe in those ideals of 1776. It means we believe in merit, that the best person gets the job regardless of their skin colour. It means we believe in free speech and open debate. Even for those who disagree with us, from Nick Fuentes to Jimmy Kimmel, you get to speak your mind in the open without the govt censoring you.” Linking far-left and far-right figures, he said there was no room in the conservative movement for progressives who believed in racial quotas or for those who rationalise hatred toward groups of people. He specifically called out far-right White nationalist Nick Fuentes for anti-Indian remarks and urged attendees not to adopt a victim mentality. “Victimhood culture from the left to the right will be the ruin of this country,” he said.Ramaswamy points out anti-Indian comments In a post on X, Ramaswamy pointed out the anti-Indian comments, saying, “If you believe in normalizing hate towards whites, blacks, Indians, or Jews, you have no place in this movement.”Ramaswamy said those who support trans athletes competing in sports consistent with their gender identity, advocate for affirmative action policies, or promote hatred toward any racial or ethnic groups lack “have no place in this movement.”He also rejected admiration for historical authoritarian figures, specifically naming Hitler and Stalin.“If you believe in normalizing hate towards whites, blacks, Indians, or Jews, you have no place in this movement. If you believe Hitler was cool, you have no place in this movement. If you believe Stalin should be admired, you have no place in this movement. If you call Usha Vance a ‘jeet,’ you have no place in this movement.”He concluded, “And if you don’t have the guts to say these things without stuttering, then you have no place as a leader in this movement.”MAGA fans ask to ‘deport’ over Ramaswamy’s postSeveral prominent MAGA supporters on X criticised entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy after he scolded conservatives about their own movement. They posted a series of hostile messages attacking his background, views on immigration and standing within the conservative ranks.X user Ollie Arogundade, who describes himself as an American Christian nationalist, wrote: “You know nothing about this country or how culture works. White men established this nation because White culture from White genetics is based in philosophy, innovation, and exploration. If you honestly think we can replace the all white people in this country with Indians who do not represent philosophy, innovation, and exploration as we all see with the current state of India, then you’re simply a fool, Vivek.” He added: “You and the rest of your tech bros can f— right off, and I’ll personally ensure you guys lose any attempted race in 2028.”Fellow X user Matt DeCata railed: “Racial quotas in terms of immigration are a good and neccesary thing. And we should absolutely kick Vivek out of the ‘consvertive movement’ rather then compromise on that.”Philip Funderburg, a Republican insurance agent running for governor of Ohio, posted: “I believe you don’t have Good Moral Character. Deporting @VivekGRamaswamy 2027@VivekGRamaswamy 2027! Make Ohio Great Again Funderburg for Governor 2026.”Ben Frank mocked Ramaswamy on X with the remark: “‘Let me tell you what an American is’ – Vivek Ramaswamy.”Nicholas J Stelzner simply wrote on X: “Deport him.”

India‘s legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev has sparked debate by redefining the modern head coach’s role as more of a “manager” than a traditional coach, specifically commenting on Gautam Gambhir‘s tenure amid recent scrutiny.

Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce ICC Centenary Session, Kapil emphasized man-management over technical coaching ahead of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 preparations. His views come as Gambhir faces pressure following India’s 0-2 home Test whitewash against South Africa in November 2025.​

Kapil Dev reacts to coaching evolution of Gautam Gambhir

Dev clarified that today’s “coach” label misrepresents the job, drawing from his school and college experiences where coaches handled basics like leg-spin or wicketkeeping skills.

“Gautam Gambhir can’t be a coach. He can be a manager of the team,” Kapil stated, arguing specialists now train players technically, leaving head coaches to boost morale and handle rotations. He stressed backing underperformers, saying captains should dine with strugglers, not centurions, to build confidence: “You need to give them comfort and say ‘you can do better’.”

This philosophy aligns with Gambhir’s criticized player rotations and part-timer reliance during the South Africa series loss, India’s second home Test whitewash in a year after a 0-3 drubbing by New Zealand in 2024.​

Implications for T20 World Cup 2026

Gambhir’s tenure since July 2024 shows mixed results: a 64.70% ODI win rate across 17 matches (11 wins, 5 losses, 1 tie), including the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup triumphs, but Test struggles highlight format-specific challenges. With India set to name its T20 World Cup 2026 squad on December 20, 2025, in Mumbai, upcoming T20Is against South Africa (December 9-19) and New Zealand (January 21-31) serve as key auditions under Gambhir’s aggressive style.

Also WATCH: Gautam Gambhir aggressively handshakes with Indian players after loss in the 2nd T20I against South Africa

Kapil’s endorsement of management-focused leadership could bolster Gambhir, who recently stressed team fitness, honesty, and peaking on time despite admitting India is “not where we want to be” yet. As pressure mounts post-Test failures, Kapil urged unity: captains and managers must prioritize team cohesion over personal glory. This comes amid calls for split coaching, which Kapil sidestepped, favoring whatever suits Indian cricket best.​

Kapil’s insights underscore a shift in cricket dynamics, where head coaches like Gambhir manage star-studded squads navigating T20 leagues and white-ball priorities. With the T20 World Cup looming, his call for encouragement over instruction may guide India’s path to redemption.

Also READ: South Africa veteran Dale Steyn points out Gautam Gambhir’s big mistake in India’s defeat at Mullanpur

Shivraj Singh Chouhan (PTI file photo)

NEW DELHI: Amid mounting attack from opposition parties, rural development minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday in a video message alleged that “once again, a conspiracy is underway to mislead the country in the name of MGNREGA” and said that that “Viksit Bharat – G Ram G scheme is in favour of the poor and development, and that this law provides a complete guarantee of employment to workers”.Meanwhile, the Congress held protests across its district headquarters in the country and accused the Modi government of “effectively dismantled MGNREGA – by converting it from a right to a favour” and “desecration of this groundbreaking law in Parliament over the last week”. Meanwhile, the Left parties have given a call for pan- India protest on Monday, demanding that the government withdraw the Bill passed in Parliament to repeal MGNREGA.

Parliament on Thursday passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) VB-G RAM G Bill that will replace the 20-year-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, or MGNREGA, once it is notified. The passage of the Bill was met with vociferous protests by the opposition in both Houses of Parliament.“Misinformation is being spread, whereas the truth is that Viksit Bharat – G Ram G scheme is the next step forward after MGNREGA,” Chouhan said in a message recorded in Hindi and shared along with a post on X where he addressed the public at large and the rural workers more specifically.Addressing “workers”, he said, “now it’s not 100, but a legal guarantee of 125 days of work. Provisions for unemployment allowance in case work is not provided have been further strengthened. If wages are delayed, provisions have also been made to provide additional amounts.”“For this scheme, a massive amount of more than Rs 1,51, 282 crore has been proposed this year itself, so that there is sufficient money to provide employment, and with that money, comprehensive development of the village can take place,” he added.On the way forward, Chouhan said “for a developed India, developed villages, self-reliant villages, and poverty-free, employment-rich villages will be built by taking up works for water conservation, infrastructure in villages, livelihood enhancing activities, and protection from natural disasters.”He also said that provisions have also been made so that small farmers do not face difficulties during agricultural work. Defending the law, the minister said, “it is in favour of the poor, in favour of development, and this law provides a complete guarantee of employment to workers.”He also highlighted the provision wherein administrative expenses have been increased from 6% to 9%. If we take out 9% from the proposed amount of Rs 1,51, 282 crore, it comes to approximately Rs 13000 crore; with this amount, our all those who get the work done – including panchayat secretaries, employment assistants, and technical staff – will receive timely and adequate salaries, so that they can carry out the work with full capacity.“Let us take the truth to the people,” Chouhan said at the end of his message.On Saturday, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi in a video message, accused the Modi government of “bulldozing” MGNREGA, and asserted that the “black law” that seeks to repeal it will be defied by lakhs of party workers across the country. She said that she fought for MGNREGA two decades ago, and is as committed to fight for it again. Her statement came a day after Rahul Gandhi said Congress will force the Modi government to withdraw the new law. Slamming the repeal of MGNREGA while addressing the poor, she said, “We are all ready to counter this attack.”Building on that message the Congress on Sunday said that it held nationwide protests in all district headquarters across states, “standing with workers whose livelihoods and dignity are under attack.” The party accused the Modi government of “overturning two decades of progress” and “effectively dismantled MGNREGA – by converting it from a right to a favour” by passing the VB-G RAM G Bill.Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, in a post on X said, “ MGNREGA was a legal right to work, not a welfare handout. By capping funds, centralising control, and altering its demand-driven nature, the BJP has turned this right into a budget-dependent scheme, pushing crores of rural families into insecurity and distress.”He also highlighted that at the Congress Working Committee meeting on December 27 the party will deliberate and decide the future course of action on the issue. Subsequently, on December 28 – the Foundation Day of the Congress – the party workers will hold programs in mandals and panchayats across India, carrying the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi.Sharing an anthology of 145 field studies conducted on MGNREGA between 2008 and 2012 – including one by the CAG, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh accused the government of “overturning” two decades of progress “without consultation and by sidestepping all Parliamentary convention and procedure”.In a post on X Ramesh shared that it was on July 14 2012 that then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had released MGNREGA Sameeksha – an anthology of field studies bought out by the ministry of rural development. “It makes for required reading now, amidst the desecration of this groundbreaking law in Parliament over the last week,” he added.