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Wednesday,
November 13, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Hope for Sunita Leadership changes in China Aiding the fight against AIDS |
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Narendra Modi as Sardar Patel
Wine-coloured days
Expanding Chandigarh’s green cover
A ‘sixth sense’ cure to depression, phobia
Of
Amitabh, Savoy and Mussoorie
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Hope for Sunita A SMALL window of hope has opened for Sunita Rani, the athlete from Sunam who was stripped of her Asian Games medals after failing two dope tests. The Salwan Commission that investigated the doping charge has raised several questions about the credibility of the test done at the Seoul laboratory. Mr Sushil Salwan, who investigated Sunita's case, examined 19 professionals and medical experts before recommending to the Amateur Athletics Federation of India to challenge the Indian middle distance runner's disqualification in the events in which she won medals, including a gold. It is now up to the AAFI to explore all the avenues for redeeming the country's reputation that was tarnished rather unfairly because of the doubtful tests that robbed Sunita of her moment of glory in India. Now is the time for Punjab, in fact India, to back Sunita and have her name cleared of the stigma of having used some performance-enhancing substance at the Busan Games. To be fair, when the controversy erupted Milkha Singh and P. T. Usha were among those who stood by Sunita while the AAFI looked the other way. They both pointed out discrepancies in the procedures adopted for the dope tests. Since Sunita belongs to Punjab the process of redeeming her name should begin here. Recently the athletes from the state who won medals at Busan were given cash awards at a special function by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. Now that the Salwan Commission has given Sunita a clean chit, she too should be given her share of the cash incentive for outstanding performance at the Busan Asian Games. Her case for the Central award for winning medals too should be taken up without delay. The simple athlete from a low middle class family has suffered enough for no fault of hers. When the rest of the medal winners were being given a red carpet welcome on their return from Busan, she was forced to go into hiding. Someone has to explain why she was made to undergo the avoidable trauma. AAFI President Suresh Kalmadi was not very forthcoming about the future course of action that he would take to defend Sunita. Now is the time for him to pull out all stops for initiating the process that would clear her name. It must be remembered that when Susanthika Jayasinghe faced the same crisis the Sri Lanka athletics federation hired the services of the best legal firm in the country for defending her. She was subsequently cleared of the charge of having taken performance-enhancing drugs. Why can the AAFI not pursue Sunita's case with the same vigour, because it is not just her name but national honour that was sullied because of the flawed methods of dope testing at Busan? |
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Leadership changes in China CHINA’S 16th Communist Party Congress, which began last Friday, assumes significance for it may install a new leader in place of the present boss, Mr Jiang Zemin, who is stepping into semi-retirement after a 13-year eventful reign. Aged 76, Jiang is following the new unwritten party rule that none above 70 should stay in the Politburo. How much power Jiang sheds and who his successor is will be clear only on the conclusion of the congress, held once in five years, on Friday. Although the chain of leadership is decided well in advance, but is not made public and the election process is strictly followed. The congress’s 2,114 delegates will first choose the party’s 300-member Central Committee, which in turn will rubber-stamp candidates for the country’s two highest governing bodies-- the Politburo and the Politburo Standing Committee. There are three areas of speculation regarding the current succession struggle in China. One, will Jiang step down as the Chairman of the party’s Central Military Commission, a post that makes him the supreme commander of the armed forces. Two, speculation about the next leader of China has narrowed down to 59-year-old former engineer Hu Jintao, who has no base of his own in the party but is dependent entirely on the goodwill of the three party elders -- Mr Li Peng, Chairman of the National People’s Congress, Prime Minister Zhu Rongji and of course Jiang himself. The first two are also expected to retire next year. Three, there are still doubts, particularly among pro-democracy Western observers, about the success and continuity of China’s system of electing its leaders. The procedure is marked by nepotism and favouritism. An intense internal struggle follows every leadership change. As far as the continuity of economic reforms in China is concerned, there is no looking back now. The widely held view is: it does not matter what colour the cat is as long as it catches mice. The once communist country has embraced capitalism whole-heartedly and the results are not unpleasant. It is the fastest growing economy in the world today and attracts $45 billion worth of foreign direct investment annually compared to India’s measly $2 billion. The present congress is expected to make a change in the party’s constitution to give a representation to the “advanced productive forces”, which is the communist jargon for the capitalists. Businessmen are now becoming members of the Communist Party, but the membership offer is still confined to the entrepreneurs running the newly privatised state-owned undertakings. Whatever the flaws in China’s political system, it has delivered faster economic growth, which is an envy of the entire world now reeling under recession. In India democracy has ensured that for every two forward steps we take one step backword. Vote-bank compulsions have stalled whatever reforms were initiated during the last one decade. In comparison to China, we stand nowhere. |
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Aiding the fight against AIDS THE $ 100 million commitment to fight AIDS in India, given by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, should galvanise the fight against the pandemic that has been sweeping across the world. The country and its people have a special place in the heart of the software multi-billionaire who has been employing a large number of Indians in his establishment and has been visiting India often. It was two years ago that he became aware of the extent of the AIDS problem in India and he has now responded with the fund that will be used to improve access to proven HIV-prevention interventions among the “mobile” persons, such as truck drivers and migrant labourers. It will also make efforts to fight the stigma attached to it. Both are significant issues, since an increasing number of HIV-positive patients are women and children, who get infected through “mobile” males. Sad examples of the kind of stigma that is attached to the disease surface from time to time and as a result, medical help is also affected by this negative perception. Studies have shown that HIV-positive persons can live normal lives and at times defy medical estimations about their prognosis provided they are made emotionally secure. Often, the negative perception about HIV-positive patients rests on the belief that the disease is spread by mere coming into social contact with them. In the Indian context, there are many mothers and children who have got AIDS for no fault of theirs. Many also get AIDS from tainted blood and inadequate sterilisation of equipment. By focusing on the mobile population, the new thrust will tackle the high-risk segments. The foundation’s commitment is the largest single grant given to any country. However, unfortunately, elements within the establishment, both political and administrative, have responded less than positively to this munificence. The association of the foundation will not only give much-needed money for various programmes, it will also serve to re-focus attention on what has been swept under the carpet. While the exact numbers are not available, and estimates are a contentious issue, there is no doubt that this is a critical problem where much more active government intervention is needed. Shamefully, there have been states, including Punjab, where the funds given for AIDS have not been utilised. On the other hand, there are states like Andhra Pradesh, which have been moving forward in making it mandatory for prospective marriage partners to take the HIV test. Indian businessmen have yet to emulate Bill Gates. Good business should also generate funds for good causes. Gates has said this programme is not meant to compete with the national AIDS control programme but to complement it. The programme advisory board is to be headed by the Health Minister and will have two senior government officials in it, along with the business leaders and representatives from NGOs. It has been shown that active interventions have helped in reducing the rates of HIV-infected patients in south-east Asian nations. There is no reason why this initiative, along with proper government efforts, would not deliver results. It has to. Otherwise, the consequences would be too horrific for the nation. |
Narendra Modi as Sardar Patel QUITE often in the world of books, imposters play a positive role. In Anthony Hope’s “The Prisoner of Zenda”, a favourite of Jawaharlal Nehru, an English aristocrat, Rudolf Rasendyll, successfully impersonated his distant cousin, the would-be ruler of the kingdom of Ruritania, to whom he bore a remarkable resemblance, and saved it from the clutches of his evil brother, Black Michael. Impersonators abounded in the crazy world of P.G. Wodehouse where the empty-headed hero Bertie Wooster, on the advice of his “gentleman’s personal gentleman”, Jeeves, impersonated among others, the “loony” doctor, Sir Roderick Glossop. It is doubtful if Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had ever read “The Prisoner of Zenda” or the works of “Plum” Wodehouse. But today, on the political front, on the eve of the vital state assembly elections, Mr Modi has assumed the role of one of the greatest leaders India had produced, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The result is two-fold — comedy as in the Wodehouse novels; tragi-comedy when one compared the work and career of Mr Modi with that of Sardar, the Iron Man of India. In an editorial headlined, “Naqli Sardar”, The Statesman, one of the leading dailies from Kolkata, observed, “It is just as well that Sardar Patel was not buried after his death, otherwise he would be turning over in his grave. His name is bandied about with impunity in his home state. Everyone suddenly wants to appropriate the country’s first Home Minister as his own and pose as his political reincarnation.” The race to claim the Sardar’s mantle was led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and not the Congress. Sardar Patel belonged to the Congress throughout his life and never deviated from its ideology. That was why it is all the more ridiculous for the BJP claiming the legacy. History tells us that it was Home Minister Patel who banned the RSS after certain fanatical pro-Hindu elements conspired and assassinated Gandhiji. Patel felt personal responsibility at the dastardly act and was determined to nip communal mischief in the bud. And today the RSS and its offshoots swear by the same Sardar! There was a claimant to the “Chote Sardar” position even before Mr Narendra Modi. That was the Hindutva proponent, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, who laid claim to this title following his “rath yatra” which left a bloody trail wherever it travelled. Somnath was chosen as the starting point for this adventure because the Sardar had helped to rebuild the temple. But the rebuilding was not at the cost of demolishing a mosque, going against the Constitution of India, defying the judiciary and encouraging communal riots all over the nation. As pointed out by The Statesman editorial, “Sardar Patel stood for the integration of the country while the BJP and the VHP/RSS combine are content to polarise communalism in Gujarat.” The hurry to impersonate Sardar Patel by certain sections of the Hindutva brigade has historical reasons, particularly in Gujarat, where Gandhiji was now totally forgotten. In fact, the Modi government did nothing when lumpen elements vandalised the sacred Sabarmati Ashram during a peace meeting following the communal riots of February-March 2002. Over a period of time, certain sections among the intelligentsia and historians had been trying to prove that Sardar Patel was the real hero of independent India and that Jawaharlal Nehru somehow or other had usurped his glory. These groups went on portraying the Sardar as a genuine leader of the Hindu India, who acted sternly when Hindus were attacked during Partition. Nehru, on the other hand, was not a staunch “Hindu” and like Gandhiji was too soft on Muslims. These are ridiculous charges. Sardar Patel, unfortunately, died in 1950 and could not play a role in the building programmes for India. But he did leave a rich legacy which was no different from that of Nehru, Azad and other stalwarts. History had been twisted to prove that while Nehru went along with Gandhiji in succumbing to Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s demand for the partition of the subcontinent, the Sardar stood alone opposing this move. But the more rational and scholarly among our historians have explained how the exploding communal riots forced the hands of all the Indian leaders to agree that Partition was the only solution. It was the most painful decision they had to take in their careers. And there was no way out. Any further delay would have resulted in more massacres and blood bath. The Sardar, no doubt, had his differences with Gandhiji and Nehru on many important issues. But he realised that in those turbulent times, one had to make compromises and not allow the differences to sour his relations with Nehru and Gandhiji. He was a willing, dynamic Home Minister, who, in a masterly fashion, handled the integration of the numerous princely states into the Indian Union. Muslim baiters had referred to the stern action taken by the Home Minister in Muslim-ruled states like Junagadh and Hyderabad. But the Sardar was quick to nip in the bud any possible trouble in states where Hindu rulers held out for more sops, autonomy and even independence. However, the focus had always remained on his actions against the Nizam of Hyderabad and the eccentric Nawab of Junagadh. Sardar Patel, again like Nehru and Azad, belonged to a generation of political leaders who thought in terms of independent India. It was a travesty of justice to have labelled him as a “Hindu” leader, an insult to his memory. Cheap imitators of his legacy like Mr Advani and, more so, Mr Narendra Modi, should ask themselves certain questions. Would Sardar Patel organised any movement or undertook any “yatra” which would have torn the secular unity of India? As Mr Modi went around on his “Gaurav Yatras”, pretending to be a second Sardar Patel, he should not have allowed any provocation on the temple issue in Gujarat and would have stopped the mass movement of “kar sevaks” to the temple town. Even in the unlikely event of a Godhra happening in his time, the Sardar, unlike his cheap imitator, would never have allowed what happened in Ahmedabad and Baroda, where mobs were given full freedom to kill, burn and loot and bring shame on a state known for its tolerance. Even during the greater tragedy of Partition the Sardar worked round the clock providing the healing touch. He did not refer to Muslim children being born in relief camps or make cheap jibes that very soon the nation would have a “minority majority.” The people of Gujarat must be extremely gullible to swallow the rubbish provided by the likes of Mr Modi. How can anyone accept blatant half-truths, lies and distortion of history? Can we imagine a noble soul like Sardar Patel heading a hate campaign to win elections? Gujarat is already divided into two, with no meeting ground between the two communities. Mr Modi’s postures and speeches have only aggravated the situation, like his comments on the religion of the Chief Election Commissioner. This is something Sardar Patel would have never tolerated. He was proud of the stern and fair bureaucracy he helped to build and not use it to help communal elements. Unlike Mr Advani, the Sardar would not have issued certificates of merit to Mr Modi on his handling of the communal riots in Gujarat. While Gandhiji had lost any relevance in Gujarat, its people should not make themselves the laughing stock of modern India over the Modi factor. It is a pity that Mr Modi continues to receive hysterical support from large sections of Hindus who regard him as “the true saviour of their religion.” Hinduism does not need men like Mr Narendra Modi. The Sardar was a true Hindu; he respected all religions; did not stand for nonsense from anyone. In a region which produced such a stalwart, it is a pity that his name and legacy were being sullied by
people like Mr Modi. The writer is a veteran political commentator. |
Wine-coloured days AS I see autumn leaves on the koelreuteria tree in my garden change into wine-coloured hues; I raised a toast to the flavour of the season. The mellowed sun is an invitation to sit out in the veranda on a lazy Sunday morning and gaze at Nature’s changing nuances. Even the gold and red durranta ground cover is spreading its domain into the green lawn, in keeping with the ambient colours. Perhaps, there is a reason for my wine-tinted vision. Besides the autumn sonata, it’s the heady effects of tippling Kalpa Plum Wine — a produce of Himachal Pradesh — generously these days. The “water of life” brewed in the land of the eternal snows; when poured into the system, acts like a mischievous mountain stream taking its toll. It all began with a bottle gifted by my brother-in-law residing in the hill state. Quick to saviour such “spirited” gifts; I “uncorked” the ‘genie’ in the golden-capped, green-coloured, innocuous looking bottle. Sipping it like a seasoned connoisseur; I first smelled it, then rolled it on the tongue, and after giving it an approving, patronising nod — took a greedy gulp! The sweet, fruity flavour of plums tingles the tongue and teases the taste buds. Its deceptive, fruity, innocence leads you on to imbibing more than what the “doc” ordered — even when red wines are currently on their approved lists. For, soon, a beatific languor takes over and your heart sings merrily the song of the hills. As the rays of sun streak through the prism of the crystal, wine glass, surrealistic apparitions begun to materialise. And if you are reading a Ruskin Bond book, Chandigarh’s landscape transforms into one of pine knolls, gurgling streams and wild-flower adorned hillsides. My heart was immediately transported to a nostalgic trip, undertaken many summers ago, of Rampur Bushahr and Sarahan hills of Himachal Pradesh, famous for their plum orchards. It was plum trees laden with fruit all the way; some even scattered beneath on the ground as Nature’s bounty. The ones on the northern slopes slow to ripen, were still dressed in snowflake like white blossoms; waiting their turn to fructify. The fragrance, aroma and the deep, maroon coloured vistas of the orchards came flashing by on the mind’s eye. With this affordable “elixir” currently well stoked in my cellar, I now graciously ask the hitherto nimbu-pani drinking ladies, on my socialite evenings, with great flourish: “Would you like to try some wine instead?” Contrary to their expectations of some vintage French wine being served; what they get of course is my special “ambrosia” from the hills. But presented in style and in good crystal — it goes down well and usually elicits a happy “wow”! But, as with all good things of life; there is a thorny side to this “rose” of joy de vivre! blooming in my life. As the wine is not for sale outside Himachal; I have to seek the good offices of my brother-in-law to act as an outlaw; to sneak it out like bootlegger, to meet my monthly rations. And to add to my woes, there are the usual wifely barbs at my almost plum-shaped, growing “middle”. “Three cheers to your plum(p) wine,” she said last evening. Now who wouldn’t get a hangover after that?
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Expanding Chandigarh’s green cover IF north of Chandigarh resembles the dream of Corbusier’s architectural plan and landscaping, the credit entirely goes to Dr M.S. Randhawa, the first Chief Commissioner of Chandigarh. It was his vision for a growing Chandigarh to build its forest and tree cover. He was seen personally monitoring the watering of saplings along Chandigarh roads at 3 a.m.! Leaving aside Sectors 33, 34, 35 and 36, there is no other sector which has been developed on the lines of Dr Randhawa’s dream in the south of Chandigarh vis-a-vis green cover. The green poverty of the south can also be gauged from the very fact that it has no parks, which can match either the Rose Garden or the Terraced Garden. The steep degeneration on this front was primarily on account of the failure of bureaucratic-level planning, contemptuous neglect of the Horticulture Department. The geographical area of Chandigarh is 114 sq.km, besides 25.42 sq.km falling in hills, which now has been declared as “Sukhna wild life sanctuary”. The total forest cover of Chandigarh at present is 32.42 sq.km. Despite the impressive forest and tree cover, Chandigarh, which was once the envy of the entire nation, has been bombarded with vehicular pollution within the past one decade or so. While the population of the city is about 9.5 lakh, the vehicles registered in Chandigarh exceed 5.5 lakh. When added the number of floating vehicles, this limit crosses even 6.5 lakh, thus, adversely polluting the air. In this backdrop, decades after Dr Randhawa’s departure, attention has been paid to building and preserving the “Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary”. Under the Re-organisation of States Act 1966, this area was given to Chandigarh for management of soil erosion and afforestation. It remained neglected, with villagers ransacking the forest. However, Lt-Gen JFR Jacob and Mr Ishwar Singh, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests, have succeeded in changing the face of the “Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary”. Of the total 7.5 km area, 5 km has been fully fenced under a scheme of the Government of India in which a grant of Rs 18 lakh was received. “We have now built five tracks within the sanctuary ranging from 2 km to 8 km. Besides, the complete renovation of seven dilapidated watch-towers, four new have also been built to let people enjoy wild life. This year, we took children from the rural areas to this sanctuary, where they were made aware about wild life, the forest and the environment. Even a clay-modelling competition was held there. We have also been regularly making the villagers aware about the importance of this sanctuary. This forest area used to regularly catch fire in the summer season. Thanks to our campaign, this year there was no fire. To continue building our goodwill with the villagers, we have provided Saketri and Mahadev villages with a tubewell water pipeline from this sanctuary,” reveals Mr Ishwar Singh. Another feather in the cap of the Forest Department of Chandigarh is the laying of the “Botanical and Nature Park”. Spread over 30 acres near village Khuda Lahora, this herbal garden has come up very fast. “The Government of India has approved a grant of Rs 20 lakh of which Rs 10 lakh has already been received and invested in it. We have planted 70 species of medicinal plants here — “harar”, “vahera”, “amla”, “kapur”, “rudaraksh”, “amaltas”, “kutchnar”, “jammun”, “arjun” etc. Besides this, the garden has already grown 28 varieties of medicinal herbs like “brahmi”, “kalmegh”, “gritkumhari” etc,” explains Mr Ishwar Singh. The department has removed 80 per cent of the killer weed, “Lentana camera”, from the forest cover near Khuda Lahora. This weed climbs up trees and gives them a slow death. Lentana camera has spread in the entire country and even up to the middle of the Himalayas. Sectors 39 to 49 have been chosen for a tree cover drive. Besides poplars, neem, maulsari, arjun, jammun, amaltas, acacia, lagerstromia etc have been planted in these sectors. This expansion of the idea of north of Chandigarh to the south is under the “Greening Action Plan”. The Governor has passed an order to the “Greening Chandigarh Task Force” to plan, implement and monitor the green cover of the city. Gen Jacob has sent a proposal to the Union Home Ministry to allow the UT to adopt the “Delhi Tree Preservation Act, 1994”, which will make people accountable for trees. Anyone found guilty of cutting a tree will be fined Rs 10,000, besides the actual value of the tree. This Act is extremely popular in Delhi and has helped increase and preserve the green cover in the Capital too. |
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A ‘sixth sense’ cure to depression, phobia ANXIOUS about an important meeting? Nervous about turbulence when flying? Feel the tell-tale signs of premenstrual syndrome creeping on? Never mind about popping pills or talking cures, scientists in America believe the answer to our problems could be right under our noses. Researchers in California claim they have discovered a completely novel method of taking medicines using a ‘sixth sense’ which they believe humans possess in common with most animals. Scientists at the drugs-development company Pherin Pharmaceuticals have invented nasal sprays designed to deliver a powerful but odourless hormone direct to the brain. Rather than acting on our sense of smell, the compound contains synthetically produced pherom-ones — scentless chemical substances which are said to transmit mood-altering messages to the brain via a little-known organ inside the nose. If it works, the innovation could provide instant, safe and effective relief for a range of conditions which have long confounded doctors, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), depression, panic attacks, social phobia and anorexia nervosa. Clinical trials on the PMS spray, called PH80, have already begun and could lead to the first pheromone-based medicine available on prescription in America by 2004 and Europe soon after. Treatments for panic attacks, anxiety disorders and appetite problems are likewise in the pipeline and we could eventually see anti-depressants, contraceptives and fertility aids, all based on pheromones. Doctor David Berliner, the founder of Pherin Pharmaceuticals, believes the new drugs have huge potential. Since the compounds are transmitted directly to the brain, they act almost instantaneously and, as they never enter the bloodstream, they produce no side-effects, he says. Sounds too good to be true? Many fellow scientists certainly think so. Researchers working in the same field both here and in the USA detect more than a whiff of hype. Oxford University zoologist Tristram Wyatt, who is an expert on pheromones in animals, confesses himself ‘deeply sceptical’ that pheromones will produce medicines for humans in the near future. ‘Smell is important to humans, but we are a long way from using smell medicine as a treatment,’ says Dr Wyatt, author of a forthcoming book, Pheromones and Animal Behaviour, due to be published by Cambridge University Press next month. Scientists generally agree that most mammals, from mice to elephants, can communicate with others of the same species by emitting hormones from special glands. These pheromones can influence animal behaviour when they are sensed by the vomeronasal organ, located inside the nose, which then transmits messages to the brain. ‘There is no doubt that animals of all kinds use pheromones,’ concedes Dr Wyatt. ‘It is probably the most widely used means of communication across the whole animal kingdom, including mammals, fish and insects.’
The Guardian
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Of Amitabh, Savoy and Mussoorie
Just when everyone had almost forgotten about the Savoy, the historic hotel with a quaint old-world charm, it is back into the headlines with Amitabh Bachchan shooting for Honey Irani’s “Armaan’’, which is based on the fortunes of a hospital. Along with Bachchan are Anil Kapoor, who plays his son in the film, Preity Zinta and Gracy Singh of “Lagaan’’ fame. While the Big “B’’ is the talk of the town, few hope to get even a glimpse of him as he has tight security and is extremely inaccessible. The Savoy has turned into a fortress of sorts with tough-looking securitymen shooing away curious folk, both tourists and locals. The entire hotel has been changed into a hospital named “A. K. Sinha Memorial Hospital’’. The famous red roofs of Savoy have been painted a bright blue and boards of the hospital can be seen all around the place. More than 300 people are part of the film unit. Star children, including those of Manoj Kumar and Dev Anand, have studied in schools in Mussoorie and Dev Anand even has a house in Landour where his daughter Devina resides. Lucky Ali, Mehmood’s son, also studied here. Prem Nath and Beena Rai have had a house here for decades now where Bina Rai stays even now. Most of the serials produced by their son Prem Kishen have been shot in this “queen of hills’’. The films which were shot here include “Dastaan’’, starring Dilip Kumar and Sharmila Tagore, “Karam’’ starring Rajesh Khanna, Vidya Sinha and Shabana Azmi, “Mere Jeevan Saathi’’, starring Rajesh Khanna and Tanuja and “Doosri Dulhan’’ with Victor Banerjee, Shabana Azmi and Sharmila Tagore. UNI Roaming classroom for English Eric Chong bounds across the stage, rapping an infectious rhyme as nearly 1,000 ethnic Chinese Malaysians clap to the rhythm, cheer and cry out Chong’s name. “Hey you guys, let’s learn good English!” Chong roars. “When English says hi, don’t say goodbye! Don’t even ask why, nor be shy!” Despite appearances, Chong is no rock star at a concert, but a language trainer on a nationwide tour backed by Malaysia’s main ethnic Chinese political party to help the minority community master a language that is invading their schools, workplaces and political circles. The three-week roadshow ended on Sunday night after Chong had rolled out his raucous, roaming English classes to 20,000 ethnic Chinese in 20 small towns and state capitals across this Southeast Asian country. Youth wing officials in the Malaysian Chinese Association, the second-largest government coalition party, organised the tour to ease concerns that many Malaysians don’t speak English well enough to gain good jobs and communicate effectively in a globalised world. “It’s time for us to do something to arrest the sharp decline in our command of English,” party youth chief Ong Tee Keat told AP. “We have been informed point-blank by some employers that some Malaysian university graduates can hardly speak the language.” Ong said the project was not connected to a recent furore among the ethnic Chinese community over the government’s plan to use English in Malaysian classrooms to teach math and science.
AP |
God or the Universal Soul, is reality, and the rest is all unreal. *** God is knowable, not by mind, intellect and senses, but by the Self. *** Whatever thing is treated as the farthest from us, the body is still farther and whatever we think of as the nearest, God is nearer than that also. *** Nobody makes his servant his master in the world, but God makes His surrendered devotee as Master, such magnanimity rests only with God. *** Except God, there is nothing else which could always remain with us and we ever with him. *** One who sets his sights on the world asks, ‘where is God?’ And one who has his eyes on God says, ‘Where does God not exist?’ *** Just as the sun is not covered by the clouds, but our eyes are. So is god not concealed but our intellect is. — Swami Ramsukhdas, The Drops of Nectar, XVIII *** What is desirable to God is not the Ideal Society but the Ideal Man. — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, The Creation Plan of God *** He who has no shame before the world has no fear before God. — Yiddish proverb *** Man drives and God holds the bridle. — Yiddish proverb *** God sends the remedy before the disease. — The Talmud *** When the sky is clear and the wind hums in the fir trees, it is the heart of God who thus reveals himself. — Oracle at a Tajima shrine. *** The god sits on the head of the just. — Japanese proverb |
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IT’S a rather unusual and special winter in the hill resort of Mussoorie this year with excitement brewing about the Big B and other stars who are shooting for “Armaan’’ at the “Savoy’’.