Even though we became a democracy only in 1950, we Indians have taken to democracy like a duck takes to water. Over the decades, democratic institutions have taken deep root, and the system of checks and balances has steadily strengthened. The biggest check has been the Judiciary, which invented the extra constitutional concepts of basic structure and collegium. Our higher judiciary is more independent (in fact to the risk of being a state within a state) than anywhere else in the world. Similarly, other institutions, including Election Commission have progressively become more robust (e.g., having 3 ECs with equal powers and many more such measures over years) India's electoral system has become increasingly robust, transparent, and technology-driven. The adoption of EVMs, voter identity cards, and other technological innovations has significantly strengthened the integrity of elections. Recent elections in West Bengal, for example, were notable for being conducted without the large-scale violence that had historically accompanied some previous polls. That said, challenges remain. Areas that could benefit from further improvement include: -Maintenance and accuracy of electoral rolls -Management of voter migration between constituencies -Identification and removal of voters who have died or emigrated -Greater integration of technology to streamline these processes These are operational issues that can continue to improve through better systems and technology. India's democratic framework provides both procedural and institutional safeguards to address concerns about electoral administration. Voters left out in the SIR process have an appeal process, and in states where SIR has been conducted, there is no evidence of very large number of voters being left out, who have to then use the appeal process. And more importantly, we have courts to check on the functioning of the EC Concerns were recently raised that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) had acted unilaterally. If true, such action would be inconsistent with the legal framework governing the Commission. In response, all three Election Commissioners issued a statement asserting that decisions had been taken unanimously. The Supreme Court has since directed the Election Commission to provide evidence showing that decisions were made either unanimously or by majority, meaning with the support of at least two of the three Election Commissioners. The Court has further indicated that if any decision is found not to have received the support of at least two commissioners, it may declare that decision invalid. This is how in a democracy, such grievances must be addressed, not by threatening to burn the country, if my demands are not being met.

Congress MLA Malreddy Ranga Reddy puts his hand around a young woman’s waist even as she visibly pulls away.

One cannot appreciate and thank @DelhiPolice enough, for doing the thankless but necessary job of protecting the Republic, its institutions and of upholding order.

What the...

Bharat's festive season brings an extraordinary number of customers, businesses and communities into motion at the same time. Big Billion Days has grown alongside that moment. Today, that means 500 million registered customers, 1.4 million sellers and 8,200+ fulfilment and delivery facilities. Thirteen editions in, the scale of BBD increasingly reflects the scale of festive participation across India. news9live.com/technology/tec…

Modi Govt announced yesterday that an integrated Transport and Logistics Authority will be established as an SPV to acts as India's apex institution designed to centralize and unify transportation planning, which is today dragmanted in solos across separate ministries managing roads, railways, aviation, and shipping. This jointness, and multi-modal transport network could be the most significant announcement to take us to a Viksit Bharat by 1947. Announcing it as an SPV will mean that it can operate with autonomy and freedom from Bureaucratic sluggishness, and can hire top tier private experts to create a National Transport Data Repository for data driven decision making. May it succeed!

The Supreme Court does not possess the power to remove or suspend the CEC, who has got the same protection in constitution, that an SC Judge has. But you never know with the SC. In past it has given orders that it had no power to.

Nehru signed away the IWT and called Ladakh a place where not even a blade of grass grows India is now turning Ladakh into a horticulture basket

Flipkart is scaling up for the festive season as The Big Billion Days returns on October 9. The 13th edition will bring record seller participation, 150 million products and a larger fulfilment network, while Flipkart Minutes will offer more than 77,000 products across 150+ cities. The company is also expanding same-day and next-day delivery to more locations, supported by over 900 new delivery hubs and 750+ additional PIN codes. yourstory.com/2026/10/flipka…

Even though we became a democracy only in 1950, we Indians have taken to democracy like a duck takes to water. Over years, democracy has taken deep roots and progressively, the checks and balances have strengthened. The biggest check has been the Judiciary, which invented the extra constitutional concepts of basic structure and collegium. Our higher judiciary is more independent (in fact to the risk of being a state within a state) than anywhere else in the world. Similarly, other institutions, including Election Commission have progressively become more independent (e.g., having 3 ECs with equal powers and many more such measures over years) Our election process has progressively become more and more temper proof and tech adoptive. From EVCM to voter ID cards, we are better than anywhere else in the world. The recent elections in Bengal were the first ever to be held entirely free of voilence. Sure, there are issues, particularly with the maintenance of electoral rolls, how we treat migration from one poll booth to another, how we detect and remove voters who die or emigrate can all be more seamless. And I am sure with the use of technology this will become seamless. There are process and institutional checks and balances if there is any wrongdoing or injustice. Voters left out in the SIR process have an appeal process, and in states, where SIR has been conducted, there is no evidence of very large number if voters being left out, who have to then use the appeal process. And more importantly, we have the courts, to check on the functioning of the EC. They alleged that CEC was acting unilaterality, which, if true, is surely illegal. the 3 ECs then came together and issued a statement that all decision have been taken unanimously. And SC has now asked EC to produce the evidence that all decisions have been taken unanimously OR by majority (at least 2 of the 3 ECs) and SC has assured that of it's found that any decision of the EC did not have the consent of at least 2 of the 3 ECs, it will order to make those decisions illegal. This is how in a democracy, such grievances must be addressed, not by threatening to burn the country, if my demands are not being met.

While high-tech systems like loitering munitions, BVR missiles, and FPV drones have become the cutting age of the new age non contact warfare, Artillery remains the undisputed God of War, and heavy armor continues to be the definitive instrument for seizing, controlling, and defending physical territory. Look at the Ruso-Ukrainian war and how much Artillery is being pounded by either side. Relentless! It was Artillery, in particular the Bofors that softened the heights for us, during the Kargil war, when territory was in contest. Short, non contact conflicts like #OpSindoor, India can fight with imported weapons, but any conventional war, India will sorely miss on not building a formidable MIC.

She's so cute

Any self respecting country / govt would have given Kalyani forge $5-6 bn in orders, taken a small position in the company, funded it's R&D to a certain extent and champion them in every deal possible with every single country that's on the market for arty systems. What does Modiji do? Buy Korean crap and ignores Kalyani forge. Maybe if Adani acquired Kalyani forge the orders might flow?

Need to read between the lines. People past and present have to be held accountable.

This is misleading title for the chart. GST is the consumption tax and thus accrues to the state where consumption happens. Manufacturing is centered in rich states like TN, Guj, MH etc., while consumption is spread across the country, incl in poor states like UP.

Pakistan now has an edge over India in self-propelled and wheeled guns, with 438 M109 tracked 155 mm howitzers, 60 M110 203mm heavy SP guns and 250 SH-15 155 mm/52 truck-mounted howitzers; that's over 700 guns vs India’s mere 100 K9 Vajra-T in service. 7:1 advantage over India not just parity. With One tenth of defence budget. While Indian Army is busy frustrating Bharat Forge, who is now exporting to Armenia.

Their racism aside, it's good to see India's conservation efforts being recognised globally. But what is appalling is, that India is not able to monetise this stellar and unique achievement into tourism potential. It's shame that India is not a global tourist hotspot.