Resorts, Rallies, and Rebellion

Inside Mahayuti’s high-stakes firefighting for legislative council polls Mumbai: The public posture of ruling Mahayuti alliance radiates supreme confidence. Leaders from the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and NCP led by Sunetra Pawar are predicting a clean sweep. Voting is scheduled for Thursday. Yet, beneath this calm exterior lies intense backstage panic. None of the alliance constituents are leaving any loose ends. No leader wants to take any risks, as everybody is trying to ensure...

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Inside Mahayuti’s high-stakes firefighting for legislative council polls Mumbai: The public posture of ruling Mahayuti alliance radiates supreme confidence. Leaders from the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and NCP led by Sunetra Pawar are predicting a clean sweep. Voting is scheduled for Thursday. Yet, beneath this calm exterior lies intense backstage panic. None of the alliance constituents are leaving any loose ends. No leader wants to take any risks, as everybody is trying to ensure their real value is recognized and past political scores are waiting to be settled. This volatile environment has triggered widespread fears of cross-voting. It has given a massive boost to resort politics across the state. The upcoming contest spans 17 local self-government constituencies. The unique composition of this electorate makes the election highly unpredictable. The voters are not regular citizens. They are elected corporators, municipal councillors, and Zilla Parishad members. This setup makes the election hyper-localized. It offers a perfect shadow arena for local politicians to exercise leverage. Consequently, ruling alliance leaders are taking extraordinary measures to protect their flocks. Every single vote is being heavily guarded. Poaching Game Political parties have quickly locked down their voters to prevent poaching. Sources reveal that local body members from Sangli, Nanded, and Nagpur are already gone. They have been taken on special tours to Goa under tight supervision. Meanwhile, corporators from Nashik have been moved elsewhere. They are currently staying at a secluded luxury resort near Bhiwandi. These defensive tactics show how deeply the party bosses distrust their own members. Political managers are monitoring every voter’s movement around the clock. The ground reality across key cities highlights this deep regional friction. In Nagpur, the stakes are incredibly high. This by-election became necessary after state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule vacated the seat. He did so after winning his election to the state assembly. The BJP cannot afford a defeat in its primary ideological stronghold. Similarly, the Wardha-Chandrapur-Gadchiroli constituency presents a tough challenge. The BJP has fielded Arun Lakhani for this crucial seat. However, managing the intricate web of local body representatives in Chandrapur is testing the party machinery. Shifting Loyalties Other regions show similar vulnerability. In seats like Jalgaon, Nanded, and Sangli, traditional political loyalties are shifting. Compounding these internal threats is the BJP’s aggressive campaign strategy. The party chose to treat this council election as an opportunity. They wanted to expand their standalone organisational footprint across the state. Instead of relying on traditional top-down bulk voting through alliance bosses, the BJP targeted the electorate directly. The party organised an array of localised rallies, town hall meetings, and gatherings of the electorate. Some of these events registered an excellent response. However, this unilateral approach deeply irritated their alliance partners and many of these events saw dismal attendance by BJP’s alliance partners. Apart from this general apathy, the real challenge was that of open rebellion within the ruling alliance’s internal ranks. Disgruntled local leaders, disappointed ticket seekers, and ignored district presidents had expressed loud resentment. Even sitting MLAs and MLCs have signaled their displeasure over candidate choices. State BJP leaders had to spend considerable energy for the firefighting and ensuring that rebellion is contained. Yet many leaders are still unhappy with current regional power equations. Frantic Firefighting Fearing massive internal sabotage, the BJP top brass has launched a frantic firefighting operation. Senior leaders have been entrusted with strict responsibilities to oversee specific seats. They are managing all local arrangements personally. Top party managers are literally crisscrossing the state using helicopters and chartered flights. They are conducting last-minute pacification drives in every sensitive district. These leaders are holding urgent, closed-door meetings to placate angry regional chieftains. They are working hard to neutralize rebel factions. No disgruntled leader is being left unattended before Thursday morning. Promises of future political rewards are being distributed generously. Leaders are promising state-run board appointments and fresh development funds to buy peace. The frantic resort lockdowns and endless late-night negotiations reveal the true story of this election. The Mahayuti may still win a majority of these 17 seats through sheer resource dominance. However, the visible fractures in cities like Nashik, Sangli, Chandrapur, and Jalgaon reveal a fragile coalition. This council election has ceased to be a routine legislative exercise. It has mutated into a brutal internal audit of the ruling alliance’s unity. The final results will offer a definitive look at who holds the real power.

The Changing Face of Education in India

Asha Tripathi
3 hours ago
3 min read

Education is no longer limited to textbooks, with students gaining access to vast knowledge through digital platforms and online learning.

The Indian education system has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. From traditional gurukul-based learning to a highly structured, policy-driven, and technology-enabled system, the journey reflects India’s social, economic, and cultural evolution. Education has played a central role in shaping generations of learners, adapting continuously to the changing needs of society and the economy.

The evolution of education in India can be traced through several significant changes that have shaped learning over the decades.

In ancient India, education was primarily delivered through the gurukul system, where students lived with their teachers and learned scriptures, philosophy, mathematics, warfare, and life skills. The focus was on holistic development rather than exams or grades, with learning extending beyond academics to character-building and practical knowledge.

With the arrival of colonial rule, a formal, Western-style education system was introduced. This system emphasised the English language, standardised curriculum, and written examinations, which became the foundation of modern schooling in India.

After 1947, India focused heavily on expanding access to education. Schools and universities were established across rural and urban areas to ensure that a larger section of the population could benefit from formal learning opportunities. The aim was to improve literacy rates and build a skilled workforce for nation-building. Over time, boards like CBSE and ICSE helped standardise education across the country, creating a more uniform academic framework for students.

Policy Changes

In recent years, education has shifted towards skill-based learning, digital integration, and holistic development. A major milestone in this journey is the introduction of the National Education Policy 2020, which focuses on reducing rote learning, encouraging critical thinking and creativity, introducing vocational training at the school level, using a multilingual learning approach, and offering flexible subject choices. These reforms seek to make learning more relevant, engaging, and aligned with the needs of the modern world.

Digital learning platforms, smart classrooms, and online education have also become widely accessible, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology has increasingly become an important part of the learning process, both inside and outside the classroom.

Today’s students have access to vast knowledge through the internet, online courses, and global learning platforms. Education is no longer limited to textbooks, allowing learners to explore a wider range of subjects and perspectives.

Modern education encourages understanding concepts rather than memorising answers. This helps students develop analytical and problem-solving skills that are increasingly valued in higher education and the workplace.

With greater access comes increased competition. Students today often face academic pressure, performance expectations, and comparison through rankings and entrance exams.

Digital Dependency

While technology has improved learning, it has also increased screen time and reduced hands-on, real-world experiences for some learners.

There is a growing focus on skills like coding, communication, entrepreneurship, and creativity, preparing students for global careers and changing workplace demands.

Despite progress, challenges such as unequal access in rural areas, stress-related issues among students, and gaps between academic learning and industry needs still exist. Addressing these concerns remains important to ensuring that the benefits of educational development reach all sections of society.

The Indian education system has evolved from a traditional knowledge-sharing model to a modern, technology-driven and policy-guided structure. While it has significantly improved access and quality, it continues to adapt to the needs of a rapidly changing world. The modern generation stands at a unique point where opportunities are vast, but so are expectations.

(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)