Thursday, November 10, 2011

PANCHAAMRITAM 223

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Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Chennai

PANCHAAMRITAM 223

Pancha is five in Samskritam, Amritam is nectar

Poornima/ Kali Yugaabda 5113 / Kara Ayppasi 24 (November 10, 2011)

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ONE

 In a tribute to Indian soldiers, the municipality of Haifa (Israel) has decided to include the stories of their valiant efforts in liberating the city in 1918 during the First World War by incorporating them in Israeli school curricula as part of the history textbooks. Nearly 900 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in this region; they were cremated or buried in cemeteries across Israel. India's Ambassador to Israel Navtej Sarna released a book, `Memorials of Indian Soldiers in Israel', at a function in Haifa as part of an initiative that will spread more awareness and greater recognition for the supreme sacrifice made by these soldiers. (The Indian army commemorates September 23 every year as Haifa Day to pay its respects to the two brave Indian Cavalry Regiments that helped liberate the city. The Indian Brigade was a part of the Allied Forces sweeping northwards through Palestine in what is seen as the last great cavalry campaign in history. Captain Aman Singh Bahadur and Dafadar Jor Singh were awarded the Indian Order of Merit (IOM) and Captain Anop Singh and 2nd Lt Sagat Singh were awarded the Military Cross (MC) as recognition for their bravery in this battle. Major Dalpat Singh (MC) is known in the annals of history as the 'Hero of Haifa' for his critical role in the Liberation of the city. He was awarded a military cross for his bravery). The municipality of Haifa also announced to organise a ceremony every year to commemorate the role of the Indian army in liberating the city from Turks after almost 402 years.  http://news.outlookindia.com September 19, 2011.

TWO

Every nation has its own identity or what we called soul, and only that identity it can nurture its society. As far as the Himalayan country Nepal is concerned, that identity or soul lies in the very concept of Hinduism. When Nepal lost the Hindu statehood three years ago, it marked the decline of nationalism also. But the great Nepali citizens who bear the legacy of Buddha do not seem to be happy. A survey conducted in 2010 clearly depicted the Nepali mood. 52.2% of people participated in the survey called for the restoration of Hindu Statehood.  The signs of displeasure have becoming evident now as more and more protest symbols, that show the insecurity of Nepal citizens, appeared on the walls of Nepal streets recently. The country has its roots in Hindu culture. The great Indian King Janaka's Mythila Kingdom that mentioned in Indian Hindu scripture Ramayana now belongs to Nepal, the Kingdom of Gautam Buddha's (the founder of Buddhism) father, Kapilavasthu, is in Nepal. Along with India Nepal also shares the legacy of the grand Indian Mourya Empire. From a (November 3, 2011) report by Shri  Dipin Damodharan on http://www.groundreport.com

THREE

Foreigners flocking to Haridwar, one of the holiest Hindu holy spots, are mostly the educated, both men and women, from all parts of the globe, and have a spiritual commitment that amazes many Indians. Moscow resident Victor Shevtsov, 56, explained why Russians like him have taken to Hinduism in such large numbers." Shevtsov said : "Many Russians are coming here because they don't have answers (to their questions) in Orthodox Christianity."Here, in India and in the East, religious leaders talk to you, they answer questions." Fellow Russian Prokhor Bashkatov, a 37-year-old real estate agent, also blamed the Russian Church for his decision to embrace Hinduism. Both Victor and Prokhor have close links with Gayatri Parivar, agrassroots group that is organising a mammoth event at Haridwar, (Uttarakhand, Bharat) November 6-10, 2011 with a view to propagating the sacred 'Gayatri Mantra'. Like so many foreigners, Dasom Her, a 22-year-old South Korean whostudies here, said India, Hindu ethos and yoga had always attracted her parents, who met at a yoga class in South Korea and fell in love. When her father died, her mother decided to move to India with Dasom. "My mother decided that India is where I will learn the values of life," she added. IANS November 2, 2011.

FOUR

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the bureaucracy is drawing appreciation from unexpected quarters. Economist Isher Judge Ahluwalia was seen praising his governance on the sidelines of a function on urban infrastructure in Ahmedabad on October 9. Earlier, the Government of India, taking a cue from the Supreme Court, also indirectly commended the state's Public Distribution System by asking other states to emulate the Gujarat and Chhattisgarh models.  Modi shares his vision with the bureaucrats by interacting with them at the Chintan Shibir, an annual exercise in which he, his Cabinet and officers huddle together for three days. The Chief Minister even practises yoga with officers. "Modi has de-bureaucratised the bureaucracy," says T.V. Rao, who teaches at IIM, Ahmedabad. The Gujarat state government sends nearly 1,000 IAS, IPS and other officers who fan out every year in June asking parents to send their girls to school. Such efforts have brought down the girl dropout rate from 36.9 per cent to 8.12 per cent in 10 years. For Gunotsav (an annual exercise to map the standard of school education), 3,000-odd officers cover the state over two days in November. Under the Karmayogi Training Programme initiated in 2005, over 2.25 lakh state government employees have been imparted governance skills by professional agencies. Based on a report by Shri Uday Mahurkar in INDIA TODAY, October 21, 2011 (Idea: Shri  Ashok Chowgule).

FIVE

Each Ekal vidyalaya (school-at-your-doorstep for kids of remote hamlets of Bharat) comprises 30 students. (9,84,480 children learn to read and write in the 35,115 Ekal vidyalayas across Bharat). At present, the number of pass out students is much more than the present number of students studying at the vidyalayas. Even if each and every student scattered in different villages plants just one sapling, then also at least 50 saplings will be planted in each village. Thus, the students who have studied in ekal vidyalayas themselves can plant 10 lakh saplings within a year. Yes, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation has undertaken saplings planting programme under its Swabhimaan Jaagran Abhiyaan. Central office-bearer of Swabhimaan Jaagran Abhiyaan Lalan Kumar Sharma informed that the foundation has vowed to plant 10 lakh saplings in the coming year. The drive was initiated on the occasion of World Environment Day (June 5, 2011) at Shri Santram Mandir, Nadiyad (Gujarat). Pujya Swamiji planted a neem sapling in the temple premises in presence of hundreds of karyakartas assembled from all parts of the country. Along with Swamiji, Central Incharge of Ekal Movement Shyam Guptaji also planted a sapling to initiate the movement. A variety of saplings such as medicinal herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc will be included in the drive. Saplings that will give furniture wood will also be included. This will help in the propagation of a variety of plants at various places in the country. Sharma said that in order to connect common people with this movement, Ekal Vidyalaya will create awareness about tree plantation. http://www.newsbharati.com

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