Voice of India

Real Test of Democracy

2009-07-11T21:10:00.000-04:00

How should our elected representatives behave and work? Does winning an elected post entitle them to indulge in corruption and self-serving activities? It seems that some people join politics to serve the society , whereas others join to fill their coffers. The real test of democracy is how strongly it works at the grass root level. In Narnaul district, on the same day newspapers have reported two contrast news items about our elected Sarpanchs (village Heads). The Hindi daily Jagran reports on July 10, 09.

राष्ट्रपति से मिलने के लिए सरपंच के संग महिलाएं गईं:
नारनौल, जागरण संवाद केंद्र : राष्ट्रपति प्रतिभा पाटिल के बुलावे पर जिले के गाव कोथल खुर्द की महिला सरपंच रोशनी देवी शुक्रवार अपराह्न उपायुक्त ए. श्रीनिवास के साथ दिल्ली के लिए रवाना हुईं। उनके साथ उनकी मंडली की 18 महिलाएं भी गई हैं। राष्ट्रपति 11 जुलाई को इस जत्थे से भेंट करेंगी। 11 जुलाई को राष्ट्रपति से मुलाकात के बाद यह टीम शाम तक नारनौल पहुच जाएगी। मालूम हो कि गाव कौथल खुर्द की महिला सरपंच रोशनी देवी व उनकी मंडली द्वारा शराबियों के खिलाफ छेडे़ गए क्रातिकारी अभियान से प्रभावित होकर ही राष्ट्रपति प्रतिभा पाटिल ने उन्हे बुलावा भेजा था।

इस महिला मंडली की कार्यशैली अनूठी थी, जिसके कारण यह चर्चा में आ गई। इस समूह ने गाव में सार्वजनिक स्थल पर शराब पीने वालों पर अंकुश लगाने के लिए मंदिर के नाम 500 रुपये की पर्ची काटनी शुरू कर दी थी, जो शराबियों पर बहुत भारी पड़ी। वास्तविकता भी यही है कि इसी कारण यह समूह ज्यादा कारगर साबित हुआ। हालांकि इसके अलावा उन पर नैतिकता के आधार पर भी शराब को छोड़ने के लिए दबाव बनाया गया। इसका नतीजा यह हुआ कि अब गाव में शराब पीकर घूमने वालों पर पूरी तरह अंकुश लग चुका है। इससे भी बड़ी बात यह है कि महिला मंडली इस उद्देश्य की पूर्ति के बाद भी शांत नहीं बैठी है और दायरे को बढ़ाते हुए सामाजिक बुराइयों के खिलाफ भी अभियान चलाना शुरू कर दिया है।
गबन के आरोप में ग्राम सचिव व सरपंच नामजद:

नारनौल, जागरण संवाद केंद्र : गांव दोचाना के सरपंच धर्मपाल एवं ग्राम सचिव उमेश चंद पर अदालत के निर्देश पर धोखाधड़ी एवं आपराधिक षडयंत्र रचने के आरोप में मामला दर्ज किया गया है। सरपंच और सचिव के खिलाफ गांव के ही एक पंच द्वारा अदालत में इस्तगासा दायर कर उसके एवं कुछ अन्य पंचों के फर्जी हस्ताक्षर कर ग्रांट लेने का आरोप लगाते हुए उनके खिलाफ मामला दर्ज कराने की अपील की गई थी।

जानकारी के अनुसार गांव दोचाना के पंच मदनलाल ने अतिरिक्त मुख्य न्यायिक दंडाधिकारी की अदालत में गत 6 जुलाई को एक इस्तगासा पेश कर सरपंच एवं ग्राम सचिव पर मामला दर्ज करने के लिए पुलिस को आदेश देने की गुहार लगाई थी। मदनलाल ने इस्तगासा में बताया कि ग्राम पंचायत दोचाना के सरपंच धर्मपाल ने विभिन्न तारीखों में पंचायत पुस्तिका व कार्यवाही कमेटी रजिस्टर में उसके तथा कुछ अन्य पंचों, महिला पंच देवी और मुमताज अली तथा सुरेश कुमार पंच के फर्जी हस्ताक्षर कर एवं अंगूठे लगा कर प्रस्ताव पारित कर लिए। जबकि उक्त पंचों के सामने इस प्रकार की कोई बैठक हुई ही नहीं थी। सरपंच धर्मपाल ने पंचायत के सदस्यों का कोरम पूरा दिखाने की नीयत से प्रस्तावों पर फर्जी हस्ताक्षर कर लिए थे। ऐसा कर सरपंच ने सरकार से ग्रांट भी प्राप्त कर ली। इस्तगासा में यह भी कहा गया कि ग्राम सचिव उमेश चंद ने भी सरपंच धर्मपाल से फर्जी हस्ताक्षरों के माध्यम से पारित इन प्रस्तावों को अटेस्ट करके इस अपराध में सरपंच का सहयोग किया है। पंच मदनलाल ने इस संबंध में पुलिस महानिदेशक एवं अन्य संबंधित पुलिस अधिकारियों को भी शपथ पत्र के साथ एक शिकायती दरखास्त भेजी थी, किंतु पुलिस ने उस पर कोई कार्रवाई नहीं की। शिकायतकर्ता पंच मदनलाल के अधिवक्ता सुरेंद्र ढिल्लो ने बताया कि अतिरिक्त मुख्य न्यायिक दंडाधिकारी की अदालत ने मामले की गंभीरता को देखते हुए गत 6 जुलाई को धारा 156 सीआरपीसी के तहत इसे नारनौल सदर थाना में भेज दिया था। जिस पर कार्रवाई करते हुए पुलिस ने सरपंच व ग्राम सचिव कि खिलाफ गत बुधवार को भारतीय दंड संहिता की धारा 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, 406 व 120 बी के तहत मुकदमा नंबर 159 दर्ज कर लिया है।

I Save Lives Daily!

2009-05-13T16:44:00.003-04:00

"I save lives daily."
Are you a doctor?
No, because I am a vegetarian!

Do see the documentary 'Our Daily Bread" by Nikolaus Geyrhalter. This silent documentary is a powerful depiction of how the food industry - vegetarian as well as meat- works in a high tech manner. Sensitivities of the animals are of least concern as we have a bigger task ahead: feed the humanity!

Recession Time in USA: Airline for Pets!

2009-05-12T13:56:00.004-04:00

The USA and the whole world is under economic recession. So is the news I hear all around and I am not doubting the veracity of this either! I am not an economic expert, but I can feel that the way jobs are being lost.

Whatever, but come July 2009 and you will see an airline service being launched exclusively for animals. Yes, for pets only! Pet Airways will fly only animals!
The website declares: "A Pet Airline where pets fly in the main cabin, NOT in cargo."
Sounds wonderful!

Without offending animal lovers and animal right activists, I am amused at this news.
The web link is: http://www.petairways.com/

Corruption: the Major Issue for Elections

2009-03-27T22:32:00.001-04:00

Corruption is the major issue for the upcoming LS elections, but it should not surprise the countrymen that political parties are just not talking about it. Instead, the national and regional political parties are busy aligning and re-aligning, shuffling and re-shuffling their stands! Purpose: How to increase the bargaining power so that in post-poll market, they will be able to raise the bar. Raise the bar for ideals, and principles! No, raise the bar for extracting maximum for the power-sharing.

The three fronts are emerging: i) BJP and its allies making NDA, ii) UPA now representing mainly Congress as all the allies have deserted it, and iii) Third Front: a conglomerate of various parties who do not believe in pre-poll alliance and are not ready to even guess until elections are over because they will weigh the possibilites after the results are out. Expect these self-serving parties to do the task of nation-building!

My fellow countrymen, leave your notions of party ideologies, shake the boxes of your affiliations! These are parasites who are sucking our blood, draining our (tax payers') money and just busy politicking! Not to disparage the honest and sincere political leaders, I must say that unless the whole vision of what politics is all about, our democracy will remain in peril. We need elected leaders who commit to nation building by focusing on education, health, better public and civic administration, national security and integrity, social security for the all (particularly underprivileges masses), economic security, etc. We do not elected leaders who have come to understand that politics is all about indulging in populistic measures and making false promises!

The only solution for the short term:

1. Come out and vote on the day of voting!

2. Vote for candidates based upon the track-record, performance and profile. Do not be swayed by caste and party affiliations.

3. Destroy Regional Parties: Vote for candidates who can provide clean leadership. Throw these small regional parties out of the window as they are going to pollute the post-poll environment by extracting their flesh. These regional parties should not have any stake on the national issues! They were created to fulfill local aspirations and at national level, they will at the best create instability by producing a hung parliament!

Until political reforms are brought in so that the menace of cross over (dal badal) , unholy post-poll alliance is checked and pol parties are disciplined, these short term measures will at least give some relief to stabilize our democracy.

Indian Doctors in Trap in USA.

2009-03-13T16:49:00.002-04:00

1. California based Indian doctor -Sandeep kapoor- has been charged in Anna Nicole death case.

2. Dr Sushil Sheth of Illinois was recently charged in defrauding Medicare and Insurance companies. The details.

Why We Need 2nd Independence and Who Will Get Us That?

2009-03-04T21:10:00.002-05:00

India is still not independent. I still call it under rule! This time it is not Moguls, nor Britishers. It is under seize and rulers are we Indian ourselves. The characteristics of our rulers who continue to exploit the common masses are:

1. They are not foreigners, hence look very much like common Indians. Of course, they will wear ties and suits (which are of no relevance at Indian soil where temperatures soar to 40s and 50s. Or, they just wear white kurta pajama and shamelessly denigrate Gandhi ji.

2. Political leadership: They are either elected by voters in polls where voters have limited options ( have no choice to reject them). In the electoral process that we have, these candidates exercise all means to get elected: by hook or crook. The parties have more or less no ideology. The only standard they look up to is victory. Once we keep our political affiliation aside, we will realize that they just want to come into power, means are not important, end is what they are targeting at.

3. Bureaucracy: The babus are selected by merit or by bribery. Either way, the end result is same for the most: educated and intellectual class they constitute, but sooner than later, become self-serving. They are the guardians of rules, but let the political class bend them instead of confronting them. They are eager to become appease their bosses, start focussing on promotions and filling their own coffers and wallets.
Tell me honestly, why there is so much craze among Indian families to see their wards become IAS, IPS officers and SDMs? To serve the country: no, that is not the first reason. If my son becomes an IAS, IPS: kothi, gaddi, naukar, fat dowry and life long aaraam! These are the considerations thta we aim for.
It is a common knowledge that in HCS (Harayana Civil Service), the seats are for sale. If I have to pay 20 lakhs for my son to become an HCS officer, shall he serve the state: it is easy to guess the answer.

4. Police: Unrestrained is the best term for pur police forces. The training does not translate in this simple message: you are here to bring culprit to the book.Instead what happens is: bullying commoners, extracting money and distorting evidence to their suitability. In UP, recently we came across the news of a 6 year old girl beaten mercilessly by police at the police station. That one incidence is not an exception. It represents the real mindset of our police forces.

5. Judiciary: Slow and lethargic. Jutstice delayed is justice denied. Corruption at lower level is well known.

6. Media: Has not matured into a socially responsible media. The lust for making money has made distanced it from reality. Do we know of any code of conduct that the media seem to follow. The unashamed beaming of Mumbai terrorist events has exposed the real character of our media. This does not mean there is dearth of professional journalists in our country. But the lack of self-regulation, ethics has driven the current media into a bazaar.

7. Public: Feels helpless. Has resigned to the fate of bribery, corruption, nepotism. Over-populated hence every chore seems to be a competition. So, what we have become: aapna ghar pahle, samaaj baad mein. Self-conceited, self- centered we have become. Do not take me wrong, majority of people still want to live with conscience, but the monster of unregulated democracy seems unsurmountable, hence selfishness is the first trait that creeps in.
Those who are away from the country (Indians abroad): they too seem to be wary of the the way our Indian system works. As one of my friends Dr Vidya put it: }The charity in India is highly unregulated, no one knows where your hard-earned money will go! If you donate here (USA), you know that where your money is being used."

So, what are the solutions?

The fight against foreigners was not easy, but it was easier to define an enemy, a looter! It was easy to descriptively conclude who our enemy was: The one who invaded us. It made sense to the people!
Today, the enemy is from within us. That is a big problem! It is not easy to convince all that what is wrong, who is doing wrong to us.
The good news is that we are not at the mercy of some individuals (Kings or queens or senators or MPs sitting in a different country in a buidling - call it Parliament- and decide our fate by their whims or whishes). But the democracy that was bestowed upon us almost 6 decades ago has not been able to fulfil our needs. It did not bring in corrections and fixes as the time passed on" rather the changes were not incorporated by our political leadership!

1. Hence our democracy needs updates. Bring in the needed reforms to make our system really workable. Not just toothless democracy.

2. We must- each must- think what we are doing for our society and nation. We need patriotic individuals who are there to serve and not extract. To be patriotic, we do not have to wear a Gandhi cap, or leave our job or business! To do the things with sincerity and conscience: that alone will help us a long way.

What a Simile: Corruption Vs Vegetarianism

2009-03-02T23:03:00.005-05:00

The other day I was talking to one of my colleagues Vidya who grew up in USA but has keen knowledge of India and its affairs. The conversation veered towards democracy and ways to strengthen it. She obviously is very familiar with the corruption-infested Indian system. She even said that donating money for charitable cause in India is like putting money in a bag and throwing it in water: no one knows where it will end up. When I countered that despite all these odds, Indian has to come up with a credible system of deliverance if our democracy is to survive.

Our conversation continued. Not very impressed that corruption can be uprooted from India, she added: "Removing corruption from Indian system is like converting Americans to vegetarianism."

I could not help laughing , but her observation has merit. Corruption has become a way of life for us. Undeniably, it has its pitfalls.

Moribund Judiciary means Limping Democracy

2009-02-25T21:03:00.001-05:00

A person becomes sick and his condition is worsening rapidly. His family members take him to the emergency department of the local civil hospital. If it takes 3 days (I am just throwing up a number) for the emergency department to assess him and take next step, will you call it an effective Emergency Services? No, rather this will be a blot on the very term 'Emergency'. If it takes courts years to decide a case of murder, will you call it a functional judiciary? Not at all!

The very concept of a democracy is existent on basic premise: where there is injustice, there shall be a redressal system. Hence, judiciary is sine-qua-non for a meaningful democracy. A sleepy and exhausted judicial system will result in a limping democracy. And that is precisely what is happening in India! The slow and over-burdened judicial system has failed to take adequate care of the grievances of the citizens. If a murder trial takes years to decide, it is tantamount to pushing the aggrieved party to immense physical and mental torture, leave alone punishing the victim to the desired extent.

Think about it! Where does lie the problem? Before I go into these issues, let me throw up a few common scenarios:

Why do we have paucity of judges? When a district has number of hospitals (main civil hospitals to Community hospitals to Primary Health Centers) and hundreds of doctors to cater to the health needs of its population, can a single-digit number of judges tackle the legal health of the district?
Why judges are such a scarcity? Rather why such a crisis is produced? Why judges are made such a precious commodity? Are they very costly to the system? No, they are like other gazetted officers, essentially affordable. It deifies any logicthat our judicial system is so severely understaffed.
I remember a car accident involving my family member took 3 full years to be decided in a Haryana court. This is simply ridiculous. Looking at the pace of the case, I got a feeling that the whole judicial system had adopted a sadistic attitude, where both parties suffer endlessly. Believe me, it is totally un-necessary. We as a state and country can afford to make our judicial system more efficient.
There is a perception that the judiciary has not been aloof from the virus of corruption. It raises more doubts when it is left to the State government to select judges for the district and lower courts.
The solutions:
1. Obviously, we need more courts and more judges to expedite the cases. A paralyzed judiciary is a great deterrent to the functional democracy.
2. The judges should be selected by a centralized judicial commission and out- of - state postings should be a norm even at the lower courts.
3. The judiciary should be free from political interference.
  A healthy judicial system will help our democracy to be more mature and transparent.

Negative Voting: Empower Us ASAP! Can Not Wait!

2009-02-23T10:10:00.005-05:00

I was delighted to read this news item that SC is still acting upon the issue of negative voting as a voter's right. This right still exists, but is not simple to carry out and majority of the people do not know about it. Negative voting as a right should be as simple as casting a ( positive) vote. And this right will be revolutionary in many steps: the right to cast a negative vote will bring the real power to the voters. If this is combined with a provision to set a minimum percentage of votes to be gained to emerge victorious, this will fundamentally weed out goons of our political system. Think about it: this is a real right which is long due.

The full news story is: (NDTV)

The Supreme Court on Feb 23, 2009 referred to a larger bench the question as to whether a voter should be permitted to cast a negative vote during elections.

A two-judge bench of Justices B N Agrawal and G S Singhvi said the issue needs to be examined by a larger bench as the question involved interpretation of a citizen's fundamental right.

The bench also requested the Chief Justice to refer the matter to an appropriate larger bench for further consideration.

People Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), an NGO, had approached the apex court seeking directions to the Centre to ensure amendment to the Representation of People's Act (RPA) so that a voter can mark "none of the above" in the electronic voting machine.

This is because presently a voter if he or she desires not to cast vote in favour of any candidate, he or she should mandatorily inform the presiding officer of the polling booth.

Such a pre-condition was violative of the citizens right under Article 19(2) (Freedom of Expression and Speech) and makes the voter vulnerable to threats and intimidation from political parties, the PUCL had state

Halva: What is the Origin of this Word?

2009-02-22T12:38:00.007-05:00

My wife asked me that day:" What is the origin of the word 'Halva' (हल्वा)? I said it is a Hindi word. She came across her one of the East European colleagues savoring a dish which he so proudly declared as Halva. When my wife confronted her what was that halva all about, he sheepishly admitted- even though he continued to munch the delicacy- that he did not know the details, but halva was not something new to him. And obviously he had not purchased it from an Indian grocery store. The halva that East European guy was eating looked and tasted same as we know in our Indian culture.

So when my wife threw the question at me , I was not prepared to think that halva could be anything but Indian or Hindi. Thanks to the internet technology, I passed the question on to Google and pat came the reply: Halva is a derived from Arabic word "alāwa" which means sweet!

I continued in a my 'professorial style' to Bharti and added that a language must be flexible to absorb words from other languages in order to grow and prosper. Thus call it the flexibility of Hindi that it has enriched herself by including words from other cultures and languages. Now does not it sound interesting that Halva- poori or puri (पुरी) is a common hybrid word or phrase used in Hindi. Poori is a purely Hindi word, by the way! The mesage is: Combine and thrive! BY the way, I remember during our hostel days in medical college in India, halva used to be a common agenda when the mess /cafeteria was closed. I remember, my friends Golu and Vinay were pretty skillful on that item!
Between us!

Swat Valley and Islamic Law

2009-02-19T07:23:00.002-05:00

This week Pakistani Government agreed to allow implementation of Islamic law ((Shariya) in Swat valley (bordering Afghanistan).

Obviously this is a victory for Taliban and pro-Taliban elements. India and US have expressed concern over this development. The government of Pakistan has justified this decision by saying that this was necessary to restore peace in the valley.

Conceding to the demands of fundamentalists and extremists, this development has exposed the weakness of Pakistan government. Pakistani political leadership has always been pre-occupied in destabilizing the regional peace (be it India or Afghanistan): Taliban is a creation of Pakistan as the world knows! Let loose the extremism and it comes back to devour you! That is what has been happening there! As the recent times indicate, Taliban seems to be re-emerging in Afghanistan (hence a troop increase by USA in Afghanistan). Similarly, experts say that this so-called peace-making move in Swat valley will actually allow Taliban forces to regroup and re-strengthen.

Ban on Exit Polls: A Welcome Step

2009-02-18T18:10:00.003-05:00

The recent decision by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on opinion and exit polls is a welcome step.

According to the new guidelines, the Commission has barred dissemination of opinion and exit polls by the print and electronic media 48 hours prior to the date of the Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in case of a single-phase election and a blanket ban on these surveys till the end of polling in the event of multi-phase elections.

Obviously free and fair elections are a pre-condition for a democracy. The exit polls being displayed while the whole election process has not been completed, has the potential to introduce the bias.

It may be noted that in January 1998, the Election Commission had banned the airing of exit polls during elections till the final phase of voting. However, this order was challenged in the Supreme Court and was quashed.

The ECI recently again asked the Supreme Court to decide whether there should be a reasonable restriction on the opinion polls during certain specified periods during the election process. The apex court gave a verdict leaving the issue to its discretion to lay down guidelines till the Union Government frames regulations. Hence ECI jumped on this opportunity to bring in a healthy practice.

Food for the Brain

2009-02-12T23:57:00.002-05:00

"There is one principle that will keep mankind in ignorance forever, and that is contempt prior to investigation".
This applies most aptly to the religion.

Tamilnadu Foundation Banned in USA

2009-02-12T22:56:00.004-05:00

Today in a sensational news Times of India reports that the US has slapped sanctions on the charity group "amil Foundation"for its alleged involvement in fund-raising for banned LTTE. The Foundation has been designated under "Executive Order 13224", which "targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism," the US Department of Treasury said in a press statement. The foundation is accused of raising money in the US in the name of charities, which ultimately ended up in the hands of LTTE.

It may be noted that Tamil Nadu foundation has been operating as a not for profit (NGO in Indian parlance) in America for many years and many of its Directors on the Board are well-established professionals (doctors, engineers). Dr.S.Palanisamy ( an MD) is its President. Others include: Vice-Presidents: Dr. S. Deivanayagam from Cookeville, TN (Tennesse), Dr. Parimala NathanTampa, FL 33647, Mrs. Mani ManoharanPittsburg, PA 15241. The Secretary is: Mr. P.K. Aravazhi from Naperville, IL 60564 (Ph: 630-430-2158).
The website is http://www.tnfusa.org/boardofdirectors.html but I am sure the website will close down sooner than later.

TN Foundation states its objectives as:
"NF's objective is to help promote educational, social and other charitable projects in Tamil Nadu as part of a humble attempt by its members to share their fortunes with less fortunate people.It's aim and objectives are distinctly different from those of the local cultural organizations. In fact TNF is the only organization in the world that is entirely devoted to the promotion of economic, and social welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.What was started as a small attempt by a few individuals to offer their contributions to Tamil Nadu has evolved into a well-developed foundation through the dedication of several members throughout USA."
It is hard to say what went wrong, but some of the patrons and donors may not be knowing what had been happening!

Cheap Calls to India: IndiaLD

2009-02-11T22:11:00.003-05:00

The dream of calling India at inexpensive rates seems to be coming true! Rates of calling at 2 cents per minute will be a dream come true. IndiaLD has offered this plan: For a monthly plan of $ 20, you get 1000 minutes and that comes to 1.9 cents per minute.

I believe that is the cheapest rate I know.

Corruption is Our National Religion!

2009-02-10T10:25:00.005-05:00

Every nation has its own USP (Unique Selling Point). Ours is there too. It is: Corruption in civic life! Winston Churchill- the British Prime-Minister during the 1940s when India was at full peaceful 'revolt' (in other words, Satyagraha) to gain independence from British rule- would often mock that India would go dogs if British left them at their mercy! He was fiercely anti -India and there is enough of evidence to point to that mindset. BUT, is his prophecy coming true! Without being pejorative to our country and its citizens, I am afraid that when we look at the civic administration we have set up in last 6 decades somehow conforms to what Churchill said. The sheer indulgence in corruption and lethargic judicial delivery system speak volumes of our commitment of a fair play for common man! The politicians and babus are systematically looting the country and common man finds unable to get a grasp as to where to start to contain this degeneration!

Latest in this story is another high profile bureaucrat who is by the way an Election Commissioner too. He is Navin Chawla. In a country which professes herself to be a democracy, I need not elaborate how important is the role of Election Commission and its officers. Chawla is in another controversy now. A lower court in Jaipur has ordered that the case be investigated about Land-row where Chawla happens to be the accused (click to read the full story). With the patronage of Congress party, as the Indian Law Minsiter Bhardwaj has made it amply clear, Chawla is going to be a Chief EC in weeks to come! It is a bluff to the charges that the current CEC has raised against Chawla.

So much for our liberty and fair rights to vote! Who supervises that: a babu who has not learnt the ethics of beaurocracy!
Never mind! Corruption is our national religion!

My Tryst with Cricket in USA

2009-02-08T18:58:00.008-05:00

Cricket is an alien sports in America. They do not care about it. Desis from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and additionally Sri Lankans and West Indians have however brought cricket to USA. It is said that cricket is being played in USA since many decades, but has hardly gained popularity with locals! Baseball - a sports akin to Cricket (many believe Americans modified Cricket to invent Baseball!) - has also to get some blame for that! Moreover, the distribution of cricket is pretty focal: it is played in cities where the desis have a major concentration. You can count on New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Houston and I believe in California too. I know that in NJ, indoor cricket is available.

However, I had my first rub with Cricket in USA last spring (2008) when I got a chance to play for Springfield Cricket Club (SCC). I was pleasantly surprised when I came to know that Springfield in Illinois have a cricket club and actually have a well-groomed ground with a good pitch. When I joined it they were half through the season. I got to play a few matches for SCC in the tournament being organized by Midwest Cricket Conference . That was a fun! Our team went as far as to Moline ( a 3 hours drive from Springfield) to play matches. Playing on the mat after many years meant I had to flex my muscles and joints properly! But we had good practice sessions and I did it a lot what I love most: Bowling ! The pace has come down with the years, but it was , nevertheless, fairly OK. It seems that I have lost the outswing which used to be my hall -mark!

I played 3 matches during the season and one was quite memorable for me personally! We played against CCI team (from Bloomington): CCI team needed to score 7 runs in the last over to win and I was the bowler. First ball went for duck, second one for four! On next 2 deliveries, batsman could not score, and then I clean-bowled him out on the 5th ball! With abated breath, as both teams watched, my 6th and last delivery was a straight goodlength ball rising to the chest: the (next) batsman flung his bat in vain! That was a fantastic victory! See the score.

Looking forward to 2009 sesssion of MCC tournament! The matches start in May, and our captain Samir Patel says that we ought to start practice from April! Let us see!

5 Newborns Die in a Punjab Hospital as Fire Breaks Out!

2009-02-01T21:26:00.004-05:00

In a bizzare and tragic incident on January 31, 2009 five babies were burnt to death while receiving photo-therapy for jaundice ( generally a benign condition in newborns) in a neonatal unit at Rajendra Hospital in Patiala. Rajendra Hospital is a medical college hospital, run by Punjab Government.

The five new born babies were burnt alive and two others were seriously injuried when the incubators they were kept in caught fire. A total of 10 children, undergoing treatment for jaundice were kept in phototherapy units. Reportedly, a short circuit in the wires of the machine resulted in the fire, charring five infants to death including three boys and two girls.

In the aftermath, After suspending four officials, including a staff nurse, junior doctor and principal of Rajendra medical College Hospital - Minister for Health Education,Punjab, Tikshan Sood has taken the moral responsibility for factors, both under and beyond control, that led to tragic demise of five children yesterday. Mr. Sood -a BJP MLA- has reportedly resigned. Good step at least!
Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has expressed sadness at the death of five infants . A sum of Rupees 1 lakh from the Prime Minsiter Relief Fund has been sanctioned for each of the families of the victims.

Election Commission and Ethical Issues

2009-02-01T21:03:00.004-05:00

The current controversy at the Election Commission of India drew my attention to a fact that the former Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill is now a Rajya Sabha member! I used to perceive Mr. Gill as a righteous person, but his accepting a political nomination has undone whatever he gained as a CEC. Now, before we get into the expectations of individual-based adherence to ethics and morals, let us admit that it is the State that teaches its citizens discipline, and ethics, otherwise man has its own fallibility. In my judegement- and I am sure many will agree with me- an individual who has served as an Election Commissioner or Chief EC- should be barred from accepting any political nomination or post ( if not for life, surely for at least certain period so that he/she is not enticed to behave in a partisan manner).

A democracy without regulations and oversight is a dysfunctional democracy and may actually border the realm of a dictatorship. Our 62 years old democracy needs many more refinements so as to serve our nation in an optimal manner.

Election Commissioner Chawla:Resign or be Sacked!

2009-01-31T11:03:00.006-05:00

With Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami recommending the removal of his colleague Navin Chawla, a kind of constitutional crisis has been precipitated. Former Lok Sabha secretary general and a constitutional expert Subash Kashyap said that the letter had put the government in a fix. He further stated that the President had recommended the letter to the PMO. "If Chawla is removed now and with the CEC retiring on April 20 - in the middle of the elections - the government will have to appoint a new election commissioner to supervise the elections," he said.
Whereas some legal experts have voiced concern that the timing by the CEC is ill-suited and smacks of some motivation.
One thing is for sure: Navin Chawla has been a controversial beaurocrat and has been perceived close to Congress party (remember Romesh Bhandari! An IAS officer who blatantly played to the tunes of Congress party, very vocal to defend his actions and ever eager to throw rules and regulations to the wind; he was later elevated to the gubernatorial post in Uttar Pradesh). Chawla belongs to that genre of self-serving beaurocrats! Election Commission and its image is jeopardized when tainted officers are appointed to its office. It is clear that Chawla would take a combative posture because such beaurocrats do not believe in ethics and morals. In the best interest of our democracy and to spare Election Commission the periods of controversy, the government should swiftly come into action and sack Chawla and appoint a new Election Commission. Will the recuperating Prime Minister pay any attention to Chawla controversy!

60th Republic Day: Reforms, Reforms Reforms: That is the Need of the Hour!

2009-01-25T02:02:00.006-05:00

Januray 26: India would be celebrating its 60th Republic Day! A moment of pride and a sense of achievement! Yes, for sure! But the occasion also gives us an opportunity to reflect back upon the path traveled so far!
India is the world's largest democracy. It has survived and has shown the determination to grow despite the obvious obstacles that we as a country have: illiteracy, lop-sided development, sub-optimal delivery in social justice and inability to implement the fundamental right -as enshrined in our constitution- of uniform civil code.
The decades of experience with our democracy has thrown up a few stark realities: Lack of reforms in various branches of democracy, viz. legislative, executive, judiciary has resulted in stymied growth of our nation and has hampered the fruits of a democracy reaching uniformly to all sections of the society.

Since Independence, our political system has somehow become an example of "Revolving Door Democracy" and has been crippled with political sub-versions, maneuvers, and corruption. It may not be an under-statement that over 60 years our nation has failed to bring in regulations, and reforms into our system at a desired pace! Blatant misuse of muscle-power, money power and lung-power has meant that Laloos, Mayawatis , Jayapradas and Mulayams have thrived, whereas right-thinking voices have been systematically marginalized.
Bring in real reforms in all branches of our democracy: electoral reforms, judicial reforms, an eagle-like oversight on the use of money in elections, and rigorous implementation of conflict of interest and ethics are some of the badly needed actions without delay.
I often say that if a commoner like Manmohan Singh (who is not a typical politician) as a Prime Minister can be a mute spectator to the ills of our democratic polity (remember vote of confidence of Manmohan Singh Ministry! The whole nation was looking haplessly while open horse-trading was going on!) and has been unable to initiate reforms, then expect it from no one else! That means that there are flaws in the system that need to be fixed! To expect that our elected politicians would unite to bring in these reforms: would be a day-dreaming! Only solution is: we the people (and voters) must rise above partisan feelings and press for reforms ( in other words, empowerment for the people).
Let me conclude with a word of caution. Looking at American model, many in India have advocated a two-party electoral politics. That model has been working for USA, but I am very cynical about that for India in the current scenario. Give the voters the choice of only 2 parties: both would loot the whole country alternately! Whereas multi-party eletoral system has shown obvious drawbacks, I am afraid unregulated and unaccountable democracy would be further jeopardized if we choose to abbreviate it to a 2-party system!

Special Envoy to Pakistan & Afghanistan

2009-01-24T22:15:00.002-05:00

Immediately after assuming the Presidency, Mr. Obama announced that former Senate majority leader George Mitchell has been named a special envoy to the Middle East peace process, and that former U.N. ambassador Richard Holbrooke will be a special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mr. Obama has rightly termed Afghanistand and Pakistan as "central front" in terror war. The President has carefully avoided to include India in this equation. This is a welcome development.
Pledging his best to undertake this daunting assignment, Holbrooke noted Afghanistan and Pakistan are "two very distinct countries with extraordinarily different histories, and yet intertwined by geography, ethnicity and the current drama." That is an apt statement! It is an indirect way of saying that Islamic terrorism is central to the issue that plagues the two countries!

Mr. Holbrook has gained a reputation as a peace-maker and actually has been nominated 7 times for the Noble Peace Prize. If USA could bring some sanity to the this phenomenon of religious terrorism, and that too from the epi-center of Pakistan, the world would be a more peaceful place! What could we expect from India in this direction? Well, the chicken-hearted India has demonstrated very clearly that it is not willing to protect its boundaries and pitch, so expecting some thing tangible from India would be more of an imagination!

The Story of India by Michael Wood

2009-01-24T15:26:00.004-05:00

It took one Richard Attenborough to create a masterpiece on Mahatma Gandhi. Now we have another Britisher - Michael Wood- who has produced another marvellous creation on what we call India: "The Story of India" was recently aired on PBS as a 6 series documentary ( 6 hours) over 3 phases. Nothing could be more exhilarating and titillating! The story has been done after extensive historical research. The official website describes it as: "In this landmark six-part series for PBS and the BBC, Michael Wood will embark on a dazzling and exciting journey through today's India, "seeking in the present for clues to her past, and in the past for clues to her future". Its producer Wood is also a historian ( did post-graduate research in Anglo-Saxon history. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society).
Interestingly when some of the Indian historians have tried to create a kind of identity-crisis for India and Indians by un-necessarily inflating and in the process distorting some of the historical issues (Mogul rule for example), Wood has charmingly done a great service by taking a right perspective at its old civilisations and coursing though the various historical periods. A brilliant master-stroke, indeed!
Please click at the link to the official website. The DVD is available on amazon and other e- commercial sites.

Obama's message to Islamic Clergy

2009-01-22T00:13:00.002-05:00

In his Presidential Inaugural address, Obama called upon the Islamic leaders and clergy to address the issue of Islamic terrorism. He without mincing words, said: "People will remember you for what you buils, and not for what you destroy". That I believe sums up the entire debate! The frustation, anger and feelings of marginalization may be there in the youth of other cultures and religion too, but that does not mean that you pick up bombs and kill people and destroy buildings!
Instead of alienating the troubled mind, engage them in dialogue! For sure! If that seems to be the approach of Mr. Obama, there may still be a hope!

Child Labor: A Blot on India

2008-12-18T23:20:00.006-05:00

The one difference which you clearly notice when you go out of India towards the West is that you do not see children working in restraurents, coffee- shops, shops and factories! In India, the site is so common that we become immune to the fact that kids are doing the work which they should not be doing! We employ kids as domestic help to help our kids, hire them at work places. This is nothing less than exploiting the kid and rob him/her of a meaningful future! The issue is complex and strict regulations nedd to be enforced to abolish the child labor practice. To quote the article reproduced below: "NGOs working for children, point out that such exploitation goes unabated because there is no shock or outrage in society that children are at work and not in school. The tolerance of child labour is so pervasive that it gets internalised by parents too."
This article appeared in The Tribune.

Without a future Movement to end child labour
by Usha Rai
The Mumbai terror attack and the discussions on it in Parliament when it opened for the winter session drowned another kind of tyranny that is keeping a staggering 12.6 million children in our country, some of them as young as five and six years, shackled to child labour. India has the dubious distinction of having the largest number of child workers in the world.
So some 1,500 people, including NGOs, MPs, MLAs, bureaucrats, sarpanches heading village education committees, corporates, trade union representatives, educationists as well as children who have been pulled out of the labour force, got together in the Capital to work out their agenda for getting every child into school. Spearheading the movement for “Abolition of child labour and right to education” were the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), UNICEF and the ILO.
It was one of the biggest national conventions of its kind and came at the end of eight state consultations on providing dignity and freedom to children by ensuring their education. In fact, the very strong statement that went out was that every child who is not in school is a child worker.
But the terror of the moment kept the media from giving due attention to the larger terror that millions of children face every day of their lives working not just in hazardous industries but even as domestic help in homes where even 60 years after our Independence they continue to be treated as slaves and are beaten.
The British have left India but the baba log culture prevails with the less privileged children carrying school bags of the more fortunate babas.
In fact, what is hazardous is to be out of the protective environment of school. An estimated 75 million children neither go to school nor to work. They are domestic child workers, street children, migrants and are called “no where children.”
The strong anti-child labour sentiments that echoed through two days of deliberations led to an assurance at the conference by Minister for Women and Child Development, Renuka Chowdhury that the distinction between hazardous and non-hazardous jobs would cease.
It was also an epoch-making convention because it was unanimously agreed that all those below 18 years should be categorised as children. So far different policies in the country have variously defined “children” as those below 14, 16 or 18.
The demand for equity and quality in education was voiced by children from across the country. The lack of high schools in villages, adequate number of teachers (in Orissa 40,000 posts of teacher need to be filled) and basic facilities like school furniture, drinking water and toilets was raised.
Voicing concern for their less fortunate brethren, representatives of 200 children at the conference pointed out, “What is our future without education? Who will employ us?” Ending child labour and getting every child into school should be “non-negotiable.” There should be no dithering on these two issues which are interlinked.
While Renuka Chowdhury went all out to endorse the demand and even announced that her ministry would come out with a logo that could be put on products that did not employ children, the Minister of State for Labour and the Minister for Rural Development, Oscar Fernandes and Raghuvansh Prasad, skirted the issue of ending child labour.
It is not really possible to end child labour without ending poverty was their excuse at the conference and there was a chorus of protests. It is, in fact, child labour which is shackling children to a life of poverty, retorted NGOs.
The eight national commissions too, including those representing the minorities, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes as well as the safai karamcharies issued a joint statement that they wanted total abolition of child labour whether rendered for an employer, middleman or one’s own family up to the age of 18.
There is an explosive demand for education among the poor today. Parents, even among the poorest, are not only capable of sending their children to formal day schools but are willing to do so.
This has been amply demonstrated in Andhra Pradesh, where thanks to the pioneering work of the MV Foundation, 1,500 villages have been declared free of child labour. Every child in these villages goes to school, the village panchayat monitors their attendance and the parents are proud of their children. In fact, the parents of these erstwhile child labourers are making enormous sacrifices to see that education of their children is not disrupted until they finish at least class 10.
They talk with pride about the transformation of their child from a child labourer to a student. As against the parental demand for education, there is the more powerful force of the market that prefers child labour because it is a source of cheap labour. Children can be forced to work for long hours in sub-human conditions of work.
Their exploitation goes unseen under the garb of ‘charity’ as if the employer was doing a favour to the child in employing and keeping him or her alive. NGOs working for children, point out that such exploitation goes unabated because there is no shock or outrage in society that children are at work and not in school. The tolerance of child labour is so pervasive that it gets internalised by parents too.

How to deal with Pakistan?

2008-12-15T21:52:00.005-05:00

Pakistan's role in Islamic terrorism is well known. It is simply a misfortune that India happens to be its neighbor. I have read many arguements in favor of containing Pakistan, but none is more powerful and convincing than the one made by Mr. Prem Prakash in this Op-Ed published in The Tribune Dec. 16, 2008. I have no hesitation in saying that India is not serious in dealing with Pakistan. Indian PM Mr. Manmohan Singh has reduced himself to a pitiable situation when he deals with this issue. India as a state does not want todefend itself, that is the impression everyone is gaining! I reproduce the whole piece of article here. Enjoy and think what could be against this arguement! Nothing, I bet!

It is the army that owns Pakistan
by Prem Prakash
It won’t be long before a large group of people march to Wagah on the India-Pakistan border carrying lit candles in their hands, seeking friendship with that country. Makes for great pictures, gives them all the publicity, but where does it take the relations between India and Pakistan?
It is high time that we learn to be realistic about our neighbour. There is far too much talk about the cultural affinity between India and Pakistan and the fact that we were one country at one time.
Yes, we were one at one time. They sought separation and got it. It is a different matter that they do not know what to do with the country that they got.
The founders of Pakistan failed to give that country a stable constitution. The present rulers have totally forgotten what their founder Mohammad Jinnah wanted the country to be like.
The country has become a fiefdom of its army ever since Gen. Ayub Khan staged a coup in 1958. It is not a country that has an army, but it is an army that owns the country.
The army in Pakistan can continue to control and own that country so long as it can project that it faces a threat from India. Take away that threat perception and the Pakistan army will lose all its clout.
This is clear like daylight to anyone who wishes to see it, yet there are people in India who keep making noises about “people-to-people relations”, “one culture” and so on as though the other side is waiting with open arms to befriend Indians.
Whatever cultural affinity existed between the two people has been destroyed. Pakistan today is an altogether a different kind of nation and people.
There may be a miniscule minority having values similar to the Indian middle class, but the large majority of the ruling class has been converted to ‘Wahabi’ Islam. Efforts have been made to indoctrinate Muslims in India as well.
The Pakistan army, which took over the country in the sixties, sought to legitimise itself by telling its people that India is its greatest enemy, and legitimately the ‘Moslems’ should have been ruling in the Red Fort. School books were rewritten and officers and soldiers in the armed forces were indoctrinated with that message.
So, how does India deal with a country with such a fragmented polity? One answer would be to deal with the army. Here again, it is a no-win scenario. Why should Pakistan’s army befriend India and destroy its legitimacy and necessity for that country?
Therefore, let us take a hard look. First, it is just too bad that we have a neighbour like Pakistan, which is hostile. The first and foremost thing to be done is to secure your own house.
The recent terror attack in Mumbai has exposed the fact that India has neither fully secured its land frontiers nor its coastline. We need to get that done.
The whole idea of these trains and buses travelling between the two countries needs a fresh look. We need to study the rise in the number of terror attacks on India ever since these so-called “people-to-people” contacts became too open. There has been a quantitative rise in these attacks as the enemy has been able to use these services for frequent incognito visits.
Yes, let trade relations grow, but strictly on a reciprocal basis. We have serious differences with China, yet trade between the two countries is multiplying. Surely we can do some thing similar with Pakistan if that is workable.
If the government in Pakistan is seen as trying to respond to Indian concerns following the Mumbai commando attack by elements from that country, it is because of international pressure on Pakistan, which is today on the brink of bankruptcy.
If Pakistan fails to get the second instalment of funds from the IMF this month, it won’t have funds in its treasury to pay for the salaries of its staff, and that perhaps includes the army as well.
Let us also not forget that the army there has received well over US $10 billion from the US to fund the so-called war against terror. Further income from this source could dry up too.
Let us deal with Pakistan realistically and without nostalgia. Let us deal with them as a country that is home to the world’s most wanted terrorists, a country that created the “mujahadeen” and “Taliban” as pawns to extend its reach into neighbouring territories.
Let us also remember that it was the so-called “Taliban” who overran Afghanistan, three years after the withdrawal of the Soviet troops. They publicly hanged the President of Afghanistan Najibullah.
Even since the murder of President Najibullah, Pakistan has pushed Afghanistan into the stone age with the help of the “Taliban”. Pakistan has always wanted to create a strategic depth for itself. Afghanistan had to lose its individuality.
India must be realistic about the situation that exists on the ground. Yes, we want a civilian government in Pakistan. Yes, we want the army of that country and its ISI to be brought under civilian control. But, then Americans too have their interests in the region. They want the Pakistan army to fight their war on terror.
For India, the choice is clear. We have had enough of this nonsense of one-way goodwill. It is time to deal with Pakistan as it is. Let us not expect that they will respond to any of our demands about closing down the terror camps or handing over the criminals wanted by India. We have to evolve our own options.
The world today respects the rich and powerful. India today is seen as an emerging power.
Let us strengthen our borders and our coastlines so that the enemy dare not attempt to come in again. Ignore your adversaries and isolate them for what they are doing to the world. Stop the candle light marches to the Wagah border, to shake hands with a neighbour who still dreams of marching into India. — ANI

We Crooked Indians: Mera Bharat Mahan!!

2008-12-13T03:14:00.002-05:00

The Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has of course brought shame to the people of Illinois and USA. What is stunning is that he has blatantly indulged in corruption and fraud, arrogance running to the extent that he did not even pause to think that he is under the scanner of FBI. Day before the arrest, he told the media that he had sunlight over his head! Rod was doing all kinds of manipulations, but what is more embarrassing is the story that is he was planning to sell the Obama seat (senate seat vacated by Obama as he became President- elect of USA).
Indians make a good pesence in Chicago and obviously are an influential community. In the events that are unfolding now, a number of Indians have been quoted by Chicago Tribune- a leading newspaper of the area- who were colluding with US Representative Jesse Jackson to help him 'buy' the seat by doing fund raising for him. The Indian names quoted in the story are: Raghu Nayak, Harish Bhatt, Rajinder Singh Bedi, Jatinder Singh Bedi (editor of Indian Reporter).
A shame for we Indians. Note that these guys often find place in Indian circle because they are rich, they are inluential.
We Indians leave India to find greener pastures, but what we never leave is the crookedness, manipulative habits and of cours our immutable traits of caste-identification. We live in USA, but never refrain from identifying ourselves as Punjabis, Gujratis, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, etc. We are no more in India, consider ourselves as progressives, but will join socities based upon caste and region. We are region- philic first, Indians last!
Link to this story in Chicago Tribune.
PS: In an unprecedented move, Attorney General of Illinois , Lisa Madigan has moved the Supreme Court of Illinois to strip off Governor from his responsibility. That is remarkable. In India, politicians of all hue and color will join hands together to serve their interests first!

Zardari's Op-Ed in NY Times: Hocus -pocus

2008-12-09T18:40:00.003-05:00

So we read a op-Ed in NY Times on Dec. 9 contributed by The Pakistani President Zardari (remember Mr. 10 % !). The title is: "The Terrorists Want to Destroy Pakistan, Too!"
Some of the observations are:

1. "The Mumbai attacks were directed not only at India but also at Pakistan’s new democratic government and the peace process with India that we have initiated. Supporters of authoritarianism in Pakistan and non-state actors with a vested interest in perpetuating conflict do not want change in Pakistan to take root. "
2. To foil the designs of the terrorists, the two great nations of Pakistan and India, born together from the same revolution and mandate in 1947, must continue to move forward with the peace process.
3. India is a mature nation and a stable democracy. Pakistanis appreciate India’s democratic contributions. But as rage fueled by the Mumbai attacks catches on, Indians must pause and take a breath. India and Pakistan — and the rest of the world — must work together to track down the terrorists who caused mayhem in Mumbai, attacked New York, London and Madrid in the past, and destroyed the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad in September. The terrorists who killed my wife are connected by ideology to these enemies of civilization.
4. For India, Pakistan and the United States, the best response to the Mumbai carnage is to coordinate in counteracting the scourge of terrorism. The world must act to strengthen Pakistan’s economy (Mr. 10 % asking for more money!) and democracy, help us build civil society and provide us with the law enforcement and counterterrorism capacities that will enable us to fight the terrorists effectively.

To your charges, Mr. Zardari, I think the best response is what Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed in a veiled reference to Pakistan said in the UN: "Raising dust to confuse the trail so that the "merchants of terror can hide" is not acceptable. "
Mr. Zardari, do not you know that Pakistan has over the decades become an established hub of terrorism! It is a failed state, a rogue nation who must be dealt sternly! It is an international migraine! What ever is happening in Pakistan is regrettable and worrisome for India, and pakistan has become an incorrigible rogue for India! India has not been able to set its own house in order and Pakistan is exacerbating the issues for India. Can India take some effective measures to solve the issues, I doubt it!

Can you arrest a sitting lawmaker in India: Nope!

2008-12-09T18:27:00.004-05:00

Can this happen in India? Nope, never!
I live in Illinois and the Governor of Illinois - land of Linclon- has been arrested today (December 09, 2008) on corruption charges. He was actually put in custody (though later on released on bail, but his passport was forfeited). Read part of the story as narrated by CNN:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appeared in court Tuesday afternoon to hear federal corruption charges against him. He was released on $4,500 bail.

Rod Blagojevich is serving his second term as governor of Illinois.

The governor, who appeared in court in a blue jogging suit, also had to forfeit his passport.
FBI agents arrested Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, early Tuesday on federal corruption charges related in part to the selection of President-elect Barack Obama's successor to the Senate, the U.S. attorney's office said.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald declared Tuesday a "sad day for government."
"Gov. Blagojevich has taken us to a new low," he said. "This conduct would make [Abraham] Lincoln roll over in his grave."
Lincoln was a congressman from Illinois before becoming president.
Fitzgerald said the government had bugged the governor's campaign office and placed a tap on his home phone.
Each was charged with a count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and a count of solicitation of bribery, authorities said.

Charges are also that he tried to sell the senator seat vacated by the President -elect Obama (senator from Illinois). In USA constitution, if a senator seat is vacated, the Governor has the right to nominate a person for rest of the term.

In India, politicians cutting across party lines, ideology and of all sizes and shapes and gender indulge in blatant scandals, misappropriation of public funds. They are thick-skinned to whom no law authorities can touch. You touch a politician in India and huge roar and cry will be there! How dare you! Can a credible governance emerge in our counrty?
To read the whole story about Blagojevich, click on this link.

State Elections

2008-12-08T08:57:00.004-05:00

So the verdict is out for 2008 State Assembly elections (results our December 8):
Delhi remains with Congress, MP and Chattisgarh remain with BJP. BJP loses Rajasthan.

Congress despite the wins is the biggest threat to our national unity and security. It has shamlelessly indulged in divisive politics. It has not taken to set the home turf in order. One after another terrorist attack has been ignored.
And about BJP: Rediff has rightly observed: "The BJP has not only lost, but its entire stance on terrorism stands exposed. It will need many chintan baithaks (seminars) for party leaders to discover why the voters did not buy their serious and quite justifiable allegation of the Congress party being soft on terror".

Lok Sabha elections are a few months away. Will the nation make a firm decision to press for national security?

MJ Akbar laments

2008-12-07T21:47:00.002-05:00

Noted Indian journalist and commentator, Mr. M J Akbar expressed his opinion after the recent Mumbai terrorism attack:

" I am very sad. I keep feeling that if they protect India as they protect their leaders -- whether it is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Congress President Sonia Gandhi -- I think I would be safe. Today, India's leaders are safe and India is in panic."

Welcome Initiative from Indian Muslims Scholars

2008-12-06T19:59:00.004-05:00

"I have heard that the terrorists were avenging the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the Gujarat riots and other issues. But, we (Indian Muslims) have never asked for any kind of help from outside India. We don't ask for help, we don't complain to outsiders. We are living in a secular country. Whatever we want to say, we will tell our Prime Minister, our Cabinet ministers. It makes no sense to talk about our issues to outsiders. Why are others coming here and taking up our issues? We don't need them."

How heart- warming! These are the words of Mr. Kamal Faruqui, well-known leader and founder member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, who had organised a seminar to launch the movement in New Delhi , where each speaker emphasised that it was time to stand up and be counted.

Similarly, Mr. Faruqui added: "Indian Muslims must come out of self-denial.
Read the whole news- piece at this link from Rediff news portal.

Civic Engagement

2008-12-04T16:41:00.008-05:00

key words when we talk about society, community and its empowerment:
1. Civic engagement
2. Community Development
3. Peace and social justice: Human rights, civil society and governance

Civic Engagement : Wikipedia gives a good narration of this concept.
"Civic engagement" can mean not only a set of actions and efforts, but a feeling of belonging, an experience of investment and ownership in the local, regional, national, and/or international political communities to which citizens belong. According to the New York Times , "Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference."

Beginning in 2001, a major international research initiative on civic engagement was initiated by the Global Service Institute (GSI) at the Center for Social Development, at Washington University in St. Louis to more carefully define this term.
Forms:
Civic engagement can take many forms— from individual volunteerism to organizational involvement to electoral participation. It can include efforts to directly address an issue, work with others in a communityy to solve a problem or interact with the institutions of representative democracy.
Activities:
In a study published by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at the University of Maryland researchers developed a quantifiable definition of civic engagement. The following measure is based on 19 measures of civic engagement, which is divided into 3 categories: civic, electoral, and political voice.
Measures of Civic Engagement:

a] Civic b] Electoral c] Political Voice

Thomas Ehrlich says:
"Educational attainment is a powerful predictor of civic engagement. The more education people have, the more likely it is that they will participate in civic affairs."
He further adds: Voice and Equality analyzed nine types of political activity: voting, campaign work, campaign contributions, contacting an official, protests, informal community work, membership on a local board, affiliation with a political organization, and contribution to a political cause. One could debate the presence or absence of one or more categories on this list, but in sum they reflect the range of activities that make our democracy work.

To summarize in simple words, Civic Engagement means as the organization PACE puts:
Civic Engagement:"There are many ways in which people participate in civic, community and political life and, by doing so, express their engaged citizenship. From volunteering to voting, from community organizing to political advocacy, the defining characteristic of active civic engagement is the commitment to participate and contribute to the improvement of one’s community, neighborhood and nation."

Secularism: Indian Brand!

2008-12-04T09:42:00.005-05:00

Obviuosly this nation called Bharat- that has secular ethos in its roots- chose agains as if to restress the fact- in 1947 to be a secular country officially! Good step. But the official India has deviated from the path of secularism gradually over last 6 decades. What we see today is classification of Indians as Majority and Minority based upon the faith they practice. Hindu Citizens are treated as "Reserved class" and "Non-reserved class" based upon the caste they belong to. The Constitution allows special treatment of states (read Kashmir). This is divisive polity at its best. The nation has been bleeding since last 2 decades for sure becuase of Jehadi terrorism yet there is a debate - unduly prolonged debate- whether to call this terrorism as Jehadi terrorism! What else this is? Are we blind?

India is paying the price. Congress party has done the utmost dis-service to the nation in this regard. BJP has disappointed too. The current Government -headed by de facto Prime Minister Sonia Gandhi - is crying publically that they have the evidence that Pakistan is involved in the recent terrorist attack in Mumabi. US agency CIA has come out with a verdict towards that conclusion too. US Secretary of State - Ms Rice - is already here to cool the tempers: in actual pour water on something concrete action that India might be considering against Pakistan. What happened when we knew that LeT was involved in the Parliament attack in 2001. Is there something more sacrosanct than Parliament?
India has to first set its own house in order. I quote François Gautier here: "Under Sonia's rule, Indian Muslims, too, have been used as electoral pawns. They have been encouraged to shun the Sufi streak, a blend of the best of Islam and Vedanta, for a hard-line Sunni brand imported from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan."
Ok, may be the nation will get rid of Sonia regime in the next Lok sabha elections which are hardly 6 months away. Ok, may be L K Advaani will become the Prime Minister. Will he bring about a true secularism in practice? I doubt it. The division of citizens on the basis of majority and minority will continue. The demon of caste-based reservation will raise its head again and again. Kashmir would continue to be isolated because of the special attention it receives ( I call it discrimination with Kashmir itself!).

New adjectives for Pakistan

2008-12-03T18:18:00.002-05:00

Given its role in Jehadi terrorism, Pakistan has been painted in media in last several years with various descriptions:

Hub of terrorism, a rogue nation, a failed state and Time described as 'the most dangerous nation on earth'.

In wake of Mumbai terrorist attack last week which was carried out by -as the evidence suggest so far- by Pakistani Jehadi terrorists- western media has coined 2 new phrases to the list:

1) Madeline Albright has called Pakistan 'an International Migraine'.
2) "Intersection of nuclear weapons and terrorism."

The US media has said that next attack in US will originate in Pakistan. Click over here to read the news-item.

Jewish killing by Muslim: Indian or Paki connexion is weird

2008-12-03T18:01:00.003-05:00

Islam is an implanted religion in Indian sub-continent. Sometimes when you are foreign to a concept, weird things happen. In Indian context, trying to fill someone's ( read Muslim) brain with hate against Jewish people and carrying on that prejudice would be a weird thing because Jewish people are a rarity in Indian sub-continent. That is why I was particularly pained that Muslim terrorists from Pakistan who came via boats to Mumbai and created a havoc on Nov. 30 , 2008 chose to kill 6 Jewish individuals also.
When I was doing my fellowship training for Neonatology in USA, one of my junior colleague- who hails from Pakistan and is obviously a Muslim- narrated his experience growing up there. He said that his grand-father was a Sikh and they migrated from Punjab (India). He had never came across Hindus while growing up in Pakistan and saw Hindus for the first time when he came to USA for his medical residency training ( Do not they look similar!). Similarly, he said he had never seen Jewish people in Pakistan ( and they hardly exist there, and for that matter in India also they are a vanishing religion, but India is the only country in the world where Jewish were never persecuted: this is another fact!). But now he wonders why so much hatred was taught to people growing up there against Jewish people.

Well, the clash between Islam and Judaism has historic roots. but it has no practical sense for Muslims in Indian sub-continent. That is why I say that people tend to develop a distorted perception - sometime touching the edges of fanaticism- when that concept is alien to them.

Mumbai Terrorist Atack: India also Exposed!

2008-12-03T01:51:00.004-05:00

Now that the whole world is talking about Mumabi terrorist attack where more than 200 people were killed: Pakistan is in sharp focus. The needle of suspicion on Pakistan is stronger when CIA says that the suspects came from Karachi via sea route. Come what may, India will shout loudly about pakistan's role, Pakistan is already deflecting those charges: in the end India will sit down quietly. This is nothing new.

Well, moreover this attack has exposed India's security lapse. The western media is discussing the sensitive and timely warnings given to Indians by CIA about the possible attacks. Fox News reports: "Of greater concern for India was the apparent failure to act on multiple warnings ahead of the Mumbai attacks, which Indian navy chief Sureesh Mehta called "a systemic failure."
India's foreign intelligence agency also had warnings as recently as September that Pakistan-based terrorists were plotting attacks on Mumbai, according to a government intelligence official familiar with the matter."
Shamefully enough, when Indians commandos arrived in Hotel Taj and other hotels, their maps regarding the locations were not exact, whereas we hear that the terrorists had exact details of the place.
The government- a pack of non-efficient , unpatriotic ,corrupt and selfish politicians - has let us down again and again.

A chicken-hearted nation: That is my India!

2008-12-01T21:46:00.006-05:00

If you can not defend your own home-turf and boundaries: outsiders or by-standers will start giving you unsolicited advice! That is the case with my India which has just been humiliated by another terrorist attack.

On CNN, Campell Brown today asked Mr. Fareed Zakaria and another expert and both nodded that appointing an Observer for Kashmir would be a good idea ( as one may be aware, Obama -the President -elect had came up with this novel idea) and now we see Zakaria welcoming it! For what? I am dismayed that a person who has his roots in India- implying that he at least understands the Kashmir issue in depth- is sailing in the flow instead of trying to rationalize the issue!
This is also a lesson for India that if you can not act with diplomatic maturity, people (read other nations) will jump into the fray and come our with their own theories and solutions!

Another issue that has come into sharp focus after this Mumbai 2008 attack is the preparedness and readiness to face such emergencies. CNN today reveals that CIA had warned India almost a month back that sea route may be used to cause another terrorist attack in Mumbai. And foreign press is not mincing words how we dealt with this attack: the extra slowness with which commandos and army was summoned, that NSG was not even present in Mumbai, it had to be called from Delhi, and that once they landed in Mumbai, they were taken to the scene by local city buses (BEST service).
The world seems to buying the idea at least this time Pakistan's role in these attacks on Indian land. The American media is even contemplating whether India will strike back? People across the world have taken a grim view of these attacks and Pakistan will have difficulty in deflecting the attention from this 'accusation'!

Back home , heads are rolling. The inept Home Minister -Shiv Raj Patil- has resigned (made to resign, actually). His parameter for success as a Minister- had been how pleased his boss- Ms Sonia Gandhi - had been ! He had openly stated this in last few weeks. This is the work -ethics in our politics in India. It may be remembered that Shiv Raj Patil is one of those politicians who are well edcuated and have some substance. But it seems that Mr. Patil has lost his shine over last many years.

Robert Gates to continue as Defence Secretary of USA

2008-11-30T18:40:00.002-05:00

There are indications that the current US Defence Secretary- Robert Gates of the Bush Administration- has agreed to continue to hold the portfolio in the Obama's Administration (Obama is to be inaugurated as the next US President in January 2009). It is a good decision and testifies Obama's willingness to embrace bipartisan politics to further the good cause of nation- building.

Terrorism has hit India in its belly!

2008-11-29T21:38:00.008-05:00

The jehadi terrorism has hit India in its belly! Not for the first time though! I have no hesitation in saying that many 9/11s have happened in India. Is someone hearing! A nation who is not prepared to secure its own home and territories is bound to meet misery time and again. Do not look at my observation as hostile to our nationhood , but this is what has been happening to us as far as terrorist activities are concerned. I distinctly remember what happened after attack on our Parliament in 2001. Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee - the Prime Minister at that time- had declared that we would not spare the culprits. Nothing happend ! Hardly 3 months ago, Indian Embassy at Kabul (Afganistan) was attacked by the unidentified terrorists: CIA and Indian intelligence have come out with a conclusion that Pakistan had a link to this event. Instead what India is doing is that we continue to play cricket with our neighbor, trains will continue! What else can India do. What is our preparedness to combat terrorism: at best it is just reactionary and episodic as The Wall Street Journal observed. So true!

So what is our future? Does India not have a resolve to show that it can contain terrorism on its soil?

Terror strikes Mumbai Again!

2008-11-26T21:47:00.006-05:00

Mumbai has been rocked by terrorist attacks again on November 26, 2008 and this has received international attention. CNN reports:

" In a brazen series of coordinated attacks, gunmen struck 10 sites Wednesday night across India's financial hub, killing scores of people and taking hostages in two luxury hotels frequented by Westerners, officials said.

Mumbai police spokesman Satish Katsa put the death toll at 87 and another 185 wounded, with nine of the attackers killed.

More than six hours after the attacks, fighting was still reported in the Taj Mahal Hotel, the Hotel Oberoi and Colaba Market, site of a number of restaurants, he said.

Bhushan Gagrani, a spokesman for Maharashtra, said no one had claimed responsibility for the attacks.

But several Indian news outlets reported receiving e-mails from a group calling itself the Deccan Mujahedeen that took responsibility for the attacks. CNN was not able to verify the reports."

So India continues to bleed! The situation has crossed all the limits and national patience but for the lack of apathy and unwillingness on part of our political class to see the reality. Where is our Home Minister of the nation! Does he still have the audacity to say -as he said last time- that as long as Sonia Gandhi is happy with her , his job is safe! The whole political establishment becomes busy in analyzing the events as per their political beliefs and political lines! The common public has no choice but to watch the whole situation in a helpless manner.

Will we as a nation ever try to takes this terrorism seriously? Have we become so indifferent to the lives being lost or are we just mute spectators who can just hope for politicians to wake up to the expectation!

The Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh suggested the attacks were launched by people from outside the country. Okey, may be. May be it is our 'bete noir' Pakistan again. But how long shall we continue to vomit these rhetorics! Who is allowing them to get into our boundaries! Why are we allowing buses, trains across the border if our PM has a suggestion that "that were launched by people from outside the country!" Is there no accountability in what our political leadership says?

It is very clear that India has continued to act as a soft state and has not developed a comprehensive system to combat terrorism. One 9/11 in USA meant that they took their lesson as a nation and have not let it happen to them again. India on the contrary has not shown any such resolve to tackle the issue. instead what we see is that whenever such an incidence happens, the political class and the media gets into flurries of debates as to what is the nature of this terrorism: some will say that it is Islamic terrorism, others will vehemently oppose it. is there any doubt left that it is not Jihadi terrorism carried out by terrorists who vouch for an ideology that is Islam! It is a matter of anguish that a secular India continues to set different parameters for its citizens based upon the elements of religion and caste. So impregnated our vision becomes with these underlying currents that sometime the whole nation loses the prospective when analyzing issues like terrorism.

Back ground check: well, for everyone!

2008-11-25T20:06:00.004-05:00

I was surprised to read in a news -item this phrase: " The president-elect (Obama ) plans to announce Geithner's appointment in Chicago on Monday, barring an unforeseen snag in a background check that is nearly complete.......".

Consider this scenario in India: Our Prime-minister wants to appoint a current MP or an individual to one of the cabinet positions and that lady or gentleman is asked to consent for a background check (supposing a well-organized system for back-ground check is already in place, which of course is not threre as we know!), probably the hell will break loose! That is simply against the political culture in our country!
Ironically, we do not have a well-developed system to identify a person in India. Despite the great needs of that (to curb illegal immigration for example), the beaurocratic machinery or the political establishment has been sleeping over this issue! For the sake of identity, various options are allowed: voter ID card, PAN number, ration -card and so forth. That means there is always a chance to let the things slip through!

National Security: A Farce!

2008-08-02T18:26:00.005-04:00

There is an interesting news story published on NDTV portal with the caption: "Assam: pak citizen fought assembly election". Dated August 2, 2008 the story reads: "While passing two judgements on the deportation of 50 odd illegal Bangladeshi settlers, the Guwahati High court mentions of a Pakistani citizen to have contested the 1996 Assembly elections in Assam once again raking up the issue of illegal migration in the state.The Guwahati High Court in a 95 page judgement on Wednesday (July 30) has mentioned that Mohammad Kamaruddin, a Pakistani citizen, had contested the state Assembly elections in 1996.The judgement also said that it is possible only in a place like Assam."

We cry foul when there are bomb blasts in India and blame the game on Pakistan. Well, who is preventing us from protecting our borders and solving the Kashmir issue! Day is not far when India may lose its Sovereignty . The thought looks dreaded but that is the way we have conducted ousrselves as a nation regarding our national security and secular practices! If the Congress party has openly divided the Indian society on the basis of religion (appeasing minorities in particular), BJP has not proven its credentials when it was in power for what it preaches! The smaller regional parties have simply acted as 'prostitutes' , only showing their lust for power brokerage and amassing wealth! They have nothing to do with national issues (their very creation and existence is on regional plank!). Anyway, click here enjoy the story of NDTV.

Black day for India

2008-07-22T19:06:00.002-04:00

Prime Minister -Manmohan Singh- has won the vote of confidence in Parliament today (July 22, 08). At what expense: horse-trading, paralysis of functioning democracy, focus of whole nation on useless debates by the spineless MPs and people rejoicing or feeling sad on political lines not minding that it is their own tax money that the government spends even when it is not functioning!
A black day for Indian democracy! The whole electoral system needs reforms so that we get rid of corrupt and self-centered politicians.

Reservation Largesse continues!

2008-06-25T08:13:00.004-04:00

In last many weeks, India witnessed another impasse over reservation issue. The Gujjar community was at agitation over the demand for catse-based reservation in Rajasthan. The sordid tale of evnts ended only after the state BJP government bowed to their demands and granted them 5 % reservation.

When will this bogey of reservation end? Tomorrow another community will make an uprise and try to shoot the administration in the eyes! Whereas India needs a long term solution to get rid of this caste-based reservation, we are witnessing largesses being distributed! This speaks volumes of our lack of long term vision, pragmatism and an indirect admission of caste-based realities of Indian (Hindu) society! I am not against reservation for socially disadvantages people: they need to be assisted for the upliftment, but I am of the firm belief that this catse -based reservation must be phased out with a more coherent and pragmatic policy replacing it!

And one more point: The fact that BJP agreed to this arrangement is more disappointing! BJP calls herself a party with a difference and takes pride in nationalism and national integration! So much for that cause!

India and Terrorism

2008-04-30T22:51:00.002-04:00

India among countries worst affected by terror: The US Dept of State has said in its annual report. Nothing surprising, though! But some observations are worth noting.

# Indian government's counter-terrorism efforts remained hampered by outdated and overburdened law enforcement and legal systems.

#"The Indian court system was slow, laborious, and prone to corruption. Terrorism trials can take years to complete. Many of India's local police forces were poorly staffed, lacked training, and were ill-equipped to combat terrorism effectively," the report said.

#Noting about the attack on Samjhauta Express, the report said, it was carried out by extremists who tried to incite anger among the Hindus and Muslims.

"These attacks, which killed and injured both Muslims and Hindus, were probably conducted by extremists hoping to incite anger between the Hindu and Muslim communities. Indian officials claim that the perpetrators of these attacks have links to groups based in Pakistan and Bangladesh, particularly the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Harkat-ul-Jihad Islami, among others," the report said.

For further details, please read the link.......

Tibet: Meet Tenzin Tsundue

2008-04-16T20:59:00.003-04:00

The Olympic torch has arrived in India and obviously Indian government has lost its sleep! If protests like what happened in France, and England happen here, what reply we will give to China! I do not agree with this policy, but there is no pointy in going into details. Well, protests will happen, they should happen and Tibetans have the right to protest for their rights! India is home to a very large Tibetan population as refugees.

Meet Tenzin Tsundue, a Tibetan poet, rebel and general secretary of the Friends Tibet. When asked about the potential of violence during protests in India, he summed up the things in a very succinct manner:
"Why is the media doing this? Because of the media, the entire event is heightened. The media is depicting the torch relay ceremony as if it is a war. The government has pitched in 15,000 security people for a ridiculous torch, which is not even worth Rs 2. Because of the security, the torch has lost all value."
He added: " Why do you believe propaganda of the Chinese government? We have Dalai Lama in heart, Gandhiji in mind and we are Buddhists. There will be protests on Thursday (April 17, 2008), but it will be non-violent."

Very well, Indeed! I am all for peaceful demonstrations by Tibetans for their right to self-rule!

Unite India, Pak and Bangladesh!

2008-04-07T22:51:00.007-04:00

It is not a wishful thinking. I favor that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh should try to unite and regain to be the one we knew as India. We need to undo what we did years back.
Given the events and shapes Pakistan and Bangladesh have shown in last many decades, this unification effort may seem to be a dangerous plunge to many. In fact the most vocal critics of this idea say that we do not want to inherit the problems Pakistan and Bangladesh have created in last many decades, i.e., their pointer is towards growing extremism and fundamentalism. They often say that any efforts towards unification with these two Islamic countries means inheriting the 'hell' they have created in the name of religion. Herein lies the solution itself: India did not go that way because we chose to be a secular polity and not a theistic state! We chose plurality, tolerance as our guiding principles and that is why the monster of fundamentalism and extremism has not been able to raise its head in India to that extent that our survival could be at stake!
Thus any talk for unification must include embracing the basic constitutional framework of a secular polity: secular constitution as our lynch pin!

I do not see why the countries of Indian sub-continent can not come together to form a bigger India. Let the estranged brothers come together! We have so much in common, and the differences of religion can be overcome by implementing the governance based on modern laws of land and not by religion. Well, we are already spending so much money on guarding our boundaries against each other, much lesser money will be required to maintain 'communal harmony' if people are afraid of the communal monster! Religion is a real serious impediment towards the idea of unification of these 3 nations, but it is possible to overcome the differences if we rise above the occasion! This needs statesmen and not petty political approach as we see by our modern leaders of the three countries! We need statesmen to come forward and carry this idea to a meaningful conclusion!
The advantages gained by unification are: 1. Bigger land area, thus netting more natural resources 2. Lesser money required to spend on defense and moreover, and 3. It will be a natural culmination of efforts to regain the lost boundaries which were divided -as we often like to say- by not us but by erstwhile powers (Britain)!

World Health Day

2008-04-07T21:15:00.003-04:00

Today -April 7- is World Health Day. This year's theme is: "Protecting Health from Climate Change". In 2008, World Health Day focuses on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. WHO selected this theme in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health security.

A WHO press release on this occasion says: "Climate change will erode foundations of health".
WHO Director-General warns vulnerable populations at greatest risk of projected impacts. Read the full story....

China is Being Exposed

2008-04-07T20:43:00.003-04:00

Olympic torch for the upcoming Olympic games to be held in Beijing is facing protests. Today, it happened in France. The authorities had to actually cancel the torch relay because of frequent interruption in Paris. The protests against authoritative rule of china against Tibet have been on the spread globally. It is a voice against China's cultural invasion of Tibet.

Will China listen! So far it has acted in a repressive manner, even its tone and tenor towards the global community suggests that China is in no mood to acknowledge the facts! But if the disrepute continues, the Dragon's colors may change! Tibet needs world's voice!

President for 24 Hours!

2008-04-07T20:37:00.004-04:00

While taking a stroll after the dinner, I asked my 9 years oldie what would he do if he became the President of the country (USA) for a day!

He thought for a few seconds and replied: 1. Stop Iraq war, and 2) Ban cars which use less than 60 % ethanol.
So we have buddies who are against wars and want a greener earth! It seems the word about global warming is reaching the masses.

Peace-Makers

2008-04-05T23:49:00.005-04:00

Andrea Riccardi founded a religious community -Sant'Egidio- in 1968 when he was just 28 years old without big plans: pray together and aid the poor. Now his community has grown into a big international organization so much so that they broker peace. When there is so much unrest, violence and hatred and divide in the world, who listens to the likes of Riccardi? Well, he says: " We all are volunteers. Our lack of vested interest gives us moral authority". That is so aptly said! For details about his work, please visit http://www.santegidio.org

Vegetarians: Keep in Mind

2008-04-05T18:49:00.006-04:00

Being vegetarian has an advantage. More so if you are a Lacto-ovo vegetarian (one who consumes milk products as well as eggs)! Veganism- they typically reject milk and milk products and eggs- does pose some health concerns.
Lacto-ovo vegetarians,who consume dairy products or eggs, usually present with fewnutritional concerns, according to Jatinder Bhatia, M.D., FAAP,a member the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Nutrition. "Studies show thatthe growth of (lacto-ovo) children are pretty equal to thosewho eat regular diets," Dr. Bhatia said.

Now if you are a vegetarian, what are the concerns? There are concerns that you may develop some nutritional deficiencies.

1. According to the AAP Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, iron is byfar the nutrient most commonly deficient in vegetarian and veganchildren. This is in part because iron sources in meatless dietsare nonheme and plant-based, which are less bioavailable thanthe heme iron found in meat.

Solution: You may have to be careful to consume more items that are iron-rich, like apple, guava, jaggery (commonly available in developing nations).

2.Another common deficiency is vitamin B-12, which is found onlyin animal products. Therefore, youths who do not eat dairy products,eggs or meat should take a supplement or consume foods fortifiedwith the vitamin.

3. For example, low calcium and vitaminD intake in childhood, possibly due to a vegan diet, can leadto a lifetime of weak bones and an increased risk of fractures.Adequate consumption of certain vitamins and minerals, therefore,is crucial during these formative years. This may not be a problem in lacto-ovo vegetarians, though!

And advantages of being a vegetarian: Plentiful, indeed!

Here is a summation:

Despite potential nutritional deficiencies, however, a well-balancedvegetarian diet can hold many health benefits over traditionallymeat-laden American fare. Vegetarian children take in fewercalories and consume a diet lower in fat and higher in carbohydrates,Dr. Schneider said. Vegetarians also consume more calcium, folateand other nutrients than non-vegetarians, and a plant-baseddiet can mean vegetarians consume more whole grains, vegetablesand fruit, and fewer processed snacks than do their meat-eatingcounterparts.

"They’re not going to McDonald’s for the burgersand fried chicken," Dr. Schneider said. "They end up with arelatively healthier diet."

Vegetarian families often take more time and effort to plannutritious meals, and generally tend to emphasize healthy lifestylechoices, Dr. Barsky said. "They know how to approach the dietand they eat more organic foods. They give their children lessjunk food, make sure the kids are physically active. Most havealready done the research about how to best feed their child."

With input from: AAP News (April 2008)

Haggling: I know it!

2008-04-02T19:25:00.004-04:00

What is 'Haggling' ? Well, even if you do not know the meaning, you probably have done it all your life in a country like India. Whenever you go out to buy something, you have to indulge in the practice called 'haggling' ! Really! Well, yes, indeed! In other words, it is the practice of buying a good after bargaining with the seller. Now we know! Be it a parley biscuit or a jacket or a refrigerator or a car: we practice and preach 'haggling' as one of the virtues! It is not always to our liking or taste, but you got to do it in order to save pennies!

Now one unquoted reference on internet says: "Haggling is, in many of what are regarded as "less economically developed" civilizations, an acceptable means of agreeing payment for goods."
That- if we consider it true- displaces us to kind of less civilized people! Well, whatever you call, but definitely, haggling is a phenomenon not seen in richer nations. But you never know, its subtle form is being seen in richer countries too with the advent of economic slowdown.

Merriam Webster Dictionary explains the meaning of haggling: 1: to cut roughly or clumsily : hack; 2. archaic : to annoy or exhaust with wrangling.

Ganga: Tera Paani Maila (Thy Impure Water)!

2008-03-31T21:02:00.007-04:00

Ganga river is considered sacred by Hindus. You will come across legion of devotinal songs dedicated to Ganga and the name itself fills Hindu hearts with a sense of reverence, pride and joy. In this blind devotion to Ganga, we have ignored the fact that holy Ganga has degenrated into an impure and dirty river. As Professor Veer Bhadra Mishra has said: " Science and technology are one bank of the river, and religion,tradition and faith are the other bank of the river. Both the banks need to be firm, and only then can the river maintain the flow." Prof Mishra- former professor of Hydraulic engineering and former Head of the Civil Engineering Department at the Banaras Hindu University- is the founding president of the Sankat Mochan Foundation.
It is indeed a sad commentary on our current state of affairs that we have willfully let Ganga become more and more polluted, given our scientific wisdom! It sounds that there have been acts of omission and commission on part of beaurocracy and thus the current mess!
There is no point in crying hoarse about the glories of our past civilizations and religion if we can not keep pace with the currents of modern times. The purification of Ganga needs a scientific approach. At the same time, it reminds us of the havoc we are playing with mother nature!
The following link is a small story on Dr Mishra's project.

Vegetarianism and Cow

2008-03-26T23:03:00.005-04:00

One aspect of vegetarianism is that it helps prevent cruelty against animals. Who says that animals or pets are emotion-less and just meant to be consumed! Watch this video. I saw it on Facebook and was immediately hooked to it!

RaghuKul Bhusan RajaRam.......

2008-03-23T20:17:00.007-04:00

We have often heard the legendary divine song "Raghupati Raghav RajaRam, Patit Paawan SitaRam..". Now the song "Raghukul Bhushan Rajaram......." sung by Hariharan seems to be a modification of the above song, but is totally enchanting. Based upon Raag Piloo, this provides height of serenity and is truly heart-warming. Sold by Sona Rupa ,this DVD is worth listening as there are other melodies based upon various ragaas.

The Matter of Secular Polity

2008-03-23T13:39:00.006-04:00

Gandhi ji had envisioned an India built on the foundation of Hindu-Muslim unity! That has remained an illusion to a large extent, thanks to the pseudo-secular polity practiced by successive governments after 1947. The time has come that we rectify our approach! It has become abundantly clear that secular policies be implemented in a true way. India needs its citizens- irrespective of their faith- to be treated in an equal manner and not as 'Majority' and "Minority'! Thus uniform civil code should have come into force long ago, and on the same note, personal laws should have been shunned long ago. Faith is a personal matter, let people worship what they want! But law of the land can not be governed based upon the religious conveniences and compulsions!

Free Tibet: A Chimera!

2008-03-19T10:00:00.009-04:00

The Picture shows US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visiting Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India in March 08.

Tibet is in spotlight again! The Tibetans and monks have spearheaded the struggle for freedom again and China is determined to crush the movement.

It has been a long wait for Tibet. In 1951 China annexed Tibet and in a single stroke became India's neighbor. It is worthwhile to recollect that before that India and China were separated by Tibet.

In 1958, Dalai Lama fled to India and since then we have a Tibetan Government-in-exile in Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh). Not only that, India is the host to thousands of Tibetans and hundreds of Tibetans come in exodus to India almost every year.

The uprising this time has attracted world-wide attention and many causalities have been reported. Even Dalai Lama has termed that Tibet is under cultural invasion. But he has sort of refrained from demanding a free Tibet, he has talked about autonomy. That could be a disappointment for many. Dalai lama has struck to his 'Middle Path" approach and has repeatedly said he advocates only nonviolence, presses not for independence but a “preservation of Tibetan culture,” endorses China’s role as host of the Olympic Games in August and is happy to speak to Chinese authorities, including Chinese President Hu Jinato.

The current situation in Tibet creates a unique situation for India: dilemma as well as an opportunity. India's dilemma is understandable since India is interested in improving relationship with India.

But at the same point, herein lies the opportunity for India. After all, India is the greatest supporter of Tibet cause in the world. This fact is exemplified by Dalai Lama's 49 years of exile in India. India is the soil from where his Government-in-exile opeartes, he travels to the world and puts forth his cause for Tibet. And obviously that impresses China the least!

Tibet- known as 'The Roof of the World' needs liberation and the only solution to its cultural invasion is a Free Tibet. This is another point that 'cultural invasion' has already taken place to some extent in Tibet, thanks to the active efforts on part of China. In the name of development, which Dalai lama has actually termed " Demographic Aggression" contours of Lhasa and Tibet have changed. Pico Iyer writes in the cover story of a recent issue of Time magazine: "Lhasa, sometimes known as an "abode of gods," has turned from the small traditional settlement I first saw in 1985 into an Eastern Las Vegas, with a population of 300,000 (two out of every three of them Chinese). On the main street alone, by one Western scholar's count, there are 238 dance halls, and karaoke parlors and 658 brothels, and the Potala Palace- for centuries a symbol of a culture whose people were ruled by a monk and a home to nine Dalai Lamas- is now mockingly surrounded by an amusement park."

Tibet needs the voice of the World, before its genocide is over!

"I Have a Dream"!

2008-03-13T22:00:00.003-04:00

" I Have a Dream" : this famous phrase uttered by Dr Martin Luther king, Jr. has gained a historical prominence. On his birth anniversary, in the school, my 3rd grader son's class set out to figure out what every student thought of their dreams! They were probably given to decipher what dream they had for their community, country and the world. That was an apt framework provided. Here is what my son had to offer his dreams on these lines. He wrote:

A] I have a dream for my community:
I have a dream that my community will become more technological.
When I told that the community here is already technologically advanced, what he wanted more! He said that he was thinking about his community back in India where people have lesser degree of access to the internet.

B] I have a dream for my Country:
I have a dream that one day there will be no war in my country.
To this I said: "Well, Sub! Where is the war in USA?" He referred to the war in Iraq! So, his understanding is that we in USA are at war with Iraq. I could not disagree!

C] I have a dream for the World:
I have a dream that the world will be pollution-free in the future.
Al Gore has succeeded in his Mission, I would say! Even kids are talking of Global warming! That is science taken to homes!

India: "Smoked Out" !

2008-03-03T09:37:00.005-05:00

Proportion of all smokers in the world:
China: 30 %
India: 11.2 %
USA: 4.5 %
Tobacco-related habits are prevalent in all cultures, races and communities. It is such an addiction that has faded the boundaries of race and cultures! People have risen above race and cultural differences when it comes to smoking!

India has a 3 times population of USA and thus it would seem that both countries have an equal share of smokers. However, in USA there is an increasing awareness about the harms of smoking and passive smoking is very less prevalent because of work-place and public place- policies. That is hardly a case in India where you are a passive smoker even if you do not want to be! And the dangers of passive smoking are also significant. 'Bidis' are particularly inexpensive.

This mindless smoking and unwillingness of government to take some harsh measures means that as per projections 1 in 5 men in India will die from smoking by 2030. As per estimates, if global trends continue, by 2030 more than 8 million people will die each year from tobacco-related causes- 80 % in the developing world.

Some health agencies say that AIDS is going to cause havoc in India in years to come! What about simmering cigarettes! Are we going to be 'smoked out'!

BRIC Nations

2008-02-26T09:53:00.003-05:00

"BRIC or BRICs are terms used in economics to refer to the combination of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
General thinking is that the term was first prominently used in a thesis of the Goldman Sachs Investment Bank. The main point of this 2003 paper was to argue that the economies of the BRICs are rapidly developing and by the year 2050 will eclipse most of the current richest countries of the world.
Goldman Sachs predicts China and India, respectively, to be the dominant global suppliers of manufactured goods and services while Brazil and Russia would become similarly dominant as suppliers of raw materials. Cooperation is thus hypothesized to be a logical next step among the BRICs because Brazil and Russia together form the logical commodity suppliers to India and China. Thus, the BRICs have the potential to form a powerful economic bloc to the exclusion of the modern-day G8 status. Brazil is dominant in soy and iron ore while Russia has enormous supplies of oil and natural gas. Goldman Sachs' thesis thus documents how commodities, work, technology, and companies have diffused outward from the United States across the world."
Source: Wikipedia

The concept of Bhoomiputra (son of soil)

2008-02-23T17:43:00.006-05:00

When years back Bombay was re-christened as Mumbai, I felt a sense of pride. It is justified to restore the original native name instead of the one which was imposed on us by ruling Britishers, was my take on this. Soon Madras was named Chennai and Calcutta as Kolkatta and I relished those events. I still do and wish that there were many takers for the demand to re-name Faridabad, but apparently people are too busy in that bustling satellite town of Delhi to take any note of the fact. Anyway, let us not side-track!

It all started in Mumbai a few weeks back: Non-Marathis (North Indians) were being targeted there. 'They were not sons of the soil (Bhoomiputra)', was the argument and that because of them, local or native people were left behind. 'Mumbai has been exploited and looted by outsiders' were the sentiments being echoed. These kind of arguments were spearheaded by Raj Thackeray (of Balasaheb Thackeray clan)! This was more of a political issue and I am sure common people cared little about it, but a controversy was, nevertheless, generated! Then Kolkatta also sprang a surprise when local politicians criticized Marwaris as they too are kind of outsiders, in other words, are not sons of the soil!

So this is our India for us! Outsiders verus locals! I used to think that only Moguls and Britishers were outsiders for us who ruled us, exploited us and converted some of us! I have never thought that outsiders live 'within us Indians'! Thanks to the petty Raj that these sentiments surface once in a while. The very fabric of our country seems vulnerable when petty politicians talk this and misguided people join the fray! I was looking for words when I came across a hard-hitting article by Tarun Vijay. An excellent summation of feelings of being Indian and yet our vulnerability to these kinds of events. An article worth reading: Is Being Indian not Enough?

New Government in Pakistan

2008-02-22T22:32:00.006-05:00

The general elections held in Pakistan on Feb 18,2008 have thrown a mixed verdict for political parties there. Slain leader Benazir Bhutto's PPP and Nawaz Sharif's PML- N have bagged enough seats to cobble up a government and this is the most likely scenario which is emerging. The Prime Minister will be from PPP as it has larger share of seats.

This has not unnerved President Parvez Musharraf, though! His political party lost badly in these elections and there is a good possibility that if the opposition is able to add up a few more conglomerates, it may be in a position to impeach the President or take up other constitutional measures to unseat him. A peaceful exit for Mush is a more viable idea though, provided Mush himself realizes this!

If that happens or even with a weak President facing the wrath of the his political opponents at the helm of affairs, things will not be easy for Mush. US seems to be losing a "trusted ally". Is it time to say good bye to a military dictator -turned -civilian President? Will the government in a partnership (PPP and PML- N) be stable? Will the elected government deliver! Will the impartial judiciary be re-instated? What kind of approach the new government take towards India? The coming months will tell us the answers!

Lodge Your Grievance online with GOI

2008-02-19T20:25:00.007-05:00

I was viewing the website recommended to me by TLS Bhaskar (He recently formed a Telugu Diaspora: http://telugudiaspora.com/). The organization is "Association for Human Development" run by Dr Srinivasa K Rao (New York). The following useful piece of information is being reproduced:

"Dear Friends,
Here is the opportunity to speak to the government for a better India.
Government of India has an online Grievance forum at http://darpg-grievance.nic.in/

The government wants people to use this tool to highlight the problems they faced while dealing with Government officials or departments like Passport Office, Electricity board, BSNL/MTNL, Railways,etc.
So use this grievance forum and educate others who don't know about this facility. This way we can at least raise our concerns instead of just talking about the 'System' in India.
Invite your friends to contribute for many such happenings.

Spread this message if u want our India to change."

Right to Credit: A Fundamental Right

2008-02-17T01:33:00.003-05:00

2007 Nobel Peace prize went to Muhammed Yunus (Bangaldesh). He introduced the concept of micro-credit to bring out rural people from abject poverty. His statement that "access to credit should be a right" sums up his philosophy. In this interview in Worth magazine, one gets a good insight about him and his simple but effective mantra of tackling poverty and hence enhancing peace. The link...

Whaling Museum in L. I.

2008-02-17T00:43:00.004-05:00

Whaling Museum in Long Island, NY. Whale is a protected species now. At one time, it was an object of killing for monetary benefits. A whale hunting expedition would be of course a mammoth project, given the size of the mammalian sea creature. The museum is a useful trip for kids. The web-link is: http://cshwhalingmuseum.org

More Than Tomorow (MTT) Project

2008-02-17T00:09:00.009-05:00

In India only 2 % of all schools have computers. Working to bridge the last mile of the "Digital Divide" is the US-based not for profit "More Than Tomorrow".

Its founder Marshall Krinitz is an affable personality who is passionate about his mission. A chance meeting with him at the local swimming pool got us to know each other. MTT Project is aimed at helping villages to acquire computers. As the brochure says: "The guiding principle is the belief that if we partner with people, especially people in poor, rural areas, and provide them the cutting- edge tools with which to enhance their lives, we can initiate a new dynamic." It is a humnle beginning on his part, but given his commitment, I am sure the organization will be a great help to the needy people.

Started in mid- 2007, the Organization is mainly working in rural areas of Dharamshala, HP.

Valentine Day

2008-02-14T08:31:00.002-05:00

Valentine Day and the hype and hoopla! Over last many years, this day too has become increasingly commercialized and one can not escape the harangue associated with it. You got to go and get kids purchase bulk cards for the phenomenon called "Classroom Valentine"! It is a fun for kids, I know! Nancy Gibbs has rightly observed in an essay in Time Magazine: "The best gift for Valentine's Day is to ignore it altogether."

Regional "Avatar": Raj Thackeray

2008-02-12T20:46:00.000-05:00

Now we have a new regional "avatar" in form of Raj Thackeray! The eagerness to become regional satraps can make them stoop to any level, and Raj is no exception! "Divide people" is their mantra!

Thus the clarion call given by raj Thackeray of a regional political outfit Maharastra Navnirnman Sena (MNS) is to pit North Indians against Maharastrians or Mumbaikars (residents of Mumbai). This is not constructive (as the name Navnirman would suggest), this is totally destructive! Not only that, Raj and his goons are taking law into their hands and causing damage to the property.
I am sure public is not going to be drawn into this divisive politics, but the government should deal firmly with Raj and his bandwagon! Click here for the news-piece.

Websites

2008-02-12T16:38:00.001-05:00

**If you are looking for a website which could give you good tips about finance related matters (almost all kinds of situations), do not forget to surf this one: http://mainstreet.com/

** To conduct online meetings, webinars, this website www.gotomeeting.com is pretty good. It comes with a cost (minimum $ 49 a month) after a free trial of a month.

Case of Race in USA

2008-02-09T22:47:00.001-05:00

The ongoing US Presidential election primaries do witness discussion on race issue , even though many a time in a subtle manner! The reason is that both democratic hopefuls- Barak Obama (an African American) and Hillary Clinton ( a female Presidential aspirant) have carefully avoided this issue hotting up due to political compulsions. But, yes, the concept of race in USA is definitely an issue.
I recently read a reader's views in The Time magazine and tend to agree what he has said. His letter says:
"Caught Between Color Lines I enjoyed John Cloud's "breaking down the Black Vote" [Jan. 28]. I am from Tanzania, and like many foreigners who come to the U.S., I found—to my surprise—that I belong to a pool of supposedly disadvantaged minorities. I struggle with the skewed concept of race in America. For some reason, having black blood is almost seen as some kind of contamination. How would this racial-political dialogue play out if, say, Barack Obama were one-fourth or one-eighth black? I am reminded of the Christian teachings on original sin. However good, intelligent or capable a person you might be, there is something that still taints your righteousness. Whether we like it or not, Obama's black half will ultimately lead to the demise of his presidential aspirations. "

Yohanne Kidolezi, BOSTON

Baba Amte Passes Away

2008-02-09T19:22:00.000-05:00

Noted social activist and Magsaysay award winner Murlidhar Devidas Amte alias Baba Amte died at his Anandvan ashram in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra on Saturday, February 09,2008. He was 94.

I was saddened to hear about his demise. He leaves behind the wonderful legacy of selfless service of the downtrodden and weaker section of the society, particularly leprosy patients. His 2 sons are ably carrying on the legacy. Dr Vikas Amte looks after the operations in Ananadvan and younger son- Dr Prakash Amte- who is better known as the 'jungle doctor' is serving the tribal s in remote areas in Vidarbha (central parts of India). Theirs is the long established tradition of selfless service!

I personally drew great inspiration from Baba Amte. I remember having visited Anandvan and personally saw the wonderful community work which had been raised over the decades in Anandvan (Ananadvan is a Sanskrit/ Hindi name and literally means 'forest of joy'). It has brought succor and relief to thousands of leprosy patients.

Presidential Elections

2008-02-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

For US presidential elections 2008, primary caucuses are going on, and 2 days back, the nation saw Super Tuesday/ Super Duper being held. Once in a while, I will throwup the issue towards my son, who is 8 +. A few weeks back, he told me-what he digested from the knowledge his class teacher gave them- that these elections are going to be historical becuase either way US may see a first female President (Hillary) or a first African-American individual (Obama) being elected. I agreed with him partially!

So this tuesday I was explaining the concept of Super Tuesday where many states hold primaries on the same day. He added that on Democratic side, there were 2 in race (Hillary and Obama), whereas on Republican side, there were : John Mccain, Mitt Romney. Apparently, in his class, there was no discussion on Juliani and John Edwards! I added my input on how electiosn are held and how a potential candidate has to spend millions of money to run his show, like publicity, media coverage,etc.

Last night as we headed towards our home after a school book fair, Subramaniyam (Sub in short) pointed towards the voting machines which were kept in the school (for super tuesday). He added:" Dad! In my class, I am the only kid who is not US born, thus I can not become President of USA." I asked which country would entitle you to become a President, he replied: India. I added: "Well, Indian President House is much bigger that White House". He continued in the same enthusiastic tone: " One has to spend less money to give advertisements in media also there! And it may be easier to become President there, to which I replied: " Not necessarily. The competition may be equally tough there too".

American Presidency and Religion

2008-01-31T23:41:00.000-05:00

When decades ago, father of Mitt Romney - who was a mormon- contested elections for Governor in one of the US State, his faith or religion was not under scanner. Now Mitt Romney- a Republican presidential candidate for 2008- faces a tougher turf. His faith is definitely being scrutinized with a wider media and public coverage.

In 1960, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy asked the nation to disregard his religion. In 2000, George W. Bush informed the nation that Jesus was his favorite philosopher.

In his new book, God in the White House, Randall Balmer explores the interplay between religion and politics in America, tracking the "religionization" of the Oval Office across the last half of the 20th century. Balmer is a professor of American religious history at Barnard College. Also the author of the Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism and editor-at-large of Christianity Today, Randall Balmer was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2006.

Buddhadeb: Greater Fundamentalist

2008-01-30T22:47:00.000-05:00

The noted writer Mahasweta Devi has called for resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee accusing him of being responsible for ousting Bangaldeshi Muslim writer Taslima Nasreen from Kolkatta. Devi has termed the CM as a greater fundamentalist. Read more....

This is what I call fresh air! Is Indian media listening? The Gujarat CM -Narendra Modi-has been denigrated for years, but what about the leftists and the chips of the same block (read Congress, and ilks of Mayawatis, Laloos and Mulayams who have systematically eroded the very concept of secularism and have played dirty games of communal politics)!

Kidney Racket in Gurgaon

2008-01-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

A new kidney racket has been busted in Gurgaon, a satellite town of Delhi. Poor and gullible people are lured into making quick bucks and by the time they realize that they have lost their kidneys, it is too late. The un-regulated medical profession of India throws up new surprises and this utterly inhuman crime will soon be buried in the past! It is another waive of news that will soon pass by and such tragic event will start shaping up at a new place under a new set of criminal intents. Keep watching! Health officials are in deep slumbers!

January 26: Republic Day

2008-01-27T16:31:00.000-05:00

India celebrated its Republic Day on January 26, 2008. These pictures show illuminated Rastrapati Bhavan (President House) in New Delhi. In Indian democracy system, President is the titular head of the State, and Prime Minister is the elected leader who runs the government.

Sikhs, Turban and France

2008-01-25T23:26:00.000-05:00

For Sikhs, turban is an emotive issue and generally in religious matters, one tends to be non-judgmental, particularly if one belongs to a different religion than the one in question.
I had often heard that Sikhs are distressed that France has banned use of turban in the schools. Today I happened to read a very different point of view. Mr Balvinder, a former Principal of Govt College, Chandigarh has written this letter to the editor and is published in The Tribune (January 26, 2008). A fresh air!

The letter is reproduced here:

"I read Roopinder Singh’s article, “Turban: A matter of pride and honour” (Jan 23). If the turban was that important, why did Guru Gobind Singh, while laying down five musts, known as five ‘K’s (kesh, kangha, kara, kachha and kirpan) for Sikhs, not add turban to it?

Those days everybody in this region, irrespective of his religion, used to wear a turban. With the passage of time, most people in this region stopped wearing turbans except the Sikhs who continued to carry the Guru’s dress style. Strangely, a majority of the Sikh masses followed the Guru’s dress code partially by sticking only to the turban. For, they have fondly accepted the western dress style.

If one goes by the compulsive clause of wearing turbans by Sikhs, no Sikh ever can be an astronaut. The French ban on the display of religious symbols (aimed not solely at Sikhs) is exactly like the ban in Indian armed forces. Here too, fighter Sikh pilots are not allowed to wear turbans while flying aircraft; they wear helmets.

If we take a biased approach to such non-issues (non-issue because the number of students restricted from wearing turbans in France is less than a dozen) we can never think of a better peace-loving and progressive society."

Taslima: India's discomfort with France

2008-01-23T13:21:00.000-05:00

I was amused to see that India has asked/requested the French president- Nicolas Sarkozy who is visiting India shortly- not to confer a prestigious award on controversial exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen during his India visit. France's Simone de Beauvoir award for Taslima was announced on January 9, 2008 for defending the ''rights of women''.

Several Muslim groups have protested against Taslima's presence in India, as they claim her writings are offensive to Islam.

Apprehensive of yet another bout of angry Muslim protests, the government of India has said a polite 'no' to Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal to confer the prestigious award on Taslima during his India visit.

This is the state of affairs in a secular democratic country as we decided to proclaim ourselves after Independence in 1947! Bend backwards because fundamental religious groups will get upset, particularly so-called minority groups! Will this kind of mollification ever end? Meanwhile it is heartening to hear that a Muslim organization has flayed restrictions on Tasleema. " It bodes ill for a secular democratic country,'' President of Dharmamukta Manabbadi Manch Giasuddin has reportedly claimed. He has further said:''If Taslima is forced to leave India, fundamentalists will target all secular and democratic people even more".

Welcome India with a New Terrorist Attack!

2008-01-01T18:12:00.001-05:00

January 1: The new year 2008 welcomes India with a new suspected terrorist attack in Uttar Pradesh. In Rampur, suspected terrorists attacked a para-military camp and gunned down 7 para-miltary personnel. Times of India observes: "By hitting security camps as well as civilian targets like temples and mosques, jihadi groups are working to a plan to stir communal tensions and bleed the forces." The Chief Minister of UP, Ms Mayawati, has vehemently declined to bear any responsibility for the failure to prevent this attack and has infact put the burden back on CRPF stating that the State Intelligence had already given them the input for a possible attack. Taking a dig at the Central government, the chief minister said the terrorist influx was not a recent event as ''international borders of the country are unsafe and terrorists have already made inroads in different parts of the country'' (source: NDTV).

What a true confession on her part! Is our national leadership- led by a Minority Mohan Singh (always busy mollifying the minorities of this country!) hearing this outcry! Our porous borders -coupled with trains running across- and amnesia-inflicted national security plan will continue to result in a increasingly unstable country. Voltaire once said: "The present is pregnant with future." We can see our future!

Welcome to the New Year, My beloved Country!

'Undemocratic' Democracy in Bhutto's Party

2007-12-31T09:46:00.000-05:00

Love for dynastyic rule is in the blood of people in Indian sub-continent. Whereas India has not been able to overcome the contagious zeal for Gandhi -family rule, in Pakistan installing a 19 years old teen to the supreme post of a supposedly democratic party has crossed all standards of ethical morality. Settling the succession issue three days after former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination, the Pakistan People's Party on Sunday anointed her 19-year-old son Bilawal to head the party. And PPP has decided to take part in next month's general elections and has appealed that the elections not be deferred so that it could ride the sympathy waive.
Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari will be the co-chairman.

It remains to be seen whether civil activists will challenge this decision in the courts (age may be an issue if some bylaws have been laid for political parties somewhere in the legal corners of the country!)

Whereas this is purely an internal matter of a political party of a neighboring country and someone may well wonder why it seems to be such an unsettling issue to me! I would say that such kind of developmemnts portend a bad future for a civil society which aspires to come out of the shackles of extremism, fundamentalism and military rule.

Pakistan: Pure Chaos!

2007-12-28T13:25:00.000-05:00

Dec 27, 2007: Benazir Bhutto - a prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections in Pakistan has been assassinated. The extremists killed her with a suicide bomber. The news has received a world-wide attention, more so in the US media.

Pakistan is in a quagmire. World's most dangerous nation is in pure chaos! It is a nuclear-armed state and a trusted friend and an ally of USA in the war against terrorism. But paradoxically, Pakistan itself is a hot-bed of extremism and terrorism. And Bhutto's assassination has strengthened the forces of darkness there. President Parvez Musharraf has somehow been able to succeed USA in believing that he is the only hope for Pakistan and has been able to get flow of unlimited dollars to 'exterminate' terrorism and build up Pakistan. USA has been unable to insist for the accountability of the dollars Pak is spending in 'building up' the country and we see the turmoil now.

There are a few concerns emerging from the current situation. The way a prime civilian and a politician can be killed in a ruthless manner, shows that there is a 'jungle-Raj' there. Is it possible that extremists may get hold of the nuclear arsenal? The US intelligence experts say that we should take this matter seriously. Another point is that US has somehow supported Musharraf's martial law, and despite its pressure, the civil liberties and media are still not fully liberated. The upcoming elections are believed not to be fair and free under the current situation. Will this killing spark off a diplomatic war between US and Pakistan? Has Musharraf not tested the nerves of his friend Bush? And amidst all this, India's concerns should not be forgotten: India will be the first target of 'nuclear mischief' if Pakistan dares to indulge into, secondly terror export to Indian and neighboring countries is a reality, thirdly mass exodus of Pakistani people to India amid all this chaos.

US media has termed Pakistan as a strategic country in the world. what a misplaced term! Pakistan is 'strategic' only because US has been using it as a 'colony' to grow its clout and contain India and China.

The assassination of Bhutto should be an eye-opener for the world: Tackle Pakistan before it starts engulfing the world. Rehabilitate it to a civilized and democratic polity. USA can do it, because it feeds the 'strategic country' in the world! And hopefully, USA does not remain oblivious to the fact that China and Saudi Arabia will never like Pakistan to develop into a democratic nation, their interest are better served if Pakistan remains an unstable country. China is happy that way from obvious reasons, and Saudi Arabia is happy funding Pakistan to keep the flames of 'jehad' alive anywhere , every where in the world!

Khyati Joshi and her Activism

2007-12-26T16:16:00.000-05:00

Khyati Y Joshi is an assistant professor at the School of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey and is on a crusade: To get schools to give equal respect to religions other than Christianity. She has authored a book "New Roots in America's Sacred Ground'. Khyati (whom everyone will conveniently call 'Kathy' ) says: "Whatever illusions we may entertain about the separation of Church and state, religion is in schools. Specifically, Christianity is in our schools as it is in society. My work, both my writing and teaching advocates not that we try to exclude Christianity, which would be impossible, but that all religions should be seen and respected in schools."

She further adds: "Being a scholar in US, I study and write about Christian hegemony and its effects on non-Christians. If we were in India, the same motivation would cause me to study and write about Hindu hegemony". Very true, indeed!

One of her articles "Because I Had a Turban" gives more insight into her point of view.

To know more about her work, visit her website: http://www.khyatijoshi.com

Gujrat Elections: Modi Wins Again

2007-12-23T15:07:00.000-05:00

In the just concluded Gujarat State Assembly Elections- 2007, BJP has emerged victorious bagging 117/182 seats, and the Congress party -led by Sonia Gandhi -has managed to garner 62 seats. Sonia Gandhi has entered the Hall of Infamy by calling Modi as "Maut Ka Saudagar" (Merchant of Death)!

Thus after this resounding victory,Narender Modi will be the CM of Gujarat for third consecutive term. He is the man whom the US government refused a visitor visa 2 years back. Media can ruin you or make you a king. Media has consistently portrayed Modi as a 'bad guy' and 'anti-Muslim' and thus US thought how could we let a 'bad guy' in! Nothing could be more ludicrous! The US did not even do some fact-findings and was swayed by the media reports.

Whatever be the controversial role he played in Gujarat riots, it is clear that Modi is a good administrator. Gujarat has shown development in his regimen and this is what people want.
Here are some interesting comments made after Modi's win:

1. "Sometimes Fascists do win and repeat their wins," said Kapil Sibal, Union Science and Technology minister, after the leads came in. Sibal is a Congress leader.

2. Says Ahmed Hussain, Mohammad's brother, "Allah is with Modi. It is Allah's wish that he wins and rules Gujarat and we have to obey it."
"We know Hindus are in a majority and it is they who will rule this state," he adds. "We only pray that Modi does not repeat the riots of 2002 and create problems for us.

3. Ponting to a dargah near the BJP office, Afzal Kadiwala says, "Modi has never visited the dargah. It is a stone's throw away from the BJP office but he has never bothered to come. He abhors Muslims. He does not want to be seen in our company."
"Many BJP leaders visit Muslim shrines and dargahs all over the country and that includes Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but Modi will never do it. If he does, he will lose his Hindu votes, so he will never come here."

4. He (Aslam Memon) further says, "What Aurangzeb did to Hindus under his rule, Modi is doing the same to Muslims except the fact that we do not pay jaziya (tax levied during Aurangzeb's rule on Hindus)."

This is the mindset we need to change. I am not exonerating Modi of any wrong doings, but then what the political parties in India doing: simply playing majority and minority cards. In a true secular democracy, there is no place for this and India has a well-established tradition of democracy and secularism, only if champions of pseudo-secularism could come to the senses! If Muslims in Gujarat think that they can not come to power because they are in minority, this is unfortunate. who is preventing the minority from joining the mainstream! Educate your kids, let them be a part of the vibrant society, come out of the ghetto-mentality: this applies to each and everyone irrespective of the religious lineage.

Back home, I ( a Hindu by designation) was in a so-called 'majority', but here in USA, I am in a 'minority'! But I have never felt it that way. I do not see recognition or festivity here around Holi, Deepawali and it is a period of festivity around here now because of X-mas and new year, but I have nothing to feel the heat. Because no one has tried to marginalize me, nor do I get special status also (special quota for academic Institutions, reservation based upon my religion!). The rules are equal for every one. It is unlike India, where your religion determines how many wives you can have! India is a democracy and a thriving democracy. What we need back home is uniform civil laws for everyone. It looks so anachronous to have these discriminatory practices like personal laws, reservations in place in a modern India.

Finally, this article by B Raman titled " Why Modi appeals to Hindus" is worth reading! It appeared in Rediff.com

Exporting our Islam!

2007-12-20T19:53:00.000-05:00

Recently I came across an article " Why we must export our Islam" by Nitin Pai. It made an interesting reading.

He writes: "In a secular state such as India, there is little role for the state in matters of faith and religion. But the rise of a radical, intolerant version of Islam around the world is also not in its interests. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran have no self-imposed restrictions on promoting their own Islamic values. It is unlikely that India can counter these exertions of soft power by promoting the virtues of secularism to the Islamic world. But it could promote its own syncretic Islamic tradition to offer an alternative narrative to the world’s Muslims."

Pai adds further: "So, is “Indian Islam” any different? Isn’t the violence of the Partition evidence to the contrary? For that matter, doesn’t the culpability of two upper middle-class Indian Muslims in a British terror plot prove that Indian Islam is not immune from radicalization? Not quite. More Muslims chose to stay on in India notwithstanding the communal bloodbath of Partition. As for the London-Glasgow plotters—the fact that Kafeel and Sabeel Ahmed had to harangue their friends and even the local mosque official in Bangalore suggests they were exceptions."

I have a few comments to offer. Wherever there is a terrorism-related activity or a religion-based conflict in the world , Islam is a party to that. Secondly, why do not we see moderate Islamic voices coming out openly and condemning what ever is being done by a very small fraction of Islamic terrorists. Thirdly, why there is such a drought of democracy in Islamic countries? Not only that, in an increasingly globalization, Islamic countries (mainly Middle East: the fountain of Islam) are still not acting in a reciprocal manner (you can work in Saudi Arabia,for example, but can not have a place of worship if you are not a Moslem, you can not become a citizen there. Who will like to live there in a suffocated environment, is another question though!). Just now the news has filtered in that Mohd Haneef- an Indian physician- who was deported from Australia about 5 months back on the charges of terrorism 9but was cleared later on) has been cleared by an Australian court to return to Australia. Herein lies the contrast: Whereas modern democracies insist for fairness of trail and human rights, Islamic countries continue to be governed and regulated by laws and policies which do not treat all humans in a equal way! The case of a British teacher ( having allowed teddy bear to be named Mohammed) serving the prison in Sudan is fresh in the memory of people world over. The Sudanese Prime Minister refused to intervene!

I am not sure if Indian Islam (Pai feels that ours is a more moderate version) will have a healing effect on the Islam outside, but if we go by the Islamic version shaping up in nearby Pakistan, I have my doubts. Pakistani moslems have the same blood as their Indian counterparts, but why Islamic regimen there seems to be so mediveal! Or the difference in political paths that the two countries have adopted has resulted in different manifestation of the same philosophy? Thus I suspect the softer voice of "Indian Islam" may be lost in the cacophony of more intolerant Islam outside. In my views, Indian Islam seems to be more tolerant because we decided not to mix civilian rights with the cocktail of religious wine (read secularism) whereas Pakistan wants to see everything through the prism of religion (theocracy). Give some more autonomy to "Indian Islam" and you will see flurries of fatwas. Let me remind readers here that I am not satisfied with the kind of secularism we have in India. In a secular state, the personal laws are a blot. In a civilized society, if polygamy is unlawful for one citizen (read Hindu here), it can not be lawful for another citizen (read Muslim).

It is so agonizing to see the sectarian violence within Islam (Shias and Sunnis) and to see the bizarre rules (human rights, civil rights, women rights) which govern the society in Islamic countries in modern times. If as an outsider I could understand something, it is that it needs to be modernized or reformed. And who can take the lead: Islamic religious leaders and moderate voices. No religion is perfect though. When I am writing this piece, I just read the email by my friend, Surender Pal Singh, who added his comments on ongoing debate on Hinduism:

"Hindutva (pro and against) is a big debate, Whatever is humanistic in Hindutva is good and whatever is inhuman, needs be discarded and reformed. I am of firm opinion that instead of adopting self-reformist stance the so called Hindutva streams in India are busy in thrashing minorities. They are raising the boggy of (religious ) 'conversion' but are never bothered to go deeply to understand the root cause of conversion. Why minorities are not raising such issue? Cause is simple - deep rooted stratification of Hindu society, As long as this is there, inhuman stance would keep on prevailing and person like me 'll never be in the position to claim that I am proud to be a Hindu."

I agree with SP and would like to add that Hindu religious leaders should increasingly become aware of the pitfalls of caste system which continues to divide the Hindu and the Indian society at large! The politics of religious conversion is not that simple though! The psyche and nefarious designs of 'converters' must also be taken into account.

KAL Stevia: a Natural Sweetener

2007-12-20T18:11:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of Stevia extract ( manufactured by KAL company) used as a sweetener? Some say that it is better than artificial sweeteners as Stevia is extracted from natural herbs. It is an extremely sweet herb, thus you may have to use a very small quantity ( even less than a gram will be equivalent to a teaspoonful/ 5 grams of sugar). Whereas I was not able to find much about the merits of Stevia as a sweetener some people just love it.

Auction: Bats Signed by Ricky Pontning

2007-12-20T15:09:00.000-05:00

Sahaj Sankalp is an NGO working in Delhi and other cities of India under the able and dynamic leadership of Dr Rajeev Nagpal. He is a UK-trained Pediatrician and has chosen to return home to be among his people and also focus on his social work which is close to his heart.

On January 4, 2008 (11 AM to 4 PM), the NGO is hosting a fund-raising ceremony at Studio Vasant in Vasant Vihar, N Delhi. The events include exhibition of artworks and an auction of the bats duly signed by Ricky Ponting (famous Australian Cricketer and Skipper).
To see what Sahaj Sankalp has achieved in child literacy , do visit the website: http://www.sahajsankalp.org

The venue of the auction is:
Studio Vasant
39, Pashimi Marg, Opp. Vasant Vihar Club
Vasant Vihar, New Delhi.
Phone: 011- 46012292/ 9811142494
www.studiovasant.com

Injustice the Saudi way!!

2007-12-19T11:28:00.000-05:00

The link takes us to a news item on BBC about a woman in Saudi Arabia who was sentenced to 6 months of jail and 200 laces. It is noteworthy that when she appealed, her punishment was doubled by the judges! Her lawyer has also been suspended from the case and faces a disciplinary action, the new further says!
The news provoked a world-wide protest and if I heard the news right, the Saudi King last week condoned the sentence.

So much of the disparity in rights for the men and women!

The Station Agent Movie

2007-12-16T20:56:00.001-05:00

Saw the movie "The Station Agent". The lonely character- who happens to be a dwarf (Hypochondroplasia)- shifts to a remote rail depot in New Jersey after the death of his friend. There he meets 2 individuals -Olivia and Karl- and they become friends. The movie also gives an insight into the psyche of a dwarf person.

Mockery of Democracy with US Support!

2007-11-30T13:19:00.000-05:00

Much water has flown down to river Jhelam in Pakistan over last few weeks. The dictatorial President Musharraf clamped emergency fearing that the Supreme Court will set aside his election as the civil President. The emergency gave him an opportunity to bundle out Supreme court judges and he let judges of his choice roll in. The Supreme Court with new judges convened and declared that he was a constitutionally elected President. That was easy! In the next move, the same individual hangs off his military dress and takes over as the civil President of Pakistan for another term of 5 years. The US President Bush gleefully welcomes this step! Now President Musharraf is busy lifting emergency and declaring that elections are due soon.

This is simply a mockery of democracy! Democracy is not simply about casting votes and electing members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies (Senators and Representatives), it is about about building Institutions!

It is amazing that US is supporting this kind of perverted democracy in Pakistan. The simple rules dictate that military dictator Musharraf first undo the wrongs, meaning thereby to end the emergency rule and let the Pakistan go into elections. Not only that, he must restore the previous judiciary. How can a military ruler become a civil president overnight without getting a popular mandate (remember, opposition had boycotted the electoral process). Also, the elections to be held in January, 2008 are most likely to be rigged under his government machinery.
The US and EU and of course India (acting like a mute spectator does not be hove India as this is a matter of democracy) must pressurize Mush to restore democracy in a 'democratic' way.
PS: 12/12 I happened to listen to a radio-talk on NPR with Ahmed Rashid- a Pakistani journalist- about the current situation in Pakistan. This was a well-rounded talk and worth listening.

Vegetarianism and Balanced Diet

2007-11-18T11:36:00.000-05:00

There are some concerns as to how to obtain a wholesome diet if someone is a vegetarian.
I will consider a few points here.
1. Proteins from animal sources (meat, chicken) have a high biological value (B V). The proteins in cereals and legumes have a lower BV. For those vegetarians,who are not averse to eating eggs, this fact is compensated to some extent. Soybeans has the highest percentage of proteins amongst all cereals and legumes, thus more consumption is indicated.

2. Vitamin B12 comes from animal sources (meat). It is not found in vegetable sources. While milk and milk products do provide B12, for vegans (who consider even milk out because it comes from animals) this source is also out. The answer is fortified foods, like cereals which will give you B12.

3. Fish is considered nutritious because it provides rich amounts of proteins and omega-3 fatty acids. For the vegetarians, walnuts (akhrot) and vegetable oils like canola oils will give you omega -3.

4. One aspect about milk is worth mentioning. Although milk is a considered a wholesome item, it is not a good source of iron.

Conversion Business Booming!

2007-11-16T19:32:00.000-05:00

Why India?

"As Christians, we feel compelled to act...

Until the last generation, India was a forgotten nation on the far side of the world. Today it has leaped into the foreground as one of the most important players in world events.

India will soon surpass China as the world's most populous nation. One of every six people on earth lives in India.
A nuclear standoff makes the border between India and Pakistan one of the most dangerous places in today's world.
Poverty in India's slums and rural villages is among the worst in the world. As Christians, we cannot ignore these needs.
India contains one fourth (412 million) of the 1.6 billion people on earth who never heard the Gospel. "

Astounded! These are not my words, nor did I draft them! These are the 'sermons' from a US based Christian Missionary that is actively pursuing to 'take care' of India! Read this link and see what are the current forces that are trying to change the contours of Bharat that we call India! The tsunamis of Christianities and Islam have already gripped us, but we have not been able to diagnose the malaise! Robert Frost said: "Freedom lies in being bold". The 'converters' are feeling too bold, but 'convertees' need to hear this sage voice!

Subsidy for Carribean Hindus to Visit India

2007-11-11T21:57:00.000-05:00

The Haj subsidy given to Muslims by our secular government of India is a well known fact and despite it being against all the constitutional norms continues. Remember BJP also did not overturn this anomaly when it was at the Center for a full term. Outside India, there is a huge Indian diaspora (Hindus including) living is Carri bean countries (popularly known as West Indies, examples include Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and nearby country Suriname), Fiji and many other nations spread across the globe. These people fondly call Bharat as the land from where their ancestors came. If you are so magnanimous, give them the subsidy to visit the land of their ancestors!

Last week on the evening of Deepawali, we decided that we will visit a Carribean Hindu Temple and thus headed for a local temple in the Queens which we had visited in the past also. We were impressed to see the people there celebrating Deepawali with the same spirit as Hindus in India celebrate. Majority of these Guyanese Hindus have not visited India in their life times, their children probably do not speak Hindi, nor do they understand, but it was impressive to see them clad in traditional Indian dresses and offering their prayers. In New York, I have often come across many Carribeans Hindus and many of them will say that they want to visit India and see Ganga river and visit other pilgrimages. There are tours available from Caribbean countries to India , but what I understand is that the distance and economy and the receding connexions between the Hindus of two countries are the prohibiting factors. It is clear that West Indian Hindus (who are now in there 4th or 5th generation settled there) and Indian Hindus have no active links. This is a matter of concern. Whereas US Indians -though they majority of them may be 2nd generation of settlers- actively seek to maintain their ties with India in form of visits, matrimonial alliances and other cultural activities, such is not the case between West Indian Hindus and Indian Hindus. The two communities in USA also have not been able to forge good alliances, though there are reasons behind it. It is here that Hindu leaders need to step in and seek more active community interactions.

That day while we were discussing dietary preferences, and one of our Indian colleagues said something. An American physician-who happens to be a cardiologist- who was listening the conversation said: "You might be vegetarian since you are from India." She said that she was not a Hindu and hence ate meat. Whereas people in general think that Indians are vastly vegetarian, this concept of 'waiver' from vegetarianism because you are not a Hindu kind of 'impressed' me. Needless to say, I did not jump into the fray there! Anyway vegetarianism is a universal concept that should not be seen through the prism of religion. Having said that, vegetarianism is a fundamental concept to Hinduism. Before starting meals, a typical Hindu will recite the Bhojan -Mantra (Bhojan = Food): Om sahna vavtu, Sahno Bhunaktu.... (the essence being that we pray to the Almighty for peace). The recital of this mantra is not in harmony of sacrificing animals for your food.

Also the growing indulgence in non-vegetarianism, alcoholism and smoking amongst Indians (in India) is of concern. Despite the medical proven benefits of vegetarianism, the West has not been able to adapt to it to the desired extent (it is still difficult to find vegetarian meals with ease and choice in USA, whereas non veg stuff is easily and abundantly available). The variety of meat products and amazing varieties of recipes that we get in the West is sometime mind-boggling for an individual who is looking for a decent vegetarian meal! Back in India are we far behind in this matter, but unfortunately are fast catching up!

Emergency in Pakistan: Concerns for India!

2007-11-03T23:32:00.000-04:00

Pakistan's dictator Parvez Musharraf has imposed Emergency in the country on saturday , November 3, 2007. This move was not totally unexpected, though! The worsening law and order situation in Pakistan could not have gone worse! The history of our neighboring country has been replete with the instances of military regimens and this is another addition to the chapter. USA's ally in the war against terrorism (what a paradox), i.e, Pakistan, is itself in the grips of terrorism (notwithstanding the fact that it has perpetuated terrorism also).The loudest advocate of democracy in the world, that is USA, has so far not given a harsh indictment on this development in Pakistan.

India has no reasons to cheer on this development. India must not only show a great resentment to this move to throttle the democracy in Pakistan, it should exert pressure on the world community to bring Pakistan under pressure to come out of this blind situation (this may not be easy, though). An unstable Pakistan is India's constant sore!

It may not be out of context to mention here that Newsweek magazine had brought a very timely issue on Pakistan's stark realities! The October 29, 2007 issue of Newsweek brings out the cover story on Pakistan with the title: "The Most Dangerous Nation in World is not Iraq. It is Pakistan". And the story moves on! It is ironic that religious fundamentalism culminated into the birth of a new country- Pakistan- and still there is no peace!

Impediment to social progress

2007-09-03T02:05:00.000-04:00

As India continues to march forward, some events -which may not be of a bigger magnitue- continue to bring disrepute to us as a society. This incidence which happened in Haryana is a slur on our modernity and social ethos. A new born baby was snatched away from a couple by the community panchayat (Khap panchayat) on the grounds that the couple belonged to the same 'gotra' or lineage, hence they had no right on this baby! What a perverted logic and what kind of legal sanctity these so-called community panchayats have!
Whereas the caste based system must be loosened to an extent of it becoming irrelevant, these kinds of acts are a sure impediment in the social progress of the society.

Learnt New!

2007-08-15T23:08:00.000-04:00

It seems that it is never too late to learn something new! My son -who is 8 years- knows swimming and I have to accompany him to the swimming pool. What I do there: just "water-sitting"! But no more and you know who taught me swimming: my son. Having perfected his swimming skills at the just-concluded summer camp, this week he persistently cajoled me to try my hands at swimming and gave me a mantra: The very first step towards learning swimming is to learn 'Floating'. He demonstarted it to me a few times too.

Floating - as the term denotes- is to fall freely into water and become still! I tried at this and learned swimming in a matter of 2 days, though I have to go a long way, but I can swim now!!
This adds to our fun because now Subramaniyam will have an active player with him in the swimming pool and not just a "water-sitter". So who is our next target: obviously my wife. I told Bharti that she too can learn it in 2 days (oops, more than 2 days!!). She does not believe that so far.

Attack on Taslima: An act of cowardice!

2007-08-09T23:23:00.000-04:00

The news of attack on Taslima Nasreen- a Bangladeshi woman writer who currently lives in India is a shocking one. In Hyderabad (India), fundamentalist Muslims -led by 3 Muslim MLAs- tried to assault Taslima in a press meet. The MIM party's MLA- Akbarrudin Owaisi- has reportedly said: " We are not bothered about our MLA status. We are Muslims first. And its our responsibility to test those who have said anything against Islam in which ever way possible."

What a shame! Not only these so-called Muslims bring shame to Islam, they are denigrating India also. These acts are contrary to the Indian values. India stands for pluralism, social harmony,religious tolerance and freedom of expression. Religious fundamentalism is already bringing disrepute to us. We want it no more!

The people involved in this shameful act must be brought to the book.

The United Nation

2007-08-05T05:17:00.000-04:00

This week-end I visited the United Nations at New York. The guided tour took us through various chambers, notably Security Council Chamber, Trusteeship Council Chamber and ECOSOC (Economic & Social Council Chamber) and finally General Assembly Hall. In the Security Council Chamber, the guide- who was a young French lady- stressed upon the pivotal role being played by the UN in maintaining international peace and security. My mind reflected upon the role of UN vis-a-vis USA on these issues. Clearly in the era of American hagemony, the value of UN has been systematically eroded as far as international peace and security are concerned. Iraq's case is in point. Today the US is highly conflicted over the issue of Iraq where it finds itself badly trapped. America feels that leaving Iraq at this juncture will result in escalation of the civil- war there. Whereas US dilemma may not be entirely misplaced, it is high time that the UN is more actively involved on this issue. The US army should withdraw in a gradual fashion and UN peacekeeping force should take over. Diplomatic efforts must also be increased by the international community to bring about peace in that country.

Stem Cell Research: Bush vetoes it again

2007-06-20T22:54:00.000-04:00

Toda's news tells us that the US President Bush has once again vetoed the Stem Cell Bill, thereby blocking the new federal funding for stem cell research. This effectively means that scientists will continue to feel handicapped in fully researching the potentials of stem cell. As we know, stem cell research has the potential to cure many seemingly incurable diseases. It can be revolutionary.

By doing so, the Republican President has put his beliefs (conservative) before science, and has tried to mix science with religious beliefs. But the fact remains that science remains in relentless pursuit of truth and thus one can not suppress it. One can try to defer the things in the name of religion (and religion is at best a man-made thing), but how long will you suppress the truth!

Stem cell will one day truimph and give the much-needed succor to the humanity.