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 P.O.BOX 5728 SRT NAGAR, NEW DELHI 110055 (BHARAT); Email: [email protected] No. Sm1605/2073 (For Private Circulation Only) Vaishakh 11, Vik.Samvat 2073. Yugabda 5118 Tel: 91-11- 23517373; 1 June 2016 1. FESTIVALS: Shivrajyabhishek Din, the day 3. ‘’ STAYS IN CALIFORNIA on which Chhatrapati Shivaji coronated himself as TEXTBOOKS: More than a hundred Hindu a Hindu King in 1674 falls on Jyeshth Shuddha 13. American children, parents and Hindu community It was a momentous occasion for the whole Hindu organizations testified in front of the California society across Bharat to have a Hindu King after Department of Education (CDE) about the centuries of foreign invasion, subjugation and negative portrayal of Bharat and in plunder. The event itself instilled a flame in the California textbooks in the last week of May 2016. society to fight such aggressions and rejuvenate Many children narrated instances of bullying, the . Shakhas of Rashtriya Swayamsevak stereotypes and harassment they have to face in Sangh celebrate the day as Hindu Samrajya Divas. their classrooms due to such depiction. ‘Why is It is also observed as Hindu Sangathan Divas at Hinduism - their religion and Bharat - their many other places. country of origin being singled out for such 2. RSS 3RD YEAR PRASHIKSHAN VARG inaccurate and inequitable depiction, the children STARTS IN NAGPUR: RSS Saha Sara sought to know. American groups and Karyavah Dattatreya Hosabale, in his inaugural individuals also opposed attempts by a group of address on 16th May to the Tritiya Varsh varga at academics named ‘ Faculty Group’ ReshimBag - Nagpur gave a brief history of RSS (SAFG) to delete the word ‘India’ in over 30 and the vargas. “The annual Tritiya varsh places in the textbook framework. The letter prashikshan varg of RSS provides an opportunity written by the group of academics with links to to all the participants to know, understand, radical Left and Islamist groups such as Forum of experience and imbibe ‘Bharat’ in their hearts”, he Inquilabi Leftists (FOIL) and Friends of South observed. Varg Sarvadhikari Prof Dr. Vanyarajan, Asia (FOSA), had argued that all mentions of Karyawah Harish Kulkarni, Palak Adhikari Swant ‘India’ before 1947 had to be deleted and in some Ranjan and Sahsarkaryawah Bhagayya were places had to be replaced by “South Asia”. The present on the dais. 981 youth swayamsevaks, Hindu community had disapproved of these drawn from all the states of Bharat are changes and had raised strong objections. Many participating in this training camp. individuals who testified at the commission’s Hosabale said that after completing this training meeting on May 19th brought out comparisons no degree is given to the swayamsevaks, but this with other ancient civilizations like Greek and training is necessary for them so that they can China that are known by their names in the perform their roles more effectively He appealed textbooks but only Bharat was being objectified by to the participating swayamsevaks to take replacing it with a geographical moniker. advantage of this ‘’ and ‘tapasya’ of Sangh The Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) Varg’ and enhance their life along with which seemed to have accepted the suggestions of RSS mission and vow to follow this lifelong. SAFG in March, rejected most of them when

1 scholarly objections to these contentions were Buddhist unity in Srilanka. Prof Praneeth brought to its notice. Abeysundhara President All Ceylon Buddhist The SAFG had made a desperate last minute Congress and seven other speakers spoke on attempt to try and discredit the scholars and groups various topics. In his speech, Prof Praneeth who were disagreeing with them by making wild glorified the Hindu traditions and Bhagvath allegations and had also tried to portray Hindu Geetha. He said that Srilankan and community’s genuine attempts to bring Buddhist should come out from Political agenda equitability to the content as “revisionism”. The and should unite as same traditional religions. Commission paid no heed to this and reversed Sri N.K.S Thiruchelvam, history researcher many suggestions by SAFG that had been delivered an inspirational talk in Sinhala language accepted earlier. So in a sense it is a victory to the on Contribution of Buddhist kings to Hindu Hindu Americans in their quest for equality and temples. Sri N. Arunkanth President of Hindu fair portrayal of their religion and culture in federation presented the facts on how several goals California textbooks. ‘India’ was reinstated, so were achieved through the Hindu Buddhist unity. was ‘Hinduism’, and mentions to Rishis He mentioned that in Eastern province and saw their way back into the construction of Mosque at a Hindu's place was textbooks. stopped because of Buddhist monks’ intervention With the keen participation of Hindu organizations and a statue of Swami Vipulananda – renowned like Hindu Education Foundation (HEF), Hindu Hindu monk in Eastern provinces, was erected American Foundation (HAF) and Uberoi there. Foundation (UF), in the textbook framework A total of 300 delegates from 53 Hindu and adoption process, the Commission could be Buddhist organizations participated from all over convinced to include Hindu teachings, philosophy, the island. art, music, dances and architecture in the 5. ASSAM CLASS 10 TOPPER IS A MUSLIM textbooks over the period of last two years. But the BOY FROM RSS-BACKED SCHOOL: content on Hinduism and Bharat is still not on par Sarfaraz Hussain topped the Assam state board’s with the content on other religions and cultures. Class 10 exam with 590 marks out of a maximum 4. NATIONAL HINDU BUDDHIST 600 when the results were declared on 31st May. CONFERENCE AT : A National 16-year-old Sarfaraz is the first Muslim to pass Hindu Buddhist conference was organized by All from a school run by an affiliate of Vidya Bharati, Ceylon Hindu Buddhist Council 14th May at the RSS’s education wing with such distinction. Buddhist Cultural Centre, Colombo. The He is not the only Muslim student of conference had the blessings from Most Venerable Sishu Niketan, one of the many schools run by the Kirama Vimala Jothi thero, Chairman Buddhist Vidya Bharati-affiliated Sishu Shiksha Samiti, Cultural Centre and Swami Sarvaroopanandhaji Assam. The school at Betkuchi on the outskirts of Maharaj President Mission - Guwahati has 24 Muslim students, most of whom Colombo. Shri D. Easwaran who built the biggest – like Sarfaraz – have won prizes for reciting the Buddha stone statue in Srilanka presided over the Bhagwad Gita. conference. “They have never complained about what we Shri D.M. Swaminathan Hon Minister for teach because our emphasis is on academic Resettlement and rehabilitation, Hindu Cultural excellence apart from giving the students a grip on affairs & Prison reform, delivered his special Indian culture and values,” told Akshaya Kalita, address and emphasized the need of Hindu the school’s headmaster. 2 Ajmal Hussain, Sarfaraz’s father credited his son’s 8. INDUS ERA 8,000 YEARS OLD, NOT success to his hard work, the support from his 5,500; Scientists from IIT-Kharagpur and schoolteachers, and also to the Hindu goddess of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have learning, . Sarfaraz was the secretary of uncovered evidence that the Indus Valley the school’s Saraswati celebrations. “The Civilization is at least 8,000 years old, and not school shaped my life, and I hope to achieve 5,500 years old, taking root well before the greater academic glory as my teachers expect,” Egyptian (7000BC to 3000BC) and Mesopotamian Sarfaraz said. (6500BC to 3100BC) civilizations. What's more, 6. HINDU DHARMA SEMINAR FOR THE the researchers have found evidence of a pre- RICHARD LEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Harappan civilization that existed for at least Several HSS swayamsevaks and sevikas came 1,000 years before this. together to host the seminar for elementary school "We have recovered perhaps the oldest pottery teachers conducted by HSS in partnership with from the civilization. We used a technique called Hindu University of America (HUA) on April 25th 'optically stimulated luminescence' to date pottery in Richard Lee Elementary, Irving TX. About 57 shards of the Early Mature Harappan time to teaachers participated in both seminars. nearly 6,000 years ago and the cultural levels of Quite a few interesting cultural stations were pre-HarappanHakra phase as far back as 8,000 designed for teachers to give them a taste of years," said Anindya Sarkar, head of the Bharatiya culture. This set up helped the attendees department of geology and geophysics at IIT- learn in small groups; it was a guided, uninhibited Kharagpur. and intense walkthrough of different aspects of The researchers believe that the Indus Valley Bharatiya culture. Most popular was the language Civilization spread over a vast expanse of Bharat - station where the attendees tried saying ‘how are stretching to the banks of the now "lost" Saraswati you’ and ‘I am fine’ in languages –Hindi, Gujarati, river or the Ghaggar-Hakra river - but this has not and Telugu. A few curious teachers visited the been studied enough because what we know so far station about various Gods in Hindu dharma. is based on British excavations. "At the excavation Another colorful station about festivals was a huge sites, we saw preservation of all cultural levels center of attraction. Making rangoli, getting henna right from the pre-Indus Valley Civilization phase on the palms, draping saree and rolling of rotis (9000-8000 BC) through what we have were few more interesting stations well taken by categorised as Early Harappan (8000-7000BC) to female teachers who did not want to miss a chance the Mature Harappan times," said Sarkar. to try their look in an altogether different getup. They took their dig to an unexplored site, Bhirrana 7. SRI SRI GUIDES AFRICA IN — and ended up unearthing something much MEDITATION: The Art of Living foundation bigger. The excavation also yielded large has conducted the 'I Meditate Africa' campaign quantities of animal remains like bones, teeth, where Sri Sri Ravi Shankar guided 21 African horn cores of cow, goat, deer and antelope, which countries, as well as the international community, were put through Carbon 14 analysis to decipher via webcast in a special Africa peace meditation. antiquity and the climatic conditions in which the Luzira prison in Uganda saw 250 inmates join Sri civilization flourished, said Arati Deshpande Sri via the live link up for the peace campaign, Mukherjee of Deccan College, which helped with several on the ground events in South Africa, analyze the finds along with Physical Research Nigeria, Kenya and Zimbabwe among other Laboratory, Ahmedabad. places. 3 9. BHARAT SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES Saraswati, the as equivalent to the almighty INDIGENOUS REUSABLE LAUNCH God, the benefits of Surya Namaskar, Hindu VEHICLE: Taking baby steps towards Dharma and Guru-shishyaparampara were developing a reusable launch vehicle capable of highlights of the event. sending spacecraft into orbit and returning to the The chief guest, Dr. Richard Machesky, in his earth’s surface, the Indian Space Research message, mentioned that he was impressed by the Organization ISRO, successfully tested the importance given to education in Hindu culture. country’s first winged-body aerospace vehicle on Dr. Yashpalji Lakra spoke about Guru-Shishya 30th May. tradition in ancient Bharat and how the wisdom of The technology, when developed completely, was passed on from more than 6000 years would launch spacecraft, including satellites, into ago. Similar Guruvandana programs were held at space and re-enter the earth’s atmosphere various HSS shakhas in USA viz Vivekananda withstanding extreme pressure and heat conditions Shakha, North Carolina, Jai Ganesh shakha and land in an intended spot, helping to cut costs Smyrna Georgia etc. on launch vehicles substantially. 11. ATLANTA SEVIKA EKATRIKARAN was A booster rocket, carrying a winged-body held on April 9th at RadhaMadhav Society, aerospace vehicle (RLV-TD), took off from the Duluth from 10.30 to 3.30 pm. The goal was to spaceport at Sriharikota, some 100 km from focus on Achar paddhathi, learn how to conduct Chennai, at 7 a.m. It climbed for about 90 seconds khel and Geeth/sholka in shakha. before its burnout. Coasting to an altitude of 56 Vandana, Sanghik Geeth, games, the Mahakhel, a km, where it was separated from the booster, combination of cricket, soccer and baseball, RLV-TD inclined further to 65 km, an ISRO bauddhik on the significance of Achar paddhathi release said. From an altitude of 65 km, the were main events. Everyone could appreciate the vehicle made a re-entry into the earth’s logic behind following agjans and why we do atmosphere at Mach 5 (five times the speed of what we do in shakha. Practicing Aachar padhathi, sound) and steered by its navigation, guidance and testing agility in following the the Aajnas, Geet control system for safe descent, it glided down to Abhyas, Charcha about "My role and my the defined landing spot in the Bay of Bengal, 450 contribution (towards Society)" were other km from Sriharikota. K. Sivan, director of the attractions of the Ekatrikaran. Saiji Patil gave Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, inspiring stories from Taiji Apte’s life. Thiruvananthapuram, says, “These are just the first 12. BHARATIYA ARMY MOUNTAINEERS baby steps towards the big leap.” SUMMIT MOUNT EVEREST: Bharatiya Army 10. GURUVANDANA AT AARYA mountaineers led by Lieutenant Colonel Ranveer CHANAKYA SHAKHA TROY - MICHIGAN Jamwal and a team of six army mountaineers The program was held in the Old Prayer Hall at successfully scaled the Mount Everest (8848M) at the Bharatiya Temple. The students of Troy dawn on May 19. The 30 member Bharatiya Balagokulam were asked to invite their teachers to Army’s Everest Massif Expedition 2016 was Guru Vandana program. 22 teachers from the Troy flagged off by Lieutenant General MMS Rai, Vice School District, Bharatiya temple, Gurukul Chief of the Army Staff on March 30. These were Montessori, and Brookfield Academy, along with amongst the initial lot of mountaineers to 65 students and parents attended. successfully climb Everest after a hiatus of two Discourses and recitals on Guru Vandana, brief years as the peak was closed due to the devastation introduction to the goddess of knowledge caused by the earthquake in Nepal last year. 4 13. THE KUMBH OF MANY IDEAS Government's efforts to end the practice were also Modi Government must try some of these out widely discussed. Even seers supported the slogan Kumbh melas are associated with many things: of toilets before temples. Notably, Chief Minister From religion and tradition to commerce and Chouhan highlighted that even though many crowds to Harvard studies and lost siblings. districts had been declared Open Defecation Free, However, they are rarely seen as deliberative after the construction of a toilet in every events, similar to the modern-day conference household, not everyone had given up defecating organised by think-tanks, even though, as Prime in the open. This must draw attention to the bigger Minister Narendra Modi mentioned at the Vichar challenge of changing individual behaviour in Kumbh in Ujjain last week, Kumbh melas in the ending open defecation. Under the agriculture sub- olden days served a similar purpose. Of course, theme, the focus was largely on organic farming there was the religious aspect of the mela but the while the cottage industry segment advocated large gatherings were also an opportunity for priority attention for small-scale and medium- leaders and thinkers to take stock of national scale enterprises, which will serve as the actual developments and plan ahead. The melas were engines of economic growth, bringing jobs and platforms for debate and discussion; fresh ideas prosperity to people. On women's empowerment, were generated and action plans produced. Over experts deliberated upon an internalised approach time, however, this aspect of the Kumbh died out to feminism instead of the current Western theparampara () of the fair remained, the pran approach which, according to some speakers, (soul) was lost. This is where the Vichar Kumbh seeks to empower from the outside through sought to make a course correction. The three-day external forces. conference organised on the sidelines of the (Editorial, Daily Pioneer, 17 May 2016) Simhastha Kumbh in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, last 14. BHARATIYA SKILLED WORKERS week, brought together scholars and sages from all GROUP LARGEST IN THE UNITED over India and abroad to deliberate on the right KINGDOM: Bharatiya nationals living in the way of living. One example of how this played out United Kingdom constitute largest working group was Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh among all the other group of foreign nationals. Chouhan's announcement at one of the plenary Bharatiya citizens were granted 57 percent of sessions that his Government will set up a skilled visas which counts to 52,108 out of the Ministry of Happiness on the lines of Gross 91,833 visas granted. The American nationals National Happiness concept pioneered by Bhutan. occupy the second place with 9,981 skilled visas; The conference focused on four key areas according to the UK’s national statistics data. sanitation, agriculture, cottage industry, and Presently, 10,705 Bharatiya students, 70,515 women's empowerment but also dealt with cross- Chinese students and 13, 970 US students entered disciplinary subjects such as climate change, the United Kingdom with valid study permits. environmental conservation and sustainable 15. BHARAT, WHO INK PACT TO development. Under sanitation, several speakers PROMOTE , : AYUSH highlighted how cleanliness was a core element of Ministry secretary Ajit M Sharan and Marie the Indian civilisation even though today India’s Kieny, Assistant Director General, Health Systems public spaces are considered to be filthy. For and Innovations, WHO have signed in Geneva on example, long before the rest of the world started May 13 an agreement for cooperation in brushing their teeth, Indians were doing dant- promoting traditional medicine, a move which will manjan. The problem of open defecation and the deliver for the first time WHO benchmark 5 document for training in yoga, ayurveda, unani published in two international medical journals - and panchakarma. The agreement titled 'Co- Elsevier and the Journal of Diabetes Research. operation on promoting the quality, safety and The health ministry has also commissioned similar effectiveness of service provision in traditional large-scale studies in Bharat through S-VYASA, a and complementary medicine between WHO and Bharatiya university for Yoga. AYUSH, India, 2016-2020', aims to support WHO 18. ROYAL NAVY FACILITATED “ in the development and implementation of the VISARJAN”: 12th May was a historic day for 'WHO Traditional and Complementary Medicine Hindu community in UK and the Royal Navy. For Strategy: 2014-2023. Minister of State for the very first time Royal Navy facilitated “Murti AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik who was also Visarjan” (idol immersion) ceremony at sea in present at the function recalled the long history partnership with Shree Geeta Bhawan Hindu and rich heritage of traditional medicine in Bharat Temple, Birmingham. The ship chosen for the and its growing relevance in providing holistic and purpose was RFA Wave Ruler. comprehensive health care. The ‘Murti Visarjan’ ceremony was conducted for 16. `NOTHING WRONG': NAJMA, VP'S a damaged Murti of Bhagwan belonging to WIFE ON SAME PAGE: Union minister Shree Geeta Bhawan , Birmingham. for minority affairs Najma Heptulla has said that The ceremony, on board RFA Wave Ruler, was she sees nothing wrong in chanting “Om“ echoing conducted by the Hindu Chaplain to the Armed the sentiments of Salma Ansari, wife of Vice- Forces, Shri Acharya Krishan Kant Attri ji, President Hamid Ansari on the matter. On May 23, accompanied by Shree Geeta Bhawan Hindu the Vice-President's wife had said that there is Temple’s own priest, Acharya Dharm Dutt nothing wrong in saying `Om' while referring to Vashista ji, witnessed by invited guests from the the controversy over chanting of vedic mantras Birmingham, Plymouth Swindon, Newcastle and during the International Yoga Day celebrations wider Hindu communities. Aarti of the ship was scheduled to be held this year in Chandigarh. performed by Shri Acharya Krishan Kant Attri ji Speaking to reporters, Salma Ansari said, and commodore Dain Morritt with Shankh dhwani “'Nothing wrong in saying `OM' don't you say (divine conch sound) in the background. The ship `Allah' or God or `Rab'? What is the difference? “ then sailed towards the pre designated spot for the When asked if she agreed with Salma Ansari's immersion in Weymouth bay. At around 11:00 view, Heptulla said, “The vice president's wife is AM, the immersion ceremony began with right and I agree with her. She also knows yoga so traditional mantras and offerings of milk, sweets, she knows the benefits. flowers, akshat (unbroken rice) and water. Murti 17. YOGA MAY HELP PREVENT AND of Lord Vishnu was then lifted and lowered in the CONTROL DIABETES TYPE 2, STUDIES: sea by the cranes of Wave Ruler. Yoga can be helpful in prevention and 19. CAR MADE BY IITIANS SET FOR RACE management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, ON GLOBAL STAGE: A racing car developed scientific reviews of over 25 trials conducted by over 75 IITians from the Bombay branch is set globally shows. Systematic reviews of trials to compete against similar models designed by conducted on Bharatiyas as well as Americans over 100 student teams from around the world. It show yoga can help control blood sugar levels, took the team nine months to design the car, improve the lipid profile and manage body weight, named 'ORCA'. all of which can be very effective in preventing "With an acceleration of 0-100kmph in 3.47 type 2 diabetes. The reviews were recently seconds, ORCA is faster than any other sports car 6 made by Porsche, Tesla or Audi. Not only is its THE ROUTE THROUGH CHABAHAR acceleration a record, it is the first time we have a Modi’s outreach to Iran will help pull India out special steel-frame chassis with carbon-fibre of the narrow straitjacket of South Asia manufactured body, which not only reduces the weight but also stabilizes the car at high speeds," Talmiz Ahmad said Rishabh Kappasia, a 4th-year student of The signing of the Chabahar port development Engineering Physics and leader of Team ORCA. agreement and the trilateral trade and transit pact 20. 12-YEAR-OLD BHARATIYA- between India, Afghanistan and Iran during Prime AMERICAN GENIUS EYES TO BECOME Minister NarendraModi’s visit to Tehran have the DOCTOR AT 18: A 12-year-old Bharatiya- potential to significantly change strategic American boy, who was congratulated by equations in the region. These agreements will put President Barack Obama after he became the in place geo-economic, political and military youngest ever to graduate from a US collage, is relationships that will pull India out of the narrow eyeing to become a doctor by the time he turns 18 straitjacket of South Asia and make it a role-player as he has been accepted to two prestigious in the security and stability of its extended university campuses, "I think I'll be 18 when I get neighbourhood. my MD (medical degree)," Abraham was quoted The personal bonhomie between the Indian and as saying by CBC Sacramento television station the Iranian leaders, their understanding of the on May 22. Abraham graduated from American historic and civilisational context of the bilateral River College in Sacramento alongside 1,800 relationship, and their highlighting of the real students last year. He said that he wanted to synergies that bind the two nations constitute solid become the President of the United foundations for a new partnership, firmly putting States.Abraham, is the youngest to graduate from behind the recurrent bitterness and anguish of the the college last year. He became one of the sanctions era. youngest ever in the US to graduate high school. While energy will remain central to the 21. HEARING IMPAIRED BOY BRAVES relationship, the two leaders have envisioned DISABILITY: D. Mariappan, of Bedarahalli much broader ties. Iranian President Hassan Government High School in Karnataka, has scored Rouhani noted that his country was “rich in 375 out of 400 marks. His 85 per cent hearing energy” while India had “rich minds”, factors that, impairment and his poverty paled in front of his operating in tandem, would yield achievements in scores - a centum in Math, 90 in Tamil, 95 in frontier areas such as ICT, bio and social science, and 90 in science. The school went nanotechnology, and space and aerospace. the extra mile to get a medical certificate to help The trade and transit corridors will enable India him avail the concession. “He wouldn’t wear his and Iran to contribute to Afghanistan’s economic hearing aid fearing taunts,” says headmistress K. development and its stability. They will also be Kala. But nobody teased him. able to take joint action against the scourge of the 22. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Taliban and Pakistan’s pernicious role in Visitors: Afghanistan, which have destroyed Afghanistan’s FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Like the appearance of integrity and threaten stability in South and silver in mother of pearl, the world seems real Central Asia as well. until the Self, the underlying reality, is realized. – The Chabahar corridor is complemented by the Adi Shankaracharya India-supported International North-South Transit JAI SHREE RAM Corridor that goes north-westwards from the 7 Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Both corridors go to of cultural comfort it enjoys, its crucial interests in Central Asia, Russia and . The Central regional stability due to its own energy and Asian Republics, which were in the vortex of economic interests and, above all, the presence of competition between the US, Russia and China a its eight-million strong community in the Gulf. decade ago, have been anxious to see a larger Modi’s visit to Iran has come soon after his Indian presence in the region. engagements with the Arab Gulf states of UAE However, India’s outreach has till now been and Saudi Arabia. All three interactions have restricted by the absence of land connections, reshaped political and economic ties to make them while global sanctions had prevented Iran from relevant to contemporary times; and, all three pursuing its interests in the region. The new relationships have been imparted a “strategic” corridors will change this situation dramatically: value since the countries concerned share concerns they have rightly been described by Modi as “new relating to extremism and terrorism and regional routes for peace and prosperity”. stability. Naturally, there will be other nations competing In Tehran, Modi affirmed this when he noted that for influence in Central Asia: China will loom India and Iran “share a crucial stake in peace, large, particularly with the One Belt One Road stability and prosperity” in the region, and also (OBOR) projects that, when completed, will have shared concerns relating to “instability, recreate the old Silk Road that dominated Eurasian radicalism and terror”. As in Abu Dhabi and commerce and culture for over two millennia. Iran Riyadh earlier, in Tehran too both countries have has a major place in these OBOR-related agreed to enhance cooperation between their connections. defence and security institutions. While some Indian commentators view OBOR as However, these words will have little meaning a manifestation of China’s hegemonic intentions, unless major players in the region with an abiding India should actually see an opportunity in OBOR stake in West Asian security, actually take the to merge its own logistical connections with this initiative to engage actively with the region’s important enterprise. For several centuries before nations now engaged in “existential” contention. the imperialist era, Indian economic participation Modi clearly set out the principles of the new in the Silk Road, with its goods and merchants, regional order when he said during his Japan visit was central to the promotion of regional last year: “Today, the watchwords of international commerce and ultimately in the shaping of the ties are trust, not suspicion; cooperation, not great Eurasian civilisation that resonates to this dominance; inclusivity, not exclusion.” day. These principles can shape the India-led initiative Still, there is little doubt that China is also to bring competing Islamic giants to a discussion attaching the highest importance to developing ties platform. The leaders have shown the way; it is with Iran and the Arab Gulf states. China’s stakes now for officials to take up the challenge. For in the region remain significant, primarily on none of the visions of connectivity and account of its energy and economic interests. cooperation will have much value if West Asia Again, partnership with Iran will enhance its remains locked in conflict. Instead of altering the strategic presence in the regional scenario. It has, course of history, as Modi has envisioned, we will however, avoided giving any hint of playing a only witness another missed opportunity.—The diplomatic role to douse fires in the region. writer served as Bharatiya ambassador to several India is much better placed in this regard due to its countries in West Asia. (Times of India May 25, millennia-old links with the region, the high level 2016.) 8