Bihar Battleground: NDA & Mahagathbandhan in Tense Last-Minute Seat-Sharing Talks

On this Special Report, India Today’s Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai provides an on-ground analysis from the World Economic Forum in Davos as US President Donald Trump arrives for the summit. Sardesai observes, ‘Davos provides a platform for the world to hear both views within 24 hours of each other,’ referring to the contrast between Trump’s narrative and the rule-based world order advocated by leaders like Mark Carney. The discussion highlights the 'cognitive dissonance' between the forum's theme of dialogue and the reality of global conflicts, trade blocks, and rising inequality. Sardesai notes that while critics may view the event as a mere photo op in a 'Trumpian age' where rules are being rewritten, the gathering remains a crucial space for engagement. The report also touches upon Trump's scheduled interactions with the Indian diaspora and global CEOs, questioning the continued relevance of multilateralism in an increasingly unsettled geopolitical landscape.

On this Special Report, India Today speaks with Muninder Chaudhary, a delivery boy and eyewitness to a tragic drowning incident in Noida's Sector 150. Chaudhary alleges that despite the presence of the fire department and police, no rescue attempt was made for nearly two hours because officials claimed the water was too cold and dark. He states, 'I tied a rope around my waist and jumped into the water' after seeing the administration's inaction. Chaudhary further claims he is being pressured by the Noida Authority and local police to retract his viral statements regarding the lack of timely intervention. He clarifies that a video of him praising the administration was recorded under duress after being misled into visiting a police station. The program highlights the bravery of a common citizen and the serious allegations of negligence and intimidation within the local administration.

This edition of 5 Live focusses on the death of Yuvraj Mehta, a 27-year-old software engineer in Noida.

On this news bulletin, columnist Abhishek Asthana discusses the tragic death of an analytics professional in Noida and the systemic failures of urban infrastructure in India. Asthana highlights a 'democratisation of fault' where authorities, builders, and rescue teams shift blame to avoid accountability. He notes that the system survives on the 'short-term memory' of the public, waiting for the media cycle to move on to the next crisis. Comparing a swift rescue in Virginia, USA, to the 90-minute struggle of the victim in Noida, Asthana expresses disbelief at the lack of societal ownership and the failure of rapid response teams. He states, 'I think you have to be lucky to just survive, survive a turn of accidents, survive the traffic, survive the air pollution, survive bad water, survive high taxation, survive high cost of living and zero quality of life.' The discussion underscores the disparity between the dream of a 'Viksit Bharat' and the harsh reality of living in Indian metros.