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Post by ringdove on Jan 27, 2008 3:52:11 GMT 12
Today is India's Republic Day. On this occasion Sir Edmund was today posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan. It is India's second highest civilian award. [This places him in the category next to Nelson Mandela and Jawaharlal Nehru both of whom were among recipients of the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna]
Ringdove
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Post by Lux on Jan 27, 2008 9:08:55 GMT 12
That is really wonderful ringdove.  I hope you enjoyed the day . |
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Post by bottlecar on Jan 27, 2008 10:22:42 GMT 12
So can we say Happy Republic Day? That is truly an honour for Sir Ed. OT - My niece has gone to her Indian bosses wedding today, 3000 people invited It will be a great experience for her. |
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Post by ringdove on Jan 27, 2008 15:10:14 GMT 12
Yes Lux, thank you. I had a lazy sort of day. Watched the French Prez Sarkozy who was Chief Guest at the R-Day function. Our first woman Prez took the salute. Later Sarkozy went to the monument of Love, the Taj Mahal in Agra. Unfortunately his lady love wasnt there, because the Government here I understand said they have no protocol for girl friends as state guests!
I've also been managing to log-in more often, possibly there's been an upgradation of technology somewhere. I hope it's not temporary though!
Bottlecar - 3000 guests at a wedding! In India we used to have a Guest Control Order. That's gone now but 3000 would still be considered a bit much!
Ringdove
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Post by sparrow on Jan 30, 2008 14:18:10 GMT 12
Happy National Day, ringdove and what an awesome honour for Sir Ed. He probably would have loved it and taken it with good, gruff humour.
Lol on the French Prez and his girlfriend. He and she are a bit like rock stars aren't they? Maybe your Government will have to implement a specific French Prez and GF protocol?
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Post by ringdove on Jan 30, 2008 14:56:19 GMT 12
Thank you Sparrow.
Yesterday, the festivities got over and today's a solemn day for India. It is the 60th anniversary of Gandhi's assassination.
So there are several articles in newspapers, including a book review by me in The Hindu [published from Chennai] dated Jan 29. See if you can find it on the net!
Take care
Ringdove
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Post by Lux on Jan 30, 2008 15:51:27 GMT 12
Found this piece in the Hindu, not sure if this is the article you are referring to ringdove. I'll post it here:
NEW DELHI: Asserting that Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy was as relevant in these times as it was 60 years ago, noted American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson said had the father of the Indian nation been alive today, he would have challenged the conflicts that the world was witnessing at present.
“He would argue that there is no nuclear weapons’ balance possible, only unfathoScable destruction and counter-destruction, if due to some fit of foolishness they are unleashed…Gandhi would challenge the war in Iraq and the right to pre-emptive strike, invasion and occupation. He would challenge the vast billions spent in such a degenerate way. War is unsustainable, unnecessary, expensive and immoral,” said Reverend Jackson while delivering the Gandhi Memorial Lecture on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti here, where Bapu spent the last 144 days of his life, the celebrated activist said: “To Kenya, he [Gandhiji] would appeal to put down swords, stop the killing and disfiguring the legacy of a great nation. Africa needs revitalisation, not revenge.”
Pakistan situation
“His heart would bleed over the crisis in Pakistan next door, where relatives and families are split by borders and religion. His heart would bleed over the assassination of [Benazir] Bhutto. He would cry out to relieve the tension within Pakistan and between Pakistan and India … Pakistan deserves world-class, open, free, fair and transparent elections,” he noted, referring to the political developments in the neighbouring country.
Gandhiji, Rev. Jackson underscored, would have urged global investment in the poor; infrastructure to struggling societies; use of modern technology not for weapons but for ways to fight global poverty; and to provide drinkable water to people.
“He would challenge the Middle East, Israelis and Palestinians to shared security. He would urge the United States and Russia to be brokers and bridge builders, and to choose peace and not merely choose sides … He would challenge them to do something more difficult than war; give peace a chance, choose co-existence over co-annihilation. Gandhi would urge that we wipe out poverty and not the poor and save our children.”
The King comparison
Comparing Martin Luther King Jr., one of the leading exponents of the American Civil Rights Movement, to Gandhi, Rev. Jackson termed them as “drum majors and dreamers.”
“Dr. King and Gandhi were drum majors and dreamers who marched to a different beat, and heard a different sound…Dreamers most often are change agents, sometimes called misfits… Dreamers are politicians with a new vision, a new capacity to connect with exquisite timing… They are the stuff of which change is made…This master teacher and the master student — Gandhi and King — they changed the world in life, and even more powerfully in death.”
Dr. King, he pointed out, embraced Gandhi’s values and tactics.
“He embraced non-violence, humility and dignity not merely as a tactic but as a way of life.”
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Post by ringdove on Jan 31, 2008 4:00:39 GMT 12
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I hope you enjoyed the day . 
