Ground Reality

As five states go for assembly polls in Feb-March, the phrase 'Post Truth' has gained currency in the post-demonetisation era in the world's largest democracy.All eyes will be riveted on TV screens on March 11, two days ahead of the riot of colours-–Holi-- to find out whose Truth or Post Truth triumphed. The term was in circulation in a big way during the United States elections and referendum on Brexit. Driven by its popularity and common use during these two international events, Editors introduced the word in the Oxford dictionary.  A large number of media houses and digital platforms had used the word extensively.          Narratives of political scenario in India and the internationally famous Jaipur Literature Festival had detailed discussions on the word. Many opine that the word is not relevant in the Indian context, but tongues wag otherwise. Most attributed Republican Donald Trump's victory in US to the fierce...

By  Neeraj Bajpai “I had been to other countries-in Europe,Asia and the  Middle East - but none of them had provided even half as much variety, or so much to see and experience and remember, as this one state in northern India. You can travel from one end of Australia to the other,but everywhere on that vast continent you will find that people dress in the same way, eat the same kind of food, listen to the same music. This colourless uniformity is apparent in many other countries of the world, both East and West. But Uttar Pradesh is a world in itself.” - Ruskin Bond . The dance of democracy in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh has assumed gigantic proportions with most of the stake holders have adopted a fierce tone in the campaign .Knives remained out in open.Now polling is almost all over and only two phases are left.       No-holds barred electioneering has touched a crescendo with acidic and sarcastic slogans. More than duels at public pla...

                                Chankayas of contemporary politics descended on erstwhile Patilputra on big Friday - Nov 20,2015- when Poster boy of the emerging opposition unity in the world’s most populous democracy Nitish Kumar took reins of the populous Bihar state for the fifth time.  The winner Grand alliance (GA), better known as “Mahgathbandhan” in Hindi,in a deft move, had organized the Grand show to send a message to the Narenadra Modi Government at the center that the Opposition leaders,cutting across party lines,are coming together,and things will  be tough for the Ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in near future. Though the occasion was a celebration, but it had its own political significance.Many ace politicians were there to gauge potential of the GA to roll out as opposition camps’ bandwagon in months to come.  NDA allies like Shiv Sena , currently...