BJP TODAY

May 1--15, 2003 - Vol. 12, No. 09

Dr. Bhishma K. Agnihotri's advice to NRIs report from Rochester, New York,
By Bal Narang

Dr. Bhishma K Agnihotri, India's Ambassador-at-Large, was the key-note speaker at the 18th Annual Banquet of the India Community Center, Rochester. The function was well attended by prominent US Government officials as well as local Indian community leaders.

Dr. Agnihotri's keynote address affirmed the sentiments and vision of the evening: Think globally. Act locally - build strong foundations and relationships in your local communities that are informed by and supportive of global concerns. He urged the Indian-American community to, "contribute 5% of your earnings to local causes and 5% of your earning to causes in India. More importantly, contribute your time and engage in the local political processes." The message was clear: be socially responsible and politically engaged Rochestarians with interests that promote the welfare of India.

The Ambassador opened his address by posing a question as to why legislature of New Hampshire passed a Resolution regarding the issue of Jammu & Kashmir, which was against the interests of India. He stated that with more than 39,000 doctors, academicians, scientists, intellectuals and IT professionals, other very influential groups, a right message should have been delivered to the legislature of New Hampshire. Firstly, the NRIs need to know themselves about J&K issue and secondly they should educate other people about facts. For example, how many were clear about the issue of J&K which had become an integral part of India legally and constitutionally in October 1947. How many of us had emphasized to all that the pluralistic society of India could never agree for separation of any part of J&K. We must keep educating others that India wanted peace. India's Prime Minister went to Lahore in February 1999 for assuring stability and extending friendship to our neighbors. He suggested to the community people to get themselves updated with facts about India's stand so that they can communicate truth and facts to other Americans.

The Ambassador stated that every Indian American should be proud of many things India stands for, e.g. pluralistic society and constitutional democracy. India has a very rich heritage of peace and world-fellowship. Even current accomplishments of the Indian government are worth knowing and projecting. He mentioned about the disinvestments policy, construction of highways and projects under construction like linking of all rivers. India was no more dependant on food-grain imports.

The Ambassador further expressed that more than two million of Indo-American and twenty-two million overseas Indians all over the world could do wonders. He gave an example of Swami Vivekananda, who came to America alone in 1893 without any resources and could influence Americans from coast to coast and got a lot of respect for India. The present population of Indians in America can do wonders only if they were focused and committed. He also emphasized unity amongst them and involvement of second generation in their activities. This would go a long way for effective visible results. He also mentioned that the Indo-Americans should get involved in causes of their adopted country so that they have effective participation in political, social and cultural life of that country. This would give them enhanced status as good Americans and they will be in a better position to help India, their land of heritage.

The Ambassador also requested all Indians to understand the development projects of India and be partners in the development of India. He also explained the current status of dual citizenship and stated that the current session of Parliament should have legislation to implement the dual status. The event ended by the Ambassador receiving a standing ovation.

The weekend concluded with a reception held at the residence of renowned eye surgeon and community leader, Dr. Dinesh K. Chawla, for members of the community to meet and talk with Dr. Agnihotri and his wife in an informal setting. (Press Release from office of the Ambassador-at-Large for NRIs & PIOs, New York, from Shri Dinesh Agrawal)

OF BJP (USA) express shock of Nadimarg massacre

The Overseas Friends of BJP, USA (OFBJP) expressed shock and outrage at the horrendous massacre of innocent Hindus on March 23 at Nadimarg village in the district of Pulwama. It called upon the Government of India to use all available means at its disposal to locate immediately and exterminate the uncivilized brutes who perpetrated heinous crime against innocent people, including women and children.

OFBJP took serious note of the fact that such acts of barbarism had occurred since 1989 without any preventive action from the Jammu and Kashmir government. The release of terrorists from jail by Mufti government coupled with weak and vacillating policies of J&K government have greatly contributed to murderous attacks on Hindus. We also suspect that Islamic terrorists who wreaked havoc in J&K in tandem with their co-religionists in the State police because such a ghastly mission cannot be accomplished without the collusion of moles planted in State police.

Pakistan is using proxy war, cross border terrorism as a tool of foreign policy and statecraft in order to Balkanize India. Such killings created a pervasive sense of debilitation and devastation in our society. Pakistan is vigorously pursuing its policy of ethnic cleansing in J&K by creating fear psychosis in the minds of minority community. It is obligatory on the part of Government of India to expose Pakistan's nefarious designs in the international fora designed to grab our land by force and punish the culprits as soon as possible. (Press Release)

Jagdish Sewhani
OFBJP, USA

Prophet Musharraf

The self-elected President of Pakistan and dictator has attracted this title because of his recent prophetic utterance that even if the Kashmir dispute is resolved, relation with India will not improve ( Ref: Indiaweekly 21.3.03, P.35). The military regime obviously wishes to maintain a low intensity armed confrontation presumably with advice and help from its western makers, masters and friends. Pakistan was created by a joint effort by Imperialists, Islamic terrorists, and a handful of Hindu traitors. The main purpose of its creation was to act as a thorn in the flesh of India ever since, so that its progress is obstructed and it cannot resist exploitation by the West. But this plot has misfired on its makers. In order to overcome the constant irritation, India is now compelled to make rapid progress, particularly since the treacherous Congress has been replaced by the patriotic BJP, which has turned out to be a thorn in the flesh of traitors and enemies of India.

I refer to the same source as above, to inform you that Lord Ahmed, a supporter of Pakistan currently nurtured in Rotheram, Yorkshire, UK., has recently passed a resolution of a student debate at a British University that the alliance should attack India after the operation in Iraq is over.

I am sure India is capable of giving Lord Ahmed`s Pakistan and its friends a bloody nose, physically and economically, whenever they deserve it. But, how? The BJP/NDA should do more of what they have been doing very successfully, so far; namely Rapid Economic Growth and Rapid Military Modernisation including development of anti-missile technology, stealth technology, unmanned aerial vehicle, UCAV(Combat) and other advanced technologies, ahead of Pakistan and its friends.

However, Indians anywhere in the world do realise that its western allies will never attack India except by proxy through its ever-ready touts like Pakistan. Consistent with its precarious position, India`s Defense development and Budget should match those of the Friends of Pakistan and there is an urgent need for rethinking by Indian planners. A massive defence development will boost production and development to such an extent that it will take care of the so-called `life time concerns` without the latter receiving the primary attention which will lead to another massive world population changing to a lazy and incompetent bunch through excessive welfare help.

Fellow Indians! No matter what your enemies plan, at the current rate of progress victory belongs to the Motherland. "Ma Bhoi".

Basudeb Ghose
Liverpool UK

DDA Corruption

It refers to currency-seizures made from offices and residences of DDA officials. According to reports, DDA Vice Chairman is patronized by influential politicians of Delhi proving existence of an unholy bureaucrat-politician nexus in our corrupt system where country ranks at poor 71st position in honesty ranking. Since currency is the oxygen to corruption, Union Government in larger national and public interest should take immediate stringent measures to curb currency-circulation in a manner that people may find excess currency as 'paper' of no practical use.

30-percent currency tax may be imposed on all sale-purchase exceeding say Rs 10000 made through cash even though payment might be done in parts. All business-expenses including salaries and commissions above rupees 1000 may be compulsorily made through cheques. Payments of necessities like telephone, electricity, water, municipal bills etc exceeding rupees 1000 may also be accepted by cheques only. To discourage 'benami' drafts being used as carriers of black money, names and account numbers/ addresses of purchasers may be printed on drafts reducing validity period to 45 days. Cash-withdrawals above say rupees 20000 from a bank-account in a single day may be by special withdrawal forms to be reported to Income Tax Department mentioning reasons for such withdrawal. Use of credit-cards should be encouraged by not imposing special tax on purchases made through credit cards.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal
Delhi

Society should be alert against terrorists

A day after the cruel killing of Hindus in J&K, the former Home Minister of Gujarat Mr. Haren Pandya was shot point blank, by unidentified anti-national elements. The Gujarat government has decided to go for a CBI inquiry. The Intelligence Department has suspected link between Mr. Pandy's killing and J&K massacre. The lives of vocal Hindu leaders are not safe in the present 'secular' situation. It is impossible to provide high security cover to all Hindu leaders. The society should be more alert to notice the suspicious new entrants to their respective localities. Only an alert society can assure safety in the country.

The Congress has described the gruesome killing of Mr. Pandya as a 'political murder'. Its leaders are demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister Narendra Modi. If the Congress has any evidence to prove their charges, it should reveal it before the CBI, which has been sought to probe into the case. The situation is very grim since the Hindu leaders are being targeted one by one. Petty politics should be kept aside by all political parties. United efforts are the need of the hour to weed out all anti national elements.

V A Gopala
Bangalore