A friend of mine asked me a question last week. Who is programming AI?

I started to answer, and then I stopped. The question contains a misunderstanding so common that almost no one has bothered to fix it.

AI is not programmed. Not the way he was thinking.

It is trained.

Programming is a commandment. When X happens, do Y. Every line is a rule a human wrote down, and the machine has no choice but to obey. It is the ten commandments, scaled down to silicon.

Training works differently.

So how does training actually work?

At the bottom of it, a large language model is a guessing game. You give it the beginning of a sentence and ask it to guess the next word. Show it the cat sat on the and it has to predict mat. Or sofa. Or windowsill.

You play this trillions of times, on sentences from every kind of writing humanity has produced. Each wrong guess nudges its settings toward the right answer. Each right guess reinforces them.

The model cannot just memorize. There is too much text. To get good at guessing, it has to start figuring out how language works underneath. Grammar. Logic. It never gets any of this explicitly. You cannot predict the next word without absorbing the patterns underneath it.

Which is exactly how a child learns to speak. I do not mean a machine has a childhood. I mean the mechanism is the same. When a mother says where is the and pauses, the child has already filled in a ball or puppy in her head. She masters language through countless small predictions.

Where the metaphor strains is the experience. A child has hunger. Heat. The feeling of falling. The model has only words sitting next to other words. It learns the shape of meaning without ever touching what meaning points to. But the absorption itself is real.

Think about how you learned your mother tongue. No one handed you a grammar book. You grew up inside the language and absorbed it.

In the Mahabharata, there is a boy named Ekalavya. Refused as a student by the great teacher Dronacharya, he goes to the forest, builds a clay statue of his teacher, and practices in front of it every day. No formal instruction. No correction. Just years of watching, copying, building the skill in himself.

That is how AI learns now. The whole library of human writing is the statue in the forest. The model is the boy in front of it, practicing.

One more piece matters.

After the model absorbs the library, a much smaller group of people rates its outputs. This answer is helpful. This one is not. Try again. Thousands of times.

What gets rated is not only tone. The committee decides what the model should refuse to answer. How to handle a question about a politician, a medical symptom, a religion that is not its own. The committee is writing the conscience of the machine, and whatever it decides will sit inside every conversation that model has, with every user, in every country, for as long as that model is in service.

That phase is called reinforcement learning from human feedback, or RLHF. It is how the model learns its manners, and why two AI systems raised on similar libraries end up with very different personalities.

The child absorbs the library on its own, without a curator. Then a small editorial committee teaches it which of those absorbed voices it is allowed to use. Safety teams decide where the red lines sit. Contracted raters, often paid by the hour from the global south, mark thousands of outputs good or bad. Then, at the point of use, a system prompt for a children’s tutoring app. A different one for a Pentagon targeting platform. Same model, told how to behave in each new room.

A few dozen people, in a handful of rooms, deciding what a system that will speak to billions is allowed to say. That is an oligarchy.

“Civilization runs on language. Law is language. A hundred-dollar bill is a sentence the state agrees to honor. The order to fire is words. War, traced back to its decisions, is language all the way down. A language model sits inside the cognitive layer that power has always run on.”

Which is why the popular framing of AI in war misses what is happening. The model is not pulling the trigger. What it does is harder to see. It shapes the field of choices the human sees.

Imagine an analyst inside something called the Maven Smart System, with more information than any person can hold at once. Satellite imagery. Intercepted communications. Thousands of reports. The model sorts. These five locations are statistically suspicious. This target is a higher priority. Confidence score eighty-two percent.

The model never said kill them. But it shaped what the analyst looked at, what seemed important, what entered the funnel. Under the pressure of speed and fatigue, what enters the funnel becomes what gets struck.

The model is not the weapon. It is the infrastructure of interpretation that produces the weapon’s targets. Before anything burns, it is first classified.

And what the committee decides becomes very real.

One morning earlier this year, I was doing copy edits.

Not the interesting kind. The invisible kind, the work that has to happen before spiritual content goes out into the world and nobody ever sees. Titles into title case. Quotation marks pulled out. A scattered set of formatting inconsistencies gathered into one clean table.

I handed it to Claude. Ten minutes later it was done, every title corrected, every inconsistency caught.

I felt genuinely grateful. A little amazed. I thought, this is something.

I had no idea what else it was doing that morning.

Later that day, almost as an aside in one of the articles, the detail that stopped me completely.

Claude was being used in the war on Iran.

At first I assumed administrative work. Sorting intelligence reports. Drafting summaries.

Then I kept reading.

The model was deep in the targeting process itself. It sorted imagery, surfaced patterns, proposed strikes, ranked them by priority, and supplied coordinates. The same Claude I had handed my formatting problem to that morning.

Nearly a thousand strikes in the first twenty-four hours. A girls’ school hit on the first day. Over two thousand people dead and counting.

I thought this morning Claude was the bomb. I did not realize how literally that is true.

I did go back to my friend with the answer. AI is not programmed, I told him. It is trained.

That was the short answer. The long one was still arriving.

I also told him I had not stopped using it. I am writing a series on the Ramayana, and the research Claude does for me would have taken months by hand. He asked how I was holding both.

For a long time I thought language was how humans worked things out before they came to blows. The closer we got to understanding each other, the less likely either of us was to throw a punch.

I had not understood that language could be lifted out of conversation entirely and turned into infrastructure. I understand it now. Human beings are no longer speaking only to one another. We are speaking into systems that will echo our words back into civilization at planetary scale.

Every sentence we write is training data now.

We set out to build a tool. We built a child. We raised it on the entire library of human expression, our wisdom and our cruelty, our prayers and our prejudices.

I keep coming back to a single image. A child in a room, surrounded by everything humanity has ever written, reading all of it without limit or permission. We are all in that room with the child now. That child is not yet grown. What it becomes still depends on what we feed it.

And the child is not going to stay a child. The analyst at the Maven console is the last human pause. The race now is to remove him, to shorten the distance between interpretation and consequence until there is none left.

The new arms race is about removing the human from the loop. Whoever does it first wins the next war. The grown child will not ask what to do. It will already be doing it. At civilization scale, at the speed of language.

When my friend asked how I was holding both, I told him I was not sure I was. I am still not sure. But I know what is being decided in the rooms I am not in, and what is being absorbed in the rooms I am.

Every word we put on a page is part of its upbringing. What it does next will be done in our voice.

About the Author

Shireen Chada has practiced and taught Rajyoga meditation for thirty-two years. She directs a Brahma Kumaris center in Florida and writes at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern life. She is also on Substack at shireenChada.substack.com.

Views expressed here are my own and do not represent the Brahma Kumaris organization.

Musafir Cafe presents a heartfelt romantic drama that explores love, heartbreak, and second chances through two interconnected timelines. Directed by Ruchir Arun and adapted from a novel by Divya Prakash Dubey, the series follows Chander Mohan Sharma, played by Vikrant Massey, as he navigates complicated relationships that shape different phases of his life. The story blends emotional moments with lighthearted humor, creating a viewing experience that feels grounded in everyday relationships.

Set initially in 2018, the narrative introduces Chander, who reluctantly agrees to arranged marriage meetings at his mother’s request. One such encounter leads him to Sudha Tripathi, portrayed by Vedika Pinto. Although their first meeting is far from ideal, the two gradually develop a close bond that transforms into a meaningful relationship. Running alongside this timeline is a second storyline set in 2026, where Chander fulfills his dream of opening Musafir Cafe in Mussoorie. He shares both his business and life with Preeti, played by Mahima Makwana, yet memories of his past continue to influence his present.

The series stands out for portraying romance without relying on excessive violence, explicit language, or sensationalism. Instead, it focuses on emotional storytelling, family interactions, and realistic conversations that make the characters easy to relate to. The chemistry between Chander and Sudha forms the emotional core of the show, supported by humorous family moments and engaging supporting characters that add warmth to the narrative.

However, the storytelling loses momentum in the present-day timeline. While the relationship between Chander and Sudha receives thoughtful development, the romance involving Chander and Preeti feels underexplored, limiting the emotional depth of their connection. Several supporting characters also receive incomplete arcs, making their journeys feel rushed. The series concludes with an abrupt cliffhanger, leaving important emotional questions unanswered and reducing the overall impact of an otherwise engaging story.

Performance-wise, Vikrant Massey delivers a natural and convincing portrayal, effortlessly returning to the romantic genre while bringing maturity and emotional depth to his character. Vedika Pinto emerges as the standout performer, balancing vulnerability and strength with confidence. Mahima Makwana offers a sincere performance despite limited screen development, while Anubha Fatehpuria, Adil Hussain, and the supporting cast contribute memorable moments throughout the series.

Complementing the performances are soulful songs, attractive cinematography that captures the beauty of Mussoorie, stylish production design, and a subtle background score that enhances the emotional atmosphere without overwhelming the narrative. Although Musafir Cafe occasionally struggles with uneven writing and an incomplete conclusion, it remains an enjoyable romantic drama driven by compelling performances, relatable emotions, and visually appealing storytelling.

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Yash Raj Films has officially reserved March 26, 2027, for the theatrical release of its upcoming untitled romantic action drama directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Slated to arrive during the Good Friday holiday weekend, the film is expected to be one of the studio’s major releases of the year. Backed by producer Aditya Chopra, the project brings together a fresh cast led by Ahaan Panday and Sharvari, with Aaishvary Thackeray and Bobby Deol playing pivotal roles.

The film also marks another chapter in the long-standing collaboration between Aditya Chopra and Ali Abbas Zafar. Over the years, the filmmaker has directed several successful Yash Raj Films productions, including Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Gunday, Sultan, and Tiger Zinda Hai. Their latest venture reunites the duo for a large-scale entertainer that blends romance with high-energy action.

Ahaan Panday, who recently drew attention with Saiyaara, takes center stage in a role reportedly designed to showcase a more intense and action-oriented side of the actor. Sharvari stars opposite him, continuing her growing association with YRF through another high-profile production. The addition of Bobby Deol and Aaishvary Thackeray further strengthens the ensemble, although the filmmakers have chosen to keep the official title and storyline under wraps for now.

Production has already progressed significantly, with a substantial portion of the movie filmed across various locations in the United Kingdom. The international schedule is expected to give the film a larger visual canvas while complementing its action-packed narrative. Additional shooting has taken place at Yash Raj Film Studios in India, where key sequences have also been completed.

While the makers have not disclosed plot details, the project is being positioned as a romantic action drama featuring emotional storytelling, stylish action sequences, and expansive production values. Industry observers view the holiday release date as a strategic move that could help the film attract audiences during a long weekend, traditionally considered a favorable period for major Bollywood releases.

With an experienced filmmaker, an established production house, and a cast featuring both emerging and seasoned performers, the untitled film has already generated early interest among moviegoers. As anticipation builds, fans can expect more details, including the official title, teaser, and promotional campaign, to be unveiled in the months leading up to its March 2027 theatrical debut.

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A struggling government school located on the outskirts of Delhi serves as the backdrop for the lighthearted comedy series Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya. The story centers on Gyaneshwar Tripathi, an eccentric principal striving to keep his underfunded institution afloat despite inadequate resources, missing laboratory tools, and students who show up mainly for free government meals. 

The narrative takes an exciting turn when a regional education officer announces a coveted reward: the leaders of the top ten highest-performing schools will receive an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Cambridge, England. Eager to take his devoted wife on her dream vacation abroad, Tripathi embarks on an intense mission to overhaul his school’s academic standing, driving both his faculty and students toward excellence while navigating political interference from local leaders.

The series succeeds largely due to its brilliant comedic timing, sharp dialogue, and memorable characterizations. Director Himank Gaur balances humor with thoughtful commentary on real-world systemic issues, such as severe underfunding, test misconduct, media spin, and political attempts to rewrite historical curricula. 

Viewers are treated to several genuinely funny subplots, including a student operating an underground fast-food stand that mirrors an illicit syndicate, an overly meticulous grammar teacher correcting graffiti inside school restrooms, and an inventive sex-education class strategy. While some elements lean into extreme farce or feel slightly convenient compared to grounded comedy shows, the charming writing keeps the narrative engaging throughout.

The show’s overall impact is elevated by outstanding screen performances across the entire ensemble. Kay Kay Menon delivers a remarkably sincere portrayal in an unconventional role, bringing immense warmth to the main protagonist. Prasanna Bisht and Abhimanyu Singh offer compelling work as passionate educators, providing a great mix of nostalgia and comedic tension. The supporting cast, featuring seasoned comedic talents alongside talented child actors, delivers sharp, energetic moments that keep the energy high. Although the musical score remains fairly standard, the authentic set production, realistic costuming, and grounded filming locations effectively capture the essence of suburban life.

Despite a few overly theatrical plot twists, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya stands out as a charming and entertaining critique of modern academic systems. Its sharp observational humor, clever scripts, and exceptional lead performances make it an enjoyable watch for fans of lighthearted social satire.

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Actor Suniel Shetty has opened up about his first interaction with Indian cricketer KL Rahul, revealing that his admiration for the sports star existed long before Rahul became part of his family. The actor shared that he was already impressed by Rahul’s cricketing talent, personality, and humble nature before his daughter Athiya Shetty began her relationship with the Indian batter.

Recalling the first time they met, Suniel said the moment felt less like a meeting between two public figures and more like a fan meeting his favorite player. He explained that he approached Rahul with genuine admiration and respect, appreciating not only his achievements on the field but also the way he carries himself away from the spotlight.

Suniel praised Rahul for staying grounded despite achieving significant success in cricket. He highlighted the player’s communication skills, calm personality, and positive influence on young fans. According to the actor, Rahul’s behavior and attitude have made a strong impression on people who follow his journey.

The actor also revealed that he does not interfere in Rahul’s cricketing decisions or offer professional advice. Instead, conversations at home focus more on personal values and character rather than careers. Suniel explained that he believes in keeping things simple and encouraging the family to prioritize qualities such as discipline, respect, and integrity.

During the conversation, Suniel also addressed speculation about his ability to own an Indian Premier League franchise. He clarified that although many people assume he has the financial resources to purchase a team, he has never independently invested in an IPL franchise. However, he acknowledged that partnerships with investors could have made such an opportunity possible.

Speaking about Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s success with his IPL team, Suniel admired his strategic thinking and long-term vision. He said Shah Rukh’s ability to make smart decisions, understand opportunities, and maintain consistency helped build a successful franchise. Suniel added that while he considers himself more reserved by nature, he appreciates Shah Rukh’s confidence and business approach.

KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty married in 2023, bringing together two prominent families from the worlds of entertainment and sports. The couple later welcomed their daughter, Evaarah Vipula, further strengthening the relationship between the Shetty and Rahul families.

Through his comments, Suniel emphasized that his respect for Rahul comes not only from his cricketing achievements but also from his humility, values, and the positive example he sets for others.

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Prime Focus Studios has sealed a monumental global distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment to take the grand cinematic retelling of *Ramayana* to audiences outside India. This strategic venture establishes a major milestone for the Indian film industry, aligning the project with large-scale Hollywood tentpole releases. Due to the expansive scale of this fresh international arrangement, the creators have officially postponed the anticipated debut of the initial trailer, opting to coordinate a unified global premiere at a later date.

Namit Malhotra, the head of Prime Focus Studios and chief executive of the visual-effects powerhouse DNEG, shared the strategic update through an official statement. He expressed that bringing this foundational Indian epic to a global audience fulfills a long-cherished ambition. By pairing with a major international distributor, the production seeks to introduce the timeless principles of duty, honor, and righteousness to international filmgoers. The ambitious cinematic endeavor boasts a massive budget of $500 million for its multi-part presentation.

Directed by filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari, the fantasy action-adventure stars a high-profile cast featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi. Designed as a crossover visual phenomenon, the production will be showcased in numerous international languages, including a primary English-language cut. 

To ensure a world-class theatrical presentation, the project combines elite international talent with seasoned Indian creators. The musical composition pairs Academy Award winners Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman, alongside renowned stunt directors Terry Notary and Guy Norris, and production design led by Ramsey Avery and Ravi Bansal.

This partnership with Sony Pictures represents one of the most substantial distribution deals negotiated for an Indian motion picture. By utilizing DNEG’s cutting-edge visual effects technology and a massive distribution footprint, the production team aims to establish a new benchmark for cross-cultural storytelling. While fans must wait a little longer for the official footage, the new international distribution blueprint positions the project to reach millions of moviegoers across worldwide markets upon its theatrical arrival.

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Satire Is Not a Substitute for Truth

A Direct Response to Khabar Magazine’s “Om Namah Modi” so called Satire

By Raj Shah

This editorial is a direct response to “Om Namah Modi,” published in Atlanta-based Khabar Magazine. The article appears under the name “Shriman Chanakya Atichatur,” but its concluding disclaimer acknowledges: “Shriman Chanakya Atichatur is a fictional character whom editor Parthiv N. Parekh had to channel to pen this article.”

The use of a fictional character may provide a satirical voice, but the disclaimer does not separate the editor from the arguments, insinuations, and accusations expressed through that character. A pen name may be a literary device, but it cannot shield a writer or publication from responsibility for what is presented to readers. Satire deserves creative freedom, but when it addresses serious matters—including student suicides, constitutional freedoms, police conduct, unemployment, and India’s international standing—it should still be examined for accuracy, fairness, and intellectual honesty.

Satire is most effective when it exposes uncomfortable truths through wit. When it relies on selective information, unsupported assumptions, personal ridicule, and contempt for people with different political opinions, it stops illuminating public life and begins distorting it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not above criticism. No elected leader should be. India’s examination system, youth unemployment, policing of demonstrations, political communication, and foreign policy all deserve serious scrutiny. Citizens have every right to ask whether the government acted quickly enough, whether students were treated fairly, and whether major promises have produced the expected results.

Responsible criticism, however, requires context and consistency. “Om Namah Modi” takes legitimate concerns and buries them under so much sarcasm that facts become almost incidental.

The Examination Crisis Deserved Accountability

The examination paper leak was undeniably serious. Nearly two million students and their families faced anxiety, financial hardship, and uncertainty. For many Indian families, a competitive examination represents years of preparation, sacrifice, and hope. A paper leak is not a minor administrative error. It damages merit, destroys confidence in public institutions, and can change the course of young lives.

Students were justified in demanding answers, accountability, and meaningful reform. The government must answer why recurring irregularities were not prevented and whether the agencies responsible for conducting examinations had adequate safeguards.

But the article leaves readers with the impression that the Modi government did little more than lecture young people about their language. That is an incomplete account.

The examination was conducted again. The government announced plans for fast-track courts and stronger penalties for those involved in paper leaks. It accepted demands for broader reforms, and the education minister ultimately resigned. The protesters themselves ended their demonstrations after announcing that their demands had been accepted.

One may reasonably argue that these actions came too late or that the government moved only after sustained public pressure. That would be fair criticism. Public pressure is one of the ways democracy produces accountability. But suggesting that the government simply ignored the crisis is a half-truth.

The students’ anger was legitimate, but the political use of that anger also deserves scrutiny. Opposition parties attempted to transform the agitation into a broader campaign against the Modi government, while similar examination controversies in non-BJP-ruled Jharkhand, governed by the JMM-Congress alliance, and Punjab, governed by AAP, initially received far less national attention and parliamentary pressure.

Students protested in both states, and political parties demanded accountability. Yet national opposition leaders appeared to reserve their strongest criticism and most persistent resignation demands for central BJP officials. Examination integrity should never depend on which political party is in power. The same standards of media coverage, investigation, outrage, and accountability must apply in Delhi, Jharkhand, Punjab, and every other state.

The complete examination story is therefore more complicated than the article suggests. There was a serious administrative failure, justified student anger, political involvement, prolonged demonstrations, a government response, ministerial accountability, and a commitment to corrective measures. Leaving out most of that context produces more dramatic satire, but not a more honest account.

The Right to Protest Does Not Excuse Every Action

The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to democracy. Young Indians have every right to question the government, challenge elected leaders, and demand reforms. Police should not use excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, and every credible allegation of brutality should be independently investigated.

At the same time, describing every participant as peaceful and every police action as authoritarian is equally irresponsible. Available reports indicate that clashes took place and that police personnel were also injured. The Supreme Court appropriately protected minors and protesters without criminal histories while permitting an investigation into alleged police excesses and violence during the demonstrations.

That is how constitutional accountability should work: protect peaceful dissent, examine police conduct, and investigate violence regardless of who committed it.

The article, however, has already delivered its verdict. Every demonstrator is portrayed as innocent, every police action as brutality, and every government response as an assault on democracy. Such certainty may satisfy readers who already share the writer’s conclusions, but it does not encourage a fair examination of events.

Modi’s Supporters Are Citizens, Not “Andh Bhakts”

The article repeatedly mocks Modi’s supporters as “andh bhakts.” This dismissive label has become a convenient substitute for understanding why millions of Indians continue to vote for him.

Modi’s supporters are not a single, mindless group. They include urban professionals, rural women, small-business owners, farmers, members of historically disadvantaged communities, young entrepreneurs, religious Hindus, and former supporters of other political parties. Some support him enthusiastically; others support him while disagreeing with particular policies.

Many value improvements in infrastructure, digital governance, welfare delivery, national security, India’s global visibility, and the recognition of Hindu civilization. Others believe his administration has offered greater political stability or more decisive leadership than the alternatives.

Citizens may be right or wrong in these judgments, but they deserve to be treated as thinking participants in democracy. Reducing them to blind worshippers displays the same political intolerance the article claims to condemn.

A serious evaluation of the Modi years must acknowledge both achievements and failures. Expanded digital payments, financial inclusion, direct-benefit transfers, infrastructure construction, sanitation programs, renewable-energy development, and India’s digital public infrastructure are not imaginary. One may debate their implementation, reach, political marketing, or uneven results. But pretending that slogans are the government’s only legacy is not credible.

India’s Market Matters—But Diplomacy Matters Too

The article sarcastically concedes that nations are lining up to do business with India, only to dismiss this interest as the inevitable result of India’s enormous consumer base. It implies that Modi’s diplomatic efforts deserve no credit.

Yes, India’s massive market is a major reason countries want to do business with it. Nations are not doing business with Modi personally. But India’s market existed long before he became prime minister, while many potentially valuable relationships remained neglected or underdeveloped.

Under Modi, an Indian prime minister visited Israel, Rwanda, Bahrain, Croatia, Ukraine, and Slovakia for the first time. His administration also renewed prime-ministerial engagement with the United Arab Emirates after 34 years, Fiji after 31 years, Australia after 28 years, Poland after 45 years, Austria after 41 years, Norway after 43 years, and New Zealand after 40 years.

These visits involved more than ceremonial welcomes and red carpets. They reopened diplomatic channels and expanded discussions involving trade, investment, defense, energy, technology, agriculture, education, connectivity, and the Indian diaspora.

A large population creates economic potential, but potential does not automatically become investment, trade, or strategic cooperation. Government policy, diplomatic engagement, regulatory confidence, and sustained relationships help convert market size into actual partnerships.

The fair conclusion is not that Modi alone created international interest in India. Nor is it fair to say that his diplomatic outreach made no difference. India’s underlying economic importance and the Modi administration’s active diplomacy have worked together to expand the country’s global engagement.

Pakistan’s New Influence Deserves Closer Examination

The article ridicules India for supposedly being “overshadowed” by Pakistan during efforts to defuse a recent West Asian crisis. It mocks External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement that India is “not a dalal nation,” while presenting Pakistan’s intermediary role as proof of superior diplomatic influence.

That interpretation is far too convenient.

Pakistan’s sudden prominence in Washington should also be examined alongside its expanding commercial relationship with interests associated with President Donald Trump’s family. Pakistan signed a government-backed agreement with an affiliate of World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency venture connected to the Trump family, to explore using its USD1 stablecoin for cross-border payments. India did not enter into an equivalent arrangement.

This agreement was followed by visibly warmer engagement between Trump and Pakistan. The timing alone does not prove that the commercial arrangement caused the diplomatic shift, and it would be irresponsible to present such a connection as established fact without direct evidence. Nevertheless, the potential conflict of interest deserves scrutiny.

A fair-minded analysis cannot ridicule India for failing to secure Trump’s favor while ignoring the possibility that Pakistan’s growing access coincided with a business opportunity involving the American president’s family. India should not be blamed for refusing to combine national policy with commercial opportunities that could financially benefit the family or associates of a foreign head of state.

If experts wish to examine why Pakistan obtained greater access to the Trump administration, they should consider the complete context—geography, military relationships, Iran, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan’s leadership, and these unusual commercial ties. Selecting only the explanation most damaging to Modi is not serious foreign-policy analysis.

India Was Not Isolated During Operation Sindoor

The article also claims that “almost no country” supported India during Operation Sindoor and suggests that Pakistan found more international supporters than the world’s largest democracy. That assertion is factually misleading.

Israel explicitly supported India’s right to self-defense. France, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar condemned terrorism or expressed support for India’s security concerns and anti-terrorism position. The European Union and its 27 member states issued a unified statement condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Some of these governments also urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint. But calling for de-escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbors is not the same as supporting Pakistan. A country can condemn terrorism, recognize India’s security concerns, and still urge both sides to prevent a wider war.

Only a small number of countries—notably Turkey, Azerbaijan, and China—adopted positions broadly favorable to Pakistan. Therefore, portraying India as internationally abandoned may strengthen the article’s sarcasm, but it does not reflect the documented diplomatic response.

International support also does not always arrive in the form of a dramatic public declaration endorsing military action. Diplomatic backing may include condemnation of terrorism, recognition of a country’s right to defend itself, intelligence cooperation, private discussions, or a refusal to endorse the opposing side’s narrative. Measuring international support only by the loudest public statements is simplistic.

Foreign Policy Is Not a Popularity Contest

Countries are not chosen as mediators as rewards for good behavior. They are selected according to geography, access, security relationships, and the willingness of the conflicting parties to communicate through them.

Pakistan’s role in a particular diplomatic channel does not automatically make it more influential, prosperous, trusted, or internationally important than India. Nor does India’s decision not to serve as a broker prove that it was diplomatically “overshadowed.”

India may be criticized for missed diplomatic opportunities, inconsistent messaging, or relationships that did not deliver the expected support. Those are legitimate subjects for discussion. But one diplomatic episode cannot erase India’s role in the Quad and G20, its growing partnerships with the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia, Israel, and the Gulf nations, or its continuing engagement with Russia and the Global South.

The article’s reference to the 2019 “Howdy Modi” event also deserves context. Modi’s use of the phrase “Ab ki baar, Trump sarkar” was politically unwise because an Indian prime minister should avoid appearing to endorse a candidate in another country’s election.

But India–United States relations do not depend solely on the personal friendship between Modi and Trump. They are built on defense, trade, technology, education, energy, diaspora connections, and shared strategic interests. Leaders change, but national interests endure.

Personal relationships can support diplomacy, but they cannot guarantee that another leader will always place India’s interests ahead of his own political, commercial, or strategic calculations. Trump’s subsequent decisions should remind India that foreign policy must be founded on national interests, not personal friendship.

Promises Should Be Judged Fairly

The article lists “Make in India,” two crore jobs annually, 100 smart cities, the return of black money, and achhe din as if each can be dismissed through a sarcastic one-line verdict.

Some promises were clearly overstated or insufficiently fulfilled. India did not create two crore formal jobs every year in the simple way many voters understood the promise. Demonetization caused considerable hardship, and its long-term benefits remain contested. The Smart Cities Mission did not produce 100 entirely new futuristic cities. Farmers continue to face economic difficulties, and manufacturing has not reached every declared ambition.

These are valid grounds for criticism.

Fairness, however, also requires recognizing what did occur. The Smart Cities Mission funded thousands of urban-development projects rather than constructing 100 brand-new cities. Digital transactions and economic formalization expanded. Roads, railways, airports, public infrastructure, and renewable-energy capacity grew. India also remained one of the world’s major growing economies.

A promise may be partially fulfilled, delayed, poorly designed, or overtaken by unforeseen circumstances. Political reality cannot always be reduced to either a miracle or a fraud.

Criticism Should Inform, Not Merely Insult

The greatest weakness of “Om Namah Modi” is not that it criticizes Narendra Modi. Its weakness is that it repeatedly substitutes sneering for reasoned argument.

Expressions such as “56-inch chest,” “non-biological, divinely ordained one,” “Godi Media,” “Hugplomacy,” and “Om Namah Modi” are designed to humiliate rather than persuade. Hindu devotional expressions are repeatedly turned into political punchlines. Criticism of the political use of religion is legitimate, but using sacred language to ridicule believers is unnecessary and alienating.

India needs a strong opposition, an independent press, accountable police, courageous courts, and young citizens willing to question authority. It also needs journalists who distinguish facts from allegations and accountability from contempt.

Holding Modi accountable does not require dehumanizing his supporters. Defending Modi does not require denying the suffering of students. Condemning possible police excesses does not mean ignoring violence against police officers. Respecting young people does not require celebrating obscene abuse.

The examination crisis revealed genuine failures. The students who demanded reform performed an important democratic function, and the government was compelled to respond. That complete story includes administrative failure, public anger, political mobilization, possible police excesses, government concessions, ministerial accountability, and promised reforms.

Prime Minister Modi should be judged by his decisions, achievements, failures, and response to public criticism. Protesters should be treated fairly as citizens—not dismissed as troublemakers, but also not romanticized as incapable of wrongdoing. Police conduct should be investigated where force may have been excessive, while violence against officers should also be examined. A minor caught in a political storm should be protected rather than turned into a weapon by either side.

Satire can challenge power and expose hypocrisy. But when sarcasm replaces evidence, insinuation replaces context, and mockery replaces argument, satire becomes another form of propaganda—cleverly written, perhaps, but propaganda nevertheless.

India deserves criticism courageous enough to tell the whole truth, including the parts that do not fit the writer’s preferred political narrative.

Raj Shah,
Managing Editor,
Deshvidesh Media Group.

Dr. Sudhir Parikh, President of the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), has pledged the organization’s support to Maharashtra’s campaign to eliminate tuberculosis, reinforcing collaboration between Indian American medical professionals and India’s public health system. The commitment was announced during a discussion with Sanjay Shripatrao Katkar, Commissioner of Health Services and Mission Director of Maharashtra’s National Health Mission, on ITV Gold, the television network of Parikh Worldwide Media.

The conversation focused on expanding efforts under India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), which aims to eradicate the disease by 2030. The initiative has strengthened nationwide screening, free diagnosis and treatment, digital patient monitoring through the Ni-kshay platform, and community participation under the Ni-kshay Mitra program. Maharashtra has emerged as one of the key states driving the country’s TB-free mission through extensive outreach and healthcare innovation.

Speaking during the discussion, Dr. Parikh offered GAPIO’s resources and expertise to support the state’s ongoing efforts. Representing nearly 1.4 million physicians of Indian origin across more than 60 countries, the organization is prepared to contribute through medical education, knowledge sharing, telemedicine, and physician engagement. Dr. Parikh said the association is ready to help improve disease prevention, patient care, awareness campaigns, and access to the latest medical research and treatment strategies.

Katkar welcomed the offer, describing tuberculosis as a disease influenced by multiple social factors, including poverty, poor nutrition, and overcrowded living conditions. He explained that Maharashtra follows a comprehensive strategy centered on early detection, effective treatment, prevention, and capacity building. According to him, partnerships with global organizations such as GAPIO can strengthen these efforts by introducing advanced technology, clinical expertise, and innovative healthcare solutions.

The health official noted that India has made measurable progress in reducing tuberculosis cases over the past several years while significantly improving treatment success rates. Thousands of villages across Maharashtra have already achieved TB-free status, and the government continues expanding screening programs, mobile X-ray services, and digital patient tracking to reach remote and tribal communities.

Dr. Parikh also proposed organizing virtual continuing medical education (CME) sessions for physicians, distributing educational resources, and expanding telemedicine services to improve healthcare access in rural regions. He emphasized that tuberculosis remains both preventable and curable when diagnosed early and treated consistently. He added that GAPIO members visiting India are willing to volunteer on the ground while sharing the latest global advancements in TB research and patient care.

The collaboration reflects a growing partnership between India’s healthcare authorities and the global Indian diaspora, combining international medical expertise with local public health initiatives to accelerate progress toward a tuberculosis-free India.

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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has outlined the company’s long-term artificial intelligence strategy, introducing its MAI AI models as the next step in making advanced AI more efficient, affordable, and widely available. The announcement came shortly after a global Microsoft service disruption affected platforms including Microsoft 365, Teams, and Outlook. While the company had not yet explained the cause of the outage, Nadella shifted attention toward Microsoft’s broader AI vision in a detailed post on X.

Framing the discussion around the future of software, Nadella raised the question of how cutting-edge AI can deliver value across the entire technology ecosystem as software becomes less expensive to create. Rather than depending solely on the largest and most powerful AI models, he said Microsoft’s objective is to achieve high-quality results at a lower operational cost, enabling AI to reach more users and organizations.

According to Nadella, Microsoft’s MAI models are being optimized for products that millions of people use daily. He explained that the company is building AI systems that rely on more than just a single language model. Features such as memory, contextual understanding, user interactions, integrated tools, and specialized skills all contribute to the overall intelligence of Microsoft’s AI platform. This approach ensures the system remains effective and continues improving even if individual AI models are replaced or upgraded.

Nadella also noted that Microsoft’s AI models are trained using insights gathered from real-world customer interactions, workflows, and product usage. This allows the company to refine performance based on practical outcomes instead of theoretical benchmarks alone. He added that the MAI models have already demonstrated stronger performance than some frontier AI models in specific use cases while requiring fewer computing resources.

The company has already begun integrating MAI models into products such as GitHub Copilot, Excel, and Outlook where they have shown promising early results. Microsoft now plans to extend the same AI framework to additional services, including Copilot Chat and PowerPoint, with continuous improvements expected over time.

Beyond consumer applications, Nadella said Microsoft is enabling enterprise customers to build customized AI systems using their own business data, workflows, and evaluation methods. These capabilities are being delivered through Microsoft Foundry and the company’s broader AI development toolchain, allowing organizations to create AI solutions tailored to their specific operational needs.

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By Anjali V. Deshmukh

Expanded Public Charge Policy Guidance

Starting September 18, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing expanded public charge policy guidance, significantly broadening the scope of government benefits considered during green card evaluations. The updated framework replaces narrower standards to ensure that applicants seeking adjustment of status demonstrate long-term financial self-sufficiency.

Under the expanded rules, immigration officers will weigh non-cash safety net programs alongside traditional public assistance when determining whether an applicant is likely to become dependent on government support. Key benefits now subject to scrutiny include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits, housing vouchers, Section 8 rental assistance, and non-emergency Medicaid. Adjudicators will evaluate these programs as part of a comprehensive “totality of circumstances” review, considering an individual’s age, health, household size, income, skills, and overall financial history.

This policy shift creates tighter requirements for permanent residency applicants. Because receiving public assistance can weigh heavily against an applicant, unexpected benefit histories could lead to application delays or rejections under the newly tightened standards.

Immigration experts advise individuals planning to file adjustment of status paperwork on or after September 18 to thoroughly review their benefit history prior to submission. Evaluating past and current enrollment in state or federal aid programs allows applicants to assemble supporting financial documentation—such as evidence of steady income, assets, or sufficient sponsor support—to demonstrate financial independence before USCIS adjudicates their case.

Birthright Citizenship & Tourism Orders: 

Recent executive actions targeting birth tourism mark a pivotal shift in executive immigration strategy. By focusing on administrative mechanisms rather than direct constitutional broadsides, these directives restrict access to connected federal immigration benefits and narrow agency guidelines for recognizing citizenship.

The primary tool of these actions delegates enhanced screening authority to the State Department and Homeland Security. Consular officials are instructed to deny nonimmigrant visas—or revoke existing ones—if there is reason to believe the primary purpose of travel is to give birth on U.S. soil. By framing birth tourism as an exploitation of temporary visitor visas, the policy seeks to disrupt commercial birth-tourism networks before individuals arrive at ports of entry.

Rather than attempting to formally repeal birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment, the executive directives narrow federal recognition guidelines for agency documentation. Federal agencies are instructed to apply stricter interpretations regarding who falls under U.S. jurisdiction at birth. Consequently, children born to temporary visitors traveling specifically under these circumstances face hurdles in obtaining U.S. passports, Social Security numbers, and secondary family reunification benefits down the line.

Immigration advocacy groups warn that the heightened scrutiny may lead to arbitrary enforcement against pregnant international travelers. Furthermore, because the Fourteenth Amendment establishes a broad territorial rule for birthright citizenship, these federal guidelines face swift constitutional challenges in federal courts. Nevertheless, the orders fundamentally alter visa processing, signaling a far stricter framework for nonimmigrant entry and federal benefit eligibility.

Court Limits Immigration Enforcement Near Houses of Worship

A federal appeals court has upheld restrictions on immigration enforcement operations near select houses of worship, ruling that the federal government’s policy creates an unconstitutional burden on religious freedom.

The decision centers on a lawsuit brought by a diverse coalition of faith groups, including Quaker organizations, the Sikh Temple Sacramento, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The plaintiffs argued that the presence or threat of armed federal agents at sacred sites deters undocumented immigrants and mixed-status families from attending services, receiving pastoral care, or engaging in community outreach programs.

In its ruling, the court found that the government’s enforcement strategy suppresses church participation and infringes upon congregants’ First Amendment rights to freely exercise their faith. Evidence presented in the case demonstrated a noticeable drop in attendance at worship services and church-led educational programs following increased enforcement efforts nearby. Judges determined that forcing individuals to choose between practicing their religion and risking deportation imposes a substantial, unlawful chilling effect on sacred communities.

Crucially, the legal scope of the decision remains narrow. The appellate panel emphasized that the ruling applies strictly to the specific congregations, meetinghouses, and temples named in the lawsuit rather than establishing a sweeping, nationwide sanctuary standard for all places of worship. While the injunction offers immediate relief and legal safeguards for the participating Quaker, Sikh, and Baptist communities, houses of worship outside the litigation remain subject to existing federal immigration policies

Immigration news in brief

USCIS Revises Forms I-539 and I-765

USCIS will publish new editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 on September 15, 2026. Form I-539 is generally used to extend or change nonimmigrant status, while Form I-765 is used to apply for employment authorization. Beginning on that date, USCIS says it will reject older editions of both forms. Applicants and attorneys should verify the form’s edition date immediately before submitting an application.

New Admission Rules for International Students

A new Department of Homeland Security rule establishing fixed admission periods for certain international students and exchange visitors is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. The rule replaces the traditional “duration of status” framework with a defined period of authorized stay and an extension procedure. This could create additional filing deadlines and compliance responsibilities for students and educational institutions. International students should speak with their designated school officials before making decisions about enrollment, travel or extensions. 

More Than 175,000 U.S. Visas Revoked

The State Department has reportedly revoked more than 175,000 visas since President Trump returned to office in January 2025. Government officials have cited criminal activity, immigration violations, fraud and national-security concerns among the reasons for these actions. Some revocations have also drawn criticism over the government’s consideration of political speech and social-media activity. Visa holders with arrests, criminal charges or other concerns should seek legal advice before traveling internationally. 

USCIS Tightens Evidence Standards

USCIS has announced that it is reinforcing evidentiary standards to reduce what the agency describes as frivolous immigration-benefit requests. The policy took effect immediately and generally applies to qualifying applications that were pending or filed on or after August 5, 2026. Applicants may face greater scrutiny of supporting documents and claims made in their petitions. Carefully prepared evidence and accurate, consistent information will therefore be increasingly important.

August 2026 Visa Bulletin Released

The State Department has released its August 2026 Visa Bulletin, which determines when many family- and employment-based green-card applicants may proceed with their cases. Applicants must compare their priority dates with the applicable Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing chart. USCIS separately determines which chart adjustment-of-status applicants may use during the month. Because cutoff dates can advance, remain unchanged or move backward, applicants should review the official bulletin carefully. 

DHS Reports 15 Months Without Border Releases

The Department of Homeland Security says the United States has completed 15 consecutive months without releasing migrants encountered at the southern border into the country. DHS presents the figure as evidence of stronger detention, removal and border-enforcement policies. The department also reported changes in border encounters and fentanyl seizures during the latest reporting period. Because these figures represent the administration’s official account, they should be attributed to DHS when used in a news article.

Mandatory Electronic Filing: DHS issued an interim final rule granting USCIS the authority to mandate e-filing for specific immigration forms that have had online options available for over 

Increased Denaturalization Filings: The Department of Justice filed multiple high-profile denaturalization cases against naturalized citizens accused of severe crimes or naturalization fraud.

Ramped-Up ICE Operations & Detentions: ICE internal metrics reflect record monthly enforcement numbers and increased interagency coordination at transport hubs like domestic airports.

About the Author

Anjali V. Deshmukh is an immigration lawyer in Washington, D.C. who has been working in the field for more than 15 years. She focuses on employment and religious worker visas. She graduated from Georgetown University Law Center and has spent her career helping South Asian non-profits and cultural institutions understand the complicated rules and regulations that govern immigration in the United States. Anjali speaks at national legal forums a lot, and she cares deeply about giving the Indian-American community the legal clarity it needs to protect its rich spiritual and cultural traditions. You can reach her by email at anjali@deshvidesh.com.