Chaitra Krishna 4,Vik.Samvat 2073,Yugabda 5118: 16 March 2017
1. FESTIVALS:
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on Chaitra Poornima falling on April 11 this year.
People worship Hanuman as a symbol of devotion, magical powers, strength and
energy. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated in Margazhi
month (between December and January) in the belief that Hanuman was born on the
amavasya in the Margazhi month.
In Odisha, it is celebrated on 1st day of Baisakha (in April). In Karnataka and
Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated on 10th day of Vaishaka in the Krishna Paksha.
It is the 41 days long celebration in the Andhra Pradesh which starts from the
Chaitra Purnima.
On this day, in a Hanuman temple, spiritual discourses are started at dawn.
Hanuman was born at sunrise. At that time the spiritual discourse is stopped and
Prasad) is distributed to everyone. -goTop
2. NO PLACE FOR GENDER BIAS IN BHARAT - RASHTRAPATI PRANAB
MUKHERJEE: Rashtrapati Pranab Mukherjee said that there is no place for
gender bias in Bharat where inclusive development is a key objective. while
presenting Nari Shakti Puraskar for the year 2016 on 8th March. Rashtrapatiji
also congratulated individual ladies and organizations of Bharat who received
the Puraskar. Rashtrapatiji further said that on International Women's Day, it
is important to reiterate that every girl child and woman in our country should
be assured that Government of Bharat is fully committed to providing her an
enabling environment that affords equal opportunity. She should feel confident
that she can achieve her highest aspirations in whichever field she chooses.
-goTop
3. MOHAN BHAGWAT AWARDED HONORARY D.Sc.: Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohanrao Bhagwat was conferred Doctor of
Science (Honoris Causa) by Maharashtra Rajyapal Ch Vidyasagar Rao on 9th March
at the 8th convocation of the Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University
in Nagpur. Mukhyamantri of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis was among those present
on the occasion. Bhagwat had graduated in Veterinary Sciences from Nagpur.
-goTop
4. SELFLESS WORKERS ARE LIKE 'SALT ON EARTH' - DATTATREYA
HOSBALE: "Selfless social workers are like 'Salt on Earth', who might number
less in the society but their presence is essential for the society," said RSS
Sah Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosbale and praised religious leader Chaitanya
Maharaj Deglurkar and Dr. HR Nagendra for their selfless service. Both were
felicitated by the prestigious 'Shri Guruji Puraskar' by the RSS Janakalyan
Samiti on 5th March at a function in Dombivli near Thane.
The chief guest Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of the Atomic Energy
Commission of Bharat, felicitated both the prominent social activists.
Chaitanya Maharaj Deglurkar after receiving the award said, "I would like to
thank all the dignitaries of RSS for honouring me" On the other hand, Dr. HR
Nagendra said, "I believe this award is not for me but for yoga. Guruji is equal
to god."
The RSS Jankalyan Samiti commemorates the birth anniversary of Shri Guruji (Magh
Krishna 11) by giving a national award in his honour. The award is given to
individuals or organizations for outstanding achievements in 10 selected areas.
-goTop
5. HOW TAMILS CARRIED RAMA'S STORY EAST: 'Ramayana: A
Shared Culture', a recently screened documentary film, tries to highlight the
epic's global appeal as a culture sign not just in India but across 10 countries
in south Asia and south east Asia. Shot for the ministry of external affairs,
the film directed by culture historian and filmmaker BenoyBehl shows the appeal
the story of Ramayana has across diverse geographical regions starting from
Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR to Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore, Sri
Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam.
"The story of the Ramayana is enacted more often than any other story across the
world," says Behl.
Ramayana's popularity in south and South East Asia could have a strong link with
southern India's maritime relations with countries in the said region. "The
Ramayana would have travelled, along with Sanskrit along many routes. The
sea-faring route would have been the main one reaching South East Asia. Here,
the great Hindu Kingdom of Champa (which covered most of Vietnam) would have
played a major role in the dissemination of the epic. The present-day Tamil
Naduregion and the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, were in constant
interaction with South-East Asia. Ramayana could have travelled through these
ports too."
Today, the epic has survived in essence in many of these cultures but with
subtle variations. That nuanced difference, says Behl, is present in India too.
"In North India, the focus is on the triumph of Rama over Ravana, while in south
India the emphasis is on the life of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in the forest.
Such differences exist in the versions of the epic in south and south East Asian
countries too. The Hanuman in Nepal is the deeply reverential devotee (of Rama).
In Cambodia and Thailand, his manly and attractive persona is emphasised.
However, the final idea is the same -he is a powerful and glorious being,
completely devoted to Rama," Behl adds.
The local interpretations of the epic play out in their respective performing
arts forms too -whether it a ramleela performance in Odissi, an all-women
performance of Reamker in Cambodia, a Lhayee Lugar performance in Bhutan and a
Cecak dance recital in Bali.
"The version of Ramayana staged on the Rama Leela Ground of Delhi is more based
on the Bollywood style. The performance in Nepal has simplicity and depth to it.
It is more focused on the life of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in the forest. The
Hindus of Bali in Indonesia also give performances of the Ramayana for tourists,
practically every day. There it is called the Cecak dance," adds Behl.
What makes the Ramayana's cultural spread even more interesting is that it
acquires a secular colour with non-Hindus participating in the performances. (By
Nandii Sengupta TNN, 27th February 2017) -goTop
6. GURUJI WAS A VISIONARY - S GURUMURTHY: "Shri Guruji
Golwalkar was not a Guruji in the ordinary sense of the word, but was a profound
and visionary thinker and philosopher. In order to understand him, we should
stop being reverential to him but start studying him deeply. The more you study
his views and how he led the RSS during its most challenging times, you realize
he was a great visionary who foresaw things to come and led with moral
conviction and clarity," said the eminent economist S Gurumurthy, in the lecture
on 'Sri Guruji Golwalkar and Contemporary India' organized by Manthana,
Bengaluru on March 4.
"The greatness of a person is how posterity treats him and his views. When
Guruji passed away, he was honored by the Indian Parliament. His views on Bharat
and the path we need to follow on China and global affairs have been vindicated.
We need to study him deeply and realize the full import of his views on the
contemporary challenges we face." concluded S Gurumurthy.
-goTop
7. SOMETHING TO SMILE AT - Cribbing apart, GDP growth
numbers good: There has been a great deal of criticism from opposition
parties on the new growth figures that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has
put out. The CSO data showed that the GDP growth was at seven per cent during
October-December 2016 - the period when the immediate impact of demonetisation
was at its peak. The Opposition's response is understandable: It was
anticipating a much lower number with which it could beat the Government with.
After all, former Prime Minister and Congress leader, Manmohan Singh, himself an
economist, had predicted a really sharp drop in the GDP growth figures. Others
too in the opposition camp as well as the sceptics outside had spoken of similar
doomsday eventuality. The CSO also said that the economy is expected to grow at
7.1 per cent this fiscal year, which is only marginally lower than the previous
quarter of 7.4 per cent and will be below the 7.9 per cent of 2015-16. Both the
Reserve Bank of India and the World Bank have cut growth estimates in the wake
of the demonetisation decision but were also quick to add that the disruption in
the growth would be only temporary. Indeed, most global investment and banking
firms have gone on record to say that the demonetisation impact, while sizeable,
would not be catastrophic. A Capital Economics Report has pointed out that
economic activity had already begun to rebound after being hit by demonetisation.
These are the precise sentiments the Government had been emphasising on since
the demonetisation drive. And yet, opposition parties, primarily the Left, the
Congress and the Trinamool Congress, have been seeking to put the Government on
the mat on the issue. They have particularly targeted Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, with Manmohan Singh going to the extent of calling the decision, an "organised
loot". Others have gone further, insinuating that the BJP and the Prime Minister
had 'benefitted'from demonetisation. To an extent, they are right. The party and
the Prime Minister have indeed gained - witness the string of victories in local
body elections in various States. With the third quarter results showing
buoyancy, one should expect that the fourth and last quarter of the current
fiscal will be as cheerful.
There are some reasons for worry, though, and the Government must take care of
those areas. Growth in eight core sectors has slowed down to a five-month low of
3.4 per cent in January. That, according to experts, has been primarily due to
output contraction in cement, refineries and fertiliser. The Government's recent
push in infrastructure, farming and housing sectors should help these core areas
to pep up in the months to come. Meanwhile, sceptics are wondering as to where
the decent growth percentage has come from, given that industries almost across
the board were reporting steep declines in sales and consumers grappling with
shortage of hard currency. They are asking how the consumption demand grew at
over 10 per cent during the third quarter when the demonetisation hammer had hit
the nation the hardest. They have concluded that the CSO had failed to grasp the
reality. Whatever the case may be, the CSO data cannot be all that wrong in
terms of at least indicating a trend. (Editorial, Daily Pioneer, 4th March 2017)
-goTop
8. BHARAT SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES A NEW BRAHMOS SUPERSONIC
CRUISE MISSILE: Bharat's conventional precision-strike capabilities now have
a longer reach. A new BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with an extended range
of 450km from the earlier 290km, was successfully test-fired from the integrated
test range at Balasore off the Odisha coast on 11th March.
The land-attack version of the missile, which flies almost three times the speed
of sound at Mach 2.8, was fired at "an electronic target". The launch, executed
with high precision from the mobile autonomous launcher deployed in full
configuration, "met all the test parameters".
The technology upgrade to the extended range BrahMos comes after Bharat gained
entry into the 34-nation Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in June last
year, which "removed the caps" on the range of the missile developed with the
help of Russia. The MTCR basically prevents the proliferation of missiles and
UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) over the range of 300km.
-goTop
9. OBAMA SHARES PIO'S LETTER TO MICHELLE: Barack Obama
has shared an "inspiring" letter by a 38-year-old Bharatiya American woman,
Sindhu, on International Women's Day, thanking his wife Michelle for making a
difference in her life.
The letter by Sindhu reads: "One day in fall 1996, an idealistic 17-year-old
Bharatiya girl was inspired while sitting in a chapel. She didn't remember the
name of the woman who spoke. But she will never forget the fire that was lit to
make something of her life, and to use that life to serve others.. I later found
out that the inspirational powerhouse of a woman who spoke was Michelle Obama. I
wanted to say thank you to the both of you."
-goTop
10. AIR INDIA SETS WORLD RECORD BY FLYING AROUND THE WORLD
WITH ALL-WOMEN CREW: Air India has made a world record by flying around the
world with an all-woman crew ahead of International Women's Day. The Air India
flight (Boeing 777) traveled from Delhi to San Francisco and everyone involved
was female - from the captain to the ground crew and check-in staff. The
aircraft flew over the Pacific Ocean on its trip to the United States, while its
return flight was over the Atlantic Ocean, encircling the globe.
Captain Kshamta Bajpayee said the flight is a 'symbol of women empowerment. The
entire message is actually to encourage young girls who have dreams of getting
into the skies and they feel it's too technical or this is something only men
do.'
The Boeing 777-200LR plane covered a distance of about 9,500 miles in
15-and-a-half hours. -goTop
11. RISHIKESH YOGA GURUS HAVE CHINA IN A TWIST:
Rishikesh has emerged as one of the biggest exporters of yoga teachers to
Southeast Asia as well as China. Around 1,500 Indian yoga teachers, for
instance, are believed to be teaching in China.
Rishikesh, believed by many to be the yoga capital of India, is also emerging as
one of the biggest exporters of yoga teachers to Southeast Asia as well as China
where demand for yoga is at an all-time high. An estimated 1,500 Indian yoga
teachers, for instance, are believed to be teaching in China.
Of these, 70 to 80% hail from Rishikesh and Haridwar, home to various yoga
schools where these teachers have honed their skills.
Ashish Bahuguna, who has been teaching yoga in China for over a decade now,
learnt his asanas at the Parmarth Niketan ashram in Rishikesh. Last year, he was
conferred the title of 'The Most Beautiful Yogi of China.' Bahuguna, who runs
his own studio 'WeYoga' in Beijing, says that even though there are others who
are teaching yoga, Indian teachers are the most preferred. "The Chinese prefer
us since we have a grip over the basics of the science," he told by email.
According to a report by Beijing-based Daxue Consulting, yoga is growing rapidly
in China with the number of people involved in its practice rising from 4
million in 2009 to 10 million in 2014.
China has seen a surge in the number of yoga teachers in the country. While in
2009, about 1.1 lakh professional coaches - both local and from across the globe
- were active here, the number had jumped to 2.3 lakh by 2014, as per a report
by Beijing-based Daxue Consulting.
Improper yoga can give you pain in neck
Mohan Bhandari, one of the first yoga teachers from Rishikesh to settle in
China, says that the Chinese are very particular about learning yoga "the right
way." "It is a characteristic of the Chinese that they want to learn things from
people who they consider as subject natives. That is why the demand for Indian
yoga teachers is high in the country."
Bhandari, who went to China in 2003, now has a chain of 'Yogi Yoga' studios
across that country and claims to have over 9,000 students enrolled with him. In
Rishikesh currently, along with a few of his students for the International Yoga
Festival being held at the Parmarth Niketan ashram, Bhandari told TOI that the
surging demand for good teachers - he estimates the yoga industry in China as
growing at an annual rate of 20% - has prompted many youngsters to follow in his
footsteps.
"I have seen a sizeable number of well-qualified boys from Rishikesh come to
China to teach yoga. All of them are earning upwards of Rs 1 lakh per month."
Although there are several types of yoga styles being taught in the various
studios, Iyengar Yoga (which uses props) is a big hit with the Chinese. Manu
Rana, another Rishikesh lad who now teaches yoga in the Fujian province of
southwest China, says that Iyengar Yoga despite being tough "gives great results
and has impressed many of my students".
David Li, a Chinese yoga practitioner, told TOI over email that "yoga has given
me great benefits and rejuvenation".
Last year, I got the opportunity to visit the International Yoga Festival in
Rishikesh and became completely enamoured with the practice. I soon enrolled in
an Indian yoga studio in my city. I think I must have done some good deeds that
I am able to learn this ancient practice from traditional teachers". (Prachi
Raturi Misra, TNN 7th March 2017) -goTop
12. BHARAT TO HOST DALAI LAMA IN AP: Bharat has trashed
China’s fresh warning against hosting the Dalai Lama in Arunachal Pradesh and
decided to go ahead with the proposed visit of the Tibetan spiritual leader to
the world-famous Tawang Monastery. The Bharatiya Government has made it clear to
Beijing that the Tibetan spiritual leader is a guest of India and has the
freedom to travel across the country.
Bharat also maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is part of Bharat, and there is no
reason for China to show anxiety over his travel plans to the State.
-goTop
13. BHARAT'S TALLEST TRICOLOR HOISTED AT ATTARI BORDER:
The tallest national flag in the country measuring 360 feet was hoisted at the
Attari-Wagah joint checkpost in Punjab on 5th March. Earlier, the record was
held by the one in Ranchi which is 293 feet high. The new flag can be seen from
Lahore in Pakistan.
The flag is 120 feet in length, 80 feet in breadth and is hosted on a pole which
is 360 feet high. The concrete base is 30 feet in length and another 30 feet in
breadth. The foundation has been designed in such a way that the flag will be
able to withstand high velocity winds up to 180 km an hour, said sources.
-goTop
14. HSS CALLS UPON CNN TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE HINDUS IN
AMERICA: Hindu Americans are deeply concerned with CNN's misrepresentation
of the Hindu religion and cultural traditions in the show, "Believer." By
focusing on a tiny, obscure and fringe sect, the show further increases the
already prevalent misunderstanding about Hindus at a time when the country is
going through a period of concern and fear.
The grotesque practices portrayed in the show give a totally misleading
impression of a faith of 1.25 billion Hindus with a civilization that spans
thousands of years.
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh has called upon CNN to be sensitive to the more than
million Hindus living and working in the United States who belong to a tradition
with major tenets including peace and nonviolence and who cherish living in
harmony with their neighbors.
Tulsi Gabbard, the first and only Hindu lawmaker in the US Congress has also
accused CNN of "sensational and false" reporting about religions after it aired
a show which allegedly portrayed Hinduism in a negative light.
The three-term Congresswoman, said while good people across the country are
working hard to increase mutual understanding and respect between people of
different religions, she is "very disturbed" that CNN is using its power and
influence to increase people's misunderstanding and fear of Hinduism.
Some other organizations like Hindu American Foundation, Overseas Friends of BJP
(OFBJP), Hindu Students Council have also strongly condemned the airing of the
show. (The news item refers to a TV series 'Believers with Reza Aslan' on CNN
which depicted Hinduism in a perverted manner portraying so called practices of
'Aghori' - a very small sect.) -goTop
15. RASHTRA SEVIKA SAMITI BAITHAK AT SOMNATH: Second
biannual baithak of kendriya karyakarini for Rashtra Sevika Samiti concluded on
12th February at Somnath in Gujrat. A total of 57 bhaginis attended the baithak.
Various topics like reporting, future programs and other organizational aspects
were discussed in the baithak. At present Samiti has about 2500 daily and weekly
shakhas all over Bharat. Pramukh Sanchalika Vandaniya Shantakka ji addressed the
concluding session in which she stressed on carrying forward the work selflessly
and with devotion and conviction. -goTop
16. BHARATIYA DIAMOND MERCHANT IN ISRAEL: While
visiting various Indian sections of Indian Diasporas yesterday, I went to one of
the busiest diamond trading centre in Tel Aviv. There are 30 odd Gujarati
families who dominate this trade in Tel Aviv, against 1000 odd Jews. The market,
which was at one time world's number one diamond trading hub, has lost its pole
position against Mumbai, and even whatever is remaining, Gujaratis dominate.
It was early 60s when one Gujarati Jain diamond trader landed in this land. His
name was Shri Kirtibhai Mehta. The dominance of Jews was near total. So
adventurous was his entry that after him, it took almost a decade for second
Gujrati trader to arrive.
I have met these diamond traders in various places, like Hong Kong, Antwerp and
TEL Aviv. At one time point, entire diamond business, including diamond mines,
raw diamond trading, polishing (they call it manufacturing), converting them
into jewellery and retail sale, everything was controlled by Jews. Today, except
mines and retail sale, everyone is controlled by Gujaratis, Jains and Patels.
Though they control this multi-billion dollar industry, stay in palatial villas,
drive luxury cars, at heart they are as simple as one can be. Kirtibhai's son
Rashmibhai Mehta, still calls me every now and then, just to say hello.
Rashmibhai is now the managing trustee of Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, established
by his father. Diamond traders of Surat are building India's most sophisticated
hospital (and Charitable) in Surat. Food in their houses is still simple
vegetarian, typical gujju, with Khichadi, Kadhi, fafda, and some sweets. (As
narrated by Shri Vijay Chauthaiwale - In Charge OFBJP, during his recent visit
to Israel) -goTop
17. VISITORS FROM OVER 100 COUNTRIES PLEDGE TO SAVE GANGA
IN RISHIKESH: Participants from over 100 countries came together to support
a proclamation to save the river Ganga at the ongoing International Yoga
Festival at Parmarth Niketan 4th March. The participants reaffirmed in the
proclamation the importance of Ganga "which has inspired poets, saints and sages
for centuries and has been the lifeline for some 500 million people, as well as
for countless species of plants and animals, some of which can be found at no
place else on earth."
Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president of Parmarth Niketan and founder of the
Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, a consortium of faith leaders who work towards
facilitating safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all, said that the
proclamation accentuated that river Ganga "is a global treasure which should be
kept in a clean, green and free-flowing state."
-goTop
18. SPECTACULAR RSS PATH SANCHALAN HELD AT TUMAKURU:
RSS Swayamsevaks marched with pride for the Path Sanchalan held at the streets
of Tumakuru City of Karnataka on March 11th A total of 1620 swayamsevaks marched
which is a record number for Tumakuru City for the recent past. The sanchalan
started from Goverment Junior College Grounds and went in two different routes
simultaneously. Citizens welcomed and showered flowers to Bhagawa dhwaj during
the Sanchalan. -goTop
19. SAFFRON SWEEP: Emerging as the single largest party
in the state of Uttar Pradesh with the unprecedented mandate of 325 seats
Bharatiya Janata party has registered the landslide victory under the dynamic
leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit shah.
In UP, with the gain of 277 seats from its tally of 48 seats in the 2012
assembly election BJP has wiped out the strong and united regional forces like
incumbent Samajwadi Party and Mayawati led Bahujan Samajwadi.
Expressing happiness over the gigantic victory of BJP Prime Minister Narendra
Modi twitted, "overjoyed that BJP has received unprecedented support from all
sections of society. Huge support from the youth is gladdening. "
He Congratulated BJP Chief Amit Shah and all the workers and party office
bearers for their extraordinary work for the grand victory of BJP. He also
greeted Congress leader Amrinder Singh for winning the state of Punjab.
Speaking to the media after the landslide victory BJP Chief Amit Shah said,
"politics of appeasement has been rejected, everybody wants development."
Making inroads in the state of Manipur BJP has won 21 seats where congress party
is ruling the state for the last 15 years. Congress bagged 26 seats. Proving to
be a giant killer, BJP snatched the state of Uttarakhand from incumbent from
Congress party, bagging 57 seats out of 70 assembly segments with the vote share
of 46.4 %. In Goa, Congress got 17 seats and the BJP 13.
-goTop
20. BHARAT'S INDIGENOUS SUPERSONIC INTERCEPTOR MISSILE
SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED: Bharat successfully test-fired on 1st March its
indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile capable of destroying any
incoming enemy ballistic missile at low altitude.
The interceptor was engaged against a target which was a Prithvi missile
launched from launch complex 3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur
near Balasore in Odisha, taking up the trajectory of a hostile ballistic
missile. The missile had its own mobile launcher, secure data link for
interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities and sophisticated
radars. -goTop
21. UNREASONABLE ACCUSATION: NGOs must abide by laws of
the host nation - Trust the foreign media to jump to the defence of those
non-governmental organisations in India which, the media believes, are being
harassed or have some global connections, either religious or otherwise. In line
with this pattern, the New York Times recently published a report about the
alleged problems a Christian charity NGO, Compassion International, had been
having with the Government.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) supposed role too was mentioned. The
entire controversy, from available material, is based on speculation. It is
speculated that the RSS had engaged in back channel talks with Compassion
International to work out a deal that would allow the NGO to work in peace. It
is also speculated that the Modi Government has made it difficult for the NGO to
operate because of the latter's religious affiliation. The fact is that all NGOs
are supposed to work according to the guidelines set by law and they cannot
claim vendetta if the Government decides to crack down on them if they fail to
do so. This is the case across the world - and in democratic societies too.
Compassion International had been almost a year ago put under the 'watch' list
by the Government following allegations that it was funding religious
conversions while also receiving foreign aid without the Government's approval.
If true, these are serious charges. One cannot have an NGO involved in religious
conversions in a secular country and yet continue to receive foreign money and
not be taken to task by the Government of the day. It's not a question of the
Modi regime; any other Government in its place would have - or ought to have -
acted in similar fashion. Indeed, the Congress-led UPA regime had begun a
scrutiny of various NGOs in the wake of the protests against the Kudankulum
nuclear power plant. Even a formal investigation had begun against the
activities of many NGOs who were suspected to be indulging in activities which
were less than above board, or engaging in tasks that they were not mandated
for, or had not adequately disclosed their foreign funding, or had been misusing
such funds. There were some NGO that were, believe it or not, unregistered with
the appropriate authorities. The unfortunate part is that while the Government
had begun a probe in right earnest, the inquiry ran out of steam soon.
That there is something rotten in the NGO sector came to be starkly known when
the Supreme Court, no less, recently directed the Government to undertake a
review of the functioning of such organisations spread over the country and
punish those that had been flouting the rules. Indeed, the apex court asked the
Union Government to recover the money that had been misused by NGOs. Surely, the
advocates of dubious non-governmental organisations and their patrons in the
media are not suggesting that the Supreme Court is stifling dissent, blocking
freedom of expression, and being communal in its intent and action! (Editorial,
Daily Pioneer, 11th March 2017) -goTop
22. HINDUS COULD DOUBLE THEIR NUMBERS IN AUSTRALIA:
Hindus will rise to 2.7 percent of Australia's population, thus more than
doubling their numbers as compared to 2011 Census at 1.3 percent, according to
census experts in Collingwood, Victoria in Australia.
The number of people who claim to have no affiliation with an organized religion
will increase to 29 percent, overtaking Catholicism as Australia's largest
single religious group, the study said. Other predictions are that the number of
people who reported they were of the Islamic faith will increase from 2.2
percent to 2.6 percent of Australia's population, and that Christianity overall
will fall from 61.1 percent to 54.8 percent of the total population. (http://www.worldhindunews.com
) -goTop
23. CHANGE IN SOCIAL MINDSET REQUIRED TO IMPROVE THE
CONDITION OF WOMEN: Noted social activist and Akhil Bharatiya Mahila
Samanvya Pramukh of RSS Sushri Geetatai Gunde stressed the need of extensive
change in the social mindset to improve the condition of women. She was speaking
at a seminar organized jointly by Chetana and National Commission for Women on
February 25 to discuss the 'Impact of the laws enacted for marriage and property
rights of the women'. Advocate Smt Jyotika Kalra said merely enacting a law is
not enough for social change. There is also the need to change the mindset of
individuals. Smt Pragya Parande, general secretary of Chetna and others also
spoke at the occasion. -goTop
24. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Shri Ravikumar,
sahsamyojak Vishwa Vibhag will leave for tour of Singapore, Australia, New
Zealand and Malaysia. Visitors: Smt and Shri Prakash Nandha -UK.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw
that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy. - Ravindranath
Tagore -goTop
JAI SHREE RAM
SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN vishwav@bol.net.in www.shrivishwaniketan.blogspot.com
