Candid talk by Modi's Foreign Minister Jaishankar --- "..... cherry-picking facts... that has happened in the case of Tipu Sultan" ::::: "...How much of our past has been airbrushed"

"History in all society is complicated, and the politics of the day often indulges in cherry-picking facts. To a considerable extent, that has happened in the case of Tipu Sultan," External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said during the launch of historian Vikram Sampath's book Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore Interregnum 1761-1799 .

Known for his resistance against British colonial expansion, the former ruler of Mysore has been a subject of debate for generations. While he is celebrated for his anti-colonial efforts, Jaishankar noted that Tipu Sultan also evokes "strong adverse sentiments" in many regions. 

Known as an articulate but who does candid talk on issues generally avoided by Indian diplomats and Left-liberals, Dr Jaishankar says: 

- "The Tipu-English binary has been highlighted to the exclusion of a more complicated reality," Jaishankar said.

"On one hand, he has a reputation as a key figure who resisted the imposition of British colonial control over India," Jaishankar said, calling Tipu's death a turning point for peninsular India. At the same time, his actions towards his people and neighbouring kingdoms raise uncomfortable questions, he stated.

The Minister argued that modern narratives have largely examined Tipu Sultan's opposition to the British while "underplaying, if not neglecting" other aspects of his reign, including his foreign alliances and faith-based outreach to rulers in Turkey, Afghanistan, and Persia.

"Perhaps the truth is that the sense of nationhood, as we understand it now, was simply not there then," he observed. "Force-fitting those identities into a contemporary construct seems more than a little challengeable."

In a light-hearted callback to his Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) days, Jaishankar said that as a "product myself of an institution" that was at the centre of these "politically driven endeavours", he could appreciate the need to present an "actual representation" of history.

"...How much of our past has been airbrushed, how awkward issues have been glossed over, how facts are tailored for regime convenience. These are basic questions which confront us all today," he stated.

Jaishankar and US Secy of State Blinken !

Dr Jaishankar lauded the current political environment for fostering alternative historical perspectives, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for encouraging balanced accounts of India's past.

"In the last decade, the changes in our political dispensation have encouraged the emergence of alternative perspectives and balanced accounts," Jaishankar said. 

"We are no longer prisoners of a vote bank, nor is it politically incorrect to bring out inconvenient truths."-- he said aptly.

Referring to Tipu Sultan’s actions in different regions, Jaishankar said for resisting British colonial control, others have strong negative sentiments about Tipu's rule particularly in Mysore, Coorg, and Malabar. 

"There can be no doubt that Tipu Sultan was fiercely and almost consistently anti-British. But how much of it was inherent and how much a result of their allying with his local rivals that is difficult to distinguish".  

"To counter British ambitions, Tipu Sultan had no hesitation in collaborating with the French and that makes a ‘straightforward anti-foreign narrative' very difficult to distinguish". 

ends 

Security Forces often face multiple challenges :: Developments related to Leimakhong in Manipur is matter of concern -- "It is vital for all stakeholders to support Army"

"....It is vital for all stakeholders to support the Indian Army"

 Duty and Distrust: Challenge for Security Forces in Leimakhong

Leimakhong Military Station (LMS), situated approximately 20 kilometers from Imphal, is a unique hub of cosmopolitan culture, where individuals from diverse communities, including Meiteis, Kukis, and Nagas, coexist peacefully. 

Despite the ongoing ethnic conflicts in the region over the past 18 months, LMS has largely remained a tranquil area, with only minor incidents reported. 

Officials posted there would seldom take phone calls from journalists in Delhi.

Yet, eyewitness accounts do reach Lutyen's city.

There are numerous construction sites, shops and other places where people from various communities are seen working together.

Of course, the 57 Mountain Division of the Indian Army, based at Leimakhong, has been instrumental in maintaining stability and serving as a bastion of hope for both the violence-hit Manipur state and the local residents. 

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has himself come under pressure and thus he has asked the Army to take steps to trace the 56-year-old man who has been missing since November 25 from Kangpokpi district.

The 'disappearance' of Mr. Laishram Kamalbabu, a supervisor for a contractor with the Military Engineering Services (MES), has raised concerns and cast unwarranted aspersions on the conduct of uniformed people. 

However, it has to be noted that jumping to any conclusion on such a sensitive matter is always avoidable. 

Having said that we may underline that even for senior officials in the forces and military camps, the news of Kamalbabu's disappearance is indeed troubling.

One eyewitness account says "understanding the geographical context" of LMS is hence advisable.

The military station encompasses a 14-kilometer boundary with several villages located in close proximity. The infrastructure layout separates residential areas from public utilities like schools, allowing for civilian thoroughfare through LMS. 

Thus, private vehicles and individuals can pass through its gates on a daily basis for their routine activities. 

On November 25, 2024, when Mr. Kamalbabu was reported missing, the Army promptly sealed all entrances and initiated an extensive search operation that same evening. 

Over 2,000 troops, along with drones, tracker dogs, intelligence resources, and helicopters, were deployed to locate him.

The Army has committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation and has invited the Manipur Police to lead this inquiry while fully cooperating with them. 

Senior officials from the Indian Army have met with community leaders and elders of communities to assure them that all available resources are being utilized to trace Mr. Kamalbabu.

However, the steps taken by the Army have led to discomfort to some, who staged a protest against the strict actions taken by armed forces.

Thus, despite fulfilling its duty to ensure safety and security, the Indian Army faces criticism from different community factions—one accusing it of responsibility for Mr. Kamalbabu's disappearance while another claims it is imposing strict measures that hinder their movement.

At this critical juncture, it is vital for all stakeholders to support the Indian Army in its efforts to resolve this situation effectively while hoping for the safe return of Mr. Kamalbabu.

Talk to senior commanders - they say the focus should remain on facilitating a thorough investigation without allowing tensions to escalate further within the community.

ends 

Hornbill Fest - the annual extravaganza is Rio's achievement !! But CM Neiphiu needs to do more !!

Hornbill Fest - the annual extravaganza is Rio's achievement !! 

But CM Neiphiu needs to do more !!

Positions are temporary. Titles are limited ... and what counts more is how people remember you.

This legacy factor is crucial. Former Nagaland Chief Minister Vizol used to talk a lot about these. How would people remember you? - He would lay emphasis. 

Talking about Netas, one can say natural skill in politics is something you are born with. What matters more probably is self-control. Success that way should be more a product of habit than mere skill.

December 1st - is Statehood Day. The first ten days of December is also dedicated to Hornbill Festival.  This tourism bonanza is incumbent Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's success tale certainly.

But remember Success is never an orphan. Many will vie for the credit and benefits of being part of 'reflected glories'. Many will also claim that they have 'fathered' the success. 

In terms of North East India, the gun and the mistrust have won in the past.

In 2003 - Neiphiu Rio and his government were expected to make a difference. He deserved that chance. 

In 2024, Rio is still the Chief Minister. The negotiations with the Naga rebels had started in 1997 and by the time India elects its next president (2027), the parleys will reach 30 years' destination. 

If Nagas - especially within the state of Nagaland - are in a hurry now for Solution, Mr Rio should not complain.  

True, the Solution to Naga problem remains a challenge. Slowly people are getting fed up of the status quo and Rio's best well wishers are those who will suggest that the Chief Minister has to think something original to perform and deliver.

In the past Union Home Minister Amit Shah has showed trust in him. On Nov 22 evening, he and his select group of ministers including from the BJP met Shah in Delhi.

The deliberations were crucial. Whether they only had tea or tea with Gujarati snacks Dhokla is immaterial.  

In the ultimate analysis, his friends in Delhi say the Chief Minister needs to walk cautiously. 

However, politics is also a game of several other Ifs and Buts. There is another word in it -- the wheels-within-wheels.

Rio has to be careful of many factors, permutation and combination and pulls and punches. In 2014-15, Rio was betrayed by T R Zeliang and Shurhozelie. 

Now Zeliang is a helpless fellow passenger. 

In  Delhi, the Modi government is realising the importance of doing miracles in northeast especially because the mess in Manipur remains a long lasting feature. 

That way this is an opportunity for north east India's senior most Chief Minister to turn the ugliest adversaries into occasions of opportunities ! He needs the right spin.

In Delhi over a tea party, once journalists told him, "Sir, you made a mistake. Only three posts matter in India. PM, CM and DM (District Magistrate) and you gave away Chief Ministership". This was after he moved to Lok Sabha and also missed a cabinet berth under Modi 1.0.

Rio denied and argued strongly that his focus is never personal. Well, let us trust him. 

One interpretation in 2014 about Rio's decision to come to Lok Sabha was that he wanted to avoid the 'saturation point' that comes rather easily among Naga voters.

ends 

Beer - "Zutho time mey ...." : Angami Hospitality 

"Twelve martyrs" will be laid to rest with "greatest of honor and respect" on Dec 5, says ITLF of Manipur ::: "Total shutdown on Dec 5"

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) of Manipur had an emergency meeting on Nov 30, 2024 to discuss the matter regarding the martyrs who were killed in Jiribam recently. 

ITLF shared "with the public" some of the resolutions that were passed during the meeting.

The postmortem reports were examined together by a forensic and legal expert. According to the experts, the postmortem reports are satisfactory. Further legal cases will be taken up by ITLF Legal Cell and HSA.

"Our twelve martyrs will be laid to rest with the greatest of honor and respect on December 5, 2024. The program for condolences will take place at Peace Ground in Tuibuong," the Media & Publicity wing of Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) said.

The program for the condolence will be prepared by the program-making committee, which was appointed in the meeting.

The final homecoming of the martyrs can be performed by the martyrs' families on the afternoon of December 4, 2024.

"On the day of the burial, a massive silent rally will take place. From Ngurte and the following martyrs villages, the bodies of the martyrs will be carried to the Public Ground, Hiangtam Lamka where they will be received by the people". 

After that, the bodies will be carried to Peace Ground in a silent rally along with the people.

"We request the Joint Philanthropic Organization (JPO) to arrange transportation of the remains of our martyrs wherever it is required and the preparation of the graves at the Martyrs cemetery at Sehken," the statement said.

file snap of security forces

Student organizations are requested to arrange placards and banners for the rally. 

There will be a total shutdown on December 5, 2024, to mark our respect for our martyrs.

"ITLF extends our deepest gratitude for the selfless efforts and dedication of the Joint Philanthropic Organization (JPO) and the Hmar Students Association (HSA) in facilitating the dignified transfer of the mortal remains of our martyrs, which is a testament to your compassion and commitment to our movement," it said. 

Manipur CM asks army to trace missing man

Laishram Kamalbabu Singh went missing from the 57th Mountain Division campus of the army, and an FIR has been lodged with the Sekmai Police Station over his disappearance.  

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has asked the Army to take steps to trace a 56-year-old man who has been missing since November 25 from Kangpokpi district.

Kamalbabu, originally from Cachar in Assam, and currently residing in Loitang Khunou, has been missing since the afternoon of November 25 from the Leimakhong area.

ends 

Two more Hindu priests arrested in Bangladesh amid protests :::: -- RSS urges Centre to mobilise global support for Hindus in Bangladesh - says - "this is vital for global peace" ::::: another Hindu priest arrested

Two more Hindu priests arrested in Bangladesh amid protests

The priests, identified as Rudraproti Kesab Das, and Ranga Nath Syama Sundor Das, were arrested when they went to deliver food, medicine, and money to Chinmoy Das in jail. 

This week, Bangladesh authorities ordered the freezing of bank accounts of 17 people associated with Iskcon, including that of Chinmoy Krishna Das.

 RSS urges Centre to mobilise global support for Hindus in Bangladesh

RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale condemned the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, accusing the Muhammad Yunus government of being a "silent spectator" to the rising violence against the minority community.

In West Bengal, Durgapur BJP leader Amitabh Banerjee says:  "Appeal to Nobel Foundation peace prize committee, Sweden,  to take back Nobel peace prize of Prof Md. Yunus,  he did not deserved such prizes. 

With his support and promotions lakhs of  Hindus are brutally killed rape of girls-women continued last two months and Saffron Sadhus are arrested unethically and killed!!!"

Demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and former Iskcon leader, who has been unjustly detained, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale condemned the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. 

He also accused the caretaker government of Bangladesh, led by Mumammad Yunus, of being a "silent spectator" to the rising violence against the Hindu minority.  

"The attacks, murders, looting, arson as well as inhuman atrocities by Islamic fundamentalists on Hindus, women and all other minorities in Bangladesh are extremely worrying and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh condemns this," the RSS statement said.

Hosabale stressed that such atrocities must stop immediately and urged the Indian government to continue its efforts to address the crisis in Bangladesh. He also called for swift diplomatic action to rally international support and put pressure on the Bangladesh government to protect its religious minorities.

"All that the Iskcon monk Chinmay Krishna Das was doing was that he was leading Hindus to peaceful protests and out of helplessness, a new phase of injustice and atrocities against the Hindus of Bangladesh is emerging to suppress the voice raised by them through democratic means for self-defense. 

It is unjust for the Bangladesh government to imprison Iskcon monk," it added.

The RSS emphasised the need for India, along with the global community and international institutions, to stand in solidarity with the victims in Bangladesh.

"At this critical juncture, it is essential that these entities express support and urge their governments to take all necessary steps to address the situation, as this is vital for global peace and brotherhood," the statement read.

In his Vijayadashami speech in October, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had also addressed the struggles faced by Bangladeshi Hindus, highlighting the unprovoked attacks they endured following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government after a student uprising. Bhagwat commended the Hindu minority for their "first-ever" organised resistance against radical forces in Bangladesh.

In August, thousands of Hindus had taken to the streets in Dhaka and Chattogram, demanding accountability for the attacks on their community members.

The attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh have been a source of concern for both local and international communities. These incidents, often violent and unprovoked, have intensified in recent years, especially during times of political upheaval. One significant wave of attacks occurred after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government following a student uprising, when radical elements targeted the Hindu minority.

In August, protests erupted in Dhaka and Chattogram, where thousands of Hindus marched demanding justice for the violence against their community.

Blogger 

Iskcon claims another Hindu priest arrested in Bangladesh, centre vandalised

Another Hindu priest has been arrested, and an Iskcon centre was vandalised in Bangladesh amid a string of targeted attacks on the minority community, claimed Iskcon Kolkata spokesperson Radharaman Das. 

The development comes amid widespread protests by Hindus across Bangladesh following the arrest of another monk, Chinmoy Krishna Das, earlier this week on sedition charges.

"Does he look like a terrorist? The arrest of innocent Iskcon brahmacharis is deeply shocking and disturbing," Radharaman Das tweeted with the hashtag "FreeISKCONMonks Bangladesh". He also posted a video of an Iskcon centre in Bhairab being vandalised, with the caption, "No respite in sight".

"Dignity of country ..... " --- J N Ray Hospital in Maniktala, Kolkata, to stop providing all services to patients from Bangladesh for now !!

“Country is above all. Nothing can happen above the country. Medical service is a noble profession but the dignity of the country is paramount. Other medical institutions should also follow this path…,” Subhranshu Bhakta, the director of J N Ray Hospital in Maniktala, said on Friday. 

He said that the hospital has decided to stop providing all services to patients from Bangladesh for now.

The announcement came amid reports of Indian flag being desecrated in Bangladesh. The development also came on a day (Nov 29th) when India pressed for a “fair and transparent trial” for Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on charges of treason in Bangladesh.

Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesman, said on Friday that New Delhi had conveyed its concern over the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

Renowned gynaecologist Indranil Saha also said on social media that he had stopped seeing Bangladeshi patients. 

On Thursday night, Saha posted a picture on social media purportedly showing the desecration of the Indian flag in Bangladesh. 

“The Indian national flag is lying at the entrance of BUET University! I am stopping seeing Bangladeshi patients in the chamber for now. Country first, income later. I hope other doctors will do the same until the relationship is normal,” Saha had said.

On Friday afternoon, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, made the same demand. “I bow down to Dr Indranil Saha. 

He said, my country first, income after…I request the entire Indian medical community, businessmen and India lovers to boycott Bangladesh completely".

'Waqf' rooted in Islamic principles of charity ::::::: Waqf land in India grew from 2 villages gifted by invader Ghori to 9.4 lakh acre

Waqf, meaning to detain or to hold or tie up, is rooted in Islamic principles of charity. 

Waqf denotes a lasting endowment where property is set aside for religious, philanthropic, or communal purposes, with ownership entrusted to Allah.

 When 70-year-old farmer Rajagopal from Tamil Nadu's Trichirappalli district tried to sell his 1.2-acre plot for his daughter's wedding, he was left shocked. At the sub-registrar's office, he got a 20-page document saying that his land was, in fact, owned by the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board.

Not just Rajagopal's plot, his entire village of Thiruchenthurai, home to the 1,500-year-old Sundareswarar Temple, was apparently Waqf land. All the villagers were left scratching their heads.  

This 2022 incident in Thiruchenthurai wasn't an isolated case, 18 other nearby villages were also claimed to be Waqf property.

The total Waqf land in India stands at 9.4 lakh acres, which is approximately 3,804 square kilometres. The process that converted a huge swathe of land that is now considered Waqf property began with the gift of just two villages.

Many experts believe that, after the Indian Railways and the Indian defence forces, the Waqf Boards, collectively, are the third-biggest property-holders in India. This all began at the very end of the 12th century in Punjab's Multan, part of undivided India, and flourished with sultans sitting on the throne in Delhi and ruling over Hindustan.

This makes the Waqf properties irrevocable and immune to sale or transfer. This means, once property is entrusted in Allah, it can't be reclaimed.

The ongoing Winter Session of Parliament has seen chaos and heated exchanges over the Waqf Amendment Bill introduced by the BJP-led Centre. The Bill, aimed at reforming the management and regulation of Waqf properties across India, is currently with the Joint Parliamentary Committee for discussions.

Now the Waqf Bill may be tabled during the Budget Session in February 2025, according to sources cited by India Today. 

Against the backdrop of these discussions and debates on the Waqf Amendment Bill, it is interesting to note how the concept of Waqf came to India with Afghan invader Muhammad Ghori.

GHORI'S INVASION: THE GIFT OF TWO VILLAGES AND THE BIRTH OF WAQF IN INDIA

With the early Islamic conquest of Multan by Muhammad Ghori, who defeated the Ismaili ruler in 1175, and the subsequent defeat of the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192, Delhi, along with much of northern and northwestern India, came under his rule.

Muhammad Ghori, an invader of the Ghurid dynasty, after establishing his rule over Punjab, made the first recorded Waqf donation in 1185.

Not just that, Ghori's victory against Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 started Islamic rule in India. After his death in 1206, his slaves took charge of his kingdom and started the Slave Dynasty. 

Those Muslim rulers and the sultans who occupied Delhi's throne after them, institutionalised the system.

Sultan Muizuddin Sam, also known as Muhammad Ghori, gifted two villages to the Jama Masjid of Multan and entrusted their management to the Shaikh-al-Islam, a title given to a prominent religious leader, according to Insha-i-Mahru, a Persian book by Aynul Mulk Multani.

Multani's book is a collection of hundreds of letters and their samples used as letters for official correspondence during that period. Letter number 16 said that the early Waqfs primarily served religious and charitable purposes. They supported mosques, madrasas, dargahs, and other community welfare institutions, according to historian Vipul Singh's Interpreting Medieval India.

In 1191, Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain but spared his life. In the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192, Chauhan faced defeat at Ghori's hands. 

Sultan Muizuddin Sam, also known as Muhammad Ghori, gifted two villages to the Jama Masjid of Multan and entrusted their management to the Shaikh-al-Islam, a title given to a prominent religious leader, according to Insha-i-Mahru, a Persian book by Aynul Mulk Multani.

Multani's book is a collection of hundreds of letters and their samples used as letters for official correspondence during that period.

'India Today'

Letter number 16 said that the early Waqfs primarily served religious and charitable purposes. They supported mosques, madrasas, dargahs, and other community welfare institutions, according to historian Vipul Singh's Interpreting Medieval India.

ends 

PM Modi to inaugurate ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav’ on Dec 6 ::::: Big time Tourism projects push in Arunachal, Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim

A grand ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav’, a festival to showcase the cultural and social fabric of eight North Eastern states will be organised in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ‘Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav beginning here on December 6.

The ‘Mahotsav’ will provide an unprecedented platform to showcase the region’s vibrant textile industry, artisanal crafts and unique Geographical Indication (GI) products.

The eight North Eastern states– Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim — are often referred to as the ‘Ashtalaxmi’ or eight forms of prosperity. They contribute significantly to India’s cultural, social and economic fabric. 

The fest will be organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. 

Meanwhile, the Centre  approved an investment of Rs 3,295.76 crore for taking up 40 projects across 23 states for the development of iconic tourist centres to global standards.

“Tourism has the potential to bring prosperity to the lives of many. Our Government will keep focussing on enhancing India’s tourism infrastructure to ensure more people can experience the wonders of Incredible India,” the Prime Minister tweeted.  

The projects include Siang adventure and eco project at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh, the Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati and the beautification of Rang Ghar at Sivasagar. It also seeks to take up the re-development of Umiam Lake, Shillong in Meghalaya, border experience at Nathula Pass in Sikkim and among others , a rafting base station in Rishikesh, Nandavanam Heritage Park in Mamallapuram (near Chennai).

"In a huge boost for Bharat’s tourism sector, our govt led by PM Narendra Modi has today approved 40 projects across 23 states under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, to develop iconic tourist centers to global standards,” Union Tourism Minister Gajinder Singh Shekhawat said. 

The projects range from a bio-diversity and eco-recreational hub in Kerala’s Ashtamudi backwaters to underwater tourism in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg.

“The aim of SASCI is to develop iconic tourist centres to global standards…(and) will foster local economies and create employment through sustainable tourism,” said the Tourism Minister.

“From decongesting popular sites, integrating advanced technologies, promoting sustainable practices to encouraging public-private partnerships to enhance infra and visitor experiences, a host of measures will be undertaken to ensure a world-class experience for everyone who wishes to soak in Bharat’s natural, cultural and historic grandeur,” he added.

ends

There is a possibility of 'bankruptcy' for Congress Govt in Karnataka ... Himachal already is .... Yet populism guided Congress campaign in Maharashtra .... Thankfully voters rejected that !!

One reason Hindu fundamentalism or assertions should be welcomed. At least Maharashtra that houses India's money capital, Mumbai, has been spared of becoming bankruptcy.

There is a possibility of 'bankruptcy' for Congress Govt in Karnataka ... Himachal already is .... Yet populism guided Congress campaign in Maharashtra .... Thankfully voters rejected that !! 

"Rahul Gandhi is so proud of these guarantees (of his Karnataka model) that he came to Maharashtra to boast about them and to promise that if a Congress government came to power in the state, the monthly pocket money that women are getting will be doubled from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000. 

Reckless support for a reckless scheme that could someday soon bring Maharashtra to the edge of bankruptcy as Karnataka now seems," writes columnist Tavleen Singh. 

The Congress government in that state is now so broke that it failed to pay one of its bills and Himachal Bhawan in Delhi was ordered to be forfeited by the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

Tavleen Singh also writes rather acidly: PM boasts of India becoming 3rd largest economy. 

Does it matter if Delhi still breathes poisonous air?

"What difference will that make if the citizens of Delhi are forced to breathe poisonous air. If our sacred rivers continue to resemble drains. And if huge mountains of garbage continue being built on the borders of cities simply because we cannot afford modern methods of waste management."

However, when it comes to Gautam Adani-bashing, the Congress is doing its best and till now has hijacked the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

Tavleen Singh is hardly a pro-Modi writer and hence her observations should make 'sickular' sense too !!

"The Congress Party’s ‘socialist’ economic ideology has nearly always been founded on unwieldy welfare schemes that seek to put money into the hands of the poor, only because real ways to lift them out of poverty have not been found. When Narendra Modi became prime minister, he sneered at these schemes and, at one point, it seemed that he would put an end to them altogether. 

It took a single taunt from Rahul Gandhi about him running a ‘suit-boot ki sarkar’ for Modi to go into reverse gear". 

Late Arun Jaitley, as Modi's Finance Minister and a key player as eyes and ears of Modi in Delhi, had tried his best and called PM Modi's dispensation - "Soojh boojh ki Sarkar (A Govt of reasons and effective understanding)". But the damage was done by then. 

The BJP had lost Delhi polls by a huge margin in February 2015.  

Tavleen points out:

"Today, there is not a BJP government that is not dependent on winning votes by throwing money at the poor. So, in Maharashtra, as elections drew near, the government suddenly discovered that the state’s ‘beloved sisters’ needed to be given monthly pocket money. 

The scheme was devised for women earning less than Rs 20,000 a month or nothing at all but already there are stories of women who earn much more benefiting as well.

"The truth is that these schemes have never done anything to end the scourge of poverty.  All that they do is provide some relief to those who continue to live below the poverty line or just above it. They can do no more than this. The only way to really lift people out of poverty is to give them the tools to do this through their own efforts." 

However, it must be acknowledged that Modi deserves credit for at least having made these welfare schemes less leaky by directly transferring money into the accounts of beneficiaries. But the result is the same as the result Congress achieved after decades of ruling India. 

No significant reduction in poverty and no significant improvement in public services because after salaries of government employees have been paid and after the welfare schemes have been paid for, there is not much left to spend on building roads, drinking water facilities, or on improving the filthy conditions in which most Indians live, notes Tavleen. 

ends 

Slices of History and Geography !! Khonoma -- Asia's first Green Village: Where Nature and Culture Co-exist and of course 'Harmoniously'

Khonoma as a hamlet is one of the most visited places in Nagaland. 

To start with, a curiosity factor works for that. After all there is a slice of history
as legendary A Z Phizo, who founded Naga National Council (NNC) and also
launched the Naga movement for liberation, hails from this village.

Thus, tourists also go there also to appreciate "inspiration" - the 'father of Naga nation' Phizo drew from his native place.  Situated amidst the dense forests of western Angami hills, 20 kn west of capital Kohima, the 750-year old village receives visitors with a memorial at the front gate. 

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio formally declared Khonoma as a Green Village on October 25, 2005. 

The village’s journey from a hunting community to a model of green-conservation serves as an inspiring example for global audiences.  

As visitors explore Khonoma's fields and woodlands, they are encouraged to reflect on their own role in fostering sustainable practices in their respective communities. At least this is what a senior military officer - who also hails from hilly region of Uttarakhand in the north of India - had told me a few years back.

"Kohima makes you feel like a geo-strategist as you slowly get involved in governance issues and matters concerning securing the country. But Khonoma as a village stands as a beacon of hope....It tells a story. There is a message -- urging all to consider how they can contribute to a more environmentally conscious world." 

Visitors would be woe-struck as the village square becomes a vibrant hub of activity as performers don colorful costumes, women would encourage them by singing and men would then share stories of resilience echoed by traditional drumbeats. 

But the biggest point that used to be underlined in the 1990s when even the globe-attention seeker Hornbill Festival was not thought of, Khonoma highlighted the importance of responsible tourism.

An efficient demonstration of  community-driven conservation efforts. 

With every terraced field and every ban on destructive practices, native residents know of people's collective responsibility to safeguard environment.  

There are other nuggets of information as well. Khonoma is the same village that stood up to the British in 1879 when Major G A Damat of British Garrison at Kohima decided to take military to Khonoma village. Of course, the colonial masters were welcomed by hurling of scores of spears killing several probably on both sides. 

In 1996, when I visited Khonoma with northeast India's renowned scribe Homen Borgohain; he told his five-year old grand daughter - "Salute, baby.... here rest the people who did what they believed. And also those who love Mother Earth". 

Homen da or for that matter any visitor even as late as 201-2018 would be excited to know that Khonoma is also known for its sustainable agriculture.

More than 20 rice varieties are grown in the village. 

Self-sufficiency is something considered a normal for the villagers. 

Paddy terraces are positioned at the base of surrounding hills and the fields are irrigated by nutrient-rich rainwater.  

Villagers will also gladly showcasetheir organic farming methods

Produce such as squash, pumpkin, carrot, cabbage, potato, mustard, ginger, garlic and king chilli are also grown in the village, in home gardens and rotating, shifting cultivation plots.

Stories also go -- in the 1990s, motivated by a deep respect for nature, the villagers and a great meat eating community - enacted a ban on hunting and deforestation.  And the transformation came !!  

The Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) was founded in 1998. 

Following the creation of KNCTS, several villages in the state began to emulate Khonoma’s conservation efforts. 

Post script:

No noting of appreciation is complete without narrating the story when till 1998-99; when this blogger was very much part of the journalists fraternity in Kohima -- in the history of a few decades old journalism in Nagaland, the Khonoma villagers used to dominate the scene.  The hamlet has not only produced one Phizo -- but thousands of his followers and admirers -- some of them die hard. 

The hamlet also produced tens of IAS officers, doctors and engineers. 

Politically Western Angami constituency - that houses Khonoma too - remains a regional party bastion. 

The Congress won the seat once or twice rather by accidents of chance! The BJP cannot think of penetrating this forte; nor the Neta class is ready, I suppose. 

ends  

 

  

Festival season ... and it gives a greater sense of continuity .... :::: Nagas may be divided and concerned; But Economy matters !

Nagas may be divided and concerned; But Economy matters

Festival season ... and it gives a greater sense of continuity

New Delhi 

Mujh pe ilzaam itne lagaaye gaye .... Begunahi ke andaaz jaate rahe

(So much have I been accused of ....that the element 'proving my innocence' has deserted me).

Urdu is hardly understood by our readers in Nagaland. Even Hindi is disliked by many but the powerful meaning of the Urdu saying has a significant relevance here. 

One Naga friend told me -- "Nagas are divided ... one section likes you and would like to appreciate you for taking so much interest for peace and Solution... But the other section just hates you".

'Nagaland Page'

My response was -- "The second group is huge. They are powerful, intellectuals, influential and would like to look for ways and means to stop my writing".

"His wings should be clipped" -- is a refrain --- I am often told -- and so I shared it as well with my friend.

On social front, my Naga friend says -- There are many differences between Nagas and rest of Indians especially Hindus. Of course, I agreed.

Then my friend added: - "But you are smart and mischievous.. You do not expose your dislike for Naga food. Rather cleverly you talk about pork rice and sometime keep overdoing it".

I had to smile. But as a wag - I am also an argumentative Bong and a desi.

I retorted - Nagas also mock at Hindu customs and rituals especially on occasions when we do not shave for two weeks after there is a bereavement and we use all-white simple looking clothes, not even ironed and then on the main ceremony day we shave our heads". 

This time he was smiling and added, "We, both sides, should get away with all that".

Why don't you join us for Hornbill Festival?

The Naga Hospitality is a well known thing. So I was hardly surprised.

Every region and society adapts cultural norms according to own preferences and temperament. 

The middle class Naga mothers and women at kitchens
would open their hearts and it is likely the rich ones could go berserk.

But a grand community fest like the Hornbill Festival offers a link between past and present. 

It can provide people with a positive view. We come to know each other
better and there is also a greater sense of continuity. 

But Continuity cannot revolve around being stubborn. Pragmatism is a reality.

Culture is thus an evolving phenomenon. 

Hornbill 2018

But is also true that we are living through turbulent times.

Things are in mess in Manipur.  The troubled times and a fragile peace has one refrain - “We too want peace, but they should stop attacking us first".

Sadly, the old Naga-Kuki conflicts might be coming back. 

This time protagonists could be Rongmeis and Lingmai Nagas.
According to the Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization (RNSOM), two trucks carrying essential goods were ambushed early Wednesday, Nov 13, along National Highway 37.

The RNSOM and other civil society bodies are irked 
because Nagas in Manipur have also started facing intra community problems.

There is a visible conflict of interest now between (NSCN-IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)  at Sangji village in Tamenglong District.

In the mid-nineties, the clashes were mostly between Tangkhul Nagas and Kukis.

There were problems between Meiteis and Nagas too in 2000 when ceasefire was likely to be extended to Manipur. 

Several of my Naga friends are looking forward towards Hornbill but they are concerned about future too.

One social activist says, "Do not forget Nagaland state as a geographical landscape is the real mother of Naga politics. It all started here under A Z Phizo".

Another politician friend is little more frank: "As we speak, PM Narendra Modi should side by side work for rehabilitation of Naga national workers comprehensively so that the words spread effectively that they can lay down arms and return to normal life and there will
be opportunities and coffers open. It's economy stupid".

ends