Bhadrapad Krishna 3 Vik Sam 2068. Yugabda 5113: August 16, 2011

1. FESTIVAL: Ganesha Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is the festival of birthday of Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. The festival is observed from Bhadrapad Shukla 4 (September 1 this year) to Anant Chaturdashi Bhadrapad Shukla 14.
The festival starts with the installation of statues of Sri Ganesh – known as God of wisdom - in colorfully decorated homes and offering Pooja and Prasadam of ‘Modak’ – sweet made of rice, coconut and jaggery. The statues are immersed in rivers after a certain number of days from Panchami to Chaturdashi.
Lokmanya Tilak gave this festival a public platform during freedom struggle to educate masses and today thousands of Ganesh statues are installed at public places all over Bharat and huge processions are carried out on the immersion day.
It is also celebrated with fervor in faraway places like Canada, UK, France and Mauritius etc.
2. END SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST RSS, SAYS FORMER SC JUDGE THOMAS: Former Supreme Court judge K T Thomas praised the RSS for its discipline and said the propaganda that the organization was anti-minority was "baseless”. Speaking at a function in Kochi on July 31, attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, he also said the 'smear campaign' against RSS that it was responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi must end. "There is a smear campaign that RSS was responsible for Gandhi's assassination just because the assassin was once an RSS worker," he said, adding that the organization had been 'completely exonerated' by the court. "I am a Christian. I was born as a Christian and practice that religion. I am a church going Christian. But I have also learnt many things about RSS," he said."Can the entire Sikh community be responsible for Indira Gandhi's assassination," Thomas asked. He said he became an admirer of the RSS in 1979 when he was posted as district judge of Kozhikode, adding simple living and high thinking was its hallmark. During the Emergency, RSS was the only non-political organization which fought against it. "We owe very much to RSS for sacrificing many lives for regaining our fundamental rights ..." "The propaganda that RSS was anti minority was also baseless," he said, adding he is a great admirer of the organization as discipline is given importance.
3. KALAM WELCOMES SCIENTISTS' EFFORTS TO VERIFY FACTS: Former Rashtrapati APJ Abdul Kalam welcomed efforts by scientists and scholars to verify the facts of ancient Bharat, saying it would be a learning experience if studies scientifically establish events of the Ramayana period and places associated with Lord Ram. He was speaking on July 30 at a national seminar on 'Scientific Dating of Ancient Events before 2000 BC', he said efforts to prove the indigenous nature of Bharatiya civilization could provide a boost to the confidence of the nation.
4. SAMSKRIT BHARATI PRESENTED THE TITLE OF AARSHA KULA RATNAM: Shruti Sewa Trust, Coimbatore, conferred ‘Aarsha Kula Ratnam’ award to Samskrit Bharati on July 22 for its vision, dedication and tireless efforts in popularizing the Sanskrit among common men. The award was presented by Swamy Dayanand Saraswati in presence of Baba Ramdev and RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat. The award consists of Rs 5 lakh and a citation. On behalf of the Samskrit Bharati, its general secretary Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry received the award.
The award has been instituted by the Shruti Seva Trust to commemorate the Shatabhishekam of its founder Swamy Dayanand Saraswati to be conferred on an organization which has made a phenomenal contribution for the promotion of any aspect of Aarsha Vidya throughout Bharat.
5. HSS-UK SSV CONCLUDES IN BIRMINGHAM: An impressive show of physical demonstrations like Yog, Niyuddh and Ghosh was presented at the samapan function of the Sangh shiksha varg organized by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh - UK at Hampstead community school, Birmingham on August 7. Prof. Narendra Kandal, educationist from Woolwich was the chief guest and Prof. Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi was the main speaker. A total of 172 attended the 9 day camp while 100 attended the camp of Sevika Samiti held in the same premises.
6. SARSANGHCHALAK HOISTS FLAG ON 15TH AUGUST: RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat hoisted national tricolor on 15th August at Bhawarkua Garden, Indore. Emphasizing the meaning of ‘Dharma’ in the Dhammachakra as depicted on the flag he said, “Dharma is the way of life based on duty and righteousness and cannot be equated to mere method of worship.” Many other prominent RSS workers were present at the function organized for college students of Indore region.
7. FREE EYE TESTING CAMP BY RSS SEVA VIBHAG BANGALORE: Nearly 430 people with different visual ailments were successfully treated in a free eye camp organised by Seva Vibhag of JP Nagar Unit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Banashankari, and Bangalore on August 7. The eye testing camp was organised with joint participation of RSS JP Nagar Unit and reputed Narayan Nethralaya Bangalore.
In the Eye testing camp after diagnosing 430 people, for 170 patients free spectacles were distributed who suffers a poor vision. For 33 patients, successful eye surgery was done during the eye camp.
8. BHARAT TO GIVE $2BN TO FUND BAILOUTS IN EUROPE: Bharat is set to fund bailouts in financially-stricken Europe, marking a dramatic role reversal from 20 years ago when it went to IMF to avert a balance of payments crisis.
The government on August 2 sought parliamentary approval to provide over Rs 9,003 crore (over $2 billion) in loans to the multilateral agency's New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB), a fund whose corpus was raised to over $500 billion in March when the debt crisis in Europe showed no signs of abating. So, from Greece, which has received $300 billion so far, to Portugal's $100 billion bailout, Bharat could be playing a part in the international rescue operations.
9. EYE ON CHINA’S UPGRADE, GOVT PLANS 3 KEY RAILWAY LINES, ONE TO TAWANG: With China in mind, Bharat is embarking on a major infrastructure drive in Arunachal Pradesh, with plans for three railway lines in the border state, including one to connect the strategic Tawang plateau with Assam.
While the Defense Ministry has traditionally been discreet about its infrastructure projects in the North-East, the latest standing committee report has revealed detailed plans to enhance border infrastructure. Of the railway lines that have been proposed, the Tawang line is the most significant, considering the strategic importance of the area which is also a major Bharatiya military base. At present, the only access is via road which frequently closes down in bad weather, or helicopters which again do not operate in adverse weather conditions.
10. OZ RADIO HOST APOLOGISES FOR CALLING GANGA ‘JUNKYARD’: An Australian radio show host facing criticism for using a derogatory word against Bharat and calling river Ganga a “junkyard” has issued an apology Council of Indian -Australians president Yadu Singh said on Aug 5: “I am pleased to report that Sydney’s 2Day FM radio station an (host) Kyle Sandilands have realized the mistake in their comments and issued an apology.
“This apology has been on air by Kyle, and in writing by Adam Lang, General Manager of 2day FM radio station, who had sent a letter to me yesterday,” Singh said. Kyle, in his apology note, stated: “I’m apologising... anyone that’s Indian that listens to this show, knows that I love Indians... I don't discriminate. I love everyone. I don’t care where they are, where they are from, what colour they are. I just made the mistake that the river which, to me, looks polluted, I said it was a junkyard and I did not realise it was holy.”
11. SYMPOSIUM ON ‘HINDUS IN PAKISTAN-CRISIS OF EXISTENCE’: Human Rights Defense (India) organised a symposium on the subject ‘Hindus in Pakistan-Crisis of Existence’ on 11th August 2011 at the Speaker Hall of the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.
Justice O. P. Verma former Chief Justice Kerala High Court suggested that ‘we should sensitize ourselves to take up matter of human rights of Hindus in Pakistan with the Pakistan Government and UNO.
Sh. Jaswant Singh, former External Affairs Minister of Bharat revealed his personal experience from his visit to Pakistan. His narrations about his visit to holy temple there and how he mobilized public opinion to stop erection of a dam by demolishing a temple were listened to with rapt attention.
Others who spoke at the seminar were Mr. Jitender Bajaj, renowned economist, Sh M.N.Krishnaman, Senior Advocate Supreme Court of Bharat, Shri Laxami Dass, President Harijan Sewa Sangh, Sh. Shiv Khera, Internationally renowned educator and Ad.Rajesh Gogna, secretary – HRDI. The symposium was attended by the representatives of several organizations including of Akshardham Sansthan, Vishav and Ramakrishna Mission.
12. TECHIE, NOW A TEACHER OF NEEDY: It all started one fine day, when Latha K R came across a group of kids while supervising the construction of her house in Poorna Prajna Layout in Bangalore. She saw the construction workers' kids strolling around and playing all day long without indulging in anything constructive, and that's when she decided to take over.
A software engineer by profession, Latha quit her job to look after her daughter and felt that this was the best way she could utilise her spare time. The idea struck Latha, after she came across Youth For Seva, an NGO providing the youth meaningful opportunities to serve the community.
An initiative that was started with 15 students now has as many as 35 students attending Latha's three-hour long classes that she conducts six days a week. “Even if their parents leave after some time, I will ensure that these kids stay back and finish their studies,” said Latha.
For more info visit www.youthforseva.org
13. GADKARI FOR CLOSER BHARAT-U.K. COOPERATION AGAINST TERROR: Bharatiya Janata Party President Nitin Gadkari on Aug 14 called for closer cooperation between Bharat and Britain to fight terrorism and endorsed British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks during his visit to Bharat last year accusing Pakistan of “exporting terror”.
Addressing a well attended convention of the Overseas Friends of BJP in London, he expressed concern over terror attacks in Mumbai and urged the international community to come together to strengthen the “global framework’’ against terrorism.
Others who spoke included former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Smriti Irani, a Rajya Sabha member and President of the BJP Mahila Morcha. Sh. Gadkari met several parliamentarians, leading businessmen, key government officials, media persons and other Bharatiya groups during his 6-day visit to UK.
14. THIS RAKHI, RAJPUT GIRLS CELEBRATE LIFE: Infamous for female foeticide, Devda village in Jaisalmer on August 13 held a unique Raksha Bandhan function. Girls from Rajput families tied rakhis to boys to symbolise that they were no more unwanted in the community.
This is the same village, which about a decade ago, made national headlines when it witnessed a baraat arriving after a gap of nearly a century. Inder Singh, who had shown great courage in not killing his daughter despite strong pressure from his community, had got her married at the time.
“But now things have changed considerably. In Devda village alone now there are more than three dozen teenage girls in Rajput families,” says Ummed Singh, member of Panchayat Samiti.
Women activists — along with local RSS functionaries — have, for the past few months, been continuing with a campaign among Rajput-dominated villages to encourage the girls to persuade their parents to allow them to tie rakhis to boys of their respective villages if they do not have their own brother.
“Today, we succeeded in our campaign as a number of girls joined us to tie rakhis to boys,” said Giriraj Singh, associated with the campaign.
Darshan Singh Bhati of village Singhdhar points out that now his two daughters, Diya (8) and Nemu Kanwar (9) go to school like any village boy. “This was unthinkable in the recent past,” he added.
15. SPECIAL US RESOLUTION VINDICATES STAND OF KPs: PANUN KASHMIR: Expressing satisfaction over introduction of a special resolution on Kashmiri Pandits in the US House of Representatives by influential Democratic Congressman, Frank Pallone, Panun Kashmir said on Aug 5 that the resolution has vindicated their stand that the community is a victim of terrorist violence, aided and abetted by Pakistan.
President Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo today said while addressing the executive council meeting that Pallone had insisted in his resolution that terrorist infrastructure in the region must be dismantled and the terrorists held accountable for their actions, he said.
16. HINDU GROUPS PROTEST SCREENING OF ‘SITA SINGS THE BLUES’: Several local Hindu organizations joined forces on August 6 to protest the San Jose Museum of Art’s screening of Nina Paley’s 2008 animated film, “Sita Sings the Blues” — which intersperses events from the Bharatiya epic Ramayana with the artist’s own life — at the Camera 12 theater here.
“I’m very angry about this film and feel very humiliated by the portrayal of Lord Ram in this very perverted way,” Khanderao Kand told India-West at the rally, “Negative portrayals of Hinduism cause discrimination and religious intolerance,” he said.
Vijay Simha, national joint secretary of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, echoed Kand’s remarks. “I feel offended and concerned by this kind of slur to our value system,” he told India-West. “Ram is the ideal father, husband and king. Millions of Hindus are inspired by his character and worship him daily.”
17. BHARATIYAS HOLD GOLD WORTH $1 TRILLION: If gold is considered as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, then definitely Bharatiyas are prosperous. After the sizzling rally in gold rate in the last two years, the total value of the gold holdings in Bharat — estimated at around 18,000 tonnes — has zoomed to around Rs 45,00,000 crore ($1 trillion). For 121-crore strong Bharatiya population, this works out to around Rs 1.5 lakh per household of four members. This is also equivalent to around 71 per cent of Bharat’s market capitalisation of listed shares and 66 per cent of total GDP.
According to the World Gold Council, Bharatiyas hold the largest stock of gold in the world — 18,000 tonnes of which is held by Bharatiya households. It is estimated that 7 per cent of Bharat’s $256 billion in total household savings is currently held in gold, WGC says. And demand is increasing.
18. HINDU HERITAGE CAMP DRAWS OVERWHELMING RESPONSE: With the help of local Nashville community, HSS organized a free full day camp for all age groups at Sri Ganesha Temple, on 30th July 2011. Through yoga, games, arts & crafts, discussions and stories, Hindu Heritage Camp brought out hidden talents among the kids and also helped all participants understand their cultural roots in a fun-filled atmosphere.
About 150 people including appoximatly 70 children from various communities came to camp on July 30 to have children learn about Hindu values and to allow adults to reconnect with one another.
19. BRITISH SIKH TV PRESENTER IS NOW FACEBOOK HERO: Upinder Randhawa, a young presenter of a Sikh TV station in Birmingham who has won accolades for its coverage of the arson and looting in the British city has become a Facebook hero having over 4000 followers. And scores of Britons, including Prime Minister David Cameron, are lauding the face of Sangat TV, which is run from a small, makeshift newsroom in Edgbaston. Its footage has been used by CNN, BBC and media outlets in Bharat .
On Tuesday night of August 9, Sangat TV shot a police pursuit of rioters in Birmingham, home to a large number of Bharatiyas, including Sikhs. As police lagged behind, Randhawa asked the police officer: "Do you need a lift? We'll give you a lift. Get in the car." Less than a minute later, the rioters had been arrested.
20. RED FORT ATTACK: SC UPHOLDS ARIF'S DEATH PENALTY: The Supreme Court on Aug 10 confirmed the death sentence for Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mohd Arif alias Ashfaq in the 2000 Red Fort attack case in which three people, including two Army jawans, were killed. A bench of justice VS Sirpukar and justice TS Thakur dismissed the appeal of Ashfaq, challenging the death sentence awarded for the December 22, 2000 Red Fort attack case by the sessions court and affirmed by the Delhi high court.
21. JOURNALISTS FELICITATED ON NARAD JAYANTI: Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra, the media arm of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on August 5 celebrated the Narad Jayanti by felicitating journalists and hailing their contribution towards betterment of the society. Shri Kanchan Gupta, Shri NK Singh and Shri Shyamlal Yadav were the three journalists who were felicitated on the occasion.
Shri Achyutanand, senior journalist and former Vice Chancellor of Makhan Lal Chaturvedi University presided over the function. “Narad Jee was the first reporter this universe ever had. Through his witty communication skills he worked for the well being for everybody in the entire universe,” said Shri Achyutanand during his speech. Shri Rakesh Sinha, professor in Delhi University, spelt out the role of media and journalists in shaping the thinking pattern of society.
22. RAKSHABADHAN 2011: As part of outreach for Rakshabandhan, Rakhis were tied on August 12 to Mr William McLeod, the Mayor of Hoffman Estates – Illinois, and his staff. Purpose of the outreach for Rakshabandhan Utsav was explained to the Mayor and his staff. Emphasis was put on the universal oneness appeal of Rakshabandhan.
Similar programs were held at many places in USA like Columbia, Sugarland Town etc., at London, Bolton and Leicester in UK by the initiatives of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers. In Canada, HSS volunteers presented a beautiful memento depicting the meanings and values associated with the Rakshabandhan festival.
23. INDRESH KUMAR SERVES NOTICE ON NIA: RSS leader Indresh Kumar, who has been accused of involvement in the 2007 Ajmer blasts, on August 2 served a legal notice on NIA for threatening arrest and vitiating atmosphere for justice by beginning a media trial. Kumar’s notice to the NIA was prompted by a TV report, which claimed that the agency was planning to arrest the RSS leader for questioning.
“You instead of using arrest as a tool of investigation are abusing it for political ends. The decision is obviously guided by political expediency rather than necessity or justification,” Kumar’s notice to NIA reads.
24. SHRI VSHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi, former samyojak Vishwa Vibhag would return Bharat on Aug 24. Ravikumar, sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will leave Mumbai for a month long tour to USA on Aug 22. Visitors: Sunil Pala, Anup Prajapati, Krupa Samani, Tejal Shah and Uma Chandegra from UK
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: To keep the body in good health is a duty or otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear. – Gautam Buddha

JAI SHREE RAM

BHARAT’S YOUTH WILL OVERCOME ALL CHALLENGES
Pu. Dr. Mohanrao Bhagwat

My speech today is about the youth. There are lots of youths here in this auditorium. Youth, by their very nature, are emotional. They are usually volatile and are naturally given to sloganeering. Indeed and in fact, that is how youth should actually be. But, my subject is not about the josh (emotional), but about hosh (cool and collectedness). Youth should strive till the end and strain to the last of their nerves to achieve their aims. For this, not just youthful ebullience, but fair amount of patience too is needed.
For instance, there was an RSS meeting in Assam recently and at the end of the meeting; a large number of our karyakarthas went on a trip to Parashuram Kund. Parashuram Kund is a place where the river Brahmaputra is nestled amid hills. Even at its slowest, the swirling river can sweep a person away off his feet. One has to climb 300 steps on a steep gradient to worship at the temple. The kund has freezing cool water. Some of the ‘black-haired oldies’ preferred to give the climbing up a miss and others refused to even sprinkle the water on their bodies due to excessive chill. But, 87-year-old Sudarshanji, who had recently emerged from surgeries, not just climbed up the 300 steps effortlessly, but also dared to venture into the freezing cold waters. In fact, he had a full-bath there. All this, after a grueling four-hour bus travel on a pot-holed road!
So, youthfulness is an aspect of mental attitude. We are fortunate to have a huge youth force in this country of ours, a force that is young both in age and mental character. While the rest of the world is ageing, India will remain a young nation for the coming 20 to 30 years. My speech is for those who are young in both body and mind.
This speech of mine is also directed towards those who feel that the challenges before the nation are his or her challenges and feel compelled to stand up to those challenges
CHALLENGES GALORE
Even after 64 years of independence, Bharat is besieged by a slew of problems and challenges. Challenges, indeed, will be the there and after all, what is life but for such challenges. Yet, no country in the world is facing as many challenges as Bharat. We have challenges so daunting that they make the weak quiver. We have a long list of problems and these problems have been dogging us for longer periods of time. The problems are indeed daunting. But, we must not allow ourselves to cower and cringe.
EXTERNAL CHALLENGES
Our borders are un-demarcated, not well-defended and porous. There are known enemies like Pakistan, whose anti-Indian intentions are clear and unambiguous. Pakistan keeps up threatening postures so long as India doesn’t bare its fangs. Once India becomes assertive, Pakistan will cower. So, Pakistan is not really a problem for us.
But, what we should be worried about are the Chinese intentions. China is using overt and covert means to destabilize and challenge Bharat. The Chinese are worried about Bharat emerging as a future global leader and are shaken by the prospects of Bharat upstaging them in the race for supremacy. Then, there is the problem of illegal influx from Bangladesh, where our borders are porous and are not fenced. We, as a nation are utterly unprepared politically and diplomatically to tackle these challenges.
So much for the borders, Now to the situation within the country; Within the country, there is this spectre of terrorism exported by our unfriendly neighbor. Terror here is orchestrated from across the border and instances are also not lacking of the locals who reach out to Pakistan to become willing partners in destabilizing Bharat.
INTELLECTUAL AGGRESSION
Besides this aggression, there is an intellectual aggression through researches aimed at destabilizing and dividing Bharat. This research, mentored and manufactured abroad, is sought to be foisted on us. So, there is a sponsored terror as also a sponsored intellectual terror. This is a way to weaken Bharat and is an incipient war against us as physical war is both costly and diplomatically counter-productive.
Those, who have a responsibility to set this right, are behaving in a strange manner. For instance, our journalists begin to support azadi when they go to Kashmir. Isn’t this strange? Kashmir is an inalienable part of India and there is a unanimous resolution of Parliament to this effect. Yet, there is such talk of azadi. The army is deployed where it should not be and is withdrawn from where it should be deployed. All this is vote politics for sure.
LOOT OF BHARAT
The hard-earned money of our people is being robbed and is being stacked in safe havens abroad. When there is a hue and cry, some scapegoats are identified for punishment while the biggies go scot free. Sources say that the amounts illegally stacked abroad are just enough to pay all our national debts and ensure growth and development for the coming 40 years. This is truly shocking and mind-benumbing.
FISCAL POLICIES
Are our fiscal policies doing well to the country? Are they ushering in growth? The aspirations are growing and there are certainly some benefits and there is some growth. But, this is jobless growth, which implies that there is bound to be unemployment. The prices are rising as a result of our economic growth, which is essentially inflation-based.
Only 20 per cent of the population is able to reap the benefits of these policies, while the remaining 80 per cent is sliding down into poverty. The rich are becoming richer and the poor are becoming poorer. This is leading to disaffection, violence and large-scale corruption.All these are due to our blind aping of the West. Our ancestors had said ‘Aano Bhadra Kratavo Yantu Viswataha” (Let noble thoughts come from all sides). But we should also have an idea as to how to use them.
CAPABLE, BUT BEREFT OF SENSE OF PURPOSE
Further, our society is bereft of a sense of unity and a sense of purpose. Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has pointed out that the very Indians, who revel in breaking law and circumvent rules in the country, become paragons of good behavior and utmost discipline when they go abroad. Why this dichotomy? Though educated, most of us cause traffic jams due to our irresponsible behavior during rush hours. Why is this happening?
Then there are differences that are caste, community, region and language-based. We are divided on the basis of caste. I had recently met an Indian, who had settled in Brazil long time ago. He had shunned several things Indian. But, when I wanted to know about him, he said he belonged to such and such gotra. He had left many things behind, but caste consciousness continues to stay despite the fact that both scientifically as well as historically, the Bharatiyas have been one nation. Even the recent scientific studies have shown that the Bharatiyas have the same DNA since 40,000 years. Yet, we continue to believe in caste and class. Unfortunately, such differences persist even among the most discriminated castes.
Thus there are several internal, external as well as ethical challenges facing the country. We have the ability to overcome these. Our students are very capable. For instance, the students of the technology museum bagged second prize in technological innovations leaving behind Japan and Korea. This time they are aiming for the first prize. Such is the merit of our boys and girls.
We are also doing well in the realm of sports. The world has recognized Bharat as a great power. In a place like Chitrakoot, we have shown that with the cooperation from the locals, we could harvest three crops where we used to have one crop till the recent past. This has been happening in over 500 villages.
Similarly, we had a poor boy from an interior rural area in our Chhatravaas (hostel). On seeing our highly qualified Pracharaks, he was inspired to work for the society and became one. He had spent close to 15 years as a full-timer. There is no dearth of such people in our country.
The pillar of our strength is the family. The family system offers us social security and is the driving force of our economy. For us, individual is never the basic socio-economic unit. We consider the family as the basic socio-economic unit. We save for our family. It is this saving for the family that has helped Bharat tide over the global economic crisis. Thus, we have several strengths, which need to be augmented.
Bharat is on the throes of a three-fold crisis. They are the crisis of Identity, the crisis of character and the crisis of credibility.
This three-fold crisis is the biggest challenge facing our country. Neither China nor Pak are our problems. Our problem is our loss of character and credibility and the crisis of identity.
I recall an anecdote. There was a rabbit that was mortally afraid of everything. Even when such an innocuous thing as a dry palm leaf comes down, the rabbit scampers back to its home in fear. Fed up with this, the rabbit asked the God to turn him into a big animal like the elephant. The God did accordingly. The elephant had one day tried to venture into waters of a lake. But, it was stalled by a crocodile. Unable to bear this, the animal wanted the God to make turn him into a tiger, which the God readily agreed and did accordingly. This tiger was attacked by a herd of oxen. The animal again approached the God. The God then said instead of asking for metamorphosis over and over again, he could very well have asked for instilling courage in him.
The problem lies within and we fail to notice this. We have problems that are seemingly insurmountable. But, before taking them on, we should address the inner struggle.
KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS
The real strength lies in the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. India has always been democratic and non-violent. There is no place for violence in the society. We should be strong enough to protect ourselves, but should not become perpetrators of violence. Violence and undemocratic means can never become successful. This process should start from within.
We should firmly believe that we shall be successful in this great mission where India will fulfill the needs of the world and will overcome all impediments. In fact, this is the only thing that is certain to happen. Bharatiyais the only hope for the battered world as it has Dharma. India is the only country where the body, mind and pleasures are leashed in a balanced manner and individual –society –nature continuum becomes one with God (Vyashti – Samashti –Srushti- Parameshti). All this is achieved through the practice of pursue Arth and Kaam that are firmly leashed in by Dharm and Moksh. The ultimate aim is attainment of complete and everlasting happiness for the whole world. This is the divinely ordained duty of India towards the world.
STAND UP FOR THE LOFTY AIM
We should stand up for this lofty aim with self-pride, belief and credibility. One should shun careerism. What is life it we cannot work for the society? Did not Savarkar say that all the great qualities are a mere unbearable wastage if they are not useful for the country? One should live by spending less and less resources while giving more and more for the country. We are here for the country and we are not here for name and fame. We should strive to do good, encourage the good and try to eliminate bad from the society. There will be crises, but we should overcome them and work actively for the betterment of the society.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a tendency to increasingly lose fighting spirit and dogged determination as we become more and more prosperous. We should shun this and work actively for the society. One should remember that our work should be both democratic as well as non-violent. Revolution is a myth. There is only an evolution. Even Mao Tse Tung’s revolution of 40 years was preceded by a 150-year-long struggle. We should be willing to work with all democratic and non-violent forces. More than my speech, it is the work that we do that will impact the society in a positive manner because actions speak louder.
There was a Bouddha Bhikku who had gone to China to spread the message of Lord Buddha. After preaching the message of Buddha for several years, he decided to bring out a book on the teachings of the master. He then set about collecting the money for publishing the book. Just as he was about to get the book published, the region suffered a massive earthquake and there was widespread destruction. The Bhikku spent all the savings to serve the needy. Later, he again pooled up money. But, again there was a calamity, this time in the form of a massive flood. The Bhikku had again spent the savings in serving the needy. Then he had again pooled up the money and eventually published the book. In the preface, he said this is the third edition of the book. The first two editions were dedicated to the service of the people and represented the teachings of the master in practice. Such should be our spirit when we set out for the work of rousing the national consciousness.
Let us remember Swami Vivekananda’s call to the nation asking it to stop worshiping all other Gods and pray only Bharat Matha. He had called upon the people to worship the Daridra Narayan (under-privileged, the impoverished and the dispossessed). Let us strive to protect Jan, Jal, Jameen, Janghal and Janvar of this country and service through the fullest strength of our Jeeva . The situation will surely change for the better. Let’s start working.
(Abridged version of RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohanrao Bhagwat's lecture at Satya Sai Nigamagam, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Bharat on the eve of Martyr’s Memorial Research Institute's bi-decennial celebrations on July 24,2011.)
Pl visit: http://www.rssonnet.org for the full speech.

Shravan Shukla 2 Vik Samvat 2068. Yugabda 5113: August 1, 2011

1. FESTIVAL: Swatantrata Divas: At the strike of midnight of the August 15, 1947, Bharat shook off the shackles of British rule and became free. Commemorating the day Bharat attained freedom (15th August); Swatantrata Divas is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes all over the country and by Bharatiyas wherever they live across the globe. The main program is held at the Red Fort, Delhi where the Prime Minster unfurls the National Flag and it is saluted by Guns. The Prime Minister's speech, which follows is a major highlight. Patriotic presentations by school children add colors to the celebrations.
2. TIRUMALA TEMPLE TOPS TOURIST SPOTS LIST: According to statistics for 2010 released by the Union tourism ministry, Andhra Pradesh has gained the position of the most visited destination in the country recording 155.8 million domestic tourists thanks to the Tirumala and Tirupati temples which attract the most domestic tourists. The number of domestic tourists visiting Andhra Pradesh is more than those visiting Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, which have Taj Mahal and Ajanta Ellora, respectively.
3. BHARAT SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED PRAHAAR MISSILE: Bharat on July 24 successfully carried out the first test-firing of its latest surface-to-surface quick reaction tactical missile `Prahaar', which has a range of 150 kms. Prahaar is capable of carrying different types of warheads and will be operated by the Army as a battle field support system. The missile will be helpful in filling gaps between Pinaka multi-barrel rockets with 40 km range and Prithvi ballistic missiles with ranges between 250-350 kms. The uniqueness of the missile with a payload of 200 kgs is that "in one salvo, six missiles can be fired at multiple targets in all directions covering the entire azimuth plane."
4. RSS SARSANGHCHALAK LASHES OUT AT NAC: Stating that the proposed Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill was against the majority community, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarasanghchalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat on July 24 questioned the constitutional sanctity of National Advisory Council, which had drafted the bill. “This bill intends to create differences among the people. How can a committee with controversial people draft this bill? How can the government justify its display on an official website without a debate on it? Is the country being run by the NAC or the Prime Minister?” Shri Bhagwat asked while speaking at a meeting organised by the Martyrs’ Memorial Research Institute (MMRI) in Hyderabad. Bhagwat asked youth to be on the guard against cultural invasion that is being triggered from foreign shores to stop Bharat from emerging as a super power. "Their aim is to divide its people and create a rift among communities. Today, cultural invasion is more dangerous and effective than a direct invasion," he observed. Observing that national borders were still porous, Mohan Bhagwat lashed out at the Government of Bharat for neglecting the border with China, despite knowing fully well their intentions. Shri Bhagwat also called upon the youth to take forward their fight against terror.
5. SARKARYAVAH SURESH JOSHI popularly called Bhaiya Ji Joshi, on July 17, told Gyan Varma that the allegations against RSS are being made to divert attention from a series of corruption scandals and the black money stashed in foreign accounts abroad. RSS had passed a resolution in the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha at Puttur in March, demanding an end to corruption, and that the government take steps to bring black money back. Accordingly, members of the RSS would lend support to any anti-corruption movement. The movements of Anna Hazare and of Baba Ramdev are their own.
About the cases against Swami Aseemanand and Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, Bhaiyyaji said that they were under investigation or in the judicial process. Calling these incidents ‘saffron terrorism’ or Hindu terrorism projects the Hindu society in poor light and is an insult to the society.
6. VIDYA BHARATI SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO EXCEL: The Saraswati Shishu Mandir students excelled in the Odisha State High School Certificate Examinations this year by notching up 52 ranks in the top 100 list, including top position. Sarthak Pradhan, a student of Bolangir Shishu Mandir topped the exams in the state. 9,142 students from 174 Saraswati Shishu Mandir schools appeared in the Board examinations. The Vidya Bharati schools recorded pass percentage of 98.13 which is much higher than the overall pass percentage of the State, which is 66.75 per cent.
7. WOMAN SCIENTIST RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF GSAT-12: A woman scientist is responsible for the successful functioning of Bharat's latest communication satellite GSAT-12, launched from the space port at Sriharikota, 80 km north of Tamil Nadu's capital Chennai. TK Anuradha, the first woman ever to be the satellite project director at the country's space agency, specialises in satellite checkout systems, electronic checking of satellite's performance in space. Anuradha, in her 50s, has been with the Indian Space Research Organisation for three decades now. She heads the GSAT-12 project at the ISRO Space Centre at Bangalore.
8. NAIROBI SHAKHA GURU POOJA was attended by 102 on 17th July. There was a liaison meeting with the officials and members of South Indian Cultural Society, including those from Ayyappa and Balaji Temple. The same day a group of 15 Kishore Swayamsevaks went for a day long outing at Lost Paradise on KIambue Road.
9. CHICAGO VIBHAG OF HSS ORGANISED A FAMILY CAMP for greater Chicago area Hindu families on 19th and 20th July. The camp was held in Hoover forest preserve by the Fox river. A total of 140 people attended the camp with kids from 6 months old to 70+ year old adults providing a full spectrum of age groups. A stroll by the families alongside Fox river with geet by Mrs Yashaswiniji Desai, overview of HSS by Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi, talk by Dr. Yelloji Mirajkar on the various service organizations in the HSS umbrella & how involvement in Shakha builds leadership in our kids, games, bhajan, impromptu entertainments by kids & adults and a talk on ‘What is Hindu identity and how to inculcate that in our kids’ by Dr. Sarada Sonty were attractions of the camp.
10. FIRST SANSKRIT MANNUAL IN ROMANIA: The first “Sanskrit Manual” in Romania, signed by Amita Bhose and released by the Cununide stele Publishing House was launched in the Dimitrie Cantemir Library (52, Viitorului St.–Gemeni Square) on 13th April 2011. Amita Bhose (Calcutta, 1933 – Bucharest, 1992), a researcher of Eminescu’s work, Doctor of Philology (1975, with the thesis “Indian Influences on Eminescu’s Thought”), writer, translator and university professor, acted as a mediator between Romanian and Bharatiya culture. The “Sanskrit Manual” is the fruit of several years’ work, based on her teaching experience at the University of Bucharest, where she taught optional courses of Bengali, Sanskrit and Bharatiya Civilization. The manual, divided in three volumes, comprising nearly 600 pages in manuscript, is a pioneering work in the study of Sanskrit. In 1990 no such work existed in Romania or any other European language.
11. HASTINAPURA FOUNDATION (HF) SPREADING VEDANTA IN ARGENTINA - URUGUAY - BOLIVIA:HF in Argentina is an educational institution based on the Vedantic teaching that God is one and that there are many paths that lead to Him. The foundation is involved in spreading the core teaching of Sanatana Dharma along with teaching other religions in South American countries – Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia and Colombia. The foundation has temples of Hindu deities – Ganesh, Krishna, Surya, Narayana, Shiva and Pandavas. Hastinapura was founded by Argentinian author Ada Albrecht in 1981. Albrecht introduced Hindu and Buddhist philosophy in Argentina. The founders call it the city of wisdom.
It offers opportunity to learn philosophy, practice yoga, meditate, sing bhajans and to indulge in humanitarian activities. It offers a three-year post graduate course in yoga. The classes are held on weekends only. Currently, there are 2,500 yoga and philosophy students.
12. BHARATIYA INVESTMENT BANKER ANSHU JAIN NAMED DEUTSCHE BANK CO-CHAIRMAN: Deutsche Bank on July 25 named a canny Bharatiya investment banker and a German veteran of the old school to run the biggest German bank in tandem from May 2012. Anshu Jain, 48, and Juergen Fitschen, 62, were named joint chairmen of the Frankfurt-based bank to succeed the Swiss Josef Ackermann, 63, when he becomes chairman of the supervisory board. Jain, originally from northwest Bharat, currently heads Deutsche's most powerful section, its corporate and investment banking division, which accounts for the lion's share of group revenues and profits.
13. BHARAT-ORIGIN ACTIVIST ON MEDIA PANEL: In the panel of eminent persons to assist a judicial inquiry into phone-hacking by British tabloids announced by British PM David Cameron in the House of Commons will be Shami Chakrabarti, a 42-year-old lawyer and rights activist of Bharatiya extraction. In 2010, Chakrabarti was voted one of the most influential women in the United Kingdom. Daughter of immigrants from Kolkata, Chakrabarti came 4th in a list headed by author J K Rowling and followed by Kate Moss and Samantha Cameron, the PM's wife. She is currently director of Liberty, a high profile civil rights organization. The youthful Chakrabarti has out-of-towners as her cause.
14. GIRLS SWEEP TOP 3 RANKS IN CA EXAM, MADE HISTORY: It's a long-held myth that girls struggle with numbers and finance. Well, try telling that to Maitreyee Narayansing Rajaput, Arti Jain and Charmy Suresh Sheth. The three young women have made history by sweeping the top three all-Bharat positions in this year's chartered accountancy exam, considered one of the most difficult to clear. What's more, the pass percentage of girls surpassed that of the boys. While 2,368 (21.9%) of the 10,816 girls who appeared for the CA finals this year cleared the last hurdle, the pass percentage was 19.8% for the boys, with 4,277 successful aspirants out of the 21,603 who took the exam.
15. SATPURA ADDS TO NAVY'S FRIGATE PUNCH: The second indigenously-constructed stealth frigate, INS Satpura’s commissioning will take place in Mumbai on August 20, with defence minister AK Antony doing the honours. The first such 6,200-tonne stealth frigate, INS Shivalik, was commissioned in April, 2010. INS Sahyadri, the third frigate being built under the Rs. 8,101 crore Project-17 at Mazagon Docks, will follow after six months.
These frigates will boost Navy’s combat capabilities, packed as they are with sensors, weapons and missile systems, coupled with their stealthy nature due to ‘vastly-reduced’ radar, infrared, noise, frequency and magnetic ‘signatures’ to beat enemy detection systems.
16. MUSLIM SANSKRIT ACADEMIC BAGS HARMONY AWARD: Up-Rashtrapati Hamid Ansari on July 29 presented the 'National Communal Harmony Award' to Mohammad Hanif Khan Shastri, Acharya Lokesh Muni and the Centre for Human Rights and Social Welfare for their outstanding work in the field of communal harmony and national integration. Shastri, who works with Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, has endeavoured to promote communal harmony by highlighting similarities between Hindu and Muslim religions through his unique literary contributions in Hindi and Sanskrit. He was conferred the award for the year 2009. Shastri has tried to show similarities between the Quran and Hindu mythology. Acharya Muni is the founder president of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati, a Delhi-based voluntary organisation, which aims to promote non-violence, peace, communal harmony and works against female foeticide and drug addiction and provides help during natural calamities. He was given the award for 2010. The Centre for Human Rights and Social Welfare, which was conferred the award for 2009, is a Jaipur- based social organisation which has been working for human rights, communal harmony and national integration apart from working for the homeless, welfare of women, footpath dwellers, rehabilitation of the needy and deprived persons.
17. 92 HOUSES TO FLOOD VICTIMS: In a meaningful ceremony on July 12, 2011 at Inamboodihal village of Hunagunda Taluk at North Karnataka, Seva Bharati dedicated 92 newly constructed houses to the families of flood victims. Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, RSS South-Central Zonal (Kshethreeya) Sampark Pramukh handed over the houses to the villagers. Minister for Irrigation and Kannada Culture Govinda Karajola, MLA Veeranna Charanti Mutt, several local leaders of various socio-religious organisations were present during the occasion.
18. FAMILY RETURNS TO HINDUISM AT UDUPI: For his love for a Muslim girl, he took no time to leave his mother religion. 5 years ago Prashanth Shetty married his lover Mushra. He got converted to Islam, appeared in a new name and new Muslim style. After 5 years he realised the mistake. In a simple religious ceremony of reconversion (Paravartan) at Saralebettu Shivapadi Sri Umamaheshwari Temple near Manipal of Udupi district in Karnataka, family of Prashanth Shetty voluntarily returned to Hinduism. The family signed a letter stating the acceptance of Hinduism at the temple.
19. GSAT-12 TO BE OPERATIONAL IN 8 WEEK: A week after the successful launch of the GSAT-12 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan said that the satellite would be operational in eight weeks. Addressing the media at the Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan, he said that the spacecraft controllers at the MCF successfully deployed the 1.2 metre reflector antenna which was on board the satellite, which concludes all aspects of the deployment and was in its final orbital configuration towards earth.
20. WOMEN TO GET 50 PER CENT QUOTA IN PANCHAYATS: Having failed in its endeavour to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and Assemblies, the Centre on July 21 approved the proposal to amend the Constitution 110th Amendment Bill for enhancing reservation for women at the Panchayat level to at least 50 per cent to ensure better representation particularly of those belonging to SC and ST categories. The Constitution 110th Amendment Bill, 2009 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on November 26, 2009. Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have already made suitable amendments to increase the reservation for women from 33 to 50 per cent.
21. WARM SUMMER, VALLEY HITS RECORD HIGH OF OVER 7.5 LAKH TOURISTS: The same day that Germany became the first European country to certify Kashmir as “considerably calm” in its travel advisory, the Valley reached another milestone in its journey towards normalcy. On July 25, tourist arrivals in Kashmir in 2011 crossed the 7.5 lakh mark – the highest ever for a year. As many as 7,54,588 tourists have arrived in the Valley so far this year, including 16,212 foreign nationals. Before the militancy-hit years, the highest tourist arrivals recorded was 7,22,035, in 1988.
22. RECORD 5.58 LAKH PILGRIMS VISIT AMARNATH SHRINE: A record number of 5.58 lakh pilgrims had offered prayers at the 13,500-ft high Amarnath cave shrine up to July 24. The previous highest figure was 5.33 lakh in 2008. The annual pilgrimage commenced on June 29 from the twin tracks of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag district and the number of pilgrims touched the five lakh mark on July 21.
23. GST BOOST: Sushil Modi to head rollout panel: After differing over almost everything for several months, including goods and services tax (GST), there is finally consensus between the Congress and the BJP on appointing Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi as the new head of the empowered group of finance ministry that is looking to usher in the biggest tax reform in the country. The Bihar deputy CM emerged the top choice to replace Asim Dasgupta, who headed the empowered committee for over a decade and oversaw implementation of the value-added tax regime.
24. FAI ARREST CHEERS UP KASHMIRI PANDITS: They watched him with envy and resentment for nearly two decades as he hijacked the Kashmir issue in the US. He called his outfit Kashmir American Council but they felt it was more a Kashmiri Muslims American Council. Bankrolled by Pakistanis and their intelligence agency ISI, he falsified facts, distorted perspective, and exaggerated issues, blustering and buying his way into American political discourse. But with US investigators exposing Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai as a Pakistani ISI stooge, long suffering Kashmiri Pandits are rejoicing.
As far as they are concerned, Fai was a Pakistani lobbyist, not a Kashmiri activist. It was always clear that this (Fais) group was following the official Pakistani version of the Kashmir story. In all instances, the truth was obfuscated by misinformation provided by our opponents masquerading as Kashmiri freedom fighters, says Lalit Koul, president of the Indo-American Kashmir Forum, which works to highlight the plight of the Kashmiri Pandit community, including their ethnic cleansing by Pakistan sponsored terrorism.
25. BHARAT DRIVING WORLD RECOVERY: Gadkari: Bharatiya Janata Party President Nitin Gadkari on July 14 said that Bharat was driving the world economic recovery from the recent recession and helping redefine a new world order. Addressing a meeting of the Indo-British All Party Parliamentary group and Indo-European Business Forum in London, Gadkari said the erstwhile NDA Government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee introduced reforms in a number of areas, including international trade, foreign investment, disinvestments, telecommunications, power, roads and education. The party remained committed to taking the reform process further if returned to power.
26. AROGYA BHARATI, a voluntary organization of service minded people and groups who have interest in the health of the society with Dr B. M. Hegde, ex vice chancellor of MAHE University, Manipal as the chief patron and advisor, will conduct a National seminar on Holistic Approach to the Management of Hypertension and Coronary artery disease, at Nagpur on 22nd and 23rd Oct. 2011. The names and addresses of such institutions, doctors, who have done documented work on the management of Hypertension and CAD, who can represent as expert speakers/paper presenters on this subject may be sent to:
Dr Raghavendra Kulkarni. National President, Arogya Bharati. Email: rkulkarni1940@gmail.com Dr. Ramesh Gautam, National General Secretary, Arogya Bharati. Mob. 09371136505. E-mail: gautam_m27@rediffmail.com
27. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Visitors: Shri Jai Prakash & Shri Manoj Motwani from Hongkong, Shri Narinder Punj from UK. Pravaas: Vishwa Vibhag Sah-samyojak Shri Ravi Kumar is on pravas of Mauritius. Vishwa Vibhag Pracharak Shri Anil Vartak is on pravas of UK. Vishwa Vibhag Purva-samyojak Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi is in UK after pravas of USA.
28. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “Yes, I have seen God. I have seen Him more tangibly than I see you. I have talked to Him more intimately than I am talking to you. But, my child, who wants to see God? People shed jugs of tears for money, wife and children. But if they would weep for God for only one day they will surely see Him.” Sri Ramkrishna Paramhams to Swami Vivekanand. JAI SHREE RAM

‘Norwegian Mass Murder is a warning to the World”
Ram Madhav

What is interesting about the Norwegian who murdered scores in cold blood in the name of some ideology is his description by the European media as a ‘Christian Fundamentalist’. Which, of course, he is. His so-called Manifesto refers repeatedly to a medieval movement called ‘Knights Templar’. Anders Behring Breivik, the mass murderer, believed that there would be a 21st century version of the Knights Templar to save Europe from being run over by Muslims. Knights Templar was an armed Christian movement created in 12th century by Christian fundamentalists with blessings and support from the Catholic Church. It waged number of battles with Muslims of the times and had a bloody history.
While the media in Europe rightfully highlight this aspect of Breivik’s ideological background some in Bharat found it appropriate to link him to the Hindutva movement. In his 1500-page so-called Manifesto Breivik does refer to Bharat, and according to the media reports in more than 100 pages. He does mention about some books authored by Bharatiyas. He also makes several other observations – some history related and some about the contemporary political situation in Bharat. But to insinuate that Breivik was inspired by the Hindutva propaganda is misleading and motivated. Breivik’s act of killing innocents is reprehensible in strongest possible words. But the attempts to link it to Hindutva movement are also equally reprehensible. For, ideologically speaking, his views are more akin to hordes of conservative writers and thinkers of both sides of the Atlantic. In fact, he profusely quotes from the writings of respected conservative writers. His ideological position on issues like immigration, multiculturalism etc is no different from that of the likes of UK Prime Minister David Cameroon or German Chancellor Angela Merkel or French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
Each one of them have condemned his act of mass murder, so did many conservative thinkers. The duplicity of our ignoramuses is conspicuous in their attempt to blame the Hindutva movement for Breivik’s despicable act but their complete silence on his core Christian fundamentalist ideas. Also, this ‘guilt by association’ theory (there is no association, except some references from writings) is peddled out by these people selectively. By the same logic we have to blame Quran for the acts of Islamic terrorists; banish Marx, Mao, Lenin and Che etc up to Arundhati Roy, for, they are the ideological motivators of the Maoist terrorists. Breivik was also an admirer of the ‘Tea Party’ of Sarah Palin and of course his role models include Putin. Are they to blame for his acts?
It is important to note that this attitude of contempt and condescension of the Left-Liberal cabal is what is responsible for such heinous happenings. Issues that the conservatives raise, which today capture the imagination of a large section of the Europeans – thinkers and commoners alike, are dismissed and derided by these worthies rather than discussed and debated honourably. In fact the conservative writers, who are the biggest losers of Breivik’s horror, have been repeatedly warning the West about this impending disaster. Breivik’s gory act should be condemned by everybody. But that is not enough. It is time we sit up and discuss the issues like multiculturalism, immigration, problem of Islam’s assimilation with Liberal Democracies etc without any malice. By refusing to do that and by indulging in witch-hunting we would only be inviting many more such tragedies.
Tail Piece: For this horrendous crime of killing around 80 people Breivik can get a sentence of just 21 years in jail. Norway, under the influence of the Liberalist campaign, banished death penalty. It is now interesting to see what these so-called champions of human rights would say when it comes to punishing Breivik. Writer is RSS Central Executive Council Member.

GHULAM MOHAMMAD VASTANVI

Vastanvi’s termination and concomitant support to this action by Muslim intellectuals exhibits the end of moderate, liberal tradition in Bharatiya Islam

PROF RAKESH SINHA

Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi has been sacked as the Vice Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband by the majority of eight votes while five went in his favour. He had to pay the price for using his conscience while assessing the state and politics in Bharat. He also remaining unfazed by fundamentalists attack on him. He had praised governance and development in Gujarat in the month of February 2011. This created a storm not among the Muslims of Gujarat but other parts of the country and especially UP and Bihar. Ever since colonial period, this region has been breeding ground for fundamentalist politics. That’s why Sardar Patel warned the Muslims of Hindu majority provinces for their separatist mentality. He observed in the Constituent Assembly, “it is you (pointing to the representatives from UP) who led the movement for Pakistan, you got it, what else you want?” Vastanvi’s episode shows that fundamentalism has not died down in the region. In a secular democratic society every academician or artist has right to express his views freely and firmly. Vastanvi’s statement was intended to impress civil society to restore inter -religious trust, harmony and good will. Had he committed a crime by doing so? Is there anything in his statement which can be said to be harmful to religious sentiments of Islam or Muslim community? Moreover, Vastanvi is not an exception in this regard. Earlier Rajiv Gandhi Foundation controlled by Nehru-Gandhi family and various reports of the world community described governance in Gujarat as a model for others. Vastanvi episode cannot be described as an internal matter of Deoband or Bharatiya Muslims. Deoband or the community is not beyond the Bharatiya Constitution and our secular democracy. Thus the decision to sack him is the gravest attack on the freedom of expression. It is also an extension and legitimisation of fundamentalism in the public domain.
Surprisingly, he did not get support even from a small segment of Muslim intellectuals. Contrary to it most of the Urdu newspapers favored his termination. Obviously one will be disappointed if he will make a quest for Tajamul Hussains, AAA Faizees, Moin Shakirs, Justice M H Beghs among the twenty first century Muslim intellectuals. A liberal Muslim cannot survive either in politics or public life. He looses his utility as a vote catcher. The man who refused to bow down before the fundamentalists upon the Shah Bano case sacrificed his position as a cabinet minister, Arif Mohammad Khan is a marginalised creature in politics. There may be hundreds of other reasons for this but it is undeniable fact that he has been paying the price for his conviction in panthnirpekshata. One may ask, does Vastanvi episode mean the end of moderate – liberal tradition among Bharatiya Muslims? Does it also mean that the community has been increasingly becoming the prisoner of exclusivist ideology and agenda? These questions cannot be set aside.Most of the Muslim public faces openly supported fascist decision of Deoband. SQR Ilyas, member of the All Muslim Personal Law Board, said “Anyone who is in a religious institution should not make political statements.” Kamal Farooqui, another member of AIMPLB, too defended Shura’s decision. Vastanvi, He observed, “I believe Shura has taken the right decision in its wisdom.” However, every cloud has a silver lining. Vastanvi refused to apologise under the pressure of the ‘community’ He exhibited his firmness. He valued his opinion, right to freedom of expression and above all his conscience. His loneliness is Lion’s loneliness. Thousands of sheep and goats cannot compete with a lion. Thus we can hope moderate, secular and democratic views compatible with inclusive cultural ethos of Bharat will one day emerge and there will be many more Vastanvis challenging ghetto mentality. Vastanvi aptly stated, “The students of Darul Uloom are not against me but a section of the students were being brainwashed by a few.” Unfortunately Bharatiya Marxists and neo-liberals who defended people like M F Hussain, Vinayak Sen, Arnadhti Roy and their ilk are maintaining conspicuous silence. This silence exposes their ultra hypocrisy.

ARE THEY JUST ‘USEFUL IDIOTS’?

S Gurumurthy

See this list of seculars and liberals. Justice Rajinder Sachar, author of the famous Sachar Committee Report on the state of Bharatiya Muslims; Dileep Padgaonkar, one of the three interlocutors on J&K appointed by the central government; Harish Khare, the media adviser to the prime minister; Rita Manchanda, the Bharat/Pakistan Local Partner for Women Waging Peace; Ved Bhasin, editor, Kashmir Times; Harinder Baweja, editor (investigations), Headlines Today; Gautam Navlakha and Kamal Chenoy, human rights activists, and; Praful Bidwai, well-known columnist. This is the illustrative list of popular Bharatiya liberals who exert powerful influence over the Indian discourse — be it on Kashmir or secularism or on corruption or communalism or on Narendra Modi or Sonia Gandhi.
But this is not the list of probables for the Padma awards. This is the list of those who have been the guests of Ghulam Nabi Fai, who was arrested three days back by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US for acting as the front man of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). The Washington Times (July 19, 2011) reported that Fai “was arrested on July 19 by FBI agents in a suspected influence-peddling scheme to funnel millions of dollars from the Pakistani government, including its military intelligence service, to US elected officials to help drive Bharat out of the disputed Kashmir territory in South Asia”. Fai was arrested in US not for working to drive India out of Kashmir — as it is not an offence under the US law — but for the offence of funnelling ISI money to buy influence over US officials for Pakistan. Under the Bharatiya law, the case against the Bharatiya liberals in Fai’s list may well be one of sedition if they had known who Fai was, or if they had not, they could be well just his “useful idiots” as a former editor, R Jaganathan, wrote in his brilliant column in firstpost.com. But are they just useful idiots or more? The 45-page affidavit by the FBI in the case has charged Fai with “conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign principal”. Media reports that the FBI swears in its affidavit that Fai, who floated the Kashmir American Council (KAC), was a front man for Pakistani interests in US in the garb of Kashmiri’s. The reports say that Fai “took dictation from his masters” in Pakistan. The media cites the FBI affidavit to say that Fai received at least $4 million — at some $500,000 to $700,000 every year — to manipulate the Kashmir debate in favour of Pakistan. And this is important. This is where the Bharatiya liberals listed at the opening are party to advancing the designs of Fai. They had been attending the conclaves and meets organised by Fai, at the instance of ISI, to oust India from Kashmir.
The FBI seems to have worked meticulously to link Fai to his masters in Pakistan. It appears to have got the details of some 4,000 e-mail and telephone exchanges with his handlers in Pakistan. An accomplice of Fai seems to have confessed — as a confidential witness for FBI — that Fai was a henchman of ISI. According to the confidential witness, cited by the media, the ISI “created the KAC to propagandise on behalf of the government of Pakistan”. Fai could play this role unsuspectingly because he was originally from Bharat, being born in Kashmir, with a master’s degree from Aligarh Muslim University. After becoming an ISI agent, according to reports, he began to do what Pakistan and ISI directed him to do, namely hold conferences and seminars funded by ISI for which he was sourcing the propaganda material of the ISI. According to the report, the confidential witness seems to have confessed that, “of the statements Fai makes, 80 per cent are provided by the ISI for Fai to repeat and disseminate verbatim. The other 20 per cent of the KAC’s messaging consists of Fai’s own ideas, which have been pre-approved by the ISI”. So Fai is a hundred per cent ISI mouthpiece.Our liberals figuring in the list participated as important speakers from Bharat in the conventions and seminars organised by Fai, now charged by FBI as an ISI agent. According to reports, Fai, assisted in his objectives by our liberals, was so effective in hurting Bharat’s interests, that, to counter him, the Bharatiya government specially had to appoint Wajahat Habibullah, a Kashmir cadre IAS officer who retired last year, as minister, community affairs, in its embassy in Washington. Imagine. On the one hand, the present media adviser to the prime minister and one of the three present interlocutors of the government on J&K had worked to hurt Bharat’s interests in the way the ISI was conspiring to do, by participating in the seminars organised by Fai and funded by ISI to “drive out Bharat from Kashmir”; and on the other, the government of Bharat was forced to send out an IAS officer from Kashmir cadre to contain that damage. The result is that those who, through Fai, were part of the ISI design, are now part of the UPA government. But could Fai with his mission to push Pakistan/ISI agenda “to drive Bharat out of Kashmir” include in his efforts such important opinion-makers of Bharat, unless he knew that their views would advance his master’s interests? Why would Fai not call an Arun Shourie? A Cho Ramaswamy? An M J Akbar? An Arnab Goswami? It is self-evident. Their views would stall, not support, the ISI. Undoubtedly, Fai knew that the views on J&K publicly held by our liberals in Fai’s guest list would further the cause of the separatists. Now, is it easy to dismiss that they were just “useful idiots”? PS: Two of these liberals are still in high positions — one is an interlocutor on J&K appointed by the Centre and the other is the media adviser to the PM. Mr. Prime Minister, this is evidence coming, not from our police, but from the FBI in the US, the country you love most! Are you listening? -- The writer is a well-known commentator on political and economic issues.