Somewhere and somehow ... under the sky; BJP and Congress are on the same page :::: Both want resignation of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

The BJP and the Congress are on the same page :::: 

Both want resignation of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann  

"We @INCIndia demand immediate resignation of Bhagwant Mann for his family and office neck-deep in corruption,” Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira posted on X. 

Now comes ... BJP's role. 

The ED has accused the Punjab Police of stalling action despite “detailed evidence having been shared”, while AAP state president Aman Arora said on Wednesday that an FIR could not be registered till the central agency shared proper evidence with the police. 

                                           Punjab voters  during a local election 

Punjab is due to go to the assembly polls by March 2027 along with high-stake battle in Uttar Pradesh and also in Manipur, Goa and Uttarakhand.

The 2027 'battle of the ballot (read EVM)' in Punjab will for the first time see an ambitious BJP sweating it out. 

The Congress has an advantage to return to power. But the Lotus party - especially after West Bengal glories - has other plans.

Team Modi-Amit Shah wants to emerge as the principal challenger to the ruling AAP. The saffron party poll strategists know their organisatonal weakness in the state and hence may even revive the alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal. 

Stepping up the attack on AAP, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia has alleged that the ED investigation had uncovered a “rate card” listing prices for the transfer and posting of senior administrative officials. 

He claimed the alleged racket was linked to Mann’s officer on special duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghumman.  

Bhatia alleged that the ED affidavit filed in the high court showed that “confidential documents, draft lists of postings and transfers, and draft lists of government policies to be implemented in the future were found on WhatsApp on the mobile phones of middlemen and touts”.  

“Is this not a serious matter? Sensitive files may be related to national security and terrorism. Confidential information is exchanged between the central government, investigating agencies and the state government. Now that same information is reaching Mann’s middlemen,” Bhatia said.

He alleged that the Punjab police had not registered an FIR against officials named in the ED report because one of them was the chief minister’s OSD.

“If any cognisable offence occurs and information is given about it, then the police of any state or Union Territory has no option but to register an FIR,” he said, questioning Mann’s role in the matter.

“Are you (Mann) not giving protection to the corrupt, middlemen and brokers? Are you not violating the oath of the Constitution that you have taken?” he asked.  

Bhatia also targeted AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, alleging his involvement in the corruption and demanding Mann’s resignation. “Why are you (Mann) not saying whether the extortion kingpin is Arvind Kejriwal or you?” Bhatia said.

“We demand that Mann immediately resign. Soon elections will be held in Punjab, and the people will also punish Mann,” he said.

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Money Matters and Eastern Nagaland :::: "Sharing of development outlay for Eastern Nagaland will be proportional to population and area"

The laws and sub-laws on 'financial matters' are key and crucial areas of the new proposed body called FNTA. 

There is also a clear scope for setting up of a Joint Monitoring Committee with representatives of MHA, Government of Nagaland, FNTA and ENPO to periodically review implementation of the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) inked on Feb 5, 2026. 

Notably, the FNTA shall have the "authority" to recommend to the state Govt for creation of new Village Councils. 

Sources make it clear - "Sharing of development outlay for the Eastern Nagaland Region will be proportional to its population and area. And at the same time, the sharable development outlay shall be calculated after deducting common expenditures and funds earmarked for development of Eastern Nagaland Region".  

The Governor on the advice of the State Government shall  allocate funds to FNTA, it says. 

The revised Bill also makes it clear that the FNTA may have its own planning/finance set-up to prepare development plan based on "village level development needs".  

All developmental funds allocated to FNTA shall be subjected to CAG audit. Audit Report along with Action Taken Report shall be placed before the state Assembly at the end of the financial year.  

In another key matter; there is a provision under which the Government of India "keeping in view the underdevelopment" and lack of infrastructure in FNT may fund development projects under Special Development Grant through various schemes and programmes of the Central Ministries.

 

Among other important things, the new Bill says - necessary measures to improve functioning of the Village Councils/Urban Local Bodes (VCs/ULBs) within the FNT so as to enable them to function as effective democratic institutions at the grass-root level. 

In another significant step, the state Govt will have the power to constitute a Committee to examine and ascertain the number of backlog vacancies in various grades to be filled up on the basis of existing ..

reservation policy of the state 

On Education;  Tribal languages as far as possible will be taught in educational institutions in addition to English and Hindi.  

The draft Law also states that major development projects under the Special Development Grant may be executed through reputed Central agencies.  

The Governor may take necessary steps to streamline coordination between the State Government and FNTA.

The performance of the administrative set-up of FNTA shall be reviewed after a period of 10 years to assess its efficacy in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the FNT.

  

 

ends 

India's Growth has unnerved Sickular-ecosystem :::: Here's some key factors, figures and views

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the 7.8 GDP numbers as "a herculean feat" ... and also declaring: 

"Doomsayers were doomed and ​India bloomed…yet again!"  

Personal consumption rose to 7.1%, up from 6.8% a year earlier.

Private investment doubled its pace, surging to close to 12% from just 5.8% ​previously.  

Robust credit demand and resilient domestic consumption despite elevated prices further highlight the underlying strength of economic activity. 

The most impressive aspect of the GDP growth rate between April-June 2026 has been broad-basing of the growth on multiple fronts.    

The government changed the GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23 in February. The new series also introduced changes to the way prices are used to convert current-price economic activity into real, inflation-adjusted growth.

Manufacturing sector growth sped up ​to 9.2% from 8.3% in the same period last year.

The financial services sector grew a robust 12.1% compared with 8.8%, driven by strong growth in bank credit.   

Former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg has raised doubts around the headline growth number, arguing that it does not accurately reflect the underlying expansion of the economy.  

“A few jobless people call themselves economists and appear on TV channels to harm the country. Do not fall for this," said Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.  

“It is unfortunate that comparison is being made of apples and oranges,” said Saurabh Garg, Secretary in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

  

Under the latest 2022-23 series, nominal GDP is estimated at around Rs 88.27 lakh crore in Q1FY27 compared with Rs 80 lakh crore in Q1FY26. That gives nominal GDP growth of 10.3 percent.   

It is difficult to understand why some people are unable to digest that the Indian economy grew by a robust 7.8 per cent, said SBI Ecowrap. It said an “unnecessary controversy” has been created over India’s latest growth figures due to what it called incorrect interpretation of the revised GDP data.   

Rising living costs, unemployment, social polarization, educational setbacks, and widening economic inequality remain major concerns, according to Opposition parties.  

One of the most common concerns among citizens has been the increasing cost of essential commodities. 

Fuel prices went up.   

India is one of the economies most exposed to oil supply disruptions emanating from the Iran war, as it imports nearly 85% of its crude needs — mostly from the Middle ​East — and crude prices are stuck near $90 ​a barrel.

* Globally, prices of petroleum ⁠products could pose a risk to global demand.   

The depreciation of the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar is widely regarded as an indicator of economic stress. A weaker rupee increases the cost of imports, including fuel, industrial raw materials, and essential commodities, thereby contributing to inflationary pressures.  

India's July industrial output growth slows to 6.7% y/y as mining contracts.   

• Electricity generation rose 8.7% year-on-year in July against ​a revised increase of 11.3% a month earlier.

• ​Mining activity declined 0.9% year-on-year in July against a revised ‌growth ⁠of 1.6% in June.

• Output of consumer durables, including cars and phones, grew 10.5% year-on-year in July against a revised 10.3% increase a month ​earlier.

The stronger economic performance was visible in corporate profitability and automobile sales, arguing that the GDP numbers should not be viewed in isolation.

The latest data also show a pickup in investment. 

The private investment strengthened during the quarter, with gross fixed capital formation rising to 34.3 per cent of GDP from 31.4 per cent a year earlier. Corporate capital expenditure had also increased in FY26.

ends 

'Op Sindoor' war hero Retd Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra appointed first CEO of Ram Temple Trust ::::: Three new trustees - Mahesh Bhagchandka, Madan Mohan Pandey and Dr Nirmala Yadav also appointed

Retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra appointed first CEO of Ram Temple Trust  

Mishra was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on December 6, 1986. 

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra (retd) with PM Modi at the Adampur air station

in May, 2025 

Belonging to Uttar Pradesh, Mishra comes from Bhopatpura village in the Bhatpar Rani police station area of Deoria district.

He served for more than 38 years and is a Fighter Combat Leader and experimental Test Pilot with over 3,000 hours of flying experience.

The Ram Temple Trust gets its first CEO as it reshapes its administrative structure, with a former top IAF commander taking charge amid scrutiny over donations and plans for greater financial and operational oversight.  

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first chief executive officer, bringing a former senior Indian Air Force commander into the top executive role as the body overseeing the Ayodhya Ram temple restructures its administration.

The decision was taken at the Trust's meeting on Wednesday, Sept 2.

The new structure also includes Mahesh Bhagchandka taking charge as treasurer, while Swami Govinddev Giri will not continue as general secretary. 

Three new trustees - Mahesh Bhagchandka, 

Madan Mohan Pandey and Dr Nirmala Yadav - have also been appointed.  

The appointment comes at a crucial time for the Trust, which is also considering changes to its administrative framework amid a controversy over alleged irregularities linked to donations. 

The Trust has also discussed measures to reduce human involvement in counting cash offerings.  

He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune, Air Force Test Pilots School in Bengaluru, Air Command and Staff College in the US and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.

During his military career, Mishra commanded a fighter squadron and served as chief test pilot at the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment. He also served as Air Officer Commanding of two frontline air bases.  

In January 2025, Mishra took charge of the Western Air Command, one of the IAF's key operational commands. He subsequently led the command during Operation Sindoor, the Indian military operation against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 

The process began on July 6, 2026, when a three-member Search Committee was constituted under Justice (retd) Pramod Kohli, former Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court. Retired Lieutenant General B K Chaturvedi and retired nuclear scientist Dr Suresh Avaran were the other members.  

From successfully leading the Western Air Command during Operation Sindoor to now taking the reins of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust as the first CEO of the influential body, Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra has come a long way.  

Mishra was involved in the operationalisation of laser-guided bombs on Mirage 2000 aircraft during the Kargil War. 

ends 

"Nagas have short memory but this short memory gets even shorter with Money around" ::::: That's a googly ..... Nagas have perhaps stopped asking ::::: "... how much longer do Nagas want to remain in egoistic little pond, croaking about Sovereignty" -- quizzes ex-IAS officer Khekiye Sema

A candid observer and a prolific writer; when they come together - we can have Khekiye K. Sema; IAS (Retd) :::: 

Like always in the past, he has yet again a few pertinent questions - his community people have stopped asking for long. 

"Have we ever given a thought to this?," he says in an elaborate article and concludes in his inimitable style -- 

"... it is about time that the Nagas climb out of this corrupted pit of stagnation and proudly join the rest of the International Community in a march towards a brighter future with dignity". 

 

If someone poses a typical - a Naga way of questioning -- "keneka (How)".

The former Babu is crystal clear :::  - "... rather than clamouring for “Flag” and the “Yehzabo” (Naga Constitution), Nagas should perhaps be concentrating more on an indelible feature in the Indian Constitution that would discourage any arbitrary efforts of removal of Article 371(A) by India without the expressed will of the Nagas". 

He is a candid analyst and has been displeasing his critics ... time and again.

I know his politician cousin - who was concerned about his 'life' and ad told Khekiye -- "Go little slow, go little cautious".

Khekiye's response was a typical of a Sumi Naga - "Let them kill me". 

In his article, he touches a few emotive but relevant subject matters -----

"Remember how a whole staunchly animistic ancestral Naga community converted to Christianity within decades once they were introduced to the gospel? 

Maybe the Good Lord wants Nagas to sincerely and honestly believe in Him to become the conquerors rather than be the conquered?" 

He again has sensible words of wisdom to offer:  

"Naga identity and rights finds safe heaven under SECULARISM and Article 371(A) within the Indian Constitution thus far. 

The so-called “Yehzabo” as a separate chapter IN the Constitution of India being demanded by NSCN (IM) is a status which is basically an elaborated version of Article 371(A). 

Therefore the new amended Article 371(A) should inclusively enshrine all the agreed upon competency Clauses within the Framework agreement and the Agreed position over and above the already existing provisions." 

In other words, he is explaining and arguing in certain details - how urgently, the Nagas need to sign a Solution pact based on the Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017. 

Khekiye points out in his article:

"Also remember, several decades ago the white American majority scoffed at the very seemingly impossible idea that a day may come when a Black American minority could become the President of the United States of America over a predominantly white majority…and then Obama happened! Nothing is impossible in the Hand of our Good Lord…”

What He’s done for others…He’ll do for you”…if we only believe!"  

"... shorter ... at the sight MONEY" :::

Now comes a meaty part of the article and this refers to human instincts and money inflence.

Khekiye notes:

"We have an “opposition-less Government” hypocritically proclaiming a role as a facilitator for “speedy solution” to this vexed Indo-Naga dialogue! They have set up “Political Affair Committee” purely as a window dressing but with a diabolically opposite intention of short-circuiting the already concluded “Framework Agreement” of 2015 and “Agreed Position” of 2017 instead. 

"Nagas seems to suffer from short memory but this short memory span gets even shorter at the sight MONEY". 

He goes further. 

"The State of Nagaland enjoys a very unique but questionable status of an “Opposition-less Government” applauded by the opportunistic money focused minority while the ignorant and indifferent majority silently flounder in the dark tunnels of democratic wilderness, weathering the burden of a corrupted Government without transparency or accountability". 

He then sounds the words of cautioning and in quite a serious proportion especially with regard to his own native tribe.  

"No single country on earth has ever suffered a bizarre experience of nurturing 32 Presidents and 32 Prime Ministers at one go except in our Naga ‘country’… 

and the sad unfortunate picture is that the Sumis are visibly omnipresent in almost all these Factions. 

"And yet the Sumi Apex Hoho has had no courage to address this worrisome subject…even as all the other brother tribes look at us, the Sumis, with disgust! 

"Beyond this immediate awful scenario, the common majority may presently be cowed down by fear of the guns but a time will eventually come, and come it will, when Factions can no longer hide behind their guns".  

Khekiye underlines that the D-Day is not far when ....

"... each ‘Big Shot National Worker’ will be answerable to the common man that they are contemptuously trampling upon today. 

"Mark my word…this day will come as unquestionably as God made the little apples! 

The sooner they all realise this inescapable truth and rectify their despicable misdemeanours the better it will be for their future reckoning. 

"The time is rife for all Factions to realise that their respective personal future wellbeing lies in getting their acts together and unite for a final settlement," he noted.  

ends 

SCO Summit - Message Perfect ::: Russia, India, China ... have major roles to play :::: When Modi will host Xi and Putin in Delhi; it will be the next BIG THING

Sometime we have diplomatic message. At times; one may give a geo-strategic message. But this time - three key global powers, Russia, India and China - that is the RIC - gave a rather Telling message. 

It is clear now the significance of RIC and also BRICS has increased manifold in the contemporary setting. PM Narendra Modi and two Presidents Vladimir Putin and X Jiniping from the venue of SCO Summit in Kyrgyz capital have sought to give a clear message to the western powers that all these three countries and some others have 'certain better options'. 

The powerful message also came at the cost of Pakistan - whose Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (known for bowing to Donald Trump and also his own 'defeated' army General) cut a sorry figure in the crowd. 

His desperation to draw attention from Putin was a telling picture that how much 'irrelevant' one can be in this world for being a blind stooge to the Americans.  Shehbaz himself and his 'jocularly designated Field Marshal' might have thought they are doing great by brokering peace between Iran and the US. 

But all these have come a cropper. We have seen such 'handshakes' in 2025 Beijing also. But by repeating the same gestures; these three world leaders have taken the role of RIC to a higher scale.  

In fact, even a few years back there was hostility between India and China over Galwan. The US had seized upon the 'tension' to cultivate its close ties with Narendra Modi and India further. Of course, it ha reasons to view India as a critical counterweight to China’s rise.

But Trump changed everything in 2025. As the refrain goes; Trump’s own foreign policy position has accelerated something of a geopolitical repositioning. 

The US, once seen as an unshakable ally to India, is now viewed as a hostile adversary and a turbulent player. 

Hence, Modi and Xi Jinping applied brakes and corrective measures. Putin has been a friendly protagonist to both for different reasons.

Thus, came as overt displays of 'intimacy' - first in 2025 and now this year too.   

Russia pool shared the video of three leaders chatting and gesturing - with the caption: “Strategic alignment: Russia-India-China.”  

This snap and the signaling actually marks the importance of RIC and the BRICS factor in today's diplomacy. 

All three clutched one another’s hands smilingly and also affectionately.  Heads shaking in agreement and thrown back in jovial smile. Modi stood like an old friend and Putin and Xi walked smilingly towards him as 'old pals'. PM Narendra Modi right hand to Xi and grabbed Putin by his left hand. 

Message perfect !! 

In the given situation, the three countries have a lot to gain from 'bettering' their mutual ties. Vladimir Putin needs friends like Indian Prime Minister and the Chinese President since his 'war' with Ukraine is going 'endless'. From New Delhi's perspective; much of India’s manufacturing is dependent on materials and rare earths from China. 

Beijing can gain economically if it regains access to India’s market and there is strategic benefits from friendship with Moscow. 

In geo-politics, you do not stand static. There was Doklam and also Galwan. But both Xi and Modi have been pragmatic and have started moving forward. Thus, high level parleys are on. It goes without stating that the friendly scenes between Chinese Prez and Indian PM was difficult to imagine even in 2024 or beginning of 2025.  

During Operation Sindoor, China was visibly with Pakistan. Nevertheless, India caused enough damage to its western neighbour. Things could have been only worse; had China stood aloof.  

Going into details; we can point out at double tariffs on India, which Trump announced.

Modi stood by his ground and repeatedly refused to credit the US president with 'halting' war between India and Pakistan in May 2025. 

But still there is need to be caution. Any grand rapprochement happening between India and China is still too early.

The trust deficit is a vital element in ties between New Delhi and Beijing and there are legacy issues. 

Many also believe -both the leaderships ay come under 'enough domestic pressure' points that will keep the relationship blow hot and blow cold. 

Nevertheless, a good beginning has been made in 2025. It has been taken at a higher scale in SCO Summit. Coming BRICS meet in Delhi when Narendra Modi will host both Xi and Putin is the next big thing to happen in diplomacy. 

Ends 

Indian Air Force scripts history, Shakti Sharma becomes 'first woman' non-medical Air Vice Marshal :::: A landmark achievement, marking a new chapter ....

 Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has previously achieved another distinction by becoming the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School.  

"Her over three decades of distinguished service continues to inspire generations to Touch the Sky with Glory."

"A historic milestone for the Indian Air Force. 

On 01 Sep 2026, Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first woman officer (non-medical) in the Indian Defence Services to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal (or equivalent). She assumed the appointment of Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education). 

A landmark achievement, marking a new chapter in the journey of women officers in the Indian Defence Forces," the Indian Air Force announced on X.

She assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on Tuesday, September 1, marking a significant milestone in the progression of women officers in India’s armed forces.

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has become the first woman non-medical officer in the Indian Defence Services to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent.  

Shakti Sharma was commissioned into the IAF’s Education Branch on June 18, 1994. Since then, she has served in a range of assignments at training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters, gaining extensive experience across different facets of the service.

Her career has also included several initiatives aimed at strengthening academic and institutional cooperation.

She played a key role in establishing IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Pune University, intended to promote collaboration in academics and strategic defence-related areas.

With her new assignment at Air Headquarters, Sharma will oversee responsibilities related to education within the IAF.

Sharma has previously achieved another distinction by becoming the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School. She served as the principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala, adding another notable chapter to her career.

Her elevation comes against the backdrop of the expanding role and responsibilities of women officers across the Indian military.

While women have progressively taken up a wider range of operational, command and senior leadership assignments, Sharma’s appointment to the Air Vice Marshal rank represents a first for a non-medical woman officer in the Indian Defence Services.  

ends