Reality check: Last Nine years and more !! Since 2014 !! (Flashback, 1958 -- When Jamir said Nagas should kill "the ape and the tiger in us"

"Need to change laws - we are ready. Need to change rules - we are ready. Need to speed up processes - we are ready," Modi said at the concluding session of a workshop on Make in India. "We need to implement changes on the ground." -- PM Narendra Modi, Dec 30, 2014 

There has been criticism in recent months (that is between May 26, 2014 and Dec 30, 2014) that Modi has yet to use his strong electoral mandate to implement reforms needed to pull India out of an economic growth of under five percent for two straight years.

Dec 27, 2015 (my blog piece...)

"....for him (PM Modi) and certainly for his handpicked ‘BJP chief’ Amit Shah, the year 2015 in the ultimate analysis was a year of series of setback. The legislative business was stalled in Rajya Sabha. GST and Land Bill got stuck. Individually top ranking BJP leaders got embroiled into corruption scandals – Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje and even Modi’s “eyes and ears” Arun Jaitley. 

Electorally, BJP lost two crucial polls badly Delhi and Bihar…. Minorities were isolated further with nuns and churches attacked, Awards returned and the unnecessary beef debate. Has the countdown for the decline begun? 

May 30, 2015 (from my blog)

WHAT HAS INTERNET DONE? - Perhaps it has compelled people to realise the importance of spending someone else's money on someone else...and yet you garner profits and also happiness. 

The moot point I am trying to emphasise here is you cannot run away from the truth that good or bad changes that one plans to bring to the media cannot come without pumping in money or without taking help of technology and internet.  ....... 

So, when we talk about these so called 'individual rights' -- it ought to be appreciated that a sound policy considers/shall evaluate long-term consequences of a policy (decisions) over all groups of people not just the short term effects of one group. The usefulness of Internet is exemplified in understanding this vital fact that the new web technology has enhanced the 'power of the Net users'. So, media in the north east India need not shy away from 'informing' the readers and enhancing their 'knowledge bank'.

Dec 26, 2016 (from my blog)

Politics Kaleidoscope 2016: Modi in eye of storm; opposition unity still a mirage

The BJP's coming to power in Assam, making its presence felt and entry in Kerala assembly and being part of the ruling coalition in sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir had all the reasons to suggest that the saffron outfit - essentially known for Hindutva tilt and pro-north Indian credential has come of age.  

....

Congress party has been pushed to the second fiddle. In a year with highs and lows, Congress lost another key state of Assam to the saffron outfit. It also lost Kerala to the Left Front, generally compatriots at the national level.

2016, Sept 29

Surgical Strikes: Namo's 56-inch show and Importance of Timing

Indian agencies are confident that lately Pakistan's ability to "manage affairs in Kashmir campaign" has failed to evoke confidence in the international public opinion and Islamabad is almost turning into a regional pariah in the comity of nations.

As a result, they say, Pakistan is being subjected to growing hostility from even countries like Afghanistan and Bangladesh, while it's established friends  have offered only lip-service and stereotype assistance.

This has to do the the timing of the surgical strikes by India.

Thus the 'Surgical strikes' came within hours Nawaz Sharif held strategy meet on Kashmir on September 28, Wednesday. Even as the meticulous manner the 'special forces' of Indian army conducted the surgical strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK), those in the know of things say the credit for the successful assault  should also go to intelligence agencies and other security forces.

It was sheer "efficiency" of Indian security agencies that army could conduct the surgical strikes within hours  Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a strategic meet with his close aides to discuss Kashmir issue and Islamabad response to New Delhi. 

"It was not only a well coordinated operation by security forces and army but various intelligence gathering mechanism also did play their part. All proved to be very useful," an insider says. 

In fact, hours before the first formal clearance was obtained from the army head quarter and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Wednesday, there were inputs that a high-level meeting Pakistani political, civil and military establishments were trying to coordinate and carry out some "nefarious designs".

"There was intelligence input that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with the likes of Interior Minister Chaud­hry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua, Director General Military Operations Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza and army and ISI officials were planning something big," the source said. 

July 24, 2017 

Lesson learnt from Indira - Admitting mistakes better than justifying the acts: Pranab

New Delhi, Jul 23  If there is a single big thing that a serving politician or even an individual could learn from Indira Gandhi -- according to President Pranab Mukhejee - is "acknowledging" of own mistakes.  
"Self correction ...is always a better option than self-justification," Mr Mukherjee said speaking at a function in the Central Hall of Parliament where members of both Houses bid him farewell here today.

Lauding among other things, the Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's "steely determination, clarity of thought and decisive actions", Mr Mukherjee said his career as a Parliamentarian was mentored by Indira Gandhi only.

Mr Mukherjee recalled that during her London visit after election defeat in 1978, when she was grilled by the journalists at Heathrow Airport - on what she "gained" from the Emergency, Indira Gandhi had replied: "In those 21 months, we comprehensively managed to alienate all sections of Indian people".
Mr Mukherjee said her reply was admission of the 'mistakes' and her response was received by "a big silence followed by loud laughter".

June 30, 2017

In Modi Govt's tryst with midnight, India enters into ‘One nation-One tax’ regime

Prime Minister appealed to the people not to believe in rumours and misinformation about the GST and urged the doubting Thomases to see the reality.

"Yeh kisi ek dal ka siddhi nahi hae (This achievement is not of one party or one government)," Prime Minister said at a glittering function at the Central Hall of Parliament - which was graced by former foot soldiers of the long GST journey like Yashwant Sinha, Vijay Kelkar and Dr Asim Dasgupta and also the likes of business tycoons Ratan Tata and N Subhash Chandra.

"Today at midnight we all will determine the road ahead for the country," he said.

The Prime Minister said the GST would eliminate about 500 taxes, and will benefit the poor. He also appealed to the traders to pass on the benefit of the GST to the poor.

Dec 4, 2018

Can Sikh corridor build India-Pakistan relations? But PM Modi gave a twist saying Kartarpur should have remained in India

In the modern history of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh emerged largely because of considerations of religion. First, Muslims decided to part ways to form Pakistan by carving out areas where Muslims dominated. However, Islam as a unifying factor was found wanting when East Pakistan ceded and emerged as Bangladesh. 

But, in South Asia, religion has often been a tool and catalyst that influences diplomatic relations between countries. But, yet again, can Sikh corridor build India-Pakistan relations?

Everything that occurs now has some reference to the past, prejudice and politics. Despite having a negative connotation of being the opium of the people, religion has been a diplomatic tool in South Asia since the beginning of political history in the region. 

2019, June 1

Modi has shown how he abhors Nehruvian politics and what the BJP calls the dynasty rule Nehru family. Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi together headed the government in New Delhi for 37 years.

Since the British left, politics has mainly centered around the Congress, who ruled the country for a total 52 years with the odd interval. It was a dominance that waned in 2014 and the 2019 results officially ended it, placing BJP at the center as the new national party.At the center of BJP stands Modi. A man who made a synthesis of Hindu ideology and development.

Blogger with Naga rice beer

Nov 10, 2019

Ram Temple: Ashok Singhal and 'shift' in Hindu mindset

New Delhi, Nov 10 If anything has to go by prophecy and the prediction coming true - even if partly - former VHP stalwart Ashok Singhal should get the prize - obviously posthumously.

Singhal of course enjoyed good rapport with Narendra Modi and after the new mascot of the Hindutva forces was sworn in as the Prime Minister in May 2014 - the illustrious Singhal had said in laudatory tone: "Eight hundred years after power (in Delhi) went away from Prithviraj Chauhan, it did not come back into the hands of a proud Hindu. It has happened now after 800 years".

In socio-political realm, two major Hindutva targets have been achieved --- the abrogation of the Article 370 and a Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Perhaps even six months back (prior to Nov 2019), not many Indians thought these would come true. 

2020, May 30 

Modi era: Reassess New Objectives and Methods

The foreign policy of the Modi government came in for debate during the corona crisis when the Prime Minister sought to revive two prominent but virtually defunct bodies – the SAARC and the Non Aligned Movement. Modi’s ‘NAM spin’ came as a surprise as he has generally tried to stay away from any of the principal policy paradigms anchored by Jawaharlal Nehru.
 

Along with Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and Egypt's second president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, India's first Prime Minister Nehru is credited for the birth of NAM at Belgrade. 
In fact, even the term or the phrase ‘non alignment’ was first used by Nehru in 1954 and he had arguably conceived it as a policy of vigorous action for peace and for a better international climate. 

Blogger's PTI-Mag story: 1999

It was not originally planned not in synonymous with neutrality. NAM was born in a bi-polar world and thus it may be of certain academic interest to speculate what shape the founders (including Nehru) would have given to the NAM if the world then had been it had turned out to be. But it is also a fact by late 1990s, it had lost its relevance!

In February 1999, in one of my earlier assignments in the national capital – my story was titled, “Is NAM losing its relevance?”. (Reported Feb 8, 1999 in ‘The Hindu’) I had spoken to a number of experts on the subject and those included some serving career diplomats both in India and overseas. 

One such an individual was Dr V R Panchmukhi of Research and Information System for Non Aligned and other Developing Countries.

NAM was not a “cogent grouping”, he has said. But crucially he had said – “NAM started as a reaction to Cold War but situations proved that dominance of power blocs was pervasive.

March 24, 2020:

STAY INDOORS, STAY SAFE : Modi orders 21-day India lockdown, violation can result in two-year imprisonment

"It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation," tweeted Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao LijianZhao, who is known for his provocative statements on social media.

While Covid-19 -- the disease caused by the virus -- has largely come under control in China, it has killed more than 7,000 people around the world and severely disrupted daily life in Western countries.

There was a refreshing change in Indian political atmosphere on Tuesday, March 24 evening as principal opposition Congress and parties such as the DMK backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to announce three-week long complete nationwide lockdown to fight the coronavirus menace.

'Koi Road Par Na Nikle' (No one should come out on roads), PM said in his second national address within a week.

2021

India becomes unapologetically Hindu under PM Modi : UCA News August 5, 2021 

August 5 (2021) marks the second anniversary of the constitutional amendment initiated by the Narendra Modi government to take away the functional autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim-majority state.

A year earlier, on the same day in 2020, the prime minister laid the foundation stone for a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya on a plot of land where once stood the Babri mosque before its demolition by frenzied mobs of Hindus in 1992.

The two events aren’t mere sociopolitical developments in the recent history of the country but can be seen as symbols of the latent but strong cultural transformation India has undergone ever since Modi became prime minister in 2014. 

2022

Dec 29th

Satire -- only consolation being -- I am not alone in the train !

Jokingly Yours

Dimapur 

Another year gone....another season of political wheeling and dealing too is ringing out. The world will soon step into 2023 ....but the outcome is uncertain.

As I take train to Dimapur from Guwahati-- my last train journey before Christmas; the cool breeze works like a lullaby. And eyes are closed and as I sleep briefly relishing the siesta; a man attired as the Santa Claus arrives and says the chocolate box has been taken away by custom officials. There were some ED officials also.

But he tells me - I give you an opportunity -- you can dream being Netas. You can in fact have three choices. YOU CAN BE IN THEIR SHOES AND YOU CAN HAVE THEIR BRAINS.

(happy reading .....Link

Dec 4th

Love 'money, glories and fame' ..... why don't you love Football ?

Think of Argentine magician footballer Lionel Messi whose worth, they say, is $120 million. Apart from his earnings and record deal with Adidas, Messi, 35, has $14 million yacht, and his $50 million car collection includes the world’s most expensive car.

Neymar Jr, $87 million, Brazilian superstar, 30, owns three lavish homes in Parisis, Beverly hills and Brazil, a yacht, a private jet and a dozen supercars worth over $10 million. Kylian Mbappa, $128 million, who also made history as the youngest player to score over $100 million in one year. 

Christiano Ronaldo, $100 million, the hero of Portugal’s earnings off-field are even higher than on-field – about $60 million this year, thanks to his $1 billion lifetime deal a big sporting brand. 

2023:

Dec 6, 2023

SICKULARISM ... meltdown has begun ... from 'cow urine/Gau-mutra' to EVM ..... "An old habit of 70 years cant go away"

SICKULARISM brigade got a shock. Overestimation of Bharat Jodo Yatra and the protagonist Rahul Gandhi has backfired !!

The assembly polls in five states including in Mizoram, Telangana and three Hindi/Hindu heartland states were touted as a semi-final contest ahead of the general elections in just few months. On the BJPs impressive performance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the results indicate that Indians are firmly with politics of good governance.  

Oct 30, 2023

PM needs to wake up, 'Naga Peace Talks' ... Solution :: Only Salvation for him in North East; and can correct his image among Tribal-Christians

Kemchho Majama !! Cannot be the salutation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his trusted Home Minister Amit Shah any longer. 

 

(PM Narendra Modi was to address a poll rally in Mamit, around 80 km from Mizoram capital Aizawl, on Monday, October 30. Modi staying away from Mizoram in the election season is more than mere official engagements etc) 

Things have been late already; and the Government of India has to blame itself for trusting absolutely 'wrong people'. The NDPP-BJP regime is actually a liability the centre is shouldering at the cost of many things including personal image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Oct 29, 2023

Flashback, 1958 -- When Jamir said Nagas should first kill "the ape and the tiger in us"

Veteran Naga leader SC Jamir recalls encounter with B K Nehru, mild tiff with Guv Burney

New Delhi 

Politics was something that fascinated veteran leader Dr S C Jamir and according to himself -- his political journey "was a call of duty for me to serve the people ''.

"After completion of my study, I was appointed as Circle Officer in 1958 and posted at Pokobhoto, Kohima district but I declined to join the government service as well because my possession and commitment was to join politics," says Jamir in a small booklet published recently.

Jamir couple hosted dinner in their private kitchen 

Happy reading -- Link

April 21, 2023

Visit to Naga hamlet Oting: Harvest of love, mutual trust amid suspicion & despair

Oting (Nagaland), April 21 

Hlaing Konyak, 22, says he is a changed man since the last two years. But he hastens to add that, "I have also befriended some strangers I never liked in the past but now share black tea with them every evening."

Oting in Mon district had courted ill-fate and controversy in December 2021 when in a botched up operation 21 paratroopers from neighbouring Assam had killed innocuous coal mine workers from the hitherto little known village.

Oting Village Church

To Hlaing (name changed to be precise), 'strangers' are Assam Rifles officers and jawans.

To Hlaing's friends and parents the 'change' is welcome as he was a victim of alcoholism for years. On ground friendship with Assam Rifles personnel have been able to bring out the talented volleyball player in him.