I-AM-INDIA

Itihasam-True History

2022-08-25T16:42:00.002-07:00

ITIHASAM–True HISTORY

Ryan Baidya, PhD., MBA

Itihasam is a connected word of three words – Iti (meaning - this) ha (meaning - happened) and asam (meaning - exactly this way). Thus the whole meaning of the word Itihasam is “This happened exactly this way”

All Itihasam is history, all history is not Itihasam

Therefore, when history is told or written that is devoid of bias, manipulation, omission, and/or fabrication is called Itihasam. History the way we know it, and the way it had been written, are not always the way it happened.

History by definition is the facts of a time, and the fact is always true (the way it happened). However, that truth is not always, decoded as it happened. Writers, historians, and contemporary pundits do their best to decode facts from the information and materials with the admixture of composite influences of economic, social, political, and individual beliefs. Therefore, history needs to be reevaluated, re-accessed with the passage of time, advancement of technologies, and development of human intrinsic philosophical and moral (dharmic) wisdom.

Kalachakra –Time wheel

Since history was always written by the powerful and the victor, it is currently being written by the powerful and the victor, and it will be done so in the future unless we, the people take a very small step to tell the tale now, or never.

Let us consider a few examples to cement our thoughts on this simple point.

The most contemporary event in Indian history is its transfer of power from Great Britain to the Indian then Congress party led by then a small group of elites, intellectuals, and freedom fighters. India governed itself through many small, medium, and large ups and downs with that power comprising of systems and instruments of laws and regulations, thought processes, and methodologies for the past 75 plus years. However, many of those processes and methodologies had been modified, and updated; and many new systems, processes, and methodologies were adopted as well along the way.

Both the young and the old citizens of India now and then become baffled with the moment to celebrate and commemorate the Start of the present nation of India. Questions arise should we celebrate the moment when the people of India first hoisted its tricolor pride and governed a piece of land by the name Republic of India on December 30, 1943, with formal currency, civil code, and other administrative instruments, or the day when the British India Administration transfer its wrongfully captured authority to rule India to then the President of the Congress party of India on August 15, 1947, with very much same or similar civil code and other administrative instruments that the British used to oppress and to exploit Indians for nearly two centuries.

On that day, India became a commonwealth dominion under the British Empire (https://www.worldatlas.com/what-was-a-dominion.html). To the surprise of many, even after 75 years, the Indian administration rules Indian citizens with many of those civil codes and administrative instruments that the British handed over to the president of the Congress party. The word is still RULES, not SERVES, which is precise for a democratically elected administration.

I say that because in a ruling system, people of the land are the subjects (that was the case during the British raj). The demand is always on the subjects. Whereas, in a free and democratic nation people of the land are the lords and the members of the administration are the paid servants. Scrutiny and demand must be on the administration. To have the latter function properly, administrative rules, regulations, and civil codes must be adopted accordingly.

Several nations were forcefully ruled by foreign nations, and though they initially celebrated the departure of their foreign rulers as their day of independence, they appropriately reassigned a different date for their true freedom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_independence_days). These nations genuinely recognized the importance of identifying the true moment of triumph against the invading power and the first day of ruling its land by its people. This recognition could be synonymous with knowing by one who one’s true parents are. This authentication becomes a very important cornerstone of one’s life as a bonafide citizen of a nation. Any adulteration of this information gives rise to a non-harmonious society in that nation.

That history of change in the Indian governing body, and the terms and conditions that came with it is still cloudy and confusing even to the scholars of history. There are many debates, commentaries, scholarly articles, and books written on it to shed light on that history so that young pupils could read their history text and not be confused. When young citizens are confused about their country’s history, that is not a good thing for themselves and the country.

Anyway, my intention here is to elaborate on one point that true history could give the appropriate direction for a nation’s future. And, making the wrong history right is an ongoing process and the country should always be vigilant and proactively right the wrong of its history for its holistic progress.

Now let’s go back a couple of hundreds of years and we will end up in further confusion about the country known as Bharat – a name of land known to its people for the past ten thousand years. Pre-British India history, as we were taught in our schools, is truncated, diluted, and even altered in some instances to fit the contemporary narratives, and political undue advantages and maneuvers.

Pre-sultanate era remains largely feeble and the Christ and the pre-Christ era turned into myths. The country’s collective wisdom, philosophy, psychology, social norm, and interpersonal relationship all have an origin at the beginning of the country’s establishment. A cloudy and confusing history only gives a week, confusing and hostile collective, wisdom, philosophy, psychology, social norm, and interpersonal relationship; and that is a very unfortunate prospect for building a harmonious community by the citizens of that nation.

Better the understanding one has about its ancestral history better the individual becomes a bonafied citizen. Knowing one’s family history is knowing one’s roots. These roots help keep the family harmonious and propel it toward prosperity and happiness. Similarly, knowing own nation’s history as deep and as far assists its citizens anchored in (rooted in) connectedly with each other. This in turn helps its citizen to weather out internal and external calamities whenever those arise, and the nation moves on for collective prosperity and peacefulness.

Recently, the Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR) has taken an initiative to appropriately document an all-inclusive history of Bharat. Among other things, ICHR invites historians to objectively explore Indian Itihasam from the Vedic era to the formation of the Republic of India.

Itihasam of South India that including the mega Chola dynasty should get its rightful position in Indian history, and at the same time vast thousands of years’ glorious history of Bharat’s mountain region of Jammu-Kashmir-ladakh should not merely be truncated to the past couple of centuries.

Team to Decode Itihasam

These days, historians and archeologists, along with other historical materials, must use an ensemble of technological tools and equipment to get to the truth. Such tools are Software driven ground penetrating LiDAR, AI, robotics, drones, and simulation modeling. Furthermore, to fix the time of early historical events, if possible, use astronomical data, and the earth’s rotation parameters as well. These parameters remain unaffected by human interferences and natural calamities for thousands of years. Therefore, Itihasam-investigators should comprise of computer scientists, astronomers, mathematicians, linguists, historians, and archeologists.

A Citizenry Project Itihasam

Present netizens gifted with the best possible tools and technologies of our time. They are large, energetic, and born-free souls. They deserve to know their past as it happened. So, we call upon the netizens to take part in uncovering your history using your digital devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets), and web platforms.

Citizenry Project Itihasam is borne out of your activities of your telling the tale – the way you see it, the way you learned it from your parents and ancestors, the way it is hidden in a corner of your town, village, the bushes, the river-banks, and the mountains nearby. Your active participation in a project Itihasam can put the events and the stories of the long-long past amid facts, art effects, and folklores. This will be very valuable to the historians and the ICHR. And, you will have a near pure history.

This will allow historians, scientists, and data technologists either to re-authenticate or rectify the currently written history through the doctrine of “This happened exactly this way” to be characterized as an event of Itihasam.

Then, there are people, facts, and events that were of no interest to the writers of the historical event at that time, and that may have tremendous values and importance now. Itihasam wishes to capture glimpses of such events and people of the past. Such people are the tribes of the lands. Their languages, cultures, and lives are part of the lost history of humanity. The more we all do this more the history comes closer to the event that happened - the "True" history.

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Additional Information

https://www.worldhistory.org/timeline/india/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharata_(Mahabharata)

https://www.worldhistory.org/india/

http://ichr.ac.in/v2/index.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxmWTZnpG5o&ab_channel=Audioburst

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_world_maps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIOM79D-l9w&ab_channel=PDFvisuals

https://nileshoak.wordpress.com/

https://rajarammohanroy.medium.com/

She Is

2020-12-27T10:49:00.008-08:00

Project: She Is

Project She-Is is to look into the abuses of women from all walks of life and expressing their silent voices that are glass-shatteringly loud and heart penetratingly sharp. We present their voices through the book titled: She Is.

The mission of this project is to touch individuals' inner emotions through the vivid representation of abuses of women. We have used the works of artist Phauzdar who dedicated his entire life to expressing the soundless voices of the women Mr. Phauzdar persistently has been raising his voice for the past four decades through his artworks. With his artworks and their narratives, we present his voice that resonates with the voices of many. Please use the link below for an excerpt from the book.

https://online.fliphtml5.com/smxvq/obvf/

The 256-page book contains 103 artworks and multiple other images.

It is a hybrid book with artworks and voices of the women who had been denigrated and abused. The book also presented the status of women before the "modern" era - respected and admired. Each plate in this book is a story of wrongdoings endured by not one, not two, but thousands of thousands of women. Each plate speaks for them to us to remind us that we have still a long way to go into making our society more just. We must change, and change soon as a whole society.

The attitude towards women has to be clear and unambiguous. She forms the foundation of our society. If we destroy the status, education, and dignity of women, we will destroy society.

If we want to form a society that stands up to the highest echelon of principles and nobility bestows the highest glory to a woman and lets her possess the knowledge, dignity, and leadership.

Please give us your views and opinions on this project. Also, help us on how to bring this one-of-a-kind Collectible book to a larger audience.

Support this project and reserve a copy for yourself and make a donation to Takshila Foundation [501(c)3]: https://tinyurl.com/Takshila-SheIs

Thank you.

Takshila Foundation

Revisiting Panchsheel: Tibet and India

2020-06-28T07:07:00.000-07:00

Tibet: India must Rescind its Interim Recognition of Tibet as being part of China

Anjali Kanojia, PhD, and Ryan Baidya PhD

Tibet has flourished for centuries; it has been a living hub of ancient culture and spirituality, minding its own business, so to speak. Tibet has made vast contributions to the world in terms of spiritual wealth and philosophy. As parts of the Indian subcontinent were being invaded and the Hindu civilization was obliterated by the barbaric attackers, many seekers, gurus and spiritual masters took refuge in the safety and solitude of Tibet, allowing Hindu and Buddhist thought and literature to survive and flourish. Thus, Tibet holds extreme importance to Indians as it denotes resilience and survival.

India & Tibet – Mutual Roots

One usually thinks of the recent history of Buddhism arriving from India to Tibet. However, the harmonious relationship between India and Tibet runs farther and deeper and predates the time of the Gautama Buddha. Tibetan scholar Bu-ston wrote that the Tibetan race comes from the descendants of the Military General – Rupati – a general from the Kaurava army from the times of the Mahabharata. Tibetan chronicles documents that Rupati went to Tibet after the Kauravas were defeated by the Pandava army after the epic battle of Mahabharata ended and Rupati was followed by a large number of his consignment into Tibet.

India in a sense can be considered as a mother, which gave birth to the beautiful culture of Tibet where the same stream of consciousness flows between the two entities.

The roots of Tibet are Indian, and this continued with the advent of Buddhism in Tibet and noble Buddhist thought and philosophy influenced the people and the way of life for the region of Tibet. Two Tibetan kings – Songtsen Gampo and Trisong-Detsen played a vital role in history by introducing Buddhism to their praja (citizens) in the 7^th and 8^th century. This influence is still practiced and observed in the rituals, art, literature, poetry and day-to-day lives of the beautiful Tibetan people.

Political Background

This historic border between India and Tibet was called the Indo-Tibetan border and China (Sino) had no mention in defining that border. Tibetan history shows that Tibetan powerful rulers in the 7^th century invaded parts of China, and the annexed Chinese territory was even paying taxes or tribute according to a treaty (Treaty of 821 A.D.) between the Tibetan king Tsenpo and the Chinese Emperor Hwang citing “neighborly contentment,” and “establishing a great era when Tibetans shall be happy in Tibet and Chinese shall be happy in China, shall never be changed.” The Chinese forces violated the 821 A.D. bilateral treaty by continuously invading Tibet over the centuries.

Tibetans have lost most of their Central Asian possessions to the Chinese and the great Tibetan Empire all but vanished by the 9^th century due to Chinese and Mongol invasions.

The British signed the Lhasa Convention with the Government of Tibet after their expedition and this denotes Tibet’s sovereignty. It should be noted that China is nowhere in the picture and all official business was conducted with the government of Tibet.

Twentieth Century

Mongolia and Tibet had a formal, bilateral treaty in 1913 where the two nations maintained recognition and Mongolia had kept an Ambassador in the Tibetan capital – Lhasa. In 1913-1914, the representatives of British India, Tibet and China met in Shimla and settled the political status of Tibet and defined Tibet’s relations with China. British-ruled India and Tibet signed an Indo-Tibet border treaty establishing the McMahon Line, which mainly defined the eastern Himalayan international borderline at the Shimla Convention. However, the Shimla Convention failed to meet the goals it set out to accomplish.

Neighboring Nepal, in 1949 applied for the United Nations membership and formally stated that the Tibetan nation had independent, diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom, India, Burma, the United States of America and Tibet. This clearly shows Tibet as an independent entity.

Chinese Invasion

The Chinese again invaded Tibet in 1949. India’s foreign office responded to the violation (of 821-treaty) on October 26, 1950 as: “In the context of world events, invasion by Chinese troops of Tibet cannot but be regarded as deplorable and in the considered judgment of the Government of India, not in the interest of China or peace”.

India’s response clearly shows that India did not recognize Tibet as part of China. If India did recognize Tibet as part of China, it would not refer to the violation of the 821 A.D. as an “invasion.”

When India became independent of the British in 1947, the Government of India sent the following note recognizing the Tibetan government: “The Government of India would be glad to have an assurance that it is the intention of the Tibetan government to continue relations on the existing basis until new arrangements are reached that either party may wish to take up. This is the procedure adopted by all other countries with which India has inherited treaty relations from His Majesty’s Government”.

Mao Zedong acknowledged independent Tibet

After the fall of the Manchus in 1911, China offered both Nepal and Tibet to join China and both the nations refused. China clearly recognized each of these nations as being sovereign entities up till this moment of time. During World War II, Tibet continuously maintained neutrality and did not allow passage of any troops through its territory. Even Mao Zedong acknowledged the independent status of Tibet in year 1938 when traveling through the Tibet-China border regions and said that “This is our only foreign debt, and some day we must pay — the Tibetans for the provisions we received from them”.

Soon after the failure of the Shimla Convention where China refused to sign the treaty, Mao Zedong declared a liberation plan for Tibet and began claiming that Tibet has always been a part of China. The Indian Prime Minister – Jawaharlal Nehru for the first time recognized China’s claim over Tibet and signed the Panchsheel Treaty in 1954 acknowledging the same.

Nehru’s ill thought faux pas set a dangerous precedent in history which affects the relationship between India and Tibet as well as other foreign policy decisions.

On June 23, 2003, while visiting China, in a joint declaration signed by then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, for the first-time recognized Tibet as a part of China. However, soon after the declaration, China repeatedly violated this declaration and Panchsheel accord by substance and spirit. China’s aggression has continued even today with increased vigor and voracity.

India had enough and India has begun to ‘Right’ the ‘Wrong’. In 2014, when Mr. Narendra D. Modi got elected by an unprecedented mandate by the citizens of India, Mr. Modi invited the head of the exiled government of Tibet to his swearing-in ceremony.

Righting the Wrongs

More than 1.2 million Tibetans have died as a result of China’s occupation of Tibet. The culture and people have been systemically destroyed and redirected resources that put Tibetans in a terrible position for survival. China indiscriminately diverted water from the multinational rivers which originate in Tibet thereby putting the lives and well-being of billions of people at risk.

India not just from a moral and ethical perspective but from a cultural perspective needs to maintain a protective status towards nations such as Tibet and Nepal and it is in everyone’s mutual interest that their sovereignty remain intact and protected from the neighboring Communist dreams and agendas.

Given the recent issues between India and China over land grabbing, India needs to firm up its policies towards all its neighboring nations, especially Tibet. Nations often declare treaties to be moot, and it is time for India to declare that it will no longer recognize the Panchsheel Treaty of 1954 to be valid. India has no choice but to rescind its reluctant recognition of Tibet as a part of China, and formally re-recognize Tibet as a sovereign nation.

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Bibliography

1. Art: Phauzdar, 2010 (www.Phauzdar.com)

2. Deb-snon and Mkhas-pahi-dgah-ston

3. Tibet: A Political History by Tsepon W.D. Shakabpa,Yale University Press,

4. New Haven and London. 1967. p.5.

5. India Tibet Policy, L.L. Mehrotra, 2000

6. http://www.umass.edu/rso/fretibet/education.html

7. Memoranda and Letters Exchanged and Agreements signed by the Governments of India and China, Vol. 2, 1959 p. 39.

8. Red star over China, New York edition. 1961. p. 214.

9. Tibet - A Source Book - edited by Dr. Anand Kumar, New Delhi, 1994.p.55.

iDR: Indian Defense Review

http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/tibet-india-must-rescind-its-interim-recognition-of-tibet-as-being-part-of-china/

https://medium.com/@eduzakka/revisiting-panchsheel-tibet-india-f0cacfa3ae9a

MYInd

https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/india-must-rescind-its-interim-recognition-oftibet-as-being-part-of-china

2020-05-24T13:50:00.002-07:00

Making Takshila

in California

A tale of revealing corruption, collusion, and abuse of power by the State of California

Ryan Baidya, Ph.D., MBA

Link to download the Book:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6vY3ps5jKBIjCUjB9aaf-6TujMrysYO/view?usp=sharing

Synopsis

Making Takshila in California is an account of my journey to make a Takshila in California. It is a tale of revealing corruption, collusion, and abuse of power by the State of California. The Bureau for Private Post Secondary Education (BPPE), and Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) of California engaged in abusive and unconstitutional activities.

Takshila: One of the best performing innovative start-up institutions that produced and trained high-tech professionals successfully. Silicon Valley and rest of the country happily employed them. Now, Takshila is in Limbo. CTU has been bullied, threatened and subjected to injustice, prejudice, and discrimination. CTU and my constitutional rights were violated.

And the question is WHY?

This WHY will take all of us to the land where state Assembly members, state Senators, the U.S. Congressman, and some media do not want to go. But, we live in an age-of-truth-prevails faster than one can imagine. Thus, I am here to open the chapter that sheds light on some of the state regulator's corruptions, collusion, fabrications that culminated in the spoliation of evidence, lying under oath, and disobedience to civil laws and regulations. When all is said and done, you will be surprised or you may have a hard time believing that your tax money is being used for the salaries of the people who are involved in such heinous activities.

We accidentally questioned BPPE, DCA and California Attorney General (both Kamala Harris and Xavier Becerra). We (unintentionally) flashed light on the wrongdoing of the system. That did not go very well. We were, thus, systematically bullied, threatened, discriminated against and violated of our constitutional rights.

During the process of satisfying the abuses, we would end-up uncovering the darts that must not be uncovered. Hence our path with BPPE became treacherous. This book is an account for that. We are not a unique situation. There are over several hundred may be near thousands of California institutions have a similar story to tell.

Someone needs to ASK.

*****

About the Author

I have 25+ years of experience in executive roles in academic and industry. I worked and/or taught at various university programs. I taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of California Berkeley extension program, National Singapore University, International Technology University, Herguan University, and California Takshila University. All these universities are authorized institutions.

I gave numerous lectures and training on entrepreneurship, management, and high-tech business topics at conferences, primarily in the USA, and Japan and served as a Thought Leader at Frost & Sullivan Executive Summits. I authored books, articles, patents, and commentaries.

I received my MBA at the San Jose State University (SJSU); a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC); and a Master's Degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. As a fellow of the Damon Runyon Walter-Winchell Foundation, I conducted research for four years at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

I enjoy learning and sharing knowledge and wisdom. I have an immense appetite for history, specifically history of human civilization - Itihasam - "this happened exactly this way". I am a Takshila.

* 'Truth stands Invincible'

*Truth alone triumphs'

*Truth alone conquers, not falsehood'

*'The truth prevails, not the untrue'

*Truth alone conquers, not untruth'

Justice

I want Justice

CTU Students want Justice

California Citizens want Justice

Thank you

Link to download the Book:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6vY3ps5jKBIjCUjB9aaf-6TujMrysYO/view?usp=sharing

Making Takshila

in California

Full Book

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1v257SSFzMLy20PpR7F0JeuCZbXXgrprm

Preamble:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fTvqj_A1zIVmUu68vut1VK5icKnivDzm

CH I: The Genesis of Takshila University in California

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sZSEq-c0zYXwl6kmTEzlsrU-rjcrZyST

CH II: Purpose of Education

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tmFqroDPH0Wgo0FaUWOPJ9K33wishK7W

CH III: I am Takshila: CTU learning transforms its pupils to Takshila

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c-CBWx7chaIUQlr6HaFpaqNnp-SifUVt

CH IV: Takshila in California

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xdEnrt4-m6N8wCea1Kx9zGDcPd6sQ1uL

CH V: Abuse of Power

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DoxBqBy8ZZX1ZnQAeA42ziafumACHhHX

CH VI: A treacherous Saga

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vBrmgD0zvMzHr019L_At_jVK0iZHPsDc

CH VII: BPPE Serves Illegal Shut-down order

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g-fbY_SybwB06-txKFtlGLGLg55PZOpn

CH VIII: A Farce Ploy

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IRebd4y6wLcJ9EI0QH_J14fdA68WhGor

CH IX: Outlaw the Law: California Government Agencies and Legal System

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AebNE_cKmxYAKyLMc00vhv4e8_JGspp2

CH X: Kamala D. Harris and BPPE: Wrongful SOIs

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AmFvwm1-J9xsWEqEFJZogrHwwxIcWjKW

CH XI: SOI Hearing Part -II: Rigor isn't a minimum requirement

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IBSvDVydtSSPho0fr0ix6kKx9MbHmaH9

CH XII: A Comprehensive review of CTU's MSCS Program

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1o04_97hBQ0jvBf7ChCwysFPmgp6duI_q

CH XIII: MSCS in California

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vyiUzGSwZy8qBiiu93CnCSuCM0f6hIh-

CH XIV: Accreditation and others

https://drive.google.com/open?id=11Z5mx0KDnWU0AHmCWIbnRAEbMk0gRHez

CH XV: The Last Words:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BBr3py0VgjvuqSISr4y90qGfDitfXrto

Supplements

1. Supplement A:

Abstract, Making Takshila in California

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1h3nFqYHMIwrPWVuFnAkERYAfAYkAinB7

2. Supplement B:

Abuse of Power

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1yBhw90CGyZ655oI6y_iK0NWLQ4saL029

3. Supplement C:

DCA Defrauded the USA Department of Education

https://drive.google.com/open?id=13au7ubG1iFZWr1yWrAcKIEltFNhR-Q90

4. Supplement D:

California Government Agencies and Legal System made Law the Outlaw

https://drive.google.com/open?id=142Becjauz2FPkDwjk855WX3adRN_WxcW

5. Supplement E:

DCA Approved Schools after the Sunset of BPPVE

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1P10iZaFSlwkFq627DWxgqbA-ZL5t9cxJ

6. Supplement F:

List of DCA Approved published and was available on DCA-website until December 31, 2009.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zVwVP13CwFHtSW17KPuqWGTsxc4NdZ4a

7. Supplement G::

DCA and BPPE lied under oath and misrepresented on formal legal documents

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mQ-vGIrPjJ6vZ-C8_py6MNURtmAocoPu

8. Supplement H:

DCA Approved schools after BPPVE sunset , confirmed my DCA Lawyer under FOIA request.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i1o4A5vzCgefUIyPhY1R1L_qFVG-K9FF

9. Supplement I:

USA Department of Education has been notified of CA DCA/BPPE's improprieties.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=11rhCkil19T68_Bk_E6--ah4BziGCwWrU

10. Supplement J:

Hon. Deputy Asst. Secretary of the USA Department of Education acknowledged of notification of CA DCA/BPPE's improprieties.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=10EIlkZ42oeSeNdFHo6ykbbtfeFIRgTlP

11. Supplement K:

DCA and BPPE discriminated CTU

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Kdymadupnrsm9hRJdJHVc0CzDf6CAFAt

12. Supplement L:

CTU met and exceeded BPPE's Statement of Issues (though frivolous)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1q1U90R-3BVepmRFGe56a97zSlZEyyH3S

13. Supplement M:

BPPE's minimum requirements for MSCS degree (CTU met and exceeded)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=18VenijT7SgqJdgDQDHdDg_gkhvvlcsnz

14. Supplement N:

CTU's Performance

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1MCMW3X_wza9Zl_EeboKwzlCpXZT9rmen

15. Supplement O:

CTU's records, performance and standing relative to 23 MSCS programs (state and Private) in California

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cTG14C2uDL6vVLi87N_YDzTE6-iSEdmq

16. Supplement P:

A comparative study of MSCS programs in California

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ALRJvcp65ljOAt397z5LUCPnnW3oKXJk

17. Supplement Q:

Letter to DCA Deputy Director, Mr. Ryan Marcroft, brought to his attention perjury evidence and improprieties within BPPE and beyond

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i7tcV0tTJ2vb6l4Jaijh0B7XmrLZKNLA

18. Supplement R:

A Media Article - abuse of power and corruption

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kbtZD9K6-ET0A6fT4AS_IuYC4JKY2ZaJ

19. Supplement S:

FOIA: BPPE deleted 500 schools from the DCA Approved list

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xl18pG4sOKP7Yg4pN-YzcfEmGWXLtCql

20. Supplement R:

Federal Funding to the State higher Education (by State) Year 2001-2008

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Li46yMNQqIH__Pzz3ynn63k4D7PyUjkQ

21. Supplement T:

Federal Funding to the State higher Education (by State) for the Year 2009

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Li46yMNQqIH__Pzz3ynn63k4D7PyUjkQ

22. Supplement U:

Federal Funding to the State higher Education (by program) Year 2009

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1aIDxe6NY0poUbf_5S3pXcCnKZmbhkXhe

23. Supplement V:

Federal Funding to the State higher Education (by the PEW Charitable Trusts)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PRyYWXDuWAmfgXA1Z7ZcuuRK0YXTi_ym

Appendices

1. Appendix IV.A:

Writings of Richard M. Weaver, Professor of Chicago University, 1959

https://drive.google.com/open?id=18eHITzScmz7F6LuIcevz9n5nX_INA97f

2. Appendix V.A:

Title IV Funding (January 23, 2007 Letter to DCA Director Rosario Marin

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1R1JyO0mcp-hKSPx_wdC_xWfKwvRh0KRV

3. Appendix V.B:

California Department Consumer Affairs (DCA) Historically Housed Corrupt Leadership:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VEIkfYGqHZnLPkdWvZXX1_FSl3cTaxWj

4. Appendix VI.A:

Chronological Events: California Takshila University and BPPE/DCA

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_AUhYQv6duNmAeuBHvenkP_oWQ_kPuDO

5. Appendix IX.A:

The Decision is based on Clear Error, and the Findings are Not Supported by the Evidence.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FL4VLS4fZ0rttq5zfETkqf2JTa6qwz2-

6. Appendix XI.A-D:

BPPE cooked up review report to fit its narrative

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1MAzZy70MW3kTuhtFqriyDCO9obo81G1h

7. Appendix XI.E:

Matrix of comparison of core courses

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZCwg2PrqOJxiAtTmjqWIQEmy7m2q6ViE

8. Appendix XII.A:

A Few Opinions on CTU's MSCS Program

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1oejBxY__E51st6T1mEbLzNmucAMNtkHS

9. Appendix XIV.A:

CTU's Accreditation Attempts were hindered

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Q3jModqLCfuN-AA7SF_UjwnC2Y5OVShy

10. Appendix XIV.B:

WASC: Pending Visit Projections for Institutions Seeking Eligibility or Deemed Eligible and Seeking Candidacy or Initial Accreditation

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZkfGmk1bT9YDTE7aCqy0EsXEZWBEFIRu

Making Takshila in California: A tale of revealing corruption, collusion, and abuse of power by the State of California

2018-11-30T22:20:00.003-08:00

In 2017, when Lt Governor, Gavin Newsom was running around and giving talks on NPR on education and more specifically on computer education, BPPE was running around and sending out threatening letters to computer Boot-camps and crash course centers to CLOSE DOWN or PAY!. Lt. Governor Newsom said that the California education system has been failing us. We need more innovative and creative ways to train our new generation. Does BPPE have anyone who can support that, or at least not hinder the process of innovation in education by putting blocks of 20 years old methodologies under the throat of new and budding innovation educational institutions?

BPPE is - breaking laws, abusing power, lying under oath, fabricating review reports, and extorting money from the very people it supposed to guide and regulate.

BPPE/DCA either lied to California Citizen or defrauded Federal Government's Education Depart (Financial Aid Program).

Below are the links to a book, two articles - (i) Abuse of Power, and (ii) Law and Outlaw.

Article (i): Abuse of Power

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TKRVmL6vdnnPJCLjUBV1FIKMEKjC-be-/view?usp=sharing

Article (ii): California Government Agencies and Legal System made Law the Outlaw

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AVJjUgWNfcOF8taiLWpJu31_eQqZQMwo/view?usp=sharing

Book : Making Takshila in California: A tale of revealing corruption, collusion, and
abuse of power by the State of California

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n6vY3ps5jKBIjCUjB9aaf-6TujMrysYO/view?usp=sharing

Appendices to the book:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yC0Bw6f4vtNoZ8vwf0n8T95-udqAsb4L/view?usp=sharing

The Book is an account of my journey to make an Institution named California Takshila University in California. It is a tale of revealing corruption, collusion, and abuse of power by the State of California.

The Bureau for Private Post Secondary Education (BPPE), and Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) of California engaged in abusive and unconstitutional activities.

Takshila: One of the best performing innovative start-up institution that produced and trained high-tech professionals successfully. Silicon Valley and rest of the country happily employed CTU graduates. Now, Takshila is in Limbo. CTU has been bullied, threatened and subjected to injustice, prejudice, and discrimination. CTU and my constitutional rights were violated.

And the question is WHY?

This WHY will take all of us to the land where state Assembly members, state Senators, the U.S. Congressman, and some media do not want to go. But, we live in an age-of-truth-prevails faster than one can imagine. Thus, I am here to open the chapter that sheds light on some of the state regulator's corruptions, collusions, fabrications that culminated in the spoliation of evidence, lying under oath, and disobedience to civil laws and regulations. When all is said and done, you will be surprised or you may have a hard time believing that your tax money is being used for the salaries of the people who are involved in such heinous activities.

There are over several hundred may be near thousands of California institutions have a similar story to tell.

Someone needs to ASK.

All we wanted to do is teach. And, all we want you - the Senators and Assembly members - to do is perform sincere and honest oversights of the Government agencies and their official, and protect the Californian Citizens from their abuse and corruption.

CTU's MSCS program is a graduate level and met both the original Minimum Educational Requirements in Order to Award a Graduate Degree (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 71865, subd . (a)): (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 5, § 71865, subd . (a)) and the twisted SOI#8 that asks for rigor. Yet Judge Johnson constructed misleading and false finding and drew a decision that CTU's program did not meet the minimum requirement as stated in the above regulation. BPPE, DCA and Attorney General sang the same chorus. Our repeated request to the State senators, Assembly members, DCA Director, and BPPE Chief to carefully review the documents, the facts, and the regulations; failed to get their sincere attention.

Hence, finally, Mr. Dean R. Grafilo's deputy, Mr. Ryan Marcroft, ordered CTU to close down its operation. Fully illegally and all our elected officials looked the other way. With this, State of California not only committed one count of wrongdoing but also committed over 1000 counts of wrongdoing. CTU is the only one that has the tenacity and conviction to fight against injustices the, as it states on the Attorney General's Emblem, - "Liberty and Justice Under Law".

India and Heart Disease

2011-09-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: Over 52 lakh people died in India of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetes and cancer in 2008. NCDs accounted for 53% of all deaths.

Among men, 38% of the deaths were under 60 years, while among women it was 32%.

Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 24% of all deaths, cancers (6%), respiratory disease (11%), diabetes (2%) and other NCDs (10%), says the World Health Organization's latest country profile on NCD trends in 193 countries.

Looking at the metabolic risk factors, WHO's estimates can be worrying for Indians.

Around 33% people have high blood pressure, 10% have high blood glucose, 11% are overweight and 27% have high cholesterol. When it comes to behavioral risk factors, 14% smoke tobacco daily and another 14% don't exercise at all.

WHO's latest report was released on the eve of the global leaders meeting at the United Nations on NCDs that starts in New York on September 19. Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is heading the Indian delegation.

"This report indicates where each government needs to focus to prevent and treat the four major killers - cancer, heart disease and stroke, lung disease and diabetes," says Dr Ala Alwan, assistant director-general for NCDs and mental health at WHO.

NCDs are the top cause of death worldwide, killing more than 36 million in 2008. Cardiovascular diseases were responsible for 48% of these deaths, cancers (21%), chronic respiratory diseases (12%) and diabetes (3%).

The report says, in 2008 more than nine million of all deaths attributed to NCDs occurred before 60 years. Around 90% of these "premature" deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries.

One of the findings shows that men and women in low-income countries are around three times more likely to die of NCDs before 60 years than in high-income countries.

It is estimated that the proportion of men dying under the age of 60 from NCDs can be as high as 67%. Correspondingly, among women under 60, the figure stood at 58%.

The lowest rate of mortality from NCDs for under-60 men were 8%, and for women in the same age group it was 6%. The country profile also reports on the proportion of people who smoke and are physically inactive.

They also indicate trends for four factors that increase people's risk of developing these diseases, blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index and blood sugar over the past 30 years.

Ann Keeling, chairperson of the NCD Alliance steering group, said, "The most important outcome of the UN High-Level Summit on NCDs will be sustained and strong high-level political support for a framework of specific commitments to tackle the NCD crisis. The aim is to reduce NCD death rates by 2% per year which will avert an estimated 36 million deaths over 10 years."

12,000 tax cheats come clean under IRS program

2011-09-15T22:54:00.000-07:00

Ramdev has been asking for Indian money to come back with no apparent success.
Perhap, Anna Hazare and Ramdev join hands to get the Indian TAX machineries to work properly.

Following is the news that clearly demonstrated that well-will system can bring the money back provided the ghost is not in the mustard.
---------------------

WASHINGTON (AP) — About 12,000 tax cheats have come clean under a program that offered reduced penalties and no jail time to people who voluntarily disclosed assets they were hiding overseas, the Internal Revenue Service announced Thursday.

Those people have so far paid $500 million in back taxes and interest. IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said he expects the cases to yield substantially more money from penalties that have yet to be paid.

The voluntary disclosure program, which ran from February to last week, is part of a larger effort by the IRS to crack down on tax dodgers who hide assets in overseas accounts. The agency stepped up its efforts in 2009, when Swiss banking giant UBS AG agreed to pay a $780 million fine and turn over details on thousands of accounts suspected of holding undeclared assets from American customers.

Since then, the IRS has opened new enforcement offices overseas, beefed up staffing and expanded cooperation with foreign governments. A similar disclosure program in 2009 has so far netted $2.2 billion in back taxes, penalties and fines, from people with accounts in 140 countries, Shulman said.

Between the two disclosure programs, a total of 30,000 tax cheats have come clean.

"The world has clearly changed," Shulman said. "We have pierced international bank secrecy laws, and we're making a serious dent in offshore tax evasion."

The IRS has long had a policy that certain tax evaders who come forward can usually avoid jail time as long as they agree to pay back taxes, interest and hefty penalties. Drug dealers and money launderers need not apply. But if the money was earned legally, tax evaders can usually avoid criminal prosecution.

Fewer than 100 people apply for the program in a typical year, in part because the penalties can far exceed the value of the hidden account, depending on how long the account holder has evaded U.S. taxes.

The latest disclosure program offered reduced penalties, but it was no free walk. Taxpayers were required to pay up to eight years of back taxes and a penalty of up to 25 percent of the highest annual amount in the overseas account from 2003 through 2010.

The disclosure programs have also provided the IRS with information about banks and advisers who have assisted people with offshore tax evasion. Shulman said the agency will use the information to continue its enforcement efforts.

"Unlike a few years ago, it's very clear now that there's a real price to be paid for people who think they can hide offshore and not pay their taxes," he said.

Indians for Collective Action invites you to 2011 Annual Banquet Honoring Team Anna: Anna Hazare and Prashant Bhushan and Dr. Paul Polak.

2011-09-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

SANTA CLARA, CA, September 12, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Indians for Collective Action invites you to 2011 Annual Banquet Honoring Team Anna: Anna Hazare and Prashant Bhushan and Dr. Paul Polak.

"Imagine a world free of Hunger, Corruption and Hatred. When others think it's a dream, we believe in it and we get to work. Chanakya, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, they all realized their dream. They all did it because common people like you and me heard their voices, understood their wisdom and followed their vision.

Now more than ever, 1.2 billion people have begun to hear the voice of Anna Hazare.
Did You Hear?" --- (Ryan Baidya, PhD, MBA)

Noble Leaders like Anna Hazare, Prashant Bhushan and Paul Polak inspire people across the globe to join in the course for improvement of people's livelihood and to stand against injustice to humans - global revolution. Civilians, social and human rights activists progress to fight for equality, corruption free, social and economic equity and for a prosperous living.

Anna Hazare, needs no introduction, he has dedicated his life for social service, for humanity, a social activist; initiated the Satyagraha movement and leader of Anti Corruption Movement in India. For more information on Anna Hazare, please visit http://www.annahazare.org

Prashant Bhushan, social activist and senior advocate, helps society through higher judicial system and public interest litigations. He is the prime member of Anna Hazare led anti corruption movement. Advocate Bhushan named Peoples Ombudsman Bill as 'Jan Lokpall Bill', he was a member of the committee constituted by the Govt. of India to draft the Lokpall Bill.

Dr. Paul Polak, is the founder of International Development Enterprise, IDE develops practical solution to combat poverty. He is also the founder of D-Rev. Design Revolution- design and development of ideas and products. For more information on Paul Polak, please visit http://www.paulpolak.com

Indians for Collective Action (ICA) is a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit group. Since the inception in 1968, ICA nurtured social activists, spawned numerous initiatives including Asha for Education and Foundation for Excellence, and supported innovative community-led development projects in over 20 states of India and disbursing over $5.0 million . ICA partners with dedicated social workers and activists in India and the U.S. , ICA honored Arvind Kejriwal and in 2010, Kiran Bedi, the other leaders in this movement that is sweeping India.

Venue: Saturday, October 15, 2011, 4:30 - 9:30 p.m. Santa Clara Convention Center, CA

For more info: visit http://www.ICAonline.org. Contact: Unmesh Sheth, email: usheth@gmail.com , (tel) 510-676-9502 ** Abhay Bhushan, email: akbhushan@aol.com, (tel) 650-868-6645 -
ICA is a 501(c) 3 federally tax-exempt organization (Tax ID number - 23-7027461

Lotus Revolution in India

2011-04-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

Vande Mataram,- BVande Mataram- Vande Mataram...

Call is loud in silence.
In mid 1960s a lady just wanted to sit on a bus - and she did - that made America of today - that also made possible to see President Obama at the White House.

in early 1930s British did not allow Gandhi to stay in Africa - and pushed him back to Bharat - and that initiated the end of British-raj in the world.

And very long ago Mighty king of Magadh insulted Chanakya - with that Bharat saw end of tyranny and a good 500 years Golden era.

I wonder what I would be writing on 20+years later on the event that is unfolding at the Jantar-Mantar site of New Delhi.

Is what we think it is?
Perhaps it is - It smells like that, feels like that and begin to sounds like that.

And, if that is true, what should all do ....

Thank you,

---------------------

Cries of ‘revolution’at Jantar Mantar
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi, April 7: Egypt, Tunisia and now — Jantar Mantar.

That’s what a gaggle of school students felt Anna Hazare’s protest site had become. “Tunisia, Egypt and now India,” said one banner. Teenager Ankita, who held aloft the poster, said she could not hold herself back. “A revolution is on. And I wanted to pitch in,” said the Class XII student of a reputable city school. Schoolmate Ashish Parikh nodded. “It is the tipping point.”

They were among the 1,000-odd people who had converged at Jantar Mantar to support Hazare on his third day of hunger strike to demand a tougher Lok Pal Bill. Hazare’s aides claimed the figure was close to 2,000.

A Delhi police officer didn’t seem to agree, though. “It’s like a Kumbh Mela in terms of the variety of people, but not the numbers. The noise on TV would make you believe Jantar Mantar has turned into another Tahrir Square. It is yet to cause even a minor traffic jam,” he said.

In a scene straight out of Peepli Live — the Aamir Khan-produced parody of the way TV amplifies events — media representatives at the site rushed to the stage after hearing Hazare had taken ill and was being shifted to hospital. They returned disappointed. It wasn’t Hazare but two of his associates.

The septuagenarian himself said he could fast for seven more days. “I have been working for a long time,” he said in one of his many speeches despite a rise in blood pressure.

Hazare apologised to Uma Bharti, who was asked to leave yesterday by his aides. But the former BJP leader warned against the activist sweeping generalisations. “All politicians are not bad. He should not allow his movement to become negative,” she said.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar came, as did actor Raza Murad. Other stars tweeted support.
----------------
What should India's revolution look like?
Frank Raj

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 - No 2 Religion Yes 2 Faith by Frank Raj

“In India, where a river can be a goddess, a laundry and a toilet all at once, nothing is obvious. India can supply an example of any extreme, and convince you it’s the whole story. The country’s official statistics are subject to frequent and unexpected revisions. India’s variety and vagueness conspire to frustrate anyone who tries to be objective.

- Brooke Unger, former South Asia Bureau Chief of The Economist

MIDDLE EAST, INDIA, April 05, 2011 —Around the Middle East people are risking everything to change their lives. But nothing significant seems to be happening in India. Just two and a half hours away from the Arabian Gulf only a countrywide obsession with sport, and India’s triumph in the 2011 cricket World Cup seems to hold the attention of the population. The Roman Empire once ruled much of the world, yet kept its population similarly distracted from their unending miseries by entertaining them in the infamous Coliseum.

India's stark reality is that its have-nots comprise half the world's poor. They are mostly deluded by the religious notion of Maya - that life is an illusion; it probably accounts for the lethargy and inaction of its most unfortunate citizens. We Indians are easily beguiled. We are bamboozled by customs, caste, creed, an assortment of popular mendicants and a conniving political and religious leadership.
Bathing in the Ganges (Photo: India)

Bathing in the Ganges (Photo: India)

Why don't India’s disadvantaged rise up and demand their rightful share of the nation's wealth that is systematically looted by a handful of politicians and businessmen?

In our schizophrenic nation of extreme poverty and extreme wealth, much needs to change.

India has two major obsessions where a revolution is urgently needed: both are used to manipulate Indians, often with deadly combined effect - politics and religion. Since it is supposedly in the realm of the sacred, the latter probably has more clout for all the wrong reasons in India, unlike the generally more open debates on such matters in the West.

The track record of religious communities positively shaping politics in India is dismal.

Religion in India is controlled and manipulated by unscrupulous politicians and corrupt clergy. Yoga and gurus galore attract westerners who flock to India for enlightenment.

Yet those same gurus overlook the desolation of a society infected with religious hostility where women and children are brutalized and the country has little pity for its teeming underprivileged millions.

The religious spectacle in India is great for tourism, but it does not shape character. It is Indian culture and traditions that dominate people’s convictions. Elected officials routinely manipulate religion for vote banks. Crooked politicians and businessmen publicize their pilgrimages seeking divine favors, and both clever and common Indians offer ritual prayer as a good luck charm.

The unbelievably polluted Ganges River, considered holy, visibly reflects the rot of religion. The age old, all pervasive caste system gives sacred sanction to a 3,000 year old society's twisted hierarchy.

All Indians seem to link piety with wealth and are strangely satisfied with religiosity and its outward manifestations. I make no exception, few of them are inclined to seek something deeper.

Granted, money is not worshipped only by Indians. Sometimes it appears that in fact only one religion controls mankind - materialism, the religion of the world. In India there is Lakshmi, the ruling goddess of prosperity. Mammon rules the rest of the globe; less of an overt religious symbol perhaps but equally effective in controlling men's minds and hearts.

Yet, in pluralistic India we somehow need to build trust and respect for one another's beliefs in all faith communities. But that is possible only if Indians can offer one another authentic, inspirational values, instead of religious showmanship and narrow communal preferences that ignite conflict.

One is humbled by genuine manifestations of supplication and personal faith in anyone truly seeking God. But religion is a different kettle of fish. It is mostly ideology, and by allowing a volatile mixture of the two, India has consistently invited havoc. It has the dubious record of permitting the 21st century’s first state sponsored pogrom, when fanatic adherents of Hindutva massacred several thousand Muslims in Godhra, Gujarat in 2002.

WikiLeaks recently exposed India’s devious religious politics when Robert Blake, a senior US diplomat, revealed that Arun Jaitley, leader of India’s main opposition party the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Upper House of Parliament (the Rajya Sabha – Council of States), had admitted to him in a meeting on May 6, 2005 that Hindu nationalism is an "opportunistic issue" for his party. "Pressed on the question of Hindutva, Jaitley argued that Hindu nationalism 'will always be a 'talking point' for the BJP.'

Those who haven't seen through the BJP's well crafted, Goebbels-inspired propaganda should stop and consider how ideology has been hammered into Indian minds and reinforced as something religious when it is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Open dialogue on common spiritual concerns can be a vital source of personal and social morality in a country's public life.

Hindu, Muslim or Christian, people lose an authentic relationship with their Creator when they settle for any religious ideology - Hindutva, Islamism, or Christianity.

India needs a genuine spiritual revolution that eliminates the politics of religion, which frequently pits Indian against Indian.

Nevertheless, is there no need for a social and political revolution in India like the Middle East?

Unlike several Arab governments on the brink, a convoluted India ranked 84th on the most corrupt nations list, still has a choice. It can choose whether to implode eventually and disintegrate politically and spiritually as a people and a nation - or, become stronger through all the upheaval around the region and use it to rebuild a solid democratic foundation.

India's media enjoys much more freedom than any Middle Eastern state. Why hasn't it taken the initiative to issue a clarion call for change? The country’s media barons, known for increasing profits rather than upholding integrity, prefer to maintain the status quo. Tunisians and Egyptians discarded their dictatorships because of a unique alliance: youth power, alternative media, solidarity and sheer determination.

The Internet is censored in India mainly for pornography. Indian civil society could easily channel the restlessness of educated, young unemployed Indians and empower them to organize and rally the country.

Their manifesto could include three main demands: An end to corruption with rigidly enforced accountability; equal opportunity that tangibly cuts unemployment currently estimated at nearly 11 per cent; and poverty eradication beyond mere sloganeering.

According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India’s premier business association, 72 % of India's population is below the age of 40, while 47% of Indians are under the age of 20 and 10% of the world population is an Indian under 25. They can be a major force to reckon with if they harness the subversive, ubiquitous power of social media like Facebook, Twitter etc.

Like their Arab counterparts if they unite in nationwide solidarity they can demand transparency in governance, and wage a peaceful yet unrelenting fight for genuine democracy in India. Youth associations, independent trade unions, citizen's and women’s groups must empower any such initiative with a total commitment to an organized movement for the rights of the people.

Violence is not the solution for India, but a peaceful revolution must come about in a tangible manner that redresses the predicament of marginalized Indians. They face a bleak future and contend with the high cost of living, massive unemployment, dehumanizing poverty and the despair of being left behind as globalization benefits only a fraction of the country.

If India doesn't apply its national tenet: Satyamev jayate, (Sanskrit: "Truth Alone Triumphs") which sustained and motivated Gandhi, I see little hope for the future despite our steady annual GDP figures.

It could all unravel someday.

Frank Raj belongs to an extended Indian-American family; he is based in India and the Middle East where he has lived for over three decades. He is the founding editor and publisher of ‘The International Indian’, (www.theinternationalindian.com) the oldest magazine of Gulf-Indian society and history since 1992.
-------------

BANGALORE: Inspired by Gandhian Anna Hazare, the youth is ready to throw its power behind the fight against corruption. They are standing up for a clean India — it could be the fragrance of the Jasmine Revolution seeping into the country, or it could just mean that they've had enough.

'A revolution should happen today and now' — these were the words of hundreds of students from Bangalore, who gathered in support of Anna Hazare's fast, demanding implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Students from across the city, who joined the protest by the hundreds, cheered when L S Tejaswi Surya, a student leader of Arise India, said: "We want a change and we want to see the change now. The youth has supported every movement in the country. Now, it is time for Clean Revolution. Dirty politics has to be changed. The youth of Karnataka and students of the entire country are showing their real power."

Students applauded as Tejaswi, a student of Bangalore University Law College, said: "The youth have woken up. It is a death-knell for the corrupt. We want leaders who are honest and educated, and not corrupt."

Perhaps it is the right formula — a wise old fighter backed by the energy of the youth. More than 300 students from various colleges — Vijaya Composite College, New Horizon College of Engineering, Jain Group of Colleges, BNM Institute of Technology, Krupanidhi College, NMKRV College, and Bangalore University Law College — participated in the protest at Freedom Park.

"We are expecting the number to go up by 1,000 in the evening. Students have turned out to be our strength. When we started the anti-corruption movement, we thought it would be difficult to mobilize students against corruption. But, they have proved us wrong," Ajit Phadnis, a member of India Against Corruption, and one of the organizers of the campaign in Bangalore, said.

All the students chanted the name of Anna Hazare. Roopak K, from Vijaya Composite College, said he found out about the movement online. "We went through indiaagainstcorruption.org. It was Anna Hazare's act that influenced us. He called upon the youth to be part of the movement. We are here to prove our power," he said.

Fighting odds, girls also participated. Vishnu Priya AH, second-year PU student of Vijaya Composite College, said it was difficult for girls to participate in protests. "Though our parents support the anti-corruption movement, they were not willing to send us. They were scared there might be a lathicharge and told us we were too young for all this. But, we don't think so. We convinced our parents of the importance of participating," she said.

Nagendra C, another student of Vijaya College, said: "We felt that if this soldier of great calibre can go on a fast at his age, the youth has the power to do much more."
--------------
Revolution futile, admits Ulfa
- Hira Sarania attends raising day function
RIPUNJOY DAS
Arabinda Rajkhowa and other Ulfa leaders in Tinsukia district on Thursday. Picture by UB Photos

Kakopathar, April 7: After waging an armed struggle for 32 years, Ulfa today admitted the futility of armed rebellion, saying it would not yield “any solution” and that it had not been able to “liberate even a small village” in three decades.

Addressing a meeting of about 400 cadres and families of Ulfa martyrs at the outfit’s designated camp in Kakopathar under Tinsukia district of Upper Assam on the outfit’s 32nd raising day, chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said, “It’s true that the government of India could not finish Ulfa by using its military might. But the Ulfa, too, despite the sacrifice of thousands of our youths, could not liberate even a small village, forget the whole of Assam.

“Realising this and showing respect towards the wishes of the people of Assam, which was expressed through the Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan, we came forward for formal political negotiations with India.”

Rajkhowa said the time had come for the people of Assam to choose between armed struggle and political negotiations and stick to one.

After giving a vivid account of Ulfa struggle over the last three decades, he said, “Many people will still try to lure a section of our rural youths to armed struggle but after more than 30 years of armed struggle against the Government of India, we can say that it will not bring us any solution.”

Rajkhowa, who was flanked by vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi and political adviser Bhimkanta Buragohain, said the Centre had, through a letter dated May 25, 2005, reached out to Ulfa saying that solutions to all problems could be found through dialogue and had expressed its willingness to discuss all the core issues of Assam. “The first round of discussions got under way in New Delhi in the presence of the Prime Minister on February 14 this year. The government has reciprocated well, assuring us of a meaningful and acceptable solution to the issues raised by us. We have stressed upon a time-bound solution and made it clear that we are not interested in discussions for the sake of discussions,” he added.

Rajkhowa said the agenda for future discussions with New Delhi, which would include all the core issues plaguing Assam, was being drafted and would acquire a final shape very soon.

He said the government would also have to give answers on the whereabouts of the 24 missing Ulfa leaders, including self-styled majors Asanta Bagh Phukon, Bening Rava and Robin Neog, “captain” Abhijit Deka and “lieutenant” Ajoy Narzary, who went missing during Operation All Clear launched by the Royal Bhutan Army in 2003.

Pradip Gogoi said there was no rift in the Ulfa hierarchy and there were no factions called the Paresh Barua faction or the Arabinda Rajkhowa faction. “Paresh Barua has never said that he is not interested in holding talks. There might be some difference in opinion, but this does not mean that there is a division,” he said.

The commanding officer of Ulfa’s 709 battalion, Hira Sarania, also made his first public appearance today during the function along with the commanding officers of 27 battalion, Pallab Saikia, and 109 battalion, Gullit Das. There were murmurs of Sarania having joined the Rajkhowa group but there was no confirmation till he surfaced today.

Sarania, who had joined the outfit in 1987, reportedly commanded its activities in Guwahati and lower Assam. He is also reported to have been responsible for the kidnapping of P.C. Ram, the executive director of FCI, Northeast Circle, who was later killed in a crossfire during an encounter between Ulfa and security forces. Sarania told this correspondent that “some understanding” had been worked out so that he is not harassed by agencies investigating the Ram case. He, however, refused to give details.

In the morning, Rajkhowa raised the flag of the outfit, was formed on April 7, 1979 at Rangghar in Sivasagar, and the Ulfa rank and file, initiated by Bhimkanta Buragohain, paid tribute to the martyrs. Police and CRPF personnel were seen guarding the venue from a 100-metre distance.

More than 120 families who had lost their sons and daughters in Ulfa’s armed struggle, were invited to the function. They were felicitated by Ulfa leaders, including Rajkhowa, with phulam gamocha. However, apart from sympathy and the status of Jatiya Swahid, it is not known whether the Ulfa leadership gave the martyrs’ families anything else.

The chairman of the Terror Victims’ Families Forum, Brojen Hazarika, said, “It is good that Rajkhowa and his followers have realised the futility of armed struggle after the unnecessary death of several thousands. But they cannot save their skin by saying so. They will have to ensure that there is no further bloodshed, no life is lost and that those who are still in the jungles return home.”---------------------
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Takshila Magazine

2011-03-06T22:05:00.001-08:00

Takshila Magazine from the California Takshila University
just been published and can be downloaded from
http://www.ctuniv.org/university-press.htm

Magazine can be downloaded from the left-side panel

Best regards,

India is our Guru, we its chelas: Dalai Lama

2010-01-16T15:39:00.001-08:00

Vadodara: Giving his approval to chief minister Narendra Modi’s proposal to set up a centre for Buddhist studies in Gujarat, the Dalai Lama on Friday also offered to help in the centre’s growth.

“As Lord Buddha was from India, India is our Guru and we are its chelas (disciples),” the Buddhist spiritual leader said. “It is our moral responsibility to hand over to you the knowledge of Buddhism that we have preserved in Tibet over the last 1,000 years. We are always ready to serve you in establishing such institutions.”

The Dalai Lama was speaking at the international seminar on ‘Buddhist Heritage in Gujarat’ being held at the Maharaja Sayajirao University, in Vadodara. The seminar was also attended by Modi who, in his inaugural speech earlier, had said that he wanted to build in Gujarat the country’s biggest Buddhist temple with a centre for studies in Buddhism.

In his inaugural speech, Modi said that there were references in ancient texts that indicated that the state’s links with the Buddha were as old as the Buddha himself.

“This seminar’s focus is on documentation and research that highlights the contribution of Buddhism and its philosophy to the culture and society of Gujarat,” the chief minister said. “There is ample evidence that shows that the link between Buddha and Gujarat is as old as Buddha himself.”

Modi also mentioned various Buddhist monuments that have been found in Guj. He said them to be part of the world Buddhist tourist circuit.

"I want to see a majestic Buddhist temple in Gujarat with a centre for research and study in Buddhism," Modi said. "I want the centre to grow into a major destination on the world Buddhist circuit."

In his speech, the Dalai Lama approved of the chief minister's wishes. "A centre for Buddhist studies is essential," he said. "I am in touch with the scientific community in the West. We have been looking at Buddhism as a science, philosophy and as a religion." The spiritual leader added that as the Buddha was from India, "we are its chelas."

"It is our moral responsibility to hand over to you the Buddhist knowledge that was preserved by us in Tibet over the last 1,000 years," he said. The Dalai Lama talked about the relevance of Buddha's teachings to modern times.

"Religion is like medicine," he said. "We decide on a medicine according to a person's needs. Similarly, religion should be relevant to a person's needs. If we have faith in our religion and respect the religion of others, all problems will be solved." Earlier in the day Modi and the Dalai Lama had together inaugurated an exhibition on the 'Buddhist Heritage of Gujarat' at the Museum of Archaeology in the department of archaeology & ancient history of the MS University.

The seminar was attended by Buddhist leaders and scholars from Bhutan, Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand as also from within India.

Indan: Mother of All Asians

2009-12-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

First settlers in China and the Orient were Indian migrants: Study

The ancestors of the contemporary population of China, Japan and other East Asian countries had migrated from India, according to a research study conducted by a team of scientists from 10 Asian countries.

The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Prithviraj Chavan, disclosed this while addressing a press conference at New Delhi on Friday.

He said that the findings of this research would help in understanding of migratory patterns human beings and allied social trends.

"The study shows that single entry or single migration (a wave of people), perhaps 40,000 or 50,000 years, migrated (from Africa) along the Indian coastal belt up to south India and it gradually migrated northwards and entire east Asian population including China upto Japan, Thailand, Indonesia all people seems to have gone from south India," said Prithviraj Chavan.

The path breaking study, in the evolution of humans and their spread across the world, will have major bearing on medical treatment.

"Therefore, it (the study) has great implication for medicine because whenever a new molecule is discovered or whenever a new treatment is discovered. We have to conduct substantial amount of human trial and therefore, we have found out significantly that particular groups of population react to a drug in certain way," added Prithviraj Chavan.

Ten countries - India, China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand - were part of this scientific study and analysis.

"I am the messenger of India's ancient thoughts world over," Dalai Lama

2009-11-14T20:46:00.000-08:00

I'm messenger of India's ancient thoughts: Dalai Lama

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Saturday said he was active in spreading India's message of non-violence and religious harmony throughout the world.

"I am the messenger of India's ancient thoughts world over," Dalai Lama told an assembly of intellectuals here.

He said democracy was deep rooted in India because the people had deep respect for the two precious ideals. Even non-believer like 'Charvak' was respected and given the high status of a sage in ancient India.

The Tibetan monk said he considered India as a master and Tibet its disciple as great scholars like Nagarjuna went from Nalanda to Tibet to preach Buddhism in the eighth century.

He said millions of people had lost their lives in violence and economy of many a countries got ruined due to conflicts in the 20th century. "Let the 21th century be a century of tolerance and dialogue."

Source: ExpressIndia

Solar lantern lights up rural India's dark nights

2009-10-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

One WATT at a time will provide Billion WATT a day......

One day and that day is not far - Thanks to TERI and Solar India Solution.

----------------

Solar lantern lights up rural India's dark nights

By Yasmeen Mohiuddin (AFP) – 1 day ago

NEW DELHI — For more than 100 Indian villages cut off from grid electricity, life no longer comes to an end after dark thanks to an innovative solar-powered lantern that offers hope to the nation's rural poor.

While cooking, farming and studying after sunset were once a struggle using inefficient kerosene or paraffin lamps, the solar lantern now provides a cheap and practical source of light.

The simple device, which is charged during the day from a communal rooftop solar panel, uses between five and seven watts of power and has a battery that lasts up to eight hours.

It also boasts a socket for charging mobile phones and a hand crank for topping up the power.

Villagers pay between three and six rupees (six to 13 US cents) a day to rent the lantern under the "Lighting a Billion Lives" (LaBL) scheme, which was launched last year to promote solar energy as the environmentally friendly answer to India's energy shortages.

"I keep my shop open as late as 9:00 pm. All my fish get sold by that time," a fish seller in Govindorampur district in West Bengal state who uses the lamp told researchers.

He is one of those whose lives have been transformed by the first wave of 5,000 lanterns distributed across nine states in India.

The LaBL scheme, run by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi, plans to eventually put 200 million lamps into use.

Organisers say each lamp should work for ten years, saving between 500 and 600 litres of kerosene which would produce about 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Government figures show more than 10,000 impoverished Indian villages have no access to grid electricity, but the solar revolution could also change middle-class lives in urban India, where energy demands have soared.

Power cuts are common even in the smarter suburbs of New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata as residents soak up fragile supplies with air-conditioning units, freezers and washing machines.

While per capita electricity use in India -- 704 kilowatt hours in 2007-2008 -- is far lower than the 8,000 kilowatt hours per capita in many industrialised countries, there is no sign of consumption slowing.

"There is something like 30 percent overdemand. There's significant undergeneration as it is, even if you don't electrify any more," said Joel Slonetsky, a researcher with LaBL.

One "green" solution to the outages is a solar-charged inverter for backup electricity during cuts.

"People have started realising the scarcity of power," said Chandra Sekhar, CEO of Solar India Solutions, which sells the inverters in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. "They have become scared so they don't mind spending an extra little."

Sekhar said most of his clients belong to the "domestic middle-income group" and they choose to shell out between 3,000 to 6,000 dollars for the solar inverters that work as well as traditional ones.

"Right now the technology is at a stage where we can say that it stands side by side with conventional electricity," said Ajay Prakash Shrivastava, president of the Solar Energy Society of India.

Increased efficiency and new materials mean the price of solar-powered equipment has been coming down for years, although initial installation costs are steep, said Shrivastava.

While the long-term benefits may be an incentive for some, he acknowledged that most people who have opted to use solar energy have done so out of necessity rather than a desire to be environmentally friendly.

"There are certainly people thinking in that direction," said Shrivastava. "But that group is not very large."

Slonetsky said although the Indian solar industry is constantly evolving, the options for domestic solar power use are still somewhat limited.

"It may just be a lag both in terms of consumer awareness and supply here." he said.

It is certainly not for lack of sunshine -- India receives a high level of solar radiation, equivalent to more than 5,000 trillion kilowatts or up to 3,200 hours of sun a year, according to government statistics.

The government hopes to harness this potential into 20,000 megawatts of solar power by 2020 as part of its National Solar Mission to promote renewable energy.

The plan envisions railway signals and water pumps eventually running on solar technology, but for now, villagers are content with the portable lamps that have made daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning easier.

"The lanterns have changed our position in society," said Ayesha Begum from Sahsoul village in the eastern state of Bihar.

Diabetes and India

2009-10-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

Toronto, Oct 20 (PTI) India leads the world in the number of people suffering from diabetes and by 2030, nearly 9 per cent of the country's population is likely to be affected from the disease, the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) has warned.

About 50.8 million people are now suffering from the looming epidemic of diabetes, followed by China with 43.2 million, a report released at the 20th annual World Diabetes Congress of IDF opened yesterday in the Canadian city of Montreal said.

The US has 26.8 million people suffering from the disease, while it is 9.6 million in Russia, 7.6 million in Brazil and 7.5 million in Germany.

Pakistan is the third Asian country having 7.1 million diabetic patients while Japan has 7.1 million and Indonesia has 7 million, according to the latest IDF data.

Genetically modified food is dangerouse// By Jeffry M Smith

2009-10-17T23:24:00.000-07:00

October 18, 2009

Genetically modified food is dangerousey

By Jeffr M Smith

All genetically modified crops, in fact, should be considered high-risk. Irrespective of which gene you insert, the process of genetic engineering itself results in massive collateral damage within the plants’ natural DNA. This can result in new or higher levels of toxins, carcinogens, allergens, or nutrient-blocking compounds in our food.

No tests can guarantee that a Genetically Modified Organism will not cause allergies. Although the World Health Organisation recommends a screening protocol, genetically modified soy and corn fail those tests—because their genetically modified proteins have properties of known allergens.

Stop eating dangerous Genetically Modified (GM) foods! That’s the upshot of the Lyme Induced Autism (LIA) Foundation’s position paper, released recently. The patient advocacy group is not willing to wait around until research studies prove that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) cause or worsen the many diseases that are on the rise since gene-spliced foods were introduced in 1996. Like the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM), the LIA foundation says there is more than enough evidence of harm in GM animal feeding studies for them to “urge doctors to prescribe non-GMO diets” and for “individuals, especially those with autism, Lyme disease, and associated conditions, to avoid” GM foods.

Dr. Jannelle Love, founder of the Autism Relief Foundation, is quoted in Kimberly Wilcox’s excellent article:

“It is known that children on the autistic spectrum suffer from fragile immune systems, significant digestive and brain inflammation and the environmental toxin overload. Putting foreign entities such as GMO foods into such a fragile child may indeed cause further deterioration and perhaps block the delicate biochemical pathways needed for appropriate functioning and possible recovery.”

The LIA foundation calls for physicians and patient advocacy groups to explain to patients the role that GM foods may play in disease and to distribute non-GMO educational materials, including the Non-GMO Shopping Guide, which makes it easier to find brands without GM ingredients. (See www.nonGMOGuide.com). They also called for a moratorium on all GM foods and for “Research to evaluate the role of GM foods on autism, Lyme disease, and related conditions.”

GMOs: Pervasive and high-risk
The five main GM foods are soy, corn, cotton, canola, and sugar beets.Their derivatives are found in more than 70 per cent of the foods in the supermarket. The primary reason the plants are engineered is to allow them to drink poison.They’re inserted with bacterial genes that allow them to survive otherwise deadly doses of poisonous herbicide. Biotech companies sell the seed and herbicide as a package deal. Round-up Ready crops survive sprays of Round-up. Liberty link crops survive liberty. US farmers use hundreds of millions of pounds more herbicide because of these herbicide-tolerant crops, and the higher toxic residues end up inside of us. The LIA position paper acknowledges that “Individuals with infections that compromise immunity… and/or high toxin loads may also be especially susceptible to adverse effects from pesticides.”

Some GM corn and cotton varieties are also designed to produce poison. Inserted genes from a soil bacterium produce an insect-killing poison called Bt-toxin in every cell of the plant. Bt is associated with allergic and toxic reactions in humans and animals, and may create havoc in our digestive system.

All GM crops, in fact, should be considered high-risk. Irrespective of which gene you insert, the process of genetic engineering itself results in massive collateral damage within the plants’ natural DNA. This can result in new or higher levels of toxins, carcinogens, allergens, or nutrient-blocking compounds in our food.

Because of a corporate takeover at the FDA, they don’t require a single safety test on GMOs—so almost none of the potential side effects are evaluated before the crops are approved for sale. The few animal feeding safety studies that have been conducted, however, show serious problems. It’s obvious why those suffering from autism, Lyme, or any ailment, would want to stop being used as a guinea pig in this massive GMO feeding experiment.

AAEM physician Amy Dean, a board certified internal medicine specialist, says:

“GMOs have been shown to adversely affect the digestive and immune systems of animals in laboratory settings. Lyme and autism, on the rise in the US, are also associated with digestive and immune system dysfunction. Therefore, patients with Lyme and autism should avoid GM foods.”

Autism, food allergies, and GMOs
It is noteworthy that children with autism are often allergic to corn and soy. Both are genetically engineered. Many are also allergic to dairy.

The LIA Press release points out, “dairy cows are usually fed GM feed and sometimes injected with GM bovine growth hormone.” Although no studies have looked at the impact of eating meat or milk from GM-fed animals, secret FDA documents made public from a lawsuit revealed that their center for veterinary medicine was very concerned that toxins from GM foods might bioaccumulate in the livestock. If so, their milk and meat may be even more dangerous than the GM plants.

Studies on the impact of bovine growth hormone on the cows’ milk are less ambiguous. The dairy products from treated cows contain higher amounts of puss, antibiotics, bovine growth hormone, and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1). The last on the list is considered most dangerous. IGF-1 is linked to a much higher risk of cancer, and according to one study, may also be responsible for the high rates of fraternal twins born in the US.

GMO health risk sampler
Institute for Responsible Technology’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in America has been very busy distributing non-GMO shopping guide to doctors around the nation, who are quite concerned about the impact of GMOs on their own and their patients’ health. They are also giving patients small pamphlet that summarises the health dangers of GMOs. This helps to inspire people to use the shopping guide. Some of the health risks are included below. (Citations are posted.) See if you’re also “inspired.”

Digestive disorders
According to GMO safety expert Arpad Pusztai, PhD, the digestive tract is the first and largest point of contact with GM foods and can reveal reactions to various toxins. Lab animals fed GM feed developed lesions in the stomach, damage intestines, and abnormal and proliferative cell growth in the walls of the stomach and intestines.

Toxic intestinal bacteria
The beneficial bacteria living inside our digestive tract is used for digestion and immunity. Excessive herbicide residues on herbicide-tolerant GM crops may kill beneficial gut flora. More importantly, the only published human feeding experiment revealed that the genetic material inserted into GM soy transfers into bacteria living inside our intestines and continues to function. This means that long after we stop eating GM foods, we may still have dangerous GM proteins continuously produced inside us. Consider, for example, if the gene that creates Bt-toxin in GM corn were also to transfer. It might turn our intestinal bacteria into living pesticide factories.

Compromised immune system
Virtually every animal feeding study that looked for immune changes from GMOs found them. GM-fed animals had a sluggish immune responses, damaged organs associated with immunity, altered parameters in the blood, and dangerous inflammatory and immune reactions.

Allergies
No tests can guarantee that a GMO will not cause allergies. Although the World Health Organisation recommends a screening protocol, GM soy and corn fail those tests—because their GM proteins have properties of known allergens.

Soon after GM soy was introduced in the UK, soy allergies skyrocketed by 50 per cent. A skin prick allergy test verified that some people react to GM soy, but not to natural soy. GM soy contains as much as seven times the amount of a known soy allergen. Both GM soy and corn contain at least one new unexpected allergen, not found in natural crops.

The bio-tech industry claims that Bt-toxin is harmless to humans and mammals because the natural bacteria version has been used as a spray by farmers for years. In reality, hundreds of people exposed to natural Bt spray had allergic and flu-like symptoms. Now, farm workers throughout India are getting those same symptoms from handling Bt cotton. Likewise, mice fed natural Bt had powerful immune responses; now mice and rats fed Bt corn also show immune responses.

GMOs may make you allergic to non-GM foods
Since GMOs were introduced in the US, food allergies have become a huge problem, especially for kids. Some of the foods that trigger reactions, however, are not genetically engineered. But studies show how GM foods might create sensitivity to other foods, and may in fact be contributing to this national epidemic.

GM soy, for example, drastically reduces digestive enzymes in mice. If our ability to breakdown proteins was impaired, we could become allergic to a wide variety of foods.

Mice fed Bt-toxin not only reacted to the Bt itself, they started having immune reactions to foods that were formerly harmless. The Bt-toxin in the corn we eat may have a similar impact. Mice fed experimental GM peas also started reacting to a range of other “safe” foods. The allergen responsible for this reaction may be found in GM foods on supermarket shelves.

GMOs and liver problems
The liver is a primary detoxifier. Its condition can indicate if there are toxins in our food. Mice and rats fed GM feed had profound changes in their livers. In some cases, livers were smaller and partially atrophied. Some were significantly heavier, possibly inflamed. And certain cellular changes indicated a toxic insult from the GM diet.

Reproductive problems and infant mortality

Both male and female animals showed horrific problems when fed GM soy. More than half the babies of mother rats fed GM soy died within three weeks, compared to 10 per cent of the non-GM soy controls. The GM babies were also considerably smaller, and were unable to conceive in a subsequent study. Male rats and mice fed GM soy had changed testicles, including altered young sperm cells in the mice. And when both mouse parents ate GM soy, the DNA of their embryos functioned differently. GM corn also had an impact. The longer mice were fed the corn, the fewer babies they had and the smaller their babies were.

Livestock sterility, disease and death

1.

Many of the problems seen in laboratories are also reported by farmers and investigators in the field.
2.

Thousands of sheep, buffalo, and goats in India died after grazing on Bt cotton plants after harvest. Others suffered poor health and serious reproductive problems.
3.

Farmers in Europe and Asia say that cows, water buffaloes, chickens, and horses died from eating Bt corn varieties.
4.

About two dozen US farmers report that GM corn varieties caused widespread sterility in pigs or cows.

Ready to change your diet?
Inspired? How about alarmed? Choosing non-GMO diets is not only a good idea for those suffering from disease, but for anyone wanting to eat healthy and prevent disease.

Safe eating.

(Courtesy:International best-selling author and film-maker Jeffrey M. Smith is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology and the leading spokesperson on the health dangers of GMOs. His first book, Seeds of Deception, is the world’s best-selling and #1 rated book on the subject. His second book Genetic Roulette, documents 65 health risks of the GM foods Americans eat every day).

The Reverse Brain Drain To India And China

2009-10-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Peers:

While I was pondering upon globalization, economics, bottom of the Pyramid and India, I came across the following article. I have seen Mr, vivek Wadha's article before of similar topics several months ago, though did not caught my mind as strongly as this time.

past several months something has triggered that might truly create inverse brain drain to India. --

One of the primary reason would be India's commitment to build its infrastructure and energy (electricity) supplies. I believe with next 3-5 years 40-60% executives and talented manager build their boat in such way that they can keep their feet atleast on two.

Now the article (Washington Post)
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Beware The Reverse Brain Drain To India And China

TechCrunch.com
Saturday, October 17, 2009; 5:30 AM

Editor's note: This is a guest post by Vivek Wadhwa, an entrepreneur turned academic. He is a Visiting Scholar at UC-Berkeley, Senior Research Associate at Harvard Law School and Executive in Residence at Duke University. Follow him on Twitter at @ vwadhwa.

I spent Columbus Day in Sunnyvale, fittingly, meeting with a roomful of new arrivals. Well, relatively new. They were Indians living in Silicon Valley. The event was organized by the Think India Foundation, a think-tank that seeks to solve problems which Indians face. When introducing the topic of skilled immigration, the discussion moderator, Sand Hill Group founder M.R. Rangaswami asked the obvious question. How many planned to return to India? I was shocked to see more than three-quarters of the audience raise their hands.

Even Rangaswami was taken back. He lived in a different Silicon Valley, from a time when Indians flocked to the U.S. and rapidly populated the programming (and later executive) ranks of the top software companies in California. But the generational difference between older Indians who have made it in the Valley and the younger group in the room was striking. The present reality is this. Large numbers of the Valley?s top young guns (and some older bulls, as well) are seeing opportunities in other countries and are returning home. It isn?t just the Indians. Ask any VC who does business in China, and they?ll tell you about the tens of thousands who have already returned to cities like Shanghai and Beijing. The VC?s are following the talent. And this is bringing a new vitality to R&D in China and India.

Why would such talented people voluntarily leave Silicon Valley, a place that remains the hottest hotbed of technology innovation on Earth? Or to leave other promising locales such as New York City, Boston and the Research Triangle area of North Carolina? My team of researchers at Duke, Harvard and Berkeley polled 1203 returnees to India and China during the second half of 2008 to find answers to exactly this question. What we found should concern even the most boisterous Silicon Valley boosters.
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We learned that these workers returned in their prime: the average age of the Indian returnees was 30 and the Chinese was 33. They were really well educated: 51% of the Chinese held masters degrees and 41% had PhDs. Among Indians, 66% held a masters and 12% had PhDs. These degrees were mostly in management, technology, and science. Clearly these returnees are in the U.S. population's educational top tier?precisely the kind of people who can make the greatest contribution to an economy's innovation and growth. And it isn't just new immigrants who are returning home, we learned. Some 27% of the Indians and 34% of the Chinese had permanent resident status or were U.S. citizens. That's right?it's not just about green cards.

What propelled them to return home? Some 84% of the Chinese and 69% of the Indians cited professional opportunities. And while they make less money in absolute terms at home, most said their salaries brought a "better quality of life" than what they had in the U.S. (There was also some reverse culture shock?complaints about congestion in India, say, and pollution in China.) When it came to social factors, 67% of the Chinese and 80% of the Indians cited better "family values" at home. Ability to care for aging parents was also cited, and this may be a hidden visa factor: it's much harder to bring parents and other family members over to the U.S. than in the past. For the vast majority of returnees, a longing for family and friends was also a crucial element.

A return ticket home also put their career on steroids. About 10% of the Indians polled had held senior management jobs in the U.S. That number rose to 44% after they returned home. Among the Chinese, the number rose from 9% in the U.S. to 36% in China.

When we asked what was better about the U.S. than home, 54% of Indian and 43% of Chinese said that total financial compensation for their previous U.S. positions was better than at home. Health-care benefits were also considered somewhat better in the United States by 51 percent of Chinese respondents, versus 21 percent who thought it was better in their home country. (Indian respondents were split more evenly on this).

These were a self-selected group, people who had already left. But what about the future, the immigrants presently studying at U.S. institutions of higher learning? We surveyed 1,224 foreign students from dozens of nations who are currently studying at U.S. universities or who graduated in 2008. The majority told us that they didn?t think that the U.S. was the best place for their professional careers and they planned to return home. Only 6 percent of Indian, 10 percent of Chinese, and 15 percent of European students planned to settle in the U.S.

Many students wanted to stay for a few years after graduation if given a choice?58% of Indians, 54% of Chinese, and 40% of Europeans. But they see the future being brighter back home. Only 7% of Chinese students, 9% of European students, and 25% of Indian students believe that the best days of the U.S. economy lie ahead. Conversely, 74% of Chinese students and 86% of Indian students believe that the best days for their home country?s economy lie ahead. National Science Foundation studies have shown that the ?5 year stay rates? for Chinese and Indians science and engineering PhD?s have historically been around 92 % and 85% respectively (NSF tracks these 5 years at a time, and the vast majority stay permanently). So something has clearly changed.

For Silicon Valley, and for the U.S., this is the wrong kind of change. To some degree, these responses reflected the moribund U.S. economy and the rough job prospects facing students. With U.S. unemployment at 10%, who cares if we lose the next generation of geeks? There won't be jobs for them for years, anyway, until the U.S. job market recovers. And sure, I know the xenophobes are going to cheer my findings. They believe that foreign workers take American jobs away.

But a growing body of evidence indicates that skilled foreign immigrants create jobs for Americans and boost our national competitiveness. More than 52% of Silicon Valley?s startups during the recent tech boom were started by foreign-born entrepreneurs. Foreign-national researchers have contributed to more than 25% of our global patents, developed some of our break-through technologies, and they helped make Silicon Valley the world?s leading tech center. Foreign-born workers comprise almost a quarter of all the U.S. science and engineering workforce and 47% of science and engineering workers who have PhDs. It is very possible that some of the smart Indians who sat in the room with me holding their hand up on Columbus Day will start the next Google or Apple. Many of them will build companies which employ thousands. But the jobs will be in Hyderbad or Pune, not Silicon Valley.

GMO Food for India - a disaster waiting to happen

2009-10-17T20:34:00.001-07:00

By By TJS George , 17/10/2009
Genetically engineered India

Prolonged court cases, the Supreme Court’s intervention, scientists’ arguments and vociferous campaigns by civic groups have amounted to nothing.

TJS George

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has allowed commercial cultivation of the dreaded Bt. brinjal. If this decision is ratified by the Government of India, some 170 of our commonest food items will also become chemically altered. Rice and wheat, potatoes and onions, mustard and bananas will all be genetically manipulated for us.

What's wrong with that? Basically two things. First, GE's benefits are temporary. In six to nine years the pests develop resistance and the technology falls flat, necessitating increased doses of pesticides. This is already happening in Gujarat where Bt. cotton conquered the market. Sheep grazing in Bt. cotton fields have died. In the case of food crops, GE causes direct health hazards, a fact that has persuaded Japan and Europe to ban GE foods. An Austrian Government report warns that GE foods can cause infertility in humans. The highly rated National Academy of Science in the US has published a finding that dietary DNA can find its way into our blood and transform our body cells. French molecular biologists said, among other things, that rats fed on Bt.brinjal suffered diarrhoea and liver weight loss.

Secondly, the technology forces farmers to buy the engineered seeds separately each season. Which means that the company that supplies the seeds can not only manipulate the prices at will, but also control the entire food security of the country by, for example, supplying inadequate or faulty seeds of rice and wheat one season.

Monsanto did use its monopoly to increase prices in 2006 and make excessive profits. The company was taken to court under the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Act. It lost the case.

The brazenness of Monsanto and its Indian face, Mahyco, has been evident in other forms also. Field trials of Bt okra were started in a village in West Bengal on the basis of "permission" given by the local panchayat which of course had no authority to do such things. At another level, the biosafety studies data submitted by Mahyco to GEAC were kept secret. It took a legal battle lasting more than two years to bring them to light. What's GEAC's game?

The Biotechnology Regulatory Committee had ruled against Bt.cotton field testing. GEAC ignored it. Open-field testing of Bt.brinjal, not allowed in any other country, was allowed in India under GEAC pressure. The main reason seems to be that GEAC has members who have either done assignments for Mahyco or have partnership agreements with it to develop Bt.brinjal. The names of such members have been made public. The "architect of biotechnology in India", P.M Bhargava, who was named by the Supreme Court as a special nominee to attend the GEAC meetings, found that test data given to the GEAC was given by the applicant company itself. "At every stage there is a bias if not deceit all the way", he said.

K.P.Prabhakaran Nair, Professor at a German Foundation, who chaired a Supreme Court ordered experts committee asked: "Why is the GEAC in such a hurry in this matter? When the scientific truths about GE products are as clear as daylight, why is there hesitation to try alternatives to GE food? Have we learned nothing from the setbacks caused by excessive use of pesticides? In Mexico where the traditional staple is corn, American attempts to introduce genetically engineered corn were rejected. Why is India's response different?"

Because in India the interests of the few take precedence over the interests of the country. Because India is the paradise of manipulators who can make the impossible possible. Because India, alas, has genetically engineered Indians in key positions.

Obama - Nobel Peace prize 2009

2009-10-10T20:42:00.001-07:00

On the morning of October 9, 2009 I woke up with a WOW news - Nobel committee awarded 2009 peace prize to the President of the United State Barack Obama. It was a dramatic turn with a deep futuristic message - Peace through Change. It is loud and clear.

Peace only possible by change in ideology, philosophy, tribal-thinking and heart. It is lot to expect from one - However, among most leaders at the contemporary leadership we have only one that has shown change can be achieved through the grass-root involvement of the people-the ultimate stakeholder of the civilization and peace.

President's team already on it. He seek to align with the people of India who have seen and influenced by Siddhartha (Goutam), Mahavira, Ashoka, Vivekananda, Aurovinda, Derogeo, Gandhi, and Mother Teresa.

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U.S. to work with India for peace in South Asia

Washington: Describing India as an important ally of the U.S., the White House said the Obama Administration would work with the country to bring peace in the South Asian region.

“I think it goes without saying that India is an important ally,” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told journalists here on Friday evening.

The Obama Administration is keen to strengthen and deepen its relationship with India, an emerging regional and global power. — PTI

When India Sleep at Night...

2009-09-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

When India Sleep at night, it's mountains shrink.

I will been adding news links on this page only on one subject - Indio-china relationship that goes back to Nalanda's time when Scholars from China came to the University to learn Sciences, philosophy, astronomy and medicine (Ayurveda) along with languages (Pali and Sanskrit).

Time has passed but gratefulness has not. People in the grassroots level still loves India (my first hand experience with scholars from China). Sad part is selectively educated, ideologically myopic leaderships in the world make general citizens life miserable and painful. This reminds me of a scholar name Chanakya.

Current situation between India and China does not seems at all friendly, though commerce of $50+ billions marking the balance-sheet. Going back 1960s, 1950s and 1930s one begins to wonder how many lives are in stake here.

one must remember loss of life of a front line shoulder brings grief from another 12 human beings (his/her children, family, parents and siblings). This can be easily preventable - No, No. Not by dialogues, meetings and other political means.

It is preventable by the GRASSROOTS LEVEL people from the both side.
It is also simple and has domino's effect. Core of it is spirituality. People with spiritual wisdom can see through the veils of word and action of the ideogouge.

India has experienced successes cultivating its age old spiritual wisdom and utilizing in fighting demons and invaders from 11th century in recent millenniums.
king Ashoka was of recent time implemented on a Global-Basis a model of Spiritual Wisdom trading not Arms trading as the way of bringing economic prosperity and innovation into the nation. he first invented a business model that cost less and earn more - an winning strategy without having any loss of life, arms and marketing/bribing cost.

Though India has mostly forgotten due its clouding of vision for over 700years, some part of India still braces on Ashoka's model of winning strategy.

Can that be the model for 21st century starting at the Top of WORLD- the HIMALAYAS.

Thank you,

Ayurvedic and Herbal Market in India

2009-09-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

Indian herbal mkt to cross Rs 14,500-cr mark by FY12
Press Trust of India / Mumbai September 06, 2009, 17:39 IST

The Indian herbal market is rising sharply and is expected to hit Rs 14,500-crore mark with exports reaching Rs 9,000 crore by the year 2012.

The herbal market has an annual compounded growth rate of 20 and 25 per cent, respectively. India is followed by China as the largest producer of medicinal plants having more than 40 per cent global diversity, Ayushkati Ayurved's promoter Pankaj Naram said in a statement here.

Worldwide, the ayurvedic industry is put at $3 billion and is slowly gaining acceptance as an alternative system of medicine and health care, Naram said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has projected that the global herbal market will grow to $5 trillion by 2050.

According to the study on 'Herbal Industry Biz Potential', currently, the Indian herbal market is worth Rs 7,000 crore ($1.7 billion) and India exports herbal raw materials and medicines worth over Rs 3,600 crore ($902 million).

OTC (over the counter) products constitute 20 per cent of the $165-billion health care industry in the US, in India, it constitutes only 5 per cent of the Rs 19,000 crore health care industry.

Ayushkati Ayurved, a leading company in the Ayurvedic health business since last two decades is now expanding herbal medicine market in India. The company has established presence in Maharashtra and Gujarat with 22 field clinics through its production centers. It has a certified modern manufacturing in Palghar in Maharashtra with the latest machinery and a quality-control laboratory.

Naram said that through its subsidiary, the company runs a clinic in New York with it doctors visiting clinics in Chicago, Los Angels, Seattle, Florida, etc. In Europe, as well, the company subsidiary Ayushkati BV Netherlands, sources its herbs to all its distributors in London and the rest of the continent such as Italy, Germany, France and Switzerland.

Ayushkati has helped over half a million across 108 countries suffering from asthma, diabetes, psoriasis, back pain, obesity, chronic fatigue, blood pressure and infertility, Naram said.

BT-brinjal; damages liver, pancreas, intestinal and even inter-generational

2009-03-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

India shouldn't approve Bt brinjal: Analyst
Press Trust Of India / Mumbai March 02, 2009, 0:09 IST

Genetically modified (GM) food, including the latest Bt Brinjal, affects human health in various ways and should not be approved by India, latest studies have confirmed.

“Bt Brinjal, like many other GM crops, has recently been shown by independent analysis to impact health adversely,” a well-known food and trade analyst Devinder Sharma said here.

When GM food was tested on rats, the results were alarming and should not be allowed to enter India,” Sharma, from the Delhi-based Forum for Food Security and Biotechnolgy, said.

“The evidence linked GM food showed stunted growth, impaired immune systems, damages to liver, pancreas, intestinal and even inter-generational effects. Latest studies have confirmed that GM foods affect fertility as well,” he added.

If the consumers do not raise their voices and question the decision, to be taken by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) to approve Bt brinjal (genetically modified using a gram positive soil swelling bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis), it would create health problems, he cautioned.

“Normal brinjal and the Bt variety will have similar appearance and you may not be able to distibgusih it. You will not be able to exercise your informed choice of not eating Bt brinjal,” Sharma cautioned.

Also, the GEAC is considering the approval of Bt brinjal merely on the data provided by the company and has not asked for any independent or long-term testing or verification; nor have they consulted farmers or consumers, he said.

The idea of the genetic modification is to make the brinjal generate its own toxin so that insects and pests.

Believe and Vision: Slumdoog Millionaire

2009-02-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

I have seen scientific research done by a graduate student but put aside by the mentor believing that was not worth publishing. But, after a decade later that dusty file - brings home Nobel Prize.

Tonight we saw - Movie version of Nobel-prize at Oscar. A low budget movie -that about to put aside -catches the center attention -

and here is the news:

".....

Shot in India on a modest budget of $14 million, "Slumdog Millionaire" traces the life of a Mumbai orphan who overcomes poverty, betrayal, police torture and other hardships on his way to a reunion with his childhood love and success on India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

The film nearly got lost in the shuffle as Warner Bros. folded its art-house banner, Warner Independent, which had been slated to distribute "Slumdog Millionaire." It was rescued from the direct-to-video scrap heap when Fox Searchlight stepped in to release the film....."

Take home message is - Believe and vision.

Christian-Muslim-Buddhist-Jewish Leaders to Honor Hindu Statesman Zed

2009-01-03T17:50:00.001-08:00

Christian-Muslim-Buddhist-Jewish Leaders to Honor Hindu Statesman Zed

In a remarkable interfaith gesture, Nevada clergy belonging to various religions and denominations is coming together to honor fellow Nevadan acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who was recently invited to European Parliament to promote interfaith dialogue.

Christian (various denominations), Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Baha'i, Native American, etc., religious leaders in northern Nevada will gather for an "interfaith clergy reception in honor of interfaith leader Rajan Zed's European Parliament visit" in Reno (Nevada) on January seven. Various political, government, community, and student leaders of the region are also participating.

Announcement by the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr., President of Nevada Clergy Association and Head Bishop of International Community of Christ, in this regard says: "It is a matter of great pride and honor for all of us that Rajan Zed was invited by the President of the European Parliament (EP), Hans-Gert Pottering, for a meeting to promote interfaith dialogue. Zed, who is president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, met with President Pottering in his Brussels (Belgium) office on December 10th. This was the first major formal visit of a Hindu leader to the EP during the current European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID). Various other world religious leaders who visited the EP as part of EYID include Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, the Dalai Lama, the Grand Mufti of Syria, and Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks".

Rajan_Zed_at_Leuven
Rajan Zed (extreme right) meeting with professors of religion at prestigious Leuven Catholic University in Belgium.

The National Association of Interchurch and Interfaith Families will present their recently announced "World Interfaith Leader Award" on the occasion to Zed. Various other organizations, including Nevada Art of Living Foundation, River School, will also honor him. Shanti Shanti, the only Sanskrit rock band of the world, will deliver a specially tailored performance on the occasion, which includes "*Ave Maria*" (a traditional Christian prayer) in Sanskrit and hymns from *Rig-Veda *(oldest existing scripture of the world dated around 1,500 BCE). Sanskrit is considered a sacred language, the language of the gods, by Hindus.

Signed by Robert M. Larkin, Chairman of Washoe County Commission and with official seal, Washoe County in Nevada (USA) has issued a Resolution highligting Zed's meeting with President of European Parliament.

Rajan Zed has recited groundbreaking first Hindu opening prayer in United States Senate in Washington DC, besides historic first Hindu prayers in various state legislatures of USA. He is one of the panelists for "On Faith", a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com. An internationally distinguished Croatian fashion designer, Mandali Mendrilla, recently dedicated a line of designer shirts from her atelier collection to Zed as an honor.

Did Britain Just Sell Tibet?

2008-11-24T22:20:00.000-08:00

Just ended Tibet-meeting on her future - As THE CHANGE is the phrase in USA and with the Politepreneur President-elect Obama, New-spirit of Tibet - holding on to her history and culture in order to move forward with CHANGE.

Incidentally global econo-politics vastly controlling the pace and future of the human-race. While reading economic crisis and bank failures in USA, I came across the following Op-Ed article.
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Did Britain Just Sell Tibet?
By ROBERT BARNETT
Published: November 24, 2008
THE financial crisis is going to do more than increase unemployment, bankruptcy and homelessness. It is also likely to reshape international alignments, sometimes in ways that we would not expect.

As Western powers struggle with the huge scale of the measures needed to revive their economies, they have turned increasingly to China. Last month, for example, Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, asked China to give money to the International Monetary Fund, in return for which Beijing would expect an increase in its voting share.

Now there is speculation that a trade-off for this arrangement involved a major shift in the British position on Tibet, whose leading representatives in exile this weekend called on their leader, the Dalai Lama, to stop sending envoys to Beijing — bringing the faltering talks between China and the exiles to a standstill.

The exiles’ decision followed an announcement on Oct. 29 by David Miliband, the British foreign secretary, that after almost a century of recognizing Tibet as an autonomous entity, Britain had changed its mind. Mr. Miliband said that Britain had decided to recognize Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China. He even apologized that Britain had not done so earlier.

Until that day, the British had described Tibet as autonomous, with China having a “special position” there. This formula did not endorse the Tibetan claim to independence. But it meant that in the British view China’s control over Tibet was limited to a condition once known as suzerainty, somewhat similar to administering a protectorate. Britain, alone among major powers, had exchanged official agreements with the Tibetan government before the Chinese takeover in 1951, so it could scarcely have said otherwise unless it was to vitiate those agreements.

After the People’s Republic of China joined the United Nations in 1971, British politicians refrained from referring to their country’s recognition of Tibet’s autonomy to avoid embarrassing Beijing. But that didn’t make it less significant. It remained the silent but enduring legal basis for 30 years of talks between the Dalai Lama and Beijing, in which the Tibetans have called only for autonomy and not independence — a position that a conference of Tibetan exiles in India reaffirmed on Saturday.

Mr. Miliband described the British position as an anachronism and a colonial legacy. It certainly emerged out of a shabby episode in colonial history, Francis Younghusband’s cavalier invasion of Tibet in 1903. But the British description of Tibet’s status in the era before the modern nation-state was more finely tuned than the versions claimed by Beijing or many exiles, and it was close to the findings of most historians.

Britain’s change of heart risks tearing up a historical record that frames the international order and could provide the basis for resolving China’s dispute with Tibet. The British government may have thought the issue of no significance to Britain’s current national interests and so did not submit it to public debate. But the decision has wider implications. India’s claim to a part of its northeast territories, for example, is largely based on the same agreements — notes exchanged during the Simla convention of 1914, which set the boundary between India and Tibet — that the British appear to have just discarded. That may seem minor to London, but it was over those same documents that a major war between India and China was fought in 1962, as well as a smaller conflict in 1987.

The British concession to China last month was buried within a public statement calling on Beijing to grant autonomy in Tibet, leading some to accuse the British government of hypocrisy. It is more worrying if it was a miscalculation. The statement was released two days before the Dalai Lama’s envoys began the eighth round of talks with Beijing on their longstanding request for greater autonomy, apparently because the British believed — or had been told — that their giveaway to Beijing would relax the atmosphere and so encourage China to make concessions to the Dalai Lama.

The result was the opposite. On Nov. 10, China issued a damning attack on the exile leader, saying his autonomy plan amounted to ethnic cleansing, disguised independence and the reintroduction of serfdom and theocracy. The only thing that China will henceforth discuss with the exiles is the Dalai Lama’s personal status, meaning roughly which luxury residence he can retire to in Beijing.

The official press in China has gleefully attributed European concessions on Tibet to the financial crisis. “Of course these European countries are at this time not collectively changing their tune because their conscience has gotten the better of them,” announced The International Herald Leader, a government-owned paper in Beijing, on Nov. 7. It added that the financial crisis “has made it impossible for them not to consider the ‘cost problem’ in continuing to ‘aid Tibetan independence’ and anger China. After all, compared to the Dalai, to as quickly as possible pull China onto Europe’s rescue boat is even more important and urgent.”

Britain’s concession could be China’s most significant achievement on Tibet since American support for Tibetan guerillas was ended before Nixon’s visit to Beijing. Including China in global decision-making is welcome, but Western powers should not rewrite history to get support in the financial crisis. It may be more than banks and failed mortgages that are sold off cheap in the rush to shore up ailing economies.

Robert Barnett, the director of the Modern Tibetan Studies Program at Columbia, is the author of “Lhasa: Streets With Memories.”

Source:
THE NEW YORK TIMES
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/opinion/25barnett.html?ref=opinion