All the directive words explained quickly but conceptually. Please don't confuse it ever again.

https://youtu.be/dysBcttpyys

PS:

Giving me some thumbs down is of no use here.

I don't want to diminish the struggle of Nepali youth. They have very legitimate grievances. And they are running out of patience.

But that's not my focus. Someone wise taught us long back, "every game is a part of a bigger game." It all depends on what all your nazar can capture.

My mother always says, "जगाचा आकार केवढा? ज्याच्या त्याच्या डोक्याएवढा". (How big is the world? As big as each one’s own head. Meaning, everyone’s perception of the world is limited by their own mind.)

We cannot wish away things only because we don't like them or we can't see them or we don't understand them. Even before Newton, gravity did exist. Just that the people didn't understand it.

When I learnt reading nastaliq script back in 2006-07, I had to use balbharati school books of Urdu medium first, and then practice using Gopi Chand Narang's bi-scriptual books (English and Urdu).

There was no Rekhta back then. I used to follow Prof Pritchett for reading Ghalib voraciously and then sher-by-sher commentary on it by CM Naim. (Although I must say that this hard way did a create a solid foundation.)

Today, Rekhta ke initiatives have made it so easy for all of us... to learn Urdu, to read poetry and to enjoy it. Amozish ho ya poetry appreciation ho. Ya printed books ho.

And see this innovative musical video. First word in Roman and second in Nastaliq. Such an attractive way to get hooked...

I hope more and more people pick it up. Its very easy to learn. Hardly takes two weeks to understand Urdu script because we already know the Hindi grammar. And vocab keeps on expanding..

And you will cherish it for lifetime.

- Nikhil

To the youth of Nepal,

Dekh raftaar-e-inqilaab 'firaq'
Kitni ahista, aur kitni tez.

(“See how the revolution moves, Firaq— With slow elegance, yet blazing swift.”)

Nepal Parliament building on fire...🔥

Don't buy ready-made books, prepare your own notes... even the govt is incentivizing note-making now...:)

What sort of question is this? Will the tax dis-incentivize students joining coachings?

We already have 18% GST in UPSC coaching sector and we haven’t seen an impact.

For smaller coachings and informal sector at school level, it only incentivizes parallel accounting and cash economy to some extent. But it doesn't deter parents and students from joining coaching.

Do you agree?

https://youtu.be/SrSH8Y_PglE?si=nFlQuzJ1BtmSKhaa

I sometimes find this person little irritating but some other times, he has got a point.

Some of these external western indices are total fraud. And if we depend on them for self-assessment, then we are doomed.

We should judge ourselves, by ourselves, however harsh that may be.

🚨UPSC History Optional Paper-1 2025🚨

Trend Analysis & Full Paper Discussion
📅 12th September | 🕔 5 PM | 📍 Online (Zoom) & Offline at LevelUp IAS
Open for All
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/a6nz5etz

This isn’t just another discussion.
It’s the most detailed breakdown of History Optional Paper-1 you’ll get anywhere:

✅ Question-by-question analysis – what was expected, what was tricky, and how toppers would attempt it
✅ Exact approach to answers – what to write, what to avoid, how to structure
✅ Trend insights – what this paper reveals about UPSC’s evolving demand
✅ Scoring strategy – how to convert knowledge into marks

If you’re serious about History Optional, this is the must-attend session to sharpen your edge for UPSC Mains 2026

Spot on.

While the original grievances are genuine, there are some other interests involved.

Beware Nepal. Don't be stooges.

PS: Nepal ka 33% GDP is remittance based. So, it is very difficult to distinguish good vs bad, all of it is green.

The more I am reading the questions of Optional Paper I (2025), the more I am amazed at the breadth of knowledge it commands from the students. Its such a standard of quality.

There is a good balance of topics across Political/Admin themes, Economic themes and Socio-cultural aspects.

More interestingly, there are some traditional questions which need Marxist perspective. Then there are are some which focus on Revisionists perspective. And finally some even demand very basic knowledge of Art/Cultural historians perspective.

Do come tomorrow evening at 5 PM to listen to the Question-by-question insights.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/a6nz5etz

🎥 Live Orientation Session on 12th Sept – Current Affairs Pre-Cum-Mains Program 2026
📅 12th September | 🕔 11 AM |
Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/yySQhrSX6Fk?si=UVSjVyRBINunRRW_

Every year, aspirants spend endless hours on newspapers, current affairs magazines, and self-made notes, yet fail to convert them into marks. The truth? It’s not about how much you read, but how well you prepare Current Affairs for the UPSC exam.

That’s exactly what Santosh Sir’s Current Affairs Pre-cum-Mains Program delivers. With a clear, exam-focused strategy, this program transforms Current Affairs from an endless maze into your strongest scoring area.

💡 Even AIR 3 Archit Dongre (UPSC CSE 2024) trusted this program and credited it for boosting his performance in Prelims and Mains.

Here’s what you get:
✅ Exam-oriented coverage, no irrelevant content
✅ Direct integration of news with Prelims + Mains demands
✅ How to use Current Affairs in answers, with examples & guidance
✅ A guided plan that saves time & maximizes output

📅 Starts 12th September 2025
🔗 Enroll Now: https://tinyurl.com/mts6hnhx

Don’t just “read” Current Affairs. Learn how to score with it.

Gyan Bharatam Mission

Today we will have the PM address.

With the Rs 400-crore Gyan Bharatam project, the government is aiming to create an institution on the lines of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the preservation and interpretation of India’s manuscripts. “What ASI is for monuments, Gyan Bharatam will be for manuscripts,” said Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gyan-bharatam-mission-manuscript-heritage-conference-begins-tomorrow-10242257/lite/

This is communication skills...!! Minimum words, maximum content.

(Although I don't prefer to post political messages here, on this topic of stray dogs' menace and stray dog lovers' terror, I have been taking consistent public stance... and thus couldn't resist sharing this video).

https://youtube.com/shorts/-FIKgfxgxd0?si=w0eZCUFCFD_Vfany

I strongly strongly strongly recommend every History Optional student to attend this meeting.

This is a good opportunity to understand a lot of things about History Optional answer writing.

You all should attend and ask any and all the questions to him personally.

Registration link:
https://shorturl.at/MHGv3

What a presentation!

In my lecture on Classical Dance, I talk about the contribution of Rukmini devi Arundale, along with E Krishna Aiyer, and how she regenerated Bharatnatyam by sanitizing it for the sensibilities of modern urban middle class shaped by colonial and missionary criticism. We had to wait for T Balasaraswati to get back to the sensual aspect.

But I cannot dance on stage. Dance has its own charm.

What a presentation!

These are the oldest zero symbols in Bakshali Manuscript. Even the PM mentioned this manuscript yesterday in the Gyan Bharatam speech. Goosebumps to see it.

Today I visited an exhibition by Samhita project funded by MEA in Delhi. It was about history of Mathematics in India.

There were so many interesting things. I will get it posted sometime soon. Also adding them to the class notes.

It will take time to work on that. Meanwhile, this is just a glimpse for you.

Ciao
Nikhil

See you all today at 11.30

I am already very eager..