India and her Neighbors-Part 3

Relation with Neighbors

Nepali in Indian Gorkha rifles
(Source: Wikipedia)

Lets talk about Indo-Nepal relationship. Nepal and India have shared a long relation from the ancient past. Goddess Sita from Nepal married Lord Rama of Ayodhya India.  King Tribhuvan married two daughters of Punjab, India. Still today, many people from India and Nepal make marriage relationship not only at local level but also into high level. Current Commander in Chief Gaurav Shamsher J.B.R. of Nepal Army is married  with Indian lady. Many Nepali leaders  actively supported Indian people in Indian freedom fight from Colonial British power. Notable personnel included late prime ministers of Nepal like Manmohan Adhikary, B. P. Koirala, M.P. Koirala, G. P. Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. Many were martyred during struggle including Durga Malla whose statue is now in Indian Parliament premise since 2004.They were doing this time in the hope that free India will give Nepal a chance to prosper together with India. Nepal at that time was under the cruel one family grip of Rana dynasty. However, it is sorry to say that regarding Indo-Nepal relationships, India has been trying to carry the colonial British mentality in treating Nepal. Nepali people are serving in Indian armed services saving Indian frontiers from external enemy and maintaining law and order in the times of  internal problems. As  a token of friendship Nepal has always offered its citizen to serve in Indian armed forces. No other country can give such privilege. Though there is 1950  friendship treaty, there is less friendship but more enmity towards Nepal based on the different historical facts (Nepal has raised the scrapping their treaty from time to time but India has delayed this). Some specific facts are  

1. There are several border encroachments (about 60 points like Susta in Nawalparasi) and army camp in Kalapani area since 1962. There is no fixed boundary between India and Nepal. There is no border dispute between China and Nepal.
2. India deceived Nepal in Koshi and Gandaki river project. It controlled the dams in Nepalese territory and released excess water in rainy season while took away more water in dry season for the irrigation in India. These are the visible pains to Nepal.
3. It does not help as expected in Nepali development in one sectors while obstruct other foreign helps in the fear that  it will lose influence. Even such help is short nearsightedness with immediate return calculation.
4. It is preparing fake Lumbini in India to fool whole world that Buddha was born in India not in Nepal.
5. As there is free open border between India and Nepal many criminals can mis-utilize this.India accuses Nepal of harboring terrorists. When Nepal asked to regulate border or make fence or use passport system it systematically refuses it. This is because Nepal, though small to India, has also lot of opportunities. India wants its people to get benefits from Nepalese employment opportunities. In long run these people want to settle in Nepal and when succeeds ask citizenship and finally all political benefits. Even there is conspiracy theory that in longer run through this population dynamics India wants  to annex  Nepal into India.
6. Nepal has no access to sea and nearest port is Kolkata in India.There is international understanding that there must be easy access to sea to all landlocked countries. But in 1988 about 18 months blockade was carried out by India. Reason was simple. Nepal bought some necessary weapons from China. 
7. Recently Prof S.D Muni, who has good connection with Indian government, has exposed the deceiving role India has played by supporting the armed conflict in Nepal since 2002 by sheltering the top brass of Maoist leaders like Baburam Bhattarai and Prachanda. He is also the mentor of  Baburam Bhattarai while he was student in Jawaharlal University, India.  India provided arms and training to them in one hand through its intelligence unit RAW and IB while on the other hand gave ammunition to Nepal army thereby flaring the conflict. It was surprising act to support the group she labelled terrorist officially. More than 15,000 people were killed during this decade long conflict (1996-2006). The country was pushed back for several decades and hard earned infrastructures were demolished and destroyed. Book entitled “Nepal in Transition: From People’s War to Fragile Peace", has shown the dubious and heinous role India has played toward friendly neighbor Nepal. Nepalese people are still working in Indian armed forces including Gurkha battalions saving her frontiers while India was unleashing terror in Nepal. What a surprising gift India offered Nepal for  loyal service. It is irony of Nepal that both Baburam Bhattarai and Prachanda have become prime ministers of Nepal. Many in Nepal viewed removal of monarchy from Nepal was evil design of India with corrupt Nepali politicians. Monarchy was bastion for the integrity and national sovereignty and removal of it was easy way to meddle in the all lives of Nepali society. It is to be noted that annexation of Sikkim in 1975 was done after the removal of King by Indian grand design. It is written very nicely by Sukunda Dutta Roy in his book  Smash and Grab, Annexation of Sikkim. The book is banned in India. Many people in Nepal have experienced the excess of Indian interference after the downfall of monarchy and rise of Maoist in power. It is to be noted that there was no plebiscite for the declaration of republic or making Nepal federal or secular country.

Exposed  Indian hegemony 

Because of these above mentioned facts, small countries neighboring India who pride in national independence and dignity in the international arena are suspicious of India. Nepal has been shattered by mischievous India for its role in political change and support for armed conflict. It cannot pinpoint hand towards Pakistan for supporting terrorism as her own hands are full with bloods of Srilankan and Nepalese innocent people. People feared that India has ushered its policy of Bhutanization and then Sikkimization ti her neighbors. But it will backfired in this era of modernization, globalization and patriotic people of these nations.  Though there might be good relation between ruling (puppet !?)  leaders,  people of these countries, simply hate India for her mischievous activities. This should not be taken as hating Indian people. Indian people are friendly and are with big heart. Indian food, cinema are popular among them. It is because of  the ruling Indian class and excesses of security personnel's in the border that is still counting the shame in the international arena.

Next blogs will talk about the role India has to play for the  concept of TOGETHER WE PROSPER. We will discuss how Indian people can come hand in hand in this noble cause.

India and her neighbors- Part 2

Relation with Neighbors

India has land border with China, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. Southern neighbors are Sri Lanka and Maldives. The relationship between India and its neighboring countries is not good as expected. As India and Pakistan was created out of big British India due to the religion, Hindu dominated India and Muslim dominated Pakistan, both do not have cordial relationship since their independence. With the case of Jammu and Kashmir both have fought 2 wars (1948 and 1965) and regarding the East Pakistan movement  in 1971 (that divided Pakistan into 2 states: Bangladesh and Pakistan). During the Kargil event next large scale confrontation was avoided through international pressure. Though India won all three wars, there is still tension between these countries. Each county points out each other when some terror activities happen.

China occupied Tibet after communist rule in 1949 and Dalai Lama departure in 1959 to India created some misunderstanding between these counties and had a war in 1962 in which China got victorious. Though in recent years there are signs of greater bilateral trade there are still unresolved problems in border demarcation. With the increased economic power both India and China are reflexing muscles to increase influence to neighboring small countries. 

Sikkim was a tiny Himalayan Kingdom (about 5000 square kilometer in area and current population about 200,000  population) bordering Nepal and Tibet. It is to be noted that Sikkim was part of Nepal which was taken by British India after Britain won the war. Since then it was protectorate kingdom. After India gained independence in 1947 India wished to annex it with her but King was main hurdle.With secret manipulation and subversion  using RAW (Research and Analysis, an intelligent agency) India created fissures and political upheavals through Kaji Lendup Dorje. It became republic and subsequently annexed in India in 1975. Many people rebuke person with name Lendup Dorje   if s/he is (or suspected of being) traitor of nation.

Fig.   Srilankan LTTE cadres getting training in India 1984
(Source: Wikipedia)

Srilanka in the Southern corner is state where Ashoka has sent missionary to preach Buddhism 2000years ago. Country is still predominantly Buddhist and temple tooth in Kandy which house relics of Buddha is world heritage sites. During the two decade long armed Tamil conflict in Srilanka, India covertly and overtly trained the members of LTTE (reported to be 20,000) including its head Prabhakaran in Tamilnadu and Chakrata base station. On the other hand with crocodile tear it sent Indian armed force  (IPKF) to contain rebels. This dubious  role also angered LTTE and they took revenge on Indian establishments by killing previous prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. As you sow as you reap. Only after this reprisal, India banned LTTE but  it enjoys support from Tamilnadu state in south. The two decade long civil war  took lives of about 100,000 people, and assassination of president, prime minister and many others. Several round of peace talks were held but were all vain. Finally, LTTE was crushed in 2009 and now Srilankan people can live peace of life. Because of this exposure, India is seen as villian of peace in Lanka.

Bhutan is one county that enjoys good relation with India. This is because of submissal policy of  Bhutan as  both defense and external policy  of Bhutan is governed by India. It borders China in the north but till date it has no formal diplomatic relationship with China. So, some observers regard Bhutan as indopendent not independent. Because of this, many Bhutanese of Nepali origin when  driven away from Bhutan during ethnic cleansing came to Nepal through India.But when they tried to go back Bhutan, India forces stopped them. Please note that Nepal and Bhutan have no direct land mass connection. Bhutanese people wanted multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy same as in Nepal in 1990s but they were labelled terrorist and driven away. About 100,000 people lived in different camps in Eastern Nepal. There were several round of talks between Nepal and India for their safe return in Bhutan. All were vain as Bhutan with the Indian blessings always cheated Nepal. After 17 years in camps, finally third country resettlement program was launched. Now many Bhutanese refugees are settled in USA, Canada, and other countries. They were forced to choose new place as India did not help Nepal to pressure Bhutan for their repatriation. The world so called biggest democracy was showing the crocodile tears again.

Bangladesh and India relationship is also with ups and down. Many Bangladeshi remembered India for its help  in gaining independence from Pakistan. However, the hegemony of India towards Bangladesh is uninvited subject to Bangladeshi people. There are disputes of Farakka Barrage where upper country India controls the Ganges river and also illegal immigration of Bengali people to India.  

Next blog will talk specifically about Indo-Nepal relationship.

India and her neighbors- Part 1

-By Sardul

Introduction

India, from the very beginning of human civilization, is one of the developed areas as evident from the Indus civilization in Mohenjado and Harappa civilization. It has been ruled by different rulers from both outside and inside including Greek (Alexander the great ), Mughal (derivation of Mongol ) and finally British through East India Company. It is home to the ancient thinkers, birthplace of Mahabir (proponent of Jain religion) and workplaces of  Buddha (born in Lumbini, Nepal) and  GuruNanak (born in current state of Pakistan).

Modern History

Fig 1 India and her neighbours

India gained its independence in 1947 from Britain and at that time there were 500 princely estates within India itself. Most of them were absorbed with India either through  force or agreement. At that time there were some European  colonies like Goa of Portugal, Srilanka of  Britian and Vietnam of France. Other  independent states on the were Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim.Tibet has been annexed by China in 1959 while Sikkim by India in 1975. 

Current Status

Currently India is the largest nation in South Asia and seventh (about 3.2 million square kilometer) in the world by area. It is the  second largest  country by population (more than 1.2 billion) in the World. For the time being it is considered the largest democracy in the world as China, with largest population, is one party communist system. With the downfall of USSR in 1990 and emergence of free market economy many new economic powers (like Brazil, China, Indonesia, India, South Africa) have emerged. With its growing economic status, big population size, cheap labor and  large pool of English speaking people India has become attractive investment destination. Currently it is the 11th largest economy by GDP count with 7% annual growth rate and expected to be 2nd in the coming decades.

Next blog will talk about the relation of modern India to her neighbors.

Day in Photo-9

Sunset reflection over abstract sculptor (Chiba Park), Japan 

Day in Photo- 8

What a beautiful world we have !

Day in Photo -7

Prince Pranjal with uncle Kevin 

Day in Photo-6

Friendship !!! How are you my dears ?

Day in Photo-5

 Baby ! Life is beautiful

Happy Journey to Canada

Nice family 

 Nepali  Cindrella

 What a cute baby !

Bon Voyage to all.

Krishnajanmastami (Lord Krishna Birthday)

Balkrishna (Baby Krishna)

Today is the birthday of Lord Krishna who is the human  incarnation of Lord Bishnu (one of the trinity of the Hindusim). The word Krishna literally  means black as well as person with charisma (attraction). He was born as the 8th baby to mother  Devaki and father Basudev in the prison in Mathura (now in Uttar pradesh, India) at midnight. His parents were imprisoned by maternal uncle Kansa out of fear that he would be killed by the 8th son .To avoid risk Kansa killed previously born 6 babies from the couple. Last 7th and 8th babies however survived the death trap of Kansa. Basudev secretly transferred Krishna out of prison and he was raised by foster parents Nanda and Yasoda in Gokul (now in Gujarat, India).

Krishna in Mahabharata War

There were several attempts by Kansa to assassinate him. Lord always foiled them and finally he killed Kansa and restore his father as the king of Mathura. Kansa is notorious for his evil thinking and deeds and hence regarded as evil person so nobody wants to be compared with him. He worked as a chief Prince to Ugrasena and later established own kingdom in Dwarka. During his lifetime he worked for the betterment of human being by siding with the goods and eradicating the evils. In the Mahabharata war he sided with Pandavas and worked with the Arjuna. During this time he delivered the essence of life what we call the Bhagvat Gita. Gita is the most philosophical yet easy way of understanding the life and self. Divided into 18 chapters, it also talks about the morality and Yoga (union of soul to super soul of God). Here he stated the importance of duty, compassion, self and the invincibility of soul and reincarnation. Gita is one the most important religious texts in Hinduism. Originally stated in Sanskrit, now there are several translations in different languages including, Nepali, English, Gujarati, Urdu and so on. Gita Press of India is doing very good work since 1923 in popularizing the books. Even Braille version has been evolved.

Krishna Temple (Patan, Nepal)

On this holy day many devotees flock to the Krishna temple around the globe. In Nepal Krishna temple in Patan, is very famous and is packed with devotees. The temple,built by King Siddi  Narsingh Malla, is made from stone and has 21 pinnacles. On the wall events of Mahabharata is very nicely portrayed. The night time environment is  special with bright light and colorful devotees. High dignitaries like King and president come to pay homage to God.

Krishna in  Nara Japan 

Regarding the influence of Krishna out of South Asia, we can found the  image of Krishna in Bali Indonesia, and even in Japan. There is a depiction of Krishna playing flute in the Nara temple constructed in 752 AD in Japan. 

In modern times, with the evolution of ISKON movement (Hare Krishna Movement) in 1966 by Prabhupada in New york USA has  significantly draw attention of  Western people and many people are following the Devotion tradition (Bhakti marga) of Lord Krishna. Its centers are expanded to Canada to Britain and Kenya to Australia. 

In the today's high-tech world people need to do many things and feel stressed. In such situation, people of all race and faith can learn Gita,  pratice Yoga for the solace and peace of mind. The devoted one can recognize self and become great soul Like Buddha and Krishna. It is really possible.

Happy Krishnastami to all !!!!

May this day brings peace, prosperity and progress to all. 

People be friend to each other and compassion rein their heart.

Remembering past

                38th University Festival in Chiba University (2010 December)

After the open policy in 1950 Nepal has witnessed foreign tourist who are lured by the majestic beauty of Himalayas, magnificent art and architecture as well as natural beauty and friendly people. Tourism has become a growing industry and it is one of the major economic power houses of nation. It get set back after the Royal massacre in 2001, terrorist attack in twins tower in 2001 as well as increased armed activities in Nepal itself. However after the end of the insurgency in 2006 the situation has changed dramatically.

            To attract the visitors, government of Nepal has also lunched different activities through Nepal tourism board and other related agencies. In 2010 government declared 2011 as Nepal Visit Year. Many helped to in this noble cause in whichever means they could offer. We also introduced Nepal and tried to make Visit Nepal Year 2011 successful.  We participated in Food festival as well as University festival introducing food, dance and culture. Hundred of visitors were interested to our performance and were curious about Nepal. 

               There were 448,769   foreign visitors coming in Nepal (counted by air arrival only) in 2010. After the lunch of Visit Nepal year it increased by 21.4% to 544,985 in 2011. Looking back to the progress there were 20,458 tourists from Japan (counted by air arrival only) in 2010 while there were 22,008 in 2011 which is increased by 7.6% (Source: Nepal tourism board 2012). We are relieved that progress was achieved and whatever small contribution we could make might have some pie in this surge.

Wonder from Peru- Machu Picchu

Wonder of World: Machu Picchu of Inca Empire in Peru

There were  several independent civilizations in different parts of world with different level of art, culture, belief and religion. Inca civilization in South america was one of the  advanced  and developed civilizations. Before being colony of Spanish invaders in 1500s they had good and prosperous life. Because of the military superiority and internal weakness, Spanish could crush them and made whole South America the colony for several hundred of years. In the due course the entire culture was devastated with the suppression of their belief system and forced conversion to Christianity. Macha Pichu was in the high land area without knowledge to Spanish and hence remained untouched. Only in 1911 American historian Hiram Bingham brought notice to outside world about this nice monuments. Since then it has became tourist attraction of Peru. It was listed as World heritage site in 1983. Relieved that such a masterpiece remained untouched by the destroyer of human civilization.