P.O.BOX 5728 SRT NAGAR, NEW DELHI 110055 (BHARAT); Email : [email protected] No. Sm1504/2072 (For Private Circulation Only) Ashadha Krishna 13, Vik. Samvat 2072.Yugabda 5117 Tel: 91-11- 23684445; Fax: 91-11-23517722 16 May 2015 1. FESTIVALS: Purushottama Maasa: PM said that we were conscious of the suffering Bharatiya year has 354 days in 12 lunar months of that the recent earthquake has caused in Nepal – around 29.5 days. Gregorian calendar has 12 the land of Buddha's birth. But he added that this months of around 365.25 days. To bring is also an opportunity for everyone to follow Lord consistency in both the lunar and solar systems, Buddha's message of "karuna" (compassion), and there is a system of an extra month every three to wipe the tears of those suffering in Nepal. years, called Adhik or Purushottam Maasa in He said that the importance given to the "Sangh" Bharatiya calendar. In Vikrami samvat 2072, there highlights how Lord Buddha sensed the is an extra Aashadha month which is importance of uniting people towards a noble Purushottama masa this year. It will start on cause. He said Lord Buddha's teaching of "Atta Aashaadha Amavasya corresponding to 17 th June Deepo Bhavah" – "Be your own light" – was one and will end on Shraavana Krishna Paksha of the greatest management lessons ever, chatudashi, i.e., on 15 th July. During this period contained in just three words. He recalled his visits people perform various types of religious rituals to Buddhist temples recently in Japan and Sri such as fast, recitation of religious scriptures, Lanka, and also in China when he was Chief mantras, prayers, performing various types of Minister of Gujarat. He said some people called pujas and havans. It is believed that persons Buddha "the light of the east," and added that in performing good deeds/satkarma in this month his opinion, this was an underestimation, and conquer their indriyas/senses and they totally Buddha was in fact a source of inspiration for the come out of punar janam and also their miseries entire universe. are eradicated. Marriages, entry into new house The Union Minister of State for Culture Mahesh etc., are not performed in this month. Sharma, the Union Minister of State for Home 2. WITHOUT BUDDHA, 21ST CENTURY Kiren Rijiju, and the Ven. Lama Lobzang, CANNOT BECOME ASIA’S CENTURY - Secretary General, International Buddhist MODI: International Buddha Poornima Diwas Confederation, were also present on the occasion. Celebration on May 4 in New Delhi was graced by 3. EDUCATION NOT JUST TO EARN, BUT several Buddhist Monks, followers, ambassadors TO PERFORM DHARMA — MOHAN and other dignitaries alongwith Pradhan Mantri BHAGWAT: “For a person, education is not a . path for earning bread, it is to make a person Pradhan Mantri said Bhagwan Buddha's timeless Vishwambhar, a person who performs and protects message of love and compassion could help rid the the values of dharma throughout his life. This world of the problems of war and violence. PM should be the purpose of education,” said RSS added that whole of the world had acknowledged Sarsanghachalak Shri at that the 21st century would be Asia's century, and Channenahalli near Bengaluru on April 30. He added that Buddha's teachings would be the was addressing a gathering after performing inspiration and guiding spirit for Asia, as it bhoomipujan for a new hostel building of Janaseva showed the world the path to relief from problems Vidyakendra. Shri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of of conflict and hatred. Adichunchanagiri Math said apart from focusing 1 on making a building taller, we should also focus doubt choose democracy and belief in democratic upon raising the personality of an individual. values,” he added. 4. NAMASTE RUSSIA FESTIVAL During the two-hour-long interview on May 2, INAUGURATED BY RASHTRAPATIJI: Modi also allayed fears of minorities under his Rashtrapati Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated a government, saying he would take responsibility festival of Bharatiya Culture in Russia ‘Namaste to ensure their “complete and total protection”. Russia’in Moscow on 10 th May. 6. BRITAIN NEEDS TO TAKE Speaking on the occasion, the President said INSPIRATION FROM HINDUISM - DAVID “Indian culture and its heritage of art, music and CAMERON: In his third visit to the cinema have enjoyed love and appreciation across Swaminarayan temple at Neasden, the British Russia over centuries. In too, there is Prime Minister, David Camron said, "I go around enormous warmth and regard for Russian culture the country, I see our iconic buildings and statues as showcased in its ballet, literature and traditions. Stonehenge, the Angel of the North, Big Ben and Russia’s Gerasim Lebedev, who was arguably the I'll tell you what - Neasden Mandir is one of them first European Indologist, pioneered the Bengali - one of our great British landmarks. The first theatre 220 years ago in Kolkata.” traditional Hindu temple built in Europe wasn't in The President said with the support of the Russian Germany, or France, or Spain. It was here in Ministry of Culture, ‘Namaste Russia’ will reach Britain - right here in Neasden - and I'm so proud various regions of Russia over the next six of that. I think of everything that went into months. He said that he was delighted to learn that creating it the 3,000 tonnes of Bulgarian the logo for ‘Namaste Russia’ is designed by a limestone, the 1,200 tonnes of Italian marble, the young Russian from the Russian town of 1500 sculptors in Bharat, the countless hours of Krasnoyarsk, who succeeded in an open volunteering by young and old. It really was a competition with both Bharatiyas and Russians. labour of love - and it really is a thing of beauty, a 5. DEMOCRACY IS IN OUR DNA: “Bharat by marvel," Cameron said. its very nature is a democracy. It is not just as per 7. PIOs ELECTED TO UK PARLIAMENT: A our Constitution that we are a democratic country; record number of 10 Bharatiya-origin candidates it is in our DNA… I firmly believe that for us, including Keith Vaz, Priti Patel and Infosys co- democracy and belief in democratic values are a founder Narayana Murthy’s son-in-law were on matter of faith… So, if you were to ask me May 8 elected to the British Parliament.There whether you need dictatorship to run Bharat, no, were a total of 59 Bharatiya-origin candidates in you do not. ..Whether you need a powerful person the fray from the Tories (17), Labour (14), Liberal who believes in concentrating power at one place, Democrats (14), Green Party (4), United Kingdom no you do not. If anything is required to take India Independence Party (3), Independents (2) and one forward, it is an innate belief in democracy and each from the smaller parties like All People’s democratic values. I think that is what is needed Party, Christian Movement for Great Britain, and that is what we have,” Pradhan Mantri National Liberal Party, Socialist Labour Party and Narendra Modi said in an nterview to Time Young People’s Party. Prime Minister David magazine. Cameron has chosen Bharatiya-origin MP Priti “If you were to ask me at a personal level to Patel as the new Employment Minister. Patel, who choose between democratic values on the one was re-elected from Witham in Essex with a big hand, and wealth, power, prosperity and fame on majority replaces another female MP in the the other hand, I will very easily and without any Cabinet, Esther McVey, who lost in the polls. 2

8. CIVILISATIONAL CONNECTIONS: and worshipped the Mahabodhi tree in Modi’s Buddhist pitch is not just diplomatic PR Anuradhapura. In China, later this month, he is While other empires were built by kings and expected to visit the Great Wild Goose pagoda, soldiers who conquered vast swathes of territory, dedicated to famous Buddhist pilgrim Huen the Indian civilisational empire, it can be said, has Tsang. been raised by saints and seers who found a place On the domestic front, the speech marks a rare in our souls. Unfortunately, in the recent past, outreach to the Buddhist community which, India has failed to acknowledge, leave alone though tiny, is still about eight million-strong. develop, those spiritual ties of yore with its friends Moreover, after centuries of decline, Buddhism is and neighbours. This is partly the result of the on the rise in the land of its birth, primarily due to misguided policy perspectives of some post- the migration of Tibetan Buddhists and the Independence leaders, who confused secularism conversion of Hindu Dalits. Also, the Prime with irreligiosity, (if not willfully undermined it Minister's focus on Lord Buddha as a social through minority appeasement), and also partly the reformer was a message to his domestic result of the public's own detachment from its constituencies. It is too soon to predict with civilisational history. It is against this backdrop certainty but the Buddha Poornima speech could that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's heartfelt be an important indicator of how the Modi address on Buddha Poornima, highlighting Lord Government, often derided as a Hindu- Buddha's relevance in the contemporary world, majoritarian force, hopes to shape the debate on must be viewed. religion and secularism, nationalism and identity. This is the first time in recent memory that Indeed, it is to be hoped that through more such Buddha Poornima has been celebrated on such a measures, the Modi Government will take its massive scale by the Government with a message historic mandate to a different level and refurbish for audiences abroad and at home. In the first case, that elusive ‘Idea of India'. (The Pioneer, Mr Modi's Buddhist pitch reaches out to our South Editorial, 06 May 2015) Asian neighbours such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and 9. FELICITATION OF DR. PT. VAMADEVA Bhutan, and our friends across Asia, from SHASTRI: , Bay Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar to China, Area vibhag organized felicitation of Pt. South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and Vamadeva Shastri- for him Mongolia. It highlights India's civilisational receiving Padma Bhushan award granted by the connect with these countries and its undisputed Government of Bharat, honoring his work and position as an Asian powerhouse. Hopefully, these writings as vedic teacher. efforts to underline India's soft power will bring The felicitation ceremony was on the evening of in, apart from more tourists, also diplomatic Saturday 9 th May at Sunnyvale Hindu Temple. For leverages in the years ahead. this felicitation leaders from Hindu American Those who have sought to dismiss the Buddha foundation, Indo-American Community Poornima speech as publicity gimmick for Mr Federation, Sanskrita Bharati, Yoga Bharati, Sewa Modi’s upcoming China trip, should keep in mind International and Vedica Global were present. that Buddhism has been an important leitmotif of Over 150 swayamsevak and karyakarta from other Mr Modi's diplomacy. In Japan last year, he organizations witnessed the ceremony. prayed at the Toji and Kinkakuji Buddhist Ma. Chandru Bhamra ji felicitated on behalf of temples, and in Sri Lanka this March, he addressed HSS followed by the representative of each Buddhist monks at Colombo's Mahabodhi Temple organizationDr. Frawley eloquently spoke on 3

Dharma, some principles like ahimsa, dharam Kathamnadu or mountaneous remote villages like concept, how the forces are at work in favor of Sole, Lang Tang Gusaikund to name a few. dharma etc. He was very happy to see flourishing Separate teams have been formed to receive and Hindu organizations in Bay Area, he emphasized sort the material arriving from various sources, sangha shakti the most powerful. Others who distributing it at required places, medical help etc. spoke at the occasion were Khanderao Kand and 12. NAXALBARI HOSTS RSS CAMP: Annual Vijay Sinha. Pt. Vamadeva shastri also had a summer training camp of RSS is being held at the fruitful meeting with yuva karyakartas over place from where the dreaded Naxalite movement dinner. under the leadership of Charu Mazumdar and 10. TRITIYA VARSH SANGH SHIKSHA Kanu Sanyal had sprung during the early seventies VARG-2015 STATRS AT NAGPUR: The which is an indication of withering away of Annual 25-day Truteeya Varsh Sangh Shiksha violence-based movement, RSS Sah-Sarkaryawah Varg was inaugurated on 11 th May at Reshimbagh V. Bhagayya said in his inaugural address at the premises, Nagpur. camp. The Naxalite movement was launched so RSS Sah-Sarakaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale that the working class, labourers and farm workers inaugurated the varga. Varg Sarvadhikari Govind could lead a respectable life. But that did not Sing Tank offered floral tributes to Samadhi of happen. Today, we are holding the RSS camp RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and here. The RSS believes in principle of love, Second Sarasanghachalak Madhav Sadashiv brotherhood and welcomes and honors all sections Golwalkar. Varg Karyavah Yashwant Bhai of the society. Chowdhary, Varg Palak Adhikari Arun Kumar 148 RSS volunteers from 106 places of North (Akhil Bharatiya Sah Sampark Pramukh) were Bengal are participating in this summer camp. All present during the inaugural. the volunteers are below the age of 40. ‘There is a great expectation and confidence about 13. 1,000 DAYS OF MEGA WALKATHON : RSS in our country today. We have to live up to The Bharat Parikrama Yatra completed 1,000 days this expectation of people and transform this on May 5. It is in Tejpur district of Assam now. country into a powerful and united nation’, said Aiming at upliftment of village life, the Yatra, led Varg Pramukh Arun Kumar during his welcome by former RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sewa Pramukh speech to the the participants of the varga. Sitaram Kedialya, has covered over 12,150 A total of nearly 876 select RSS karyakartas are kilometers distance. taking part in this highest level of RSS annual RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri Mohan Bhagwat training camp. congratulated Kedilaya in a message “He began 11. SERVING HUMANITY IS THE ONLY his tour after obtaining the darshan of Sripada AGENDA — DATTATREYA HOSABALE: Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari and since then RSS Sahsarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale visited has been walking every day on barefoot and has quake-torn Nepal immediately after the disaster covered the Western Ghats, Western Coastline, the struck the Himalayan neighbour. He shared the western land border up to Kashmir and the sorrows and agony of the victims, understood their northern border areas. He has travelled through the needs and requirements and joined the relief villages of the Terai region in the Himalayas and operations conducted by the volunteers of Hindu thus having walked for a complete 1,000 days has Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) there. now reached Assam. Completing this 1,000 days HSS volunteers are reaching every nook and arduous tour as per the set intentions and the effort corner of the earthquake affected areas, be it in put, is an achievement worthy of all accolades. 4

14. HINDUISM BECOMES FOURTH- and depth of Neel Mukherjee’s second novel, in LARGEST FAITH IN US: America's Hindu which a suburban house in 1960s Calcutta comes population has reached 2.23 million, an increase of to reflect the political and social convulsions of an about one million or 85.8 percent since 2007, entire society,” Alex Clark, chair of the Encore making Hinduism the fourth-largest faith. The Judges, said. The Lives of Others was published in proportion of Hindus in the US population rose May 2014 by Chatto & Windus, and in the USA in from 0.4 percent in 2007 to 0.7 percent last year, October by W.W. Norton & Company. according to the Pew Research Center's "Religious Neel Mukherjee (born 1970), who lives in Landscape Study" published on May 12. An London, called the Encore “a burst of light in what earlier report from Pew on the future of world is usually considered to be dark, damp, bleak religions in April said that by 2050, Hindus would territory – the dreaded second novel”, and said he make up 1.2 percent of the US population and was “thrilled by my good fortune and, looking at number 4.78 million. This would make the US the list of past winners, both humbled and deeply Hindu population the fifth largest in the world. honoured” to win. 15. PIO LAWMAKER IN OZ TAKES OATH 18. WOMEN SHOULD REALISE THEIR ON GITA: Bharatiya-origin Daniel Mookhey on DUTIES – MALATI SHARMA: Matri 12 th May became the first politician in Australia to Sammelans are being organised all over Bharat by be sworn in on the Gita when he took oath in New and Matrishakti to celebrate golden South Wales Parliament. Mookhey, 32, was jubilee of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Addressing elected by the Labour to replace Steve Whan in a Sammelan in Delhi on May 3, Smt Malati the New South Wales Upper House, making him Sharma, Uttar Kshetra convener of Matrishakti the state’s first politician of Bharatiya background. said: “Today everyone talks about women rights 16. YOGA REACHES CAPITOL HILL IN but none talks about the real strength of the US: A group of US lawmakers and hill staff have women. come together to form the first ever and one-of-its The glorious words like Behan, Patni, Dadi, Nani, kind "Congressional Yogi Association". The Mami, Bua etc are vanishing from the vogue.” She inaugural event at the historic Cannon House stressed the need to protect the values. On this Office Building of the US Congress was attended occasion women also took pledge to protect the by a number of top American lawmakers. national values. The Sammelan was organised in Prominent among them were Tim Ryan, Charles New Ashok Nagar of East Delhi and also Greater Rangel and Barbara Lee. Organised by the Kailash-2 in South Delhi. Congressional Yogi Association with support of 19. PIO KARAN MENON WINS NATIONAL the Bharatiya Embassy, the first-ever "Yoga on the GEOGRAPHY BEE: Karan Menon, a 14-year- Hill" on May 1 was attended by Brennan old student of Bharatiya origin, has won the Mullaney (Team RWB- veterans' welfare prestigious National Geographic Bee competition organisation) and Tom Voss (Iraq War veteran). in the US, in which the top three positions were Around 60 Congressional officials participated in bagged by Bharatiya-origin contestants. Menon, the yoga and meditation session. an eighth grader from New Jersey, competed 17. NEEL MUKHERJEE WINS £10,000 UK against 10 finalists from across the US to win the LITERARY AWARD: Kolkata born writer Neel 2015 National Geographic Bee championship held Mukherjee’s “The Lives of Others” has won the on May 13 at the National Geographic UK’s Encore Award for the best second novel. headquarters in Washington. Of the 10 finalists, “We were immensely impressed by the ambition seven were of Bharatiya origin. 5

20. BHARATIYA-ORIGIN WOMAN IS Gujarati and was released by Didi Maa Sadhvi FIRST ASIAN ELECTED MAYOR IN UK: A Ritambara in presence of the RSS Sarkaryavah Bharatiya-origin councillor woman has become Bhaiyaji Joshi at a function held in Mumbai on the first Asian woman elected mayor of Ealing April 5. Bhaiyaji said, “Ideology alone is not Council in London. Harbhajan Kaur Dheer, 62, at enough for running an organisation. It needs a a ceremony at the Victoria Hall at Ealing Council foundation of practicality, emotional bonding and on May 13 became the Mayor of Ealing Council affection. It is owing to Bharat’s culture of family after succeeding councillor Tej Ram Bagha. Her relationship that it is different from all other husband councillor Ranjit Dheer is a former cultures. This sentimental attachment brings joy Mayor of Ealing. Born in Punjab in 1953, and pleasure in our lives.” He complimented Smt Harbhajan Kaur came to Britain in 1975. Kirtida for her painstaking work and made it a 21. 2,600 YEAR OLD MAYAN CITY IS point to mention that this was perhaps the first DISCOVERED: Archaeologists have found a ever documentation of the RSS personalities. walled Mayan city from 2,600 years ago that 24. PAKISTAN BEGINS RECONS- followed a unique grid pattern, suggesting the TRUCTION OF HINDU TEMPLE: The ruler who oversaw the design was a very powerful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, in a person. The city, which contains flat-topped report submitted to the Supreme Court, has said pyramids, was in use between roughly 600 BC and that it has started the restoration and 300 BC, a time when the first cities were being reconstruction of the Samadhi (shrine) of Hindu constructed in the area, archaeologists working at saint, Param Hans Ji Maharaj. “A long-standing Nixtun-Ch’ich’ in Peten, Guatemala, have found. religious-sensitive dispute of reconstruction of No other city from the Mayan world was planned Hindu Samadhi at Teri district Karak has been using this grid design, researchers said. finally undertaken in light of the Supreme Court 22. LOOTED HANUMAN IDOL BACK judgment on May 1, 2015, under heavy HOME IN CAMBODIA: An American museum deployment of the police in the supervision of has returned a 10th-century sandstone statue of district administration,” said the report. Hanuman to Cambodia, decades after it was looted 25. BHARATIYA STUDENTS MAKE PLANE from a jungle temple during the kingdom’s civil GENERATING POWER BY VIBRATIONS: A war. The metre-high statue was stolen in the 1970s team of Bharatiya students, spread across four from the Koh Ker temple site near the famed countries in three continents, have jointly created Angkor Wat complex. The artwork, which had the world's first airplane that generates its own been in the possession of the Cleveland Museum power by the vibration of its wings. The path of Art since 1982, was returned after negotiations, breaking idea has made it to the finals of a global and was received by Cambodian officials late on competition floated by Airbus. The team which May 10. “We welcome back the statue of includes students presently studying in Bangalore, Hanuman from the Cleveland Museum of Art in Netherlands, US and London envisages a future the US,” Chan Tani, Cambodian Secretary of State when the aircraft wings can be dressed in a for the Cabinet Office. composite skin that harvests energy from natural 23. MEMOIRS OF DR. KIRTIDA MEHTA vibration or flex in the wings. The team now RELEASED: Mumbai based Dr Kirtida Mehta travels to Hamburg, Germany, to make their case has compiled her memoirs in Paami Paras Sparsh for the top prize to Airbus. The winners of "Fly Aapano, Dhanya Thaya Ame (Due to You, We Your Ideas" competition to be announced on May Experience Divine Attainment). The book is in 27 will win a 30,000 euro jackpot. 6

26. ‘AKASH’ MISSILE INDUCTED INTO Rao, the Bharat Ratna awardee for his outstanding ARMY: The ‘Akash’ missile system finally got contributions to science and Indo-Japanese science inducted into the Bharatiya Army on May 5 at a cooperation. Rao is the only Bharatiya to be function in Delhi. The system is a proven elected as a foreign member of the Japan formidable shield against possible aerial threats Academy. from enemy's fighter planes, helicopters, drones The renowned scientist, who has published more and unmanned aerial vehicles up to a maximum than 1600 research papers and authored about 50 range of 25 km and upto an altitude of 20 km. books, has been bestowed with about 70 honorary 'Akash' is a surface-to-air missile indigenously doctorates, received the highest civilian award developed by the Defence Research Development from several nations and is an elected member of Laboratory (DRDL), under Integrated Guided almost all scientific academies across the globe. Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). He had also worked as the Chief Science Advisor The system is capable of simultaneously engaging to the Bharatiya Pradhan Mantri. multiple targets and is capable of providing 29. BELUR MATH: A RETURN TO comprehensive short range missile cover to the SPIRITUAL ROOTS: Taking time off from a vulnerable assets in the field force of the Army. hectic two-day visit to West Bengal, Pradhan 27. HINDU RATNA CONFERRED: On fourth Mantri Narendra Modi, visited Belur Math, the Anniversary of Hindu Helpline, a 24X7 headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission. He emergency helpline, the coveted ‘Hindu Ratna’ spent more than an hour walking barefoot across award was conferred upon Badminton legend the complex on May 10 and praying at different Pullela Gopichand. Agriculturists Dr RK Pathak temples. The Pradhan Mantri reflected on how he and Dr RA Ram too were presented the award at a considered the ideas of Swami Vivekananda and function organised in Karnavati on April 25. Lord Ramakrishna an inspiration and had decided Hindu Ratna award is given to the people who to join the order as a monk and had visited Belur contribute significantly for the society in the field Math as a youth. Modi also visited the of art, culture, science, industry, sports, Dakshineswar temple, located on the bank of river economics, Vanvasi welfare, etc. Hooghly, offered floral tributes and performed Speaking on the occasion, the Vishwa Hindu aarti at the temple. Parishad working president Dr 30. GO-NOYL, COW DUNG TILES TO said: “We salute P Gopichand for his commitment FORM BASE OF COW ECONOMY: Cow to build this strength in kids while coaching them dung and urine can be used to make everything Badminton. Dr RK Pathak is not only an from cancer medicines to idols of gods, agriculturist but he has also deeply experimented organisations associated with the on Agnihotra Krishi, impact of five elements on believe. Some of these organisations are already various crops and its application today. Dr RA manufacturing tiles, mosquito coils and go-noyl — Ramji, an expert in organic bio-dynamic Krishi, a substitute for phenyl made of cow urine — has worked with thousands of farmers helping manure from cow dung and urine. About 7 km them get better yield,” he said. from Bawana village in Delhi, Gopalgosadan, an 28. CNR RAO CONFERRED WITH JAPAN's organisation associated with the Vishwa Hindu HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD: The Emperor Parishad (VHP), runs a shelter for 4,000 cows and of Japan conferred the country's highest civilian also sells go-noyl, cow dung cakes for award, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and environment-friendly cremation in Delhi and Silver Star, on eminent Bharatiya scientist CNR organic manure from cow dung and urine across 7

the country. “Cow urine is also used for making attended by over a 100 guests. This chair is medicines for cancer and HIV patients,” Rakesh intended to foster the study and understanding of Gupta, who runs Gopalgosadan, said. Hinduism and Vedic traditions. 31. FORMER BHARATIYA FOREIGN 34. M C SATYANARAYANA, former SECY TO JOIN AUS THINK-TANK: Former Sanghachalak UK, breathed his last in Bengaluru Bharatiya Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran would on 12 th May. He was 90. He had not been keeping be joining an Australian think-tank as an well for the past few days. Shri Satyanarayana was international fellow. Shyam Sharan, 68, a famous a swayamsevak from Mysuru, worked for sangh in career diplomat who has played a key role in Mysuru and Bengaluru before moving to UK. He Bharat’s rise in the world would be joining the was a pillar, guide and inspirer of HSS UK since Lowy Institute as its 2015 Telstra Distinguished its inception in 1960’s till the year 2000. His International Fellow. cremation took place the same day and was 32. LANKAN TEAM APPROACHES attended by senior Adhikarees of Karnataka Prant. KANCHI ACHARYA ON COMMUNAL 35. NARAD JAYANTI was celebrated at several HARMONY: Emissaries of Sri Lankan Prime places in Bharat in first week of May. Narad muni, Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently met the considered as aadya patrakar (journalist) was Shankaracharya of Kanchi-Kamakoti Peetham and remembered and eminent media people were sought his advice on how to maintain communal felicitated on the occasion. In Delhi, Ma harmony in that Island Nation and improve ties Krishnagopal ji graced the function organized by with the neighbors. Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra on 9 th May. The delegation of Lankan officials included Among those felicitated were Madhu Kishwar - among others Saman Athaudahetti, Additional Manushi, Yatendra Sharma - India News and Secretary (Media) at the PM’s Office. The meeting others. took place on May 13 at Kancheepuram Mutt. 36. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravaas: Shri They discussed on ways and means to promote Ravikumar – sahsamyojak Vishwa Vibhag is on a communal harmony in Sri Lanka and improving tour to East European countries of Greece, religious ties between the people of Bharat and Hungary, Romania, Lithuania and other South Asian neighbours. Czechoslovakia. Visitors: Rajesh Kumar – 33. CELEBRATION OF THE THAKKAR Singapore, Gayatri Patel – UK, FAMILY-DCF ENDOWED CHAIR AT UCI: FOOD FOR THOUGHT: An aggregate or a May 9th, 2015 marked the public celebration of congregation of men does not make a nation, nor the establishment of the “Thakkar Family-DCF do the geographical area and duration of time Presidential Chair in Vedic and Indic qualify a society to be known as a nation. A Civilizational Studies”, at the School of government formed on such basis can be called a Humanities at the University of California, Irvine state, but not a nation. It is common goal or (UCI). A $1.5M gift from the Thakkar Family and mission that makes a nation. All the constituents Dharma Civilization Foundation (“DCF”) strive collectively for something noble….. Service established the endowed chair in January 2015. with a spiritual orientation results in man making Additionally, the UC President will be funding which is invariably and inseparably connected half a million dollars to establish a total with nation building. It is the core of all our endowment of 2 million dollars. The Dean of thoughts behind this organization (Vivekananda Humanities at UCI, Dr. Georges Van Den Abbeele Kendra). – Eknathji Ranade hosted the event, at the UCI campus, which was JAI SHREE RAM 8