8th edition of 'Kargil hero' Capt Neingutoulie Kenguruse Memorial Football Tournament Kicks off

 8th Edition of Capt N Kenguruse Memorial Football Tournament Kicks Off in Kohima

The highly anticipated 8th Edition of the Capt N Kenguruse, Maha Vir Chakra Memorial Football Tournament, themed 'Bigger Better Bolder,' was inaugurated with an enthralling opening ceremony at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on Saturday, Nov 2.

Blogger and Kargil hero's parents

Sixteen teams would be sweating it out in this prestigious tournament.

Organized by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles under 'Operation Sadbhavana,' the tournament commemorates the legacy of Captain Neingutoulie Kenguruse, Maha Vir Chakra, who exhibited unparalleled bravery during the Kargil conflict of 1999.  

Neingutoulie was the third child to his Naga parents. The meaning of his name 'Neingutoulie' - for the starters - is "exactly what was desired".

  

The initiative to organise the football tourney, it is said, aims to provide a significant platform for football teams across Nagaland while fostering sportsmanship, camaraderie, and unity among the region's youth.

The inauguration ceremony on Nov 2 was presided over by Lt. General Abhijit S Pendharkar, the Corps Commander.

Officials from Assam Rifles and the representatives of the Nagaland Football Association were also present. 

  

A large crowd of sports enthusiasts attended the event. In their addresses, dignitaries emphasized the tournament's significance in nurturing discipline and teamwork among young players and spectators alike. 

Lt Gen. Abhijit S Pendharkar  expressed pride in Captain Kenguruse's legacy inspiring youth and promoting community harmony. 

As part of ‘Operation Sadbhavana,’ this tournament strengthens bonds with local communities, particularly the youth. The competition features a  prize of Rs 3 lakh for the winners and Rs 1.5 lakh for the runners-up, with additional cash prizes for third and fourth place teams.

The inaugural ceremony also featured energetic performances by Nagaland’s popular band, Tetseo Sisters, and Mr. Imna Yaden, who composed a theme song for the tournament. 

The Fifth Note band and Ms. Kenie Ritse, Miss Northeast 2023, partners of the tournament, also attended the ceremony.

The finals are scheduled for November 12, 2024. 

US Prez polls presents a critical choice .... "Do we embrace a hopeful future or retreat to a reactionary past?" ... Will Trump win or will Kamala Harris fall into a 'trap' of the flaws of Democracy itself ?

 "I Voted" stickers are seen at an early voting location in Columbus, Georgia

It appears there are some similarities in the 'characteristics' and 'anecdotes' vis-a-vis Democracy and what's going on in Indian and American politics.  The underlining theme in both the case is that things are 'changing' and often changing fast !!  

To start with one argument or concept as a 'perception' already being pushed is -- the Muslim voters in US dread the choice between ‘bad and worse’. We shall debate these. 

Choosing between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris would mean voting for a candidate who supports immigrants’ rights. But with violence escalating in Gaza, many are reconsidering their long-standing political alignments.

This shift has led some traditional Democratic voters to weigh their concerns over Palestine alongside domestic issues, with a portion now considering backing Trump in the election.

Across the US, signs declaring “Full Ceasefire in Gaza Now” have appeared outside homes of Muslim residents, signalling this growing unease.  

snap 'Dawn' newspaper - Pakistan

There is an interesting version: 

“Democratic leaders, including President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, have continued funding and supporting policies that escalate the situation. Voting for Kamala would mean endorsing these actions, and I just can’t do that.”  

Where does the debate US elections go from here.

Well, Race was a durable factor in US politics for long especially after the civil rights movement.

People of colour voted more for Democrats in the past… today, the division is more categorical and crystal clear to a large extent.

Professionals it appears will vote for Kamala Harris this time. This is a new scenario – the Americans will have to gear up to face.

Unlike past again, the Republicans now have a solid base among people with blue-collared jobs.

Social class is the great divider of the American society and not the economic class.

Besides education, even gender and geography will play a major role in US polls. And also Religion.

On the right is – Male, less educated and Religious and rural

The other side is with Kamala Harris – educated, secular, urban left and female.

As a result a bi-racial Kamala Harris is likely to get more of the white votes.

Men and youngsters are preferring Donald trump and republicans.

Democrats are apparently slow to understand this shift in voters’ mind and the mind space. The same with India’s opposition and worst the Leftists and casteist forces – who are slowly losing out relevance even in the bastions of their strongholds.

Communists in India are now only enjoying power in Kerala and have lost their solid base(s) in Tripura and West Bengal.

Now this is the 'Guardian view' (London)

This election presents a critical choice. Do we embrace a hopeful future or retreat to a reactionary past? We’re backing Kamala Harris. She will unlock democracy’s potential, not give in to its flaws  

Look at the changing dynamics -- 

There are prominent Republicans – such as the former vice-president Dick Cheney – who refused to support Mr Trump owing to the threat he poses. 

Gen Mark Milley, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff under Mr Trump, calls his former boss a “fascist”. 

America was founded in opposition to absolute monarchy. The Republican nominee models himself after the leader he most admires: Russia’s autocratic president, Vladimir Putin.  

Ting tong !!  

"Mr Trump’s authoritarianism may finish US democracy. He has praised and promised to pardon those convicted in the January 6 insurrection. He has suggested bypassing legal norms to use potentially violent methods of repression, blurring the lines between vigilantism, law enforcement and military action, against groups – be they Democrats or undocumented immigrants – he views as enemies." - says The Guardian.  

There is another Muslim angle -- Wajahat Ali, founder of a website The Left Hook, expressed concern, saying: “Yes, Democrats are complicit in the tragedy in Gaza. But Trump’s policies could be even more damaging for Muslims.”

India summons Canadian official over allegations against Home Minister Amit Shah ::::::: Says episode confirms the view that New Delhi held about incumbent Canadian Govt

"Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties". 

"Regarding the latest Canadian target, we summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday... It was conveyed in the note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a press conference here. 

The Indian government on Saturday said the Canadian officials "deliberately leaked unfounded insinuations to international media to discredit India and influence other nations". 

Shah is trusted aide, colleague and now Home Minister of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and naming him makes it clear that the Canadian authorities are out to play politics rather than handle things at the diplomatic levels. 

Two senior officials of the Justin Trudeau-led government recently confessed to leaking intelligence and sensitive information against India to the Washington Post even before the Canadian police publicly alleged that their probe into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar revealed links between agents of the Indian government and "homicides and violent acts" in Canada. 

Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison told a parliamentary panel on Tuesday that a top ranking official in the PM Modi-led government was behind the plots to attack Sikh separatists in Canada.  

New Delhi dismissed the allegations and said the move was aimed at discrediting India and "influencing other nations".

"In fact, the revelation that high Canadian officials deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations ......

only confirms the view that the government of India has long held about the current Canadian government's political agenda and behavioural pattern," the MEA said.  

ON SURVEILLANCE OF INDIAN CONSULAR OFFICIALS

The MEA further slammed the surveillance of India’s consular officials in Canada and said a formal protest has been lodged with the Justin Trudeau-led government over the issue. The government said the surveillance of its officials was a “flagrant violation of diplomatic conventions”.

"Some of our Consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian Government that they have been and continue to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted. 

We have formally protested to the Canadian Government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.  

The relations between India and Canada soured following the Canadian government's allegations of links between Indian agents and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.

"Such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties," the government said on Saturday.

Mumbai cops begin process to extradite Lawrence Bishnoi's brother from United States

A Red Corner Notice (RN) has been issued to aid in his search abroad.

 National Investigation Agency (NIA) added Anmol Bishnoi's name to its most-wanted list and announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to his arrest.

snap - India Today 

The US authorities have confirmed Anmol Bishnoi’s presence in the United States to Indian officials. 

The Mumbai Crime Branch has informed the Mumbai Sessions Court of Bishnoi's extradition case and will soon forward the file to the Centre for further processing.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has officially started the extradition process for Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is wanted in connection with the firing incident at actor Salman Khan’s residence, along with several other cases across India, sources said.  

The 66-year-old NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead by three men while he was bursting crackers on the occasion of Dussehra (October 12). The police said that Anmol Bishnoi was in direct touch with the accused and used the social media application Snapchat to remain in touch with the accused while he was operating from Canada and the US.

So far, police have arrested 10 individuals in connection with Baba Siddique's murder, including two shooters and an arms supplier.  

Anmol Bishnoi faces over 17 criminal cases in India and has been implicated in the Salman Khan firing case, along with his brother Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar.

Last week, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) added Anmol Bishnoi’s name to its most-wanted list and announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to his arrest.

Anmol Bishnoi, also wanted in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, is accused of supplying the imported weapons used in the singer's killing, according to police officials. Bishnoi allegedly provided a Turkey-made Tisas pistol and a Glock firearm, both used in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui on October 12. Sources reveal that Bishnoi had been in contact with one of the suspects in Siddiqui's murder, suggesting his potential involvement in the conspiracy.

Focus Naga Talks ::::: Issue of Right sense even in 'wrong' persons ---- What's common and also 'uncommon' b/w Kitovi and Alezo ?

Senior rebel leader and the architect of the NNPG, N Kitovi Zhimomi said over phone:

"The fifth anniversary of the announcement that the Naga talks are over in 2019 is a great occasion. The talks have been successful. From NNPG, we gave our best. Mr R N Ravi is a tough interlocutor. 

As a former police man and holding important posts like Deputy National Security Advisor, he did a good job. We had to do better. Yes, we did our best".

R N Ravi (Now TN Governor) with Alezo, Kitovi and others 

 

Kitovi !!

Alezo Venuh, Ato Kilonser of the NSCN-GPRN (Unification)  told 

'Nagaland Page' :

"The NNPG did make history. But it was tough days initially. The GB Federation leaders played an important role. I will also salute the roles played by NTC.  We may not  mention everyone.  R N Ravi did his part...so did stalwarts like S C Jamir".  

In August 2024, Alezo Venuh was already the Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of NSCN-GPRN (Unification). During my interaction with him, Alezo said - "I am confident the good and right sense will prevail upon even the wrong persons". 

'Nagaland Page'

He sounded neo-matured and realistic. He further said -- "We need Solution and those who think they can get away by delaying things will soon be cornered and face gradual isolation in Naga society". 

Quite a bold statement from an ideologue type leader. In the past - I know of Alezo telling the Govt of India mandarins that - "Shri N Kitovi is my mentor". 

In April 2024 - things changed and he and others pulled the carpet underneath Kitovi's feet. Who inspired him ? 

The best answer will be Angami type assertion : "Na jaane ho". Kitovi admitted later if "my young friends"  had issues things could have been debated.

Money is a good catalyst these days - both positive and negative. Mr Chingwang Konyak as the NDPP  chief would generally smile away when these 'bitter' questions are asked.

Nevertheless, things have moved progressively and on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the  mega announcement of breakthrough in Naga peace parleys (i.e Oct 31)  something positive has emerged lately.  

If either of them -- Alezo Venuh and N Kitovi Zhimomi or the both or all other key leaders of  the NNPG were playing spoilers to the talks process for the last few months -- frankly they have to blame themselves. 

Well, they might have been instigated and misguided by the saboteurs gang -- but the fresh statement from the umbrella group issued on Oct 30th is welcome. 

Even hardliners in Delhi call it - pragmatic and also forward looking.  

Others are doing their part and here we may include the role of the church. The respected Naga Shisha Hoho (prayer group) organised a special session on Oct 30 (Wednesday) at Dimapur.

Of course -- things may be a little too early to call it result oriented.  The anti-Solution gangs are quite powerful. They have shown in the past that they can undo and do things. 

They include Netas, they include 'underground players' and of course they include stakeholders within Nagaland and outside Nagaland. They also include a section of Delhi's ivory tower experts -- both in the media/ intellectual circles and Babudom !  

But optimism has been a spirit that guided the NNPG ever since they came forward and had interacted with R N Ravi and others around 2017.  

By October 2019; things looked so good and smooth and then things were derailed. But admirably the NNPG leadership did not give up.

Both Kitovi and Alezo deserve due credit for this. They kept patience. 

The NNPG's latest statement issued on Oct 30, 2024 is a much relieving thing for the Modi Govt too especially because it generates hope when Manipur still does not offer any clue.

It is true as far as the Naga peace talk goes even the Modi government and especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi had come under attack for the so-called indecisiveness. 

Even media had urged him to 'wake up' and take the call. 

Now, the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) hopes that the government of India would complete signing of the Naga peace agreement in the calendar year 2024 itself, so that Nagaland and Naga areas of other states could also take part in the 'Vision 2047' of Prime Minister Modi. 

This is certainly encouraging from a nationalist standpoint. 

The greed for power -- directly and also indirectly - was so far harming the peace process. 

Veteran Naga leader S C Jamir has said time and again that for some leaders endorsing the final Naga Peace pact is like signing off their good times both -- in political and economic terms. 

Veteran Jamir 

What's common between US Republicans and India's Opposition parties especially the Congress ? -- (The Guardian)

Republicans preparing to reject US election result if Trump loses, warn strategists

Polling experts point to ‘fake polls’ exaggerating his support, with baseless lawsuits alleging fraud already filed......  

Republicans are already laying the ground for rejecting the result of next week’s US presidential election in the event Donald Trump loses, with early lawsuits baselessly alleging fraud and polls from right-leaning groups that analysts say may be exaggerating his popularity and could be used by Trump to claim only cheating prevented him from returning to the White House.

The warnings – from Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans – come as Americans prepare to vote on Tuesday in the most consequential presidential contest in generations. Most polls show Trump running neck and neck with Kamala Harris, the vice-president and Democratic nominee, with the two candidates seemingly evenly matched in seven key swing states.

But suspicions have been voiced over a spate of recent polls, mostly commissioned in battleground states from groups with Republican links, that mainly show Trump leading. The projection of surging Trump support as election day nears has drawn confident predictions from him and his supporters.  

In one illustration, a poll last Tuesday by the Trafalgar Group – an organisation founded by a former Republican consultant – gave Trump a three-point lead over Harris in North Carolina. By contrast, a CNN/SRSS poll two days later in the same state put the vice-president ahead by a single point.

The polling expert Nate Silver – who has said his “gut” favours a Trump win, while simultaneously arguing that people should not trust their gut – cast doubt on the ex-president’s apparent surge in an interview with CNBC. “Anyone who is confident about this election is someone whose opinion you should discount,” he said.

“There’s been certainly some momentum towards Trump in the last couple of weeks. [But] these small changes are swamped by the uncertainty. Any indicator you want to point to, I could point to counter-examples.” - reports 'The Guardian', the popular publication in London. 

Democrats and some polling experts believe the conservative-commissioned polls are aiming to create a false narrative of unstoppable momentum for Trump – which could then be used to challenge the result if Harris wins, it says. 

“Republicans are clearly strategically putting polling into the information environment to try to create perceptions that Trump is stronger. Their incentive is not necessarily to get the answer right,” Joshua Dyck, of the Center for Public Opinion at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, told the New York Times.

“We’re leading big in the polls, all of the polls,” Trump told a rally in New Mexico on Thursday. “I can’t believe it’s a close race,” he told a separate rally in North Carolina, a swing state where polls show he and Harris are in a virtual dead heat.

An internal memo sent to Trump by his chief pollster is confirming that story to him, with Tony Fabrizio declaring the ex-president’s “position nationally and in every single battleground state is SIGNIFICANTLY better today than it was four years ago”.

Pro-Trump influencers, too, have strengthened the impression of inevitable victory with social media posts citing anonymous White House officials predicting Harris’s defeat. “Biden is telling advisers the election is ‘dead and buried’ and called Harris an innate sucker,” the conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec posted this week.

Once he wrote - "Gujarat's Economic reform template will not work for India" ::::: Bibek Debroy, economist and PM Modi's Economic Council chief, expires : He was 69

(Did you know -- In 2007 after Narendra Modi won the Gujarat state polls for the second time, Late Bibek Debroy had written -- "Gujarat's Economic reform template will not work for India in its specifics, but there is no reason why the general thrust can't be replicated".

"At least in part, Gujarat has voted for reforms and development...."

Born 25 January 1955, Shillong

Bibek Debroy, widely recognised for shaping economic policies, is also known for his translations of classical Sanskrit texts, including the Mahabharata and the Gita.

Expressing his grief over Debroy's death, PM Narendra said, "Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. 

Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India’s intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth."

Debroy, a recipient of the Padma Shri, served as chancellor of Pune's Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics and was a member of the NITI Aayog until June 5, 2019. 

He authored and edited several books and articles, and contributed as an editor for multiple newspapers.

In 1993, Debroy became the director of a Ministry of Finance and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project focused on legal reforms, a role he held until 1998. He served briefly with the Department of Economic Affairs from 1994 to 1995, then with the National Council of Applied Economic Research from 1995 to 1996, and at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies from 1997 to 2005.

He later worked with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry until 2006 and then joined the Centre for Policy Research, remaining there from 2007 to 2015.  

With expertise in macroeconomics and public finance, Debroy wrote widely on subjects such as economic reform, governance, and railways.

He was also known for his translations of classical Sanskrit texts, including the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita.

He began his academic career at Presidency College in Kolkata from 1979 to 1984. He then joined the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune, where he worked until 1987, followed by a position at the Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi until 1993.  

From its inception in January 2015 untill June 2019, Mr. Debroy was a member of the NITI Aayog, the think tank of the Indian Government. He was awarded the Padma Shri (the fourth-highest civilian honour in India) in 2015.

In 2016, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by US-India Business Summit.

In 2022, he was conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award by The Australia India Chamber of Commerce (AICC). 

In February 2024, Debroy was conferred Insolvency Law Academy Emeritus Fellowship, in recognition of his distinguished leadership, public service, work and contributions in the field of insolvency.  

Bibek Debroy had written .... ::  -- "The failure of 'India Shining' (BJP campaign of 2004) and Chandrababu Naidu's loss has been interpreted as failure of reforms to deliver electorally. 

This is doubtful proposition and hinges on what one means by reforms...". 

ends