"Aaj ekis October, 2021...Itihas mein darj ho gaya" --- power of Oct 21st, 2021 :::: Amid serious crisis, PM Modi led the nation from the front ::::: India administered 35 lakh doses per day, which was 22 lakh more than the US figures and also as many as 28 lakh more than Japan

 

"Aaj ekis October, 2021...Itihas mein darj ho gaya (Today's achievement has ensured a permanent place for 21st October, 2021 in the pages of history)," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.  

India achieves 100 crore Covid jabs (on Oct 21, 2021)

:::: Shashi Tharoor complimented Namo Govt, 35 lakh record Vax per day, 10 times more than France

100 crore jabs: 'Down down' prophets of doom, India is now 'vaccination capital'

Shashi Tharoor compliments Namo Govt, 35 lakh record Vax per day, 10 times more than France

New Delhi:

The Congress party presented a divided house on vaccination drive and campaign. 

India's vaccination count were not only great by sheer numbers. Sources say

India administered 35 lakh doses per day, which stood at 22 lakh more than the US figures and also as many as 28 lakh more than Japan.

India administered five times more doses than Japan, nine times more than Germany, and ten times more than France. 

Statistics also say it took 85 days to administer the first 10 crore doses, it completed the last 10 crore in just 19 days. 

A path-breaking change in entire laggard vaccination programme came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the entire operation would be handled by the central government.

This was decided after states after states failed even to procure enough doses as the manufacturers were not showing trust in the provincial regimes.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the average doses per day has improved to 60 lakh after June 21,  when the Centre took over the entire vaccine procurement and supply management. 

Prior to this, it hardly 18 lakh per day.

This was the return of a vintage Narendra Modi. 

On June 7, in his ninth national broadcast since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Prime Minister Modi  announced major changes in vaccination policy.

"Desh ki kiso bhi rajyo sarkar ko vaccine par kucch bhi kharch nahi karna hoga

(No state government will henceforth have to spend any money on vaccines),"Modi had said. 

He also said free vaccines for citizens over the age of 18 beginning June 21, as well as the centralised vaccination. His speech came at a time when several states including Maharashtra and Delhi, have begun the process of unlocking and there were all sorts of apprehensions and skepticism.

Congress different versions:

The beleaguered Congress presented itself as a divided house on Oct 21, 2021, which Modi said has turned a historic day.

"This is a matter of pride for all Indians. Let’s give the Government credit," tweeted Congress MP and former Union Minister, Shashi Tharoor.

He, however, said, the government would remain 'accountable' for earlier failures.

But Congress spokesman differed with the articulate Tharoor and tweeted in response stating - "Giving credit to govt is an insult to millions of families who suffered and are still suffering from the after effects and side effects of widespread Covid mismanagement". 

Congress confusion over the issue of vaccination drive came to light the other day when Congress national president Sonia Gandhi said now most members of CWC have been vaccinated twice and thus could safely attend the party meetings in person.

Failures synonymous of Negativity

The Congress has never been very enthusiastic about the jab drive and campaign. 

Instead, its state governments in Punjab and Rajasthan came under attack for different reasons vis-a-vis vaccination issue.

In Ashok Gehlot-ruled Rajasthan, there were charges of 'dumping' of vaccines; in Punjab there was an alleged scam as jabs were made available at private hospitals at a much higher price.

ends  

India achieves 100 crore Covid jabs:

New Delhi: 

The 100 crore vaccination target is no small achievement. It is a more satisfying achievement actually due to more reasons than one.

"Aaj ekis October, 2021...Itihas mein darj ho gaya (Today's achievement has ensured a permanent place for 21st October, 2021 in the pages of history)," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Firstly, the gigantic size of the country. At times, there were opposition-ruled states who did not take the Vaccination drive on a mission mode for initial months. Then the political skepticism that resulted in vaccination hesitation among a large section of people too.

But, what counts in the ultimate analysis is the results, and that came hard way bringing in smiles on the face of millions of health workers, the stakeholders in pharma companies and of course other stakeholders in the government and country's health system.

"Congratulations, PM Narendra Modi, the scientists, health workers & people of India, on your efforts to protect the vulnerable populations from COVID19 and achieve vaccine equity targets," tweeted Tedros A. Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) giving a global pat on the back of those Indians who worked for this momentous occasion.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur sums up the national mood aptly when he says, "I congratulate everyone for achieving 100 crore vaccination mark. We achieved it despite an atmosphere of apprehensions".

Union Health Minister Mansukhbhai Mandaviya on Thursday launched a song and audio-visual film to celebrate the major milestone of achieving the 100 crore Covid-19 vaccination mark.

J P Nadda, BJP national chief, too was glad.  "India has achieved 100 crore COVID19 vaccinations in less than 10 months. This shows our government's commitment towards the health safety of every person in the country. I extend heartfelt thanks to PM Modi and express gratitude towards healthcare & frontline workers," said Nadda, who was also Union Health Minister in Modi 1.0 for sometime.

"Bharat Biotech is proud to have contributed to this historic landmark. This is a unified effort of the Govt, vaccine manufacturers, healthcare workers and all the vaccinated citizens, making it a true success story of Atmanirbharta," said Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman MD 

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant too was enthusiastic about the achievement. "Seeing scale and size we've achieved it in less time. It's a result of our collective effort. Out of 100 crore vaccination doses, 30-35 crore are double doses-more than the population of countries like Indonesia, US; shows India as a vaccination capital".

Announcements were made in airports, railway stations and elsewhere. 

Overcoming the hurdles:

The achievement finally shows any determined effort is bound to bring in a satisfactory outcome.

"Rahul Gandhi ji asks where is the vaccine for our children. That vaccine is in the garbage in Rajasthan and profits are being made on that vaccine in Punjab," thus spoke Union Minister and BJP leader Hardeep Singh Puri not long ago. 

"..... This is the culture of Congress,” Puri had directed his ire against the Congress party for abusing vaccines including dumping them in Rajasthan and on the other hand question the centre and BJP leadership about efficacy of the system.

Citing the data of Covid-19 vaccination in Punjab, Puri had said the figures showed that the Congress dispensation in the northern state indulged in profiteering by overcharging for the vaccines.

One dose of Covishield vaccine, which costs ₹309, has been sold at ₹1,560 through private hospitals, Puri alleged.

Prior to that there were leaders such as Akhilesh Yadav, a former UP CM and Samajwadi chief. He had called the vaccines 'Bhajpa (BJP) vaccines' saying he will not take the shot.

Negativity has many images

Very few top Congress leaders including the likes of Rahul Gandhi have been seen photographed or videographed with vaccine jabs. 

The Mamata Banerjee-ruled West Bengal had vaccine scam and even a Trinamool MP was supposedly 'trapped' to take a fake jab. 

The police arrested Debanjan Deb on June 23 for allegedly posing as an IAS officer and organising a COVID-19 vaccination camp,

But in the CWC meet lately, Sonia Gandhi claimed most Congress leaders have been 'vaccinated'.

"Congratulations, PM Narendra Modi, the scientists, health workers & people of India, on your efforts to protect the vulnerable populations from COVID19 and achieve vaccine equity targets," Tedros A. Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) 

Union Health Minister Mansukhbhai Mandaviya launches a s

ong and audio-visual film to celebrate India's milestone of achieving the 100 crore Covid-19 vaccination mark

Lockdown era: Lonely Blogger

"Bharat Biotech is proud to have contributed to this historic landmark. This is a unified effort of the Govt, vaccine manufacturers, healthcare workers and all the vaccinated citizens, making it a true success story of Atmanirbharta": - 

Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman& MD 

ends 

French policing policy is rooted in Napoleon’s ultra-centralised state :::: Cops in Paris now want to "reclaim" the streets, .... NOT TO NEGOTIATE

"Violent policing" methods are fostered by France’s almost unique culture of street protest. 

A legacy of insurrection dating back to the 1789 revolution means protesters know the street can, and generally does, force governments to back down.  

Some lessons leave their mark. And certainly so. 

In France children are taught about the revolutionary roots of their nation and what the 'state' owes its citizens. 

Unlike in Germany or the Netherlands, French unions, while they may strike often, are not formal government negotiating partners. The top-heavy, presidential structure of the Fifth Republic marginalises institutional consultation.

That means a heavily centralised state often passes laws with little popular agreement, making the “power of the street” one of citizens’ few viable means of forcing concessions. Protest here is regarded as a civic duty and a legitimate democratic tool.  

While most of its western European neighbours generally favour police tactics that prioritise crowd containment and de-escalation, 

France has long responded to social movements that take to the streets with, at times, shocking physical force.

The reasons why are a complex mix of history, politics, state organisation and a particular security culture that has become deeply ingrained over decades, if not centuries, and whose limits continue to be pushed today.

French policing policy is rooted in Napoleon’s ultra-centralised state and in the political philosophy of the Republic. In France, the police are an instrument of the state. Their core task is to protect it, enforce its laws, and maintain public order. 

France is unique. Young British people or in several other countries have plenty to be angry about. 

But unlike their French counterparts, other youngsters have very negligible tradition of turning that frustration into collective action. 

Nepal may get some marks for that. But what happened in Bangladesh in 2024 is something different. It was not as much as youth matter as much it was pro-Islamic radical. 

Sheikh Hasina was hated by Muslim fundamentalists and also by a country called Pakistan. 

Let us focus on France. 

Of course there’s the history. But it is also linked to what is taught to the children and youngsters. 

The French Revolution appears in the curriculum twice, for pupils aged 12 and then again at 16; the student protests of 1968 are taught at age 14 and again at 17. 

Debating is encouraged in schools from as early as collège, or at about 11 years old. Young people are expected to have an opinion and not be afraid to defend it.

France’s republic was born of insurrection. People and the 'nation' too have never forgotten it. 

French pupils learn that protest, uprising and rioting are the origin story of their freedoms.

** These methods are championed in promoting change. 

Students seem to believe if they 'don’t like something', they have the power to change it. 

The language of rights, citizenship and collective power is woven into French education.  

Let us take the examples of Britons. 

** Experts would say they have more of "an American-style individualism".

***  'Live and let live' produce different cultures in Britain and the US. 

In India - for long the Left dominated the student politics. Hence, largely they remained anti-Hindu and even anti-Indian concept of nationhood. 

In the 1970s and 1980s -- the student organisations affiliated to communist parties would clash in the streets of Calcutta (Kolkata) for what was happening in Vietnam. This was purely a subject which did not matter Indians. At the same time - this was a clever way of keeping Indian issues - like joblessness or irrational power failures and industry shutdown in West Bengal - out of discussion box of the youths.    

In many countries - unlike France - and that includes India as well as Britain - there is less collective spirit. 

"Britain has an extraordinary history of protest, spanning Peterloo, the Chartists, the suffragettes and the poll tax riots, but there is arguably a different cultural relationship to these events," ran an article in 'The Guardian' (London). 

Observers say the Thatcher era in the UK did permanent damage to unions, contributing to the British public being a grumbling but compliant one, lacking in organising power. 

In France - the story is different. Parents joined their children in protesting, and have called on other parents to do the same for the planned general strike on October 17. 

This was also a response to the police brutality. Many parents were themselves ex-students and marched against education reforms. Now in July protest against NEET irregularities; such glimpses were visible and it was only then the BJP leadership decided to make Dharmendra Pradhan a sacrificial goat.  

The French state - as such - technically encourages 'protest' through the curriculum, but at the same time the force and violence with which it has met its students actually gives a different story.

Why France is different ?

* French authorities see large crowds as an existential threat.

** Hence, they send in large police force. 

*** Cops have specialised "military-style tactics" and this results in alienating even peaceful demonstrators. 

$$ This prompts the more radical groups to opt for more violent tactics. 

But rather than isolating those elements, police respond with baton charges. So what started as protests end turn into battles. 

Hence, the restrains shown by Delhi police is worth appreciating.

Wheels within Wheels 

ends 

In a smart one-upmanship move, Modi Govt leaves Congress 'isolated and in lurch' ::: BJP floor managers bypass Congress, hold talks with Samajwadi Party, BJD and others

DMK, YSRCP, NCP (SP), Samajwadi Party and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) hold tatlks with Govt on Delimitation   

The BJP defended the government's handling of parliamentary proceedings and urged the party to extend its support to the proposed legislation ahead of a likely special session of Parliament.

The Union government bypassed the Congress party during recent consultations on a proposed delimitation bill, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stating that the Congress failed to provide dates for a discussion despite 'repeated requests'.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju noted that because Congress leadership (including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi) did not offer a meeting time, the government extended its outreach to other opposition parties instead.

Parties Consulted: Consultations were held with representatives from the Samajwadi Party (SP), DMK, YSRCP, NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), AIMIM, and BJD.

Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president, had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to question the push for a new delimitation proposal and criticized the delayed prorogation of the monsoon session (which adjourned sine die on August 13). 

The government dismissed these objections, citing parliamentary precedents.  

US Secy of State Marco Rubio says --- "Indo-US trade pact is incredibly close" ::::: Trump's appeasement message to Modi - "our ties with no country can come at the expense of our relationship with India"

On a visit to India, US Secy of State Marco Rubio has said that the much awaited India-US trade deal is now "incredibly close". 

"We are weeks from finalising it .... 99 per cent of the work is done," he said in an interview to 'The Indian Express'. 

Talking to Network18 TV channel, he said: "It's incredibly close ... I think we're down to some technical details that have to be worked out. Technical details matter because there has to be agreement. Both sides have to agree that the language means the same thing. 

So it's down to that level".  

US Secretary of State, who is on a two-day visit, said on Tuesday that he discussed energy security and defence cooperation with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar during their meeting in Mumbai.

Both the leaders reaffirmed the importance of the US-India strategic partnership. 

Sharing details of the meeting on X, Rubio wrote, "In Mumbai, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and I discussed energy security and defence cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership."

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also commented on the meeting in a post on X, saying, 

"Productive discussions between Secretary Rubio and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on deepening US-India cooperation across defence, energy, emerging technologies, and trade, as we continue to build the unrivalled momentum in our bilateral partnership."   

In interview with 'Indian Express', he was asked whether US-Pak ties are now inching much close as 'return to the Nixon-Kissinger era'; Rubio said: 

"Well, I would not use the 1970s as an example because the world looks nothing like it did back then. Back then, we had the Cold War and all sorts of other dynamics that no longer exist. 

Number two, I would say that our relationship with no country in the world, in any way, comes at the expense of our relationship with India. I hope my visits here, our commitment to doing the trade deal, all of the engagements that we have done, all the work that we do together, is evidence of that….

"Pakistan is a country we have a relationship with, and we need to have a relationship with. And, in some ways, it could be a positive thing if we could help discourage actions that could potentially lead to conflict, if we could use our influence in ways that are positive…" 

However, he stressed that : "... what everyone should be assured of in India is that our relationship, not just with Pakistan but with any country in the world, will never come at the expense of our relationship. 

We don’t view it that way in our relationship with India." This is certainly aimed at Trump's appeasement move towards New Delhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Post-Operation Sindoor; Trump thought of playing mind game with India and went out of the way to befriend Pakistan and even glorified a 'defeated and humbled' army chief. Trump on numerous occasions claimed he brokered peace between India and Pakistan and such a statement gave room to Modi's opponents to coin slogan 'Narender Surrender'. India kept on denying the US role in brokering the peace and Dr Jaishankar even at one instance said - "US was in the US" .. when India agreed to suspend Operation Sindoor and agreed for a mutual ceasefire. 

Rubio on better tariff rates for India

Asked whether India could expect more favourable tariff rates than other countries, Rubio said the objective of a trade agreement was to secure better terms than those currently in place.

"Obviously, the purpose of making a deal is to have better rates than what you have now," he said.

He emphasised that the agreement must serve the economic interests of both countries to remain sustainable over the longer term.  

Rubio said Washington recognised that New Delhi, like every other country, would pursue its national interests during negotiations.

"When you are friends, when you are allies, and when you have so much in common, that's what allows you to bridge those differences and come up with something that's mutually beneficial," he said.

ends 

Across France and the rest of Europe, people are in shock ..... following arson and "wrecking of symbols" of the republic such as the 19th-century town hall :::: Will right winger "Marine" Le Pen emerge 'real winner' ???

Some of the phrases - now seen liberally used in western media - appear to be maters published about Gujarat riots of 2002. Take a closer look ...

As buildings burned, shops were looted and police attacked, the rioting largely drowned the peaceful mass protests over the dilapidated state of schools , fuel prices and the cost of living. But all these are about France. 

But there is more. The only one clear winner so far from France’s chaos: Marine Le Pen. 

Peter McPhee, a professor emeritus at the University of Melbourne, described the protests as a “Christmas present” for Le Pen’s National Rally ahead of the presidential election.

The violence and rioting that engulfed towns and cities across the country over the weekend, six months before a pivotal presidential election, is a godsend for the hard-right, Eurosceptical, anti-immigration candidate. 

Marion Anne Perrine "Marine" Le Pen (born August 5, 1968) is a French lawyer and politician who has been parliamentary party leader of the far-right National Rally.

She had also been president of the National Rally 2011 to 2021. 

She ran for the French presidency in the 2012, 2017, and 2022 presidential elections. 

Le Pen has been the member of the French National Assembly for the 11th constituency of Pas-de-Calais since 2017.   

Emmanuel Macron is under attack and has emerged a lame-duck president who has no practical answers to a crisis that is ruining his legacy. Macron expressed his “anger and shame” at the violence and the damage to France’s global image in a Sunday-night broadcast to the nation, but he is so widely loathed, including by many who voted for him in two presidential elections, that his pleas for order and dialogue were largely ignored.  

Le Pen, in contrast, issued a solemn video message, looking presidential as she sat at a desk with the national tricolor (but no EU flag) and bookshelves as her backdrop. 

Though France has a long revolutionary tradition, this was not the work of egalitarian insurgents or working-class warriors, but nihilist, anarchist “black bloc” gangs, with opportunist looters and rioters along for the ride.

Le Pen is now positioning her party as more capable than centrist or left-wing forces ahead of the presidential election in April 2027.  

On Sunday, the leader of the National Rally party, or RN by its French initials, railed against President Emmanuel Macron’s handling of the crisis in a video statement, saying the outgoing centre-right leader no longer has any “credibility or authority” and that the country’s people were caught between his austerity “hammering” them on the one hand and “insurrectionary activists” on the left on the other.  

Le Pen blamed the political left and “decades of immigration” to France for the looting and destruction that trailed the demonstrations, and presented her party as capable of restoring order — without offering any firm evidence to back up assertions that the rioting was led by immigrants.

The politician is already far ahead in recent polls, and some say she is likely to be the next leader. 

Some 550,000 people demonstrated on Saturday, according to the Ministry of the Interior, although protest organisers put the figure at 800,000. Protesters included students, union groups and supporters of the “yellow vests” movement, which protested against inflation back in 2018, at the start of Macron’s presidency.

Although most marched peacefully, masked groups attacked city halls in several cities on Saturday, including the 19th-century City Hall in the city of Limoges, which was badly damaged.

In Lyon, a tourist office was set ablaze. In Marseille, hooded individuals attacked a police station. The city has since banned protests.  

Macron’s minority government is trapped in a vicious circle. France’s debt and deficit squeeze leaves him no spare cash left to buy off protesters. A decade of his centre-right presidency has failed to reform a bloated public sector or improve public services. 

The country has a youth crisis, characterised by anxiety over an economically uncertain future and amplified by social media, as well as a geopolitical crisis with Russia’s war on Ukraine spreading into a covert war against Europe.

Foreign critics of progressive European social policies are fanning the flames with incendiary commentaries. Donald Trump gloated on social media that “France is burning!”. Blaming the situation on immigration, he urged the French to “close your borders and take control before it is too late”. 

Vladimir Putin’s close aide Kirill Dmitriev described events in France as “the suicidal fall of Europe” and also ascribed it in part to chaotic migration.

The convergence of crises leaves little room for manoeuvre for a French government struggling to push even a mildly cost-cutting budget.  

ends 

Angry Residents Bring Bodies of Two Victims to Manipur CM’s Bungalow; Three Injured in suspected Kuki Militant Ambush

Three Suspected Kuki Militants Arrested, Eight Firearms, IEDs Recovered After Khongbal Killings

Security forces have launched intensified search operations following the killing of three civilians in an attack on wood collectors at Sunurok Uyok (Sunulok Hill) in Khongbal, with three suspected Kuki militants reportedly arrested at Phailenkot.

At least two killed, several injured in suspected attack near Honghman (Khongbal) village in Kangpokpi

During the operation, security personnel recovered eight firearms and three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to preliminary information. Details regarding the types of weapons seized and the identities of the arrested individuals are yet to be ascertained.  

The crackdown follows Monday’s attack on wood collectors at Sunurok Uyok, which claimed three lives and left three others injured, triggering heightened security measures in the surrounding areas.

Imphal East District Police Commandos, assisted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), are continuing search operations to locate armed groups and recover weapons in the area.  

In a further development, angry residents brought the bodies of the two deceased to the gate of the chief minister’s bungalow on Monday afternoon to protest the killings. Police subsequently fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

At least two people from the Meitei community were killed and three others injured after suspected Kuki gunmen allegedly opened fire near Sunurok Uyok in Khongbal Thangkhul at around 9.30 am on Monday, triggering anger among local residents.  

The deceased were identified as Arubam Ronil (35), son of Raja Mama Memi of Nongshum Mayai Leikai, and Lairenlakpam Inaobi (51), son of Tombi of Nongshum Awang Leikai.

The injured were identified as Maisnam Somendro (47), son of Bor Singh, and Ngangom Tonaobi (18), son of Abung, both residents of Nongshum Mayai Leikai. Another injured person, Ksh Sushil (32), son of Ksh Deven of Uyumpok Mayai Leikai, was reported to be in serious condition.

All three injured persons were taken to Raj Medicity Hospital for treatment.   

Sunulok Hill (Khongbal Tangkhul) Killings: Manipur Police Says Combing Operation Intensified, Helicopter Surveillance Underway  

Security forces have intensified operations around Sunulok Hill under Sagolmang Police Station following the killing of three civilians in a suspected militant attack on firewood collectors on Monday morning, with helicopter surveillance and drone monitoring deployed to track down the attackers.

Manipur Police Additional Director General (ADGP) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo announced the intensified security measures during a press conference at the Manipur Police Headquarters in Imphal.  

Unidentified armed militants opened fire at around 9.40 am on a group of 14 Meitei villagers who were cutting and transporting firewood at Sunurok Hill, ahead of Khongbal Tangkhul. Three people were killed in the firing, while three others sustained injuries and were evacuated for medical treatment.

Lhatoo said joint teams comprising Manipur Police, COBRA personnel, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force (BSF) were conducting operations in the affected area.

ends 

History is like a River - that flows 'rapidly and disappears' but .... ::: 'Bangladesh Model' of protest of 2024 is no different in content and style than what's going on in Italy and France ::: Indian Sick-editors want to 'revive' Jugadu days by bringing Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister ... Have mercy !!

In a decade and more, India has changed.  This is not merely the words of India's pro-Hindutva Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lakhs of Modi Bhakts will also endorse this. 

There is no big deal in it.  

The greater importance lies in the fact today that while global stake holders also have to agree that India has changed in last 12-13 years since 2014 when Modi took charge of governance in Bharat, that is India or rather - the new India. 

There is another greater fact of life. Now, we can see the world has also changed especially the Europe. 

France continues to be rocked by mass protests taking place nationwide, gathering momentum from student-led demonstrations that began last month in response to overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages.  

Young people waved Italian flags and let off flares in Milan and even Albania too is in news. On this backdrop came RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's annual remarks on the joyous and auspicious occasion of Vijaya Dashami. Among other aspects of India's strengths and challenges it is bound to face - Bhagwat has said: 

"We must once again remember the very foundation of our existence and identity, organise ourselves around it, and resolve to work together for the welfare and well being of one another".   

A pitiless lesson is a harsh, severe, or unforgiving experience that teaches a hard truth without any mercy, sympathy, or emotional comfort. Hence, a pitiless lesson - that was taught centuries back -- is -- "there is no new thing under the sun". In some ways; the problems of today - across the globe - has been with us through the corridors of decades. Certain challenges like job scenario was there in the past and is also there across the globe. 

In France and Italy; they have discovered a new phrase = "the cost of living crisis". 

H L Mencken, an American journalist, essayist and satirist, once described American Democracy as a "Bobocracy" of, by and for the "the vast herd of human blanks".  

His emphasis was that the 'herd' will have neither the capacity nor the interest for intelligent self-government. 

The westerners thought they knew 'best' about the Democracy and slowly they trapped themselves willfully into the cobwebs of a dangerous combo of Jihadi and Leftists. 

What all happening in France and Italy today are linked to these bitter facts. On this backdrop must we in India look at the 'season' of protests unleashed in India. What happened in France could have easily happened in India especially Delhi on July 20th. That was the sinister agenda. 

The Modi Govt, the Home Ministry and Delhi police deserve credit for the apt handling of the situation. Kudos to Delhi police once again - for living up to their motto - 'For You, With You .. Always'. 

When “a movement becomes a tool of politics, driven by hostility and antagonism towards an individual, a group, or an ideology, forces seeking to undermine Bharat take advantage of the situation,” Bhagwat said.   

"India, Hindus, and Sangh can be dismantled in what manner—this is what the demonic forces contemplate, devise plans"

Sickularism is the target; so is over ambitious 'dynasty'... and why they all are in hurry !!  

"Due to petty power interests and a lack of wisdom, some ambitious leaders also get involved," - RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. 

On the unrest in France, Albania, Bangladesh and Nepal, the RSS chief said that “a storm has blown from the West that seeks to destroy every form of order, decency, well-being, and cultural and human values."

We have oft heard experts stating that - nations which do not remember their past mistakes are condemned to repeat it. In circa 2026 - we need to add another element - a nation like Bharat should take lessons from the mistakes and experiences of other countries as well. 

India has been talking about the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and their joining hands with the Leftists and Maoist forces. The west thought of taking a pleasure in it and even Christian lobbies were set free to join hands with radical Islamic forces to demean Hindus. 

The Johns and Jokers - pretenders of intellectuals in some Catholic organisations in India will have to be first 'understood' well and then given due lessons. They should look to the west and try to make objective analyses of their own roles in spreading canard about Hindu organisations - at times without reasons. 

Of course France is being discussed and debated. Let us recall French historian Fernand Braudel - who called History a river. 

On the surface it flows rapidly and disappears. But down below there is a deep stream which may not change quickly but it is more important because it drives the whole river.   

For his part, the RSS chief spoke about Panch Parivartan. --- 

-- Social Harmony

-- Kutumba Prabodhan - Family/Domestic unity as a nation

-- Environment

** Swadeshi and Nagrik Anusashan (National and Civic duties). These are not merely programmes to be undertaken for a year or so -- rather they represent a way of life and conduct.  

Wrap Up : In the ultimate this piece should talk about Indian opposition parties and their Sickular ecosystem. Some intellectuals and editors - print and electronic - women and men - have given themselves a target of 'reviving' their Jugadu days by bringing Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister.  

 

For nation's sake and for posterity, they should give up any such mission at least for next 10-15 years. The global situations demand, India deserves a leader like Narendra Modi at this juncture. 

The spirit of old 'undivided Hindu family' is relevant today where all members of the family own the property jointly. That may be considered as a 'nation' today. But the importance lies in the written and unwritten power and responsibilities of the Karta - that is the leadership. 

He has to keep the family united and strong and at the same time expected to satisfy the varying needs of the different members. 

This year's Vijaya Dashami automatically deserve a closer attention.

ends