O, The Oprah Magazine, celebrates its tenth anniversary this month with practical advice, spiritual enlightenment, an exhortation to "Live Your Best Life," and cake. Lots of cake.
For 10 years, O has been cheering on its (mostly) female readers, telling them to break free of negative thoughts, embrace their potential and, most of all, boost their self-esteem. As the cover of the August 2008 issue announced: "YOU ARE AN EXCELLENT WOMAN (major breakthrough, page 206)."
My first thought on reading this headline was, gosh, that's an awfully nice thing for Oprah to say, considering she doesn't even know me.
My followup thought was a little more ambivalent. I mean, does the glossy magazine approach to self-affirmation really work? After reading the big anniversary special, along with back issues full of articles about self-care, self-meditation and self-empowerment, I actually ended up feeling a lot less excellent. Paradoxically, the unremitting selfiness of Oprah's magazine can have an oppressive effect.
The so-called "Seven Sisters" -- traditional women's mags like Ladies Home Journal and Good Housekeeping -- tend to cram their pages with tips for caring for other people and tending homes, gardens and pets. O bucks this trend by staying consistently me-focused, with Oprah herself leading the way. Lady O is featured on the cover of every issue, and while her dress size waxes and wanes, the Oprah brand of positive energy remains alarmingly consistent.
O deftly avoids charges of narcissism by using the same tack as the airlines. Just as you need to put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others, you need to love yourself before you can extend that love to other people. The O equivalent of the oxygen mask ranges from the spiritual (Eckhart Tolle's solemn invocation to breathe in the present moment) to the material (buying a crisp white shirt for $90).
So, how does O's you-go-girl approach work in the real world? Robyn Okrant, a 37-year-old Chicago-based yoga instructor, undertook a one-year experiment to "walk the walk with the queen of talk." In her 2009 book Living Oprah, she recounts how she did everything Oprah told her to: She bought leopard print flats, watched Oprah-endorsed movies and read Oprah-endorsed books, cooked low-fat turkey burgers, adopted a cat, had over-scheduled, over-analyzed sex with her husband, and -- in what could be a visceral metaphor for Oprah-esque self-obsession -- examined her poo, looking for the Oprah-sanctioned S-shape.
Okrant spent $4,700 and 1,200 hours on her quest to be all things Oprah, and frequently questioned whether she was living up to Oprah's peppy, positive mantras. In the end, Okrant admits, she just felt "really sad." (This, despite O's monthly insistence on jettisoning regret, trusting your intuition, embracing failure and learning to say no to impossible demands.)
As Okrant's experience suggests, Oprah's empire might actually increase chronic feelings of dissatisfaction and inadequacy rather than alleviate them. Peek under O magazine's New Age surface and you can see the familiar dynamic of the old school woman's mag: Offer advice for self-improvement and lots of before-and-after makeovers, thus fuelling insecurity that requires even more advice for self-improvement and before-and-after makeovers. Repeat.
And Oprah actually makes the whole thing even trickier, by adding self-actualizing, gusto-grabbing, living-in-the-moment spiritual radiance to the already impossible requirements of ideal womanhood. Turns out that excellence is exhausting.
alison.gillmor@freepress.mb.ca
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Beware the Shaman Promising Answers
Christine Lindsey Walters
Early in the morning of Nov. 12, 2008, Christine Walters frantically emerged from the woods outside Arcata, Calif.
The 23-year-old navigated the ground beneath her with bloodied feet, her naked body covered in scratches. She had always felt at home in the woods, but now she was terrified -- fearing she was being followed.
The petite red-head rushed towards the only home in sight. She knocked on the front door and a stranger answered. "Help, they're going to find me," she pled. The homeowner immediately called 911, and Christine was taken to a hospital in Eureka.
In the hospital Christine refused treatment; she would not submit to a blood test or rape kit. She told police she'd been running from something in the woods but would not say who, or what, had been chasing her.
A nurse helped Christine phone her parents in Wisconsin. Anita Walters said her daughter was disoriented and could not clearly explain what had happened to her. She knew they had to get their daughter home immediately.
The Walters put Christine up in a Red Lion Inn for the night while they made arrangements to get her back to Wisconsin. At the hotel, her mother said she continued to fear she was being followed. Christine kept repeating, "They're going to find me wherever I go."
The next day, Nov. 14, 2008, Christine's parents spoke with her on the phone -- ironing out the details of her return. This was the last conversation they had with Christine, because she disappeared from downtown Eureka, Calif., that afternoo
Early in the morning of Nov. 12, 2008, Christine Walters frantically emerged from the woods outside Arcata, Calif.
The 23-year-old navigated the ground beneath her with bloodied feet, her naked body covered in scratches. She had always felt at home in the woods, but now she was terrified -- fearing she was being followed.
The petite red-head rushed towards the only home in sight. She knocked on the front door and a stranger answered. "Help, they're going to find me," she pled. The homeowner immediately called 911, and Christine was taken to a hospital in Eureka.
In the hospital Christine refused treatment; she would not submit to a blood test or rape kit. She told police she'd been running from something in the woods but would not say who, or what, had been chasing her.
A nurse helped Christine phone her parents in Wisconsin. Anita Walters said her daughter was disoriented and could not clearly explain what had happened to her. She knew they had to get their daughter home immediately.
The Walters put Christine up in a Red Lion Inn for the night while they made arrangements to get her back to Wisconsin. At the hotel, her mother said she continued to fear she was being followed. Christine kept repeating, "They're going to find me wherever I go."
The next day, Nov. 14, 2008, Christine's parents spoke with her on the phone -- ironing out the details of her return. This was the last conversation they had with Christine, because she disappeared from downtown Eureka, Calif., that afternoo
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Spiritual Versus Religions Wins by 72 to 28
By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY
Most young adults today don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows.
If the trends continue, "the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships," says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group's survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they're "really more spiritual than religious."
VIDEO: More Americans saying no to religion
FAITH & REASON: Megachurch leader calls Gen Y 'honest' on faith
Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, "many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only," Rainer says. "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith."
Key findings in the phone survey, conducted in August and released today:
•65% rarely or never pray with others, and 38% almost never pray by themselves either.
•65% rarely or never attend worship services.
•67% don't read the Bible or sacred texts.
Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say yes, half no.
"We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church," Rainer says.
The findings, which document a steady drift away from church life, dovetail with a LifeWay survey of teenagers in 2007 who drop out of church and a study in February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which compared the beliefs of Millennials with those of earlier generations of young people.
AGE 18 TO 29: 'Less religious,' not necessarily 'more secular'
DROPOUTS: Young adults aren't sticking with church
The new survey has a margin of error of +/-2.8 percentage points.
Even among those in the survey who "believe they will go to heaven because they have accepted Jesus Christ as savior":
•68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked what was "really important in life."
•50% do not attend church at least weekly.
•36% rarely or never read the Bible.
Neither are these young Christians evangelical in the original meaning of the term — eager to share the Gospel. Just 40% say this is their responsibility.
Even so, Rainer is encouraged by the roughly 15% who, he says, appear to be "deeply committed" Christians in study, prayer, worship and action.
Collin Hansen, 29, author of Young, Restless, Reformed, about a thriving minority of traditionalist Christians, agrees. "I'm not going to say these numbers aren't true and aren't grim, but they also drive people like me to build new, passionately Christian dynamic churches," says Hansen, who is studying for the ministry. He sees many in his generation veering to "moralistic therapeutic deism — 'God wants you to be happy and do good things.' ... I would not call that Christianity, however."
The 2007 LifeWay study found seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30, both evangelical and mainline, who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23. And 34% of those had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30.
The Pew survey found young people today were significantly more likely than those in earlier generations to say they didn't identify with any religious group. Neither are Millennials any more likely than earlier generations to turn toward a faith affiliation as they grow older.
Bakersfield Apartments |
Most young adults today don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows.
If the trends continue, "the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships," says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group's survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they're "really more spiritual than religious."
VIDEO: More Americans saying no to religion
FAITH & REASON: Megachurch leader calls Gen Y 'honest' on faith
Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, "many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only," Rainer says. "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith."
Key findings in the phone survey, conducted in August and released today:
•65% rarely or never pray with others, and 38% almost never pray by themselves either.
•65% rarely or never attend worship services.
•67% don't read the Bible or sacred texts.
Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say yes, half no.
"We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church," Rainer says.
The findings, which document a steady drift away from church life, dovetail with a LifeWay survey of teenagers in 2007 who drop out of church and a study in February by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, which compared the beliefs of Millennials with those of earlier generations of young people.
AGE 18 TO 29: 'Less religious,' not necessarily 'more secular'
DROPOUTS: Young adults aren't sticking with church
The new survey has a margin of error of +/-2.8 percentage points.
Even among those in the survey who "believe they will go to heaven because they have accepted Jesus Christ as savior":
•68% did not mention faith, religion or spirituality when asked what was "really important in life."
•50% do not attend church at least weekly.
•36% rarely or never read the Bible.
Neither are these young Christians evangelical in the original meaning of the term — eager to share the Gospel. Just 40% say this is their responsibility.
Even so, Rainer is encouraged by the roughly 15% who, he says, appear to be "deeply committed" Christians in study, prayer, worship and action.
Collin Hansen, 29, author of Young, Restless, Reformed, about a thriving minority of traditionalist Christians, agrees. "I'm not going to say these numbers aren't true and aren't grim, but they also drive people like me to build new, passionately Christian dynamic churches," says Hansen, who is studying for the ministry. He sees many in his generation veering to "moralistic therapeutic deism — 'God wants you to be happy and do good things.' ... I would not call that Christianity, however."
The 2007 LifeWay study found seven in 10 Protestants ages 18 to 30, both evangelical and mainline, who went to church regularly in high school said they quit attending by age 23. And 34% of those had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30.
The Pew survey found young people today were significantly more likely than those in earlier generations to say they didn't identify with any religious group. Neither are Millennials any more likely than earlier generations to turn toward a faith affiliation as they grow older.
Bakersfield Apartments |
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Peace Meditation
By Annysa Johnson of the Journal Sentinel
Hindu spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led about 800 people in a mass meditation for peace Friday at the Midwest Airlines Center. The event was billed as the largest meditation gathering in Milwaukee.
Shankar founded the Art of Living Foundation, which works with the United Nations in programs related to health, education, sustainable development, conflict resolution and disaster relief.
In the 90-minute buildup to the meditation, the soft-spoken Shankar shared snippets of wisdom on topics ranging from materialism and marital harmony to religion and spirituality.
"Religion without spirituality is disastrous," he said.
His meditation technique centers on rhythmic breathing exercises meant to calm the mind. Shankar enjoys a wide following around the world, but his technique and message of compassion and nonviolence attract non-devotees as well, said Lakshmi Bharadwaj, associate professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and board member for the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin, which worked to bring the guru to Milwaukee.
"His teachings are universal," said Bharadwaj, who is Hindu but does not practice Shankar's particular technique of meditation.
Bakersfield Apartments |
Hindu spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar led about 800 people in a mass meditation for peace Friday at the Midwest Airlines Center. The event was billed as the largest meditation gathering in Milwaukee.
Shankar founded the Art of Living Foundation, which works with the United Nations in programs related to health, education, sustainable development, conflict resolution and disaster relief.
In the 90-minute buildup to the meditation, the soft-spoken Shankar shared snippets of wisdom on topics ranging from materialism and marital harmony to religion and spirituality.
"Religion without spirituality is disastrous," he said.
His meditation technique centers on rhythmic breathing exercises meant to calm the mind. Shankar enjoys a wide following around the world, but his technique and message of compassion and nonviolence attract non-devotees as well, said Lakshmi Bharadwaj, associate professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and board member for the Hindu Temple of Wisconsin, which worked to bring the guru to Milwaukee.
"His teachings are universal," said Bharadwaj, who is Hindu but does not practice Shankar's particular technique of meditation.
Bakersfield Apartments |
Monday, April 26, 2010
Swami Scandal Continues
Posted On Monday, April 26, 2010 at 05:35:20 AM
According to research, an average man sleeps with around seven women in his life time.
Give or take a couple of escapades in a dark corner here and a dimly lit stairwell there. Average men can never, in a thousand lifetimes, even hold a candle to any of our randy swamis. Again, research says that only 7 per cent of average men have sex 4 or more times a week (and they are supposed to be a rare breed of ‘average men’). If you mention this figure to our Swamis they will laugh you out of their perfumed-satiny-red-boudoirs. Scientists say that human beings are pre-wired to want and think about sex. Our randy swamis believe it to be the gospel truth. However, they would cut off their, you-know-what, before they acknowledge it in public. They’d rather prefer to lead a double life - celibate, spiritual guru by day and a randy, sex guru by night. Some are known to have matinee shows too. They continue, blissfully, leading this parallel life till one day they become a 70 point size headline in newspapers or simply ‘Swami Nithyananda’. Nithyananda, who has a penchant for draping himself in silk saris and have his disciples address him as ‘Mother’ on Mothers’ Day, is currently in a police lock-up — a far cry from his queen-size bed and a lanky Ranjitha doing him ‘seva’.
Swami Nithyananda is not the first swami to entertain us with his libidinous life and will not be the last either. Before him there were other holy men leading unholy lives.
It is said that the famous Naked Naga Sadhus who are such a tourist attraction at the Kumbh Mela and those who practise cult religions such as Shakta or Naga live a detached life, but they are not necessarily devoid of the pleasures of life.
Celibacy is merely a personal choice. Holiness has nothing to do with celibacy. But holiness has everything to do with Dharma. But Dharma has nothing to do with celibacy. Go figure that one!
Sssss — Icchadhari Bheemananda Swami
Earlier known as Shiv Murat Dwivedi, his naagin dance can put sexy Sridevi’s Nagina to shame. He usually danced to the song Man doley, mera tan doley, with his devotees matching him step for step. An ex-security guard at a hotel and massage parlour, Dwivedi became a yogi. And sought enlightenment in the flesh trade in Delhi. He had an entourage of 600 women working for him and amassed more than 600 million rupees in a ‘holy’ career spanning 10 years. Also known as Ichchadhari Swami, he was caught when one of his girls was busted in a raid by police.
Twist of Faith — Swami Premananda
He had the frizziest hairdo amongst all swamis. Born in Sri Lanka, he set up an ashram near Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu and was noted for taking in orphan girls from refugee families from Sri Lanka. Allegations about his exploits with the girls under his wing soon surfaced and after an in-depth investigation in 1997, he was convicted on several counts of rape, a single count of murder and possession of unaccounted foreign exchange. Eminent lawyer and former law minister of India Ram Jethmalani was one of his devotees.
Sex Crimes — Ram Rahim Singh
The head of Dera Sacha Sauda, he created a controversy after he donned a central Asian frock coat which resembled that of Guru Gobind Singh. In 2002, a woman accused him of trying to outrage her modesty. There was also some talk about a local journalist being murdered for writing a series of articles on the Dera in his newspaper Poora Sach. After much delay, the CBI chargesheeted the holy man for raping two sadhvis and conspiring to murder two people in 2007. The Baba reportedly referred to Lord Krishna while trying to justify his coming on strong to his female followers.
Hurt Locker! — Swami Amrita Chaitanya
Also known as Santosh Madhavan, with his eyes on the stars, this part-time astrologer and self-proclaimed godman was on Interpol’s radar for his frauds in the UAE. He was reportedly guilty of paedophilia and filming himself while molesting underage girls. Arrested from Kerala for his crimes, he was sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment in 2009. According to police reports, he kept his dubious CDs safe in a bank locker in Kochi.
Hand of God — Osho aka Chandra Mohan Jain
He was the original Sex Guru. And he was a class apart with his mesmerising eyes and a high IQ. Calling himself Bhagwan (God) Shree Rajneesh, he later took on the name Osho and became famous for his sex sutras. As a spiritual teacher who believed in meditation and celebrating love, he attracted international following. According to reports, his ashram in Pune embedded the free spirit of human soul with no boundaries on group sex, naked existence and having a jolly good time. Bollywood actor Vinod Khanna, a devout follower, was an ashram regular, so much so, that his movie career took a severe beating. After his deportation from the United States, where he spent some years, Osho was denied entry by 21 countries. He travelled the world before returning to Pune in 1990, where he died.
According to research, an average man sleeps with around seven women in his life time.
Give or take a couple of escapades in a dark corner here and a dimly lit stairwell there. Average men can never, in a thousand lifetimes, even hold a candle to any of our randy swamis. Again, research says that only 7 per cent of average men have sex 4 or more times a week (and they are supposed to be a rare breed of ‘average men’). If you mention this figure to our Swamis they will laugh you out of their perfumed-satiny-red-boudoirs. Scientists say that human beings are pre-wired to want and think about sex. Our randy swamis believe it to be the gospel truth. However, they would cut off their, you-know-what, before they acknowledge it in public. They’d rather prefer to lead a double life - celibate, spiritual guru by day and a randy, sex guru by night. Some are known to have matinee shows too. They continue, blissfully, leading this parallel life till one day they become a 70 point size headline in newspapers or simply ‘Swami Nithyananda’. Nithyananda, who has a penchant for draping himself in silk saris and have his disciples address him as ‘Mother’ on Mothers’ Day, is currently in a police lock-up — a far cry from his queen-size bed and a lanky Ranjitha doing him ‘seva’.
Swami Nithyananda is not the first swami to entertain us with his libidinous life and will not be the last either. Before him there were other holy men leading unholy lives.
It is said that the famous Naked Naga Sadhus who are such a tourist attraction at the Kumbh Mela and those who practise cult religions such as Shakta or Naga live a detached life, but they are not necessarily devoid of the pleasures of life.
Celibacy is merely a personal choice. Holiness has nothing to do with celibacy. But holiness has everything to do with Dharma. But Dharma has nothing to do with celibacy. Go figure that one!
Sssss — Icchadhari Bheemananda Swami
Earlier known as Shiv Murat Dwivedi, his naagin dance can put sexy Sridevi’s Nagina to shame. He usually danced to the song Man doley, mera tan doley, with his devotees matching him step for step. An ex-security guard at a hotel and massage parlour, Dwivedi became a yogi. And sought enlightenment in the flesh trade in Delhi. He had an entourage of 600 women working for him and amassed more than 600 million rupees in a ‘holy’ career spanning 10 years. Also known as Ichchadhari Swami, he was caught when one of his girls was busted in a raid by police.
Twist of Faith — Swami Premananda
He had the frizziest hairdo amongst all swamis. Born in Sri Lanka, he set up an ashram near Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu and was noted for taking in orphan girls from refugee families from Sri Lanka. Allegations about his exploits with the girls under his wing soon surfaced and after an in-depth investigation in 1997, he was convicted on several counts of rape, a single count of murder and possession of unaccounted foreign exchange. Eminent lawyer and former law minister of India Ram Jethmalani was one of his devotees.
Sex Crimes — Ram Rahim Singh
The head of Dera Sacha Sauda, he created a controversy after he donned a central Asian frock coat which resembled that of Guru Gobind Singh. In 2002, a woman accused him of trying to outrage her modesty. There was also some talk about a local journalist being murdered for writing a series of articles on the Dera in his newspaper Poora Sach. After much delay, the CBI chargesheeted the holy man for raping two sadhvis and conspiring to murder two people in 2007. The Baba reportedly referred to Lord Krishna while trying to justify his coming on strong to his female followers.
Hurt Locker! — Swami Amrita Chaitanya
Also known as Santosh Madhavan, with his eyes on the stars, this part-time astrologer and self-proclaimed godman was on Interpol’s radar for his frauds in the UAE. He was reportedly guilty of paedophilia and filming himself while molesting underage girls. Arrested from Kerala for his crimes, he was sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment in 2009. According to police reports, he kept his dubious CDs safe in a bank locker in Kochi.
Hand of God — Osho aka Chandra Mohan Jain
He was the original Sex Guru. And he was a class apart with his mesmerising eyes and a high IQ. Calling himself Bhagwan (God) Shree Rajneesh, he later took on the name Osho and became famous for his sex sutras. As a spiritual teacher who believed in meditation and celebrating love, he attracted international following. According to reports, his ashram in Pune embedded the free spirit of human soul with no boundaries on group sex, naked existence and having a jolly good time. Bollywood actor Vinod Khanna, a devout follower, was an ashram regular, so much so, that his movie career took a severe beating. After his deportation from the United States, where he spent some years, Osho was denied entry by 21 countries. He travelled the world before returning to Pune in 1990, where he died.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
A Well Respected Man Died Last Week
SAN DIEGO, CA, Apr 19, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- World-renowned management thinker Dr. Coimbatore Krishnarao (CK) Prahalad passed away on April 16, 2010 in San Diego, CA. He was 68. Prahalad was Paul and Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy and taught at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan since 1977. His family was with him at the time.
Professor Prahalad received his undergraduate degree from Loyola College, Chennai and MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He received his PhD in management from the Harvard Business School in 1975 and was on the Boards of NCR Corporation, Hindustan Unilever Limited, TVS Capital Funds Limited, and Pearson. He also served on the Boards of non-profit organizations The indUS Entrepreneurs -- TiE -- (the world's largest organization devoted to Entrepreneurship) and the Advisory Board of Microsoft, India.
Prahalad was a globally known management scholar and was ranked #1 Management Thinker in the world in two consecutive global surveys by the Times of London. Dr. Prahalad has consulted with the top management of many of the world's foremost companies.
A prolific author, Dr. Prahalad contributed to fundamental business concepts such as strategic intent, dominant logic, core competence, and co-creation arising from his work with multinational companies. He co-authored several bestselling business books including The Multinational Mission (with Yves Doz), Competing for the Future (with Gary Hamel), The Future of Competition (with Venkat Ramaswamy) and The New Age of Innovation (with M.S. Krishnan). His groundbreaking paper, "the Core Competence of the Corporation" (with Gary Hamel) remains the most reprinted article in the history of the Harvard Business Review. His articles in the Harvard Business Review won a total of four McKinsey Prizes.
A hallmark of Prahalad's career was his belief that business must serve the cause of humanity as it produces profit. This theme was established early on in his work on strategic intent, arguing that imagination, not resources, was a key driver of corporate performance. He continued to build on his work exploring the human impact of business as he developed new strategic frameworks. His most ambitious work, the Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, outlined a model for large firms to engage with the world's poor, significantly changing the assumptions of governments, corporations and NGOs about how to address the issue of global poverty. The recipient of many honors and awards, Prahalad's most recent accolades included a 2009 Padma Bhushan, one of India' highest civilian honors.
While Prahalad's work and intellectual contribution is widely known, he is remembered for his generosity, empathy and commitment to students, colleagues and his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Gayatri, his children, Murali Krishna and Deepa, their spouses and three grandchildren.
Communications are welcome at prahalad.family@gmail.com
Professor Prahalad received his undergraduate degree from Loyola College, Chennai and MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He received his PhD in management from the Harvard Business School in 1975 and was on the Boards of NCR Corporation, Hindustan Unilever Limited, TVS Capital Funds Limited, and Pearson. He also served on the Boards of non-profit organizations The indUS Entrepreneurs -- TiE -- (the world's largest organization devoted to Entrepreneurship) and the Advisory Board of Microsoft, India.
Prahalad was a globally known management scholar and was ranked #1 Management Thinker in the world in two consecutive global surveys by the Times of London. Dr. Prahalad has consulted with the top management of many of the world's foremost companies.
A prolific author, Dr. Prahalad contributed to fundamental business concepts such as strategic intent, dominant logic, core competence, and co-creation arising from his work with multinational companies. He co-authored several bestselling business books including The Multinational Mission (with Yves Doz), Competing for the Future (with Gary Hamel), The Future of Competition (with Venkat Ramaswamy) and The New Age of Innovation (with M.S. Krishnan). His groundbreaking paper, "the Core Competence of the Corporation" (with Gary Hamel) remains the most reprinted article in the history of the Harvard Business Review. His articles in the Harvard Business Review won a total of four McKinsey Prizes.
A hallmark of Prahalad's career was his belief that business must serve the cause of humanity as it produces profit. This theme was established early on in his work on strategic intent, arguing that imagination, not resources, was a key driver of corporate performance. He continued to build on his work exploring the human impact of business as he developed new strategic frameworks. His most ambitious work, the Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, outlined a model for large firms to engage with the world's poor, significantly changing the assumptions of governments, corporations and NGOs about how to address the issue of global poverty. The recipient of many honors and awards, Prahalad's most recent accolades included a 2009 Padma Bhushan, one of India' highest civilian honors.
While Prahalad's work and intellectual contribution is widely known, he is remembered for his generosity, empathy and commitment to students, colleagues and his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Gayatri, his children, Murali Krishna and Deepa, their spouses and three grandchildren.
Communications are welcome at prahalad.family@gmail.com
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Blood Into Wine Baby
Gómez, Durango.- Los amantes del rock clásico tendrán la oportunidad de escuchar un repertorio detalladamente seleccionado, de los grandes éxitos de los más grandes guitarristas del mundo, gracias al evento que organiza el Instituto Municipal de Cultura en Gómez Palacio, denominado, "Icono: Tributo a guitarristas virtuosos". Integrantes de bandas de rock a nivel local y con un destacado desempeño, serán los encargados de brindar este concierto.
Será este miércoles 21 de abril a las siete de la tarde, cuando se desarrolle este evento, teniendo como escenario el Teatro Alberto M. Alvarado, y en el que participarán grupos especializados en este género musical como son Nagual, Trauma, Anesthesia y Vinil. Cabe señalar, que luego de dos años en los que se han realizado presentaciones cada mes, el programa musical Icono, ofrecerá este nuevo concierto.
Los músicos, dedicados gran parte de su vida a recrear los grandes éxitos de las leyendas del rock, como es Bonny Briones, vocalista del grupo Nagual, aseguran que la alternativa que ofrece el Instituto Municipal de Cultura en Gómez Palacio, es digna de reconocer, ya que generalmente existen pocas oportunidades para que músicos locales de éste género, puedan darse a conocer apoyados por alguna instancia oficial.
Bonny Briones, dijo, que inicialmente se pensó en un proyecto llamado "Rockeando por la ciudad", gracias a ello se hizo la grabación de dos discos en donde los grupos tuvieron oportunidad de darse a conocer, también con la presentación de temas originales que fueron del gusto del público. Luego de este proceso surgió la idea del proyecto denominado "Icono".
Gracias a ello, mensualmente determinados grupos de la región lagunera son los encargados de ofrecer un homenaje a las grandes bandas del rock, mediante un repertorio elegido para el gusto del público más selectivo. "Lo que intentamos es hacer una reinterpretación de la música de los artistas seleccionados", comentó Bonny Briones.
El repertorio que este miércoles interpretarán los grupos Trauma, Nagual, Anesthesia y Vinil, son de Slayer, "Angel of death" y "Raining Blood", de Pantera "Focking hostile"; de Municipal Waste "Sadistic magician", Carcass "Rock the vote", de Eric Clapton "Old Love", de Carlos Santana "Evil Ways"; de David Gilmour "Comfortably Numb" y finalmente de Jimmy Page, uno de los grandes temas favoritos como es "Stairway to Heaven".
Cabe señalar que el Instituto Municipal de Cultura, dio a conocer que tiene las puertas abiertas para todos los grupos locales de rock, para que sean parte de este programa y tengan la oportunidad de usar los espacios que se ofrecen, como es el teatro Alberto M. Alvarado. Estos grupos podrán realizar sus presentaciones sin costo alguno y a la vez obtener un beneficio económico, que aunque es de forma simbólica, puede apoyarlos a seguir produciendo.
El concierto de Icono, homenaje a guitarristas virtuosos, tendrá un costo de 15 pesos como recuperación para el grupo. Durante el concierto el grupo Nagual presentará su último video clip “Abre tu puerta” además de las nuevas producciones del grupo, como “Nagual en vivo”.
Será este miércoles 21 de abril a las siete de la tarde, cuando se desarrolle este evento, teniendo como escenario el Teatro Alberto M. Alvarado, y en el que participarán grupos especializados en este género musical como son Nagual, Trauma, Anesthesia y Vinil. Cabe señalar, que luego de dos años en los que se han realizado presentaciones cada mes, el programa musical Icono, ofrecerá este nuevo concierto.
Los músicos, dedicados gran parte de su vida a recrear los grandes éxitos de las leyendas del rock, como es Bonny Briones, vocalista del grupo Nagual, aseguran que la alternativa que ofrece el Instituto Municipal de Cultura en Gómez Palacio, es digna de reconocer, ya que generalmente existen pocas oportunidades para que músicos locales de éste género, puedan darse a conocer apoyados por alguna instancia oficial.
Bonny Briones, dijo, que inicialmente se pensó en un proyecto llamado "Rockeando por la ciudad", gracias a ello se hizo la grabación de dos discos en donde los grupos tuvieron oportunidad de darse a conocer, también con la presentación de temas originales que fueron del gusto del público. Luego de este proceso surgió la idea del proyecto denominado "Icono".
Gracias a ello, mensualmente determinados grupos de la región lagunera son los encargados de ofrecer un homenaje a las grandes bandas del rock, mediante un repertorio elegido para el gusto del público más selectivo. "Lo que intentamos es hacer una reinterpretación de la música de los artistas seleccionados", comentó Bonny Briones.
El repertorio que este miércoles interpretarán los grupos Trauma, Nagual, Anesthesia y Vinil, son de Slayer, "Angel of death" y "Raining Blood", de Pantera "Focking hostile"; de Municipal Waste "Sadistic magician", Carcass "Rock the vote", de Eric Clapton "Old Love", de Carlos Santana "Evil Ways"; de David Gilmour "Comfortably Numb" y finalmente de Jimmy Page, uno de los grandes temas favoritos como es "Stairway to Heaven".
Cabe señalar que el Instituto Municipal de Cultura, dio a conocer que tiene las puertas abiertas para todos los grupos locales de rock, para que sean parte de este programa y tengan la oportunidad de usar los espacios que se ofrecen, como es el teatro Alberto M. Alvarado. Estos grupos podrán realizar sus presentaciones sin costo alguno y a la vez obtener un beneficio económico, que aunque es de forma simbólica, puede apoyarlos a seguir produciendo.
El concierto de Icono, homenaje a guitarristas virtuosos, tendrá un costo de 15 pesos como recuperación para el grupo. Durante el concierto el grupo Nagual presentará su último video clip “Abre tu puerta” además de las nuevas producciones del grupo, como “Nagual en vivo”.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Guru Arrested for Obscenity
Police in India say a controversial Hindu holy man facing charges of obscenity has been arrested.
Nithyananda Swami was detained in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh where police said he had been hiding.
The guru stepped down last month as head of a religious organisation based in the southern city of Bangalore.
His announcement came after a video apparently showing him engaging in sexual acts with two women. He says he is innocent and the video is a fake.
Nithyananda Swami has a huge following in southern India and his mission has branches in several countries, including the US and Europe.
'Spiritual seclusion'
"Nithyananda Swami was arrested at Solan [in Himachal Pradesh] along with his associate Gopal Seelam Reddy and they would be brought to Bangalore soon," the city's director general of police, DV Guruprasaad, said.
On Tuesday, the authorities raided the swami's sprawling centre near Bangalore.
Nithyananda Swami, 32, stepped down as leader of the global Dhyanapeetam (Knowledge Centre) organisation soon after the police inquiry was launched.
"I have decided to live a life of spiritual seclusion for some indefinite time," the guru said in a statement.
"If required, I will return and talk about all that had happened as an independent witness to my conduct with a clean heart and pure soul and in a less prejudiced atmosphere."
The video shocked his devotees and angered locals - his ashram near Bangalore was vandalised after TV channels broadcast the video.
The guru's followers allege the video was created and distributed by a jealous resident of the ashram in a bid to defame him.
Nithyananda Swami was detained in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh where police said he had been hiding.
The guru stepped down last month as head of a religious organisation based in the southern city of Bangalore.
His announcement came after a video apparently showing him engaging in sexual acts with two women. He says he is innocent and the video is a fake.
Nithyananda Swami has a huge following in southern India and his mission has branches in several countries, including the US and Europe.
'Spiritual seclusion'
"Nithyananda Swami was arrested at Solan [in Himachal Pradesh] along with his associate Gopal Seelam Reddy and they would be brought to Bangalore soon," the city's director general of police, DV Guruprasaad, said.
On Tuesday, the authorities raided the swami's sprawling centre near Bangalore.
Nithyananda Swami, 32, stepped down as leader of the global Dhyanapeetam (Knowledge Centre) organisation soon after the police inquiry was launched.
"I have decided to live a life of spiritual seclusion for some indefinite time," the guru said in a statement.
"If required, I will return and talk about all that had happened as an independent witness to my conduct with a clean heart and pure soul and in a less prejudiced atmosphere."
The video shocked his devotees and angered locals - his ashram near Bangalore was vandalised after TV channels broadcast the video.
The guru's followers allege the video was created and distributed by a jealous resident of the ashram in a bid to defame him.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sunday Service at Vincent United
Sunday worship service
Vincent United Methodist Church will gather for worship this Sunday morning, April 25, at 10 a.m. on the Fourth Sunday of Easter and the Festival of God’s Creation. In connection with Earth Day, the service will celebrate the gift of the earth and the Lord’s challenge to be its caretakers. The Chancel Choir will sing and there will be a report on the Change the World Weekend activities. The Rev. LeDuc will share a children’s sermon and give the message "A Farmer’s Communion." Every Sunday, professional nursery care and Church School for the children is available during the worship hour and a time of fellowship and refreshments follows the service.
Vincent United Methodist Church is located at 100 Vincent Place (across from the library) in Nutley. It is handicapped accessible from the north parking lot. For more information, contact the church office at 973-667-5440 or visit www.vincentumc.org.
Vincent United Methodist Church will gather for worship this Sunday morning, April 25, at 10 a.m. on the Fourth Sunday of Easter and the Festival of God’s Creation. In connection with Earth Day, the service will celebrate the gift of the earth and the Lord’s challenge to be its caretakers. The Chancel Choir will sing and there will be a report on the Change the World Weekend activities. The Rev. LeDuc will share a children’s sermon and give the message "A Farmer’s Communion." Every Sunday, professional nursery care and Church School for the children is available during the worship hour and a time of fellowship and refreshments follows the service.
Vincent United Methodist Church is located at 100 Vincent Place (across from the library) in Nutley. It is handicapped accessible from the north parking lot. For more information, contact the church office at 973-667-5440 or visit www.vincentumc.org.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
China Google Spiritual Ending
By Mehul Srivastava and James Rupert
April 6 (Bloomberg) -- Hackers traced back to China infiltrated computers including those of India’s government, the offices of the Dalai Lama and the United Nations, underscoring the growing threat of cyber attacks, two researchers said.
Documents relating to Indian military missile programs, security assessments of states bordering China, and files from Indian embassies worldwide were compromised, according to a report by Information Warfare Monitor, a research group associated with the University of Toronto. The Shadowserver Foundation, a volunteer watchdog group, co-authored the report.
The research comes two weeks after Google Inc. retreated from China, partly because of cyber attacks, and coincides with Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna’s four-day visit to the mainland to discuss trade and improve relations between two neighbors that vie for global energy resources and disagree over border territories. The Indian government said it’s taking the report seriously and investigating the matter.
“There is a lot of concern in India’s government over the Chinese capability for counter-espionage,” said Bahukutumbi Raman, an analyst with the Center for China Studies in the southern Indian city of Chennai. The report will strengthen the case to slow India’s opening of its borders to Chinese technology companies, he said.
While the hackers can be traced back to servers in Chengdu, western China, their identity and motives are unknown, according to the researchers, who said the report was the result of an eight-month investigation.
‘Serious Issue’
“This is a serious issue, and we are looking into it,” said Sitansu Kar, a spokesman at India’s Ministry of Defense.
China’s government doesn’t condone Internet attacks, said Jiang Yu, a spokeswoman at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Hacking is an international problem. The international community should strengthen cooperation and face the problem together,” Jiang said today at a briefing in Beijing.
The researchers found the majority of documents hacked involved the Indian government and armed forces, including those of military training schools and a member of the Indian Directorate of Military Intelligence, according to the report. Two “secret” files were among the 14 accessed from the National Security Council Secretariat, which aids the Indian government in strategic defense planning, according to the 58- page report.
Dalai Lama’s E-mails
China and India, which fought a war in 1962, are trying to boost trade and economic relations to end years of mistrust. India’s trade deficit with China widened more than 40 percent to $15.8 billion in 2009. China exports heavy machinery, telecommunications equipment and home appliances to India.
The researchers said they traveled to India for three months to investigate e-mails accessed from the offices of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader who runs a government- in-exile in India. Computers infiltrated included that of Serta Tsultrim, a Tibetan Member of Parliament and the editor of a weekly Tibetan language newspaper. Another 1,500 e-mails, containing travel details of the Dalai Lama were also accessed by the hackers, the report said.
The Dalai Lama’s office cooperated with the researchers from the University of Toronto, said Tenzin Takhla, the Tibetan spiritual leader’s secretary.
“From what we are seeing, the people attacking our computers have a very systematic approach to reading our private communications,” Takhla said. “What the experts have told us is that these are coming out of China, and that makes sense.”
India Focus
Businesses were also targeted, according to the report. Documents describing travel plans, business decisions and the financial status of three Indian companies were accessed, according to the report.
Google in March began redirecting search results from the mainland to Hong Kong, two months after the U.S. company said its servers were attacked by hackers traced to mainland China who targeted human-rights activists.
Netwitness Corp., a Herndon, Virginia-based Internet security firm, said in February it detected hackers broke security barriers on computers at more than 2,400 firms in almost 200 countries over an 18-month period.
“Several high profile cases and events, including the attacks on Google and other American companies in December 2009, underscore the growing threat environment and suggest that these attacks are becoming the norm rather than an exception,” the researchers wrote in the report.
To contact the reporter on this story: Mehul Srivastava in New Delhi at msrivastava6@bloomberg.net.
April 6 (Bloomberg) -- Hackers traced back to China infiltrated computers including those of India’s government, the offices of the Dalai Lama and the United Nations, underscoring the growing threat of cyber attacks, two researchers said.
Documents relating to Indian military missile programs, security assessments of states bordering China, and files from Indian embassies worldwide were compromised, according to a report by Information Warfare Monitor, a research group associated with the University of Toronto. The Shadowserver Foundation, a volunteer watchdog group, co-authored the report.
The research comes two weeks after Google Inc. retreated from China, partly because of cyber attacks, and coincides with Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna’s four-day visit to the mainland to discuss trade and improve relations between two neighbors that vie for global energy resources and disagree over border territories. The Indian government said it’s taking the report seriously and investigating the matter.
“There is a lot of concern in India’s government over the Chinese capability for counter-espionage,” said Bahukutumbi Raman, an analyst with the Center for China Studies in the southern Indian city of Chennai. The report will strengthen the case to slow India’s opening of its borders to Chinese technology companies, he said.
While the hackers can be traced back to servers in Chengdu, western China, their identity and motives are unknown, according to the researchers, who said the report was the result of an eight-month investigation.
‘Serious Issue’
“This is a serious issue, and we are looking into it,” said Sitansu Kar, a spokesman at India’s Ministry of Defense.
China’s government doesn’t condone Internet attacks, said Jiang Yu, a spokeswoman at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Hacking is an international problem. The international community should strengthen cooperation and face the problem together,” Jiang said today at a briefing in Beijing.
The researchers found the majority of documents hacked involved the Indian government and armed forces, including those of military training schools and a member of the Indian Directorate of Military Intelligence, according to the report. Two “secret” files were among the 14 accessed from the National Security Council Secretariat, which aids the Indian government in strategic defense planning, according to the 58- page report.
Dalai Lama’s E-mails
China and India, which fought a war in 1962, are trying to boost trade and economic relations to end years of mistrust. India’s trade deficit with China widened more than 40 percent to $15.8 billion in 2009. China exports heavy machinery, telecommunications equipment and home appliances to India.
The researchers said they traveled to India for three months to investigate e-mails accessed from the offices of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader who runs a government- in-exile in India. Computers infiltrated included that of Serta Tsultrim, a Tibetan Member of Parliament and the editor of a weekly Tibetan language newspaper. Another 1,500 e-mails, containing travel details of the Dalai Lama were also accessed by the hackers, the report said.
The Dalai Lama’s office cooperated with the researchers from the University of Toronto, said Tenzin Takhla, the Tibetan spiritual leader’s secretary.
“From what we are seeing, the people attacking our computers have a very systematic approach to reading our private communications,” Takhla said. “What the experts have told us is that these are coming out of China, and that makes sense.”
India Focus
Businesses were also targeted, according to the report. Documents describing travel plans, business decisions and the financial status of three Indian companies were accessed, according to the report.
Google in March began redirecting search results from the mainland to Hong Kong, two months after the U.S. company said its servers were attacked by hackers traced to mainland China who targeted human-rights activists.
Netwitness Corp., a Herndon, Virginia-based Internet security firm, said in February it detected hackers broke security barriers on computers at more than 2,400 firms in almost 200 countries over an 18-month period.
“Several high profile cases and events, including the attacks on Google and other American companies in December 2009, underscore the growing threat environment and suggest that these attacks are becoming the norm rather than an exception,” the researchers wrote in the report.
To contact the reporter on this story: Mehul Srivastava in New Delhi at msrivastava6@bloomberg.net.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Politics and Religion in Malaysia
KOTA BARU, April 19 — PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat will campaign this Friday for Hulu Selangor candidate Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who has been attacked for consuming alcohol in the past.
The Kelantan mentri besar’s poltiical secretary Wan Nik Wan Yusuff confirmed that Nik Aziz will return from a two-week trip to Mecca this Wednesday and will then campaign for Zaid, a fellow Kelantanese.
“Tok Guru is expected to campaign on April 23 to help the Pakatan Rakyat election machinery there.“He told me personally when contacted in Mecca that he wants to be with Pakatan Rakyat leaders to help the candidate Datuk Zaid Ibrahim,” said Wan Nik, referring to the honorific for the revered party spiritual chief.
Nik Aziz left last April 5 for Mecca to perform the umrah.
Asked about Nik Aziz’s reaction to the personal attacks against Zaid, Wan Nik said, “Tok Guru asks to be patient and that Pakatan must be ready to face their opponents politely”.
“His message is that Islam is stronger with debates, so we must defeat our opponent’s weapons with debate,” Wan Nik explained.
Zaid is the PKR candidate for the April 25 by-election for the seat which fell vacant when PKR MP Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad died last month.
He will face Barisan Nasional candidate, P. Kamalanathan and independent Johan Md Diah. Another independent V.S. Chandran, dropped out of the race today.
Zaid, the former de-facto minister and one-time Kota Bharu MP for Umno, has been attacked by his former party colleagues for drinking. He admitted to the act, which is a sin in Islam, but said he has repented.
The Kelantan mentri besar’s poltiical secretary Wan Nik Wan Yusuff confirmed that Nik Aziz will return from a two-week trip to Mecca this Wednesday and will then campaign for Zaid, a fellow Kelantanese.
“Tok Guru is expected to campaign on April 23 to help the Pakatan Rakyat election machinery there.“He told me personally when contacted in Mecca that he wants to be with Pakatan Rakyat leaders to help the candidate Datuk Zaid Ibrahim,” said Wan Nik, referring to the honorific for the revered party spiritual chief.
Nik Aziz left last April 5 for Mecca to perform the umrah.
Asked about Nik Aziz’s reaction to the personal attacks against Zaid, Wan Nik said, “Tok Guru asks to be patient and that Pakatan must be ready to face their opponents politely”.
“His message is that Islam is stronger with debates, so we must defeat our opponent’s weapons with debate,” Wan Nik explained.
Zaid is the PKR candidate for the April 25 by-election for the seat which fell vacant when PKR MP Datuk Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad died last month.
He will face Barisan Nasional candidate, P. Kamalanathan and independent Johan Md Diah. Another independent V.S. Chandran, dropped out of the race today.
Zaid, the former de-facto minister and one-time Kota Bharu MP for Umno, has been attacked by his former party colleagues for drinking. He admitted to the act, which is a sin in Islam, but said he has repented.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Management Guru Dies
The World's top business thinker CK Prahalad died after a short illness.
Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad, author and management consultant succumbed today to a short illness.
CK Prahalad was one of nine children born into a Madhva brahmin family in 1941. His father was a well-known Sanskrit scholar and judge in Chennai. At 19, he joined Union Carbide after obtaining a degree in Physics from Loyola College, Chennai. Prahalad called his Union Carbide experience a major inflection point in his lifeFour years later, he did his post-graduation in management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIT-A). He met his wife, Gayatri during this time; they married five years later, and have two children.
Prahalad is the author of a number of well known works in corporate strategy including 'The Core Competence of the Corporation' (Harvard Business Review, May-June, 1990). He has also authored several international bestsellers, including 'Competing for the Future' (with Gary Hamel), 1994, 'The Future of Competition', (with Venkat Ramaswamy), 2004 and 'The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits', Wharton School Publishing, 2004. This last book transformed the Indian-born Prahalad from bestselling academic to global opinion former. His new book with co-author M. S. Krishnan is called The New Age of Innovation. His ideas are tackle the big issues of our times and make a difference.
He was co-founder of Praja Inc (“Praja” from a Sanskrit word “Praja” which means “citizen” or “common people”). He later became its chief executive officer.
The goals of the company ranged from allowing common people to access information without restriction (this theme is related to the “bottom of pyramid” or BOP philosophy), to providing a test bed for various management ideas. The company eventually laid off one third of its workforce and was sold to leading business integration and process management software company, TIBCO. He was also on the board of TiE, The Indus Entrepreneurs. At Harvard Business School, Prahalad wrote a doctoral thesis on multinational management in just two and a half years, graduating with a D.B.A. degree in 1975.
He then came to India, where he taught at his alma-mater (IIT-A). He returned to the United States, where he was the Paul and Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in the University of Michigan.
Prahalad has been among top ten management thinkers in every major survey for over ten years.
Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad, author and management consultant succumbed today to a short illness.
CK Prahalad was one of nine children born into a Madhva brahmin family in 1941. His father was a well-known Sanskrit scholar and judge in Chennai. At 19, he joined Union Carbide after obtaining a degree in Physics from Loyola College, Chennai. Prahalad called his Union Carbide experience a major inflection point in his lifeFour years later, he did his post-graduation in management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIT-A). He met his wife, Gayatri during this time; they married five years later, and have two children.
Prahalad is the author of a number of well known works in corporate strategy including 'The Core Competence of the Corporation' (Harvard Business Review, May-June, 1990). He has also authored several international bestsellers, including 'Competing for the Future' (with Gary Hamel), 1994, 'The Future of Competition', (with Venkat Ramaswamy), 2004 and 'The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits', Wharton School Publishing, 2004. This last book transformed the Indian-born Prahalad from bestselling academic to global opinion former. His new book with co-author M. S. Krishnan is called The New Age of Innovation. His ideas are tackle the big issues of our times and make a difference.
He was co-founder of Praja Inc (“Praja” from a Sanskrit word “Praja” which means “citizen” or “common people”). He later became its chief executive officer.
The goals of the company ranged from allowing common people to access information without restriction (this theme is related to the “bottom of pyramid” or BOP philosophy), to providing a test bed for various management ideas. The company eventually laid off one third of its workforce and was sold to leading business integration and process management software company, TIBCO. He was also on the board of TiE, The Indus Entrepreneurs. At Harvard Business School, Prahalad wrote a doctoral thesis on multinational management in just two and a half years, graduating with a D.B.A. degree in 1975.
He then came to India, where he taught at his alma-mater (IIT-A). He returned to the United States, where he was the Paul and Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in the University of Michigan.
Prahalad has been among top ten management thinkers in every major survey for over ten years.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Fiji Parties with a Guru
The Punjabi Sikh community of Fiji celebrated the Baisakhi festival three days ago.
The total population of the Sikhs in Fiji may be only four or five thousand but they have put their own cultural stamp on the multi-culturalscape of this country.
Baisakh, also written as Vaisakh, is the second month of the Punjabi calendar.
The first day of this month is known as Baisakhi. Not only in Fiji, Baisakhi programs are organised by the Sikhs in all those countries where they have permanently settled.
The outgoing, free-spirited and enterprising Punjabi Sikhs celebrate this historical event with great enthusiasm, whether they are in Fiji, Canada, USA or any other part of the globe.
Now they are in a position to articulate and celebrate their cultural identities with confidence and zeal.
The Sikh culture has become totally transplanted in diasporic locations and visibly expressed through their songs , music and through radio, television, films and literature.
To emphasise their "omnipresence", somebody has made up an anecdote.
It is said that when Neil Armstrong stepped off the spacecraft Eagle and put his feet on the lunar surface, a taxi pulled up sharply alongside the astronaut.
Its Sikh driver approached him and asked, "Where to, Commander? My taxi is ready."
Now let us look at the origin and significance of Baisakhi.
Religious aspect
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was the founder of the Sikh faith and Guru Gobind Singh ( 1660-1708), the last guru of the Sikhs, laid the foundations of the Khalsa Panth on the day of Baisakhi in 1699 at Anandpur, a town in Punjab.
The Khalsa Panth is best described as an order, a community possessing a religious foundation and military discipline.
On that day in 1699, a new spirit was infused by Guru Gobind Singh into his followers so that they could fight against all the injustices and tyranny, persecutions and torture, perpetrated by the rulers of those days.
His Sikhs were expected to be soldiers as well as saints. He taught them a new concept of bhakti (devotion to God) and shakti (power to fight).
They were to shun timidness, feelings of weakness and defeatist attitudes.
In his code of conduct, gambling, theft, hypocrisy, falsehood were condemned and use of tobacco and intoxicants was prohibited.
His followers were asked to become honest workers and to rise against all those who indulged in exploitation of other men.
He preached that manav ki jaat, sabho aik hee pahchaanbo that all human beings are to be treated equally and jin prem keeo, tin hee prabh paayo that the one who loves others receives the blessing of God.
The lack of space does not permit to include in this article all the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh, his sacrifices and sufferings, and many other aspects of his life but they are elaborated by Sikh preachers not only on the day of Baisakhi but in all those religious congregations, ceremonies, functions held during the year by different organisations.
Social and cultural
Baisakhi is also called the festival of harvest. It is celebrated by a large farming community of Punjab. In Fiji, our young boys and girls perform bhangra on this day and on many other important occasions but in Punjab and other overseas countries where Punjabis have settled , it is done with greater hilarity and exuberance.
In Punjab, the whole season has charming effect on the people. It brings happiness in the farmer's home.
The golden colour of the wheat crops is reflected in the eyes of all members of the family.
New hopes start throbbing in their hearts because the homes will be full with grain.
As soon as the harvest season approaches, the mood of the villagers changes with echo of folk songs:
The crops are ripe, O' my Partner!
The fragrance of wheat has intoxicated me
Let us sing and dance today. (translated from Punjabi)
After the harvest season, the farmers are free. During their leisure time, they lie down under the cool shade of mango or peepal tree.
Lyrics of the following kind would begin to dance on their lips:
O' Jatta!
Harvest season has come to an end
Worry of keeping a watch on the crops is over
Swinging, swaying and singing
We shall dance madly tonight
In the charming moonlight
Baisakhi has come O' Jatta (translated)
Punjabis are very romantic people, whether they are Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims or Christians.
Punjab is known as a land of folksongs and country of Heer-Ranjha.
During Baisakhi season they become more poetic.
A young boy is separated from his girl friend only for a few days. She sings in his absence:
O'my lover!
I pick up sand
From your fresh foot prints
and touch it to my bosom (translated)
At another place a boy, not able to bear pangs of separation from his sweetheart, would whine:
O' the queen of my heart!
You have taken out soul from my body
I am carrying now
Only the weight of my skeleton.
( translated)
There are thousands of such lyrics on the subject of Baisakhi and themes of love and passion.
The Khalsa order was established on the day of Baisakhi by Guru Gobind Singh about 300 years ago but Baisakhi as a social and cultural event has been celebrated from times immemorial.
Let us congratulate all those followers of the Sikh faith who have remembered Guru Gobind Singh in the Sikh temples on the day of Baisakhi, and all lovers of bhangra, giddha and folk songs wherever they find suitable venues to display their art.
* Jogindar Kanwal is a former Principal of Khalsa College, Ba and author of many Hindi and English books. He lives in Varadoli, Ba with his wife Amarjit.
Email: kanwalconnect.com.fj
The total population of the Sikhs in Fiji may be only four or five thousand but they have put their own cultural stamp on the multi-culturalscape of this country.
Baisakh, also written as Vaisakh, is the second month of the Punjabi calendar.
The first day of this month is known as Baisakhi. Not only in Fiji, Baisakhi programs are organised by the Sikhs in all those countries where they have permanently settled.
The outgoing, free-spirited and enterprising Punjabi Sikhs celebrate this historical event with great enthusiasm, whether they are in Fiji, Canada, USA or any other part of the globe.
Now they are in a position to articulate and celebrate their cultural identities with confidence and zeal.
The Sikh culture has become totally transplanted in diasporic locations and visibly expressed through their songs , music and through radio, television, films and literature.
To emphasise their "omnipresence", somebody has made up an anecdote.
It is said that when Neil Armstrong stepped off the spacecraft Eagle and put his feet on the lunar surface, a taxi pulled up sharply alongside the astronaut.
Its Sikh driver approached him and asked, "Where to, Commander? My taxi is ready."
Now let us look at the origin and significance of Baisakhi.
Religious aspect
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) was the founder of the Sikh faith and Guru Gobind Singh ( 1660-1708), the last guru of the Sikhs, laid the foundations of the Khalsa Panth on the day of Baisakhi in 1699 at Anandpur, a town in Punjab.
The Khalsa Panth is best described as an order, a community possessing a religious foundation and military discipline.
On that day in 1699, a new spirit was infused by Guru Gobind Singh into his followers so that they could fight against all the injustices and tyranny, persecutions and torture, perpetrated by the rulers of those days.
His Sikhs were expected to be soldiers as well as saints. He taught them a new concept of bhakti (devotion to God) and shakti (power to fight).
They were to shun timidness, feelings of weakness and defeatist attitudes.
In his code of conduct, gambling, theft, hypocrisy, falsehood were condemned and use of tobacco and intoxicants was prohibited.
His followers were asked to become honest workers and to rise against all those who indulged in exploitation of other men.
He preached that manav ki jaat, sabho aik hee pahchaanbo that all human beings are to be treated equally and jin prem keeo, tin hee prabh paayo that the one who loves others receives the blessing of God.
The lack of space does not permit to include in this article all the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh, his sacrifices and sufferings, and many other aspects of his life but they are elaborated by Sikh preachers not only on the day of Baisakhi but in all those religious congregations, ceremonies, functions held during the year by different organisations.
Social and cultural
Baisakhi is also called the festival of harvest. It is celebrated by a large farming community of Punjab. In Fiji, our young boys and girls perform bhangra on this day and on many other important occasions but in Punjab and other overseas countries where Punjabis have settled , it is done with greater hilarity and exuberance.
In Punjab, the whole season has charming effect on the people. It brings happiness in the farmer's home.
The golden colour of the wheat crops is reflected in the eyes of all members of the family.
New hopes start throbbing in their hearts because the homes will be full with grain.
As soon as the harvest season approaches, the mood of the villagers changes with echo of folk songs:
The crops are ripe, O' my Partner!
The fragrance of wheat has intoxicated me
Let us sing and dance today. (translated from Punjabi)
After the harvest season, the farmers are free. During their leisure time, they lie down under the cool shade of mango or peepal tree.
Lyrics of the following kind would begin to dance on their lips:
O' Jatta!
Harvest season has come to an end
Worry of keeping a watch on the crops is over
Swinging, swaying and singing
We shall dance madly tonight
In the charming moonlight
Baisakhi has come O' Jatta (translated)
Punjabis are very romantic people, whether they are Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims or Christians.
Punjab is known as a land of folksongs and country of Heer-Ranjha.
During Baisakhi season they become more poetic.
A young boy is separated from his girl friend only for a few days. She sings in his absence:
O'my lover!
I pick up sand
From your fresh foot prints
and touch it to my bosom (translated)
At another place a boy, not able to bear pangs of separation from his sweetheart, would whine:
O' the queen of my heart!
You have taken out soul from my body
I am carrying now
Only the weight of my skeleton.
( translated)
There are thousands of such lyrics on the subject of Baisakhi and themes of love and passion.
The Khalsa order was established on the day of Baisakhi by Guru Gobind Singh about 300 years ago but Baisakhi as a social and cultural event has been celebrated from times immemorial.
Let us congratulate all those followers of the Sikh faith who have remembered Guru Gobind Singh in the Sikh temples on the day of Baisakhi, and all lovers of bhangra, giddha and folk songs wherever they find suitable venues to display their art.
* Jogindar Kanwal is a former Principal of Khalsa College, Ba and author of many Hindi and English books. He lives in Varadoli, Ba with his wife Amarjit.
Email: kanwalconnect.com.fj
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Ten Want the Ashram Closed
Ten people who claim to have been sexually harassed by spiritual guru Anand Krishnan were in Bali on Wednesday to press for the closure of the guru’s headquarters.
The group, accompanied by lawyers Agung Mattauch and Theresia Purba, included Tara Pradipta Laksmi and Sumidah, who reported Anand to the Jakarta Police.
“We want police to immediately close down that residence so that there are no more victims,” Tara said.
Agung added: “We will go to the Bali Police headquarters to stress our insistence that Anand’s residence be closed down and ask the police to act immediately.”
JG
The group, accompanied by lawyers Agung Mattauch and Theresia Purba, included Tara Pradipta Laksmi and Sumidah, who reported Anand to the Jakarta Police.
“We want police to immediately close down that residence so that there are no more victims,” Tara said.
Agung added: “We will go to the Bali Police headquarters to stress our insistence that Anand’s residence be closed down and ask the police to act immediately.”
JG
Friday, April 16, 2010
Guru Scam
A self-help guru who doubles as a psychic to the stars preyed on her wealthy ex-lover's "psychological weaknesses" to rip him off, a new lawsuit charges.
Adam Robinson, who co-founded The Princeton Review, claims "How to Rule the World From Your Couch" author Laura Day scammed him out of millions with a "calculated plan" to pocket royalties from the test-prep books.
Day - who claims she provided "intuition services" to Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Nicole Kidman - allegedly schemed to take over Robinson's finances, the Manhattan Supreme Court suit says.
"Robinson, as Day fully knew, had a psychological infirmity in handling his personal finances," the suit says, explaining Robinson suffers from depression and hypomania.
"Day capitalized on this weakness in order to profit personally and persuaded Robinson to deliver to her signatory power over Robinson's bank accounts."
Starting in 1998, Day demanded one-half of the Princeton Review royalties - a yearly average of at least $350,000.
Robinson also claims he launched Day's career as an author of self-help books by turning her notes into the best-seller "Practical Intuition."
For his efforts, the suit says, he received a $50,000 "token thank you payment," while Day landed a $3 million advance.
A lawyer for Robinson declined comment, and Day did not respond to e-mails sent through her Web site, where glowing quotes from Brad Pitt and Sarah Ferguson are prominently displayed.
jmartinez@edit.nydailynews.com
Adam Robinson, who co-founded The Princeton Review, claims "How to Rule the World From Your Couch" author Laura Day scammed him out of millions with a "calculated plan" to pocket royalties from the test-prep books.
Day - who claims she provided "intuition services" to Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Nicole Kidman - allegedly schemed to take over Robinson's finances, the Manhattan Supreme Court suit says.
"Robinson, as Day fully knew, had a psychological infirmity in handling his personal finances," the suit says, explaining Robinson suffers from depression and hypomania.
"Day capitalized on this weakness in order to profit personally and persuaded Robinson to deliver to her signatory power over Robinson's bank accounts."
Starting in 1998, Day demanded one-half of the Princeton Review royalties - a yearly average of at least $350,000.
Robinson also claims he launched Day's career as an author of self-help books by turning her notes into the best-seller "Practical Intuition."
For his efforts, the suit says, he received a $50,000 "token thank you payment," while Day landed a $3 million advance.
A lawyer for Robinson declined comment, and Day did not respond to e-mails sent through her Web site, where glowing quotes from Brad Pitt and Sarah Ferguson are prominently displayed.
jmartinez@edit.nydailynews.com
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
River Festival is On
14 April 2010, HARIDWAR, India - Dressed only with a cloth around his waist and beads across his chest, Keshava Das sits cross-legged beside the Ganges like millions of other believers drawn to India’s sacred river.
But Das is a pale 40-year-old German living in the city of Stuttgart — and he says the Kumbh Mela (“Pitcher Festival”) represents all that is right about Hindu culture, in contrast to the Western, capitalist way of life.
“The wisdom here is something you can’t find elsewhere,” he said. “I lived in India for many years, and still maintain strong spiritual relationships with the sadhus (holy men) that I came to know then.”
Das — who uses his adopted Indian name and declined to reveal his birth name — is one of hundreds of foreigners drawn to three-month Mela, which is billed as the largest religious gathering on Earth.
“This is a very important event and the thinking here is open and profound,” said Das, who sports long blond dreadlocks and spectacles.
His friend Prema, also from Germany, said she had bathed every day in the Ganges during her visit to Haridwar city, where the three-month festival is being held.
“To go into the river is simply transformative,” she said with a wide smile. “Please, I beg every foreigner to also enter into the water to discover what it is like.”
Ten million people immersed themselves in the Ganges around Haridwar at the Kumbh Mela’s climax on Wednesday, and foreigners amid the crowds of devotees said they came for reasons ranging from spiritual longing to simple curiosity.
Flora Pons, 21, and her mother Clodin, from Arras in France, were fascinated by the festival but also found it a tough experience.
“It is unbelievably crowded, as well as dusty and hot,” Flora said. “Seeing so many religious people is amazing — even if I think some of the gurus are crazy and fake.”
Many foreigners sleep in the pilgrim encampments that have sprung up around Haridwar, while others find one of the few hotel rooms available or just bed down in the open.
“When we arrived we met a guru who immediately invited us to stay with him and his followers,” said Julia Timusheva, 23, from St Petersburg in Russia.
“Millions of people are here because they believe the water is special, and I believe it too,” she said, still dripping from her “holy dip” on Wednesday — the most auspicious day of the festival.
Her fellow bather, Ethan Wool, 20, from Austin, Texas, said he was amazed at the amount of pushing in the crowds but he said he still felt foreigners were happily accepted by the Hindu faithful.
“The women push the hardest — perhaps I am just not used to it,” he said.
But Das is a pale 40-year-old German living in the city of Stuttgart — and he says the Kumbh Mela (“Pitcher Festival”) represents all that is right about Hindu culture, in contrast to the Western, capitalist way of life.
“The wisdom here is something you can’t find elsewhere,” he said. “I lived in India for many years, and still maintain strong spiritual relationships with the sadhus (holy men) that I came to know then.”
Das — who uses his adopted Indian name and declined to reveal his birth name — is one of hundreds of foreigners drawn to three-month Mela, which is billed as the largest religious gathering on Earth.
“This is a very important event and the thinking here is open and profound,” said Das, who sports long blond dreadlocks and spectacles.
His friend Prema, also from Germany, said she had bathed every day in the Ganges during her visit to Haridwar city, where the three-month festival is being held.
“To go into the river is simply transformative,” she said with a wide smile. “Please, I beg every foreigner to also enter into the water to discover what it is like.”
Ten million people immersed themselves in the Ganges around Haridwar at the Kumbh Mela’s climax on Wednesday, and foreigners amid the crowds of devotees said they came for reasons ranging from spiritual longing to simple curiosity.
Flora Pons, 21, and her mother Clodin, from Arras in France, were fascinated by the festival but also found it a tough experience.
“It is unbelievably crowded, as well as dusty and hot,” Flora said. “Seeing so many religious people is amazing — even if I think some of the gurus are crazy and fake.”
Many foreigners sleep in the pilgrim encampments that have sprung up around Haridwar, while others find one of the few hotel rooms available or just bed down in the open.
“When we arrived we met a guru who immediately invited us to stay with him and his followers,” said Julia Timusheva, 23, from St Petersburg in Russia.
“Millions of people are here because they believe the water is special, and I believe it too,” she said, still dripping from her “holy dip” on Wednesday — the most auspicious day of the festival.
Her fellow bather, Ethan Wool, 20, from Austin, Texas, said he was amazed at the amount of pushing in the crowds but he said he still felt foreigners were happily accepted by the Hindu faithful.
“The women push the hardest — perhaps I am just not used to it,” he said.
Sathya Sai Baba Visiting Hill Station
2010-04-09 11:20:00
Renowned spiritual guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi will visit the hill station next week Monday to deliver sermons to his disciples.
'Sri Sathya Sai Baba is reaching Shimla April 12 from Delhi. He will stay in a five-storied temple at Pujarali for a few days to deliver address and bless his devotees,' a spokesperson for the Sri Sathya Sai Trust Himachal Pradesh said.
Pujarali is located on the outskirts of Shimla.
This would be the third visit of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Shimla. Earlier, he visited the town in 1973 and 1975.
The spirirual guru has a large following across the world.
Renowned spiritual guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi will visit the hill station next week Monday to deliver sermons to his disciples.
'Sri Sathya Sai Baba is reaching Shimla April 12 from Delhi. He will stay in a five-storied temple at Pujarali for a few days to deliver address and bless his devotees,' a spokesperson for the Sri Sathya Sai Trust Himachal Pradesh said.
Pujarali is located on the outskirts of Shimla.
This would be the third visit of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Shimla. Earlier, he visited the town in 1973 and 1975.
The spirirual guru has a large following across the world.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Green Guru is Active
By Jane Han
Korea Times Correspondent
NEW YORK ― Most kids want funky gadgets or cool toys for their birthdays, but not Danny Seo. On his 12th birthday, all he wanted and asked for was an environmental group to "save the planet" ― and that's exactly what he got.
With $23 and a few friends, the young idealist who cared about dying whales and rainforests founded Earth 2000, which eventually grew into a national organization.
"I never wanted to pursue the normal route but wanted to go after something that was personally of interest to me," said Seo, a star "eco-stylist" who was fatefully born on Earth Day.
Now America's face of eco-living, the hip 32-year-old environmental expert champions green living by consulting some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities, writing lifestyle how-to columns and books, and running an organic bath and beauty products business.
"I wanted to pursue environmental protection as a mission, not so much as a job," Seo said in an interview with The Korea Times, "but over the years, it has evolved into a profession that helps me achieve both professional and personal goals."
Kicking off a career at such a young age couldn't have been easy, but Seo says his hands-on work early on got him ready.
"Being a teenage activist was a huge period of time when I learned so much more than I could learn in a classroom environment," says the green designer. "Our campaigns were real campaigns led by real teenagers."
Seo chose to break out of the typical mold as he didn't seek to become a doctor or lawyer like many Korean-Americans. But the youngest of three children ― who admits he did poorly in school ― still got his parents' support.
"Even though I was graduating with a D grade point average in high school with zero plans to attend college, they never pressured me to do any better," he said. "I think deep down inside, they knew I was on a mission and that they had little other choice but to support it."
And Seo proved himself fast as his career quickly took off.
By the time he was 25, the eco-guru was the author of four books, had appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People."
Seo's home is Bucks County, Pa., but today he flies from coast to coast to deliver one message: eco-living can be easy and stylish.
"My simple tip is to think big: think about what you use every day that you can find a more energy-efficient, recycled or natural version of," advises Seo, a vegetarian who drives a hybrid and never buys bottled water.
For example, a good eco-mattress is important because you spend one-third of your life sleeping, and an energy efficient refrigerator makes sense since you have it on 24 hours, he said.
But Seo said even small things matter, such as taking a revolving door when entering building instead of opening one since it prevents heat and cool air from escaping the building.
He said there is still a lot ahead for him to do, but shared one life dream.
"I'd say inspiring others to realize environmental preservation doesn't have to be this overwhelming, daunting thing," said Seo. "It can be very personal."
Korea Times Correspondent
NEW YORK ― Most kids want funky gadgets or cool toys for their birthdays, but not Danny Seo. On his 12th birthday, all he wanted and asked for was an environmental group to "save the planet" ― and that's exactly what he got.
With $23 and a few friends, the young idealist who cared about dying whales and rainforests founded Earth 2000, which eventually grew into a national organization.
"I never wanted to pursue the normal route but wanted to go after something that was personally of interest to me," said Seo, a star "eco-stylist" who was fatefully born on Earth Day.
Now America's face of eco-living, the hip 32-year-old environmental expert champions green living by consulting some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities, writing lifestyle how-to columns and books, and running an organic bath and beauty products business.
"I wanted to pursue environmental protection as a mission, not so much as a job," Seo said in an interview with The Korea Times, "but over the years, it has evolved into a profession that helps me achieve both professional and personal goals."
Kicking off a career at such a young age couldn't have been easy, but Seo says his hands-on work early on got him ready.
"Being a teenage activist was a huge period of time when I learned so much more than I could learn in a classroom environment," says the green designer. "Our campaigns were real campaigns led by real teenagers."
Seo chose to break out of the typical mold as he didn't seek to become a doctor or lawyer like many Korean-Americans. But the youngest of three children ― who admits he did poorly in school ― still got his parents' support.
"Even though I was graduating with a D grade point average in high school with zero plans to attend college, they never pressured me to do any better," he said. "I think deep down inside, they knew I was on a mission and that they had little other choice but to support it."
And Seo proved himself fast as his career quickly took off.
By the time he was 25, the eco-guru was the author of four books, had appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People."
Seo's home is Bucks County, Pa., but today he flies from coast to coast to deliver one message: eco-living can be easy and stylish.
"My simple tip is to think big: think about what you use every day that you can find a more energy-efficient, recycled or natural version of," advises Seo, a vegetarian who drives a hybrid and never buys bottled water.
For example, a good eco-mattress is important because you spend one-third of your life sleeping, and an energy efficient refrigerator makes sense since you have it on 24 hours, he said.
But Seo said even small things matter, such as taking a revolving door when entering building instead of opening one since it prevents heat and cool air from escaping the building.
He said there is still a lot ahead for him to do, but shared one life dream.
"I'd say inspiring others to realize environmental preservation doesn't have to be this overwhelming, daunting thing," said Seo. "It can be very personal."
Monday, April 12, 2010
Spiritual Journey Takes Him to Spain and Italy
Shaktipat Master, best-selling author and director of the Self Awareness Institute will be conducting seminars and book signing in Florence, Italy, and Madrid, Spain this May.
Laguna Beach, CA (PRWEB) April 11, 2010 -- The Shaktipat phenomenon which has been sweeping parts of the United States and Canada is now gaining momentum in Europe. "In the past couple years we've gained tens of thousands of students from all over Europe and it's growing fast," says Self Awareness Institute President James T. Smith. Social networking and other Internet venues have taken an otherwise obscure and little known means of attaining enlightenment by connecting directly with the spirit to people in over 120 countries in a matter of a few years. Such Internet venues as Enlightenment Radio, YouTube, World Peace Nexus, Facebook and Twitter have "globalized" the world enlightenment movement.
The Self Awareness Institute was founded in 1985 in Southern California to train westerners in the art and science of self awareness, Shaktipat and Spiritual Enlightenment. Shaktipat is a means of transferring spiritual energy, Spirit, from one person to another in order for the student to acclimate their mental awareness to a spiritual presence within them and around them. Steven S. Sadleir is unique among Shaktipat Masters in that he is an American and perhaps the only westerner to complete yoga tapas (continuous meditation for weeks or longer), and is the first to transmit Shaktipat energy over the telephone to thousands all over the world live. Steven will be leading a Meditation retreat in Tuscany the first week in May, signing books and meeting with students at the Hotel Consigli Terrace in Florence, Italy on May 9th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Steven will also be giving a free talk in Madrid, Spain, on May 14th (8:00 pm to 9:30 pm) and leading an all day seminar on Saturday, May 15th (10:00 am to 7:00 pm), at Centro Mandala, Calle Cabeza, 15. 2 D, Madrid. Contact Sonia Terol in Spain at sonia.terol (at) gmail (dot) com or 34 629320832.
Steven S. Sadleir spent over 30 years studying, writing and now teaching world religions. He is the author of two best-selling books: Looking for God, a Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World and co-authored (with Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer and others) Wake Up: Live the Life You Love, and is releasing his new book Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled this month. Steven is also the host of the Internet's most listened to spiritual talk radio program Enlightenment Radio (picked up on iTunes), and a regular guest on radio and cable television. Steven has apprenticed with both the Kundalini Master Vethathiri Maharishi from Madras, India, and the arch yogi from Bangalore India, Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj and is recognized as a Master in these lineages. Steven also holds a Master of Arts in Financial Economics from the University of Wales, UK, and as worked as an economist and investment banker before retiring early to teach. He lives in Laguna Beach, California.
Contact:
Mia Worley, Director PR
Self Awareness Institute
949-355-3249
###
Laguna Beach, CA (PRWEB) April 11, 2010 -- The Shaktipat phenomenon which has been sweeping parts of the United States and Canada is now gaining momentum in Europe. "In the past couple years we've gained tens of thousands of students from all over Europe and it's growing fast," says Self Awareness Institute President James T. Smith. Social networking and other Internet venues have taken an otherwise obscure and little known means of attaining enlightenment by connecting directly with the spirit to people in over 120 countries in a matter of a few years. Such Internet venues as Enlightenment Radio, YouTube, World Peace Nexus, Facebook and Twitter have "globalized" the world enlightenment movement.
The Self Awareness Institute was founded in 1985 in Southern California to train westerners in the art and science of self awareness, Shaktipat and Spiritual Enlightenment. Shaktipat is a means of transferring spiritual energy, Spirit, from one person to another in order for the student to acclimate their mental awareness to a spiritual presence within them and around them. Steven S. Sadleir is unique among Shaktipat Masters in that he is an American and perhaps the only westerner to complete yoga tapas (continuous meditation for weeks or longer), and is the first to transmit Shaktipat energy over the telephone to thousands all over the world live. Steven will be leading a Meditation retreat in Tuscany the first week in May, signing books and meeting with students at the Hotel Consigli Terrace in Florence, Italy on May 9th, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Steven will also be giving a free talk in Madrid, Spain, on May 14th (8:00 pm to 9:30 pm) and leading an all day seminar on Saturday, May 15th (10:00 am to 7:00 pm), at Centro Mandala, Calle Cabeza, 15. 2 D, Madrid. Contact Sonia Terol in Spain at sonia.terol (at) gmail (dot) com or 34 629320832.
Steven S. Sadleir spent over 30 years studying, writing and now teaching world religions. He is the author of two best-selling books: Looking for God, a Seeker's Guide to Religious and Spiritual Groups of the World and co-authored (with Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer and others) Wake Up: Live the Life You Love, and is releasing his new book Christ Enlightened, The Lost Teachings of Jesus Unveiled this month. Steven is also the host of the Internet's most listened to spiritual talk radio program Enlightenment Radio (picked up on iTunes), and a regular guest on radio and cable television. Steven has apprenticed with both the Kundalini Master Vethathiri Maharishi from Madras, India, and the arch yogi from Bangalore India, Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj and is recognized as a Master in these lineages. Steven also holds a Master of Arts in Financial Economics from the University of Wales, UK, and as worked as an economist and investment banker before retiring early to teach. He lives in Laguna Beach, California.
Contact:
Mia Worley, Director PR
Self Awareness Institute
949-355-3249
###
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Guru Begins Anew
The significances are many but it eventually boils down to just one expression, that is, feeling happy and rejoicing on April 14. The day which is celebrated as the New Year by many communities across India comes as an occasion to celebrate life, nature and its being.
While North India observes Baisakhi, south India celebrates it as Varsha Parpu. It is a declared as an official holiday in West Bengal, as people observe Poila Baishakh (first day of the month of Baisakh).
"Apart from being the beginning of the Solar Year we celebrate the day for another reason. On this day, our 10th guru Guru Gobind Singhji organised the order of the Khalsa for the Sikhs. However, the day is also celebrated as the harvest festival when we thank the Almighty for giving us a good produce," says Jasbir Kaur, housewife, explaining the reason behind the celebrations.
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She adds that it is one of the major festivals and thus has specific songs and rituals for it. "Prabhat Pheri (processions), traditional celebrations and delicacies make it all the more special and awaited."
Speaking about the concept in South India, Shyamala Kumar, teacher, says, "It is our New Year Day and it holds lot of importance. Young girls below age of 10 go to the Ayappa temple and offer Deep Puja. We prepare Payasam, Wadai and Pachadi (a special preparation of raw mangoes). Pachadi is an offering of the seasonal fruit to God."
In Assam, the festival stretches throughout the month and celebrates the culture of the state along with the New Year. Rakhi Vora, who is from Assam says, "On the first day, people form the Bihu Group, which goes to every house in the locality and performs the Bihu dance. Every family organises the Meji (a bonfire at dawn) and offer chiwda, sugar and coconut as prasad. People also put banana leaves, betel leaves, diyas and sweets in their houses and offers prayers to it. Apart from the traditional rituals, concepts like selection of the Bihu queen/king also speaks volumes about its popularity amongst youth.”
While North India observes Baisakhi, south India celebrates it as Varsha Parpu. It is a declared as an official holiday in West Bengal, as people observe Poila Baishakh (first day of the month of Baisakh).
"Apart from being the beginning of the Solar Year we celebrate the day for another reason. On this day, our 10th guru Guru Gobind Singhji organised the order of the Khalsa for the Sikhs. However, the day is also celebrated as the harvest festival when we thank the Almighty for giving us a good produce," says Jasbir Kaur, housewife, explaining the reason behind the celebrations.
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She adds that it is one of the major festivals and thus has specific songs and rituals for it. "Prabhat Pheri (processions), traditional celebrations and delicacies make it all the more special and awaited."
Speaking about the concept in South India, Shyamala Kumar, teacher, says, "It is our New Year Day and it holds lot of importance. Young girls below age of 10 go to the Ayappa temple and offer Deep Puja. We prepare Payasam, Wadai and Pachadi (a special preparation of raw mangoes). Pachadi is an offering of the seasonal fruit to God."
In Assam, the festival stretches throughout the month and celebrates the culture of the state along with the New Year. Rakhi Vora, who is from Assam says, "On the first day, people form the Bihu Group, which goes to every house in the locality and performs the Bihu dance. Every family organises the Meji (a bonfire at dawn) and offer chiwda, sugar and coconut as prasad. People also put banana leaves, betel leaves, diyas and sweets in their houses and offers prayers to it. Apart from the traditional rituals, concepts like selection of the Bihu queen/king also speaks volumes about its popularity amongst youth.”
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Encyclopedia of Hinduism is Published
Haridwar, Apr 4 (PTI) An encyclopaedia in English on Hindu religion has been released here by top religious and political leaders.
The 700-page book was launched last evening in the presence of BJP leader L K Advani, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and yoga guru Baba Ramdev.
Releasing it, the Dalai Lama lauded the Hindu religion and said "India is the guru of the world and Tibet is its confidante disciple."
The encyclopaedia has been prepared by Rishikesh-based Parmarth Niketan headed by Swami Chidanand Muni.
The 700-page book was launched last evening in the presence of BJP leader L K Advani, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and yoga guru Baba Ramdev.
Releasing it, the Dalai Lama lauded the Hindu religion and said "India is the guru of the world and Tibet is its confidante disciple."
The encyclopaedia has been prepared by Rishikesh-based Parmarth Niketan headed by Swami Chidanand Muni.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Sikh Dharma in Los Angeles
BY K.B.NAIR
LOS ANGELES, CA - Thousands of Sikhs from Southern California joined forces to put on a great show of unity when they congregated at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles for the annual celebration of Baisakhi on April 4. It was the 311th Anniversary of the Birth of the Khalsa and the theme chosen for this year’s festivities was “Khalsa is my Perfect True Guru.”
The event started in the early hours of the morning before sunrise with the Aasa di Vaar at the Guru Ram Das Ashram on Preuss Road in Los Angeles by Guest Raagi from the Sees Ganj Gurdwara in New Delhi, Bhai Kultar Singh. As the darkness fell away, a motorcade carried the Sri Guru Granth Sahib to the Los Angeles Convention Center and was installed in the sacred hall for public viewing which was followed by the recitation of the Jaap Sahib by a Jatha from the Guru Ram Das Ashram. Then followed several hours of kirtan performed by Jathas from Sikh temples in the city. The penultimate performance was by the three man team led by Bhai Kultar Singh from India and concluded with a Five Raagi Jatha presentation under the direction of Prof. Ranjit Singh.
People kept pouring in as the day progressed and the line to get to the canopy which housed the sacred book extended all the way to the entrance but the several hundreds waited patiently as they inched forward and were finally able to offer obeisance and then settle down on dharis spread all over the hall, to enjoy the soothing kirtans.
Throughout the day , an enormous langar set up in the adjoining hall to fed the hundreds who arrived every hour. No corners were cut , with plentiful gourmet food and an impressive spread of mouth watering sweet items being distributed without a break. The lines were long but the operation was so streamlined that no one had to wait beyond a few minutes to be served.
A section of the hall with the langar was set aside for a Baisakhi Bazaar which was filled with booths with several vendors selling a variety of items such as religious objects, jewelry, books, wearing apparel, toys, etc. To keep the kids occupied and out of trouble, a children’s room provided them with plenty of diversion.
A highlight of the celebrations was two performances of a 55 minute play “The Maharajah and the Kohinoor (1838-1893)” presented by a six man team of British professional actors. Created by the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trust in the UK the show is currently touring California sponsored by Sikhlens.com~The Sikh Art & Film Festival, Hollywood and Sikhpoint.com. The show charts the story of Maharajah Duleep Singh an iconic figure whose life is critical in understanding the relationship between Sikhs and the British.
The official segment of the celebrations commenced with opening remarks by Keertan Darbar Coordinator Kirtan Singh Khalsa. Federal and state officials were presented with saropas and certificates. Reverend Leonard Jackson, Community Relations Officer for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry and California State Controller John Chiang praised the Sikh community and their contributions to the state.
Judy Chu, attending the event for the 8th consecutive year but for the first time as a Congresswoman said she will hold her relationship with the Sikh community dear to her heart forever. She reflected on their association when she worked with them on introducing several Bills related to Hate Crimes. She pledged to continue her campaign in Congress to help victims of such atrocities.
Congressman Brad Sherman attended the mega show with his family. He pointed out that after 14 years in Congress he had got passed a Federal Hate Crime Bill and reminded listeners it was he who sponsored the resolution in 2004 calling France to abandon its oppression of those who wished to wear religious clothing and headgear. He presented a US flag flown over the Capitol along with an authenticity certificate to Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaul Khalsa which would be passed on posthumously to the family of the late Surinder Singh Sidhu.
Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa reflected upon the history of how Sikhism had evolved through 10 Gurus over a period of two centuries. She said Guru Nanakji had laid the foundations and given the message of God is One while in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa nation of God conscious people and gave them the unique identity they carry. She added the celebration of Baisakhi is to remind Sikhs to face challenges with courage with the knowledge that the Guru is always with them.She also made a strong appeal to every Sikh to return the Census forms which will go a long way to getting a Bill recognizing Sikhs as a minority group passed which would allow them to draw on many benefits from Federal funds.Along with her, Jasmit “Jesse” Singh Jaspal and Jagjit Singh Bains were honored for their invaluable efforts in mobilizing responses from the community to Census 2010.
Repeating the history and explaining the 4 concepts it believes in, Siri Sikdar Sahiba Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur concluded that Sikhs had come together at Baisakhi to celebrate a beautiful moment when their hearts, souls and spirits may touch each other with their smiles and services.
The event was organized by the Guru Ramadas Ashram and the Sikh Dharma of Southern California.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Thousands of Sikhs from Southern California joined forces to put on a great show of unity when they congregated at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles for the annual celebration of Baisakhi on April 4. It was the 311th Anniversary of the Birth of the Khalsa and the theme chosen for this year’s festivities was “Khalsa is my Perfect True Guru.”
The event started in the early hours of the morning before sunrise with the Aasa di Vaar at the Guru Ram Das Ashram on Preuss Road in Los Angeles by Guest Raagi from the Sees Ganj Gurdwara in New Delhi, Bhai Kultar Singh. As the darkness fell away, a motorcade carried the Sri Guru Granth Sahib to the Los Angeles Convention Center and was installed in the sacred hall for public viewing which was followed by the recitation of the Jaap Sahib by a Jatha from the Guru Ram Das Ashram. Then followed several hours of kirtan performed by Jathas from Sikh temples in the city. The penultimate performance was by the three man team led by Bhai Kultar Singh from India and concluded with a Five Raagi Jatha presentation under the direction of Prof. Ranjit Singh.
People kept pouring in as the day progressed and the line to get to the canopy which housed the sacred book extended all the way to the entrance but the several hundreds waited patiently as they inched forward and were finally able to offer obeisance and then settle down on dharis spread all over the hall, to enjoy the soothing kirtans.
Throughout the day , an enormous langar set up in the adjoining hall to fed the hundreds who arrived every hour. No corners were cut , with plentiful gourmet food and an impressive spread of mouth watering sweet items being distributed without a break. The lines were long but the operation was so streamlined that no one had to wait beyond a few minutes to be served.
A section of the hall with the langar was set aside for a Baisakhi Bazaar which was filled with booths with several vendors selling a variety of items such as religious objects, jewelry, books, wearing apparel, toys, etc. To keep the kids occupied and out of trouble, a children’s room provided them with plenty of diversion.
A highlight of the celebrations was two performances of a 55 minute play “The Maharajah and the Kohinoor (1838-1893)” presented by a six man team of British professional actors. Created by the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trust in the UK the show is currently touring California sponsored by Sikhlens.com~The Sikh Art & Film Festival, Hollywood and Sikhpoint.com. The show charts the story of Maharajah Duleep Singh an iconic figure whose life is critical in understanding the relationship between Sikhs and the British.
The official segment of the celebrations commenced with opening remarks by Keertan Darbar Coordinator Kirtan Singh Khalsa. Federal and state officials were presented with saropas and certificates. Reverend Leonard Jackson, Community Relations Officer for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry and California State Controller John Chiang praised the Sikh community and their contributions to the state.
Judy Chu, attending the event for the 8th consecutive year but for the first time as a Congresswoman said she will hold her relationship with the Sikh community dear to her heart forever. She reflected on their association when she worked with them on introducing several Bills related to Hate Crimes. She pledged to continue her campaign in Congress to help victims of such atrocities.
Congressman Brad Sherman attended the mega show with his family. He pointed out that after 14 years in Congress he had got passed a Federal Hate Crime Bill and reminded listeners it was he who sponsored the resolution in 2004 calling France to abandon its oppression of those who wished to wear religious clothing and headgear. He presented a US flag flown over the Capitol along with an authenticity certificate to Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaul Khalsa which would be passed on posthumously to the family of the late Surinder Singh Sidhu.
Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa reflected upon the history of how Sikhism had evolved through 10 Gurus over a period of two centuries. She said Guru Nanakji had laid the foundations and given the message of God is One while in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa nation of God conscious people and gave them the unique identity they carry. She added the celebration of Baisakhi is to remind Sikhs to face challenges with courage with the knowledge that the Guru is always with them.She also made a strong appeal to every Sikh to return the Census forms which will go a long way to getting a Bill recognizing Sikhs as a minority group passed which would allow them to draw on many benefits from Federal funds.Along with her, Jasmit “Jesse” Singh Jaspal and Jagjit Singh Bains were honored for their invaluable efforts in mobilizing responses from the community to Census 2010.
Repeating the history and explaining the 4 concepts it believes in, Siri Sikdar Sahiba Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur concluded that Sikhs had come together at Baisakhi to celebrate a beautiful moment when their hearts, souls and spirits may touch each other with their smiles and services.
The event was organized by the Guru Ramadas Ashram and the Sikh Dharma of Southern California.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Om Shanti Peace Today April 8, 2010
ai Guru Deva Om – - You might hear these words followed by ‘Nothings going to change my world….’ and that is because Jai Guru Deva Om is part of a song that made it to the minds and hearts of millions of people around the world as far as India in Asia.
The whole idea behind the song is somewhat vague yet in a way clear about the way that the Beatles try to explain the workings of this human existence in this world. The chorus of the song is very catchy indeed and all you hear the Beatles sing in it is Jai Guru Deva Om, it’s almost like a chant. In fact I think it was inspired by one of the chants that the Beatles chanced upon on their trip to the sub-continent where thousands appeared at the concert hall where they would play.
When it comes to the literal meaning of Jai Guru Deva Om, your guess would be as good as mine – if not better. For that one would have to learn the language of Hindi as it three of the four words in the phrase are
from that very language. This song also came in the movie which was titled after the name of the song: “Across The Universe” and it was indeed a sad song to be playing with an accompanying sad shot of the movie.
There have been a few cover performances of the song as well but while some have sung it slower and some with more beat I personally think that nothing can compare to the original Beatle song which left the world in a state of wonder.
The whole idea behind the song is somewhat vague yet in a way clear about the way that the Beatles try to explain the workings of this human existence in this world. The chorus of the song is very catchy indeed and all you hear the Beatles sing in it is Jai Guru Deva Om, it’s almost like a chant. In fact I think it was inspired by one of the chants that the Beatles chanced upon on their trip to the sub-continent where thousands appeared at the concert hall where they would play.
When it comes to the literal meaning of Jai Guru Deva Om, your guess would be as good as mine – if not better. For that one would have to learn the language of Hindi as it three of the four words in the phrase are
from that very language. This song also came in the movie which was titled after the name of the song: “Across The Universe” and it was indeed a sad song to be playing with an accompanying sad shot of the movie.
There have been a few cover performances of the song as well but while some have sung it slower and some with more beat I personally think that nothing can compare to the original Beatle song which left the world in a state of wonder.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Guru Getting Political
By Gurmukh Singh
United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Seventeen Indians between the ages of 17 and 30 have less than two weeks to appeal and get the death sentence hanging over them annulled or commuted.
There is deep concern over the fate of these Indians, mostly from lower middle class farming families in Punjab and Haryana. They were sentenced to death on March 29 this year, by a Sharjah sharia court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Indian media reports, the Sharjah sharia court found them guilty for allegedly killing a Pakistani man and injuring three others in January 2009 following a fight over illegal liquor business.
Lok Bhalai Party (LBP) leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia has taken up the matter for the families, and the Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has diplomatically termed the death sentence as "very unfortunate" and “instructed his ministry to assist the Indian youth awaiting execution, in filing an appeal and also to bear all the expenses involved.”
In Punjab, the great agony of the families concerned is felt by Panjabis worldwide. Most would agree with Ramoowalia’s press statement, “Sentencing 17 people to death in the absence of concrete proof and evidence is totally intolerable. They were not a threat for their national security and we strongly condemn this verdict. We appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to himself intervene in this issue to ensure justice."
Whilst serious doubts have been expressed about their guilt, this is clearly a blunderbuss approach to crime and punishment by a sharia court. The sentence is highly punitive and totally out of all proportion to the crime. More so coming from a court founded on religious principles derived from a Merciful and Compassionate God.
A UAE website claims, “The UAE's tolerant, cosmopolitan atmosphere - which is most notable in the emirate of Dubai - gives resident non-Emiris opportunities to enjoy their own cultural and religious organizations.” Earlier this year Bhai Dya Singh of Australia was in Dubai with his jatha to celebrate the Parkaash Gurpurab of Guru Gobind Singh ji. He gave a glowing report of the Sikh community, which will be opening the first gurdwara at Dubai on Guru Nanak Sahib’s Parkaash Utsav in November this year.
The families concerned are meeting Muslim religious leaders and organisations in India and have appealed to Sikh organisations in the diaspora to approach the United Arab Emirates for clemency. Ramoowalia is taking them to Ajmer Sharif “to meet Muslim organisations there and urge them to take up this issue with the UAE (United Arab Emirates)." They have “appealed to all Sikh organisations and gurdwaras, across the world, to come out on a single platform on this issue.” The Sikh Times understands that a petition is being sent by Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Southall, UK to the UAE Embassy in London, and also copied to the UK Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Office. Other gurdwaras and nationwide organisations are expected to do the same.
Paramjit Singh, brother of Taranjit Singh, who is among the 17, told the press, "During my stay in Dubai, I tried for at least 20 times to meet them but I could meet them for only four times. All of them had turned very weak and had lost all hope." He also alleged, “the Police had arrested them from a room, where the original culprits used to stay in the past. But after committing the crime, they fled to some unknown place. These Indian youth had taken the room just a few days back and during a raid, police arrested all of them without any proof."
In UK, our thoughts are with the families of the 17 Indians, mostly young Panjabi Sikhs from poor farming families, driven away from home to look for working opportunities abroad. Dubai and other places in the Middle East have attracted these young Punjabis due to the wealth and work opportunities.
The case seems to be based on doubtful evidence and the punishment is disproportionate to the crime. Let us hope that the UAE authorities respond to the pleas for clemency. Depriving 17 people of their lives will not help the course of justice in any country; less so in a country the law of which is guided by a major world religion, Islam.
E-mail Gurmukh Singh: Sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk
United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Seventeen Indians between the ages of 17 and 30 have less than two weeks to appeal and get the death sentence hanging over them annulled or commuted.
There is deep concern over the fate of these Indians, mostly from lower middle class farming families in Punjab and Haryana. They were sentenced to death on March 29 this year, by a Sharjah sharia court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Indian media reports, the Sharjah sharia court found them guilty for allegedly killing a Pakistani man and injuring three others in January 2009 following a fight over illegal liquor business.
Lok Bhalai Party (LBP) leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia has taken up the matter for the families, and the Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has diplomatically termed the death sentence as "very unfortunate" and “instructed his ministry to assist the Indian youth awaiting execution, in filing an appeal and also to bear all the expenses involved.”
In Punjab, the great agony of the families concerned is felt by Panjabis worldwide. Most would agree with Ramoowalia’s press statement, “Sentencing 17 people to death in the absence of concrete proof and evidence is totally intolerable. They were not a threat for their national security and we strongly condemn this verdict. We appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to himself intervene in this issue to ensure justice."
Whilst serious doubts have been expressed about their guilt, this is clearly a blunderbuss approach to crime and punishment by a sharia court. The sentence is highly punitive and totally out of all proportion to the crime. More so coming from a court founded on religious principles derived from a Merciful and Compassionate God.
A UAE website claims, “The UAE's tolerant, cosmopolitan atmosphere - which is most notable in the emirate of Dubai - gives resident non-Emiris opportunities to enjoy their own cultural and religious organizations.” Earlier this year Bhai Dya Singh of Australia was in Dubai with his jatha to celebrate the Parkaash Gurpurab of Guru Gobind Singh ji. He gave a glowing report of the Sikh community, which will be opening the first gurdwara at Dubai on Guru Nanak Sahib’s Parkaash Utsav in November this year.
The families concerned are meeting Muslim religious leaders and organisations in India and have appealed to Sikh organisations in the diaspora to approach the United Arab Emirates for clemency. Ramoowalia is taking them to Ajmer Sharif “to meet Muslim organisations there and urge them to take up this issue with the UAE (United Arab Emirates)." They have “appealed to all Sikh organisations and gurdwaras, across the world, to come out on a single platform on this issue.” The Sikh Times understands that a petition is being sent by Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Southall, UK to the UAE Embassy in London, and also copied to the UK Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Office. Other gurdwaras and nationwide organisations are expected to do the same.
Paramjit Singh, brother of Taranjit Singh, who is among the 17, told the press, "During my stay in Dubai, I tried for at least 20 times to meet them but I could meet them for only four times. All of them had turned very weak and had lost all hope." He also alleged, “the Police had arrested them from a room, where the original culprits used to stay in the past. But after committing the crime, they fled to some unknown place. These Indian youth had taken the room just a few days back and during a raid, police arrested all of them without any proof."
In UK, our thoughts are with the families of the 17 Indians, mostly young Panjabi Sikhs from poor farming families, driven away from home to look for working opportunities abroad. Dubai and other places in the Middle East have attracted these young Punjabis due to the wealth and work opportunities.
The case seems to be based on doubtful evidence and the punishment is disproportionate to the crime. Let us hope that the UAE authorities respond to the pleas for clemency. Depriving 17 people of their lives will not help the course of justice in any country; less so in a country the law of which is guided by a major world religion, Islam.
E-mail Gurmukh Singh: Sewauk2005@yahoo.co.uk
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Cell Phone is Spiritual in India
BY Cliff KuangToday
Chipchase is perhaps the world's most admired expert in "human-centered design": Knowing how people use their gadgets, and how to design for them.
Frog Design--already one of the most influential design firms in the world--has just caught a very big fish: Jan Chipchase, formerly Nokia's chief usability researcher, is leaving the Finnish firm and joining Frog as Executive Creative Director of Global Insights.
Chipchase will be based in Shanghai, and that tells you a lot about both what Frog is hoping to do and what Chipchase has done in the past.
At Nokia, Chipchase was at the leading edge of Nokia's overarching strategy: They're about volume not price premium, and as such, they've growth in the last few years has been predicated on selling cell phones to the few populations in the world that don't have them already. Namely, the developing world, in countries all across Asia and Africa. To support that, Chipchase flew all over the world for Nokia, watching how people used cell phones. And what he's discovered has been richer than anything you could ever glean behind a desk. For example, he discovered that in Africa, people use cell phone minutes as a kind of banking system, transferring calling card minutes to others, who redeem them for cash. In India, he discovered that cell phones are actually being used to dissolve indentured servitude: Housekeepers with cell phones can now book out their services, rather than relying on the whims of a single household.
Obviously, you can't really translate those findings directly into the design of a tiny brick phone. But Chipchase's job at Nokia was to funnel all his insights about user needs into cell phone design. It's not a stretch to say he's probably the world's most admired practitioner of human-centered design research.
Presumably, since he'll be based in Shanghai for Frog, he'll be doing something very similar--opening new markets for Frog's clients, by learning how needs differ across cultures.
For more about Chipchase's work, read this superb profile from The New York Times Magazine, from 2008.
Chipchase is perhaps the world's most admired expert in "human-centered design": Knowing how people use their gadgets, and how to design for them.
Frog Design--already one of the most influential design firms in the world--has just caught a very big fish: Jan Chipchase, formerly Nokia's chief usability researcher, is leaving the Finnish firm and joining Frog as Executive Creative Director of Global Insights.
Chipchase will be based in Shanghai, and that tells you a lot about both what Frog is hoping to do and what Chipchase has done in the past.
At Nokia, Chipchase was at the leading edge of Nokia's overarching strategy: They're about volume not price premium, and as such, they've growth in the last few years has been predicated on selling cell phones to the few populations in the world that don't have them already. Namely, the developing world, in countries all across Asia and Africa. To support that, Chipchase flew all over the world for Nokia, watching how people used cell phones. And what he's discovered has been richer than anything you could ever glean behind a desk. For example, he discovered that in Africa, people use cell phone minutes as a kind of banking system, transferring calling card minutes to others, who redeem them for cash. In India, he discovered that cell phones are actually being used to dissolve indentured servitude: Housekeepers with cell phones can now book out their services, rather than relying on the whims of a single household.
Obviously, you can't really translate those findings directly into the design of a tiny brick phone. But Chipchase's job at Nokia was to funnel all his insights about user needs into cell phone design. It's not a stretch to say he's probably the world's most admired practitioner of human-centered design research.
Presumably, since he'll be based in Shanghai for Frog, he'll be doing something very similar--opening new markets for Frog's clients, by learning how needs differ across cultures.
For more about Chipchase's work, read this superb profile from The New York Times Magazine, from 2008.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Mind and Body is Important to Spiritual Search
By FRED PETRUCELLI
SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN
She is elfin-like in stature, yet her genius for significant work in the art of physical fitness is prodigious.
Mary Essert of Conway is an aquatic professional of national renown, a published author, workshop leader and teacher and a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. It all translates to woman of boundless energy.
While she basks in the many honors and awards she has garnered since 1939, this 78-year-old bundle of vitality is completely taken by her newest kudos — an award from the Governor’s Council on Fitness Leadership created to recognize individuals whose innovative efforts have advanced the health and fitness levels of Arkansans.
From Kellie Coleman, community fitness coordinator at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, comes this appraisal of Essert: “Her expertise is an asset for the state of Arkansas as she hosts continuing education for fitness leaders and develops videos and publications to help special populations. She has guided aquatic programs for people with post polio, fibromyalgia, breast cancer, arthritis and lymphedemia.’’
Her mantra is an engaging affirmation that proclaims: “Take care of your body and live the dance of the water.”
Essert is filled with a grateful sense of appreciation for the Governor’s award that comes after some 60 years, of teaching swimming, water fitness and rehabilitation skills, working with scores of seniors in wellness programs., She says with conviction that “I hope to continue for many more.”
She notes that “Seniors are concerned with independence and quality of life. The definition changes as we age or find illness or chronic conditions in our lives. However, our choice to use the tool of exercise to stay active and strong is always ours. We look at one day at a time and do our best that day. My 107-year-old friend who motivated me to start a fitness business adds her say… ‘Life is so daily.’”
And after surviving two bouts of cancer, she shifted her focus to specialize aquatics for individuals with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and a host of other ailments. And her expertise brought her notice as a consultant for organizations developing aquatic programs and manufacturers of aquatic equipment.
She assumes that being a native of Conway and a graduate of Hendrix College helped shape her life and gave her a heads up in carving out a career in physical fitness. But along the way, Essert became a victim of afflictions that put a crimp in her work. The specter of cancer and its awe-inspiring effects caused no end of travail for her in 1981. It was breast cancer and since that time she has worked to ameliorate its trauma with exercise projects for that cancer population.
Then in 2007 a second cancer experience with a high grade sarcoma in her left arm and another in her lung made her “more determined to assist cancer survivors in their exercise and wellness programs.”
She has no qualms about discussing her own illnesses.
“I chose water for my own exercise,” she explains. “I have worked in the pool daily through two bouts of chemotherapy for some 16 months and 35 sessions of radiation. Water, for me, is a panacea, a place where body, mind and spirit thrive. I’ve described myself as an Alka Selzer … add water and one bubble,” she smiled impishly.
Her vita points out that she is a certified Red Cross water safety trainer, bolds certification from the Aquatic Exercise Association and is a trainer for the Arthritis Foundation and a fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center.
When she captured the International Swimming Hall of Fame Award a couple of years ago, she felt that it capped all the honors she had received — until the Governor’s award. “It’s wonderful to be honored by your own people in your own state,” says this petite woman who once was described as having the “metabolism of a humming bird.”
She is listed in Who’s Who in Aquatic Leadership and has a number of other awards she earned over the years. A dozen or more publications in the field carry her name including her “Breast Cancer Water Book.”
Essert says she was honored to be described by the governor’s office as a “luminary in the fight against physical inactivity and obesity” in Arkansas.
SPECIAL TO THE LOG CABIN
She is elfin-like in stature, yet her genius for significant work in the art of physical fitness is prodigious.
Mary Essert of Conway is an aquatic professional of national renown, a published author, workshop leader and teacher and a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. It all translates to woman of boundless energy.
While she basks in the many honors and awards she has garnered since 1939, this 78-year-old bundle of vitality is completely taken by her newest kudos — an award from the Governor’s Council on Fitness Leadership created to recognize individuals whose innovative efforts have advanced the health and fitness levels of Arkansans.
From Kellie Coleman, community fitness coordinator at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, comes this appraisal of Essert: “Her expertise is an asset for the state of Arkansas as she hosts continuing education for fitness leaders and develops videos and publications to help special populations. She has guided aquatic programs for people with post polio, fibromyalgia, breast cancer, arthritis and lymphedemia.’’
Her mantra is an engaging affirmation that proclaims: “Take care of your body and live the dance of the water.”
Essert is filled with a grateful sense of appreciation for the Governor’s award that comes after some 60 years, of teaching swimming, water fitness and rehabilitation skills, working with scores of seniors in wellness programs., She says with conviction that “I hope to continue for many more.”
She notes that “Seniors are concerned with independence and quality of life. The definition changes as we age or find illness or chronic conditions in our lives. However, our choice to use the tool of exercise to stay active and strong is always ours. We look at one day at a time and do our best that day. My 107-year-old friend who motivated me to start a fitness business adds her say… ‘Life is so daily.’”
And after surviving two bouts of cancer, she shifted her focus to specialize aquatics for individuals with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and a host of other ailments. And her expertise brought her notice as a consultant for organizations developing aquatic programs and manufacturers of aquatic equipment.
She assumes that being a native of Conway and a graduate of Hendrix College helped shape her life and gave her a heads up in carving out a career in physical fitness. But along the way, Essert became a victim of afflictions that put a crimp in her work. The specter of cancer and its awe-inspiring effects caused no end of travail for her in 1981. It was breast cancer and since that time she has worked to ameliorate its trauma with exercise projects for that cancer population.
Then in 2007 a second cancer experience with a high grade sarcoma in her left arm and another in her lung made her “more determined to assist cancer survivors in their exercise and wellness programs.”
She has no qualms about discussing her own illnesses.
“I chose water for my own exercise,” she explains. “I have worked in the pool daily through two bouts of chemotherapy for some 16 months and 35 sessions of radiation. Water, for me, is a panacea, a place where body, mind and spirit thrive. I’ve described myself as an Alka Selzer … add water and one bubble,” she smiled impishly.
Her vita points out that she is a certified Red Cross water safety trainer, bolds certification from the Aquatic Exercise Association and is a trainer for the Arthritis Foundation and a fitness instructor and personal trainer at the Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center.
When she captured the International Swimming Hall of Fame Award a couple of years ago, she felt that it capped all the honors she had received — until the Governor’s award. “It’s wonderful to be honored by your own people in your own state,” says this petite woman who once was described as having the “metabolism of a humming bird.”
She is listed in Who’s Who in Aquatic Leadership and has a number of other awards she earned over the years. A dozen or more publications in the field carry her name including her “Breast Cancer Water Book.”
Essert says she was honored to be described by the governor’s office as a “luminary in the fight against physical inactivity and obesity” in Arkansas.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Sunday is Here
Christians all over the world are now celebrating Easter Sunday. It is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Aside from the Christmas celebration, Easter mass is one the mostly attended mass in Christian churches. The Lenten Season or the Holy week is week-long commemoration of the journey of Jesus to the cross up to the day that He has risen. Easter Sunday is the day that He has risen. It is celebrated to end the Holy Week.
In some Christian churches, specifically the Catholic Churches, there would be dawn mass wherein singing of joyful hymns will take as the risen Jesus meet up with His mother Mary. Children in angel costumes will sing these hymns as they throw flower confetti to the crowd.
Easter hunting will take place during the day. These eggs are unique because it comes in different colors. These are hard boiled eggs painted artistically. Hunting of these eggs is major parlor game of the day and some are giving cash prizes to the person who was get the most number of eggs.
Some Christian families would celebrate Easter by going to beaches and resorts. It is also one of the days of the year wherein they could spend quality time within the family.
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In some Christian churches, specifically the Catholic Churches, there would be dawn mass wherein singing of joyful hymns will take as the risen Jesus meet up with His mother Mary. Children in angel costumes will sing these hymns as they throw flower confetti to the crowd.
Easter hunting will take place during the day. These eggs are unique because it comes in different colors. These are hard boiled eggs painted artistically. Hunting of these eggs is major parlor game of the day and some are giving cash prizes to the person who was get the most number of eggs.
Some Christian families would celebrate Easter by going to beaches and resorts. It is also one of the days of the year wherein they could spend quality time within the family.
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Saturday, April 3, 2010
Guru of Go on Easter
From "The Blind Side" to "Hoosiers," sports movies often remind us that real events can seem more incredible than fiction, and that some stories and characters might seem simply too good, too sentimental or too far-fetched if they weren't already true. Add the sports documentary "Guru of Go" (4 p.m., Saturday, ABC, part of the ESPN "30 for 30" series) to that list of films.
Who would believe a Shakespeare scholar as a basketball coach who inspired his players with quotations from the Bard? The "Guru" here is coach Paul Westhead. His remarkable story takes him to the peaks of coaching Kareem Abdul Jabbar and a new kid named Magic Johnson to an NBA championship to getting fired in short order. He then accepts a coaching job for a relatively obscure college.
But at Loyola Marymount, he executed his "System," a fast-paced, high-scoring strategy that some described as track meet and others denigrated as "street ball." There Westhead also coached a remarkable tandem from the housing projects of his native Philadelphia, Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble.
With plot twists and turns worthy of a big-budget movie, "Guru," directed by Bill Couturie, recalls how Loyola's enchanted 1989-90 season came to a tragic halt when Gathers, born with an enlarged heart, collapsed and died on the court in the middle of a game. Kimble would later pay tribute to his fallen comrade with a gesture that left few dry eyes in the basketball world. The team would rally and come close to the NCAA championship that year, but that Hollywood ending was not to be.
Gather's sudden death would later inspire litigation, and Westhead would leave Loyala amidst controversy. Like the ancient mariner of basketball, Westhead would meander through the NBA again and later find himself exiled to Japan, coaching his unorthodox "System." More recently, he has found success in professional women's basketball and is now the only coach to have national championships in both the NBA and WNBA. "Readiness is all," a quote from "Hamlet," is Westhead's motto. He might as well have been the inspiration for the phrase "You just can't make this stuff up."
-- More than a half-century old, the 1956 epic "The Ten Commandments" (7 p.m., Saturday, ABC, TV-G) has been a staple of Easter-weekend programming for decades and continues to command respectable ratings.
-- TCM devotes Easter Sunday to films about religion or inspired by biblical tales, beginning with "One Foot in Heaven" (6 a.m., Eastern, TCM) and concluding with the 1928 silent film "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (1:45 a.m.). Highlights include the 1973 hippie Jesus musical "Godspell" (8 a.m.).
-- The presence of a baby often inspires adults to speak in a voice louder than normal, and utter cute and corny phrases they would never share with another adult. Disney sitcoms appear to have the same effect. The two symptoms combine and gather strength under a gale-force laugh track on the new cable comedy "Good Luck Charlie" (8:30 p.m., Sunday, Disney, TV-G).
Baby Charlie inspires plenty of chances for loud one-liners from two teen siblings, a 'tween and two harried parents who all wonder how their lives will be changed as they take turns changing the sudden bundle of joy. Like most Disney live-action fare, this hearkens back to annoying, cartoonish sitcoms of yore in a thoroughly review-proof fashion. Help yourself.
-- Some of the best documentaries answer questions you never thought to ask. Tonight's "Nature" (8 p.m., Sunday, PBS) installment "Moment of Impact" does just that. To this day, I never really wondered how a woodpecker can rattle away at a tree and not give itself a little birdy concussion. Apparently, the bird's beak hits the tree with roughly the same force as Mike Tyson's glove striking an opponents jaw. Luckily for the woodpecker, he has internal shock absorbers, including a long bug-probing tongue that recoils inside the bird's skull to protect its brain.
These and other "Nature" nuggets are revealed with informative computer graphics to demonstrate how wild animal's anatomy helps them to become either successful predators or evasive prey. It's a jungle out there.
In other critter programming notes, "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" (7 p.m., Sunday, Animal Planet) profiles Dr. Lynn Rogers, known as "The Bear Walker of the Northwoods," who has the skill and bravery to place tracking devices on some of the biggest woodland creatures.
Meanwhile, "Life" (Sunday, Discovery, TV-PG) continues with "Birds" (8 p.m.) and "Creatures of the Deep" (9 p.m.).
-- Easter Sunday is more than a major religious holiday. This year it marks the beginning of the Major League Baseball season. Archrivals meet as the Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees (8 p.m., Eastern, Sunday, ESPN 2).
Who would believe a Shakespeare scholar as a basketball coach who inspired his players with quotations from the Bard? The "Guru" here is coach Paul Westhead. His remarkable story takes him to the peaks of coaching Kareem Abdul Jabbar and a new kid named Magic Johnson to an NBA championship to getting fired in short order. He then accepts a coaching job for a relatively obscure college.
But at Loyola Marymount, he executed his "System," a fast-paced, high-scoring strategy that some described as track meet and others denigrated as "street ball." There Westhead also coached a remarkable tandem from the housing projects of his native Philadelphia, Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble.
With plot twists and turns worthy of a big-budget movie, "Guru," directed by Bill Couturie, recalls how Loyola's enchanted 1989-90 season came to a tragic halt when Gathers, born with an enlarged heart, collapsed and died on the court in the middle of a game. Kimble would later pay tribute to his fallen comrade with a gesture that left few dry eyes in the basketball world. The team would rally and come close to the NCAA championship that year, but that Hollywood ending was not to be.
Gather's sudden death would later inspire litigation, and Westhead would leave Loyala amidst controversy. Like the ancient mariner of basketball, Westhead would meander through the NBA again and later find himself exiled to Japan, coaching his unorthodox "System." More recently, he has found success in professional women's basketball and is now the only coach to have national championships in both the NBA and WNBA. "Readiness is all," a quote from "Hamlet," is Westhead's motto. He might as well have been the inspiration for the phrase "You just can't make this stuff up."
-- More than a half-century old, the 1956 epic "The Ten Commandments" (7 p.m., Saturday, ABC, TV-G) has been a staple of Easter-weekend programming for decades and continues to command respectable ratings.
-- TCM devotes Easter Sunday to films about religion or inspired by biblical tales, beginning with "One Foot in Heaven" (6 a.m., Eastern, TCM) and concluding with the 1928 silent film "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (1:45 a.m.). Highlights include the 1973 hippie Jesus musical "Godspell" (8 a.m.).
-- The presence of a baby often inspires adults to speak in a voice louder than normal, and utter cute and corny phrases they would never share with another adult. Disney sitcoms appear to have the same effect. The two symptoms combine and gather strength under a gale-force laugh track on the new cable comedy "Good Luck Charlie" (8:30 p.m., Sunday, Disney, TV-G).
Baby Charlie inspires plenty of chances for loud one-liners from two teen siblings, a 'tween and two harried parents who all wonder how their lives will be changed as they take turns changing the sudden bundle of joy. Like most Disney live-action fare, this hearkens back to annoying, cartoonish sitcoms of yore in a thoroughly review-proof fashion. Help yourself.
-- Some of the best documentaries answer questions you never thought to ask. Tonight's "Nature" (8 p.m., Sunday, PBS) installment "Moment of Impact" does just that. To this day, I never really wondered how a woodpecker can rattle away at a tree and not give itself a little birdy concussion. Apparently, the bird's beak hits the tree with roughly the same force as Mike Tyson's glove striking an opponents jaw. Luckily for the woodpecker, he has internal shock absorbers, including a long bug-probing tongue that recoils inside the bird's skull to protect its brain.
These and other "Nature" nuggets are revealed with informative computer graphics to demonstrate how wild animal's anatomy helps them to become either successful predators or evasive prey. It's a jungle out there.
In other critter programming notes, "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom" (7 p.m., Sunday, Animal Planet) profiles Dr. Lynn Rogers, known as "The Bear Walker of the Northwoods," who has the skill and bravery to place tracking devices on some of the biggest woodland creatures.
Meanwhile, "Life" (Sunday, Discovery, TV-PG) continues with "Birds" (8 p.m.) and "Creatures of the Deep" (9 p.m.).
-- Easter Sunday is more than a major religious holiday. This year it marks the beginning of the Major League Baseball season. Archrivals meet as the Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees (8 p.m., Eastern, Sunday, ESPN 2).
Friday, April 2, 2010
Los Angeles Sunday Services
http://www.examiner.com/x-42038-LA-Christianity-Examiner~y2010m3d31-Easter-Sunday-worship-services-in-the-Los-Angeles-area
Easter Sunday, or as some Christians prefer to call it Resurrection Sunday, is the most important day on the Christian calendar. It is the celebration of the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, that all who believe will have the same resurrection after death. This is the one day where churches around the world will see the highest attendance of the year. The faithful believers, the casual attenders, and even some of the prodigals will gather together and remember what Christ did on the Cross nearly 2,000 years ago. It is just as real today as it was back then. To celebrate this miracle, many churches have added extra services to accommodate the larger attendance, and some will hold a traditional sunrise service. This Easter Sunday, whether you have a home church or not, attend a church in your area and worship the Lord with all your heart together with your brothers and sisters in Christ and celebrate the new life that you now live in Jesus. If you don't know where to go but are interested in more than just an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, here are some suggestions in the L.A. area.
Bel Air Presbyterian Church, Bel Air
Pastor Mark Brewer
Easter at the Bowl - Sunday, April 4th @ 11 am
Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley
Pastor Francis Chan
Easter Sunday Services - SUN April 4th @ 8:30 am, 10 am, 11:30 am, 6 pm
Faithful Central Bible Church, Inglewood
Bishop Kenneth C. & Togetta Ulmer
Resurrection Sunday Services - SUN April 4th @ 6 am, 10 am
Map & Directions
Faith Community Church, West Covina
Pastor Jim Reeve
Experience Easter - SAT April 3rd @ 6:30 pm; SUN April 4th @ 6 am, 8:30 am, 10:14 am, 12 pm
Map & Directions
Grace Community Church, Sun Valley
Pastor John MacArthur
Resurrection Sunday Services - SUN April 4th @ 7 am, 8:30 am, 10:30 am
Map & Directions
Newsong Community Church, Irvine
Pastor Dave Gibbons
44Ten Easter Sunday Services - SAT April 3rd @ 7 pm; SUN April 4th @ 9 am, 10:30 am, 11:59 am
Map & Directions
Saddleback Church, Lake Forest (Easter Sunday in Anaheim)
Pastor Rick Warren
Easter at Angels Stadium - April 3rd @ 6 pm; April 4th @ 10 am
With Special Guests: the Jonas Brothers!
Shepherd of the Hills, Porter Ranch
Pastor Dudley C. Rutherford
Easter Under the Tent - SUN April 4 @ 8:30 am, 10:30 am
The Passion Play
Map & Directions
Easter Sunday, or as some Christians prefer to call it Resurrection Sunday, is the most important day on the Christian calendar. It is the celebration of the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, that all who believe will have the same resurrection after death. This is the one day where churches around the world will see the highest attendance of the year. The faithful believers, the casual attenders, and even some of the prodigals will gather together and remember what Christ did on the Cross nearly 2,000 years ago. It is just as real today as it was back then. To celebrate this miracle, many churches have added extra services to accommodate the larger attendance, and some will hold a traditional sunrise service. This Easter Sunday, whether you have a home church or not, attend a church in your area and worship the Lord with all your heart together with your brothers and sisters in Christ and celebrate the new life that you now live in Jesus. If you don't know where to go but are interested in more than just an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, here are some suggestions in the L.A. area.
Bel Air Presbyterian Church, Bel Air
Pastor Mark Brewer
Easter at the Bowl - Sunday, April 4th @ 11 am
Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley
Pastor Francis Chan
Easter Sunday Services - SUN April 4th @ 8:30 am, 10 am, 11:30 am, 6 pm
Faithful Central Bible Church, Inglewood
Bishop Kenneth C. & Togetta Ulmer
Resurrection Sunday Services - SUN April 4th @ 6 am, 10 am
Map & Directions
Faith Community Church, West Covina
Pastor Jim Reeve
Experience Easter - SAT April 3rd @ 6:30 pm; SUN April 4th @ 6 am, 8:30 am, 10:14 am, 12 pm
Map & Directions
Grace Community Church, Sun Valley
Pastor John MacArthur
Resurrection Sunday Services - SUN April 4th @ 7 am, 8:30 am, 10:30 am
Map & Directions
Newsong Community Church, Irvine
Pastor Dave Gibbons
44Ten Easter Sunday Services - SAT April 3rd @ 7 pm; SUN April 4th @ 9 am, 10:30 am, 11:59 am
Map & Directions
Saddleback Church, Lake Forest (Easter Sunday in Anaheim)
Pastor Rick Warren
Easter at Angels Stadium - April 3rd @ 6 pm; April 4th @ 10 am
With Special Guests: the Jonas Brothers!
Shepherd of the Hills, Porter Ranch
Pastor Dudley C. Rutherford
Easter Under the Tent - SUN April 4 @ 8:30 am, 10:30 am
The Passion Play
Map & Directions
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Guru Good for Nepal?
Yoga guru Ramdev is a symbol of friendship between Nepal and India because he is using Indian yoga to bridge the divide between the two nations, Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said here Wednesday.
“Yoga guru Ramdev is a symbol of friendship between the two South Asian countries. He is bridging the divide between Indian and Nepal and helping the historical ties scale new heights with spiritual and cultural exchange through yoga and ayurveda,” Mr. Nepal told a packed gathering at Dhulikhel, 35 km from the capital city of Kathmandu, where he arrived in the morning to inaugurate a new Patanjali Yog Peeth centre.
The centre - a sprawling retreat on the slopes of the Himalayas - will act an Indian yoga centre and ayurveda research institute in the region rich in medicinal herbs.
“He has taken yoga to remote villages in the country where people had not heard about it earlier. Traditional yoga not only improves health and lifestyle but also fosters a positive outlook towards one's own country and the world at large,” he said.
Responding to the Yoga guru’s campaign against fizzy drinks and junk food in Nepal schools - like his campaign in India, the prime minister said he would try to “regulate sale of harmful foodstuff in schools across the country and introduce yoga”.
School canteens across Nepal have already stopped sale of fizzy drinks and junk food.
Though the government has not yet issued an official diktat, it favours regulation of hazardous food stuff and carbonated beverages in school.
“I call upon the people of the country to change their dietary patterns to promote better lifestyles,” he said.
The prime minister said he will carry the science of ayurveda forward. “We have recognised ayurveda as an established alternative therapy,” he said.
Yoga guru Ramdev, who accompanied the prime minister, clarified to the local media in Nepal that “he was not interfering in bilateral issues between India and Nepal”.
“Contrary to reports in the media that I had conferred with a certain political party and taken it into confidence before visiting Nepal, this visit was not politically motivated. I have no intention of interfering in bilateral political issues between India and Nepal. This is purely a spiritual trip meant to promote peace and amity for a prosperous Nepal,” he said.
Keywords: Madhav Kumar Nepal, Baba Ramdev, Patanjali Yog Peeth
“Yoga guru Ramdev is a symbol of friendship between the two South Asian countries. He is bridging the divide between Indian and Nepal and helping the historical ties scale new heights with spiritual and cultural exchange through yoga and ayurveda,” Mr. Nepal told a packed gathering at Dhulikhel, 35 km from the capital city of Kathmandu, where he arrived in the morning to inaugurate a new Patanjali Yog Peeth centre.
The centre - a sprawling retreat on the slopes of the Himalayas - will act an Indian yoga centre and ayurveda research institute in the region rich in medicinal herbs.
“He has taken yoga to remote villages in the country where people had not heard about it earlier. Traditional yoga not only improves health and lifestyle but also fosters a positive outlook towards one's own country and the world at large,” he said.
Responding to the Yoga guru’s campaign against fizzy drinks and junk food in Nepal schools - like his campaign in India, the prime minister said he would try to “regulate sale of harmful foodstuff in schools across the country and introduce yoga”.
School canteens across Nepal have already stopped sale of fizzy drinks and junk food.
Though the government has not yet issued an official diktat, it favours regulation of hazardous food stuff and carbonated beverages in school.
“I call upon the people of the country to change their dietary patterns to promote better lifestyles,” he said.
The prime minister said he will carry the science of ayurveda forward. “We have recognised ayurveda as an established alternative therapy,” he said.
Yoga guru Ramdev, who accompanied the prime minister, clarified to the local media in Nepal that “he was not interfering in bilateral issues between India and Nepal”.
“Contrary to reports in the media that I had conferred with a certain political party and taken it into confidence before visiting Nepal, this visit was not politically motivated. I have no intention of interfering in bilateral political issues between India and Nepal. This is purely a spiritual trip meant to promote peace and amity for a prosperous Nepal,” he said.
Keywords: Madhav Kumar Nepal, Baba Ramdev, Patanjali Yog Peeth
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