'Once positions are hardened and troops start building defences, it is difficult for soldiers to step back.'
'Parades and ceremonials are a part of our training and inculcated in us since the beginning of our career. It was very exciting.'
'There is dissatisfaction and disaffection for the BJP, but there is no anti-incumbency against the government in UP.'
Ambrose D'Mello, the Independent candidate from Bengaluru South, has been on maun vrat for 15 years. He does not own a house, does not wear footwear and sells books to earn a living.
'When the adversary has tasted what you can do, he is going to be more experienced in countering how the Indians think.' 'He will go back, rework and come back.'
'Throughout the nearly 20-year US-led war, State sponsorship from Pakistan has been a constant.'
'The PLA has continued to do exercises and drills and recently carried out air exercises with fighter jets.'
'Transformation of Ukraine into some kind of permanent strategic challenger, which Russia would have to contain and deter, spend a significant part of political and strategic resources on it.'
'The BJP would like to capitalise on Yogi's tough image on criminals, law and order situation, and hands-on CM.' 'Modi will be an additional advantage, but it is primarily a contest between Yogi and Akhilesh.'
India is celebrating one of its biggest festivals commemorating the victory of good over evil. In Bihar, which is in the middle of its biggest election campaign, festivities are in full swing. Archana Masih set out to capture the mood on the street of small town India and discovered some things that one no longer finds.
'India has to prepare for future warfare where kinetic use of force at the border will be limited. War will take place in the realms beyond the border.'
With his name or without, Jim Corbett continues to live on in his home in Uttarakahand's Kaladunghi and in the jungles he loved.
'If I win, my victory will shatter the belief that caste is all that matters in Bihar.'
'We've never really been in the situation of having a difficult time with the Chinese and an increasingly difficult time with the Russians along with a relationship with the Americans which is important.'
'After meeting the prime minister and Amit Shah, Yogi has come out with his position secure till the assembly election.'
'Both Hindus and Muslims should work together to construct both the masjid and mandir.'
'It indicates the grooming of the party's new leadership.' 'It is also a signal to the states that these ministers represent.'
'It is not a matter of fixing the military problem up there in the Himalayas and the retreat of the two militaries.' 'India has to find a way to correct the racist and very patronising views of India in the Chinese mind.'
'We have to keep that in mind and have plan A B C D because the trust factor with Pakistan or China is very low.'
'He too can become a good BJP worker like Rajmata and those from his family before him.'
'Political parties are following the Divide and Rule policy to break the unity of farmers.'
'Voters from the forward castes voted for JD-U because they feared Laloo Yadav's return, but since that fear is no longer there they may not see the need to vote for Nitish Kumar anymore.'
'If our troops on the frontlines were sleeping for two hours, they can perhaps now sleep for 2.5 hours because when the adversary is right in front, then you can't even blink your eyes, you have to be absolutely alert.'
An army of government staff all over India conduct the world's greatest democratic exercise. Archana Masih/Rediff.com glimpses how they do it in the pivotal Saran constituency in North Bihar.
'Imagine China pursuing its aims in Jammu and Kashmir by using Pakistani and now Afghan proxies.'
'Even if there is no full-scale war, Galwan-like skirmishes cannot be ruled out.'
'Even if the government does not implement an all-India NRC before 2024, it will be part of the party's long-term project.'
'Someone who has lost a dear one to Covid; that person is not going to forget and will not vote for the BJP.'
'All political parties have exploited the police. The current government at the Centre is blatant and unapologetic about it.'
'These ladies have sacrificed their husbands so that you can celebrate your birthday parties and anniversaries.' 'It is your moral duty to treat them right and with respect.' 'When they visit a bank or a hospital, they should not be made to stand in queue, but treated like Presidents or prime ministers.'
'China is unwilling to restore the status quo ante of April 2020.' 'India will have to weigh its options based on this premise.'
'The immediate attempt by China is to get its way and gain territory through small steps without having a full-scale war.'
'India should be adequately prepared for further Chinese mis-adventures at any time in the next few years.'
'Every bit of the parade is important. Everything that is being executed, you have to be completely in it,' says Captain Tania Shergill, the first woman adjutant at a Republic Day parade.
'He is not looking at the interest of farmers. He only wants to do the politics of elections.' 'This Budget is for the new super India. It is exploiting the villages of Bharat.'
'Different people resonated with different films of his, but beneath all of that was his unique ability to capture the human spirit in an intimate and honest way.'
'Log kehte hai desh to humne Modi ko diya hua hai, par pradesh nahi diya hai (we have given Modi the mandate to run the nation, not the state).'
'India has to ensure its borders are properly sealed and there is no infiltration from PoK.
'I don't think there is a wave in favour of the Samajwadi Party, or against the BJP.' 'This election is largely about which party is able to build a larger social and political coalition.'
'India would not like to see Pakistani domination and tutelage of Afghanistan against Indian security and economic interests.'
