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10 Principles of Dharma enunciated in Manu Smriti: "Patience, forgiveness, self-control, non-stealing, cleanliness and purity, restraint over the senses, wisdom, knowledge, truth and calmness (UnitedHinduFront@hotmail.com)

2008-06-25T21:26:12Z

From: UnitedHinduFront@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008

10 Principles of Dharma

Centuries before the revelation of the Ten Commandments to Moses by God as described in the Old Testament, the Vedic Seer Adi-Manu, the first Man created by Brahma to civilize the world, has described the ten "attributes of Dharma." Manu was endued with treat wisdom and devoted to virtue. He became the progenitor of a line and in Manu's race have been born all human beings, who have, therefore, been called Manavas (Mankind through the Sanskrit root). These 'commandments or directives if adhered to ensure lasting peace and happiness in life. People wrongly confuse dharma with ritualistic religion. In fact conscious observance of religious rituals inspires us to imbibe true attributes of dharma and eliminate from our minds, hearts, speech and acts the evil tendencies and practices.

Dharma, when rightly practised gives permanent peace and happiness. It provides right solutions to conflicts and averts crises. Life becomes more and more joy-filled and purposeful.

Prominent Indian seers and practitioners of the Art of Life discovered a sunlit path of righteous living through which life could be lived happily and peacefully. They termed it dharma (path of righteous living) with its ten main attributes or virtues. Any person who practises these ten virtues attains true happiness and also makes others happy. These features are:
dhriti kshama damo"stute yai shaucamindri nigrah
dhividya satyakrodho dashakam dharma lakshanam

Meaning: "Patience, forgiveness, self-control, non-stealing, cleanliness and purity, restraint over the senses, wisdom, knowledge, truth and calmness are the ten attributes of dharma" These are not only the attributes of dharma but also of humanism and are the cornerstones for bringing about world peace.

To consider anyone who practices these ten features as a follower of a particular organised 'religion' would be a narrow-minded attitude. They are not confined to one sect or religion but have a universal import for all humanity. These virtues cannot be brushed side as blind beliefs because they have been tested rationally and practically; they have proved to be eternally operating principles of noble human life. All religions, sects, prophets, saints and mahatmas have stressed the practice of these virtues for well-being of individuals, societies and humanity as a whole. Let us discuss them in some detail.

1. Dhriti (patience): Man cannot live without activity. The development of an individual, the maintenance of a family, social service, etc. is dependent on action. If man had not been active, he would not have progressed. There would have been no buildings, no crop cultivation; no distinct manmade edifice of human civilisation and culture. Whatever we see today has been made possible due to human activity.

Any work undertaken can only be accomplished with patience. Before beginning a work, a patient person thinks about its positive and negative results, and thus chooses the right method to execute it. An impatient person, on the contrary, neither thinks about the consequences of his actions nor of its worthiness. He acts haphazardly, without due planning, and so his actions remain infructuous. For him, it becomes a wasteful exercise.Impatience is a very bad habit. There is lack of seriousness in an impatient person, due to which he is ignored, condemned and sneered at in the society. His mind remains unstable and hence he cannot think methodically on any subject. He also cannot make wide choices. Due to disorganisation, indecisiveness and incapability, he suffers constant failure and becomes miserable. A person who is patient performs all his actions wisely, with full concentration and zeal. He performs his duties without worrying about results. Hence the success or failure of
his efforts does not bother him. Such persons achieve stupendous success and attain peace and happiness in life.
2. Kshama (forgiveness): A person who forgives others their trespasses creates no enemies and adversaries. He thinks about the welfare of everyone in the world and obtains people's support and blessings in his endeavours. He receives love and respect wherever he goes.

Forgiveness is not a sign of cowardice or weakness but a sign and symbol of stable mind, peaceful heart and awakened soul. To forgive someone who has committed a crime, not to harbour ill feelings or feelings of revenge against such a person is beyond the capacity of a weak or fickle-minded person. It is impossible to imagine that a person who has no enemies, who is loved by all, lacks happiness and peace.

3. Dama (control over the mind and desires): It implies reining in of erratic, wayward and unbridled mad rush of chaotic thoughts, desires and unrefined instincts. It is not possible to overcome evil with a toughtless, vengeful approach. Fire can be extinguished by water and hostility can be ended by kind-heartedness. A person possessing the quality of 'dama' remains attuned to the noble urges of his soul and protects it from ignoble thoughts and rogue desires. He thus conserves energy which would otherwise have been wasted in self indulgence; and thus conserves, augments and refines his psycho-somatic energies for performing noble, joy-filled, altruistic acts.

4. Asteya (non-stealing): Here non-stealing also means integrity and honesty. An honest person does not covet what belongs to others. He practices truthfulness in thought, speech and action. Such a person acquires trust of all who come in contact with him. He lives a pious, pure, fearless and happy life.

5. Shauca (cleanliness and purity): The body of a person whose mind and praña are pure remains healthy. Bodily and mental disorders or sinful activities do not invade him. He always maintains an inner and outer purity and cleanliness. He keeps himself free of mental and physical impurities. He performs altruistic acts and attains inner peace.

6. Indriya-nigrah (sense-control): Restraint over senses means the development of three qualities in a person: optimum food intake, judicious use of money and restrained speech. Optimum food intake protects him from diseases, judicious and wise use of money protects from poverty and indebtedness and restrained speech keeps him away from unwanted conflicts and arguments. He thus attains health and happiness. On the contrary a person who is a slave of the senses remains ever dissatisfied, discontented, unhappy and unhealthy.

7. Dhi (wisdom): A wise person is never daunted by the gravity of any difficulty because of his wisdom. Discriminative wisdom makes him ever wakeful and fearless and engages him in righteous deeds. Hence a wise person lives a life of abiding peace and happiness.

8. Vidya (knowledge): Vidya refers not only to school/university education but also to practical knowledge of the laws of life gained through experience. In the absence of practical knowledge a person rarely develops humility and becomes arrogant. He is not respected anywhere; people ignore him as much as they can. All his wealth and possessions become useless due to the lack of right knowledge. If an ignorant person inherits wealth, he would not be able to handle it wisely or use it for noble purposes. He suffers at every step in his life. Even in most adverse conditions, a person endowed with knowledge and wisdom would live in peace.

9. Satya (truth): Truth means absence of falsehood or distortions in all its masks. One who worships truth does not get influenced by the masquerade of any person or object and does not try to imitate anybody or covet any object. He ever remains a seeker of truth nd tries to discover the reality behind every event, person or object. The speech of the seeker of truth is straightforward and his deeds resonate with his innate integrity and honesty. Truth is the essence of life. It is impregnable armour against all evils.

10. Akrodha (non-anger): Akrodha means refusing to be provoked to anger under all circumstances. Conquest of anger means conquest of the world. An angry person does not think about the consequences of his actions and commits unpardonable blunders. Anger stuns the reasoning and discriminative faculties and inexorably pushes a person towards self-destruction.

On the other hand a person who is calm and cool in the face of gravest of provocations meets all that life brings to his door with equanimity and becomes a source of inspiration and strength for others. Thus one who practises the above principles of dharma experiences unalloyed peace and happiness.

If the 10 attributes of Dharma are adhered to properly the result is ahimsa, love and peace in the world.
Dr Raj Pandit Sharma
Executive Representative
Hindu Council UK

Note : Hindu Council UK (HCUK) is the foremost and largest national network of the Hindu temple bodies and cultural organizations co-ordinating all different schools of Hindu theology within the UK. HCUK is the representative umbrella body for the British Hindu issues for which a UK wide mandate was received during a two year consultation with the British Hindu public culminating in its launch in November 1994.

HCUK Admin Office:Boardman House, 64 The Broadway, London E15 1NG. T: 020 8432 0400 W: www.hinducounciluk.org F:
020 8432 0393

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Bush calls for offshore drilling (http://news.bbc.co.uk/)

2008-06-19T02:52:04Z

Date: - 19.6.08

Mr Bush asks Congress to lift the ban

President George W Bush has called on Congress to end a 27-year ban on drilling for oil in US coastal waters, to reduce dependence on imports.

Mr Bush said existing restrictions on offshore drilling were "outdated and counter-productive".

His move comes as US consumers are calling for action to tackle high oil prices that have pushed prices at the pump to more than $4 (£2) a gallon.

US energy needs are set to be a key issue in November's presidential poll.

This is the culmination of the failed Bush-Cheney energy policy of the last eight years

Kassie Siegel
Climate programme director at the Center for Biological Diversity

Republican John McCain favours offshore oil drilling, whereas his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, opposes it.

In a news conference at the White House, Mr Bush told Congress there was "no excuse for delay" in lifting the ban.

"Families across the country are looking to Washington for a response," he said.

Environmentalists have reacted with alarm to Mr Bush's call, arguing that off-shore drilling would take at least a decade to have any effect on oil supply and would exacerbate climate change.

US dependence

Since 1981, a congressional moratorium has prohibited oil and gas drilling along the east and west coasts and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, an area accounting for some 80% of the US's Outer Continental Shelf.

OFFSHORE OIL

Estimated reserves:
18bn barrels of recoverable oil
77 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
US annual energy usage:
7.6bn barrels of oil
21 trillion cubic feet of gas
Source: US interior department

Mr Bush's father, George Bush, imposed a moratorium on coastal oil exploration in 1990.

Since then offshore drilling and exploration have only been allowed in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico regions plus parts of Alaska.

The federal bans were enacted in part to protect tourism and lessen the chance of oil spills washing on to beaches.

The Democrats, and some Republicans who represent coastal states, oppose ending the moratorium.

"We are in this situation because of our dependence on traditional petroleum-based oil," said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican.

He advocated "new technologies and new fuel choices for consumers" instead.

Mr Bush, who has repeatedly pushed for an end to the ban, has accused Democrats of using their control of Congress to undermine attempts to boost domestic oil production.

The president also renewed his call on Wednesday for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to be opened up to drilling.

'Failed policy'

"It's cynical to say that we can drill our way out of this mess," Athan Manuel, director of lands protection for the Sierra Club, told Reuters news agency.

Activists fear for Arctic wildlife

"The solution to $4 gas is not off our coast."

Kassie Siegel, climate programme director at the California-based Center for Biological Diversity, condemned the Bush offshore initiative.

"This is the culmination of the failed Bush-Cheney energy policy of the last eight years," she told the BBC News website.

"It would do absolutely nothing for petrol prices because it would take at least a decade to produce any oil and even if the oil did flow, there would be the greenhouse gases from the additional fossil fuel development."
She points out that the US government recently calculated there was a 33-51% chance of a major spill in the lifetime of an offshore oil and gas lease in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska.

Such a spill, defined as a release of 1,000 barrels or more from a platform or pipeline, could affect bowhead whales, polar bears and other wildlife.

However, the government's environmental impact statement concluded that "an area affected by such a spill relative to the size of the Chukchi Sea decreases the likelihood that the resources would be widely contacted by the spill".

'Political posturing'

Senator McCain, the Republicans' presumptive presidential candidate, is opposed to opening up Alaska and had previously backed the moratorium on drilling in coastal waters.

John McCain's drilling U-turn suggests he grasps... that this election will be won or lost on the price of a gallon of gas

But speaking in Houston on Tuesday, Mr McCain called for the ban to be lifted to help counter US dependence on foreign oil.

"We must take control over our own energy future and become once again the master of our fate," he said.

Mr McCain said the US had enormous energy reserves and was acquiring methods of using them in clean and responsible ways.

Senator Obama dismissed Mr McCain's call as "political posturing".

"His decision to completely change his position and tell a group of Houston oil executives exactly what they wanted to hear today was the same Washington politics that has prevented us from achieving energy independence for decades," Mr Obama said.

He called for conservation and the search for alternative green energy supplies.

Analysts say drilling for offshore oil and developing alternatives will both prove slow to reduce US dependence on imported oil.

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May on Khan, _Gunpowder and Firearms_ (H-NET BOOK REVIEW)

2006-12-15T12:32:08Z

From: Bhaskar Dasgupta <bdasgupta@gmail.com Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2006

Might be of interest to any history buff's on this list.

==============

H-NET BOOK REVIEW

Published by H-War@h-net.msu.edu (August, 2006)

Iqtidar Alam Khan. _Gunpowder and Firearms: Warfare in Medieval India_.Aligarh Historians Society Series. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2004. xiv + 263 pp. Illustrations, appendices, notes, bibliography, index. $39.95 (cloth), ISBN 0-19-566526-0.

Reviewed for H-War by Timothy May, Department of History, North Georgia College and State University.

Guns, Influence, and Power

There is no question that the advent of gunpowder weapons permanently changed the course of warfare, but exactly how this happened varies from region to region. Often in the public's mind, the impact of firearms is relegated to Europe and its origins in China; somehow everything in between is overlooked. Thus, Iqtidar Alam Khan's volume, _Gunpowder and Firearms: Warfare in Medieval India_ will hopefully begin to fill that void.

Khan's work is important for two reasons. First, it traces the origins and influence of gunpowder weapons in India as a regional history rather than as an ancillary to a larger work. The author critically examines when firearms appeared in India, and then what other influences--whether local or foreign--played in the development of the weapons. Moreover, he discusses their impact, not only on the medieval state, but on society as a whole. Second, Khan's work serves as a model for other regional studies on firearms as well as the distribution of other forms of technology or goods.

Chapter 1 of _Gunpowder and Firearms_ discusses the diffusion of firearms into the subcontinent by focusing on the role of the Mongols as agents of transmission. Although the author notes that the Chinese had been using gunpowder weapons before the Mongols arrived on the scene, it is not until the end of the thirteenth century that firearms of any sort, particularly rockets, appear in the Sultanate of Delhi or in regional literary references. While he places the greatest emphasis on the Mongols as the agents of technological transmission, Khan does not rule out other sources such as a Himalayan or sea route. Regardless of their origin, knowledge and use of these weapons quickly spread.

Chapters 2 through 4 focus on the use of artillery from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century. Although cannons became somewhat common throughout India, the Mughals used them the most effectively, thus giving rise to one of the popularly called Gunpowder Empires (along with the Ottomans and Safavids). Yet, these three chapters emphasize one key point. As in late medieval Europe, the expense of cannons meant that few among the nobility besides the ruler possessed the resources to purchase them. Fortress walls gave little shelter against cannons and the nobility quickly learned to acquiesce to the authority of the ruler.

Although similar situations appeared among some of the regional Indian states, the rise of the Mughals brings this phenomenon into better focus. Chapter 3 continues to deal with centralization of power, but in the context of the arrival of not only the Mughals, but also the Portuguese with their European metallurgical and artillery advances. From the Portuguese, the Mughals and others learned how to make cannons from wrought iron, thus reducing the cost of the weapon, while at the same time improving it. The Mughals, who learned from Ottoman advisors, quickly grasped the importance of light artillery as it became less expensive and more easily manufactured. While magnificent in siege warfare, the lack of maneuverability of heavy cannon left it virtually useless on the battlefield.

Chapter 4 discusses the dominance of the Mughals. By the time of Akbar, heavy mortars and cannons were rarely used in the Mughal military. Light cannons that could be used on the battlefield were the mainstay of the Mughal artillery corps, including the _shaturnal_, similar to swivel guns, but carried on the backs of camels and even in the _howdahs_ of elephants. As this chapter ties into the arrival of the British East India Company, Khan continues to discuss technological developments, or the lack thereof.

In addition to artillery, handheld firearms also became ubiquitous throughout the Mughal Empire. Chapter 5 examines the nature and development of handguns in the Mughal Empire. In addition to local factors, Khan includes a good discussion of Western influences, which in this instance includes the Ottoman Empire. Western influences included new technologies in firearms manufacture. However, not all of these became widespread. As a result, stagnation occurred particularly in terms of standard weapons. The preferred weapon became the matchlock, even after other technologies surpassed it. Why the matchlock remained the weapon of choice ties into

chapter 6, which discusses the role of the matchlock musket in the centralization of Mughal authority.

Mughals also used musketeers to maintain their authority. Babur began his career with a scant musket bearing force of just over a hundred men, but by the time of Akbar, over 35,000 musketeers existed in the Mughal military. One reason for this was that, despite the cost of their weapon, the musketeers were actually less expensive than garrisoning cavalry forces. The expense of feeding the man and his horse grossly exceeded that of a musketeer. Thus, a small but trained force of musket wielding troops allowed the Mughals to assert their authority in even the most remote provinces. This was also possible as, for several decades, the nobility were forbidden

to recruit their own forces of musketeers. At the same time, this mass force of troops with firearms undermined the Mughals. As the matchlock became ubiquitous, its cost dropped, but it also was deemed very reliable by those using it. Thus, even when other technologies came into the region, like flintlock muskets, the Mughals failed to adopt them due to economic reasons as well as the matchlock's popularity.

While firearms aided the process of centralization, it also played a role in undermining the Mughal's authority. Because of the affordability of matchlocks and the relative simplicity in gaining expertise with them, one did not have to train for years to be a warrior. Ultimately this let to the diffusion of firearms into the general populace and resistance to central authority. Beginning in the late-sixteenth century, not only political rebels, but even peasants opposed to tax collection acquired firearms. As domestic tensions grew, the widespread use and manufacture of matchlock muskets played a role in the breakdown of central authority, and the Mughals, despite several innovative attempts, failed to halt the eventual Balkanization of their empire. Khan's work is impressive and is the result of twenty years of research that ranged over four hundred years of history. Utilizing Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, and English primary sources and supplemented by a wide array of secondary works, Iqtidar Khan has produced an excellent work. The four appendices are useful supplements dealing with the use of firearms by the Mongols, the analysis of terminology in a couple primary sources, and the origins of the Purbias, who were gunners for a few Indian states in the 1500s. The volume also contains almost thirty illustrations of firearms and their use. These dramatically illustrate Khan's points as well as show the reader the variances between the weapons.

Yet, the book is not without faults. While _Gunpowder and Firearms_ is an insightful and well-argued work, the author exaggerates the Mongols' use of gunpowder. While it is true that the Mongols never met a weapon they did not find a use for, there is no concrete evidence that the Mongols used gunpowder weapons on a regular basis outside of China. Indeed, the author recognizes this and notes that his claims are based on Persian terms which could be interpreted as firearms. Unfortunately, while many of these terms such as _manjaniq_ are used to refer to cannons, during the medieval period _manjaniq_ meant a _mangonel_. It is plausible that in later periods, the Mongols did make more extensive use of gunpowder weapons, but in period of the conquests (1206-60), there is inadequate evidence to support Khan's assertion.

One other minor criticism is the exclusion of Kenneth Chase's _Firearms: A Global History to 1700_ (2003). I suspect that, given their publication dates, Chase's and Khan's books crossed paths. Although Chase takes a global perspective, the authors reach similar conclusions. Nonetheless, _Gunpowder and Firearms_ will appeal not only to historians of India, but also anyone interested in the development of weapons and military systems or the creation of states. In summary, not only is Iqtidar Alam Khan's work an impressive study on the diffusion of firearms in India, it will also serve as a model for others pursuing similar research on the spread of technology or goods on a regional basis.

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Tunisia Muslims Must Carry Magnetic ID Cards To Enter Mosques For Prayers

2005-10-11T17:58:44Z

From: Pushpa Rajguru <pushparajguru@yahoo.com Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005

What a anti-Muslim thing to do! And Amnesty & HRW folks are mum about it? Were some sort of checks introduced in India to keep track of the ISI operatives and the rat Dawood's flock, there would be a hue & cry by the likes of Shabana, the saja crop, etc.

One wonders how come Chacha & Blair had not thought of such a brilliant idea!

PR

Tunisia Muslims Must Carry Magnetic ID Cards To Enter Mosques For Prayers Aug 22, 2005 Source: Saut Alhaq; Translated by JUS (http://www.jihadunspun.com)

When JUS received this news report, we didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The absurdity of making Muslims bear ID cards to enter a mosque for prayers is beyond comprehension. Who was it that said this war is not against Islam?

The government of Tunisia has become a pioneer in innovative approaches to security. They have recently unveiled their latest invention to enhance security (of the apostate government, of course). Such an invention did not seem to have crossed the minds of the most powerful and resourceful security apparatuses in America, U.K., Russia, or even the Mossad. According to Al-Hadi Mehanna, Tunisia's new interior minister, any one wish to pray in a Mosque will have to apply and obtain a personal magnetic card. The minister continued by saying: This is part of the national policy adopted by the man who is leading the way of "changes for the better" (he means the president) - and this is done to regulate praying in Mosques, preventing rowdiness, and eliminating chaos.

Here are the steps that must be followed by all parties involved:

1. Various local ministry offices will process applications and issue a picture magnetic card to each applicant. The card will identify the applicant, which Mosque is he to use for prayers (the nearest to his house). If the nearest Mosque happens not to be one of the Mosques designated for Friday prayers, the individual must submit a separate application for a second card to be used for Friday prayers.

2. The Imam of each and every Mosque must verify that each person inside the Mosque is in possession of a valid card authorizing him to perform his prayers in that Mosque. Any person fails to produce a valid magnetic card or caught attempting to pray in Mosque that is different from his assigned Mosque must be expelled by the Imam.

3. The new ID card is personal and cannot be used by or assigned to any person other than the person the card was issued to.

4. Should the owner of a card decide he no longer wishes to pray he must surrender his card to the nearest police station.

5. All visitors to Tunisia who anticipate performing prayers in the country should obtain their magnetic cards at the border. Tourist magnetic cards are valid for all Mosques across the country.

6. All Mosques will be fitted with magnetic card reader machines to record attendance. Each praying person must check in and out each time he attends his designated Mosque.

7. Records of attendance must be collected by the Imam of each Mosque and handed over to the local authority once each month.

It is worth mentioning that a Jew can travel to Tunisia and visit any place of worship any time without any ID card. Foreign Tourists can also visit Mosques any time not only without a card but without a specific dress code either.

"Unto Allah we are and unto Him we return"

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Characteristics of the Four Ages

2005-10-11T17:55:49Z

From: Ajeet K Mall <ajeetmall@gmail.com Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005

SB 12.3.26: The material modes — goodness, passion and ignorance — whose permutations are observed within a person's mind, are set into motion by the power of time.

SB 12.3.27: When the mind, intelligence and senses are solidly fixed in the mode of goodness, that time should be understood as Satya-yuga, the age of truth. People then take pleasure in knowledge and austerity.

SB 12.3.28: When the conditioned souls are devoted to their duties but have ulterior motives and seek personal prestige, you should understand such a situation to be the age of Treta, in which the functions of passion are prominent.

SB 12.3.29: When greed, dissatisfaction, false pride, hypocrisy and envy become prominent, along with attraction for selfish activities, such a time is the age of Dvapara, dominated by the mixed modes of passion and ignorance.

SB 12.3.30: When there is a predominance of cheating, lying, sloth, sleepiness, violence, depression, lamentation, bewilderment, fear and poverty, that age is Kali, the age of the mode of ignorance.

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ESHI appeals for California 2005 History and Social science textbook adoption and Indian heritage

2005-10-03T16:14:23Z

From: Srinivasan Kalyanaraman <kalyan97@gmail.com Date: Thu, 29 Sep 2005

*Sent:* Wednesday, September 28, 2005 11:57 PM

*Subject:* US School Text Books' negative portrayal of India and her
heritage

Dear Friend,

Sub: ESHI appeals for California 2005 History and Social Science textbook
adoption and Indian heritage

*Are you aware or concerned, as we are, that there is considerable
misinformation and misleading information included in many of the textbooks
that are used in the study of India and its heritage?* This information,
much of which is not accepted by scholars, has a very negative impact on all
students, and particularly on those of Indian & Hindu heritage. As young
children are the future of America, it is utmost important that the
instructional material they use is thoroughly reviewed for accuracy.

On many occasions we have found that the image of India and Indian heritage
is shown in very poor light, perhaps due to lack of right/proper information
available to the curriculum consultants, textbook writers and the textbook
reviewers.

We also know that by working pro-actively with the school board official the
situation can be changed. We have seen the positive results during the
process of the textbook review of the school boards of Fairfax County,
Maryland.

The review and adoption process for history and social science textbooks is
underway in California. The state of California has great influence over the
text books selected by other states. ESHI has reviewed the relevant
textbooks and strongly recommends against using these for grade level 6. *You
can make a difference by participating in the process*. *If you are a
resident of California, it is all the more important that you
participate. *ESHI
is working with California Board of Education, providing information on the
textbooks up for adoption.

*Please join hands and let your voice be heard for the correct portrayal of
India, her culture and history in the US school system. Please take the
first step now and support this effort by becoming a member of ESHI.* Basic
membership is *free* but you can always *donate* to support our efforts.*.
Visit us at www.eshiusa.org <http://www.eshiusa.org/. *

With warm regards,

Sincerely,

Mayank Shekhar

General Secretary

Educators' Society for the Heritage of India (ESHI) info@eshiusa.org

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From IndiaForum - Redrawing India'sGeostrategic Maps with China and the United States

2005-10-03T16:04:03Z

From: Bipin <bp16@ukonline.co.uk Thu, 29 Sep 2005

x-posted from another group.
bp
==
Redrawing India's Geostrategic Maps with China and the United States
by Lora Saalman
September 22, 2005

[This comprehensive survey of India's growing military strength and geostrategic relationships involving China, the United States and Russia reveals the interplay between economic and military-nuclear power in a region that is doubly volatile, as the scene of recent nuclear breakthroughs, and rapid changes in military and economy might. Noting the predominantly military character of the U.S.-Indian relationship, and the predominantly economic and resource-driven character of the unfolding China-Indian relationship, Lora Saalman raises important issues of regional development in an era of military insecurity. Japan Focus.]

India has been revising its strategic maps with China and the United States, both literally and figuratively. During early spring of 2005, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao handed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a map reformatted to reflect the long-contested region of Sikkim as part of India. By summer, the United States handed India defense, nuclear, and space technology proposals, promising to transform more than just physical territory. Articles in India-based Bharat Rakshak Monitor attribute the warming of Sino-Indian ties as a means to counter the U.S. presence in Asia. China's Party organ People's Daily (Renmin Ribao) asserts that strengthened Indo-U.S. relations are targeted at containing China's rise. In both analyses, China and the United States are portrayed as focusing their strategic concerns squarely upon each other, while India maneuvers to secure political, economic and military benefits.

Yet, there remains a crucial and often missed difference between the Chinese and the U.S. approaches toward engaging India. China's current inducements for India primarily focus on economic integration and energy development. By contrast, the U.S. has made dual-use technology transfer the centerpiece of its engagement strategy. At India's level of technological sophistication, however, U.S. dual-use nuclear, space, and military cooperation promises to enhance India's political weight and military footprint in ways that are more likely to conflict with long-term U.S. strategic goals than with those of China. Rather than encircling China as the People's Daily foresees, the United States may instead be containing its own long-term interests.

China and the United States Engage India

On April 1, 2005, China and India took a symbolic step toward strategic cooperation as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued the India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. This joint statement lauded the "global and strategic character" of Sino-Indian relations. It offered economic incentives for expanded cooperation, with the objective of nearly doubling bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2008. The two parties also announced the formation of a China-India Steering Committee on Scientific and Technical Cooperation in education, science, healthcare, tourism, cultural exchange, and agriculture. India and China provisionally resolved the long standing dispute over Sikkim and agreed to cooperate in developing foreign petroleum and natural gas resources.

Only a few months later, on June 28th, India's Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to sign the New Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationship. This agreement set forth detailed measures involving joint military exercises, defense and technology trade, missile defense, and exchanges on defense strategy, and intelligence. On July 18th India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.S. President George W. Bush issued a joint statement, further expanding the scope of the existing India-U.S. Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) and High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). The United States committed to signing a Science and Technology Framework Agreement, building closer ties in space exploration, satellite navigation and launch, facilitating a U.S.-India Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation, removing Indian organizations from the Department of Commerce's Entity List, seeking adjustment of U.S. laws for full civil nuclear cooperation and trade with India, including reactor fuel supplies, and support for India's participation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and in the Generation IV International Forum. These proposals are under debate in the U.S. Congress and will require amendment of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 1978, as well as the acquiescence of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) before full cooperation begins. This time lag offers an opportunity to reflect on the impact of dual-use cooperation on India, China, and ultimately the United States.

U.S. Assistance, Indian Indigenization, and the Impact on China

In spite of emphasizing self-reliance in the wake of sanctions following its 1998 atomic tests, India is not new to foreign assistance. Nor is India a novice in creating linkages between its civilian nuclear and space advances and its nuclear weapon and missile programs. India's initial nuclear test in 1974 utilized plutonium from its Canadian and ostensibly civilian Cirus nuclear reactor, while its 1989 launch of the first Agni ballistic missile comprised technology gained from the U.S. Scout satellite launcher. Similarly, the dual-use technology mentioned under the Indo-U.S. defense framework and joint statement may assist India in its ongoing pursuit of advances in nuclear weapons technology, longer range ballistic missiles, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Indigenization and Nuclear Assistance

The most significant shift in U.S. policy brought on by the July 18th U.S.-Indian joint statement relates to dual-use nuclear cooperation. India has already managed to parlay decades of Russian, U.S., German, and French assistance into what is now a robust indigenous civilian and military nuclear program. While nuclear power only occupies an estimated 3.3 to 5 percent of India's energy production, India is actively pursuing nuclear power development with important civilian as well as military implications. In October 2004, India launched the commercial phase of its 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam. Four more such fast reactors have been announced for construction by 2020. During April 2005, the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) also commissioned an Integral Test Loop (ITL) to simulate the main heat transport system and safety system of the thorium-based Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).

For uranium-poor and thorium-rich India, the development of thorium-fed fast breeder reactors makes it even less susceptible to the vagaries of international fuel supply and sanctioning. Fast breeder reactors produce more than they consume, offering India a steady and renewable future supply of weapons grade fuel. AHWRs in particular burn thorium/U-233 oxide producing spent fuel that can be reprocessed. India's PFBR at Kalpakkam and its Kamini 40 MWt Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) both breed U-233. While less of a proliferation risk due to its high radioactivity, U-233 has fissile properties comparable to U-235 used for nuclear weapons production. India's recent technical developments suggest that it has made significant strides towards mastering, indigenizing, and expanding the scope of its nuclear fuel cycle.

However, not all components of India's nuclear program are moving forward. David Albright, executive director of the Institute of Science and International Security (ISIS), and Henry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, have pointed to India's less than proven track record in successfully operating its fast breeder reactors and reprocessing plants. This is where U.S. technological assistance to India's civilian nuclear program can offer a degree of streamlining for both India's civilian and, by extension, military nuclear programs. Fusion technology, whether garnered through the ITER project or under the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue, could help overcome some of India's civilian and military technological gaps. India's alleged failed detonation of a thermonuclear weapon during its multiple 1998 tests is just one such lacuna. Fusion technology not only has applications in thermonuclear weapons, but also could assist in nuclear warhead miniaturization to extend missile launch range and payload capacity. This will enable India to produce a higher nuclear yield and to successfully mount its nuclear weapons on missiles to fly greater distances.

Beyond hypothetical assistance and rhetoric, as of August 30, 2005, the United States has already removed Tarapur (TAPS 1 and 2), Rajasthan (RAPS 1 and 2), and Kudankulam (1 and 2) from the U.S. Entity List, mitigating export licensing requirements. For these particular reactors, assistance will be monitored under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. However, for other reactors and facilities demarcating the dividing line between civilian and military use will be a tedious, and many Indian and U.S. analysts suggest impossible, process. Although management of the AHWR unveiled in August 2005 has been ostensibly transferred to the civilian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), the unit has the ability to produce U-233 that can be reprocessed for nuclear weapons. Furthermore, it was designed by BARC, a known contributor to India's nuclear weapons program. Due to the overlap between India's civilian and military programs, there remains the potential for diversion of technology, equipment, and potentially even materials to nuclear weapons programs.

Nuclear Impact on China

Whether U.S.-assisted or indigenous, India's nuclear advances carry strategic weight for Sino-Indian relations. Both countries espouse a nuclear doctrine based on minimum deterrence. Yet, India continues to engage in fissile material production to augment its stockpile. The 2005 edition of the book Deadly Arsenals has already expanded its Indian weapons estimates to 75-110 nuclear devices. ISIS further provides an indication of India's capabilities for future nuclear arsenal expansion, estimating in August 2005 that India possesses a total of between 13.9 and 14.9 metric tons of civilian and military highly enriched uranium (HEU) and plutonium (Pu).

In comparison, China has stopped fissile material production, but is believed to have a sufficient stockpile, estimated at 31.1 civilian and military metric tons of HEU and Pu to double or triple its current arsenal of approximately 400 nuclear weapons. Despite the current differential, there is nothing in the U.S.-India joint statement that suggests India will be constrained in its current fissile material build-up. Any future commitments to a contentious Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty aside, India has repeatedly stated that it will continue to build up its plutonium stockpile until it reaches a level that provides a strategic comfort zone vis-Ã -vis China and Pakistan. If India continues to expand its fissile material stockpile and receives U.S. technological and material transfers, China's willingness and incentive to maintain a freeze on its own fissile material production may erode. This could lead to intensified efforts by China to assist Pakistan's weapons programs, to expand its own arsenal, or both.

In the meantime, China's current nuclear capabilities, stockpile, and arsenal gives it the edge over India. If India maintains its stance of minimum deterrence, it is unlikely to attempt to surpass China's nuclear strength. Instead, U.S. nuclear assistance to India has a greater potential for proliferation ricochet to other countries. Among suppliers, Britain quickly followed the U.S.-India joint statement in July by announcing its decision to modify its own sanctions against India in August. Russia voiced its own approval in September with its sights set on legitimizing its nuclear trade with India and, by extension, Iran. After winning a deal to supply India with 6 submarines and 43 Airbus planes, France also acknowledged and pledged to work within the NSG for "full international cooperation with India in the civilian nuclear field." Pakistan also staked its own claim in September with its ambassador to the United States, a former Army chief, stating that the U.S. deal with India "should leave the door open for other countries that meet the same criteria." As Iran, North Korea, and countless others witness acceptance of and the benefits accrued by a country that has rejected the NPT and tested nuclear weapons, voluntary nuclear freezes on incipient nuclear weapons programs or fissile material production may vanish for more parties than just China.

Indigenization and Ballistic Missile Assistance

Dual-use space technology cooperation under the India-U.S. joint statement will also help India upgrade systems with military potential that were originally established using U.S. and Russian transfers as a base. As early as December 2001, the U.S. National Intelligence Council (NIC) issued a report that India could convert its Polar Space Launch Vehicle (PSLV) into an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) within a year or two. In May 2003, India launched its second Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), hoisting a 1,800 kg payload, the "heaviest payload ever launched from Indian soil."

India has demonstrated the technical ability in its space program to domestically manufacture cryogenic engines, develop solid-propelled missiles for more rapid deployment, deliver significant payloads, and create staged missiles for longer-range ballistic missile launches. These advances do not make future U.S. assistance obsolete, rather they indicate a much faster rate of absorption, reverse engineering, and improvements if such technology is transferred. U.S. supercomputer technology, which can be used in nuclear weapon and missile design, is just one of the types of transfers that promises to assist India's burgeoning supercomputer industry.

Under Phase I of the NSSP, by the end of 2004, the United States has already agreed to provide India's Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics with a Cray XD1 supercomputer, equipped with 96 computer processors capable of over 422 billion calculations per second. In April 2005, India's Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) also announced a partnership with U.S. company Hewlett Packard to implement High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions at its Computational Mathematics Laboratory (CML). In any number of technologies relating to space and nuclear programs, the United States can offer India technology relating to computer simulations, as well as missile launch, staging, guidance, and range.

Beyond hypothetical developments and rhetoric, in September 2004, the United States removed India's Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) from the Department of Commerce Entity List. By August 2005, the United States also removed several key ISRO subsidiaries, including ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), and Space Applications Center (SAC). ISRO as the parent organization is responsible for the gamut of India's space launch vehicles that possess the same technology as applied in ballistic missile launch, guidance, and tracking. The three ISRO subsidiaries focus on satellite technology, such as high-resolution commercial imaging that can be used in missile targeting accuracy and digital inertial navigation systems that can be used in Post Boost Vehicles (PBVs) to enhance ballistic missile accuracy on reentry. U.S. fusion technology may also be applied to super-conductive magnets employed in strategic military developments in outer space and ballistic missile defense. U.S. technology will contribute to a space program that has tremendous military potential not only in missile development, but also in the weaponization of space.

Ballistic Missile Impact on China

India is highly motivated to expand its missile program, not only to counter threats from its neighbors but also to strengthen its regional competitiveness and boost its scientific and international prestige. China poses a distant strategic threat to India, while Pakistan's barrage of tactical and strategic missile improvements keeps India occupied in an immediate contest. Pakistan's test of its nuclear-capable Babur cruise missile less than a month after India announced mass production of the Brahmos cruise missile is a recent example. Predictably, an Indian Defense Ministry official stated that the Babur looks like a repainted Chinese missile. Prasun K. Sengupta has further alleged in the magazine New Delhi Force that China's state-owned China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CPMIEC) transferred this technology to Pakistan's state-owned National Development Complex (NDC). Bilateral Indo-Pakistani competition, which India continues to view as fueled by China, has led the two countries to advance their ballistic missile ranges well beyond each others borders.

One significant measure of India's missile program is its ability to target Chinese cities. In April 1999, India first test-fired its Agni-II, whose range of more than 2,000 km enables it to reach China's ancient capital of Xi'an. With a test launch of the 3,000-3,500 km-range Agni-III anticipated by the end of 2005, India is rapidly approaching the range necessary to reach Beijing with a nuclear payload.

Despite delays and concerns over the speed of its missile development, such as postponement of a test in 2003, India appears ready to make the next leap towards an Agni-III on the basis of indigenous resources. Despite warnings on Indian PSLV capabilities, the ICBM dubbed Surya remains a source of speculation at this stage. U.S. assistance to India's space program, especially in guidance and staging, could play a critical role in enabling it to achieve the next level of accuracy and range, and in acquiring ICBM capabilities that would effectively start to bring not only China but also the U.S. and its allies into range.

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile Indigenization and Assistance

U.S.-Indian cooperation in the transfer of conventional military hardware and dual-use technology also promises a boost to India's military modernization. The Soviet Union traditionally dominated this trade, providing India with Foxtrot Class submarines in 1968 and a Charlie Class nuclear powered submarine in 1988. Russia continued this trend throughout the 1990s and by April 2004, concluded a lease agreement to supply India two Akula-II class nuclear submarines. Yet there have been increasing reports of Russian submarine mishaps and the quality of Russian naval vessels sold to India has been less than optimal, with the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov requiring significant retrofitting. While still central, the Russian Navy is rapidly becoming an outmoded supplier for India's naval modernization.

Currently, India has a total of approximately 15 submarines, 10 of them diesel-powered, known as the EKM or Sindhu class. Among the missile systems, India has sought to launch the short-range Sagarika or Prithvi-III from a submarine base. Indian analysts boast that the system will offer India a second strike capability against Pakistan while serving as a long-range nuclear deterrent. These analyses suggest an expansion of missile range to 2,500 kilometers. A modest 300 km test in October 2004 suggests, however, that the Sagarika has a long way to go before developing into a long-range strategic nuclear deterrent. Since its inception in 1992, the Sagarika missile program, like India's submarine program, has suffered numerous delays.

India's Sagarika and submarine programs could benefit from U.S. conventional military equipment transfers and space-related technology transfers, invigorating India's pursuit of the final leg of its nuclear triad. However, aside from anticipated naval drills and potential transfer of the outdated USS Trenton, there is little current indication of U.S. support for India's naval programs. In naval terms not much has changed from the Cold War. Although a joint naval exercise is scheduled for late September 2005, U.S. naval sales continue to show a greater inclination toward Pakistan, which is destined, according to a September 2005 media report, to receive two U.S. frigate warships and eight P-3C Orion Patrol aircraft. India remains dependent on Russian assistance as with the Akula-II. The relative lack of U.S. focus on India's naval development may demonstrate that China is not the only country leery of India's ability to dominate the Indian Ocean.

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile Impact on China

Of all the potential theaters for conflict, the Indian Ocean is the most likely locus of Chinese, Indian and U.S. contention. India's Ministry of Defense report of 2003-2004 pinpointed Chinese development of a blue water navy, enhanced ties with India's neighbors, and growing presence in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean as emerging challenges. Access to sea lanes will grow in importance as competition grows for oil and military and trade routes. Deployment of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), especially an intermediate range one, would assist India in gaining depth, flexibility, and second-strike capability in its targeting of Pakistani and Chinese territory. An SLBM could also play a tactical role if short in range and conventional in payload. Yet, India's nuclear submarine and Sagarika program, which both began in the early 1990s, have been slow in meeting the advancing demands of regional development and security. The Sagarika has yet to prove itself as a strategic deterrent with the range to strike within China's borders.

Like India, China has been struggling with building its own submarine fleet with reports of fire, leakage, and accidents. China's submarine force currently consists of four Kilo attack submarines from Russia, an indigenous diesel Song attack submarine, five Han nuclear attack submarines, and one nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine known as the Xia. The U.S. Department of Defense in its Annual Report on the Military Power of the People's Republic of China suggests that China's next-generation nuclear submarine programs are likely to receive a "significant amount" of Russian assistance. By contrast, India will have access to not only Russian technology and equipment but also U.S., European, and Middle Eastern sources. The delayed but much-anticipated arrival of the Scorpene submarine from France is just one example. Even if the European Arms Embargo on China were to be lifted, China would continue to face U.S.-initiated obstacles to suppliers.

Despite increased naval competition, India and China are not necessarily on a collision course for resources and access to shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. Chinese and Indian companies are already partners in Sudan's Greater Nile Oil Project. They also plan to cooperate in a joint $4 billion oil pipeline project with Iran following establishment in April 2005 of a Joint Working Group for joint projects in oil exploration and notification. India and China are also actively cooperating in regional energy transport links. India's petroleum minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar, following India's recent loss of a bid to China for Kazakhstan's third-largest oil producer PetroKazakhstan Inc. stressed the "need for China and India to adopt a collaborative approach in bidding." China also has the incentive to cooperate with India to avoid a "Malacca Dilemma," through which India or another country blocks China's access to oil imports from the Middle East and Africa. Indeed, India and China are expected to sign memorandums of understanding in November 2005 focusing on oil exploration and development in the Caspian Sea region, Central Asia, Africa and Latin America on behalf of India's Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) and the Indian Oil Corporation and China's Sinopec, China National Petroleum Corporation, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The agreements not only promise to solidify their economic and resource cooperation but indicate the expanded geographic reach of both nations.

Sino-Indian Realities Versus Perceptions

United States conventional military cooperation, combined with missile assistance in the guise of space technology, has the potential to strengthen India's quest for parity with China. In the near-term, however, China is likely to dominate militarily. This assessment is based on qualitative improvements and a defense expenditure that is twice to four times that of India's, depending on whether Chinese or U.S. estimates are used. Despite U.S. efforts to hinder its military growth, China remains engaged in extensive military modernization, with a declared military budget of $29.9 billion for 2004. China has announced increases in military spending nearly every year for more than a decade, with U.S. estimates for China's modernization even higher. These advances, in line with China's rapid economic growth, highlight the difficulties that India will face should it seek to "catch-up" to China.

Depending on which Chinese defense figure is used for comparison, India's own growth in military spending, while a strong 27 percent increase reaching approximately $17.6 billion for the period from 2004 to 2005, is at best a little over half that of China. However, there is one area in which India is rapidly gaining speed: procurement. According to an August 2005 U.S. Congressional Research Service report, India ranked first in the world in the value of arms transfer agreements from all countries by $500 million between 1997 and 2004. In 2004 alone, India ranked first in this area among all developing nations weapons purchasers, with $5.7 billion in such agreements. The U.S. is the world leader in arms sales to developing nations with deliveries estimated at $9.7 billion in 2004. Even if India does not buy U.S. wares, it enjoys the long-term negotiation and planning leverage that China lacks. India's nuclear and missile program quest for indigenization has been supplemented by pursuit of supplier diversification.

In spite of incitements to react, the Chinese government response to the U.S.-Indian joint statement and defense agreement of 2005 has been relatively muted. China has focused more on threats posed by the United States than those created by a well-armed or technologically-advanced India. In fact, Chinese popular and official media portray India as a developing nation that has been duped by the United States. The People's Daily cloaks its views behind unnamed "analysts" (fenxizhe) to say that the U.S.-Indian defense framework and joint statement have expanded U.S. efforts to encircle and contain China. It also lambastes U.S. hypocritical assistance to India, in light of U.S. tandem efforts to convince Iran and North Korea to abandon their nuclear programs and to pressure Europe to maintain its arms embargo against China.

China adds India to a long list of countries or territories, including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan, that have been incorporated into expansive U.S. strategic, military and economic frameworks directed toward containing China. China's own policies of establishing regional cooperative groups like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and its growing cooperative relationships with ASEAN and Indian Ocean nations may be understood in part as efforts to create patterns of regional solidarity to forestall this perceived U.S. encirclement. India's observer status in the SCO combined with its attendance at August 2005 Sino-Russian military exercises, euphemistically dubbed "Peace Mission 2005," are indicative of Chinese efforts at inclusive diplomacy, keeping its partners close and potential adversaries even closer: economically, politically, and increasingly militarily.

In 2003, China and India engaged in unprecedented naval exercises as a major step toward military confidence building measures at a time when they were beginning to undertake joint energy programs. Articles on future Indian participation with China and Russia in SCO military exercises also fuel speculation of counterbalancing U.S. hegemony. There is abundant evidence that China seeks to strengthen its economic, political, cultural, and even military ties with India to pre-empt U.S. incorporation of yet another state at its borders. Yet, India and China also share concerns ranging from energy development to trade in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere, suggesting that the United States is significant but not the only driving force in their desire to cultivate cooperation over competition.

India has made a major strategic shift in its perceptions of China, from the time when officials such as former Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and former Defense Minister George Fernandes cited China as the primary impetus behind India's nuclear tests and Agni missile program. Recognizing the potentially adverse effects on Sino-Indian economic and political relations, Indian authors and politicians alike have been extremely careful to emphasize that cooperation with the United States does not target China. India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has repeatedly stated variations of the following: "We see new horizons in our relations with China. What we have done with the United States is not at the cost of China or any other country."

At the same time, Indian authors are cautious not to exaggerate the warming trend in Sino-Indian relations. While Chinese articles tend to discount the threat posed by India, for Indian strategic analysts China remains a source of concern for perceived designs on regional hegemony. The 1962 India-China conflict still looms in the writings of many Indian analysts. The litany of Indian articles on China's contributions to Pakistan's Babur missile illustrates ongoing perceptions of China using a regional proxy to threaten India. India maintains a complex combination of emulation and distrust when it comes to China. Emulation for China's rate of growth and ability as a developing country to place itself on the geopolitical map. Distrust over China's growing economic and military strength, and expansive diplomacy, focused on discussion of its "real intentions". In addition to the anticipated technological benefits gained from cooperating with the United States, India seeks a counterweight even as it pursues cooperative relations with China.

China also serves as an asset for India in its efforts to cultivate stronger relations and inducements from the United States. U.S. relations with Pakistan and historical assistance to its military programs during the Cold War mark Indian perceptions of questionable U.S. loyalties and unreliability. Even with the economic and technological gains contained in the joint statement with the United States, numerous Indian articles lament that India's defense and arms relationship with the United States is tantamount to selling off the Indian Ocean, relinquishing its nuclear autonomy, and constraining its future fissile material production. India prides itself on preserving its position as an independent actor and continues to be acutely sensitive to discrimination or power politics.

Continued Indian efforts to promote multilateralism with China and Russia, while courting the United States, suggests Indian wariness not only toward China but also toward the U.S.

Conclusion

For both China and the United States, cooperation with India is emblematic of India's growing political, economic and military strength. Among the many goals of issuing a joint statement with India, the United States may have designs on bolstering India vis-Ã -vis China. If this is the case, however, the effect may prove to be the reverse. China has been pushed to accelerate and expand its own incentives, in part, to avoid United States entrenchment in another country on its borders. Similarly, the United States is compelled by China's actions to stifle any move toward a Sino-Indian alliance or Sino-Indian-Russian triangle. In the midst of this array of partnerships, India has been able to diversify its political partners, just as it has diversified its suppliers of technology.

China is but one factor in U.S. technological and military engagement with India. Also present is the realization that many of India's nuclear and missile developments are already indigenous and increasingly beyond U.S. control and sanctions. Concurrently, while a technological innovator, India has also become one of the largest recipients of foreign arms agreements and transfers. The United States is faced with a choice of participating as a supplier or running interference as Russia, Israel, France and other countries attempt to benefit from India's procurement frenzy. Profit motive may be guiding the United States as much if not more than the strategic considerations involving China and regional hegemony.

Regardless of motive, the United States is systematically removing licensing requirements on many firms that contributed to India's nuclear weapons and missile programs. Lifting of these sanctions combined with the joint statement on dual-use technology can only strengthen efforts by other countries defying U.S. and international nonproliferation norms. U.S. dual-use technology is also likely to contribute to assisting India in realizing advanced fusion technology for its nuclear weapons and advances in targeting and staging for its missiles, placing the United States and its allies in nuclear-capable ballistic missile range. Even U.S. anticipation of garnering enhanced Indian support for its agenda abroad is diminished by India's long-standing cooperation with Chinese and Russian multilateral initiatives.

China and the United States have long engaged India's adversaries, while demonstrating reluctance to form strategic partnerships with India. Despite similar early trajectories and lingering ties to Pakistan for both countries, current Chinese and U.S. cooperation with India is distinctly different. China has worked to reduce tension with India by establishing a relationship based on stronger cooperation in the realms of trade, cultural exchange, and energy exploration. Politically and economically, the United States has also created inducements for closer Sino-Indian cooperation. Yet, by making dual-use transfers in nuclear and space technology the core of the United States' other economic, political and strategic inducements to India, the long-term strategic price may be greater than the dollars or short-term political leverage earned. The technology and military hardware provided by the United States promises to expand India's political, strategic and military footprint even beyond China. U.S. interference further strengthens China's incentives to cooperate with India. Rather than pitting India against China, the United States may be setting up India to instead serve as a future strategic counterweight to U.S. interests in Asia and abroad.

Notes
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"Advanced Nuclear Power Reactors," Nuclear Issues Briefing Paper 16, May 2005, available at http://www.uic.com.au/nip16.htm, accessed on September 7, 2005.

"A 'Proliferation-Proof' Reactor?" NUKEM Market Report 1997, NUKEM Nuclear Technologies, available at http://www.nukem.com/, accessed on September 7, 2005.

David Albright and Kimberly Kramer, "Separated Civil Plutonium Inventories: Current Status and Future Directions," Institute of Science and International Security, June 10, 2005, Revised July 8, 2005.; Henry Sokolski, "The India Syndrome -- U.S. Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy Melts Down," The Weekly Standard, August 1, 2005, pp. 15, 16.

Andre Gsponer and Jean-Pierre Hurni, "ITER: The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and the Nuclear Weapons Proliferation Implications of Thermonuclear-Fusion Energy Systems," Independent Scientific Research Institute, Switzerland, August 10, 2005.; Sridhar K. Chari, "India on Way to Joining the Fusion Club," The Tribune, August 24, 2005, available at http://www.tribuneindia.com, accessed on August 26, 2005.

"India May Test Again Because H-Bomb Failed, U.S. Believes," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 39, No. 48, November 26, 1998, pp. 1, 9, 10.

"Removal of License Requirements for Exports and Reexports to India of Items Controlled Unilaterally for Nuclear Nonproliferation Reasons and Removal of Certain Indian Entities from the Entity List," Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 167, August 30, 2005, available at http://www.bxa.gov, accessed on August 30, 2005.

"BARC Commissions Integral Test Loop Facility for AHWR: Banerjee," The Press Trust of India, April 12, 2005, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 31, 2005.

Aziz Haniffa, "Deadly Arsenals: India, Pakistan Can Have 110 Nuclear Bombs," India Abroad, Vol. 35, No. 47, pp. A1, A7.; Joseph Cirincione, Jon B. Wolfsthal, and Miriam Rajkumar, Deadly Arsenals -- Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Threats, Second Edition, Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, July 2005.

"Table 2 Plutonium and HEU Holdings by Country, end 2003, in Tonnes," Global Stocks of Nuclear Explosive Materials: Summary Tables and Charts," Institute for Science and International Security, July 22, 2005, Revised August 22, 2005.

Ibid.

"Global nuclear stockpiles, 1945-2002," The Atomic Scientists Bulletin, available at http://www.thebulletin.org, accessed on September 5, 2005.

"Britain to ease nuclear sanctions against India," Press Trust of India via India Info, August 11, 2005, available at http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/08/11/1108u...ia-nuclear.html, accessed on September 7, 2005.

Abbas Razza Khan, "Russia endorses nuclear pact between US and India," Press Trust of India, September 16, 2005, available at http://www.india-defence.com, accessed on September 16, 2005.

"France Backs India's Nuclear Energy Plans After Winning Sub, Airbus Deal," Yahoo News, September 12, 2005, available at http://news.yahoo.com, accessed on September 13, 2005.

Foster Klug, "Pakistan Wants Civilian Nuclear Deal," The Associated Press via The Washington Post, September 8, 2005, available at http://www.washingtonpost.com, accessed on September 8, 2005.

"Foreign Missile Developments and the Ballistic Missile Threat Through 2015," National Intelligence Estimate, National Intelligence Council, December 2001, available at http://www.cia.gov/nic/PDF_GIF_otherprod/m...ethreat2001.pdf, accessed on August 11, 2005.

K. S. Jayaraman, "GSLV Launch Helps Move India Closer To Self-Reliance in Space," Space News, available at http://209.73.219.100/spacenews/archive03/...rch_052003.html , accessed on August 25, 2005.

After delivery of Norwegian Norsk Data ND 100 and ND 500 type computers between 1983 and 1984 and arrival of a U.S. Cray XMP-14 supercomputer in 1987, by September 2002 the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) developed the ANUPAM-PIV 64-node supercomputer with a speed of 43 giga flops. In 2003, India's Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) went one giant step further by developing the PARAM Padma which has a speed of one teraflop, a trillion floating point operations per second. "Norsk Data Computers Used in Indian Nuclear Program," Oslo, Dagbladet, May 4, 1990, FBIS JPRS-TND-90-011, accessed on September 7, 2005.; "India's BARC develops fastest supercomputer in the country," Asia Pulse, September 16, 2002, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 31, 2005.; Sharad Purohit, R.K. Arora, S.P. Dixit, N. Mohan Ram, P.K. Sinha, V.C.V. Rao, "PARAM Padma -- A Teraflops Computing System And High Performance Computing in India," Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, 2003, available at http://www.cdac.in/html/ctsf/padma/spurohit.asp, accessed on September 5, 2005.

Indrani Bagchi, "India hopes to get sanctions revoked," Times of India, October 11, 2004, available at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/880726.cms , accessed on September 11, 2005.; "Foreign Secretary: India Wants 'More Symmetrical Relationship' With US," Mumbai, The Times of India, October 11, 2004, FBIS SAP20041011000006, accessed on August 30, 2005.

"TIFR announces tie-up with HP," in "India: Pune-Base Supercomputer Param 1000 Announces Tie-Up With Hewlett Packard," Chennai, Business Line, April 20, 2005, FBIS SAP20050421000073, accessed on August 30, 2005.

"Announcement on U.S.-India Next Steps in Strategic Partnership," Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, September 2004, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/News/2004/US-IndiaNextStep.htm, accessed on February 16, 2005.

"Removal of License Requirements for Exports and Reexports to India of Items Controlled Unilaterally for Nuclear Nonproliferation Reasons and Removal of Certain Indian Entities from the Entity List," Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 167, August 30, 2005, available at http://www.bxa.gov, accessed on August 30, 2005.

Indian Air Force Chief Marshal, Srinivaspuram Krishnaswamy stated as early as October 2003 that India has begun "conceptualizing" space weapons command systems and operational command. In November 2003 and again in December 2004, India made a potentially significant step in this direction by signing onto Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), a space platform that could be used for improving the accuracy of its missile systems and expansion into other weapons systems. "IAF Working on Weapon Platforms in Space," The Hindu, October 7, 2003, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 24, 2005.; "India Working on Space Weapons: IAF Chief," The Press Trust of India, available at http://www.rediff.com, accessed on August 29, 2005.; "Memorandum of Understanding Between the Russian Aviation and Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organization on Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes," The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of India, November 11-13, 2003, available at http://www.india.mid.ru/summits/01_07.html, accessed on August 31, 2005.; "India and Russia to Revive Glonass," Flight International, December 14, 2004, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 30, 2005.

Vivek Raghuvanshi, "Pakistan's Missile Tests Jolts India," Defense News, August 22, 2005, p. 50.

Ranjit Kumar, "China Gave 'Babar' to Pakistan," in "India: US Military Expert Says Pakistani 'Babar' Missile Imported from China," New Delhi Navbharat Times, FBIS SAP20050823000021, August 23, 2005, August 26, 2005.

Prasun K. Sengupta, "Babur's Flight," in "India: Report Notes China's Involvement in Pakistan's Hatf VII Cruise Missile," New Delhi Force, FBIS, September 9, 2005, SAP20050909000103, accessed on September 10, 2005.

G. Parthasarathy, "Cruise Missiles in Neighborhood -- A Result of Sino-Pak Growing Nexus," Bharat Rakshak, August 29, 2005, available at http://www.bharat-rakshak, accessed on August 30, 2005.

"Proliferation: Threat and Response," Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, available at http://www.dod.gov, accessed on August 28, 2005, p. 24.; Amitabh Mattoo, "Indian Agni-II Missile Said Aimed at China," Calcutta The Telegraph, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 25, 2005.

Rahul Bedi, "New Delhi Reveals Latest Schedule for Missile Tests," Jane's Defense Weekly, November 12, 2003, p. 4

"Indian Defence News," New Delhi, Chanakya Aerospace and Maritime Review, Vol. 31, No. 5, May 1, 2005, FBIS SAP20050623000018, accessed on August 15, 2005.; "Proliferation: Threat and Response," Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, available at http://www.dod.gov, accessed on August 28, 2005, p. 24.

Press reports as early as 1999 suggest an imminent test of India's ICBM. "India to Test New Long-Range Ballistic Missile: Official," AFX News Limited, November 7, 1999, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 25, 2005.; "India: Ballistic Missiles Under Development," BBC Monitoring South Asia, May 18, 1999, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 25, 2005.

Mark Gorwitz, "The Indian Strategic Nuclear Submarine Project -- An Open Literature Analysis," December 1996, available at http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/sub/ssn/ , accessed on August 29, 2005.

"Indian Military Bolstered by Foreign Purchases, Cooperation," JINSA Online, April 23, 2004, available at http://www.jinsa.org, accessed on September 7, 2005.

"No Gorshkov, but Accords Look to the Future," Times of India via Bharat-Rakshak, February 9, 2002, available at http://www.bharat-rakshak.com, accessed on September 7, 2005.

"Bellona To Seek Intl Action Over Sunken Russian Sub," Moscow Interfax, FBIS CEP20050830950045, August 30, 2005.

Vivek Raghuvanshi, "Salvaging the Sagarika: India Seeks Russian, Israeli Help in Missile Development," Asia and Pacific Rim, Defense News, February 21, 2005, p. 14.

T. S. Subramanian, "Prithvi-III Test Fired for First Time," The Hindu, October 28, 2004, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 11, 2005.

Rahul Roy-Chaudry, "India-Defense: India Developing Sea-Based Missile System," IPS-Inter Press Service, September 29, 1994, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 25, 2005.; "N-Submarine Project Yet to Take Off," The Hindu, October 28, 1998, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 31, 2005.

"New Army 'Doctrine' Ready for Release," India, The Statesman, October 24, 2004, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 11, 2005.

"Navy: Busy Year of War Games Ahead," in "Indian Navy to Join War Games with US, Russia, France," New Delhi, The Asian Age, July 5, 2005, FBIS, SAP20050715000020, accessed on September 7, 2005.; Shashank Sinha, "Indian Navy Interested in USS Trenton," in "Indian Defense Think Tank Says 'USS Trenton' May Be 'Great Asset' for Navy," New Delhi, India Defense Consultants, August 15, 2005, FBIS SAP20050815000054, accessed on September 7, 2005.

"Talks with India Remained Warm for Six Months, Now There is Chilliness: Chief of Naval Staff," in "Pakistan Gets 8 P-3C Orion Aircraft, Two Frigates from US; CNS Lauds US Help," Rawalpindi, Nawa-e Waqt, September 1, 2005, FBIS SAP20050902000048, accessed on September 7, 2005.

China is not the only concern of Indian strategists charting developments in the Indian Ocean. The U.S. driven Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), under which illicit transfers are interdicted during shipment, has also come under scrutiny. A number of Indian critics have expressed concern that the United States is manipulating their partnership to gain "back door entry" into the Indian Ocean for the PSI, which many deem as already on shaky legal ground given Part VII of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. India's own reluctance to fall in line with the United States has been made particularly evident with the omission of PSI from the Indo-U.S. joint statement and India's refusal to join August 2005 U.S.-organized multinational PSI naval exercises in Southeast Asia. Seema Mustafa, "India Surrenders Ocean to US," in "India Said to Surrender Ocean to US in Defense Pact," New Delhi, The Asian Age, FBIS SAP20050706000017, July 2, 2005.; Ranjit Kumar, "India Did Not Join the PSI Military Exercise," in India Stays Away from Joint Naval Exercise to Monitor Illegal Arms Transport," New Delhi, Navbharat Times, August 17, 2005, FBIS SAP20050817000023, accessed on September 7, 2005.

"Annual Report -- 2003-2004," Ministry of Defence, Government of India, available at http://mod.nic.in/reports/MOD-English2004.pdf , accessed on August 15, 2005.

"The Military Power of the People's Republic of China," A Report to Congress Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2005, Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, 2005, pp. 23, 24, 33.

Ibid.

Rajat Pandit, "Wait For Scorpene May Soon Be Over," The Times of India, March 16, 2005, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 11, 2005.

"China, India Seek Cooperation in Global Oil Quest," Embassy of the People's Republic of China in India, April 4, 2005, available at http://www.chinaembassy.org, accessed on August 15, 2005.

"India, China to Set Up Joint Group to Forge Oil Cooperation Deals," New Delhi, The Press Trust of India, August 9, 2005, FBIS SAP20050809000099, accessed on August 10, 2005.

Penny Macrae, "AFP: India Says China Oil Cooperation at Early Stage," Hong Kong Agence France Presse, August 26, 2005, FBIS JPP20050826000017, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 26, 2005.; "China Beats India to Acquire PetroKazakhstan," New Delhi, The Press Trust of India, August 22, 2005, FBIS SAP20050822000064, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 26, 2005.

"The Military Power of the People's Republic of China," A Report to Congress Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2005, Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, 2005, p. 33.

"India says China oil cooperation at early stage, will still compete," Agence France Presse, August 26, 2005, available at http://www.yahoo.com, accessed on August 31, 2005.

"The Military Power of the People's Republic of China," A Report to Congress Pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act Fiscal Year 2005, Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, 2005, pp. 21, 22.

Ibid.

"Defense Expenditure, 2004-2005," Ministry of Defense, Government of India, available at http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/body.htm#as6, accessed on September 8, 2005.

Richard F. Grimmett, "Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, 1997-2004," Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, August 29, 2005, available at http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/52179.pdf, accessed on September 9, 2005.

Ibid.

Ibid.

"Mei Dui Yin Kaiqi He Da Men -- Yu Lianhe Yindu Ezhi Zhongguo Fazhan," (The United States Opens the Nuclear Door to India -- In a Desire to Contain China's Growth), People's Daily, July 20, 2005, available at http://www.people.com.cn, accessed on August 14, 2005.

"Mei Yin He Hezuo Shi Yi Zhao Xianqi Hai Shi Yiji Miaozhao?" (Is Nuclear Cooperation between the United States and India a Dangerous or Clever Chess Move?), CCTV.com, July 21, 2005, available at http://bbs.cctv.com.cn, accessed on August 14, 2005.; "Mei Dui Yin Kaiqi He Da Men -- Yu Lianhe Yindu Ezhi Zhongguo Fazhan," (The United States Opens the Nuclear Door to India -- In a Desire to Contain China's Growth), People's Daily, July 20, 2005, available at http://www.people.com.cn, accessed on August 14, 2005.

"Indian Defence Officials Watch China-Russia Military Exercises," New Delhi, The Press Trust of India, FBIS SAP20050823000109, August 23, 2005, available at http://www.lexis.com, accessed on August 26, 2005.

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Quality vs Quantity

2005-10-03T16:01:46Z

From: Kalavai Venkat <history_judge@yahoo.com Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005

Dear Harish, GS and Neelakantan,

<<<Harish: Is that why Bhindranwale was declared a Sant, on most
sikh sites he is addressed as Sant Bhindrenwale, 99% of sikh sites
spew hatred on Hindus, infact Sikhs hate Hindus more than any other
group (atleast this is true for western Sikhs), they spew so much
hatred that a Hindu
I know even setup a site known as sikh myths to expose their
propaganda.

Websites are not a fair indication of public mood. All Khalistani
sites are funded by ISI. But the fact is that after brief flirtation
with separatism, Sikh hostility towards Hindu ended and importantly,
it was possible to kill the terrorists. Most Khalistanis anyway
migrated to the West. This is not to say that there is no distinct
Sikh identity. There is. But there are also numerous things common
to Sikhs and Hindus.

<<<Harish: In Zafarnama Guru Govind was saying how the hill rajas
were idolators and that he
was an idol breaker.

Dayananda Sarasvati expressed similar attitude. Many Sufis and
heterodox Bhakti movements were borrowed this aversion for idol
worship from Islam [Prof. David Cook jokingly said that it is hard
to tell whether most heterodox Bhakti schools were fifth column or
not] and ignorantly attacked orthodoxy. Sikhism was also not exempt
from such influences.

<<<Harish: Agreed but then caste Hindus would also oppose marriage
with a Hindu (genuine Hindu) born into a Chuhra or Chumar family but
have no hesitation in marrying other caste Sikhs, how is this
justified?

Please list the historic cases when Chamar stood by Hindus the way
Jats did and we could discuss further. Culturally, there is nothing
separating caste Hindus from caste Sikhs. Preference for bride and
groom from one's own jati is natural. Most Hindus are brainwashed
into `hum sab ek hai' or `hum sab ek jaise hai' mentality. In
reality, jatis preserved pluralism and hence there is nothing wrong
in preferring matrimony within one's own jati or with compatible
jatis.

It is very common among `Dalitists' to seek an upper caste bride to
better their status when they become successful in life. I would be
discussing this too in my paper next week. They actually break off
from their jatis and hold their jati women in contempt. They never
marry women from jatis below their own status. It would appear as
if `love' seeks to marry up! These are clear signs of low self-
esteem. Others should not sacrifice their daughters for this menace
and instead should raise their children fully aware of this.

<<<Harish: Khalistan movement was mainly a Jat Sikh thing so Jat
Sikhs also massacred many Hindus,

Yes, they did. But you are not going to measure the Sikh
contribution by that temporary deviation alone, are you?

<<<GS: And when you were 21, how could you make a living

Your parents support you.

<<<Neelakantan: I find that your worldview is rather rigid -
somewhat like George W. Bush's. For example, "Hormones don't wait.
Girls go astray. If I see a 25 year old woman still singe then the
parents have failed."

In that case, you are either with me or against me! I am not a big
admirer of middle path. Amen! :-)

<<<Apart from that, you are perhaps presenting a idealized,
sanitized view of arranged marriages (call it HAM or anything) and
then claim it is the best. The ground reality is different. In the
traditional arranged marriage, the boy and the girl were not even
involved in the decision. Over the last one hundred years, this has
changed.

This merely proves my point: HAM was never ossified. But how do we
know that a hundred years ago girls had no say whatsoever? Do we
merely believe missionary tracts? Did girls in other contemporary
societies have better say than Hindu girls? Is it reasonable to
evaluate a society from another period using today's obsessions as
standards? Quite often, the modern women are far more exploited than
women in the past were. But the Westernized Hindu mind is ready to
self-flagellate itself using Western stereotypes as standard.

It was never my argument that there are no problems in arranged
marriage. My point is that extended family, adherence to traditions,
unselfish devotion to children and emphasis on values and ethics
form the core of Hindu traditions of which HAM is a product. If
families try to conform to these ideals, which actually make life
very harmonious, and which is an enjoyable process, the resultant
HAM is highly successful beyond anything any other form of marriage
could offer. I think the problem is that many of you are not trying
to comprehend my POV [or I am not communicating well] and often try
to lump every failed, selfish `sab chalta hai' marriages as HAM.

<<<Still, there is a lot of strain on the girl's family, so much so,
the birth of a girl child causes considerable gloom in many circles.
The problems of dowry, etc. may have a non-Hindu origin, but exist
very much in the Hindu community. I don't see how you can brush them
aside.

I have not brushed aside dowry problem. I merely pointed out that
dowry is not the creation of HAM. This is evident from the fact that
dowry is exchanged even in courtship marriages. Why do we blame
every social malaise on Hindu traditions? Prejudice against the girl
child is a serious issue. But one must remember that traditional
folks would be shocked even if one were to suggest that they abort
the child. This practice is directly related to decline in
traditional ethics.

<<<Similar thing can be said about caste prejudices and oppressions
that we see today. That the caste system worked in the distant past
is no reason to ignore the present.

I would rather let you read my detailed paper on this next week. In
short, caste system worked then, it works now, and it could work in
the future. If missionaries attack VHP then I know that VHP does
something very effective. If missionaries attack caste then I know
it is an impediment to their proselytizing efforts. Jati/Varna is
something Hindus must be proud of. Please read my paper when it goes
public and provide your feedback. I would be happy to be corrected
on any point.

Thanks.

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Selections from Hindu Scriptures - Rig Veda Samhita (By G.C. Asnani) (Contd)

2005-09-30T08:02:18Z

12. Hymn to Fire

I invoke for you the fire-divine, who is the ancient ministrant priest of men. I praise him with this hymn, and glorify him for you. (8.23.7)

It is he, who is marvellous in his working, whom they animate with solemn ceremonies. He is kind as a friend to those men, who preserve the sanctity of the eternal laws. (8.23.8)

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KGB tip of the iceberg

2005-09-30T07:58:13Z

From: N. S. Rajaram Date: 28.09.05

In the October 2 issue of ORGANISER

Politics Plus
Demystifying Mitrokhin
By N.S. Rajaram

To those familiar with the history of the KGB, the latest revelations in the just released book The Mitrokhin Archive II alleging payments to Congress and CPI politicians during the Indira Gandhi era will come as no surprise. This is only the latest in a series of revelations going back to 1991—the year in which the Soviet Union collapsed and the KGB archives became open. Actually, much more damaging information has been around, but the Indian media has failed to sufficiently highlight it.

To a skeptical person, the 'revelations' smack of a controlled leak meant to protect more important interests. The amounts and the people involved—a few million roubles given to a few minor league politicians like Lalit Narayan Mishra—are of no great consequence or even relevance today.

All this pales into insignificance when we look at what was already known. In her book The State Within A State- The KGB and Its Hold on Russia, Dr Yevgenia Albats, a Russian scholar at Harvard revealed that Soviet trading companies were making payments to a firm controlled by Rajiv Gandhi as far back as 1982.

(The memo on page 223 of the book cited by the author dates to 1982 when Indira Gandhi was still Prime Minister. So the 'Premier's son R. Gandhi' in the KGB memo can refer only to Rajiv Gandhi and not to his son Rahul as has been mistakenly identified.)

Another indicator is Sonia Gandhi's four-day visit to Moscow at Putin's invitation beginning June 13. This happened to coincide with the five-day Paris Air Show that also began on the same day.

Who is this Dr. Albats by the way? She is a noted Russian scholar at Harvard and a member of the KGB Commission set up by President Boris Yeltsin in August 1991. So she cannot be dismissed as a disgruntled non-entity as the Congress and CPI have tried to dismiss the now dead Mitorkhin.

As if this were not serious enough, the Swiss newsmagazine Schweizer Illustrierte gave more details. Again citing newly opened KGB archives, it reported in November 1991 that Sonia Gandhi was controlling a secret account worth 2.5 billion Swiss francs (about two billion dollars) in her minor son's name. This was a few months after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination by LTTE militants. The Dynasty is sitting on this largesse.

None of this is new. What Mitrokhin's Archive reveals is little more than payments of relatively small amounts to some unimportant politicians. Some experts are suggesting that the release of the book is part of a strategy to put pressure on more important and influential leaders in the Indian political establishment—a warning signal.

What could be the motive? To understand it, we need to recognise that with the ending of the Cold War, the area of conflict has shifted from geopolitics to economics, more particularly to arms trade.

Cold War to cold cash

Once we recognise this basic reality, two facts stand out: India is awash in hard currency (dollars) and the Russians are desperately short of it. The Russians have only two things that they can export—oil and military hardware. In today's market they can sell oil anywhere. It is different with arms sale. Russians seem to be faring badly in the world arms market. It may soon get worse.

On June 18, 2005, Sergei Malinin reported in Pravda (English edition) that under American urging, India might stop buying Russian military aircraft and air defence systems altogether and opt for American equipment. India has typically gone for Russian and French fighters, but now Americans have offered highly favorable terms with F16 and F18 fighters including their manufacture in India.

Such a deal is being offered for the first time to a country that is neither a NATO member nor has any American troops deployed on its soil. The fear is that it might only be the beginning. The US deal, as seen from Russia, is only the first step in gradually forcing out Russian, Ukrainian, and Chinese arms suppliers out of the region by offering India its state-of-the-art weapons at a reasonable price, as well as their manufacture.

Russia can ill-afford losing the Indian market, for its export is limited to the Asia-Pacific region. As Pravda also noted: "Russia's defence industry heavily depends on export deals. …should Russia leave the traditional markets of the Asian Pacific region (high profitability and capacity being the main features of the region's markets), the scale of the Russian defence industry will shrink significantly. Besides, the move would signify a final devaluation of Russia's foreign influence in the region."

If Russia loses its largest customer, several of its defence industries will face bankruptcy leading to massive unemployment. In the circumstances, it is only to be expected that the Russians will do everything possible to ensure they get a large share of the lucrative Indian market. While their products may not be the best in the world, their intelligence network in India, going back to the KGB days is unequalled, including its lavish generosity towards the Dynasty going back to Indira Gandhi.

India has typically gone with Russian and French fighters, but now Americans have offered highly favorable terms with F16 and F18 fighters including their manufacture in India.

In the circumstances, it will not be surprising if they try to use their hard earned influence to swing defence deals in their favour. There are a few indicators. When the UPA government controlled by Sonia Gandhi assumed office, Vladimir Putin, a former KGB official himself, appointed Vyacheslav Trubnikov as the Russian Ambassador in Delhi. It turns out that Trubnikov is a KGB veteran, with extensive Indian experience in Kolkatta and Delhi.

Another indicator is Sonia Gandhi's four-day visit to Moscow at Putin's invitation beginning June 13. This happened to coincide with the five-day Paris Air Show that also began on the same day. Was this a coincidence? It was reported that India was the most sought after customer at the Air Show, courted by the Americans, the French, the Swedes and the Russians.

Here is a poser: Why did Sonia Gandhi cancel her trip to the US, which she had accepted at the invitation of former president Bill Clinton for a conference of international leaders? Even the Indian Embassy in Washington had put in a request to the White House for a personal meeting with President Bush. Canceling a Washington trip so soon after a high profile visit to Russia was at least a major diplomatic gaffe.

We have not seen the last of the KGB revelations. There are far too many loose ends. But India should be wary of arms dealers trying to dump inferior equipment using political influence. National security should have the highest priority.

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The Wall street journal Al Qaeda Digs in Deeply in Pakistan

2005-09-30T07:54:50Z

From: Ram Narayan Date: 28.09.05

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE

Al Qaeda Digs in Deeply in Pakistan

Attacks in Waziristan Belie
Government Claims Network
Of Bin Laden Is Shattered

By ZAHID HUSSAIN
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
September 27, 2005

KUNDIGAR, Pakistan -- Despite official claims to the contrary, experts say Pakistani security forces have been unable to establish control over the lawless mountain redoubt used by al Qaeda fugitives along the border with Afghanistan, nearly two years since launching a bloody offensive against the terrorists and their local tribal supporters.

Local residents say Islamic militants have reorganized and tightened their grip on many parts of the troubled Waziristan province. This contrasts with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s recent claims to have cleared the region of terrorists.

The situation is dimming hopes that the U.S. and its allies are any nearer to capturing Osama bin Laden in Waziristan, the region where many security experts believe he and his chief lieutenants are hiding.

In recent weeks, militant attacks on military installations in Waziristan have become more frequent and deadly. Local residents interviewed in Waziristan, in which Kundigar is located, say the guerrillas have become bolder and operate freely, despite the heavy presence of security forces.

This month, Pakistan dispatched 3,500 troops and a helicopter gunship to the remote Shawal mountainous region -- an area that for the past several years has served as the base for militants fighting U.S. and Afghan government forces across the border.

Lt. Gen. Safdar Hussain, the top Pakistani army commander responsible for counterterrorism in the region, said the latest offensive was launched after intelligence reports that al Qaeda operatives were hiding there. He said his forces captured about two dozen foreign militants and seized a huge cache of sophisticated weapons. He refused to reveal the identities of the captured people.

The latest operation coincided with a visit by Gen. Musharraf to the U.S., where he claimed his forces were defeating militants holed up in Waziristan.

Analysts and residents say the situation on the ground is quite different. Last Tuesday, a soldier was killed when an army convoy was hit by an explosive device planted on a dirt road in South Waziristan. That was the third such attack by militants in one week. "Waziristan remains a simmering embarrassment," said a local official.

The rugged mountains of Waziristan became a primary focus of Pakistani officials after hundreds of al Qaeda militants found it a haven following the rout of Afghanistan’s Taliban regime in November 2001. Two years ago, the Pakistani army entered this fiercely autonomous region for the first time in its 58-year history. Since then, it has lost more than 350 soldiers in the fighting.

Pakistan has used a combination of force, economic sanctions and negotiations to seek to compel tribesmen to withdraw their support from al Qaeda and Taliban fighters. Officials said million of dollars have been paid to tribal chieftains to buy their loyalty.

Collaboration with the Pakistani military is costing tribal leaders their lives. One by one, many of those who have aided the military in its operations have been killed, local officials say. They include government functionaries, intelligence operatives and tribal chieftains. More than 60 such cases have been reported this year alone.

"There is a complete reign of terror, and people are fleeing to other areas for safety," said one Waziristan resident.

American military officials in Afghanistan complain bitterly that Pakistan continues to host Taliban insurgents in Waziristan. Pakistani army officials admit that scores of Islamic religious schools along the border harbor militants. They also say the U.S.-led coalition isn’t deploying enough troops to protect eastern and southern Afghanistan.

This year alone, 75 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, more than the combined U.S. casualties in the first three years after the late 2001 fall of the Taliban regime.

The Associated Press said Sunday that there have been no fresh clues to the whereabouts of Mr. bin Laden. Pakistani military and intelligence say he probably is hiding out in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region with a small core of mainly Arab supporters and the al Qaeda leader now only sends messages by courier because his communications network has been destroyed, the AP reported.

The news agency also quoted Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, chief spokesman for Pakistan’s army, as saying, "In our opinion, the reports on the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden are more speculative stories rather than based on accurate intelligence."

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US Army plans to bulk buy anthrax

2005-09-30T07:52:37Z

From: g_akr Date: 28.09.05

US army plans to bulk-buy anthrax

Washington: THE US military wants to buy large quantities of anthrax, in a controversial move that is likely to raise questions over its commitment to treaties designed to limit the spread of biological weapons.

A series of contracts have been uncovered that relate to the US army's Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. They ask companies to tender for the production of bulk quantities of a non-virulent strain of anthrax, and for equipment to produce significant volumes of other
biological agents.

Issued earlier this year, the contracts were discovered by Edward Hammond, director of the Sunshine Project, a US-German organisation that campaigns against the use of biological and chemical weapons.

One "biological services" contract specifies: "The company must have the ability and be willing to grow Bacillus anthracis Sterne strain at 1500-litre quantities." Other contracts are for fermentation equipment for producing 3000-litre batches of an unspecified biological agent, and sheep carcasses to test the efficiency of an incinerator for the disposal of infected livestock.

Although the Sterne strain is not thought to be harmful to humans and is used for vaccination, the contracts have caused major concern.

"It raises a serious question over how the US is going to demonstrate its compliance with obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention if it brings these tanks online," says Alan Pearson, programme director for biological and chemical weapons at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation in Washington DC. "If one can grow the Sterne strain in these units, one could also grow the Ames strain, which is quite lethal."

The US renounced biological weapons in 1969, but small quantities of lethal anthrax were still being produced at Dugway as recently as 1998.

It is not known what use the biological agents will be put to. They could be used to test procedures to decontaminate vehicles or buildings, or to test an "agent defeat" warhead designed to destroy stores of chemical and biological weapons.

There are even fears that they could be used to determine how effectively anthrax is dispersed when released from bombs or crop-spraying aircraft. "I can definitely see them testing biological weapons delivery systems for threat assessment," says Hammond.

Whatever use it is put to, however, the move could be seen as highly provocative by other nations, he says. "What would happen to the Biological Weapons Convention if other countries followed suit and built large biological production facilities at secretive military
bases known for weapons testing?"

A spokesperson for Dugway said the anthrax contract is still at the pre-solicitation stage, and the base has not yet acquired the agent. They refused to say what it will be used for.

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Dr. Subramanian Swamys press statement on KGB contacts in India

2005-09-30T07:49:15Z

From: Krishen kak Date: 28.09.05

Has this been published anywhere? URL, please. (I tried googlesearch)
----- Original Message -----
From: N.S. Rajaram
To: bharatiyaexpertsforum@yahoogroups.com
Cc: indicjournalists@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 8:24 AM
Subject: Re: KGB-- Dr. Swamy's press statement

PRESS RELEASE September 22, 2005.

Statement of Dr. Subramanian Swamy, President of

Janata Party and former Union Minister made in

New Delhi on September 22, 2005.

1. The Mitrokhin Archives Volume II (Vol. I had revealed KGB agents in the
West, who were later tried and convicted by courts of law) has vindicated my demand for investigation of KGB links of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and her son, and also about the KGB nexus with Congress Party in general. Since December 2001 I have been pursuing the matter in courts. My SLP filed on this affair is coming before the Supreme Court on October 24th.

2. The Mainos (Ms. Gandhi’s Italian family) have a long-term relation with KGB. Ms. Gandhi’s father Stefano Maino was recruited by KGB while he was a prisoner in Vladimir, near St. Petersburg, Russia. He had earlier been a soldier in Hitler’s Nazi Army which had invaded Russia in 1941, and had surrendered to Soviet troops.

3. I have been also raising in Parliament earlier about the CPI being on KGB’s payroll. I have with me the Soviet Politburo Minutes (enclosed) of a meeting to finance the CPI.

4. The present Russian Ambassador in India was the KGB Station Chief in Delhi during 1970s and since Ms.Sonia Gandhi is the UPA Chairperson, therefore this has serious national security implications.

5. Besides the disloyalty to the nation implied in on the KGB payroll, there is also the serious national security question of whether policies were being altered at KGB behest. The following are therefore questions before the nation:

(i) Was Netaji in USSR, and killed by KGB to alter Indian politics?

(ii) Was Lal Bahadur Shastri killed in Tashkent to enable a more pro-Soviet Indira Gandhi to power?

(iii) Was Indira Gandhi prevented by KGB blackmail from allowing the Indian Army to smash West Pakistan?

(iv) Did KGB finance the 1979 Janata Party split?

(v) KGB induced Operation Bluestar?

(vi) Did KGB finance LTTE ideologue Balasingham, and hence is there a KGB link in Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination since Ms. Sonia Gandhi is the beneficiary?

I therefore demand a full fledged Commission of Inquiry under a Supreme Court Judge (with atleast 3 years to retirement) to expose KGB agents in all matters of Indian life. I have met L.K.Advani, Jaswant Singh and George Fernandes to urge them to demand an inquiry by writing to the PM.

( SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY)

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Can one win a mortal combat with one hand cuffed

2005-09-30T07:47:09Z

. Can one win a mortal combat with one hand cuffed? Fighting a mortal combat with one hand tied behind is the situation today with most of the nations that are afflicted with the challenge of Terrorism.

From: newsonterror <newsonterror@yahoo.com.sg>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Fighting a mortal combat with one hand tied behind is the situation
today with most of the nations that are afflicted with the challenge
of Terrorism. Russia suffered Beslan, blown up airliners, hostage
crises at the Moscow theatre; but it still helps Iran to build
nuclear facilities and threatens to spike Western efforts to refer
Iran to the Security Council for Sanctions. Russia want to continue
having its honeymoon with Syria and also wants a relationship with
the PA (Palestinian Authority) promising to supply it with weaponry
and equipment that could be used against Israel. And where do the
loyalties of the Iranian Mullahs, Syrian Baathists and the
Palestinians
lie?

With the Russians or with the terrorists attacking Russia? The answer
is obvious, except to the foggy vision of the Russian leaders! China
has its own goose to roast with the Iranians. China has valid
economic reasons to build bridges with Iran. China's energy deficit
economy needs oil supplies badly and Iran has surplus of oil. And so
China wants to support the Iranian Mullahs at the UN, despite the
Uighur (Uygur) terrorists fighting to secede from China to form a
separate Eastern Turkestan. Although China keep its happenings under
warps helped by its state controlled media, some events of bomb
blasts and police action against terrorists do seep out.

Despite these problems, China also follows a global policy to winking
at the depredations of terrorists across the globe and tries to be an
uninterested bystander in the war on terror whenever it is not
actively though unintentionally helping out the cause of terrorism by
defending Iran at the UN. India is the third case of a rising economy
that is energy starved and wants to build bridges (pipelines) to let
the oil flow from Yadavaran Refinery in Iran to India. That this
pipeline would be blown up by the Al Qaeda terrorists and Balouch
fighters in Pakistan, escapes India's attention. India has recently
voted in favor of the IAEA resolution on Iran, but India's commitment
remains wavering at best. India faces a bloodied terrorist insurgency
in its northernmost province of Kashmir, but when it comes to Iran
who is a supporter of Islamist terror, India is ambivalent! Why so?

Why is it that even Western nations who are subject to the most
dramatic terror attacks take an ambivalent approach when confronting
terrorism, especially when its rivals are facing the same challenge?
Why does the US administration, at least till recently raise the
bogey of human rights violations in Chechnya to pin down rival
Russia, and also make strange noises when Uzbekistan puts down
Islamist insurgency with a strong hand? Who could be an ally of the
USA, the non-Islamist government of Karimov or the Islamists who want
to replace his government with an Islamist Caliphate?

The US administration has behaved in a ham headed manner on this
issue as on many others too. The US wants Israel to follow the
roadmap toward a two state solution where a Jewish and a Muslim state
co-exist peacefully in the Middle East - as if Muslim have ever
existed peacefully with anyone! The EU also puts similar pressure on
Israel to bend backwards on the Palestinian issue. And with whom do
the loyalties of the Palestinians lie with the US and EU or the
terrorists who bedevil them? The answer was oud and clear on 9/11
when Palestinians went about hooting in joy and distributing candy.

But the US is blind to this reality and keeps pushing the hapless
Sharon to extend concessions to the Palestinian terrorists. The Brits
who suffered on 7/7, followed a holier than thou policy while
granting asylum to terrorists from across the globe, and turned a
Nelson's eye on their depredations in the UK calling for murder of
the infidels (Brits among them). In an ironical way, 7/7 has been the
saving grace (no pun intended on the term saving).

The Brits have now opened their a wee bit, to deport the most rabid
among the terrorists, but reports say that there are thousands of
Muslims who belong to sleeper cells and are waiting for a green
signal to blow themselves up and take as many as they can with them.
An objective observer would be foxed as to why the administrations
from as varied countries as China, UK, Russia, India, USA all follow
double standards when they face terrorism. In Chechnya there is for
the USA a question of human rights violation, when the US itself is
subject to the worst form of terror attacks. For Russia Iran needs to
be given the right to nuclear technology, while Russian school kids
are murdered by Islamists. China would veto the resolution imposing
sanctions on Iran, while the Han Chinese are murdered in Xinjiang.
Why so?

India would grumble about non-alignment and be very reluctant to
oppose Iran's nuclear ambitions when Indians are being murdered in
Kashmir and in the recurrent terrorists attacks in India. Why? The
Brits are magnanimous to extend the tenets of the Magna Carta to
those who consider murdering Brits to be their right and aholy duty!
Why?

The answer is that all the leading governments of the globe have a
narrow view of the global problem of terrorism. When it pinches them,
they scream "Ouch", but when it pinches others, they call for
restraint or dignify terrorism by asking for the elimination of the
causes of terrorism, call for restraint and respect for the human
rights of the terrorists! And what do the terrorists say: They call
for death to all infidels. The terrorists are paranoid and united in
their murderous objective across the globe. It is only the response
to this unitary challenge of terrorism that is disjointed. And as
long as this response is also not as unitary and as determined as the
challenge f terrorism, there is no hope for an early or easy victory
over the challenge of Islamic Terrorism. The hand that is tied with
the threads of narrow nationalistic opportunism and mutual rivalries
has to be released so that we can grapple manfully with Islamic
Terrorism and save human civilization from the mortal challenge of
Islamic Terror.

Story Credits: http://www.waronjihad.org

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Vedic scholar Bannanje Govindacharya regretted here (SHIMOGA)

2005-09-30T07:44:48Z

Vedic scholar Bannanje Govindacharya regretted here (SHIMOGA) on Monday 26th Sept 2005, that in "our over enthusiasm to follow the British model of education we have forgotten our glorious heritage and traditions." (Story Credits: http://www.waronjihad.org), 27th Sept. 2005

From: Ram <krk4568@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

We have forgotten our traditions: scholar

Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA: Vedic scholar Bannanje Govindacharya
regretted here on Monday that in "our over enthusiasm
to follow the British model of education we have
forgotten our glorious heritage and traditions."

Inaugurating the activities of the National Service
Scheme (NSS) at the Government Residential Women's
Polytechnic, he noted that students are not taught
real history but instead teaching has been restricted
only to the level of their (teachers) knowledge. He
said students would not be able to widen their horizon
unless they are enlightened about the cultural history
and social traditions.

He noted that attempts were being made by
"self-styled" intellectuals with little or no
knowledge about the country's culture and tradition to
deride them.

Stating that it was dangerous to blindly follow the
West, he asked students to develop reasoning and
inquisitiveness so that they would not accept
straightway whatever is thrown at them.

Commenting that today's education policy had laid
emphasis only on passing the examination, he said in
the process the need to find the truth was being
overlooked.

The Deputy Governor of the Rotary International
District 3180, S. Dattatri, was the chief guest.

The principal of the Polytechnic and President of the
Rotary Riverside Club, A.V. Katarki, presided over the
function. Nischita welcomed the gathering. Deepti
proposed a vote of thanks.

Govindacharya was felicitated.

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Vision 2020: World\'s Top Church Planters set goal for 1 billion souls

2005-09-30T07:41:23Z

From: "christianaggression.org" <iaca_master@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Vision 2020: World's Top Church Planters set goal for 1 billion souls

http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?id=1127854657&type=news

Tuesday, Sep. 27, 2005

The world’s most influential Christian church planters,
pastors and evangelists convened at a global church planting ''congress'' last
week to strategize for world evangelism.
The world’s most influential Christian church planters, pastors
and evangelists convened at a global church planting "congress" last week to
strategize for world evangelism. 
 
Over 500 delegates from 71 countries and 82 denominations gathered in Dallas,
Sept. 19-21, for the Billion Soul Summit sponsored by the Global Pastors Network
(GPN). Their goal is to start five million churches and convert one billion
people to Christianity in the next 15 years. 
 
“God is aligning His forces around the world for the greatest evangelism thrust
in church history," said Steve Douglass, President of Campus Crusade for Christ
International. 
 
According to GPN chairman and best-selling author Dr. John C. Maxwell, the event
represented the greatest gathering of people who want to plant churches in the
history of the Church, though many of them are unknown by their counterparts
in America. 
 
“For many years the West taught the rest of the world how to plant churches.
This is not a West to the Rest approach but a Rest to the West approach," stated
GPN President Dr. James O. Davis. “Our goal is not to go start churches, but
to facilitate those who do it well to do it better, which is easy to do if we
don’t care who gets the credit." 
 
Davis co-founded the Global Pastors Network along with the late Dr. Bill Bright,
the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ whose dream of world evangelism lives
on in many of those whose lives he touched even after his death two years ago.
 
 
There are 1.74 billion unreached people in the world and current global population
growth is outpacing Christian conversions, according to Davis. "This Congress
brought together leaders who recognize that in order to finish the Great Commission,
we have to work harder and work together, networking relationships and resources
to overcome population growth. If not, the Great Commission will not be fulfilled
for more than 300 years.” 
 
In three days of plenary sessions, the GPN Church Planting Congress developed
eight objectives: identifying church-planting ministries and movements; creating
partnerships; creating a global community; promoting successful discipleship
strategies; reviving leadership; sharing resources; building a biblical worldview;
and monitoring results. 
 
The key was to make information available - whether research, recommendations,
reports, or resources. 
 
“We aren’t to be containers, we are to be channels, in sharing with each other,”
said Davis. 
 
The goal of one billion new followers of Christ sets a good minimum number from
which to start, evangelist Reinhard Bonnke said during his opening presentation
to the delegates. 
 
“This is about the salvation of a generation, and it is our goal to plunder
hell and populate heaven,” he stated. 
 
David Sobrepena, General Superintendent and President of the Philippines General
Council of the Assemblies of God, has led church planting movements in his country
by starting more than 1,500 churches in the past eight years. 
 
“Church planting already is an integral and strong part of outreach in many
countries outside the U.S.,” he said. “The goal is bigger – this vision to establish
five million churches has to go beyond denominations and traditional methods.” 
 
During the summit, key leaders were able to network and create synergy. 
 
Robert Barriger, who has been planting churches in Peru since becoming a Christian,
was led to the faith by traveling church planter, Ralph Moore, while trying
to escape life in the 70s California surfing scene. The two men reconnected
in the hotel lobby for the first time after more than 30 years. 
 
In another incident, two church-planters – one from Uganda, the other from Australia
– were both planning to go to Rwanda to start new congregations in the wake
of the genocide, but decided to coordinate their schedules and go together in
the next two months in order to have greater impact. 
 
“We are rubbing minds and breaking down barriers,” stated Sunday Adelaja from
the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God in Kiev, Ukraine. 
 
Global Pastors Network is a community of successful ministries working together
online, on-air, and on-ground to equip Christian leaders. The Dallas Congress
was the first of five to be held around the world over the next two years. The
next meetings will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, July 5-6, 2006; Johannesburg,
South Africa, Nov. 8-10; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mar. 21-23, 2007; and Buenos
Aires, Argentina, Nov. 6-8.

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Sonia Pledges to Help Christian Groups to Circumvent Regulations (New Delhi September 27, 2005 Business Standard)

2005-09-30T07:38:17Z

From: "christianaggression.org" <iaca_master@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Sonia Pledges to Help Christian Groups to Circumvent Regulations

http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?id=1127810394&type=news

Nistula Hebbar
New Delhi September 27, 2005
Business Standard

Religious and non-government organisations, which receive foreign aids, are being brought under the scanner by the home ministry, raising concerns about government interference in these bodies.

Representing these views of several church-based organisations, Union Programme Implementation Minister Oscar Fernandes and 30 other MPs met National Advisory Council Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to intercede with the home ministry in this regard.

The immediate trigger for the meeting was the proposed Foreign Contribution Control and Monitoring Bill. But the posting of a list on the ministry website giving details about organisations, which are banned from receiving foreign aid and those which will require permission to receive aid despite the FCRA registration, has further upset voluntary and church bodies.

The home ministry’s list has the name of mostly religious organisations. Of them, 10 are run under different Muslim charities, with seven of them from Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, seven others belong to various Christian groups.

According to sources, the home ministry has stipulated that its categorisation of organisations into those which are banned, and those which require permission to receive foreign fund despite FCRA registration, will be enforced fully and is in place to encourage NGOs to file the F-3 form, which is something like a tax return.

“Even if an organisation has not received any aid, the F-3 form will have to be filled, or the risk is to be listed in either of these two lists,” said a source.

“Of the 30,000 NGOs registered under the FCRA only around 15,000 file the F-3 form. While some organisations are in trouble because they have been found to have links with terror groups, others are there because they have not filed the F-3 form,” said a source.

Voluntary organisations are going to take up the matter with the home ministry. “We resent clubbing of organisations receiving terror money with those which have been lax in filing F-3 forms. We want that the classification reflect this difference,” said Pooran Pande of the Voluntary Associations Network of India.

According to Pande, Gandhi has also assured Christian groups that she will take up the matter with the home ministry.

The proposed FCMC will have tighter controls in place and the home ministry has made it clear that even organisations running on money given by various government ministries will have to pull their act together. Voluntary organisations fear that in the name of internal security the autonomy of NGOs will get compromised.

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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plans to reimburse faith groups for aid

2005-09-30T07:35:14Z

From: shiv ram <shivram12@rediffmail.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Some of the money will be used for conversions in poor countries.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9495550/

FEMA plans to reimburse faith groups for aid

Updated: 12:04 a.m. ET Sept. 27, 2005
After weeks of prodding by Republican lawmakers and the American Red Cross,
the Federal Emergency Management Agency said yesterday that it will use
taxpayer money to reimburse churches and other religious organizations that
have opened their doors to provide shelter, food and supplies to survivors
of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

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Christian Terrorists Massacre Eight Hindu Civilians in India, Brindabanghat village, Tripura state, India (Sources: BBC, Rediff, The Telegraph, Newindpress.com)

2005-09-30T07:32:50Z

From: "christianaggression.org" <iaca_master@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Christian Terrorists Massacre Eight Hindu Civilians in India

http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?id=1127810766&type=news

September 25, 2005
Brindabanghat village, Tripura state, India
Sources: BBC, Rediff, The Telegraph, Newindpress.com

A hysterical Sabita Debnath, a 14 year-old girl, slams her head repeatedly against the wall of her mud-built house and cries she does not live any more.

Sabita has been made an orphan in a matter of minutes as Christian terrorists of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) gunned down and wiped all other members of her Hindu family in a matter of minutes and her sob reverberates across this sleepy village of West Tripura district.

“I do not want to live any more because my entire family was wiped out today. There is nobody to look after me", she scarcely puts in her words together to a team of visiting journalists. This picturesque Hindu village in West Tripura district turned into a killing field as the Christian insurgents trained their guns on the hapless Hindu inhabitants in the wee hours on Sunday.

“The terrorists entered our house at around 2 AM by breaking open the wooden door with sophisticated arms and gunned down my father before my eyes,” she sobs inconsolably. “I hid myself under a cot. My two younger brothers - Aurobindo (4) and Amar Chan (8) who woke up at the sound of firing were the next causalities. The attackers then turned to my mother (Niva) and shot her dead too.

“I saw my family wiped off in just about five minutes. Probably they missed me because I was hiding under the cot,” she says. Altogether, eight Hindus, including four women and two children, were killed in the attack. The ultras did not spare even 102-year-old Premanandamoyee.

The eight Hindu civilians who were killed in the attack were Amulya Debnath, Amar Chan Debnath (8), Aurobindo Debnath (4), Nirodh Debnath, Fulkumari Debnath, Niva Debnath, Chapala Debnath and Premanandamoyee Debnath (102).

Police say the terrorists dragged several Hindu men from their homes before shooting them.

In another dangerous development, two of the state most feared Christian terrorist organizations, the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) have joined hands and have agreed to conduct 'joint operations' against Hindu civilians and the Indian government.

Till 2003, the two outfits were sworn enemies and often fought pitched battles to extend or preserve their hegemony in the hilly areas of the state. But a series of surrenders and desertions by a large number of lay cadre as well as top commanders have led to major depletion in the ranks of both groups.

After a secret meeting, the leaders of the two violent groups, including Ranjit Debbarma of the ATTF and Biswamohan Debbarma of the NLFT, reached an understanding last month over joint operations.

Sources in the Special Branch (intelligence wing), of the Tripura state police, said the terrorists’ failure to strike hard on Indian security forces and Hindu civilians on August 15, when they had called a boycott of the Indian Independence Day, induced a rethink on the part of the leaders of the groups.

Sources said in order to make their presence felt, the ATTF and the NLFT have also reached an understanding with another terror group, the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO). “In Tripura, the ATTF and the NLFT are preparing to launch joint operations with the KLO in the run-up to October 15 which they propose to observe as a ‘black day’. However, the nature and implication of their understanding with the KLO is still not clear,” sources said.

The armed cadre of the Christian outfits, who have already infiltrated some of the interior areas of the state after crossing over from Bangladesh, have launched their decades-old terror campaign against Hindus in Tripura, both tribals and plainspeople.

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British MP Faces Inquiry Over Christian Supremacist Remarks

2005-09-30T07:30:48Z

From: "christianaggression.org" <iaca_master@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

British MP Faces Inquiry Over Christian Supremacist Remarks

http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?id=1127810173&type=news

London
27 Sep 2005
IANS
newkerala.com

Controversial British Conservative MP Ann Winterton is at the centre of yet another race row after criticising Prime Minister Tony Blair's "banana republic" immigration policy.

The right-wing MP claimed that Britain was a country where "crime is out of control... and where thousands of illegal immigrants are waved in with no checks on whether they are criminals or potential terrorists".

Lady Winterton also infuriated equality groups by adding that Britain was "still thankfully a predominately white, Christian country".

Her comments were swiftly condemned as "blatantly racist" and Lady Winterton now faces an inquiry by the Commission for Racial Equality.

It is not the first time the MP for Congleton in Cheshire has sparked a furore with her views. She was forced by Tory leader Michael Howard to apologise last year for a sick joke about the drowning of 20 Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay.

In 2002, she told 160 diners that Asians were "10 a penny in Britain". Lady Winterton, who is married to Tory MP Sir Nicholas Winterton, made her latest comments in an article about the July 7 London bombings for a Cheshire-based website.

She wrote: "We live in times of tremendous change, but the United Kingdom is still, thankfully, a predominantly white, Christian country.

"Some might say we are now paying the price for the so-called 'benefits' of the multicultural society, the product of almost uncontrolled immigration and the abuse of asylum."

Shantele Janes, director of the Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Racial Equality Council, described the comments as "inaccurate and nothing more than scare-mongering".

She said: "We welcome sensible debates about how all groups can work together to end terrorism, but this is a blame-laying exercise that is incredibly damaging to race relations."

Janes said that Muslims across the country were being victimised for the actions of a few extremists on July 7. She said she had reported Lady Winterton to the Commission for Racial Equality and would be making a complaint to Howard.

She added: "The Tories need to demonstrate that racism will not be tolerated. Mrs Winterton has been given more than enough chances."

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Three persons, including a woman, were injured in a clash between activists

2005-09-30T07:28:42Z

, on September 26
2005. (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050927/punjab1.htm#6)

From: shiv ram <shivram12@rediffmail.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

So, Christianity has gained so much strength in Punjab.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050927/punjab1.htm#6

3 hurt in group clash
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 26
Three persons, including a woman, were injured in a clash between activists
of the RSS and the Punjab Christian Movement here today.

Members of the Punjab Christian Movement were reportedly marching from
Company Bagh towards the office of the Deputy Commissioner when the
altercation took place. They were rallying against the proposed visit of RSS
chief, Mr K.C. Sudershan, in Sain Dass School here on October 2.

While a woman activist of the Punjab Christian Movement allegedly received a
head injury, two local leaders of the RSS, Mr Deepak Telu and Mr Sushil
Sondhi, too got severe lashes on their faces and back. Both were admitted in
the ICU units of Satyam Hospital.

The situation turned volatile as members of various Hindu bodies including
the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackarey), Shiv Sena (Hindustan) and the Hindu Dharam
Suraksha Samiti gathered outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner
demanding action against members of the Christian group and registering of
cases under Section 307.

Mr Vijay Sampla, state general secretary, BJP, alleged that the police
remained a mute spectator when two of their morcha leaders were being
thrashed with canes and bricks. He further alleged that both RSS youths were
brutally hit and then dragged from Namdev Chowk to the DC office by members
of the Christian Movement, and policemen sitting in a Gypsy did not come to
their rescue.

On a complaint of RSS activists, the SSP, Mr Ishwar Singh, ordered the
registering of a case under Section 307 against five persons including Hamid
Masih, Surinder Gill, Anil Kumar, Fredy Joseph and Lal Chand, all members of
the Punjab Christian Movement. Two policemen including an ASI were also
reportedly suspended for not being able to handle the situation.

However, no one from the RSS group has been booked for hitting a Christian
woman activist.

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UPA ocean diplomacy undermining Indian interests ?

2005-09-30T07:26:17Z

From: mw_mod <mw_mod@yahoo.com>; Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005

UPA ocean diplomacy undermining Indian interests
By Prof. M.D. Nalapat

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?
name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=97&page=7

Why has the UPA government put in cold storage moves to legalise the
doubling of the ocean area controlled by India, from 3.2 million sq
kms to 6.4 million sq kms? This would be by expanding the country's
Exclusive Economic Zone to the full 320 miles (from the coast)
granted to the 32 countries in the world that possess a continental
shelf.

Under Article 76 of the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS), India can extend its legal reach to include 3.2 million sq
kms of ocean floor.Of this, 80 per cent falls within the "Eastern
Claim Zone", where the only other country involved is Sri Lanka,
which is a friendly power. Less than 200,000 sq kms of ocean floor is
in the zone facing Pakistan, which—together with Bangladesh—has shown
a consistent tendency towards refusing to settle its disputes with
India, even where such a settlement would benefit it substantially.
Of course, for some reason, successive Indian governments have
pampered Bangladesh and Pakistan while neglecting Sri Lanka.

On the westward seabed, apart from Pakistan there is only the
Maldives, which has already settled its claims amicably with New
Delhi. Islamabad would not refuse at least a partial agreement that
sets the boundaries for around 85 per cent of the area contested,
possibly leaving aside the portion concerning Sir Creek, which the
Pakistanis claim is disputed. As for Bangladesh, fortunately that
country has very little seabed area that it can legitimately contest,
although both Dhaka and Islamabad have been seeking to frustrate a
settlement with India by raising issues such as "equity" that are not
in the relevant sections of the UN Charter.

It is not surprising that Pakistan and Bangladesh, who are client
states of the US and China, seek to avoid coming to an agreement with
India. The US, China, Japan and the European Union, not to mention
smaller players such as South Korea, would like to prevent New Delhi
from getting legitimised its claim to an additional 1.2 million sq
kms of ocean floor beyond the 2.2 million that India can claim under
the "200 mile" rule. These countries would be reluctant to see a
settlement that would give India exclusive jurisdiction over large
tracts of the ocean floor that are known to be mineral-rich,
including oil, natural gas and even in strategic materials. The
steady improvement in deep water exploration techniques is resulting
in a quantum jump in the volume of resources potentially exploitable
by India, a country with a proven capacity in ocean exploration.
Estimates are that an investment of Rs 500 crore in exploration and
exploitation would yield Rs 6000 crore in ocean wealth, surely a
compelling argument for an early legitimisation of the Indian claim.
Surprisingly, even though all the data needed for this is already in
its possession, the UPA government has not moved for a formal
recognition of India's extended claim.

Given a rational policy of exploitation of seabed wealth, the
Ministry of Ocean Development has the potential to generate more
wealth for the country than the Ministries of Steel, Coal and
Petroleum together, especially in view of the lacklustre performance
of all the three.

Astonishingly, as yet, New Delhi has not taken even preliminary steps
towards legalising its jurisdiction over 320 miles from the present
200 miles (from the coast). If India does not get legal recognition
of its claim from the UN Commission on Limits to Continental Shelf
(UNCLCS) before 2009, an extra 1.2 million sq kms of ocean would be
legally available to any other country in the world. When that
deadline for ratification of claims expires, any country in the world
could move in to this enormous zone and mine its resources after
paying a small royalty to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA).
Amazingly, the previous Secretary for Ocean Development to the
Government of India was of the view that "As the deadline is only in
2009, there was no need for hurry".

Apparently he has not bothered to draw the correct lessons from
Russia's experience. Although Moscow filed its claim in 2001, as yet
it has not been ratified, owing to disputes with some of its
neighbours. New Delhi needs to set aside at least 36 months for
adjudication of its claim, which means that it needs to submit it to
UNCLCS before the end of this year. Sadly, the new Secretary of Ocean
Development has no knowledge of oceans at all, having spent his
professional working life in Space. He too has been taking the same
leisurely view on seeking ratification as his predecessor. Countries
such as the US, France, the UK, China and even Norway that have
expertise in dredging the ocean floor are presumably delighted at
such paralysis.

New Delhi has not taken even preliminary steps towards legalising its
jurisdiction over 320 miles from the present 200 miles (from the
coast). If India does not get legal recognition of its claim from the
UN Commission on Limits to Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) before 2009, an
extra 1.2 million sq kms of ocean would be legally available to any
other country in the world.

As 80 per cent of the potential claim area concerns only Sri Lanka
and India, it would seem obvious that New Delhi needs to bring its
neighbour on board in a common strategy of securing ratification.
However, New Delhi has thus far refused Sri Lanka's request to help
in the gathering of data in its potential zone. As the cost of such
assistance Rs 25 crore) would be less than that of a major Vigyan
Bhavan jamboree, such parsimony at the expense of a speedy resolution
of a matter that concerns incalculable ocean wealth seems
incomprehensible, unless hidden hands are at work to deliberaely
delay India's claim till it becomes too late. Is it that the allies
of the UPA who have sympathy for the cause of "Tamil Eelam" are
putting subtle pressure on the Congress leadership to refuse help to
Colombo? Whatever the reasons, the fact remains that the Minister for
Science and Technology,

Kapil Sibal, has thus far been unable to get his government to file
India's claim for a 320-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, even though the
needed surveys have been completed, at a cost of Rs 90 crore.

Estimates are that an investment of Rs 500 crore in exploration and
exploitation would yield Rs 6000 crore in ocean wealth, surely a
compelling argument for an early legitimisation of the Indian claim.

Experts point out that India needs to get its claim settled before
2007, the year when the Indian representative in the 21-member UNCLCS
retires and is expected to be replaced by a delegate from Pakistan.
Unless, of course, the Government of India believes that a Pakistani
national would better protect India's interests than one of our own
nationals! Those watching the sad fate of Sarabjit Singh must wonder
as to why and how for so many years, nothing was done to protect the
rights of Indian citizens. That was one citizen. Today, by refusing
to get ratified India's claim for a 320-mile limit, the UPA
government is affecting the rights of over a billion citizens.

Apart from the danger that 1.2 million sq km of ocean floor that
would otherwise become the exclusive property of India would become
a "free" resource, another reason why speed is desirable is the
rising cost of ocean exploration. It is estimated that for every Rs
1000 spent on such activity today, the cost would rise to Rs 3800 by
2009. Indeed, by increasing its ocean-harvesting capabilities, India
would be able to bring down costs. This is especially relevant given
the skewed geographical distribution of minerals within the country
and the crippling shortage of oil. Estimates are that the ocean floor
can make India self-sufficient in oil and gas in a few years, if
mined properly. For some reason, the ONGC seems as little concerned
about securing the rights to the resources of the ocean seabed as the
Department of Oceans itself. The policy of the UPA government appears
to be to make life as easy for competing nations as is possible,
a "Gujrallian" policy of generosity run amok. Dr Murli Manohar Joshi,
as Minister for Ocean Development, speeded up data collection and was
in the process of filing the claim to the full extent of ocean floor
legally available to India when the BJP-led coalition was defeated in
May 2004. Since then, there has been zero effort to complete the
process by submission of the claim and ensuring its ratification.
Why? Who within the UPA is interested in favouring the US, China, the
EU and Japan over India?

Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, as Minister for Ocean Development,
speeded up data collection and was in the process of
filing the claim to the full extent of ocean floor
legally available to India when the BJP-led
coalition was defeated.

Dr Manmohan Singh needs to intervene so that India lodges its claim
for extension of its zone to the full 320 miles, as well as gives
assistance to Sri Lanka to secure data for its own claim. Such data
would prove invaluable not just in a civilian context, but also in
case there erupts a fresh conflict between India and elements in the
island. The information secured from the ocean surveys would help the
Indian Navy to ensure that those hostile to India are dealt with
expeditiously and efficiently. To abandon such advantages for the
sake of saving Rs 25 crore seems yet another case of a "penny wise,
pound foolish" attitude. In case Pakistan and Bangladesh, refuse a
reasonable settlement, India can take recourse to the provision in
UNCLOS to set the median as the claim line between countries among
which there is dispute.

Given a rational policy of exploitation of seabed wealth, the
Ministry of Ocean Development has the potential to generate more
wealth for the country than the Ministries of Steel, Coal and
Petroleum together, especially in view of the lacklustre performance
of all the three. In the case of Petroleum, for example, during the
16 months that the UPA has been in office, it has not secured the
rights to any significant oil or gas field, being usually pipped by
the country that Oil Minister Aiyar and his CPM-CPI allies love,
China. During NDA rule India secured valuable oil properties,
including in Sudan and Russia. India, by doubting the ocean area
under its sovereignty can create an oceanic "Akhand Bharat" by
entirely peaceful means.

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UP Muslim girl, who was not of legally eligible age to marry, was forced to marry rapist, Shakir, and then talked (Report from Lucknow, Deccan Herald News Service)

2005-09-30T07:22:50Z

From: “G.SUBRAMANIAM” <gsubrec@comcast.net>; Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005

Deccan Herald

Forced to marry by rape, then divorced at whim

From Pujaa Awastthi DH News Service Lucknow:
Mehrunisa is not of legally eligible age to marry. Yet five months ago she
was married off rather hurriedly. Not because she fell in love, but because
she was raped.

Her 21-year-old neighbour Shakir, who raped her, married her when the girl’s
family threatened to report him to the police.

Four months into the marriage, Mehrunisa signed on a blank ten-rupee stamp
paper. Her husband told her the signature was needed to transfer some
agricultural land into her name. The sign appended, he told her that she had
actually given her consent to the talaq (divorce), which he intended to get
printed on the paper.

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'Riot bookies' give cops jitters

2005-09-30T07:20:34Z

'Riot bookies' give cops jitters, whether these gamblers will initiate riots during the coming Municipal Elections in Gujarat. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1243239.cms

From: Gaurang Desai <grd_home@yahoo.com>; Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005

'Riot bookies' give cops jitters
SOURAV MUKHERJE
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
SEPTEMBER 26, 2005
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1243239.cms

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat police are losing sleep over how to ensure a
safe civic polls â€” first one after the 2002 riots â€” scheduled
for October 13 in Ahmedabad and December 15 in other cities.

What is worrying the cops most is the recent arrest of four bookies
in Vadodara. The bookies had allegedly been taking bets on
possibility of communal violence during Ganesh idol immersion in
Vadodara.

Police believe that the bookies had 'orchestrated' rioting on
September 17 (Ganesh immersion day) to maximise their profit.

After the arrest of the gang, police fear 'riot gambling' during
the coming municipal polls in Ahmedabad.

DGP, Gujarat, AK Bhargava said: "In Vadodara four bookies had got
bold enough to trigger communal ill-will for the sake of gambling.
There may be more people involved in this racket. In the light of
these developments, precautionary measures will have to be taken."

Sources said several bookies look at religious functions and high
security events (like elections) as gambling opportunities. "The
stakes are so high that the bookies try to trigger violence to suit
their needs," said sources.

According to sources, bookies take bets on whether there would be a
communal violence, whether the situation would demand police firing
and also how many would die!

In Gujarat, bookies take bets on anything from result of a cricket
match to rise in food grain prices. The latest was 'riot gambling',
police officials said.

In Ahmedabad, the tussle on October 13 will be in 129 municipal
wards, including communally sensitive zones like Gomtipur, Kalupur,
Dariapur, Naroda and Vatva.

"In the past, too, some communal problems were 'created' by the
bookies," said a police official of Ahmedabad.

But there was no evidence to substantiate this till Vadodara police
nabbed bookie Vimal Bhatia and three others.

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Rajasthan Congress slams Sonia; released a book Sonia Gandhi and

2005-09-30T07:17:49Z

Indira Gandhi was engaged in promoting corruption,
Sonia Gandhi is a ‘Maharani’ who gave up the Prime Minister’s post because
of her selfish interests but called it sacrifice and a company in which
‘Rajkumar’ Rahul Gandhi has a majority stake is getting huge contracts from
the Government.

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=78952

From: Imagin8r <imagin8r@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Hell just froze over! Murli

==============================

Brought to you by Rajasthan Cong: book slamming Sonia [ ]

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=78952

SANDIPAN [Send Feedback] [E-mail this story]
SHARMA [Print this story]
Posted online: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at 0225 hours IST

[ ]

JAIPUR, SEPTEMBER 26: Indira Gandhi was engaged in promoting corruption,
Sonia Gandhi is a ‘Maharani’ who gave up the Prime Minister’s post because
of her selfish interests but called it sacrifice and a company in which
‘Rajkumar’ Rahul Gandhi has a majority stake is getting huge contracts from
the Government.

These are not fresh allegations from the Opposition but extracts from a book
patronised and released by the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC).
On August 30 this year, Rajasthan PCC president Bulaki Das Kalla and the
president of the women’s wing Mamata Sharma released a book Sonia Gandhi and
Indian Politics (Pointer Publications, Jaipur) to ‘‘extol the achievements’’
of the Congress president.

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Muslims destroy Ganesh Idol; protest bandh in Basavakalyan

2005-09-30T07:15:20Z

From: "G.SUBRAMANIAM" <gsubrec@comcast.net>; Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jul302005/state1931332005729.asp

Basavakalyan tense after Ganesha idol desecration

DH News Service Basavakalyan:
Tension prevailed in the city on Friday following desecration of a Ganesha
idol, at a temple situated on Pratapur road, triggering large scale protest
and a bandh in Basavakalyan.

The 6 ft tall idol was partially damaged by miscreants on Thursday night and
the chopped parts were dumped behind the temple.

According to some eyewitnesses, the miscreants had arrived in two cars and
fled the scene after the incident.

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Congressman Tom Lantos, California Democrat, and the highest ranking Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, has hailed India's vote on Iran

2005-09-30T07:13:18Z

From: mw_mod <mw_mod@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Lantos hails India's vote on Iran

http://us.rediff.com/news/2005/sep/26aziz.htm?q=np&file=.htm

Aziz Haniffa in Washington DC | September 26, 2005 23:31 IST
Last Updated: September 26, 2005 23:52 IST

Congressman Tom Lantos, California Democrat, and the highest ranking
Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, has hailed
India's about-face in Vienna in aligning itself with the United
States and the European Union and voting to refer Iran to the United
Nations Security Council for alleged nuclear nonproliferation
violations.

Lantos had launched a blistering attack on India at the hearing on
the US-India nuclear cooperation agreement early this month where he
even ridiculed Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh
as 'dense' and warned that if India doesn't change its policy toward
Iran in sync with US policy, the relationship would 'go down the
tubes'

In a statement made available to rediff.com, Lantos said, "I am
pleased that New Delhi clearly heard the message that I and other
members have been emphatically trying to convey." He noted, "India's
support this past weekend and next November, when Iran should finally
be referred to the UN Security Council for action, will go a long way
to cementing our new partnership."

"These actions will certainly promote positive consideration in
Congress of the new US-India agreement to expand peaceful nuclear
cooperation between our two countries," he added.

India not worried by Lantos' remarks: Dr Singh
At the hearing earlier this month, Lantos, who was given wide
latitude by the chairman of the panel, Congressman Henry Hyde, to
speak for a long as he wanted, declared,"My concern does not relate
to the Administration. My concern relates to the insensitive thinking
that I see coming out of New Delhi."

He asserted that 'it is incomprehensible to me that people as
sophisticated and as knowledgeable as our Indian counterparts should
not be aware of how significant their position,vis-a-vis Iran is to
this Congress, and, I hope that this hearing will make them aware at
least tangentially that this may be destroying far more significant
relationships than they are having with Tehran unless they become
sensitive to our view on that subject.'

Lantos said, "Iran is the single most international threat. We face a
reckless Iranian government proceeding arrogantly with the
development of nuclear weapons."

"Only an imbecile would believe that they are developing a nuclear
program for peaceful purposes only and it is an insult to the
intelligence of Congress that they keep repeating this," he added.

India's vote on Iran not linked to the US
"But they do what they do, but to have the Indian Foreign Minister
with respect to his recent meeting with the Iranian to say they
really don't care what we think, shows the real denseness that
occasionally very intelligent people are burdened with," he had said.

Lantos said, "They are brilliant and they are dense. They are
brilliant,which is obvious, but they are simply dense because they
are incapable of comprehending that other countries have their
important concerns."

"My bottom line is that I do not oppose the Administration's policy
(toward India). I support it. But I believe the Administration will
have to make a maximum effort and we offer, at least some of us offer
our services to help you to make the Indians aware of the fact that
nothing will fly in this body unless they become as sensitive to
their concerns as we have been to theirs."

Lantos said he found the Indian Foreign Minister reported statement
in Iran 'sickening, literally sickening, this Stalinist rhetoric
which we don't accept from the Indian Foreign Minister. Singh is
reported to have said during his meeting with the new Iranian
president that India 'supports resolution of Iran's nuclear issue
within the IAEA framework but opposes sending the file to the UN
Security Council'.

Iran dominates IAEA conference
Singh is also reported to have lamented the inclination to infuse
injustice in international relations, reiterating that India's
relation with Iran is not predicated on positions and views
attributed to some goverments, which Lantos said was clearly a
reference to the US.

India Ambassador Ronen Sen told rediff.com at the time that as soon
as he read the transcript, he had called Singh and the latter had
denied he had every said anything Lantos attributed to him and had
described it as 'absolute nonsense'.

Lantos, at the hearing, had warned that 'this pattern of dealing with
us will not be productive for India and they have to be told this in
plain English that this great new opening, which I support, which we
all support, is predicated on reciprocity. In this case, they are not
only opposing our views, they are opposing the views of the Brits,
and the French and the Germans.'

Iran, US: India's Catch 22
He said if India persists in this, 'this great dream of a new
relationship will go down the tubes', and reiterated that if New
Delhi does not support Washington's efforts to ostracise Iran, 'the
goodwill will dissipate'.

"They will pay a heavy price for a total disregard of US concerns vis-
a-vis Iran. It just will not fly in this body and they need to be
told that in plain English, not in diplomatic English and I know
there are people in this room who will carry this message," he added.

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Canada to supply N-reactors to India

2005-09-30T07:11:13Z

From: mw_mod <mw_mod@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Canada to supply N-reactors to India

By Ajit Jain in Toronto | September 27, 2005 01:22 IST
Last Updated: September 27, 2005 02:56 IST

Discussions on use of nuclear energy, nuclear non-proliferation
norms, arms control and disarmament were front and centre of lengthy
official discussions between visiting India's External Affairs
Minister Natwar Singh and his Canadian counterpart, Pierre Pettigrew,
Monday morning.

PM's US Tour
After their meeting, it was announced by Pettigrew's office that the
two ministers discussed relations between Canada and India and agreed
on new areas for cooperation.

The subjects included 'non-proliferation, arms control and
disarmament, international security issues, including Afghanistan,
South Asia and counter-terrorism'.

In a media release, Pettigrew's Director of Communications Sebastien
Theberge, said Canada agreed 'to allow the supply of nuclear-related
dual-use items to Indian civilian nuclear facilities under
International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, in accordance with the
requirements of the Nuclear Suppliers Group's dual-use guidelines.

PM at the UN
The two ministers also agreed to pursue further opportunities for the
development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy both bilaterally
and through the appropriate international forums, consistent with
their international commitments.

During their meeting in January in New Delhi, Canadian Prime Minister
Paul Martin had extended an official invitation to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh to visit Canada. Pettigrew welcomed Singh's
confirmation that the Indian prime minister will visit Canada
sometime next year.

"I welcome Foreign Minister Singh's visit and the occasion to advance
the already dynamic partnership between Canada and India," the
Canadian minister said in a statement from his office in Ottawa.

He conceded, as Prime Minister Paul Martin did last week, that India
is a "global power and an important partner with whom we are
building an intense, broad and enduring relationship".

The two ministers discussed the progress on the joint declaration
issued by Indian and Canadian prime ministers in January and,
according to Pettigrew's office, they noted that advances have been
made in all of the key areas of the joint declaration: a science and
technology initiative, environmental cooperation, a partnership for
prosperity, people-to-people links between Canada and India, and
foreign policy issues.'

They also agreed to support scientific and technical contacts on a
broader range of civilian nuclear issues within the public domain.

Singh and Pettigrew reaffirmed the importance of deepening people-to-
people and academic linkages between the two countries. Pettigrew
confirmed Canada's ongoing support for the work of the Shastri Indo-
Canadian Institute, which promises, among other things, innovative
science and technology partnering between Canadian and Indian member
universities.

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Al-haram, Islam does not permit Muslim girls to marry non-Muslims.

2005-09-30T07:08:57Z

From: Imagin8r <imagin8r@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/sep/27sfa.htm

Marriage matters

The most disturbing question I asked a Muslim cleric in Washington was
whether it was right for Indian Muslim girls to marry Hindu boys.

The answer, from Dr Abdullah Muhammad Khouj, was No.

I then asked if it was okay if the girl retained her religion while the boy
retained his. The answer was "Al Haram, Al Haram (It's a sin)." Dr Khouj
added that Islam did not permit Muslim girls to marry non-Muslims. The
marriage was possible only if the boys converted to Islam. He did say,
however, that Muslim boys could marry 'people of the book' like Christians
or Jews, and that the girls could retain their own religion. Marrying Hindu
girls was impossible unless they first converted to Islam.

My question was based on the fact that, as Muslim girls get educated and
become economically independent, it is difficult for Muslim families to tell
them not to marry non-Muslims. There are many cases in India -- including
one in my family -- but the cleric said they were un-Islamic. He added that
one ought to explain to one's sisters and daughters that there was life
after death.

It is a question Indian Muslims will have to ask themselves and find
solutions to. What will they do when such a situation crops up in their
families? Will they be loyal to their religion or give in to demands of
female family members?

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The True Furqan banned by UPA Government in India-Any reviews available?

2005-09-30T07:06:42Z

From: shankaree ramatas <shankaree@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Pranam. Here is a link where you read the book yourself.

http://www.islam-exposed.org/furqan/contents.html

With Love

Shankaree

Ayush Nadimpalli <ayush_n2000@yahoo.com>; wrote:
Namaste

Is there a good review of this book? What is it about?

Ayush

Another book banned

After Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses, now to please
Muslim sentiments the Congress led UPA government has
banned the book, The True Furqan authored by Saffee
and Mehdi and published by Omega and Wine Press in
America. And the logic given by Shivraj Patil, Home
Minister is that it hurts the sentiments of Muslims.
So it has alerted the customs department and other law
enforcing agencies to stop its entry and circulation
in India. A circular was issued on August 25 by Union
Home Ministry, banning the book for having "quite
objectionable" contents. The 366-page book, written
both in English and Arabic in a style and format of
the Quran has been put in the `hate literature'
category as the government led by intellectual Prime
Minister thinks its circulation could raise a
religious and political storm.

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=96&page=12#one

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Dubai Hindus Celebrate Birth Anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru on September 23, 2005.

2005-09-30T07:04:34Z

From: Ashok Chowgule <ashokvc@chowgulegoa.com>; Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005

May be excerpts. Sending as received.

Namaste.
Ashok Chowgule

Dubai Hindus Celebrate Birth Anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=14870&n_tit=Dubai%3A+Billava's+Celebrate+150th+Birth+Anniversary+of+Saint-Philosopher+Sree+Narayana+Guru+

DUBAI, UAE, September 26, 2005: Hindus in Dubai celebrated the 150th
birthday of Saint-Philosopher Sree Narayana Guru at Emirates
English-Speaking School, Dubai, on September 23, 2005. Celebrations
started in the morning with a three-hour nonstop bhajan in a traditional
manner by Sathish Ullal and team. The lighting of the traditional lamp
was performed with devotion by Dr. Suchithra Mohan Attavar, Mohini
Yogesh Anchan, Aparna Pushparaj, Sunitha Jaganath, Prassana Umesh
Kuckian, Saritha Daya Kirodian and Suvarna Sathish Poojary. After the
bhajan a documentary on the life of Sree Narayan Guru was screened. The
puja was performed by Devaraj Acharya. The celebration was attended by a
full house audience who whole heartedly participated in this
celebration. Sree Narayan Guru was a celebrated reformer of Hindu
society in Kerala.

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Sewa lives up to its name: through rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Louisiana (Meeta Chaitanya), September 14, 2005,

2005-09-30T07:02:23Z

From: Srinivasan Kalyanaraman <kalyan97@gmail.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Sewa lives up to its name

ATLANTA DIARY | Meeta Chaitanya

September 14, 2005,

As people and organisations come forward to contribute heartily to the
rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Louisiana, Sewa International, a
global Indian volunteer organisation is amongst the first to spearhead
the Indian endeavour in the US in this regard.

Along with Hindus of Greater Houston, an umbrella organisation of
Hindu temples and other tertiary organisations from Texas, Sewa USA is
actively inspiring by action, efforts towards helping the victims of
Hurricane Katrina.

The organisation has already raised over $100,000 for Katrina relief.
Already, scores of Sewa volunteers, many of whom are second generation
Indians and their non-Indian friends and colleagues, have aligned
themselves with the relief operations in any capacity that has been
offered to them.

Sewa volunteers from across the nation tirelessly put together nearly
1000 hygiene packs comprising soaps, shampoos, among other things and
delivered them to the Astrodome in Houston this Sunday.

Huge cartons filled with other necessities and amenities including
personal care items are consistently being sent to the nucleus of this
mission, Houston, Texas. Volunteers from the community are also doing
their bit in providing all forms of assistance to students and others
of Indian origin displaced by Katrina.

More importantly, as efforts began to materialize for the mammoth task
of assisting those worst affected by the hurricane, many Indian
Americans took it upon themselves to prepare and serve food to the
hundreds displaced from New Orleans and other places and currently
residing in neighbouring states of Texas and Georgia.

Others have spread the word by mobilising the community through
awareness programs in temples and other leading Indian organisations
across the US. Of the displaced evacuees, numbering nearly 150,000 in
Houston alone, the Hindu community has taken upon itself to assist in
providing food to the shelters for one day. 240 volunteers have been
identified for this purpose.

As is the wont of our faith as a people in compassion and the equality
of man, the community has risen to the credo of 'serve humanity, serve
God' by being effectively involved in the local volunteer machinery
everywhere, including Atlanta.

Indians have in fact, volunteered to go beyond immediate relief by
identifying and implementing long term strategic needs in concord with
the government and local administrative bodies.

In order to maximise the aid efforts Sewa has aligned itself with the
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), another reputed volunteer organisation
with 90 branches spread all over the country. Together, they are
striving to find, assess and assist with alternative accommodation,
families that have been staying in motels so far.

A worthy parallel to this aid work is the fact that many Indians from
Atlanta and Texas have registered as volunteers with the American Red
Cross. At the behest of the ARC, Sewa members put together and
delivered several supplies including more than 700 sandwiches within
three hours to the organisation for immediate distribution among
people waiting in lines.

By mobilising the community and ensuring speedy service to the
evacuees in need, Sewa has lived upto its motto- Vasudhaika Kutumbakam
that translates to 'the whole world is one family'. More than that,
Indian Americans have rendered themselves invaluable to the scores
they have helped by way of much needed supplies and service.

It is the community, the people who have made the difference in
adhering to time-tested and revered values of service to humanity
without disparity. It may be the least that can be done for those
whose lives are saved, but forever impaired. But, it is this zealous
service that is the difference between despair and death and
evacuation and survival.

As hurricane Katrina smashed to smithereens remnants of a vivid New
Orleans civilization over the last couple of days, Atlanta rose in
strength to help those affected by this latest manifestation of
nature's ire with all it could muster.

The ordeal undergone by countless men, women and children struck by
Katrina is even more horrific given the state of mayhem that has
clouded hope for those worst affected by the hurricane. The state
machinery, despite its zeal has fared poorly in implementing relief
and rescue strategy.

Amid offers of support that are pouring in from all over the world,
India, who has herself undergone the wrath of Tsunami and the
Maharashtra floods more recently, stands tall. Indians in Atlanta too
have joined the fraternity in pledging support for the needy.

With Louisiana's prime seat being declared a ghost town of no soul or
substance, neighbouring states including Georgia have come forward
with whatever they have at their disposal to enable speedy
resettlement for evacuees of whom more than 42,000 people left the
city. Reportedly, at least 1,000 Katrina evacuees are in Georgia
shelters. Officials have taken measures within their jurisdiction by
opening up airbases as Cobb County's Dobbins Air Reserve Base near
Marietta to them. Temporary food and housing is being made available
to those displaced and suffering.

People suffering from growing maladies as dysentery and vomiting in
Mississippi have been bused to Georgia. In Georgia's hospitals, such
as Atlanta's Grady, emergency medical aid has proven to be effective
and timely. Public schools in Atlanta are doing their bit in
resettling kids into normalcy or a semblance thereof. Many have waived
off mandatory provisos as birth certificates, academic transcripts
etc. They are also giving out school packs, books and other stationery
to children that have enrolled over the past few days as a result of
relocation.

TV channels and leading news agencies are full of stories of people
moving out of the disaster struck areas in much hurry. These people,
most of who are setting up temporary new homes in the Southeast, are
ill prepared for the burden of their days ahead. Most of the families
that fled in haste took only that which they could lay their hands on
easily -- shoes, clothes, toys for their kids, limited supplies of
food and water.

They expect, even now to be 'back home' in a month. That's the least
it's going to take for rudimentary revival, they have been told by
officials. Given the state of affairs in New Orleans, they may well be
chasing an elusive dream. It is to these people that Atlanta's
community of Indians, Hispanics, and others have pledged support in
the form of therapy, shelter, employment, even baby clothes, cribs and
cots.

In the wake of the disastrous conditions prevailing in the rescue
shelters as regards basic amenities such as food, water and clothing,
Atlanta's citizens have generously opened up their hearts and homes to
families displaced by the calamity. Innumerable bulletin boards on the
net and calls connecting people through chains of acquaintances have
paved the way for what could easily be one of the most effective
disaster management and rehabilitation programs.

For evacuees form Louisiana and Mississippi, this is just the
beginning of uncertainty and despair. They have no address, no money,
no food, and no livelihood. For most of them the number plate on their
car is their only proof of identity. For them to be greeted by
strangers with as much warmth is therefore, overwhelming.

The effort of the community in Atlanta ought to be lauded for its eager help.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7752_1491676,004100180001.htm

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Quality?? Quality comes ONLY be revisiting Dharma

2005-09-30T06:59:26Z

(jithu32@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005)

From: JITHENDRIA KUMAR ARAVAMUDHAN <jithu32@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

The problem is we have been speaking about ramanuja and Desikar for long time. the truth is that we are in different time and we need people who can really reach the masses. do we have anyone? i am sorry to say this but the present jeeyars, madathu swamigals are doing anything but promoting harmony. the present swamigal is still preaching a sort of hatred towards saivism which is also reciprocated from their camps. he tells that one shouldn't worship hanuman alone cos he is a part of lord Shiva. and where is the attempts to bring all the hindu community as one sanatana dharma? i am an iyengar and i was fortunately or unfortunately able to get in touch with some strong iyengars. and i discovered to my dismay that there is still wars going on between vadagalai and thengalai, the andavan camp and the madathu swamigal camp etc not to omit the war between vaishnavism and shaivism. and the main head of these camps dont even bother to enquire and
stop this.
and now to this younger generation who have grown up in such households. many dont have such strong faiths in their "acaharyas", the reason simply being they are materialistic! when these sofware technos from india or from U.S are taken by their parents to be proudly presented to the 'Acarya' for blessing , the firdst question that comes out is how much do you earn? whoo.. is that not something a sanyasi should never care about. or lets say would Shri Ramanuja have ever asked that to his devotee?
and then comes another issue. devotees who are rich get more attention from the acharya.you go in auto and when someone comes in hyundai accent he is treated as if he had come from heaven in pushpak vimana though irrespectve of whether he just ate chicken for his breakfast. now we dont know whether these are all the actions of the acharya or his close aids but the fact remains that it is bad. and unless the acarya himself doesnt eradicate this things forget about bringing all the sects under one roof. the fact remains that there is alot of double standards prevailing in the hindu society. oh we speak of ramanuja trying hard to include harijans into his vaishnavism, but look now what steps are being taken to do the same. how many non brahmins are being included in the asram of these vaishnava acharyas. i have friend who is a vasihnava mudaliar. when i asked him to what sect he belong he didnt know. they have been vaishnavas for
a long time that is all he knew. i am sure they would have been those that were included by Ramanuja and now nobiody cares bout them to include into their sect. actually he is doing a geat favour to vaishnavism by staying a vaishnavite even without an acahrya'. NOw is this what Ramanjua intended? i dont think so.He was such a broad minded man who could embrace wny human. will the present acharyas do it? its sad but we have got a very long and tough path to make the concept of 'ringing all the hindus under one umbrella ' reality.

jithu
Quality comes ONLY be revisiting dharma (sAstrAs) and doing a proper
deliberation by taking in traditionalists ALSO in to fold.

We need to SHED school affiliations when it is for dharmA..I see a
tendency to whitewash anything Vaishnavite or Sri-Vaishnavites ..
(thankgod shaivism and sAkthism is spared..) amongst many as
mere "sectarian".

What more do you need other than the great perceptors starting from
nAthamuni who affirmed with all logical and intellectual vigour and
established that bhAgavathA system of thought is indeed vedic...
under severe scatching attack from MemAmAskas and others..who held
bhAgavathAs are vrAthyAs and outside fold.

Sri RAmAnujA went a step further.. by still upholding varna ashrama
dharmA he found a method to bring back every section of society
unto service to parmAthmAn/parmeswhwaran and forwarded unshakable
arguments from sruthis and smruthis for such a system.

>From a postion where ONLY SANYASIS (of tray varnikA sect) could atain
mokshA.. he established "saranAgathy" an alternate and easiset option
to attain MokshA .

If sangh could follow Sri rAmAnujA's model .. we will have the entire
bAratham under one umbrella.. namely sanAthana dharmA.

That includes and also adds...

1)nAma sankErthanam

2)likitha Japam

3)Rennoavtion of abandoned temples

4)Re-introducing temple festivals that were stopped.

5)infuse bakthi into every village where dharmA still lives in one
form or the other..

6)Avoidng ...Denigration of any traditioanlists or sampradhAyAs as
too sectarian..

7)Quitting politics and instead form/create a strong vote bank.

and the list grows on..

I am stoping here

regards
Venkat

--- In IndianCivilization@yahoogroups.com, "rrajendra"
<rrajendra@y...> wrote:
> I guess one of reasons for attacking Elst may be because of his
attacks
> on Sangh's intellectual tradition or rather the lack of it. Some
die
> hard Sangh supporters may not like it. Rest of the attackers could
be
people who are anti Hindu infiltrators in this forum.

> In the context of another discussion on quality and quanity, I
would
> say what lacks in Sangh literature is that QUALITY which can win it
> more supporters.

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'Macho' Australian men get hooked to yoga (By Madeleine Coorey in Sydeny)

2005-09-30T06:56:54Z

From: viji <viji123@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

'Macho' Australian men get hooked to yoga

By Madeleine Coorey in Sydeny
Tuesday, 27 September , 2005, 10:04

Increasing numbers of Australia's famously macho men are showing surprising metrosexual tendencies, ditching competitive exercise for the meditative calm of yoga.

"We are getting the rugby players, the body builders, the gym junkie guys," says yoga teacher Duncan Peak, a former parachute officer and first-grade rugby player.

"He now comes in here and gets humbled by the first posture." International Yoga Teachers' Association president Moina Bower agrees men are now far more likely to be seen attempting 'downward dog' poses on yoga mats than a few years ago.

"Australian men generally perhaps in the past have looked at yoga as a bit sissy," she says. The popularity of yoga among men and women has been growing steadily, in part due to the influence of celebrity practitioners such as Madonna and Sting and partly because it is now more widely recommended by doctors, she says.

Bower also believes the increase in men attending classes is part of a wider acceptance of the practice here, which has stretched as far as the Australian cricket team being accompanied by a yoga instructor during their 2004 tour of India.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, yoga does not make it into the top four forms of exercise in this country -- walking, swimming, aerobic and fitness workouts, and tennis.

But a 2002 survey found that about 3.6 per cent of those who exercised regularly did some yoga. While women make up about 85 per cent of yoga practitioners in Australia, Bower says more men are becoming involved as a way of handling the stress of their lives.

"Usually they come along, I think, because it releases stress for them and they don't have to compete," she says. Peak, who runs classes at a gym close to Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge, says about 30 to 40 per cent of his students are male, drawn to the 'power yoga', or vinyasa, brand his school uses.

Power yoga is practised as a flowing stream of poses done in a heated room to further loosen tight muscles and allow for deeper stretches. Peak believes that power yoga is more accessible to men than more meditative versions because it allows them to practice poses without losing their masculinity.

Even so, some postures are specifically adapted to suit muscle-bound men. "With big guys who have played rugby their whole lives, you don't want him to crank himself into a lotus pose, we would get him to do a modified version of the posture and let him open up slowly," Peak explains.

Patrick Davis previously swam, worked out at a gym and raced yachts for exercise but says he became "absolutely hooked" on yoga after attending one of Peak's classes six weeks ago.

The well-built, six-foot-three information technology project manager now comes to one of Peak's classes every second day.

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Largest ever Humanitarian effort by the Dallas Hindu Temple

2005-09-30T06:54:09Z

From: Srinivasan Kalyanaraman <kalyan97@gmail.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

DFW HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY
EKTA MANDIR
1605 N. Britan Rd., Irving, TX 75061
www.dfwhindutemple.org 972-445-3111

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sashi Kejriwal

972-333-5705

Hindu Temple offers Temple premises for Hurricane Rita Evacuees

Irving, Texas September 24, 2005 - The Hindu Temple in Irving Texas,
opened its doors for Hurricane Rita evacuees Thursday night. Many agencies
like Red Cross, Texas 211, Texas Department of Public Safety were informed
about availability of its premises for use as shelter.

When emails went out to Temple devotees, offers of supplies and help
poured in, clogging the phone lines. Volunteers were busy redirecting calls
about offers of help to their personal cell phones, so that the main lines
could be left open for calls from evacuees and agencies calling to get latest
capacity information.

"It was heartwarming to see two kids jumping up and down in joy, just
because they could have a warm shower after being cramped in an ac-less
pickup for 24 hours", said one of the volunteers.

Doctors from the Hindu community were on call, and provided valuable
assistance to evacuees who were pregnant, had stomach aches, flu-like
symptoms, etc.

Calls poured in from agencies as far out as California, trying to
locate shelter for evacuees still on the road. Calls from Security company
employees, Corporations, Government agencies, other charities trying to
place evacuees was indicative of the enormous effort by the whole
community. Updated lists of shelters with available space were all over the
internet, and thanks to agencies maintaining those lists, it was
rather smooth to
find shelters for evacuees that reached a full shelter.

In all, about 200 people found shelter at the Hindu Temple. When asked
regarding his views about helping those in need, R.K.Panditi, a
volunteer, said "The Gita has said that this kind of charity, with no
expectation
in return, is the best kind". Gita is one of the main holy books of
Hinduism.

Dr. Jagannath Rao of the Hindu temple said "It was very encouraging to
see so many devotees that showed up to help. Some volunteers had to be
turned away." Manoj Parikh, President of the Temple said "Hindu temple is
open for shelter to all Americans, and we are happy to see evacuees from all
walks of life being served". For further information contact: Sashi Kejriwal
972-333-5705.

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Community social service

2005-09-30T06:51:41Z

From: surmil2000 <surmil2000@yahoo.co.in>; Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005

A Heavenly Abode
In the foothills of the Himalayas awaits your homecoming……

If you are a retired professional in the fields of education,
engineering, veterinary medicine, agriculture, medicine,
architecture, ecological preservation, or a related field and are
looking to devote your time and energy in the service of humanity,
please come and join us.

We promise to provide a serene, divine, spiritual environment with
full lodging and board and modern amenities, including a library, on
the banks of the Holy Ganges River.

Come offer your experience, your expertise and your energy in a
spiritual environment nestled in the Himalayan paradise. Let your
time, energy and skills be utilized for the betterment of the world!

Kindly respond with your views and the details of your field of
expertise.

Please email me at: sunerjee@yahoo.com.

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Houston Muslims Invite Xtians for Iftaar!

2005-09-30T06:49:11Z

From: Pushpa Rajguru <pushparajguru@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Here is an e-mail forwarded to me by a stranger. It clearly shows the the
followers of the "religion of peace" are serious about spreading their
lethal ideology.

Not too long ago, I had posted a similar e-mail which contained information
about this group, Houston Interfaith Forum's tour of the BAPS mega million
dollar "temple" in Houston.

The thing to notice here is that while the main intent of the BAPS tour
operators was to "advertise" their catering services and their fully stocked
snack shop in the guise of "temple tour", the Muslims are taking the Mosque
tour very seriously and will get a lot of PR mileage out of the visit which
will benefit the entire Islamic community. It is possible that some of these
very nice folks from Houston Interfaith Forum will be so taken in by the
passion of their Muslim hosts that they may even consider converting.

It is a well established fact that BAPS is number one when it comes to
providing Indian snacks and full-service catering in Texas. In fact, thanks
to their highly competitive prices which they are able to maintain due to
the free services of highly devoted volunteers, BAPS has managed to drive
out of business many small outfits, especially the ones that were
"mama-papa"types.

While it is not possible to know the exact sales figures generated by the
sBAPS snack shops and the catering service which caters for weddings & other
social events, it is believed that in any given month, the avarage sales
amount to over $50,000.

BAPS is constantly looking for ways to increase their sales and have come up
with the plan to open the temple to non-Indians with the hope that they will
be hooked to the fresh chappatis & samosas and will become their life long
customers.

The Muslims, on the other hand, mean real business. Just see how they have
done their homework. The Goras will actually FAST for the day and join in
their Iftaar prayers & open the fast with the believers...in essence they
will have become Muslims for that day.

This is just the beginning. The tentacles of Islam will flex further while
most Hindus remain totally clueless about their own faith and are only too
happy gorging on free prasadams from the temples that sing the glories of
"gurus" who will not utter one word against the basic ills that confront the
Hindu society.

PR

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characteristics of God

2005-09-30T06:46:18Z

From: Gayathry <agayathry@yahoo.com>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

Swami! We should not follow a wrong person at any cost.

Swami: Yes, Rohit! You are absolutely correct in this point It is better to be in zero if not plus, but should not be minus But one should try and succeed to achieve the plus Fearing that you may fall in minus you should not be in zero The system should not be discarded due to fear of error Fear of copying the examination system should not be cancelled You must be patient in studying the procedure for plus You must achieve the highest goal, which has lot of risk Without taking the risk one can not achieve the highest goal Since you are trying for the highest goal, which is the Lord The Lord will help you by catching you from the deviation What you say shall apply in the case of materialistic matters But in spiritual matters the help of the Lord is there with you You have to climb the steps with your own effort only But if you slip, certainly the Lord will come to your rescue That much help is justified and it is not partiality shown to you Such help will be extended to any traveler in the spiritual path.

God is unimaginable and so all His inseparable
characteristics
Also become unimaginable, you can not directly detect
Him.
You can say that this is fire since it is hot, a
direct detection
But when fire and heat are unimaginable, how to
detect?
Veda says that God can be detected by negative
analysis
That is to reject every imaginable item as not God
‘Neti Neti’ means every item of the creation is
rejected
By the sages who said that this is not God, this is
not God
Finally they rejected all the items of the creation as
not God
God is unimaginable and is beyond this entire creation
Veda says “ Yatovachah ” “ No Word can indicate God ”
Aprapyamanasa ” “ Mind can not imagine God ”
Namedhaya ” “ The intelligence can not discuss God ”
Naisha Tarkena ” “ God is beyond all imaginations ”
Yasyaamatam” “ Know that God can never be known”
Gita says “ Maamtuveda Nakaschan ” “ None can know
God”
Regarding God, the scriptures are only the authority
If the story stops at this stage, you need not worry
about God
When we are unable even to imagine God, why God?
The real story starts now only because God becomes
known
But He is known not directly but only indirectly only
Perception is not the only single authority of the
truth
Inference is also an equal authority to know the truth
Direct knowledge of the object through senses is
perception
Indirect knowledge of the object through analysis is
inference
You see the fire directly with your eyes and say it is
fire
This is perception and no identifying mark is
necessary.
The inseparable characteristics of the fire are also
seen
The fire is burning and very hot as known by senses
The inseparable characteristics are also grasped by
senses
Burning and heat are the inseparable characteristics
of the fire
Similarly if you take the case of God, perception is
impossible
Neither God nor His inseparable characteristics are
perceived
God enters an imaginable item of the creation and
gives
The proof of His existence through that medium
The proof is not His inseparable characteristics at
all
Because they are also unimaginable like Himself
He will make a characteristic of the medium itself
Wonderful which is imaginable but special
Special means that it is not seen in another place
Knowledge or Jnanam is imaginable sign of the medium.
Every human being has some amount of knowledge
But when God enters the human body, the knowledge
there
Becomes Prajnanam which is the special knowledge
Veda says “ Prajnanam Brahma”, no human being can show
This Prajnanam , it is special only to human
incarnation
Thus Prajnanam is imaginable characteristic of human
being
So that imaginable human beings can grasp it
But at the same time it is special that is wonderful
However, Prajnanam is not the inseparable sign of God
It is not the sign of God at all, no sign of God is
known
But at it acts as inseparable sign of God by which
Only the existence of God is known and this does not
mean
God is known, the existence of unknown God is known
We have recognized a person hidden in a house
By His special voice, by voice you can not know
The inseparable signs of the person like height,
colour etc.,
By the yellow thread in the neck you know the lady is
married
And she has a husband alive, only that much is known
By the yellow thread we have not seen her husband
She may donate any jewel to any one but not the yellow
thread
The yellow thread can act as inseparable sign of her
husband
But the color and height of the husband are not seen
by it
Therefore the yellow thread can act as inseparable
sign
Similarly Prajnanam acts as inseparable sign of the
Lord
The human form with Prajnanam is like the married lady
Prajnanam is the yellow thread and the Lord is like
husband
Prajnanam is the main characteristic of human
incarnation
Love and bliss are associated with Prajnanam always
But the reverse is not true, you may see love and
bliss
But Prajnanam need not be with love and bliss.
Love and bliss can be obtained in the world also
They are limited and expressed as “Anandamaya Kosa”
Every human being is having love and bliss in him
Love and bliss are inseparable since Veda says that
one gets
Bliss through love only “ Rasam hyeva … Anandee” .
In fact love and bliss of human beings are finite only
But the love and bliss of human incarnation are
infinite
You may misunderstand the love and bliss of a human
being
To be infinite, because you have not seen their
infinity
Since you have not come to the human incarnation.
Even the finite knowledge of a person may appear to
you
As infinite knowledge since you have not received it
yet
>From the real human incarnation, yes, the subject is
Very very complicated and this is called
“Brahmmajnanam”
You have to catch the original diamond very carefully
At every step artificial diamonds stand before you.
The detection of the Lord in human form is His divine
game
The wrong persons claiming as human incarnations are
The artificial diamonds created by the Lord only
An examiner gives four answers to a multiple-choice
question
Three answers are wrong and one answer is correct
Using your analysis you must find the correct answer
Remember, the wrong answers are also set by the same
examiner

Please understand the delightful divine game of the
Lord
The producer of cinema also remunerates the villain
The role is Saturn, which opposes the human
incarnation
The villain opposes hero in the cinema only
The actors of villain and hero are good friends
personally !
Jesus told “ Hate the sin but not the sinner” means
the same
The Hero hates the villain in the cinema only
There is no hatred between the two actors
Lord Vishnu and Jaya love each other in the upper
world
Jaya is the gatekeeper of Lord Vishnu, most faithful
servant
Vishnu acted as Rama and Jaya acted as Ravana
Rama fought with Ravana and killed him in the war
It is the entire apparent cinema only, hate Ravana but
not Jaya
There is no Ravana really, there is really Jaya only
Ravana is the role and Jaya is the actor
Role is inert dress only, Jaya is the living being
Therefore you should not hate the wrong person also
Oppose the wrong theory of the wrong person
His wrong theory is also the dialogue written by the
Lord
When Sisupala scolded Krishna, Krishna was smiling,
Because all those abuses were written dialogues of
Krishna
As actor Sisupala is Jaya and Krishna is Vishnu
Jesus opposed the attraction from Saturn, that is all
Jesus never scolded Saturn or even the people killing
Him
He knows that they are roles in the drama
And their abuses were written dialogues of God
Therefore argue with wrong persons and analyze truth
Reject their wrong arguments, which are false
But love them as your friends, realizing that
They are the set roles in this divine drama by the
Lord only.

You have to catch the human form, no alternative,
Except in the human form God remains unimaginable
Even if you have caught correctly, He is not in your
grip
This Prajnanam gives the inference of the God
The smoke is associated sign of fire but it is
inseparable
You have seen the smoke and not the fire at all
You have inferred the existence of fire only
You can infer God through the human incarnation
Veda says “Asteetyeva” which means that at the maximum
You can infer the existence of God but not His
perception
By seeing the bridge you can infer the existence of
Engineer
But you can not infer the place where exactly Engineer
exists now
Similarly on seeing this universe, you can infer
existence of God
But you can not infer the exact place of the existence
of God
Prajnanam gives the exact existence of God
Like the voice of the engineer coming out from a
house.
The bridge is universe and the house is a particular
human body
Remember that the medium into which God enters must be

Only the human being because knowledge can be only
In the human being, not in inert statues, plants, and
animals
Inert objects give the existence of physical
materialistic item
Plants give the extra existence of life, animals give
still more
Extra existence of mind, finally human beings give
Extra existence of intelligence which gives knowledge.
Since Prajnanam means special knowledge, which is not
present
In any other human being, finally this concludes that
Only a particular human being is the special human
incarnation
This may kindle jealousy and egoism in human beings,
I can not help in this matter since it is the bitter
truth.
Gita says that He comes in the human form only.
The incarnation has not come for the sake of entire
humanity
It has come only for those human beings who have
conquered
The egoism and jealousy and craved for the God to come
down
Therefore human incarnation is not the subject of all
For all the people the incarnation acts as ordinary
man only
Krishna never told to any one that He is God
Except to Gopikas and Arjuna who were great sages
Therefore any body with jealousy and egoism need not
worry
About the human incarnation which is not his subject
But this fellow does not keep silent with this
clarification
He asks the devotee about his experience of the
incarnation
The devotee says that he has experienced the Lord in
Him
This fellow becomes jealous of the devotee also
He wants that the devotee also should join him
He will plead that God can not be in the human form
He neither experiences nor allows others to experience
the Lord
If he has not experienced, others also should not
experience
He pleads all should come to formless or statues
Or past dead human incarnations who are in the
pictures.
The human incarnation never says to all that He is God
He says and also behaves as an ordinary human being
only
But He allows and declares also that He is God
Only to a very few really deserving devotees since
He gives His experience through the medium to them
In which case He can say that He is God, nothing
wrong.
As Nikhil rightly pointed out that all this is divine
game (Leela)
If one remembers this single point in his entire life
He is never disturbed by any situation because
Even if he is scolded by some body, he is happy
Since he is a part of drama for the entertainment of
Lord
The person who scolds is an actor with his dialog
The person who is scolded is also an actor, who weeps
The scolding and weeping are directed by the Lord
Both are in the service of the Lord only
You have to withdraw from the worries of the world
You must become peaceful by such detachment
This is the state of self-realization by becoming self
Then you must identify the Lord in the human form
With the help of His wonderful and blissful knowledge
You are tasting the bliss of the Lord just for His
identity
The self-peace and bliss from Lord are only
intermediate
They should not be permanent since both are selfish
You have to sacrifice both the peace and bliss
For pleasing the Lord through His service
Service is worry related to the work of the Lord
Therefore you are transferred from world-worry to
The worry in the work of God, that is divine service
Peace and bliss are temporary only in the interval.
Jesus ended with terrible worry in the work of the
Lord
He did not end in selfish peace and bliss
He also asked the devotees to sacrifice wealth and
come
He stated that unless one leaves his family and even
life
Can not be His dear disciple.
He also stated that He has come with knowledge sword
Not to establish peace in the family of the devotees
He said that He would divide the family members
All this indicates worry and disturbance in the
service
And not the selfish bliss and selfish peace
The life histories of devotees clearly show
Lot of worries and problems, not peace and bliss.

His Holiness Shri Datta Swami

website address: http://www.universal-spirituality.org

e-mail address: swami@universal-spirituality.org

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www.terror.com (Satellite images by google)

2005-09-30T06:43:21Z

From: Bipin <bp16@ukonline.co.uk>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005

www.terror.com

The Pioneer Edit Desk
http://dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=EDITS&file_name=edit1%2Etxt&counter_img=1

28th Sep 2005

The dangers of unrestricted flow of traffic on the information superhighway called the Internet have been rudely brought home by the popular e-service provider Google which, after its hugely successful e-mail service, has recently launched Google Earth - Explore, Search and Discover - that has sent shivers down the collective spine of security establishments across the world. The new service enables anybody with access to the Net to zoom in on top security - and till now strictly secret - military and other strategic installations of a large number of countries, including India.

The virtual visit to these sites is facilitated with the help of satellite images that are sharp, precise and amazingly detailed; the bulk of the images would be categorised as "classified information" by Governments concerned. For instance, apart from close-up and graphic shots of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House and the Prime Minister's residence, Google Earth offers more than a bird's eye view of military aircraft parked at Palam Air Force base, physical details of INS Viraat and other Navy vessels, including one under construction, and Yellahanka Air Force base.

Also available are satellite images of military installations in Pakistan - for instance, shots of P3C Orion at Faisal Air Force base in Karachi - as well as high-risk targets in the US, Australia, South Korea and Thailand. While the basic service of Google Earth is free, the advanced version comes with a price tag. In effect, this is a business enterprise that involves Google buying spy satellite imagery and selling them to subscribers - the profits, needless to add, will be in millions of dollars, if not more. Champions of free market economics and freedom of information will no doubt claim that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with Google Earth; after all, the Net is meant for the free flow of knowledge and to make information accessible to all in a seamless, digitised world; if in the process Google earns some money, there is no cause to cavil.

While there can be no dispute over allowing free flow of knowledge and breaking down barriers that made access to information virtually impossible till the Internet changed our lives inexorably, it would be in order to underscore the inherent dangers of unrestricted services like that which is now being offered by Google. For instance, terrorists will no longer have to spend human and monetary resources to gather information about high security installations that they wish to target. They can now access it by logging on to http://earth.google.com from anywhere in the world.

And so precise are the details of these potential targets, that they can better plan their strikes and minimise the chances of failure; indeed, in most cases they can work out ways and means to circumvent security arrangements. This is alarming and as frightening as the possibility of terrorists putting together a dirty bomb with the help of an e-manual posted on the Net by a scientist who believes that such information should not remain restricted to military labs. Google is not an underground operation, nor is it an untraceable, faceless entity. It is an American business whose shares are traded. That an American entity should seek to titillate the sick fancies and the perverted minds of terrorists is ironical, not least because Google has also apparently compromised the security of the US. Google should reconsider going ahead with the new service; if it fails to do so, Google

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It's all about sponsorship; KGB disclosures(Claude Arpi, dailypioneer, 27th Sep 2005)

2005-09-30T06:41:09Z

From: Bipin <bp16@ukonline.co.uk>; Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005,

It's all about sponsorship

Claude Arpi

http://dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=EDITS&file_name=edit3%2Etxt&counter_img=3

28th Sep 2005

The new book, The Mitrokhin Archive II: The KGB and the World, by Vasili Mitrokhin and Professor Christopher Andrew, has triggered a flurry of comments in the Indian media. Although the ways in which the KGB (and the CIA) influenced the so-called 'non-aligned' nations such as India was known to everybody, the contents of the book seem to have surprised certain quarters. The level of reactions from the political parties in the country shows the extent of calculated ignorance of the Indian leaders. Someone has even termed the book as a 'spy thriller'.

This comment can only make one smile; Prof Andrew's research is the topic of a very serious seminar organised by the Cold War International History Project at the Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington, DC. The centre has been the main institution in the West collecting, translating and publishing declassified documents from former Communist bloc. Their publications (partly available on their website) are a testimony of their scholarly work.

Delhi was certainly fertile soil for Soviet 'sponsorship', but Moscow's assistance was not limited to India and powerful ministers or apparatchiks. I recently came across the biography of Phüntso Wangye, the first Tibetan Communist. (A Tibetan Revolutionary, by Melwyn Goldstein, University of California Press). As a young man, Phüntso studied in a Guomintang military school, but got attracted towards Communism very early. He was only 19 (in 1941) when he and a friend came into contact with Fei Delin, the First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy in Chongqing. Phüntso recalls: "We told him we had started our own Tibetan Communist Party organisation. We said that ultimately we wanted to go back to Kham (Eastern Tibet) to start a socialist revolution and hoped that the Soviet Union would be willing to support our efforts."

Fei listened politely and told him that he had to refer their discussion to Moscow. After a few weeks, Phüntso went back to the embassy. No news had yet come, but Fei asked the young boy how he was managing financially. When Phüntso replied that he depended on some relatives, Fei "smiled and said that the embassy would be glad to help me and then he gave me one hundred yuan, and said he would do the same each month". The innocent Phüntso said he "was startled by his generosity, since at that time one could eat for a month for only fourteen or fifteen yuan."

A few months later, Phüntso and his friend met Ye Jianying, one of Zhou Enlai's officers, and told him they wanted to go to Yan'an, Mao's headquarters. Ye explained that it was difficult, but promised to help. He gave each of them a sum of 450 yuans. The young Tibetans never reached Yan'an but eventually returned to Chongqing where they met Fei Delin again and discussed with him their projects.

A few weeks later, Phüntso was told that Moscow had agreed to his plans to study in the Soviet Union. He was given a secret code to cross the border (via Gilgit and Xinjiang) and a sum of 1000 yuans plus a similar amount in English pounds.

This was a huge amount in 1941, especially for a 19-year-old. One understands better that a few lakhs of rupees here and there given to some Indian ministers or for winning an Indian election was nothing for the Soviet Union. It was part of their 'sponsorship' programme.

To finish the story of Phüntso, in 1951 he was the main liaison between the Communists who had invaded Tibet and the Dalai Lama's government. During the following years, he became very close to the central leadership in Beijing, particularly Mao, but he soon discovered that some Chinese officials suffered from the same disease as the Nationalists: The Great Han Chauvinism.

When the Dalai Lama left for a six-month visit to China in 1954, Mao ordered Phüntso to accompany the Lama everywhere. During his talks with the young Tibetan leader, Phüntso tried to convince the Dalai Lama that Communism was a good thing for Tibet. He remembers: "I explained to him about the Communist Party and the reforms that were taking shape in inland China.

He was extremely interested, asked many questions and readily agreed that the Tibetan nation was backward and had to be reformed." Phüntso's dream to see a modern and socialist Tibet in his lifetime did not come true. In April 1958, he was unexpectedly arrested to 'cleanse his thinking'. During the following 18 years, he was interrogated, tortured and jailed in the most atrocious conditions. His mistake was that he had thought that he could be a sincere Tibetan and a Communist at the same time. He did not know that sponsorship has a price.

The example of Phüntso Wangye and The Mitrokhin Archives raises
several questions. First, what would have happened to the archives if the
KGB librarian had defected to India? The answer is clear: Nothing. My
experience is that Indian politicians do value archives. It is logical: It
could make them accountable. Ask for any files related to Kashmir, Russia or
China in the National Archives of India, and your request will be marked
'NT', meaning 'not transferred'. In fact, the new Right to Information Act
of 2005, which comes into force next month, will protect those who do not
want India's history to be known.

Article 8 (1) (a) says: That "there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, - (a) information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence." This is enough to cover for 100 years all blunders and mischief by those who have made India's modern history. Further, Article 23 says: "No court shall entertain any suit, application or other proceeding in respect of any order made under this Act and no such order shall be called in question otherwise than by way of an appeal under this Act."

This automatically bars any scholar or organisation from doing what is regularly done in the US: Asking a court to verify if a specific classification is still justified after 30 years. Incidentally, the US Freedom of Information Act "establishes a presumption that records in the possession of agencies and departments of the executive branch of the US Government are accessible to the people". This is not the case in India.

Further, files pertaining to security agencies such as the IB, RAW, etc., do not come under the purview of the new Act. Therefore, 'sponsored' politicians will continue to be well protected. In the present circumstances, they can sleep soundly. No skeleton will ever be found in their cupboards except if it comes from abroad, which can be easily dismissed as the work of 'foreign hands'. Then, another consequence of the recent revelations: It blows apart Indian foreign policy's best-nurtured myth - that India was a non-aligned nation during the Cold War.
A last point should not be forgotten. To find significant documents in any archive is not a day's work like many seem to believe in India. It requires painstaking and protracted efforts by devoted history lovers who are well aware of the historical background of the period they are researching. Unfortunately, instead of sponsoring honest historians, the rulers in Delhi prefer sycophants who will protect their interests. The saga of the infamous Towards the Freedom project bears witness that only tainted (red) 'scholars' can have access to original documents. The 'sponsorship' business goes on.

And what about the Indian press? Mitrokhin says that the KGB could plant at will articles in at least 10 newspapers. Is the situation different today? Not so much, the difference is that 'sponsors' have no ideology (except money) anymore.

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Gilgit, Baltistan not part of Kashmir, says Karan

2005-09-30T06:39:16Z

From: Claude Arpi <tibpav@satyam.net.in>; Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_27-9-2005_pg7_26 Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Gilgit, Baltistan not part of Kashmir, says Indian MP
By Ibrahim Shahid

GILGIT: Gilgit and Baltistan — commonly known as the Northern Areas (NAs) — are not part of the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan, India and Kashmir must accept this reality, said an Indian parliamentarian.n.

Two local weeklies — Weekly Naqqara and Weekly Baad-e-Shimal — of the Northern Areas reported Indian parliamentarian Dr Karan Singh saying this at the intra-Kashmir conference in New Delhi on Monday. .

The two weeklies reported that Dr Karan Singh, the son of the maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and a member of the Rajya Sabah, apologised to the people of the Northern Areas for the forcible occupation of these areas by his ancestors. He said that the governments of Pakistan, India and Kashmir must acknowledge that the Northern Areas are not part of the Jammu and Kashmir and its re-unification was not possible.

The popular weeklies also reported that Farooq Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, had demanded the Government of Pakistan provide the Northern Areas representation in its parliament.

Haji Fida Muhammad Dilshad, former deputy chief executive of the Northern Areas, and Dr Muzaffar Ali, member of the Northern Areas Legislative Council, told Daily Times that the statements of Dr Singh and Abdullah were according to the true historical perspective of the region and that the Northern Areas had never been the part of Jammu and Kashmir.

They said that the Pakistani government should declare the region as de-juro part of Pakistan. Presently the people of the Northern Areas have no representation in the parliament and they also lack access to the Supreme Court of Pakistan for the resolution of their problems.

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