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Hans India
12 hours 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.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
In Kolhapur, INDIA bloc likely to face local body elections together says Cong MLC Satej Patil
Kolhapur: Congress MLC Satej Patil has confirmed that the INDIA bloc parties will contest the upcoming local body elections in Kolhapur as a unified force. The elections for local bodies in Kolhapur district are slated for Sept-Oct. The alliance partners — comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and left parties — have started their preparations at the booth level. Following a preliminary meeting with INDIA representatives in Kolhapur on Friday evening, Satej Patil indicated a 90-95% likelihood of contesting jointly. He noted that Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal recently consulted with NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray regarding Congress's stance in the forthcoming local body elections. He observed the state administration has lost its financial direction, and women previously addressed as "ladki" have seen reduced benefits. "The elections for Kolhapur and Ichalkaranji municipal corporations, ZP, and town councils will be held after the rains. This time, the picture will be different from the assembly elections. Ladki Bahin saved Mahayuti from defeat; however, for govt, the sisters are no longer considered 'ladki'. Funds need to be arranged to save the scheme by curtailing funds from other departments. State govt is planning to hand out loans to the Ladki Bahin beneficiaries so that govt can refrain from paying the monthly dole. Instead, the banks will receive the amount once a year," said Patil. The Congress MLC said state govt's total debt burden has reached Rs 9.5 lakh crore, approaching Rs 10 lakh crore. "The three parties in govt have failed to plan the finances of the state. The Mahayuti MLAs are still ignorant of the problems faced by the people. We raised our voice, and only after that did state govt start assessing the damages caused by the recent floods and heavy rain. With all these issues, we are going to face the elections, and we are hopeful of winning in all local bodies," added Patil.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Oppn slams PM over silence on key issues
Patna: The opposition INDIA bloc launched a sharp attack on the NDA govt in Bihar, accusing it of continuously harping on past administrations due to a lack of achievements of its own. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The criticism came after , during a rally in Bikramganj on Friday, took an indirect swipe at former CM Lalu Prasad. Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, , posted on X, "The 20-year NDA govt has nothing to give an account of its work, so those who cry about the 15 years of the govt formed 35 years ago should first give an account of their own 20 years." Tejashwi's elder brother, Tej Pratap Yadav, recently expelled from the RJD for six years by his father and party chief Lalu Prasad, reposted the same comments, criticising the NDA govt led by CM Nitish Kumar. Tejashwi accused the NDA of ignoring pressing issues. "Bihar has record-breaking unemployment, poverty and migration given by the 20-year NDA govt, which never discusses these burning issues. The PM visits Bihar only in the election year and keeps repeating the same by laying the foundation stone and inaugurating the projects and announcements going on since 2015," he wrote on X. Later, at a joint press conference of the INDIA bloc, RJD national spokesperson Manoj Kumar Jha criticised the PM for not addressing employment or law and order in Bihar. "Capital is invested in Gujarat and politics is done in Bihar," he said. He also questioned why the PM had not spoken about including the 65% reservation system in the Ninth Schedule. K D Yadav of the CPI(ML) accused both the central and Bihar govts of ignoring the rights and entitlements of farmers. "You come and make empty promises and go away," he said. Awadhesh Kumar of the CPI(M), V K Singh of the VIP, and Nivedita Jha of the CPI, among other leaders from the opposition alliance, also spoke on the occasion.
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Kamal Hassan named Rajya Sabha candidate as DMK assigns one seat to his party MNM
Besides, the ruling DMK combine has named its three candidates for the Rajya Sabha election scheduled for June 19 this year. According to a release of the DMK, Salma, Advocate P Wilson, and SR Sivalingam are its candidates. Chennai: With DMK allocating one Rajya Sabha seat to Makkal Needhi Maiyam, its founder and actor Kamal Haasan has been named the candidate for the Upper House of the Parliament. In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, each candidate requires a minimum of 34 votes to clinch a Rajya Sabha seat. The DMK-led INDIA bloc, with 158 MLAs (DMK: 133, Congress:17, VCK: 4, CPI: 2, CPM: 2), is poised to win four seats comfortably Actor Kamal Haasan launched Makkal Needhi Miam at a public meeting in Madurai in 2018. Makkal Needhi Miam did not contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, and instead it campaigned for the DMK-led INDIA bloc in the State. In return, the DMK had promised a Rajya Sabha seat for the party. Makkal Needhi Miam had secured 2.62% of the votes in the 2021 State Assembly election. Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan has courted a political controversy with his alleged remarks claiming that 'Kannada has its roots in Tamil.' In a strongly worded post on X, BJP Karnataka State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa demanded an unconditional apology from Haasan, accusing him of displaying arrogance and an ungrateful attitude towards the Kannada community, despite having acted in Kannada films and benefited from their generosity. 'One should love one's mother tongue, but showing disrespect in its name is uncultured behaviour. Especially artists should have a culture of respecting every language. It is the height of arrogance that an actor, Kamal Haasan, who has acted in many Indian languages, including Kannada, has insulted Kannada by including actor Shivarajkumar in the glorification of his Tamil language,' the BJP MLA from Shikaripura stated. He further emphasised the historical significance of Kannada, asserting that the language has been a 'prominent language' and well-respected in many regions across the world. 'Kannada has been a prominent language in many parts of the world, including India, for centuries. The fact that Kannada is the most respected language in the world should be known to narrow-minded people like Kamal Haasan. Kamal Haasan, who has also acted in Kannada films before insulting Kannada, has forgotten the generosity of Kannada and Kannada people and has revealed his ungrateful personality,' Yediyurappa added. This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Wire
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
INDIA Bloc Pushes for Special Session of Parliament on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Politics INDIA Bloc Pushes for Special Session of Parliament on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor Sravasti Dasgupta 1 minute ago While the TMC called for a special session in June, ahead of the usual monsoon session in July, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the INDIA bloc leaders are in talks to put forth the joint demand. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, during a meeting of the floor leaders of the INDIA bloc in April. Photo: PTI Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now New Delhi: As multi-party delegations remain abroad to convey India's collective resolve following the military conflict with Pakistan, opposition members of the INDIA bloc are working on making a concerted demand for a special session of parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent developments, including Operation Sindoor. The demand for a special session had earlier been raised by several opposition parties separately, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government is yet to pay heed to these demands, it has sent multi-party delegations abroad in seven teams to 'project India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism in all forms and manifestations'. The diplomatic outreach comes after Operation Sindoor and the four-day-long tense military conflict with Pakistan. 'We, the parties who are fighting the BJP, are working together and moving ahead together on the demand for a special session of Parliament,' said Derek O'Brien, TMC's parliamentary leader in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. In response to a question by The Wire at a press conference in New Delhi, Congress MP and the party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, also said that the INDIA bloc leaders are in 'talks' about demanding a special session. 'Rahul Gandhi has made the demand for a special session very clear. I believe Tejashwi Yadav has also made this demand in various public forums. I have read the statement of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. And therefore we are in talks with our INDIA allies on this matter,' said Gogoi. The TMC also reiterated its demand for a special session on Wednesday at a press conference addressed by its Rajya Sabha deputy leader, Sagarika Ghose and Lok Sabha deputy leader, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar. The party said that the session must be convened in June instead of waiting for the monsoon session, which usually takes place in July. 'We have always given our full support to the government after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Then the MPs delegations went abroad to explain India's position to the world and convey our collective resolve. We sent our national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, which shows how serious we are in cooperating with the government. We have been unequivocal in our condemnation of Pakistan based terror,' Ghose said. 'We now believe that having given our full support to the government, we now believe that having given full support to the government, we are now supporting the demand first made by MP Kapil Sibal, that there must be a special session of Parliament,' she added. The TMC had last week sent five-member delegations to the border areas of Poonch and Rajouri, which have been affected by the shelling from Pakistan. Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, too, has since visited the border areas and met the affected civilians. 'In a parliamentary democracy the government must come, take the opposition into confidence, take the people of the nation into confidence now that overseas audiences have heard the Indian point of view, it is time citizens of India heard government's point of view and answer questions we have been raising in the national interest,' Ghose said. Last month, at least four letters were written to the Union government demanding a special session in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha wrote to Modi, while CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar wrote to Kiren Rijiju, the parliamentary affairs minister. On Tuesday, TMC said it has also penned a letter to Modi demanding a special session. 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