The Lalit Blog

A Page from My Garden Amphitheatre Lalit Shastri The music from that morning may be heard here   🎧 Before sunrise, while a dray of squirrels foraged through the guava tree, my guitar quietly traced the ancient journey from Do to Do - the fountainhead that's Do-Re-Mi, from which all music begins. Without quite realizing it, I felt like turning my little garden into my own amphitheatre. The garden did not become an amphitheatre because I carried a guitar into it. It became one because I finally learned to listen. It happened naturally. I was sitting quietly, waiting to embrace another day, listening to the stillness before dawn. The squirrels had already begun their determined morning rounds on the guava tree. Birds were slowly announcing the arrival of light, while a gentle breeze stirred the leaves. Almost instinctively, I reached for my guitar. Very soon, it no longer felt like an instrument imposed upon the garden. It became another voice within it. I began with the familiar as...

  Lalit Shastri I did not come to music to perform. I came to it to listen. The music was always there—somewhere deep within me, waiting patiently. I learned the guitar not to create sound, but to let that sound flow, to give it a passage into the world. The instrument became a conduit, not a tool—a way for what already existed inside me to find air, space, and silence. When I play, I am not chasing perfection or applause. I am seeking communion. Music, for me, is a form of prayer—an intimate conversation with the omnipresent source of everything that is finite and infinite. In those moments, I feel less like a composer and more like a witness, allowing something larger than myself to reveal itself through simple notes and unhurried rhythms. I believe music happens at the meeting point of limitation and boundlessness: finite hands touching an infinite flow. The pauses matter as much as the notes. Silence is not absence—it is presence. What I play emerges from that awareness, from s...

Lalit Shastri Modern geopolitics as epic allegory: Modi as Ram faces Trump-as-Ravana, commanding his chariot of tariffs. As punitive tariffs unsettle the global order, India stands firm. In this modern-day Ramayan, Prime Minister Modi embodies Ram’s resilience, while U.S. President Trump mirrors Ravana’s arrogance. The outcome, as ever, rests with the triumph of dharma over adharma. The Epic Replayed on a Global Stage The Ramayan  is a mirror of eternal truths. Lord Ram embodies dharma —justice, fairness, and resilience—while Ravana symbolizes arrogance and deceit. Today, Narendra Modi carries forward the mantle of Ram, protecting India’s sovereignty, while Donald Trump, in his second presidential term, stands in the many-headed guise of Ravana, dragging nations into destructive tariff wars. Just as Ravana’s ten heads symbolized arrogance, Trump’s tariff arsenal reflects duplicity. The Abduction and the Forced War The turning point of the Ramayan was Ravana’s abduction of Sita...

Today morning I came across a published piece by a seasoned political commentator who goes on to overimplify his analyss of the 2024 Lok Sabha election by observing: " Though the BJP won the third parliamentary election last year and created a record of installing Narendra Modi as the first non-Congress PM to be sworn in for the third time in a row, the public anger was indeed felt. The shockingly low number of LS seats won in 2024 was a jolt to Modi and Amit Shah, the chief strategist, personally. Shah's alleged rivalry with Yogi resulted in humiliating show of the party in the largest State." While some commentators are quick to interpret the reduced tally of BJP seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a sign of public anger or internal discord, such assessments are both superficial and misleading. I hold a different view rooted in ground realities and a broader civilizational lens. The dip in numbers must be seen in the context of an unholy alliance of political oppor...

  Lyrics and composition:  Lalit Shastri Vocals : Eles Genre:  Soulful Acoustic / Folk-Pop Ballad Duration:  3:16 Rating:  ★★★★☆ (4.6/5)   Click & Play - My Guitar, My Love A Love Letter in Song: Where Strings Speak and Silence Sings In a world saturated with synthetic hooks and overproduced pop, “My Guitar, My Love” arrives like a breath of raw, heartfelt air. Written and composed by Lalit Shastri , the track is an evocative acoustic ballad that transforms a guitar from a musical instrument into a living, breathing embodiment of love, sensuality, and companionship. This is not just a song—it’s a conversation between soul and string.  Lyrics That Seduce the Silence Shastri’s lyricism is both poetic and intimate. Lines like “She moans in tones both sweet and wild / A lover’s voice, untamed, beguiled” are rich with double meaning—merging the tactile act of playing music with the emotional intimacy of human connection. The refrain “She’s my guita...

A soulful acoustic tribute to the little things that make life beautiful. "Love the Fact You Are Alive" by Lalit Shastri  invites you to slow down and celebrate the joy in everyday moments—with birdsong, street dogs, butterflies, and drifting clouds. Let it warm your heart. "Love the Fact You Are Alive" is a heartfelt acoustic gem that celebrates life in its purest, most joyful form. With gentle strumming and warm, organic vocals, the song walks us through the beauty of ordinary moments—grass sprouting, birds singing, and a faithful street dog resting after a day's work. The lyrics carry the innocence of wonder and the depth of reflection, wrapped in a soothing melody that feels both personal and universal. What stands out is the sincerity in voice—it doesn’t perform the words, it lives them. The musical arrangement supports the poetry gracefully, never overwhelming the listener, but allowing space for every image to bloom. The change to “clouds that drift and...

Lalit Shastri Early one morning, just as I was about to leave for my walk, a car pulled up at my front gate. It wasn’t the time for visitors, but as I approached, I recognized a friend from the Industry Department. After exchanging greetings, I led him into the drawing room, where he wasted no time in getting to the point. The early morning visitor informed me that his boss, XYZ, had been in New Delhi for several days, awaiting his appointment as CMD of Air India. The PMO had cleared his appointment, but the Civil Aviation Minister was sitting on the file, delaying the process. He explained that a senior journalist, known for covering the aviation sector, was also a close confidant of the Minister. That day, the Minister was scheduled to address a press conference, and if the journalist could raise the issue, it might put enough pressure to expedite the appointment. "What do you expect me to do?" I asked. He urged me to contact the journalist and request him to intervene. Rig...

 Lalit Shastri Congress diehards clinging precariously to the party, that’s going down a never-ending slide at a fast pace election after election and its leadership that couldn’t be more unpopular are trying every trick possible to build a tilted narrative to somehow revive their party’s shattered image and prospects without realizing that the majority of the Indian population is now too wary of the Congress leadership and their sectarian and communal politics. The latest in terms of a narrative from the Congress side is the futile bid to touch a chord with  the opinion makers across India by using Noam Chomsky as an intellectual and author of “How the World Works” to criticise the media at large using Chomsky to give a call for heightened media literacy and vigilance.   The thought being thats being forward very subtly through the social media is that breaking free of constraints requires expanding the spectrum of acceptable thought, questioning entrenched assumptions, ...

The author is on extreme left. Second from left is Nawabzada Nasir Mirza, who left for the heavenly abode on 3rd Dec. 2014.  He was the youngest Prince of Bhopal State and grandson of erstwhile Nawab of Bhopal H.H. Sir Hamidullah Khan and son of Nawabzadi Qamar-i-Taj Dulhan Rabia Sultan Begum Sahiba, the youngest daughter of H.H. Sir Hamidullah Khan (1916–2001) and Late Agha Mohammad Nadir.  I still vividly remember the warmth and kindness of Nawabzada Nasir Mirza, my dear friend who left us for his heavenly abode on December 3, 2014. He was a man of noble lineage and an even nobler spirit, the youngest Prince of Bhopal State and the grandson of the illustrious Nawab of Bhopal, H.H. Sir Hamidullah Khan. His mother, Nawabzadi Qamar-i-Taj Dulhan Rabia Sultan Begum Sahiba, was the youngest daughter of Sir Hamidullah Khan. Rabia Sultan Nasir carried forward the legacy of his family with quiet dignity. His mother’s eldest sister, Abida Sultan, the heiress apparent to the title of...

Lalit Shastri As a global society, we must strive for peaceful coexistence and embrace the spirit of inclusivity. Our shared future depends on our collective responsibility to protect the environment, preserve wildlife, and safeguard the delicate balance of our ecosystems, including our rivers and forests. It is time we shun violence, extremism, and division in all its forms, fostering unity over discord. We envision a socio-economic order where equity, transparency, and accountability reign, ensuring that skill and merit are valued over privilege, exploitation and denial of equal opportunity to all due to the quota or reservation system. Also, corruption has no place in a society where every individual is dedicated to the common good, working for the advancement of humanity and securing a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.  Together, we can build a world where compassion, justice with fairness, and progress guide our actions—creating a legacy that honors bo...

  “Whenever I give a lecture on Quantum Physics, I feel as if I am talking on Vedanta!” – Hans Peter Dürr. Lalit Shastri The above quote by  Peter Dürr prompted me to explore deep and draw a comparison or draw an analogy between Quantum Physics and Vedanta. The idea that "matter doesn't exist" in quantum physics can be confusing because it challenges our everyday understanding of reality. Here's a simplified explanation: Classical vs. Quantum View Classical Physics: In the everyday world, we see objects as solid and well-defined. A chair, for instance, is a solid object with a clear location and shape. This is the classical view of matter. Quantum Physics: At the smallest scales, the rules of the universe behave very differently. Instead of being solid and fixed, particles (like electrons, protons, etc.) exist in a state of probabilities. They don't have definite locations or state until they are observed or measured. Key Concepts 1. Wave-Particle Duality : In qu...

Lalit Shastri After four decades of relentless dedication to journalism, guided by a deep commitment to the larger cause of society, I have made the difficult decision to cease writing editorial pieces. The ideals of truth and justice I once upheld seem increasingly irrelevant in a society fractured along narrow caste and religious lines, where the masses are ever-willing to be swayed in any direction by those who exploit division for power.  Politicians have perfected the art of drawing strength from vote bank politics and divisive agendas, leaving society fractured and vulnerable. Matters are further entrenched by a reservation and quota regime woven into our Constitution with no end in sight—a system that perpetuates division rather than unity. Corruption has metastasized like a cancer, with politicians presiding over a pyramid of pliable bureaucrats whose spines have turned to rubber, bending in any direction to serve their political masters. The entire government machinery and...

Lalit Shastri In the silence of the morning, when the world's still, Find the courage deep within, harness your will. You hold the wisdom, a guide to your path, Be your own teacher, embrace your craft. Learn from each stumble, rise with each fall, In every failure, there’s a lesson, standing tall. Challenge your limits, push through the strain, Be your own student, cherish the gain. The journey is endless, the horizon so wide, With every step forward, take it in stride. Listen to your heart, let it show you the way, Be your own teacher, each and every day. Reflect on your progress, celebrate what’s small, For in self-guided growth, you’ll stand tall. Both mentor and learner, in harmony blend, Be your own student, until the end. In every question, in every quest, You find the answers, within your chest. Trust in your journey, let wisdom unfold, Be your own teacher, be brave, be bold.

Lalit Shastri When will the law be enforced in Madhya Pradesh to save the commoners from the menace of unauthorised and reckless use of hooters on roads. Also the immunity with which many four wheelers are being driven with high-beam headlights and nothing is being done to control this problem either by the traffic police or any citizens' forum that claims to spread road safety awareness. Another problem is two-wheelers, e-rickshaws, autos and loaders, invariably being driven with the blinding halogen headlights . The use of high-beam is regulated by the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The rules clearly spell out the dos and don'ts of using high-beam headlights in India - High-beam headlights should only be used when driving on a dark or poorly lit road and if no other vehicles are approaching. I have observed much to my discomfiture and frustration that the drivers, most often than not those driving government vehicles (with their bosses seated behind) or the spoilt bra...

  Media Watch How the right thinking Indians and society leaders have reacted to a news item published by Times of India "Panchsheel, theoretically was rooted to an idealistic plane but was entirely disconnected with ground reality...expansionist China under Xi has no face to talk of Panchsheel..." "They stabbed Nehru and now they praise his policy." "Same forked tongue in an attempt to get our guard down again. But the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah-S Jaishankar triumvirate is not biting. Wonder why TOI even ran this.   "Bet Indian National Congress will go to town with this and push for better relations with peoples Republic of China - traitors all." "These media morons, who lack even basic appreciation of national interest, security, global politics and enemy's strategy, should be exposed in larger national interest."

  Lalit Shastri Watch this video. It is ultimate warning for all... It's a matter of survival of the human species that would be on the verge of extinction if we don't mend our ways. Hats off to this gentleman for his devotion and commitment to the larger cause of successive generations. His message to politicians and law makers is loud and clear. Citizens' responsibility..."each one plant one" is fine. For the gullible and less informed, it could be a solution but for me the slogan is only a mirage...solution won't come from the deprived millions still living in abject poverty but those empowered by the society. They will have to act now. I would like to caution everybody against big talk and diversionary tactics that's become the norm. Unless those entrusted with the responsibility and job of enforcement, those who make policies and are supposed to implement them, all those who enjoy the protection of the Constitution and progressively expanding perks of...

  Chargesheeted terrorists accused of setting up sleeper cells and fabricating IEDs  In a major step towards demolishing the ISIS anti-India module network, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 13 June chargesheeted seven accused involved in the Bellary IS module case.  The seven accused, arrested earlier by NIA, have been charged with recruitment and radicalization of vulnerable youth as mujahideens to operate as terrorist sleeper cells.  They were part of a bigger ISIS conspiracy to prepare 50 such sleeper cells in each district of India by 2025.  The accused were also involved in the fabrication of explosives for furtherance of the ISIS goal to establish the Caliphate System in India by waging jihad against the Government of India.  The men, who were actively engaged in propagating the ISIS ideology, have been chargesheeted under various sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act. As per the NIA investigations in the case, RC...

In the grand design of the universe, Earth stands as a unique masterpiece, teeming with life in its most intricate forms. This planet was designed with an ethos of interdependence and coexistence, offering humanity a bountiful and harmonious environment to thrive in. This exquisite ecosystem was intended to be a perpetual gift, contingent on humanity's respect for Nature's balance. Regrettably, humanity's quest for dominance has disrupted this delicate equilibrium. Motivated by greed and self-interest, humans have altered their surroundings, triggering rapid environmental changes that have propelled us towards a global crisis. In the creation of the bees, a perfect companion was made in flowers, resulting in the sweet nectar we cherish. Similarly, the survival of plants is deeply interconnected with insects, birds, and animals. All these life forms, thriving under the sun, benefit from a carefully orchestrated cycle of seasons and the intricate process of regeneration. The ...

Geromic George, IAS, the DC of Thiruvananthapuram, had a toenail infection. He called the District Medical Officer and asked for treatment at his residence. An assistant surgeon from the General Hospital left his 200+ OPD and went to attend to the DC's 'emergency,' where he had to wait for half an hour before he could attend to the honorable DC, as the latter was busy. Do not miss the trailing comments on this incisive tweet....to feel the pulse of the people

Lalit Shastri Constitution of India, at the time of adoption in 1950, laid down the fundamental principles of equality, non-discrimination, and affirmative action in Articles 15 and 16, which allowed the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, including Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). However, the detailed mechanisms for reservation and quotas, as well as provisions for economically weaker sections, were added through subsequent amendments, reflecting the evolving needs and challenges of Indian society. So, while the foundational principles were present in the original Constitution, the specific modalities and extents of reservation were developed over time through legislative and judicial processes. Constitutional Amendments: Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951: Added Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) to enable the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward...