Double_Pawn

@ErikSolheim And then there is this small matter of PM not answering any question in last 12 years

In defense of Indian 🇮🇳 democracy! During Prime Minister Narendra Modi most successful visit to Norway a minor incident happened. A Norwegian journalist demanded that the prime minister starts holding press conferences. She claimed that Indian democracy is in bad shape. May be its time to pause? May be its time to be a bit curious to the world’s largest democracy? Two weeks ago five Indian states and territories held elections. The turn out in the battlefield state of West Bengal was 94%. In the last local election in Norway it was 62%, in many European local elections turn out is below 50%. Can voting in massive numbers be a signal Indians trust their democratic process? In the same election BJP won big in Assam and West Bengal. It lost even bigger in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Can this diversity be a signal that Indian democracy is reflecting the will of the people? The journalist referred to a democracy ranking putting India at 157 in the world, behind many dictatorships and deeply troubled states. When a ranking is so obviously contrary to common sense, why not ask critical questions to those making the ranking rather than demand that leaders shall comment on nonsense? I recommend Salvatore Babones book “Dharma democracy”. The book debunks convincingly the flawed methodology of these rankings. It was referred to a ranking claiming it’s very dangerous to be a journalist in India. Reality is that it is more dangerous to be journalist in the US and far more dangerous in the vast majority of other nations in the world. Let’s be real. India is not perfect. Of course there are incidents. India has a population the size of North America, South America and Europe combined. But India is much more peaceful than Europe or the Americas. That’s remarkable - given the ethnic, language and religious diversity of India and the many development challenges. Unless we consider democracy a form of government only suited for some very small, peaceful and homogeneous Western European nations, may be we should commend Indian democracy? India is the only major former UK colony which became and has remained a democracy. Its sometimes claimed that the Brits taught India democracy. If that was the case why isn’t Myanmar or Pakistan or the Gulf kingdoms democracies??? Reality is that Indian democracy is both homegrown and extraordinary successful.

@theskindoctor13 Darpok hai ch*tiyo ka sardar

"Modi has not done a single press conference in 12 years." So what? Not taking questions from the press is not some moral crime in itself. The media is not a council of high priests conducting a legitimacy exam that every Prime Minister must clear for democratic certification. In a democracy, legitimacy comes from public mandate and governance, not from standing before cameras to satisfy a section of the media that mistakes access for accountability. As such, today's media ecosystem is not some sacred, neutral institution operating above politics. Much of it is deeply polarized. Different political camps have their favorite journalists, narratives, and ecosystems. Questions are designed less to seek answers and more to manufacture headlines, extract viral moments, or build personal brands. And those who hold frequent press conferences are not automatically standing on higher moral ground either. We have all seen planted easy questions from pliable journalists and difficult questions brushed aside with “aap rival party ki bhasha mat boliye,” deflections, or outright evasions. The number of press conferences a leader does is not a certificate of transparency. Otherwise, by that logic, Trump, who interacts with the press almost daily, should automatically be considered the most transparent, most democratic, and the finest leader in the world.

@MikeHeals73 Good luck.

In a full display of weakness I fell off the wagon a few months back and started drinking again. I was 1.5 years sober and threw it all away. I don’t like who I am when I drink. Trying this again…. 10 days clean and sober ✅

@Sachan8574 Mobile. Everyone is on phone all the time.

Name an addiction that society has fully normalized.

@GuruShareMarket Home loan at 7.2% . With some tax shield it is 6.5% . Almost no hidden costs. I just don't understand why everyone is in rush to prepay this so cheap loan.

A friend of mine took a ₹45L home loan in 2018. Last month, he paid it off completely, 8 years ahead of schedule. Every spare rupee he could save went into prepayment instead of investments. He told us over dinner, and the reaction was not what he expected. Some of us genuinely argued that he had made a financial mistake, that the money would have compounded better in mutual funds, and that he'd essentially wasted the opportunity. Maybe we were right mathematically. But he sleeps better than ever now. Was this the wrong call? Would love to hear from people who've been on both sides of this decision.

@OpenlySober No Alcohol Solid contribution at work Workout Winning online chess games In that order

What makes a good day for you?

@AkesoSobriety Benefits better mood, less irritability, calmness less forgetfulness, increased focus no bad example for kids remembering the events , no drunk texting or purchase time gained better physical health, for liver and stomach overall pride and confidence

@SamAgarwal You know it, my friend! Here's to a brighter alcohol-free future 🙌

Don't be shocked when life starts to get really good. Quitting alcohol does that and you deserve it.

@Simon_Ingari U would feel out of place after 3 months. Every thing would have adjusted to a world without u

Boss: You wanted to speak with me urgently? Employee: Yes. I’m exhausted. Boss: What’s going on? Employee: I’ve been working 70-hour weeks for years. I’m burned out completely. Boss: Why didn’t you say something earlier? Employee: Because every time someone says they’re tired at work, they’re told to “push through it.” Boss: So what are you asking for? Employee: Honestly? I need a two-month sick leave or I’ll probably have to quit. Boss: Okay. Employee: Okay? Boss: Take three months instead. Employee: Wait… what? Boss: Full pay. Go offline. Come back better. Employee: You’re serious? Boss: Yes. A burned-out employee pretending to function helps nobody. Employee: I thought you’d tell me to be more resilient. Boss: No. I’d rather lose you for three months than lose you permanently. Three Months Later↓

@technocrat_kk @thevirdas And the excitement

@thevirdas Cruise ships somehow combine the risks of airplanes, hotels, amusement parks, and food poisoning into one package 😭

Nothing. I repeat…Nothing Good has come from cruise ships. From the titanic to hantavirus. Nothing.

@alt_w_v_g No point of not leveraging when u can.

My son asked if we're rich I said define rich He said his friend's house is bigger I said his friend's dad has a bigger mortgage He said his friend's dad has a nicer car I said his friend's dad has a bigger lease payment He said his friend's dad has a boat I said his friend's dad has a depreciating liability that requires insurance, storage, fuel, and maintenance and gets used 4 times a year He thought about it Then he asked if his friend's dad is poor I didn't answer He already knew Sent from my iPhone

@LionInCrisis Yeah rite 🙄

@ajay43 Bourne Identity

Ocean’s 11 Sholay ZNMD

@AkesoSobriety Welcoming extended weekend with clear head

Quitting alcohol enhances our looks. Quitting alcohol enhances our mood. Quitting alcohol enhances our health. Quitting alcohol enhances our energy. Quitting alcohol enhances our intellect. Quitting alcohol enhances our finances. Quitting alcohol enhances our life.

@rameshsrivats Wait. They are mixing whiskey in petrol?

This one litre of ethanol needing 10,000 litres of water is total nonsense. Here's the proof: I drink 30ml pegs - That has 12ml ethanol. I usually add 120ml of water (yes, very dilute). Therefore for 1 ltr of ethanol, I would need just 10 lts of water. Q.E.D.

@v96809076 @AkesoSobriety My mood has improved a lot. Much more patient, cheerful and focused now. Weight has reduced too. No more brain fog. 100% present in all life events Better daily decisions

@AkesoSobriety What are the main benefits, I’d like to go a year to find out.

Fastest way to positively change your life: Quit alcohol.

@AkesoSobriety 40 days sober

जस्टिस स्वर्णकान्ता शर्मा जी से न्याय मिलने की मेरी उम्मीद टूट चुकी है। अपनी अंतरात्मा की आवाज़ सुनते हुए, गांधी जी के सिद्धांतो को मानते हुए और सत्याग्रह की भावना के साथ, मैंने फ़ैसला किया है कि मैं इस केस में उनके सामने पेश नहीं हूंगा और कोई दलील भी नहीं रखूँगा।

@xNickOnline Absolutely. 5 weeks for me. Innumerable benefits. Not drinking again

Going sober was the best thing i ever did. You don't realize how stupid drinking is until you actually stop for a few months.

@JamieMagill5 Stewart for Russell

My best England Test XI watching from 1985 onwards 🏏 Rules: only one all rounder allowed and you must have a spinner and a specialist gloveman. Gooch Cook Pietersen Root Gower Stokes * Russell # Swann Broad Harmison Anderson And be nice please 🙏 😊