Birth and Journey of Vitasta – Mother River of Kashmir….

Bhasha Sumbli, an Indian actress and theatre artist who is best known for playing the lead role of Sharda Pandit in the Hindi film The Kashmir Files (2022), which is based on the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990. She is also the daughter of Dr Agni Shekhar and Kshama Kaul, both writers and activists from the Kashmiri Pandit community. Her Sumbli surname from the Sumbal area of Kashmir explains the entomology.

Using Sanskrit literary texts, excerpts, shlokas and descriptions from ancient India, Bhasha ji slowly weaved the connection that Kashmir (Sharda Desh) has with the Indic / Vedic Civilisation. It was thrilling to hear Mahakavi Bilhan being mentioned, as was Queen Bontha Devi. Bhasha ji’s immense knowledge of her roots, and ancient lore, substantiated with texts started stirring things inside as the talk progressed. This was a rooted, grounded Kashmiri woman, who owned her past, was firmly motivated in the present and had meaning in her life for the future.

The audience, mesmerised, was taking in the never or little-heard-before knowledge. The high point in the talk was when she asked the audience to come to Kashmir not only as tourists but also as pilgrims, because of the importance Sharda Desh has for Hindus across the subcontinent — being the Sarvagya ‘peeth’ of Hinduism. Peeth is a Sanskrit word that means “seat” or “throne”. In Hinduism, it refers to a sacred site or a monastery that is associated with a particular deity, tradition, or teacher. Kashmir (Sharda Desh) has the reverence of all the Shakti peeths important to Hinduism, hence the reason why Adi Shankaracharya, the great reformer and philosopher in the 8th century did not establish any ‘peeth’ there. Bhasha ji explained how changing the nomenclature of place names in Kashmir hinders the staking of claims by Pandits/Hindus, how Jhelum is Vitasta, the Neelam is Krishenganga, the Dal is Sureshwari Dal and many such ‘conversions’ that the Islamic invasions, conquest and proselytising did to the region. She elaborated on the Kheer Bhavani temple in Tulmul and its connection to the Ramayan. Bhasha ji emphasised the legend of how the southern door of the Sharda Mandir was opened for Adi Shankara because he was the ultimate devotee. Throughout the discussion, the two-way connection between the South and North of India especially Sharda Peeth was established. My favourite landmark of Srinagar, known as the Gopadari parvat in ancient times, was named after the Shankaracharya and retains its name, except for the Intifada factory literature which insists on the Islamised name of Takht-e-Sulaiman.

Interestingly, since Kashmir was a centre of learning and spirituality in ancient India, Adi Shankara was inspired by the beauty and culture of the region and composed the Ananda Lahari and the Soundarya Lahari — two parts of a Sanskrit poem. The Ananda Lahari, meaning “waves of bliss”, consists of 41 verses that describe the mystical union of Shiva and Shakti, the supreme deities of Hinduism. The Soundarya Lahari, meaning “waves of beauty”, consists of 59 verses that praise the goddess Shakti in her various forms and aspects. The poem is considered a masterpiece of devotional and tantric literature, as it contains profound insights into the nature of reality, the power of mantras and yantras, and the methods of worshipping the goddess. Bhasha ji had many such trivia interspersed in her session and I found myself getting emotional at how proud she was making our ancestors like Abhinavgupta, Ksemendra, and the iconic Lalleshwari.

The Story Begins
Soon after the colossal loss in the general elections, in 2015 Indian National Congress (INC) Vice President Rahul Gandhi went away to Southeast Asia for 60 days. He was mocked by the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) for running away from the election loss. It was an immature assumption. While away, most significant parts of his stays were spent in two China-friendly countries, Myanmar — 21 days and Cambodia — 11 days.
Myanmar is completely under the Chinese grip while in Cambodia they threw out the United States (US) military proving the mettle of Chinese influence in the region. There is no record of who Rahul Gandhi was meeting and discussing with, in those countries. Despite being an SPG (Special Protection Group) protectee he allowed the SPG to accompany him only to Bangkok. This further proves that INC didn’t want his schedule and activities to be disclosed through any source.
In June 2015 he visited the United Kingdom (UK) and in September 2015 the US and the UK. In June 2016 he visited Turkey and in September 2016 once again the UK. In March 2017 he visited Italy and in July 2017 the UK. Between 2015 to 2019 Rahul Gandhi made 257 trips to foreign lands while the IT cells of BJP were busy making memes and videos to make him look unfit for Prime Ministership. Even his mother Mrs. Sonia Gandhi made 27 foreign trips to undisclosed destinations during the same period. Modus Operandi was similar, SPG was notified just 5-6 hours before the departure making it impossible for them to provide the cover.
However, finally, the Indian security agencies got alarmed when Rahul Gandhi met with Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui in July 2017, forcing the BJP to question his intentions. What was their matter of discussion? This meeting took place at the peak of the India-China Doklam standoff. Soon thereafter Rahul Gandhi met the Bhutanese envoy. What did he convey to him is anyone’s guess?
In March 2023 Rahul Gandhi visited the UK and launched a vicious attack on the BJP. He also urged the US and the UK to intervene in restoring democracy in India. He spoke with students from the University of Cambridge and held meetings at the Grand Committee Room of the House of Commons painting India in a bad light. This infuriated the ruling party in India. On the contrary, after getting thrown out of power Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother and India’s former prime minister, Indira Gandhi also visited the UK in November 1978. She was frustrated but remained much more responsible and avoided painting India in a bad light in a foreign land.
In May 2023 Rahul Gandhi once again visited the US. In September 2023 he visited the European Union’s headquarters in Brussels followed by France and Norway. In October 2023 he visited Uzbekistan. Even in December 2023, just months before the general elections Rahul Gandhi was planning to visit Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The trip was canceled at the last moment, but the question remains, what was the urgency? The Narrative Building
The above-mentioned hundreds of foreign jaunts were not all public gatherings. Rather, most of them were closed-door meetings. Every visit was followed by a barrage of anti-India articles across the world but especially in the West. Articles with similar agenda:
“Will the outcome of India’s election increase intolerance” – Deutsche Welle
“Modification of India is almost complete” – TIME Magazine
“India’s election: fixing a win by outlawing dissent damages democracy” – UK Guardian
“Is India’s BJP the world’s most ruthlessly efficient political party?” – Financial Times
“Narendra Modi Is Preparing New Attacks on Democratic Rights” – Jacobin Magazine
“With democracy under threat in Narendra Modi’s India, how free and fair will this year’s election be?” – The Conversation, Australian Research Council
“Progressive South Is Rejecting Modi” – Bloomberg
“Billionaire Raj Is Pushing India Toward Autocracy” – Bloomberg
“India’s Voting Machines Are Raising Too Many Questions” – Bloomberg
“Modi’s Sledgehammer Politics Are Battering Indian Democracy” – Bloomberg
“The ‘mother of democracy’ is not in good shape” – Financial Times
“Modi’s Temple of Lies” – New York Times
After Rahul Gandhi’s March 2023 visit to the UK, the BBC came out with a documentary where it was depicted as if there was a Muslim genocide taking place in India. The documentary referred to the Gujarat riots that took place 21 years ago and had no relevance to the present governance. The frustrated government, unable to stop such anti-India propaganda made the cardinal sin of sending Central agencies to investigate the BBC India offices, adding fuel to the fire.

Rashtra Sevika Samiti started in 1936 at Wardha by Va. Lakshmibai Kelkar (Mousiji).
 The woman is the nature itself, the primordial power of the universe. Whatever is visible in this whole world, it is reflected in the influence of the same divine power, therefore it is consciousness. We consider this supremacy as Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati, Mahakali and the power of that Parabrahma. Indian culture has flowed with inspiration from this concept that every woman is part of that Shaktityatva.
The formation of Indian society is seen as a part of the Brahma Chaitanya Shakti, which is woven around the existence of women. In the Gita, Lord Shri Krishna is believed to be the basis of the dormant powers of women for social perception. We see that power is intermediate in every work. Awakening the power of that power, uniting the power, the unique goal of putting it into the nation-building work is the unique. Mousiji established the Rashtra Sevika Samiti for the purpose.

Vandaneeya Lakshmibai Kelkar,
Aadya Pramukh Sanchalika

The founder and Aadya Pramukh Sanchalika, who was the capable personality, who has taught the great mantra of the organization by not only lighting in India but also in the hundreds of thousands of women living in different countries of the world, through the light of Hinduism. She had been a supernatural personality, who inspired motherhood to nationalism and realized that a Rashtra Sevika Samiti is seen today with respect to the world. Rashtra Sevika Samiti prayer is a beautiful expression of hope, aspirations of the Indian woman. There has been a human tendency to pray since the beginning of life. Due to the values of which India could achieve the glorious sanctuary high status, it is necessary to get proper strength (physical, mental, spiritual) to keep them safe, uninterrupted. Manikaanchan Yoga will be called as a human grace along with divine grace. Therefore, we are not helpless in expressing our heartfelt humility in front of superior power, because we believe it will fulfill our divine power. It is impossible to disclose (naturally) this relationship of words with utterance.
The purpose of prayer can vary according to individual. Someone only prays for austerity, for the attainment of some power, then one prays for happiness. There is devotion also in devotional prayer. With such a prayer, there is a belief that life will be stunning in the development of the Sukshatakans in life. All religions and sects have an independent place of prayer. It is a prayer to utter words with your mind or with emotional words in front of your devotion. Prayer is necessary to keep in mind that the Dhruvatar of the goal is to remain constant in front of a continuous vision and to reach us there.
The prayer of the committee is collective. The hope of the society can lead to immense change in the enormous power situation that is being created aspiration. The collective prayer leads us to the enormous enormity of the humanity from the narrow boundaries of personality. We all are one in the collective prayer of the strength of creating such a sensation. To reach us, collective prayer is essential to reach us. Whatever you want to ask for, for your society, for your nation, for your nation. Entry into the vast periphery of the mass from the narrow range of personality is accessible for this reason. Such was the rise of national prayer.
This modern concept is not about great fun. Our forefathers had a collective prayer in Vedic times by keeping the same objective in front of the sage monks, for the benefit of Bahujan Hitiayas.

Anushka Jagtiani is in conversation with Mr Suhel Seth, founder and managing partner of strategic brand marketing consultancy firm, Counselage India. He is a marketing guru and brand expert who is also a bestselling author, columnist, actor and TV personality. Suhel is a very well known face on national television specially now during election season. In this episode he talks about branding from the political perspective and Modi ji’s marketing skills. He talks about the importance of creating strong individual brands in politics and about the rising stature of India internationally. Suhel talks about Modi Ji’s achievements, his outreach and good relations with all Islamic nations, he’s also the only Prime Minister who has visited Israel. He speaks about Modi as a brand, the respect he commands and he’s too smart for the opposition.

Justice for all Bharat nyay laws are the biggest reform in 160 years…!!!

As the sun finally broke through the clouds on a foggy winter morning in Delhi, we walked into the sprawling residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, undeniably the country’s second-most powerful politician after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for an interaction.

Q/ How do you assess the 10 years of the Narendra Modi government?
A/ Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, there was despondency, especially among youth, about the country’s future. Corruption was rampant in every sphere. Internal and external security was lax. Women felt unsafe. India’s economy was lagging behind. Everyone felt the India story was over. Policy paralysis was visible.
Now, look back at ten years of the Modi government. We have become the fifth largest economy and the world expects India to become the third largest economy by 2030. The success of the G20 summit, with the unanimous Delhi declaration that came in the midst of diverging global opinions, is a big victory for PM Modi’s diplomacy.
Internal and external security has strengthened manifold. Forty new policies have been brought in, including the new education policy, which will take the country to greater heights in the next 25 years. PM Modi’s slogan of Viksit Bharat has been adopted by the citizens as their own; 23 crore people have come above the poverty line; 80 crore have got houses, electricity, drinking water, toilets, ration, health facilities and respect.
We are marching ahead, with digital revolution and cooperatives boosting rural economy. The collective self-confidence, which hit rock bottom before 2014, is at its peak today and the entire world looks at us with hope.

Q/ What are the main achievements of the Union home ministry?
A/ Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, a lot of work has been done in the home ministry in the last 10 years. We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics and, in next 3-4 years, we will have full control over the menace. The three main terror hotspots—Kashmir, the northeast and left-wing extremism have seen 68 per cent decline in violence. More than 9,000 armed militants have surrendered in the northeast, left-wing extremism is breathing its last, and the backbone of terrorism is broken in Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K witnessed hundreds of stone pelting incidents in 2010, but not even one in 2023. The tourist footfalls are the highest in Kashmir. The Muharram procession was carried out after nearly 30 years in Srinagar. Cinema halls have opened and investments are coming.
Since 2019, several changes have taken place, like removal of the colonial laws, strengthening of anti-terror laws like UAPA, and repeal of Article 370. The passage of the three new criminal laws in Parliament in 2023 to create a new Indian criminal justice system sheds the vestiges of the colonial past and is the biggest reform in 160 years. Q/ How will the new criminal laws ensure speedy delivery of justice? 
A/ The objective of the three criminal laws is to achieve justice as envisaged in the Constitution. As PM Modi said, these laws are framed with the spirit of “Citizen first, dignity first and justice first”. It brings an end to the slave mentality brought by the British Raj, and the police will work with data instead of dand (punishment).
We have adopted a three-pronged approach to ensure speedy delivery of justice and timelines have been added in 35 sections of the new laws at various stages of police investigation, prosecution and judiciary. Timelines have been set for investigation, arrest, chargesheet, proceedings before magistrate, plea bargaining, appointment of assistant prosecutor, trial, bail, judgment, punishment and mercy petition.
Use of technology and forensics has been given thrust to ensure transparency, accountability and to improve the quality of evidence during police investigations. Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a complaint received through electronic communication will be taken on record as FIR within three days. There will be audio/video recording of the evidence, which will be produced before the magistrate immediately. From FIR to case diary, chargesheet and judgment, the entire process is digitised. Forensic evidence collection on the crime scene has been made mandatory in offences attracting a jail term of seven years or more. This will ensure the prosecution has scientific evidence, which in turn will speed up the entire process.
I would also like to point out that in cases related to sexual assault, it has been made mandatory to submit the medical examination report within seven days. Similarly, in all criminal cases, within 45 days after the hearing is complete, judgment has to be delivered.
I am confident that once the new laws are completely implemented, any citizen who lodges an FIR will be able to get justice within three years. Delays in the criminal justice system will become a thing of the past.

भारतीय सभ्यता की समृद्ध संस्कृति को इस्लामी आक्रांताओं ने सदियों तक नष्ट किया। मुगलों के हाथों हुए अत्याचारों के सबसे पुराने उदाहरणों में से एक है ‘अढाई दिन का झोंपड़ा’ मस्जिद। जो कि राजस्थान के अजमेर शहर में स्थित है।

आज आप जिसे ‘अढाई दिन का झोंपड़ा‘ मानते हैं, वो मूल रूप से विशालकाय संस्कृत महाविद्यालय (सरस्वती कंठभरन महाविद्यालय) हुआ करता था, जहाँ संस्कृत में ही विषय पढ़ाए जाते थे। यह ज्ञान और बुद्धि की हिंदू देवी माता सरस्वती को समर्पित मंदिर था। इस भवन को महाराजा विग्रहराज चतुर्थ ने अधिकृत किया था। वह शाकंभरी चाहमना या चौहान वंश के राजा थे।
कई दस्तावेजों के अनुसार, मूल इमारत चौकोर आकार की थी। इसके हर कोने पर एक मीनार थी। भवन के पश्चिम दिशा में माता सरस्वती का मंदिर था। १९वी शताब्दी में, उस स्थान पर एक शिलालेख (स्टोन स्लैब) मिली थी जो ११५३ ई. पूर्व की थी। विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि शिलालेख के आधार पर यह अनुमान लगाया जा सकता है कि मूल भवन का निर्माण ११५३ के आसपास हुआ था।
हालाँकि, कुछ स्थानीय जैन किंवदंतियों का कहना है कि इमारत सेठ वीरमदेव कला द्वारा ६६० ई में अधिकृत किया गया था। यह एक जैन तीर्थ के रूप में बनाया गया था और पंच कल्याणक माना जाता था। उल्लेखनीय है कि इस स्थल में उस समय की जैन और हिंदू दोनों स्थापत्य कला के तत्व मौजूद हैं। एक मस्जिद के रूप में परिवर्तित करना
कहानी के अनुसार, ११९२ ई. में, मुहम्मद गोरी ने महाराजा पृथ्वीराज चौहान को हराकर अजमेर पर अधिकार कर लिया। उसने अपने गुलाम सेनापति कुतुब-उद-दीन-ऐबक को शहर में मंदिरों को नष्ट करने का आदेश दिया। ऐसा कहा जाता है कि उसने ऐबक को ६० घंटे के भीतर मंदिर स्थल पर मस्जिद के एक नमाज सेक्शन का निर्माण करने का आदेश दिया था ताकि वह नमाज अदा कर सके। चूँकि, इसका निर्माण ढाई दिन में हुआ था, इसीलिए इसे ‘अढाई दिन का झोंपड़ा’ नाम दिया गया। हालाँकि, कुछ विशेषज्ञों का मानना है कि यह सिर्फ एक किंवदंती है। मस्जिद के निर्माण को पूरा करने में कई साल लग गए। उनके अनुसार, इसका नाम ढाई दिन के मेले से पड़ा है, जो हर साल मस्जिद में लगता है।
मस्जिद के केंद्रीय मीनार में एक शिलालेख है जिसमें इसके पूरा होने की तारीख जुमादा II ५९५ ए एच के रूप में उल्लेखित है। अंग्रेजी कैलेंडर के अनुसार यह तारीख अप्रैल ११९९ ई है। बाद में, कुतुब-उद-दीन-ऐबक के उत्तराधिकारी इल्तुतमिश ने १२१३ ई में मस्जिद को सुशोभित किया। उन्होंने मस्जिद में एक स्क्रीन वॉल जोड़ा। उत्तरी मीनार पर उसके नाम का तो वहीं दक्षिणी मीनार पर कंस्ट्रक्शन सुपरवाइजर अहमद इब्न मुहम्मद अल-अरिद के नाम का एक शिलालेख है।
फिलहाल, यह बताना आसान नहीं है कि मस्जिद का कौन सा हिस्सा मूल रूप से सरस्वती मंदिर और संस्कृत स्कूल था क्योंकि मस्जिद के निर्माण में लगभग २५-३० हिंदू एवं जैन मंदिरों के खंडहरों का इस्तेमाल किया गया था।

एमएसपी के लिये एक कमेटी बनी थी उसके एक वरिष्ठ सदस्य श्री कृष्ण वीर चौधरी से अर्चना तिवारी ने बातचीत की एमएसपी और इस कहने को आंदोलन के बारे में…
सच जानने के लिए ये थ्रेड पूरा देखें 🙏🏾 चौधरी साहब कहते हैं आंदोलन हमने भी किए हैं, ये तो हिंसा और अराजकता है कोई आंदोलन नहीं। बड़ी बड़ी गाड़ियाँ और ऐसे ट्रेक्टर कोई गरीब शोषित किसान के पास होते हैं?? ये गरीब हैं तो फिर अमीर कौन हैं??🤔

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol at Ramjanmbhoomi in Ayodhya took place on January 22, 2024. On this significant occasion, Hindus worldwide pay tribute to both well-known and unknown devotees of Lord Ram who sacrificed their lives during the struggles spanning from the Babar era to the Mulayam Singh Yadav administration. Among these courageous individuals who fought during the Mughal rule, Devi Deen Pandey stands as a prominent name. He followed in the footsteps of Bhiti King Mahtab Singh as a warrior who laid down his life for the cause of Ram Janmbhoomi. The OpIndia team visited Devi Deen Pandey’s home to delve into the details of the sacrifices he made for Ram Janmabhoomi.
Originally hailing from Rahimpur Dugawa, a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya district, Devi Deen Pandey’s primary mission was to propagate his faith. He welcomed people into his home in Sarairasi, Rajepur, and Sanethu villages, where he conducted recitations of Bhagwat Katha and other sacred texts. Eventually, he settled near Sanethu, approximately 8 kilometres from his native place, now named ‘Pandit Ka Purva’ in his honour. A temple stands prominently outside the settlement, attracting worshippers who come to offer prayers on significant occasions in their homes. Religiosity is everywhere even today in the house.

Upon our arrival at Devi Deen Pandey’s home, numerous family members were eagerly waiting for the OpIndia team at the entrance. The gate of the house is embellished with a Swastika, flanked by images of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman. Positioned at the entrance is a sizable temple, which, according to the family, has stood since the time of Devi Deen Pandey. The current generation undertook its renovation due to deterioration in the past, presenting it in a new form. Saffron flags are prominently displayed around the temple, and inside, there is a Ram Darbar (court) adorned with idols of various gods.
Devi Deen Pandey built the temple, and to this day, worship is conducted there by the prescribed rituals. The seventh generation of Devi Deen diligently carries on their age-old, traditional worship practices. The current hosts of this family are descendants whose forebears made sacrifices in defence of Ramjanmbhoomi alongside Devi Deen.

Modi Ji who is in Tamil Nadu on his 3-day visit to the state performed 'smaran' and offered prayers at Sri Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.

The main deity worshipped in the temple is Sri Ramanathaswamy, which is a form of Lord Shiva. It is a widely held belief that the main lingam in this temple was installed and worshipped by Sri Rama and Mata Sita. It is one among the Char Dhams - Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram. It is also one among the 12 Jyotirlingas.
PM Modi arrived at the Amrithananda School campus in Rameswaram Pakarumbu by helicopter at 2.10 pm. From there, he took a holy dip in Agniteertham at 3.10 pm.
PM Modi later took part in the Ramayan path and 'Bhajan Sandhya' in the temple.
Prime Minister Modi, who is currently observing an 11-day Anushthan till the 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22, arrived in Tiruchirappalli on Saturday.

Once called “Dada” for his strongman approach, Sarma is now the more endearing “Mama”, a change that came about after he became the chief minister.
Sarma is leading the BJP in the northeast and in an election year there was no better start for him than facilitating Nadda’s visit to the Maa Kamakhya Temple. Later they huddled in the party office to strategise the great number game for the BJP. Sarma has promised to deliver 22 of 25 Lok Sabha seats from the northeast.
After Nadda left for the airport the next day, Sarma settled down for an interview with THE WEEK. In a candid conversation at the secretariat, he shared his experience of handling politicians who rebelled, defected and changed the number games. “When I was with the Congress, we were deputed to various states to manage resorts” where such rebels were safeguarded, said Sarma. In 2022, he brought Eknath Shinde and company from Maharashtra to Guwahati after they rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena.
Sarma is emerging as a master strategist for the BJP after spending 22 years in Congress. He predicted another decade of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a new political spectrum in the country. “Prime Minister Modi will cross 325 seats (in the Lok Sabha polls),” he said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q/ Assam has a long history of agitations. Do you think peace is settling in, finally?
A/ A lot of reforms are taking place and there has been a turnaround. This is the best time for Assam and we are getting a lot of support from the Central government. We lost nearly 700 security personnel and around 20,000 men and young boys in the conflict over the years, but we have not lost a single one in the last three years. We have withdrawn the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from the state, except for three districts. But for ULFA (Independent) leader Paresh Baruah, with whom there are only about 100 to 150 boys in Myanmar, others have surrendered. So I would definitely say that there has been a turnaround in the last three to four years, but it is not because I am the Chief Minister.

Q/ Has the divide with Delhi been bridged?
A/ I have been a minister for the last 22 years, I have seen the transformation under the BJP government. Earlier, governments were slow and distant. Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come to Assam 60 times. We have taken various small steps which have reassured people that now our battle is being fought from Delhi, like the decision to implement the NRC (National Register of Citizens). It was a big healing touch. Nobody thought delimitation would happen this way, but it was done and people think it is a healing touch. During the Congress regime, we used to request the home minister to visit the border, but now it is a part of the routine visits of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. If there is a [militant] attack, the home ministry gives a prompt reply. In the last three or four years, outside support for militants has been neutralised and security forces have started gaining upper hand. Q/ You said the prime minister visited the northeast, but people are talking about him not visiting Manipur.
A/ I am the chief minister of Assam, so I cannot answer for Manipur. But as someone from the northeast, I don’t want anybody, even you, to come here when we are fighting. I don’t want (Congress leader) Rahul Gandhi to see us fighting and say, ‘Look, the people of the northeast are fighting’, and then go and advertise it. If it is a fight between China and India, then the prime minister should come. But when two brothers are fighting, we have to resolve it by ourselves. The Union home minister came and stayed for three days. The minister of state for home camped in Manipur for two months.
Q/ As the face of the BJP in the northeast, how do you see the party’s performance in the upcoming general elections?
A/ In the northeast, there are 25 Lok Sabha seats, of which we are going to win 22. We will get 11 seats here in Assam (of 14). In Manipur, we are going to win both the seats. Although there is fighting between two communities, nobody has a problem with the prime minister and the BJP. Not a single Kuki minister or MLA resigned from the BJP, not a single MLA or minister from the Meiteis resigned from the BJP, and not any minister or MLA from the Nagas resigned from the BJP. So as a party, [we have not been brought] into their dispute. Their loyalty to the party and the prime minister is intact. So under the North East Democratic Alliance (the National Democratic Alliance’s coalition with regional parties in eight northeastern states), we will win 22 of 25 seats.
Q/ Which are the three seats that you are doubtful about?
A/ There are three seats in Assam predominantly inhabited by Muslims where we cannot think of contesting. Unfortunately, Assam is completely divided on religious lines when it comes to politics. There is social harmony and people live and work together, but when it comes to voting, we know that we have to secure our own political future. Muslims, up to 99 per cent, vote for the Congress. And Hindus, up to 99 per cent, vote for the BJP.
Q/ Do you think voting on religious lines is limited to Assam or is it becoming a nationwide trend?
A/ Assam’s history has nothing to do with the present political discourse of the nation. If I don’t sit here, somebody like Badruddin Ajmal (chief of the All India United Democratic Front) will sit here. Assam has been like this from 1979. It is a very polarised state as far as politics is concerned. The Congress represents Muslims here. But we are together for festivals, literary works, in office and sports. So it has nothing to do with the present political dispensation, atmosphere or environment.

India Today's Chairperson and Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie, Vice Chairperson Kalli Purie and Group Editorial Director (Publishing) Raj Chengappa sat with Modi Ji for a hour-long interaction, the PM spoke passionately on a range of key domestic and international issues apart from discussing in depth his unique management style.

🟠Prime Minister, congratulations, you are India Today's Newsmaker of the Year 2023. How do you feel about it?

Thank you for the distinction of Newsmaker of the Year 2023. For me, there have been many newsmakers this year: our farmers who are leading a record agriculture production and bringing about a millet revolution globally; our people who made G20 a big success across the country; our Vishwakarmas who are charting a path of success through their skills; our athletes who made us proud at the Asian Games, Asian Para Games and other tournaments; our youth who are creating new records, be it in the field of start-ups or science; our Nari Shakti which is scaling new frontiers in all sectors, especially now that a new story of empowerment is being written through women-led development. I have been fortunate to serve the people of the country for many years now. During this time, we have seen many successes as well as challenges.
🟠Q. What were these challenges?

India’s rapid ascent in 2023 has been very important as it sets the tone in our journey to Viksit Bharat. We’ve unleashed the latent potential of our nation. On global forums, India’s presence and contributions are now sought after. From a country that used to feel left behind, we have become a country that is now leading from the front. From a country that used to seek a voice in various platforms, we have become a country that leads and creates new global platforms. Today, the world consensus is clear: this is India’s moment.

🟠 Q. Looking back at 2023, are you satisfied with the journey so far and is this year a turning point for you and the country?
Evaluating my journey through a single year may not give a correct picture because there is a progressive unfolding of my vision and plans. When I start something, I know the endpoint. But I never announce the final destination or blueprint in the beginning. So, what you see today is not what I've worked on. A far bigger picture will unfold finally. I work on a big canvas. Like an artist, I start from one point, but at the time the final picture can't be seen.

🟠 Q. Do give us some examples of this unique approach?

Take the example of the Statue of Unity [in Gujarat]. When I announced that we will build a 182-foot statue, many thought it had to do with 182 seats in the Gujarat Assembly. Some sections thought this was done to please a community ahead of the elections. But see how it has developed into an entire tourism ecosystem, with something for people of all age groups and interests. Just a couple of days back, it saw 80,000 visitors in one day, this is the level of its popularity. I had promised only one thing, but I delivered dozens of things there. This is my working style. When work on the Bharat Mandapam started, no one thought the G20 would happen here. But I was working with a plan. If I work towards the new Parliament building or 40 million houses for the poor, I do it with equal planning and dedication. 🟠Q. India continued to be among the fastest growing economies in 2023. What are the guiding factors that shaped your policies while dealing with the economy?

I have had a unique journey in my career in terms of experience. I have served as head of the government for 23 years [in Gujarat and the Centre] but before that for 30 years I had travelled to different parts of the country and lived among the people. I also consider myself a life-long student and believe in learning from the experiences and wisdom of others. So, in a way, I am blessed to have a strong ground connection.

🟠Q. So what is your management style?

My approach to policy-making is slightly different. I listen to all the economists and experts and formulate my policies and strategies through a mix of their advice, my 'ground connect' and the lived reality of the country. As a result of my ground connect, I have strong convictions. Main kuchh bhi achha lage isliye nahin karta, lekin achha ho isliye karta hoon (I don't do things because it looks good, I do it because it will do good). Growing up in poverty and having had the good fortune of being connected to people at the grassroots gave me an insight into how reforms should focus on improving the lives of the people, and not on mere headlines. It is the result of dozens of such reforms which focused on improving the lives of the people, their ease of living, their ease of doing business, that India's growth journey has picked up rapid pace. We believe in optimum utilisation of resources and outcome-oriented monitoring. We believe in achieving national goals through jan andolans (people's movements).

🟠Q. Why do you pick up difficult sectors like cleanliness, sanitation and speak about them even during Independence Day addresses?

Makhan par lakir to sab karte hai. Karni hai to pathar par lakir karo. Kathin hai to kya hua, shuruat to kare (It is easy to draw a line in butter, if you have to, draw a line in stone. It is hard, but let's make a beginning). This is what I believe in, which gives me the conviction to take on difficult and uncomfortable tasks.

🟠Q. How are you ensuring that India becomes a 5-trillion-dollar economy and the world's third largest?

Our track record speaks for itself. When I became chief minister of Gujarat in 2001, the size of its economy was around $26 billion (Rs 2.17 lakh crore). When I left Gujarat to become the prime minister, the size of Gujarat's economy had become $133.5 billion (Rs 11.1 lakh crore). And as a result of the various policies and reforms, today Gujarat's economy is around $260 billion (Rs 21.6 lakh crore). Similarly, when I became PM in 2014, the size of India's economy was $2 trillion (Rs 167 lakh crore) and at the end of 2023-24, India's GDP will be more than $3.75 trillion (Rs 312 lakh crore). It is this track record of 23 years which shows this is a realistic target.

Narendra Modi, as Prime Minister, fits no stereotype and remains an enigma despite this being his 10th year in office. Like the gods of Hindu mythology, he is a man of many avatars, some of which came to the fore in 2023 and enabled him to become, well, the man of the moment, for the moment and by the moment. He can look back at 2023 as his annus mirabilis even though for most world leaders the year was annus horribilis. Especially with two major wars Ukraine and Gaza widening the divide between nations already reeling under the combined onslaught of a global economic slowdown and Covid’s long shadow. Modi’s aura of unpredictability and his bold decisions proved advantageous in these crisis-ridden times. Amid the global strife and rubble, he emerged with a rare double credit for his masterful handling of issues on the domestic front and the international stage, making him the cynosure of the globe. In 2023, it was Cometh the Hour, Cometh Modi. THE REFORMER
Let's start with Modi the Reformer. In his first term, Modi brought in major economic reform by pushing for a one nation, one tax regime that saw the introduction of the national Goods and Services Tax (GST). In his second term, the prime minister focused on pathbreaking social and political reforms. This September, in a historic decision to politically empower Indian women, the prime minister got Parliament to pass the Women's Reservation Act, 2023. The Act ordained that 33 percent of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures would be reserved for female candidates. Modi described it as the next big step for boosting "Nari Shakti" and to spur a "women-led development" of the country. He would face criticism from the Opposition, though, for deferring its implementation till after the 2026 delimitation process for parliamentary constituencies that is also likely to increase the number of seats from the 543 presently.
In December, the Supreme Court vindicated another daring reform of Modi's by upholding the abrogation of Article 370 which his government had effected in August 2019. It brought legal closure to the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under the Indian Constitution that had been hanging fire since Independence. In an exclusive interview to INDIA TODAY at his residence on December 26, the prime minister was clear that "Article 370 is gone for ever" and that the "people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are for the first time free to shape their destinies in their own hands". On his approach to pushing through tough reforms of the nature of women's reservation and the abrogation of Article 370, the prime minister says, "People often ask me about how I could take such a difficult decision. For me, it does not seem difficult as I take all my decisions through the single prism of Nation First."

Let’s Honour the India that is Bharat and the Hinduism that is Sanatana Dharma.

India cannot be understood without an equation with its traditional name of Bharat. India is a much older civilisation than Europe and has maintained its continuity uniquely over the millennia. The term Bharat brings that ancient history to mind and its cultural identity as Bharatiya Samskriti, a vast dharmic civilisation with its own unique voice and global influence.
India that is Bharat, which occurs in the beginning of India’s Constitution, highlights the need for a civilisational revival that was an integral part of India’s Independence movement, not just creating another modern nation-state.

Similarly, Hinduism cannot be understood without its equation with Sanatana Dharma, meaning the universal, eternal and perpetual Dharma. Sanatana Dharma shows the need to understand the dharmic traditions of Bharat in their own right and according to their own terminology: a profound spiritual, religious, philosophical, scientific, artistic and cultural tradition, with numerous great rishis, yogis and gurus, deity forms and temples, all reflecting a pursuit of higher consciousness and Self-realisation. We should equate Hinduism, Hindu Dharma and Sanatana Dharma, not simply by name but by meaning and implications. It is great to see India’s politicians today using the term Bharat, or India/Bharat for their identification at diplomatic programs. It is an essential part of decolonization and calls for a reexamination of the global identity of India and what it represents as a civilisation. Similarly, it is important to identify Hinduism as Sanatana Dharma.
Sanatana Dharma refers to the term dharma in a generic way, embracing dharma in all its names, actions, vision and wisdom. Hindu Dharma is known for its many sects and sampradayas, whether Shaivite, Vaishnava, Shakta, Ganapata and Saura such as Adi Shankara recognised long ago, and as Vedic, Itihasa/Purana and Tantra with many modern movements as well. These diverse Hindu teachings are all expressions of a unitary Sanatana Dharma.

Chaya Someshwara Temple Lost Gems of India :

DIFFRACTION - this phenomenon was scientifically discovered by the western world in 1660, by an Italian scientist Francesco Maria Grimaldi who was the first to record accurate observations of this phenomenon and coined the word "Diffraction”.
But a small temple constructed in 11 century AD in a remote part of India had practicallyimplemented the distortion of light and created an optical phenomenon which can been seeneven today…. This is the story of Chaya Someshwara Temple and its mysterious shadow.

One of the oldest civilizations in the world, the Indian civilization has a strong tradition of scienceand technology. Ancient India was a land of sages and seers as well as a land of scholars and scientists. Many theories and techniques discovered by the ancient Indians have created and strengthened the fundamentals of modern science and technology. While some of these groundbreaking contributions have been acknowledged, some are still unknown to most. One such lost gem is optical phenomenon at 11th century Chaya Someswara Swamy temple in Panagal, a village adjacent to Nalgonda town in Telangana State of India. Shri Chaya Someshwara Swamy Temple at Panagal is an Ancient Hindu Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This was an important religious place for the rulers of the Kakatiya Dynasty. The Temple was built during the 11th and 12th century AD by "Ikshvaku Dynasty". It later got ruled by Kunduru Cholas in 12th century AD,
The Deity in the temple is famous as "Chaya Someshwara Swamy" due to the Vertical shadowor Chaya in sanskrit , The vertical shadow is present all through the day on the Shiva Lingam forming a permanent shadow of a pillar. This mysterious shadow is a huge attraction of this temple. The Chaya that falls on the Deity, facing east and seen on the wall behind the Siva Linga looks like a shadow of one of the pillars in the Mandap. But it is not actually the shadow of any pillar but is a consolidated shadow of all the four pillars. The pillars at the temple are strategically placed so that light falls on the same place throughout the day, This shadow is constant and visible from sunrise to sunset every day. The construction of this temple is marvellous which features such exceptional sight. This temple is also known as "Thrikutalayam" which means 'Three Garbhagrihas'. One of the garbhagrihas is situated in the west and east facing one contains this continuous shadow of a pillar throughout the day on the presiding deity. The temple is facing west and the deity towards east.

The diplomatic tensions between India and Canada worsened after Canada’s withdrawal of 41 diplomats from India on 19 October, nine days after the deadline.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said India communicated its plan to remove diplomatic immunities unilaterally for all the diplomats concerned and their families.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remarked that India’s actions are “making lives difficult” for people from both countries and “hamper travel and trade and pose difficulties for Indians studying in Canada”.
The suspension of visa services for Canadian nationals by India last month has already disrupted travel.
Trade between countries is a paltry $8 billion, 0.7 per cent of India’s total trade in 2022-23.
Further, the Canadian delegation had already paused the trade talks a week before the G20 Summit. The next casualty in bilateral ties could be the education ties between both countries. Considering India’s unprecedented diplomatic offensive, what should be the limits of these punitive actions?
My argument is simple. Punish Canada until it bends. Why? Because Canada is the weakest link of the West which can be made an example to deter other US allies from exploiting anti-India separatist groups for domestic political gains. How? Weaponise India’s biggest strength: emigration to Canada.
For effectively closing the diplomatic row, India needs to define clear end goals. First, India must ensure that Canada retracts its allegations — as it made them in the first place — publicly.
Though it is unlikely that Prime Minister Trudeau will concede on his pro-Khalistani bend, India must impose high reputational costs to outweigh his long-term political gains from the radical outfits.
Second, India’s actions towards Canada should deter countries like United Kingdom and Australia, where violent anti-India separatist groups get sporadic political spaces in the name of free speech. India must safeguard against the growing Khalistani lobby in UK, that like Canada, could generate political capital before the British general elections in 2025.
Third, India must effectively communicate to the West that regard for its sovereignty is a non-negotiable for any strategic partnership to flourish. It could involve close cooperation with the United States on intelligence sharing about Khalistani outfits.
If Canada apologises publicly for its actions, it would be a credible show of India’s coercive diplomacy. It would deter other Western powers from mainstreaming anti-India separatist elements in their society. To meet these objectives, further escalation with Canada is a viable policy option for India.

The lawyers at the High Court in Jodhpur, Rajasthan are fed up with the present government as in this tenure of Gehlot there has been appeasement of a community, Hindu bashing, rapes, murders and false promises.
No more Congress…. Rajasthan used to be a peaceful state…
The crime reports have been hitting the roof, rapes in the state have made it the top state in crime…broken all records and there’s no control due the government’s appeasement of a special community.

Vaibhav Singh exposes the sold out journalists who for a little money turn against their own country and run fake narratives for foreign powers. China has been running their agenda through these people like NewsClick and Tri Continental financed through Singham, the money comes from Shanghai routed through America to India.

The concept of infinity has intrigued and captivated human minds for centuries. While the idea of infinity can be found in many different cultures and philosophical traditions, it holds a special place in the Hindu framework through the concept of Brahman.

The invocatory verse for Brahman, which is often recited in Hindu rituals and ceremonies, goes as follows:

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते।
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
This can be roughly translated as "That (Brahman) is full, this (Universe) is also full, (this) fullness emanates from (that) fullness; even when fullness is taken from fullness, what remains is also fullness." The concept of Brahman is an infinite, eternal and all-encompassing reality that pervades everything in the universe. Brahman is often seen as the ultimate goal of human existence and the path to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Sudhanshu Trivedi is an Indian Politician who represents the BJP in the Rajya Sabha as a member from Uttar Pradesh. Trivedi is an engineer by education and holds a PhD. in mechanical engineering. The national spokesperson of the BJP is known for oratorial skills in both English and Hindi. His sharp wit is often enhanced with poetry and couplets.
Sudhansu Trivedi is one of the best debaters in the country on Indian history, culture mythology and politics and has a huge fan following in Indian households be it through live television debates or through clips on social media.
Trivedi has been handling the media interaction for the BJP for years and had worked with the media team of BJP during 2014 elections.

The next blow to Indian Civilization came from the Europeans. Vasco da Gama entered India to Trade but indulged in looting & Converting Indian People. Europeans wrecked thousands of years of peaceful International Trade of India.
First came the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and then the British landed. By then, the Mughal Empire had withered. The Maratha Empire was not established across India. The English bribed an Indian Military commander & gained full control of Bengal.
Professor Meenakshi Jain talks about how the missionaries fabricated figures of Sati in Bengal to get permission from British Parliament to convert Indians.
The Varna system, Caste system and slavery are often attributed to the Hindu Dharma. Jati is not caste, A converted Muslim or Christian is still recognized as belonging to the same Jati. Varna system is unique to Hinduism.

Rizwan Saheb says, “Hindenburg 2.0 ho ya Adani 2.0…Manmohan Singh se poocho Modi se nahin… George Soros ne duniya ka theka le rakha hai, woh apne hisaab se duniya chalana chahta hai…pehle Bank of England gira chuka, ab companies girana chahta hai aur woh bhi Indian, Modi ko hatana chahta hai, yahan bahut organisations ko fund kar raha hai iske liye per yeh ho nahin sakta na…..
Woh Modi Hai…Daanton Taley Pathar Chabwa Dega…!!!