Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Sonia Gandhi Memoir, Odisha Floods And Kerala Crime Roundup
Sonia Gandhi is writing a memoir about her life and political career.
A major American publisher will release the book in November.
The article says she has kept her private life carefully guarded for many years.
Elsewhere, Baba Ramdev and actor-politician Kangana Ranaut argued publicly about Gen Z and the government.
In Odisha, the chief minister was mocked after talking about crocodiles during a visit to flooded areas.
Opposition parties said the government cared too much about appearances and not enough about rescuing people.
In Kerala, police investigated a terrible case involving a 13-year-old and the death of her grandfather.
Police could not prove the girl’s claim that her grandfather had misbehaved with her.
Alfred A. Knopf will publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir in November, offering an account of the famously private former Congress president.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev criticized BJP MP Kangana Ranaut after she called Gen Z a “gutter generation,” escalating their public disagreement.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi faced ridicule and opposition criticism after describing crocodile risks during a flood-area visit.
Flooding has affected about 13 lakh people across six Odisha districts, while opposition parties accused the government of prioritizing publicity over rescue efforts.
Police say a 13-year-old girl helped plan the killing of her grandfather in Kerala, but could not prove her allegation that he had mistreated her.
- Who
- Sonia Gandhi, Baba Ramdev, Kangana Ranaut, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and people involved in the Kerala murder case.
- What
- The article covers Sonia Gandhi’s forthcoming memoir, a public dispute between Ramdev and Ranaut, criticism of an Odisha flood visit, and a juvenile murder investigation in Kerala.
- When
- The memoir is scheduled for November; Majhi’s flood visit occurred on August 17; the dispute with Ramdev happened earlier in the reported week.
- Where
- The memoir concerns Sonia Gandhi’s life in India; the flood episode occurred in Bhadrak district, Odisha; the murder case occurred in Karuvatta, Alappuzha district, Kerala.
- Why
- The memoir has attracted attention because of Gandhi’s guarded private life, while the other items involve political criticism, flood-response concerns, and a serious criminal investigation.
Critics and challengers
Targets and government supporters
Ramdev and Ranaut’s dispute
Critics and challengers
Baba Ramdev criticized Kangana Ranaut’s description of Gen Z as a “gutter generation” and questioned her comments and judgment.
Targets and government supporters
Ranaut responded by telling Ramdev not to speculate about her youth or private life and referred to the Supreme Court’s criticism of Patanjali over allegedly false and misleading product claims.
Odisha flood response
Critics and challengers
The Biju Janata Dal and Congress said Majhi’s crocodile-focused visit was mainly an excursion or media exercise and accused the government of failing to deliver essentials and conduct timely rescues.
Targets and government supporters
Majhi said he defied security warnings about crocodiles, including reports of a nearly 20-foot saltwater crocodile, to reach flood-affected people by boat.
- Publisher
- Alfred A. Knopf, a United States publishing house
- Memoir release
- Scheduled for November; the year is not specified
- Sonia Gandhi’s political role
- Former president of the Congress
- Odisha flood impact
- Around 13 lakh people affected across six districts
- Flood visit
- Mohan Charan Majhi visited inundated areas of Bhadrak district by boat on August 17
- Kerala juvenile crime rate
- About 3.5 incidents per 100,000 people, compared with India’s national average of 6.2
- Murder victim
- Sivankutty Chettiar, 67