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It’s Mayhem in Cuckoo land

Published

9 years ago

on

PM Modi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Ranjona Banerji

Apart from eternal optimists who live in cloud cuckoo land where lollipops grow on trees and no one ever gets diabetes, there is a palpable disquiet amongst the people of this country. Three years ago, a very large number of Indians – at least 31 per cent – really did believe that the “good days” promised by the prime minister and his party were really coming. Two years ago, their smiles had dimmed only a bit. They were still sure that around the corner, there were rainbows with pots of gold at the end for each one of us because changing that fallacious and mischievous “70 years of nothing” would take time.

By a year and a half ago, when almost nothing was happening on the ground to clean India, skill India, job India, make in India or make India, smiles shrunk considerably. Some diehard believers argued that writers, artists, artistes, scientists, doctors, scholars, academicians, social workers, sociologists, actors, painters, intellectuals and more who criticised the government were all anti-national. Others were disturbed by the deaths of people on the suspicions of storing beef, by the attacks on Dalits including the death of students like Rohith Vemula and of the strong “Hindutva” turn that sections of society was taking.

Then disparate but frightening decisions were taken. On November 8 2016, the prime minister removed 86 per cent of currency in the market to stop black money, stop counterfeiting and stop terrorism. In March, 2017, Yogi Adityanath, strong Hindutva voice within the Sangh Parivar, was made chief minister of UP after an overwhelming assembly victory by the BJP.

In the interim, Kashmir has become a cauldron of fear and violence, Pakistan upped its attacks on India and the terrible impact of demonetisation is now an accepted economic reality.

Now those cheery smiles are forced, if they exist at all. The anger of farmers across India has galvanised public opinion and the shameless violence of criminals running amuck as “cow protectors” has laid bare the real intentions of the Hindutva lobby. Far from “good days” and “everyone developing together”, we have a collapse of law and order across states, the backbone of our economy in disarray and regressive ideas are being introduced as high points of ancient culture.

A collection of 65 retired bureaucrats have written an open letter expressing dismay at the “a growing hyper-nationalism that reduces any critique to a binary: if you are not with the government, you are anti-national. Those in authority should not be questioned – that is the clear message.

“In the face of a rising authoritarianism and majoritarianism, which do not allow for reasoned debate, discussion and dissent, we appeal to all public authorities, public institutions and constitutional bodies to take heed of these disturbing trends and take corrective action. We have to reclaim and defend the spirit of the Constitution of India, as envisaged by the founding fathers.”

Equally, there is a fear now amongst ordinary people of the unreliability of this government. That it has become a disruptive force rather than a trustworthy guardian. An artist friend tells me that this government has ruined his life because he is no longer getting commissions or clients. A hired car driver says he, his friends and family have gone back to saving cash because they have little trust in the government and no idea what it is going to do next. A businessman says that the confusion over GST has led to orders being down by 60 per cent in some sectors and the cost of even three months of chaos to an economy already in trouble is incalculable.

These are a disconnected people from disconnected backgrounds and lives. But the uncertainty and fear is real. When agitating farmers are shot by the police and the chief minister of the state where this happens, sits on a “dharna for peace” which costs the exchequer over Rs 2 crore according to some newspaper reports, what confidence does it build for citizens in Madhya Pradesh and indeed the rest of India?

Even worse, the prime minister, who tweets his pain for various losses suffered from Manchester to Myanmar, has nothing to say about the loss of lives in Mandsaur. If Manmohan Singh was pilloried for being a silent prime minister, Narendra Modi has used silence as a tool to ignore all the pain for which his party or government are responsible. On display, we have a studied avoidance of the problems afflicting India. So Modi is happy to tell you to practise yoga and wash your hands regularly but will not even pretend to shed a tear for an old woman thrashed by the Madhya Pradesh police?

Who’s smiling now?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Education

CBSE makes three languages mandatory for Classes 9 and 10 from July 1

CBSE has announced that students in Classes 9 and 10 must study three languages from July 1, 2026, though no board examination will be conducted for the third language during the initial rollout.

Published

38 mins ago

on

May 16, 2026

By

CBSE

The Central Board of Secondary Education has announced that students in Classes 9 and 10 will be required to study three languages from July 1, 2026, as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.

Under the revised structure, students will study languages under the R1, R2 and R3 format. The board has clarified that two of the three languages must be Indian languages.

However, CBSE has stated that there will be no Class 10 board examination for the third language, also referred to as R3, during the initial phase of implementation.

What the new language structure means

According to the updated curriculum framework, students will choose three different languages. The same language cannot be selected at more than one level simultaneously.

The board has explained the structure as:

  • R1: Any language offered by CBSE
  • R2: A language different from R1
  • R3: A third language different from both R1 and R2

The move is aimed at promoting multilingual education in line with NEP 2020 recommendations.

No board exam for third language initially

CBSE has clarified that although the third language will become mandatory for Classes 9 and 10, students will not immediately face a board examination for R3 in Class 10.

Reports said the full implementation of the three-language board examination structure is expected to happen gradually over the coming years.

Schools asked to prepare for rollout

The board has already directed schools to finalise language options and upload details on the OASIS portal to ensure smooth implementation of the revised policy.

CBSE has also indicated that temporary textbook arrangements and interim measures for language teacher shortages may be introduced during the transition phase.

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India News

Maharashtra asks Google, Apple to remove Uber, Ola, Rapido apps over bike taxi operations

Maharashtra has asked Google and Apple to remove Uber, Ola and Rapido apps over alleged illegal bike taxi operations and safety concerns linked to passenger transport services.

Published

2 hours ago

on

May 16, 2026

By

Rapido

Maharashtra has intensified its action against app-based bike taxi services, with the state government asking Google and Apple to remove apps such as Uber, Ola and Rapido from their app stores over alleged illegal bike taxi operations.

According to notices issued by Maharashtra Cyber, the companies are allegedly operating passenger transport services through bike taxis without obtaining the required permissions and approvals under transport regulations and the Motor Vehicles Act.

The cyber department said unauthorised bike taxi operations pose serious safety concerns for passengers. Authorities highlighted issues related to driver verification, insurance coverage, women’s safety measures and emergency response systems. Officials also claimed that rash and negligent driving linked to some bike taxi operations has increased public safety risks.

The state government also referred to a recent incident involving the alleged death of a woman linked to a bike taxi service, stating that a criminal case has been registered and that similar complaints have surfaced in different parts of Maharashtra.

In its communication to Google and Apple, Maharashtra Cyber reportedly asked the companies to remove and disable access to such applications from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The notices warned that failure to comply with directives issued by Indian law enforcement agencies could invite legal consequences under provisions of the Information Technology Act.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has also directed the cyber department to register FIRs against the ride-hailing platforms over their bike taxi operations in the state.

The action comes amid growing debate over the legality of bike taxi services in several Indian states. While some states permit regulated bike taxi operations, others have imposed restrictions or initiated enforcement action against aggregators operating without formal approval.

The Maharashtra government clarified that the current crackdown is specifically against alleged illegal bike taxi services and does not affect other cab and auto services provided by these platforms.

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India News

Those who want to leave can go: Mamata Banerjee after Trinamool’s poll setback

Mamata Banerjee has told Trinamool Congress leaders that those who wish to leave the party are free to do so after its electoral defeat, as she pushes for organisational rebuilding.

Published

11 hours ago

on

May 16, 2026

By

mamta banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sent a strong message to party members amid internal unrest following the Trinamool Congress’ electoral defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections, saying those who wish to leave the party are free to do so.

The remarks come as the TMC grapples with its worst electoral performance in years and growing dissatisfaction within its ranks.

‘Will not stop anyone from leaving’

At a recent internal review meeting with party candidates, Banerjee reportedly told leaders that she would not attempt to hold back anyone planning to exit the party. She emphasised that the organisation would move forward with those who remain committed.

According to party sources, she said she would focus on rebuilding the organisation from the ground up, including restoring party offices and strengthening grassroots-level structures.

Push for rebuilding the organisation

Banerjee also called for detailed, area-wise reports from party workers and directed them to hold meetings at block and town levels to assess the reasons behind the defeat.

She further indicated that the party would undergo internal restructuring, with efforts aimed at reviving organisational strength at the local level.

Fact-finding teams and internal review

As part of the post-poll exercise, the Trinamool Congress has also set up multiple fact-finding teams to examine alleged irregularities in key districts.

These developments highlight growing internal churn within the party as it attempts to recover from its electoral setback and rebuild its support base.

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