In re: Marketing & Sales without product inventory.

There is an increase in advertisements from matrimonial agencies 

What are they offering when there is limited IF ANY supply of appropriate brides in upper, lower upper & even middle class Hindu society?

Will our society move towards 'mail order brides' which too is risky? 

In re: News report about Palki Sharma quitting 'First Post'

Palki Sharma must have got a really lucrative offer from somewhere.

She is very popular with the elite English speaking BJP supporters who like sophisticated jingoism unlike the frustrated EMI paying English speaking/knowing BJP supporters who enjoy the Republic circus.

Difference in jingoism between the two audiences:
- Firstpost watching HNI: 'Palki really knows how to call out the Pakistanis for what they are' 
- Republic watching EMI payer: 'Arnab really phado-ed the Pakis'

In re: Mr. Shashi Tharoor's post about his meeting with the Gandhi's and Mr. Kharge

Good to note that the Gandhi's have resisted pressure from party members, supporters & commentators who have no tolerance for diversity of opinions within the party and who see decency in politics as some kind of crime.

I am NOT a fan of the Gandhi family, BUT -  CREDIT WHERE DUE.

In re: The proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement and "Desh ka Danka"

The proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement, even if approved by the European Parliament will not come into effect very soon.

Further, it's hardly something that is going to harm US interests. If it was, the Europeans wouldn't have the guts to go ahead with it in the era of President Donald J. Trump.

Of course the Indian media can continue to make money catering to lovely jingoistic Bharatiya peopleS - in this case, largely the EMI paying classes. 

Ultimately, India will have to do what the boss, President Donald J. Trump wants - whether Bharatiya peopleS like it or not.

PS: Maarning Waaker A: "Bhai Sahab, ab to Trump dar jayega. Europe wale BHI ab India ke saath aa gayen'

Response of Maarning Waaker B: "Bilkul Bilkul, ab toh koi IndYA ko aakhen nahin dikha sakta hai"

In re: Republic Day

I would have liked Dominion Status, with King Charles as our head of state & an updated Government of India Act which would operate as a basic law (constitution in another name).

I generally prefer the British to Bharatiya peopleS.

It's not that everything was good about British rule but we needed to have a renegotiated long term engagement & connection with them - One important thing could have been continued Privy Council (& now UK Supreme Court) oversight.

In re: The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami & India

A government in Bangladesh led by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami CAN suit India. It's always easier to get a deal done with people who are clear about what they want. India's limited focus has to be on borders, security, trade & the rights of Hindus in Bangladesh.

If freedom of religion & security can be ensured for our people in Bangladesh, it will & should be none of our business if the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami   decides to establish a system of government & society in line with their religious views. Bangladeshi 'Seculars' shouldn't be trusted.

PS: Of course, I maintain that buying some border districts for Bangladeshi Hindus from Bangladesh in line with my earlier posts is the best long term solution. Wonder whether the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami would agree to something like that.

In re: My response to speculation about major foreign universities setting up hubs in India & offering world class programs

While universities could certainly come, I do not think that the best faculty would wish to move to Indian metropolitan areas.

Countries in the middle east like Qatar & the UAE have cities which surpass even European & American ones now particularly on issues of safety. Even Saudi Arabia under MBS is working on this.

Indian metropolitan areas do NOT give that except within gated colonies or apartment complexes.

The foreigners who come to work here usually come because of lack of better options OR at the CEO like level where they are paid insane salaries. 

In re: News report about Akshay Patra serving Khichdi at Davos

Akshay Patra does great work within India & abroad.

I am glad that people in Davos can try khichdi which is a fantastic dish. 

That said, Indians including vegetarians, travelling (not living) abroad should eat international cuisines given that there are many VEGAN options now.

Note: Vegan is safer for vegetarians because milk products may come from livestock whose feed is not in line with their beliefs.

In re: English teachers in India

Women from relatively prosperous families no longer become school teachers because of other career opportunities.

Resultantly most teachers come from middle class backgrounds & speak deficient English.

They should be put through online courses where British teachers train them. The British High Commission can be requested to play a role here. 

In re: Pakistan's agreeing to join the Gaza Board of Peace

Taking the 'pre 1967 borders' as a basis for any settlement is still a heavily pro Palestine stance. YET it can be interpreted as some kind of constructive recognition of Israel given that it is coming from the most anti Israel nation after Iran.

Remember: Pakistan's army is the only army which could be acceptable to the Palestinians as a peace keeping force - so these developments reflect PRAGMATISM.

The question that arises is that if the Field Marshal can show PRAGMATISM on Israel, can he extend that to Kashmir? This is something to watch & monitor.

In re: Why, inter alia, the MAARNING WAAKER who does not like food cooked by SERVAAANTS needs a rap on his knuckles.

Feminism is destroying our SOCIETY & FAMILY SYSTEMS.

However we cannot hope to defeat or even somewhat limit it unless we work on defeating male chauvinism within the DOMESTIC space.

These 'XYZ (lady) ke haath ka khana' freaks need to realize that.

In re: India, Pakistan and Gaza

Nobody can keep the Pakistanis out of the 'Gaza Board of Peace' because they have consistently been the most anti Israel & pro Palestine country after Iran.

India has taken a balanced view as it SHOULD.

This is actually an opportunity for the two countries to work together.

 

In re: The brilliant #BCCI & lovely jingoistic Bharatiya fans

The not shaking hands with the Pakistan Cricket Board's and the Bangladesh Cricket Board's cricketers is a public relations & marketing strategy by the BCCI in which everyone concerned is in the loop. It's being used even for under 19 events.

PS: It was even used in the 'cricket' events organised for ladies. 

In re: Mumbai's Mayor

The BJP could allow the Shiv Senao to have its mayor in Mumbai for the first 1 year or so, if not longer.

Why? Two reasons:
1. Showing respect to Balasaheb Thackeray in his centenary year & engineering defecations from the UBT Sena &
2. Having someone to blame OR even dump before the Lok Sabha elections because Mumbai's civic issues can never be solved.

In re: The latest controversy related to Rafale fighter jets

I don't know much about defence deals or defence related equipment.

However one thing I know is that this 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' thing is essentially a loss making excercise.

In any case, Bharatiya peopleS are generally ordinary manufacturers except in outsourcing.

Buy such equipment from abroad & send inspectors to factories to ensure that no surveillance devices are installed. 

The inspectors will enjoy such trips though they will eat at places catering to lovely BharatiyaS.

Use 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' funds to help the poorest Indians.

In re: India, Iran & the United States

It's best for India to cut down, if not stop, trade with Iran , in line with President Trump's wishes.

While Iran is useful economically, ordinary Indians need the trade deal with the USA MORE.

Further we should NOT forget the Ayatollah 's anti-India views on Kashmir.

In re: The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena [The M.N.S] & its politics

Middle Class Marathi people go to places like Nainital & Shimla now, IF not abroad. Their horizon is not limited to hill stations in Maharashtra. Insular politics based on REGIONAL identity won't work.

For his day to day work, the Marathi man deals in whatever language he knows to get his WORK DONE. It's thanks to growing up in Maharashtra that I am able to transact in 4 languages: English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati apart from being able to somewhat figure out a few other similar languages.

Pan Indian religious & local caste identities obviously remain relevant, though. The Marathi man is deeply religious. He continues to prefer to marry within caste & sees caste as a relevant government metric. Religion & caste will always matter. The BJP gets this. The MNS still hasn't understood why it hardly gets any traction.

PS: I don't appreciate what Mr. Annamalai said starting with his use of Mumbai's old name. While I don't have any issue with people from any ethnicity becoming Mumbai's mayor, Mr. Kripashankar Singh too was playing mischief. However the MNS is the other extreme.

In re: Umar Khalid

I have NO DOUBT that Umar Khalid is an anti national. ANYONE who supports Kashmiri separatists is an anti national However being anti national SHOULD NOT be a crime.

He should be released & placed under surveillance to ensure that he doesn't do or enable anything violent.

The mark of a civilized country is to allow FREAKS like Umar Khalid & that OTHER CHARACTER who is in jail to spout nonsense as long as they do NOT do or enable anything violent.

PS: Infact letting freaks loose, helps you identify more dangerous freaks.

In re: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Election 2026

My assessment: 
- The MahaYuti is insurmountable because of simple arithmetic.
- The outcome for the Thackeray cousins will be DISASTROUS.
- The Congress remains strong with Muslims & some sections of Scheduled Caste voters. It will be the largest opposition party.

I read a report about the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi being unable to put up candidates in many seats. EVEN if so, it won't make much difference because:
- As mentioned above, the Congress has its own presence among sections of Scheduled Caste voters in Mumbai &
- Prakash Ambedkar's presence will always add value.

In re: Taxation of alcohol and tobacco

I am NOT a smoker & have NEVER been.

I also do NOT consume alcohol & have NEVER consumed it.

However such insane taxation policies lead to smuggling and consumption of low quality &/or illegal products.

PS: Who decides whether alcohol & tobacco are worse than bread pakoras?