This blog is mainly to make my published articles and other opinions on contemporary and contentious issues - national and international - accessible to a wider readership in addition to readers of the papers/journals etc wherever they are published, for their reading pleasure, reactions and comments.
John F Williams, a resident of Palam Vihar/ Gurgaon made an assessment as regards Gurgaon along 42 broad parameters for the best livable cities - and came up with the following findings:
i) Quality and quantum of water supply: Least
ii) Supply of Power/Gas for domestic and other uses: N/A
iii) Roads and Traffic management, Parking facilities, signage quality: Negligible
iv) Cycle tracks for the residents: Nil
v) Car pool: Nil
vi) Building codes and zoning laws: Not implemented
vii) Quality and sufficiency of local affordable timely Transport, walkways and escalators etc: Hardly
viii) National and International accessibility: Negligible
ix) Sanitation: Very -negligible
x) How much the city can save the scarce rain water through water harvesting techniques and storm water drains: Hardly
xi) Efficiency of solid waste management and scientific land refill: Nil
xii) The quality, vision and efficiency of Planning and Execution systems: Very negligible
xiii) Degree of Pollution and scientific arrangements for controlling the same: Very negligible
xiv) Street lighting and use of solar batteries/power saving devices: Nil
xvi) Kind of commercial activities in residential colonies: No check -in plenty
xvii) Security of residents/senior citizens/ women and efficiency of Neighbourhood Watch: Hardly
xviii) Arrangements for fire fighting: Very-negligible
xix) Quality and sufficiency of infrastructure and ratio of infrastructure to population: Hardly
xx) Management of floating population: No check
xxi) Capacity of the local government to run and maintain the township/city efficiently: Inefficient
xxii) Arrangement for land use and mechanism for avoidance of encroachment: No control
xxiii) Education – that no child till the age of 12 years goes beyond two kilometres for primary education by providing high quality primary education through local governments: Only on paper.
xxiv) Provision and adequacy of crèches: Only on paper
xxv) No patient goes beyond two kilometres for initial medical problem/check up by providing high quality primary medical facilities through local governments and beyond two kilometres on the specific recommendations of the qualified and registered doctor: No
xxvi) How the local government looks after the handicapped, poor and senior citizens: Hardly
xxvii) Quality of community life and the positive role of local government to ensure harmony amongst the residents: Hardly
xxviii) Vigilant citizens and their involvement in the local government affairs: Nil
xxix) Scope for the students to earn and study for higher education: Negligible
xxx) Greenery and plantation: Poor
xxxi) Quality of food management in public places: Very un-hygienic
xxxii) Dustbins in public places: Nil
xxxiii) Provision and Cleanliness of toilets in public places: Very poor
xxxiv) E-waste management: Nil
xxxv) Management of Social issues relating to beggars, abuse of children, crime etc: No
xxxvi) Stray dogs/cattle management: No check
xxxvii) Old age homes and their management: Very negligible
xxxviii) Control of noise pollution: No
xxxix) Children play grounds and quality of facilities for sportsmen for all recognised sports in the world: Below standard
xl) Social ethics and community life and living conditions for weaker section of society: Nil
xli) Cultural and other entertainment facilities and their adequacy: Hardly
Lighthouse Catholic Media presents: Fallen Fiction - The Truth About Angels & Demons http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.com/lighthouse/angels_and_demons.php
The movie, Angels & Demons was released to 3,500 theaters around the country on May 15 and now has grossed over $356 million.
So what’s the problem?
While being hailed as a masterful work of cinema, Angels & Demons grossly mischaracterizes the Catholic Church. This movie assaults the faith of millions and may damage the faith of those who know little about Catholic teaching and the Church's influence on Western history.
Wrapped in an exciting story of mystery and intrigue, Angels & Demons clearly seems to have an anti-Catholic agenda, that of portraying the Church to be a murderous institution bent on eliminating those who would foster scientific progress.
Lighthouse Catholic Media has teamed up with Matthew Arnold to set the record straight in a FREE DOWNLOAD audio presentation, Fallen Fiction - The Truth About Angels & Demons, for you, no strings attached.
Fallen Fiction - The Truth About Angels & Demons is a fantastic resource containing questions and answers that dispel the misguided claims made in the movie’s story.
Please forward this email to your friends and family. Let's set the record straight. It's up to all of us.
Your Friends in Christ, Lighthouse Catholic Media (a Not-For-Profit Corporation)
....sent in by Ronnie D'Souza: Bangalore/ India: 19 June 2009
Father's Day this year 2009, falls on Sunday, June 21. A day when millions of dads across the world will break into a smile and bask in the happy remembrances ensured by their off-springs.
Psychologists credit fathers for their genuine smiles on this day, and say that even though dads get less attention on Father's Day than moms do on Mother's Day, dads are more likely to be satisfied on their special date.
Mainly a US phenomenon, it is claimed the history of Father's Day dates back to 1909, in Spokane, Washington; when Sonora Smart Dodd listening to a Mother's Day sermon at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church was inspired to have a special day dedicated to her father, William Jackson Smart, who had brought her up and her siblings, single-handedly, after their mother died.
She realized her father's contribution and greatness and wanted to let him know how deeply she was touched by his sacrifices, courage, selflessness and love. To pay a tribute to her great dad, Sonora held the first Father's Day celebration on 19th of June 1910, on the birthday of her father - and so became the first to solicit the idea of having an official Father's Day observance. Unlike Mother's Day, which was readily accepted, Father's Day was apparently received with mockery and hilarity. Though the day was gaining attention, it was mostly for the wrong reasons. Jokes, satire, parody and derision were all that the day was commemorated for.
In 1913, a bill in accordance with making the day official was introduced. The idea was approved by US President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Later, in 1924, the idea gained further momentum as it was supported by President Calvin Coolidge. In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. However, it was thirty years later that a Joint Resolution of Congress gave recognition to Father's Day.
Another 16 years passed (sixty-two years after it was originally proposed) before President Richard Nixon established the third Sunday of June, as a permanent national observance day of Father's Day in 1972.
Historians seeking an ancient precedent for an official Father’s Day observance have come up with only one: The Romans, every February, honored fathers - but only those deceased.
The day was primarily nationalized in the honor of all good fathers, who contribute as much to the family as a mother, in their own ways. Another theory states that even before Dodd came into the picture, Dr. Robert Webb of West Virginia is believed to have conducted the first Father's Day service in 1908 at the Central Church of Fairmont. However, it was the colossal efforts of Dodd, which made it possible for the day to acquire national recognition. The white and red rose was made the official flowers for Father's Day celebration. While the white rose commemorated gratitude for a father, who was deceased, a red rose expressed thankfulness to one, who was living.
So on this Father's Day, a short note to let all you Fathers there... know that you are fondly remembered on the special day dedicated to you. As a father you have given the best to your children inculcating true values in them. May you receive the very best from your children. The best gift one can have is to be loved and you are indeed loved not only by your children and family members but by all you come in contact with. You are gifted. I wish all you fathers the very best on this day and may you be blessed immensely. Have a wonderful Father's Day on June 21st.
Was on a debate last night on Times-Now (9.30pm) on dacoit Ganshyam @ Naan Kewat killed in encounter by UP Cops at Jamouli village in Chitrakoot.... It took three days for 400 cops to finally gun him down.... but not before four cops got killed and an IG and a DIG were injured in the encounter shootouts....
The TV channel true to its usual form (like in matters cricket) was shrill enough to wake the devil from his slumber - but its main thrust was the inadequacy and unpreparedness of the police to meet the criminal challenges that confront them every day. "What if it were a terrorist instead of dacoit Ganshyam that was holding us to ransom...?" yelled Arnab the righteous anchor at my co-panellist BP Shinghal (former DG Police of UP Cadre and later BJP MP and high profile minorities bashing politician... whom some might dub quite rabid any way!).
Surprisingly for Shinghal the First World War vintage .303s and the country .12 bore shotguns and close combat arms like pistols and revolvers were more effective weapons to fight dacoits, than the sophisticated AK-47/56 or other modern gadgetry. Even boasted having eliminated hundreds of dacoits with such - seven of them with his own pistol, he claimed! I wondered how the UP police used .12bores when such were not standard issue for the police; did it mean the UP police are comfortable using private non-issue weapons for their job? The man needs to wake up and not bask in the era when UP police were famous for harnessing gallantry awards for eliminating so called dacoits after pumping bullets into them when tied to a tree; at least that's what every big name dacoit that surrendered to Delhi police gave us to understand in the times when I joined service (1970) "for fear of being eliminated not captured by the UP police in a fake encounter"
In times of an encounter and situations that warrant an encounter, I would not differentiate a terrorist from a dacoit - both in so far as the police are concerned are outlaws who need to be touched by the long arm of the law. Antiquated and obsolete weapons need replacement, and the earlier the governments move in the matter the better. But then all this revolves round the much cried for and touted in recent times Police Reforms that are a far cry from reality.... In encounters, capture should be the rule, and killing only exceptional...
400 cops whatever.... my congratulations to Bikram Singh and his boys of the UP cops for the successful elimination of Ganshyam... sincere condolences to the families of the cops who lost their lives, and wishes for speedy recovery to those injured in the fray...
Comments responses came mainly on my Facebook page....
Veeresh Malik at 18:44 on 18 June . . . and lots of bullets as well as a few weapons go adrift?
Teji Brar at 19:15 on 18 June At least they didn't have to call in the NSG
Ayonam Ray at 23:23 on 18 June Was it due to lack of training or lack of requisite equipment - or was it the politicians interfering, lest the skeletons of their past tumble out of Kewat's mouth?
from Media Alerts sent by those concerned.... (http://www.aidindia.org)
On May 25th, the cyclone Aila hit the coasts of West Bengal. It left 300 people dead and millions displaced. There is an acute shortage of food and drinking water, and an outbreak of gastro-intestinal diseases like diarrhea and dysentery. Many people are living in temporary straw sheds on the road because they cannot get space for their cattle at the rescue centers. There is an urgent and immediate need for relief work.
However , it is unfortunate to see the media’s apathy towards the victims of the cyclone in the Sunderban area. In spite of millions losing all that they owned, their plight has largely been kept away from the public eye. This has caused a major tendency among the people to undermine the various fundraising efforts in various parts of the world. The media needs to understand their responsibility to play a constructive role in bringing to light the tremendous scope of a disaster. It also needs to censure the abject politics that is being played out by the various political organisations. This is to appeal to the media to realise this and sensitise people about the relief and rehabilitation efforts that are needed in the area.
We sincerely urge you to take this matter seriously – the media is a valuable tool with the power to make a considerable difference. Please contact us if you are interested in pursuing this story. You can visit the following site for more information on the ongoing disaster: http://www.aidindia.org
I post here three write-ups on the Inter-faith Dialogue between Hindu and Catholic leaders held in Mumbai on June 12 & 13
i) A report by Babu Thomas in the “The Christian Post” datelined Sunday, 14 June 2009: “Hindus and Catholics Inter-faith Dialogue in Mumbai Amidst Anti-Christian Violence”
ii) Journalist & Communications Professional Alwyn Fernandes’ article dated 15 June 2009: “Was it an inter-faith dialogue or a confrontation?” – sent to me on email by Ruth D’Souza:
iii) A Report by Radha Rajan on the same event from the June 28 Issue of the “Organizer”: sent to me on email from Paris by Rev Balthazar Castelino: the Superior Generale of the MEP (Mission Estrangers de Paris)
There are some critical issues raised in these write-up that need attention
(Also, the views expressed herein are solely those of the individual authors concernned - posted here only for purposes of generating debate and discussion with a view to arrive some level of understanding between the two communities for mutual respect and learning to live with one another in the community...)
i) From The Christian Post:
Hindus and Catholics Inter-faith Dialogue Held in Mumbai Amidst Anti-Christian Violence
By Babu Thomas, Christian Today Reporter, Sunday, Jun. 14 2009
Religious conversion and Orissa violence remained the central argument at an inter-faith dialogue between Hindu and Catholic leaders of India in Mumbai on 12-13 June as the leaders try to find common ground for a peaceful co-existence.
Among noted personalities from the Hindu faith were Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Jayendra Saraswati, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Mumbai Archbishop Cardinal Oswald Gracias, and Cardinal Jean Louis P Tauran, the Pope’s representative from the Vatican, represented the Catholics.
The two-day meet at Mumbai's Shanmukhananda Hall was organised in the wake of recent violence on Christians and the still-paralyzing consequences of the Kandhamal carnage.
The Hindu pontiff, Jayendra Saraswati, pointed 'conversion' as the chief reason for the growing violence on minorities. He sought an assurance from the Catholic Church to halt such activities, which the latter has refuted and blamed on Protestants.
"Although conversion is a personal choice, I want to endorse that there will be no forced conversions. It has no meaning, and is considered invalid. The Catholic Church is totally against forced conversions. The Vatican documents are clear about that," media quoted Cardinal Gracias saying.
At a press conference, religious leaders from both the sides condemned the violence on Christians and even agreed to jointly associate in social work and charity.
A press statement released by Sankaracharya urged churches and Christian groups to use charity funds for social causes like health and education. The Hindu seer apart from conversions also disapproved foreign funds used for running educational and charity projects.
Furthermore, he also objected to the visit of U.S Commission on Religious Freedom to India. "We will not allow external interference in our internal affairs," he commented.
A senior BJP member and adviser to Mr. LK Advani, Sudheendra Kulkarni, was also present at the meeting. Such events will "pave way for greater understanding," he said.
The Vatican representative Cardinal Tauran expressed much hope in the inter-faith meeting, which he said, will have a positive outcome.
"India is a cradle of many religions. I am also very impressed that Indians are open minded and tolerant with positive values," he praised.
ii) Journalist & Communications Professional Alwyn Fernandes’ article dated 15 June 2009: “Was it an inter-faith dialogue or a confrontation?” – sent to me on email by Ruth D’Souza:
Was the Bombay meeting between some Hindu leaders an inter-faith dialogue or a confrontation? And was Jayendra Saraswati, a man who is still facing a murder charge (pending in a Pondicherry court since 2005) the right man to dialogue with for such a meeting, given his controversial background (he has been accused of being a politician in religious garb)?
From all accounts in the Mumbai media and from the website of hte Kanchi Mutt it seems to have been more a confrontation (http://www.kanchiforum.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2535) than a dialogue! And we seem to have fallen into the same trap as Biishop Aloysius Paul of Mangalore who merrily told NDTV with a smile on his face on Day One of the attacks of Christian churches in Mangalore last September - "I don't know why they are attacking us when it is the Pentecostals who are converting people?" This later led to Home Minister Acharya saying, "Your bishop is complaining that the Pentecostals are troubling him also." So he was doing us a favour by beating them up! If some of our people got beaten up, it was a case of what the Americans call "collateral damage"!
From what one reads in the papers here, from Jayendra Saraswati's statements to the media and from what is on the Kanchi Mutt's website, it seems the Kanchi "seer" or "Pontiff" as he is variously called, was aggressive and did not give an inch.
One also wonders why a dialogue in the presence of so high ranking a Vatican dignitary like Cardinal Tauran was only with some representatives of the Hindu community when India has followers of six major religions and a Minister for Minority Affairs?
Why were lay people excluded from such an important meeting, if indeed it was important? Aren't lay people, who in fact interact more with their brothers and sisters from other communities, not involved in a dialogue with those of other faiths? How is that that one sees only names of bishops involved in the "dialogue"? Even scholar-priests have been excluded. And if the discussion focused on Kandhamal and Orissa, who were the reprsentatives from there? Why were they excluded? Why were priests like Cedric Prakash and others actively involved in working with people of other faiths in civil society groups for the human rights (of which religion is one) of people of all faiths not present at the meeting?
In the final analysis, what matters is the outcome from such meetings, not the output (which we are seeing in the media now). What is the outcome from this meeting?
From calls and mails I got today, it is apparent that people are asking questions. And in today's world it is only fair that their qustions be answered if we seek their help and understading to take the process forward. Even if our bishops decide to be secretive and not speak to people from the community, the Kanchi group has already laid out its terms for carrying the "dialogue" forward in December on its website.
Some questions that are being asked:
What was the preparation made for this meeting? What kind of preparations? Who were involved? Because for any real outcome from these meetings, there has to be a lot of preparatory work off stage. And outcome or results are slow and long in coming. Was there any preparatory work in this case or was everyone rushed into it because Cardinal Tauran, was coming? We didn't hear about any of thsi before? Why/why not?
Was the timing right? At a time when the entire edifice of aggressive Hindutva built up over 25 years (from the time of "Garv se kaho hum Hindu hain') is beginning to crack up and crumble before our eyes, when the man who mocked secular-minded people for many years as "pseudo-secularists" and got away with it is now being dubbed a pseudo by his own followers, was this a right meeting at the wrong time? Would it not have been wiser to wait a few weeks?
There is also an issue of propriety -- propriety in associating with a man accused of mudering a temple official in the temple premises. Jayendra Saraswati and his "junior pontiff" Vijayendra were both accused, along with 22 others, of murdering the temple manager who had spoken out against him and accused him of financial wrongdoing. Jayendra Saraswati has admitted his was greatly disturbed by the allegations, though he denied being involved in the murder. He was refused bail by the TN High Court and twice by the Supreme Court. He was granted bail only on the third appeal before the Supreme Court in January 2005 and the case is now pending in a Pondicherry court. He has not been acquitted of the murder charge. Why then are we associating with him publicly, a man who is desperately seeking acceptance by civil society? True, innocent until proven guilty but then so are so many MPs and politicians who are facing murder cases, some of whom have been elected to Parliament. If civil society says that these men should be shunned, shouldn't Jayendra Saraswati also be shunned till he is acquitted of all charges? Would the bishops share a platform with Narendra Modi tomorrow? He at least has not been formally charged in a court with a heinous crime like murder?
Let us also not forget that Jayalalitha brought forth anti-conversion legislation at Jayendra Saraswati's instance. They were pretty thick till the murder charge tumbled out. So it is not as if he is the victim of false charges by a hostile government. Quite the contrary.
As for the outcome, it is worthwhile to visit the Kanchi mutt's website:
"The Catholics denied that they are involved in conversion and it was only the Protestants who do the same. So His Holiness Jayendra Saraswati asked them to bring the Protestants for the next meeting, scheduled for December." - Did we, for lack of adequate preparation, end up falling into the same trap as the Biishop Aloysius Paul of Mangalore who told NDTV on Day One of the attacks of Christian churches in Mangalore - I don't know why they are attacking us when it is the Pentecostals who are converting people? This later led to the Karnataka Home Minister Acharya saying, "Your bishop is complaining that the Pentecostals are troubling him also." So he was doing us a favour by beating them up!
Did we fall into the same trap and really blame the Protestants?
I could be wrong, but judging from media reports and from what is on the Kanchi mutt's website, it seems we were on the defensive. I hope I am wrong!
Allwyn Fernandes
iii) A Report by Radha Rajan on the same event from the June 28 Issue of the “Organizer”: sent to me on email from Paris by Rev Balthazar Castelino: the Superior Generale of the MEP (Mission Estrengers de Paris)
Verbatim
This is what Kanchi Shankaracharya spoke at the inter-faith dialogue
By Radha Rajan
In 1999, Pope John Paul-II had stated that the mission of the Vatican was to plant the Cross in Asia in the third millennium to facilitate the Christianising of the world, which alone would cause the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Pope must tell us the rationale for the First Coming of Jesus Christ when there was no Christianity or the Church to undertake the mission to Christianise the world.
(We have it on excellent authority of Kanchi Shankaracharya that the inter-faith dialogue did not go as planned by the Vatican. We are told that no one except the religious leaders themselves and one or two persons to assist them in the dialogue were permitted in the hall. Pujya Periava spoke as is characteristic of him, in the softest tone possible, with the unfading smile never slipping from his face, in chaste Hindi. However, it is obvious from the statement, which he released to the press and media after the dialogue, that the soft tone and chaste Hindi surprised the gathering. It is a good thing for Hindus that this time we had a man who knows his dharma, and more importantly, understands evil, and who spoke for Hinduism. Following are the points that Pujya Periava made at the inter-faith dialogue.)
1.Exactly one month ago to the date, the Pope went to Jerusalem where Jesus was born, for a similar dialogue that the Vatican had undertaken with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. At the end of that meeting when the Pope and Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzer jointly addressed the press and media, the Chief Rabbi thanked the Pope for assuring the Chief Rabbinate that the Catholic Church would desist and cease from all missionary and conversion activities among the Jews. This is construed as endorsed and agreed by the Pope since he was present at the press meet. We need a similar commitment from the Church for Hindus.
2.After such inter-faith meetings, the points agreed have to be faithfully abided. Otherwise, there will be no point in holding such meetings. Unless the Church reassures Hindus that it will not conduct itself in a manner that wounds Hindu sensibilities and follows up on those assurances, such inter-faith meetings, no matter how frequently they are held, will be futile and not serve any meaningful cause.
3.In 1999, Pope John Paul-II had stated that the mission of the Vatican was to plant the Cross in Asia in the third millennium to facilitate the Christianising of the world, which alone would cause the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Pope must tell us the rationale for the First Coming of Jesus Christ when there was no Christianity or the Church to undertake the mission to Christianise the world.
4.We see the USCIRF (US Commission on International Religious Freedom) as an intrusive mechanism of a foreign government to interfere in the internal affairs of this country. The USCIRF, which has been permitted to visit this country to hold meetings with our people to ascertain religious freedom in our country, must no longer be permitted to enter this country on this intrusive mission. We will not allow external interference into our internal affairs.
5.We know that very large amounts of money come into this country for churches and Christian groups, ostensibly for charitable work. These funds should be used only for social causes like health, education, etc, and should not be used for religious conversion. During these dialogues, it should be agreed that the funds should be distributed to all organisations who do charitable work, irrespective of the organisations’ religious faith. A common pool should be created and a committee formed to distribute and monitor the usage of these funds.
6.It has become easy for the missionaries to convert Hindus. All Hindu organisations and associations should work together to educate Hindus and eradicate the conversion activity.
7.Hindu dharma is by nature diverse and so all different panths and sampradayas co-exist on this bhumi without seeking to destroy the others. Hindu dharma has nurtured and supported all faiths and religions because that is the way of dharma. We expect that religions which have come to this bhumi from other lands will respect this vital characteristic of Hindu dharma and not do anything to subvert or disturb the sense of nationhood of this country. Hindu dharma and the Hindu people welcome Christians and Muslims, Parsis and Jews to make this land their home. We expect from these religions that they will not seek to destroy our faith, our religion and wound our religious sensibilities. We encourage all religions to live with mutual respect and harmony in a shared sense of nationalism which should bind us all as one nation. Nationalism should come first.
8.We are aware of the propaganda that they [the church] will cure diseases and ailments if the individual converts to their faith. This is illegal as per the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act 1954 and we call upon the Indian government to take action under the provision of law.
9.Most of the countries in the world (USA, UK, Japan, Middle-East nations, Pakistan, Sri Lanka etc.), adopt national resolutions and statements of intent proclaimed by their governments and their tallest religious bodies, affirming their determination to protect and defend the culture and the religion from which their cultures derive. In India alone we pass resolutions which officially and legally promote an irreligious and unspiritual creed called secularism. Secularism is an administrative quality; it cannot be the soul of this nation. The soul of this nation is religious and spiritual. We call upon our government and other important religious bodies to recognise this truth and affirm their commitment to protect the soul of this nation.
10.The Buddhist Mahasangh and the joint committee of Buddhist organisations have declared their intention to get the Sri Lankan government to pilot and pass a national anti-conversion bill and make it law. We welcome this move and strongly endorse this measure.
11.The Church in India must stop forthwith the use of Hindu religious words, phrases and symbols like Veda, Agama, rishi, ashram, Om and other such in what is referred to as ‘inculturation’ tactics, but which are only intended to deceive the vulnerable sections of our people who are the intended targets for religious conversion. This is also insulting to and wounding the religious sensitivities of Hindus. Similarly, it has been brought to our notice that some churches are scripting a new Bible for the new converts by usurping sections of our sacred Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas and incorporating them into the Bible. This must stop immediately and all such Bibles must be withdrawn from circulation. We urge the Indian government to look into the issue and do the needful.
