PM says agreement to combat corruption augurs well for democracy.The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said that the agreement to combat corruption augurs well for democracy. Following is the text of the statement by the PM:
“I am happy that the Government and representatives of civil society have reached an agreement in our mutual resolve to combat corruption. This is a scourge that confronts all of us. The Government intends to introduce the Lokpal bill in Parliament during the monsoon session. The fact that civil society and Government have joined hands to evolve a consensus to move this historic legislation augurs well for our democracy. I am pleased that Anna Hazareji has agreed to give up his fast.
The interaction between the Government and representatives of Anna Hazareji was productive. I hope that the process of preparing this legislation will move forward in a constructive mode so that after consultation with a wide spectrum of stake holders the legislation is placed before the cabinet for introduction during the monsoon session.”
***
“I am happy that the Government and representatives of civil society have reached an agreement in our mutual resolve to combat corruption. This is a scourge that confronts all of us. The Government intends to introduce the Lokpal bill in Parliament during the monsoon session. The fact that civil society and Government have joined hands to evolve a consensus to move this historic legislation augurs well for our democracy. I am pleased that Anna Hazareji has agreed to give up his fast.
The interaction between the Government and representatives of Anna Hazareji was productive. I hope that the process of preparing this legislation will move forward in a constructive mode so that after consultation with a wide spectrum of stake holders the legislation is placed before the cabinet for introduction during the monsoon session.”
***
| Mamata Banerjee Congratulates Indian Cricket Team on their World Cup Victory Railway Ministry to give Lifetime 1st AC Complimentary Passes to The Team Members |
| The Union Minister of Railways Mamta Banerjee has congratulated the Indian Cricket Team for winning the coveted ICC World Cup 2011, in Mumbai yesterday. In recognition of the spectacular achievement of India in the World Cup Cricket tournament, Ministry of Railways has decided to give lifetime 1st AC Complimentary Passes to the members of the winning Indian Cricket Team. The passes will be available to players along with one companion for unlimited free travel from anywhere to anywhere in the country on Indian Railways. |
Shimla--Prem Kumar Dhumal, Himachal Chief Minister congratulated Team India for winning the Cricket World Cup-2011 in an impressive manner. Prof. Dhumal in his felicitation message said that all the team members put in their coordinated efforts and played like real professionals to become victorious after long gap of 28 years.
He said that the victory would not only increase the morale of the Indian Team but it would also help them playing in a well organised and effective manner in all departments of the game, in times to come.
The Chief Minister congratulated the people of India and said that without their support and prayers, it would have not been possible for realising a dream come true.
He said that the victory would not only increase the morale of the Indian Team but it would also help them playing in a well organised and effective manner in all departments of the game, in times to come.
The Chief Minister congratulated the people of India and said that without their support and prayers, it would have not been possible for realising a dream come true.
SCHOOL-HP-ST MARY
Parents condemns hike in Fee by St. Mary School Kasuli
Gaurav Soni
Kasuli, Mar 08--- Despite giving assurance to not hike Fee and other Dues being levied from student studying in the St. Mary School here, Parents' Association alleged in a press statement released today that fee has been hiked abnormally.
Surinder Shandil press secretary of St. Mary Parents' Association alleged in a press statement today that despite having dialogue with school Principal on Feb 14, 2011 giving word to not hike the Fee in the school, School Management hiked the it by 65 percent diverting form its promise giving to parents.
He said that during last school calender, management had increased Fee by 50 pc as it came aggregated to Rs 630 per student but it has now been further hiked by fixing it Rs 1030 per student after levying other charges on the name of introducing IT in school.
The parents alleged that last time school hiked was on the name of giving new pay scale to teachers and therefore parents had accepted it calmly without making it an issue.
He said that however management counter claimed that it has hiked the Fee to Rs 830/ from Rs 630/ But massages were being passed to parents to deposit Rs 1030 which includes other charges.
Protesting over the hike in fee, affected parents have again requested the school management to reconsider its decisions and keep its words given to parents earlier.
Kasuli is hill stations of Solan district and set up by the Britshers as the liked its unique elevation and cool climate. Private Schools in the state were charging exorbitantly Fee from studnets which was being hiked every passing years while their standard are on decline.
Parents condemns hike in Fee by St. Mary School Kasuli
Gaurav Soni
Kasuli, Mar 08--- Despite giving assurance to not hike Fee and other Dues being levied from student studying in the St. Mary School here, Parents' Association alleged in a press statement released today that fee has been hiked abnormally.
Surinder Shandil press secretary of St. Mary Parents' Association alleged in a press statement today that despite having dialogue with school Principal on Feb 14, 2011 giving word to not hike the Fee in the school, School Management hiked the it by 65 percent diverting form its promise giving to parents.
He said that during last school calender, management had increased Fee by 50 pc as it came aggregated to Rs 630 per student but it has now been further hiked by fixing it Rs 1030 per student after levying other charges on the name of introducing IT in school.
The parents alleged that last time school hiked was on the name of giving new pay scale to teachers and therefore parents had accepted it calmly without making it an issue.
He said that however management counter claimed that it has hiked the Fee to Rs 830/ from Rs 630/ But massages were being passed to parents to deposit Rs 1030 which includes other charges.
Protesting over the hike in fee, affected parents have again requested the school management to reconsider its decisions and keep its words given to parents earlier.
Kasuli is hill stations of Solan district and set up by the Britshers as the liked its unique elevation and cool climate. Private Schools in the state were charging exorbitantly Fee from studnets which was being hiked every passing years while their standard are on decline.
P. Sainath
With 2G, Radia, illicit funds, and a stubborn CVC, the UPA government's scams are multiplying faster than Lemmings, the little rodents that live mostly in and around the Arctic.
One of the most enduring of media-created myths is that of mass suicide amongst Lemmings, the little rodents that live mostly in and around the Arctic. A 1958 Disney documentary film staged scenes of large numbers of Lemmings marching mindlessly off a cliff to their doom in the waters below. Actually, Lemmings can swim. The rodents see major migrations when they multiply rapidly and their population grows. And when this dispersal finds big numbers crossing large bodies of water, some of them drown by accident, not by intent. However, the Disney film where they were actually forced off a cliff and earlier articles, created a false notion that still holds: that Lemmings commit mass suicide by leaping off cliffs and drowning in the waters below. This is also the origin of the political slang: Lemming-like behaviour,' to describe a suicidal course of action.
Political scientists in India 2011 can now be forgiven a rethink on the whole fraud. You begin to wonder if there was some truth in it, after all. The ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) seems determined to prove that this instinct of the little creatures was no myth. The race off the cliff is real, with Congress Lemmings leading the charge of the light-footed brigade. The massive hike in petrol prices at a time of raging food inflation was merely one among such efforts. In just seven months, the price of petrol has gone up by over Rs. 10. The new hike came even as the government announced that it was taking the price rise seriously and has formed yet more panels and Groups of Ministers to study the problem.( Another Group of Ministers was to have met in December 2010 to decide on whether to hike diesel and LPG prices as well. Yet another was to take a call on raising APL foodgrain prices.) Lemmings, after all, mostly act in large groups.
Now that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has rearranged the deck chairs on the Titanic, the impression of a collective rush to mass drowning only grows. Handing the rural development portfolio to a man just trashed by the Supreme Court for protecting moneylenders in Vidharbha while he was Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has a Kamikaze-like courage about it. Not only did the Court admonish Vilasrao Deshmukh in scathing terms, it also enhanced the fine levied by the Bombay High Court's Nagpur bench on the government of Maharashtra in the same case from Rs.25,000 to Rs.10 lakh. Now in normal and non-Lemming circles, this would have led to his unaccompanied exit off the Cabinet Cliff.
Justice A. K. Ganguly in his judgment on the case involving Mr. Deshmukh says, among other things: The message conveyed in this case is extremely shocking and it shocks the conscience of this Court about the manner in which the Constitutional functionaries behaved in the State of Maharashtra. The judgment goes on to say it is clear that the Chief Minister was aware of various complaints being filed against the said family [the moneylenders: PS]. Even then he passed an order for a special treatment in favour of the said family which is unknown to law.
The judgment notes the debt-induced plight of farmers in that very region and also says of Mr. Deshmukh's action: This amounts to bestowing special favour to some chosen few at the cost of the vast number of poor people who as farmers have taken loans and who have come to the authorities of law and order to register their complaints against torture and atrocities by the moneylenders.
Obviously, in Dr. Singh's view, the perfect candidate to preside over the destiny of rural India and its development. A man during whose eight years as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, well over 30,000 farmers took their own lives in the State a feat unrivalled anywhere in the country. Mr. Deshmukh's most famous remark on the farmers: Committing suicide is an offence under the Indian Penal Code. But did we book any farmer for this offence? Have you reported that? ( The Hindustan Times, October 31, 2007). Just after the terror attacks of 26/11, he went to the Taj hotel, with his actor son and Bollywood filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma in tow. This provoked outrage in a public which saw them as disaster tourists checking out the rich cinematic promise thrown up by the tragic events. Sacked from his post, Mr. Deshmukh spent some months in cold storage before being elevated to the Union Cabinet.
His successor lost his job over the Adarsh episode and also earned notoriety over the paid news' scandal. On the latter, Ashok Chavan faces a case in the Election Commission and might run into yet more trouble. His successor, imported from New Delhi, gives non-entity a bad name. The NCP, once a declining force, gets a new wind with his arrival. And that party gets more aggressive towards the Congress at the Centre as well, sensing the mess it is in. In Andhra Pradesh, two successive Chief Ministers have spent over a year fighting their own party in a State that contributed 33 MPs to the Congress at the Centre. In West Bengal, the Congress has written itself, with almost Lemming-like fatalism, into a distant third place.
If you watch your Animal Planet you'd expect that, like in other social hierarchies, there are alpha male Lemmings. It requires rare qualities of leadership to guide a bunch of sharp front-toothed mammals off a cliff. Heading the charge means there are lots of large gnawing incisors just behind you. This is no role for the faint-hearted, as Kapil Sibal demonstrated in his stinging attack on the CAG. This was also what happened in the Bofors case, a blistering attack on the then CAG (among other things). The results of that strategy included a government drowning. But history is not the Lemming's long suit. Mr. Sibal might yet learn that the CAG is not a cowering witness in a court room, but the drowning will probably have begun by then. Meanwhile, with 2G, Raja, Radia, illicit funds, and a stubborn CVC, the UPA government's scams are multiplying faster than Lemmings.
Pranab Mukherjee, meanwhile, has made it clear wagging a finger while doing so that the government is not about to reveal the names of any tax evaders. Mr. Mukherjee, who heads more Groups of Ministers than have ever been Empowered, suggests there might be one more group soon. That is, to work out Amnesty schemes for tax evaders and those who have illegally siphoned funds out of the country to secret offshore accounts. No one can be named till they are prosecuted, says he. In other words, we will never know the names of those the government chooses not to prosecute.
A Global Financial Integrity Report ( The Hindu, Nov. 17, 2010) estimates that India has lost almost half a trillion dollars in illegal capital flight since Independence. As much as $125 billion, or more than a fourth of the total, vanished between just 2000 and 2008. The government plans amnesty for such offenders and arrests for those protesting high prices.
The line has also been laid down on food security: forget about it. There will be neither a universal PDS nor even an enhanced one. Feeding a hungry corporate world takes all the resources we have. Things are about to get much tougher for the whole team. India's premier Lemmings are simply too busy to pay any attention to their day jobs. Even as the onion season winds down, the World Cup Cricket and IPL seasons are about to begin. This means, of course, that we will still see no Agriculture Minister for a further two months. (Unless someone provokes him with a comment on Lavasa.)
Back in 2008, as global food prices soared, Mr. Pawar revealed to the daily, DNA (Page 1, April 2), that the real reason why wheat prices were soaring was that south Indians were eating too many chapathis. In this, he echoed the view of noted nutritionist George W (then also working part-time as President of the United States). Mr. Bush declared that the world food prices were soaring because millions of Indians and Chinese were eating so much more. (Global prices fell sharply just months later. Were millions of Indians and Chinese suddenly starving? Or were big-time speculators giving prices a yo-yo ride?).
Dr. Singh and Montek Ahluwalia have also bought into the Bush Food Doctrine: the huge price rise in food items suggests that the poor are doing better, eating more. The cliff runway is free and the Lemmings have been cleared for takeoff.
London: Tibet's spiritual and political leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has come out in open to support 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee. "Karmapa has been receiving offerings from disciples from all different parts of world including China. The money is the sum of those donations. This is not a reason to question his credential", His Holiness said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his solidarity with His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, following a raid by Indian police at his monastery, Gomp Tsering. The police seized Rs 7 crore worth of donations and arrested a senior aide to the Karmapa, Rabjaychojan (also known as Shakti Lama). The money seized was in a variety of currencies, including a large amount of Indian rupees and Chinese yuan, which has led to speculation of illegal activities by the police.
Asked about the seizure, Karma Chunyappa, Deputy General Secretary of the Karmapa, asserted that the financial dealings of the monastery were transparent.
"Our lineage and His Holiness the Karmapa enjoy the love, trust and faith of millions across the world. We have a rich history of public service made possible through financial dealings that are entirely transparent. We will certainly answer all the questions that the press and public have but for now we request you to allow us to concentrate and comply fully with the investigations that are underway," the Karmapa Office of Administration said in their statement.
Penpa Tsering, speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has also expressed his solidarity with the Karmapa during these troubling times. He said that the money recovered was collected through huge donations offered by the followers of all over world and such offerings could not be refused as being a Buddhist spiritual leader. He said that the trust was not aware about the legal implications of keeping foreign currency with them so the Trust would now seek legal services from experts. He denied that there was any conspiracy angle in the case. The issues arising out of this matter to denigrate the reputation of Gyalwang Karmapa are completely baseless.
The Indian press, both printed and televised have used this incident to accuse the Karmapa of having links with the Chinese government and today the Karmapa's office issued a statement "categorically" refuting these allegations, calling them "grossly speculative".
"We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese government," the statement said, adding, "any suggestion that these offerings were to be used for illegal purposes is libelous". The police have already questioned the Karmapa, along with many of his aides and followers.
An aide of the Karmapa, who did not wish to be named, said the money was from the monk's followers and that he had no role in its management. "All this money has been accumulated over the years, offered by devotees, followers of the Karmapa. The Karamapa's officials have clear-and-up to date records of the funds," he told AFP.
Tibetans in exile and Buddhist followers around the world have been visibly disturbed by the latest news, and say that the media speculations against their religious leader being a Chinese spy is "ridiculous" and unnecessary "sensationalism".
"We Tibetans are not traitors as some television channels are trying to portray; we have immense faith in our religious leaders from whom we learn virtues, not sins. And portraying our leader as a Chinese spy and traitor while the investigation is still going on is not responsible journalism," said Thupten Tsering, a monk at a local monastery in Dharamshala.
The investigation is on going and as subsequent raids and police question are set to continue, there seems little let up to the shell-shocked Tibetan community.
Dharamshala: Addressing the press conference, held at Gyuto monastery in Dharamshala on Sunday (30 January), Tibetan spiritual leader, the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorjee explained that there were five reasons why His Holiness came to India to seek refugee status. The advisor to Karmapa office and Former Indian Ambassador to Mangolia, the Tibetan Finance Minister, Tsering Dhondup, Indian high court lawyer Naresh Mathur, several members of Tibetan parliament in exile and representatives of five Tibetan NGOs were attended the press meeting.
The statement of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, which was delivered by Karma Topden, Spokesperson of Karmapa Reception Committee in Sikkim was aimed at quelling the groundless allegations leveled against the Karmapa. The press conference, which was attended by major Indian and Tibetan media networks addressed the speculation that the Karmapa is a "Chinese spy" and "possessed money through illegal deals" which have appeared in the Indian media.
"The first reason was that the Chinese are beginning to put pressure on him to go against the Dalai Lama and to support the Panchen Lama selected by them [Chinese government]. The Karmapa did not want to be put in this position of going against the Dalai Lama. So he decided to leave Tibet," Karma Topden explained.
"The second reason for coming to India was that he wanted to complete his spiritual studies. For the completion of his spiritual studies, he has to receive the oral teachings according to Karma Kagyu tradition from the gurus of his lineage who had also received them directly from the 16th Karmapa directly, his predecessor. All these gurus were in India. And since they could not come to Tibet to give these teachings, he decided to come to India so that he could receive the teachings and complete his spiritual education," he continued.
"The third reason was that he wanted to see the Dalai Lama and to receive His Holiness' blessings.""The fourth reason was that he had heard a lot about the activities of his illustrious predecessor, the 16th Karmapa, all his activities in India and in Sikkim where he settled in Rumtek Monastery which became his headquarter in India. As he heard a lot about this, he wanted to come to India to visit and see these places. Also he had heard a lot about the activities of his predecessor in India from where traveled to other countries and spread the words of Dharma and set up various Karma Kagyu centres all around the world. So the 17th Karmapa wanted to follow the footsteps of the 16th Karmapa. Believing and knowing that India is a free country unlike Tibet, where there is suppression and religious freedom is not allowed, he had come to India so that he could freely gain spiritual knowledge from his gurus and freely practice and preach Dharma in India and in the rest of the world. That was the main reason for his coming to India."
"Fifthly, when he came to India he was given refuge in India. He is very grateful for the refuge given to him by the government and people of India and for all the courtesies and hospitalities shown to him throughout his stay in India. He continuous to be very grateful and shall remain grateful always to the people and government of India. Throughout his stay in India, he has been conscious of his obligations to India and he has prayed for the welfare of the people of India and he continues to do that even now."
In concluding the press statement from the Karmapa he added, "he assures me that he has not done anything while in India in any way to undermine and harm the interest of India. India is his second home and he is happy here. He looks forward to India becoming a powerful and prosperous nation. He has no intention in any way of undermining anything against the interest of India. This is what he has asked me to convey."
Following this announcement a number of Tibetan NGOs have also issued statements, fully supporting the Karmapa. "The Tibetan people across the world are deeply hurt by the baselesss allegations of Chinese links on the Karmapa after the police raids at his exile residence on 27 and 28th January, 2011. The media has gone overboard and spread speculations of "Chinese Links" which are totally baseless and cannot hold any evidence."
Adding, "His Holiness the 17th Karmapa is not only the leader of Kagyu sect of the Tibetan Buddhism, but Buddhists across the world. He has been recognised by Tibet's spiritual and political leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as the 17th Karmapa in the tradtion of the Tibetan Buddhist that is more than 900 years old. Moreover, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee has been living in exile receiving his traditional Buddhist educations in Dharamshala."
The five Tibetan NGOs, TYC, TWA, Guchusum, NDPT and SFT made the statement on behalf of the Tibetan people, who protest in absolute terms the allegations of "Chinese Link" with the Karmapa, "We have absolute faith and trust in His Holiness and Tibetan people revere him and hold him in high esteem."
He (Gyalwang Karmapa) asked me to explain to you his reasons for coming to India. He gave me five reasons.
The first reason was that the Chinese are beginning to put pressure on him to go against the Dalai Lama and to support the Panchen Lama selected by them [Chinese government]. The Karmapa did not want to be put in this position of going against the Dalai Lama. So he decided to leave Tibet. The second reason for coming to India was that he wanted to complete his spiritual studies. For the completion of his spiritual studies, he has to receive the oral teachings according to Karma Kagyu tradition from the gurus of his lineage who had also received them directly from the 16th Karmapa directly, his predecessor. All these gurus were in India. And since they could not come to Tibet to give these teachings, he decided to come to India so that he could receive the teachings and complete his spiritual education..
The third reason was that he wanted to see the Dalai Lama and to receive His Holiness' blessings.
The fourth reason was that he had heard a lot about the activities of his illustrious predecessor, the 16th Karmapa, all his activities in India and in Sikkim where he settled in Rumtek Monastery which became his headquarter in India. As he heard a lot about this, he wanted to come to India to visit and see these places. Also he had heard a lot about the activities of his predecessor in India from where traveled to other countries and spread the words of Dharma and set up various Karma Kagyu centres all around the world. So the 17th Karmapa wanted to follow the footsteps of the 16th Karmapa. Believing and knowing that India is a free country unlike Tibet, where there is suppression and religious freedom is not allowed, he had come to India so that he could freely gain spiritual knowledge from his gurus and freely practice and preach Dharma in India and in the rest of the world. That was the main reason for his coming to India.
Fifthly, when he came to India he was given refuge in India. He is very grateful for the refuge given to him by the government and people of India and for all the courtesies and hospitalities shown to him throughout his stay in India. He continuous to be very grateful and shall remain grateful always to the people and government of India. Throughout his stay in India, he has been conscious of his obligations to India and he has prayed for the welfare of the people of India and he continues to do that even now.
He assures me that he has not done anything while in India in any way to undermine and harm the interest of India. India is his second home and he is happy here. He looks forward to India becoming a powerful and prosperous nation. He has no intention in any way of undermining anything against the interest of India. This is what he has asked me to convey.
DHARAMSHALA: The Karmapa Office has categorically refuted the allegations levelled against the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and his administration following the police investigation at Gyuto monastery in Dharamsala.
"We would like to categorically state that the allegations being levelled against the Karmapa and his administration are grossly speculative and without foundation in the truth. Everyone who knows the history of our lineage, our struggle and Gyalwang Karmapa's life is very surprised by the allegations," the office said in a statement issued on 29 January.
"We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese Government. The Karmapa has a deep affection for the people of this great country of India where he has been practicing his faith for years. We have had a long and positive working relationship with the democratic Government of India that has always demonstrated great tolerance of cultural expression and diverse beliefs.
"We have followers in a large number of countries who have placed their trust and faith in us and, through their individual donations, enabled the sect to undertake substantial programmes of public service that have benefitted many thousands in India and abroad.
"Monasteries across the world accept offerings from devotees in various forms-there is nothing surprising, new or irregular in this. A representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's office underlined this yesterday. The cash in question under the current investigation by the police is offerings received for charitable purposes from local and international disciples from many different countries wishing to support His Holiness' various charitable activities. Any suggestion that these offerings were to be used for illegal purposes is libellous.
"At this point, about the Chinese currency we can say that he has a large following of Tibetans from Tibet who make donations in Chinese currency. The fact is that His Holiness the Karmapa has millions of followers around the world, who hold him in the highest esteem and reverence. All our dealings across the world are honest and completely transparent-anything else would be contrary to the Buddhist principals that we live by.
"Because the Gyalwang Karmapa resides in temporary quarters in Dharamsala, his Office of Administration has been seeking to build a monastery as a permanent residence for him. This project is clearly subject to Indian government approval. The Gyalwang Karmapa's office has kept the relevant Indian government agencies fully informed of its recent plans to purchase suitable land. The potential site was evaluated and cleared by the appropriate governmental offices. The negotiations to purchase the land are still in progress, have been reported to the Indian authorities, and are completely above board.
"I can confirm that Shakti Lama was taken into custody yesterday but we are confident of his release very shortly, as soon as we provide the law with the answers they are looking for. I can also confirm that Gyalwang Karmapa has made himself fully available for questioning by the officers concerned.
"We will supply as much information as available, as regularly as possible but would also like to state that our first priority is to cooperate fully with the investigations underway," the statement noted.
"We would like to categorically state that the allegations being levelled against the Karmapa and his administration are grossly speculative and without foundation in the truth. Everyone who knows the history of our lineage, our struggle and Gyalwang Karmapa's life is very surprised by the allegations," the office said in a statement issued on 29 January.
"We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese Government. The Karmapa has a deep affection for the people of this great country of India where he has been practicing his faith for years. We have had a long and positive working relationship with the democratic Government of India that has always demonstrated great tolerance of cultural expression and diverse beliefs.
"We have followers in a large number of countries who have placed their trust and faith in us and, through their individual donations, enabled the sect to undertake substantial programmes of public service that have benefitted many thousands in India and abroad.
"Monasteries across the world accept offerings from devotees in various forms-there is nothing surprising, new or irregular in this. A representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's office underlined this yesterday. The cash in question under the current investigation by the police is offerings received for charitable purposes from local and international disciples from many different countries wishing to support His Holiness' various charitable activities. Any suggestion that these offerings were to be used for illegal purposes is libellous.
"At this point, about the Chinese currency we can say that he has a large following of Tibetans from Tibet who make donations in Chinese currency. The fact is that His Holiness the Karmapa has millions of followers around the world, who hold him in the highest esteem and reverence. All our dealings across the world are honest and completely transparent-anything else would be contrary to the Buddhist principals that we live by.
"Because the Gyalwang Karmapa resides in temporary quarters in Dharamsala, his Office of Administration has been seeking to build a monastery as a permanent residence for him. This project is clearly subject to Indian government approval. The Gyalwang Karmapa's office has kept the relevant Indian government agencies fully informed of its recent plans to purchase suitable land. The potential site was evaluated and cleared by the appropriate governmental offices. The negotiations to purchase the land are still in progress, have been reported to the Indian authorities, and are completely above board.
"I can confirm that Shakti Lama was taken into custody yesterday but we are confident of his release very shortly, as soon as we provide the law with the answers they are looking for. I can also confirm that Gyalwang Karmapa has made himself fully available for questioning by the officers concerned.
"We will supply as much information as available, as regularly as possible but would also like to state that our first priority is to cooperate fully with the investigations underway," the statement noted.
He said,On hearing about the issue , the Standing Committee of the Parliament had expressed deep concern as the members met in the afternoon of 28 January. As we discuss how the issue has originated, it was agreed to seek an audience with Gyalwang Karmapa. If it was not convenient to meet him, we thought it would be helpful to get a clear information by meeting with other leading officials of the monastery. Accordingly, Speaker Penpa Tsering accompanied by Geshe Thubten Phelgye, Geshe Monlam Tharchin and Lopon Sonam Tenphel of the Standing Committee visited the monastery at 3:30 PM. Many journalists were present at the monastery. We first met the monastic officials. Later, during our audience with Gyalwang Karmapa, we found him completely at ease, which clearly shows that he has nothing to do with any wrongdoing. We, the Standing Committee, conveyed our deep concern to him and to extend whatever cooperation if needed be to avert the occurrence of such issues which bring disrepute to Gyalwang Karmapa. The main objective of our visit was to show our solidarity with Gyalwang Karmapa.
During the audience, Gyalwang Karmapa said he has no knowledge about the issue since he does not interfere in such matters. His statement reinforces the confirmation of our belief that he has no personal connection with the issue. This has been our firm belief.
We have a system in our monastery based on which we can explain the source of the current amount of money. We firmly belief and we can say in definite terms that these come as religious offerings from the follower and devotees. As the Indian journalists raise serious doubts about the money’s source, we got the opportunity to clarify them. We clearly stated that the allegations of Gyalwang Karmapa as an "agent of Chinese government" and “possessing money through illegal deals” are totally baseless. Through this press conference, we want to convey this information to the Tibetan people living inside Tibet.
As far as Gyalwang Karmapa is concerned, he put his life at risk by coming into exile from Tibet at a tender age. During his stay at Gyuto Monastery in India, he has to live under the control of the Indian security officials and he has no freedom to move freely as he wishes to. This is the fact that we all know. All his programmes are being made under the supervision of the Indian government. Those who are seeking his audience have to obtain prior permission from the Indian police authorities. For instance, we were also frisked before our meeting with him yesterday. There is no reason to protest since the security officials are carrying out their duty. So the police have knowledge about every detail of the offerings made to Gyalwang Karmapa and it is not that they know nothing about the matter. Owing to the remarkable deeds of the Karmapa lineage, it enjoys the trust and faith of followers and devotees from across the world such as Singapore, Thailand, and western countries and in Tibet who make offerings. In our society, he is one of the spiritual head of schools of Tibetan Buddhism, highly revered and respected by the Tibetan people. Personally, he has been concentrating on his spiritual studies, promotion of Buddhism and world peace, and protection of environment, thereby making great service to Tibet’s political and spiritual cause. Hence there is absolutely no need to doubt and there exist no ground for that to happen. We wish to make this clear.
Regarding the monastery’s financial management, Gyalwang Karmapa does not make detail inquiry about what and how much offerings are being presented to him on the throne by the devotees. “I do not interfere in these matters”, he told us yesterday. All the financial matters are managed by the administrative staff. Their lack of knowledge about legal procedures has led to the negligence in maintaining proper account of the money. On the matter which is not in line with the country’s law, we have to respect the result of the ongoing investigation being carried out by the Indian government. Otherwise, issues arising out of this matter to denigrate the reputation of Gyalwang Karmapa are completely baseless.
The Central Tibetan Administration and the Kashag are making efforts on its part to extend whatever necessary help and cooperation to Gyalwang Karmapa. Similarly, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile firmly support the truth of the matter and we are ready to offer whatever necessary guidance and co-operation until the issues become clear.
Bijender Sharma
SIDHBARI(Dharmshala)-- A team of Himachal Pradesh Police has questioned 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, about the huge sum of foreign currency recovered during a raid at his office located in Sidhbari near Dharamsala. The Karmapa Lama was questioned by a three-member police team.During his questioning Karmapa was aided by a translator as he speaks only Chinese. Karmapa reportedly feigned ignorance about the source of money.
Highly Placed Sources disclosed that 1.14 lakh Chinese Yuan recovered from his office was in serial number. They claim that such a large sum of money is usually meant for particular purpose. The total seized amount is Rs 7 crore including foreign exchange from 24 countries including China, Taiwan, japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, Australia, Germany."Karmapa was interviewed by the investigating officers on the source of money. The links with China is one of the various aspects being looked at. He is not under house arrest but certain restriction has been imposed on him," said Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police DS Minhas.
Shakti Lama, treasurer of Karmapa's monastery Gyato, has been sent to of police custody till February 5.Karmapa's sister was questioned on Friday.Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal sought time from the Union Government after the Finance Ministry asked for a report from the state government on the police raids and foreign exchange recovered during a raid at Karmapa's office in Dharamsala ."The Enforcement Directorate, Intelligence Bureau and Ministry of External Affairs are already looking into the matter. We will extend full support to the Government of India and we will follow their instructions," said Dhumal.Dhumal said that he would raise the issue during an internal security meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram next week. Meanwhile
Union Finance Ministry has reportedly sought a report from the Himachal Pradesh government on 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, popularly known as Karmapa Lama, who stands accused of being a Chinese plant after police recovered Rs 1.6 crore during a raid at his office .
Karmapa Lama and other Tibetan leaders have reportedly bought huge tracts of land in various states . Karmapa was using the money to buy land for the setting up of monasteries and schools.
Some properties in Kolkata are also under scanner and Karmapa reportedly also owns lands in Sainik Farms in New Delhi and Pune as well.
Karmapa has also been embroiled with the local authorities over demolition notices for some of these properties.
The raid was carried by Himachal Police on Thursday and one person was arrested from Karmapa's office. But Tibetan Parliament-in-exile Speaker Penpa Tsering claimed that Karmapa was clean and he had nothing to do with financial dealings.
"We want to tell the world that Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje as a person is a very clean person. He has nothing to do with anything of this sort. But whatever has happened is very unfortunate," said Penpa Tsering in Dharamsala.
Investigating agencies suspect that the Karmapa may have been used to further China's designs of controlling all Indian monasteries from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
Shimla--Himachal Pradesh has been awarded three more Awards in the Tourism Sector by the Outlook Magazine on the basis of independent survey conducted by Nielson of all tourism destinations of the country. Himachal gets ‘Favourite Hill Destination – Manali’; ‘Outlook Travellers Award – 2010’ and ‘Favourite Adventure Destination’, National Level Awards, which would be presented at New Delhi to the State today. This was revealed by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, to the mediapersons at Annandale Helipad after launching heli-taxi service here today.
Chief Minister congratulated the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation for making rapid strides on tourism promotion sector and winning more number of National Level Awards to the State. He said that Himachal Tourism was bound to emerge a Top Brand name in quality tourism services to the visitors visiting Himachal Pradesh from different parts of the world. He said that such Awards boost the morale of the work force and motivate them to work more vigorously to further improve and bring quality improvement in the services to the visitors. He hoped that the hoteliers and travel agents would be upholding the rich traditions of the state and deliver tourists best of the services so that they could carry home good impressions with sweet memories.
Dr. Rajiv Bindal, Health Minister, Smt. Bimla Kashyap, Member of Parliament (RS), Shri Ganesh Datt, Vice Chairman, HIMUDA, Smt. Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary, Tourism, and other senior officers of the State Government were present on the occasion.
Chief Minister congratulated the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation for making rapid strides on tourism promotion sector and winning more number of National Level Awards to the State. He said that Himachal Tourism was bound to emerge a Top Brand name in quality tourism services to the visitors visiting Himachal Pradesh from different parts of the world. He said that such Awards boost the morale of the work force and motivate them to work more vigorously to further improve and bring quality improvement in the services to the visitors. He hoped that the hoteliers and travel agents would be upholding the rich traditions of the state and deliver tourists best of the services so that they could carry home good impressions with sweet memories.
Dr. Rajiv Bindal, Health Minister, Smt. Bimla Kashyap, Member of Parliament (RS), Shri Ganesh Datt, Vice Chairman, HIMUDA, Smt. Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary, Tourism, and other senior officers of the State Government were present on the occasion.
Shimla---Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, which met here under the Chairmanship of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, today, unanimously decided to recommend to the Speaker, HP Legislative Assembly to further recommend to HE the Governor, Himachal Pradesh, to convene the Budget Session of the State Assembly from February 28 to April 8, 201. The Budget Session would be having 24 sittings during.
Bijender sharma/Shimla--Himachal Pradesh Cabinet in its Meeting held here today approved constitution of a Cabinet Sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of Revenue Minister and comprising of Education, Irrigation and Public Health, Industries, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Transport Ministers, Chief Secretary as its Members and Principal Secretary (Personnel) as Member Secretary, to submit its recommendations regarding Implementation of the Constitution (85th Amendment) Act, 2001 and assignment of seniority to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Government servants on promotion by virtue of rule of reservation/roster.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, presided over the Meeting.
It granted approval for filling upn of 225 posts of Shastri, 450 posts of Language Teacher, 200 posts of Art Teacher and 125 posts of Physical Education Teacher in the Department of Elementary Education in accordance with old as well as new Recruitment and Promotion Rules. However, the selected teachers had to acquire requisite educational qualification in accordance with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 within the specified period of time to become eligible for future benefits.
It approved cancellation of allotment of Raula (1.25 MW); Pher (1.75 MW); Nalian (0.80 MW); Bourar (0.40 MW); Mallan (1.00 MW) and Uhl-II (1.00 MW).
In an endeavour to make Himachal Pradesh a ‘Polythene Free’ State of the country, it decided to impose ban on storage and use of non-biodegradable disposable plastic products i.e. plastic cup, plate and glass etc.. in the State from August, 15, 2011 and any offence committed shall be liable to get fined Rs. 5,000 for littering of non-biodegradable waste by any institution/commercial establishment and Rs. 1,000 for littering of non-biodegradable waste by individuals in the premises of any private or commercial establishments.
It approved naming of Reckong Peo Chowk against the name of late Shri Thakur Sen Negi as ‘Thakur Sen Negi Chowk’.
It granted sanction to filling up of one post Joint Labour Commissioner; two posts of Excise and Taxation Officers in the Department of Excise and Taxation; 12 posts of Civil Judge Junior Division for Subordinate Courts in the State; 8 posts of Clerks and two posts of Stenographers in HP Public Service Commission. Cabinet also granted permission to fill up 4 posts of Deputy Director, 11 posts of Welfare Organiser, 5 posts of Clerks and 2 posts of Steno Typists in the Sainik Welfare Department.
It accepted the proposal to enhance VAT on Tobacco and Tobacco Products from 13.75 percent to 16 percent and bring ‘beedies’ under goods taxable at special rate under new Schedule ‘E’ of HP VAT Act, 2005.
It consented to authorize HP Board of School Education to hire taxi on government approved rates to inspect private educational institutions for affiliation.
It agreed to shift National Highway Sub-Division of HP Public Works Department from Bilaspur to Shillai in district Sirmour to oversee the construction work of the new National Highway passing through the area.
It approved framing of Recruitment and Promotion Rules for the post of Senior Lecturer, Information Technology (Class-I Gazetted) and Amendment in the Recruitment and Promotion Rules for the post of Senior Lecturer, Applied Science and Humanities (Class-I Gazetted) in the Department of Technical Education.
It granted approval to the Amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 1983.
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, presided over the Meeting.
It granted approval for filling upn of 225 posts of Shastri, 450 posts of Language Teacher, 200 posts of Art Teacher and 125 posts of Physical Education Teacher in the Department of Elementary Education in accordance with old as well as new Recruitment and Promotion Rules. However, the selected teachers had to acquire requisite educational qualification in accordance with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 within the specified period of time to become eligible for future benefits.
It approved cancellation of allotment of Raula (1.25 MW); Pher (1.75 MW); Nalian (0.80 MW); Bourar (0.40 MW); Mallan (1.00 MW) and Uhl-II (1.00 MW).
In an endeavour to make Himachal Pradesh a ‘Polythene Free’ State of the country, it decided to impose ban on storage and use of non-biodegradable disposable plastic products i.e. plastic cup, plate and glass etc.. in the State from August, 15, 2011 and any offence committed shall be liable to get fined Rs. 5,000 for littering of non-biodegradable waste by any institution/commercial establishment and Rs. 1,000 for littering of non-biodegradable waste by individuals in the premises of any private or commercial establishments.
It approved naming of Reckong Peo Chowk against the name of late Shri Thakur Sen Negi as ‘Thakur Sen Negi Chowk’.
It granted sanction to filling up of one post Joint Labour Commissioner; two posts of Excise and Taxation Officers in the Department of Excise and Taxation; 12 posts of Civil Judge Junior Division for Subordinate Courts in the State; 8 posts of Clerks and two posts of Stenographers in HP Public Service Commission. Cabinet also granted permission to fill up 4 posts of Deputy Director, 11 posts of Welfare Organiser, 5 posts of Clerks and 2 posts of Steno Typists in the Sainik Welfare Department.
It accepted the proposal to enhance VAT on Tobacco and Tobacco Products from 13.75 percent to 16 percent and bring ‘beedies’ under goods taxable at special rate under new Schedule ‘E’ of HP VAT Act, 2005.
It consented to authorize HP Board of School Education to hire taxi on government approved rates to inspect private educational institutions for affiliation.
It agreed to shift National Highway Sub-Division of HP Public Works Department from Bilaspur to Shillai in district Sirmour to oversee the construction work of the new National Highway passing through the area.
It approved framing of Recruitment and Promotion Rules for the post of Senior Lecturer, Information Technology (Class-I Gazetted) and Amendment in the Recruitment and Promotion Rules for the post of Senior Lecturer, Applied Science and Humanities (Class-I Gazetted) in the Department of Technical Education.
It granted approval to the Amendment in the Himachal Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 1983.
Chief Minister on the occasion said that with the introduction of Heli-Taxi service, scope of tourism had been widened as high end tourists would now be able to visit Himachal Pradesh in a short time. He said that with the launching of the service tourists could be picked up from Chandigarh or any other destination. He said that exhaustive exercise had been undertaken by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation before the launch of the service so as to operate heli taxi service. He said that initially Simm Samm Airways had launched the service from Shimla helipad.
Chief Minister said that 1.39 crore tourists had visited the State during last year including a large number of foreigners. He said that there was vast scope of high end tourism in the State and the heli-taxi service would go a long way in supplementing government efforts in this respect. He said that para-gliding, hang-gliding, heli-skiing and other adventure international level sports activities were being organized in the State and the heli-taxi service would facilitate organization of such sports more conveniently. He said that the new service was a vital leap forward to attract high end tourists visit different destinations in Himachal Pradesh. He congratulated the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation for adding another vital milestone in quality tourism infrastructure creation thereby giving new dimensions to the same to attract more visitors to the State.
Dr. Arun Sharma, Director of Tourism and Civil Aviation, detailed the activities to be undertaken by the Department to attract maximum number of tourists as also meet the long pending demand of high end tourists visiting the State.
Dr. Rajiv Bindal, Health Minister, Smt. Bimla Kashyap, Member of Parliament (RS), Shri Ganesh Datt, Vice Chairman, HIMUDA, Smt. Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary, Tourism and other senior officers of the State Government were present on the occasion.
New Delhi, MP and President Yuva Morcha (BJP) Shri Anurag Thakur on expressed his gratitude to the people of the country for their affection and support during his Rashtriya Ekta Yatra which started from Kolkata on January 12 and ended on Republic Day. Calling the Yatra as a historic reassertion of India’s surging youth towards nation building, Shri Thakur said going ahead his party would build on the goodwill generated and engage in many more constructive political programmes aimed at engaging with youth.
“We have been successful in our endeavor to excite and rejuvenate India’s youth into proactively taking the cause of national integration and sovereignty,” Shri Thakur said. He had a special word of appreciation for the media. “The message of the Yatra could not have reached millions of nationalist countrymen but for your support,” Shri Thakur said. “At a time when the country is faced with crisis of governance and faith of people in government is at an all-time low, the media has a tough job at hand. By highlighting mainstream political activities like the Yatra you have reached strong political messages to the people,” he added.
However, Shri Thakur slammed both the Central and Jammu & Kashmir governments for their high-handed and undemocratic interventions in trying to scuttle the peaceful and nationalist Yatra. “I am ashamed the Government which should have given us protection and ensured we went to Lal Chowk to hoist the National Flag succumbed to the pressure of the separatists and prevented us from reaching there,” he said.
The young BJP leader expressed shock at the mischievous role played by the government in returning one train full of Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha workers. “This is unheard of and an extremely shameful act. This also reflects the nervousness of the government. Such repressive measures exposes the bankruptcy of the government,” slammed Shri Thakur.
He also condemned the illegal detention of three senior BJP leaders – Shri Arun Jaitley, Smt Sushma Swaraj and Shri Anant Kumar. “On a day when the whole nation was celebrating Republic Day, two leaders of opposition in the lower and upper house of the Parliament along with another senior BJP leader were made to spend their time under house arrest. What could have been more undemocratic than this,” rued Shri Thakur warning the agencies to stay away from such repressive tactics.
“I also seek an apology from the Omar Abdullah government for using third degrees on National Office Bearers, State President and other youth workers who were illegally detained and tortured. The Police hurled filthy abuses on our boys and this can’t be tolerated. This is a deplorable act,” he added
The Rashtriya Ekta Yatra, besides reviving the spirits of Yuva Morcha workers, has awakened large number of youth towards the critical challenges facing the country today. “During the course of my 15 days (3100 k.m.) Yatra.
I came across hundreds of youngsters who are willing to constructively engage in nation building process. They are outraged at the unbearable price rise, large number of corruption cases, apathy of UPA government towards the suffering of common people, and degeneration in public life. They want to raise their voice against such blatant disregard for democratic norms and we at Yuva Morcha are adamant to voice these very genuine concerns,” Shri Thakur said.
He also informed the BJYM would launch few constructive programmes for the Youth with the twin objectives of guiding them towards achieving their desired goals as well as seeking their participation in mainstream political process.
“We strongly believe we need the participation of modern youth into the mainstream political process to make our democracy more vibrant and robust,” he said.
“The country is in a chaotic state today and people across strata have lost faith in the Government. Governance is miserably and majorly missing. Corrupt and traitors are thriving in this age of dark governance. We seek it as our duty to rise to the occasion and launch aggressive campaigns and address the deepening of chaos and crisis. Country’s youth is with us and we shall succeed in our mission,” said Shri Thakur.
The minister said that the first instalment of Rs. 32.40 crore had been released by GoI, on 90:10 basis, adding that Rs.167.15 crore would be released to the State by GoI under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and the rest 18.57 crore had to be borne by the State.
Giving district wise details, the minister said that there were 50 such schemes sanctioned for district Kangra of Rs. 40.29 crore , followed by Solan where 44 micro irrigation schemes worth Rs. 48.30 crore would be commissioned. Apart from this, there were 13 schemes for District Kullu (11.18 crore), 23 for district Una (27.97 crore), 16 for Sirmaur (28.47 crore), 17 micro irrigation schemes for Mandi (Rs 11.16 crore), eight for district Chamba (Rs. 2.26 crore), seven schemes for district Shimla (Rs. 4.34crore), seven schemes for Hamirpur amounting to Rs. 3.71 crore, five for Lahaul & spiti (Rs. 3.60 crore) and one such scheme had been sanctioned for district Bilaspur amounting to Rs.4.40 crore.
He said that keeping in view the target set by State Water Policy, the State Government was making concerted efforts to bring maximum area under Irrigational facility. He said that during last three years as much as 17427 hectare of area had been provided irrigational facilities through micro, medium and big irrigation schemes.
The minister said that Rs.147.15 crore, Phina Singh Medium Irrigation Scheme for tehsil Nurpur in district Kangra and Rs. 92.42 crore, Medium Irrigation Scheme for Nadaun in district Hamirpur had been sent to GoI for approval. Both the schemes on getting sanctioned would provide irrigational facilities to 7025 hectare area.
The minister said that the State government, since 2008 had brought 3303 hectare of area under flood control measures, adding that in next three years the target was to bring 4300 hectare area under Flood Management Programme (FMP) in flood prone areas.
He said that under FMP, the GoI had been also approved Swan River Channelisation Phase –II amounting to Rs. 235.52 crore and Bata River Channelisation scheme of Rs. 34.67 crore in 90:10, which were likely to be completed by 2012.
Bijender Sharma/Dharmshala--Himachal Pradesh police raided the 17th Karmapa’s home in Dharamshala and claimed to have seized six suitcases containing unexplained cash in Indian and foreign currencies that could amount to crores.Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje, now 25, is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and has been in Dharamshala since his headline-making escape to India in January 2000, aged 14.Sources said the government had increasingly curbed the movements of the “Boy Karmapa” over the past few years under suspicion that Beijing had stage-managed his “escape” so he could keep an eye on the Dalai Lama’s activities.Raids on the Gyuto Tantric Monastic University, where the Karmapa lives, followed yesterday’s seizure of Rs 1.25 crore in Una town from a vehicle that was allegedly carrying some monks to Dharamshala.“The monastery was raided around 1.30pm. Three currency-counting machines from three local banks have been pressed into service. The counting is still on. The police so far have counted Rs 5 lakh in Indian currency and a huge amount of foreign currency,” Kangra superintendent of police Diljeet Singh Thakur said.
Sources later said some 4,000 Euros had been counted and that the Indian currency could run up to more than Rs 10 crore. The police are trying to ascertain the source of the cash and also whether the money seized yesterday belonged to the Karmapa.
A close aide of the Karmapa, Rabjaychojan alias Shakti Lama, has been arrested and questioned about the source of the money. Some of the money is in the currencies of China, Japan, America, Britain, Australia and Thailand, police said.
The Karmapa was said to be inside the monastery during the raids but there was no word from him or any of his aides on the search or the seizures.
Two men, Asutosh and Sanjay, were arrested after yesterday’s seizure of cash, which sources said had been drawn from a private-sector bank in Delhi.
Dorje has been under the security agencies’ scanner since his arrival in India. He lives in Sidhbari, 10km from the Dalai Lama’s residence. The Centre has confined the Karmapa’s movements within 15km of his home for sometime, and does not allow him to visit the Dalai Lama too frequently.
“On July 25, 2009, the Karmapa was given only 30 minutes to meet the Dalai Lama. Earlier, three consecutive requests from him to see the spiritual leader were turned down,” a source close to the Dalai Lama said.
Since July 2008, the Centre has refused to let the Karmapa visit other monasteries in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir that are located close to the China border.
Dorje has also been banned from travelling abroad. He had toured the US in 2008, when he visited New York and San Francisco in an attempt to raise his international profile. He is keen to visit America again but the government has not budged.
The Karmapa’s Z-plus security cover was withdrawn a couple of months ago; so he is now guarded by a single police constable instead of 24 security personnel. Till 2006, he was always escorted by a group of four aides but that was stopped after the security agencies objected.
A month ago, when the Karmapa began building a multi-crore religious structure on a 75-acre site in Kotla, 42km from Dharamshala, the income tax department and security agencies questioned the source of funding. The foreign ministry later ordered the construction stopped.
Followers of the Karma Kagyu sect, one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, are believed to be the richest among Tibetans. The Karmapa’s followers often controversially project him as the successor to the Dalai Lama, who heads the Gelug sect.
The Karmapa’s official seat is the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, but Dorje cannot go there because of the emergence of a rival Karmapa.
If the government keeps refusing to allow him to travel abroad, Dorje will likely have to spend the rest of his life in Sidhbari, sources said.
Sources later said some 4,000 Euros had been counted and that the Indian currency could run up to more than Rs 10 crore. The police are trying to ascertain the source of the cash and also whether the money seized yesterday belonged to the Karmapa.
A close aide of the Karmapa, Rabjaychojan alias Shakti Lama, has been arrested and questioned about the source of the money. Some of the money is in the currencies of China, Japan, America, Britain, Australia and Thailand, police said.
The Karmapa was said to be inside the monastery during the raids but there was no word from him or any of his aides on the search or the seizures.
Two men, Asutosh and Sanjay, were arrested after yesterday’s seizure of cash, which sources said had been drawn from a private-sector bank in Delhi.
Dorje has been under the security agencies’ scanner since his arrival in India. He lives in Sidhbari, 10km from the Dalai Lama’s residence. The Centre has confined the Karmapa’s movements within 15km of his home for sometime, and does not allow him to visit the Dalai Lama too frequently.
“On July 25, 2009, the Karmapa was given only 30 minutes to meet the Dalai Lama. Earlier, three consecutive requests from him to see the spiritual leader were turned down,” a source close to the Dalai Lama said.
Since July 2008, the Centre has refused to let the Karmapa visit other monasteries in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir that are located close to the China border.
Dorje has also been banned from travelling abroad. He had toured the US in 2008, when he visited New York and San Francisco in an attempt to raise his international profile. He is keen to visit America again but the government has not budged.
The Karmapa’s Z-plus security cover was withdrawn a couple of months ago; so he is now guarded by a single police constable instead of 24 security personnel. Till 2006, he was always escorted by a group of four aides but that was stopped after the security agencies objected.
A month ago, when the Karmapa began building a multi-crore religious structure on a 75-acre site in Kotla, 42km from Dharamshala, the income tax department and security agencies questioned the source of funding. The foreign ministry later ordered the construction stopped.
Followers of the Karma Kagyu sect, one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, are believed to be the richest among Tibetans. The Karmapa’s followers often controversially project him as the successor to the Dalai Lama, who heads the Gelug sect.
The Karmapa’s official seat is the Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, but Dorje cannot go there because of the emergence of a rival Karmapa.
If the government keeps refusing to allow him to travel abroad, Dorje will likely have to spend the rest of his life in Sidhbari, sources said.
Addressing the mammoth gathering at Una, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Yatra was launched from Kolkatta on 12th January, 2011 on the birthday of Swami Vivekanand and the home land of late Shri Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. He paid tributes to late Shri Shyama Prasad Mukherjee who made supreme sacrifice while defying the permit system to Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister said that the youth of the State had made supreme sacrifice since 52 youth attained martyrdom during Operation Vijay in Kargil. He said that their sacrifices had not gone in vain as they flush infiltrators out of Indian territory. He said that it was unfortunate that UPA partner Government in Jammu and Kashmir was against unfurling of National flag in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that J&K is integral part of India and unfurling national flag was the legitimate right of citizens of the country.
Prof. Dhumal gave a clarion call to every youth to join the Yatra. He said that BJP would not allow disintegration of the country. He appreciated and supported the cause of BJYM and said that every citizen of country supports the Ekta Yatra. He wished Yatra a grand success.
Shri Anurag Thakur, National President BJYM and Member of Parliament thanked the people, especially the youth of the country for supporting Ekta Yatra overwhelmingly. He ridiculed the divisive forces who were bent upon disintegrating the nation for their ulterior motives. He said that J&K was part and parcel of the country and unfurling the national flag was birth right of every Indian. He said that the motive of separatists, who were attempting to keep Jammu and Kashmir as separate identity would not be fulfilled as they are not well wishers and true citizens of the country.
Shri Thakur said that law and order was deteriorating in the country due to maladministration of UPA Government at the Centre. He said that BJYM was committed to realize the dream of great thinker late Shri Shyama Prasad Mukherjee to integrate the nation. He thanked the people of the country who were welcoming the Yatra.
Shri Thakur reiterated the resolve of the youth to unfurling the national flag and Lal Chowk, Srinagar. He said that Yatra had passed through 25 States covering 2700 kms and organizing 376 meetings where people in large number welcomed the Ekta Yatra which is a symbol of national unity against anti national elements.
He challenged the move of UPA Government to give autonomy to State of Jammu and Kashmir which was not in the interest of united India. He said that 11,000 youth of the State would be accompanying the Yatra to Lal Chowk and said that the Yatra is getting big support from all sections of the society.
Shri Thakur also honoured the wards of Kargil martyrs and freedom fighters.
Shri Narender Atri, State President, BJYM welcomed the Chief Minister and National President, BJYM Shri Anurag Thakur to Himachal Pradesh.
Shri Satpal Singh Satti, Chief Parliamentary Secretary proposed vote of thanks.
Shri I.D. Dhiman, Education Minister, Shri Rikhi Ram Kaundal, Deputy Speaker, H.P. Vidhan Sabha, Shri Virender Kanwar, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, MLAs, former MLAs, office bearers of the BJP were present on the occasion.
From Our Correspondent/New Delhi : While inviting the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah to hoist “Tiranga” at Lal Chowk, BJYM National President Shri Anurag Thakur has said that Omar Abdullah has become Chief Minister of J&K under the Indian constitution and it is his constitutional duty to ensure due respect to “Tiranga” in J&K. He added that Rashtriya Ekta Yatra has been organised by the youth of the country and “Tiranga” is the prestige of Bharat so Omar should have no objection on hoisting “Tiranga”. On reaching Panipat a warm welcome was extended to the yatra. In the meeting held there BJP National Gen. Sec. Shri J.P. Nadda and BJP M.P. Shri Navjot Singh Siddhu were also present.
Addressing the meeting held in Panipat Shri Thakur had said that it is not proper to oppose it without knowing the purpose behind this yatra. This yatra has been organised to bring awareness in the country towards the conspiracy of separatism going on Kashmir. From the support given to this yatra by the youth National President Sh. Anurag Thakur is fully confident that there is no misunderstanding in the minds of the people of the country about the Rashtriya Ekta Yatra. Earlier, Shri Thakur was given warm welcome at Kranti Chowk of Delhi University. On this occasion he shared his experience with them and said that he has witnessed great excitement among the youth about this Kashmir Yatra. He said that the warm welcome extended to this yatra in 8 states has generated confidence in him and I am sure that Rashtriya Ekta yatra will also get similar type of heavy support in Kashmir. He said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must abandon the policy of confrontation and come forward to receive the yatra. For this he has invited Omar to hoist “Tiranga” at Lal Chowk. He said that “Tiranga” is a symbol of India’s prestige and self-respect. Omar Abdullah is also Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir which is an integral part of Bharat. So he should have no objection on hoisting “Tiranga”. BJP M.P. Shri Navjot Singh Siddhu has said that Kashmir problem is the legacy of Congress and it is not taking any concrete steps to solve it.