Ati Ranjan

The Great Nicobar Project: India’s Ultimate Maritime Masterstroke 🇮🇳⚓ There is a coordinated PR campaign targeting the ₹72,000 Crore Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project. Cutting through the political noise, the reality is stark: this is the most critical infrastructure project for India’s survival and dominance in the 21st century. Here are the hard facts. 🧵👇

NVIDIA leasing ~7.6 lakh sq ft in Bengaluru for ~₹1,230 crore over 10 years signals a strong long-term commitment to India as a global hub for AI, R&D, and high-end engineering talent, reinforcing the city’s positioning as the “Silicon Valley of India.” Strategically, this move reflects a broader shift where global tech majors are deepening India investments not just for cost arbitrage but for innovation-led capabilities, which could accelerate ecosystem development across AI startups, talent pipelines, and ancillary services. hindustantimes.com/real-estate/nv…

Targeting innocent people in the name of Jihad in Mumbai is a direct attack on India’s unity and social fabric. Radicalisation of any kind cannot be normalised, excused, or ignored. Zero tolerance must mean exactly that. Swift investigation, strictest punishment, and absolute clarity that violence in the name of any ideology has no place in India.

That claim leans on selective averages rather than a fair comparison. The UPA’s ~7.6% figure includes stronger years but also masks the slowdown toward the end, while the NDA period includes major external shocks like the COVID-19 Pandemic that dragged down averages globally. If you compare more like-for-like periods or exclude the pandemic distortion, growth rates are much closer, and in recent years India has remained among the fastest-growing major economies, as noted by the IMF. At a much larger economic base today, sustaining ~6–7% growth is neither weak nor comparable in the same way, which makes the “GDP fooled us” argument more misleading than insightful. If you compare like-for-like periods, the picture changes: UPA (2009–2014, post-crisis years): ~6.7% average NDA (2014–2019, pre-COVID): ~7% average Second—the last 7 years include two massive global shocks. Any claim of “5.5% growth” conveniently bundles in: COVID-19 Pandemic: India saw a -6% contraction in FY21. If you strip out the COVID distortion, India’s growth rebounds sharply: FY22: ~9% FY23: ~7% FY24: ~8% (approx) GDP base effect matters (and is often ignored). It’s easier to grow fast when the economy is smaller. UPA grew a ~$1 trillion economy NDA is growing a ~$3.5+ trillion economy Sustaining ~6–7% at that scale is actually harder, and economically more meaningful.

HOW GDP FOOLED US ALL! The NDA under Modi inherited a GDP of 6.4% from Congress/ UPA. They blamed the Congress for slowdown. Now, read the numbers: Over the last 12 years, India has grown at 6.2%, lower than one of the lower years of Congress. In the last 7 years, we have gone down even lower to 5.5%. And the most important data: India grew under UPA over 10 years at 7.6%. Is there even a comparison?? Do share if you like. #NoTelePrompter.

@ArvindKejriwal Nautanki! Justice must not only be done, it must conveniently align with my whims and fancies.

In all humility and with complete respect for judiciary, I have written the following letter to Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, informing her that pursuing Gandhian principles of Satyagraha, it won’t be possible for me to pursue this case in her court, either in person or through a counsel. I have taken this difficult decision after coming to the clear conclusion that the proceedings being conducted in her court do not, in any manner, satisfy the fundamental principle that ‘justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done’. My participation in these proceedings, either myself or through a counsel will not achieve anything meaningful.

Those of you who want visual confirmation from satellites via Google imagery from an international source (blue dots are gains, the pink ones are losses): globalforestwatch.org/map/country/IN…

Selective outrage about “dismantling democracy” sounds hollow when the same voices stay silent on the systematic violence that has defined elections in West Bengal for years. From the widely reported intimidation during the 2018 panchayat polls to the post-result killings after the 2021 assembly elections, the pattern under TMC is not an exception, it’s a precedent. If anything, stricter oversight by the Election Commission of India in such a state is not “complicity,” but a necessary corrective to restore basic electoral integrity. Institutions don’t lose legitimacy by acting firmly, they lose it by looking away when political violence becomes normalized. History will indeed judge, but it will judge not those trying to enforce order, but those who rationalized years of intimidation as “process.”

Whatever the results on 4th May, this Chief Election Commissioner and his team will not be remembered as custodians of democracy, but as willing participants in the systematic ‘dismantling’ of its very foundations. *********** Institutions derive legitimacy not from outcomes, but from the integrity of the processes they uphold. When that integrity is bent to serve “someone,” it ceases to be an aberration rather it becomes complicity. And the damage is not episodic; it corrodes public trust in ways that are deep, lasting, and often irreversible. *********** Dear @ECISVEEP a final reminder, even now: history is neither forgetful nor forgiving. When it records this chapter/phase, it will do so with a severity that today’s words can scarcely match. Jai Hind

On this day, we solemnly remember the innocent lives we lost in the horrific Pahalgam terror attack last year. The grief and pain of losing our people still remain in the heart of every Indian. Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it.

Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.

My piece captioned “Constitutional Clock Just Started Ticking”, published on the editorial page of The New Indian Express today — carried across all its editions — is now available for reading. The article examines the current constitutional position in the wake of the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, with particular focus on the implications for southern States, especially Tamil Nadu. Coming virtually at the threshold of polling day in Tamil Nadu, it argues that Chief Minister Stalin — in leading the charge against the Bills — may have unwittingly exposed his State to a far more serious loss of Lok Sabha seats in the next delimitation than a Bill cleared by two-thirds majority would ever have caused. The freeze on Lok Sabha seat allocation, anchored in the 1971 census, expires automatically under Article 82 once post-2026 census figures are published — without any further Parliamentary action. The Bill that was defeated was Tamil Nadu’s constitutional shield against that reckoning. With it gone and no Fifth Schedule protection in place, raw population proportionality will apply — and the arithmetic is unforgiving. The full piece is on the editorial page of The New Indian Express today.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ drive.google.com/file/d/1RmEkIJ…

@TheEconomist Funny how history turns - now their descendants are enriching UK, city by city 😂

The Mughals brought language, food, architecture, music, art and syncretism to India. And they brought Narendra Modi’s party to power economist.com/asia/2026/04/1…

We are building a global newsroom based in India. Looking for passionate storytellers. Write to us at indiaglobalreview.com #IGR #IndiaGlobalReview

पड़ोसी देशों के साथ सीमा विवाद हो या पाकिस्तान के साथ पानी का बँटवारा, कांग्रेस का राष्ट्रहित के विषयों को लटकाने, भटकाने और अटकाने का वर्क कल्चर रहा है, जिसका देश को बहुत नुकसान झेलना पड़ा है: पीएम श्री @narendramodi जी

Chatham House’s argument that water diplomacy can serve as a springboard for broader re-engagement fundamentally misreads the sequencing. India’s position is clear: decades of extending goodwill - through wars, peace processes, and bilateral frameworks - never once altered Pakistan’s calculus on sponsoring terrorism, making further engagement without preconditions an exercise in strategic naïvety. Ending cross-border terrorism isn’t a destination that dialogue might eventually reach; it is the minimum entry ticket that Pakistan must present before any meaningful re-engagement can begin.

Water cooperation is not only mutually beneficial for India and Pakistan, but essential. Restoring the Indus Waters Treaty could be a powerful foundation for rebuilding trust. Read the latest analysis on the Indus Waters Treaty by Dr Beatrice Mosello and Bhargabi Bharadwaj from Chatham House's Environment and Society Centre ⤵️ bit.ly/3Qi5TeP

Now that the 131st Amendment Bill failed, allocation of Lok Sabha seats will be based on 2026 census data. As per current estimates, seven States will likely lose 35 seats: AP (-5), Telangana (-3), TN (-10), Karnataka (-2), Kerala (-7), Odisha (-4), and WB (-4). Four States will likely gain 34 seats: UP (+12), Bihar (+10), MP (+5), and Rajasthan (+7). BJP is widely believed to be the potential beneficiary of redistribution of seats to States based on 2026 population. In a stunning act of self-denial, the NDA government came forward to freeze the current share of States based on the 1971 census data. There could be many reasons for BJP committing to such a freeze - putting the nation above the party, paving the way for expanding their footprint in the South, or avoiding a divisive issue when the nation has to focus on growth and prosperity in the face of global challenges. Whatever be the motivation of BJP, the seven States that lost share of population are offered an unexpected gift. You don't look a gift horse in the mouth! Surprisingly, the parties which have great stakes in the South and East have scored a spectacular self goal. This is a classic case of cutting the nose to spite the face. In 2001, as the freeze in seats was expiring, I was deeply involved in persuading the then Vajpayee government to continue the freeze in the number of seats allocated to States for another 25 years. An unwieldy coalition and the economic challenge posed by external sanctions after the Pokharan explosion demanded national unity, and the parties responded with the 84th Amendment. Now again a priceless opportunity arose, and the Opposition squandered it without any strategic thinking. If political animosity makes you oblivious of your own interest, or larger interests of fostering unity and focusing on growth and harmony, it is a sign of dysfunctional politics. I appeal to all parties to come together and find a harmonious solution to the thorny problem of seats allocation in the face of demographic imbalances. National unity and our quest for opportunity and prosperity for all demand a fair and swift resolution. In the long run migration will resolve the imbalances. Already millions of migrant workers are building and sustaining the economies of several States in the South, West and North. That is why, despite low fertility rate, Maharashtra's share of the population is increasing. In the US, dramatic internal migration changed the demography and representation over the years. People move freely to States where there is growth and jobs are created. In a century, Florida increased its representation in the US Congress from 4 to 28, California from 11 to 52, Texas from 18 to 38, and Washington from 5 to 10. Owing to outward migration, New York lost seats, from 43 to 26, Pennsylvania from 36 to 17, Illinois from 27 to 17, Ohio from 22 to 15, and Missouri from 16 to 8. We should make it easy for people to migrate to other States and recognize and respect their constitutional rights everywhere and make their life easier and safe. That will resolve our demographic challenges. Most states reached low fertility levels, and Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan and Jharkhand too are going to reach there in a few years. We need a reasoned and pragmatic approach to grow together and become strong. Let us persuade parties to shed inflammatory and divisive rhetoric and focus on quality education and skills and opportunities for all.

@IamHaiderSN This is called Mungerilal ke Hasin Sapne!

Pakistan and India are also moving towards friendship, and Donald Trump and France will soon take credit for it. Pakistan, for its part, is open to fostering this friendship, provided two key conditions are met: the restoration of Kashmir's status to its original state, and India's disassociation from terrorist groups actively engaged in destabilizing Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There is a strong possibility that a middle ground will be found on Kashmir. #Pakistan #India #Kashmir

By defeating the Delimitation and Constitutional Amendment Bill, the opposition parties have done a great disservice to the Nation. With the freeze under Article 81 set to end after the first Census conducted post 2026, the forthcoming census exercise will reset seat distribution purely on population, potentially leading to a steep decline in representation for Southern, North-Eastern, and smaller states. The NDA’s proposal was a sincere effort to preserve federal balance, protect the voice of Southern, North-Eastern, and smaller states, and ensure 33% representation for women. It recognised that states which have performed well on key development indicators should not be penalised in the democratic structure. It is unfortunate that political agendas have prevailed over long term national interest. Those celebrating this outcome must introspect, we have lost an opportunity to secure a fair and constitutional safeguard for rightful representation. constitutionofindia.net/articles/artic…

देश की आधी आबादी, 70 करोड़ महिलाओं को धोखा देने और उनका विश्वास खोने के बाद कोई कैसे विजय का जश्न मना सकता है? विपक्ष का यह जश्न हर उस महिला का अपमान है, जो दशकों से अपने अधिकार का इंतजार कर रही है। कांग्रेस और उसके सहयोगी कितनी बार महिलाओं के साथ विश्वासघात करेंगे? कई बार विजय जैसी प्रतीत होने वाली अहंकार की खुशी, असलियत में छिपी हुई एक बड़ी पराजय होती है, जिसे कुछ लोग समझ नहीं पाते।

@RahulGandhi India deserves a much better opposition! The trajectory of a nation on the rise cannot be shaped by parochialism or divisive thinking. It demands vision, substance, and statesmanship - which is completely lacking in Congress.

संशोधन विधेयक गिर गया। उन्होंने महिलाओं के नाम पर, संविधान को तोड़ने के लिए, असंवैधानिक तरकीब का इस्तेमाल किया। भारत ने देख लिया। INDIA ने रोक दिया। जय संविधान।

Why are you indulging in this false narrative! If all states’ Lok Sabha seats are being increased by ~50%, southern states are not losing out - they are gaining the same percentage increase despite slower population growth. In fact, if representation were strictly population-based, northern states would be entitled to a larger share, so the current approach already moderates that outcome rather than “penalising” the south.

मैं एक दक्षिण भारतीय हूँ। तेलुगु मेरी मातृभाषा है। मैंने अपना पूरा जीवन तेलुगु भाषा और तेलुगु टेलीविजन के लिए काम करते हुए बिताया है। लेकिन आज जीवन में पहली बार मैंने हिंदी में एक वीडियो बनाया। क्यों? क्योंकि मैं अपने उत्तर भारतीय भाइयों और बहनों से दिल से बात करना चाहता था। आज जिस परिसीमन की बात हो रही है, उससे दक्षिण भारत के राज्यों को कितना नुकसान हो सकता है, यह समझाना जरूरी लगा। यह सिर्फ राजनीति का विषय नहीं है, यह हमारे देश के संतुलन और न्याय का सवाल है। मैं आपसे सिर्फ इतना कहना चाहता हूँ कि यह महान भारतवर्ष हम सबका है। जितना अधिकार उत्तर भारत का है, उतना ही अधिकार दक्षिण भारत का भी है। और अगर दक्षिण भारत के साथ कोई नाइंसाफी होती है, तो यह सिर्फ दक्षिण की नहीं, पूरे भारत की चिंता होनी चाहिए। इसलिए मैंने आज पहली बार हिंदी में बात करने की कोशिश की, ताकि हम एक-दूसरे को बेहतर समझ सकें और एक-दूसरे के साथ खड़े हो सकें। उम्मीद है आपको मेरी हिंदी समझ आई होगी, और अगर कहीं कोई त्रुटि रह गई हो तो दिल से क्षमा चाहता हूँ। आइए, भाषा से नहीं, भावना से जुड़ें। क्योंकि हम सब मिलकर ही भारत हैं। 🇮🇳❤️