Putin won a crucial round with Trump : Zelenskyy looks like 'trapped' --- What will handing Donbas to Russia mean for Ukraine ??

(Analysts and people in the streets of Ukraine do not think much about Diplomacy. At least the manner it is turning out to be. 

They all have an impression and not without good reasons that Diplomacy or so-called peace talks is far removed reality and their daily lives.) 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy might have been trapped !

It is presumed that at his hyped meeting on Monday, Aug 18th, President Donald Trump may wish to convey to Zelenskyy to 'surrender' and 'handover' entire eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Both regions – known together as Donbas – are rich in minerals and industry. Hence, according to Ukranian leaders and historians -- to give away the region to Vladimir Putin after three years of war and killings of innocents on both sides now would be a "tragedy".

In return what is Ukraine likely to get? said the Ukrainian historian Yaroslav Hrytsak.

The mere 'freezing' the rest of the front line.

The proposal has been mooted none other than the Russian President himself in his meeting with Trump in Alaska on August 15. 

"This is Ukrainian territory," Ukranian historian Yaroslav Hrytsak said. 

"And the people of these regions – particularly the miners – played a huge role in the strengthening of the Ukrainian identity."

At least 1.5 million Ukrainians have fled the Donbas since Russian aggression began in 2014. 

More than three million are estimated to be living under Russian occupation. A further 300,000 are estimated to be in the parts where Ukraine still has control.

Ukranians say the region had also produced famous politicians, poets and dissidents.

Worse, the 'refugees' who left earlier will now not be able to return home if it becomes Russian.

In areas closest to the front line, life is already a dangerous struggle. 

Andriy Borylo, a 55-year-old military chaplain in the badly hit city of Sloviansk, said in a phone interview (BBC) that shells had landed next to his house over the weekend.

"It is a very difficult situation here," he said. "There is a feeling of resignation and abandonment. I don't know how much we have the strength to endure. Someone has to protect us. But who?"

In March 2014, following the Euromaidan protest movement and the resulting Revolution of Dignity, large swaths of the Donbas became gripped by pro-Russian and anti-government unrest. 

This unrest later grew into a war between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists affiliated with the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk "People's Republics", who were supported by Russia as part of the broader Russo-Ukrainian War. 

The conflict split the Donbas into Ukrainian-held territory, constituting about two-thirds of the region, and separatist-held territory, constituting about one-third. 

The region remained this way for years until Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. On 30 September 2022, Russia unilaterally declared its annexation of Donbas together with two other Ukrainian oblasts, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. 

Notably,  after meeting with Putin on Aug 15, Friday in Alaska, Donald Trump told European allies that the Russian president reiterated that he wants the key Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

This America believes will "open" to the possibility of ending the stalemate in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson along with a freeze along the front lines.

 ends 

Big and small message from Modi's decision to make C P Radhakrishnan as NDA Vice Prez candidate :::: Low profile counts ... and Modi has ignored Jat politics as well as a few 'big names' suggested by RSS

Speculation and media expertise will hardly work in the Modi era.

There are various factors and 'ifs and buts' equations the Prime Miniser has ignored. 

But Media analyses were right about one thing -- the Jagdeep Dhankhar episode made it clear that PM will not trust any 'outside BJP/RSS' man or woman for the crucial post and hence C P Radhakrishnan's solid Sangh background has proved an asset. 

Among the NDA leaders, TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu wrote ---

"Congratulations to Hon’ble Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan Ji on being announced as the NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate. A senior statesman and respected leader, he has long served the nation with distinction. 

The Telugu Desam Party warmly welcomes his nomination and extends its full support." 

In a message on the micro-blogging site, PM Narendra Modi wrote:

"In his long years in public life, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. 

During the various positions he has held, he has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised. He has done extensive work at the grassroots in Tamil Nadu. 

I am glad that the NDA family has decided to nominate him as the Vice Presidential candidate of our alliance".

One possibility was making Rajnath Singh - the Veep candidate would have ensured Amit Shah's elevation as No. 2. That has been kept in abeyance for a while.

"Congratulations to Thiru C P Radhakrishnan ji on being announced as the Vice President candidate of NDA. He has devoted his life to serving the people," tweeted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Rajnath further wrote: "He (Radhakrshnan) has risen from the ground through hard work and known for his vast administrative experience, wisdom and dynamism. 

He has also served the country in several capacities. I am confident he will be a great Vice President of our nation."

PM also ignored 'Jat politics' and so-called agrarian community's anguish. 

Two Jat leaders Satya Pal Malik and Jagdeep Dhankhar had fallen from grace. But in Namo's politics -- no unusual appeasement.

However, in the form of C P Radhakrishnan -- Modi is making a mega 'Tamil Nadu outreach' just a few months before the 2026 assembly polls. 

This also means decks are now practically clear for a BJP national president from north or western India. 

The experts were yet again caught unaware on the naming of C P Radhakrishnan - who not only hails from Tamil Nadu; be has a decades old RSS connect and represented a difficult ( for BJP) state twice -- that too in the Vajpayee era. 

In the 2014 polls when Team Modi campaigned for 'acchey din'; Radhakrishnan had finished second in Coimbatore. That year the saffron outfit did not have any 'alliance partner' in Tamil Nadu. 

In 2016, he became Chairman of the Coir Board, Kochi, where under his leadership, India’s coir exports touched an all-time high of Rs 2,532 crore. From 2020 to 2022, he was All-India in charge of BJP for Kerala.

Prime Minister Modi will also go for a massive cabinet resuffle and new Governors will be appointed too.

In Maharashtra, there will be a vacancy after Radhakrishnan moves to Delhi as India's Vice President -- replacing the highly controversial and headline hunter Jagdeep Dhankhar.  A vacancy has been created at Raj Bhavan Kohima in Nagaland as Governor in office La Ganesan expired on Aug 15th.

The incumbent Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been given the additional charge.

With Bhalla being an experienced man vis-a-vis the Naga peace talks; he may continue to hold the twin charges of Manipur and Nagaland for sometime. But the Modi government no analysis really works. 

Incidentally, Modi's candidate for Vice President's post in 2017 was also from south - M Venkaiah Naidu from Telangana/Andhra Pradesh schools of RSS and BJP upbringing.

But Naidu missed becoming President in 2022 and the coveted role went to a tribal woman (first) from Odisha - Draupadi Murmu.

In 2027 when next presidential election takes place - there will be no compulsion for the BJP leadership to nominate Radhakrishnan for the President's post.

If elected this year, Radhakrishnan will be able to continue in office rather comfortably till 2030. Even the next parliamentary election will be over by then.  

Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan in a tweet says:

"My heartfelt thanks to our beloved People’s leader, our most respected Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji for nominating me as the NDA Vice Presidential candidate and giving me the opportunity to serve the Nation."

#Namo's .... 'surprise' package again ... BJP picks Maharashtra Guv C P Radhakrishnan as NDA candidate for Vice Prez post

In an era of 'yatras' by Rahul Gandhi and the country debating India's anti-terror fight vis-a-vis Operation Sindoor and the damage it caused to the Pakistan-protected terror elements, it is worth mentioning that 

..... BJP's candidate for vice presidential polls is a low-profile individual with a strong connect with the RSS.

He  hails from Tamil Nadu and he took out a Rath Tatra (chariot journey) for 93 days, advocating the linkage of Indian rivers, eradicating untouchability and terrorism. 

BJP names Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as NDA's Vice President candidate

Chandrapuram Ponnuswamy Radhakrishnan was born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.  

Radhakrishnan has been associated with the organizations such as the RSS and the Jan Sangh from the age of 16. 

Thus, he has a long association with the BJP in a natural process.

Radhakrishnan represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha after being elected twice, in 1998 and 1999. Within the BJP, he served as the Tamil Nadu state president from 2003 to 2006, and he began his political journey with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

Radhakrishnan has held several key positions in his political journey but hardly courted any unwarranted controversy.

He took charge as the Governor of Maharashtra on July 31, 2024. 

Earlier, he served as the Governor of Jharkhand from February 18, 2023, to July 30, 2024. He also held additional charges as the Governor of Telangana from March to July 2024 and as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry from March to August 2024. 

As most analyses and speculation have been proved wrong; it is clear once again the choice of BJP and NDA candidate has clear "stamp" of Narendra Modi's approval. 

He was also part of a parliamentary delegation to the United Nations in 2004. He addressed the 58th session of the UN General Assembly during this visit, on 20 October 2003. He spoke about strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations.

He was the state president for BJP Tamil Nadu from 2004 till 2007. 

As the president, Radhakrishna  took a rath yatra (chariot journey) for 93 days, advocating the linkage of Indian rivers, eradicating untouchability and campaigning against terrorism in India.

He covered all the constituencies of Tamil Nadu during this yatra. 

In 2012, Radhakrishnan courted arrest in Mettupalayam for protesting inaction against culprits who had assaulted a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activist.[23]

He was named the BJP candidate for Lok Sabha from Coimbatore Constituency in 2014, and without the alliance of the biggest parties of Tamil Nadu, the DMK and the AIADMK, he secured second place with over 3,89,000 votes, the highest among the Tamil Nadu BJP candidates, losing by the smallest margin among all candidates in Tamil Nadu. He was named the party's candidate once again for the 2019 election from Coimbatore.[24][12]

"Crown prince may get the harsher side of the law" :::: EC asks Rahul Gandhi to submit affidavit within 7 days on 'vote chori' claims or apologise

Calling Rahul Gandhi’s remarks an “insult to the Constitution,” the Election Commission said terms like “vote chori” undermine democratic institutions. 

CEC Gyanesh Kumar says, "...Even if a person has votes in two places, he goes to vote at only one place. 

Voting at two places is a legal crime, and if any person says so, then proof is required. Proof was asked but was not given...". 

CEC also accused political parties of using the Election Commission as a platform to target voters for political gain.

Law may take its course .... "Crown prince may get the harsher side of the law" 

Give affidavit in 7 days or apologise: Poll body to Rahul Gandhi on 'vote chori'

The Election Commission has asked Rahul Gandhi to either submit an affidavit within seven days backing his 'vote chori' claims or apologise to the nation.

“Sign affidavit or apologise, there is no third option. If [Rahul Gandhi] doesn’t submit affidavit within seven days then it would mean his allegations are wrong,” Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said at a press meet in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon. 

The demand for an affidavit from the poll panel has put Rahul Gandhi on defensive.  

"When I held a press conference on vote theft, the Election Commission asked me for an affidavit. But when BJP leaders held a press conference a few days ago, no affidavit was demanded from them. 

The Commission says, 'Submit an affidavit that your data is correct'. This data belongs to the Election Commission itself. Why am I being asked for an affidavit?" Rahul Gandhi asked.  

“When politics is being done by targeting the voters of India by keeping a gun on the shoulder of the Election Commission, today the Election Commission wants to make it clear to everyone that the Election Commission fearlessly stood like a rock with all the voters of all sections and all religions including the poor, rich, elderly, women, youth without any discrimination, is standing and will continue to stand,” CEC Kumar said.

Responding to claims of double voting, Kumar added that while some voters had raised concerns, no evidence was provided. 

“Neither the Election Commission nor the voters of India are afraid of such false allegations,” he said.   

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also said: 

"Many people do not have a home, but their name is also in the voter list, and what is their address given. The address is given at the place where that person comes to sleep at night. Sometimes on the side of the road, sometimes under the bridge. 

And then if it is said that he is a fake voter, it is a big joke with our poor voters, sisters, brothers and elders. You know that in this country, crores of people have zero number in front of their house addresses. 

Why? Because the Panchayat, Municipality has not given the number to the house in which they live. There are unauthorized colonies in the cities, where they do not have a number, so what address should they fill in their form? 

So the instructions of the Election Commission say that if there is any such voter in this country, the Election Commission stands with him and will give him a notional number. And just because when he fills it in the computer, he sees zero, it does not mean that he is not a voter. 

In the conditions of becoming a voter, your address is not as important as your citizenship and your completion of eighteen years of age and as much as you live in the vicinity of that booth."

"Someone said that the house number is zero... In every Panchayat and every Municipality, it is not necessary that even if you have a house, you have been given a house number. 

The Election Commission finds every voter and gets their vote cast. You know, there is a village in Arunachal Pradesh called Malogam, where the entire Election Commission goes for two days tracking just for one voter sister and comes back with her vote... 

If you make baseless allegations against the Election Commission, which has been working with diligence and not from today, but from 75 years, by mixing the voter list and say in front of the public that there is theft, then it is wrong. "

ends

"It will be with us - the 60 MLAs - and Nagaland Govt to make optimum use of Bhall as new Governor" - says BJP leader Imkong Imchen

"Prolonged negotiation is a heavy burden on the people" -  say social activists.  

BJP legislator and a former Minister Imkong L Imchen on Sunday welcomed the appointment of Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the new Governor of Nagaland.

He told this blogger: "As such an experienced officer well aware about the law and order and socio-political conditions of north east and the country as a whole, this appointment is a befitting move from the centre. 

 "I thank the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji for appointing Shri Ajay Bhalla as the new Governor. 

We expect him to deliver on three fronts - development, effective governance and of course the Solution to the Naga problem.

Because Shri Bhalla has worked closely with the Home Minister Shri Shah, I am confident; he is in a much better position to deliver. 

It will be the responsibility of we the 60 MLAs and the state government to make optimum use of his appointment", he said. 

Imkong Imchen

Now that circumstances have brought Bhalla to the historic Raj Bhavan at Kohima, he should be given some time to wrap up the final legwork to the Solution.

One refrain in Delhi is --- "It is a historic opportunity .... What Padmanabiah as a former Union Home Secretary and later as a travel-loving interlocutor could not achieve .... Bhalla may do so."

It may mount pressure on the Status quo club and also the likes of Deputy Chief Ministers T R Zeliang and Y Patton and their honourable chief minister Neiphiu Rio -- but it is also an occasion that the ...

Nagaland Govt should hence make use of Bhalla's 'knowledge and expertise' to bring the Naga Solution.

Similarly, he can be an asset for the state in terms of working for development of the neglected regions too. 

(refer to this blog ' 

as well ... 

'Ajay Bhalla as new Nagaland Governor ... in addition to holding charge in Manipur -- is a 'unique' and best time to resolve Naga issue' 

Team Amit Shah must deliver  

NPP Nagaland unit has also welcomed the appointment of Mr Bhalla as the new Governor of Nagaland.

"We welcome it. It may be a temporary provision because the appointment came soon after the sad demise of Governor La Ganesan. But we feel as a former Union Home Secretary Mr Bhalla will be able to do justice to his new responsibility," said NPP (Nagaland) vice president James Vizo.

"Moreover, Shri Bhalla  is also now Governor of Manipur and he hails from the Meghalaya cadre of IAS officers.  So, overall from governance perspective the north eastern region of India is not a strange place for the new Governor. We wish him good luck." he said.

Social activist Theja Therieh said:

"Probably Ajay Kumar Bhalla should have come as a Governor much earlier. But now he is coming by circumstances. Most welcome. This may go down the memory lane as one of the key decisions of the Modi Government.

As a former Home Secretary who has seen north east India closely and the crucial Naga political negotiations, he is expected to deliver a lot. 

But foremost of all, we as social worker will like him to deliver the much awaited Naga Solution.

Two preliminary pacts were signed in 2015 and 2017 ... Bhalla knows it all. 

Now he should give the necessary push to concretise the agreement. Prolonged negotiation is a heavy burden on the people. 

Solution is possible if there is a political will.   

Azo Nienu 

NPF leader Küzholüzo Azo Nienü also welcomed the decision of the central government saying = "The Governor's post may be a decorative constitutional position in the rest of India. 

But it is a key responsibility in Nagaland. Moreover, as a former civil servant Bhalla is well aware of developmental as well as socio-political issues in Nagaland and the rest of India. So there will be high expectations from him". 

ends 

Team Amit Shah must DELIVER ::: Ajay Bhalla as new Nagaland Governor ... in addition to holding charge in Manipur -- is a 'unique' and best time to resolve Naga issue

Team Amit Shah must DELIVER ::: 

Boost to pro-Solution efforts !!

Ajay Bhalla is a Amit Shah-confidant. He is already Governor of Manipur and that state is under President's Rule.

Perhaps Bhalla could have been given the twin charge in December 2024 itself.

In any case, the 'additional' responsibility has fallen on Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary.

This is a 'unique' opportunity for all stakeholders -- including the Status quo club to correct their past mistakes - and resolve the Naga issue.

 

A Presidential order says:

"Consequent upon the demise of Shri La Ganesan, Governor of Nagaland, the President of India has appointed Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, to discharge the functions of the Governor of Nagaland, in addition to his own duties."  

But this order should not be one of those government strategies in adhocism. Now that circumstances have brought Bhalla to the historic Raj Bhavan at Kohima, he should be given some time to wrap up the final legwork to the Solution.

One refrain in Delhi is --- "It is a historic opportunity .... What Padmanabiah as a former Union Home Secretary and later as a travel-loving interlocutor could not achieve .... Bhalla may do so."

It may mount pressure on the Status quo club and also the likes of Deputy Chief Ministers T R Zeliang and Y Patton and their honourable chief minister Neiphiu Rio -- but it is also an occasion that the ...

Nagaland Govt should hence make use of Bhalla's 'knowledge and expertise' to bring the Naga Solution.

Similarly, he can be an asset for the state in terms of working for development of the neglected regions too. 

It all depends on how things pan out.

Bhalla has the confidence and the ears of the Home Minister. This will suit the PMO's interests too.

Moreover, the present peace emissary A K Mishra, a former IPS officer, is also well known to Bhalla.  

In general sense the Modi government has always shown immense faith in India's babudom. Here is an ideal combo - of IAS-IPS joining hands with the Neta class (made in Gujarat) and deliver Solution to the people of Nagaland and beyond. 

The propensity with destiny cannot be postponed for ever.

It implies that destiny, or fate, has a certain inevitability to it.

The NDPP-BJP regime at Kohima should come out of their self-created 'cocoon' and actively help in giving the people what they need most - a lasting Peace.

Personal sacrifices will be a small thing in this era when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is guiding the nation towards Viksit Bharat by  2047.

Please note, Modi is also doing so keeping China and Russia as friends. 

This should give a better message of reality check to the Status quo club, the protagonists of Ukhrul and their eco-system.

The NNPG is smiling. 

ends 

 

Sunday Reading : Point Blank .... :: World is changing ... so are human habits and vices .... Demand for wine is also on decline

 Point Blank .... ::  World is changing ... .... Demand for wine is also on decline  

Take a closer look: 

A survey conducted by an agriculture business chamber in France revealed that about 25 per cent of winemakers want to quit their profession. For them subsidized vineyard removal is the only to exit the wine business and receive at least some financial compensation. 

Demand for red wine in general, and for the full-bodied, long maturing red wines with generally high alcohol content has slumped. 

This has affected not just the signature 'premiers crus' in which monarchs and the global rich have always invested, but also the vineyards.  

To wine lovers, traveling is a duty; ..... ... finding the holy grail of wines. 

Reports in western media say, the region in France whose wine output is 85% red, there is a virtual existential crisis.

Bordeaux produces around 650m bottles of wine each year; but it currently sells only 500m. Demand for red wine in France has fallen by 38% in the past five years; in the 10 years to 2023 the fall was 45%. Nor is the slump confined to France. 

Demand in the Chinese market has halved since 2017. US tariffs will undoubtedly hit the 20% of Bordeaux exports that previously went across the Atlantic. These consumption changes are likely to be irreversible, at least in the short and medium term, says a commentary in London's 'The Guardian' newspaper.  

It is claimed that the younger generations are drinking 'less wine' === with a growing interest in other beverages.

Well, some could also welcome a fact of life that there is a "trend towards moderation" and non-alcoholic options.

In general term the global wine consumption is experiencing a decline, reaching a 60-year low in 2024. 

This downturn is attributed to a combination of factors, including economic pressures, shifting consumer preferences, and changes in drinking habits. 

Economic Factors:

Inflation and rising prices are impacting consumer purchasing power, making wine less affordable.   

Wine faces growing competition from craft spirits, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, and other alternative beverages, particularly among younger consumers seeking convenience, portability, and diverse flavors. 

It is argued that a growing 'health consciousness', particularly among younger generations like Gen Z, is leading to reduced alcohol consumption including wine.

On the other hand; there's increased awareness of alcohol's negative health effects, and a rise in "sober curiosity" and preferences for low or no-alcohol alternatives like kombucha and mocktails.

Old need not be so much of Gold ?

Gen Z consumes significantly less alcohol than previous generations and prioritizes mental and physical well-being. This shift is redefining social norms and creating demand for alternative experiences and beverages. 

Some info and travel wine guide!!  

Thousands of people are dedicated to touring wine producing regions with the idea of learning about the interesting world of wine. The French Vineyards and Wineries of Northern France are your dream destination.

Complete “wine routes,” try new varieties, observe production processes and, above all, visiting the vineyards, are essential tasks for any wine enthusiast. These wineries and regions in Northern France cannot be missed.

Lying to the north-east of Paris, Champagne is a historic province. Famed for the self-entitled Champagne sparkling wine.

Champagne was not invented in this region, but Languedoc, in Southern France. However, it was quickly discovered that the climatic conditions in the Champagne region produced better wine than southern regions.

 

****

Opt for Clariet !!

Fresher wines known as Clairet have made ways.

This is somewhere between a modern red and a rose and is meant to be drunk young.

Small amounts of clairet are still produced in parts of the Bordeaux region of France. There are moves to expand production with the aim of winning new consumers who have rejected heavier reds.

Covid and Wine business 

The wine business has been hit hard by Covid19. 

French major Bordeaux is facing challenges on multiple fronts. 

** Exports (from France) declined by about 7 per cent to 235 million bottles.

The Chinese market shrunk due to Covid and consumption decline. 

There are also a few critical questions:  

One question asked in France preferably in their language is --  Has the wine region in France dug its own grave in terms of sales by focusing on its position in the luxury (high priced) segment for too long ?? 

In 2024 - the first half  has felt like a tidal wave of woe for US wine producers.

Finally, take a pause. Breathe in !!  

This is a new era. A post Corona era and also a time when there is trading wars all across. 

Skeptics would say -- no matter what you look at, things are hardly great or good.

But at the same time,  when people say that one or two specific industry is down, people jump to the conclusion that everyone’s doing terrible. 

That may not be case. Some stories may not be a convincing one.

The argument or instanced cited could be  complicated. Though overall volume sales are down and many small wineries are struggling, there are still bright spots in the market.

There are smart operators and savvy producers -- who are finding out ways to weather the storm.

It's all double-edged.

ends 

 

 

Just as Putin left laughing from Alaska .... Namo may have the last laugh from Tariff War :::: How and why Trump's cards are not working globally ??

Well the grand show at Alaska did not make much sense for Americans and the US  administration.

If it did somewhat something -- it was a mere photo opportunity for Donald Trump.

In the process, the global consensus is "war-mongering" Russian President Vladimir Putin has left the US soil "laughing".

This suits Indian interests -- barring the likes of Rahul Gandhi and of course his three lieutenants cum sycophants K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera.

It looks like - though premature - Narendra Modi may have the last laugh from the Tariff War.

At Alaska, Trump came almost 'threatening' Putin with 'severe consequences' over the Ukraine war. He insisted if the talks do not progress for a ceasefire - he will stage a walkout.

But when the two leaders met, Trump's bluster was gone. That was the reality check for the White House.

How and why Trump's cards are not working globally ??  Both the leaders knew they did not have much to cherish about the three-hour long deliberations.

Forget deal - there was no agreement even for a pause for the four-year-old war that basically started after Putin "invaded" Ukraine.  

Within 10-12 minutes of the joint media briefing; Trump gestured to Putin that it was time to go and the duo quickly slipped into the backseat of 'The Beast' - the official limousine of the US President.

Media was at a loss.

It was not clear also if the Putin-Trump ride in one car was planned. Such things do not happen regularly.

NBC News reported that a car with a Moscow number plate was waiting on the tarmac !!  

Look what experts say -- 

For those who feared the summit on Ukraine might resemble Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler in 1938, the reality was worse -- says an article 'The Guardian'. 

Of course the article penned by David Smith 

points out: 

"Trump, 79, purportedly the most powerful man in the world, literally rolled out the red carpet for a Russian dictator indicted for alleged war crimes over the abduction and transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children. 

Putin’s troops have also been accused of indiscriminate murder, rape and torture on an appalling scale."  

'The Independent' ran a piece under the headline - 'Putin clearly wins' .... Pundits say meeting was bad for Americans'. 

Here too the argument is quite strong -- John Bolton, who was Trump's NSA during the first stint, says: "Putin achieved most of what he wanted and Trump achieved very little". 

It's fact Putin stood isolated in the comity of nations. At Alaska that isolation has ended. But the US President did not get even a convincing assurance for a ceasefire. 

At the same time -- there was no outcome that was good for Ukraine and its people. 

Trump claimed .... sounding silly of course --- " Vladimir Putin said something – one of the most interesting things. He said: ‘Your election (Trump's) was rigged because you have mail-in voting … No country has mail-in voting. 

It’s impossible to have mail-in voting and have honest elections.".

Poor thing -- the US president was now taking 'notes' from a dictator on how elections are conducted.

Rahul Gandhi must be listening to all these -- along with his one or two wisemen -- Jai-rahim included !!

ends 

Partition -- rightly deserves 'revisiting' and closer analyses : If Nehru had said -- "We must either accept Partition or face chaos".... Congress and the ecosystem have to do lot of explanation

It's like playing cricket without guards and a hard ball has been set into motion !

Why the ecosystem is so furious? True Congress will have to do a lot of explanation.

If Nehru in July 1947 had said - "We must either accept Partition or face continuous struggle and chaos" --- the Sickularism has to do soul-searching.

The self-righteous Dynasty will have to stop calling people 'chor' ... Real thugs and 'power theft' is closer home !!

The Congress not only 'accepted' (or even connived to an extent) for Partition .... after the Partition was done --- they conspired to play Muslim appeasement politics.

This was to ensure 'captive votes'. And purchasable commodities and historians were easily bought over.   

Come to 2025.

The remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Partition have been included in the 'introduction' of the NCERT special module.

There, Modi says: "The pain of Partition can never be forgotten. Our millions of sister and brothers were displaced and many lives were lost due to the ignorance and the hateful violence of people.

In memory of the struggles and sacrifices, our people will observe Aug 14 as the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day'. 

NCERT has released a special module for schools to mark Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

The module says Partition was not the work of one individual alone but of three forces -- “Jinnah, who had been propagating the partition; 

--- the Congress, which accepted the partition; 

and Mountbatten, who had been sent to implement the partition.”

According to the module between 1947 and 1950, the partition fractured India's unity, created hostile borders, promoted mass killings and displacement and deepened communal distruct.

It devastated the economies of Punjab and Bengal while Jammu and Kashmir was also put on the path of social, economic and demographic decline.

This later worsened due to terrorism.

It also notes that Partition turned Kashmir into a new security problem for the country, adding: 

“Since then, one of our neighbouring countries has been using this problem to put pressure on India in different ways.”

Separate versions have been designed for Classes 6-8 and Classes 9-12, outside of the regular textbooks.

The module refers to the 1940 Lahore Resolution, where Muhammad Ali Jinnah claimed that Hindus and Muslims belonged to “two different villages, philosophy, social customs, and literature.”

The module argues that the British initially sought to keep India united by offering dominion status, but Congress refused this proposal. 

GANDHI, PATEL AND NEHRU ON PARTITION

The module quotes Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as saying that the situation in India had become explosive: 

“India had become a battlefield and it was better to partition the country than to have a civil war.”

It cites Gandhi’s stance, noting that he opposed partition but would not resist Congress’s decision through violence. 

The text states: “He said that he could not be a party to the partition, but he would not stop Congress from accepting it with violence.”

The fact is Jawaharlal Nehru and Patel accepted partition. Gandhi later persuaded the Congress Working Committee on June 14, 1947, to also agree to partition.

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BLAME PLACED ON MOUNTBATTEN

The module strongly criticises Lord Mountbatten for 'advancing' the transfer of power. 

It says: “Mountbatten had announced June 1948 as the date of transfer of power but later preponed it to August 1947.”

It points out that the hasty demarcation of boundaries caused chaos: 

“In many places, people did not even know by August 15, whether they were in India or Pakistan.”

The clash over NCERT’s partition module has now turned into a fresh political flashpoint, with competing narratives about who was responsible for India’s division, and how India’s history should be taught in classrooms.

BJP spokesman Gaurav Bhatia says:

"It would not be wrong to say that Jinnah and Rahul (Gandhi) have similar thinking and both have become synonymous with each other.

We all know that the Partition of undivided India happened on the basis of religion, Jinnah's poisonous thinking and appeasement and Communalism ....are the same thoughts that are seen today in the fake Gandhi -- that is Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party".   

 Ends