His writing is characterized by a direct, unapologetic style where he explores the current concerns of society from a grounded perspective. His work covers the shifting moral, political, and security landscapes of the modern world, intended to provoke thought and dialogue
On the eve of 2026, amidst the driest spell in decades, a dreamer sat down to write a manifesto
– the desires for 2026. While fireworks on New Year’s Eve were busy scaring the clouds away,
the dreamer looked at the flipping calendar with a mix of hope and urgency. It was a manifesto
for a better society, a prayer for a year where humanity would flourish rather than just survive.
But as the initial euphoria fades and we enter February, that manifesto is already losing steam.
Here is a quick look at what was desired and how it is playing out. The sobering reality has
unfolded since.
The Environment: A Wish for Breath
The Dreamer’s Wish: A return to basics, clean air to breathe and safe water to drink. A desire
for the collective wisdom to "declutter" the environment and the soul.
The Reality: The "dry spell" continued to choke the lungs of Punjab. Even when late January
rains finally arrived, they were too little to wash away the poison. On February 1st, the AQI in
Ludhiana and Jalandhar remained in the "Severe" category. Globally, the dream of a cleaner
planet took a devastating hit on January 27th, when the U.S. officially finalized its withdrawal
from the Paris Climate Agreement. While the dreamer wished for breath, the world's most
powerful nations decided to walk away from the oxygen tank.
The social media posts continue to spew venom and hatred. The lynchings continue in
Bangladesh and closer home, in Odisha. According to reports from mid-January 2026, a 35-
year-old Muslim man named Sk Makandar Mahammad was beaten to death by a group of
alleged cow vigilantes in the Balasore district of Odisha.
Leadership: A Wish for Honesty
The Dreamer wished that leaders would lose the ability to lie, drop their cunning ways, and stop
"advertisement governance" funded by the public exchequer.
The Reality: On February 1st, the Union Budget was presented. as every year, this was touted
as the panacea of all our ills. The treasury supported and the Opposition opposed; there was no
crossing over. For the common man in Punjab, the reality was a "step-motherly" silence. Not
once was Punjab mentioned in the speech. While the dreamer wished for leaders to deliver on
campaign promises, the budget saw a reduction in urea subsidies and zero tax relief for the
middle class.
Instead of honest governance, the day was marked by a massive PR blitz of social media reels
and press meets designed to sell a "Viksit Bharat" while the ground reality for the common man
remained stagnant. The opposition continued to find faults as always and supporters sang
paeans in praise of the Budget. Meanwhile, the Rupee continues its slide while we pride
ourselves on a growing economy.
Justice: A Wish for the "True Dharma"
The Dreamer’s Wish: That a "cow cess" collected from the public would actually be used to
protect animals, and that the rule of law would be equal for all, with leaders condemning
violence rather than garlanding it.
The Reality: The truth came out in mid-January from a Chandigarh gaushala. Around 50 to 60
cattle died in a place meant to be their sanctuary. Post-mortem reports revealed their stomachs
were stuffed with plastic and polythene. We pay the cess, but the "True Dharma" is being
choked by plastic and administrative neglect.
Meanwhile, accountability for the powerful remains a legal game. Even the recent Punjab floods
have seen no enquiry or comprehensive report fixing responsibility, accountability, or a future
plan as we prepare for the next monsoon season.
Titles of Princes and Maharajas were abolished long ago along with their territories
amalgamated, but princes continue to be anointed and appointed. As I write this today, political
and religious heads continue to make a beeline at the event at Heera Palace in Nabha.
On February 1st, billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew agreed to accept legal notices from
the US SEC regarding a bribery scheme. They did so while "reserving all defenses" and buying
a 90-day delay. Some reports point to a likely payout settlement. If so, is it an admission of guilt
or a wise business decision?
The Value based Politics: An honest desire
The Dreamer’s Wish: An end to the "Divide and Rule" playbook. A desire for politics to separate
from God, and for religious processions to stay within homes or religious boundaries to respect
the shared public square.
The Reality: Just as the budget was being read, the political machinery was already moving
along caste lines. A high-profile visit to a Dera in Punjab on February 1st was a clear example of
"caste-coded" outreach. Instead of wooing the population as a whole, the focus remains on
slicing us into vote banks of Ravidassia, Dalit, and Jat ahead of the 2027 elections. Caste
politics remains at centre stage.
Global Peace: A Wish for Safety
The Dreamer’s Wish: A peaceful environment where humanity can live freely, without the fear of
bigotry or deceit.
The Reality: The last month has seen the "nightmare scenario" move closer to reality. Invasions
and threats haven't cooled down. On January 30th, the world watched as the conflict in Ukraine
escalated into a "drone war" that now threatens the security of the entire European continent.
Threats to territories as far as Greenland and Taiwan have investors and citizens on edge. The
dreamer wished for a world where we focus on honest governance; the world responded with a
"drone wall" and shifting alliances.
Conclusion
A month has passed. The opposition is opposing, the government is supporting, and the reality
of the dreamer is lost somewhere in between. The "vocal wars" in evening debates continue to
drown out the truth. History suggests grand plans stay on paper, and the first 31 days of 2026
have been no exception.
The manifesto is losing steam, but the year isn't over. We have 11 months to stop being silent
spectators to our own disappointment.