An honest confession – I was sceptical whether the NDA would even win the Bihar Elections. I felt that they could at best scrape through. Felt that BJP have a larger longer-term strategy where a defeat could well mean the end of Nitish Kumar politically and that would suit them. Further, the RJD under the son Tejaswi Yadav had done well the last time around. Even during the Lok Sabha 2024 elections the RJD Congress combine or MGB, had registered a upturn in vote share, seats compared to 2019 and NDA had a shortfall. Nitish Kumar and NDA have been in power for 20 years and voter fatigue is a natural outcome. People will want change for the sake of change. Youngsters can be impatient and did get enthused by Tejaswi Yadav. As one listened to the political speeches of the NDA, including Modi, it was the same old rhetoric of Lalloo/ RJD jungle raj, lawlessness and after 20 years one would have expected the NDA team to be talking of the progress made, changes, development achieved etc....
Women in Blue: If Kapil’s devils in 1983 created history to win the Men’s cricket world cup, the Harmanpreet’s angels did so in 2025 winning the Women’s cricket world cup. Watching the match was a treat and a welcome change. The sheer energy the girls had was palpably visible. When a bowler started her run up, seeing the girls especially at covers, mid off and point crouch like tigers ready to spring was sheer poetry. They reminded me of Pataudi and Brijesh Patel. The fielding of the team was excellent. Some of the girls when batting really hit powerful sixes and the sheer confidence they exuded by just standing and watching the ball cross the fence was sublime. What was really heart warming was the crowd turnout as the match finished only around midnight. The DY Patil stadium with a capacity of over 45,000 was packed to the gills and the support our women in blue got was unbelievable. I don’t think the girls expected a full house crowd cheering them and this response should mo...