A little bit more than patriotism. A little bit lower than jingoism. --- Nirendra Dev
Friday, August 14, 2026
Post Jantar Mantar flip-flop; PM Modi diagnoses the malady well and says .. “ideological Naxalism" or “dimagi Naxalism" was still looking for opportunities to promote violence and anarchy"
12 Years: The timeframe within which India broke out of the “Fragile Five" to become the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
"... there is a need to isolate “dimaagi Naxals” :::: PM Modi vows 7-point 'Saptdhara' reforms to achieve Viksit Bharat goal ::: "first 'shakti' of the Sapta Dhara is- manufacturing sector. For this, we need to need to focus on three things -Cost, quality and scale"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations from the Red Fort in New Delhi on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Reform is conviction, not compulsion or buzzword, says PM Modi
On soft power, PM Modi highlighted
Yoga, Ayurveda, holistic health, creative resources and tourism.
PM Modi announces nationwide sports talent hunt
The seven areas are
manufacturing,
agriculture and food processing,
technology and innovation,
Gati-Shakti,
Raksha Shakti,
the green and blue economy, and India's soft power.
The Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech said there is a need to isolate “dimaagi Naxals”.
He also said India is prepared to face challenges both within its borders and across them.
Modi promises AI skilling for 1 crore youth, free online coaching for exams
PM Modi says, "Today I want to remind you of 'Sapta Sindhu'. Now, to build a Viksit Bharat, we need a new current. The first 'shakti' of the Sapta Dhara is- manufacturing sector. For this, we need to need to focus on three things -Cost, quality and scale.
"There should be no compromise with quality. This will be our brand value.
The second 'shakti' is food processing. With the new FTAs, we have access to greater global markets now.
The third 'shakti' is technology and innovation and digital technologies."
This year’s ceremony will mark 150 years of the enduring legacy of the National Song Vande Mataram, while placing the spotlight on the energy and aspirations of India’s youth.
The celebrations also highlight the contribution of ‘Yuva Shakti’ to the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.
In a first at the Red Fort, Vande Mataram will be rendered as part of the official celebrations. The ceremony will feature the ceremonial flag hoisting, a 21-gun salute, a Guard of Honour and a national address by the Prime Minister.
Addressing the nation from ramparts of Red Fort, PM Modi, says,
"Many times, a country does not stop because of a lack of resources... it stops because of the limitations of its thinking.
When our thinking becomes confined by limitations, we fail to recognise our own potential.
"Today, India has to depend on crude oil, and this is also a result of the limitations in our thinking. You will be surprised to know that, because of such an approach, we had declared nearly 99 per cent of our offshore areas as 'no-go areas.'
We had effectively decided not to undertake exploration beneath the sea. This was a poverty of thinking. We decided that this could not continue.
"We have now opened up the 99 per cent of areas that were once designated as no-go zones and converted them into 'go-ahead' areas. We are now actively pursuing exploration beneath the sea and making efforts to discover new reserves."
Electrification of railways started in 1925 but in 90 years, only 30 pc work completed; in last decade, we completed 100 pc work: PM Modi.
"Due to railway electrification, import of diesel came down; we have launched hydrogen train" : PM
"In last 12 years, we have been working constantly for achieving objective of Viksit Bharat by 2047"
"Misinformation was spread by some during Covid-19, they derived pleasure out of it"
Modi says, "... Becoming an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' is crucial.
That is why, over the past few years, our conviction has been that India should no longer live in dependence on other nations; we must become self-reliant...
We must enhance our own capacities and safeguard our interests ourselves. With this resolve, we are moving forward firmly towards an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat.' Every Indian is connecting with initiatives like 'Make in India,' 'Swadeshi', and 'Local for Local.'
PM Modi adds, "In today’s digital world and technological landscape, we understand the immense importance of chips.
Whether it is electronic goods, medical equipment, or transportation systems, chips are indispensable; without them, the world would come to a standstill. India has moved towards self-reliance in this sector; three major semiconductor plants have already been established,
and I have been informed that production from these facilities has already begun for export. In the coming 7-8 years, five to eight additional semiconductor plants are set to commence operations very soon..."
"Twelve years ago, India’s solar energy capacity stood at just 2 GW. Today, it has reached 160 GW, marking a remarkable expansion in the country’s renewable energy capacity.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is also progressing rapidly, with solar installations crossing 50 lakh households.
Thousands of families are now seeing their electricity bills reduced to zero, while some are earning by selling surplus power. Under the scheme, families are receiving government support of up to ₹80,000 for solar installations.
Independence Day Spl ::: In a broad sense we may say, - If all problems are solved and There's Hindu-Muslim unity; then what will Netas do ??? ::: Talking of Gen Z, we must prepare Gen Z of 2047 who will care for the country and the old values
India's Partition, Old Indian values and the fast changing social dynamics are good ways to look at things.
Reasons must fight unreasons. That's a basic way of looking and judging matters. Often things do not work in India. Mobs or political considerations take over. There is an ugly and unedifying spectacle of governance without any determination to enforce the rule of law.
Most communal clashes or catastrophic episodes like destruction of a Masjid as in 1992 may fall under this category. History has shown that the evil carries its own seeds of destruction. If Babri Masjid demolition was one such episode; we can easily say many years before Partition too was another instance.
The Delhi anti Sikh carnage in 1984 or the Gujarat 2002 were also no exception. There were also episodes like killing of Ananda Margis in West Bengal. We may often ask ourselves - are the factors responsible for Partition are 'over' today in circa 2026; or they are still around ?
The fact of the matter is there were no reasons for Partition. The 'reasons' were found and then highlighted because a decision was already taken by the colonial masters to divide India. Mountbatten was deputed with a fixed task.
Take an objective view and we know Jinnah had his reasons. Nehru was in hurry. By 1940 - a sort of new generation in freedom struggle politics was coming.
As they say -- 'Naya Rajniti and Naya Neta (New political ideals and new leadership) would be emerging soon. For their part - the Britishers also came under pressure.
The colonial masters would have found it dfficult to survive in India with as much power as they had two years back. The Indian leaders were also getting tired of wars.
As rightly goes the Bengali poetic line - "Vidrohi rano Klanto". So somehow -- some formulae had to be worked out. Partition was considered that acceptable formula. In 2026 as also in 1947, for common people - the main issues were job, electricity and water.
They did not have much concern about fighting and killing their neighbours. Similarly, in 2026 - if Hindu-Muslim unity is ensured foolproof; what will politicians do ? What will the journalists, experts and social workers do -who still want to thrive out of the business of Sickularism ?
Does 'secularism' genuinely matter to them ? Now coming to the core issues.
Look at the economic condition of Pakistan.
In Bangladesh; the two nation theory failed.
But in 2024 - they decided there should be a mass uprising - instigated and sponsored did not make any difference. They wanted to get rid of a woman PM in office. One interim arrangement has been replaced by another 'elected government'.
But in August 2026 - the nation faces prolonged power crisis and they need India's help. At the same time, PM in office Tarique Rahman is reluctant to visit India -- apparently. It is also debated that a large section of Bangladeshis want a good relationship with a nation in crisis called Pakistan.
The 1971 uprising was against Pakistan and that too looks like a forgotten chapter. All these debates may keep happening. But is it realised that in effect Partition has harmed long term and the larger interests of Muslims. There is another Muslims - who went away and formed Pakistan are not being punished or suspected by Hindus and Sikhs.
Those who have to face the brunt of the anguish is the Muslims - who had decided to stay back in India.
“Muslims should not be treated as different people … consider them your own,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi told BJP workers at a national executive meeting in the southern state of Kerala in 2016.
Five years down the line, in 2021, he announced on the eve of India’s Independence Day that Aug. 14 will be observed as the “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”.
This is pay respect to the sacrifices of millions who were displaced or who lost their lives during the partition of the subcontinent after the British left in 1947.
“Since 2014 when Modi came to power, I am yet to come across any initiative that unites the citizens. This announcement of the prime minister will only further create distance and the unwanted gap between Hindus and Muslims,” Delhi-based Christian leader A.C. Michael had told me in 2021 (reported for UCA News).
Many Hindus still harbor a serious grouse against Muslims for the division of India. Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its sister organizations championing Hindu identity question the patriotism of Muslims. But is that all ? India is now eyeing to achieve the status of a 'developed nation' - Viksit Bharat.
The stakeholders overseas will not be too happy for such ambitions.
Talking of Gen Z, we must prepare the youngsters - Gen Z - of 2047 who will care for the country and the old values.
What will be the Muslim Gen Z of 2047 ? Will they still think like the Muslim youths of 1947 or 2026 ?
What if leaders like Modi or Yogi become heroes of Muslim youths of 2047 but despised by the Hindu youths?
What kind of politics we may have in 2047 ?
Will the Leader of the Opposition still avoid parliament debate time and focus on staging a skit to mock at a woman Prime Minister of Italy? What will champions of Hindutva do ?
Will India still need caste leaders or cockroach or spider forces ?
Or will Bharat/India go the Lebanon or Yugoslavia way - multiplied a thousand times ??
Under Modi; India's ties with Italy has strengthened “in every way” -- MEA's big snub to Congress and Rahul Gandhi after Meloni remark
Arrogance and 'two dynasts' - one son of a former PM and another son of a former Delhi chief minister - Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit left red-faced !!
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday called for mutual respect in diplomatic discourse after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit made a reference to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The two opposition leaders made reference to Meloni while taking a dig Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s relationship with Italy had expanded and strengthened “in every way” in recent years, stressing that both sides must remain respectful of each other.
“We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened in every way, and it’s important that, as part of diplomatic practice, we strengthen our ties, keeping in mind and being respectful of each other and this mutual understanding between the two sides,” MEA spokesman Jaiswal said.
His comments came a day after Rahul Gandhi (whose mother hails from Italy) mocked Modi’s approach to foreign policy at a party meet in New Delhi.
Rahul said he did not understand where the idea had come to Modi that foreign policy was about “hugging leaders”.
BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Rahul Gandhi of crossing the limits of political discourse, while other BJP leaders also criticised the reference involving Meloni.
To counter Rahul Gandhi's PM 'hug' jab, BJP's Nishikant Dubey shared photographs of Indira Gandhi with Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
In a post on X, Dubey shared photographs of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, as well as the viral image of Rahul Gandhi hugging PM Modi in Lok Sabha eight years ago, with the caption,
"Rahul Gandhi ji calls this choking sensation gastric fire, or is it the fire of lust?”
Tomorrow looks like Yesterday :::: Boost is the secret of Rio's energy .. may be ?? :::: But Team Rio gets "shabash" pat on the back :::: Is someone exposed and the other person is desperate ??? ::: !!Muivah's I-Day speech targets "Shillong Accordists" ::: "Do we allow these traitors to decide the future of the Nagas ?"
Back to Future !!
The Rio Govt gets "shabash" pat on the back !!
NSCN-IM vice chairman V S Atem has confirmed what was being whispered around. Asked by journalists in Dimapur whether NSCN-IM endorses the state Govt demand of the Centre for appointment of a ministerial level interlocutor, Atem was more than categorical.
"Yes, that was our demand...," he said. He also made it clear that the "Nagaland state (Govt) is only facilitating. They are giving the boost ... that's all".
The talks between the two entities were initially agreed to take place at the Prime Ministerial level.
Citing the PM’s scheduling constraints; Atem said that the NSCN (IM) accepted to having an interlocutor representing the PM. Acknowledging the practical difficulty, he said,
“We agreed to accept a representative appointed by the Prime Minister as the interlocutor, which has also been the practice in the past.”
Muivah's speech on I-Day
"The pertinent issue is who upholds the Naga national principle and the mandate of the people?," says Thuingaleng Muivah of NSCN-IM seeking legitimacy for his group that suffered a first of its kind split lately.
"The Shillong Accordists are the Nagas who lost hope and faith in Nagalim and the Naga people. They had renounced their own rights ....".
"After the fall of NNC from the grace on account of the Shillong Accord, we the NSCN are the only people who represent the Nagas and uphold the national principles," he said on the occasion of 'Naga independence Day'.
"Why are the Nagas divided today? It is very clear to all of us that the Shillong Accord divided the Nagas vertically," he said within weeks of a completely new body of Naga militants calling them - the 'Eastern Flank'.
The key figures in the Eastern Flank - Ikato Chishi Swu (chairman) and Lt. Gen. (Retd.) H S Ramsan (vice chairman) and A Raman (Longvibu - commander-in-chief) were all his lieutenants for years.
In July 2026, they announced the formal split and also alerted security forces in Nagaland and Manipur by stating that the ceasefire has stopped working.
Muivah also
"The national principles here mean, defending and protecting the August 14, 1947 independence declaration and the May 16, 1951 plebiscite to live as an independent sovereign people.
"A time came when we were faced with an overwhelming challenge, and we are thankful to the Almighty God, for He was there when hopes and confidence were all shattered in the tragedy of the 1975 Shillong Accord.
"We made up our mind, declaring that the Shillong Accord is not the end of our history. No!
It was never the will of God that we sell off our birthright, and we were persuaded that He wants us to be free, saying, “I will make a great nation of thee”.
"Therefore, we took a firm decision and condemned the Shillong Accord for betraying Nagalim's national principle, thereafter,
we formed the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) in 1980 to save the Naga nation from perishing."
Muivah also said: "The Nagas are one ....There are some Nagas who believe in the rights of the Nagas and some who do not.
We believe that the Nagas are the right people to decide their own future."
"Our political position is crystal clear" he said adding among other things --
"Any political agreement that does not uphold these national principles is a betrayal of the Nagalim national principle. ...
With a breach of the letter and spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement, India is consciously reverting to a military solution. We will not accept an imposed agreement or be silent spectators to a military approach."
ends
"Public exams open doors of opportunities for students. Govt is taking steps ... to reform ... Aim of these reforms is to completely curb the use of unfair means" - says President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu in her message to the nation on the eve of Independence Day says,
"Public examinations open the doors of opportunity for students. Therefore, the government is taking comprehensive steps to reform these examinations.
The aim of these reforms is to completely curb the use of unfair means in public examinations and make the examination system more transparent, secure and trustworthy for young people.
The government's efforts and new economic activities are creating many new opportunities for the youth. By learning about these opportunities, our young people can choose new paths to success."
President Murmu also said:
“We are moving ahead towards building Viksit Bharat by the centenary year of our Independence in 2047.
Guided by the spirit of Antyodaya, it is our resolve to ensure that the fruits of development reach every individual…
The Ved-Vakya, ‘Vayam Rashtre Jagriyam,’ inspires us to always remain ready to serve the nation.
"During our freedom struggle, people with diverse ideologies were united by one common goal – India’s Independence.
During the Swadeshi Movement, the song Vande Mataram became a song of the masses. Countless Indians plunged themselves into our freedom struggle under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar embodied the highest ideals of social reform and patriotism. I humbly bow to all those great sons and daughters of Bharat Mata whose ideals guided our country to its freedom and its progress thereafter.”
"Time to correct the wrongs of history" ::::: Kitovi hints towards "unity move" among NNPG factions .... ::: Want Nagas to play "strategic roles" in Modi's Act East plan ....
N Kitovi Zhimomi, convener NNPG and one of the key signatories of the Agreed Position of 2017, has tried to be as much Pragmatic as possible.
In his fresh and renewed rapprochement journey, he also looks within.
"I admit I am not a perfect human being and may have hurt the sentiments of my former comrades however, on the Naga issue I have not betrayed anyone to make a person inferior or useless. I do not have any grudge or ill will against them for forming new organisations.
On the Naga issue, all are on the same table. One goal, one vision," he said in his customary Independence Day speech at camp Khehoyi near Dimapur.
A Naga veteran 'warrior' - as he likes to be called; Kitovi also spoke about --- "hatred, defective political orientations, haphazard formation of political groups and civil bodies which have brutalized the Naga movement".
One diagnosis is also pertinent. He says :
"The lure of easy money and leadership position has made the Naga political movement a thriving illegal industry to many."
He claims at one point -
"For instance, in the last fifteen years, the enemies of the Naga people have managed to convince many of my trusted senior Kilonsers and Commanders to establish their own groups and governments to weaken the core Naga history, identity and political right."
These remarks at a critical juncture - that is August 2026 - make a lot of sense. These came just within a few weeks of a split in the NSCN-IM and after the formation of Eastern Flank.
In Delhi circles; these may be appreciated as sincere efforts of unity.
In 2024 - his own organisation and also the NNPG he was heading as convener had split. Analysts in Delhi were not happy with the developments and many might have even presumed that some overground politicians in the state had played their "influencing and instigating roles".
Come what may - the fact of the matter is such divisions suited the Status Quo club and the saboteurs of the peace talks. There were some metaphysical organisations as well -- talking big but contributing negligible towards a final solution.
Kitovi is right in talking about the "thriving illegal industry to many".
In his I-Day speech; Kitovi says "... in pursuit of an honorable and acceptable Naga political solution; I believe the ground is prepared for what is best for the Naga people at a present time.
Today, I ask the Government of India (Gol) leadership to take a leaf out of your pre-independent years and juxtapose it with the Indo-Naga matter at a present time.
"The Naga people have taken a decision; by signing the Framework Agreement in 2015 and Agreed Position on 17th November 2017, our people acknowledged and understood the contemporary political realities and chose to co-exist with India wherein, the right of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct history and identity."
He said : "This implies broadening and enhancing political and administrative mechanisms in a federal structure through constitutional amendment.
"This would allow the Nagas to play a strategic role in the act east plan.
Nagas are scattered into four states in India and into Myanmar arbitrarily and therefore to correct the wrongs of history, without altering state or international boundaries," Kitovi said.
A small ceremony was also held at the NSCN (Kitovi) - NNPG's ceasefire Supervisory board/ Ceasefire monitoring group office too. The Flag was unfurled by CFSB supervisor G Naga.
Defining the phrase 'Dimagi Naxals' .... and widening scope ... certainly means "warning" to anti-India forces in North East India
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