A banquet.

Strange things are happening in India. "HSBC's flash India Composite Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 61.5 this month from 61.2 in January," "The manufacturing PMI for February rose to 56.7 from last month's 56.5, its highest since September, and the preliminary services PMI rose to 62.0 from 61.8 in January to reach its highest level in the last 7 months." Zee. Normally, PMI figures for the entire month are published in the first week of the next month but the figures for half of February have suddenly appeared in the middle of the month. Very odd and mysterious. Anything to do with the general election which is to be held in April and May (wikipedia)? "The flow of water from Ravi river to Pakistan has been completely halted with the completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage, as per media reports. Shahpur Kandi barrage is situated on the border of Punjab and Kashmir (J&K)." TOI. Perfectly timed to energize the army of lobotomized Bhakts (DH), who will celebrate a bloody nose to Pakistan, and to indicate more water for irrigation for the farmers in Punjab and J&K. Will that placate farmers from Punjab because, "The recent crackdown by the BJP-led Haryana government to prevent farmers from reaching Delhi, followed by the death of the of a young farmer, Shubhkaran Singh," could mean "the biggest setback for the BJP is the pause on talks for a potential alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal." The Wire. An alliance with the Akali Dal could attract votes from Sikhs who are at the forefront of the protests. "The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, released late on Saturday (24 February), estimates average rural spending rose to Rs 3,773 ($45.54) a month per person for the 12 months through July from Rs 1,430 in the previous survey in 2011-12, while urban spending rose Rs 6,459 ($77.95) from Rs 2,630." Reuters. The government tried to conceal the survey report in 2017-18 as it showed a fall in consumer expenditure of 3.7% in 2017-18 compared to 2011-12 (BT) but it leaked out anyway. The present report must be till July 2023, but it has been suddenly released now. Coincidence? Today's jacket front page of the Times of India advertises "Modernised & Faster Railway Modi Sarkar ki Guarantee" with the photograph of Mr Modi and the logo of Indian Railways. That would have cost Rs 4.6 million, as per the rates of jacket front page. TOI. Inside of jacket front page - "Uttar Pradesh the Growth Mantra" with photos of Mr Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Rs 3.58 million. First page - 6cm below name of TOI, "Modi Sarkar ki Guarantee Prosperous Dairy Sector, with photo of Mr Modi and logo of the Government of India (GOI) - Rs 1.84 million. Full page 9, "The Largest Global Textile Event in India with photo of Mr Modi and logo of Ministry of Textiles of India - Rs 3.58  million. A total of Rs 13.60 million spent. Who paid? Plus 3 news items. "Divine experience says Modi" and "Cong 'betrayed' people" on page 10, and 'Mann ki Baat' to take 3-month break for elections" on page 12 with photos of Mr Modi. Plus, an opinion piece on the editorial page - "What Modi's Rise Tells Us About Us" with a six-inch photo of Mr Modi. TOI. This is just one newspaper, on just one day. With so much free advertising Mr Modi seems invincible. So much for "na khaunga, na khane dunga". Meaning 'I won't eat nor let anyone else eat'. This is a veritable banquet.