NEW DELHI (TIP): The NDA government has started filing charges against individuals having illicit accounts in overseas banks, clearing the way for disclosure of names of those who have stashed black money abroad, and triggering speculation that some prominent politicians may figure on the much-awaited list. Sources said that prosecution has been initiated against one foreign account holder, and will soon be extended to another 15-20 who are on the ‘HSBC Geneva list’.
Swiss authorities have confirmed the identities of the persons on the list. Launch of prosecution in these cases will meet the condition laid down by Swiss authorities that names of account holders can only be shared with courts after charges are framed. Prosecution proceedings by the income tax department triggered speculation about the identity of the foreign account holders, with political circles discussing names of a former Union minister and the son of another, a former MP with family links to a leading business house, and the scion of a political dynasty which is currently passing through a lean patch.
Significantly, finance minister Arun Jaitley did not deny the possibility of a former UPA minister being on the list. “I am neither confirming, nor denying. I am only smiling,” he said, attracting a hostile response from Congress. When pressed, Jaitley said, “If my opponent’s name is there, I will be very enthusiastic in declaring it.” Sources also said a fresh list of 19 persons having illegal accounts with Liechtenstein Bank will be shared with Supreme Court after Diwali.
This will be followed by another 20-odd names from the HSBC list. Launch of prosecution come amid resumed fight between BJP and Congress over black money. Congress latched on to the government’s stand in SC last week that it could not disclose the names of foreign account holders against whom charges were not framed to say that the Modi government had done a U-turn on the issue. BJP hit back, with Jaitley saying they were hamstrung by treaties signed by the UPA which forbade the government from disclosing names of those not facing charges. On October 21, Jaitley scaled up the retaliatory strike by saying that Congress would be embarrassed when the names came out.
The two sides traded fire again on October 22 with Jaitley saying, “In case charges are proved against some politician and he or she happens to be a member of a political party, the names will be made public.” It is learnt that the list shared by France of Indians having accounts in HSBC Bank, Geneva featured a few Congressmen and their scions with huge deposits at the time the list was leaked. Interestingly, a former UPA-2 minister, who was sent a notice to appear for questioning to explain his deposits, is believed to also have bank accounts in the UAE and later claimed that he had closed his Swiss accounts long ago.
The government has so far recovered Rs 200 crore by way of tax and penalty from the names shared by Germany and France that included account holders in LGT Bank in Liechtenstein and HSBC Bank, Geneva. The total assessed income in the two cases has gone over Rs 600 crore so far. While prosecution is being launched against many account holders in the HSBC case, the income tax department had filed cases against 18 persons in the LGT Bank case.
After the French government shared the HSBC Bank list having names of 700 Indians in 2011, the finance ministry had asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to probe the case. DCI had questioned some top industrialists over deposits estimated to be upwards of Rs 800 crore. A few leading politicians, including the son of a former minister in UPA-2 and the son of an influential Maharashtra minister who faced a humiliating defeat in the recentlyconcluded assembly polls, were put on notice after their names figured on the list. The total tax and penalty in the LGT Bank case was estimated to go up to Rs 40- 45 crore, almost equivalent to the amount that had been spirited away by 19 Indians whose income has now been reassessed to Rs 40 crore, sources said.
Month: October 2014
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Black money: NDA moves to make names public, top politicians said to be on list
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States get free hand in Clean India Mission
NEW DELHI (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked officials to ensure as much freedom as possible for the states in the implementation of the Swacch Bharat mission he recently launched to make India clean by 2019. The move comes in the wake of failures of the Centre’s previous sanitation programmes ending in failure due to and alleged lack of flexibility given to the State governments, The Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) has been asked to make sure that the guidelines to be issued by it for implementation of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) should be ‘minimalist’, thus giving the State governments enough flexibility to tailor the programme to suit their local needs.
The SBM (Gramin) is the rural component of the programme the Union government launched on October 2 last to turn into reality the Prime Minister’s call to make India clean by the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019. The MDWS has a target of constructing toilets in 11.11 crore rural households under the SBM (G) to make the country ‘Open Defecation Free’ by October 2, 2019.
This will cover 8.84 crore identified Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line households, which are eligible for incentives, 0.88 crore APL households and 1.39 crore households with dysfunctional toilets. The SBM (G) replaced the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) programme which had been launched by the erstwhile UPA government after it restructured the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) in 2012. The TSC itself had evolved from the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) launched in 1986 and redesigned into demanddriven mode in 1999.
According to an internal note of the MDWS, the guidelines it would issue to the State Governments for implementation of the SBM (G) would only contain “certain minimum technical safeguards and financial best practices”. The State governments would be given flexibility to implement the programme through Panchayati Raj institutions, civil society organizations, community-based organizations and other nongovernment organisations. -
Gadkari says happy in Delhi; Stage set for Fadnavis as Maharashtra CM
NAGPUR (TIP): A potential crisis in Maharashtra BJP over the choice of leader for the post of chief minister seems to have blown over with Union minister Nitin Gadkari saying he has no differences with his colleague Devendra Fadnavis, considered as a front-runner for the post, and is happy in Delhi. “We have no differences. My political guru is Devendra’s father Ganghadharrao Fadnavis who was an MLC while I was instrumental in bringing Devendra into politics,” Gadkari said after Fadnavis called on him at his residence in Mahal area in the morning.
According to sources, the closed door meeting between Gadkari and Fadnavis apparently sealed the deal in favour of the latter. “I am happy in Delhi. Fadnavis is my colleague and came to meet me on Diwali,” Gadkari told reporters when asked whether he intends to return to state politics. Though Fadnavis has maintained that his meeting with Gadkari was to extend Diwali greetings, the duo met again at BJP’s regional office in Dhantoli area, with some BJP leaders and office-bearers in attendance, in late afternoon. The sources said that the central leadership wanted to nip the feud between the two leaders from Nagpur in bud and might have asked Fadnavis to visit Gadkari.
Though Gadkari had earlier clarified his stand about not returning to state politics, saying it was for the BJP’s central leadership to decide and that he would accept any responsibility given to him by the party, a group of 39 newly-elected BJP MLAs from Vidarbha region had met him here on Tuesday and pushed for him to be made the chief minister. Leaders present at the Dhantoli office,where Gadkari and Fadnavis stayed for some 15 minutes for Laxmi Pujan, said that they got clear indications that Fadnavis will emerge as a consensus choice for the coveted post.
Speculations about Fadnavis being the choice of the top party leadership for the CM’s chair started when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during one of his rallies in run-up to state Assembly elections, had described Fadnavis “as Nagpur’s gift for Maharashtra”. After a group of 39 newly-elected BJP MLAs from Vidarbha region met Gadkari here on Tuesday and demanded that he be made the state’s CM, Nagpur-East MLA Krishna Khopde had yesterday offered to quit and vacate his seat to pave way for his mentor Gadkari.
Moreover, two more MLAs – Sudhakar Kolhe (Nagur-South) and Sameer Meghe (Hingana) – also offered to resign from their respective seats to pave way for the Union minister. Later, five independent MLAs -Vinayak Patil (Ahmednagar), Shirish Choudhary (Amalner), Ganpat Gaikwad (Kalyan-East), Mahesh Landge (Bhosari) and Ravi Rane (Badnera) – met both Gadkari and Fadanvis separately yesterday to offer support if the Chief Minister is chosen from Vidarbha region.
Though senior BJP leaders and Gadkari acolytes Sudhir Mungantiwar and Vinod Tawde had raised their pitch in favour of Gadkari, former national president of BJP, another senior leader Eknath Khadse expressed his displeasure over the “pressure tactics” of Gadkari. BJP has emerged as the single largest party in recently held Maharashtra elections pocketing 123 seats, including one won by its ally Rashtriya Samaj Paksha, but has fallen short of forming government of its own as it faces the shortfall of 22 MLAs in the 288-member House. -
16 cabin crew of Pak airline disappear in Canada
KARACHI (TIP): At least 16 cabin crew members of Pakistan’s national carrier have disappeared in the last five months in Canada after going there on international flights. Four cabin crew of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last month failed to show up for their return flights after disappearing from the hotel in which the flight crew members were staying, Ary News channel reported. The channel said that a spokesman of the PIA had confirmed that in the last five months women cabin crew members had slipped away after flying to Canada on PIA flights.
“Disciplinary departmental action against those who have slipped away has been initiated by PIA while these staffers will also have to face action under international aviation laws,” the channel quoted the spokesman as saying. The cash-strapped airline has some 17,000 employees but just 36 aircraft, and 10 of them are grounded due to a lack of spare parts. Two Boeing 737-800 (180-seater) aircraft yesterday reached Karachi which have been acquired by the national airlines from Turkish airlines on a wet lease programme. Sources in the airlines said the slipping away of the PIA cabin crew highlighted the lack of discipline in the airlines and proper training. Last month, customs officials detained cabin crew members of the national airlines after they returned from an international flight and tried to smuggle new iPhone 6 models in their personnel baggage. -
Afghanistan captures two Haqqani commanders
KABUL (TIP): Afghan security forces said on Thursday they have captured two senior leaders of the feared Haqqani network, a hardline group behind sophisticated attacks on Afghan and Nato forces. Anas Haqqani, the son of the network’s founder Jalaluddin Haqqani, was arrested on late Tuesday along with Hafiz Rashid, another commander, by the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency, officials said. “We hope that these two arrests will have direct consequences on the network and their centre of command,” NDS spokesman Haseeb Sediqi told AFP. Anas played an important role in the network’s “strategic decision-making” and frequently travelled to Gulf states to get funding, Sediqi said. A statement from the NDS described Anas as having special computing skills and said he was “one of the masterminds of this network in making propaganda through social networks.” The Haqqanis have been blamed for spectacular attacks on Afghan government and Nato targets across Afghanistan as well as for kidnappings and murders.
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Nepal closes trekking route after 38 die in storm
KATMANDU (NEPAL) (TIP): Nepalese officials closed a section of a popular Himalayan trekking route on October 20 after rescuers, overwhelmed with last week’s snowstorms that killed 38 hikers, had to bring to safety new climbers who set out on the same mountain trails where the blizzards struck. The dead from the blizzards and avalanches that hit the upper section of the Annapurna Circuit in northern Nepal included foreign trekkers, local guides and villagers.
Most among the hundreds of trekkers who had been stuck in the snow have been brought to safety, and government official Yama Bahadur Chokhyal said rescue helicopters were winding down flights. As the weather cleared, new climbers were already making their way up the same trail despite obvious dangers, prompting the government to close the route, Chokhyal said. “Our rescuers and helicopters ended up having to bring down these new people while we were still trying to reach the ones who were stranded by the blizzard,” he said. “It was burdening and confusing the rescuers so they had to be stopped,” he said. The route was deemed unsafe and invisible in many sections because of the snow dumped by the blizzard.
The death toll from last week’s disaster — the worst in Nepal’s recent history — went up Saturday after a rescue helicopter spotted nine more bodies. Ram Chandra Sharma of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal, who is also coordinating the rescue operation, said there were no immediate plans to retrieve the bodies believed to be of Nepalese porters at the Shanta pass area, located at an altitude of 5,100 meters (16,730 feet).
The steep terrain made it impossible for the helicopter to land to pick up the bodies, said Yadav Koirala from the Disaster Management Division in Katmandu. So far, 25 of the fatalities have been identified, including those from Canada, India, Israel, Slovakia, Poland and Japan. Eight of the dead were Nepalese. Thirteen others have not yet been identified, The snowstorms were whipped by the tail end of a cyclone that hit the Indian coast a few days earlier. The blizzards swept through the Annapurna trekking route and hikers were caught off-guard when the weather changed quickly. -
Madonna, queen of pop, opens school in Karachi
KARACHI (TIP): Queen of Pop Madonna’s school in Karachi has opened its gates to students. The 56-year-old “Material Girl” singer took to Twitter to announce that the Dream Model Street School has so far admitted 1,200 kids. Madonna tweeted: “The revolution of love continues in Pakistan! The Dream School is finally finished. 1200 kids attending. Knowledge…” Madonna announced last year that she was raising money to expand a school located in the outskirts of Karachi. The pop star also shared a photograph of girls studying in the classroom equipped with laptops. “Girls learning at the Dream School,” she captioned the picture.
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Robbers raid top Pakistan charity, steal $400,000
KARACHI (TIP): Armed robbers have raided one of Pakistan’s leading charities and stolen $400,000 in cash as well as five kilos of gold, police said on Monday. At least eight robbers struck at the Edhi Centre in the southern city of Karachi, taking several staff hostage and threatening the organizations’ revered founder Abdul Sattar Edhi at gunpoint.
Edhi, aged in his 80s, is one of Pakistan’s best-loved figures for his unstinting work providing ambulance services across the country and running shelters for women, children and the destitute. Police said the robbers broke into the centre, where Edhi also lives, on Sunday and took the mostly female staff hostage. Edhi, who has been on dialysis for the past year, was sleeping in his room and was woken at gunpoint by the robbers, who demanded the keys to the vaults. The philanthropist told the robbers he did not have the keys which were held by his wife.
The robbers then smashed the locks open. “Our investigation is going on but it seems that some insider was involved in the robbery,” Zahid Hussain, a police officer who is part of the investigation team, told AFP. The robbers made off with five kilograms (11 pounds) of gold ornaments and about $400,000 in cash, he said. The value of the gold has not yet been established. “The gold belonged to people who trust Edhi and gave it for safe keeping, while the dollars were kept to be paid by the charity on some account,” Anwer Kazmi, Edhi’s right-hand man, told mediaperson.
“It is a shameful act.” Edhi runs the largest network of ambulances in Pakistan and his charity organization provide shelter and food to thousands of orphans and homeless women. Always dressed in simple clothes of coarse black cloth, Edhi raises funds through donations from the affluent and through charitable drives during religious festivals. Last year both of his kidneys failed and he undergoes dialysis twice a week -
Sri Lanka military to return jewellery to Tamil civilians
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan military has identified 2,377 “legitimate claimants” to handback a considerable stock of gold and jewellery it seized in the final battle against the LTTE more than five years ago. Rejecting accusations levelled against it by the Tamil diaspora, the Lankan military on Tuesday said it has invited the rightful owners to contact the civil coordinating offices in the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) regions to receive their items on verification of ownership. The military said a considerable stock of gold jewellery had been recovered from the Tamil Eelam Banks and Eelam Pawning Centres run by the LTTE.
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Pregnant Duchess Kate makes first public appearance
LONDON (TIP): Prince William’s wife Kate attended her first official royal engagement here on October 22 to greet the president of Singapore since it was announced that she is pregnant with her and the Duke of Cambridge’s second baby. The Duchess of Cambridge, who is just over 12 weeks pregnant, displayed her baby bump in a silver Alexander McQueen coat and Jane Taylor hat as she arrived at a central London hotel with her husband William as part of a historic state visit by Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
She has been suffering from another bout of the rare form of morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, and a series of royal engagements had been cancelled as she recuperated. Kensington Palace had issued a statement on Tuesday confirming that her second royal baby is due in April, 2015 and that the Duchess is now well enough to attend royal events again. Kate, along with William, second-in-line to the British throne, greeted the President and his wife Mary at the exclusive Royal Garden Hotel close to their Kensington Palace home, in central London, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.It is believed the last time the two couples met was in September, 2012 when the Duke and Duchess visited Singapore during their Diamond Jubilee tour of southeast Asia and the south Pacific.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh also formally greeted the foreign leader and his wife at Horse Guards Parade. William alone will later join guests as the Queen hosts a private lunch at the Palace afterwards, followed by a tour of an exhibition of Singapore-related items, from the Royal Collection, in the palace picture gallery. It is the first time William and Kate have taken part in a state visit to this extent. The couple will not be at this evening’s state banquet, with the Duchess instead attending the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014 awards at the Natural History Museum. Tan is the first Singaporean head of state to make a state visit to Britain and he will spend his four-day trip conducting a busy round of meetings, visits and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister David Cameron. -
Canada to raise surveillance after attack on parliament
OTTAWA (TIP) : Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged more surveillance and detention powers for security forces in Canada on october 23 after a gunman killed a soldier and rampaged through parliament before being shot dead. Addressing the house of commons just metres away from where the gunman, a reported convert to Islam, was shot dead on Wednesday, Harper said lawmakers would expedite new powers to counter the threat of radicals.
“The objective of these attacks was to instill fear and panic in our country,” Harper said. “Canadians will not be intimidated. We will be vigilant, but we will not run scared. We will be prudent but we will not panic.” Harper also pledged to speed up a plan already under way to bolster Canadian laws and police powers in the areas of “surveillance, detention and arrest.” The killing of the Canadian soldier was the second this week with a possible link to Islamist militants. A convert to Islam on Monday ran over two Canadian soldiers with his car, killing one, near Montreal, before being shot dead by police. US President Barack Obama has condemned the shootings and offered assistance.
“We are all shaken by it, but we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that we’re standing side by side with Canada during this difficult time,” he said. The attacks in Ottawa and Quebec took place as the Canadian government prepared to boost the powers of its spy agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. Public safety minister Stephen Blaney said last week the new legislation would let the agency track and investigate potential terrorists when they travel abroad and ultimately prosecute them.At the start of parliament’s session on Thursday, the guard credited with killing a gunman in Canada’s parliament received a prolonged standing ovation, reopening debate in the house of commons dressed in his usual ceremonial garb and struggling to maintain. -
4 more held for crash that killed Total CEO
MOSCOW (TIP): Russian investigators detained four more staff members on Thursday at the Moscow airport where the CEO of French oil giant Total died when his plane collided with a snow plough. Those detained include an intern air traffic controller, her supervisor, who was in charge of flights at the time, and the heads of the airport’s air traffic controllers and runway cleaners.Investigators had already detained the driver of the snow plough and a court hearing on Thursday was expected to sanction his arrest. Investigators named the detained intern as Svetlana Krivsun.
Russian media had reported earlier that the controller in charge of Christophe de Margerie’s plane was a trainee. “The investigation suggests that these people did not respect the norms of flight security and ground operations, which led to the tragedy,” the investigative committee in charge of the probe said. At the same time the Vnukovo airport announced the resignations of its general director and his deputy “due to the tragic event” after the management was accused of “criminal negligence” by investigators. Meanwhile, Neither of the two airport directors who resigned was detained by investigators, however.
Total on Wednesday named new bosses after an emergency meeting in Paris, bringing back Thierry Desmarest who was both chairman and chief executive at Total from 1995 to 2007 – as chairman of the group. afp Philippe Pouyanne, who currently heads the refining and chemicals division, was named as chief executive. In Moscow, French investigators joined a local team to probe the accident, which Russian experts said was caused by criminal negligence on the part of senior airport officials.
Three crew members were killed along with De Margerie. Investigators began analysing the jet’s black boxes, which record the flight history and conversations in the cockpit. Snowplough driver Vladimir Martynenko, accused by investigators of having been drunk on the job, arrived at a Moscow district court today for a hearing to decide whether to formally arrest him on the request of investigators. Martynenko told investigators in footage aired on Russian television that he had got lost. -
China slams US missile defence radar in Japan
BEIJING (TIP): The United States is damaging stability in the Asia-Pacific region by positioning a missile defence radar in Japan, China said on Thursday. Japan, an ally of the United States, has voiced growing anxiety over China’s more assertive posture in the East China Sea, where the neighbours are locked in a dispute over control of a group of uninhabited islets. North Korea has carried out a series of missile tests this year, including two medium-range missiles capable of hitting Japan.
Pyongyang has also threatened another nuclear test. Japan’s defence ministry has said an X-Band radar system was delivered on Tuesday to the US military’s communication facility in Kyoto in the western part of the country. It is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of the year. “Neighbouring countries pushing forward the deployment of antimissile systems in the Asia-Pacific and seeking unilateral security is not beneficial to strategic stability and mutual trust in the region,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular briefing.
“It is not beneficial to peace and stability in Northeast Asia.” Countries should not use “excuses to harm the security interests of other countries,” Hua added, describing the situation as “deeply concerning”. China has ratcheted up military spending in recent years, putting in place new submarines, surface ships and anti-ship ballistic missiles, which the US sees as a counter to its military presence in the region. US defence secretary Chuck Hagel has said two navy destroyers equipped with missile defence systems would be deployed to Japan by 2017 in response to provocations from North Korea. -
New Afghan president’s first foreign visit is to China
BEIJING (TIP): Afghanistan’s newly-elected President Ashraf Ghani has chosen China as his first destination abroad after taking over office, signifying Beijing’s influence in the war-torn country where the US troops are battling to control Taliban resurgence. “The visit by President Ghani to China is the first official visit since he took office. “It is also the first high-level visit between the two countries since the establishment of the new government of Afghanistan. The Chinese side attaches great importance to that,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chuying said on October 19.
Former world bank economist Ghani, who succeeded Hamid Karzai, will come to Beijing on a four-day visit starting October 28. Observers said that it is significant that Ghani chose the communist giant to be his first choice even as the US has significant military presence in the warravaged country, which shared a border with China’s restive Xinjiang province where the Islamic militants , stated to be trained in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s tribal areas, have been staging violent attacks for the past a few years. Ghani, 65, became president after clinching a power sharing deal with his poll rival Abdullah Abdullah who took over as Afghanistan’s chief executive. China, which is holding talks with neighboring countries India, Pakistan and Russia over the future course of action in the event of US troops leaving Afghanistan, is looking to expand its diplomatic engagement with Kabul by appointing a special envoy for Afghanistan. -
Britain warns citizens against proverbial Delhi belly this Diwali
LONDON: Britain has warned its citizens against the proverbial Delhi belly this Diwali. In an advice issued for travellers going to India to stay healthy during Diwali, Public Health England (PHE) and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) said, “we would like to remind travellers from the UK visiting friends and relatives in the Indian subcontinent during the festivities of Diwali (23 October), to practice good food and water hygiene and to avoid insect bites.” PHE said visiting friends and relatives is still the most common reason for travel after taking holidays.
People who travel for this reason often travel for longer periods of time and usually stay within the family or friend’s home. They effectively become members of the local population while they are there and are consequently exposed to similar infectious risks. Dr Jane Jones, an expert in travel health at PHE, said, “We strongly advise all travellers to seek health advice before you travel, even if the country you are visiting is familiar to you or your family.
People who visit friends and family abroad are disproportionately affected by some preventable infectious disease such as enteric fever, hepatitis A and travellers’ diarrhoea.” The directions given to British cirizens are, “You should make sure you get the appropriate immunisations for your visit and you can reduce the risk of diarrhoea by following some basic food and water hygiene advice. Maintain good hand hygiene by washing hands after visiting the toilet, and always before preparing or eating food.
Use alcohol gel when handwashing facilities are not available avoid potentially risky foods such as salads, peeled fruit and vegetables, cold meats, ice cream, eggs and shellfish, avoid drinking tap water, including in ice.” Dr Dipti Patel, joint director at NaTHNaC, said, “Diseases spread by mosquitoes such as dengue fever and malaria may also be a risk. To reduce the risk of being bitten use recommended insect repellents and wear appropriate clothing – such as long sleeve tops and trousers to reduce the amount of skin being exposed. You should also check whether you need anti malarial tablets with your general practice, travel health clinic, or pharmacy.” -
Flights cancelled at UK’s Heathrow airport due to storm
LONDON (TIP): Air traffic in Britain was sent into a tizzy with UK’s largest airport cancelling over 100 flights due to stormy weather. The tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo, which caused damage in Bermuda this week, is set to arrive in Britain on Tuesday bringing gusts of up to 120 kilometres (75 miles) an hour in coastal areas. “There will be some cancellations, around 10 per cent of flights are affected at Heathrow,” a spokesman for the airport said.
“We do not know exactly how many passengers or flights that will have an impact on, although the cancellations are only expected for tomorrow.” British Airways said it had cancelled a number of flights and advised passengers to check their bookings online. Hurricane Gonzalo departed from Bermuda leaving power outages, downed trees, and damaged homes and buildings. NASA said recently that by October 20, posttropical storm Gonzalo was approaching the UK, sparking severe weather warnings.
Gonzalo is expected to affect Scotland on October 21 as an extra-tropical storm, packing heavy rains and gusty winds. The UK Meteorological Service issued a National Severe Weather Warning for the UK. “The remains of Hurricane Gonzalo are running across the Atlantic, reaching the UK on Monday night, bringing a period of strong winds to the UK.
The strongest winds are expected on Tuesday as the low pressure clears eastwards; some uncertainty remains in peak wind speeds but there remains the potential for disruption to travel, especially as the strongest winds coincide with the morning rush hour in places. Fallen leaves impeding drainage increases the risk of surface water affecting roads, while some damage to trees is possible, given that many are still in full leaf.” -
A Filmmaker and a Healer TIRLOK MALIK
Tirlok Malik is a film maker, to put it simply. “I am a student of cinema and I hope to continue telling immigrant stories”, said Malik speaking with me the other day. Let me be straight and direct. Malik’s films deal with the issues and conflicts, which come with the migration. He says, “Movies, which are thought provoking sometimes can provide the healing experience to the audience.”
On the location shooting of “On Golden Years”. With the photography director and two of his actors Indrajit Saluja and Lovllien KaurrLet me take you with Malik on his journey from “Lonely in America” to “On Golden Years”, his latest creation that is being premiered on November 1, 2014. As an immigrant, when we come in the search of American Dream, at times we find we are “Lonely in America.” After achieving and living the American Dream, we also realize if we want real “Khushiyaan” (meaning: happiness), we need to make time to visit our aging parents and family in India.
Now in “On Golden Years” (the time to retire), some of us have conflicts such as India vs America, contentedness vs regrets and places to retire etc. We need to come to terms with life as an immigrant: the retirement of the American Dream. Tirlok Malik (CEO of Apple Productions) is a New York Emmy Award nominated filmmaker. Apple Productions has produced many films since 1990 starting with its first pioneer film about Indian Americans, “Lonely in America.”
The film was shown in 74 countries as well as on HBO and participated in 37 film festivals, winning many Awards. Malik’s work as an actor and a filmmaker has been acclaimed in the international and national media, including The New York Times, Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Entertainment and other media. Apple Productions has line produced the USA portion of many Indian films starring actors such as Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Surya, Sanjay Dutt, Manisha Koirala, Mithun Chakravarti, Raveena Tandon, Anupam Kher, Mammootty, Tamanna, Sunny Deol, and Kangana Ranaut and many more.
Malik’s medium is mainly visual. So, I will take readers of The Indian Panorama through a visual gallery of pictures to let them know the kind of people that he has been associated with in his long career in film making and theater. Incidentally, Malik is not only a film personality; he is a known and accomplished theater personality, too, having directed a number of plays and having acted in many more. He is a regular at Ramayana presentation at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I saw him in the role of Bharat last year and was deeply impressed with his performance. He will be there again this year, on November 2, just a day after the premier of his latest film. Tirlok Malik has received a number of honors, appreciations and awards. He also received the Pride of India Gold Medal for his work as a filmmaker from the Indian Ambassador to the USA. In August 2007, Tirlok Malik was presented with the New York Citizens’ Award from the New York Mayor’s Office.
As an actor he has worked in many television series, and films. He has also done over 200 performances in New York theaters. Malik also founded the NRI TV Film Club, a platform for Indian and multicultural artists to create projects. Many local Indian American talents made their debut through his films. Malik’s dream is to create NRI-wood just like Hollywood and Bollywood. He invites everyone to join in his vision. Malik is also a restaurateur, bringing Ayurveda through his restaurant “Ayurveda Cafe” in Manhattan. Malik says, “I am a student of cinema and I hope to continue telling immigrant stories.”
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DEEPAVALI, THE ‘FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS’
Deepavali or Diwali period is celebrated universally by Indians residing globally. It has significance to all major religions of India.
Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya from 14 years exile along with wife Sita, brother Lakshman, and devout Hanuman brought immense joy to the people who lighted lamps to illuminate the entire city
Lord Vishnu as Vaman avatar, rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali who was banished to the underworld on this day
The Pandavas returned to Hastinapur after 12 years of banishment. Happy citizens lit earthen lamps in celebration
Bandi Chorr Devas, festival of Sikhs celebrates the release of their sixth guru – Guru Hargobind Singh from the Gwalior Fort along with 52 other Hindu princes in 1619
Foundation stone of Golden Temple was laid on the day of Diwali in 1577
Ashok Vijaydashmi celebrates the conversion of emperor Ashoka to Buddhism on this day with prayers and decoration of the monasteries
Diwali in Nepal is known as Tihar and celebrated with splendor
Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankar of the era, attained eternal bliss or release of the soul viz. Nirvana or Moksha on this day at Pavapuri on lunar Chaturdashi of Kartika on 15 October 527 BC.
According to the Kalpasutra by Archarya Bhadrabahu, 3rd century BC, many Gods were present there, illuminating the darkness with their divine light
Diwali marks the end of harvest season in most of India. Farmers pray for a good harvest for the year to come
Hindus pray to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi to remove all the darkness and poverty from everyone’s lives, and to fill all our hearts with the sparkling golden light of peace, love, truth, and spiritual joy.
The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.
Deepavali delivers us from Darkness unto Light to commit ourselves to good deeds and thus approach divinity.
FIVE DAYS OF DEEPAV
DAY 1: Dhanteras/Dhanvantari Trayodashi Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Dhanvantri, physician of the Gods is remembered for health and hygiene.
DAY 2: Choti Deepawali / Narak Chaturdashi Naraka Chaturdasi marks the vanquishing of the demon Narakasur by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Narakasur and his mother Bhudevi or Mother Earth wished his death to be occasion for rejoicing, rather than mourning.
DAY 3: Main Deepawali / Lakshmi Puja Amavasya or new moon night marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Lord Vishnu, in his dwarf’s incarnation, vanquished the tyrant Bali to rescue her. Bali was allowed to return to earth once a year, on this day to light millions of lamps to dispel darkness and ignorance, and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.
DAY 4: Pratipat / Padwa Puja / Govardhan Puja / Annakoot Mount Govardhan lifted by Lord Krishna on one finger formed an umbrella to protect people of Gokul from a deluge sent by Lord Indra. Annakoot means mountain of food. Prayers for plentiful are offered with obeisance to Lord Krishna on this day.
Day 5: Yama Dvitiya / Bhai Dooj Yamraj, the Lord of death visited and gave his sister Yamuna a boon that whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. Traditionally, brothers visit their sisters. Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism had attained nirvana, or heaven. His brother King Nandivardhan was very distressed, and was comforted by their sister Sudarshana. Sisters have been revered since, symbolized by Bhai Dooj. In India, respect for women is seen in every aspect of festivals and celebrations. The creator is shown as sublime, divine, feminine force of Shakti, venerated in several Goddess forms like Durga on a lioness, or Kali, the fiery dark Goddess of strength. The myriad Gods and Goddesses depict the undefinable and limitless dimensions and facets of eternal divinity -
DHANTERAS
THE FESTIVAL OF WEALTH
The festival of Dhanteras falls in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov) on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight. This auspicious day is celebrated two days before the festival of lights, Diwali.
How to Celebrate Dhanteras
On Dhanteras, Lakshmi – the Goddess of wealth – is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word ‘Dhan’ literally means wealth and ‘Tera’ comes from the date 13th. In the evening, the lamp is lit and Dhan-Lakshmi is welcomed into the house. Alpana or Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways including the goddess’ footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. Aartis or devotional hymns are sung eulogizing Goddess Lakshmi and sweets and fruits are offered to her. Hindus also worship Lord Kuber as the treasurer of wealth and bestower of riches, along with Goddess Lakshmi on Dhanteras. This custom of worshiping Lakshmi and Kuber together is in prospect of doubling the benefits of such prayers. People flock to the jewelers and buy gold or silver jewelry or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhanteras. Many wear new clothes and wear jewelry as they light the first lamp of Diwali while some engage in a game of gambling.
Diwali Shopping is Completed
Dhanteras is observed differently by different communities. It is considered to be highly auspicious day to do new purchases and investment. Most people complete the Diwali shopping on the day. The first lamps of Diwali are lit on the day. People hang up paper lanterns with festoons and sends out the message of the arrival of Diwali.
Get-Together of All Family Members
Dhanteras is not all about material wealth it is also a time to develop spiritual wealth and family bonding. All family members arrive at ancestral home on the day. Grand Parents and Parents wait for the day as sons, daughters and grand children arrive from distant places.
Welcoming Goddess Lakshmi
Goddess Lakshmi is welcomed into the house on Dhanteras day in many regions in the evening. Rangoli is drawn on doorways and tiny footprints of Lakshmi are drawn in vermilion to symbolize her arrival. Devotional songs dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi are sung in the evening. Sweets are offered to the Goddess on the day.
Goddess Lakshmi Puja for Three Days
In some regions Goddess Lakshmi Puja is performed for three days – Dhanteras, Choti Diwali and Diwali. On the first day, Dhanteras day, all family members especially men and women bathe after applying fragrance, medicinal herbs or preparation and fragrant oils. Murti – painting or idol or picture – of Goddess Lakshmi is washed with water and worshipped for three days commencing from Dhanteras.
Buying Gold – Silver or Utensil
Dhanteras – Dhan means ‘wealth’ and theras indicates ‘the thirteenth day’. In most places in North India, Gujarat and Maharashtra, Dhanteras is an auspicious day to buy precious metals like gold, platinum and silver. Women shop for gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils on the day. Precious metal bought on the day is seen as a sign of good luck.
Earthern Diyas in the Evening
Earthern diyas are lit on Dhanteras day in the evening to banish the evil spirits.
Legend behind the Dhanteras and Naraka Chaturdashi:
An ancient legend ascribes the occasion to an interesting story about the 16 year old son of King Hima. His horoscope predicted his death by snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular day, his newly-wed wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out all her ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a heap at the entrance of the sleeping chamber and lit lamps all over the place. Then she narrated stories and sang songs to keep her husband from falling asleep.
The next day, when Yama, the god of Death, arrived at the prince’s doorstep in the guise of a Serpent, his eyes were dazzled and blinded by the brilliance of the lamps and the jewelry. Yam could not enter the Prince’s chamber, so he climbed on top of the heap of gold coins and sat there the entire night listening to the stories and songs. In the morning, he silently went away.
Thus, the young prince was saved from the clutches of death by the cleverness of his new bride, and the day came to be celebrated as Dhanteras. And the following days came to be called Naraka Chaturdashi (‘Naraka’ means hell and Chaturdashi means 14th). It is also know as ‘Yamadeepdaan’ as the ladies of the house light earthen lamps or ‘deep’ and these are kept burning throughout the night glorifying Yama, the god of Death. Since this is the night before Diwali, it is also called ‘Chhhoti Diwali’ or Diwali minor. -
BHAI DOOJ: THE BOND OF BROTHERLY-SISTERLY LOVE
Nowhere is the bond of brotherly-sisterly love glorified with such grandeur as in India. Hindus celebrate this special relationship twice every year, with the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj.
What, When & How
After the high voltage celebrations of Diwali , the festival of lights and fire-crackers, sisters all over India get ready for ‘Bhai Dooj’ – when sisters ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead of their brothers and perform an aarti of him by showing him the light of the holy flame as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. Sisters are lavished with gifts, goodies and blessings from their brothers. Bhai Dooj comes every year on the fifth and last day of Diwali, which falls on a new moon night. The name ‘Dooj’ means the second day after the new moon, the day of the festival, and ‘Bhai’ means brother.
Myths & Legends
Bhai Dooj is also called ‘Yama Dwiteeya’ as it’s believed that on this day, Yamaraj, the Lord of Death and the Custodian of Hell, visits his sister Yami, who puts the auspicious mark on his forehead and prays for his well being. So it’s held that anyone who receives a tilak from his sister on this day would never be hurled into hell. According to one legend, on this day, Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra who welcomes him the lamp, flowers and sweets, and puts the holy protective spot on her brother’s forehead. Yet another story behind the origin of Bhai Dooj says that when Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained nirvana, his brother King Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during Bhai Dooj.
Bhai Phota
In Bengal this event is called ‘Bhai Phota’, which is performed by the sister who religiously fasts until she applies a ‘phota’ or mark with sandal wood paste on her brother’s forehead, offers him sweets and gifts and prays for his long and healthy life. Every brother eagerly awaits this occasion that reinforces the bond between brothers and sisters and their affectionate relationship. It’s an opportunity for a good feast at the sister’s place, coupled with an enthusiastic exchange of gifts, and merriment amid the resounding of conch shells in every Bengali household.
Underlying Significance
Like all other Hindu festivals , Bhai Dooj too has got a lot to do with family ties and social attachments. It serves as a good time, especially for a married girl, to get together with her own family, and share the post- Diwali glee. Nowadays, sisters who are unable to meet their brothers send their tika – the spot of protection – in an envelope by post. Virtual tilaks and Bhai Dooj e-cards have made it even easier for brothers and sisters, who’re far away from each other, specially remember their siblings on this propitious occasion.
Bhai Dooj In Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, at first, sisters give a piece of cloth, knotted into a circular shape, full of batashas (sugar balls) to their brothers. This piece of cloth is called as ‘aabf’. For each brother, there are two aabf. After all the rituals, sisters apply a tika of roli and rice on the forehead of the brothers and then perform aarti, praying for the long and happy life of their brothers. At last, they offer sweets to them and then the story of Bhai Dooj is narrated.
Bengal
In Bengal this festival is called Bhai Phota. On this day, sisters observe fast till the time all the traditional customs have been performed. After this, they apply tika made of sandalwood paste, ghee and kohl (kajal) on their brothers’ forehead. Then the aarti is performed and sisters give sweets to their brothers to eat. Kheer and coconut laddus are the traditional sweets which are prepared on this day. At the time of applying tika, the sister chants the mantra which is as follows: “Bhratus tabaa grajaataaham Bhunksa bhaktamidam shuvam Preetaye yama raajasya Yamunaah Visheshatah.” This mantras means “I, your sister making you eat this holy rice for the pleasure of Yama and Yamuna”. In this way she prays God to bless her brother with the best in life.
Bihar
In the Bihar, the festival of Bhai Dooj is celebrated in the most unique way. The sisters curse their brothers in order to keep the evil spirits and dangers away from them. At first, they say very bad things to their brothers and then prick their own tongue with a wild prickly fruit as a punishment. By doing this, they ask their brothers to forgive them for the ill behaviour and mistakes which they have done till the date. Besides this, there is a unique custom in which brothers eat grains of bajri with water, from the hands of their sisters.
Punjab
In Punjab, the day after Diwali is celebrated as tika and on this day, sisters make a paste with saffron and rice and apply tika on their brothers’ forehead to keep away all the difficulties and dangers from them. After this, they exchange gifts and sweets among each other.
Gujarat
Bhai Dooj in Gujarat is known as Bhai Beej and on this auspicious occasion, sisters get up early in the morning and then the traditional tilak ceremony is held. After this, they perform aarti of their brothers and pray for their good fortune and life. Then they offer sweets to their brothers and in return the brothers bless them and exchange gifts.
Maharashtra & Goa
Marathi communities in Maharashtra and Goa called this festival as Bhav Bij. On this day, sisters draw a square on the floor in within the boundaries of which the brothers have to sit. After they are seated, it is a custom for to have a bitter fruit named Karith. After this, the rituals and applying the Tilak, traditional sweets such as Shrikhand Puri and Basundi Puri are served. -
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB
CONTD FROM Vol 8 ISSUE 41
|| 2 || 21 || 85 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: The Lord abides in my mind and body. Everyone congratulates me on my victory. This is the glorious greatness of the Perfect Guru. His value cannot be described. || 1 || I am a sacrifice to Your Name. He alone, whom You have forgiven, O my Beloved, sings Your Praises.
|| 1 || Pause || You are my Great Lord and Master. You are the support of the Saints. Nanak has entered God’s Sanctuary. The faces of the slanderers are blackened with ashes. || 2 || 22 || 86 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: Peace in this world, O my friends, and bliss in the world hereafter – God has given me this. The Transcendent Lord has arranged these arrangements; I shall never waver again.
|| 1 || My mind is pleased with the True Lord Master. I know the Lord to be pervading all. || 1 || Pause || All beings are Yours, O Merciful Lord. You cherish Your devotees. Your glorious greatness is wonderful and marvellous. Nanak ever meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord. || 2 || 23 || 87 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: The Lord is always with me. The Messenger of Death does not approach me. God holds me close in His embrace, and protects me. True are the Teachings of the True Guru.
|| 1 || The Perfect Guru has done it perfectly. He has beaten and driven off my enemies, and given me, His slave, the sublime understanding of the neutral mind. || 1 || Pause || God has blessed all places with prosperity. I have returned again safe and sound. Nanak has entered God’s Sanctuary. It has eradicated all disease. || 2 || 24 || 88 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: The True Guru is the Giver of all peace and comfort – seek His Sanctuary. Beholding the Blessed Vision of His Darshan, bliss ensues, pain is dispelled, and one sings the Lord’s Praises.
|| 1 || Drink in the sublime essence of the Lord, O Siblings of Destiny. Chant the Naam, the Name of the Lord; worship the Naam in adoration, and enter the Sanctuary of the Perfect Guru. || Pause || Only one who has such pre-ordained destiny receives it; he alone becomes perfect, O Siblings of Destiny. Nanak’s prayer, O Dear God, is to remain lovingly absorbed in the Naam.
|| 2 || 25 || 89 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: The Lord is the Cause of Causes, the Innerknower, the Searcher of hearts; He preserves the honor of His servant. He is hailed and congratulated throughout the world, and he tastes the sublime essence of the Word of the Guru’s Shabad. || 1 || Dear God, Lord of the world, You are my only support. You are all-powerful, the Giver of Sanctuary; twenty-four hours a day, I meditate on You. || Pause || That humble being, who vibrates upon You, O God, is not afflicted by anxiety. Attached to the Feet of the True Guru, his fear is dispelled, and within his mind, he sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord.
|| 2 || He abides in celestial peace and utter ecstasy; the True Guru has comforted him. He has returned home victorious, with honor, and his hopes have been fulfilled. || 3 || Perfect are the Teachings of the Perfect Guru; Perfect are the actions of God. Grasping hold of the Guru’s feet, Nanak has crossed over the terrifying world-ocean, chanting the Name of the Lord, Har, Har.
|| 4 || 26 || 90 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: Becoming merciful, the Destroyer of the pains of the poor has Himself devised all devices. In an instant, He has saved His humble servant; the Perfect Guru has cut away his bonds. || 1 || O my mind, meditate forever on the Guru, the Lord of the Universe. All illness shall depart from this body, and you shall obtain the fruits of your mind’s desires. || Pause || God created all beings and creatures; He is lofty, inaccessible and infinite. In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, Nanak meditates on the Naam, the Name of the Lord; his face is radiant in the Court of the Lord.
|| 2 || 27 || 91 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: I meditate in remembrance on my Lord. Day and night, I ever meditate on Him. He gave me His hand, and protected me. I drink in the most sublime essence of the Lord’s Name. || 1 || I am a sacrifice to my Guru. God, the Great Giver, the Perfect One, has become merciful to me, and now, all are kind to me. || Pause || Servant Nanak has entered His Sanctuary. He has perfectly preserved his honor. All suffering has been dispelled. So enjoy peace, O my Siblings of Destiny!
|| 2 || 28 || 92 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: Hear my prayer, O my Lord and Master; all beings and creatures were created by You. You preserve the honor of Your Name, O Lord, Cause of causes. || 1 || O Dear God, Beloved, please, make me Your own. Whether good or bad, I am Yours. || Pause || The Almighty Lord and Master heard my prayer; cutting away my bonds, He has adorned me. He dressed me in robes of honor, and blended His servant with Himself; Nanak is revealed in glory throughout the world.
|| 2 || 29 || 93 || SORAT’H, FIFTH MEHL: All beings and creatures are subservient to all those who serve in the Lord’s Court. Their God made them His own, and carried them across the terrifying world-ocean. || 1 || He resolves all the affairs of His Saints. He is merciful to the meek, kind and compassionate, the ocean of kindness, my Perfect Lord and Master. || Pause || I am asked to come and be seated, everywhere I go, and I lack nothing. The Lord blesses His humble devotee with robes of honor; O Nanak, the Glory of God is manifest.
|| 2 || 30 || 94 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: O mind, love the Lord.With your ears, hear the Glorious Praises of the Lord of the Universe, and with your tongue, sing His song. || 1 || Pause || Join the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, and meditate in remembrance on the Lord; even a sinner like yourself will become pure. Death is on the prowl, with its mouth wide open, friend. || 1 || Today or tomorrow, eventually it will seize you; understand this in your consciousness. Says Nanak, meditate, and vibrate upon the Lord; this opportunity is slipping away!
|| 2 || 1 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: The mind remains in the mind. He does not meditate on the Lord, nor does he perform service at sacred shrines, and so death seizes him by the hair. || 1 || Pause || Wife, friends, children, carriages, property, total wealth, the entire world – know that all of these things are false. The Lord’s meditation alone is true. || 1 || Wandering, wandering around for so many ages, he has grown weary, and finally, he obtained this human body. Says Nanak, this is the opportunity to meet the Lord; why don’t you remember Him in meditation?
|| 2 || 2 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: O mind, what evil-mindedness have you developed? You are engrossed in the pleasures of other men’s wives, and slander; you have not worshipped the Lord at all. || 1 || Pause || You do not know the way to liberation, but you run all around chasing wealth. In the end, nothing shall go along with you; you have entrapped yourself in vain. || 1 || You have not meditated or vibrated upon the Lord; you have not served the Guru, or His humble servants; spiritual wisdom has not welled up within you. The Immaculate Lord is within your heart, and yet you search for Him in the wilderness.
|| 2 || Now that you have obtained this human body, meditate on the Lord’s Feet; Nanak advises with this advice. || 3 || 3 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: O mind, contemplate the Sanctuary of God. Meditating on Him in remembrance, Ganika the prostitute was saved; enshrine His Praises within your heart. || 1 || Pause || Meditating on Him in remembrance, Dhroo became immortal, and obtained the state of fearlessness. The Lord and Master removes suffering in this way – why have you forgotten Him?
|| 1 || As soon as the elephant took to the protective Sanctuary of the Lord, the ocean of mercy, he escaped from the crocodile. How much can I describe the Glorious Praises of the Naam? Whoever chants the Lord’s Name, his bonds are broken. || 2 || Ajaamal, known throughout the world as a sinner, was redeemed in an instant. Says Nanak, remember the Chintaamani, the jewel which fulfills all desires, and you too shall be carried across and saved.
|| 3 || 4 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: What efforts should the mortal make, to attain devotional worship of the Lord, and eradicate the fear of death? || 1 || Pause || Which actions, what sort of knowledge, and what religion – what Dharma should one practice? What Name of the Guru should one remember in meditation, to cross over the terrifying world-ocean? || 1 || In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Name of the One Lord is the treasure of mercy; chanting it, one obtains salvation. No other religion is comparable to this; so speak the Vedas. || 2 || He is beyond pain and pleasure, forever unattached; He is called the Lord of the world. He dwells deep within your inner self, O Nanak, like the image in a mirror.
|| 3 || 5 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: O mother, how can I see the Lord of the world? In the utter darkness of emotional attachment and spiritual ignorance, my mind remains entangled. || 1 || Pause || Deluded by doubt, I have wasted my whole life; I have not obtained a stable intellect. I remain under the influence of corrupting sins, night and day, and I have not renounced wickedness. || 1 || I never joined the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, and I did not sing the Kirtan of God’s Praises. O servant Nanak, I have no virtues at all; keep me in Your Sanctuary, Lord.
|| 2 || 6 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: O mother, my mind is out of control. Night and day, it runs after sin and corruption. How can I restrain it? || 1 || Pause || He listens to the teachings of the Vedas, the Puraanas and the Simritees, but he does not enshrine them in his heart, even for an instant. Engrossed in the wealth and women of others, his life passes away uselessly. || 1 || He has gone insane with the wine of Maya, and does not understand even a bit of spiritual wisdom. Deep within his heart, the Immaculate Lord dwells, but he does not know this secret.
|| 2 || When I came to the Sanctuary of the Holy Saints, all my evilmindedness was dispelled. Then, O Nanak, I remembered the Chintaamani, the jewel which fulfills all desires, and the noose of Death was snapped. || 3 || 7 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: O man, grasp this Truth firmly in your soul. The whole world is just like a dream; it will pass away in an instant. || 1 || Pause || Like a wall of sand, built up and plastered with great care, which does not last even a few days, just so are the pleasures of Maya. Why are you entangled in them, you ignorant fool?
|| 1 || Understand this today – it is not yet too late! Chant and vibrate the Name of the Lord. Says Nanak, this is the subtle wisdom of the Holy Saints, which I proclaim out loud to you. || 2 || 8 || SORAT’H, NINTH MEHL: In this world, I have not found any true friend. The whole world is attached to its own pleasures, and when trouble comes, no one is with you. || 1 || Pause || Wives, friends, children and relatives – all are attached to wealth. When they see a poor man, they all forsake his company and run away.
TO BE CONTINUED -
DIWALI DECOR FOR YOUR HOME
Decorate your home with diyas, torans and kandeels. Diwali is synonymous with diyas, kandeels and torans. The sheer variety of these items available in the markets these days is inspiring, for you can do a lot with them when it comes to decorating your home for the festive season.
Makeovers are not tough; you just need to open up your mind and let your creative self take wings… A little splash of colour here and some intelligent shuffling of furniture can sometimes lend a dazzling new look to your room. You can begin by asking yourself what exactly you want to change in your home decor and then list out the areas where you want the rangolis, the diyas, the kandeels and the torans. Decorate the entrance of your house with contemporary rangolis: The entrance of your home can be decorated with beautiful contemporary rangolis. There are ready-made rangolis and floating rangolis made with crystals, kundan and mirrors available in the market.
They look very festive and rich. With tealights or diyas on them, they can make your home look warm and welcoming, and lend an unmistakable touch of elegance. You could also opt for traditional rangolis of rice powder, floral rangolis or hire professionals to do portrait rangolis. Light up the corners with diyas: We all know that by simply changing the lighting, one can make a huge difference to how a room looks. So, diyas play a big role here.
Nooks, niches, corners in your rooms can be lit up beautifully. Hang tealights in transparent coloured glass holders: You could hang some diyas or tealights in small coloured glass containers that are a rage in the market this year. They could be suspended from the ceiling over your dining table. That way, the light falls on your table and there is no chance of anyone bumping into them accidentally as well. Use rangoli as a centerpiece in your living room: Using a big rangoli as the main attraction in you living room.
You could add fresh flowers, diyas and tealights to brighten it up. Bring in prosperity with torans and kandeels: Torans and kandeels are a traditional way of decorating your home for Diwali. They add an ethnic touch to your home decor. -
Making the Diwali hamper
Diwali is the time when gifts are exchanged. While there are a lot of options easily available in the market for gifts, it’s always nice when someone gives something handmade -and it is cost effective as well. Here are a few ways in which you can put together a basic hamper at home to gift your friends:
SWEETS There are different kinds of sweets that you can put into your hamper, but the most common are Motichur Laddus and Kaju Katlis. While you can always buy them in bulk from sweet shops, you can also make them at home.
DIYAS Mud diyas are available in stores, and, in abundance, from roadside vendors as well. You can hand paint them with oil paints. Get a little creative and stick small mirrors and glitter powder on them with a little glue. Get medium-sized diyas and paint one for each hamper.
CHOCOLATES While it might look that you are giving an overdose of sweets during Diwali, tradition calls for it. You need to distribute sweets during the festive season and, of late, people have also started including chocolates and cupcakes in their hampers.
DRY FRUITS To bring a little balance to the overdose of sweet, you could add salted dry fruits or some sort of namkeen in your hamper.
BASKET You can reuse fruit baskets that you might have got at some point of time or you can buy such baskets at a store. Try getting one from a wholesale store as you might be able to get it for a reasonable price, depending on the quantity you buy .
CANDLES There are many different candle designs available in the market during Diwali.You can include a candle to add a bit of colour to the hamper -
WEIGHT LOSS RACE NOT FOR SLOW AND STEADY
Gradual weight loss does not reduce the amount or rate of weight regain compared with losing weight quickly, a study says. Substantial weight loss is more likely to be achieved if undertaken rapidly, it pointed out. “Our results show that an obese person is more likely to achieve a weight loss target of 12.5 percent weight loss, and less likely to drop out of their weight loss program, if losing weight is done quickly,” said Katrina Purcell from the University of Melbourne who is also a dietitian.
The trial included 200 obese adults who were randomly assigned to either a 12-week rapid weight loss program on a very-low-calorie diet or a 36-week gradual weight-loss program based on current dietary recommendations. The initial rate of weight loss did not affect the amount or rate of weight regain: with similar amounts of weight regained by three years by participants on both diet programs who completed both phases of the study (around 71 percent in both groups), the team found.
This may impact the worldwide treatment of obesity, as global guidelines recommended gradual weight loss for the treatment of obesity, reflecting the widely-held belief that fast weight loss is more quickly regained, the study said. A number of possible explanations have been put forward for their findings, including that the limited carbohydrate intake of very-lowcalorie diets promotes greater satiety, and less food intake by inducing the production of hunger suppressants called ketones. Losing weight quickly may also motivate participants to stick to the diet, the authors said.
The study highlights the urgent need for committees that develop clinical guidelines for the management of obesity to change their advice, concluded Joseph Proietto, professor of medicine in University of Melbourne. -
Foods that flush out toxins from your body
In olden days, fresh fruits and vegetables used to be part of one’s daily diet, and food was less processed. It’s hardly surprising that people lived longer and had healthy bodies. Nowadays, one needs to take extra precautions and adopt measures to lead a healthy life and have a fit body. Diet and exercise are very important to stay healthy. Here is a list of some food items that you can include in your daily diet to flush out toxins:
LEMONS: Lemons release enzymes that help excrete toxins from the body. Health experts usually advise people to drink a glass of warm water with lemon and honey in the morning as it helps cleanse the body of toxins. It also supplies vitamin C to the body and balances the acidity in food consumed.
CURD: It’s a good idea to have a cup of curd every day after a meal. Curd is an antioxidant and cleanses the body, and in the process, boosts metabolism. It also contains calcium and vitamins
GREEN TEA: It is a great antioxidant and can easily be incorporated in your daily diet. You can have a cup in the morning and one in the afternoon.The one in the afternoon generally acts as a stimulant and helps lower blood sugar.
FLAXSEEDS: Ground flaxseeds flushes toxins out of your body The fibre from this keeps the intestinal tract clean and contains omega 3 oils. But, men should be careful while consuming as the lignans in it are similar to the female hormone estrogen.
WHEATGRASS: It contains a lot of alkaline, which helps curb acidity, detoxifies the body and protects the liver. It also lowers blood pressure, increases metabolism and even stimulates the enzymes in the body by purifying the blood.
GINGER: This is considered one of the most potent disease-fighting spices, along with turmeric. It helps the metabolism, flushes out toxins and boosts liver function. You can chew on a small piece of ginger or even include it in your cooked food every day.
PARSLEY: While parsley is mostly used as a garnish, it has more medicinal values than you know. It keeps the kidney healthy and free of infection, and reduces bloating during menstruation in women.
