"A symbol of Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility" :::::: Cricketing legend, Sir Garry Sobers, dies at 89 ::::: Against Pakistan in 1958, Sobers scored his maiden Test century, eventually recording 365 not out !!

 Sir Garry Sobers, West Indies cricketing great is no more.  

Our generation did not see or hear him on radio commentary. But we grew knowing it well that he was the First to hit six sixes in one over in first-class game.  

West Indian star - widely regarded as greatest all-rounder  

 He was a cavalier in an era when there were so many roundheads on the international circuit. The great West Indies’ sides of his time not only won their fair share of games but they played with a joyous freedom rarely matched by their opponents and this was so often due to the presence of Sobers.

Sobers will forever be associated with the feat he completed in 1968 at Glamorgan’s St Helen’s ground in Swansea when he became the first batsman to hit six sixes in a single over of six consecutive balls in first-class cricket but his achievements in a long and illustrious career were numerous.

The late Richie Benaud, a revered broadcaster and former Australia captain, described Sobers as “the greatest all-round cricketer the world has seen”. 

“Sobers was a brilliant batsman, splendid fielder, particularly close to the wicket, and a bowler of extraordinary skill, whether bowling with the new ball, providing orthodox left-arm spin or over-the-wrist spin," Richie wrote.   

Sobers made his first-class debut for Barbados at the age of 16 in 1953, and such was his extraordinary talent he was quickly called up by his country and made his Test debut for West Indies the following year.

It did not take him long to make his mark on the world stage. Against Pakistan in 1958, Sobers scored his maiden Test century, eventually recording 365 not out, a new record for the highest individual score in a Test innings. 

The record was not broken until another West Indian star Brian Lara did so in 1994.

Sobers retired relatively early for a player of his stature and ability at the age of 38 in 1974.

Some great players of the past continued appreciably longer. Simply enough, mentally and physically tired, he had lost his zest for the sport which had been his life – and was still his only observable means of earning a living !!

Sobers, pictured with England captain Brian Close, averaged 60.64 against England with 10 centuries (Getty Image/BBC)  

"He (Sobers) emerged from the Caribbean at a time when our region was finding its voice and asserting its place on the world stage.

"Through his excellence, he gave millions across our islands and in the diaspora, a renewed belief in what was possible. He showed that greatness was not confined by the size of our nations, the geography of our islands ...," - says Cricket West Indies chief president Kishore Shallow.   

Sobers achievements brought ... admiration from every corner of the cricketing world. 

And also ... inspiration to the West Indies and pride to Barbados.  

His batting was sublime. Bradman, after watching Sobers hit 254 for the Rest of the World against Australia in Melbourne in January 1972, concluded: 

“I believe his innings was probably the best ever seen in Australia.”

 

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"Devising an appropriate policy to handle foreign funding" ::::: FCRA amendment 'necessary' from national security point of view !!

With Parliament session on cards, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill 2026 is certain to face "fierce opposition" from civil society, church bodies, and opposition parties. 

India’s NGO sector and some religious bodies including churches in northeast appear too flummoxed to deal with the Modi government’s latest FCRA move.

The Congress and other parties are arguing that the central government is weaponizing the law to target minority-run institutions and silence peaceful dissent. 

It will be up for consideration and passage in the upcoming parliament session. The amendments seek to enhance transparency in dealing with funds coming to India.  However, security analysts in Delhi and in north east of India say -- that 'stricter regulations' are necessary to protect national security, enforce high accountability and prevent the misuse of foreign funds in illegal activities.   

Introducing the bill in March, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had asserted that the Modi government “will not tolerate” any misuse of foreign funds and will take strong action against such elements. 

  

This assertion has takers among security analysts. "I do not understand the politics about it. But from national security point, foreign funds channels and the organisations who get the money must be made more accountable. 

You cannot be allowed to use leprosy treatment funds for organising anti-CAA protest or encourage church or any other fora to spread some kinds of divisions by spreading falsehood on human right violations etc".

The Bill proposes vesting foreign-funded assets (including schools, hospitals, and land) in a government-appointed official if an NGO's license is cancelled or not renewed.  

Opposition leaders argue this gives the executive disproportionate, unconstitutional power to confiscate property.

 

But security analysts say 'deep state' and other inimical forces have been channelising funds to push anti-India and anti-security forces' agenda in Nagaland, Manipur and even Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.  

These observations gave become more relevant at a time when the central gvernment is laying emphasis on fighting and even a step further in 'eradicating' insurgency in northeast. 

"The government has done well to curb Naxalism. Now it is time we lay emphasis on fighting such forces in north east," one expert remarked.   

In March, Parl Affairs Minister agreed to refer it to a panel 

Congress leader Manish Tewari has alleged that the new Bill gave “wide and unguided executive control over property”.

Countering charges that the draft law was “draconian” and “dangerous”, MoS Home Nityanand Rai had said that what was “indeed dangerous” were people misusing foreign contributions for personal gain or forced religious conversion.

also say the Bill “give unfettered, unguided and untrampled discretionary power" to the administrator, to do as it deems fit with the property

The Section 1(2) of this Bill says that it shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may notify.  Therefore, apprehension is it would apply with 'retrospective effect'.

This means the FCRA Bill could also apply to those previous licenses which are already applied but have not yet been renewed or those that are pending renewal. 

A lot of ironing out would have to be done via the Rules. There will have to be sunset clauses which would take a specific date by which all the NGOs would have to get the necessary compliance done.

Past references:

In 2015, the Modi government canceled the FCRA licenses of about 10,000 organizations including Green Peace, Ford Foundation and some 20 Christian organizations. Another 1,807 NGOs lost theirs in 2019.

In 2020, a government order said these organizations will not be eligible to apply for a fresh license for a period of three years.

An FCRA license is mandatory to receive foreign donations in India.

In 2021, came the turn of a plethora of institutions like Oxfam India, Hamdard Education Society, Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi), Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), Indian Institute of Public Administration, National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), Nehru Museum, Delhi College of Engineering, Goa Football Association, and Press Institute of India.  

Notably, all of it did not come without warning; PM Narendra Modi’s trusted aide and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had cautioned police bosses and others about the new generation enemy, that is the social organizations - and their source of evil money is foreign funding. 

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India gets it's first hydrogen train ::: PM Modi flagged off indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell-powered 'Namo rail'

 India's first hydrogen train  

The 10-coach train, which will operate on the 89-km Jind-Sonipat section of the Northern Railway, is a pilot project aimed at demonstrating the viability of hydrogen-powered mobility in one of the world's largest rail networks. 

This is seen as the longest and most powerful hydrogen train in the world.

India entered a new era of clean rail transportation on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the country's first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell-powered train.

The adventure makes India one of the few nations to adopt hydrogen technology for railway operations.

Monsoon Session of Parliament : Despite being fragmented, Opposition gearing up to corner BJP-led NDA .... Govt eyeing to push key Bills

 The much awaited Monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on July 20 and will continue till August 13.  

The Govt to bring five New Bills and two pending ones

A day before the session starts, the government will hold an all-party meeting on July 19 at 11 a.m., where it is expected to share its key priorities.

The opposition prepares - despite being fragmented- are gearing up to corner the BJP-led NDA regime on several contentious issues.

Meanwhile, all eyes are also on the controversial 130th Constitution Amendment Bill.  

This draft law has sparked intense debate due to a clause that mandates the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers if they remain in judicial custody for 30 consecutive days in serious criminal cases.

The upcoming session is likely to be stormy, especially as the opposition bloc appears increasingly fragmented.

The government is likely to bring up crucial legislation including the Constitution amendment bill on introducing delimitation and increase of Lok Sabha seats, besides one pertaining to the removal of the prime minister, chief ministers and Union ministers if they are jailed.

The opposition is also gearing up to take on the government on issues such as NEET paper leak and the reported embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The Congress has already slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the vexed issue. 

The ruling NDA is set to hold a Parliamentary Party meeting on July 21 to workout its aggressive legislative roadmap.

The meeting, scheduled for 9:30 am will bring together all BJP allies and 'new supporters' of the Govt from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The opposition is also expected to raise the 'remarks' made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding no casualties during Operation Sindoor.

The Congress has already moved a breach of privilege notice against the Defence Minister.

In a major setback for the Trinamool Congress following its recent Assembly poll defeat, as many as 20 of its Lok Sabha MPs have merged with the National Citizens Party of India. 

These MPs have sought separate seating in the House and reportedly extended support to the BJP-led government.

Adding to TMC’s woes, three of its Rajya Sabha MPs resigned to join the BJP. 

The Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a fresh split with six of its Lok Sabha MPs switching allegiance to the Eknath Shinde faction.

Earlier, seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs had also joined the BJP.

The pending bills and those under review also include the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. 

The FCRA bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25. 

It will be up for consideration and passage in the upcoming parliament session. The amendments seek to enhance transparency in dealing with funds coming to India.  

The Viksit Bharat Education Establishment Bill, 2025, which was introduced in December 2025, was referred to a joint committee of both the houses. Further consideration will take place following the submission of the committee's report.  

The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will replace an earlier ordinance. This bill is being introduced to strengthen India's sovereign debt market and also attract global capital flows.

The second ordinance which will be replaced is the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to raise the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).

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Political gossip around Manipur's Loktak Lake .... Power of K-word .... far away from Kashmir and Pakistan :::: Why "Kuki MLAs" after 2027 polls may have to back BJP ?

Located about 48 km south of Manipur's capital city, Imphal; the Loktak lake is a popular elevated vantage point offering a panoramic, 360-degree bird's-eye view of the vast blue waters and surrounding hills.  

It is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. 

Press 'Google' on net and you may also know that it is famous for phumdis (masses of floating vegetation) and the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world's only floating national park. 

It is the last natural habitat of the endangered Sangai dancing deer.  Now something new .... 

Visitors to the scenic Lake discuss politics. But mostly off the record and needless to add, even - reluctantly !! I was eyewitness and an intense listener to what young students and others discuss about and around 'politics' on July 16, 2026. 

Refrain from a few students has been -- the BJP is "no longer as popular" as it used to be in 2022 ... when the last assembly elections took place. Of course -- the foremost reason is 2023 'ethnic clashes' between Christian Kukis and Hindu Meities.  We need a pause. 

The ethnic violence that began in May 2023 killed at least 175-200 people and injured some 1200. 

Some 50 people are reported missing from both the communities. And worse, the rioters burned down or vandalized some 380 religious structures including temples and churches. 

It was during the stint of N Biren Singh as the BJP chief minister.  But even the crowd around Loktak say - for the fast approaching 2027 elections - Biren Singh is a key political factor. 

Y Khemchand Singh is a chief minister in office; but very few think - he may survive long till or after the elections. But there were some. Interestingly, a female (40 something) says: "N Biren Singh will come back as the chief minister. The riots were not taking place because of him". 

Elsewhere in Congress Bhavan - Imphal - I was told by a few leaders that the grand old party is on a "revival journey". "There is a strong pro-Congress wave and this is supported by strong anti-BJP mood in the street".  As a mischievous journo, I threw up this factor to a crowd of youngsters. One of them laughed and tried to discourage me. 

"Why discuss dirty politics in such a nice place?," he remarked but hastened to add - "You may not believe, miracle is happening slowly under Khemchand. People think he is taking right decisions ... reaching out to Kukis and Nagas as well. He has been traveling to places such as Jiribam and Churachandpur. But this Naga-Kuki clashes is something that ought to have been avoided".  

He was quickly countered his friend or colleague ---  "The Naga-Kuki clashes are not new. We were very young. It happened in 1997.. somehow the old disease has come back". 

Blogger at Loktak 

As tension prevails and Kukis and Meities avoid travelling to each other fiefdoms; the Loktak crowd were generally Meities, non-local visitors from Imphal and even places like Barpeta in Assam and a substantial number of local Meitei Muslims. 

Somehow, discussions about Kukis figured. Many said the participation of the Kuki population in voting would be very less. 

"They are not happy ... and they will not be happy without a new administrative homeland for them" -- was a common refrain among many.   

One school teacher in a private school at Churachandour later told me:

"The BJP, which  runs the double-engine government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was in 2023 accused by Kuki and Zo people of pursuing policies that discriminated against Christian Zos, Paiteis and Kukis, including forced evictions that threatened the security of their land. The Kuki and Zo people cannot forget that there was an attempt to cast us as illegal immigrants". 

However, a shopkeeper says - "There are political compulsions too for Kuki leaders irrespective of party affiliation. We all want some good package. We all want the SoO - the suspension of military operations to deliver us peace and money. That will not come from a regional party or the Congress".   

This means after elections; the elected Kuki MLAs - 10 of them in a House of 60 - may yet again back the BJP. 

However, this could be one part of the story. The other part is about the intense speculation about the possible return of Biren Singh into the position of authority in Imphal.

Incidentally, I had visited Imphal and Churachandpur  in 2025 January --- just a few weeks before resignation of the chief minister Biren and imposition of President's Rule on Feb 13 (2025).

Then I was told by a local political observer : "Biren Singh has/had a bad habit or he is too frank... he started blaming Meiteis - his own people - for demanding ST status for triggering the violence in 2023 and some time he would blame the foreign immigrants. All these were to cover up (his) own failures. And these combined together to write his political obit".  

But things also change pretty fast in politics. 

In the northeast, there are strong leaders such as Neiphiu Rio (CM in Nagaland) and a few of his counterparts Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam) and Lalduhoma (Mizoram) -- who all have been surviving and thriving in the seats of power and their politics. 

Can Biren Singh be the fourth such regional satrap ? 

Khemchand : New Man to watch ?

In Kuki-Zo heartland, Khemchand has generated some curiosity. He is seen as an accommodating political protagonist who is not really pushing the K word. Meaning he has not been seeking an anti-Kuki political grounding. 

Does this man ... good for Khemchand or the end of a journey for a 'compromising' CM face remains to be seen ?

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"Pyar me dil ka sauda hota hae" --- In love, hearts are traded... :::::: Memories : Kohima days - Mere Ghar Ke Saamne !! When 'autograph' was the in-thing and 'selfies' were not in thought process !! .... legendary star Dev Anand visited Kohima War Cemetery in 1987

Kohima days - Mere Ghar Ke Saamne !!

When 'autograph' was the in-thing and selfies days were not in thought process !! .... legendary star Dev Anand visited Kohima War Cemetery in 1987.... words spread and some of us from Science College gang had rushed  .... our Kohima house in Midland area was at a stone's throw from the cemetery. 

Dev Anand was certainly a great star and very popular. But as an entertainer he had his share of criticism and 'blame game' too. He had a copycat label and that his performance mattered more about 'style' and less of substance.  

It's a matter of fact that during his peak in the black-and-white era, critics frequently accused Dev Anand of being repetitive, relying on his famous puff of hair, tilted cap, rapid dialogue delivery, and nod. 

Reviewers often dismissed his films as mere entertainers rather than films with deep, overt social messages. 

Because of his westernized wardrobe and certain mannerisms, critics sometimes compared him to Hollywood icon Gregory Peck, suggesting he emulated the American actor's style.

But Dev Anand - nevertheless- famously defended his consistent on-screen persona by stating that audiences wanted their favorite star to act the way they always had. 

Critics also would maintain that even in his twilight years as a director and actor, he rarely reinvented himself to match his actual age.

Gregory Peck

Dev Anand in other words stuck being what he has been. He was  confident and as they say maybe -- 'over-confident' enough to not to seek an image makeover. 

“... those who like me and love me call me Dev, just Dev, short and sweet and progressive" -- he had written in his memoir 'Romancing with Life'.  

But there has been another refrain about his style and performance. -- 

He was certainly, The most loved hero, who was also a flamboyant anti-hero

To many, Dev Anand was much ahead of his time with his bold film choices -- he could convey even complicated emotions with a smile on his face and a song on his lips. 

"At a time when Hindi film actors were crying over heartbreak and struggling to live up to Nehruvian idealism on the big screen, there emerged a flamboyant anti-hero who filled the audience with optimism. With a cap dangerously perched on puffed-up hair, a smile on his face and a song on his lips, Dev Anand straddled the space between the good and the bad, old and new, sometimes as a rakish cab driver and at others as a debonair con artiste seeking redemption," went a tribute about him in 2023. Ask any old timer ... well my father is dead; he liked both Dev Anand and Ashok Kumar and the dialogue from the film 'Jewel Thief' -- 

"हम तो सिर्फ प्यार करते हैं, चोरी नहीं... और प्यार में दिल का सौदा होता है, इल्जाम नहीं।" 

Pyar me dil ka sauda hota hae ...

(We only love, we don't steal... and in love, hearts are traded, not blamed.)

It is said untouched by self-pity, his characters effortlessly serenaded confident urbane women on screen and flirted with those besotted by his luminous charm in the darkness of theatres. 

Certain things were summed up well in an article. ---  

Across generations, every girl got the impression that Dev is in love with her but perhaps there is one more competitor in the fray!

The dialogue from 'Hum Dono' mesmerized some of us ... struggling with Science. 

He had said - "I can give you support .... not love". That's was Calculas and many more 'stupid things' in our lives. 

                                                   Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman in CID

Alongside his brother Chetan Anand, he co-founded Navketan Films, a production house responsible for introducing fresh talent and modern urban themes to Indian cinema. 

For his massive contributions to entertainment spanning six decades, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002.  

At the end, we all remember Dev Anand for impeccably tailored suits, gleaming shoes, slick hairstyle .... 

As someone had said - he was a dashing young man with a twinkle in his eye. As he stormed into Bollywood in the 1940s; Dev Anand had arrived, and Hindi cinema was never the same again. 

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Respected Namo ji, the scale of your success made it obvious that there is a big gang who want you to fail !! :::: But now PM Modi has to deliver on Reform !!

Contradictions often give good leadership. 

Swami Vivekananda was not a Brahmin; and he became India's best known religious head. Vishwamitra gave the Gayatri Mantra - something identified with Vedic Brahmanism. 

He was a Kshatriya. Modi is an OBC and is today the favourite son of Hindutva school priests at Nagpur.

Importantly, background do not matter. Performance does.

People of India and especially those who dislike 'Sickular gang', prefer Namo not for anything else - but for his decisiveness! He should live up to that.  

His image has been that of a macho Hindu leader and a 'saviour' standing up to arch-rival Pakistan, radical Muslims and even against corruption.

His Govt's "Na Khauanga ...." is a good phrase/line; but all that somehow fell like a pack of cards at Ayodhya. A necessary corrective step must come quickly. 

 

Therefore, it is time for him to act firmly! 

Several 'difficult' states like West Bengal now have a Double Engine Govt. This is the best time to change the course in Bengal in more ways than one. West Bengal has seen so much of work-shirking and misgovernance that people are still skeptical.  A keen observer of things in West Bengal wrote to me lately --  

"Long spell of CPI (M), followed by TMC and now BJP. Only the party has changed, otherwise majority of leaders and cadres are same. Bengal with its 'extreme resistance' mentality will remain far behind other progressive states." 

Only Narendra Modi can solve multiple problems in this country, we suppose.

  

'Urban Naxals' in West Bengal, hardcore opportunists in Maharashtra and muffler man and team rejoicing all 'hangamas' of an anarchist in Delhi are out. In other words, there is no major hurdle at the state level to implement developmental agenda and reform packages whenever things are decided at the central level.  

Of course, this is a tough mission. But when the going gets tough, it is Modi who gets going and has to get going. So we know pretty well - "Modi Hae toh Mumkin hae".   

Respected Prime Minister, the scale of your success in last few years has made it obvious that there is a big gang who want you to fail. 

Nothing else matter to them. 

For them the favourite hashtag is #ModiFailed !  

Modi's challenges are manifold and also complex. Different stakeholders have focus on different things.

 

PM has hijacked the agenda or space of communists and brought in the slogan 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'. His demonetsation policy was to clean up the system and was seen anti-rich and anti-upper middle class. Faceless - commoner - Indians latched on to it despite hardships and days and nights of long queues. 

Politically, he has almost made Rahul Gandhi and his style of politics irrelevant and to an extent laughable. 

But now he has to deliver on Reform.

This time the challenge is more than opening bank accounts of poor Indians or making toilets.  

Hence, it is time - Modi must reshuffle his cabinet and bring in some 'performing talents'. 

Some of his Rajya Sabha colleagues can be sent back to BJP headquarters or as Governors.

In more ways than one, Amit Shah is his effective deputy. Let that be formalised. 

Along with reform; he should focus on delivering in north east. In terms of priorities; I will seek Solution to Naga problem first. Manipur unrest on twin fronts - Naga-Kuki clashes and internal turmoil in NSCN-IM and even Meitei-Kuki ethnic conflicts can be handled next. 

The state governments and chief ministers if are not delivering; they must be replaced by a better lot. 

Blogger with Naga friends 

  

My history teacher in Kohima used to say that Jawaharlal Nehru's major weakness as a leader was that he lacked Sardar Patel's image - that of a mythic hero. In Patel, Indians still wish a 'first Prime Minister' who could have made all the difference.

The same frame - mythic and heroic matrix fitted Netaji Subhash Bose also.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was at his best 'a mini-Nehru of BJP'.  Advani floundered with his Jinnah-secular remarks.

So, we come back to Narendra Modi and his 'Moditva' phenomenon. 

He should look for both short-term measures and long-term gains. 

Paper boats are 'sad' these days : Kids no longer play with them 

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