Crossing Boundaries of Superstitions

The Religion of Music is Love

2018-10-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ramlila orchestra artists Zakhir Hussain, Akbar Khan and Nasruddin have been performing at the Basai Ramlila for past 20 years in Gurugram/Gurgaon. The name of their Orchestra troop is Mewati orchestra. They perform at various jagrans organized by Hindu community groups throughout the year. Every time when the country experiences communal controversies, the example of the TRIO artists is given to demonstrate the value of love, creativity & humanity.

In the words of Hussain “I am an artist. We don’t have any religion. On stage during Ramlila, my group plays all the opera music. All of us know the importance of these 10 days, and why everyone should know what Lord Ram had done. I have seen people of all faiths come and watch Ramlila, it binds us together,” said Hussain. He went on to say that music is crucial for Ramlila, it brings people to watch the show. “My job is to ensure the audience is engaged and doesn’t leave the show,” he added.

The melodious jagran songs Hussain sings make all the Hindu attendees’ heart melt with the joy of devotion. They also emphasize that no one in their community troubles them for playing at Hindu religious events. They receive Rs. 1500 or each performance. “Never has anyone from Mewat — where we come from — troubled us for what we do.” The orchestra leader said he also tries to emulate Rama in his life.

The Mewati Orchestra illustrates the “Victory of Good over Evil”. Maa Durga destroyed the demons to ensure goodness, virtue and peace prevail and now it’s our responsibility to destroy our inner demons provoking us to do evil acts. Let music, song, dance and all forms of creativity sweep away the ill feelings arising from communal controversies. May there be love and peace everywhere. Amen!

Happy Krishna Janmashtami 2015

2015-09-05T18:30:00.001-07:00

Happy Janmashtami

Maa Trust wishes all of you a very Happy Krishna Janmashtami. The meaning of "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" is "surrender completely to Lord Krishna". Pray with complete faith and surrender with immense devotion to Lord Krishna. At times we are not able to understand what is best for us to make the right choice. But Lord Krishna knows everything. If we have complete faith in Lord Krishna he will do what is best for us in an appropriate way at the right time. Jai Maa Durge! Jai Maa Sanjeebani!

Stop Organ Trafficking - A Teenager sold his Kidney for iPhone and iPad in China

2012-04-17T17:33:00.010-07:00

In recent news a teenager from China sold his kidney for an iPhone and an iPad. This mishap highlights one of the negative impacts of consumerism. According to a study, few common reasons for selling organs are poverty, paying huge amount of bills, paying off debts and in few cases money for abortions. A teenager selling organ to purchase an iPad and an iPhone is very shocking. This incident shows the growing consumerism and impact of peer pressure in teenagers. Bearing in mind that teenagers are vulnerable and have an impulsive spending behavior, many electronic product companies design their advertising campaigns misusing this teenage psychology. Middle class and upper middle class teenagers who have disposable income can afford these expensive products. This poor Chinese teenager is a living example of many impulsive vulnerable buyers who cannot afford expensive electronic products but in desperation can go to any extent to have it.

Now let's know some facts about kidney sellers and its black market. From medical standpoint, experts say that there is 100% chances of survival after selling one kidney and there are no after effects of the surgery if the donor receives proper medical attention. This observation has led to a considerable increase in the number of kidney sellers. There is a big illegal market for kidneys. 2003 estimates from the World Health Organization believe that the price of a trafficked kidney ranges from $700 in South Africa to over $30,000 in the US, with many other countries paying between $1,000 and $10,000 for a kidney. (Source: consolationafrica.wordpress.com)

In all the countries except Iran organ selling is considered illegal. But this law is being broken in many developing and under developed countries giving rise to organ trading black market.

Let's fight against organ trading. If you are aware of or suspicious about any illegal organ dealings around you call the police now.

President Obama appoints Indian Americans to key administration posts

2012-03-15T15:57:00.001-07:00

According to 2010 census the Indian American population with voting eligibility is 11.54 lakh in the US. This powerful Indian segment cannot be ignored by the Republicans and Democratic parties in the US politics and administration.

It is an honor for Indians all over the world, the appointment of two Indian Americans to key administrative posts by the US president Barack Obama. Paula Gangopadhyay has been nominated member of the prestigious National Museum and Library Services Board. Gangopadhyay is currently the Chief Learning Officer at the Henry Ford, where she is responsible for leadership, strategy, and education. She has also held a variety of positions in education and arts policy which include Executive Director of the Plymouth Community Arts Council, Curator at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, and Executive Director of the Great Lakes Centre for Education.

Sonny Ramaswamy has been appointed director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in US Department of Agriculture with half a dozen new nominations. Mr. Ramaswamy is Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University and Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station.

President Obama recently said "These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles and I am proud to have them serve in this administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come". (source ndtv.com)

We wish good luck to these two eminent scholars to outshine their performance and create a milestone for others. They are encouraging Indians throughout the world to strive for excellence in whichever field they are in.

Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions - Happy 2012

2011-12-31T11:57:00.000-08:00

Have you failed in sticking to your New Year resolutions in previous years? This New Year 2012 is a great time to review your past and plan your future goals. But for any real change, there has to be a long term commitment. The first step is deep introspection about smaller changes that will help achieve bigger goals of life.

Fitness and losing weight are two popular New Year's resolutions made by many people all over the world. Starting the day early is another popular resolution. Late risers are always annoyed with their own habit of being late to start their day. People also wish to learn better time management skills for more productivity.

To reduce excessive consumption of cigarettes, alcohol, tea, coffee, alcohol or aerated drinks are also popular. The idea behind this resolution is to give up bad habits and start the year with healthier habits.

People tend to ignore their family because of hectic work schedule and job pressure. Many make a resolution to spend more time with their family or/and dear ones. Many promise to invest some time towards a noble cause by joining a social service organization or devoting more time to their existing social or charitable activities. Educating a child or planting a tree is another popular resolution.

The three important components to sticking to your resolution are "planning", "will power" and "commitment". The reason why new year resolutions fail is lack of planned approach to stick to a resolution. If by any chance you break your rule or there are few lapses, do not get disheartened. DO NOT GIVE UP. Try finding the triggers or situations pushing you back to your old habit. For systematic approach make a note of your progress – both failures and success. Do not forget to reward yourself on your success. Join a group, program or network that can help your stay committed to your resolution. It can be hard to handle many goals at once, so focus on one at a time.

I believe in this philosophy - ‘think big, start small”. Meeting smaller goals is extremely gratifying. They can uplift your spirits. Try it out :) I wish all my readers a very Happy New Year. May God give you strength to stay committed to your goals. Best of luck and Jai Maa Durge!

Use of Technology in Cricket

2011-09-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

The use of technology has rapidly grown during the last hundred years. Cricket is no exception to the use of technology, especially, to determine the accuracy of umpiring decisions. Cricket fans keep track of interesting matches by subscribing to various sports channels, like, ESPN, NEO Sports etc. It is interesting to how the use of technology has helped cricket evolve over the years and how these channels are best utilizing it. The action replays from multiple angles, the stump vision, the statistical information bytes, the third-umpire, the wagon wheel and other visual aids, frame-by-frame replays and other technologies have improved the experience of watching the cricket match on television. They have really contributed to the popularity of cricket telecasts.

A popular infield tool available for cricket and tennis is “Hawk Eye”. This technique helps to track the path of the ball from different angles. “Hawk Eye” technology has enabled the cricketers to challenge umpires’ decisions. According to the ICC statement concerning leg-before-wicket challenges, “Hawk Eye technology could be used by the third umpire, but only for the purposes of determining the actual path of the ball up until the point that it struck the batsman and not the predictor function of the technology.” An interesting sports article by Abhilash Mudaliar on bleacherreport.com reflects how the use of technology will eliminate the biases that result not just from human error but from human nature. After all umpires are human beings and can make mistakes knowingly or unknowingly under pressure.

There are two more popular tools, Snicko and Hot Spot. Snickometer is helpful to graphically analyze sound and video, and show whether a fine noise, or snick, occurs as the ball passes the bat. Hot Spot is an infra-red imaging system used in cricket to determine whether the ball has struck the batsman’s bat or pad.

With various controversies on use of infield technology in cricket, I personally support its use. Human error can be challenged by technology that is very helpful to clear the doubts of players as well as spectators.

Jan Lokpal Bill and Anna Hazare’s Hunger Strike

2011-08-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

The word Lokpal has been derived from the Sanskrit words "loka" (people) and "pala" (protector/caretaker) meaning 'protector of people’. The Jan Lokpal Bill is an “anti corruption bill” seeking to appoint an independent body (Jan Lokpal) to investigate corruption cases at all levels. This bill targets politicians and bureaucrats giving “Jan Lokpal” the power to prosecute those found at fault without government permission. Many Indians in India as well as overseas are passionately supporting this bill and participating in efforts to get the bill passed by the Indian government.

The Lokpal Bill has been introduced in the Parliament several times in the last 50 years. We are hopeful that this time the Jan Lokpal bill will be passed because of Anna Hazare’s hunger strike and the mass support he has generated. Anna Hazare, a Gandhian rights activist, has started a fast unto death in New Delhi demanding the passing of the bill. Anna Hazare is admired by every Indian who wants to reduce growing corruption in India. Many young Indians are supporting Anna Hazare passionately and are flashing placards with the words “I am Anna, you are Anna, now the whole country is Anna.” Anna Hazare has become a generic name for the fight against corruption in India. Bollywood stars are also on streets actively supporting Anna Hazare. Shekhar Kapur said – “Arresting Anna Hazare will rouse erratic violent behavior because he would not be able to manage it from detention centre.” Read more...

Congress and some other political groups are against Anna Hazare’s hunger strike. They say that his action threatens democracy. The Prime Minister of India said “There is no magic wand that can solve the problem in one stroke."

Anna Hazare’s main protest weapon is hunger strike. An NDTV online article said: “But his weapon is potent. In 1995-96, he forced the Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra to drop two corrupt cabinet ministers. In 2003, he forced the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state governments to set up an investigation against four ministers. In April this year, four days of fasting brought thousands of people out in support of his crusade against corruption. They also made the government realize it could not be dismissive about Anna Hazare and his mass appeal.”

We salute Anna Hazare’s efforts and pray to God to protect him and everybody supporting the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Fasting during Navratras - The 'fast' way to slim down

2011-08-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

Navratras or Navratri is a Hindu festival of nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga (“Nav” means “nine” and “ratri” means “night”). Navratras is celebrated with devotion and purity in India and other countries, where Goddess Durga’s devotees reside. The devotees of Goddess Durga celebrate this festival by visiting temples, chanting holy mantras and offering prayers. Many devotees observe fast for nine days.

A new approach to fasting during Navratri has become popular in recent times. Hindu ladies are treating Navratri as an opportunity to lose weight. They are integrating worship with slimming program. Elders are encouraging this concept as it is doubly rewarding. Firstly, the tradition of fasting during Navratras is being continued by the new generation and secondly, girls are losing weight that is considered very important for finding right groom for them.

There are various ways to fast during Navratras. Few ladies have only fruits and milk products for nine days and others include rock salt (sendha namak) with potatoes in their food.

I encourage my readers to have a balanced healthy lifestyle. This can happen when you burn more calories than you eat. It is a wonderful concept to fast and slim during Navratras but those lost pounds (kilos) can easily come back if eating healthy food and regular exercise pattern are not included in daily life. This Navratras, pray, fast and continue the slimming program by staying fit through exercise and healthy food habits.

Sai Baba Maha-Samadhi – A New Hope for Puttaparthi

2011-08-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

The death of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba in April 2011 shook the foundation of Puttaparthi. The prime attraction of this town was Sathya Sai Baba’s Prasanthi Nilayam ashram. This ashram was the centre of tourist attraction. Large number of devotees from all over the world visited this town for Baba’s blessings.

Sathya Sai Baba’s death drastically reduced the number of religious visitors to this town. Residents of the town who depend on tourism face a major setback and possibility to unemployment. The Maha-Samadhi of Sathya Sai Baba has brought back some hope. A white marble Samadhi was unveiled recently - it marks the place where Sai Baba was buried in the Sai Kulwant Hall at his Prashant Nilayam ashram. When he died, his body was kept on display there for three days. A stream of VIPs from cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to politician L.K Advani had offered their last respects along with thousands of devotees.

Late Sathya Sai Baba had opened three primary mandirs in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. His organizations supported free educational institutions, hospitals and other charitable work. We can only hope that these spiritual and charitable activities continue even after his death and the mishandling of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust is stopped.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple - A temple with history, legends and treasures

2011-07-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

India is the oldest & richest civilization in the world carrying spiritual values as well as many valuable treasures from its past.

The treasure found in Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram has made it the richest temple in India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The treasure comprises of thousands of kilos of gold, diamonds, precious stones and silver ornaments estimated at 90,000 crore rupees. The most precious finding so far appears to be a golden statue of the Hindu god Vishnu, studded with precious gems. A golden rope, a golden bow and golden coconut shells were among the most peculiar findings, which also included many precious bangles and necklaces, emeralds and antique silvers. (source: polipundit.com)

The vaults of the temple were opened after the Supreme Court ordered the state government to take over the assets of the temple of a trust controlled by the royal family of Travancore. There are six vaults in Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, from A to F, and vault A and B are yet to be opened.

The most important question at present is how this treasure will be secured, preserved and conserved. Let’s see what the appointed division bench will decide.

Maa Sanjeebani Meditation Centre Construction Work Started in Golakhpur, Odisha

2010-09-03T07:49:00.006-07:00

Maa Sanjeebani Marg is motivating people to find meaningful purposes for their lives and rebuild their lost self confidence. Devotees of Maa Sanjeebani Marg have seen positive changes in their personal, professional and family lives and have attracted many followers towards this path. Together all the devotees are trying to bring this path to the next level. Maa Sanjeebani Ashram construction is the result of the trust, love and dedication of Sanjeebani Marg's followers. The name of the Ashram is "MAA SANJEEBANI MEDITATION CENTRE".

It's being built in Golakhpur village in Odisha. The pictures show the prayer ceremony performed on May 8 2010 at the Ashram site attended by Ashram members, devotees and villagers. They were happy to see the development work of the meditation centre.

This medication centre (Ashram) will provide shelter and opportunities to the underprivileged. In the initial years the meditation centre will benefit the villagers around this area. As you can see in the pictures, the villagers attended the prayer ceremony and were hopeful that the centre can transform their lives. Golakhpur village doesn’t have enough water supply, electricity, medical facilities and vocational trainings. This centre will try to fulfill the basic needs of the villagers. For the time being this will be a charitable centre run by the funds and donations of Sanjeebani Marg followers and members. In the coming years our efforts will be to convert this centre to a non-profitable organization helping larger group of people all around the world. People from any part of the world can feel free to visit and meditate in this centre.

I would like to thank and bless all the people who are directly or indirectly involved in any kind of honorable work. Let us thank God by being associated with organizations/people that help projects for the growth and development of the world.

Haiti Relief Efforts

2010-04-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

The 35 seconds terrible earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th devastated the lives of people living there. Tens of thousands of people were dead in this catastrophic earthquake, buried beneath demolished schools, hospitals and homes. Millions of residents were homeless and without any shelter. According to Haitian Government reports that between 217,000 and 230,000 people have died, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated 1,000,000 homeless.

Rescue efforts began immediately after the earthquake. But there were not sufficient medical facilities to treat the injured. From January 12th Red Cross started bringing emergency assistance to the victims. Many international agencies are helping to rebuild the lives of people living in Haiti. Your contributions can help these agencies to smoothly continue their efforts.

American Red Cross: is primarily helping with emergency food, shelter and other basic needs. The author of "Banking World and Payments" said "If you want to donate money online towards the RedCross relief efforts click on this link".

CARE : is fighting global poverty, specifically by empowering women and girls. To donate to the Haiti relief fund, go to Care.org or call 1-800-521-CARE.

American Jewish World Service: This agency supports grass-roots, community-based organizations in remote locations whose needs are not always met by larger organizations. To donate to its Haiti relief efforts, go to ajws.org/haitiearthquake/ or mail a check to 45 W. 36th St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Make checks out to American Jewish World Service, and in the memo section write "Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund."

AmeriCares: is delivering medicine, medical supplies and aid to people in crisis around the world. To donate, call 1-800-486-HELP or go to AmeriCares.org.

Love a Child: is focusing on giving aid to children and their families in Haiti. To donate, go to loveachild.com, or call 1-800-645-4868.

There are several other agencies listed in this CNN article. Your volunteer work, monetary contributions and prayers can help many victims of Haiti. Support these agencies and be a part of the Haiti relief program.

Happy New Year 2010

2009-12-30T07:26:00.000-08:00

Sanjeebani Parivar wishes all the readers a very prosperous and bright year 2010. Happy New Year!!

Hindu Villagers in Eastern Orissa Believe a Turtle as an Incarnation of Lord Jagannath

2009-11-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

Undoubtedly this turtle is unique. On the back of the turtle there is a symbol that resembles Lord Jagannath. But according to the law of India no one can keep a turtle without a legal permission from the authority. People who do not abide with this law can be jailed for a year or can be fined. Indian villagers in Eastern Orissa are defying law by not handing over the turtle to the police. According to a priest of a temple and other villagers “Lord Jagannath has visited our village in the form of a turtle. We will not allow anybody to take the turtle away.” (Reuter)

A senior wildlife government official Mr. P.K. Behera said “We have asked the villagers to hand it over as it is illegal to confine a turtle, but they are refusing”. It is very hard for the policeman to convince villagers to hand over the turtle to the authority.

The author of “online banking” said “It will be tough for the authority to take away the turtle as the poor villagers feel that they are blessed by Lord Jagannath in the form of a reptile. This is a unique turtle and should be protected from any harm. It may be hard for the turtle to survive in a bucket of water for a long time”. The author of "crime news" said “Villagers are chanting prayers and offering fruits and flowers rejoicing this event of blessing. But they have to understand that they cannot go against law. To protect and conserve God's creation is equivalent to praying to God.”

Disney will Soon Introduce Hindu Mythological Characters in Hollywood

2009-10-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

The heritage and culture of India are appreciated and studied by people in different parts of the world. Hindu mythology is the essence of Hinduism. With economic development, recognition of cultural diversity, study of Indian languages abroad, Hindu mythological characters have gained wide popularity. The growing demand for new concept, cultural amalgamation and creativity in the media industry has attracted Disney towards various characters of Hindu epics like, Ramayana and Mahabharata. These characters are renowned for their valor, power and ability to use celestial arms and armaments. One such character is Karna, the son of Kunti and Sun Lord, who was equipped with immense power and celestial arms by birth. Vimanika, an Indian comic company in Mumbai publishes comics based on Indian mythological characters in India and the United States of America. This company is soon starting circulation in the United Kingdom. It’s not official that Disney has approached Vimanika to bring these Hindu superheroes to films and televisions of Hollywood. Vimanika has plans to convert comics to online games and mobile games.

There are mixed reactions to this news. Hindu fundamentalists like Mr. Zyed feel that some kinds of variations will be required when presenting these Hindu mythological characters in Hollywood. It can hurt the sentiments of Hindus. On the other hand, liberal Hindus feel that introducing Hindu mythological characters to Hollywood is a big opportunity to recognize Indian heritage across the world. The author of “online banking” said “I feel introducing Hindu mythological characters in Disney would educate children and parents of various countries about the Indian superheroes. This will further glorify the true spirit of India and attract more tourists to India.” The author of “crime news” said “I very much look forward to learning more about the magnificent past of India through Indian Epics.”

Religion Helping to Tackle DUI & DWI Crimes in Chechnya

2009-08-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

It will be wonderful if religious leaders and communities support the law enforcement system to fight against crimes throughout the world. We can already see it in Russia. In Chechnya, Russia, the mosques in the Chechen republic will publicly announce the names of drunk drivers during the Friday prayers.

Sulban Hasimikhow, press secretary of Islamic center said "“The religious center of the region and the republic’s road police declared war on those who violate traffic laws and like to drink and sit behind the wheels after that. The people must know about those who violate laws and constitute danger to other people."

The religious leaders have joined the fight against alcoholism and DUI related offences.

Fort Lauderdale DUI lawyers said "So many people around the world die or suffer serious injuries, including, brain injuries as a result of DUI & DWI accidents. Any social or religious steps taken to reduce these crimes are commendable." The author of "Online banking and payment" said, "Sometimes the fear of social ridicule works better than the fear of being behind bars. We will know if DUI cases drop down in Chechnya." The author of "Crime news" said "We look forward to seeing the results of the initiative and its impact in Chechnya."

Happy Raksha Bandhan

2009-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sanjeebani Marg wishes Happy Rakhi to all the readers. Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrated by Indians across the world to encourage and strengthen the sacred relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie "Rakhi thread" around the brothers wrist to show their love and trust.

On this special occasion of Rakhi may Maa Sanjeebani shower her blessings on every strong and pious relationship, especially the bond between brothers and sisters.

Radio-Controlled Aircrafts - Threat to Indian Security

2009-07-31T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Customs department in Mumbai, India has seized thousands of radio-controlled (RC) aircrafts imported from China, Taiwan and Korea. A radio-controlled aircraft is one that can be run without a pilot and is guided by a remote. These RC aircrafts are a big threat to the city's security. The RC aircrafts from China violate the law of amplitude that causes major threat because of the capability to intercept and jam frequency bands used by Indian securities agencies.

The Customs department has decided to destroy around 3,000 RC planes. "These aircraft may come in handy for subversive activities. We have issued orders to destroy them," said a Customs official.

The author of "Online Banking and Payment" said "RC aircrafts with frequency more than 27004 kilohertz (KHz) are considered illegal as they violate the state frequencies law limit." Product recall lawyer said "Any products that do not comply with the state safety standards or deemed dangerous by Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are recalled. If a consumer is notified about a product recall, he/she should immediately return it to the manufacturer and get a refund."

Theft Charges on Georgia Hindu Temple Priest Dropped

2009-07-29T06:02:00.001-07:00

This incident forces me to think that people taking religious consultation or religious services from priests of temples should be very clear on how much these services will cost. It is also the responsibility of the temple staff handling the accounts to let their clients know beforehand about the expense involved in performing poojas or ceremonies.

Dr. Commander Selvam whose real name is Annamalai Annamalai was declared innocent by Gwinnett County, Georgia. The theft charges against him have been dropped. He was also accused of practicing medicine without a license. Teresa Louis, 42, of Chicago contacted Annamalai for an astrological reading as she was having problems finding a right match. Louis said she agreed to pay $100 a week for a special prayer service over the phone.

Louis said she was shocked when her credit card was charged for $1,751 two weeks later. When she refused to pay the charges, she said, “the guru blatantly told me you cannot cancel.”

“He said, ‘You agreed to it,’ ” said Louis, who later filed complaints with Gwinnett police and the Better Business Bureau.

Lal Singh has a different opinion of the guru. “Every time I want to give money, they say, ‘No, no, don’t worry,’ ” Singh said. Worshippers report very different experiences.

Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said that the state law for practicing medicine without a license provides an exception for religious healers. He also said that there was no evidence linking Annamalai to the credit card charges.

Dr. Commander Selvam said “some individuals are jealous of his success and are bent on destroying the temple.” But he had full faith that “God will support him as he had not done anything wrong.”

The author of "Online Banking and Payment" said "As all other businesses work, priests need to be upfront with money matters. This will reduce such issues.” NYC federal criminal lawyer said “To practice medicine under the banner of religion involves no license. There is no scientific research conducted to prove the efficacy of these medicines. It is driven by faith and not science.”

Burger King Used Goddess Lakshmi's Image for Branding Meat Sandwiches

2009-07-15T07:35:00.001-07:00

This is a case where the phrase “ignorance is bliss” cannot be applied :)

I was surprised to read that Burger King’s Spanish advertising company used Goddess Lakshmi’s image for selling Burger King’s meat sandwiches in Spain. I don’t consider this incident offensive but unwise. It is a good example of a lack of cultural sensitivity and religious beliefs when developing an ad for a target group. This ad was brought down after religious leaders criticized it.

The funnier aspect of this ad was its tagline. The ad featured the tagline: 'La merienda es sagrada,' meaning 'the snack is sacred'. This is not a fault of Burger King but its advertising company that failed to do proper legwork. Rajen Zyed, a Hindu religious leader said “It was highly disturbing to see goddess Lakshmi modeling for a meat sandwich. Lakshmi was meant to be worshiped in temples or home shrines and not for pushing meat sandwiches in the streets for mercantile greed of a global corporation.”

The author of “Online Banking and Payment” said “Using Hindu God and Goddess’ images in ads are totally acceptable. If Burger King was advertising for a healthy and vegetarian food item this ad could have possibility worked well.” NYC criminal defense lawyer said “Having a diverse group in ad agencies working on foreign ads helps in understanding diverse beliefs and customs. Proper market research is important before designing a campaign. It’s very hard to build a reputation and very easy to lose it.” The author of “Crime News” said “This is a good lesson for companies using religious idols and symbols to advertise their products overseas. Market survey and concept acceptability should be taken into account before the launch of such ads.”

Update on Swine Flu or H1N1 Virus

2009-06-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu is also known as H1N1 virus, pig flu, swine fever and swine influenza. It’s not completely wiped out from different countries but has been reported to be under control. The rapid spread of H1N1 flu made World Health Organization (WHO) raise the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6, on June 11, 2009 against influenza A (H1N1) virus.

More than 70 countries have reported to have H1N1 cases. Swine flu is common in pigs but initially was not considered as a threat to human beings. Swine influenza is common in pigs in the United States, Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe, Kenya, and eastern Asia. The origin of this new strain is unknown. However, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reported that this virus cannot be associated only with the pigs but there are chances that it could have been transmitted from human to human. The exact source of this outbreak is still being investigated.

According to the June 19th update, the number of people infected by Swine flu all over the world is 65,736 and those who died is 267. The maximum number of cases are in the United States with 17855 victims out of which 44 have died. Mexico has 7260 cases resulting in 113 deaths. In India, 30 people are suffering from this disease with no death reported.

Friends, destroying Swine flu virus is not in our hands but we can prevent it by taking necessary precautions for our and other people’s safety. Try following these steps:

- Wash your hands many times with soap and water, especially when you are visiting public areas
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
- Avoid touching your eyes and nose before washing or sanitizing your hands
- Avoid coming in close contact with sick people, especially when you know they are sick
- Anyone detected with Swine flu should not go to the school or office

The author of “Online banking and payments” said “If anyone is feeling sick, have cough, cold and/or fever try seeking medical help as soon as possible.” NYC guardianship lawyers said “We should not fear this disease but take necessary precautions.” Atlantic City wage claim lawyer said “WHO has not announced travel restrictions for controlling this disease but people traveling should be careful.”

Sanjeebani Marg wishes quick recovery to all the people suffering from Swine influenza. We pray that this flu comes to an end soon. Jai Maa Durge!

Delhi University Introducing Online Programs in its Educational System

2009-06-19T07:27:00.001-07:00

Introducing online program is a big development in Delhi University educational system. This development will be helpful for students who desire to study in a specific college and a subject of their choice. Delhi University (DU) is setting up a modern studio at its Institute of Long Learning (ILL), where lectures of popular teachers and experts of various disciplines will be recorded and placed on its portal.

ILL director A K Bakshi said ""We are getting recorded the lectures of the best of our teachers from all the colleges so that the students can learn from them on-line no matter in what college they are enrolled."

The project has been basically initiated under the 'Pan-African e-Network Project'. It was commissioned by the Ministry of External Affairs of India in February this year.

"Under the Rs 542.90 crore Pan-African project, we had been asked by the External Affairs Ministry to develop e-content, including the multimedia material for various disciplines to be provided to the African students," A K Bakshi said.

Mr. Bakshi further said “We want to develop quality lectures with high conceptual clarity. Therefore, we have asked teachers to first submit their manuscripts that would be short listed for final recording.”

Some of these lectures and tutorials will be available online from early July 2009.

Defective products lawsuit lawyers said "Enabling quality education and providing access to strong Indian faculty members from various disciplines to reach African countries is an important step. Students residing in any part of India and African countries can advance their careers by utilizing this system.” The author of "Online Banking and Payments" said "Online learning programs are very beneficial for people who are working and/or do not have the flexibility of time to attend regular class room sessions. Women, who do not have an opportunity to continue their studies because of their domestic commitments, can take advantage of these online programs. There is no age bar associated with these programs.”

Consequences of Customs Duty Evasion in India - Sheetal Mafatlal Arrested for Carrying Undisclosed Ornaments

2009-06-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

I would like to draw my readers’ attention towards the "customs duty evasion issue in India" by highlighting the recent Sheetal Mafatlal's arrest controversy. She was arrested at Mumbai airport and detained in custody for false declarations of gold and diamond jewelries she was carrying on her way back from London. The Air Intelligence Unit arrested her on "false declarations and smuggling gold ornaments" charges. Sheetal Mafatlal is the president of Mafatlal Luxury Ltd and wife of industrialist Atulya Mafatlal. It’s been said that the ornaments were worth Rs 51 lakh to Rs 80 lakh.

Advocate Sujay Kantawalla, specializing in customs cases said “In a bailable offense how can person be in custody even for a minute? I feel the magistrate was misled by the customs officials.” This is because Sheetal Mafatlal was carrying gold and diamonds whose worth was estimated less than Rs 1 crore. This does not provide a sufficient ground for custody.

Sheetal and her husband stated to be victimized by their family members because of the ongoing property litigation. Late Yogendra Mafatlal had during his life time given control of the Mafatlal companies to Atulya and had also distributed family property to Atulya and his four daughters, Kunti, Gayatri, Malvika and Aparna and their husbands. But property dispute has increased in their family by every passing year.

To reduce the revenue loss in India, stringent measures are being taken against people who evade customs duty. According to the 2007 Finance Bill, government had proposed to take strict actions against wrong declaration of the value of goods exported or any fraudulent methods used to hide goods in the customs checks.

The evasion amount however has been raised to Rs 1 crore. Initially it was possession more than Rs 1 lakh. The amount of duty being evaded should exceed Rs 30 lakh. People found guilty can be fined or punished from a year to seven years depending upon the severity of crime. Product malfunction attorneys said “I have heard that these stringent customs evasion norms in India have increased the government revenues.”

The Self Repair of Brain - Activin A Helps to Block Brain Inflammation

2009-06-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

The findings published on 'Journal Stem Cells' have illustrated the capability of nerve cells in the brain to produce an anti-inflammatory molecule that allows the brain for self repair. The victims of injuries or Parkinson's disease can receive some relief from this research.

The brain's capacity to regenerate is a very recent finding as stated on Times of India. In the early 1990s neural stem cells were found in the brains. It took few more years for scientists to find out and show that they can regenerate nerve cells in the brain.

Bryce Vissel, the neuroscientist at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (GIMR), Australia said ""Given that we now know regeneration can occur, we want to understand what drives it and what blocks it, particularly in diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. We triggered rapid neuro-degeneration in the brains of mice, and it was immediately followed by a very rapid regenerative response. We wanted to know why this response could occur so effectively after acute neuro-degeneration."

Vissel further said "On further investigation, we found high levels of a molecule known as Activin A whenever regeneration occurred. This was especially interesting because Activin A is released from nerve cells. Clearly Activin A was playing an important part in the regenerative process, so we triggered neuro-degeneration and at the same time blocked Activin A. The difference was dramatic."

Rollover lawyers said "This gives a big hope to people who are suffering from brain injuries as a result of fatal accidents." Airbag lawsuit lawyers said "I read in an article that the main action of Activin A was to block inflammation in the brain after neuro-degeneration or injury."

Kavya Shivashankar an Indian American Girl Won the Prestigious US Bee Spelling Championship

2009-05-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

I was delighted to read about the victory of the 13 year-old Kavya Shivashankar in the 2009 Scripps Bee National spelling championship. Her father Mirle Shivashankar and mother Sandy Shivashanakar are Indian immigrants settled in the United States. Bee is the nation's largest educational promotional institution administered on a non profit basis. The purpose of the spelling competitions is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives.

Out of the last 11 finalists only Kavya was left on the stage at the end. 8 out of the 11 contenders were Indian Americans. Kavya's winning word was "Laodicean" which means lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics. She won $40,000 cash and several other gifts.

On being asked about her interests she said she enjoys playing the violin, bicycling, swimming and learning Indian classical dance. Her role model is 1999 Bee championship's winner Nupur Lala. Kavya belongs to Olathe, Kansas and is a student at California Trail Junior High School. Her future goal is to become a neurosurgeon.

The moment Kavya won the Bee spelling competition her parents came up on the stage to give her a tight hug. “My dad really helped me,” she said. “I couldn’t have done this without him.” Mirle & Sandy said "We haven't skipped meals, we haven't lost sleep, but we've skipped a lot of social time. She turned 13 last week but was too busy planning for the bee to have a party. That would be any kind of celebration for Kavya's birthday.”

Estate planning lawyers in NYC, West Plam Beach personal injury lawyers, vehicle rollover attorney & Atlantic City workers comp settlement lawyer have congratulated Kavya for this big success. They have wished that her dream to become a neurosurgeon comes true.