Vote BSP Elephant for Change
Categories:

Archives:
Meta:
July 2009
M T W T F S S
« Jun    
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
07/03/09
VR1 MEDIA FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-28-FBD: World Bank approves US$ 197 million credit to India for agricultural development -Make Liberhan report public: Maya-ON ETHICS THE WAY OF HOME LIFE
Filed under: General
Posted by: @ 2:57 am
VR1
MEDIA
FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-28-

ON ETHICS
THE WAY OF HOME LIFE

A person should show respect for his or her relatives in five ways:
1) by giving charity,
2) by saying kind words,
3) by benefiting others,
4) by sharing things, and
5) by not taking advantage of others.

Relatives should show respect for one of their own in five ways:
1) by guiding the wild and unrestrained,
2) by protecting those who lose wealth because of their unrestrained ways,
3) by protecting the fearful,
4) by not admonishing each other in public, and
5) by praising each other.

FBD: World Bank approves US$ 197 million credit to India for agricultural development

July 1, 2009 –
The World Bank has approved a USD 197 million credit to India to
increase the agricultural productivity of degraded lands in northern
state of Uttar Pradesh.

“This will help improve food security for thousands of poor farming
households through increased productivity and cropping intensity,” the
multilateral lending agency said in a statement.

The Third Uttar Pradesh Sodic Lands Reclamation Project builds on the
achievements of the first two such projects in the state that helped
reclaim over 2,50,000 hectares of unproductive land, the bank said.

“More than 4,25,000 poor families have benefited so far, experiencing
three- to six-fold increase in crop yields. The new project is expected
to directly benefit over 3,25,000 farm families,” World Bank Country
Director for India Roberto Zagha said.



Mayawati and others
Make Liberhan report public: Maya

Chief Minister Mayawati has demanded that the Centre makes public the Liberhan Commission report without any delay.

She also blamed
Congress and BJP for the demolition of the “disputed site”. Mayawati
said this while addressing mediapersons on Tuesday.

The chief
minister said the Commission taking 17 years to complete its probe is
not in the interest of the people. “Janata ka viswas kam ho jata hai.
Sath hi dhan ki barbadi bhi hoti hai,” she said. Mayawati alleged that
Congress, which was in power at the Centre when Babri Masjid was
demolished, had advance information about the possibility of the
demolition.

She added that
secular forces had expected the Centre to dismiss the then BJP
government in Uttar Pradesh to save the disputed site. “But the
Congress government allowed the demolition to take place,” she added.


comments (0)
07/01/09
VR1 MEDIA FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-28-Mishra bats for CM’s memorials, points fingers at Teen Murti-I am a living goddess, says Mayawati-Aboriginal Inhabitants of Jambudvipa, that is, the Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs) icon statues to be projected as tourist spots: Maya-Mayawati blames BJP, Congress -Mayawati strikes back-Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Tuesday asked the central government to make public the Liberhan Commission report on the demolition of the Babri Masjid and punish the guilty.-A BUDDHIST APPROACH TO HAPPINESS THROUGH RENUNCIATION 1–City could be divided thus if there are no changes -Norms bent to favour some MLAs in delimiting wards? -Delimitation will alter voters’ list
Filed under: General
Posted by: @ 5:03 am
VR1
MEDIA

 FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-28

Mishra bats for CM’s memorials, points fingers at Teen Murti
Express News Service Posted: Jul 01, 2009 at 0153 hrs

Lucknow Reacting to the comments made by Congress over the use of
government money for the construction of memorials of Aboriginal Inhabitants of Jambudvipa, that is, the Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs) leaders by the BSP, party general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra said the
comments showed the “anti-SC/ST and castiest mindset” of the Congress.
Earlier, the Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram had described the
installation of the CM Maya’s statues as ‘shameful”.

According to a release issued by the party on Tuesday, Mishra asked
the Congress to declare a list of memorials, museum, parks and
samadhis constructed for the members of Nehru-Gandhi across the
country.

He also asked the Congress to reveal the expenditure undertaken on the
development of these memorials.

He said the Congress government has reserved 6000 acres of Rajghat for
Nehru-Gandhi family and Teen Murti Bhawan worth Rs 5000 crore for
Jawaharlal Nehru. “Is the country an estate of only the Nehru-Gandhi
family?” Mishra asked.

If earlier governments led by the Congress had developed memorials for
great leaders of SC/STs and OBCs, BSP would not have taken the
‘responsibility’ of their construction now.

The release added that the money spent on memorials of great leaders
was nominal against the amount spent for the development and welfare
of poor, farmers and other sections of society.

 Mayawati011 Send notice to Mayawati on statues: BJP tells poll panel

Namo
Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa!

I am a living goddess, says Mayawati

 Mayawati blames BJP, Congress

Atiq Khan

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday blamed the
Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies, as well as the Congress for the
Babri Masjid demolition. .

Referring to the mosque as a “disputed structure,” she said at a
press conference: “A Congress government was in power at the Centre
when the incident occurred. The Liberhan Commission’s report must have
mentioned the role of the Congress, along with that of the BJP, in the
incident.”

Ms. Mayawati accused the Congress government in 1992 of ignoring the
reports of intelligence agencies and other sources that warned that the
“disputed structure” would be demolished by communal forces.

Aboriginal Inhabitants of Jambudvipa, that is, the Great Prabuddha Bharath (SC/STs) icon statues to be projected as tourist spots: Maya
1 Jul 2009, 1930 hrs IST, PTI

LUCKNOW: Unfazed by the outcry over the alleged misuse of funds for
construction of statues and parks in Uttar Pradesh, chief minister
Mayawati on
Wednesday said the state government would project these places as
tourist spots.

“To create awareness among the people across the country regarding
these memorials, parks and statues developed in the memory of Dalit
icons, the state government has decided to launch a major publicity
campaign. The tourism department had already incorporated these places
in its map,” Mayawati told reporters here.

The chief minister said that to popularise these places, the state
government has decided that tickets will not be issued at the places
for the next six months.

“It has been decided that later on, income generated from the sale of
tickets would be utilised for the welfare of the people living in
slums and villages,” she said.

This comes in the backdrop of the Allahabad High Court asking the
state government to file by July 10 its reply on a PIL challenging
installation of statues of Dalit leaders.

The Supreme Court has already sought an explanation from the UP
government for allegedly spending crores of rupees from the state
exchequer on these memorials.

Rubbishing the opposition’s claim of misuse of public money, Mayawati
said that no unauthorised expenditure was done on construction of
these memorials.

Shiv Sena miffed at sea link naming

Siddhesh Inamdar

Mumbai: Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday
said his party would not accept the naming of the Bandra-Worli sea
link after Rajiv Gandhi.

Mayawati strikes back

In a bid to consolidate her SC/ST vote bank, Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister Mayawati has announced reservation for SC, ST contractors in government works with estimated expenditure up to Rs 5 lakh.

Accusing the Congress of keeping SC/ST leaders away from their
community, Mayawati said the party is giving top appointments to SC/ST
leaders to keep them away from the common man. She went a step further
to say that SC/ST leaders in the government work like bonded
labourers.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Tuesday asked
the central government to make public the Liberhan Commission report on
the demolition of the Babri Masjid and punish the guilty.

“The report should be made public as it would be in the interest of transparency,” Mayawati told reporters here.

She said those indicted by the probe panel should be punished severely.

“Now, the entire country will watch the action the central
government takes against those involved in the demolition. Now, it is
to be seen whether the central government would be able to muster the
courage needed to punish the guilty,” added Mayawati.

Justice (retd) M.S. Liberhan Tuesday presented to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh his report. The panel was set up in 1992 “in connection
with the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid incident”, according to a Prime
Minister’s Office (PMO) statement.

The commission was mandated to investigate the Dec 6, 1992,
demolition of the 16th century mosque that led to widespread communal
violence.

“The commission should not have taken such a long time in its
investigation as it results in the wastage of money,” Mayawati said.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo said her party “hopes that the
commission would have checked th role of the Congress and the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) in the demolition of Babri Masjid”.

 
Visit Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara on the Web Visit the Dhamma Group on the Web

  

A BUDDHIST APPROACH TO HAPPINESS THROUGH
RENUNCIATION
1


What
the world thinks makes the human mind happy and what the
Dhamma
thinks makes the mind happy are at odds with each other. The world (society)
thinks that material accumulation, working and being busy leads to happiness of
mind whereas the
Dhamma
defines the letting go and renunciation of material things and giving priority
to rest, meditation and
Dhamma
practice as the true path to happiness. Only the latter is correct and it is
because many do not realize this that they struggle and suffer through all their
lives never really finding the true happiness that they seek, even till the
moment of death. This how what the world believes truly brings happiness is at
odds with and is at the opposite end of the spectrum to what the
Dhamma believes truly brings
happiness.2

 
     

It is important to firstly understand what
truly gives happiness and do more of that while understanding what does not and
to do less of that. Money cannot and does not give one happiness. The idea of
the world that more money will give more happiness is a wrong idea. A certain
amount of money is required to pay bills, buy necessities such clothes, food,
transport, a house, etc and for emergencies. But after there is enough money for
those things, accumulation of extra wealth does not give rise to extra happiness
as it is wrongly believed in the world.

 
     

This
belief exists because money allows for the accumulation and consumption of
desirable material assets such as boats, sports cars, travel, large mansions,
expensive clothing, shoes and accessories, access to various entertainments,
etc. But what one will find is that all these things are empty and will not give
rise to any lasting happiness. After one struggles, works hard and has collected
enough money to purchase a material possession and then acquires it, one will
find that one gets sick of that material thing before too long. Then one will
have to struggle, strive and work hard again collecting enough money to get the
next best model of that possession thinking that is what will really give
happiness. Most humans of all nations, races and religions will go through this
cycle of searching for material happiness, struggling and collecting money,
acquiring the material possession, getting sick of it because it is empty and
then searching again for the next best material possession thinking that this will give happiness all their lives
till death (and also into the next life and so on and on in
samsara), never finding true happiness. So it
becomes clear that the concept of collecting more giving rise to more happiness
is just a dangerous illusion that will only give rise to suffering and strife,
but to not really to any lasting happiness.

 
     

Many
have forgotten how to listen to the mind and understand what it really wants in
relation to happiness, so incorrectly think that an endless pursuit of material
accumulation and pleasing of the
six
senses

(eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind) with various sense pleasures along with
fame, recognition, wealth, status, etc will lead the mind to happiness. This is
not the case at all. For a lay person a certain amount of accumulation is
necessary to lead a comfortable life, but any more accumulation beyond this
would be in vain and will not lead to any
more
happiness. The
Dhamma
teaches that what really makes the mind happy is not accumulation, but rather
letting go and renunciation (
nekkhamma),
the exact opposite of what the world blindly believes brings happiness. Of the
two opposing paths, the worldly path of accumulation and the
Dhamma path of renunciation, the latter is the
one that truly gives rise to lasting happiness within the mind.

 
     

It may not be possible for a lay person to
give up everything all at once. So what they can do is to find a balance between
accumulation and renunciation. One should not get fooled by the illusion that
more material possessions will lead to more happiness, to the point that one
gets a large mortgages and other such large debts that require an excessive
amount of working to pay off. One should live within one’s financial means and
adopt a simple material life, acquiring material possessions in moderation. What
this means is buying a house that one can afford, is within one’s means and can
be easily paid off. The same applies to other material possessions such as cars,
clothing, food, etc. There is also no lasting happiness to be gained from these
or the constant enjoyment related to parties, trips, always meeting friends and
relatives, etc. These are empty things (no lasting happiness) and should be done
in moderation without excess. If one leads such a simple life, then one will
find that one will not have to work as much and will have more free time to rest
and actually enjoy life. More importantly one will gain the time to do what
really makes the mind happy; renunciation, rest and
meditation.

 
     

What
renunciation means for a lay person is that for at least one day in a week3
(preferably more) they renounce all their duties and commitments and spend that
whole day practicing the
Dhamma.
What this equates to is going to the local temple if possible and if not at home
or at another location, taking higher precepts such as eight or ten
precepts
and them spending the whole day practicing and studying the
Dhamma.
Do not take the higher
precepts
and then waste the day talking with others. Let the whole day be a day of
complete verbal silence (unless one absolutely needs to speak, but not
otherwise) and physical seclusion from others and even one’s loved ones. It is
much better to understand the ‘inner
Dhamma
of the mind and body through constant mindfulness and meditation (e.g. through
anapanasati
- awareness of breath) than the ‘outer
Dhamma’ contained in the books/discourses;
4
so give preference to the former where possible. Dong this one will
realize that renunciation and not accumulation is the true path to happiness.
Then one will start giving more importance and preference to renunciation over
accumulation and become much happier as a result.

 
     

May
you realize the true path to happiness and gain the lasting happiness of
Nibbana in this very
life!

 
     

   
WHY YOU ARE SO
TIRED

 
     

Do you know why you get so
tired?

It’s because you work too
hard,

you are too
active,

it’s as simple as
that.

 
     

Give enough rest to your mind and
body,

don’t work too
hard,

or try to
work,

when you are already
tired.

 
     

But if you have to
work,

take it easy,

don’t push yourself too
hard,

give the mind and body enough
rest,

or you’ll find you
become,

very miserable
indeed!

City could be divided thus if there are no changes





Bangalore: The following are the list of the wards of the BBMP according to the draft delimitation:


Yelahanka (Ward No. 1),

Puttenahalli (2),

Attur (3),

Yelahanka
Satellite Town

(4),

Jakkur (5),

Dasarahalli (6),

Amruthalli (7),

Kodigehalli (8),

GKVK (9),

Dodda Bommasandra(10),

Kuvempunagar (11),

Shettihalli (12),

Kalyannagar (13),

Bagalakunte(14),

T. Dasarahalli (15),

Jalahalli (16),

J.P.Park (17),

RMV II Stage, (18),

Sanjayanagar (19),

Ganganagar (20),

Hebbal (21),

Kanakanagar (22),

Nagavara (23),

HBR Layout (24),

Horamavu (25),

Kalkere (26),

Banaswadi (27),

Ramaswamy Palya (28),

St. Thomas
Town
(29),

Venkateshpura (30),

Kadugondanahalli (31),

Kaval Byrasandra (32),

Manorayanapalya (33),

Gangenahalli (34),

Aramane Nagara (35),

Mathikere (36),

Yeshvanthpur (37),

HMT (38),

Nagasandra (39),

Dodda Bidarakallu (40),

Peenya Ind Area (41),

Goraguntepalya (42),

Nandini Layout (43),

Marappana Palya (44),

Subedarpalya (45),

Jayachamarajendra Nagara (46),

D.J. Halli (47),

Muneshwaranagara (48),

Lingarajapura (49),

Benniganahalli (50),

Vijnanapura (51),

Krishnarajapura (52),

Basavanapura (53),

Aiyyappa Nagar (54),

Devasandra (55),

A. Narayanapura (56),

C.V. Raman Nagar (57),

New Thippasandra (58),

Maruthisevanagar (59),

Sagaayapuram (60),

S.K.
Garden
(61),

Ramaswamypalya (62),

Jayamahal (63),

Rajmahal Guttahalli (64),

Malleswaram (65),

Subramanya- nagara (66),

Nagapura (67),

Mahalakshmipuram (68),

Laggere (69),

Doddanna Ind Estate (70),

Hegganahalli (71),

Herohalli (72),

Kottegepalya (73),

Shakthi Ganapathi Nagar, (74),

Shankar Math (75),

Gayathri Nagar (76),

Dattatreya
Temple
(77),

Pulakeshinagar (78),

Sarvajnanagar (79),

Hoyasala Nagar (80),

Mahadevapura (81),

Garudacharpalya (82),

Kadugodi (83),

Hagadur (84),

Kundalahalli (85),

Marathahalli (86),

HAL Airport (87),

Jeevan Bheemanagar (88),

Jogupalya (89),

Ulsoor (90),

Bharathi Nagar (91),

Shivajinagar (92),

Vasanthnagar (93),

Gandhinagar (94),

Subashnagar (95),

Okalipuram (96),

Dayananada Nagar (97),

Prakashnagar (98),

Rajajinagar (99),

Basaveshwarnagar (100),

Kamashipalya (101),

Vrushabha- vathinagar (102)

Pattegarpalya (103),

Govindarajanagar (104),

Agrahara Dasarahalli (105),

Rajajinagar
Ind Town

(106),

Shivanagara (107),

Sri Ramamandira (108),

Chikpet (109),

Sampangiram Nagar (110),

Shantala Nagara (111),

Domlur (112),

Murugeshpalya (113),

Agaram (114),

Vannarpet (115),

Neelasandra (116),

Richmond
Town
(117),

Sudhamanagar (118),

Kalasipalya (119),

Cottonpet (120),

Binnypet (121),

Kempapura Agrahara (122),

Vijayanagara (123),

Hosahalli (124),

Marenahalli (125),

GKW Layout (126),

Moodala Palya (127),

Chandra Layout (128),

Bangalore
University
(129),

Ullalu (130),

Nayandahalli (131),

Attiguppe (132),

Hampinagar (133),

Bapujinagar (134),

Padarayanapura (135),

Jagajeevanram Nagar (136),

Rayapuram (137),

Cheluvadipalya (138),

K.R. Market (139),

Chamarajpet (140),

Azad Nagar (141),

Kempe Gowda Nagar (142),

V.V. Puram (143),

Siddapura (144),

Hombe Gowda Nagar (145),

Lakkasandra (146),

Adugodi (147), Ejipura (148),

Varthur (149),

Belandur (150),

Koramangala (151),

Sudguntepalya (152),

Jayanagar (153),

Basavanagudi (154),

Gavipuram (155),

Srinagar
(156),

Gali
Anjaneya Temple

(157),

Deepanjalinagar (158),

Kengeri (159),

Rajarajeshwarainagar (160),

Hosakerehalli (161),

Girinagar (162),

Kathriguppe (163),

Ashoknagar (164),

Ganesh Mandir (165),

Karisandra (166),

Yediyur (167),

Pattabhiramnagar (168),

Byrasandra (169),

Jayanagar 9th Block, (170),

Gurappanapalya (171),

Madivala (172),

Jakkasandra (173),

HSR Layout (174),

Bommanahalli (175),

BTM Layout (176),

J.P. Nagar (177),

Sarakki (178),

Jayanagar 5th Block (179),

Banashankari (180),

K.S. Layout (181),

Padmanabhanagar (182),

Chikkalsandra (183),

Uttarahalli (184),

Yelachenahalli (185),

Jaraganahali (186),

Puttenahalli (187),

Bilekhalli (188),

Hongasandra (189),

Bandepalya (190),

Singasandra (191),

Begur (192),

Arakere (193),

Gottigere (194),

Kothanur (195),

Anjanapura (196),

Vasanthapura (197),

Hemmigepura (198).

Norms bent to favour some MLAs in delimiting wards?

Krishnaprasad

The
carving out of wards in the BBMP has not been consistent with
guidelines on population density

Bangalore: Extraneous considerations favouring influential
legislators in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party may have been a key
factor in deciding the number of wards in each Assembly segment in the
city, if the talk among common people, officials and Opposition
politicians is anything to go by. The guidelines on which the ward
delimitations were based were apparently flexed in a questionable
manner giving rise to these speculations.

The methodology used to redraw and increase the number of wards
appeared in the public realm after the details of the delimitation of
198 wards were uploaded for public scrutiny on the website www.bbmpwards.org

On comparison of ward details, it is clear there are a higher number
of wards in some “select” Assembly constituencies having lower
population while constituencies with a higher population have fewer
wards.

The reason for suspicion: the creation of more wards in smaller
constituencies with lower population may have been intended to allow
higher number of “ardent followers” of influential leaders of the
ruling BJP to contest elections to the BBMP.

The Government guideline states: “A ward has to be carved out for an
average population of 30,000 (plus or minus 20 per cent) in the core
area as per 2001 Census.” The localities that were under erstwhile
Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) limits are described as the core area
and those added newly to the city are classified as periphery areas
where the population needs to be at least 20,000 per ward as per the
guideline. This implies there should be more wards in constituencies
with a higher population.


Inconsistent figures

But this has not happened. For example, as many as nine wards have
been carved out of Govindarajnagar constituency, which has a total
population of 2.22 lakh as per the 2001 Census, whereas Rajajinagar
constituency with a population of over 2.25 lakh has got only seven
wards. V. Somanna, who represented Govindarajnagar constituency from
the Congress earlier, recently became Minister for Housing and Muzarai
in the Yeddyurappa Government after he quit the Congress and joined the
BJP.

Also, Basavanagudi constituency (represented by BJP’s first time MLA
Ravi Subramanya) has got only six wards even though its population is
only 10,000 less than that of Govindarajanagar. Pulakeshinagar
constituency (represented by B. Prasanna Kumar of the Congress), with
2.21 lakh population has only seven wards.

Hebbal constituency (represented by senior BJP leader and Minister
for Excise, Information and Technology Katta Subramanya Naidu) with a
population of 2.16 lakh has got eight wards, while neighbouring
Malleswaram constituency (represented by BJP’s first time MLA Ashwath
Narayan) has got only seven wards despite having a population of about
2.40 lakh. Sarvagnagar constituency (represented by Congress’s K.J.
George) has got only eight wards even though its population is at least
2.66 lakh.

As many as eight wards have been carved out in Padmanabhanagar
constituency (represented by Transport Minister R. Ashok) having a
total population of 2.28 lakh while only seven wards have been formed
in Chickpet constituency (represented by BJP’s D. Hemachandra Sagar)
having a higher population of 2.42 lakh.

However, sources said the proviso in the guideline allowing for
“plus or minus 20 per cent of the average 30,000 population” to form
each ward has helped in changing the number of wards in the various
constituencies depending on the influence and desire of each ruling
legislator.

Meanwhile, several individuals and political parties, including the
Congress, have submitted their objections to the “indiscriminate”
delimitation to the Deputy Commissioner of Bangalore Urban District.

Unscientific: ex-Mayors

Chitra V. Ramani


Former Mayors say delimitation exercise has been a wasteful one

‘Draft notification on delimitation is in violation of the guidelines’


Bangalore: Opinion on the delimitation of wards under the Bruhat
Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is not all positive, especially
among former mayors. They allege that the delimitation exercise has
been a wasteful one, as it has not been done scientifically.

J. Huchchappa, former Mayor, denounced the whole exercise as
gerrymandering by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party Government. “It has
been done very unscientifically. The BJP’s political motive of wresting
power, instead winning by fair methods, is evident. The Opposition
party strongholds in the city have been divided in such a way that they
cannot win.” He alleged that the delimitation process was an eyewash
and the Government had taken it up to postpone elections to the BBMP.
“There are several discrepancies. For instance, Assembly constituencies
with population less than the prescribed upper limit have been divided
into more wards, while those with higher population have been divided
into fewer wards. The boundaries of the wards have not been defined
properly,” he said.

The BBMP’s earlier ward strength of 147 was ideal, maintained M.
Ramachandrappa, another former Mayor. “The political motive behind this
entire process is clear. The elections to the civic authority could
have been held immediately had it not been for delimitation, which was
taken up to split the vote share. When other cities, that are as big as
Bangalore and have more-or-less the same population strength, have
around 150 wards, why did the State Government feel the need to go in
for delimitation?” he asked.

P.R. Ramesh, another former Mayor, alleged that the BJP-led State
Government had taken up the delimitation exercise after studying the
booth-wise results of the recently held Lok Sabha elections. He alleged
that the draft notification on delimitation of the wards was in
violation of the guidelines.

Delimitation will alter voters’ list

Krishnaprasad


There will be

30 p.c. increase

in polling booths

Change of polling booth may create confusion


Bangalore: The process of delimitation of wards will affect the
existing voters’ list as localities, which are at present included
under a particular polling booth, are being bifurcated into two
different wards.

This means the State Election Commission (SEC) and Election
Commission of India (ECI) will have to identity and create more polling
stations in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) area before
holding elections to the civic body.

Bifurcation or division of polling booths are necessary mainly in localities which will fall in the boundary of two wards.

Such a situation largely occurs in the newly added areas to the BBMP as the distance between localities are more in these areas.

According to officials, there will be a 30 per cent increase in
polling booths in Bangalore as a result of bifurcation of areas falling
under a particular polling booth. The voters’ lists in about 400 to 500
polling booths are set to get affected in this process.

Even though the creation of more polling booths may reduce number of
voters in certain polling booths in a given area, change of polling
booth is likely to create confusion among the voters. It may be
recalled that confusion prevailed in State Assembly elections last year
when constituencies were redrawn despite no changes in polling booths.

Bangalore Urban district Deputy Commissioner G.N. Nayak says that
there is no alternative but to split the existing polling booths as the
delimitation of wards is being done based on population blocks of the
2001 Census.

Mr. Nayak said new polling booths could be located nearer to the
voters’ place of residence. The Election Commissions will decide on
identification and establishment of new polling booths.

comments (0)
06/30/09
VR1 MEDIA FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-27-Teaching pre-school kids and young adults.-Congress keeping SC/STs away: Mayawati-
Filed under: General
Posted by: @ 10:34 am
VR1


MEDIA

FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-27

http://sarvajan.ambedkar.org

and

www.buddhismandbusiness.webs.com

wishes success of SAKYA FOUNDATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Following suggestions may be discussed in the General Assembly.

1) The foundation may think of starting pre-schooling such as  BUDDHI
JEEVIS to educate kids in Sila right from the day the child starts its
speech.

2) Train Buddhists to do business and trade to enable them to become rich to spread Dhamma in a more effective manner.

With Lots of metta

Jagatheesan Chandrasekharan

Teaching pre-school kids and young adults.

Tuesday, 30 June, 2009 7:45 AM
From:
Buddhism for pre-school kids, and for development of entrepreneurial skills in young adults. 
 
The two points mentioned by Mr Jagatheesan Chandrsekharan are very
important, more important than usually thought of. I recall the first
point with reference to an event I used to see on Dr Wu’s Friday prayer
meetings at his home in Miami, Florida. Dr Wu is a Professor at Florida
State University, a very keen Buddhist. Friday prayer meetings there
are usually  attended by several families including a large number of
children. Kneeling down before Buddha statue comes naturally to
children, and, surprisingly,  even to their pet, a large white dog.
Once after the meeting, in a mood to test the dog, I said “Namo
Buddha”, and the dog impulsively knelt down, and I captured the scene
with my digital camera.
 
As regards business and trade, I wish to emphasize it all the more
in our situations in India, where there is a common tendency to look
for a secure job in government or big corporations, and then feel safe
and sound. With the emergence of rural finance on easier terms, a young
adult can venture into some forms of retail stores, trade in
local agricultural or industrial produce, etc which would enable him to
develp entreprenurial talents, rather than make easy money in illegal
drug business. As and when he begins to make money and more money, he
should be able to develop his generosity as one of the pillars of
dhamma, and give donations to Buddhist charities.
 
From a Buddhist point of view, both the suggestuons made by Mr
Jagatheesan Chandrasekharan deserve special consideration at the
proposed Sakya Foundation General Assembly. 
 
With metta, 
 
Lakshman

Most Respected Lakshman Ji,

Thank you very much for your kind support. Philothrophists like your kind self
may kindly lead a team to fulfill the suggestions made.

There is another need.

We must have our own media in all the languages to propagate Dhamma and all
related news including trade and Business by Buddhists.

With lots of metta

Jagatheesan Chandrasekharan



Congress keeping SC/STs away: Mayawati
Mayawati has employed a new way
to tackle the Congress and opposition in a booklet distributed. She
said Congress is giving top appointments to SC/ST leaders because they
do not want these leaders to work closely with their people. She said
Meira Kumar has been made the speaker because the Congress wants to
keep her away from SC/STs and the common man. She goes a step further
to say that SC/ST leaders in the government work like bonded laborers
and even if they become the PM they can do very little for the
development of the SC/STs. To further add to her accusations she said
after the assembly elections in Maharashtra,
Sushil Kumar Shinde too, was removed from the CM’s post and made the
governor of Andhra. Just to keep him away from the voters. She said the
main aim of the Congress is to woo SC/STs and eat into BSP votes.

New Delhi, June 27(ANI):
Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday criticised Samajwadi
Party President bulldozer Mulayam Singh Yadav’s comments that he would bulldoze
all the memorials eructed by Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh.

“As
far as bulldozer Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statement that we will run a bulldozer on
the constructions, we are not in favour of this culture. Whatever
construction has been made, Congress Party does not believe in such
‘bulldozer culture’ if the constructions have been done by any elected
government,” said Digvijay Singh, All India Congress Committee General
Secretary in-charge for Uttar Pradesh.

“Congress is very clear
that it has nothing to do with the ongoing spat between SP and BSP in
UP on the issue. Digvijay Singh added.

Bharatiya
Janata Party leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that bulldozer Mulayam Singh Yadav way
is not the way to function in a democracy. 

Bulldozer Singhs Mulayam and his friend Kalyan have already lost the support of Muslims for Bulldozing Babri Masjid. Yet they want to continue with their their Bulldozing culture. This Bulldozer Singh had damaged the Ambedkar Memorial and now wanted to bulldoze Kanshi Ram and Ambedkar Memorials. If allowed to have his own way he might even bulldoze the recently installed Shivaji Statue, Teen Murthy Bhavan costing more than 10,000 Crores. And also the statues and memorials of Gandhis and Nehrus. By doing so he will loose the support of Sarvajan Samaj which will bulldoze his bulldozing mentality. He must know that the Aga Khan Foundation is rebuilding the Bamyan Buddha Staues at the cost of $100 million. In fact, Prabuddha Bharatha Maatha Mayawati, we hope will nevr hesitate to renew all the Buddhist places in Uttar Pradesh for Sarvajan Hithay and Saravajan Sukhay, which will attract tourists from all over the world and generate lot of job opportunities.The intolerant Bulldozer Singhs and other traditional haters of Aboriginal Inhabitants of Jambudvipa, that is, the Great Prabuddha bharath dont like the memorials built for their leaders, though they are only the 4th rate souls in the Caste systems in this country. Only such 4th rate souls mourn for people those who are alive, but not the Buddhists.



It is common knowledge that SC/STs, the Aboriginal Inhabitants of Jambudvipa, that is, the Great Prabuddha Bharath were
a oppressed lot (and still are), long being treated as a political base
by the Congress party. It was the emergence of Kanshi Ram, who resigned
from his Government service and setup the Bahujan Samaj Party for
giving the SC/STs a voice.

It was Kanshi Ram who started
the process of making the SC/STs believe that they could wield
political power, and as a part of taking this process forward Kanshi
Ram handed over the actual power wielding to Mayawati.
It has been Mayawati who has taken the party much further in its quest
to become a major political power in the country, starting with the
critical state of Uttar Pradesh.

Mayawati
had unveiled the 15 statues, which included that of BSP founder late
Kanshi Ram and her own, and parks at a hurriedly-organised function in
Lucknow on Thursday, nine days ahead of schedule.

She
has made this a mini-industry, along with the gratuitous naming of
parks, naming them primarily for Kanshi Ram and herself.  Naming objects after leaders is not new, given that the
Congress names almost all things after Nehru, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv
Gandhi
.



comments (0)
06/26/09
VR1 MEDIA-FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-26-Maya announces quota in contracts-Rebuilding of Buddha statue begins in Bamiyan -Steps to curb exorbitant school fees -Mayawati unveils memorials, statues before schedule- Delhi reels under power, water shortage-”Shahu Maharaj” Jayantichya Hardik Shubhechha!-SAKYA FOUNDATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON JULY 5, 2009 SUNDAY IN CHENNAI (at Buddha Vihar, Mahabodhi Society, Egmore) -A Conference of African Americans and SC/STs: Understanding, learning and working together
Filed under: General
Posted by: @ 8:48 pm
VR1

MEDIA

FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-26
Maya announces quota in contracts

Express news service Posted online: Friday , Jun 26, 2009 at 1107 hrs
Lucknow : With Dalit agenda high on her mind after the Lok Sabha
elections, Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday announced reservation
for SC, ST contractors in government works with estimated expenditure
up to Rs 5 lakh. The BSP Government has also decided that instead of
selecting new Ambedkar villages, it would choose from the 2,000-odd
existing villages for undertaking development works, like
electrification, sanitation, link roads and drinking water.
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, the Mayawati said 21
per cent tenders involving the Government works up to Rs 5 lakh would
be reserved for contractors from Scheduled Castes, and 2 per cent for
those from Scheduled Tribes. The quota would be applicable in all
departments, government undertakings, corporations, local bodies and
councils.

The Chief Minister, expressing her dissatisfaction over development
works being carried out in Ambedkar villages, said: “I noticed that it
is difficult to ensure maintenance of the development works undertaken
in these villages. The development works in these villages do not
match my vision.” The CM has therefore said that development works
would be undertaken on priority in the 2,000 existing Ambedkar
villages.

Steps to curb exorbitant school fees

Atiq Khan


U.P. high school students clearing five out of six subjects will be
declared passed



— Photo: Subir Roy




Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati at a press meet in
Lucknow on Thursday.

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday moved in to curb
the practice of private unaided schools recognised by the Central Board
of Secondary Education (CBSE), Indian Council of Secondary Education
(ICSE) and the Madhyamik Shiksha Board to charge exorbitant fees from
students.

Now a committee headed by the District Magistrate would be
constituted to finalise the fees structure in these schools. Chief
Minister Mayawati, who presided over Thursday’s Cabinet meeting where
the decision was approved, said the school managements have been given
the option of approaching the Divisional Commissioner if they were
unsatisfied with the fees structure. The minority institutions were
exempted from this arrangement.

The Cabinet also granted relief to students appearing in the High
School examination. Under the new system to be introduced in the
2010-11 academic year, students passing in five out of six subjects
would be declared passed. The division of the students would not be
mentioned in the mark-sheet. Instead, a grading and credit system would
be introduced.

The Cabinet also okayed the proposal to upgrade the civic facilities
in the Dalit “bastis” in 2000 Ambedkar villages in the 2009-10
financial year involving a cumulative expenditure of over Rs.1,000
crore. The decision marked another attempt by Ms. Mayawati to sell her
Dalit agenda after the reverses in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Announcing the decisions, the Chief Minister admitted at a press
conference here that the development schemes in the Ambedkar villages
were not to her liking. So some qualitative changes were needed.

Ms. Mayawati said in the first phase this year, “pucca” roads would
be laid in 2,000 Ambedkar villages and the beginning in this direction
would be made from Dalit bastis. About Rs.800 crore would be spent on
this scheme.

The Dalit localities in these villages would also benefit from Ambedkar community centres to be built at a cost of Rs.260 crore.

The Chief Minister said members of “sarv samaj” would be allowed to
hold social gatherings in community centres. For lighting up the Dalit
bastis in the Ambedkar villages, 16 solar sodium lamps would be
installed in the first phase. Localities of other sections of the
society would be taken up in the remaining phases.

Ms. Mayawati said 1,884 Ambedkar villages were identified in 2007-08
and 3,657 in 2009 for building “pucca” roads and other development
projects. She said during her past three stints as Chief Minister,
3,834 Ambedkar villages were identified for development in 1995-96.

Rebuilding of Buddha statue begins in Bamiyan

Buddha Statue in Bamiyan

Bill Podlich

Buddha Statue in Bamiyan

previous
| next

Foot of the Statue

Bill Podlich

Foot of the Statue

Detail on Buddah Statue Bamiyan Valley

The work for the reconstruction of one of the two giant Buddhas,
destroyed in Taliban regime, has begun in Afghanistan’s central Bamiyan
province, Director of Cultural Department of the province Najibullah
Ahrar said on Thursday.

“After about one year’s feasibility studies, the work for the
restructuring of smaller Buddha formally commenced with the support of
Agha Khan Foundation on Tuesday,” he told Xinhua.

Ahrar added that a German company was carrying out the reconstruction process.

Taliban fanatic militants had dynamited the world’s cultural
heritage, the 53-metre and 35-metre giant Buddhas, in March 2001.
Rebuilding both the statues requires $100 million.


— Xinhua

Mayawati  unveils memorials, statues before schedule

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Thursday night surprised many and
unveiled as many as 15 projects, including memorials and statues eight
days before the schedule.

“To malign my image, my opponents have launched a vicious campaign
against me. They accuse me of misusing public money for constructing
parks, museums, and memorials dedicated to SC/STs,” said Mayawati.

“It (the charge) is totally baseless. I am not misusing funds,” the Bahujan Samaja Party (BSP) chief said.

One of the statues unveiled is her own, and she clarified: “It’s
because of the wish of (BSP founder) late Kanshi Ram who had desired
that a statue of his political successor should be installed beside
his.”

Majority of the projects inaugurated are part of the multi-crore
Ambedkar Sthal in Gomti Nagar and the Kanshi Ram memorial in New Delhi.

Delhi reels under power, water shortage

New Delhi, June 25, Frequent and long power cuts and water shortage,
combined with the escalating mercury levels, left the capital’s
residents praying for respite Thursday while Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit warned of tough times ahead.

While the temperature rose to a merciless 42.2 degrees Celsius
Thursday, many parts of the city reeled in darkness thanks to long and
frequent power cuts.

Seeing the heat wave conditions, the Delhi government Thursday extended the summer vacations of schools by one week.

“A heat wave condition prevails in Delhi and we have decided to
extend the summer vacation for a week. We have issued orders to
government and private schools to now open on July 8,” Delhi
government’s Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely told reporters.

The decision will provide relief to nearly 2 million school-going children in the city.

According to a Delhi Transco Limited official, the city Thursday
faced a gap of 378 MW of power between availability and demand due to
prolonged heat wave and above normal day-time maximum temperature.

The maximum demand for power rose to 3,967 MW.

“Some of the power stations in the northern region have been having
electricity problems, thus leading to the power shortage here,” the
official said.

Rajesh Gulati, a hassled bridegroom, and his family sat huffing and
puffing without water and electricity on the wedding day in west Delhi
Thursday.

“Yesterday, there was no water and even today the situation is the
same. On top of that there is no power too. Who would feel like
celebrating, especially in this heat? My in-laws, worried about the
situation, have gifted me a generator!” Gulati said.

Agitated people protested in various parts of the capital and even vandalised public property.

Chief Minister Dikshit has called for an all-party meeting on power situation Monday and water shortage Tuesday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members for the second consecutive
day Thursday walked out of the state assembly, protesting water and
power shortage. The assembly budget session is being held at present.

“The situation is very grim and we are not able to meet demand. Nothing is hidden from you,” Dikshit told the assembly.

She, however, warned Delhiites of possible water and power shortage in coming days following delay in monsoon.

“We are asking people to conserve water and power. I am warning
everybody of tough days ahead if it doesn’t rain in coming days,”
Dikshit told reporters.

Revolutionary JaiBhim!
“Shahu Maharaj” Jayantichya Hardik Shubhechha!
Tribute to Indian Father(Founder) of Reservation (50% to Aboriginal Inhabitants of Jambudvipa, that is, the Great Prabuddha Bharath people in the Service & education).
He accepted Dr. Babasahab as a Leader of Untouchables.
 
And see today’s Govt. Reservation Policy.  They just
taking name of Shahu Maharaj, Babasahab , Phule etc. but practically
not doing anything.  And when such Bill was passing MLA of Dalit
Parties not raised voice against the same. 
Secondly our people feel happy to see that Govt.
given/provided Land  for “SMARAK” ( Statue of our great leaders ) which
then become a property of Govt. itself & we feel great towards
govt.  So think over it & be ready for making of an opinion that
“without substantial change in the system practically ” these govt. are
not ours.  Fight for & create option to the Substantial change.
We BSS has create an Educational Institution named as
“Buddhist Education Society” at pune with upto 100 members. Be a member
of it with open eyes & not just bcoz u r follower of Babasahab.  We
need open eyed leaders/followers & not blind followers/leaders.
JaiBhim! JaiBauddharashtra! !
 
Ready for “Substantial Change” not mere cahnge towards strengthening Ambedkarite Movement. Which affect our life & society.

Dear All,

Avoid accepting Rs. 1000/- note of series 2 AQ and 8 AC .    

 copy of this circular from RBI is also enclosed.    

Please cascade to A/c officers   too.

Regards
Adv.Kavita Nirmala Waman


Congratulating 10th-12th passed students



From:

No, Mr Prashant Gavai, I do not live in Pune. I live in New York.
 
I am sending today by Airmail a cheque for Rs1,000.00, with all my
best wishes to all the graduating children for a bright future.
 
Thanks again for all you do for our budding leaders of tomorrow.
Are you by any chance related to Mr R.S.Gavai, the Governor of my  home
State of Kerala?
 
With metta,
 
Lakshman
June 25, ‘09

On Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 8:23 AM, PrÅshåÑt <a1prashant@yahoo. com> wrote:


Dear Mr. Lakshman,

Jaibheem!

Thank you for your reply!

If you are located in Pune, I can send someone to collect it or I myself can come to you - so that we can even meet and talk.

Or if you are not from Pune, you could send me the cheque on my office address:

———— -
Prashant Gawai
Lead Engineer Product Development
Phone: +91.20.3056 6654
Cell: +91.9922464578
prashant.gawai@ symphonysv. com

Symphony Services,

Amar Apex, 5rd Floor,
Baner Road, Baner,
Pune - 411 045, India.
———— -

I am not sure if sending it via post/mail would be safe or not. If you are sure that shouldn’t be the problem.

I shall give the amount to event-manager after I get it and shall keep you posted on the event details.

However, if possible please try to make it for the event.

Thanks in advance!

SAKYA FOUNDATION GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

ON JULY 5, 2009 SUNDAY

 

IN CHENNAI

(at Buddha Vihar, Mahabodhi Society, Egmore)

 

AGENDA :

 

  1. Action Plan for three years 2009 - 2012 (i.e. Dhamma Workshops in all districts of Tamil Nadu).
  2. Sakya News Letter. 
  3. Responsibilities for new Committee.
  4. Approval of Budget.
  5. Fund Raising.
  6. Any other matters.

 

ALL ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

 

For details,

 

Please Call any of the SAKYA DHAMMA SEVAKAS (SDS) at:

 

+91 9324067233, +91…, +91 9380060090, +91…, +91 9751882421, +91 9382898018, + 91 9443699368, +91 9365886535, +91 9283302172, +91 971008941, +91 9871801943, +91 9443354638
 

May all beings be happy!

A Conference of African Americans and SC/STs: Understanding, learning and working together

Wednesday, 24 June, 2009 6:03 PM
From:


Dear brothers and sisters in the Sangha,



Jai Bhim!!




A conference of African Americans and Dalits: Understanding, learning


and working together is scheduled on July 3-4, 2009 at Nagaloka,


Nagpur.




The detailed schedule is given below:




For further details contact on 98234 60581




All are welcome to this conference. If you need a place to stay in


Nagpur, please write me back. It can be made available on cheaper


rates.




With much metta,


Mangesh




3rd July 2009




10.00: inauguration




10:30-11.30: Keynote addresses on : Black movement and SC/ST movement


in present day context




11: 30-11.45: Tea break




11.45-1.00: Group discussions cross groups




1.00-3.00: Lunch and rest




3.00-4.00: Learnings from each other: What we can learn from each


other? Presentations from both sides




4.00-4.30: Tea break




4.30-5.30: Discussions in groups




Evening: Cultural Program




4th July 2009




10.00-11.30: Identifying areas of working together




11.30-11.45: tea break




11.45-1.00: discussions




1.00-3.00: lunch and rest




3.00-4.00: A minimum program for future




Tea Break




And discussion on the basic proposal evolving out of the discussions




Participants from US: Tiffany Gardner, 6 interns of the One World Foundation






http://mangesh. dahiwale. googlepages. com/



“Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence.”




-Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar




“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities,


but in the expert’s there are few”




-Shunryu Suzuki in ‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s mind’




One’s self I sing, a simple separate person,


Yet utter the word Democratic, the word En-Masse.




Of physiology from top to toe I sing,


Not physiognomy alone nor brain alone is worthy for the Muse, I say


the Form complete is worthier far,


The Female equally with the Male I sing.




Of Life immense in passion, pulse, and power,


Cheerful, for freest action form’d under the laws divine,


The Modern Man I sing.




-Walt Whitman


comments (0)
06/24/09
VR1 MEDIA-FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-25-How Paaliyan / Palayan became Paariyan or Parayan????-50 villages in UP’s interior adopt Buddhism-CDs on Varun Gandhi hate speeches have his voice: official-Aggressive Appropriation: History of Buddhism in Kerala-The sad demise of Ven Dhammakirti-Congress, BJP ganged up to stop me from becoming PM: Mayawati-Police committed excesses in TN village: Inquiry Commission-Mayawati keen to speed up development projects-UP govt announces sops for SC/STs-BBMP Delimitation 2009-
Filed under: General
Posted by: @ 7:00 am

VR1

MEDIA

FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-25

How Paaliyan / Palayan became Paariyan or Parayan????

The original language of present day Parayas or Pallas was Pali. They
were also called as Paliyan. The word changes over a period of time and
the name Paliyan became Parayan. In Tamil literature we find
interchange use of L for R and R for L. This shows the linguistic root
of present day Parayas and Pallas of so called Tamil Nadu.




Pali is another name for Sakya Nirutiya. Sakya Nirutiya is called Pali,
because it protected the words of Buddha (Dhamma). Pali means
protection. The Sakyans were called Paliyans or Pallas because they
were the protectors.




In the ancient days, there was no word Baudh. Baudh is a corrupted word
for Buddha. The Buddha Gaya is now known as Baudh Gaya. Baudh is a
Sanskrit word. In the entire Pali literature we do not find the word
Baudh. Rather the followers of Buddhas were called Sakyas. All ancient
inscription you find the word SAKYA……




In one of his discourse Buddha says, “All people when they follow
Dhamma give up their other identities and become SAKYAS as the
different rivers give up their identities like Ganga and Yamuna and
join in the great Ocean”.




Sakya is the identity of original Buddhist. They were Buddhists much
before Siddharth Gotama was born. At the age of five Siddhartha went to
a Sakya Vihara and worshiped a Buddha. Before the great renunciation he
saw a Sakya (Buddhist) Monk. This proves the long history of Sakya
Samana and their Buddhist tradition.




Sakyans are not converted and certified neo Buddhists. They are
original and ancient Buddhists. Those who believe that they are
converted Buddhists may break the Sila and just worship Buddha for name
sake. But those who realize their ancient path follw Dhamma seriously
and develop gratitude to Buddha and other Sakyans who spread the
message of SAKYA MUNI.




May all the Sakyans realize their original history and tradition.




May they all follow the Dhamma, the UNIVERSAL TRUTH……




Metta


Sakya


Dear Friends
Namo Buddhay and Jai Bhim!
Another great news, about 50 villages in Kannauj in
Uttar Pradesh have adopted Buddhism. Please read the news pasted below
and attached with this mail. You are also requested to circulate this
news in your circle/network. Please give it a wide publicity.
 
With Regards & In Solidarity
Umakant, Ph.D
New Delhi
 
 
50 villages in UP’s interior adopt Buddhism

AGE CORRESPONDENT
 
LUCKNOW
 
June 16: A silent revolution is taking place in the backwaters of Uttar Pradesh. There is no media fanfare, no publicity and no hullabaloo either but the difference is palpable.
 
Nearly 50 villages in Kannauj district in the state
have adopted Buddhism in a big way. The people, who have embraced
Buddhism without much ado, are now making a difference to the lives of
others.
 
Caste and class aberrations are being erased,
people have given up non-vegetarian food and liquor and extravaganza in
functions like weddings and funerals are being cast away.
 
“The sun rises in these villages to the soothing
strains of Buddham Sharnam Gachchami — a prayer that is collectively
recited every day by the people in each of these 50 villages.
 
“Visheshwar Singh, a local resident, had embraced
Buddhism about a decade ago and he started inspiring others to follow
suit. Gradually, more and more people — particularly those belonging to
dalit communities — started entering into the Buddhist fold and, today,
nearly 50 villages in the district have a dominant Buddhist
population,” says Ram Rathi, a dalit who joined the Buddhist fold two
years ago.
 
“We are trying to adopt a more sincere and sober
way of life and rise above man-made divisions. I am a dalit but my
daughter was married into a Yadav family, two months ago. Both the
families have taken to Buddhism and it was this that made this
possible,” he informs. Some of the villages where Buddhism is slowly
becoming a way of life include, Madhonagar, Sarai Gopal, Nagla Bari,
Deenpur, Atiya, Barapur, Hayatnagar, Salempur, Gursahayganj, Saraiyya,
Majhpurwa, Talgram and Atrauli.
 
According to Rakesh Gautam, another dalit, the
social atmosphere in these villages has improved and the crime rate has
gone down as Buddhism has grown.
 
“With more and more people giving up liquor,
domestic and social violence has recorded a decline. Buddhism
emphasises non-violence and this has led to a downfall in the crime
rate. Majority of the people who have entered the Buddhist fold say
that they are more at peace with themselves and their families,” he
explains.
 

Saroj, a young housewife, says that ever since her
family embraced Buddhism and her husband, a daily wage worker, stopped
taking liquor, life has been much more congenial. “My husband no longer
beats me and we are happier,” she says gleefully.

Dear Dr Umakant,

 
Your report on Buddhism in Kannauj District is very encouraging.
 
It would be great news if and when any liquor shop in any of these
fifty villages closes down due to lack of business in the wake of
Buddhist influence. If more and more intercaste marriage takes place,
that also would be great news. I hope such news would be forthcoming.
 
I wish you are able to persuade some free lance journalist to
visit these fifty villages with his digital camera and make an
inspiring story of Kannauj district in U.P. going the Buddhist way.
 
With metta,
 
Lakshman
June 18, ‘09 

Email: pplakshman08@ gmail.com

Tel: 917-664-6566


Umakant <uk4in@yahoo. co.in> wrote:

[Attachment(s) from Umakant included below]



Addressing a meeting of parliament members and legislators of her
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) here Saturday, Mayawati reportedly called the
Father of the Nation a
“natakbaaz” (fake).

She also distributed pamphlets condemning both Mahatma Gandhi and
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for being allegedly insincere
about the improvement in the SC/STs’ socio-economic status.

The UP Chief Minister was also not way behind with announcing ‘Sharam

karo diwas’ on the same day to counter the Congress’ efforts to woo


the SC/STs. Ms Mayawati had even gone to the extent of accusing 

Mahatma Gandhi of doing ‘natak’ for the SC/STs.

Congress general secretary and in-charge of the programme on the

birthday of Mr Rahul Gandhi, Rajveer Singh, said on the day all


Congress workers would take an oath to wipe out the Bahujan Samaj,

which they are already doing for the last 61 years instead of wiping out their tears.
This Drama was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi which is now handed over to Rahul Gandhi.
By next election it is the congress which is going to be wiped out while attempting to wipe out the Bahujan Samaj.

CDs on Varun Gandhi hate speeches have his voice: official

LUCKNOW - The Chandigarh-based Forensic Science Laboratory has
confirmed that the three CDs with recordings from Varun Gandhi’s
alleged hate speeches are in his voice, an Uttar Pradesh police
official has said.

However, criminal charges against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s
Pilibhit MP are yet to be substantiated because he had reportedly
refused to give his voice sample to investigating authorities in
Pilibhit, a top state police official told IANS.

“We have received the report of the CFSL and it confirms that it is
Varun’s voice. We have approached the home department of the state to
file a chargesheet,” Superintendent of Police Pilibhit Prakash D. told
IANS.

Three criminal cases are registered against Varun Gandhi for the
hate speeches he delivered during his election campaign in Pilibhit
parliamentary constituency in March in the run-up to the Lok Sabha
elections.

Confirming that the FSL had submitted its report, another official
told IANS here: “We had sent three recordings of Varun Gandhi’s
speeches to the Chandigarh-based Forensic Science Laboratory. It is
only a matter of formality to match his voice sample with that in the
recordings.”

“There were video recordings of the speeches too,” he said, claiming
that Varun Gandhi had refused to give his voice sample everytime he was
approached by an investigating officer.

The official refuted media reports that the CDs had also been sent
to a forensic laboratory in Hyderabad. “We had sent the voice
recordings for test only to Chandigarh. I do not know how some TV
channels have been talking about the involvement of the Hyderabad
forensic lab,” he wondered.

According to the Pilibhit police, three criminal cases were
registered against Varun. While the first one, relating to the
anti-Muslim speech he delivered at a public rally in Barkhera village
of Pilibhit district on March 8, was registered on March 17, the second
case was registered over the same incident at the behest of the
Election Commission which took serious cognisance of that speech.

Another reported hate speech delivered by Varun Gandhi at Desh Nagar
locality of Pilibhit town on March 7 was registered on March 19. Three
evidence exhibits sent to the forensic lab for analysis included a
compact disk, a mini video cassette that was recorded at Barkhera and a
microchip, which contained a voice recording from Desh Nagar.

Besides the FSL report, the state police also have an array of
evidence, like affidavits and recorded statements of 20 people. A total
of six FIRs have been filed in Pilibhit against Varun Gandhi, who is
currently out on bail.

SC/ST folk fusion music

Found this interesting article from this artist from Keralam, who is

doing a series of writing on his music in this site.


The song in the site is a remix of an old SC/ST folk song.

http://thefishpond. in/2009/06/ jukebox-diaries- 1/

Aggressive Appropriation: History of Buddhism in Kerala

Yasser Arafath,UoH, Department of History

 

            References
of Buddhism in south India have been plenty and convincing to the
students of history. South India emerged as a land of Buddhist shrines
and saints and could almost rival the sanctity the holy land of
Buddhism in North India . Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Husuan –Tsang
mentions the flourishing Buddhist centers in south India in seventh
century. Apart from Andhra Pradesh, both Tamil Nadu and Kerala had very
strong presence of Buddhism in the initial stages of its beginning.
[1] Places like Kanchipuram, Nagapattanam, Kodungallore, Alappuzha and many in south India still do   bear
the testimony of the flourishing Buddhism for many centuries. Even
though the architectural and artistic relics of Buddhism vanished from
most of the places in South India gradually, the plentiful references
in the literature give us ample scope for the study.

            Buddhism had developed the trend of south ward movement since the time of Asoka. The references to the Keralaputra in his Major Rock Edict 2nd shows that spread of Buddhist teaching was a quiet and strong possibility from the time of Asoka himself.[2]  During
the course of time Buddhists spread across the state and the facts are
substantiated by the discoveries of large number of Buddhist sacred
objects from the coastal districts of Alappuzha, Kollam and Lakshadweep
. These objects included Budddha idols and statues which shows the
influence of the Mahayana sects in these areas. From Kavaratti (
Lakshadweep ) reported a large statue of the Buddha. Karumadikkuttan at
Ambalapuzha convinces us that a strong practicing Buddhist communities
who had the support of royalty and rich classes. Historians argue that
Kuramba Bhagawathy temple at Kodungallur was a Jainist or most probably
a Buddhist shrine or Vihara till at least 12th century.
[3]

            First
references to Kerala in written history can be seen in the book of
Megasthenese, the Greek ambassador in the court of Mauryas. Asoka who
succeeded Bindusara, also refers Kerala (Kerala putra) in his
Major Rock Edicts. These edicts give ample evidences about the relation
of Kerala with the Mauryan Empire directly or indirectly. This relation
was strengthened by the continuous inflow of the buddhist monks in to
Kerala and they practiced and propagated Buddhism almost all part of
the region. Many munimadas or “monk’s caves” discovered in
different parts of Malabar show us the settled and practicing Buddhist
monks across the coast of Kerala . Irattamada or “Double caves”
have been reported from Katakambal, (Trissur), Chatanparampu ( Calicut
) with precious stones in it. Prof.L.A. Krishnan Nair analyses it as
the places of Buddhist Nirvana.
[4]  

            Many
ancient and medieval temples in Kerala especially in Malabar region
show the physical presence of Buddhism all over the region. The Vadakkunnatha
temple of Thrissur bears the testimonial to this fact. The
architectural style and some existing ritual elements show that it
actually belonged to the medieval Buddhism. Shiva Temple at Madavurpara
at Kazhakkoottam near Thiruvananthapuram and Karimadikkuttan show amble
evidences of the practicing Buddhist communities in the region.
Karumadikuttan is a statue of the Budhha in a sitting position engraved
on a black granite stone.  Kollam
on the western cost of Kerala is considered to be the citadel of
medieval Buddhism. It had a long flourished history of Buddhism under
the glorious patronage of Cheras.
[5]                          Wide
spread presence of the circular temples in Kerala is considered to be
one of the significant evidences shows the large practicing Monks and Upasakas in the urban centers in the region. Jadunath
Sarkar traces the Buddhist origin of the circular pattern of the
temples. He substantiates this fact by showing that the Southern Kerala
where Buddhism was a strong force shows comparatively large number of
circular temples. Some scholars have a different view point which regards the circular temples with a garbhagriha surrounded by one or two rows of columns bear some similarity to the circular
Buddhist temples of Sri Lanka , known as Vatadaga
[6]. This tradition goes to the strong presence of Ezhavas (lower caste Hindu) who considered to be originally from Sri
Lanka and might have popularized this type of architecture which in course of time got mingled with the Brahminical tradition.

            Buddhist
sites in north India and Kerala have some striking similarities. Almost
most of the areas are either trading centers by themselves or situating
near by once flourished urban centers. It is true that all the
religions in the world emerged in the urban centers with a cosmopolitan
population and it is very evident in the case of Buddhism. Buddhist
centers in south India such as Amaravati, Jaggeyeppeta, Nagapattinam,
Kancheepuram, Kodunagallore and Trissur and so on had long history of
trade and commerce. It can be said that buddhism flourished mainly in
the regions where lot of mobility occurred due to heavy exchanges of
people and goods. It flourished in capital cities, main urban centers
of kingdoms/republics, among occupation groups and on trade routes.
Buddhism in Kerala also emerged along with the unmistakable growth of
urban bases in the region.
[7]  Local kings and queens, ministers, craftsmen of various professions, merchants and guilds contributed immensely[8]
in Kerala too like elsewhere in India . Buddhism was associated with
booming commercial activities and trade relations on the coastal areas
of Kerala.

            Buddhist
sermon of equality and social justice enticed lower caste population in
to the folder of its philosophy. It was when an aggressive caste
hierarchy was norm in many part of Kerala and untouchably and
un-seebility observed.
[9] Buddha’s rejection of sacrificial religion of Brahmin varna
, advocacy against the social injustice and prohibitory religious
sanctions were very appealing. People in Kerala were happy with
rejection of divine origin of the social hierarchy. It was coupled with
military and mercantile activities which called for strong rational
thinking and behavior associated more with the Buddhist philosophy.
[10]          

            Buddhism as a social code for conduct and life had a very strong stake in molding the socio-cultural space of Kerala.[11]
Buddhism emerged as a significant social mobilizer and questioned the
existing social hierarchies based on religious dogmas. First two
centuries of AD witnessed flourishing episode of the Buddhism in whole
south India which had gradually percolated in to the interior part of
Kerala and many these areas  still have the remnants of the Buddhist vihara/chaityas. Places where Buddhism set the foot strongly are called as pallis. The traditional schools or pallikkodams were actually the contribution of Buddhism and teachers were generally called as asan, a word derived from pali. This pallis
became the hub of activities denouncing sacrificial Vedic religion of
the time. This was a time when a total transformation taking place in
the socio-economic sphere: complete transformation from pastoral
economy in to an agrarian economy. Peasentisation of the economy had
caused the emergence of many communities who could have had upward
social mobility with the new code of conduct. As in the case of Magadha
, Buddhism in Kerala also flourished among the new social forces.

            Many
recorded history state the way Buddhism enjoyed the popular and royal
patronage in the cultural geography of Kerala. Paliyam copper plate of
the Aye king Varaguna (885-925AD) shows that Buddhists followers in the
Malabar enjoyed royal patronage till late 10th century. But later onwards this patronage has been disappeared and  so
was the presence of the buddhism as in the case of Buddhism in eastern
India . Patronage to Vaishanavism by the Vaisnavite Kulashekara dynasty
facilitated a faster destruction process. Lower caste Hindus like the Ezhavas
(from Ezham, Tamil term for Sri Lanka), got absorbed as a result of
aggressive assimilation process taking place at that time to the
mainstream Hindu fold.

            The
disappearance of the Buddhism as cultural force from the map of Kerala
culminated with the establishment of the caste/communities
solidification in the region. Assertion of the different castes like Nambuthiris (Brahmin) and Nairs
(upper Sudra) in the socio-political hierarchy and their close
association with the local power centers after the collapse of
Kulashekhara empire in 12th century AD was a major set back
to the practicing Buddhist believers. Fragmentation of the political
authority had led to the total loss of royal patronage for
Buddhist/Jainist sects. Adversary attitude of the afore mentioned
communities facilitated the revival of the varna based social system with a stronger
vigor. This forced them to have a revived Hinduism which was undergoing
all time low everywhere in India at the time. Sri Sankara. Who was born
in Kerala in 8th century contributed strongest ideological
background for this trend. His teaching facilitated to have a new
vitality in the revivalist Hinduism. It was reinforced with the
resurgence in the form of vaishnavism and shivism later
on. In later centuries Buddhism sometimes tolerated by local courts but
seldom supported by royal patronage gradually lost their hold on masses
and finally became extinct.
[12]

             The disappearance of the Buddhism had a faster phase after the emergence of Bhakti
movement which attracted the down trodden in the hierarchical society.
Already lost its royal patronage, buddhism could not withstand the
ideological and physical assault from the powerful Nambuthiri-Samantha Kshatriya-Nair
social dominance. This shift in the religious functioning disseminated
the seed of weakness in the cultural presence of buddhism which by then
lost all kind of patronage. Dominant social forces later on executed
violent methods to drive away the remaining cultural space of heterodox
sects. By persuasion and appropriation, strong rooted values and
symbols of Buddhism could not be wiped out hence they used the real
physical force with the help of lower caste groups. Buddhist upasakas
and monks, scattered in many urban areas could not defend them
physically as they never accustomed to that form of self defense.          

            The
element of violent persecution of the Buddhist in Kerala can be
corroborated by reconstructing some of the rituals in the existing
temples.  Best example can be taken from the violent and abusive ritual at Kodungallor temple known as bharani where devotees sing and dance in an extremely abusive condition. The very image of the badrakali, local Sakti form, has eight arms in one of which she holds the head of  the defeated demon darukan.
Cocks are preferred as the sacrificial animal in order to appease the
goddess. Until 1954 thousands of cocks lost their head for the blood
thirsty incarnation of Sakti. Interestingly all the caste and
communities; lower and upper, have ritual roles to play in this
festival unlike in other temples in Kerala.
[13]

             This particular festival atmosphere becomes a stinking cultural cacophony where no was spared from the abuse and verbal front.[14]
This festival is considered to be extremely violent and sexist and
invited the wrath of many political and social organizations. In all
probability this festival commemorates with sadistic pleasure the
violent inquisition and persecution done on buddhist laymen and monks
in the declining stage of their religion. Abusive languages and violent
action of cock sacrifices was meant to chase away the nuns in the
shrine at Kodungallor. Dominant caste forces used the low caste people
who were at their service most of the time as slaves to chase away the
‘polluting’ heterogeneous and heterodox monks and nuns from the
premises of the Kodungallore temple.
[15]
They had in all possibility used extreme use of violence which can be
reconstructed from the very name “Kodungallore” which can be divided as
kodum-kola-cheytha- uru which means a “place of brutal homicide”.

            Kodungallore
represents one of the many violent persecutions Buddhist faced in
entire south India in early medieval times. The history of persecution
of Buddhists ofcourse has had very long history. History shows us many
organized persecutions of Buddhists under Pushyamitra Shunga who
destroyed Maurya dynasty and later carried out by the iconoclast
Mihirakula, who was a devout worshiper of Shiva.
[16] Depictions of the brutal assault on the Jainists can be seen on the Suparna Pushkarani mandapa of Madurai Minakshi temple.[17]
In general, in Kerala too, over a period of time all institutions
related with buddhism had been forcefully appropriated by the resurgent
Hinduism. Acquired new strength in the socio-politico life of Kerala by
dominant castes facilitated the total destruction of a great
civilizational process in the region.                              





[1] Jan Fontein, “A Buddhist Altar Piece from South India”,  Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, Vol,78, 1980

[2] D.N. Jha, Ancient India : In Historical Outline, Manohar, New Delhi , 2001

[3] V.T.Induhudan, The Secret Chamber, The Cochin Dewaswom Board, Trichur, 1969,

[4]L.A. Krishnan Nair ,Kerala and Her people, p.23

[5]
Jayaprakash, paper on “Our Buddhist History and Tradition'’ at a
history seminar organized by Sri Buddha Central School , Quillion, 13th
may,2006

[6] Shivaji Panikkar, “Temple Tradition in Kerala”, in Essays on The Cultural Formation of Kerala, P.J.Cherian (ed),  KCHR, Trivandram,

[7] Chakrabarthi, The Archaeology of  Ancient Indian Cities , OUP, Delhi , 1994

[8] Dilip K Chakrabarthi, “Buddhist Sites Across South Asia , As Influenced by Political and Economic Factors”, World Archaeology, Vol.27, No, 2, Buddhist Archaeology, Oct, 1995

[9] Sreedhara Menon, , Social and Cultural History of  Kerala, Sterling Publishers, Trivandrum ,1979

[10] Francois Houtart, “Buddhism and Politics in South East Asia ”: Part-1, Social Scientist, Vol. 5, No.3, Oct, 1976

[11] M.G.S.Narayanan, Cultural Symbiosis, Kerala Historical Society, Trivandram, 1972

[12] Jan Fontein, 1980

[13] Inducudan, 1969

[14] M.J.Gentes, “Scandalizing the Goddess at Kodungallore”, Asian Folklore Studies, Vol.51, No.2, 1992

[15] Induchudan,1969, 39

[16] D.N.Jha, 2001

[17] M.S. Ramaswami Ayyakar, Studies in South Indian Jainism, 


 
May all beings be happy!

The sad demise of Ven Dhammakirti


How sad!  There will be some relief in knowing the circumstances
of Ven. Dhammakirti’s sudden demise. Ananand Buddha Vihar in
Secunderabad with which he is associated is one of the greatest
Buddhist centres of learning, publishing the well-known Buddhist
quarterly, Suhrulekha.  Ven. Vinayarakkhita, a resident monk there, is
the Vice President of our Meditation Society in Wayanad, Kerala.
 
If only Bhante Dhammakirti had lived longer, he would have served
in educating more and more people about the teachings of the Buddha.
What a great loss!  I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to all
those who were close to him in Secunderabad and Mysore.
 
Lakshman

June 21, ‘09 

Congress, BJP ganged up to stop me from becoming PM: Mayawati

Lucknow, June 19 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Friday
accused the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other
political parties of conspiring to prevent her from becoming the prime
minister.


“It was amply evident that the Congress, BJP and SP (Samajwadi Party)
ganged up to prevent my rise to the prime minister’s chair, simply
because they could not digest the idea of a Dalit occupying the highest
office,” Mayawati, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo, told a public
rally here.

She said this “anti-SC/ST” approach of these parties was a glaring example of “rabid caste politics”.

Threatened by the revival of the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh,
Mayawati also reiterated her commitment to ’social engineering’ and
accused the opposition of conspiring to break this campaign.

She said she was not prepared to give up her campaign after her party’s poor performance in the April-May Lok Sabha elections.

“I am aware that the opposition parties have been conspiring to
break the social engineering campaign undertaken by us. But let me tell
you that no matter what they do, they would not be able to deter me
from pursuing my ultimate mission,” Mayawati told the gathering.

A large part of her hour-long address was aimed at accusing the
opposition in general, and the Congress in particular, of attempting to
break the “bhaichara” (social harmony) that the BSP has been trying to
promote as part of its effort to break caste barriers and bring upper
caste Hindus and Muslims together with SC/STs on the party platform.

Before the Lok Sabha polls, Mayawati projected herself as the prime
ministerial candidate of the Third Front but now she admitted that
would take time. She said: “It does not matter to me how many more
years it will take to achieve my ultimate goal.”

Mayawati argued that the BSP’s vote share in the state “was still way ahead of all other political rivals.”

She was scheduled to address such rallies in three cities - Lucknow,
Ghaziabad in western Uttar Pradesh, and Azamgarh in eastern Uttar
Pradesh, but she chose to cancel her trip to Azamgarh.

Mayawati declared Friday’s rallies as the beginning of a nationwide
campaign to condemn the “casteist” approach of all other parties.

Police committed excesses in TN village: Inquiry Commission



Madurai, June 20: A Madras HC-appointed inquiry commission has held


that police committed excesses against Dalits, including women, by


subjecting them to illegal detention and physical assault following a


caste clash in a village near here in October last.




“There was infringement of fundamental rights, mental agony was caused


and we could observe a sense of insecurity in the minds of the victims


of Uthapuram village,” the two-member commission, comprising retired


district judge S Tirupathy and sub-judge K Venkatasamy, said in its


report.




It recommended a compensation of Rs 15.20 lakh to 193 victims.




Though the commission had submitted its report on April 15, the


division bench of the Madras High Court in Madurai comprising Justice


V Ramasubramanian and Justice D Hariparanthaman perused it only


yesterday after the summer vacation.




The court had on January 22 ordered the setting up of the commission


following a public interest litigation, filed by All India Democratic


Women’s Association.




The association had alleged that Dalits were beaten up on October 2, a


day after a clash between them and upper caste Hindus over painting of


the walls of a local temple.




The commission said the victims suffered physical injuries and


underwent mental agony. Household goods were also damaged.




Five women suffered abortion and one died immediately after delivery.


Two others sustained injuries in their genital parts and 26 women were


attacked along with their children. Of the victims, 43 were in the age


group of 50-70, it said.




The bench posted the case to June 29 for further hearing.




Bureau Report

Mayawati keen to speed up development projects



Lucknow, June 18 :
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has decided to speed up development projects

in her state in order to win back the electorate, official sources


said.




To accelerate implementation of infrastructure projects and to keep


track of their progress, the chief minister has set up an eight-member


Infrastructure Monitoring Committee, headed by the chief secretary.




The other members of the panel include principal secretaries of


different departments and the infrastructure and industrial


development commissioner (IIDC). It is to meet monthly to review


implementation of projects and find out ways to overcome bottlenecks.




The Infrastructure and Industrial Development Department will monitor


the progress of the various works, the source said.




The state government has identified various projects in different


sectors where it wants to speed up implementation, like the Metro


rail, overbridges, roads, aviation, power, transport, health,


education, tourism and urban rejuvenation.


— IANS

Thank you for sharing.
Dr.Berwa

On Wed, Jun 17, 2009 at 10:29 AM, Ritesh Manwatkar <rtyu_mnwt@yahoo. com> wrote:


Dear All,

Last week I had opportunity to visit
villages in Karnataka near Sakleshpur (230 Kms of Bangalore). The
specialty is of this place is that it has around 20 villages and 2-3
villages have 100% Buddhist population. Some other villages have around
50% Buddhist population.



Most people have been to Diksha Bhoomi at least once. The most
impressive part is that they are strong followers of Dr. Ambedkar and
practitioner of Buddhist way of life in day to day which is missing in
cities and educated among Buddhists.



This was arranged by Odanadi Seva Trust, Mysore (which work for
women issues) and Bhante Bodhidatta. There is a delegation of around 30
international women (from US, UK, Belgian, Ireland etc.) on cycling
expedition in parts of Karnataka for awareness on women issues. These
women stayed for whole day/night and had food in Buddhist village,
participated with people in the cultural program (songs in Kannada by
village people on Dr. Ambedkar and Buddha).



I was asked to update these women (comprising a hollywood star,
editor of canada news paper) about women status in india and
contribution to Women empowerment by Dr. Ambedkar.


Also we started educational program for village students in village.


With metta,
Ritesh Manwatkar
9845560816/99670650 83

Jobs Prabuddha Bharath 



Faculty Openings in IIT Kharagpur June09

Posted: 17 Jun 2009 10:49 AM PDT

Published by Manisha for sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (IIT)
Kharagpur - 721302

IIT Kharagpur, an Institute of
national importance, invites application from Indian nationals,
possessing excellent academic background, commitment to quality
teaching and potential for carrying out outstanding research.

  1. Professor : At least 10 years teaching / research
    / industrial experience of which 5 years should be at the level of
    Associate / Assistant Professor, Pay Scale : Rs.18400 – 500 – 22400/-
  2. Associate Professor : At least 8 years teaching /
    research / industrial experience of which 3 years should be at the
    level of Assistant Professor, Pay Scale : Rs.16400 – 450 – 20000/-
  3. Assistant Professor : At least 3 years teaching / research / industrial experience, Pay Scale : Rs.12000 – 420 – 18300/-

Qualification : Ph.D. with first class or
equivalent at all the preceding degrees in appropriate branch and
evidence of the ability to pursue independent high quality research

How to Apply : Candidates possessing the requisite
qualification & experience may submit their application on the
prescribed form to the Assistant Registrar, E-3, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur – 721302 (email : recsec@adm.iitkgp. ernet.in). Last date of receiving application is 31/07/2009.

Please visit http://www.iitkgp. ac.in/topfiles/ faculty_top. php for details, areas fo specialisations, and application form.

(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

Regular Employee vacancy in Becil June09

Posted: 17 Jun 2009 10:25 AM PDT

Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL)
(A Govt. of India Enterprise)
14-B, Ring Road, I.P. Estate, New Delhi-110002

BECIL, a Govt of India enterprise, invites applications from
dynamic and result oriented professionals for direct recruitment for
the following posts:
  1. Assistant Manager (HRD) : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.16400-40500
  2. Joint General Manager : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.36600-62000
  3. Dy. General Manager : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.32900-58000
  4. Manager (Projects) : 03 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.24900-50500
  5. Asstt. Manager (BD) : 03 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.16400-40500
  6. Company Secretary cum Senior Manager (Finance) : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.29100-54500
  7. Junior Manager (Finance) : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.12600-32500
  8. Management Trainee (BD) Management Trainee (Projects) : 05 posts, Pay : Rs.10000/ 12500 per month consolidated stipend for 1sr and 2nd year
  9. Management Trainee Finance/ HRD : 02 posts, Pay : Rs.10000/ 12500 per month consolidated stipend for 1sr and 2nd year
  10. Project Assistant : 04 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.5050-8050
  11. Jr. Accountant : 03 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.4450-6950
  12. Jr. Assistant : 02 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.4450-6950

How to Apply : The candidates may
send their applications in prescribed format, along with attested self
certified copies of their certificates, a passport size photograph and
NOC from their present employer addressed to the Chairman & Managing Director, BECIL, B-15, Sector-3, Noida-201301, UP, so as to reach the by July 15, 2009.

Details and application form available at http://www.becil. net/Jobs/ Advirtisement_ 16June09. pdf

Published by Manisha for sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com
(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

Faculty vacancy in Mizoram University June09

Posted: 17 Jun 2009 10:07 AM PDT

Mizoram University
(A Central Unversity)
Aizawl, Mizoram

Applications are invited for filling up of Faculty posts under
Mizoram University in various departments. Complete application in
prescribed form along with application fee of Rs. 500/- (No fee for
SC/ST/PH) in the form of Bank Draft drawn in favour of Registrar,
Mizoram University on State Bank of India, Aizawl Main Branch may be
submitted to the Registrar, Mizoram University, Post Box No.190, Aizawl, Mizoram - 796001.
Applications should be supported by relevant documents (attested) in
all respects. Last date of receipt of complete applications is within
30 days and 45 days for the candidates out side of North Easter Area.
  • Professor : 19 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.37400-67000 + AGP Rs.10000
  • Associate Professor : 25 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.37400-67000 + AGP Rs.9000
  • Assistant Professor (PG) : 54 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.15600-39100 + AGP Rs.6000
  • Assistant Professor (UG) : 19 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.15600-39100 + AGP Rs.6000

UGC - Academic Staff College, Mizoram University (on contract appointment till 31/3/2012)

  • Professor-Director : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.37400-67000 + AGP Rs.10000
  • Associate Professor : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.37400-67000 + AGP Rs.9000
  • Assistant Professor : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.15600-39100 + AGP Rs.6000

For further information and application form, please view http://www.mzu. edu.in/pdf/ TeachingPost_ Notice.pdf

Published by Manisha for sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com
(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

RCFL Special Drive for Management Trainee for PWD

Posted: 17 Jun 2009 03:14 AM PDT

Published by Manisha for sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com
Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCFL)
(A Government of India Undertaking)
Administrative Building, Chembur, Mumbai - 400074

Special Recruitment Drive for filling up Backlog Vacancies of Persons with Disabilities

RCF Ltd is a leading profit making public sector undertaking. RCFL requires Management Trainees
  • Management Trainees : 04 posts (Finance-3, HR-1)
    (VH-2, HH-2), Age : 35 years in, relaxation as per rules., Stipend and
    Pay Scale : Selected candidates will be undergoing training for one
    year and will be offered a lumpsum stipend of Rs.17500/- per month.
    After successful completion of training they will be absorbed in the
    scale of pay of Rs.8600 – 250 –14600.

How to Apply : Application in the prescribed format
alongwith attested photocopies certificates and and mark sheet etc.
should reach the office of the General Manager (HR) Corporate,
RCF Ltd., Administrative Bldg., 1st Floor, Room no 148, Administrative
Building, Mahul Road, Chembur, Mumbai-400074
by 04/07/2009.

Please view http://rcfltd. com/attachments/ 176_Recruitment% 20PWD%20062009. pdf for all the details and Application form.

(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

CDAC Thiruvananthapuram Project Engineer vacancy Jun09

Posted: 17 Jun 2009 02:32 AM PDT

Published by Manisha for her blog sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com
Canter for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC),
Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram - 695033, Kerala , India

CDAC Trivandrum is looking suitable candidates for following post :

  • Project Engineer : 02 Posts, Qualification : First
    Class B.E/ B.Tech (Computer Science / Electronics) with 3 Years post
    qualification experience or M.E / M.Tech (Computer Science /
    Electronics) with 1 year post qualification experience., Remuneration :
    Rs.19000/-, Age : 35 years

How to Apply: Apply online upto 30/06/2009 at CDAC Thiruvananthapuram website.

For further information and online submission of application, please visit at http://210.212. 236.24/OnlineApp lication- Java/advertiseme nt/advertisement .jsp

(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

Alliance Air requires rated Pilots June09

Posted: 17 Jun 2009 02:08 AM PDT

Published by Manisha for sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com
Alliance Air
Airline Allied Services Limited (AASL)
(A wholly owned subsidiary of “NACIL”)

Alliance
Air has an urgent requirement of type rated / rated pilots on Boeing
737, CRJ 700 and ATR 42-320. Applications are invited from Indian
Nationals meeting the eligibility criteria for the posts of Pilots.

Qualification : minimum 100 hrs on above Aircrafts
and must possess current Indian CPL / ATPL, FRTO, RTR, IR and a current
Class I medical on the date of application.

How to Apply : Candidates meeting eligibility
criteria may send their application separately for each position
alongwith attested copies of their certificates, licences, log books
and 2 recent passport size photographs to the following address latest
by 6th July, 2009 :

Chief of Personnel (Alliance Air), Airline Allied Services
Limited, Old Lufthansa Hangar, Adjacent to Office of Executive
Director, (N.R.) NACIL Terminal – 1B, IGI Airport, New Delhi – 110037.

For more information, kindly view http://www.indianai rlines.in/ scripts/careers/ Final_Advt_ for_Recruitment_ of_Pilots_ 11_June09. pdf

(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

Uttarakhand High Court HJS-2009

Posted: 17 Jun 2009 02:00 AM PDT

High Court of Uttarakhand
Nainital

Applications are invited from the practicing Advocates for filling up 12 vacant posts of Additional District and Sessions Judge by direct recruitment in the Uttarakhand Higher Judicial Service (HJS) in the pay scale of Rs. 16750-20500/ -:

  • Additional District and Sessions Judge : 12 posts
    (UR-7, SC-2, ST-1, OBC-2), Pay Scale : Rs.16750-20500/ -, Qualification
    : Must be an advocate of not less than seven years standing on the
    first day of January 2009. The applicant for recruitment to the Service
    must possess thorough knowledge of Hindi in Devnagari Script and
    English , Age : 35-45 years on the 1st day of January 2009.

Applicatin Fee : Examination Fees Rs. 450/- by
candidates belonging to General and OBC and Rs. 300/- for SC/ST payable
in favour of Registrar General, High Court of Uttarakhand, Nainital by
way of account payee Demand Draft of any Bank payable at Nainital.

Application : The last date for submission of duly completed form before the Registrar General, High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital is 17/07/2009 by 5.00 P.M. The envelope containing the Application Form must clearly mention on its top “Application for the H.J.S.-2009″.

please view http://highcourtofu ttarakhand. gov.in/hjs_ info2009. pdf for more detailed information like exam details, shedule, syllabus and application form.

Published by Manisha for sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com
(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

Vacancies in National Seeds Corporation June09

Posted: 16 Jun 2009 06:39 PM PDT

National Seeds Corporation Limited (NSC)
(A Government of India Undertaking)
Beej Bhavan, Pusa Complex, New Delhi -110012
Published by Manisha for sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com

National Seeds Corporation invites application for filling up the following posts :

  1. Deputy General Manager (Production) : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.29100-54500, Age : 40 years as on 01/01/09
  2. Executive Engineer (Agriculture) : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.20600-46500, Age : 40 years as on 01/01/09
  3. Manager (Accounts) : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.20600-46500, Age : 40 years as on 01/01/09
  4. Assistant Manager (Accounts) : 01 post, Pay Scale : Rs.16400-40500, Age : 45 years as on 01/01/09
  5. Assistant Accounts Officer : 08 posts (UR-5, OBC-2, SC-1), Pay Scale : Rs.10900-31500, Age : 40 years as on 01/01/09
  6. Assistant Administrative Officer : 02 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.10900-31500, Age : 40 years as on 01/01/09
  7. Assistant Manager (Production) : 03 posts (UR-1, OBC-1, PH-1) , Pay Scale : Rs.16400-31500, Age : 35 years as on 01/01/09
  8. Programmer : 02 posts, Pay Scale : Rs.10900-31500, Age : 35 years as on 01/01/09

How to Apply : Applications in prescribed format
alongwith a DD of Rs.100/- (no fee from SC/ST/PH) in favour of National
Seeds Corporation Limited payable at Delhi should be sent in an
envelope superscribing the name of the post applied for to the General Manager (Admn.), National Seeds Corporation Limited Beej Bhavan, Pusa Complex, New Delhi on or before 14/07/2009.

Please view http://www.indiasee ds.com/tender/ emp2.pdf for more details and application form is available at http://www.indiasee ds.com/tender/ APPLICATION_ FORMII.pdf

(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

National Seeds requires Junior Assistant (Accounts) June09

Posted: 16 Jun 2009 06:30 PM PDT

Published by Manisha for sarkari-naukri. blogspot. com
National Seeds Corporation Limited (NSC)
(A Government of India Undertaking)
Beej Bhavan, Pusa Complex, New Delhi -110012.

National Seeds Corporation invites application for filling up the following post :

  • Junior Assistant (Accounts) : 15 posts (UR-8,
    OBC-3, SC-2, ST-1, PH-1 (OH)), Pay Scale : Rs.8200-22200 (IDA),
    Qualification : B.Com. with 55% marks, Desirable : Knowledge of
    computers, Age : 26 years as on 01/01/09

How to Apply : Applications in prescribed format
alongwith a DD of Rs.50/- (no fee from SC/ST/PH) in favour of National
Seeds Corporation Limited payable at Delhi should be sent in an
envelope superscribing the name of the post applied for to the General Manager (Admn.), National Seeds Corporation Limited Beej Bhavan, Pusa Complex, New Delhi on or before 20/07/2009.

Please view http://www.indiasee ds.com/tender/ emp1.pdf for more details and application form is available at http://www.indiasee ds.com/tender/ APPLICATION_ FORMII.pdf

(Click on the Labels below for more similar Jobs)

Compiled by Manisha for her blog http://sarkari- naukri.blogspot. com/ for providing Government Jobs available in India. .  Other Blogs are
http://www.hindibaa t.com and Friendly blog is http://bankjob. blogspot. com

You are subscribed to email updates from सरकारी नौकरी - Government Jobs India - Sarkari Naukri
To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.
Email delivery powered by Google
Inbox too full? Add to Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

__._,_.___

Sakya Means Humanity.

May all beings be happy!

“I have never claimed to be a universal leader of suffering humanity.
The problem of the untouchables is quite enough for my slender
strength. I do not say that other causes are not equally noble. But
knowing that life is short, one can only serve one cause and I have
never aspired to do more than serve the Untouchables.”  Bodhisatta
Babasaheb B.R.Ambedkar

“The basis of my politics lies in the proposition that the Untouchables
are not a sub-division or sub-section of Hindus, and that they are a
separate and distinct element in the national life of India.”
Bodhisatta Babasaheb B.R.Ambedkar

“My social philosophy may be said to be enshrined in three words:
liberty, equality and fraternity. My philosophy has roots in religion
and not in political science. I have derived them from the teachings of
my master, the Buddha.” Bodhisatta Babasaheb B.R.Ambedkar

Sakya Sangha
8/A, Thiyagarayapuram,
Thangal, Thiruvottiyur,
Chennai - 600 019.
Tamil Nadu, India
http://www.sakyasangha.org

MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY

http://www.thehindu.com/2009/06/16/stories/2009061652840300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Karimnagar

‘Book KCR under SC/ST Atrocities Act’

Staff Reporter

Effigy of TRS chief burnt

Attack on Ravindra Naik condemned

SC/ST leaders seek KCR’s apology


KARIMNAGAR: SC\ST district leaders set fire to an effigy of TRS
president K. Chandrasekhar Rao in Karimnagar on Monday in protest
against the attack on party senior leader Ravindra Naik by TRS
activists at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad. SC\ST association leaders
led by Roop Singh and Ramchander Naik set fire to the effigy at
Sripada Rao statue in the town and raised slogans KCR and demanded an
unconditional apology for humiliating and attacking a tribal leader.
They alleged that the TRS president is using Telangana sentiment for
his selfish gains of attaining power and benefiting his family members
by making money.

‘Hidden agenda’


Reminding Mr. Rao’s statement of appointing a Dalit as Chief Minister
in separate Telangana state and providing reservations to tribals,
they asked whether insulting the Dalits and tribals was his hidden
agenda. They demanded the government to register case against Mr. Rao
under the SC\ST Atrocities Act.

UP govt announces sops for SC/STs

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh govt
decided to give 21 and two per cent quota for SCs and STs in contracts for
construction work worth up to Rs 5

lakh each of various authorities and
corporations in the state.



Mayawati, who presided over a cabinet meeting earlier in the day,
said a similar arrangement is being implemented in other government departments
and the education sector.

She said the 21% reservation for the
Scheduled Castes and the 2% to Scheduled Tribes would be extended in
construction contracts worth up to Rs 5 lakh being carried out by working
divisions of various departments, corporations, enterprises, authorities and
parishads.


The chief minister, who has been working for development
of identified Ambedkar villages all over the state, further said her cabinet has
also decided to do away with the earlier practice of identifying new villages
every year.


The government would concentrate on maintenance and
upkeep of the 2,000 identified Ambedkar villages, she said.



“It has
been seen that despite taking up the development of the Ambedkar villages, their
maintenance and upkeep had not not been up to my expectations,” Mayawati said.

Emphasis would be given on SC/STs localities while constructing roads
and taking up other development activities, she said.



Skip Navigation Links

Home Expand Home
Search Expand Search
Objections
Gazette Notification Expand Gazette Notification
About the portal - BBMP Delimitation 2009


Consequent to formation of Bruhat Bangalore Mahangara Palike (BBMP),
process of Delimitation of Wards has been taken up and the draft
delimitation proposal for 198 wards is published
  

With a view to provide the citizen of Bruhat Bangalore with comprehensive
information about the composition of BBMP and the  delimited wards along
with details of 
localities forming a particular ward,  an integrated GIS  database has been developed

www.bbmpwards.org 
is a web based GIS  platform for sharing the information amongst the
citizen of Bangalore. It facilitates one to understand the limits of
each ward with constituent localities. It allows citizen to understand
their virtual migration in to new ward from the erstwhile ward in which
they were located.

It is hoped that Bangaloreans make best use of the portal and provide their valuable
suggestions

Deputy Commissioner
Bangalore District

 


Composition of BBMP

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) area is an amalgamation of 7 CMCs, 1 TMC
surrounding the erstwhile Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and 110 intervening
villages. The geographical area of the BBMP with all the newly added areas is 709.53
Sq.Kms. The composition of BMP and other constituent bodies of BBMP in terms of
wards and population as per 2001 Census is as follows:


Bangalore Urban District
Assembly Constituencies
in BBMP
   

 

       




















































































































































































Deputy Commissioner,Bangalore District




Constituent bodies

Population as per 2001 Census

Number of wards

Area in Sq.kms
Bangalore Mahanagara Palike 4301326 100 211.71
Bommanahalli CMC 244871 34 40.39
Dasarahalli CMC 264940 35 26.62
Kengeri TMC 42455 23 14.97
K R Puram CMC 186210 35 30.99
Mahadevpura CMC 135796 31 50.81
Byatarayanapura CMC 181744 31 47.27
Sri Rajarajeswari Nagara CMC 96385 29 35.37
Yelhanka CMC 90827 31 27.53
110 Intervening Villages 295601 - 223.87

5840155

349
709.53
comments (0)
06/15/09
VR1 MEDIA-FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-24-BSP to launch campaign against casteism -Mayawati writes to PM to increase BPL quota for Uttar Pradesh-Buddhist Teachings: Acquisition of Wealth and Maintaining an Unperturbed Socio-spiritual Life - Individual and group responsibility in the elimination of poverty in a society as portrayed in Buddhist literature-CPRI releases new potato variety for French fries-The way of home life Ethics-Maya asks SC/STs to capture political power to ensure justice- Mayawati calls for nation-wide protests on Rahul’s birthday-Scheduled Caste In The Boardroom-Mayawati writes to PM to increase BPL quota for Uttar Pradesh-Maruti set for a change
Filed under: General
Posted by: @ 7:55 am
VR1

MEDIA


FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-24


BSP to launch campaign against
casteism

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: The
Bahujan Samaj Party will launch a nationwide campaign on June 19 to caution the
people against what it calls the tactics employed by the Opposition parties,
especially the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, to undermine its
influence.

It will start in Uttar Pradesh, where public meetings will be held in all
district headquarters.

The decision was taken at a meeting of BSP office-bearers, coordinators,
MPs, MLAs and Ministers held here on Saturday. With Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister and party chief Mayawati in the chair, the meeting reviewed the BSP’s
performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

A note issued on the campaign points to the “joint role” played by the
Congress, the BJP and their allies — with their “casteist mentality” — in
preventing Ms. Mayawati from becoming the Prime Minister after the Lok Sabha
elections.

It also claims that the Congress and the BJP prevented the formation of a
BSP-led alternative government during the July 22, 2008 trust vote sought by
the UPA government after it lost the support of the Left parties over the
India-U.S. nuclear deal.

Vowing to end casteism, it says public meetings and cadre camps would be
organised all over the country for creating awareness of casteism.

A book in Hindi and English (penned by Ms. Mayawati) will also be released

Mayawati writes to PM to increase BPL quota for Uttar Pradesh


LUCKNOW - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has written a letter
to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh requesting him to increase Below
Poverty Line quota for her State.

Drawing the PM’s attention towards her previous letter sent to him
last October on increasing the BPL quota for the State, Mayawati said
that the issue of increasing the BPL quota had been pending since long
with the Central Government.

Mayawati, in her latest letter, has sought relief for a large number of poor families.

She has stated that surveys in Uttar Pradesh indicated that there
was a substantial variation between ground realities and numbers
assigned to the State by the Central Government.

The number of poor people was significantly higher in reality, and
there was an urgent need to include them in BPL list, Maywati stressed
in her letter.

Mayawati has said that the 2002 survey had provided for an
additional BPL quota of 10 per cent as a Transient Poor category.
However, the State could not get the benefit of this additional quota
of 10.6 lakh families, which could have partly mitigated the needs of
the State’s poor.

Mayawati has requested the Prime Minister to direct the new expert
committee set up by the Union Government to develop criteria and a
process of identifying poverty, to look into this critical issue, which
is likely to impact millions of urban migrants. (ANI)


Buddhist Teachings: Acquisition of Wealth and Maintaining
an Unperturbed Socio-spiritual Life

Bhikkhu
Nyanabodhi
nyanabodhi@gmail.com

It has been often incriminated that
Buddhism is more concerned about spirituality more than its concern about
worldly matters. Against this criticism, over the recent centuries scholars
have contributed greatly unearthing the social dimensions of Buddha’s teachings.
In this article, we shall look into some economic principles of the
Buddhadhamma by drawing some references from the Pāli canon.

The teaching of Gotama  Buddha
as we know is centred upon the four noble truths (cattāri ariyasaccāni),
of which the first is dukkha (suffering or unsatisfactoriness). In
spite of the high spiritual application of the concept in other texts, in the
Dhammapada verse 203, Gotama Buddha addresses the issue of  Suffering
 in two fundamental aspects:
 

1.     Hunger (jigacchā) – the primary source of human
suffering  which needs to be coped with every day, and

2.      Conditioned things (sakhāra) - the primary source  suffering
to be realized as it is (
yathābhūta) and overcome by the wise.

From this aforementioned primary
issues  of suffering, we see Buddhism stresses liberation (vimutti)
from both these two aspect of anguish or vexation in the same urgent spirit.
Elsewhere we learn from  the Buddha who  says ‘all living beings are
dependent upon food’ – (sabbe sattā āhara
ṭṭhiikā) which generated his idea of the Middle
Path in the pursuit of a more conducive  spiritual life.

In fact, the spiritual life of Gotama
 Buddha itself had awakened him to the importance of leading a life of
moderation – the Middle Path.  We see that ascetic Siddhattha’s attainment
of perfect Enlightenment (sammā sambodhi) was possible only after he
was disillusioned with the idea of ‘austere practices’ and resorted to ‘middle
way’. Thus, this noble discovery of the Middle Path of the Blessed One
motivated him to avert  the extremity of self-indulgence (kāmesukhallikānuyogo)
and self-mortification (attakilamatānuyogo). The Middle path is to
maintain the moderation in attainment of both worldly and spiritual success.

The fact that poverty is woeful (dāliddiyabhikkhave
dukkha
lokasmi) accentuates the importance of wealth in the life of a worldly person.
Therefore, the Buddha advocates rightful means in acquiring wealth. By
‘material wealth’ (dhana), Buddhism recognises the four fundamental
needs (catu paccaya): food (āhāra), cloths (vattha),
shelter (geha) and medicine (bhesajja) before one undertakes
the education (spiritual training) for the attainment of noble wealth (ariyadhana).
Of the four, food is distinguished as the foremost as ‘this body survives
depended upon food, without food it cannot survive’ – (aya

kāyo āhara
ṭṭhitiko āhāra
pa
icca tiṭṭhati anāharo na tiṭṭhati).

Yet, it is a pathetic sight that
around the world millions of people are very poor . Many have died due to 
hunger. Owing to   the severity of hunger, some were compelled
 even to feed on the flesh of other humans.

The Buddha evidently mentioned in the
Cakkavattisīhanāda Sutta of Dīgha-Nikāya that owing  to the
imbalanced distribution of wealth, there arises poverty which in turn leads to
immorality and crimes such as thefts, falsehood, violences, hatred and cruelty
and so forth. The sutta emphasizes the state responsibility to judge
the divergent individual capacities of his citizens and distribute resources
accordingly. Thus, those with agricultural talents should be provided with
seeds and fields; those talented in business with capital; and those who can serve
in various government sectors with such opportunities. In this way, people
being busy with their duties will not develop harmful tendencies.

Besides relying on  the economic
support from King, Gotama Buddha also educated his lay devotees on the righteous
means to gain wealth. The Exalted One  elucidated how the righteous life
first leads to rebirth in this terrestrial world and  eventually will lead
to a happy life in the next world (Dhammacāri sukha

seti asmi
loke para hi ca).

In the
Dīghajānu Sutta, when the Buddha was asked by householder Dīghajānu about the
way to get happiness in this life and the life after, the Exalted Master
expounded four factors conducive to attaining happiness in this life thus:

1.     Diligent acquisition(uṭṭhānasampada)

2.     Careful conservation(ārakkhasampada)

3.     Having virtuous friends(kalyānamittatā)and

4.     Living within your means(Samājīvikatā)

 Buddhism
always emphasizes right livelihood  striving righteously (dhammena)
and diligently (appamādena) to be successful in material, social, or
even spiritual gains. It is mentioned in the scriptures that like a bee
accumulating honey or an ant building its anthill, a person must exercise his
energy and effort to accumulate his wealth. There is a saying in Sanskrit
stressing the effort of a man in both earning wealth and practicing a religious
life. It says that in earning wealth and in education, one must not think of
decay or death. But in his everyday life, he should think that the death is
extremely near to him (ajarāmaravat prajño/vidyamartha

ca sādhayet/gŗhita iva kesesu/mŗtyunā dharmamācaret
).

The way to earn wealth is precisely
explicated in the A
guttara Nikāya thus : “for a good person
wealth is or should be earned not by violent means, but by energetic striving,
amassed by strength of arm, won by sweat, and received with the righteous means

– (Bhogā honti asāhasena u
ṭṭhānavīriyādhigatehi  bhogehi 
bāhābalaparicitehi  sedāvakkhittehi  dhammikehi  dhammaladdhehi
). The golden rule governing right
livelihood or Buddhist economics is thus : to do jobs that harm neither oneself
nor another person or other beings (morally or even materially). Thus, five
kinds of businesses are declared by Gotama Buddha  as not righteous:

1.     The trade of weapons (sattha vānijja)

2.     The trade of poison (visa vānijja)

3.     The trade of alcohol and dangerous drugs (majja vānijja)

4.     The trade of flesh and (masa vānijja)

5.     The trade of people (satta vānijja).

 This reminds
us of the social obligations that must be cogitated by manufacturers and tradespersons;
not only by seeking self centric ends but by truly serving the society.
According to Buddhism, cheating is an unskilful action that should be
abandoned. It has been often misapprehended that succeeding in business without
cheating is impossible. But one should also think that he himself does not like
to be cheated. There is a muscular saying of George Washington; ‘Honesty is the
best policy’ which is one of the five basic ethical principles (pañcasīla)
of Buddhism and which should attentively be applied in the business matters.

Buddhism also highlights  the
careful observation and protection of wealth acquired by the individual with
his hard work. It recommends that a person should take a good care of his
wealth, not allowing it to be eroded away by unjust taxation, theft, natural
disaster or undeserving successors. Furthermore, when saving up one’s wealth,
one should not allow such doing  to bring oneself into conflict with those
around him. The reason why Buddhism advises  one to protect one’s wealth
is that  in case of emergency such as repairing the consequences of fire,
flood, excess taxation, and so forth, he can make use of his wealth and
overcome the difficulties in life. Of course the best way to conserve one’s
wealth is by way of acquiring transcendental wealth or merit.  In such a
form, it is beyond the touch of any evil force. Furthermore,  it will be
appreciated with the passing of the years, thus saving in the form of transcendental
wealth is really the most skilful way of conserving one’s wealth.

Along with the economic activities or
even day to day life, an individual should also keep companionship with
virtuous friends having faith (saddhā), self-discipline (sīla),
self-sacrifice (cāga) and wisdom (paññā). The Buddha teaches
that worldly wealth may be exhausted in a moment, but the value of training
other people to be virtuous never knows an end. In many of the sutta-s
such as Ma
gala sutta, Sigālovāda sutta etc., the Buddha gave a detailed account
on how the behaviour of a friend should actually be. And he also advises 
us to associate  with the wise and virtuous friends and to avoid
associating  with the unskilful and bad ones (asevanā ca bālāna

panditāna
ca sevanā).

And finally,  we are advised to
live within our means (samajīvikatā). One should live a life not being
a luxury-seeker and also not being too spendthrift either. There is a very
simple yet extremely significant statement which in a nutshell contains the
essential features of the Buddhist economics. The statement runs thus: – an
individual should divide his wealth in four portions, of these the first
portion will be used for his own expense, a half of the total wealth i.e. the
second and the third portions should be used in  reinvestments. And the
best approach to the investment as mentioned in Buddhism is – development of
skills, training experience, fulfilling the basic needs of others and so on.
And with regard to the hospitality there is a mention of five bali-s
(offerings or treatments) namely;treating relatives[ñāti bali],
guests[atithi bali], the government[rāja bali], departed
relatives[peta bali], and samanas and brāhmanas [devatā
bali
]. And the last portion should be kept for the future needs such as –
floods, calamities and drought and so on.

Thus, while one is practicing the
above mentioned four qualities, one develops four more spiritual qualities
namely saddhā (faith), sīla (morality or virtue), cāga
(generosity), and paññā (wisdom). Having these qualities developed,
one then obtains four kinds of happiness namely:

1.     One becomes happy thinking that he acquires
his wealth in a righteous way (
atthi sukha)

2.     He becomes happy in using the wealth earned
in the blameless way (
bhoga sukha)

3.     He becomes happy being able to say ‘I
have no debts’ which is the bliss of debtlessness (
anaa sukha), and

4.     Finally, he enjoys the bliss of
blamelessness (
anavajja
sukha
).

The Buddha praised the fourth type of
happiness because this person does not do any unskilful action either through
his body or speech or mind. And hence he is freed from harming others in any
way; therefore he leads a blameless life.

The economic theory in Buddhism is
rather a holistic one. Buddhism begins primarily talking with individual
economy and then it goes on to social economy and then to state economy. With
the development of wealth, an individual is expected to be developed in the
dharma. He does everything for the benefit and wellbeing of the both oneself and
others as the Buddhist saying goes; “May all livings be well and happy” – (sabbe
sattā bhavantu sukhitattā
).  An individual trained in such a way is
related to the family; a family to a group, a group to a state or a nation; and
a state to other states. In such a state even the animals, birds, fish as well
as trees and plants are protected. Thus happiness prevails in such a country.

Therefore, Buddhism appreciates such
economic activities which do not exploit others; do not increase additional
wants depriving the basic needs; do not fall within the five areas of trade and
do not use material resources without maintaining the ecological balance.
Buddhism always stresses on  right livelihood . Right livelihood
 means that a man should not just accumulate wealth for the sake of
enjoying  life, rather taking the economic activities as a mean to achieve
the end and which is to be known as the socio-spiritual life. In respect of
this way of livelihood, a modern economist, Glen Alexandrian, says that ethical
consideration should be given a prominent place in production and distribution
of wealth. Therefore, it should be said that Buddhism does not see any fault in
the wealth itself. Its emphasis is mostly  the ethical acquisition and
usage of the wealth. It recommends that  in the acquisition of wealth, one
must not exercise greed, stinginess, grasping, attachment, and hoarding. In
other words, the economic activities should not be done with competition or
contest, but with co-operation and zeal. In so doing one, would then be able to
lead an unperturbed socio-spiritual life.

Editor’s Note:

Most of the important early Buddhist
Economics promulgated by Gotama Buddha is incorporated in this essay. We can
learn Buddhadhamma as well as Buddhist
Way
of participating in economic activities.
Earning and utility of economic wealth is a conditioned phenomenon.
Non-violation of Buddhist principle of Dependent Co-arising is the Principle.
The wisdom of Anattā integrates the phenomenon with the Principle harmoniously.
Live in Anattā and you are perfectly protected in any sphere of activity
including economic activities. To live in Anattā : Annihilate your
self-identity in the Totality of any collective work.

Individual and group responsibility in the elimination of poverty in a society as portrayed in Buddhist literature

“Dependant
origination” or “Causal Genesis” (paticca Samuppada) is the most
fundamental doctrine in the teachings of Gautama Buddha, the founder of
Buddhism. This doctrine is of such paramount importance in Buddhism
that it is sometimes equated with the Buddha’s teachings. In the
Mahahatthipadopama Sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya (Vol 1 p. 191) it is
said: “He who understands dependant origination, understands correctly
the teachings of the Buddha and he who thus understands the teachings
of the Buddha truly understands who the Buddha was. The whole edifice
of Buddhism is built up on this fundamental doctrine. Three current
theories were refuted by this doctrine of causal genesis, namely, the
theory of divine creation (issaranimmanavada) , the theory of
pre-destination (pubbekata hetuvada) and the theory of chance
occurrence (adhiccasamuppanna vada) (S.II, p. 18-20). So, when we apply
this fundamental doctrine of Buddhism to understand the problem of
poverty in a county, how it has come to be and how to can be
eliminated, Buddhism rejects the view that poverty is due to divine
creation or that it is pre-destined or that poverty occurs without
causes or conditions. Having rejected these three views, Buddhism
maintains that, like all other phenomena, poverty, too, has come into
being depending on causes and conditions. When we say that a thing has
come into being depending on causes and conditions, the logical
conclusion one can arrive at is that, with the changing or removal of
those causes and conditions, there will take place a change or
disappearance of that thing itself.

           

We
see that poverty of people in a country too, is thus dependant in
origination that means that it manifests itself when causes and
conditions that give rise to poverty are present, and hence with the
changing or removal of such causes and conditions, poverty, too, will
wither away. It is not a permanent feature that persists for all time.
An important discourse in the Digha Nikaya,,the Cakkavatti Sihanada Sutta  of
the “Discourse of the lion’s Roar of a Universal Monarch (D. III.
58-79) very vividly describes how an ancient people declined in all
morals and ethical behaviour, due to neglect of duty on the part of the
ruler of that country and how that same people subsequently became law
abiding, duty conscious, disciplined, happy and content when the ruler
reorganized the entire state machinery in such a way that there were
plenty of employment opportunities for intellectual economic, spiritual
and physical development of the people. This is how the argument runs:
“Due to absence of employment opportunities, poverty became rampant.
When poverty became rampant, some people resorted to stealing in order
to live. When stealing became wide spread, wealth owners armed
themselves with weapons to protect themselves and their wealth from
thieves. The thieves, too, had to resort to weapons when wealth owners
armed themselves with weapons. This resulted in conflict and clashes,
ending in death or physical injury to many – to thieves as well as to
wealth owners. When the thieves were caught and were produced before
courts of law they uttered falsehood and offered bribes to escape
punishment. In this way the entire society became afflicted and
disorganized, and people had to live in constant fear and doubt. When
the situation deteriorated to a very low level the ministers sat in
council and advised the king to take suitable measures to rectify the
situation. On their advice the king implemented a crash programme to
provide people with employment opportunities. Now, those people who
earlier resorted to stealing and other forms of anti-social behaviour
began to engage themselves in many socially beneficent activities that
brought them good incomes; and thus the need to resort to stealing,
falsehood and other forms of corruption did nor arise and once again
peace, prosperity and goodwill prevailed in the country”.

 

A similar idea is expressed in another Buddhist discourse that occurs in the Digha Nikaya called the Kutadanta Sutta or
the “Discourse to Kutadanta” (D.I p.127). There it is said that an
ancient king wanted to perform a magnificent sacrificial ceremony to
avert peril form evil spirits. When he summoned his counselors to
discuss the programme, they unitedly expressed: “Your Majesty, the
country is already in a chaotic condition. Poverty is wide spread and
many people have resorted to stealing and committing other crimes,
because they have no other way of earning a living. Due to these things
the general moral standard has reached its lowest ebb. When the
situation is such, if the king decides to perform this great
sacrificial ceremony involving great expenditure and forced labour that
means more burdens will have to be laid on the already taxed and
tormented people. If that happens more and more people will resort to
stealing and committing many other crimes and the situation will go
from bad to worst. Your Majesty might think that by rounding up the
wrong-doers and by punishing them severely or by imprisoning them, it
might be possible to restore peace and harmony in the country, but it
will not happen, because, when some thieves are given capital
punishment or imprisonment, many others will take their place to
torment the country. What your Majesty should immediately do is to
pacify the people by providing them with suitable employment
opportunities so that they can earn an income to support themselves and
their families. “The king followed the advice of the counselors and
implemented a suitable pregramme to solve the unemployment problem of
the country and before long the conditions of the country changed for
the better and peace and harmony prevailed once again in the country.

 

Now,
all these episodes are meant to drive into our minds that human beings
are by nature almost the same at all times, then and now, but
prevailing environmental factors make them saints or scoundrels and
therefore, responsible human beings should Endeavour to change the
social environment in such a way that human beings living in such
environments can develop their potentialities in the right direction,
for the benefit of the individual and the community.

 

As far as the individual is concerned, Buddhism teaches that one is one’s own master (atta hi attano natho-kohi natho parosiya) (Dhp. V. 160). That means that one is to a great degree responsible for one’s own progress or degeneration. In the Pattakamma Vagga of the Anguttara Nikaya the
Buddha says that a man with vision and initiative can enjoy a fourfold
happiness throughout life. They are: happiness derived when one sees
that one has enough wealth and monetary resources (atthisukka), happiness derived when one sees that one’s wealth is properly and profitably utilized (bhogasukha), happiness derived when one knows that one is not in debt (ananasukha), and the happiness derived when one sees that one lives a blameless and useful life (anavajjasukha).
A person can experience the first kind of happiness if he has
energetically developed his potentialities form childhood to gather
knowledge, experience and various types of skills through which he is
able to earn and accumulate wealth, in a righteous manner, without
causing hardship or embarrassment or damage to others. A man who
manufactures and trades in weapons of destruction, a man who trades in
animals and flesh, a man who produces and sells harmful drugs, alcohol
and poison, a man produces pornographic literature, blue films and the
like, cannot enjoy this happiness, though he may have accumulated a
fortune from such things, because his conscience will keep on pricking
him all the time when he ponders over how he earned his wealth. The
second type of happiness is derived when one sees that one’s wealth is
property utilized. One should eat well, dress well and live in comfort
and safety. One should also provide for the needs and comforts of one’s
kith and kin treat friends and neighbors fairly and should also engage
in social welfare work. When one sees that one’s well gotten wealth is
properly utilized in this manner, one derives a happiness there from. A
person though rich, if he does not spend adequately for his own
comforts and needs, if he does not spend his wealth to make his kith
and kin comfortable and happy, if he does not treat his friends and
neighbours when the need for it arises, if he does not spend anything
for social welfare work, he cannot enjoy the second type of happiness
one derives from proper utilization of one’s wealth. The third type of
happiness is derived from non-indebtedness. Though one may earn much,
if he becomes a spend thrift and resorts to gambling, drinking and
debauchery, one’s wealth would vanish in no time and one would fall
into debt. Such a person cannot enjoy any peace of mind. He will be in
constant fear and sorrow. On the other hand, a man who earns well and
utilizes that money properly and sagaciously will never fall into debt.
Buddhism teaches how a person should plan his economics. One’s income
should be divided into four parts. One part should be used for personal
and family needs, such as food clothing and medicine, two parts should
be invested as financial investments in banks or to buy property, and
the fourth part should be set apart for emergencies.         When
one plans one’s economy wisely in this manner, one will not fall into
debt, and thereby one derives happiness and peace of mind. The fourth
type of happiness is derived by one when one sees that one lives a
harmless and blame free life, a life that is positively beneficial to
oneself and many others. One who does not destroy or injure living
beings, one who does not steal, one who does not misbehave in the
senses, one who does not utter falsehood, slander, harsh speech and
gossip, one who does not resort to drugs or narcotics and the like,
only, can enjoy the fourth type of happiness.

 

A programme of work consisting of eight factors (Vism.
Chp. III, p.295) is recommended by Buddhism to every individual to make
his life here and now happy and content. Firstly, he has to develop
correct attitudes and views about life. He has to realise that life is
sacred to each and every living being, that beings resent suffering and
wish to live in happiness and in comfort, and that all should behave in
such a way that community life becomes pleasant and trouble-free to all
(sammaditthi-right views). Secondly, having formed such views,
one should be well disposed towards all sentient beings and harbour
thoughts of friendship and non-violence (samma sankappa – right
thoughts). Thirdly, of should use speech in such a way that while
avoiding all social conflicts arising out of wrong speech, his speech
should result in friendship, efficiency, harmony and peace in society (sammavaca – right
speech). Fourthly, all his physical actions should not only be
non-injurious to any living being, but positively useful to some being (samma kammanta – right
action). Fifthly, whatever activities he would be engaged in, by way of
earning a living, should not only be harmless to himself and to others,
but should positively be useful to himself and others (samma ajiva- right
livelihood). Sixthly, one should always be energetic and courageous to
avoid all pitfalls in life and pursue on the path to progress and
happiness, with determination (samma vayama – right effort).
Seventhly, one should always be alert and vigilant about all his
activities, what he thinks, what he speaks and what he does, so that he
is able to avoid in time whatever thing is injurious to him and others
and to pursue whatever thing is useful to him and others (samma sati – right
mindfulness) , and eighthly, one should practice meditation or mental
culture to overcome and eliminate psychological weakness in him and to
cultivate and nurture wholesome psychological tendencies (samma Samadhi – right concentration of mind).

 

Buddhism also speaks of four supreme psychological states (brahmavihara) (Vism.p.III)
that each individual should cultivate and develop in him for his own
happiness and welfare and the welfare of others in society. Firstly,
one’s disposition should be one of friendship and love to all sentient
beings. One should always wish for the happiness of all=one’s own self,
one’s kith and kin, friends, neighbours, country-men- in fact all
sentient beings (metta – loving kindness). This attitude should
cover the whole universe, not only human beings, but all other beings
as well. When one has in him friendship and loving kindness to all
beings, naturally one would be psychologically moved when one sees some
being in an unfortunate situation or in a pitiable condition, under
going hardship agony or sorrow. When a sympathetic person sees one in
such a situation, he will do something himself, to help the suffering
being to minimize its suffering or to completely overcome it. If it is
not within his power to do it himself, he will not keep quiet, but will
persuade others to do something to help the unfortunate being (karuna - sympathy).
When he sees other beings living in comfort peace and happiness, when
he sees beings who were in dire circumstances get out of such
circumstances, he will experience a feeling of happiness himself, an
altruistic happiness born at the sight of another’s happiness (mudita)
an lastly, he should be able to maintain equipoise or balance of mind
in all situations in life-in gain or loss, in fame or ill-fame, in
praise or blame and in happiness or suffering (upekkha - equipoise).

 

Buddhism
advocates that each individual has to strive hard to improve himself,
but it is not blind regarding the role the environment plays in the
molding of the character of an individual. Man is essentially a social
being, and many people play a wide role to feed him, care for him in
illness, and protect him from possible calamities from all directions
and gradually introduce him to the world at large. When he grows up a
little, other people come into the scene-teachers, friends and the
like-who too play active parts in molding his character. Next comes a
very important person, the wife on whom depends a man’s success and
happiness in life. The wife is followed by children, who too,
contribute an important share in the happiness of a man. Buddhism is
quite aware of these situations and hence in another important
discourse, the Sigalovada sutta (D.III.p.80ff) describes
in detail the duties and obligations of an individual to all who matter
in his life-parents, teachers, wife and children, relations, friends,
religious men, servants and subordinates.

 

Buddhism
does not close its eyes to the importance of the role the state has to
play in ensuring the happiness and well being of man. Discussing the
origin of state and kingship, the Buddha says in the Agganna sutta (D.III.p.93)
that the earliest king was elected from among the people themselves, to
look after the interests of all people and that the king could hold on
to that position only in so far as he was able to perform his duties
and obligations to the people on a righteous and fair manner. Buddhism
reiterates that it is the sacred duty of a king or state to ensure
human rights to every citizen, to provide facilities for intellectual,
cultural, material and physical development of every man in the
country. In this respect another Buddhist text (jVol.1, 260-99)
mentions ten qualities that should be there in a king or ruler to
ensure human rights to all citizens. The ten qualities are: a king
should be generous, he should have his senses under control, he should
be ready to make sacrifices, he should be straight forward, he should
be gentle and king, he should be able to suffer hardship for the
people, he should be from anger and resentment, he should be
compassionate to all, he should be tolerant and he should be
approachable.

 

In
conclusion, it should be added that poverty in all its
forms-intellectual, spiritual, material or social, can be minimized or
completely eliminated only by a well thought out and properly planned
programme of work, where in all sections of people should contribute
their share-individually or as organized groups. Form the angel of the
individual, each individual should be encouraged to develop his
potentialities to the maximum capacity so that he can contribute
something to ease poverty while looking after his own interests. He
must be trained to live a simple life, utilizing for him the minimum of
needs, so that he can make a sacrifice to help others in need. From the
point of welfare and religious organizations, they can raise funds form
suitable sources and organize welfare activities, such as running homes
for the aged homes for children and the destitute, organizing work
camps to educate people, finding employment opportunities for the
jobless and doing relief work, wherever necessary. The biggest role has
to be played by the state. The rulers should be farsighted and state
man like, efficient and honest. They must study the problems of the
country and the people, minutely and implement suitable programmes
efficiently to solve whatever problems there are in the country. The
state policies should be planned in such a way that there will be
enough employment facilities, for all people. The ultimate
responsibility of eliminating the poverty of any people rests with the
state and individuals and welfare organizations can only give a helping
hand to the state, if the state makes a sincere attempt to solve the
problem. There is one thing that religious organizations can do, to
help solve the problem of poverty, that is, they can appeal to
developed countries who waste away a lot of money to produce weapons of
war and destruction, to stop the arms race and utilize at least a part
of that money to nourish the millions of unfortunate human beings all
over the world

 

Dr. W.G. Weeraratne


CPRI releases new potato variety for French fries

Published: 08 Jun 2009 22:53:22 PST

The Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI),
Shimla, has released a new potato variety Kufri Frysona. This is the first ever
potato variety from India suitable for preparation of French fries. The trials
conducted on the variety have shown its suitability for cultivation in Punjab,
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
The variety produces long tubers having more than 20 per cent dry matter,
informed S K Pandey, director, CPRI.

The breeder seeds will be produced after it is notified either by the state
or central variety release committee. However, its quality seed as well as
disease-free in-vitro planting material will be available to farmers from next
year.

According to Pandey, it was a good sign that potato production was
increasing with the advent of several new high-yielding varieties like Kufri
Pushkar for the entire Indo-Gangetic belt, Kufri Sadabahar for Uttar Pradesh,
Kufri Surya for warmer areas like Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Looking at the estimated demand
of nearly 50 million tonne (mt) of potato by 2020, for a population of 1.3
billion, these varieties would help meet the requirement, he said.

Pandey said that the potato processing sector had slowly emerged as a very
large industry with more than 35-40 processing units located in
various parts of the country. They were engaged in value-added products like
potato powder, chips and French fries. 

It is estimated that by 2010-11, nearly 10 per cent of the total
potato produced in the country will be consumed by the processing industry,
which at present is merely 4.5 per cent. This will provide good returns to the
farmers on one hand and will also absorb excess supplies during a glut.

The way of home life Ethics


A person should show
respect for his or her relatives in five ways:

            1)      by giving charity,

          2)      by saying kind words,

          3)      by benefiting others,

          4)      by sharing things, and

          5)      by not taking advantage of others.

 

            Relative
should show respect for one of their in five ways:

1)               
by guiding the wild and unrestrained,

2)               
by protecting those who lose wealth
because of their unrestrained ways,

3)               
by protecting the fearful,

4)               
by not admonishing each other in public,
and

5)               
by praising each other.

 

An employer should show respect for his or her employee in five ways:

 

1       by
applying oneself where able,

2       by
supplying food and drink appropriately,

3       by
working as the occasion demands,

4       by
giving medical treatment when ill, and

5       by
allowing for rest.

 

An employee should show respect for his or her employer in five ways:

 

1)               
by rising early,

2)               
by doing a thorough job,

3)               
by not taking what is not given,

4)               
by doing their work correctly and
effectively, and

5)               
by supporting and praising one’s
employer appropriately.


Mayawati writes to PM to increase BPL quota for Uttar Pradesh


LUCKNOW - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has written a letter
to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh requesting him to increase Below
Poverty Line quota for her State.

Drawing the PM’s attention towards her previous letter sent to him
last October on increasing the BPL quota for the State, Mayawati said
that the issue of increasing the BPL quota had been pending since long
with the Central Government.

Mayawati, in her latest letter, has sought relief for a large number of poor families.

She has stated that surveys in Uttar Pradesh indicated that there
was a substantial variation between ground realities and numbers
assigned to the State by the Central Government.

The number of poor people was significantly higher in reality, and
there was an urgent need to include them in BPL list, Maywati stressed
in her letter.

Mayawati has said that the 2002 survey had provided for an
additional BPL quota of 10 per cent as a Transient Poor category.
However, the State could not get the benefit of this additional quota
of 10.6 lakh families, which could have partly mitigated the needs of
the State’s poor.

Mayawati has requested the Prime Minister to direct the new expert
committee set up by the Union Government to develop criteria and a
process of identifying poverty, to look into this critical issue, which
is likely to impact millions of urban migrants. (ANI)


Maruti set for a change

 

The ageing F-series engine may be upgraded to the new
emission standard

 

Although maruti has stated that it will discontinue the 800 in 11
cities by 2010, when tougher Bharat Stage IV norms kick in, it is likely that
the ageing F-series engine that power the 80, Omni, Alto and Wagan R will be
upgraded to the new emission standard.

            One replacement option for the
F-series engines in the all-new and significantly cleaner K-series into 800,
Alto snd Wagan R is proving to be a nightmare for Maruti engineers.

            An easier option is to increase the
‘after treatment’ with catalysts on the F-series engines to make them cleaner.
But this isn’t as easy as it sounds as it involves the fine calibration of the
engine to balance out loss of power and efficiency from the increased back
pressure of a bigger catalyst.

            Maruti has already begun work to
meet the April 2010 deadline for its stage IV engines with the Ritz being their
first Stage IV-compliant engined car.

comments (0)
06/08/09
VR1 MEDIA-FREE ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-23 The way of home life Ethics GREAT NEWS-Our Prabuddha Bharatha Matha Honourable Ms. Mayawati has set up an International Buddhist Institute (Antarrashtriya Baudh Sansthan) at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh (U.P.). -Buddhist Teachings: Acquisition of Wealth and Maintaining an Unperturbed Socio-spiritual Life -World Bank okays Rs.1,332 crore loan for Uttar Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh to go head hunting in colleges for doctors-Mayawati leaves her ministers ‘powerless’-Maya govt initiates privatisation of power transmission-Sri Lankan Monk leaves Meditation Retreat to help Refugees-Mayawati: nothing new in Pratibha’s address-Post matric scholarship for SC/ST-
Filed under: General
Posted by: @ 8:06 pm


VR1
MEDIA

FREE
ONLINE TRAINING ON PRECEPTS AND TRADE-23

The
way of home life

 
Ethics


A husband should show
respect for his wife in five ways:

1)         by treating her with
respect and love,

2)         by being dignified and
decent,

3)         by aptly providing
daily necessities,

4)         by being serious when
appropriate, and

5)         by entrusting her with
household matters.

 

A wife should show
respect for her husband in five ways:

            1)         by
showing him consideration, respect , and love,

            2)         by
being neat and tidy,

            3)         by
being warm and affectionate,

            4)         by
being sincere and honest, and

            5)         by
praising and complimenting him.


GREAT NEWS

My final words of advice to
you are educate, agitate and organize; have faith in yourself. With justice on
our side I do not see how we can loose our battle. The battle to me is a matter
of joy. The battle is in the fullest sense spiritual. There is nothing material
or social in it. For ours is a battle not for wealth or for power. It is battle
for freedom. It is the battle of reclamation of human personality? .

Dr. B.R.Ambedkar

 

On Fri, Jun 5, 2009
at 2:37 PM, <uk4in@yahoo. co.in> wrote:



Dear Friends

Namo Buddhay and Jai
Bhim!

 

It is a great news
and and I take this opportunity to share with you all. Our  Prabuddha Bharatha Matha Honourable Ms.
Mayawati has set up an International Buddhist Institute (Antarrashtriya Baudh
Sansthan) at Lucknow in
Uttar Pradesh (U.P.). The U.P Government led by our Honourable leader has set
this Antarrashtriya Baudh Sansthan to spread Buddhist culture and ideology.

 

The newly set up Antarrashtriya Baudh Sansthan is headed
by
Venerable Bhante Nand Ratan, the
head monk at Kushinagar
. He has also been accorded the status of a
Minister of State in Uttar Pradesh. The name of other honourable member of this
Sansthan are as follows:

1. Venerable Bhante Sheel Ratan

2. Venerable Bhante Gyan Vansh

3. Venerable Bhante Sheel Prakash Khairo

4. Venerable Bhante Deepankar

5. Venerable Bhante Dhamma Priya

6. Venerable Bhante Sharan Pal

7. Venerable Bhante Gyan Aditya

8. Venerable Bhante Gyan Sagar

 

Mr. Y.P. Singh would be the Director of
this Sansthan
.
The construction work of the new
building for this newly set up Baudh Sansthan has already started at
Gomati Nagar, near Reserve Bank of India, in
Lucknow.

 

(News Courtesy: Amar
Ujala (A Hindi Newspaper), Allahabad,
03.06.2009).

 

Freinds, this is perhaps for the first time
that a democratically elected Government in India has taken such an important
initiative to spread Buddhist culture and ideology, though we do not know much
if any such kind of initiative has been taken up in Sikkim.

 

But in the heartland of Jambudipa, that
is, the Great POrabuddha Bharath and Buddhism after the great Buddhist Kings
Asoka, Kaniska and Harsa, a state patronage has been provided by our honourable
leader Ms. Mayawati to propagate Buddhism.

 

Please circulate this news as widely as
possible in all your circles/networks.

  

With Regards & In
Solidarity

Umakant, Ph.D

New Delhi

 

Uttar Pradesh
politics is unpredictable, with the four major players in the field - BSP, SP,
BJP, Congress - each sharing the votes polled and seats won, as in
the 2009 elections, not vastly different from one another. It is this fact that
came up in my mind, holding back my applause for the project just launched by
Mayawati for an International Buddhist Institute at Lucknow. Nonetheless, I extend my warmest
greetings, and pray for long, healthy life for the project.

 

I want to assure
myself that Mayawati would continue to be the Chief Minister of U.P. beyond
2012, and that the Director of the proposed Institute, Mr Y.P.Singh, is a
dedicated Buddhist, and Mayawati herself would become an
unerring practising Buddhist as a triumphant ruling monarch once became
like Emperor Asoka.

 

Best wishes,

 

Lakshman

June 7,
‘09   

 

NOW Prabuddha Bharath Matha Mayawati
is not just Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, but
heading
toward ARAHAT
which is
many times higher the TITLES such as PRIME
MINISTER or PRESIDENT of any Country
.

 

Jagatheesan
Chandrasekharan

Chandrasekharan.tipitaka.jagat@gmail.com

 

Always Kindly visit:

http://sarvajan.ambedkar.org

and

www.buddhismandbusiness.webs.com

for your favourite positive NEWS


Buddhist Teachings: Acquisition of Wealth and Maintaining
an Unperturbed Socio-spiritual Life

Bhikkhu
Nyanabodhi
nyanabodhi@gmail.com

It has been often incriminated that
Buddhism is more concerned about spirituality more than its concern about
worldly matters. Against this criticism, over the recent centuries scholars
have contributed greatly unearthing the social dimensions of Buddha’s
teachings. In this article, we shall look into some economic principles of the
Buddhadhamma by drawing some references from the Pāli canon.

The teaching of Gotama  Buddha
as we know is centred upon the four noble truths (cattāri ariyasaccāni),
of which the first is dukkha (suffering or unsatisfactoriness). In
spite of the high spiritual application of the concept in other texts, in the
Dhammapada verse 203, Gotama Buddha addresses the issue of  Suffering
 in two fundamental aspects:
 

1.     Hunger (jigacchā) – the primary source of human
suffering  which needs to be coped with every day, and

2.      Conditioned things (sakhāra) - the primary source  suffering
to be realized as it is (
yathābhūta) and overcome by the wise.

From this aforementioned primary
issues  of suffering, we see Buddhism stresses liberation (vimutti)
from both these two aspect of anguish or vexation in the same urgent spirit.
Elsewhere we learn from  the Buddha who  says ‘all living beings are
dependent upon food’ – (sabbe sattā āhara
ṭṭhiikā) which generated his idea of the Middle
Path in the pursuit of a more conducive  spiritual life.

In fact, the spiritual life of Gotama
 Buddha itself had awakened him to the importance of leading a life of
moderation – the Middle Path.  We see that ascetic Siddhattha’s attainment
of perfect Enlightenment (sammā sambodhi) was possible only after he
was disillusioned with the idea of ‘austere practices’ and resorted to ‘middle
way’. Thus, this noble discovery of the Middle Path of the Blessed One
motivated him to avert  the extremity of self-indulgence (kāmesukhallikānuyogo)
and self-mortification (attakilamatānuyogo). The Middle path is to
maintain the moderation in attainment of both worldly and spiritual success.

The fact that poverty is woeful (dāliddiyabhikkhave
dukkha
lokasmi) accentuates the importance of wealth in the life of a worldly person.
Therefore, the Buddha advocates rightful means in acquiring wealth. By
‘material wealth’ (dhana), Buddhism recognises the four fundamental
needs (catu paccaya): food (āhāra), cloths (vattha),
shelter (geha) and medicine (bhesajja) before one undertakes
the education (spiritual training) for the attainment of noble wealth (ariyadhana).
Of the four, food is distinguished as the foremost as ‘this body survives
depended upon food, without food it cannot survive’ – (aya

kāyo āhara
ṭṭhitiko āhāra
pa
icca tiṭṭhati anāharo na tiṭṭhati).

Yet, it is a pathetic sight that
around the world millions of people are very poor . Many have died due to 
hunger. Owing to   the severity of hunger, some were compelled
 even to feed on the flesh of other humans.

The Buddha evidently mentioned in the
Cakkavattisīhanāda Sutta of Dīgha-Nikāya that owing  to the
imbalanced distribution of wealth, there arises poverty which in turn leads to
immorality and crimes such as thefts, falsehood, violences, hatred and cruelty
and so forth. The sutta emphasizes the state responsibility to judge
the divergent individual capacities of his citizens and distribute resources accordingly.
Thus, those with agricultural talents should be provided with seeds and fields;
those talented in business with capital; and those who can serve in various
government sectors with such opportunities. In this way, people being busy with
their duties will not develop harmful tendencies.

Besides relying on  the economic
support from King, Gotama Buddha also educated his lay devotees on the
righteous means to gain wealth. The Exalted One  elucidated how the
righteous life first leads to rebirth in this terrestrial world and 
eventually will lead to a happy life in the next world (Dhammacāri sukha

seti asmi
loke para hi ca).

In the
Dīghajānu Sutta, when the Buddha was asked by householder Dīghajānu about the
way to get happiness in this life and the life after, the Exalted Master
expounded four factors conducive to attaining happiness in this life thus:

1.     Diligent acquisition(uṭṭhānasampada)

2.     Careful conservation(ārakkhasampada)

3.     Having virtuous friends(kalyānamittatā)and

4.     Living within your means(Samājīvikatā)

 Buddhism
always emphasizes right livelihood  striving righteously (dhammena)
and diligently (appamādena) to be successful in material, social, or
even spiritual gains. It is mentioned in the scriptures that like a bee
accumulating honey or an ant building its anthill, a person must exercise his
energy and effort to accumulate his wealth. There is a saying in Sanskrit
stressing the effort of a man in both earning wealth and practicing a religious
life. It says that in earning wealth and in education, one must not think of
decay or death. But in his everyday life, he should think that the death is
extremely near to him (ajarāmaravat prajño/vidyamartha

ca sādhayet/gŗhita iva kesesu/mŗtyunā dharmamācaret
).

The way to earn wealth is precisely
explicated in the A
guttara Nikāya thus : “for a good person
wealth is or should be earned not by violent means, but by energetic striving,
amassed by strength of arm, won by sweat, and received with the righteous means

– (Bhogā honti asāhasena u
ṭṭhānavīriyādhigatehi  bhogehi 
bāhābalaparicitehi  sedāvakkhittehi  dhammikehi  dhammaladdhehi
). The golden rule governing right
livelihood or Buddhist economics is thus : to do jobs that harm neither oneself
nor another person or other beings (morally or even materially). Thus, five
kinds of businesses are declared by Gotama Buddha  as not righteous:

1.     The trade of weapons (sattha vānijja)

2.     The trade of poison (visa vānijja)

3.     The trade of alcohol and dangerous drugs (majja vānijja)

4.     The trade of flesh and (masa vānijja)

5.     The trade of people (satta vānijja).

 This reminds
us of the social obligations that must be cogitated by manufacturers and tradespersons;
not only by seeking self centric ends but by truly serving the society.
According to Buddhism, cheating is an unskilful action that should be
abandoned. It has been often misapprehended that succeeding in business without
cheating is impossible. But one should also think that he himself does not like
to be cheated. There is a muscular saying of George Washington; ‘Honesty is the
best policy’ which is one of the five basic ethical principles (pañcasīla)
of Buddhism and which should attentively be applied in the business matters.

Buddhism also highlights  the
careful observation and protection of wealth acquired by the individual with
his hard work. It recommends that a person should take a good care of his
wealth, not allowing it to be eroded away by unjust taxation, theft, natural
disaster or undeserving successors. Furthermore, when saving up one’s wealth,
one should not allow such doing  to bring oneself into conflict with those
around him. The reason why Buddhism advises  one to protect one’s wealth
is that  in case of emergency such as repairing the consequences of fire,
flood, excess taxation, and so forth, he can make use of his wealth and
overcome the difficulties in life. Of course the best way to conserve one’s
wealth is by way of acquiring transcendental wealth or merit.  In such a
form, it is beyond the touch of any evil force. Furthermore,  it will be
appreciated with the passing of the years, thus saving in the form of transcendental
wealth is really the most skilful way of conserving one’s wealth.

Along with the economic activities or
even day to day life, an individual should also keep companionship with
virtuous friends having faith (saddhā), self-discipline (sīla),
self-sacrifice (cāga) and wisdom (paññā). The Buddha teaches
that worldly wealth may be exhausted in a moment, but the value of training
other people to be virtuous never knows an end. In many of the sutta-s
such as Ma
gala sutta, Sigālovāda sutta etc., the Buddha gave a detailed account
on how the behaviour of a friend should actually be. And he also advises 
us to associate  with the wise and virtuous friends and to avoid
associating  with the unskilful and bad ones (asevanā ca bālāna

panditāna
ca sevanā).

And finally,  we are advised to
live within our means (samajīvikatā). One should live a life not being
a luxury-seeker and also not being too spendthrift either. There is a very
simple yet extremely significant statement which in a nutshell contains the
essential features of the Buddhist economics. The statement runs thus: – an
individual should divide his wealth in four portions, of these the first
portion will be used for his own expense, a half of the total wealth i.e. the
second and the third portions should be used in  reinvestments. And the
best approach to the investment as mentioned in Buddhism is – development of
skills, training experience, fulfilling the basic needs of others and so on.
And with regard to the hospitality there is a mention of five bali-s
(offerings or treatments) namely;treating relatives[ñāti bali],
guests[atithi bali], the government[rāja bali], departed
relatives[peta bali], and samanas and brāhmanas [devatā
bali
]. And the last portion should be kept for the future needs such as –
floods, calamities and drought and so on.

Thus, while one is practicing the
above mentioned four qualities, one develops four more spiritual qualities
namely saddhā (faith), sīla (morality or virtue), cāga
(generosity), and paññā (wisdom). Having these qualities developed,
one then obtains four kinds of happiness namely:

1.     One becomes happy thinking that he acquires
his wealth in a righteous way (
atthi sukha)

2.     He becomes happy in using the wealth earned
in the blameless way (
bhoga sukha)

3.     He becomes happy being able to say ‘I
have no debts’ which is the bliss of debtlessness (
anaa sukha), and

4.     Finally, he enjoys the bliss of
blamelessness (
anavajja
sukha
).

The Buddha praised the fourth type of
happiness because this person does not do any unskilful action either through
his body or speech or mind. And hence he is freed from harming others in any
way; therefore he leads a blameless life.

The economic theory in Buddhism is
rather a holistic one. Buddhism begins primarily talking with individual
economy and then it goes on to social economy and then to state economy. With
the development of wealth, an individual is expected to be developed in the
dharma. He does everything for the benefit and wellbeing of the both oneself and
others as the Buddhist saying goes; “May all livings be well and happy” – (sabbe
sattā bhavantu sukhitattā
).  An individual trained in such a way is
related to the family; a family to a group, a group to a state or a nation; and
a state to other states. In such a state even the animals, birds, fish as well
as trees and plants are protected. Thus happiness prevails in such a country.

Therefore, Buddhism appreciates such
economic activities which do not exploit others; do not increase additional
wants depriving the basic needs; do not fall within the five areas of trade and
do not use material resources without maintaining the ecological balance.
Buddhism always stresses on  right livelihood . Right livelihood
 means that a man should not just accumulate wealth for the sake of
enjoying  life, rather taking the economic activities as a mean to achieve
the end and which is to be known as the socio-spiritual life. In respect of
this way of livelihood, a modern economist, Glen Alexandrian, says that ethical
consideration should be given a prominent place in production and distribution
of wealth. Therefore, it should be said that Buddhism does not see any fault in
the wealth itself. Its emphasis is mostly  the ethical acquisition and
usage of the wealth. It recommends that  in the acquisition of wealth, one
must not exercise greed, stinginess, grasping, attachment, and hoarding. In
other words, the economic activities should not be done with competition or
contest, but with co-operation and zeal. In so doing one, would then be able to
lead an unperturbed socio-spiritual life.

Editor’s Note:

Most of the important early Buddhist
Economics promulgated by Gotama Buddha is incorporated in this essay. We can
learn Buddhadhamma as well as Buddhist
Way
of participating in economic activities.
Earning and utility of economic wealth is a conditioned phenomenon.
Non-violation of Buddhist principle of Dependent Co-arising is the Principle.
The wisdom of Anattā integrates the phenomenon with the Principle harmoniously.
Live in Anattā and you are perfectly protected in any sphere of activity
including economic activities. To live in Anattā : Annihilate your
self-identity in the Totality of any collective work.

World Bank okays Rs.1,332 crore loan for Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, June 7 (IANS) The World Bank has given its
nod to a whopping Rs.1,332 crore (Rs.13.32 billion) soft loan for
reclamation of sodic land in Uttar Pradesh - a move that will help an
estimated 250,000 farmers.

Making the announcement at a press conference here Sunday, Uttar
Pradesh Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh said, “The scheme
would help reclaim a huge chunk of about 130,000 hectares of sodic land
in the state.”

The scheme, an extension of two previous phases of a similar
exercise undertaken in the state, will benefit an estimated 250,000
farmers, he said.

“At least 43 percent of the beneficiaries would be marginal farmers, of which a larger chunk would be SC/STs.”

The state government has also finalised a large-scale afforestation programme aiming to plant 55 million trees.

UP police to seek ‘godman’ Ashok Jadeja’s custody

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh police will
seek custody of inter-state conman Ashok Jadeja in connection with an FIR lodged
against him for duping
tribals by posing as a godman in Mathura district, senior
officials said here on Sunday.

A case was lodged against Jadeja and
nine others, including his wife Neetu, yesterday for duping 22 members of Bhaatu
and Sansi tribes in Mathura district.

A warrant is being issued and
will be served on Jadeja, who is currently lodged in Ahmedabad jail, Additional
Director General of Police (Law and Order) Brij Lal said.

Jadeja, who
had duped many people by posing as a godman, was arrested by Ahmedabad police on
June 3.

The officials said that following Jadeja’s arrest a circular
was issued by the ADG directing the district level officers to register a case
against the conman and investigate cases of fraud by him.

After the
circular was issued, some people contacted Senior Superintendent of Police
Mathura Satish Ganesh and lodged a complaint that they were duped by Jadeja and
his associates.

The complainants alleged that on March 14 Jadeja
visited tribal dominated localities and claimed that he had blessings of the
goddess, police said, adding that he and his associates collected around 40-50
lakh from 22 tribals and assured them that they would prosper.

Uttar Pradesh to go head hunting in colleges for doctors

Lucknow, June 7: The Uttar Pradesh government is
planning campus recruitment of doctors to fill nearly 5,000 vacancies
in the state’s provincial medical services, an official has said.

“The move will enable us deliver better health facilities across the
state, particularly in the rural areas, where people rely on community
and primary health centres for medical treatment,'’ Director General
(Medical and Health) I.S. Srivastava told IANS.

A proposal to hold campus interviews in different medical colleges
of the state for recruitment of government doctors has already been
prepared and the order will come within two months, he added.

According to officials, the strength of the provincial medical services is 12,000, of which nearly half are vacant.

Delay in recruitment of doctors and lethargic response of medical
graduates to the vacancies advertised by the state public service
commission has prompted the government to opt for campus recruitment,
the official added.

The state’s Provincial and Medical Services Association (PMSA) has hailed the government’s move.

“The move will surely help to upgrade the health management system
in the state. It’s good that the government will now recruit doctors
through campus
Mayawati leaves her ministers ‘powerless’

Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister Mayawati has stripped her ministers of the powers to directly
appoint, promote, suspend or transfer any official in their respective
departments.

Henceforth, the ministers can only make recommendations for effecting
transfers of officials of their departments to the chief minister,
whose decision would be final.
The
ministers cannot directly appoint, promote, suspend or terminate the
services of the officials without obtaining consent of the chief
minister.

The decision to strip the ministers of the authority was taken in a meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet held on Friday evening.

As
expected, none of the ministers at the meeting dared to protest though
some of them later did confide that the decision would virtually reduce
the ministers to “mere showpieces”.

A senior minister,
preferring anonymity, said it would make the chief minister’s
secretariat all powerful as such decisions would be taken from there.

Incidentally,
the decision comes after Mayawati’s recent meetings with her ministers,
individually as well as collectively, in the wake of the Bahujan Samaj
Party’s (BSP) poor show in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

During
the meetings, the BSP supremo had expressed her serious displeasure
over the style of functioning of the ministers and virtually held them
responsible for the party’s poor performance in the elections.

She
was particularly annoyed with her “brahmin” ministers for their
“failure” to bring their fellow castemen to the BSP’s fold in the
elections. In her meeting with the BSP office bearers and MLAs,
Mayawati was told that the ministers never paid any attention to the
issues raised by the party workers and leaders at the district level.

The
MLAs told Mayawati that the administration also turned a deaf ear to
their complaints against corrupt officials. “Officials openly took
bribe for recruitments for class-four posts even from dalit
candidates,” some MLAs had complained.

They reportedly told the BSP chief that the ministers failed to take action against the guilty officials despite their demands.

“By
stripping the ministers of their authority, the BSP supremo has sent a
strong message that she wants results,” quipped a senior BSP leader
while talking to Deccan Herald here on Saturday.
DH News Service


Maya govt initiates privatisation of power transmission


Lucknow:

The
Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has initiated the
process for privatisation of power transmission in the state. In this
connection, it has invited bids from consultant companies who will
formulate the financial and technical model for the project.

Seven companies —
Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Ernst & Young, CRISIL (Credit Rating
Information Services of India Limited), SBI Capital, Feedback Ventures,
ICRA and Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited — have shown their
willingness to assist the state government in its project through the
public-private partnership (PPP) model.

“The corporation
is evaluating their technical bids, which will be complete by Saturday.
The financial bids, which qualify, will be opened on Monday,” said
Navneet Sahgal, Chairman and Managing Director of UPPCL.

The corporation is
working on a Rs 8,000-crore proposal for power transmission in the
state. “Since we plan to add 10,000 MW of electricity generation in the
next three to five years, there will be a need to strengthen and
upgrade transmission as well. Therefore, this exercise,” a senior UPPCL
official said.

Sri Lankan Monk leaves Meditation Retreat to help Refugees

A Special Report by Ven Y. Wimala, The Buddhist Channel, June 8, 2009


Ven
Y. Wimala, a recipient of the “Global Peace Award” in 2007, has
returned to Sri Lanka to help “internally displaced people” - mostly
victims of the island’s civil war

Vavuniya, Sri Lanka — When I arrived in Sri Lanka
just days ago, the national flag was flying everywhere. Everyone I
spoke with was happy that the war has finally ended. Incredibly, I
noticed fewer road blocks and less military presence on the streets
than before. It took a while for me to begin to believe that the past
30 years of war had really, really ended and people were celebrating
this return to normalcy.

Venerable Wimala distributing school materials to the children in the IDP camps

The Sri Lankan government has being fighting for the past 30 years a
group known as “the worlds most dangerous terrorist organization”, the
LTTE or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam” During this period of 30
years, over one hundred thousand people have died including the Tigers,
civilians and about 22,000 government soldiers. Hundreds of thousands
have been injured, displaced and disabled.

Although the guns have become silent, the victims of war continue to
suffer. The day after my arrival we drove to Vavuniya, a town in
northern Sri Lanka, to visit the refugees now called IDPs (internally
displaced people). Since the end of the fighting more than three
hundred thousand people have become IDPs .


When we arrived in the area known as Manik Farm where most of the IDPs
were settled, there were so many temporary and makeshift buildings.
Some areas looked like an endless sea of tents. It is hard to describe
the instant feelings of pain, sadness and concern you feel for these
innocent people. Those who escaped the war arrived here with nothing
but few of their belongings. Obviously there are many problems
providing food, clothing and the most basic human needs.

Although it is sad to see so many displaced people I felt the
opportunity to be there to help them in some small ways. The following
are some of the relief projects we have conducted so far.

School Supplies for 2000 Displaced Students

As you might know from the history of Triple Gem Society, we are
always interested in getting involved with projects related to the
education of children, especially those who are affected by war or
natural disasters. The Manik Farm area has been divided into four
zones. Brigadier Wikramasinhe, who is in charge of Zone 1, informed us
of the need for school supplies for students in grades 8, 9 and 10.
These children have missed school for past few months due to the heavy
fighting in the area. Arrangements are now being made to start schools
immediately in temporary huts. When I arrived in Sri Lanka, Ven.
Subuthi who invited me to serve the IDPs, had already organized the
purchase and transportation of the school supplies. I simply had to pay
the bills and take the materials to the IDP camps. We were happy to
help these two thousand students with notebooks, pens, mathematics
equipment boxes and other essential school items.

Clean Water in 25 Giant Plastic Tanks.

When I was touring the IDP camps for the first time, I noticed long
lines of people. Some of them were waiting in patiently with individual
buckets to get fresh water. When I inquired as to the situation from
Brigadier Wikramasinhe, he told us that many more holding tanks were
needed to supply water to such large number of people. The next day we
arranged for 25 huge plastic water tanks, most of them 1000 Liter
capacity, to be delivered. I was happy to participate in distributing
them throughout the IDP camps.

Hindu Temple

Day by day, people are still pouring in and settling into temporary
shelters or tents. To help implement a sense of normalcy as quickly as
possible, the government is busy preparing and planning for schools and
places of worship. The Hindu temple in Zone 1 is a temporary hut with a
thatched roof and no walls or floor. People were sitting on a plastic
cover on the sand to attend worship and religious ceremonies. We worked
with a local contractor to lay bricks, build a cement floor for the
temple and build a shrine. We also donated statues of gods to create a
proper temple atmosphere.

Robes for 75 Hindu Priests

The government hves created a separate section for Hindu Priests in
Manik Farm, where thousands of families have moved into temporary
shelters. There are currently about one hundred Hindu priests in this
special section. When they left the war zone few weeks ago they left
all of their prior belongings behind. Most of them came with only the
clothes they were wearing. We provided seventy five priests with the
robes that they wear to perform Puja or religious ceremonies. Some
times it is these small simple deeds that bring the smiles of
gratitude.

Bicycles for Village Heads

The houses in this special IDP region are spread out over a large
geographic area. The civil servants who were working in the former
villages at the time of the war have now been reemployed in the IDP
camps as head of separate zones. When meetings are called it takes them
a long time to come together from their various locations. When I was
informed of this transportation problem by the camp manager, we were
happy to donate bicycles to the heads of separate camp zones.

Semi-Permanent Housing for 250 Tamil Families

We have competed preparations for building 250 units of semi
permanent housing for displaced families. The land, contractors, design
all are ready. This project will be completed with Triple Gem Society
funds. As the first phase, housing for 100 families will be competed
within  six weeks.   We will sign the contract within the next day.

At the moment, housing is the most urgent need for these displaced
victims of war. We can not yet know how long people may have to stay in
these camps; current government estimates are 6 to 12 months. Decent
living conditions will make a world of difference in improving normalcy
and aiding in disease prevention. 

I know that this is a big undertaking. Triple Gem Society is a small
organization and humanitarian projects are not our primary focus.  
Even so, I feel compelled to do everything I can to help the IDPs after
seeing the conditions in the camps and hearing what these people have
gone through to simply survive these past six months.

Since the buildings will be semi permanent, the  final cost per unit
will be about $2000 US.  I know it is a lot of money to think of
building 250 units.  Please do not get concerned. If we think of  just
one family at a time, we all can do this together.

————————
Donations can be made to the Triple Gem Society by bank draft, TT, credit card, etc or visit the website www.bhantewimala.com

Triple Gem Society
P.O. Box 713, Princeton,
NJ 08542
USA

http://www.thehindu.com/2009/06/06/stories/2009060655011000.htm

Mayawati: nothing new in Pratibha’s address

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday said the
Centre should pay greater attention to implementing the schemes for
the welfare of Dalits and other weaker sections of society.

Reacting to President Pratibha Patil’s address to Parliament, Ms.
Mayawati said in a statement that there was nothing new in the
programmes announced for Dalits and other weaker sections. The welfare
programmes should be implemented without discrimination.

Schemes for SCs, STs

The UPA government was silent on the schemes it had announced for the
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and deprived sections. One such
issue was giving reservation to SCs/STs in the private sector.

Ms. Mayawati said she had written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, seeking quota for SCs/STs in the private sector, judiciary and
legislature.

Sachar panel

The Chief Minister wanted an action plan formulated for implementing
the Sachar panel recommendations on the welfare of Muslims. She
alleged that the loan waiver scheme benefited only rich farmers, who
had taken loans from banks. She wanted steps taken for waiving the
loans taken by SC/STs.

Instead of 100-day employment, jobs for the whole year should be
provided under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.

The Chief Minister’s statement was released by Cabinet Secretary
Shashank Shekhar Singh here.

Talking to journalists, Mr. Singh claimed that contrary to the
Opposition propaganda on the law and order situation, there was a fall
in the number of incidents of crime.

http://e-pao. net/GP.asp? src=14..070609. jun09

Post matric scholarship for SC/ST
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 06 2009: Post matric scholarship for scheduled tribe and
scheduled caste students (2008-09) of DM College of Arts will be
distributed from June 9 onwards in between 11 am to 3 pm at the 2nd
Battalion Manipur Rifles for which eligible students are required to
produce identity cards (valid) at the time of collecting their
scholarship amount, said a DMC Arts release issued by its Principal.

ST students of BA III year may avail the scholarship amount on june 9
whereas BA II and I year students are informed to collect the same on
June 10 and 11 respectively.

For SC students the scholarships would be disbursed on June 12, the
release added.


comments (0)
06/05/09