Whole Story-WholeDude – Page 8 – Whole Dude

Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality

The War Memorial at Walong, Arunachal Pradesh. — **Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: Defining Indian Identity – The Tradition of Hospitality. Honoring our fallen soldiers. The War Memorial in Walong, Arunachal Pradesh**

Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: I had the wonderful opportunity to serve in the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), Arunachal Pradesh during 1972-73, after Indian Army’s victory in Bangladesh. I camped at Walong visiting troops.

**Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: A view from a hill top near Walong, Arunachal Pradesh.**

**Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: During the 1962 Chinese aggression Indian Army valiantly resisted the enemy’s attack in a historical battle at Namti Plains, near Walong, Arunachal Pradesh.**

**Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: Suspension bridge across Lohit River near Chigwinti, Arunachal Pradesh.**

Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: This is a picture taken at Headquarters ‘D’ Sector, prior to my visit to Chigwinti, and Walong. I am seen here along with Major Deedar Singh, the Unit Adjutant, and Captain Roop Singh an Assistant Company Commander standing in the middle.

This entry is dedicated to the memory of those brave men who gave their precious lives fighting the massive Chinese aggression in 1962. I experienced the traditional Indian hospitality at a forward Company location in Arunachal Pradesh (North East Frontier Agency) and my memories are fresh after a lapse of nearly 35 years and the reason is that I still feel the same passion to serve our men who fight for our country.

**Service Award presented by all Officers D Sector, Establishment 22**

**Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: Defining Indian Identity – The Tradition of Hospitality. A view of Lohit River at Walong, Anjaw District.**

In 1962 while the Chinese attacked India, I was a first year student studying for a Bachelor of Science degree (3- Year Bachelor’s Degree Course) at Government Giriraj Arts College, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh. India was taken aback by this unprovoked and unexpected invasion across the Himalayan Frontier. There was a spontaneous reaction from people across our nation. Nizamabad was no exception and the Giriraj students took out a procession to condemn the enemy. I was not a student leader but I was the son of the Principal of the College. That placed me in the very first row of students who led the procession. At that time, I did not visualize myself that I would be wearing the Olive Green Indian Army Uniform.

**Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: Special Frontier Force – Lohit River: “WALONG WILL NEVER FALL AGAIN.”**

By year 1972, I completed two years of service in Indian Army and the great moment in my life arrived when I stood before the War Memorial in WALONG. The following verses were inscribed on it:

The sentinel hills that round us stand

bear witness that we loved our land.

Amidst shattered rocks and flaming pine

We fought and died on Namti Plain.

O Lohit, gently by us glide

pale stars above us softly shine

as we sleep here in sun and rain.

**Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: Defining Indian Identity – The Tradition of Hospitality.**

Let us keep our collective memory afresh and pay tribute to these loyal sons of our land.

The Tradition of Hospitality in India:

Hospitality is a fairly popular tradition for a variety of cultures across our globe. In India the tradition was well established a long time ago and we elevated it to a degree which may not be seen anywhere else in this world. The Vedic statement ” Athiti Devo Bhava ” is a thought that finds its expression only in our Land. The word ‘Athiti’ defines the guest as a person who could show up at your home without a prior notice or formal invitation and on a day and at a time of his own choice. Our literature is full of stories about this great tradition of hospitality and the episode described in the story of MAHA BHARATA shows the importance of preserving this tradition. Princess Draupadi was overwhelmed by the arrival of a large number of guests , while she and the Pandava Princes lost their kingdom and were living in the forest. She did not want to fail in her duty of being a good hostess. She was desperate and she met this challenge by earnestly praying to Lord Krishna. Upholding the principle of hospitality is very important to Lord Krishna and He gracefully provided the help Draupadi needed to serve her guests in accordance with our Dharma (Right Conduct). Her adherence to the tradition of hospitality truly defines the Indian Identity.

Most of you would have experienced some act of hospitality or the other and I want to narrate a simple act of hospitality that I experienced at CHINGAWANTY ( or CHIGWINTI ) in Arunachal Pradesh and would take this opportunity to speak of my memorable experience at this forward Company location and describe this as our Indian Identity.

The Tradition of Hospitality at Chingawanty (CHIGWINTI ):

The Company Commander Major.G B Valenkar was the recipient of VIR CHAKRA award for his role in Operation Eagle, the military action that initiated the Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 with attacks on the enemy posts in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. During Operation Eagle, we had worked together in the South Column Unit under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel B K Narayan.

Major Valenkar briefed me about the traditional hospitality of the men of his Company. Before the dinner was served, he told me that the men would continue to serve food till such time I announce that I am fully satiated and that I need no further servings. Then, they would bring one more final serving to ensure that I am truly satiated and well fed. I wanted to test the men and find out for myself their devotion to their hospitality tradition. After dinner was announced, I mentioned my preference for bread.

Instead of ‘chapatis’, I told the men hosting my dinner, that I would like to be served with poori (soft, fluffy, deep-fried Indian Bread) to go with my meal. The dishes were served piping hot and the fried poori were made one after the other and a fresh serving would arrive just before I would finish the previous serving. The food was delicious and the mountain weather was cool and refreshing and I was young and had a healthy appetite. I continued eating while having a pleasant conversation with Major.Valenkar and after several servings, the man stood before me respectfully and asked me to grant him some additional time before he could bring forth the next serving. He mentioned that the cook had run out of the dough he had prepared for the evening meal. I responded saying that I really need no further servings and asked him not to bother about preparing more dough. The man submitted that it would not be fair on my part to stop him at that juncture and stated that I could only stop him from serving only at a time when he is able to provide more servings. In the Indian Hospitality tradition, the guest is also expected to give his host a reasonable opportunity to fulfill his obligation and the host has also a right to derive a sense of satisfaction by observing the rules of hospitality. I had to concede and in a little while, he resumed his service. After eating to my heart’s content, I told him that I am really satiated. He agreed to bring in the final serving and he passed in the test and he did not give up until he made sure that I am fed till such time that I am fully fed.

I am speaking of this hearty meal to just give you a chance to taste the passion that keeps us united and we relish the opportunity to serve our Land and defend its traditions of Valor and Hospitality.

Annam Brahma raso Vishnu pakto Devo Maheshvarah

Evam samchintya bhumjaano, drushti dosho na lipyate.

**Whole Dude – Whole Hospitality: The Hospitality Tradition is based upon the concept of Whole Food or Annapurna, the Goddess of Food**

The above verse is asking us to consider both, the meal, and the person who is partaking the meal as God.

Whole Dude – Whole Tradition

Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 11, Visvarupa-Darsana Yoga, The Vision of the Universal Form, verse 55 proclaims “Advesham Sarva Bhuteshu”- Being devoid of enmity towards all living entities is a must and laid the foundational principle of Ahimsa. Krishna is most popularly known as Govinda, a provider of a great sense of Joy to cattle.

Defining Indian Identity-Ahimsa-Mahatma Gandhi — **Whole Dude – Whole Tradition: Defining Indian Identity. The Tradition of Ahimsa. Mahatma Gandhi was a staunch advocate of Cow Protection and Prevention of Animal Cruelty.**

Mahatma Gandhi applied the principles of ‘Ahimsa’ to fight for India’s Freedom.

“Cow protection to me is not mere protection of the cow. It means protection of all that lives and is helpless and weak in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi.  

Defining Indian Identity-Ahimsa-Lord Gautama Buddha — **Whole Dude – Whole Tradition: Defining Indian Identity. The Tradition of Ahimsa. Lord Gautama Buddha preached Nonviolence and Kindness towards all living things.**

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha lived in India, c. 563 B.C. – c. 483 B.C. was the founder of Buddhism.

Lord Mahavira - The Tradition of Ahimsa — Whole Dude – Whole Tradition: Defining Indian Identity. The Tradition of Ahimsa. LORD MAHAVIRA – Jainism is founded in the 6th century B.C. emphasized the importance of reverence for all living things.

Lord Mahavira – Jainism is founded in the 6th century B.C. emphasized the importance of reverence for all living things.

In the ancient land of India, the tradition and practice of ‘Ahimsa'(noninjury) has been well established. This entry is not intended to speak about the greatness of Lord Mahavira, Lord Gautama Buddha or Mahatma Gandhi. Their contributions are well-known and well-respected by all. As a beneficiary of this great tradition, I want to claim that Ahimsa helps humans as much as it promotes the well-being of animals. Animals give us a chance to learn and practice the habit of showing compassion. Animals may not be able to speak and communicate their fears, pain, and suffering. But they provide us with the skills to listen and know the emotion of fear. Animals give us the ability to discern pain when we are not in a position to speak for ourselves. I want to describe as to how a person, experienced in preventing cruelty to animals, is well equipped to rescue humans.  

Child Abduction and the story of a miraculous rescue: 

Swami Karunyananda 1894 - 1997 - The Tradition of Ahimsa. — Whole Dude – Whole Tradition: Swami Karunyananda ( One who delights himself or experiences a sense of Joy by showing Karuna or Compassion. His birth name was Venkata Subbiah. His birthplace was Kammavarpalayam, a tiny village in Madras or Tamil Nadu State of India. He founded and established Sri Gowthami Jeevakarunya Sangham at Rajahmundry during 1940.

Swami Karunyananda, One who delights himself or experiences a sense of Joy by showing Karuna or Compassion. His birth name was Venkata Subbiah. His birthplace was Kammavarpalayam, a tiny village in Madras or Tamil Nadu State of India. He founded and established Sri Gowthami Jeevakarunya Sangham at Rajahmundry during 1940.

Image result for gowthami jeevakarunya sangam, rajahmundry — **Whole Dude – Whole Tradition: Defining Indian Identity – The Tradition of Ahimsa**

I am narrating my personal story to recall an event and express my gratitude to a person whose name is not known to me but whom I remember for his timely intervention to rescue me. Otherwise, my life’s journey would have proceeded on an altogether different track. This very simple, down to earth, the unassuming person acted in a manner that had made a lasting impression on my mind and I am able to recollect the incident without any effort.

In 1951, that is 56 years ago, I lived in the town of Rajahmundry, East Godavari district of the present State of Andhra Pradesh. The town is on the left bank of river Godavari which enters the town from the north and flows towards the south. I lived in a residential neighborhood known by the name Innispet and it is located next to the river bank.

Those days, many of the streets had no given names and the houses had no designated house numbers. The part of the street where I lived was later named as ‘KALABARGI VARI’ street. Our house was built by my grandfather (Late)Shri.R.Subbarao who had earlier worked as the District Public Prosecutor. I lived with my grandmother Smt. Lakshmi Narasamma, my parents and two elder brothers. My great-grandmother and my grandmother’s sister had also lived in this mansion. My younger brother and sister are not yet born. I may also mention that my father had chosen my personal name to be Rudra Narasimham and he had made this choice to please and honor my grandmother. For this reason, I had also enjoyed her affectionate treatment.

At the age of three and a half years, I was able to walk and move freely. My elder brothers had already joined schools. I whined about it and my father got me enrolled at King George Elementary School which was on the same street at a short distance from my home. The name King George reminds us of our colonial past. The School had a very modest structure. There was no kindergarten class and hence I joined the grade 1 class.

A little while after the monsoon season had finished, the School was temporarily closed because of a panic created by a string of child abduction incidents. My father was in the habit of going out for an evening walk. That day, the evening was cool and pleasant and the sky was clear. I insisted that I would accompany my father during his evening walk. He tried to talk me out of it and more so out of concern about the child lifting incidents. He left for his walk leaving me at home. I slipped out of the house and I thought I would be able to follow him from behind while he walked ahead of me.

I was walking south on the street and very soon lost sight of him. I kept walking, went past an intersection and at the next intersection, the street had ended. I made a right turn as I had noticed that a lot of people were walking in that direction towards the ‘Main Street’ of our town. The streets had no sidewalks and the pedestrians walk all over the street and there was not much of vehicular traffic.

Soon after I made the right turn, I was suddenly lifted up by a stranger and was handed over to a woman who accompanied him. I instantaneously recognized that I was in some big trouble. I started crying loudly but was not able to express my sense of fear in words. The pedestrian crowd around me paid no attention and my crying aroused no particular concern.

This terrible situation suddenly changed when a man wearing simple, white, hand-spun garments (‘KHADI’) came by riding on a bike. He spontaneously reacted to my crying. In my speechless voice, like any other dumb animal, I could communicate to him that I was very apprehensive and that I was gripped with a sense of fear and pain. He read my emotions correctly and he lost no time and decided to intervene.

He stopped the pair and started grilling them with questions and insisted that I was not their child. They initially argued that I was their child. My rescuer did not relent a bit and eventually, he demanded that the pair should accompany him to the Police Station to verify my identity. I remained a silent spectator and the sense of fear would not let me speak up the fact that I was not their child and that woman was not my mother.

As the heat of the argument built up, the pair decided to get away and the woman dropped me down leaving me with the man on the bike. I was at ease in the company of this unknown man and the sense of fear vanished and I stopped crying.

He placed me on the front bar of his bike. He inquired about my address. The only information that I could provide was that my house was located near a doctor’s clinic. Meantime, the evening had already turned into night. He decided to return me to my home. Before doing so, he took me to a street vendor selling sweets and snacks. He asked me to pick an item of my choice. He paid the merchant. After I finished eating my snack, I felt a lot more relaxed and was ready for the bike ride through the neighborhood.

After spending some time conversing with me, he began his search at the north end of the street where I lived. The street was fairly long and had several houses on either side. Those were the days when we had no television; before retiring for sleep, people were in the habit of relaxing in front of their homes after it gets dark. House after house, he was checking with people and was inquiring about any missing child.

Finally, we arrived at the intersection where my house stood on the street corner. At that point, to recognize my house was very easy for me. I saw my grandmother and my mother standing on the front porch with a very worried expression on their faces. The search was over and I simply jumped out from the bike and literally ran into my home. I was not around when my mother and grandmother thanked him for bringing me back home safely and they were shocked to know that I was briefly got abducted. Later, my mother tried to gently admonish me and asked if I would ever go out alone all by myself. By then, I had lost the fear that gripped my mind and I was happy with my experience of meeting this man who got me back home and very boldly I answered my mother that I am not afraid of going out on my own.  

This unknown man worked for a charitable organization by the name “Sri Gowthami Jeeva Karunya Sangham.” This organization provides animal shelters and a variety of humanitarian services. The employees patrol the streets on bikes to detect and to prevent cruelty to animals.

His belief in Ahimsa or Non-Injury, his personal experience in dealing with the pain and suffering of dumb animals had also given him the insight to recognize my plight when I was lifted up from the street. On a crowded street, while I was snatched, no one had paid attention to my cries, but for this person, the abduction would have proceeded unnoticed.

I describe that this person has the Indian Identity that I cherish and value. This Identity springs from our long-established Cultural tradition of Ahimsa. I would consider him to be a true practitioner of Ahimsa.

I have not personally known or seen Sri. Karunyananda (1894- 1997) who established Sri Gowthami Jeeva Karunya Sangham in Rajahmundry during the year 1940. Karunyananda was at Swami Sivananda’s Ashram at Rishikesh in northern India. Mahatma Gandhi visited Rishikesh and addressed the group of young ‘sanyasins’ at the Ashram. He encouraged them to render humanitarian service and serve others to practice the principle of ‘Ahimsa’ which involves treating all living entities with a sense of respect and dignity.

This concept of ‘Ahimsa’ reached me through the service rendered by a man who practiced the principle of ‘Ahimsa’ and gained the ability to recognize pain and suffering even when there is no verbal communication to express that condition.   

Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,  

Danavaipeta Municipal High School, Rajahmundry, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India,  

S.S.L.C.,  Class  of March   1961.

**Whole Dude – Whole Tradition: Defining Indian Identity – The Tradition of Ahimsa. A tribute to the founder of Shri Gowthami Jeeva Karunya Sangham, Rajahmundry.**

Whole Dude – Whole Ganges

The Descent of Goddess Ganga - The Spirit of Nationalism — **Whole Dude – Whole Ganges: Defining Indian Identity – The Spirit of Nationalism. Mother Ganges is the Spirit of the Nation called India or Bharat.**

**Whole Dude – Whole Ganges: The Spirit of India**

“….The Ganges,above all is the river of India,which has held India’s heart captive and drawn uncounted millions to her banks since the dawn of history.The story of the Ganges,from her source to the sea,from old times to new,is the story of India’s civilization and culture,of the rise and fall of empires,of great and proud cities,of adventures of man….”

Discovery of India, Jawaharlal Nehru

Whole Dude – Whole Ganges: Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s First Prime Minister speaks eloquently about River Ganges shaping the lives of Indians throughout History. Mother Ganges is the Spirit of the Nation.

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behati Hai (The Country Where River Ganges Flows)

Whole Dude – Whole Ganges: WHAT IS INDIA? INDIA IS DEFINED AS THE LAND OR COUNTRY WHERE RIVER GANGES FLOWS. INDIA CAME INTO EXISTENCE WHEN GANGES STARTED FLOWING THROUGH THIS LAND. RIVER GANGES IS THE SPIRIT OF THIS NATION

Raj Kapoor won Filmfare’s Best Actor Award in 1961 for his portrayal of ‘Raju’, a song writer, in his film titled ‘Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behati Hai’. The picture was released during 1960 when I was twelve years old and was studying in VI-Form (S.S.L.C. Class of March 1961) in Danavaipeta Municipal High School, Rajahmundry, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India.We had a beautiful marble statue of Mahatma Gandhi right in front of our school.I studied Indian History as part of my school curriculum.I used to score well in my History tests. It was not too difficult for me to remember all those dates,names and other facts that constitute the subject matter of History. I have a deep sense of appreciation for all those leaders who orchestrated the political struggle against the British Rule.The Freedom Movement did indeed foster a sense of purpose and united people to achieve a common goal. It could be true that the fight against the Colonial powers gave a sense of Identity and very often the freedom fighters were called ‘Satyagrahis’. I have great admiration for their sense of patriotism and I am ever grateful for the sacrifices they made to win our independence. I saw this movie ‘ Jis Desh Mein ‘ just once and may have heard the title song on the radio on a few occasions.But the song , “Hotoan pe sachhai rahati hai, jahan dil me safaai rahati hai, Hum uss desh ke vaasi hai, Hum uss desh ke vaasi hai, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behati Hai” never faded from my memory.

**Whole Dude – Whole Ganges: Defining Indian Identity – Mother Ganges is the Spirit of the Nation called India or Bharat**

Ten years after seeing the movie, in the year 1970, at the age of 22 years , I was granted President’s Commission and joined the Indian Armed Forces in the rank of Lieutenant.While joining Service,we accept the risks that naturally accompany such an occupation and reflect upon the motivation that shapes the decision.I understand that the Freedom Struggle was important but that Struggle does not define my sense of National Identity.I have known that the country that we call India has existed long before the invasion by the Mughals,the country that we call India has existed during centuries of British Rule and now the country that we call India exists in spite of the changes in the political landscape and the political fortunes of the Parties that we elect from time to time. My sense of National Identity is not dependent upon the political history of our country. My sense of National Identity does not depend upon the language that I speak at home and it is not related to the regional customs pertaining to food or dress. I have known my country from its Cultural Traditions. In 1970,I joined the Indian Army to defend the country which lives in my mind as the Land where River Ganga flows.

Whole Dude – Whole Ganges: Mahatma Gandhi is revered as the Father of the Nation and had promoted the Spirit of Nationalism during India’s long Struggle for Freedom. But, Mother Ganges is the Spirit of this Nation called India or Bharat.

In my opinion, the country that we call India is not a mere political entity. It is true that India gained its political freedom in 1947. The country is existing ever since the River Ganges started flowing across its Land.

I am not surprised that the song “Jis Desh Mein” still plays and I still hear the golden voice of immortal Mukesh, whenever my heart dreams about India. Most certainly, the Spirit of Nationalism is inspired by a history which reaches back to a period earlier than the British occupation of India.

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai Lyric

hothon pe sachchaaee rahatee hain, jahaan dil mein safaee rahatee hain
hum us desh ke waasee hain, jis desh mein gangaa bahatee hain
hothon pe sachchaaee rahatee hain, jahaan dil mein safaee rahatee hain
hum us desh ke waasee hain, jis desh mein gangaa bahatee hain
mehmaan jo humaaraa hotaa hain, wo jaan se pyaaraa hotaa hain
mehmaan jo humaaraa hotaa hain, wo jaan se pyaaraa hotaa hain
jyaadaa kee nahee laalach hum ko, thode mein gujaaraa hotaa hain
thode mein gujaaraa hotaa hain

bachchon ke liye jo dharatee maan, sadiyon se sabhee kuchh sahatee hain

hum us desh ke waasee hain, jis desh mein gangaa bahatee hain

kuchh log jo jyaadaa jaanate hain, insaan ko kam pahachaanate hain
kuchh log jo jyaadaa jaanate hain, insaan ko kam pahachaanate hain

ye poorab hain, poorabawaale, har jaan kee kimat jaanate hain
milajul ke raho aaur pyaar karo, ik cheej yahee jo rahatee hain

jo jisase milaa sikhaa hum ne, gairon ko bhee apanaayaa hum ne
jo jisase milaa sikhaa hum ne, gairon ko bhee apanaayaa hum ne
matalab ke liye andhe ho kar, rotee ko nahee poojaa hum ne
rotee ko nahee poojaa hum ne

ab hum to kyaa saaree duniyaan, saaree duniyaan se kahatee hain

hum us desh ke waasee hain, jis desh mein gangaa bahatee hain

Whole Dude – Whole Baptism

CULTURAL UNIFICATION OF INDIA – THE PRACTICE OF TIRTHA SNAN ( BATHING IN HOLY RIVERS )

Water plays an important role in a variety of Cultures and religious practices prevalent in this world.The role of water constitutes one of the most remarkable aspects of Indian religious life. Hindu religion is often described as Sanatana Dharma. The practice of bathing in a river is an unusual example of the continuance of an ancient tradition and hence I can refer to the practice of Tirtha Snan (The ritual of River Bathing) as “Sanatana” (of great antiquity) in its origin. Simply touching water is a purifying gesture in the Vedas. Pilgrimages (Tirtha Yatras) to holy rivers (Tirtha) was already known in Vedic and Epic times and it remains extremely popular up to the present day. In fact,my impression is that the practice has become more popular and a far greater number of people are participating due to the availability of modern time conveniences for travel and lodging.The news media consistently report that our river festivals such as “Kumbh Mela” and “Pushkarams” have established world records as the largest gathering of human beings upon this earth in one single day and for one single purpose.

The sacredness of a place is often due to the sanctity it derives from its location on the bank of a holy river (Tirtha Sthan or Tirtha Kshetra). The following verse is an example of such belief. The simple act of remembering the various places that River Ganges traverses through, is equivalent to the worship of all Gods and it bestows great blessings (Punya).

Tatra tatra sthita Ganga, Sarva Punya phala prada

Bhaveth smarana maatrena, Sarva Deva namaskruta.

Apart from bathing (Snan), holy waters are used in the ritualistic worship of deities,and the water used in the worship is used to sprinkle upon the heads of the devotees and also consumed by the devotee in acceptance of the blessings from the Deity. The devotee hopes for deliverance from sin or pollution (“Paap”), seeks preservation or enrichment of his religious merit (“Punya”), hopes for a reward such as rebirth in a heaven (“Swarg Lok”)and even total emancipation (“Moksha or Mukti”). There are instances when people had actually traveled to the holy city of Varanasi to die near the holy River Ganges. More often, the cremated remains, the ashes are carried by the loved ones and are physically sprinkled and immersed in the holy rivers such as Ganges to help the onward journey of the departed soul.

The worship of rivers and the practice of bathing is a belief that is connected with the traditional Indian views of earthly life. Indians believe in the theory of Karma. They believe that the acts of their present lives and their past lives would be a factor that determines the condition into which a being is reborn. The Karma binds the soul and compels it to go through an endless series of births and deaths. The cycle of birth, death and rebirth is called Samsara. In my previous entry, I described the fear of Samsara as the defining attribute of Indian Identity. The practice of bathing in a holy river is an example of the doctrine of Individualism. Even when millions of people travel and gather together to bathe in a river on one day, each is acting strictly to earn his own merit and to reap his own benefit and the community does not expect any share of the rewards that the bather may be granted. I bathe and wash my own sins and I can not be of any help to others if they carry the burden of their own sins. Each person has to accept individualistic responsibility for their own actions and if necessary they can seek help from others to get to the river and ask for assistance to bathe in the river.

**Whole Dude – Whole Baptism: River worship appears to be a communal event but its usefulness is strictly individualistic in nature.**

River worship appears to be a communal event but its usefulness is strictly individualistic in nature. Bathing is not viewed as a simple act of personal hygiene, it constantly reminds us of the need to seek purification and makes us aware of our responsibility for own actions and challenges us to face the consequences in our future lives. People are encouraged to seek the blessings that bathing in holy rivers would contribute even while they may be showering at home. The following verse is an example of our connection to the rivers that flow across our Land.

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति ।
नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् संनिधिं कुरु ॥

Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva Godavari Saraswathi

Narmade Sindhu Kaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru

Meaning:
1: O Holy Rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and also Godavari and Saraswati,
2: O Holy Rivers Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri; Please be Present in this Water (and make it Holy).

My introduction to River Worship

**Whole Dude – Whole Baptism: Defining Indian Identity. The tradition of River Worship. The celebration of Godavari River.**

Culture represents ideas and thoughts transmitted by one generation to the next. It indeed gives me a great pleasure to recall my learning of this unique Cultural Tradition while I lived at my Grandfather’s mansion in Innespeta of Rajahmundry town in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. During 1950s, I lived with my parents,two brothers, grand mother, her sister and my great grand mother. The house had bath rooms and we had regular piped water supply from the municipality. We would generally shower at home and on important festival days, we would bathe in River Godavari. My great grand mother was an exception to this bathing practice. She firmly believed in the practice of river worship and adhered to it every single day and almost till her final days of earthly existence. She was of short stature and she was already in her ninety’s and due to her age, her spine curved and made her even smaller. Her vision had deteriorated and she was able to see only a few feet ahead of her. Our house was located at the corner of Kalabargivari Street and the Ramalayam street.The Lord Sri Rama Temple of Innespeta is a well known land mark and it stands next to the protective river embankment. The river bank is fairly wide, it includes the railway tracks and a motor-able road. Much later, the second rail cum road bridge was built across Godavari River using these railway tracks. My great grand mother would walk to the river all by herself and used a walking stick to support herself. The walk to the river is short but she faced a lot of dangers on the street. Those days, the vehicular traffic was not a problem and crossing the railway tracks was not a problem. The biggest threat was posed by the stray animals such as goats and cows that roam freely on the streets. She was practically defenseless. As young boys at home, myself and my elder brother were often given the chore of escorting my great grand mother during her walk to the river. When we followed her as her escort, the animals always behaved better and would not come to attack her. The reward myself and my brother Pratap reaped was that of getting into the emerald green, crystal clear, cool waters of River Godavari and frolic in the shallow waters as my great grand mother did her worship. But for my great grand mother’s tenacity and perseverance, myself and my brother would never have ventured to make a trip to the river in the morning.

**Whole Dude – Whole Baptism: Defining Indian Identity. The tradition of River Worship. Pilgrims at Godavari River.**

It was a joyful experience and the Tradition of River Worship gave us some very fond memories of our life in Rajahmundry. The following verse speaks of the importance that we attach to rivers of India and they are treated with great respect as they are deemed to be the same as Ganges:

**Whole Dude – Whole Baptism: Defining Indian Identity. The tradition of River Worship.**

Kaveri,Tungabhadra cha, Krishnaveni cha, Gautamee

Bhagirathi cha vikhyata, Pancha Ganga prakirtita.

**Whole Dude – Whole Baptism: Defining Indian Identity. The tradition of River Worship. River Godavari Bridge in Rajahmundry.**

Whole Dude – Whole Learning

Sri Raghavam Dasarathatmajam aprameyam

Sita-patim Raghu kulanvaya ratna deepam

Ajanubahum aravinda-dalayataksham

Ramam nisachara vinashakaram Namami.

Idol Worship – A Way of Life:

Worship of idols and images is an part of daily life in many Indian homes. Long before its birth as a political entity, the Land of India was recognized by the outside world as a Land where people worship idols. The plurality of gods in daily worship is a way of life. Indian people worship idols and images of one or another of the innumerable gods in their homes, in public places as well as in temples.

Childhood is a time of great learning experiences. A child imbibes Cultural values and learns Cultural traditions mainly at home while the child is dependent on and is educated by parents and other adults. Children acquire the Culture of the society they live in through a gradual learning process. My childhood learning experience of idol worship occurred in two places. While I was in Mylapore (Madras/Chennai City), the day would generally begin with a small errand. Myself and my elder brother Pratap would go out with a basket and gather flowers by just walking around in the neighborhood. Every home would keep some flowering plants which are traditionally used in daily worship. We were fond of gathering a variety of flowers for my maternal grandmother’s morning worship. It was a pleasant task and the fragrance of ‘Parijatham’ flowers that we gathered still lingers in my memory. I also spent my early childhood in Rajahmundry at my paternal grandfather’s home in Innispeta. My grandmother would also worship the morning rising Sun before starting her idol worship. Very often, we wait in the courtyard and alert our grandmother when Sun shows up in the sky. During the monsoon season, one has to patiently wait for the rain clouds to drift and let the Sun come out. At the end of her worship, we were always ready to receive the offerings (PRASAD) and there was always a sense of pleasure while waiting for these daily morning treats. Childhood was spent in observing the adults and on special occasions, the children at home participate in the worship while the elders give directions. The worship at temples was done in the company of parents and elders.

A Learning Experience from 1954:

I was six years old and was a fourth class student at King George Elementary School, in Innispeta of Rajahmundry. One evening, just after it became dark, my father experienced sudden abdominal pain. The intensity of his pain was very severe and he was alarmed by his condition. As the pain persisted, he started pressing people to notify others about his predicament and I remember that he wanted that his younger brother (a doctor) who was then working in Nagpur City, should be alerted with a telegram. At one point of this painful state, my father had even asked that he should be laid on the floor in the anticipation of an impending death. My two elder brothers, Hari and Pratap, and myself watched this scene and were moved into action. At my eldest brother Hari’s initiative, the three of us proceeded to Lord Sri Rama’s temple which is located near the Godavari river bank, a short walking distance from our home. The temple was still open and had only a very few worshipers as night had set in. We stood before the idols in total silence and paid our respects with the traditional greeting of ‘Namaskar’. Temple worship is a simple act. You just need to come before the idol and you are not really required to speak out your concerns and spell out the reasons for seeking the darshan (viewing the idol). It took a couple of minutes and the priest graciously gave us a mango fruit as ‘prasad’. Those few minutes that I spent standing mutely before Rama’s idol at night-time, is the reason that I still remember and recall my father’s abdominal pain after a lapse of about fifty-three years. I went to the temple with a sense of anxiety and with a sense of expectation that visiting the idol of Rama would somehow help my father to get rid of that terrible pain. I silently communicated my concern to the idol and I received a response. The response that I received was that of reassurance and comfort. I felt immediately relieved of a burden and felt upbeat and the feeling was one of instant gratification. Myself and my brothers returned home from the temple. I wanted to tell my father about our visiting the temple and I wanted to assure him that he would be alright if he would take a few drops of the juice from the mango fruit that we received from the priest. When we got back, the scene had changed. I did not get a chance to speak to my father and offer him the mango fruit. He had a large vomiting and threw up the food that he ate before. It helped him, his pain started to subside and he could rest without further problems. We retired for the night and the next day was just a routine day at the school. We never discussed that painful episode again and the communication that I received from Rama’s idol got preserved in my memory and my family had no chance to know about it.

**Whole Dude – Whole Learning: LORD RAMA. His image or idol is worshiped by Indian people. Is that a false belief? Is that a superstition? What is true Worship?**

The rest of the world may call my visiting Lord Rama’s idol as an act of superstition or false belief. My heart knows and my mind remembers that the idol gave me a sense of relief and comfort and my experience was real and genuine. Every one is welcome to take the place of that idol and if they are willing to be a source of comfort, and I am willing to have their darshan and worship them just like the idols that I would like to worship seeking a personal experience which is real while the basis for the belief is not easy to verify.

**Whole Dude – Whole Learning: The simplest form of Idol Worship involves standing before the Idol and greeting the Idol with palms pressed in front of you.**

Whole Dude – Whole Etiquette

Whole Dude – Whole Etiquette: India’s National Song, popularly known as ‘VANDE MATARAM’ was composed by Shri. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee/Chattopadhyay. It describes India’s Speech Tradition.

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed India’s National Song BANDE MATARAM (“Hail to Thee, Mother”). “Vande Mataram” became the Mantra and slogan of people of India in their struggle for independence.

**Whole Dude – Whole Etiquette: Defining Indian Identity. The Tradition of Speech Etiquette.**

In the Song Vande Mataram, the Land of India is described as Suhasini, and Sumadhura Bhashini .Suhasini refers to a person who can speak in a pleasant manner without being rude or offensive and provide a sense of cheer and humor to the listener. Sumadhura Bhashini refers to a person who speaks good and sweet words which gives a sense of pleasure to the listener.

Speech is the oral, audible expression of human language while talking. Man became characteristically human when he learned to speak. All human Culture and its propagation appears to depend on some form of language to serve as the vehicle for teaching, persuasion and tradition.

Speech is a very important aspect of human personality. Culture plays a significant role in the development of speech behavior. Particularly, in the Indian society, there are social expectations in the use of speech, speech mannerisms and in the observation of speech etiquette.The manner of speech is predictive of human behavior. Indians are expected to speak softly, in a sweet and pleasant manner. A loud-mouthed person is generally viewed as disrespectful, disobedient and disruptive. In the following poem, the famous Telugu Poet Vemana describes the importance of speech behavior.

**Whole Dude – Whole Etiquette: Telugu Poet, ‘SARVAJNA’, Yogi Vemana had described the importance of Speech Etiquette in a few simple sentences.**

Sri Kumaragiri Vema Reddy is popularly known as Vemana, Yogi Vemana (Telugu: వేమన) was a telugu poet. C.P. Brown, known for his research on Vemana, estimates the year of birth to be the year 1652 based on some of his verses. Vemana was the third and youngest son of Gaddam Vema, then the king of Kondaveedu in Andhra Pradesh.

Brass can produce high volume sound as compared to Gold but we consider Gold to be a precious metal and value its high quality in spite of its lack of ability to generate a loud sound. People who are mean-spirited and low in virtue speak in tones that reflects a sense of arrogance and self-importance. People of high virtue and good character would speak in a gentle and pleasant manner that reflects a sense of humility and the listeners would be pleased by listening to the words spoken. While speaking, the pitch and the volume of the sound is less important and we need to focus on the contents of our speech and offensive words must never be spoken raising the volume of speech.

Speech Etiquette and Indian Culture:

Indian Culture describes “Saraswati” as the Goddess of Speech or “VAK”. She is known as VAG DEVI. Indians worship her to obtain fluency and to become eloquent speakers. Our identity is related to the quality and content of our speech. Speech mannerisms, speech etiquette and speech discipline are parts of the grooming process of the children in our homes. In fact, the Indian Tradition of Learning begins only after imparting the importance of Speech Etiquette in the learning Process. Children are generally counseled to use some restraint in their speech. There are several words and phrases that identify an Indian speaker according to their speech quality and content.The phrase ‘Su Bhasini’ directs us to use good and pleasing words. The phrase ‘Mita Bhasini’ directs us to speak to the point using only a few appropriate words. The phrase ‘Manjula Vani’ directs us to speak in a beautiful and elegant manner.

**Whole Dude – Whole Etiquette: Indian Speech Etiquette is duly reflected in the Indian Traditional Greeting.**

The Indian traditional greeting Namaskar or Namaste represents the devotion to showing respect and displaying an attitude of obedience in public conduct. We can only meet this Cultural expectation by using a manner of speech which would convey the qualities of respect and obedience.

**Whole Dude – Whole Etiquette: The Tradition of Speech Etiquette. Speech reflects the character of the person who is speaking.**

Dr.Martin Luther King, the famous Civil Rights Leader of the United States wished for that day when his sons would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Similarly, a person’s identity should not be assumed by the person’s physical attributes but by his attitude and behavior. As an Indian, I wish to be identified not by the color of my skin. ‘Sumadhura Bhashini’ is the Cultural standard of our speech behavior. If you care enough, listen to me, my speech would reveal to you the country of my origin.

**Whole Dude – Whole Etiquette: Defining Indian Identity. The Tradition of Speech Etiquette. The Light reflects the traditions of Speech Etiquette.**

Whole Dude – Whole Puja

**Defining Indian Identity – Guru Puja. The Worship of Jagat Guru, the Great Teacher of the World.**

Defining Indian Identity – Guru Puja. The Worship of Jagat Guru, the Great Teacher of the World.

THE TRADITION OF “GURU” WORSHIP (PUJA):

Since Vedic times, in the Land of India, teachers are held in high esteem and the reverence is reflected in the following verse. According to my uncle, Capt.R. R. Rao, “there is no Mantra greater than this”:

Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Mahesvarah
Guruh Sakshaat ParaBrahma, tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.

My Guru:

After joining Kurnool Medical College in 1965, I started visualizing Lord Sri Krishna as my personal Guru.I had a pocket-size edition of Bhagavad Gita published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.The book includes the verses in Sanskrit with its English translation.That format allowed me to read the verse in its original form and understand its purport through my own efforts.I had a hectic time at the School and was exposed to new information every day.

Over four and half years time, I studied Physics, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Medical Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, Forensic Medicine, Ear, Nose & Throat diseases, Ophthalmology, Social & Preventive Medicine, General Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. Simultaneously, I was reading one or more chapters from Gita every day and was slowly incorporating Krishna as my Guru. I was more attracted to His teaching of “Karma Yoga” and I would still consider Him as my Guru even if “Gita” is the only known contribution made by Him.

My other Guru:

Adi Shankaracharya has emphatically stated that his identity is neither that of Guru nor that of a student or disciple. I am not free to describe him as my Guru and I cannot call myself his disciple. I need to reflect upon my Identity and seek that Identity to experience the Reality.

Fortunately,I did not spend any time and energy to search and discover the right Guru.The choice was made for me the moment I arrived on this planet.I grew up in a family which followed the “Smartha” tradition established by Adi Shankaracharya. I have the freedom to designate Shiva as my personal Protector. I am free to choose Rama as my Benefactor.I seek favors from Sarasvathi in my pursuit of Pure Knowledge.I make the perilous journey across the ocean with encouragement from Hanuman. Ganesha assures me of success in my personal endeavors. In my struggles and battle of life, Krishna guides me to find the winning strategy. If I have to defend my self, I draw courage from Bhavani. I love to read and memorize the beautiful verses composed by Adi Shankaracharya. I would just quote a verse which my eldest brother,Prof. R. Subba Rao recognizes as a very powerful thought:

Even after learning every thing that is humanly possible,we still need to desire and focus upon the lotus feet of the Master, the giver of Knowledge or the One who dispels ignorance. With the blessings from my other Guru,I describe my attitude about human existence as that of “Individualism.”

Na me mrtyu shanka na mejati bhedaha
Pita naiva me naiva mataa na janmaha
Na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shisyaha
Chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
Chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

I have no fear of death, no caste or creed,
I have no father, no mother, for I was never born,
I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

My elder brother Pratap stressed about the importance of “Guru Krupa” (Master’s Compassion). My Guru’s Mercy is revealed to me in the fact that I am able to work seven days a week.I can very easily manage to work eighty or more hours per week on account of this Guru-Sishya relationship while I maintain that I am a mere Individual and I am neither a Guru nor a disciple. I do not experience any stress or mental fatigue on account of sixteen hour work schedules. At the same time, I am mentally alert and could indulge in a bit of creative writing every now and then. Apart from this ability to work 365 days each year while I am 59 years old, the following verse shows that they are advantages in having Krishna as personal Guru:

bhagavadh giitaa kijnchidadhiitaa

gangaa jalalava kanikaapiitaa .

sakridapi yena muraari samarchaa

kriyate tasya yamena na charchaa

भगवद् गीता किञ्चिदधीता
गङ्गा जललव कणिकापीता .
सकृदपि येन मुरारि समर्चा
क्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा .. २१..

Whole Dude – Whole Editor

**Letters to the Editor, The Ann Arbor News.**

My Indian Perspective on Current Events and Current Affairs

Excerpt: The given text presents a series of letters to the editor of The Ann Arbor News, addressing various topics including global issues, economics, social inequalities, religious sentiments, immigrant rights, military operations, scientific theories, relationships, capital punishment, autonomy in biological existence, embryonic rights, judicial insensitivity in the Schiavo case, and aspirations for peace. The writer emphasizes the importance of being aware of the Chinese domination of oil and its effects on geopolitical equilibrium. He critiques the military spending by the US in Iraq, advocate for the respectful treatment of immigrants, and stress China’s potential threat. His letters also encapsulate thoughts on citizens’ duty towards national growth and social justice, the significance of religious sanctity, and the role of self-awareness in promoting peace.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

If China dominates oil, it will dominate region

As the gas prices across the nation hit record high levels, I am not concerned about the United States’ dependence upon oil from the Middle East.

If the United States is not willing to buy its oil from the Middle East, China is in a position to gobble it up. The position of the United States as a global superpower is dependent upon its level of oil consumption. If and when China steps in to dominate the oil market, it would proportionately increase its military supremacy and we would witness the Chinese war ships patrolling the Persian Gulf.

The United States may forego its need for oil from the Middle East, but could it step back from its role to provide peace and stability in that region ?

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

McCain’s pragmatic approach preferable

It has been claimed that what is good for America is good for the rest of the world. America’s total spending for the Iraq war is about $617 billion. Does this military spending boost the national economy and create jobs? The verdict is that the military spending is draining resources from the productive economy. It has a detrimental impact on many sectors of the economy. It has resulted in slow economic growth, less investment, higher trade deficits and fewer jobs. The American economy has slowed down. The federal deficit spending has weakened the U.S. dollar in the global currency market.

Meantime, the national debt is expanding at about $1.4 billion a day. Currently, the national debt stands at about $9.4 trillion. In the fiscal year 2006, the U.S. government spent$406 billion on interest payments to the holders of the national debt. The national debt is projected to grow beyond $10 trillion by January 2009 when the new president takes office.

In spite of this bleak economic forecast, American national security will remain hostage to events on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no easy way out. I would prefer to endorse the pragmatic approach of Sen. John McCain and that the U.S. troops can not really come home as being promised by his Democratic rivals.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Celebrities’ boycott of China deserves support

I am filled with optimism when I heard the news about the boycott of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing by film director Steven Spielberg and actress Mia Farrow. I am hopeful that movements like the “Global Action Plan Day” would one day liberate the Tibetan people and people across the globe can work together to end the illegal occupation of Tibet and restore their rights for freedom and preserve their cultural identity.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Wage workers’ plight deserves attention

While The Ann Arbor News remains focused on the importance of hiring a new football coach, no one has the time to pay attention to the minimalistic existence of countless numbers of hourly wage workers who toil in your neighborhood friendly grocery stores/supermarkets and at the numerous strip malls that have sprung up in this city. These workers are unorganized, their wages are stagnant and their work-related benefits are getting gradually eliminated season after season. As the workers have no protection, they swallow unfair treatment which, if not rampant, is a fact of life.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Cartoon of beheaded Buddha reprehensible

The editorial cartoon picture of a decapitated Buddha that was published in The Ann Arbor News on Oct 3 is plainly disgusting and is clearly an insult. It serves no purpose other than to hurt the feelings of people who respect Lord Gautama Buddha. Having worked for the Central Intelligence Agency’s “Campaign for Tibet” for more than four years in the past, I have come to the following conclusions.

1. America’s support for democracy and human rights is good when and where it serves its selfish interests.

2. America does not care to give a hoot to Buddha.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Encourage immigrants to become taxpayers

I would like to commend Jean Miller for her July 23 Other Voices essay asking that each and every immigrant should be treated with dignity. There is also a valid and genuine concern expressed by others who claim that some of the undocumented immigrants may avail services without paying for them and become a burden upon the society.

I would suggest that every person arriving in the country should be encouraged and be given the opportunity to pay federal, state and local taxes on every penny they earn, even without showing any proof of legal immigrant status.The government has an obligation to protect the borders as best as is feasible and it will be easier to identify taxpaying aliens. Individuals who earn enough credits to derive benefits such as Social Security and Medicare should be given a preferential treatment to adjust their status, provided they maintain a clean, crime-free record during their stay.

Wednesday, April 25 , 2007

U.S. could give Iraqi families assistance

I served in the Land Forces of Sultanate of Oman from January 14, 1984 to July 26, 1986. I served in several different locations and had participated in several Security and Intelligence Operations in the Persian Gulf and particularly at Strait of Hormuz. The decision to embark upon a Journey to United States was made at KHASAB, Headquarters Peninsular Sector Force (Hq PENSEC). The airfield at Khasab was built by American engineers and I have reasons to believe that Khasab was used as a launching pad for the failed Helicopter Rescue Operation to save the American Hostages trapped inside Iran. At Khasab, we provide logistical support to all United States Naval vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Khasab Air base also played a crucial role during the Gulf Wars. I had also supported other American military operations in Sultanate of Oman during my tenure of service in Oman.

On Easter Sunday morning I contemplated if the search for insurgents in Iraq could also include providing immediate relief to the inhabitants of the homes that are entered by the American troops.If no evidence of involvement in insurgency is discovered, the inmates of a home that is searched should be compensated for any property damage, their living conditions should be evaluated and relief aid should be delivered simultaneously.

The assistance could include giving bottled water, non-perishable food, nutritional supplements and oral rehydration fluids for children. Very sick persons when found should be transported to a field hospital.

Before I had arrived in Ann Arbor in 1986, I was taking part in a military operation of village patrolling to adddress the threat of Iranian infiltration across the narrow Strait of Hormuz. I could successfully reidrect the military intelligence operation into providing relief to people living in the remote and inaccessible villages of Musandam Peninsula of Sultanate of Oman. Amongst other things, I could use the military helicopters to transport people to visit the dentist at Khasab hospital.The air base at Khasab plays a significant role in the Persian Gulf and could be used to provide humanitarian services.

Money spent upon the reconstruction effort is not making a positive impact on the quality of life of ordinary Iraqi people. The principle of dignity of human life should be upheld at all times. The military security and intelligence operation to find insurgents in Iraq should include some elements of mercy and compassion.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Sound of the ‘big bang’ impossible to prove

Writers of Other Voices and letters to the editor on the subject of creation/evolution frequently mention the “big bang theory.”

On this planet Earth, a sudden loud noise is often accompanied by destruction.Our telescopes and other instruments observe dramatic stellar events like supernovae, but do not record any evidence of loud sounds.Sound needs an elastic medium such as solid, liquid or gas through which sound waves could propagate.Sound cannot exist in a vacuum. There is no way a scientist could prove or verify the sound the “big bang” might have caused.

So, who created this “void” and made it impossible to hear the bang?

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Gratitude for the rising and the setting sun

This Thanksgiving Day, I want to give my thanks to The Ann Arbor News editor who is in charge of publishing the daily weather report. The weather forecast includes two tiny bits of information which I value immensely. The time of sunrise and sunset are the most important events that shape my life. The reality of my human existence is totally dependent upon this illusionary effect of sunrise and sunset. Apart from the physiological functions of my body, the existence of my mind in its three different states (awake and alert, resting and at sleep, partly conscious and dreaming) depend upon these cycles of periods of light and darkness.Dreaming is a very valuable human experience and I would not like to have that experience during daytime. In reality, the sun shines all the time but I am more happy with the illusion. In India, our people had given beautiful names to the sun. Some of those names are Aditya, Bharga, Divakar, Prabhakar, Ravi, Savitur and Surya.

The daily weather report reminds me that I should remain thankful for my existence and remember the Creator who made possible day and night without turning out sunlight.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Gay relationships deserve respect

Letters to the Editor, The Ann Arbor News: “That which is done out of Love always takes place beyond Good and Evil.” Man with his Good or Evil actions and behavior cannot control the flow of God’s Unconditioned or ‘WholeLove’.

As another election season arrives in this country, we need to recognize the unfortunate fact that the issue of according equal rights to gay and lesbian couples got buried in the quagmire of ignorance, religious fanaticism and political opportunism.

Gay and lesbian relationships are neither deviant nor represent the overstepping of any spiritual laws. All human relationships, whether between members of the same sex or members of the opposite sexes, are motivated and driven by the same emotional factors that are an integral part of human nature. Humans are ruled by their emotional needs and less so by the biological insticts of reproduction. Any woman on this planet with the strongest of maternal instincts would still desire companionship as much as motherhood.

Reproductive success or failure does not determine if the relationship survives or perishes. The relationships among humans neither succeed nor fail on account of the sexual orientation of the partners. Partners in a married relationship could stay together for decades even in the total absence of sexual activity and no social benefits are denied to such couples.

Truthfulness is the core value of human existence. Being truthful, you would hope to build up a true relationship with your God.

Since all relationships are equal, no particular relationship should be placed on a pedestal while other relationships are ignored or put to ridicule. It is morally imperative to treat all relationships with a sense of fairness and equality.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Death penalty’s correct purpose is retribution

An article June 19 in The Ann Arbor News on state Rep. Dan Acciavatti’s initiative to amend the state’s constitution to provide the option of the death penalty doesn’t mention the word “retribution.” The purpose of the death penalty is not to protect the rest of the society from violent and vicious criminals. The state has a moral obligation to respect a natural entitlement of the murder victim. The victim’s right to retribution is the real issue in all cases of murder.

Murder is inhumane because it takes away a human being’s right to exist. Murder is immoral because it is a sign of disrespect and disobedience of law. The law that states that “thou shalt not kill” is not a law instituted by man. It is the law given to man. The state should impose death upon people who violate and disobey this law. The death penalty is a just and reasonable consequence of the murderous action of the violator.

Michigan should not shirk from its duty to recompense the murder victims. The state should join the ranks of the rest of the civilized society where people have the opportunity to learn and understand the consequences for their actions and appreciate the values of personal responsibility and accountability.

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Nature hasn’t given humans right to choose

The words choice and autonomy are frequently mentioned while people express their opinions about issues that pertain to life, issues such as when life begins and the manner in which it may end.

The right to abortion and the right to assisted suicide may lead us to this question. Is there choice or autonomy in the biological existence of human life?

The human body is made up of trillions of cells. The cells perform a variety of fuctions. For human growth and development, a very important function would be that of cell division and multiplication, also known as reproduction. Is there a single cell whose functions we can choose to control and regulate as we please? There is no choice if we do not have the freedom to choose. Is there a single cell whose functions we can directly govern? There is no autonomy when we do not have the ability to govern.

We may cause cellular death to protect the rest of the body from death. This principle is widely used in treating various cancers and to safeguard maternal health while managing complications of pregnancy.

Nature has neither endowed us with the liberty to choose nor bestowed us with the right to govern the cells that make up the human being. The cycle of birth and death may give us pain and we may experience severe loss of function.

Fortunately, there is hope.We can cope with the problems of human existence with our great ability to show compassion.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Embryo has natural right to growth, development

Letters to the Editor, The Ann Arbor News: Embryo has the Natural Right to Growth and Development. Human Embryo Implantation at about six days after Conception. The Single, fertilized Egg Cell and the Human Embryo that develops from it is Conscious of its existence reflecting its Spiritual Nature.

The ethical concerns that are involved in the conduct of research on living human embryos stem from the unique status of the embryo. It is prudent to discuss if the embryo could be assigned any rights that are entitled by a research subject. The embryo has a natural right to growth and development. We need to ask what actions constitute the misuse or abuse of an embryo.

During the biological life cycle, the human being should have a constitutional right to live with dignity at every stage of natural existence. The society has no inherent right to conduct research on embryos. We need to spell out the role of biological parents. Parental accountability and responsibility should be stated in clear terms to ensure that the embryo receives fair and ethical treatment.

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Court decision in Schiavo case is insensitive

The attitude displayed by the U.S. judicial system is very shocking and disturbing. Justice proved itself to be not only blind but also totally insensitive to the human condition.

To offer water to a dying person is an ultimate act of kindness and compassion. Customs and traditions established in the ancient land of India make it obligatory to pour water into the mouth of a dying person even if the person is totally unconscious.

A person may not vocalize the sensation, but thirst is experienced till the final moments of life.

The U.S. Supreme Court helped to transform the legal guardian into a brutal dictator. Terri Schiavo was a disabled person who was murdered in broad day light. A handicapped person was legally exterminated in a very calculated and deliberate manner by the acts of a heartless, loveless, materialistic society.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1999

We can attain peace if price is affordable

As we await the dawn of a new year, a phrase that comes to my mind is that of “peace on Earth.”

The history of international peace keeping efforts and the various peace movements is well documented. The annual costs of peace keeping efforts in Bosnia have been reported as $5 billion. If the assessment of Israeli officials is correct, they can make peace with Syria at a nominal price of $18 billion. It appears that we can attain peace if the price is right and affordable.

Is peace a mere absence of war and international conflicts? If society and the times we are witnessing are any reflection on the state of peace, we should definitely ask ourselves the question, is peace attainable?

The various manifestations of violence in our society, whether it is gun violence at schools, violence at work-places, or domestic violence are all aspects of a lack of peace-keeping ability. In general terms, violence is seen as a law and order problem. We can approach the problem of violence in a different manner. Violence may be seen as the expression of a mind that is not at peace. Violence may be attributable to a mind, which is not experiencing an inner feeling of tranquility.

The way to prevent violence would be through promoting self-awareness. You do not really need a teacher to achieve self-awareness. You are the observed as well as the observer. Your inner eye keeps a constant watch on all of your thoughts, feelings, emotions and moods. Your vigilance would have an effect and subdue the anger or rage you may be experiencing.

People need to learn and practice the simple task of observing their own thoughts. The essence of human existence is self-knowledge and the ultimate goal of living would be self-awareness. Every human being is capable of exhibiting kindness and tolerance, is capable of expressing sympathy and is capable of sensing happiness.

While the government is busy spending billions of dollars to secure peace elsewhere on this planet, it will be a wise and an inexpensive step on our part to pay attention to our own inner peace and attaining that peace through self-awareness.

**Letters to the Editor, The Ann Arbor News – Peace through Self-Awareness**

**Whole Dude – Whole Editor: The Final Edition of The Ann Arbor News**

Whole Dude – Whole Family

Mata cha Parvati Devi, Pita DevO Maheshwaraha,

Bandhava Shiva bhakta cha, SwadeshO Bhuvana trayam.

**Whole Dude – Whole Family – Vasudhaika Kutumbam, the concept of One Global Family with One Universal Divine Mother.**

Parvati is Mother, Lord Shiva is Father, His devotees are relatives and all the three worlds (Bhu Loka, Bhuvar Loka and Suvar Loka – Earth, Sky and Heaven/SAT, CHIT, ANANDA) are my native place.

The Theory of Samsara and the Social Concept of Vasudhaika Kutumbam

As a student of Natural Science, the study of relationships has always interested me.The scientific study of Ecology describes the interconnectedness, the interrelatedness and the interdependence of living creatures in a given environment.A study of Ecosystems deals with the concepts of Mineral Sharing, Energy Flow and Population Control.Living organisms belong to social communities.The understanding of ecological principles would help us to come together as one large global community and it would enable us to treat life with a sense of respect and appreciate the intrinsic beauty and value of all living creatures.

**Whole Dude – Whole Family: The concept of Vasudhaika Kutumbakam, the concept of One Global Family**

By birth, I belong to the Land of India where I inherited my views about human existence and the social community.The word ‘relative’ when used as a noun describes a person who is connected to the other by way of birth or by way of marriage.

**Whole Dude – Whole Family: The concept of One Global Family**

By birth, I am connected to the Land of India and by acquiring the theory of ‘SAMSARA’, I am related to all the living creatures of this planet Earth. My soul while transmigrating over several cycles of birth and rebirth has become connected not only to the human beings but also developed relationships with plants and animals.This is a fundamental concept that defines my Indian Identity. I am an eternal being and I am related to a myriad of life forms.

While living in Ann Arbor, Michigan I met with a group of young students of Pakistani descent at the local Huron High School. I am a total stranger to this group of young people. The older kid in the group came forward and addressed me as Uncle.This is precisely my own social experience.While growing up as a kid in India, I was always encouraged to recognize other members of the community as if I am related to them by birth. The social norm is to address others in an appropriate manner and even total strangers are treated with respect and are included as a part of an extended circle of family members.I greeted people living in my neighborhood as uncles and aunts. Amongst the members of the Armed Forces and their families this kind of affiliation and a sense of togetherness is much more pronounced. While I served in Uniform, the members of Service families always spoke to me as if I am their brother or their uncle. This social custom of inclusiveness is reflected in our popularly expressed sentiments. Mahatma Gandhi is recognized as “BAPU”(Father). As a child, I grew up knowing the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as “CHA CHA” (Uncle)Nehru.

Whole Dude – Whole Family – Vasudhaika Kutumbam, the concept of one Global Family. BOTH ANIMATE AND INANIMATE MATTER DERIVE THEIR IDENTITY BECAUSE OF UNVARYING OR UNCHANGING NATURE OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS THAT CONTINUOUSLY FLOW IN NATURAL NUTRIENT CYCLES.

Plants obtain their minerals and other nutrients from the soil. Calcium is an important mineral constituent of my bones and it helps to define my physical identity. Iron is the other mineral which is important to the blood that flows through my body and sustains my physical existence. By sharing the minerals and from the energy that flows into my life from plants and animals, I get connected to the soil and I get related to the Land of my birth. I further strengthened my connection to the Land by choosing to serve it and defend it.

Whole Dude – Whole Family – Vasudhaika Kutumbam, the concept of One Global Family: Life depends on the interwoven and interdependent relationships between living organisms and the environment. No organism leads a truly independent existence of its own. Each organism lives by either consuming other organisms or the products from other organisms. In a Biological Community, Life and Death have a relationship which has a Spiritual Basis.

We are all connected and we are all related to each other. Either you could explain it in terms of Cellular Biology and Ecology or you could see it as a consequence of the cycles of birth and rebirth and transmigration of the soul through living entities.

**Whole Dude – Whole Family: Vasudhaika Kutumbakam, the concept of One Global Family.**

Whole Dude – Whole Oppression

The Ten Commandments:

**Whole Dude – Whole Oppression:Ten Commandments – A Challenge to Hindu Existence.**

The “Ten Commandments” are given in the Book of Exodus, The Second Book of Moses, The Old Testament of Holy Bible and are repeated in the Book of Deuteronomy,The Fifth Book of Moses. In Exodus, Chapter 20, verses 1-5 read as follows:

And God spoke all these words, saying:

2. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage”.

3. “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

4. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

5. “You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.”

The ideas and thoughts that are expressed in the above Commandments basically oppose attitudes and personal behaviors which constitute and define Indian Identity. If I accept the Ten Commandments, even the simple practice of traditional greeting of “Namaskar” would be prohibited. I greet my God with ‘Namaskar’ and so also I greet my parents, my teacher, my guests, the Sun, the Light, the river, the mountain, the monkey, the cow, the plant, the tree, the rock, the idol with the same reverence and in the same way.

The term ‘omnipresent’, being present everywhere at the same time describes God’s Absolute nature and Indians are culturally driven to seek divinity in all living objects and in all objects of this created world and universe. I touch and worship feet, I worship the fire, the water, the sky and the earth. I have a complete freedom of choice. I choose the object that I want to worship and do it at a time, place and manner that appeals to my free will.The Commandments intend to take away that freedom of expression and the manner in which I worship God.

I expressed my concerns about “The Ten Commandments” in an essay that was published in ‘The Ann Arbor News‘ in its daily edition dated Wednesday, March 1, 2000. I am reproducing the “OTHER VOICES” essay:

**Whole Dude – Whole Oppression:The Ten Commandments – A Challenge to Hindu Existence.**

Indiana on verge of imposing religion on people

The Ten Commandments and the imposition of Religion on people.

I am indeed distressed to read the news report from Indiana announcing that the state House as well as the Senate had overwhelmingly approved a bill that would permit the display of the Ten Commandments at public buildings, including schools.

This is not a trivial matter. That state is on the verge of imposing religion upon its people. A similar bill was introduced in the U.S. Congress during 1999. The idea of displaying the Ten Commandments is receiving widespread support from the conservative Christians. I am shocked there has been no public opposition to such bills apart from a small concern about violating the spirit of the U.S. Constitution.

Indiana state Rep. Jerry Denbo assumed that the Ten Commandments are not bad principles. Unfortunately, most Christians presume that the Ten Commandments are divine law and that they are benign and noncontroversial principles. Many proponents of these bills also believe that they can prevent juvenile crime and violence by propagating the Commandments.

What is generally not known to supporters of these bills is the fact that the First and Second Commandments have actually sown the seeds of religious intolerance, disharmony and hatred and inspired communal violence of an epic proportion.

These Commandments have curbed the religious freedom of innocent people who are totally unaware of the existence of the jealous God who delivered people from their bondage in Egypt. These Commandments have provoked and gave legitimacy to the religious persecution of helpless people who never even heard of a prophet by the name of Moses. These Commandments specifically deny an individual’s freedom to choose any god of personal choice and prohibit the right to offer worship to an image or form of one’s liking. These Commandments divide the people into two groups, the believers and the non believers.

In spite of their profound religious philosophy and the strength of spiritual knowledge, the Hindu community landed in the camp of non believers with very tragic consequences.

Unlike the Old Testament, the New Testament has no coercive language, and the ministry of Jesus has been a lot more tolerant of the non believers. Islam which emerged later, gave full recognition to Prophet Abraham and Prophet Moses. Islam only recognized Jesus as a prophet of lesser importance. Their holy book Koran or Quran, vehemently opposes the claim of Jesus to be the son of God.

However, Islam became a very strong and ruthless advocate of the first two of the Ten Commandments. Starting from early 11th century A.D., Muslim forces repeatedly invaded and attacked the people of the Indian subcontinent, for the Muslims hated the Indian people who are known for worshiping idols.

The Muslim armies carried out brutal and vicious campaigns, looting and plundering India with a belief that they were justly punishing people who are non believers. The Muslim attackers destroyed Hindu temples and ruined priceless pieces of art and architecture. The Muslim invaders not only enslaved the Indian people but also built their mosques over the sites where the Hindu temples stood before.

This religious persecution on such a vast scale continued unabated for several centuries.The memories of repression still linger in the minds of the victims and are reflected in the distrust and tension between the Hindu and the Muslim communities of the present day.

If the governor of Indiana decides in favor of displaying the Ten Commandments at public expense, he should omit the first two. He should refrain from promoting a bigoted notion that people who worship idols deserve to be punished, and he should not directly or indirectly infringe on the rights of the religious minorities of his State.

Whole Dude – Whole Oppression:The Ten Commandments – A Challenge to Hindu Existence. Lord Rama whom I adore, during His life journey described in the epic poem of Ramayana worships His parents, His guru, the River Ganges, the Sun God, Lord Shiva, and others just like any other ordinary mortal being of Indian origin . Gods whom Indians worship participate in similar acts of worship. Lord Shiva worships Lord Rama and Lord Rama worships Lord Shiva.

The Ten Commandments pose a challenge to the survival of the seeds of ideas and thoughts that are planted in the Land of Bharat and the Indian Identity would only exist if people are willing to stand up to this challenge.

Let us keep our collective memory afresh and pay tribute to these loyal sons of our land.

The Tradition of Hospitality in India:

The Tradition of Hospitality at Chingawanty (CHIGWINTI ):

Annam Brahma raso Vishnu pakto Devo Maheshvarah

Evam samchintya bhumjaano, drushti dosho na lipyate.

“Cow protection to me is not mere protection of the cow. It means protection of all that lives and is helpless and weak in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi.

Child Abduction and the story of a miraculous rescue:

This concept of ‘Ahimsa’ reached me through the service rendered by a man who practiced the principle of ‘Ahimsa’ and gained the ability to recognize pain and suffering even when there is no verbal communication to express that condition.

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behati Hai (The Country Where River Ganges Flows)

Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai Lyric

CULTURAL UNIFICATION OF INDIA – THE PRACTICE OF TIRTHA SNAN ( BATHING IN HOLY RIVERS )

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति ।नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् संनिधिं कुरु ॥

Gange Cha Yamune Chaiva Godavari Saraswathi

Narmade Sindhu Kaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru

My introduction to River Worship

Sri Raghavam Dasarathatmajam aprameyam

Sita-patim Raghu kulanvaya ratna deepam

Ajanubahum aravinda-dalayataksham

Ramam nisachara vinashakaram Namami.

Idol Worship – A Way of Life:

A Learning Experience from 1954:

Speech Etiquette and Indian Culture:

THE TRADITION OF “GURU” WORSHIP (PUJA):

My Guru:

My other Guru:

Na me mrtyu shanka na mejati bhedahaPita naiva me naiva mataa na janmahaNa bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shisyahaChidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’hamChidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

I have no fear of death, no caste or creed,I have no father, no mother, for I was never born,I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student,I am the form of consciousness and bliss,I am the eternal Shiva…

भगवद् गीता किञ्चिदधीतागङ्गा जललव कणिकापीता .सकृदपि येन मुरारि समर्चाक्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा .. २१..

My Indian Perspective on Current Events and Current Affairs

Sunday, June 15, 2008

If China dominates oil, it will dominate region

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

McCain’s pragmatic approach preferable

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Celebrities’ boycott of China deserves support

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Wage workers’ plight deserves attention

Friday, October 12, 2007

Cartoon of beheaded Buddha reprehensible

Friday, July 27, 2007

Encourage immigrants to become taxpayers

Wednesday, April 25 , 2007

U.S. could give Iraqi families assistance

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Sound of the ‘big bang’ impossible to prove

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Gratitude for the rising and the setting sun

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Gay relationships deserve respect

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Death penalty’s correct purpose is retribution

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Nature hasn’t given humans right to choose

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Embryo has natural right to growth, development

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Court decision in Schiavo case is insensitive

We can attain peace if price is affordable

The Theory of Samsara and the Social Concept of Vasudhaika Kutumbam

The Ten Commandments:

Indiana on verge of imposing religion on people

“Cow protection to me is not mere protection of the cow. It means protection of all that lives and is helpless and weak in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi.  

Child Abduction and the story of a miraculous rescue: 

This concept of ‘Ahimsa’ reached me through the service rendered by a man who practiced the principle of ‘Ahimsa’ and gained the ability to recognize pain and suffering even when there is no verbal communication to express that condition.   

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति ।
नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् संनिधिं कुरु ॥

Na me mrtyu shanka na mejati bhedaha
Pita naiva me naiva mataa na janmaha
Na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shisyaha
Chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham
Chidananda rupah shivo’ham shivo’ham

I have no fear of death, no caste or creed,
I have no father, no mother, for I was never born,
I am not a relative, nor a friend, nor a teacher nor a student,
I am the form of consciousness and bliss,
I am the eternal Shiva…

भगवद् गीता किञ्चिदधीता
गङ्गा जललव कणिकापीता .
सकृदपि येन मुरारि समर्चा
क्रियते तस्य यमेन न चर्चा .. २१..