Pune, 12 June 2015 – Noted journalist Shekhar Gupta on Thursday said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the most interesting persons interviewed in his TV talk show ‘Walk the Talk’. However Gupta also regretted the silence maintained by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during his tenure as PM.
Speaking at a special program organized by the Pune chapter of FICCI Flo, Gupta bared open his love for the cricket, food and shared his extensive experience in covering various events as reporter. Varsha Talera, chairperson of FICCI Flo Pune, Sabina Sanghavi, senior vice chairperson and Varsha Chordia, vice chairperson were present on the occasion.
When asked about the most interesting and memorable persons who he interviewed during his 13-year old program, Gupta said that it was Sonia Gandhi and Narendra Modi. “Sonia Gandhi because she never gave open interview anywhere else before or after that interview. I found her very engaging and I was surprised to see her passion for India. I realized that she was in politics not for the power but because she loved Rajiv Gandhi deeply.”
About Modi, Gupta said that it was unfair to portray him in black and white. “He is a very quick learner and hard worker man. He always learns a new thing which is why Modi is a new person every three months. Many global leaders are fascinated by him. When I interviewed him, he came as close as possible to say sorry for the Gujarat riots which was also a unique thing to my show,” he said.
However, Gupta also pointed out the things which he did not like about these personalities. He said, “Sonia Gandhi and her son (Rahul) got their economics from Indira Gandhi which was a bad thing. They relied on doling out money to the poor to appease them but this will no longer do. The PM is hyper communication and he should bring down the chest beating.”
Speaking at a special program organized by the Pune chapter of FICCI Flo, Gupta bared open his love for the cricket, food and shared his extensive experience in covering various events as reporter. Varsha Talera, chairperson of FICCI Flo Pune, Sabina Sanghavi, senior vice chairperson and Varsha Chordia, vice chairperson were present on the occasion.
When asked about the most interesting and memorable persons who he interviewed during his 13-year old program, Gupta said that it was Sonia Gandhi and Narendra Modi. “Sonia Gandhi because she never gave open interview anywhere else before or after that interview. I found her very engaging and I was surprised to see her passion for India. I realized that she was in politics not for the power but because she loved Rajiv Gandhi deeply.”
About Modi, Gupta said that it was unfair to portray him in black and white. “He is a very quick learner and hard worker man. He always learns a new thing which is why Modi is a new person every three months. Many global leaders are fascinated by him. When I interviewed him, he came as close as possible to say sorry for the Gujarat riots which was also a unique thing to my show,” he said.
However, Gupta also pointed out the things which he did not like about these personalities. He said, “Sonia Gandhi and her son (Rahul) got their economics from Indira Gandhi which was a bad thing. They relied on doling out money to the poor to appease them but this will no longer do. The PM is hyper communication and he should bring down the chest beating.”
Among other personalities, he counted experiences of talking to Sachin Tendulkar and Mayawati. However, Gupta expressed his regret that former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh did not open up even after so many years. “Personally he is very articulate and honest. But I can't understand his silence,” he said. Gupta also rued the sorry state of TV news today saying that prime time news on TV has become theater and they have lost all the seriousness. “In the beginning, people liked this but now the audience is getting bored. Journalism has changed. The technology has lowered the entry barriers.” On the same note, he said that he was trying to build a new institution which will deliver opinionated news in new way.
Varsha Talera outlined the Agenda for the year for Pune FLO. She elaborated on projects that FLO plans to do - to Empower women at senior, middle and junior level women in various fields. It was well attended by women from all walks of society.
About FICCI FLO
FICCI FLO is the largest Women's Organisation in South East Asia. There are 14 chapters all over India with more than 3800 members.
Hindus are supporting the demand of “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada” for apology by Pope “for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children in Catholic-run residential schools”.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, agreed with the long awaited report released on June two of “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada” that Canada government’s policy requiring the aboriginal children to attend state-mandated church-run boarding schools was a “cultural genocide”.
Over 150,000 aboriginal children, from 1883 until the last one closed in 1998, were reportedly dragged to these institutions; which was an intrusion and total disregard for the sanctity of the family, Zed who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stated, calling it a “monumental injustice”.
Rajan Zed further said that Canada, instead of vague promises, should show strong political will and do something concrete to end the chaos and poverty in aboriginal communities today; and provide improved health care on reserves, close the education attainment gap between aboriginals and other Canadians, improve their social and economic well-being, impart them skills, invest in child welfare, preserve their various languages, end systematic discrimination and include in the curriculum of all K-12 grades of Canada the contributions of aboriginal people and injustices of residential schools. Moreover, Canada should wholeheartedly adopt United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Zed added.
Zed indicated that the aboriginal residential schools was a national shame and dark chapter for Canada and Canada had much work to do to restore trust of aboriginals and improve the deteriorating relationship between the Canadian government and aboriginal people.
Rajan Zed pointed out that it was immoral for Canada to steal the childhood of these children forced into residential schools and subject them to a loveless life full of loneliness.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, agreed with the long awaited report released on June two of “Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada” that Canada government’s policy requiring the aboriginal children to attend state-mandated church-run boarding schools was a “cultural genocide”.
Over 150,000 aboriginal children, from 1883 until the last one closed in 1998, were reportedly dragged to these institutions; which was an intrusion and total disregard for the sanctity of the family, Zed who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stated, calling it a “monumental injustice”.
Rajan Zed further said that Canada, instead of vague promises, should show strong political will and do something concrete to end the chaos and poverty in aboriginal communities today; and provide improved health care on reserves, close the education attainment gap between aboriginals and other Canadians, improve their social and economic well-being, impart them skills, invest in child welfare, preserve their various languages, end systematic discrimination and include in the curriculum of all K-12 grades of Canada the contributions of aboriginal people and injustices of residential schools. Moreover, Canada should wholeheartedly adopt United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Zed added.
Zed indicated that the aboriginal residential schools was a national shame and dark chapter for Canada and Canada had much work to do to restore trust of aboriginals and improve the deteriorating relationship between the Canadian government and aboriginal people.
Rajan Zed pointed out that it was immoral for Canada to steal the childhood of these children forced into residential schools and subject them to a loveless life full of loneliness.
Hindus have welcomed a former yoga instructor marrying into the Swedish royal family.
Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip (third in line for the throne) married commoner Sofia Hellqvist (now Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia of Sweden, Duchess of Värmland) in a lavish ceremony at Stockholm Royal Palace on June 13 attended by many royals from around the world and several hundred thousand well-wishers lining the streets.
Sofia studied yoga in New York City and became a certified yoga instructor in the same studio. She then started her own yoga center in Manhattan and launched a yoga gear collection “Drop of Mindfulness”, co-designed by her, reports suggest.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that they hoped that Princess Sofia would help popularize yoga in Sweden, Europe and among the world’s royals.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.
Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Rajan Zed pointed out.
According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. Yoga is the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed adds.
Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip (third in line for the throne) married commoner Sofia Hellqvist (now Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia of Sweden, Duchess of Värmland) in a lavish ceremony at Stockholm Royal Palace on June 13 attended by many royals from around the world and several hundred thousand well-wishers lining the streets.
Sofia studied yoga in New York City and became a certified yoga instructor in the same studio. She then started her own yoga center in Manhattan and launched a yoga gear collection “Drop of Mindfulness”, co-designed by her, reports suggest.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that they hoped that Princess Sofia would help popularize yoga in Sweden, Europe and among the world’s royals.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that yoga, although introduced and nourished by Hinduism, was a world heritage and liberation powerhouse to be utilized by all. According to Patanjali who codified it in Yoga Sutra, yoga was a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.
Yoga, referred as “a living fossil”, was a mental and physical discipline, for everybody to share and benefit from, whose traces went back to around 2,000 BCE to Indus Valley civilization, Rajan Zed pointed out.
According to US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help one to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, breathe deeply, and get rid of stress. Yoga is the repository of something basic in the human soul and psyche, Zed adds.
Hindus are upset at unnecessary dragging of Hinduism in Marion County School Board (MCSB) elections in Florida.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, stressed that religion was something very personal and should not be an issue in a school board election and should not affect how a board member determined the policies of the school system.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. In USA, per a Pew Forum survey, Hindus topped in education, had second highest income levels, had lowest divorce rate and highest marriage rate as compared to any other religious group, Zed added.
Rajan Zed further said that they were proud of the Hindu community in USA, numbering around three million, for continuing with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education, sanctity of marriage, etc., amidst so many distractions.
Five-member MCSB is responsible for Marion County Public Schools headquartered in Ocala, whose vision is "Developing Successful Citizens-Every Student, Every Day”, and which has 42,376 students in its 53 schools and one center.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, stressed that religion was something very personal and should not be an issue in a school board election and should not affect how a board member determined the policies of the school system.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. In USA, per a Pew Forum survey, Hindus topped in education, had second highest income levels, had lowest divorce rate and highest marriage rate as compared to any other religious group, Zed added.
Rajan Zed further said that they were proud of the Hindu community in USA, numbering around three million, for continuing with the traditional values of hard work, higher morals, stress on education, sanctity of marriage, etc., amidst so many distractions.
Five-member MCSB is responsible for Marion County Public Schools headquartered in Ocala, whose vision is "Developing Successful Citizens-Every Student, Every Day”, and which has 42,376 students in its 53 schools and one center.
Upset Hindus have urged Brazil based Cervejaria Colorado to apologize and withdraw its India Pale Ale beer carrying the name of Lord Vishnu, calling it highly inappropriate.
This beer, named as Vishnu, is described on the company website as: “Vishnu, in addition to being named One of the principal Hindu deities, is also the name of this delicious recipe variation India Pale Ale…A pleasant lingering bitterness, ideal for those who like extreme beers.”
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that Lord Vishnu was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile greed. Moreover, linking Lord Vishnu with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful, Zed added.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan Zed noted.
Lord Vishnu is “preserver” in the Hindu triad with Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva as the aspect of the Supreme. He has ten incarnations to establish dharma (divine law). Moksh (liberation) is the ultimate goal of Hinduism.
Award-winning Cervejaria Colorado, based in Ribeirao Preto in Sao Paulo state of Brazil, was founded in 1996. It claims its products as "increasingly universal", which besides Brazil, are also exported to France and United States of America. Marcelo Carneiro da Rocha is the Chairman.
Vishnu beer, which won gold medal at Brazilian Beer Festival 2014, has an alcohol content of 9.5%.
This beer, named as Vishnu, is described on the company website as: “Vishnu, in addition to being named One of the principal Hindu deities, is also the name of this delicious recipe variation India Pale Ale…A pleasant lingering bitterness, ideal for those who like extreme beers.”
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that Lord Vishnu was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile greed. Moreover, linking Lord Vishnu with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful, Zed added.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan Zed noted.
Lord Vishnu is “preserver” in the Hindu triad with Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva as the aspect of the Supreme. He has ten incarnations to establish dharma (divine law). Moksh (liberation) is the ultimate goal of Hinduism.
Award-winning Cervejaria Colorado, based in Ribeirao Preto in Sao Paulo state of Brazil, was founded in 1996. It claims its products as "increasingly universal", which besides Brazil, are also exported to France and United States of America. Marcelo Carneiro da Rocha is the Chairman.
Vishnu beer, which won gold medal at Brazilian Beer Festival 2014, has an alcohol content of 9.5%.
Hindus have commended Vatican for its “message to Hindus for the feast of Deepavali”, extending joyful greetings “on the festive occasion of Deepavali”.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, welcomed the Vatican for wishing “May the Transcendent Light illumine your hearts, homes and communities…” and desiring “harmony and happiness, peace and prosperity”.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, extolled Vatican’s thought on the occasion, which stated: “Nurturing a culture of inclusion thus becomes a common call and a shared responsibility, which must be urgently undertaken.”
Rajan Zed agreed with Vatican’s call given in the message: “…join together with followers of other religions and with people of good will to foster a culture of inclusion for a just and peaceful society.”
Zed urged His Holiness Pope Francis to visit a Hindu temple in the near future to promote mutual understanding and respect between the faiths. All religions should work together for a just and peaceful world, Zed stressed.
Rajan Zed says that in our shared pursuit for the truth, we can learn from one another and thus can arrive nearer to the truth. This dialogue may help us vanquish the stereotypes, prejudices, caricatures, etc., passed on to us from previous generations. As dialogue brings us reciprocal enrichment, we shall be spiritually richer than before the contact, Zed adds.
Titled—Christians and Hindus: Together to foster a culture of "inclusion"—this Deepavali message was signed by President Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Secretary Father Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot of Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Zed suggested that it would be even better if such messages were signed by Pope himself.
Pope Francis leads the Roman Catholic Church (headquartered in Vatican City), which is the largest of the Christian denominations. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Most popular of Hindu festivals Deepavali (Diwali), the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It falls on October 23 this year.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, welcomed the Vatican for wishing “May the Transcendent Light illumine your hearts, homes and communities…” and desiring “harmony and happiness, peace and prosperity”.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, extolled Vatican’s thought on the occasion, which stated: “Nurturing a culture of inclusion thus becomes a common call and a shared responsibility, which must be urgently undertaken.”
Rajan Zed agreed with Vatican’s call given in the message: “…join together with followers of other religions and with people of good will to foster a culture of inclusion for a just and peaceful society.”
Zed urged His Holiness Pope Francis to visit a Hindu temple in the near future to promote mutual understanding and respect between the faiths. All religions should work together for a just and peaceful world, Zed stressed.
Rajan Zed says that in our shared pursuit for the truth, we can learn from one another and thus can arrive nearer to the truth. This dialogue may help us vanquish the stereotypes, prejudices, caricatures, etc., passed on to us from previous generations. As dialogue brings us reciprocal enrichment, we shall be spiritually richer than before the contact, Zed adds.
Titled—Christians and Hindus: Together to foster a culture of "inclusion"—this Deepavali message was signed by President Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Secretary Father Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot of Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Zed suggested that it would be even better if such messages were signed by Pope himself.
Pope Francis leads the Roman Catholic Church (headquartered in Vatican City), which is the largest of the Christian denominations. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
Most popular of Hindu festivals Deepavali (Diwali), the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It falls on October 23 this year.
Well-known German fashion brand “Front Row Society” headquartered in Berlin withdrew leggings carrying image of Lord Shiva and apologized after upset Hindus protested.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked “Front Row Society” for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which thought images of Lord Shiva on leggings was highly inappropriate.
Dr. Florian Ellsaesser, Managing Director of “Front Row Society”, telephoned Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, on October 15 late evening informing him that leggings carrying image of Lord Shiva had been removed. We apologize for any unintentional harm this product had caused to anyone, Ellsaesser added.
Rajan Zed had earlier said that Lord Shiva was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be worn around one’s legs, crotch and hips. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed had argued.
Rajan Zed had also pointed out that such trivialization of Lord Shiva was disturbing to the Hindus world over. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers, Zed added.
“Front Row Society”; whose products sell at Nordstrom, Galeries Lafayette, etc.; claims to offer “high quality accessories with unique and original designs”. Print design of now removed “Shiva the Great Leggings” ($39.95) was by Akwaflorell.
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities.
Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked “Front Row Society” for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which thought images of Lord Shiva on leggings was highly inappropriate.
Dr. Florian Ellsaesser, Managing Director of “Front Row Society”, telephoned Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, on October 15 late evening informing him that leggings carrying image of Lord Shiva had been removed. We apologize for any unintentional harm this product had caused to anyone, Ellsaesser added.
Rajan Zed had earlier said that Lord Shiva was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be worn around one’s legs, crotch and hips. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Zed had argued.
Rajan Zed had also pointed out that such trivialization of Lord Shiva was disturbing to the Hindus world over. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers, Zed added.
“Front Row Society”; whose products sell at Nordstrom, Galeries Lafayette, etc.; claims to offer “high quality accessories with unique and original designs”. Print design of now removed “Shiva the Great Leggings” ($39.95) was by Akwaflorell.
In Hinduism, Lord Shiva, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu, forms the great triad of Hindu deities.
ASCI XI beat Google XI in a friendly T 20 cricket tie played at St. Stephen’s Ground
Gurgaon, Oct 15, 2014: It was yet another battle of the corporates, albeit with a difference! The game of one-upmanship, this time, was held at a cricket field as employees of Sun Life Asia Service Centre India played their heart out against their counterparts at Google.
In a friendly corporate tie played at the St. Stephen’s Ground, New Delhi, the two teams played a 20 over match, with ASCI emerging victorious in the battle. However, it was the spirit of friendship that won the day.
Gurgaon, Oct 15, 2014: It was yet another battle of the corporates, albeit with a difference! The game of one-upmanship, this time, was held at a cricket field as employees of Sun Life Asia Service Centre India played their heart out against their counterparts at Google.
In a friendly corporate tie played at the St. Stephen’s Ground, New Delhi, the two teams played a 20 over match, with ASCI emerging victorious in the battle. However, it was the spirit of friendship that won the day.
Google won the toss and chose to bat on the bright sunny Saturday, and got off to a good start. The batting, however, slowed down after the team lost its swash buckling opener. Scoring steadily at 5 runs an over, the Google India team clogged on 106 runs in 20 overs, setting the field for ASCI’s run chase.
SunLife ASCI’s run chase started on a negative note, with the team losing its first wicket early on in the innings. The top and middle order of the team struggled a bit, but steadied the innings effectively, laying ground for an easy chase.
Varun Mittal (50 not out) was the top scorer of the match, while Kishore Singh (37), gave him good support at the crease. In the end, the Asia Service Centre India team won the match easily in just 13 overs, with 4 wickets still in hand.
“Sport is a wonderful teacher. It teaches the players the need for hard work, planning, strategy and execution. It teaches us that to win or lose is a part of life but delivering to your potential and giving your best is what really matters. Above all, such sporting events give our employees the much-needed opportunity to recharge and face the daily work life pressures with fortitude. Developing the sporting spirit helps develop winners,” says Mr. Rajeev Bhardwaj, Vice President-Human Resource at Sun Life Financial’s Asia Service Centre in Gurgaon.
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