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Home , Dattatreya Hosabale, Nanaji Deshmukh

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: P.O.BOX 5728 SRT NAGAR, NEW DELHI 110055 (BHARAT); Email: [email protected] No. Sm1225/2069 (For Private Circulation Only) Chaitra Krishna 5 Vik Samvat 2069. Yugabda 5114 Tel: 91-11- 23684445; Fax: 91-11-23517722 1 April 2013. 1. FESTIVALS: Ram Navami, the birthday of scriptures and our ancestors practised them for Bhagwan Sri Ram is celebrated on the ninth day of centuries. He said the pre-colonial Hindus the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra, corresponding to practised all the things that the colonial scholars April 19 this year. The day also marks the end of say today as their own. the nine-day Chaitra Navaratri celebrations. The Dr Subramanian Swamy said we are not a important celebrations on this day take place at composite society, as some people repeatedly try Ayodhya (), Sita Samahit Sthal to prove even in our own country. “Our identity is (Sitamarhi) (Uttar Pradesh), Bhadrachalam purely Hindu and Hindu mindset is the most (Andhra Pradesh) and Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu), crucial thing for us today. Hindu Swayamsevak thronged by thousands of devotees. Rathayatras, Sangh International Coordinator Shri Soumitra the chariot processions, also known as Shobha Gokhale gave a brief life profile of Chamanlal ji. yatras of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, He said “Chamanlalji wrote diaries covering over are taken out at several places, including Ayodhya 27000 pages but no where he mentioned anything where thousands of people take a dip in the sacred about himself”. A book written by Shri Devdatt, a river Sarayu. sadhak at Pondicherry, on the history of Nepal was 2. PLOY BY SOME WESTERNERS TO also released at the function. DISCREDIT SWAMI VIVEKANANDA— 3. VIVEKANANDA’S MESSAGE IS TO : “For some time some MAKE BHARAT SUPER POWER—DR. western scholars are trying to prove that what : “My life is not for my Swami Vivekananda said was basically borrowed comforts, it is for the service of mankind and from the West and he said nothing new”, said making Bharat a Vishwaguru. This was the public speaker and president of Infinity message of Swami Vivekananda to all of us,” said Foundation USA Shri Rajiv Malhotra. He was RSS Sarsanghachalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat in delivering 7th Chamanlal Memorial Lecture in Bhopal on March 24 while addressing a gathering New Delhi on March 23 on the topic ‘the Future of in a national seminar organised by Makhanlal Swami Vivekananda’s Renaissance’. Chaturvedi National Institute of Journalism to The Lecture was organised by International Centre commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birth for Cultural Studies (ICCS) at Constitution Club in anniversary year. Kanchi Shankaracharya Sri the memory of former Sangh Pracharak Jayendra Saraswati and Vice Chancellor of the Chamanlalji. Former Union Minister Dr University Prof BK Kuthiala shared the dais. Subramanian Swamy was present as chief guest. Kanchi Shankaracharya said that only the task Prominent among those who were present on the which is finished with wisdom is completed occasion included RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri satisfactorily. , veteran Pracharak Shri Justice (retd) Shri Devdutt Madhav Madan Das and other dignitaries. Prof Kapil Dharmadhikari, Swami Jitatmananda also Kapur, president of ICCS, Delhi, presided over the participated in the seminar. function. Shri Rajiv Malhotra who has stirred the Government has decided to western intelligentsia with books like Being institute Swami Vivekananda International Award Different, pointed out that What Swami comprising Rs 50 lakh. Madhya Pradesh Culture Vivekananda said has already been in our age old Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma said that

1 Vivekananda Jyoti Yatra would visit every village & so far over 10,000 Hindus have availed of the and Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy of life and service. ideologies would be included in syllabus from Hindu News Network – a concept & initiative by class 3rd to 12th. Dr was launched at the function by 4. EDUCATION IS THE PROCESS OF Dalmia ji, Dr Swamy & Dr Togadia. Hindu News CHARACTER BUILDING - DR now will be available on SUDARSHAN IYENGAR: The attempts to turn www.facebook.com/HinduNewsNetwork and the Bharatiya education system employment- www.hindunewsnetwork.org. oriented have hit the entire sector very hard. It is Speaking on the occasion, Vishnu Hari Dalmia the only cause which can be held responsible for said, Hindu Help Line was the most needed today’s poor state of affairs in this sector. The initiative for Hindus. In day to day life, Hindus state has failed to act and the commercial forces face many problems and there was no organization are freely dominating. It is going to prove costly to to hold their hand in the times of such difficulties. the entire nation,” said Vice Chancellor of Gujarat Dr Subramanian Swamy said, “Bharat is Hindu Vidyapeeth Dr Sudarshan Iyengar, while Rashtra & Hindu Help Line is a significant step delivering the third Nanaji Memorial forward to take common Hindus along. Lecture in New Delhi on March 24. Recalling the 6. KERALA’S MUSLIM MINISTER DRI founder he said, there is EDUCATES MEDIA ON ‘’ IN very much similarity between the thinking of SAUDI ARABIA: Kerala’s senior congress leader Gandhiji and Nanaji on education and it could be and Minister for Transport and Electricity the best remedy today for this field. Aryadan Muhammed, gave journalists a lesson on The Lecture was organised by Deendayal the meaning of Hindutva, much to the surprise of Research Institute (DRI) in New Delhi. Leader of everyone present. The question put to the minister Opposition in Smt was about the relevance of the NSS and the SNDP presided over the function. Senior Sangh (two major Hindu organizations in Kerala) in the Pracharak and patron of the DRI Shri Madan Das, politics of the state and to the Hindus in particular. RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Dattatreya Hosabale To this, Mr.Aryadan, a devout Muslim, but an were preent for the program. Presiding over the outspoken critic of Islamic fundamentalism, gave function, Smt Sushma Swaraj said that Bharatiya an elaborate discourse in which he dwelt on the education system needs to follow originality and Islamic and Christian invasion to our country. He not the modern alternatives. In his brief speech, also implied that all Christians and Muslims were RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi said there Hindus who had to accept their ancient traditions should be a perfect coordination between the as such. Mr Arayadan went on to ask the media educationists and the policy-makers. He said the person his name and then pointed out that his policymakers should also bring those who are grand father or his ancestors were surely Hindus. conducting new experiments in this field with “Do you have any doubt about it?” – Aryadan them. asked. Later he said Hindus and Bharat had the 5. “HINDU RATNA” VISHNU HARI capacity to culturally assimilate different peoples DALMIA & DR SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY: and that the Hindus had given shelter to all 2013 Hindu Ratna were conferred upon the noted religions. “That is why we Muslims and Chritians Industrialist & Patron and Ex President of VHP are here” he pointed out. Vishnu Hari Dalmia and veteran Socio-Economic 7. BOOK ON SWAMI VIVEKANANDA Thinker & President Dr Subramanian RELEASED: ‘Swami Vivekananda and Swamy at a function in New Delhi on 23rd March Prabuddha Kerala’ containing 101 poems, articles celebrating 2nd Anniversary of Hindu Helpline. etc. by 101 writers / poets of various languages, This helpline was started to help Hindus in edited by P Parameswaran director Bharatiya emergencies related to Travel/Health/Admin/ Vichara Kendra and president Vivekananda Legal/Religion etc. HHL has a 24X7 Call Center Kendra, Kanyakumari, was released by K C 2 Joseph, Culture Minister (Congress) of Kerala by In Shri Jha’s words: “I owe this to numerous handing over a copy of it to VS Achyuthanandan, individuals along my life journey of five decades, former Chief Minister (CPM) of Kerala, on March whose contributions have shaped me and helped 13 at a function at Vivekananda Institute Hall, me to shine. Thiruvananthapuram. It has been wonderful journey beginning for first P Parameswaran said Swamiji came to Kerala 120 16 years in a wonderful village setting at the years before and he had deep love for the down- border of Nepal & Bharat that shaped my being trodden of Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram was and nourished my soul. I realize and recognize that blessed by his presence nine days enroute to his 3- only contributions of few are sung but for each of day meditation at rock in mid-sea in Kanyakumari. them there are numerous who have done their 8. OLD IS TRULY GOLD FOR THESE service and contributions that is silently but surely ACADEMICS: Age proved no bar for various remembered on such occasions”. senior citizens who took away their doctorate 10. FORCIBLE CONVERSION - HINDU degrees as the 90th Annual Convocation of the COMMUNITY STAGES PROTEST IN Delhi University (DU) handed over degrees to PAKISTAN: Members of Pakistan's minority postgraduate, undergraduate and PhD scholars, Hindu community staged a protest in Southern amongst whom various retired and non-retired Sindh province after a Hindu woman converted to senior educationists celebrated their achievements Islam and married a Muslim man, according to a on March 19. media report on March 30. Usha Saraswat (71), the eldest among all who The protest and a "wave of anger" within the were conferred degrees, termed it a ‘lifetime minority community led to the postponement of achievement award’. polls for the Hindu panchayat in Jacobabad on “It is great honour to have received the degree at March 29. Reports from Jhanjhri Street area of such a senior stage of life. I enrolled myself after Jacobabad said Ganga, the daughter of gold trader retirement as I would sit free at home. I have Ashok Kumar, married Asif Ali, son of another grandchildren. They were fascinated seeing me gold trader Bahadur Ali Surhio, at Amrot Sharif study 18 hours a day. They have taken lessons for Dargah after converting to Islam, the Dawn this and often helped me with notes from the reported. internet. I feel great about it. During my research A rally was organised from Janta Hall in work, I travelled to Pune, Bombay and several Jacobabad against the alleged kidnapping. People States,” said Saraswat. Another doctorate, 64- marched to the local press club, shouting slogans year-old Dolly Menon, an Economics professor for Ganga's reunion with her family. Hindu leaders from Lady Shri Ram (LSR) College, said it was warned that if their demand was not met, the her love for education and the competition with community would observe a strike across the city young upcoming teachers that made her take up and start an agitation. research. 11. PURVANCHAL SEVA SANGAM ENDS 9. ADITYA JHA HONOURED: Adhitya Jha, ON POSITIVE NOTE: A gathering of service Chairman, POA Educational Foundation in organizations active in the sensitive state of Assam Toronto, was inducted into the ‘Order of Canada’. in NorthEast Bharat concluded on a very positive The citation at the Governor General’s website note. Over 50 such organizations participated in states that Shri Jha was given this honour “For his this conference called ‘Purvanchal Seva Sangam’ achievements in business and for his commitment which was held from February 23-24, 2013. The to promoting education and entrepreneurial event was inaugurated by Bharat Sewashram opportunities for Aboriginal and disadvantaged Sangh Swami Sadhananda by lighting the youth”. The ‘Order of Canada’ is one of Canada’s traditional lamp on the first day. highest civilian honours for recognizing an Addressing the gathering on the occasion Swami outstanding lifetime achievement, dedication to Sadhananda exhorted the people to render selfless community and source to the nationa’. service to the needy and neglected sections of the 3 society. Gurusharan Prasad, national co-convener “In our country, freedom of expression is of Rashtriya dwelt on the role of guaranteed by the Constitution and the influence, Sewa Bharati and the concept of seva provided by credibility and quality of our media are well the Rashtirya Seva Bharati. recognised. Such a high standing casts upon the The valedictory function of the event was held on media certain responsibilities,” he said and, February 24. Pramod Prakash Shrivastava, IPS quoting Gitanjali, stressed that the media should (retd) and presently representative of the always keep in mind that the words written and Government of Bharat on the North East Council spoken must come from the depths of truth and was the special guest on this occasion Akhil that sensationalism should never become a Bharatiya Seva Pramukh of RSS Suhas Hiremath substitute for objective reporting. delivering the valedictory address emphasized on 14. FIFTY WOMEN PARTICIPATE IN real meaning of seva and the objective to be SEVIKA VARG IN PENNSLYVANIA, USA: achieved through these seva activities. In the midst of the natural beauty and serenity of 12. INTERNET IS A GAME-CHANGER, Saylorsburg, PA, over fifty enthusiastic women SAYS MODI: A day after British Foreign Office gathered at the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam for the Minister Hugo Swire heaped praise on his weekend from March 8 to March 10. Home administration during a visit, Gujarat Chief makers, stay at home moms and career oriented Minister on March 21 lauded his women from Massachusetts to Washington, DC own government for several technological came together for an invigorating two day Sevika advances and advocated use of technology by Varg. The camp was organized by Hindu politicians for bringing in good governance, Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) to provide a platform accountability and transparency. for socially active Hindu women to explore ways “Internet is a game-changer. Common citizens to spread Hindu values to the youth while now directly engage in the policy-making addressing societal problems faced in the country. process,” Mr. Modi said through video- The participants shared experiences, learned from conferencing at the Big Tent Summit, an event each other in a fun way, and came out of the camp organised by internet search giant Google in New with something to take back to their respective Delhi. Mr. Modi, who is being touted as the first home towns. Chief Minister in Bharat to be invited to the 15. NRIs MARCH IN SUPPORT OF MODI: Google’s high-profile event, was speaking on Hundreds of Bharatiya-Americans marched in politics and technology. He said internet had protest against the last minute withdrawal of an empowered people and made communication with invitation to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra leaders and the government a two-way process. Modi to speak at the Wharton Economic Mr. Modi described technology as the “new town Forum. square” and said citizens were now netizens. “This Marching under the banner of a group called is a wired republic,” he said. Americans for Free Speech, they chanted: "We 13. SENSATIONALISM NO SUBSTITUTE want Modi!" as the Forum held its conference FOR OBJECTIVE REPORTING: PRANAB March 23 afternoon at the University of MUKHERJI: The media is accountable to its Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and readers and viewers at large and, through them, to Anthropology in Philadelphia. the entire nation, Rashtrapati The march, followed by a series of speeches from stressed on March 16. Inaugurating the 125th guest speakers, was held across the street from the anniversary celebrations of Malayala Manorama in conference to which members of the press were Kottayam, Rashtrapatiji reminded the media denied entrance. fraternity of the key role it had to play in cleansing During the march, a sign was posted outside the public life, but cautioned that, in taking up this conference hall by the protesters that read: "In role, the conduct of the media itself should be memory of Free Speech (1776-2013) Killed at above board. Wharton by the English Department." 4 16. A FRESH BEGINNING MADE: India- the focus on India's contribution to the Suez Canal Egypt ties need to be nourished - Egyptian corridor project. This ambitious project aims to President Mohamed Morsi's three-day state visit to turn the banks of the Suez Canal into an economic India, which ends on March 21, marks a sense of hub that will enhance connectivity between Asia renewed engagement between New Delhi and with Africa, and in the process reap enormous Cairo in the post-Arab Spring era. India had benefits for Egypt. If the project fructifies, it will remained detached through much of the time that a also significantly boost the Indian export industry. popular uprising swept through the Arab world Additionally, Mr Morsi has also talked of defence since 2011. But as Egypt moves into the next cooperation. phase of its ‘Revolution', it is in India's interest to But while New Delhi must respond support the efforts and aspirations of the people of enthusiastically to Mr Morsi's personal initiative to that country who have unequivocally spoken in improve ties, which honestly haven't seen the favour of equality, freedom and democracy — warmth that characterised the India-Egypt principles that also form the bedrock of the Indian relationship during the heyday of the Nehru- nation. Before Mr Morsi and his Government now Nasser era, it must also be cautious of the lies the far more challenging task of nation- President's avowedly Islamist background. A building. It is one thing to topple a regime and member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mr Morsi quite another to govern a nation. This is a fact that has taken a fairly conservative stand when it the Egyptian President is acutely aware of. Today, comes to issues, such as women's rights, for Mr Morsi faces a plethora of challenges at home in instance, and his Government continues to enjoy Egypt where sectarian violence and street protests the support of hardline elements like the Salafists. have become the norm, the economy has tanked, Still, in some cases Mr Morsi has proven to be a and employment and poverty are rapidly spiralling pragmatist. His take on the crucial Egypt-Israel out of control. All of this has led to increasing peace treaty is a case in point. (Editorial Daily popular disenchantment with his Government, and Pioneer Thursday, 21 March 2013) Mr Morsi's presidency is perpetually on the edge. 17. HINDUS IN YOGYAKARTA PERFORM That at time when he is swamped by domestic MELASTI: Thousands of Hindus from troubles, Mr Morsi has chosen to travel to India Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces performed shows his commitment to bilateral ties between the Melasti ritual on Parangkusumo Beach in the the two countries. Equally importantly, it brings village of Parangtritis, Kretek district, Bantul into focus the role that New Delhi can play as regency, on March 9, ahead of Nyepi, the Hindu Cairo strives for a stable, democratic and Day of Silence, which was observed on March 12. prosperous Egypt. In the ritual, which started at around 2 p.m., the Against this backdrop, Mr Morsi's focus on Hindu faithfuls brought various ritual offerings rejuvenating trade relations between India and from the Cepuri area to Parangkusumo Beach, Egypt is spot on. As the President himself pointed accompanied by the sounds of Balinese music. out, despite the turbulence in his country, Egypt's They prayed for the ritual offerings, which were bilateral trade with India had grown to $5.5 put on a 50-meter-long wooden raft and then left billion, of which $2.5 billion was added in the past to float out to sea. one year alone. Indeed, the large trade delegation “Melasti is one of the rituals held ahead of Nyepi that he has brought along on his maiden visit to and this year, the ritual coincided with the Saka India is a definite indicator of how economic New Year 1935,” the chairman of the Yogyakarta cooperation could become the defining branch of the Indonesian Parishada Hindu Council characteristic of India-Egypt relations. Already, (PHDI), Ida Bagus Agung MTN, said. He said the two countries have signed seven pacts in fields Malasti was aimed at cleaning human beings and as diverse as information technology, the environment from impurities. They dispose of manufacturing, electronics, fertilisers and the ritual offerings into the sea to symbolize the renewable energy. Mr Morsi has also brought back throwing away of all those impurities. 5 18. HINDU DEFINED BY NAGPUR COURT: 20. BHARAT TEST FIRES BRAHMOS Lord Shiva, Hanuman and goddess Durga do not MISSILE FROM UNDERWATER represent any particular religion but are regarded PLATFORM: Bharat on March 21, successfully as supernatural powers of the universe, the Nagpur carried out the maiden test firing of the over 290 income tax appellate tribunal has said. km-range submarine-launched version of The observation came when the tribunal was BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in the Bay of hearing an appeal by Nagpur-based Shiv Mandir Bengal becoming the first country in the world to Devstan Panch Committee Sanstan against an have this capability. income tax commissioner's order denying it tax This is the first test firing of an underwater exemption on grounds that more than 5% of its supersonic cruise missile anywhere in the world expenditure was incurred on religious activities. and the missile travelled its complete range of Differing with the I-T commissioner's order, the over 290 kms, he said. The performance of the tribunal said, "Expenses on worshipping of Lord missile during the test launch was "perfect". Ship Shiva, Hanuman, and Goddess Durga and on and ground-launched versions of the missile have maintenance of the temple cannot be regarded as been successfully tested and put into service with having been incurred for religious purposes." the Bharatiya Army and the Navy. The tribunal went on to say that Hinduism was "BrahMos missile is fully ready for fitment in neither a religion nor a community. It consisted of submarines in vertical launch configuration which a number of communities having different gods will make the platform one of the most powerful worshipped in different ways. Even the worship of weapon platforms in the world," Brahmos CEO A god wast not essential for a person who had Sivanathu Pillai said. adopted the Hindu way of life, it said. 21. TAKING BHARATIYA MUSIC TO U.S. According to it, the word 'community' meant CLASSROOMS: Chennai-based Chitravina people living in the same place, under the same maestro N. Ravikiran, who developed laws and regulations and who have common rights ‘Melharmony’ — a concept that seeks to blend and privileges. This may apply to Christianity or harmony, a popular technique in western classical Islam but not to Hinduism. "Technically, music, with melody from the perspective of the Hinduism is neither a religion nor a community," Raga-based Bharatiya classical music — about a the tribunal said. decade ago, is now orienting schoolchildren in the 19. THOUSANDS GATHER FOR BUDDHA U.S. to the concept by holding music classes and PARK CONSECRATION CEREMONY IN workshops. SIKKIM: Thousands of devotees gathered to Recently, a group of students trained by him witness the consecration ceremony of Tathgatha performed two pieces based on ‘Melharmony’ — Tsal by spiritual leader Dalai Lama at Rabong, ‘Bay of Bengal’ (based on the carnatic scale South Sikkim on March 25. His Holiness was Bangala) and ‘Not i’ (which, he says, is a pun on joined by the Sikkim Governor BP Singh and raga Nattai). Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. The devotees 22. BHARATIYA COW’s WITH hailed from South East Asian Countries, RELEVANCE TO HEALTH: The Bharatiya neighbouring countries, and various states of the cow has played one of the key roles in the growth country as all over the state. of agrarian economy since ages. The book 'Devil The ceremony started with offering of prayers at in the Milk: illness, health and politics A1 and A2 the statue of Lord Buddha by His Holiness where Milk by Keith Woodard examines the link he performed the rituals. Addressing the gathering between a protein in the milk we drink and a range Dalai Lama said: “This, Tsthagata Tsal, has been of serious illnesses, including heart disease, Type developed so beautifully where everyone wants to 1 diabetes, autism, and schizophrenia." come and visit. It is not merely for the followers of These health problems are linked to a tiny protein Buddhism but for the people of different fragment that is formed when one digests A1 beta- religions”. casein, a milk protein produced by many cows in 6 the United States and northern European countries. Rinkel Kumari to her family, pursuant to reports Milk that contains A1 beta-casein is commonly that she had been abducted with the help of a known as A1 milk; milk that does not is called A2. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) lawmaker. In a case All milk was once A2, until a genetic mutation that has been widely reported in the liberal occurred some thousands of years ago in some Pakistani media, Rinkel, who was abducted on European cattle. Interestingly, the milk from February 24, was forced to marry one Naveed Bharatiya cow is A2 milk and the Bharatiya Shah and convert to Islam. governments are ignorant of the fact She was subsequently produced before a civil 23. 3 NRIs HONOURED FOR PROMOTING judge twice, but she was reportedly coerced into HINDI IN THE UK: Three non-resident claiming that she had converted on her own will, Bharatiyas and a Nottingham-based organisation even as her family was denied access to her in have been honoured by the Bharatiya High kangaroo court proceedings that revealed in video Commission in UK for their outstanding work in clips to be led by a frenzied mob of zealots, promoting Hindi in the United Kingdom. High including armed followers of the Pakistani commissioner Jaimini Bhagwati presented them lawmaker. According to Pakistani civil liberties shields, shawls and citations in connection with activists in Washington DC, Rinkel was allegedly World Hindi Day 2013 on March 19. The threatened while in police custody that if she did awardees are: Mahendra Kishore Verma of York not change her statement, she and her family University; Krishna Kumar, chairman of Gitanjali would be killed. Multilingual Literary Circle in Birmingham; ''Rinkel Kumari's case is just one case of internationally renowned blogger Kavita abduction and forced religious conversion in Vachaknavi and Kavya Rang, a Global 24 Pakistan,'' Congressman Sherman said in the letter Association of Poets and Writers in Nottingham. to Zardari, citing the Asian Human Rights 24. BHARATIYA IT COMPANIES DOUBLE commission figure of 20-25 kidnappings and MARKET SHARE IN 6 YEARS: Bharat IT forced conversions of Hindu girls in Sindh every companies accounted for $31 billion, or 4.8%, of month. ''I urge you to take all necessary steps to the worldwide IT spending of $641 billion in bring an end to this practice and other harassment 2006-07. This year, it is estimated to be $77 of Hindus in Pakistan.'' billion, or 9.8%, of the global spending of $785 Hindus, who constituted more than 15 per cent of billion, according to research by brokerage firm Pakistan's population soon after Partition, have Angel Broking. The research also looks at 13 of now dwindled to less than two per cent, mostly in the top global IT outsourcers - eight MNCs and some districts of Sindh. five Bharatiya - and finds that the Bharatiya 26. BHARATIYA ART FETCHES $6.6 outsourcers' share in the total revenues of the 13 MILLION AT SOTHEBY'S AUCTION: companies has risen from 7.7% in fiscal 2007 to Abstract artist Vasudeo S Gaitonde topped the first 14.3% in fiscal 2012, and that of the MNCs has International Evening Sale of Modern and dipped correspondingly from 92.3% to 85.7%. Contemporary Bharatiya Art in New York by 25. FORCED CONVERSION OF HINDUS IN Sotheby's, which amassed over $6 million, just PAKISTAN JOLTS US OUT OF SLUMBER: shy of its pre-sale high estimate of $7 million and Coming on the heels of support in Congress for a set record prices for four artists. Baloch homeland in the face of Islamabad's The 1962 oil-on-canvas untitled work by Gaitonde depredations in the region, a US Congressman has was bought by a Bharatiya collector for $965,000 zeroed in on the abduction and forced religious Syed Haider Raza's "Rajasthan I" from 1983, conversion of Hindus in the country highlighted fetched $809,000, while multiple bidders drove F by the case of Rinkel Kumari. N Souza's "The Crucifixion" to achieve $557,000. In a sharply-worded letter to Pakistan's President Additional highlights included Manjit Bawa's Asif Ali Zardari, Congressman Brad Sherman "The Black Devi", which sold for $389,000, and urged him to take action to ensure the return of Bhupen Khakhar's "Satsang"(1988), which fetched 7 $341,000 — both above their pre-sale high are ground and boiled to get colours like red, estimates. Out of the 43 works on offer in the green, golden and purple, said the sattradhikar of "Amaya" collection assembled by collector and Barpeta Sattra, Basistha Deva Sharma. author Amrita Jhaveri, 40 were sold fetching a "We strictly adhere to the original ethos prescribed grand total of $6,694,876. by Madhabdeb when he set up the Sattra here. 27. BHARATIYA NAMED TIME INTL There are certain rules that people must follow EDITOR: Bharatiya journalist Bobby Ghosh has when they celebrate Holi in the vicinity of the been named the new editor of Time International, Sattra. These have been in practice for more than making him the first non-American world editor in 400 years now. For instance, men do not apply the magazine’s history. Ghosh joined Time in colour on women and vice versa. The younger 1998 after 10 years as a journalist in Bharat and generation too has adopted the traditonal way of two on the staff of the Far Eastern Economic celebration and the special Barpeta Holi is an Review in Hong Kong. intrinsic part of people's lives here," Sharma said. 28. HOLI COLOURS DRAW FOREIGN He added, "Holi is also celebrated as a reverence TOURISTS TO BHARAT: A penchant for life to farming. The festival continues for more than in technicolour with a dash of herbal colours, three days. We make the colours the way crunchy gujias, chilled thandais and soulful Sankardeva made them during his days and only ghazals: the heady cocktail is proving to be an use vegetable stalks and herbs used by him." irresistible draw for foreign tourists to celebrate In Manipur, the festival is celebrated in Imphal Holi in Bharat. Valley by the Meitei populace with festivities “The situation is a bit subdued this year due to the continuing for five days. The fervent spirit here rape incident and increasing airfares. Yet foreign can be compared to that of Mathura, Brindavan tourists are opting to celebrate Holi with locals in and Jaipur, where it is celebrated in its full glory. cities like Mathura, Vrindavan and Varanasi,” 30. BLOOD DONATION CAMP ON Gour Kanjilal, executive director of Indian GOLWALKAR JAYANTI: Govindaraja Nagar Association of Tour Operators (IATO), said in unit of RSS, along with Yadava Seva Pratishtan New Delhi. “They find the atmosphere here and Rashtrotthana Blood Bank, organised Blood charming during Holi. The food like gujias, drinks donation Camp on March 17, as part of 107th like thandais and ghazal music, draws them Birth year of Second Sarasanghachalak of RSS despite safety concerns,” Kanjilal added. Guruji Golwalkar and 150th Birth Year of Swami Kanjilal says: “Not only travellers, we get requests Vivekananda. The camp was held at Nachiketa from foreign journalists and photographers. The Manovikas Kendra at Govindarajanagar at riot of colours is a golden chance for them to Bangalore. More than 100 volunteers donated capture the ‘Incredible Bharat’ experience.” blood on the occasion. 29. CELEBRATING THE COLOURS OF 31. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN:Pravas:Shri NATURE: For hundreds of years, Barpeta Saumitra Gokhale, samyojak Vishwa Vibhag residents have been celebrating Holi with colours would leave Bharat for the tour of Australia and made from the natural extracts of flowers, trees, New Zealand.Visitors: Shekhar Patel, Jagdish vegetable stalks & herbs as taught by Vaishnavite Sehwani, - USA, Nihal singh Agar – Australia, saint Srimanta Sankardeva 400 years ago. So, Chamanlal Gohil – UK, Pt Umanath Shastri – while city markets are flooded with harmful Mauritius, Moutuma Christian – Reunion Islands. synthetic Holi colours, the Barpeta Sattra, set up in FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Worship of God, 1583 AD by Sankardeva's disciple Madhabdeb, worship of the holy ones, concentration and uses natural dyes from traditional plants and trees meditation, and unselfish work, these are the ways to make Holi colours even now. of breaking away from Maya’s net; but we must Muga silk, roots of the 'aasu' tree, raw turmeric, first have the strong desire to get free. – Swami spinach, neem leaves, beetroot, seeds of 'pooisaak' Vivekananda (a leafy vegetable) and 'daatha' (a vegetable stalk) JAI SHREE RAM 8