Protests, Politics and Growth - Are they mutually incompatible?

How has 2017-18 been for Tamilnadu?

It is well-known (by June 2018) that Tamilnadu is the state to be, if running protests and riots is your primary business. 

Oh, we have started to specialize in protests for specific industries and I would not be surprised if there are courses in arts colleges in TN teaching domain-specific protesting techniques.

My concerns mainly

So it was with fear and concern for my state, I discovered and shared a media report recently with friends.

This is from a popular TV channel in June 2018 and I have not seen anyone contesting these numbers so far. 

It basically says the following about the year that saw the heaviest political turmoil and the peak of protests in TN's history:

(1) The industry investment into Tamilnadu has gone down by 11,000 crores within last 1 year

(2) About 50,000 industrial establishments have been closed down in Tamilnadu

(3) Small and Medium Enterprise sector has seen a job loss of over 5,00,000 people.

Here is another well-researched answer by someone in Quora who shares similar thoughts that TN will become a terrible place to live if the same kind of protests continue: http://qr.ae/TUp22v

So, it confirmed my suspicion that we are staring at darker days of the state and a strong political and industrial leadership seems missing.

Is there light at the end of the dark tunnel?

Looking at an alternate perspective, there was a silent news that I do not know how many people caught on to! 

https://swarajyamag.com/economy/how-tamil-nadu-is-silently-mopping-up-big-investments

Ironically, this was from Swarajya which is a magazine many in India credit to be a right wing major. Going by their reputation, they should be kind of against what is happening in Tamilnadu. But this article astonishingly supports TN and highlights its growth! 

The key points from the article are:

(1) In January 2018, the ruling AIADMK government passed the Business Facilitation Act that allows single point of receipt of allocation to get clearances required to set up or expand a company. Under this act, so far 10 approvals for pre-establishment of an industry have been integrated in the Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance and Exports portal. Though the act is for all industries, including large, medium, small and micro scale, initially it is for large-scale units.

(2) The ease of doing business in Tamil Nadu has improved also with accessibility to bureaucrats improving. Earlier, during the rule of J Jayalalithaa, entrepreneurs had to wait to meet her. They couldn’t directly meet any bureaucrat. Now, things have changed and businessmen are allowed to meet bureaucrats. This is true from my own personal experience also in the state.

(3) Tamil Nadu offers incentives to investors based on the employment opportunity they create or offer. Take Hyundai, for instance. It has 703 vendors supplying components and 115 of them from South Korea. Nearly 85 per cent of the automobile maker’s components are made in Tamil Nadu by these vendors, most of who operate around the company’s vicinity in clusters.

So, what does 2018 entail for Tamilnadu? 

Going by the current trend of protests, am cautiously pessimistic. But the recent strong steps by the government of Tamilnadu have done a bit in restoring my confidence towards taking a cautiously optimistic vision for the state in 2018.

(1) Plastic ban by TN Government is seen as a welcome move

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/tamil-nadu-to-ban-use-of-plastic-items-from-2019/article24086413.ece

(2) TN Chief Minister gives a strong statement out to protestors of the Chennai-Salem highway

https://deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/120618/chennai-salem-hway-to-boost-economy-tamil-nadu-cm.html

(3) TN Chief Minister talking about the police shoot-out at Sterlite protest

https://swarajyamag.com/politics/tamil-nadu-fringe-groups-on-the-defensive-as-eps-turns-the-corner-after-thoothukudi-violence

I am sincerely hoping that my fears about the state losing its industrial advantage will be proven wrong by end of 2018 ... will do some fact-finding on some of these protests in my future blogs.

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War on Isha and Other Hindu Organizations by Church - 1

Usually I do not choose to confront a person or a phenomenon without sufficient proof. But now I think we have enough circumstantial & direct evidence attempting to put together a sequence of incidents.

I find these as more than a coincidence, all related to rise of Christianity in Tamilnadu and attacks on organizations supporting / resurrecting Hindu culture. I am taking Isha Foundation as an example here and will explain what is happening, but you can quickly figure out how it works on others as well.

[Note: Before you dismiss me as a xenophobic or someone who hates Christianity, at least read the article fully. I only dislike the methods employed in religious conversions. Am against no religion.]

What do I mean by 'attack' here?

An attack in this context has to be understood as Systematic defaming of an individual or an organization with or without producing any proofs towards such defamation. Typically these attacks are carried through:

- Social media
- Print media
- Mass media like TV channels 


Who is launching the attacks?

I am sticking my neck out here and claiming 'Christian missionary forces'. But before you decide to chop my head, read through the entire blog and think about the strange coincidences for yourself. Tell me in comments section if you really shoot holes into the theory. 

I had merely scratched the surface in my earlier blog article and am hoping to expose it more now: http://kazhugupaarvai.blogspot.in/2017/03/is-there-really-war-on-hindu-culture.html


Why attack Isha Foundation?

Art Of Living has a miniscule presence in TamilNadu - not much of a threat as yet. But dig deeper and you will find them being harassed badly in Karnataka.

Nithyananda's organization was systematically bad-mouthed and public opinion completely destroyed through deliberate media campaigns which stopped only after judicial court orders were brought into force. 

The only other organization working at a mass scale resurrecting yoga and Hindu culture in Tamilnadu is Isha Foundation. This is a serious threat to spread Christianity in Tamilnadu, especially if people get back to their yogic roots fast!


When did the media attacks start on Isha Foundation?

The sharp increase in attacks on Isha Foundation started in public media from August 2016. Is it a coincidence that just before that, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev of the foundation had announced about unveiling huge AdiYogi statues across the country in a public Satsang with his disciples? I don't think so and strongly feel this is what triggered the attacks in first place.


What is the main reason for these attacks from August 2016?

Karunya is a big Christian organization (with over 700 acres of prime forest land) spreading its tentacles all around Coimbatore. It is well known that the Christian missionaries target primarily tribal people, fishermen, etc. who face hardships in life and are easily swayed, especially in places where there is little support from rest of the religions. 

Firstly, Karunya folks got extremely scared that Isha Foundation will stop their conversion tactics in the Coimbatore area. Especially with the 112 feet Adi yogi statue that was announced in July 2016, Isha posed a serious threat to Christian spread in the area. 

If you look at the Diwali day in October 2017, tens and thousands of people thronged to see & be with AdiYogi Shiva statue at Isha Foundation. This is exactly what scares the Karunya folks. Are all these people visiting Isha trying to get spiritual benefits or be converted to hinduism or get into Yoga? A miniscule percentage of them might be .. but what scares the Church is the visitor numbers keep increasing by week and so will that miniscule percentage!


Attacks begin in August 2016 - Two lady monks

Out of the blue, a retired college Professor, a father of two lady monks at Isha Foundation goes to media in Aug 2016 and later to the court complaining that his daughters are held captive by Isha against their will. The High Court investigation later clearly found this claim ridiculous and certified that the two girls were completely sane and living as monks out of their well. It is altogether a different matter that the monks had been living at Isha for over 7 years when one fine day their father wakes up to claim their captivity.

Upon further investigating into who this man actually is, it comes to the front that he has taken up to Christianity a few months back! Strange coincidence, don't you think?


News Media pitches in against Isha

I have already written a blog article (http://kazhugupaarvai.blogspot.in/2017/09/secret-sauce-of-tn-politics-part-1.html) showing how biased the Tamil TV mass media is. Most of them lean towards atheist or anti-Hindu sentiments. 

So, it came as no surprise that Sun TV and Raj TV lead the media coup against Isha Foundation. Accusations were thrown all over in prime time coverage, without any basis or proofs. Some of the more ridiculous ones that even common public laughed at were:

- More than 5000 people have lost their kidneys at Isha
- Drugs are being given to those who attend Isha yoga programs to brainwash them

By the way, do you know how much it costs to have a one minute ad in Sun TV? It is in the order of lakhs of Indian rupees. Check this for yourself: https://www.themediaant.com/television/sun-tv-advertising

Now, consider how much money has been pumped to Sun TV to continuously put news against Isha Foundation for ten days straight - definitely in the order of crores of rupees! It would be lame to think a retired Professor magically gathered put all that money in. The power of the church and political parties behind all this vendetta is evident.


Fresh wave of attacks in 2017

Though crores of money was pumped in against Isha Foundation and the organization's reputation took a beating among ignorant public, the more sensible ones quickly saw through the media tricks based on personal experiences and also from the official rebuttals the foundation published. 

It has to be noted that not many popular TV or online media or print channels chose to publish the rebuttals from Isha Foundation though they were all very eager to sling mud!

Given this background, it should come as no surprise that the online and TV media attacks intensified in February 2017 before Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi visited Isha Foundation to inaugurate the AdiYogi Shiva statue. When the PM of the country visits an organization, the opposing parties took it as a strong message. 

This was also taken as an indication that Isha Foundation is somehow connected to the BJP although the claim cannot be more ludicrous. If that was true, Sonia Gandhi and Pinarayi Vijayan of conflicting political interests with BJP would definitely not have supported the Rally for Rivers initiative of Isha Foundation. But, who cares to do their research? Definitely not the common man. 

More money was pumped in to start a fresh wave of attacks online against Isha Foundation. It is anybody's guess as to who is putting in the money :)


Role of political parties - CPI & DMK 

Resurrecting Hinduism does not go well with Communist folks too! Take a look at the people who are either talking ill about Isha or filing court cases against them. You will see almost all of them are either Christians and/or supporters of the Communist parties. Is this also coincidence?

Cases in light are activists like Piyush Manush, Siva, etc. who do not hesitate to slander anything Hindu but rarely open their mouth against atrocities by Christian organizations right in front of their eyes. They claim there is no wrong being done by Karunya which is totally laughable. Sometimes, it makes me wonder if these are paid stooges of the Church as well. However, I will commit to that once I get enough proofs against them.

Check out these links:

http://contrarianworld.blogspot.in/2017/02/karunya-dhinakaran-and-jesus-calls.html

http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/isha-just-one-case-karunya-university-stands-jungle-land-violations-coimbatore-59998

The DMK party, well-known to be the biggest land-grabber in Tamilnadu, owns the Karunya institute now: http://coimbatorenews.blogspot.in/2010/03/dayanidhi-maran-buys-karunya.html

It is quite possible that the DMK party has colluded with the Church and is behind all the attacks on Isha through its Sun TV influence. After all, the biggest rise of Church has happened in Tamilnadu in the last 20 years under the DMK regime!

The latest entrant into the field is Mr Seeman (Nam Tamizhar Katchi) who is clearly a separatist but is fast becoming darling of the media bent upon opposing rise of Hinduism and BJP in Tamilnadu & India in general. He clearly has a vendetta against Isha Foundation and keeps peddling lies about it everywhere possible. His original name is Simon Sebastian - definitely does not sound like a Hindu name to me! I still wonder why he changed it to the Hindu name of Seeman!


Is Isha Foundation the only one being attacked?

No. Anyone who is trying to talk against the church / resurrect Hinduism is being targeted.

Remember this lady who was criticised during the Jallikattu movement: Radha Rajan. She was deliberately pulled into it because she dared to publish an article against the Church and has been fighting them since 2011.

https://bharatabharati.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/tamil-nadu-politcs-cancerous-church-eats-into-dravidian-parties-radha-rajan/

The Church goons just looked for an opportune moment and used all their financial might to throw her into bad light in public view. The church has been promoting active separatist movements in Tamilnadu:

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/church-role-in-kudankulam-protests-merits-wider-probe-228719.html

https://swarajyamag.com/insta/how-reservation-fraud-works-in-tamil-nadu

Role of online media as a facade for Christian missionaries

Do you know who brought Radha Rajan to the fore in bad light in first place? The 'Chennaites' Facebook page! This page is run through Christian funding, specifically by Karunya university. They make targeted fun of BJP and Hindu culture alone, through picture and video memes. Have you ever seen any anti-Christian post appear on this Facebook page? Try finding something and be surprised.. Of course, they do not act too blatantly but keep posting socially relevant messages on their pages very frequently. Every meme posted on their page 'against someone' costs money. 

Do you know that 'Red Pix' YouTube channel has over 3,80,000 subscribers? This is owned by the NTK of Seeman and keeps spreading fake news against Hinduism and BJP in specific.


Where do all these attacks stand now?

Isha Foundation has successfully stood the test of first two waves of Christian attacks. The organization is thriving and is expanding too. So, the attacks keep continuing, especially through online and print medium in Tamilnadu.


What does the common public feel?

I am surprised though that many people still believe Isha Foundation caused deforestation and is on elephant corridor with its ashram and the AdiYogi statue. I have myself published proofs refuting these baseless allegations. All these are available for anyone to investigate and find out in public domain. Still, if you are interested, check my blog article here (and several other articles in my blog) to know the truth about allegations on Isha Foundation: http://kazhugupaarvai.blogspot.in/2017/03/wow.html

But keep repeating a lie and it gets fixed in one's mind somewhere, especially when it is parroted through popular media channel like Sun TV or the vicious Vikatan magazine. This is true in Isha's case and I must say, common public are swayed to a certain extent in this case. How strong the negative influence is would be hard to say though without proper quantitative measures.


How true is it that Coimbatore has been witnessing high rate of Christian conversions?

Do not trust me. Look up the statistics yourself - it is all available publicly. There are about 59 'big' churches in Coimbatore as of 2016:

https://www.ixigo.com/churches-in-coimbatore-lp-1139182

There are at least 10 smaller churches that have sprung up on the road between Gandhipuram to Poondi in Coimbatore, just in the last 10 years. Anyone who is a resident of Coimbatore and is sincere with himself will not deny this.

In Tamilnadu alone, there are over 50000 pentecostal churches as of 2017. I am not kidding - the stats are from the horse's mouth where a Christian magazine pats their own backs for this success: https://www.christiantoday.com/article/70.years.after.independence.the.indian.church.faces.opportunity/111924.htm

Check this link out further to see how Christian influence has been spreading in TamilNadu: 

http://www.persecution.in/node/3398


Where is the funding for all this coming from?

Just take a look at the number of bogus Church-facade organizations with foreign funding and based out of Tamilnadu. You will be baffled:

https://bharatabharati.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/list-of-chennai-based-christian-organizations-receiving-funds-from-abroad-indiafacts-staff/

https://bharatabharati.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/list-of-ngos-which-recieved-over-one-crore-of-foreign-funds-in-2010-2011-in-tamil-nadu-goi/


Vicious role of Church in Tamilnadu politics

Go through this article to find out how the Church influence has been steadily increasing in Tamilnadu politics and all the political games played by the missionary forces:

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/tamil-nadu-elections-2016-is-the-church-the-biggest-winner-of-dravidian-discourse-and-voter-the-biggest-loser-2783232.html

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rajiv-malhotra/how-evangelists-are-inven_b_841606.html


Is this phenomenon isolated to TamilNadu alone?

Sadly, no. It is already taking a heavy toll in Kerala and Karnataka as well. Recently, such first-step attempts saw wide-spread agitations in Andhra Pradesh against Kancha Ilaiah's comments on Hindus.

This is not the first and will definitely not be the last crusade of the Church against Hindu culture. It is definitely going to continue and if anything, only intensify in the coming years unless a major step is taken to prevent such attacks. I will post about some of my thoughts on this front and also more proofs in my future blogs...

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Rally For Rivers - Who is Supporting - 1

This is a kind of continuation of my previous post on Rally For Rivers related issues being raised & what the truth is.

Let's see which other eminent environmentalists are supporting the Rally For Rivers initiative and providing inputs to come up with the draft recommendations:

(1) Waterman of India - Sri Rajendra Singh (https://www.facebook.com/watermanrajendrasingh/)

One of the foremost Independent authorities on Water Management in India, Rajendra Singh has openly published in a video that the Rally For Rivers is an excellent plan and that he  endorses it fully.

Dr Singh who won the Stockholm Water Prize, an award known as the Nobel Prize for water, in 2015, transformed Rajasthan villages with his water conservation efforts. His own posts also reflect his thoughts well:

http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/every-state-needs-river-rejuvenation-policy

Here is his endorsement picture for Rally For Rivers campaign.

(2) Dr K Ramasamy - Vice Chancellor of Tamilnadu Agricultural University

He hails from a farming community of Nilaiyoor, Aranthangi Taluk, Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu. So, his roots in the agricultural sector have been pretty deep. He has a M.Sc. in Agricultural Microbiology and M.S. in Fermentation Technology. He joined TNAU in 1970 and has served over 36 years at the University.

Besides, he served as a Member in National Policy Planning of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ferti-irrigation and Biogas Development, serving as a Member of Backward Classes Commission, Member of Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission (Agriculture and Irrigation) from 2011 onwards. He is also a Board member of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

(3) Bittu Sahgal - Environmentalist

Mr Bittu Sahgal is the Editor of Sanctuary Asia magazine since 1981 and an eminent environmentalist working to save Wilderness habitats.

He has authored numerous book on wildlife including, most recently: India Naturally, The Bandhavgarh Inheritance, The Sundarbans Inheritance, The Bharatpur Inheritance, The Kaziranga Inheritance, The Corbett Inheritance and The Periyar Inheritance. He has also produced over 30 conservation-related documentaries. 

His endorsement has been emphatic.

(4) Late Dr G Nammazhwar

Dr G Nammazhwar had been a pioneer in the field of organic farming, especially in South India. Sri Nammazhwar travelled widely across the world, observed the agricultural practices in various different ecological systems and based on his findings, trained several farmers and NGO workers. 

He has written several books and articles in the Tamil language. He had a wide readership across different sections of society. His works may soon be translated to the English language, making his writings easily accessible.

Here he is seen talking about his association with Isha Foundation & Trees. Though this is not his direct endorsement to the Rally, he in fact talks about some of those concepts in this video.

The above list is not comprehensive by any means since I have had limited time to research about people who have shown clear support to Rally For Rivers project and choose the prominent among them.

Some of the popular people, who are usually well-researched and are with social consciousness, have also supported the cause of Rally For Rivers. 

(1) Kirstin Bauer

She is an actress and also an environmentalist supporting wild life habitats. She has the favorite eco-celeb of 'Eco News Network' in 2012.

http://econewsnetwork.org/2012/08/eco-celeb-of-the-week-kristin-bauer-van-straten/

She has endorsed the RFR project clearly with her tweet:

(2) Actor Vivek and Actor Parthiban

I would consider them as very socially conscious people almost like environmentalists. 

Especially, Actor Vivek has been very actively involved in tree plantation activities in an inspiration drawn from Dr Abdul Kalam, over the last several years. An enormous segment of Tamilnadu Youth is following in his footsteps.

(3) Ed Begley Jr - American Actor and Environmentalist

Since 1970, he has been an environmentalist, beginning with his first electric vehicle, recycling, and becoming a vegan. Arguing that the suburban lawn is environmentally unsustainable, especially in Southern California, owing to water shortage, he has converted his own to a drought-tolerant garden composed of native California plants.

Here is his endorsement to this project:

More to come soon ... Mean while, just know that these people are not some ignorant folk to support a cause just like that. They are well read, researched and can think on their own about the positive and negative effects before endorsing something!

EDIT 1:

Here is a bigger list of who-is-who of India's environmentalists & river restoration scientists supporting the cause of 'Rally For Rivers'

(1) Anandi Iyer, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft

(2) P. V. S. Surya Kumar, National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development

(3) Deepak Srivatsava, Indian Forest Service

(4) Shri Vishwanath Giriraj IAS

(5) Dr. Thambidurai, Amrita University

(6) Dr. Lakshmi Lingam, Tata Institute of Social Sciences

(7) Narendra Babu, Natural Resource Governance Consultant

(8) Dr. Sunesh Sharma, Himmotthan

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Secret sauce of TN Politics - Part 1

Given the current state of shambles the Tamilnadu politics is in, I was wondering about the secret sauce that will tilt public opinion towards one party or the other.

My research has led me to the conclusion that next elections in Tamilnadu will be decided by 'TV Media' influence!

Not surprisingly, I started looking into all possible information about the news Media in Tamilnadu and their political & religious orientations.

Here is Part 1 of the findings:

Captain TV News - Launched in 2010 & Owned by LK Sudhish, brother in law of Mr Vijayakanth of DMDK - Quite naturally supports DMDK and Vijayakanth

Captain TV - Launched in 2010 & Owned by LK Sudhish, brother in law of Mr Vijayakanth of DMDK - Quite naturally supports DMDK and Vijayakanth

Jaya Plus - Part of Jaya TV group and supports AIADMK party

Jaya Max - Part of Jaya TV group and supports AIADMK party

Jaya Movies - Part of Jaya TV group and supports AIADMK party

Jaya TV - Launched in 1999 and owned by Late Ms J Jayalalitha of AIADMK party. After her demise, the channel is confused as to who the owner is and swings wildly at times within AIADMK of course.

Pudhiya Thalaimurai - Launched in 2011 and owned by SRM group. Wikipedia says the channel instigates problems under 'Tamil' garb. Supports IJK party in Tamilnadu.

Pudhuyugam TV - Sister channel of Puthiya Thalamurai launched in 2013. Owned by SRM group.

Vendhar TV - Launched by SRM group in 2014.

Angel TV - Launched in 2005 and an out-and-out Christian religious channel.

Seithigal TV - Launched around 2010 & Owned by Mr M Karunanidhi. Quite naturally supportive of the DMK party of TamilNadu spreading 'Dravidian party' ideals. Religiously against anything Hindu.

Sri Sankara TV Tamil - Launched in 2008 and is a channel completely airing spiritual / Hindu religious programs. This is probably the only pro-Hindu channel now in Tamilnadu.

Thanthi TV News - Owned by Dina Thanthi magazine group and launched in 2012. It was earlier NDTV Hindu. A big conglomerate with initially separate political aspirations which then merged with DMK in 1967 and then moved to ADMK after the parties split.

SCV - Sumangali Cable Vision - cable distribution company owned by Sun TV.

Sirippoli TV - Part of the Kalaignar TV network which is also owned by the family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Supposedly a channel airing comedy .. Pro-DMK party.

Kalaignar TV  - Kalaignar TV network is also owned by the family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Oriented with DMK party in Tamilnadu.

Chithiram TV - Supposedly a Kids TV channel and part of the Kalaignar TV network which is also owned by the family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Pro-DMK party.

Isai Aruvi - Part of the Kalaignar TV network which is also owned by the family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Pro-DMK party.

Murasu - Part of Kalaignar TV network. Owned by family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Pro-DMK party.

Sun Music - Part of Sun Network. Owned by the family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Pro DMK party.

Sun TV - Part of Sun Network. Owned by the family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Pro DMK party.

Aditya TV - Part of Sun TV network in TN which is politically inclined with the DMK party. The Sun TV network was founded by Kalanidhi Maran in 1993 who is grand nephew of Mr K Karunanidhi. Supposedly a channel airing comedy ..

K TV - Part of Sun Network. Owned by the family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Pro DMK party.

Chutti TV - Kids channel. Part of Sun Network. Owned by the family of Mr K Karunanidhi. Pro DMK party.

Makkal TV - Launched in 2006 by MTTK. Owned by Pattali Makkal Katchi leader Ramadoss.

Raj News 24x7 - Part of Raj Television Network established in 1993. Aligned with BJP in 2004 but moved under DMK party patronage since 2007.

Raj Digital Plus - Part of Raj Television Network established in 1993. Aligned with BJP in 2004 but moved under DMK party patronage since 2007.

Raj Musix - Part of Raj Television Network established in 1993. Aligned with BJP in 2004 but moved under DMK party patronage since 2007.

Raj TV Tamil - Part of Raj Television Network established in 1993. Aligned with BJP in 2004 but moved under DMK party patronage since 2007.

TET HD Tamil - Part of Raj TV Network

Vijay TV - Part of STAR network since 2001, a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox which is owned by Rupert Murdoch who is very close with the Church. Still the channel tries to stay neutral but jumps on any news sensational.

News 7 - Promoted by VV Group and is very closely associated with the Church. Launched in 2014 to drive separatist movements in Tamilnadu.

Vannathirai TV - Launched in 2008 as part of the STARHub Cable in Singapore. Merged with SCV - has become Pro DMK after this merger.

DAN TV - Dish Asia Network launched from Sri Lanka.

DAN Music - Dish Asia Network launched from Sri Lanka.

DAN News - Dish Asia Network launched from Sri Lanka.

Holy Mary TV - Tamil Catholic TV Channel that is part of the DAN network.

Ohm TV - Tamil Spiritual channel

Pirai TV - First Islamic TV Channel from Sri Lanka. Produced by ASK Media Pvt Company Ltd. Earlier known as 'Serendib TV' till 2015.

Vasantham TV - TV channel broadcast from Sri Lanka since 2009. Owned by ITN group.

Vasanth TV - Launched by ex MLA Mr Vasanth in 2014. Pro Congress TV channel.

Polimer News - Part of Polimer TV

Polimer TV - Established by PV Kalyana Sundaram. Partnered with Sony. PVKS was formerly with DMK and resigned in 2014. Probably against DMK since PVKS was thrown out of DMK. But PVKS is a staunch loyalist to M K Stalin of DMK party.

Zee Tamil - Owned by Zee Enterprise and launched in 2004. Zee is part of ESSAI group owned by Subhash Chandra. He is a MP from Haryana in 2016. Oriented with BJP.

Mega TV - Owned by former Congress party minister K V Thangabalu. Supports Congress party.

[Will continue the analysis in part 2 of the series..]

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Why is SriLankan Coast Guard harassing Indian fishermen?

Indian (more importantly Tamil) fishermen getting killed or getting arrested frequently by SriLankan coast guard has been a constant issue. Not many city folks might know about it or care about it but many others do. So, this is a first attempt to show what is causing this problem and what can be done about it. I will add more to it as newer findings come about.

What and where exactly is the border between India and SriLanka?

Let's first understand what and where the border is between India and SriLanka.

The Palk strait is the narrow stretch of sea that separates India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Bay region of the Indian ocean.The strait is just 53 to 80 km wide that, fishermen on both sides of the waters often find themselves to have landed in the neighbour's territory and gets languished in jails.  

How do I know where the border is?

Unlike many reports that say fishermen unknowingly cross the borders, the borders have visible & clear demarcations in many places in the sea! Unless one crosses the borders in the night, they are willingly crossing the international border.

Watch this video to know how it looks:

In this time and age, many people have cell phones and there is significant cell-tower coverage till at least the Indian edge of the boundary line. So, using the A-GPS on phones also, one can know if they are close to the border.


What did the Government do so far to help the fishermen?

With the help of central government, the TN government had allegedly been fitting many fishermen boats with GPS devices also for over 4 years now:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/gps-devices-being-fitted-on-tamil-nadu-fishermens-boats/article4287068.ece

But beyond this, most TN politicians are more interested in keeping the issue alive for their own political benefits rather than bringing it to an end.

There are even high-school projects done demonstrating what else the Government can do, like this alerting mechanism:

Why is SriLankan coast guard so violent?

The maritime boundaries between the two countries were settled by a 1976 agreement but the ignorance about the demarcations among the fishermen and the lack of GPS instruments make them vulnerable to such crossings and arrests.Sometimes they are forced to cross knowingly because of the limited fishing space.


Is crossing the border reason enough for shooting them?

NO! Many Indian fishermen regularly enter Sri Lankan waters, and many of them in the guise of fishing are running a racket of smuggling marijuana and other drugs to Sri Lanka.  It's a booming racket, and Tamil politicians are also involved in it.

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/indian-fishermen-arrested-for-drug-trafficking-to-be-released-report-


Fishing problems in Indian waters! Really!? YES!

Katchathivu is an islet which India ceded to Sri Lanka. It is 14 nautical miles from Rameshwaram shore. Many Indian fishermen using small country boats and catamarans have no issues in fishing.

But some of the fishermen are using mechanised fishing trawlers. These mechanised trawlers cannot fish in the distance of 3 nautical miles from Rameshwaram shore as these are reserved for fishing by country boats and catamarans. The next 6 nautical miles are shallow and trawlers can't be used here. So, only a narrow strip of 5 nautical miles is left for them. Considering the number of mechanised trawlers, all of them can't fish in these 5 nautical miles and some are forced to go beyond it.

The problem arises when the Tamil Nadu fishermen cross the IMBL, which lies 14 nautical miles from the Rameswaram shore, and enter the Sri Lankan waters. But the fishermen assert that these are their “traditional waters” where they have been fishing for several centuries.

http://www.frontline.in/social-issues/sea-of-troubles/article6144655.ece


What is the dialogue happening on this?

The Sri Lankan side complained that trawling nets are responsible for depletion of marine resource and destruction of small nets used by the Sri Lankan fishermen. The representatives of Indian fishermen agreed to abstain from using purse seine nets and erattai madi valai while fishing in Palk Strait. Sri Lankan representatives had made it clear that they had no problem with Indians using gill nets.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/use-of-trawlers-a-contentious-issue-at-fishermen-meet/article5622499.ece


What is the solution to this problem?

So, YES the Indian fishermen are violating the borders, unlike what the TamilNadu politicians and media would like you to believe. The possible solutions could be (as suggested comprehensively here: https://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-Sri-Lankan-navy-arresting-Indian-fishermen-everyday):


- Use of proper GPS devices by the fishermen and not violating the International borders knowingly

- Fishermen not falling prey to the narcotics mafia, lured by the large sums they offer

- Smartcards for fishermen identification so that they wont be mistaken for pirates or smugglers and shot by the security forces

- Giving up the use of mechanised trawlers as the regional ecosystem which is rich in coral reefs and other marine biodiversity is also affected

- Engaging in deep sea fishing, to overcome the spatial constraint.

- Most importantly, politicians of TN must stop using the issue for their political ambitions and issues must be settled amicable through peaceful talks

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Is there really a war on Hindu Culture?

I have published two articles earlier regarding attacks on Hindu culture under the veil of free will or superstition or directly as plain malicious campaigns:

http://kazhugupaarvai.blogspot.in/2017/03/hindus-persecuted-majority-in-india.html

http://kazhugupaarvai.blogspot.in/2017/02/allegations-on-isha-what-is-truth.html


Forms of Attacks

The very many forms of attacks on the Hindu culture are real and happening right now around you. But if you did not know about it, you may not even realize it. Just watch out next time for articles or videos that appear to be:

(1) Making Hindu Spiritual gurus appear like bad people

(2) Justifying attacks on Hindu women

(3) Attacking Hindu festivals under the garb of environmental activism

(4) Launching direct attacks on Hindu idealogies through movies criticising Hindu gurus, gods, practices, etc.

(5) Criticising Hindu temple practices under the garb of animal rights protections and environmental activism

(6) Publishing plain false stories on Hinduism

(7) Falsifying Hindu history

Don't believe me! But if you want to know the truth, go through all these articles referred in this section.

Especially severe in the southern states and eastern states of India, this is a story no mainstream media will cover for at least some more time. I will expand on each of these in detail in my future articles.


References

• http://history-of-hinduism.blogspot.in/p/attack-on-hinduism.html

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Hinduism

• https://swarajyamag.com/culture/the-cultural-war-against-hinduism

• www.hindupost.in/society-culture/breast-tax-a-false-story-to-attack-hindus/

• https://sabrangindia.in/article/why-are-indian-muslims-silent-over-atrocities-against-hindus-neighbouring-bangladesh

• https://hinduexistence.org/category/hindu-tradition-and-culture-under-attack/

• www.hindupost.in/...culture/temple-elephants-ngos-well-orchestrated-cultural-attack/

• ajitvadakayil.blogspot.com/2013/03/holi-celebrations-immoral-attack-on.html

• https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/04/india-muslim-mob-attacks-hindu-procession-with-stones-burns-shops-and-vehicles-three-dead

• http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/09/economist-explains-3

• http://www.stephen-knapp.com/crimes_against_india.htm

• http://shankhnaad.net/india/social-harmony/item/262-increasing-attacks-on-hindus-in-india

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Essence of Isha GSAP

What is GSAP - Government School Adoption Program

Reach so far: 516 rural schools

School Statistics: 56 schools in Tamilnadu and 460 schools in Andhra Pradesh

Schools in Coimbatore: 14 Government schools in Coimbatore district covered

Total student reach so far: 1.46 lakh students


Why is intervention needed?

  - Very high student-teacher ratio now
  - Lack of basic facilities such as toilets, benches, library books, etc.
  - Lack of inspired teachers and a high absentee rate
  - High drop-out rate among students in government schools


What is being done as part of GSAP?

  - Teacher training for teachers to handle difficult children and to also keep the teachers updated in latest teaching methodologies
  - Appointing additional volunteers & teachers for conducting remedial classes for children
  - Free yoga classes for students & teachers
  - Free sports and extracurricular training for students
  - Providing free nutrition supplements
  - Tree plantation in the schools
  - Free sapling distribution to the students


My take on it

This seems to be one of the least spoken about projects in Isha and among Isha volunteers I know. Having had extensive discussions and debates as a boy with some of my uncles who studied in a Government school, I know first-hand (rather second-hand) the debacles of such a schooling system. Trying to infuse life into a system that is almost dead is a humongous task.

My congratulations to Isha for even attempting such a thing! I really wish this takes off on a big scale and lakhs of children benefit out of it.

References:

1. https://www.slideshare.net/ishafoundation/government-school-adoption-program-isha-outreach-13725684
2. https://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative/commitments/government-school-intervention-program-isha-vidhya
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKXDlwSIG1w
4. www.ashanet.org/projects-new/documents/933/Isha_Vidhya_presentation.ppt
5. http://www.academicresearchjournals.org/IJPSD/PDF/2015/December/Chittoor.pdf
6. https://www.noexperiencenecessarybook.com/agdlv/government-school-adoption-program-isha-outreach.html
7. www.karadipath.com/downloads/Magic_English_SLL_Assessment_Brochure.pdf
8. http://www.ashanet.org/projects/project-view.php?p=933
9. http://www.globalgiving.org/pfil/14516/projdoc.pdf
10. http://www.ishaoutreach.org/gsap/faq-2/

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Isha foundation - helping farmers or harming farmers? An Insight ...

Here are some of known (yet not widely publicised) facts published on the web and on Facebook regarding the social work Isha Foundation has been doing with Farming community.

Support to farming process 

- Isha foundation is helping the farmers of Thondamuthur block regarding their produce.

- Isha Foundation has created various support mechanisms for close to 1000 farmers. For those who do not appreciate the effort involved in creating such a mechanism, even Government agencies find it very hard to integrate the farming community as one group.

- From training farmers, to providing fertilizers, to creating market for their produce, Isha foundation is working to ensure continual support for the farming community. I personally think Isha helping farmers to get their produce directly to markets eliminating some intermediary roadblocks is a huge step in increasing profits for farmers. We all crib when the onion or tomato prices go up in the market. We rarely see how little a farmer really gains and how much of these raises actually go to the 'Mundi's and Intermediary brokers who purchase produce from farmers at peanuts price and sell it a much higher price.

Educating farmers

- Isha also educates farmers about Rainwater harvesting and its importance. This has particularly come handy for a lot of farmers during the severe rainfall shortage in the last two years.

- Zero budget organic farming workshops are being conducted regularly for farmers. Nammaazhvar, one of the most eminent agricultarists of our time, is no more with us. But he has been a significant force behind promoting organic farming in Tamilnadu. He has extensively worked with the Isha Green Hands team to promote organic farming. Zero budget farming especially is in a way, returning to our agricultural roots, by making the best utilization of animals & even farm produce to recycle the wastes in an organic manner. Several such ZBF sessions have been held by Isha for the farmers. Some photos are attached herewith - these are available also on their Facebook & public domain pages.

- Isha Foundation & its volunteers are promoting chemical free agricultural practices to farmers in Thondamuttur. This is a significant step in order to produce poison free food and also save the soil from chemical pollution & thereby  enhancing the population of insects in the soil and thus strengthening the web of life.

Recently, a 9-day workshop was held in the city of Trichy for about 3000 farmers on Natural Farming.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/9-day-programme-to-be-held-in-tiruchy-for-farmers-119010400804_1.html

Dealing with Farmer Suicides

Farmers are also provided with various value addition platforms. Isha Foundation has established the “Karunai Karuvarai” or “Wombs of Compassion” project to prevent farmer suicides. Many a social activist nowadays is crying about farmer suicides, but rarely some know how to prevent it. 

Most farmers do not kill themselves just because their crops failed. It is a social humiliation coupled with debt of burdens at unreasonable interests and when the land itself seems to die due to increased pesticides, it breaks their hearts. Unable to bear it any further, they take the path of death unfortunately. 

This Karunai Karuvarai project is a kind of self-help counseling program. It aims to provide counseling for farmers periodically. It is a challenge to appoint a person who will do this full-time. The project has been brilliant in that it is looking at training at least one person per village as a counselor so farmers have someone to turn to, in their own village.

Farmers Producers Organization - FPO

A recent news in media: https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/bangladesh/english/the+covai+post-epaper-covaipos/best+fpo+in+tamil+nadu+achieves+record+turnover+of+rs+7+91+crore-newsid-97887862

"Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO) registered as Vellingiri Uzhavan producer Company Ltd (VUPCL) has achieved a record turnover of Rs 7.91 crore during the last financial year, increase of almost 100 per cent compared to previous year.

The FPO was formed in 2013, guided by Isha Foundation, following the loss being incurred by coconut farmers in the village surrounding Thondamuthur area, as the buyers were giving prices based on the size of the coconuts, which were very low comared to market, VUPCL Head, Kumar told reporters at Isha Yoga Centre today. The company was started with 400 members and now has 1,603 members."


This in itself seems to be a phenomenal achievement to bring struggling farmers of Tamilnadu out of their troubles.

Tying up loose ends

This post has been factual so far. Here is my take on it - I have not seen any proofs so far to show that these are farce. In fact, there are testimonials to show how people have benefited out of these schemes. Also, there have been no real complaints with proofs produced that Isha has harmed any farmers. So, taking everything into perspective, this is a phenomenal work done by the foundation for farming community. Hope to see it spread to more farmers and villages also.

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