ELEVEN KILLED, 66 INJURED IN DELHI TERROR ATTACK

‘BRIEFCASE BOMB’ EXPLODES
OUTSIDE NEW DELHI HIGH COURT

New Delhi (AP) - A bomb exploded outside New Delhi’s High Court on Wednesday, killing at least 11 people and injuring 66, in an act of suspected terrorism in the heart of India’s capital that further heightened concerns about the nation’s security vulnerabilities.  The high-intensity blast occurred at 10:14 a.m. near the courthouse reception area. Officials said they believed the bomb was placed in a briefcase.  Addressing reporters in Bangladesh, where he has been visiting, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “We will never succumb to pressure from terrorists. All political parties must unite to crush the scourge of terror.”  Indian news channels said the Islamist militant outfit Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami had claimed responsibility for the attack in an email to media organizations.

The bombing appears to be the worst attack in India’s capital since blasts at shopping centers in 2008 that left 22 people dead. Security experts say Wednesday’s bombing is particularly worrying because it comes three months after a low-intensity explosion outside the same courthouse in New Delhi, reflecting a lackluster response by the government. The May blast didn’t result in any injuries.  India vowed to redouble efforts to crack down on terrorism after the country suffered its worst-ever terrorist attack nearly three years ago in Mumbai, when Pakistan-based gunmen rampaged through the city and killed 166 people. But despite some moves to beef up intelligence gathering coordination and strengthen police capabilities, attacks have continued. In July, a series of bombs ripped through crowded shopping areas in Mumbai, killing 20 people and injuring 131. Police have yet to name any suspects for those blasts.

Two months after 26 people were killed in Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi has been attacked again.  A bomb apparently hidden in a briefcase has exploded outside India’s high court in New Delhi, killing 11 and wounding at least 66.  Some analysts feared these attacks, culminating in the July attack in Mumbai, signaled an effort to regroup by the Indian Mujahedeen - a domestic militant group blamed for many of the 2008 attacks.  Violent humans beings are causing unnatural death regardless of the innocence of the murdered women and children. By doing so, they are attacking human dignity itself.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

The present-day world appears to be running fast towards destruction. As per Indian scriptural evidence, the conditioned souls are enveloped by Lord’s illusory energy consisting of three primal qualities - Sattva, Rajah, and Tamah.  ‘Tamah’ indicates tendency to commit vice or to inflict injury.  In fact, Tamah tendency has now engulfed the whole world and is spreading over like fire and showing its most monstrous destructive ugly appearance.  The sagacious persons are bewildered to find any solution of this terrible tendency of violence. ... Lord does not think much about sins of other living beings who have got no such discriminating power. They do actions out of instinct. But God has bestowed discriminating power to human beings. In spite of that if they commit heinous crimes, surely they will be punished. They will never be spared.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāja :

“Human’s sins will never be spared”
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math - www.sreecgmath.org

ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER PLANET MADE OF DIAMOND

ASTRONOMERS FIND DIAMOND
PLANET SPINNING IN SPACE  

(Reuters) - Astronomers have spotted an exotic planet that seems to be made of diamond racing around a tiny star in our galactic backyard.  The new planet is far denser than any other known so far and consists largely of carbon. Because it is so dense, scientists calculate the carbon must be crystalline, so a large part of this strange world will effectively be diamond.  “The evolutionary history and amazing density of the planet all suggest it is comprised of carbon - i.e. a massive diamond orbiting a neutron star every two hours in an orbit so tight it would fit inside our own Sun,” said Matthew Bailes of Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.  Lying 4,000 light years away, or around an eighth of the way toward the center of the Milky Way from the Earth, the planet is probably the remnant of a once-massive star that has lost its outer layers to the so-called pulsar star it orbits.  Pulsars are tiny, dead neutron stars that are only around 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) in diameter and spin hundreds of times a second, emitting beams of radiation.

The planet, which orbits its star every two hours and 10 minutes, has slightly more mass than Jupiter but is 20 times as dense, scientists reported in the journal Science on Thursday.  In addition to carbon, the new planet is also likely to contain oxygen, which may be more prevalent at the surface and is probably increasingly rare toward the carbon-rich center.  Its high density suggests the lighter elements of hydrogen and helium, which are the main constituents of gas giants like Jupiter, are not present.  Just what this weird diamond world is actually like close up, however, is a mystery.  “In terms of what it would look like, I don’t know I could even speculate,” said Ben Stappers of the University of Manchester. 

Astronomers believe they have discovered a planet made purely from diamond.  They claim that a planet orbiting a small fast spinning star, called a pulsar, is likely made of diamond.  The sparkling world 4,000 light years away is 60,000 Km in diameter, five times that of the Earth, and is thought to be all that remains of a once-massive star which collapsed and was crunched down into crystalline.  The planets in this material world are manifested only temporarily, and they are not eternal.  However, the Vedic scriptures tell us about a Vaikunta planet - which never to be annihilated - installed in the material atmosphere, called Dhruva planet.
 

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

While Dhruva was traveling upward to heaven, the devas, who were hovering in airplanes singing his glories, showered him with a rain of beautiful flowers.  Gradually, Dhruva could see all the planets and, crossing them without difficulty, he reached the planet of Vishnu, which is above the three worlds and the constellation of the Seven Rsis.  That planet is always self-effulgent and illuminates all the planets beneath it, with its light. It is the supreme abode destined for those saints who are always engaged in working for the actual welfare of others.  Those who are peaceful, equal to everyone, pure and always engaged in helping other living entities to serve Shri Hari, easily reach that planet.  It can be attained without difficulty by those who take pleasure in the soul and consider Shri Krishna to be their dearest friend and protector. ... The son of Uttanapada (Dhruva) thus obtained the topmost position in all the three worlds.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāja
“Sages of Ancient India”
“The Sacred Teachings of Dhruva and Prahlad”
Mandala Publishing Group 2001
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math - www.sreecgmath.org

BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS MONTH

WORLD CELEBRATES BREASTFEEDING 
MONTH TO SAVE CHILDREN’S LIVES

NJ Today - Today several events around the world are carrying out to celebrate the closing of the Breastfeeding Month.  August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month in many parts and from Aug. 1 to 7 was World Breastfeeding Week (WBW). Research suggests that breastfeeding is a key modifiable factor for disease for both mother and infants. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention report that Ohio’s 2010 breastfeeding initiation rate of 64.8 percent ranks 42nd in the nation-we can do better. This year’s WBW theme is Breastfeeding- Takin’ it to the streets! and the motto is Breastfeeding Rocks! Both the theme and motto focus on the need to use all available communication strategies to educate and inform citizens and institutions about their role in promoting and supporting breastfeeding. While the choice to breastfeeding is a personal one, communities should inform and support mothers’ decision to breastfeed her baby.

Cultural acceptance of breastfeeding as the normal way to feed a baby ensures that social policy supports mothers who make that choice. Returning our communities back into a breastfeeding-supportive culture will take efforts by educational institutions, hospitals, businesses, and even legal support. “The more our society accepts breastfeeding as the normal, natural way to feed a baby the healthier and better off we will be as a nation, state, and community,” said Kathy Boersma, RN, Community Action Health Services Director. “In light of the monetary and life saving benefits of breastfeeding, all elements of the community, must cooperate and support breastfeeding. Ultimately, our whole society benefits from having healthier mothers, babies and children when breastfeeding is promoted, protected and supported.”

Research shows that increasing exclusive breastfeeding rates can result in reduced risk of pediatric overweight, decreased incidence of infectious diseases and protection against obesity and other chronic diseases.  Hospitals have opportunities to implement practices in labor, delivery, postpartum care and discharge planning that can protect, promote and support breastfeeding and improve the success rate among women who want to breastfeed.  The topic of Breastfeeding remembers us when Krishna had just learned how to walk and was playing the pastime of being hungry.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

In Krishna lila we find that, one day, there were no servants in Nanda Maharaja’s house. So mother Yasoda went herself to churn butter from the milk. While she was churning the milk, the young child Krishna came to her. He said, “O mother, stop churning, I am hungry. Give me milk!” ... Yasoda was charmed and put the child on her lap to breastfeed Him, but at that very instant, the milk on the stove started to boil over. So, Yasoda said to Gopala, “Get down, the milk is boiling.” But Krishna’s appetite had not been appeased and He did not want to get down. He said, “Give me more milk.” Yasoda thrust Krishna down and ran to the stove.  Krishna became very angry because of this and wanted to break the pot containing the yogurt, but He was at the same time afraid of His mother. So, with a small stone, He silently struck the pot until the pot broke and all the curd spilled onto the floor. Then, seeing other pots hanging from the ceiling, He climbed onto the mortar and broke all the pots.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāja :
“Suddha Bhakti, the Path of Pure Devotion”
Part 3: “Prayojana - The Fulfillment of Devotion”
Mandala Publishing Group 2000.
San Francisco, CA 94103 USA
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math - www.sreecgmath.org

STUDENT PROTESTS IN CHILE ERUPT IN VIOLENCE

WITH CLASHES AND RIOTS, THOUSANDS
DEMAND EDUCATION REFORM IN CHILE

http://news.sky.com - Student protests in Chile have turned violent again as tens of thousands took to the streets demanding changes to public education.  Masked demonstrators burned cars, looted storefronts and threw furniture at police in the capital Santiago and other cities.  Apartment buildings were also attacked as riot police used tear gas and water cannon to push back students.  Police have said 23 officers were injured during the protest which saw 273 demonstrators detained.  Students have been demanding a fundamental change to how Chile finances public education.  They also called for private universities enjoying a non-profit tax status to reinvest revenues into educational improvements, as is required by law.  University of Chile student president Camila Vallejos claimed that 150,000 marched on Santiago’s side streets because they were denied permission by the government to protest on the main avenue.

Deputy interior minister Rodrigo Ibilla doubted these figures, estimating that 70,000 to 80,000 had protested in the capital.  The demonstration had started out peacefully with many students wearing costumes, dancing, singing and waving signs.  However, a group of masked protesters split off from the main parade and attempted to break through police barricades blocking the way to the presidential palace.  A protest five days earlier, which had been deemed illegal, ended with 900 arrests and many civilians and police officers injured.  Teachers’ union president Jaime Gajardo reiterated the students’ call for a national referendum on their demands.  The leaders of the governing centre-right coalition have dismissed this as unconstitutional and dangerous.

Tens of thousands of teachers, students, parents and sympathetic labor activists marched in downtown Santiago, Chile, for the fifth time in two months to demand reforms from the conservative government.  Apart from a rising anger over poverty, the top of the list of demands is education, which is the privilege of the few.  Some protesters started fires and threw rocks at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannon.  When there are different centers of interests, nobody can avoid clashing of groups, so Nama-Sankirtan is a universal remedy which can unite all people's hearts.  

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

According to Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Transcendental Divine Love is the strongest spiritual force on earth which can establish close relation of love and unity of hearts amongst all human beings and thereby establish real peace in the world. There is an outbreak of conflagration of group clashes throughout the world. Nowhere you will find peace. ... False egos create false interests and by that clashing of interests we see the forest fire in this world. ... In the present age, “Nama-Sankirtan” is the best medicine and effective way to achieve the summum bonum of human life as it can be performed under any sort of circumstances.  Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Math institution is engaged in the propagation of the all-embracing doctrine of Transcendental Divine Love of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to counter the present trend of violence and cruelty and to bring unity of hearts amongst all irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāja :
“Strongest Spiritual Force on Earth”
Press conference, on 29 December, 2000, Mumbai.
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math - www.sreecgmath.org
http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/sreecgmath/message/64

SOMALI WOMEN FLEEING FAMINE PREYED ON BY RAPISTS

KENYA’S REFUGEES: A PERILOUS
JOURNEY FOR FOOD AND FREEDOM

Dadaab, Kenya (AP) - Refugee Barwago Mohamud huddles silently beneath a few blankets stretched over sticks at night, fearing for her life after a neighbor was raped, and a naked woman who had been kidnapped and gang-raped for three days in front of her terrified children was delivered to the medical tent next door.  Only a few hundred feet away stands a newly built camp with a police station, toilet blocks and schools. Neat thornbush fences in the camp separate residential areas for families to move into. But all the facilities are empty. The Kenyan government is refusing to open the new refugee Ifo 2 camp, Dadaab, saying the desperate Somali refugees flowing into the country are a security risk.  But for the women and children who fled war and famine and are now forced to build their shelters farther and farther away from the center of the camps, the extension would be a refuge from the armed men who prowl the bush at night.

Some may be deserters from Somali forces across the border; others are Kenyan bandits who rob and gang-rape the stream of refugees fleeing the famine in Somalia.  The contrast between the squalid, insecure outskirts of the sprawling camp and the empty, silent facilities shows how regional politics can interfere with aid efforts, causing millions of dollars to be wasted and leaving women and children vulnerable to attack.  Mohamud and eight other women and girls share their rickety shelter on the outskirts of Dadaab, a camp designed for 90,000 people which now houses around 440,000 refugees. Almost all are from war-ravaged Somalia. Some have been here for more than 20 years, when the country first collapsed into anarchy. But now more than 1,000 are arriving daily, fleeing fighting or hunger.

After many families have made the long, perilous journey from Somalia to the refugee camps in Kenya, they are not yet safe. Research shows that women are often attacked when they leave their families to go to the bathroom or gather firewood.  The International Rescue Committee has recorded a spike in rapes and attempted rape. Since the beginning of June, they have had double the number of attacks reported from January-May.  More and more women are coming forward who have been raped but the vast majority of rapes go unreported.  Lust of the flesh along with cruelty and violence are demoniac propensities.  

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

The heart disease of every Jiva is Lust (Kama). An enslaved Jiva cannot conquer Kama by his own capacity. We become victims of Kama (passion) when we become averse to Sri Krishna. This punishment has been inflicted upon those, who, being the eternal servants of Sri Krishna, are reluctant to serve Him. If the root cause of passion is not eradicated, how can we conquer Kama? When we become averse to Sri Krishna and want to enjoy Maya, Maya immediately envelops us and we get false egos relating to subtle and gross bodies. As such we are passing through cycles of births since time immemorial and burning in the conflagration of births and deaths and threefold affliction. The only way of getting emancipation from worldly suffering is total unconditional surrender to the Lotus Feet of Sri Krishna.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāja :
“Desire for Money, Woman, Name and Fame”
www.sreecgmath.org  -  http://bvml.org/SBBTM/dfmwnaf.html