Thinking aloud

Jai Bajrang Bali!  By heroically averting a 9/11-style terror attack, Gujarat-rooted Captain Smit Machchhar has rightfully earned global acclaim . His self-less act saved 174 lives.  Facing imminent death at 30,000 feet, Captain Machchhar revealed that chanting the Hanuman Chalisa granted him the singular focus and fortitude needed to unlock the reinforced cockpit door—even as co-pilot Hammam Al-Hammani continued his violent assault . Through unflinching duty and faith, Chiranjeevi Bajrang Bali found another modern chapter of valor . The world took notice . From Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visiting him personally in the hospital, global leaders recognized courage under fire . Alarmingly yet predictably, Indian opposition leaders have not come out with any response other than a customary statement from Mallikarjun Kharge Ji, the President of Indian National Congress....

India is hosting the BRICS summit at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam on 12–13 September 2026, following its successful presidency of the G20 two years ago. The summit takes place against a turbulent international backdrop marked by two protracted conflicts and volatile US policy shifts under President Trump regarding trade tariffs and global security. BRICS in New Delhi: Defying Global Headwinds to Forge Consensus Navigating these headwinds, New Delhi has achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough by forging consensus on a joint declaration. Bringing regional rivals like Saudi Arabia and Iran to the same table highlights India’s unique geopolitical bridging power—underpinned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s strategic non-alignment. Guided by an "India First" doctrine, India has firmly maintained its autonomy rather than endorsing Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. Nevertheless, strong bilateral ties between New Delhi and Moscow...

Another Onam and another season of roller coaster ride. The question was one of redundancy. By some quirky logic, it seemed those who are not Gen Z have no right to exist. But then equilibrium has to be restored and it is being done by the Gen Zs themselves. I too have to get on with the same process.  But in doing so, I must learn to forgive. Those around me, those afar and the self. It is not easy. Still, mastering forgiveness is one of the ultimate steps to peace and freedom. 

I am in my late 40s and have been given a new tag. I am told that I belong to the Gen X. Also that there is a Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Millennials. I am sure the list doesn't end here. While these tags are proudly thrown around as if it is as sacrosanct as the theory of evolution, the Taurean must ask the obvious question. What changed and does it really matter? But when I witness a septuagenarian leader, who has been elected THRICE to lead Bharath as the Prime Minister, verbally abused with the choicest of expletives which are new to me, when the name of his deceased mother who passed away after living for 100 years is dragged in the worst possible manner, it hits me hard and yes, the GEN tag does offer a clue. I am happy I do not belong to Gen Z. The Supreme Guru, Shri Krishna Himself proclaimed: Bg. 17.15 अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् । स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्‍मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १५ ॥ anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ caiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa uc...

As of 2026, only three countries have populations exceeding 300 million: China, India, and the United States.  When Narendra Modi Ji, the Prime Minister of the world's largest and most credible demcracy, posted an Instagram reel on Friday at midnight IST,  it broke the internet and his own previous record of most number of views in 24 hours. And then he TELLS his cabinet ministers, As a passionate Andh Bhakth of Modi Ji and a voter who voted for BJP in the polling booth at  GVHSS AMBALAMUGAL  way back in 1998, the year when I had attained legal age for voting, I have been inrtigued by the BJP's underperformance in the war of narratives. The 2024 Lok Saabha Election resilts from UP is an example where the dysfunct INC managed to garner higher than expected votesshare by distributing promissory letters to women in many constituencies. The fake narrative built using many digital weapons including a doctored video of Amit Shah Ji's speech in Telangana is another example....

  The silk route has long since been slippery.  The Chinese personnel have faced attacks and have even been killed across the region in which CPEC project has been going on since decades. Now Pakistan is losing control over its annexed territories including Pak occupied Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.  Failed Marshal, mullah general, Asim Munir tried to lure the businessman Trump by offering rare earth found in Baluchistan to America. Shahbaz Sherief recommended Nobel Prize for Trump and tried to squeeze himself into the list by playing the MEDIATOR in the ongoing Iran conflict. The Pak-Saudi pact was the insurance that prompted bhikharistan to try and break into the elitist circuit. However, Riyadh is unhappy as the pact has proven to be of no use when Iran and the likes of Houthis attacked the kingdom.  .Can the Bikharistan hold on to the province it had shamelessly annexed while Nehru chose to look the other way? Will the dragon choose to cut its losses and prefer...