Pushed by Tukde-tukde gangs, Congress "undermines" India on global stage :::: In contrast ... Remarkable journey of RSS ... 2026 and beyond.... Civilizational Hindu identity and it finds 'acceptability'

The RSS and its pro-Hindutva politics have come a long way.  

The single biggest achievement is that the RSS thought process has got growing numbers/range of acceptability in India and abroad.

On the other hand; the Congress party was founded by a Britisher with initial aim to act as a 'Safety Valve & increase longitivity' of British Empire! 

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was founded on Sept 27, 1925

Forty years before on Dec 28th in 1885, the Indian National Congress was founded by a British civil servant, A. O. Hume.

Its original purpose was not freedom— but control: a “safety valve” to channel Indian discontent and thereby extend the life of British rule.* 

BJP leader Pradip Bhandari says: "This is not a contemporary allegation. It is a historical record. In 1916, the great freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, writing in Young India, explicitly described the Congress as a British-designed safety valve, created to protect imperial interests—not Indian aspirations."

He further states -- "Fast forward a century. From being a safety valve of the British, the Congress has, over time, morphed into a platform that repeatedly aligns with forces hostile to India’s core civilizational and national interests".

The BJP also maintains that - "Under Rahul Gandhi, it increasingly echoes narratives pushed by tukde-tukde lobbies, foreign influencers, and appeasement politics that undermine India on global platforms.

The continuity is stark. Then: a party structured to manage Indians for imperial convenience ... Now: a party that questions India’s institutions, doubts India’s democracy abroad, and weakens India’s resolve at home".  

The Congress project hasn’t changed—only the masters have, says Bhandari. 

Now, take RSS and look at its journey.

In circa 2025; as the RSS crossed 100 years milestone; one issue that came into fore is the emergence of a Hindu identity. It challenges the British and the perceived Nehruvian concept that India is or was a 'nation in making' since 1947. 

The Sangh fountainhead take away is -- Bharat is already a Civilisation (state) and hence the 'nation in making' concept is a pure misnomer.

But there may be another view that in today's India -- the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi do not find resonance in public life. And then the obvious question - Has the Godse mindset taken over ?

This new query is not actually new but it can be answered by the right wingers that the making of Pluralism a casualty is also a gift of Sickularism. 

This is not to justify the attacks by the Bajrang Dal and the like against religious minorities especially Muslims and Christians. But the distorted Secularism (which I say Sickularism) has harmed India's true pluralism a lot. That kind of secularism used to mock at Hindus, Hindu rituals and also deities. 

Paradoxically, most of it came from Hindus or rather Hindu leaders. For example, Lalu Prasad had sought 'land patta' (document) in the name of Ram in Ayodhya.

The Congress called Ram a myth. But there is again technically non-Hindu like Rahul Gandhi - who claims he is a Brahmin only guided by political compulsions. 

If some Hindus talk about 'Hindu assertion' and some have turned 'radical' in some ways - thanks to this politics of Muslim appeasement. 

The RSS says it has been unnecessarily subjected to criticism in the name of Nathuram Godse. One of the first persons who denounced Godse according to them was Guruji Golwalkar who called the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi a "heinous act" committed by a "thoughtless perverted soul" and a "vile act". 

This name (Godse) would be that was a "blot on our Society in the eyes of the world".

He also emphasized that the attack was a "treacherous" act not just against an individual, but the whole country, and that the nation had sustained an immense loss. 

Golwalkar 

In other words --- the RSS's journey is seen as a testament to selfless service, national unity, and cultural strength, while it remains a significant, influential, and sometimes controversial force in India's socio-political landscape.  

The RSS website declares --  

"Since 1925 the Sangh has come a long way to become the only ever-growing movement of Bharat. However this epic journey is not without its ups and downs. Sangh has subdued many challenges by silently working at the grass root level, by person to person contact and heart to heart dialogue. 

The initiatives of different times were different, ranging from struggle to save democracy in emergency period to a very strong initiative of social service projects in last few decades, but the impact was cumulative."

RSS says :

Mahatma Gandhi himself was against conversion ( an issue flagged off by Christians from time to time).

"Gandhi ji said conversion is a form of violence because all forms of worship are good and must be respected". 

** Founded in 1925 -- the RSS reached as many as 125 places in India by 1940

*** In 2025 December - RSS has 83,000 Shakhas

-- 32 associated organisations 

Ends 

**** RSS counters Nehruvian/British argument that - India is a 'nation in the making'.

# It negates Left proposition that India is 'never a nation' but only a structured modern state.

## RSS insists -- It's an ancient Civilizational land - that is Bharat Varsha.  

India raises H-1B visa delays with US :::: Somewhere Indian Sickularism not impressed with Modi's Diplomacy ::: Argument being ... Well publicised summits, hugs, awards and leaders driving together in the same car do not translate into tangible gains !!

India has formally raised concerns with the United States over delays and cancellations of H-1B visa appointments, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday, following complaints from affected Indian nationals.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the observations at the calendar year's (2025) last weekly media briefing.

He said the government received multiple complaints from citizens facing difficulties with scheduling or rescheduling US visa appointments. 

India has raised the issue with US officials in New Delhi and Washington DC even as it's fact of the matter that these subjects fall under the sovereign jurisdiction of Washington.  

“The Government of India has received multiple representations from Indian nationals facing delays and difficulties in scheduling or rescheduling US visa appointments. 

"These delays have caused extended hardships for affected individuals and their families, including disruptions to education. The government remains actively engaged with the US side to address the issue and minimise the impact on Indian nationals," he said.  

The US Embassy in India recently announced that it has started conducting online presence checks for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants as part of measures to prevent misuse of the program.

@@@

The headline in London's 'The Guardian' sums up the paradox for Republicans and the US Presideent.

It says:

'Dragged down by an unpopular president, Republicans are bracing for a midterm trouncing'  

“He came into office and, like a blitzkrieg, was violating laws and the constitution,” said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “The American political process is slow-moving and so he was able to do things that were extraordinary.

“But this is a guy whose legacy may well be the political collapse of Republicans in this era. (as reported in 'The Guardian')  

Another opinion ... 

Wendy Schiller, a political scientist at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, said: “He (Trump) promised to secure the border but the deportations have gone too far. City after city, community after community has expressed frustration and dismay at the tactics.”

Among global players China and Russia have been major focused reasons. In the process; the RIC factor -- that's the triangle Russia-India-China also matters a lot.

China is a key geopolitical power and also a tech force. But what matters more is perhaps Beijing's debt diplomacy and of course assets such as critical minerals and currency reserves.  

Through initiatives like "Made in China 2025" and the "China Standards 2035" plan, China has made significant gains in high-tech sectors.

It is also narrowing the AI gap with the United States, leading the world in AI patents, research output, and open-model activity. 

Where does India stand ?

Rather one can ask ... what were the mistakes of PM Narendra Modi in the foreign policy front ?

India's Sickularism would love such questions. One quick refrain would be --

"Mr Modi's declaration of a "new normal" after the Pahalgam attack led to international worries over rapid escalation of the next conflict in South Asia. India's restrained handling of the Delhi blasts conspiracy (November 2025) eased some of those worries, but the broader issue remains: how will New Delhi respond to the next major attack, especially with Pakistan's political landscape increasingly shaped by the ultra-hawkish Field Marshal Asim Munir?" 

( can you guess ... who seems to suggesting that Munir has upper hand... its Chennai's 'The Hindu' newspaper. -- We may say only 'Hindu' about that house is the name !! )

The paper goes further ....

"The 2024 regime-change protests in Bangladesh and the 2025 Gen-Z demonstrations in Nepal have created fragile transitional governments, reducing predictability in India's periphery. 

With elections in both countries scheduled for early 2026, New Delhi must prepare to engage with new leadership that is not necessarily positively disposed to it."

And almost a verdict ---

"With Bangladesh in particular, the end of the year has seen relations at their lowest ebb yet. The elections in Myanmar, on December 28, will be held on the Junta's terms, despite New Delhi's best attempts at fostering talks with the deposed NUG members and to ask for the more humane treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi."

The Sickular counseling continues from the know-all club ... who are otherwise frustrated (by Moditva) in more ways than one.

"Several lessons from 2025 stand out clearly. India must recognise the limits of performative diplomacy - warm embraces, highly publicised summits and symbolic gestures such as awards and leaders driving together in the same car do not necessarily translate into tangible gains," says the article.

Performative aggression - threats to isolate or boycott countries only mean something if other countries join in. The government was sensible in shifting its projection of India as "Vishwaguru" (global teacher) during the G-20 year in 2023 to "Vishwamitra" (global friend). 

But it must now avoid slipping into the narrative of a "Vishwa-victim", blaming all others - American sanctions, Chinese manoeuvring, Pakistan's machinations, or the "ingratitude" of neighbouring states - for its disappointments. "

In short ... take a pleasure by well articulated Modi-bashing. 

Modi's foreign minister - Dr S Jaishankar 

But there are other ways of analysing India's foreign policy ... 

** India's trajectory in 2025 positions it as a pivotal player, shaping global economic and geopolitical landscapes through its sheer scale, economic dynamism.

There is also strategic assertiveness. 

** The Team Modi has smartly diversified policies and trade.

Pacts with Australia, the UK, New Zealand and the European Union have strengthened the economic resilience. 

There is a rest vis-a-vis the trilateral technology partnership between Australia, India and Canada. 

India is moving up the ladder and now eyeing to be the Third largest economy. It's also surging exports in engineering, electronics, and pharma.

There is a Booming digital transactions, especially UPI and this shows massive technological adoption. 

**

PM Modi’s long-term interest and 'success' will ultimately depend on whether the country can foster and sustain a growth model that is competitive, dynamic, sustainable, inclusive and fair. 

Credit ought to be given to the Modi Govt (in office since 2014) for implementing policies that have modernised India and supported its growth. 

New Delhi has made massive investments in the single market (including through de-monetisation and tax reform) and infrastructure.

Roads, electricity, education and sanitation have improved and also has the digital capacity.

ends 

Look Back ... 2025 :::: Key stories, commentaries ... Quotes and snaps posted in the Blog during the calendar year :::: "From ashes to ashes and from dust to dust"

My photo of the year 2025 is this :

I have used it in Facebook and Twitter profiles.

The photo was originally posted by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.   

"A perfect shot, A sight to behold. A leopard soaking in the winter sun atop Adingiri Hills, overlooking Guwahati's rise," he tweeted on Dec 24th. BJP leader also posted another snap --- 

This blog was an interesting take away from Operation Sindoor. 

(Playing spokespersons ... a tough job for soldiers !! Three DGMOs Lt Gen Ghai, Air Marshal Bharti and Vice Admiral Pramod handled that well !!)

Link

DGMO Lt General Rajiv Ghai  told a press conference:

"I was watching Virat Kohli taking retirement from Test cricket. Like many Indians, he is my favorite cricketer. Back in the 70s, during the famous Ashes series between Australia and England, two of Australia’s legendary fast bowlers — Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee — wreaked havoc on the English batting line-up. 

Their dominance was so overwhelming that the Australians came up with a saying: 

"From ashes to ashes and from dust to dust, 

.... if Thommo don't get you, then Lillee surely must. If you look closely at the layers, you’ll understand what I mean — even if you manage to get through all of them, one layer of this grid system is bound to catch you." 

***** 

Indian Hindu group welcomes religious minorities, exposing internal struggles

(This was reported for UCA News -- Nov 10th, 2025 )

 “No Brahmin [high caste Hindu] is allowed in the Sangh. No Muslim is allowed, no Christian is allowed.… Only Hindus are allowed. But people from any denomination — Muslims, Christians — can come to the Sangh if they keep their separateness out,” Bhagwat said.

“Your speciality is welcome, but when you come inside the shakha, you come as a son of Bharat Mata, a member of this Hindu society.”

The comments drew criticism from opposition politicians and minority leaders, who called them contradictory and insincere.

“Bhagwat’s invitation to non-Hindus is not genuine. It is half-hearted and amounts to lip service,” said Sanjay Das, a Congress Party leader from Meghalaya, a Christian-majority state.

(Girl students singing a song as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on during an interaction with internally displaced persons at Churachandpur, in Manipur on Sept 13, 2025 

My story for ETV Bharat.com

said - 

Modi Moves Smart But Ethnic Fault Lines Remain In Manipur  

The article said - 

"On his return to Delhi, PM Modi will have to sit with Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issues of Manipur -- which almost remain where they were in 2023 May when the unprecedented violence was kicked off. Experts and former Military officials say the mayhem of 2023 was more than ethnic. Lt Gen Abhay Krishna (Retd), who commanded Eastern Command, told this columnist earlier this year that the clashes in Manipur could have been instigated by various regional and global players. Hence things stand basically where they were."   

Ayodhya: History, Politics, and Path to Unity

(was the headline ... for the article penned for 'Brighter Kashmir' - a prestigious publication in Srinagar )

"Hinduism is India's majority religion and is said to be more than 4,000 or even 5000 years old. Muslims make up around 13-15 percent of the Indian population and are the subcontinent's second largest minority group. Probably over the years; various violent incidents and demolition episode in 1992 did hurt "India's image" as a cultural melting pot.

But Hindus are still counted as a community known for religious tolerance."  

Interview with Naga rebel leader Neokpao Konyak, convener, NNPG was a significant work of the year 

(interview was also taken among others by Manipur-based website - epao.com -- Feb 19) 

Neakpao had said -- 

"The fact of the matter is we need peace and Solution is the key to the lasting peace and Development," he said adding, "Development is important for today's generation and the youngsters and the next generation.... How long will Nagas continue to suffer ?"

"The Agreed Position is like a win-all. It contains powerful ingredients for India and Nagas as honorable and a good deed of political agreement".

"Muivah hi (solution) manzoor na hobo. Muivah toh ki asey ami jaane ... tai loge ami berai ... berai thakise (Muivah will not accept Solution. I know Mr Muivah too well .... I have seen him closely. We have traveled together for years)," he remarked, answering some specific questions.

"I have worked with him for long...I know him closely. In the year 1976 ... I was hurt on my foot. Muivah too suffered injuries.... But what he is asking is not practical and he knows it pretty well," Neokpao said adding - "it was a fierce clash between our Naga group and the Myanmar army".

"Muivah knows no Indian leader or Prime Minister can give what he is asking.

This year ... I tracked Indian soldiers.  

Rifle training is a core component of basic soldier training  -- is the refrain from instructors. Of course -- the physical fitness and leadership qualities also matter.
 
"We used to call it an adaptation to Battlefield Realities....," remarked a retired army officer involved in 1999 operations. 

In July this year, Lt Gen Abhijeet S Pendharkar, GoC of Rangapahar-based Spear Corps, observed “Exercise Drone Prahar”—a crucial and high-level military drill.

                                Revenge of Journalism : Science Dropout - blogger discovering Mystique Drones

I also received a very encouraging comment.  

This push for indigenous UAVs is part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming for self-reliance and tailoring drone technology to India's operational needs. - -- wrote Tanmay Sen  

In Jan-Feb 2025 -- the following article made waves in social media. 

Published by 'Brighter Kashmir'; -- the headline said ---- 

Difference Between Kukis and Zomis

Misrepresentation by generalisations like ‘Meitei vs. Kuki’ or ‘Meitei vs. Kuki-Zo’ are repeatedly perpetuated, complained a 20-something youth working with a private transport operator during my visit to Churachandpur, Imphal and Ukhrul in January 2025. 

I also visited Jiribam region of Manipur .... on the other side bordering Assam.   

"I would not have backed AFSPA had we been protected by police and other forces before Assam Rifles arrived.... There was apparently a deliberate negligence and our people were attacked in a gruesome manner," said Lalram Sung, Village youth chairman, who had also given his house now to a platoon of Assam Rifles personnel. 

Moral of the story-- Successes are forgotten quickly and failures get known with all its implications.

The Armed Forces can never let the nation down on this count. 

 

At the fag end of the year --- this article came out in website 'The Raisina Hills'

LK Advani and the Politics of Karma: Fate and Free Will Collide

"If karma has a political vocabulary, L.K. Advani may be its most compelling case study. Few leaders shaped post-Independence Indian politics as decisively—and yet, few were denied its ultimate prize as repeatedly. 

Advani qualifies description of the most consequential Prime Minister India never had. 

In the ruthless arithmetic of power, destiny often trumps merit." 

The Raisina Hills link

 

Naya Bandobosto .... has come full circle :::: "India is not today's nation. Mahabharat and Ramayan were not created today" ... this is being debated in Bangladesh ::: Is 'New Bangladesh' already around ?? Are they debating India with "refreshing" elements of candidness ?? :::: How should India take a closer look ??

It is a universal fact that Social Media feed is absolutely polluted.

A free and independent media is not a privilege. It's an organic necessity. 

There are narratives and videos - often fake - and monologues by self-appointed moral teachers with their version of their 'motivated stories' that with even a small portion of investigation can easily be debunked. 

But many media outlets across the globe are not doing their best to do the job honestly.

In India - 'editors' are hardly Editors. Like DGPs hold their position at the mercy of chief ministers and home ministers; editors hold their position at the mercy of owners.

Hence, what Editors and journalists should be doing is not being done. In turn, in Indian context, the Editors are ambitious to be Rajya Sabha members in months and years to come.

Take Kolkata media and analyse closely how they did not bother much to cover the killings and attacks on BJP workers and supporters after 2021 elections.

Tarique Rahman with his doctor wife and barrister daughter

In India - the peculiarity is discussed in whispers. But seldom people want to ask tough questions and holding those in power accountable. One example is good example - the select way some media outlets are pro-BJP or pro-Rahul Gandhi and so on. 

Prior to 2014 under the UPA regime -- things were worse !! Leading so-called bold and courageous newspapers etc etc -- behaved like extension counter of AICC headquarters. There was a fictional write up that Gen V K Singh wanted to stage a coup. 

In Bangladesh; it is clear that the Yunus regime exploited the social media and mainstream media narratives for last 16 months. 

In the process; Talibanisation was almost normalised. The fallout led to the attack on the two media outlets. They were hardly pro-India organisations. 

And it has been reported that the night these two newspapers and journalists were attacked; many tried to reach the Advisors and powerful people in Dhaka - and there was no response !  

But the issue here is more fundamental ? Has Bangladesh realised that enough is enough and the radical elements ought to be disciplined.   

Bangladesh's vernacular TV channels are these days discussing former US President Jefferson 

He may have had his issues with the media. But Jefferson's one quote talks highly about the importance of the fourth estate -

"The people are the only censors of their governors. Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."  

Hence what is being discussed in Bangladeshi TV channels are important.  One 'sane' voice is coming out -- ** There is a general discussion on how anti-India narratives built up over the months -- prior to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina has harmed the nation.

Look what one Bangladeshi journalist has said -- "We made India our best friends to push our selfish agenda. We are making India now our Enemy NO. 1 .. also for our own benefits". 

"What's India's fault today in all these .... As a neutral observer, I can say ... we have taken our stances according to our own programming. It is never a case that India has sent in army to Bangladesh for last 100 years. Our narratives have been created in our own way.

"Some of us wanted to be India's friends (obvious reference is to Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League)... often in a shameful manner. 

At the same today ... we are making an enemy out of India even without applying any reason or rhyme. Sometimes we behave like fools... This loss of balance is our own making".

"If you someone's scarf from his shoulder ... will he also not pull you... Why should we go so much deep either way. We should maintain our independence. 

"The manner Bangladeshi people are over enthusiastic about being anti-India ... look at India .... common Indians are not so much excited about us. India is not today's.

Mahabharat and Ramayan were not created today ... When was Zero discovered". 

A few analysts on TV channels have been trying to push a line ---

* In Bangladesh today .... some leaders feel if there is anarchy in the country ... it's good for them. That is fishing is possible the best way in muddy waters.

** One commentator said -- even the worst of any situation in this world will create some set of beneficiaries and exploiters. This happened with the World War and Bangladesh is no exception.

*** Another refrain is -- some people in Bangladesh (hooligans) who have suddenly got the street power to burn a newspaper office or attack a passer by for no reason or rhyme -- feel a sense of empowerment.

(This we have experienced in north east India. The locals enjoy thrashing the faceless Bihari rickshawallas and robbing helpless office goers. This happened in Meghalaya and Nagaland. In Mizoram; they call it Vai-bashing.... And all these happened in the 1990s ... far before the chaos of Manipur of 2023)

* Anarchists are enjoying this. This is labeled as Revolution. 

** In Bangladesh - an effort was made to give a forceful definition of Revolution (ghar-dhore Biplob)

*** People in Bangladesh already realise that the delay in holding election under the interim regime was part of a vested interest move.

**** Attacks on media outlets were purely orchestrated".

Army is slowly being seen as part of the Doctrine of Necessity 

  

Tarique Rahman - Past has been politics of 'anti-India' 

Now what does the Bangladesh's print medium says ::: 

"The National Citizen Party (NCP) was born with a claim that it would not practise politics as usual. Emerging from the July uprising, it asked people to see it as a break from Bangladesh's old habits of convenience and compromise. It promised to distinguish itself with its own political language and its own sense of responsibility," says an article 'The Daily Star'.   

It adds acidly:

"Two developments have turned speculation into a moment of reckoning. 

Tasnim Jara, a senior and one of the more visible leaders, in her own right, resigned from the party. She announced she would contest the Dhaka-9 constituency as an independent. 

At the same time, 30 members of the party's central committee have formally written to Convener Nahid Islam, opposing any political alliance or seat-sharing arrangement with Jamaat-e-Islami."  

The article also says :  

"Any understanding with Jamaat-e-Islami also carries a weight far beyond seat numbers. Jamaat's opposition to independence in 1971 and its role during the Liberation War are not fringe allegations. 

They are part of Bangladesh's mainstream political history. 

That history has shaped alliances, exclusions and public trust for decades. It cannot be set aside through electoral arithmetic."

In other words - the Bangladesh's intelligentsia's honeymoon with pro-Pakistan Jamaat is seemingly over as of now.

New Delhi's matured diplomacy and patience may work again. 

ends 

"New Delhi needs to keep things stable" :::: Former Indian Army commander Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni (Retd) is one of the international observers for Myanmar polls : Panels have representatives from China, Russia and Vietnam too

Timely strategic move by India !!  

Former Indian Army commander Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni (Retd), who also served in north east, is one of the international observers for Myanmar polls.

The crucial international Panels also have representatives from China, Russia and Vietnam

As the 2025 Multiparty Democratic General Election gets underway ... international election observation teams from Russia, China, India, and Vietnam arrived in Yangon. 

International election observers include Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Kara-ool Sholban, 

Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Deng Xijun, 

** - former Army Commander of India Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni, 

-- a delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Commission of Kazakhstan Yerman Mukhtar, 

- a delegation led by National Election Committee (NEC) member Yich Samethy, and Nguyen Duc Thinh from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.   

The visiting teams were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein and regional ministers, Russian Ambassador to Myanmar Iskander Azizov and embassy officials, the Union Election Commission member in charge of the Yangon Region, and officials from the Union Election Commission and the Yangon Region Election Sub-commission.  

Analysts say New Delhi might have taken a far-reaching decision vis-a-vis India's crucial eastern neighbour -- which was underestimated and ignored over the decades in the past.

But India's newly christened Act East Policy has a different perspective and has a key role for Myanmar.

One informed source in the know of things say -- "We have to keep the right balance. We can't be any longer lecturing a country about democracy and be guided by western lobbies on who shall rule Myanmar".

In India's own national interests; keeping a close ties with Myanmar irrespective of who so ever is in power is vital. "I call it a balanced strategy ... we have to affirm the election results .... otherwise Myanmar as a neighbouring country may slide towards certain forces which may not be strategically good".

Another observer was more candid stating - "While western and northern fronts of India are mostly in news .... we also have a troublesome eastern neighbour in Bangladesh. At least on this far-east and north east; New Delhi needs to keep thing stable".

Lt Gen Sahni (retd) commanded units in challenging areas, including a Self-Propelled Regiment in deserts, a Mountain Artillery Brigade in North East counter-insurgency including Nagaland and an Independent Infantry Brigade in J&K.

He also served as GOC-in-C (Army Commander), Director General Information Technology, and Principal Staff Officer at Army HQ.

  

ends 

China backs Myanmar polls; West call it sham :::: Junta stages election after five years of civil war

Former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains jailed, while her hugely popular party has been dissolved and was not taking part.

Myanmar junta chief says election is 'free and fair'  

A trickle of voters made their way to Myanmar's heavily restricted polls on Sunday, with the ruling junta touting the exercise as a return to democracy five years after it ousted the last elected government, triggering civil war.  

Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday the country's elections are "free and fair", despite being run by the military which seized power in a coup five years ago.

"We guarantee it to be a free and fair election," he told reporters after casting his ballot in the capital Naypyidaw. "Its reputation is not tarnished because it's being held by the military."  

Campaigners, Western diplomats and the UN's rights chief have all condemned the phased month-long vote, citing a ballot stacked with military allies and a stark crackdown on dissent.

The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party is widely expected to emerge as the largest one, in what critics say would be a rebranding of martial rule. 

Within days of the announcement, Burma’s military intelligence service—which is more of a secret police force—launched a massive campaign against elected NLD MPs. By the end of the year, 65 had been arrested, nearly a dozen had fled to neighboring Thailand and India, and many resigned voluntarily.  

Myanmar 1990 : People cast their vote 

The first of three rounds of voting taking place on Dec 28th. 

More than 100 townships, including the commercial capital of Yangon, will vote in this first phase of the elections, followed by another 100 in the second phase on Jan 11, 2026. 

The third round of voting will take place on Jan 25.  

ends