Ashwin Krishna 4 Vik Samvat 2068. Yugabda 5113: 16 September 2011

1. FESTIVAL: ONAM CELEBRATIONS WITH TRADITIONAL GAIETY AND FERVOUR: Keralites on September 9 celebrated Onam, their most important and colourful festival, with traditional gaiety and fervour commemorating a mythical past of plenty, peace and equality.
Homes and temples were decorated with floral decks to welcome the mythical King Mahabali, who is believed to visit his subjects on the 'Thiruvonam' day of the Malayalam month of Chingam (first month of the Malayalam calendar).
Cutting across class, caste and religious barriers, all sections of people joined the harvest festival.
Legend has it that Kerala was once ruled by the 'Asura' king Mahabali, under whose reign everyone were happy and lived in an Utopia where falsehood and deception were unknown.
The 'Devas', however, grew jealous of the popular king and had him banished down to the netherworld by Lord Vishnu, who incarnated as Vamana, the dwarf, for the purpose. Before going down, Mahabali secured a boon from Vishnu that he would visit his subjects on 'Thiruvonam' day every year.
Over the centuries, Onam has assumed a secular dimension and state-sponsored cultural programmes and public festivities have become an integral part of the festival. Wearing new clothes and enjoying a sumptuous feast called 'sadya' comprising rice, curries and scores of sweet and hot delicacies served on plantain leaf is a main feature of the festival.
2. SWAYAMSEVAKS’ RELIEF WORK FOR RAIL ACCIDENT VICTIMS: A sleepy village (Chitheri) in Tamilnadu-Vellore District, 90 kms off Chennai, went on deaf when a Vellore bound EMU train crashed into the stationary Arakonam-Katpadi passenger from behind while it was waiting at the signal. The impact of the collision was so powerful that three coaches of the stationary train and two of MEMU train were thrown off the track. About 10 persons were killed and 100 injured badly. Immediately after the tragic incident took place, Swayamsevaks led by Kanchi Jilla Karyavah Sri Vasudevachandar reached the accident spot near Arakkonam to help the victims. With the help of Dhandas carried with them they retrieved some dead bodies caught between the coach and the track. Under the guidance of Police and Railway authorities, they also helped to send the injured to various hospitals. Under very trying circumstances- rains and darkness -Swayamsevaks' role, particularly their preparedness with Dhanda, torch lights etc. were well noticed by the other rescuing personnel.
3. COUNTRY NEEDS MOVEMENTS LIKE ANNA’S AT EVERY STEP IN OUR SOCIAL LIFE— MOHAN BHAGWAT: "The movement of Anna Hazare proved to be much needed island of faith in the current spate of corruption that virtually wiped out the hopes and shattered the faith of common man in the system.
The success and spontaneous popular support the movement received countrywide was an indication of the crisis of ethos and identity confronting the Bharatiya society today,” said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat in Pune on August 30. He was speaking at the function organised by Janata Sahakari Bank, Pune to present an award, in memory of late Moropant ji Pingle, to Nagpur-based SAKSHAM – an organisation working for the betterment of physically challenged and visually impaired persons in the country. Janata Sahakari Bank chairman Shri Arvind Khaladkar was also felicitated at the hands of Shri Bhagwat for the extraordinary and firm leadership he provided to the the bank during the times of crisis which resulted in the turnaround of the bank.
Eulogizing the efficiency and achievement of the Janata Sahakari Bank, Dr Bhagwat said this was possible because all the members of the Board of Directors and workers worked with devotion and consistency and the bank possessed the strength of character, which was an intrinsic RSS value.
4. ‘HEALTH FOR HUMANITY’ YOGATHON INSPIRES KIWIS: New Zealand cities witnessed the first ever health event from 13th to 27th of August 2011. People from all walks of life and different age groups participated in a two-week “Health for Humanity” Yogathon. The youngest participant was 3 year old in Wellington and the oldest was 82 years old from Auckland. The event was free and open to all to participate.
The participants aimed to collectively perform 100,000 repetitions of ‘Surya Namaskar’ over a period of 15 days. The final tally was 89,058, said Mr Venkat Koppaka, the national coordinator for Yogathon.
With four centers in Auckland alone, Yogathon 2011 was launched simultaneously in Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington and Nelson. Alongwith two members of Parliament Dr Rajen Prasad and Sue Moroney from Auckland and Hamilton respectively, Yogathon saw a participation by more than 50 groups and nearly 1000 individuals. Three groups namely Wellpark College of Natural Therapies, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and Art of Living Foundation performed more than 10,000 Surya Namaskars each.
5. PADYATRA BY PEJAWAR SWAMI IN SLUM LOCALITIES OF HYDERABAD: Pejawar Swami Shri Vishvesh Teertha conducted a padayatra in slums localities of Hyderabad viz Fatehnagar, Madannapeta etc. in last week of August. He reached the localities in the evening and met the people there.
Talking to the gatherings, he said all Hindus are equal and there is no place for untouchability in Hinduism.
“Even today some of our Hindu brothers are being discriminated in the name of untouchability at wells and temples. We have to abandon all the ill practices. “VHP is committed to remove untouchability from the society. If you have any problem, bring your problem to the notice of VHP workers also.
6. SC UPHOLDS THE LAW - NARENDRA MODI STANDS VINDICATED: 12th Septmber’s verdict of the Supreme Court, refusing to entertain a petition filed by a victim of the 2002 violence in part of Gujarat following the gruesome killing of kar sevaks travelling by Sabarmati Express whose coach was set on fire by a Muslim mob at Godhra, not only strengthens faith in the judiciary but also, and perhaps more importantly, reaffirms the majesty of the law of the land. It is only to be expected that a victim of violence, whatever its nature or cause, should feel aggrieved and angry. In this case, the petition filed by Jakia Nasim Ahsan referred to the death of then Congress MP Ehsaan Jafri who was killed in the violence at Gulbarg Society on February 28, 2002. It was an unfortunate incident that should not have happened and the process of bringing the guilty to book was initiated in the relevant trial court. Yet, goaded by self-righteous and sanctimonious activists with a political agenda and not averse to subverting the process of justice, the apex court was needlessly sought to be drawn into the trial by alleging that Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several senior bureaucrats were ‘responsible’ for Ehsaan Jafri’s death and hence should be tried for the crime. The allegation, outlandish to say the least, was posited as ‘fact’ regardless of the absurdity of the proposition. We have seen similar foisting of fiction as fact in the past by, and at the bidding of, the same lot of activists who have since been exposed for perjury and worse. After the Supreme Court refusing to entertain the petition or supervise the case on the basis of two independent reports — the first by the court-appointed Special Investigation Team and the second by the amicus curiae; the credentials of those who looked into the allegation, sifted through evidence and scrutinised records before penning the reports are unimpeachable. No motive can be attributed to them. Nor can the Supreme Court be faulted for doing the right thing by ruling that the issue lies with the trial court and there is no reason for either intervention or supervision. The law has been upheld and a precedent set.
It is for jurists and scholars of law to pontificate on the finer points of Monday’s judgement. However, it would be in order to make three points on the basis of the judgement delivered by the Special Bench of Justice DK Jain, Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Aftab Alam. First, much as activists and their politician patrons may perversely claim that the justice process in our country is flawed or slyly insinuate bias by demanding that cases be transferred out of the State where incidents have occurred (in this instance, it is Gujarat) the reality is to the contrary. Second, perhaps a larger and more substantive debate is called for on whether self-proclaimed ‘human rights’ activists with dubious sources of funds and sinister intentions should be allowed to delay fair trial with the purpose of derailing justice. The trial of those accused of setting coach S6 of Sabarmati Express on fire was inordinately delayed on account of such intervention. Third, there should be a system of penalising agents provocateurs who seek to promote themselves and their twisted interests by trying to manipulate the process of justice through false affidavits, bribing of witnesses and tutoring complainants. Or else the rule of law stands threatened. (Editorial The Pioneer 13 Sep 201)
7. THE FORMER RASHTRAPATI APJ KALAM IN HOUSTON AS AN INVITEE OF INDIA HOUSE, the University of Houston and Rice University. The audience included hundreds of young students who had come to listen to Kalam’s wisdom, his short, inspirational and pithy one-liners and his vision for a better world.
While Shri Jugal Malani, president of India House, welcomed Dr.Kalam; Dr John Antel, representing Chancellor Dr Renu Khator, of the University of Houston, said President Kalam’s visit was an event to celebrate and announced the introduction of an India Studies minor that will be offered at the University of Houston shortly.
Dr Kalam lauded the role of India House in Bharat-U.S. connectivity. He said that there are challenges before us, especially the young, to fight corruption, moral turpitude and environmental decay and to build a compassionate society. He said the vicious cycle of never-ending greed can be countered with the singular thought of “what can I give, instead of what can I take.”
Can I be an environment giver? Plant a billion trees for a billion people. Can I be a care giver? Take care of the lonely, old and infirm. Can I be a smile giver? Make your mother happy, he said. For, a happy mother makes a happy home. A happy home makes a happy society. A happy society makes a happy nation ...
8. CAMERON CITES BHARAT TO RAISE EDUCATION STANDARDS IN UK : Keen to raise education standards in Britain, particularly in Science and Mathematics, Premier David Cameron on September 9 cited the example of Bharat to caution schools not to be complacent and strive for excellence.
In a speech at a school in Norwich, Cameron outlined his agenda for raising standards in schools at a time when industry leaders lament that many students in Britain leave school without basic skills in Maths, Science and English.
Cameron said: “When China is going through an educational renaissance, when Bharat is churning out science graduates, any complacency now would be fatal for our prosperity. And we’ve got to be ambitious, too, if we want to mend our broken society”.
9. MUSCAT: TULU COMMUNITY CELEBRATES GANESH CHATURTHI : The Tulu community of Oman celebrated Lord Ganesha’s festival at the Shiva Temple here recently under the auspices of Shree Ganesh Festival Committee Muscat. Thousands of devotees not only from Tulunadu, but from all over Bharat, particularly from Karnataka state, thronged the Shiva temple and partook in the celebrations. The year 2011 marks the 27th year of celebrations by the Tulu community in Oman.
The three day long celebrations commenced on September 1.Various pooja rituals like Aarathi, Maha Pooja, Ranga Pooja, Pushparchane, were performed. Devotees sought the blessings of Lord Ganesha by offering 108 coconuts, modaka, laddu, kodu Bale, chakkuli and the like. The ceremonial couple for the celebration was Mallar Shashidhar Shetty and his wife.
The finale of the three day celebration was the ritual of immersion. Amidst the repeated and befitting choral chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ the immersion of the idol of Lord Ganesha was conducted. Traditional Mangalorean cuisine was served as Prasad on all the three days.
10. A FAIRYTALE COMES TRUE - THANKS TO BIHAR’S NEW ANTI-CORRUPTION LAW: There was a time, not so long ago, when Bihar was synonymous with lawlessness and anarchy. Corruption was all-pervasive and crime rates were at an all time high. Then, Nitish Kumar came to power in 2005 and changed everything around with his good governance and pioneering leadership skills, just like in the movies. Residents of Bihar today gladly recount several instances of demonstrable development and palpable progress — of how pot-holed roads have finally been repaired and new highways have been laid, of how women can now walk around freely and how crime rates have come down significantly while real estate prices have touched the skies. In many ways then the nondescript event that marked inauguration of the new premises for a Government school on Septmeber 9 in Patna weaves itself well into Bihar’s popular socio-political narrative. Yet, the fact that the new premises of Rukunpura Mushari Primary School was until a few months ago the palatial bungalow of a literally ‘filthy rich’ Government babu — the kind that the economically disadvantaged students of a Government-run school can barely dream of enjoying in their lifetime — is really what makes this episode the stuff that, yes, only dreams are made of. A quick look at what turned this dream into reality takes us back to March 17 when Bihar’s State Vigilance Court — the State’s own anti-corruption watchdog established by Mr Kumar in 2006 — confiscated the property which belonged to Shiv Shankar Verma, an IAS officer who had been suspended for being in ownership of assets disproportionate to his reported income. Back in July 2007, the State Vigilance Unit had raided Verma’s house and discovered nine kg of gold, tonnes of cash and investment papers; authorities estimated his assets were worth Rs 1.43 crore.
While the courts continue to hear Verma’s case, it has been possible for the Government of Bihar to take over the tainted officer’s assets under the Bihar Special Courts Act, 2009, which allows the State to do so if there is prima facie evidence that the assets are the fruits of corruption. In case it is proven otherwise, the assets are returned or an equivalent monetary amount paid in compensation along with interest compounded at five per cent. The law, and more so the manner in which it has been implemented, has rightly sent a chill down the spines of corrupt officers in the State; already, others, including some senior bureaucrats, who have been charged with corruption have expressed deep concerns about their future. In the meantime, young school children who once had to make do with a stinking, dilapidated school building now study in well-furnished, clean classrooms. This is a cue for the country to take note. – Editorial, The Pioneer, 10 September 2011
11. RAMAKRISHNA MISSION HOLDS INTERFAITH MEET: As part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda which were inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Bharat in January 2011, the Ramakrishna Mission organised a unique interfaith meet, a dialogue with difference, on September 11-12. The meet was inaugurated by former Rashtrapatiji Dr AJP Abdul Kalam. Swami Shantatmananda, secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi, in his welcome address spoke about Swami Vivekananda’s enormous contribution for establishing harmony among different faiths. Swamiji through his historic address at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago, USA in 1893 set the tone for interfaith harmony in the world. Kalam in his inaugural address spoke about his own experience during his visits to the places of different faiths such as temples, mosques, Buddhist monasteries, churches, etc.
12. WITH LOCKHEED MARTIN HELP, DTU STUDENTS DESIGN UAV: A team of undergraduate students from various engineering faculties of Delhi Technological University (DTU), with the help of Lockheed Martin, a company engaged in manufacture of F-16 fighter plane, has designed an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A presentation to this effect was made before Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Tejender Khanna and John Sheehan, of Lockheed Martin on September 6. The UAV comprises a fixed winged aircraft weighing around 36 kilograms equipped with sensing, imaging and surveying capabilities and can fly upto 20,000 feet altitude with a payload of 17 kilograms.
13. FOOD DISTRIBUTION BY HINDU COUNCIL, KENYA: Hindu Council of Kenya earnestly took over the distribution of maize meal to residents of various locations in Eastern Province after an appeal by the Government of Kenya.
They mobilized various member institutions to carry out the famine relief projects by personally going to the residents. One such program was held on 21st August 2011 at Wamunyu where Hindu Religious and Service Centre, in conjunction with, Shree Digamber Jain Mumuks Mandal, donated 10 tonnes of Maize meal, to thousand residents, each getting 10 kilos.
On 4th of September, members of the Hindu Religious and Service Centre travelled 180 km to donate food to the residents of Kalimbevo Village, in Matinyani District, in Kitui West. Thousand bags of 10 Kilos each, were distributed to the residents. On the same day, members of the Lohana Mahajan Mandal distributed 2000 bags of 10 kilos to residents of Mithaini Village in Miu Location.
The group of forty-four volunteers left Nairobi at 7.30AM, and after a journey of about 4 hours, they got to the distribution location. The village was in an area that was completely dry- full of dust, thorn trees and yellow, nearly-dead grass. The area has not had rain for the last 2 years. Residents of the village had gathered at the local Kalimbevo Primary School- a school that was built in 1986. The school was completely rudimentary- just walled rooms without any doors or windows, and wooden benches.
The residents were given HCK cards based on the number of members in their family. HCK volunteers gave out bags to residents, and collected cards. The exercise took about two and a half hours. One could see the joy on the faces of the recipients while receiving the food bags.
14. PHUKET ISLAND CELEBRATES GANESH-CHATURTHI WITH FANFARE: Phuket, southern island of Thailand, celebrated Hindu festival of Ganesh-Chaturthi with fanfare and the Governor Tri Augkaradacha participated.
Complete with conch-blowing, fruits and flowers offerings, decorated Lord Ganesh statue and women dressed-up in saris; few hundred Hindus and others participated. Theravada Buddhism is national religion of Thailand and as with most of Thailand, majority of Phuket population is Buddhist, followed by significant number of Muslims. There are reportedly about 2000 Hindus on the island. Phuket’s Thalang National Museum reportedly has a Visnu statue.
15. Political parties oppose communal violence bill: Various political parties opposed the ‘Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011′ during the National Integration Commission (NIC) meeting in New Delhi on September 10.
While commenting on the Bill, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan stated that the Bill was a blatant attack on the concept of federalism. Tamilnadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha has written to all non Congress chief Ministers about her strong reservations regarding the bill.
Echoing similar views, leader of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) party Sharad Yadav stated that the right to maintain law and order should remain with the state governments.
16. CHINA HONOURS BHARATIYA WITH HIGHEST LITERARY AWARD: China has conferred its highest literary award on Prof. B R Deepak for his book, which is a translation of 88 classical Chinese poems from 11th to 14th century BC into Hindi. Deepak, who is from Centre of Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies, JNU, the first Bharatiya to receive the "Special Book Award" for his contribution to Chinese studies, translation, publication of Chinese books and cultural exchange.
17. US LAUDS PROGRESSIVE MODI: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has earned encomiums for his governance from an unexpected quarter —- the Congressional research wing of the United States, a country that summarily denied him a visa a few years ago.
A newly-released report of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) not only hails Modi’s BJP Government as “India’s best example of effective governance and impressive development”, and sees him “among the party’s likely candidates for prime ministership in future elections”.
18. NATIONAL TRIBUNAL AND WORKSHOP ON EVANGELISM: A tribunal under the banner of Forum for Social Justice was held in New Delhi on 5-6 September on the theme ‘Evangelism : Impact on Faith, Culture, Economy and Life of Vanvasis’. The Tribunal comprised of eminent people like former DG of Punjab Police Shri KPS Gill, Air Marshal (retd) Shri RS Bedi, Swami Shantatmananda of Ramakrishna Ashram, Justice (retd) Shri Suresh Soni, former Ambassador Shri Prabhat Shukla and others.
The impact and penetration of evangelic activities came clear when a Jamatia Vanvasi student of Law in Delhi University informed about the conversion of his fellow 17 students in the national capital itself, by funds provided by Tripura Christian Fellow Organisation.
In their testimonies these Vanvasis who represented 14 states of Bharat clearly stated that the evangelical Christian missionaries are forcing them to convert into their religion. They stated that there was an increase in the nexus between Maoists and these Evangelist forces and the leaders.
After the testimony for two days, these Vanvasis assembled at Jantar Mantar on September 6 to register their protest against various challenges posing a threat to their traditional life. The Tribunal, after preparing a detailed report, will present it the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, different Commissions and authorities with a memorandum within one month.
19. GANESH POOJA UTSAV 2011: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh- USA on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, organized Ganesh Pooja for children on the 4th of September, 2011. Around 200 children and their parents gathered at the Sunnyvale Hindu temple at 10:30 am for this pooja.
Each child, when checking in for the pooja, was presented a booklet which has the various shlokas and mantras, including their transliteration, and translation. The symbolism behind these rituals is also described in this booklet which gives the kids the right context behind every action they take during the ceremony.
After a traditional procession to bring Ganapati to the Pooja Sthan the pooja began with inviting and welcoming Lord Ganesha by the respective pujaris – each child being the pujari here – to their respective pooja sthals.
The rest of the pooja paddhati was also followed exactly as conducted in Hindu households and temples across Bharat. At the conclusion of the pooja, Pt. Krishna Kumar Pandey narrated a couple of stories highlighting Lord Ganesha’s childhood and the importance of his parents in his life. Aarati and Sri Ganesha Stotram followed by the Sangha Prarthna concluded the day’s activity.
20. A WALK AROUND A HILL, TALKING ABOUT THE FAMILY: A programme under the banner “Kutumbha Prabodhan“ took place at Thiruvannamalai on 3rd and 4th September 2011 in which 21 families consisting of 68 persons (including 21 ladies), attended. Senior RSS pracharak Ma. Shri. N. Krishnappa ji took part in the programme. In a lively interactive session , Ma. Krishnappa ji guided the families about family values, the need for better interaction among the family members, the samskaras to be inculcated to the younger generation etc. There was a lively interaction
In the concluding session, all the families agreed to hold weekly meeting of family members and visit 5 families every fortnight to spread the message of “Kutumbha Prabodhan”.
21. 'FIRST TURBANED' SIKH IN UK PARLIAMENT: Dr Indarjit Singh, the director of a charity linking several Sikh organisations in the UK, has become the "first turbaned Sikh" member of the British Parliament.
Recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission, the 79-year-old Singh will enter the House and sit as an independent.
Singh, who is the first Sikh to have addressed a conference at the Vatican, said "the mantra of today's times - to look after ourselves because we are important - is creating a selfish and fragmented society in which rights are put before responsibility."
22. DALAI LAMA INAUGURATES CENTRE FOR TIBETAN STUDIES AT IGNOU: At a function held recently in Delhi, The Dalai Lama inaugurated the Centre for Tibetan Studies at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
He was also conferred the degree of doctor of letters (Honoris Causa) by the university.
The aim of the centre is to preserve the Tibetan culture in Bharat and Nepal. "The centre aims to contribute to the theoretical knowledge and practical training in Tibetan Buddhist scholarly tradition. It will develop and launch various programmes of study at the graduate and postgraduate levels and provide authentic Tibetan Buddhist teachings to promote dialogues between trans-national scholars, clergy and Tibetan teachers," said Gracious Thomas, director, School of Social Work, Ignou.
The centre has launched three programmes — a diploma, BA and MA, respectively, in Buddhism and Tibetan Studies, which will be taught in regional Tibetan Buddhist Centres at Dharamshala, the Central University for Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and at the Tibetan House, Delhi.
23. BRITAIN TO FUND SCHOOL THAT TEACHES BHARATIYA MEDITATION: A school in Britain that teaches Bharatiya-style meditation to students will now be funded by the government.
The Maharishi School in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, is run according to the teachings of Bharatiya guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who had The Beatles among his disciples.
Four-year-old students attend meditation sessions at the start and end of each day of school.The school – among the 24 getting government backing – says the sessions help relax pupils and improve their ability to learn.
24. HSS CHICAGO MEETING WITH US CONGRESSWOMAN MRS, JUDY: A team of HSS Chicago vibhag met with Mrs. Judy Biggert - US Congresswoman and tied Rakhi to her and her staff at her Chicago office on September 2.
Rep. Biggert represents 13th congessional district and a long time legislator welcomed HSS volunteers and carefully listened to the HSS activities narrated to her by visiting HSS functionaries.
25. AMPHIBIOUS VESSELS TO STRENGTHEN NAVY: The Bharatiya government has cleared the Rs 2,176-crore acquisition of eight specialised vessels or LCUs (landing craft utility), capable of "hard beaching" on enemy shores, to boost the country's amphibious warfare and island protection capabilities.
The LCUs are likely to be based at Bharat's first and only regional 'theatre command', the strategically-located Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), which will complete 10 years of existence next month.
26. MULTI-FAITH SIKH SCHOOL IN THE HEART OF UK: Volunteers from the 200,000 Sikh community in Birmingham have played a key role in setting up the first ever Sikh ethos, multi-faith and publicly funded primary school in the heart of the UK.
Start up costs of £2.2 million have come entirely from donations and volunteers have saved another £600,000 by giving up their time to renovate and refurbish buildings that formerly housed a hotel and then a night club. They have helped paint walls, strip floor boards and install under floor heating.
The Nishkam School in Handsworth, Birmingham, is part of the first wave of state funded “free schools” set up by teachers, parents and charities outside government control. It is due to open in two weeks time.
27. NEW YORK TIMES LAUNCHES BHARAT-CENTRIC WEBSITE: As part of expanding its global reach, leading US daily the New York Times has launched 'India Ink', an English-language website offering news and analysis about Bharatiya politics, culture, business, sports and lifestyle.
The site, which is The New York Times' first-ever country-specific site for news and information, provides a distinct perspective on news and events that matter most to Bharatiyas and those who follow news about Bharat, both on the subcontinent and abroad.
28. VKA TO HOLD TRIBAL OLYMPICS: Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram will be organizing Akhil Bharatiya Khelkood pratiyogiya – at Pune from 29th Dec 2011 to 01 Jan 2012. The opening ceremony is on 29th and the closing on 1st. It will have Archery, Athletics, Kho-Kho, kabbadi, Marathons and also Football.
29. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Visitors: Pravaas: Dr.Ram Vaidya, sah samyojak Vishwa Vibhag returned to UK after finishing his tour to Kenya and Uganda.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The one who controls the senses by the trained and purified mind and intellect, and engage the organs of action to selfless service is considered superior. – Bhagwadgita 3.07

JAI SHREE RAM


UNITED WE STAND
Narendra Modi

Gujarat cannot be developed if even one section is left behind
I had the privilege of felicitating bright' meritorious students of the Muslim community in Ahmedabad recently' on invitation by the Gujarat Ajmeri Charitable and Education Trust. It was extremely encouraging to see the enthusiasm and exuberance for education on display amongst the young people gathered there' and girls in particular. The girls interestingly had outperformed the boys that evening' securing 65% of the awards and recognitions.
Leaders of the Muslim community were also present in large numbers at the function. It was heartening to see a similar enthusiasm and drive amongst them for getting their newer generations educated' to consequently progress and prosper.
It has always been very clear and obvious to me that education is one of the most powerful drivers for bringing about progress and development in society. The evening thus augured well for a bright shining future of our beloved nation.
I would like to share with you some of the thoughts i had submitted that evening' as i had found the audience meaningfully engaged and willing to explore the issue. Minorities in India have for years been deceived and exploited in the name of vote-bank politics. They end up being used as mere ballot paper — with no one seeming to see or care for the human being behind.
Gujarat has managed to rise above this trap of minority-majority considerations' to focus on all six crore Gujaratis as one. We have always maintained and aimed for universal objectives' without any form of discrimination or bias. All students should get good education; all children should be healthy; and all poor should benefit from welfare schemes. Just as even if one organ of a body is weak' the body cannot be considered healthy; i have always believed that my Gujarat cannot be considered developed if even one section of its society is left behind or weak.
True development therefore has to be all-round' inclusive' comprehensive and sustainable. We have often heard the prime minister addressing us from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15 as Hindus' Muslims' Christians' Sikhs and so on. I wonder why he cannot address us simply as 'my dear countrymen'' rather than breaking us up like this? Isn't this important to maintain the unity of our nation!
Secularism is a term interpreted in many different ways by different people. For me' it has always been something very simple — putting India first. It means designing policy' making decisions and taking actions in the best interests of the nation. When we look after India's interests' the interests of every Indian are automatically cared for.
My government therefore functions on the principle of 'justice to all and appeasement to none'. And Gujarat is accordingly marching ahead with the mantra of 'sabka saath' sabka vikas' (support from all' development for all).
Friends' these thoughts that i had explored with the gathered audience that evening' are not mere wishes or fancy imagination. Gujarat has achieved concrete results based on them over the past decade. And it is not me or my government saying so. A committee headed by a retired judge' Justice Rajinder Sachar — constituted by the central government of Manmohan Singh in 2005 — has said so.
The Sachar panel was formed to study the socio-economic conditions of Muslims in India and the report was tabled in Parliament on November 30' 2006. An analysis of the report presents a clear understanding of the progress made by Gujarat's Muslims' especially in comparison to their counterparts in other states. The compiled data also exposes the deplorable status of Muslims in states which are singing paeans to secularism' but in fact playing vote-bank politics.
-- The writer is chief minister of Gujarat,. Sep 12, 2011 Times of India Blog

Bhadrapad Shukla 4 Vik Samvat 2068. Yugabda 5113: September 1, 2011

1. FESTIVAL: Mahalaya: The dark fortnight of Bhadrapada (Aashwin in North Bharat) Aswayuja, falling 13-27 September this year, is known as the Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight especially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the Sarvapitri amavasya is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites.
The renowned hero of the Mahabharata, Karna, when he left the mortal coil, ascended to the heaven and the great charity he had done here was returned to him hundredfold. But, it was all gold and silver; there was no food, as he had not done any food-charity! He prayed to the god of death. So, he was sent back to earth so that he could perform shraddha and donate food and water to make up for this deficiency.
On his return to the higher regions, he had food in plenty. It is these fourteen days that are commemorated in the Mahalaya Paksha.
2. RSS CHIEF SEEKS BATTLE AGAINST GRAFT: RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat has urged office-bearers and representatives of Sangh Parivar to bring about a change in the society. He was addressing a gathering, samanvay baithak, of various affiliated organizations at Chardham Mandir campus in Ujjain on Aug 19.
He said that Sangh workers must be the medium of social change in the country. “I think if we all work together we can bring about a significant change in the society,” he said, adding that corruption is one of the burning issues in the country and needs to be addressed immediately.
The meeting at Ujjain saw the presence of prominent functionaries like senior BJP leader Dr Murali Manohar Joshi, VHP leaders Ashok Singhal and Praveenbhai Togadia, RSS office-bearers general secretary Bhayyaji Joshi, Madandas ji and prominent functionaries of other organizations. Many issues of national importance including anti-corruption campaign, infiltration on the borders, terrorism, internal security, environmental and many other relevant issues were discussed in the meeting.
3. RSS CALLS FOR COORDINATION OF ALL AGITATIONS: The RSS has made clear that it supports ongoing campaign against corruption by Anna Hajare’s India against Corruption. But its Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Suresh alias Bhaiyyaji Joshi clearly denied the allegation from some elements that the RSS is funding the ongoing agitation. He also called for co-ordination of all anti corruption movements in the country.
Addressing a press conference in Ujjain on August 20, Shri Bhaiyyaji Joshi categorically stated that the RSS supports each campaign against corruption including ABVP’s Youth Against Corruption, Baba Ramdevs’s Bharat Swabhiman Trust’s campaign against black money & ongoing agitation led by Gandhian Anna Hajare for Jan Lokpal Bill.
Shri Bhaiyyaji also called for all elements of the society to participate in the ongoing agitation in peaceful manner as it is necessary for the solution of such issues. He called for co-ordination of all such agitations too.
4. RAKSHABANDHAN UTSAV IN IRVINE: About a hundred attendees flocked to the Netaji Shakha in Irvine, California on Aug 21st to celebrate Raksha Bandhan Utsav. Orange County Fire Authority Station #26 Fire Captain Fernando and his staff, Irvine Police CERT Coordinator Frank Southern, and President of Maharashtra Mandal Los Angeles (MMLA) Swati Deo were among the participants.
While Swati Deo gave an inspiring speech, Irvine Police CERT Coordinator Frank Southern urged HSS volunteers to enroll in a program by the city to be trained in self-security.
5. BEGINING OF BEGINING: Now after the ignition, it’s about pressing the foot on the pedal. In the avoidable skirmishes between the Bharat Sarkar and Anna Hazare and his associates, the nation got 12 days of high drama and a flurry of low blows. But thankfully, on August 27, we saw the immovable object move to an unstoppable force. The withdrawal of Mr Hazare’s fast came after both Houses of Parliament expressed solidarity with the anti-corruption crusader’s three core demands regarding the proposed Lokpal Bill. Mr Hazare had earlier demanded a parliamentary resolution on these demands — a citizens’ charter, the lower bureaucracy coming under the lokpal’s purview and the establishment of lokayuktas in all states. But coming from the state of ugly deadlock, the parliamentary endorsement was a gesture that was good enough for Mr Hazare to call off his fast. However way one looks at it, the ongoing agitation has finally got the serious attention of the political class, the government included, instead of the earlier tooth and nail resistance in the name of the sanctity of Parliament to a strong Lokpal Bill.
In the discussion in Parliament that preceded the rapprochement, parliamentarians finally set their cards on the table regarding the issue at hand. Especially forthright were the two leaders of the Opposition of the two Houses, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley. Even though we are yet to be clear about the kind of effective Lokpal Bill the government says it wants to pass, the fact that the nation’s legislative body has at last come together to go beyond homilies is most satisfying. Mr Hazare has spoken about the “victory of the Jan Lokpal Bill being a partial victory”. He and his associates now hope that the government convenes a special session of Parliament to pass the Bill in a month’s time. Considering that Parliament will now be debating the pros and cons of each of the various drafts of the Lokpal Bill, which will then be looked at by the parliamentary standing committee before Parliament passes the law, we would actually consider 27 August’s achievement as the ball set moving.
At stake is firming up the most effective Lokpal Bill with safeguards to prevent its misuse. So while a deadline keeps the legislation of this landmark law from slipping away into the horizon, a month should be a working deadline. What must be ensured is that the foot is not taken off the pedal. While views and counterviews will continue to float about on the method used by Mr Hazare to make the nation’s lawmakers forge an effective law against statutory corruption, Mr Hazare has unleashed a genie that cannot be put back in the bottle: the will of the people. Consider 27 August’s breakthrough — or climbdowns — as the beginning of a beginning. (Editorial, Hindustan Times, 29 August 2011)
6. SPONTANEOUS SUPPORT TO ABVP’S ANTI-CORRUPTION HUMAN CHAIN: On 26th August students all over the country manifested their enthusiasm in support to anti-corruption human chain by ABVP. Students showed their commitment to uproot corruption from country by forming human chain in more than 350 districts, 800 places in which more than 4 lakh students participated. There were big congregations in the cities like Nagpur, Bangalore, Patna, Lucknow, Ghuwahati, and Ranchi.
Since last few months outrage is seen in the society all over the country against corruption especially in student community. ABVP is organizing various activities under the anti-corruption agitation to exhibit outrage of students across the country. From last few days, under the leadership of ABVP, students on many campuses are agitating symbolically against corruption by tying black ribbons.
7. MI VAASTU AHALYA MANDIR CHI: “It is not just a story of a building named ‘Devi Ahalya Mandir’. It is the documentation of multifaceted activities of the ‘Rashtra Sevika Samiti’, witnessed by this building over a period of 45 years. It is a brief account of the selfless service and achievements of the countless activists of the Samiti,” remarked senior journalist, writer and former editor of Tarun Bharat, D B alias Mamasaheb Ghumre while releasing the book Mi Vaastu Ahalya Mandir Chi penned by Swati Shahane at Laxmibai Kelkar Hall, on August 6. Vandaniya Pramilatai Medhe, Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, Shrikant Joshi, senior RSS Pracharak and President of Devi Ahalyabai Smarak Samiti Sumantai Sarnaik prominently shared the dais.
8. GLOBAL YOUTH CONFERENCE TACLKES WORLD ISSUES: The University of Manchester selected Vishal Ladwa, ex-president of NHSF, Manchester University, to attend the 22nd International Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC) in Prague.
The annual conference, tailored specifically for students, focused on the cross-cultural exchange of ideas, fostering international relationships among young people, with the aim of nurturing future world leaders to discuss and collaborate on world politics.
It brings together a diverse and select group of young people from all over the world to learn and challenge ideas of justice, culture, international decorum and leadership. A group of 80 students came together for 5 days ( last week of July) from over 32 countries including Egypt, Australia, South Africa, Israel and Puerto Rico to name a few. The variety of experiences and thought-provoking ideas that were shared is what made the conference truly unique.
Simulations of International Bodies
The week-long conference included simulations in the form of UN Security Council meeting, an International Criminal Court Pre-Trial, European Parliament Session and Foreign Embassy visits.
The UN Security Council enabled group members to debate and articulate their views against each other over growing concerns regarding energy security which has been at the forefront of world issues since the Fukushima disaster.
The International Criminal Court simulation showcased the pre-trial of Muammar Gaddafi, where the accused stood trial for crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.
The American Embassy set the stage for the long awaited panel discussion based on the topic of global challenges faced by future leaders. It was an honour to be chosen to represent UK for the 5-person panel question and answer session to all delegates. Other countries included Israel, Egypt, Indonesia and Australia highlighting the diverse spectrum of political to economic challenges faced by countries.
Students Challenged and Tested
Throughout the week, delegates were pushed out of their comfort zones to challenge and test themselves through the medium of simulations and workshops. This came during the run-up to the European Parliament simulation which allowed delegates to express their creative flare through the lobbying and campaigning. The simulation proved that even on an international level there are no barriers in world politics but only challenges; which way we see a difficulty is our choice.
This conference allowed delegates to experience the wealth of beauty that various cultures have to offer and being exposed to such experiences at such a young age will allow future leaders to approach world affairs through a responsible, ethical and caring manner, highlighting the Hindu notion of – “the whole world is one family” (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam) because national boundaries are only lines drawn on maps; it was our thoughts and visions of creating a better future which drove us to a commonality. – by Vishal Ladwa, NHSF UK.
9. REVISED EDITION OF 'RASHTRIYA SWYAMSEVAK SANGH' RELEASED: “Nanaji Deshmukh was indeed an extraordinary personality. He, through practical deeds, taught the people what the RSS is. Through this book he explained the Sangh ideology to the masses,” said RSS Akhil Bharatiya Pracharak Pramukh Madan Dasji while releasing the revised edition of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a book written by Nanaji Deshmukh in 1979, in New Delhi on August 6 at Deendayal Research Institute.
Ram Bahadur Rai, who has written the foreword of the revised edition, said the sequence, facts and reasons for the division of Janata Party cited by Nanaji in the book are fully correct.
10. DEFAMING RSS - LEGAL NOTICE TO DIGVIJAY SINGH: Senior RSS leader from Maharashtra and national convener of Samajaik Samarasata Manch, Shri Dada Idate issued legal notice to Congress Natioanl General Secretary Digvijay Singh. Ratnagiri based criminal lawyer Adv Pradip Parulekar,has served a legal notice to Digvijay on behalf of Mr Idate for his repeated objectionable and defamatory comments against RSS and other Hindu organisations. Adv Parulekar has also warned that, when Digvijay Singh made these comments, Congress Party has never distanced itself from his views and hence Congress Party is also party in this case and if Digvijay Singh does not apologizes for his comments regarding his comments both ( Digvijay and Congress President) may have to face criminal case.
11. SAMSKRIT LANGUAGE: Sudhishta Mishra, who converses in Sanskrit with his six-year-old daughter Mimansa at home, teaches spoken Sanskrit in camps organized by Samskrita Bharati, an NGO, says, "Earlier, there would be 10-15 people attending a camp. Now we get 50-60 people." These 10-day camps are held every month all over the country for anyone willing to join; there's also a 14-day residential camp for teachers in Delhi. "Mostly young professionals attend these camps. When I ask them why they want to learn, a majority says they want to read the Bhagvad Gita, Ramayana, books on ayurveda in Sanskrit."
B Mahadevan, professor of production & operations management at IIM Bangalore and member of the Central Sanskrit Board, believes it's the novelty factor than something more substantial that is attracting the young to Sanskrit.
"There's a lot of research on Sanskrit in the IITs," says Prof R Subbakrishna of the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore. A portal of IIT Madras promotes Sanskrit through self-study, while IIT Bombay has a Cell for Indian Science and Technology in Sanskrit. The increasing interest in Sanskrit studies, tattoos and Hindu rituals in the west is partly responsible for the attention the language is getting at home. Interestingly, the number of people claiming Sanskrit as their mother tongue has seesawed in the last 30 years. In 1981, it was 6106; in 1991, 49,736, dropping to 14,135 in 2001.
Subbakrishna agrees that the number of individuals propagating the language has increased. There are also at least three Sanskrit newspapers being published – in Kanpur, Gujarat and Mysore.
12. VERMONT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL WELCOMES "KIRTAN THERAPY": A non-profit effort Call and Response Foundation, established by Jennifer Canfield has been holding weekly kirtans to the fifty patients and 300 staff members of Vermont State Hospital—the highest-level psychiatric care facility in the state—in the North East of the United States.
“We didn’t know what kind of a response to expect,” says Jahnavi, who also performs with kirtan group Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits. At start, most of the patients seemed unresponsive, staring off into the distance.
“As we continued to sing, a lot of patients moved to sit closer to us,” Jahnavi says. Many began to clap, and some even tried their best to sing along, a notable change from their initial response. After the forty-five-minute performance, hospital staff told them, “You have no idea how much you’re doing for the patients. During the kirtan, those who are normally unresponsive to therapeutic attempts responded with emotion. They became animated and full of life in a way that they never do otherwise. And from past experience with other kirtan performances, we know they’ll talk about it for a whole month afterwards.”
13. BALAGOKULAM CELEBRATE SRIKRISHNA JAYANTHI: Balagokulam in Hyderabad celebrated Sri Krishna Jayanthi at ECIL. Janmashtami day evening, they bought out a splendid procession, “Shobha Yathra” through ECIL ‘X’ roads. More than 2000 of devotees including children dressed as Krishna, Radha, Sree Ram, other characters like Vasudeva and Krishna were present in shobha Yathra.
Gokulam is the place where an ordinary cowherd boy blossomed into a divine incarnation. It is here that Krishna’s magical days of childhood were spent and his powers came to be recognized. Every child has that spark of divinity within. Bala Gokulam is a forum for children to discover and manifest that divinity.
14. SWAMI VIVEKANANDA ON POSTAL STAMP IN MALAYSIA: To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (1863-2013), Ramakrishna Mission Malaysia observed the release of the ‘Arise, Awake!’ postal stamp on Aug 2. The stamp takes inspiration from the holy man’s famous quote “Arise, Awake! Stop not till the goal is reached”.
Centre president Swami Supriyananda said with the release of the stamp by Pos Malaysia, the mission was gearing up to celebrate Vivekananda’s 150 years in a fit and proper manner appropriate to his universally respected stature as a world teacher, thinker, leader, prophet, pathfinder and humanity benefactor.
In line with that, a series of Personality Development programmes for youths through Vivekananda’s life and message are being planned for two year, 2012 and 2013, all over Malaysia.
Also present at the event were Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Bharat general secretary Swami Prabhananda, and Toh Puan Uma Sambanthan.
15. BOOK ON MADHAVRAO MULE RELEASED: “Madhavrao Mule was solely dedicated to the cause of the motherland. He represented an entire generation of RSS,” said RSS Sarkaryavah Bhaiyaji Joshi while releasing a book on him in New Delhi on August 1. The book, published by Lokhit Prakashan, Lucknow, has been written by Shri Suresh Sathe. “The Sangh history has a chain of dedicated people and Madhavrao Muleji was a prominent link in that chain. He joined the Sangh at the age of 12 and his entire life was dedicated to the Sangh only,” said Shri Joshi.
Speaking on the occasion, LK Advani said writing about Madhavrao Muleji is like writing the history of the RSS.
16. HINDU HERITAGE CAMP 2011: Balagokulam’s annual Hindu Heritage Camp at Billerica, Massachusetts for children, held on August 12 – 13, was an event that had over thirty participants. This two day camp covered a lot of Hindu Culture, concerning shlokhas and kathas. Two different age groups enjoyed many different games, Niyuddha (Ancient Bharatiya Martial arts), arts and crafts, and many other activities! Surprisingly Avartan Dhyan (Deep Relaxation) was a favorite! The idea about HHC was to have kids meet other kids and to be introduced to Balagokulam, a weekly two hour program (in most locations) of fun, cultural activities in a friendly environment.
17. INDRESH JI AND KARNATAKA CM RELEASE BOOK ON ‘COW PROTECTION’: A book on cattle protection in kannada entitled “Gou Sampattu mattu Rashtreeya Arthikathe” was released in Bangalore by Anwar Manippady, senior muslim leader and Chairman, minority commission, Karnataka. Indresh Kumar, Senior RSS functionary along with Mai Cha Jayadev, Senior RSS Pracharak, D V Sadananda Gouda, Chief Minister of Karnataka, released the book at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Hall of Race Course road Bangalore.
Author Anwar Manippady announced that the money obtained by selling this book will be donated to Seva Bharati activities in Karnataka.
18. NAVY GETS ITS 2ND INDIGENOUS STEALTH FRIGATE: INS Satpura, the second indigenous stealth frigate of Project 17 class of the Bharatiya Navy, was commissioned by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma on August 20. INS Shivalik, the first of the class, has already been commissioned in April last year while the third ship INS Sahyadri is in final stages of construction at Mazgaon Docks Limited.
The commissioning of INS Satpura is significant on the backdrop of the recent operations of navy against Somalian pirates and the growing aspirations of the force to be the blue water navy.
19. ITBP DEPLOYMENT ALONG CHINA BORDER: Undertaking its first major expansion since 1978, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) is setting up 35 new border outposts to plug the existing gaps in defences along the Himalayan frontier. These posts will complement the existing 142 outposts manned by the force to guard the Line of Actual Control and the international border with China.
“At present, the gap between two posts varies from 50 to 130 kms. We intend to reduce this to an average of 20 kms,” ITBP Director-General, R.K. Bhatia said during a visit to the force’s Basic Training Centre at Ramgarh near Chandigarh on August 20.
20. RSS URGE TRIPURA CM TO OPPOSE COMMUNAL VIOLENCE BILL: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS) has urged Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to oppose Communal and Targeted Violence (Justice and Reparation) Bill 2011 drafted by National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by Sonia Gandhi.
Executive Council member of RSS Ram Madhav who is on a tour of North-East Bharat as part of RSS’s nationwide campaign against the bill met the chief minister on Aug 30 and urged him to oppose it on the plea that it was unconstitutional and would ‘destroy Bharat’s fragile communal harmony’. Chief Minister gave a patient hearing and assured to study the bill when it would be put forward by Centre and then take an appropriate measure, sources said.
21. NRI-LED TEAM INVENTS CHIPS THAT MIMIC HUMAN BRAIN: A team of IBM researchers, led by a Bharatiya-American scientist - Dharmendra Modha, who is originally from Porbander and graduated from IIT-Mumbai - has claimed to have developed a pair of artificial computer chips that can, in some ways, “emulate the brain’s abilities for perception, action and cognition.” that “are expected to learn through experiences, find correlations, create hypotheses, and remember mimicking the brain’s structural and synaptic plasticity” according to an IBM release. The two prototype working designs, unveiled on August 19, are not biological in nature but use digital silicon circuits influenced by neurobiology.
22. COLOURS OF PUNJAB ON ITALY STREETS: Sikhs celebrated the inauguration of a new gurdwara in Italy’s Po River Valley, where many members of the community work as livestock farmers. A helicopter dropped petals at the event in Pessina Cremonese, which was attended by Sikhs from across northern Italy. Mayor Dalido Malaggi thanked the Sikh community for reviving the regions declining farming sector. The Pessina Cremonese gurdwara can hold 600 people is one of the biggest in Italy.
23. WEST BENGAL TO BE RENAMED PASCHIMBANGA: A consensus to rename West Bengal as Paschimbanga has been reached at an all-party meeting on August 19 to change the nomenclature of the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suggested the new name and unanimity was reached on it. (When will we change the nomenclature of India as ‘Bharat’?)
24. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Dr.Shankar Tatwawadi, former samyojak Vishwa Vibhag came to Bharat on Aug 24. Shri Ravikumar, sahsamyojak, Vishwa Vibhag, is on a tour of USA from August 23 - Sept 20.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: All know the way; few actually walk it. – Bodhidharma.
JAI SHREE RAM


Lt Navdeep's last encounter
Atul Sethi
Last week, as the entire nation was engrossed with Anna Hazare's agitation, the news of the death of a newly commissioned lieutenant in Gurez sector of north Kashmir was barely noticed. It was buried in a corner of most dailies or seen as a running ticker on news channels. But the incident bears recounting in detail. For, it accentuates how young men in uniform are fighting to protect the country's borders, even as the youth is fighting its own battle against corruption inside it.
Destiny played a strong hand in Navdeep's life. He graduated in hotel management, did an MBA and then decided his career lay in the armed forces – just like his father and grandfather before him. Navdeep joined the Officer's Training Academy at Chennai, was commissioned in March and joined his first posting, a month later, with the 15 Maratha Light Infantry in Kashmir.
With his cherubic looks, Navdeep was immediately termed the baby of the unit. But the young officer from Gurdaspur soon proved to have nerves of steel. One of his fellow officers says he was a "pucca daredevil – a true fighter". A description that Sandeep, his younger brother, says fitted him well. "If he had to do something, he would just go ahead and do it. He was afraid of nothing," he says. A first posting is always a special one for an army man. Sandeep says his brother was excited to be in Kashmir. "Whenever he spoke to us on the phone, he would say he was lucky to be doing a job he liked, and in such a beautiful place." It was during one such conversation that the topic of militants came up. "I asked him if there were any terrorists in Kashmir now," recalls Sandeep. "There aren't many," he had said. "But if there are any encounters, I want to be a part of it."
No one knew his wish would be granted so soon. Navdeep's tryst with destiny happened last Saturday, barely five months after his commissioning. Army sources have termed it the biggest-ever infiltration attempt in J&K this year. Some have even compared it to Mumbai's 26/11. In its scope and execution, it does have chilling similarities. Twelve terrorists dressed in black commando combat dresses and armed to the teeth with AK-47 rifles, Chinese-made 7.62 mm pistols and communication devices attempted to infiltrate the Line of Control (LoC) using inflatable rubber boats on Kishnaganga river, considered the defacto LoC between India and Pakistan. The infiltration was spotted at 12.30 am. By 12.45 am, an ambush party – the 'Ghatak' platoon commanded by Navdeep – reached the spot. In the exchange of gunfire that followed, the officer shot dead three militants. When a bullet wounded his 'buddy', Sepoy Vijay Gajare, he shifted his firing position to ramp up the attack – killing another militant. In the process, a bullet pierced his head. The infiltrators beat a hasty retreat. Six fell into the river and were swept away, while the bodies of the remaining six were taken. Navdeep was airlifted to the unit hospital. But he was already dead by then. He was 26.
A day before, Navdeep had spoken to his family. He was engaged though the date for marriage wasn't fixed. "Chhutti milne par dekhenge (we will see when I get leave)," he had told his sister Navjot with a laugh when she ribbed him about his marriage. That time will never come.
His story has moved many, especially after a tribute by Sarvar Bali, a college student, began appearing on the internet. A few lines from the tribute are a testimony to the part played by Lt Navdeep and countless other soldiers: "As your parents head into the evening of their life, memories of your valour will be their most precious possession. Whenever your mother will think of you, her eyes will mist over but there will be more stars in them than you ever wore on your shoulders. Your father may speak quietly about you but no one will miss the swell of pride in his chest. For your siblings you will always remain the real hero, and even for your community and village. A school or a road may well be named after you and you will become a part of the local folklore. You died Lieutenant, because when the test came, you decided that you could not let down your family, your clan and your comrades, who always expected you, without ever saying so, to do your duty. You, Lieutenant, have done more than your duty and made your memory their hallowed possession. Lieutenant you did not die in vain!"- (The Times of India, August 28, 2011)

TIME TO CONSIDER SECOND REPUBLIC
Prafull Goradia
The crisis of governance in India cannot be resolved without considering radical political reforms that would lead to the creation of a new republic. We must take a hard look at where we have gone wrong and why we have been unable to achieve the goals we had set for ourselves six decades ago. Other republics have evolved; so should we. The time has come for a Second Republic
Faulty governance is an old problem of India; criticising this Government or that is unlikely to solve it. The root of the malaise lies in the system which in turn is set by the Constitution. The Supreme Court has opined that the basic structure of this national document cannot be changed. The only way out then is to call for a Second Republic. Since the French Revolution of 1792, France is in its Fifth Republic. Since the unification of Germany by Otto von Bismarck in 1871, Germany is in its Fifth Reich.
How can we expect a Constitution which was structured around the Government of India Act, 1935, passed by the British Parliament in order to govern colonial India better, to endure effectively? That the national document does not answer the country’s needs is evidenced by the fact that it has been amended 109 times in a matter of six decades. The USA has had occasion to amend its Constitution 22 times over a period spanning 230 years. The American document has only seven Articles written on 23 pages. Our Constitution, on the other hand, comprises 395 Articles on 236 pages, the longest national document in the world.
Another mistake of our constitutional authors was to adopt the Westminster model of parliamentary Government which mixes the legislative function with the formation of the executive. The members of Parliament and the State Assemblies are elected for making laws but, after being elected, also help to form and support the Ministries; some of them become Ministers and thus form the executive. Making laws and executing them are two separate roles, and should be performed by different persons.
A classic shortcoming of the mix-up of functions was demonstrated by the fall of the first Vajpayee Government in 1999. Mr Girdhar Gomango, a member of the Lok Sabha, who had not yet resigned his membership but had taken over as Chief Minister of Odisha, helped to topple that Government by a single vote. He came from Bhubaneswar and voted with the Congress on that fateful day. Someone elected from a Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha had risen to be important enough to bring down the Union Government!
In any case, a system of Government which has suited Britain, a unitary country of one language, one culture and largely one religion, was hardly the one likely to answer the needs of a vast multi-lingual polity like India, comprising several religious denominations. Moreover, Britain is a monarchy whereas India has no king or queen. The way the Rashtrapati has been reduced to being a rubber stamp of the Union Government makes one wonder why the luxury? When necessary briefly, why cannot the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court stand in?
Another bane of the Westminster model is the probability of coalition Governments. While they may appear stable, many a partner party Minister often pursues his wayward line. There is seldom unity of policy implementation which again leads to poor governance.
The UPA2 is an example. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has repeatedly clarified that he is answerable for any corruption or misconduct by a Congress Minister. For those representing the coalition parties, he could do little; hence, the 2G scam was not his responsibility but that of the DMK.
That is the explanation for the last seven years. Before that also there have been several coalition Governments, six of which were short-lived. In a total of 86 months there were six prime ministers, Morarji Desai (34 months), Charan Singh (six months), Mr Vajpayee (15 days in 1996), Mr HD Deve Gowda and Mr IK Gujral (34 months), Mr Vajpayee again (for a year in 1998/99). A pathetic picture although it is not as bad as pre-de Gaulle France or post-1945 Italy.
For a change in the system, a model should be similar to the presidential structure. The mechanism of checks and balances is indeed one secret of American governance. The Indian conditions, however, are different; the diversity makes it difficult for one person to represent all the various regions as well as the many sections of the people.
The people of Western Christian ethos are able to function well even with state intervention, be it public enterprises, as in France and Germany, or welfare activity like the British National Health Scheme. The Hindu psyche is tuned to individual salvation. In the Eastern ethos, excessive state intervention is not welcome. India, therefore, needs a minimal state that maintains law and order, ensures justice, protects the country’s frontiers and creates an infrastructure for development.
It is, therefore, suggested that there be a trinity of Presidents at the centre and a troika of Governors in the States; The President, the Vice-President and the Deputy President; likewise Governors for the States. The three would be elected by adult franchise through a direct poll. The overall winner would be the President, the runner up Vice-President and the next highest vote receiver should be Deputy President.
All executive power would be vested in this trimoorti within which the weightage of authority should be distributed according to the percentage of votes won by the three respective individuals. The term of office could be six years but without the privilege of any of the three standing for re-election. Governors would also be denied the right to stand for any other office in their respective States.
The reason behind this denial is to prevent any indulgence in populist moves by the office-holders with the temptation to get re-elected. It is, therefore, likely that the Presidents and Governors would concentrate on good governance as distinct from playing to the gallery. Parliament and State Assemblies should continue to be makers of laws and
act as counter-checks to the executive as the Congress does in the US. A call for a Second Republic needs to be given. (Daily Pioneer Thursday, 01 September 2011)