Monday, December 29, 2025

Why blame Rio alone : Dimapur-Kohima - National Highway .... Road to prosperity ? :: Year-ender Nagaland :::: An unwritten 'Dark phase' ::: Pre-Christmas joke was .... only land on the globe with 28 Prime Ministers .... and yet there is "unhappiness" !!

Two things often become permanent features in all long term negotiations.

Normal interaction and inevitable showdown .... accompany each other due to historical as well as geopolitical reasons. This is what has happened to the fate of Naga peace parleys. 


There’s a another way of understanding things. There is a widespread belief that people will wake up to take corrective measures when major disasters affect them directly. The Naga peace talks started in 1997. 


The Congress party lost power in 2003 and since then the regionalist Neiphiu Rio is on the driving seat. He lost that position briefly from May 2014 till March 2018 when he opted out of Nagaland politics (read the state political mess) and wanted a comparatively cool life as a lawmaker. 








First as a former Chief Minister, he missed any ministerial berth in Delhi and secondly, T R Zeliang and Shurhozelie joined hands to make his life uncomfortable. Those four years of betrayal especially by T R Zeliang has shaken Rio's confidence. 

Apparently, now he is unable to trust both his political instinct and also his shadow. He thinks once final Solution peace pact is inked; he would be forgotten.

Secondly; he is unable to display enough political determination to push the NSCN-IM leadership to be pragmatic vis-a-vis the offers made by the centre.  Left to him - he would probably work more sincerely for Solution if it is ensured that the emotive 'Naga integration' is brought back on the table.  This is also not happening. As a former chief minister and a former Congressman; it would be foolish to believe that Rio is not convinced that two other issues -- 

* the Naga Constitution and a separate Flag can never be given by any power of authority in Delhi. 








So if in December 2025 -- he is seen as someone not delivering the Solution or even not working sincerely for the same - Rio has to blame his luck and also the circumstances he is in. 



However, as a politician he has to act. He also has to understand certain basic things that Smart people falsely create the impression of representing the silent majority.

Such a conjecture cannot be good politics for democracy.

As we come to the end of another year and also the first quarter of the new century; Rio needs to reflect that one of the bitter lessons of human History is that 

--- often the inevitable does not happen; but the Impossible may happen rather easily.  


It is so easy to be non-performing or immature. Rio should come out of this trap. 







The true character of a government (like individuals) is more often unveiled in the times of challenges. Nagaland is going through this stage -- now for many months. 


An unwritten 'Dark phase'  ::: 


A joke in circulation is .... 'only land' on the globe with 28 Prime Ministers (excluding one record making chief minister) .... and yet there is "unhappiness" -- it's Nagaland.


Yet; there is cash flow, there has been shopping spree, eating out and attending lavish wedding parties even this December.

Moreover; there has been 'annual extortion' too.  We do not say Rio is personally responsible for all that. As a matter of fact even BJP's Home Minister in Kohima and all Ato Kilonsers are also responsible.  That include NPF chief "favourite" one or two !!


One retired army officer has said a few years back -- "That's real Ram Rajya .... that's Nagaland .... everyone is happy and there is merry making. There is no complaint per se". 




Dimapur-Kohima - National Highway .... Road to prosperity ?



But at this end or even from New Delhi's point of view -- if Govt of India wants Solution -- it must display that sincerity. 

So much time given and so much rope .... look unwarranted.

The performance by the BJP as a political party vis-a-vis Naga peace talks has been DISASTROUS.

In some sectors in the context of northeast --- one may give them 'Good' remarks when it comes to infra-developments in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Assam. In some other states --- it has been Mediocre.


Mr Amit Shah cannot look the other way when it comes to taking a review of the so-called 'unpopularity' of the state government and the political leaders. In fact; that measurement is in a class of its own. 


The elected MLAs and Ministers are not worried that the inability to bring in Solution would affect their respective political/electoral performance in 2028. 


This is Nagaland's failure. 


The real worry is somewhere else.  

In normal politics .... across the globe .... 

-- * More often voters turn against Netas and parties. 

** Political analysts and leaders themselves often face -- what they in cricket 'bad patches; or out of form.

*** Nothing seems to go right and in the ultimate analysis the Netas may be defeated. 

This chapter of Political Science does not apply to Nagaland. 


And for this -- who else -- but the 'voters' are to be blamed !!


But the electorate in Nagaland is presumably 'people of principles'. 

Performance of Netas do not bother them. 'Boleros' matter ... and hence "if people pay ... votes are guaranteed... No betrayal". 


Rahul Gandhi calls electoral menace in the rest of India as 'Vote Chori'. But he should apply his energy now on Vote-Purchase-Sales.


Ask Supongmeren Jamir; he would say in election time - prayers go up and blessings can come down. The year 2024 was his year of Miracle. That Congress under him in Nagaland is still not taken seriously - is his problem; and not God's.


And no Election Commission can handle that.


The NDPP nominee of 2024 polls Chumben Murry -- can easily write a book, titled -- "How prayers fail; and yet I am a good Advisor". 






The brave creature :::: Overlooking Guwahati 





ends 


Spl Essay ::: Tribalisation of democratic politics in Bangladesh led to a winner-take-all political culture --- (Based on an interview of Rehman Sobhan, one of Bangladesh’s most distinguished economists)

(This piece is based on an  interview of Bangladeshi intellectual Rehman Sobhan by Dhaka-based Bengali daily 'Prothom Alo'.


The English version was published by 'The Daily Star' (Dec 25, 2025) 


****


Sadly, we (Bangladesh has) have over 54 years not been able to build a workable and sustainable democracy. 

The struggle with the Pakistani ruling elite was over the denial of democracy which remained the root cause of the economic deprivation of the Bengalis. 


We have, for a period from 1991 to 2008, had four relatively free and fair elections under a caretaker government in which power has been transferred to an opposition party. But even in this period of 'democratic' rule the institutions of democracy, such as parliament and the judiciary, have not functioned as they were intended to, so that a version of 'illiberal' democracy prevailed. 




BNP leader Tarique Rahman arrives Dhaka ending 17 years of exile (Dec 25, 2025)



The source of the problem lies in the appropriation of power in an all-powerful leader, whether as President or elected Prime Minister, and the tribalisation of our democratic politics which has led to a winner-take-all culture.  





Sketch credit - 'The Daily Star', Dhaka 



The uprising of July 2024 was initially inspired by the restoration of quotas for government jobs through a High Court ruling. 


The persistence of quotas for descendants of freedom fighters half a century after the Liberation War was quite wrong to the point of absurdity. Sheikh Hasina sensibly did away with quotas and later moved to appeal the High Court decision before the Appellate Division. Autocratic, oppressive, unjust and corrupt governance was the ultimate source of the uprising. 


Sheikh Hasina's unnecessary and inappropriate remarks about razakars fuelled the uprising, bringing the widespread frustrations and anger of the citizens to the surface.  


The July uprising was inspired by democratic failure and unjust rule. 


Elements opposed to the Liberation War who have remained embedded in politics took advantage of the uprising, infiltrated it, and may even have played an important role in its direction. 


This happens in mass upsurges against autocratic regimes where suppressed forces which have remained well organised and disciplined, even when they were repressed, can readily come into prominence when the opportunity presents itself. 


In the period of the interim government, they have emerged as a more visible force with strong electoral prospects. 


They are inclined to use this opportunity to reinterpret their historical collaborationist role with the Pakistan Army in 1971. 


Being led by politically astute leaders, at this stage of the political process, their position on the Liberation War is likely to be projected with some caution. 


It, however, remains a part of their political strategy to whitewash their role in 1971.







In an article Bengali nespaper 'Prothom Alo' this April, Rehman Sobhan wrote about Jamaat-e-Islami that, 


"Although they display restraint in public rhetoric, one of their main objectives is to rewrite history so that, even if they are not seen as heroes of 1971, they at least appear as victims, portraying Bangladesh under Bangabandhu's leadership as having fought the wrong enemy in the wrong war." 


But we are now seeing that not Jamaat alone; some segments of the student leadership that led the uprising, along with other groups, are also attempting to write history and shape narratives in their own way. 


There are visible attempts from their side to marginalise or overlook the Liberation War of 1971. 


The response of some of the student leadership to the Liberation War has surprised many. 

Such a position indicates that some elements in the movement were nurtured by anti-liberation forces and have projected such views after 5th August, 2024.


Others appear to have elevated their strong antipathy to Sheikh Hasina and her party into an antipathy to Bangabandhu and the Liberation War. 



Mujib : Now disowned by Yunus regime 



Both positions have become counterproductive to the political aspirations of the student movement. 


The role we all looked for from the students and any political party they formed was to delink themselves from the historical and partisan debates which divided the Awami League and the BNP. 


The students should have projected themselves as a forward-looking force of the 21st century and emerged as a modern-minded third political force which was badly needed to enable Bangladesh to move away from our tribalised politics. 


Their origins from non-elitist social backgrounds could have provided them with credibility to provide an authentic voice to the concerns of the common people.



Rehman Sobhan



During Sheikh Hasina's fifteen and a half years of undemocratic rule, the rhetoric of the Liberation War was frequently used as a political instrument to repress and delegitimise the opposition. 

Moreover, historical discourse was narrowed to an exclusively Awami League–centric interpretation, restricting broader scholarly and civic engagement with 1971. 


Maybe this environment contributed to the emergence of negative perceptions about the Liberation War among the younger generation.


Sheikh Hasina's initial response was motivated by the complete whitewashing of Bangabandhu and the Awami League from the public domain by the regimes in office between 1975 and 1996. 


However, when she came to power in 1996, and more so in 2008, she overplayed the image of her father and oversold the prominence and role of the AL in the Liberation War. 


The objective reality was that the AL was a vanguard force in the struggle for national liberation provided by the democratic mandate received through the 1970 election and the iconic role of Bangabandhu in giving leadership to the struggle for self-rule for the Bangalis. 



However, other political leaders and parties contributed to this struggle, while our armed forces and the common people of Bangladesh also played a critical role in the Liberation War. 



Their respective roles should have been more fully recognised both after liberation in 1972 and subsequently by Sheikh Hasina. 


To assign an exclusive position to the AL in the liberation struggle was both politically and morally wrong and has proved costly for her party as well as to the memory of the Liberation War.


ends 





Fate and Free Will Collide : LK Advani and the Politics of Karma :::: Published in 'The Raisina Hills'

 LK Advani and the Politics of Karma:  


.... Well, Karma in politics is not metaphysical mysticism. It is cause and effect layered with timing. 











Using L.K. Advani’s unfulfilled prime ministerial quest as a lens, this op-ed asks whether karma—not competence— ultimately decides who rules India.  


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.


Advani arrived in India as a refugee from Pakistan after Partition and rose through sheer organisational grit to become the ideological and strategic backbone of the BJP. He was never a placeholder. He was the centre of gravity. Yet when the moment came, power slipped away—not once, but persistently. 


This is where politics begins to resemble karma: action without proportionate reward.  


Contrast this with the accidental rise of leaders like 

I.K. Gujral, 

H.D. Deve Gowda, and 

Manmohan Singh—men of integrity, yes, but beneficiaries of political coincidence rather than mass mandate. 


Dr Singh’s ascent was famously engineered by Sonia Gandhi; Deve Gowda’s by Harkishen Singh Surjeet. 

In both cases, circumstance trumped ambition. Power arrived not as conquest, but as inheritance.


Then there is Jyoti Basu—another leader history kept waiting. In 1996, it was Prakash Karat who persuaded the CPI(M) politburo to block Basu’s prime ministerial bid. 


Basu himself later called it a “historic blunder.” 

Karma, perhaps, operates not only through personal choices but through collective vetoes.






Indian political culture has long internalised the idea that certain outcomes are pre-written. 


In Bengali idiom, janma, mrityu aur vivah—birth, death and marriage—are beyond human control. Politics may belong in that list. 


Advani’s denial, 

Basu’s rejection, and Singh’s elevation all suggest that power often flows where intention does not.



Deve Gowda and I K Gujral : Also V P Singh, Rao and Chandrashekhar 








Yet karma in politics is not metaphysical mysticism. 


It is cause and effect layered with timing, alliances, betrayal and hesitation. Advani made enemies. He carried ideological baggage. 

He was indispensable—but perhaps too defined to be convenient.


As 2025 closes, Indian politics once again confronts this uncomfortable truth: elections measure popularity, but history measures fate. In the end, leaders may shape movements—but destiny decides crowns.



Advani ... also Modi 



ends 


"Operation Sindoor became a symbol of pride for every Indian" -- Narendra Modi in last Mann-Ki-Baat in year 2025 :::: "Our traditional arts are empowering society and becoming a major vehicle for people's economic progress"

*Delivered, Sunday, Dec 28, 2025 



 This year, ‘Operation Sindoor’ became a symbol of pride for every Indian. The world clearly saw that today's India does not compromise on its security. During ‘Operation Sindoor’, images of love and devotion towards Maa Bharati emerged from every corner of the country. People expressed their feelings in their own unique ways.







"Friends,

The same spirit was also visible when 'Vande Mataram' completed 150 years. I had requested you to send your messages and suggestions with '#VandeMataram150'. The countrymen participated enthusiastically in this campaign.


Friends,

2025 was also a memorable year in terms of sports. Our men's cricket team won the ICC Champions Trophy. The women's cricket team won the World Cup for the first time. India's daughters created history by winning the Women's Blind T20 World Cup. 


The tricolour also fluttered high with pride in the Asia Cup T20. In the World Championship Para-athletes proved by winning several medals that no obstacle can come in the way of zeal & determination. India also took a big leap in the field of Science and Space. 

Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station. Many efforts related to environmental conservation and wildlife protection also became the hallmark of 2025.


The number of cheetahs in India has now increased to more than 30. In 2025, faith, culture, and India's unique heritage all came together. The Prayagraj Mahakumbh organized at the beginning of the year astonished the entire world. At the end of the year, the Dhwajarohan ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya filled every Indian with pride. 


The excitement towards Swadeshi was also evident among one & all. People are purchasing only those goods that bear the sweat of an Indian and the fragrance of Indian soil. Today, we can proudly say that 2025 has given India even greater confidence. 

It is also true that this year we had to face natural disasters, at very many places. Now, the country is ready to move forward in 2026 with new hopes and new resolutions.


My dear countrymen,



Today the world is looking at India with great hope. The biggest reason for hope in India is our youth power. Our achievements in the field of science, new innovations, and the expansion of technology have greatly impressed countries around the world.


Friends,


The youth of India always have a passion for something new and they are equally aware. My young friends often ask me how they can further contribute to nation-building. 


How can they share their ideas? Many among them enquire as to how they can present their ideas to me. The answer to this curiosity of our young colleagues is the 'Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue'. Its first edition was held last year, and now its second edition is scheduled in a few days’ time. 


On the 12th of next month, 'National Youth Day' will be celebrated on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. A 'Young Leaders Dialogue' will also be held on this day, and I will certainly participate in that. In this, our youth will share their ideas on important topics like innovation, fitness, startups, and agriculture. I am very eager about this program.


Friends,


I am pleased to see the rising participation of our youth in this program. A quiz competition related to this was held a few days ago. More than 50 lakh youth participated in it. An essay competition was also held, in which students expressed their views on various topics. Tamil Nadu stood first and Uttar Pradesh second in this competition.


Friends,


Today the youth in the country are getting new opportunities to showcase their talent. 


Many platforms are being developed where youth can showcase their talent as per their abilities and interests. One such platform is 'Smart India Hackathon'; another medium where ideas are turned into action.


Friends,


The 'Smart India Hackathon 2025' concluded this month. During this Hackathon, students worked on more than 270 problems of more than 80 government departments. Students offered solutions which were related to real life challenges like traffic related problems. Related to this, the youth shared very interesting perspectives on 'Smart Traffic Management'. 





The youth also put forward their ideas on solutions to challenges like Financial Frauds and Digital Arrests. Suggestions were extended on Cyber ​​Security Framework for digital banking in villages. Many youth remained engaged in solving the challenges in the agriculture sector. Friends, over 13 lakh students and over 6,000 institutes have participated in the 'Smart India Hackathon' in the last 7 to 8 years. The youth have also provided accurate solutions to hundreds of problems. Such Hackathons are organized from time to time. I urge my young friends to certainly be a part of these Hackathons.


Friends,


Today's life is becoming tech-driven, and the changes that used to happen over centuries; we are seeing them happen over a few years. At times, some people express concern whether robots are going to replace humans! In such changing times, it is very important to stay connected to our roots for human development. I am very happy to see that our next generation is holding on to the roots of our culture well – with new thinking and new methods.


Friends,


You must have heard the name of the Indian Institute of Science. Research and innovation are the hallmarks of this institute. A few years ago, some students there felt that there should be a place accorded for music amidst studies and research. That's where a small music class started. Neither a big stage nor a big budget. Gradually, this initiative grew and today we know it as 'Geetanjali IISc'. It is no longer just a class; it is the cultural centre of the campus.




Here, there is Hindustani classical music, folk traditions, classical genres; students here sit together and practice. Professors come along and their families also join. Today, more than two hundred people are associated with it. And the special thing is that even those who have moved abroad are joining online and holding on to the threads of this group.


Friends,


This effort to stay connected to one’s roots is not limited to India. Indians living in different corners of the world are also playing their part. Another example that takes us outside the country is Dubai. Kannada families living there asked themselves an important question: Our children are moving ahead in the tech world, but aren’t they moving away from their language? This is where 'Kannada Pathshale' was born. An initiative where children are taught to teach, learn, write, and speak Kannada. Today, more than a thousand children are associated with it. Truly, Kannada Nadu, Nudi Namma Hemme.


(The land and language of Kannada are our pride.)


Friends,


There is an old saying: 'Where there is a will, there is a way.' This saying has been proved true once again by a young man from Manipur, Moirangthem Seth ji. He is less than 40 years old. The remote area of ​​Manipur where Shriram Moirangthem ji lived had a major electricity problem. To overcome this challenge, he focused on local solutions and found this solution in solar power. In our Manipur, it is anyway easy to generate solar energy. So, Moirangthem started a campaign to install solar panels and on account of this campaign, today solar power has reached hundreds of houses in his area. The special thing is that he has used solar power to improve health care and livelihood. Today, owing to his efforts, many health centres in Manipur are also getting solar power.




The woman power of Manipur has also benefited a lot from this endeavour. Local fishermen and artists have also been helped through this.


Friends,


Today, under the 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana', the government is providing approximately 75,000 to 80,000 rupees to each beneficiary family for installing solar panels. While Moirangthem's efforts are personal, they are giving new impetus to every campaign related to solar power. I extend my best wishes to him through 'Mann Ki Baat'.


My dear countrymen,


Let's now head towards Jammu and Kashmir. I want to share a saga about Jammu and Kashmir's cultural and historical heritage that will fill you up with pride. In Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, there is a place called Jehanpora. For years, people had been seeing some tall mounds there. These were ordinary mounds, and no one knew what they were. Then, one day, an archaeologist noticed them.


When he began to observe the area carefully, these mounds appeared somewhat unusual. Following this, a scientific study of these mounds began. Drones were used to take photographs from above, and the land was mapped. And then some surprising things started to emerge. It turned out that these mounds weren't natural. They were the remains of a large human-made structure. Meanwhile, another interesting connection emerged.


Thousands of kilometres away from Kashmir, an old, blurred photograph was found in the archives of a museum in France. Three Buddhist stupas were visible in that photograph of Baramulla. From here, time took a turn, and Kashmir's glorious past was revealed to us. This history dates back nearly two thousand years. This Buddhist complex in Jehanpora, Kashmir, reminds us of Kashmir's past and its rich identity.


My dear countrymen,


I now want to share with you about an endeavour thousands of kilometres away from India, which is heart-touching. In Fiji, a commendable initiative is being taken to spread Indian language and culture. Continuous efforts are being made at many levels to connect the new generation there with Tamil language. 


Last month, Tamil Day was celebrated for the first time in a school in Raki-Raki, Fiji. On that day, children found a platform where they openly expressed pride in their language. Children recited poems in Tamil, gave speeches, and confidently showcased their culture on stage.








Friends,


Continuous work is also being done within the country to promote the Tamil language. A few days ago, the fourth 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' was held in my parliamentary constituency, Kashi. I am now going to play you an audio clip. Listen to it and guess where these children trying to speak Tamil are from?


Friends,


You will be surprised to know that these children, who express themselves so fluently in Tamil, are from Kashi, Varanasi. Their mother tongue is Hindi, but their love for the Tamil language inspired them to learn Tamil. This year, during the 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' in Varanasi, special emphasis was placed on learning Tamil. Under the theme of 'Learn Tamil - Tamil Karakalam', special campaigns were also run in more than 50 schools in Varanasi.


The results of that can be heard in this audio clip.



Friends,


Tamil is the world's oldest language. Tamil literature is also extremely rich. I had requested you to participate in the 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' in 'Mann Ki Baat'. I am happy that today, in other parts of the country, there is a renewed interest in the Tamil language among children and youth – this is the power of the language, this is the unity of India.


Friends,


Next month we will celebrate the 77th Republic Day of the country. Whenever such occasions arise, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the freedom fighters and the makers of the Constitution. Our country fought a long struggle for independence.


People from every part of the country contributed to the freedom movement but unfortunately, many of the heroes, both men and women of independence did not receive the respect they deserved.


One such freedom fighter is Parvati Giri ji of Odisha. Her birth centenary will be celebrated in January 2026. She participated in the Quit India Movement at the age of 16. Friends, after the independence movement, Parvati Giri ji dedicated her life to social service and tribal welfare. She established several orphanages. Her inspiring life will continue to guide every generation.


“मूँ पार्वती गिरि जिंकु श्रद्धांजलि अर्पण करुछी |”



“I pay my tribute to Parvati Giri.”






Friends,


It is our responsibility that we do not forget our heritage. We must pass on the great saga of the heroes, both men and women who brought us independence, to the next generation. You may recall that when we celebrated 75 years of independence, the government created a special website. A section on it was dedicated to "Unsung Heroes." Even today, you can visit this website to learn about the great personalities who played a significant role in achieving independence for our country.


My dear countrymen,


"Mann Ki Baat" provides us with a wonderful opportunity to discuss important topics related to the welfare of society. Today, I want to address one such issue that has become a matter of concern for all of us.


The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) recently released a report. It states that antibiotics are proving ineffective against many diseases like pneumonia and UTI. This is a matter of great concern for all of us. According to the report, a major reason for this is people's indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are not medicines that should be taken mindlessly. They should be used only on the doctor's advice. Nowadays, people have started believing that just taking a pill would cure all their problems. This is the reason, diseases and infections are proving to be too strong for these antibiotics. I urge all of you to refrain from using medicines at your own discretion. This is especially important when it comes to antibiotics. I would simply say: Medicines require guidance, and antibiotics require doctors. This practice will prove to be very helpful in improving your health.


My dear countrymen,


Our traditional arts are empowering society and becoming a major vehicle for people's economic progress. The lace craft of Narasapuram district in Andhra Pradesh is gaining popularity across the country. This lace craft has been in the hands of women for generations. The women of the country have preserved it with great patience and meticulousness. Today, this tradition is being carried forward with a new dimension. The Andhra Pradesh government and NABARD are jointly teaching artisans new designs, providing better skill training, and connecting them with new markets.


The Narasapuram Lace has also received the GI Tag. Today, more than 500 products are being made from it, and approximately 1 lakh women in more than 250 villages are getting employment from it.


Friends,


'Mann Ki Baat' is also a platform to bring forward such people who, through their hard work, are not only promoting traditional arts but are also empowering the local people through it. 


The efforts of Margaret Ramtharsiem of Churachandpur, Manipur, are also of a similar kind. She saw Manipur's traditional products, its handicrafts, and items made from bamboo and wood, with a broad vision. Because of that vision, from a handicraft artist she became a medium for transforming people's lives. 


Today, Margaret ji's unit employs over 50 artists, and through her hard work, she has developed a market for her products in several states across the country, including Delhi.


Friends,


Another example from Manipur is that of Chokhone Krichena ji, a resident of Senapati district. Her entire family has been involved in traditional farming. Krichena expanded this traditional experience to a greater extent. 


She made floriculture her passion. Today, she connects this work with various markets and empowers local communities in her area. Friends, this instance exemplifies the fact that when traditional knowledge is leveraged with a modern vision, it can become a major vehicle for economic progress. If you have similar success stories around you, please share them with me.


Friends,


The most beautiful thing about our country is that there's a festive atmosphere in some part of the country or the other, throughout the year. Not only are there various festivals, but local festivals are also held in different states. Which means, if you make up your mind to travel, you'll find some corner of the country ready with its own unique celebration at any given time. One such festival is currently underway in the Rann of Kutch. This year, the Kutch Ranotsav began on the 23rd of November and will continue until the 20th of February. The diverse folk culture, folk music, dance, and handicrafts of Kutch are on display here. Witnessing the grandeur of the White Rann of Kutch is a delightful experience in itself. At night, when the moonlight spreads over the White Rann, the view is mesmerizing. The Rann Utsav's Tent City is very popular. I have been informed that over Two lakh people have participated in the Rannotsav in the past month, coming over from all corners of the country and even from abroad. Whenever you get the opportunity, be sure to participate in such festivals and enjoy India's diversity.


Friends,


This is the last episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' in 2025. Now, in the year 2026, we will certainly join the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme to share our own, varied 'Mann Ki Baat' with the same enthusiasm and zeal, with a sense of belonging. New energy, new topics and countless stories of countrymen, filling us with inspiration, connect us all in 'Mann Ki Baat'.


Every month, I receive many such messages in which people share their vision for a 'Viksit Bharat'. Seeing the suggestions from people and their efforts in this direction, this belief gets strengthened and when all these messages reach me, the resolution of a 'Viksit Bharat' will definitely be fulfilled. This belief grows stronger day by day.


May the year 2026 prove to be an important milestone in the journey towards the fulfillment of this resolve. 


May you and your family have a happy life. With this wish, before bidding farewell to this episode, I will definitely say, 'Fit India Movement'… you too have to stay fit. This winter season is very suitable for exercise… do exercise. Wishing you all a very Happy 2026. Thank you. Vande Mataram.


*******




ends 

Sunday, December 28, 2025

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.