SP

London had an underground railway in 1863. The first electric underground railway was built in 1891. Under-freaking-ground. In 1891. Gandhi (later Nehru and all freedom-fighting stalwarts) studied in London during that era. Surely they would have seen this underground railway but it’s surprising none of them said we should have a culture that builds this kind of thing in India when it’s free. Like how do you see an underground freaking railway in 18 freaking 91 and not get mesmerized by grand miracles of industrialization ? The one thing driving London during that era was industrialization. And yet they didn’t connect the two ? Japanese got that. You didn’t ? Like what was the grand plan ? Let’s free this country and turn it into a massive village ? That the country should have crooked, unplanned roads in cities 100 years after independence ? That the might of train engines should never be produced, and that no modern train engine, car engine or any modern industrial design should come out of the country ever ? To import every single thing from a neighbor that got to industrialization on its own despite not having any London-educated founding members ? Honestly what even was their vision for the country ? The masses are uneducated I get that. But the leaders didn’t have eyes ? They were right there in London! What was the option - to not be industrialized ? Rural economy forever ? Shitty cities ? Questions are rhetorical.

I need more examples of people in academia who haven't had a linear path at all and missed years on the way to PhD and still did their PhD. I don't wanna feel all isolated here 🫩

His name is Raju Narayana Swamy. In 1991 he secured AIR 1 in UPSC. The best rank in the country that year. He had a computer science degree from IIT Madras. MIT offered him a scholarship. He turned it down. He said the poorest Indians had paid for his IIT education through their taxes. He owed them something back. So he joined IAS. His first posting: a real estate developer wanted to fill a paddy field. Sixty poor families said they would flood. He refused permission. He was transferred. He exposed illegal land deals by the children of Kerala’s Public Works Minister. The minister resigned. He was transferred. He uncovered corruption at the Coconut Development Board. Officers were suspended. He was transferred. He fought corruption in civil supplies. He was removed before he could finish. 32 transfers in 34 years. He once wrote formally asking why he was being paid a salary for work that was never assigned to him. In 2025 the Supreme Court dismissed his plea for promotion to Chief Secretary. Despite AIR 1. Despite 30 years of service. He also wrote 34 books. Won the Sahitya Akademi Award. Holds a PhD in law. MIT offered him America. He chose the people. India’s system sent him one message for 34 years. Honesty will cost you everything. He paid it every time. Follow for real stories India never makes headlines about.

Btw Nepal is just another undeclared & un administered Indian state. -open borders -citizens serve in Indian Military -Currency pegged to INR -Nepalese gov would run to GoI whenever shit hits the fan for them

🚨 The government is reportedly set to issue draft rules for E85, a blend containing up to 85% ethanol and 15% petrol.