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Hans India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Congress takes out bicycle rally commemorating youth's sacrifices
Hyderabad: The Congress workers took out a bicycle rally on Telangana Formation Day on Monday. The rally commemorated the sacrifices of people, particularly the youth, during the Telangana movement. Led by party Sanathnagar incharge Kota Neelima, the rally was themed 'Reclaiming the Spirit of the Movement, Reinforcing the Vision of Congress'. The rally began at Begumpet Airport Road and concluded at Rasoolpura Circle, drawing enthusiastic participation from Congress cadre, youth, and cycling enthusiasts united in celebrating Telangana's rich heritage and promising future. Kota Neelima said that the rally served as a powerful tribute to the Telangana Movement, a historic struggle defined by sacrifice, resilience, and an uncompromising demand for dignity and self-respect. The Indian National Congress has played a crucial role throughout Telangana's journey, supporting the people's aspirations when it mattered most and continuing to uphold their legacy. The party remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving the values that inspired the Telangana Movement — championing social justice, inclusive growth, and responsive governance. 'This cycle rally reinforced the Congress Party's dedication to placing the people's aspirations at the heart of Telangana's progress,' she said.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Letter of dissent or of discreet assent?
Political and strategic analysts were absorbed by inexplicable curiosity when MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha dispatched a handwritten letter to her father and BRS chief, K Chandrasekhar Rao, the architect of the 13-year separate Telangana movement, its victorious culmination, and triumphantly becoming the state's first Chief Minister. The content of the missive and its mysterious leak to social media was perceived as calculated planning and influenced by pressure groups. The whole drama subtly equates to political delinquency, intellectual immaturity, and lack of professional apprenticeship, as also an unseasoned bid for political space. The 'explicit and implicit messages' in the letter are simply enthralling. Kavitha's exquisite appeal to her 'Dear Daddy' seeking direction, clarity, and about her future in BRS, principally in the 'light of hope against hope' of returning to power is ambiguous. Beneath the emotional and persistent question, 'who should occupy the throne, if and when power returns?' is heedlessly quizzical. While couched in sentiment, it hinted at deeper currents of ambition, uncertainty, and strategic recalibration-a change in the mindset. Whether 'the letter to daddy' was an 'act of dissent or one of discreet assent' remains a million-dollar question. In Indian political history, Indira Gandhi, known for her iron grip over governance, mastered the choreography of party dynamics. For her 'dissent was not always an enemy' but a precisely and carefully honed tool wielded with 'discreet assent.' She engineered historic splits in the Congress Party, not out of helplessness but as a calculated strike to neutralise internal resistance and reassert her indomitable dominance. Her way of turning discord into strategic advantage and emerging not weakened but stronger with every confrontation, remains unparalleled. Perhaps KCR employs a similar strategy. Indira Gandhi's shrewd orchestration of party dynamics was executed through loyalists, who owed their rise to her patronage. That was the era of 'makeshift, tailor-made dissidents' carefully crafted figures deployed with 'just enough freedom to roam freely in a vehicle' yet with the brakes and steering firmly in Madam's grip. No matter how far they ventured, geographically or politically, they consistently ended up parking in her garage--'A dissent by design: Either an assembled dissent or descent on a leash.' She nurtured parallel voices to maintain leverage within the party. Kavitha's assertion that, 'KCR is my leader and will not accept other leadership' was a significant parallel. 'Anguished over the developments in BRS, I had written the letter for its betterment,' Kavitha maintained. The letter, couched in strong tones of introspection, accountability, and future direction, has sent ripples through the BRS--reading like a rebellious call and critique of leadership style and strategic missteps. Scratch beneath, and it evokes something more complex and familiar--a manoeuvre reminiscent of the Indira era's engineered dissent with discreet assent, echoed, perhaps, in today's political choreography. Rightly or not, the letter could well be a calibrated tool to project an 'illusion of democratic introspection' within a tightly controlled party structure. Or maybe not! Out of power is not at all devoid of control on BRS to a spirited KCR. His political acumen, seldom understood even by his self-styled closest associates, often thrives on silence and surprise. Like Indira, KCR has structural and embedded networks, loyalties, and timing. Controlled dissidence is a way to make BRS seem alive with ideas and disagreements, while still being driven from the same garage. Whether Kavitha 'manages to sit firmly in the driving seat' or 'leaves the steering and brakes to her daddy' with static boundaries, is anyone's guess as of now. However, the letter may possibly allow BRS to dilute public frustration. Indian women into the halls of politics, and luck and competence favoured, into governance have, often, strategically navigated journeys. Contemporary political history is dotted with stories of women wielding power, as parliamentarians, and as Chief Ministers, either directly, or through manipulation, proxy, and emotional capital, or otherwise. Factors like family legacy, godfathers, caste arithmetic, money power, charisma, emotional appeals, sheer defiance, developing on their own were reasons behind their entry and political ascent. During the freedom struggle most women entered via ideology, not for power, irrespective of shadows of male leaders or alongside husbands or quite often on their own. Direct manipulative tactics for power were rare. The Nehruvian era and its immediate aftermath saw the symbolic, yet significant inclusion of women in politics. The first woman Chief Minister, a freedom fighter, Sucheta Kripalani, stands as the best example as a torchbearer for future women CMs. Freedom fighter, diplomat, and politician Vijay Lakshmi Pandit was the first woman to have been appointed as president of the UN General Assembly. Hyderabad's very own Sarojini Naidu was the first woman AICC president and the first woman governor after Independence. The real shift began with the emergence of Indira Gandhi, apparently a 'compromise Prime Minister' initially. But 'astonishingly Indira Gandhi showcased the power and instance of a woman' in the 'male chauvinistic political ecosystem' to become a democratic dictator and authoritarian leader. Eventually, women domination in Indian politics, especially during the 1980s and later, from other parts of the country, backed by family dynasties, evolved. In several states, women occupied pivotal political positions as CMs, governors, speakers, diplomats, among other such privileged positions. Some of them rebelled against the parent party leadership and got their due share. Failures are equally significant numbers. But then that is politicking. Some despite not being in top position officially either as Prime Minister or Chief Minister, wielded extensive power. Sonia Gandhi, who was the 'de-facto centre of power', was never its constitutional face. Priyanka Gandhi is emerging on similar lines. Either the 'attempt in vain' of YSR Sharmila, or the attempt of BRS Kavitha, may be seen as battles of equal perception and relevance. The saga of women in politics-the 'dance of democracy' continues with a blend of tradition and rebellion, of backroom calculations and front-stage charisma. 'Manipulations' may vary, but the 'mission to claim power' remains undiminished with 'meteoric ascents and humiliating downfalls.' Kavitha's political entry had a powerful legacy, being daughter of a towering personality, unchallenged leader of the statehood movement and its first Chief Minister. She enjoyed early visibility through cultural diplomacy (like Telangana Jagruthi) and a brief MP stint. Now her letter to daddy has made people believe unequivocally that she 'rebelled and rebelled earnestly.' Her maiden attempt to prove this was the formation of the 'Singareni unit of Telangana Jagruti' and appointing '11 area coordinators', obviously hinting at: 'Well, I Shall not relent and want clarity on my future come what may.' Kavitha further claimed that there was a proposal to merge BRS with the BJP. It all depends now on Kavitha and her committed team that is managing followers, rallies, and campaign infrastructure. 'Family name brings loyalty' but money greases the machinery. Moreover, political expenses are high and rarely are to be made transparent. Kavitha may reclaim space in shifting political sands provided she depends not on name or money but on timing, emotional connect, and clarity of purpose. Better if Kavitha demonstrates these. In politics, lineage can grant entry but not necessarily acceptance. In Telangana, a political realignment is not unthinkable with murmurs of leadership changes in the BRS, INC and BJP--either in one, two or perhaps all. Fathers and godfathers, who propel their kin and protégés into the 'unpredicted stormy ocean of politics'-caution is indispensable please! Political nurturing must go beyond entitlement. It must equip them with skills of listening, learning, and leadership-not a jolly ride on borrowed credibility. The 'surname may open the doors, but only substance will keep them in the race.' Hence, it is true that 'politics shall be treated as an honourable task and not a light-hearted game' as often professed by K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Pagis read the sand, Politicians read scripts
When bullets fly and borders burn, some politicians retreat to the comfort of air-conditioned conference rooms, mouthing platitudes about 'standing with our soldiers.' Yet, behind the scenes, they nitpick, undermine, and insult the government—even if it means lowering the morale of the armed forces. This is precisely what the Congress Party and the INDIA bloc, under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, are doing in response to Operation Sindoor. All for the Bihar elections, no less. It's a move that will backfire—spectacularly. Here's the truth that our political elite conveniently ignore: war isn't fought by the army alone. It is a national endeavour, a test of collective willpower, where every citizen, every institution, and every leader must contribute. Instead of rallying the nation, these self-serving critics sow division, spread confusion, and paralyse resolve. This isn't just irresponsible—it's a betrayal of the very soldiers they claim to support. In wartime, we need leaders who inspire courage, not cowards who crumble under the weight of their petty ambitions. The Indian Army's firepower and courage are unmatched. But even the best army cannot win wars alone. Victory demands a united, determined population, ready to contribute—from conserving resources to maintaining civil order. Defeatist rhetoric and opportunistic criticism, in such times, play straight into the enemy's hands. Every word against our soldiers and government weakens morale and emboldens our adversaries. Our civilians, too, must recognise their role. Supporting the war effort isn't optional; it's a duty. When the nation faces an existential threat, comfort and convenience must give way to sacrifice and solidarity. Every act of support, no matter how small, fortifies the nation. Consider the 1971 Indo-Pak War, when the Pakistan Air Force bombed Bhuj airbase in Gujarat, dropping 64 bombs and crippling the runway. Even contractors and workers fled. Yet, the women of nearby villages picked up whatever tools they had and rebuilt the runway in under 76 hours, enabling the Indian Air Force to strike back and dismantle enemy strongholds. That's civilian patriotism—real, gritty, and unapologetic. But courage and resilience aren't limited to singular acts of defiance. In the harsh, arid expanses of Gujarat's Kutch and Rajasthan's desert districts, generations of unsung heroes have silently served the nation: the Pagi trackers. These 'footprint readers,' armed with ancestral knowledge, have for centuries turned the treacherous sands into a canvas of national security. The word Pagi—derived from Gujarati, meaning 'one who reads footprints'—denotes a legacy of acute observation and intuitive tracking. Communities like the Banni and Rabari have passed down this craft for generations, turning it into a precise science. Pagi's can decipher how many people or animals crossed a point, their direction, load, and even estimate how long ago the tracks were made. In the Rann of Kutch, where mirages and shifting sands deceive even the best surveillance technologies, Pagi's can read the ground's whispers like no machine ever could. During British colonial rule, especially in Sindh, Kutch, and the Gujarat-Rajasthan borderlands, Pagi's were invaluable to the colonial police, tracking dacoits, recovering stolen livestock, and solving crimes. While their skills were often exploited without due recognition, their reputation for accuracy and loyalty earned them begrudging respect. Post-Independence, the India-Pakistan border turned these desert regions into sensitive security zones. In the 1965 war, when the Rann of Kutch became a battleground, Pagi's detected infiltrators, tracked enemy scouts, and helped the BSF lay ambushes. Even today, despite radars, drones, and satellite imagery, Pagi's continue to be the unsung guardians of the nation's frontiers. In terrains where technology falters, the human instinct and terrain wisdom of a pagi remain irreplaceable. Yet, this proud legacy is fading. Young members of Pagi families are drifting into other professions. There is little formal training or institutional support to preserve their craft. Many Pagi's work on daily wages or informal contracts, without proper recognition. Even though the BSF and other security agencies acknowledge their contributions, a systematic approach to preserving and professionalising this skill is sorely lacking. Some initiatives—like formal Pagi training schools, incorporation into paramilitary ranks, and documentation of traditional knowledge—have been proposed, but they remain under-implemented. In an age where AI and indigenous skills can complement each other, the revival of Pagi expertise isn't just desirable—it's vital. Consider the stories of legendary Pagi's whose names are etched in Gujarat's collective memory. Kesar Singhji Pagi, from Banaskantha district near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, was a master tracker whose skills bordered on the supernatural. He could identify not only the number of people and animals who crossed an area but also their approximate weight and even their origin—just by studying footprints. His invaluable service to the BSF and police in tracking infiltrators, smugglers, and fugitives earned him the President's Police Medal and the Indian Police Medal for Gallantry. His exploits are still shared in BSF training sessions as models of excellence. Similarly, Jetha Pagi, though less nationally recognized, was a local hero whose tracking skills helped police solve murders, thefts, and smuggling cases. His grasp of desert terrain and human movement was legendary. Bhima Pagi, another master tracker, worked closely with the BSF to prevent cross-border smuggling and infiltration. These men weren't just border sentinels; they were living embodiments of India's ancient knowledge systems, blending seamlessly with modern defense needs. Their stories remind us that the nation's security is woven not just through steel and satellites but also through sand, footprints, and human instinct. But where is the recognition today? Where is the effort to preserve this priceless knowledge? When pagis retire, their wisdom dies with them—unless we act. It's time for a national revival of pagi tracking, with structured training, fair pay, and generational continuity. And let's not forget the symbolism. Pagi trackers stand for something larger than border security. They represent India's unique blend of traditional wisdom and modern security architecture—a blend that politicians sitting in their echo chambers can neither understand nor replicate. When they undermine military efforts, when they nitpick and paralyse national resolve for political gains, they not only betray our soldiers but also insult the memory of these silent guardians of the frontier. When the stakes are high, and India's survival is at risk, victory doesn't belong to the soldiers alone. It belongs to the villagers rebuilding runways under fire, the silent pagis reading enemy footprints in the sand, and the people who refuse to be divided by petty politics. Victory is national; defeat is collective. Rahul Gandhi and his ilk should remember this: Operation Sindoor isn't just a military campaign; it's a test of national unity. Playing politics at a time like this isn't just cowardice—it's treachery. And history will not forgive it.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
APCC slams coalition govt over schools' closure
Vijayawada: Narapareddy Kiran Kumar Reddy, official spokesperson for the Congress Party, on Friday strongly condemned the ruling coalition government's policies regarding education, particularly the closure of schools and the proposed changes to the medium of instruction. Reddy highlighted a stark contrast between past and present educational policies. 'Under the Congress government, during the tenure of late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, thousands of primary schools were established in undivided Andhra Pradesh to ensure every poor child had access to education as part of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act,' he stated. 'Today, the coalition government is closing thousands of schools.' He expressed concern that the bifurcation of primary schools into 'Basic Primary Schools' and 'Model Primary Schools' is an attempt by the coalition government to deprive poor students of education. He further warned, 'Out of approximately 33,000 primary schools in the state, only 7,000 to 8,000 are being designated as Model Primary Schools. The remaining Basic Primary Schools are at risk of closing in the coming days.' Reddy criticised the government's decision to convert all schools into single-medium English schools, completely eliminating Telugu medium education, which he termed 'atrocious.' He condemned the previous YSRCP government for allegedly selling medical seats under the NRI quota in newly-established government medical colleges. He also slammed the current coalition government's reported plans to hand over medical colleges to private entities. He also pointed out the failure to pay wages to MGNREGS workers for several months, despite the scheme which was introduced by the Congress Party specified payment within 15 days. 'Under the leadership of State party president Sharmila, all Congress Party cadres will question all anti-people actions of the coalition government on behalf of the public and in matters concerning public issues,' Reddy concluded.
News18
26-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Guyana's PM Phillips Expresses Support For India's Fight Against Cross-Border Terrorism
Last Updated: Phillips was the second Guyanese leader to express support for India in its combat against terrorism Guyana's Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips expressed support for India's measures to fight cross-border terrorism when he met with the Indian Parliamentary delegation headed by Shashi Tharoor in Berbice. Phillips on Sunday evening (local time) received a briefing from the MPs on Operation Sindoor and India's zero tolerance for terrorism, the India's High Commission posted on X. Phillips was the second Guyanese leader to express support for India in its combat against terrorism. Earlier in the day, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said after meeting the delegation, 'Guyana stands unequivocally" with India. 'We are against terrorism, and we believe that all those who perpetrate terroristic acts must be brought to justice," he said. Following the briefing, the High Commission said that Phillips 'reiterated Guyana's support and understanding for India's measures towards combating cross-border terrorism." 'The discussion covered a wide range of issues pertaining to India-Guyana cooperation," it said. Monday is Guyana's Independence Day and President Mohammed Ifraan Ali gave a midnight speech in Berbice, which is about 65 kilometres from the capital, Georgetown. Tharoor and the delegation attended the midnight celebrations of Guyana's 59th Independence anniversary. The High Commission said in a statement, 'The delegation will be interacting with the Guyanese leadership and key interlocutors from the media, Indian community and diaspora, and friends of India in Guyana." At these meetings, the MPs will be 'underlining our strong message of unity and brotherhood as well as India's collective resolve to fight against the scourge of terrorism." Emphasising national unity across the political spectrum against terrorism, the team is headed by Tharoor from the opposition Congress Party and includes Shambhavi of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Sarfaraz Ahmad of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, and Milind Murli Deora of the Shiv Sena, as well as Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and Tejasvi Surya of the BJP, and GM Harish Balayogi of the Telugu Desam Party, a National Democratic Alliance partner. The delegation visiting Guyana is one of the seven teams of MPs crisscrossing the globe to convey India's position in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam by The Resistance Front, an affiliate of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba. After India's Operation Sindoor struck the terrorist dens, Pakistan launched an attack on India that also hit civilian targets like places of worship, including temples, gurdwaras, a convent, and a medical facility, escalating the conflict. After the meeting with Jagdeo, Tharoor said on X that they had an 'excellent meeting" and the vice president expressed 'strong sympathy and understanding for India's concerns in the wake of recent events" — the terrorist massacre of 26 people at Pahalgam by Pakistan-linked terrorists and India's Operation Sindoor against terrorism infrastructure based in Pakistan and in areas it occupies in Kashmir. Tharoor said they also discussed economic cooperation between India and Guyana, a fast-developing country whose rise is fueled by the discovery of oil in its waters. 'Our conversation also spanned a range of topics relating to Guyana's record-breaking 30 per cent annual economic growth and development plans following the discovery of oil and gas," he said on X. The MPs also met with the Indian diaspora, many of whom had also come to the hotel where they were staying to greet them. Surya said on X, 'Members of the Indian community at Georgetown, Guyana, welcomed our Parliamentary delegation." 'We also met with representatives of many spiritual organisations like the Art of Living, ISKCON and the Bramhakumaris," he posted, adding, 'They serve as the spiritual and cultural anchor for the Indian community here." Location : Guyana First Published: May 26, 2025, 11:31 IST
