Vik Samvat 2067. Yugabda 5112: 16 December 2010

1.FESTIVALS: Makar Sankranti (Sanskrit: मकर संक्रान्ति, Assamese: মকৰ সংক্রান্তি, Telugu: మకర సంక్రాంతి, Marathi: मकर संक्रान्ति, Kannada: ಮಕರ ಸಂಕ್ರಾಂತಿ) or Sankranti or Sankranthi marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. Traditionally, this has been one of many harvest days in Bharat.
Makar Sankranti, falling on January 14 each year, is celebrated in the Hindu calendar month of Magha. Makar Sankranti is regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase in Bharatiya culture. Hindus all over the globe, observe Makar Sankranti with great fanfare. Sankranti is celebrated all over South Asia with some regional variations. It is known by different names and celebrated with different customs in different parts of the country.
In Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, it is the sixth and the last festival of the year. Swayamsevaks celebrate it with til and gur. Khichari, the mix of new rice and new lentil, is favourite meal of the day.
Owing to the vast geography and diversity of culture in Bharat, this festival is celebrated for innumerable reasons and in innumerable ways depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and location.
2. HANUMAT SHAKTI JAGARAN MAHAYAJNAS AND DHARMASABHAS: As per the decision of the “Sant Ucchadhikar Samity” (High-powered steering committee of Hindu Saints and Holy men) on 20th Oct’2010 at Karsevekpuram, Ayodhya, Mahayajnas were performed and Dharmasabhas were organized on 12th December 2010 along the length and breadth of Bharat under the aegis of Shri Hanumant Shakti Jagaran Samiti to launch a mass awareness & mobilization initiative for construction of the proposed Sri Ram Mandir at the Ram Janambhoomi site in Ayodhya.
Addressing a huge 'Virat Hindu Sammelen' at the Reshimbagh ground in Nagpur, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarasanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat said, “The Rashtriya Swayayamsewak Sangh (RSS) has opposed any division of Ramjanma bhoomi as it never solves the issue but deepens the crisis according to the history. This (division) cannot be an option of division of Ramjanma bhoomi while reiterating the commitment to build Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on December 10, 2010 extended stay on the implementation of verdict in Babri Masjid-Ramjanma Bhoomi case up to February 15, 2011. The verdict was delivered in September 30, 2010 and the three-month deadline on the stay was to expire on December 30. While issuing order three-member special bench consisting of Justice SU Khan, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice VK Dixit fixed January 28, 2011 as the next date of hearing in three review applications filed by advocate M Ismail Farooqui.
Farroqui had moved petitions seeking review in the judgement on the suits of Rajendra Singh, Nirmohi Akhara and Bhagwan Ram Lala Virajman.
"Bharat can be united and unanimous if the Ram temple is built at same place," Bhagwat said adding if a huge Ram temple is built it will create an environment of unity in the country. The division of Ramjanma bhoomi will also divide the society and the politics of anti-national forces will reign upper hand. "In order to attract Muslim votes some parties are pointing fingers at RSS which is serving the cause of Hindus in the country since last 85 years selflessly," Bhagwat said.
"One round of battle for Ram temple is already over and Lord Rama has given us a quite break for relaxation. Now we should resume our fight for the cause. The High Court decision has given us strength as a first step," he told the gathering.
As part of the campaign to organize 8,000 dharmasabhas across the country, both the Mahayajna and the Dharmasabha took place in Delhi at the Ramleela Maidan. Addressing the gathering, Ashok Singhal, President VHP, said that Ram Temple cannot be constructed in a room of 40X90fts area. Therefore the whole 70 acres land must be given to Lord Ram and all political parties of the countries should get united to solve this issue for ever and maintain peace in the country. The Muslims should leave their claim on one third of the land and present an example of communal harmony. Suresh Soni, the joint General secretary-RSS said that those who are in favour of constructing Mandir and Masjid side by side want the issue to remain alive and their vested interests be fulfilled for political gains. As lord Ram is the cultural identity of Bharat, the construction of glorious temple is the need of the country. Sadhvi Ritambhara said that all Hindus must get united to save the country from the clutches of sects and castes so that the movement can be taken to its last destination that is Ram Temple. Prominent saints from different sects and distinguished citizens participated in both the events.
In Kolkata, the program commenced with Vedic hymns and Hanuman Chalisa Path at the Dakshineshwar Kali Mandir. Dr. Pravin Togadia, General Secretary VHP, while echoing the sentiment of the Hindu nation, declared that the Hindu society will neither beg nor request for the temple, it demands the same by its determination and strength. He said that the temple should be grand and befitting of Sri Ram’s stature and grand standing. Saints of different Hindu missions and organizations were part of the gathering of about 10,000. Loud cheers of slogans like Jai Sri Ram, Har Har Mahadev etc echoed the entire temple complex throughout. Dr. Togadia also unveiled the unique VHP initiative to save cows and its progeny, where at present some 200 gaushaalas have undertaken the manufacturing of highly effective, eco-friendly and low cost soaps, shampoos, fairness creams, mosquito repellents etc from gau-mutra (cow’s urine) and gau-gobar (cow dung).
Similar programs were organized im many other parts of Bharat and will be organized in the ensuing weeks throughout the country.
3. KAVITA KARKARE NAILS DIGVIJAY SINGH’S LIE: Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh's bid to once again rake up the controversy over slain Mumbai ATS chief Hemant Karkare's death by suggesting the involvement of Hindu extremists fell flat on December 11 with none other than Karkare's wife herself rubbishing his claims and asking him to stop playing vote-bank politics. She not only denied that Karkare ever spoke to Digvijay but also asserted that her husband was killed by Pakistani terrorists. Kavita Karkare slammed Digvijay for claiming that her husband feared for his safety from hardline Hindu groups, which were upset over his probe into the Malegaon bomb blast.
"When my husband was investigating the Malegaon blast and was looking for Hindu accused, there were reactions from Hindu organisations. Similarly, when earlier he was looking for Muslim accused, there was reaction from that community," she said, adding such reactions were natural.
4. WHO FORMS THE GOVERNMENT? ADVANI: Referring to the leaked conversations between lobbyist Nira Radia and senior journalists, senior BJP leader L K Advani said the nation had witnessed how business lobbyists played a role in government formation. Addressing a press conference on behalf of the NDA on December 15, a day after the winter session of Parliament ended without transacting any business, Advani said, "It appears that UPA government is not formed by the prime minister and, for long, we were under the wrong impression that it is not the PM but 10- Janpath (Congress president) which forms the Cabinet. But now, it has come forward that it's neither the Congress president nor the PM who forms the government.
5. FIRST ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY: US-based Bharat-origin researcher Shuvo Roy has created the world's first implantable artificial kidney. What's sensational about Roy's creation is that the organ, no larger than a coffee cup, will be able to mimic the kidney's most vital functions like filtering toxins out of the bloodstream, regulate blood pressure and produce the all-important vitamin D.
It will be a boon for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). At present in Bharat, of the 1.5 lakh new patients who suffer from end-stage renal failure annually, only 3,500 get kidney transplants and 6,000-10,000 undergo dialysis. The rest perish due to an acute shortage of dialysis centres and nephrologists to man them.
According to Roy, the device has a filtration section to remove toxins from the blood, alongside a compartment with renal cells to conduct other functions of a kidney. He believes the artificial kidney could last for decades and require no pumps or batteries. Patients wouldn't require anti-rejection drugs (as is required after transplants) either because there would be no exposed natural tissues for the immune system to attack.
“The payoff to the patient community is tremendous," said Roy. "It could have a transformative impact on their lives...With the right financial support; I think we could reach clinical trials in five years. But it's hard to say how long after that it becomes commercially available due to the uncertainties of the FDA and commercialization prospects.'' .
6. PROTECTING THE GIRL CHILD: Narendra Modi Shows the Way Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao Andolan' campaign against female foeticide in the State has proved that when a mission is pursued with dogged determination and earnestness, it yields result. Even as the female to male sex ratio remains skewed in many States like Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, Gujarat's gender ratio has shown great improvement in the last few years, thanks to Mr Modi's prolonged campaign.
The female to male ratio in the State has gone up from 844 per 1,000 in 2002 to 898 per 1,000 in 2008, according to a survey by the Registrar General of Bharat. Though the figure for 2009 is still under computation, Gujarat's sex ratio is expected to go up to 905 females for every 1,000 males. The sex ratio in Bharat has altered consistently in favour of boys since the beginning of the 20th century due to socio-economic factors like dowry and poverty as many consider a girl child a liability. If in rural areas, the mothers and maternal grandmothers are pressurised to kill a girl child by feeding poisonous milk or by choking on paddy husk, in cities female foetuses are selectively aborted after pre-natal sex determination. To his credit, Mr Narendra Modi ordered the State machineries to conduct widespread raids on clinics misusing sonography machines for banned sex determination tests, got erring doctors arrested and their clinics sealed. The impact of the campaign was so pronounced that the Patel community in Surat has taken a pledge not to practice female foeticide or sex determination tests. His action, no doubt, is a lesson to be learnt by other States as sociologists predict that dwindling young girl population can spur 'great social unrest' in coming years as there might not be enough girls for boys to marry.
What is most disconcerting is that the sex ratio is under constant threat, despite laws like Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act are in place. Although no moral or ethical principle can support a procedure for gender identification, women are forced to undergo repeated abortions after prenatal sex determination, all because some doctors would stoop to any level for a fistful of silver. A lack of awareness of women's rights and the indifferent attitude of Governments worsens the situation further. It is high time the Union Health Ministry and the State Health departments strictly implement the available legislation for prevention of sex determination and launch a combination of monitoring and education campaigns. While compulsory registration of ultrasound machines and unannounced raids in private hospitals and maternity clinics could go a long a way, awareness programmes aimed at altering attitudes towards girl child can help change the rigid mindset of the society. Most important, to reverse the trend authorities should focus on empowerment of women and strengthening of women's rights to uplift the social status of women. Editorial, The Pioneer, December 4, 2010
7. NATIONAL GROUP SONG COMPETITION BY BVP: Thirty sixth national Group Song Competition of the Bharat Vikas Parishad (BVP) was organised at Hisar, Haryana, from November 13 to 14. The competition was inaugurated by BVP national president Shri RP Sharma. A total of 42 teams participated in Hindi patriotic songs and 34 teams in regional songs. Speaking at the concluding ceremony Swami Madhab Prapannacharya called upon the children and the youth to know and preserve the Bharatiya culture and heritage. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion included Shri Jaiprakash Agrawal, chairman of National Group Song Competition, Dr Prakashwati Sharma, vice president.
8. TWO DYFI MEN HELD FOR KILLING RSS WORKER: Kerala Police on 5th December at 1.30 am arrested Muriyampotta Ratheesh of Pudussery and Valiyapurakkal Satheesh of Neelikkad, the activists of the pro-CPI(M) DYFI for the murder of RSS worker Ratheesh (24) on December 1. RSS worker Ratheesh was hacked to death by a CPI (M) killer gang on a crowded bus at Puthussery in Palakkad. Three other RSS activists, who had suffered serious hack injuries in the attack, were still under treatment at two different hospitals. Pudussery in Palakkad district, known as a CPI (M) area, had been witnessing violent incidents frequently ever since the announcement of results of the civic polls on October 27. The BJP accused the CPI (M) of resorting to violence due to their frustration in losing the rule in Pudussery panchayat there the Marxists had been in power for a long time.
9. IN A FIRST, BHARAT GOES TO VENICE BIENNALE AS A NATION: For the first time in the history of the 115-year-old Venice Biennale, Bharat will take a showcase of contemporary art to the event as an official entrant. The 54th Venice Biennale will be held June 4-Nov 27 next year in the picturesque Italian town. Lalit Kala Akademi, the country's official arts promotion platform, will facilitate Bharat's participation at the Biennale and fund the move. The Venice showcase will host younger, lesser-known talented artists from around the country rather than the established names.
10. KASHMIR PROFESSOR HELD FOR PROVOCATIVE TEST PAPER: A Kashmir University professor was arrested on December 10 for framing a question paper for first year BSc students that included, 'Are stone pelters the real heroes?' - referring to the three-month agitation across the Valley this summer in which more than 110 people were killed. Another question sought translation of a provocative passage from Urdu to English, which read, "Kashmiri blood is being spilled like water, Kashmiri children are being killed by police, and Kashmiri women are being showered with bullets." Embarrassed authorities issued a show-cause notice to Professor Noor Mohammed Bhatt, who has taught at Kashmir University for the last 20 years.
11. IIT STUDENTS OFFERED Rs 75 LAKH/YEAR; MBA NO LONGER LUCRATIVE: In IIT Delhi this year, well-known finance companies have recruited graduates being offered up to `75 lakh per annum. The finance companies have come to IIT Delhi after three years. The top notch companies like Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO), Gold Man Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Mc Kenzie, Credit Swiss, Indusland Bank, Ernst and Young etc., which usually recruit management students from institutes like Wharton Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA have chosen our desi IITians over MITians this time.
A company volunteer said, “Engineers have great logical ability. Some MIT students are products of IIT itself. MBA degree is not mandatory for a person to get a job in a finance company. It is the number crunching skill that matters. The volunteer added that we gave preference to IITians because their mathematics is very strong. He also said, “We are offering almost the same salary to the IITians and the MITians.” 12. KEOLADEO BEST ASIAN WETLAND: The Salim Ali Visitor Interpretation Centre, Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Bharat has been conferred Best Asian Setland Centre Award 2010 by Wetlands Links International (WLI). The network currently has over 100 members, and is an active committee of leading wetland professionals. The award was given in recognition of the role played by the Centre in conserving the national park, building awareness and stakeholder ship amongst local communities and visitors for its prevention.
13. SIKHS, HINDUS NOW PART OF MIDDLE-CLASS BRITAIN: "Long-established" Hindu and Sikh families in Britain are now being categorized as part of the country's middle-class, according to a survey that also revealed the changing societal lifestyles. The lifestyle of a typical middle-class Briton was revealed in a research by Experian that was published on December 13. The researchers examined nationwide data ranging from income and housing type to favourite internet sites and shopping habits. It identified over 400 social and economic factors to define middle-class Britain and produced a detailed ­picture of the country's largest group, accounting for 13.1 million people, or one in five of the population. The middle class has an average annual household income of 47,300 pounds, which is 10 percent higher than the national average.
14. YOGA TO THE RESCUE OF UK PRISONERS: A researcher at the University of Leicester is assessing the role of yoga in British prisons and the possibility of the ancient Bharatiya practice motivating the inmates to survive their incarceration. Former probation officer Rose Parkes, who is a British Wheel of Yoga teacher, is researching the ways in which spiritual activities can empower and motivate prisoners to survive their incarceration. She is investigating whether yoga enables individuals to adjust to the prison environment and post-prison life. She says: "I believe that prisoners can benefit from yoga because it is a practice which helps to foster understanding, self-acceptance, peace and wellbeing." In addition, the study aims to discover whether prisoner yoga practices can help prisons achieve the government's 'healthy prison' criteria set out in 2008 after concerns about prison conditions. These criteria are particularly concerned with eliminating suicide, self-harm and violence in prisons. While working as a part-time probation officer, Parkes witnessed the effectiveness of the technique at forming positive relationships with other offenders, prompting the study to ascertain whether yoga can help people cope with incarceration.
15. CONGRESS PARTY PLAYED RELIGIOUS POLITICS AFTER 26/11: LEAKED U.S. CABLES: Post 26/11, a section of the Congress leadership was seen playing religious politics after one of its leaders, A. R. Antulay, said that Hindutva forces may have been involved in the Mumbai terror attacks, according to a confidential memo by the then U.S. Ambassador to India, David Mulford, released by WikiLeaks.
“The Congress party, after first distancing itself from the comments (of Antulay, the then Minority Affairs Minister), two days later issued a contradictory statement which implicitly endorsed the conspiracy. During this time, Mr. Antulay’s completely unsubstantiated claims gained support in ... Indian—Muslim community,” Mr. Mulford wrote in his secret cable to the State Department on December 23, 2008.
“Hoping to foster that support for upcoming national elections, the Congress Party cynically pulled back from its original dismissal and lent credence to the conspiracy,” Mr. Mulford wrote.
16. ‘I OWE IT TO MY WIFE’: They say behind every successful man is a woman. The saying holds true in the case of Loomba Foundation’s founder and chairman trustee Raj Loomba who has been elevated to the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. “I feel honoured and humbled after receiving such a prestigious recognition. I give all the credit to my wife who has always been with me and has been my strength at every step. I think with this recognition my responsibilities toward Loomba Foundation also go up,” he says. Loomba has worked tirelessly for decades to alleviate the plight of widows and their children around the world.
17. UTKAL PRADESHIK BHAKTA SAMMELAN IN FEB: Nilachal Sarawat Sangh in Puri which is established by Sadguru Srimat Swami Migamanad Saraswati Devji is celebrating the 60th Utkal Pradeshik Bhakta Sammelan in the national Capital between February 17-19. The sammelan will be attended by around 10,000 devotees from Bharat and abroad.
18. HOUSES HANDED OVER TO LANDSLIDE AFFECTED PEOPLE IN KARWAR, KARNATAKA: Return something to the society which has given us everything-Bhaiyaji Joshi : Sewa Bharati and the victims were not known to each other. But humanity and compassion of different donors who helped build the houses donating money and material brought Sewa Bharati and the displaced people together. Fifty houses were handed over to 50 families, who were displaced after a heavy landslide occurred on October 2, 2009 in Karwar, Karnataka. The keys of the houses were handed over to the victim families at a function held at Kadwad village on November 26. The houses have been built by Sewa Bharati for the families of Kadwar Zariwada village in Karwar Taluka.
Minister in Karnataka government Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri inaugurated Madhav Nagar, the rehabilitation centre consisting of 50 houses that were constructed for the victims of landslide. The handing over of keys ceremony was held in the presence of Vamanashrama Swamiji of Haldipur Mutt and Bhaveshanand Swamiji of Ramakrishna Mutt.
Each house has been built in 30’x50´ site consisting of a kitchen, toilet, bathroom and a hall at a cost of Rs 1.65 lakh. An asphalted road and drainage will also be built in the colony.
Handing over the keys RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi described it a "small gesture towards the society which has given us everything". He said Sewa Bharati and the victims were not known to each other. But humanity and compassion of different donors who helped build the houses donating money and material brought Sewa Bharati and the displaced people together. He said one should not think of it as help to the victims but only as a responsibility to help those who are in trouble.
19. MAHILA SAMMELAN OF SEWA BHARATI: A woman workers’ sammelan of the Sewa Bharati Delhi was organised at Sewa Dham on November 24. A total of 1,476 workers participated in the day long sammelan. Inaugurating the sammelan veteran Sangh Pracharak and Kshetra Parivar Prabodhan Pramukh Shri Prem Chand Goel underlined the role of woman activists in the growth of Sewa Bharati work in Delhi. Describing women as rashtra nirmatri (nation builders) he said sewa, sadhna and satsang are the foundation of a successful family.
Prant Sewa Pramukh Shri Ajay Kumar ji ,Vice president of Sewa Bharati Delhi Smt. Indira Mohan were also present.
20. VISHWA SANGH SHIBIR 2010: VSS 2010 will be inaugurated with havan on Dec 29th 2010 at Rani Lakshmibai Girl’s Military Highschool, Pirangut,Pune. It will be blessed by Poojya Kakamaharaj Dhekne ( Narayanrao ) in presence of RSS Sarkaryavaha Bhayya ji Joshi. The public function will be held in Balewadi on Jan 2nd 2011 in presence of RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan ji Bhagwat.A team of 30 delegates from Mauritius, on a tour to Haridwar, Amritsar, Rajasthan, visited Keshav Kunj on Dec 11th and had some interaction with Ma. Sudarshan ji and Suresh ji Soni. Over 550 delegates from 40 countries are expected to participate in the shibir which concludes on Jan 3 2011.
5th LBML Lecture: Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra is organizing 5th Lakshmanrao Bhide memorial lecture on Jan 7th 2010 at Alkesh Modi Auditorium, University of Mumbai Kalina campus.
21. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas:,Visitors: Smt. Asha & Shri Kulbhushan Joshi – UK, Smt & Shri L M Sabharwal – Canada, Shri Chetan Merani, Dr.Radheshyam Dwiwedi – USA, Ma. Raghunath Deeal with VSS delegates from Mauritius.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: "Sensitivity" and values in governance are required to curb the menace of corruption. "Why are we still floundering with our values? Why is it that the people are still helpless? The answer is simple, now it (corruption) has become a way of life... it has been accepted as a way of life." – Senior Supreme Court judge Altamas Kabir addressing a function organised for release of a book, 'Restoring Values', edited by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's Managing Director E Sreedharan and Tata group's Resident Director Bharat Wakhlu.


JAI SHRI RAM
MODI OPERANDI
Ashok Malik
Better intelligence and a purposeful Union home minister have contributed to India escaping a major terrorist assault since the horror of 26/11. Nevertheless, as the bombing of the Sheetla Ghat in Varanasi indicated, the threat is perennial. The Varanasi attack may have killed just one person tragically, a one-year-old child — but was calculated to cause panic and trigger a stampede that may have claimed many more lives. It was a reminder that Indian Mujahideen (IM), the organisation behind the bombing, is alive and kicking.
India's astonishingly poor record in terms of terrorist convictions remains a critical gap. Between the Parliament attack on December 13, 2001 and the trial of Ajmal Kasab for Mumbai 2008, there have been zero convictions for acts of terrorism in India. This is embarrassing for a country that is among the biggest victims of Islamist terror.
In this context, the history of IM is instructive. An offshoot of the Students' Islamic Movement of India (Simi), IM first came into the public gaze in 2008, after the Ahmedabad bombings. Subsequently, the Gujarat police busted the IM network, made crucial arrests and linked key IM cells and operatives to a series of hitherto unsolved terror bombings in Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur and other cities.
If the past two years have been relatively calm, the steps taken by the Union government after 26/11 deserve credit. Even so, the Gujarat police also merits special mention for a crippling blow to the IM matrix, one from which it's still only beginning to recover.
About 60 IM members — street troops, religious motivators, explosive technicians — were brought to trial in an Ahmedabad court. In February 2010, just as the case was gathering momentum, the accused filed a petition before the Supreme Court asking for their trial to be moved to another state, alleging they would not get justice in Gujarat. In an unorthodox decision, the apex court issued an ex parte order — without hearing the Gujarat government — and stayed the trial.
That is where the matter rests. The trial of terrorists who bombed a series of Indian cities between 2005 and 2008 is still frozen, in a legal and political limbo.
It's here that one needs to consider the congruence of political partisanship, civil society hyper-activism and terrorism. Nobody is suggesting that political parties or civil society activists are necessarily backing terror groups. Yet, by giving them ideas, by creating precedents and mechanisms for misuse, they are derailing the process of justice.
The IM accused have deftly exploited the demonisation of Narendra Modi and Gujarat in sections of the media and among so-called activists who have made an industry of Modi phobia. Despite being accused of perjury and manufacture of documents, these activists have sought to convey the impression that justice can't be done in Gujarat, that Muslims who seek fair play (or need to prove their innocence) require to have their cases moved outside the state, to have these monitored by the Supreme Court and, when all else fails, go to the United Nations (UN).
Unable to defeat Modi politically in Gujarat, the Congress has lent its shoulder to such dangerous practices. As long as they are affecting an individual politician, it is one thing. However, as is now apparent, the entire edifice of India's most robust challenge to IM has also been put at risk.
It is worth asking where this excessive and mind-numbing focus on Modi is headed. Whether one likes his politics or doesn't, believes he is India's best chief minister or isn't, considers him a future prime minister or too much of a hot potato for BJP allies, the fact remains that he needs to be viewed through a conventional political prism and not one of a fevered imagination.
Consider examples. One, it has been clear for a long time that there is no legal case against Modi for the 2002 violence and he is not guilty of acts of deliberate commission. With even the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigative Team (SIT) said to have to come to the same conclusion, Modi haters — who range from Mumbai-based celebrities to a retired police officer still settling bureaucratic scores — have begun to denounce the SIT and are approaching the UN Human Rights Commission.
Two, the WikiLeaks cables reveal that western intelligence agencies believe the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba threat to Modi is clear and present and did not die out with the elimination of Ishrat Jehan and her accomplices. Jehan, a Mumbai student who fell into Lashkar's grip, was killed in an encounter with the Gujarat police in 2004. Modi's opponents insist she was innocent and the Laskhar plot a concoction. Perhaps now they will argue Modi wrote the WikiLeaks cables.
How long can this continue? If any other Indian politician was found to be mentioned as a Lashkar target in the cables, it would have had the media engrossed. Not with Modi; it's almost as if he's fair game. As for the Union government, it wants to fight terrorists — but not terrorists whom the Gujarat police have found. It's so cynical; those 60 Indian Mujahideen men in Ahmedabad must be laughing.
( Ashok Malik is a Delhi-based political commentator. The views expressed by the author are personal ) – Hindusthan Times December 14, 2010


GIVING A NEW THRUST TO BIHAR’S ECONOMY
Shivaji Sarkar
The astounding results of the one-sided Bihar election have established the fact that if someone governs, stokes hopes and improves the socio-politico-economic quotient; he is assured of a massive dividend. What needs to be noted is that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s victory was not based on either majoritarianism, or fundamentalism or extreme populism. The mandate is an acceptance of the fact that he is rebuilding Bihar, socially and economically, and the people want the good work to continue. Nitish Kumar has earned the dividend not just for his political alliance, the NDA, but also for the people of the State, whose aspirations certainly has grown manifold with the State achieving a GDP growth of over 11 per cent – higher than the national average – during the last two years.The 2010 Bihar election has proved that political forces are crucial to economic growth. Nitish Kumar since his coming to power in 2005 has started turning around the state of affairs after a morass had set in 1990. The State has seen a phenomenal rise in Plan expenditure from a mere Rs 4,466 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 12,511 crore in 2010-11. The road network has grown from 415 km in 2005 to 2,417 km in 2010. Infant mortality rate has reduced from 61 to 56 per 1000, maternal mortality rate has gone down from 371 to 312 per 1000. Expenditure in healthcare sector has risen from Rs 607.47 crore to Rs 1,662.8 crore, while education outlay has gone up to Rs 8,344 crore. In crude economic terms all these State expenditure will be considered as subsidies, though in real terms these are investments without which no society can grow. What Bihar is doing is similar to UN’s development programme concepts, rather than the World Bank-IMF corporate economics.The development in Bihar has increased the corporate confidence. Industries for decades have been moving out of the State, but now a change is being foreseen. Investments in hotels and restaurants have grown by 17.71 per cent in 2008-09. This is an indicator that investors have at least started visiting the State and exploring the opportunities it has in store. According to Chandrajeet Banerjee, Director General of Confederation of Indian Industries, the CII is expecting closer ties with Nitish Kumar’s Government. Assocham president Ms Swati Piramal says that so far only 0.5 per cent of corporate investment has gone to Bihar, but it may increase if the Bihar Government improves the power situation. The Nitish Kumar Government has many challenges ahead. To keep pace with people’s aspirations, he has to ensure that the economy grows at least 10 per cent annually. The next five years would be very crucial for sectors like agriculture and power. Power generation, and warehousing and storage facilities have to improve to draw investments. With growing activities, stemming corruptions will be a tough task. Bihar’s progress and changing social dynamics is certain to impact some other States, which thrive on cheap Bihari labour such as Punjab, Haryana, New Delhi to name a few. The social aspiration has brought the Bihari pride back and many Bihari workers, working in other States, have returned home. Indirectly, it will help the labour force in getting better wages and treatment in other States.
( Daily Pioneer, December 8, 2010 )

Margashirsh 16 Samvat 2067, Yugabda 5112: December 1, 2010

1. FESTIVALS: The unique Hornbill Festival, named after the bird, shows just how diverse a country Bharat really is. Held in the Kisama Heritage village near Kohima town, in Nagaland, December 1-7 each year, the festival is one of the largest celebrations of the indigenous warrior tribes of the region. It features traditional arts, dances, folk songs, and games, and music concerts in the evenings. Local handicrafts are also on sale during the festival. Unfortunately, a major drawback is that the festival is not easy to get to. Tourists require a permit to enter the state, and must to travel in groups of four or more people.
2. AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BY SAINTS: “We shall launch an awareness campaign from Jammu to Kanyakumari and from Goa to Myanmar for construction of Ram temple,” was pledged by the saints congregated at Kalka Mandir, New Delhi on November 28. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Madhusudan, Ramanandacharya of Hardwar, Hansdevacharya, National President Sant Samiti Swami Avichal Das, Kalkapeethadheeshwar Surendra Nath Avadhoot and Yogi Rakesh Nath were part of the congregation. They stressed that when Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court consisting an eminent justice, S M Khan, also had concluded that Sri Ramjanmabhoomi is at the very place where Sri Ram Lala sits today, then there is no question of any suspicion. They also averred that Lord Ram is no matter of dispute.
3. GRAFT-FREE SOCIETY WILL LEAD TO GROWTH: KALAM – Former Rashtrapati A P J Abdul Kalam has stressed on the need for a corruption-free society to achieve the dream of making Bharat a developed nation by2020. Kalam, while addressing a group of young students and scientists at the techno-fest organized by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the International Trade Fair on November 24, said corruption was a problem faced by the country and righteousness is the solution to it.
“My visuualisation of Bharat in the year 2020 includes: A nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption-free, where the rural and urban divide has reduced to a thin line and the agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony,” the former Rashtrapati said. He lauded the efforts of the CSIR in developing a technology for providing clean water.
4. GRAND HANUMAT SHAKTI JAGRAN AT BHAGYANAGAR: 27th November , 2010 was a historical day in the history of Bhagyanagar ( Hyderabad ) with over 45,000 Hindus coming together to chant the "Hanuman Chalisa" at the NTR Stadium from 5 pm to 7 pm. This was part of the Hanuman Shakti Jagaran programs being run across the country. The program was blessed with the presence of Pujya Sree Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami, over 40 sadhus and sants of various maths and sampradayas and Sri Ashokji Singhal of VHP. Sri Ashokji Singhal threw light on the overall issue of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and the current status while Pu. Chinna Jeeyar spoke about the need for Hindus to be assertive and not be cowed down when their religion is under attack.
5. MIND AND LIFE DIALOGUE OPENS IN BHARAT: The 22nd edition of the Mind and Life Dialogues that began in 1987 as a joint quest between scientists, philosophers and contemplative practitioners to understand the human mind and the benefits of contemplative practices, the first in Asia, was, as per wish of the Dalai Lama, held in New Delhi from Nov. 20 to Nov. 23. The dialogue here sought to broaden the contemplative Science research by examining practices from the Bharatiya philosophical and cultural heritage including Vedanta, Jain and Yoga.
Dr. Vijaylakshmi Ravindranath, chairman of the Center for Neuroscience of the Indian Institute of Sciences (Bangalore) and founder-director of the National Brain Research Center said holding such dialogues would help neuroscientists find answers to critical questions in understanding the brain.
In his presentation the Dalai Lama dismissed the notion that science is a killer of religion adding Bharatiya philosophical traditions including the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism emphasize the importance of investigation and reasoning in understanding the nature of reality. “There’s no concept of right or wrong,” he said, “Investigate the reality and there’s no danger to religion.” The purpose of Mind and Life Dialogue, according to him, is to simply expand knowledge not only on external matters but also internal matters such as mind. Swami Atmapriyananda, the vice chancellor of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University and Thupten Jinpa, the principal English translator to His Holiness and a Tibetan Buddhist scholar provided an overview of the philosophical perspectives from Hinduism and Buddhism and discussed the ways the traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism articulating the wider understanding of reality that is the context for contemplative practices. Mr. Jinpa said the primary sources of Tibetan Buddhism are the texts authored by Nalanda masters like Nagarjuna, Dhignath, Dharmakirti, Asanga, Vasobandhu, Shantideva, etc.Dr. Richard Davidson, Director of Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at University of Wisconsin-Madison, in his presentation, said anxiety at anticipation of pain or suffering intensified in novice practitioners compared to expert practitioners.
In one other session focussed on understanding Vedanta practice and its intersection with science, Swami Atmapriyananda made his presentation on the nature of the Advaita Vedanta practitioner. Commenting on Swamiji’s presentation on the ‘small self’ or ego merging into the ‘greater self’ as if understood in Vedanta tradition, the Dalai Lama said the act of merging itself in a way indicates the deconstruction of the self. He then discussed some cases of Tibetan practitioners who were clinically declared dead but their body remained fresh for 2-3 weeks indicating the existence of a subtler form of consciousness long after heart beating and blood circulation had stopped functioning. Three such cases were reported recently in southern Bharat where large Tibetan monasteries are located. He said there needs to be a closer coordination among scientists and contemplative practitioners so that science becomes more complete by carrying out more research work on internal phenomena.Dr. Matthieu Ricard, Buddhist practitioner and the French interpreter to His Holiness said the dehypnotizing process explained by Swamiji was similar to Buddhist practice of undiluting a mind filled with distorted perceptions; the act of deconstructing misconceptional reality leading to pure awareness.In yet another session of the Mind and Life Dialogue, the Dalai Lama discussed the central practices in yoga and Jain traditions with Muni Mahendra Kumar, a multi-linguist versatile Jain scholar and Dr. Shirley Telles, director of research at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar. Muni Mahendra Kumar presented some empirical evidences of the overall benefits of emotional, mental and physical developments through Preksha (science of living) meditation carried out in over 10,000 schools Bharat. He emphasized the need for a systematic research design to help Bharatiya scientists in implementing contemplative practices in everyday life. Dr. Telles speaking on the physiology of meditation presented some findings from a series of studies carried out in the last 17 years to examine the application of yoga in clinical contexts for mental and physical health. In his presentation on expansion and contraction approaches in Vedanta contemplative practice, clinical scientist HR Nagendra, vice-chancellor Swami Vivekanand Yog Anusandhan Samsthan, University, Bengaluru explained the Samadhi, that level of consciousness when the meditator, the meditated, and the process of meditation merge together and become one.The Dalai Lama, commenting on Dr. Nagendra’s presentation, referred to descriptions of the nine stages of mental development in Samadhi process in Buddhist meditation manuals.Dr. Rajesh Kasturirangan, associate professor at National Institute of Advanced Studies (Bangalore) who completed his doctorate in cognitive science at MIT in his comments suggested the integration of both philosophical and theoretical knowledge base of eastern and western traditions to explore grounds for unity. Citing Bertrand Russell’s quote on the incompatibility of Plato and Mathematics, he said it is possible for Nagarjuna and Neuroscience to be compatible.
6. BHARATIYA FARMERS ADDRESS HARVARD UNIVERSITY: Rajendra Patil, 40 and Hemchandra Dagaji Patil, 50 have travelled to America to explain to academicians at the prestigious Harvard University about the successful drip irrigation techniques. Selected by Mumbai-based Jain Irrigation System to present their story at the Harvard Business School, the duo explained to a rapt audience at the university how they have successfully used drip irrigation to expand their farm holdings. Hemchandra Dagaji told the audience that the land earlier was cultivated by flood irrigation and irregular use of fertilizers due to which the yield levels were marginal and the profits were less and the quality of the farm product was not good. “Whole land was cultivated by micro-irrigation which helps me to raise the yield levels as well as financial position.” he said. In his presentation, Rajendra Patil said his farm land was 1.5 acres and the whole land was rain fed and hence the yield levels were very low. Now, he owns seven acres of land and has about 60 acres of land on lease.
7. BHARAT IN TOP 4 AMONG B-SCHOOL DESTINATIONS: That the US and the UK are the most popular destinations for management studies is not big news. But the findings of a survey conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) which conducts GMAT have thrown up some surprises. Number 4 on the list of the Top 10 preferred destinations for B-school aspirants is Bharat, with Canada at No. 3. Israel and Spain are the other surprise entrants.
According to experts, Bharat's foray into the elite league has a lot to do with the emergence of institutions such as the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, which was ranked No. 12 globally in the Financial Times (London) Global MBA rankings earlier this year. The IIMs, which use GMAT as an entrance test for their executive MBA programmes, are also responsible for Bharat's popularity.
8. JPC IS AN IMPERATIVE: Insecurity, unreasonableness, and stubbornness tend to go hand in hand. Why else should the Congress-led government be dead set against allowing a Joint Parliamentary Committee to try and get to the bottom of the 2G spectrum scandal? With the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bharat exposing serious irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum, resulting in staggering losses to the exchequer, getting to the truth of what happened has become a moral imperative. While the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee will study the CAG report, this is no alternative to an empowered JPC that can call for all relevant records and summon Ministers, including the Prime Minister, for examination during the course of its enquiry. Moreover, it can probe the scandal in historical perspective — against the backdrop of telecom policy as it evolved, with twists and turns and sometimes carrying the stench of corruption, over a decade and a half. The government's negative response suggests a cover-up. As is evident from the observations of the Supreme Court in the spectrum case, the Central Bureau of Investigation is not doing an earnest job of investigating the matter. Nor will an inquiry by the Central Vigilance Commission carry conviction; the Supreme Court has questioned the appointment as Central Vigilance Commissioner of P.J. Thomas, who served as Telecommunications Secretary during the period of the scam and has a charge sheet pending against him. If, as the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam insist, A. Raja as Communications Minister only followed the 2G spectrum allocation policy set by BJP-led National Democratic Alliance regimes, it is all the more important for a JPC to go back to the formulation of the National Telecom Policy, 1994 and enquire into everything of material relevance from then on.
An empowered and well-staffed JPC has also become a political imperative. The United Progressive Alliance government faces a crisis of credibility; Parliament has been rendered dysfunctional; and the image of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a leader with a clean personal reputation, has taken a beating. If a JPC can work sincerely and in a businesslike way — on a day-to-day basis, more or less — all significant facts relating to the 2G spectrum allocation affair can be placed before the people of India within the next two months. It bears recall that even the JPC set up to enquire into the Bofors scandal, which had nothing but cover-up on its mind and was boycotted by the Opposition, brought into the public domain a mass of information that proved invaluable to The Hindu's investigation. That the BJP-led government in 2001 did not concede the demand for a JPC into the Tehelka exposé can be no justification in the present situation. The questions involved in the 2G scam are far too serious to be allowed to become part of political tit for tat. – Editorial, The Hindu, November 27, 2010.
9. CHHATTISGARH GETS ‘FASTEST DEVELOPING STATE AWARDS’: Chhattisgarh has become numero uno state in the country in fast implementation of all round economic development projects and schemes. Dr. Raman Singh, Chief Minister of the state was awarded at a ceremony in New Delhi on November 19 for this achievement. The award was presented during the ‘State of the State Conclave 2010’. M Hamid Ansari, the Vice-President of Bharat, presented the award to the CM. The state was conferred with this prestigious award for socio economic development. Speaking at the function, Dr Raman Singh said that Chhattisgarh had laid its emphasis on fighting poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition and upliftment of backward classes and anyone who created hindrance in this initiative was the state’s enemy.
10. BIG PAY DAYS ARE BACK FOR CHIEF EXECUTIVES IN BHARAT: If jobs are back, can hikes be far behind! And when it comes to chief executives, it is more than salary. CEO’s are now moving from one sector to another more frequently, say headhunters, and are negotiating more that just salary. Stock options, performance-linked incentives, cash incentives and long-term payouts are now discussed more than just basic salary. Sign on bonus amounts are also on the rise. One candidate apparently negotiated – and got – a sign on bonus of Rs 40 lakh apart from annual compensation of Rs. 65 lakhs.
11. PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION ON 19TH CENTURY HERITAGE: An exhibition showcasing a 19th century photographer’s reflections on Bharat’s heritage got underway on November 19 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi. The three-month exhibition peeks into the early 19th century lifestyle and is of immense interest for those interested in photography, said IGNCA member secretary, Jyotindra Jain.
Besides the streets of Kolkata, Lucknow, Bijapur and Gulbarga areas in black and white shades, the monuments like Falaknuma Palace, a slide show of about 3,000 photographs by photographer Raja Deen Dayal is also part of the exhibition, said Jain.
12. UK CAP ON SKILLED WORKERS: The British government, for the first time, has drawn a marker for net migration, which includes a cap on immigration from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) – a policy that will affect the Bharatiyas the most, for they constitute the largest influx among highly skilled and skilled workers. The Conservative party-Liberal Democrat alliance’s tough talking home minister, Theresa May, imposed a 22.06% cut on “highly skilled” migrants on November 23. In other words not more than 21,000 people will be allowed into the UK from outside the EEA on work permit April 1, 2011 onward. Visas for skilled workers without job offer will be down to an even more drastic 1,000 in 2011-12.
13. BHARATIYAS RANKED AMONG TOP 100 THINKERS: National security advisor Shivshankar Menon has been ranked 18th among the 10 global thinkers’ list of the Washingron based Foreign Policy magazine. He has been credited with “dragging Bharat out of its global nonalignment.
Bharat-origin academician and former diplomat Kishore Mahbubani also figures in this list of the top 100 global thinkers. Mahbubani, a professor of Bharatiya decente was appointed Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in 2004 after having served 33 years in the Singapore Foreign Service.
Other prominent international global thinkers honoured this year include US President Barack Obama, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, IMF MD Dominique Strauss-Kahn and World Bank President Robert Zoellick.
14. 12 SERVING WOMEN OFFICERS GET PERMANENT COMMISSION: For the first time, on November 30, the army granted permanent commission (PC) to 12 women officers. Earlier women in the Bharatiya army were only given limited tenure from five to 14 years (apart from those in the medical corps). There are just 1,065 women among 35,377 officers in the army. “This is in accordance with the government decision in 2008 to grant PC to women officers in the legal and education wings of the three Services, as also the accounts branch of IAF and the ‘naval constructor’ department of Navy,” said an officer.
15. BHARATIYA ARMY INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH AT RMA, UK: Bharatiya Army instructors could shortly be snapping out commands — for the first time ever — at one of the finest training institutions in the world: the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Surrey, UK. The British defence ministry is weighing a proposal to swap instructors between Sandhurst and the India Military Academy, Dehradun. Ordering cadets to do press-ups and pull-ups at Sandhrust will be coveted assignment for any Bharatiya instructor. Started as the Royal Military Academy in 1741, Sandhrust has trained generations of army officers of our former colonial rulers.
16. OBAMA AS NATARAJ UPSETS HINDUS: Hindus are upset over the cover of November 22 edition of American newsweekly ‘Newsweek’ which depicts US President Barack Obama in Nataraj pose, saying that it trivializes their venerated deity Siva. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement on November 24, said that Lord Siva was a highly revered deity in Hinduism meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used indecorously or thrown around loosely in re-imagined versions for dramatic effects.
17. KISHORILAL GUPTA JI – HONG KONG PASSES AWAY: Senior swayamsevak of Hong Kong Shri Kishorilal ji Gupta passed away in Hong Kong on November 16. He was 77. With his passing away a glorious chapter in the work of Hindu Swayamsewak Sangh, Hong Kong is over. Kishorilalji was associated with HSS HongKong from its very inception. His continuous and unparallel contribution in the growth of Sangh work helped many karyakartas to work silently and effectively.
17. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Dr.Shankar Tatwawadi, Samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will be in Bharat from Dec 8. Shri.Shyam Parande, Secretary,Sewa International will return Bharat after weeklong tour to Sri Lanka. Visitors: Shri Chetan Merani - USA, T. Indrasen Reddy and V. Indrasen Reddy – New Jersey.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: We can never obtain peace in the world if we neglect the inner world and don’t make peace with ourselves. World peace must develop out of inner peace. – The Dalai Lama XIV.


JAI SHREE RAM


A MANDATE FOR GOVERNANCE


SHAIBAL GUPTA
The drama surrounding the Bihar assembly election outcome was somewhat diminished thanks to firm prognostications by nearly all about a resounding victory for the Nitish Kumar-led NDA. However, while a few believed the staggering prediction of a television channel and the Centre for Study of Developing Societies, none probably expected the huge margin of victory. The victory has drawn a collective sigh of relief that the process of Bihar's turnaround will continue unabated. The state election was initially expected to be tri-polar, but the non-performance of the Congress made it bi-polar between the two titans of Bihar politics, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad. But the final result revealed that the contest was essentially one-sided. The Congress's failure was understandable because, in spite of the initial euphoria surrounding Rahul Gandhi's sojourns in the state, it could not put up an authentic provincial face to act as its mascot. Further, the absence of party structure and a tangible social base came in the way of its revival. In the process of expanding its base, it often co-opted the most discredited candidates. In contrast, the RJD-LJP combine was expected to come out with a coherent agenda and steal Nitish's thunder. But instead of taking a left-of-centre strategy to help it rebuild bridges with the masses, it tried to co-opt the most lumpen section of feudal elements in the name of opposing possible land reform, particularly 'bataidari'. In fact, the poorest section of the population deserted the RJD-LJP for displaying opposition to radical land management, and reinforced their commitment to Nitish. Even after their defeat, instead of introspecting on their possible follies, these parties sounded brash in their first press conference after the results. Ram Vilas Paswan was more concerned about finding out the reasons for the rout of his brother Pashupatinath 'Paras', candidate for deputy chief minister in the alliance, instead of understanding the changing social configurations on the ground. What is the import of the NDA's victory in Bihar for the nation? One should first note that the victory was not based on either majoritarian fundamentalism or extreme populism. The election had actually adopted the characteristic of a plebiscite-style mandate around Nitish who had assumed an iconic image by rebuilding Bihar, particularly its state structure. Whereas he displayed his talent for being an 'idea-smith', his opponents displayed antediluvian predilections, revealing a drought in the realm of ideas. It will not, therefore, be surprising if in the national election, the NDA opts for a campaign pitching the Bihar model of inclusion. To make oneself strong electorally at the national level, Muslim support is very necessary. Bihar has showed that the BJP is no longer untouchable for the Muslims, indicating a possible new matrix for alliances. One of the most important features of this election is the massive 10 per cent increase in women's participation. Displaying a strong gender identity, possibly for the first time in post-independence India, the participation of women compared to men was higher by five percentage points. This dramatic change is not merely because of 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions, bicycle schemes for girls or 'Akshar Anchal', a dedicated literacy programme for adult mothers. It is primarily due to better functioning of the state structure, which benefits women even more than men. A functioning state provides better security for women, allowing them to move without fear, and ensures better facilities for health sectors and improved possibilities in school enrolment. This high response of women was religion-neutral; even in districts with Muslim concentrations, their participation was very high. Even though Bihar escaped the fruits of renaissance and regeneration in the last century, there is now bottom-up modernisation across the state. Better law and order has ensured better implementation of gender and minority-related schemes. The building and resurrection of the state were carried out almost single-handedly by Nitish in his first term. And this was not limited to techno-managerial strategy alone. A strong element of 'inclusion' was in-built in the whole strategy. The BJP under Sushil Modi supported him to the hilt. In Nitish's second term, the state structure should be strengthened further, so that Bihar gets converted from a functioning to a proactive state and the social sector and development agenda gets fully implemented. When he took over its reins in 2005, the state was in poor shape. It is now a functioning one and has created a strong benchmark. With enhanced political capital, furthering this agenda will not be difficult now for Nitish. But Nitish will have to revisit in the coming days the issue of the relative turfs of the legislature, executive and judiciary and their mutual interaction. His initiative in promoting a dialogue between the executive and the judiciary had an electrifying effect. It ensured more than 50,000 convictions, which immediately augmented the authority of the state. This dialogue between the executive and the judiciary has now to be extended to the legislature as well. Then only will Bihar have an authentic turnaround, which will be a model for the entire country.
The writer is member-secretary, Asian Development Research Institute, Patna.
The Times of India’s Top Article on November 25, 2010.



TIME TO JUNK INDIAN EXCEPTIONALISM


SWAGATO GANGULY
With the results of the Bihar elections in, it may be time to slay that mythic dragon of Indian politics: 'anti-incumbency'. Nitish Kumar has demonstrated that it's possible for a government to last its full term and yet be voted back to power, perhaps with an increased majority. Of course, other chief ministers too have been there in recent times: Raman Singh, Naveen Patnaik, Sheila Dikshit, Narendra Modi. Even at the Centre, the UPA was able to win a second term in office. When western electorates are caught up in their days of rage - witness the drubbing Barack Obama's Democrats received in congressional elections soon after Obama's triumphant ascent to the White House, or the ejection of a Labour government in the UK after more than a decade of Labour dominance - it's significant that Indian voters are bucking the anti-incumbency trend. It's no coincidence that this is happening roughly at the same time that the Indian economy has entered its high-growth phase. Bihar conforms closely to this model; under Nitish Kumar, it clocked a scorching 11 per cent GDP growth annually. And that has paid off at the hustings, confounding the received wisdom of growth sceptics that economic growth has no political constituency. Political cynics have long subscribed to a version of Indian exceptionalism, according to which the Indian voter, unlike voters elsewhere in the world, doesn't really respond to economic incentives. Indian elections can be won only through complex caste and community manipulations. And Bihar, as one of India's most backward states, was supposed to exemplify this phenomenon. But if even Bihar cannot be fitted into this model any more, surely it is time to question its effectiveness.
'Anti-incumbency', if one cares to examine it closely, is a vacuous concept. Nirupam Sen, the No. 2 man in West Bengal's cabinet after chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has conceded that the Left Front may face a difficult time in next year's assembly elections because of 'anti-incumbency'. Surely that formulation begs the question, it has little explanatory power. What Sen doesn't say is that the Left Front has enjoyed the benefits of a low-level equilibrium in West Bengal over the past three decades, but those benefits are fast running out. A low-level equilibrium works by keeping people's expectations low so they are happy with little. At that point, throw them a few sops and they'll vote for you. It's akin to what sociologists have named the 'culture of poverty': people may be poor but they don't really see a way out of it, so they are content with their lot rather than suffer the dissonance that comes from trying to improve their condition. A low-level equilibrium also characterised India's polity as a whole in the period 1950-75, when Congress was repeatedly voted to power as India plodded along with its 'Hindu' rate of growth. This can be seen as India's 'pro-incumbency' phase, coasting along on the cachet Congress had acquired by leading India's freedom struggle. The discontents of such a regime exploded from about 1973 onwards, leading to the declaration of Emergency. What followed was anti-incumbency, which V S Naipaul has vividly described as the eruption of a 'million mutinies'. But while anti-incumbency can be effective in undermining an old regime, the problem with it is that it has few ideas about how to build a new order. This process can be seen to work in Bihar as well. Rule by upper castes - principally Rajputs, Bhumihars, Brahmins - was disrupted when Lalu Prasad rose to power in 1990. There's some truth to the claim that the movement of middle and lower castes that he led was a catalyst for social justice in Bihar. Nitish Kumar, too, was a part of the same movement; he was a member of the original Janata Dal from which Lalu's RJD broke off in 1997. Having destroyed the old regime, however, the RJD-led dispensation had few ideas about governance as it imposed economic stagnation on Bihar. Anti-incumbency took over again as the RJD was swept out in 2005, but that anti-incumbency isn't inevitable is demonstrated by the current verdict in Bihar. Rather, the state may have entered what can be described as a post-incumbent phase: whether you've been in power the last time doesn't matter positively or negatively in terms of current electoral results, what matters is how you performed when you were. The Bihar story should hold some lessons in neighbouring West Bengal. There's little doubt that, as Nirupam Sen says, there's an anti-incumbency wave there now. The revolution of rising expectations makes the current political regime untenable. Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool-Congress alliance can capitalise on Bengal's anti-incumbency wave if they play their cards right. But does Mamata aim to be the Lalu Prasad or the Nitish Kumar of Bengal? We know that she is against land acquisition, but we don't know yet her alternative plans for industrialisation and job generation in Bengal. If she settles on the Lalu Prasad model she will only prolong Bengal's anti-incumbency days, which will boomerang on her. The Times of India, November 25, 2010.




YOGA'S APPEAL IS UNIVERSAL
The Times of India View: The Hindu American Foundation's 'Take Back Yoga' campaign asserts that yoga is part of Hinduism and people must be made aware of this link. This unnecessarily complicates matters for practitioners of a set of techniques to mental, physical and spiritual well-being. That these practices are of global relevance is attested to by their international popularity. Around 15 million practise yoga in the US alone, indicating the tremendous appeal of things Indian to people regardless of faith, colour or creed. Yoga gives cultural weight to Brand India, enhancing it by displaying the multifarious facets of our society. Subsuming yoga strictly within Hinduism misconstrues both the practice and the faith. Undoubtedly, there is a multiplicity of forms of yoga, but they may be practised by anyone. To constrict the varieties of the art within any particular religious, cultural or even personal order detracts from the universal availability and applicability of yoga by imposing ownership on the common fruits of Indian civilisation. After all, India has always been an inclusive culture. Nor has yoga been practised exclusively by Hindus. Second, the campaigners in their eagerness to demonstrate the uniqueness of Hinduism actually rob it of its intellectual coherence as a way of life. They mistakenly suppose Hinduism to have a fixed core - as in the Semitic religions - that generated a set of fixed, institutionalised practices. Regardless of whether Hinduism produced yoga, there is no hard and fast rule associating yoga solely with the followers of the faith. Rather than focus on indebtedness and ownership, Indians everywhere would best serve the art of yoga and their fellow humans by demonstrating its applicability to one and all, regardless of what they believe in. Yoga's popularity beyond the land of its invention shows that it is universal.


FAITH IS THE INSPIRATION


AJAY VAISHNAV
Counter View: In yet another attempt to deny Hinduism's unique contribution to humanity, many people have questioned the fact that yoga originates in the Hindu faith. Such attempts ought to be thwarted at all costs. This is not to say that people don't have the right to view yoga as a secularised practice in the modern world. But surely that doesn't mean they should go to the extent of denying that it is an integral part of the Hindu religion. The history of yoga as described in our religious texts makes it peculiar to Hindus.Yoga forms one of the six classic systems of Hindu philosophy. The earliest Vedic texts, the Brahmanas, Vedic Samhitas and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and the like talk at length about the ascetic practices of tapas and various asanas. The term yoga itself has been derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj', which means 'to unite'. Practised by devout Hindus down the ages, yoga is a mystical and meditative practice designed to unite the soul with the eternal. It is, therefore, not correct to view it as just a physical and mental therapy. If anything, yoga insists on using physical training as a means to attain the higher goal of spirituality as defined in Hinduism. The argument that yoga is not exclusive to Hindus, since it has been practised by followers of other faiths, does not cut ice. It is to fail to see that certain belief systems were offshoots of Hinduism. In that sense, yoga forms the core of a spiritual tradition that spans the history of the Indian civilisation. In fact, you don't find yoga or anything like it in any other culture. Hence the practitioners of yoga should be made conscious of the unique traditions it originates in. Given this, the Hindu American Foundation's 'Take Back Yoga' campaign makes sense and should be supported.

Kartik 28 Vik Samvat 2067. Yugabda 5112: 16 Nov 2010

1. FESTIVALS: Vaikuntha Ekadashi: The Margashirsha shukla paksha ekadashi, falling on December 17 this year, is known as 'Mokshada Ekadashi' also. Special prayers, yagnas, discourses and speeches are arranged at Vishnu temples across the world on this auspicious day. According to Vishnu Purana, Lord Vishnu opened the gate of Vaikuntham for two demons in spite of they being against Him. They asked him a boon that whoever listens to their story and see the image of Lord coming out of the door called Vaikuntha Dwar will reach Vaikuntha as well! Hindu temples all over the world make a door kind of structure on this day for devotees to pass through that.
Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrations in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam last 21 days and are divided into two parts of pagal pathu (morning part) and Ira pathu (night part). Lord Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha is adorned in an armor of diamonds (rathnaangi) and is brought to the Thousand-Pillared Hall from the sanctum sanctorum through the northern gate known as Paramapada Vasal, the gate to the heaven. This gate is opened once in a year, only on the Vaikuntha Ekadashi day. Tirumala Venkateswara Temple also has a similar concept.
2. RSS DHARNAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AGAINST TERROR CHARGES: The RSS swayamsevaks along with members of other Parivar outfits staged demonstrations and handed over memoranda in several parts of Bharat on November 10 accusing the Congress of hatching a "political conspiracy" to malign its image and "falsely" implicating its senior leader Indresh Kumar in the Ajmer blast case. The protest was mainly against politicisation of the probe into the bomb blast cases.
In Lucknow, RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to tag the saffron outfit as a terrorist organisation and said it will come out clean.
In Pune, hundreds of RSS volunteers raised slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' during the two-hour long protest. In Bhopal, former Sarsanghachalak targeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi. In Bangalore, RSS staged a sit-in dharna in front of the town hall, flaying the Congress for likening RSS with "saffron terror and Hindu terror". A huge crowd in Jaipur shouted slogans like 'Dushprachar ki rajniti nahin chalegi' (politics of defamation won't work) and 'Hindu drohi sharam karo' (Hindus bashers have some shame). About 75,000 activists participated in the dharnas organised in the district headquarters of Telangana and Rayalseema regions of Andhra Pradesh.
In Hyderabad, the sit-in was organised at Indira Park where RSS Sarkaryavah Suresh Joshi accused the UPA Government of trying to defame the outfit and framing its leaders and activists in false cases. Former Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, former Governor A Rama Rao, ex-BJP President Bangaru Laxman, Andhra Pradesh BJP chief G Kishana Reddy and ex-MP A Narendra were among those who participated in the dharna. In Nagpur, the demonstration was organised at Moriss Collee T-Point. RSS leaders Dilip Gupta, Manmohan Vaidya, Ram Harkare, Mayor Archana Dehankar of BJP took part in the protest. In Vijayawada, Hindu religious leaders and workers of VHP, ABVP and BJP took part in the sit-in. Advocates, teachers, lecturers and business people also participated in the protest held at Sub-Collector's Office.
3. SUU KYI IS FREE: Myanmar’s democracy leader 65-year old Aung San Suu Kyi walked free on November 13 from the lakeside home that has been her prison for most of the past two decades, to the delight of huge crowds of waiting supporters. Addressing a vast crowd of her supporters outside her party’s offices in Rangoon, the day after her release, she said: "The basis of democratic freedom is freedom of speech." She also told them: "If we want to get what we want, we have to do it in the right way,” adding that she had "no antagonism" towards her captors and that she had been well treated during her captivity.
4. BOOSTER SHOT: It can be said definitively now: with US President Barack Obama's India visit, the long shadow that the Cold War cast on India-US ties has been dispelled. Instead of looking to the past, the relationship has been recast for the 21st century.
From terrorism to the Security Council to trade, Obama not only checked off all the key phrases during the culmination of his India visit, he put them together in an eloquent speech that wowed Parliament. Certainly, the deals worth over $10 billion that he is taking back with him will be useful for him in a domestic context, given the shellacking the Democrats have received in the just-concluded US midterms.
But those deals would have happened regardless of his presence. It is the tone and tenor of his oration - the public aligning of US and Indian interests, and what it means for one of the crucial strategic relationships of the 21st century - that makes his visit a notable success.
His backing of India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council is not an immediate deliverable; neither is his acknowledgement that India has already emerged as a great power entirely accurate. But in accepting the validity of New Delhi's ambitions - and by explicitly offering Washington's support in achieving them - he has made a powerful statement. It is the culmination of the process begun by Bill Clinton and furthered by George W Bush, to dissolve the lingering skepticism holding back the India-US relationship.
His emphasis on the interlinking of Indian and US economic and geostrategic interests for the future is both timely and welcome. His explicit condemnation of Pakistan-backed terrorism and support of India's role in Afghanistan will assuage fears of Washington's softness towards Islamabad on those issues. Equally crucial is his urging New Delhi to engage with East Asia. The region is set to become the economic, energy and strategic hub of the coming decades. And given ASEAN members' fears of Chinese dominance, US and Indian engagement in the region is necessary for stable, cooperative growth.
The India-US relationship is still, in many ways, a nascent one. It will continue to evolve over the coming years. Adjustments will be required on both sides. In order to boost security and sustain growth, New Delhi will have to carry out a fine balancing act between maintaining its relationship with Washington and exercising strategic autonomy. But this is the kind of manoeuvring that can be safely achieved if the framework of the relationship is robust. And that is where Obama has left his imprint. He has ably continued where his predecessors left off. Editorial: The Times of India: November 10’2010.
5. OBAMA’s CONFIRMED AUDIENCE: It seems the desire to listen to US President Barack Obama LIVE in the joint session of Parliament was bit too strong for Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Tarun Mandal. Even after being directed by his party, the Socialist Unity Centre of India, to boycott the session, the MP from Joynagar in West Bengal decided to be present in the production control room of Lok Sabha Television to listen to Obama. He was present all through the speech. Except Forward Block, other Left MPs were present in the Central Hall when Obama delivered his speech.
6. FIRST ENLISTED SIKH SOLDIER IN US: Simran Preet Singh Lamba on November 11 became the first enlisted soldier in the US Army in more two decades to complete basic training after getting a rare religious exemption for his turban and beard because the military wants his language skills.
Recruited by the army in 2009 through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program for his language skills in Punjabi and Hindi, Lamba completed basic training with his turban and unshorn hair at Fort Jackson outside Columbia and became a US citizen.
7. BHARAT A PART OF SUPERCONTINENT: A new and exciting piece of research from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has confirmed what has long been believed that Bharat was a part of supercontinent that later broke away into smaller physical entities and transformed into small continents and countries.
Geological research conducted recently by assistant professor Sanjeev Krishnan of the Centre for Earth Sciences, IISc has revealed that certain rock crusts or granulites in Sri Lanka, Southern Bharat and Madagascar have properties that demonstrate Bharat as being part of a supercontinent.
“The ancient supercontinent of Gondwana once consisted of what are now the smaller continents of South America, Africa, Madagascar, southern Bharat, Sri Lanka, Antarctica and Australia. Our research reveals that massive tectonic activity had occurred 600 million years ago and had brought together all the earth formations into a supercontinent,” Krishnan said.
Krishnan has explained his inferences in a recent issue of the journal Geology.
8. STOP ATTACKS ON RSS OFFICES: BJP on November 14 asked Congress to put a stop to attacks on RSS offices by its workers in protest K S Sudarshan's remarks against Sonia Gandhi and warned that failure to do so would lead to nation-wide agitations on corruption in 2-G Spectrum, CWG and Adarsh Housing Society.
"We are giving a stern warning to Congress that if it continues with its violence and anarchy in spite of all clarifications by BJP and the RSS, which remained calm even after Congress leaders equated RSS with SIMI, we will launch a nation-wide agitation to expose Congress on 2-G Spectrum, Adarsh scam and CWG issues," BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay said.
Congress workers had attacked and vandalised RSS offices in Delhi, Akola, Allahabad, Jaipur and in a few other cities in protest against former RSS chief's derogatory remarks. RSS had expressed regret at Sudarshan's statement while the BJP said its views on the issue were the same as that of the RSS. But this did not placate the Congress.
9. TURBAN SCREENING NORMS AT US AIRPORTS: Several US-based Sikh organisations are up in arms against new procedures laying down additional screening of turbans at American airports, terming the measure unwarranted profiling. “Targeting turbans for additional scrutiny sends a message to other passengers that Sikhs and their articles of faith are to be viewed with suspicion by fellow travelers. The policy is a serious infringement on our civil rights and liberties,” three Sikh bodies complained bitterly.
As part of a joint protest action, the three organisations — Sikh Coalition, United Sikhs and the Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund have asked members of the Sikh community to ‘oppose this unjust policy’ by taking it up with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and members of the US Congress.
10. MANDIR EXECUTIVE’S CONFERENCE: October 22 - 24, 2010, the foyer and ballroom of the Sheraton North Houston Hotel on JFK Boulevard were bounteously transformed into Little Bharat during the 5th Annual Hindu Mandir Executives Conference (HMEC). The event drew community leaders and mandir representatives from over ninety temples nationwide and from Canada who met, mingled, shared ideas through brainstorming sessions, and amicably found resolution to several compelling issues.
HMEC resolved to implement a supply chain management scheme, an idea outlined jointly by Dr. Sharma Tadepalli of the Meenakshi Temple Society in this city, and Hari Murthy of the Venkateswara Temple in Pittsburgh. The issue of ensuring that America’s school textbooks correctly portray Hinduism was reviewed by Hinduism Today Magazine. The supplements produced by the magazine will be sent out to schools nationwide.
11. KEDARNATH AND YAMUNOTRI CLOSED FOR WINTERS: Portals of Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Yamunotri shrines were closed for the winter season, on Bhaiya Duj, Saturday November 7.
Amid sounds of conch shells and drum beating, chief priests of both the shrines performed special puja and closed the doors for pilgrims for a period of six months, in the presence of administrative officials. Thousands of pilgrims were present in the premises of the temples, braving chilly winds at the closing ceremony.
12. BHARAT TEST-FLIES NISHANT DRONE WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY: Bharat has successfully test flown its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Nishant with new technology for monitoring its structural health in flight. "The trials were conducted at Kolar airfield in Karnataka and the structural health of the UAV was monitored in flight," Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist R K Gupta said in a statement.
Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), the new system enables the structural health of aeronautical structures to be monitored on board.
"The system allows us to monitor the health of the aircraft online and take corrective action in flight without grounding it," Gupta said.
The new technique will also avoid periodic grounding of the UAV for maintenance.
13. US BODY TIES UP WITH KALAM TO ADDRESS SOLAR ENERGY ISSUES: The US’s National Space Society (NSS) on November 5 unveiled a new initiative in association with former Rashtrapati APJ Abdul Kalam with the aim of addressing the global energy crisis by harvesting solar power in space.
Announcing the initiative at a news conference in Washington, the NSS said this joint initiative has the potential to turn Bharat and the US into “net energy exporters”. Kalam joined the event via electronic hookup from New Delhi, as did TK Alex, Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, from Bangalore.
“It is a game-changing technology that addresses energy security, sustainable development, climate change and multinational cooperation,” said Mark Hopkins, CEO of NSS, a non-profit American body. He felt both the US and Bharat have the means to harvest solar power in space on a mass scale — especially if they work together.
Said Kalam: “ I am convinced that harvesting solar power in space can bring Bharat and United States of America together in whole new ways. And I am certain that harvesting solar power in space can upgrade the living standard of the human race.”
14. DEEPAWALI FESTIVAL AT THE NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT: The Hindu festival of Deepawali (Festival of Lights) was celebrated at the New Zealand Parliament on Wednesday, 10 November 2010. It was hosted by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs. The Chief Guest, the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, Governor General of New Zealand, graced the occasion. A number of Parliamentarians including Hon Bill English, Minister of Finance and Acting Prime Minister; Hon. Phil Goff, Leader of Opposition; Hon Peter Dunne, Minister of Revenue; Dr Rajen Prasad and Mr Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Members of Parliament representing the Bharatiya community and other members representing various political parties were present at the festival.
Deepawali is celebrated not only by Bharatiyas but also by Hindus from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Fiji, and South Africa and so on. It was heartening to see some of them representing the Hindu community at the Parliament function.
15. HARIPRASAD CHAURASIA GETS TOP FRENCH HONOUR: Classical flute exponent Hariprasad Chaurasia will be conferred the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the highest civilian award in France, by the French government for his contribution to music Nov 9.
The award will be presented to the 72-year-old by French ambassador Jerome K. Bonnafont at a ceremony at the French embassy here.
A book and and a CD “Hariprasad Chaurasia and the Art of Improvisation” by Henri Tournier, the flute maestro’s French assistant at the Rotterdam Music Conservatory, will be released at the awards ceremony.
Chaurasia is also artistic director of the Indian music department at Rotterdam Music Conservatory, where he has been teaching for the past 15 years.
The French government distinction Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) is conferred on “persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of arts in France and throughout the world.”
16. IGNOU TO CERTIFY GURU-SHISHYA PARAMPARA: The IGNOU has signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with the Union Ministry of Culture’s four zonal cultural centres at Thanjavur, Nagpur, Allahabad and Kolkata for the launch of Academic Certificate programme, Certificate in Indigenous Art Practices (CIAP) under the Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme. CIAP is an initiative of IGNOU for Vocational Education and Training (IIVET), Shillong.
Under the Guru-Shishya scheme, the North Central Zone Cultural Centre has shortlisted 19 Gurus and around 162 students, including accompanists. These Gurus have been drawn from Birha singing, Maand gayaki and others. Students will be evaluated basis of one performance per year.
The various art forms that are covered under these programmes are folk/tribal arts, martial arts, oral traditions etc. The eligibility is 10th pass, and the duration of the programmes is a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years. The programme envisages a traditional master to impart traditional knowledge and expertise of the art form to the disciples.
17. CAMERON HIRES NRI INTERNET EXPERT TO HEAD MEDIA SECTION: Young Bharat-origin internet wizard Rishi Saha has been hired by British Prime Minister David Cameron to head the new media section of 10, Downing Street on a salary of 50,000 pounds.
A former Conservative candidate, Saha, 30, devised the "Pimp My Party" online game for Cameron.
Saha, is "head of new media" with control over its website, the premier''s ''Webcameron'' and other internet projects.
18. BHARATIYAS’ ENROLMENT DIPS IN US UNIVERSITIES: Data released by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) reveals that after a year of zero growth, when American universities saw no rise in the number of foreign students, international enrolments have gone up marginally. The data shows enrolment from Bharat fell sharply in 2009 and 2010. This year, the UK replaced the US as the favourite education destination for the Bharatiyas.
19. THE BRAZILIAN WHO LOVES MANTRAS: “Besides Indian music, I love mantras from Hindu religion and my performance follows them. Chanting them before my performance imbibes some spiritual and positive energy in me. I am a follower of Swami Nityananda and Gurumayi Chidvilasananda and from them I have got the knowledge of these mantras,” said Brazilian singer Paula Santoro who was in Delhi recently to perform at Kamani Auditorium. She was accompanied by piano player Rafael Vernet, bass player Guto Wirtti and drummer Alex Buck.
“I’m completely fascinated by Indian art, culture and traditions. I visited the Taj Mahal and was bowled over by its beauty. It was like a dream come true to watch the wonder in front of my eyes. I went there with my husband and the entire experience was just amazing,” she shared.
Santoro was born in Minas Gerais, and she believes music is in her blood.
20. CHINA'S ‘EXPANSIONIST' TONE CREATING HURDLES: ADVANI: In unusually strong remarks in his latest blog posting, senior BJP leader LK Advani on November 7 said: “I wish China realised that its expansionist statements such as those in relation to Arunachal and its tacit support to Pakistan’s hostile attitude towards India are stumbling blocks in the way of restoring normalcy between our two countries.”
The relationship between India and China will be one of the key determinants of the course of world history in the 21st century, he claimed.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit Bharat next month for talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders during which the two sides are expected to take up bilateral irritants and ways to sort them out.
Referring to Tibet and its exiled leader Dalai Lama, Advani said even though a lot of atrocities have been committed and much of the cultural and spiritual heritage of Tibet damaged — “most of all during China’s shockingly mis-named Cultural Revolution (1967-77)”— Tibet continues to be the holy land of the Tibetan people.
21. FARMERS SPREAD DESI RICE AWARENESS THROUGH ‘MELA’: In response to genetically-modified (GM) crops and its impact on the Bharatiya food culture, a group of farmers in Mysore recently held a desi rice mela. The fair — called Desi Akki Utsav in Kannada — was to promote rice, a cornerstone of Bharatiya food culture. The day-long event was organised by Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Nesara, Nisarga and other farmer groups.
Many traditional varieties of rice — like doddabairanellu, kari batha, puttabatha, sannavalya, mara batha, kari jaddu, kempu munduga, doddi batha, deva mallige, jolaga, nere guli and aromatic rice varieties like Gandhasale, Gamgadale and Jeeriga samba — are used in preparation of special rice dishes. Rajamudi, one of the most popular varieties, and number of others rice were exhibited to create awareness.
22. KANNADA IN HIGH COURT: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on November 14 said the government is seriously considering making Kannada a language in high court proceedings along with English. He said that lower courts are issuing judgments in Kannada which helps the common man. He was honouring 60-odd judicial officers for rendering judgements in Kannada at a function organized by the Kannada Development Authority. He made special mention of Justice Arali Nagaraj for delivering the first Kannada verdict in the High Court some years ago.
23. SANSKRIT CENTRE TO BE REVIVED: The prestigious Centre for Technology Research in Sanskrit (CTRIS) will get a fresh lease of life with the committee appointed by the Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa recommending its revival in Bangalore, with a mandate to carry out pioneering work in blending technology with the classical language. The centre, a subsidiary of Melkote-based Academy of Sanskrit Research, was shut down in 2005 due to financial mismanagement and political intervention. About 25 abandoned projects will now be revived at the Karnataka Sanskrit University campus in Bangalore, where the center will be housed.
Some of the high-priority projects include a non-conventional approach to aeronautics, study on iron and steel in ancient Bharat, participation in the Digital Library Project of Bharat (with Carnegie Mellon University and the Indian Institute of Science) and the ministry of culture’s National Manuscript Mission.
24. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Dr.Shankar Tatwawadi, Samyojak Vishwa Vibhag reached UK on Nov 12. Ravikumar, sahsamyojak is in HongKong from Nov 13. Visitors: Ramesh Mathur – Japan, Ma. Dr. Ved Nanada, Radheshyam Dwiwedi – USA
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: You are assuming your rightful place as a leader of nations. – Barack Obama.

JAI SHRI RAM

WHY HINDUISM IS SCIENCE-PROOF
DEEPANKAR GUPTA

God is often a witness in court proceedings the world over. This is especially so when statements are made under oath with a hand on a holy book. But only in Bharat, God can be both witness and litigant. That Ram Lalla filed a case claiming property in Ayodhya would have surprised secular societies elsewhere, but in Bharat is routine and unremarkable.
From this it might be tempting to argue that Christianity is intrinsically rational while Hinduism is not. That is not strictly true. Both depend ultimately on faith and, indeed, this is true of all religions. If Christianity looks different today it is not because it is inherently more reasonable, but that science forced it to become so.
As Hinduism is an idol-centric religion, its core principles are of no consequence to science. Christianity is a creation-centric religion. This is why it had to oppose modern science which, too, is creation-centric. The latter has taken strong positions on how life began, how day became night, and how our beings are energised. This is what compelled science and religion to go on a collision course in the western world. From the 16th century onwards, they were like two monster trucks driving in opposite directions on a one-way street.
Hinduism was spared all this. It worships divine heroes who step in and out of this world. They marry, procreate, win wars, and also have their share of losing. But at the end of the day they have the last word which is why their lives should be emulated. Hinduism makes no dogmatic declaration on how humans appeared on earth or on whether the sun is stationary or not. In India, our gods have never been challenged by science as they are not concerned about matters of creation.
This is why Hinduism has never felt the need to take on Newton, Galileo, Humphry Davy or Darwin, nor even Aryabhat or the Charvakyas. On the other hand, under science's onslaught, Christianity was in a doctrinal mess. It had invested a lot in Aristotle-proofing the Bible, but that was beginning to fall apart. Adam and Eve and Noah's Ark soon began to appear as fables for the credible. Even our positioning on earth was now more about gravity than God.
Over time there were just too many bullets for Christianity to dodge. The Lutheran-inspired Reformation of the 16th century helped religion to make peace with science, but only after the Bible retreated on some of its principles. From then on Christianity had to accommodate reason in order to survive, but Hinduism never faced such compulsions. As it was idol-centric in character, faith in India could proceed unchecked by science; in fact, the twain need never meet.
Creation-centric Christianity could not ignore science. This is probably why, in retrospect, it was possible in Europe for the Renaissance to grow into the Reformation and finally into the Enlightenment. Protestant clerics soon became quite enthusiastic about science and believed with Michael Faraday that the work of God was just like science: neither irrational nor petulant, but orderly and dependable. Pascal from the Catholic side echoed a similar sentiment when he said that the Christian religion is not contrary to reason and, if it were, "our religion would be absurd, laughed at".
Many of the most remarkable western figures of science in the 17th and 18th centuries were trained by men of religion in their initial years. Humphry Davy was taught science in school by a Reverend J C Coryton; Robert Boyle by his village parson; Francis Bacon by John Whitgift, later to become Archbishop of Canterbury; Newton lucked in getting his lessons at home from his stepfather who was a minister and so did Robert Hooke from his father who was a curate. These scientists could now go to church and laboratory without a schism in their souls.
Indian Renaissance not only came 300 years later, but instead of questioning tradition it went about perfecting the Vedas. Thus, while the European Renaissance set the stage for the conflict between science and religion, no such thing happened here. Neither Swami Dayanand, nor Swami Vivekanand, nor the Brahmo Samajis are remembered for emphasising the scientific traditions of India's past. Their most durable contribution is their skilful copy editing of Vedic texts.
This is why Hindus are not worried if their religion is "laughed at" by secularists. Ram Lalla can be a litigant as Hinduism's idol-centric nature protects it against physical and exact sciences. For this very reason though, Hinduism often runs afoul of history and the social sciences as these disciplines take issue with the idolised lifestyles of Hindu gods and goddesses, and with the veracity of their corporal presence on earth.
Interestingly, while Christianity clashed with the physical and exact sciences in the West, in India, Hinduism has been threatened only by history and the social sciences. This conflict quickly takes on a political dimension as every layperson has a view on what is a good life. Social sciences, history included, thus lack the persuasive capacities of the natural sciences. If certain political compulsions arise, sociologists and historians can also be cast as subversive anti-nationals.
Consequently, the Hindu faith remains unchallenged by reason and Ram Lalla might even win his case someday. – The writer is former professor, JNU. Times of India November 8, 2010.

OF GOVERNORS, SPEAKERS AND LEGISLATORS
DORAB R SOPARIWALA

The recent goings-on in Karnataka only remind us how deep the rot in the system is. The institutions of the Governor, speaker and legislator are in a total shambles — and there is little hope in the offing, since almost the entire political class appears to be in cahoots with this system.
How can one control the untrammelled abuse and misuse of power by constitutional functionaries? Let us first take the position of the Governor. The Governor was supposed to be an eminent person who played a constitutional role, representing the Centre in the state and providing sage counsel and guidance to the ministry. But now it has become, in many cases, a move to accommodate a political hack or a time server. The fault here lies with our first prime minister. Nehru appointed Harekrishna Mahatab Governor of Bombay state. Mahatab had been chief minister of Orissa and a Union minister before his appointment as Governor — and a Union minister after he ceased to be Governor of Bombay! But an aberration has now become almost accepted practice. The post of Governor has become debased. As Governors look forward to bigger and better assignments, they have become agents of the Centre. They are not, in the words of Indira Gandhi, "forward looking"; they are, more appropriately, in the words of Nani Palkhivala, "looking forward".
With some very honourable exceptions, primarily those with civil service and military backgrounds, Governors have not covered themselves with glory. Some recent examples: Shivraj Patil, who slept through 26/11, was rewarded with the governorship of Punjab. S M Krishna was asked to "rest" as the Governor of Maharashtra. The current Maharashtra Governor was reportedly asked whether he would prefer to return to active politics and his answer was, "Yes." Is this the kind of person we want in the Governor’s chair? The Founders promised us independent, intellectual giants. Instead, we got Buta Singh. Is that fair?
The Sarkaria Commission made a number of recommendations about the kind of persons who ought to occupy the Governor’s chair, but these have been blithely ignored. We are fated to have (normally) third-rate politicians as our Governors, so how can we minimise the damage they do? By taking away the two powers that they currently enjoy.
First, the power to invite a person to form a government after he has paraded his backers. This power should be moved to the legislature. Let the legislature elect its own leader, as is done in the German Bundestag, where the Chancellor is elected on the floor of the House — and not anointed by the Governor, with bags of money in the background.
Secondly, the power to dissolve the legislature, which currently vests in the Governor and has been abused times without number. This needs to be moved to the Election Commission or, even better, to the higher judiciary. Let Governors stay in the Raj Bhavans, which cost us a small fortune, but let them not cause any more damage to the constitutional fabric.
Speakers, in general, are no better — recall the disgraceful scenes in the UP Assembly some years ago? How often has a Speaker ruled on an important matter against the government? Not too frequently. Here is another lot of "looking forward" persons. There is little chance that a person elected Speaker will resign from the political party that has nominated him, as happens in Britain. Rather, many of them want to graduate to being ministers — even chief ministers!
Can we expect fair play from them? Obviously not. And when do they cause the maximum damage? At times when there are votes of confidence — by expelling members or preventing them from voting. The Administrative Reforms Commission suggested that expulsions should be decided upon by the Governor on the advice of the Election Commission. Why get in the discredited and biased governor who can probably ignore the advice? Let the Election Commission or the higher judiciary take this call.
Now we come to the members of our legislatures. There is a small number of incredibly dedicated members. However, for a large number of them, the membership is just a meal ticket, as is borne out by the recent shenanigans of legislators in Karnataka. Except perhaps for the Left parties, most members of all parties appear to be addicted to the culture of pillage of the public exchequer.
Now, we find that even the provisions of the Anti Defection Law do not deter them from resigning, on matters of high principles, of course. The Anti Defection Law needs to be amended to ensure that anyone who defects is barred from contesting electoral office for five or 10 years. In addition, the person should be barred from accepting any assignment where the Central or state government or any public authority (such as a municipality) has any connection, however tenuous. Of course, we shall not be able to stop the wives and children of these men of principle from fighting the same seats until we move to a "list" system.
The Founding Fathers gifted us a wonderful constitution. Our leaders have spent 60 years subverting it. Let us not kid ourselves — things are not getting better; they are clearly getting worse. There are still some well-meaning leaders in all our political parties. Let us hope they wake up before we degenerate into a second-rate kleptocracy, so that the dreams of the Founding Fathers are not totally ground into the dust. (Sunday Business Standard, November 14, 2010)