Researchers have shown that consumers can improve their diets simply by enjoying white or brown rice as part of their daily meals. In a study, lead author Theresa Nicklas, DrPH, of Baylor College of Medicine, analyzed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey datasets from 2005-2010 and evaluated the association of rice consumption with overall diet quality and key nutrient intakes in a nationally representative sample of 14,386 U.S. adults.1 Nicklas said their results show that adults who eat rice had diets more consistent with what is recommended in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, and they showed higher amounts of potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fiber while eating less saturated fat and added sugars.
She said that eating rice is also associated with eating more servings of fruit, vegetables, meat and beans. In addition to the positive results in crosssectional studies linking rice consumption with healthier diets, a human clinical trial found that having white or brown rice at a meal increased satiety and feelings of fullness more than a calorically equivalent glucose solution control.4 Considering the cross-sectional and clinical findings, both enriched white rice and whole grain brown rice should be recommended as part of a healthy diet.
Month: December 2014
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WHY RICE IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH
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HANUKKAH
Afestival is a collective celebration of an achievement in a given community. The Festival of Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration, and it is celebrating the recovery and re-dedication ofthe Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C. Hanukkah is spelled in many different ways in case you want to Google it ; Hanuka, Chanukah, Chanuka, Hanuka, Hanukka and other variations. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days andnights. It is also called the festival of lights.
It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev each year. The actual date differs due to the lunar calendar. It is about 11 days earlier in each successive year. The Jews, Muslims and some Hindu festivals follow the moon for observing their holidays and the date is different every year. This year the festivities will begin on Tuesday, December 16 with the lighting of Menorah and will continue through Wednesday, December 24. This year, I found one of the best pieces written by Rabbi Michael Lerner, who and Imet in Melbourne, Australia and have kept up writing to each other since then.
Rabbi Michael Lerner wrote about Chanukah, describing it as “the holiday celebrating the triumph of hope over fear, light over darkness, and the powerless overthe powerful.” He went on to say that Chanukah is about “understanding that when we connect with the transformative power ofthe universe, the Force of Healing and Transformation,YHVH,we become aware that the powerless can become powerful, that oppression of any sort is in contradiction to the fundamental nature of human beings asloving, kind, generous, free, creative, intelligent, attuned to beauty, caring for and needing each other beings created in theimage of God.When that energy andawareness permeates our consciousness, noruling elite and no system of exploitation canpossibly last for very long.”
The Hanukkah Story
Here is a story I received in email that tellsthe story and significance of Hanukkah. In 168 B.C.E. the Jewish Temple was seized by Syrian-Greek soldiers and dedicated to the worship ofthe god Zeus. This upset the Jewish people,but many were afraid to fightback for fear ofreprisals. Then in 167 B.C.E.the Syrian- Greek emperor Antiochus madethe observance of Judaism an offense punishable by death. He also ordered all Jewsto worship Greek gods. Jewish resistance began in the village ofModiin, near Jerusalem. Greek soldiers forcibly gathered the Jewish villages and toldthem to bow down to an idol,and then eat the flesh of a pig – both practices that are forbidden to Jews.
A Greek officer ordered Mattthias, a High Priest,to acquiesce to the irdemands, but Mattthias refused. Whenanother villager stepped forward and offeredto cooperate on Matthias’ behalf,the High Priest became outraged. He drew his swordand killed the villager, then turned on the Greek officer and killed him too. His fivesons and the other villagers then attacked the remaining soldiers, killing all of them. Matthias and his family went into hiding in the mountains, where other Jews wishing to fight against the Greeks joined them. Eventually they succeeded in retaking the irland from the Greeks.
These rebels becamek nown as the Maccabees, or Hasmoneans. Once the Maccabees had regained controlthey returned to the Temple in Jerusalem. By this time it had been spiritually defiled bybeing used for the worship offoreign gods and also by practices such as sacrificings wine. Jewish troops were determined to purify the Temple by burning ritual oil in the Temple’s menorah for eight days. But to the irdismay, they discovered that there was onlyone day’s worth of oil left in the Temple. They lit the menorah anyway and to the irsurprise the small amount of oil lasted the full eight days. This is the miracle ofthe Hanukkah oil that is celebrated every year when Jews lighta special menorah known as a hanukkiyah for eight days. One candle is lit on the firstnight of Hanukkah, two on the second, and so on, until eight candles are lit.
Significance of Hanukkah
Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and othershave figured out a way to keep their childrenin the joyous mood ofreceiving gifts,so theyhave their own version of Christmas. Similarly, Jewish children receive gifts for Hanukkah – often one gift for each of the eight nights ofthe holiday. Many parents hope that by making Hanukkah extra special their children won’t feel left out of all the Christmas festivities going on around them. America is an amazing land!
Hanukkah Traditions
Every community has its unique Hanukkah traditions,but there are some traditions that are almost universally practiced. They are: lighting the hanukkiyah, spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods. Get a Hanukkiah. The most basic thing you need to celebrate Hanukkah is a 9-branched candelabra, called a Hanukkiah (oroften a Menorah, although technicallya Menorah is a 7-branched candelabra), and candles. Eight ofthe branches represent the eight nights, while the last one (at a differen th eight, usually higher than the rest) is called the shamash or helper candle, and is used to light the rest of the candles. The Hanukkiah is usually lighted at or right after sunset.
On the first night,the shamash is lit,ablessing is recited,and the first candle is lit. The first candle occupies the right most place on the Hanukkiah.
Candles are placed from right to left, but lit from left to right. The candle that you light first is always the last candle that you placed on the Hanukkiah; likewise,the candle that you light last is always the first candle that you placed on the Hanukkiah.
On the second night,the shamash plus two candles are lit and so on until the eighth night, when all nine branches contain lit candles.
Traditionally,the lighted Hanukkiah is placed near a window, so that everyone passing by can remember the miracle of Hanukkah. Some families who set the Hanukkiah near the window place the candles left to right, so that they appear right to left to a passer-by.
Recite the blessings when you light the Hanukkiah, or Menora. Blessings are a way of paying respect to God and to Jewish ancestors.
On the first day of Hanukkah, recite the following blessing
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotavv’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Rulerofthe Universe,Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu MelechHa’olam, she’asah nisim l’avoteinu,b’yamim haheim bazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Ruler ofthe Universe,Who made miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu MelechHa’olam,shehekheyanu,v’kiyama nuvehegianu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Rulerofthe Universe,Who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season.
On all subsequent nights of Hanukkah,when you light the Hanukkiah, recite the following blessing:
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu MelechHa’olam,asher kidshanu b’mitzvotavv’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu MelechHa’olam,she’asah nisim l’avoteinu,b’yamim haheim bazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe,Who made miracles for our forefathers in those days at this time.
Play dreidel.
A four sided top, called adreidel or sivivon is used to play a gambling game with small candies or nuts. Players getan equal amount ofcandies, and some are placed into a “pot” in the center. Players take turns spinning the dreidel. Each side of the dreidel bears a letter which tells the players whether to put in or take out candies. Thegame ends when someone has all the candies, or when the candies have all been eaten (usually the case in homes with smallchildren!)
Give small tokens to children. Small gifts of money (gelt) are given to children on each night of Hanukkah. Chocolate coins are also popular as treats and gifts during Hanukkah. Consider giving each child a 5 dollar blank check each night to make out to the charity of their choice.
Hanukkah gifts may also be given toadults. Although Hanukkah takes place during the Christian holiday season,it is not the “Jewish Christmas,” as some have mistaken it for
Great Hanukkah gifts for adults include beautiful Hanukkiah candles, nicecooking oil, or a Jewish cook book.
Eat foods cooked in oil. Hanukkah just wouldn’t be the same without the traditional latkes and applesauce. Latkes (pancakes made from shredded potatoes, onions, matzoh meal and salt) are fried in oil to crispy gold brown, then served with applesauce (and often sour cream). The frying oil reminds celebrants of the miracle of the oil. Small powdered sugar donuts, called Sufgeniot are also a popular Hanukkah treat, especially in Israel. Fried, oil-rich foodsare the theme!
Additionally, dairy is consumed by many people during Hanukkah,as a way toremember the story ofJudith. Judith saved her village from a conquering Syrian general by plying him with salty cheese and wine. When he passed out, she took his own sword and be headed him, the story goes.[3] For this reason, cheesy latkes and cheesy blintzes are popular during Hanukkah.
Practice Tikun Olam. Use the holidayas a chance to talk with children about what they believe in, and what it means to stand up for your beliefs. Find causesthat support free speech and religious freedom, and help them to spread those messages centuries after the miracle of Hanukkah. After all, Hanukkah is the story of the Isrealites fighting for religious freedom!
(The author is a speaker,thinker and awriter on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place) -
INDIA LIKELY TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC GROWTH TO 6.3% IN 2016: UN
UNITED NATIONS: India’s economic growth is expected to improve to 6.3 per cent in 2016 with the country leading economic recovery in South Asia, according to a United Nations report. The UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2015 (WESP) report, launched here on Wednesday, also said India is likely to make progress in implementing economic policy reforms and help provide support to business and consumer confidence.
It said global economic growth is forecast to continue increasing over the next two years, despite legacies from the financial crisis continuing to weigh on growth, and the emergence of new challenges, including geopolitical conflicts such as in Ukraine, and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The global economy is expected to grow 3.1 per cent in 2015 and 3.3 per cent in 2016, compared with an estimated growth of 2.6 per cent for 2014, when the pace of expansion has been moderate and uneven.
It said India, which is estimated to record a 5.4 per cent economic growth in 2014, will see GDP growth improving to 5.9 per cent next year and 6.3 per cent in 2016. Economic growth in South Asia is also set to gradually pick up from an estimated 4.9 per cent in 2014 to 5.4 per cent in 2015 and 5.7 per cent in 2016. “While the recovery will be led by India, which accounts for about 70 per cent of regional output, other economies such as Bangladesh and Iran are also projected to see stronger growth in the forecast period,” the report said.
The about six per cent growth projected for India in 2016 will be the highest since the 2008-2011 period when it had grown at about 7.3 per cent. Economic growth had slowed to 4.7 per cent in 2012, according to the UN report. During 2014, East Asia, including China, managed to register relatively robust growth, while India led South Asia to a moderate strengthening. Developing countries as a group are expected to grow at 4.8 per cent in 2015 and 5.1 per cent in 2016, up from the 4.3 per cent estimated for 2014.
The report added that along with robust external demand, growth is expected to be underpinned by a moderate strengthening of domestic consumption and investment as countries benefit from improved macroeconomic conditions. “Several countries, notably India, are likely to make progress in implementing economic policy reforms, thus providing support to business and consumer confidence,” it said. -
Spicejet gets a breather: Govt gives time till Monday to clear Rs 200 cr AAI dues
NEW DELHI (TIP): Beleaguered lowcost carrier Spicejet seems to have received a temporary breather from the government, official sources told FE. With the loss-making airline making an interim payment of Rs 5 crore on Wednesday against dues of about Rs 200 crore to state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI), the ministry of civil aviation has allowed it time till Monday (December 15) to furnish the balance. This comes after the government’s current deadline for payment ended on Wednesday (December 10).
Incidentally, Spicejet was also offered an alternative option to furnish equivalent bank guarantees, though bankers told FE that it was unlikely it will receive any such guarantee without security. “The issue has been handled. We are not on cash and carry for any airport,” a Spicejet official confirmed the development. If the government had stood its ground, Kalanithi Maran-promoted Spicejet would have been put on a cash and carry mode under which it would have had to clear all airport charges like landing and parking fees each time a flight takes off. Separately, Spicejet also has to submit a payment plan to aviation regulator DGCA by Monday (December 15) in order to assure the regulator that the airline’s financials are strong enough to carry on operations with no threat to safety.
Official sources said that the airline owes about Rs 1,600 crore to various vendors and business partners – including about Rs 700 crore to lessors for aircraft, though company officials have claimed that the figures is “significantly less”. On Tuesday, top Spicejet executives like COO Sanjiv Kapoor, and officials from promoter Chennai-based Sun Group, such as group CFO S L Narayan, met the DGCA Prabhat Kumar and other top government officials. The DGCA asked the airline to submit a “concrete revival plan” with specifics on how it plans to recapitalise, in order to ensure the airline does not go down like Kingfisher Airlines in 2012.
Moreover, Sun Group officials have also sought a meeting with the union civil aviation minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju. Spicejet, which posted a record loss of Rs 1,003 crore in FY14, currently has accumulated losses of Rs 2,958 crore and a negative net worth of Rs 1,459 crore. The airline, which has reduced its Boeing 737 fleet to 22 from 37 last year by returning old aircraft with high maintenance costs, has cut about 70 flights a day from 350 in July this year. It is also behind on salary payments, especially to employees in the top 15% wage bracket, while several pilots are also said to be leaving for rival airlines. -
HONDA TO RECALL ABOUT 400,000 CARS OVER TAKATA AIR BAGS
TOKYO (TIP): Honda Motor Co said it would recall an estimated 400,000 vehicles globally as a precautionary measure to replace potentially deadly air bag inflators made by Takata Corp. The recall follows a similar move by Toyota Motor Corp after an “unusual deployment” of a Takata-made inflator when a Toyota subcompact was scrapped in Japan last month. A Honda spokeswoman said the automaker would need to set aside more reserves to pay for the latest recalls as well as the voluntary expansion globally of a region-specific recall limited to certain hot and humid areas in the United States. She said she could not disclose a specific figure. Subject to the latest recall are about 177,000 vehicles in Japan, including the Fit, Civic hybrid, CR-V, Accord and other models produced in 2003. No injuries or accidents have been reported. The rest of the recalls include about 22,000 vehicles in the Americas excluding the United States, 100,000 in Europe, 70,000 in Asia-Pacific. The 400,000 vehicle figure is a rough estimate, the spokeswoman said.
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TATA POWER BUYS PLANT FOR RS 3,000 CR
MUMBAI (TIP): Tata Power, the power generator led by Cyrus Mistry, is buying a 540-megawatt (MW) thermal power plant in Maharashtra to ramp up capacity, highlighting how a lot of India’s recent merger and acquisition (M&A) deals are being driven by the power sector. Tata Power’s move comes close on the heels of JSW’s purchase of a 1,391-MW unit (from Jaypee), Adani’s acquisition of 1,200-MW and 600-MW plants (from Lanco and Avantha respectively) and GDF Suez’s deal for a 1,000-MW facility (from a Hyderabad-based infra company). Tata Power, part of the Tata business conglomerate, is acquiring the thermal-based power project from the promoters of IRB Infrastructure, which will increase its total capacity to 8,885 MW. It is learned that the Tata company has inked the deal for about $500 million (Rs 3,000 crore). However, it didn’t disclose the value of the proposed transaction.
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Germany bans 80 generic drugs for insufficient trials
MUMBAI (TIP): Germany’s drug regulator has banned the sale of 80 generic medicines with immediate effect on grounds of “deficiencies” in the clinical trials conducted by domestic pharma company GVK Biosciences. The ban comes after regulators in Germany, France and Belgium last week suspended marketing approval of 25 generic drugs. The list of banned drugs includes those for treating high blood pressure, depression, migraine and epilepsy, and are manufactured by Dr Reddy’s, Lupin, Micro Labs and Torrent, among others.
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WATER FLAVOR ON COMET DIFFERENT FROM EARTH
NEW DELHI (TIP): First results of studies done by the comet-chaser spacecraft Rosetta of its target comet have dealt a blow to the popular theory that water was brought to Earth by comets. Data from the ROSINA instrument aboard the European Space Agency’s spacecraft that had a spectacular rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko last month shows that the composition of its water vapor is significantly different from that found on Earth. When the Earth formed some 4.6 billion years ago, it was so hot that all the water on it would have vaporized. Yet today, two-thirds of the surface of Earth is covered by water.
Researchers agree that it must have been delivered to Earth by small bodies at a later stage of the planet’s evolution. It is, however, not clear which family of small bodies is responsible. There are three possibilities: asteroid-like small bodies from the region of Jupiter; Oort cloud comets formed inside of Neptune’s orbit; and Kuiper Belt comets formed outside of Neptune’s orbit. The key to determining where the water originated is in its isotopic “flavor.” That is, by measuring the level of deuterium – a heavier form of hydrogen.
By comparing the ratio of deuterium to hydrogen in different objects, scientists can identify where in the solar system that object originated. And by comparing the D/H ratio, in Earth’s oceans with that in other bodies, scientists can aim to identify the origin of our water. The ROSINA instrument on Rosetta has found that the value for the D/H ratio on the comet is more than three times the terrestrial value. This is among the highest-ever-measured values in the solar system.
That means it is very unlikely that comets like 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko are responsible for the terrestrial water. “We knew that Rosetta’s in situ analysis of this comet was always going to throw us surprises,” said Matt Taylor, Rosetta’s project scientist from the European Space Research and Technology Center, Noordwijk, the Netherlands. “The bigger picture of solar-system science, and this outstanding observation, certainly fuel the debate as to where Earth got its water.” In 1986, the European Giotto mission to comet Halley had found the D/H ratio in a comet for the first time.
It turned out to be twice the terrestrial ratio. The conclusion at that time was that Oort cloud comets, of which Halley is a member, cannot be the responsible reservoir for our water. Several other Oort cloud comets were measured in the next 20 years, all displaying very similar D/H values compared to Halley. Subsequently, models that had comets as the origin of the terrestrial water became less popular. This changed when, thanks to the European Space Agency’s Herschel spacecraft, the D/H ratio was determined in comet Hartley 2, which is believed to be a Kuiper Belt comet. The D/H ratio found was very close to our terrestrial value — which was not really expected.
Most models on the early solar system claim that Kuiper Belt comets should have an even higher D/H ratio than Oort cloud comets because Kuiper Belt objects formed in a colder region than Oort cloud comets. The new findings of the Rosetta mission make it more likely that Earth got its water from asteroid-like bodies closer to our orbit and/or that Earth could actually preserve at least some of its original water in minerals and at the poles. “Our finding also disqualifies the idea that Jupiter family comets contain solely Earth ocean-like water,” said Kathrin Altwegg, principal investigator for the ROSINA instrument from the University of Bern, Switzerland, and lead author of the Science paper. “It supports models that include asteroids as the main delivery mechanism for Earth’s oceans.” -
Pill to curb obesity a step closer
LONDON (TIP): Scientists have made a significant start towards creating an obesity pill. A team of researchers from Imperial College London have discovered the exact brain mechanism that drives our appetite for foods rich in glucose and could lead to treatments for obesity. Glucose is a component of carbohydrates, and the main energy source used by brain cells.
By studying rats, the team identified a mechanism that appears to sense how much glucose is reaching the brain, and prompts animals to seek more if it detects a shortfall. The researchers believe it may play a role in driving our preference for sweet and starchy foods. Dr James Gardiner from Imperial’s department of medicine who led the study, said: “Our brains rely heavily on glucose for energy. It’s clearly a very important nutrient, but in our evolutionary past it would have been hard to come by.
So we have a deeprooted preference for glucose-rich foods and seek them out.” The researchers hypothesised that an enzyme called glucokinase might play a role in driving our desire for glucose. Glucokinase is involved in sensing glucose in the liver and pancreas. It is present in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that regulates a variety of essential functions including food intake, but its exact role was unclear. “This is the first time anyone has discovered a system in the brain that responds to a specific nutrient, rather than energy intake in general.
It suggests that when you’re thinking about diet, you have to think about different nutrients, not just count calories,” Dr Gardiner said. Dr Gardiner suggested that in humans it might be possible to reduce cravings for glucose by altering one’s diet and a drug acting on this system could potentially prevent obesity. -
MICROSOFT: WINDOWS 10 TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT YEAR
SEATTLE (TIP): Microsoft expects to have its new Windows 10 operating system on the market by autumn 2015, slightly later than previous comments had suggested. Chief operating officer Kevin Turner told Japanese news service Nikkei on Wednesday that the new system would be released “early next fall.” Microsoft has not publicly set a firm timetable for the release of Windows 10, but only last week suggested the possibility of an earlier release. “By next late summer and early fall we’ll be able to bring out this particular OS (operating system).
That’s the current plan of record,” Turner told the Credit Suisse Technology Conference. An autumn release would put Windows 10 on track for launch three years after Windows 8, which got a mixed reception as it confused many traditional PC users with a design more suited to tablets. Microsoft unveiled the name Windows 10 in late September, saying the jump in numbers from 8 to 10 marked a leap as it looks to unify the way people work on tablets, phones and traditional computers. An early test version of Windows 10 — which blends the traditional look and much-loved start menu with newer features — has been available for download from Microsoft’s website for more than two months.
Windows is still a core part of Microsoft’s business and dominates the desktop computing market with 1.5 billion users. But the growth of smartphones and tablets means Windows now runs on only about 14% of computing devices worldwide, according to tech research firm Gartner. -
APPLE, IBM ANNOUNCE 10 BUSINESS APPS
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA: Apple and IBM are announcing the first fruits of a partnership aimed at developing new mobile software — and selling more mobile devices — to business customers. One new app, developed jointly by the erstwhile rivals promises to help telecom service workers find their way to customer appointments in the field more quickly, using the GPS on an iPhone or iPad. Another would let flight attendants help passengers change their connecting reservations in mid-air. All told, IBM and Apple announced 10 new business-oriented programs. The two tech giants have a history of rivalry, but Apple and IBM announced a partnership over the summer to create a series of businessfocused apps that combine IBM’s data analytics prowess and knowledge of business requirements with Apple’s skill at creating elegant, user-friendly products.
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Champions Trophy: India rise to flatten Belgium, meet Pakistan in semifinals
BHUBANESWAR (TIP): ‘When you fall down, you gotta pick yourself back up’. This seems to be the Indian hockey team’s motto these days. The critics dismissed them when they lost their first two matches but the ‘men in blue’ stayed strong, regrouped and hit back. They first defeated the world No. 2 Netherlands in the group stage and on Thursday, when the stakes got higher, India got the scalp of world No. 4 Belgium 4-2 in the quarterfinals at the Kalinga Stadium which truly rocked. Cheered on by the capacity crowd, Sardar & Co came back from a two-goal deficit to stun the Belgians and set up a dream semifinal clash with Pakistan which will be played on Saturday. In the other semifinal Germany will take on Australia.
Incidentally, the top two teams from both groups at the end of the group stage are now out of the tournament. Such is the strange new format but nobody in the sub-continent is complaining. India began the match with a lot of confidence and took the attack to Belgium early in the first quarter. They had a great chance to score on the counter after Nikkin Thimmaiah played a beautiful through pass from the left flank towards the front of the goal. But Dharamvir Singh slipped, failed to get a touch and it was the Red Lions who took the lead the very next minute from a penalty corner.
It was their third penalty corner of the match and Felix Denayer made no mistake. To the dismay of the crowd, Sebastien Dockier made it 2-0 three minutes into the second quarter. Tanguy Cosnys pushed it hard from the top of the D and Dockier flicked it beautifully past goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. However, India took it on the chin and fought back. Cheered on by the crowd, SV Sunil won India their first penalty corner of the match through a counter-attack and Rupinder Pal Singh got into the attack. Rupinder, who had scored in the last match against the Netherlands too, flicked it into the top-right corner of the net giving no chance to the goalkeeper.
The goal lifted India who played some of the best hockey they have in a very long time throughout the second quarter. That eventually got them the equalizer three minutes from the end of first half. VR Raghunath slapped it hard from the left flank into the D and S Uthappa did well to deflect it into the net. Belgium tried hard to get back into the game in the third quarter but some tight defending by the hosts kept the score level. The Indians did not sit back and defend. Like the first half, they counter-attacked and took the lead for the first time in the match four minutes from the end of third quarter.
This time it was Akashdeep Singh who sounded the board after Sunil’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. Their tails up, India went into the attack, taking advantage of the huge gaps in the Belgian defence and their fourth of the night came four minutes into the fourth quarter. Manpreet Singh stole the ball in India’s half and passed it to Sardar. The skipper in turn gave it to Dharamvir who calmly put it through the legs of the custodian to bring the house down. -
Pakistan stun Holland to reach Champions Trophy semifinals
BHUBANESWAR (TIP): Putting their disappointing pool campaign behind, an inspired Pakistan notched up their first win over the Netherlands in 16 years, stunning the World Cup and Olympic silver medallist 4-2 to reach the semifinals of Champions Trophy tournament on Thursday. The 4-2 win was Pakistan’s first win over the Dutch in the Champions Trophy in 12 attempts, a run dating back to 1998 edition of the tournament in Lahore.
After back-to-back wins in pool stages, the Netherlands slumped to their second straight defeat in the tournament and that too against a lower-ranked side. The Dutch had earlier lost 2-3 against India in their final pool match on Tuesday. Surprisingly, Pakistan, who returned winless from the pool engagements, looked a completely different side today as they dominated the mighty Dutch for major part of the match. The Netherlands, on the other hand, looked a pale shadow of themselves as they failed to take control of the match and lacked in discipline. Pakistan also had an impressive record in penalty corners today as they converted three out of the four set pieces that came their way.
However, it was the Dutch who got off to a flying start when Jeroen Hertzberger powered home a field goal in the sixth minute. Soon after, Pakistan skipper Muhammad Imran brilliantly saved a Mink van der Weerden drag-flick off the line to keep their lead intact. Pakistan depended on counter-attacks today and their plan yielded dividends. It was Muhammad Waqas who created an opening with his brilliant work in the right wing for Muhammad Umar Bhutta (16th) and the Pakistani forward made no mistake to draw level for his side early in the second quarter.
Muhammad Rizwan Senior then drew a brilliant save from Dutch custodian Jaap Stockman but Pakistan managed to take the lead five minutes from halftime when Imran scored with a low flick from a penalty corner. The Netherlands leveled the scores four minutes into the second half through Constantijn Jonker (39th) who neatly finished Rogier Hofman’s driven cross from the right flank.
But Pakistan kept up the pressure on the Dutch goal and Muhammad Irfan pumped in two goals in quick succession in the last 10 minutes of the match to surprise their opponents. Irfan’s both goals came from penalty corner variations. He first restored Pakistan’s lead in the 51st before applying the killer touch a minute later. -
Indian Aces edge past Singapore Slammers in IPTL
ABU DHABI (TIP): Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna got past Bruno Soares and Daniela Hantuchova in the mixed-doubles match as Micromax Indian Aces edged past DBS Singapore Slammers in the UAE leg of the International Premier Tennis League on Thursday. Indian Aces were given a hard time by the Singapore team but they won four of the five games and won Match 19 of the tournament 28-24 in terms of more sets won.
Sania and Bopanna combined well to win a closely contested battle against the Brazilian-Slovak pair of Soares and Hantuchova 6-5. In the legends face off, Fabrice Santoro from Indian Aces sailed past former World No. 1 Patrick Rafter of Australia 6-3. Serbian ace Ana Ivanovic also worked wonders for the Aces as the World No.5 beat Huntuchova 6-5 in the women’s singles match. Bopanna also paired with Gael Monfils in the men’s doubles to teach Lleyton Hewitt and Soares a lesson as the Indo-French outplayed the Australian-Brazilian pair 6-3. But Monfils tripped against Tomas Berdych 4-8 in the men’s singles encounter but Indian Aces took were the team left smiling. -
Nobel Peace Prize for ‘Indian Father & Pakistani Daughter’
OSLO (TIP): It was a proud moment for an “Indian father and a Pakistani daughter” to stand together to accept the applause of a gathering of royals, dignitaries, family members and others in the vast and ornate chamber at the Oslo City Hall , Wednesday, December 10. The 60 year old Kailash Satyarthi of India and the 17 year old Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan shared the Nobel Peace Prize. Standing side by side to receive medals and diplomas, the two winners drew a standing ovation from the audience before them.
Malala Yousafzai at the U.N. on July 12, 2013
Speaking at the ceremony, his speech steeped in emotion, Kailash Satyarthi, declared that he represented “the sound of silence, the cry of innocence, and the face of invisibility.” “I have come here to share the voices and dreams of our children, because they are all our children,” he said. “There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of our children,” he said. “I refuse to accept that the shackles of slavery can ever be more stronger than the quest for freedom,” he added. “The single aim of my life is that every child is free to be a child.” “We live in an age of rapid globalization,” he continued. “We are connected through high-speed Internet.We exchange goods and services in one single global market.
Kailash Satyarthi attends a human trafficking special session during the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative
Thousands of flights every day connect us to every corner of the globe. “But there is one serious disconnect. It is the lack of compassion,” he said, adding: “Let us globalize compassion.” Malala Yousafzai began her speech with acknowledging her gratitude to her parents and teachers. Malala went on to say the Nobel Prize “is not just for me.” “It is for those forgotten children who want education,” she continued. “It is for those frightened children who want peace.
Kailash Satyarthi: “Let us globalize compassion.”
It is for those voiceless children who want change.” “This is where I will begin, but it is not where I will stop,” she said. “I will continue this fight until I see every child in school.” She added: “Why is it that countries which we call so strong are so powerful in creating wars but so weak in bringing peace? Why is it that giving guns is so easy but giving books is so hard? Why is it that making tanks is so easy, but building schools is so hard?” Even before the ceremony, Ms. Yousafzai and Mr. Satyarthi seemed intent on using the occasion not simply as a platform for acknowledgment of their achievements, but also as a podium from which to renew their campaigns.
“We are here to tell children, especially, that you need to stand up. You need to speak up for your rights. It is you who can change the world”, said Malala .
“We are not here just to accept our award, get this medal and go back home,” Ms. Yousafzai told a news conference on the eve of the ceremony, according to Agence France-Presse. “We are here to tell children, especially, that you need to stand up. You need to speak up for your rights. It is you who can change the world.” “In this world, if we are thinking we are modern and have achieved so much development,” she said on Tuesday, “then why is it that there are so many countries where children are not asking for any iPad or computer or anything? What they are asking for is just a book, just a pen, so why can’t we do that?”
The Indian father and the Pakistani daughter greet people before the start of the ceremony
Pakistani youth activist Malala Yousafzai was awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize on Wednesday, December 10, an honor she shares with Kailash Satyarthi, who has long been campaigning against child exploitation in neighboring India. But until about two years ago, Malala was just a 15-year old blogger on a school bus with her friends. It was Oct. 9, 2012, when armed Taliban men boarded Malala’s bus and shot her in the head, transforming her from a minor Internet celebrity into an international symbol.
It’s hard to believe that she’s accomplished so much – including recovery from her injuries – in only two years, but Malala’s story actually started long before the assassination attempt that launched her to worldwide fame. She was born in the Swat valley in Pakistan, in 1997, to parents who encouraged her love for education from a young age. As a toddler, Malala would sit in classrooms in her father’s school and follow lessons for 10-year olds. Aryn Baker wrote in her 2012 profile of Malala for TIME: By the time she was 2½, she was sitting in class with 10-yearolds, according to a close family friend and teacher at the school founded by Malala’s father.
The little girl with the huge hazel eyes didn’t say much, but “she could follow, and she never got bored,” says the teacher, who asked to remain anonymous for fear that she too might become a Taliban target. Malalaloved the school, a rundown concrete-block building with a large rooftop terrace open to views of the snowcapped mountains that surround the Swat Valley. As she grew older, she was always first in her class. “She was an ordinary girl with extraordinary abilities,” says the teacher, “but she never had a feeling of being special.” In 2008, everything changed.
The Taliban gained control of the Swat region, banning DVDs, dancing, and beauty parlors. By the end of the year, over 400 schools were closed. Ziauddin took Malala to Peshawar, where she made a famous speech in front of national press titled “How Dare the Taliban Take Away My Basic Right to Education?” She was only 11. In early 2009, Malala started blogging anonymously for the BBC about what it was like to live under the Taliban. Just a few days after she started, all girls schools were closed. In retrospect, some parts of Malala’s blog seem like ominous foreshadowing: “On my way from school to home I heard a man saying ‘I will kill you’,” she wrote on Jan. 3, 2009. “I hastened my pace and after a while I looked back if the man was still coming behind me. But to my utter relief he was talking on his mobile and must have been threatening someone else over the phone.” But there are also humorous parts that remind us that, at the time, she was only 11: “My mother liked my pen name ‘Gul Makai’ and said to my father ‘why not change her name to Gul Makai?’ I also like the name because my real name means ‘grief stricken’.” In December 2009, Ziauddin publicly identified his daughter, even though her real name has been widely suspected for months. That proved to be a dangerous move.
“We did not want to kill her, as we knew it would cause us a bad name in the media,” Sirajuddin Ahmad, a senior commander and spokesman for the Swat Taliban, told TIME for the 2012 magazine profile. “But there was no other option.” In 2012, armed men boarded the converted truck that Malala and her classmates used as a makeshift school bus. “Which one is Malala?” one of them asked. “I think we must have looked at her,” Malala’s classmate Shazia Ramzan told TIME’s Aryn Baker. “We didn’t say anything, but we must have looked, because then he shot her.” Malala took a bullet to the head.
She endured a traumatic operation in Pakistan that left her with a (temporary) metal plate in her head while they stored a piece of her skull in her abdomen, to reattach when she’s healed enough. She was then airlifted to a hospital in Birmingham, England, where she had more medical treatment and extensive rehabilitation. The rest of her story has played out in the public eye. Nine months after she was shot, Malala gave a now-famous speech at the UN. “They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed,” she said. “And then, out of that silence came thousands of voices.… Weakness, fear and hopelessness died.
Strength, power and courage was born.” Now relocated to England, Malala goes to Edgbaston School for Girls. She’s continued her high-profile campaign for girls’ education with The Malala Fund, which raises money to promote girls’ education. She’s used the fund as a platform to confront Barack Obama about drone strikes, help Syrian refugee children and demand the return of the Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram. And this September, she announced a $3 million multi-year commitment to partner with Echidna Giving to support girls education in developing countries.
Malala won Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize in 2011, before she was shot, but the prize been since renamed in her honor; it’s now the National Malala Peace Prize. She was shortlisted for TIME’s Person of the Year in 2012, and was one of the TIME 100 in 2013. She won a Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice in 2012 and the 2013 Simone de Beauvoir Prize for international human rights work on behalf of women’s equality.
India’s Kailash Satyarthi , born on January 11, 1954, is a human rights activist who has been at the forefront of the global movement to end child slavery and exploitative child labor since 1980 when he gave up a lucrative career as an Electrical Engineer for initiating crusade against Child Servitude. As a grassroots activist, he has led the rescue of over 78,500 child slaves and developed a successful model for their education and rehabilitation. As a worldwide campaigner, he has been the architect of the single largest civil society network for the most exploited children, the Global March Against Child Labor, which is a worldwide coalition of NGOs, Teachers’ Union and Trade Unions.
As an analytical thinker, he made the issue of child labor a human rights issue, not a welfare matter or a charitable cause. He has established that child labor is responsible for the perpetuation of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, population explosion and many other social evils. He has also played an important role in linking the fight against child labor with the efforts for achieving ‘Education for All’. Mr. Satyarthi is a member of a High Level Group formed by UNESCO on Education for All comprising of select Presidents,
Prime Ministers and UN Agency Heads. As one of the rare civil society leaders he has addressed the United Nations General Assembly, International Labour Conference, UN Human Rights Commission, UNESCO, etc and has been invited to several Parliamentary Hearings and Committees in USA, Germany and UK in the recent past. As an advocate for quality and meaningful education, Mr. Kailash Satyarthi has addressed some of the biggest worldwide congregations of Workers and Teachers Congresses, Christian Assembly, Students Conferences, etc. as a keynote speaker on the issue of child labor and education.
He is on the Board and Committee of several International Organizations. Amongst all the prominent ones being in the Center for Victims of Torture (USA), International Labor Rights Fund (USA), etc.Mr. Satyarthi is an executive Board Member of International Cocoa Foundation with the Headquarters in Geneva representing the global civil society. He has survived numerous attacks on his life during his crusade to end child labor, the most recent being the attack on him and his colleagues while rescuing child slaves from garment sweatshops in Delhi on 17 March 2011.
Earlier in 2004 while rescuing children from the clutches of a local circus mafia and the owner of Great Roman Circus,Mr. Satyarthi and his colleagues were brutally attacked. Despite of these attacks and his office being ransacked by anti social elements a number of times in the past his commitment to stand tall for the cause of child slaves has been unwavering. He has set up three rehabilitation-cumeducational centers for freed bonded children that resulted in the transformation of victims of child servitude into leaders and liberators. His life and work has been explicitly covered in hundreds of programs on all the prominent television and radio channels including Wall Street Journal, BBC, CNN, ABC, NHK, Japan Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian T.V., ARD, Austrian News, Lok Sabha TV etc. and profoundly featured in several magazines like The Time, Life, Reader’s Digest, Far Eastern Economist,Washington Post, New York Times, Times London, Los Angeles Times, Guardian, Independent, The Times of India, etc.
In addition, to the Global March Against Child Labor, other organizations he has founded and/or led include Bachpan Bachao Andolan, the Global Campaign for Education, and the Rugmark Foundation now known as Goodweave. He is the Chair of another world body International Center on Child Labor and Education (ICCLE) in Washington, D.C. ICCLE is one of the foremost policy institution to bring authentic and abiding southern grassroots perspective in the US policy domain.
“The Global March Against Child Labour is a movement to mobilize worldwide efforts to protect and promote the rights of all children, especially the right to receive a free, meaningful education and to be free from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be harmful to the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.” Global March Against Child Labour is a movement born out of hope and the need felt by thousands of people across the globe – the desire to set children free from servitude. Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) founded by Mr. Kailash Satyarthi is the ray of hope in millions of hearts, the first dream in their eyes, and the first smile on their faces.
It is the sky and wings together for innumerable children, excluded from human identity and dignity, with a desire to fly in freedom. It is the tears of joy of a mother who finds her rescued child back in her lap after years of helplessness and hopelessness. It is a battle to open the doors of opportunities, a fire for freedom and education in the hearts and souls of thousands of youth committed to wipe out the scourge of slavery and ignorance from the face of mankind. ” http://www.bba.org.in/ Rugmark (brainchild of Mr. Kailash Satyarthi) (now known as Goodweave) is an international consortium of independent bodies from a dozen carpet exporting and importing countries, which take part in a voluntary social labeling initiative to ensure that rugs have not been produced with child labor.
The International Center on Child Labor and Education (ICCLE) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing worldwide efforts to advance the rights of all children, especially to receive a free and meaningful education and to be free from economic exploitation and any work that is hazardous, interferes with a child’s education, or is harmful to a child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. The Center serves as the international advocacy office of the Global March Against Child Labor, a movement representing some 2,000 organizations in 140 countries intended to highlight child slavery and hazardous child labor. The Center also serves as a clearinghouse – for the dissemination and sharing of information and knowledge on global child labor issues.
ICCLE has built up a great deal of goodwill and respect by being a key player in the establishment of the Global Task Force on Child Labor and Education with UNESCO, the World Bank, ILO, UNICEF, and the Global March.Mr. Kailash Satyarthi is the founder of ICCLE and is on the Board. The life and work of Kailash Satyarthi have been the subject of a number of documentaries, television series, talk shows, advocacy and awareness films,Magazines and news items of all leading print and electronic media worldwide. Satyarthi’s contribution has been recognized through several prestigious international awards. These include the recently awarded Nobel Peace Prize 2014. Satyarthi lives in New Delhi, India. His family includes his wife, a son, daughter-inlaw, a daughter, children , friends and colleagues. -
Russia provides a leg up to Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign
NEW DELHI (TIP): In what may appear to be a reaffirmation of sound friendly ties with Russia, notwithstanding Russia’s recent military cooperation agreement with Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, December 11, underlined the primacy of Moscow in New Delhi’s strategic calculus when he said Russia was and would remain India’s most important defense partner.
This, he said, was despite the fact that India now had more options, in what was seen as an oblique reference to its growing military and defense ties with the US. Modi’s remark came after his summit meet here with President Vladimir Putin, who offered India lucrative energy deals and sought to provide a leg-up to Modi’s “Make in India” campaign.
Pacts on 20 nuclear reactors, oil and gas among 20 pacts inked
After the talks, the two countries signed as many as 20 agreements – seven intergovernmental and 13 commercial – including a strategic vision for cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy. Another agreement was signed for partnership in oil and natural gas.. One of the agreements signed will facilitate training of Indian armed forces personnel in the military establishment of Russia’s defense ministry. Modi, who addressed the media in English, said apart from the 4 reactors at Kudankulam, the two countries outlined an “ambitious vision for nuclear energy of at least 10 more reactors” and would look at exporting it to third countries. Putin, in fact, said in his statement that Russia would help build 20 reactors in India. In a boost for Modi’s “Make in India” initiative, Putin also offered to build one of Russia’s most advanced helicopters in India. Putin said the joint initiative could consider exporting the helicopters to other countries.
Modi thanked Putin for the offer, saying Indian authorities would follow up on it quickly. Modi described Putin as a leader of a great nation with which “we have a friendship of unmatched mutual confidence, trust and goodwill”. “We have a strategic partnership that is incomparable in content. The steadfast support of the people of Russia for India has been there even at difficult moments in our history. It has been a pillar of strength for India’s development, security and international relations,” said Modi.
While it is not clear if the Indian side took up the issue of Russia’s agreement with Pakistan which could facilitate supply of arms to India’s neighbor, Modi suggested in his statement that he expected both sides to be sensitive to their concerns. “President Putin and I agreed that this is a challenging moment in the world. Our partnership and the strong sensitivity that we have always had for each other’s interests will be a source of strength to both countries,” he said.
Putin also mentioned the joint fifthgeneration fighter jet project which has failed to make much headway in the recent past. “I would also like to note that projects to jointly develop multi-purpose fighter aircraft and multirole transport planes is another step in our joint work,” he said. Modi also proposed that Russia locate manufacturing facilities in India for spares and components for Russian defense equipment. A joint statement titled “Druzhba-Dosti” said the two countries will study the possibilities of building a hydrocarbon pipeline system, connecting the Russian Federation with India.
Modi said cooperation between the two nations in the hydrocarbon sector had been disappointing until now and that they will pursue an ambitious agenda for partnership in oil and natural gas. Putin also said Russia is ready to cooperate in peaceful space exploration, specifically in the development of close-orbit satellites and use of the GLONASS satellite navigation system. The leaders condoled the loss of lives in “senseless terrorist acts” in recent days in Jammu & Kashmir and Chechnya (Russia). -
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB
ONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE
|| 4 || Those who have not served the True Guru – why did they even bother to come into the world? They are bound and gagged and beaten at Death’s door, but no one hears their shrieks and cries. They waste their lives uselessly; they die and are reincarnated over and over again. || 5 || Seeing this world on fire, I rushed to the Sanctuary of the True Guru. The True Guru has implanted the Truth within me; I dwell steadfastly in Truth and self-restraint. The True Guru is the Boat of Truth; in the Word of the Shabad, we cross over the terrifying world-ocean. |
| 6 || People continue wandering through the cycle of 8.4 million incarnations; without the True Guru, liberation is not obtained. Reading and studying, the Pandits and the silent sages have grown weary, but attached to the love of duality, they have lost their honor. The True Guru teaches the Word of the Shabad; without the True One, there is no other at all.
|| 7 || Those who are linked by the True One are linked to Truth. They always act in Truth. They attain their dwelling in the home of their own inner being, and they abide in the Mansion of Truth. O Nanak, the devotees are happy and peaceful forever. They are absorbed in the True Name. || 8 || 17 || 8 || 25 || SIREE RAAG, FIFTH MEHL: When you are confronted with terrible hardships, and no one offers you any support, when your friends turn into enemies, and even your relatives have deserted you, and when all support has given way, and all hope has been lost – if you then come to remember the Supreme Lord God, even the hot wind shall not touch you. || 1 || Our Lord and Master is the Power of the powerless. He does not come or go; He is Eternal and Permanent. Through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, He is known as True.
|| 1 || Pause || If you are weakened by the pains of hunger and poverty, with no money in your pockets, and no one will give you any comfort, and no one will satisfy your hopes and desires, and none of your works is accomplished – if you then come to remember the Supreme Lord God, you shall obtain the eternal kingdom. || 2 || When you are plagued by great and excessive anxiety, and diseases of the body; when you are wrapped up in the attachments of household and family, sometimes feeling joy, and then other times sorrow; when you are wandering around in all four directions, and you cannot sit or sleep even for a moment – if you come to remember the Supreme Lord God, then your body and mind shall be cooled and soothed.
|| 3 || When you are under the power of sexual desire, anger and worldly attachment, or a greedy miser in love with your wealth; if you have committed the four great sins and other mistakes; even if you are a murderous fiend who has never taken the time to listen to sacred books, hymns and poetry – if you then come to remember the Supreme Lord God, and contemplate Him, even for a moment, you shall be saved. || 4 || People may recite by heart the Shaastras, the Simritees and the four Vedas; they may be ascetics, great, self-disciplined Yogis; they may visit sacred shrines of pilgrimage and perform the six ceremonial rituals, over and over again, performing worship services and ritual bathings. Even so, if they have not embraced love for the Supreme Lord God, then they shall surely go to hell.
|| 5 || You may possess empires, vast estates, authority over others, and the enjoyment of myriads of pleasures; you may have delightful and beautiful gardens, and issue unquestioned commands; you may have enjoyments and entertainments of all sorts and kinds, and continue to enjoy exciting pleasures – and yet, if you do not come to remember the Supreme Lord God, you shall be reincarnated as a snake. || 6 || You may possess vast riches, maintain virtuous conduct, have a spotless reputation and observe religious customs; you may have the loving affections of mother, father, children, siblings and friends; you may have armies well-equipped with weapons, and all may salute you with respect; But still, if you do not come to remember the Supreme Lord God, then you shall be taken and consigned to the most hideous hell!
|| 7 || You may have a body free of disease and deformity, and have no worries or grief at all; you may be unmindful of death, and night and day revel in pleasures; you may take everything as your own, and have no fear in your mind at all; but still, if you do not come to remember the Supreme Lord God, you shall fall under the power of the Messenger of Death. || 8 || The Supreme Lord showers His Mercy, and we find the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. The more time we spend there, the more we come to love the Lord. The Lord is the Master of both worlds; there is no other place of rest. When the True Guru is pleased and satisfied, O Nanak, the True Name is obtained. || 9 || 1 || 26 || SIREE RAAG, FIFTH MEHL, FIFTH HOUSE: I do not know what pleases my Lord. O mind, seek out the way!
|| 1 || Pause || The meditatives practice meditation, and the wise practice spiritual wisdom, but how rare are those who know God! || 1 || The worshipper of Bhagaauti practices self-discipline, the Yogi speaks of liberation, and the ascetic is absorbed in asceticism. || 2 || The men of silence observe silence, the Sanyaasees observe celibacy, and the Udaasees abide in detachment.
|| 3 || There are nine forms of devotional worship. The Pandits recite the Vedas. The householders assert their faith in family life. || 4 || Those who utter only One Word, those who take many forms, the naked renunciates, the wearers of patched coats, the magicians, those who remain always awake, and those who bathe at holy places of pilgrimage – || 5 || Those who go without food, those who never touch others, the hermits who never show themselves, and those who are wise in their own minds –
|| 6 || Of these, no one admits to any deficiency; all say that they have found the Lord. But he alone is a devotee, whom the Lord has united with Himself. || 7 || Abandoning all devices and contrivances, I have sought His Sanctuary. Nanak has fallen at the Feet of the Guru. || 8 || 2 || 27 || ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: SIREE RAAG, FIRST MEHL, THIRD HOUSE: Among Yogis, You are the Yogi; among pleasure seekers, You are the Pleasure Seeker. Your limits are not known to any of the beings in the heavens, in this world, or in the nether regions of the underworld. || 1 || I am devoted, dedicated, a sacrifice to Your Name.
|| 1 || Pause || You created the world, and assigned tasks to one and all. You watch over Your Creation, and through Your Allpowerful Creative Potency, You cast the dice. || 2 || You are manifest in the Expanse of Your Workshop. Everyone longs for Your Name, but without the Guru, no one finds You. All are enticed and trapped by Maya. || 3 || I am a sacrifice to the True Guru. Meeting Him, the supreme status is obtained. The angelic beings and the silent sages long for Him; the True Guru has given me this understanding. || 4 || How is the Society of the Saints to be known? There, the Name of the One Lord is chanted. The One Name is the Lord’s Command; O Nanak, the True Guru has given me this understanding.
|| 5 || This world has been deluded by doubt. You Yourself, Lord, have led it astray. The discarded soul-brides suffer in terrible agony; they have no luck at all. || 6 || What are the signs of the discarded brides? They miss their Husband Lord, and they wander around in dishonor. The clothes of those brides are filthy – they pass their life-night in agony. || 7 || What actions have the happy soul-brides performed? They have obtained the fruit of their pre-ordained destiny. Casting His Glance of Grace, the Lord unites them with Himself. || 8 || Those, whom God causes to abide by His Will, have the Shabad of His Word abiding deep within. They are the true soul-brides, who embrace love for their Husband Lord.
|| 9 || Those who take pleasure in God’s Will remove doubt from within. O Nanak, know Him as the True Guru, who unites all with the Lord. || 10 || Meeting with the True Guru, they receive the fruits of their destiny, and egotism is driven out from within. The pain of evil-mindedness is eliminated; good fortune comes and shines radiantly from their foreheads. || 11 || The Bani of Your Word is Ambrosial Nectar. It permeates the hearts of Your devotees. Serving You, peace is obtained; granting Your Mercy, You bestow salvation. || 12 || Meeting with the True Guru, one comes to know; by this meeting, one comes to chant the Name. Without the True Guru, God is not found; all have grown weary of performing religious rituals.
|| 13 || I am a sacrifice to the True Guru; I was wandering in doubt, and He has set me on the right path. If the Lord casts His Glance of Grace, He unites us with Himself. || 14 || You, Lord, are pervading in all, and yet, the Creator keeps Himself concealed. O Nanak, the Creator is revealed to the Gurmukh, within whom He has infused His Light. -
THE RAMAYANA
continued from previous issue
And our food shall be the wild fruit and our drink from crystal well, We would practise pious penance still on sacred rites intent, Till our souls be filled with wisdom and our years of exile spent!” Pleased the ancient Bharad-vaja heard the prince’s humble tale. And with kind and courteous welcome royal strangers greeted well, And he brought the milk and argya where the guests observant stood, Crystal water from the fountain, berries from the darksome wood, And a low and leafy cottage for their dwelling-place assigned, As a host receives a stranger, welcomed them with offerings kind.
In the asram’s peaceful courtyard fearless browsed the jungle deer, All unharmed the bird of forest; pecked the grain collected near, And by holy men surrounded ‘neath the trees’ umbrageous shade, In his pure and peaceful accents rishi Bharad-vaja said: Not unknown or unexpected, princely strangers, have ye come, I have heard of sinless Rama’s causeless banishment from home, Welcome to a hermit’s forest, be this spot your place of rest, Where the meeting of the rivers, makes our sacred asram blest, Live amidst these peaceful woodlands, still on sacred rites intent Till your souls be filled with wisdom and your years of exile spent!” “Gracious are thy accents, rishi,” Rama answered thus the sage.
“But fair towns and peopled hamlets border on this hermitage, And to see the banished Sita and to see us, much I fear, Crowds of rustics oft will trespass on thy calm devotions here, Far from towns and peopled hamlets, grant us, rishi, in thy grace, Some wild spot where hid in jungle we may pass these years in peace.” “Twenty miles from this Prayagya,” spake the rishi pond’ring well, “Is a lonely hill and jungle where some ancient hermits dwell, Chitra-kuta, Peak of Beauty, where the forest creatures stray, And in every bush and thicket herds of lightsome monkeys play, Men who view its towering summit are on lofty thoughts inclined. Earthly pride nor earthly passions cloud their pure and peaceful mind, Hoary-headed ancient hermits, hundred autumns who have done, By their faith and lofty penance heaven’s eternal bliss have won, Holy is the fair seclusion for thy purpose suited well, Or if still thy heart inclineth, here in peace and comfort dwell!” Spake the rishi Bharad-vaja, and with every courteous rite, Cheered his guests with varied converse till the silent hours of night, Fourth night of the princes’ exile in Prayaga’s hermitage, Passed the brothers and fair Sita honoured by Prayaga’s Sacre.
CROSSING THE JUMNA–VALMIKI’S HERMITAGE
Morning dawned, and faithful Sita with the brothers held her way, Where the dark and eddying, waters of the sacred Jumna stray, Pondering by the rapid river long the thoughtful brothers stood, Then with stalwart arms and axes felled the sturdy jungle wood, Usira of strongest fibre, slender bamboo smooth and plain, Jambu branches intertwining, with the bent and twisting cane, And a mighty raft constructed,
and with creepers scented sweet, Lakshman for the gentle Sita made a soft and pleasant seat. Then the rustic bark was floated, framed with skill of woodman’s craft, By her loving lord supported Sita stepped upon the raft, And her raiments and apparel Rama by his consort laid, And the axes and the deerskins, bow and dart and shining blade. Then with stalwart arms the brothers plied the bending bamboo oar,
And the strong raft gaily bounding left for Jumna’s southern shore. “Goddess of the glorious Jumna!” so the pious Sita prayed, “Peaceful be my husband’s exile in the forest’s darksome shade, May he safely reach Ayodhya, and a thousand fattened kine, Hundred jars of sweet libation, mighty Jumna, shall be thine, Grant that from the woods returning he may see his home again, Grant that honoured by his kinsmen he may rule his loving men! On her breast her arms she folded while the princes plied the oar, And the bright bark bravely bounding reached the wooded southern shore. And the wanderers from Ayodhya on the river’s margin stood,
Where the unknown realm extended mantled by unending wood, Gallant Lakshman with his weapons went before the path to clear, Soft-eyed Sita followed gently, Rama followed in the rear. Oft from tree and darksome jungle, Lakshman ever true and brave, Plucked the fruit or smiling blossom and to gentle Sita gave, Oft to Rama turned his consort, pleased and curious evermore, Asked the name of tree or creeper, fruit or flower unseen before. Still with brotherlv affection Lakshman brought each dewy spray,
Bud or blossom of wild beauty from the woodland bright and gay, Still with eager joy and pleasure Sita turned her eye once more, Where the tuneful swans and saras flocked on Jumna’s sandy shore. Two miles thus they walked and wandered and the belt of forest passed, Slew the wild deer of the jungle, spread on leaves their rich repast, Peacocks flew around them gaily, monkeys leaped on branches bent, Fifth night of their endless wanderings in the forest thus they spent. “Wake, my love, and list the warblings and the voices of the wood,” Thus spake Rama when the morning on the eastern mountains stood,
Sita woke and gallant Lakshman, and they sipped the sacred wave, To the hill of Chitra-kuta held their way serene and brave. “Mark, my love,” so Rama uttered, “every bush and tree and flower, Tinged by radiant light of morning sparkles in a golden shower, Mark the flaming flower of Kinsuk and the Vilwa in its pride, Luscious fruits in wild profusion ample store of food provide, Mark the honeycombs suspended from each tall and stately tree, How from every virgin blossom steals her store the faithless bee! Oft the lone and startled wild cock sounds its clarion full and clear, And from flowering fragrant forests peacocks send the answering cheer, Oft the elephant of jungle ranges in this darksome wood,
For yon peak is Chitra-kuta loved by saints and hermits good, Oft the chanted songs of hermits echo through its sacred grove, Peaceful on its shady uplands, Sita, we shall live and rove!” Gently thus the princes wandered through the fair and woodland scene, Fruits and blossoms lit the branches, feathered songsters filled the green, Anchorites and ancient hermits lived in every sylvan grove, And a sweet and sacred stillness filled the woods with peace and love! Gently thus the princes wandered to the holy hermitage, Where in lofty contemplation lived the mighty Saint and Sage, Heaven inspired thy song, Valmiki! Ancient Bard of ancient day, Deeds of virtue and of valour live in thy madying lay!
to be continued -
Americans Together organizes Thanksgiving Celebrations and Awards Night
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson graces the occasion
Report/photos by Zia Khan/ 214-207-7922 DALLAS (TIP): Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas presided over the proceedings of the 16th annual thanksgiving celebrations and awards night organized by Americans Together on Saturday, November 22, 2014. It was a bridge building event between communities. We ought to be thankful to Native Americans, who did not put the electric fence around Americas to keep the illegal aliens like Columbus and other Europeans from entering America without a visa.
Mike Ghouse, President of Americans Together and the chief architect of the Thanksgiving celebrations underscored the importance of sharing, caring and thanksgiving.
Today, we are a nation of immigrants, other than the natives; almost all of us are immigrants from one to several generations. The event was organized by America Together Foundation, World Muslim Congress. And the Foundation for Pluralism, all committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in tension, discomfort, apprehension or fear of the other. The purpose of celebrating this event was to thank God for guiding us to learn to respect the otherness of others, and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us. And more importantly it is to familiarize the new immigrants with the festivities.
The honorees with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Mike Ghouse
You’ll be surprised to find that many of them have not even seen the thanksgiving meal and its fixings. It was not a part of their study for citizenship and apparently no one has done this as a public event. “Congresswoman Johnson represents the aspiration of fellow Americans; justice and liberty for every American in his or her pursuit of happiness, and she fights for that relentlessly – Is that the kind of congressperson we want?, well here she is.” Mike Ghouse welcomed her amidst a thunderous applause.
A view of the gathering
To paraphrase Congresswoman Johnson, “we have made sacrifices to respect the human rights, civil liberties and freedom for our new generations and now they have those rights. On the map of the world, ours is still the best country. The immigrant community has always played an important role in the development of US.” It was a delight to watch the Congresswoman carve the symbolic turkey, and sharing what thanksgiving means to her; to count your blessings.
For many a immigrants it is an introduction to the American way of life and who else can do a better job than the Congresswoman? Through her efforts and against all impediments, she has realized her American dream. Chef Ali of Spicy Cuisine in Irving prepared delicious vegetarian and non-veg meals with a fixing of thanksgiving delicacies. Congresswoman Johnson presented the awards to four community leaders and delivered a beautiful keynote address on gratitude,while highlighting the need for events like this to bring people together regardless of their political, religious, racial or and social affiliation to build a safe, secure and a cohesive America.
Mike Ghouse, president of the foundation shared the real life stories that exemplify thanksgiving; stories about Appaiah and the hospitality in Saudi Arabia. How each one of us can restore the spiritual balance within and live a productive, meaningful and a purposeful life. The Appaiah story was published in Huffington Post Link , and the Saudi story, all pictures, and notes will be at www.ThanksgivingCelebrations.org The attendees were represented by people of different faiths, races, political orientations and other uniqueness’s. They cheered on when Mike Ghouse, chair of the event asked.
Whether you are Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Gay, Lesbian, Black, White, Native, Immigrant, Republican or Democrat, how many of you like to see your Congress person represent you with equal care and consideration? How many of you would like to see your congress person treat you with dignity and respect regardless of who you are? Well here she is, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.” She delivered a beautiful key note speech about Gratitude. The following individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to building bridges in the communities we live – the title conferred upon all of them was “Pluralist” – meaning someone who respects the otherness of others. Every society has heroes – that is men and women who have gone beyond their normal self to serve the communities at large, and it is our responsibility as a society to acknowledge, cherish and honor them.
Here is a brief introduction of the recipients; detail profiles will be available at www.thanksgivingcelebrations.org. Raja Zahid A. Khanzada –
a Journalist for his “Commitment to truth in Journalism.” He reports for the top news media conglomerates in Pakistan and has been a catalyst in a process of “forgiveness” of the robbers – where they surrendered their guns in return for acceptance in the society to live and breathe a normal life, and be the contributors of the nation. It is sort of what President Obama is doing with the undocumented aliens, a noble thing to do. Raja is a relentless pursuer of education with three Master’s degrees and a degree in Homeopathic medical sciences and holds certification from American Alternative Medicine Practitioner Board in practice of alternative medicine. He amazed everyone when he asked his mother to receive the plaque.
Amina Rab –
a community activist and leader for “Building Bridges.” Amina is deeply committed to building bridges between the Muslim community and other communities. It is not her job, but a passion to build bridges. She is the President of the Council on American Islamic Relations- DFW chapter and is the first woman to serve on the North Texas Islamic Council, and is a founding Board member of Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation. She is a Scientist in the healthcare industry for 20 years. Amina is an entrepreneur with a home based business, a mother, a grandmother and a community Activist with a passion to promote peace and justice in the world.
Anne Marie Weiss –
a community leader for “Bringing the DFW communities together.” Anne Marie single handedly started the DFW international in early nineties – she had the vision for making the Dallas/ Fort worth an international Metroplex, even before it was declared as such. Today, DFW International has become an exemplary institution in America. There is nothing like it. Where can you find connections to every cultural, religious, social and ethnic group in one place? None in America! She has put Dallas Fort Worth on the world Map. If you see the demographic statistics of nationalities and ethnicities in Dallas, it was her effort. It is her selfless devotion to the belief that DFW should genuinely reflect its diversity.
Sante Santhanam Chary –
is a national figure in “Connecting the World Leaders.” Sante is one of the very few Americans, perhaps the only immigrant who has met, shook hands and shared a message with 7 American Presidents and 8 Indian Presidents/Prime Ministers. Sante is continuously forging political and business ties between the United States and India and in September this year, he got the US Senate to pass a resolution creating “2014 U.S.-India Partnership Day” to honor Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. He has set a new world record by collecting over 55 contemporary signatures in solidarity on a USPS issued First Day Envelope with Mahatma Gandhi’s stamp on it. Sante is a healthcare entrepreneur with a focus on physician staffing services to small towns in the US. He is a graduate of The Harvard Business School and the Thomas Jefferson School of Law. -
Amitabh Bachchan to be the Chief Guest at AAPI’s Global Healthcare Summit in Mumbai
NEW YORK (TIP): “Bollywood Superstar Amitabh Bachchan will be the Chief Guest at the 9th annual Global Healthcare Summit 2015 (GHS) organized by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from January 2nd to 4th, 2015 at the prestigious Trident Oberoi Hotel, Nariman Point, Mumbai, India,” Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, President of AAPI, who has just returned from Mumbai after overseeing the preparations for the historic Summit, announced this week.
“We are honored to have Superstar Bachchan during the Banquet on Saturday, January 3rd, 2015 expressing his support for two long term AAPI initiatives: National Trauma and Head Injury Program and the Hepatitis Research Program,” Dr. Jahagirdar said. India has one of the highest accident rates leading to trauma and head injury. AAPI, in collaboration with leading healthcare institutions in India and the Indian Ministry of Health has embarked on a long-term project to create awareness on the need to prevent, treatment, special care and rehab services to those involved in accidents.
Hepatitis is another leading cause and continues to be a silent killer in India, which has led to AAPI’s Hepatitis Research Program. “Through his continued support for AAPI, the most admired and evergreen Bollywood star will promote the most innovative, efficient and cost effective healthcare solutions for India,” Dr. Jahagirdar added. “Harnessing the power of Indian doctors worldwide, the AAPI Global Healthcare Summit platform has evolved with the support of prominent global and Indian medical associations: including IMA, MCI, ASI, IPS, APA, API, ICON, JCI, AHA, Johns Hopkins and GAPIO,” Dr. Jahagirdar, explained.
In addition, several international healthcare industry partners will be participating at the historic event for greater collaboration on Research & Development and philanthropic engagements, he said. “The presence of the charismatic star who continues to strike gold at the Box Office even at the age of 60, will be a welcome addition to the many key officials and healthcare industry leaders who will join the 9th annual Healthcare Summit in Mumbai,” stated Dr. Seema Jain, President-Elect of AAPI. “This international health care summit is a progressive transformation from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit launched by AAPI USA in 2007,” Dr. Ajay Lodha, Vice President of AAPI, while providing the background to the Summit said.
Since then, AAPI has organized eight Indo – US/Global Healthcare Summits and developed strategic alliances with various organizations. “It is these learning and relationships that have now enabled AAPI and participating organizations to plan ahead and prepare for an outstanding event,” added Dr. Ajeet Singhvi, Chairman of AAPI’s Board of Trustees. According to Dr. Gautam Samadder, Secretary of AAPI, the Summit is in partnership with the ministry of overseas Indian affairs and ministry of health and family welfare, along with collaboration with over 10 professional associations from all over the world.
“GHS 2015 is accredited from Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education for 14 hours of credits will be applied for each participant.” “The historic Healthcare Summit is expected to have over 300 very prominent and talented physicians and surgeons of Indian origin from around the world and are very passionate about serving their homeland, Mother India,” said, Dr. Naresh Parikh, Treasurer of AAPI. Before getting into the glittering world of movies, Amitabh Bachchan, popularly known as the angry young man or the Big B of Indian cinema (Bollywood), tried his luck as stage actor, radio announcer and Freight Company executive.
Though Amitabh’s first film “Saat Hindustani” sank at the Box Office, “Zanjeer” catapulted him to the status of “angry young man” of Hindi cinema. There was no looking back after the success of Zanjeer as people saw in Amitabh Bachchan their own self- the angry young man that was fighting against the corrupt system and the power brokers, in one film after another. Amitabh Bachchan emerged as a different kind of action hero, a Messiah, a Superhero, who appeared like an answer to all people’s problems.
Amitabh, on his part churned out one hit after another including Zanjeer, Deewar Namak Haram, Sharaabi, Shakti, Lawaaris, Kaalia, Shaan, Kaala Patthar, Trishul, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony, Sholay, Deewaar, only to name a few. Things changed so fast for Amitabh that even after crossing the age of 60, he is one of the busiest actors of Indian cinema. Today special characters and scripts are being written to suit the persona and the age of this ever green superstar. Amitabh is not one of those to disappoint- his power packed performance in “Baghban” and the most recent “Black” is a testimony to his undying and unfading charisma as an actor.
“Committed to working towards a just society that is built on humane values, the Bollywood superstar has given his time, talents, resources and his life itself to make India a healthier place for all,” said Dr. Jahagirdar, who is also the Chair of the GHS 2015. “The presence of the Superstar at the 9th annual Healthcare Summit will not only bring recognition to the many healthcare initiatives of AAPI, but will also create awareness and prompt action through the enactment of the right kind of policies and programs that will ensure the most innovative, affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare solutions for India.” For more information on AAPI and GHS 2015, please visit www.aapighsindia.org or www.aapiusa.org. -
Amitabh Bachchan to be the Chief Guest at AAPI’s Global Healthcare Summit in Mumbai
Bollywood Superstar will promote the most innovative, efficient and cost effective healthcare solutions for India
NEW YORK (TIP): “Bollywood Superstar Amitabh Bachchan will be the Chief Guest at the 9th annual Global Healthcare Summit 2015 (GHS) organized by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from January 2nd to 4th, 2015 at the prestigious Trident Oberoi Hotel, Nariman Point, Mumbai, India,” Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, President of AAPI, who has just returned from Mumbai after overseeing the preparations for the historic Summit, announced this week.
“We are honored to have Superstar Bachchan during the Banquet on Saturday, January 3rd, 2015 expressing his support for two long term AAPI initiatives: National Trauma and Head Injury Program and the Hepatitis Research Program,” Dr. Jahagirdar said. India has one of the highest accident rates leading to trauma and head injury. AAPI, in collaboration with leading healthcare institutions in India and the Indian Ministry of Health has embarked on a long-term project to create awareness on the need to prevent, treatment, special care and rehab services to those involved in accidents.
Hepatitis is another leading cause and continues to be a silent killer in India, which has led to AAPI’s Hepatitis Research Program. “Through his continued support for AAPI, the most admired and evergreen Bollywood star will promote the most innovative, efficient and cost effective healthcare solutions for India,” Dr. Jahagirdar added. “Harnessing the power of Indian doctors worldwide, the AAPI Global Healthcare Summit platform has evolved with the support of prominent global and Indian medical associations: including IMA, MCI, ASI, IPS, APA, API, ICON, JCI, AHA, Johns Hopkins and GAPIO,” Dr. Jahagirdar, explained. In addition, several international healthcare industry partners will be participating at the historic event for greater collaboration on Research & Development and philanthropic engagements, he said.
“The presence of the charismatic star who continues to strike gold at the Box Office even at the age of 60, will be a welcome addition to the many key officials and healthcare industry leaders who will join the 9th annual Healthcare Summit in Mumbai,” stated Dr. Seema Jain, President-Elect of AAPI. “This international health care summit is a progressive transformation from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit launched by AAPI USA in 2007,” Dr. Ajay Lodha, Vice President of AAPI, while providing the background to the Summit said.
Since then, AAPI has organized eight Indo – US/Global Healthcare Summits and developed strategic alliances with various organizations. “It is these learning and relationships that have now enabled AAPI and participating organizations to plan ahead and prepare for an outstanding event,” added Dr. Ajeet Singhvi, Chairman of AAPI’s Board of Trustees. According to Dr. Gautam Samadder, Secretary of AAPI, the Summit is in partnership with the ministry of overseas Indian affairs and ministry of health and family welfare, along with collaboration with over 10 professional associations from all over the world.
“GHS 2015 is accredited from Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education for 14 hours of credits will be applied for each participant.” “The historic Healthcare Summit is expected to have over 300 very prominent and talented physicians and surgeons of Indian origin from around the world and are very passionate about serving their homeland, Mother India,” said, Dr. Naresh Parikh, Treasurer of AAPI. Before getting into the glittering world of movies, Amitabh Bachchan, popularly known as the angry young man or the Big B of Indian cinema (Bollywood), tried his luck as stage actor, radio announcer and Freight Company executive.
Though Amitabh’s first film “Saat Hindustani” sank at the Box Office, “Zanjeer” catapulted him to the status of “angry young man” of Hindi cinema. There was no looking back after the success of Zanjeer as people saw in Amitabh Bachchan their own self- the angry young man that was fighting against the corrupt system and the power brokers, in one film after another. Amitabh Bachchan emerged as a different kind of action hero, a Messiah, a Superhero, who appeared like an answer to all people’s problems.
Amitabh, on his part churned out one hit after another including Zanjeer, Deewar Namak Haram, Sharaabi, Shakti, Lawaaris, Kaalia, Shaan, Kaala Patthar, Trishul, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony, Sholay, Deewaar, only to name a few. Things changed so fast for Amitabh that even after crossing the age of 60, he is one of the busiest actors of Indian cinema. Today special characters and scripts are being written to suit the persona and the age of this ever green superstar. Amitabh is not one of those to disappoint- his power packed performance in “Baghban” and the most recent “Black” is a testimony to his undying and unfading charisma as an actor.
“Committed to working towards a just society that is built on humane values, the Bollywood superstar has given his time, talents, resources and his life itself to make India a healthier place for all,” said Dr. Jahagirdar, who is also the Chair of the GHS 2015. “The presence of the Superstar at the 9th annual Healthcare Summit will not only bring recognition to the many healthcare initiatives of AAPI, but will also create awareness and prompt action through the enactment of the right kind of policies and programs that will ensure the most innovative, affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare solutions for India.” For more information on AAPI and GHS 2015, please visit www.aapighsindia.org or www.aapiusa.org. -
AAPI NJ Honors Three during Annual Health Summit
NEWARK NJ (TIP): Three prominent Indian American physicians were honored for their achievements in the field of medicine and for their contributions to the larger society during the annual meeting Health summit of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) New Jersey Chapter on Saturday, November 22nd, 2014 at the Double tree Hilton, Newark, New Jersey.
Attended by nearly 350 physicians from the New York tristate region, the annual event with focus seminars on Life Style related Metabolic disorder disease, had CME programs, gala, awards ceremony and networking of AAPI delegates and an opportunity to strengthening of their bonds and collaboration. In his welcome address, Dr. Sanjay Jain, President of AAPI NJ said, “NJ AAPI is a professional association in New Jersey with a constituency of over 11,000 physicians.
AAPI is recognized as a strong voice in the healthcare legislation and policy arena, second to AMA. The mission of our organization is to serve as a forum to facilitate and enable physicians to excel in inpatient care, teaching and research and to pursue their aspiration in profession and community affairs.” Dr. Thomas Alapatt, Chairman of the Health Summit, said, “This is a unique opportunity to reach out to AAPI members and support the event as well as a great honor and privilege for us to have your presence at this event.” While seeking to draw the attention of the participants to the upcoming Global Health Summit in Mumbai and in the following year in New Delhi, Dr. Seema Jain, President-Elect of AAPI, said, The Global Healthcare Summit, while highlighting the meaningful gains so far, and spearheading further initiatives through education, training, panel discussions and the results of such will be presented at the Summit, disseminating the information to health providers across the nation.
It is these learning and relationships that have now enabled AAPI and participating organizations to plan ahead and prepare for an outstanding event that is expected to have over 300 very prominent and talented physicians and surgeons of Indian origin from around the world and are very passionate about serving their homeland, Mother India. Ambassador Dayaneshwar Mulay Consul General of India in New York, Chief Guest at the Gala, praised the contribution and achievements of Indian American Physicians, Michael Antoniades, Senior Vice President of the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, in his keynote address stressed the importance and the need to work together with the physicians of Indian origin, who have made a name for themselves as innovators and for their hard work, dedication and compassion.
Dr. Sharad Sahu, Director of Physician Affairs, Chief Internal Medicine and Office of Medical Affairs, was honored by AAPI NJ for his leadership in the field of medicine. “As a second generation Indian American Physician, I am proud to state that we are not only the second largest physicians community after AMA, but also we have come to be part of the decision making process, especially in health related areas in this country.” Dr. Nilesh Patel, a famous Cardiac Surgeon,who has made a name for himself for his innovative, minimally invasive heart surgery procedure with least mortality in the state of New Jersey,was honored for his contributions in Best Outcome for Cardiac Interventions for Surgeries.
Dr. Keshav Shivshankar, a reputed Cardiologist with 32 years of expertise, was honored for his philanthropic initiatives, In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Shivshankar has been a pioneer in working for the needy in the New Jersey region. He had started a successful Soup Kitchen for the poor and was also instrumental in establishing a scholarship for Indian American medical students in the states, which has now been taken over and managed by AAAPI NJ Chapter, benefiting dozens of medical students each year.
The Educational Seminars earlier in the day was a huge attraction as they offered insights into modern technologies and the ways to benefit both the physicians and the patients they are called to serve, especially after the launch of the Affordable Care Act. Drs. Ranjita Sengupta, a Cardiologist from Rutgers University, and Hemal Gada, and Prashant Pandya led the CME Sessions on cardiovascular diseases and the modern technology that helps prevent diseases and the best ways t treat patients in a cost effective manner.
Dr. Gaurav Gupta focused his lecture on neurosurgery, especially on technological advances in the surgical treatment of acute stroke and brain aneurysms. Gaurav Gupta, MD, Director, Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, who had coordinated the CME Program underscored the academic contributions/CME speakers from the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, “with whom AAPI has been having a strategic partnership since this technically a distinct separate entity from the RWJ hospital.” Dr. Kusum Punjabi, president of Young Physicians Section of AAPI, was the emcee for the Gala, who introduced the speakers and the awardees in addition to the AAPI NJ Executive Committee that had put together the entire day’s event. The event concluded with a sumptuous dinner and live music and dance by local artists. -
This, the NY City Department of Education!
Comptroller audit reveals thousands of computers and tablets lost and unused at the Department of Education
Unopened Computers and Tablets sit in boxes, some since 2011
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): More than 1,800 computers were unaccounted for or missing entirely and nearly 400 laptops and tablets were found unpacked and unused in ten Department of Education (DOE) locations, raising concerns that millions in computer equipment may be lost citywide, according to an audit of DOE’s inventory control over nearly $200 million in computer purchases released December 2 by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “It is an insult to families who are desperate to access technology for their children to leave brand new computers and tablets unused in closets and storage facilities,” Stringer said.
“If auditors can’t locate an average of 180 computers per DOE location, this may be just the tip of the iceberg. Every school should be prepared to use the devices they have and DOE should have a plan for where its computer hardware can best be put to use. Taxpayer dollars, and our children’s education, are too important to take this technology for granted.” The audit examined how DOE maintained inventory controls over computer hardware purchased through two separate contracts with Apple and Lenovo.
The contracts, entered into in September 2009 and July 2011 respectively, have been used to purchase over 211,000 pieces of computers and tablets worth more than $197 million as of September 2014. Auditors examined a sample of the computer and tablet inventory purchased from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2013 for use at ten DOE sites – nine schools and one administrative building. At one of the schools, Bronx P.S. 168, auditors examined lists provided by DOE’s Asset Management System (AMS) database, a program which contains records of the computer and tablet purchases, but is not used by DOE to maintain inventory control. At the remaining nine sites, the results of auditors’ physical findings at these sites were compared with the AMS database.
Audit findings include:
Missing computers and grossly inaccurate records- DOE was unable to identify the location of 1,817 laptop and desktop computers that were supposed to be at the ten sites-1,090 that were listed as “asset location unknown” or were no longer listed at all at Bronx P.S. 168 and 727 that were not physically found at nine of the locations. The Department spent nearly $200 million during FY12-FY13 on computers and tablets, yet does not maintain a centralized inventory system to make sure they are sent to the right places. Instead, the DOE tasks schools with creating their own annual inventory lists. These school inventory lists are not reconciled with the AMS database of purchases, leaving the DOE with inaccurate counts and unknown locations of computers and tablets.
No system to track tablets – DOE spent $26.9 million on tablets during FY 2012 and 2013 citywide, but did not keep an inventory of these purchases, even though its Standard Operating Procedures requires it to do so. According to City records, 956 tablets were purchased for eight sampled schools during the audit period, but only 703 were listed on the individual sites’ inventory records, leaving 253 unaccounted for.
Computers sitting in closets – The audit found 394 devices had gone unused and unopened at the eight school sites that were physically examined. At Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, 78 laptops and iPads, some purchased in 2011, were found unopened.
“Parents have a right to expect that their kids have access to the technology that will prepare them for the global economy,” Comptroller Stringer said. “DOE has failed in its duty to ensure that when taxpayer dollars are spent on computers and tablets, that technology makes it into the classroom. The City is wasting precious resources, creating a climate that invites theft, and ultimately undermining our responsibility to educate our children.”
Recommendations submitted to the DOE by Comptroller Stringer’s office included:
Create a centralized inventory system – DOE should have a centralized inventory system for computer hardware that includes computer hardware purchases and delivery information, as well as the item’s current location.
Revise DOE’s Procedures – DOE should ensure that all hardware purchases are included in its AMS and require schools to do annual inventory counts that are reconciled with AMS.
Find every computer identified as missing – DOE should locate those computers identified as missing and take steps to ensure that other locations have accurate inventories.
Report any evidence of crimes – If evidence of illegal activity is uncovered as pat of the updated inventory, the DOE should immediately contact the proper authorities and cooperate with any investigation. -
GOPIO lines up Events in conjunction with PBD 2015 and Vibrant Gujarat
NEW YORK (TIP): The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) will be holding a diaspora conference and banquet on 10th January, 2015 in Ahmedabad, India in conjunction with the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD2015) being held in Ahmedabad, India (7th – 9th January, 2015) and Vibrant Gujarat being (11th -12th January 2015). This information was given out to The Indian Panorama by Ashook Ramsaran, GOPIO International President. “PBD2015 will mark the Centenary Year celebrations of the return of the greatest Pravasi of all, Mahatma Gandhi, from South Africa” and GOPIO joins in this fitting tribute and celebration.
GOPIO’s events are expected to garner maximum delegates among GOPIO membership and others attending PBD2015 and Vibrant Gujarat. The program will focus on “Indian Diaspora’s Connection and Partnership with India”, with emphasis on economic, social and cultural need and opportunities, as well as GOPIO Growth & Development: Diaspora & Migration Trends”. GOPIO’s Chief Guest invited is HE Hon. Donald Ramotar, President of Guyana who is Chief Guest at PBD21015, as well as officials of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and other ministries and states. Program details will be issued shortly.
There is an extra-ordinarily high level of euphoria excitement and anticipation of stronger partnership with India among worldwide Nonresident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with Hon. PM Narendra Modi and his mandate and agenda for reform. It is a unique time in the history of the partnership between India and its Diaspora with many opportunities to strengthen the relationship on several fronts: economic, social and cultural. As the premiere global advocacy Indian diaspora organization representing the interests and concerns of NRIs and PIOs, GOPIO looks forward and supports more progress to strengthen the partnership between India and its Diaspora. GOPIO’s efforts continue to highlight the enormous successes and contributions of the Indian diaspora globally. For more information, please contact GOPIO International at +1-818-708-3885, Email: GOPIO-Intl@sbcglobal.net.
GOPIO is a non-partisan, nonsectarian global organization formed in 1989 and has chapters in several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in various countries -
Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty
I.S. Saluja
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 68th Independence Day of India on 15th August, 2014. It has been almost 4 months since he spoke of his vision of India in his first address to the nation as Prime Minister. In his long speech, inter alia, he reminded the people of India that “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”.
I must agree with him as would the whole world. A people need to be vigilant and constantly evaluate their leaders. Hence, we are giving below the full text of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation and would like our readers to evaluate India’s Prime Minister. Please send in your comments to editor@theindianpanorama.news or to salujaindra@gmail.com. We will be happy to publish your valuable evaluation and comments.
Following is the English rendering of the Prime Minister’s address on the occasion. My dear countrymen,
Today, all Indians in the country and also abroad are celebrating the festival of independence. On this day of sacred festival of independence, the prime servant of India extends greetings to all dear countrymen. I am present amidst you not as the Prime Minister, but as the Prime Servant. The freedom struggle was fought for so many years, so many generations laid down their lives, innumerable people sacrificed their lives and youth, spent their entire lives behind bars.
Today, I pay my respect, greetings and homage to all those who laid their lives for the country`s independence. I also pay my respects to the crores of citizens of this country on the pious occasion of India`s independence, and recall all those martyrs who had laid down their lives in India`s struggle for freedom. The day of independence is a festival when we take a solemn pledge of working for the welfare of mother India, and also for the welfare of the poor, oppressed, dalits, the exploited & the backward people of our country.
What he stressed on during the speech My dear countrymen, a national festival is an occasion to refine and rebuild the national character. This National festival inspires us to resolve ourselves to lead a life where our character gets refined further, to dedicate ourselves to the nation and our every activity is linked to the interest of the nation and only then this festival of freedom can be a festival of inspiration to take India to newer heights. My dear countrymen, this nation has neither been built by political leaders nor by rulers nor by governments. This nation has been built by our farmers, our workers, our mothers and sisters, our youth.
The country has reached here today because of generation to generation rigours undertaken by our sages, our saints, our maestros, our teachers, our scientists and social workers. These great people and these great generations, who had worked for the country throughout their lives, deserve our deepest respect. This is the beauty of India’s Constitution, this is its capability which has made it possible that today a boy from small town, a poor family has got the opportunity to pay homage to the tri-colour of India at the ramparts of Lal Quila(Red Fort). This is the strength of India’s democracy. This is an invaluable legacy which we have inherited from our architects of the constitution.
I pay my respects to those architects of the constitution of India today. Brothers and sisters, today if we have reached here after independence, it is because of the contribution of all the PrimeMinisters, all the governments and even the governments of all the States. I want to express my feelings of respect and gratitude to all those previous governments and ex-Prime Ministers who have endeavoured to take our present day India to such heights and who have added to the country’s glory. This country has been built on such foundation of ancient cultural heritage, where we were told of only onemantra during Vedic period, which is indicative of our work culture, which we have learnt, we have memorized – “Sangachchhdhvam Samvadadhvam sam wo manansi jaanataam.” We walk together, we move together, we think together, we resolve together and together we take this country forward. Having imbibed this basic mantra, 125 crores of countrymen have taken the nation forward.
Yesterday only the first Parliamentary Session of the new Government had concluded. Today, I can proudly say that the Session of Parliament reflects our thinking and it is a reflection of our intentions. We are not for moving forward on the basis of majority, we are not interested to move forward by virtue of majority. We want to move ahead on the basis of strong consensus. “Sangachhadhwam” and, therefore, the nation has witnessed the entire Session of Parliament. Having taken all the Parties and Opposition along while working shoulder to shoulder, we achieved an unprecedented success and the credit for this does not go to the Prime Minister alone, the credit does not go to the people sitting in the Government, the credit for this goes to the Opposition also, the credit goes to all the leaders of Opposition too and also all the Members from Opposition.
From the ramparts of Red Fort, quite proudly I salute all the Members of Parliament, I also salute all the Political Parties and by virtue of their strong support, we could take some important decisions intended to take the nation forward and yesterday the Session of Parliament had concluded. Brothers and sisters, I am an outsider for Delhi, I am not a native of Delhi. I have no idea about the administration and working of this place. I have been quite isolated from the elite class of this place but during the last two months while being an outsider, I had an insider view and I was astonished.
It is not a political platform, rather it is a platform of a national policy and, therefore, my views should not be evaluated from a political perspective. I have already said, I salute all the ex-Prime Ministers and earlier governments who have brought the country thus far. But I am going to say something else and it may not be seen from political point of view. When I came to Delhi and noticed an insider view, I felt what it was and I was surprised to see it. It seemed as if dozens of separate governments are running at the same time in one main government.
It appeared that everyone has its own fiefdom. I could observe disunity and conflict among them. One department is taking on the other department and taking on to the extent that two departments of the same government are fighting against each other by approaching Supreme Court.This disunity, this conflict among people of the same country! How come we can take the country forward? And that is why I have started making efforts for razing those walls; I have started making efforts at making the Government, not an assembled entity, but an organic unity, an organic entity, a harmonious whole- with one aim, one mind, one direction, one energy. Let`s resolve to steer the country to one destination. We have it in us to move in that direction. A few days back…Nowadays newspapers are full of news that Modiji`s Government has come, officers are reaching office on time, offices open in time, and people get there in time. I observed that India`s National newspapers, TV media were carrying these news items prominently.
As the Head of the Government I could have derived pleasure in the fact that everything started going on time, cleanliness got the attention, but I was not taking pleasure, I was feeling pained. That thing, I want to tell today in public. And why, because if government officers arrive office in time, does that make a news? And if that makes news, it shows how low we have fallen. It becomes a proof of that, and that`s how, brothers and sisters, the governments have run? Today in the face of global competition, when we have to realize the dreams of millions of Indians, the country cannot run on the lines of ” it happens”, ” it goes”. In order to fulfil the aspirations of masses, we have to sharpen the tool called the Government machinery, we have to make it keen, more dynamic, and it is in this direction that we are working.
My countrymen, it`s not long since I have come from outside Delhi, but I give you an assurance that the people in the Government are very capable – from the peon to the Cabinet Secretary, everybody is capable, everybody has a power, they have experience. I want to awaken that power, I want to unite that power and want to accelerate the pace of the welfare of nation through that power and I shall definitely do it. I want to assure the countrymen that we will achieve that, we will definitely do that. I could not say this on 16th May, but today after my experience of twotwo and half months, keeping the tricolor as witness, I am saying on 15th of August that it is possible, it will be achieved.
Brothers and sisters, time has come to give a serious thought to the fact that whether we have a duty to create India of the dreams of those great people who gave us freedom, whether we have a national character? Brothers and sisters, can someone please tell me as to whether he or she has ever introspected in the evening after a full day`s work as to whether his or her acts have helped the poor of the country or not, whether his or her actions have resulted in safeguarding the interest of the country or not, whether the actions have been directed in country`s welfare or not? Whether it should not be the motto of one and a quarter billion countrymen that every step in life should be in the country`s interests? Unfortunately, we have an environment today wherein if you approach anyone with some work, he begins by saying “what does it mean for me?” He begins by saying “what does it involve for me?” and when he come to know that it does not entail any benefit for him, immediately he says “why should I bother?” we have to rise above the feelings of “what does it mean for me” and “why should I bother”. Everything is not for self interest only.
There are certain things which are meant for the country and we have to refine this national character. We have to rise above the feelings of “why should I bother” and “what does it mean for me” and instead we have to think that “I am for nation`s interest and in this field, I am going to lead”. We have to inculcate this sentiment. Brothers and sisters, when we hear about the incidents of rape, we hang our heads in shame. People come out with different arguments, someone indulges in psycho analysis, but brothers and sisters, today from this platform, I want to ask those parents, I want to ask every parent that you have a daughter of 10 or 12 years age, you are always on the alert, every now and then you keep on asking where are you going, when would you come back, inform immediately after you reach.
Parents ask their daughters hundreds of questions, but have any parents ever dared to ask their son as to where he is going, why he is going out, who his friends are. After all, a rapist is also somebody`s son. He also has parents. As parents, have we ever asked our son as to what he is doing and where he is going. If every parent decides to impose as many restrictions on the sons as have been imposed on our daughters, try to do this with your sons, try to ask such questions of them. \My dear brothers and sisters, the law will take its own course, strict action will be taken, but as a member of the society, as parents, we also have some responsibilities. If somebody tells me that those who have taken guns on their shoulders and kill innocent people are Maoists, are terrorists, but they are also somebody`s children.
I would like to ask of such parents if they had ever asked their children as to why they were taking a wrong path. Every parent must take this responsibility, he must know that his misguided son is bent on killing innocent people. He is not able to serve himself nor his family nor the country. I want to say to those youngsters who have chosen the path of violence that whatever they are and wherever they are, it is all because of mother India only that they have got it. Whoever you are it is all because of your parents. I want to ask you to think how green, how beautiful and how beneficial this earth can become if you shoulder the plough instead of the gun which spills blood on this land.
How long shall we have bloodshed on this land, how long shall we take the lives of the innocent people and what have we got after all this? The path of violence has not yielded anything to us. Brothers and sisters, I had gone to Nepal recently. There I said something publicly to draw the attention of the whole world. There was a time when the Emperor Ashoka who had chosen the path of wars, got converted to the path of Buddha at the sight of violence. There was a time in Nepal when their youngsters had opted for the path of violence but today I witness that the same youngsters are waiting for their constitution. The same people associated with them are framing the constitution.
And I further said that if Nepal could present the best example of moving from the weapons to the books then it could provide inspiration to the youngsters in the world to abandon the path of violence. Brothers and sisters, If Nepal, land of Budha, can give message to the world then why can`t India too do the same? So it`s the call of the hour that we renounce the path of violence and take the path of brotherhood. Brothers and sisters, for one reason or the other, we have had communal tensions for ages. This led to the division of the country. Even after Independence, we have had to face the poison of casteism and communalism. How long these evils will continue? Whom does it benefit? We have had enough of fights, many have been killed. Friends, look behind and you will find that nobody has benefited from it.
Except casting a slur on Mother India, we have done nothing. Therefore, I appeal to all those people that whether it is the poison of casteism, communalism, regionalism, discrimination on social and economic basis, all these are obstacles in our way forward. Let`s resolve for once in our hearts, let`s put a moratorium on all such activities for ten years, we shall march ahead to a society which will be free from all such tensions. And you will see that how much strength we get from peace, unity, goodwill and brotherhood. Let`s experiment it for once. My dear countrymen, believe in my words, I do assure you. Shun all the sins committed so far, give up that way, follow the way of goodwill and brotherhood, and let`s resolve to take the country forward.
I believe we can do that. With advancement of science, brothers and sisters, we have a rising feeling of modernity in our mind, but what do we do? Have we ever thought what the sex ratio in the country is like? 940 girls are born against per thousand boys. Who is causing this imbalance in the society? Certainly not God. I request the doctors not to kill the girl growing in the womb of a mother just to line their own pockets. I advise mothers and sisters not to sacrifice daughters in the hope of son. Sometimes mother-father feel tempted to have son in the hope of supporting them in old age.
I am a person who has worked in public life. I have come across families with five sons, each having bungalows, access to fleet of cars, but parents are forced to live in old-age homes, Vriddhashrams. I have seen such families. I have also seen families with only daughter as progeny, that daughter sacrifices her dreams, doesn`t get married, and spends entire life in taking care of old parents. This disparity points to female foeticide and the polluted and tainted mind the 21st century has.
We will have to liberate from it, and that is message to us of this Freedom festival. Recently Commonwealth Games were organized. Indian sportspersons brought glory to the country. Nearly 64 of our sportspersons won. Our sportspersons brought 64 medals. But of them 29 are girls. Let`s feel proud and clap for them. Girls also contribute to India`s fame and glory. Let`s recognise it. Let`s take them along, shoulder to shoulder. This way we can get over the evils that have crept in social life. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have to proceed in that direction as a social and national character.
Brothers and Sisters, Development is the only way forward for the country. Good governance is the only way. There are only these two tracks to take the country forward – good governance and development, we can move forward only by taking them with us. We wish to move forward with the intent of taking them with us. When I talk of good governance, you tell me, when I ask a person in private job, he tells that he does the job; when you ask the same from a person in government job, he says that I do the service. Both earn, but for one it is job while for the other it is service. I ask a question from all brothers and sisters in government service, whether the word “Service” has not lost its strength, its identity? Persons in government service are not doing “job”, they are doing “service”. We have to revive this feeling, we have to take this feeling forward as a national character, we have to move forward in this direction.
Brothers and Sisters, whether the citizens of the country should take steps for the welfare of the nation or not? You imagine, ifthis 125 crores of countrymen move one step forward, then the country moves 125 crore steps forward. The meaning of democracy is not just limited to electing a government, but its meaning is that 125 crore of citizens work together joining shoulder with the government to fulfill hopes and aspirations of the country, this is the meaning of democracy. We have to create partnership with the people. We have to proceed under Public-Private Partnership. We have to proceed along with the participation of the people. But, please tell me why our farmers commit suicide? A farmer takes loan from the moneylender, but fails to repay his loans. He takes loan for the wedding of his daughter, but fails to repay.
He will have to suffer hardships during his whole life. He chooses to commit suicide. Who will save the poor families of such farmers? Brothers and sisters, I have come here with a pledge to launch a scheme on this festival of Freedom. It will be called`Pradhanmantri Jan-Dhan Yojana`. I wish to connect the poorest citizens of the country with the facility of bank accounts through this yojana. There are millions of families who have mobile phones but no bank accounts. We have to change this scenario. Economic resources of the country should be utilized for the well-being of the poor.
The change will commence from this point. This yojana will open the window. Therefore, an account holder under `Pradhanmantri Jan-Dhan Yojana` will be given a debit card. An insurance of One Lakh Rupees will be guaranteed with that debit card for each poor family, so that such families are covered with the insurance of One Lakh Rupees in case of any crisis in their lives. My brothers and sisters, it is a country of young people. The 65 percent population of the country happens to be under the age of 35 years. Our country has the largest number of youths in the world. Have we ever thought of deriving an advantage out of it? Today, the world needs a skilled workforce. Today, India also needs a skilled workforce. At times, we look for a good driver but he is not available, we look for a plumber, but he is not available.
If we need a good cook, he is not available. We have young people, they are unemployed but the kind of young people we seek for are not available. If we have to promote the development of our country then our mission has to be `skill development` and `skilled India`. Millions and Millions of Indian youth should go for acquisition of skills and there should be a network across the country for this and not the archaic systems. They should acquire the skills which could contribute towards making India a modern country. Whenever they go to any country in the world, their skills must be appreciated and we want to go for a two pronged development.
I also want to create a pool of young people who are able to create jobs and the ones who are not capable of creating jobs and do not have the opportunities, they must be in a position to face their counterparts in any corner of the world while keeping their heads high by virtue of their hard work and their dexterity of hands and win the hearts of people around the world through their skills. We want to go for the capacity building of such young people. My brothers and sisters, having taken a resolve to enhance the skill development at a highly rapid pace, I want to accomplish this.
Brothers and sisters, the world has undergone a change. My dear countrymen, the world has changed. Now India can not decide its future by remaining isolated and sitting alone in a corner. The economics of the world have changed and, therefore, we will have to act accordingly. Government have taken many decisions recently, made some announcements in the budget and I call upon the world and call upon the Indians spread world over that if we have to provide more and more employment to the youth, we will have to promote manufacturing sector. If we have to develop a balance between imports and exports, we will have to strengthen manufacturing sector. If we have to put in use the education, the capability of the youth, we will have to go for manufacturing sector and for this Hindustan also will have to lend its full strength, but we also invite world powers.
Therefore I want to appeal all the people world over, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, “Come, make in India”, “Come, manufacture in India”. Sell in any country of the world but manufacture here. We have got skill, talent, discipline, and determination to do something. We want to give the world an favourable opportunity that come here, “Come, Make in India” and we will say to the world, from electrical to electronics, “Come, Make in India”, from automobiles to agro value addition “Come, Make in India”, paper or plastic, “Come, Make in India”, satellite or submarine “Come, Make in India”. Our country is powerful. Come, I am giving you an invitation.
Brothers and sisters, I want to call upon the youth of the country, particularly the small people engaged in the industrial sector. I want to call upon the youth working in the field of technical education in the country. As I say to the world “Come, Make in India”, I say to the youth of the country – it should be our dream that this message reaches every corner of the world, “Made in India”. This should be our dream. Whether, to serve the country, is it necessary for the youth of the country to be hanged like Bhagat Singh? Brothers and sisters, Lal Bahadur Shastri had given the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”.
A soldier sacrifices himself at the border and protects Mother India. Similarly, a farmer serves Mother India by filling the godowns with grains. This is also nation`s service. Filling the granary is the biggest nation`s service that a farmer provides. That is why Lal Bahadur Shashtri had given the slogan of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. Brothers and Sisters, I would like to pose a question to my youngsters as to why despite them, we are forced to import even the smallest of things? My country`s youth can resolve it, they should conduct research, try to find out as to what type of items are imported by India and then each one should resolve that, through may be micro or small industries only, he would manufacture atleast one such item so that we need not import the same in future. We should even advance to a situation wherein we are able to export such items.
If each one of our millions of youngsters resolves to manufacture atleast one such item, India can become a net exporter of goods. I, therefore, urge upon the youth, in particular our small entrepreneurs that they would never compromise, atleast on two counts. First, zero defect and, second again zero effect. We should manufacture goods in such a way that they carry zero defect, that our exported goods are never returned to us. We should manufacture goods with zero effect that they should not have a negative impact on the environment. If we march ahead with the dream of zero defect in the manufacturing sector then, my brothers and sisters, I am confident that we would be able to achieve our goals.
Brothers and sisters, the youth of India has completely transformed the identity of India in the world. Earlier, in what manner did the world know our country? Till only 25-30 years back, if not more, there were many people in the world who thought that India was a country of snake charmers, it was a country which practiced in black magic. The real identity of India had not reached the world, but my dear brothers and sisters, our youngsters, 20-22-23 years old youngsters have mesmerized the whole world with their skills in computers. Our young I.T. professionals have given a new path of making a new identity of India. If our country has this strength, can we think something about the country? Our dream is, therefore, of “Digital India”. When I talk of “Digital India”, I don`t speak of the elite, it is for the poor people. You can imagine what a quality education the children in villages will get, if all the villages of India are connected with Broadband Connectivity and if we are able to give long distance education to the schools in every remote corner of the villages.
If we create a network oftelemedicine in the places where there is a shortage of doctors, we can have a clear guideline of the way in which health facilities have to be provided to the poor people living in those areas. The citizens of India have mobile phones in their hands, they have mobile connectivity, but can we walk in the direction of mobile governance? We have to move in a direction where every poor person is able to operate his bank account from his mobile, is able to demand various things from the government, can submit applications, can conduct all his business, while on the move, through mobile governance and if this has to be done, we have to move towards `digital India` and if we have to move towards `digital India` then we have a dream. Today we are importing electronic goods on a large scale. Friends, you will be surprised that we are bringing in these televisions, mobile phones, ipads and all these electronic goods.
It is a necessity to import petroleum products, oil, diesel and petrol. Second to this is the import of our electronic goods. If we move ahead with the dream of `digital India` to manufacture electronic goods and become self reliant at least there, how big can be the benefit for the treasury! Therefore, e-governance is what we need to take this idea of `digital India` forward. E-governance is easy governance, effective governance and also economic governance. Egovernance paves the way for good governance. There was a time when we used to say that the railways provided connectivity to the country.
That was it. I say that today it is IT that has the potential to connect each and every citizen of the country and that is why we want to realise the mantra of unity with the help of `digital India`. Brothers and sisters, if we move ahead with all this then I believe that a `digital India` will have the potential to stand with the world on equal footing. Our youth have that capability, it is an opportunity for them. Brothers and sisters, we want to promote tourism. Tourism provides employment to the poorest of the poor. Gram seller earns something, auto-rickshaw driver earns something, pakoda seller earns something and tea seller also earns something. When there is talk of tea seller, I feel a sense of belongingness.
Tourism provide employment to the poorest of the poor. But there is a big obstacle in promoting tourism and in our national character and that is – the filthiness all around us. Whether after independence, after so many years of independence, when we stand at the threshold of one and half decade of 21stcentury, we still want to live in filthiness? The first work I started here after formation of Government is of cleanliness. People wondered whether it is a work of a Prime Minister? People may feel that it is a trivial work for a Prime Minister but for me this a big work. Cleanliness is very big work.
Whether our country can not be clean? If one hundred and twenty five crore countrymen decide that they will never spread filthiness, which power in the world has ability to spread filthiness in our cities and villages? Can`t we resolve this much? Brothers and sisters it will be 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019. How do we celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi? Mahatma Gandhi, who gave us freedom, who brought so much honour to such a big country in the world, what do we give to Mahatma Gandhi? Brothers and Sisters, Mahatma Gandhi had cleanliness and sanitation closest to his heart.
Whether we resolve not to leave a speck of dirt in our village, city, street, area, school, temple, hospital, and what have you, by 2019 when we celebrate 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi? This happens not just with the Government, but with public participation. That`s why we have to do it together. Brother and Sisters, we are living in 21st century. Has it ever pained us that our mothers and sisters have to defecate in open? Whether dignity of women is not our collective responsibility? The poor womenfolk of the village wait for the night; until darkness descends, they can`t go out to defecate.What bodily torture they must be feeling, how many diseases that act might engender.
Can`t we just make arrangements for toilets for the dignity of our mothers and sisters? Brothers and Sisters, somebody might feel that a big festival like 15th August is an occasion to talk big. Brothers and Sisters, talking big has its importance,making announcements too has importance, but sometimes announcements raise hopes and when the hopes are not fulfilled, the society sinks into a state of despondency. That`s why are in favour of telling those things, which we can fulfil just within our sight. Brothers and sisters, you must be getting shocked to hear the Prime Minister speaking of cleanliness and the need to build toilets from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Brothers and sisters, I do not know how my speech is going to be criticised and how will people take it. But this is my heartfelt conviction.
I come from a poor family, I have seen poverty. The poor need respect and it begins with cleanliness. I, therefore, have to launch a `clean India` campaign from 2nd October this year and carry it forward in 4 years. I want to make a beginning today itself and that is – all schools in the country should have toilets with separate toilets for girls. Only then our daughters will not be compelled to leave schools midway. Our parliamentarians utilizing MPLAD fund are there. I appeal to them to spend it for constructing toilets in schools for a year. The government should utilise its budget on providing toilets.
I call upon the corporate sector also to give priority to the provision of toilets in schools with your expenditure under Corporate Social Responsibility. This target should be finished within one year with the help of state governments and on the next 15th August, we should be in a firm position to announce that there is no school in India without separate toilets for boys and girls. Brothers and sisters, if we proceed with the dreams, we are in a position to realise them. Today, I wish to tell one more specific thing. It has its own importance to discuss the matters and express the views of nation`s interest. However, our Members of Parliament do not get opportunity though they are willing to do something.
They can express themselves, write to the government, agitate, give memoranda. Still they do not get opportunity to do something on their own. Today I have come to you with a new idea. We are running so many schemes in the name of the Prime Minister in our country, there are numerous schemes in the name of various leaders. However, today I am going to announce a scheme on behalf of the Member of Parliament- `Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojana`. We shall fix some parameters. I urge upon the Members of Parliament to select any one of the villages having population of three to five thousand in your constituency. The parameters will be according to the time, space and situation of that locality.
It will include the conditions of health, cleanliness, atmosphere, greenery, cordiality etc. On the basis of those parameters, each of our MPs should make one village of his or her constituency a Model Village by 2016. Can`t we do at least this? Shouldn`t we do this? If we have to build a nation, we should start from the village. Make a Model Village. The reason of fixing this target for 2016 is that it is a new scheme. It takes time to formulate a scheme and then to implement it. After 2016, select two more villages for this purpose, before we go for the General Elections in 2019. And after 2019, each Member of Parliament, during his/her tenure of 5 years must establish atleast five model villages in his/her area. I also call upon the Members of Parliament from urban areas to adopt one village of their choice. I also urge upon the Members of Parliament from Rajya Sabha to adopt one of the villages. If we provide one model village in each district of India then the surrounding villages shall be automatically inspired to follow that model.
Let us establish a model village, let us establish a village well equipped with all systems and facilities. The birth anniversary of Jai Prakash Narayan Ji happens to be on 11th October. On 11th October, the occasion of birth anniversary of Jai Prakash Narayan Ji, I will present a complete blueprint of “S?nsad Adharsh Gr?m Yojana” (Members of Parliament Model Village Scheme) before all Members of Parliament and State Governments, and I urge upon State Governments also that as per the feasibility in their respective states, all the Members of Legislative Assembly resolve to establish a model villageYou can imagine all the Members of Legislative Assembly and all the Members of Parliament in the country establishing a model village.
All of a sudden, there would be a model village in each block of India which could inspire us to transform the amenities in rural areas and could give us a new direction and, therefore, we want to move ahead under this”S?nsad Adarsh Gr?m Yojana”. My dear brothers and sisters, ever since our government has taken charge, there has been a discussion in the newspapers, on T.V. channels as to what would happen to Planning Commission. I believe that when Planning Commission was constituted, it was done on the basis of the circumstances and the needs of those times. In recent years, Planning Commission has contributed to the growth of the country in its own way. I respect that, I am proud of that, but the prevalent situation in the country is different, global scenario has also changed, governments are no longer the centre of economic activities, the scope of such activities has broadened. State governments have been at the center of development and I consider this a good indication.
If we have to take India forward, it can happen only by taking the states forward. India`s federal structure is more important today than in the last 60 years. To strengthen our federal structure, to make our federal structure vibrant, to take our federal structure as a heritage of development, a team of Chief Minister and Prime Minister should be there, a joint team of the Centre and the states should move forward, then to do this job, we will have to think about giving the Planning Commission a look. So, I am saying from the rampart of the Red Fort that it is a very old system and it will have to be rejuvenated, it will have to be changed a lot. Sometimes it costs more to repair the old house, but, it gives us no satisfaction.
Thereafter, we have a feeling that it would be better to construct a new house altogether and therefore within a short period, we will replace the planning commission with a new institution having a new design and structure, a new body, a new soul, a new thinking, a new direction, a new faith towards forging a new direction to lead the country based on creative thinking, public-private partnership, optimum utilization of resources, utilization of youth power of the nation, to promote the aspirations of state governments seeking development, to empower the state governments and to empower the federal structure.
Very shortly, we are about to move in a direction when this institute would be functioning in place of Planning Commission. Brothers and sisters, today, on 15th August, we also have the birth anniversary of Maharishi Aurobindo. Maharishi Aurobindo, being a rebel, moved on to achieve the status of a Yoga Guru. With regard to the destiny of India, he remarked, “I have a faith that the divine power and spiritual heritage of India will play an important role towards the welfare of the world.” Such sentiments were echoed by Maharishi Arvind. I strongly believe in the words of legends. I have great faith in the statements made by ascetics, sages & saints and that’s why today at the ramparts of Lal Quila I am reminded of the words of Swami Viveknanda. He had said – “I can see before my eyes Mother India awakening once again.
My Mother India would be seated as the World Guru. Every Indian would render service towards welfare of humanity. This legacy of India would be useful for the welfare of the world”. These words were spoken by Swami Viveknanda ji in his own style. Friends, the words of Viveknanda ji can never be untrue. The words of Viveknanda ji, his dream of seeing India ensconced as World Guru, his vision, it is incumbent upon us to realize that dream. This capable country, blessed with natural bounty, this country of youth can do much for the world in the coming days. Brothers and sisters, our foreign policy is a much talked about issue. I clearly believe that India`s foreign policy can be multidimensional.
But there is an important issue to which I want to draw your attention that the way we fought for freedom, we fought together, we were not separate at that time. We were together. Which was the government with us? What were the weapons available to us? There was a Gandhi, a Sardar and lakhs of freedom fighters and such a huge empire. Didn`t we win in the struggle of freedom against that empire? Did we not defeat the foreign powers? Did we not force them to leave India? We were the ones, they were our ancestors only who showed this might. If the people of India could remove such a big empire without the power of the government, without weapons and even without resources, then friends, it is the need of the hour to eradicate poverty, can we not overcome poverty? Can we not defeat poverty? My 125 crore dear countrymen, let us resolve to eradicate poverty, to win against it.
Let us move with the dream of poverty eradication from India. Our neighbouring countries are also faced with the same problem. Why not get together with all the SAARC nations to plan out the fight against poverty? Let`s fight together and defeat poverty. Let us see at-least for once as to how wonderful is the feeling of being alive instead of killing and getting killed. This is the land where incidents from Siddharth`s life happened. One bird was shot with an arrow by one brother and the other took out that arrow to save it. They went to mother- whose bird, whose swan? Whether killer`s or saviour`s, they asked of mother. The mother replied, saviour`s. The saviour has more power than the killer and that makes him Buddha in future. And that`s why I seek cooperation from neighbouring countries for fighting against povertyin concert and cooperate with them, so that together with SAARC countries we can create our importance and emerge as a power in the world.
It is imperative that we work together with a dream to win a fight against poverty, shoulder to shoulder. I went to Bhutan, Nepal, all the dignitaries from SAARC countries took part in oath-taking ceremony; this marked a good beginning. This will definitely yield good results, it is my belief and this thinking of India, in the country and the world, that we want to do well to the countrymen and be useful for the welfare of the world, India wants such a hand to be extended. We are trying to move forward with these dreams to achieve them. Brothers and Sisters, today on 15th August we will resolve to do something for the country.
Let`s be useful for the country, we will move ahead with a resolve to take the country forward, and I assure you, Brothers and Sisters, as well as my colleagues in the Government, that if you work for 12 hours, I will do so for 13 hours. If you work for 14 hours, I will do for 15 hours. Why? Because I`m amidst you not as a Prime Minister, but as the first servant. I have formed the Government not as a ruler, but as a servant. Brothers and sisters, I assure that this country has a destiny. It is destined to work for the welfare of the world, it was said by Vivekanand ji. India is born, this Hindustan is born in order to achieve this destiny. One hundred and twenty five crore countrymen have to move forward wholeheartedly for the welfare of the nation. Once again I feel proud of the devotion, the sacrifices of the security forces of the country, para-military forces of the country, all the security forces of the country to protect Mother India. I say to the countrymen, jk”Vª;ke] tkxz;ke~ o;e~ Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”. The army is vigilant, we should also be vigilant and the country scales new heights, we have to move forward with this resolution. Speak loudly with me with full force –
Bharat mata ki jai, bharat mata ki jai, bharat mata ki jai. Jai Hind, Jai Hind, Jai Hind. Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram!
