"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 

Mohan Bhagwat: ‘Think Rightly’ and Move Towards the Divine ::: "... you are America, and you should behave true to America"

In his New York speech, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said -  ‘Think Rightly’ and Move Towards the Divine !!

Bhagwat began with a distinction between human beings and the animal world. “Human beings can think. If you think the right way, you can go nearer to God,” he said. Conversely, he argued, wrong thinking could pull human beings towards their animal instinct.

The RSS chief illustrated the point with the example of a cow grazing until it is full. The animal, he said, does not possess the human capacity to think about preserving resources for tomorrow.

The larger message was that human existence carries a responsibility that goes beyond immediate gratification.  

He invoked the Indian philosophical formulation: “Nar karni karey to Narayan ban jae … ulti karni karey toh kya ban jae”—underscoring that human action and direction determine the path one takes.

“A direction is important,” he said.

‘You Are America’: Bhagwat’s Message to the Indian Diaspora

In one of the clearest portions of his address, Bhagwat spoke directly about the responsibilities of Indians living overseas. “You are in America. You live in America. You earn in America. So you are America, and you should behave true to America,” he told the audience.

The message was framed around the Indian concept of karmabhumi, or the place where one performs one’s work. Bhagwat’s argument was that Indians living and working in other countries must respect and remain loyal to the societies in which they have made their lives.Hire Grant Writers

The remark is significant because it places diaspora identity within a broader framework of civic responsibility.

The deeper message was : cultural roots can remain Indian while one’s obligations towards one’s country of residence must also be honoured. 

Bhagwat then moved from individual responsibility to the nature of societies and nations.

“Everyone searches [in] pursuit of happiness, that is common for all,” he said. According to Bhagwat, humanity has followed two broad tendencies.Trace Family History

One is “Live and Let Live.” The other is “Live and let only those Live who Obey Us.”

It was in explaining the second tendency that Bhagwat used his strongest language.

“Those who say, if you obey us, we will protect you. Those will be protected who only obey … they are Rakshashas,” he said.

The line received applause. Whether this was intended as a commentary on a particular country’s foreign policy is not clear from the speech. 

Yet the formulation inevitably invites a geopolitical reading because the language of obedience, protection and power is central to debates over international relations and great-power behaviour.  

Was There a Message for Washington?

Bhagwat did not explicitly identify the United States as the target of this particular criticism.Hire Grant Writers

That distinction is important. His remarks can be read at two levels. 

At one level, they constitute a philosophical distinction between coexistence and domination. 

At another, the timing and location of the speech—New York—make it difficult to ignore the possible geopolitical implications.

The reference to those who promise protection only in exchange for obedience can be interpreted as a critique of any political or international system based on conditional allegiance.

But without a direct reference to Washington or a specific U.S. policy, it would be premature to describe the remarks as an explicit attack on American foreign policy.  What is clearer is Bhagwat’s preference for a world order based on fraternity, mutual respect and pluralism rather than coercion.  

‘We Are One’: Bhagwat’s Message of Unity in Diversity

Quoting Swami Vivekananda, Bhagwat said every nation has its own unique destiny.  He argued that Bharat’s role is to realise the principle of unity in diversity and help the world understand it.

“We are one. And due to diversity, that oneness is decorated. So, diversity has to be celebrated,” he said. This formulation lies at the centre of Bhagwat’s broader argument. Diversity, in this worldview, is not necessarily a threat to unity. Rather, diversity gives expression to an underlying unity.

He contrasted this with approaches that judge individuals primarily on whether they obey, listen to or serve a particular authority.  

“What you think about me, how much useful you are to me? These are very minor things. Major thing is we are all human beings,” Bhagwat said. 

The emphasis was therefore shifted from utility and allegiance to fraternity. Material Happiness Has a Limit

Bhagwat also turned his attention to another defining feature of contemporary life: material consumption. Using an example that would resonate with his New York audience, he spoke about donuts.

“How many donuts I can have at a time, I don’t know,” he said, before adding that he is diabetic.

He used the exaggerated hypothetical example of consuming 50 donuts in one sitting to make a larger philosophical point: when does abundance stop producing additional happiness?  “The donut is the same, what changed?” he asked. 

The point was not about donuts themselves but about the limits of material gratification. According to Bhagwat, material happiness is transitory, and abundance eventually reaches a point where it cannot provide proportionately greater satisfaction.

The argument echoes a longstanding Indian philosophical emphasis on restraint and the distinction between material possession and inner fulfilment.

‘We Belong to Each Other’

Bhagwat’s alternative to materialism was not withdrawal from the world.  Instead, he emphasised interconnectedness.

“We belong to each other,” he said.  

He argued that human life has a purpose beyond individual accumulation and personal achievement.  “In Bharat, the concept is you have been given life to utilise it to obtain the truth,” he said, invoking the spiritual idea of liberation.

He also referred to “Jagat Hitayo”—the welfare of the entire world—as a purpose of human life.

The message, therefore, was simultaneously spiritual and social: individual fulfilment should ultimately contribute to the welfare of the wider world.

ends 

Russia attacked Kyiv while Jaishankar was there: Ukrainian Prez Zelenskyy ::: “This conflict will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil"

“Today, while the Minister (Dr S Jaishankar) was here with us in Kyiv, Russia once again launched jet-powered ‘Shaheds,’ which were developed not without Iran’s help,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.  

“The conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiation,” Jaishankar said earlier reiterating India’s longstanding position that a settlement cannot emerge from the battlefield. 

India was ready to assist peace efforts “in any manner” if it could be helpful, Dr Jaishankar assured Ukraine President. 

The Ukrainian fighter jets had shot down most of the drones, ensuring the safety of the visiting Indian delegation, he maintained. 

Zelenskyy said Jaishankar and the Indian delegation remained safe during the attack, crediting Ukrainian combat aviation with intercepting most of the drones.

“I met with India’s Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar. We discussed important issues,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X, expressing gratitude to India for its commitment to efforts aimed at ending what he described as Russia’s “unjust war” against Ukraine.  

Notably; External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said on Thursday that the Russia-Ukraine conflict, now in its fifth year, cannot be ended by pressuring countries over their purchases of Russian oil, metals, minerals or fertiliser.

He said diplomacy and negotiations are the only path to peace.

His comments came during a visit to Kyiv, where he held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and later met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Responding to a question on whether India would reduce Russian oil imports if the United States imposed sanctions on countries buying it, Jaishankar pointed to India’s energy needs. 

“It’s also important that all of you get the challenges of providing for energy for 1.4 billion people at a time when the world energy situation is very, very difficult,” he said.

While acknowledging Ukraine’s position, Jaishankar underlined New Delhi’s strategic autonomy. 

“The Ukraine side has its perspective, which we respect. And we have ours, which I would expect others to also respect,” he said.

“This conflict will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina or minerals or metals or fertilizer.”  

Jaishankar’s Ukraine and Poland trip, running from September 3 to 5, is aimed at advancing bilateral relations and discussing regional developments amid a shifting European security environment.

Ukraine welcomed India’s stated commitment to ending the war. In a social-media post after meeting Jaishankar, Zelenskyy said: “We are grateful to India for its commitment to ending this unjust war — Russia’s war against Ukraine.” He added: “This certainly must not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India’s clear position.”

Zelenskyy also raised the security backdrop to Jaishankar’s visit, alleging that Russia had launched jet-powered Shahed drones, developed with Iranian assistance, during the Indian minister’s stay in Kyiv.

At the joint press interaction, Sybiha highlighted Ukraine’s concerns over attacks on Black Sea shipping and port infrastructure, arguing that disruption of Ukrainian food exports risks worsening food insecurity beyond Europe.

Jaishankar said attacks on commercial shipping had affected Indian seafarers and imposed wider costs on Global South countries through pressures on fuel, fertiliser and food supplies.

The two sides also discussed expanding trade and investment, including in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies and education.

ends 

"I had written back in 2018 itself that the former Finance Secretary (Subhash Chandra Garg) is without knowledge" - says BJP MP Nishikant

"मैंने 2018 में ही लिखा था कि पूर्व वित्त सचिव अज्ञानी हैं । 

मूर्खता की पराकाष्ठा से कोई व्यक्ति ज्ञानी नहीं होता है ।" -- Nishikant Dubey, BJP MP 

"I had written back in 2018 itself that the former Finance Secretary (Subhash Chandra Garg) is without knowledge/ ignorant. A person does not become wise from the pinnacle of foolishness," Dubey said in a post in Hindi on Sept 3. 

The Jharkhand lawmaker has joined the debate on Garg's knowledge of economy following the former Babu's argument that the government figures on growth rate was erroneous.  

In his 2018 letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dubey had said:

"I wish to draw your kind attention to certain serious concerns regarding the economic policy approach being advocated by the Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Shri Subhash Chandra Garg, which, in my considered view, requires urgent review in the larger interest of the country’s growth and development".  

The BJP MP specifically objected to what he saw as an excessively restrictive approach to the fiscal deficit. He argued that while fiscal responsibility was important, it could not be separated from India's development requirements.

"Fiscal consolidation should therefore remain a means towards achieving sustainable prosperity and economic stability, and should not become an end in itself," he wrote.

Dubey also called for greater flexibility under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. He argued that extraordinary infrastructure requirements, subdued private investment, global uncertainty and strategic priorities could at times require temporary flexibility in the fiscal-deficit path.

"The objective should not merely be to achieve a particular fiscal-deficit percentage on paper, but to determine whether Government expenditure is productive, growth-generating and capable of creating long-term national assets," Dubey wrote.

Dubey also linked his concerns to the government's infrastructure plans, citing projects and programmes including industrial corridors, Bharatmala, Sagarmala, railway investment, UDAN, airports, highways, ports and inland waterways.  

"These programmes are not merely expenditure. They constitute productive capital formation which will reduce logistics costs, improve connectivity, attract industries, generate employment, and increase India’s productive capacity for decades," he wrote.

He argued that such projects required substantial public capital expenditure and that government investment could help crowd in private investment.

"It is therefore important that the Ministry of Finance does not allow an excessively restrictive fiscal approach to slow down the implementation of your Government’s development agenda," Dubey wrote.

The Godda MP said his concerns were based on his interactions with Garg while the latter was Economic Affairs Secretary.  

The letter, dated March 3, 2018, has come to light after Garg questioned whether the reported 7.8% GDP growth in the first quarter of FY 2026-27 accurately reflected the pace of economic activity.

Dubey also took to Twitter and recalled his earlier criticism of Garg.

Should BJP-NPF and "partyless" Govt be given votes ??? ::: Manipulation has a limitation, FNTA is now a reality ::: Under Rio, Nagaland Assembly 'has power on Sept 3' to grant legislative powers :::: Post-Truth era .... when facts and data are less important in shaping public opinion

The option for 'Nagas of Manipur' now is not to wait. 

They should take a cue from ENPO and settle for an arrangement ... with New Delhi and within Manipur State. That will be  forward march.

In schools we used to get assignments. Compare and Contrast between Aurangzeb's rule and the era of Akbar. 

A few days back, I met a couple of 'north east experts' made in Delhi. As a proud northeasterner I had my doubts how much of north east did they really knew. Prejudiced ? Yes. 

But there are reasons -- I have met experts in Delhi including in Press Club (especially when lunch and dinner is on house) - who say they know the north east region pretty well - because their father in law had served in Tezpur or they have been to a place called Kishanganj. 

I had countered once rather foolishly - "Kishanganj is in Bihar". He was still unapologetic, a real Delhi-wallah !! -- 

He said all trains to north east and Assam go via Kishanganj. Next time, I thought -- I should suggest him to go to New Delhi's Platform No 15 because Rajdhani go daily from that location. 

My expert friends also said, - "Can you compare between Eastern Nagaland and the Naga hills of Manipur?"  

It was a real googly and a very complex matter to deal with.  I was convinced, the friends need not be experts per se; but they at least knew the complexities of the subject. 

The FNTA Bill was set to come for the Assembly session with a 'revised' draft as July 2026 was not conducive season. A rhetoric was pushed: 

".... under the constitutional scheme, Legislative Power cannot be conferred on to FNTA through a State Legislation. 

It was observed that the State Government does not possess the legislative competence to delegate powers equivalent to its own or to transfer a legislative authority to another body or authority." (DIPR, Nagaland) 

Almost a shy backbencher MLA, is biggest survivor in Naga politics : CM Rio 

Come Sept 1 (or Sept 3) - the power has been sanctified by some divine power or a tele call of a Joint Secretary - I am Sorry babu !!

I was not clear about all these. Still sheepishly, I said : 

"When FNTA Bill is passed, it will bring in money and development and a few long term result-oriented projects".  

I also added: "That eastern region of Nagaland is really a development starved area and there have been historical reasons of negligence". 

The Naga-stronghold region or even Kuki-pockets in Manipur also have similar complaints; but whether any Authority or a new territorial zone should come is not something, I can decide. Issues are complex. The Govt of India will have to take a political call". 

One 'expert' threw up a question - Do you think the hilly region in Manipur has missed that window of opportunity? 

I said: "Actually that opportunity came via highway in 2019 and after. But it was snubbed". 

The second expert/friend - looked more businesslike and he asked me 

- "Do you say it is because the Nagas and the Centre did not sign the Naga peace pact?". 

Luckily ... and suddenly there was a buzz on my mobile. My wife asked me : "What will you have for dinner Pabda fish or Bhindi". 

I said - "Yes, yes ... I am coming". And I ran out of the room foregoing the liquor glass and pots full of pork momo and chicken noodles. 

On return home after dinner I told my wife - "Your bhindi was delicious".  

That's the "issue" or I am overstating this.  

The Naga talks stand 'derailed and delayed' and the Status Quo club, Kohima protagonists and their 'friends' , the Neta club of Delhi and metaphysical intellectuals in Nagaland -- all are enjoying the present status.  

Nevertheless, this is an occasion to compliment the eastern Nagaland people and their leaders. But in a broad sense, veteran S C Jamir had a lucid argument when he said:  

"... It all has happened in one life for me…. Eastern Nagaland people joined us in the 1950s and 1960s deciding to be part of Nagaland state; and sadly, I am still around and they have parted ways".

S C Jamir is 95 year old now.

The Eastern Nagaland was earlier part of NEFA (Northeast Frontier Agency). The present geography of Arunachal Pradesh includes this. 

There are still some Naga stronghold areas in Arunachal Pradesh.

In some ways; even 'Naga pockets of Arunchal' could be compared and contrasted with Manipur-Naga hills or FNTA region. 

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

An old friend, 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. 

Nagalim is in our blood : Chuba Ozukum 

All these need to be reflected upon. 

Post Sept 3 (2026) could be called 'post truth' era ? I googled; and the response was -- 

'Post-truth' is a term that describes a culture or situation where objective facts and data are less important in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.  

We may take a pause. A few questions could be thrown out at ourselves -- 

Will the face of 'eastern Nagaland' change now that FNTA has come?  

Will top politicians from 'eastern Nagaland' now stop investing crores and lakhs in Dimapur and instead focus on new buildings and houses in their native districts ?

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 life and times of seven tribes - Konyaks, Sangtams, 

Changs, Phoms, Khiamniungans, 

Yimchungrus and Tikhirs 

There is another vital question = but we may presume the answer actually lies in the womb of time. 

The question is -- How would people of hills in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh 'take' things when the FNTA will march towards greater glories ?  

What will be the fallout ? Just as I reach the finishing paras of this blog - my mobile has buzzed again. 

This time ... a Sarkari analyst says : If common Naga people in Aruncachal 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. Why he should speak about Extortion? 

Two - Let us have a new interlocutor at the level of MoS. Then the great 'truth' of August 15, 2026. 

Three - What's so special about the demand for Naga flag and Sovereignty - something no PM or Home Minister of India can give ?  

Four  -- What has happened to 'Naga unity' and should BJP-NPF and so-called "partyless" Govt be given credit or 'votes' in the next elections ?

NO ONE should allow themselves to be herded. If not, the future is opposite of brightness. 

ends 

Manish Brahmbhatt says he floated "CJP-D" after Abhijeet Dipke allegedly sidelined grassroots volunteers :::: The CJP also avoided taking up students-related issues in Punjab and Jharkhand

 Manish Brahmbhatt said he floated CJP-D after Abhijeet Dipke allegedly sidelined grassroots volunteers.  

"Today, we are launching the Cockroach Janata Party-Democratic. The reason for this launch is that the original Cockroach Janata Party team, which emerged from a movement built on the blood and sweat of the people, subsequently transformed itself solely into a hand-picked team for Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party."

Hardly, a full-fledged party and hardly  a few months, a splintered group, the Cockroach Janata Party-Democratic (CJP-D) has come into being.

Brahmbhatt has accused CJP founder Dipke of sidelining protesters and turning the youth-led movement into a hand-picked "Team Kejriwal". 

He alleged that the CJP's leadership was dominated by people previously associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and was interested only in opposing the BJP.  

Last month, Manish Brahmbhatt had travelled from Gujarat to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after learning that CJP's core team was meeting at Dipke's residence. 

Brahmbhatt and his associate, Rahul Pandya, had protested outside Dipke's home, alleging that active volunteers from the Jantar Mantar protests had been excluded from the discussions. 

Both were later hospitalised after their health deteriorated during the protest. Then, Brahmbhatt was identified as a "CJP worker" in news reports.  

Abhijeet Dipke founded the CJP as a satirical online movement on May 16 after remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant referring to certain lawyers/people as "cockroaches" and "parasites" triggered outrage. 

It began as an online joke and developed into a youth platform which raised issues such as unemployment, examination paper leaks and alleged irregularities in the education system. However, the operative style reflected there have been 'encouragement' from unknown sources and there must have been proper funding too.  

"Their (Dipke's team) aim is to engage in political deals. They show no interest in fighting for the issues faced by students or people from other states; instead, acting merely at Kejriwal's behest, they want to oppose the BJP only to support parties that are anti-BJP," Brahmbhatt told news agency ANI.   

He alleged that eight people selected for CJP's team had links with the AAP. 

Brahmbhatt also claimed that the dissenting volunteers had proposed a national structure that would provide representation to protesters from across India. Questioning the composition of the CJP's leadership team, Brahmbhatt alleged that the people and communities that supported the Jantar Mantar agitation had not been represented.

Earlier, the CJP had announced a national working committee with Dipke as its national convenor. That was when Brahmbhatt and his aides alleged that the selection process favoured people close to Dipke and did not adequately consult those who had participated in the agitation.   

Kejriwal and other AAP leaders had appeared alongside Dipke during the CJP-led agitation at Jantar Mantar. 

That public support and the past AAP associations of some CJP members have fuelled questions about the relationship between the two organisations. However, neither their participation in the protests nor previous political associations prove Brahmbhatt's allegation that CJP operates under Kejriwal's instructions. 

The CJP also avoided taking up students-related issues in Punjab and Jharkhand. 

A date with History ::: Nagaland Assembly passes FNTA Bill ... 'Frontier Nagaland' to have autonomous Authority covering six districts in Eastern Nagaland

A date with History :::  ... 'Frontier Nagaland' to have autonomous Authority covering six districts in Eastern Nagaland  

Nagaland Assembly passes FNTA Bill 

Eastern Naga children on a 'security Dept vehicle' ::  Near Oting, Mon district 

Speaking on the Bill, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said on Thursday that it has been "sincere" endeavour of his Govt that no community or region was "left behind" in the developmental journey. He maintained but "due to combination" of geographical challenges and historical factors"; the 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 long. Barring a brief spell of President's Rule on the eve of 2008 assembly polls and during his stint as Lok Sabha MP between May 2014 to March 2018; he is 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". 

Seven tribes - Konyaks, Sangtams, 

Changs, Phoms, Khiamniungans, 

Yimchungrus and Tikhirs are native communities from this region.

                           Mon district in ENPO region suffered floods in 2026 also

Nagaland's longest serving Chief Minister maintained - "Through this Authority (FNTA), we seek to bring about comprehensive and inclusive development, bridge the development gaps and take governance and development right to the doorsteps of every citizen, particularly those residing in the remotest corners of our state".  

Rio maintained: -- "This is not just an administrative arrangement, but a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to ensure equitable development, unity and progress for all sections of our people". 

Grand Survivor Rio 

Earlier, the state assembly was supposed to pass the Bill in July. But at the last moment things were deferred. Explaining on these, Rio now says --- "The provision of conferment of legislative powers on the FNTA through a state legislation in the way as envisaged in the MoA was recognised as a matter requiring further clarity...". 

However, there remains a catch.  In July, 2026, the state government argued that it does not "possess the legislative competence to delegate powers equivalent to its own or to transfer a legislative authority to another body or authority." (DIPR, Nagaland) 

But, come Sept 1 (or Sept 3rd) - how the power has been sanctified by some divine or political power remains unexplained. 

Did the NPF-BJP dispensation try to avoid granting 'legislative powers' to the FNTA -- is a question whose answer lies in the womb of time. 

"I can explain everything in a book after my retirement," jokingly remarked a serving bureaucrat. 

What will be the BJP's politics in Nagaland in the coming 2028 election now is another matter of more than mere academic interest. 

Will the Lotus party go for the kill and contest all 60 seats in Nagaland the state ? 

The 20 assembly seats from Eastern Nagaland may easily come to the kitty of the saffron outfit. 

But there are wheels within wheels. 

The Chief Minister Rio and his NPF party still hold some cards to play - at times in a veiled manner and also openly. One is -- BJP's strong pro-Hindutva image and hence they may still need a regional face (Christian) to garner votes for the alliance. 

Secondly, Congress MP, Supongmeren Jamir may oblige chief Minister Rio "in indirect" politics and help bring back Vande Mataram issue in public debate. 

Former BJP national vice president M Chuba Ao has in an article suggested that the Vande Mataram is a property of the Congress party and is essentially a 'political song' related to freedom struggle with no religious overtones. 

The politics around is basically to eye Muslim votes. 

There are also other issues such as the ILP, which a few organisations (taking diktats of politician bosses) may play up forcing BJP to re-strategise electoral roadmap for Nagaland. 

Politics will be played and the 'party with a difference' has been more than 'kind and generous' towards Rio for reasons which have been hardly explained. 

The return of Ram Madhav is another factor that the political analysts are closely keeping an eye on. During his last tenure Ram Madhav had clearly helped Rio return as the Chief Minister in 2018 and in the process helped him revive his political career. 

By the end of 2017; the duo of T R Zeliang and Shurhozelie had almost ensured ejection of Rio from state politics. But the Northern Angami-2 legislator and a former disciple of veteran S C Jamir knows how to survive the stormy weather. 

Blogger: Chief Minister Rio's guest for Hornbill Fest, 2018 

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