India celebrated its 62nd Republic Day with a grand parade of its military might and cultural diversity in New Delhi amid tight security, with big and small events also held across the length and breadth of the world’s largest democracy. Watched by thousands on the streets and millions on television, the parade wound its way from the Raisina Hills to the 17th century Red Fort.

Displaying military might & heritage

History revisited

New Delhi: Colorful tableaux depicting the myriad hues of country’s diversity, a vibrant per-formance by students and armed forces in full battle regalia -- the Republic Day parade had ‘mini-India’ in itself.

Marching down from the Raisina

Hills to Red Fort, the parade showcased India’s ‘unity in di-versity’ and the military might as thousands of spectators along the eight km long route cheered the marching contingents and the mechanized columns.

The well turned out and synchro-

-nized military and police contin-gents led by General Officer Com-manding (Delhi) Maj Gen Manven-dra Singh marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through the Rajpath where President and Su-preme Commander of Armed Forces Pratibha Patil took the salute.

New Delhi: History turned full circle when President Susi-lo Bambang Yudhoyono became the second head of state from Indonesia to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade -- after the very first one.

Yudhoyono was received by President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the saluting dais when he reached the parade venue on Rajpath in the heart of Delhi.

Legendary Indonesian leader Sukarno was the chief guest at In-dia’s first Republic Day parade in 1950 -- when Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the first president of in-dependent India. Yudhoyono, 61, is a military veteran and was elected the sixth president of Indonesia in the first ever direct presidential election held in 2004. He was ac-companied by his wife Ani Bam-bang Yudhoyono, who too watched the parade with enthusiasm.

The march-past was watched by the Republic Day chief guest Indo-nesian President Dr Susilo Bam-bang Yudhoyono, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defense Minis-ter A K Antony and the country’s top political and military brass.

The capital had turned into a security fortress for the event as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and helicopters scanned the capital from air, snipers kept a hawk-eye vigil from rooftops and armed per-sonnel at “every corner” provided a ground-to-air security apparatus.

Minutes before the parade be-gan, Singh, Antony and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force laid wreaths at ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’, the British-era World War-I memo-rial at India Gate, where an eternal flame burns in memory of those who laid down their lives while defending the nation’s frontiers.

The parade began shortly after Patil and her Indonesian counter-part arrived at the Rajpath escorted by the President’s 46 bodyguards riding well-trained and impecca-bly-bedecked horses.

After the President unfurled the tricolor and a customary 21-gun salute, an Army doctor Ma-jor Laishram Jyotin Singh was

awarded posthumously the highest peacetime gallantry award -- the Ashok Chakra -- for his bravery while fighting militants during an attack on Indians in Kabul. He was the first Army doctor receiv-ing Ashok Chakra.

Four Mi-17 helicopters then zoomed in from the western skies and showered flower petals on the spectators, signaling the beginning of the parade followed by the win-ners of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra and mounted col-umns of 61 Cavalry. The grand fi-nale of the parade was as usual a spectacular flypast by the IAF, the Mi-25 attack helicopter participat-ing for the first time. Three Mi-25 in Chakra formation led the flypast, followed by the Big Boy formation of one IL-78 refueler, flanked by two AN-32 and two Dornier. After this came the fighter jets, with five Jaguars flying in Arrowhead for-mation, followed by five MiG-29s flying in Fulcrum formation.

The fly past concluded with the breathtaking Trishul formation as three Sukhoi Su-30 MKI per-formed the Vertical Charlie maneu-ver in front of the Saluting Base. The ceremony culminated with the National Anthem and release of orange, white and green balloons.

President Pratibha Patil with the Chief Guest this Republic Day, President of Indonesia Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and First Lady Hj. Ani Bambang Yudhoyono during the ‘At Home’ function at Rashtrapati Bhavan Jan 26.

The Central PWD float had giant flower sculptures of two tigers with two cubs, underlining the threat to the National Animal. (Photo: Parveen Seth/TheSATimes)

3

The breathtaking ‘Trishul’ formation comprising three SU30s, during the fly past at the 62nd Republic Day Parade - 2011.

“I join President Obama and the American people in congratulat-ing the people of India as they

celebrate the 62nd anniversary of Re-public Day this January 26.

“Our two nations are bound together by mutual respect, shared values, and

the freedoms enshrined in our Con-stitutions. Our people and govern-ments are forging an even stronger strategic partnership to promote a secure and stable world, and support even greater cooperation on eco-nomic development, open govern-ment, and democratic values.

“I look forward to my visit to In-dia in April to advance our efforts during the next session of our Stra-tegic Dialogue. The people of the United States and India -- united by these shared values and com-mitment to a safer, more secure world -- are working together to construct what President Obama has called an indispensable part-nership for the 21st century.

“I wish all Indians around the world continued peace and pros-perity in the coming year.”

Hempstead, NY: The Town of Hempstead in collaboration with the Indian American Forum has been celebrating India’s Republic Day for eight years now. This January 25, too, the colorful event was held in the Town Hall presided over by Supervisor Kate Murray. She said Hempstead was fortunate to have a large Indian American community who have enriched the town.

The keynote speaker at the event was Dr Rakesh Gupta, who spoke in glowing terms about India’s present and future. The contributions made by two distinguished members of the Indian community were recognized with India Republic Day Awards.

Sudhir Vaishnav, CEO and Presi-dent of GEN-I, is a leading interna-tional distributor and content aggre-gator representing international TV channels with distribution in US, UK and Canada on various plat-forms. With premiere Indian TV channels like Sahara One, Filmy & Sahara Samay and Radio City under its franchise; GEN-I, under Vaish-nav, has grown to become one of the strongest players in the South Asian media industry of North America.

With over 32 years of corpo-rate experience in the US, Vaish-nav has worked with Fortune 500 companies. A pioneer in bring-ing South Asian entertainment to North America, he is the first In-dian producer in 130 years of New

York City’s Broadway to present a South Asian production, Andrew Lloyd Webber and A R Rahman’s “Bombay Dreams”.

A strong believer in community unity, Vaishnav is deeply integrat-ed in philanthropic organizations as a leader, facilitator and fund raiser and serves as a Board of Advisor with many leading com-munity organizations.

He was introduced by Animesh Goenka, National President of the Association of Indians in America.

Nayana Brahmbhatt, a resident of North Woodmere, has been an administrator at BAPS Swamina-rayan Temple for 15 years.

Her responsibilities include

event planning such as medical fairs and women’s conferences, teaching religious and cultural classes for children. She has also been working at Point Set Tennis Racket Club as a league coordinator and office manager for over 10 years. Each year she volunteers at USTA events and at the US Open tennis.

Nayana was introduced by Anila Midha, a community leader. The program was coor-dinated by Indu Jaiswal, Chair-person of the Indian American Forum, and attended by over 150 prominent Indian and American community members, mainly from the Long Island area.

Clinton lauds India on 62nd R Day

Two honored at LI Republic Day event

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Honorees Sudhir Vaishnav and Nayana Brahmbhatt with Mark A Bonilla, Town Clerk, Supervisor Kate Murray, and Tony Santino, Council Member.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

I, Gurvinder Singh Bindra S/O Harwinder Singh Bindra, resident of 3006 Thomas Road, Cheyenne, WY-82009 have changed my name to Rana Gurvinder Singh Bindra.

6

called by the militants, officials said.“It is heartening to find people

coming to attend the Republic Day functions across the region despite calls by some militants to boycott the celebrations,” Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

Regional heads in the insur-gency-hit northeastern states of Manipur and Tripura appealed to rebel groups to come for peace talks with the government.

From toddlers to senior citizens, everyone was mesmerized by the grand R Day parade in the capital, with the smartly turned out con-tingents of security personnel

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, suffering from a bout of flu, gave a miss to the Republic Day parade on Rajpath and the evening At Home at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She was also absent at Tuesday’s official dinner for visiting Indonesian Pres-ident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Sonia has been a regular at both the programs over the years.

People in northeast India defied calls by separatist rebels to boycott Republic Day and joined the celebra-tions across the region amid a strike

New Delhi: Two new Indian compositions will enthrall guests at this year’s Beating Retreat cer-emony here marking the end of the 62nd Republic Day festivities.

To be played by the army’s martial band, the two new tunes will form part of the mostly In-dian com positions at the color-ful ceremony in Vijay Chowk where President Pratibha Patil will be the chief guest. “Gaj raj”, one of the new tunes composed

“On behalf of the American peo-ple, I send my best wishes to the people of India and to those here in the United States and around the world who are celebrating India Republic Day. Michelle and I were honored to visit India in November as India marked the 60th year of its democratic constitution.

profile of India and called for the international community to take collective steps toeradicate the scourge of terrorism.

Putting social justice and in-clusive growth on top of the national agenda, Patil called for a “national consensus on criti-cal issues” and a fresh pledge to include the poor and the mar-gin alized in the growth story of India. She struck an optimistic note,saying the government was confident of achieving over 9 per cent economic growth next year,

JPC logjam: Patil calls for constructive approach

Obama greets India on Republic Day

Mainly Indian tunes at Beating Retreat

BJP’s flag march in J&K fizzles out

R Day SnippetsUnwell Sonia misses parade

Northeast snubs separatists

‘Worth a lifetime’

Camel-mounted band delights

As I said then, the United States and India are not only the world’s two largest democracies, we are two pluralistic societies that be-lieve in the potential and dignity of every human being.

These are the beliefs that in-spire the nearly three million Americans who can trace their roots to India – and all of whom enrich our society.

And they are the beliefs that have led Prime Minister Singh and I to make the U.S-India re-lationship one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. As we go forward together, the enduring lessons of this Republic Day can inspire us to seek a fu-ture of greater prosperity and op-portunity for both our peoples.”

by the army band, will symbolize the fanfare associated with elephants used in battle by Indian kings of yore. The other tune, “Reshmi”, will be “a silky melody”, according to Captain Mahender Das, who heads the Indi-an military band establishment here as inspector of army bands.

These apart, most of the tunes that will be played at the ceremony will be Indian compositions, being played after a decade or more at the Beating Retreat, which has been an

getting the maximum applause.“It’s worth a lifetime....it seems

that the culture of entire nation is in front of you. It is mini-India in it-self,” said Seema Rastogi, a house-wife from Aligarh, marveling at the colorful tableaux on display at the Rajpath boulevard in Delhi.

It was a surreal moment for 17-year-old Shrawan, who came to wit-ness the parade along with his 65-year-old grandfather Ram Kumar, as the Mi-17 helicopters showered petals to mark the beginning of the 100-minute parade. The enthusias-tic crowds got to their feet, eager to catch a glimpse, as the parade com-mander, Major General Manvinder Singh saluted President Patil.

The camel-mounted band came, it played and it conquered! The performance of the BSF troopers, astride their gaily caparisoned animals, drew loud cheers at the parade. The camels, decorated in yellow and red cloth and color-ful accessories, swayed as they marched. If the novelty of march-ing camels delighted, so did the personnel astride them - all more than six feet tall and sporting long, thick mustaches! Clad in white pants, black boots and red coats and sporting saffron turbans, they sure made heads turn.

New Delhi: With its leaders and activists who traveled to Kashmir all held back in Jammu, the BJP’s campaign to unfurl the tricolour at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on Republic Day came to naught. A few BJP activists, who somehow managed to reach Srinagar, made repeated attempts through the day to march

to the chowk carrying the flag, but were arrested each time well before they reached the spot. Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik, who had also called for a march to Lal Chowk to counter the BJP’s flag hoisting, was arrested soon after he set out with his followers.

As in previous years, the offi-cial Republic Day ceremony was also held at the enclosed Bakshi Stadium in the capital, with state finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather raising the national flag.

On Tuesday night, chief min-ister Omar Abdullah called up detained BJP leaders Arun

Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj to sug-gest they join him for the official celebrations, but the invitation was turned down.

Jaitley, Swaraj and other de-tained BJP leaders were released on Tuesday night. They partici-pated in a flag-hoisting ceremony in Jammu’s Kathua town where they had been held before leaving for Delhi. Jaitley said he would raise the issue in Parliament.

New Delhi: With the govern-ment trying to shore up its im-age tainted by a spate of scams, President Pratibha Patil de-scribed corruption as “the en-emy of development” and called for “a constructive approach” to resolve the impasse over the de-mand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the 2G spectrum scam.

In her all-encompassing ad-dress to the nation on the eve of the 62nd Republic Day, Patil also highlighted the growing global

Prime Minister Manmhan Singh welcoming President Pratibha Patil and the Chief Guest Indonesian President Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yud-

hoyono before the Republic Day Parade 2011.

BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj on their return

from failed yatra.

Sonia Gandhi

President Barack Obama

but admitted that rising inflation, especially foodprices, is “a mat-terof serious concern”.

She also made veiled refer-ences to the ongoing controversy over theopposition’s demand for a joint par liamentary committee into the allocation of 2G spec-trum and corruption scandals that have plagued the government.

In an oblique criticism of the opposition that paralyzed the winter session of parliament over the alleged 2G scam, Patil said the successful functioning of parliament was “a joint re-sponsibility of both the govern-ment and the opposition”.

Full text of the President’s address on page 22.

annual fare since the early 1950s.Among the regular tunes will

be the popular “Sare jahan se ac-cha” composed by Urdu poet Mu-hammad ‘Allama’ Iqbal in pre-indepen dence India.

Conceived by the Indian Ar-my’s Major Roberts in the 1950s, the Beating Retreat ceremony por-trays the rich military customs and warfare practices, when soldiers were recalled to their camps at sunset from the battlefield.

Congratulations & Best Wishes to Nassau County’s Indo-US Community

on the 62nd Republic Day of India.

Making Nassau County More Affordable

OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVEOUR COUnty ExECUtivE

Visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks

January 26 was definitely a proud moment for Indians across the globe, as the world's largestdemocracy showcased its cultural and military milieu in a grand parade. Tableaux from 23states and Central Ministries and Departments presented the historical, architectural andcultural heritage of the country. Around 686 children of different schools from Delhi and

regional cultural centres presented a fiesta of the varied folk and modern dances.

8

The tableau on Rabindranath Tagore by the Culture Ministry and Sangeet Natak Akademipassing through Rajpath during the 62nd Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26.

The tableau of Central Public Works Department highlighted the cause of the dwindlingnumbers of tigers in the country.

Pleasant weather and warm sunshine made the Republic Day parade an enjoyable outing for the spectators.

(Photos: Parveen Seth/TheSATimes)

Bihar's tableau, depicting Sufi tradition through the Maner Sharif, created a surrealatmosphere with the sufiana kalam, “Chhaap tilak”, playing in the background.

The Delhi tableau presented the Cultural andReligious Harmony of the city against the backdrop of

the Old Fort, the Baha'i Temple and the festivities.

Folk dancers passing through the Rajpath during the 62ndRepublic Day Parade, in New Delhi on January 26.

Participants from the North East Zone Cultural Centre,Dimapur, presenting the Dahal Thungri dance of Bodo from

Assam at the republic Day parade.

A Kaleidoscope of India

A strong and resurgent India also displayed its military prowess, showcasingimpressive armory and technological advances made by the armed forces.

The main highlights of the parade included the T-90 Battle Tank (Bheeshma);the Brahmos Launcher System; Tejas – light combat aircraft's trainer version;Dhruv – fly-past advanced light helicopters; and Pinaka – a multi-barrel rocket

launcher. Naval underwater weapons like the Tal – a lightweight torpedo;Varunastra – a heavyweight torpedo; and Maareech – a decoy system which

seduces incoming torpedo, were also on display.

9

Indian Army soldiers saluting the President at the Republic Dayparade in New Delhi, on January 26, 2011.The Dare Devils of the Army performing stunts during the 62nd Republic Day Parade on January 26.

(Photos: Parveen Seth/TheSATimes and PIB)

A Brahmos cruise missile launcher rolls down Rajpath during the Republic Dayparade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011.

A mock-up of an Indian Air Force Tejas two-seat trainer is towed down Rajpath during thecountry's Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2011.

The Border Security Force Camel Band passing throughRajpath.

The Central Industrial Security Force marching contingent passing through Rajpath.

Indian Army tanks roll out during the Republic Day paradein New Delhi on January 26, 2011.

March of the Military Might

New York: Scores of Indian-Americans,

including diplomats and politicians, participat-

ed in a Republic Day function organized at the

Consulate General of India defying inclement

weather.

Consul General Prabhu Dayal conveyed best

wishes to the gathering, several of whom came

from across the tristate area of New York, New

Jersey and Connecticut. He read out at the func-

tion, held on January 26 evening, excerpts of

President Pratibha Patil's speech delivered to

the nation on the eve of the Republic Day.

Dayal also read out President Barack

Obama's message highlighting his November

visit to India. The US leader pointed out that

both nations are not only the largest democra-

cies, but also pluralistic societies. Wishing

long-term bilateral relations, Obama pointed

out that there are 3 million Indian-Americans.

Dr Prasad Sreenivasan, the newly elected

member of the Connecticut State Assembly,

was among the luminaries to attend the event. "I

am honored and deeply humbled to be present

here," he noted. Dr Sreenivasan is currently the

only physician in the state assembly and is

among the very few first-generation Indian-

Americans holding an elected office in the

country. And he is the only Indian elected to

public office in his state.

In her speech, Dr Poonam Alaigh, a state offi-

cial from New Jersey, pointed out that 7.5 per-

cent of the population in the state are Indians.

She read out a message of greetings from the

governor.

Vijay Nambiar, an aide to the UN chief, spoke

briefly. About a dozen ex-service personnel,

who served India, were present and recalled

their defence services to the motherland.

In his own speech, the consul general recalled

the recent visits of leaders of nations that hold

UN Security Council's permanent seats. He

lauded the services of senior Indian-American

citizens who served India in the defence field.

Dayal profusely thanked the nearly 200 atten-

dees for showing their patriotism despite highly

severe weather.

Advocacy group Indian American Muslim

Council also celebrated the day with festivities

and entertaining programs. They conducted

essay and video-program contests for young-

sters to mark the day.

The group expressed happiness about the

development that has taken place over the last

several years. It however noted that such devel-

opment should percolate to all sections of the

populace and all citizens should enjoy equal

rights and opportunities.

"IAMC maintains that ignoring the develop-

ment of any segment of the population is

against both the letter and spirit of the Indian

Constitution," Council President Shaheen

Khateeb said in a statement. "On this auspicious

day, we urge the Indian government to imple-

ment meaningful measures for the upliftment of

the economically and educationally neglected

sections of the Indian population."

CG Prabhu Dayal praises Indians for patriotism at R-Day event

Special to The South Asian

Times

Consul General Prabhu Dayal reading out excerpts from PresidentPratibha Patil’s speech (Photos by:

Gunjesh Desai/Masalajunction.com)

NJ Health Commissioner, Poonam Alaighaddressing the gathering

Prabhu Dayal with Pakistan ConsulGeneral Faqir Syed Asif Hussain, who also

attended the event

Over 200 people attended the functiondespite inclement weather

Prominent Indian Americans and diplomats took part in the celebration

10

New York: The Ganesh temple

auditorium in Flushing, Queens

will play host to Republic Day

event on Sunday, Jan 30 from 3 pm

onwards. The chief guest this year

will be Raja Amar, Founder, CEO,

and President of Portables

Unlimited Inc.The temple has been

organizing India Day events for

several years and one person

always plays an important part in

such weekend occasions.

Septuagenarian Champakbhai

Tribhuvandas Parikh, an unassum-

ing mild-mannered person, could

easily be ignored but for his very

traditional khadi clothes worn par-

ticularly on Indian Independence

and Republic days. Despite his

appearance and conversations

mainly in Hindi and Gujarati,

Parikh inspires a lot confidence and

enthusiasm among his listeners and

commands respect from people of

his age.

"After my retirement in India as a

schoolteacher, I immigrated to this

country in 1992. Worked for nearly

11 years and retired," Parikh said in

an interview at his simple but neat-

ly arranged rented apartment in a

high-rise building.

His school in Gujarat won nation-

al recognition as it received presi-

dential appreciation. Parikh was

doing multiple things at a time--

teaching Hindi and Gujarati; art and

painting; community and religious

service and even indulging in anti-

British struggle as an adolescent.

"I was a part of Rashtriya

Swayamsevak Dal (which was

affiliated to the Congress party and

which was disbanded shortly after

independence), took part in Vinoba

Bhave activities and the prohibition

movement," Parikh said, recalling

his early days. "So Indian inde-

pendence activities are nothing new

to me at all."

As a teacher, Parikh won honors

for helping poor students and

excelling in his profession. Born in

1935 at Waghodia tehsil town in

Baroda (now Vadodara) revenue

district of Gujarat, Parikh came into

contact with Dr Uma Mysorekar,

head of the Ganesh temple commit-

tee, shortly after his immigration to

the US. When she asked him to be

part of running the temple affairs,

Parikh readily agreed to ensure a

wider Hindu community participa-

tion. The information was con-

firmed by Dr Mysorekar, who

described him as an important

social worker and Parikh still con-

tinues to be the temple's executive

committee member--a position that

ensures him to be a key organizer

of India Day events there.

Parikh worked for a health pro-

gram at the Flushing Hospital and

Medical Center and has been close-

ly associated for years with

Gujarati Samaj as well as Swami

Narayan and Vaishnava temples.

Teaching yoga at no expense is

among his charitable services to the

community. Before organizing the

first India Day event at the Ganesh

temple, he was among the organiz-

ers of various such programs in dif-

ferent places.

"The upcoming Republic Day

event scheduled for this weekend is

not the first time that an India-relat-

ed program is being organized

close to a Hindu temple," he said.

"The first Republic Day was held in

2006 here at the temple auditorium

and it was filled to capacity (of

nearly 800)."

He began teaching Hindi at the

temple free of cost in 1995 and

continued it till 2003 when others

took over from him.

Asked what would be his mes-

sage to the community, Parikh said

it was simple. "I want to promote

Indian values, especially among

younger generations through vari-

ous activities of mine. Though I

took complete retirement, my work

continues," he noted. "Do not for-

get your motherland or ancestral

land. Janani Janmabhumischa

Swargaa Dapi Gariyasi (mother and

motherland are greater than heav-

en)."

In a separate interview, Dr

Mysorekar sought divine blessings

for the betterment of of her native

country. "May god bless India to

become a major partner in global

progress and prosperity," she said.

"As patriotic and proud Indians we

should all celebrate Republic Day

joyously reassuring our solidarity

and unity."

The temple chief pointed out to

that fact that the Hindu house of

worship was incorporated on

January 26, 1970.

Ganesh temple to host annual R-Day eventSpecial to

The South Asian TimesParikh, an active

community memberto play key role

Parikh (left) at a past Republic Day event.Don’t forget your ancestral landsays Champakbhai Parikh, a dedicated community leader

11

Raja Amar, Chief Guestat R-Day event

For Raja Amar, Founder, CEO,

and President of Portables

Unlimited Inc., sharp instincts

helped him expand his stand-alone

phone store into over 150 “The

Cell Phone Store” and “Wireless

Champs” branded locations. Today,

it is one of T-Mobile’s largest

Master Distributors in the United

States.

Amar’s story should inspire all

parents who worry about their chil-

dren. “My parents sent me away to

boarding school to learn to study. It

didn’t work,” he recalls. “However,

when my fiancée’s grandmother

told me to either buckle down or

find another girl, I listened.”

In 1986, 19-year-old Amar left

Bombay and landed in Rockland

County, New York. He had $21 in

his pocket, a B.A. in business and

was not exactly sure where to

begin a career. He yearned for an

M.B.A. but worked for a jewelry

business in a mall to pay the bills.

There he discovered the cellular

industry and his passion for cus-

tomer service.

In 1999, he opened his first

phone store. Armed with a newly

re-mortgaged house, he took his

business to the next level and set

up headquarters in Nanuet, New

York in 2002. Portables Unlimited

now has a gross revenue of $170

million. Amar takes service per-

sonally, even in his down time.

Most important to him is carving

out time to spend with his mother,

wife of 30 years Manju and three

sons. But if the phone rings at 2:00

a.m. and it’s a customer calling, I

take it, says Amar. “Customer serv-

ice doesn’t stop just because it’s a

weekend.”

Rajasthan official felicitated by President PatilNew Delhi: Rajesh Yadav, Special

Secretary to Rajasthan Chief Minister

Ashok Gehlot, has been felicitated by

President Pratibha Patil during the diamond

jubilee celebration of Election Commission

of India in New Delhi.

Yadav was chosen for improving the elec-

tion system by using information technolo-

gy (IT) in the country, during the two-day

international conference organized by the

Election Commission of India. He was

given a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000 and a

Certificate by the President.

Yadav introduced an online payment sys-

tem for the government employees used in

conducting the elections in his district. He

paid 9,211 officers and employees their

travel allowance in advance through online

system which was directly credited to their

accounts during Lok Sabha election.

Raja Amar, chief of PortablesUnlimited, with his wife Manju.

Rajesh Yadav, Special Secretary toRajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot,

being felicitated by President Pratibha Patil.

Mani Lal Bhaumik

Indian-born American physicist Mani

Lal Bhaumik, who is an author, lecturer,

entrepreneur, and philanthropist, has

been given the Padma Shri honor in sci-

ence and engineering category.

Bhaumik’s early contributions to laser

technology are exemplified in the devel-

opment of the excimer laser at the

Northrop Corporation Research and

Technology Center in Los Angeles. As the leader of the team,

Dr. Bhaumik announced the successful demonstration of the

world's first efficient excimer laser at the Denver, Colorado

meeting of the Optical Society of America in May 1973.

Subsequently, it found extensive use as the type of laser that

made possible the immensely popular Lasik eye surgery, elimi-

nating the need for glasses or contact lenses in many cases

requiring vision correction. In recognition of his pioneering

research in high energy lasers and new laser systems, he was

elected by his peers as a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and

Electronics Engineers as well as of the American Physical

Society. Dr. Bhaumik's current interest is in sharing with the

public the astounding advances in quantum physics and cos-

mology and their implications for our lives, work, technology,

and spiritual development. This he endeavors to do through

books, articles, lectures, and TV programs. He is also keenly

interested in research on the origin and the nature of con-

sciousness and how that knowledge can be utilized in improv-

ing the quality of our existence.

Subra Suresh

Subra Suresh, professor of engineering at the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology too was honored in science and engi-

neering category. He was sworn in as the

13th director of the National Science

Foundation (NSF) on October 18, 2010.

Previously, Suresh, 54, served as dean of

the engineering school and as Vannevar

Bush Professor of Engineering at the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(MIT). A mechanical engineer who later became interested in

materials science and biology, Suresh has done pioneering

work studying the biomechanics of blood cells under the influ-

ence of diseases such as malaria. From 2000 to 2006, Suresh

served as the head of the MIT Department of Materials

Science and Engineering. He joined MIT in 1993 as the R.P.

Simmons Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and

held joint faculty appointments in the Departments of

Mechanical Engineering and Biological Engineering, as well

as the Division of Health Sciences and Technology. Suresh

holds a bachelor's degree from the Indian Institute of

Technology in Madras, a master's degree from Iowa State

University, and earned his doctorate from MIT in 1981.

Granville Austin

Granville Austin came to live in

Norwich, Vermont, in 1932 at the age of

five. After attending the village's pri-

mary school and then its high school,

Austin graduated from Dartmouth

College in Hanover, New Hampshire,

with a BA in American Literature. He

then earned a doctorate in Modern

Indian History from Oxford University.

Austin worked as a journalist/photographer and later served

with the U. S. Information Service, Department of State,

Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and on the staff

of a U. S. senator. He is the author of two groundbreaking

political histories of the constitution of India. He has held fel-

lowships or grants from from St. Antony's College, Oxford, the

Ford Foundation, the Fulbright Program, the American

Institute of Indian Studies, the Rockefeller Founation, the

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Rajiv

Gandhi Foundation, and the Institute of Current World Affairs.

Martha Chen

Martha Chen, Lecturer in Public

Policy at Kennedy School of

Government, is international coordinator

of the global research policy network

Women in Informal Employment:

Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO).

An experienced development practition-

er and scholar, she specializes in the

links between employment, poverty, and

gender. Before joining Harvard University in 1987, she lived

for 15 years in Bangladesh where she worked with BRAC, one

of the world’s largest NGOs, and in India where she served as

field representative of Oxfam America for India and

Bangladesh. She is the author of numerous books including,

most recently, Progress of the Worlds Women 2005: Women,

Work, and Poverty; Women and Men in the Informal

Economy: A Statistical Picture; and Perpetual Mourning:

Widowhood in Rural India. Chen received a PhD in South Asia

regional studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

Karl Potter

American linguist and Indologist Karl Harrington Potter,

who has written the Encyclopaedia of Indian Philosophies, was

conferred Padma Shri in literature and education category.

Padma awardees from the US12

Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, head of the Consulate General of India, New York.

14

by Parveen Chopra

interview

Mr. Prabhu Dayal has been heading the Indian Consulate in New York since September 2008. This Consulate is one of the most important and prestigious Dip-lomatic Missions of the Govern-ment of India. Its jurisdiction cov-ers Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,

high-ranking positions including as Ambassador to Morocco (2004-08), Ambassador to Kuwait (1998-2001) and Consul General in Dubai (1994-1998).

His other postings have been to Egypt, Pakistan, Iran and India’s Permanent Mission in Geneva.

He is of the rank of Secretary to the Government of India, and is one of the seniormost foreign service of-ficers of the country.

Mr Dayal, 57, is married to Chandini Dayal, a homemak-er. They have twins, aged 28: Akshay is a software engineer working for Google in the Bay Area, and the daughter Akansha is a CPA working for Ernst & Young in New York.

Parveen Chopra, Managing Ed-itor of The South Asian Times, had a frank and detailed “Hard Talk” with Mr. Prabhu Dayal covering

a wide range of problems and is-sues relating to the Indian com-munity as well as seeking his views on the rise of India in the world. Excerpts from the inter-view conducted in the Consul General’s chambers on the eve of India’s 62nd Republic Day for which Mr Dayal conveyed his best wishes to the Indian American community and read-ers of The SA Times.

Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island and Virgin Islands.

New York is the financial capi-tal of the world and the region is home to a large and thriving In-dian American community.

India has always chosen a se-nior and seasoned diplomat to head the New York Consulate.

Mr. Prabhu Dayal joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1976 and has served in many

SATimes: Mr. Dayal, you are heading the prestigious New York Consulate since September 2008. What do you feel about your as-signment?

Consul General Prabhu Dayal (CG): I feel highly privi-leged and honored to have been given the responsibility of heading the Consulate General here. This assignment gives me the opportu-nity to interact with the crème de la crème of New York -- includ-ing people from the world of busi-ness, finance, media, culture, poli-tics, etc. I am delighted that so many Americans of Indian origin have done so well in the US and made their countrymen back home proud of their achievements. I am also privileged to have a chance to serve the needs of the Indian Americans residing within my consular jurisdiction.

Q: What is the scope of your role as consul general?

CG: It extends to serving the interests of India in every way. New York is the financial capital of the world. We maintain close contact with the financial com-munity, Wall Street and so on. We also keep close contact with the politicians and meet with the elected representatives in the government, which often in-volves travel. We brief them and

try to get some clear understand-ing of what they want in a way to promote mutual friendship and expose them to our rich culture.On different occasions we show-case India and its culture. Inci-dentally, Maximum India festival of arts and culture is scheduled in Washington DC in March.

SATimes: A major problem faced by visitors to the Consulate is theover-crowding in the Consular hall. There are long queues out-side the building and people are greatly inconvenienced when the weather is hostile. How can you address this problem?

CG: Our Consulate building was purchased in 1950 at a time when the Indian American community was small, necessitating a small-er premises. Over the years, the community has grown manifold, rendering the basement of the building where the Consular hall is situated, inadequate for accommo-dating all the applicants. Because of the large number of applicants, long queues are formed outside the building, but we are unable to do anything to make those people comfortable as we cannot con-struct anything on the pavement.

However, we have taken a num-ber of steps to try and address the problem of space. In 2007, visa services were outsourced, reduc-ing the rush of applicants coming to the Consulate. OCI and PIO card services are also being out-sourced from February 15, which will help to further reduce the rush of applicants.

Secondly, we have staggered the timings for receiving applications at the Consulate counters. Applica-tions for attestations, affidavits, cer-tificates, emergency visas and OCI visa stamping are received from

are not answered and emails are not replied to. Why?

CG: We have stated clearly on our website that since there is extreme pressure on our telephone system, you must send queries by email. If you go to our website (www.indi-acgny.org) and click “Contact Us” you will find clear instructions on how queries relating to different issues should be sent. The email system is our preferred option as different sections of the Consulate are able to respond to queries in a systematic fashion.

However, many prefer to call the Consulate with queries. We have listed two numbers: 212.774.0600 and 212.774.0641. These are manned between 09:30 and 12:30 hours and between 13:30 and 17:00 hours. On an average over 200 calls are received and answered daily by our staff. But because of the large number of incoming calls, people get the im-pression that their call is not being attended to as our staff is busy on the same line answering another call. I again underline that queries should be sent by email so that

09:15 to 10:30 hours, while applica-tions for passport and PIO cards are re-ceived from 10:30 to 12:45 hours. This prevents over-crowding in the Consular hall. Through your esteemed paper, I’d like to request the community members to adhere to the set timings.

We do not require applicants to come in person as they can send applica-tions by mail. Therefore, it is not nec-essary for old people and children to come to the Consulate, so they would not be exposed to hostile weather.

Q: Mr. Dayal, people are afraid to send their applications by mail lest the documents get lost.

CG: This is not true, because half the applications we receive are through mail. People living in far-flung states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Mas-sachusetts, and New Hampshire in-variably send applications by mail. Generally, people in the Tristate area come to the consulate counter even though they can take the mail option which is efficient and convenient. My advice is that they should send and receive documents by express mail, which has tracking facility.

Q: Yet, can the Consulate not move to bigger premises?

CG: At the moment, we have no such plans. We are outsourcing some services as mentioned earlier, and perhaps more services could be out-sourced in due course.

Q: Each Consulate including the one in New York covers huge territories. Would it not be better to open more Consulates? Prime Minister Manmo-han Singh had said in New York in Sep-tember 2008 that two more Consulates were going to be opened in the US.

CG: The question of opening more Consulates in the US is under discus-sion between our two Governments.

Q: One major complaint from the In-dian community is that telephone calls

In an exclusive and exhaustive interview with The South Asian Times, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal addresses the major issues vexing the Indian community -- from overcrowding in the Consular hall to complaints of delays in issuing visas and OCI/PIO cards, and clarifies the new rules for passport surrender. He also lauds the achievements of Indian Americans and underscores the high esteem in which US policymakers hold India now.

HARD TALKwith Consul General of India, New York

Consular services / amenities

Consul General Prabhu Dayal with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

At the India Day Parade in New York on August 15, 2010 where film star Preity Zinta was the

Grand Marshal.

Ringing the Nasdaq closing bell on the eve of India’s

Independence Day, August 15, 2009.

16

CG continued from page 15

Q: One of the requirements for OCI/PIO cards and Entry visas is the cancellation of Indian pass-port. Why is this necessary?

CG: Our immigration authori-ties have found that many persons were entering India on passports of others who had become foreign nationals. In other words, some people had carelessly lost or mis-placed their passports after becom-ing foreign nationals, and these passports had somehow fallen into wrong hands. There are obvious national security implications for us and hence this requirement from Indians who have acquired foreign citizenship. They are required to get their Indian passports cancelled and obtain a Surrender Certificate from the Consulate even if their passports had expired.

Q: For Indians who became US citizens long back, how do they get the cancellation service?

CG: Persons of Indian origin who acquire foreign citizenship should approach the Consulate for cancelling their passports if this has not been already done. The instructions are given on our web-site. For those who have already got their passports cancelled after acquiring foreign citizenship, no further action is required.

Q: Do persons who became US citizens before 2005 also have to get their passports cancelled and get a surrender certificate?

CG: Yes.

Q: Many Indians became US citi-zens long ago but have lost their passports. How is their problem going to be handled?

CG: When the Indian passport is

lost, our website clearly explains what such persons need to do. While a surrender certificate cannot be is-sued to someone who has lost his passport, for obtaining an OCI/PIO card or an Entry visa such persons have to submit a sworn affidavit to the effect that the holder had not re-tained the Indian passport for more than three years and had not trav-eled on the Indian passport beyond the grace period of three months after adopting foreign nationality.

This is a simple way of overcom-ing the problem of lost passports as explained in our website. I urge all concerned to read the in-structions given on our website [http://indiacgny.org/UserFiles/Renunciation%20scenarios%20-20LOST%20PASSPORT.CGf]

Q: Some people have complained that they were sent back from India as they did not have their passport cancellation certificate.

CG: This is not true at all. Our immigration authorities are not asking for cancelled Indian pass-ports or surrender certificates from persons who are entering India. We need to have a copy of the can-celled Indian passport or surrender certificate only for processing of the OCI/PIO card and Entry visas.

Q: OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards take a long time to process, so will applicants be able to travel while documents are be-ing processed at the Consulate?

CG: When people submit OCI ap-plications they are not required to submit their original US passports. They are only required to give us a photocopy of their US passports. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that OCI applicants will not be able to travel on their US passports.

Q: But they will not be able to travel to India until the OCI card is given to them.

CG: They can always obtain an En-try visa for six months if they need to travel urgently to India. Their OCI applications can be processed and the card given to them in due course.

Q: Some people applied several months ago and have not received their OCI cards yet. Why does the process-ing for OCI card take so long?

CG: The OCI card was introduced by the Government of India in 2006 and since then there has been a flood of applications for these cards. As you know, our Consulate handles a large number of Indian Americans and naturally, we cannot process all these applications at the same time. Con-sequently, there has been a backlog. We have mentioned on our website that the OCI application process takes eight weeks from the date of receipt of application at the Consulate.

In many cases, delays occur because applicants do not send all the required documents with the OCI application or photographs submitted are not as per specifications. Our staff tries to con-tact the applicants by email or phone asking for the missing documents. This increases the processing time.

I will like to add that applicants should check the status of their applications online (http://ociindia.nic.in/ociindia/OnlineOCIenquiry.jsp) and contact the Consulate for collecting the OCI cards when these reach us. Many applicants fail to do so. As a result, almost 5,000 OCI cards are awaiting collection in the consulate. Detailed instructions on collecting OCI cards in person or by mail are on our website: (http://indi-acgny.org/php/showContent.php?linkid=177&partid=100&sub=sub6)

Q: There have been complaints that some persons have been sent back from India even though they had OCI cards.

CG: People who have OCI cards are also given an OCI visa sticker affixed on their passports. While traveling to India, they must have (i) the OCI card, (ii) the passport that contains the OCI sticker, and (iii) the valid passport

(in case of a new or renewed pass-port). Very often, the US pass-ports of Indian Americans expire and they get a new one. In such cases, they should carry both the old passport (which has the OCI sticker) and the new passport.

The OCI visa sticker can be transferred to their new passport by following instructions on our website. (http://indiacgny.org/php/showContent.php?linkid=173&partid=100&sub=sub6)

Alternatively, they can travel to India with their current passport, the old passport which has the OCI sticker and the OCI card. I may mention that even when a new passport is obtained, the visa sticker on the old passport remains valid. However, you must know these rules in this regard:

1: Till you are 20-year-old, OCI documents have to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued; 2: After you are 50, OCI docu-ments have to be re-issued once after issuance of a new passport;3: Between 21-50 years of age, there is no need to seek re-issu-ance of OCI documents each time a new passport is issued. How-ever, if the applicant desires, he may avail the service for re-issu-ance of OCI documents.

Thus, I feel that people might have faced problems with immigration probably because they did not have with them their OCI visa or the OCI card while traveling to India.

Q: How long does it take to pro-cess the PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card?

CG: PIO cards are issued by us within four days on receipt of appli-cation. If applications are received by mail, it may take a few days more.

Q: Coming to Indian nationals, many complain that they are unable

to get their passports renewed on time.

CG: We renew passports within four days on receipt of applica-tion at the counter. In case an applicant is in a hurry, the pass-port is handed back the same day against payment of Tatkal fee. However, in certain situations the process could take longer. If the passport has been issued by another office, we have to refer it there and get clearance before renewing the passport.

Q: Persons who do not have le-gal status here in America face problems in getting their pass-ports renewed.

CG: There are restrictions on us in regard to renewal of passports of such persons. However, they should contact the Consul in-charge of passports who will ex-amine their applications and ad-vice on what needs to be done.

Q: After you took over as Consul General, you have been organiz-ing a number of cultural events….

CG: India has a rich culture, and not only Indian Americans but other friends of India here also like to avail of opportunities to attend cultural events. We have been inviting prominent artistes to perform at the Consulate from time to time. These artistes are highly acclaimed in their respec-tive fields, and hence we have captioned the events as ‘Jew-els of India’ series. Those who have performed under the series include Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Anup Jalota, percussion maestro Sivamani, Odissi dancer Sujata Mahapatra and the ghazal king Raj Kumar Rizvi. We plan to or-ganize more events in this series.

We also celebrate various Indian festivals such as Diwali, Dusseh-ra, Eid, Baisakhi and Christmas.

Cancellation/sur-render certificate

Passport services

OCI and PIO cards

Cultural activities

Meira Kumar, Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha, spoke in November 2009 at the Consulate under the ‘Distinguished Lecture Series’. She also inaugurated a painting exhibition at the Consulate Hall.

Amb. Dayal greeting former President APJ Abdul Kalam who visited the Consulate in April 2009.

Among the group cutting the cake to mark India’s 60th Republic Day in January 2009 were the then New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and NJ Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula.

17

These events reflect the cultural diversity of India and provide members of Indian community and friends of India regardless of their religion an opportunity to take part in them. The idea is to promote unity in diversity.

Q: How can members of the com-munity get invited to these events?

CG: They should send email re-quests to me, and I will include them in the list of invitees. We cannot, of course, invite every-body to every event due to space constraints. However, we will try to accommodate people to the maximum extent possible.

Q: Is it the same as regards recep-tions organized for visiting Indian ministers and other dignitaries?

CG: Yes, we will try to accommo-date to the maximum extent. When-ever a minister or an important dig-nitary visits, we try to include such people in the guest list who are relevant for that particular event.

Q: What do you consider your key achievements as Consul General here?

CG: It is not good to blow one’s own trumpet, but since you ask, we have tried to help the Indian community here as much as pos-sible in regard to consular issues. On another front, we started the “Jewels of India” series, and the ‘Distinguished Persons’ Lecture’ series, under which we have in-vited eminent people like Mrs.

Meira Kumar, Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, former Cabinet Minister, Mr. Salman Khurshid, Minister of State for Corporate and Minority Affairs, Mr. Kamal Nath, Minister for Road Trans-port & Highways, Dr. Karan Singh, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Mr. Kapil Sibal, HRD Minister and Ambas-sador. G. Parthasarathi.

Apart from this, dignitaries like Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, Mr. S.M. Krishna, Minister for External Affairs, Mr. Vayalar Ravi, Min-ister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Nandan Nilekeni, former co-Chairman, Infosys and Chairman, UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), Mr. Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunications, Mr. Murli Deora, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr. Sushil Ku-mar Shinde, Minister of Power, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr. TKA Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Meera Shankar, Ambassador of India to the USA, Mrs. Nirupama Rao, Foreign Secretary, have ad-dressed audiences at the Consul-ate. In other words, we have tried to facilitate interaction between the community and important dignitaries visiting New York.

Q: Have the major Indian asso-ciations here like GOPIO and FIA adopted an adversarial attitude to-wards the consulate since the pass-port surrender fees issue?

CG: Not at all. They are in constant close touch with us and bring to our notice the problems suffered by the community. When they campaigned against the $175 passport surrender fee, the Indian government relented, bringing it down to $20.

Q: Besides Indian Americans, others must be availing the services of the consulate here…

CG: We issue 800 visas a day, and about 20 per cent of them are for foreigners, who visit India for tour-ism, conferences, business, meeting friends, and for spiritual quest. In terms of services rendered, we lead all Indian consulates in the US, the one in San Francisco coming second.

Q: From your interactions with the mainstream American community, what are their attitudes towards India and Indian Americans?

CG: They are all highly impressed with India’s achievements and they value Indian American community here. At the highest level too impor-tance is being attached to India as highlighted by the fact that the first state guest President Obama had was our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in late 2009. I myself was recently hosted by the outgoing Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, at a dinner where the members of the Indian American community were invited. I was also received by the then Gover-nor Corzine of New Jersey in 2009.

It does not make a difference whether the politicians or lawmakers are Re-publican or Democratic, they both look at American interests, which are better served by closer relations with India. Earlier, after President Carter’s visit in 1977, for 23 years no President visited India.

Now in the last 10 years, there have been three presidential visits: Bill Clinton in 2000, George W. Bush in 2006, and Barack Obama in 2010. Which shows how India is now ac-corded high importance by American policy makers. Significantly, in the past six months, besides Obama, In-dia also hosted presidents of France and Russia, and prime minister of China and England, thus covering the five Permanent Members of the Security Council.

Q: How do you see the prospect of India becoming a Permanent Mem-ber of the Security Council?

CG: India has every right to be a member of the Security Council given that we are the world’s largest democ-racy, fourth largest and fast-growing economy, we have the world’s sec-ond largest population, and we have played a positive and active role in the UN. Other Council members and the

global community have realized that to exclude India is unjustified.

Q: You were once posted in Pak-istan. How do you see the future of India’s troubled relationship with its beleaguered neighbor?

CG: India has made every pos-sible effort to remove the irritants, but the response from the Pakistani side has not been encouraging. Terrorist outfits operate from Paki-stan territory with impunity, ready to strike and hurt India. There is a deadlock on resuming trade, on free people travel and flow of cul-tural content while Pakistan insists on first settling the Kashmir issue.

Q: How have you taken to the no fixed-address life of a diplomat? What are the qualities required of a successful diplomat?

CG: Training of a diplomat should start early. I had studied in-ternational relations, international law and politics at Allahabad Uni-versity before joining the foreign service. The IFS officer training also prepares you well. But yes, the children of diplomats suffer, as they may never again meet their friends from different stages of their life. On the positive side, you become a global citizen, liv-ing in different cultures.

Q: What do you plan to do after retirement?

CG: After completing my ser-vice in 2013, I would want to re-integrate with the IFS community back home in Delhi.

Q: What is your message to the Indian community here?

CG: We are extremely proud of the Indian American community which has done well in the US in all ar-eas of activity: medicine, engineer-ing, architecture, IT, business and finance, media and literature, and even in the political arena (we have two state governors now in Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley).

You have to realize that the In-dians coming here have been the crème of society. They have earned great respect and have served as a bridge of friendship between India and the US. They have become patriotic Americans while remaining proud Indians at the same time. They have left Indian shores but have retained their Indianness.

It has been correctly said that ‘you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian’. My message to the community is that they should continue to do the wonderful work which they have been doing to bring India and America close.

Q: Your message for the readers of The South Asian Times.

CG: SATimes is an excellent community paper, very influential here. I read it with great interest. It has good coverage of Indian American community as well as events back home in India. It is great bridge between India and the Indians living here—news travels both directions: f the com-munity here to India and bringing Indian news here. I have main-tained cordial relations with the paper and encouraged it to con-tinue to serve the interests of In-dian American community.

On India, the Indian community…

Amb. Dayal initiated the celebration at the Consulate of all major Indian festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra, Eid, Baisakhi and Christmas to reflect the cultural diversity of India.

Under the ‘Jewels of India’ series introduced by Consul General Dayal, percussionist Sivamani and sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan have performed at the Consulate.

New Delhi: Former national secu-

rity advisor Brajesh Mishra, Wipro

chief Azim Premji, Planning

Commission head Montek Singh

Ahluwalia, culture czarina Kapila

Vatsyayan and nonagenarian pho-

tographer Homai Vyarawalla head

the list of the 128 Padma awards

announced by the government on

the occasion of Republic Day.

The eight others who got the

Padma Vibhushan, the country's

second highest civilian award,

include atomic energy scientist

P.K. Iyer, educationist A.R.

Kidwai, energy expert Vijay

Kelkar, litterateurs O.N.V. Kurup

and Sitakant Mahapatra and the

late Gandhian economist L.C.

Jain.

There was no Bharat Ratna, the

country's highest civilian award,

for the third year running. The last

person to get it was Bhimsen Joshi

in 2008. The music maestro

passed away on January 25.

The list has 128 names -- 13

Padma Vibhushans, 31 Padma

Bhushans and 84 Padma Shri

awards. There are 31 women in

the list.

The third highest awards, the

Padma Bhushans, were dominated

by 12 personalities from the world

of art and cinema, including the

ailing Bollywood actor Shashi

Kapoor and Waheeda Rahman,

music director Khayyam, theatre

personality Satyadev Dubey as

well as eminent painters Krishen

Khanna and Arpita Singh.

Eight people got the Padma

Bhushan for their work in the field

of trade and industry. Among them

were ICICI Bank chief Chanda

Kochhar, Infosys' Kris

Gopalakrishnan, Ranbaxy's Analjit

Singh, NIIT's Rajendra Singh

Pawar, GVK Group's G.V.K.

Reddy and HCL's Ajai

Chowdhary.

Former foreign secretary and

Prime Minister Manmohan

Singh's special envoy Shyam

Saran has also been awarded the

Padma Bhushan.

Cinema is represented by

Malayali actor Jayaram

Subramanian, Bollywood actors

Tabu, Kajol and Irrfan Khan as

well as eminent Malayalam direc-

tor Shaji Neelakantan Karun and

Kannada filmmaker Girish

Kasaravalli.

There are six people who have

got the Padma Shri for social work

and seven in the category of

sports.

These include Sushil Kumar for

wrestling, cricketer V.V.S.

Laxman, Gagan Narang for shoot-

ing and discus thrower Krishna

Poonia.

Padma Vibhushan

01. Kapila Vatsyayan

02. Homai Vyarawalla

03.Nageshwara Rao

04. Parasaran Kesava Iyengar

05.Akhlaq-ur-Rehman Kidwai

06.Vijay Kelkar

07.Montek Singh Ahluwalia

08.Palle Rama Rao

09.Azim Premji

10.Brajesh Mishra

11.O. N.Velu Kurup

12.Sitakant Mahapatra

13.L. C. Jain

Padma Bhushan

01.Satyadev Dubey

02.Khayyam

03.Shashi Kapoor

04.Krishen Khanna

05.Madavur Vasudevan Nair

06.Waheeda Rehman

07.RK Shastry Srikantan

08.Arpita Singh

09.S.P. Balasubrahmanyam

10.C.V. Chandrasekhar

11.Dwijen Mukherjee

12.Rajashree Birla

13.Shobhana Ranade

14.Suryanarayanan

15.S.(Kris) Gopalakrishnan

16.Yogesh Chander Deveshwar

17.Chanda Kochhar

18.K.Anji Reddy

19.Analjit Singh

20.Rajendra Singh Pawar

21.G.V. Krishna Reddy

22.Ajai Chowdhary

23.Surendra Singh

24.M.N.Buch

25.Shyam Saran

26.T.J. Sony George

27.Ramdas Madhava Pai

28.Sankha Ghosh

29.Late K. R.Thirumulpad

30.Keki Byramjee Grant

31.Dashrath Patel

Padma Shri

01.Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry

02.Makar Dhwaja Darogha

03.Shaji Neelakantan Karun

04.Girish Kasaravalli

05.Tabu

06.Jivya Soma Mase

07.Guru M.K. Saroja

08.Jayaram Subramaniam

09.Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty

10.Mahasundari Devi

11.Gajam Govardhana

12.Sunayana Hazarilal

13.S.R. Janakiraman

14.Peruvanam Kuttan Marar

15.K.K. Pavithran

16.Dadi Dorab Pudumjee

17.Khangembam Mangi Singh

18.Prahlad Singh Tipaniya

19.Usha Uthup

20.Kajol

21.Irfan Khan

22.Mamraj Agrawal

23.Jockin Arputham

24.Nomita Chandy

25.Sheela Patel

26.Anita Reddy

27.Kanubhai Hasmukhbhai Tailor

28.Anant Darshan Shankar

29.M. Annamalai

30.Mahesh Haribhai Mehta

31.CN Rao Raghavendran

32.Suman Sahai

33.E.A. Siddiq

34.G.N. Shankar

35.Mecca Rafeeque Ahmed

36.Kailasam Raghavendra Rao

37.Narayan Singh Bhati

38.P.K. Sen

39.Shital Mahajan

40.Nameirakpam Kunjarani Devi

41.Sushil Kumar

42.VVS Laxman

43.Gagan Narang

44.Krishna Poonia

45.Harbhajan Singh

46.Pukhraj Bafna

47.Mansoor Hasan

48.Shyama Prasad Mandal

49.Sivapatham Vittal

50.Madanur Ahmed Ali

51.Indira Hinduja

52.Jose Chacko Periappuram

53.A. Marthanda Pillai

54.Mahim Bora

55.Pullella Srirama Chandrudu

56.Pravin Darji

57.Chandra Prakash Deval

58.Balraj Komal

59.Rajni Kumar

60.Devanooru Mahadeva

61.Barun Mazumder

62.Avvai Natarajan

63.Bhalchandra Nemade

64.Riyaz Punjabi

65.Koneru Ramakrishna Rao

66.Buangi Sailo

67.Devi Dutt Sharma

68.Nilamber Dev Sharma

69.Urvashi Butalia/Ritu Menon

70.Krishna Kumar

71.Deviprasad Dwivedi

72.Mamang Dai

73.Om Prakash Agrawal

74.Madhukar Keshav Dhavalikar

75.Shanti Teresa Lakra

76.Gulshan Nanda

77.Azad Moopen

78.Upendra Baxi

79.Mani Lal Bhaumik

80.Subra Suresh

81.Karl Harrington Potter

82.Martha Chen

83.Satpal Khattar

84.Granville Austin

Premji, Montek in 128 Padma awardees' list

List of the Padma awardees

From left, former nationalsecurity advisor Brajesh

Mishra, Wipro chief AzimPremji, PlanningCommission chief

Montek Singh Ahluwalia,culture czarina KapilaVatsyayan, actor Kajol,photographer Homai

Vyarawalla, former for-eign secretary Shyam

Saran and wrestler SushilKumar.

20

Gallantry medals announcedNew Delhi: Five army men were

named for Kirti Chakra, the

country's second highest peace-

time gallantry medal, including

one posthumously, and 21 others

for Shaurya Chakra, the third

highest gallantry medal during

peacetime, by President Pratibha

Patil on the eve of 62nd Republic

Day. Though no one was named

for Ashok Chakra, the highest

peacetime gallantry medal, Patil

will confer the medal on Major

Laishram Jyotin Singh, an army

medical officer killed during a

terror attack on the Indian

embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Among the Kirti Chakra

awardees are Captain Deepak

Sharma, who has been named for

the medal posthumously for an

act of bravery during a gunfight

with terrorists in Pulwama dis-

trict of Jammu and Kashmir.

The president also named an

Indian Air Force officer for

Shaurya Chakra for saving a

Russian-origin MiG-27 aircraft

after a snag while being airborne

at 9,500 feet. In all, the president

named 440 gallantry medal and

awards this year.

"India's rising profile getting global attention"Abridged text of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil’s address to the nation on India’s 62nd Republic Day.

22

My Fellow Citizens,

On the eve of our 62nd Republic

Day, I extend my warmest greet-

ings to all of you across the country

and also to those living abroad.

We are fortunate that we are the inheritors

of the ideals and values of one of the

world's oldest civilizations, which has

bequeathed to us a rich treasure of human

experiences and thought. The concept of

the human race being one, the importance

of living in harmony with each other and

with nature, the quest for knowledge and

truth, find prominence in our age old cul-

ture.

These ideas provided inspiration for our

freedom movement and after our independ-

ence found a ready resonance in our

Constitution.

It is, however, a fact that there can be no

society which does not need to evolve to

cope with the changing demands of time;

and there can be no nation which does not

face challenges. India too has its share of

problems and obstacles, constraints and dif-

ficulties. We cannot evade these or wish

them away, but working in different fields,

we must together find solutions.

The strength of a nation is not determined

by the challenges it faces, but by its

responses to these challenges, especially so

when it stands at a critical juncture and at a

decisive point.

Dear Citizens,

Among our remarkable accomplishments

has been an unwavering adherence to

democracy.

We must not only reinforce democratic

institutions and processes, but also refrain

from any action, taken wittingly or unwit-

tingly, that dilutes or is detrimental to

democracy.

The time has come for us to take a closer

look at our social milieu. Is there growing

criminalization of our society? Is there

increasing apathy towards each other? Are

we becoming too materialistic, shortsighted

and unconcerned about the impact of our

actions on our brethren, society or the envi-

ronment?

It is a matter of anguish and great concern

when a person is killed for a petty sum of

money; or when a woman is raped because

she protests against being teased; or when

over small incidents, due to lack of

patience, there is a quick flaring of tempers.

Cases of ragging in educational institutions

are also disturbing. Ragging is violence. It

is heinous and should not be tolerated, for it

can cause irreparable loss to the parents and

to the country. Our social fabric is deeply

damaged by such incidents and it is essen-

tial that these tendencies are curbed in the

interest of social harmony and cohesion. I

appeal to my fellow citizens to never resort

to violence.

I reiterate the great importance of integri-

ty, honesty, good conduct and high values,

which our culture teaches us.

The youth of our country must carry for-

ward this legacy. As the architects of the

future of the country, their upbringing with

a value-based education is paramount in the

development of their character. It is said

that the first teacher of the child is the

mother when the child is of tender age, and

the next is the primary school teacher. Both

make lasting impressions on children in

their formative years. In primary schools,

teachers are doing good work.

We should regularly assess issues relating

to training of teachers and quality of educa-

tion including checking instances of absen-

teeism of teachers. In addition, our special

efforts to reach out to students from tribal

and remote areas, Scheduled Castes,

Scheduled Tribes and other backward com-

munities must be augmented.

Our endeavor should be to create a level

playing field in educational competitive-

ness so that students from all sections of

society can enter premier institutions like

the Indian Institutes of Technology and the

Indian Institutes of Management.

Dear Citizens,

As a nation, our aim is to grow and to

create a just society. Our goal of poverty

eradication and of inclusive growth that

embraces the disadvantaged and marginal-

ized sections of society can be achieved

when our actions are guided by a social

conscience and are not devoid of sensitivi-

ty. We are seeking good governance and a

people-centric administration. In this, cal-

lous and casual attitudes in the sphere of

public service are unacceptable.

Delivery systems for schemes and pro-

grams that promote the welfare of the peo-

ple and spur economic growth should have

inbuilt mechanisms for greater transparen-

cy and accountability. Education, health

and skill building efforts will create pro-

ductive human resources for the future.

Urban and rural development schemes will

make our cities and villages sustainable

habitats.

Programs for women, the youth, the girl

child, the differently-abled and marginal-

ized sections of society will equip them to

avail of opportunities and face the future

with confidence. We need to address the

problems of orphans and street children, as

well as of the old and destitute.

For the success of welfare schemes, the

total sum of developmental funds must

reach the intended beneficiaries. Corruption

is the enemy of development and of good

governance. Instead of getting lost in this

mire, it is necessary to rise above it and

seriously look at bringing systemic changes

to deal more effectively with corruption.

Financial institutions, the corporate world

and civil society - all must uphold high

standards of probity in their working. Only

a genuine partnership between the

Government and its people can bring about

positive change to create a just society.

Fellow citizens,

It is heartening that our economy is pro-

gressing at a stable pace and that even in

the face of difficult circumstances during

the global financial downturn, its perform-

ance was appreciable. We are now return-

ing to the pre-crisis growth pattern and are

confident of growing at over 9 percent next

year. All sectors of the economy will be

contributors to our growth trajectory.

However, rising inflation particularly food

prices, are a cause of serious concern and

draw attention to the urgent need to take

suitable action, and also look at more inno-

vative approaches towards food security,

agricultural production and rural develop-

ment.

We should bear in mind that our agricul-

tural holdings are fragmented, small and

are likely to further decrease in size; mak-

ing economic viability of farming a big

issue. It is said that small farmers are leav-

ing farming, because of poor returns and

scarcity of agricultural labour. In such a sit-

uation, it would be advantageous to think of

modernization and mechanized farming,

and there should be deliberations on evolv-

ing suitable models for partnerships

between farmers, private sector and the

Government in agriculture and rural devel-

opment.

In any arrangement, it should be kept in

mind that farmers are stakeholders in every

aspect related to agriculture, whether it is

cultivation related activities, warehousing,

processing, marketing, research or develop-

ment. Farmers, therefore, must be involved

in all these various activities, with a sensi-

tivity that safeguards their rights on their

land and its produce. The corporate sector

should take up responsibility to make agri-

culture productivity remunerative, particu-

larly in rain fed farming areas, as food

security is of prime importance for our

country.

Every year there is drought in some or the

other part of the country. A national cam-

paign for foodgrain productivity should be

undertaken to create awareness about sus-

tainable food production for food security

in every State and in every block.

Similarly, national planning for integrated

production, particularly of foodgrains like

cereals, oilseeds and pulses is needed and

should be implemented, given that our pop-

ulation in the next 20 years is likely to

become 148 crore. Each State should, as far

as possible and as per local conditions, try

to produce food grains required by it. This

will result in saving transport and storage

costs, as also prevent wastage during trans-

port and handling, besides helping in quick-

er distribution of foodgrains.

In agriculture as in all other fields we

need innovations more than ever before.

This decade has been designated as the

'Decade of Innovation' in India. Our scien-

tists and researchers have the talent and the

capacity to look at high-end technology as

also at cost-effective, location-specific and

affordable innovations for wider use in the

country.

Access to innovations is an integral part

of their practical use. In a situation of rap-

idly moving global knowledge economy,

our pace of research must accelerate.

Larger funds should be allocated for sci-

ence and technology so that such scientists

can undertake in depth research in a wide

range of subjects.

Development and progress require an

environment of stability and security. The

work of our police and internal security

agencies is critical in this field, as also is

our cooperation and dialogue with our

neighbors for stability in our region, and

with the international community to create

a peaceful world. Terrorism poses the sin-

gle most detrimental threat to the progress

of humankind. There is a crucial need for

concerted action by all members of the

international community to eradicate the

threat of terrorism. India's profile in global

affairs is the focus of international attention

today.

As India assumes its seat as a non-perma-

nent member of the UN Security Council, it

will intensify efforts to effect concerted and

collective global action against terrorism,

and will also work with a deep sense of

responsibility on all global issues.

The Chief Guest President of Indonesia, Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and thePresident Pratibha Patil taking salute from the marching contingent during the

Republic Day Parade 2011 in New Delhi.

Tonight I want to begin by congratulating the men and

women of the 112th Congress, as well as your new

Speaker, John Boehner. And as we mark this occasion,

we’re also mindful of the empty chair in this chamber, and we

pray for the health of our colleague -- and our friend -– Gabby

Giffords. (Applause.)

It’s no secret that those of us here tonight have had our dif-

ferences over the last two years. The debates have been con-

tentious; we have fought fiercely for our beliefs. And that’s a

good thing. That’s what a robust democracy demands. That’s

what helps set us apart as a nation.

But there’s a reason the tragedy in Tucson gave us pause.

Amid all the noise and passion and rancor of our public debate,

Tucson reminded us that no matter who we are or where we

come from, each of us is a part of something greater -– some-

thing more consequential than party or political preference.

We are part of the American family. We believe that in a

country where every race and faith and point of view can be

found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share

common hopes and a common creed; that the dreams of a little

girl in Tucson are not so different than those of our own chil-

dren, and that they all deserve the chance to be fulfilled.

That, too, is what sets us apart as a nation.

We are poised for progress. Two years after the worst reces-

sion most of us have ever known, the stock market has come

roaring back. Corporate profits are up. The economy is grow-

ing again.

But we have never measured progress by these yardsticks

alone. We measure progress by the success of our people. By

the jobs they can find and the quality of life those jobs offer.

By the prospects of a small business owner who dreams of

turning a good idea into a thriving enterprise. By the opportu-

nities for a better life that we pass on to our children.

That world has changed. And for many, the change has

been painful. I’ve seen it in the shuttered windows of once

booming factories, and the vacant storefronts on once busy

Main Streets. I’ve heard it in the frustrations of Americans

who’ve seen their paychecks dwindle or their jobs disappear -–

proud men and women who feel like the rules have been

changed in the middle of the game.

They’re right. The rules have changed. In a single genera-

tion, revolutions in technology have transformed the way we

live, work and do business.

Meanwhile, nations like China and India realized that with

some changes of their own, they could compete in this new

world. And so they started educating their children earlier and

longer, with greater emphasis on math and science. They’re

investing in research and new technologies. Just recently,

China became the home to the world’s largest private solar

research facility, and the world’s fastest computer.

So, yes, the world has changed. The competition for jobs is

real.

And now it’s our turn. We know what it takes to compete

for the jobs and industries of our time. We need to out-inno-

vate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. We have

to make America the best place on Earth to do business. We

need to take responsibility for our deficit and reform our gov-

ernment. That’s how our people will prosper. That’s how

we’ll win the future. And tonight, I’d like to talk about how we

get there.

The first step in winning the future is encouraging American

innovation.

Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation.

Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with

the launch of a satellite called Sputnik, we had no idea how we

would beat them to the moon. The science wasn’t even there

yet. NASA didn’t exist. But after investing in better research

and education, we didn’t just surpass the Soviets; we

unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and

millions of new jobs.

This is our generation’s Sputnik moment.

Already, we’re seeing the promise of renewable energy.

Robert and Gary Allen are brothers who run a small Michigan

roofing company. After September 11th, they volunteered

their best roofers to help repair the Pentagon. But half of their

factory went unused, and the recession hit them hard. Today,

with the help of a government loan, that empty space is being

used to manufacture solar shingles that are being sold all

across the country. In Robert’s words, “We reinvented our-

selves.”

That’s what Americans have done for over 200 years: rein-

vented ourselves.

Maintaining our leadership in research and technology is

crucial to America’s success. But if we want to win the future

-– if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not

overseas -– then we also have to win the race to educate our

kids.

Think about it. Over the next 10 years, nearly half of all

new jobs will require education that goes beyond a high school

education. And yet, as many as a quarter of our students aren’t

even finishing high school. The quality of our math and sci-

ence education lags behind many other nations. America has

fallen to ninth in the proportion of young people with a college

degree. And so the question is whether all of us –- as citizens,

and as parents –- are willing to do what’s necessary to give

every child a chance to succeed.

That responsibility begins not in our classrooms, but in our

homes and communities. It’s family that first instills the love

of learning in a child. Only parents can make sure the TV is

turned off and homework gets done. We need to teach our kids

that it’s not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to

be celebrated but the winner of the science fair. We need to

teach them that success is not a function of fame or PR, but of

hard work and discipline.

In fact, to every young person listening tonight who’s con-

templating their career choice: If you want to make a differ-

ence in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference

in the life of a child -- become a teacher. Your country needs

you.

Of course, the education race doesn’t end with a high school

diploma. To compete, higher education must be within the

reach of every American. That’s why we’ve ended the unwar-

ranted taxpayer subsidies that went to banks, and used the sav-

ings to make college affordable for millions of students. And

this year, I ask Congress to go further, and make permanent

our tuition tax credit –- worth $10,000 for four years of col-

lege. It’s the right thing to do.

One last point about education. Today, there are hundreds of

thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not

American citizens. Some are the children of undocumented

workers, who had nothing to do with the actions of their par-

ents. They grew up as Americans and pledge allegiance to our

flag, and yet they live every day with the threat of deportation.

Others come here from abroad to study in our colleges and uni-

versities. But as soon as they obtain advanced degrees, we

send them back home to compete against us. It makes no

sense.

Now, I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for

all, the issue of illegal immigration. And I am prepared to

work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders,

enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented

workers who are now living in the shadows. I know that

debate will be difficult. I know it will take time. But tonight,

let’s agree to make that effort. And let’s stop expelling talent-

ed, responsible young people who could be staffing our

research labs or starting a new business, who could be further

enriching this nation.

The third step in winning the future is rebuilding America.

To attract new businesses to our shores, we need the fastest,

most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information --

from high-speed rail to high-speed Internet.

Now, most of the cuts and savings I’ve proposed only

address annual domestic spending, which represents a little

more than 12 percent of our budget. To make further progress,

we have to stop pretending that cutting this kind of spending

alone will be enough. It won’t.

The 21st century government that’s open and competent. A

government that lives within its means. An economy that’s

driven by new skills and new ideas. Our success in this new

and changing world will require reform, responsibility, and

innovation. It will also require us to approach that world with

a new level of engagement in our foreign affairs.

Just as jobs and businesses can now race across borders, so

can new threats and new challenges. No single wall separates

East and West. No one rival superpower is aligned against us.

This is just a part of how we’re shaping a world that favors

peace and prosperity. With our European allies, we revitalized

NATO and increased our cooperation on everything from

counter-terrorism to missile defense. We’ve reset our relation-

ship with Russia, strengthened Asian alliances, built new part-

nerships with nations like India.

'Educate our kids better to compete with India, China'Excerpts from President

Barack Obama’s State of theUnion Address

23

by: Anil Mulchandani

Hyderabad is the heritage

city of historic buildings,

the high-tech city of

infotech, pharma and biotech com-

panies, and the happening city of

restaurants, malls, entertainment

complexes and a large film indus-

try. Amid its wealth of modern

complexes, Hyderabad still retains

much of its old world charm,

including its cuisines and Urdu cul-

ture.

Hyderabad was founded by

Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, in the

16th century, near the fort of

Golconda. After it was captured

by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in

the 17th century, governors were

appointed to administer the state.

After the decline of the Mughal

Empire, Asaf Jah I, who was grant-

ed the title Nizam-ul-Mulk by the

Mughal emperor, established his

rule over Hyderabad. Seven succes-

sive Nizams after him developed

Hyderabad both culturally and eco-

nomically. To fulfill the water

needs of the Hyderabad princely

state, which spanned about 90,000

sq miles, the Nizams built many

reservoirs including Hyderabad’s

famous lakes. Under British

Suzerainty, Hyderabad was India’s

premier princely state covering an

area comparable to Britain’s, with

the Nizams entitled to a salute of 21

guns. In 1947, the Nizam wished

either to remain independent or to

accede to Pakistan. The Indian

union chose to implement an eco-

nomic blockade used military force

against the landlocked princely

state of Hyderabad. Following this

operation, termed Operation Polo,

the Nizam signed an Instrument of

Accession to the Union of India.

We started out at Chowmallah

Palace, which was the residence of

the Nizams of Hyderabad, in the

heart of the city. Believed to take

inspiration from the Shah of Iran’s

palace in Tehran, Chowmallah is

entered through a courtyard with

four buildings around a pool. We

entered the Khilwat Palace where

the Durbarhall which has ornate

stucco work and spectacular

Belgian chandeliers. Inside the

palace, we saw the outstanding col-

lections of textiles and wardrobes,

and the display of historical photo-

graphs. In other parts of the palace

complex, we saw the photographic

gallery showing landmarks of the

the dynastic rule of the Nizams in

chronological order, a superb col-

lection of arms and armour and the

historical manuscripts.

We walked from the Chowmallah

Palace to the Lad Bazaar, which is a

historical marketplace with old

buildings, shops and vendors, sell-

ing bangles, tinsel, jewellery, rose-

water, perfume oils called attar,

embroidery, brocades, silk saris,

turbans, henna, herbs, spices, and a

variety of products for brides,

bridegrooms and wedding objects.

We also saw metal handicrafts like

bidri ware, filigree jewellery and

hookahs. The market lane brought

us to the Charminar, the signature

landmark of Hyderabad, a tri-

umphal arch entrance way with

four graceful minarets with spiral-

ing staircases leading to its upper

storey mosque. Nearby is the

medieval Mecca Masjid, a huge

mosque made from bricks from

Mecca and black granite, where

many Nizams are entombed. There

is a Unani Hospital for traditional

medicines in this part of the city.

After a quick biryani lunch, we

headed for the Salarjung Museum

which is deservedly famous for its

collection of a former minister in

the Nizam’s court. The collection of

over 40,000 pieces is extraordinary,

with the highlight being the Mughal

jade carvings and opaque glassware

including a beautiful translucent

leaf cup, bronze and ivory art, an

array of clocks, stone sculpture,

European statues and oil paintings,

and Indian paintings. Equally

impressive is the Nizam’s wardrobe

exhibited at the Purani Haveli, a

19th century neoclassical building

which was an official residence of

the Nizams. The gigantic wooden

wardrobe, built in two levels with a

hand-cranked wooden elevator,

covers an entire wing of the U-

shaped palace, and houses beautiful

brocades and gorgeous costumes of

the Nizam. Part of the palace is

now The Nizam’s Museum with

China, silverware, objet de arts,

pearls, jewels, portraits, newspaper

clippings about the Nizams, and

photographs of courtly scenes.

We crossed the Musi River to the

northern side of Hyderabad , where

we saw imposing public buildings,

colleges and the Andhra Pradesh

State Museum. As the evening

approached, we strolled around the

Hussain Sagar Lake which is a

large water body separating

Hyderabad from Secundrabad, its

twin city. There are parks along the

water’s edge where we saw couples

and families relaxing. In the heart

of the lake is the large statue of

Buddha, 55ft high.

Continued On page 25...

Where history resides in every bylane….

Charminar, the signature landmark of Hyderabad

Hussain Sagar lake separates Hyderabad from its twin city Secundrabad (Pictures by: Dinesh Shukla)

Purani Haveli was an official residence of the Nizams.

The Osmania University was the first Indian University to have Urdu language as medium of instruction

Hurdles in way of a uni-fied India post 1947came from the princelystates, Junagadh(Gujarat) andHyderabad (AndhraPradesh) being the mostnotable ones apart fromKashmir, which is stillin dispute. Indiangovt.’s stern dispositiongot the former two tofinally accede. Authorand travel writer AnilMulchandani on a tripto these historic citiesfinds them still oozingthe old world charm.

24

Continued from page 24

The picturesque city of

Junagadh, in the Kathiawad

peninsula of Gujarat state

has a rich and varied history span-

ning more than two millenia.

Ruled by the Mauryan dynasty in

the 3rd century BC, Junagadh (lit-

erally old fort) was ruled by the

Guptas, the Chudasama Rajputs,

the Gujarat sultanate, the Mughals

and finally a succession of nine

Nawabs under the Suzerainty of

the British Empire.

The Nawabs of Junagadh, who

called themselves Babi, were actu-

ally governors of Saurashtra,

appointed by the Mughal emperors

after the conquest of Junagadh, the

region's most formidable fort

citadel but in the 1730s, they

carved out their own princely state

during the decline of Mughal

power over India. By 1748,

Muhammad Sher Khan declared

himself the first independent

Nawab of Junagadh, the first in a

succession of nine rulers between

the 1740s and the 1940s. Junagadh

was modernised by Nawab

Mahabat Khan, in the late-19th

century, with bazaars, clock tower,

gateways, schools, a college, hos-

pitals, courthouse, a college and

public library, most of them built

in the Ventian-Gothic style popu-

lar in Victorian England, which

was very suitable for the strong

sun and monsoon rains of

Junagadh. His able minister,

Bahauddin, is credited with much

of the zeal that went into develop-

ing Junagadh in that period. The

last Nawab of Junagadh, Mahabat

Khanji-3, was known for keeping

dogs, breeding Kathiawadi horses

and protecting the Gir forests that

is the remaining habitat of the

Asiatic lion. After India’s inde-

pendence and the partition of

India, Nawab Mohammad

Mahabat Khanji III of Junagadh, a

princely state located on the south-

western end of Gujarat and having

no common border with Pakistan,

in September 15, 1947. There was

dissent within the state, and

Mangrol and Babariawad, who

were under Junagadh princely

state, went against him by acced-

ing to India. The Nawab of

Junagadh forcefully gained control

of the two states. Rulers of the

other neighbouring states reacted,

sending troops to the Junagadh

frontier and appealed to the

Government of India for assis-

tance. India called for a plebiscite

to decide the question of acces-

sion, following which Junagadh

was annexed to India and the

princely state became part of the

Saurashtra state, now in Gujarat.

We started our tour of Junagadh

at the Uparkot fort, set on a hill

where Pre-Harrapan relics have

been found. Historians believe this

fort was built by Chandragupta

Maurya in 319 BC and strength-

ened in the 2nd-4th century BC

under the Kshatrapa dynasty. The

fort was abandoned around the 6th

century when the Maitreka

dynasty was the major power in

Gujarat ruling from Vallabhipur

near present day Bhavnagar, after

which it was rediscovered by the

Chudasama Rajputs in the 10th

century and rebuilt as their capital

by Navghan-2 in the 11th century.

The perimeter walls were probably

constructed ruing their rule. The

guide we hired told us in Gujarati,

``This fort was subjected sixteen

sieges over the next eight hundred

years from when the wall was

built. One of them a long siege

over a potter's daughter. The girl

was coveted by a neighbouring

prince and came for refuge to the

ruler of Junagadh, who promptly

married her. In the war that fol-

lowed, the chivalrous prince of

Junagadh was killed and the girl

committed Sati on his funereal

pyre. This was about the 11th cen-

tury.’’

We also saw the derelict mosque

called Jumma Masjid, which the

guide tells us probably once the

Chudasama Rajput palace called

Rani Ranak Devi Mahal, with

ornate balconies outside and about

140 pillars inside. It is said this

mosque could never be completed.

Heading north from the Jami

Masjid, we came to the Buddhist

Cave complex. We stepped down

into the complex of small cells

arranged around courtyards cut

down into the rock, set around a

rain water tank. The caves reflect

the advanced system of drainage

and water utilisation prevailing in

the period, and the cells are well-

ventilated to get light and cool air.

These Buddhist caves are believed

to have been created between the

second and the fourth century AD.

Worn traces of figurines and

foliage can still be made out on the

columns in the lower level.

From the caves, we walked to

Adi Chadi Vav, a stepwell built by

the Chudasama Rajputs with more

than a hundred steps descending to

the water level. Stepwells were an

ingenious method of conserving

water in the arid regions of

Gujarat. This well is said to be

named for two slave girls who

fetched water from it. The

Navghan kuva is a spectacular

water harvesting tank, dated from

1060 AD, with a superb staircase

spiralling down 52m to the water

source through a 10 ft wide pas-

sage.

The guard proudly showed us

the pair of monumental canons,

The Nilam canon whose bronze

inscriptions in Arabic state that

"the canon was cast in 1531 AD to

fight the Portuguese who are infi-

del enemies of state and religion"

and the smaller Ottoman canon,

were brought here after the sultans

and the Ottoman allies failed to

protect Diu from Portuguese con-

quests.

From the fort, we visited the

Durbarhall Museum, set into one

of the former palaces of the Babis.

The hall has silver plated thrones

and chairs, laid out on fine carpets,

and ceilings hung with huge chan-

deliers. From the museum, we

drove to Chitkana Chowk where

we saw the remarkable 18th centu-

ry mausoleum complex, with ver-

tical columns, delicate carved

arches, domes and stone carvings.

Continueing from here we came to

the Maqbara, the 19th century

mausoleum complex built for

Mahabat Khan 2, Bahadur Khanji,

and Rasul Khanji in 1911 AD. The

most spectacular is the mausoleum

of Bahauddin, with two sets of

minarets with pirouetting spiral

staircases, a facade rich in stone

carvings, beautiful silver doors

and massive domes mark the

architecture of this tomb of Baha-

ud-din, who was called Vazir-e-

Azam or the great minister to the

Nawabi dynasty of Junagadh.

We traveled north from the

walled city, we came to

Sakkarbagh, which has the zoo-

logical park and city museum of

Junagadh. The museum exhibits a

fine collection of pre-historic and

proto-historic implements made

from stone and bone, stone sculp-

ture including a 9th century

Vishnu, bronze sculpture of the

medieval period, copper inscrip-

tions and manuscripts, silverware,

glass, porcelain, wood carvings,

carpets and costumes, traditional

textiles, folk art and some minia-

ture paintings.

(Author and freelance writerAnil Mulchandani has writtenextensively about India includingTRAVELLERS KERALA &SOUTHERN INDIA, a travelguidebook published by ThomasCook Publishing, UK.)

Picturesque Junagadh

Where history residesin every bylane….

The view of majestic Girnarmountain from Uparkot fort

The spectacular mausoleum of Bahauddin, the great minister to the Nawabi dynasty of Junagadh.

Durbarhall set in one of the ornate palaces of Babis

25

India i.e. Bharat is a Union of

States. It is a Sovereign

Socialist Democratic Republic

with a parliamentary system of

government. The Republic is gov-

erned in terms of the Constitution

of India which was adopted by the

Constituent Assembly on 26th

November 1949 and came into

force on 26th January 1950.

The Constitution provides for a

Parliamentary form of government

which is federal in structure with

certain unitary features. The coun-

cil of the Parliament of the Union

consists of the President and two

Houses to be known as the Council

of States (Rajya Sabha) and the

House of the People (Lok Sabha).

A Council of Ministers with a

Prime Minister as its head aids and

advises the President, who exercis-

es his functions in accordance to

the advice. The real executive

power is thus vested in the Council

of Ministers with the Prime

Minister as its head.

Written, Lengthy and DetailedConstitution

Indian Constitution is written,

lengthy and detailed. Written con-

stitution is that which is based on

written laws duly passed by a rep-

resentative body elected for this

very purpose. An unwritten consti-

tution, on the other hand, is an

evolved constitution. It is primarily

based on unwritten conventions,

traditions and practices. The

Constitution of the U.S.A. is

another example of a written con-

stitution and that of England of an

unwritten one.

The Constitution of India is an

elaborate document and is the most

voluminous Constitution in the

world.

Partly Rigid and Partly FlexibleConstitution

A flexible constitution is that

which can be amended like an

ordinary law of the country, i.e. by

a simple majority of Parliament.

On the other hand, a rigid constitu-

tion is the one which prescribes a

difficult procedure for its own

amendment. The Constitution of

the U.S.A. is the best example of

rigid constitution because it can be

amended only if a proposal for

constitutional amendment is

passed by a two-third majority in

each House of the Congress (the

US Parliament) and ratified by at

least three-fourths of the federating

states. The Constitution of Great

Britain, on the other hand, is high-

ly flexible. This is so because it

can be amended by a simple

majority of its Parliament, much

like the ordinary laws of the coun-

try. The Indian Constitution is nei-

ther very flexible nor very rigid.

Some provisions of the

Constitution can be amended by a

simple majority of Parliament, like

ordinary laws of the land while

most of the provisions can only be

amended by a two-thirds majority

of Parliament. For very important

provisions of the Constitution,

such as the manner of election of

the President and the extent of the

legislative powers of the Union

and the States, an amendment

passed by a two-thirds majority of

Parliament should also be ratified

by at least one-half of the State

legislatures. The Indian

Constitution thus combines the

flexibility of the British

Constitution and the rigidity of the

American Constitution. Jawaharlal

Nehru, while justifying this nature

of the Constitution, said, "0ur

Constitution is to be as solid and

permanent as we can make it, yet

there is no permanence in a consti-

tution. There should be a certain

amount of flexibility. If you make

anything rigid and permanent, you

stop the nation’s growth, the

growth of a living vital organic

people."

Partly Federal and PartlyUnitary

The Constitution declares India a

Union of States (federation). It pre-

scribes dual set of governments-the

Union Government and the State

Governments. The subjects of

administration have also been clas-

sified into three lists-the Union

List, the State List and the

Concurrent List. Whereas subjects

of national importance like curren-

cy, defense, railways, post and

telegraph, foreign affairs, citizen-

ship, survey and census have been

assigned to the Union Government

and placed under the Union List,

subjects of local importance like

agriculture, law and order, health

and entertainment have been

assigned to the States and form a

part of the State List. Both the

Union Government and the State

Governments operate within the

spheres of their authority.

Parliamentary SystemThe Constitution of India adopts

Parliamentary system of govern-

ment at the Centre and in the

States. In such a system of govern-

ment, the executive power is

wielded by the Council of

Ministers which is collectively

responsible to the legislature. The

Ministers continue in office so

long as they enjoy the confidence

of a majority of Members in the

legislature.

The moment they lose this confi-

dence, a vote of no-confidence is

passed against them and they have

to resign forthwith. The responsi-

bility of the executive to the legis-

lature is also ensured by the right

of the Members of the legislature

to put questions to the Ministers.

The Members may table adjourn-

ment motions and call attention

motions against the policies pur-

sued by the Government. The

Ministers are duty-bound to

answer all such questions and sat-

isfy the Members of the legisla-

ture.

Fundamental RightsCertain rights are considered

basic or fundamental as they pro-

vide suitable conditions for the

material and moral uplift of the

people. The Indian Constitution

guarantees a number of such rights

to the citizens of India. The

Fundamental Rights of India con-

ferred by the Constitution are:

The Right to Equality; The Right

to Freedom; The Right against

Exploitation; The Right to

Freedom of Religion; Cultural and

Educational Rights; and The Right

to Constitutional Remedies.

Directive Principles of StatePolicy

The Directive Principles of State

Policy constitute another distinc-

tive feature of Indian Constitution.

These Principles embody certain

ideals and objectives which should

be kept in mind by the Union and

State Governments while making

laws and implementing policies.

The implementation of these direc-

tives was not made compulsory

due to the paucity of resources.

The framers of the Constitution

expected that as and when the

future Governments would mobi-

lize resources, they would do their

best to implement these directives.

Equitable distribution of wealth,

employment for all, protection of

health, compulsory education for

children up to the age of fourteen

and the establishment of village

panchayats are some such princi-

ples. The Directive Principles of

State Policy are non-justifiable. No

legal remedy can be sought in a

court of law if the government fails

to follow or implement any of

these principles. In other words,

the Directive Principles are non-

justifiable rights of the citizen.

However, these principles are con-

sidered important in the gover-

nance of the country. It becomes a

moral duty of every government to

follow them and realize the pur-

pose behind them. Several amend-

ments to the Constitution, together

with some judgments of the

Supreme Court have paved the

way for the implementation of the

Directive Principles.

Independence of the JudiciaryIndian Constitution has taken

special care to establish an inde-

pendent and impartial judiciary.

The judges of the Supreme Court

and the State High Courts have

been provided security of service.

Once appointed, their salaries and

allowances cannot be altered to

their disadvantage by the

Government during the course of

their tenure. Nor can they be dis-

missed before the age of their

retirement except in case of proven

misconduct supported by a resolu-

tion of Parliament passed by a two-

thirds majority. Security of service

of judges is in keeping with the

dignity and prestige of the highest

judicial organs of the country. This

provision has been made in the

Constitution to keep the judges

independent and immune from the

control and influence of the

Executive. The judges can exercise

their discretion in the dispensation

of justice even if their decisions go

against the Government.

Official LanguageIn a country like India, with

diverse cultural traditions and lan-

guages, it is essential to declare

one language as the national lan-

guage, symbolic of the unity of the

different regions of the country.

The Constitution declares Hindi in

Devanagari script as the official

language of the country. Besides,

each State is authorized to adopt a

regional language for all or some

of its official purposes. English has

also been allowed to be used along

with other languages for official

purposes.

Adult Franchise and JointElectorates

The Constitution provides for

Universal Adult Franchise. The cit-

izens of India who are 18 years of

age and above have been granted

the right to vote irrespective of any

qualification pertaining to educa-

tion, possession of property or pay-

ment of income tax. The adoption

of Universal Adult Franchise was

indeed a very daring step taken by

the Constituent Assembly in view

of the fact that large sections of our

people are illiterate. Constitution

has replaced the system of commu-

nal representation (introduced by

the British in 1909) by that of joint

electorates. The country is divided

into territorial constituencies. From

each constituency, members of dif-

ferent communities jointly elect a

common candidate. The system of

joint electorates promotes commu-

nal harmony and goodwill and dis-

courages communal politics.

Establishment of a Welfare StateThe Preamble to the

Constitution, as modified by the

Forty-second Amendment Act,

1976 and the Directive Principles

of State Policy aim at the establish-

ment of a Welfare State in India.

Keeping in view the inherent spirit

of the Constitution, the successive

governments at the Centre have

been pursuing a policy of demo-

cratic socialism.

Nationalization of banks and

general insurance, fixation of ceil-

ing on urban and rural lands and

abolition of privy purses of the

rulers of the erstwhile native

States, implementation of various

poverty alleviation programs are

some of the measures which have

been taken to remove gross

inequalities of wealth and to usher

in an era of social and economic

equality.

Salient features of Constitution of India

Emblem of India

26

The Preamble of the Constitution

28

The Indian

C o n s t i t u e n t

Assembly, which

was constituted as a result

of the negotiations between

the Indian leaders and

members of the British

Cabinet Mission, had its

first meeting on December

9, 1946. The Objective of

the Assembly was to give

India a constitution, which

would serve a lasting pur-

pose and hence appointed a

number of committees to

thoroughly research the var-

ious aspects of the proposed

constitution.

The transition of India from a British colony to a sovereign, secular, and democratic nation was indeed historical. Itwas a long journey of around two decades that started with the conceptualization of the dream in 1930 to its actual

realization in 1950. Let us take a look into the journey that led to the birth of the Indian Republic.

Indian ConstituentAssembly - 1946

First day of the Constituent Assembly. From right: B.G.Kher and Sardar Vallabhai Patel; K. M. Munshi is seated

behind Patel.

The seeds of a republican

nation were sowed at the

Lahore session of the

Indian National Congress at the

midnight of December 31,

1929. All present at the session,

held under the presidency of Pt.

Jawahar Lal Nehru, took a

pledge to mark January 26 as

"Independence Day" in order to

march towards realizing the

dream of complete independ-

ence from the British. The

Lahore Session paved way to

the Civil Disobedience move-

ment. It was decided that

January 26, 1930, would be

observed as the Purna Swaraj

(complete Independence) Day.

Lahore Session ofthe Indian National

Congress - 1929

Gandhiji hoisting thetricolor with the charkaat the Lahore session of

the Indian NationalCongress, 1929.

Although India obtained its inde-

pendence on August 15, 1947 , it

did not yet have a permanent con-

stitution; instead, its laws were based on

the modified colonial Government of India

Act 1935, and the country was a Dominion,

with George VI as head of state and Earl

Mountbatten as Governor General. On

August 29, 1947, the Drafting Committee

was appointed to draft a permanent consti-

tution, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the

Chairman. A Draft Constitution was pre-

pared by the committee and submitted to

the Assembly on November 4, 1947. The

Assembly met, in sessions open to the pub-

lic, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2

years, 11 months and 18 days before adopt-

ing the Constitution. After many delibera-

tions and some modifications, the 308

members of the Assembly signed two hand-

written copies of the document (one each in

Hindi and English) on January 24, 1950.

Drafting Committee - 1947

As the chief architect of the IndianConstitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar played a

crucial role in the birth of the IndianRepublic

India enjoyed the true spirit of

Independence on January 26, 1950,

when the Constitution of India finally

came into force. The Constitution gave the

citizens of India the power to govern them-

selves by choosing their own government.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad took oath as the first

President of India at the Durbar Hall in the

Government House and this was followed

by the Presidential drive along a five-mile

route to the Irwin Stadium, where he

unfurled the National Flag.

Ever since the historic day, January 26 is

celebrated with festivities and patriotic fer-

vor all around the country. Despite the

odds, the Indian Constitution's unambigu-

ous commitment to a democratic, secular,

equitable, civil libertarian society will be

the anchor of support on which India can

confidently face and conquer any upheaval.

Constitution comes into force

The first President of India, Dr RajendraPrasad, signing the hand-written

copy of the Constitution.

India became a Republic withthe adoption of this Preamble on

January 26, 1950.

FirstDay,FirstShow

As India celebrated its 62nd anniversary of being a Republic on January 26 thisyear, let’s go back in history and relive some of the most memorable

moments of the country's first Republic Day.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru (right) and Defense Minister BaldevSingh at the first Republic Day parade on January 26, 1950.

29

First Indonesian President Soekarno and Madame FatmawatiSoekarno, chief guests at the first Republic Day on January 26, 1950,

with Jawaharlal Nehru and his sister, Mrs. Vijay Lakhsmi Pandit.

Folk Dancers of Madhya Pradesh marching past at the first Republic Day parade.

President Soekarno and Madame Fatmawati seated on the dias as Dr. Rajendra Prasad, First President of theRepublic of India, takes the oath of office in the Darbar Hall of the Government House on January 26, 1950.

The last Governor General of India C. Rajagopalachari (second from right) shakes hands

with Air Marshall Sir Thomas Walker Elmhirst atIndia's first R-Day Parade.

Security personnel guard on roof of VIP stands at India's firstR-Day Parade.

Dignitaries at India's first Republic Day parade includeddiplomat Vijayalakshmi Pandit (fourth from right), Health

Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, India's first DefenceMinister, Baldev Singh, and Law Minister BR Ambedkar,

among others.

By Sailen Chatterjee

India became a Republic on January

26,1950 amidst rejoicings, fanfare of

trumpets and booming of guns. A

Proclamation announcing the new status of

India was read out by the last Governor

General C. Rajagopalachari, heralding that

from 26th January 1950 the proclamation

said India, this is, Bharat, shall be a

Sovereign Democratic Republic. It was a

memorable and proud day for the whole

nation.

The high-domed circular Darbar Hall of

Rashtrapati Bhavan (then known as

Government House) was brilliantly lit.

Over 500 guests had assembled inside the

hall. President Sukarno of the Indonesian

Republic, his wife and several members of

the Diplomatic corps, members of the

Constituent Assembly and prominent citi-

zens had graced the occasion.

It was a historic occasion when free

India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad,

was administered the oath of his office. The

Chief Justice of India, Sir Hiralal Kania,

read the oath of office in Hindi. Dr.

Rajendra Prasad repeated it sentence by

sentence. The President was dressed in

black achkan, white churidar and a white

Gandhi cap.

The outgoing Governor General, C.

Rajagopalachari, our first Prime Minister,

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, beaming with

pride and joy, the Deputy Prime Minister,

Sardar Patel, the Iron-man of India, Cabinet

Ministers, Judges of the Supreme Court

and the Auditor-General of India, were

present in the hall to witness this biggest

national ceremony of the 20th century.

Pandit Nehru and his other Cabinet col-

leagues were sworn-in soon after. The

Speaker of Lok Sabha, G.V. Mavalankar,

the first Speaker, sat in the front row...

Outside the Darbar Hall, there were

unforgettable scenes of jubilation. Large

crowds of men, women and children had

assembled in the forecourt of Rashtrapati

Bhavan. Many of them had come from the

adjoining States to witness the ceremony.

People raised slogans of "Gandhiji-ki-jai"

and "Vande Mataram". Thousands visited

Rajghat, the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi,

to pay their respectful homage to the Father

of the Nation.

In the Darbar Hall, for the first time the

national emblem of Ashoka Pillar with

three lions was placed near the throne

where in the past the British Viceroys used

to sit. Also for the first time a smiling

statute of Lord Buddha was placed behind

the throne.

The President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who

greeted the large gathering smilingly with

folded hands, made a short speech in Hindi

and English, stating that it was a memo-

rable day in our annals. Let us begin with

offering our thanks to the Almighty Power

that has enabled us to see this day to the

Father of the Nation who showed us and to

the world at large his infallible method of

Satyagraha and led us on along it to free-

dom and to the numberless men and

women, whose suffering and sacrifice have

rendered the attainment of Independence

and establishment of this sovereign demo-

cratic Republic possible".

The birth of the Republic was celebrated

by the masses by organizing prabhat

pheries. The day dawned with a clear sky

and sun was bright throughout the day. It

was one of the coldest days in Delhi and

men, women and children dressed in their

best, came out to participate in this great

festival. They exchanged greetings and

congratulated each other for the new era

that dawned under the new Constitution...

(The author is a journalist and freedomfighter. The piece is courtesy, PressInformation Bureau)

Unforgettable scenes of

enthusiasm and rejoicing

marked the beginning of a

new era in the Indian history when

the Republic of India was born

with the swearing-in of Dr.

Rajendra Prasad as the as the first

President.

At the most solemn ceremony,

held in the brilliantly lit and high

domes of Durbar Hall at

Government House, India was

declared a Sovereign Democratic

Republic exactly at 18 minutes

past 10 on the morning of

Thursday, January 26, 1950. Six

minutes later, Dr. Rajendra Prasad

sworn in as the President.

The birth of Indian Republic and

the installation of its first President

were announced by a salute of 31

guns shortly after 10-30 a.m. The

simple and yet grand ceremony of

the Durbar Hall, the excitement of

hundreds of thousands of people

lining the five-mile route through

which the President drove in state

and the spectacularly colorful

parade at Irwin Stadium, where the

President hoisted the Union

Flag and took the salute, will

remain in the peoples’ memory for

long...

the President took the oath of

office and made a brief speech,

first in Hindi and then in English.

In the course of his speech he said:

“Today for the first time in our

long and chequered history we

find the whole of this vast land

from Kashmir in the north to Cape

Comorin in the South, from

Kathiawad and Cutch in the west

Coconada and Kamrup in the east,

brought together under the juris-

diction of one Constitution and

one Union which takes over the

responsibility for the welfare of

more than 320 million men and

women that inhabit it. Its adminis-

tration will now be carried on by

its people and for its people. This

country has great natural

resources, and now has come to it

the great opportunity to make its

vast population happy and pros-

perous and to make it own contri-

bution to the establishment of

peace in the world.”

(Excerpts from an article titled‘Birth of a Republic’ published inthe February 4, 1950 issue of theFauji Akhbar (Sainik Samachar)

Reminiscences of first R-Day

They were there when the history was being written in 1950. Hear from those whoattended the first-ever celebrations of India becoming a Republic.

An aerial view of the Republic Day Parade atRajpath, New Delhi on January 26, 1964.

Birth of a Republic

30

On a highway in Chennai, I pass a lux-

ury bus with the words “Incredible

India” emblazoned across its side.

Underneath, in smaller letters, is an explana-

tion that some genius in the tourism depart-

ment found necessary to include: “The

mantra to woo tourists.”

India is indeed incredible. And if you don’t

believe me, just ask some of the tourists who

have been successfully wooed.

British tourist, wiping his brow at a juice

stand in Bangalore: “It’s incredible how hot

it is over here.”

American tourist, sitting in an auto-rick-

shaw in Mumbai: “It’s incredible how unruly

the traffic is.”

Australian tourist, relaxing on a houseboat

in the backwaters of Kerala: “It’s incredible

how few crocodiles there are.”

India is incredible in many other ways, of

course. It’s a country where you’ll find

incredible poverty and also incredible

wealth. Some of the world’s richest people

live in India, the type of folks who would

wonder how Bill and Hillary Clinton man-

aged to spend only $3 million on their

daughter Chelsea’s wedding -- didn’t they

buy enough diamond and gold jewelry to put

around the necks of the elephants? Didn’t

they spend a few million to ensure that a

dozen Bollywood stars made appearances,

not to mention a former U.S. president?

India’s wealth is evident in the huge hous-

es you’ll see in many neighborhoods and the

coterie of servants that the well-to-do

employ. If you’re lucky enough to be rich in

India, you’ll have someone to do your cook-

ing, someone to do your cleaning, someone

to write love letters to your wife. (A man can

dream, can’t he?) But you don’t have to be

rich to have domestic help in India. Even

some of the maids have maids.

What’s truly incredible is the number of

businesses in India. You’ll find stores and

stands on the side of almost every street in

the city, most operated by smalltime entre-

preneurs. Now I know what the tourism

guidebook meant when it said, “Don’t be

surprised if you spot a few people doing their

business on the street.” (But I’m still con-

fused about the part that said, “It’s impolite

to stare.”)

Very few of India’s retail outlets are fran-

chises -- most are independent businesses.

McDonald’s, like other fast food chains, has

expanded to India, but you won’t find the

golden arches in every neighborhood -- not

yet, at least -- and that’s a good thing. I don’t

miss having a Big Mac, not when I can have

a Big Dosa. I ordered an incredibly big dosa

at one restaurant and, being a little careless

while handling it, almost knocked over the

man in the next table. Many a fight has been

started by a poorly handled dosa.

It’s incredible what you’ll see on the

streets of India. The other day, I saw a man

washing clothes on the side of a street,

another man ironing clothes, and a third man

standing in his underwear, saying, “Hurry

up! I’m going to be late for my interview!”

I’ve seen young women wearing burkas --

with only their eyes visible -- and also young

women wearing short skirts. And you’ll

never guess which of the women were listen-

ing to Justin Bieber on their iPods.

It’s incredible how much progress India

has made in the last decade or so. You can

see it almost everywhere. The economy is

churning, people are earning, and rupees

they are burning.

The people who rode bicycles to work a

decade ago are now riding motorcycles,

those who rode motorcycles are now driving

cars, and those who drove cars are now

relaxing on houseboats in Kerala.

As the country develops, it may one day be

flooded with tourists. Then I won’t be sur-

prised to see a luxury bus with the words

“Intolerable India” on it. And underneath,

some genius in the tourism department will

include an explanation: “The mantra to shoo

tourists.”

It's incredible how incredible India is

By A Rawat/SATimes

Jaipur: The 6-day DSC Jaipur

Literature Festival, considered Asia-

Pacific’s leading literature event,

ended Jan 25. It attracted a few of

the biggest names of the literature

world like Nobel Laureate Orhan

Pamuk, JM Coetzee and Pulitzer

prize winner Junot Diaz and Vikram

Seth. In the midst of books and

celebs like Gulzar and Javed Akhtar

the show also brought fashion and

music from the world over to the

Pink City.

The inaugural function was

attended by the US Ambassador

Timothy Roemer and Dr Karan

Singh along with Chief Minister of

Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot. Bollywood

also came calling: actors Kabir

Bedi and Om Puri, film maker

Muzaffar Ali, Meera Ali and direc-

tor Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Daman

Singh, daughter of Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh, Tehelka fame

journalist Tarun Tejpal and painter

Jatin Das were there too.

Three books were launched at the

festival while music ranging from

Punjabi folk to rock and fusion

made the evenings memorable for

the delegates and audience. Most of

the sessions especially at the front

lawns were jampacked and book-

lovers not only from across India

but also from abroad flocked here.

Event director and writer William

Dalrymple felt like ‘the last

Mughal’ at the success of the event

which he dreamed with Namita

Gokhale six years ago.

Jaipur event this year established

itself as a contender for one of the

top events in the literature calendar

of the world. Book lovers bid adieu

to the festival hoping to come back

next year to enjoy the company of

words and beautiful people from all

around the world.

Che brought to you by Goldman

Sachs

Che Guevara may be a symbol of

revolution in the American conti-

nent but to hold a session on him

crucial support came from capital-

ism: Goldman Sachs in this case.

Jon Lee Anderson, a US journalist

who has traveled through the most

troubled countries, talked about

Che’s grooming years and his con-

nection with philosophy of

Mahatma Gandhi. Che’s visit to

India in 1953 was also highlighted

at the discussion.

First DSC South Asian

Literature Award

A former banker of Pakistani ori-

gin HM Naqvi won the $50,000

DSC South Asian Literature award

for his first book ‘Home Boy’.

Naqvi, 36, worked for World Bank

from 1997-2003 before turning a

full time writer. He studied in

Georgetown and Boston. His book

is about three Muslim youths living

in USA and their struggle after 9/11.

Rajasthan leaders are world

apart in literary taste

CM Ashok Gehlot, who is trying

for an image makeover by shedding

his discomfort with page 3 glit-

terati, was at the Jaipur litfest

attending a session conducted by

noted journalist Mrinal Pande and

Ravish on ‘Aisee Hindi Kaisi

Hindi’, a satire on the use of Hindi

in the media. Former chief minister

Vasundhara Raje was spotted at the

book-stalls at the festival and

bought a few books. She was chased

by young girls for autographs while

Gehlot maintained his stoic silence

at sessions.

Literary bites on global issues

Orhan Pamuk and girl friend

Kiran Desai created a flutter when

they canceled their visit to Sri Lanka

literature festival next month over

freedom of speech issue in Sri

Lanka. Rory Stuart, a first time

British MP, came to the festival to

discuss the war torn Afghanistan.

He said it may take more than 30

years for the country to stand on its

feet and the coalition forces’ with-

drawal will be considered a defeat.

Sanjoy Hazarika, a former corre-

spondent of New York Times, spoke

on human rights violations by

Indian army in the North Eastern

states of India.

6th Jaipur literary fest draws glitterati from world over

Humor with Melvin Durai

Humor

Jaipur Lit Fest

32

Nobel Laureate John MaxwellCoetzee at JLF

H M Naqvi with film maker Muzaffar Ali and his wife Meera

Pulitzer prize winner Junot Diaz (second from left) at the discussion– The great crisis in American Fiction

Aries: Information provided by sub-

ordinates is likely to be unreliable

and should be verified. Clouds of the past

few days disappear as family members

bring you pleasure and comfort. Business

deals should be done very carefully.

Relations with your partners might get

strained due to work pressure. Listen to the

advice of experts before making any

investments. Matrimonial alliance for

some, while others will have flourishing

romance to keep them in high spirits.

Taurus: This week you need to

move out and rub elbows with peo-

ple at high places. Your carrier will take a

positive turn if you take advantage of the

opportunity that comes your way. You will

also be able to impress others with your

knowledge and enthusiasm. New partner-

ships done during this period will be

favourable. Your financial position will

improve, but for the next couple of days,

you should depend more on your own

intelligence and skills and less on fate to

earn any major benefits.

Gemini: Another brilliant week for

creative activities, but if you behave

stubborn you could be nullifying whatever

positive has to happen. You will make new

friends and experience new things during

this period. Recognition and rewards are

certainly yours if you present your ideas

well. Do put some efforts into collecting

information about your trade. Do not get

emotionally involved with a person who is

already committed to someone else.

Cancer: A week when you do

things that you enjoy the most. You

will be highly appreciated for making

changes around your house. Important let-

ters/telephones/emails should be attended

to immediately. Call someone you haven’t

heard from for a long time.

Travel plans if any might be postponed,

due to unexpected work or might not bring

desired results. You will receive gifts and

favours from loved ones to brighten up

your days. Financial gains are almost cer-

tain.

Leo: This week new ventures will

start on an optimistic note.

Auspicious days for make important pur-

chases, but try not to overspend on luxury

items. Your health needs care so do not

skip meals and be regular towards your

exercise.

Although you will get substantial time with

your beloved but your relationship will suf-

fer because of minor disagreements. Say no

to new alliances and partnerships.

Virgo: This week you will have to

work extra to achieve your goals,

even if it might mean working overtime

and seeking favours. Rewards and other

benefits for those who stay committed to

their job.

Unexpected expenses will put tension on

your mind, but do not worry, as financial

gains will soon be in your pocket. Spouse

will be caring and provide you with love

and affection. Good week to participate in

outdoor activities and social events.

Libra: A better understanding with

your spouse brings in happiness,

peace and prosperity at home. Pressure

from seniors at workplace will lead to

some stress on your mind. Perfect week to

work on creative hobbies and jobs.

Household problems will be easier to tack-

le, but little more tact is required when

dealing with relatives. Social activities will

be high on your agenda, and you will be in

the mood to spend extra money on shop-

ping and purchasing other items of com-

fort.

Scorpio: Your sharp observation

will help you stay ahead of others,

but quarrels seem certain if you get into

philosophical debates with friends. Efforts

of the past bring favourable results and

rewards this week. Some of you will under-

take a journey, which will be hectic, but

highly rewarding. Tact, tolerance and

patience will help maintain harmony at

home. Investment in antiques and jewelry

will bring in long term financial gains and

prosperity.

Sagittarius: Get involved in activi-

ties, which are exciting and will

keep you relaxed. Rewards for deserving

sportsmen, media personalities and stage

artists are certain. Keep your secrets to

yourself as relatives/friends could meddle

in your private affairs if you confide in

them. Try not to be too extravagant if you

go out shopping. Social activities will be

satisfying. Your imagination will help you

come up with new and brilliant ideas.

Capricorn: This week do things

that will help you maintain a good

physique. Concentrate on creative hobbies

in order to relax.

Also, spend time to adapt to changes,

which could benefit your career. Spend

your spare time enjoying the company of

children, even if you have to go out of your

way to make that happen. Your optimistic

views will impress people around you.

Good week for developing new contacts.

Relatives and visitors will occupy your

evenings.

Aquarius: This week you might

have to deal with unreliable individ-

uals who will promise a lot but deliver less.

Adapt to new techniques to increase your

work efficiency. Your style and unique

ways of doing things will interest people

who are watching you.Talk and listen to

people about their project and you will

gather valuable information. Put in more

efforts in improving your style of working

to get immediate rewards.

Pisces: All financial affairs should

be kept free from risk as much as

possible. Spouse will remain cooperative

despite your erratic behavior. Travelling for

pleasure will be enjoyable, however it

could cost you more than what you had

anticipated.

This is the right time to sign important doc-

uments. You will be in the spotlight, and

success is well within your reach. Don’t

lend or borrow money to avoid the compli-

cations unnecessarily.

January 29:

Ruled by number 2 and the Moon, you are

highly creative, practical, emotional, friendly,

simple and generous person. You enjoy enor-

mous respect at your workplace, but at the

same time you need to check your tendency to

behave introvert, selfish and jealous at times.

New jobs and assignments will be the highlight

of the coming year. Promotions and transfers

for some employees. Investment in property

will yield good returns in the long run. Fre-

quent and fruitful journeys will be undertaken

bringing monetary gains and help you build up

long lasting relationships. Relations with

someone of the opposite sex will strengthen

giving a refreshing and interesting twist to your

life. Some exciting news from children will lift

your spirits. Rise in your medical bills as health

of your parents could cause tension and anxi-

ety. The months of May, June, August and De-

cember seem to be highly eventful.

January 30:

Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter,

you are bold, ambitious, dignified, courageous

and intelligent. You are hard working and al-

ways appreciated for your commitment and ef-

forts, but you need to control your tendency to

behave erratic, stubborn and lazy at times.

This year will be highly beneficial for those

who are willing to take investment and busi-

ness risks. Speculation in property and stocks

will bring in handsome results. This year will

be highly significant for working and profes-

sional women, as they will prosper in their re-

spective fields. New romance will be exciting

but short-lived. Journey or pilgrimage will pro-

vide comfort and peace. Be extra careful of

your jewelry and expensive items. Chances of

overseas education for few students who are

looking for a better career. The months of Jan-

uary, March, June and August will be impor-

tant.

January 31:

Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus.

You are energetic, practical, enthusiastic, au-

thoritative and trustworthy. You are intelligent

and can do wonders with your ability to put in

your maximum, but you need to control your

tendencies to behave reckless, stubborn and im-

patient at times. Financially this promises to be

a highly lucrative year. New contract or part-

nership will take shape, lifting your moral and

confidence. Investment in stocks and real estate

recommended. Businessmen dealing in trading

and export will benefit. Students will find this

period highly exciting, adventurous and full of

good opportunities. Religious feeling will arise

making you go for a pilgrimage later in the

year. Nuptial knots for few lovebirds. Chronic

patients need to take preventive medication.

Drive carefully, especially during the night.

The months of February, June, July and August

seem to be important and significant.

February 01:

Ruled by number 1 and the planet Sun. You are

confident, intelligent, god fearing, authorita-

tive, and an artistic person. You are an excellent

host and love moving about in high society, but

you need to control your tendencies towards

extravagance and stubbornness at times.

You would make few new partnerships that

would raise your confidence. Although your

earnings for the moments will be more or less

same, but your future looks more promising.

There would be moments when gains would

easily exceed your expectations, but most of

the times you would have to put in your maxi-

mum efforts to achieve necessary results. Peo-

ple will continue their unabated support. Your

spouse would think about you as greatest emo-

tional support, and does things to keep you hap-

py and satisfied. The months of May, July, Au-

gust and December will prove highly signifi-

cant.

February 02:

Influenced by number 2 and the Moon. You are

highly imaginative, emotional, trustworthy, and

simple person. You possess sharp memory and

a very creative mind. You are loyal and a patri-

otic person and your parents take pride in you,

but you need to check your tendency to behave

fickle-minded, jealous and introvert at times.

This year positive changes in your personal sta-

tus are evident. You will get many opportuni-

ties to grow and prosper. New assignments and

promotion will bring you monetary gains.

Property disputes if any will settle amicably.

Although health seems fine but it will be wise

to take necessary precautions. Meditation and

yoga should be practiced for physical and spir-

itual gains. Children will be supportive and

bring in some happy news later in the year. The

months of January, March, May and August

will especially bring in prosperity.

February 03:

Governed by number 3 and the planet Jupiter,

you are energetic, honorable, ambitious, digni-

fied and an intelligent person. You are gifted

with excellent memory, ability to work hard

and determination to stay ahead of others, but

you loose many brilliant opportunities because

of your tendency to behave stubborn, moody

and shy at times.

This year you should not blame others for your

difficult position. You should remember that

only you can do wonders for yourself. So take

advantage of the opportunities that comes your

way and do the job to the best of your ability

and success will definitely be yours. New jobs

will improve your financial position. Acquisi-

tion of some real estate later in the year cannot

be ruled out. Health wise this year will not be

satisfying as minor ailments will keep on both-

ering you now and then. It will be necessary

that you do not avoid preventive medicines and

seek a doctor’s advice whenever necessary. The

months of March, April, August and September

will be significant and result oriented.

February 04:

Influenced by number 4 and the planet Uranus.

You are active, emotional, imaginative, simple

and a methodical person. You are very fond of

socializing and always like to associate with

large group of people. You are helpful and sin-

cere but you need to check your tendency to be-

have erratic and stubborn at times.

This year you will participate in many impor-

tant functions and religious ceremonies. Social

gatherings and activities will be beneficial in

establishing new and long lasting contacts. Op-

portunities for a new job and assignments will

be plenty but job satisfaction seems unlikely for

the moment. A sudden influence of a person

from the opposite sex will give a new and in-

teresting twist to your life. Some gains through

inheritance seem high on your cards. The

months of May, August, and September will

prove to be highly significant.

By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma Chandigarh, India: +91-172- 256 2832, 257 2874; Delhi, India: +91-11- 2644 9898,2648 9899; psharma@premastrologer.com; www.premastrologer.com

Stars Foretell: Jan. 29 -Feb. 4, 2011 Annual Predictions: For those born in this week

33

Once upon a time there was a

carpenter who worked out

of his home. Every day he

took joy in building some furniture

or tools to sell to others. He merrily

sang and hummed as he worked,

content with life.

One day, his rich neighbor grew

fed up with the noise the carpenter

made as he hammered the wood.

The neighbor had reached a point

in which he could not take the noise

anymore. The neighbor finally had

a plan to quiet the carpenter. He

took several hundred dollars from

his money and left it in an envelope

in the carpenter’s workshop. The

neighbor thought that if he gave the

carpenter money he would not have

to work and he would stop his

incessant hammering.

The carpenter entered his work-

shop and found the envelope lying

there. Instead of using it to take a

vacation or a break, the carpenter

thought, “Someone left me several

hundred dollars. What good for-

tune!

I will take some of the money and

invest in new tools so I can build

bigger and better furniture and

make more money.” Thus, the

money flamed the carpenter ’s

desire to earn more money. He

began working even harder, hoping

to increase the newly found hun-

dreds into thousands.

As he began to make more

money, he was still not content. He

decided he wanted to turn the thou-

sands into tens of thousands and

thus he worked still harder. The rich

neighbor was annoyed that his plan

had failed and instead of silencing

the carpenter, it merely increased

the noise because now the man

worked longer hours.

When the carpenter had earned

tens of thousands he wanted to

make a hundred thousand. He put

pressure upon himself to work day

and night and even on weekends.

Soon, he stopped his humming and

singing. He no longer took joy in

his work but felt strangled by the

pressure he had put upon himself.

On many nights, he was so

stressed out he could not even

sleep. The inner contentment and

peace he had when he was just a

poor carpenter were gone in the

pursuit of trying to make more and

more money.

Consider our own lives. Do we

find ourselves spending all of our

time working to make money so we

can retire? Do we work overtime to

make more money? Do we work all

weekend long to increase our prof-

its? Do we find that we cannot even

take a day or even several hours off

work without thinking about work?

If this is what is happening to us

are we becoming like the carpen-

ter? If we make all the money in the

world but cannot enjoy personal

peace and joy in our work, is it

worth it?

If we find that we are devoting

too much of our time to making

money and not enough to our fami-

ly, our hobbies, our spiritual pur-

suits and those things we love then

we need to analyze whether we are

making the right choices. It is good

to save for the future, but is it worth

using up our entire life in trying to

have more than what we need?

Who knows what the future will

bring? When we become old, will

we have the health to do what we

waited our whole life to do? If we

leave our spiritual pursuits until we

have reached our senior years, who

knows how much time we will have

left or whether we will be able to

devote time to spirituality at that

stage. If we ignore our family until

they are already grown and have

children of their own, we miss an

important part of their lives that can

never be recovered.

Let us consider how we spend our

time. If we have decided that cer-

tain goals are important then we

should try to find time for them

throughout our life and not put

them all on the back burner in the

pursuit of amassing more money

than we need. We should weigh our

time and make sure that we do not

lose our peace and contentment

over the stress of being engaged in

a mad pursuit for money and pos-

sessions.

Being conscious of how we spend

our time and our life is important. If

we listen to our soul, we will find

that inner peace and contentment

are more valuable than all the rich-

es in the world.

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj,an international spiritual leaderand Master of meditation, affirmsthe transcendent oneness at theheart of all religions, emphasizingprayer and meditation as buildingblocks for achievingpeace.www.jyotimeditation.org

By Sant Rajinder SinghJi Maharaj

In our daily life we face many difficulties,

hardships and disappointments. Things do

not always go our way. If we listen to the

discussions of others and review our own

words and thoughts, we find that many of

them deal with complaints about how life is

treating us. Life seems to be bitter at times

and in turn makes us bitter. Have we ever

thought about life from a different perspec-

tive? Think about how fortunate we really

are.

After all, we are human beings. How many

species of life are there that walk the earth?

There are mammals, reptiles, and insects.

There are creatures of the air and creatures of

the sea. Fortunately for us, we have been born

as human beings.

How many of us have ever thanked God for

the life we have been given? We complain to

God when things go wrong but what about

the hundreds of things that God has given us?

God has provided us enough food to keep us

alive this long. We have had protection from

the elements in the form of

clothes and some sort of shelter. Most of us

have families who love us. We have received

some kind of education and have some kind

of work.

If we take all that comes to us as a gift from

God then we can accept the good and the

tribulations equally under God’s will. In this

respect, there is a story about King Mahmud

of Ghazni. One day, while he was sitting with

his most devoted servant, Ayaz, he shared half

of his cucumber with him. When he had fin-

ished, the king then took a bite of his own

half.

“Yuk!” he cried, as he made a disgusted

face and spit out the cucumber.

“This is so bitter! How could you have

eaten your piece if it tasted like bitter poi-

son?”

Ayaz replied, “My dear king, I have

enjoyed so many favors and blessings from

you all these years.

Whatever you give me tastes sweet!”

Ayaz’s attitude demonstrates the frame of

mind of a true lover of God. Such a lover is so

much enamored of God and so grateful to

God, that he or she takes everything, good or

bitter, as a gift of the Beloved. Ayaz had

received so many blessings from the king that

he felt it was not his place to complain if one

of these gifts were bitter.

After all, if the king gave him so much

good, he must love him. If therefore, once in a

blue moon, he had handed him something bit-

ter, Ayaz knew he had no evil intention. He

accepted all the king gave him with love and

gratitude.

If we could accept the rainy days with the

same gratitude as we do the sunny days, we

would find our lives would be more full of

love, peace, and happiness. If we could

appreciate the weeds as well as the roses, we

would enrich our daily lives. If we could

appreciate our enemies as well as our

friends, we would not have to waste precious

breaths in complaints and bitterness. If we

could accept days when we are ill and under

the weather as well as those in which we are

well and healthy, we would reduce our stress

and worry and maybe even heal faster.

Life is precious. Do we want to live our

lives to their fullest? The pain and disap-

pointments will not go away by complaining

about them. We must pass through those

times. Let us try to do so in a state of calm

acceptance and conserve the energy that we

normally use for complaining. Instead we

can think of God in love and gratitude. We

will find that we pass through the times of

tribulations more easily.

Like Ayaz, let us take everything coming

from God as tasting sweet. Then, we will

sweeten our whole lives and the lives of those

around us.

For more visit www.sos.org

No end to desiresThis article has been selected and reprinted from Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj’s book, Spiritual Pearls for Enlightened

Living (Radiance Publishers), an inspirational collection of stories from the world’s great wisdom traditions.

By Sant Rajinder SinghJi Maharaj

If we find that we aredevoting too much ofour time to makingmoney and not enoughto our family, our hob-bies, our spiritual pur-suits and those thingswe love then we need toanalyze whether we aremaking the right choic-es. It is good to save forthe future, but is itworth using up ourentire life in trying tohave more than whatwe need?

Whatever you give me tastes sweetLife is precious. Do wewant to live our lives totheir fullest? The pain anddisappointments will notgo away by complainingabout them. We must passthrough those times. Letus try to do so in a state ofcalm acceptance and con-serve the energy that wenormally use for com-plaining. Instead we canthink of God in love andgratitude. We will findthat we pass through thetimes of tribulations moreeasily.

34