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India Interest Group Digest Mon,  7 Mar 94       Volume 2: Issue 484

Today's Topics:

Info. Wanted::
      "Dranam" name means what? Help!
      Ayurvedic treatment for Parkinsons disease
      Baggage rules on Singapore Airlines
      Eliciting opinion reg. Ticket Prices
      Health insurance for visitors from India
      Indian film statistics
      MCI Promotions??
      Survey on long distance telephone companies (International)
      Used Car decision: Toyota PREVIA

Miscellaneous::
      Is my history right?
      Poem - Remembering India
      Reg. Beware of con artist

Mythology::
      Why Kesava?

Politics::
      And that's how they hide their turncoat's penchant for sedition
      Flap over Delhi Ordering 'Vande Mataram' Singing
      KR Malkani's Constitutional Lament
      Regarding Ramayana & Mahabharata (and some!)

Spiritual/Religion::
      Hindus and Hinduism
      Symbolism of Shiva(2/2) - Swami Tejomayananda

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----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                Info. Wanted
                                ============

Date: Sun, 06 Mar 1994 22:59:29 -0800 (PST)
From: Eric Comport <comport@coyote.rain.org>
Subject: "Dranam" name means what? Help!

Hello,
        I wonder if anyone out there happens to know what the Indian name
"Dranam" means, if anything?  I work for a public library and this is a
reference question I received recently, from someone who claims it is a
name.  No dialect, context or source of question was given.  Sources for
Indian etymology and culture are hard to come by here, so I would REALLY
appreciate any help you can give.

        Please send any replies to me at comport@coyote.rain.org.  Thanks
very much.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 07 Mar 1994 15:50:51 -0500 (EST)
From: Michael Safarym <safarym@pilot.njin.net>
Subject: Ayurvedic treatment for Parkinsons disease

Can you help me ? I am looking for information on ayurvedic a traditional
treatment for Parkinsons disease in India.

Thank you,
Michael Safaryn

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 06 Mar 1994 10:24:48 -0700 (MST)
From: project!msaxena@project.avalon.COM (Manish Saxena)
Subject: Baggage rules on Singapore Airlines

I have been reading a lot about Singapore Airlines v/s Gulf etc. I
would myself be leaving for India very shorly by a SA flight, and
as per the info obtained from Customer Service desk at SA on the
West Coast, they would only allow a check-in bag of 45 inches
(length+height+breadth) if the other is of 62 inches (measured same
way). I guess this is different from the rules specified by the
other airlines, which would allow you a bag of 62 inches and the
other of 55 inches. Even in the cabin most of the airlines do
allow to take in a small briefcase or such a bag alongwith the
other 45 inches bag. Here my intention is to find out from the
experience of netters who have travelled in past thru SA, whether
the information I have is correct as per their experiences and
how strictly the rules are actually implemented in practice.

Thanks.
Manish.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 05 Mar 1994 04:13:15 +0000 (GMT)
From: Arshad.Niaz@thor.INS.CWRU.Edu, Accounting <axn20@po.cwru.edu>
Subject: Eliciting opinion reg. Ticket Prices

Dear Network readers,
I recently confirmed RT tickets for travel between NYC and Calcutta
on KLM during the month of May '94.  I have been quoted a price
of $1,140 (for the ticket) + $40 for weekend travel + $23 for Tax.
The total price for the RT ticket will therefore be: $1,203.
The travel agent has said that he can accept payment in either of two forms:

        (1) By personal/certified check for $1,203

        (2) By credit card -- he will charge the full ticket price which is
                in the mid-@2000 range.  In two weeks, he will send me a
                refund check for the difference.  I have one week to decide on
                my payment option and whether I want to retain my reservation.

I will appreciate it if knowledgable readers will let me know if
the above quoted prices represents the prevailing fares for travel
to India during the summer months.  In my opinion, the second option
of paying the travel agent is safer.  Does any one agree or have
any contrary arguments?

Any suggestions or comments will be welcome.  Thanks in advance.

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 06 Mar 1994 15:48:56 -0500 (EST)
From: RamanJayaram_Metals_Ceramics@ctdvns1.ctd.ornl.gov
Subject: Health insurance for visitors from India

Hi Netters:
This is with regard to purchasing health insurance for visitors from India on
tourist/visitor visas. Several weeks ago someone had posted information about
a health insurance company based in Coimbatore(?) that covered pre-existing
ailments in its policy. Could the person who posted that information kindly
email to me directly the complete address and phone/fax number of the
insurance company and any others he/she might be aware of. Thanks a lot in
advance for your help.

Raman Jayaram

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 05 Mar 1994 15:40:48 +0900
From: tantry@slkai.mmlab.toshiba.co.jp
Subject: Indian film statistics

Hi Friends,
I'm asked to give a speech on Indian films,for which i need
information regarding our films. Could any of the Indian film gurus
help me with some basic information. like- Number of films produced per
year(Hindi and regional movies), Where does the no. stand in the world
ranking(No.2 i guess), No. of people woking in the industry and the
size of the economy it generates etc.
Thanks in advance,

Tantry

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 06 Mar 1994 21:07:03 -0500 (EST)
From: "Mr. Rakesh R. Patel" <rrp100g@ee.odu.edu>
Subject: MCI Promotions??

Few days ago, I saw a topic mentioning that MCI offers $100 promotions for
international calls to current customers.  I called MCI today, and I was
being told that this offer is only for new customers (total conflict!).
Can someone on the net point out the fundamental truth behind this?
Thank you in advance for your reply.
- Rakesh Patel.
E-mail: patel_r@cs.odu.edu

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 07 Mar 1994 13:08:04 -0500 (EST)
From: anand@cse.bridgeport.edu (Anand Kumar Katragadda)
Subject: Survey on long distance telephone companies (International)

This posting is formulated to get statistics on the Indian
Population in U.S. spending on long distance phone calls
(internationally). This is my project for a marketing course.

I AM NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY LONG DISTANCE COMPANIES IN ANY WAY.
THE INFORMATION WILL BE PURELY USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

        Survey on long distance tel companies (INTERNATIONAL)
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

After reading tons of discussions on the NET on good/bad/ugly
long distance tel services I decided to do a market survey for
my MBA marketing course on the same subject. I request u folks
to kindly answer all the questions involved. Interesed parties
don't forget to indicate if you  want periodic updates on prices
via e-mail. Please send all responses to anand@cse.bridgeport.edu

1)Who is your current long distance company?

2)How much is your average monthly long distance bill?

3)What minimum discount (in %age) in rates would make you change
your telephone company?

4)Do you want updates on prices by e-mail periodically? (please
include e-mail add).

5)Are you a student? (Please specify grad/undergrad).

Disclaimer: The above survey is purely for educational purposes.

Thankyou

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 07 Mar 1994 08:56:16 -0500 (EST)
From: SKUMAR%RDLV01@gmr.com
Subject: Used Car decision: Toyota PREVIA

I'm looking for feedback from owners of Toyota Previa (91 model or any other)
on their experiences with the van. I'm concerned about the mod-mount
engine and the different than usual mechanicals. Has there been any
problems with the van?

Consumer reports rates the reliability high but it does not identify
problems people may have faced (it reports average, not peak).  I'm
looking at a '91 van with 40k miles on it and wanted to get a feel
of what kind of maintenance and problems I'd get into for the next
50-60k miles. Anyother likes/dislikes/comments welcome.

Thanks. (thanks to this great network too!)
Sanjay

------------------------------

                                Miscellaneous
                                =============

Date: Fri, 04 Mar 1994 19:05:00 +0000 (GMT)
From: Sharath K S <shar@mt747.att.com>
Subject: Is my history right?

Hello Netters,
In a news article from INN Digest[III] - Mar 3 it says...

>#4  HINDU TEMPLE SURVIVES FIVE CENTURIES OF NEGLECT
>    By Anis Ahmed
>     DINAJPUR, Bangladesh, Feb 23 (Reuter) - A 15th century temple housing
>a priceless record of Hindu history attracts tens of thousands of devotees
>every year to this remote northernmost corner of Bangladesh.
>.....<deleted>
>     According to government archaeology department records, it was built
>in 1452 by a Hindu Raja (administrator) Premanath. The surroundings were
>completed by his son Ramanath.
> ....<deleted>
>     Historian Mehrab Ali said Raja Premanath hired architects and artisans
>from the Mughal court in Delhi to build the temple, which took years to be
>completed.

If my history is right, the 2nd battle of Panipat was fought between Akbar
and Hemu in 1526 when Akbar was only 13 years old. That means Akbar was born
in 1513. Assuming a difference of 30 years between father & son, Akbar's father
Humayun might have been born in 1483 & his father Baber in 1453. Allowing some
more years, let's say 1440. That makes Baber 12 year old at 1452 and at that
age Baber was still in Kabul and Mughal empire was yet to be born in Delhi.
        So how did Raja Premnath hired architects from Mughal court of Delhi
to finish the temple by 1452 ???
Is it a simple typo in INN or is my history screwed up???
Thanks for reading,
Sharath K S

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 05 Mar 1994 23:43:00 -0500 (EST)
From: DEHOFF <MULTDIFF@pine.circa.ufl.edu>
Subject: Poem - Remembering India

Remembering India

It is a place to be painted---a country
that empties its populace, a hundred
shades of brown, upon its miles of river
and mountain in morning's low light,
and takes its bodies back at dark.

On the long walk, when a world
shrinks in an eye and the dust
and sand are lit the color of gold,
there are the old men praying
in a city that exhalts itself in nakedness.

It is as is a modest god invited us
to sit in the lap of a tamarind
and breathe its guested air.
So many things to remind us
that nothing we know of remains,

except the color of what it was:
dirt, the skulls of cattle, ashes,
coals of sandalwood burnt out,
as if a bruise has left an image
of its presence there.

Ms. Kuka Shaynall Fuller

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 07 Mar 1994 14:37:46 -0600 (CST)
From: NATARAJANK@randb.abbott.com
Subject: Reg. Beware of con artist

Hello all,
Thanks for all of you who expressed your concern about the Con Artist incident
that happened to my father. From the many emails I received, ( in particular :
rad@oes.amdahl.com, mohan@alantec.com, jsree@gayatri.csl.uiuc.edu,
ram@orion.crd.ge) I understand that my father was not the only one who was
duped by this guy. Also, it is quite clear that this incident has been
happening for more than two years and all of them happened at Madras.
Unfortunately this information is too late for me but atleast this will prevent
such episodes happening again.

THIS IS A GENERAL WARNING TO ALL, ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE FROM MADRAS. THIS
MAN IS STILL AROUND AND HAS BEEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL SO FAR. PLEASE HELP TO NAB
THIS CON ARTIST. PLEASE HELP ALL YOUR FRIENDS BY SPEADING THIS WORD AROUND.

MODUS OPERANDI: This man approaches your parents (relatives) pretending to be
the father of YOUR coworker (friend) and informs that you have sent some goods
thru his son/daughter and he needs some money to clear it from the customs.
He looks very trustworthy and knows a LOT of information about you. How he gets
the information is still a mystery, but from the few people who
responded to my posting, it is clear that he gets the information from
advertised Matrimonial Alliance (especially the ones that are displayed at
the Mahalingapuram Ganapathy Temple). Mr. Ram (ram@orion.crd.ge) tells me that
the Madras police is aware of this man and so far there has been many
similar incidences reported.

PLEASE HELP TO PREVENT SUCH EPISODES AND HELP TO NAB THE CON ARTIST. MAKE
SURE THAT YOUR PARENTS/RELATIVES ARE AWARE OF THIS.

Thanks again for all those who responded to my earlier posting.
Kannan Natarajan

------------------------------

                                Mythology
                                =========

Date: Fri, 04 Mar 1994 18:55:27 -0800 (PST)
From: ebpeders@okanagan.bc.ca (Erik B. Pedersen)
Subject: Why Kesava?

Gauri Wagenaar-Parikh <PARIKH@rullet.LeidenUniv.nl> wrote:
>  Krishna is named Keshava for having killed the demon Keshi.

Krishna is indeed the killer of Kesi demon also,
but the name which means this is "Kesinisudana".

------------------------------

                                Politics
                                ========

Date: Sat, 05 Mar 1994 01:32:31 -0600 (CST)
From: Rajiv Varma <rvarma@csunix.jsums.edu>
Subject: And that's how they hide their turncoat's penchant for sedition

There is a disease among so called pseudo-seculars which has proved, time and
again, a torment to the growth of rational democracy in Bharat. They have
changed the very meaning of the word "secularism".  In the present day context,
for psecs, it means sweep the Pan-Islamist penchant for treachery under the
rug, by hook or by crook. Thus proving themselves to be (pseudo)secular than
thou. Take, for example, the recent response to Kewal Ratan Malkani's views on
nonfallability of the present Constitutional setup. Certainly, there was far-
sighted caution against changing the entire constitution. Intellectual
credentials of KR are undisputed. But just because he happens to be a BJP man,
the hon. respondent literally gave a leg and an arm in his response to defend
such idiosyncrasies as Art. 370, Art. 30, etc. which have crept into our
constitution right since its inception at the behest of Nehruvian idiotologists.
Perhaps the respondent is not aware that great many Congressmen themselves have
advocated the removal of such idiosyncrasies; e.g. Purushottan Das Tandon. Art.
370 was slipped into the Constitution for appeasing the Pan-Islamists; So was
Art. 30. These two go against the very preamble of the Constt. framed by Baba-
saheb. The two create inequality, not equality. Separate civil code for Muslims
is nothing but cementing the Two-Nation Theory (now you know why I call Maulana
Nehru the creator of Pakistan -- the real one!). The fact of the matter is
Hindu Code Bill as you know it, is a consequence of Nehru's insistence on having
a separate civil code for Muslims, when Rajendra Prasad put his foot down.
The HC was a political compromise between the two. Thence, any justification
for Muslim Personal Law on the basis of HC is an historical contradiction.
(Uniform Civil Code means UNIFORM Civil Code -- one legal civil code for all
citizens, and not present day mess minus MPL). Similarly addendum to art. 370,
are a consequence of it, and not mutually exclusive with each other. [You
appease one group, you have to appease others too - to hide one lie, one has
to lie a hundred times.]  After 43 years of experience, it should be clear
that such compromises in the Constt. lead to Constitutional Dysfunctionalism,
which leads to Legal Dysfunctionalism, which in turn creates political and
economic Dysfunctionalism.
Take the other example of response to "Failure of Bengal Renaissance in its own
Backyard".  The honorable gentleman respondent almost apologized on the behalf
of Bangladeshi Pan-Islamists for creating a theocratic Islamic State out of our
'Sonaar Bangal' (Golden Bengal), even though culturally being so close to the
Hindus. No matter what excuse one comes up with, it is a fact of life that
Bangladesh, the backyard of Tagore and Nazrul Islam is a theocratic Islamic
State, which is nothing but the utter failure of great men and women of Bengal
Renaissance to impact the Bengali Muslim society as a whole. Yes there is a
difference between the Bharatiyas and Bangladeshis. Remember Mrs. Gandhi in '77.

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 07 Mar 1994 11:05:42 -0800 (PST)
From: srinivas@Printrak.Com (Srinivas Pneumaka)
Subject: Flap over Delhi Ordering 'Vande Mataram' Singing

Following is a news item appeared in India-West News Magazine (03/04/94)

Flap over Delhi Ordering 'Vande Mataram' Singing

New Delhi(PTI) - A number of Muslim Organizations here have decided to seek
the verdict of the All India Muslim Law Board, a religious body, on the issue
of making Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Vande Mataram compulsory in Urdu medium
schools.

It has been decided that if the song is found against the spirit of the Shariyat
the Muslim Personal Law, it would be opposed all over the Capital, the Delhi
Mid-Day newspaper has reported.

Compulsory singing of Vande Mataram was ordered by Delhi's Bharatiya Janata
Party government a few days ago.

In some schools in the minority-dominated areas of the old city, the govt's
order has created a controversy among the local Muslim leaders.  The authorities
of some schools said, however, they are not against singing of the Vande Mataram
and feel that some vested interestes were seeking to derive political mileage
from the episode.

Rajya Sabha member M.Afzal has called this latest orderof Delhi Chief Minister
Madan Lal Khurana as a gimmick of the government which would alienate the
capital's Muslim population from National mainstream.  He added that the
compuslory singing of the Vande Mataram in Urdu medium schools hurts religious
feelings.

Representatives of some Muslim associations had met him and demanded an
immediate ban on singing of the song in Urdu medium schools, he said and added
that a letter has been sent to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board  to
clarify its position on the issue.

"If the Board verdict goes agains the BJP government, we would not accept it any
cost", he said.

Mean while, former Delhi municipal councillors Akram Qadri, Syed Hamid
Hussain Khizr and Mira Usman told Delhi Mid-Day that the issue will be taken
up vigorously after the month of Ramzan.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 04 Mar 1994 19:29:19 -0800 (PST)
From: Gajendra Shukla <gshukla@hpindsh.cup.hp.com>
Subject: KR Malkani's Constitutional Lament

Mr Malkani writes:
>...On the other hand countless Hindu children are going to Christian
>schools run by Hindus where fees are high because there is no
>Government grant...

I guess there is some mistake in typing etc. I havn't heard of any
Christian school being run by Hindus.Does anybody know..?

Mr Shyam writes:
>If Christian schools do not get a government grant where is the
>question of Christians running educational institutions with
>Government aid?  Or am I missing something here?

Christian and Muslim schools do get aid from the Government.
There are universities run by the Muslims viz. the Jamia Millia Islamia
in Delhi and the Aligarh Muslim University (both being central
universities financed by the Central Govt. via UGC). 50% seats in the
better streams in these universities are reserved for the Muslims.

To add to Mr. Malkani's arguments, the Muslim priests
are paid their salaries by the Government and the divorced/widowed Muslim
women are paid alimony  out of the coffers of the Wakf Boards financed
by the Government. This is because their holy books say that helpless
women are to be supported by the State. Minority shrines cannot be taken
over by the Government but Hindu shrines can be. Pampering the
minorities should not go beyond a certain level, if it does it will only
lead to a backlash by the majority., which may feel that some people are
more equal than the others in spite of the equality guaranteed by
the constitution.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 05 Mar 1994 17:32:17 -0600 (CST)
From: JRDEY@ttacs1.ttu.edu (Jana M)
Subject: Regarding Ramayana & Mahabharata (and some!)

     This is with reference to Praveen's posting. After reading these two great
epics - this is the conclusion that I have come to, and there are others who
believes the same. But, I haven't done any research upon the subject, and
neither have I come across any research papers to this effect. The views are
entirely my own. But, I find it very interesting that the Germans took copies
of both the epics and did research on them (I came to know about it through
Maxmueller Bhaban). Also, Germany would have been the first to come up with
nuclear bombs, unless Hitler emerged and the scientists knowing very well what
the fate of the world would be if it falls in his hands, mislead him about the
progress in their labs, and fled to U.S.A. with their knowledge & intelligence!
     In one part of Mahabharata, there is a description about observing the
battle field from the palace, which would have been possible only by the help
of something similar to television. Myth, or science fiction....? - I think not!
     I wish to take this opportunity to thank Soumitra for correcting the error
abt "Mujib-Ul-Haq"! The writer (from Pakistan) who send me the mail, to which I
replied had him as Zia-Ul-Haq and in my subconscious memory I had him as Mujib-
Ur-Rahaman (indeed, who can forget "Banga Bandhu"), and made a punch of the two
names. I am very sorry about the error.
     On a different note, regarding Reddy's posting - "Don't u have any o/topic?
It is unfortunate that you find *all* the discussions during the past couple of
months useless. But, I seem to enjoy many of the postings. I try to avoid
reading about the reviews of the great movies though, since I never seem to
find the time to check them out! And also, about the phone co.'s since by trial
& error I have come to the decision that AT&T is the better one, even if they
charge a little bit more - considering the courteous & efficient service they
provide, it's worth spending the few extra (if at all) cents. And, about the
cheap fares to India. Since, I believe in - "If something sounds too good to be
true, it most probably is!" But, I patiently go on hitting returns - until I
come to what I am interested in, because all these informations which may seem
superfluous to me, may actually be interesting & helpful to someone else!
Hence, please may I remind you of the greatest virtue of us Indians: tolerance!
     Last, but not the least - it is indeed a shame that with 10,000+ members,
there have been contributions from a few hundreds only. It is great that for
past five years Dr. K. V. Rao and Uma and several others have taken the time &
effort to make this project a success. But, now it is *everybodys'* turn to
pitch in. Hence, all of you out there (10,000+ nice people!), please get up and
write out a check, or phone in with your credit card no., or send an
international M.O. (and those with the corporations, please don't forget to
check if your Co. is included in BGSU's list. And if not, you may even try to
get them included!).

------------------------------

                                Spiritual/Religion
                                ==================

Date: Mon, 07 Mar 1994 15:31:54 +0900 (JST)
From: rajan@shunji.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp (Rajan)
Subject: Hindus and Hinduism

        I have been reading the discussion on the name of the country
and regarding Hindus as a religion. Here is some of my observations:
        Mr Pai in his article "Origin of the word India" cites that
it was the Greek and Arab ways of calling the land of our people. It
is true. The people living along the Sindu river and its neighbourhood
were called as "Hindus" and the land of "Hindus"  was called "Hindustan"
The prefix `-ism` got added to the word "Hindu" to denote the way of
life of these people. Hence, we find that Hinduism is not a religion
by its origin but rather a philosophy (more commonly, a way) of life
that was practised by these people.
        Hinduism doesn`t prescribe any strict code for our daily life,
but is more like a guideline which helps in the day to day activities.
Also, this is one of the reasons that the various parts of the country
show its own variations and modifications of the basic ideas based on
the regional conditions. A good example of this is the practice of
eating `fish only`(but no egg or any other non-veg. item) by the Brahmins
 of Bengal, whereas in the rest of the country even fish is considered
as a non-veg. item, and the Brahmins of Bengal enjoyed the same privileges
as Brahmins elsewhere. My intention here is not to discuss the caste
system but to show that it is much broader than the confines of the
meaning of the word religion and the prefix `-ism`. It is a philosophy
which flows into all the spheres of our daily lives.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 03 Mar 1994 15:46:01 -0800 (PST)
From: vmurthy@informix.com (Venkatesha Murthy)
Subject: Symbolism of Shiva - Swami Tejomayananda (Part 2/2)

Blue -Necked One
Lord Shiva is also called nilakantha (Blue-Necked One). In ages past, when
milky ocean was being churned by the gods and demons in order to get the
nectar of immortality, the celestial snake, Vasuki, who was being used as the
churning rope, began to vomit a fatal poison. None of the gods and daemons
wanted it. In desperation they went to Lord Shiva and He took the poison and
drank it. However he did not swallow the poison entirely, but kept it in his
throat, which turned His neck blue. Only great and wise men will be able to
swallow all the poison in life. Ordinary people lay claim only to the good
things in life - beauty, comfort, success and so on, but when they have bitter
experiences, they reject them. He did not become poisonous or bitter himself.
As he held it in his neck, it became an ornament for him. In the same way,
one who is able to go through all experiences of life and still abide in his
own true nature, without becoming bitter , becomes Lord Shiva.

The Snake Garland
This image of Lord Shiva shows that he is fearless. Also snake around his
neck represents time (kala). Time and death are ordinarily frightening ideas
to us, but Lord Shiva is the Lord of time, indicating that the timeless Reality
is our own nature too. The snake also represent the mind which spits out poi-
son of negative thoughts. Yet, if we keep the mind under perfect control so
that it is quiet within and no longer agitating ourselves or others, it will
lie as peacefully in meditation as Lord Shiva himself, neither hissing nor
spitting.

Ashes
Ashes (vibhuti) on his body shows that out bodies are already dead, inert
matter, which will turn to ashes one day. We should therefore rise above our
identification with the body even while we are living. As long as our identifi-
cation with body remains one can never become the master of situations.

Three-Eyed One
Lord Shiva is trilochana, the three-eyed One. Third eye between the eye-
brows, is the eye of wisdom. The other two eyes represents love and justice.

------------------------------

End of India Interest Group Digest
**********************************