L K Advani enters 100th year on Nov 8th, Sunday :::: BJP to hold special hawan for good health .... Union Minister Piyush Goyal and BJP president Nitin Nabin to address

Born in Karachi, LK Advani moved to India during Partition in 1947. 

He became a central figure in the BJP’s growth and served three terms as its president.

His Rath Yatra changed the politics of India. 
Post inauguration of Ram temple in Ayodhya, L K Advani was honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in March 2024. 

President Droupadi Murmu presented the award at his residence in the presence of PM Narendra Modi. 

He served as Union home minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and as deputy prime minister from 2002 to 2004.  

The BJP will celebrate veteran leader and former deputy prime minister L K Advani’s 99th birthday at its national headquarters on Sunday, with a 'hawan' and prayers for his long life and good health.

BJP president Nitin Nabin and Union Commerce minister Piyush Goyal will address the gathering in the presence of Advani’s daughter, Pratibha Advani.

Diwali Special ::: Cricket as "opium" of the masses ::: When Pak PM Nawaz Sharif wanted to know why his national team lost successively to Bangladesh, South Africa and India :::: When Sheikh Hasina declared 'half day' holiday

This was an era of cricket. 

The game is still played and followed but the craze is not like those days. This was also an era when Cricket was "ailing" in its place of birth - England; but thrived in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and not forgetting Pakistan.   

Sachin Tendulkar and Akram in action 

Of course, India defeated Pakistan by 47 runs in the Super Six match of the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup on June 8, 1999, at Old Trafford in Manchester.  Led by fast bowler Wasim Akram, Pakistan also suffered two notable defeats against Bangladesh and South Africa during the tournament. 

Akram's effigies were burned and the Urdu daily 'Jung' blared -- "Sack Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi". 

Can you believe there were rumblings in the corridors of power ?

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sought reports on the three successive defeats of Pakistan in key matches including against Bangladesh and India. 

 

Of course, Pakistan's loss to Bangladesh and India still rankled; - many in Islamabad called it a tragedy of epic dimension and even national calamity. Akram's team ensured they beat Zimbabwe to qualify for semi finals and in one swoop knocked India out of the world cup. 

Wristy bastman Azaharuddin - had many failures later in his career 

In India, as expected - the guillotine was suggested for Indian captain, Mohd Azharuddin. The fact of the matter is the demand for his head grew shriller once India lost to Australia. Of course there was so-called desi mood swing in the opposite direction when India defeated Pakistan. Not surprisingly; even virtues were discovered in Azhar's captaincy ... virtually all of a sudden. 

Cricket had actually become - in India and in the countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka --- an obsession and even more than a passion. 

For Bangladesh - given their image of an underdog - excitement did run high after Scotland was 'outsmarted'. But perhaps nobody expected  what was in store in the match against Pakistanis.  

As the media reports later said ... against all odds; the Bangladesh team came up trumps and became overnight heroes. The players were immediately installed on the same pedestal as freedom fighters.  

Bangladesh - Joyous !

On May 31, 1999, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 62 runs in a landmark group-stage match at the ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 played at the County Ground in Northampton, England. 

Many years later in 2022, Dhaka's 'Daily Star' newspaper reported - "23 years ago, on this day, a historic chapter had unfolded in Bangladesh's cricket. Inspired by an all-round performance from Khaled Mahmud, Bangladesh beat a legendary Pakistan side by 62 runs in the 1999 World Cup.  

"We were under no pressure in that game. We knew that Pakistan are favourites in that World Cup. They had won all the four matches before playing us. So we had no pressure on us and we just wanted to enjoy the game," Mahmud had said about the game.  

When the squad touched down at Dhaka, a boisterous crowd received them and an ecstatic Sheikh Hasina declared a half-day government holiday.   

Sri Lanka's star player and hero of 1996 World Cup - Ranatunga 

Sri Lanka entered the 1999 Cricket World Cup as defending champions, but suffered a disappointing campaign, failing to progress past the group stage (finishing 5th in Group A with 4 points). It lost to England by 8 wickets. South Africa won by 89 runs. Lost to India by 157 runs. 

Paradoxically, India took the revenge of a disastrous semi final of 1996 in Kolkata (Calcutta).  

 

The newspapers back home in Colombo fulminated. One comment said - "thugs, bookies and sycophants" have held cricket to ransom in the island nation. 

"I have been asking for Ranatunga's replacement. But it has fallen on deaf ears," remarked an angry radio commentator Palitha Perera. It did not end with that. 

In a letter, Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga wrote: "I am afraid if this unsavoury trend in handling sensitive matters is not arrested, Sri Lankan cricket is bound to be adversely affected".  

Bangladesh win against Pakistan was historic 

ends 

By Invitation : M Chuba Ao, former BJP national vice presdient --- " Nov 1 Opposition Rally: It’s Done Bro; But what happened in France?"

Nov 1 Opposition Rally: It’s Done Bro; But what happened in France ?

***

In some ways, I was waiting with patience to write this article. I had followed the developments in some European countries especially France and Italy. The protest there had turned violent and the similar situations were reported from other countries as well. Essentially, reports in a section of American media said that the protest in India by opposition parties and also in France and other countries were “sponsored”.

 

The report, titled “Global Chaos Inc Grows to 101 Groups”, flagged the France-based group Indian Alliance Paris (IAP) for “connecting French and Indian protest messaging” and notes that it is “partnered with the People’s Forum in Manhattan”.

According to investigation by senior editors, as many as 101 organizations across nine countries have formed a “red-green protest ecosystem”.

This – as understood easily – refers to communist (red) groups and Jehadi elements (green), that are coordinating, organizing, or amplifying demonstrations across Europe within an expanding protest ecosystem. What was disturbing as per my humble understanding is that the Jehadi and Left alliance has left France “burning” and created “problems” in Italy.

M Chuba Ao 

Now that Nov 1 Ramlila protest rally by Congress and other opposition parties is over; I offer my compliments to the Congress leadership. As a BJP man; I do not agree to what they spoke and tried to raise at the rally in Delhi. 

But as someone having faith in democracy; like millions of BJP karyakartas; I believe they have every right to protest. 

Our issue is with those who want to trigger anarchy in our country. That is not acceptable. Hence, many congratulations to Shri Rahul Gandhi ji and other opposition leaders for conducting themselves as “political leaders”. 

Hindi version of this article 

There is a big difference between anarchy and protest. In Europe – protest turned chaotic and there was anarchy in the streets. Many feared something like that can happen in India also. In fact, the July protest in Jantar Mantar and that led to resignation of our friend Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji almost turned violent. Any objective analysis would make us conclude that the protest rally should be held in the manner it was done on Nov 1 by the opposition parties.

 

The July protest and the manner young students and others were behaving cursing and abusing national leaders is certainly uncalled for and is unacceptable. On one or two particular days – they tried to trigger problems in Delhi by confronting police. Yet the credit goes to Delhi police and the Union Home Ministry for handling things with patience. 

Did some forces including in foreign countries tried the experiment of Bangladesh and Nepal?

 

If they tried; they have failed and for this the central government, the Home ministry and Delhi police ought to be given credit.

Massive protests swept Europe for days as part of demonstrations driven by the cost of living and deficient public services. Germany, France, Spain and Italy are among the nations where demonstrations were being held following a recent wave of Gen Z-led marches across the continent. French officials said they deployed 70,000 police following some of the worst rioting in decades.

 

The violence erupted in several cities across France after student protests about the state of education evolved into wider demonstrations.

Noisy protest in Europe 

   

In India, the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental right under Article 19, though it is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order.  

We in India do not mind protest; provided it is kept decent and non-violent.  

Research by scholars like Erica Chenoweth shows that non-violent civil resistance movements have historically been far more successful than violent campaigns, often requiring active participation from at least 3.5% of a population to trigger major political or social change.

 

Now we may talk about the issues flagged by Opposition parties on Nov 1 and even prior to that. 

In more ways than one; they are contradicting themselves. Sometime they say Gyanesh Kumar as CEC helped Shri Narendra Modi ji become Prime Minister. This is a joke because Mr Gyanesh Kumar became CEC only in 2025 and Modi ji first became Prime Minister and was re-elected in 2019 and 2024.

On the number of voters ‘dropped’ – the opposition parties keep quoting the figure of 13 crore. I have explained this earlier and let me repeat here – This figure actually "refers" to entries placed in four draft-stage categories during the electoral-roll revision.

-- 2.8 crore names deleted — are Dead

-- 3 crore voters — are officially untraceable or missing.

And 6.3 crore voters — are permanently shifted and one crore — Multiple Enrolment. These four categories are collectively referred to as ASDD -- Absent, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate electors.

CEC : Gyanesh Kumar 

Those who are debating these issues and even making allegations against Election Commission are not appreciating the fact that the 'electoral-roll process' does not mean final list. There are stages involving -- claims, objections, verification and finalisation.

Let me not repeat the same argument again and again. There will be more occasions to highlight these facts.

As a politician with multiple decades behind; I have a very high opinion of Indian media – both at the state, regional and national levels.

But I wonder; can I say the same thing about the western media.

These overseas media outlets are almost back with vengeance. There are reasons for that. First as the Gujarat chief minister and later as India's Prime Minister since 2014, respected Modi ji has proved the prophets of doom wrong. He delivered in all sectors of governance. 

The western media might have thought even as Modi succeeded as the Gujarat chief minister; he would fail at the national level. Their frustration is palpable.

But Indian public understand politics better than anyone else. The Indian election system is very robust. Stalwarts like Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee have lost elections. Our party’s number in Lok Sabha dropped in 2024 from 303 to 240. 

Yet, Shri Rahul Gandhi questions the legitimacy of the polls. He is Leader of the Opposition due to our election system only. 

We, the BJP, have won polls in West Bengal and other states – but the Congress too have won key states like Kerala this year and they are in power in a few others.

Congress protest team - reached AIR campus 

Ends

(M Chuba Ao is former BJP national vice president. Views are personal)

"Indira Gandhi had many interests and many friends, but it is a lonely kind of life" -- Sonia Gandhi is quoted in 'The Guardian' :::: Sonia's book "Belonging: A Journey of Love" is due for release on Nov 10

“I saw her (Indira Gandhi) work day and night, constantly under pressure, constantly attacked,” says Sonia Gandhi. 

“It did affect her (Indira), like it would anyone. And of course, in that position, there is a loneliness. She had many interests and many friends, but it is a lonely kind of life" Sonia is quoted in 'The Guardian'. 

The piece penned by 'The Guardian' South Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen, says: 

"To outsiders, Indira (Gandhi) was often seen as severe, an “iron lady”, and Gandhi admits that, to begin with, she was deeply intimidated by her formidable mother-in-law. Yet while Indira was imposing in public, she could be vulnerable in private, once confiding to Gandhi how terrified she was when she first bcame prime minister.

“In the newspapers she was portrayed as tough or harsh, but at home she was just like any other mother,” Gandhi says – although Indira’s notoriously explosive temper, frequently directed at political colleagues, would erupt through the house on occasion. Gandhi’s memoir recounts one incident where Indira lost her temper during a family dinner and threw her thali plate across the table.   

Sonia Gandhi’s entrance into Indian politics began in Cambridge in the 1960s when, at 18, while she was studying at a language school, she fell in love with a bright-eyed boy at a Greek restaurant. 

"At the time, she had no idea that Rajiv was heir to India’s most consequential political dynasty. “It was a coup de foudre,” she says. “After that, nothing else really mattered. He was, first of all, a handsome man. But I think his eyes told of the way he was – of his inner self. He was loving, he was comforting, he was caring. Everything I could have possibly dreamed of" - says the article. 

The Guardian link    

Of course, as former Congress president, who brought her party to power in 2004 and ruled India for next decade; Sonia does not hold back on criticism of Narendra Modi – 

According to 'The Guardian' article, she accuses Modi of being an “authoritarian force bent upon changing the very nature of our country”.

Sonia also says the BJP has “systematically dismantled our democratic institutions”.  

Sonia also suggests that after years of “horrible and crazy things written about me”, it will be comforting for people (of India and others) to know “the truth”.  

The article by Hannah Ellis-Petersen, says: 

"The Hindu nationalist vision of India that Modi has enacted over his 12 years in power is directly opposed to the pluralistic, secular India that was championed by successive Congress leaders and which remains enshrined in India’s constitution. It has led to well-documented oppression of the country’s minority groups, in particular its 200 million Muslims."

On these; Sonia is quoted as stating: 

“More than disappointing, it’s very painful, having known a different India". 

“In parliament, we are not allowed to debate. In the past, there were discussions, there were meetings between the opposition and the government, there was consultation. Now the opposition counts for nothing.”

Since Modi came to power, she has had barely any interaction with him; he tends to avoid eye contact when they’re in a room together – a stark contrast to the past, when opposition leaders would often meet the government and “treat each other with cordiality”.

A “Congress-free India” is one of the openly declared goals of Modi’s BJP, resulting in highly personal attacks on Gandhi and her children, who have found themselves with numerous police cases filed against them.

Hannah Ellis-Petersen 

ends 

Manipur's insurgent group PLA top gun leader R K Regan Singh arrested by Delhi cops in South Delhi

In a major breakthrough, Delhi Police's Crime Branch arrested Manipur-based insurgent leader R R Regan Singh.

The hunt to track him spread to hotels across Yusuf Sarai, Safdarjung Enclave and Green Park, and footage from CCTV cameras in the surrounding areas was examined, sources said.

The 35-year-old militant was wanted in two cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Manipur. R K Regan Singh was picked up from the Yusuf Sarai area of south Delhi, police said.

File snap of the PLA cadres 

During questioning, he allegedly gave a false name and denied any links with the organisation.

His photograph was sent to Manipur Police, which confirmed that he was Regan Singh, wanted in the Thoubal cases. He allegedly told interrogators that his uncle was a founding member of the outfit and that he joined it later. 

Police described him as an active cadre of the group. Regan Singh is a resident of Thangmeiband Lourongurel Leikai in Manipur and is wanted in connection with two UAPA cases registered at Thoubal police station, one in 2024 and the other in 2026.

The arrest followed a tip-off received on September 3 that a wanted member of the outfit was in the capital. 

A team led by Inspector Prakash Chand, working under Assistant Commissioner of Police Rajkumar and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Harsh Indora, was formed to trace him. 

Technical surveillance and local intelligence were used, and the first lead pointed towards the AIIMS area, but checks showed that no patient of that name was admitted there.

The hunt then spread to hotels across Yusuf Sarai, Safdarjung Enclave and Green Park, and footage from CCTV cameras in the surrounding areas was examined along with field inquiries, police said. 

Special Commissioner HGS Dhaliwal said members of the family were among those who founded the group. 

Singh was questioned about his presence in the capital before being handed over to Manipur Police. A team from the state reached Delhi and took custody of him after confirming his identity and completing the legal formalities, police said.

The PLA is a separatist outfit that has campaigned for an independent, socialist Manipur. The group is banned. This is a significant breakthrough in view of ensuing assembly elections by March 2027.   

PLA was founded on September 25, 1978, by N. Bisheshwar Singh. The Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) was formed in 1979. It follows Communism, Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thoughts as 'ideology'. Manoharmayum Ngouba (MM Ngouba) is now the president of the RPF.

PLA or RPF is designated as a banned, unlawful organization under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

ends 

Congress 'crying' over SIR and CEC is misplaced :: How ? --- Ask yourself honestly: would Narendra Modi still be in power if he had not delivered on promise of development?

This is truly a changing world.  One international 'Democracy Report' produced by the V-Dem Institute claims only 7% of the world’s population live in liberal democracies. 

Having said so, we know there is a special importance about Democracy in India. The heart of a healthy democratic process lies in the Election System. The Congress has been traveling the wrong route while trying to get back its rhythm in national politics. We need to see the mandate of 2014 when Narendra Modi first became the Prime Minister. This was also an election when Congress figures came down all time low to 44.  

Mind you the mandate in 2014 - had two clear messages. First, it was a mandate against UPA and especially the Congress. It was anti-incumbency vote. But there was also an expression of hope in the BJP and especially the prime ministerial face Modi. 

The BJP and NDA benefited because people expressed hope in the alliance and in particular on Modi.  The Congress party and even other opposition parties need to analyse things pretty deeper. 

If in 2014 -- anti-incumbency against Congress and trust in Modi gave BJP the unexpected number of 272 ... five years later .... the BJP's figures jumped to 303. Importantly; here Trust in Modi and people's desire for a strong and decisive leadership surpassed everything. 

In both 2014 and 2019 elections; the caste equations did not work. 

 | 

However, it worked in 2024 but within a limit and only in Uttar Pradesh. This was compounded by wrong selection of BJP candidates and hence the Lotus party's number dropped. The Samajwadi Party gained in UP. 

Now taking the debate to the next stage,  we know people are over interpreting US mid-term elections outcome in the context of India. 

Former News Editor of 'Hindustan Times'. Lucknow edition, Mohan Sinha argues: 

"The people dreaming of @narendramodi  losing the “Trump way” refuse to accept a basic fact: India’s voting system is far stronger and more reliable than most. 

If voters wanted to throw Narendra Modi out, they had the chance in 2019. Instead, they gave him ... (another) term. That is the proof."

Between 2014 and 2019; Modi showed what he could do with more than five years. He delivered the most basic things to the poorest people — things Congress could not manage in sixty years. 

And he gave the middle classes and the rich the idea that India could change.

Mohan Sinha 

Mohan Sinha adds: "Ask the older woman in the Northeast who saw electricity in her home for the first time. Ask the villager in Maharashtra who finally got water from a tap. Ask the people who saw a proper road reach their village. 

Why did successive Congress governments fail at these elementary tasks?

Kalahandi once gave Rajiv Gandhi a hard lesson: promises have to be kept. The same rule still applies."  

PM Rajiv Gandhi’s August 1985 visit to the drought- and poverty-stricken Kalahandi district in Odisha became a defining political moment that exposed deep structural flaws in the welfare system.  

Stunned by widespread corruption and systemic leakage, Rajiv Gandhi famously admitted that only 15 paise of every rupee allocated by the central government actually reached the intended poor beneficiary, while the rest was lost to middlemen and administrative overheads.

You can keep complaining about SIR and “electoral manipulation.” In your heart you know the truth: 

It's obvious; whether in elections or otherwise --- when one side keeps winning, the other keeps losing. For this it is always safer to bet that these are always linked to the "trust" between the the voter and the political party and candidates.

Sinha has his argument: 

"You can abuse Modi all you want because he is a Gujarati or a tea-seller’s son. You can hate Modi and wish him dead. But hiding behind the flawed ‘vote-chori’ campaign is doing great disservice to the world’s finest electoral process and the Indian voter. You (Congress especially) need to stop lying to yourself."

Taking a closer look to Indian politics around 2013-14 would be a meaningful exercise. This was the period; everyone saw the 'return' of massive crowd in public rallies especially those addressed by Narendra Modi.  Here too, the transition process was visible. 

The problem with the Congress party most often is that it starts believing its own propaganda. The propaganda is also believed by the Sickular ecosystem but not by hundreds of Youth Congress workers and office bearers. Otherwise, why over 200 office bearers across seven states were suspended for defying Rahul Gandhi's call. 

To strengthen this argument, I come back to Mohan Sinha, who tweeted rather acidly:

"This is the same voter who threw Indira Gandhi out in 1977 and brought her back with a thumping majority in 1980. This is the same voter who voted for India’s first BJP Government and (also) voted them out in 2004, unimpressed by the ‘India Shining’ campaign." 

Sinha also says: "Ask yourself honestly: would Modi still be in power if he had not delivered on his basic promise of development? He said he needed more than five years to do the job. Voters gave him that time, and he used it well. 

The day he starts behaving like the Gandhis and their party, voters will throw him out without hesitation. It will not be because some editors, drunk on their own self-importance, keep ranting on TV and think they have the power to remove him." 

The real question is why so many of those editors still cannot see the difference between the India of the 1980s and the India of today? 

Blogger 

However, for BJP too, the complacency would be the road to self immolation. It's true, India’s strongman - that is Namo - has performed and somewhere underperformed especially with regard administrative and economic reforms. He has changed the country - -- as they say - for ill and for good. 

But the reality is -- Modi and his pro-Hindutva forces - meaning BJP and the RSS - all combined are facing one of sternest tests yet. 

In political battle fields often strategies fail. Long back Partition was intended to avert the threat of civil war between Hindus and Muslims. It completely boomeranged on the common people - both Hindus and Muslims. 

But the fear mongering and the vote bank politics helped Congress for long. It is no longer helping anyone; not even Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal.

In West Bengal too; the Hindu-Muslim divide did not work as much as the development card. Therefore, people have high expectations from chief minister Suvendu Adhikari. 

Voters in Bengal are smart about politics.  They trusted Congress between 1947 and 1977. Then reposed faith on communists for 34 years. Between 2011 and 2016 - 15 years - three elections, they trusted Mamata Banerjee. In 2021 - Mamata was warned. 

Modi was also warned in 2024. The corrective steps have been taken for various states including the tougher ones like Maharashtra, Haryana and West Bengal. But 2029 will be much more competitive. 

The Congress may still be not aware of ... how they left the country behind in 2014. 

In 2004, Manmohan Singh inherited 8.5 per cent growth. In contrast between 2012 and 2013 and 2013 and 2014 - India had grown less than five percent growth for two years. Rahul Gandhi may be in his wild dreams; others should be little more pragmatic.

ends 

What's Diwali in its true sense ? :::: Life is all about optimism. Optimism leads to patience .... "our greatest battles may not be against others but against inner weaknesses"

There are many ways to look at Diwali as a festival.

At the global stage or say in the US; Diwali is not a federal holiday. However, several US provinces have granted it official state-level recognition or holiday status:

• California: Became the third state to formally recognize Diwali as a state legal/public holiday

• Pennsylvania: ... Connecticut: Recognized Diwali as an official state holiday.

New York: Offers official school holiday recognition in New York City and specific high-population districts. New Jersey and select high-population districts in states like Texas also recognize Diwali through school closures or local observances.  

More than creating 'segments' like Hindu culture or fest, certain things are emerging now as a global phenomenon. 

The timing of Diwali festival in between autumn and winter is not something to be lost. The light and sound kill some bacteria in the air - that's for the rational school; and in pursuing this argument, one knows the problems lay in overdoing things.

Bursting of firecrackers would have been pleasant and a tasteful experience had not this become a symbol of showmanship. If firecrackers are bad for the environment, so is gambling and the so-called gift-exchange culture of Delhi for human behaviour. Here too, the problem is in overdoing things; not ordering a blanket ban as a presumed corrective strategy.

The global recognition by the UN and ongoing craze for Yoga and a renewed zeal for festivals such as Deepawali have some messages. Of these, the big picture message is - the international game can be no longer about pushing a single-agenda item. Soft power games also means persuasive diplomacy. It may be out of the box, but not something to be dismissed as out of the blue. Life is often like standing in the dusk, to use poetic jargon. 

It is all about optimism. Optimism leads to patience.  

Sometimes, the biggest battles people face are not against other people but against the inner weaknesses. 

Hence, there is an underlining message when it is argued that just as a lamp dispels darkness without making much of a show or a noise, greater self-awareness can dispel ignorance.

Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan symbolises the triumph of righteousness over wrong. But its message extends beyond the battlefield. 

On to a different plane, but not so different as well.  Statesmanship, mutual benefits, and strategic significance, not necessarily in that order, decide foreign policy ball games in the contemporary settings. 

Therefore, it is time to add 'Soft Power' as a major tool. Under Modi Govt; it is true this emphasis is bigger and more thrustful especially in the post pandemic era and in a year of Iran war.  

Look at the US mandate of mid-term polls 2026. War mongering and a political war has been rejected. Within our own lives, we may face conflicts between what is right and what is convenient, between duty and desire.

In modern context, comes a battle between wisdom and impulse.  

The most successful ambassador of India’s soft power image has been Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violenct struggle.

Yoga and meditation emerged as soft powers in the sixties and seventies when Westerners disillusioned with their materialistic lifestyle began thronging India. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi succeeded in making June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

After yoga received the United Nations stamp of recognition; it has been Diwali — the pan-Indian popular Hindu festival. 

In 2025, 'The New York Times' wrote an article - "Why do more people seem to Be celebrating Diwali?"

And it also added : "The South Asian festival of lights is becoming more popular in Western countries, where millions of people have immigrated from India in recent decades." Is it allergic to use the word 'Hindu' ? Nevertheless, it is a Hindu festival -- one likes Modi or hates him !  

Blogger 

Nevertheless; the New York Times reports shares a story.

Yogesh Patel, 69, has always celebrated Diwali — as a boy in Kenya, as a teenager in Zambia and as an adult in Britain. But until recently, he had not celebrated with so many white people. Over the past several years, large numbers of visitors have traveled to see the marbled Hindu temple that rises above the marshes of northwest London, where Patel has been a volunteer for about four decades. 

They arrive by the busload from schools and foreign countries like Germany and Spain, he said. This Diwali, he expects even more curious — and hungry — visitors to join the crowds of about 30,000 Hindus praying and feasting at the temple.  

“Non-Hindus visit us during Diwali to see the spectacle,” he said. They’re drawn to the fireworks that explode over the temple’s white spires, to the stalls full of samosas and to the saffron marigold garlands that dangle in front of jewel-encrusted shrines.  

On Diwali itself, people wear their best attire — often new saris made from sumptuous fabrics and beads — and gather with family and friends. They buy sweets, called mithai, and give them to everyone: family members, neighbors, clients and friends.

Sometimes the same Soanpapri box gets passed around 15 times. This happens in Delhi, it happens in NCR and even in London it seems. 

Diwali is a celebration of light — symbolically and literally. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil, justice over tyranny, knowledge over ignorance. It should also means 'defeat' of everything artificial and fake. 

In Indian context - I say --- 'fake secularism' is Sickularism. We still ought to fight some of the menaces.  

ends