Wednesday, December 30, 2009

PANCHAAMRITAM 101 - 110


PANCHAAMRITAM 101


Poornima, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya Karthigai 18 (December 4, 2006)

ONE

Meet Shri. A.S. Sreedhran,48. For over 25 years, this courteous marketing manager maintains smooth neighbourliness through Yoga. Particularly through its healing touch. He helped cultivate a daily habit of yoga in a friend’s life and the latter was cured of a chronic piles complaint. The family of the friend took to yoga. Another friend of Sreedharan was out of job and so was depressed. Regular Yoga practice in the presence of this ever obliging neighbor saw the gentleman freed of depression and his pleasing disposition in an interview won him a better perch. No wonder, this friend’s family members too became votaries of Yoga. These are just two examples of transformation that Sreedharan’s silent selfless service has brought about in a number of families in Triplicane, Chennai, where he lives. It was in the fitness of things that he was honoured last month by the Srinivasa Young Men’s Association, a social service organization. He gratefully looks back to those days when he was learning Yoga under the watchful eyes of Dr. H.R. Nagendra of Vivekananda Kendra.

As told to Team Panchaamritam, Idea: Shri Gopi

TWO

A contrived mariner's compass was used by Indian navigators nearly 1500 to 2000 years ago. This has in fact been the suggestion of a European expert, Mr. J. L. Reid, who was a member of the Institute of Naval Architects and Shipbuilders in England at around the beginning of the present century. This is what Mr. Reid has said in the Bombay Gazetteer, vol. xiii., Part ii., Appendix A. "The early Hindu astrologers are said to have used the magnet, in fixing the North and East, in laying foundations, and other religious ceremonies. The Hindu compass was an iron fish that floated in a vessel of oil and pointed to the North. The fact of this older Hindu compass seems placed beyond doubt by the Sanskrit word Maccha Yantra, or fish machine, which Molesworth gives as a name for the mariner's compass". It is significant to note that these are the words of a foreign Naval Architect and Shipbuilding Expert. It is quite possible that the Machha Yantra was transmitted to the west by the Arabs to give us the mariner's compass of today.

SAMBHASHANA SANDESHAH, December 2006/www.indiafirstfoundation.org

THREE

IT is a rare saga of the kindness of human spirit that has survived government changes across the centuries. The story of Monegar Choultry is about the spirit of giving that is ingrained in the Indian psyche. For nearly 225 years, this asylum near Stanley Medical College in Mint (Royapuram), Chennai, has been functioning as a shelter for the destitute. It was set up in 1782 to feed the poor during the great famine. Today it is home to elders rejected by their family. The asylum has 65 inmates, 35 of them women. Government officials hold positions of power at the asylum. But funding continues to come largely from the nearby Marwari and the Gujarati families. Most of the inmates help Kamalamma with her daily chores in keeping the asylum clean. Kamalamma is 74 and has served at the asylum for 34 years Sai Baba devotees organise lecture sessions. Despite its proximity to the hospital, the elderly men and women have to get admitted for treatment. The hospital rules require that every patient should have an attendant. Shri. Vasu, the manager, feels volunteers could help by sitting with patients. At present the inmates help each other but they are too old and frail. One of the rules of the asylum is that relatives will not receive the body after death. It is handed over to the Anatomy Department of the Stanley Medical College. Based on a report by Smt. R.Sujatha in THE HINDU, October 26, 2006.

FOUR

A. Industrialist Ratan Tata has been appointed to an influential advisory council set up to advise the British government on business-related issues. Besides Mr. Tata, the first 12 members of the International Business Advisory Council include Microsoft chairman Bill Gates and James Wolfensohn the former president of the World Bank. The council will advise the British government over the next three years on how to respond to the challenges of globalization to ensure that Britain continues to be a top location for international companies. (SANGH SANDESH, London, March-April 2006). B. In a rare distinction, the House of Commons (UK) has congratulated NRI industrialist Lord Swaraj Paul on his appointment as the first Chancellor of the prestigious University of Westminster.The House also applauded Lord Paul for becoming the first person to be Chancellor of two Universities simultaneously -- Westminster and Wolverhampton. It wished him well in his tenure as chairman of the London 2012 Olympic Delivery Committee. The Westminster University has some 24,000 students including many from India and other 150 countries. (THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS, October 19, 2006).

FIVE

President of Bharat Shri. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on November 1, 2006, lavished praise on veteran Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Shri. Nanaji Deshmukh, commending to the nation the litigation-free model of resolving disputes Nanaji had devised. This model has ensured that the 80 villages around Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh where Deshmukh is based, 'are almost litigation-free', the President noted while delivering the 12th Justice Sunanda Bhadare Memorial Lecture on 'Judiciary and its multi-dimensions'. 'In Chitrakoot, I met Nanaji Deshmukh and his team members belonging to the Deendayal Research Institute (DRI). DRI is a unique institution developing and implementing a village development model which is most suited for India,' the President said. 'The villagers have unanimously decided that no dispute finds its way to court. The differences are sorted out amicably in the village itself. The reason given by Nanaji Deshmukh is that if the people fight among themselves, they have no time for development,' the President added. www.haindavakeralam.org / IANS November 1, 2006.

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PANCHAAMRITAM 102

Amavaasya, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya Margazhi 5 (December 20, 2006)

ONE

Though the family structure has been changing, the family and a spiritual bent of mind would be two critical factors in caring for elders, Peter Whitehouse, Director Integrative Studies, Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, U.S., said while delivering the Eighth E.S. Krishnamoorthy Memorial Lecture on November 12 in Chennai titled, `Whose life is it anyway? Ethical issues in caring for elderly people'. The programme was organised by the Neurosciences India Group. Prof. Whitehouse said, as opposed to the western notions of a highly individualistic family, it was the eastern model of the "self, embedded in relationship with others" family and community, which would play a crucial role in taking care of the aged. Based on a report in THE HINDU, November 13, 2006.

TWO

Nearly 5000 Chennai policemen - that is 1/3 of the city police force - are observing Vrat to go to Sabarimala. Sabarimala devotees are called Ayyappa Swamis. Police Ayyappa Swamis say that they are happily observing the Vrat, since a respect is earned from the public as well as from their bosses. Further, they say that it gives lot of mental peace and they are rejuvenated. Based on a report in THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS, December 16, 2006.

THREE

The wedding of Shri. George Wanderword of USA with Smt. Elena Patrona of Russia was performed at Agra, Bharat, on November 19 in true Hindu style with chanting of Vedic mantras. 62 year old George and 53 year old Elena are meteorological researchers. It was when George was in Russia on an assignment, that he fell in love with Elena. On an earlier visit to Bharat 4 years back, he was impressed with the Hindu marriage rituals and hence opted for a Hindu wedding, says George. DINAMANI November 21, 2006.

FOUR

Shri. Nikunj Bhai Soni has so far donated blood 98 times. His desire: to donate upto 150 times. Now, more about Soni: one leg of this Hindu activist of Karnavati (Ahmedabad) had to be amputated following a gun shot injury in police firing during the Navnirman agitation in 1974. It was during that surgery that he faced a lot of trouble arranging blood. Then and there he decided to donate blood during rest of his life. His handicap did not deter him from his resolve to serve society.

From RASHTRA DEV, Hindi fortnightly of Bareily, December 15, 2006.

FIVE

It was the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) in the year 1323 CE. The residents of Srirangam (one of the 108 Vasihnavite Divya Deshams) had assembled in the temple to celebrate a festival for Lord Aazahgiya Manavalan (Vishnu), when a washerman came running to convey the news that the Sultanate forces from Delhi had camped at Kannanore (now Samayapuram) and were planning to attack the Srirangam temple the next day. They wanted to seize the utsava idols, which they believed was made of `aparanji' gold (a very high grade gold). Pillailokacharya made quick decisions. He ordered the elders, women and children to cross the Kaveri river and run away into the forests. After constructing a stone wall in the sanctum sanctorum, to protect the main deity, he placed the utsava idols in a closed palanquin and fled Srirangam. Twelve thousand residents of Srirangam, mainly youth, under the leadership of Sudarshana Acharya and his two sons, formed a human chain blocking the entry of invaders, giving Pillailokacharya time to take away the idols to safety. All these 12,000 Hindus were massacred. Vedanta Desika smeared blood over his body and lay amongst the heap of bodies pretending to be dead. Meanwhile, Pillailokacharya had travelled hundreds of miles to reach Jyotishkudi near Aazhagar Koil in Madurai, where he hid the idols in a cave. But he had fallen ill in the process and died chanting the name of the Lord but not before getting a promise from his disciples that the deity would be restored to His rightful place. It was 48 years later, in 1371 CE, that Kambanna of Vijayanagara Kingdom restored the Lord to the Srirangam temple. To recall the sacrifice made by Pillailokacharya and to celebrate his 800th birth anniversary, the Kinchithkaram Trust organised a week-long festival from November 8, 2005.

Based on a report by Shri. T.A. Narasimhan in THE HINDU, November 18, 2005.

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PANCHAAMRITAM 103

Poornima, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya Margazhi 19 (January 3, 2007)

ONE

Shanmugapriya, 22, of Periyapalayam and Franklin, 28 of Tiruvallur were in love. She is a B.Tech and he, a car driver. Parenets of both the boy and girl were vehemently opposed to their love. So, the young ones formalised their wedding at the Registrar’s office in Chennai on November 1, 2006. Parents of the girl lodged a complaint with the Tiruvallur police that the car driver had abducted Shanmugapriya. Going by this complaint, the police arrested Franklin’s parents. The girl’s parents threatened the boy’s parents with murder. Terrified,.the newly wed couple decided to end their lives. On November 3, they both attempted to commit suicide at the Kasimod fishing harbour. Fishermen, who noticed this, saved the boy and girl and took them to the George Town magistrate court, seeking protection to the couple’s lives.

Based on a report in DINAMALAR, November 5, 2006

TWO

Auto (autorikshaw) driver Shri.Danasekaran of Mandaiveli, Chennai, walked into Nungambakkam police station and handed over 5 sovereign gold jewels and silk sarees valued at Rs. 50,000. These belonged to Smt Jayanthi, who had left them in Danasekaran’s auto that she had hired to go to Nungambakkam. Assistant Commisioner of Police Shri. Ramasubramaniam gave away Rs. 1,000 to Shri. Danasekaran in appreciation of his honesty. (DINAMALAR, December 12, 2006). 2. Auto driver Shri. Arul of Pozhichalur, Chennai, went to Sankar Nagar police station and handed over an 8 sovereign gold chain lying unclaimed in his auto. Smt. Manikkodi Anandavel of Tiruchy saw a report of this in the newspapers. She had been anxious as to what happened to her gold chain that she had misplaced while she traveled by Arul’s auto on December 26. Manikkodi was greatly relieved when police restored her chain to her. She praised Shri. Arul for his honesty and gave him Rs. 1,000. (DINAMALAR, January 3, 2007).

THREE

Shri. Suresh, 22, of Ambur, Tamilnadu, Bharat, noticed a dangerous crack on the rail while he tried to cross the railway track on December 7, 2006. At once he gathered three more persons (Rani, 60, Dinakar and Srinivasan of class 7). All the four held aloft a red coloured saree and started running along the track in the direction of an oncoming train. They ran for half a kilometer, when the engine driver of the Tiruvanandapuram-Chennai express noticed the foursome waving a red cloth. He stopped the train that carried over 1,000 passengers including a number of Ayyappa devotees. The Railway Protection Force officials and the passengers expressed their gratitude to the four for saving the lives of all (DINAMANI, December 8, 2006). 2. On December 3, 2006, three children of Thane Pawan railway station 5 kms from Muzafarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Bharat, (Nishint, Shakti and Sagar) noticed half a metre length of railway track badly broken near Thane Pawan station. They informed officials at the station. Railwaymen rushed to the spot and repaired the track and cleared the track for traffic in this Muzafarnagar-Saharanpur section. A major accident to a train from Delhi bound for Saharanpur was thus averted (DINAMANI December 5, 2006).

FOUR

Meet Shri. Gandhirajan, Sub Registrar, Virudunagar, Tamilnadu, Bharat. His desk at his office displays a board that announces ‘BRIBE NOT ACCEPTED. BRIBE IS UNLAWFUL’. He feels that bribe money is harmful to the wellbeing of the bribe taker’s family. His no bribe vow has a spiritual background. Ten years back, his family had to face a problem. He worshipped at the town’s Mariamman (Kali) temple and prayed to Mariamman to solve the problem. He took a vow that he would lead a Gandhian life if the problem is solved. He keeps his word all along (DINAMALAR, December 15, 2006.)

FIVE

1. Shajeena, 24, a suave and shy Muslim girl of Nayayikulam, a suburb Trivandrum, kerala, Bharat, recently created history by securing 79 percent marks in the M.A Sanskrit of the Kerala University. With the duppatta drawn over her head, and with sparkling eyes she says that she is really in love with Sanskrit, the wonderful language of Bharat. She had to face conservative members of her own religion. But her father, Shahul Hameed, a casual laborer, and her mother, Suhara Beevi, a housewife, stood behind her and encouraged her. “ The study of Sanskrit purified my thoughts. I became more and more humble. I now realize that all religions take one to God through different ways,” she emphasizes. (From a report in haindavakeralam.org - December 14, 2006). 2. Misbah Fathima has a master's degree in Applied Mathematics but wants to teach Sanskrit. Nuzhath Fathima, her sister, who is doing her master's degree in Electronic Science, is also studying Sanskrit. At the Murthuzaviya Educational and Cultural Foundation on Big Street in Triplicane, Chennai, where the sisters learn Sanskrit, there are as many Muslim youngsters as Hindu youth enrolling to learn the ancient language. Currently, over 140 students in the 6-35 age group are learning the language to sit for Kovidh examination conducted by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. "Most of them take Sanskrit out of interest," says the Foundation's correspondent G.S.M.P. Khadri. (From a report by Smt. R.Sujatha in THE HINDU, September 22, 2006).

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PANCHAAMRITAM 104

Amavaasya, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya Thay 4 (January 18, 2007)

ONE

Scientist Shri. Roddam Narasimha, Former Director, National Aeronautics Limited, and Smt. Helaine Selin, science librarian and faculty associate in Hampshire College, Massachusetts, have edited THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF CLASSICAL INDIAN SCIENCES. The 492-page book is an attempt to provide an authentic account of natural science, technology and medicine racticed by Indians and other South Asians. Prof. Narasimha said that the idea to edit the book struck to him 50 years ago when he visited the U.S. for higher studies. Why had India remained backward while other countries such as the U.S. were advancing rapidly? This inspired him to trace the evolution of science in India, he said. Ms. Helaine said that she had worked on the encyclopaedia for six years. Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Shri. Kasturirangan hailed the effort by the authors. “For the first time, a comprehensive account of vast spectrum of science in India has been made available”, he said. The book was released on January 8, 2007 by scientist Shri. C.N.R.Rao. Those interested in buying the encyclopedia, priced at Rs. 925, may contact Orient Longman Pvt. Ltd., on phone: 080 26690258.

Based on a report in THE HINDU of January 9, 2007.

TWO

A dalit (read Harijan) residential locality, Maralurdinne, in the outskirts of
Tumkur, Karnataka, Bharat has been named “Dr M. Rama Jois Nagar”. Dr Jois is a former judge of the Supreme Court and a former governor. He is a Swayamsevak of RSS.
In 1982, land was allotted to the district dalit employees’association to construct houses. However, the formal allotment letter was not issued. The matter went to the high court and after nine years in 1992, the court ordered that the Harijans are entitled to the land and the allotment letter should be issued forthwith. During this fight in the high court, Dr Jois helped the Harijans by assigning the task to his juniors. Some persons filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the high court order. Dr Jois argued on behalf of the association in the apex court. Finally, the apex court upheld the order of the high court. The Harijans got the allotment letter in August 2006. It was an epic battle lasting 14 years. During this testing period, Harijans feel, none of the leaders belonging to their community helped them. "It was Dr Jois who stood by us like an elder brother and gave us moral support. We remain indebted to him for the rest of our lives. Not only that. Generations to come will be grateful to him. That is why we have named our locality after Dr Jois," said Chikkanna, secretary of the association. Shri. Thammaiah, president of the association, said, "We have braved stiff opposition from our community leaders for naming the residential locality after Dr. Jois. But we do not care."

Based on a report by Shri. S.A. Hemanth Kumar in THE ASIAN AGE of January 2, 2007.

THREE

The Kaivalyadhama Ashrama, a reputed yoga institute located in Lonavala, Maharashtra, Bharat. A study conducted by the institute found that both aerobics and yoga are effective in controlling overweight and excessive body fat, but yoga is more effective. The month long study was conducted on 204 male and female obese people between the ages of 15-60. While patients, who followed yoga and a strict diet, lost up to 33 lbs body fat and 95 percent of them reported their blood pressure levels reaching normal levels, those who followed aerobics lost only up to 17. 6 lbs. Only 25 percent of the latter group experienced normal blood pressure.

A report posted in www.samachar.com on December 31, 2006.

FOUR

On Pongal (Makara Sankranti) day, an enthralling experience awaited the hundreds of casual labourers hailing from other states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal and working at the expansion project of the Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL), Kagithapuram near Karur, Tamilnadu, Bharat. It was when the workers enthusiastically participated at the "Samudaya Pongal" got up especially for them. In a bid to go beyond the mere implementation of the order on public institutions celebrating Pongal, the TNPL Managing Director, Shri. V. Murthy, hit upon the idea to provide the workers a glimpse into Tamil ethos, best reflected in the celebration of Pongal. The festivities helped Tamil workers celebrate Pongal, even as it forged a special bond among all workers. Around 1,500 workers and others participated in the festivities. Commodities essential for cooking pongal such as rice, dhal, jaggery as also earthen pots plates, stainless steel buckets, sugar cane pods, turmeric plants were given away to 100 families to celebrate pongal in the traditional manner. Women cooked sweet pongal and offered that to Sun god. The labourers from other states savoured the delicious pongal. As a Pongal gift, the TNPL dedicated a toilet and bathroom building, with 24- hour running water facility, for the benefit of the casual labourers employed in the expansion project.

Based on a report in THE HINDU, Jan 17, 2007.

FIVE

SAARANG was the name of a 5 day social festival at the sprawling IIT Chennai campus recently. The canteen at the venue was run by a group of ladies from Natham, a hamlet flanking the Chennai-Kolkata national highway falling in the Cholavaram block of Thiruvallur district, Tamilnadu, Bharat. How did this IIT – village ladies tie up materialize? “This is part of our project to develop the village we chose economically and scientifically. We found 15 Women Self Help Groups active in Natham and selected the Kanniamman and Ellaiamman groups. We try to help these”, says Natanasabapathy, an IITian. Yes, six ladies of Natham got employment on those 5 days. They could earn a profit of Rs. 4,500 as well. At present, the IITians are involved in training village ladies of the two SHGs in earthworm culturing, a profitable as well as eco friendly vocation. Of the over 6 lakh SHGs in Bharat, the groups affiliated to Seva Bharati are successful in inculcating patriotism and concern for society and thus has brought about social cohesion among the members in addition to freeing them from debt.

Based on a report by Shri. M.Nagamani in the SHG special number of VIJAYABHARATAM, January 19, 2007. Idea: Smt. Vasantha.

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PANCHAAMRITAM 105

POORNIMA, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya Thay 5 (FEBRUARY 1, 2007)

ONE

It was Shri. Guruji Golwalkar, who, in 1947, saw to it that Jammu – Kashmir acceded to India. As his birth centenary year draws to a close in February 2007, the following information would be of interest: In December 2005, Microsoft had shown the whole state of Jammu & Kashmir (J & K) of Bharat as "DISPUTED" in one of its mapping software MapPoint. The website IVARTA took up this issue with the company. Microsoft's International Public Relations Manager Smt. Helen Aaricke said: "The Company is aware of complaints against the map and is taking it seriously. It had begun investigations”. Over 18,000 persons expressed their concern over this map through IVARTA website. Media in India, Pakisstan and in USA covered the issue. As of now, Microsoft has removed the world “DISPUTED” from J & K map. In an earlier instance, CNN showed India map without J & K. After strong protests, they removed that map from their site within a few hours. INDIACAUSE.COM sent them a strong letter pointing to the illegality of this map. The map, inserted in the wee hours of November 19, 2002, was withdrawn at 10:00 in the morning. That was the third time CNN made this mischief. On all three occasions, they ended up by removing the map.

Based on reports in IVARTA.COM and INDIACAUSE.COM

TWO

Dr. Edward Jenner (1749-1823) invented vaccine for small pox in 1798. But physicians in ancient India used inoculation as a protection against small pox. His Excellency Lord Ampthill, Governor of Madras, while opening the King’s Institute For Preventive Medicine in February 1905, said, “It is also very probable, as Colonel King assures me, that the ancient Hindus used animal vaccination secured by transmission of the small pox virus through the cow. He bases this interesting theory on a quotation from a text (Saakteya Grantah) by Dhanwantari, the greatest of the ancient Hindu physicians. It would seem from it that Jenner’s great invention was actually forestalled by the ancient Hindus”.

Based on an entry INOCULATION, on page 309 of BHARATIYA VIGYAN MANJUSHA, an encyclopedia (Price: Rs. 600) by Shri. M.S. Sreedharan and published by the Publications Division, I& B Ministry, Government of India.

THREE

The venue: Vasant Rao Deshpande Auditorium, Nagpur, Maharashtra, Bharat. Date: December 4, 2006. The occasion: Maharashtra state government’s ‘Maharashtra Rangabhoomi’Awards Presentation Ceremony. The hall is full with rasikas, stage artistes and dignitaries including Ministers. Well-known Marathi stage artiste and playwright Shri. Prabhakar Panshikar is honoured by the Chief Minister with a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh and a citation. Panshikar is 75 now. He has been contributing to the stage for over 50 years. He has trained a number of stage artistes, quite a few of whom have attained name and fame. His drama troupe is known by name ‘Natya Sampada’. The Sampada has staged over 60 plays during the past five decades; tese have been staged over 8,000 times all along. “Shri. Panshikar is a walking encyclopedia in stagecraft”, the Chief Minister spoke of the doyen. There was also a announcement to the effect that the government would name the lifetime achievement award for stage artistes after Shri. Prabhakar Panshikar. But Shri Panshikar, in all humility, said, “I am just a sevak.of the stage. This honour must go to Shri. Annasaheb Kirloskar who is senior to me in stagecraft and not to me.” This ‘NOT I BUT YOU’ mindset is self-effacement, pure and simple.

From an article by Shri. C.M.Krishna Shastri in February 2007 SAMBHASHANA SANDESHAH, (Samskrit monthly, Bangaluru – 560 085).

FOUR

Sri Dhanuskodi Adithan, Congress MP of Trichendur Lok Sabha Constituency was seriously injured in an road accident near Tuticorin in August 2006. When he was struggling for life in an ICU of a private hospital, a few units of blood was immediately required. RSS Swayamsevaks of Tuticorin came to know of this. They rushed to the hospital, denoted blood and saved the life of the Congress functionary.

From VIJAYABHARATAM, February 9, 2007.

FIVE

Shri Ram, accompanied by Lakshman and Sita, approached the Chitrakoot hills, trudging through a path strewn with thorns. A thorn hurt Shri Ram’s foot. At once Shri Ram started beseeching Mother Earth with folded hands, “Mother, I pray to you to become soft when my brother Bharat comes this way looking for me. For the time being, hide these thorns and stones in your anchal. They have hurt my foot. Alright. But let them not hurt my Bharat”. Mother Earth was astonished. She asked Shri Ram, “Lord, is Bharat so weak that he cannot bear the pain caused by a thorn, while you could bear the pain? I hear that Bharat is a saintly person. Can he not look upon pain and pleasure with equanimity?” Shri Ram replied, “Mother, the thorn will hurt, not his foot, but his heart.” “Why so?” the Mother queried. Shri Ram explained: “The hurt will not bother him. Rather, he would be worried, thinking, ‘my elder brother would have traveled this way. His feet would have been hurt by these thorns and stones’. That very thought would give him intense misery. Therefore, Mother, become soft as lotus petal, whenever Bharat walks this way”.

An anecdote contributed by Shri Ranjit Rawat in PATHIK SANDESH,

Hindi monthly, (Jullundhar – 144 001)

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PANCHAAMRITAM 106

Amavaasya, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya MASI 5 (February 17, 2007)

ONE

‘One leg of an IITian is in India. The other in Air India' -- went a popular wisecrack of the late 1980s and early '90s. No longer. The brain drain from IITs has diminished to a trickle, with only 21 out of 3,980 BTech graduated going abroad in 2006. A quick look at statistics shows that in 2006, only three of IIT Kanpur's 273 BTech students and two from the five-year MSc intergrated course went abroad. All the others – 267 M.Tech students, two-year MSc grads and MBAs-stayed back in the country. At IIT Delhi, of the approximate 1,000 job-seekers, only one student went abroad to join Capital One, a financial consultiong firm. The slowdown is evident even at the older IITs. At IIT Mumbai, 95% of the students were placed in India while at IIT Madras, only two BTech students went on to join Lehman Brother at the Tokyo office.

From ‘Samvad’ (Shree Vishwa Niketan, New Delhi)

TWO

Governor Brad Henry pronounced January 28, 2007 as "Yoga Awareness Day" for Oklahoma (US) and Mayor Kathy Taylor did the same for her city, Tulsa. During the first two weeks of January, through the country from the San Francisco Bay area to Boston to Houston, mainstream Americans joined with Indian-Americans in learning about and performing the yoga postures of "Surya Namaskar,"or "Sun Salutations." This year, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-USA (HSS), a non-profit organization, organized the Surya Namaskar yagnas. This was a innovative campaign to raise health awareness using the ten-step yoga postures known as "Surya Namaskar Yagna," or "Sun Salutations offerings. With close to 4000 participants, Surya Namaskar Yagna achieved close to 450,000 Surya Namaskars across the country. From Hindu Press International. February 7, 2007.

THREE

This is a story of sacrifice of an entire village to save a temple from being demolished. The village is Melur, near Madurai in Tamilnadu. There is a temple of Mandhai Veeran, a grama devata, on the South Street. Officials tried to acquire land for road widening. The temple too formed part of the land to be acquired. When the villagers came to know that the temple will be demolished to widen the street into a 4-lane road, they became angry. They declared that they are ready to pay any price to prevent the temple from demolition. They held consultations with authorities. Authorities informed them that atleast 100 houses nearby will have to be demolished as an alternative. The villagers readily agreed to that and they themselves started demolishing their own houses. To save the temple so dear to them these Hindus have paid such a huge price.

Based on a report in DINAMALAR, February 9, 2007.

FOUR

What was witnessed at the Hindu Resugence Conference (as part of Shri Guruji Centenary celebrations) in village Berigai, Dharmapuri district, Uttar Tamilnadu, was eloquently in tune with Shri Guruji’s unifying thought. Hindu leaders spoke in three languages emphasizing the one theme, namely Hindu unity. 1,450 persons paid Rs. 5 each and took part in the conference. This is one of the 99 conferences organized by Swayamsevaks in the Prant during the cenetenary year. A total of 67,250 people from 4,450 villages came forward to identify themselves as Hindus and participated in these conferences. Among them 25,206 were women. The Thirukkanur (Puducherry) conference provided yet another reflection of Shri Guruji’s integrating influence. The Hindu conference dais put up by RSS presented a picture of conflicting interests converging on a noble theme, the Hindu consolidation. A Congress leader and his adversary, as well as a leader of a breakaway group of the party were seen exhorting Hindus to unite.

From VSK CHENNAI NEWS February 10, 2007.

FIVE

Latha Devi's father Parthasarathy is a Chennai carpenter, barely earning Rs 2,000 a month. Her mother Selvi is a housewife. The family .had no money to buy new clothes for 20-year-old Latha. On many days the family went without food. What to say of paying her college fees of Rs. 53,000? All along, the family managed to get a sponsor every time the need for money was found formidable. Add to that the hard work that Latha put in. The Computer Science student will soon be working at an IT company that interviewed 1,800 candidates. Latha was stunned to be presented with an offer letter with a salary of Rs 14,000 a month. "I called Amma and told her everything that happened. Of my salary.Amma was very happy," she said. Latha is so socially committed that she is going to use a lot of that money to help other poor children like her. "I will select poor children from a very poor background just like me and I will offer free uniform sets, books and whatever they need. I will do it," Latha said.

Source: ndtv.com, February 14, 2007; Idea: Shri K. Srinivasan.

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PANCHAAMRITAM 107

POORNIMA, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya MAASI 19

(MARCH 3, 2007)

ONE

A scene at a Ph.D. viva-voce of Bharatiyar University held at Erode, Tamilnadu, Bharat, recently. `Education, Technology and Socio-economic Empowerment of Visually Impaired in Tamil Nadu (1950-2000)' -- that was the doctoral thesis of visually challenged Smt. K. Elizabeth Lavanya Puppy. Elizabeth , a history student of Sri Vasavi College, Chittode, said she chose the topic to bring to light the problems faced by people like her. In her study, which she completed in two years as against the normal three, she has also focussed on the gender-sensitive problems. "Visually challenged women suffer more, particularly in rural areas, because they are denied education. Besides, such women's apprehensions about marriage force them to remain single.'' External examiner K. Veeraraghavan, an IIT-Madras faculty who lost vision when he was 21, maintains it is a routine Ph.D. viva-voce. "There is no great significance to it. She is just another Ph.D. candidate and I am yet another examiner. This is how it should be seen. All that he says about the thesis was: "I found it interesting".

Based on a report by Shri. Karthik Madhavan in THE HINDU, February 11, 2007.

TWO

It was February 18, 2007. Smt. Rajathi was cooking food for her family. She lives in a hut in Paappinayakkanpatti near Nilakkottai in Dindigul district, Tamilnadu. Suddenly a strong wind blew. Fire from the stove hit the thatched roof. In no time the hut was in flames. The wind made matters worse. Terrified, Rajathi rushed out. The next moment she realized that her two children aged 3 and 4 were asleep inside. She shouted for help. Even as the entire village was looking on in awe, two brave ladies, Smt. Muniyammal and Smt. Rani dashed into the burning hut. They emerged next minute, hugging both the children, still peacefully asleep. The mother was greatly relieved. All heartily praised Muniyammal and Rani for their selfless, daring gesture that saved two lives.

Based on a report in DAILY THANTHI, February, 19, 2007.

THREE

November 27, 2006. The army commander in Anantnag in Kashmir valley, Bharat, got a tip-off that the head of the dreaded terror outfit Hizbul Mujahidin, Suhail Faisal, was holed up in a crowded locality in the town. Night was approaching. The mission was clear. Faisal, the coward with guns hiding behind civilians, had to be finished off with zero loss of non-combatants. Major Manish Pitambare, the best officer the commander had had and a dare devil soldier who had had many hits to his credit, was the obvious choice. His high risk and successful tenure at the war zone was to end in another three weeks' time. But he was called to his last mission before he left the valley. And that became his final mission. He accomplished the mission for his motherland. He engaged and killed Faisal with zero loss of civilians and also saved his buddy who was hit by bullet. But the price he had to pay for this was his own life. Merely 32, he left behind his shattered wife and child, just 18 months old, who hardly saw his father, besides his aged parents. The brave young soldier perished to relieve his motherland of a dreaded terrorist.

Shri. S. Gurumurthy in THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS, February 21, 2007).

FOUR

Imagine this: It is so planned that a10 day spoken Samskrit Shibiram begins in some part or the other of a city every day. This is to go on, during all the 365 days of the year. What would happen? In the first 10 days, ten Shibirams would have begun. At the rate of a Shibiram a day each. On the 10th day, the city would witness the beginning of a Shibiram somehwere and a Shibiram coming to a close somewhere else. This phenomenon would be repeated daily during for the rest of the year. That would tot up to 365 Shibhirams for the city in that year. But the city of Chennai (Tamilnadu, Bharat) had 439 Shibirams in a year in this fashion. The year? Between February 24, 2006 and February 25, 2007. The year! Does it not ring a few bells in us? Yes. It is the birth centenary year of Shri. Guruji Golwalkar (1906-1973). Samskrita Bharati chose to name it " Shibira Varsham -- Year of Shibirams". The sprightly teams of Samskrita Bharati workers of all the 10 Nagar units of Samskrita Bharati in Chennai hit upon the idea of a garland of Shibirams as a tribute to the Rishi-like Shri. Guruji. The team chalked out a plan of adding a Shibiram a day all along the year. They called it SHIBIRA MAALA. Thus, over 3,800 Chennaiites benefited by these 439 Shibirams conducted by 150 Shikshaks. At an impressive SHIBIRA MAALA valedictory function on February 25, 2007, in Nanganallur, a middle class suburb of Chennai, Shri. K. Suryanarayana Rao, the All Bharat president of Samskrita Bharati, called upon one and all to take up Samskrita Prachara work because it ennobles one.

As told to team PANCHAAMRITAM.

FIVE

It was 1978. Prime Minister Morarji Desai was on a visit to Indore (Madhya Pradesh). Ther was an ideal gau shaala (Cow Shed) in nearby Kasturba Gram. One Shri. Kutti Menon was connected with Kasturba Gram and the gau shala. He was also a recipient of `padmashree' award. He was a gau bhakta (Cow Devotee) and used to serve the cows for hours on end. Prime Minister Morarji Desai himself was a staunch gau bhakta. It was his heartfelt desire to put an end to cow slaughter and to encourage gau samvardhan (nourishment of the cow). He had heard of the gau shala and had allotted 2 PM for a visit there. The District Collector of Indore went to the gau shala and informed Menon of the proposed timing of PM's visit. Menon said, "The cows take rest in the afternoons. I do not think it is proper to come in the way of their rest". The Collector was taken aback. How on earth to tell the PM that the cows would be taking rest? He somehow conveyed Menon's message after much humming and hawing. On hearing this, Morarjibhai was so pleased that he exclaimed "Oh! Such sublime gau bhaktas are there still?" he made changes to his itinerary. On his arrival at the gau shala, Menon introduced cow after cow in such a fashion as though he was introducing members of his family. Morarji Desai performed puja to the cows and emphasized the greatness of the cow.

Based on a write up in PANCHANAD SANDESH, February 16, 2007.

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PANCHAAMRITAM 108

Amavaasya, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya Panguni 4 (March 18, 2007)

ONE

At Bal Mandir, an orphanage run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (in Andhra Pradesh, Bharat), no child is an orphan; every child has the initials ‘SV’ added to its name. For example, ‘S.V.Ramudu’. Incidentally, SV stands for Lord Sri Venkateswara of Tirupati. Shri. Mukteswara Rao, Joint Collector of Hyderabad, shared this heartening information with senior Samskrita Bharati functionaries at Hyderabad (formerly known as Bhagyanagaram) on March 17, 2007. He was present at the inaugural of the two day ‘Akhil Bharatiya Upavesanam’ (annual all Bharat meet) of Samskrita Bharati. He reminisced how how 400 chidren of Harijan community once recited Samskrit shlokas soulfully at the altar of Tirupati Venkateswara. He described the work of Samskrita Bharati in taking Samskritam – “that is a unifying force” – to all sections of society as an “extremely great service”. As part of of its growth in all the 32 provinces of Bharat, Samskrita Bharati recorded a phenomenal 350 % increase in the number of Shibhirams (10 day spoken Samskritam course). These 12,500 Shibhirams were conducted during the Shri. Guruji Centenary Year (February 2006 - February 2007), as per the provincial reports. Remarkable was the visit of Shri. Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar, to one of those Shibhirams in Akola, Vidharbha province (Maharashtra, Bharat). Prakashji was “greatly impressed by the work of Samskrita Bharati”, the Vidarbha karyakartha said. Nearly 700 of these Shibhirams were held in Harijan localities, according to Samskrita Bharati. (As told to Team PANCHAAMRITAM).

TWO

On February 18, 2007, Pawan Kumar, manning the railway crossing near Diwana (Haryana, Bharat), heard two explosions (that killed 68 people) on the train as the Samjhauta Express trundled past his cabin. Moments later, station master of the Diwana station saw two compartments burning and asked the gatemen at the next railway crossing to turn the signal red. Pawan Kumar also alerted the driver about the fire and asked him to stop the train as soon as possible. The burning train had crossed Siwah village some 300 metres away, where the villagers settled along the tracks were awakened by the cries of the passengers and the screeching of the brakes of the train. Sumitra, a local resident, her husband and neighbours, rushed to the spot. And from then on the villagers worked tirelessly — bringing water from the nearby lake to douse the flames, arranging tractors to ferry the injured to the hospital and even making tea and snacks for the police and fire-fighting teams. Battling leaping flames, Shri.Kashmir Singh, a Railway Protection Force jawan, saved at least six passengers before succumbing to burns. Mr. Singh, an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the RPF, was in one of the ill-fated bogies. Showing exemplary courage, he managed to break open the doors and an emergency window of the compartment and helped the six get out. (Based on a report in THE HINDU OF February 21, 2007)

THREE

1.Without batting an eyelid, S. Ashika, the LKG student of Kalgi Ranganathan Montford Matriculation School, Perambur (Chennai, Tamilnadu, Bharat), can recall the capitals of 132 countries and that of all Indian States. Ashika's mother, Smt. Shobha Rani, has been training her daughter with general knowledge memorising games since she was eight months old. Now, following her footsteps is her brother Akash, who is just two years old. Ashika has learnt these bits of information. (THE HINDU of December 20, 2006). 2. Seven-year-old Sushma Verma entered the examination hall in St Meera's Inter College in Hind Nagar in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, Bharat) on December 18, 2006. To write Class Ten Board exam. If she succeeds, this daughter of a labourer will become the youngest matriculate in the world. To her principal Anita Ratra, this little girl who is yet to lose most of her milk teeth is nothing short of a miracle. Sushma may be the centre of the world for her illiterate parents Tej Bahudur Verma and Chaaya but she looks up to her big brother Shailendra, who is also a prodigy like her. Shailendra is on the verge of getting his Bachelors degree in computer application from Lucknow University at the age of 14 and is preparing for the MCA entrance exam. (Based on a report by Shri. Pankaj Jaiswal in HINDUSTAN TIMES, March 12, 2007).

FOUR

Tejashree, 11, is the daughter of Lanka Bapi Reddy, a Central Committee member of the Maoist outfit in Andhra Pradesh, Bharat. Recently, her aged grandmother told Warangal Police that Tejashree would have to discontinue her education, as there was no one to care for her in the family. On the occasion of Children’s Day (November 14, 2006) Andhra Pradesh Police announced that it would adopt the terrorist’s daughter and meet the expenses of pursuing her studies. Smt. Saumya Mishra, the SP, handed over a cheque for Rs. 40,000 to the relevant educational institution. (From DINAMALAR, November 15. 2006).

FIVE

Meet Shri. Venkataraman. This youth has been teaching Bharata Naatyam to chidren of North Chennai slums for years. Now, he is a student of a city college. He went to the inter collegiate cultural fete in February 2007. These occasions are normally marked by noisy pop songs. So, when Venkataraman offered to give a Bharatam performance there, the crowd first booed him. Once he went ahead smilingly, ignoring their hint, a reverntial silence descended on the assembly. The organisers were all praise for the complete transformation and showeresd prizes on Venkataraman in appreciation of his mettle and the fine art. (As told to team PANCHAAMRITAM BY Shri.Ravi, a social worker.)

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PANCHAAMRITAM 109

Poornima, Kali Yugaabda 5108, Vyaya Panguni 19 (April 2, 2007)

ONE

The United Nations has praised specialised police units from Indian and Bangladesh for saving civilian lives in the last week's heavy fighting in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The units extricated people who were inside homes where mortar rounds and other munitions were being deployed, UN Police (UNPOL) Adviser Mark Kroeker told the UN News Service. They rescued not only ‘the high-level people such as ambassadors, but also just ordinary people who are trapped and who needed to be evacuated from the line of fire’, Kroeker added. The UN mission in the DRC, known as MONUC, estimates that hundreds were killed and many more wounded in the violence which broke out on March 22 between government forces and guards of former Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba, who was defeated last year by current President Joseph Kabila in the run-off round of landmark Presidential elections.

Based on a PTI report in THE INDIAN EXPRESS, March 31, 2007.

TWO

Rishiprada, a five-year-old girl of Raima village in Madhubani District of Bihar, Bharat, has learnt the entire Bhagawad Gita by heart. Dr. Awadhesh Prasad Chaudhary, Rishiparada's great grandfather said she has been fond of learning verses which in turn prompted him to teach her all the 700 verses of Bhagwad Gita and amazingly, she did not disappoint him. “Not only the State Government but the entire country should be proud of her”, said her father Shri. Shatrumardan Chaudhary. Smt. Savita Devi, her mother said that Rishiprada is highly talented from a very early age and has the quality to grasp things quickly. Rishiprada recites many other Samskrit slokas as well, with clarity. With her talent, she has astonished many scholars including Samskrit pundits. On learning about her achievements, they come to hear her recitations.

Based on an ANI report in THE HINDU, March 28, 2007.

(Idea: Shri. J.Radhakrishnan).

THREE

An ambulance brings 15-year-old M. Suryakala of Misrimal Pukhraj Bhora Government Girls High School in a Chennai (Tamilnadu, Bharat) suburb to school. She is there to appear for the ongoing 10th Standard public examinations. She writes the examination confined to a stretcher. She survived a nasty accident on March 24; while riding a bicycle, she was knocked down at Rajakilpakkam by a bus; she was dragged for about 20 feet; she sustained serious injuries in the abdomen and legs. Undeterred by the trauma, the girl, who has an external metal fixator implanted on to her left leg, has shown steely resolve not to miss her examinations. Her father, Shri. Murugan, a private leather company employee and her mother Smt. Manjula, said at first they had little hope of their daughter getting back in shape in time to take the remaining examinations, considering the grievous injuries. Dr. Maruthi Rao, an orthopaedician, said the injuries were serious and the student demonstrated exemplary courage during treatment.

Based on a report in THE HINDU, March 28, 2007

(Idea: Shri. N.Ramamurthy).

FOUR

K. Venkatswamy and Srilata, the young doctor couple at Jainoor primary health centre (PHC) in Adilabad district Andhra Pradesh, Bharat, has set a rare example. The doctors happened to meet during their internship about three years ago when they not only decided to get `committed' to each other, but also to serve people, especially in the backward rural areas. “We came here in february 2005. During the initial months we held almost one medical camp per day considering the dismal health services in the mandal. Shortage of medicines forced us to cut down by half the number of camps” says Venkatswamy. “Nevertheless, we were able to establish a system whereby vanavasis (tribals) in the remotest of villages are now able to get medicare," said Srilata. "People used to die because of prevalent superstitions and misconception in their societies. We were able to curb superstitions to an extent," added Venkatswamy. The Telugu-speaking couple picked up certain key words from Gondi and Gormathi dialects besides some from Hindi and Marathi languages. "These words relate to symptoms of common diseases in the area. Experience has also taught us to understand the body language of vanavasis of different hues," said Srilata. The couple is to finish the two-year stint in May this year and join a PG course. "Rest assured, we will be back to serve in the backward areas after completing studies," promised Venkatswamy. (News circulated by SAMACHAR BHARATI, Hyderabad, March 23, 2007).

FIVE

ONE RUPEE: At ‘Bhagawan tea Stall’ in Vellore (Tamilnadu, Bharat), you get a cup of tea for just one rupee. Filter coffee for two rupees. From daybreak till 9 in the night. Situated on Vellore-Arni road opposite Dinakaran Theatre bus stop, the shop has been named after its founder late Shri. K.Mani, an Ayyappa devotee, who had been offering to his customers, tea at 50 paise and coffee at one rupee for 20 years. For the last six years, his younger brother, youthful Shri. K.Soundhar is running the business. Soundhar says, the 30-litre milk from his mini dairy with 10 cows enables him to sell at this price (DINAMANI, November 10, 2006). TWO RUPEES: The 85 year old Dr. V.S.Jayaraman is known by the name ‘Two-Rupee Doctor’ in the Gandhi Nagar neighbourhood of Vellore (Tamilnadu, Bharat). An MBBS of 1946, Jayaraman attends to at least 50 patients who come to his clinic in the evenings, till date. He gives tablets free for common cold and cough. But he charges 3 rupees for a complete course of medicines to tackle jaundice or typhoid. In extraordinary cases, he writes out a prescription. But the medicines he mentions therein would cost not more than 10 rupees at the pharmacy. Pharmaceutical firms supply medicines at a discount to doctors and that enables Jayaraman to charge every patient just two rupees, his consultation and tests included (DINAMANI December 21, 2006).

PANCHAAMRITAM 110

Amavaasya, Kali Yugaabda 5109, Sarvajit Chithirai 4 (April 17, 2007)

ONE

Justice K.T.Thomas, former judge of Supreme Court of Bharat, is well known for his rectitude. President of India Dr Abdul Kalam decorated him with ‘Padma Bhushan’ award at grand function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on April 5, 2007 for his impeccable judicial career and for the service he rendered to the cause of justice. After his retirement, Thomas had headed as many as four judicial commissions, that too on sensitive issues. But he completed the task within the stipulated time in all the four instances. Never did he ask for extension of the tenure of his commissions. Also, never did he take a paisa as remuneration or batta for his work in any of these four commissions. His logic: ‘The pension I get after my retirement from the Supreme Court is from government treasury. How can I take money from the government a second time for doing a government job?’ He can afford to be candid on vital issues, thanks to his spotless career. Example: “In projects like this (Sethu Samudram Shipping Canal Project), decisions are to be based not only on a study of geological implications; the religious sentiments of the people are also to be taken into account. The religious sentiments of the people of Bharat must be honoured and there exists a tradition in this land, of honouring religious sentiments.. So, it is my definite opinion that Ram Setu must not be broken”, says Thomas.

From a write up by Editor Shri. Tarun Vijay in PANCHJANYA,

Hindi weekly, April 15, 2007.

TWO

The Venue: Union Square, San Francisco. Date: March 30 to April 14, 2007.
Macy's (Launched by Federated Inc as a nationwide department store) 61st Annual Flower Show invites visitors to "Imagine India" and celebrate the country's vibrant colors, distinctive style, seductive sounds, delicious food and amazing flowers. In a salute to India's rich spiritual heritage, visitors are greeted by a 30-foot tall statue of Ganesh (Hindu representation of god) above the Geary Street entrance. A 75-foot curtain of lights serves as the backdrop to the beloved figure. In the jewelry department, a statue of Goddess Parvati sits amid a garden setting of random plantings.

(URL: http://www.federated-fds.com/pressroom/macys/macyswest/media_kits.asp?mediakit=119&item=2

Idea: Shri. Ashok Chowgule.

THREE

The ‘Culture Mammi’ column of AT A GLANCE (a newsletter from Global Adjustments Co) answers readers’ querries. In the March 2007 issue, one Pia Lax-Lehtela (Finnish) wanted to know whether Rs 1,001 can be given as a gift at the marriage, in India, of an assistant – the assistant being a Christian. The column replied: “Many Christians in India follow the Hindu custom of ‘auspicious time’ and “inauspicious time’ that is based on astrology and the local calendar as against the universal Roman calendar. So, to answer Pia, I would suggest that it would be best to give the young couple 1,001 rupees, as an odd number augurs prosperity and is an auspicious sign of happiness and wealth”.

Email ID of the newsletter: designstore@globaladjustments.com

Idea: Shri. M. Jayaraman-Shri. G. Sivaraman.

FOUR

In an experiment aimed at social integration, the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanam, for the first time, brought the Utsava Murthy (processional deity) from the hill shrine to the predominantly Dalit village of Vemuru, 13 km from Tirupati in Chittoor district (Andhra Pradesh, Bharat). Under the initiative named ‘Dalitha Govindam’, Lord Venkateshwara – popularly known in the north as Lord Balaji - and his consort, goddess Padmavathi, were brought to the remote village where the Srinivasa Kalyanam (celestial marriage of the Lord) was performed in front of hundreds of villagers. Men, women and children lined up with flowers and lighted camphor to receive the deities as priests took them around the main streets and placed them in a pandal for the symbolic marriage ceremony. In a village sharply divided on caste loyalties till recently, people thronged the pandal, shedding their differences and standing shoulder-to-shoulder to witness the ceremony. After a bitter struggle some four years ago, the Dalits, with the moral support of the TTD, had been able to enter a Ram temple in the village.

(http://www.telegraphindia.com//1070412/asp/nation/story_7637222.asp),

April 11, 2007. Idea: Dr. Vijayalakshmi-Shri. Ashokji.

FIVE

The Sanskrit Commission (constituted by the Government of Independent India), at its sittings in Bangalore, interviewed Dr. C.V. Raman (Nobel Laureate), who expressed the view that the people were rooted in Sanskrit. It is truly the national language, Dr. Raman said. It is wrong to say that it is dead; it is very much alive and "it embodies everything we call ours", he added. All the culture of the country is embodied in Sanskrit, said Dr. Raman. No Indian could fail to be stirred by Sanskrit, an essential element in the education of every Indian; everyone should be made to read, write and speak in Sanskrit, he concluded (From a report in THE HINDU, February 28, 1957). ‘This Day That Age’ column of THE HINDU, February 28, 2007,

Reproduced in Samskritam by SAMBHASHANA SANDESHAH, April 2007.

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