There is more to it .... Sachin Pilot as general secy-in charge for poll-bound Punjab has another message --- New AICC president after Kharge could be Priyanka or again an old-hat

 There are many stones and many birds. The AICC reshuffle is good in the sense Sachin Pailt has been made in charge of Punjab just in the run up to the elections. 

The Congress all the prospect of storming back to power because the ruling AAP faces anti incumbency and the BJP with or with Akalis is still far off in the race.   

Sachin Pilot - Man who delivered Rajasthan; but was sidelined 

Bhupesh Baghel, who was handling Punjab, has now been shifted to Assam as general secretary in-charge. It's like being shunted out as he would not have much to do there. 

It is significant Pilot, son of Late Rajesh Pilot, takes charge in the state at a politically sensitive time. He delivered Rajasthan in the past; but was beaten by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's machinations and was later handed over 'injustice' by the high command. 

The AICC - meaning Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is considering changes to Punjab state unit Congress Committee even as a hype is being created over Rahul Gandhi's proposed Yatra in the state in the run up to the 2027 Assembly elections.  

In the reshuffle, Randeep Singh Surjewalla has been given Gujarat - a state which goes to the polls in Nov 2027 and the grand old party has been marginalised immensely in 2022. There is one common factor between Punjab and Gujarat -- in both these states - AAP is immediate challenger to the Congress. 

This has only muddled Congress games electorally.  But Congress maybe still looking to give Narendra Modi a run for money on home ground Gujarat, which is due for polls in Nov 2027. 

With regard Sachin Pilot - if any case was pushed to consider his name as next AICC president after aging Mallikarjun Kharge; apparently - that possibility has bee ruled out. 

The scenarios emerging suggest -- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may be made AICC president or Rahul Gandhi is again going to trust a 'non-challenger' oldie-uncle. Kharge has been a 'good rubber stamp' president. 

Answering media queries on certain internal matters of the party (that has given several rubber stamp presidents both at the national level and in states) -- Kharge even said : "I do not know; high command will decide that". 

Curiosity - if any - doing the round is who could replace Kharge when the time/decision for the transition comes -- Digvijaya Singh is seemingly ruled out. There are other talented Rajya Sabha 'yes man' such as Pramod Tiwari from UP. If that happens; the ecosystem may even scream 'master stroke'. 

In Punjab, the Congress has paid a big price of Rahul's master stroke in 2022.  

Charanjit Singh Channi was made the first Dalit chief minister of Punjab in 2021. The outcome was disastrous in March 2022. The AAP stole the thunder. Rahul has to his credit many master strokes.  

Supporters of Charanjit Singh Channi, first Dalit CM of Punjab : Sept 2021  

Since 2014; the Congress party has done experiments. To traverse time and space involves trials and errors. This is what India’s grand old party keeps doing hoping to reclaim its past glory vis-a-vis BJP's Hindutva politics and development cards.  

Politics is an unfinished journey.  

Sachin Pilot’s appointment as Punjab in-charge could work to the party’s advantage by helping unite its leaders.

Former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had had opposed present state unit chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Baghel as in charge allegedly sided with Warring.  

The reshuffle order also says that Surjewalla will also hold the additional charge of Karnataka.  Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh also get new bosses for the Congress party.  

Importantly, Mukul Wasnik has been retained as general secretary. A die-hard loyalist - Wasnik has the talent of "thanking" Rahul Gandhi ji for campaigning for polls in 2016.  

Among the five states going to polls - if Congress was BJP --- there were clear prospect of win in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. That could be far-fetched. Even K C Venugopal and Jai-rahim are not thinking on those lines. 

But Punjab is different.  

The reality is Congress continues to enjoy a groundswell of grassroots support unlike in most other parts of the country. As we know the northern state of Punjab shares a 600-kilometer border with Pakistan. 

The state is better known for its valiant Sikh soldiers and hard-working farmers, who had successfully transformed the state into the food bowl of India.  

After the end of its glory in 2014; until 2018, Punjab was the only state where the Congress held absolute power.

ends 

RSS chief Bhagwat has gone to US and other countries : For 'greater outreach' he is set to meet some Christian leaders in India this month ::: But BJP needs to have a "better plan" for north east India

The BJP needs to have a "better plan" for north east India. When we say this, our observation is about deeper and quality penetration. 

Just lately,  RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has gone to the US and other countries in the west. His message has gone down well and has a special significance.

Reportedly; for 'greater outreach' towards minorities; he is set to meet some Christian leaders in India this month. In general sense, the initiatives ought to be appreciated.  

The larger message has been that human existence carries a responsibility that goes beyond immediate gratification. However, when it comes to northeastern states and its polity; the BJP is keeping itself confined to 'immediate gratification' only. 

Naga CM Rio and MoS Alphons

The fact of the matter is most 'experiments' of the BJP in the north east hardly made a headway. Sometime - they try Christian faces. 

Lip-service is so much that today officials in the Home and Defence ministries believe - the Solution to the Naga problem may not come so soon,

If  that's an achievement;  the BJP can explain how.  K J Alphons as Minister of State visited the region frequently. But nothing much happened in terms of saffron party's penetration. In fact, the visits by ministers even in remote corners such as Kiphire in Nagaland or Lunglei in Mizoram are happening still now. 

But what is called "winning" the heart of tribals and non-tribals, Christians - Catholics and Baptists - Hills and Valleys to be called a "outreach of a national party" is not happening. Even making a Naga BJP leader as in-charge of Meghalaya did not help much. 

First of all, over the decades the Congress party never worked for "sincere" emotional integration between natives and the so called national mainstream. The BJP in the last 12 years has not been much different despite clear instructions from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to change the rules of the game of engagements and interaction.  

The coordinators and in-charges appointed at the regional level and in various states have no knowledge of North East. 

They do not understand the psyche of the people and even after they go there; the sincerity of purpose is lacking. Other priorities take over. In Assam; some RSS karyakartas have remained focus on Muslim-Bangladeshi angle. 

There is need for a good Hindutva-linked projects and long term vision vis-a-vis Cachar valley including Silchar, Hojai-Diphu-Lumding region and also some parts of Upper Assam. A good coordination needs to be worked out between BJP, bureaucracy in the state and the RSS coordinators.   

Similar initiatives should have come in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram also.

Nevertheless; the party leaders in the region and in Delhi still think they can continue to support wrong regional parties and win elections for NDA 

But this is only superficial.

A few regional parties are no longer comfortable with the BJP. They have started looking for better avenues. 

It's a pathetic case of non performance that even after so many years of BJP rule in the centre and in the region; the Lotus party has not been able to develop a core constituency for itself. 

The RSS alone cannot be blamed or be asked to "keep North East with the BJP and the country". The saffron party has socio-political responsibilities. 

The NEDA is either a decorative piece of defunct.  

One is aware that "anti-Hindu image" of Nagas or Mizos and the vice versa anti-Christian image of the RSS (or also BJP) have to disappear fast.

A few years ago, RSS leaders also associated with the VHP encouraged and worked on this qualitative development.  In circa 2026, one is clueless. 

The BJP's deeper penetration does not mean merely winning election. It is more about respecting each other and promoting mutual tolerance, 

By nature, north east states are peculiar. For lip-service - 'tolerance and plurailism' will be appreciated.  They may be selectively used to attack RSS or the 'outsiders' - plain manu, Vai Naupoag and Dhwaker (Dkhar).  

But among one another ... it has done a vanisshing act long back at least in some pockets.  Manipur is a classic example - where Nagas are clashing with Kukis and revived the gory days of the 1990s. 

Meiteis and Kukis are not seeing eye to eye since 2023.  

Meiteis and Nagas also have clashed in the past. In Mizoram; there used to be problems with Reangs/Brus. In Meghalaya, 'tourists' from Assam had issues. In Tripura; the tribal non-tribal issue may flare up anytime.   

Where is the BJP - party with a difference - amid all these? 

One diagnosis is bitter --  

Both the RSS and the BJP have not encourages sincere people for north east. 

"Hum ney Aaj tak ek dhang ka Governor de nahi paye .. We could not give a creditable leader from RSS or BJP as Governor in the north east," lamented one senior leader - almost retired.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat 

Of course, R N Ravi is of police background. Manipur Governor A K Bhalla is an ex Babu and Mizoram has a military man, Gen V K Singh (Retd).  

One need not create a fear psychosis, but there are stakeholders and even "abettors" in the USA, China and some other countries. 

Their intent will be to use 'insurgency' and tribal-non tribal differences for their sinister designs. The deep state has played a role in 2023 turmoil of Manipur.

Tribal societies and local stakeholders in the region, in each state, have to examine closely --- what is the net gain.

The national and global scenarios have changed much to the advantage of New Delhi and also Nagpur. On the contrary, the bargaining capacity of armed groups are considerably diminishing.  

A stronger Russia-India-China partnership is on cards. 

A balance sheet is required to be prepared and the BJP has to look inside.  

BJP president Nitin Nabin has to plan his North East team accordingly. 

ends 

Political consequences of FNTA extend well beyond Nagaland ::::::: “Despite being rich in resources and human capital, Eastern Nagaland did not keep pace with progress" - Naga CM Rio admits ::::

 For the Modi government, the real test may now be whether this new arrangement of FNTA for 'neglected Eastern Nagaland' strengthens the idea of negotiated accommodation — or creates fresh expectations among Naga communities elsewhere.

The Modi government has achieved one milestone in a way. But there are other issues. How would people of the hills in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh now ‘take’ things when ‘Eastern Nagaland’ will march towards greater glories?

The agreement and the new law will create the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), covering six districts — Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator.

It involves the lives and times of seven tribes — Konyaks, Sangtams, Changs, Phoms, Khiamniungans, 

Yimchungrs and Tikhirs.

The region ‘remained’ neglected when far away from the Good Governance model of the Double Engine Sarkar. The revised Bill, as passed by the Nagaland Assembly on Sept. 3 (Thursday), says, among other things, that 20 elected MLAs of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly falling in the FNT area shall be ex-officio members of the FNTA without voting rights.

There shall be 40 constituencies covering the FNT region for electing members to the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority. Each constituency shall be a single-member territorial constituency.  

Speaking on the Bill, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Thursday that it has been a “sincere” endeavour of his government that no community or region was “left behind” in the developmental journey.

He maintained that, “due to a combination of geographical challenges and historical factors,” the six districts of eastern Nagaland have “long suffered” from development deficits.

Rio first came to power in 2003 and has been in office since then for a long stint.

Barring a brief spell of President’s Rule on the eve of the 2008 Assembly polls and during his stint as the Lok Sabha MP between May 2014 and March 2018, he has remained at the helm of power.

On Sept. 3 (Thursday), he lamented: “Despite being rich in resources and human capital, these areas have not been able to keep pace with the progress witnessed in other parts of the state.”

Now, it will be important to examine how the FNTA move of the NDA regime impacts politics in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.  

Many say that had the Centre inked the Naga Peace Pact after 2019, when “talks were over”, as stated in the Assembly by the then Governor R.N. Ravi, many issues could have been resolved.

In fact, the Naga peace pact did not come because NSCN-IM raised the demand for a Naga flag and a separate Constitution. The Centre has ruled out these demands, with Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly stating that these could not be given in the next 400 years.

Now, analysts feel the option for the ‘Nagas of Manipur’ is not to wait. They should take a cue from ENPO and their brothers and sisters in eastern Nagaland and settle for an arrangement with New Delhi and within the state of Manipur.  

That will be a forward march, says one source in the know of things.  

R N Ravi 

Similar problems remain in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, where there are substantial native Naga tribes.

In February 2026, when the FNTA pact was inked in Delhi in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, I had met Chuba Ozukum of the Global Naga Forum in Kohima.

He had sought to warn against partial agreements. “FNT may have come, but Nagas are Nagas. We are one people. The spirit of Nagalim is in our veins. Signing peace pacts with A, B or C will not bring a solution. It must be inclusive and collective,” he said.

The Central government will need to take care of these issues.

Will the face of ‘eastern Nagaland’ change now that FNTA has come? Will top politicians from ‘eastern Nagaland’ now stop investing crores in Dimapur and instead focus on new buildings and houses in their native districts?  

From New Delhi’s perspective, if common Naga people in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur are not happy, how will they view post-2019 ‘politics’ when a big fuss was made about four things?

One —Shunt out R.N. Ravi, apparently because he raised the bogey of extortion? Two — The Nagaland government insisted on a new interlocutor at the level of Union Minister of State for Home.

This was just a time-killing exercise, as Home Minister Amit Shah himself and the PMO were monitoring the talks when R.N. Ravi and A.K. Mishra were the central emissaries.  

What’s so special about the demand for a Naga flag and sovereignty — something no PM or Home Minister of India can give?  Four —What has happened to ‘Naga unity’ and, now that ‘eastern Nagaland’ has functional autonomy, should the BJP-NPF alliance be given credit or ‘votes’ in the coming 2028 elections?

In a political sense, yet again, the BJP expects to sweep polls in eastern Nagaland — which sends 20 MLAs to the state legislature.

However, there are hurdles and hiccups.

Chief Minister Rio and his NPF party still hold some cards to play — at times in a veiled manner and also openly.

One is the BJP’s strong pro-Hindutva image, and hence it may still need a regional face (Christian) to garner votes for the alliance.

Secondly, Congress MP Supongmeren Jamir may oblige Chief Minister Rio “in an indirect” politics and help bring the Vande Mataram issue back into public debate. This will force the BJP to embrace Rio once again.

The creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) marks a significant political and administrative step for eastern Nagaland, but it also opens a larger question for New Delhi: 

--- what happens when one part of the wider Naga-inhabited region gets a new arrangement while Nagas in neighbouring Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh continue to wait for answers? 

The FNTA may address long-standing development deficits in six eastern districts, but its political consequences could extend well beyond Nagaland.

ends 

Sept 5, 2014 ... was first Teachers' Day for Namo as PM :::: "Start preparing for 2024 polls, ..and it means till then I do not have any threat" -- Modi told a Manipur student

"Start preparing for 2024 polls, ..and it means till then I do not have any threat" -- PM Narendra Modi told a Manipur student on Sept 5, 2014 in a televised programme. 

Both 'Manipur' as a state and of course Namo as the Prime Minister have been among the headlines.  

He also had said on that occasion in presence of his 'first' HRD Minister Smriti Irani. -- "In a democracy anyone who wins the confidence of public can become PM, My wishes are with you." 

The young student had asked -- what she should do to become Prime Minister of India !!

Manipur is set to go for polls by March 2027. Modi has crossed the 2024 'hurdle' and has been going strong.  He too faces a crucial electoral challenge in March 2027 -- not in Manipur but in Uttar Pradesh. 

How much has he 'changed' in last 12 years and how much has Modi 'changed' India in his tenure as the Prime Minister. Do not ask Rahul Gandhi -- or the Sickular ecosystem - they would say 'Economy is Dead'. 

Need not ask some TV anchors too. Most of them still do not believe (apparently) that Modi is the Prime Minister since 2014. 

Let's move to diplomacy. 

 The White House wanted India to bow. Instead, Narendra Modi flew to China, shook Xi Jinping’s hand and left Washington sidelined. -- 

The Guardian editorial in 2025. --- It also said  ----  

"......it is in Tianjin, not Washington, where it looks as if the hinge of history is moving.

The SCO is easy to dismiss: the bloc is a bundle of contradictions. India and Pakistan remain adversaries. China and India still stare across a garrisoned Himalayan frontier .....

Came in 2026. The SCO Summit was held recently and again the handshakes and snub to America. Poor Trump was denied 'any credit' by Modi for ceasefire between India and Pakistan and the US president even did not get Nobel Peace prize. 

***

Let's come back to 2014 Teachers' Day -- Modi had said: 

"If I had to gain things I would not come (join politics). Everything is not about 'labh' - profit. Work without any 'labh' and the joy is different". He also urged students to read biographies of great people and great and extra ordinary achievers. 

In 2014, Modi also said: "125 crore people...my family....so I don't get any stress". (Now -- it is 140 crore)

Another pointer from Modi that day was : "Politics is not a profession, its a service". 

Pause. Here we have what Modi said on Sept 5, 2013 as the Gujarat CM

"I never see such dreams (of becoming Prime Minister), nor am I going to see such dreams. People of Gujarat have given me the mandate to serve them till 2017 and I have to do this with full strength”. 

Many thought he was 'withdrawing' albeit temporarily or making the gesture.

Experts also said he had a 'win win' situation. 

A week later on Sept 13, 2013 - Modi was named BJP president Rajnath Singh as the "PM-candidate".

Had he been not named; Modi could have easily said: "I was never keen for it". 

Now let's shift focus to India's growth story and the 'economy' of the nation.  

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has stated about a structural shift in India’s middle-class consumption.  

In terms of data, 93% of urban consumer growth is expected outside the top five cities Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

Nearly 500 “consumer cities” are likely to emerge in the country. This would mean --- translating to rising incomes and expanding the middle class. All these means -- we have a development and consumer-friendly economic policy approach. 

Take another sensitive zone.  

While international crude benchmarks spiked past $100–$113 per barrel due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Indian markets and policy makers did enforce -- 

** Tactical containment strategies. 

State-backed mechanisms and delayed pass-throughs helped keep retail petrol and diesel pump prices relatively stable compared to extreme global crude fluctuations.

What was vital for India especially the middleclass was that the full extent of the global oil shock has not travelled directly to the neighbourhood petrol pump.  

This possibly upset the likes of Jai-rahim and their boss in Delhi. But someone worked hard for this.  How? 

-- There are 'buffers' that India has built.

--- * There was a 'rapid shift' in crude suppliers, a sharp cut in fuel taxes.

**  Oil marketing companies absorbed part of the higher cost.

** There were restrictions on fuel exports. This is called management.  But on the other side there was display of economic illiteracy by Modi's detractors. 

The real issues could be --- even as India is growing despite challenges posed by global factors; we may still ask -- are we Indians really feeling the so-called growth. 

What still need closer views are issues such as joblessness, lack of opportunities, what is happening in unorganised sector as against the organised sector and how did the economic crisis of 2026 has been managed.

India is a classic country -- wherein we specialise in comparing apples with oranges. 

ends  

"Your Prime Minister warned us about this ... long time ago" ::: India warned us: Belgian PM on Europe's rude awakening amid Chinese dumping

“India saw this earlier than we did. And they warned us. And we didn't listen,” -- that was a rare admission of fact by a European leader. 

This was in reference to China's growing economic footprint and the dumping of goods in European markets. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said Europe was now confronting the consequences of allowing such dependencies to build up, including the possibility of economic relationships being turned into instruments of political pressure.  

His remarks came as India and Belgium deepened defence ties and signalled greater strategic trust during his New Delhi visit. It's a fact of life that Europe had for too long allowed cheap foreign goods to flood its markets, undermining domestic industries while leaving the continent increasingly dependent on external suppliers. 

Important point to underline is what is 'changing' between India and Europe. The visiting dignitary also said - "We do not like to be pushed around". This was perhaps about India. 

He also added: "Your Prime Minister warned us about this ... long time ago". 

"But he was ignored; he was not listened to. We are listening now. It's bit late maybe. Europe is awakening... it is happening.  

"... We are looking around in the world and seeing .. who is like us till believer in multi-lateralism," -- this ought to be a strong and bitter crtique of the US policies especially under Donald Trump.  

“For Europe, these past years have been a rude awakening. For too long, Europe looked on as overcapacity was dumped below costs on our markets. As its industrial base was undermined and as dependencies were deliberately built up so that it could be used as leverage,” he said, without directly naming China. 

That means ,,, now India has a much important role to play. We may have to look for reasons .. why the 'thinking process' in Europe is undergoing a steady transition. 

Europe's bitter truth in circa 2026 is -- it is being sandwiched between China and the US. The 'bitter truth' they are facing is actually more than just 'bitter'.  

Europe realises that it cannot assume that the so called 'west' will hold together. So, it will need new but dependable friend India. 

Belgium and even other European countries are now looking at India for strategic and defence ties. During this visit; some progress has been made. 

India will deploy a permanent defence attache in Belgium. 

Belgium will now cooperate with India in defence manufacturing sector. Both the countries will also produce ammunition protection line and work on counter-drone technologies. Some papers have been inked to facilitate joint manufacturing. 

It is presumed; India is keen to work out enhanced defence cooperation with other European countries.  

Italy is going to be an important partner. 

India and Germany are finalizing an $8 billion defense agreement for six advanced conventional submarines equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology. 

Three other countries - Sweden, Poland and Spain will also have enhanced defence ties with the Modi Govt. Experts say - the Modi Govt has changed the rule of the game in a modest manner. Europe - to India's foreign policy and defence strategissts - is a bloc. 

Earlier; talks used to be held one country at a time. This change is significant. 

Moreover, steps have been taken to boost private sector engagements as well. The FTA earlier this year was certainly a game-changer.  

Swedish defense manufacturer Saab is setting up a major Carl-Gustaf weapons manufacturing facility in Haryana, marking its first production unit outside Sweden under the 'Make in India' initiative.  Both nations have upgraded to an enhanced Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0, focusing heavily on defense manufacturing, advanced tech, and joint R&D.

ends 

Centre may soon direct Nagaland Govt or Political Affairs Committee to meet 'sincere organisations' to pursue next moves vis-a-vis Naga Peace Talks

Can FNTA move put the Naga 'rapprochement' process into higher gear ?  

Every meaningful advancement we have in a society has been possible because someone 'refused' to accept things as they were.

Time to work. 

Time to bring a much needed 'ideological alignment'. And more so in north east India and in the case of Nagas.

If the Union Minister of State for Home-led panel has been really constituted as the historic speech of Nagaland chief minister on the solemn occasion of Independence Day suggests - entire debate in different.  

If it is yet to be notified (or not yet constituted); analysts in Delhi suggest the Central Govt should also include 'representatives' of the state Govt. in the panel.

The idea cropped up during informal meetings with former uniformed and civil (retired) government officials. It is also being maintained that the proposed committee should have representatives from NSCN-IM and also NNPG - both the factions. 

If it is not done or not being done --- the message is clear there is no need of any such committee especially after the great split in the NSCN-IM.

It is more so because the 'Eastern Flank' now claims that the Ceasefire too no longer holds water.  I visited some parts of Manipur in July - there exists virtual war-time tension in some areas. 

Nevertheless, New Delhi has enough knowledge of statesmanship - and that says it is always 'easy' to handle a toothless tiger. 

What comes next ? - The role of the civil society. The self-styled Peace makers and Solution pact workers in the 'meta physical' club are also as good as the Status quo club. They too have been exposed. 

The mantra has been 'delay-derail' and then dinner= with our without prayer sessions etc etc. Therefore, now the onus falls on other organisations - a few bodies which are not much interested in Bolero rides. 

The centre may soon direct the Nagaland Govt to meet 'such sincere organisations'. Reportedly efforts are on for last few months. In fact, let us - the Delhi wallah experts - plain manus - and bloggers -- suggest that the meeting should be held between Political Affairs Committee and such civil bodies. 

Those in the know of things - however - lament that not much has happened or is happening either.  

Obvious question is why ? The answer is not coming soon. So we may have to take the debate to the level of 'how'. 

First - the Nagas will have to make up their mind; come 2028 elections -- what should they do. That means a 'Timebound' structure may be presented or worked out. 

The Political Affairs Committee is headed by the chief minister Neiphiu Rio and so to decide things about such a meeting "is in his own will and hands".  And he does not need to wait for any green signal from any quarter. 

Time to show the will in action.

The 'sincere organisations' should also present things before the Committee in a strictly non-partisan manner keeping matters  above any divisions like factionalism, tribalism or district level factors or so on. 

Following the FNTA breakthrough; the Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur will have to take a 'closer view of things'. 

This may mount pressure on Naga underground groups as well to expedite activities. The Status quo club will slowly be cornered further more by circumstances and there would be no need of any extra effort. 

There is clear intention now to deflect people from real issues and bring in non-issues. 

Is there is a hidden Congress-NPF 'conspiracy' on Vande Mataram ? 

The BJP leaders in Nagaland either report things clearly to high command or let the sleeping dog sleep. 

The PAC means a panel of politicians; and the Neta class knows it best on how to read 'people's pulse'. 

A few of them (junior ones or even veterans) may believe money and Bolero rides can tilt the balance in their favour. But such views and prism may not work any longer. Of course, the FNTA will still take some time and even spin masters may push a line that a new institutional body is no panacea to all ailments. 

The fact of the matter is -- everyone seems to know this. There are certain other things to know and reflect upon.  

Democracies require visionaries, but at times they may also bank on sceptics. Power must remain accountable to something larger than the power itself.

Nagas might have already realised that Institutions matter more than personalities.   

Can Muivah grow younger again ? 

Hope is what rebuilds nations. The question is do we still have it.  

Nagas must know what is that 'force' that can move them forward. Is it 'hope' ? But hope is always different from day dreaming. 

enda 

"Mathematics and computational thinking will be given increased emphasis :::: Why talk about ancient Gurukul system has unnerved lobbies and stakeholders ?

Happy Teachers Day.

Society has become obsessed with preparing young people for success while neglecting to ask what will they do with the 'success' !! 

"It is recognized that mathematics and mathematical thinking will be very important for India’ s future and India’s leadership role in the numerous upcoming fields ....," - thus says the National Education Policy.

The NEP spoke about "... professions that will involve artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science, etc." 

Thus, it said - "Mathematics and computational thinking will be given increased emphasis throughout the school years, starting with the foundational stage, through a variety of innovative methods, including the regular use of puzzles and games that make mathematical thinking more enjoyable and engaging". 

Activities involving coding will be introduced in Middle Stage"

The general refrain could be PM Narendra Modi has given in and the Education Minister has been replaced. But this is only part of the story.

There are other stories associated with the portfolio of Education in India. Dharmendra Pradhan as the minister in charge and the Modi Govt as the final decision making body have been taking steps to revamp - 1. New Mathematics Curriculum

2. New set of NCERT books for Class IX to XII. 

and 3. The New History Curriculum  

The UGC's proposed undergraduate mathematics curriculum integrates ancient Indian concepts like sutra literature and calendrics, aiming to demystify math and emphasise on values. Since Vedic times (several millennia before the Christian era), Indians represented whole numbers in the decimal place-value system, enumerating very large numbers with ease and without ambiguity. This is just an example.

Essentially, the Modi cabinet is in the process of taking key decisions that will have no single point of Failure and no single point of manipulation. 

These are likely to create hurdles for 'deep pockets' in the west who have invested a lot over the decades into 'education sector' in India and in this region.

But these investments have not been made for charity alone. If things are overhauled; - much of the investments would go in vain. 

Ask Pakistan, where is its biggest tragedy with regard the continuation of Narendra Modi in office. They invested a lot in Kashmir and in Kartarpur corridor project.

The day Kartarpur corridor project came -- that is Nov 9, 2019; we had the Ayodhya verdict and Islamabad's invetsments for publicity went out of the window. Prior to that on Aug 5, 2019; the Article 370 was done away with. These comparisons with educational institutions may look out of place - but there are similarities. 

The western and Sickular lobbies' cry against changing history books can be easily understood. For Marxist historians - Akbar was 'Great'. They created an answer to Aurangzeb among Mughals. The Masjid-temples stories are also well linked. Many of those historians including a well-connected Delhi citizen (lady) who backed Babri Masjid claim did not study Medieval history.  

Please refer to this para :   

"The Babri issue would have been settled long ago if the Muslim intelligentsia had not fallen prey to the brain washing by the Leftist historians. 

A set of historians including Romila Thapar, Bipin Chandra and S Gopal argued that there was no mention of the dismantling of the temple before 19th century and Ayodhya is Bhudhist-Jain centre. 

They were supported by historians Irfan Habib,RS Sharma, DN Jha, Suraj Ben and Akthar Ali," said K K Mohammed, former ASI top guy.

"It was they who connived with the extremist Muslim groups to derail all attempts to find an amicable solution to the Masjid issue. Some of them even took part in several government-level meetings and supported the Babri Masjid Action Committee," he said. 

Now onto a different plane. In his address to a large audience in Toronto, Canada; RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said -- Wherever Indian civilisational leadership in the past went ... - "they gave knowledge".  This has to be understood in deeper and much higher level. 

In today's context;  there is a need to underline the importance of 'education' that ancient India cherished and spread. 

Come to think of it - the westernised and even Left-liberal system of Education has made it -- exam oriented.

It's linked to marks and hence it is also 'dependent' on coaching classes.

In a debate with a Youtuber lately - I argued that: 

"Revive Gurukul system in all sincerity; not only India's ... half of the world's problems will be over". 

 

Dronacharya was an ideal Guru. But he produced Arjun. His own son Aswathama or King's favourite son Durydhan did not come up the ladder as did the child with potentials and sincere - that is Arjun.  This spirit of Teachers must be brought back. 

Teachers also have to rise about partisan views. For Dronacharya --  his own son was not as important as a good student - Arjun (then a fatherless and perhaps also helpless kid). 

But we have today -- the Coaching industry -- it's a money minting phenomenon. 

In Kota, children keep committing suicide; but parents still want to make their kids doctors. What kind of doctors .. 'good doctors' in remote villages to help poor. NO.

Parents want money-minting machines in their children pretending to be doctors. Let us get away with this system. It is time taking exercise; but it will be worth it.

The clear distinction has to made between commercialisation and modernisation.  

Let us understand the benefits of Bharatiya Bijaganita, a division of polynomials using the Paravartya Yojayet Sutra (a traditional Vedic Mathematics technique meaning ‘transpose and apply’). 

The new curriculum may include teaching of concepts such as panchanga (Indian calendar) and how it determines mahurtas (auspicious time) used in rituals and festivals. 

The proposed course blends blends astronomy, mythology and culture -- bringing India's rich time-science heritage to life. 

It would covers ancient observatories, the prime meridian of Ujjain, and how ancient Indian Vedic time units of Ghatis and and Vighatis compare with modern systems like Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Indian Standard Time (IST).

Obviously, those who said 'western/Christian' model is the best will be irked. 

Happy Teachers Day. India must be ready for a Revolution.

Ends