Gabbard, a former U.S. Congresswoman and the first Hindu member of the U.S. House of Representatives, opened her speech with a heartfelt greeting: “Good morning, aloha, namaste, Jai Shri Krishna.” The words, she noted, symbolized the fusion of her Hawaiian roots and Hindu-American identity. Her address came as part of a multinational tour of the Indo-Pacific, a visit strategically timed just two weeks before the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs on India and other nations.

Peace, freedom, security, and prosperity were central themes of her speech, with a recurring emphasis on uniting the people of India and the United States. Gabbard leveraged her Pacific roots in Hawaii to reinforce the message of a stronger and more prosperous Indo-Pacific. Since the previous Trump administration, the Indo-Pacific has become a focal point of U.S. foreign policy. The Indian Ocean serves as the theater for four of the world’s major maritime chokepoints, with approximately 80% of global maritime oil trade passing through these narrow passages.

She advocated for a pragmatic, realpolitik approach to world peace, one rooted in economic ties. This stance reflects the recently failed U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreements, which, if successful, would have strengthened economic relations and provided Ukraine with a natural layer of security. While Gabbard did not explicitly reference any specific country or conflict, she stressed that securing peace requires “commitment to fostering cultural and economic ties that reduce the likelihood of an escalation to conflict” and “courage to engage directly with both friends and adversaries alike.”

During her address, Gabbard tackled the growing debate over America’s ‘America First’ policy, clarifying that it should not be misconstrued as ‘America Alone.’ Instead, she stressed the importance of expanding U.S.-India relations, an effort that aligns with Washington’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy. With China’s growing influence in the region, the U.S. has been working to position India as a key strategic counterweight. However, Gabbard asserted that such an alliance can only succeed if the U.S. treats India as an equal partner. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV gabbard stated “the long-time unfortunate persecution and killing and abuse of religious minorities (in Bangladesh) has been a major area of concern for the US government. The talks are just beginning between Trump’s incoming cabinet and the Bangladesh government, but this continues to remain a central focus area of concern.”

She also reaffirmed America’s commitment to strengthening security ties with India, particularly in cybersecurity, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence. Reflecting on her personal values, Gabbard shared that in both moments of triumph and adversity, she finds guidance in Lord Krishna’s teachings from the Bhagavad Gita.

Gabbard’s visit also included a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 18, during which Modi presented her with a ceremonial vase filled with water from the Mahakumbh, a gesture underscoring India’s appreciation for her long standing support of U.S.-India ties.

As Gabbard continues her Indo-Pacific tour, her remarks at the Raisina Dialogue highlight a future in which U.S.-India relations evolve beyond transactional diplomacy, paving the way for a deeper strategic and cultural partnership.

In this documentary we explore the tale of two rivers, Sabarmati and Yamuna both are lifelines of their respective cities, yet they stand as stark opposites. Life resides on the banks of both the rivers but people of Yamuna breathe poison while Sabarmati riverfront Ahmedabad provides a haven for leisure, economic activities, and community life.

The Sabarmati Riverfront showcases a governance model that marries urbanization with environmental preservation. Often mistaken as the capital of Gujarat, Ahmedabad stands as a stellar example of city planning and sustainable development. For decades, the Sabarmati was a neglected and polluted river. However, the Gujarat government decided to turn the tide.

It decided to use the 100 crore amount from the River conservation program to clean the Sabarmati. It installed pumping stations and sewage treatment plant. This gave the people of Gujarat hope. Soon the Sabarmati riverfront development project was passed and a special purpose vehicle called the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation limited. The river was on its way for a makeover. Soon strategies for flood protection, bank protection, and river training were formulated. On both the banks of the river diaphragm walls were built to sustain floods and the project can sustain levels of 4.75 lac cusecs without spillage into the city.

In stark contrast, the Yamuna, personified as the goddess Yami, remains murky, toxic, and heavily polluted. It supplies 70% of Delhi’s water, yet the 22-kilometer urban stretch between the Wazirabad Barrage and Okhla Barrage—just 2% of its total length—accounts for nearly 80% of the river’s pollution. Every winter, the Yamuna is blanketed in toxic froth, mockingly referred to as the “famous bubble bath” provided by the Delhi government.

Crores of rupees have been invested in cleaning the Yamuna, involving Japan international banks, various plans, and strategies, yet the efforts appear to yield no significant results. The Government of Japan provided loan assistance for implementation of YAP in December-1990. YAP was formally launched in 1993, now called as YAP phase I. The total cost of YAP I along with the additional package was INR 7.32 billion between 1993 and 2003. Subsequently, under YAP II, INR 6.24 billion was allocated between 2004 and 2011, but the project failed to meet its deadlines. In 2019, YAP III was launched as part of the Namami Gange project. Nearly INR 6,856.91 crore was spent over five years, from 2017-21.  In 2023, the Delhi government allocated an additional INR1,028 crore for cleaning the Yamuna, bringing the total to INR 3,139 crore. The Delhi government had received a fund of INR 618.50 crore under the Yamuna Action Plan III from the Central government and had spent around INR 687 crore for cleaning the Yamuna. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in December 2018 released a sum of INR 2,361.08 crore to the Delhi government for 11 projects for cleaning the Yamuna.

The mathematics of the Sabarmati Riverfront development project is fairly simple and it isn’t merely about the beautification of the river. It is planned to sustain business, economics, people-centric activities, and further development of the city. The project was planned to self-finance. Its success lies behind the transparent approach of the government and SRFDL. Revenue of around INR 450 crore was generated from the sale of reclaimed land. This covered the initial 5 yea₹ of projected construction cost of INR 361 crore. The initial phase, which opened in August 2012, had a cost of INR 1,400 crore (US$160 million) as of November 2019. The second phase, covering 5.5 km on both banks, was approved in 2020 with an initial budget of INR 850 crore. The plan is to extend this to the capital Gandhinagar—26.65 km in multiple phases over the next 15 years.

Gujarat Model made Narendra Modi the 14^th Prime minister of India and he has been the prime minister for three consecutive terms. It is a hard to digest pill for many politicians. It truly separates politics from governance and has made Gujarat one of most liveable cities of India. Sabarmati Riverfront development project is an important and beautiful part of the same model. This project is unique because it truly socialized a river, a historic river, which through decades of neglect and decay, had become a pathetic caricature of a river. It is high time that Delhi government learns the difference between politics and governance and utilise money being pumped into the Yamuna river.

In contrast, the Sabarmati Riverfront Project was strategically planned to be self-financing. Revenue of INR 450 crore was generated from the sale of reclaimed land, covering the initial five years of construction costs (INR 361 crore). The first phase, inaugurated in 2012, cost INR 1,400 crore. The second phase, approved in 2020, had an initial budget of INR 850 crore and aimed to extend the riverfront by 5.5 km. Future plans include extending the project to Gandhinagar—26.65 km in multiple phases over 15 years.

The Sabarmati Riverfront epitomizes the Gujarat Model of governance, which separates politics from administration. This model catapulted Narendra Modi to the position of India’s 14th Prime Minister, a role he has held for three consecutive terms. While critics may find this difficult to accept, the Gujarat Model’s focus on transparent governance and sustainable urban development has made Ahmedabad one of India’s most livable cities.

The Sabarmati Riverfront Project exemplifies how a neglected river was revitalized into a thriving social and economic hub. It is high time the Delhi government draws lessons from this approach, moving beyond political rhetoric to effectively utilize the resources allocated for the Yamuna. Clean rivers are not just a matter of infrastructure but a reflection of governance that prioritizes people over politics.

However, that is a distant dream. These people find themselves in a vicious circle of selective development – always on the edge of losing it all. They make the Eighty Percent – and for them escaping the vicious circle is a generational challenge.

After the success of Borrowed Dreams: The Canadian Experience in 2023, Insight Media has worked on a docu-series called the Eighty Percent, presenting its first part Ashamed of My Capital in 2024. The national capital is the pinnacle as the administrative, political, and cultural nerve center of a country. The national capital’s infrastructure, institutions, and global connectivity play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s development trajectory and projecting its influence on the world stage. One of New Delhi’s major institutions is its MCD dumpsites or rather its mountains of trash, an infrastructure like none. Our team decided to investigate one of these institutions and arrived at the Bhalswa landfill in Rajiv Nagar of north Delhi. 

Our documentary reflects upon the life of the people living around the Bhalswa MCD dumping site. It exposes the hardship and struggle people of Bhalswa are subjected to and have no control over. A skyline of eagles along with a rancid stench welcomed us at the hill. A local resident, Mohammad Ali recalls how their morning routine is no less than war being fought on the border. He states “We all are daily wage labourers not Beaurocrat. We have to wake up early in the morning, fill water from the tankers, get ready, drop our kids to school and also somehow reach our work at 9:00 every morning. It is not less than any war being fought on the border”. Another resident of the Bhalswa settlement talks about how the dumping site has taken away his prime years. For Ishak Ali breathing has become cumbersome to the point where he cannot walk two steps without losing his energy. A mother of a 10 month old baby shared about how she had to leave her child with her relatives as the fires, smoke, and leachate were making it impossible for her baby to stay with the mother.

The Julaha are the invisible layer of life separating the world from the hill of trash. This   community is recognised as a scheduled caste under the Indian constitution and majority of them are rag pickers and people that work on the garbage hill. We got to know about their story hidden from the world, never part of the mainstream news, buried underneath the hill of trash. They are subjugated to methane which causes neurological disorder, cognitive impairment, and acute respiratory disorder. All of these lead to serious growth and development stunting in future generations, making sure leaving the vicious cycle of poverty and lack of social mobility is unfeasible. 

The Bhalswa landfill is an un-engineered site lacking necessary technology to prevent the environment from degradation. Moreover, the landfill exceeds the limit of 20 meters of height for un-engineered landfills. Without the essential technology all that accumulates at the hill finds its way in the groundwater and the nearby water body. We decided to test the MCD water that is supplied by the Delhi government to the people living near the Bhalswa settlement, water that is claimed to be fit for drinking. The water sample was given to the Shree Ram Food and Pharma research centre to test for quality of drinking water.                                                                                        

The report revealed the water to be infested with high levels of calcium, magnesium, and total dissolved solids (TDS). These can cause health issues like kidney stones if consumed regularly.  The presence of coliform bacteria, commonly found in sewage and waste, suggests serious microbial contamination. This makes the water unsafe and poses risks of waterborne diseases. High levels of heavy metals and hardness can damage kidneys, liver, and bones over time. This report was shared with Dr. Sandihya Bhargava, a public health expert. He relayed his views as “Heavy metals can cause severe damage to the liver, skin, it’s also carcinogenic in nature and coliform bacteria particularly can also result in severe diarrhea, which is also one of the leading causes of undefined mortality across India. Root cause, there are, uh, many root causes of it. First and foremost is industrial affluence going in the water bodies, then human waste going into water bodies, improper water disposal plant, and excess, at times, uh, to reduce the amount of, uh, bacteria or pollutants in the water. The government uses chlorine, they put chlorine into the water and at times is, uh, filled excessively.” To watch the documentary and doctor’s analysis find the link here.

The eagles circling above Bhalswa seem to symbolize the grim reality of its residents—waiting to claim the remains of their dreams, aspirations, and, eventually, their lives. The rancid stench is a metaphor for the false promises made to these people, promises as toxic as the environment they endure.

Insight Media’s Ashamed of My Capital sheds light on the plight of Bhalswa’s residents and the systemic neglect they face. To watch the full documentary and Dr. Bhargava’s analysis, click here.

The story of Bhalswa is not just about a landfill; it is a mirror reflecting the failures of urban development, governance, and humanity itself.