In re: Sour Grapes?

Smart 'dalali' does not require much investment - just expenses like tea/coffee/petrol/travel at a micro level - which too are often taken care of by 'parties'.

So I don't see any reason to celebrate in not being a 'dalal'.

So all this talk is like an ex Army guy who took VRS & joined a security agency after he could not make much except in canteen procurements taking a strong stand against corruption during society/RWA gatherings & 'maarning waaks'.

In re: Vande Mataram 

Post independence, the government of India had, in consultation with some Muslim religious experts, approved a version of Vande Mataram without certain stanzas which in the view of those experts, Muslims could not sing.

The RSS and its supporters have always insisted that everyone sing the complete song & the present government is trying to implement that worldview.

Many Muslims however never agreed to sing even the previously approved version of that song.

I find both views - that of the RSS/BJP & of many Muslims to be rigid, 

That said, NOT singing Vande Mataram - whether the previously approved version OR the present version is NOT unpatriotic. 

In any case while I dislike unpatriotic people, even if it is to be assumed for the sake of arguments that it is unpatriotic, I refuse to accept that being unpatriotic is a crime OR a sustainable ground to discriminate directly or indirectly against someone.

PS: I generally neither sing the national anthem NOR Vande Mataram . 
I do NOT even stand up for them unless the surroundings are such that I feel the need to.
However I don't have an issue singing &/or standing up for them. 
These are my choices and I am entitled to them.

In re: A more pragmatic approach towards economic offences & alleged economic offences.

The government has to come out with a policy which will allow people who might have done things which may have been questionable but ultimately led to massive government revenue and employment, to come back to India without facing any criminal proceedings.

& do this in a pending case before the Supreme Court, which can be disposed of in such terms - that will prevent busybodies from filing PILs & making complaints here and there.

In re: The conflict in Iran & what will ultimately happen worldwide.

The best way forward in Iran is to: 
- Preserve the Islamic Republic so that Iranian society can continue to function the way it does, internally.
- HOWEVER align Iran's foreign and defence policy with the United States.

Ultimately the United States, China & Russia will broadly agree on areas of influence where they will be preeminent while obviously ensuring protection for important allies of the United States within the Chinese & Russian areas.

In re: Dhurandhar & the issue of Balochistan

The Congress created a 'Biradar Mulk' in the East for Pakistan.

The Bharatiya Janata Party wants to create a 'Biradar Mulk' in the West for them.

3 such entities become more powerful than 1 because internal disputes become irrelevant.

BEWAKOOF Bharatiya peopleS do not get that.

In re: Social media posts by opposition party influencer on Madhya Pradesh's debt.

Madhya Pradesh's Debt to GDP ratio was around 50% in 2003 when the BJP came to power. Now it is around 33% - an increase of a few percentage points since a couple of years ago - which isn't that much of an issue because effectively money is being put into the hands of people. 

That's why I always say - the BJP governments fail in their impractical approach towards religious diversity in India - indeed creating strife. 

However on economic issues, they tend to be LESS irresponsible than opposition parties.

In Re: An endorsement 

I have eaten biryanis all over India & even abroad.

The BEST Mutton Biryani that I have eaten in my life was on Monday night at the RISE restaurant at the Gift City Club (Radisson), Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

It needed neither raita/chutney NOR salan to go with it - passing the test.

One could have imagined having this kind of a Biryani in the Muslim dominated areas of the Ahmedabad metropolitan region BUT this was in the heart of VishwaGuru-land. I was pleasantly surprised.

In re: Some reasons why Lucknow does better than other North Indian cities outside the NCR.

1. Many public servants like to retire in Noida or Lucknow - Lucknow is cheaper.
2. Investment of #black money by public servants & private people alike thanks to LOW circle rates.
3. Many people who live in metropolitan cities/abroad seek to keep a base in UP.

In re: Why Secretary Rubio could become 48

Secretary Rubio ticks all the right boxes. He can take along the remnants of the establishment, MAGA & independents. 

Vice President Vance on the other hand is young. After just 1 term as Vice President, he should not jump into the Presidential race. He can run for Governor instead post Vivek Ramaswamy's likely 2 terms.

In re: The Sharma's, The Sajdeh's, The Ganesan's and the Gambhir's.

This Ganesan lady is trying to emulate Sharma & Sajdeh.

She'll probably do better than them given that she's inserted herself into the BCCI system. Jaspreet Ganesan is the next Virat Sharma/Rohit Sajdeh.

Contrast people like Virat Sharma, Rohit Sajdeh and Jaspreet Ganesan with Gautam Gambhir who:

1. Did well as a cricketer but knew when his time was up,
2. Married well & created a good family &
3. Joined politics, wasn't treated well by local leaders BUT used his position as an MP & his resources to help the poor & is now giving back to cricket.

In re: What President Trump will achieve in Iran

Regime change was not a stated goal for the President Trump. It was always just an option. The Islamic republic will continue in Iran as it SHOULD.

However President Trump will ensure that those from within the current regime who take charge, with HIS approval, will align Iran's defence & foreign policy with US interests.

Doubters ignore the fact that Donald Trump is arguably the most consequential & unarguably one of the most consequential US Presidents. 

 In re: A logical way forward

The Iranian regime will fold IF the USA gives up the desire among many of its leaders (not necessarily President Trump) to regulate it's internal affairs. 

Iran should regulate it's internal affairs as it wants. President Trump should set up a mechanism to control Iran's foreign policy & defence. 

Feminists should not be allowed to destroy Iranian society in the manner that they are destroying many parts of the world including India & urban Pakistan.

In re: The ongoing military operations in Iran.

Neither the United States NOR Iran support India on Kashmir. However Israel does.

I therefore support these strikes on lran. However I strongly disagree with establishing a secular republic in Iran.

Let religious leaders continue to decide how to order Iranian society.

The United States should focus on controlling Iran's defence & foreign policy. The Saudi Arabia model should be enforced.

My approach will always be IndiaFirst.

That said, I support the rights of those Muslim citizens of India who wish to peacefully protest the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei.