From Murshidabad’s past as a global trade powerhouse to today’s intense political battlefield, this issue tries to capture Bengal’s long journey of glory, decline, identity politics, and endless electoral drama. The ‘Khela Hobe?’ cover art is especially hard-hitting.
One of the most legendary political serials ever made, and still incredibly relevant today. If someone truly wants to understand politics and become a real patriot, they should watch this.
History may have been altered in parts, but the serial itself is truly great. As someone who has personally read Chanakya Niti, I can say it captures many of its ideas and philosophies brilliantly.
>परिवर्तन संसार का नियम है और भारत को इसकी सख्त जरूरत है।
I remember the time when Dr. Manmohan Singh served as India’s Prime Minister — a visionary economist whose leadership during the 2008 global financial crisis became a defining chapter of his legacy. At a moment when the world was facing its worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, Singh relied on his deep expertise in economic policymaking to steer India through turbulent times with stability and restraint.
Today, the Indian stock market witnessed a major crash, with the Sensex plunging 1,450 points while the Nifty closed below the 23,400 mark. The Indian rupee hit a fresh all-time low of 95.63 against the US dollar amid rising oil prices and fears of economic instability.
And after all of this happening, our dear PM Modi is telling us to use less fuel, avoid foreign trips, stop buying gold, work from home again, and basically live like it’s 2020 all over again.
Stock market crashing, rupee hitting all-time low, oil prices soaring — but yes, apparently the middle class taking fewer vacations or buying fewer things will save the economy.
At this point, I genuinely don’t understand what is happening out there anymore.
We are the land of warriors like Maharana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, and countless others. Also the minds like Chanakya and Vidur. But in today’s time, where everyone is busy in चाटुकारिता, we have even lost the courage to demand our basic rights. We have become like a girlfriend with such low expectations that if her boyfriend simply opens a door for her, she feels grateful.
Our respected Prime Minister is treated as if favouring his own country’s people is some extraordinary act rather than his responsibility — and the same goes for bureaucrats.
When I see this reality and the intentions of politicians, along with their dirty politics of dividing people on the basis of caste, religion, and language happening right before my eyes, I sometimes feel frustrated because I cannot change a thing.
The youth of the middle and upper-middle class are ignorant of what is happening in their own country. Deeply Western-influenced, busy following internet trends, and dreaming of leaving the country in search of some “better lifestyle,” because the grass always looks greener on the other side.
The ones who truly understand what is happening have either made peace with it and treat politics as entertainment, or they become reporters, activists, or direct critics of power — and sometimes end up threatened.
The most unfortunate thing is that the voter class is poor, and many become blind supporters with such a narrow mindset that they genuinely feel their leaders are personally favouring them. this decide who will be our leader.
I understand that corruption can never be completely eliminated in a democracy, but the current level of corruption is insane. Crores of public money are swallowed, and no one is held accountable. Incidents like the recent bridge collapse in Bhagalpur, Bihar, clearly show how deeply rooted the problem is. We have normalized corruption to such an extent that it has now become a part of our social conditioning.
In a time when there is no real politics left in the country, politicians have become so upfront, irresponsible, and rarely answerable for their actions. All they do is spread hatred among people. They divide people for their own benefit. I don’t know how they sleep peacefully at night after doing all this.
Sometimes I feel helpless and frustrated, wondering if I could do something to change all this, but I genuinely don’t know where to start. Seeing corruption, hatred, and irresponsibility becoming normal makes you question what kind of future this country is heading toward.
And that is why I call myself “कायर” — because despite seeing all this, understanding all this, and feeling angry about all this, I still remain just another spectator.
This is a great read.
You read about a journey which teaches you when you truly commit to your purpose, the world begins to help you move forward. (no spoilers)
Recommended read from my side.
I think that would be great for the coastal regions like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujrat... where people and commodities are very much effected by cyclones.
And even the heavy tourist places like Manali... where due to heavy rainfall or snowfall tourists get stuck for days.
Even in the time of earthquakes it will be very helpfull. As it will help in fast evacuation and less commodity and human life damage.
It’s not about superiority or inferiority — it’s about reality.
>आधा ज्ञान सबसे घातक होता है।
Why is every institution against constructive criticism? Criticizing is always equated with disrespect. I guess healthy criticism is a myth in democracy — or perhaps democracy itself.
I really think highly of the judiciary — they are learned and educated people, unlike many politicians. If they start acting like this, what are we supposed to believe in?
मैंने हाल ही में एक व्यक्ति के बारे में जाना जिनका नाम बिश्नु प्रसाद श्रेष्ठ है, जिन्होंने मेरी साहस और बहादुरी की परिभाषा ही बदल दी। यह एक असल घटना पर आधारित है। वे और उनका परिवार भारतीय गोरखा रेजिमेंट में भर्ती होने के बाद पोखरा चले गए। उनके पिता गोपाल बाबू ने भी उसी 7/8 प्लाटून में सेवा दी थी और 1981 में सेवानिवृत्त हुए थे।
घटना कुछ इस प्रकार थी कि बिश्नु जी रेल यात्रा कर रहे थे। उनकी उम्र लगभग 35 वर्ष होगी और कुछ ही समय पहले वे सेवानिवृत्त हुए थे। वे मॉर्या एक्सप्रेस (हटिया-गोरखपुर) ट्रेन से रांची से गोरखपुर, उत्तर प्रदेश की यात्रा कर रहे थे। अभी तक सब कुछ साधारण तौर पर चल रहा था। अचानक ट्रेन रुकती है। साधारण तौर पर ट्रेन स्टेशन आने पर रुकती है, पर यहाँ आस-पास कोई स्टेशन नहीं था। ट्रेन को जानबूझकर रोका गया था।
लगभग 40 लुटेरे, जो बंदूक, खंजर और टांगी जैसे हथियारों से लैस थे, पश्चिम बंगाल के चित्तरंजन के पास ट्रेन को रोककर यात्रियों को लूटने और घायल करने लगे। परंतु उस समय तक बिश्नु जी सो रहे थे। उन्हें यह ज्ञात नहीं था कि क्या हो रहा है, जब तक कि लुटेरे उनके पास आकर उन्हें जगा नहीं देते।उन्होंने बिश्नु से सामान और पैसे सौंपने को कहा। उन्होंने जवाब दिया, “मैं भारतीय सेना से हूँ, मेरे पास कुछ नहीं है। वे केवल थोड़े से पैसों के साथ यात्रा कर रहे थे। बाकी पैसे उनका परिवार एटीएम के माध्यम से निकाल लेता था।” जब उन्होंने कहा कि उनके पास कुछ नहीं है, तो लुटेरों ने जवाब दिया, “झूठ बोलना बंद करो।” इसके बाद उन्होंने उनके चेहरे पर थप्पड़ मारा।
अब तक लुटेरे अपने मंसूबों में कामयाब होते दिख रहे थे। तभी उन्होंने बिश्नु जी के बगल में बैठी एक 18 वर्षीय लड़की को पकड़ लिया और उसके साथ यौन उत्पीड़न करने की कोशिश की। लड़की लगातार चिल्लाती रही, पर कोई सामने नहीं आया। फिर उसने चिल्लाकर कहा, “आर्मी वाले भैया, बचाओ।”
बिश्नु जी की कोई सगी बहन नहीं थी। यह सुनते ही उन्होंने अपने परिवार की चिंता किए बिना खुद को रोक नहीं सके। उन्होंने अपनी बड़ी, मुड़ी हुई खुकरी निकाली, जो हर गोरखा सैनिक अपने साथ रखता है, और अपराधियों पर हमला कर दिया। उनके अनुसार इस संघर्ष में तीन लुटेरे घायल हुए, जबकि कुछ रिपोर्टों के अनुसार तीन डाकू मारे गए और आठ अन्य घायल हो गए।
यह सब एक ही व्यक्ति के साहस और हिम्मत का परिणाम था। लहूलुहान और घायल होने के बावजूद, श्रेष्ठ उस लड़की पर हो रहे हमले को रोकने में सफल रहे, लेकिन चोर यात्रियों को लूटना जारी रखते रहे।
अंत में, श्रेष्ठ ने The Times of India को बताया:
>“मैं एक सैनिक हूँ और मुझे इस देश के नागरिकों की रक्षा करने के लिए वेतन मिलता है। मैं चुपचाप बैठकर यह नहीं देख सकता था कि यात्रियों को लूटा जा रहा है। मैंने अपनी खुकरी निकाली और अपराधियों पर हमला कर दिया। मैं कम से कम तीन लोगों पर वार करने में सफल रहा। वार इतने गंभीर थे कि उन्हें किसी अस्पताल में भर्ती होना पड़ा होगा। तब तक अपराधियों ने भी जवाबी हमला शुरू कर दिया। उन्होंने गोली चलाई, जो मुझे नहीं लगी। एक समय ऐसा आया जब खुकरी मेरे हाथ से गिर गई और मैं काबू में आ गया। उन्होंने वही खुकरी उठाई और उसी से मुझ पर हमला किया।”
इस घटना के बारे में पढ़कर मेरे रोंगटे खड़े हो गए और लगा — “कुछ लोग सिर्फ वर्दी पहनते हैं, लेकिन कुछ लोग आखिरी सांस तक उसका फ़र्ज़ निभाते हैं।” 🫡
SPOILER ALERT !!
Just watched this masterpiece. Great satire on how one of the farmers named “Natha” and his brother auctioned their land because they were unable to pay back the loan. The media played a very important role in displaying his situation. He promised to commit suicide, and the politics around it, along with the media’s role, became central to the story.
What I found most important was how the media kept running behind the story just to complete coverage rather than solving the problem or doing their actual job.
There is also a mention of “Hori,” one of the characters from Godan by Munshi Premchand. How he dug and was found dead in that same barren land.(very emotional)
This story still feels relevant today, where TRP often matters more than truth, and media chases the story more than the suffering behind it.
I’m honestly a bit confused about this. Courtroom transparency is important, especially in cases that attract public attention. At the same time, when short clips from proceedings go viral, they can be taken out of context and shape opinions before the full picture is understood.
Does the possibility of recordings spreading online make judges or lawyers more conscious about how they appear publicly rather than focusing only on the legal process?
Could this also create a situation where lawyers begin objecting to recordings more frequently, either to avoid selective narratives or to prevent unnecessary public pressure?
At what point does public access improve trust in the system, and when does it start creating confusion or distrust instead?
Where is Model Code of Conduct (MCC) of Election Commission of India (ECI)...??
I guess that’s the only way the Bj.p makes its entry into West Bengal.
Being myself not coming from psychology background. Few days back i got very curious about this term "Hysteria"(def). So i started reading this book and i find it very interesting that how unprocessed emotions gets piled up knowingly or unknowingly and start affecting the physically or its finds a way to let these emotions out through physical means.
In this book he stated there are 2 cases where unprocessed emotions got piled up:
Memories can't be disposed off. Unprocessed memory doesn't fade it becomes pathological as trapped emotions comes out through body.
There are two types of symptoms:
He gave the term "Hypnoid State" which is weird state of daydreaming or shock. Some of the more initial symptoms are : Hallucinations, Absent Mindness, Body Jearking or Shaking, Sleep Paralysis...
He also gave five case studies of his patients.
Another term is "Abreaction" which is a psychological process where mainly traumatic memories are brought back to consciousness with same intensity and ultimately leading to emotions release. Hypnosis is one of technique which was used at that time by Breuer to investigate mainly to bring back forgotten trauma and then emotions release(Talked away).
Excitation must be discharged. According to him one should consult a expert for this for cure. Talking away with the help to expert or letting out of emotion with structural help of clinical experts.
But one more important thing which he stated Psychology influence does not automatically means psychology origin.
I feel “अंदर से खाली रहना” is most important for releasing inner pressure, which reduces symptoms and leads to healing—being an active witness of our own emotions, expressing them through different means, and making peace with our own past (processed emotion). Self-awareness is key, and feeling different kinds of emotions and experiences is very beautiful. Do not run from our own emotions; just let them flow and understand that you and those emotions are not the same—just witness them and detach yourself from them, but not by suppressing them. Talk about it if that helps.
Its is just my interpretation as i am not some expert.