The Indian Panorama

Month: March 2014

  • Dad fatally shot by teen on Brooklyn bus arrives home in Dominican Republic

    Dad fatally shot by teen on Brooklyn bus arrives home in Dominican Republic

    Mohammad Jaffer
    NEW YORK (TIP): The body of Angel Rojas came home Wednesday, March 26 where his parents, other family members and friends crowded around and cried over the man who worked hard to support his mother, father, wife and two kids. Meanwhile his alleged killer, Kahton Anderson, 14, was indicted on seconddegree murder charges Wednesday.

    The griefstricken family of the hardworking Dominican dad gunned down on a Brooklyn bus sobbed over his casket Wednesday in an emotional farewell as his accused 14-year-old killer was indicted on a murder charge.Angel Rojas, 39, was laid to rest in the late afternoon just outside Ceiba de Madera, the humble town in the northern part of the Dominican Republic where he grew up. His parents, Fidencia Ferrieras and Alberto Rojas, accompanied by the victim’s widow and two young children, spent the morning weeping over his body in a prolonged wake.

  • Queens man’s body found in plastic bag on Edgemere boardwalk

    Queens man’s body found in plastic bag on Edgemere boardwalk

    Mohammad Jaffer
    NEW YORK (TIP): The body of a 32-year-old Queens man was found inside a trash bag on a Far Rockaway beach Monday, March 24 morning after the man’s mom grew worried and tracked his phone, cops said. The missing man, identified as Quynton Ross, was last seen at 8 a.m. on Sunday, cops said. His mother pinged his phone that night and ended up at the boardwalk.

    She didn’t find anything then but returned in the morning to discover a bag containing bloody clothes, cops said. She called cops around 9:50 a.m. and they found a second garbage bag with a body inside at Beach 40th St. between Edgemere Ave. and the boardwalk. Ross, a photographer has a daughter with his girlfriend, he said.

  • Modi criticized for calling Antony a Pakistani Agent

    Modi criticized for calling Antony a Pakistani Agent

    NEW YORK (TIP): The attack on A.K. Antony, the Defence Minister of India as a Pakistani agent by Narendra Modi is “mean-spirited and personal”, said George Abraham, Chairman, Indian National Overseas Congress (I) USA, in a statement on March 26. “It evidently shows the frivolous conduct of a person who is running for the highest office in India. Fierce debate of politics does not justify character assassination and implicitly, Mr. Modi appears to be questioning the patriotism of the Defence Minister and that is totally unwarranted.

    “Modi campaign seems to be at a loss whenever substantive issues are raised from any quarters and his reliance on sloganeering and divisive politicking will not suffice and Indian electorate is smarter than that.” George Abraham who himself hails from Kerala and knows Antony well added, “A.K. Antony is a popular Congress leader who has a stellar reputation for honesty and integrity and who has been in public life that spans over five decades.

  • Egypt’s military chief Sissi quits to run for president

    Egypt’s military chief Sissi quits to run for president

    CAIRO (TIP): Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, the Egyptian military chief who last summer removed the elected Islamist president, announced on March 26 that he has resigned from the military and will run for president in elections scheduled for next month. In a nationally televised speech, el-Sissi appeared in his military uniform, saying that it was the last time he would wear it because he was giving it up “to defend the nation” by running for president. He said he was “responding to a call from the people.” Egyptian law says only civilians can run for president, so his resignation from the military, as well as his posts of military chief and defense minister, was a required step.

    This is widely expected to win the vote, after months of nationalist fervor since he removed Mohammed Morsi, who in 2012 became Egypt’s first freely elected and civilian president. The ouster in July came after massive protests demanding Morsi go after only a year in office amid public resentment that his Muslim Brotherhood was monopolizing power. Since then, the military-backed interim government has waged a fierce crackdown on Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, arresting thousands of members and killing hundreds of protesters in clashes.

    At the same time, militants have waged a campaign of attacks on police and the military, and el-Sissi has repeatedly declared a war on terrorism. In his address Wednesday night, el-Sissi gave a campaignstyle speech, promising he intended to build a “modern and democratic Egypt.” He spoke of the challenges facing the country, including millions of unemployed and a “weak economy.” In an apparent goodwill gesture despite the crackdown, he promised “no exclusion. … I extend my hand to all at home and abroad — all those who have not been convicted.” “There will be no personal scoresettling,” he said. However, on the ground there have been no signs of any move toward reconciliation with Morsi’s supporters and the Brotherhood, once the country’s strongest political force.

    Authorities on Wednesday announced the latest in a series of mass trials of suspected Islamists, including the top leader of the Brotherhood Mohammed Badie, on murder and other charges in connection to violence the past months. Morsi supporters have continued near daily protests against el-Sissi and the interim government. On Wednesday, students in several universities, most of them Islamists, held protests that turned into clashes with security forces. An 18-yearold student was killed in the violence at Cairo University, the health ministry said.

  • Flight MH370: Planes, ships race to beat bad weather in search for missing Malaysian jet

    Flight MH370: Planes, ships race to beat bad weather in search for missing Malaysian jet

    SYDNEY/KUALA LUMPUR (TIP): Aircraft and ships scouring the southern Indian Ocean for wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 were racing to beat bad weather on March 27 and reach an area where new satellite images showed what could be a debris field. The international search team has been bolstered to 11 military and civilian aircraft and five ships that will criss-cross the remote search site with weather conditions forecast to deteriorate later in the day.

    New satellite images have revealed more than 100 objects that could be debris from the Boeing 777, which is thought to have crashed on March 8 with the loss of all 239 people aboard after flying thousands of miles off course. “We have now had four separate satellite leads, from Australia, China and France, showing possible debris,” Malaysian acting transport minister Hishammuddin Hussein told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur late Wednesday. “It is now imperative that we link the debris to MH370.” The latest images were captured by France-based Airbus Defence & Space on Monday and showed 122 potential objects in 400 sq km (155 sq mile) area of ocean, Hishammuddin said.

    The objects varied in size from one metre to 23 metres (75 ft) in length, he said. Flight MH370 vanished from civilian radar screens less than an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing, and investigators believe someone on the flight may have shut off the plane’s communications systems. Theories range from a hijacking to sabotage or a possible suicide by one of the pilots, but investigators have not ruled out technical problems. Partial military radar tracking showed the plane turning west off its scheduled course over the South China Sea and then recrossing the Malay Peninsula, apparently under the control of a skilled pilot.

    The logistical difficulties of the search have been highlighted by the failure so far to get a lock on possible debris despite the now numerous satellite images and direct visuals from aircraft and ships. The search area some 2,500km (1,550 miles) southwest of Perth has some of the deepest and roughest waters in the world, roiled by the “Roaring Forties” winds that cut across the sea. The winds are named for the area between latitude 40 degrees and 50 degrees where there is no land mass to slow down gusts which create waves higher than six metres.

    The search was called off for a full day this week because conditions were too dangerous for the search crews, which come from Australia, the United States, New Zealand, China, Japan and South Korea. Meteorologists say the current break in the stormy weather will be short. “This is only going to be a narrow window of opportunity by the looks of things, because another weather system is moving in for Thursday, which looks like that will bring an increase in winds again and also lead to a reduction in visibility through the rain associated with the cold front,” said Neil Bennett, a spokesman for Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.

    Passengers’ relatives distraught

    Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak this week confirmed Flight MH370 had crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, citing satellite-data analysis by British firm Inmarsat. Recovery of wreckage could unlock clues about why and how the plane had diverted so far off course in one of aviation’s most puzzling mysteries. The United States has sent an undersea Navy drone and a high-tech black box detector which will be fitted to an Australian ship due in Perth in the coming days.

    The so-called black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder — record what happens during flight, but time is running out to pick up their locator beacons, which stop about a month after a crash due to limited battery life. Malaysia said on Tuesday that the US “Towed Pinger Locator” would not arrive in the search area until April 5, which would give it only a few days to find the black box before the beacon battery would be expected to run out.

    The prolonged and so far fruitless search and investigation have taken a toll, with dozens of distraught relatives of Chinese passengers clashing with police in Beijing on Tuesday, accusing Malaysia of “delays and deception”. Malaysia’s confused initial response to the plane’s disappearance and a perception of poor communications have enraged many relatives of the more than 150 Chinese passengers and have strained ties between Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.

  • Michelle Obama stirs Tibet pot during China visit

    Michelle Obama stirs Tibet pot during China visit

    BEIJING (TIP): US first lady Michelle Obama, who had signaled that she’ll steer clear of controversy during her recent China tour, ended up creating a storm by visiting a Tibetan restaurant in Sichuan province, prompting thousands of Chinese to ask if she meant to indulge in domestic politics. Michelle visited the restaurant in Chengdu city of Sichuan, a province which has witnessed a large number of self-immolation by protesting Tibetan monks, along with her two daughters and mother over the weekend. She met some local Tibetans and sought to promote education and boost cultural ties.

    The visit caused sharp reactions in the Chinese internet with many asking if she had a sinister goal in mind. “When it’s plain that the aim is to dictate to China, can you still say that the US first lady’s trip is just innocent travel?” asked user on Weibo, China’s Twitter. “This carries strong political overtones, meant to communicate that the US is paying close attention to politics in Tibet,” another Weibo post said. Some asked if the restaurant trip was part of the Chinaapproved itinerary or she had deviated from it.

    An Obama aide did not help matters when he tried to defend the restaurant visit saying, “Tibetans are an important minority group, and there is a sizeable number of Tibetans in Sichuan.” Another aide said the restaurant was chosen because of her interest in the rights of minorities in China. In February, US President Barack Obama had met the Dalai Lama drawing severe criticism from the Chinese government, which regards the Buddhist leader as “a wolf in monk’s clothing”. The American first lady spun a row of prayer wheels as she walked the entry bridge to the restaurant, according to the US government’s pool report.

    She also received the family ceremonial white scarves – symbolizing purity in Tibetan culture-from a group of Tibetan students. are Tibetan traditional foods, including yak meat pie, boiled yak ribs, bread made with barley and yak butter tea. Obama’s China tour was preceded by American officials indicating she won’t raise any controversial and human rights issues because it was meant to enhance Sino-US relationship. But she later talked about the importance of media and Internet freedom in her speech to students of Peking University. China has banned thousands of websites including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

  • UK deputy PM Nick Clegg and anti-EU rival Nigel Farage trade barbs in debate

    UK deputy PM Nick Clegg and anti-EU rival Nigel Farage trade barbs in debate

    LONDON (TIP): Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg locked horns with the leader of the country’s most anti-EU party in the first of two face-to-face debates ahead of forthcoming European Parliament elections. Clegg, leader of the Europhile Liberal Democrats, on Wednesday argued that Britain was “better off in Europe – richer, stronger, safer”, but UK Independence Party (UKIP) head Nigel Farage countered that the European Union was no longer fit to face the challenges of the modern economy.

    Clegg and Farage, who wants to pull Britain out of the EU, will meet again for another debate on April 2. Farage’s party is expected to make large gains in the May 22 elections, while Clegg’s is expected to fare badly. The deputy prime minister said he wanted “a Britain that leads in the world by standing tall in our own European backyard, a Britain prepared to work with other countries on the things we can’t possibly sort out on our own.

    “We are better off in Europe – richer, stronger, safer – and that’s why I will fight to keep us in, for the sake of jobs, for the sake of our clout in the world, for the sake of Britain,” he added. Farage said Britain had “sold his birthright” by handing powers to the EU, and vowed to act to reclaim control of lawmaking from Brussels and to cap immigration. But he insisted he wanted to keep close ties with the continent.

    “This debate is between a tired status quo defending a crumbling EU that frankly isn’t working anymore, and a fresh approach that says let’s be friendly with Europe, let’s trade with Europe, but let’s not be governed by their institutions,” he said. But he controversially suggested that the EU had “blood on its hands” over Ukraine, claiming that its desire to create an “empire” had given Ukrainians false hope of being able to counter Russia’s influence. Commentators largely agreed that Farage had dominated the early rounds of the hour-long debate, hosted by London radio station LBC, but that Clegg had hit back later on.

  • Indian Consulate Media India: 2014-15 Lecture Series launched

    Indian Consulate Media India: 2014-15 Lecture Series launched

    Suketu Mehta spoke on “India & US: Traffic of Ideas”

    NEW YORK, NY (TIP): An ambitious project of the Indian Consulate was launched here on March 21, 2014. “Media India: 2014-15”, a monthly lecture-series, conceived by Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay, had an auspicious kick off with the maiden lecture being delivered by an eminent scholar and writer Suketu Mehta at the Consulate’s ornate ball-room.

    Outlining the objective behind the lecture series, the Consul General said that these conversations were aimed at discussing India’s global image, identity, aspirations, role and projection and related themes aimed at mainstream media, University students, youth and second generation Indian Americans.

    He highlighted the other initiatives like showcasing States of India in the series “Stateby- State” to introduce the diversity and vibrancy of Indian states. The distinguished speaker who is working with Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, New York University, in his sharp presentation “India & US: Traffic of Ideas” praised centuries old traditions in India of debate and discourse and India’s continued long democratic tradition.

    He also pointed out occasional intolerance displayed by certain sections that impact free speech and democracy itself. He contended that Indians can handle multiple identities and have been successful due to their resilience, hard-work and discipline. He also explained that in today’s world there need not be ‘one home’ as there is more human mobility than ever.


    2
    Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Dnyaneshwar Mulay said these conversations were aimed at discussing India’s global image, identity, aspirations, role and projection and related themes

    The speech was moderated by Tunku Varadarajan, Professor at the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism. In the ensuing question and answer session a large number of questions were answered by Suketu Mehta. The event was attended, among others, by renowned author Salman Rushdie; Digambar Bhouraskar, former Director of United Nations and writer of “United Nations’ Development Aid: A Study in History and Politics”; Kaydor Aukatsang, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for North America along with many educationists and students from New York University, PACE University, Queens College whose participation during the Question-Answer-session made the session lively and informative.


    3
    Tunku Varadarajan, Professor at the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism moderated the session

    The next lecture in the series is scheduled for April 11. Bobby Ghosh, Editor-in-Chief. Time International, New York will speak on ‘How the World Sees India’s Election’. The session will be moderated by Tom Nagorski, Executive Vice President, Asia Society, New York. Those interested in this unique Lectureseries may send their request to culture@indiacgny.org or commerce@indiacgny.org.


    4
    Eminent author and thinker Suketu Mehta contended that Indians can handle multiple identities and have been successful due to their resilience, hard-work and discipline

  • Free morning-after pills, condoms for UK schoolgirls

    Free morning-after pills, condoms for UK schoolgirls

    LONDON (TIP): In a bid to cut the growing number of unwanted teen pregnancies in the UK, schools have been advised to provide free morning-after pills and condoms to teenage girls. According to new guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), under-25s should be able to access emergency contraception more readily, including pills and the IUD (intrauterine device, or coil). Although under-18 conception rates have fallen, England still has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Europe, said a statement by NICE.

    Improving contraceptive services will help ensure young people get the support they need and reduce unwanted pregnancies. NICE has advised commissioners of services in England to give all young people access to contraception and advice at convenient locations so no-one is denied services because of where they live. “It is really important that sexual health services offering information and advice can be found in places where young people have access to them,” Professor Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health at NICE said. “Evidence clearly shows that the availability of contraception reduces the rate of unwanted pregnancies.

    Local planners and providers of services must make sure that what they offer is right for their area,” said Kelly. According to the guidelines, young women should be informed that an intrauterine device is a more effective form of emergency contraception than the oral method and can also be used on an ongoing basis. Young women should have timely access to emergency contraception using an intrauterine device, NICE said. “Young people often find contraceptive services and advice difficult to locate. This can be for a number of reasons.

    They may not know where services are, who provides them or when they are open,” Kelly added. “They can also be wrongly worried that information they give may not be treated confidentially. For that reason, this guidance focuses on ensuring they receive culturally sensitive, confidential, nonjudgemental and empathic advice and support tailored to their individual needs,” said Kelly. Many of the recommendations made in the new guidance from NICE will cost nothing to implement. They look at existing services to ensure everything is being done to give all young people the support and advice they need.

  • REASONS TO EAT CHERRIES

    REASONS TO EAT CHERRIES

    Little red cherries are often overlooked for their health benefits, but this red fruit is packed with nutrients and are even considered a ‘healing’ fruit. Research says tart cherry juice can battle insomnia, it lessens the risk of gout and is great for post exercise muscle stress.
    Read on to know more about sweet and tart cherrries…
    1. Cherries can reduce blood pressure. The fruit is a source of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure by eliminating excess sodium in the body. It also keeps potassium and sodium in balance and is said to prevent hypertension.
    2. The fruit is a storehouse of pectin, a soluble fibre that helps prevent heart disease by lowering ‘bad’ cholesterol. It also has powerful antioxidants, which are beneficial in the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
    3. Cherries can also ease joint pains and alleviate headaches and migraines.

    A study by researchers at East Lansing’s Michigan State University showed that if you have arthritis or chronic headaches, having a bowl of cherries a day might alleviate your pain, minus the stomach upset so often triggered by painkillers.

  • BRING BACK ROMANCE IN MARRIAGE

    BRING BACK ROMANCE IN MARRIAGE

    Romance is crucial to a happy marriage. There is no element of novelty in a relationship, especially in a marriage without romance. So, if you see romance taking a backseat in your relationship, it’s time fasten your seatbelt and pull out some ideas to bring back the mush element in your life. Here’s how:

    Make a trip to a romantic hotspot
    This could be one way to getting closer. Choose the same place like where you went to spend your honeymoon to bring back all the sweetest memories or go for another hotspot which you two have been aspiring to go in all these years.

    Spend more time together
    The busy lifestyle that many couple lead today often takes away the romance component. So try to spend more time together. This will let you both talk about matters close to your heart and will help rekindle your romance.

    Express your feelings
    You need not shower your spouse with expensive gifts. What is required here is emotional reassurance. So share why your spouse is an important part of your life and make each other feel very special.

    Indulge in love making
    Most often lack of love making leads to couple distancing themselves from each other or form some opinions on one another. So, getting back to the kind of love making session you had during the initial days of marriage also will help you realise how deeply you care for each other.

  • KEEP BODY ODOUR AT BAY

    KEEP BODY ODOUR AT BAY

    Body odour can become a real dampener to your personality if proper care is not taken. Here’s how to keep body odour at bay There are times, when no matter how much deodorant you wear, the body odor just doesn’t go away. These are the days when you feel if you could do something permanent about the problem.

    So here’s how you can keep body odour at bay in four easy steps. There are few things that you have to follow, there’s nothing you can do about it. So stop eating too much onions, garlic and methi. They tend to seep out of the body pores and results in body odor. No matter how well onions go with that spicy curry, you need to keep them at safe distance. Keep visiting your bathroom. Yes, we mean take bath regularly. Bathing twice a day during summers is a good idea.

    This will definitely put many problems aside. Use talcum powder. These are an underestimated lot of toiletries which can really make a lot of difference. They not only make you feel fresh but also help in reducing body odour, especially during summers. Find a good antiperspirant deodorant. This not only keep you smelling fresh but also helps in reducing sweating. Summers are the time when you tend to sweat more and thus body odour.

  • JAITLEY’S ADVICE TO CAPTAIN: SHOW DECENCY

    JAITLEY’S ADVICE TO CAPTAIN: SHOW DECENCY

    AMRITSAR (TIP): A day before the arrival of his rival and Congress candidate from Amritsar seat Amarinder Singh, BJP candidate Arun Jaitley advised him to show decency. “Everyone in public life must be honest,” Jaitley wrote in his campaign diary on Thursday. “Most certainly the rulers and Maharajas should display greater probity and transparency than lesser mortals.”

    Jaitley, along with his relatives, arrived here on Thursday to continue his election campaign, which is likely to hot up with Amarinder’s arrival on Friday. Jaitley said Amarinder was a chargesheeted man and was facing prosecution. He said he had gone into details of the chargesheet filed by the vigilance bureau in relation to a 2005 project in Ludhiana where all rules were allegedly flouted by the then government.


    15

    In his Facebook post, Jaitley has mentioned various anomalies in the project, including rigging of bids to favour a particular person. Reacting to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s remark that BJP’s campaign balloon would burst like the ‘India Shining’ campaign in 2004, Jaitley said: “It’s election time, there is no point in making claims on whose balloon will burst. Congress leaders are not willing to face elections, those who had refused to contest elections have been sent to fight the battle”.

    Jaitley arrived here along with his wife Sangeeta and daughter Sonali to strengthen his campaigning. “There is always a first time,” Sangeeta said. “Earlier he had been organizing elections and now he is himself contesting elections.” Sangeeta said she was born here while their relatives lived in Amritsar. But she is yet to brush up her knowledge about the issues facing the Amritsar parliamentary constituency. “We will see what are the issues here,” she said. She said she visits Amritsar every year to pay obeisance at Durgiana Temple, Golden Temple and Gurdwara Shaheedan Sahib.

  • Will welcome Karunanidhi’s DMK in UPA: Chidambaram

    Will welcome Karunanidhi’s DMK in UPA: Chidambaram

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on March 28 said that his party would welcome M Karunanidhi-led DMK’s re-entry in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) two days after the veteran leader from Tamil Nadu extended an olive branch to the Congress offering to “forgive” and support it after the Lok Sabha elections.

    “I’m surprised at Karunanidhi’s offer of support to Congress after Lok Sabha elections,” Chidambaram said, adding, “If Karunandihi says he is coming I’m ready to welcome him.” The senior Congress leader also rejected allegations that his party betrayed close UPA allies in their difficult times by saying, “Congress is the centre of secularism, we never strayed.” The reactions from the Union Finance Minister came two days after the 89 year-old DMK supremo first mounted a sharp attack against Congress and later said that he is willing to support it after polls.

    The DMK had severed ties with Congress last year after Karunanidhi’s daughter Kanimozhi and former Telecom minister A Raja were jailed in a case relating to 2G scam. Since then, Karunanidhi had refused to renew the alliance for the April 24 Lok Sabha polls. “They were more inclined to save their government but showed no gratitude,” he said in an apparent reference to the problems faced by his daughter. But he suddenly softened his tone and said, “If the Congressmen express regret and get back to their secular credentials -DMK will support them – not in terms of votes – but to change the evils that had gripped them, and ready to forgive them.”

    The DMK patriarch predicted doomsday for Congress in Tamil Nadu in this election, saying it had hit an ‘abysmal low’ not only in this state but elsewhere too. “To lead a good life, you have to have gratitude. Congress never realised who gave them a helping hand in the past and gave so many troubles to DMK and its members and they are paying for it now,” Karunanidhi who advanced his electioneering by about two weeks, told a well-attended gathering in the city.

  • Act against BJP, Congress over foreign funds: Delhi HC

    Act against BJP, Congress over foreign funds: Delhi HC

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Delhi High Court on March 28 asked the central government and the Election Commission to take appropriate actions against the Congress and the BJP for taking foreign funds in violation of law.

    Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Jayant Nath allowed the plea of an NGO filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan seeking directions for a probe into donations allegedly taken by the parties from subsidiaries of the Britain-based Vedanta group. The bench said the concerned authority should act within six months in accordance with the law. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress had claimed that Vedanta Resources was not a foreign company and therefore no law had been violated.

    The PIL filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms through Bhushan said the Britain-based Vedanta Resources and its subsidiary companies in India – including Sterlite Industries, Sesa Goa and Malco – “have donated several crores of rupees to major political parties like the Congress and the BJP”. The two parties breached the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), the PIL alleged.

  • Raj Babbar booked for flouting poll code

    Raj Babbar booked for flouting poll code

    GHAZIABAD (TIP): An FIR was lodged against filmstarturned- politician, Raj Babbar, in Hapur district on Wednesday for allegedly violating the model code of conduct. Babbar, the Congress candidate for the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha seat, had allegedly overshot the time limit fixed by election officials for conducting a roadshow in Pilkhuwa town on March 25 evening.

    Hapur police said that, other than Babbar, five other local leaders have also been named in the FIR. This includes former Congress MP from Ghaziabad, Surendra Prakash Goel. “The FIR has been registered at Pilakhuwa police station under Section 188 of the IPC. Election officials have been apprised of the incident,” said DSP Raj Kumar Singh.

    Police said though Babbar was given permission to end campaigning at 8.30pm, the programme ended at 10pm. Babbar clarified that he could not stick to the stipulated time limit because a large crowd had gathered around his vehicle on his route, delaying his return journey. “It was difficult to negotiate the way out of the crowds that had gathered in the narrow lanes of the town. It was not possible for me to change the return route either,” said Babbar.

  • Election Commission orders parties to not hire minors

    Election Commission orders parties to not hire minors

    NEW DELHI (TIP): In keeping with the directions of the Election Commission, the chief electoral officer of Delhi has issued directions to all political parties and election officers to ensure that children under 18 years of age are not engaged as laborers during preparations for the Lok Sabha polls.

    Issuing the orders, CEO Vijay Dev cited the provisions of the Plan of Action for Abolition of Child Labour in Delhi and the high court judgment on child labour. The circular states EC had issued instructions in May 2009, making it clear that children must be kept away from various hazardous and nonhazardous activities during election process.

    “Employment of children below 14 years of age in specific occupations such as transport of goods is considered unsafe and harmful as per the Child Labour (Prohibition and regulation) Act, 1986,” the circular states. The Delhi Commission of Protection of Child Rights, too, had brought to the notice of the CEO office in the run-up to the December assembly polls the legal provisions to ensure that children are not forced to work as cheap labour by candidates.

  • Modi will plunge nation into strife, warns Mayawati

    Modi will plunge nation into strife, warns Mayawati

    AMRAVATI (TIP): BSP chief Mayawati on March 27 took on BJP prime ministerial hopeful Narendra Modi, warning voters he would plunge the country into communal and caste strife. “As chief minister of Gujarat in 2002, he could not control riots in his state that saw Muslims being killed in large numbers,” she said.

    “If he becomes prime minister, there will be communal riots all over the country.” Addressing a huge public rally in this main city of western Vidarbha, she appealed to voters not to get fooled by the lofty promises and falsehoods contained in the manifestos of national parties. Referring to Modi, she said his promises of development should not be trusted. “The NDA is now saying it’ll transform the country with Modi’s development ideas,” the four-time UP chief minister said.

    “I want to ask what did the NDA do when it was in power at the Centre for six years.” The attendance at the public meeting was easily double of what was seen at Modi’s rally in Wardha on March 20. Mayawati launched the election campaign of all 10 of her party candidates contesting from Vidarbha. For the Amravati Lok Sabha seat, which is reserved for scheduled castes, her party candidate Gunwant Deopare will face a stiff challenge from Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul and NCP’s Navneet Kaur Rana.

  • AAP counters Pak slur with disputed map on BJP site

    AAP counters Pak slur with disputed map on BJP site

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The war of words between BJP and AAP escalated on March 27 with the saffron party accusing Arvind Kejriwal of being an expert in “dumping issues halfway” while AAP retaliated with jeers that a “scared” BJP was diverting people’s attention from real issues.

    A day after BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi called Kejriwal a Pakistani agent and charged AAP with misrepresenting Kashmir on the map, AAP’s social media unit tweeted a grab of BJP’s official website that hosted a Google map indicating Kashmir as “disputed territory”. Dubbing AAP as “Arvind Apna Propaganda”, BJP accused Kejriwal of “dumping issues halfway” and running away from answering questions. “Kejriwal is known for dumping things halfway.

    His IRS (Indian Revenue Service) was dumped halfway. His India Against Corruption (IAC) was dumped halfway. Anna Hazare was dumped halfway. People of Delhi were dumped halfway. Now his candidates from all over the country are also dumped halfway,” BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said. “Kejriwal said there are only two constituencies from AAP perspective — Varanasi and Amethi. So what happened to other candidates who are contesting all over the country? He has distanced himself from the rest of the candidates,” she said. “You have given away Jammu and Kashmir in your website.

    You have dumped people of J&K. Besides dumping of issues, he also ran away from answering our questions,” she added. Accusing Kejriwal and his party colleague Prashant Bhushan of going against the official line on Kashmir, BJP also screened video footage at the party briefing, simultaneously showing Modi’s speech in Jammu on Wednesday where he referred to Kejriwal as AK-49 and Bhushan’s earlier speeches. Responding to the attack, AAP leader Manish Sisodia said, “A scared BJP is trying to divert attention from real issues ever since AAP exposed its lie on gas pricing yesterday and made public the letter in which Gujarat government sought a $16 hike. AAP categorically denies that it has shown Kashmir as disputed on its official website.

    The party’s stand on the issue is clear. However, it is for BJP to clarify how Kashmir has been shown on its official website.” Earlier, AAP’s social media unit had tweeted a grab of the BJP website showing Kashmir as disputed on the map. BJP also raked up the controversy involving former Delhi law minister Somnath Bharti and his alleged misbehaviour with some African women residing in the capital. Sitharaman asked for whom did Kejriwal sit on dharna. “He sat on dharna for a person who had misbehaved with women, who misused his official position forcing Delhi Police to conduct a raid at midnight,” she said.

  • CONGRESS WANTS BJP DERECOGNIZED OVER ‘HAR HAR MODI’ SLOGAN

    CONGRESS WANTS BJP DERECOGNIZED OVER ‘HAR HAR MODI’ SLOGAN

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Congress on March 27 lodged a protest with the Election Commission against the use of “Har Har Modi” slogan in Varanasi, from where the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is contesting the Lok Sabha poll.

    The party sought the de-recognition of BJP as well as action against Modi for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by drafting a slogan along “religious” lines. Incidentally, the Congress has moved EC notwithstanding BJP’s clarification on Sunday that “Har Har Modi” chant was not its official slogan. Modi himself tweeted that “some enthusiastic supporters have been using the slogan ‘Har Har Modi’…I respect their enthusiasm, but request them not to use this slogan in the future”.

    Modi’s tweet followed shortly after Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth, Swaroopanand Saraswati, objected to the chant, saying that it amounted to “worship of an individual”. In its complaint submitted to the EC, the Congress claimed that the ‘Har Har Modi. Ghar Ghar Modi’ slogan continued to be used by BJP workers in Varanasi. The Congress alleged that the chant was part of BJP’s strategy to “present” Modi as Lord Mahadev (Shiva), to exploit religious sentiments of people for electoral gains. Sub para 3 of Para 1 of the model code of conduct restrains parties and candidates from making appeals to caste or communal feelings for securing votes.

    The Congress also objected to the use of Lord Shiva’s image as a backdrop of the stage from where Modi recently addressed a public rally in Varanasi. “Lord Shiva or Mahadev and the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple at Varanasi have religious sanctity throughout the world. Hindus and all devotees of Lord Mahadev chant ‘Har Har Mahadev, Ghar Ghar Mahadev’ with deep sense of devotion to seek blessings of the Lord.

    No human being can replace Lord Mahadev in the said chant,” said the memorandum signed by K C Mittal of the Congress’ legal cell. Citing media reports, it claimed that BJP had organised 400 mobile vans equipped with LCD TVs, carrying the Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi’ slogan. The Congress said the BJP had recently also come up with a new slogan ‘Dil mein Modi, ghar mein Modi, Kashi ke kan kan mein Modi (Modi in every heart, Modi in every home; Modi everywhere in Kashi).’ “The new slogan also aims at arousing religious sentiments and feelings of the people…’Kan kan mein Bhagwan (God is omnipresent)’ is a well known religious slogan…” the memorandum claimed.

  • SP fields ex-IIM professor against Rajnath Singh

    SP fields ex-IIM professor against Rajnath Singh

    LUCKNOW (TIP): The Samajwadi Party on March 27 fielded Abhishek Mishra, minister of state and MLA from Lucknow North, against BJP chief Rajnath Singh in Lucknow. Mishra, a former IIM Ahmabadbad faculty, replaces Ashok Bajpayee, whose candidature was announced long back. Poll pundits though feel substituting Bajpayee with Mishra may not change the party’s fortunes drastically.

    The only advantage Mishra, a PhD from Cambridge, may bring with him is a better knowledge of the constituency. Sources said the SP was in two minds over Bajpayee’s candidature ever since Rajnath’s name was declared by the BJP. The alteration by SP, though, is more likely to be a cause of concern for the Congress party than the BJP, with Mishra’s candidature likely to split votes.

    With Mishra’s candidature, though, the SP hopes to reduce the number of Shia Muslim votes for the BJP. A section of Shias of Lucknow have been voting from BJP, thanks to the goodwill of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has represented the constituency five times. Besides, even if he does not do well, Mishra has little to lose; both his assembly seat and ministry remain intact.

  • Six Congress men join BJP in Quepem

    Six Congress men join BJP in Quepem

    QUEPEM (TIP): Two councilors of the Quepem Municipal Council along with six other Congressmen joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 26 evening ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Congress members joined the BJP in the presence of chief minister Manohar Parrikar and party president Vinay Tendulkar at a special function at Quepem garden.

    QMC councillors Amol Kanekar and Suchita Shirvoikar who were with the Congress and supporting Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar for 15 years disassociated from the Congress saying that the party had failed to carry out major development at Quepem. Others who joined BJP are Remedio Rebello, Sandeep Phal Dessai and Prisco Sequiera.

  • Overseas AAP supporters help its Punjab campaign

    Overseas AAP supporters help its Punjab campaign

    CHANDIGARH (TIP): Aaam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters in the US and the UK are managing its online campaigns besides running membership drives and giving feedback on the election strategy in Punjab. “A large number of NRIs have filled up the volunteers’ forms in response to the online campaign launched there.

    They are administrators of Facebook pages and running membership campaigns in different countries,” said AAP Punjab convener Sumail Singh. AAP supporter Samarjit Singh said inputs from NRI volunteers have been very helpful and some of them work throughout the night to connect with Punjabis settled abroad.

    “There are about a dozen Facebook pages and groups which are being managed by these volunteers.” He said some are focusing on organizing events in Toronto and British Columbia; others answer general queries of supporters and guide NRIs how to donate for the party. “The local party managers are in constant touch with their offshore teams and they are giving inputs on every aspect of campaigning.” Kamaldeep Singh, an AAP NRI volunteer in Canada, said the objective was to propagate corruption free image of India across the globe besides running membership drives in Canada through various awareness programmes. There are over five lakh NRIs from Punjab but only 138 of them have been registered as voters.

  • THE BHAGAVAD GITA

    THE BHAGAVAD GITA

    CONTINUED FROM Vol 8 ISSUE 11

    The subject, the object, and the knowledge of the object are the threefold driving force (or impetus) to an action. The eleven organs (of perception and action), the act, and the agent or the modes (Gunas) of material Nature are the three components of action. (18.18)

    Three types of knowledge
    Jnaan (Self-knowledge), Karm (Action), and Kartaa (Agent) are said to be of three types, according to the Guna theory of Saamkhya doctrine. Hear duly about these also. (18.19) The knowledge by which one sees a single immutable Reality in all beings as undivided in the divided, such knowledge is in the mode of goodness. (See also 11.13, and 13.16) (18.20) The knowledge by which one sees different realities of various types among all beings as separate from one another; such knowledge is in the mode of passion. (18.21) The irrational, baseless, and worthless knowledge by which one clings to one single effect (such as the body) as if it is everything, such knowledge is declared to be in the mode of darkness of ignorance (18.22)

    Three types of action
    Obligatory duty performed without likes and dislikes and without selfish motives and attachment to enjoy the fruit, is said to be in the mode of goodness. (18.23) Action performed with ego, with selfish motives, and with too much effort, is in the mode of passion. (18.24) Action that is undertaken because of delusion, disregarding consequences, loss, injury to others, as well as one’s own ability, is said to be in the mode of ignorance. (18.25)

    Three types of agent
    The agent who is free from attachment, is non-egotistic, endowed with resolve and enthusiasm, and unperturbed in success or failure is called good. (18.26) The agent who is impassioned, who desires the fruits of work, who is greedy, violent, impure, and gets affected by joy and sorrow; is called passionate. (18.27) The agent who is undisciplined, vulgar, stubborn, wicked, malicious, lazy, depressed, and procrastinating is called ignorant. (18.28)

    Three types of intellect
    Now hear Me explain fully and separately, O Arjun, the threefold division of intellect and resolve, based on modes of material Nature. (18.29) O Arjun, that intellect is in the mode of goodness which understands the path of work and the path of renunciation, right and wrong action, fear and fearlessness, bondage and liberation. (18.30) That intellect is in the mode of passion which cannot distinguish between righteousness (Dharm) and unrighteousness (Adharm), and right and wrong action, O Arjun. (18.31) That intellect is in the mode of ignorance which, when covered by ignorance, accepts unrighteousness (Adharm) as righteousness (Dharm) and thinks everything to be that which it is not, O Arjun. (18.32)

    Three types of resolve, and the four goals of human life
    That resolve is in the mode of goodness by which one manipulates the functions of the mind, Praan (bioimpulses, life forces) and senses for God-realization only, O Arjun. (18.33) That resolve is in the mode of passion by which one, craving for the fruits of work, clings to Dharm (Duty), Arth (Wealth), and Kaam (Pleasure) with great attachment. (18.34) That resolve is in the mode of ignorance by which a dull person does not give up sleep, fear, grief, despair, and carelessness, O Arjun. (18.35)

    Three types of pleasure
    And now hear from Me, O Arjun, about the threefold pleasure. The pleasure that one enjoys from spiritual practice results in cessation of all sorrows. (18.36) The pleasure that appears as poison in the beginning, but is like nectar in the end, comes by the grace of Self-knowledge and is in the mode of goodness. (18.37) Sensual pleasures that appear as nectars in the beginning, but become poison in the end, are in the mode of passion. (See also 5.22) (18.38) Pleasure that confuses a person in the beginning and in the end as a result of sleep, laziness, and carelessness, is in the mode of ignorance. (18.39) There is no being, either on the earth or among the celestial controllers (Devas) in the heaven, who can remain free from these three modes (Gunas) of material Nature (Prakriti). (18.40)

    Division of labor is based on one’s ability
    The division of labor into the four categories — Braahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudr — is also based on the qualities inherent in people’s nature (or the natural propensities, and not necessarily as one’s birth right), O Arjun. (See also 4.13) (18.41) Intellectuals who have serenity, self-control, austerity, purity, patience, honesty, transcendental knowledge, transcendental experience, and belief in God are labeled as Braahmans. (18.42) Those having the qualities of heroism, vigor, firmness, dexterity, steadfastness in battle, charity, and administrative skills are called Kshatriyas or protectors. (18.43) Those who are good at cultivation, cattle rearing, business, trade, and industry are known as Vaishyas. Those who are very good in service and labor type work are classed as Shudras. (18.44)

    Attainment of salvation through duty, discipline, and devotion
    One can attain the highest perfection by devotion to one’s natural work. Listen to Me how one attains perfection while engaged in one’s natural work. (18.45) One attains perfection by worshipping the Supreme Being — from whom all beings originate, and by whom all this universe is pervaded — through performance of one’s natural duty for Him. (See also 9.27, 12.10) (18.46) One’s inferior natural work is better than superior unnatural work even though well performed. One who does the work ordained by one’s inherent nature (without selfish motives) incurs no sin (or Karmic reaction). (See also 3.35) (18.47) One’s natural work, even though defective, should not be abandoned, because all undertakings are enveloped by defects as fire is covered by smoke, O Arjun. (18.48)

    The person whose mind is always free from selfish attachment, who has subdued the mind and senses, and who is free from desires, attains the supreme perfection of freedom from the bondage of Karm by renouncing selfish attachment to the fruits of work. (18.49) Learn from Me briefly, O Arjun, how one who has attained such perfection (or the freedom from the bondage of Karm) attains the Supreme Person, the goal of transcendental knowledge. (18.50) Endowed with purified intellect, subduing the mind with firm resolve, turning away from sound and other objects of the senses, giving up likes and dislikes; living in solitude; eating lightly; controlling the mind, speech, and organs of action; ever absorbed in yog of meditation; taking refuge in detachment; and relinquishing egotism, violence, pride, lust, anger, and proprietorship — one becomes peaceful, free from the notion of “I” and “my”, and fit for attaining oneness with the Supreme Being (ParBrahm). (18.51-53)

    Absorbed in the Supreme Being (ParBrahm), the serene one neither grieves nor desires. Becoming impartial to all beings, one obtains My Paraa-Bhakti, the highest devotional love. (18.54) By devotion one truly understands what and who I am in essence. Having known Me in essence, one immediately merges with Me. (See also 5.19) (18.55) A KarmaYogi devotee attains Moksh, the eternal immutable abode, by My grace — even while doing all duties — – just by taking refuge in Me (by surrendering all action to Me with loving devotion). (18.56) Sincerely offer all actions to Me, set Me as your supreme goal, and completely depend on Me. Always fix your mind on Me and resort to KarmaYog. (18.57) When your mind becomes fixed on Me, you shall overcome all difficulties by My grace. But, if you do not listen to Me due to ego, you shall perish. (18.58)

    Karmic bondage and the free will
    If due to ego you think: I shall not fight, your resolve is vain. Because, your own nature will compel you (to fight). (18.59) O Arjun, you are controlled by your own nature-born Karmic impressions (Samskaar). Therefore, you shall do — even against your will — what you do not wish to do out of delusion. (18.60) The Supreme Lord, abiding as the controller (Ishvar) in the causal heart (or the inner psyche) of all beings, O Arjun, causes them to act (or work out their Karm) like a puppet (of Karm) mounted on a machine. (18.61) Seek refuge in the Supreme Lord (Krishn or Ishvar) alone with loving devotion, O Arjun. By His grace you shall attain supreme peace and the Eternal Abode (ParamDhaam). (18.62) Thus, I have explained the knowledge that is more secret than the secret. After fully reflecting on this, do as you wish. (18.63)

    Path of surrender is the ultimate path to God
    Hear once again My most secret, supreme word. You are very dear to Me; therefore, I shall tell this for your benefit. (18.64) Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, offer service to Me, bow down to Me, and you shall certainly reach Me. I promise you because you are My very dear friend. (18.65)

  • SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB

    SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB

    CONTD FROM Vol 8 ISSUE 11

    || 1 || I behold the fruitful vision of the Saint; this is the meditation I have taken. The Lord Master has become Merciful to Nanak, and he has entered the Sanctuary of the Holy. || 2 || 16 || DAYVGANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: Offer your prayer to your Lord. You shall obtain the four blessings, and the treasures of bliss, pleasure, peace, poise and the spiritual powers of the Siddhas. || 1 || Pause || Renounce your self-conceit, and grasp hold of the Guru’s feet; hold tight to the hem of God’s robe. The heat of the ocean of fire does not affect one who longs for the Lord and Master’s Sanctuary.

    || 1 || Again and again, God puts up with the millions of sins of the supremely ungrateful ones. The embodiment of mercy, the Perfect Transcendent Lord – Nanak longs for His Sanctuary. || 2 || 17 || DAYVGANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: Place the Guru’s feet within your heart, and all illness, sorrow and pain shall be dispelled; all suffering shall come to an end. || 1 || Pause || The sins of countless incarnations are erased, as if one has taken purifying baths at millions of sacred shrines. The treasure of the Naam, the Name of the Lord, is obtained by singing the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe, and centering one’s mind in meditation on Him.

    || 1 || Showing His Mercy, the Lord has made me His slave; breaking my bonds, He has saved me. I live by chanting and meditating on the Naam, and the Bani of Your Word; slave Nanak is a sacrifice to You. || 2 || 18 || Third Set of Six || DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: O mother, I long to see the Feet of God. Be Merciful to me, O my Lord and Master, that I might never forsake them from my mind. || 1 || Pause || Applying the dust of the feet of the Holy to my face and forehead, I burn away the poison of sexual desire and anger. I judge myself to be the lowest of all; in this way, I instill peace within my mind. || 1 || I sing the Glorious Praises of the Imperishable Lord and Master, and I shake off all my sins. I have found the gift of the treasure of the Naam, O Nanak; I hug it close, and enshrine it in my heart.

    || 2 || 19 || DAYVGANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: Dear God, I long to behold the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan. I cherish this beautiful meditation day and night; You are dearer to me than my soul, dearer than life itself. || 1 || Pause || I have studied and contemplated the essence of the Shaastras, the Vedas and the Puraanas. Protector of the meek, Lord of the breath of life, O Perfect One, carry us across the terrifying world-ocean. || 1 || Since the very beginning, and throughout the ages, the humble devotees have been Your servants; in the midst of the world of corruption, You are their Support. Nanak longs for the dust of the feet of such humble beings; the Transcendent Lord is the Giver of all. || 2 || 20 || DAYVGANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: Your humble servant, O Lord, is intoxicated with Your sublime essence. One who obtains the treasure of the Nectar of Your Love, does not renounce it to go somewhere else. || 1 || Pause || While sitting, he repeats the Lord’s Name, Har, Har; while sleeping, he repeats the Lord’s Name, Har, Har; he eats the Nectar of the Lord’s Name as his food. Bathing in the dust of the feet of the Holy is equal to taking cleansing baths at the sixtyeight sacred shrines of pilgrimage.

    || 1 || How fruitful is the birth of the Lord’s humble servant; the Creator is his Father. O Nanak, one who recognizes the Perfect Lord God, takes all with him, and saves everyone. || 2 || 21 || DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: O mother, without the Guru, spiritual wisdom is not obtained. They wander around, weeping and crying out in various ways, but the Lord of the World does not meet them. || 1 || Pause || The body is tied up with emotional attachment, disease and sorrow, and so it is lured into countless reincarnations. He finds no place of rest without the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; to whom should he go and cry? || 1 || When my Lord and Master shows His Mercy, we lovingly focus our consciousness on the feet of the Holy. The most horrible agonies are dispelled in an instant, O Nanak, and we merge in the Blessed Vision of the Lord.

    || 2 || 22 || DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: The Lord and Master Himself has become Merciful. I have been emancipated, and I have become the embodiment of bliss; I am the Lord’s child – He has saved me. || Pause || With my palms pressed together, I offer my prayer; within my mind, I meditate on the Supreme Lord God. Giving me His hand, the Transcendent Lord has eradicated all my sins. || 1 || Husband and wife join together in rejoicing, celebrating the Victory of the Lord Master. Says Nanak, I am a sacrifice to the humble servant of the Lord, who emancipates everyone. || 2 || 23 || ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: I offer my prayer to my True Guru. The Destroyer of distress has become kind and merciful, and all my anxiety is over. || Pause || I am a sinner, hypocritical and greedy, but still, He puts up with all of my merits and demerits. Placing His hand on my forehead, He has exalted me. The wicked ones who wanted to destroy me have been killed. || 1 || He is generous and benevolent, the beautifier of all, the embodiment of peace; the Blessed Vision of His Darshan is so fruitful! Says Nanak, He is the Giver to the unworthy; I enshrine His Lotus Feet within my heart.

    || 2 || 24 || DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: My God is the Master of the masterless. I have come to the Sanctuary of the Savior Lord. || Pause || Protect me on all sides, O Lord; protect me in the future, in the past, and at the very last moment. || 1 || Whenever something comes to mind, it is You. Contemplating Your virtues, my mind is sanctified. || 2 || I hear and sing the Hymns of the Guru’s Word. I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice to the Blessed Vision of the Darshan of the Holy. || 3 || Within my mind, I have the Support of the One Lord alone. O Nanak, my God is the Creator of all. || 4 || 25 || DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: God, this is my heart’s desire: O treasure of kindness, O Merciful Lord, please make me the slave of your Saints. || Pause || In the early hours of the morning, I fall at the feet of Your humble servants; night and day, I obtain the Blessed Vision of their Darshan. Dedicating my body and mind, I serve the humble servant of the Lord; with my tongue, I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord.

    || 1 || With each and every breath, I meditate in remembrance on my God; I live continually in the Society of the Saints. The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is my only support and wealth; O Nanak, from this, I obtain bliss. || 2 || 26 || RAAG DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL, THIRD HOUSE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: O friend, such is the Dear Lord whom I have obtained. He does not leave me, and He always keeps me company. Meeting the Guru, night and day, I sing His Praises. || 1 || Pause || I met the Fascinating Lord, who has blessed me with all comforts; He does not leave me to go anywhere else. I have seen the mortals of many and various types, but they are not equal to even a hair of my Beloved. || 1 || His palace is so beautiful! His gate is so wonderful! The celestial melody of the sound current resounds there. Says Nanak, I enjoy eternal bliss; I have obtained a permanent place in the home of my Beloved. || 2 || 1 || 27 || DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: My mind longs for the Blessed Vision of the Lord’s Darshan, and His Name. I have wandered everywhere, and now I have come to follow the Saint.

    || 1 || Pause || Whom should I serve? Whom should I worship in adoration? Whoever I see shall pass away. I have sought the Sanctuary of the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; my mind longs for the dust of their Feet. || 1 || I do not know the way, and I have no virtue. It is so difficult to escape from Maya! Nanak has come and fallen at the Guru’s feet; all of his evil inclinations have vanished. || 2 || 2 || 28 || DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: O Beloved, Your Words are Ambrosial Nectar. O supremely beautiful Enticer, O Beloved, You are among all, and yet distinct from all. || 1 || Pause || I do not seek power, and I do not seek liberation. My mind is in love with Your Lotus Feet. Brahma, Shiva, the Siddhas, the silent sages and Indra – I seek only the Blessed Vision of my Lord and Master’s Darshan.

    || 1 || I have come, helpless, to Your Door, O Lord Master; I am exhausted – I seek the Sanctuary of the Saints. Says Nanak, I have met my Enticing Lord God; my mind is cooled and soothed – it blossoms forth in joy. || 2 || 3 || 29 || DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: Meditating on the Lord, His servant swims across to salvation. When God becomes merciful to the meek, then one does not have to suffer reincarnation, only to die again. || 1 || Pause || In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, he sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and he does not lose the jewel of this human life. Singing the Glories of God, he crosses over the ocean of poison, and saves all his generations as well. || 1 || The Lotus Feet of the Lord abide within his heart, and with every breath and morsel of food, he chants the Lord’s Name. Nanak has grasped the Support of the Lord of the Universe; again and again, he is a sacrifice to Him. || 2 || 4 || 30 || RAAG DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: Some wander around the forests, wearing religious robes, but the Fascinating Lord remains distant from them.

    || 1 || Pause || They talk, preach, and sing their lovely songs, but within their minds, the filth of their sins remains. || 1 || They may be very beautiful, extremely clever, wise and educated, and they may speak very sweetly. || 2 || To forsake pride, emotional attachment, and the sense of ‘mine and yours’, is the path of the double-edged sword. || 3 || Says Nanak, they alone swim across the terrifying world-ocean, who, by God’s Grace, join the Society of the Saints. || 4 || 1 || 31 || RAAG DAYV-GANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL, FIFTH HOUSE: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: I have seen the Lord to be on high; the Fascinating Lord is the highest of all.

    No one else is equal to Him – I have made the most extensive search on this. || 1 || Pause || Utterly infinite, exceedingly great, deep and unfathomable – He is lofty, beyond reach. His weight cannot be weighed, His value cannot be estimated. How can the Enticer of the mind be obtained? || 1 || Millions search for Him, on various paths, but without the Guru, none find Him. Says Nanak, the Lord Master has become Merciful. Meeting the Holy Saint, I drink in the sublime essence. || 2 || 1 || 32 || DAYVGANDHAAREE, FIFTH MEHL: I have looked in so many ways, but there is no other like the Lord.