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“I have not come here today to seek mercy and I would not seek mercy from anyone but God. Today, and at the same moment where you are shackling my hands and intend to bury me alive, you are at the same time unleashing the hands of hundreds of Muslim youths. And you are removing the dust of their minds. They will join the ranks of the free men soon and very soon the world will see the end of these theatre plays “

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, spokesperson of Al-Queda – 23^rd September 2014 in a US court.

(From top to down: Photograph from a video, illustration of Ghaith in US custody, an image frame from a video statement by Al-Queda, illustration of trail)

Sulaiman Abu Ghaith is also son-in-law of Osama-Bin-Laden and a founder of Al Wafa al Igatha al Islamia, a charity that acts as a front for al Qaeda’s fund-raising.  The statement was made on Tuesday, 23rd September 2014 through an interpreter before US district judge Lewis Kaplan. Ghaith is a former imam and he chose Stanley Cohen, an orthodox Jewish and a high profile criminal US lawyer to defend him in the US court of law.  Minutes after he made the above statement, the judge Lewis Kaplan imposed the sentence of life in prison.  Earlier, Ghaith was convicted on terrorism charges.

American and European news agencies preferred illustrations of Sulaiman Abu Gahith and avoided real photographs. Some media channels just carried photos or illustrations of Osama-bin-Laden.  Most of the images available on internet are taken from the video footages released by Al-Queda as part of their statements.

US public opposed the lawyer Stanley Cohen who defended Ghaith.  Leaflets handed out near the Manhattan courthouse, where trial was conducted, describe the Jewish attorney as a “traitor” and an “enemy of Jews, Israel and America.” Similar fliers were distributed around his Lower East Side loft. Several family members of the victims of Sept 11 twin tower tragedy attended the trial.

 

 

In October 2014, Pope Francis will convene an Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.  The topic of the meeting would be “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization”.  The meeting would explore the ways and means the Churches should go about showing compassion in the context of modern views and practices on sexuality.  In simple words, the meeting would take decisions to relax Church laws related to marriages so that it would become easy for the Church to retain the existing Christians in their fold and convert others to Christianity.

The importance of the meeting can be understood by the fact that only three such meetings have been called since 1965, when Synod of Bishops was created.  Typically, such extraordinary meetings are called when crucial decisions are taken affecting the Church in a significant way.

Francis is continually emphasizing the importance of softness in the conversation about what the Church condones and condemns. There is less emphasis on condemning and more on condoning. The Pope is cleverly exploiting the tone of the message to enhance the impact of the content.  In the October meeting, the Church would take convenient positions on divorce, remarriage and cohabitation – in order to take the message of Christ to wider audience.  A document with details of proposed changes has already been circulated among Bishops. The Vatican’s official position is that remarriage can only happen if a previous marriage is annulled, meaning declared to never have truly existed. Cohabitation is frowned upon.

In mid-September 2014, Pope Francis attended a marriage ceremony where live-in partners were entering into the wedlock.  This is being interpreted as one of the outcome of the October meeting – relaxing rules of the Church to the marriage of co-habitating couples.  It should be seen whether the Church would provide official recognition to the marriage of the divorced.  Marriage itself, like communion, is a sacrament in Catholic theology, and both are a way that the faithful can experience life in community with fellow believers. Local churches currently make their own decisions about serving communion to divorced and remarried, or cohabitating Catholics.  The Catholic Church has a minimal role to play as of now as it is unable to enforce theological guidelines on the masses.  The Church, as an institution, is aimed at bringing the whole world under Christianity.  The discrepancy between the theological guidelines and the popular practices is reducing the Church influence in the public domain. The strategy of the Church remains the same – dominate the public affairs through educational, health and cultural activities. And use the influence accrued due to social activities for conversions.  The October meeting would calibrate the Catholic theology to reduce this conflict between two of its objectives.  The meeting is an attempt to review and consolidate domination in public affairs across regions of the world.

Non-Christian groups point to the focus of the Church towards conversions and its readiness to dilute principles affecting the stability of family life. Catholic Church for the time being may continue to stick a common sense definition of marriage between a man and one woman.  While doing so, Church leaders are providing a vague justification – “This is what marriage is all about: man and woman walking together, wherein the husband helps his wife to become ever more a woman, and wherein the woman has the task of helping her husband to become ever more a man, Here we see the reciprocity of differences.” But compulsions of conversions may change even that somewhere in the future.

According to some analysts, dilution of family set-up through divorce, live-in relationships are encouraged by various Christian denominations over a sustained period.  Many active Christian groups in the west are advocating same sex marriages.  Changing the pattern of how people marry and separate would affect the followers of other religions in a significant way.  By granting official recognition to the dilutions would be seen as a reformative act helping well-established propaganda machinery of the Church.  Those religions who continue to follow stricter marriage laws would be labelled as archaic and unreformable.  When the followers of other religions dwindle in numbers, the Church would be ready to provide a popular alternative.

 

 

Al-Queda has announced a new organization OJBH (Organization of Jihadi Bases in Hindustan) to launch terrorist attacks in India.  In this context,  the following guidelines are provided  for Indians to counter OJBH.

Say no to intolerance:

• Intolerance is the root cause of terrorism. Intolerance takes many forms.  Insisting that God has only one name, and only one form.  Considering other forms of worship, idol worship, worshipping multiple gods, worshipping trees, animals, rivers and mountains as wrong and objectionable are all manifestation of intolerance.  Insisting that converting others as religious duty or freedom is also a form of intolerance.  Acts of violence, abetting illegal actions based on community support are also included in intolerant acts.  For example, use of horn loudspeakers in Mosques and other religious places is an act of intolerance.  Similarly, using NGO network to provide inducements to achieve conversions also is an intolerant act.  
• Adopt a good conceptual frame work to identify different forms of intolerance. An understanding of universal values is required

 

Express in your views:

• Expressing views about intolerant acts.   If someone is engaged in an act of intolerance, let the person know that you are not approving his/her actions.  While opposing intolerance, ensure that your opposition is well within the legal limits.  Do not provide an opportunity to the intolerant people to misinterpret your views.  If the actions of the intolerant are illegal, bring them to the notice of the authorities. 
• Indian Muslims should be proactive and start expressing their views on Jihad, Shariat, and other controversial aspects of Islam.  They could actively initiate discussion with their non-Mulsim friends and clarify their positions on various issues. 
• Indians should enhance their communications with other fellow Indians and reaffirm their stance not to encourage intolerant actions, their resolve to promote social harmony and defeat the designs of terrorist outfits across the globe.  Organizations should release press statements, individuals should employ social media to express their view points on these issues.

 

Provide Guidelines to population:

• Issue Fatwas: Imams  and Islamic scholars of India issue fatwa to all Indian Muslims directing them to fight Jihad perpetrated by ISIS, Al-Queda, and Pakistan based organizations. 
• Hindu Gurus should educate their disciples to the dangers of intolerance.  The meaning of Dharma, importance of Dharma in everday life has to be taught to the people. And Gurus should tell how Jihad of ISIS, Al-Queda is against Dharma and the need for proactiveness of their disciples in this regard.
• Christians communications should align against the intolerant actions and attitudes.
• Political parties should express their opposition to the intolerant acts of any individual or the group as a policy and respond consistently and constructively to maintain social harmony.
• The Government should publish guidelines to public to deal with various scenarios involving intolerant acts, and monitor the developments, attitudes, and actions disturbing the social harmony.

 

 Action items:

• Individuals:  Express your opinions and Report any observed intolerant activities to authorities
• Organizations:  Release statements and demand appropriate responses from government and others
• Government:  Improve social institutions and processes.    In each case of observed case of intolerance, the active players who are creating problems are to be identified and suitable corrections have to be initiated.

 

 

A referendum is scheduled on 18^th September 2014 in Scotland based on the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill  which was put forward on 21 March 2013.  The referendum question, as recommended by the Electoral Commission, will be “Should Scotland be an independent country?”.  A simple majority for “yes” would create a separate nation and a “no” would continue the present arrangement of continuing with United Kingdom.

Recent findings from opinion polls suggest that there is a surge in ‘Yes’ votes from 39% to 43% and a decline in ‘No’ vote from 61%  to 57% in less than four weeks.  If the trend continues, Scotland would become free.  It is quite unnatural in the present scenario if ‘No’ gets a simple majority. Those who vote for No are considered as suffereing from  system justification.  The term ‘system justification’  is defined as the “process by which existing social arrangements are legitimised, even at the expense of personal and group interest”. It consists of a desire to defend the status quo, regardless of its impacts. It has been demonstrated in a large body of experimental work, which has produced the following surprising results. System justification becomes stronger when social and economic inequality is more extreme. This is because people try to rationalise their disadvantage by seeking legitimate reasons for their position. In some cases disadvantaged people are more likely than the privileged to support the status quo. 

People of Scotland by opting to ‘Yes’ vote would seize the  opportunity to gain independence, ending the 305-year-old political union with England. With independence, Scottish people would benefit economically, socially and would get opportunities to express their creativity. Those who remember the “wars of independence” led by their ancestors 700 years ago and the sacrifices made by William Wallace would vote for fee Scotland.  As an independent state, Scottish independence would promote nuclear disarmament, and democracy.  Independent Scottish people should promote universal values and work towards world peace in the true sense

Notes: The method of execution adopted by England in the case of Scottish freedom fighter is appalling.  Reported violence of ISIS appear to be less intensive.  To dismiss this torture method as an incident of past may not be prudent, especially when we do not understand the roots and dynamics of violence.

William Wallace led a war of independence against Great Briton. He was defeated and captured. His sacrifice may be understood by details of his trial and punishment.  During the trial, on 23 August 1305, Wallace was taken from the hall to the Tower of London, then stripped naked and dragged through the city at the heels of a horse to the Elms at Smithfield.  He was hanged (after drawn), drawn(fastened to a  wooden panel, and drawn by horse to the place of execution) and quartered (chopped into four pieces). After hanging, Wallace was released while he was still alive, emasculated ( removal of the penis and the testicles), eviscerated (removal of viscera i.e., internal organs, especially those in the abdominal cavity) and his bowels burnt before him, beheaded, then cut into four parts. His preserved head (dipped in tar) was placed on a pike atop London Bridge. His limbs were displayed, separately, in Newcastle upon Tyne, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Stirling, and Perth.

 

 

Last rites of U. R. Ananthamurthy were conducted as per Sampradaya of Jaati he belonged. It is reported that his children took the decision as per their understanding of the wishes of URA. U. R. Ananthamurthy had explicitly expressed his reluctance to use electric crematorium. That means he had preference towards cremation using wood. There was one more reason for the children to take the decision. U. R. Ananthamurthy had performed the Shraddha rituals of his parents in accordance with the tradition. He had gone to Gaya for this purpose. The last rites were performed by his son Sharath Ananthamurthy. The rituals were performed in accordance with the Madhwa Brahmin sect. A team of 15 priests led by Suryanarayana Shastri led the rituals as per Vedic tradition, which lasted for almost an hour. Rituals were also conducted as per Madhwa traditions earlier in the day at his residence at Dollars Colony. Two trucks of firewood, 50 kg of sandalwood pieces, 75 kg of ghee and five kg of camphor were used for the final rites.  Christian and Muslim prayers were also held as he was known for upholding secular values.  One media report recalled an incident at a simple function at Suchitra, an organization that he supported,  he was the only one the dais who took off his shoes to light the inaugural, ceremonial lamp. Commonly he was perceived as the Hindu-basher, the iconoclast, the blasphemer. In 2013, he was part of another controversy when he made a statement that there is a reference in the Mahabharata to Brahmins consuming beef. This drew flak from Hindu religious leaders.

So, what was he criticizing? Rituals or aachaara of Brahmanas.? Brahmins? Hinduism? RSS/BJP? Was he seen as a critic of rituals based on his novels, especially samskaara? Or was he practicing Brahminism at home and opposing it outside? Was Brahmin bashing a convenient tool for URA for gaining favors in an anti Brahmin political environment? Was he a reformer? It is true that some of his followers were unhappy that a mud pot was broken as part of rituals before his cremation conducted by traditional Brahmins. Were they fooled by a Brahmin in disguise?

Or was URA a creative genius with incoherent stance on philosophy and tradition? Or was he opposing traditional discipline because of his personal experiences during his love marriage with a Christian girl? Was he constantly making attempts trying to justify his actions? Or was he sympathetic to Christians? Was he afraid of violent backlash from Muslims, Christians or Hindus? He never criticized Jihadis, conversions and changed his stance on Modi when agitators were vocal.

Whom was he engaging through his controversies? Anonymous common people on ground who are accused of celebrating his death? Or the famous and well known political leaders like Narendra Modi?

So what should his followers do? follow rituals? or abandon them? Should they follow Hinduism? or Not follow Hinduism? Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the reported celebration of death of URA as macabre. According to him and many others it amounted to showing disrespect to a titan as URA. Health minister U. T. Khader described the mindset of people who burst crackers as having vicious mindset. The FIR has been filed under Section 143 (unlawful assembly), Section 147 (rioting) and Section 290 (public nuisance).

On a philosophical plane, Hinduism teaches that ‘enmity ends with death’. Is it a universal principle? Is it a good principle? How can one say that it is a principle to be followed? Those who are criticize URA after his death, are they non-Hindus? Those who are criticizing those who fired crackers after URA’s death, are they following Hindu principles?

Very confusing!

URA, the modern thinker,  is not available to provide clarity!!!

 

 

Dharma refers to the sustaining principle of the universe.  Sanatana Dharma, that is adopted by the Indian society, refers to an unbroken tradition of Dharma from time immemorial.  Sanatana Dharma manifests as a society adhering to  Varna Dharma.   The society adhering to the Varna Dharma includes four Varnas –  Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vysya, and Shudra.  There is no fifth Varna.

Varna dharma continues mainly through family traditions and jaati associations.  Inter Varna/jaati marriages generates newer jaatis.  The continuation of jaati traditions through endogamous marriages could be in alignment with the Sanatana Dharma.

The four fold of Varna society is a highly evolved system aimed at ensuring ideal environment and path for all round development of all individuals in the society.

Those who are incapable of adhering to the established Varna System are expelled from the respective adherents of Varnas and are referred as ‘Dasyus’.  It should noted that Dasyus have a jaati and possibly a Varna identity and are either aligned or well positioned to be aligned to the ancient tradition.   Those who are not familiar with the Varna Dharma or not in a position to follow the ancient tradition are referred to as Mlecchas. Those who are not able to understand or harbor antagonistic attitude and stay unfamiliar with the Varna Vyavastha are included in this  ‘Mlecchas’.

Hindu is a term primarily used to refer to the followers of ancient tradition based on Vedas by the outsiders.  Presently, the term is used loosely with slightly different meanings.  In general, these meanings have positive connotations, especially with an intent of social harmony.  Some others use the term to include Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains.  Some would like to use the term to refer to all Indian nationals.  Those who would like to establish a harmonious society by establishing a uniform society would prefer the community who identify themselves as the custodians of the ancient tradition as Hindus. Some use the term to refer to those who have non-antagonistic  attitude towards the ancient tradition.

Thus the adherents of ancient tradition is described either in terms of Varna, or in terms of jaati or by the term Hindu.  It is interesting to note that those who identify themselves primarily through Varna  and Jaati identity also would consider themselves as Hindus.  On the other hand, some of those who would like to identify themselves primarily by Hindu identity, would not like to be identified by their Varna / Jaati identity.

Thus, it is safe to conclude that the Hindu identity is a buffer identity shielding the Sanatana Dharma from the onslaught of barbarism.  Thus, the Dharmic tradition is sustained by four Varnas supported by Jaati traditions.  Dasyus uphold the jaati traditions.  Hindus facilitate Dasyus to get integrated with the jaati traditions and simultaneously try to uplift Mlechhas towards the ancient tradition.

To clarify, Chandala is a Shudra, a fallen Brahamana may be a Dasyu. Jihadi Muslims, Proselytizing Christians, extremist Naxals, and unfriendly Jews are all Mlechhas.  Hindus are those who are claimants of ancient tradition with or without jaati/varna association.  Those who have non-antagonist attitude towards the ancient tradition may also be referred to as Hindus.

 

 

Yaana (journey), the new novel by writer S.L. Bhyrappa, was released across the State on Tuesday, 29th July 2014. The 291-page novel deals with the transformation of human moral values when astronauts undertake a journey beyond the solar system. The writer researched the subject for two years, including discussions with professors of the Indian Institute of Science, before writing Yaana. The price of the book is Rs 190.

By Aug 1st, 10000 copies from two editions were sold according to the sources from publishing house. S. L. Bhyrappa is one of the most popular writers of Indian languages. His previous novel Kavalu saw over eight editions, and is a critique of contemporary facets of feminism. Avarana, another of his recent novels, dealing with intolerance and fundamentalism, saw over 35 editions and has been translated in Tamil, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and English.

Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa has written more than 24 novels in Kannada. Most of his novels have been translated to many of other Indian languages. Almost all of recent novels and most important ones of novels have been translated to English language. His writing is characterized by superlative story telling ability around contemporary themes, internal consistency with in the plot of the story, and perfect connection with the external world based on a realistic setting backed by factual linkages. He explores human relationships interplaying with the value systems simultaneoulsy at personal and social planes in his themes. S. L. Bhyrappa exhibits courage in dealing with sensitive but most important subjects of the contemporary society and provides justice in the light of truth and ultimate good without compromising on the beauty of novelistic art form.

He deserves to be considered for Nobel Prize for literature from India. Jnanapith award of India is due to him.

 

 

Ramzan (or Ramadan) is the name of the Islamic month when Prophet Mohammad obtained the Koran.  Muslims consider this month as sacred.  Ramadan is referred as pillar of Islam frequently and appears to be a description of its importance.

Moon sighting controversy continues in the Islamic world

Islamic months begin (or end) on the sighting of new moon.  There are confusions and controversies around determining the beginning of Ramadan and  Eid-ul-Fitr throughout the world. The confusion is because of the interpretation based Islamic tradition (Hadiths).  For example, the Ramadan of 2014 was concluded on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in different regions.  In Pakistan alone, Peshawar celebrated Eid on Monday and Islamabad celebrated on Tuesday.  In Nigeria, it was celebrated on Saturday. Scientifically, the moon sighting times/days may be different depending on the latitude, and longitude. Based on the moon sighting definition, the exact timing of the sighting may be determined well in advance for each locality. But, today, Muslims celebrate the Eid based on decision of moon sighting committees, which operate on community practices.  The adhoc and unscientific practices of clergy to determine sighting of moon was criticized as madness by the Daily Times [Report] .  Some Muslims even miss celebrating Eid in the ensuing confusion of moon sighting.  Clergy climb the rooftops, and sight the moon with their bare eyes.  This moon tracking happens everywhere in the high skies, in the presence of dark clouds and during rains.  The moon-sighting committees operate, in many circumstances, on political and personal agendas.  The moon sighting in Chile, Argentina, and Guyana was on Sunday and Saudi Arabian clergy sighted the moon on Monday.  In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad announced the moon sighting which was not accepted by the Moon sighting committee appointed by him [Report]. Pakistan continuing the practice of celebrating Eids on two different days as moon-sighting committee of Qasim Ali Khan Mosque in Peshawar, headed by Mufti Shahabudin Popalzai announced the moon sighting on Sunday night. During this confusion of moon sighting, some Muslims even miss the Eid day celebration.

Limited Fasting – Restraint during the day

All adult healthy Muslims are obligated not to take food, not to smoke, and not to have sex during the daylight hours for a month.  However, obligation is limited to the duration after the sunrise and before the sunset and is actually a limited duration fasting.  Typically, the morning meal is heavy to help completion of all activities throughout the day.  The evening meal can begin after the sunset and can continue throughout the night. Both of the meals during Ramzan fasting, contains rice, meat, fruit, vegetables, and sweets and other food items including beef.

The elderly, sick, and mentally ill are exempt from the fasting. Pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns are also exempted. People who miss the fasting are expected to compensate by feeding the poor and unfortunate.  In 2014, some of the football players playing the world cup were exempted from fasting – and some of them might have taken the fasting after the completion of the world cup.

Civic Life during Ramadan

In many Islamic states, the time on the roads before breaking the daily fast is known as ‘Ramadan rush hour’. After a long day of fasting, typical daily activities such as driving or shopping would lead to the rush hour.  In the United Arab Emirates, Road Safety UAE has launched a set of guidelines to encourage public safety on the roads during Ramadan. Guidelines include safety precautions such as wearing seat belts.  Dubai’s police force increases the number of street patrols during ‘Ramadan rush hour’ in an effort to combat aggressive driving.

In India, Muslims are busy in the mornings and evenings on streets. Mosques start announcing time from 3am onwards so that people can get up and complete their meals by sunrise and prepare for morning prayers.  Repeated announcements through horn loudspeakers help Muslim residents. After the morning meals and the prayers, the teenagers as well as adults start playing games on the roads and other public places in large groups.  This continues, in many occasions, until evenings. The extra time available from the beginning of the fasting and to the time of work or school would be utilized in these activities. Evening activities in mosques continue, on specific days, until late night and during this period, young and not so religious Muslims are seen in streets playing games and chatting.

Of course, the early morning wakeup calls, late evening programmes, playing on streets disturb non-Muslim residents of the localities.  Police departments receive calls for help to reduce these disturbances.  Coalition against Noise pollution, Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and Bangalore has published a Ramzan oath for devout Muslims to observe the partial fasting in peace and harmony with the neighbors.

Privilege spree in India

Indian politicians are eager to provide special privileges during the month of Ramzan facilitating limited fasting.  Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president has urged lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply in the Muslim-dominated areas of the city during Ramzan. The Pradesh Congress has also expressed its concern to the Lt Governor in a telephonic talk with him. The Assam Government employees belonging to the Muslim community were allowed to leave office at 4.30 PM, half an hour earlier than the scheduled time, during the month of Ramzan.  Telangana State Minorities Commission has assured the prisoners of the Central Prison, Chanchalguda that it would provide them with prayer mats, caps and fruits during the month of Ramzan. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh released the calendar of Ramzan the Holy Month of Muslim brethren beginning from 30 June. Express Distribution and Supply Chain major Gati Ltd has collaborated with GI certified Haleem specialist Pista House to make Hyderabadi Haleem available in selected cities across India.  This service is currently available daily in selected areas in Delhi NCR, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad and twice in one week in Coimbatore and Vishakhapatnam. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has announced allocation of 4,500 tonne rice free of cost to mosques for preparing gruel consumed to break the fast during Ramzan season.

 

 

The numbers equal to powers of ten are frequently used in economics and other fields to represent large values.  United States uses numbers million, billion, and trillion to represent 10⁶, 10⁹, and 10¹² respectively.  But, intermediate powers of ten have no unique name.  In India, presently, 10^3, 10^5, and 10⁷ are referred as Sahasra, Laksha, and Koti.  Other powers of ten are referred through three three numbers.  For example, 10¹⁰ is referred as one thousand crore.  Bigger numbers such as Indian GDP are represented by using trillion unit.  In the present year budget, the Indian GDP was estimated as twelve lakh crores.  That is equal to 132 trillion rupees.  There is some kind of confusion in India about the use of names for these numbers.  Interestingly, there is systematized list of names for each power of ten in Sanskrit and we are not making use of the existing terminology.  Even terms ‘lakh’ and ‘crore’ are english version of ‘laksha’ and ‘koti’ taken from the same list.  Rigveda provides some of these names.   The Ramayana and Mahabharata provides names of numbers equal to powers of ten.  References to names representing many powers of ten are also seen in Panini’s Ashtadhyaayee, Lilaavathi, Aryabhateeya, and Vishnupuraana.  By considering two important sources from this perspective, Ramayana and Vishnupurana, the following detailed table is prepared.

Power of 10 form	Name
103	Sahasra
104	Ayuta
105	Laksha
106	Prayuta
107	Koti
108	Arbuda
109	Abja
1010	Kharva
1011	Nikharva
1012	Shanku
1013	Neel
1014	Jaladhi
1015	Anta
1016	Madhya
1017	Paraardha
1022	Vrinda
1027	Mahavrinda
1032	Padma
1037	Mahapadma
1042	Karvam
1047	Mahakarvam
1052	Samudram
1057	Ogha
1062	Mahaugha

It is interesting to note that million is called prayuta, billion is called abja, and trillion is called Shanku. As an example, the size of economies of different countries are listed below with Jaladhi as a unit for the year 2014.

GDP of major economies – 2014 Jaladhi Rupees
world	44
China	5.95
USA	10.2
Europe	13.10
Japan	3.64
India	1.29
Australia	0.94
Africa	0.86
South America	3.49

 

 

Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, new Caliph of Islamic State wears modest $560 “Islamic watch” from Al-Fajr, a Saudi Arabia-based watchmaker. This was revealed during Friday sermon calling on believers to wage “jihad” against God’s enemies in a rare appearance.

The deluxe stainless steel WA-10Swatch – the preferred choice of “true Muslims, can be programmed with the correct prayer times for hundreds of cities around the world. The watch can be set to ring before each “azan,” or call to prayer, wherever the wearer happens to be. Five prayer times of the day are based on the movement of the sun, so they can vary in different places within the same city. In addition to the prayer alarms, the Swiss-made watch has a built-in compass to indicate the direction of Mecca, Islam’s holiest site, so believers will know what direction to pray. The bilingual watch displays in English and Arabic and allows you to choose either the Gregorian or Hijra calendar, which is “based on the astronomical moon sighting at Mecca

The watch maker has 30 branches, 11 in Arab countries and many in EU countries. Non of them in Iraq.  Here is a complete list of features of the watch.

Hindus were the first civilization who have mastered the time keeping.  Hindu Panchanga includes advanced calculations and matured calendars. Hindus are following the calendars based on Suryasiddhanta even today.  But, why no one has created a watch similar to the above one for Hindus?  India has emerged as one of the software talent in the world? What are the Indian engineers doing? Are they incapable of creating such a watch?