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2012-10-08T20:16:00.001+14:00

जितने भी लोग महाभारत को काल्पनिक बताते हैं.... उनके मुंह पर पर एक जोरदार तमाचा है आज का यह पोस्ट...!

महाभारत के बाद से आधुनिक काल तक के सभी राजाओं का विवरण क्रमवार तरीके से नीचे प्रस्तुत किया जा रहा है...!

आपको यह जानकर एक बहुत ही आश्चर्य मिश्रित ख़ुशी होगी कि महाभारत युद्ध के पश्चात् राजा युधिष्ठिर की 30 पीढ़ियों ने 1770 वर्ष 11 माह 10 दिन तक राज्य किया था..... जिसका पूरा विवरण इस प्रकार है :

क्र................... शासक का नाम.......... वर्ष....माह.. दिन

1. राजा युधिष्ठिर (Raja Yudhisthir)..... 36.... 08.... 25
2 राजा परीक्षित (Raja Parikshit)........ 60.... 00..... 00
3 राजा जनमेजय (Raja Janmejay).... 84.... 07...... 23
4 अश्वमेध (Ashwamedh )................. 82.....08..... 22
5 द्वैतीयरम (Dwateeyram )............... 88.... 02......08
6 क्षत्रमाल (Kshatramal)................... 81.... 11..... 27
7 चित्ररथ (Chitrarath)...................... 75......03.....18
8 दुष्टशैल्य (Dushtashailya)............... 75.....10.......24
9 राजा उग्रसेन (Raja Ugrasain)......... 78.....07.......21
10 राजा शूरसेन (Raja Shoorsain).......78....07........21
11 भुवनपति (Bhuwanpati)................69....05.......05
12 रणजीत (Ranjeet).........................65....10......04
13 श्रक्षक (Shrakshak).......................64.....07......04
14 सुखदेव (Sukhdev)........................62....00.......24
15 नरहरिदेव (Narharidev).................51.....10.......02
16 शुचिरथ (Suchirath).....................42......11.......02
17 शूरसेन द्वितीय (Shoorsain II)........58.....10.......08
18 पर्वतसेन (Parvatsain )..................55.....08.......10
19 मेधावी (Medhawi)........................52.....10......10
20 सोनचीर (Soncheer).....................50.....08.......21
21 भीमदेव (Bheemdev)....................47......09.......20
22 नरहिरदेव द्वितीय (Nraharidev II)...45.....11.......23
23 पूरनमाल (Pooranmal)..................44.....08.......07
24 कर्दवी (Kardavi)...........................44.....10........08
25 अलामामिक (Alamamik)...............50....11........08
26 उदयपाल (Udaipal).......................38....09........00
27 दुवानमल (Duwanmal)..................40....10.......26
28 दामात (Damaat)..........................32....00.......00
29 भीमपाल (Bheempal)...................58....05........08
30 क्षेमक (Kshemak)........................48....11........21

इसके बाद ....क्षेमक के प्रधानमन्त्री विश्व ने क्षेमक का वध करके राज्य को अपने अधिकार में कर लिया और उसकी 14 पीढ़ियों ने 500 वर्ष 3 माह 17 दिन तक राज्य किया जिसका विरवरण नीचे दिया जा रहा है।

क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 विश्व (Vishwa)......................... 17 3 29
2 पुरसेनी (Purseni)..................... 42 8 21
3 वीरसेनी (Veerseni).................. 52 10 07
4 अंगशायी (Anangshayi)........... 47 08 23
5 हरिजित (Harijit).................... 35 09 17
6 परमसेनी (Paramseni)............. 44 02 23
7 सुखपाताल (Sukhpatal)......... 30 02 21
8 काद्रुत (Kadrut)................... 42 09 24
9 सज्ज (Sajj)........................ 32 02 14
10 आम्रचूड़ (Amarchud)......... 27 03 16
11 अमिपाल (Amipal) .............22 11 25
12 दशरथ (Dashrath)............... 25 04 12
13 वीरसाल (Veersaal)...............31 08 11
14 वीरसालसेन (Veersaalsen).......47 0 14

इसके उपरांत...राजा वीरसालसेन के प्रधानमन्त्री वीरमाह ने वीरसालसेन का वध करके राज्य को अपने अधिकार में कर लिया और उसकी 16 पीढ़ियों ने 445 वर्ष 5 माह 3 दिन तक राज्य किया जिसका विरवरण नीचे दिया जा रहा है।

क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 राजा वीरमाह (Raja Veermaha)......... 35 10 8
2 अजितसिंह (Ajitsingh)...................... 27 7 19
3 सर्वदत्त (Sarvadatta)..........................28 3 10
4 भुवनपति (Bhuwanpati)...................15 4 10
5 वीरसेन (Veersen)............................21 2 13
6 महिपाल (Mahipal)............................40 8 7
7 शत्रुशाल (Shatrushaal).....................26 4 3
8 संघराज (Sanghraj)........................17 2 10
9 तेजपाल (Tejpal).........................28 11 10
10 मानिकचंद (Manikchand)............37 7 21
11 कामसेनी (Kamseni)..................42 5 10
12 शत्रुमर्दन (Shatrumardan)..........8 11 13
13 जीवनलोक (Jeevanlok).............28 9 17
14 हरिराव (Harirao)......................26 10 29
15 वीरसेन द्वितीय (Veersen II)........35 2 20
16 आदित्यकेतु (Adityaketu)..........23 11 13

ततपश्चात् प्रयाग के राजा धनधर ने आदित्यकेतु का वध करके उसके राज्य को अपने अधिकार में कर लिया और उसकी 9 पीढ़ी ने 374 वर्ष 11 माह 26 दिन तक राज्य किया जिसका विवरण इस प्रकार है ..

क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 राजा धनधर (Raja Dhandhar)...........23 11 13
2 महर्षि (Maharshi)...............................41 2 29
3 संरछि (Sanrachhi)............................50 10 19
4 महायुध (Mahayudha).........................30 3 8
5 दुर्नाथ (Durnath)...............................28 5 25
6 जीवनराज (Jeevanraj).......................45 2 5
7 रुद्रसेन (Rudrasen)..........................47 4 28
8 आरिलक (Aarilak)..........................52 10 8
9 राजपाल (Rajpal)..............................36 0 0

उसके बाद ...सामन्त महानपाल ने राजपाल का वध करके 14 वर्ष तक राज्य किया। अवन्तिका (वर्तमान उज्जैन) के विक्रमादित्य ने महानपाल का वध करके 93 वर्ष तक राज्य किया। विक्रमादित्य का वध समुद्रपाल ने किया और उसकी 16 पीढ़ियों ने 372 वर्ष 4 माह 27 दिन तक राज्य किया !
जिसका विवरण नीचे दिया जा रहा है।

क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 समुद्रपाल (Samudrapal).............54 2 20
2 चन्द्रपाल (Chandrapal)................36 5 4
3 सहपाल (Sahaypal)...................11 4 11
4 देवपाल (Devpal).....................27 1 28
5 नरसिंहपाल (Narsighpal).........18 0 20
6 सामपाल (Sampal)...............27 1 17
7 रघुपाल (Raghupal)...........22 3 25
8 गोविन्दपाल (Govindpal)........27 1 17
9 अमृतपाल (Amratpal).........36 10 13
10 बालिपाल (Balipal).........12 5 27
11 महिपाल (Mahipal)...........13 8 4
12 हरिपाल (Haripal)..........14 8 4
13 सीसपाल (Seespal).......11 10 13
14 मदनपाल (Madanpal)......17 10 19
15 कर्मपाल (Karmpal)........16 2 2
16 विक्रमपाल (Vikrampal).....24 11 13

टिप : कुछ ग्रंथों में सीसपाल के स्थान पर भीमपाल का उल्लेख मिलता है, सम्भव है कि उसके दो नाम रहे हों।

इसके उपरांत .....विक्रमपाल ने पश्चिम में स्थित राजा मालकचन्द बोहरा के राज्य पर आक्रमण कर दिया जिसमे मालकचन्द बोहरा की विजय हुई और विक्रमपाल मारा गया। मालकचन्द बोहरा की 10 पीढ़ियों ने 191 वर्ष 1 माह 16 दिन तक राज्य किया जिसका विवरण नीचे दिया जा रहा है।

क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 मालकचन्द (Malukhchand) 54 2 10
2 विक्रमचन्द (Vikramchand) 12 7 12
3 मानकचन्द (Manakchand) 10 0 5
4 रामचन्द (Ramchand) 13 11 8
5 हरिचंद (Harichand) 14 9 24
6 कल्याणचन्द (Kalyanchand) 10 5 4
7 भीमचन्द (Bhimchand) 16 2 9
8 लोवचन्द (Lovchand) 26 3 22
9 गोविन्दचन्द (Govindchand) 31 7 12
10 रानी पद्मावती (Rani Padmavati) 1 0 0

रानी पद्मावती गोविन्दचन्द की पत्नी थीं। कोई सन्तान न होने के कारण पद्मावती ने हरिप्रेम वैरागी को सिंहासनारूढ़ किया जिसकी पीढ़ियों ने 50 वर्ष 0 माह 12 दिन तक राज्य किया !
जिसका विवरण नीचे दिया जा रहा है।

क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 हरिप्रेम (Hariprem) 7 5 16
2 गोविन्दप्रेम (Govindprem) 20 2 8
3 गोपालप्रेम (Gopalprem) 15 7 28
4 महाबाहु (Mahabahu) 6 8 29

इसके बाद.......राजा महाबाहु ने सन्यास ले लिया । इस पर बंगाल के अधिसेन ने उसके राज्य पर आक्रमण कर अधिकार जमा लिया। अधिसेन की 12 पीढ़ियों ने 152 वर्ष 11 माह 2 दिन तक राज्य किया जिसका विवरण नीचे दिया जा रहा है।

क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 अधिसेन (Adhisen) 18 5 21
2 विल्वसेन (Vilavalsen) 12 4 2
3 केशवसेन (Keshavsen) 15 7 12
4 माधवसेन (Madhavsen) 12 4 2
5 मयूरसेन (Mayursen) 20 11 27
6 भीमसेन (Bhimsen) 5 10 9
7 कल्याणसेन (Kalyansen) 4 8 21
8 हरिसेन (Harisen) 12 0 25
9 क्षेमसेन (Kshemsen) 8 11 15
10 नारायणसेन (Narayansen) 2 2 29
11 लक्ष्मीसेन (Lakshmisen) 26 10 0
12 दामोदरसेन (Damodarsen) 11 5 19

लेकिन जब ....दामोदरसेन ने उमराव दीपसिंह को प्रताड़ित किया तो दीपसिंह ने सेना की सहायता से दामोदरसेन का वध करके राज्य पर अधिकार कर लिया तथा उसकी 6 पीढ़ियों ने 107 वर्ष 6 माह 22 दिन तक राज्य किया जिसका विवरण नीचे दिया जा रहा है।

क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 दीपसिंह (Deepsingh) 17 1 26
2 राजसिंह (Rajsingh) 14 5 0
3 रणसिंह (Ransingh) 9 8 11
4 नरसिंह (Narsingh) 45 0 15
5 हरिसिंह (Harisingh) 13 2 29
6 जीवनसिंह (Jeevansingh) 8 0 1

पृथ्वीराज चौहान ने जीवनसिंह पर आक्रमण करके तथा उसका वध करके राज्य पर अधिकार प्राप्त कर लिया। पृथ्वीराज चौहान की 5 पीढ़ियों ने 86 वर्ष 0 माह 20 दिन तक राज्य किया जिसका विवरण नीचे दिया जा रहा है।
क्र. शासक का नाम वर्ष माह दिन

1 पृथ्वीराज (Prathviraj) 12 2 19
2 अभयपाल (Abhayapal) 14 5 17
3 दुर्जनपाल (Durjanpal) 11 4 14
4 उदयपाल (Udayapal) 11 7 3
5 यशपाल (Yashpal) 36 4 27

विक्रम संवत 1249 (1193 AD) में मोहम्मद गोरी ने यशपाल पर आक्रमण कर उसे प्रयाग के कारागार में डाल दिया और उसके राज्य को अधिकार में ले लिया।

उपरोक्त जानकारी http://www.hindunet.org/ से साभार ली गई है जहाँ पर इस जानकारी का स्रोत स्वामी दयानन्द सरस्वती के सत्यार्थ प्रकाश ग्रंथ, चित्तौड़गढ़ राजस्थान से प्रकाशित पत्रिका हरिशचन्द्रिका और मोहनचन्द्रिका के विक्रम संवत1939 के अंक और कुछ अन्य संस्कृत ग्रंथों को बताया गया है।
साभार ....जी.के. अवधिया |

जय महाकाल....!!!

नोट : इस पोस्ट को मैंने नहीं लिखा है और मैंने इसे अपने एक मित्र की पोस्ट से कॉपी किया है क्योंकि मुझे ये अमूल्य जानकारी ज्यादा से ज्यादा लोगों तक पहुँचाने की इच्छा हुई.

2012-10-08T20:12:00.000+14:00

एक अच्छी खबर यह आई है की विज्ञान ने भी हमारे आदिपुरुष श्रीराम के भारत में जन्म लेने की पुष्टि कर दी है. ज्ञातव्य है की श्रीराम का जन्म भारत में उस काल में हुआ था जहाँ तक हमारी इतिहास की पहुँच अभी तक नही हो पाई है और महज अनुमान के आधार पर ही कड़ियाँ जोडती रही है, परन्तु भारतीय अनुसंधानकर्ताओं ने बाल्मीकि रामायण में दिए गए सामग्री को आधार मानकर पिछले १० वर्षों से वैज्ञानिक पद्धति से उनकी प्रमाणिकता

जाँच कर रही थी और उन्होंने बाल्मीकि रामायण में दिए गए तारीख, ग्रह-नक्षत्र, की स्थिति, भौगोलिक परिवेश एवं पारिस्थितिकी, प्लेनेटोरियम तकनीक एवं सॉफ्टवेयर, समुद्र विज्ञान आदि के माध्यम से गहन अध्यन के पश्चात निम्नलिखित प्रमुख निष्कर्ष को प्रस्थापित किया है.
१. आदिपुरुष श्रीराम का जन्म ९-१० जनवरी, ५११४ इस्वी पूर्व में हुआ था जो की बाल्मीकि रामायण में दिए गए तारीख चैत्र शुक्ल ९वीं की तारीख ठहरती है.
२. अक्षांस और देशान्तरों की गणना से श्रीराम की जन्म भूमि अयोध्या निर्धारित हुई है.
३. श्रीराम सपत्नीक एवं लक्ष्मण सहित २५वे वर्ष वनगमन किये थे अर्थात ५१३९ ईस्वी प...
ूर्व
४. वनवास के तेरहवें वर्ष अर्थात ५१५२ ईस्वी पूर्व खरदूषण का वध किया था. बाल्मीकि रामायण के अनुसार उस दिन सूर्यग्रहण था जो की प्लेनेटोरियम सॉफ्टवेयर से भी सिद्ध हुआ है.
५. National Institute of Oceanology के अनुसार रामसेतु ७१०० ईस्वी पूर्व भारत श्रीलंका के बिच समुद्र से उभरा हुआ था और आज की अपेक्षा समुद्र की स्थिति ९ फीट निचे थी. रामयुग तक यह अतिदुर्गम मार्ग था जिस पर लंका पर चढ़ाई करते समय राम की सेना ने पार करने योग्य पूल बांध लिया था.
६. दण्डकारण्य वन (जगदलपुर के निकट) में श्रीराम के ठहरने के पर्याप्त सबूत सहित अयोध्या से लंका तक २२५ स्थान खोज निकाले है जो बाल्मीकि रामायण की सत्यता को प्रमाणित करते है.
(साभार जी न्यूज)
जाहिर है यह तथ्य कैथोलिक इटालियन गैंग के नेतृत्व वाली सरकार के मुंह पर तमाचा है जो देशी और विदेशी ईसाई मिशनरियों के दवाब में श्रीराम के अस्तित्व को न केवल नकारती रही है बल्कि पाठ्य पुस्तकों में भी रामायण और महाभारत को काल्पनिक कथाओं के रूप में पढने को बाध्य कर रखी है.

BARSHIK UTSAV TELIDEHI BHAGAT SINGH SAKHA

2012-03-01T01:41:00.002+14:00

A small village telidehi situated in jharsuguda district odisha. A small RSS sakha is here named Bhagat Singh Pravat.This year the Barshik Utsav has been celebrated on 19 feb 2012.Total swayamsevak present -15.The swayamsevak showed various physical activities like Surya namaskar ,Asan ,Danda Byayamyog,Sanchalan etc.

Subramanian Swamy files petition in SC against Chidambaram

2012-02-24T23:58:00.002+14:00

NEW DELHI: Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy today moved the Supreme Court challenging the trial court order which had held that home minister P Chidmbaram did not indulge in any criminal conspiracy in the 2G case and refused to make him an accused in it.

Swamy has alleged that Chidambaram was equally culpable like former telecom minister A Raja as he also had a role in deciding the spectrum pricing and allowing telecom companies to off-load shares to foreign firms.

He had said that the evidence brought before the trial court was sufficient to show that Chidambaram, as the then finance minister, had prima facie committed offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other criminal laws.

Swamy's plea was, however, rejected on February 4, by the Special CBI Court, trying the 2G case, which had said Chidambaram did not indulge in any criminal conspiracy or derived any pecuniary advantage in the decisions taken with Raja.

The trail court had said that Chidambaram, the finance minister at the time of controversial allocation of 2G spectrum in 2008, was only party to two decisions--keeping spectrum prices at 2001 level and dilution of equity by two companies--which was "not per se criminal".

The Supreme Court had on February 2 left on the special court to decide the plea to try Chidambaram in the case.

The trial court had rejected the private criminal complaint filed by Swamy, saying it was without merits.

It said Swamy could not bring evidence on record to show that Chidambaram was acting with "corrupt" and "illegal" motive and the case against him was distinguishable from other accused who are facing trial in the 2G case.

SC: Link Between Home Ministry, Delhi Police in Ramlila Crackdown

2012-02-24T23:57:00.002+14:00

New Delhi : In its verdict on Ramlila crackdown, the Supreme Court has categorically stated that there exists a link between UnionHome Ministry and delhi Police on the nightof 4 June, 2011. The Supreme Court has held the Delhi Police guilty of using excess force on Ramdev’s followers. The SC referred to the police action on Baba Ramdev as ‘arbitrary’, and has directed criminal prosecution against police personnel of Delhi, who were involved in the crackdown. “Delhi Police should have thought before it acted”, said Supreme Court.

On the case of Rajbala, who lost her life after being caught in the stampede that followed the crackdown, the SC ordered Delhi Police to pay 75% of the compensation. They are also to pay the same to those who have been injured in the stampede. Bharat Swabhiman trust has been asked to pay 25%.

However, Bharat Swabhiman Trust belonging to Baba Ramdev has also been charged along with the Delhi Police, on grounds of negligence.The judgment says that Ramdev and his group of protesters should have vacated the premises of Ramlila Maidan after being directed to do so. Ramdev should also have taken care to control his supporters. Criminal prosecution has also been directed against the followers of Ramdev who behaved in an unruly manner on the night of crackdown.

The Big Secret : What’s really there in Sonia’s tax returns?

2012-02-24T23:56:00.003+14:00

What does Sonia Gandhi have in her income tax returns that she doesn’t reveal?

That question arises after she airily brushed off an application from a Right to Information activist who sought details of her income-tax returns for 10 years from 2000-01 to 2010-11.

The Times of India reports that V Gopalakrishnan, a Chennai-based RTI activist, filed an RTI application with the Income Tax Department seeking details of Sonia Gandhi’s tax returns from 2000-01 to 2010-11.

The Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax, New Delhi, who is also the chief public information officer (CPIO) wrote to Sonia Gandhi in January to seek her response to the request for release of information pertaining to her tax records.

But Sonia Gandhi declined permission for the release of the information, saying that disclosure of such private information to a third party, even if ostensibly made under the guise of transparency in public life, amounted to unwarranted invasion in the privacy of the individual.

The information that an assessee submits to the Income Tax department was confidential and private in nature and could not be disclosed as per Section 138 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, she is reported to have said.

The report notes that Sonia Gandhi also cited “security risk” as a consideration behind her reluctance to disclose the information – and added that there was “no public interest” involved in disclosing such information.

The Times of India adds that this was the second time that the CPIO had rejected such a petition from Gopalakrishnan for information on Sonia Gandhi’s income tax returns. On an earlier occasion, a similar application had been rejected even without seeking Sonia Gandhi’s response. After Gopalakrishnan went in appeal, the appellate authority said that by not seeking out a response from Sonia Gandhi, the CPIO had ignored the possibility that she might be willing to disclose her personal income-tax information.

So, let’s get this straight. Even the Prime Minister discloses his assets every year, but Sonia Gandhi, the real power behind the throne, will not?

And, Mrs Gandhi, you’re so wrong that there isn’t any public interest in knowing details of how well you’re doing. There palpably is.

Of course, in normal circumstances, such details come under the realm of confidential information. But in a democracy such as ours, in the interests of transparency of government, there ought not to be high walls surrounding the personal assets of our elected leaders. Even if they are only puppeters who pull the strings.

So, Mrs Gandhi, will you please go public with the details now? And also let us know what “security risks” are involved in making such information public.

Bangalore : Church Priest Sentenced to 7 Years Jail for Rape

2012-02-24T23:56:00.000+14:00

Bangalore(Karnataka) : A fast-track court in Bangalore has sentenced a church priest from Metagalli, Mysore to 7 years imprisonment for kidnapping and raping a 15-year old girl. The incident happened in 2009.

The priest, Padre Shyam abducted the girl from Metagalli on 21^st April, 2009. he brought her to the Central Silk Board quarters at Vanivilas Road near Basavanagudi, Bangalore. The heinous crime was committed there. Later he took her to Perumpudur near Chennai and from there. went to Solurpet, Andhra Pradesh. The crime was repeated there.

Basavanagudi police registered a case against him following a complaint filed by the victims mother. Padre Shyam was arrested on 16 May, 2009.

Special public prosecutor MR Bannihatti, who has been in charge of the case said that a fine of Rs 4,000 or imprisonment by default has been slapped on the accused by the 46^th FTC judge GK Gokhale, who delivered the verdict. The court ordered the priest to pay Rs 5,000 to the victim’s mother, besides the bearing of court expenses

Source: indiawires.com

Togadia condemns Khurshid: Says 'I am with Jehadis and NOT with India' gang is breaking India again

2012-02-14T18:56:00.001+14:00

Gwalior, February 13: Criticising Salman Khursheed's remarks about Batla House encounter, Dr Pravin Togadia, International Working President of VHP said, "Salman Khursheed claims that the encounter was fake, the govt was going to take action against it but kept quiet due to election and Sonia Gandhi's eyes were full of tears seeing the photographs of the encounter.
In an election public meeting in Azamgad- Uttar Pradesh, the Union Minister of Law Salman Khursheed has crossed all limits in his constant endeavour to offend the majority of India.
Togadia has commented that, to win Azamgad seat and dreaming of winning Uttar Pradesh election to save Rahul Gandhi's image, people like Salman Khursheed are going to the extent of offending India, our brave Army and Police. The VHP president said that the PM cries seeing pregnant wife of Dr Haneef who was caught by Australia, PM also cries and begs to Kuwait when a Muslim man is punished with removal of his eyes per their own law, now Khursheed claims that Sonia Gandhi cried seeing dead Jehadis in Batla House encounter!
“Tears of the Govt representatives flow freely only for Muslims and never for Sanaatani Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Tribals, OBCs, SCs and others! Neither PM, nor Soniaji nor Salman Khursheed or anyone ever cried for the thousands of army men and police killed at the hands of Jehadis in Kashmir, Assam, Mumbai, Delhi or at the hands of Naxals!” alleged Togadia.
VHP has appealed Citizen of India saying that the time has now came for all patriotic and truly nationalist citizens of India to democratically stand up against such anti-national remarks and actions - be it elections or by democratic agitations.
The same Salman Khursheed - India's sitting Law minister promised in his wife's election campaign 9% snatching from OBC quota for Muslims and now like a serial offender he again insults India and the late police officer who was rewarded for his bravery in Batla house for the same encounter, says Togadia. He added that if Salman Khursheed, as a Law Minister is against his own Govt's decision that the Batla House encounter was a brave deed by the police, then he has no right to be in the govt neither as a Law Minister nor even as an M.P. of India.
VHP’s International Working President says that those who have any sympathy towards Jehadis have no place in the democracy. Thousands of innocent Indians were brutally killed and maimed by Jehadi attacks from Delhi to Mumbai and Bengaluru to many places. But neither Salman Khursheed nor his superiors shown any sympathy for the victims, instead, they are siding with the Jehadis!
Togadia harped on the Congress Party and elements like Khursheed saying that, after a conspiracy to snatch all castes' Hindus' Roti, Education, Employment, Bank Loans to be given to Muslims, now the govt is systematically moving towards persecuting majority of India to appease Muslims.
VHP has condemned all these efforts and appeals all to protest against this behavior, saying that democratically Muslim League did the same at the independence time and India was forced into partition and now this entire 'I am with Jehadis; NOT with India' gang is breaking India again.

To fortify ties with China, Pak to lease Gilgit-Baltistan to Beijing

2012-02-14T18:55:00.001+14:00

Washington (USA) : Seeking to fortify its strategic ties with China amid strains in relations with US, Pakistan is considering a proposal to lease the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region to Beijing for 50 years, an eminent US-based think tank has claimed, citing local media.

The Pakistani move is aimed at cementing its all-weather relations with China amid the irreparable rupture in US-Pak ties over the past year, said Middle East Media Research Institute in a report released yesterday, which was based on news reports in this regard in local Urdu newspapers. The decision to launch the Pakistan-China Strategic Programme for Gilgit-Baltistan was probably taken during army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s visit to China in January 2012, it said.

A report, titled “Pakistan’s Deteriorating Situation, Strained Relations with America : Deliberation on Leasing Gilgit Baltistan to China for 50 years”, which was published in the Urdu daily ‘Roznama Bang-e-Sahar’, had said: “In the backdrop of the deteriorating situation in Pakistan and strained relations with America, deliberations have begun (on a proposal) to hand over Gilgit-Baltistan to China on a 50-year lease”.

“A Chinese think tank has also given the green light for this move,” said the Urdu daily, which was distributed in Gilgit Baltistan on December 13, 2011, less than three weeks after the November 26, 2011 NATO raid on a Pakistani border post that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, according to the US think tank, which is headed by a former FBI official.

The Urdu daily said the think tanks of China and Pakistan have begun discussions to hand over Gilgit-Baltistan region to the control of China on lease. “In the first stage of this plan, China will formulate a strategy for development projects and in the name of working on them will gradually take over the control of this region. In the next stage, China will take over Gilgit-Baltistan under its total control for 50 years and deploy its troops there,” it said.

The Roznama Bang-e-Sahar report acquires importance in view of the five-day visit of China by Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Kayani on January 4-8, 2012, the US think tank said. During a meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in Beijing, General Kayani had said that development of ChinaPakistan strategic partnership is the “cornerstone of the two countries’ policies.”

In his remarks, the Chinese Premier had said that “the Chinese government and the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) would continue to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries and more frequent military-to-military exchanges.”

Based on news reports published in the local Urdu press, the Washington-based think tank said that Pakistani and Chinese militaries are moving in the direction of a joint military management of Gilgit Baltistan. The two militaries will cooperate under a specific plan designated by Pakistan as the Pak-China Strategic Programme for Gilgit Baltistan, it said.

As part of this plan, officials from Pakistan’s Northern Light Infantry (NLI) and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China would “undergo joint trainings and exchange of expertise.” According to a Pakistani newspaper, the Pak-China Strategic Programme for Gilgit-Baltistan will come into force in June 2012, the think tank said.

Hindu Kashmiri writer refuses to accept State award from Omar

2012-02-14T18:54:00.003+14:00

Dr Agnishekhar

An appalled said, “We are in exile and how can I accept an award from a government, which has not shown any seriousness in healing our wounds and which is responsible for exodus of my community.” He made this revelation while addressing a press conference in Jammu. “My conscience would not allow me to receive award from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah,” he said. “I reject the best book award carrying a cash reward of Rs 51,000, a memento and a shawl,” he added.

Dr Agnishekhar said, though this award is being given by the State Academy, and the Chief Minister of the state happens to be its President, therefore, it will be unethical for me to receive this literary award from the hands of Omar Abdullah.

He said, “I hold all the successive state governments responsible for continued policy of neglect and apathy towards the victims of Jehadi terrorism in the Valley. It is my responsibility as a writer to register my protest against this worst ever forced exodus and holocaust.” Reacting to one of the questions on why he is refusing to accept the award from the hands of Chief Minister, Dr Agnishekhar said, “I refuse to accept this award because the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is seen inclined towards fundamentalists, who have rejected secularism and cultural co-existence in the Valley. So far as the issue of displaced Kashmiri Pandits is concerned Omar Abdullah, right from beginning, adopted a rigid stand towards them.

Magnificent Hindu temple opens in Melbourne area

2012-02-14T18:54:00.001+14:00

Melbourne (Australia) : Shree Swaminarayan Temple has been inaugurated in Boronia suburb of Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) after elaborate festivities lasting seven days.Its Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav included Pothiyatra, Janmotsav, Shobhayatra, Vishnuyag, Maha Abhishek, Ankututsav, Prabhat Feri, Dhun, Rang Utsav, Raas Utsav, Mahapooja, etc. There was even a suggested dress code for men and women participating in the celebrations: mostly Kurta for men and Saree (different color everyday) for women.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Melbourne and surrounding area community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple complex would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

History of this Temple goes back to February 13, 2005, when three area Satsangi families held Satsang at one of their homes. Besides daily morning and evening Arti and Thaal Seva, this Temple also conducts weekly Gujarati language and Sadhna classes. It also has its own Yuvak Mandal, Yuvika Mandal, Bal Mandal, lazium and band groups. It will be celebrating Vijya Ekadashi on February 18. People associated with this Temple include Manoj Varsani, Deepak Raghvani, Prakash Hirani, etc.

Boronia in the City of Knox is a suburb of Melbourne (about 29 kilometers from its center) originally occupied by the Wurundjeri indigenous Australians. Its Templer Community Church Hall, first in Australia, is on the Register of Heritage Victoria. Notable people associated with it include filmmaker Timothy Spanos, television personality Ian Turpie, comedian Shane Bourne and guitarist Davey Lane. Residents of leafy green City of Knox, settled in 1840s, come from 130 different countries and speak 54 languages. Adam Gill is the Mayor.

Hinduism is oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents.

Rise of Islamism in Maldives a cause of worry for India

2012-02-14T18:53:00.000+14:00

New Delhi : On May 27, 2009, a suicide attack on the ISI headquarters in Lahore had a relatively unknown bomber, Ali Jaleel, a Maldivian terrorist, who had joined al-Qaida some time earlier.

It sent a chill through the Indian establishment, and India's fears of rising Islamism in the Maldives increased in 2010, when it was revealed that nine Maldivian terrorists had been arrested in Pakistan's South Waziristan agency, where they were training with Al-Qaida and Taliban elements. Mohamed Nasheed, the deposed Maldives president, too, had gone on record in a TV interview to caution India that radicalized Maldivian youths were being indoctrinated and trained by Pakistan-based terror groups.

In fact, some of the demonstrations before Mohamed Nasheed was overthrown were against the monuments donated by Saarc countries during the November summit, dubbing them "Un-Islamic". In the chaos of the past week, radicals plundered through Maldives national museum, destroying rare ancient Buddhist statues.

The threat of Islamist extremism in India's periphery has been growing, particularly in the past few years and more discernibly since 2008. For India, trying to restore peace and stability in Maldives, the events of the past week cannot be seen in the perspective of a mere internal political crisis.

The new Maldivian President, Mohamed Waheed, on Sunday inducted seven new faces into his cabinet, including the first woman attorney-general Azima Shakoor. Most of the new faces belong to different parties, but all of them have a history of having been close to former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Gayoom, who many said was orchestrating the political crisis, is also expected to return to Maldives soon. Waheed has also appointed a couple of Islamist-leaning members, notably home minister Jaleel Ahmed.

For the time being, India is urging a peaceful transition and restoration of stability before elections. This seems to be echoed by both the Waheed government as well as the US. But Nasheed has been pushing for snap elections and promises to keep the streets alive with his demonstrations.

While India is fighting shy of appearing to intervene openly in Maldives, there is a debate on whether to let the Maldivians take the next steps themselves, or be "helped" by India. Proponents of a more hands-on Indian policy in Maldives argue that the current "vacuum" could only help the Islamists consolidate their position.

The growth of Islamic radicalism in Maldives can be traced to the beginning of the last decade. Like in Bangladesh, Pakistani jihadi groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba have been making inroads to indoctrinate young men in a conservative Sunni society, that has been bogged down with slow growth, political authoritarianism (until 2008, certainly) and mushrooming madrassas with Arab funds.

None of this is good news for India. Intelligence circles believe this is part of Pakistan's strategic outreach, to penetrate Islamic jihadism in India's periphery, which could be a constraining factor on India's own development.

In an analysis, the US-based Jamestown Foundation wrote, "The infiltration of Pakistani militants in the Maldives goes back to the post-tsunami period. The Pakistan-based Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq (IKK), a charitable front of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), reached the Maldives in the wake of the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami under the guise of providing humanitarian services... According to intelligence sources, the IKK spearheaded LeT's activities in the Maldives, which focused on drawing youths into its fold. The IKK reported spending $282,000 in the Maldives, although the Maldivian government says the organization was never registered as a charitable group providing post-tsunami relief."

Most of the Islamic ideology in Maldives is Ahle-Hadith, which is also the school followed by LeT. But Salafist ideologies are now also evident. Nasheed tried to make a deal with them and even had the Adhaalat Party, the Islamist party, as part of his coalition. In his interview with TOI, the new president Mohamed Waheed said, "Our view is the best way of dealing with Islamist ideology is to engage with them and work with them. That, we believe is the right and democratic way to go about it."

Maldives is particularly crucial because its geographical position situates it right in the middle of major sea routes in the Indian Ocean. But equally, a radicalized section of the tiny population of Maldives could make it so much easier for the ISI-Lashkar combine to use them as a staging ground for terror attacks against India.

Hindu Temples, shops attacked in Bangladesh by Jamaat-e-Islami

2012-02-14T18:52:00.002+14:00

Chittagong (Bangladesh) : Authorities clamped Section 144 banning public gathering at Hathazari on Friday amid mounting tensions after several Hindu temples were vandalised and torched there.

Local people claimed religious bigots of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Chhatra Shibir incited the vandalism and arson of the temples from Thursday evening to Friday noon.

Tensions that boiled over into violence originated Thursday morning following rumours that a mosque had been attacked. Allegations have it that houses of Hindus in the area were also attacked. The leaders of the Hindu minority there blamed the 'indifference' of the administration for the situation.

Another group of people took to the Chittagong-Rangamati road blocking traffic from Nandirhat to Hathazari Sadar upazila around 11am Friday. They also said their Friday prayers on the road.

They alleged a mosque had allegedly been hurled with brick bats from a procession of Loknath Sebashram Thursday morning. The blockaders demanded arrest of those linked with 'hurling brick bats on the mosque'.

After simmering tensions through the day, primary and mass education minister Afsarul Ameen, city Awami League president A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Chittagong Development Board chairman Abdus Salam and city Awami League's joint secretary Ibrahim Hossain Chowdhury Babul went to the area and calmed the agitated locals in the afternoon.

"Tensions mounted following a misunderstanding. Security in temples and mosques in the area has been strengthened and the law enforcers have been alerted," Ameen said.

Chittagong district deputy commissioner Faiz Ahmed told reporters about the ban on public assembly through the imposition of Section 144.

"Police will take action if they see any gathering," he said.

Tit For Tat : The Origin

According to the local people, Hindus in the area took out a procession to celebrate the founding anniversary of Loknath Sebasram Thursday morning.

They used microphone and drums in the procession.

When the procession was passing a mosque, Muslims in the mosque forbade them to drums. At one stage, someone hurled a brick bat on the procession.

An altercation took place at once which turned into chase and counter-chase when someone from the procession responded by throwing a brick bat.

Police organised a meeting between the two parties which was allegedly delayed with ill-intention. A group of Muslims said that the meeting will be held in the mosque and the Hindus agreed.

The meeting started in the evening. Requesting anonymity, several of those who attended the meeting told bdnews24.com that a handful of miscreants vandalised a temple on the Loknath Sebasram premises when the meeting was underway.

They also vandalised seven to eight cars of the temple's visitors.

Puja Udjapon Committee convenor Ashok Kumar Deb told bdnews24.com that someone broke a windowpane of the mosque after the incident in the morning and a rumour that Hindus vandalised the mosque spread in the area.

On Friday morning, temples in the area were vandalised and shops owned by Hindus were torched and looted after madrasa students in the area gathered following an announcement through a PA system.

A bdnews24.com correspondent in Chittagong said he saw tell-tale signs of vandalism in three other temples in the area. They are the Sri Sri Jagadeshwari Ma Temple and Jagannath Bigroho Temple at Nandirhat and Kalibari Temple at Sadar upazila.

The Sri Sri Jagadeshwari Maa Temple was burnt, too.

Jamaat-e-shibir blammed

Many of the people in the area said a quarter is provoking the incident and Zila Parishad administrator M A Salam pointed the finger at Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.

As the area is only three kilometres away from the Chittagong University (CU), many of the leaders and activists of Chhatra Shibir's CU unit live there.

Moreover, the largest madrasa of the country is located in the area and Shibir allegedly controls it.

Zila Parishad administrator Salam said adequate police were not deployed in the area to tackle the situation after Thursday's incident.

Salam, an Awami League leader, said Jamaat and Shibir leaders were fuelling the tension to destabilise the situation after CU was ordered shut on Wednesday following deaths of two Shibir men in clashes with activists of pro-government students.

Hathazari Thana BNP chief S M Fazlul Haque blamed the administration for the unpleasant events.

"The situation would not have been like this in the first place had the administration been on alert at the beginning," he said.

Haque added that all local supporters and activists of BNP were asked to work together to protect communal harmony in the locality.

Local MP and Jatiya Party presidium member Anisul Islam Mahmud went to the area in the morning but failed to get the situation any better.

The disturbing developments prevented the annual festival of the Loknath Temple to begin Friday morning. A large number of Rapid Action Battalion members and police have been deployed there.

Punjabi Taliban announces jihad in Kashmir

2012-02-14T18:51:00.003+14:00

The Punjabi Taliban or Tehrik-e-Taliban Punjab, after organising its men in the lawless tribal areas of Pakistan, has announced a new phase of jihad inside Jammu and Kashmir to liberate it from 'Indian occupation'.

The Punjabi Taliban consists of individuals who were once part of agencies sponsored by jihadi organisations active in Kashmir. These militants, after parting ways with their mother jihadi organisations, have moved to the tribal areas of Pakistan and joined hands with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in its war against the Pakistani security forces and United States-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation troops across the border in Afghanistan.

After spending some time with TTP they are now ready to move into Kashmir. But this time they claim to fight 'independently' and not under the control of Pakistani agencies.

Former JeM leader Muawiyab now top leader of Punjabi Taliban

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Punjab is a mixture of old Kashmiri jihadi organisations like Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami of Ilyas Kashmiri, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, while some people from Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Lashkar-e-Tayiba have also joined the Punjabi Taliban.

The Red Mosque (Lal Masjid) operation in Islamabad in 2007 -- during the military regime of Pervez Musharraf -- made a number of Inter Services Intelligence trained jihadists to turn their back on old masters and join TTP. When their numbers increased, the Punjabi Taliban came into being.

Maulana Asmatullah Muawiya, who once served as leader of the Jaish-e-Muhammad, and was known for his activities inside Kashmir, is now the central leader of the Punjabi Taliban.

"After the Lal Masjid tragedy I came to Baitullah Mehsud Shaheed (then TTP head) controlled area in South Waziristan along with some friends. When we formed the Punjabi Taliban we were few in numbers, but today we have hundreds of fighters in all the five provinces of the country and inside Kashmir as well. Our organisation operates under TTP and we are loyal to its leaderships," said Maulana Asmatullah Muawiya while giving reasons for parting ways with the Jaish-e-Muhammad.

Talks with Taliban could reduce militancy in tribal areas of Pak

Hakimullah Mehsud with TTP leaders

The Hakimullah Mehsud-led TTP and other militant groups operating in the tribal areas of Pakistan, having strong ties with the Afghan Taliban, have shown some indications for talks with the United States. This would strongly affect militancy in Pakistani tribal areas; peace in Afghanistan would reduce militancy in the tribal areas of Pakistan.

The US plans to end its mission inside Afghanistan in 2013 and shift to a training role one year before most US troops are due to withdraw. "Hopefully by the mid-to-latter part of 2013 we'll be able to make a transition from a combat role to a train, advice and assist role. Everybody assumed that there would come a time, as we move towards the end of 2014, that we would be transitioning that role. And that's basically what we did in Iraq. And it's what we're going to try to do in Afghanistan," Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan will -- to some extent – reduce the extent of insurgency inside Pakistani tribal areas. If Mullah Omer-led Taliban forms a coalition government or establishes their sway inside Taliban dominated provinces, the Pakistani Taliban would shift from tribal areas to Afghanistan. During the Mullah Omer government, before 9/11, militants from different tribal agencies of Pakistan were posted at key positions. These militants will once again be given authority in Afghanistan.

RAW and ISI are two sides of the same coin

The Punjabi militants are mixed with the Pashtun dominated TTP, which may be the need of the hour, because Punjabis and Pathans have not been able to live side-by-side for a long time due to their antagonistic approach towards each other's cultures and traditions.

Under the present circumstances, the best battlefield would be Kashmir and the Punjabi Taliban's sour relations with the Kashmir jihadi organisation would once again turn friendly due to their common enemy, India.

Despite their differences with the ISI and Military Intelligence, the TTP has never uttered a single word against Pakistan. However, the Punjabi Taliban has demanded that Pakistan shun military operation against homegrown Taliban and the jihadists should be supported to carry out their activities inside Kashmir and Afghanistan.

"Research and Analysis Wing and ISI are two sides of the same coin," says Maulana Asmatullah. "Our war and all forms of sacrifice are for Pakistan and the glory of Islam that would continue forever," he adds.

Apart from it almost all the militant factions agree that fighting inside Kashmir (Hindustan) is the holiest jihad. Commander Azam Tariq of TTP had earlier claimed that his group has organised 3,000 fighters for battle in Kashmir and the Taliban would fight a "decisive battle" in India before proceeding towards the Middle East, presumably to evict Israel from the region.

In the last four to five years, after Punjabi militants had shifted to tribal areas, they never talked about jihad in Kashmir and it had almost become an old topic. They operated under TTP command and obeyed -- whether they were asked to fight across the border in Afghanistan or inside Pakistan. But recently when Pakistan observed Kashmir solidarity day on February 5, the Punjabi Taliban once again vowed to fight jihad in Kashmir.

Trade with India is a sin

The spokesperson for the Punjabi Taliban Dr Khalid told rediff.com, "The only way for the freedom of Kashmir is jihad. Just resolution, rallies, forming human chains cannot ensure freedom of Kashmiris. On one hand Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day while on the other hand Bharat is bestowed with the status of most favoured nation, which is betrayal of the movement of freedom."

The Punjabi Taliban is against any trade with the India and it terms such activities as injustice with the blood of Kashmiri martyrs. They think the last eleven years has been bad, as Pakistan deviated from its stance over jihad and started talks with India. "Trade with India is a sin; what about the blood of those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom. The last eleven years did something very bad for jihadi Kashmir when Islamabad initiated talks with New Delhi and stopped supporting Kashmiri mujahideen."

He further said, "Pakistan could not free Kashmir while the armies carried out operations inside tribal areas and the Swat valley that resulted in the killing of its own innocent people. The use of power against the tribal people should be stopped and the guns should be directed towards India."

Announcing jihad, Dr Khalid said, "Tehrik Taliban Punjab announces jihad in Kashmir; we will stand side by side with Kashmiris in their struggle until the valley is freed from the clutches of Hindus. We will revenge the brutalities of Indian forces inside Kashmir."

When he was asked about the difference between previous version of jihad under state agencies and the current form of jihad he said, "Earlier we were sent to Kashmir by government agencies, but now we will fight on own against the Indian forces in Kashmir. It is the beginning of Punjabi Taliban jihad inside Kashmir."

Will ensure rights of Muslims even if EC hangs me : Khurshid

2012-02-14T18:51:00.001+14:00

Sticking to his stand on minorities, Congress leader Salman Khurshid has said he would ensure the rights of Pasmanda Muslim community even if the Election Commission “hangs” him.

Addressing an election rally in Khatakpur locality on Friday night, the Law Minister said that EC had censured him, but even if the “Commission hangs him or does anything else”, he would ensure that people of Pasmanda community get their rights.

“Can’t I even say that Pasmanda Muslims would get their due?” he said, adding that Congress was set to hoist the tricolour in the state Assembly after 22 years.

The Commission had censured Mr. Khurshid for his remarks on sub-quota for minorities, finding them to be a violation of the model code of conduct for elections.

Mr. Khurshid, while campaigning for his wife Louise, a Congress candidate from Farrukhabad Assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh, had promised the electorate last month that the party would increase the sub-quota for minorities to nine per cent, out of the 27 per cent Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation.

The EC order had come on BJP’s complaint about Mr. Khurshid’s remarks, asking the Commission to take action against him for violation of model code of conduct.

Catholic Bishop Council's PIL Against Bhagavad Geetha in Schools Rejected by MP HC

2012-02-01T19:20:00.001+14:00

The petition filed by Catholic Bishop’s Council against introduction of ‘Geeta Sar’ or Essence of Bhagavad Geetha in school curriculum, has been dismissed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday. The petition was filed in August 2011. The petition was filed by the Council spokesman Fr Anand Muttungal.

The court upheld the fact that Bhagavad Geeta contained no religious teachings, but contained only the philosophy of life. Earlier, the court had given the petitioner’s counsel a time limit of 2 months to study the holy text in entirety and then come to any decision. According to Additional Advocate General Prashant Singh, the Division Bench comprising of Justice Ajit Singh and Justice Sanjay Yadav asked the petitioner a few questions. Not satisfied with the answers given, the court declared that the Bhagavad Geeta was Indian Philosophy and not a religious text. The petition was dismissed thereafter.

Without directly opposing the teaching of Bhagavad Geeta, the petition said that the state government of Madhya Pradesh should include teaching of an outline of all religions, without focusing on one particular religion alone. The petitioner stated that the council was to take a resolution on challenging the court order after they read the complete order.

Another matter cited in the PIL were the names used by the state government of Madhya Pradesh for their various schemes. According to the petitioner, names like Ladli Laxmi, Balram Tal, Kapil Dhara etc and practices like ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ at government functions promoted a single religion. The names, which were drawn from Hindu mythology, did not convey a secular image.

Hubli: North Karnataka Januray 27: Hindu Shakti Sangam-2012 jointly inaugurated by RSS General Secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi and Sri Rajayogeendra Swamiji.

2012-02-01T01:37:00.001+14:00

Hubli: North Karnataka Januray 27: The 3 day mammoth convention of RSS Swayamsevaks, Hindu Shakti Sangama-2012 was jointly inaugurated by RSS General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi and Sri Rajayogeendra Swamiji of 3-thousand Mutt -Hubli, this morning.

Delivering his inaugural address RSS General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said ‘Whenever our society witnessed attacks from foreign invaders and imbroglio within the country, the Hindu society has shown its potentiality to digest such challenges. The Hindu Shakti Sangama reminds us the potentiality of Hindu Society.’

‘The sangh has grown facing all challenges, now has reached across the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and deserts of Rajasthan to the hills Manipur. The society has accepted Sangh work and supported us whenever the situation demanded. The swayamsevaks are building a strong nation through the basic Sangh ideology’ said Bhaiyyaji Joshi.

Dressed in full RSS uniform, around 25,000 swayamsevaks from 13 districts of North Karnataka are participating in this mega convention.

The 3 day convention will be concluded on Sunday with the valedictory of RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat.

During the ceremony D V Sadananda Gowda, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Rajayogeendra Swamiji of 3-thousand Mutt -Hubli, RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Akhila Bharatiya Boudhik Pramukh Bhagayyaiah, Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini members Mai Cha Jayadev, Senior RSS Pracharaks N Krishnappa, S Ramanna, Mangesh Bhende, DM Raveendra, RSS Ideologue V Nagaraj, Dr Prabhakar Bhat, Kajampady Subramanya Bhat, Tippeswamy, Aravinda Deshapande, Dr Khagesshan Pattana Shetty and several other socio-religious leaders were present.

The convention of this kind is organised for the first time in Karnataka North Pranth. Over 2000 swayamsevaks are working dan and night for the success of the mega event.

A exhibition “Yugadrushti”, is arranged for the public which symbolises achievements of India, Culture and growth of Sangh in Karnataka, India.

The 3 day RSS convention is being held at Hubli outskirts in an articficailly built area, near Tarihar bypass off Gokul Road named ‘Vijayanagar’, remembering the glorious legacy of Vijayanagar Dynasty Kingdom of Hampi.

HUBLI HINDU SHAKTI SANGAM

2012-02-01T01:35:00.000+14:00

Hindu society has shown its potential to face challenges : Bhaiyyaji Joshi

2012-02-01T01:30:00.000+14:00

Hubli(Karnataka), January 27 : The sangh has grown facing all challenges, now has reached across the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and deserts of Rajasthan to the hills of Manipur. The society has accepted Sangh work and supported us whenever the situation demanded. The swayamsevaks are building a strong nation through the basic Sangh ideology. Delivering his inaugural address RSS General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said, Whenever our society witnessed attacks from foreign invaders and imbroglio within the country, the Hindu society has shown its potentiality to digest such challenges. The Hindu Shakti Sangama reminds us the potentiality of Hindu Society.’

The 3 day mammoth convention of RSS Swayamsevaks, Hindu Shakti Sangama-2012 was jointly inaugurated here by RSS General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi and Sri Rajayogeendra Swamiji this morning.

Dressed in full RSS uniform, around 25,000 swayamsevaks from 13 districts of North Karnataka are participating in this mega convention.

The 3 day convention will be concluded on Sunday with the valedictory of RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat.

During the ceremony D V Sadananda Gowda, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Rajayogeendra Swamiji of 3-thousand Mutt -Hubli, RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Dr Satish Jagajinni, Justice Parvat Rao, Sri Khageshan Pattanashetti, Akhila Bharatiya Boudhik Pramukh Bhagayyaiah, Akhil Bharatiya Karyakarini members Mai Cha Jayadev, Senior RSS Pracharaks N Krishnappa, S Ramanna, Mangesh Bhende, DM Raveendra, RSS Ideologue V Nagaraj, Dr. Prabhakar Bhat, Kajampady Subramanya Bhat, Tippeswamy, Aravinda Deshapande, Dr Khagesshan Pattana Shetty and several other socio-religious leaders were present.

The convention of this kind is organised for the first time in Karnataka North Pranth. Over 2000 swayamsevaks are working day and night for the success of the mega event.

An exhibition “Yugadrushti”, is arranged for the public which symbolises achievements of India, Culture and growth of Sangh in Karnataka, India.

The convention is being held at Hubli outskirts in an articficailly built area, near Tarihar bypass off Gokul Road named ‘Vijayanagar’, remembering the glorious legacy of Vijayanagar Dynasty Kingdom of Hampi.

Society should now lead the National life : Dr. Mohan Bhagvat

2012-02-01T01:27:00.000+14:00

Hubali, January 29 : This is the time that the society should lead the National Life, to make the nation a real ‘Vishwa Guru’,Dr. Mohan Bhagvat said while addressing the concluding function of mammoth Hindu Shakti Sangam here. He put emphasis on the strength (of the society), saying that the moral character should be accompanied by the strength, to bring about the positive change to the world.

Taking a shot at UPA Govt’s handling of the sensitive issues, Dr. Bhagvat said, “Government is demolishing and demoralising the esteemed personalities and established institutions of the nation such as Saints, the army and the scientific community. Everyone is being insulted. This behavior is harming the National interests.”

The Sar Sangh-chalak (Chief) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dr.Mohan Bhagvat called upon the audience to make continuous ‘Sadhana’ to make the Nation more strong. “Only strong people and societies win & live in this world. It’s not only true, but western world uses the philosophy to rule the world. The western philosophy of selfishness is ruining the world. It is creating the various problems in the world. To counter it & the problems, we should gather strength to support our morality. Cause India has the solutions to all the problems & challenges of the modern world. But we need to gain strength as a Nation & hold to our cultural identity,” Dr.Bhagvat added.
Reminding how ‘Ravan’s Bhagavati Shakti changed over to Rama’s side after seeing the strength Hanuman’s moral character, and helped Ram to win, Dr.Bhagvat compared today’s situation with the scene.

“We belong to a Hindu nation, known as Hindu Rashtra. Hindutva is the only ideology which unites this nation, which has all solutions for national challenges”, said RSS Sarasanghachalak Mohan Bhagvat
“We have a great diversity in terms of food, culture, language and lifestyle. But by a basic inherited ideology of Hindutva we are united as a Hindu nation. It is a permanent theory and is never reactive to anyone. By Hindutva ideology our ancestors reached different part of the worlds from Mexico to Indonesia. Wherever they went, they contributed the enhancement of their lives by teaching Yoga etc to those and seeded the eternal values of life” he added.
“As said by Dr Kalam we forgot the worship of power (‘हम शक्ती की उपासना भुले हैं।’), due to which, we were under slavery for thousand years. We need to regain the power, make our society stable. RSS has doing this job of making the countrymen stronger to regain the power to make a strong and prosperous Bharat (India).” Citing some quotes from the autobiography of Dr.Vergese Kurien, which criticise the mindset of people for entirely remain dependant on the Governnment, he said that this attitude still persists and is harmfull for the nation building.
“The power should be used for a better social cause. This power should be coupled with character (sheela / शील). Then only this power will serve the society. Though Bharat (India) was a victim for foreign invasion several times, they could not destroy this nation. We have a potentiality to resist all such attacks and to survive ourselves. The power should be utilised for join the society and should not divide”

“Men with character and social commitment are the need of the hour. In India we need such an awakened society to face challenges. This is the requirement for the world, as violence is growing globally; India has the potentiality to solve it. RSS is involved in making ‘these countrymen to think and work for the nation’…” said Dr. Bhagvat.
“This country is not just a piece of land for us. It is worshipped as motherland since time immemorial. Our ancestors called it Mrunmayi. The society should remember 3 things, first - the concept of Mathrubhoomi, Second - proud of our Culture and third - respect towards our ancestors. The one who always respects his ancestors and their contributions and values is a Hindu” opined the RSS Chief.
In his presidential speech veteran scientist L.G. Dr V J Sundaram said “India got political freedom in 1947, but it was not economical. We had problem in several sectors, later we successfully achieved green revolution, white revolution and technological revolution. India has proved its potentiality in technology; our missile technology is one of the best on the world. In construction of Pruthvi Missile, i realised the strength of India being its project director”.
“India has made many missiles, army weapons indigenously. We proved our strength capacity in each sector in LAC. Dr Kalam was one of key man in this regard. ” said Dr V J Sundaram.
“I admire the discipline of RSS Swayamsevaks. The need of the hour is a social or public discipline to make our country prosperous. The 3 years working plan of RSS in organising this Hindu Shakti Sangama is executed well here” he added.
The event was presided by scientist L.G. Dr V J Sundaram. Sri Rajayogeendra Mahaswamy, RSS Sar- Karyavah (General Secretary) Suresh alias Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Kshethreeya Sanghachalak Justice Parvat Rao, Pranth Sanghachalak Dr Khageshan Pattana Shetty, President of Working Committee Sathish Jagajinni were present on the dais.
Prior to the speech of Sarasanghachalak, spectacular demonstrations of various Sangh physical exercises by swayamseavaks, attracted the gathering.
21,554 swayamsevaks from 1894 villages of 13 districts of North Karnataka participated in this 3 day residential camp. Around 2000 swayamsevaks were working as Prabandhaks (volunteers in organising team).
The Hindu Shakti Sangama was held to commemorate 75^thanniversary of visit of RSS founder Dr Keshava Baliram Hedgewar to Chikkodi of North Karnataka on January 16, 1937 from where RSS activities began in Karnataka.
The live webcasting of the programme was arranged for global viewers in www.samvada.org which is the official website of Vishwa Samvada Kendra, Bengaluru, a media centre of RSS.
Earlier to this there was meeting of Saints (Sant Sammelan) and get-together of selected Intellectuals of north Karnataka was organised in which RSS Sarasanghachalak shared his thoughts and social concerns.

New Zealand missionary school uses Sanskrit to teach English better, adapts Gurukul system

2012-02-01T01:24:00.002+14:00

Wellington / Mumbai, January 28 : A situation which may glad Nationalist forces in India a bit & which endorses a Indian ‘school of thought’ that "the Sanskrit is the mother of all languages", has unfolded way far in south globe. A mainstream school in New Zealand is teaching Sanskrit to it pupils to build their foundation for the English language, news agencies reported today. Sanskrit is India’s ancient language, but ironically, India’s leftist dominatedEducation System totally ignores the treasure ofSanskrit. The irony continues throughout the post-Independence era.
According to the media reports, Ficino School based in Auckland’s Mt Eden area (New Zealand) is the lone mainstream school which teaches the Sanskrit language. The school is thought to be strongly influenced by Indian cultural and philosophical thinking too.
The school principal, Peter Crompton, says, “It is my view, that the Sanskrit is the source language of Latin, Greek, German, French and of course English. Through teaching Sanskrit, we give our children access to the very essence of language: An insider’s guide to the workings of language.”

The School claims that learning Sanskrit accelerates a child's reading ability.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has applauded Ficino School for fostering universal virtues and encouraging Sanskrit studies.

According to a Times of India report, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, pointed out that Sanskrit should be restored to its rightful place. It needed to be brought to the mainstream and hidden scientific truths in ancient Sanskrit literature should be brought to light, he said.

Rajan Zed strongly criticized India Government for not doing enough for Sanskrit language. He asked India Government to do much more for the development, propagation, encouragement and promotion of Sanskrit in India and the world, which was essential for the development of India and preservation of its cultural heritage. Sanskrit also provided the theoretical foundation of ancient sciences.

Besides Hindu scriptures, a vast amount of Buddhist and Jain scriptures were also written in Sanskrit, which is known as "the language of the gods". According to tradition, self-born God created Sanskrit, which is everlasting and divine. The oldest scripture of mankind still in common use, Rig-Veda, was written in Sanskrit, Zed added.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "Without the study of Sanskrit, one cannot become a true learned man." German philologist Max Muller added, "Sanskrit is the greatest language of the world."

“Sanskrit with its almost perfect grammatical system provides children with a roadmap for understanding English,” says Crompton. “We all agree that English is definitely not the easiest of languages to get to grips with. To learn English, grammar is extremely useful. It helps pupils write and read with increased precision and clarity. Certainly, this is something of use to students when they progress to secondary and tertiary study.”
Crompton adds, “Sanskrit not only gives young learners a clear understanding of the structure of language, it also heightens their awareness of the process of speech, creating a greater understanding of and ability to, enunciate words clearly.”
According to the Principal, ‘back to basics’ is not a new approach for Ficino. It is a practice they’ve followed since the school was founded in 1997 and is based on the curriculum developed by their sister school, the St James School in London.
“I am very proud of the success we’ve had with our own reading scheme. We’ve seen first-hand the value of teaching Sanskrit, coupled with the use of the St James Reading Scheme in their first 2-3 years has had on accelerating a child’s reading ability. By age 8, many of our students are reading between 2-4 years above their chronological age, demonstrating significant added value,” continues Crompton.
However, it’s not just the language that makes this school different. Taking a cue from India’s ancient Gurukul system, here, the teachers move up year by year with their class. The school website says, this helps support the child with a good balance of love and discipline. The long term relationship forms a close and caring bond between teacher and pupil is beneficial to learning.
As time goes by, families tend to find that the teacher becomes a steady professional friend of the family. It is also more efficient as teachers do not need to spend the first few months of the year familiarising themselves with the children’s abilities and needs.
Embracing the Indian cultural values, the school also offers meditation teachings to students. Short periods of quiet time are offered daily in which youngsters over the age of 10 may meditate, contemplate, pray or quietly reflect accordingly.
However, the school is not affiliated to a specific religion, though it enjoys the support of the local community parishand also holds services at St Barnabas Church.
“The Christian religion is given particular prominence because Christianity is recognised as the basis of the culture of the nation we find ourselves in,” admits the school.
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(You may visit :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/New-Zealand-school-teaches-Sanskrit-and-claims-it-helps-children-understand-English/articleshow/11665118.cms
http://in.news.yahoo.com/kiwi-school-teaches-sanskrit-and-mridangam.html
http://www.ficino.school.nz/ )

Limba Ram, a product of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram gets Padmashri

2012-01-27T19:21:00.001+14:00

New Delhi, January 25: Ahead of Republic day, govt of India declared list of Padma Awards, in which World popular archer, 3 times Olympian, Limba Ram named for Padmashri.
Limba Ram, the archer who earned laurels in archery at the international level are a product of the Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA), reports Vishwa Samvad Kendra. ABVKA is working for the socio-economic up-liftmen and development of India’s indigenous tribes in the remote tribal areas of India.
Limba Ram is an Indian archer who represented India in international competitions including three Olympics. He equaled an archery world record in 1992 at the Asian Championships in Beijing.
Limba Ram was born in Saradeet Village, Udaipur district of Rajasthan state on January 30, 1972. His family belongs to Ahari tribe and because of poverty; Limba Ram was used to hunt birds like sparrow, partridge and animals in jungle with his indigenous Bow (made of Bamboo wood) and reed Arrows.
In 1987 one of his Uncles brought news that government is conducting trials in nearby village Makradeo to train good archers. In this trial 15 year old Limba Ram and three other boys (which include Arjuna award winner Archer Shyam Lal) were spotted by selectors of Sports Authority of India. Thereafter all these four boys were sent to New Delhi for four month training camp (Special Area Games Programme) under coaching of R. S. Sodhi.
Limba Ram was spotted and trained by Sports Authority of India in 1987. In the same year, 1987, he became overall Champion in National junior level Archery tournaments held at Bangalore. In the following year 1988 he became overall champion in senior level national tournaments and selected to represent India in Seoul Olympics. In 1989 he reached to Quarterfinal in World Championship held in Switzerland. In the same year, 1989, he was at second rank in Asian Cup in Individuals and India got team Gold. In 1990 he helped India finish fourth in Beijing Asian Games. He represented India in three Olympics.
In 1992 he equaled the world record of Takayoshi Matsushita in the Beijing Asian Championship in 30 meters event with score 357/360 to bag a gold medal. After receiving this news Parliament of India congratulated Limba Ram. In 1993 at Barcelona Olympics he missed the Bronze medal by one point in the 70-meter segment and finished with 10th rank. In 1995 he stood with second rank and team won Gold medal in Commonwealth Games held at New Delhi. In 1996 he was National Champion with Asian Record.
Presently, after remaining unemployed for a few years, on January 10, 2009 Archery Association of India signed one year contract and appointed Limba Ram as National Archery Coach for 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The Sangh (RSS) is My Soul ; Writes Atal Bihari Vajpayee

2012-01-23T23:06:00.002+14:00

I came in contact with the RSS in 1939 through Arya Kumar Sabha, a youth branch of Arya Samaj, in Gwalior-then a princely state which was not part of any province. I came from a strong ‘sanatani’ family. But I used to be at the weekly ‘satsang’ of Arya Kumar Sabha. Once Shri Bhoodev Shastri who was a senior worker of Arya kumar Sabha, and a great thinker and an expert organiser, asked us: “What do you do in the evenings?” “Nothing”, we said, because the Arya Kumar Sabha used to meet in the morning on every Sunday. Then he recommended us to go to the shakha. Thus I started going to the Shakha in Gwalior. It was my first association with the RSS. At that time the shakha in Gwalior had just begun. It had only Maharashtrian boys, and naturally all the swayamsevaks used to speak only Marathi. I started going to the shakha regularly. I liked the games played in the shakha as well as the weekly ‘bauddhiks’ (intellectual discourses).

A pracharak, Shri Narayanrao Tarte had come from Nagpur to start the shakha. He was indeed a superb human being; a very simple man, a thinker and an expert organiser. What I am today is the making of Shri Tarte. Next to him I was inspired by Deendayal Upadhyaya and Bhaurao Deoras. Gwalior was then not within the field of Bhauraoji. But once he had come to Gwalior with Shri Balasaheb Apte who was the then Bauddhik Pramukh. Apteji was very soft-spoken. We were soon drawn towards him. I had talked with him for only a few minutes. But the same year (1940) when I went to see the first year Officers’ Training Camp (OTC), I came in close contact with him. I went there just to attend the valedictory function of the camp, not for training. Dr. Hedgewar had also come there for the some time. I first saw him there. When Doctorji was ill I went to see him. In 1941 when I was in High School I did my first year OTC. In 1942 when I was in Intermediate class I did my second year OTC, and I did my third year in 1944 when I was doing my B.A.

When I wrote ‘Hindu Tan-man Hindu Jeevan’ I was a student of class X. After completing my graduation from Gwalior I did my M.A. from the DAV College in Kanpur, because there was no post-graduate college in Gwalior. I then got State Government’s scholarship also. Owing to Partition, I could not complete my Law. And then in 1947, I decided to give up my studies to come out as a whole-time worker of the RSS. Till 1947 I did the RSS work at the shakha level and carried on my studies. I also participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 and was jailed. I was then studying for my Intermediate examination. I was arrested from my native village Bhateshwar in Agra district. I was then 16.

My father was not attached to the RSS, but my elder brother was. He would go to the shakha. Once he went to the winter camp where he created a problem. He said: “I cannot take my food with the other swayamsevaks. I shall prepare my food myself.” And see how deftly the RSS handled the situation. The ‘sarvadhikari’ (superintendent) of the camp complied with his request and provided him all the necessary thing for preparing his food. After taking his bath and properly adjusting his sacred thread, etc., he started cooking his food. On the first day he prepared the food for himself. the next day, however, he could not prepare it and joined the queue of all swayamsevaks for partaking of the food. Within 44 hours he was changed.

The RSS does not change only individuals. It changes also the collective mind. This is the beauty of the RSS ethos. In our spiritual tradition an individual can attain a great height. Even self-realisation is possible if one undertakes the right ‘sadhana’ and also attain ‘nirvana.’ But what about the society? Nobody thinks about his obligation to the society in general. Now for the first time the RSS thought about it and concluded that by changing individuals we shall change the society. Had the sarvadhikari at the camp scolded him and not allowed him to prepare his food himself his spiritual development would have been thwarted, whereas in the RSS within 44 hours he was a changed boy. This is the “secret method” of the RSS. That is how society is changed. It is true that it is a long process but then there are no short-cuts, no instant recipes.

Gandhiji had praised the RSS for the absence of untouchability in the organisation. Only the RSS organises the society. Other movements only divide the society by emphasising distinct ‘identity’, different ‘interests’, special ‘status’, etc. They only encourage untouchability by constantly reminding the so-called untouchables of their “separateness.” “You are being insulted. You have no place in society.”

The RSS has a two-fold task before it. One is to organise the Hindus. To build a strong Hindu society, well-knit and rising above caste and other artificial differences. Some differences will persist but then variety is the spice of life. Like, we have the differences of the language. We don’t want to destroy this diversity. The other task is to assimilate the non Hindus, like Muslims and Christians in the mainstream. They can follow the faith of their own conviction. No one can object to it. We worship trees, animals, stones, and what not. We have hundreds of ways of worshipping God. They can go where they want. But this country must be looked upon as the Motherland for them. They must have a feeling of patriotism for this country. But the Islamic division of the world into ‘Darul Harab’ and ‘Darul Islam’ comes in the way. Islam has yet to learn the art of existing and flourishing in a country where Muslims are in a minority. They cannot convert the whole of India to Islam. After all, they have to live here. So they have to recognise this fact. And today it has become a matter of grave concern and deep thinking in the Muslim countries. Because Quran offers no guidance in this regard. It only talks of killing kafirs or converting them to Islam. But they cannot do it always and everywhere. How can they do it where they are in a minority? If they try to do it, a major clash will take place and only the members of the minority will be killed. But Muslims themselves have to change this state of affairs. We cannot change it for them.

Congress has not correctly understood the Muslim problem. They continue to carry on their policy of appeasement. But to what effect? The Muslims of this country can be treated in three ways. One is ‘tiraskar’ which means if they will not themselves change leave them alone, reject them as out compatriots. Second is ‘puruskar’ which is appeasement, i.e., bribe them to behave, which is being done by the Congress and others of their ilk. The third way is ‘parishkar’ meaning to change them, that is, restore them to the mainstream by providing them samskaras. We want to change them by offering them the right samskaras. Their religion will not be changed. They can follow their own religion. Mecca can continue to be holy for the Muslims but India should be holier than the holy for them. You can go to a mosque and offer namaz, you can keep the roza. We have no problem. But if you have to choose between Mecca or Islam and India you must choose India. All the muslims should have this feeling: we will live and die only for this country.

I wrote “Hindu Tan-man Hindu Jeevan” when I was studying in the tenth class. I had then said, “koi batlaye Kabul mein jaakar kitni masjiden todin.” I still stand by my words. But we (Hindus) did pull down the structure in Ayodhya. In fact it was a reaction to the Muslim vote-bank. We wanted to solve this problem through negotiation and legislation. But there was no puraskar for burai (evil act). We change burai also with parishkar. Now I think, the Hindu society has been regenerated which was the prime task of the RSS. Earlier Hindus used to bend before an invasion but not now. This change in Hindu society is worthy of welcome. So much change must have come with the new-found self-assertion. This is a question of self preservation. If the Hindu society does not expand itself it will face the crisis of survival. We have to expand ourselves. We have to take others along with. Now the Yadavs and the so-called Harijans are going with us. After all we have to live as Hindus. Once a Yadav leader came to me and said: “Don’t condemn all Yadavs. All Yadavs are not with Mulayam Singh and Laloo Prasad. A ‘samskrit’ (cultured) Yadav does not like them. There can be sections of Rajput, Kurmi and Gujjar Muslims but you cannot find any Yadav Muslim anywhere. The Yadavs never accepted Islam. This talk of “Yadav-Muslim” Unity – MY card – is nothing more than an empty slogan for votes.”

The simple reason for my long association with the RSS is that I like the Sangh. I like its ideology, and above all I like the RSS attitude towards people, towards one another which is found only in the RSS. I remember an incident, when I was in Lucknow. The Socialist movement was its peak. Suddenly a senior socialist activist fell ill. He was lying alone in his house, and nobody went to enquire after his well-being. Then Acharya Narendra Deo came to know and he went to his house to see him. The Acharya then said, “What fraternity is this in the Socialist Party? Nobody has come to see you. It can never happen in the RSS. If a swayamsevak does not go to the shakha only for one day the same day friends will promptly reach his house to enquire about his well-being.”

When I was ill during the Emergency, my family members did not turn up to see me. They were afraid of being arrested for any such action. Only the RSS workers helped me. See, how much living contact and fraternal feeling is in the RSS. Actually the Sangh is our family. We are all one.

In the beginning we could not spread our work in all sections of the society because we did not have enough workers. “Man-making” is the prime job of the RSS. As we now have more workers, we are covering all sections of the society in all fields of life. Changes are taking place in all spheres. But the work of man-making will not be discontinued, it will go on. It must go on. That is what the RSS movement is.

Pope Benedict warns US bishops about ‘Grave Threat’ of radical secularism

2012-01-21T06:01:00.005+14:00

News
Comment

Mumbai, January 20: Pope Benedict XVI yesterday warned to American bishops of a “grave threat” to religious liberty in the United States that requires American Catholics to respond with intelligence and courage.

“It is imperative that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realise the grate threats to the Church’s public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres,” he said Jan. 19 in an address to a group of American bishops visiting the Vatican.

According to ‘Eurasia Review’ and AP report, the Pope said he was particularly concerned with “certain attempts being made to limit that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion.”

Pope Benedict’s address was delivered to the bishops from the Mid-Atlantic States region, which includes the Archdioceses of Washington and Baltimore. They are in Rome this week on their regular “ad limina” visit to discuss the health of the U.S. Church with the Pope and Vatican officials. The two bishops from the Archdiocese for the U.S. Military Services are also participating in the meetings.

Pope Benedict said that over the past few days many of the bishops have expressed concern over attempts in the U.S. to “deny the right of conscientious objection on the part of Catholic individuals and institutions with regard to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices.”

Meanwhile, other bishops raised the “worrying tendency to reduce religious freedom to mere freedom of worship” without guarantees of respect for freedom of conscience.

At present, the Barack Obama administration is considering imposing a contraception and sterilisation mandate that would require all insurance companies to provide those services free of charge. The regulation has a religious exemption clause, but it provides very few exceptions for Church organizations.

Some states are also pushing Catholic adoption agencies out of business or severely limiting their work because they refuse to compromise the Church’s beliefs on same-sex “marriage.”

Pope Benedict said these issues highlight the need for an “engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholic laity endowed with a strong critical sense vis-à-vis the dominant culture.” The American laity must have the “courage to counter a reductive secularism which would delegitimize the Church’s participation in public debate,” he said.

The preparation of such “committed lay leaders,” he told the bishops, should be the “primary task of the Church in your country.”

He noted that his visit to the United States in 2008 afforded him an opportunity to reflect on America’s historical experience of religious freedom, “specifically the relationship between religion and culture.”

“At the heart of every culture, whether perceived or not,” he said, “Is a consensus about the nature of reality and the moral good, and thus about the conditions for human flourishing.”

In the United States this consensus is “enshrined in your nation’s founding documents,” which are grounded in a worldview shaped by faith and a commitment to ethical principles, he observed.

Today, however, that consensus has been eroded “in the face of powerful new cultural currents” which are “not only directly opposed to core moral teachings of the Judeo-Christian tradition, but increasingly hostile to Christianity.”

Despite such hostility, American Catholics are still called to proclaim “a Gospel which not only proposes unchanging moral truths but proposes them precisely as the key to human happiness and social prospering,” Pope Benedict stated.

He also responded to those who attempt to restrict Christians’ voice in the public square or argue that their contribution should be ignored because of “majority rule.” This is a threat not just to Christianity but “to humanity itself and to the deepest truth about our being and ultimate vocation, our relationship to God.”

Pope Benedict said that the Catholic Church’s tradition of respect for both faith and reason means that it can play a critical role in opposing current trends which are based on “extreme individualism” and promote “notions of freedom detached from moral truth.”

The pontiff also touched on what he called the “legitimate” idea of separation of Church and State. This does not mean, however, that the Church must be silent on certain issues or that the state can choose to ignore “the voices of committed believers in determining the values which will shape the future of the nation.”

Pope Benedict said he appreciated the efforts of the U.S. bishops to maintain contacts with Catholics involved in political life and help them “understand their personal responsibility to offer public witness to their faith.”

This is especially true when it comes to key ethical issues of today, which he identified as “the respect for God’s gift of life, the protection of human dignity and the promotion of authentic human rights.”

He concluded on an optimistic note by observing the rise of “a new generation of Catholics” in the United States whose “experience and convictions will have a decisive role in renewing the Church’s presence and witness in American society.”

The hope promised by this younger generation should be reason enough “to renew our efforts to mobilise the intellectual and moral resources of the entire Catholic community in the service of the evangelization of American culture and the building of the civilisation of love.”

Makar Sankranti Festival

2012-01-21T00:06:00.001+14:00

Makar Sankranti Index

Tithi (Date)

Makar Sankranti festival, unlike other Hindu festivals, is not dependent on the position of the moon, but on position of the sun. On this day, the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn. To compensate for the difference that occurs due to the revolution around the sun, every eighty years the day of Sankrantiis postponed by one day. In the present period Makar-Sankrantifalls on 15^th January.

History

Sankranti is considered a Deity. According to a legend Sankranti killed a demon named Sankarasur. The day followed by Makar Sankrantis called Kinkrant or Karidin. On this day, the female deity (devi) slayed the demon Kinkarasur.

Information

Information on Sankranti is available in the Panchang: The Panchang (Hindu Almanac) provides information on the form, age, clothing, direction of movement etc. of Sankranti. This information is appropriate to the changes taking place in Her according to time. He who is touched by Goddess Sankranti gets destroyed.

Importance

The northward movement of the sun begins on this day. The period from KarkaSankranti(the passage of the sun into the zodiac sign of Cancer) to Makar Sankranti is called the dakshinayan. A person who dies in the dakshinayan period has a greater chance of going to Yamalok (southward region), than one who dies during uttarayan (northward revolution).

Importance from the point of view of spiritual practice: On this day, from sunrise to sunset, the environment has more chaitanya(Divine conscious-ness); hence those doing spiritual practice can benefit from this chaitanya.

Methods of celebration

1. Benefit of highest merit acquired by a Holy dip on the day of Makar Sankranti: The time from sunrise to sunset on Makar-Sankrantiis auspicious. A Holy dip during this period carries special significance. Those who take a Holy dip in the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krushna and Kaveri at the Holy places situated on the banks of these rivers acquire the highest merit.

2. Offering: Importance of making an offering during an auspicious period: The period from Makar Sankranti to Rathsaptami is an auspicious period. Any donation and meritorious deeds in this period prove more fruitful.

Substances offered: An offering of new vessels, clothing, food, sesame seeds, pot of sesame seeds, jaggery, a cow, a horse, gold or land should be made depending on the capability. On this day, married women also make some offering. They take things from unmarried girls and give them sesame seeds and jaggery in return. Married women organise a ceremony of haldi-kumkum (applying vermilion and turmeric to the forehead) and gift articles to other married women.

3. Importance of haldi-kumkum ceremony performed by married women on sankranti : Performing haldi-kumkum (Turmeric powder and saffron) ceremony is in a way invoking the waves of dormant Adi-shakti in the Universe to get activated. This helps in creating impression of Sagun (Materialised) devotion on the mind of an individual and enhances his bhav (Spiritual emotion) unto God.

3 A. Steps in haldi-kumkum ceremony

3 A 1. Applying haldi-kumkum : Applying haldi-kumkum to a suvasini (A married woman whose husband is alive) activates the dormant Principle of Sri Durgadevi in her and bestows well-being to the applier suvasini.

3 A 2. Applying perfume : Fragrant particles emitting from the perfume please the Principle of the Deity and bestow well-being to the applier suvasini within a shorter period.

3 A 3. Sprinkling rose-water : The fragrant waves emitted by the rose-water activate the waves of the Deity and purifies the environment, and the suvasini who sprinkles it gets greater benefit of the activated Sagun Principle of the Deity.

3 A 4. Offering a gift : A gift offered is always supported by the end of the pallu of the sari. Offering a gift to another suvasini amounts to surrendering to the divinity in her, through sacrifice of body, mind and wealth. Giving support of the end of pallu of the sari means leaving attachment to even the clothes worn on the body and thus learning to overcome body awareness. Since the period of sankrantiis favourable for sadhana, a gift given during this period pleases the Deities quickly and they bestow the donor suvasini with the desired fruit.

What should be gifted ? : Instead of gifting non-dharmik commodities like soap, plastic items etc., objects complementary to Spirituality and are indicators of a married life, such as incense-sticks, ubtan (Fragrant herbal powder), religious and Holy texts, pictures of Deities, CDs on spiritual topics etc. should be gifted.

3 A 5. Small mud pots: The festival of Sankrantirequires small mud pots called sugad (in the Marathi language). Vermilion and turmeric powder is applied to the pots and a thread is tied to them. They are filled with carrots, jujube fruits, sugarcane pieces, pods, cotton, chickpeas, sesame seeds with jaggery, vermilion, turmeric etc. Five pots are placed on a wooden seat, rangoli is drawn around the seat and worshipped. Of these, three are gifted to married women, one is offered to the tulsi plant and one is retained.

4. Use of sesame seeds: Maximum use of sesame seeds is made during Sankrantifestival. For example, bathing with water containing sesame seeds and eating and distributing tilgul (a sweet made from sesame seeds), offering sesame to Brahmans, lighting lamps of sesame oil in a temple of Lord Shiva and performing pitrushraddh (rite for the departed ancestors) in which an offering of sesame seeds is made.

Importance of sesame seeds :

Using sesame seeds eliminates sins : On this day those who apply sesame seed oil and utane to the body, bathe in water mixed with sesame seeds, drink water mixed with sesame seeds, perform a sacrificial fire, make an offering of sesame seeds and make similar use of sesame seeds, are liberated of all sins.

Importance according to Ayurved: Since Sankrantifalls in winter, consuming sesame seeds is beneficial.

Importance according to Spirituality:
1. Since sesame seeds have a greater ability to absorb and emit sattva frequencies, consuming tilgul helps improve spiritual practice. Distributing tilgul to one another results in an exchange of the sattva component.
2. Using sesame seeds in shraddh prevents demons from bringing obstacles during the rite.

5. Forbidden acts!

During the period of sankrant, brushing teeth, talking harshly, cutting trees or grass and acts provoking sexual urges should be avoided.

6. Do not fly kites!

Today, when the Nation and Dharma are in peril, flying kites for the sake of entertainment is akin to, 'Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burnt'. If the time spent on flying kites is used for the development of the Nation, it will make it progress faster; and if used for spiritual practice and missions related to Dharma, then society and the individual will benefit.

(Reference: Sanatan's Holy text Holy Festivals, Religious Festivals and Vowed Religious Observances)

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Culture & Festivities

The holy Vans given on the Makar Sankranti

This festival is celebrated differently in different parts of the country.

Uttar Pradesh

In Uttar Pradesh, Sankrantiis called ‘Khichiri’. Taking a dip in the holy rivers on this day is regarded as most auspicious. A big one-month long ‘Magha-Mela’ fair begins at Prayag (Allahabad) on this occasion. Apart from Triveni, ritual bathing also takes place at many places like Haridvar and Garh Mukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh, and Patna in Bihar.

Bengal

In Bengal every year a very big Mela is held at Ganga Sagar where the river Ganga is believed to have dived into the nether region and vivified the ashes of the sixty thousand ancestors of King Bhagirath. This mela is attended by a large number of pilgrims from all over the country.

Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu Sankrantiis known by the name of ‘Pongal’, which takes its name from the surging of rice boiled in a pot of milk, and this festival has more significance than even Diwali. It is very popular particularly amongst farmers. Rice and pulses cooked together in ghee and milk is offered to the family deity after the ritual worship. In essence in the South this Sankrantiis a ‘Puja’ (worship) for the Sun God.

Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a three-day harvest festival Pongal. It is a big event for the people of Andhra Pradesh. The Telugus like to call it 'Pedda Panduga' meaning big festival. The whole event lasts for four days, the first day Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.

Karnataka

In Karnataka, the festival is marked by visiting one's friends and relatives to exchange greetings, and by the preparation of a dish called Ellu (made with sesame seeds, coconuts, sugar blocks, etc). A common custom found across Karnataka is the exchange of sugarcane pieces and Ellu with one's neighbors, friends and relatives. In Karnataka, Pongal is known as 'Sankranti', and cows and bullocks are gaily decorated and fed 'Pongal'- a sweet preparation of rice. Special prayers are offered. In the evening, the cattle are led out in procession to the beat of drums and music. In the night a bonfire is lit and the animals are made to jump over the fire.

Makar Sankranti is marked by men, women and children wearing colorful clothing; visiting near and dear ones; and exchanging pieces of sugarcane, a mixture of fried til, molasses, pieces of dry coconut, peanuts and fried gram. On this auspicious day, people in Karnataka distribute Yellu and bella (Sesame seeds and Jaggery) and greet with the words " “Ellu bella thindu, Olle Maathu Aadu” (Eat sesame seeds and speak only good). The significance of this exchange is that sweetness should prevail in all the dealings.

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Maharashtra

In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguds made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Til-polis are offered for lunch. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying – ‘til-gul ghya, god god bola’ meaning ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends.

This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kumkum’ and given gifts of any utensil, which the woman of the house purchases on that day. Hindus wear ornaments made of 'Halwa' on this day.

Gujarat

In Gujarat Sankrantiis observed more or less in the same manner as in Maharashtra but with a difference that in Gujarat there is a custom of giving gifts to relatives. The elders in the family give gifts to the younger members of the family. The Gujarati Pundits on this auspicious day grant scholarships to students for higher studies in astrology and philosophy. This festival thus helps the maintenance of social relationships within the family, caste and community.

Punjab

In Punjab where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Sankrantiand which is celebrated as "LOHARI". Sweets, sugarcane and rice are thrown in the bonfires, around which friends and relatives gather together. The following day, which is Sankrant, is celebrated as MAGHI. The Punjabi's dance their famous Bhangra dance till they get exhausted. Then they sit down and eat the sumptuous food that is specially prepared for the occasion.

Kerala

The 40 days anushthana by the devotees of Ayyappa ends on this day in Sabarimala with a big festival.

Bundelkhand

In Bundelkhand and Madhya Pradesh this festival of Sankrantiis known by the name ‘Sakarat’ and is celebrated with great pomp & merriment accompanied by lot of sweets.

Tribals of Orissa

Many tribals in our country start their New Year from the day of Sankrantiby lighting bonfires, dancing and eating their particular dishes sitting together. The Bhuya tribals of Orissa have their Maghyatra in which small home-made articles are put for sale.

Assam

In Assam, the festival is celebrated as Bhogali Bihu.

Coastal Region

In the coastal regions, it is a harvest festival dedicated to Indra.