New York Believes In A Dream

Tonight, we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done.’ My friends, we have done it. I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City
– Zohran Mamdani

This was after midnight last Wednesday. The New York dawn was waiting in the next corner of the nearest by-lane, surrounded by a zigzag of streets and many more dark by-lanes. It seemed that the summer sun was bound to shine on this democratic city of the working class, the homeless, the immigrants, and the middle class, where the super rich and the rich call the shots.

Winters, with its frozen, chilly winds, are exceptionally harsh – especially for the homeless – the cold enters the bones and stays there. The homeless, mostly Afro-Americans, sit around the overground lids on the streets, of underground heating pipes, inhaling the warm steam which would flow out. It’s cruel and nasty – the way the homeless have been left to their tragic fate by the power establishment in America, and New York.

So much so, New York is perhaps one of the most expensive cities in the world, despite its eternally busy, crowded, run-down underground metro, almost 127 years old, with rats on the tracks, drop-outs, asking for a return ticket; while fabulous musicians from Latin America play the pan flute in the subways, and daily travelers happily dropping coins on their donation box. Plus, the metro stations, some of them are eternally soaked with a strange, simmering, stagnant smell all over, absorbed in its rusted walls and platforms, the smell sticking to the skin.

And, yet, besides the predictable Times Square billboards, flashing all over, the shops and restaurants of the rich, and the mixed crowd in different colours, including protesters of all kinds, and the backstreets with Indian and Bangladeshi food, New York remains a democratic city. I was told that immigrants, including those escaping repressive regimes, many not having proper documents, have really no tangible fear in this city. No one seems to bother them.

The city looks as if has lived in its own soul and body since decades, inheriting its own mysteries, its chaos and beauty, its diverse culture and heritage, and its dark past, as depicted in Martin Scorsese’s 1860s crime epic: Gangs of New York starring superb actor Daniel Day-Lewes, as ‘Bill the Butcher’ and a young Leonardo DiCaprio.

It’s not clinical and sanitized – despite the assumed order, there is a sudden and eternal chaos, a symphony in the synthesis. The walls are faded with seasons, the mechanical post office is old and empty, and the tall skyscrapers across the Hudson river, including the Trump Towers, look scary. The rich are cocooned in their isolated comfort zones, the ordinary folks are on the streets and metros. And the Penn Station is forever crowded – even as the landscape becomes empty and dreary, bereft of life, as you board a train to Princeton University, where Jhumpa Lahiri was teaching before she started a novel in Italian.

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Any sign of life thereafter fills you with a sudden reassurance, because beyond New York, across the suburbs, it’s a relentless and vast landscape, as dull and bereft of life as most suburbs beyond American cities, with occasional parking lots here and there. Even the little township across the Statue of Liberty seems so desolate and lonely. Not even a Starbucks outlet can be spotted next to the unwinding highways.

America is so vast and under-populated, with huge expanses of eternal emptiness, that a strange kind of depression enters you body and soul, like a heavy stone which refuses to go. Even when I returned to India, the stone refused to go away.

In contrast, Boston, Massachusetts, not so far from New York, the bustling city of students and teachers, Harvard, MIT, etc, and the beautiful suburb of Cambridge across the river Charles, seems more cosy and accessible. It shares the democratic ethos of New York.

I walked across the twin cities, high on a big glass of delicious, chilled beer costing just about $5. You can take a book and sit anywhere, across the river, or in the open air cafes near Harvard, or next to a tiny book shop where they do book readings. You can visit the museum, and stay with a couple of Van Gogh paintings in silence.

Ironically, Massachusetts comes from the Indian-Algonquin word, ‘meaning great hill, small place, or, the range of hills; predictably, this entire area and its beautiful surroundings in the suburbs, with dense forests and huge lakes, as in Wellesley, with its famous college, were the original homeland of the natives. They gave the whites fruits and shelter, tended to their wounds after a long and difficult voyage on the sea from England, and the whites in return gave them what? Bullets, small pox hidden in quilts, shackles, genocide, forced Christianity, and mass displacement.

A stranger among strangers, an outsider like me, like an Albert Camus character, has no option but to feel totally alienated and detached in New York; while, surely, those who live here might be loving their city deeply. This is because the city might have grown on them, with its synthesis of multiple cultures, its great museum of modern art, MoMA, its huge public library, its old-fashioned democracy and freedom, and its memories deeply embedded on its run-down streets and faded walls.

No wonder, New Yorkers were the first to stand up and protest in solidarity with the people of Los Angeles, when Trump dispatched his armed military and ICE to raid the homes of alleged immigrants. People in LA just came out in outrage and anger – in waves. A belligerent Trump had no choice but to backtrack.

This is where Zohran Mamdani has suddenly arrived like a shooting star, a rising meteor, a friendly politician who understands the ground reality and aligns with the margins, a bright and accessible leader, and a progressive democrat who has little to do with the typical mainstream democrat who often look, operate and talk like a Right-wing republican, starting from Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, who backed the Gaza genocide and pumped millions to the mass murderers in Tel Aviv. That is why, Bernie Sanders, Alexandra Ocasio Cortez, and other ‘socialists’ backed him. That is why Trump has reportedly called him a “communist, a radical Leftist”, etc.

Born in Uganda, son of historian Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, Zohran Mamdani has said: “It’s been difficult. It’s been difficult to have to deal with the regular and repeated smears and slander upon my name and on the very basis of my faith…And I think what’s so sad is that this is but a glimpse into what life is like for many Muslim New Yorkers and many New Yorkers of different faiths who are constantly being told that they don’t belong in this city and in this country that they love.” He said New York is a city “for all of us”. He denied that he is a communist.

He has quoted Martin Luther King (Jr): “Call it democracy or call it democratic socialism. There has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God’s children in this country.”

Barack Obama got a Noble Prize for Peace without doing one bit for peace, when, for no rhyme or reason, the prize was given to him soon after he became president. He promised the moon, and did so little. Now, many cynics are asking, ‘Will Zohran go the Obama way?’

Cynics apart, not a ‘red star’, Zohran Mamdani, is a star, a political and cultural symbol of the new wave of politics emerging in the world (except in India, of course.) He has promised to tax the rich, make New York affordable, provide free child care, freeze rent for ordinary folks, create subsidized transport, among other welfare measures. Clearly, he has no love lost for billionaires.

In the same manner that he seems to have no love lost for Benjamin Netanyahu. And, a certain Mr M.

Defence Ministry to Review Spy Planes, Air Defence, Sea Mines In Key Meet

At a time when the Operation Sindoor is still on, the Defence Acquisition Council led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to meet this week to take up proposals worth over Rs one lakh crore for modernising the defence forces are expected to be taken up for clearance.

The list of proposals worth over Rs one lakh crore for buying equipment for modernisation has been listed in the meeting agenda planned around end of this week, defence sources told ANI.

To strengthen the air defence capabilities of the country, the Quick Reaction Surface-to-air missile system made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would be taken up for clearance for the Indian Army.

The project worth around Rs 30,000 crore, would be critical for the Indian Army’s air defence capabilities as the system can be effective against targets up to 30 kms.

The Indian Air Force would be putting up a proposal for buying three spy planes for keeping a track of enemy activities on the ground under the I-STAR programme.

The Intelligence, Surveillance, Targetting and Reconnaissance aircraft would be critical for the Air Force’s plans to take out ground targets in future, the sources said.

The three aircraft would be acquired from an original equipment manufacturer and then be modified by the DRDO lab Centre for Airborne Systems in partnership with private partners.

The Indian Navy would also be fielding a proposal for DRDO-developed Pressure-based Moored Mines at the meeting, which are to be used for targeting enemy submarines and surface ships.

The project for upgrading the capabilities of the 84 Su-30MKI fighter jets is also expected to come up for discussion.

The project has already been given the go-ahead by the DAC earlier.

Underwater autonomous vessels are also scheduled to be taken up for clearance by the DAC, which would be meeting for the first time after the Operation Sindoor. The DAC is the highest body in the defence ministry for capital procurements for modernisation. (ANI)

BJP’s Jaiswal Calls 80% Of Jan Suraaj Criminals; Kishor Hits Back

As the political heat intensifies in Bihar ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls, BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal claimed on Monday that 80% of people associated with Jan Suraaj Party are “criminals”. Hitting back, Prashant Kishor questioned his intent, asking why they are not arresting these people despite being in power in both Bihar and the Centre.

BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal said, “Prashant Kishor doesn’t care about people. A person who killed a Dalit community is holding a board in Bettiah claiming to be a candidate of Prashant Kishor’s Bettiah Legislative Assembly. 80% of his associates are criminals… You can’t expect a good party from such individuals.”

Replying to this, Jan Suraaj Chief Prashant Kishor asked the ruling BJP and NDA government to nab those “criminals”.

“His government is currently ruling Bihar, and the BJP-NDA has the government in Delhi. So why have they let all criminals free? They are putting on their face by claiming that all the criminals in Bihar are connected to Jan Suraaj. If that is the case, then what are you doing? Catch those criminals and put them in jail. Are you taking money from them so that they can stay in Jan Suraaj?” Kishor said.

Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year, in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date.

While the NDA, comprising the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will once again seek to continue its stint in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, comprising the RJD, Congress, and left parties, will aim to unseat Nitish Kumar.

In the current Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 members, with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U) having 45, HAM(S) having 4, and the support of 2 Independent Candidates.

The Opposition’s INDIA Bloc comprises 111 members, with the RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 19, the CPI(ML) with 11, the CPI(M) with 2, and the CPI with 2. (ANI)

Direct Farm Subsidies Could Reshape Indian Agriculture: VP Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday pitched for a shift in India’s agricultural subsidy framework, urging that government subsidies be transferred directly to farmers, rather than routed through intermediaries or departmental mechanisms.

“If subsidies were handed directly to farmers, it could reshape Indian agriculture,” said Vice President Dhankhar

The Vice President cited the success of such models in countries like the United States, where farmers independently decide how best to use financial support.

Addressing a gathering at an event in Jaipur, the Vice President acknowledged the efforts of the government under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, under which each eligible farmer family receives Rs 6,000 annually.

“Under the Prime Minister’s Kisan Samman Nidhi, farmers receive 6000 rupees, which is a significant start. About 60,000 crore rupees go to farmers annually. There are 10 crore farmer families, but if the subsidy the government provides to farmers reaches them in full, each farmer family could get more than 30,000 rupees every year in place of this subsidy,” said the Vice President.

He stressed that if the total subsidies provided by the government — particularly the Rs 3 lakh crore allocated annually for fertiliser — were handed directly to farmers, it could dramatically reshape Indian agriculture.

“The government is spending 3 lakh crore — on fertilizer subsidies. If that is given directly to farmers, natural farming, organic farming — the farmer will make that decision. We will avoid chemicals and pesticides, and a new approach will emerge,” Dhankhar said.

He highlighted that in the United States, agricultural subsidies are directly transferred to farmers without any bureaucratic filtering, enabling them to make independent decisions such as investing in cattle for natural manure or selecting the type of fertiliser.

“Our thinking should move in this direction. In America, the aid farmers receive goes entirely to the farmers. There is no middleman, no government machinery involved. The farmer decides — which fertilizer to buy or whether to purchase livestock so that manure can be used and other benefits can be gained.What is the result? In America, the average annual income of a typical household is less than the average income of a farmer family. The farmer family’s income is higher,” he stated.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice President also praised Rajasthan and said, “The identity of Rajasthan’s land lies in Maharana Pratap and Maharaja Surajmal. Recent events have once again brought their valor to mind — when a fierce and precise counterstrike was carried out on enemy terrorist bases.”

Referring to the retaliatory military action against the Pahalgam attack under Operation Sindoor, Dhankhar said, “The precise attack in Bahawalpur and Muridke was a clear message that terrorism will not be tolerated under any circumstances. It was also declared that this is just the beginning — this campaign will continue until terrorism is completely eradicated.

“It was demonstrated to the world that within international borders, in a major province, with the aid of technology, our BrahMos missiles destroyed terrorist bases — while also ensuring that no innocent person was harmed,” said Vice President Dhankhar. (ANI)

Poonam Dhillon Opens Up About Payment Issues In TV Industry

Actor Poonam Dhillon opened up about a serious problem many actors face today — late payments.

In a recent conversation with ANI, Poonam Dhillon, who is also the president of CINTAA (Cine and Television Artists Association), shared how tough things are for “small-time actors” in the industry.

The actress explained that the situation has changed significantly over the last 20 years. Back then, artists were paid either at the end of the day or at the end of the month. But now, many television actors are being paid after ’90 days’ — that’s three whole months.

“The problem that we are facing today is what today’s artists are facing. That wasn’t there 20 years ago. Back then, people were given payment as per the contract, at the end of the day or end of the month. Today, a television actor, especially, gets paid after 90 days,” Dhillon said.

Dhillon also shared how the “90-day delay” affects “small-time actors” the most. These are people who earn only a few thousand rupees per day and may work only a few days a month. Unlike big stars, these actors have no strong contracts or legal backing.

“I’m talking about short-term actors who earn a few thousand per day, and they work only two to three days a month,” Dhillon said.

“We’re not talking about stars who earn lakhs or crores of rupees. They get all the money from their contracts. If they don’t get paid, they won’t leave their house,” she added.

Poonam also pointed out how delayed payments affect actors who play smaller roles and are hired just for a day. The actress further emphasized how these artists don’t have the contracts or legal support that big stars do.

“But these small-time actors, people who are playing roles like a chauffeur, waiter, or a lawyer, a doctor — who work just for a day and leave, then have to wait for 90 days for their payment. They have families, children, bills to pay, and they have to cover their basic expenses,” Dhillon said.

“And we’re not talking about every actor, not the big actors. They have their legal support and can go to court if needed. But these actors don’t even have contracts. Earlier, they were given money for conveyance, like 300 rupees to cover transportation. Today, they’re asking for 500 rupees, but they’re not given anything. They’re expected to travel to places that could be two hours away, without any transport allowance,” she added. (ANI)

India To Launch Vaccine Hub In Ghana, Extend UPI To Namibia On Modi’s Tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming five-nation tour, beginning on July 2, will see significant advancements in India’s bilateral relations with African nations of Ghana and Namibia, including the establishment of a vaccine hub in Ghana and the expansion of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Namibia.

During a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs, Secretary of Economic Relations, Dammu Ravi, outlined the key agendas during the PM’s visit to five countries- Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia.

The MEA Secretary highlighted the focus on vaccine development in Ghana. “Focus items of the visits will be agriculture, vaccine development, creating a vaccine hub in Ghana… Defence cooperation is also an agenda, along with discussion on critical minerals and Digital Public Infrastructure… MoUs will also be signed, with negotiations still underway on this.”

This move aims to bolster Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly as the country undergoes economic restructuring under IMF conditionalities, and strengthen India’s role in the matter, the Secretary stated.

In Ghana, PM Modi will engage in delegation-level talks, have a one-on-one meeting with President John Dramani Mahama, address the parliament, and interact with the Indian community of approximately 15,000.

The visit, early in Mahama’s tenure following his landslide victory in January, aims to deepen bilateral ties, with economic cooperation dominating the agenda due to Ghana’s USD 3 billion trade with India, largely driven by gold exports, and USD 2 billion in investments.

“PM will be visiting Ghana on July 2nd and 3rd. This visit is happening after 30 years. The programme is quite hectic. On July 2nd, there will be a ceremonial welcome for the PM, there will be delegation-level talks during which bilateral relations will be reviewed and also to discuss various ways to strengthen the bilateral relations. PM will be having a one-on-one meeting with his counterpart and there will be a banquet dinner. The next day he will be addressing the parliament and also engaging with the Indian community, which is about 15000,” Secretary Ravi said.

“President John Dramani Mahama just assumed office after a landslide victory in January; that’s why the visit carries importance, as the PM will be visiting Ghana early in his tenure. It will help in continuity and deepening the relation and further strengthening it… Both countries will be working to boost economic cooperation as Ghana is undergoing deep economic restructuring, especially as it has undergone IMF conditionalities… Economic agenda will dominate the talks… Bilateral trade between India and Ghana is about USD 3 billion in favour of Ghana because of gold. Investment is about USD 2 billion in both public and private investment,” he said.

As per a statement by the MEA, this will be Prime Minister’s first ever bilateral visit to Ghana. During the visit, Prime Minister will hold talks with the President of Ghana to review the strong bilateral partnership and discuss further avenues to enhance it through economic, energy, and defence collaboration, and development cooperation partnership.

This visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] and the African Union.

Duiring the final leg of his visit, at the invitation of the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Prime Minister Modi will embark on a State Visit to Namibia on July 9.

This will be the first visit of Prime Minister to Namibia, and the third ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Namibia.

During his visit, Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with President Nandi-Ndaitwah and deliver an address at the Parliament of Namibia. The visit of Prime Minister is a reiteration of India’s multi-faceted and deep-rooted historical ties with Namibia.

MEA Secretary Dammu Ravi in the media briefing today said that Namibia will see the expansion of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as agreements have been signed by the Central Bank of Namibia and NPCI International (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India.

“In the development cooperation area, capacity building, defence cooperation…the centre for excellence for IT – we are going to set it up. During the visit, the setting up of UPI with the country as a technology agreement has already been signed between the Central Bank of Namibia and NPCI… Namibia is a very resource-rich country, with many critical minerals… and discussions will be there on this also,” the MEA Secretary Ravi stated.

In Namibia, PM Modi will also pay homage to Dr Sam Nujoma, the first president of the African nation.

“PM will be visiting Namibia for the last leg on July 9. This visit is coming after 27 years, and the current President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, assumed office in March this year. The visit happening early in his tenure is important, as it will help to renew the relationship and deepen our economic engagement with Namibia… The programme will have a ceremonial welcome. PM will pay homage to Dr Sam Nujoma. There will be delegation-level discussions and one-on-one talks, and he will also address the parliament,” he noted.

Prime Minister Modi will embark on the five-country visit from July 2, during which he will attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil and hold meetings with leaders of Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Namibia to strengthen bilateral ties.

He will start his five-nation visit with Ghana on July 2 and conclude his visit Namibia in the last leg on July 9. In the second leg of his visit, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister Modi will pay an Official Visit to Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) from July 3-4. This will be his first visit to the country as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit at the Prime Ministerial level to T&T since 1999. In the third leg of his visit, at the invitation of the President of Republic of Argentina, Javier Milei, Prime Minister will travel to Argentina on an Official Visit from July 04-05. Prime Minister will travel to Brazil from July 5-8 to attend the 17th BRICS Summit 2025 followed by a State Visit. (ANI)

Sarzameen: Ibrahim’s Film With Kajol, Prithviraj Officially Announced

Former couple Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s son Ibrahim Ali Khan, who made his acting debut with ‘Nadaaniyan’ in March 2025, is now back with another film titled ‘Sarzameen’.

In the movie, he will be seen sharing screen space with versatile actors Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

On Monday, the makers shared the film’s teaser and announced that it will be released on JioHotstar on July 25. Kayoze Irani has directed the project.

On what audience can expect from ‘Sarzameen’, Kayoze in a press note said, “Sarzameen will always hold a special place in my heart, not just because it marks my first feature film as a director, but because it gave me the chance to tell a story that is both deeply intimate and profoundly intense. I’m incredibly thankful to Karan, Apoorva, and the entire Dharma family for placing their trust in me.”

“Working with phenomenal artists like Prithviraj Sir, Kajol Ma’am, and Ibrahim each of whom brought such emotional depth and honesty to their performances has been nothing short of a privilege…The emotional battlefield in Sarzameen is just as powerful and consuming as the one unfolding on the frontlines,” he added.

Producer Karan Johar also expressed excitement about the film. “Sarzameen is a deeply emotional story about duty, family, and the choices that define us. It’s not just a thriller, it’s a personal and powerful journey that speaks to the times we live in. With honesty and heart, it explores what it means to stay true to your values when everything around you is tested,” he said.

Set against the backdrop of Kashmir, the film follows Vijay Menon (Prithviraj Sukumaran), a decorated army officer known for his unshakeable sense of duty and personal sacrifice. As Meera (Kajol), a strong mother and wife, fights to hold the family together, Harman (Ibrahim Ali Khan) brings a raw, simmering intensity to the role of a young man caught between shadowed memories and unsettling truths, the press note said. (ANI)

285 Roads Blocked, Electricity & Water Affected: Himachal Rain Havoc

Amid heavy rains triggering flash floods in the state, Himachal Pradesh Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Monday held a special review meeting with senior officials to assess the situation arising from landslides, road blockages, and disruption of power and water supply across the state.

The Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister of Himachal Pradesh chaired the meeting in view of the widespread impact of monsoon-related disruptions, involving key departments, like- Jal Shakti, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Public Works Department (PWD), along with senior-level officers.

Speaking to ANI, Minister Negi said, “We had earlier conducted a state-level meeting to prepare for the monsoon season. Today, I held a special review with Revenue Department officials and other concerned departments to assess the current situation and direct immediate restoration efforts wherever needed.”

“Districts like Kangra and Mandi are currently under red alert. Our preparedness in these areas is already in place. As of last evening, around 285 roads had been blocked due to landslides and slips. Our target is to reopen at least 234 of them by this evening,” he added.

Negi clarified that all national highways in the state remain functional, but 968 electricity transformers (DTRs) have been affected. The HPSEB teams are working on restoring the power supply across affected areas.

“Simultaneously, around 23 drinking water schemes have also been disrupted due to heavy rains. Restoration work is ongoing, and we expect normalcy to be restored soon,” he added.

The minister further said that in districts under red alert, schools have been closed as a precautionary measure.

Negi also mentioned that a flash flood was reported in Rampur’s Sarpara area of Shimla district.

“Fortunately, there were no human casualties, though three cattle sheds were swept away, resulting in the loss of three animals. One family’s kitchen room and storage unit were also damaged. The drinking water supply in the area remains largely unaffected, except for one scheme under repair that suffered some damage. But that too will be restored quickly,” Negi assured.

He emphasised that the PWD machinery has been strengthened, with several new machines procured after last season’s devastation. Moreover, both SDRF and NDRF teams have been pre-deployed at vulnerable stations.

“Our teams are on standby and can be immediately shifted to any location in case of an emergency,” the minister said.

Negi appealed to tourists and local residents to adhere to advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and to plan their travel only after considering current alerts and destination conditions.

“People must remain alert and cooperate with authorities. Avoid travel to vulnerable locations during adverse weather conditions,” he urged.

The Himachal Pradesh government has intensified its emergency preparedness across districts, with district-level review meetings and interdepartmental coordination underway to monitor and respond swiftly to any emerging situation. (ANI)

I Stand Firmly With Diljit: Naseeruddin

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah came in support of singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh amid the ongoing controversy against him for collaborating with Pakistani artist Hania Aamir in his film ‘Sardaar Ji 3’.

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, Diljit’s recent collaboration with Pakistani artist Hania Aamir is facing massive backlash from social media, celebrities and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).

However, amid all this, Naseeruddin Shah has now expressed his support for Diljit, clarifying that the singer wasn’t responsible for the film’s casting, and expressed his disapproval of restricting personal interactions between India and Pakistan.

He wrote, “I STAND FIRMLY WITH DILJIT. The dirty tricks deptt of Jumla Party has been awaiting a chance to attack him. They think they’ve got it at last. He was not responsible for the casting of the film, the director was. But no one knows who he is, whereas Diljit is known the world over, and he agreed to the cast because his mind is not poisoned. What these goons want is to put an end to personal interaction between the people of India and Pakistan.”

He further expressed love for his “close friends and relatives” who reside in Pakistan.

He wrote, “I have close relatives and some dear friends there and no one can stop me from meeting them or sending them love whenever i feel like it. And my response to those who will say, “Go to Pakistan”, is “GO TO KAILASA”

https://www.facebook.com/NaseeruddinOfficial

FWICE has officially boycotted Dosanjh for his collaboration with Pakistani actress Aamir, stating that the singer-actor’s association with the Pakistani artists has allegedly “disrespected” the “Indian sentiments,” especially following the terror attack at Pahalgam on April 22.

“It is important to bring to your notice that the said film (Border 2) features actor Diljit Dosanjh, who has been officially boycotted by FWICE owing to his involvement with individuals and content that have deeply disrespected Indian sentiments, especially by associating with Pakistani artists known for their anti-lndia views, and participating in projects filmed in sensitive border locations like Pahalgam immediately following terror incidents targeting our armed forces,” the letter read.

Earlier, through a social media post, the makers of Border 2 announced that the film has entered its third schedule at the National Defence Academy in Pune.

With this in the background, the film union body has requested Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh to “withdraw” any permission granted to the ‘Border 2’ makers for filming in its premises.

“The NDA, being a national symbol of military training and sacrifice, must not be used as a backdrop for a film involving an actor who is currently under public and professional boycott due to acts that undermine the spirit of national unity and hurt the sentiments of our defence community.”

The letter further read, “ln this context, we strongly urge your good offices to withdra* qny permission granted for the shooting of the said film at the NDA property in Pune, and to initiate necessary action to ensure that the integrity of sensitive defence installations is not compromised or associated with individuals facing legitimate public outrage.”

FWICE has also issued a “noon-cooperative directive” to singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh after his collaboration with Hania Aamir in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’.The film union body has demanded an unconditional apology from the actor for allegedly hurting the “national sentiments” and disregarding the “sacrifices” of the Indian soldiers by his actions.

After the massive backlash from the film fraternity, FWICE and social media, the makers of Sardaar Ji 3 have announced that they will not release their movie in India.

Meanwhile, ‘Border 2’ is the upcoming sequel to the 1997 blockbuster ‘Border’ and has a powerhouse production team, including Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. The film is being directed by Anurag Singh. (ANI)

International Relations Aka Trump

Every few years a political leader emerges on the world stage who makes a mockery of international norms, tears the text books and pushes the pundits into a maze of guessing games. Donald Trump, the President of United States is such a man. Whereas International Relations (IR) pundits used to write ‘well researched’ predictions on the next move in the world order and their consequences based on IR theories, now punditry seems to be revolving around Trump’s personality. Yet each move of Trump appears to take them by surprise. Like him or not, Trump has done some good things and actions that upset people who prefer a predictable world and of course some bad things that have others wondering what next.

The Israel-Iran conflict is the latest that kept the media guessing and that has confused the ‘experts’. Is he for Israel or is he rabidly against Iran? Is he actually going to stop Iran developing nuclear capacity and hand victory to Netanyahu or is he just toying about. Does he actually mean what he says?

He has also made NATO look comical. All the self-assuming leaders from Europe and Canada clacking around him, agreeing to almost everything he says and resetting their foreign policies to fine tune with Trump’s whims, seems a theatre of confused sycophants at best. It’s a bit like the court of King Vlad Dracula, where a wrong statement could lead to impaling. In today’s world, Trump punishes by upping the tariffs.

What to say next, what to do next, appears to be on the minds of leaders constantly when shaking hands with Trump. The head of NATO even called Trump ‘Daddy’ and won plaudits for it from all around and the press for ‘getting it right’’. Britain’s Starmer looked bewildered but became the envy of the Trump fawning gang because USA had informed him they were going to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites an hour before doing so. This was like a group of giggling jealous teen girls envious of the one who was waved at by the most desire boy in the school!

This is what IR theory has come to in the era of Trump. Is it bad or good? Fact is that most social sciences are constructions rather than real science. The Europeans pretentiously call them science. There is little science in them, in that they can nether be replicated nor really be proven. Once a ‘paradigm’ is constructed, those who study it start applying it and building on its foundation further with some adjustments. This creates a paradigm under which everyone is then obliged to operate.

In international relations, most personnel in Foreign Departments or External Affairs Departments, are trained in established theories of IR and political science. They play the game as the rules have ordained. But then comes along Trump as a spoiler.

Trump has made IR a game that is mostly personality based. Countries around the world are engaging psychologists and mind readers to second guess what Trump might do before meeting him or engaging with US. Engaging with US is a necessity in international relations and emerging world order, whatever that is.

Let us see what happened at Israel-Iran. Israel’s Netanyahu and right wing decided that Iran is the threat they need to eliminate in order to force Iran’s proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Houthis to back off. This wing also wants to crush any hope of ‘independence’ in Gaza and bring the region under its own (Israel) territory. Iran’s nuclear programme is the weapon it fears most to this strategy. So, Israel wants to stop that altogether and ideally change the regime in Iran to its liking.

Iran on the other hand has a different agenda. As a Shia country, it wants to increase its influence in the Islamic world that is largely Sunni. Instead of a direct confrontation with Sunni countries, Iran has used Isael as a constant distraction to justify its foreign policy and nuclear ambition. Having nuclear weapons will give it tremendous clout in the Islamic world. Moreover, having the ‘enemy’ so far away also gives it a diversion to enforce order within the country.

In all this comes Trump. Unlike previous presidents, Trump does not appear to believe in the grinding and ‘boring’ ideas of IR theories where actions are taken within some rules over time through diplomacy. Presidents just chose the one track of IR they prefer. Trump doesn’t care about following unwritten established rules of the game. As far as he is concerned, it’s about winning and moving on.

Trump is considered not to be a fan of Netanyahu. He just wants the issue resolved and then get on with family business with the oil rich states in Middle East. He seems to deal with issues on the simple art of business that he calls deal making.

So, he believes in every form of deception, surprise and inducement to get the prize. He doesn’t care what he says today and then say something opposite tomorrow. If people think they can decipher policy from his statements, they live in a past world of predictability in politics and IR.

With Iran-Israel, Trump appears to want the problem diffused, not to annoy his pals in Saudi Arabia and UAE, keep the American Jewish lobby happy, not become involved in another long ‘foreign war as he had promised his base and come out as hero who averted WW3. This is a tough one, balancing so many conflicting concerns.

He directed the bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities but not engage in a war of attrition. Trump immediately claimed mission accomplished as boasted on his own social media that Iran’s nuclear programme had been completely destroyed. A previous American President (Bush) also boasted of mission accomplished in Afghanistan only to regret later. It is unlikely Trump will regret as he doesn’t care whether mission is accomplished or not, as long as his courtiers sing after him, ‘mission accomplished’. Tomorrow is another day.

Trump is portraying himself as the tough man who used America’s most powerful bunker busting arsenal to thwart the Ayatollahs’ cunning plan of keeping the nuclear centrifuges so deep in the ground that no hostile force can get to them. Iran’s scientists and military must have calculated how deep a bunker busting bomb can go and thus dig deeper than its reach. It seems the calculations were not so correct. The bombs went deep enough.

Netanyahu is happy and able to show off to his colleagues that he can get the most powerful man in the world to do his bidding. The American Jewish lobby is placated. Iran, who was expecting a longer war, is relieved. Trumps Middle East friends are also satisfied that they don’t have to bankroll another Islam verses west conflict. Trump’s base reluctantly endorsed it as masterstroke for ‘thumping’ the enemy but not losing any American lives or wasting more money.

However, there are two pesky trouble makers in all this. There is the investigative press that has prided itself to bringing ‘facts’ to the world. And there is the evangelic jingoism of western Europeans who still want their beloved ‘world order’ and hegemony inflated and provided by American money and power. Most of them have still to come to terms with Trump dumping the Ukraine cause.

Fact is that the nuclear programme is not completely destroyed. The Europeans are dismayed that there isn’t another ‘war’. They like wars. Wars give some of their leaders a ‘hard man’ stature when they are directly or indirectly involved in wars. Trump does not like wars. By going to NATO summit, forcing them to cough up the money and making them swarm, he has gagged that group. They all said in chorus, ‘great work’ in the bombing and almost all are saying, ‘mission accomplished’ in public even if their intelligence services are reporting otherwise in secret.

The press however is another thing. Iran isn’t going to invite them to come and see. They are dependent on reports by the American intel. So, Trump told his intelligence head and his intel agencies to shut up and repeat after me, ‘mission accomplished’. Dutifully they have fallen in line knowing that in Trump era, heads roll for upsetting the boss and not for telling fibs. Elon Musk found that out the hard way.

Netanyahu has learnt to keep his mouth shut as well. His intel tells him that it is not mission accomplished completely. But he knows he won’t get more help and Trump doesn’t really want a protracted war. Best to bask in his new fame that he (Netanyahu) has got Trump around his finger, although not.

And that is the Trump IR world. Its all about personality now. Him, Netanyahu, the Ayatollah, Putin and others are emerging new architects of IR. Modi has been in this field of personalised IR for some time but still has to go along with advice from his seasoned technocrat, Jaishankar, the foreign minister. The Europeans are having to employ psychoanalysts to navigate the new International Relations dynamics. It also seems the end or at least suspension of punditry and the predictable world order they like to be able to pontificate in.

To the question, what will Trump do in any situation? There is no answer. The sour grapes pundits say he listens to the last man who whispers in his ear. The journalists say its all about his ego. The cynics say it is about the Nobel prize. Trump it seems is a genius who proves them all wrong. The news every morning is head scratching now.