18_vol4_epaper

SPECIAL EDITION CELEBRATING 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY OF INDIA Vol.4 No.18 August 20-26, 2011 60 Cents

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Freedom Trail 56 US Affairs 9

Humor Op Ed65 19

$ #&

Spiritual Awareness 68 Spiritual Awareness 30

Astrology Lifestyle66 27

$# " "

&

South

& Times # !

The Asian The South Asian Times

Excellence ExcellenceInInJournalism Journalism ! # " $ % !" &

SPECIAL EDITION CELEBRATING NEW YORK EDITION 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY OF INDIA

/,,%'% /& %#(./,/'8 !.$ )32 '1/63( ).3/ !. .)5%12)38 !##1%$) /,,%'% /& %#(./,/'8 !.!').' 1423%% 1 3!3)/. 6()#( 6),, "% (/./1%$ 40/.

Community bodies India celebrates JAINA’s 16th.%73 8%!1 3 %-0(!2)9%$ 3(% /)-"!3/1% Indian-American .$)!

6!2 (%,$ !3 6!-).!3(!. 3(% ()%&

join Nassau County I-Day as corruption broadcaster ďŹ les). age 7%#43)5% 1 4$1!-//13(8 : Convention in Houston )-0/13!.#% /& %#( /1042 (43.%8 !18 1%23!41!.3 to celebrate I Day discrimination suit 1).#)0!, 1 –hogs headlines 4.$ 6()#( 6),, (%,0 ). %$4#!3)/. /.-/43( 4.#3)/. %6 %12%8 a huge success /. !341$!8 !8 (% !$(!+1)2(.!. )1%#3/1 /& $%2%15).' 234$%.32 %5%18 Tristate Community, I-Day India , National Community, '!3(%1).' 6!2 !33%.$%$ "8 1 !.$!'/0!, : in 8%!1 (% 1423 !,1%!$8 (%,02 JAINA Convention, Page 8 Page 14 Page 7

234$%.32 %!#( 8%!1 &/1 3(%)1 !,4-.) &1/- 5!1)/42 &)%,$2 /& )1%#3/1 1 Pages 16-18 /,,%'% /& %#(./,/'8 (% !,4-.) !.'!.!3(!. 1%2)$%.3 ,4-.) %$4#!3)/. /-% /& 3(% !,4-.) (/./1%$ "8 #!-% &1/- /23/. )1').)! 22/#)!3)/. 1 !$!1!*!. %..28,5!.)! %6 /1+ !.$ %6 %!$ !3(2 /-043%1 1 !.'!26!-8 6%1% 1 !#+ %12%8 .#,4$%$ 6%1% 3(% /,$%23 00,)#!3)/.2 1 //,! &/1 ()2 $/.!3)/.2 3/ '1!$4!3% 1 (!.-4'!- &1/- !.$!26!-8 %!$ )/-%$)#!, %#( 1 !-0!3( 4-!1 1 !13(4#(!,! //13(8 1 %,5!

"!3#( !.$ 3(% 8/4.'%23 '1!$ .').%%1).'

4!3% &1/- "!3#( (% 2,)$% 2(/6 01%2%.3!3)/. !.$ 1 )*!8 &/1 0,!..).' 3(% (% -%%3).' 6!2 01%2)$%$ "8 ()'(,)'(3%$ 5!1)/42 $%0!13-%.32 ). -%%3).' ). %6 %12%8 (%

)!-/.$

4"),%%

5)2)3).' $)'.)3!1)%2 /&

Vol. 4 |4No. 18 | August 20-26, 2011 | 60 Cents Vol. | No.12 | July 9-15, 2011 | 60 Cents %,%"1!3)/.2 /& !.!'%-%.3 1 !.'!26!-8

TheSouthAsianTimes.info TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Celebrating Deadlock over ‘India Tomorrow’ separate Telangana, - protests future icons hot up

Ancient India: Parsi community Cradle of created modern Civilization India: Amitav Ghosh

Profiles, India Newswire, Page Page3812

Glorious Past, Features, Page Page 26 50

Pakistan turns 2G scamfights claims another Echoing Gandhi, Anna ‘new front line’ minister: Maran quits for from corruption of freedom war on terror $ #&$% # $( * !# $ % ! "& % % # % $ % %

Gandhian reformer Anna Hazare has vowed to continue his fast at Ramlila Grounds in the Indian capital till a strong anti-corruption law is enacted. Spontaneous protests in support of his crusade continued in towns and cities across the nation while the Manmohan Singh government has been put in a spot.

New Delhi: Energized by swelling support, the anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare Friday vowed to remain on a fast till a strong Lokpal bill was enacted as he resumed his protest at the Ramlila Ground after first paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial at Rajghat.

surrendering to the government, saying: “No compromise has been agreed to.�

A little girl saying ‘I am Anna Hazare’

Hazare was arrested Tuesday and sent to Tihar Jail ahead of his scheduled hunger strike. As mass protests erupted nationwide, the government backed off and ordered him released.

The 74-year-old Hazare, who reached the rain-drenched Ramlila Ground afBut Hazare refused to leave the prison Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran is second minister to to fast exit without fetter a nearly three-hour journey from until heDMK was allowed Manmohan government in the spectrum scam. the Tihar Jail where heplots had worldwide been sincesince 2004 involved jihadists, ters. Eventually, the authorities agreed to 53 percent of terror Tuesday,likeshowed no signs of fatigue let him use the Ramlila Ground that can Tehrik-e-Taliban and LeT cadres, trained in Pakistan.

While the government accommodate and the showed complicity in the scam.

New Delhi/Chennai: Union and declared before thousands of cheerthousands of people.

Congress party did not comment on Thursday’s turn of events is Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maing supporters that there would be no #&$% # $( * !# $ % ! "& % ! % & # # ( % ) &% ' ( % # # $ Toronto: Pakistan is now the resistance to the country’s govern- ran resigned Thursday following the big political development, an likely to impact both the shape of budging on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

As he stepped out of Tihar Jail Friday # + # % ' % $% # ! & ( % $%& %$ new front in the war on terror as it ment, the draconian imposition of allegations of involvement in the emboldened opposition described impending cabinet shufe and delimorning, hundreds of people, many of has become a new safe haven for al- Sharia law and the waging of war 2G spectrum scam, becoming the it as “too little too lateâ€? and sought cately poised relations between the “We will not leave this place till a whom had been camping outside the prisQaeda, says the Canadian media a against NATO forces in Afghanistan. second DMK minister after A. resignation of Home Minister P. Congress and the DMK. (stronger) Lokpal bill is passed,â€? the on for days, cheered. The Gandhian enthuBecause of these militant outďŹ ts Raja to exit the cabinet. day after the country blacklisted the Chidambaram, who they alleged scam continued on page 4 soldier-turned-social reformer said, urgsiastically shouted2G slogans of “Inquilab Pakistani Taliban and started with- Pakistan has become “the main ing the youth not to abandon the fight zindabadâ€?, “Jai Hindâ€? and “Bharat Mata staging area for terrorist plots drawal from Afghanistan Tuesday. against corruption. ki Jaiâ€? despite the fact that he had lost 3 “The war on terror has shifted, around the world and - despite the kilos since beginning his fast Tuesday. and Pakistan is its new front line,â€? United States’ assassination of Osa“This is the start of a new revolution, ma bin Laden in Abbotabad - a new said the daily National Post. of a new freedom struggle,â€? declared “The fight against corruption should “These two events (blacklisting safe-haven for al-Qaeda.â€?

Hazare, whose arrest Tuesday sparked off continue whether or not I am alive. It’s Quoting a study by the New of the Pakistani Taliban and the a nationwide outpouring of anger and put a people’s movement and you should start of withdrawal from Afghani- America Foundation, the paper the government in a political fix. fight on even after I am gone,â€? he said stan) encapsulate a shift, not only said 53 percent of terror plots New Delhi: The billion), believes former chief secto loud cheers. for Canada, but for all other na- worldwide since 2004 involved valuables found in retary of Kerala CP Nair. “This torch of revolution should always tions on the front lines of the war jihadists trained in Pakistan, com- the secret cellars of As per a report, Thursday, the remain lit. It is not just about Lokpal. We With a protective ring thrown by police on terror. For a number of years, pared to six percent in Yemen and Kerala’s famous Sree former bureaucrat claims that the have to bring about a transformation in and activists of India Against Corrupthose lines have been shifting three percent in Iraq. Pakistani ji- Padmanabhaswamy estimated market value of the treathis country,â€? he said in chaste Hindi, tion (IAC), Hazare started his journey to southeast, from Afghanistan to hadi groups have directed 44 per- Temple in Thiru- sures unearthed from the temple comparing the present-day government Ramlila an open truck Only ďŹ ve ofGround the sixin secret cellars of decoratPadmanabcent of the terror plots since then, v a n a n t h a p u r a m makes it the richest temple in the Pakistan,â€? the paper said. with the colonial British Raj. ed with the national flag that negotiated haswamy Temple have been opened, yielding # & # &#% * # ! $! #&$% It #&$% # $( * !# $ % ! "& % said the Tehrik-e-Taliban is according to the paper. could be worth Rs world. its way through massive crowds.

Gold idols, ornaments and other valuables. & % % ' % War * on terror continued on page 4 5 ' # $ $ % ! %&# very dangerous as ' $% # its “stated goal� is # Kerala treasure continued on page 4 lakh crore ($100 People, he added, would not tolerate

Kerala temple treasure could be worth $100 billion

any more the loot of national wealth. The brief speech heralded Hazare’s indefinite protest demanding a strong anti-corruption law, four days after he had originally scheduled it in the national capital.

At one point, the procession was 2 km long. The crowd, made up of people from all ages and varying socio-economic backgrounds, appeared upbeat and quite unmindful of the rain.

The crowds at the Ramlila Ground continued to swell, despite lashing rains.

Elsewhere, in towns and cities across the nation, protests continued for the fourth day in his support. Hazare’s team member and senior advocate Prashant Bhushan dismissed rumors of the social activists

Team Hazare is bitterly opposed to the government-sponsored Lokpal Bill, which excludes from its ambit the prime minister, the judiciary and the mass of government officials.

Support for Anna Hazare’s crusade has been swelling.

More related stories on pages 24-26.

5

Tristate Community

NY Consulate celebrates India’s 64th birthday New York: The Consulate General of India, New York hosted a reception on August 15 to mark the 64th Anniversary of India’s Independence. About 250 guests including prominent members of the Indian American community and local dignitaries such as NJ Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, Connecticut Assemblyman Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, , Ambassador Manjeev Puri, Deputy Permanent Representative of India at the UN, Vijay Nambiar, Chef de Cabinet & Under-Secretary General at the UN and Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt, representative of the Vatican, attended the celebrations.

The Consul General greeted the distinguished guests on the occasion and read out the Indian President Pratibha Patil’s message delivered on the eve of Independence Day. Mr. Wayne Jennings, President, Cul-

Consul General Prabhu Dayal holding a memento from the Cultural Diversity Awareness Council, New Hampshire which lauded NY Consulate staff for furthering people to people contact across cultures. tural Diversity Awareness Council, New Hampshire lauded the efforts of the Consulate staff in furthering

people to people contact across cultures. He also presented a memento on behalf of his organization to

Amb. Prabhu Dayal rings Nasdaq Closing Bell

Prabhu Dayal, Consul General of India in New York, was joined by leading community leaders and businessmen as he rang the Nasdaq Closing Bell on August 15 to mark India’s Independence Day. (right) the group posing outside the Nasdaq building in Times Square.

New York: As during the past two years, NASDAQ invited Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Consul General of India in New York, to ring the Closing Bell on the evening of August 15 to mark India’s Independence Day. The closing ceremony was attended by leading Indian businessmen and other prominent members of the Indian American community.

Speaking on the occasion, Amb. Prabhu Dayal said that NASDAQ event to celebrate India’s Independence Day indicates the ever growing relationship between NASDAQ and India. “NASDAQ’s gesture is in recognition of the fact that India has become a global powerhouse. Infosys, Cognizant Technologies, MakeMyTrip.com , Rediff.com , Sify Technologies Ltd. are all members of the NASDAQ 100 Index which is one of the most prestigious and widely followed indices of the world,” he said.

The uncertainty confronting the world economy, Amb Dayal opined, would need to be tackled through coordinated global action. But he expressed confidence that “India’s economy has fundamental strength and resilience, and its large domestic market can help it maintain a steady growth rate.

“We are continuously strengthening infrastructure in our country. We have pursued policies which encourage investment in infrastructure. We are confident that NASDAQ will continue to focus the interest of investors on the opportunities provided by India and thus play a positive and helpful role in the growth of the Indian economy.”

NASDAQ is the largest electronic screen based equity securities trading market in the US and second largest by market capitalization in the world. NASDAQ has more trading volume than any other electronic stock exchange in the world.

Prominent Indian Americans cut the cake in celebration of 64th anniversary of India’s Independence. commemorate the occasion.

Prominent Indian Americans representing various community associ-

ations and other fields jointly cut the cake in celebration of the joyous occasion.

IBA India Day Parade flags off despite rains

Grand Marshal Kangana Ranaut

Community leaders, guests and NJ officials at IBA India Day Parade in New Jersey

Iselin, NJ: Rain didn’t stop hundreds who attended this year’s India Day Parade here, hosted by the Indian Business Association.

Over 100 community based associations, 15 floats, 18 marching groups, each with 50 to 100 people, dance groups, and elected officials came together August 14 to celebrate India’s 65th year of Independence under the IBA banner-its 7th annual parade.

The ceremony began with a stirring rendi-

tion of the Star Spangled Banner followed

by Jana Gana Mana, the Indian national anthem. Bollywood Actress Kangana Ranaut, this year’s Grand Marshal, was full of praise for the community. “You should be proud, here you are 10,000 miles away from India, but you have not forgotten your roots, history, or culture,” she said. Ranaut was joined by other celebrities including dancer Trishna Amin.

NY Gujarati Samaj-Senior Wing celebrates I Day

(L to R) Devangi, Bipin Patel, Chairman Shashikant Patel, Mukund Mehta, Chief Guests Harshad Patel and Daxaben Patel, Coordinator Gopi Udeshi, Sister Kalaben and Sangeeta at Gujarati Samaj of New York Senior Wing’s celebrations of Independence Day of India at the GSNY Community Center in New York.

4

National 6 Community 22

August 13-19, 2011

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Community

Who is the leader of the youth of India...

ARVIND KEJRIWAL RAHUL GANDHI

Arvind Kejriwal, Anna Hazare’s main strategist.

Dear Friends, Very warm and heartiest congratulations on the Independence Day of India.

We are delighted to present you this Special Edition of The South Asian Times celebrating 65th Independence Day of our beloved India.

This special edition is dedicated to every Indian-American who has preserved the patriotic emotions in his soul and heart, thousands of miles away from the motherland. Bringing nostalgia of the nation of our birth to you is the minuscule role we at the SATimes play in uniting Indian Diaspora in our adopted country, America.

· Age: 43 · Mechanical Engineer -IIT Kharagpur · Jobs: Tata Steel; former Indian Revenue Service officer, resigned from IT Commissioner’s office to fight corruption. · Social Activist: Man behind Right to Information (RTI) Act and now LokPal bill. · Awards: Ashoka Fellow (for Civic Engagement), Satyendra Dubey Memorial Award’ of IIT Kanpur (for bringing transparency in Government) 2006: Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership.

2006: CNN-IBN ‘Indian of the Year’ in Public Service 2009: Distinguished Alumnus Award, IIT Kharagpur for Emergent Leadership.

2010: Policy Change Agent of the Year, Economic Times Corporate Excellence Award along with Aruna Roy.

· Age: 42 · M.Phil. in Development Studies from Trinity College, Cambridge, but his academic records show that he attempted to obtain the said degree in 2004–2005 but failed to secure passing grades in National Economic Plan4 National Community ning and Policy, notes Wikipedia.

August 13-19, 2011 · Job: Got ancestral political power. · Leadership record: For him terror attacks are commonplace... “we should not be worried of that.....let it happen’. (He has Z class security) Never talks about Government policies.... and planning (yet claims that he is most eligible to be PM) Won’t talk about black money and corruption.

Never speaks in Parliament. · Achievements: Great Grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, Grandson of Indira Gandhi, son of Rajiv Gandhi....

The sentiment of “Proud to be an Indian” is the motto behind our every effort.

Since its inception, The South Asian Times has earned and maintained the immaculate reputation for its excellence in journalism: value based content, clean display and only qualitative advertising. It is truly a family oriented, coffee table newspaper.

We, the Team at The South Asian Times, sincerely thank all our supporters who have been our partners in our gracious success.

Your continuous support has helped us raise new high standards in Indo-American media industry, both in print & online.

We take great pride in being a leader among ethnic Indian newspapers – one of the most read and adored newspaper in the Tri-state area. It would not have been possible without affection and cooperation of you, our esteemed supporter and the loyal reader.

West Coast Correspondent: Pooja Jain, pj@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Managing Editor: Parveen Chopra Associate Editors: Hiral Dholakia-Dave, Meenakshi Iyer

West Coast Correspondent: Contributing Editors: Pooja Jain, Website: TheSouthAsianTimes.info Dr Prem Kumar Sharma, Melvin Durai, Harry Aurora, Ashok Vyas, Updated Daily pj@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Dr Akshat Jain, Nupur Joshi Chairman and Co-Founder: Kamlesh C. Mehta

Website: TheSouthAsianTimes.info Updated Daily Chairman and Co-Founder: Kamlesh C. Mehta Co-Founder: Saroosh Gull President: Arjit Mehta Board Advisors (Honorary): Ajay Lodha, MD, Anish Berry

Managing Editor: Parveen Chopra Associate Editors: Hiral Dholakia-Dave, Meenakshi Iyer Contributing Editors: Dr Prem Kumar Sharma, Melvin Durai, Harry Aurora, Ashok Vyas, Dr Akshat Jain, Nupur Joshi Director Ad Sales: Megha Batra Tel. 516-410-7970 mb@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Washington DC Correspondent: Sarbrina Siddiqui, ss@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Rahul Gandhi with his mother Sonia, Congress party chief.

Thank you all; with very warm greetings of India Day. Sincerely, Team

Printed Every Saturday by Forsythe Media Group, LLC ISSN 1941-9333 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801 Ph: 516-390-7847

Printed Every Saturday by Forsythe Media Group, LLC ISSN 1941-9333 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801 Ph: 516-390-7847

TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Director Ad Sales: Megha Batra

Tel. 516-410-7970 Co-Founder: SarooshBureau: Gull New Delhi mb@TheSouthAsianTimes.info President: Arjit MehtaIyer Meenakshi Board Advisors (Honorary): Washington DC Correspondent: na@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Ajay Lodha, MD, Anish Berry

Sarbrina Siddiqui, ss@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Art and Design: Vladimir Tomovski Bhagwati Multimedia, Rahul Sahota,

Web Editor: B.B.Chopra Cartoon by Mahendra Shah, SATimes cartoonist

New Delhi Bureau: Meenakshi Iyer na@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Photo Journalist: Parveen/Bhanu Seth

News Service: HT Media Ltd., India IANS Newswire Services

Art and Design: Vladimir Tomovski Printing: Five Star Printing, NY Richner Publications Bhagwati Multimedia, Rahul Sahota,

Jaipur (India) Bureau Prakash Bhandari email: prakashbhandari49@gmail.com Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/ masalajunction.com.

Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com

Emails: editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

subscribe@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Web Editor: B.B.Chopra advertise@TheSouthAsianTimes.info

Chief Cartoonist: Mahendra P. Shah

Advertisement: News Service: 516-390-7847 HT Media Ltd., India 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801 Web Development: Naresh Sahu Services F: 516-390-7847 IANS Newswire VP Marketing and PR (Washington DC): Chander Gambhir, T: 703-717-1667

Notice: The South Asian Times is published weekly by The Forsythe Media Group, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send all address notices, subscription orders/payments and other inquiries to The South Asian Times, 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801, USA. Copyright and all other rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher. The views expressed on the opinion pages and in the letters to the editor pages are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of The South Asian Times. The editor/publisher does not warrant accuracy and cannot be held responsible for the content of the advertisements placed in the publication and/or inaccurate claims, if any, made by the advertisers. Advertisements of business or facilities included in this publication do not imply connection or endorsement of these businesses.

Photo Journalist: Parveen/Bhanu Seth Jaipur (India) Bureau Prakash Bhandari email: prakashbhandari49@gmail.com Photographs: Gunjesh Desai/ masalajunction.com.

Xitij Joshi/xitijphoto.com Chief Cartoonist: Mahendra P. Shah

VP Marketing and PR (Washington DC): Chander Gambhir, T: 703-717-1667 Web Development: Naresh Sahu

Printing: Five Star Printing, NY Richner Publications

Emails: editor@TheSouthAsianTimes.info subscribe@TheSouthAsianTimes.info advertise@TheSouthAsianTimes.info Advertisement: 516-390-7847 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801 F: 516-390-7847

Notice: The South Asian Times is published weekly by The Forsythe Media Group, LLC. POSTMASTER: Send all address notices, subscription orders/payments and other inquiries to The South Asian Times, 76 N Broadway, Suite 2004, Hicksville, NY 11801, USA. Copyright and all other rights reserved. No material herein or portions thereof may be reprinted without the consent of the publisher. The views expressed on the opinion pages and in the letters to the editor pages are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of The South Asian Times. The editor/publisher does not warrant accuracy and cannot be held responsible for the content of the advertisements placed in the publication and/or inaccurate claims, if any, made by the advertisers. Advertisements of business or facilities included in this publication do not imply connection or endorsement of these businesses.

8 22

Tristate Community

Flag march with Indian and American flags.

Champak Parikh conducted the flag-hoisting ceremony, assisting County Executive Mangano to unfurl the Indian flag.

Nassau County Executive Edward P Mangano making his inaugural remarks.

Nassau county joins community organizations to celebrate India Day Mineola, NY: A dozen Indian community organizations came together in a rare unity to join Nassau County Executive Hon. Edward P Mangano in celebrating India’s 65th Independence Day on August 15. Hon. Mangano addressed the gathering of over 200 prominent Indian Americans after the Indian flag hoisting ceremony and honored four at the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola. Later that night the county seat building was lit up with Indian flag colors of saffron, white and green.

On the occasion, Hon. Mangano also declared August 15 as IndiaAmerican Day in the county. He presented a Proclamation to that effect to Lal Motwani, President of the National Federation of Indian

American Associations (NFIA), cohost of the graceful yet impressive morning event. Presidents of other hosting community organizations joined Mr Motwani at the presentation. They and other community leaders joined him again when he presented to Hon. Mangano a unique memento—a model of the spinning wheel, ‘Mahatma Gandhi’s weapon that won freedom for India.’

Hon. Mangano was joined in by three county legislators -- Rose Marie Walker, Norma L. Gonsalves and Vincent T. Muscarella – when he honored chosen Indian Americans with citations for their stellar contributions. They were Rajinderjit K. Singh, educationist and activist, Dr Vasundhra Kalapusudi, Founder and President of India Home for senior citizens, and Vibhuti Jha, President of

Human Potential Project who is involved in performance enhancement for companies and corporations in the US and other countries. The citation for the Late Gandhian and freedom fighter Kanjibhai Chauhan was received by his surviving wife, Manoramaben, and daughters Nina Bhat and Kalpana Patel, all Nassau residents.

The ceremonial flag-hoisting was conducted in a grand way by Champak Parikh, which impressed all gathered even though the ceremony had to be shifted indoors because of rain.

Hon. Mangano, in his inaugural address, lauded the fact that America, the oldest democracy, and India, the largest democracy “are strategic partners in maintaining peace and harmony around the globe.”

He also commended the Indian American community for playing

an important role in the growth of Nassau County and America.

Eminent attorney Ravi Batra, newly retained as Special Counsel to the County Executive, and Lal Motwani also addressed the gathering.

Presidents of the hosting organizations spoke briefly. They introduced their organizations and expressed their gratitude to County Executive and Kamlesh Mehta, Chair, Coordination Committee of the India Day program & Deputy Director, Nassau County Office of Economic Development, for bringing the groups together on one platform to celebrate the event and for acting as a bridge between the community and the county. The 10 Presidents were: Ranju Batra (Association of Indians in America-NY), Gobind Munjal (India Association of Long Island), Haridas Kotahwala (Rajasthan

Lal Motwani, President of NFIA, co-host of the event.

The County Executive declared August 15 as India-American Day in Nassau county, and presented the Proclamation to Indian community leaders.

By Parveen Chopra Photos: Michael Tamborrino

Association of North America), Raju Thomas (Kerala Center), Dr. Rajinder Uppal (International Punjabi Society), Indu Jaiswal (Indian American Forum), George Thomas (Indian American Malayalee Association of Long Island), Bipin Bhai (Vice-President- Long Island Gujarati Cultural Society), Rajeshwar Prasad (National Indo-American Associations for Senior Citizens) and Dan Flynn (Rotary Club of Hicksville South).

Kamlesh Mehta presented a vote of thanks. Renowned attorney Jas Mayall was the emcee. Riti Sunshine Bhalla sang the American national anthem and a patriotic song.

Large buffet of refreshments concluding the event was sponsored by Sheetal Talati of Rajbhog, and Motilal and Kishen Maharaj of Rasraj restaurants of Hicksville.

Kamlesh Mehta was praised by presidents of the dozen hosting organizations for bringing so many community groups together.

Theodore Roosevelt Building in Mineola illuminated with Indian flag colors.

9 22

Tristate Community

Lal Motwani presented Hon. Mangano a unique memento—a model of the spinning wheel, ‘Mahatma Gandhi’s weapon that won freedom for India.’

Ravi Batra retained as Special Counsel to Nassau County Executive Mangano

Presidents of all 10 hosting organizations greeted the community.

Renowned attorney Jas Mayall ably emceed the event.

Riti Bhalla sang the American anthem and rendered a patriotic song.

County legislators Rose Marie Walker, Norma L. Gonsalves and Vincent T. Muscarella joined Hon Mangano in presenting citations to the honorees. The citation for the Late Gandhian and freedom fighter Kanjibhai Chauhan was received by his surviving wife and two daughters.

York Judith S. Kaye as its counsel. Judge Kaye is with the law firm of Skadden Arps. Batra’s services have been requisitioned by the county, the agreement between the two parties reads, “because he has the requisite experience, knowledge and skills, including experience in complex Federal and State litigation, good knowledge and sound judgment Eminent attorney Ravi Batra of good governance as it addressing the audience. relates to New York City, County Executive Ed Mangano has Albany and Washington DC.” Batra’s appointment coincided retained eminent attorney Ravi Batra as Special Counsel to the County with Nassau County’s celebration Executive. Starting August 15, Batra of India’s Independence Day, where shall provide to the County Execu- Batra was a guest speaker.

Batra has held many positions in tive counsel and advise, with special emphasis on fiscal management, the bar, including being a member ethical issues and identifying fraud, of the house of delegates of NYS waste and abuse in governance as Bar Association. He was appointed they relate to the county. Nassau last year to NYS IOLA Board of County has a county attorney, John Trustees, and NYS Judicial ScreenCiampoli, but did not have counsel ing Committee for the Second Dept. to the county executive. Nassau In- He is also the chair of National Adterim Financial Authority (NIFA) visory Council on South Asian Afhas former Chief Judge of New fairs in Washington DC.

The Honorees

Rajinderjit K. Singh, educationist and activist

Vibhuti Jha, President of Human Potential Project

Dr Vasundhra Kalapusudi, Founder and President of India Home

11

I-Day Celebrations in US

Flag-hoisting, anti-graft parades mark I Day

Charge d' Affaires Arun K. Singh unfurled the Indian tricolor in front of the embassy and (inset) reading out President Patil's Address to the Nation.

Guests at the Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC on August 15.

Washington: Indians across America celebrated India’s 65th Independence Day with flag hoisting ceremonies at Indian missions and India day parades in seven major cities with a call against corruption in their homeland.

At the Indian embassy in Washington, the Deputy Chief of Mission Arun Kumar Singh hoisted the Indian tricolour Monday in front of the embassy overlooking a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

After the singing of the national anthem, the gathered Indian community waving small Indian flags moved inside the embassy where Singh read out President Patil’s message to the nation. Patriotic songs were sung in Bengali and Hindi followed by a feast of panIndian snacks.

Similar functions were held at the Indian consulates in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston and the Indian mission at the UN. Earlier, India Day parades were held Sunday in Washington DC, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco by India Against Corruption (IAC) and People for Loksatta (PFL), which had initiated Dandi march-II, a 240 mile walk

in support of social activist Anna Hazare in March.

At the biggest event in New Jersey, some 180 people wearing white T-shirts, Gandhi caps and waving the Indian national flags walked along Oak Tree Road in pouring rain shouting slogans like “We Want Jan Lokpal”, “I Am Anna”, “Anna We Are With You” and “Anna Hazare - Desh Tere Saath Hai!, Videsh Tere Saath Hai!!”.

Many volunteers carried placards saying - “I am Anna” and “It is not one Anna. We are Thousands” in English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi and a few other Indian languages.

Young and old participants from all walks of life, technologists, engineers, business men, doctors, students, children and a few pregnant women too joined the celebrations chanting Vande Mataram and Jai Hind and singing “Hum Honge Kamyaab” (We shall overcome). The march ended with the singing of India’s national anthem.

In Houston NRIs and volunteers of several organizations like IAC, PFL, 5th Pillar and Bharat Swabhiman joined a gathering near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue.

Edison India Day Parade rescheduled for August 21 Organizers land in trouble for using Iwo Jima image Edison, NJ: The Oaktree Indian Business Association has rescheduled its inaugural Grand India Day Parade for Sunday, Aug. 21, along Oak Tree Road.

The parade stirred controversy by using a doctored image of the U.S. Marine World War II flag-raising at Iwo Jima in its promotional materials. The superimposition of the Indian flag over the American flag insulted many Marines and their families.

At the demand of Mayor Antonia Ri-

cigliano, an apology about the graphic usage was issued by the group.

The apology read: “On behalf of Oaktree Indian Business Association, we would like to offer our sincerest apologies for any offense taken by the usage of the edited picture of the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima. The picture was not created by our graphic designer. It was taken from the Internet and was used as is.”

“It was not meant to be offensive in any

way to the American service men and women who fought so bravely for the American people. Again, please accept our apology.”

The questionable image was taken from AmazingIndia.net, Hitesh Shah, the parade’s graphic designer told mycentraljersey.com . The website did not return an email seeking comment about the image.

Bimal Joshi, executive vice president of the Oaktree Indian Business Association,

said he didn’t realize the image was of U.S. Marines at Iwo Jima. Ricigliano said she did not believe disrespect was intended.

“I also made it clear that it was not only in bad taste but very insensitive to those who served our nation,” she said. “I said the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima represents the best of America, and its symbolism reflects the honor and glory of all those who fought and died for our freedom in every war, not just World War II.”

12

I day celebrations in US

Star Network part of I-Day events across the nation

Organizers and community leaders at AT & T Park

India Heritage Day celebrated in San Francisco San Francisco: The Federation of IndoAmerican Associations of Northern California and the National Federation of Indian American Associations joined hands to present “Indian Heritage Day” alongside a night of baseball, at the AT&T for the fourth year in a row Aug. 8.

The San Francisco Giants took on the Pittsburgh Pirates in a match that had fans groaning when the Pirates shut out the Giants in a handy 5-0 win, but spirits were high among audience members who were treated to Indian dance performances before the game. Aerodance, an award-winning Indian classical and fusion dance school based in the Bay Area and the Bhangra Empire troupe had the crowds off their feet.

Before the crowds entered the ball park,

they were treated to a program of entertainment and remarks from community leaders, including Rajeev Awasty, president of the Federation of Indo-American Associations of Northern California.

Outgoing Consul General for San Francisco Susmita Thomas pointed out that the city of San Francisco was the origin of the Hindustan Gadar movement in 1913, which was instrumental in the independence struggle. Nearly 150 children and youths participated in the pre-show entertainment lineup.

Groups performing outside the ballpark included the Silicon Valley-based Nupur Dance Academy; and two Fremont schools — Rhythm ‘n’ Steps, and Bollynritya, a troupe founded by classical danseuse Purvi Bhansali.

Indian-American culture on display in Allentown Allentown, PA: The 3rd annual Independence Day parade was held here August 14th from 10.30 am. The Indian Americans of the Greater Lehigh Valley got together at the Allentown Arts Park at First and Court streets, looping around the area dn ending back at Arts Park. The theme was freedom, unity, diversity, harmony.

The traditional music, clothing and dance, along with flags and floats created a colorful experience. The cultural program begans at the Arts Park at 12:30 p.m. Kids as young as

four to professional dancers from New York City performed at the event. There was music, dance, a karaoke contest and Indian food.

The India Day celebrations included a blood drive with the Miller-Keystone Blood Center. The first 25 people to donate received a free meal.

The celebration continued at noon August 15th with the annual raising of the Indian and American flags outside of the Allentown City Hall building in honor of India's independence day.

New York, NY: Star Network, well-known for its entertainment channels such as Star India Plus, Star One, and Star Gold, is participating in exciting cultural events across the country this August. Star Network is home to Star India Plus, a general entertainment channel. From the television screen in many homes, Star India Plus is leaping out of the screen and into the communities of its loyal viewers. Making appearances in Dallas, Houston, New York City, and New Jersey, this network is sure to make August an eventful month.

India's independence is big news to its community here in the US, and Star India Plus will be participating in events that illustrate just that. Starting with Anand Bazaar on August 13th in Dallas, Texas, Star India Plus will be participating in Independence Day events across the country: Fremont India Day Parade & Festival in California August 13 and 14, Houston India Fest on August 20th, FIA Independence Day Parade on August 21st in New York City, and the Asian American Fair on August 27th in Somerset, New Jersey.

The annual Anand Bazaar, the must see celebration in Northern Texas, is presented by the India Association of North Texas (IANT). This celebration not only commemorates India's independence but also represents the merged Indian-American culture that has cultivated for over 35 years in

Texas. On August 20th, in nearby Houston, Texas, Star India Plus will be will be hosting a clown and face painting booth. This event celebrates India Fest with cultural programs, a commercial bazaar, and much more.

Star India Plus then reaches across the US to the east coast for the FIA (Federation of Indian Associations) Independence Day celebration—the largest of its kind outside New Delhi, India. The 31st FIA parade will float through New York City, with guest stars such as Rani Mukherjee and Gulshan Grover. Star India Plus will be presenting exciting dance performances throughout the parade. Following these Independence Day Celebrations, Star India Plus will then take on the Asian American Fair on August 27th in New Jersey.

India’s I-Day celebrated in Alabama Harvest, AL: The IndianThe event, which included a night of classical dance as American community came towell as a dinner of authentic gether from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday for a celebration of India’s inIndian cuisine and festivities, was capped off with firedependencce day at the Hindu Cultural Center of North Alaworks.

Amulya Balabantray, an acbama auditorium, located at claimed professional dancer 14800 Vishnu Way in Capshaw.

The Hindu Cultural Center of with 15 years of training, entertained those in attendance.

North Alabama, Huntsville India Association and Non-resiBalabantray is a resident Odissi teacher for the Center dent Indians of North Alabama for World Music & Related planned an evening with chief Arts in San Diego. guest U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, RShalini Patnaik, an IndianAla., and guests of honor, Amulya Balabantray, Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks an acclaimed Odissi dancer American from California and Limestone County Comwho has been extensively performed at the event mission Chairman Stanley trained in Odissi, also perMenefee. State Rep. C. Mac McCutcheon, R- formed. According to organizers, Patnaik has performed with such artists as Madonna.

Capshaw, served as the chief speaker.

14

Independence day in India

India celebrates I-Day amid tight security

Freedom fighters participate in the Salt Movement in Orissa.

Manmohan Singh addressing the nation from the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15.

New Delhi: India observed its 65th Independence Day and accompanying celebrations amid tight security. Streets of national capital New Delhi were heavily sanitized, with armed security personnel keeping a hawk-eyed vigil to prevent possible terrorist strikes on the occasion.

Print and television media reports said that an elaborate ground-to-air security apparatus was put in place in the city, especially near Red Fort, from where the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, unfurled the tricolor and addressed the nation for the eighth consecutive time.

Though there was no specific intelligence input about a possible terror strike, the Union Home Ministry took no chances and issued a country-wide alert.

It asked states to tighten security at sensitive locations and installations to thwart any attempt of terror strike.

"Elaborate security arrangements have been made. Personnel from Delhi Police and paramilitary have been deployed for security," media reports quoted senior police officer, as saying.

Around 40 CCTVs were installed in and around the Red Fort. Sharpshooters of the National Security Guard (NSG) were deployed on high-rise buildings located close to the Red Fort. Specialized units like Quick

Reaction Teams, SWAT and Vajra were deployed. A no-fly zone was in place around the Red Fort for the nearly 90-minute-long function.

Besides the patrolling of the skies by helicopters, an air defense mechanism was also kept in readiness around the venue to thwart any terror attacks. Delhi Police carried out intensive checks at all the border points.

Security was also tight around other key installations such as the Parliament complex, the Indira Gandhi International Airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and Metro stations.

All government offices, schools and colleges across India remain closed on August 15. There was, however, no sealing of borders this time. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh affirmed his commitment to root out corruption but said there is no magic wand to do so and decried hunger strikes as a means to achieve the objective, in an apparent reference to Anna Hazare.

Addressing the nation from historic Red Fort for the eighth consecutive year on the occasion of 65th Independence Day, Singh acknowledged that corruption is a big obstacle in national transformation but said it should be discussed in a manner that should not create an atmosphere in which country's progress comes into question.

The Tricolor fluttering high at the Historic Red Fort, on the occasion of 65th Independence Day, in Delhi.

‘This is not the India we fought for’ New Delhi: As India marched into its 65th year of independence, the people who fought tooth and nail for the freedom most of us take for granted feel this is not the nation of their dreams and are troubled by the all-pervading culture of corruption.

Captain S.S. Yadav, a 93-year-old freedom fighter who served in the Indian National Army (INA) of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, feels that the country has progressed a lot in the last six decades, but corruption too has increased exponentially.

"Corruption has bugged our administrative system badly and I really feel ashamed when youngsters ask me if we fought for the freedom to provide them a corrupt system," Yadav was quoted as saying.

So what does independence mean to him?

He responds promptly: "It means an opportunity to work selflessly for the nation and serve its people. But where is that seen today? Today no one can get their work done without bribery."

Octogenarian Pratima Kaushik, who spent two months imprisoned along with her two brothers in Lahore, fondly remembers moments spent in jail, fervently singing patriotic songs with the hopes of a free India.

She feels that India has got independence

but people have failed to understand the real meaning of 'azadi'.

"Independence is not as it should have been...there is widespread corruption and back-stabbing. Many times, I think I made a mistake in fighting for the nation and that it was not worth it," an angry Kaushik replied.

Freedom fighters looked concerned over the ongoing debate on corruption involving senior ministers and administrative officers and supported the demand for a strong Lokpal bill.

"The scams just reinstate that in our country whoever gets a little power tends to misuse it. Who thought Kalmadi was capable of such blatant corruption? Those who exploited the public money must be sent to jail," said the 88-year-old freedom fighter Shashi Bhushan. Bhushan emphasizes that there has been so much discussion on irregularities in the Commonwealth Games but that no one demands the seizure of the money looted from the exchequer.

"Everyone fought for freedom with great enthusiasm. Today, the development we see is the fruit of that very struggle. The freedom struggle continues against communalism and corruption," says the Padma Bhushan awardee.

Nation building through social networks New Delhi: This February, the Planning Commission tried to play ball and be more than an 'institution.' It posted a page for the 12th Five-Year Plan on Facebook (FB) and opened itself to comments, tweets, wallposts, status updates - even 'likes' from a wider and younger audience.

The cue came from the Prime Minister's suggestion to take policy matters to the masses.

The enterprise works both ways. It builds the sense that you can - remotely though take part in policy-making decisions by giving your comments and suggestions for the next plan.

"The PM said you have to

Government departments in India lack presence on social networking sites, barring a few exceptions. reform the approach of the Planning Commission to involve the masses. It is too much of an 'Ivory Coast'," recalls Planning Commission member Arun Maira.

And the results are show-

ing. Though there are less than 5,000 'likes' for the 12th Plan's FB page, it has received diverse and interesting suggestions on the topics for which the Commission invited inputs.

15

Independence day in India

Three Shaurya Chakras among gallantry awards

BSF Inspector General Himmat Singh shakes hands with Pakistan Rangers Brigadier Farrukh Jamal at the India-Pakistan border in Wagah.

Indian, Pak troops exchange sweets Amritsar: As Indian and Pakistan troops exchanged sweets on Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on Independence Day, the celebrations were marred by violation of ceasefire from across the border in Samba sector in J&K. Led by Mujahid Regiment Commandant Colonel Umar Gul, Pakistan army officers met Indian counterparts led by Colonel Cristopher at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch district and greeted them on India's 65th independence day, army officials said.

The Pakistani contingent gifted sweets and fruits to the Indian officials who offered them tea and sweets during the flag meeting that lasted an hour.

However, the bonhomie along the LoC was marred by ceasefire violation by Pakistani rangers who indulged in unprovoked firing on Indian post along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh belt of Samba sector early today. Pakistani troops from Im-

ran post resorted to small arms firing on Ballard forward Border out Post along the International Border in Ramgarh sub-sector of the district around 3.45am this morning, BSF DIG (G Branch), S Oberoi said.

"The unprovoked firing continued for 25 minutes. BSF troops effectively retaliated back," the DIG said, adding that there was no casualty or injury to any one in the firing on this side.

"It was a clear case of ceasefire violation," he said, adding a protest would be lodged with the Pakistan authorities. We have given them sweets and fruits on their Independence Day yesterday during a flag meeting. But they have returned the gesture with bullets today on our Independence Day," Oberoi said.

Earlier, Indian Army and BSF officers had gifted sweets to their counterparts at Chakan-Da-Bagh and Octroi border posts along Indo-Pak border on the occasion of Pakistan's independence day.

Google doodles India's Independence Day New Delhi: A sketch of Delhi's Red Fort takes guard on the Google home page on the occasion of 15 August 2011, India's 65th Independence Day. A sketch of Delhi's Red Fort takes guard on the Google home page on the occasion of 15 August 2011, India's 65th Independence Day. Google has been commemorating India's Independence Day with a doodle on its

home page since 2003. Most of the Google doodles had the Indian national flag as the inspiration. The 2011 doodle is an exception where the flag is conspicuous by its absence.

For a dozen years, Google has been occasionally swapping its everyday logo for a doodle, a sketch celebrating holidays, inventions, artists and sporting events, and showcasing designs from contest-winning students.

The awardees: The President’s Police Medal for distinguished services to S. Balasubramanian, ASC/SR and Shri T.K. Chattopadhyay, ASC/NCR; the Police Medal for Meritorious Services to Shri Brahm Prakash Dutta, DD/P&TS Railway Board, Shri Ram Karan Narwal, Assistant Sub-Inspector RPF/NR, Shri Bijender Singh Shekhawat, Inspector RPF, Rail Bhavan and Shri Sher Singh Benewal, Sub-Inspector RPF/NR. New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil has approved gallantry medals for 137 security personnel, including 14 for the country's third highest peacetime bravery award, the Shaurya Chakra, on the occasion of the 65th Independence Day. Among the other medals named by the president are three Bar to Sena Medal (gallantry), 114 Sena Medal (gallantry), three Nao Sena Medal (gallantry), and three Vayu Sena Medal (gallantry). Sena Medal is the Indian Army's bravery medal, while its equivalent in the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force are the Nao Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal, a statement said.

There are no winners of Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra, the highest and the second highest peacetime bravery awards, this time around. The Shaurya Chakra medal awardees list this time includes a naval submariner, who died during efforts to rescue his fellow sailors following an accident while they were attempting a repair to the vessel's hull at sea off Mumbai Aug 10 last year.

Late Lt. Cdr. Firdaus Darabshah Mogal was named for the gallantry medal posthumously for "an unmatched show of fearless valour in the face of death that saved the lives of six men onboard."

Others joining the list of brave men to win the medal posthumously are Sapper Amarjit Singh of the Corps of Engineers

for his brave act while on deployment with the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Constable Ashish Kumar Tiwary.

Among others the president has named for the award of Shaurya Chakra are: Maj. Abhishek Chakrabarty of Army Air Defence, Maj. S. Kartik Raja of Regiment of Artillery, Maj. Dhushyant Singh Shekhawat of Dogra Regiment, Capt.

Saurabh Dhamija of Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Capt. Tapas Kumar Deka of Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), and Lt. Abhinav Tripathi of Dogra Regiment.

Havildar Panchu Gopal Roy of Parachute Regiment on deployment with Rashtriya Rifles, Naik Rajesh Kumar of Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Lance Naik Chandan Singh of Kumaon Regiment, Rifleman Aniruddh Yadav of Assam Rifles, and Paratrooper Padam Bahadur Poudel of Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) too will receive the Shaurya Chakra.

The Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), that is winning the medal second time, are Maj. Pranay Padmakar Pawar of Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Maj. Raj Abhinav of Rajputana Rifles and Capt. Pawan Kumar Sachan of Corps of Signals posted with Assam Rifles.

22 16

In Pictures

The United Colors of I-Day Undeterred by heavy rains and persistant heat, people across the nation donned patriotic colors as they gathered to celebrate the 65th Independence Day, unfurling the tricolor, singing patriotic songs and the Indian national anthem with fervor and organising a series of cultural events. Here is a glimpse of the United India.

People wave the Indian tricolor at the India-Pakistan border in Wagah.

School girls performing during I-Day celebrations at the Wagah border.

President Pratibha Patil pays a tribute at the Amar Jawan Jyoti (Tomb of the Unnamed Soldier) at the India Gate monument.

Schoolchildren enact a scene from the freedom struggle during celebrations at the Manekshaw Parade Grounds in Bangalore.

22 18

In Pictures

Celebrating India’s independence As India celebrates yet another Independence Day -- its 65th -- it is a good time to pause and take stock.

India has come a long way in this short time, and we capture this spirit in frames.

Security personnel march past the Red Fort as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh delivers a speech in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs after delivering a speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Schoolchildren walk on stilts with the tricolors during celebrations in Secunderabad, Hyderabad’s twin city.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh performing parikrama at Raj Ghat in Delhi.

Happy Independence Day

20 22

PM’s I-Day Speech

We too want strong Lokpal: Manmohan run-up to the Commonwealth Games and the growing rift between the government and civil society activists on an anti-corruption Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill, Manmohan Singh admitted that government contracts worth thousands of crores every Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressing the nation on the occasion of 65th year were often awardIndependence Day from the ramparts of Red Fort in Delhi on August 15. ed to the wrong people.

The prime minister said the govAddressing the nation from the New Delhi: In a speech dominated by concerns on corruption, Red Fort on a rain-soaked Inde- ernment would introduce in parliaPrime Minister Manmohan Singh pendence Day, Manmohan Singh ment a public procurement bill to told the nation on its 65th Inde- said the governmenthad no “magic monitor such officialpurchases.

“There are also cases where govpendence Day that the govern- wand” and called for a multiment was taking action on many pronged crackdown on corrupt prac- ernment contracts are wrongfully fronts to fightgraft and believed in tices that hamper India’s economic awarded to the wrong people. We a strong Lokpal while also send- growth. Speaking in the backdrop of cannot let such activities continue ing a message to activist Anna scandals such as alleged irregulari- unchecked. “In some instances, funds Hazare that he should not go on a ties in the allocation of 2G spectrum meant for schemes for the welfare and questionable contracts in the of the common man end up in the hunger strike.

pocket of government officials.

In some other instances, government discretion is used to favor a selected few.”

A government-appointed committee, he said, had recommended that a public procurement legislation to monitor official purchases. “We will introduce a bill in parliament by the end of this year to enact such a law.”

“I believe that there is no single big step which we can take to eradicate corruption. We will have to act simultaneously on many fronts,” Manmohan Singh said.

As the showdown with Team Anna over the hunger strike for a more stringent Lokpal Bill becomes imminent, he said the government wanted a bill that created and gave statutory powers to an anti-graft watchdog - Lokpal - to prevent corruption in high places. “We have recently introduced a bill in parliament

to achieve this. “Now only parliament can decide what type of Lokpal legislation should be enacted.”

He said bringing the judiciary under the ambit of Lokpal would undermine its independence but hoped that a bill which makes the judiciary “more accountable” would be passed soon. The Judicial Accountability Bill is in parliament.

He also warned against any complacency in the fight against terrorism. Referring to the July 13 bombings in Mumbai, he said the fight against terrorism “is a long battle to be fought jointly by the central government, the state governments and the common man”.

About Maoist insurgency in parts of east and central India, Manmohan Singh said: “”We want to eradicate the very reasons, which give rise to this problem.

Excerpts from Prime Minister’s speech from Red Fort My dear countrymen,

…The road ahead is long and arduous. Particularly, the prevailing situation both inside and outside the country is such that if we do not act with understanding and restraint, our security and prosperity can get adversely affected. The world economy is slowing down.

The developed countries especially America and countries of Western Europe are facing economic problems. There is unrest in many Arab countries of the Middle East. There are some people who want to create disturbances in the country so that our progress gets stalled. All this can have a negative impact on us. But we will not let this happen.

I know that if we work together, we can face any challenge. However, it is necessary that we rise above personal or political interests and build consensus on issues of vital national importance. ...We want a strong Lokpal to prevent corruption in high places.

We have recently introduced a bill in parliament to achieve this. Now only parliament can decide what type of Lokpal legislation should be enacted. I am aware of the differences of opinion on some aspects of the bill. Those who don’t agree with this bill can put forward their views to parliament, political parties and even the press. However, I also believethat they should not resort to

hunger strikes and fasts unto death. ..I congratulate the country’s farmers for their achievements this year.

The production of foodgrains has been at a record level. Wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds have all seen record levels of production. It is because of the hard work of our farmers that today there are proposals for export of foodgrains, sugar and cotton.

We need a second Green Revolution in agriculture. We can tackle the problem of rising food prices only by increasing agricultural production and productivity. …Our country is passing through a phase of sustained high inflation.

Controlling rising prices is a primary responsibility of any government. Our government fully understands this responsibility.

We have continuously taken steps to rein in prices. Some time we have been confronted with a situation in which the reasons for rising prices lay outside the country. The prices of petroleum products, foodgrains and edible oil have risen steeply in international markets in recent times. Since we import these products in large quantities, any rise in their prices adds to inflationary pressure in our country. …I am fully aware of the tensions caused in some parts of the country because of acquisition of land for industry, infrastructure and urbanization. Our farmers have

been especially affected by such acquisition. Land acquisition is no doubt necessary for projects of public interest. But it should take place in a transparent and fair manner.

I have often referred to the 11th Five Year Plan as an education plan.

We will lay the same emphasison health in the 12th plan as we laid on education in the 11th plan. I will propose to the National Development Council that the 12th plan should be specially focused on health. I also promise that funds will not be a constraint in the important areas of education and health.

…In the 12th Plan, we will further accelerate investment in infrastructure.

We will pay special attention to the remote areas of our country and to rural areas. Connecting such areas by rail and road will get the top most priority. …The figures of census 2011 show improvements in most areas. But it is a matter of deep regret for us that the sex ratio has shown a decline from the level of the last census. For an improvement in this state of affairs, it is not only necessary to implement the existing laws effectively but it is also essential to change the approach with which our society views girls and

women. I would especially appeal to the state governments and social service organizations to take steps for empowerment of women and for improving their status in society. …Last month’s terrorists attacks in Mumbai warn us that there cannot be any slip up in our vigilance as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned. This is a long battle to be fought jointly by the Central Government, the State Governments and the common man. We have been steadily strengthening our intelligence and security agencies and will continue to do so in the future also…

Dignitaries coming out from Red Fort after the Independence Day event in Delhi.

22 22

President’s I-Day Address

No single remedy for corruption: Patil New Delhi: Terming corruption a cancer affecting the nation, President Pratibha Patil said there cannot be just one panacea to deal with the menace, and a system of transparency and accountability needs to be put in place at various levels.

“Corruption is a cancer affecting the nation’s political, economic, cultural and social life. It is necessary to eliminate it,” said Patil in her address to the nation on the eve of the 65th Independence Day. Though she did not refer to the ongoing debate on the need for a strong Lokpal, the president said: “There cannot be just one panacea or remedy to deal with corruption, but a system of transparency and accountability should be put in place at various levels and effectively enforced.”

The president also said that we should not forget that we have to preserve democracy and uphold healthy conventions of parliamentary procedures.

The president said that pursuing the anti-corruption agenda would require preventive and punitive measures and a rational approach, besides strong institutions and good governance.

President Pratibha Patil addressing the nation on the eve of the 65th Independence Day.

She asked the government, parliament, the judiciary and society at large to ponder over corruption and find ways to handle it.

The president suggested electoral reforms, including state funding of elections and debarring criminals from participating in elections, to cleanse the system.

The country has performed well economically with a growth rate of 8.6 percent last year and the government was pursuing an inclusive growth agenda, the president said. The president called for greater use of technology in the agriculture sector to ensure better productivity and increased focus on issues like labor shortage.

Expressing grief over the country’s declining sex ratio, she said it reflected the bias against the girl child in Indian society and called for fighting such social prejudices.

“Our census sadly shows that there has been a decline in the gender ratio in the 0 to 6 age group.

It has touched a low level of 914 girls as compared to 1,000 boys. It reflects the continuing preference of boys in our society and the bias against the girl child,” Patil said.

Excerpts from President’s Speech “…We are all aware of the consequences of the global financial meltdown of 2008. Uncertainty is again confronting the world economy, and would need to be tackled through co-ordinated global action, as also by suitable precautionary measures in our country.” …This significant day in our nation’s calendar takes us back to the events that made our country, a free nation. It is to Mahatma Gandhi - the Father of our Nation, to all the other leaders of our freedom movement, and to the millions of people of our country, who fought with bravery and courage, that we pay homage. …Today, our nation stands at a threshold. There are important issues on which we must focus, and as we do so, keep in mind that these are times, when we should also be on our guard, about not straying away from our main objective, of strengthening the nation in its many aspects.

This is a time for introspection, a time to take well thought out measures, and to prepare well for the future. There have been occasions earlier, when confronted with many questions, we did find answers. …We are committed to the welfare of all and are pursuing an inclusive growth agenda. There is much promise, much potential, much hope and much optimism about our future prospects.

…Corruption is a cancer affecting our nation’s political, economic, cultural and social life.

It is necessary to eliminate it.

Government, Parliament, Judiciary and society at large, should ponder about this, and find out ways to handle it in a manner that is practical, implementable and sustainable.

There cannot be just one panacea or remedy to deal with it, but a system of transparency and accountability should be put in place at various levels, and, then, effectively enforced.

It would require preventive and punitive measures, as well as adoption of rational approaches as we pursue the anti-corruption agenda. India is known for its sobriety and wisdom, balanced and sensible thinking. …Parliament represents people from all parts of our country and a broad spectrum of political thought.

Its legislation is an outcome of collective thinking and application of minds.

Many path-breaking laws have been made by the Parliament of our country. New laws will also be formulated by legislative bodies. There can

be discussions, debates, discourses among the people of the country for public opinion to emerge, which is an essential input in a true democracy. The different shades of opinion should be channelized, through elected representatives for the formulation of necessary legislation. We should not forget that we have to preserve the democratic values of our country and, for this, healthy conventions of parliamentary procedures should be upheld. ...Indians have shown tremendous enterprise and there are many success stories. They have earned goodwill for the country wherever they are working or they are settled.

They have done us proud. …I have on several occasions called on the corporate sector, as well as small and medium enterprises to seriously engage with agriculturists and farmers, particularly in the rainfed areas, to avail of the many opportunities of working together for mutual benefit.

Let the public sector entities take the lead in this regard. The integration of agriculture with the other

sectors of the economy would not only be useful for agriculture, but would generate positive impulses in other sectors as well.

Our Census sadly shows that there has been a decline in the gender ratio in the zero to six age group.

It has touched a low level of 914 girls as compared to a 1000 boys.

It reflects the continuing preference of boys in our society and the bias against the girl child.

We need to fight social prejudices which have resulted in this situation, and also work to eradicate the practices of dowry, child marriage and female foeticide, which we are continuing to battle even in the 21st Century.

Let each citizen of the country vow to fight these social evils.

There are laws against them but we need to ensure compliance and create awareness. Moreover, crime against women needs to be dealt with most sternly. …We are all aware of the consequences of the global financial meltdown of 2008. Uncertainty is

again confronting the world economy, and would need to be tackled through co-ordinated global action, as also by suitable precautionary measures in our country.

Our economy has fundamental strength and resilience, and its large domestic market can help it maintain steady growth rates. However, price rise is an issue engaging our attention, and would have to be dealt with.

Rising prices affects families and especially those of our fellow citizens living below the poverty line. Efforts must be made to find ways and means to soften the impact of inflation, so that the benefits of growth are not blunted.

Also, we are all aware of the threats that terrorism is posing to peace everywhere. The attack in Mumbai last month is yet another grim reminder of the destruction that can be caused by terrorism. We need to be ever-vigilant, to fight this menace which is a global phenomenon. …With these words, I wish all citizens the very best on the occasion of Independence Day.”

24

India Rises Against Corruption

Anna blurs class-mass divide

Anna Hazare supporters shout slogans in Hyderabad.

From Tihar to Ramlila, Anna movement surges New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare will continue his indefinite fast at the Ramlila ground from August 19, his close aide said. While civic authorities were busy preparing the venue, ambiguity continued over when the 72-year-old Gandhian will leave the Tihar jail.

Members of Team Anna said he will leave Tihar Friday, but the jail officials said Hazare was likely to move out in the afternoon.

"I just spoke to Anna-ji in view of condition of Ramlila Maidan. Anna-ji will reach Ramlila Maidan tomorrow," Arvind Kejriwal was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Team Anna.

Kejriwal said that Anna's health is fine.

"The jail doctors are looking after him and Dr Naresh Trehan's team is monitoring him 24 hours," he told reporters outside the Tihar Jail.

According to another close aide, Hazare will directly go to Ramlila ground from Tihar. "As of now, we cannot confirm the time when he will reach Ramlila ground Friday," she said.

According to Team Anna, Delhi Police had granted them permission to hold the fast at Ramlila ground for 15 days.

"We have been given the Ramlila ground for 15 days, and have also been assured by Delhi Police that if we need the ground for more days, we can stay there. The conditions imposed on us earlier have also been

withdrawn," said Kejriwal.

Team Anna also submitted a new undertaking to Delhi Police for holding the fast at the Ramlila ground. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was busy carrying out preparation at ground.

"Laborers are preparing the ground as there was rain water stagnated at different places. We are also making arrangements for toilets while loudspeakers and tents will be arranged by them (Team Anna)," said MCD house leader Subhash Arya.

Kiran Bedi, who was overseeing the work at the Ramlila ground, said that a lot of work needs to be done before Anna Hazare moves here.

"The civic authority is working but it will take time for putting mike, tents and some other basic facilities. As soon as the ground will be ready, I will message Anna-ji and then he will take a call when to come here," Bedi told reporters here.

Hazare had planned to begin his fast for a stronger Lokpal bill at the J.P. Park in the ITO area. However, Delhi Police imposed certain conditions before the protest could be allowed.

Hazare refused to sign the undertaking, following which the police detained him and his other team members.

He was arrested and subsequently released but he refused to leave the jail until allowed to carry on the protest without any conditions.

Techies launch online petition Bangalore: About 10,000 techies working in the electronics city on the outskirts of this tech hub Thursday launched an online petition for a corruption free India.

Taking a break from writing software codes and providing outsourcing services to global clients, the techies from various IT

firms in the township, staged a protest demonstration against rampant corruption that engulfed the country and expressed solidarity with civil society activist Anna Hazare for a clean, corruption free society. The online petition has been launched at www.employeesagainstcorruption.com

New Delhi/Mumbai: On Day 1 some protested, most watched. On Day 2 more and more protested, and everyone watched. Disparate groups across the country were united on Wednesday by one common urge – to protest. The number of students, lawyers, theater artistes, government employees, NGOs, trade unions out on the streets continued to swell.

In Mumbai, authorities unofficially estimated 15,000 volunteers participated, but organizers, India Against Corruption, Mumbai, claimed 40,000 citizens took part in the protests.

While the first day was dominated by students, the second day saw a lot of action from professionals – lawyers, doctors and diamond merchants. Even resident welfare associations joined the agitation.

In Lucknow, it was largely a students’ initiative. At least 80 girls of Loreto Convent took out a peace protest march. Nearly 200 students of Navyug Radiance Senior Secondary School formed a shape that read ‘ANNA’. They walked for some distance and shouted slogans against the government for not heeding to Hazare’s demands. Thirty children from Bhrawna village in Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh sent postcards to President Pratibha Patil.

The postcards are currently with Munna Lal Shukla, who is on an indefinite fast along with 17 others, at the Jhulelal Park.

Nearly 3,000 people came out in support of Anna Hazare in Lucknow alone till late evening. At least 150 arrests were made across the state.

In Assam, students and teachers held protests in Guwahati University and Dibrugarh University. They also took part in the protest.

Not all the protesters, however, had a clear idea of the issue at hand. “We are here to protest…,” fumbled Shambhu Pandey, a student, who was part of the protest meet near Girish Park in north Kolkata.

Senior citizens, former judges, lawyers, and teachers were among those who protested. Hazare’s arrest also rocked the Orissa assembly’s Monsoon session on its first day.

In Chandigarh, protesters did not use electricity between 8 pm and 9 pm on Tuesday, in a gesture of solidarity. Protests and innovations go hand-in-hand. In Jammu, a group of local theatre artistes (all in the age group of 20-24 years) rechristened itself “Main Bhi Anna’. The group has been staging nukkad nataks (street plays) to extend its support to social activist.

A protest march in New Delhi.

South Indian stars support Anna's agitation Bangalore: Well-known south Indian film personalities have thrown their weight behind Anna Hazare's demand for a strong anti-corruption bill, with actor Nagarjuna urging the people to support the Gandhian "for a brighter India" and director Ramesh Arvind saying "Anna Hazare and his team's demands are not unjust".

"Hello my friends - support Anna Hazare today for a brighter india tomorrow. Help eradicate corruption. jai hind! Jai Jan LokPal," Nagarjuna posted on his Twitter page.

"It looks like that with every move of central government makes to curb Anna's movement, the overwhelming support for him will increase. The agitation is backed

by middle-class people who are very badly affected by corruption. This agitation is sure to succeed and I don't think Anna and his team's demands are unjust. What is wrong if every person in the country is subjected to scrutiny by the Lok Pal bill," Arvind maintained.

"In Karnataka, the (former) chief minister (BS Yeddyurappa) was been severely criticised (by the Lokayukta). He had to resign. I think any person who is accused should quit his office and face the enquiries," he added.

Support to Anna is pouring on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Actress Ramya tweeted: "More power to Anna..praying for Hazaar more like him."

25

India Rises Against Corruption

73-year-old strikes a chord with GenY New Delhi: They are young, highly impressionable and make no bones about their liking and support for 73-year-old anti-graft campaigner Anna Hazare. The enthusiasm generated by Hazare's anti-corruption movement among the members of GenY in the Capital is evident from their active participation in school activities as well as in those taken up on a purely individual basis.

"Everyday, we read about Anna's activities in the current affairs section during the morning assembly at school. It is outrageous to put him behind bars. We are free to express our opinions in a democratic country. I am ready to go anywhere in the country to support him in his noble cause," said Aditya Kaushik, a Class 7 student in Army Public School, Noida.

"I went to Tihar jail with a group of my

friends on Tuesday. We raised slogans against the authorities who arrested Anna and expressed solidarity with him. My parents are also of the view that Hazare's move is justified and the movement that he is leading is the need of an hour. We also plan to join the peaceful protests at the India Gate and other places," said Sanyam Bharara, a Class 11 student at St Mark's Senior Secondary School, Janakpuri.

His peers in Delhi Public School, RK Puram, Ahlcon Public School, Mayur Vihar; ASN Senior Secondary School, Mayur Vihar; Mount Carmel, Anand Niketan; Sadhu Vaswani International School for Girls, Shanti Niketan; St Margaret Senior Secondary School, Prashant Vihar, Rohini and Amity International, Noida, also had informal discussions on the subject with each other as well as with their teachers.

Anna supporters wave placards and shout slogans as they stage a rally outside Tihar Jail in New Delhi.

'People rising up against graft'

Supporters of Anna Hazare shout anti-government slogans as they march from India Gate monument to Parliament Street in New Delhi.

Islamabad: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has to realize that many in his country are beginning to peacefully rise against corruption, said a leading Pakistani daily, adding that the "time may have come for the same sort of dissent in Pakistan".

An editorial appeared in the Dawn, a day when the government had to bow to Gandhian activist Anna Hazare's demand that he be allowed to sit on hunger strike in the Indian capital to press for a strong anti-corruption law.

Anna Hazare was arrested and taken to Tihar Jail. Authorities decided to release him, but the Gandhian refused and insisted that he would leave the prison only after his demand was acceded to.

The editorial said: "Anna Hazare has added a dynamic new twist to the corruption allegations plaguing the government in New Delhi." It said Anna Hazare's fast was aimed at highlighting "the perceived impropriety in the government's handling of matters where millions can be made and pocketed if ethical values are not followed by the book".

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh indicated that corruption was indeed a problem in India and that it needed to be tackled.

"The question now is: will concrete action be taken in a country that touts itself as a modern, secular democracy? Will the recent episodes, which started with the award of telecommunication contracts, be `redwashed` in bureaucratic tape? Do key figures in the Indian administration have too much to lose if the truth comes out in its entirety?

"We will have to wait and see." Manmohan Singh told the Indian parliament Wednesday that Hazare`s actions were a threat to parliamentary democracy and decried the path of opposition chosen by the veteran Gandhian. But, the Indian prime minister "has to realize that many people in his country are beginning to rise up, in peaceful protest, against graft".

It went on to say that parallels can be drawn here between India and Pakistan.

"Pakistan is perceived as corrupt not just by the public mindset but also in the findings of international watchdogs that keep track of such matters." The editorial said that "the time may have come for the same sort of dissent in Pakistan". "...other voices too must be raised if we are serious about salvaging society."

NRIs rush back home to support Anna Mumbai: Checkered shorts and a Gandhi topi is a fashion felony. But 29-year-old Shailesh Saraf doesn't care; he has never blindly followed a popular trend. Currently on "FL or fasting leave", Saraf, a vice president of a global bank, is down from Hong Kong to campaign for the Jan Lokpal bill.

Saraf was among the 72 protesters who were fasting for the second consecutive day at Azad Maidan; two new recruits joined the fast on Wednesday. At the maidan, Saraf intermittently checks his Blackberry, not for investment updates or market movements but for news of Anna Hazare's release. For the most part, he sits on the stage, listening to people unspooling long speeches about the corruption they'd faced. "When I was in India, I used to evade taxes. I don't even try that in Hong Kong.

Here, I used to jump signals, I don't do that there," he confesses. "What I'm getting at is

that I am the same person-I still want to reach my office quickly, still make more money. But there is a system I must follow. India needs to have a better system in place and the Jan Lokpal draft is the best piece of legislation drafted in India."

Saraf, who lives in Kowloon, says he dreams of a cleaner India to which he can one day bring his children back. "There isn't a magic wand, but this is as close as we can get to root out corruption," he says.

And then there was 60-year-old Ramji Rathod, a retired BMC safai karmachari who was worried about the weeds in his housing society. "I have cleaned the city for years, but haven't managed to get the BMC to clean up our society (BMC colony, near Arthur Road)," he gripes.

Many of those fasting solved crosswords, read books on corruption, wrote shayaris, pre-

pared speeches or asked volunteers to photograph them. Some just slept.

There weren't many women in the crowd, but housewife Anita Singh from Panvel says she's supporting the Jan Lokpal Bill simply because she wants to be a part of this historic revolution. Nanda Mandlik (52) from Vashi was driven by another motive. A single mother, Mandlik drove an auto to earn a living, and raise her sons, but she routinely encountered bribery along the way, and she was there to lend volume to the collective voice.

Prem Shah (72) was among the oldest of the lot on day 2 of his fast. His email-unreasonableman.prem@gmail.com says a lot about him. "That's how I have been perceived by others; for I have done nothing wrong, not even paid a bribe," he says, a copy of John Perkins' Confessions of An Economic Hitman in his hand. Shah says what brought him there

was government inaction with regard to illegal wealth stashed in Swiss banks.

At the other end of the age spectrum was 18year-old Ranjit Bharadwaj who repairs airconditioners and makes around Rs 2,000 a month. "No one listens to small people like me," he complains. "But there's no hierarchy here, and I want India to be just like this-the kind Hazare dreams of."

While Bharadwaj believed his was a lost voice, 49-year-old Chandrashekhar Patil chose, of his own volition, to keep quiet. Patil, heavily diabetic and suffering from high blood pressure, was ordered by his doctor to avoid speaking because voicing his views could get him agitated. Lastly, US-returned Nitin Makhiya who has also been fasting since Tuesday says he misses food. "But hunger is better than the bitter aftertaste that an act of corruption leaves behind."

26

India Rises Against Corruption

Who is Anna Hazare? ery few social activists have captured the attention of Indians across the globe as Anna Hazare did during his "fast unto death" over the issue of the Lokpal Bill in New Delhi in April 2011.

Hazare, a Gandhian by belief, outlook and practice, has become the face of India's fight against corruption. During his fast over the Lokpal Bill, Hazare, a quintessential traditional Indian by looks and mannerism, managed to inspire and mobilize the support of even the ultra-modern Indians - Indians for whom the word "social" only means having a profile on social networking sites.

The "Anna Hazare fast" can be described as the first real "social networking movement" in India. Hazare, a former Army man, began his social activism from Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra, where he successfully led a movement against alcoholism and made Ralegan Siddhi a "model village".

From a soldier to a social reformer, and a right to information crusader, Anna Hazare's journey of four decades has been unprecedented in terms of a non-violent yet effective campaign of resurrecting a barren village into an 'ideal village' model and empowering the faceless citizen

V

The Congress spokesperson said the sophisticated nature of the orchestrated campaign called for urgent attention to the hidden hand while recalling in the same breath the surprise statement from the US State Department urging the Indian government to respect democratic protests.

US hand behind Anna movement: Cong New Delhi: The 'foreign hand' made a return to the Congress's lexicon nearly four decades after the party had dubbed the JP movement as a handiwork of external forces. Congress hinted at an American hand behind Anna Hazare-led protests, asking why had the US spoken in favor of an agitation in the country for the first time since Independence. It urged the government to probe the angle of the hidden hand trying to destabilize the country.

The party stuck to its charge that Anna was indulging in blackmail by imposing its draft of the Lokpal bill on Parliament and said House's dignity was being sullied which cannot be tolerated.

But it was the talk of the US hand that surprised observers. The conspiracy theory, floated by AICC spokesman Rashid Alvi, drew from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in Parliament where he said India should not fall prey to the forces envious of country's rise as an economic power. Briefing both the Houses about Anna's arrest, the PM said, "We are emerging as one of the important players on the world stage. There are many forces that would not like to see India realize its true place in the comity of nations. We must not play into their hands."

But while Singh only hinted at the possibility, Alvi went a step further. The Congress

spokesperson said the sophisticated nature of the orchestrated campaign called for urgent attention to the hidden hand while recalling in the same breath the surprise statement from the US State Department urging the Indian government to respect democratic protests.

"Anna is alone. He has no organization.

Then how did this movement start and grow? Who are these people spreading the word on Internet and telephones; the way video message was recorded prior to arrest," he said, while adding, "The US had never spoken about any movement in India. This is the first time that it did. We show the path of democracy to others, what was the need for the US to say it. This has created suspicion," Alvi said.

He rejected the suggestion that outpouring of support could be a genuine grievance of people affected by day-to-day harassment from a corrupt system, saying the cause for agitation had already been defused with the tabling of Lokpal bill in Parliament.

Stressing on the existence of forces envious of national growth story, Alvi said no country out of the hundreds which had gained Independence around or after 1947 had reached the heights that India had touched. He added that there were forces at home and abroad which were interested in destabilizing the government.

Now, Pakistani to fast against corruption New Delhi: Taking a cue from Anna Hazare, a 68-year-old Pakistani businessman is set to go on hunger strike in Islamabad from Sep 12 to declare war on endemic corruption in his country.

Expressing his admiration for Hazare, Jehangeer Akhtar complained that corruption was a far more serious disease in Pakistan.

Activist Akhtar wants the Pakistan parliament to pass an anti-corruption law -- like what India is now planning.

"I demand that an anti-corruption bill be presented in the National Assembly," said Akhtar, who has closely followed the anticorruption war in India.

He said the Pakistani bill should be on the lines of what gets passed in India's parliament. "Corruption in Pakistan is more than in India... bahut zyada (much more)," Akhtar said.

It is not the first time Akhtar will be taking up cudgels for a cause. "I once sat on a hunger strike for 22 days for the sake of traders in Islamabad," he recalled. It was about tenants being forcibly vacated.

On another occasion, he went on hunger strike for eight days. Stating that his family does not interfere in his decisions, Akhtar said he was "very determined" to stage the hunger strike.

Anna Hazare. through pioneering work on Right to Information. His efforts to empower grampanchayats, protect efficient government officers from frequent transfers and fight against the red tapism in government offices have also received accolades.

Hazare's campaign was instrumental in the implementation of the Right to Information Act in Maharashtra, which is considered one of the best RTI Acts in India.

A Ramon Magsaysay award winner, Anna Hazare, like his idol, Mahatma Gandhi, has triggered a debate over the use of fast as a means of protest in India.

By sheer commitment and simplicity, he has demonstrated that Gandhian principles are relevant even in the 21st-century India.

US blames wrong reporting over Hazare

US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland.

Washington: The United States blamed "some extremely inaccurate reporting out of India" for Indians taking umbrage over its stand on social activist Anna Hazare's protest and said it supported the right of non-violent protest universally.

"Well, I'm not sure what those statements might have been based on," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters when asked about Congress party spokesperson Rashid Alvi's comments questioning US "support" for Hazare and a foreign power trying to destabilize India.

"There was some extremely inaccurate reporting out of India yesterday or today that the United States had issued some sort of strong statement, which we did not issue," she said.

"With regard to the case (Hazare), however, you know where we are. We support

freedom of expression and assembly, and we encourage all countries and all parties to do the same," Nuland said.

"All democratic governments have a responsibility to allow peaceful protest and freedom of dissent, even as they work to maintain public safety," she said.

"India is a country that has a strong and long-established democratic tradition. It's a country that people look to for these issues, and it has a long tradition of nonviolent protest," Nulkand said.

"And it's widely admired for these things and open debate, and that's the standard that we all have come to expect from India."

In response to another question about Hazare's protest movement againsy corruption in India, the spokesperson reiterated that US statement reflected "the same underlying principles with regard to the strong, vibrant democracy of India, as we hope for in the transitional countries that we're working with - Egypt, Tunisia, et cetera."

"In all countries, the US supports peaceful freedom of expression, non-violent protest."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has not spoken to her Indian counterpart in the last couple of days, Nuland said. "Obviously, our Embassy has been enunciating these same principles."

28

Challenges - Corruption

The menace just got stronger

By SAT Delhi Bureau I would go to the length of giving the whole Congress a decent burial, rather than put up with the corruption that is rampant."

Chart indicating nature of bribe demands in India. It shows that corruption permeates all walks of life.

--- Mahatma Gandhi ver 60 years of democratic rule has made the people so immune to corruption that they have learnt how to live with the system even though the cancerous growth of this malady may finally kill it.

The history of corruption in post-Independence India starts with the Jeep scandal in 1948, when a transaction concerning purchase of jeeps for the army needed for Kashmir operation was entered into by V.K. Krishna Menon, the then High Commissioner for India in London, with a foreign firm without observing normal procedure.

Yet, nothing came of the case.

In 1956 Krishna Menon was inducted into the Nehru cabinet.

PV Narasimha Rao was the first

there is will, there is change.

Things are finally moving in the right direction. Rajya Sabha created history by impeaching a sitting judge --Soumitra Sen of Calcutta High Court.

In sum, corruption remains the biggest obstacle in the country’s growth and is getting stronger.

More than protests, a strong political will can check the menace.

Are we prepared?

Ballooning Scams

O

T

Prime Minister to be prosecuted on corruption charges. Cases like Rs.2500 crore -Airbus A-320 deal with France involving kickback (1990), Harshad Mehta security scam (1992), Gold Star Steel and Alloys controversy (1992), JMM bribery case, Hawala scam of Rs. 65 crore and Urea scam (1996) also came up during his watch.

In the last two decades, India has seen a steep upward trend in the graph of corruption (see box).

According to a World Bank report, abuse of public power for private gains is described as corruption. But that is too simplistic explanation. In fact corruption is a hydra-headed evil, which gradually kills the system.

The average Indian has reached the highest level of disappointment at the way things are moving in this country. Hence they have taken to the streets.

The Anna Hazare movement has, however, shown that where

he sums involved in recent scams boggle the mind.

1.

2G Spectrum Scam: Rs.1.76-lakh crore loss of income to public exchequer in the process of allocating unified access service licenses centered on then Telecom minister A Raja.

2. Commonwealth Games Scam: Only half of the Rs. 70,000 crore spent on Delhi Games in 2010 was spent on Indian sportspersons. Suresh Kalmadi is behind bars and heat is on the Dixit government.

3.

Telgi Scam: Abdul Karim Telgi had mastered the

art of forgery in printing duplicate stamp papers and sold them to banks and other institutions. Scam value: Rs. 20,000 crore.

4.

Satyam Scam: Biggest fraud in Indian corporate history to the tune of Rs. 14000 crore. The then chairman Ramalinga Raju kept everyone in the dark for a decade by fudging account books and inflating revenues and profit figures of Satyam.

5.

Bofors Scam: In the 1980s, it bedeviled Rajiv Gandhi and others including the Hinduja brothers, accused of receiving kickbacks from Bofors AB for defense supplies.

Need Lord Krishna to appear as Lokpal!

By Vibhuti Jha s we celebrate India’s 65th Independence Day it is virtually impossible to ignore the various aspects of our life and existence as Indians – some we love and others just send us wondering as to how could that be us?

My personal journey in the US began in April 1991 when I arrived in New York. I soon realized that in addition to being a Non-Resident Indian, I had to also assume another as an unofficial ambassador of India, as a New Responsible Immigrant (NRI)! I recall my conversation with a senior, well-respected American who said that “we love Indians as new immigrants – you are educated, hard working , have a high median income, have a strong love for your children, encourage good family values, contribute to the community you live in and ASK for nothing in return!” This remark was a wonderful realization of the IndianHindu values conveyed through the teachings of Bhagavad-Gita that inspire you to do your job to the best of your ability without

A

worrying about the rewards! To have accomplished such a success in a society and culture where “what’s in it for me” is the local mantra, must have required a mindset that was strong, calm and balanced to achieve the equanimity of conduct.

We Indians are very proud of our heritage, glorious history of thousands of years, the inspirational texts, scriptures, philosophy, family values, saints and their teachings, a culture of

“parampara” and “samskara”.

Ramayana talks about the ultimate sacrifices on the one hand and on the other, hard “realpolitik” is in full play in Mahabharat!

Makes you wonder about the right course of action. It appears that we Indians want and wish that everybody else lead and live a life of responsibility, sacrifice, love and duty as enshrined in Ramayan while we ourselves indulge in the realpolitik of Mahabharat!

Desperate Measures 1. All PSU chief hirings are made as in corporate sector.

2. Install reward and punishment mechanism for project completion, be it a bridge, road or a housing complex.

3. Since the private sector has not redeemed itself well in the citadels of capitalism, we have to have some oversight on their activities as well!

4. MUST devise an early disposal of ALL judicial references.

5. Make military, Paramili-

tary, police, home guards training for two years a mandatory requirement for ALL youth either after 12th grade or after graduation – this will instill discipline and commitment to the country.

6. Make SPORTS at school and college level a commercial investment – sports is not only healthy but also a uniting force.

7. Install the practice of a comprehensive audit of politicians’ assets following the public declaration of their holdings.

Let us talk about the one issue today that has become a bane of the country’s social discourse, political life and economic reality – corruption. Corruption has encroached on the value stream of India and in every aspect of life, becoming a systemic problem. Everybody is believed to be corrupt irrespective of whether you are successful!

How is it that the world’s most spiritual nation is perhaps one of the most corrupt in the world?

What went wrong?

I recall a Group of Ten in Mumbai met recently and complained and lamented the loss of prestige of India Inc. due to corruption. A leading industrialist remarked: “Enough is Enough”. I commented that merely saying enough is enough is not enough by itself! In the tripod of business, government and bureaucracy, it is business that is played upon as they stand to profit in the transaction.

As such, Government, bureaucracy and business have to do away with the culture of dispensing favors and focus on the statement President Clinton made famous during his run for the Pres-

idency: “It’s the economy, stupid!” Therefore, I believe businesses need to create a mechanism to destroy the cancer of corruption. We have to devise targeted chemo or radiation therapy!

The much touted ‘Jugaad’ is nothing but “pay and get the job done”… these days it is heralded as the great Indian innovation process, which it is not! At best it is cutting corners to get to the finish line – quality is the biggest loser!

What is called for is the reincarnation of Lord Krishna himself as the new Lokpal! Everybody else will have to go through Agni Pariksha – a more severe test than Sita herself had to undergo!

Vibhuti Jha is the President of Human Potential Project deeply involved in performance enhancement for companies and corporations in the US and other countries. He is taking the message of productivity to Indian companies.

30

Challenges - Terrorism

Terror shadow looms large

The scene at one of the three Mumbai blast sites on July 13, 2011.

By SAT Delhi Bureau New Delhi: While we celebrate 65th Independence Day amid

peace in the Kashmir Valley and adjoining areas, ordinary people on the street live in a constant fear of terror attacks, despite tall

7 charged in US for 26/11: Govt even people, including ISI associates, were charged in the US in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the government informed the Lok Sabha.

"As per the available inputs, the indictment filed by the US authorities in the district court, Northern District Illinois, seven individuals were charged with

S

the Mumbai terrorist attacks, including those the government believes, are associated with the ISI," minister of state for home Jitendra Singh told the House in a written statement.

The minister said the testimonials during the trial drew attention to the links between the ISI and the terrorists responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

US to keep pressure on Al Qaeda S Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said the death of Osama bin Laden does not mean Al Qaeda was finished, and that it was important for America to keep pressure on the terrorist group to ensure national security. "(The death of bin Laden) doesn't mean that they're gone.

They're still around, and there are elements of Al Qaeda that are still out there whose main purpose is to attack our homeland," Xinhua quoted Panetta

U

as saying during a visit to the US Strategic Command headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

The defense secretary emphasised keeping pressure on the terrorist network no matter where they hide.

"We've got to continue to put pressure on them in Pakistan.

The biggest concerns we have now are the nodes where they're located in places like Yemen, Somalia, North Africa," he said.

claims by the government and agnecies involved in combating terrorism. A reality check.

After a very long time, there was no mention of Kashmir and the Northeast - the troubled regions of India - or Pakistan in the Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, however, said the recent Mumbai terrorist attacks "warn us that there cannot be

any slip up in our vigilance as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned".

The triple bombings in India’s financial hub killed 27 people and injured scores, including over 120 admitted in hospitals.

In the hindsight, though, the recent Mumbai blasts reminded us yet again of our dangerous neighborhood and volatile domestic scene.

Before the multiple explosions in Mumbai on September 13, the German bakery in Pune was a terrorist target on February 13, 2010, before which occurred the horrendous Mumbai massacres of the Pakistani suicide bombers on November 26, 2008. The year 2008 was one of the worst for India since, besides the Mumbai carnage, there were six blasts in New Delhi on September 13 of that year, in which 26 people were killed.

Two months earlier, on July 26, 2008, there were as many as 20 explosions in Ahmedabad, killing 57, while 68 were killed in Jaipur on May 13.

There were other outrages, too, in addition to these ones on various days of the month, but the choice of the 13th this time is indicative of a particular group.

The fact, however, that India has experienced no more than two major terrorist attacks in the nearly three years after 26/11 is a sign that the security situation has improved since the days of

the "spectacularly inept" Shivraj Patil, to use the Wikileaks quote about the former home minister.

There were minor ones, of course, as in Varanasi on Dec 7, 2010, in which two people were killed.

But one probable reason for the improvement is that Pakistan may have decided to rein in its jehadis because of the realization that another Mumbaistyle attack will earn it the wrath of the world as never before.

Other major concern is China.

In a latest, Beijing is not supporting New Delhi's stand on terror camps inside Pakistan, when it blamed it for a recent militant attack in restive Xinjiang province.

Undoubtedly, the situation in Kashmir has improved. Even Bollywood is planning to return to the Valley.

There is a village in Kashmir named Dardpora populated by widows of terrorists and militants and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, who made a documentary on them, has decided to tell their stories of pain and sorrow through a feature film.

The situation on the ground, however, remains a grave concern for New Delhi. Even if India has staved off a majority of the terrorist attacks, the ordinary people will have to live in fear of sudden outrages in the foreseeable future. The message is: No Independence from terrorism.

Pak camps: China not supporting India hina is not supporting India's stand on terror camps inside Pakistan, when it blamed it for a recent militant attack in restive Xinjiang province, state media said.

The article published in China Daily also tacitly confirmed the recent hush-hush visit of ISI chief Shuja Pasha here to discuss the issue of Uygur extremists undergoing training in Pakistan.

Playing down the significance of the local government in Kashghar stating that the leaders of East Turkistan Islamic Movement, (ETIM) who conducted a spate of attacks there on July 30 and 31 were trained in Pakistan, the article said it is wrong to presume that it pointed to a "rift" between the two long term allies.

India has been pressing Pak-

C

India has been pressing Pakistan to dismantle scores of terror training camps inside Pakistan. istan to dismantle scores of terror training camps inside Pakistan

from where anti-india activities are carried out.

Felicitation to the Community on Independence Day

Habib American Bank Building Relationships

Branch Locations: 99 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 532-4444 Fax: (212) 532-7136

74-05/07 37th Avenue Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Tel.: (718) 397-0890 Fax: (718) 397-0871

110 East 9th Street AL 10 Los Angeles, CA 90079 Tel: (213) 362-1200 Fax: (213) 362-1201

18357 Pioneer Blvd Artesia, CA 90701 Tel: (562) 924-7500 Fax: (562) 924-7521

1667 Oak Tree Road Edison, NJ 08820 Tel: (732) 205-1777 Fax: (732) 205-1772

421 South Broadway Hicksville, NY 11801 Tel: (516) 681-5200 Fax: (516) 681-5267

www.habibamericanbank.com

32 22

Success Story

Feeding a billion plus

Green Revolution meant a move from primitive methods of agriculture to modern farming

The prolonged neglect of agriculture in India post-independence meant that there was almost no growth in the agricultural sector.

From 1891 to 1946, output of all crops grew at 0.4 percent a year; the rate for food grains was only 0.1 percent per year.

At the time of independence in 1947, agriculture and allied sectors provided well over 70 percent of the country’s employment and more than 50 percent of the gross national product. Agricultural development was a key to a number of national goals, such as reducing rural poverty, providing an adequate diet for all citizens, supplying agricultural raw materials for the textile industry and other industries, and expanding exports.

In the mid-1960s, the goal of self-reliance was added to this list. The central government has played a progressively more important role on the agricultural front by providing overall leadership and coordination, as well as by providing a significant part of the financing for agricultural programs.

India’s agricultural growth strategy after independence evolved over three distinctphases.

In the first phase, roughly cover ing the period

through the Second Five-Year Plan, agricultural growth rested on removing basic socioeconomic constraints through land reform, change in the village power structure, reorganization of the rural poor into cooperatives, and better citizen participation in planning. The initial assumption was that changing the land tenure system by abolishing the zamindari system--a method of revenue collecting and landholding developed during the Mughal and British colonial periods--would stimulate agricultural output.

The second phase occurred during the Third Five-Year Plan (FY 1961-65). The continuing shortages of food in the 1960s and the consequent crises convinced planners that raising agricultural output, especially food grains, was essential for political stability and independence from foreign food aid. The third phase in India’s economic development is identified predominantly as the Green Revolution. The Green Revolution was successful in meeting the goals of self-sufficiency in foodgrain production and adequate buffer stocks by the end of the 1970s. Production was more than 100

million tons in 1978 and 1979. Imports were negligible, and the year-end buffer stocks from 1976-79 averaged more than 17 million tons.

After 1980 buffer stocks fell below 10 millions tons only once, in 1988.

In the mid-1990s, the major goals of agricultural policy continued to be self-sufficiency in food staples and adequate food supplies at affordable prices for consumers. Expanding cereal production continued to be a major objective because of the population growth rate of almost 2 percent per year.

The Eighth Five-Year Plan (FY1992-96), as conceived in the early 1990s, not only aimed at continued self-sufficiency in food production, but also included plans to generate surpluses of some agricultural commodities for export. It also aimed at spreading the Green Revolution to more regions of the country with an emphasis on dryland farming.

India’s Mid-term Appraisal of the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) drew attention to the loss of dynamism in agriculture and allied sectors after the mid-1990s. Hence, various policy initiatives have been taken in recent years to promote the agricultural sector.

same Indian who works long hours at work, earns the respect of her American colleagues, sets aside saving for her family, and learns to make roti and dal to please her in-laws. The modern Indian may be many things, good and bad, but every Indian generation is like India, contradictory and driven by change.

It is difficult to imagine what it must have felt like to stand in 1947 as the free new Indian, exhilarated but afraid, with a million questions and doubts running through the head. Today is another freedom for India, a silent freedom of no less epic proportions, for we have won the war of economy in the way Mahatma Gandhi taught us to win the war of independence, with quiet intelligence. And if India is poised at the brink of a new chapter in its life, with all the goodwill and growth it has to stand on, then nothing can stop it from becoming

a superpower.Today when you meet Indians in America or India, you feel infected and a touch giddy with the enthusiasm and positivity they have for the Indian economy.

What hopes, what dreams, what ambitions!

And when the world joins in, nodding its head in agreement, yes India is the next giant, your nerves tingle with pride.

India will continue to win and continue to fail, it’ll continue to make us proud and continue to disappoint. It is a country of breathtaking juxtapositions and contradictions, and in this realm of chaos it has emerged as a homogenous unified power to contend with. With time, India can only become better, as nothing is more important than the faith of its citizens, and the Indian rate of growth has a billion-plus hopefuls working to build the Indian Dream.

India Inc is a global player

Late bloomer, but a success nonetheless When India won its independence in 1947, many mocked the new nation, saying it would see a ‘Hindu rate of growth’. At that time India, steeped in a culture that believed in karma and fatalism, was not deemed fit enough to clock in aggressive growth or sustain a robust industrial economy or produce men and women capable enough to run good companies. Yet, in just six short decades the fledgling country came into the world map, as it clocked growth surpassing those of developed countries that it had to once go to with begging bowls, moved towards liberalization, followed a unique model of democracy and universal suffrage, and had its nationals run not only companies but foreign countries. A Generation Y Indian is hooked to Blackberrys, posts Twitter messages, logs on to Facebook, and spends money on expensive lattes and branded jeans. Yet she is also the

IT: Growing at home, shining abroad

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy - climbing the Ladder of success

The Indian Information Technology industry today accounts for 6 percent of the country’s GDP and export earnings, while providing employment to a significant number of its tertiary sector workforce.

More than 2 million people are employed in the sector either directly or indirectly, making it one of the biggest job creators in India and a mainstay of the national economy. In March 2009, annual revenues from outsourcing operations in India amounted to $60 billion and this is expected to increase to $225 billion by 2020. Each year India produces roughly 500,000 engineers in the country, out of them only 25 percent to 30 percent possessed both technical competency and English language

skills, although 12 percent of India’s population can speak in English.

Today, Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India and contributes 33 percent of Indian IT Exports. India’s second and third largest software companies are head-quartered in Bangalore, as are many of the global SEI-CMM Level 5 Companies. And Mumbai too has its share of IT companies once that are established as well as start-ups, and these include Reliance, TCS, Patni, LnT Infotech, i-Flex, WNS, Shine, Naukri, Jobspert ,etc.

The most prominent hub is IT capital Bangalore that houses Infosys and Wipro.

The other emerging destinations are Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, NCR, Jaipur and Kolkata.

Besides Infosys, Wipro is an IT biggie.

34

Op-Ed.

Our freedom song

By Rajdeep Sardesai ournalists are by training cynics, preferring to see every glass as half empty. But cynicism is no longer the exclusive preserve of mediapersons. A wave of negativism seems to be sweeping the country resting on a conviction that we are a corrupt, illgoverned country with badly compromised institutions that offer little hope to generation next. So, as we approach our 65th Independence day, the midnight dream of our founding fathers seems to be rapidly descending into a nightmare. But do we really have so little to celebrate this August 15?

Yes, we rank 87 out of 178 countries measured in the Transparency International’s corruption index. Yes, we have major scams

J

running into thousands of crores where public money has been looted. Yes, you need to often pay a bribe to get work done and buying a house involves undisclosed cash transactions. But is the fight against corruption really that hopeless?

Take Anna Hazare and his jan lokpal movement. If you listen to Team Anna, you’d be convinced that all our politicians are ‘chors’ with no commitment to probity in public life.

But maybe Team Anna too needs to get a reality check: in how many other countries could you abuse the political class, burn draft bills, create a confrontational situation and yet have the space and opportunity to be heard? Yes, it took a fast-unto-death threat by Anna to push an obdurate govern-

ment to bring the Lokpal Bill to Parliament.

Certain provisions in the bill are flawed and need amendment, but the fact that within four months of Anna’s original fast, Parliament has been forced to debate the shape of the proposed anti-corruption legislation is a sign that we are a functioning democracy that does listen to voices from below.

Sure, there are enough reasons to despair. Farmer suicides and the sight of rotting grain in a country where millions still go hungry are an assault on our national dignity.

But equally the fact that an 8% plus growth rate has helped pull millions out of poverty is not to be scoffed at. The fact that Naxalism continues to spread reveals a failure to address the core concerns of our tribal population. That Kash-

The real triumph of independent India must lie in we, the people. mir remains a festering sore is evidence of an inability to deal with the wounds of history.

But forget the State for a moment. The real triumph of independent India must lie in we, the people. It would have been so easy in the last 64 years for a sub-continental-sized country to have lost

its way, to have been defeated by caste, region, community divides.

Those divides haven’t disappeared and, in some instances, have erupted in terrible violence and suffering. But for every tale of hate and bigotry there are heartwarming stories of co-existence and harmony.

Lost in the woods

Rahul Gandhi’s behavior is characteristic of the political class as a whole, which — regardless of party or generation — has treated tribals with condescension.

By Ramachandra Guha n August 2010 — that is, exactly a year ago — Rahul Gandhi told a group of tribals in Orissa that he would be their soldier in New Delhi. There is no record of his having acted on that promise. The Dongria Konds of Niyamgiri forgotten, his attention has more recently been focused on the Jats of Noida, and other such groups that

I

might help the Congress make a strong showing in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Rahul Gandhi’s behavior is characteristic of the political class as a whole, which — regardless of party or generation — has treated tribals with condescension. The neglect goes back to Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi worked hard to abolish untouchability, and harder to bring about Hindu-Muslim harmony.

As for the tribals, where the Congress had failed, it was activists like Jaipal Singh and Verrier Elwin who brought their problems to wider attention. Hence the reservation of seats in Parliament and of jobs in government for adivasis as well as Dalits.

As we mark our 65th Independence Day, how many Indians, I wonder, recognize the fact that tribals have gained least and lost most from India being a free and democratic country? Viewed historically, the tribals have faced seven successive (and overlapping) tragedies: First, they live in India’s densest forests, along its fastest-flowing rivers, and atop its richest veins of iron ore and bauxite. As the country has industrialized, the tribals have lost their homes and livelihoods to logging projects, dams, and mines which are directed by and benefit more powerful social forces; Second, there has never been an adivasi Ambedkar, a leader of panIndian significance who could give

hope and inspiration to tribals everywhere; Third, the tribals are demographically concentrated in a few hill districts, and hence do not constitute a vote bank whose voice can, at least symbolically, be attended to by the political class. There is a striking contrast here with Dalits (as well as Muslims), who are more evenly distributed across India, have a far greater impact on the outcome of state and national elections, and are hence treated with far greater respect by national parties.

Fourth, a large share of officers’ jobs under the ‘Scheduled Tribes’ quota, as well as reserved seats in the more prestigious colleges, go to the tribals of the North-east, who have a greater facility with the English language as well as access to better schools.

Fifth, since they are without adequate representation in the higher civil service and without a political voice anyway, the tribals are subject to harsh treatment by the officials of

The views expressed in Op Eds are not necessarily those of The South Asian Times.

the forest, police, revenue, education and health departments, who are obliged by law to serve the adivasis but oriented in practice to harass and exploit them.

Sixth, the livelihood skills of the tribals, based on an intimate knowledge of the natural environment, cannot be easily transferred to the industrial economy (here again, the Dalits are somewhat better placed, since their artisanal and craft traditions can be incorporated into some modern sectors).

Seventh, since, except for Santhali, tribal languages are not officially recognized, they are not taught in government schools. With the medium of instruction being a language not their own, tribal children are at a disadvantage from the time they enter school. These are all real problems, which must be discussed, and addressed.

(Ramachandra Guha is the author of India After Gandhi: The History of the World’s Largest Democracy)

38

Profiles

Celebrating “India Tomorrow” Presenting inspiring stories of 10 ground-level activists, entrepreneurs and cultural figures from diverse fields who are working towards making India a better place and have become a vital part of the developing India story. They are icons-in-the-making who are contributing in their own innovative way towards shaping the nation’s future.

The Zero Hero Dr Chandrashekar Hariharan He has built hundreds of homes in Bengaluru. But Dr Chandrashekar Hariharan is hardly a household name in India’s IT city. Only the ‘green’ folk know him and the wanna-be greens who closely monitor his projects.

For Hariharan is Bengaluru’s and perhaps India’s foremost green builder with his ecologically friendly and selfsustainable homes which goes under the brand name of ZED, an acronym for Zero Energy Driven. The Zed way is no grid supply for water, no grid sewage disposal, minimal dependence on the power grid and maximum dependence on green building materials. A Johnny-comelately to the building industry, Team Zed has managed to walk away with a clutch of 20 awards given for sustainable development, environment friendly homes, water management and excellence in sustainable architecture.

Hariharan,’s real strength has been his nine years in water management while working

Life Through A Lens Rikin Gandhi All that Rikin Gandhi required was a vision and a video camera to build Digital Green, a not-for-profit organization that uses tools of information and communication technology for social change. “I visited India for a biodiesel venture in 2006 and interacted with rural India for the first time. That’s when I realized that farmers don’t have an access to right information. I joined Microsoft Research in Bengaluru to figure out how technology interspersed with social organization can be applied for the betterment of marginal and small farmers,” he says. The result is the Bengaluru-based organization, Digital Green.Over time it has spun off and is now an independent entity of which Gandhi is CEO. Born and brought up in the US, Gandhi holds a Master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US – he is mentioned in the institute’s list of innovative thinkers. After completing his course he joined Oracle as a software engineer, but the 29-year-old with a pilot’s licence for the US Air Force harbored ambitions of joining the US space program. However, his visit to

with several NGOs. A former journalist who quit the profession because “it merely reported change and did not initiate change,” his expertise in water conservation and garnering of water resources has challenged mainstream builders.

Looking back, he agrees that the history of water management has been his inspiration. “The history and architecture of water in India fascinates me. The ancients moved water uphill in places like Amber in Rajasthan and in Hampi in Karnataka. How did they do it? After all, Hampi had a population of 58,000 people who needed water for their daily use!

They studied gradient levels and tanks were constructed,” he says passionately.

The Zed team of architects, engineers and designers are constantly thinking out of the box, designing energy efficient fans, lights, verdant lawns on sloping roofs, vertical gardens, engineered masonry blocks, using bamboo flooring that looks like wood, building homes and workspaces that consume less energy and are in harmony with natural surroundings. “Restoring the skin of the earth” as Hariharan says, is a priority, and the sensitive stewardship of the land with each project has earned them kudos.

India five years ago changed all that. ‘‘While growing up I read biographies of astronauts, they would go to space and see the world differently from that formidable height. Questions like, ‘What will I do when I come back to Earth?’ occurred to them. Some of them became farmers or schoolteachers after coming back to Earth.

Digital Green, for me is a step to reconnect with people.’’

After arriving in India,Gandhi worked out a plan that would make Digital Green different. ‘‘There were traditional ways like broadcast TV and radio which were very generic.

Some programs were intensive in their training and work but they were not cost effective.

Because there is a need to build trust in any method of knowledge dissemination, our videos carry the names of the farmers and their villages. This adds authenticity. Use of videos makes the system demonstrative!” says Gandhi.

Rhythm of Life Prince Dance Group Six years ago, a 23-year-old daily wage labourer working in Mumbai's construction industry saw a dream of building a dance troupe in his native village of Ambapua of Orissa's Ganjam district. T. Krishna Mohan Reddy was not content with a life of lifting bricks and mixing cement. His passion was dance. He left Mumbai and organised a small group of like-minded friends in the town of Berhampur and called it the Prince Dance Group. After work, the group would start practising on the premises of a dilapidated Kali temple. His partners were twenty five other boys, most of them school dropouts and daily labourers, two of them were even afflicted by polio. Though none of them had any formal dance training, they were all keen to make a mark in local dance shows.

Things changed in 2006 when the Prince Dance Group became runners-up in a TV reality dance show, Boogie Woogie on Sony.

Life took on a more dramatic turn in 2009 when the group auditioned for the first edition of India's Got Talent, a reality show on Colors channel. Their dance, Saare jahan se

achha choreographed by Reddy had everyone in tears “Everyone, starting from the cameraperson to judge Shekhar Kapoor was crying.

It was the happiest day of my life,” recounts Reddy.

As scores of laborers and the general public in Orissa, as well as in his village in Ambapua and neighboring Berhampur town, watched the finals on huge television screens, the group trumped their rivals by putting up a scintillating, act called Das Avatar, the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The Rs. 5 million prize money was divided equally among all the members while Rs.50,000 was earmarked for the construction of a new Kali temple, the premises on which they started their practice.

The group members are now full-time performers, traveling from festival to festival.

They are starting a dance school on a oneacre plot donated by the Orissa government near the Gopalpur-on-Sea beach. From laborers to celebrities it’s been such a rewarding journey.

On A High Note Shillong Chamber Choir Few in India had heard the dulcet tones of the Shillong Chamber Choir till they had won the reality show, India’s Got Talent, aired on entertainment channel Colors last year. But in fact the choir has been around since 2001 and had already received much international acclaim: last year, they were awarded three gold medals in the World Choir Games, an Olympic-styled event, in Shaoxing China.

But it was when the group sang Yeh dosti hum nahin todenge from the Hindi film, Sholay or classics such as Ajeeb dastaan hai yeh from the film Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai that the whole of India got hooked.

However, neither the choir nor its mentorcum director-cum-manager, 41year-old pianist Neil Nongkynrih are consciously reaching out for fame and fortune. When the choir is not traveling it is ensconced in a house in Shillong, admittedly India’s Rock capital, owned by Nongkynrih’s family. Here the youngsters live together, pray together and practice eight hours a day in one seamless thread.

It’s a dedicated and loyal group. Some members like Ibarisha Lyngdoh, a soprano with the choir has been offered a place at the

prestigious Julliard School of Music in New York, William Basaiawmoit, a student of St Stephen’s College has been offered a scholarship in France. But they’re not leaving the choir preferring to stay in Shillong under tutelage of ‘Uncle Neil.’ As Nongkynrih says: “When you join a choir group, you have to look beyond the superficial and materialistic.

We are not just a choir group our goal is to promote peace, humanity and hope.”

From single digits the choir has now expanded to a 20-member team ranging from 15 to 29 years. Most of them have come into the fold in search of a more meaningful life, others for inspiration, some for a gap year from their chosen career paths but they all have an almost spiritual faith in their music which is eclectic and timeless — a mixture of jazz, baroque, Khasi, pop, classical and contemporary.

It’s a mixture that has won them admirers all over the world.

39

Profiles

Artisans Turn Shareholders

The Energy Star Gyanesh Pandey Without light and energy it is not possible to change the face of rural India. “The backward villages of India cannot be mainstreamed for development unless there is education and access to education should not be blighted by a lack of electricity.” The thought drove Gyanesh Pandey and his friends to look for alternative power for some of the remotest villages of Bihar in east and west Champaran, Muzzafarpur, Sitamarhi and Lakisarai.

Pandey knew about life without electricity. From Baithania village located in power-starved Chamaparan, his school years were spent outside the state. After completing his engineering from Banaras Hindu University, he went to the United States for his masters in engineering. It was there he began studying non-conventional energy sources — solar, wind energy and bio-diesel — but they did not seem workable options for Bihar.

When he returned to India he stumbled on the idea of generating power from rice husk through a person providing gasification technology for rice mills. However, instead of using diesel for turbines he hit on the idea of rice husk. Some research work had already been done on rice husk power in the Indian Institute of Technologies but Pandey’s job was to make it happen.

Symbol of Success D Udaya Kumar A year ago Dharmalingam Udaya Kumar, 32, invented the rupee symbol. This month it has emerged from the mint stamped on coins of various denominations as well as Rs.10 notes. Now, everybody in India, from a child buying a toffee for 50 paisa in Nagercoil to a person paying Rs.10 for parking at a busy bazaar in Delhi will be familiar with Kumar’s design, which was the winner of a contest organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Kumar, who pursued his doctoral studies at the Industrial Design Centre at IIT Bombay, beat 3,000 other participants to take the prize of Rs. 250,000, which he has donated to Prajwala, a Hyderabad-based NGO. Currently an assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Technology in Guwahati, Kumar must be a proud man because India is only the second country in the world — the first being England — to have its currency symbol printed on its notes. And the fifth to have a symbol at all.

The Indian rupee mark is a blend of the Devanagri —^j^ and the Roman ‘R’ and is based on the Indian tricolour and arithmetic equivalence according to the designer. Kumar chose this fusion so that the mark would be unique and be easily dif-

Sumita Ghose

The first plant of Husk Power Systems (HPS) — born from the combined efforts of Pandey, his two friends, Ratnesh Yadav and Manoj Sinha and Charles W. Ransler, an American who studied with him in the US — was set up in 2007 in the wilderness of Tamkuha,West Champaran, some seven hours from Patna.

The plant converts waste rice husk to combustible gas that drives a small turbine. Today HPS has set up 60 mini-power plants, each generating enough power for about four villages — depending on the size of the villages and the power consumed. The mini-plants are also lighting up over 250 villages helping a population of 300,000.

ferentiated form the rupiah of Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Passionate about graphic design, typography, type design and design research, the

young designer has to his credit a Tamil font, Parashakti, and a book on Tamil typography.

Born in Kallakurichi and brought up in Chennai, Kumar is fascinated by the ocean, so much so that he has designed Waterworld, a futuristic floating city to deal with congestion in Mumbai. A visit to his webpage www.dudayakumar.com reveals that the bachelor is a sports enthusiast, a nature lover and leads a simple lifestyle. Also, he strongly believes in himself and certain fundamental principles – righteousness, equality, love,trust, cleanliness and discipline. He says “Every time I see the symbol in newspapers and magazines, it strikes me, it is my biggest achievement so far.” An achievement that has ensured his place in India’s business history.

It was towards the end of 2006 that Rangsutra was set up as a bridge between, “artisans and customers, tradition and contemporary and change and continuity.” From the three groups of artisans who began working with Rangsutra when it was launched the company now comprises 30 groups, each with 25 to 200 skilled artisans. In some 2,000 homes across the country artisans are working for Rangsutra. Of them 1,100 are shareholders coming from remote parts of the country – the deserts of Rajasthan, the hills of Uttaranchal and the underdeveloped areas of Andhra Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal.

The driving force behind Rangustra is a diminutive powerhouse, the Delhi-based Sumita Ghose. A Fulbright scholar, she was working with artisans in Rajasthan in the mid-eighties when, she, along with Sanjoy Ghose, set up URMUL, an NGO, which tapped the traditional skills of weaving and embroidery to help farmers to improve their lives. In 2006, she decided to go back on that road and work out how the artisan community could become part of a thriving India.

Ghose’s guiding principle has been to celebrate India’s rich crafts heritage, ensuring a sustainable livelihood for artisans

The Will Do Lady Chhavi Rajawat With her long tresses and willowy figure, Chhavi Rajawat can easily pass off as a slinky model or a Bollywood actor. But instead this MBA from Pune has donned the role of a sarpanch or a village head of Soda, 60km from the state capital Jaipur, located in District Tonk, one of the most backward areas of Rajasthan.

Only it’s not a role. This is real life for the thirty-yearold, clad in jeans and a T-shirt, driving her jeep to supervise the desilting of an old water body or taking a municipal officer to task while villagers listen to her with respect and sometimes shock. It was the same feeling Rajawat encountered when she addressed the 11th Info-Poverty World Conference at the UN when she spoke of the imperatives of including new technologies in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

This grit and glamor is all in a day’s work for Rajawat ever since she left her senior management position with Airtel group’s Bharti Televentures to return to her roots. Last year, Rajawat contested the panchayat elections and won with a handsome margin following in the footsteps of

by creating quality, handmade products and marketing them by strictly using fair trade practices. Profits from sale are ploughed back to provide for a better life for the artisan communities.

Driven by a commitment for excellence, Ghose, along with her two young designers, Ritu Suri and Ruchi Tripathi, both graduates of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, is constantly motivating the artisans, giving them new designs, searching for fresh markets and sourcing new talent and group specialisations. Seventy percent of Rangsutra’s workers are women.

her grandfather Raghubir Singh who had been sarpanch of Soda for 15 years. “It was primarily the love, faith and respect for my grandfather, who also looked after the development of this area, that people here wanted someone from the same family to stand for elections,” she says with her trademark candor. Since Soda is a seat reserved for women, Rajawat faced competition from 18 other women candidates who had whittled down to 2 as voting day drew closer.

A popular leader she is constantly helped by numerous villagers as she implements her projects. Rajawat’s priorities include ensuring safe drinking water for the villagers in this acutely saline-prone area besides building water harvesting structures.

In charge of implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in Soda, she is also trying to increase job opportunities by involving NGOs. The thought of her contemporaries in the corporate world earning the big bucks doesn’t faze her. “I have no regrets because the satisfaction I receive from being able to execute projects and improve the lives of 10,000 plus people is far more than any fat salary can bring me, ’’ she says.

40

Profiles

The Material Man

The Heritage Warrior

Anshu Gupta

Saima Iqbal Most architects like nothing more than to talk about their buildings, plodding through PowerPoint presentations to show off their new constructions. But there are a few who believe that preserving historical buildings is a way to honor the past and define the future.

Thirty four year old Saima Iqbal belongs to the later category. In the face of inflation, apathy, neglect and uncertain times, Iqbal, Kashmir’s only conservation architect, is determined to document and restore the diverse architectural history of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The architecture of this state is unique. It has features of the Hindu period — typified by the massive stone temples like Martand, Awantipur, Naranga — the Muslim period and to some extent the Buddhist period.”

On any given day locals will see Iqbal with her short cropped hair, laden with papers and a camera taking notes and pictures and redflagging problem areas. It was as a student at Presentation Convent, the Valley’s premier missionary school, that young Iqbal dreamt of becoming an architect. She recalls endlessly drawing sketches of houses, buildings, rivers and mountains while her father Zafar Iqbal, who was with the Military Engineering Services, would travel the State building bridges. Having graduated in architecture in 1999 from MSIA, Bijapur she returned home

and started work with some local architects.

But she wanted something more then simply overlapping bricks with mortar. Soon soul mates Sameer Hamdani, Jabeen Mehjoor and Abid Hussain Khan joined up and in 2004 the quartet established the INTACH chapter of Jammu and Kashmir. Presently, Iqbal is working round the clock to include the Valley’s six Mughal Gardens — Nishat, Shalimar, Achabal, Chashma Shahi, Pari Mahal and Verinag — in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. The listing will help Kashmir become a global tourism destination.

Even with an M.Sc in Historical Conservation from Oxford, Iqbal is sure she does not want to leave Srinagar for better prospects. “I have never thought of leaving Kashmir. As an architect, there may be better opportunities outside and a lot more money but moving out is not an option.”

It was while Anshu Gupta was on a freelance assignment with the Deccan Chronicle on a bitterly cold winter night in Old Delhi that he realised how extremely privileged he was. He stumbled upon a barely clad man trying to keep the cold away with liquor.

It was a troubling narrative. But for the twenty-something Gupta those images gave an insight into the importance of clothing: the lack of which could lead to death; the presence of which was a road to dignity. Not long afterwards, leaving a job with a blue chip company, Gupta set up Goonj (literally echo) devoting his life to collecting clothes contributed by the advantaged and distributing them to those in need.

From a niggling idea that thought has now become a streamlined movement. From the 67 items that Gupta initially picked out of his own wardrobe Goonj presently provides 70,000 kgs of clothes, utensils, school material and old furniture every month to various parts of India. Helped by 250 partner groups Goonj’s collection centers operate in seven cities distributing to 21 states. Looking back, Gupta says: “I never followed any conventions. I didn’t know anybody who could guide me. I made my own rules for approaching people, giving presentations

and fundraising.”

Gupta never intended Goonj to be an organization that pitied the deprived. Respecting the dignity of the needy has been his mantra. That’s the reason why the projects and schemes being put in place ehance the receiver’s self-worth. The organisation’s Cloth for Work initiative, for instance, ensures that clothes collected for villagers are not distributed gratis. The villagers need to ‘earn’ the clothes just like wages. Similar guidelines are also developed when toys and books are being distributed to children.

Extracted with permission from the July-August issue of Ministry of External Affairs magazine “India Perspectives.”

Governors, Congressional leaders greet Indians on Riti Bhalla’s I-Day TV show New York: On August 15, three US Governors - Chris Christie (New Jersey), Deval Patrick (Massachusetts), Bob McDonnell (Virginia) and Senator Bob Menendez greeted people of Indian origin around the world with an enthusiastic “Jai Hind”, a patriotic salutation that had captured the imagination of Indian revolutionaries during the freedom struggle.

These four and a few other top lawmakers including Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano appeared as guests on the annual program commemorating the Independence Day of India, hosted each year by Long Island teen Riti Sunshine Bhalla, who started it in 2008 when she was only 13.

The Riti Bhalla Special, named after the young host, was telecast across North America by Sahara One, PTC Punjabi, and JUS Punjabi networks. Sahara One also telecast it in the UK and 21 other countries, while Crossings TV, ITV and Eye on TV televised it in different regions of the US. Over the years, Riti Bhalla’s show has attracted presidential candidates

Congressman Joseph Crowley, Co-chair of House India Caucus, has appeared on every program of Riti Bhalla Special since 2008.

–Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and John McCain – as well as Congressional leaders and governors from across the country. Last year, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, was a guest on the program.

Appearing on Riti’s show, Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina, expressed pride in being part of the Indian American community, which is “the highest educated, makes the

most income per capita, and continues to be the least dependant on government assistance.”

Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy honored India’s Independence Day with a Proclamation, declaring on the show August 15, 2011 as “India Day” in the Constitution State.

Says Riti about her show: “Our mission is to educate the Indian American youth about the history of

India’s freedom struggle. Last year, we paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi; this year, we honored the memory of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.” Famous Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar, who produced a film on the life of Bhagat Singh in 1965, joined the program from Mumbai and shared his memory of meeting with the martyr’s mother.

While interviewing Congressional leaders, Riti used the opportunity to engage them in discussions about the Indian American community and India’s role in the comity of nations.

“Only about one-third of the US Senators are currently members of the Senate India Caucus. What do you think Indian Americans can do to increase that number?” she asked Senator Mark Warner, Co-chair of the Senate India Caucus.

“There’s an increasingly important role for Indian Americans to reach out to their senators and congressmen, to say that the Senate India Caucus and the House India Caucus are important in terms of strengthening the ties between our countries,” responded Warner.

The host quizzed Congressman

Frank Pallone, “Many years ago, you had introduced a Resolution in support of India’s permanent membership to the UN Security Council.

Two years ago, during his visit to India, President Obama also expressed his support for India’s inclusion in the UNSC. Where does this matter stand today and what can the Indian American community do to assist you and your congressional colleagues in the matter?”

“Indian Americans can write to their Senator or their Congressman and urge that the House of Representatives or the Senate pass a resolution supporting India’s permanent membership,” replied Pallone, who founded the House India Caucus in 1992.

Senator John Cornyn, founder and current Co-chair of the Senate India Caucus and Congressman Joseph Crowley, Co-chair of the House India Caucus, both regular guests of Riti Bhalla’s show since 2008, also participated this time around.

The program is independently produced by the Bhalla family of Long Island as a public service to the Indian community.

42

Safeguarding Freedom

Lean, mean, fighting machine Grit and experience affect the growth of an institution. Fighting four major wars, insurgency and other low intensity wars have indeed made the Indian Army an eminent and efficient battle trained, war machine.

Indian Army T-90 tanks take part during an exercise in the Thar Desert 2008. akistan sometimes boasts near parity with India in nuclear weapons. But in conventional warfare, Pakistani Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar himself admitted that his country is no match for India and cannot sustain a war half as long as India can.

"If we only try to match them (India) militarily and buy the sort of armament they have, we will probably not be able to afford it," Mukhtar said on BBC Urdu earlier this year.

He explained that India's economy is "six to seven times bigger than" Pakistan's.

But even when matched tank to tank on the battlefield, Indian army is stronger than its strategic foe given the grit, determination and discipline of our men in uniform.

What is also striking is that in 64 years of history of free India, there never has been even a whiff of an army coup unlike the frequent government overthrows by army generals in our neighboring country. Indian army’s guiding principle has been this statement by Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first army chief, “The army has been and must continue to be loyal to the government.”

The high ideals the army has set for itself are reflected in this principle also: “Patriotism is not short frenzied outburst of emotion but the

P

tranquil and steady delineation of a lifetime.”

A look at the command and structuring of the Indian Army shows how finely it has been tuned to meet India's threat perceptions, based on the experience of the major wars it fought and the present-day geo-political context.

The largest standing volunteer Army in the world has never had to scour the populace for draft or conscription. There are always more men eager to don olive green than the demand at any one time. It reflects on the basic attitude of Indian people to the call of arms.

Indian Army Headquarters began its life in the Red Fort - Delhi. Imposing edifice that it is, it was hardly suitable to house a complex entity such as this. Today Army Headquarters occupies portions of South Block along with a gigantic, architecturally modern Sena Bhavan adjacent.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) wears multiple hats. To the entire army, now some 1.1 million men and women strong, he is the Chief.

The field force is grouped into Corps. Some of these are defensively oriented and have, over the years, acquired an unofficial - 'Holding'.

The others are called reserve or, unofficially again, 'Strike' Corps. The

former is really a misnomer since these contain ample offensive potential.

Corps Headquarters are designed to handle an all-arms field army- of three to five divisions or their equivalents. Army Headquarters reserves could be mammoth-size or small, but powerful in either case. Heavytracked-Corps are an instance of the former, and the three parachute commandos (battalion-size units), which perform special-forces duties, of the latter. Airborne, Air Assault or Parachute troops are usually held centralized. The mounts', in all cases, are provided by the Indian Air Force.

The Army has in its Order of Bat-

Overall, the Indian Army has achieved a dissuasive quality, in which a potential aggressor will go into lip-biting conclave before deciding upon a violent course of action.

tle, mountain divisions, infantry divisions, armored divisions (in which tank units predominate) and mechanized divisions (in which mechanized infantry units predominate).

Independent brigade groups may be armored, mechanized, air defence (missile or gun), parachute, engineer, field artillery, electronic warfare or even standard infantry and mountain.

Organizationally, the field forces have never been static. Reorganization and creation of new field forces is the norm, prompted by constant rethinking on threats and the emergence of new technology. To put it simply, if our organizations are basically triangular, there is no bar on making them square or pentagonal for a given mission.

Piecemeal 'modernization' is of no use to anyone. All arms have gone through two and a half modernization cycles since independence. The army is conscious of working out an edge or even proximate ability to see that a catastrophic disadvantage does not undermine operational viability. Even the most articulate and vehement critic would agree that the army is appreciative of what the country has provided to it in material, though it is somewhat hard pressed to do so.

The Underpinning: The timeless creed of the warriors and their feeling of comradeship in war and pestilence. The individual styles of the arms actually complement each other in combat.

The pivot: The ability of our field commanders to accept organizational, doctrinal, and equipment changes plus a finer perception of the strategic issues involved. With that, is their ability to mix individual assets into a combined arms and logistics team of very high combat worth.

Technology and Equipment: It is in this narrow area that modernization is usually talked about. By themselves, 'equipment' may just remain well-produced ironmongery or an intricate series of integrated circuits. But when these are synthesized in a complementary mix, they

come to life - and present a threat out of all proportion to their arithmetical aggregate on inventory.

Overall, the Indian Army is adequately equipped. There certainly remain areas where improvements or 'modernization' is pending, but that does not, in any way, detract from the fact that overall the Army has achieved a dissuasive quality, in which a potential aggressor will go into lip-biting conclave before deciding upon a violent course of action.

The mechanized armies in the Western Sector are mobile, balanced groupings of high striking power.

The fine synthesization of cuttingedge weaponry into high-value, capital-intensive combat groups is seen at its best here. The T-72, BMP series Infantry Combat Vehicle, Antitank Guided Missiles of many varieties, Aviation, fast reconnaissance vehicles, the FH-77/B-02 Medium Gun together with a number of other field pieces indigenously designed and developed, varieties of self-propelled air defense missile and gun systems, Black' Electronic Warfare arrays, first-class assault bridging for dry and wet crossings are found together in supportive mixes. Here, all ballyhoo of ‘We are the queens/kings of the battlefield' is easily given a quiet burial.

In the mountains, it is light infantry and artillery, supported by engineers, signals, helicopters and animals, which make for the combined-arms approach.

The most visible manifestation of modernization in equipment is in Siachen, which without these assets, cannot be garrisoned much less defended. This includes a combative logistical infrastructure to prevail 'AGAINST ALL ODDS'. Two things remain to be stated without equivocation.

The Indian Army gives due respect to its adversaries and finds no need to cozen itself with whistling in the dark about 'One of us is equal to ten of them.’

It does not accept being considered second to anyone - anywhere.

43 22

Safeguarding Freedom

Loving peace, winning wars After winning independence largely through Gandhian non-violent means, India under the statesman Jawaharlal Nehru was initially on a pacifist, non-aligned trip. The Chinese war woke up the leadership to bolster the country’s defense preparedness. In subsequent wars with Pakistan, the enemy was roundly crushed, the most glorious day came with the Pakistan forces’ surrender on the eastern front in 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.

War with China (1962)

War with Pakistan (1965)

The cause of the war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the widely-separated Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh border regions. Aksai Chin, claimed by India to belong to Kashmir and by China to be part of Xinjiang, contains an important road link that connects the Chinese regions of Tibet and Xinjiang. China’s construction of this road was one of the triggers of the conflict.

Small-scale clashes between the Indian and Chinese forces broke out as India insisted on the disputed McMahon Line being regarded as the international border between the two countries. In 1962, the Indian Army was ordered to move to the Thag La ridge located near the border between Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh and about three miles (5 km) north of the disputed McMahon Line.

Meanwhile, Chinese troops too had made incursions into Indian-held territory and tensions between the two reached a new high when Indian forces discovered a road constructed by China in Aksai Chin. After a series of failed negotiations, the People’s Liberation Army attacked Indian Army positions at the Thag La ridge. This move by China caught India by surprise and by 12 October, Prime Minister Nehru gave orders for the Chinese to be expelled from Aksai Chin. However, poor coordination among various divisions of the Indian Army and the late decision to mobilize the Indian Air Force in vast numbers gave China a crucial tactical and strategic advantage over India.

On 20 October, Chinese soldiers attacked India in both the North-West and NorthEastern parts of the border and captured vast portions of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh.

As the fighting moved beyond disputed territories, China called on the Indian government to negotiate, however India remained determined to regain lost territory.

With no peaceful agreement in sight, China unilaterally withdrew its forces from Arunachal Pradesh.

A confrontation with Pakistan took place in 1965, largely over Kashmir.

Pakistani President Ayub Khan launched Operation Gibraltar in August 1965, during which several Pakistani paramilitary troops infiltrated into Indian-administered Kashmir and attempted to ignite an anti-India agitation in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani leaders believed that India, which was still recovering from the disastrous Sino-Indian War, would be unable to deal with a military thrust and a Kashmiri rebellion. India reacted swiftly and launched a counter offensive on Pakistan.

Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam in reply on 1 September, invading India’s Chamb-Jaurian sector. In retaliation, the India’s Army launched a major offensive throughout its border with Pakistan, with Lahore as its prime target.

Pakistan suffered much more casualties and loss of arms than India. About 300 Pakistani tanks were either destroyed or captured by India and an additional 150 were permanently put out of service.

Given India’s advantageous position at the end of the war, the decision to return back to pre-war positions, following the Tashkent Declaration, caused an outcry among the Indian populace. It was widely believed that India’s decision to accept the ceasefire was due to political factors, and not military, since it was facing considerable pressure from the United States and the UN to stop hostilities.

Creation of Bangaldesh (1971) An independence movement broke out in East Pakistan which was brutally crushed by Pakistani forces. Due to largescale atrocities against them, thousands of Bengalis took refuge in neighboring India causing a major refugee crisis there.

In early 1971, India declared its full-support

Pakistan’s Lt. Gen Niazi signing the instrument of surrender on December 16,1971 on the eastern front in the presence of India’s Lt. General J.S Arora (left).

for the Bengali rebels, known as Mukti Bahini, and Indian agents were extensively involved in covert operations to aid them.

On 20 November 1971, Indian Army moved the 14 Punjab Battalion and 45 Cavalry into Garibpur, a strategically important town near India’s border with East Pakistan, and successfully captured it. The following day, more clashes took place between Indian and Pakistani forces. Wary of India’s growing involvement in the Bengali rebellion, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a pre-emptive strike on 10 Indian air bases at Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Agra, Adampur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai and Sirsa at 1745 hours on 3 December. This aerial offensive, however, failed to accomplish its stated objectives and gave India its excuse to declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. By midnight, the Indian Army, accompanied by Indian Air Force, launched a major three-pronged assault into East Pakistan. Under the command of Lt. General J.S Arora, the three corps of the Indian Army, which had invaded East Pakistan, entered Dhaka and forced Pakistani forces to surrender on 16 December 1971, one day after the conclusion of the battle of Basantar. After Pakistan’s Lt. General A.A.K. Niazi signed the Instrument of Surrender, India took more than 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war. At the time of the signing of the Instrument of Surrender, 9,000 Pakistani soldiers were killedin-action while India suffered only 2,500 battle-related deaths. In addition, Pakistan lost 200 tanks during the battle compared to India’s 80.

In 1972, the Simla Agreement was signed between the two countries and tensions simmered. However, there were occasional spurts in diplomatic tensions which culminated into increased military vigilance on both sides.

Nuclear rivalry and Kargil conflict (1999) In 1998, India carried out nuclear tests and a few days later, Pakistan responded by more nuclear tests giving both countries nuclear

Indian soldiers raising the national flag atop a hill after clearing the Drass subsector of Pakistani forces on 26 July, 1999, ending the Kargil conflict.

deterrence capability. Diplomatic tensions eased after the Lahore Summit was held in 1999. The sense of optimism was shortlived, however, since in mid-1999 Pakistani paramilitary forces and Kashmiri insurgents captured deserted, but strategic, Himalayan heights in the Kargil district of India. These had been vacated by the Indian army during the onset of the inhospitable winter and were supposed to be re-occupied in spring. The regular Pakistani troops who took control of these areas received important support, both in the form of arms and supplies, from Pakistan. Some of the heights under their control, which also included the Tiger Hill, overlooked the vital Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH 1A), Batalik and Dras.

Once the scale of the Pakistani incursion was realized, the Indian Army quickly mobilized about 200,000 troops and Operation Vijay was launched.

Once NH1a area was cleared, the Indian Army turned to driving the invading force back across the Line of Control. The Battle of Tololing, among other assaults, slowly tilted the combat in India’s favor. Nevertheless, some of the posts put up a stiff resistance, including Tiger Hill (Point 5140) that fell only later in the war. Two months into the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges they had lost; according to official count, an estimated 75%–80% of the intruded area and nearly all high ground was back under Indian control.

Following the Washington accord on 4 July, where Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif agreed to withdraw Pakistani troops, fighting came to a gradual halt, but some Pakistani forces remained in positions on the Indian side of the LOC. In addition, the United Jihad Council (an umbrella for all extremist groups) rejected Pakistan’s plan for a climbdown, instead deciding to fight on. The Indian Army launched its final attacks in the last week of July; as soon as the Drass subsector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on 26 July. The day has since been marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) in India.

Flag of the Indian Army.

44

Freedom Fighters dom fighters Bipin Chandra Pal and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The trio was popularly known as Lal-BalPal. Lalaji was actively involved in struggle against partition of Bengal. During the struggle he galvanized Indians for a campaign of Swadeshi and was imprisoned for six months for creating turmoil.

After his release in 1907, he went to Britain in April 1914 to explain the position of India. During his stay in Britain, the First World War broke out but he was unable to return. So, he went to USA for promoting the cause of India’s freedom struggle. There he founded the India Home League Society of America. He returned to India in 1920 and formed the Congress Independence Party in protest against the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre and Non Cooperation Movement.

In 1928, Simon Commission that came to India to discuss constitutional reforms was protested by Lalaji because the commission had no Indian members. The Britishers brutally lathicharged Lalaji during the protest and because of severe head injuries he expired on November 17, 1928.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Popularly known as the ‘Iron Man’, Sardar Patel was a practicing lawyer in Ahmedabad before he joined the freedom movement on being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. His first attempt was to fight for the cause of peasants in Kheda, Bardoli and other parts of Gujarat who were asked to pay heavy taxes to the British Government. Patel, under the leadership of Gandhi Ji, launched non-violent Civil Disobedience Movement against the payment of raised taxes. The Government tried to suppress the revolt but unfortunately could not do so. Finally, the taxes were suspended and thereafter everyone addressed Patel as Sardar. Further, he was also involved in Salt Satyagraha in Nagpur and Quit India Movement in 1942. In 1931, he was elected as the President of Indian National Congress. After independence he was appointed as the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India. He had served the country during the tenure but Gandhi Ji’s death gave him a major heart attack and he died on December 15, 1950.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak He is considered to be the ‘Father of Indian Unrest’. He was a scholar of Indian history, Sanskrit, mathematics, astronomy and Hinduism.

He had imbibed values, cultures and intelligence from his father Gangadhar Ramchandra Tilak who was a Sanskrit scholar and a fa-

Mangal Pandey Students sit next to portraits after painting 65 images of Indian freedom fighters as part of India's Independence Day celebrations at the Velammal Vidyalaya high school in Chennai on August 13, 2011.

Sixty-five students gathered on Saturday to make a 6500 square foot painting. mous teacher.

With an aim to impart teachings about Indian culture and national ideals to India’s youth, Tilak along with Agarkar and Vishnushastry founded the ‘Deccan Education Society’. Soon after that Tilak started

two weeklies, ‘Kesari’ and ‘Marathi’ to highlight plight of Indians. He also started the celebrations of Ganapati Festival and Shivaji Jayanti to bring people close together and join the nationalist movement against British. He launched Swadeshi Movenment and believed that ‘Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it.’ This quote inspired millions of Indians to join the freedom struggle. With the goal of Swaraj, he also built ‘Home Rule League.’

Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Lal Bal Pal Trio: Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal & Bal Gangadhar Tilak

He was the political guru of Gandhi Ji. It is said that Gokhale was one of the first Indians who completed graduation. Higher education made him understand the importance of liberty, democracy and parliamentary system. He wanted to widespread the knowledge he gained and so moved on to

teaching.

In 1885, Gokhale along with his Deccan Education Society colleagues founded the Fergusson College in Pune. In the subsequent year he met a great scholar and a social reformer Mahadev Govind Rane. Being highly influenced by the social works of Ranade, Gokhale called him guru and started moving on the path of social reforms. He founded the Servants of India Society in 1905.

Gokhale was actively involved in the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909 that gave Indians right to access highest posts in the government.

Lala Lajpat Rai Popularly known as Punjab Kesari or Lion of Punjab, Lala Ji’s political career started in 1888 with the Indian National Congress Session at Allahabad. At the next session at Bombay in 1889, he was linked with other two leading free-

Born on July 19, 1827 in the village of Nagwa, district Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, Mangal Pandey was introduced to Indian history as the first freedom fighter and martyr of 1857.

At the age of 22, he joined the British East India Company as a soldier in the 34th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry. He was a true freedom fighter who gave a spark to the First War of Indian Independence. The British termed it as Sepoy Mutiny 1857 as it was a mass revolt of Indian soldiers in the British Army.

Mass revolt forced Pandey to attack his British sergeant on the parade ground, besides wounding an adjutant. A native soldier stopped him from killing them. The officer in charge ordered a Jamadaar of the troop to arrest Pandey but he refused to do so. Mangal tried to commit suicide to light the flame of nationalism in the hearts of millions of Indians but he failed to do so. He was then captured and sentenced to death on April 8, 1857 in Barrackpore. March 29, 1857 is considered to be a day when Continued on page 46...

Remembering heroes of Indian freedom movement

46

Freedom Fighters As a active participant of Lahore Conspiracy Case in 1928 and Prison Hunger Strike in 1929, Sukhdev shook the established foundation of British Government.

On 1929, he along with his accomplice Bhagat Singh and Shivram Rajguru was arrested for assassinating Deputy Superintendent Saunder in 1928, thus avenging the death of Lalaji. The three brave revolutionaries were sentenced to death, as per the verdict, on March 23, 1931 and their bodies were secretly cremated on the banks of River Sutlej.

Continued from page 44 Mangal Pandey reaped the seed for a struggle which gave India her freedom.

Lal Bahadur Shastri He was the second Prime Minister of India.

In 1921, Gandhi Ji launched Non Cooperation Movement and called to the youth to fight for the noble cause of freedom. Shastri was highly influenced by the movement and joined the freedom struggle at the age of 17. He was arrested during the movement but was later released. He then joined Kashi Vidya Peeth and earned the degree of ‘Shashtri’. After earning this degree, he joined ‘The Servants of the People Society’ that was started by Lala Lajpat Rai in 1921, with the aim to train youth who were resolved to dedicate their lives for the country.

In response to the call of Gandhi Ji, he actively participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement, Salt Stayagraha and Quit India Movement for which he was sentenced to imprisonment several times. Finally, in 1947 Britishers were forced to quit India. Thereafter, in 1947, he was appointed as Minister of Police and Transport in Pant’s Cabinet and in 1964 as Prime Minister of India. During the 1965 Indo Pak war Shastri played a key role in maintaining internal security of the country. He coined a slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ to bring unity within the country and finally led India to victory.

Sarojini Naidu She was born on February 13, 1879, in a house of intellectuals, poets, philosophers and revolutionaries.

She completed her matriculation in Madras Presidency and received scholarship to study abroad. At the age of 16, she went to England for further studies and at the age of 21 she got married to Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu.

In 1916, she met Mahatma Gandhi and was motivated to start her career as a freedom fighter. She woke up women of India from sleep and re-established self esteem within them. To do so, she traveled from state to state and city to city, asking for women’s rights.

In 1925, she presided over the annual session of Indian National Congress and later participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

She was arrested in 1942 during the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned for several months.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Maulana Azad, Acharya Kripalani, Sardar Patel and Subhas Chandra Bose She was the first Indian woman to become the Governor of the largest state of the union, Uttar Pradesh.

She died in her office on March 2, 1949.

Bhagat Singh He was a national hero who gave a new wave to the revolutionary movement in India.

Bhagat started his education in DAV School in Lahore but was not able to complete his studies because he was highly disturbed and influenced by the Jalianwala Bagh massacre at the age of 12. His desire to drive British out from India became stronger and he joined the Non-Cooperation Movement called by Gandhi Ji in 1921. The incidence of Chauri-Chaura in Gorakhpur made Bhagat violent and he decided to earn freedom with armed revolution rather than non-violence. He then joined the National College in Lahore, a center of revolutionary activities. To spread message of revolution in Punjab, Bhagat formed a union of revolutionaries by the name ‘Naujavan Bharat Sabha’ and gave a call for mass mobilization. In 1928, he went to Delhi to attend a meeting of revolutionaries’ and there he came in contact with Chandrashekhar Azad. With a common aim to establish republic in India they both formed ‘Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sangha’. There were protests against of Simon Commission visit to India and in this protest Lala Lajpat Rai was brutally lathi charged and later on he died. This added to the anger and discontent of Bhagat and he was determined to kill the British official and Deputy Inspector General Scott responsible

for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. By mistake, he killed assistant superintendent Saunders and ran from Lahore to escape punishment. He threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on April 18, 1929 and was sentenced to death on March 23, 1931.

Chandrashekhar Azad A fearless revolutionary and a great freedom fighter, was born on July 23, 1906 in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. At the age of 14 he went to Varanasi where he was taught to live the austere life of a Brahamachari. During his stay in Varanasi he was highly inspired by the Non Cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi. He actively participated in the movement for which he was sentenced to fifteen lashes of logging at the age of 15.

With each stroke of the whip he shouted ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’. From then, he was honored and titled as ‘Azad’ by the local Indians. Thereafter, he got the name Chandrashekhar Azad.

When the Non Cooperation Movement was suspended due to Chauri-Chaura incidence, Azad switched over to armed revolution and formed ‘Hindustan Socialist Republican Association’ with other revolutionaries to spread the message of complete independence. He actively participated in revolutionary activities and was involved in Kakori Train Robbery and the attempt to blow up the Viceroy's train in 1926.

On 27th February 1931, Azad was betrayed by one of the associates who informed the British Police. In Alfred Park, Allahabad

he was besieged by the British police. He fought bravely for quite some time but seeing no other way he shot himself and fulfilled his desire to die a 'free man'.

Sukhdev Like many other freedom fighters, Sukhdev Thapar was also a famous Indian revolutionary who sacrificed his life for the cause of India’s independence. Since childhood, he had witnessed the brutal behavior of British authorities on Indians and grew up with a firm decision and an earnest desire to set India free from British dominion.

Sukhdev was a member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association and took active part in various revolutionary activities. He along with other revolutionaries founded the Naujawan Bharat Sabha with the aim to aware and gear up Indian youth for the freedom struggle showing them an imaginary picture of India’s future.

He was a distinguished scholar, a great poet, a true freedom fighter and independent India’s first Education Minister. He joined the revolutionary movement under Aurbindo Ghosh and Sri Shyam Sunder Chakravarthy. He also opened secret revolutionary centers all over North India and in Bombay.

Azad convinced the Muslim revolutionaries to fight for India’s freedom rather than fighting for antiMuslim causes.

In 1912, he started a weekly journal to propagate Indian nationalism and revolutionary ideas based on Hindu-Muslim unity. This weekly proved to be a threat to British Empire and so he was expelled from Calcutta in 1916 and was released in 1920 after the First World War. After his release he actively participated in Khilafat Movement, Non Cooperation Movement and Salt Satyagraha.

He was imprisoned several times but this could not stop him from fighting for freedom struggle. In 1947, Maulana Azad was appointed as the Minister of Education in the cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru.

He served the country till 1958 and on February 22, 1958 died of a stroke.

Sarojini Naidu with Gandhiji

48 22

Tragedy of ’47

Partition and perpetrators of violence Sixty-four years on and mainstream narrative about Partition still largely remains about refugees falling prey to brutalities inflicted by the ‘other’ side. ANJALI NAMBISSAN caught up with AJAY BHARDWAJ, a filmmaker with a unique approach to documenting and decoding Partition for future generations.

V

ictims came forward and related their horrifying stories. The hell they endured couldn’t even be imagined by the collective psyche of the disaffected.

Sympathy, pain, anger and helplessness were felt in varying degrees.

But what of those who incited, those who killed and maimed and raped; on either side of the border? What if the evil lurks within and among us and not only - though we’d conveniently like to believe - on the other side of that line that controls? Rabba Hun Ki Kara - Thus departed our neighbors.

The film is a conversational trip down the memory lane of the ‘Partition generation.’

The people who witnessed, felt and even practised the violence that the Partition of India in 1947 brought upon us.

Even after over 60 years their memory of events is sharp, as if it happened yesterday.

They warmly recall the names of their Muslim neighbors, their classmates, childhood friends, the good times spent together.

Then they recall with sorrow how these neighbors had to leave, or were killed without compunction.

Moreover, they spontaneously conclude their conversations by describing how perpetrators of violence from their community had to pay for their misdeeds of 1947 in their own lifetimes.

These informal tales of people from rural East Punjab, almost like folklore, are strewn across the memoryscape of Punjab‘s countryside.

In the village, everyone knows everyone through generations and nothing can be kept hidden. That is why who did what in 1947 is public knowledge. The Partition generation especially is the custodian of this memory but is fast fading away.

It constitutes a vital link in the chain of Partition narratives.

Moreover, this generation’s judgment on the genocide of Partition is extremely crucial for history as well as for society.

The mainstream Partition narrative has largely been about refugee Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims falling prey to brutalities inflicted by and on the ‘other’ side. But if everyone was a victim, then who were the perpetrators?

“When you look at how Partition has been dealt with over the years there’s a huge amount of work that has surfaced very nuanced, very sophisticated, very dynamic work. From different positions from the position of gender, from the position of caste also,” begins Ajay Bhardwaj, documentary filmmaker and director of Rabba Hun Ki Kara.

“My roots are in that part of rural Punjab which remained with India. So the people who had to leave this part were Muslims.

Whereas, largely the story we get to hear was of Hindus and Sikhs who had to leave that part of Punjab that became Pakistan and come here as refugees. So my position of looking at Partition was from a completely different perspective because I’m located somewhere else.”

A Punjabi by ethnicity, Bhardwaj traveled the state to research his films. His first film on Punjab, Kitte Mil Ve Mahi (Where the twain shall meet) explores the inherent bond between Dalits and Sufism.

He prefers to brand his work as “conversational.”

“I’m intuitive! I’m an insider, I mean I know that’s how it is. Once the film is made the process is not over nor is it like that if the film would not have been made the process wouldn’t have taken place. It’s a social process that’s still going on. People are talking about.”

Bhardwaj has always preferred subjects with politics at the core. But he also works towards letting his films find their own form and center, through the people and conversations that he films.

The subject of Partition is part of his upbringing.

“I’ve heard this tale of Partition many times over from my grandparents. They were both Gandhians. They, at that time, crossed the boundaries of caste and interacted with Dalits, they had to face the social consequences for it. They interacted with Muslims, they faced the consequences of it,” informs Bhardwaj.

“I heard from them about it - about their own village, their own acts, about their friends. So it was not something that I was being told to learn, it’s so anecdotal and so natural - to me it was like breathing. I’m trying to take it further exactly the same way that it came to me.”

In the context of Partition violence, India and Pakistan have not experienced anything akin to the Nuremberg trials.

Germany had its student movement of 1960s when children confronted their parents about their role in the killing of the Jews in the Third Reich. South Africa had its Truth and Reconciliation Mission which brought people together.

Why does India have collective amnesia when it comes to Partition violence? None of these perpetrators came to any end, except that ordained by some ‘divine’ order, as shown in the film.

“One of the reasons is that the nation states always need an outsider as the other.

You can’t create nations without drawing boundaries. The nation states are not interested in fixing this because their existence depends to a large extent on the process of creating the other,” says Bhardwaj.”You’re not admitting to your own guilt. And when you don’t do that, you generate hatred. Why is it that any habitation of Muslims in this country is known as Pakistan? Because they’re the ‘other’.”

“Second reason is international pressures are critical to move states and there was no international pressure to confront this.

What’s important for me is that they may not have done it, but this (Partition) generation has been talking about it for the past 60 years and I need to freeze that as an experience because it will not remain forever. This material will be lost to us.” The demise of this generation is a pertinent fear for him.

“The thing is that this generation that experienced Partition that way is now very old. In another 5-10 years you may not have anybody who witnessed the Partition at that time. You may not have anybody who can narrate to you some experiences and how they feel about it,” opines Bhardwaj.

“Descriptions you can read about. But the feelings of - how did you feel when you witnessed that? And how did you negotiate with it all your life? Who will tell you that?

Only the people who were there can tell you that and in another 10 years I’m sure there’ll be hardly anybody left who can tell from experience.”

What a morbid thought. A part of our history, the acts of violence and kindness that made us what we are today will be lost forever, except for the efforts of people like Ajay Bhardwaj. Next, the filmmaker is working on...

“I’m working on another film based on Punjab that I almost finished twice. I’m also working on a film tracing the trajectory of Vinobha Bhave.”

He started work on Punjab around 2002.

Why does he reflect back on his homeland?

“What does it mean to be a Punjabi? And through these films I’m trying to answer that. Essentially, I’m telling these stories for myself.”

49

Reminiscences

By Rajeshwar Prasad ndians living abroad celebrated 64th anniversary of India’s Independence on August 15 all over the world. Local, national and international community organizations as well as public entities such as Indian embassies and Consulates recounted in glorious terms the great strides made by the country since independence. At the same time they remembered those who sacrificed their lives so that generations to come are born free.

I was fifteen when India got Independence on August 15, 1947. I was studying in Delhi and living with my uncle’s family. It was a beautiful day and I decided to go to the Red Fort to watch and hear the speech of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. I walked from Pahari Dhiraj in old Delhi. It took me about half an hour. The view of the Red Fort was magnificent and the entire area in front was packed with people. Someone helped me to climb a tree and I watched the whole thing from there. I was impressed with the representation of three arms of our military – air force, navy and army. After a Guard of Honor, Mr. Nehru went up the rampart of Red Fort and addressed the gathering and the nation. The entire historical scene left such an imprint on my mind that even today I remember it very vividly. Though I was not that familiar with the freedom struggle, I knew quite a bit because my oldest brother-

I

-now 88--participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942. He was arrested and spent a few months behind bars. India never forgot the Freedom Fighters and they have all been compensated for their sacrifice in a dignified manner.

I wish to put in perspective the 64 years of

and Muslims resulted in enormous loss of life. My street in old Delhi was the last inhabited by Hindus - beyond was all Muslim area. I witnessed the dominant Hindu organization planning an attacking on the Muslims, which fizzled as looting started soon after. Stabbing of Hindus was also a

The author was there when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the multitude celebrating India's Independence Day at Red Fort, Delhi, August 15, 1947.

Independence, 21of those I spent in India and the rest here in the US. Before and after freedom dawned, India witnessed probably the largest migration in world history. The riots and religious strife between Hindus

daily occurrence. This is when many Hindus converted to Sikhism so they could possess kirpan. What happened in my area was the story in most parts of India.

I am sure there are millions who wit-

nessed pre- and post-Independence era the way I have described based on my observations and experience. We all have to realize that India’s Independence is stable and its foundation is solid. India also presents a global example of its unity among diversity. Just an aside--when European Union was being envisaged at an informal and small international gathering, I suggested there that Europe can learn a lot from India that has such a diverse population. Our leaders were able to successfully bring all people together to secure Independence and safeguard it till today.

In conclusion, let us celebrate Independence but with the same urge as of those brave and patriotic people who sacrificed their all to get it for us.

Rajeshwar Prasad is President, National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC). He is a former executive in health planning, development and implementation with various nonprofits, the last being Long Island Cancer Council where he served as Principal Investigator and Executive Director.

50

Glorious Past

Cradle of Civilization

By Kamlesh Kapur

everal centuries ago, AlBeruni, and many other visitors from various countries such as Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang wrote that Indians were considered the leading medical practitioners, researchers and educators in the Middle East, China, Japan, and other parts of Asia. The Indian experts enjoyed prestige and high reputations in many countries, as is evidenced by the manner in which they were treated. Indians’ concepts and discoveries in the fields of mathematics, metallurgy, agriculture, medicine, shipping and trade, arts, language, literature, culture, music, drama and philosophy spread to other parts of the world. India was to pan-Asia what Greece was to Europe – the mother of civilization.

S

Architectural marvels Indian architecture has a large variety and continuity of theme - right from the simple structures belonging to the fifth millennia B.C. onward. Durability and aesthetics formed the main features of simple structures from Indus-Sarasvati times. Sun dried and baked bricks, clay and terracotta were used. Multistoried buildings were made for common people. The castles and citadels were made with stones wedged into each other. Plinth was always raised. Artisans used decorative styles and expressed their creativity in various different ways.

Each region used the locally available material.

Temple architecture The cave temples with painted walls and dark corridors are still found all over the country. The painted walls of the caves at Bhimbetica in Madhya Pradesh are one such example. The famous Ajanta and Ellora cave temples complex in modern day Maharashtra and Khandagiri and Udaigiri cave temples in Orissa are marvels of structured cave temples in India.

In the high foothills of western Himalayas at Amarnath, one finds the cave temple with Shivalinga of ice.

Another ancient cave temple in a remote part of the Himalayas is dedicated to seer Vyasa who wrote the Mahabharata at this site. It is located in Uttarkashi district, in Uttaranchal.

Structured temples The most creative period of struc-

Many centuries ago, Indians’ concepts and discoveries in the fields of mathematics, metallurgy, agriculture, medicine, shipping and trade, arts, language, literature, culture, music, drama and philosophy spread to other parts of the world, contributing to the progress of mankind. India was to pan-Asia what Greece was to Europe – the mother of civilization. Here is an extract from ‘Portraits of a Nation: History of Ancient India’, a new, groundbreaking textbook by Kamlesh Kapur, a renowned educator and scholar based in the US.

Assorted ornaments found in Indus Sarasvati region- 3000-4000 B.C. tured architecture started around the fifth century BC when the royal patronage was given to artists of different faith traditions. Around this period, distinct art style emerged with the construction of Buddhist Stupas, Viharas and Chaityas. Stupas are D shaped structures with railings, gateways and pathway for circumambulation. Viharas were residential buildings for monks and Chaityas were used for offering prayers. Sarnath temple complex in Utter Pradesh though partly destroyed speaks of the richness of the Buddhist architectural tradition.

The common features of a Hindu temple are richly sculpted pillars, pyramidal spire, gooseberry shaped top spiral and pot shaped top. Mandapa (open auditorium) is a pillared pavilion. The walls and columns on inside and outside of the structure have richly carved floral designs, dancers in various poses, musicians playing different instruments, rows upon rows of animals and scenes from the epics and Puranik legends.

Mixture of reality and allegory is so subtle and yet conveys powerful messages.

Rock cut temples of Ellora and Ajanta started as early as first century B.C. Ajanta caves were initially inspired by the idea that Buddha meditated in the caves. They cut out rock to form caves - a place for wor-

ship of Buddha. Adjacent to each cave are small assembly halls.

Walls of the caves have paintings and etched panels telling Buddhist and Hindu stories. There are some 22 caves left now. From a distance, the caves look like a horse shoe.

People from all over the world visit these caves. A large statute of Buddha with an enigmatic smile fascinates artists. From every angle, Buddha seems to be smiling at the onlooker.

Vastu Shastra and architecture also known as Sthapatya Veda is considered one of the Upavedas.

Vastu means dwelling and Shastra mean treatise or book. Do's and don'ts of Vastushastra are explained logically and in a scientific way in the ancient literature. So we can also call it a science of dwelling.

Living in harmony with nature is the theme of Vastushastra. The knowledge of Vastushastra is considered important for the construction of houses, temple, villages, towns, and cities. Vastushastra is a voluminous and scattered ancient Hindu literature dealing with knowledge of architecture and art relating to structures and buildings.

It is an ancient Indian practice to construct buildings in harmony with natural forces for the well being of humanity as a whole. Many of the ancient temples stand as living

Located in Uttarkashi district in Uttaranchal, this ancient cave temple is dedicated to seer Vyasa who wrote the Mahabharata at this site. monuments of the awe inspiring majesty and inspiration emanating from these magnificent houses of worship built according to the Vastushastra.

There were a number of acknowledged experts on Vastushastra in the ancient times. The Matsyapurana refers to 18 experts and instructors in Vastu. Of these the most known and worshipped are Maya and Vishvakarma. Even today millions of construction workers and artisans from various crafts offer prayers to Vishvakarma on the day after Diwali. It is the New Year for the business community.

Readers may be fascinated by some of the important guidelines given in Vastushastra. For example about the shape of the lot, it says, it is preferable to have a rectangular or a square lot. It should have a

downwards slope towards the east.

The bedrooms should be so laid down that they face the north or the east. Kitchen (fire) should be in the southeast.

The guidelines for architecture detailed in the Vastushastra are so scientific that more and more people (even in America) prefer to have their houses constructed according to Vastushastra.

Buildings and town planning Drainage systems for water (open and covered), irrigation systems, river dams, water storage tanks cut out of rock, moats, middle-class style homes with private bathrooms and drainage, and even a dockyard testify to the engineering skills of ancient Indians. There is evidence of stairs for multi-storied buildings.

Many towns have separate citadels,

By 4th century B.C., zero was a part of the Indian number system. Between the 7th and the 11th century AD Indian numerals developed into their modern form, and along with the symbols for functions such as plus, minus, square root, they eventually led to modern mathematical notation.

51

Glorious Past was Bhaskaracharya (12th century AD). He came from a long line of mathematicians and was head of the astronomical observatory at Ujjain.

He left several important mathematical texts including the Lilavati and Bijaganita. He also wrote two texts on astronomy - Surya Siddhanta and Siddhanta Shiromani. He was the first to recognize that certain types of quadratic equations could have two solutions.

Some Panchatantra fables were sculpted on ancient monuments and temples’ walls.

This panel in Hoysaleshvara temple in Halebid, Karnataka, shows a saint in meditation. Before him is a pot of wine; a bird is taking a sip out of it. There is a serpent next to the pot. The moral of the story is that if a hermit takes a few sips of the wine, he soars like a bird (meaning, he reaches an exalted state) but if he drinks to the last drop, the same wine acts as poison. upper and lower towns, and fortified sections. There were separate worker quarters near copper furnaces.

Granaries had ducts and platforms.

The earliest cities were built on the banks of the rivers. About 2,000 sites of old cities have been excavated in the Sarasvati Basin. Some of the major cities were on the confluence of two or more rivers. Kurukshetra was on the confluence of Sarasvati and Drishadvati riversboth desiccated long time back. Kurukshetra is still a flourishing town.

Pataliputra was on the confluence of Sone, Ganga and Gandak Rivers.

Rivers provided natural security to the cities from two to three sides.

The remaining sides of the cities were secured by large gates and drawbridge over the motes.

Arts and crafts India speaks most vividly through the craftsmanship of its people. Intricately designed sculpted panels, wood work carving, inlay work both on wood and marble, delicate carving of sandalwood, bronze and five metal sculpted figurines, terracotta and soapstone figurines, handwoven textiles using silk, cotton, linen and jute are all fascinating.

Cane work, decorated musical instruments, calligraphy on stone and rock inscriptions, all these speak volumes of the aesthetics and skills of the Indian artisans. Even simple earthen pots used for storing water and churning butter had multicolored floral carvings. Exotic hand embroidered fabrics and tapestries woven with gold or silver designs attract buyers from all over the world. The woolen shawls and rugs

of India witness to the excellence of Indian weaving in texture and design. According to ‘The Antiquity of Hindu Medicine and Civilization’ by D.C. Muthu as quoted in Will Durant’s ‘The Story of Civilization vol. 1’: “Europe looked upon the Hindus as experts in almost every line of manufacture woodwork, ivory work, metal work, bleaching, dyeing, tanning, soap making, glass blowing, fireworks, cement etc.”

The Sanskrit word for arts and crafts is shilpa - which means work of skill, design, decoration and art.

Artisans have always been proud of their work. Even today these arts and crafts continue to enthrall the shoppers from all over the world.

Mathematics Invention of Zero: The earliest written reference of zero (Sanskrit word for zero is Shunya) is found in the ancient Sanskrit texts and explained by Pingala in his Chhandah Sutra of the second century. The first verse of Isha Upanishad says that infinity minus infinity still is infinity. A later mathematician proved that x / by 0 = infinity and infinity divided by any number remains infinity. It was also laid down that any number (except infinity) divided by infinity is zero. Arithmetic operations (Ganita) such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, squares, cubes and roots are all enumerated in the Narada Vishnu Purana, attributed to Veda Vyasa.

Indian number system Around 4th century B.C., zero was a part of the Indian number sys-

tem. Between the 7th and the 11th century A.D. Indian numerals developed into their modern form, and along with the symbols denoting various mathematical functions (such as plus, minus, square root, etc) eventually became the foundation stones of modern mathematical notation. Modern methods of multiplication and addition emerged from the techniques described in the Sulva-Sutras.

Concept of Geometry emerged about 4000 B.C. and these concepts were used in the making of fire altars in square and rectangular shapes. The dams, temple structures and rock temples could not have been made without the knowledge of geometry and engineering skills.

Baudhayana’s Sulabhsutra- a treatise (6th century B.C.) describes Pythagorean Theorem thus, “The area produced by the diagonal of a rectangle is equal to the sum of area produced by it on two sides. : The chord which is stretched across the diagonal of a square produces an area of double the size.”

Aryabhata dealt with advanced astronomy and progressions.

Another leading mathematician

Astronomy and calculation of time Indian astronomers have been mapping the sky for over five millennia. The constellations of planets in relation to the moon and the sun find numerous references in the post Vedic literature. Ancient Indians were able to predict the solar and lunar eclipses as can be seen in the pages of the Mahabharata. For example, Vyasa predicted three eclipses in one month before the start of the war. These were two lunar with a solar in between.

Some notable books on the subject are Vedanga Jyotisha, Surya Siddhanta, Bhrigu Samhita, and Jyotisha Shastra. Indian astronomers knew about the shape of the earth, its orbit, orbits of other planets and the gravitational forces of the planets. Readers may refer to chapter about the Epic age and the chapter about the Gupta period to read details about astronomy and Arybhata’s contribution in the field of astronomy.

To perform religious ceremonies on auspicious days, it was necessary for Vedic and post Vedic Indians to calculate the position of the moon in relation to the fixed stars. The system of dividing the moon’s cycle was devised. Each of the days known as Tithis (nakshatra) has a name. This has helped modern skygraphers to recreate the position of the moon and the constellations of the stars as described in the epics and other post Vedic texts.

Technology Metallurgy: Iron smelting and copper based alloys Several metallic artifacts have been discovered in the Indus-Sarasvati region and the northern plains of India. Most of these are iron im-

plements and tools. Many are alloys used for making studded ornaments. The use of copper based alloys and bronze prove that metallurgy was in an advance stage about seven millennia back.

A recent study by a French team of archaeologists headed by J.F. Jarrige has found about 120 metallic objects at the two sites - Mehrgarh and Nausharo - in the Indus River valley, now in Pakistan. According to their analysis, “The whole chronological sequence has been sampled, from the first metallic objects in Neolithic and Chalcolithic levels (7th to 4th millennium B.C) to the Indus periods (3rd millennium B.C. beginning of the 2nd).”

The combined use of elemental analysis and metallographic examination on closely related metallic artifacts helped the team in reconstructing the evolution of copper based alloys before and during the rise of the Indus Civilization for the first time in that region.

The first metallic objects were found near the excavated burial grounds. These were mostly ornaments. Hammering of unalloyed copper seems to be the only technique used to manufacture these small ornaments. These are dated around 7th millennia B.C. Weapons, chisels, axes and blades were found near the habitational sites. The date of these objects is around 4th millennia B.C. Both Ramayana and Mahabharata mention the use of chariots in battlefields. These chariots moved on wheels with iron axels.

In Naikund, India, archaeologists have found a smelting furnace dated 800 B.C. The Deogarh temple in India (600 A.D.) has hundreds of iron objects. The famous iron pillar at Mehrauli near Delhi is considered a metallurgical marvel. Some 1600 years old, it belongs to the Gupta period and stands untarnished and rust free to this day.

Steel was an Indian invention, and remained an Indian specialty for centuries. The famous Damascus steel swords, now found in museums across Europe, were made from imported Indian steel. Before the European colonialism, the smelting of iron in small charcoal Continued on page 52...

Relic of a boat found in the excavations near the west coast in Dholavira provide us with the archaeological evidence of sea trade in the remote past of India.

52

Glorious Past Continued from page 51 furnaces was one of the major industries of India.

Inventions of Weapons "Guided Missile was first designed in ancient India about 5500 years ago,” writes Vasant Heble.

Astras or missiles have a semblance to the present day missiles. The missile designed by Dronacharya, the weaponry teacher, had a special feature missile, named ‘Narayan’, which was guided by a sort of selfcontained brain that led it to the intended target.

Besides bows and arrows, swords, daggers, discs, shield, bhala, trishul and maces are also mentioned in both Ramayan and Mahabharat.

Ship building and navigation Many writers promoted the idea that the Indians knew only coastal navigation. This is disproved by the mounting evidence that deep-sea shipping had existed in ancient India. Indian ships had been sailing to islands such as the Andaman, Lakshadweep and Maldives, around 2,000 years ago. Koutalya’s books describe the good and bad times for seafaring. In the medieval period, Arab sailors purchased their boats in India. The Portuguese also continued to get their boats from India, and not from Europe. Ships were exported on a regular basis. Shipbuilding was a major Indian industry, until the British banned it.

Gurukula System Gurukula literally means a teacher’s family. Students from cities and nearby villages came to learn various subjects and skills.

Ancient universities of India The most reputed universities were Taxila, Nalanda, Vikramshila, Nawadwip, Kashi, Kanchi, Vallabhi, Gunasheela, Jagaddal, Mithila, Odantapura and Ratnagiri. Of these, Taxila is recently proven to be the most ancient.

During the Nanda rule, Taxila city was a part of the Gandhara kingdom. Luminaries like Panini and Vararuchi were students in this uni-

called Dhrama Gunj. One of the three wings was nine stories high.

Hiuen-Tsang was a student at Nalanda. He subsequently became a teacher here. In his writings, he has given a vivid account of the life at this great center of learning in the 7th century AD. Students from foreign lands such as Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Sumatra, Java and Sri Lanka came here for higher learning.

Panini Panini was a student of Taxila University (in the northwest province of the modern day Pakistan). He wrote the complete

Vedic literature is vast and varied.

Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagvad Gita, Patanjali’s Yogasastra, Bhagvad Purana, and other Puranas belong to the post Vedic period.

Dharamshastras such as Goutama’s Nyaya Shastra, Gemini’s Mimansa, Upanishads, Kapila’s Sankhya and Kannada’s Vaiseshika belong to the sutra period (3000 B.C. to 1000 B.C.).

The first millennia A.D. witnessed a period of great literary creativity.

Clay Cart (Mricchakatikam) by Shudraka, several plays by Bhasa, Alankara-shastra and BuddhaCharita-kavya by Ashvaghosha, Shakuntala, Raghuvansa,

An MA in Economics from Panjab University, Kamlesh Kapur was among the first 20 women to be directly selected in the Indian Central Services. After coming to the US, she did Masters in Education from St. John’s University. For over 20 years she taught World History and Global cultures in New York.

But while doing a comprehensive review of the Indian history sections of the textbooks in use, she found numerous inaccuracies and outdated theories. She spearheaded the movement for correcting the content and developing an appropriate program of study based on recent discoveries emanating from various fields of research.

‘Portraits of a Nation- History of Ancient India’ (700 pages, 40 chapters) by Kamlesh Kapur is published

by Sterling Publishers. Available from http://southasiabooks.com/product_info.php?products_id=69466, from Amazon and from the author for $69.99 (hardbound) and $ 45.99 (softcover) plus $ 5 postage.

Contact: kamleshk@cox.net.

This book is a comprehensive overview of about 6000 years of India’s history and creates an authentic narrative of India’s past - significant events, achievements, milestones, upheavals and misfortunes. The writer has taken history from the domain of myths and theories into the realm of evidence drawn from various social and physical sciences. This narration attempts to reclaim the accurate chronology of Ancient Indian History.

All material is taken from primary sources and from the research material prepared by historians while evaluating multiple sources. With the help of numerous maps, timelines, pictures of ancient artifacts, readers complete a fascinating journey. Some 24 color plates highlight India’s achievement in the fields of science, technology, architecture and India’s varied culture..

Maritime trade On the basis of literary evidence, we can say that maritime trade flourished between India and the Arabian countries as well as Africa.

Spices, gems, cotton and silks were the main items of export, gold was an import. Words such as Sindhu (meaning sea), nau, and nouka (meaning boat) are found in the literature of Indus-Sarasvati people.

The remains of docks and warehouses near the west coast found during recent excavation in Dholavira provide us with the archaeological evidence of sea trade in the remote past of India.

versity. It is also known that famous scholar Kautilya, advisor to Chandragupta Mourya, studied there and so did many Buddhist scholars.

Education General Education Education in Ancient India concentrated on the total development of the student. It therefore included courses related to intellect, physique, character, virtues, duties, languages and development of talents. Subjects as diverse as science, mathematics, grammar, music, language and literature were taught.

Students were encouraged to be thrifty and self-sufficient. Developing self-control and respect for elders was part of the education.

University at Nalanda Started by Kumar Gupta in 5th6th century, Nalanda University – one of the largest at that time - flourished for almost 800 years from 500-1300 A.D. It was situated in the modern day state of Bihar, the ancient Magadha country. It was considered a lighthouse of wisdom and learning. Nalanda was maintained by the revenue from seven villages which were granted by the king.

Nalanda University had a campus one mile in length and a half mile in width. There was a huge library

Grammar for Sanskrit language.

The literature after Panini uses his Ashthadhayi (Sanskrit name of his work).

Scholars believe he lived in fifth century B.C. Panini wrote elaborate rules and grammar for Sanskrit in about 4000 Sutras. This grammar is used even today for learning Sanskrit. According to Sir Monier Williams, “The Panini grammar reflects the wondrous capacity of human brain which, till today, no other country has been able to produce except India.”

Literature Vedas- later compiled and written

by Veda Vyasa-- are the oldest and the longest texts of mankind. Post

Meghaduta, Kumarsambhava and several other epic poems by Kalidasa, Harshcharita and Kadambani

by Bana, Mudrarakshasha by Vishakhadatta, Mahaviracharita, Uttara Ramacharita and Malatimadhava by Bhavabhuti are some of the literary achievements of Ancient India.

Democratic traditions and statecraft Democratic institutions are shaped by the spirit of tolerance and freedom of thought. A unique feature of Hindu belief system is that while they worship God and call Him by different names at the same time they revere everyone else’s understanding of God also. This is the

foundation of secularism and democracy.

These attitudes and beliefs have been the foundation of what the modern day political scientists call limited monarchy. The discussion of democratic institutions in ancient India means covering of the time frame of about 4500 years of known history. It also means that the codes and rules in general usage unified India from the ancient times in spite of the existence of various kingdoms in the country. Dharma and culture were and are the unifying factors.

The codified laws for government were given in the Smritis. “The Smriti of Yajnavalkya gives a list of 20 sages as lawgivers, ‘Manu, Atri, Vishnu, Harita, Yajnavalkya, Usanas, Angiras, Yama, Apastamba, Samvarta, Katyayana, Brihaspati, Parasara, Vyasa, Sankha, Likhita, Daksha, Gautama, Satatapa and Vashishtha, these are the propounders of the Dharmashastras’.

The tradition of codification continued all through the period from around 1000 B.C to 1500 A.D. Documents such as Chanakya’s Artha Shastra written during Chandragupta Mourya’s rule (around 320 B.C.) and Todarananda written by Todarmal during the period of Akbar (16th century) reveal the continuation of that tradition.

Economic organizations and Guilds in ancient India Indian economy all through the millennia after the Mahabharata war flourished in various ways.

Manufacturing steel weapons, tools, textiles, woodwork, construction material and ornaments enriched the kingdoms and provided basic amenities of life to the people.

Varna system provided an efficient economic system in which there was specialization of labor and everyone was gainfully employed.

Observing the ethical mandates of warfare, the warring kingdoms did not destroy the economy of the enemies. Revenue came from agricultural tax, excises and taxes on trade.

Many professions and occupations are mentioned in the Mahabharata. The workers specializing in each profession were organized in what we today call trade unions.

These Guilds were known as srenis.

Kautilya's Arthashastra (4th century B.C) gives a clear idea about the formation and functions of guilds. “In an ideal scheme of a city, sites were reserved for offices and quarters of the guildsmen.

Taxes paid by guilds formed an important source of income to the state. Guilds of a cooperative nature were referred to as Samutthachara.

These guilds supervised community projects of those times.”

54

Patriotism in Films

The celluloid journey of Indian patriotism ince the early days of Independence, B-town has made several films to showcase the pain and torture Indians faced in the dark days of British rule.

Later Manoj Kumar captured many patriotic components in his films.

Films like ‘Shaheed', and later a not so critically acclaimed ‘Kranti', had depicted the emotions attached with independence. In fact Manoj Kumar who played the lead role in the film Shaheed is considered to be one of the pioneer actors who acted in numerous films dedicated to patriotism.

“My all time favorite patriotic song is Aye Watan Aye Watan,” Manoj Kumar said in an inteview to a national news channel recently.

Kumar, who was named Bharat in many films, became a symbol of patriotic films for decades and in every movie that he made, India’s freedom struggle and the battle against extraneous forces became a constant- be it 'Purav Aur Paschim' or 'Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan.'

But apart from the freedom struggle of India, the silver screen has depicted the several battle India is fighting against the social evils and troubles since the time it got independence from their colonial rulers.

‘Mother India‘ which was released in 1957 and featured Sunil Dutt and actor Nargis, in the lead is one such iconic movie that depicted the growth and development of the Indian woman through the lead character Radha. Played by Nargis Dutt, she represented India as a nation in the aftermath of Independence.

Directed by Mehboob Khan the film was India’s first submission

for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1958 and was selected as one of the five nominations for the category.

The Indian directors had also depicted those dark days of wars after Independence in films like ‘Border’, ’LOC Kargil’, ‘Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo’, ‘Lakshya’, ‘Hum Dono’, ‘Tango Charlie’ and ’Vijeta’.

But one should not forget the Chetan Anand movie 'Haqeeqat ' made in 1964. It is perhaps one of the first Hindi war films starring Balraj Sahni, Dharmendra and Priya Rajvansh on the 1962 SinoIndian War backdrop.

The journey of capturing Indian freedom was not an easy one and several people gave their lives to gain it. But amidst those people there were certain icons or heroes who ignited that flame in Indians and helped them take the path of achieving freedom.

From MK Gandhi to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Indian directors have potrayed their lives and their struggles quite efficiently on the cellouloid in these years.

Films like ”Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’, ’Bose – The Forgotten Hero’, ‘Legend of Bhagat Singh’, ‘Mangal Pandey’, ‘Sardar’ have dedicated the lives of these legends who had dedicated their lives in gaining India independence.

In this long journey of Bollywood, the entire concept of patriotism underwent a transformation with time.

As time passed by, directors started to divert from the battles fought for Independence from British to the fight and struggle the independent India has faced at different junctures.

So later films concentrated more

on the battle within and sometimes the enemy is India’s difficult neighbour Pakistan.

So we find a wave of Sunny Doel movies where the enemy is forces in Pakistan. From the period films like the histrionics high “Gadar: Ek Prem Katha”to playing an Indian military officer in Maa Tujhhe Salaam and The Hero: Love Story of a Spy. He also essayed the role of freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad in 23rd March 1931: Shaheed.

From corruption to terrorism, the seventy mm silver screen has depicted stories on several such topics. Films like ‘Swadesh: We the People’, ’Rang De Basanti’, ‘Wednesday’, ‘Roja’, ‘Bombay’ are all patriotic films with different messages.

‘Swadesh: We, the People’ featured SRK in the lead role that depicted the inner battle of an NRI scientist who decided to return back to India after feeling that his country needs his service more than the foreign land.

Directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar the film received good response from the critics and specially the NRI community.

Since 2000, Indian films also depicted the love of Indians and their fight in the sporting fields to conquer the number one position in the filed of sports. And in these films, the period was once again India under British yoke.

Iconic films like ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Chak De India’ potrayed the fight of Indian sportsman for their mother nation.

The character of Bhuvan played

by Aamir Khan in the film ‘Lagaan’ and the character of Kabir Khan portrayed by SRK in ‘Chak De India’ reached cult status.

Manoj Kumar in Purav Aur Paschim

Shah Rukh Khan in Swades.

The poster of Haqeeqat

S

As India turned 64 and the entire nation celebrated Independence day, it is time to look back and remember films that highlighted patriotism on celluloid

a scene from Lagaan

Manoj Kumar in Shaheed

A scene from Mother India

The poster of Border

56

Freedom Trail

Calcutta– City of freedom activists

By Anil Mulchandani olkata is a city that has produced many nationalists – Rabindranath Tagore, Sri Aurobindo, Benoy Basu, Rash Behari Bose, Subhash Chandra Bose, Jogesh Chandra Chattopadhyay, Chittaranjan Das, Jatindra Nath Das, Badal Gupta, Dinesh Chandra Gupta, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Bipin Chandra Pal, Bidhan Chandra Roy and Ashoke Kumar Sen, to name a few.

A shrine to the freedom movement is the Netaji Bhawan, the ancestral house of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. This is where he lived and was put under house arrest till his escape to Berlin in 1941. After that, he moved to Japan-occupied Southeast Asia by submarines (German U-boat U-180 and Japanese submarine I29), organized Indian National Army and fought against British Raj with Imperial Japanese Army. After the Second World War, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru visited the Netaji Bhawan and many dignitaries like the prime minister of Japan Shinzō Abe. The house is a national shrine and visited by thousands from across the world. The Netaji Research Bureau, founded by Dr Sisir Kumar Bose in 1957 is an internationally renowned institute of history, politics and international relations. Its Netaji Museum has many reminders of the Indian independence movement.

Head north from this house to the BBD Bagh, which gets its name from Benoy Basu, Dinesh Chandra Gupta and Badal Gupta, a revolutionary trio who took inspiration from Netaji. Their target was Col NS Simpson, the Inspector General of Prisons, who was infamous for the brutal oppression on the prisoners in the jails. The revolutionaries decided not only to murder him but also attack the Secretariat Building - the Writers' Building in the Dalhousie square in Kolkata.

K

The Rabindra Bharati University From BBD Bagh, walk to the Lal Dighi Tank around which are the magnificent facades of the East India Company’s administrative buildings and the steeples of the British churches like St Andrew’s Kirk which has superbly carved interiors on our right and the St John’s Church some distance away on our left. Rising beside the tank is the Writers Building built in 1777 with a massive Corinthian façade and scores of staircases, where most of the government offices are housed.

Turn from here and you can see majestic Victorian buildings like the GPO, designed by Walter Granville in the 1860s with a huge dome the remarkable Eastern railways building, stock exchange, chamber of commerce, all of which give an idea of how this area must have looked at the height of the Raj. Walk along Strand Road for a view of the Hooghly river.

Continue north to College Street, known for its institutions and book market, and onward to Jorasanko where Rabindranath Tagore lived.

The Tagore Thakurbari is the 18th century mansion built by Tagore’s grandfather, Raja Dwarkanath, with the Rabindra Mancha where he was born in 1861 and died in 1941. The

house is now the Rabindra Bharati Museum which reflects the way the household looked when the Tagore family lived in it, houses Tagore memorabilia and offers details about the history of the Tagore family including its involvement with the Bengal Renaissance and the Brahmo Samaj. The Bengal Renaissance pioneered by Ram Mohan Roy and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar were given a nationalist flavor by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Later writers introduced broad discussion of social problems, like the famous Saratchandra Chatterjee.

The Tagore family had a particular interest in educational reform. Rabindranath Tagore achieved further note when he denounced the British Raj and supported the Indian independence movement. His views have their first poetic release in Manast, mostly composed in his twenties. He emphasized self-help and intellectual uplift of the masses as an alternative to the Swadeshi Chakra Movement, stating that British imperialism was a "political symptom of our social disease", urging Indians to accept that "there can be no question of blind revolution but of steady and purposeful education.’’ The mansion residence of the

Writers' Building from across Lal Dighi in BBD Bagh

The Netaji Bhawan. Netaji Subhashchandra Bose’s car (inset)

The Marble Palace Tagore family is now partly the Rabindra Bharati University founded in 1961-62, to mark the birth centenary of the poet.

Starting from the heart of Kolkata, travel to North Kolkata where you will understand why Kolkata is called the City of Palaces. Among the many palaces of the Rajas of Bengal and Bihar, and mansions of wealthy families the one worth visiting is the Marble Palace which has fine gardens, a large tank, India’s oldest bird aviary, incredible interiors and the collection of the late Raja Rajendra Mullick.

The countryside along the NH2 is one of the most fertile in India with densely planted fields and lots of water bodies, picturesque in the rains. Off the highway, the past sal forests leads to Bolpur and Santiniketan, the famous university started by Rabindranath Tagore who began Patha Bhavana with five pupils learning in a classroom under a tree as he believed learning should be in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful. After he received the Nobel Prize, the experimental school was expanded into a

Visva-Bharati University in 1921.

Among the illustrious students are Indira Gandhi, Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen. The Uttrayan complex where Rabindranath Tagore lived has buildings in different styles, a temple with European stained glass windows but without an idol as the Tagores followed Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s Brahmo Samaj which believes that there is one god who is the creator of the world who is infinite in power, wisdom, love and holiness. Nandlal Bose’s paintings, abstract structures, and classrooms which in keeping with Tagore’s vision are still alfresco. Rabindra Bhavan has a museum with photographs and memorabilia.

While some of the buildings of Santiniketan look rather rundown, Kala Bhavan is a top-class arts institute attracting foreign students. Apart from the university, another attraction is Sri Niketan with its handicrafts and the woodlands of Ballavpur with its deer sanctuary and bird-rich lake. A good combination with Santiniketan is Bishnupur, known for its elaborate temples made from the local red clay.

57

Freedom Trail

Grim reminders of freedom struggle at Port Blair

By Anil Mulchandani y wife and I came to Port Blair with our children in search of the beauties of the coral reefs, white beaches and green islands. But the first day of our trip was the one that woke us up to the British brutalities of the early 20th century.

In 1824, Port Cornwallis was the rendezvous point of the fleet carrying the army to the First AngloBurmese War. The British made the new Andaman settlement and prison an urgent necessity to handle freedom fighters following the Mutiny. Construction began in November 1857 at the renovated Port Blair. The penal colony was originally on Viper Island, named after Lieutenant Blair's vessel, The Viper.

The convicts, mostly political prisoners, suffered life imprisonment in cruel and degrading conditions. Many were hanged, while others died of disease and starvation. Between 1864 and 1867 a pe-

M

nal establishment was also built on the northern side of Ross Island.

As the Indian freedom movement continued to grow in the late 19th Century, an enormous cellular jail was constructed between 1896 and 1906 to house Indian convicts, mostly political prisoners in solitary confinement.

The cellular jail is also known as Kala Pani (translated as "Black Waters"), a name given to it due to the torture and general ill-treatment towards its Indian convicts.

In 1943 and 1944, Port Blair was the headquarter of the Azad Hind movement of Subhash Chandra Bose.

After lunch and resting awhile, we took the Harbor Cruise to the Viper and Ross Islands. Both the islands are relics of the days when Great Andaman comprised penal colonies set up in the 18th century

by Captain Blair in the southeast bay of the Great Andaman which we now know as Port Blair and Admiral Cornwallis who set up Port Cornwallis in northeast Andaman.

Climbing the brick path of Viper Island, we came to the crumbling walls that imprisoned those who tried to escape from the Cellular Jail of Port Blair or even went on protest marches and hunger strikes at the main jail.

The torture areas, whipping posts and gallows are memories of the brutalities that I am sure even the British want to forget they ever committed when ruling India!

Equally brutal are the memories at the Ross Island where iron-fettered and branded convicts of the mutiny were imprisoned, many of them perished from disease or violence soon after their arrival.

This became Rev Corbyn’s Andaman Home for reforming tribal people for some time and then grew into an important military base which a Gujarati co-traveler comments ``gave us an insight into the cruelty of the British in India with colonial grandeur of buildings where grand banquets and balls were held as opposed to the dungeons where convicts languished to death.” During our visit to the colonial buildings of Port

The Ross Island where convicts of Mutiny were imprisoned

Cellular Jail, Port Blair

Light and sound show at Cellular Jail tells stories of British brutality

Blair, it was easy to imagine why this place was called Kalapani.

The Andaman islands were later occupied by Japan during World War II and they caused severe damage to the indigenous groups whom they considered to be helping the British.

Netaji visited the islands during the war, and renamed them as Shaheed (Martyr) and Swaraj (Self-rule). General Loganathan of the Indian National Army was Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands which had been annexed to the Provisional Government.

After the end of the war they returned to British control and the penal settlement was put to an end leaving the isles to peace and tranquility, before becoming part of

India after independence.

Back at the harbor of Port Blair, the driver took us to see the soundand-light show at the Cellular Jail, which is equally grim with a museum exhibiting names of convicts, photographs of Kalapani and torture equipment, badly-ventilated cells and tales of the conditions in which they lived turn your stomach – limited drinking water, cramped spaces, worm and germs infested food and all washing and bathing was done only in the rains.

Executions were common and most convicts died before ending their sentence.

The sound-and-light show was well-attended and the moving commentary really inspired a hatred for colonial rule and a feeling of patriotism.

58

Freedom Trail

Satyagraha in South Gujarat

By Anil Mulchandani araswati Mandir in Surat is not an architecturally impressive building but this goodsized house occupies an important place in the history of Gujarat. This was the house of Narmadashankar Lalshankar Dave, popularly known as Narmad, author, poet, scholar and public speaker of the mid-1800s known for introducing many creative forms of writing in Gujarati.

Five decades before Gandhi or Nehru, Narmad promoted nationalism, patriotism and self-government and the need for a national language. His famous poem, Jai Jai Garavi Gujarat, encompassed cultural symbols that go into constituting the Gujarat identity, regardless of the religious belief, caste or race of the resident of Gujarat. Gandhi acknowledged that his philosophy of non-violence was inspired by Kavi Narmad. In the 1860s, Saraswati Mandir was a gathering

S

place of freedom fighters and nationalists.

A short distance out of Surat, Bardoli was known for its Satyagraha.

In 1925, Bardoli suffered from floods and famine but the Government of the Bombay Presidency refused to reconsider the tax rate which they had increased by 30% that year. Sardar Vallabhai Patel instructed all the farmers of Bardoli taluka to refuse payment of their taxes. The government seized their properties and kept them for auction but did not get any buyers in Gujarat. Angered by the terrible treatment of the protesting farmers, Indian officers resigned their offices and expressed open support of the farmers. In 1928, an agreement was finally brokered by a Parsi member of the Bombay government. The Government agreed to restore the confiscated lands and properties, as well as cancel revenue payment not only for the year but also cancel the 30% raise until after the succeeding

year. Sardar Patel gave the credit to Gandhi's teachings and the farmer’s efforts. Sardar Patel’s position as one of India's most important leaders was consolidated by this movement. Now a prosperous town with a large sugar factory and much inflow of money from Non-resident Gujaratis who have family in Bardoli, it still retains memories of the Satyagraha at the Swaraj Ashram and the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Museum. There is even a Satyagraha Ashram here.

Travel from Bardoli to Dandi, one of the landmarks in India’s freedom

struggle. In March 1930, Mahatma Gandhi began the march from Ahmedabad to Dandi with a band of followers that kept swelling as he headed towards this coastal point near Surat in protest against the unfairness of the act that gave the monopoly of salt production to the British.

On reaching Dandi in April, he picked a handful of salt defying the British law, a simple act that shook the British Empire in India as it got international attention and considerable national support for his freedom struggle effort. Thousands

were arrested following this march and protests followed.

A memorial marks the spot where he picked the handful of salt and there is a picture gallery at Dandi depicting moments from Gandhiji’s life.

The journey from Ahmedabad to Dandi has been declared a heritage route with plans of putting up statues of Mahatma Gandhi and his followers at Dandi and development of 21 places where they stopped on the 386km walk they took between March 12 to April 6 of 1930 as heritage sites.

Prarthana Mandir at Dandi

Salt monument at Dandi

Saraswati Mandir in Surat - House of poet Narmad

60

Freedom Trail

A Gandhian sculptor

By Anil Mulchandani rom the Gandhi Bridge circle at Ahmedabad to the Union Square in USA, 1925-born Kantilal Patel’s bronze sculptures of Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters stand tall. A recipient of Padma Shri in 2004 and Ravi Shankar Raval Award in 1996, Kantilal Patel recently created a bronze statue of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the Father of India’s Space Program, unveiled at the Space Application Center in Ahmedabad.

Says Patel, “I was born in Indonesia where my father was a surgeon.

He had been associated with Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and was impressed by Gandhiji’s beliefs. So he enrolled me in Gujarat Vidyapith, which was founded by Gandhiji. I hardly heard from or saw my father after that because of World War-II.” As his art skills were appreciated, Patel went to study art at Sir J.J. School of Applied Arts in Mumbai and then to an art college In Buldhana district of Maharashtra. During his years in Maharashtra, Patel met Mahatma Gandhi at his Sevashram in Wardha and had the opportunity to sketch the father of the nation. “I was deeply impressed by the Mahatma’s vision during the 11 days at Wardha. Mahatma’s dream for an independent India, his ideals of simple living and high thinking, were awe inspiring, ” says Patel. Inspired by Gandhi’s principles, Patel became part of the Quit India Movement and went to jail in 1944 at the young age of 16.

“After my studies, my gurus told me that I must not give up sculpting, I must not become a teacher in an art school and I must never ask for work but wait for orders. My first life-size statue of Vitthalbhai Patel was installed in Nadiad in 1948. Bhaikaka and Ravi Shankar Raval invited me to stay at Vallabh Vidyanagar. I stuck to these principles through my 19 years in Vallabh Vidhyanagar, where many of my sculptures stand at the Sardar Patel University,” he says, adding, “hu-

F

Kantilal Patel with his work of art man figures have always been my forte and subject of interest and I have specialized in making sculptures of people whom I consider great.”

From the historic Union Square park of New York where his Gandhi statue stands from 1986 to the one at Rajghat in Delhi, Patel’s sculptures have traveled places. But the artist is quick to add that he has made more sculptures of Sardar Patel then Mahatma Gandhi.

His home-cum-studio on a busy road in Ahmedabad is full of plaster models of the sculptures he has created of Swami Vivekanand, Lal Bhadur Shastri, Vikram Sarabhai, Albert Einstein, Adi Shankracharya, Mhatma Gandhi, among others. “I enjoyed working on sculptures of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose who is one of the most charismatic people I have met, Narayan Swami whose sculpture I created for his ashram in Kumaon, Ramakrishna and holy mother Sharda whose busts I made for their Ahmedabad ashram, among others,” he adds. They are installed across the globe — New Jersey,

South America, Kenya, Italy, UK and almost in all states in India.

“My sculptures are made on the basis of available photographs, preferably in all possible angles for a multi-dimensional view. I use the millennia-old wax process for all

my sculptures,” says Patel.

Patel’s entire studio is designed with a floor plan that allows for considerable storage of molds and finished pieces. It has tool racks on the wall, high ceilings for crane systems, seating arrangements for

workers and his own foundry with extra large doors for transportation of equipment and sculptures. “Not only have the artists from across India admired my workshop for its systematic detailing and design but even some Russian artists who visited recently said that they have rarely seen such an organized workshop and well-kept foundry,” adds a proud Patel.

A recipient of many awards and honor including the Padma Shri, Patel is most proud of his contribution to art and society. “As a follower of Gandhi, I believe strongly in his philosophy of Trusteeship, that wealth must not be held for selfish satisfaction or in disregard of the interests of the society,” he says. In keeping with that, the verdant chikoo grove in the compound is the site for artists’ workshops and Patel has donated many of his works for philanthropic causes.

Currently, the sculptor is giving finishing touches to his will. “I live in this house with my sister and am in the process of refining my will towards the betterment of art.

I want to donate my works to academies, art schools and museums,” he says.

Aga Khan Palace in Pune now houses Gandhi memorial

62

Freedom Trail

Historic city of Pune

By Anil Mulchandani une may be well known for its universities and IT parks but its heart beats in the walled city, established by the Marathas and the center of social reformers and freedom fighters like Lokmanya Tilak, Vitthal Ramji Shinde, Dhondo Keshav Karve and Jyotirao Phule. This was the city of the Maratha warrior Shivaji, who spent his boyhood here and saw its development after becoming Chattrapati (ruler) and from the 1730s it was the domain of the Peshwas, Brahmin Prime Ministers to the Chattrapatis who began commanding Maratha armies and later became the hereditary rulers of the Maratha empire from 1749 to 1818 after the fall of the Mughal Empire. In this part of the city are the `peths’, neighborhoods with old houses called Wadas often featuring carved balconies and ornate facades that have their rooms around open courtyards for temperature control, shading narrow lanes that lead between public squares called `chowks,’ traditional markets and historical buildings.

As this part of central Pune city

P

can get very congested during working hours, we took an early morning start in an autorikshaw from our hotel to Shaniwarwada, the 1736 AD palace built by Bhaji Rao, one of the best known of the Peshwas and Maratha generals credited with expanding the Maratha empire to its zenith. The palace is entered through huge teakwood gateways – the main gate called Delhi Darwaja is doublestorey and guarded by spikes to repel elephant attacks. The tall and imposing ramparts contain ruins of what was once a seven-storey palace with hall of mirrors, baths called Hamams, the dancing pavilion called Mastani Mahal, flamboyant interiors and hundreds of jetfountains before it was destroyed by fires in the 19th century. Today, only the foundations remain, rising like rocky outcrops from the sprawling lawns and a few rooms like the music hall. There is a good view of the layout of the palace complex from the ramparts – to get an insight into the history of the Peshwas of Pune visit at night when there is a soundand-light show in the gardens.

From Saniwar Wada, we walked

into the lanes where we saw many traditional temples. The Shrimant Dagdu Sheth Ganpati Mandir, while architecturally nondescript is of historic significance as it was where a sweets vendor named Shrimant Dagdu gave a call of large gatherings during the Ganpathi Chaturthi celebrations to create unity among the people of Maharashtra during the freedom struggle at the instance of Lokmanya Tilak, an independence fighter and social leader of the late-1800s.

From here, we took Bhaji Rao Road to one of Pune’s top draws, the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum. This is one of the most inspiring museums in India, exhibiting a selection of about 2000 pieces from the huge collection of the late Dr Dinkar Kelkar (an award winning poet who passed away in 1990) and his wife, Kamala, over 60 years of travel across India to small villages, towns and remote regions. The bewildering variety of artifacts are specially interesting as many of them relate to the use of art in the daily life of an Indian family and could be found in houses even today – the Kelkars’ passion for art and even his sense of

The Shaniwarwada palace built by Bhaji Rao

Art in daily life: Artifacts at Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum humor are reflected in the way he has found beauty and artistry in everyday utensils and objects. Dedicated to the memory of their only son, Raja, the museum was donated to the government by the Kelkars.

The exhibits are contained in an old three-storey building of Shukrawar Peth. Walking through the museum, we saw carved wooden doors and windows from Gujarat, Rajasthan and other parts of India, wooden toys, oil lamps, coconut scrappers, hookahs, pots, vessels, containers, locks and locking devises, ornamented implements, ornate nut crackers in strange shapes and sizes, paan boxes, each designed for its use. The lock exhibition includes puzzle locks or trick locks, in unusual shapes with hidden mechanisms that involve knowing a process to open them.

The passion for the paan can be seen in the intricately carved boxes that contained leaves and nuts, the perforated boxes with exquisite latticework in which leaves could be kept fresh and betel nutcrackers in shapes like embracing couples, horseback riders or human figures.

Many of these objects and utensils show the culture of the part of India from where they originated.

Besides household tools, the collection includes Chitrakathi narrative scroll paintings including some fine scrolls from Paithan near Aurangabad, an excellent textile collection and musical instruments.

The Vanita Kaksha is a room dedicated to the life of an Indian

woman. As the Saniwar Wada Palace is reduced to foundations, you can see a replica of the Mastani Mahal dancing hall in this museum.

A left turn from this museum brought us to one of the most attractive building facades we saw in Pune – Visramwada, with beautiful woodcarvings on the entrance and balcony.

From here, we took an auto-rikshaw across the river to Pune’s Aga Khan Palace. Drawn to Pune’s horse racing lifestyle, Aga Khan built this palace in the 1860s blending European, Indian and Islamic elements.

Mahatma Gandhi was placed under house arrest at this palace in the 1940s. It was here that his wife Kasturba and close associate Mahadev Desai died of dysentery. The Samādhi built as their memorials are designed by well-known architect, Charles Correa.

The palace now has a museum chronicling the life of Gandhi, Kasturba and Mahadev Desai, with an exhibition of photographs, utensils, clothes, mala, chappals and a letter written by Mahatma Gandhi on the death of Mahadev Desai.

Since 1980, the museum, samadhis and campus of the Aga Khan Palace has been managed by the Gandhi Memorial Society, headquartered in Pune, with exhibitions and other events held on a regular basis to evoke memories of the Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom struggle.

This palace was a location for the 1982 biographical film, Gandhi.

64

Cartoons

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Satish Acharya is a self-taught cartoonist who quit MBA (finance) to pursue his passion for cartooning. His cartoons are regularly published in Mid-Day.They can be viewed online on http://cartoonistsatishacharya.blogspot.com/

65

Humor

Humor with Melvin Durai

Corruption doesn’t stop at the border n Indian-American friend of mine was grumbling about corruption in India, blaming it for the country's slow development and the reluctance of NRIs to invest in the economy. "Everyone in India accepts bribes," he complained.

I asked him about his sister in Bangalore. He said she's still waiting for her green card, though he sponsored her 15 years ago. "No one in America accepts bribes," he complained.

Of course, he was exaggerating -- on both counts. Not everyone in India accepts bribes. In fact, the National AntiCorruption Committee (NACC) has compiled a list of government officials who have never accepted bribes and hopes to give awards -- perhaps even gold watches -- to both of them.

If you want to know the names of these honest officials, just send a selfaddressed stamped envelope to NACC -- and don't forget to include a token of your appreciation, preferably in the form of cash. The more you pay, the more likely the response.

A

Truth be told, there are hundreds of millions of people who have never accepted bribes. They are known as THE POOR. Though they have little money, some have to pay off others just to maintain their basic needs, such as a good spot on the pavement.

Corruption, unfortunately, extends into every sphere of life and is almost unavoidable. Money can get you just about anything: a good job, a good education, a good Internet connection.

From the lofty chief ministers to the lowly street sweepers, everyone has a price. And being caught on tape accepting a bribe won't necessarily jeopardize your career, especially if you can find someone else to bribe.

Even if you've just stuffed thousands of rupees into your pockets, you can plead your innocence. "This is not a bribe. This is a donation. I am a very honest person. As a wise man once said, it pays to be honest."

Yes, corruption is a serious problem, but despite what some believe, India is not the most corrupt country in the

world. That distinction belongs to Bangladesh, which finished dead last among 91 countries surveyed for the 2002 Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International.

India ranked 71st, while Pakistan was 79th, allowing Indian politicians to brag that they're more honest than their neighbors. "If you want to see real corruption, just cross the border.

Even husbands have to bribe wives just to have children."

Finland was the least corrupt country, while the U.S. finished 16th.

America was ranked high partly because its politicians don't accept bribes. They accept "campaign contributions."

Whether or not we want to admit it, some of us wish we could get away with more "contributions" in America.

Immigration officer: "Welcome to America, Mr. Gopal. Do you have a visa?"

Gopal: "No, sir, but I have a MasterCard. What can I buy for you?"

Officer: "Just leave the card with

me, Mr. Gopal. I like to do my own shopping. It will save you some trouble."

Gopal: "That is very kind of you, sir.

And I'm sure you will also be kind to the next 200 people in line. They are my relatives. I'm sponsoring them with that MasterCard."

Laughter is the Best Medicine

by Mahendra Shah Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

66

Astrology

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma

Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874; Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898, 2648 9899; psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com

Stars Foretell: August 20-26, 2011 Aries: This week your efforts would gain momentum if you listen to what experienced people have to say.

Your financial future is looking brighter and gains from the most unexpected sources seem to come your way. Friends would try to exploit you emotionally which would make you irritated and upset. Children would bring in pleasure but health of your spouse might bring some tension and anxiety. Despite the hectic schedule that you might follow this week, your health remains stable.

Taurus: This week you would accomplish a great deal if you focus your energy towards your goal.

Support of an influential person will bring remarkable changes and a big boost to your career.

Gifts and favours from your loved ones will brighten up your days.

Spouse and children need extra attention.

Consider a conservative investment that will stay solid when everything else gets sour.

Gemini: This week your determination and sheer desire to do things your own way would make you successful.

Your ideas and knowledge would impress people around you.

Lectures, seminars and functions that you attend during this period would help you make important contacts.

Investments and speculation would bring in the desired returns.

Marriage proposals would materialize for some and others would get involved into romantic relationships.

Cancer:This week travelling would turn out to be more exciting than you might imagine. You will meet interesting people and learn new things. Enhancement in your financial status is evident, provided you act smart and take your opportunities seriously. Spouse would be understanding and highly supportive. Health of your parents could cause some worry.

Financial losses are likely if you take hasty investment decisions.

Leo: This week difficulties with business or personal relationships are likely.

Keep your cool and do not get carried away with emotions.

Blessings from a spiritual person seem evident later in the week. Do not overlook from your responsibility to educate good manners and religious thoughts into your children. Your involvement in-group events could lead to a new romantic development. Avoid lending or borrowing money in this period.

Virgo: This week don’t look for trouble at work. It would be best for you if you simply avoid situations that could lead to outburst of temper.

Visit to sanctum and blessing from a religious person brings comfort and peace of mind. New plans and projects would seem highly alluring, but instant gains don’t seem possible. Great period for lawyers, consultants and brokers.

Financial gains also for businessmen and professionals from unexpected sources.

Libra: This week your partner would be very jealous if you pay unwanted attention to somebody else. Health definitely should be on top priority this week.

Don’t burden yourself with extra work, as it would seriously effect your health. Seek help from other family members to complete pending jobs. Friends would come out with thrilling new proposals and plans. Some outstanding payment might get delayed.

Scorpio: This week your home environment may be volatile if precautions aren’t taken.

Avoid any hasty and rash decisions that might leave you regretting in the long run.

Financial matters that have been disturbing your peace of mind should settle down. A friend might approach you for temporary financial assistance. Call on people you haven’t spoken to for a long time. Avoid late night travelling.

Sagittarius: This week your energy would be high and you would feel strong enough to face any challenges.

Recognition and rewards for sportsmen, media personalities and artists.

Your financial position will improve but you need to control your expenses.

Children would keep you busy and would be highly affectionate and caring.

Expecting mothers need to take extra care of their health.

Capricorn: This week business trip might prove unproductive. Empty promises are certain, therefore try to put your terms and conditions in writing. Assets purchased during this period would enhance financial security and prosperity.

Romance is in the air, but be certain that this does not effect your work schedule. Health of some near one, could be your child, bring some tension. New friendship would be long lasting.

Aquarius: New moneymaking opportunities would flourish through your interaction with influential people.

Don’t let others take you for granted and put your foot down whenever necessary.

Work pressure at office and difficulties with seniors might ruin your peace of mind. Certain ventures might get postponed due to financial constraints. Overall health should be fine, but minor ailments may not be ruled out.

Pisces:Fresh obstacles might come in your way where career and success are concerned. Seek advice from seniors and colleagues to help you complete pending jobs.

Resist overspending on luxury items and save as much as possible.

Property related matters would work to your benefit. Visit to a spiritual person for some spiritual gains will prove blissful. Your personality will easily attract members of the opposite sex

Annual Predictions: For those born in this week August 20: Ruled by number 2 and the Moon, you are highly imaginative, practical, emotional, honest, simple and generous person. You are very shrewd businessmen. You search out for best bargains before you invest your hard earned money, but you need to check your tendency to behave jealous and hypocrite at times. Although your employer would consider you a great asset and would be pleased with your performance but rewards would fall short of your expectations. It is likely that you would work on more than one important project and would lay the foundation stone for excellent future income. You would also invest more time and money on education or improvement of skills. Your spouse would be your best friend and the two of you would have memorable time together. The months of October, February and April will be highly eventful.

August 21 Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you are energetic, honourable, ambitious, dignified and an intelligent person. You are the one who never gets bored as you always find new and interesting things to keep yourself busy. You are full of life and you have the ability to pep up the atmosphere around you, but you need to check your tendency to behave over ambitious and dictatorial at times. This year you would be part of an important delegation. You would hold additional responsibilities and take decisions, which would be highly crucial. Your responsibilities would increase and it's likely you would move into a new management position. Real

estate matters would take shape. The months of Aug, October, February, April will be highly significant.

August 22: Dominated by number 4 and the planet Uranus, you are simple, energetic, authoritative, jovial, reliable and highly systematic person. You possess a persuasive and magnetic personality. You have a great potential to handle complicated tasks and you seldom complain, but you need to check your tendency to behave vindictive, timid and spendthrift at times.

This year brings in appreciation and rewards that you deserve. Investments in real estate during this year will prove highly rewarding. However indulging in speculation will be detrimental and should be avoided. Legal disputes, which have been bothering your mind, will settle amicably to your satisfaction. Children will be a major source of happiness and spouse will keep you happy. Health of your parents will suffer due to stress, and rise in family medical expenses will bother your mind. The months of September, November, April and May will be highly important and eventful.

August 23: Ruled by number 5 and the planet Mercury. You are practical, sensitive, friendly, diplomatic and an optimistic person. You possess a sharp memory, excellent health, and a powerful character. You are highly respected in your group and people look up to you for inspiration and support, but you need to check your tendency to behave restless, nervous and timid at times. This year brilliant opportunities will come your way but you need to grab them before others.

Financial gains will accrue from past investments. A wonderful period to do things that you enjoy and make you feel good. A distant journey for pleasure or pilgrimage seems likely later in the year. Your health will remain good but health of an aged family member will become a matter of concern. New friendship and contacts developed during this period will be highly worthwhile. The months of August, October, February and April will be eventful.

August 24: Influenced by number 6 and the planet Venus. You are highly energetic, independent, ambitious and charming person. You are fond of socializing with people, who are well educated, intelligent and hold important positions in the society. You can easily make friends, but you need to check your tendency to behave moody, stubborn and lazy at times. The year promises to bring you physical as well as financial benefits. Your energy will be high and will bring you immense gains. Speculation in real estate will yield handsome returns. Distant travel will be undertaken for business purpose as well as pleasure.

Children need to concentrate more on their career.

Health despite some initial hiccups will be more or less fine. You need to spend time on meditation and yoga for remarkable gains. The months of October, January and Aug will be highly significant and result oriented.

August 25: Governed by number 7 and the planet Neptune. You are independent, brilliant, quick, confident and friendly person. You are very cheerful and pleasant

person and posses as excellent sense of humour. You dislike office politics, arguments and confrontation, but you need to check your tendency to behave jealous, introvert and selfish at times. The coming year promises new hope and possibilities. Your gains will commensurate according to your efforts, but luck will definitely be on our side. Your imagination and skills will do wonders for you and your creativity will be at all time high. Your best opportunities will develop through your association with people who hold position of authority. Sudden gains and losses are foreseen, therefore do not indulge into hasty speculation. Children will bring happy news later in the year. The month of September, November, March and April will be eventful months.

August 26: Ruled by number 8 and the planet Saturn. You are assertive, cheerful, confident, authoritative and enthusiastic person. You are gifted with strong intuition, a lot of talent and a remarkable imagination.

You are simple and honest, but you need to control your tendency to behave erratic, hypocrite and ungrateful at times. This year investments will bring you fresh gains and you will spend more on luxuries and other comforts. Romantic entanglement will be pleasant and chances to enter into a matrimonial alliance will be very strong. Religious feelings will arise making you embark on a pilgrimage later in the year. Expect gifts and goodies both in cash and kind, but some unexpected expenses will take you by surprise. The months of October, December, January and April will especially be significant.

68

Spiritual Awareness

Clutching and Letting Go This article has been selected and reprinted from Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s book, ‘Spiritual Pearls for Enlightened Living’ - an inspirational collection of stories from the world’s great wisdom traditions.

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj nce upon a time, there was a man who lived alone. He kept his money in a special jar so that no one could steal it. One day, while the man was out farming his land, a thief broke into his house. Looking for something to steal, he came across a heavy stone jar. He could barely jiggle it to hear the coins inside. He could not lift the jar. So the man stuck his hand in the jar to take out the money. His hand fit perfectly into the jar.

The man grabbed as much money as he could, holding it in his fist. But when he tried to pull out his hand, it would not come out. He tried his hardest to pull out his hand, but the fist made his hand wider. While holding the money, he could not get it through the neck of the jar. He let go of the money and his hand was freed to come out of the jar. But he was intent upon having the money, so he tried again and again. Each time he enclosed the coins in his fist, his

O

hand was too wide to be removed from the jar.

Suddenly, he heard the owner coming home. He knew that if he did not get his hand out of the jar, he would be caught. But he was so intent upon trying to get the money out that he would not give up. The result was that the man came in, caught him and had him arrested.

We too are like the thief in the story.

Desires cause us to be caught with our hand in the jar. Desires keep us bound to this world. It is only by letting go of the things of this world that we can be free. We need to stop clutching for whatever binds us as prisoners of our desires so we can enjoy true freedom. We need to stop clutching and let go. Then we will find the joy of freedom.

What kind of joy did the thief have in his pursuit of the money? Instead he ended up a prisoner in the jail. We too are like prisoners in the jail of this physical world. We spend all our time going after things that will not give us happiness. Whatever material gains we have in the world can lead us to more bondage if we are attached to them. For example, if we want a big house, we have to work longer hours to pay for its mortgage.

Then we need to fill it up with more and more furniture. That will take more time to work to pay for it, shop to buy it, and then to

clean and repair everything. Before we know it, the house that was supposed to bring us pleasure has made us a slave to it.

We no longer have time for our family, our children, or pursuits that will give us more fulfillment. We spend all our time going after things that may not give us true and lasting happiness.

Similarly, we may want to buy a computer to keep up with the latest technology. We then find ourselves working harder to buy all the right software and equipment to make it work. Soon we realize that we are not happy with a simple computer. We want to upgrade to a faster and more elaborate computer. Next, we find the computer that was supposed to save us time is taking up all our time. We end up spending hours learning to use the computer. We spend hours exploring

the Internet. The e-mail system that was supposed to make communications faster is taking more and more of our time. Suddenly, we find fifty people e-mailing us daily and they expect an instantaneous response.

If we do not respond right away they accuse us of being nonresponsive and indifferent. Soon, we are spending hours on the computer. We have become slaves to our possessions.

How can we end our bondage? We need to let go and be free. When we can let go of our desires for impermanent gains, we can be free. Then, our soul can experience the love and beauty that God has to offer.

True happiness comes when we connect with the source of joy within us—our soul and God. To do so, we must turn our attention from the worldly enticements and listen to our soul. Beautiful melodies of God are playing within us all the time.

Light and love are shining within us. By turning our attention from the world, we are releasing our hold on the coins that keep our hand stuck in the jar. By letting go, we are gaining eternal freedom.

By sitting in meditation, free from all worldly desires and attachments, we can let go and find ourselves free to soar back to God. Visit www.sos.org

Finding a True Friend

By Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj rue friends are those who stand by you always. They will sacrifice themselves for you, and are people on whom you can always rely. True friends listen to your problems and share your burdens. Truly, if we have even one real friend in life, we are lucky.

If we think about our childhood friends, how many are still with us now? Have we parted ways already?

Perhaps they have moved away, or we have lost contact with them. Let us consider our close friends today. Can we imagine that they, too, will one day be parted from us just as those friends from our childhood are gone?

Even if we have one close friend, or even a few, they can only be with us up to our last breath, or their last breath. They can only remain with us in this life and cannot help us in the moment of our greatest need—the time of death.

In this connection, there is an interesting story from the Hindu scriptures.

There was a learned pundit who was the personal minister of King Prikshat.

Each day the minister would read out

T

the scriptures to the king. The particular scripture said that whoever hears the scriptures will receive spiritual liberation and enlightenment. Month after month, the king listened to the scriptures read by the minister.

However, he did not attain liberation.

One day, the king sat down and thought, “Here I am—listening to these scriptures every day, and I am not yet spiritually liberated. The scriptures say that whoever listens to these holy writings will receive salvation once and for all but I have not.”

Therefore, the king called the minister and said, “Look here. I have heard these scriptures so many times and have not attained liberation. I will give you one more chance to read these scriptures to me from end to end. If I am not liberated after that, you will be put to death.” Trembling in his shoes, the minister began the task of re-reading the scriptures to the king. By the sixth day he was nearing the end of the scriptures, and the king was not satisfied. Fearing that on the seventh day he would be put to death, the minister sat down in his home and started to cry. “Why are you so sad?” asked his daughter when she saw him.

The ministered explained the situa-

tion to her, “The scriptures say that whoever reads them will be liberated.

However, I know that the king is not liberated, nor am I liberated.

Therefore, tomorrow, I will be put to death.”

The daughter was wise and had an idea. “Do not worry,” she said.

“Tomorrow I will speak to the king.”

On the following day, the minister’s daughter asked for an audience with the king.

“Why have you come?” he questioned her.

She told him, “I have come to reply to the question that you have asked of my father. But to do this, you and I must go together to the wilderness.”

The king was perplexed, but agreed to go along with her plan. The girl then sent for her father. She brought along two ropes and when they reached the wilderness she tied the king to one tree and her father to another tree.

Both were then bound, hand and foot.

The king was wondering what all this meant when the girl asked, “Father, can you kindly unbind the king over there?”

The minister replied, “I am already bound! How can I free him?”

The girl asked, “Your Majesty, will

you kindly unbind my father?”

The king replied, “Foolish girl, don’t you see that I am bound? How can a bound man unbind another?”

That is all she wanted to hear and said, “Then how can you expect my father, who is not free himself, to liberate you spiritually?” The king himself had answered the dilemma in which he had placed the minister.

With that understanding, the king spared the life of the minister.

At the time of death, we all depart by ourselves. No friends of this world can help us. They can sit by our bedside and hold our hand but they can neither protect us from death nor accompany us. Knowing this, we still put our reliance on people of this world. Looking back at the friendships we have had in our lives, how many of them led us closer to God, and how many of them have taken us away from God? What kind of friend should we look for then? To be truly awakened spiritually, we should seek the friendship of the Lord.

We have only a set number of breaths to reunite our soul with God. Let us do everything possible to attain that goal. The best way to reach the Lord is through meditation, sweet

remembrance and selfless service.

These activities safeguard us from being pulled away by distractions of the world. If we do these things then we will be ready at the time of our death. Having mastered the art of rising above body-consciousness (by meditating daily on the inner Light and Sound of God) , we will know what awaits us in the Beyond.

Befriending God makes our spirit soar. Waves of divine love make our soul rise to the eye-focus where we see tremendous Light. Is there any love or friendship of the world that can bring us to the eye-focus and make us rise above physical bodyconsciousness? Only the love of the Lord can make us wide awake—not only in this world, but wide awake into the Beyond. www.sos.org