1. FESTIVALS: Navratri,, meaning nine nights, is celebtrated during first 9 days of Aashwin shukla pakshaa ( starting Oct 8 this year ) when 9 forms of Shakti/Devi are worshipped. It is also known as Sharad Navratri as it falls in Sharad ritu.
The last 4 days of Sharad Navratri are Durga Puja in West Bengal and also in erstwhile East Bengal (Bangladesh) where decorated life-size clay idols of the Ma Durga depicting her slaying the demon Mahishasura are set up in temples and other places. They are worshipped for five days and immersed in the river.
In Gujarat, Navratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance. In Southern Bharat, people set up steps and place idols on them. This is known as golu. During Navratri, some devotees of Durga observe a fast and prayers are offered for the protection of health and prosperity.
During Navratri a pot is installed (ghatasthapana) at a sanctified place at home. A lamp is kept lit in the pot for nine days. The pot symbolizes the universe and lamp is the medium through which we worship the effulgent Adishakti. During the eight or ninth day, Kanya Poojan, pre-pubescent girls are ceremonially worshiped.
2. THAKUR RAMSINGHJI IS NO MORE: Veteran Sangh Pracharak Thakur Ramsingh passed away at Dayananda Medical College, Ludhiana on September 6. He was 96. Active as a warrior for all his life he was unwell for the last one month.
His body was kept at Madhav Sadan, the Sangh Karyalaya in Ludhiana, to enable the local swayamsevaks to pay their homage and later, he was cremated at his native village, Jhandavi.
Born on February 16, 1915 at Jhandavi village under Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh Thakur ji became a swayamsevak in 1941 while doing MA (History) from FC College Lahore. He topped the college in final year exams of MA in 1942 and got a gold medal for it. With such extraordinary talent, the college principal had then offered him the lecturer ship in the same college. Instead, he became a Sangh Pracharak politely rejecting the offer. First, he worked in the then undivided Punjab, then in Assam for 22 years and then again in Uttar Kshetra comprising of Delhi, Punjab Haryana, Himachal and J&K. Thakur Ramsingh was given the responsibility of Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojna in 1988. All his activities in Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojna were focused on knowing the real history of the country. He inspired many historians, scholars and senior workers for this objective and very shortly expanded the work in different parts of the country.
3. TRIBUTE FROM SARSANGHACHALAK SHRI MOHAN BHAGWAT: "The late Ramsinghji was the oldest Paracharak among all Sangh Pracharaks today. Till one year back, he was active like a young person. But with his death it has once again been proved that the death and birth are not in the hands of the man.
How the life should be is decided through one’s purusharth (deeds). The example of late Ramsinghji is before all of us. His courage, self-confidence, commitment to the unity and integrity of the country, hard work, simplicity, determination, etc. need to be emulated. His life is a message for all of us as to how to live a meaningful life imbibing all these qualities. Due to his lifelong tapasya and dedication he undoubtedly deserves uttam gati. Following his ideals in practical life by all of us will be the best tribute to such a great soul. I pay my humble tribute to Ramsinghji individually as well as on behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh."
4. KERALA’S FUTURE, BALAGOKULAM—DR PHILIPHOS MAR CHRYSTHOTHAM: Balagokulam recently held ‘Krishnayanam 2010’ at Thrissur, which was attended by 25,000 children from all over the globe. The highlight was ‘Bharat Darshan’, a dance based sound and light show participated by 1000 children.
Speaking at a get-together at Kulanada Devi Temple, Pandalam, after garlanding the statue of Lord Krishna, Dr Philiphos Mar Chrysthotham, the Senior Metropolitan of the Marthoma Church said practising the teachings of Lord Krishna would rescue the society from present day erosion of moral and ethical values. "Society is losing social values and running after material comforts. Man has misused, for his greed and destruction of human race, what all God had created for his good. For regaining the lost goodness, we have to love each other and understand other’s pain."
"For the first time, in my long life I am seeing children, worshipping their parents, by offering flowers at their feet. This reflects the stern efforts of Balagokulam to preserve and develop Bharatiya samskar. The future of Kerala is not in the hands of VS Atchudanandan or Oomen Chandy, but in these children growing through Balagokulam," he concluded.
Balagokulam Adhikari EM Gopalakrishnan presided over the meeting. RSS Kshetra Bauddhik Pramukh J Nandakumar delivered the keynote address. Swami Yogavruthanand of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Mutt, was the chief guest.
5. BRAHMOS TEST-FIRED CREATES WORLD RECORD: Defence scientists created a world record on September 5 by flight testing the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos off the Orissa coast. It was for the first time that a cruise missile was tested at supersonic speeds in a steep-dive mode.
The missile was test-fired from the integrated test rang launching complex-3 (LC-3) at Chandipur around 11.35 am. The missile was tested by the armed forces from a mobile autonomous launcher. A scientist, who witnessed the test, said the advanced version of BrahMos Block-II was test fired this time.
With this launch, the army's requirement for land attacks with block-II advanced seeker software with target discriminating capabilities has been fully met. This version is ready for induction.
6. "SAFFRON TERRORISM" A CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE HINDUS-BHAIYAJI JOSHI: "There are various challenges before the country today. But there are some forces which do not want it to address them effectively. Earlier, they raised the issue of ‘Hindu terrorism’ and now they come out with a quite new theory of ‘saffron terrorism’. I feel it is a ploy to divide the Hindu society as was done by the Britishers," said RSS Sarkaryavah Bhaiyaji Joshi while speaking at a function organised in Indore on August 27 to present Bapurao Lele Memorial Journalism Award. The function was attended by Vice Chancellor of Kushabhau Thakre University Dr Sachhidanand Joshi, State Commerce and Industries Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Mayor of Indore Krishna Murari Moghe.
This year’s Bapurao Lele Memorial National Journalism Award was presented to senior journalist and former editor of Swadesh Jai Krishna Gaur. Asharani Vohra Memorial National Woman Journalism Award was presented to Kerala’s famous journalist and social activist Leela Menon. Photo journalist of The Indian Express Shekhar Soni was felicitated with Dada Sahab Apte photo journalism award.
An award initiated in the memory of former editor, Panchjanya, late Ram Shankar Agnihotri, was jointly presented to Sharad Joshi of Swadesh (Ratlam) and Tushar Kothari, Bureau chief UNI. One more award was presented in the memory of noted poetess Subhadra Kumari Chauhan jointly to Smt Veena Nagpal of Dainik Bhaskar and senior journalist Smt Nirmal Bhuradia of Nai Dunia.
7. HOMI SETHNA, NUCLEAR LEGEND, PASSES AWAY: Former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman and one of the guiding lights behind Bharat's first nuclear test, Homi Nusserwanji Sethna, died on September 5 at his Walkeshwar residence in Mumbai after a prolonged lung ailment. He was 87 years of age.
8. ISRO SUCCESSFULLY TESTS PROPELLANT SYSTEM OF GSLV-M III: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully tested the propellant system of the body's soon-to-be launched mega vehicle, in the Tamil Nadu's Mahendragiri district on Sept 9.
In a landmark experiment, a team of eminent scientists and experts from ISRO carried out the static testing of the liquid core stage of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV-M III).
Lasting for 200 seconds, the test was deemed a 'success' by the ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan.
9. GANESHOTSAV AT ILLINOIS STATE UNIV: Hindu Yuva at Illinois State University organized Ganesh Utsav ISU on September 11. This was the first time that Ganesh Puja was conducted on the campus.
After the Puja and Arati Midwest sambhag karyawah, Murliji Reddy explained the various HSS activities and Sewa karya in the US and how swayamsewaks are contributing to motherland even being far away from it. Midwest Sambhag Sahsanghchalak Srinaraynji Chandak and Smt. Ashaji Chandak were present on the occassion. Chandakji explained aspects of community involvement and how it can benefit the students personally and lead to service towards motherland.
The students enjoyed the discussion and were amazed with the work of HSS in the US.
10. DRDO DEVELOPS SPACE FOOD FOR ASTRONAUTS: The Mysore-based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed dried and packaged food for astronauts.
These formulations were displayed at the four-day Space Expo-2010 organised by ISRO and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Bengaluru on Augugst 29. The exhibition focused on the commercialisation of space, remote sensing and navigation. The food laboratory has also designed special containers for these processed food items.
11. SUSWAGATAM 2010 AT SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY: Hindu YUVA at the university began Suswagatam to help new students by providing airport pickup and temporary accommodation; by helping to complete university formalities and in course registration; by familiarizing them with campus and surrounding areas; and by helping them find permanent accommodation
A total of 68 students registered with Suswagatam. The local families took great care of them and some of the students attended the Sunday shakha as well.
12. BHARAT DAY AND RAKSHABANDHAN AT VANCOUVER - Hindu Sikh Forum of North America organized the day as a ‘Mela’ at the Surrey Mandir, which is the largest mandir in Greater Vancouver Area. The event was attended by thousands. There are at least 300,000 people of Bharatiya origin but the day was never observed in such a big way before.
For the first time our Vivekanand Balagokulam Shakha participated in the stage cultural program. Our Sevikas choreographed a dance type presentation that showcased all the Shareerik activities of the Shakha.
The Sangh utsav of Raksha Bandhan was celebrated within the Vancouver Shakha and as a small community outreach within the Mandir Campus. Pawanji and 3 children together presented a baudhik on Raksha Bandhan and how it has been celebrated since ancient time and uniquely in different parts of Bharat. Raksha was first tied to Bhagwa Dhwaja and then Swayamsevaks and Sevikas tied it to each other.
13. ABVP SWEEPS DUSU POLLS, WINS 3 SEATS: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad candidates on September 4 won the posts of president, vice president and secretary of Delhi University Students Union. A total of 11 candidates contested for the post of president while 30 vied for the posts of vice president, secretary and joint secretary.
14. HINDU NIWAS AT AUCKLAND: A new initiative at the Hindu Heritage Centre, Auckland, inaugurated in May this year, is “a home away from home” that provides accommodation to seniors, at-risk women and children, socio-economically deprived families, and respite for caregivers, international students and visitors to Auckland. It is equipped with 63 beds, with common kitchen facilities.
Hindu Niwas works collaboratively with a wide range of Bharatiya and other ethnic organisations to serve communities from a number of countries. It works with government service providers in social services and health sectors and is registered with Work & Income New Zealand.
15. 'SPIRITUALITY COULD BE BHARAT'S GREATEST EXPORT': Rajan Zed, president, Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA), on September 7 said that Bharat is a storehouse of ancient wisdom. It was time now to tap into this giant resource. Bharat has a rich, diverse and long stream of spiritual and philosophical thought enveloping several faith traditions which it needed to share. World needed to understand the true nature of reality, meaning and structure of life, and riches and complexity of profound wisdom embedded in Bharat's philosophy and spirituality, Zed added.
16. HSS SANGH SHIKSHA VARG, NYERI KENYA: Sangh shiksha varg (Instructor training camp) of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh was scheduled in Nyeri town from 21st Aug 2010 to 28th Aug 2010. On 27th August 2010, when the promulgation of the new constitution was being celebrated by President, Mwai Kibaki, at the Uhuru Park in Nairobi, a function was held at Kamakunji Grounds in Nyeri Town, opposite to the sangh shibir sthaan. It was a sheer delight for the residents of Nyeri town, as Hindu swayamsevaks marched alongside with the Kenya Police Band, Kenya Administration Police, Kenya Prisons and Kenya Scouts. During the function following the march, Minister, Mr. Kagwe said that as Bengaluru is the IT hub of Bharat, Kenyans should make, Nyeri, the IT hub for Kenya. The function had started with the Christian and Muslim prayers and concluded with Hindu prayer Om Bhurbhuva swaha by Mrs. Parul Rakshit Joshi, Principal, Temple Road Secondary School, Nyeri,
Thereafter some prominent Hindus were invited to the Provincial Commissioner, Japhet Rugut’s residence for lunch, where Mr. Rugut emphasized on participation of Hindus in the entire function. With the new dawn, let us all work hand in hand for betterment of the nation and the humanity on whole, putting aside our caste, creed and color, he said.
17. BHARATIYA SCIENCE SCRIBE WINS AGU JOURNALISM AWARD: Eminent Bharatiya science journalist Pallava Bagla has been chosen for the prestigious David Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism for his articles on the impact of climate change on Himalayan glaciers. The prestigious award, given by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), recognised Bagla's contribution in addressing serious issues linked to earth sciences.
In a statement, the AGU said the first of Pallava Bagla’s two articles, 'No Sign of Himalayan Melt Down, Indian Report Finds', published in the journal 'Science', explores dissent among glaciologists regarding the claim by UN Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that Himalayan glaciers would imminently disappear.
The second article, 'Himalayan Glacier Deadline 'Wrong', published by BBC News, reports on an apparent typographical error in the IPCC claim which appears to explain the panel's controversial 300-year acceleration of when Himalayan glaciers are expected to vanish.
18. ENACT A LAW IN PARLIAMENT FOR SRI RAM TEMPLE: Indraprastha Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a workshop in New Delhi on Sri Ramjanmabhoomi issue on September 4. Speaking on the occasion central secretary of VHP and national spokesperson Dr Surendra Jain said the Hindu society would accept nothing but Sri Ram temple in Ayodhya. He appealed to the government to enact a law in the Parliament allowing the construction of Sri Ram temple in Ayodhya as was done in case of Somnath temple in Gujarat.
Baldevbhai Sharma, editor, Panchjanya, described Sri Ram as the identity of Bharat and said the reconstruction of His temple at His birth place would further strengthen this identity. Presiding over the workshop senior saint Swami Raghvananda Maharaj, president, Sanatan Dharma Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi, said the reconstruction of Sri Ram temple in Ayodhya would energise the whole nation.
19. WORKSHOP ON VEDIC MATHS AT HONG KONG: A workshop on Vedic Maths was conducted by Ravi Kumarji at West Island School on 1st September 2010. It was enthusiastically attended by about 70 to 80 students from grade 8 to grade 13 students along with faculty teachers and principal of school.
It started with the topic “Contribution of Bharatiyas in mathematics, Science, and Health”. How Vedas, which are mother of all known sciences, explained science in their scriptures. How Zero (Shunya) which was invented in Bharat was introduced to west through Arab. How European languages adopted Sanskrit words in their expression.
Shri Ravikumar also spoke briefly on 10,000 year old Panchang (Calander) which was invented in Bharat. A precise panchang requires use of very high standard of mathematics. There is no doubt Hindus developed and used Maths since Vedic era.
20. CHANDRAYAAN-2 TO GET CLOSER TO MOON: Bharat's second mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-2, a Rs 425 crore project, took a definite shape with ISRO on August 30 announcing details of payloads or scientific instruments to be flown on the orbiter and the rover. Chandrayaan-2 will be launched in 2013 from Sriharikota.
Hovering 100km above the moon, Chandrayaan-1 had confirmed water ice last year. Chandrayaan-2, equipped with an array of payloads, will probe closer and deeper for several things on the lunar surface, including water.
The mission would carry five payloads on the orbiter that goes around the moon and two scientific payloads on the rover, which will travel on the moon's surface.
21. BHARAT TO TEACH MATHEMATICS TO STUDENTS OF LONDON PRIMARY SCHOOL: In a first of its kind in the UK, a primary school in London is reportedly outsourcing teaching to Bharat to lead mathematics lessons for 11-year-olds, because Bharatiya tutors are cheaper to hire than home-grown teachers.
The Ashmount Primary school in Islington is using call centre-style staff in Bharat to lead mathematics lessons, which cost 12 pounds an hour for each pupil, as a cheaper alternative to employing one-to-one tutors for children falling behind in the subject. A private tutor in London reportedly costs around 40 pounds an hour.
The service involves each pupil logging on to a special website and talking to a tutor via a headset.
22. BHARATIYAS EARN LAURELS IN CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL EXAM: As many as 21 Bharatiya students have become the world toppers in International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE class X) and Advance Subsidiary (AS - class XI) exams held across 160 countries in June 2010. Nearly 1.4 million students appeared in the exams all over the world. CIE is an international board for school education and is conducted in around 250 schools in Bharat.
23. GUJARAT TOPS JOB PLACEMENT LIST: Gujarat has topped the list of 35 states and union territories in providing maximum number of job placements through employment exchanges, accounting for 5.50 lakh of the 8.30 lakh job offers facilitated by the government agency.
Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge told the Rajya Sabha that in the last three years -- from 2007 to 2009 -Gujarat had managed to place 1,78,000, 2,17,000 and 1,53,000 workers, respectively, through employment exchanges.
None of the states were in the striking distance. The second best, however, was Maharashtra that had managed to place nearly 8,000 in 2007; 11,000 in 2008 and 24,000 in 2009. Though Left-ruled West Bengal and Kerala were among the top five states that had highest number of people registered with employment exchanges, their placement records remained dismal.
24. CHURCH-RUN COLLEGE REFUSES TO REINSTATE KERALA PROFESSOR: The management of Newman College of Thodupuzha, run by Kerala's Catholic Church, has refused to reinstate Prof TJ Joseph, victim of a brutal Taliban-model Islamist attack, in service, totally disregarding the instructions from the State Government and the Mahatma Gandhi University to which the college is affiliated, to revoke the decision.
The college management in the week ending 4th September dismissed Prof Joseph from service, with effect from September 1, for preparing a question paper that allegedly blasphemed Prophet Muhammad. The Kothamangalam Diocese issued a circular justifying the decision of the management.
25. BHARAT INC. UPBEAT ON RECRUITMENT: The majority of employers in the country anticipate the creation of new jobs in the coming months of this year, according to a survey released on September 7. Painting a robust hiring scenario in the country, a survey by global staffing firm Manpower showed that employers are planning to hire at a robust pace this year.
Manpower's employment outlook survey stated that globally, Bharat is the most optimistic in terms of recruitment intentions for the fourth quarter, after China and Taiwan.
26. SECOND DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF SWAMI LAXMANANAND SARASWATI was observed all over Orissa as Balidan Divas on September 2. Various activities were conducted across the State to pay tribute to the saint who had dedicated his entire life for the upliftment of Vanvasis. Thousands of people thronged Jaleshpata and Chakapada Ashram in Kandhmal district to pay homage to Vedanta Kesari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati who was gunned down on Janmashtami day in 2008. Seven days Bhagavat Yajna was conducted in Jaleshpata Ashram while Ashta Prahari Sankirtan was organised in more than one thousand villages of Kandhmal district.
27. SACRIFICES NEEDED FOR NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION – DATTATREYA HOSBALE: Inaugurating the Vidyarathi Seva Trust of the ABVP at Kochi on August 29, RSS Sahasarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosbale said sacrifices and service attitude are needed for national reconstruction and called upon the youth and students to come forward in massive numbers, for this initiative. Leading Malayalam writer C Radhakrishan, Padmasri P Parameswaran, ABVP leaders PR Babu, Dr NC Induchoodan, PR Krishnaprasad also spoke on the occasion.
28. GUJARATI ONLY REGIONAL LANGUAGE IN US CENSUS: The US census reveals that the number of Gujarati-speaking people in the US is steadily rising, and the figure now stands at 287,367. Gujarati is the only regional language of Bharat which featured in the US census, the national languages being Hindi and Urdu.
The survey shows how the number of Gujarati-speaking people has been rising since the 19th century, though much of the immigration happened over the past three decades. For the Gujarati-speaking people, New York is the number one cluster — other metros being Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
29. FAILURE OF WESTERN MODEL IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY BHARATIYA MODEL—KN GOVINDACHARYA: With strong and unshakeable faith in Bharatiya thoughts, traditions, culture and peculiarities the planners of new Bharat can turn the present crisis of recession into an opportunity, opined K N Govindacharya, noted Swadeshi thinker and ideologue while speaking at a two-day UGC-sponsored national seminar on "Global Recession and its Impact on India" at VMV Commerce College, Nagpur on September 3.
He said that the Bharatiya planners, who have received their training in western style and who have more faith in western values and ethos will not be able to convert this recession into an opportunity. So, what is needed is a change in their attitude.
Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University, Rajan Velukar, and Vice-Chancellor of Datta Meghe Deemed University of Medical Sciences Dr Ved Prakash Mishra also spoke on the occasion. Noted VHP leader and President of the College Committee Chandrakantbhai Thakkar was prominently present on the occasion.
30. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Shri Ravikumar, sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag is traveling in Argentina and Chile. Visitors : Milind Shankhai – USA, Rajen Mistry & Sewa International group on Gangotri trek – UK, Brahmadeo ji Upadhyay – Netherlands, Sanjeev Bhakri – Australia.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: By practicing prayaschitta, repentance, a soul gets rid of sins, and commits no transgressions….By begging forgiveness happiness of mind is obtained and there is a kind disposition towards all living beings; by this kind disposition one obtains purity of character and freedom from fear. – Bhagwan Mahavira.
JAI SHREE RAM
DON’T TURN BACK THE CLOCK IN J&K
Jagmohan
One of the tragic pointers of Indian history is that more often than not Indians have themselves proved to be their worst enemies. This stands reinforced by what the negative forces in our country did in early 1990.
It should be clear from the analysis of major events connected with Kashmir’s post-1947 history that there is an overwhelming need to learn from each and every lapse and evolve a new framework of thought and action. Unfortunately, no one is attending to this need. With regard to the stone-throwing mobs that are now daily appearing on the streets of most urban centres of the Valley, old attitudes rooted in superficiality and “short-termism” are once again at display. So far, about 69 persons have died. But there is no sign of a sustained crackdown on the ringleaders, financers and those who are spraying the virus of militant fanaticism in the Valley.
What is worse, another “appeasement card” is being put forward in the form of a political package and additional autonomy, without bothering to consider that in the long run such a package and such an autonomy could provide stronger muscle to the forces of subversion and separatism in the Valley. Further, no one is showing any inclination to raise certain basic and pertinent questions in this regard.
Are the Kashmiris, like the citizens of the rest of India, not already free under the Constitution of India? Do they not have all the fundamental rights which individuals in modern liberal democracies enjoy? Has their identity, culture, religion or language been undermined in any way by the constitutional arrangements that have been in operation for the last several decades? How would a common Kashmiri be benefited by changing the nomenclature of chief minister to Prime Minister or of governor to Sadar-e-Riyasat, or by ousting the jurisdiction of Supreme Court, the Election Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India? What would happen if the so-called pre-1952 position is restored and only defence, foreign affairs and communications are kept within the jurisdiction of the Union Parliament/government and all the remaining items are assigned exclusively to the state legislature/government? How would the state government then meet its requirements of finances which at present are provided by the Union government to the tune of 74 per cent of its needs? Could the “nuts and bolts” of objective reality and the need to have smooth and workable relationship between the state and the Union be dispensed with?
To these and allied questions, no satisfactory answers can be provided by the proponents of autonomy and the “political package”. They merely harp on the promises supposed to have been made to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, forgetting that what matters is not the individual but the state government without whose concurrence nothing was done. They take advantage of the widespread ignorance that prevails in the country about the rather complex manner in which constitutional relations between Jammu and Kashmir and the Union have evolved. They hide the fact that Jammu and Kashmir already enjoys, albeit unjustifiably, far more powers than are available to other states of the Union. They also forget that at the time of the 1975 Kashmir Accord, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had made it clear that “the clock could not be put back”, and that the “provisions of the Indian Constitution applied to the state of Jammu and Kashmir ‘without adaptation or modification’ were unalterable”.
The only concession made in 1975, in the spirit of bonhomie, by the Government of India was to consider changes in the “adapted and modified” provisions, if a specific proposal in this regard was received from the state government. But neither the government of Sheikh Abdullah nor that of Dr Farooq Abdullah could send any proposal, primarily because the changes earlier made were all necessitated by practical consideration.
The State Autonomy Committee Report (1999), sent to the Union government 24 years after the Kashmir Accord, is nothing but a broad repetition of what was said on behalf of the National Conference in 1975. It ignores the huge volume of water that has since flowed under the bridges of Yamuna and Jhelum, and does not indicate how the changes that are being advocated now would improve the lot of the common man and how the expenditure on the state Five-Year Plans would be met. Nor does it care to explain how certain security and other contingencies would be dealt with? What, for instance, would happen if Article 356 is not applicable and if the state refuses or fails to comply with any requirement of the Union in respect of defence, foreign affairs or communication? Would this not cause an intractable constitutional deadlock?
The acceptance by the Union government of any of the phoney ideas contained in the aforesaid report would add another blunder to the series of blunders committed in the past, which have so far cost the nation over 50,000 lives, besides several thousand-crores of hard-earned taxpayers’ money.
While it is not likely to make even a slight dent in the criticality of the present situation, it could strengthen the forces of disarray in the Valley, give rise to fresh agitations in other regions of the state and become a precedent for separatists in other part of the country to quote and demand. Even otherwise, the unfortunate history of Jammu and Kashmir in the post-1947 period warns us in no uncertain terms that the decision taken under momentary pressures and on short-term considerations have proved disastrous in the long run. Too many infections have already accumulated in the body politics of Jammu and Kashmir. If we do not have the skill or will to drain them out, let us at least not add more to them.
The need of the hour is that we should make a new beginning, educate our brothers and sisters in Kashmir about the true position in respect of their political, social and cultural freedoms and tell them that we as fellow countrymen have already helped them to the tune of `95,000 crores from 1989-90 to 2009-10, and would continue to discharge our obligations in this respect in future to make them a happy and prosperous community of the Union. – ( Jagmohan is a former governor of J&K and a former Union minister – Deccan Chronicle September 8, 2010.)
LEARNING ABOUT RELIGION IN A SPIRIT OF HUMILITY
(Martin Stern on a lesson he learned about other faiths as a young student on a trip to India - Leceister Mercury)
As a backpacking student on the train from Amritsar to Delhi, I sat in my shorts, with my nose buried in a book. The compartment door opened and a small lady in a sari entered with a large suitcase, which she tried to put in the luggage rack. Of course, I lifted it for her and reburied my nose in the book.
Then her husband came in. By this stage I'd probably forgotten about the suitcase, but he engaged me in conversation and before long invited me to stay in his family's home for the few days I intended to spend in Delhi.
Can you imagine the converse happening to an Indian student in Britain? So for three days I lived with a Hindu family. My uncle served with the British Army in India during the Second World War and from him I knew that Indian people generally had higher standards of personal hygiene than the British soldiers. Now I learned it in practice and enjoyed a daily shower or two.
My childhood Sunday School classes conveyed a dim view of polytheism, so I arrived in India prejudiced against Hinduism.
In Amritsar, after experiencing the Golden Temple, I visited a Hindu one where friendly young Hindus took me round. What I took to be representations of Gods behind a window were, they insisted, the actual Gods. With hindsight they were having fun with my prejudices and watching me with quiet amusement.
Most often when we think we understand another person's religion we misunderstand it. An attitude of humility and preparedness to learn is appropriate when we face the beliefs others that have developed over thousands of years from source texts accepted as guidance by entire peoples. Long hard study can equip us with knowledge, but there will always be far more which we do not know.
With my Christian background it was natural to me to think of a kind and generous action such as that of my hosts as "a Christian thing to do". This popular expression is not the real view of Christianity, as the tale of the Good Samaritan teaches that even a religious adversary may give us a big lesson in human decency. But for me the experience was part of a healthy culture shock. Here were people who did not know me and did not share my beliefs. They offered me hospitality in their family home and for no apparent reason showed me the utmost kindness and generosity, teaching me some good rules of conduct by example. And they were undoubtedly Hindus. It is a lesson I have never forgotten.
(Source: http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/ leicester-mercury/mi_8142/is_20100817/learning-religion-spirit-humility/ai_n54837255/ )
Bhadrapad 16 Vik Samvat 2067. Yugabda 5112: September 1, 2010
1. FESTIVALS: MALAYALEES CELEBRATE THE FESTIVAL OF ONAM: Keralites on August 23 celebrated Onam, the spring festival commemorating the egalitarian utopia under the reign of mythical King Mahabali during which people lived in plenty, prosperity and equality.
People cutting across caste, class and religion decorated their homes with floral carpets to welcome the annual re-visit of Mahabali.
The legend has it that 'Asura' king Mahabali was banished to the netherworld by Lord Vishnu, who took the incarnation of Vamana (the dwarf), under pressure from 'Devas', who were jealous of the King's popularity. Before his departure, the King secured an assurance from Lord Vishnu that he would be allowed to visit his subjects on 'Thiruvonam' day of Malayalam calendar every year.
The festivities scaled to its crescendo in the last couple of days with towns and villages thronged by men, women and children going out for their festive shopping. The state officially honoured renowned actor Kamal Hasan, who was the chief guest at the Onam-Tourism Week celebrations.
2. TEMPLE IN AYODHYA TO FULFILL ASPIRATIONS OF MILLIONS OF HINDUS- MOHAN BHAGWAT: Inaugurating the ‘Hanumatshakti Jagarana Abhiyana’ at Nagpur’s famous Agaram Devi Temple premises on August 16 coinciding Tulsi Jayanti, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said that Sri Rama embodied all the highest values of human life which can guide the entire humanity on the path of peace and progress.
Bhagwat said that already a small temple existed at the birth place of Sri Rama and what was needed was to convert that into a grand, magnificent temple fulfilling the aspirations of millions of Hindus for whom it has been the matter of faith since eons.
The RSS Sarsanghchalak opined that Hanuman was all devoted for the cause of Rama. He had no personal ambitions of any kind. His was a fully devoted life at the lotus feet of Sri Rama. Like him, we have to arouse this strength in our society; and lead such awakened society to establish the grand temple at Ayodhya for the welfare of entire humanity. Earlier, Shri Barai Maharaj and VHP Central Committee member Sriramji Joshi alongwith other VHP functionaries of Nagpur and Prant appealed to the people to be ready for construction of Rama Temple at Ayodhya and create a social awareness through this unique awareness campaign of Shakti Jagarana in presence of prominent people of Nagpur.
3. CONGRESS TICKS OFF CHIDAMBARAM OVER 'SAFFRON TERROR' REMARK: With the BJP, Congress on August 27 distanced itself from its home minister.
"Saffron or bhagwa or kesariya (Hindi equivalents of saffron) is not the issue here. The issue is terrorism. Terrorism does not have any colour other than black," said Janardan Dwivedi, Congress general secretary and head of the party's media department.
Making plain the party's disapproval of Chidambaram's controversial formulation, Dwivedi said terrorism could not be associated with any colour, "be it saffron, green, white or red". He further said, "Terrorism is terrorism and should be opposed in whatever form it comes." Significantly, he also stressed that "saffron colour has been part of our ancient tradition and is associated with our freedom strggle".
4. DEVOTEES COME DRESSED IN RED TO CELEBRATE AADI PURAM: Dressed in different shades of red and maroon, more than 600 Hindu devotees carried earthen pots filled with rice porridge on a 3 km-long procession to celebrate the Aadi Puram festival.
A procession of 600 Hindu devotees, all dressed in shades of red and each carrying pots of rice porridge chanted Om Sakthi and Parasakthi as they walked barefoot from the Agni Muniswarar Temple in Permatang Tinggi to the Om Sakthi Spiritual and Charitable Association Prayer Centre in Taman Sukun Indah on August 15 in Malaysia.
5. OBJECTIVE OF SEWA IS TO STRENGTHEN THE HINDU SOCIETY-BHAYYAJI JOSHI: "The ultimate objective of all our service activities, started in 1979 in an organised manner all over the country, is to strengthen the Hindu society. The sewa activities have now assumed the form of a big movement and there is hardly any section of the society where RSS workers have not started any welfare activity. Even then, we have yet to go miles and have to ensure that not a single person of the society remains deprived," said RSS Sarkaryavah Bhayyaji Joshi. He was addressing a meeting of women activists involved in service activities all over the country. The meeting was organised by Sewa Vibhag of RSS in Nagpur from August 21-22 under the banner of Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Sewa Prakalp. A total of 127 women delegates representing 45 women organisations participated in the two-day meeting.
Many prominent functionaries including Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti Pramilatai Medhe and Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Samanvya Pramukh Gitatai Gunde, were also present on the occasion.
6. BILL FOR NRIs VOTING RIGHTS TABLED IN RS: Bowing to repeated demands of non-resident Indians (NRIs) for voting rights, the government on August 21 introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha to enable them to register their names in electoral rolls. Moving the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill 2010, law minister M Veerappa Moily said the fresh move would allow Bharatiyas living abroad, who have not acquired the citizenship of any other country, to register themselves in the constituencies where their place of residence falls, as mentioned in their passports.
7. VHP URGES PM TO SAVE GANGA: Thanking Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for scraping two hydro power projects on the Bhagirathi and for deciding to declare the 135-km stretch between Gomukh and Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone under the Environmental Protection Act and not to allow any developmental project in the zone, VHP president Ashok Singhal urged him to save Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers also. He also urged him to confer the status of ‘national heritage’ on the Ganga.
8. BEACON OF HOPE: Bangladesh snubs Islamists -- In the midst of rising Islamist fundamentalism across the world that among other things even seeks to impose a dress code on people, a Muslim country, Bangladesh, has shown the way to reconcile the tenets of Islam with liberal attitudes. Rapping religious bigots on the knuckles, the country’s High Court recently ruled that women could not be compelled to wear burqa or for that matter any religious dress in workplaces or educational institutions. That the court should have intervened by taking suo motu notice of a report that said the principal of a college had restricted entry of girl students who turned up in the campus without a burqa, is even further evidence of the heightened sense of appreciation in the country that personal choices should not become hostage to religious diktats of mullahs. The overzealous principal will have a lot of explaining to do in the court before which he has to soon appear, for not only did he insist on the burqa but that he had also scrapped all sports and cultural activities in the institute, ostensibly because it went against the Islamic way of life. The order comes barely four months after another Bench of the High Court there had ruled that women teachers could not be forced to wear a burqa or cover their heads against their wishes, as such insistence would be violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. While the recent court orders will further strengthen liberal thinking there, they also offer a lesson to secular nation like ours that baulks at taking strong measures against Islamic fundamentalism for fear of annoying the minority community and being branded communal. Remember that only too recently students of a Muslim university in West Bengal prevented a teacher from taking classes for weeks because she refused to bow to their demand for wearing a burqa. The shocking case did not shake the conscience of the ‘secular’ State and Union Governments, who remained mute spectators for long. When Islamic countries can show courage to repudiate religious fundamentalism, why should we be so defensive? --Exceprts from the Editorial, the Pioneer, August 25, 2010.
9. VOICES RAISED IN SUPPORT OF TASLIMA CITIZENSHIP: The voices in support of the Bengali writer have grown louder even as the government decided to extend her visa for another year. Several human rights organisations such as Human Rights Defense or HRD (Bharat), freedom of speech activists, Delhi High Court and Supreme Court Bar Associations, lawyers and other members of the liberal Indian intelligentsia recently signed a “Delhi Declaration” demanding permanent Indian citizenship for the author.
10. U. B. DAY 2010: Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra, Mumbai celebrated the Universal Brotherhood Day on August 27th. The Keynote Address was given by Ajit Doval - a highly decorated police officer who had an illustrious career and retired as Director, Intelligence Bureau.
He said that be it the faith based religions or the science based theories like Darwin’s Theory or Primordial Soup Theory, we are increasingly converging to the idea that the entire living beings including human beings came from the same evolutionary process and hence have same heritage. His speech was a perfect blend of logic, caution and motivation.
The programme was attended by 150 distinguished audiences from various walks of life ranging from students to CEOs and included 65 who attended for the first time.
11. “HINDUS SHOULD START A HINDU FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN BHARAT.”: Said Upananda Brahamachari in his maiden speech in a strong gathering of over 1,000 people at Birnagar, Kaliachak III block in Malda District in a grand celebration of 64th Independence Day by Hindu Samhati (HS) local committee. “The influx of Bangladeshi Muslims, uncontrolled Muslim population, Pak supported Jihadi activities, Muslim appeasement and Muslim Vote Bank Politics are vehemently jeopardizing the very texture of Bharatiya democracy and integrity”, said Brahmachari “Each and every martyr sacrificed their life for the cause of Independence of Akhanda Bharatvarsha (Undivided India). But for personal gain some political leaders of English Culture supported the division of Mother Bharat”, he added.
12. SECULAR STATE CAN’T PAY SALARIES TO IMAMS: The Congress appears to be increasingly willing to bend over backwards to accommodate the stunningly absurd demands of its allies and those who help keep the UPA in power. Nothing else explains why the Government should have offered to favourably consider paying salaries to imams as demanded by the Trinamool Congress of Ms Mamata Banerjee, who also happens to be Minister for Railways, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal led by Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav. It is patently clear that Ms Banerjee and Mr Yadav, as if working in tandem, have fished out a 17-year-old judgement pertaining to salaries for imams of mosques covered by the Wakf Act to pander to the Muslim voters of Bihar and West Bengal where Assembly elections are due. And, it is extremely unfortunate that vote-bank politics should have reached a point where politicians are brazen enough to demand in Parliament that imams should be paid salaries from the public exchequer. Surely India’s taxpayers do not part with a portion of their hard-earned money to keep imams — or, for that matter, padres and pandits — in comfort. – Excerpts from the Editorial, The Pioneer, August 23, 2010
13. KARNATAKA GOVT. SEEKS ASSENT ON ANTI-COW SLAUGHTER BILL: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa took a delegation comprising of BJP MP’s and his Cabinet colleagues, to meet Rashtrapati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, requesting for her assent for the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter & Prevention of Cattle Bill 2010, on August 9.
Karnataka Govt. decided to enact a comprehensive legislation to prohibit the slaughter of cows and calves of she-buffaloes, bull, bullock, buffalo male or female and for the preservation and improvement of the breeds of cattle and to endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry in terms of Article 48 of the Constitution of Bharat.. Accordingly, the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010 was introduced in both the Houses of the Karnataka Legislature and was considered and passed. The Bill prescribes stringent punishment for violation, makes the offence cognisable and non-bailable.
14. RAKSHA BANDHAN AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE AND GET UNITED- MOHAN BHAGWAT: "Raksha Bandhan is a festival that unites and ensures protection. Aggressive and expansionist forces are invading us from all sides. The message of Rakshabandhan becomes more relevant in this situation." said RSS Sarsanghachalak Bhagwat during a meeting with noted Jain saint Acharya Jayantsen Suri in Vijayawada on August 24. National president of Tristutik Jain Shwetambar Sangh and treasurer of Madhya Pradesh BJP Chaitanya Kashyap were also present on the occasion. The Acharya is observing ‘Chaturmas’ in Vijaywada.
15. DIVINE INTERVENTION SAVES GOLDEN MAHSEER: Hindu temples dotting the river in Pauri and Nainital have become isolated sanctuaries protecting the mighty, but threatened, golden mahseer from ruthless illegal fishing methods by the locals. Mahseer is a prized freshwater species having high culinary demand in the Ramganga region.
Be it the famous Garjia shrine, the ancient Baijnath or the array of smaller austere temples, these holy places have become isolated sanctuaries for the endangered fish. The priests of these shrines have prohibited fish catching in the area and its absolute reverence among natives makes the mahseer flourish even in the absence of any official guard.
16. SEWA BHARATI PRESENTED RS ONE CRORE FOR LEH RELIEF: Pravinbhai Maniar, Paschim Kshetra Samparak Pramukh presented Rs one crore for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims in Leh. The money, presented in New Delhi on August 21 at a function in Seva Bharati karyalay , has been deposited in Ladakh Apada Sahayata Kosh. After receiving the cheque, Jaidev, Sewa Pramukh of Jammu and Himachal region, said the Sewa Bharati has decided to rebuild about 100 houses for the victims. He said 100 houses for animals will also be built.
17. THOUSANDS CONDUCT BUDHA AMARNATH YATRA: Thousands of devotees conducted Budha Amarnath Yatra. They left on the pilgrimage on August 11 and returned on August 15. Budha Amarnath is done in Punchch district of Jammu and Kasmir, about 250 kms away from Jammu. Bajrang Dal conducts this Yatra every year.
The devotees had left for the pilgrimage in buses from Delhi. It is believed that Rishi Pulatsya, the grandfather of Ravana, used to go to the holy cave of Swami Amar Nath. When he became old and was unable to reach the cave, Baba Amar Nath appeared at the place in the form of rock Shivlinga. Since then, the place became famous as Baba Budha Amar Nath. The river nearby is called Pulasti and the place is called Punchh.
18. PEJAWAR MUTT SWAMI GOES ON PADAYATRA IN DALIT COLONY: Blazing a new trail aimed at ending exploitation of dalits in the name of untouchability and creating a sense of social harmony, Vishweshwara Theertha Swami of Pejawar Mutt on August 28 went on a padayatra in a Dalit Colony and offered 'Vaishnava Deeksha' (initiation). So overwhelmed were residents of the Devaraj Urs Colony, inhabited predominantly by 'Pourakarmiks', engaged in sweeping roads by the City Corporation that some of them shed tears of joy and mixed freely touching the feet of the septuagenerian Swami, one of the highly respected seers.
The Colony itself wore a festive look with the lanes and by lanes decorated with festoons and rangoli drawn in front of their houses to receive the Swami, who is also one of the founders of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
19. SPANISH MAHABHARATA PUBLISHED: The Hastinapur Foundation of Buenos Aires has published a Spanish version of Mahabharata. This is the first time that the full version of Mahabharata, the Bharatiya epic, has been translated into Spanish. The translation in 639 pages was done by Hugo Labate over a period of seven years.
20. MAKE SURE FOREIGNERS ARE NOT TO BE ENUMERATED IN CENSUS – ADVANI: Senior BJP leader L K Advani said every care should be taken to ensure that foreigners are not enumerated in the ongoing 2011 census. Advani was speaking at a function organized in New Delhi on August 23 to launch North-East India Sampark Cell of BJP.
Advani said the north-east is facing ‘external aggression’ in the form of massive infiltration from Bangladesh. “The problem has not only endangered the very survival of Assam, but is also threatening other north-eastern states.” BJP national president Nitin Gadkari and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley also spoke at the function.
21. VANVASIS SHOULD GET THE FRUITS OF INDEPENDENCE-KRIPA PRASAD SINGH: "It is our collective responsibility to help the Vanvasi brethren to get the fruits of Independence as they also fought for the freedom," said Kalyan Ashram national joint general secretary Kripa Prasad Singh. He was addressing the annual meeting of PEEP, a voluntary organisation working in Kerala in association with Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, at SKMJ High School Auditorium in Kalpetta on August 15. Representatives from 28 colonies where the PEEP works attended the meeting.
PEEP has been working for the last five years among the people of Paniya Vanvasi community settled in Wayanad, Malapuram, Kannur and Kozhikkode districts of Kerala.
22. BARCing UP RIGHT TREE: SKIN, LIVER TUMOUR CURE SOON: In a major breakthrough in cancer research involving a non-invasive medical procedure, scientists at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have developed therapeutic radionuclides — also known as radio pharmaceuticals — for curing neuro-endocrine, skin and liver tumours.
The scientists have reached the conclusion that Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) and Phosphorus-32 (P-32) are extremely effective radio pharmaceuticals to treat neuro-endocrine and skin cancer patients respectively, at advanced stages. Confirming the development, Meera Venkatesh, head of BARC's Radio pharmaceuticals Division, said on August 18: “We have made an effective use of Lutetium-177 in five leading hospitals in the country.”
23. JAMMU'S ‘3 IDIOTS’ DESIGN: Ever seen a car rotating 360 degrees on its axis? Three budding mechanical engineering graduates from Jammu have designed this amazing car which could usher in a revolution in auto engineering. The “baby car” is smaller than even the Nano.
Showcasing their small-car model — AXI-RO, which can rotate 360 degrees on its axis with a zero-metre turning radius — in Jammu on August 16, the trio claimed their baby car offers the best possible solution to those who find it difficult to reverse their vehicles in congested parking spaces. At top speed, the two-seater AXI-RO races beyond 40kmph and promises a mileage of 22 km per litre even on hilly terrain.
Instead of hunting for jobs, they chose to spend time on their dream project and finally came up with the design of AXI-RO to address the issue of parking congestion on busy Bharatiya roads. They felt the invention would be a practical solution to the common problem.
24. 5th CENTURY BUDDHIST SITE FOUND NEAR KABUL: Archaeologists in Afghanistan, where Taliban Islamists are fighting the Western-backed government, have uncovered Buddhist-era remains in an area south of Kabul.
"There is a temple, stupas, beautiful rooms, big and small statues, two with the length of seven and nine meters, colorful frescos ornamented with gold and some coins," said Mohammad Rasouli, head of the Afghan archaeological department. "Some of the relics date back to the 5th century AD. We have come across signs that there are items maybe going back to the era before Christ or prehistory," he said.
25. ANCIENT SPORT OF INDIA TOUTS TIES TO BUDDHA, AND MALE CHEERLEADERS: Essentially a game of tag mixed with elements of wrestling, Judo and yogic feats of lung capacity, kabaddi traces its roots on the Bharatiya subcontinent back some 4,000 years. Long regarded by Bharatiyas as a pastime for villagers and children, it now has international and even Olympic ambitions.
The northern state of Punjab held a "World Cup" of kabaddi this April that drew crowds of more than 50,000. Italy, Iran, Canada and the U.S. sent teams. Plans are under way to launch a World Kabaddi League early next year with city-based teams, playoffs and an off-season.
Kabaddi is played on a rectangular court. Teams of seven players take turns sending "raiders" across the dividing line to tag opponents. All the while, they chant "kabaddi"—derived from a Hindi word meaning "holding of breath"—to prove they aren't inhaling.
26. THREE BHARATIYAS IN MIT LIST OF WORLD’S TOP INNOVATORS: A young Bharatiya-origin aerospace engineer from the US, Rikin Gandhi, 29, presently CEO of Delhi-based Digital Green, 34-year-old Ranveer Chandra, who has been recognised for delivering high-speed wireless Internet connections over longer distances in the US, and 32-year-old Indrani Medhi whose effort at building interfaces for the illiterate has been recognized have made it to the annual list of young innovators published by the Technological Review magazine. The magazine is put out by an independent company owned by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The list, called TR35, is a collection of the top 35 innovators under the age of 35 in a particular year
27. BHARAT IS LARGEST COTTON FIELD, VIDARBHA RIDES BT BOOM: Bharat has registered 106 lakh hectares under cotton so far this year – for cotton, this is a new world record, beating the 104 lakh hectares recorded in 1934 in the United States.
Confirming this, Anupam Barik, Director, Department of Cotton Development, said: “So far, the area is 106 lakh hectares. This is set to go up to 110 lakh hectares when another 2.5-3 lakh hectares will he added in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the rabi season.”
In 2009-10, the area under cotton was 101.71 lakh hectares. Much of this increase, about 5 lakh hectares, has come from Maharashtra, always in the news for suicide by farmers of the cotton belt in Vidarbha.
28. BHARAT FIRST CHOICE OF UK FIRMS FOR OUTSOURCING JOBS: Two-thirds of British companies intending to outsource jobs offshore prefer Bharat over China. This is the finding of a study jointly carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development here and the accounting firm KPMG. The remaining one-third will go to China and Eastern Europe. The corporates are seeking to export call centre, IT and finance jobs abroad.
CIPD and KPMG's Labour Market Outlook research claimed a decline in the qualities of those who are emerging out of the British education system, which is driving companies to look overseas.
29. TWO SIKHS IN AFGHAN POLL FRAY, WANT TO BE FIRST ELECTED NON-MUSLIMS: Pritpal Singh Pal and Anarkali Kaur Honaryar are running for positions in Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga, the 250-seat lower house of parliament, elections for which are scheduled on September 18.
If they win, they will become the first democratically elected non-Muslim parliamentarians in the country — Afghan Hindus and Sikhs have held parliamentary positions before through nomination.
30. BANSILAL SONEE PASSES AWAY: Veteran Sangh Pracharak Bansilal Sonee passed away at Bisuddhananda Marwari Hospital on August 21. He was 80. His elder brother Anantlal Sonee was also a Pracharak and died three years ago. All his seven brothers are swayamsevaks. Born in Kolkata he became a swayamsevak in early forty and dedicated his life to nation in early 1960s.
31. DEFIANT BANGGARMA SHOWS HER HINDU FAITH: S Banggarma, who was declared “a Muslim” by the Penang High Court on Aug 4, defied the Islamic authorities and demonstrated her Hindu belief by carrying “paal kudam” (pot of milk) at a temple festival in Parit Buntar on August 20.
The mother of two offered her penance to Hindu goddess Mariamman at Sri Muthu Mariamman Kovil fire-walking festival in Dennis Town Estate in the morning together with hundreds of Hindu devotees. She carried the paal kudam for a kilometre from nearby Sri Muneeswarar Kovil to Sri Muthu Mariamman Kovil seeking the divine’s blessing and intervention to help her overcome her battle with the Islamic authorities.
32. JAYAKUMAR, RECIPIENT OF 2010 AKHIL CHOPRA MEMORIAL AWARD: Dr. Jayakuar Srinivasan, a winner of the 2010 Akhil Chopra award presented by Hindus of Greater Houston, was a bright student since his childhood. After graduating in IIT Madras, he went to Purdue University and earned himself a masters and doctoral degree in chemical engineering.
The trade off of this academic success was that he missed the learning and appreciation of the great Bharatiya values. He felt deep void and thus the stage was set for the arrival of his guru. A chance visit to a talk by Swami Dayanand during his visit to Purdue University was the spark. His attendance to H.H. Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji’s talk in 1996 on Brihadaranyaka Upanishad turned his life around completely and helped him grasp the essentials of Hindu Dharma. He started teaching Hinduism and was nominated twice to head Vedic Heritage School. He also initiated AIM for SEWA, a non profit fund raiser in Houston which helped to build two Chhatralayas in Tamilnadu.
33. PROTEST IN PAK FLOOD CAMP AFTER BEEF SERVED TO HINDUS: Hundreds of minority Hindus rendered homeless by the devastating floods in Pakistan were served beef by authorities at a relief camp in Karachi, triggering protest from the community members.
The Hindus belonging to the Baagri and Waghari nomadic tribes, who numbered around 600, are among 4,000 flood victims of different faiths living in the relief camp in Lyari area.
“We are Hindus and consumption of beef is prohibited in our religion but we were given beef, which is unacceptable,” Mohan Baagri, a Hindu living at the camp, said. Following the protest, officials of the Minority Affairs Ministry of Sindh province rushed to the camp and intervened to resolve the issue.
34. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Ravikumarji, sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will be visiting Chile & Argentina. Shyam Parande, Secretary – Sewa International will be visiting Finland, USA and Caribbean countries viz. Trinidad, Barbados and Dominica. Visitors Dr.Anil Nene, Himanshu Sobti-UK, Deepak Sharma-USA.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The earth is supported by the power of truth. It is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth. – Chanakya
According to reports, a RSS training camp (ITC) was underway near Leh when the disaster struck. Suspending the camp activities, all the swayamsevaks rushed at the catastrophe site and immediately started the rescue and relief operations. In the meantime, the Sewa Bharati J&K through its unit in Leh in association with the Ladakh Phande Tsongpa had already established a relief operation camp in Leh and is looking after the needs of the affected people.
According to reports, five villages - Nimmo, Basgo, Shaboo, Faing and Ney, apart from Choglamsar and Leh town, have been very badly hit. Before the people and administration could wake up to the prevailing situation, the natural calamity had caused unprecedented damages everywhere. The district hospital was flooded, bus stands flattened and vehicles were seen floating in the heart of town. The communication equipment of BSNL got completely damaged in the flash floods thereby tying the hands of the administration in starting early relief and rescue operations as damage to the telephone exchange rendered all mobile and landline phones useless.
Flooded hospitals, flattened bus stands, washed away houses and floating cars amidst echo of wailing people were all that was left after the flash floods. What to talk of road connectivity with Kargil, the road link of Leh town with adjoining villages got completely snapped as numerous culverts and bridges got washed away in the floods.
According to the latest conservative estimates till August 16, 179 bodies have been recovered, more than 600 are still missing besides the injured whose number is around over 1,000. The link roads to Leh from Kulu Manali as also National High Way 1D connecting Ladakh to rest of the State and country have been blocked. The Choglamsar was reportedly inhabited by around 150 houses but the cloud bursts and the flash floods devastated it completely and there is no trace of any inhabitant. Ladakh, the second largest district after Kutch in Gujarat in terms of area, is also known as land of high passes or broken moon. Surrounded by Kunlun mountain range in the North, Himalayas in the South, it is the sparsely populated regions of Jammu and Kashmir State. Renowned for its remote mountain beauty and culture Ladakh has Tibet to the East, Lahul Spiti to its South, Jammu and Kashmir to its West and Kunlun region to its North. Leh also has the distinction of being one of the few remaining abodes of the Buddhism in north. The Himalayas create a rain shadow denying entry to monsoon clouds. The average rainfall is 90mm. It is with such geographic conditions that houses in Leh and other parts of Ladakh are mostly constructed of mud and mud bricks, which also helps them to maintain heat during the extreme winter months. This is one of the reasons that massive amount of mud got accumulated on the streets and inside the houses creating hindrance in the rescue operations.
In Jammu, the Sewa Bharati organised an emergency meeting in which social workers of many organisations were present to chalk out the strategy to provide immediate relief to the victims of the disaster. All members paid homage to those who died in the disaster and formed a relief committee under the name of Ladakh Aapda Sahayata Samiti to assist the victims and affected families in Leh. Brig. (Retd.) Shri Suchet Singh has been unanimously elected president of the Samiti. Dr Kuldeep Gupta is secretary and Shri Abay Pargal will be treasurer.
As an immediate measure, some cash donations were immediately transferred from Jammu to the group of swayamsevaks working in Leh. They purchased whatever relief material they could get from the nearby local markets and started distributing them. According to latest reports, a relief package of 2,000 blankets, a set of utensils for 500 families, 2,000 clothes and 500 shoes is on the way and will soon reach the calamity site. Some injured from Leh who have now arrived at Jammu are also being contacted by Sewa Bharati workers to provide them necessary help.
"The devastation of this magnitude needs restoration on all fronts. On psychological front expression of sympathy and nearness with those who lost their near and dear ones, who lost their belongings etc., and on economic front immediate mitigation of the problems of those who survived the calamity but who lost every bit of their saved and secured future. No help, howsoever, of what-so-ever measure it may be, can restore the original peace and tranquility. The task is gigantic and beyond the competence of one agency or one organisation. The affected people need beddings, clothing, utensils, stores and many items of day to day need. Above all they need a roof over their heads to protect them from the ensuing harsh winter which when comes stays on and on," said Brig. (Retd) Shri Suchet Singh.
He said on an average a family requires at least 4 quilts, 4 blankets and equal number of mattresses 4 pillows and a big darri. All this material is necessary for high altitude places like Leh where the temperature goes below zero degree Celsius during winter months which start from October, latest by early November. The approximate cost of these items works out to Rs 6,500 per family of four members. In clothing sweaters, warm shirts, inners, jeans/warm trousers, jackets are required. The average cost works out to around Rs 8,000. As regard to the utensils the minimum requirements are one pressure cooker of at least 5 liter capacity, 6 plates for lunch/dinner, 6 glasses, 6 katori, 2 patila with lids, 2 buckets per family. The approximate cost works out to around Rs 2,000. "The cost of constructing dwelling units comprising two rooms (one room 12X12 and the other one 12X15 including kitchen) in mud with tin roof will cost approximately Rs 2-2.25 lakh without labour component for which we intend to involve the beneficiary. The estimates are only tentative and may vary depending upon the requirements of the site. Similarly, the requirement is based on an assumption of four member family the factual position can be assessed only after the connectivity is restored," Shri Suchet Singh added. (Organiser, August29, 2010)
People cutting across caste, class and religion decorated their homes with floral carpets to welcome the annual re-visit of Mahabali.
The legend has it that 'Asura' king Mahabali was banished to the netherworld by Lord Vishnu, who took the incarnation of Vamana (the dwarf), under pressure from 'Devas', who were jealous of the King's popularity. Before his departure, the King secured an assurance from Lord Vishnu that he would be allowed to visit his subjects on 'Thiruvonam' day of Malayalam calendar every year.
The festivities scaled to its crescendo in the last couple of days with towns and villages thronged by men, women and children going out for their festive shopping. The state officially honoured renowned actor Kamal Hasan, who was the chief guest at the Onam-Tourism Week celebrations.
2. TEMPLE IN AYODHYA TO FULFILL ASPIRATIONS OF MILLIONS OF HINDUS- MOHAN BHAGWAT: Inaugurating the ‘Hanumatshakti Jagarana Abhiyana’ at Nagpur’s famous Agaram Devi Temple premises on August 16 coinciding Tulsi Jayanti, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said that Sri Rama embodied all the highest values of human life which can guide the entire humanity on the path of peace and progress.
Bhagwat said that already a small temple existed at the birth place of Sri Rama and what was needed was to convert that into a grand, magnificent temple fulfilling the aspirations of millions of Hindus for whom it has been the matter of faith since eons.
The RSS Sarsanghchalak opined that Hanuman was all devoted for the cause of Rama. He had no personal ambitions of any kind. His was a fully devoted life at the lotus feet of Sri Rama. Like him, we have to arouse this strength in our society; and lead such awakened society to establish the grand temple at Ayodhya for the welfare of entire humanity. Earlier, Shri Barai Maharaj and VHP Central Committee member Sriramji Joshi alongwith other VHP functionaries of Nagpur and Prant appealed to the people to be ready for construction of Rama Temple at Ayodhya and create a social awareness through this unique awareness campaign of Shakti Jagarana in presence of prominent people of Nagpur.
3. CONGRESS TICKS OFF CHIDAMBARAM OVER 'SAFFRON TERROR' REMARK: With the BJP, Congress on August 27 distanced itself from its home minister.
"Saffron or bhagwa or kesariya (Hindi equivalents of saffron) is not the issue here. The issue is terrorism. Terrorism does not have any colour other than black," said Janardan Dwivedi, Congress general secretary and head of the party's media department.
Making plain the party's disapproval of Chidambaram's controversial formulation, Dwivedi said terrorism could not be associated with any colour, "be it saffron, green, white or red". He further said, "Terrorism is terrorism and should be opposed in whatever form it comes." Significantly, he also stressed that "saffron colour has been part of our ancient tradition and is associated with our freedom strggle".
4. DEVOTEES COME DRESSED IN RED TO CELEBRATE AADI PURAM: Dressed in different shades of red and maroon, more than 600 Hindu devotees carried earthen pots filled with rice porridge on a 3 km-long procession to celebrate the Aadi Puram festival.
A procession of 600 Hindu devotees, all dressed in shades of red and each carrying pots of rice porridge chanted Om Sakthi and Parasakthi as they walked barefoot from the Agni Muniswarar Temple in Permatang Tinggi to the Om Sakthi Spiritual and Charitable Association Prayer Centre in Taman Sukun Indah on August 15 in Malaysia.
5. OBJECTIVE OF SEWA IS TO STRENGTHEN THE HINDU SOCIETY-BHAYYAJI JOSHI: "The ultimate objective of all our service activities, started in 1979 in an organised manner all over the country, is to strengthen the Hindu society. The sewa activities have now assumed the form of a big movement and there is hardly any section of the society where RSS workers have not started any welfare activity. Even then, we have yet to go miles and have to ensure that not a single person of the society remains deprived," said RSS Sarkaryavah Bhayyaji Joshi. He was addressing a meeting of women activists involved in service activities all over the country. The meeting was organised by Sewa Vibhag of RSS in Nagpur from August 21-22 under the banner of Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Sewa Prakalp. A total of 127 women delegates representing 45 women organisations participated in the two-day meeting.
Many prominent functionaries including Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti Pramilatai Medhe and Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Samanvya Pramukh Gitatai Gunde, were also present on the occasion.
6. BILL FOR NRIs VOTING RIGHTS TABLED IN RS: Bowing to repeated demands of non-resident Indians (NRIs) for voting rights, the government on August 21 introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha to enable them to register their names in electoral rolls. Moving the Representation of People (Amendment) Bill 2010, law minister M Veerappa Moily said the fresh move would allow Bharatiyas living abroad, who have not acquired the citizenship of any other country, to register themselves in the constituencies where their place of residence falls, as mentioned in their passports.
7. VHP URGES PM TO SAVE GANGA: Thanking Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for scraping two hydro power projects on the Bhagirathi and for deciding to declare the 135-km stretch between Gomukh and Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone under the Environmental Protection Act and not to allow any developmental project in the zone, VHP president Ashok Singhal urged him to save Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers also. He also urged him to confer the status of ‘national heritage’ on the Ganga.
8. BEACON OF HOPE: Bangladesh snubs Islamists -- In the midst of rising Islamist fundamentalism across the world that among other things even seeks to impose a dress code on people, a Muslim country, Bangladesh, has shown the way to reconcile the tenets of Islam with liberal attitudes. Rapping religious bigots on the knuckles, the country’s High Court recently ruled that women could not be compelled to wear burqa or for that matter any religious dress in workplaces or educational institutions. That the court should have intervened by taking suo motu notice of a report that said the principal of a college had restricted entry of girl students who turned up in the campus without a burqa, is even further evidence of the heightened sense of appreciation in the country that personal choices should not become hostage to religious diktats of mullahs. The overzealous principal will have a lot of explaining to do in the court before which he has to soon appear, for not only did he insist on the burqa but that he had also scrapped all sports and cultural activities in the institute, ostensibly because it went against the Islamic way of life. The order comes barely four months after another Bench of the High Court there had ruled that women teachers could not be forced to wear a burqa or cover their heads against their wishes, as such insistence would be violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. While the recent court orders will further strengthen liberal thinking there, they also offer a lesson to secular nation like ours that baulks at taking strong measures against Islamic fundamentalism for fear of annoying the minority community and being branded communal. Remember that only too recently students of a Muslim university in West Bengal prevented a teacher from taking classes for weeks because she refused to bow to their demand for wearing a burqa. The shocking case did not shake the conscience of the ‘secular’ State and Union Governments, who remained mute spectators for long. When Islamic countries can show courage to repudiate religious fundamentalism, why should we be so defensive? --Exceprts from the Editorial, the Pioneer, August 25, 2010.
9. VOICES RAISED IN SUPPORT OF TASLIMA CITIZENSHIP: The voices in support of the Bengali writer have grown louder even as the government decided to extend her visa for another year. Several human rights organisations such as Human Rights Defense or HRD (Bharat), freedom of speech activists, Delhi High Court and Supreme Court Bar Associations, lawyers and other members of the liberal Indian intelligentsia recently signed a “Delhi Declaration” demanding permanent Indian citizenship for the author.
10. U. B. DAY 2010: Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra, Mumbai celebrated the Universal Brotherhood Day on August 27th. The Keynote Address was given by Ajit Doval - a highly decorated police officer who had an illustrious career and retired as Director, Intelligence Bureau.
He said that be it the faith based religions or the science based theories like Darwin’s Theory or Primordial Soup Theory, we are increasingly converging to the idea that the entire living beings including human beings came from the same evolutionary process and hence have same heritage. His speech was a perfect blend of logic, caution and motivation.
The programme was attended by 150 distinguished audiences from various walks of life ranging from students to CEOs and included 65 who attended for the first time.
11. “HINDUS SHOULD START A HINDU FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN BHARAT.”: Said Upananda Brahamachari in his maiden speech in a strong gathering of over 1,000 people at Birnagar, Kaliachak III block in Malda District in a grand celebration of 64th Independence Day by Hindu Samhati (HS) local committee. “The influx of Bangladeshi Muslims, uncontrolled Muslim population, Pak supported Jihadi activities, Muslim appeasement and Muslim Vote Bank Politics are vehemently jeopardizing the very texture of Bharatiya democracy and integrity”, said Brahmachari “Each and every martyr sacrificed their life for the cause of Independence of Akhanda Bharatvarsha (Undivided India). But for personal gain some political leaders of English Culture supported the division of Mother Bharat”, he added.
12. SECULAR STATE CAN’T PAY SALARIES TO IMAMS: The Congress appears to be increasingly willing to bend over backwards to accommodate the stunningly absurd demands of its allies and those who help keep the UPA in power. Nothing else explains why the Government should have offered to favourably consider paying salaries to imams as demanded by the Trinamool Congress of Ms Mamata Banerjee, who also happens to be Minister for Railways, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal led by Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav. It is patently clear that Ms Banerjee and Mr Yadav, as if working in tandem, have fished out a 17-year-old judgement pertaining to salaries for imams of mosques covered by the Wakf Act to pander to the Muslim voters of Bihar and West Bengal where Assembly elections are due. And, it is extremely unfortunate that vote-bank politics should have reached a point where politicians are brazen enough to demand in Parliament that imams should be paid salaries from the public exchequer. Surely India’s taxpayers do not part with a portion of their hard-earned money to keep imams — or, for that matter, padres and pandits — in comfort. – Excerpts from the Editorial, The Pioneer, August 23, 2010
13. KARNATAKA GOVT. SEEKS ASSENT ON ANTI-COW SLAUGHTER BILL: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa took a delegation comprising of BJP MP’s and his Cabinet colleagues, to meet Rashtrapati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, requesting for her assent for the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter & Prevention of Cattle Bill 2010, on August 9.
Karnataka Govt. decided to enact a comprehensive legislation to prohibit the slaughter of cows and calves of she-buffaloes, bull, bullock, buffalo male or female and for the preservation and improvement of the breeds of cattle and to endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry in terms of Article 48 of the Constitution of Bharat.. Accordingly, the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010 was introduced in both the Houses of the Karnataka Legislature and was considered and passed. The Bill prescribes stringent punishment for violation, makes the offence cognisable and non-bailable.
14. RAKSHA BANDHAN AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE AND GET UNITED- MOHAN BHAGWAT: "Raksha Bandhan is a festival that unites and ensures protection. Aggressive and expansionist forces are invading us from all sides. The message of Rakshabandhan becomes more relevant in this situation." said RSS Sarsanghachalak Bhagwat during a meeting with noted Jain saint Acharya Jayantsen Suri in Vijayawada on August 24. National president of Tristutik Jain Shwetambar Sangh and treasurer of Madhya Pradesh BJP Chaitanya Kashyap were also present on the occasion. The Acharya is observing ‘Chaturmas’ in Vijaywada.
15. DIVINE INTERVENTION SAVES GOLDEN MAHSEER: Hindu temples dotting the river in Pauri and Nainital have become isolated sanctuaries protecting the mighty, but threatened, golden mahseer from ruthless illegal fishing methods by the locals. Mahseer is a prized freshwater species having high culinary demand in the Ramganga region.
Be it the famous Garjia shrine, the ancient Baijnath or the array of smaller austere temples, these holy places have become isolated sanctuaries for the endangered fish. The priests of these shrines have prohibited fish catching in the area and its absolute reverence among natives makes the mahseer flourish even in the absence of any official guard.
16. SEWA BHARATI PRESENTED RS ONE CRORE FOR LEH RELIEF: Pravinbhai Maniar, Paschim Kshetra Samparak Pramukh presented Rs one crore for relief and rehabilitation of flood victims in Leh. The money, presented in New Delhi on August 21 at a function in Seva Bharati karyalay , has been deposited in Ladakh Apada Sahayata Kosh. After receiving the cheque, Jaidev, Sewa Pramukh of Jammu and Himachal region, said the Sewa Bharati has decided to rebuild about 100 houses for the victims. He said 100 houses for animals will also be built.
17. THOUSANDS CONDUCT BUDHA AMARNATH YATRA: Thousands of devotees conducted Budha Amarnath Yatra. They left on the pilgrimage on August 11 and returned on August 15. Budha Amarnath is done in Punchch district of Jammu and Kasmir, about 250 kms away from Jammu. Bajrang Dal conducts this Yatra every year.
The devotees had left for the pilgrimage in buses from Delhi. It is believed that Rishi Pulatsya, the grandfather of Ravana, used to go to the holy cave of Swami Amar Nath. When he became old and was unable to reach the cave, Baba Amar Nath appeared at the place in the form of rock Shivlinga. Since then, the place became famous as Baba Budha Amar Nath. The river nearby is called Pulasti and the place is called Punchh.
18. PEJAWAR MUTT SWAMI GOES ON PADAYATRA IN DALIT COLONY: Blazing a new trail aimed at ending exploitation of dalits in the name of untouchability and creating a sense of social harmony, Vishweshwara Theertha Swami of Pejawar Mutt on August 28 went on a padayatra in a Dalit Colony and offered 'Vaishnava Deeksha' (initiation). So overwhelmed were residents of the Devaraj Urs Colony, inhabited predominantly by 'Pourakarmiks', engaged in sweeping roads by the City Corporation that some of them shed tears of joy and mixed freely touching the feet of the septuagenerian Swami, one of the highly respected seers.
The Colony itself wore a festive look with the lanes and by lanes decorated with festoons and rangoli drawn in front of their houses to receive the Swami, who is also one of the founders of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
19. SPANISH MAHABHARATA PUBLISHED: The Hastinapur Foundation of Buenos Aires has published a Spanish version of Mahabharata. This is the first time that the full version of Mahabharata, the Bharatiya epic, has been translated into Spanish. The translation in 639 pages was done by Hugo Labate over a period of seven years.
20. MAKE SURE FOREIGNERS ARE NOT TO BE ENUMERATED IN CENSUS – ADVANI: Senior BJP leader L K Advani said every care should be taken to ensure that foreigners are not enumerated in the ongoing 2011 census. Advani was speaking at a function organized in New Delhi on August 23 to launch North-East India Sampark Cell of BJP.
Advani said the north-east is facing ‘external aggression’ in the form of massive infiltration from Bangladesh. “The problem has not only endangered the very survival of Assam, but is also threatening other north-eastern states.” BJP national president Nitin Gadkari and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley also spoke at the function.
21. VANVASIS SHOULD GET THE FRUITS OF INDEPENDENCE-KRIPA PRASAD SINGH: "It is our collective responsibility to help the Vanvasi brethren to get the fruits of Independence as they also fought for the freedom," said Kalyan Ashram national joint general secretary Kripa Prasad Singh. He was addressing the annual meeting of PEEP, a voluntary organisation working in Kerala in association with Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, at SKMJ High School Auditorium in Kalpetta on August 15. Representatives from 28 colonies where the PEEP works attended the meeting.
PEEP has been working for the last five years among the people of Paniya Vanvasi community settled in Wayanad, Malapuram, Kannur and Kozhikkode districts of Kerala.
22. BARCing UP RIGHT TREE: SKIN, LIVER TUMOUR CURE SOON: In a major breakthrough in cancer research involving a non-invasive medical procedure, scientists at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have developed therapeutic radionuclides — also known as radio pharmaceuticals — for curing neuro-endocrine, skin and liver tumours.
The scientists have reached the conclusion that Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) and Phosphorus-32 (P-32) are extremely effective radio pharmaceuticals to treat neuro-endocrine and skin cancer patients respectively, at advanced stages. Confirming the development, Meera Venkatesh, head of BARC's Radio pharmaceuticals Division, said on August 18: “We have made an effective use of Lutetium-177 in five leading hospitals in the country.”
23. JAMMU'S ‘3 IDIOTS’ DESIGN: Ever seen a car rotating 360 degrees on its axis? Three budding mechanical engineering graduates from Jammu have designed this amazing car which could usher in a revolution in auto engineering. The “baby car” is smaller than even the Nano.
Showcasing their small-car model — AXI-RO, which can rotate 360 degrees on its axis with a zero-metre turning radius — in Jammu on August 16, the trio claimed their baby car offers the best possible solution to those who find it difficult to reverse their vehicles in congested parking spaces. At top speed, the two-seater AXI-RO races beyond 40kmph and promises a mileage of 22 km per litre even on hilly terrain.
Instead of hunting for jobs, they chose to spend time on their dream project and finally came up with the design of AXI-RO to address the issue of parking congestion on busy Bharatiya roads. They felt the invention would be a practical solution to the common problem.
24. 5th CENTURY BUDDHIST SITE FOUND NEAR KABUL: Archaeologists in Afghanistan, where Taliban Islamists are fighting the Western-backed government, have uncovered Buddhist-era remains in an area south of Kabul.
"There is a temple, stupas, beautiful rooms, big and small statues, two with the length of seven and nine meters, colorful frescos ornamented with gold and some coins," said Mohammad Rasouli, head of the Afghan archaeological department. "Some of the relics date back to the 5th century AD. We have come across signs that there are items maybe going back to the era before Christ or prehistory," he said.
25. ANCIENT SPORT OF INDIA TOUTS TIES TO BUDDHA, AND MALE CHEERLEADERS: Essentially a game of tag mixed with elements of wrestling, Judo and yogic feats of lung capacity, kabaddi traces its roots on the Bharatiya subcontinent back some 4,000 years. Long regarded by Bharatiyas as a pastime for villagers and children, it now has international and even Olympic ambitions.
The northern state of Punjab held a "World Cup" of kabaddi this April that drew crowds of more than 50,000. Italy, Iran, Canada and the U.S. sent teams. Plans are under way to launch a World Kabaddi League early next year with city-based teams, playoffs and an off-season.
Kabaddi is played on a rectangular court. Teams of seven players take turns sending "raiders" across the dividing line to tag opponents. All the while, they chant "kabaddi"—derived from a Hindi word meaning "holding of breath"—to prove they aren't inhaling.
26. THREE BHARATIYAS IN MIT LIST OF WORLD’S TOP INNOVATORS: A young Bharatiya-origin aerospace engineer from the US, Rikin Gandhi, 29, presently CEO of Delhi-based Digital Green, 34-year-old Ranveer Chandra, who has been recognised for delivering high-speed wireless Internet connections over longer distances in the US, and 32-year-old Indrani Medhi whose effort at building interfaces for the illiterate has been recognized have made it to the annual list of young innovators published by the Technological Review magazine. The magazine is put out by an independent company owned by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The list, called TR35, is a collection of the top 35 innovators under the age of 35 in a particular year
27. BHARAT IS LARGEST COTTON FIELD, VIDARBHA RIDES BT BOOM: Bharat has registered 106 lakh hectares under cotton so far this year – for cotton, this is a new world record, beating the 104 lakh hectares recorded in 1934 in the United States.
Confirming this, Anupam Barik, Director, Department of Cotton Development, said: “So far, the area is 106 lakh hectares. This is set to go up to 110 lakh hectares when another 2.5-3 lakh hectares will he added in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the rabi season.”
In 2009-10, the area under cotton was 101.71 lakh hectares. Much of this increase, about 5 lakh hectares, has come from Maharashtra, always in the news for suicide by farmers of the cotton belt in Vidarbha.
28. BHARAT FIRST CHOICE OF UK FIRMS FOR OUTSOURCING JOBS: Two-thirds of British companies intending to outsource jobs offshore prefer Bharat over China. This is the finding of a study jointly carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development here and the accounting firm KPMG. The remaining one-third will go to China and Eastern Europe. The corporates are seeking to export call centre, IT and finance jobs abroad.
CIPD and KPMG's Labour Market Outlook research claimed a decline in the qualities of those who are emerging out of the British education system, which is driving companies to look overseas.
29. TWO SIKHS IN AFGHAN POLL FRAY, WANT TO BE FIRST ELECTED NON-MUSLIMS: Pritpal Singh Pal and Anarkali Kaur Honaryar are running for positions in Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga, the 250-seat lower house of parliament, elections for which are scheduled on September 18.
If they win, they will become the first democratically elected non-Muslim parliamentarians in the country — Afghan Hindus and Sikhs have held parliamentary positions before through nomination.
30. BANSILAL SONEE PASSES AWAY: Veteran Sangh Pracharak Bansilal Sonee passed away at Bisuddhananda Marwari Hospital on August 21. He was 80. His elder brother Anantlal Sonee was also a Pracharak and died three years ago. All his seven brothers are swayamsevaks. Born in Kolkata he became a swayamsevak in early forty and dedicated his life to nation in early 1960s.
31. DEFIANT BANGGARMA SHOWS HER HINDU FAITH: S Banggarma, who was declared “a Muslim” by the Penang High Court on Aug 4, defied the Islamic authorities and demonstrated her Hindu belief by carrying “paal kudam” (pot of milk) at a temple festival in Parit Buntar on August 20.
The mother of two offered her penance to Hindu goddess Mariamman at Sri Muthu Mariamman Kovil fire-walking festival in Dennis Town Estate in the morning together with hundreds of Hindu devotees. She carried the paal kudam for a kilometre from nearby Sri Muneeswarar Kovil to Sri Muthu Mariamman Kovil seeking the divine’s blessing and intervention to help her overcome her battle with the Islamic authorities.
32. JAYAKUMAR, RECIPIENT OF 2010 AKHIL CHOPRA MEMORIAL AWARD: Dr. Jayakuar Srinivasan, a winner of the 2010 Akhil Chopra award presented by Hindus of Greater Houston, was a bright student since his childhood. After graduating in IIT Madras, he went to Purdue University and earned himself a masters and doctoral degree in chemical engineering.
The trade off of this academic success was that he missed the learning and appreciation of the great Bharatiya values. He felt deep void and thus the stage was set for the arrival of his guru. A chance visit to a talk by Swami Dayanand during his visit to Purdue University was the spark. His attendance to H.H. Swami Dayananda Saraswati ji’s talk in 1996 on Brihadaranyaka Upanishad turned his life around completely and helped him grasp the essentials of Hindu Dharma. He started teaching Hinduism and was nominated twice to head Vedic Heritage School. He also initiated AIM for SEWA, a non profit fund raiser in Houston which helped to build two Chhatralayas in Tamilnadu.
33. PROTEST IN PAK FLOOD CAMP AFTER BEEF SERVED TO HINDUS: Hundreds of minority Hindus rendered homeless by the devastating floods in Pakistan were served beef by authorities at a relief camp in Karachi, triggering protest from the community members.
The Hindus belonging to the Baagri and Waghari nomadic tribes, who numbered around 600, are among 4,000 flood victims of different faiths living in the relief camp in Lyari area.
“We are Hindus and consumption of beef is prohibited in our religion but we were given beef, which is unacceptable,” Mohan Baagri, a Hindu living at the camp, said. Following the protest, officials of the Minority Affairs Ministry of Sindh province rushed to the camp and intervened to resolve the issue.
34. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Ravikumarji, sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will be visiting Chile & Argentina. Shyam Parande, Secretary – Sewa International will be visiting Finland, USA and Caribbean countries viz. Trinidad, Barbados and Dominica. Visitors Dr.Anil Nene, Himanshu Sobti-UK, Deepak Sharma-USA.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The earth is supported by the power of truth. It is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth. – Chanakya
JAI SHREE RAM
LADAKH AAPDA SAHAYATA SAMITI
Hundreds of people got killed and thousands are missing and numerous were injured in worst ever cloud bursts and flash floods in Leh which caused unprecedented destruction in the entire district in general and Leh town in particular on August 6. In these adverse conditions, volunteers of the Sewa Bharati, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP) and the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram started all-out rescue and relief operations. The leaders of all these organisations met the Dy Commissioner Leh, Chief Executive Councillor of LDHC and Brigadier Dutta of Army and submitted them written letters extending full support to relief and rescue operations. They appreciated the relief operation by all these organisations.LADAKH AAPDA SAHAYATA SAMITI
According to reports, a RSS training camp (ITC) was underway near Leh when the disaster struck. Suspending the camp activities, all the swayamsevaks rushed at the catastrophe site and immediately started the rescue and relief operations. In the meantime, the Sewa Bharati J&K through its unit in Leh in association with the Ladakh Phande Tsongpa had already established a relief operation camp in Leh and is looking after the needs of the affected people.
According to reports, five villages - Nimmo, Basgo, Shaboo, Faing and Ney, apart from Choglamsar and Leh town, have been very badly hit. Before the people and administration could wake up to the prevailing situation, the natural calamity had caused unprecedented damages everywhere. The district hospital was flooded, bus stands flattened and vehicles were seen floating in the heart of town. The communication equipment of BSNL got completely damaged in the flash floods thereby tying the hands of the administration in starting early relief and rescue operations as damage to the telephone exchange rendered all mobile and landline phones useless.
Flooded hospitals, flattened bus stands, washed away houses and floating cars amidst echo of wailing people were all that was left after the flash floods. What to talk of road connectivity with Kargil, the road link of Leh town with adjoining villages got completely snapped as numerous culverts and bridges got washed away in the floods.
According to the latest conservative estimates till August 16, 179 bodies have been recovered, more than 600 are still missing besides the injured whose number is around over 1,000. The link roads to Leh from Kulu Manali as also National High Way 1D connecting Ladakh to rest of the State and country have been blocked. The Choglamsar was reportedly inhabited by around 150 houses but the cloud bursts and the flash floods devastated it completely and there is no trace of any inhabitant. Ladakh, the second largest district after Kutch in Gujarat in terms of area, is also known as land of high passes or broken moon. Surrounded by Kunlun mountain range in the North, Himalayas in the South, it is the sparsely populated regions of Jammu and Kashmir State. Renowned for its remote mountain beauty and culture Ladakh has Tibet to the East, Lahul Spiti to its South, Jammu and Kashmir to its West and Kunlun region to its North. Leh also has the distinction of being one of the few remaining abodes of the Buddhism in north. The Himalayas create a rain shadow denying entry to monsoon clouds. The average rainfall is 90mm. It is with such geographic conditions that houses in Leh and other parts of Ladakh are mostly constructed of mud and mud bricks, which also helps them to maintain heat during the extreme winter months. This is one of the reasons that massive amount of mud got accumulated on the streets and inside the houses creating hindrance in the rescue operations.
In Jammu, the Sewa Bharati organised an emergency meeting in which social workers of many organisations were present to chalk out the strategy to provide immediate relief to the victims of the disaster. All members paid homage to those who died in the disaster and formed a relief committee under the name of Ladakh Aapda Sahayata Samiti to assist the victims and affected families in Leh. Brig. (Retd.) Shri Suchet Singh has been unanimously elected president of the Samiti. Dr Kuldeep Gupta is secretary and Shri Abay Pargal will be treasurer.
As an immediate measure, some cash donations were immediately transferred from Jammu to the group of swayamsevaks working in Leh. They purchased whatever relief material they could get from the nearby local markets and started distributing them. According to latest reports, a relief package of 2,000 blankets, a set of utensils for 500 families, 2,000 clothes and 500 shoes is on the way and will soon reach the calamity site. Some injured from Leh who have now arrived at Jammu are also being contacted by Sewa Bharati workers to provide them necessary help.
"The devastation of this magnitude needs restoration on all fronts. On psychological front expression of sympathy and nearness with those who lost their near and dear ones, who lost their belongings etc., and on economic front immediate mitigation of the problems of those who survived the calamity but who lost every bit of their saved and secured future. No help, howsoever, of what-so-ever measure it may be, can restore the original peace and tranquility. The task is gigantic and beyond the competence of one agency or one organisation. The affected people need beddings, clothing, utensils, stores and many items of day to day need. Above all they need a roof over their heads to protect them from the ensuing harsh winter which when comes stays on and on," said Brig. (Retd) Shri Suchet Singh.
He said on an average a family requires at least 4 quilts, 4 blankets and equal number of mattresses 4 pillows and a big darri. All this material is necessary for high altitude places like Leh where the temperature goes below zero degree Celsius during winter months which start from October, latest by early November. The approximate cost of these items works out to Rs 6,500 per family of four members. In clothing sweaters, warm shirts, inners, jeans/warm trousers, jackets are required. The average cost works out to around Rs 8,000. As regard to the utensils the minimum requirements are one pressure cooker of at least 5 liter capacity, 6 plates for lunch/dinner, 6 glasses, 6 katori, 2 patila with lids, 2 buckets per family. The approximate cost works out to around Rs 2,000. "The cost of constructing dwelling units comprising two rooms (one room 12X12 and the other one 12X15 including kitchen) in mud with tin roof will cost approximately Rs 2-2.25 lakh without labour component for which we intend to involve the beneficiary. The estimates are only tentative and may vary depending upon the requirements of the site. Similarly, the requirement is based on an assumption of four member family the factual position can be assessed only after the connectivity is restored," Shri Suchet Singh added. (Organiser, August29, 2010)
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