Friday, March 31, 2006

From Bihar a bicycle that floats




Necessity they say, is the mother of invention. When floods ravaged Mohammad Saidullah's village, he found a new way to survive.

"Nadi ke kinare mera ghar tha. Aus usine mere ghar ko kat diya. (My house was near a river and it was destroyed by the river)," Saidullah says.

Saidullah designed a bicycle that can not only travel on land but also float on water.

He has named the Noor Bicycle, after his wife.

On land, it is just a bicycle and in water, it becomes a boat.

In a nation of a million cyclists - it took one man to think out of the box. And he even built in some special effects.

The cycle can goe front and back. If it gets stuck just pedal backwards and it will reverse.

"Isme ek aur khubi hai. Ye aage bhi chalti hai aur peeche bhi. Doosri cycle sirf aage jati hai (It has one more speciality. It can go front and back unlike other cycles which can only go forward.)," he adds.

Air floats keep the bike from sinking and fan blades propel it forward. It took five years and Rs 6 thousand to perfect the cycle.

The idea is brilliant and worthy of an IIT engineer.

Yet, Mohammad is just a simple villager. Geniuses like him live all around us.

Bihar radio man gets help from abroad






Patna, March 30 (IANS) It is now the turn of Indians living abroad to pledge their support to an enterprising man in Bihar whose popular radio station has been shut down after failing to pay license fee to the government.

After reading about the plight of Raghav Mahto and his Radio Raghav FM Mansoorpur 1, members of the Indian diaspora are contacting Mahto and the media in the state to find out how they can help revive the station.

Some NRIs are ready to fork out money.

Radio Raghav had been beaming popular programmes from Mansoorpur village in Vaishali district for the past three years and enjoyed a loyal clientele, drawn from all sections of the society.

Ajay Kapoor, an NRI in Britain, approached Bihartimes.com, a popular news portal of the state, and sought contact details of Mahto.

Ajay Kapoor, a Manchester-based psychologist, has written to Mahto.

Another NRI, Pranesh Sinha, has apparently offered to pay the money Mahto needs to get a radio licence. "I read about this talented man," Sinha said. "I am really interested in helping him."

The trouble for Raghav Radio started this month when the district administration directed officials to find out if it had permission to broadcast.

Mahto says he was not aware that a licence was required to start a radio station, and he suddenly realised his enterprise was an illegal operation. The annual fee for the licence is about Rs.400,000, money Mahto cannot raise.

"I don't even have the money for medical treatment of my father who is suffering from cancer," he has been telling friends.

The 20-something Mahto was forced by officials to sign a bond promising not to go back on air again.

Another person who has offered to help Mahto restart the radio is India-born Australian Harc Worsworth.

Ajay Kumar of bihartimes.com said he had received several queries from within India and abroad. "But neither the state nor the central government is making an effort to help this poor man."



Mahto is sad his radio has been closed down, but his neighbours spread over several villages are fuming.

In a rare show of unity, locals have decided to collect money to revive Radio Raghav, as it is popularly known.

"A large number of people have offered financial help to restart the radio station," Mahto told IANS over telephone.

One man, Damodar Singh, has announced a contribution of Rs.5,000. Others have vowed to raise funds.

"My hope lies in the peoples' support," Mahto said.

Vaishali district magistrate Sanjeev Hans said the station was closed down for violating the Indian Telegraphs Act.

A formal police complaint was lodged against Mahto and the radio equipment seized by a three-member team from the communications ministry in the village on Sunday.

For people residing in and around Mansoorpur village, Mahto is a hero. He is more popular than the local legislator and MP and people prefer Radio Raghav to the national channels.

The station ran community radio service providing local news and opinion in the local dialect as well as entertainment programmes for villages in Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and Saran districts.

Something for Yusuf:




Jayaprakash Narayan wanted something done to commemorate the memory of Yusuf Meherally. That task, undertaken 40 years ago has been an enduring commitment for an 82 year old man and his wife. Even today, not many young people can match their zeal for India.

Read their story here:

http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/Magazine/story/ymc/

Nitish wants Mittal in Bihar



Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has decided to approach global steel majors, including Mittal Steel, and urge them to set up a steel plant in the state near its border with Jharkhand, close to Nawada.

Kumar has told The Indus Entrepreneurs, a global not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting entrepreneurship, that it should help in Bihar?s efforts to find a company that will invest in a steel plant.

Ramesh Yadava, a Silicon Valley professional, who is deeply interested in developing Bihar and was used by former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad as a pointsperson for the state in the US, is said to be exploring options, including approaching the Mittal group.

Bihar was denuded of its most important steel plants ? at Jamshedpur and Bokaro ? when the state was divided in 2000.

All the locational advantages because of which Bihar got two steel plants in the first place, accrued to Jharkhand. One of Bihar?s most important natural resources and ancillary industry was lost to Jharkhand.

Kumar, confiding in a group of non-resident Indian industrialists that visited Bihar a week ago, said the logic of locating steel plants near pit heads ? which is why the plants have now gone to Jharkhand ? was today obsolete.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Businessmen coming back to Bihar


MR G. S. KANG, CHIEF SECRETARY OF BIHAR







"Policies have been put in place to facilitate investments. We have new policies for sugar, entertainment... Until you have policies, you can't implement anything...

"We can only go up," said the Bihar Chief Secretary, Mr G. S. Kang. While 100 days might be too short a time to judge any performance, the Nitish Kumar Government in Bihar has made a quick headstart, taking decisions and formulating policies to repair the State's infrastructure and attract investments. Results are showing as businessmen are returning to Bihar, said Mr Kang during an interaction with Business Line.

Excerpts from the interview:

The country wants to know if anything has changed after the present government assumed charge; there is a lot of hope riding on the Nitish Kumar government. Is change happening?

Things are changing; we've always been saying that we need decisions and polices on which we can work. The policies have been put in place to facilitate investment in most areas, we have new policies for sugar, entertainment... A new industrial policy is under consideration and a direction has been issued to all departments to come out within a fortnight their own vision and policy for the next five years. Decisions are being taken. This year we hope to spend Rs 5,000 crore, up from Rs 3,200 crore last year, and the Plan for 2007-08 should top Rs 8,500 crore.

So after a long time, expenditure will take place; the complaint with Bihar is that allocated funds are not used...

We're taking special care that money is being spent. In April the Chief Minister will review 10 major departments and their ministers to see what was the Plan expenditure last year and what is planned to be spent this year.

You talked about new policies and plans; governments are notorious for plans, but it is the execution of policies that is lacking...

Until you have policies, you can't implement anything. Policies have been notified and a State Investment Promotion Board has been cleared as a single window for speedy clearances. So we are now hopeful. Because of our new sugar policy, proposals have come for 36 new mills.

Collectively how much investment will these 36 sugar mills bring?

Today a 5000-tonne sugar mill costs about Rs 90 crore. So 36 would work out of over Rs 3200 crore.

Last time we met ? two years ago ? we had discussed how capital was going out of Bihar, how businessmen and industrialists were leaving the State. Has that stopped?

Not only stopped, but reversed; people are coming back. The Bajaj group has already bought land for two mills; the Dham group has taken 125 acres to put up a sugar mill. There was a lot of demand that we revive our old sugar mills but they had already run into liquidation, so we're trying to work out how to revive them. Also, 25 multiplexes are coming up in Bihar; Kishore Jha, who made the film Gangajal,held discussion with the Chief Minister and we have framed a policy on entertainment. The next day he (Kishore Jha) started work; of the 25 multiplexes, he is putting up 15 himself. Each will involve an investment of Rs 15 crore.

What about the IT sector? Many people feel this is the way to leap forward...

We have to find our niche. Though there are a few IT centres, at the moment our basic focus is on infrastructure. We are spending a lot of money on roads and power.

I can see some difference already on the roads. But has the power situation improved?

We are really worried about the power situation because as our consumption keeps increasing, the losses of the electricity board are going up and that is putting a pressure on the State exchequer. So we're trying to sort that out. In the next two years we'll spend Rs 2,500 crore to upgrade the power system, rural electrification, etc.

What about private participation in the power sector?

We're now getting offers for putting up super thermal power stations in the State, four or five queries have come particularly for the Nabinagar thermal power station. For our Muzzafarpur thermal power station, we've gone into a joint venture with NTPC.

What about the roads?

This year on the roads we're going to spend something like Rs 3,000 crore apart from what the Centre is spending. By the end of the year hopefully roads will be better; when that happens, the rest of the economy hots up.

In the past you've always stressed that Bihar has got an image problem. Even now the image is that while the rest of India is going ahead, there is no law and order in Bihar, kidnappings are going on, etc. As Bihar's Chief Secretary, what are the main challenges before you?

The main challenge was improving this negative image; I think there is now a perceptible change. Till last year Biharis were reluctant to admit they are from the State; today that has changed. There is no law and order problem and we've also sorted out the crime problem.

Why was all this not happening before? What has changed?

Will... the political will.

What about modernising the police force? The extremists are able to wreck havoc because the police force is not modern, well equipped...

We're spending Rs 105 crore to equip them with new weapons, etc. In the next two years we'll spend about Rs 250 crore on police modernisation, a fair share of which will go into police buildings. The police morale is up and they are now responding and repelling attacks.

Is Nitish a tough taskmaster?

Oh yes, he is a very tough taskmaster and wants things done quickly. But he is also a very polite and cultured person; he is never harsh with anybody or shouts at anybody. He is also very fair, and people respond.

There are huge expectations from him...

Yes, and he knows that he has to deliver because he has come to power on that promise. The expectations are actually a bit scary and one of our jobs is to tone that down!

Of course there is no magic wand...

And he says it... `I have no magic wand but in three months I have brought down the crime rate, controlled the law and order situation.' I joke that he wants today's thing done yesterday.

But a car that had not been running for long and suddenly you start running it at 100 km will break down. The system has to be slowly built, but the recovery is much faster than expected.

Lack of employment is a big problem in Bihar and it also increases the crime rate. So what are you doing on this front?

The Government of India had given us 23 out of 38 districts under the rural India employment guarantee scheme. We have taken the remaining 15 districts under our own plan which no other State has done. This will be a good beginning.

The CM is also very keen about rural connectivity; so in addition to the Bharat Nirman scheme, we'll connect an additional 500 villages with pucca roads; we've set apart Rs 125 crore this year for that. Bridges will be built over small rivulets, for that we've set apart Rs 50 crore.

The health-care scene is also quite scary; what improvements are you making?

Oh, we've started giving attention to this right from President's rule. We've outsourced our pathology labs right up to the sub-regional level to such private players as Ranbaxy, Lal Laboratories of Delhi, etc.

We have given 41 additional PHCs to private parties.

We have now outsourced the ambulance services too.

How long before some perceptible change takes place; in all fairness 100 days is too short a time.

Of course, but by June end, you'll see some results on the ground. Roads worth Rs 500 crore are under construction and a lot of that will be finished by June.

How do you see the future of Bihar?

You can't go below where we were already. So we have to only go up!

Kalam?s gift to Patna: from ruins, new Nalanda campus

To bring back to life the glory of ancient Nalanda, the Centre has proposed an international university in collaboration with select Asian countries. Disclosing this during his address to the joint session of the Bihar legislature today, President A P J Abdul Kalam said ?it?s a great opportunity for Bihar to house a major universal institute of learning that can be a beacon of light for the world.?


Listing ?Renaissance: Nalanda International University? as one of the ten measures to put Bihar on the road to prosperity by 2015, Kalam said the new university will be known as Bodhgaya Nalanda Indo-Asian Institute of Learning.
?To recapture the past glory in the modern context, in keeping with Buddha?s teaching of seeking knowledge in a holistic way, it has been proposed to establish a Bodhgaya Nalanda Indo-Asian Institute of Learning in partnership with select Asian countries?, Kalam said.
The government will help set up the university but a group of professionals from Singapore and India will independently manage the institute. There will also be a provision to add other Asian countries, Kalam said.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Bihar govt to purchase modern weaponry to tackle crime: Nitish



Bihar government has decided to modernise the police force at a cost of Rs 108 crore in the next fiscal with acquisition of modern weapons, vehicles and other equipment, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar informed the state assembly.

The announcement was made by Kumar while replying to the budgetary demand of Home department totalling over Rs 1553 crore which was passed by voice vote after rejecting the cut motion of Jagdanand Singh (RJD).

Kumar, who also holds the Home portfolio, said under the police modernisation scheme the government would purchase 4059 Insas rifles, 13681 self-loading rifles, 1690 AK 47 rifles, 5382 carbines, 66 rocket launchers, 1665 bullet proof jackets, 39 passive night vision devices, 434 commando lights, 40 mines protected vehicles, 79 bullet proof gypsies, 50 anti-riot control vehicles, 21 speed boats, 700 jeeps, 35 ambulances and 156 gypsies.

The Chief Minister said the dilapidated police stations would be renovated and new police lines and lock-ups constructed.

He justified the government's "surrender and rehabilitation policy for hardened criminals under which 191 outlaws laid down their arms on March 21 in Supaul and Madhepura districts of north Bihar and vowed to return to the social maintstream.

"The government is committed to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the state and the surrender policy is a positive step in that direction. I hope that many more people will come forward and contribute to the development of Bihar," the Chief Minister said.

Kalam unveils 10 missions for Bihar's development


Laying emphasis on agriculture and allied sectors, social sector, infrastructure and e-governance President A P J Abdul Kalam today unveiled 10 missions for transforming Bihar into a developed state by year 2015.

In his address to a joint session of the bicameral legislature, Kalam recalled the past glory of the state and asked the lawmakers to draw inspiration from it to usher in a new era of progress and prosperity.

Describing agriculture as the core competence of the state and the first mission for development, Kalam lamented that despite having very good soil, abundant supply of irrigation water and a hardworking population, the sector was performing poorly.

The aim, he said, should be to increase rice production from 5.5 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes and wheat production from four million tonnes to 12 million tonnes in four years time.

Stating that Bihar should become "the theatre of action for India's second green revolution", the President suggested creation of sugar cooperatives on the lines of Maharashtra who could establish at least 10 sugar mills which can fully utilise the existing 100 lakh metric tonnes of sugarcane being produced.

He also suggested to spread the operations of Bihar state Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (COMPFEd) to all the 38 districts to enable provision of additional productive self-employment to 7,50,000 families in rural areas in next three to four years.

Stressing the need for a fresh thrust to education, the second mission, Kalam suggested raising the literacy rate of 47.5 per cent to 75 per cent by 2010 and 100 per cent by 2015.

Kalam underlined the importance of maintaining academic calendar and suggested the Human Resource Development ministry to consider creation of an IIT, Indian Institute of Science and 10 state-of-the-art development technical institutes for higher education. Regarding creation of global human resource, the third mission, the President said the state would have around 45 million youths by 2050 and keeping this resource in mind, universities and educational systems in Bihar should create two cadres of personnel: (1) a global cadre of skilled youth with specific knowledge of special skills and (2) another global cadre of youth with higher education to take up research and leadership roles.

Kalam's fourth mission -- Renaissance-Nalanda international university -- envisaged a university with international partnership with an outlay of Rs 500 crore whose focus would be the evolution of world of peace and prosperity, devoid of crime, terrorism and war.

"To recapture the past glory in the modern context, in keeping with Buddha's teaching for seeking knowledge in a holistic way by understanding the inter-connectedness of things in life and the universe, it has been proposed to establish a Bodh Gaya Nalanda Indo-Asian institute of learning in partnership with select Asian countries," he said.

Terming healthcare as a vital ingredient for development, Kalam, in his fifth mission, proposed equipping state's primary health centres and hospitals with mobile clinics and suggested that the government start a scheme under which every citizen makes a contribution of rupees three per month and government gives a matching grant. This will lead to a consolidated health fund of Rs 576 crore per annum for the people of Bihar.

Referring to the devastation caused by recurrent flood, Kalam, in his sixth mission, stressed the need for scientific water management. He underlined recovering all water bodies from encroachments by using satellite maps, de-silting all village ponds and clearance of inlet and outlet in the gangetic basin, dredging of rivers and creating check dams so that water can be retained in the drought prone south Bihar.

The President recommended a 500 km-long waterway in south Bihar by connecting the south to north flowing rivers. This, he said, will be apart from providing irriga tion facility to over five million acres.

Kalam's seventh mission -- infrastructure development-- proposed converting 35,000 km length of rural roads to all weather road and maintenance of national and state highways to international standards.

He suggested creation of 500 PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) centres in the state for improving physical connectivity through quality roads, electronic connectivity through tele-communication and knowledge connectivity through education and vocational training of farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs Kalam recommended setting up one nuclear power plant of 1000 MW, apart from large scale use of solar power.

The president suggested making Bihar a tourist destination of the world as his 8th mission keeping in mind the state's rich civilizational heritage. He suggested connecting the Grand Asian road from Singapore to Myanmar to Bodh Gaya through north eastern states' east-west highway.

He also underscored improving air connectivity for boosting the tourism sector, which, he said had the potential for four million jobs and revenue earning of 10 million us dollars annually.

Friday, March 24, 2006

Bihar Self-Sufficient in Energy in Next Three Years: Minister

State Energy Minister, Vijendra Prasad Yadav, while justifying his department's demand of Rs.1200 crore for the development of power sector in Bihar said that in the next three years not only the state would be completely self-dependent in energy, it would be in a position to sell power to other states as well.

"Till now, we are completely dependent on the Central power units for supply of powr in the state but we have initiated moves and are taking steps that will make us completely independent in three years," Yadav said at the state Assembly on Wednesday.

The Energy Minister said that a number of private investors including the TATA and telecom giant Reliance, have expressed their interests in setting up mega power plants with 4,000 megawatt (MW) capacity in Navinagar, Kursaila and Pirpainti while the Chief Minister was in talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for an 'ultra-mega' nuclear power plant in Nawada district.

Lashing out at the erstwhile Lalu-Rabri regime, Yadav said that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) government never realized the importance of electricity in today's modern world. "They always thought power was a luxury item and benefited only the rich class. As a result, they never really made any serious effort to solve the perpetual energy crisis in the state," the minister said.

Baba Ramdeo to Help Rebuild Bihar's Image

Yoga guru Baba Ramdeo, during his evening yoga session at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Thursday, said that now that he had seen Bihar from his own eyes, he would spread positive message about Bihar across the nation letting people know how hospitable, hard-working people of Bihar were.

"Before I came here, I was told by many people to be careful, to not visit Bihar as people here were rude and rowdy. I am, however, pleased to say that all those warnings turned out to be false and full of misleading information," Baba Ramdeo said adding he was so impressed with Bihar that now he would visit the state on an annual basis.

The spiritual leader also praised the Biharis for being so yoga-aware. "What I have found is the people of Bihar are very determined and tenacious. They go out of state and work very hard. The only problem is when they are in their own home state, they don't exert themselves to the fullest," he lamented.

Talking about the medicinal value of Tulsi plant, the Baba said that the leaves of Tulsi had the power of keeping cancer at bay. "Just 3-4 leaves of Tulsi a day can keep cancer, minor cold and cough away," Baba Ramdeo said.

He also expressed his plan to open a yoga center in Bihar. "The government has promised to provide me 100 acres of land to open a yoga center but that would take some time. In the meantime, I will open several centers at community halls and large houses so those interested in learning more about yoga techniques could start the training without much wait, he said.

Prakash Jha Praises Government; Promises to Utilize Bihari Resources

Renowned film maker and arguably the biggest cheerleader of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Prakash Jha, on Thursday showered Kumar with praises saying anybody could feel the change in the air of Bihar since the NDA came into power nearly four months ago.

"Thanks to the steps taken by the new Chief Minister, one can sense development and prosperity in the air of Bihar," Jha said adding Kumar did not make only hollow promises during the campaign phase of the state Assembly elections last year but started to implement his plans almost immediately after coming into power.

"This is all because he is an honest man who truly wants Bihar to progress and who does not harbor any negative thoughts about the state," the maker of several critically-acclaimed films based on social issues said.

"Previously no one wanted to come to Bihar to take up road and highway construction jobs. Today the situation has changed and renowned contractors are eager to come to the state to build roads and highways without any fear," Jha said.

The film-maker further said that all of his future projects will utilize the resources from Bihar. "If I could do anything to improve the lots of Biharis and Bihar, I would do it. Whether I need technical help or human resource help ? everything will come from Bihar and that would be my way of contributing in the rebuilding of Bihar," he said.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Gates, Leahy to 'sell' London to India




LONDON: Britain?s prime minister in-waiting has recruited Microsoft?s Bill Gates and Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy to sell London to India in the UK?s first privatised, powerfullypushed, three-year initiative ever to market the country to the world?s emerging economies.

The initiative, unveiled in Parliament by Chancellor Gordon Brown on Tuesday in his 10th budget statement is self-confessedly geared to sell Britain to the emerging East in an aggressive and ambitious way. The India initiative, as it is being dubbed in some quarters, will entail setting up a 12-member International Business Advisory Council that will include Gates, Leahy, Lee Scott, head of the world?s largest retail group Wal-Mart and Li Ka-shing, chairman of Hong Kong telecom giant Hutchison Whampoa.

But experts said the British government could be setting itself up for a potential conflict of interest in recruiting Leahy for the advisory council, now that Tesco is reportedly at an advanced stage in talks with Sunil Mittal?s Bharti Enterprises for a joint venture grocery chain throughout India. Officials said the heavy-weight advisory council will be expected to guide the British government on ?facing up to the economic challenge posed by India and China.?

Brown, who has been Britain?s chancellor for nine years and is expected to replace Tony Blair in the prime ministerial flat at 10, Downing Street, is understood to believe passionately in the need to sell the UK to India and China as the best place to do business.

The new initiative will require the government export promotion agency UK Trade and Investment to aggressively build links with Indian academics and businessmen and lobby for research and development to move to Britain. Brown is understood to believe that the UK needs to focus on ?key markets? such as India to boost London?s standing as a global financial centre in the face of stiff global competition.

India shining: Now in Harvard too

America?s oldest institution of higher learning, Harvard University, will soon have India as a subject. And teachers will include visiting faculty members like Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, Gardiner professor of history at Harvard Sugata Bose and Harvard Business School professor Tarun Khanna.

In an exclusive interview to Times Of India , Harvard University?s outgoing president, Lawrence Summers, said: ??Like people study political science, culture, public health, economics, law and medicine, students in Harvard will now study India as a subject. We are working hard towards building a programme especially on India, the subcontinent and South Asia studies. We want to strengthen and increase our knowledge of the country, which is fast becoming a super-power.??

??I want to start programmes whereby students from Harvard can study in Indian universities and vice versa. I also want to start exchange programmes between business and public health experts in US and India,?? he added.

Summers is a renowned economist who was the treasury secretary under Bill Clinton.

In Delhi after having travelled to Rajasthan and Agra, Summers ? who will deliver the Golden Jubilee celebration lecture of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Wednesday ? said he would discuss with his peers on his return to US about India?s tremendous emergence as an economic power.

Summers will also seek ways to deepen the connection between Harvard and Indian universities.

Summers, whose tenure as president of Harvard will be the briefest in its 140-year history, received his bachelor?s degree in economics at MIT in 1975 and PhD at Harvard in 1982. He was appointed president of the university in 2001, making him only the second MIT teacher to become Harvard president.

But it was his candour and brute honesty that some say cost him the job. His January 14 address that supposedly suggested that women have less aptitude than men in science and maths received a lot of flak leading to a vote of no-confidence against him by the faculty of arts and sciences, Harvard?s largest division.

Following this, Summers resigned from his chair. He will remain president till June 30 following which he will serve as a professor in Harvard. Derek Bok, the university?s president from 1971 to 1991, will serve as interim president.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

A Hunt for Genes That Betrayed a Desert People


A woman in a Bedouin camp in the Negev desert must carry her son, Omar, 11.

By DINA KRAFT
Published: March 21, 2006

HURA, Israel ? In a sky blue bedroom they share but rarely leave, a young sister and brother lie in twin beds that swallow up their small motionless bodies, victims of a genetic disease so rare it does not even have a name.


Moshira, 9, and Salame, 8, who began life as apparently healthy babies, fell into vegetative states after their first birthdays.

Now their dark eyes stare enormous and uncomprehending into the stillness of their room. The silence is broken only by the boy's sputtering breaths and the flopping noise his sister's atrophied legs make when they fall, like those of a rag doll, upon the mattress.


"I cannot bear it," said the children's father, Ismail, 37, turning to leave the room as his daughter coughs up strawberry yogurt his wife feeds her through a plastic syringe.

The sick children are Bedouin. Until recently their ancestors were nomads who roamed the deserts of the Middle East and, as tradition dictated, often married cousins. Marrying within the family helped strengthen bonds among extended families struggling to survive the desert. But after centuries this custom of intermarriage has had devastating genetic effects.

Bedouins do not carry more genetic mutations than the general population. But because so many marry relatives ? some 65 percent of Bedouin in Israel's Negev marry first or second cousins ? they have a significantly higher chance of marrying someone who carries the same mutations, increasing the odds they will have children with genetic diseases, researchers say. Hundreds have been born with such diseases among the Negev Bedouin in the last decade.

The plight of the community is being addressed by an unusual scientific team: Dr. Ohad Birk, a Jewish Israeli geneticist, and two physicians, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian from the Gaza Strip, and Dr. Khalil Elbedour, himself a Bedouin from Israel.

They work together in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba at a genetics center with two neighboring branches, the Genetics Institute of Soroka Medical Center and the Morris Kahn Human Molecular Genetics Lab at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Dr. Birk heads both institutions, which work to identify the mutant genes that cause these diseases. In the last two years, the center has identified eight mutant genes not previously associated with a disease, as well as dozens of new mutations in other genes that were already associated with diseases.

The findings are passed on to interested families who are given premarital genetic counseling and prenatal testing. More than 20 couples chose to end pregnancies over the past year, after doctors diagnosed in the fetuses terminal diseases that usually kill within the first few years of life.

But there are risks. In a small, closed society in which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing carriers and their families, subsequently lowering their chances for marriage should word get out that a genetic disease runs in the family.

The researchers try to minimize that risk by approaching families confidentially through their family doctors and offering them discreet testing, even in their own homes. Extensive genetic counseling is provided before and after testing. Results are given only in person by genetic counselors who walk individuals and families through the science and emotions of the process.

The researchers are also working closely with local Muslim leaders to spread a message about the benefits of genetic testing.

Many of the diseases among the Bedouins are not only rare but extremely severe. One such disease is aplasia cutis, in which babies are born with no skin on their skull. Some babies are born with neurological-spastic diseases and die within a few months. Other inherited conditions are blindness and severe mental retardation.

In a Bedouin tent camp south of Beersheba, Omar, 11, lives with an especially rare disorder known as "congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis." Children with this disorder become their own worst enemies, burning and maiming themselves without feeling a thing.

Omar's body is covered with scrapes and bruises, and his left leg was amputated below the knee ? a result of a septic infection that set in after he hurt himself. His mother, who like several others interviewed asked not to be identified for fear of being stigmatized, fears he will hurt or even kill himself if left alone, so she carries him constantly around the steep, rock-strewn slopes. But it is exhausting, and she also has to care for her 11 other children.

"He is glued to me," she said. "I am very supportive of testing so people won't suffer the way I have suffered."

The plight of the community is being addressed by an unusual scientific team: Dr. Ohad Birk, a Jewish Israeli geneticist, and two physicians, Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian from the Gaza Strip, and Dr. Khalil Elbedour, himself a Bedouin from Israel.

They work together in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba at a genetics center with two neighboring branches, the Genetics Institute of Soroka Medical Center and the Morris Kahn Human Molecular Genetics Lab at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Dr. Birk heads both institutions, which work to identify the mutant genes that cause these diseases. In the last two years, the center has identified eight mutant genes not previously associated with a disease, as well as dozens of new mutations in other genes that were already associated with diseases.

The findings are passed on to interested families who are given premarital genetic counseling and prenatal testing. More than 20 couples chose to end pregnancies over the past year, after doctors diagnosed in the fetuses terminal diseases that usually kill within the first few years of life.

But there are risks. In a small, closed society in which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing carriers and their families, subsequently lowering their chances for marriage should word get out that a genetic disease runs in the family.

The researchers try to minimize that risk by approaching families confidentially through their family doctors and offering them discreet testing, even in their own homes. Extensive genetic counseling is provided before and after testing. Results are given only in person by genetic counselors who walk individuals and families through the science and emotions of the process.

The researchers are also working closely with local Muslim leaders to spread a message about the benefits of genetic testing.

Many of the diseases among the Bedouins are not only rare but extremely severe. One such disease is aplasia cutis, in which babies are born with no skin on their skull. Some babies are born with neurological-spastic diseases and die within a few months. Other inherited conditions are blindness and severe mental retardation.

In a Bedouin tent camp south of Beersheba, Omar, 11, lives with an especially rare disorder known as "congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis." Children with this disorder become their own worst enemies, burning and maiming themselves without feeling a thing.

Omar's body is covered with scrapes and bruises, and his left leg was amputated below the knee ? a result of a septic infection that set in after he hurt himself. His mother, who like several others interviewed asked not to be identified for fear of being stigmatized, fears he will hurt or even kill himself if left alone, so she carries him constantly around the steep, rock-strewn slopes. But it is exhausting, and she also has to care for her 11 other children.

"He is glued to me," she said. "I am very supportive of testing so people won't suffer the way I have suffered."

Once researchers home in on the area where the defective gene is housed, the region is sequenced to find the specific mutant gene.

"It's very satisfying to be able to tell families" that the gene causing a particular illness has been identified, said Dr. Elbedour. Of course, he cautioned, it is not easy for families to receive the news that they carry a risky gene, and the knowledge is not a cure. But it can be a step toward prevention.

Identifying the disease-related genes may help researchers design drug therapies. The Israeli lab is working to do so. "We are actually finding pathways and the molecular basis for diseases," Dr. Birk said.

The team is focusing on Mendelian diseases, the relatively rare type caused by disorder in a single gene. But Dr. Birk said the research might also help the team members find genes that combine to cause more common problems like diabetes, epilepsy, asthma and obesity.

The findings on Mendelian disease could be used by the major Bedouin populations in neighboring Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia with similar gene mutations. But so far, Dr. Birk said, scientists in those countries have refused offers to collaborate.

"It's so essential and basic that we should be working together," he said. "It's funny. The only Middle Eastern people we are collaborating with are the Palestinians."

The cooperation sometimes falters. On a recent morning an exasperated Dr. Abuelaish stormed into Dr. Birk's office. He was furious that Israeli soldiers at the crossing from Gaza into Israel had made him wait two hours to pass through and then asked him to take off his shirt to make sure he was not wired with bombs.

Still, Dr. Abuelaish declares, "Medicine does not know borders."

Dr. Abuelaish, who works as an obstetrician and a gynecologist in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, is one of the few Gaza Palestinians permitted to enter the country since Israel's recent withdrawal from Gaza, traveling to Beersheba once a week.

An estimated 140,000 Bedouins live in the Negev desert in the south of Israel bordering Gaza. Some of the families the researchers are studying have branches in both the Negev and Gaza.

One of the lab's breakthroughs was solving the genetic puzzle that caused members of three extended families to be born without eyes. One of the families was in Gaza, another in the Negev, and one was a Jewish family of Syrian-descent living in Jerusalem.

One member of the Gaza family is Ramzi Abu Aljidian, 24, who like his sister has eyelids but no eyes underneath them. He is pleased his family's participation in the research was fruitful.

"We want to prevent such cases in the future," said Mr. Abu Aljidian, who added that his condition persuaded him not to marry within the family. Mr. Abu Aljidian married a woman who is not a relative, and the couple have two normal, healthy children.

Dr. Abuelaish is the lab's connection to Gaza. A specialist in fetal medicine, he meets with families who have a history of genetic diseases, collects blood samples and draws up the detailed family trees of his patients.

"People need help, and we try to help them," he said. Access to the modern facilities in Israel is essential for his patients in Gaza because there are no genetic labs there.

In Beersheba, Dr. Abuelaish shows Dr. Birk a collection of X-rays he took of a brother and sister from Gaza who suffer from phocomelia, in which their limbs are short and twisted.

"That's his hand," said Dr. Abuelaish, pointing to a 6-year-old boy who has three oversized fingers on one hand, two on the other. Like his older sister, he has legs that are only a few inches long. The two get around in wheelchairs that they roll down the dusty streets of their refugee camp.

The children, like many of the Gazans, do not have permission to enter Israel. Dr. Abuelaish must therefore document the clinical side of the cases as thoroughly as possible and take that documentation ? together with blood samples and photographs ? back to Israel.

The lab was sponsored by Morris Kahn, an Israeli philanthropist, and was championed by the acting president of Ben-Gurion University, Rivka Carmi, a genetics professor herself, specifically to research genetic diseases among the Bedouins. Its research has helped establish Israel as an important center for the study of genetic diseases among inbred peoples.

One of the main challenges facing the researchers is how to reach out to the people affected in a culturally sensitive way.

Bedouins are known for their pride and privacy, and illness is associated with weakness and a loss of family honor. The stigma of disease causes some families to balk at the idea of testing.

Muslim religious leaders have been drafted to help educate the members of the group about genetic problems, speaking out about the dangers of marrying relatives and increasing awareness of genetic testing and counseling. The imams also let families know that under Islam a woman can abort a fetus up to four months for health reasons.

"We are trying to convince people that to do a test is in their best interest," said Jomah al-Zodeah, 36, an imam in the Bedouin town Rahat. He and his two wives, cousins from either side of his family, recently had their blood tested by Dr. Elbedour.

Mr. Zodeah knows the toll of genetic disease; several children in his own extended family have died young.

Among the genes the Israeli genetics lab has identified is the one that caused Moshira and Salame's devastating disease. For years the children's parents, cousins who are both carriers of the gene that causes the illness, struggled over the decision of whether or not to have more children.

Just over two years ago they decided to take a chance. They had a baby girl who is free of the disease. Now pregnant again, their mother, Gazia, 30, was able for the first time to receive a prenatal test that determined the fetus she is carrying is indeed healthy. In her modern and immaculate home, Gazia has just finished feeding Moshira and Salame a liquid lunch through a plastic syringe. She muses on the better lives genetic research might bring.

"I hope everyone will have healthy children," she said.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Over 200 Arms Act convictions: tiny drop in Bihar ocean sets off big ripples

PATNA, MARCH 16
The law and order system here is so fragile and moth-eaten that if I take drastic measures, things will crumble further. But there is no alternative. So I will do it carefully and in a phased manner. That was Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, speaking to The Indian Express, days after he took charge of Bihar riding a wave for change. Last week, as his government clocked its hundredth day, the first, ?careful phase? of his campaign is becoming clear: go after those already in jail, secure convictions.

So even as crime statistics haven?t given him any respite, buried in the details of 141 kidnappings and 400 murders since he took charge?a figure matching that from his predecessor Lalu Yadav?s term?there is a distinct glimmer of hope.

In what is unprecedented in the state, 177 criminals have been convicted under the Arms Act. In fact, in March, in less than a fortnight, there have been 30 convictions and the target for this month: 150.

This is just a drop given the ocean of illegal weapons in the state but this drop has sent ripples. For one, this conviction rate is more than twice what it was under the Lalu Yadav government. And, two, the message this has sent down the police lines.

?This was unbelievable till the other day. We want to create fear of law among criminals which had disappeared in the state. Never in the past had they bothered about conviction,? says Additional Director General (Administration) of Police, Abhyanand, the brain behind the drive.

In Arms Act cases, police personnel are usually the only witnesses
and, hence, trial is expected to be shorter, conviction easier and faster. In other words, policemen are under more pressure. ?Initially (when Nitish took charge) there was a spurt in crime. Now, however, it has come down. The public perception is that the government is making serious efforts to check crime. Hope the drive continues,? says C M Saxena, Secretary General, Bihar Industries Association.

Several SPs, when contacted, pointed out that the new steps were creating an impact in building the atmosphere against criminals. ?On the first day in court, one notorious criminal confessed to using arms and committing dacoity. This is an outcome of the drive launched by the police?, pointed out Muzaffarpur SP Ratn Sanjay.
But an indication of how long the haul is can be gauged from the fact that the current drive is limited to getting convictions for those who are already in jail. This exempts criminals with close links to the ruling party. For example, JD(U) MLAs like Anant Singh and Sunil Pandey. Despite Arms Act cases against them, they are out on bail and, therefore, beyond the ?conviction campaign.?

When asked about this, Inspector General (Headquarters) Anil Sinha says: ?Nobody will be spared. To start with, the drive has been launched against criminals in jail and it will be extended further in the future... We have started this since it is easy to produce them in court.?

Another problem which most SPs complained of is manpower shortage. To tackle this, the Nitish government took an innovative ?stop-gap? decision. It decided to recruit 5,000 retired Armymen in the age group


of 35-45 years on a monthly contract of Rs 10,000. They will be armed and provided with separate uniform. ?Army men are better trained and disciplined than our police and it will, therefore, make a difference in our campaign against crime and criminals,? says Nawada SP Shalin. First Flush Govt asks HC to cancel bail of habitual criminals. 100 petitions filed.

? Drive launched in 1000 Arms Act cases in which criminals are in jail. Over 200
convictions secured.
? 5,000 retired Army men on contract for one year. 2500 SIs, 10,000 constables
being taken.
? Trial in public of petty criminals by SDMs.
? Rs 108-cr in Budget for police modernization.

Not yet done

? Big fish (political heavyweights) still on bail. Police say later.
? Concerted crackdown on mafia yet to begin.
? Kidnapping and murder statistics show no downward trend yet.
? No action yet against several tainted police officers.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Symbol of Egypt-At Louvre (PARIS)

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On Dinner with my Colleagues-At the Touch Of India

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Dinner Hosted by Me- At TOUCH OF INDIA for my colleagues

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How Do I feel in the SNOW- In Maastricht Holland

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Sculpted by Michael Angelo-Louvre Museam Paris

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Viceroys long gone, EU grows in Asia

Viceroys long gone, EU grows in Asia
By Thomas Fuller International Herald Tribune

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2006


BANGKOK It has been decades since the Dutch left Indonesia, France fled Indochina and the British cleared out of Malaya. And, with the exception of trading posts like Hong Kong and Macao, European power and influence in the region waned dramatically.

But a combination of factors in recent years, including the expansion of the European Union to 25 countries, the introduction of Europe's single currency and worries that Asia is too reliant on the dollar, have today given rise to a quiet but growing European presence in Asia, analysts and government officials say.

This is a different Europe from the one whose viceroys helped colonize large swaths of Asia: more unified, more often represented by technocrats and certainly more peaceful.

European environmental and safety rules conceived in Brussels are increasingly becoming de facto Asian standards on the factory floors that churn out the televisions, clothing and furniture that fill most homes in the West. The weight and size of the European Union's expanded market - about 450 million people, compared with 300 million in the United States - has lifted the profile of EU rules, say experts in these standards.

In Asian trading rooms, bonds are being bought and sold in euros, a currency that just a few years ago was derided in Asia as the "European experiment." For instance, about 20 percent of China's total offshore outstanding bonds are now denominated in euros, according to Marshall Mays, the director of the Asian Bond Market Forum, a research organization based in Hong Kong.

"It's becoming clearer and clearer that Europe is slowly rising to be a counterbalance to U.S. consumer demand and industrial might," Mays said.

While Europe still speaks with a multitude of voices - British, French, German and Italian, among others - Asians are becoming accustomed to greater unity. Recent trade disputes over clothing and shoes have been described as Europe versus China or even Europe versus Asia.

Of course, the cacophony of debate within Europe over the euro and European Union policies is still audible in Asian capitals. Yet, in a key barometer of confidence, Asian central banks are progressively increasing their level of euro reserves, economists say.

Michael Spencer, chief economist in Asia for Deutsche Bank, estimates that about 25 percent of central bank reserves in Asia, excluding Japan, are in euros. This is an increase of about 20 percentage points, he estimates, when compared with the reserves that Asian central banks held in the combined predecessor currencies.

The dollar, of course, remains king in Asia, but central bank officials acknowledge a desire to hedge.

"Over the last three years, there has been concern about U.S. debt and the current-account deficit," said Julia Leung, a director at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the territory's central bank. "There have been moves toward diversification."

Judged by the size of the economy, the European Union and the United States are roughly equivalent, with a gross domestic product of $13 trillion. The United States buys a slightly larger share of Asian exports each year, yet for a variety of reasons Europe's presence is sometimes felt more strongly in Asian factories.

In a warehouse on the outskirts of Bangkok, engineers working for SGS, based in Geneva, test more than 1,000 products a day: food, children's toys, clothing - anything that will be exported. Walking through the hallways of the facility in a white lab coat, Pornpana Lirathpong, a manager at the company, pointed to products being checked for European standards.

With European Union directives rolling off her tongue, she sounded like a baseball fan citing batting and pitching averages.

She mentioned Directive 2002/95EC, which prohibits the use of hazardous substances in electronic equipment. Then there is EEC EN71, a set of safety regulations for children's toys.

Yudhana Petchmanee, a senior manager at SGS, said the European Union was more "severe," explicit and precise in its testing than other countries.

"If you comply with Europe, you comply with most other countries," Yudhana said. With the exception of Japan, many countries in Asia base their standards on EU rules, he said.

The use of European standards suggests a growing level of interdependence that could further facilitate trade between the two continents, experts say. And by adopting European standards, Asian countries are also spreading the use of EU standards to other parts of world.

At a General Motors factory south of Bangkok, 400 cars and pickup trucks roll off the assembly line every day and each is tested using a European emissions test. Few of the cars are actually shipped to Europe; most go to customers in Southeast Asia, Australia or the Middle East.

"Europe has one standard that applies to so many countries," explained John Thomson, the director of marketing for General Motors in Southeast Asia. Few countries use U.S. emissions standards, he added, because "you can't follow a country that has different rules for different states." The United States has two sets of standards.

Many of the European standards now being adopted in Asia - for cars, toys or textiles - are legislated unnoticed even by most European consumers. But they can have a profound influence on manufacturing in Asia and beyond.

They can also serve, perhaps inadvertently, to clean up the environment. Three years ago, the European Commission announced a ban on a certain class of azo dyes, once widely used for textiles. The commission said studies had shown the dyes to be toxic to humans and fish.

Hundreds of factories in Asia, if not thousands, needed to retool at significant cost, said Horst Geicke, chairman of the Pacific Alliance Group, which is based in Hong Kong and has garment factories in China and Vietnam.

"Europe is so powerful, but we also sometimes go nuts with them," Geicke said. "I have to admit that I was part of a delegation condemning this. We said, 'This is just a trade barrier.' But frankly, looking back, I think the azo ban was a good thing."

Geicke said that when shipping garments to the United States, the focus is less on government regulations than on the fear of lawsuits. Every garment he ships to the United States is put through an X-ray machine to check for needles, for example.

Yudhana, the manager in the Thai branch of SGS, the certification company, said one main difference between safety and health requirements in the United States and Europe is that the European rules are enshrined in law, whereas companies in the United States are often subject only to voluntary guidelines.

Yudhana recalled a recent meeting with U.S. officials at which he asked which regulations were mandatory.

"It's limited to high-risk products," Yudhana said, "drugs, medical machinery, some electronics."

European rules, he said, are more "systematic" and thus more easily copied by other countries.

BANGKOK It has been decades since the Dutch left Indonesia, France fled Indochina and the British cleared out of Malaya. And, with the exception of trading posts like Hong Kong and Macao, European power and influence in the region waned dramatically.

But a combination of factors in recent years, including the expansion of the European Union to 25 countries, the introduction of Europe's single currency and worries that Asia is too reliant on the dollar, have today given rise to a quiet but growing European presence in Asia, analysts and government officials say.

This is a different Europe from the one whose viceroys helped colonize large swaths of Asia: more unified, more often represented by technocrats and certainly more peaceful.

European environmental and safety rules conceived in Brussels are increasingly becoming de facto Asian standards on the factory floors that churn out the televisions, clothing and furniture that fill most homes in the West. The weight and size of the European Union's expanded market - about 450 million people, compared with 300 million in the United States - has lifted the profile of EU rules, say experts in these standards.

In Asian trading rooms, bonds are being bought and sold in euros, a currency that just a few years ago was derided in Asia as the "European experiment." For instance, about 20 percent of China's total offshore outstanding bonds are now denominated in euros, according to Marshall Mays, the director of the Asian Bond Market Forum, a research organization based in Hong Kong.

"It's becoming clearer and clearer that Europe is slowly rising to be a counterbalance to U.S. consumer demand and industrial might," Mays said.

While Europe still speaks with a multitude of voices - British, French, German and Italian, among others - Asians are becoming accustomed to greater unity. Recent trade disputes over clothing and shoes have been described as Europe versus China or even Europe versus Asia.

Of course, the cacophony of debate within Europe over the euro and European Union policies is still audible in Asian capitals. Yet, in a key barometer of confidence, Asian central banks are progressively increasing their level of euro reserves, economists say.

Michael Spencer, chief economist in Asia for Deutsche Bank, estimates that about 25 percent of central bank reserves in Asia, excluding Japan, are in euros. This is an increase of about 20 percentage points, he estimates, when compared with the reserves that Asian central banks held in the combined predecessor currencies.

The dollar, of course, remains king in Asia, but central bank officials acknowledge a desire to hedge.

"Over the last three years, there has been concern about U.S. debt and the current-account deficit," said Julia Leung, a director at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the territory's central bank. "There have been moves toward diversification."

Judged by the size of the economy, the European Union and the United States are roughly equivalent, with a gross domestic product of $13 trillion. The United States buys a slightly larger share of Asian exports each year, yet for a variety of reasons Europe's presence is sometimes felt more strongly in Asian factories.

In a warehouse on the outskirts of Bangkok, engineers working for SGS, based in Geneva, test more than 1,000 products a day: food, children's toys, clothing - anything that will be exported. Walking through the hallways of the facility in a white lab coat, Pornpana Lirathpong, a manager at the company, pointed to products being checked for European standards.

With European Union directives rolling off her tongue, she sounded like a baseball fan citing batting and pitching averages.

She mentioned Directive 2002/95EC, which prohibits the use of hazardous substances in electronic equipment. Then there is EEC EN71, a set of safety regulations for children's toys.

Yudhana Petchmanee, a senior manager at SGS, said the European Union was more "severe," explicit and precise in its testing than other countries.

"If you comply with Europe, you comply with most other countries," Yudhana said. With the exception of Japan, many countries in Asia base their standards on EU rules, he said.

The use of European standards suggests a growing level of interdependence that could further facilitate trade between the two continents, experts say. And by adopting European standards, Asian countries are also spreading the use of EU standards to other parts of world.

At a General Motors factory south of Bangkok, 400 cars and pickup trucks roll off the assembly line every day and each is tested using a European emissions test. Few of the cars are actually shipped to Europe; most go to customers in Southeast Asia, Australia or the Middle East.

"Europe has one standard that applies to so many countries," explained John Thomson, the director of marketing for General Motors in Southeast Asia. Few countries use U.S. emissions standards, he added, because "you can't follow a country that has different rules for different states." The United States has two sets of standards.

Many of the European standards now being adopted in Asia - for cars, toys or textiles - are legislated unnoticed even by most European consumers. But they can have a profound influence on manufacturing in Asia and beyond.

They can also serve, perhaps inadvertently, to clean up the environment. Three years ago, the European Commission announced a ban on a certain class of azo dyes, once widely used for textiles. The commission said studies had shown the dyes to be toxic to humans and fish.

Hundreds of factories in Asia, if not thousands, needed to retool at significant cost, said Horst Geicke, chairman of the Pacific Alliance Group, which is based in Hong Kong and has garment factories in China and Vietnam.

"Europe is so powerful, but we also sometimes go nuts with them," Geicke said. "I have to admit that I was part of a delegation condemning this. We said, 'This is just a trade barrier.' But frankly, looking back, I think the azo ban was a good thing."

Geicke said that when shipping garments to the United States, the focus is less on government regulations than on the fear of lawsuits. Every garment he ships to the United States is put through an X-ray machine to check for needles, for example.

Yudhana, the manager in the Thai branch of SGS, the certification company, said one main difference between safety and health requirements in the United States and Europe is that the European rules are enshrined in law, whereas companies in the United States are often subject only to voluntary guidelines.

Yudhana recalled a recent meeting with U.S. officials at which he asked which regulations were mandatory.

"It's limited to high-risk products," Yudhana said, "drugs, medical machinery, some electronics."

European rules, he said, are more "systematic" and thus more easily copied by other countries.

HAPPY HOLI

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY HOLI

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Land Mark in Paris

 
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I was charmed by the beauty of Eiffel fooded with lights- See the Moon on the TOP

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Eiffel Tower Garden-IN PARIS

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AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE -RADIO RAGHAV

AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE -RADIO RAGHAV

From: Santosh Pandey

To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:36 PM

Subject: Re: <<>> Re: Radio Raghav Faces Closure- Can we help??

Dear Group Members,

Can we as a group take up this issue and support Raghav in any way???

--------------------------------------
Santosh Pandey
http://santosh-pandey.blogspot.com/

E-mail :santoshpandeyca@gmail.com
: santoshpandeyca@yahoo.co.uk
************************************************


Radio Raghav Faces Closure; Seeks Outside Help
Muzaffarpur: March 11, 2006
Raghav Kumar, the 22-year old man from Mansoorpur village in Muzaffarpur district who shot to fame a few weeks ago for broadcasting Hindi and folk songs and local news by building a FM radio station from scraps is facing legal threats that may force him to pull the plug on his dream project because of the national communication regulations.

Faced with some tough regulations, authorities in Muzaffarpur have issued notice to him for running an FM station without proper licensing. "I barely have money to treat my ailing father, how can I come up with the licensing fee," Kumar, who earns less than 2,500 per month from his electronic shop, said.

Broadcasting popular Hindi film and folk songs, local news, and public messages, the Raghav Radio has become immensely popular within 10 miles of his 'radio station' though with the notice from the district administration, he has been left with no option but to seek financial help from the government and private parties so he could legally continue to work on his radio station extending the reach to other areas outside his village.

So far he seems to be having no luck with the government but there are a few individuals in his own village who have offered him some limited financial help.

Meanwhile, PatnaDaily.Com has received a letter from an American national showing interest in Raghav's project.

Mark Titterington, an amateur radio operator in Rhode Island, is attempting to contact Raghav to offer him his expertise in fulfilling the Muzaffarpurian's dream.
====================================================================================
Hi Santosh,

Sincere thanks for raising this issue on the group.The problem is that running a radio station without govt. permission is illegal and private local radio station is banned in India.

We also have the issue of copyrights violations and for all radio transmission the broadcasting rights are needed.I'm really not sure how monetary help can bail him out of this situation.I would appreciate if other members share there view on this.

Thanks,

Ajit

www.ajitchouhan.blogspot.com
www.coolbihari.blogspot.com
www.thejobshop.blogspot.com
www.hrfundablog.blogspot.com
====================================================================================
From: Santosh Pandey

To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:36 PM

Subject: Re: <<>> Re: Radio Raghav Faces Closure- Can we help??

Thanks Ajit for you response,

I understand the points of having an operator`s license and copyright issues associated with this. However, posted this issue for delibration by members, as to how can we help him to save the closure.

? Can we ask the govt to issue a license to him..if yes what are the
procedural nuisances associated with that.
? How can we takle the issue of license trademark and copyright for songs
relayed from Radio Raghav.
? Is there any avenue to encourage this innovative boy Raghav..?? or we really
want to nip another talent in the bud.??

Would appreciate feedback from members..WHAT CAN WE DO???

Regards,

Santosh Pandey
http://santosh-pandey.blogspot.com/
***********************************************************************************
From: Mayank Krishna

Mailed-By: returns.groups.yahoo.com

Reply-To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

Date: Mar 13, 2006 7:31 PM

Subject: Re: <<>> Re: Radio Raghav Faces Closure- Can we help??

We can help. But the question is how???

I think, in Raghav's radio station there is an innovation that can help our country in general and Bihar in particular. It's a big innovation provided it is handled with care. The biggest beneficiary of this innovation can be in social sector and it can play a big role in uplifting the darkness of ignorance from rural folks. His innovation need not be limited to Muzaffarpur or Bihar. His innovation has the potential to reach the entire Indian villages. Here comes the role of government.

If the government of Bihar adopts Raghav's innovation and sets up similar rural radio stations across all the villages of Bihar then it can be used as an efficient tool to help spread awareness about many social issues apart from healthy entertainment. Not only that, this innovation can play a significant role in educational initiatives of the governement. Say government can put someone in charge of each station who ensures that apart from entertainment, and social messages, the radio also broadcasts primary education level modules in morning and evening so that children as well illiterate adults of the village can learn in an interesting way and remove the evils of illiteracy. This person or coordinator can not only give radio lessons but can also help village children and adults learn through human interface. The coordinator can help generate interest about primary education through interesting learning modules on radio and then back it up with learning through human interface and then reinforce it through radio creating a loop of learning. It could be a revolution in primary education. And the biggest advantage of this is CUSTOMIZATION. You can customize the contents keeping in mind local culture, tastes, preference, language etc. Of course, I am dreaming. But don't you think that if we think deeper then there are numerous possibilities for the use of this low cost innovation? Isn't it that all great things have their seed in big dreams? This may turn out to be another big dream resulting in great things.

How can we help?

We can help by trying to generate public opinion. It will be like simultaneously trying to influence the government, NGOs, Media, Business houses to generate an interest in the potential of this low cost innovation in social development. The point is if we can help the idea reach a tipping point, it can take care of itself from that stage.


How can we generate opinion?In the following ways:

1. Those of us who are alumni of management and technical institutes can try to build the opinion in their respective campuses by promoting the idea and its benefits among students as well as faculty.

2. Those of us who are in media can create a media opinion through articles and other tricks of the trade. The key is generating publicity and encouraging public discussions.

3. Those who are in private sector can promote the idea and its benefit in the corporate world by using the medium of e-mail, yahoo groups, discussion forum etc.

4. We can prepare a detailed draft on the benefits of this innovation and its potential application in social development and submit it to Government of India and well as Government of Bihar.

If we can create a frenzy about the idea by utilizing the highly networked world of today and build opinion on the potential benefits of this idea in social development then I am sure even the government can give this innovation a special status and not treat it as a radio station that will require license to function. Who knows they can even back this innovation with adequate resource allocation.

But all this will require that we take sometime out of our busy schedules to work around the ideas. Possibilities are many, the important thing is that we must dream and then think of ways to fulfill that dream.

What do you all Cool Biharis think on this?

Rgds,

Mayank

www.mayankkrishna.blogspot.com
====================================================================================
From: Ajit Chouhan

Reply-To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

Date: Mar 14, 2006 10:05 AM

Subject: Re: <<>> Re: Radio Raghav Faces Closure- Can we help??

Hey Team,

It's nice to see some ideas flowing for this cause.I think we should draw some action plan based on the discussions which we have had till now.For this we need to effectively chalk out a plan for helping this cause by promoting this at all possible levels.

Chandan,Mayank,Atul,Santosh thanks again for playing a proactive role.

Let us first use our connection and blogs to highlight the cause at national and international level.

I would request Sudhir from Bhojpuria.com to start a petition campaign on his site and also send us the links so that we can promote the same through our blogs.

Chandan and Frank can co-ordinate at local level and create awareness about this drive and initiative with help of local media and other social groups at Patna.

Atul ,Gautam ,Santosh ,Mayank and myself will try and and garner as much support as possible at technical ,legal and financial level.

Please do let me know if we can do more to help this cause.I would request other members to come forward and contribute for this .

Thanks

Ajit

www.ajitchouhan.blogspot.com
www.hrfundablog.blogspot.com
www.thejobshop.blogspot.com

====================================================================================

From: Atul Kumar

Reply-To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:51 PM

Subject: Re: <<>> Radio Raghav Faces Closure- Can we help??

Hi doston

another Bihari group (biharchintan) with some senior people like Prof. Anil Gupta (from IIM-A) are working on many fronts including

a) Uday Kumar Jha, who is an advocate in Patna High to meet Raghav in helping draft appropriate legal response,

b) Rajesh an IIS is in touch with I&B officials to figure out how to help him

c) Prof. Gupta, Osama and others are planning to setup a body to take the idea commercial as a grassroot innovation

so hopefully with all the media attention and interventions of senior people Raghav should be in a good shape.

Also since am working from home today so left a message for Mark (amateur radio guy) mentioned in Patnadaily .. will update on how he can help


Cheers
Atul
Danbury, CT, USA
Atul Kumar, Danbury,CT
http://www.linkedin.com/in/atulkumar
Atul
Danbury, CT, USA
Atul Kumar, Danbury,CT
http://www.linkedin.com/in/atulkumar
***********************************************************************************
chandan singh to coolbihari

From: chandan singh

To: coolbihari@yahoogroups.co.in

Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:54 PM

Subject: Re: <<>> Radio Raghav Faces Closure- Can we help??

Hi Santosh,

I am following Raghav's story very keenly. It is something that we can take pride in, a genuine case of ingenious innovation.

I have had the opportunity to do the same in my engineering collage and lately, in Patna.

In the collage, some idiot complained about it and the cops came to our hostel, took me to Manas Gangotri police station, made me write a bond that I would not indulge in such"gimmickry" again. That was the end of Mysore FM station.

I had been using it in Patna ,on and off, but not any longer. Instead I am working on radio collars for wildlife monitoring.

Actually, operating a radio broadcasting station without a licence from P & T department is illegal. In India a fixed frequency range is reserved for commercial radio stations(FM broadcasting).And close to that range is the frequency bandwidth reserved for Government communications( Railways,Police etc). There are other issues too, like interference with TV sound signals, cable TV transmission etc.

So, basically, he needs to apply for a licence.

However, considering that no one has complained so far against him, and again hoping that some overzealous cop doesn't ask him to shut it down, I can give him my FM broadcasting kit. Its pretty powerful and really a very nice kit.I can also help him with design of Yagi antennae. This kit, when used with Yagi antennae easily gives a range exceeding 50 KM. Needless to say, I wont be charging anything for it.

But, you have to understand, that this is illegal.

Apart from this, I cant help much. And I really do feel bad about it.

Cheers,

Chandan Singh
Executive Director
GreenPower India

+91-93341-51763
+91-99349-82877
=====================================================================================

Monday, March 13, 2006

JAI HANUMAN

Shree Guru Charan Saroj Raj, Nij Man Mukar Sudhari,
Barnau Raghuvar Bimal Jasu, Jo dayaku Phal Chari


With the dust of Guru's Lotus feet, I clean the mirror of my mind and then narrate the sacred glory of Sri Ram Chandra, The Supereme among the Raghu dynasty. The giver of the four attainments of life.


Budhi heen Tanu Janike, Sumirow, Pavan Kumar,
Bal Buddhi Vidya Dehu Mohi, Harahu Kalesh Bikaar


Knowing myself to be ignorent, I urge you, O Hanuman, The son of Pavan! O
Lord! kindly Bestow on me strength, wisdom and knowledge, removing all my
miseries and blemishes.


Jai Hanuman Gyan Guna Sagar
Jai Kipis Tihun Lok Ujgaar


Victory of Thee, O Hanuman, Ocean of wisdom and virtue, victory to the Lord of
monkeys who is well known in all the three worlds


Ramdoot Atulit Bal Dhamaa,
Anjani Putra Pavansut naamaa.


You, the Divine messager of Ram and repository of immeasurable strength, are
also known as Anjaniputra and known as the son of the wind - Pavanputra.


Mahebeer Bikram Bajrangi,
Kumati Nivaar Sumati Ke Sangi.


Oh Hanumanji! You are valiant and brave, with a body like lightening. You are the dispeller of darkness of evil thoughts and companion of good sense and wisdom.

Kanchan Baran Biraaj Subesaa,
Kanan kundal kunchit kesa.


Shri Hanumanji's physique is golden coloured. His dress is pretty, wearing
'Kundals' ear-rings and his hairs are long and curly.


Hath Bajra Aur Dhvaja Birjai,
Kandhe Moonj Janeu saage.


Shri Hanumanji is holding in one hand a lighting bolt and in the other a banner
with sacred thread across his shoulder.



Shankar Suvna Kesari Nandan,
Tej Pratap Maha Jag Vandan.


Oh Hanumanji! You are the emanation of 'SHIVA' and you delight Shri Keshri.
Being ever effulgent, you and hold vast sway over the universe. The entire
world proptiates. You are adorable of all.


Vidyavaan Guni Ati Chatu r,
Ram Kaj Karibe Ko Atur


Oh! Shri Hanumanji! You are the repository learning, virtuous, very wise and
highly keen to do the work of Shri Ram,


Prabhu Charittra Sunibe Ko Rasiya,
Ram Lakhan Sita man basyia.


You are intensely greedy for listening to the naration of Lord Ram's lifestory and
revel on its enjoyment. You ever dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram-Sita and Shri
Lakshman.


Sukshma roop Dhari Siyahi Dikhwana,
Bikat roop Dhari Lank Jarawa


You appeared beofre Sita in a diminutive form and spoke to her, while you
assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting Lanka on fire.



Bhim roop Dhari Asur Sanhare,
Ramchandra Ke kaaj Savare.


He, with his terrible form, killed demons in Lanka and performed all acts of Shri Ram.

Laye Sajivan Lakhan Jiyaye,
Shri Raghubir harashi ur laye.



When Hanumanji made Lakshman alive after bringing 'Sanjivni herb' Shri Ram
took him in his deep embrace, his heart full of joy.


Raghupati Kinhi Bahut Badaai,
Tum Mama Priya Bharat Sam Bahi.


Shri Ram lustily extolled Hanumanji's excellence and remarked, "you are as dear
to me as my own brother Bharat"


Sahastra Badan Tumharo Jas Gaave,
Asa kahi Shripati Kanth Laagave.


Shri Ram embraced Hanumanji saying:
"Let the thousand - tongued sheshnaag sing your glories"


Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa,
Narad Sarad Sahit Aheesa


Sanak and the sages, saints. Lord Brahma, the great he rmits Narad and
Goddess Saraswati along with Sheshnag the cosmic serpent, fail to sing the
glories of Hanumanji exactly


Jam Kuber Digpal Jahan Te,
Kabi Kabid Kahin Sake Kahan Te


What to talk of denizens of the earth like poets and scholars ones etc even Gods
like Yamraj, Kuber, and Digpal fail to narrate Hanman's greatness in toto.

Tum Upkar Sugrivahi Keenha,

Ram Miali Rajpad Deenha

Hanumanji! You rendered a great service for Sugriva, It were you who united
him with SHRI RAM and installed him on the Royal Throne.


Tumharo Mantro Bibhishan Maana,
Lankeshwar Bhaye Sab Jag Jaana.


By heeding your advice. Vibhushan became Lord of Lanka, which is known all
over the universe.


Juug Sahastra Jojan Par Bhaanu,
Leelyo Taahi Madhur Phal Jaanu


Hanumanji gulped, the SUN at distance of sixteen thousand miles considering
it to be a sweet fruit.


Prabhu Mudrika Meli Mukha Maaheen,
Jaladhi Langhi Gaye Acharaj Naheen.


Carrying the Lord's ring in his mouth, he went a cross the ocean. There is no
wonder in that.


Durgam Kaaj Jagat Ke Jeete,
Sugam Anugrah Tumhre Te Te.


Oh Hanumanji! all the difficult tasks in the world are rendered easiest by your
grace.


Ram Duware Tum Rakhavare,
Hot Na Aagya Bin Paisare.


Oh Hanumanji! You are the sentinel at the door of Ram's mercy mansion or His
divine abode. No one m ay enter without your permission.


Sab Sukh Lahen Tumhari Sarna,
Tum Rakshak Kaahu Ko Darnaa.


By your grace one can enjoy all happiness and one need not have any fear under
your protection.


Aapan Tej Samharo Aapei,
Tanau Lok Hank Te Kanpei


When you roar all the three worlds tremble and only you can control your might.

Bhoot Pisaach Nikat Nahi Avei,
Mahabir Jab Naam Sunavei.


Great Brave on. Hanumanji's name keeps all the Ghosts, Demons & evils spirits
away from his devotees.


Nasei Rog Hare Sa b Peera,
Japat Niranter Hanumant Beera


On reciting Hanumanji's holy name regularly all the maladies perish the entire
pain disappears.


Sankat Te Hanuman Chhudavei,
Man Kram Bachan Dhyan Jo Lavei.


Those who rembember Hanumanji in thought, word and deed are well guarded
against their odds in life.


Sub Par Ram Tapasvee Raaja,
Tinke Kaaj Sakal Tum Saaja


Oh Hanumanji! You are the caretaker of even Lord Rama, who has been hailed as
the Supreme Lord and the Monarch of all those devoted in penances.


Aur Manorath Jo Koi Lave,
Soi Amit Jivan Phal Pave.


Oh Hanumanji! You fulfill the desires of those who come to you and bestow
the eternal nectar the highest fruit of life.


Charo Juung Partap Tumhara,
Hai Parsiddha Jagat Ujiyara.


Oh Hanumanji! You magnificent glory is acclaimed far and wide all through the
four ages and your fame is radianlty noted all over the cosmos.


Sadho Sant Ke Tum Rakhvare,
Asur Nikandan Ram Dulare.


Oh Hanumanji! You are the saviour and the guardian angel of saints and sages
and destroy all the Demons, you are the seraphic darling of Shri Ram.


Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Data,
As a Bar Din Janki Mata.


Hanumanji has been blessed with mother Janki to grant to any one any YOGIC
power of eight Sidhis and Nava Nidhis as per choice.


Ram Rasayan Tumhare Pasa,
Sadaa Raho Raghupati Ke Dasa.


Oh Hanumanji! You hold the essence of devotion to RAM, always remaining His
Servant.


Tumhare Bhajan Ramko Pavei.
Janam Janam Ke Dukh Bisravei.


Oh Hanumanji! through devotion to you, one comes to RAM and becames free
from suffering of several lives.


Anta Kaal Raghubar Pur Jai,
Jahan Janma Hari Bhakta Kahai.


After death he enters the eternal abode of Sri Ram and remains a devotee of
him, whenever, taking new birth on earth.


Aur Devata Chitt Na Dharai,
Hanumant Sei Sarva Sukh Karai


You need not hold any other demigod in mind. Hanumanji alone will give all
happiness.


Sankat Kate Mitey Sab Peera,
Jo Sumirei Hanumant Balbeera


Oh Powerful Hanumanji! You end the sufferings and remove all the pain from
those who remember you.


Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai
Kripa Karahu Gurudev Ki Naiee


Hail-Hail-Hail-Lord Hanumanji! I beseech you Honour to ble ss me in the
capacity of my supreme 'GURU' (teacher).


Jo Sat Baar Paath Kar Koi,
Chhutahi Bandi Maha Sukh Hoi.


One who recites this Hanuman Chalisa one hundred times daily for one hundred
days becames free from the bondage of life and death and ejoys the highest
bliss at last.


Jo Yah Padhe Hanuman Chalisa,
Hoy Siddhi Sakhi Gaurisa


As Lord Shankar witnesses, all those who recite Hanuman Chalisa regularly are
sure to be benedicted


Tulsidas Sada Hari Chera,
Keeje Nath Hriday Mah Dera.


Tulsidas always the servant of Lord prays. "Oh my Lord! You enshrine within my
heart.!


Chopai

Pavan Tanay Sankat Haran, Mangal Murti Roop.
Ram Lakhan Sita Sahit, Hriday Basahu Sur Bhoop.


O Shri Hanuman, The Son of Pavan, Saviour The Embodiment of
blessings, reside in my heart together with Shri Ram, Laxman and Sita

IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA

IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA

Are you a Secularist?

Then please answer these questions,

1. There are nearly 52 Muslim countries. Show one Muslim country which provides Haj subsidy.

2. Show one Muslim country where Hindus are extended the special rights that Muslims are accorded in India?

3. Show one Muslim country which has a Non-Muslim as its President or Prime Minister.

4. Show one country where the 85% majority craves for the indulgence of the 15% minority.

5. Show one Mullah or Maulvi who has declared 'fatwa' against terrorists.

6. Hindu-majority Maharashtra, Bihar, Kerala, Pondicherry, etc. have in the past elected Muslims as CMs; Can you ever imagine a Hindu becoming the CM of Muslim - majority J&K?

7. Today Hindus are 85%. If Hindus are intolerant, how come Masjids and Madrassas are thriving? How come Muslims are offering Namaz on the road? How come Muslims are proclaiming 5 times a day on loudspeakers that there is no God except Allah?

8. When Hindus gave to Muslims 30% of Bharat for a song, why should Hindus now beg for their sacred places at Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi?


9. Why temple funds are spent for the welfare of Muslims and Christians, when they are free to spend their money in any way they like?

10. When uniform is made compulsory for school children, why there is no Uniform Civil Code for citizens?

11. In what way, J&K is different from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh, to have article 370?

12. Why Gandhiji supported Khilafat Movement (nothing to do with our freedom movement) and what in turn he got?

13. Why Gandhiji objected to the decision of the cabinet and insisted that Somnath Temple should be reconstructed out of public fund, not government funds. When in January 1948 he pressurized Nehru and Patel to carry on renovation of the mosques of Delhi at government expenses?

14. If Muslims & Christians are minorities in Maharashtra, UP, Bihar etc., are Hindus not minorities in J&K, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya etc? Why are Hindus denied minority rights in these states?

15. Do you admit that Hindus do have problems that need to be recognized? Or do you think that those who call themselves Hindus are themselves the problem?

16. Why post-Godhra is blown out of proportion, when no-one talks of the ethnic cleansing of 8 lakh Hindus from Kashmir?

17. In 1947, when India was partitioned, the Hindu population in Pakistan was about 24%. Today it is not even 1%. In 1947, the Hindu population in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was 30%. Today it is about 7%. What happened to the missing Hindus? Do Hindus have human rights?

18. In contrast, in India, Muslim population has gone up from 10.4% in 1951 to about 14% today; whereas Hindu population has come down from 87.2% in 1951 to 85% in 1991. Do you still think that Hindus are fundamentalists?

19. Do you consider that - Sanskrit is communal and Urdu is secular, Mandir is Communal and Masjid is Secular, Sadhu is Communal and Imam is Secular, BJP is communal and Muslim league is Secular, Dr. Praveen bhaiTogadia is ANTI-NATIONAL and Bhukari is Secular, Vande Matharam is communal and Allah-O-Akbar is secular, Shri Ram is communal and Mian is secular, Hinduism is Communal and Islam is Secular, Hindutva is communal and Jihadism is secular, and at last, Bharat is communal and Italy is Secular?

20. When Christian and Muslim schools can teach Bible and Quran, Why Hindus cannot teach Gita or Ramayan?

21. Abdul Rehman Antuley was made a trustee of the famous Siddhi Vinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, Mumbai Can a Hindu - say Mulayam or Laloo - ever become a trustee of a Masjid or Madrassa?

22. Dr. Praveenbhai Togadia has been arrested many times on flimsy grounds. Has the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi, Ahmed Bhukari been arrested for claiming to be an ISI agent and advocating partition of Bharat?

23. When Haj pilgrims are given subsidy, why Hindu pilgrims to Amarnath, Sabarimalai & Kailash Mansarovar are taxed?

A Muslim President, A Sikh Prime Minister and a Hindu Defence Minister running the affairs of the nation with a unity of purpose.

Can this happen anywhere, except in a HINDU NATION - BHARAT ?

"Hinduism is not a religion it is a way of life".
- Swami Vivekananda.