International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin

'Churchianity' - An artifice for aggression (G. C. Asnani: What is going around as Christianity is really the ambition program of imperialist Church started around 315 A.D., with the armies of violence and murders under cruel Emperor Constantine; as such, it should be called Churchianity. The name of saintly Jesus Christ of Nazareth should not be allowed to be exploited by cruel Churchianity.)

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:24:00 GMT

From: "christianaggression.org" <<a href="mailto:iaca_master@yahoo.com">iaca_master@yahoo.com</a> Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 'Churchianity' - An artifice for aggression <a href="http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?id=1169004872&type=ARTICLES">http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?id=1169004872&type=ARTICLES</a> January 7, 2007 V SUNDARAM In December 2006, the secular, non-saffronized, non-communal, non-obscurantist, non-superstitious Himachal Pradesh Government has passed a legislation banning forced religious conversions. The Congress-led government in the State passed the legislation during its four-day winter session held at the newly constructed Vidhan Sabha (State Legislature) in Dharamshala on Friday. Kaul Singh, Law Minister, Himachal Pradesh, said, that 'according to the bill if someone was forced to change his religion without his consent, then he could come back to his own religion within a month'. He has also added that under the bill, persons who had forced or induced someone to change his/her religion then he/she would liable for punishment. This bold action of Himachal Pradesh Government founded on pragmatic and crusty non-Congress common sense rooted in the soil of India dating back to the dawn of history has to be welcomed by all the true patriots in the land who subscribe to the ardent nationalism of Mahapurushas like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo Gosh, Sri Bipin Chandra Pal, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Lala Lajpat Rai, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Sri Guruji Golwalkar. In recent months, five states ruled by BJP or its allies have introduced or strengthened anti-conversion laws, which they say will protect India's religious identity and foster communal harmony. But this is the first time such a law has been passed in a government ruled by Congress Party. Under some of the new laws, anyone planning to leave the Hindu fold must obtain certificates from officials and affidavits from courts saying they were converting out of free will and not by inducements given by the Church and its agencies. The ugly, barbarous and indecent incidents in a Christian School in Omalur in Salem District has brought into sharp public focus the nature and the extent of child abuse that is taking place in many of these minority institutions under the protection of minority laws. In this context, the brilliant letter of VOLTAIRE (1694-1778) to Frederick the Great in 1767 comes to my mind. In this letter, Voltaire, one of the architects of the French Revolution of 1789, wrote these brilliant words: 'Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world- - -Where is the prince sufficiently educated to know that for seventeen hundred years the Christian sect has done nothing but harm?' I would like to remind all the Dravadian rationalists in Tamilnadu that Voltaire was by no means a superstitious Iyer or Iyengar from Tamilnadu and his permanent place in history can never get effaced or obliterated by any knee-jerk pseudo secular notification of comic pseudo secular Governments in India - be it New Delhi, or Chandigarh or Mumbai or Chennai. In his 'Philosophical Dictionary', Voltaire gave a time-defying verdict: 'Pagan religion shed very little blood, while ours flooded the earth with it. Christianity has deluged the earth with blood for the sake of sophisms'. About the atrocities committed by the Roman Catholic Church in Goa in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, Voltaire in his 'FRAGMENTS OF INDIA'S HISTORY' observed: 'Goa is sadly famous for its INQUISITION, which is contrary to humanity as much as to commerce. The Portuguese monks deluded us into believing that the Indian populace was worshipping the Devil, while it is THEY who served him'. To quote the rapier-thrust words of Voltaire once again in his famous 'Essay on Customs': 'Christianity's divine teacher, living in humility and peace, preached forgiveness of insults; but his holy and gentle religion has become through our madness, the most intolerant of all, and the most barbaric'. When the Roman Catholic Church in France made a slanderous attack on Lord Bolingbroke in the 1760s, Voltaire defended him with these biting words: 'Christianity lit the torches that reduced our cities of ashes, and furbished the swords that for so long covered our countryside with the corpses of our ancestors'. In this context, I would be failing in my public duty as a free lance journalist if I do not invite the kind attention of our readers to a historic and landmark judgement recently passed in USA by a Federal Judge in Louisville. In his historic decision, he refused to dismiss a lawsuit against the Vatican that alleges a cover-up to protect priests who molested American children. Louisville Attorney William Mc Murry has declared: 'This is the first and only case which has as its sole objective holding the Vatican financially accountable for all of the childhood sexual abuses committed in the US.' It has to be noted that the attorney had filed the suit in 2004 on behalf of three men who alleged abuse dating as far back as 1928. If this verdict finally stands, it could open the door for attorneys to take depositions of Vatican officials -including Pope Benedict XVI � obtain copies of church records and documents and ultimately determine what prompted all of the bishops to keep quiet, hide these pedophiles and refuse to report child abusers. Attorney William Mc Murry has hailed this judgement as 'truly great and historic'. It has also been reported that McMurry is requesting injunctions requiring the Vatican to 'cease its violations of the internationally recognized human rights of children and to report all allegations of childhood sexual abuse in the United States and that he is asking a federal judge to supervise the Vatican's conduct for 10 years'. McMurry is seeking to have the Vatican suit certified as a class-action case, saying he believes there are at least several thousand victims nationwide. McMurry said that is important because the Pope Benedict XVI was a Bishop on a commission that dealt with priests accused of sexual abuse. McMurry finally concluded that 'The Pope knows where all the bones are buried'. David Clohessy, national director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said: 'The ruling is a step towards the truth. This is part of a slow but clear trend by judges everywhere to hold wrongdoers responsible for child sex crimes, even if they wear clerical garb.' Sexual abuse of innocent women and children in many of the Institutions run by Vatican round the world have been brought to the broad Sunlight of public notice everywhere. Belinda Martinez of Minnesota, U.S.A. sent an open letter to the Pope on 19 April, 2002 in which, among other things, she alleged as follows: 'I am one of the vast numbers of Catholics who have been sexually abused by a priest. I am appalled at every news article or story I hear; yet at the same time, I know it will mark an increased intensity in the healing of the victim involved. I am hoping that the Holy Roman Catholic Church can be an instrument of the healing as well. SO FAR IT HAS NOT. Please ask that your Cardinals release the names of priests, formerly or presently accused of being involved in criminal sexual acts, so that the sin of secrecy does not continue. There are still so many undisclosed perpetrators of terrible deeds. We have lost human lives to suicide, mental illness and over medicated adult lives in the name of your secrecy.' Please do not become complacent on this issue. There is too much work to do. We have shown only a small portion of the ugliness. There are victims suffering great grief as a result of abuse by nuns as well. So much more light needs to be shed. It is not okay to concentrate on what you can retain of your reputation, dignity, assets, authority, or respect, if you first do not make monumental efforts to restore those very same things to the innocents from whom they were stolen'. She has further said in her letter: 'I pray for victims who try to maintain membership in a worship community that does not understand how bittersweet the rituals have become as a result of their abuse. I pray for your ordained ministers who have been left to fix the mess that has been publicly ignored for far too long. I pray for journalists who provide disproportionate trial coverage, causing a naive public to further abuse the victim. I pray for a Church that has not valued fifty percent of its constituents-females. Mostly I pray, because I know I am still beard by the God who made me, even though it would benefit the world to listen.' One of my well-meaning Christian friends asked me as to why so much of child abuse and women abuse takes place in the Institutions run by the Church. I invited his attention to the razor-sharp comment of Bertrand Russel (1872-1970) in his book Marriage and Morals: 'The Christian view that all intercourse outside marriage is immoral was, as we see in the passages from St Paul, based upon the view that all sexual intercourse, even within marriage, is regrettable. A view of this sort, which goes against biological facts, can only be regarded by sane people as morbid aberration. The fact that it is embedded in Christian ethics has mad Christianity throughout its whole history a force tending towards mental disorders and unwholesome views of life'. Now Bertrand Russel has to be defend himself in Heaven against the outbursts of pseudo-secularists like Medha Patkar, Aruna Roy, Arundati Roy and others, all known authorities on the 100 PERper cent purity of Christianity and 100 per cent impurity of half-savage Hinduism! (The writer is a retired IAS officer) e-mail the writer at <a href="mailto:vsundaram@newstodaynet.com">vsundaram@newstodaynet.com</a> -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

Christians, Scientists Join Forces to Fight Global Warming (www.foxnews.com) (G. C. Asnani: Church had been looking for a subject to become acceptable and popular in Europe and USA where people have largely stopped going to and respecting the Church)

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:08:00 GMT

From: shiv ram <<a href="mailto:shivram12@gmail.com">shivram12@gmail.com</a> Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,243801,00.html">http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,243801,00.html</a> Christians, Scientists Join Forces to Fight Global Warming Monday, January 15, 2007 BOSTON Some leading scientists and evangelical Christian leaders have agreed to put aside their fierce differences over the origin of life and work together to fight global warming. Representatives met recently in Georgia and agreed on the need for urgent action. Details on the talks will be disclosed in Washington on Wednesday. "Whether God created the Earth in a millisecond or whether it evolved over billions of years, the issue we agree on is that it needs to be cared for today," said Rich Cizik, vice president of government relations for the National Association of Evangelicals, which represents 45,000 churches. Click here to visit FOXNews.com's Natural Science Center. Eric Chivian, director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, agreed, saying: "Scientists and evangelicals have discovered that we share a deeply felt common concern and sense of urgency about threats to life on Earth and that we must speak with one voice to protect it." -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

This is vote 'bank' politics in Bank loans (economictimes.indiatimes.com)(G. C. Asnani: Govt. of India is busy in highlighting and strengthening communalism and casteism inside the country, now it is coming to loans to be given by Banks. Are these steps of dis-intigration of the country consistent with Constitution of our country? This is not Vote-Bank; it is dis-integration of the country.)

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:08:00 GMT

From: Ramesh Mukkamala <<a href="mailto:rmukkamala@yahoo.com">rmukkamala@yahoo.com</a> Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/This_is_vote_bank_politics_at_its_best/articleshow/1234179.cms">http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/This_is_vote_bank_politics_at_its_best/articleshow/1234179.cms</a> This is vote 'bank' politics at its best SUGATA GHOSH TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2007 01:41:51 AM] MUMBAI: Men in pinstripes may find themselves at the wrong end of minority politics. Soon, a banker writing a loan cheque will have to take into account the borrower's religious practice. The government has asked the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) to consider earmarking a slice of total loan disbursement for members of minority communities. This will work out to as high as 6% of the total loans given by the banking sector. In a letter dated January 9, the banking division under the ministry of finance has told IBA to examine the proposal to set aside 15% of priority sector lending in all categories for minority communities. IBA, in turn, has asked member banks to furnish details of loans to minoritiesthe quantum of such credit compared to the total loan book. In the communication dated January 11, the association has also sought the views of bank managements on the proposal. Banks in India are required to lend 40% of total disbursements to segments like farmers and small businessmen, who constitute, along with a few other categories, the priority sector. Even indirect farm credit and home loans below Rs 10 lakh are included in the priority sector. The latest proposal will entail giving 15% of the 40% priority sector loans6% of total loansto borrowers from minority communities. Senior bankers, taken aback by the proposal, said unlike in the UK and US, there are no reports of institutional lenders in India discriminating against minorities, and the borrower is not required to disclose his religion in the loan application. Moreover, there is already a mechanism of disbursal to minority community members. At present, banks extend loans to borrowers referred to them by the respective state development commissioners for minorities. These loans also carry an element of government subsidy. However, such loans are unlikely to constitute even 1% of total bank loans. There simply aren't enough applications from the minority commissioner's office. Giving loans outside this mechanism and identifying minority group borrowers with the right loan demand, risk appetite and repayment capability is not easy, said the chairman of a PSU bank. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

Christian proselytizers have increased their activities (Mohan Gupta) (G. C. Asnani: This is done under the patronage of Congress Party and Congress Government. Hindus have to rise up and do the needful.)

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:06:00 GMT

From: Mohan Gupta <a href="mailto:mgupta@rogers.com">mgupta@rogers.com</a> Date: 16.01.07 Christian proselytizers have increased their activities Bharat for gaining conversion Christian tentacles everywhere in Bharat In Europe Christianity is in decline. To compensate the decline of Christianity in Europe, Christian proselytizers have increased their activities in Asia and Bharat for gaining conversion of people into Christianity. For this purpose they have studied Hindu scriptures to find fault and twist the Hindu scriptures to their own advantage for conversion. Christians want to convert Hindus by every possible hook or crook methods and taking advantage of ignorance and poverty of Hindus. During the Tsunami on 25 Dec the stories of some of these humanitarians who offered assistance to the people affected {Only} after they accept the "truth of Christianity" and were chased away by the aggrieved villagers-- stories not in the Hindutva magazines but from even some of the most "secular" newspapers and magazines of the period! After Tsunami many Christian priests and many important political leaders visited like jimmy Carter visited these areas with the intention of converting poor and Tsunami affected poor people From: "Kalavai Venkat" <<a href="mailto:kalavai.venkat@gmail.com&gt">kalavai.venkat@gmail.com&gt</a>; Christian hand behind the California school... Witzel is likely part of the larger network that involves US Christian right, and the India media salivating for a foray into the US. N Ram (with his Indian Christian wife - hence the CBCI connection), J. Arul etc are the main focal points that connect the Indian media to the American. Indologists, Social Studies academics, and journalists do the bidding of the Christian right in the hope of getting rewards in return. Just look up how many anti-Hindu sites the Hindustan Lever advertises in, and you will get the picture. These diktats are handed top down. For example, Clinton proposed to a Japanese CEO to extend corporate charity to a set of Christian organizations based in India. It was promptly followed. I doubt Witzel was given a quicky tenure because he promised to bring funds into Harvard. No matter what, Harvard guys know their finance, and they would not have believed that Witzel can tap into the source of funds. Quite likely, there is a strong Protestant connection. Many scholars, including Z. Thundy, M. Baigent, H. Kersten etc have shown that research criticizing Christianity or weakening the faith has effectively dried up in the US campuses. Campuses have been cleansed of professors that dare to speak the truth. A few like J. Tabor or B. Ehrman are being systematically targeted by the right wing, and with a fair amount of success. Protestants work on two fronts. One front ensures sympathetic Christians research on Christianity and take up tenure. The other front cultivates a group that will help deconstruct other religions, particularly Hinduism. Those leading this crusade need not be believing Christians so long as the turn a blind eye to Christian indoctrination and continue to tarnish Hinduism. This is why every Hindu temple in the US had to face prolonged law suits before getting license to construct. As a Southern Baptist office bearer told matter of fact is, "So long as we have one temple for the Devil instead of four, we win." Hindu temples incur 350% cost over run on law suits. This bigger picture is not to be missed. Witzel belongs to the second group. He has endorsed all biblical myths taught as fiction in CA textbooks. He even justified they were balanced and accurate. That is claims like "Moses saw the bush burning, and heard the voice of God, in 1192 BCE." Most importantly, he and his groups strengthen the soldiers of Christ by singling Hinduism out for attack. Regards, KV NDTV is funded by Gospels of Charity in based in Spain. It is almost certainly an Opus Dei front. Though originally a Catholic organization, it has tentacles everywhere, especially in the media and the universities. So their involvement in California and NDTV coverage (which fell flat) makes sense. Christian hand behind the California school... Jeniffer Arul is the go between NDTV and the US-based Christian organizations. She is a conduit for the Methodists to set up network in India. Hence her meteoric rise in NDTV. In turn, through the neocon Christian fronts, she is enabling bandwidth space and telecast times for NDTV in their proposed US foray. As many people might be aware, the bandwidth in the radio and TV network is limited, and virtually all of them are owned by the Christian right in a consolidation march that started in 1968. Harhan ramamoorthy <<a href="mailto:harhanbr@yahoo.com&gt">harhanbr@yahoo.com&gt</a>; NDTV hangs its head in shame 'N'ATION 'D'AMAGING 'T'ELE'V'ISION HANGS ITS HEAD IN SHAME- CHANNEL - NDTV. DAY / DATE - Thursday the 11th of January 2007. TIME - 8.30 pm. PROGRAM - 'Verdict' - India 60 minutes. TOPIC - Makara Jyothi in Sabari Mala. HIDDEN AGENDA - To insult Aiyappa Devotees; To ridicule Hindu faith; To hurt Hindus' religious sentiments. PANEL - 1. Shri. G. Sudhagaran, Devaswom Minister, Government of Kerala. 2. Shri. Ananthraman, Guru Swamy from Bangalore. 3. Shri. Rajan Gurukkal, School of Social, Sciences, MG University. ANCHOR - Ms. Nidi Razdan. QUESTION - Is "Makara Jyohthi" (Divine Light) a miracle or State's set up? BACK DROP GIVEN BY THE CHANNEL: - 1981 - Mr. Karunakaran Nair of KSEB (Kerala State Electricity Board) along with the help of his driver Gopinathan Nair set up an 'artificial' jyothi by lighting 2Kgs of camphor. 1986 - Officials of Devaswom Board set up an artificial Jyothi with the protection of the Kerala Police. The correspondent of NDTV showed a concrete platform like structure from where the artificial light was allegedly set up by the 'state'. He also said that the setting up of the 'Jyothi' is an open secret, but the devotees are not bothered. DISCUSSION:- Mr. G.Sudhagaran:- The 'Makara Jyothi' cannot be termed as a State's set up. The government has never involved in such things. The government respects the 'faith' of all religions and all religions have many such faiths, which should not be questioned or debated, as it will hurt their religious sentiments. Mr. Anantharaman, Guruswamy: - As devotees of Swami Aiyappa, we believe in Makara Jyothi and that is why millions of devotees are thronging the Sabarimala every year. We have steadfast faith in Lord.Aiyappa, which should not be debated. Mr. Rajan Gurukkal:- Such a farce has resulted in many stampedes and unfortunate deaths. It is condemnable that the government itself is involved in such set ups. The channel showed the result of the SMS poll as 100% for state's set up and 0% for miracle, along with support comments from only three viewers, just for a few seconds and withdrew the figures & comments. Suddenly the anchor thanked the panelists and closed the program and shifted to sports news. The whole program lasted only for 5 to 6 minutes, while normally such 'verdict' debates are conducted for 30 to 40 minutes. What happened behind the scenes? Why the program was abruptly closed? The answer is left to our guessing. RESULT:- The embarrassed Anchor Nidi Razdan cut a sorry figure and NDTV hung its head in shame. MY QUESTIONS:- Why was the set up done only in 1981 & 1986? Is the Jyothi state-managed every year? The devotees (including me) have been witnessing the Makara Jyothi for ages (I was told by my elders that during their days the Jyothi used to be there for even 5 to 10 minutes) and has it been 'managed' since then? If it is set up on a concrete platform, how come it moves on air? If the alleged 'set up' is true, why have the governments involved in such a 'farce' to fool the devotees? Who is bloody NDTV to question the faith of Hindus? MY 'SMS' TO NDTV BEFORE THE PROGRAM:- "Christian funded channels like you have no business to ridicule Hindu faiths. Were you eating 'shit' when that 'rascal' Benny Hinn was cheating millions in Bangalore? Don't hurt our religious sentiments damn it! Change your topic of debate." - B.R.Haran, Chennai. I feel many such messages would have reached the channel forcing it to close the program abruptly. Let us not allow these anti-Hindu channels to telecast such programs in future also. - B.R.HARAN Chinmaya mission has been xtian penetrated In Chennai they rented out their hall to xtian evangelists In Chennai Chinmaya schools, bible study and Xmas celebration has started The rot is at the very top, in spite of Hindu activists protesting about this to the Chennai Chinmaya leadership there is no action. The former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa had back in May 2004 repealed her state's Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Act shortly after her party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections On Jan 14, 2007, the Hindustan Times (New Delhi) published, on p.6 of its City section, an illustrated Ripley's Believe It or Not item that "In August 2006, people across India began spoon-feeding milk to stone statues believing that the gods would drink it". This was punctuated with an exclamation mark. Irrespective of the veracity of this item, the manner of its presentation and the exclamation mark are clearly intended to mock a pagan belief and are highly offensive to millions of Indians. The Hindustan Times (and Ripley) would not dare publish a similar "people across Saudi Arabia believe their prophet flew on a winged horse to heaven and back" or "people across America believe a human virgin gave birth to their god's son" - exclamation mark. An apology to us pagans would be in order from proselytizers and anti Hindu media people. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

State encroachment into Hindu religious space. For UPA secularism = anti-Hinduism (Pioneer)(G. C. Asnani: UPA Govt. is engaged in fast all-round attack on Hindu Dharma; Division and Dis-integration of the country of India is also a priority item of its Agenda. Judiciary and Army can stop this dis-integration; politicians do not provide much hope; many politicians are connected to criminals engaged in senseless violence.)

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:06:00 GMT

From: kalyan97 <<a href="mailto:kalyan97@gmail.com&gt">kalyan97@gmail.com&gt</a>; Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 Here's an article by A. Surya Prakash providing a remarkable perspective on the "reckless policy of Muslim appeasement (which) will have terrible consequences, one of which will surely be diabolical encroachment into Hindu religious space. If Hindus are not on their guard, the UPA will succeed in making secularism synonymous with anti-Hinduism." Hindu should demand follow-up action on Tirupati Declaration (July 15, 2006): I) We Hindus assembled here declare that we do not support, directly or indirectly, any group, institution, religion, media, or political force, which preaches, practices or works against Hindu dharma in this country. ii) We appeal to all the Hindus in this country and elsewhere to subscribe to and support this declaration, the Tirupathi declaration. iii) We want all the Hindu religious endowments to be managed by Hindu bodies, and not by the government. We want the secular government to release all religious endowments from its hold. kalyan Wakfs, temples and Sachar A Surya Prakash (Pioneer, Jan. 16, 2007) With State Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh just round the corner, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre appears to be obsessively concerned with issues concerning the Muslim community. Central to this "Muslims first" agenda is the Government's preoccupation with the recommendations of the Sachar Committee that examined the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in India. This Muslim-centric approach to governance makes one wonder whether the Government is oblivious to the fact that only 13.40 per cent of the citizens are Muslims and that the rest of us belong to many other religions? Has the Government completely lost track of this demographic reality? Take the case of the management of wakfs in the country. The Sachar Committee has devoted an entire chapter to this issue and spoken of it as if Muslim religious institutions are specially targeted by the Indian state. This is absolute hogwash. In fact, if there is one religious community in India which has suffered from gross governmental encroachment in its religious affairs, it is the Hindu community. Wakfs are bequests made by Muslims in the name of god and include mosques, dargahs, maqbaras, etc. The Sachar Committee says the total area under wakf properties in India is about six lakh acres and its book value is Rs 6,000 crore. However, the market value of these lands is much higher. For example, the current value of wakf properties in Delhi alone is estimated to be in excess of Rs 6000 crore and that of wakf properties in the country could be a staggering Rs 1,20,000 crore. If properly managed, these properties could give an annual return of anywhere between Rs 12,000 and Rs 24,000 crore (approximately $2.5 to five billion). This is more than enough to meet the basic health and educational needs of poor Muslims but wakf properties are mismanaged and, therefore, do not give this kind of return. But the Sachar Committee does not see this as the failure of the Muslim community to prudently manage its internal affairs. The committee thinks that "blaming others" is part of its terms of reference and so blames the Union Government, the State Governments, local bodies and every body else including the Department of Archaeology. The Sachar Report says that wakf properties, where specific religious rites are observed, should not be included in land acquisition. Shall we then apply this rule uniformly across religious communities? Pseudo-secular vandals have been undermining Hindu religious institutions for decades and citizens belonging to other religious groups including the tiniest religious minority - the Parsis - are coping with problems of encroachment and governmental apathy vis-à-vis their institutions for decades. Such is the extent of interference in the administration of Hindu temples that this calls for a major inquiry. If wakfs warrant a whole chapter in the Sachar report, then surely the naked invasion of the sanctum sanctorum of Hindu religious affairs by the so-called secular state warrants a probe by a national commission. Here are a few examples of what the "secular state" is doing to Hindu religious shrines. In 2001-02, for example, the revenue from Hindu temples in Karnataka was Rs 72 crore. Of this the State Government spent just Rs 10 crore on renovation and maintenance of these temples. On the other hand, it diverted Rs 50 crore to madarsas, mosques and the Haj Committee and Rs 10 crore to Christian institutions and churches! Such interference in Hindu religious institutions and diversion of temple funds has become a regular feature in many States, including Karnataka and Kerala. It has also reached monstrous proportions in Andhra Pradesh ever since Mr YS Rajashekhara Reddy has become the Chief Minister of the State. Cashing in on Hindu passivity and the remarkable success, he has thus far achieved in masking his religious affiliation (he is a Christian) and his communal agenda. Mr Reddy's Government has also had the temerity to interfere with the affairs of Lord Balaji's Temple at Tirupati. The Reddy Government first struck a blow against this sacred shrine of Lord Balaji, who is also known as the Lord of the Seven Hills, when it claimed that only two of the seven hills are scared. Then, there are mounting allegations that the Government is diverting Tirupati temple funds for a drainage scheme and for developing an idgah maidan and is ready to sell off one lakh acres of lands belonging to Hindu temples in the State. The other issue is appointment of non-Hindus in temple administration. Attempts are also on to grab temple lands to promote the Congress party's political propaganda. Some time ago, the Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi had to move the Andhra Pradesh High Court to restrain the State Government from taking possession of temple lands in the State to provide house sites under the "Indiramma scheme". In Kerala, when Mr Oomen Chandy was the Chief Minister, an attempt was made to divert Guruvayur Devaswom funds for installation of a sewage treatment plant and a water supply scheme for the area. In Orissa, lands belonging to the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri are being sold by Government to deal with the temple's financial crunch- something brought about by gross mismanagement of the temple's affairs by the Government. Interestingly, the Sachar Committee also refers to The Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958, and talks as if only Muslim religious and cultural places are affected by this law which seeks to preserve ancient monuments and archeological sites in India. It says, "There are innumerable cases where the wakf property, despite being a place of worship and of religious reverence, cannot be touched by the Wakf Board because it is declared as protected monument." Lest every member of the Union Cabinet be carried away by Sachar's myopia, I would like to point out that a large number of Hindu temples are also deemed to be protected monuments. At last count, there were 1,098 temples which were "Centrally protected" and maintained and conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India. So, what is so unusual about Muslim religious places coming under the ambit of the AMASR Act? This reckless policy of Muslim appeasement will have terrible consequences, one of which will surely be diabolical encroachment into Hindu religious space. If Hindus are not on their guard, the UPA will succeed in making secularism synonymous with anti-Hinduism. <a href="http://tinyurl.com/j8dfd">http://tinyurl.com/j8dfd</a>

A habit of hurting Hindu -- Ramagopalan. A 'MK Hussain' of Tamilnadu -- V. Sundaram

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:35:00 GMT

Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:17:18 +0530 From: kalyan97 <<a href="mailto:kalyan97@gmail.com&gt">kalyan97@gmail.com&gt</a>; Reply-To: <a href="mailto:vedic_research_institute@yahoogroups.com">vedic_research_institute@yahoogroups.com</a> To: k <<a href="mailto:kalyan97@gmail.com&gt">kalyan97@gmail.com&gt</a>; <a href="http://newstodaynet.com/2007sud/jan07/1201ss1.htm">http://newstodaynet.com/2007sud/jan07/1201ss1.htm</a> Excerpts: The Hindus of India in determined unison would like to salute the Janata Party President Dr Subramanian Swamy for having made a public declaration at a recent press meet that he would launch a massive agitation against Chief Minister M Karunanidhi if he failed to publicly apologize for the 'vulgar remarks' he recently made against the Hindu Gods and Deities...Dr Swamy has also declared that a temple for Lord Shiva should be built in the place of Santhome Church as the Christian Shrine there was erected after demolishing an old Shiva temple in the 16th century. Dr Swamy has pungently observed that Karunanidhi has brought shame and infamy to the exalted post of Chief Minister by making dirty statements on Hindu Deities, vaingloriously imagining that the Hindus of Tamilnadu are in stark minority in terms of numbers. There is no doubt whatsoever that the sentiments, feelings and susceptibilities of millions of Hindus in majority in India have been wounded by Tamilnadu Chief I would like to invite the kind attention of Karunanidhi to the following inspiring words of Annie Besant (1847-1933) who showed a better understanding of Hinduism and what Sanatana Dharma stands for than Karunanidhi: 'After a study of some forty years and more of the great religions of the world, I find none so perfect, none so scientific, none so philosophical and none so spiritual as that great religion known by the name of Hinduism. Make no mistake, without Hinduism, India has no future. Hinduism is the soil in to which India's roots are stuck and torn out of that she will inevitably wither as a tree torn out from its place. And if Hindus do not maintain Hinduism who shall save it? If India's own children do not cling to her faith, who shall guard it? India alone can save India and India and Hinduism are one.' All the Hindus of India fully endorse the stand taken by Annie Besant and reject with contempt the utterances of Karunanidhi on their time-honoured religion and culture. - Let noble thoughts come from all sides. aa no bhadraah krtavo yantu vis'vatah S. Kalyanaraman -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

Veer Savarkar's grandson found begging; Rehabilated (ibnlive.com)

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:33:00 GMT

Courtesy: <a href="mailto:ramavarma04@gmail.com">ramavarma04@gmail.com</a> ibnlive.com Posted Saturday , January 13, 2007 at 20:14 BEG TO LIVE: Praful, an IIT graduate in Chemical engineering from Delhi, is the son of Savarkar's daughter. But had Savarkar been alive, the news of his grandson begging would have been equally painful one. Praful Madhav Chiplunkar, the grandson of veteran freedom fighter Veer Savarkar and IIT graduate was found begging for a living on the streets of Pune near Sarasbaug Gardens. However, the good news is that Praful has now been rehabilitated. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activist Sanjay Dongre was quoted by news agency UNI as saying that as soon as Prafuls identity was confirmed, MNS took the decision to rehabilitate him. Praful is fine now and we will look after him, UNI quoted Dongre as saying. Praful, an IIT graduate in Chemical engineering from Delhi, is the son of Savarkar's daughter. He worked for an Indo-German Company in Thailand and even the Aditya Birla Group, for a while till he was burnt in an accident while handling some instruments. He was in hospital for six years at places including Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. Dongre said Praful had met with an accident in 2002 in which he lost his wife and son. And added that he has now recovered from the trauma and can recollect his past now. Praful, since then worked as a watchman in a shop and later lost that job as well, which forced him onto the streets to beg for a living. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

PSLV of India places 4 satellites in orbit (Times of India, 11th January 2007)

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:32:00 GMT

Sriharikota: Indias space program took a giant leap forward on Wednesday with the successful launch of the 44.4 metre tall four-stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) carrying four satellites for the first time. The four satellites are indigenous 680-kg Cartosat-2 550 kg space capsule recovery experiment (SRE), 56-kg LapanTubsat, a joint venture between Technical University of Berlin and Indonesian Space Agency and six-kg Peheunsat-1 of Argentina. The mission had attracted considerable interest and attention because for the first time India was evaluating technologies relating to the reusable launch vehicle (RLV) through SRE. At the end of the rockets 19-minutes flight when the four satellites were successfully placed in orbit, ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair declared in the mission control room, It is a great day for the country. It was a textbook mission. The entire team has captured the confidence of the country on space launches. With the failure of Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle on July 10, 2006, the success of PSLV flight came as a huge relief to the Indian space community and boosted their morale. At 9:23 am as the mighty rocket thundered off the launch pad, scientists and engineers in the control room, and a large number of spectators who had assembled in balconies and terraces of buildings of the space center broke into an applause. Prior to the much awaited lift off, the mood among space officials was one of suspense and nervous anticipation. In the control room, rocket and satellite teams wearing white coats sat glued to their work stations, continuously checking the flow of data from the computers connected to the rocket. The silence was punctured with an official announcing the countdown- All stations stand by for the time mark. Mark-19 minutes and counting Mark-15 minutes and counting. At 9.9 am there was an announcement saying, Vehicle director to mission director PSLV is ready for launch. All communications are ready. A minute later the mission director declared, This is the mission director, PSLV, Cartosat-2 and SRE launch is authorized. The automatic launch sequence is also authorized. Four minutes prior to the take-off the on-board computers were activated. At one point the pace of the countdown picked up, and as it was nearing the zero mark, some of the scientists in the control room clasped their hands in a silent prayer. And then 10 seconds 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0 and the rockets strap on engines roared into life and the vehicle blasted off. As the rocket left the launch pad, there was no sign of it for the first few seconds. Then suddenly it emerged out of the trees riding on yellowish pillar of flames, gathering velocity every second, piercing the clear blue sky over the space complex. To begin with, the take off seemed soundless. Then came a few staccato bursts, turning into an awesome roar; which reverberated across the vast spaceport. It was a sight that instantly triggered excited shouts and applause. The tension of the countdown had been broken, and everybody felt a momentary sense of relief; after all the satellites had yet to be placed in orbit and this important event was still a few minutes away. Travelling at a hypersonic speed of 25,000 kmph, 981.3 seconds after the blast off, Cartosat- 2 went into orbit. Then the naon satellite, Pehuensat-1 went into orbit 1,037.5 seconds after the lift off. This was followed by the space capsule recovery experiment and finally the Lapan-Tubsat satellite was placed into orbit 1,1175 seconds after the lift-off. The mission was a success. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

Arms seized in Kochi with copies of Quran, dispatched from Dubai (www.hindu.com) (G. C. Asnani: UPA Govt. and Shri Sachar are working for strengthening of this activity. Those who dig graves for others are likely to fall in the same graves.)

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:11:00 GMT

From: kalyan97 <<a href="mailto:kalyan97@gmail.com&gt">kalyan97@gmail.com&gt</a>; Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 A Malayalam paper reports that the consignment was meant for one Mr Koya ... See also: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yl2uyt">http://tinyurl.com/yl2uyt</a> <a href="http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200701091930.htm">http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200701091930.htm</a> 52 gas-powered rifles, pistols seized in Kochi Kochi, Jan. 9 (PTI): Customs officials seized 18 rifles and 34 pistols, all gas-powered, while searching a furniture consignment that arrived here from Dubai. Of the 810 packages in the consignment, only eight have been opened and the search is expected to continue till late tonight. No arrests have been made yet, customs sources told PTI. Copies of the Koran were found in packages containing the carbon-dioxide guns, which come under the category of air pistols and air guns which are restricted in India. Arms experts have examined the weapons, which can be used for training purposes, sources said. The air pistols are exact replicas of real weapons and many countries have banned them, they said. The consignment was meant for Premier Exports at Wellington Island in Kochi, and was sent by Palson Trading Company of Dubai. The last port of call of the ship that carried it was Jebelali, sources said. A representative of Premier Exports from Thrissur is being interrogated and his residence has been searched. The Intelligence Bureau, Special Branch, Naval Intelligence and top police officials are looking into the matter. Acting on suspicions, customs officials today searched the consignment, which was at a private container freight station and found the guns concealed in the furniture. State Home Minister, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, told reporters at Thiruvanathapuram that Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence), Jacob Poonoose, has been asked to enquire into the seizure of the guns. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

Sachar proves two-nation theory: letter in Dawn, Pakistan (G. C. Asnani: Not only a supporter of 2 Nation theory, but he has also shown himself to be working for breaking up India into pieces.)

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:05:00 GMT

From: kalyan97 <<a href="mailto:kalyan97@gmail.com&gt">kalyan97@gmail.com&gt</a>; Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 <a href="http://www.dawn.com/2007/01/09/letted.htm#4">http://www.dawn.com/2007/01/09/letted.htm#4</a> Muslims in India I RECENTLY saw a television interview in which Hussain Haroon spoke of a report commissioned by the prime minister of India on the social status of the Muslim minority of India. He tried to prove that the two-nation theory was correct and that the current condition of Muslims in India still reflects the need and the foundation for the two-nation theory. I have had a chance to read the excerpt of the report and would like to point out that Mr Haroon failed to mention a detail highlighted in the same report that the social state of Muslims in India is mostly related to the fact that the Muslims in India are still backward in their thinking and do not believe in modern education and educating their children to grow in any field or participate in the economy of India. One should note here that education in India is almost free and there is no discrimination against anyone on religious grounds in primary schools. So if the report mentions that 25 per cent of Muslim children of age 6 onwards have never attended schools, it really isn't a case of discrimination but rather non-participation on the part of Indian Muslims that is to blame. Although I agree that discrimination against the Muslims in India may exist, it is highly unlikely that in such a fast-growing economy Indian Muslims cannot participate and carve out a niche for themselves if they really wanted to. Since they comprise such a large percentage (13 per cent) of the total Indian population, all they need to do is support themselves and their Muslim brothers in all endeavors. MISHAL LATIF Karachi -- Let noble thoughts come from all sides. aa no bhadraah krtavo yantu vis'vatah S. Kalyanaraman -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

The kidnapping of Indians in Trinidad continues (GOPIO) INC)

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:04:00 GMT

From: Dr Kumar Mahabir <<a href="mailto:mahab@tstt.net.tt">mahab@tstt.net.tt</a> Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 The statistical trend continues today PUBLIC LECTURE HOSTED BY GLOBAL ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN (GOPIO) INC TRINDAD CHAPTER SUNDAY APRIL 3, 2005 4.30 PM AT DIVALI NAGAR URIAH BUTLER HIGHWAY CHAGUANAS PRESENTERS: DR KUMAR MAHABIR ANTHROPOLOGIST & MR ROGER SEEPERSAD SOCIOLOGIST KIDNAPPINGS IN TRINIDAD: A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Abstract With a record number of 163 reported abductions for the year 2004, Trinidad is now known as the second kidnapping capital of the world. Yet no scientific or empirical research has been published by academics and scholars on this alarming phenomenon. This research is based on the collection, analysis and study of daily reports gleaned from the three main newspapers in Trinidad in 2004. The study examines the amount of ransom money demanded and paid; and the age, occupation, gender and ethnicity of the victims. The study also looks at high-risk geographical areas of kidnappings and the time of the year when they are most frequent. Though the research is based on data collected in 2004, it points to significant trends that are likely to recur in 2005. This presentation concludes with suggestions which Government agencies can implement to arrest and eliminate this recent criminal development that is threatening the safety of nationals in this oil-and-gas-rich country. Keywords crime; kidnappings; national security; Trinidad and Tobago; Caribbean. Correspondence Dr Kumar Mahabir, President, Association of Caribbean Anthropologists, Swami Avenue, Don Miguel Road, San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Tel: (868) 674-6008. Tel/fax: (868) 677-7707. Cellular: (868) 756-4961 E-mail: <a href="mailto:mahab@tstt.net.tt">mahab@tstt.net.tt</a>, <a href="mailto:kumarmahab@hotmail.com">kumarmahab@hotmail.com</a> Introduction Trinidad and Tobago is located between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, and is 10 km (7 miles) north east of Venezuela. Trinidad is 4,828 sq. km. (1,864 sq. miles) which is slightly smaller than Delaware (5,128 sq miles). The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean. The twin-island republic is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas, and has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. The economy benefits from low inflation and a growing trade surplus. Prospects for growth in 2005 are good as prices for oil, petrochemicals and liquified natural gas are expected to remain high (CIA 2004; CSO 2003). The twin-island republic has a population of 1.3 million people. East Indians make up 40.3% of the multi-ethnic population; Africans/Blacks 39.5%, Mixed 18.4%, White 0.6%, Chinese and Other 1.2%. Roman Catholics comprise of 29.4% of the multi-religious population, Hindus 23.8%, Anglicans 10.9%, Muslims 5.8%, Presbyterians 3.4%, Others 26.7%. Persons 0-14 years old comprise 21.4% of the population (male 120,153; female 114,205); persons 15-64 years make up 70.6% (male 403,202; female 370,498), and persons 65 years and over consist of 8.1% (male 39,762; female 48,765) (CIA 2004; CSO 2003). Trinidad and Tobago is a democratic republic with ethnic tensions simmering throughout the year but heating up during parliamentary elections which are usually held every five years. In recent times, there have been three elections in three years keenly contested by the two main ethnic-based parties, the United National Congress (UNC) and the Peoples National Movement (PNM). Indians largely support the UNC led by Basdeo Panday, while Africans mainly support the PNM headed by Patrick Manning. At the end of his political term in 1995, Prime Minister Basdeo Panday called an election in 2000. Internal dissension within the ruling UNC forced Panday to call an early election in 2001 which resulted in 18-18 tie between the UNC and PNM. For stated moral and spiritual reasons, the President of the Republic appointed Manning to form the interim government during the Christmas of 2001. The advantage of incumbency for ten months in government gave the PNM the edge to win the elections in October 2002. The result was a 20-16 victory for the PNM which won the elections by a mere 51% of the votes. The UNC secured a close 47% of the votes cast. (PDA 2002) Scope and Methodology The data for this research was sourced from the three daily newspapers in Trinidad Express, Newsday and Guardian from January 1st to December 31st 2004. Data was collected on a daily basis, entered into the SPSS computer statistical programme, analyzed according to selected variables, and studied to determine trends over the one-year long period. Though the research is based on data collected in 2004, it points to significant trends that are likely to recur in 2005. Only twenty-four (24) cases were published in the newspapers out of a total of 163 kidnappings reported to the police. This small number (15%) may appear to be erroneous but the reality is that the same cases are reported in the newspapers repeatedly with every new development in the real-life suspense drama. For example, the story of Saada Singh was carried at least 10 times in the Express for the month of June alone. It is very likely that the number of kidnappings is larger than that reported to the police. Families of victims of abductions may sometimes be threatened to stay silent. Others may willingly choose not to report the matter to the police who they may perceive as ineffective, corrupt or accomplices to the crime. Failed attempts at kidnappings are also not likely to be reported to police or press except if the person is well-known to the public. Kidnappings have been found to be underreported in Colombia (Lawrence 1996) and Britain (Economist 2001). According to reasonable reliable statistics obtained around the world from Hiscox Group, only a tiny fraction (10%) of all kidnapping cases is reported to authorities for fear that it will trigger further kidnappings (Butler 2005). With the murder rate at almost one every day, Trinidad has become the fifth most dangerous place to live in the world (Express March 23, 2005). Kidnappings in Trinidad have been on a sharp rise in the last few years. This country has been ranked next to Colombia as the second kidnapping capital of the world (Express October 19, 2003). Up to yesterday (April 2, 2005), the British travel advisory was warning it citizens to be aware of attacks in this country (FCO 2005). The advisory states: Kidnappings have been a problem in Trinidad since mid-2002. The gravity of the crime situation caught the attention of Donna Jacobs, a journalist in Canada, whose article on January 24th 2004, threw this Government on the defensive. The objective of doing this research is to map trends in the spate of kidnapping which is gnawing away at the heart of the society. The study constructs a collective profile of kidnap victims according to their age, occupation, gender and ethnicity. The study also looks at high-risk geographical areas of seizures, and the time of the year when they are most frequent. The aim of the study is to focus on the victims of abductions and not on the perpetrators of the crime. A collective profile of kidnappers with their age, address, gender, ethnicity, etc. will be sketched in another research paper. Our next study will be based on the collection of narratives of victims their pain, trauma, torture and even sexual abuse suffered by the hands of their abductors. Kidnapping is defined as being taken or detained against ones will. There are three broad types of kidnapping in the world: (1) family kidnappings (2) political kidnappings (3) kidnappings for money. We make no distinction between any of these, and between kidnapping for ransom and kidnapping without ransom ransom. The latter type may be motivated either by vengeance or for the collection of unpaid debts (legitimate of otherwise). The Trinidad police seem to consider only kidnapping for ransom to be of statistical value. But there is no difference if a man is snatched, bundled in a car, taken to a jungle hideout, and tied for several days without a ransom demand. Profile of Victims Gender The data points out that more males (75%) than females (25%) are being kidnapped. This figure corresponds to the fact that men are more visible in business even when it is a family-owned enterprise. Snatching a man in the presence of his wife and children is emotional and devastating, and can have long-term psychological effects on the young ones. Women are also more cautious about their physical safety especially outside the home. The experience is more traumatic for women who are taken by strangers to lonely areas in the night. The names of some of the victims are Saleema Meighoo, Elizabeth Reyes, Amrika Praimsingh, Michelle Rostant, Tricia Suryadeva, Cindy Mahase and Adriana Ramsingh. Last month (March 2005), a 60-year-old Glencoe woman victim named Tamen Abraham received much prominence in the media. Age Age of victims The predominant age of kidnap victims appears to be 31-40. These individuals are likely to be more active, mobile and outgoing. Still in the hand of abductors is Brian Bachan who is 39 years old. Children are also easy and common targets for kidnappers to steal because they cannot fight back and are soft spots for their parents. Children abducted in 2004 include Vijay Persad, Joel Ragoo, Brian Bedase, and Saada Singh who was just 3 years old. Place of abductions The data on the place where the snatchings were done contradicts the popular perception that your home is the safest place. Burglar-proofed and alarm-secured homes are a deterrent but not a prevention from being nabbed. Sixty-two percent (62%) of kidnappings took place in and around the victims home. Ravi Kallipersad Maharaj was snatched at his home in Lange Park, Chaguanas. Newspaper reports reveal that Maharaj was about to open the gate of his house when he was grabbed by two armed men and bundled into a Nissan Maxima car. (Express March 19, 2005). The second highest number (23%) of kidnappings occurred at the place of business of the victims. These statistics may strike fear in the hearts of many Trinidadians and perpetuate the feeling of insecurity and helplessness. Area of abductions Again, contrary to popular belief, most abductions in 2004 took place in South (30%) and not central Trinidad. South Trinidad was followed by Port of Spain and the East-West Corridor (26% each). Arima and Central Trinidad had the least incidents (9%). This pattern may be changing in 2005 with the last three victims Davan Bharratsingh, Ravi Kallipersad and Brian Bachan all from central Trinidad. South and central Trinidad are highly populated with Indians and have become hot-spots for robberies and abductions. Ethnicity Race of victims The study found that that a large majority of victims (71%) of kidnappings are Indians. Non-Indians comprise just 29%. This ethnic variable adds another dimension to what is commonly perceived to be a crime motivated by quick-money. Why are Indians the main target? Are they perceived by criminals to be wealthier or weaker targets? Or are they not likely to retaliate with brute force as is expected of other ethnic groups in the country? One theory can be that they are larger in numbers than Chinese, Whites and Syrians; and they are more geographically dispersed than other wealthy ethnic groups. Time of the year Our research shows that June and December have the highest number (17%) of abductions for the year. April has the lowest (4%). There are no explanations for these trends except that money is in high circulation for the Christmas holidays in December. Fatalities Fortunately, most of the kidnappings in Trinidad do not result in death. Eight-three percent (83%) of them return home alive. They either pay the ransom, escape or are rescued. Once the kidnappers receive their money, they usually release the victim alive. Our research shows that only one victim has died. He is Ashmeed Baksh, son of an Opposition UNC parliamentarian. Still missing for over 11 months now is schoolchild Vijay Persad. Homicide officers are now treating this case as murder. In neighbouring Latin American countries, most victims vanish or disappear. Ransom The amount of ransom money demanded in 2003 was TT $95,170,000, and the sum paid was $3,498,600. These figures convert into an actual 4% handed to kidnappers after negotiations. Ransom demands for 2004 ranged from $40,000 to $10,000,000 depending on the estimated value of the victim. The most frequent amount demanded was about $.3 million. A $2 million ransom is now being demanded for the safe release of transport contractor Brian Bachan. Clearly, kidnapping is growing into a booming criminal industry with high profits and low risks. It is expected that soon kidnappers will turn to foreigners who work in multinational companies in this oil-and-gas-rich country. In Colombia and Mexico, kidnapping syndicates consider oil-company executives as juicy targets. In Peru, there is the increase in quickie kidnappings in which the victim is escorted to an ATM machine and forced to withdraw hard cash. The politics of kidnappings There is a clear relationship between the increase of kidnappings and the rise of the PNM over the last four years. When the UNC was in government in 2001, the rate of kidnapping was less than 10 for that year. When the PNM was given power as an interim Government for ten months in 2002, kidnappings rose to 29 - an increase of nearly 300%. When it was elected to Government and was in power in 2003, the rate if kidnappings increased in a spurt of 164 - an increase of an unprecedented 565%. There was a minimal decrease in 2004 with 163 abductions. As of April 2nd 2005, there have been 34 cases reported; an average of three kidnappings every week. And while Brian Bachan and Kallipersad Maharaj still remain in the hands of criminals, another businessman Davan Bharratsingh has been snatched. What is the connection? Is it pure coincidence or is the PNM instigating the kidnappings of mainly Indian businessmen? If so, then what is the motive for this ethnically-directed crime? Are these businessmen targeted because they are likely to be supporters and financers of the Opposition UNC? Or is there a plan to run Indians out of business and out of the country? Are there links to be made of the fate of Indians here and their diaspora counterparts in Guyana, Uganda and Fiji? Is there an unofficial law with some diabolical plot? Conclusion The findings overwhelmingly indicate that kidnapping is not a passing craze but a dramatically growing criminal industry. The average kidnapping victim appears to be a middle aged Indian businessman. He resides in South Trinidad, the East-West Corridor, or Port of Spain and is likely to be snatched in or close to his home. If the hefty ransom of about half a million dollars is paid, he is likely to return safely to his family. The experience and fear of being kidnapped have driven many business-based families to flee the country. Families are being torn apart, and little children are separated from their parents and moved to a strange land. Those who risk staying in Trinidad are forced to live in perpetual fear at every turn, every day, every minute. They convert their homes into barricaded fortresses with private security guards, attack dogs and surveillance alarm systems. The impact of this type of criminal activity is not good for the family, the society and the economy. Financers and investors, producers and traders, industrialists and professionals, business pioneers and their successors are all on the run. Trinidad is quickly resembling Guyana, Uganda and Colombia the latter holding the lacklustre title of kidnapping capital of the world (Johnson 2003). With these figures and trends in mind, the Government should begin to take drastic measures to protect those who are most at risk of being kidnapped. In closing, we would like to take a cue from the mother of kidnap victim Davan Bharratsingh. Distraught and in tears, she said, There is no government in Trinidad. Look at what is happening. Crime is out of control (Guardian April 3, 2005). The family had to hire a helicopter to track down the getaway car. All previous attempts by this Government to arrest and eliminate kidnappings have failed. There is only one solution. What we would recommend to the Government is to seek foreign help not just advisers and consultants, but anti-kidnapping troops and squads to flush out these bands of terrorists and kidnappers. In the meantime, individuals and groups can make their experiences and fears known to the United Nations Human Rights Agency, Amnesty International, The Carter Commission, and such other powerful international organisations. REFERENCES Butler, Rhett 2004 Kidnapping in Foreign Countries. <a href="http://danger.mongabay.com/kidnapping_stats.htm">http://danger.mongabay.com/kidnapping_stats.htm</a> Cited April 2, 2005. CIA - The World Factbook 2004 Trinidad and Tobago. <a href="http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/td.html">http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/td.html</a> Jan 1. Cited on April 2, 2005. CSO (Central Statistical Office ) 2003. Trinidad and Tobago Statistics. Port-of-Spain. Economist 2001 Open Season. Vol. 358. Issue 8208. October 2. Express, Newsday, Guardian 2004 January 1st to December 31st 2004. Trinidad Newspapers. Express, Newsday, Guardian 2005 January 1st to April 2nd 2005. Trinidad Newspapers. FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) 2005 Travel Advice by Country Trinidad and Tobago. London, April 2, 2005 <a href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename">http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename</a> Cited April 2, 2005 Mac Dacanay, Barbara 1997 Manila is Asias kidnapping capital Gulf News. <a href="http://www.gulf-news.com/gn/international/080397.htm">http://www.gulf-news.com/gn/international/080397.htm</a> March 8. Cited April 2, 2005. IIE Solutions 1999 Kidnapping in Colombia October, Vol. 31, Issue 10. P.11. Jacobs, Donna 2005 Trinidad has a troubling kind of beauty. The Ottawa Citizen. Canada. January 24. Johnson, Tony 2003 Global security groups surprised at rapid growth. Express October 19. Jordan, Pav 1996 A cottage industry in abductions Macleans July 26, Vol. 109, Issue 35, P. 29. Lawrence, David Aquila 1996 Three-a-day kidnappings put Colombia on edge. Christian Science Monitor December 17, Vol 89, Issue 16. P. 5. Newsweek. 1998 The crime blotter. April 20, Vol. 131, Issue 16. P. 5. PDA (Political Database of the Americas) 2002 Trinidad and Tobago. Parliamentary Elections. Georgetown University and Organisation of American States. Website: <a href="http://www.ifes.org">http://www.ifes.org</a> Cited April 2, 2005. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

The story of jews, insights from Hindu mythology: SK Balasubramanian

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:04:00 GMT

From: kalyan97 <<a href="mailto:kalyan97@gmail.com&gt">kalyan97@gmail.com&gt</a>; Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2007 26 April, 1998 First published in WEO in 1993. This version is a drastically revised one. The story of the Jews: Insights from Hindu mythology. S. K Balasubramanian. This year the Jewish State of Israel celebrates the 50th year of its formation. This is the second time that a Jewish state had been established in Palestine. The Jews are credited by the western historians to have been the first people to have had a written history. They are also said to be keenly aware of their history since the history of the people is identified and closely interwoven with their religion. The Hindus on the other hand had been dismissed as a people without any sense of history and their mythology had been treated as fiction. It is therefore of interest to be able to trace Jewish history from Hindu mythology, as this article hopes to do. The Background The Hindus divided humanity into three 'races': the "Aditya"s or the Hindu Gods , the "Daitya"s and the "Danava"s. The last two were held to be inimical to the Hindu Gods. All three were step-brothers derived from the same father Kashyapa. The mother of the Gods was Aditi, meaning the unlimited one, while the other two were derived from Diti, the limited one and Danu. The Westerners (and Egyptians) were called Danavas in Sanskrit. The Greeks were known in Latin as Danao. 'O' is normally pronounced as 'v'. (Deo and Dev; Deodhar for Devadharu etc.) There is a Latin proverb "Timeo Danao et donos ferrentes; which means Beware of the gift bearing Greek. I relate the meaning as follows (Timeo-be afraid. English derivative is timid. Donos is donation or gift. Ferrentes is the root of English word ferry or to bring) A reference to a Latin dictionary could confirm the interpretation of Danao. The Alexandrian Greeks were called Yavana in Sanskrit. This is derived from Ionia (o = v), the regions near the Ionian sea, south west of Turkey or the Macedonian (part of Yugoslavia) coast. The Russian name Ivan has a similar derivation as Yavana. The term Yavana refers to the peoples in regions north of Greece, Macedonia for example and in general to the Slavs of today.( Serb, Czech, Slovaks, Rumanian, Bulgarian and Russian etc.) The southern people {The Greeks of Greece and Anatolia (Turkey) and the people of Egypt} were known as Danava. (The present day Turkey has more monuments of ancient Greece than Greece itself. The famous towns like Troy, Lydia, Delphia are all in Turkey.) In Sanskrit mythology the Danava were known as great architects and builders. The Pandava Palace at Indraprastha was designed by a Danava architect, Maya. It contained materials not known in ancient India, like glass and other Egyptian artifacts. The Danava were the descendants of Daksha's daughter Danu. The European names such as Danube, Denmark and the river Don in Russia are in some manner related to Danu. The Egyptians were regularly trading with India. Indian sandalwood had been found in Egyptian tombs. India was referred to in Egyptian annals as Punt (pronounced Punti = puneet or Holy Land). The names of Pharaoh such as Rameses (Rameswar, a southern town in India), Ptah (the progenitor, Sanskrit equivalent Pita) Re (Sun God = Ravi), Menes (an early Pharaoh = Manu) show the links clearly. In Abu Simbel the four huge statues of Rameses {Four sons of Dasharata, (known to north Syrian Mittani kings as Dushratta)} have images of baboons in the cornices. (The Monkey associates of Rama in Ramayana.). Nile, pronounced NEEL, is a Sanskrit word for blue. The Mesopotamians were known as Daityas (descendants of Diti) or Asuras or the Assyrians. (The Bible refers to an Ashurbanipal = the pala or protector of Asura vani or asura edict) The Hebrew King Sargon's grandson was Naram Sinh, the Hindu Nara Simha or the man-lion which appears as Sphinx in Egyptian lore. There are references to the Hindu Gods Indra, Varuna and Mitra in the treaties of Mittani Kings (of North Syria) The Mittani dynasty had marital relationships with the Egyptian monarchy. The Zorastrian names are even closer. Thus the Supreme Ahura Mazda is Asura Mahat. Even today the Parsees pronounce Surat as Hudat, Sindhu as Hindu. Jamshed is the Dharma raja or Yama. (Y=J). The Parsee religion was long recognized to be an offshoot of Hinduism. I had related Zoraster's father, Pourushaspa, to the Hindu Pururuva who was married to the Gandharva (Kandahar in Afghanistan) woman Urvasi (the Vasi or resident of Ur, the capital of Sumer, the land of the Hindu Soma or the Moon God). The Mahabharata speaks of Antioch (Antaki), Rome (Roma) and "Greek cities". Sahadeva is said to have collected tributes from these cities through ambassadors before the Rajasuya yagna of Yudishtira. Eastern regions in Hindu Mythology. The following is a description of the Eastern regions known to the ancient Hindus. In Ramayana Sugriva gave directions to the Vanara chiefs going to different regions to search for Sita. He mentions fires underwater or submarine volcanoes below the seas in the east. That was the limit of monkey knowledge. The reference is to the Pacific islands (Hawaii and other south pacific islands) formed from undersea volcanic eruptions. Significantly monkeys were not known in the Americas. There is also reference to a freshwater lake perhaps to the lake at Angkor Vat where a huge Vishnu temple existed. Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk in French is Sanskrit Narottama Simhan. His son is Ranariddh meaning skilled in warfare. The old capital of Siam (Thailand) was Ayuthaya (Ayodhya). The King was a Rama. The present King is Bhumibal Adulyatej or Bhumipala Atulyatej meaning in Sanskrit ruler of the earth of incomparable brilliance. Indonesia was also a Hindu country. Bali island is still Hindu. These societies adopted Buddhism after Ashoka. They were also weakened by Buddhist ideology which did not recognize external evil and the challenge it posed to the society. To sum up: all the Western Europeans and the earlier Egyptians were known to the Hindus by the name Danava. Several geographical names such as Danube, Don and Denmark were derivatives of Danao or its root. The Hindu scriptures held the Danavas to be friendly to the Hindu Gods. The Daityas lived in the regions known by the Sanskrit appellation Hiranya (for Gold ) referring to the golden land of Mesopotamia. The name Iran is derived from the Sanskrit word. The Name Daitya is derived from Diti another daughter of Daksha. The Jewish story: Yayati ruled over all the three regions. He had married the daughter of the Guru of the Danava clan (Shukra acharya =Socrates in Greek or Danava language. Both died of poison mixed with wine). He was seduced by the daughter of the Danava king who was serving his wife as a maid. The moonlighting king was cursed to premature old age by his irate father-in-law. He was however shown the concession that he could exchange his old age with the youth of any of his willing sons. The children of his first wife did not agree to the exchange. Though they were the elder ones, they were deprived of their right of succession by their angry father. The eldest son Yadu was the main sufferer. The youngest son of the maid, Puru, agreed to the exchange and was blessed with the right of succession. Yayati enjoyed the pleasures of youth for some more years and took back his old Yayati was highly respected by the Hindu Gods and was taken into heaven by them. His discourses on spirituality occupy several chapters in Mahabharata. He was the first one to postulate a singular causative agent for the Universe. One day he compared himself to the head of the heaven, Indra and as a punishment for his impudence, was thrown out of the heaven. His son Yadu received him with respect and vowed to keep alive the memory of the King and to avenge the injustice to him. The expulsion of Yayati and his fall from the heaven are described in vivid detail in the Mahabharata.. Yadu's descendants were the Yahudis or the Jews. They constructed a theology of antithesis and an antipodal pantheon was to be the foundation of the new religion. The plurality of the Hindu pantheon was replaced by a single God who was the deified version of Yayati and was named Yahweh, as a memorial for Yayati. The Hindu Supremo or the Progenitor, Brahma, was demoted, as an underling of the God, to a patriarch, Abram which meant anti-Brahm. Brahma's other name, Chaturanan, meaning four headed, was profaned as the devil, Satan. Another Hindu God with royal attributes, Vishnu, became Beelzebub or the prince of the devils. The mutual expulsions crystallized the animosities. Judaism took on the intolerant route trying to destroy every bit of ancient memory in the name of its God and instituted a religion of a chosen people always at war with their immediate environment under the dictates of a jealous taskmaster, their God. The demand for implicit obedience made mindless martyrdom the mania of the Jew. But Yayati did not withdraw his anointing of Puru as the head of the clan. The descendants of Puru would be known in Sanskrit as "Paurava". They were the Pharaohs of Egypt (perhaps pronounced Paravah; o = v; The terminal ending in 'h' is typical of Sanskrit nouns). The Jews found themselves under the suzerainty of the successive Pharaohs till Moshe, the Sanskrit equivalent being Moksha or liberation, took them out of Egypt. Yayati's wives were transferred to Abram in the Jewish version. The first wife, Sarai or Sarah, carried the name of Brahma's consort Saraswati. The second wife in the Jewish story was also a slave. The story of Isaac is drawn from two Hindu sources. The first is the story of Daksha the son of Brahma who lost his head to the God Shiva and was revivified with a goat's head. Isaac, in Abraham's story was replaced by a ram for sacrifice at the bidding of God. The name Isaac is related to Eesha the Sanskrit word for the divine. The second story related to Isaac is the one of Ikshvaku who wanted to eat fresh meat on his death-bed and ordered his son to go on a hunt. The young man committed a minor infraction in rituals and was deprived of his right of succession. Isaac under similar conditions was persuaded by deception to pass on the mantle to Jacob who was later anointed Israel. Noah was the Hindu Manu . The story of the Ark was a reproduction of the Hindu story of Matsyavatara or the fish incarnation, during the period of the Satyavrata Manu. The Jews called themselves Semites as descendants of Shem the son of Noah. Shem is perhaps derived from the Sanskrit term Shivam for pure. It is also the quality of another God, Shiva. Skb PS: The derivation given above depends on etymology, or the comparison of words in different languages. A wholesale compatibility as shown above could not be the result of either an accident or coincidence. It must have deeper meaning. I believe the stories have implications in prehistory. An abstract of comparisons is given below: Urvasi Resident of UR TheHinduname Jewish or other deriva Yavana Ivanian -tion Yayati YHWH (Yahweh) Brahma Abram (anti-Brahma) Sarasawati Sarai Ikshvaku Ishaq or Isaac Moksha Moshe Hiranya (Golden) Iran (Euphrates basin) Sapta (Seven) Sabbath (Hebrew Sabt) Rameshwar Rameses(Egyptian) Pita Ptah (Egypt) Manu Menes (Egypt) Noah or Nhu(Koran) Danava Danao (Latin) Eesha (God) Zeus (Jesus) Pitr Jupiter (Latin) Peter Pala (Ruler) Paul Ravi Re (Egypt) Shukracharya Socrates(Greek) Pururavas Paurushaspa (Parsi) Added 26 August 02: Further shlokas from Mahabharata Adiparva. On the descendants of Yayati's sons: Yadosthu Yadava jatah, Turvaso Yavanah sutah Dhruhyosthu sutha Bhojah anosthu Mlecchjathayah Poorosthu Pauravavamsho yatra jathosi Parthiva. From Yadu were born Yadhavas; Of Tuvasu Yavana were the sons Bhjas were the sons of Druhyu and the Mleccha jatis were born of Anu. Pauravas were born in the dynasty of Pooru where to do you belong O King! Mleccha is a Sanskrit word of contempt for a foreigner. Its root is the Jewish Melech that means Messiah. The Bible speaks of Abhimelech. The prefix Abhi in Sanskrit is used to denote exaggeration. Abhiram, is an example. This is addressed to Janamejaya The dynasty is as follows :Ila+Budha > Pururava + Urvashi > Aayu, et al. Aayu> Nahusha>Yayati>Puru>Pravira+Syeni > Manasyu The Mahabharata says about Mansyu: Manasyurabhavattasmacchurah syenih sutah prabhuh ( Adiparva 89, sl-6.) The lord Mansyu, the hero, was born to him (Pravira) of Syeni Mansyu was an early Pharaoh known in Egyptian annals as Menes. Skb. "DR SK BALASUBRAMANIAN" <<a href="mailto:smanian@sancharnet.in&gt">smanian@sancharnet.in&gt</a>;,

Let the political parties come together on macro issues (www.indiareacts.com) (G. C. Asnani: Are the political parties of today even capable of understanding the situation? Are they not the busy in filling their own pockets?)

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:03:00 GMT

From: <a href="mailto:Yashwini1@aol.com">Yashwini1@aol.com</a> Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 Let the political parties come together on macro issues <a href="http://www.indiareacts.com/archivedebates/nat2.asp?recno=1559">http://www.indiareacts.com/archivedebates/nat2.asp?recno=1559</a> 8 January 2007: How do you make sense of this? In Congress-ruled Assam, the ULFA walks in and murders nearly fifty Hindi-speaking Bihari migrant labour. Naturally, Laloo Prasad Yadav gets enraged. It's not gone so far as to make discord in the UPA. But it will. In Marxist West Bengal, who do you think is agitating with Mamata Bannerjee and the BJP against land acquisition for industry? The Congress. And the Marxists are the outside supporters of the Congress-led UPA government in the Centre. UP and the Noida incident have been too played out in news television for the details to be repeated. But Sonia Gandhi and the Congress are pivoting their entire campaign against another UPA ally, Mulayam Singh Yadav, on the Noida outrage. Yes, we all know these are various manifestations of competitive politics. We also know, as we have known for the past two-and-a-half years, that the UPA is so much an alliance of opportunism, it shames one to speechlessness. But there is more than all this to the examples of violence and civic unrest that have engulfed a sizeable part of North and East India. The UP ferment you could partly root to the assembly elections this year, which has tremendous national political significance. But West Bengal and Assam have just formed new governments. The Marxists in West Bengal won a thumping majority. So what gives? How do you make real sense of all this turmoil? The obvious explanation, perhaps, is that party politics is unable to keep pace with fast changing and often cataclysmic events. The failure of party politics, competitive politics, is so comprehensive, violence or unrest is unable to be predicted or intuited, let alone forestalled. Since violence or unrest benefits one party or alliance while damaging another political entity, it keeps the fire of competitive politics stoked. But more competitive politics adds to the flames that are steadily consuming India. Unless there is a unified, thought-through pull back from unchecked competitive politics, there will be little left to compete for politically. And this retreat from competitive politics must be endorsed by all major players. India's resilient unity is fraying. Take the ULFA killings. Not just Laloo is upset, and why not? Nitish Kumar has taken a stand in favour of Biharis, and again, why not? The BJP has already slammed the ineffective Tarun Gogoi government. If the Congress party wants to get on top of the situation, it would be well advised to show Gogoi the door. But that is not the point. The earlier NDA government had worn down Bhutan to pursue ULFA. Burma was also beginning to cooperate. Why did Bhutan ultimately consent? Because the Indian military was bearing down hard to clean out ULFA. If Bhutan didn't do it, the Indian Army would. Burma also knew the score. This military lever eroded when the Congress did a deal with the ULFA before the state elections. In return, peace had to be offered to ULFA. The terms were to be negotiated. The army pleaded against winding down operations. The Centre under pressure from ULFA representatives put curbs on the army's anti-terror campaign. When the talks failed, as they had to, the ULFA hit back. ULFA is committed to terrorize the Hindi-speaking migrants to make way for more Bangladeshi infiltrators. Given the violent unpredictability of talks with ULFA, why did the UPA government reverse the military campaign against the terrorist organization? Why wasn't the NDA policy taken to finish? The UP situation we have previous commented upon ("Noida & after," 4 January 2007). But the West Bengal land unrest needs a repeat mention. The CPI-M is getting a taste of its own medicine. But this is not the time to gloat over its distress. This distress could spread to NDA Orissa or BJP Chattisgarh. Or Congress Haryana or Punjab could become flashpoints. Land unrest in Punjab, which has had huge recent land sales, could sink the Congress in the elections. Every political party, so to speak, is living in a glass house. If that is the case, is it wise to throw stones? What are we saying? This is an old theme with this magazine. But it bears repetition. We wrote week after week for a consensus on foreign policy. It's finally borne fruit. Or nearly so. The PM met the BJP leadership, followed by two-hour discussions with the CPI-M. Others are in line. To the credit of the government and its dialogue partners, discretion has been maintained on all sides. It appears understanding has been reached so the executive branch can do what it is cleared to do. It is too early to be hopeful. But there are good signs. That same consensus must now extend to domestic policies. Straightaway it must be agreed/ pledged that there cannot/ won't be electoral understanding with terrorists. Will that close the door to peaceful negotiations? Only notionally. Rather, it will increase the pressure on the terrorists to surrender. Because they know there is no advantage to be derived playing on the insecurities produced by competitive politics. Second, there must be a national land-use policy. Such a policy should reconcile conflicting imperatives of food security, landowner interests, industrialization, housing, and so forth. The CPI-M is doing atrocious things in West Bengal. But in the same position, don't expect the Congress to be benign. And we go with mainstream media opinion on UP. The system that condoned if not encouraged the Noida outrage must be overhauled. Merely seeking the change of the chief minister is a cop-out. Is this domestic political consensus possible? If there's consensus on everything, what's left for political competition? Plenty. India is bogged down by major internal differences. To our eternal shame, they survive sixty years after Independence. The only way to overcome them is to prevent their political capitalization. Unless we sort our macros, the micros will never get our attention. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

CPM cadres raid Nandigram and Kill 8 (Tribune News Service) (G. C. Asnani: Under patronage of UPA Govt. and Leadership, violent murderer elements are taking over parts of the country, one by one. We must understand the plan and operation of UPA to dis-integrate the country as desired by a Vatican.)

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 18:03:00 GMT

From: Nachiketa Tiwari <<a href="mailto:nachiketa_t@hotmail.com&gt">nachiketa_t@hotmail.com&gt</a>; Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 Post Singur, there is NAndigram where the acquiree of farmers' lands is Indonesia based Salim group. CPM cadres raid Nandigram 8 dead; TMC, Cong call for bandh today Subhrangshu Gupta Tribune News Service Kolkata, January 7 A group of CPM cadres, armed with automatic rifles and other weapons and wearing police uniforms, raided Nandigram village last night and gunned down at least six farmers in accordance to the partys suddenly adopted policy of applying force against the Krishi Bachaoo Committee, opposing the land transfer to Indonesias Salim group. In the clashes that followed between the two groups, two CPM workers were also killed. Over 12 were severely injured either by gunshots or blasts and they had been admitted to different hospitals in Midnapore town and Kharagpur, where the condition of seven was stated to be critical. The villagers killed included Biswajit Maiti, Bhudeb Mondal, Sk. Salim, Bharat Mondal, Sankar Samanta and Bishnu Maiti. According to official reports, the CPM workers encircled Nandigram village around midnight and attacked the farmers assembled in the Garchakraberia, Sonachura and Tekhali bazaar areas. The attacks were retaliated and soon followed an armed clash between the two groups. Oddly enough, there was no police force posted around the place at the time of the incident as it had been withdrawn earlier following the decision of the all-party meeting in the morning. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress, SUCI and several other parties have givev a call for Bangla bandh tomorrow demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and the imposition of Presidents rule in the state. Meanwhile, Mr Bhattacharjee, who was busy today negotiating with a Dubai-based industrialist, Sheikh Suleman, for an investment proposal at Kulpi in the Sunderbans where some 640 acres would be needed for the project, regretted the incident at Nandigram but reiterated that the industrial expansion programme would continue. The incident was an outcome of a provocation call to the party cadres by Mr Benoy Konar, senior central committee member, who is also a prominent leader of the partys Kishan Front, for confronting the unwilling farmers and their supporters with force for ensuring an easy transferring of 10,000 acres there to Salim industries. He said their policy would now be gun for gun and lathis for lathis, alleging that some Naxalites and the branded criminals had been behind the farmers agitations who needed to be firmly tackled. Mr Konar had asked the Left front partners like the CPI, RSP and the Forward Bloc either to support the government or quit. Leaders of the three major front partners, namely the CPI, RSP and the FB demanded that the government should immediately stop land grabbing policy and hold all-party talks and adopt a decision on the future land acquiring for industries. Ms Mamata Banerjee, who has been recuperating at a nursing home, and Mr Pradip Bhattacharyya, working WBPCC president, squarely blamed the chief minister for acting as an agent of the capitalists and held him responsible for the innocent killing in the Nandigram village. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

Indians should celebrate these Holidays all over the World (Dr.Arun Inala)

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:17:00 GMT

From: Arun Inala <<a href="mailto:A_inala@yahoo.com">A_inala@yahoo.com</a> Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 More than 20 million Indians living outside India are forced to take unwanted holidays and take personal leave for Indian festivals. It is time to make a deal with respective govts. Normally in most of the countries there are 10 national holidays and we are forced to celebrate memorial day, easter, christmas, new year, etc., while for our own festivals many of us have to take personal leaves. This is a double loss for Indians. We should have the choice to have our 10 paid holidays and we should be ready to work on their holidays which we do not celebrate. The 10 Holidays Indians should celebrate are 1. Indian Republic Day (Jan 26th) 2. Shivarathri (Feb) 3. Holi (Mar) 4. Indian New Year (Mar-April) 5. Krishnastami 6. Rakhi 7. Indian Independence Day 8. Ganesh Chathurthi 9. Dassera 10.Diwali All Indian organizations can draft a request and propose this bill through their local representatives in the respective governments. World will know about Hinduism quicker. Dr.Arun Inala -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

World's longest rock art chain in Vindhyas (www.bradshawfoundation.com)

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:04:00 GMT

From: kalyan97 <<a href="mailto:kalyan97@gmail.com">kalyan97@gmail.com</a> Date: Sat, 06 Jan 2007 See also: <a href="http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/india/index.html">http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/india/index.html</a> <a href="http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/india/magazine.html">http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/india/magazine.html</a> World's longest rock art chain in Vindhyas T S Sreenivasa Raghavan [ 6 Jan, 2007 0107hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ] CHENNAI: After Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh is poised to claim yet another world record in rock art this time, for the longest chain of rock art. The 12-km-long site, with most of its petroglyphs or pre-historic rock carvings intact, has been discovered in Mandsaur district of Malwa region, which is also home to Bhimbetka, the UNESCO world heritage site, 45 km south of Bhopal. The Rock Arts Society of India (RASI), which knew about the existence of the site for sometime, has now gone official saying the site in the Vindhyan tableland, a plateau lying north of the central part of the Vindhya range, is indeed the "longest chain of rock arts in the world". "Nowhere in the world has anybody come across such an extensive chain of rock arts with little interruption. What's exciting is most petroglyphs are intact," internationally acclaimed paleontologist and former RASI secretary G L Badam told TOI. The site is situated inside dense forests, 35 km from Bhanpura town, about 350 km from Bhopal. Earliest carvings in the chain are mostly of animals Subject: -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

World's longest rock art chain in Vindhyas (www.bradshawfoundation.com)

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:03:00 GMT

NOIDA KILLER'S VIP CONNECTION TO CONGRESS (www.deccan.com)

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:02:00 GMT

From: <a href="mailto:Yashwini1@aol.com">Yashwini1@aol.com</a> Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2007 <a href="http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#Skull%20man%20has%20VIP%20links">http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#Skull%20man%20has%20VIP%20links</a> Skull man has VIP links Chandigarh, New Delhi Jan. 3: The alleged serial killer now in police custody for the sexual assault and murder of a series of young victims in Noida, Mr Moninder Singh Pandher, has close connections with Congress politicians in Punjab. A public school education in Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, and St. Stephens in Delhi, an excellent family record and political connections with senior Congress politicians are part of the emerging profile of Mr Pandher, who had residences in both Noida and Chandigarh. Mr Pandher belongs to a very affluent and well-connected Punjabi family that originally came from the holy township of Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh. He is closely related to several senior Congress politicians, including the present Jalandhar MP, Rana Gurjit Singh, former Punjab Pradesh Congress chief Mohinder Singh Gill and Mr Sukhpal Singh Khaira. His wife Devinder Kaur is a niece of Mr Mohinder Singh Gill. His friends describe Mr Moninder Singh, also known as Goldy, as a highly intelligent man with a good sense of humour. Mr G.S. Sandhu, who has known the man as a distant relative and social acquaintance in Chandigarhs Sector 27 (Moninder owns a posh 2,000-square-yard house here), said, He was kind of introverted and would show you his fun-loving side only after he got to know you well. Mr Deepak Sharma, who used to own a workshop in Chandigarhs motor market, recalls Mr Pandher as a generous man who was very fond of expensive cars. His classmates from Shimlas Bishop Cotton School also remember him as a rather jovial sort and very fond of the high life. Mr Sandhu, whose acquaintance with Mr Pandher goes back more than 25 years, said, He was always more promiscuous than the rest of his friends, who saw him as a bit of a womaniser. The other women who have apparently always been a part of Mr Pandhers good life were in fact the singular cause of considerable friction within his own marriage with his wife Devinder Kaur. The couple nonetheless continued to share the palatial family house in Chandigarh on the insistence of their son, Karandeep Singh, these days a student in Canada. Mr Pandher stayed here each time he visited Chandigarh though he spent most of his time away in Uttar Pradesh, where he ran a lucrative business supplying earthmoving equipment. But Ms Devinder Kaurs family is now openly talking about the couples irresolvable differences and consequent decision to legally separate some two years ago. Friends say they fear the son may have to suffer the consequences of his fathers alleged crimes. The family has also reportedly discouraged Ms Devinder Kaur and her son from trying to meet Mr Pandher in custody. Mr Moninder Singh Pandhers friends, however, said that though fun-loving he was very mature and responsible about his family commitments. He looked after his ailing father like a dutiful son and remained with him right till the end, said Mr G.S. Sandhu. Old Sampooran Singh (Moninders late father) always favoured him over his older brother Iqbal. Mr Iqbal Singh is currently in court contesting his fathers decision to bequeath the expensive family home to Moninder. He had even filed a complaint with the Chandigarh police apprehending a threat to his life. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

100 people return to Hinduism (www.christianaggression.org)

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:01:00 GMT

From: "christianaggression.org" <<a href="mailto:iaca_master@yahoo.com">iaca_master@yahoo.com</a> Date: Tue, 02 Jan 2007 <a href="http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?id=1167773817&type=NEWS">http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?id=1167773817&type=NEWS</a> December 29, 2006 Daily Pioneer Pioneer News Service | Phulbani A total of a hundred people of Balliguda and Phiringia in Kandhamal district havebeen reconverted to their original Hindu religion at Jagannath temple at Balligudaand Maa Pitabali temple at Phiringia. The local VHP and Bajrang Dal units organised yajna and prabachan during the re-conversion ceremony. While 55 members of 18 families at Balliguda and 45 members of 11 families at Phiringia reconverted to Hinduism, at Phiringia out of the 11 families, 29 members of six Muslim families were converted to Hinduism. President of Arya Samaj of Raikia, Sudam Chandra Behera, Achudananda Kar, Binayak Senapati, Ganapati Sahu and Surendra Kanhor organised the re-conversion meeting. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

SATYAMEVA JAYATE REMOVED FROM GOVERNMENT WEBSITES/DOCUMENTS (katarian@aol.com)

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:00:00 GMT

Posted by: "<a href="mailto:katarian@aol.com&quot">katarian@aol.com&quot</a>; <a href="mailto:katarian@aol.com">katarian@aol.com</a> Date: Mon Jan 1, 2007 2:32 pm ((PST)) INDIAN AMERICAN INTELLECTUALS FORUM 41-67 Judge Street, Suite 5P Elmhurst, New York 11373 (718) 478-5735 <a href="mailto:_Katarian@aol.com_">_Katarian@aol.com_</a> (<a href="mailto:Katarian@aol.com">mailto:Katarian@aol.com</a>) December 29, 2006 Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam President of India Rashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi, India RESTORATION OF THE PHRASE SATYAMEVA JAYATE UNDERNEATH THE NATIONAL EMBLEM ON GOVERNMENT WEBSITES/DOCUMENTS Honorable President Abdul Kalam: We wish to bring to your notice either the deliberate or a careless depiction of the Indian State emblem on a variety of Government of India stationery, web sites, and pronouncements. As you are most certainly aware, Sir, our State emblem is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of one of our greatest kings, Maharaj Ashoka. In the original, there are four lions, standing back to back, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus. Expertly carved out of a huge single block of polished sandstone, the capital is crowned by the Wheel of the Law (Dharma Chakra). In the State emblem, adopted by the Government of India on 26th of January 1950, only the three lions are visible, the fourth one being hidden from the view. The wheel appears in relief in the centre of the abacus with a bull on right and a horse on left and the outlines of other wheels on extreme right and left. The bell-shaped lotus was omitted in the adoption. But the words Satyameva Jayate from the Mundaka Upanishad, meaning The Truth Alone Triumphs, were inscribed underneath the abacus in the Devanagari script. In this connection, the Research Wing of our organization headed by Mr. Ramesh Gathoria has carried out a great amount of spade work. We have identified more than 150 important official documents (some of them listed below) on which the words Satyameva Jayate from the government seal have been omitted, either unintentionally or by design. Whatever the reasons or explanations for this serious and sensitive omission, it is a serious matter. The Indian people take the National Emblem to be a very important sacred symbol that represents our countrys great past and its glorious heritage. It is indeed a basic responsibility of the countrys government to safeguard the sanctity and sacredness of such national symbols and ensure that these are never violated ever, even inadvertently. Â· Pravasi Bharatiya Issue No. 8, Volume 1 of 2006 Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Â· Embassy of India Paris (_http://www.amb-inde.fr/_ (<a href="http://www.amb-inde.fr/">http://www.amb-inde.fr/</a>) ) Â· Circulars issued by the office of the President/Vice President and Prime Minister of India Â· India Digest - Vol. 4, Issue 20 of October 15, 2006 Â· Circulars issued by the Department of Atomic Energy and Indian Space Research Centre (ISRO) Â· Circulars issued by the Finance Commission, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India Â· Circulars issued by the Embassy of India, the Hague (_http://www.indianembassy.nl/_ (<a href="http://www.indianembassy.nl/">http://www.indianembassy.nl/</a>) ) Â· Circulars issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (_http://www.mpa.nic.in/_ (<a href="http://www.mpa.nic.in/">http://www.mpa.nic.in/</a>) ) Our Research Chief, Mr. Gathoria, will be visiting India shortly when he will attempt to contact the appropriate government officials to discuss this matter in a greater detail. We had brought this issue to the attention of the Ministry of Culture also some time ago but to no avail. Truncated national symbols purveyed by various government offices are both an affront to the original intent and meaning of the symbols as well as a reminder of the lack of care and attention to details that are the hallmark of unethical and lazy nations. As the Head of the State, we urge you to take this matter up with all related government ministries and help the people of Indian origin reclaim their respect and dignity damaged by the cavalier attitude of uncaring and/or mischievous officials. With best regards. Respectfully yours, Narain Kataria -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

The courts are supreme (By Ashok Kapur)

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 19:00:00 GMT

www.samachar.com There is no defense at all for the commercialization of MPs" privileges. The 11 were too foolish, some would say, to be caught in the act. But no one wants to defend their indiscretion. So is expulsion the answer? Can the remaining parliamentarians be smug about what they have done to clean the slate? Is it in their authority to expel those that have come into the House on the strength of their electorates? If expulsion is politically right, is it legally right? Parliamentarians enact laws so they must be guarded in protecting laws too. It should not be left to the courts alone to interpret or justify laws or their implementation. And when parliamentarians themselves break laws, it is the court that should tell them so. Let us take two recent cases and see how to integrate the courts with the actions of parliament. First, we all know how proceedings of parliament are interfered with the behavior of parliamentarians. Half the time if not more of a session of parliament is being lost to disruptions of proceedings by sloganeering or demonstrations in the well. Supposing a member or the government introduces a motion to expel from parliament all those members who at a particular time are disrupting its proceedings from the well and by sloganeering. And the majority approves the motion and expel all those members who may belong to the entire opposition. And thus create a situation where only ruling groups are left to be members of parliament. Does the Supreme Court step in if all the 200 odd expelled members appeal against their expulsion? And will the Speaker be justified in saying it is purely the prerogative of Parliament to decide on its rules? This is not a hypothetical situation but considering the deep divisions in the political composition of our polity a possibility. Secondly, supposing parliament by majority vote permits the release of Quattrochi's bank accounts in the London banks and thus effectively counters the Supreme Court's instructions in this regard, can the Speaker claim it is Parliament's privelege to do what it likes as long it has the majority's approval? Where are we headed if not anarchy if Parliament arrogates to itself the right to decide what the Courts are set up to do? In the eyes of the layman, every act of parliament must be subject to its legal clearance from the Courts. Not the other way round. -- To unsubscribe from: International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin, just follow this link: <a href="http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin">http://www.hinduvoice.net/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tt&e=example@example.com&p=[pin</a>] Click this link, or copy and paste the address into your browser.

International Hindu Think-Tank Bulletin

Christians, Scientists Join Forces to Fight Global Warming (www.foxnews.com) (G. C. Asnani: Church had been looking for a subject to become acceptable and popular in Europe and USA where people have largely stopped going to and respecting the Church)

Christian proselytizers have increased their activities (Mohan Gupta) (G. C. Asnani: This is done under the patronage of Congress Party and Congress Government. Hindus have to rise up and do the needful.)

A habit of hurting Hindu -- Ramagopalan. A 'MK Hussain' of Tamilnadu -- V. Sundaram

Veer Savarkar's grandson found begging; Rehabilated (ibnlive.com)

PSLV of India places 4 satellites in orbit (Times of India, 11th January 2007)

Arms seized in Kochi with copies of Quran, dispatched from Dubai (www.hindu.com) (G. C. Asnani: UPA Govt. and Shri Sachar are working for strengthening of this activity. Those who dig graves for others are likely to fall in the same graves.)

Sachar proves two-nation theory: letter in Dawn, Pakistan (G. C. Asnani: Not only a supporter of 2  Nation theory, but he has also shown himself to be working for breaking up India into pieces.)

The kidnapping of Indians in Trinidad continues (GOPIO) INC)

The story of jews, insights from Hindu mythology: SK Balasubramanian

Let the political parties come together on macro issues (www.indiareacts.com) (G. C. Asnani: Are the political parties of today even capable of understanding the situation? Are they not the busy in filling their own pockets?)

CPM cadres raid Nandigram and Kill 8 (Tribune News Service) (G. C. Asnani: Under patronage of UPA Govt. and Leadership, violent murderer elements are taking over parts of the country, one by one. We must understand the plan and operation of UPA to dis-integrate the country as desired by a Vatican.)

Indians should celebrate these Holidays all over the World (Dr.Arun Inala)

World's longest rock art chain in Vindhyas (www.bradshawfoundation.com)

World's longest rock art chain in Vindhyas (www.bradshawfoundation.com)

NOIDA KILLER'S VIP CONNECTION TO CONGRESS (www.deccan.com)

100 people return to Hinduism (www.christianaggression.org)

SATYAMEVA JAYATE REMOVED FROM GOVERNMENT WEBSITES/DOCUMENTS (katarian@aol.com)

The courts are supreme (By Ashok Kapur)

Sachar proves two-nation theory: letter in Dawn, Pakistan (G. C. Asnani: Not only a supporter of 2 Nation theory, but he has also shown himself to be working for breaking up India into pieces.)