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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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“The most important weapon in a con man’s arsenal is another man’s greed.”

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Victor Lustig

Victor Lustig (January 4, 1890-March 11, 1947) born in Hostinne, Austria-Hungary, was a con artist who undertook scams in various countries and became best known as “The man who sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice.” He also ripped off Al Capone, the American gangster of $50,000.

In 1947, Lustig succumbed to pneumonia. His death certificate reads ”Robert V. Miller, apprentice salesman.” A deviant even in death!

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Frank Abagnale

Frank William Abagnale, Jr. born April 27, 1948, an American, is considered one of the most famous impostors ever.

This former confidence trickster, check forger, impostor, and escape artist assumed no fewer than eight identities: an airline pilot, a doctor, a U.S. Bureau of Prisons agent, and a lawyer to name a few. He was the inspiration for the popular feature film ”Catch Me If You Can”, a recent Broadway musical bearing the same name that opened in April 2011, and for a ghostwritten autobiography bearing the same name.

Now, Frank Abagnale is a security consultant and an ethical motivator. He is one of the world’s leading authorities on combating forgery and embezzlement. For more than 30 years, many of the world’s leading financial corporations and governments have consulted him. He is associated with the FBI. Now, more than 14,000 financial institutions, corporations and law enforcement agencies across the nation use his fraud prevention programs.

In 1998, CNN’s Financial News named Abagnale one of its ”Pinnacle 400″ business leaders.

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The notorious con man of India

India too can boast of its own indigenous notorious con man who had more than 50 identities. The police in eight states wanted him in about 100 cases, and his convictions added up to 117 years of prison life. He was a living-legend in his lifetime known for his notoriety, and is still a legend even after his death in 2009 (???) at the age of 97.

Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava alias Natwarlal

Mithilesh Kumar Srivastava, better known as Natwarlal, was born in 1912 in a nondescript village named Bangra, in Raghunathpur CD Block of Siwan district in Bihar, India, just two kilometres away from Ziradei, the birthplace of India’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Natwarlal – Master of disguise.

Natwarlal left Bangra when he was 15 years-old and never returned to it.

He mastered the art of disguise and used novel ideas to cheat. He also mastered forgery and is known to have forged the signatures of many celebrities of his period. According to a legend, he was close to Dr. Rajendra Prasad. However, the two fell out after Natwarlal tried to dupe the first president by forging his signature.

To Natwarlal, committing fraud was an art. Before he turned into a con man, he was by profession a lawyer. He had studied and understood human nature, and he used the vital weapon in a con man’s arsenal: another man’s greed.

He had swindled millions of rupees from many shop-owners by paying for goods purchased with forged cheques and demand drafts.

Natwarlal cheated many industrialists by posing as a social worker or as a person in need and relieving them of a huge amount of cash. It is alleged that even the Tatas, Birlas, and Dhirubhai Ambani had fallen for his ruse.

Natwarlal repeatedly sold the Taj Mahal thrice to gullible foreigners, the Red Fort twice, the Rashtrapati Bhavan once and the Parliament House of India lock, stock, and barrel along with its 545 sitting members.

Natwarlal was arrested nine times. However, he managed to escape from jail every time. He was last arrested in 1996. He was 84 years old at that time and was using a wheelchair. On June 24, 1996, Natwarlal vanished in the teeming crowd at New Delhi railway station while being escorted by the police from Kanpur jail to the AIIMS hospital for treatment. It was the last time anyone had ever seen him.

Natwarlal’s death is a mystery. In 2009, his lawyer Nandlal Jaiswal announced that Natwarlal died on Saturday July 25, 2009. However, Ganga Prasad Srivastava, brother of Natwarlal claimed that he had cremated his brother Natwarlal in 1996 at Ranchi.

Therefore, the actual time and year of Natwarlal’s death is still uncertain. So, living up to his legend Natwarlal died twice, 13 years apart.

The authorities are baffled with these queries: Is Natwarlal really dead? If he is alive where is he now? Is he planning yet another scam under yet another name?

Many residents of Bangra are still basking in the glory of their legendary con man. They have plans to install a life-sized statue of the notorious Natwarlal in their village in the vacant land where Natwarlal’s house was once stood. This, they say this is the least they can do for the infamous man who made their featureless village in Bihar famous.

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RELATED ARTICLES

• Victor Lustig (en.wikipedia.org)
• Frank Abagnale (en.wikipedia.org)
• Natwarlal (en.wikipedia.org)
• Nuts about Natwarlal (timescrest.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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The Government of India has established 18 Biosphere Reserves of India. Nine of these biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list. This list includes the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve that covers an area of 4,054 square miles (10,500 sq km) on the south-east coast of India in the Gulf of Mannar.

In addition to protecting the flora and fauna in the region, protection is also given to the human communities who live in these regions, and to their ways of life.

Gulf of Mannar is one of the richest coastal regions in southeast Asia. It nurtures over 3,600 species of flora and fauna. Biological researchers have identified more than a hundred hard coral species. Dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and oysters abound in the gulf. Frequent visitors to the gulf are the globally endangered sea cow (Dugong dugong), a large marine herbivorous mammal. Other endangered species are the dolphins, whales and sea cucumbers. Also, the gulf has six endangered mangrove species endemic to peninsular India.

The Indian coast in the Gulf of Mannar extends from Rameswaram island in the North to Kanyakumari in the South of Tamil Nadu.

The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is a protected area of India consisting of 21 small islands in the Gulf of Mannar covering an area of nearly 216 square miles (560 sq km). It lies up to 10 km away from the east coast of Tamil Nadu, South India, stretching about 160 km between Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) and Dhanushkodi. It is the core area of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve which includes a 10 km buffer zone around the park, including the populated coastal area. The park is endowed with a high diversity of plants and animals in its marine, intertidal and near shore habitats. The park is part of the 87 miles (140 km) long and 15.5 miles (25 km) wide Mannar barrier reef. It lies between 8° 47’ to 9° 15’ N latitude and 78° 12’ to 79° 14’ E longitude.

The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve comprises the 21 islands of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, with estuaries, mudflats, beaches, forests of the near shore environment, including marine components like algal communities, sea grasses, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves.

The 21 islands vary from 0.25 hectares (0.62 acre) to 130 hectares. (321.2 acres). Total area of the islands is 2.41 sq miles (6.23 sq km).  Well-developed coral reefs occur around all these offshore islands which are mainly composed of calcareous framework of dead reef and sand, and have a low and narrow sandy coast.

The 21 Indian Islands in the Gulf of Mannar.

The islands are listed below, southwest to northeast.

Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) group (Four Islands):

1. Vaan Tivu, 16.00 ha, 8.83639°N 78.21047°E
2. Koswari Island, 19.50 ha, 8.86879°N 78.22506°E
3. Kariyashulli Island, 16.46 ha, 8.95409°N 78.25235°E;
*4. Vilangushulli Island, 0.95 ha, 8.93815°N 78.26969°E.

*Due to excessive coral mining, Vilangushulli Island island is now 1 metre below mean low tide level.

There were two more islands named Pandayan and Punnaiyadi at 8.78075°N 78.19536°E. But these were destroyed during the construction of the new artificial deep-sea Tuticorn Port.

There are numerous other nondescript islands located close to Thoothukudi city. Of these Muyal (or Hare) Thivu and Nalla Thanni Islands attract visitors during weekends and festival seasons.

Vembar group (Three Islands):

5. Uppu Thanni Island, 22.94 ha, elevation 4 m, 9.08921°N 78.49148°E
6. Puluvinichalli Island, 6.12 ha, elevation 5.5 m, 9.10320°N 78.53688°E
*7. Nalla Thanni Island, 101.00 ha, elevation 11.9 m, 9.10667°N 78.57885°E.

*Nalla Thanni Island island was populated recently.

Kilakarai group (Seven Islans):

8. Anaipar Island, 11.00 ha, elevation 2.1 m, 9.15294°N 78.69481°E
9. Valimunai Island, 6.72 ha, elevation 1.2 m, 9.15354°N 78.73052°E
10. Appa Island, 28.63 ha, elevation 6.4 m, 9.16582°N 78.82596°E
11. Poovarasan Patti, 0.50 ha, elevation 1.2 m, 9.15413°N 78.76695°E
12. Talairi Island, 75.15 ha, elevation 2.7 m, 9.18133°N 78.90673°E
13. Valai Island 10.10 ha, elevation 3.0 m, 9.18421°N 78.93866°E
14. Mulli Island, 10.20 ha, elevation 1.2 m, 9.18641°N 78.96810°E;

Mandapam group (Seven Islans):

*15. Musal or Hare Island, 124.00 ha, elevation 0.9 m 9.19912°N 79.07530°E
16. Manali Island, 25.90 ha, 9.21564°N 79.12834°E
17. Manali-Putti Island, 2.34 ha 9.21581°N 79.12800°E
18. Poomarichan Island, 16.58 ha 9.24538°N 79.17993°E
19. Pullivasal Island, 29.95 ha 9.23699°N 79.19100°E
*20. Kurusadai Island, 65.80 ha 9.24690°N 79.20945°E
21. Shingle Island, 12.69 ha, elevation .6m 9.24174°N 79.23563°E.

*Musal (or Hare) and Kurusadai Islands were recently populated. The shallow waters surrounding these islands harbour three species of seagrass that are found nowhere else in India. Representatives of every known animal phylum except amphibians are found on this island.

Next: Part 3 – Islands and Islets of Sri Lanka →

← Previous: Part 1 – Adam’s Bridge

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RELATED ARTICLES

• Islands in the Gulf of Mannar: Part 1 – Adam’s Bridge (tvaraj.com)
• Islands in the Gulf of Mannar: Part 3 – Islands and Islets of Sri Lanka (tvaraj.com)
• Gulf of Mannar (en.wikipedia.org)
• Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (en.wikipedia.org)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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Glow of joy! Women lighting traditional lamps on the eve of Deepavali (Photo: K.C. Sowmish)

India, being a culturally diverse and fervent society, celebrates various holidays and festivals. States and regions have their own local festivals depending on prevalent religious and linguistic demographics.

To the Hindus, Deepavali (also known as Diwali, Dīvali, Dīpāwali, Dipabali, etc.,), is one of their most sacred festivals. The name “Diwali” or “Dīvali” is a contraction of “Deepavali”. I will use the longer word “Deepavali” in this article.

Deepavali is a “festival of lights,” symbolizing the victory of righteousness over spiritual darkness. All over the world, the Hindus celebrate Deepavali jubilantly with their families in their homes, performing traditional spiritual activities. In India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, people belonging to other religions too join the Hindus in the celebrations.

Goddess Lakshmi is the most significant deity during Deepavali Puja. Several other gods and goddesses are also worshipped. Various religious rituals are followed during the five-day festivities.

Deepavali is celebrated as a five-day festivity that starts on Dhanteras, celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha (dark fortnight) of Ashwin and ends on Bhau-Beej, celebrated on the second lunar day of Shukla paksha of the Hindu calendar month Kartik. However, in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, the Deepavali festivity begins one day earlier on Govatsa Dwadashi, and is a six-day festivity.

The month of Ashvin begins with the Sun’s exit from Virgo in the solar religious calendar. In the Sanskrit language ‘Ashvin’ means light. It is the seventh month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar.

In many cultures, people use the lunisolar calendar where the date indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year.

In the Tamil sidereal solar calendar, used by Tamils all over the world, Ashvin is known as Aipassi (ஐப்பசி). In the Bengali sidereal solar calendar, officially used by the Bengali people in West Bengal and Bangladesh, it is the sixth month and is called Ashbin (আশ্বিন).

The Five/Six Days of Deepavali

Deepavali celebrations is a five-day festivity spread over from Dhanteras to Bhau-Beej. In some places like Maharashtra and Gujarat the celebrations begin with Govatsa Dwadashi. All the days except Deepavali are named according to their designation in the Hindu calendar. The days are:

Govatsa Dwadashi or Vasu Baras (27 Ashvin or 12 Krishna Paksha Ashvin):

In Sanskrit, Go means cow and vatsa means calf, Dwadashi or Baras means the 12th day. On this day the cow and calf are worshiped.

King Prithu chasing Prithvi.

According to Hindu mythology, Prithu was a king, from whom the earth received her name Prithvi. The epic Mahabharata and the Hindu text Vishnu Purana describe him as a part Avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu.

Prithu was the son of King Vena, a tyrant. Due to the lawless rule of Vena, an appalling famine engulfed the earth making it barren. King Prithu went after Prithvi, the earth goddess, who fled from him transforming herself into a cow. After being caught, Prithvi agreed to yield her milk as the world’s grain and vegetation that brought prosperity to the world once again.

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Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanteras or Dhanwantari Trayodashi (28 Ashvin or 13 Krishna Paksha Ashvin):

In Sanskrit, Dhana means wealth and Trayodashi means 13th day. This day falls on the 13th day of the second half of the lunar month Ashvin, and usually eighteen days after Dussehra.

Dhanventari, physician of the Devas, and god of Ayurvedic Medicine.

According to Hindu mythology, Dhanvantari is an Avatar of Vishnu. He appears in the Vedas and Puranas as the physician of the gods devas, and is the god of Ayurvedic medicine. He is depicted as Vishnu with four hands, holding medical herbs in one hand and a pot containing rejuvenating nectar called amrita in another.

In the myth of the Samudra or Sagar manthan (Churning of the Ocean of Milk), Dhanavantari emerged bearing the pot of nectar after the Devas (demi gods) and Asssuras (demons) churned the ‘Ocean of Milk’ using the Mount Mandarachala, also known as Mount Meru, as the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of serpents, as the rope.

The Hindus pray to Lord Dhanvantari seeking his blessings for good health for themselves and others, especially on Dhanteras, his Jayanti (Birth Anniversary), along with Goddess Lakshmi, the provider of prosperity and well-being.

Lakshmi and Kuberan (Source: amritsartemples.in)

Lord Kubera, the God of assets and wealth is also worshiped on this day by the Hindus. Dhanteras is very significant among business communities since it is customary to buy precious metals on this day.

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Naraka Chaturdashi (29 Ashvin or 14 Krishna Paksha Ashvin):

Chaturdashi is the 14th day (Tithi) of the waxing phase or waning phase of the moon.

This day signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, because on this day the demon Narakasura was killed by Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu. . This day is also known as Kali Chaudas, Roop Chaudas or Choti Diwali.

In one source in Hindu mythology, Narakasura is the asura son of the earth goddess Bhūmī-Devī (Earth) and Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) Avatar. In other sources, he is said to the son of the asura Hiranyaksha. It was foretold that he would be destroyed by a later incarnation of Vishnu. So, his mother, the earth, sought a boon from her consort Vishnu for a long life for her son, and that he should be all powerful. Vishnu out of love for Bhūmī-Devī granted these boons.

Narakasura, knowing himself to be unrivalled in prowess became evil, and subdued all the kingdoms on earth and brought them under his control. Next, he set his eyes on Swargaloka (the heavens), the abode of the devas. Unable to withstand the powers of Narakasura, the mighty Indra, the lord of the devas, fled from Swargaloka. Narakasura became the overlord of both the heavens and earth. Intoxicated by power, he stole the earrings of Aditi, the heavenly mother goddess, and usurped some of her territory, while also kidnapping 16,000 women.

The devas, led by Indra appealed to Vishnu, asking him to deliver them from Narakasura. Vishnu promised them that he would help them when he would be incarnated as Krishna.

Narakasura was allowed to enjoy a long reign because of the boon granted by Vishnu.

When Vishnu incarnated as Krishna, he married Satyabhama, an Avatar of Bhūmī-Devī. Aditi, being a relative of Krishna’s wife approached her for help. On learning about Narakasura’s ill treatment of women and his behaviour with Aditi, Satyabhama was enraged. Shr approached Lord Krishna for permission to wage a war against Narakasura.

As promised to the Devas and Aditi, Vishnu in his Krishna avatar, riding his mount Garuda with wife Satyabhama, attacked the great fortress of Narakasura. The battle was fierce. Narakasura unleashed all his army on Krishna. However, Krishna slew them all. He also killed Mura, Narakasura’s general. Thus, Krishna is called ‘Murāri ‘(the enemy of Mura).

Krishna hurling the Sudarshana Chakra.

The desperate Narakasura launched his great weapon, sataghini, a thunderbolt, and then his trident on Krishna, but these weapons did not harm Krishna. Eventually, Krishna beheaded Narakasura with his Sudarshana Chakra, a spinning, disk-like super weapon with 108 serrated edges.

Before dying, Narakasura requested a boon that his death anniversary should be celebrated by all people on earth. This day is celebrated as ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’.

In southern India, this is the actual day of festivities.

On this day, the Hindus, all over the world, wake up before dawn, have a fragrant oil bath and dress in new clothes. In Tamilnadu, after the bath, a home-made medicine known as “Deepavali Lehiyam” is consumed, which is supposed to aid to overcome digestive problems that may ensue due to feasting that occurs later in the day. They light small lamps around their homes and draw elaborate kolams or rangolis in front of their houses. They perform a special pooja with offerings to Krishna or Vishnu, for liberating the world from the demon Narakasura on this day. The Hindus believe that bathing before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky, is equal to taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. After the pooja, the devotees burst firecrackers heralding the defeat of the demon. As a day of rejoicing, housewives prepare elaborate breakfasts and lunches and meet with family and friends.

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Lakshmi Puja (30 Ashvin or 15 Krishna Paksha Ashvin):

Amavasya, the new moon day, is the most significant day among the five days Deepavali festivities and the ceremonies followed on that day are known as Lakshmi Puja, Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja and Deepavali Puja. The Hindus worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings also known as the banisher of obstacles.

Deeyas (little clay pots) are lit in the homes and streets to welcome prosperity and well-being.

On this day, ink bottle, pens and new account books are worshipped. Ink bottle and pen, are sanctified by worshipping Goddess Maha Kali. New account books are sanctified by worshipping Goddess Saraswati.

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Govardhan Pooja and Bali Pratipada (1 Kartika or 1 Shukla Paksha Kartika):

In North India, this day is celebrated as Govardhan pooja, also called Annakoot.

Krishna holding Govardhan Hill to save his people.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna taught people to worship Govardhan, the supreme controller of nature, a manifestation of himself and to stop worshiping Lord Indra, the Lord of Swargaloga and also the god of Rains. Indra was furious and directed his wrath on the people by raining on them. Krishna lifted the Govardhana hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods.

For Annakoot, large quantities of food are decorated symbolising the Govardhan hill lifted by Krishna.

In the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Govardhan pooja is performed with great zeal and enthusiasm.

In Haryana Govardhan Puja forms an important part of the celebrations of Diwali. There is a tradition of building hillocks with cow dung, to symbolize the Govardhan hill. After making such hillocks, devotees worship them after decorating them with flowers. They move in a circle round the cow dung hillocks and offer prayers to Lord Govardhan.

In Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, this day is celebrated as Bali-Pratipada or Bali Padyami. The day commemorates the victory of Vishnu, in his dwarf form Vamana, over the demon-king Bali.

In Maharashtra, it is called Padava or Nava Diwas (new day). Men present gifts to their wives on this day. In Gujarat, it is celebrated as the first day of the Vikram Samvat calendar.

Yama Dwitiya or Bhau-Beej (2 Kartika or 2 Shukla Paksha Kartika):

On this day, siblings meet to express love and affection for each other. Brothers visit their sisters’ place on this day and usually have a meal there, and also give gifts to their sisters.

Bhau-Beej – Siblings meeting each other on this day.

This tradition is based on a story when Yama, lord of Death, visited his sister Yami (the river Yamuna). Yami welcomed Yama with an Aarti and they had a feast together. Yama gave a gift to Yami while leaving as a token of his appreciation. So, the day is also called ‘Yama Dwitiya’.

Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali), the Sikh celebration of the sixth Nanak Guru Har Gobind’s return from detention in the Gwalior Fort, coincides with Diwali. This coincidence has resulted in celebrating the day among many Sikhs and Hindus.

Many Buddhists in India celebrated the anniversary of Emperor Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism around the time of Diwali.

Jains celebrate the anniversary of Mahavira’s (or Lord Mahavir) attainment of nirvana on October 15, 527 BC. Many Jains celebrate the Festival of Lights in his honor.

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RELATED ARTICLES

• Diwali (en.wikipedia.org)
• Samudra manthan (en.wikipedia.org)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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Bottled Water

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Drinking a good amount of water is essential to maintain our health. Water helps us to conserve energy, lose weight, and combat disease by hydration.

Though all bottled potable water cannot be deemed healthier than tap water, in most parts of the world the demand for bottled water is increasing day by day even in regions where tap water is considered safe to drink. New York City offers its residents some of the purest, most delicious drinking water on the planet. Over 1 billion gallons are brought in every day from upstate reservoirs. However, most people in NYC just buy brand-name bottled water.

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Recently, the authorities in the state of Tamilnadu, India, sealed hundreds of plants producing bottled water. Even so, many people in the state still buy bottled waters some of which do not meet the ISI standards and marketed illegally.

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Americans buy an estimated 42.6 billion single-serving (1 liter or less) plastic water bottles each year. People in Western Europe consume almost half of all bottled water produced, amounting to more than 100 liters per person every year.

Bottled Water is already having significant adverse effects on the ecosystem of countries all over the world, especially in developing countries.

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The cost of manufacturing, packaging, and transporting bottled water is more expensive than tap water.

Table 1 lists countries where the average price of a 1.5 liter bottled potable water costs USD$ 1.60 (IND₹ 100.58, EUR€ 1.20) or more. The conversions are at prevailing rates of exchange.

Table 1: List of Countries where price of 1.5 Liter Bottled Water
costs USD$ 1.60 or more.

Table 2 lists countries where the average price of a 1.5 liter bottled potable water costs USD$ 0.50 (IND₹ 31.37, EUR€ 0.38) or less.

Table 2: List of Countries where the price of 1.5 Liter of Bottled Water
costs USD$ 0.50 or less.

Table 3 is an alphabetically ordered list of 122 countries showing the average price of 1.5 liter of bottled drinking water.

Table 3:  Price of 1.5 Liter of Drinking Water across the World

Country                                                        USD$                IND₹                EUR€

Source: Know : Price of 1.5 Liter of Drinking Water across the World

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Related articles

• Tap vs. bottled water (blogs.kcrw.com)
• Bottled Mineral Water Is a Safe Alternative to Dirty Tap (knowyourbottledwaterblog.com)
• Know : Price of 1.5 Liter of Drinking Water across the World (propelsteps.wordpress.com)
• Nestlé is draining Pakistan to sell us bottled water (greenreview.blogspot.com)
• Save The Planet And Your Wallet, Drink New York City Tap Water (nyulocal.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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Just 23 days after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began digging to locate the much-hyped 1,000 tonnes of gold buried inside Raja Rao Ram Baksh Singh fort in Daundia Khera in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh, India, ended on Monday, November 11.

The marked spot at Raja Ram Rao Bux fort where excavation was carried out in Unnao – PTI File photo

The ASI started the excavation to find gold after a local seer claimed that the Raja had appeared in his dream and told him that 1,000 tonnes of gold lay buried under the ruins of the fort.

The Myth and the Dream

Myths and legends abound in the nondescript hamlet of Daundia Khera in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh, India, about a hypothetical hoard of gold, buried beneath the ruins of a 19th century fort – the treasure hidden by a local landlord Raja Rao Ram Baksh Singh, hanged by the British for raising a group of rebels up against them at the time of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

In early October, Sant Shobhan Sarkar, a local seer, active in Unnao district, said that Raja Rao Ram Baksh Singh who lived in the 19th century, appeared in his dream and pointed to a treasure of 1,000 tonnes of gold buried near the Shiva temple in Daundia Khera.

A sewak of the seer, said that his  55-years-old guru hailed from a Tewari Brahmin family and that he is “class 12 pass.” When asked about the deity the seer worships, another sewak retorted: “He’s a living god. Why would he worship others?”

This revelation by the seer sparked an interest and hope among the gullible villagers.

The Seer and the Union Minister

Dr. Charan Das Mahant, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing.

On September 22, and October 7, Dr. Charan Das Mahant, the lone Congress Member of Parliament representing the Korba Lok Sabha constituency from Chhattisgarh, and Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing, had visited Shobhan Sarkar’s ashram. The seer, apparently concerned about India’s slumping economy and plummeting rupee, told the minister about his dream. He claimed there could be as much as 1,000 tonnes of gold there, and another 2,500 tonnes of gold lying nearby, awaiting excavation, which the government could use to augment its gold reserves. Dr. Mahant, convinced by the seer, assured him that appropriate action would be taken with regard to his dream.

On his return to New Delhi, the Union Minister, set the ball rolling. He informed the Prime Minister’s office, the finance minister, the home minister, the mines minister and various agencies. He also sent word to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. With surprising alacrity the government machinery immediately sprang to action.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Dr. Mahant said: “When I met [Mr. Sarkar], he told me about the reserves. He said the quantity was so huge that if the government can excavate it, it could be handy since there was a crisis with the rupee.”

Political pressure compelled a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to survey the area.

Counting Chickens

Even before the excavation began, many started counting their chickens. The residents of Daundia Khera, believing that the seer’s prediction will prove true, demanded that 20 percent of the findings should be spent developing educational and health facilities in the area.

A delegation of All India Kshatriya Mahasabha raised a demand for their share in the “booty”. Uma Shankar Singh, the Mahasabha president, who led the delegation to the excavation site declared:

“Since the fortress belongs to an erstwhile royal family of Rajputs, the Kshtriya Mahasabha ought to be naturally entitled to a share in the gold recovered.”

Naresh Agrawal, general secretary of the Samajwadi Party and Rajya Sabha MP, wanted the state government’s share in the gold.

The Excavation 

The GSI submitted a report that said that there were strong indications of metal lying under the ground at the site, and recommended further investigation by an excavation. A sentence in the report’s conclusion said a site inspection had detected that a “prominent non-magnetic … zone occurs at 5-20 metres depth [and there is] indication of possible gold, silver and/or some alloys.“

Excavation begins at Daundia Khera (Photograph: Reuters)

The excavation works began on October 18, 2013 amid tight security by a 12-member team from the ASI led by its Deputy Director P. K. Mishra.

An official of the ASI said that it is not the Sadhu’s dream alone that brought them to the site. “We’ve responded to a report by the ministry of culture. It has observations by the Geological Survey of India that there could be some metal bounty under the earth. So the team is in the field,” he said.

The U-turns

The BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi while addressing a crowd in Chennai on Friday, October 18, 2013, ridiculed the Centre for deciding to hunt for 1,000 tonnes gold in Unnao. Modi said:

“The whole world is mocking at us (over the hunt). Somebody dreamt and the government has started an excavation … The money hidden by thieves and looters of India in foreign banks is much more than 1,000 tonnes of gold. If you (government) bring back that money, you won’t have to do digging for gold (in Unnao),”

Narendra Modi addressing the crowds after his arrival at the Chennai Airport. (AS Ganesh | ENS)

Followers of the seer castigated Narendra Modi on his remarks criticizing the government’s action of digging based on the seer’s dreams.

On October 21, Narendra Modi today took a U-turn and praised seer Shobhan Sarkar in a tweet:

“Sant Shobhan Sarkar ke prati anek varsho se lakho logo ki shraddha judi hui hai. Main unki tapasya aur tyag ko pranam karta hu (lakhs of people have reposed faith in seer Shobhan Sarkar over last many years. I salute his austerity and renunciation).”

Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Union Culture Minister.

This was followed by another U-turn made by the government on October 24, when Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch said the ASI was not digging for gold, but trying to find weapons used by Indians in the 1857 mutiny. She said:

“We have a report from GSI saying that there is an alloy in this area. Alloy can be anything. I cannot say whether it is gold, silver or steel,.. There can be guns or idols. We are trying to locate the weapons used by Indians in the mutiny that we don’t have any in our museum or stores. We are trying to find something, which is connected to the mutiny and used by the Indians.”

All that glitters is not even Fool’s Gold

Earlier, when asked about Shobhan Sarkar’s dream, an ASI official said, “We have not come here for gold. We are archaeologists who have a scientific way of working … I cannot say anything about any metal. For us even a broken earthen pot of that time holds equal importance.”

Now that is what the archaeologists have found. Their wish became a reality!

The ASI team found only broken bangles, utensils, some bones and pieces of metal, but not a speck of gold.

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.RELATED ARTICLES

• Gold hunt called off in Unnao (deccanchronicle.com)
• Unnao: Digging aimed at locating ancient weapons, says govt in a U-turn (deccanchronicle.com)
• Is the Archaeological Survey of India Digging for Real or Fool’s Gold? (tvaraj.com)
• The Myth of the Hoarded Treasure of Daundia Khera (tvaraj.com)
• Modi mocks Unnao gold dig, says more black money stashed abroad (rediff.com)
• Archaeologists dig for gold in UP based on holy man’s dream; Modi mocks at treasure hunt (deccanchronicle.com)
• The mystery of India’s other golden temple: Archaeologists begin hunt for fabled hoard of treasure (independent.co.uk)
• UP gold hunt: CCTV cams installed; ‘descendants’ stake claim (rediff.com)
• Sold on a dream? ASI starts digging for gold at Unnao fort (hindustantimes.com)
• ‘For media it’s new thing, we always knew about treasure’ (indianexpress.com)
• Seer claims another 2,500 tonnes of gold waiting to be excavated at Unnao (dnaindia.com)
• Peepli Live’ in Unnao: ASI begins hunt for 1,000-tonne ‘buried treasure’ (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
• Unnao gold treasure incident (en.wikipedia.org)
• ASI to dig up a dream for hidden gold (deccanchronicle.com)
• Security in place, ASI to begin work shortly: Unnao SDM on ‘gold hunt’ (dnaindia.com)
• Archaeological Survey of India leads gold rush in Unnao (dnaindia.com)
• ASI chases sadhu’s dream, digs for 1000 tonnes of gold (rediff.com)
• UP: Hunt for 1000 tonnes of gold treasure in Unnao begins today (ibnlive.in.com)
• Digging for gold begins at Unnao fort (Roundup) (news.in.msn.com)
• The mystery of India’s other golden temple: Archaeologists begin hunt for fabled hoard of treasure (independent.co.uk)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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I wish all children in India “A Happy Children’s Day!”

In 1925, The World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, Switzerland, proclaimed June 1 as International Children’s Day and then established universally in 1954. Now, many countries around the world, celebrate Children’s Day, but on different days each year.

Universal Children’s Day

A major global variant of Children’s Day is the Universal Children’s Day celebrated on November 20 every year.

The United Nations General Assembly recommended this day in 1954 to urge all its member countries to institute a day, with the aim to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children, and to initiate action to help and promote the welfare of children globally as outlined in the Charter.

On November 20, 1959 the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and on November 20, 1989 the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

India celebrates Children’s Day on November 14

Children’s Day (Source: IndianEagle.com)

Today, November 14, India celebrates Children’s Day. On this day, India remembers and honours the country’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The children of India fondly called him “Chacha Nehru” (Hindi: चाचा नेहरू)) or Uncle Nehru.

Nehru consistently emphasized the importance of showering love and affection on children. He saw in them the future of India.

On Children’s Day, the Kids in India engage themselves in the fun and frolic. Various educational, cultural, social, institutions organize functions and conduct competitions for children all over the country. The State and the Central governments organize film festivals in many parts of the country to showcase Children’s films.

In many schools, the children themselves arrange the cultural activities on this day. Teachers also get involved; in many schools, they sing and dance for their students.

First Day Cover for commemorating Children’s Day 2012 in India

Every year, India Post issues special stamps of paintings  by children and First Day Covers for commemorating Children’s Day in India. Here are the commemorative stamps issued from year 2006 to 2012. Please note that these images of the postage stamps are not to scale.

Children’s Day 2012

Children’s Day 2011

Children’s Day 2011

Children’s Day 2010

Children’s Day 2010

Children’s Day 2010

Children’s Day 2010

Children’s Day 2009

Children’s Day 2009

Children’s Day 2008

Children’s Day 2008

Children’s Day 2008

Children’s Day 2007

Children’s Day 2007

Children’s Day 2006

Children’s Day 2007

Related articles

• Children’s Day (en.wikipedia.org)

• Convention on the Rights of the Child (coe.int)

• Children’s Day: What We Should Be Doing (mangosalute.com)
• Why Nehru and Children’s Day Go Together in India (mangosalute.com)
• What Day Is Children’s Day? (mangosalute.com)
• How much does a smile cost (indianeagle.com)
• India celebrates Children’s Day (tvaraj.com)
• still it’s not a ‘HAPPY’ children’s day ? (empowerindonesia.wordpress.com).

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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‘I hate you Sachin, you are making millions cry, don’t go,‘ stated a placard at the ground.

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Sachin Tendulkar (PTI)

As a 16-year-old cricketer Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made headlines on November 15, 1989, for being the third youngest Test debutante by playing against Pakistan. On October 10, 2013, the 40 year-old cricketer known to his ardent fans as “God of Cricket” announced his retirement ending a blazing 24-year career.

Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium (Source: dailymail.co.uk)

The 200th and last Test Match for Sachin Tendulkar began yesterday, November 14, 2013, at his home ground, Wankhade Stadium, Mumbai.

Before the start of the Second Test between India and West Indies, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) honoured Sachin Tendulkar by presenting him with a trophy.

Gold Toss coin

India’s skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni tossed a specially crafted gold coin with Sachin’s image on one side and the MCA’s logo on the other as West Indies skipper Darren Sammy called. Dhoni won the toss and opted to bowl first disappointing Sachin’s fans.

Sachin  received the gold toss coin as a memento as he plays his 200th and last Test match of his 24 years career. Select dignitaries will receive 1000 replicas of the coin at the stadium.

Sachin Tendulkar poses with a stamp book released to commemorate his last and 200th test match against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today. (Photo – K.R. Deepak)

Two Postage Stamps to honour Sachin Tendulkar.

After the toss, the Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal released the commemorative postage stamps to pay tribute to the prodigious cricketer. Union Minister Sharad Pawar, Rajeev Shukla and Milind Murli Deora also joined in releasing the postage stamp honouring Tendulkar. After Mother Teresa, the 40-year old legend is the second person to have a postage stamp released after him, when still alive.

Sachin Tendulkar leading the Indian team on February 14, 2013. (Image – Cricinfo)

Great cricket stalwarts of yesteryear such as Clive Lloyd, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarksr, Ravi Shashtri, Wasim Akram greeted Sachin Tendulkar, walked on to the field with the rest of the Indian team to field against the West Indies.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Amma (Mother).

Union ministers Kabil Sibal, Sharad Pawar, Milind Murli Deora, Rahul Gandhi, actors Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and many other VIPs, were seen at the stadium yesterday and today along with the ever-roaring die-hard fans including Sachin’s mother, his daughter Sara and son Arjun.

Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter Sara along with brother Arjun. (Image: Indiatimes)

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The West Indies were bowled out for 182 in their first innings. Pragyan Ojha took a five-wicket haul.

At the third session of day’s play, Darren Sammy opened the bowling for the visitors, and Murali Vijay took the strike.

At 13.2 overs, when the score was 77, Shikhar Dhawan was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul to Shane Shillingford bowling after scoring 33 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara walked into bat. Four balls later Murali Vijay fell to Shillingford for 43.

At the fall of the second Indian wicket the loud cheer from the live audience at Wankhade Stadium and Sachin’s fans around the globe glued to the TVs in their homes and offices, invariably welcomed Sachin. Coming on to bat as number 4 has been Sachin’s cherished batting position.

In 1948, while playing in his last Test innings at the Oval, Sir Don Bradman’s eyes became moist and he failed to spot Eric Hollies’ googly. He got out for a duck. Luckily, Sachin Tendulkar has escaped from that type of predicament for at the end of the first day’s play Sachin had scored 38 runs from 73 balls.

Cheteshwar Pujara scored 34 runs from 49 balls. At the end of the first day’s play India after facing 34 overs had scored 157 runs for the loss of two wickets. In the Indian dressing room Bhuvneshwar Kumar padded up as the nightwatchman removed his gear.

Here are some of the tweets from cricketers all around the world who paid their tribute to Sachin:

• Alan Wilkins tweets: This is a Test Match like no other! Let Sachin enjoy it as much as he can…this is a celebration of the greatest Cricket Career of all time.

• Ian Bell tweets: The atmosphere in Mumbai right now must be immense!! #ThankYouSachin #LittleMaster

• Joe Root tweets: Sachin made his debut for India before I was born. Then played in my test debut #ThankYouSachin

• Mahela Jayawardena tweets: @sachin_rt Great opponent, fantastic memories..no better role model. Enjoy ur last game!

• Matthew Hayden tweets: @bhogleharsha @alanwilkins22 Sachin…..Sachin #Legend please pass on my respects during your commentary in Honour to Tendulkar #whataplayer

• Michael Vaughan tweets: 38 no… #Sachin. #God. Alarm clock will be set…..

• Russel Arnold tweets: Good luck to Sachin today…. Hope he dishes out a treat for his mother!!! #IndvsWI

• Shane Warne tweets: @warne888 #Sachin was the best batsmen I’ve seen. @brianlara second and outstanding too. These 2 were so much better than everybody else….

• Stuart Broad tweets: Remarkable achievement by a legend of the sport we love. #200 #ThankYouSachin

Tweets from Indian cricketers:

• Dinesh Karthik tweets: Wishing Sachin paji a grt test match,will be watching it only for the legend #ThankYouSachin

• Rohit Sharma tweets: I can never retire from Sachin. #SRTFOREVER

• Suresh Raina tweets: No matter how many times u say it, still feels less. The greatest ever. The Legend. Wonderful to say #SalaamSachin

Today, morning, a very relaxed and calm Sachin Tendulkar walked on to the field with Cheteshwar Pujara. The play started with Pujara facing Best.

Tendulkar hit a four off Best’s last ball in the 39th over (38.5) to reach his 68th Test fifty. It was also, his 10th against West Indies. Pujara reached his 4th Test fifty getting one run off a ball from for Gabriel.

Last ball of the 48th over (47.5) off the relatively new bowler Narsingh Deonarine proved fatal for Sachin Tendulkar.

Narsingh Deonarine

“Deonarine to Tendulkar, out Caught by Sammy!! No, no, no, Tendulkar, no, no, no. How many times have we seen a relatively new bowler get his wicket. It is that man Sammy again taking another blinder. I tell you what, it was not an easy catch at all. Flatter delivery outside off stump, Tendulkar looks to cut late and gets a thick outside edge, the ball flies quickly off, and Sammy leans back and takes a wonderful catch. The entire ground is stunned. He gets a standing ovation as some are in tears. Wife Anjali cannot believe that he’s been dismissed and so can I. He was batting so beautifully, unfortunately, the treat has come to an end. Thank you Master for all that you’ve done. “

Sachin Tendulkar walking back to the pavillion  (Image – Cricinfo)

Tendulkar c Sammy b Deonarine 74(118) [4s-12] and Virat Kohli, right handed bat, came to the crease.

With his 68th half-century, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (born April 24, 1973) may well be concluding his long and spectacular cricketing career.

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Related articles

• International Cricketers Tweet Tribute to Sachin Tendulkar (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar Conferred ‘Bharat Ratna’ Leaves Cricket Fans in Tears. (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s Emotional Farewell Speech: “My life, between 22 yards for 24 years …” (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s Maiden International TEST Century (tvaraj.com)
• Living Indian Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar Has Retired from One-Day Cricket (tvarajcom)
• Congrats, Sachin Hundredulkar… (tvaraj.com)
• A Boost Anthem for Sachin by ‘Kolaveri’ Dhanush. (tvaraj.com)
• Live – India vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Mumbai – Full Commentary (live2.cricbuzz.com)
• Tendulkar, a living legend: Bollywood  (local2globe.wordpress.com/)
• Sachin Tendulkar: Festive Wankhede as fans welcome their hero to his final Test (sports.ndtv.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th Test: No guarantee of fairytale hundred, says MS Dhoni (sports.ndtv.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar: ‘It’s simple, India is in love with him’ (telegraph.co.uk)
• Sachin Tendulkar postage stamp released on honour of the Little Master before 200th Test (cricketcountry.com)
• At the venue of his final Test, postage stamp in honour of Sachin Tendulkar released (hdnaindia.com)
• Sachin boldly goes where no man has gone before! Hail, King Sachin!!(pradeepchakraborty.wordpress.com)
• I am not a fan of cricket. But I am a fan of THE GOD OF CRICKET.(anilyzed.wordpress.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar- Chronology of Centuries (ashiot.wordpress.com)
• It’s not just about Cricket! (kushsrivastava.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj
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Today, the curtains came down for 40-year-old Sachin Tendulkar’s remarkable cricket career. Sachin gave a heart-warming speech to thank his family, teammates, coaches, friends and fans saying it was unbelievable that his life between “22 yards in the last 24 years” has at last come to an end.

Here is Sachin Tendulkar’s Farewell Speech:

All my friends, settle down. Let me talk, I’ll get more and more emotional.

My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that wonderful journey has come to an end. But, I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who played an important role in my life also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It’s getting a little bit difficult to talk, but I will manage.

Late Ramesh Tendulkar

The most important person in my life, and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don’t think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of eleven and told me that “Chase your dreams, but make sure you don’t find short cuts. The path might be difficult, but don’t give up,” and I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I’ll continue to do so and I’ll try my best. Every time I have done something special whenever I showed my bat, it was for my father.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Amma (Mother).

My mother, I don’t know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the last 24 years that I have played for India, but even before that she started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.

In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my uncle and my aunt because my school was quite far from my home, and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day’s play, I would be half asleep, and she would be feeding me food so I could go again and play again tomorrow. I can’t forget these moments. I am like their son, and I am glad that it has continued to be the same way.

My eldest brother, Nitin, and his family, have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn’t like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100%, and that I have full confidence and faith in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me.

My sister, Savita, and her family, was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat. So, thank you very much.

Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don’t know. We have lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me Archrekar sir, my coach. From there on my life changed.

You will find this hard to believe that even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit which we have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth. It has continued and it will continue. Maybe even when I’m not playing cricket we will still be discussing techniques. Various things we agree upon, my technique, and so many technical things which I didn’t agree with him, we have had arguments and disagreements, but in the end when I look back at all these things if that hadn’t happened in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.

Sachin Tendulkar and Anjali – Wedding

The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1991 when I met my wife Anjali. Those were special years and it has continued and will always continue that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and said you continue with your cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family.

Without that, I don’t think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without any stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss, all my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. I normally do.Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through the ups and downs. You are the best partnership I have had in my life.

Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun and daughter Sara.

Then, the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up. You know, my daughter is 16 and my son is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their annual days, sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you for 14 and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.

My in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabelle, both have been so, so supportive, loving, caring. I discuss various things in life, generally with them, and have taken their advice. You know, it’s so important to have a strong family who is always with you and guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.

In the last 24 years that I have played for India I have made new friends, and before that I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions on cricket, or whenever I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better. All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I couldn’t sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o’clock in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.

My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother took me to Archrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I play. When I was 11, 12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. Sir would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.

On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said well played to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on my career, because there is no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution in my life, so thank you very much.

My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket Association, which is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four o’clock in the morning, and turning up for a game at eight o’clock here, just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody forced me or the Mumbai Cricket Association pressurized me to be here. But that was for the love of Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking after my cricket.

The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut believing in my ability, selecting me into the squad at the age of 16 was a big step. So, thanks to all the selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support, especially when I was injured, you were right with me and making sure that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I got fit and fine and playing back for India.

The journey has been special. Last 24 years, I have played with many senior cricketers, and even before that there were many senior cricketers whom I watched on television. They inspired me to play cricket, and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their contributions.

We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, is not here, and my team-mates right here in front me. You are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be difficult, not to be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been special for me. I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match catch one day one morning. I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team, serving the nation.

Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this wonderful sport. Each generation gets this opportunity nearly to take care of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you that you will to continue to serve the nation in the right spirit to the best of your ability, and bring all the laurels to the country. All the very best.

I would be failing in my duties if I didn’t thank all the doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go back on the field and be able to play. The amount of injuries that I have had in my career, I don’t know how you have managed to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me, which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping me in good shape.

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Sachin Tendulkar and Mark Mascarenhas

My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager, we unfortunately, we lost him in a car accident in 2001. But he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never pressurized me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you Mark for all your contribution.

My current management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done, because when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what it
requires to representing me. They have understood that and respected that. So, thank you very much WSG.

Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod Naidu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time away from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank you to your family as well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.

In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to all the media for supporting me and appreciating my performances. It surely had a positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as well for those wonderful captured moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life. So, to all the photographers a big thank.

I know my speech is getting a bit too long, but this is the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in from various parts of the world, and have supported me endlessly, whether I scored a zero or a 100-plus, whatever. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you done for me, I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without all that that life wouldn’t have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories that you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially “Sachin, Sachin” that will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing.

Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand.

Goodbye.

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Related articles

• Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th and Final Test Match of His Career. (tvaraj.com)
• International Cricketers Tweet Tribute to Sachin Tendulkar (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar Conferred ‘Bharat Ratna’ Leaves Cricket Fans in Tears. (tvaraj.com)
• Can’t believe life between 22 yards has come to end: Sachin (thehindu.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s emotional speech that made millions cry (ibnlive.in.com)
• Live: Sachin Tendulkar addreses the audience at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai – Daily News & Analysis (dnaindia.com)
• Cannot imagine Sachin Tendulkar without cricket: Anjali Tendulkar (sports.ndtv.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s Maiden International TEST Century (tvaraj.com)
• Living Indian Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar Has Retired from One-Day Cricket (tvarajcom)
• Congrats, Sachin Hundredulkar… (tvaraj.com)
• A Boost Anthem for Sachin by ‘Kolaveri’ Dhanush. (tvaraj.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj
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Sachin Tendulkar – Farewell (Source: sports.ndtv.com)

An undeniable elegance coupled with once in a while revelation of enchanting playfulness, and an exceptional inclination toward timing, have always been the brand of Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketer.

The hurriedly arranged Test series India vs West Indies was mostly for Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar to bid farewell from cricket.

Yesterday, November 16, 2013, was a memorable Saturday for Sachin.

India won the second Test match against the West Indies by an innings and 126 runs for the second straight time, and the series 2-0. But that win was reduced to a mere footnote by an emotionally charged farewell speech by Sachin Tendulkar that stirred a rapt live audience in the fully packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and TV viewers around the world.

The speech revealed to the world a Sachin Tendulkar, the speaker.

At 11:47, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, the ‘God’ of cricket, was finally saying goodbye to cricket and his fans with glistening tears on his face, after entertaining the world with his 24 years of phenomenal cricket.

This speech uncovered the remarkable person that Sachin was, underneath the universally recognized cricketer. He moved his audience and his adoring, ardent, die-hard fans to tears, and made them fall in love with him once again.

Sachin Factoid (Source: sports.ndtv.com)

Sachin Tendulkar, the “Master Blaster” made his Test debut against Pakistan on November 15, 1989. Yesterday, he ended his cricket career with a total of 34,357 runs in international cricket and 15,921 runs in Tests. Ricky Ponting, the now retired former Australia captain scored 13378, and Jacques Kallis, the highest placed active player is now on 13,140 runs. In all likelihood, these figures of Sachin will never be beaten.

He was the greatest ambassador of the sport of cricket and has touched the lives of all cricket lovers around the globe.

Sachin Tendulkar has been the single colossal to inspire Indian cricket over three generations. He was the perfect ambassador of the sport of cricket, and has touched the lives of all cricket lovers around the globe.

This Saturday is doubly memorable because an official announcement was made by a release from the Prime Minister’s Office that Sachin Tendulkar will be conferred with Bharat Ratna.

According to a report, Sachin said: “I dedicate this to my mother.”

Sachin Tendulkar is the seventh person from Maharashtra to be conferred the Bharat Ratna after Dhondo Karve, Pandurang Kane, Vinoba Bhave, BR Ambedkar, Lata Mangeshkar and Bhimsen Joshi.

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Related articles

• International Cricketers Tweet Tribute to Sachin Tendulkar (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s Emotional Farewell Speech: “My life, between 22 yards for 24 years …” (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th and Final Test Match of His Career. (tvaraj.com)
• International Cricketers Tweet Tribute to Sachin Tendulkar (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar says goodbye with tears, emotional fans scream thank you (sports.ndtv.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar leaves India in tears (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar to be given Bharat Ratna (sports.ndtv.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s Maiden International TEST Century (tvaraj.com)
• Living Indian Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar Has Retired from One-Day Cricket (tvarajcom)
• Congrats, Sachin Hundredulkar… (tvaraj.com)
• A Boost Anthem for Sachin by ‘Kolaveri’ Dhanush. (tvaraj.com)
• Can’t believe life between 22 yards has come to end: Sachin (thehindu.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s emotional speech that made millions cry (ibnlive.in.com).
• SACHINNN..MY HUSBAND IS MISSING YOU BADLY (emilycharlet.wordpress.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell speech Report By Bally Chohan  (ballychohandailynews.wordpress.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj
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 ”I don’t know about cricket but I watch to see Sachin play, as I want to know why my country’s production goes down 5% when he bats” – Tweet by Barack Obama.

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Sachin Tendulkar (Source: thehindubusinessline.com)

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Here are some of the tweets from cricketers all around the world who paid their tribute to Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar :

AB de Villiers (cricresults.com)

AB de Villiers (Abraham Benjamin de Villiers) is a South African cricketer, who captains the South African One Day International team:

“Now that things have settled down a bit, I’d just like to take this opportunity to congratulate @sachin_rt on an amazing career!”

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Alan Wilkins (123people.com)

Alan Wilkins or ‘Wilko’ as he is known in the industry is an experienced sports broadcaster having taken up broadcasting after a career as a professional cricketer playing for Glamorgan and Gloucestershire. He is also a first-class rugby player:

“This is a Test Match like no other! Let Sachin enjoy it as much as he can…this is a celebration of the greatest Cricket Career of all time.”

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Alviro Petersen (trialx.com)

Alviro Petersen (Alviro Nathan Petersen) is a South African cricketer who plays his domestic cricket in England for Somerset and in South Africa for the Highveld Lions:

“A legend of the game says goodbye… #SachinTendulkar . An honour to have played against him.”

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Brett Lee (fanpop.com)

Brett Lee is a former Australian cricketer and a Channel Nine cricket commentator. During his international career, Lee was recognised as one of the fastest bowlers in the world of cricket:

“All the best to the little Master Sachin. A true legend of the game @sachin_rt Best Ever!”

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Chris Gayle (fanphobia.net)

Chris Gayle (Christopher Henry “Chris” Gayle) is a Jamaican cricketer who plays international cricket for the West Indies. He captained the West Indies’ Test side from 2007 to 2010:

“Was absolutely a pleasure being a part of history Sachin Tendulkar 200 Test Match. #legends #Lara…”

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Daniel Vettori (thesun.co.uk)

Daniel Vettori (Daniel Luca Vettori, ONZM) is a cricketer for the New Zealand cricket team. He is the eighth player in Test history to take 300 wickets and score 3,000 runs:

“He has been in form longer than some of our guys have been alive.”

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Dinesh Karthik (espncricinfo.com)

Dinesh Karthik (Krishna Kumar Dinesh Karthik) is a wicketkeeper-batsman who made his debut for the Indian cricket team in 2004 and has been a regular member of the team for varying periods:

“Wishing Sachin paji a grt test match,will be watching it only for the legend. #ThankYouSachin”

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Graeme Swann (Rui Vieira/ PA)

Graeme Swann (Graeme Peter Swann) is an English international cricketer:

“I’m not sure if you heard but Sachin Tendulkar retired today! What a great little player and lovely bloke #ThankYouSachin”

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Harbhajan Singh (Reuters)

Harbhajan Singh (Harbhajan Singh Plaha) born 3 July 1980 in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, commonly known as Harbhajan Singh, is an Indian cricketer and former captain of IPL team Mumbai Indians and Punjab state for the 2012–13 Ranji Trophy season:

“Let’s salute the master.cricket won’t be the same without u.for me u r cricket.thank u paji for everything.”

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Harsha Bhogle (hindu.com)

Harsha Bhogle is an Indian cricket commentator and journalist. Bhogle has recently become a freelance TV presenter:

“Sachin, i’ll say this again, you were a great habit. i’ll live every moment of these last two games.”

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Ian Bell (ecb.co.uk)

Ian Bell (Ian Ronald Bell, MBE) is an English cricketer who plays international cricket for the England cricket team. He also plays county cricket for Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

“The atmosphere in Mumbai right now must be immense!! #ThankYouSachin #LittleMaster”

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Irfan Pathan (skysports.com)

Irfan Pathan (Irfan Khan Pathan) is an Indian cricketer who made his debut for India in late-2003 and was a core member of the national team:

“Most emotional retirement of world cricket but Sachin Tendulkar isn’t retiring from our heart, #ThankYouSachin.”

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Joe Root (zimbio.com)

Joe Root (Joseph Edward Root) is an English cricketer, who plays for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and England: 

“Sachin made his debut for India before I was born. Then played in my test debut #ThankYouSachin”

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Mahela Jayawardene (AFP)

Mahela Jayawardena (Denagamage Praboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene), is a former captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. He is a specialist batsman:

“@sachin_rt Great opponent, fantastic memories..no better role model. Enjoy ur last game!”

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Mathew Hayden (topnews.in)

Matthew Lawrence Hayden AM is a former Australian cricketer. He was a powerful and aggressive left-handed opening batsman, known for his ability to score quickly at both Test and one day levels:

“@bhogleharsha @alanwilkins22 Sachin…..Sachin #Legend please pass on my respects during your commentary in Honour to Tendulkar #whataplayer”

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Michael Vaughan (ecb.co.uk)

Michael Vaughan (Michael Paul Vaughan, OBE) is a retired cricketer who represented Yorkshire and England.  A classically elegant right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner, Vaughan was ranked one of the best batsmen::

“What a Speech… #ThankYouSachin #God”

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Rohit Sharma (topnews.in)

Rohit Sharma (Rohit Gurunath Sharma is an Indian international cricketer. He isright-handed batsman and occasional right-arm off break bowler, who plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket. He is the captain of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.:

” I can never retire from Sachin. #SRTFOREVER”

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Russel Arnold (sify.com)

Russel Arnold (Russel Premakumaran “Rusty” Arnold) is a former Sri Lankan cricketer of Tamil descent. Arnold made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1997 and his One day international debut against South Africa later in the year:

“Good luck to Sachin today…. Hope he dishes out a treat for his mother!!! #IndvsWI”I

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Sanjay Manjrekar (jaintv.com)

Sanjay Manjrekar (Sanjay Vijay Manjrekar) is a former Indian cricketer. He played international cricket for India from 1987 until 1996 as a right-handed middle order batsman: “It was a long speech but then it was a long career. Every minute was worth it. Emotional words from Sachin to finish an emotional series.”

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Shane Warne (Paul Rovere)

Shane Warne (Shane Keith Warne) is an Australian former international cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the game:

“@warne888 #Sachin was the best batsmen I’ve seen. @brianlara second and outstanding too. These 2 were so much better than everybody else….”

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Stuart Broad (topnews.in)

Stuart Broad (Stuart Christopher John Broad) is an English cricketer who plays Test and One Day International cricket for England and is currently the captain of their Twenty20 team:

“Remarkable achievement by a legend of the sport we love. #200 #ThankYouSachin”

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Suresh Raina (espncricinfo.com)

Suresh Raina is currently a player of Indian Cricket Team from Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir now living in Rajnagar town in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. He is an attacking left-handed middle-order batsman and an occasional off-spin bowler:

“No matter how many times u say it, still feels less. The greatest ever. The Legend. Wonderful to say #SalaamSachin”

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Virender Sehwag (DC)

Virender Sehwag is an Indian cricketer. An aggressive right-handed opening batsman and a part-time right-arm off-spin bowler, he played his first One Day International in 1999 and joined the Indian Test team in 2001:

“Been an emotional time for me since the announcement #SRT. Can’t articulate what he means to me, it’s so personal! @BCCI.”

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Related articles

• Sachin Tendulkar Conferred ‘Bharat Ratna’ Leaves Cricket Fans in Tears. (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s Emotional Farewell Speech: “My life, between 22 yards for 24 years …” (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th and Final Test Match of His Career. (tvaraj.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar says goodbye with tears, emotional fans scream thank you (sports.ndtv.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar leaves India in tears (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
• Can’t believe life between 22 yards has come to end: Sachin (thehindu.com)
• Sachin Tendulkar’s emotional speech that made millions cry (ibnlive.in.com).
• Sachin Tendulkar’s Maiden International TEST Century (tvaraj.com)
• Living Indian Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar Has Retired from One-Day Cricket (tvarajcom)
• Congrats, Sachin Hundredulkar… (tvaraj.com)
• A Boost Anthem for Sachin by ‘Kolaveri’ Dhanush. (tvaraj.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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“Sanitation is more important than independence.”
- Mahatma Gandhi (in 1925).

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If you find the images used in this article nauseating, then I have made my point. For us, Indians and other Asians, this is life. We have to live with it.

In 2001, World Toilet Organization (WTO) declared November 19 as World Toilet Day (WTD). Today, over 19 countries observe WTD with events hosted by various
water and sanitation advocates.

In developing countries in Asia and Africa, poor sanitation and water supply result in economic losses estimated at $260 billion annually.

Though a majority of the world’s population has access to mobile phones, one third of humanity do not have access to proper sanitation, including toilets or latrines, affecting the environment, human health, dignity and security, and social and economic development.

We all like food. We spend most of our income on food. We look forward eagerly to what we would eat today for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But, do we ever give thought to what happens as a result of all that food we consume?

In our society and community, it is a taboo and not polite to talk about toilets. We do not want others to see the cleaning and sanitation products we use. So, we hide them. We even hide the sewer system beneath the ground.

Why?

Because one third of humanity (2.5 billion people), or one in three people living in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, do not have access to clean, safe, and functioning hygienic toilets. Therefore, they do not bother to discuss the problem of sanitation. As such, sanitation remains a neglected issue with meager financial investments in water, sanitation and hygiene sectors.

In the developing countries, the cost of inaction on sanitation is high. Due to lack of toilets, men, women, the young, the sick and the elderly have to defecate in the open, in fields, in vacant lots, and even by the roadside during the day and at night. Almost 1 billion people continue to defecate in the open.

Lack of access to clean bathrooms in schools deters many girls from pursuing their education after they reach puberty. In some regions, due to lack of toilets, girls do not go to school when they are menstruating. Improved sanitation facilities can have a particularly positive impact on the education opportunities of young girls, affected by the lack of privacy and cleanliness during their menstrual period. Also, lack of toilets in schools affect all learners from concentrating in the classrooms, as they have to wait for longer periods before being able to relieve themselves in privacy in a dignified manner.

Without toilets and proper sanitation the environment around homes, workplaces, markets, and hospitals, become sources of infection and diarrhoeal diseases due to millions of tonnes of human excretion.

Due to lack of improved sanitation almost 2,000 children die every day from preventable diarrhoeal diseases, the second leading cause of child deaths in the world. Diarrhoeal diseases caused by inadequate sanitation, and unhygienic conditions put children at multiple risks leading to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, high morbidity, malnutrition, stunted growth and death. Every year 0.85 million children die from diarrhoea. Poor sanitation and unimproved water cause 88% of these deaths. Studies reveal that improved sanitation can help reduce diarrhoeal diseases by about 33%.

Despite the scale of the crisis, sanitation remains a low priority for many governments.

How can we mitigate this situation?

Now, many organisations have started to discuss toilets. Investment in sanitation is becoming a priority in many international communities. Yet, because the topic of sanitation has until now been neglected to a vast extent, they wait for good solutions to the problem. New solutions and approaches to sanitation that should have been tried and tested a long time back, are starting to find support only now.

Progress depends on adequate investment and collaborative action by civil societies, multilateral agencies, academia and the private sector in developing countries by supporting national efforts to improve sanitation for all strata of their society.

To address these issues, in July 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the “Sanitation for All” Resolution (A/RES/67/291) designating November 19 as World Toilet Day, aims to change both behaviour and policy on issues ranging from ending open-air defection (which 1.1 billion people practice worldwide) to enhancing water management.

Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

On July 24, 2013, Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, issued a statement on adoption of the General Assembly resolution ‘Sanitation for All.’

I am delighted and grateful that Member States have adopted a resolution officially designating November 19th as World Toilet Day. I thank the Government of Singapore for its leadership on a crucially important global issue. This new annual observance will go a long way toward raising awareness about the need for all human beings to have access to sanitation.

Despite progress toward the Millennium Development Goals, one in three people do not have a basic toilet. Almost 2,000 children die every day from preventable diarrhoeal diseases. Poor sanitation and water supply result in economic losses estimated at $260 billion annually in developing countries.

Proper sanitation is also a question of basic dignity. It is unacceptable that women have to risk being the victims of rape and abuse, just to do something that most of us take for granted. It is also unacceptable that many girls are pushed out of school for lack of basic sanitation facilities.

This new resolution builds on the General Assembly’s “Sustainable sanitation: the drive to 2015”, agreed in 2010, and adds momentum to the Call to Action on Sanitation that I, on behalf of the Secretary-General, launched in March this year.

I urge every country to accelerate progress towards a world in which everyone enjoys this most basic of rights. I look forward to working with all partners to make Sanitation for All a reality.

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The lack of access to decent toilet is no joke for a third of the world’s people, but a matter of life and death. No other invention has saved more lives than a toilet. Without access to toilets, many women and girls are too embarrassed to go in the open to defecate during daytime and so deny themselves relief until darkness sets in. But, trips to fields or roadside at night, however, puts them at risk of physical attack and sexual violence. So, having a toilet in or near the home lowers the risk of women and girls getting subjected to violence and rape.

Toilets mean safety.

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.Click to view slideshow.

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RELATED ARTICLES

• WTD official website (worldtoiletday.org)
• UN declares November 19 ‘World Toilet Day’ (theglobeandmail.com)
• Singapore champions sanitation on first World Toilet Day (capitalfm.co.ke)
• Happy World Toilet Day! (wildninja.wordpress.com)
• Why World Toilet Day 2013 matters: unblocking constipated progress on sanitation (sanitationupdates.wordpress.com)
• Hooray for World Toilet Day! 19th Nov 2013 (essentialenvironmental.wordpress.com)
• 53 p.c. of Indian households defecate in open: World Bank (thehindu.com)
• UN chief rolls out World Toilet Day (skynews.com.au)
• UN declares November 19 ‘World Toilet Day’ (theglobeandmail.com)
• World Toilet Day /wildninja.wordpress.com)
• Is manual scavenging a result of India’s caste divide? (tvaraj.wordpress.com)
• Manual Scavenging in India tvaraj.wordpress.com)

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.
 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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On November 13, the day after I posted my article ASI Hits Dirt After Following a Seer’s Dream of Fool’s Gold a person commented with a poem, slightly out of context to the subject. Nevertheless, I am reproducing it here since it impressed me somewhat.

This is a free translation of the author’s Gujarati poem that he wrote on January 30,  1984.

By the way, the author Hemen Parekh celebrated his 80th birthday on Sunday, June 27, 2013.

Mahatma Gandhi

Who is Bapu?
 By Hemen Parekh

There was a time
When you were our Bapu,”
A Mahatma;
For a life-time long
A tortured Atma;

To wash away the sins of your children
You died a martyr’s death;
Now those very children
Have opened-up a shop
To sell ” Gandhi-ism ”;

They are even maintaining
Two separate books of accounts,
One for income from ”Unknown Sources “,
Strictly as required by the law!

Even out of curiosity
Do not venture
Anywhere near;
No one will recognize you
Without your NSG / Z+ bodyguards!

And children from city slums
Will chase you, shouting,
”Ben Kingsley, Ben Kingsley, “

And when they ask you for your autograph,
Do not sign,
” Mo Ka Gandhi ”!
Just pretend that you are Ben Kingsley,
TV cameras, Reporters, Anchors
Will follow in your footsteps;

Just forget that
You were our Bapu!

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RELATED ARTICLES

• ASI Hits Dirt After Following a Seer’s Dream of Fool’s Gold (tvaraj.com)
• Mahatma world’s top political icon, says Time (rediff.com)
• Women suffer from Gandhi’s legacy (theguardian.com)
• Gandhi to Asaram: Who Empowers the Sex Crimes of ‘Gurus?’ (genderbytes.wordpress.com/)
• George Orwell Reflections on Gandhi (orwell.ru)

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Related articles

• Bapu (praveenndtv.wordpress.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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On January 8, 2013, an American website SUPER OFFICIAL NEWS posted an article titled: “The Punjab Rape Festival In India Begins This Week,” written by a person using the pseudonym ‘Jimmy Rustling‘.

Since January 2013, this article, camouflaged as a news item, circulated through blogs, email, and social media. Its claim that the tradition of the Punjab Rape Festival dates back to 43 BC is utter nonsense. Factually, there is no such event as the Punjab Rape Festival. The story was simply concocted by the psychotic Jimmy Rustling.

This obviously false story caused a great deal of apprehension and dismay after it spread through the media. Not realizing that there is no such event and never ever was, many decried the imaginary event and wanted it stopped.

Here is an example of one such silly call titled “HELP ME STOP’The Punjabi Rape Festival in India“ by Neil Padayachee posted on January 16, 2013.

The comments for the post “The Punjab Rape Festival In India Begins This Week“  show that the average follower of SUPER OFFICIAL NEWS  is an ignoramus who could be manipulated to believe any unauthenticated absurd news, as he would when he reads the religious scriptures, mainly because it is in print. 

As usual, pranksters too joined in and added fuel by defending the festival and stating they were looking forward to participating in the hypothetical event.

Here are some sample comments for the post:

Naga sadhus who had gathered at the Allahabad Maha Kumbh Mela 2013.

The above photo of Naga sadhus at the Kumbh mela was used along with the ‘rape festival’ story. This photo of Naga sadhus gathered at the Allahabad Maha Kumbh Mela 2013, deceives readers into believing that the Hindu sadhus were rushing to rape unmarried girls in the age group 7 to 16 years.

Sharell Cook

Sharell Cook, an Australian traveller researching distinctive cultures from her early 20s, initially visited India in the year 2000 and found it a total assault on her senses, confronting, but then oddly inspiring and captivating. Even today, this impression about India has not changed. Even now, Sharell is residing in cosmopolitan Mumbai where she writes full-time while learning Hindi. This is her impression about the Allahabad Maha Kumbh Mela:

“The Kumbh Mela in India is as mesmerizing as it is spiritual. This ancient northern Indian festival is a meeting of mystical minds. The largest religious gathering in the world, the Kumbh Mela brings Hindu holy men together to discuss their faith and disseminate information about their religion. It’s attended by millions of people each day.”

Many Indians living in the United States called for the removal of the article from the website and wanted authorities to take punitive action against the author and the website that published it.

In late January 2013, the writer responding to the angry calls posted the following message on his Facebook Page:

Paul Horner alias Jimmy Rustling

I’ve been getting emails from people saying that I should remove my story entitled, “The Punjab Rape Festival In India Begins This Week.”

The point of the story was an activism piece to educate people about what is going on over there on a daily basis, because a lot of people don’t know. I read everything I can get my hands on and every day there’s another story about another horrible rape or murder of a young girl in India…. usually where the guy gets off, not being punished, or worse, where the victim is forced to marry her attacker.

So I wrote up the most exaggerated, ridiculous thing I could think of… it gets people to pass around the story and then question what’s going on over there if they didn’t already know. A simple Google search of “Punjab rape” brings up 100+ different stories of young girls getting raped, murdered, forced to marry the man who raped them… it’s disgusting.

Anyway, that’s the point of the story and I’m not pulling the article.

In an email to hoax-slayer.com the author wrote:

One of the other MAJOR factors for doing the story was collecting money for the women of India for schooling, clothes, help in leaving abusive situations. So, a few months ago I added this to the bottom of the story:

WANT TO HELP THE WOMEN IN INDIA? THEN DO SOMETHING!
Click here to learn more.

I checked out that charity thoroughly. They are 100% legit giving 90-95% of collected funds to the cause.

To keep the controversial “Rape Festival” spark alive, SUPER OFFICIAL NEWS on May 7, 2013, posted yet another spoof story in bad taste written by Jimmy Rustling titled: “Surprise Winner At This Years Punjab Rape Festival.“

Once again the stupid readers of this post came out with absurdities:

Sarah H: They give awards to men in India for raping woman? WOW.

Samantha: This is just disgusting! They don’t arrest them for rape but they give them awards??? SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS!

Lena: Govt must come forward to support RAPE FESTIVAL. This is the only world class entertainment ,where every one love to participate. Tourist visits to India ,will generate collosal amount for the nation. Allow everyone to participate,give them FREE CHANCE to win award. GOVT must provide FREE VISA Access. Let people of the world to enjoy and feel free to taste of RAPE. RAPE reduces heat,its good for health and for the growth of man kind. C.M needs to be changed,since he wants to snatch this freedom from people of punjab, which is against the will of the nation. Democracy in India should not tarnished at any cost.

Readers of SUPER OFFICIAL NEWS made these comments despite the following image posted proudly on its site on the page “Super Official Awards.”

The name Jim Rustling is the pseudonym of an author named Paul Horner, a Staff Writer for NATIONAL REPORT who claims to have won numerous awards for journalism including a Peabody Award and a Pulitzer Prize.

How authentic are the writings of Jimmy Rustling a.k.a. Paul Horner?

You will find the answer if you read the article titled “President Obama Presents Paul Horner With Super Universe Ultimate Award For Excellence In Winning The Game” posted on November 5, 2012 in SUPER OFFICIAL NEWS.

I understand that  ”Fred Dursk” is another pseudonym of Paul Horner. Now, I wonder how many other pseudonyms this person has, and whether the name “Paul Horner” itself is real, or is it another pseudonym of some other person hiding behind these names.

A disclaimer right at the bottom of the posts in SUPER OFFICIAL NEWS reads as follows:

Disclaimer: Lulz killing of any kind will not be tolerated. If you are being a buzzkill, your comment can be altered or deleted. This entire site is pretty much just a resume containing a collection of my writings and such for the off chance that someone like The Onion or The Daily Show ever happens to stop by. Until then just remember, if it’s on the internet it must be true.

To be continued …

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.RELATED ARTICLES

• The Punjab Rape Festival In India Begins This Week (superofficialnews.com)
• Surprise Winner At This Years Punjab Rape Festival (superofficialnews.com)
• Hoax – ‘Punjab Rape Festival’ (hoax-slayer.com)
• Give India (giveindia.org)
• Sharell Cook (goindia.about.com)
• The Greatest Show on Earth: The Allahabad Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 (weareholidays.co.in)
• ‘HELP ME STOP’The Punjabi Rape Festival in India (causes.com)
• President Obama Presents Paul Horner With Super Universe Ultimate Award For Excellence In Winning The Game (superofficialnews.com)
• Paul Horner vandalizing wikipedia. 14 reverts in 24 hours (ocmb.xenu.net)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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On November 2, 2013, the American news satire website NATIONAL REPORT who claim and label themselves as “America’s #1 Independent News Team” is better known for pushing the boundaries of good taste than making its readers laugh.

This website, posted the article titled ”The Punjab Rape Festival In India Begins This Week,“ that appeared earlier on January 8, 2013, in SUPER OFFICIAL NEWS. The article was copied word-for-word. The only change was in the title – the Indian state “Assam” was substituted in lieu of “Punjab” to read: “The Assam Rape Festival In India Begins This Week.“

The article claiming a non-existent, wishful (in the mind of the author) vulgar event taking place in India was a spoof by a person writing under the pseudonym Jimmy Rustling.

The social media was abuzz with reactions to the article. So far, it has been shared more than 312,000 times on Facebook and around 3,000 times on Twitter. It has besmirched the image of Assam and has sparked widespread protests in the state.

The article does not display any disclaimer saying it is a spoof. However, there is a general Disclaimer page on the NATIONAL REPORT website:

DISCLAIMER: National Report is a news and political satire web publication, which may or may not use real names, often in semi-real or mostly fictitious ways. All news articles contained within National Report are fiction, and presumably fake news. Any resemblance to the truth is purely coincidental . The views expressed by writers on this site are theirs alone and are not reflective of the fine journalistic and editorial integrity of National Report. Advice given is NOT to be construed as professional. If you are in need of professional help (and you may be if you are on this page), please consult a professional. National Report is intended for a mature audience and not for children under the age of 18.

Linked to the “Rape Festival” articles in SUPER OFFICIAL NEWS and NATIONAL REPORT is a common website Giveindia.org that looks like a genuine Indian website seeking donations for the welfare of Indian women.

At the end of the article there is the following statement:

For more information about the festival or if you would like to participate, please call the 24-hour India Rape Festival hotline at (785) 273-0325.

Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr.

I googled and found that the given hot line number (785) 273-0325 belongs to Fred W. Phelps Sr., an American pastor heading the Westboro Baptist Church, an independent Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas in 1955. Address: Westboro Baptist Church, Address: 3701 SW 12th St, Topeka, KS 66604, United States.

According to Phelps, basically everyone, who isn’t a part of their “religion” and “church” is doomed and will go to hell.

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Phelps’ group protests all over the United States at Gay funerals and Soldiers funerals. The first Amendment under the U.S. Constitution protects them to do these despicable hate acts.

Although the  ”church” started as only hating “fags” they have now moved on to hate Australians, Canadians, Jews, Swedish, and even the Amish. To picket hey use signs such as: “God Hates Fags“, “Fags Hate God“, “America Is Doomed“, “Soldiers Die God Laughs“, “Thank God for 9/11“, etc.

Many people in USA, India and other countries believed in the contents of the article as a true fact even though no such festival exists or existed in any part of India, and the article is widely shared even now via social media. It has been blindly copied and posted in sundry websites around the world without verifying the facts, thereby tarnishing the image of India.

Here is an example of this spurious, apocryphal copying:

On November 6, 2013, Patricia Kahill, posted the article verbatim without verifying facts in UGOnews with the following introduction:

Reports from National Report say that this week in Indian men readied themselves to begin celebrating the annual Assam Rape festival. This festival sees that every unmarried girl between the age of 7-16 who has not been hidden is raped. (sic)

This article published in UGOnews evoked many scathing comments. I have reproduced some of them here:

Prashant Moni · Textiles
It is very sad that some mentally sick peoples are publishing the scenario of a region in a very bad manner. To be make clear that there is NO ANY SUCH FESTIVAL in Assam or even in any other region in India. This is nothing but an output of mentally sick person (s). (sic)

Rajeev Gohain · J.B College, Jorhat
What a rubbish story. The picture is from a festival from Uttar Pradesh, Tamilnadu is lakhs km far. The names are not assamese. The creator of this story is that the psychic who is dreaming about this type of festival , so that he also can go and participate it.. I am requesting to whole the world not to believe this type of fake story, but come and enjoy a beautiful green Assam famous for One horned Rhino and Tea.

Ashish Das · Online Entrepreneur and Blogger
Stupid website… research before publishing.

Manashwi Sharma · Student
This is absolutely NOT TRUE. There is no such freaking festival celebrated in Assam or in any part of India. I Request everyone NOT TO BELIEVE whatever is written on this website. This is totally a FALSE NEWS.

Prasanta Dutta · Guwahati College
I am from Assam and 33 year’s old, Its a is totally a Stupid news. Women is always respected in Assam more than other part of the world. (sic)

Sukanya Goswami · Dibrugarh University
this is unacceptable!!! shame on your mentality!!! u people published such a wrong thing about a region without knowing any thing!!! shame on u!!!! go and research before doing such stupid things!!!! u people dont knw any thing ,never heard about assam and but ready to publish nonsense about it!!! stupid website!!!! (sic)

Shreeja V Shetty · Software Tester at GlowTouch Technologies
Well this news is surely not true. India is a lovely country. But action should be taken on the one who wrote this! So that nobody repeats such nonsense again!

Lekha Borah · Works at Working as a Freelance Photographer
Want to make it clear that there is no this kind of \\”DIRTY FESTIVAL IN ASSAM”// or in INDIA. This is nothing but a fake RUMOUR of some mentally sick persons.Very sad and very shameful thing happened made by psycho people. (sic)

Slickèr Qalie Ndlovu · Member, Organisation of African Youth (Zimbabwe)
people stop lying please (sic)

On November 12, 2013, Patricia Kahill posted another article in UGOnews titled “The Controversial Assam Rape Festival” in which she says:

Last week we reported about the Assam rape festival a controversial and satire story that was first published by National Report a USA based website, lead to a number of comments on our site from the Indian community.

According to Lets Gist the point of the story was activism, to educate people about what is going on  in India on a daily basis, because a lot of people don’t know.

Hindustan Times received a statement from Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam immediately that said:

“the fraudulent and extremely unethical article about the completely fictitious festival is an act of serious disrespect and total disregard shown towards the humble and unsuspecting people of our beautiful state of Assam. The writer of such a piece of pure evil is not fit for human society.”

Bharat Narah, press adviser to Gogoi, told Gulf News:

“The Assam Rape Festival article is not at all humorous. It is distasteful, unethical, abominable, despicable and must be abhorred by all sections of society. We have taken up a suo moto case against the website and the author of the piece. It is a highly sensitive matter which cannot be ignored. We are assessing all our options and are in touch with the Cyber Cell of the Police Department.

Regardless of race, culture, or nationality, any decent and moral person should be offended by this filth. Media plays a very critical role in forming opinions. If media will start acting so naively, then the responsibility of spreading information through media should be taken away. We Indians know that this news is totally fake but people in other parts of the world are getting the wrong message about our nation. This mischief by the media should be dealt with very strictly.“

The repercussion generated by the “Assam Rape Festival ” article prompted the Indian response in the form of an article titled “The Great American Mass Shooting Festival Begins Next Week (Response from India)”  written by Allen Montgomery, a board member of NATIONAL REPORT.

However, the comment by Nancy Powell, US ambassador to India, when she addressed the students of Xavier Institute of Social Science (XISS) in Ranchi, on November 19, 2013, is an epiphany for the state of affairs now prevailing in India.

When a student asked: “Why aren’t American students coming to India for studies?“

She replied: “The concern for personal security and perceived increased danger to women as a result of the rape cases was perhaps a factor in US students’ decision regarding study in India.”

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RELATED ARTICLES

• Spoof: Part 1 – Rape Festival In Punjab, India (http://tvaraj.com/2013/11/21/spoof-part-1-the-punjab-assam-rape-festival-in-india/
• The Assam Rape Festival In India Begins This Week (nationalreport.net)
• ‘Assam Rape Festival’ Story is Satire, Not Fact (urbanlegends.about.com)
• Give India (giveindia.org)
• Assam Rape Festival in India Prompts Mass Shooting Festival in U.S. (guardianlv.com)
• National Report Disclaimer (nationalreport.net)
• Nancy Powell says, fear of being raped keeping US students away from India (indiatoday.intoday.in)
• The Greatest Show on Earth: The Allahabad Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 (weareholidays.co.in)
• The Punjab Rape Festival In India Begins This Week (superofficialnews.com)
• Surprise Winner At This Years Punjab Rape Festival (superofficialnews.com)

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← Previous Spoof: Part 1 – Rape Festival In Punjab, India

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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I proudly shared the above photograph of a house I came across on facebook.

The owner of the house, I presume, must be a lover of nature and a “Save the Trees” activist because he has built the house including the tree that was obstructing the frontage of his house.

Clever thinking, isn’t it?

Impressed by this builder’s feat, I chipped in and wrote: “Hats off to the owner of this house.”

However, my friend Joe Croos from Germantown, Maryland, USA, cut my ego down to size with his wise quip:

“If I were the local thief the owner would be my sweetheart.“

I realized my folly for not thinking about the security and safety of the people living in that house and so, I acknowledged Joe’s shrewdness:

“Joe, I did not think from your angle. You are indeed a genius … “

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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The police in Orissa and Tamilnadu, in India, are on the lookout for a woman named Mohana, involved in five cheating cases in Orissa. She has swindled around 12 crore rupees from depositors through a scam perpetrated by her Rightmax Technotrade India International group of companies. She is the wife of lawyer E.T. Rajavel (44), from Kurichi Housing Unit phase II in SIDCO, Coimbatore.

Two years ago, in December 2011, Ammasi, a 45-year-old woman from Sivananda Colony, Coimbatore, went missing. On December 19, 2011, Sakunthala, the daughter of the missing woman, filed a complaint with the Rathinapuri police about her missing mother. After some time, she and her relatives gave up their search for the missing woman assuming Amassi had left her home of her own accord for some reason or other.

Lawyer E.T. Rajavel (Source: newindianexpress.com)

On December 10, 2011, Ammasi, had approached her lawyer Rajavel for legal help, to get her share of the property of her late husband. Rajavel then asked her to meet him at his office near the court complex on the Huzur Road, Gopalapuram, Coimbatore, for discussion. 

On the following day (December 11, 2011), lawyer Rajavel brought home the body of his dead wife Mohana who had gone out of the city a few days ago. The following morning (December 12, 2011), Mohana’s body was cremated at the Attupalam electric crematorium.

After obtaining his wife’s death certificate from the Coimbatore Corporation, Rajavel submitted it to the Orissa police hoping they would close the cases against his wife.

Fate now intervened in the form of an ongoing police investigation.

Three and a half years ago, on April 18, 2010, R. Manivel (47), a Coimbatore-based realtor, undergoing treatment for HIV+ infection went missing, and a complaint of ‘man missing ‘ was filed on May 20, 2010. Manivel from Nanjundapuram road near Ramanathapuram in the city, thought to be a bachelor, was living alone and was planning to sell 26.5 cents along Nanjundapuram Road that belonged to him.

After the disappearance of Manivel, the land which came under the Peelamedu sub-registrar was sold on October 27, 2010, to a person named Muthamizh through the Sulur Sub-Registrar office. A four-cent plot in Sulur was also tagged along with the 26.5 cents land by manipulating the technicality in the rules of the registration department. Murugan alias Saddam Hussein, the elder brother of Muthamizh, impersonated Manivel to register the sale deed of the land.

The copy of the sale document bore the signature of Manivel in Tamil, and in the attached photograph Manivel looked different from the person who appeared before the registrar. Manivels’s bank passbook submitted as identity proof showed that the bank account was opened on May 7, 2010 whereas Manivel went missing on April 18, 2010.

The investigating team also found that Chandrabose had approached a city court staking his claim over a 98-cent land belonging to a woman named Visalaksh. He claimed that he was the foster son of Visalakshi and as she did not have any issue was the sole legal heir to her property. A few years ago, the woman too went missing and since then nobody had seen her. The police suspect that the disappearance of Visalakshi has similarity to Manivel’s case. Chandrabose’s demand for rights over the missing woman’s property has strengthened their suspicion.

Subsequently, the police inquiry revealed that Manivel was strangled to death in a factory owned by a person named Sakthivel (35) and the body was buried at Kuppepalayam by Sakthivel, Muthamizh, Chandrabose, and Santhosh Kumar. The police also discovered that Muthamizh, Murugan, Sakthivel, and another person named Saravanan were involved in the property transaction and the buyer Muthamizh had disposed all his properties in Coimbatore and had left for Chennai. 

Sakthivel, Murugan, Chandrabose, and Santhosh Kumar were arrested by the Coimbatore Police and the key accused Muthamizh surrendered at a Chennai court. 

Investigations by the police revealed that Mohana in whose name Manivel’s property was registered, and her husband – lawyer E.T. Rajavel who had appeared for Chandrabose, had a role in the murder. An undisclosed source told the police that lawyer Rajavel was a cheat for he had faked his wife’s death. When pressed, the source told the police that Rajavel had brought the body of a dead woman one night saying it was his wife and cremated the body early the next morning.

This is what really transpired on December 11, 2011. When Ammasi came to lawyer Rajavel’s office at Huzur Road, Gopalapuram, the lawyer, his driver Palanisamy and a friend Ponnarasu strangled her with a saree and electric wire.

Ponnarasu (Source: newindianexpress.com)

They then took the dead body to the lawyer’s house and enacted a drama that Mohana had died. Rajavel wailed over the body through the night and cremated the body next morning at the Attupalam electric crematorium.

Also, the police heard rumours that Mohana was still alive – an ex-neighbour of Rajavel had seen Mohana at a wedding.

Rajavel found it difficult to sell the property misappropriated from Manivel that was registered in his wife’s name. In April 2013, Rajavel and his wife moved a city court to cancel the death certificate after declaring that she was alive and wanted to remove Mohana’s name from the death registry of the Corporation.

On Monday (December 2, 2013), the Coimbatore City Police arrested Rajavel’s driver Palanisamy and Rajavel’s friend Ponraj alias Ponnarasu, the Kurichi area secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

On Tuesday (December 3, 2013), Ammasi’s daughter Sakunthala lodged a complaint with the city police seeking action against all involved in the murder of her mother.

Now, Mohana the ‘scammer’ and her lawyer husband Rajavel ‘the cheat’ are on the run for killing Ammasi. Sources said that police were taking steps to ensure that they do not escape the country.

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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Two days ago, on December 4, 2013, I posted an article titled “Murders Most Foul in Coimbatore” about a missing 45-year-old woman named Ammasi from Sivananda Colony, Coimbatore.

It is alleged that Ammasi’s legal counsel E.T. Rajavel and his associates Palanisamy and Ponraj alias Ponnarasu murdered Ammasi on December 11, 2011, to fake the death of his wife Mohana, involved in a multi-crore financial fraud. Ammasi’s body was cremated in the morning of the following day at the Athupalam crematorium as Mohana’s body.

On November 30, 2013 a Police investigation revealed that lawyer Rajavel was behind the murder of his client Ammasi with the intention to usurp her property.

E.T. Rajavel (Source: newindianexpress.com)

Mohana the ‘scammer’ and her lawyer husband Rajavel ‘the cheat’ were on the run after killing Ammasi.

Ammasi’s daughter 29-year-old Sakunthala lodged a complaint with the city police on December 3, 2013, seeking action against all involved in the murder of her mother.

Special Police teams scanned Chennai, Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

On December 1, 2013, the couple moved into a hotel in Egmore, Chennai, and later they moved to another hotel in T. Nagar. On December 3, the couple left their vehicle at that hotel, hired a taxi to travel to Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram.

The police arrested one of Rajavel’s associates who came to the hotel to fetch Rajavel’s car. From him the police got mobile number of the taxi driver who took Rajavel and his wife to Kovalam.

K. Ramachandran, Assistant Commissioner – Law and Order (Coimbatore South) said:

“Immediately, we called up the driver and informed him that the couple travelling in his car were wanted in some cases in Coimbatore. Sensing that the driver had been alerted, the couple got down from the taxi and tried to escape in an auto. As the couple did not pay the driver, he chased them, and that was when the Kerala police caught the couple.”

 Ammasi’s daughter 29-year-old Sakunthala appealed to the advocates in Coimbatore to refrain from appearing on behalf of the corrupt lawyer Rajavel, who together with his associates murdered her mother.

The conduct of lawyer Rajavel, who faked the death of his wife, is considered by his fellow advocates, as a slur to the legal camaraderie.

Ms. M. Vennila, president, Coimbatore Women Advocates Association said:

“We felt pained as he misused this noble profession and brought a bad name to the entire legal community. At a time when the public has begun to raise doubts over the integrity of lawyers, it is unfortunate that ‘black sheep’ like him exists in our profession.”

Traditionally, an advocate who violates the legal ethics of the profession is extirpated from the membership of the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Mr. M. Loganathan, secretary, Coimbatore Bar Association (CBA) said:

“Removal from practice by the Bar Council will be done only after a detailed inquiry by a disciplinary committee of the council. However, any case of violation of ‘legal ethics’ will be taken up for consideration only when the accused lawyer is convicted.”

Now, the Police suspect that lawyer E.T. Rajavel and his associates may have been involved in yet another murder.

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Related articles

• Murders Most Foul in Coimbatore (tvaraj.com)
• Client-killer lawyer nabbed (deccanchronicle.com)
• Courting trouble (deccanchronicle.com)
• Cops Nab Lawyer Couple in Kerala (newindianexpress.com)
• Lawyer, wife held in Thiruvananthapuram (thehindu.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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Three year ago when the Kerala State was reeling under a severe power crisis, the Kerala government came up with several schemes for generation of power from solar and wind energy.

Saritha S. Nair (Photo: Indiavision)

Sensing the ambience was just about right for investment in these sectors, Saritha S. Nair and live-in-partner Biju Radhakishnan, now under arrest on charges varying from cheating people of crores of rupees to murder, floated the now defunct company The Team Solar Energy Company (Team Solar). When it was in business, Team Solar advertised itself as “one of the world’s largest renewable energy groups,” and had an impressive clientele. They placed advertisements in the media offering a gamut of services such as setting up solar panels and windmills at cheap rates, obtaining government subsidies, and making it easy for the absorption of generated
power to the state power grid.

Zonal office of Team Solar on Chittoor Road in Kochi (Photo: H. Vibhu)

Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakishnan had been charged earlier in various cheating cases and were out on bail. In 2009, Saritha Nair was arrested for cheating a resident of Kakkanad of र1.60 lakh after promising to install a windmill plant. This was besides other cases that had been registered against them elsewhere

Interestingly, even though the duo was out on bail, Saritha got in touch with senior police officials over the phone for new assignments. In 2012, Team Solar was assigned to set up solar power equipment at the top-level offices of the City Police – office of the City Police Commissioner, senior police officials, the Police Club – and at the offices of ministers.

Team Solar provided guided tours for prospective entrepreneurs and took them to government lands at various places claiming that they were the spots where their solar or wind energy units would be set up. They even showed some people windmills in Tamil Nadu which they claimed as Team Solar projects.

The investors were asked to sign Memorandum of understanding (MOU), part with their money, and then sit back and enjoy the returns of their investment. Team Solar also inveigled investors by offering to make them business partners.

An undisclosed source inside Team Solar said that even though Team Solar had its hands full of orders, only those of celebrity clients were taken up.

Team Solar assuaged any doubting Thomas by using the stock phrase:

“If you are not convinced, here is the CM’s PA Tenny Joppan on the line, please speak to him.”

If Joppan was unavailable, they would call the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s security officer Salim Raj, or Jikkumon Jacob, a member of chief minister’s personal staff. The fact that the Chief Minister of Kerala did not own a mobile phone went in favour of the scammers because anyone who wanted to contact the Chief Minister, including MLAs, had to call his personal aides who in turn put them through to him. Later on, the media revealed that Saritha Nair made hundreds of calls every week from her cell phones to these gentlemen in office, and received many calls from the Chief Minister’s landline.

Salim Raj, former Security Officer of Kerala CM Oommen Chandy

Salim Raj, 42, was an ordinary constable in the Kerala Police and a former bodyguard of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Salim wielded so much power that on October 1, 2013, Justice Harul-ul-Rashid of Kerala High Court, while hearing petitions seeking a CBI inquiry into a land grab case against Salim Raj, remarked:

“Is Kerala’s administration functioning only to serve the mafia? Does this mere police constable think he is the chief minister? Why should people be so afraid of him? Is even the state DGP scared of this policeman? What kind of democracy is this?”

The judge’s remark came in the wake of complaints from many members of the public, the Opposition, and even repeated comments by the courts about the United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s unstinted support for Salim Raj, whenever he landed in trouble. Justice Rashid was particularly disturbed by the state DGP K.S. Balasubramanian, who on receiving an alleged land grabbing complaint against Salim Raj forwarded it to the Chief Minister instead of taking action himself.

Due to Salim Raj’s clout with the government his name was not included in the FIR registered by the police on a land grab case in Kochi in spite of the petitions asserted that he was the main culprit.

Salim Raj has also been accused of having played a role in the solar scam in addition to other charges related to land grab, fabrication of records, abduction, among others.

Salim Raj who belongs to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s home district Kottayam has been the CM’s official bodyguard since 2005 when he was an Opposition leader. In 2009, Chandy inducted Salim Raj into the Chief Minister’s security detail, ignoring adverse intelligence reports about him.

Sridharan Nair (Pic: Indiavision)

When Sreedharan Nair, a victim of the scam, wanted further assurance about the project to manufacture solar panels, he was asked to sign an MOU with a commitment of र5.5 crore. He then had to pay र25 lakh out of the first instalment of र40 lakh before being taken to the Chief Minister’s office, where Tenny Joppan gave an assurance for the investment in the solar panel plant to be installed at Kanjikode in Palakkad district. An agreement in this regard was signed at Joppan’s cabin at the Chief Minister’s office. Sreedharan Nair had asserted that he had even met the chief minister, accompanied by Saritha Nair.

To gain media coverage and credibility the Global Management of Team Solar instituted awards that carried prize money. On June 11, 2011, at a function held at Hotel Dreams, Ernakulam, six prominent people of Kerala were proffered the ‘Virgin Earth Golden Feather Environment Awards 2011‘ and ‘Green Golden Feather Environment Puraskar‘ award for their work in the field of environmental protection.

Prof. Dr. S. Sitaraman, renowned environmental activist and Secretary of Association of Environmental Protection was presented the ‘Green Golden Feather Environment Puraskar’ by K. P. Mohanan, Minister for Agriculture in presense of company officials and Hybi Edan, MLA, Ernakulam.

Prof. Dr. S. Sitaraman, renowned environmental activist and Secretary of Association of Environmental Protection and president of Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Aluva Upasabha, Fr. Johnson J. Palakkappillil, principal, Sacred Heart College and Dr. Georgekutty Karianappalli, CEO, Lifeway Solar were awarded the ‘Green Golden Feather Environment Puraskar‘.

Malayalam film star Mammooty is among six persons chosen for the ‘Virgin Earth Golden Feather Environment Awards 2011′ and ‘Green Golden Feather Environment Puraskar’ award for their work in the field of environmental protection.

Malayalam cine star Mammootty, Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany, and K. K. Krishnadas, CEO of Vallarpadam Transhipment Terminal-DP World, were among the six beneficiaries of the ‘Virgin Earth Golden Feather Environment Award‘.

K.P. Mohanan, Minister for Agriculture, and Hybi Edan, MLA, Ernakulam attended the function.

Mayor Chammany told reporters that Saritha under the name Lakshmi Nair had approached him and told him about their award. He said he had met Biju Radhakrishnan at the award function and was introduced to him as Dr. R.B. Nair. He further said:

“I was told that the award, as part of their World Environment Day celebration, was for the council’s decision to adopt energy efficient lighting practices. As many other eminent people were also receiving the award, I did not see anything wrong in accepting it. It is only now that I found out about her name and the scam. … But she has not received any help or support from me.”

Even though there were some complaints about Team Solar, no action was taken against them. A senior police official said:

“The problem was that no one came forward to lodge a formal complaint, as they used to concentrate on people with unaccounted money. A majority of the victims chose not to proceed with the case and were happy if they got the money back.”

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To be continued …

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RELATED ARTICLES

• 2013 Kerala solar panel scam (en.wikipedia.org)
• Solar scam heat scorches Kerala (indiatogether.org)
• Kerala’s first couple of sleaze and blackmail (newindianexpress.com)
• Team Solar built up impressive clientele to lure investors (thehindu.com)
• Mammooty Among 6 Persons To Get Golden Feather Award (movies.ndtv.com)
• Biju sent to police custody (thehindu.com)
• Ill Omen fo Chandy (indiatoday.intoday.in)
• Salim ‘Raj’ in Kerala: The story of a constable dubbed Super Chief Minister (indiatoday.intoday.in)
• ALEC Says: “If You Install Your Own Solar Panels Then You Are a ‘Freerider’!” (tvaraj.com)

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 . By T.V. Antony Raj

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Kerala Legislative Assembly, Thiruvananthapuram. (Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar)

This year the public came to know about the Kerala Solar Scam perpetrated by Saritha Nair and her live-in-scam-partner Biju Radhakishnan who duped many people by falsely promising solar panels and equities in non-existent solar and wind farms.

In early June 2013, one of the investors K.M. Sajjad, an industrialist from Kollam, who had paid an advance of र40 lakh for setting up a solar and windmill farm filed a case against Team Solar. Later, the police said, the letter typed on the letterhead of the Chief Minister with the CM’s signature and shown to Sajad was a forgery. Sajjad said that he got in touch with Team Solar after seeing a Team Solar advertisement in the newspapers and ended up parting with र40 lakh for a solar power plant and windmills in Tamil Nadu.

Many cases for cheating and criminal breach of trust have been registered against the duo. Up to end of July 2013, police stations across the state registered 33 cases against Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan.

As on July 2013, six cases were registered against Team Solar in the city of Kochi – five cases in Town North station and one case in Town South police station. On July 16, 2013, Sarita Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan, were remanded to police custody for four days by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences) Court and directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the six cases. According to SIT, Sarita and Biju had been operating out of their office on Chittoor Road from 2010 onwards under the names of West Wind Corporates and Team Solar Renewable Energy Solutions.

Reginald George filed a case in the Town North Police station that said he was cheated of र95.86 lakh by Team Solar for a part of a windmill project in Idukki.

The Town North Police has also registered a case against Abhilash Nair and Santhosh of Team Solar, on the basis of a complaint lodged by V.P. Joy of Muvattupuzha for allegedly cheating him of र1.60 lakh as he was promised a part of a windmill project in Idukki.

A jewellery showroom at Padivattom which has shops around the world, accused Team Solar of cheating them of र23.5 lakh on the pretext of setting up solar panels at
their showroom.

In the Malabar region several medical practitioners fell into their trap. About 11 petitions were filed against Biju Radhakishnan in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ernakulam, of which, ten petitioners were doctors.

On September 10, 2013, confident of his protectors in the government, Salim Raj, former bodyguard of  Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, attempted to abduct a couple in broad daylight on a highway. Seeing the commotion, a lot of local people gathered around them. Though Salim Raj threatened them by flashing his police ID card, the angry locals did not give in and refused to let him and his goons leave until the police came and took them into custody.

Saritha Nair was arrested on June 3, 2013. (Photo: Deshabhimani)

On June 5, 2013, Sarita Nair was arrested by the Perumbavoor police from a house in Edappazhanji, Thiruvananthapuram, where she was hiding. Sarita told the police that she had no contact for the past one year with the  absconding Biju Radhakishnan.

Biju Radhakishnan was arrested in Coimbatore June 17, 2013, for the murder of his wife Reshmi. (Express file photo)

On June 17, 2013, Biju Radhakishnan was arrested in Coimbatore for the murder of his wife Reshmi on February 4, 2006 at his Kottarakkara house. Biju told the police that he was advised by a lawyer in Ernakulam to leave the state and stay underground until he fetched an anticipatory bail for him in the solar panel scam. He said it was the same lawyer who also advised him to speak to the news channels and reveal the role played by Chief Minister’s staff. However, the  lawyer cheated him he said.

When the police nabbed Biju in Coimbatore he had only र20 in his purse. One of the policemen said:

“The conman who duped several to the tune of crores of rupees did not even have money to pay his taxi bill. He had told the driver that he would pay him after selling his laptop.”

On October 9, 2013, Biju Radhakrishnan told the Judicial First Class Magistrate court in Thiruvananthapuram that he was ready to reveal the names of the top political leaders involved in the scam.

Kerala reeled under the scam. The media dubbed the scam “Callgate” and “Kerala Solar Scam“. The duo had used cine starlets for sex and blackmail.

The scandal created havoc in the ruling Congress party. The amounts involved in each case varied from a few lakhs to a few crores with the total, calculated by complaints, amounted to less than र10 crore (US$1.6 million) – a meagre amount when compared to other scams perpetrated by others in India. However, the aggressive protests by Leftist political parties made the scam notorious.

Oommen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s “Mr. Clean” image was muddied, and brought his government to its knees. The Opposition parties demanded his resignation.

Salim Raj, Tenny Joppan and Jikumon Jacob were members of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s personal staff and his closest confidants for eight years and had links
with Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakishnan, the accused in the multi-crore solar scam. However, only Tenny Joppan was arrested.

Media reports said that Salim Raj, the former bodyguard of the Chief Minister, had made a number of calls to the accused in the Solar scam. However, the Special Investigation Team which probes the solar scam exonerated him.

Salim Raj outside a court in Kozhikode (Source: indiatoday.intoday.in)

On September 10, 2013, confident of his protectors in the government, Salim Raj attempted to abduct a couple in broad daylight on a highway. Seeing the commotion, a lot of local people gathered around them. Though Salim Raj threatened them by flashing his police ID card, the angry locals did not give in and refused to let Salim Raj and his goons leave until the police came and took them into custody.

Jikkumon Jacob, a personal staff of Kerala CM Oommen Chandy.

Jikkumon Jacob, assistant PA to CM’s personal assistant P. Sivadasan and member of chief minister’s personal staff, resigned on his own from the post following allegations of his involvement with Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakishna, the main accused in the solar panel case. The special investigation team led by ADGP quizzed Jikkumon since his mobile number appears in the call lists of those who had Telephoned Saritha Nair.

However, no action was taken against Jikkumon.

Tenny Joppan, a long-time aide and former personal staff member of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was arrested on June28, 2013.

On June 28, 2013, Tenny Joppan, a long-time aide and former personal staff member of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was removed from the CM’s office following the controversies. He was arrested after a three-hours interrogation at Chengannur DYSP office, when the CM had gone to Bahrain to receive a UN award for his mass contact programmes.  He was charged under Section 420 of IPC (cheating) and Sec 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance) and listed as the third accused in the Solar scam case, along with Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan.

M.G. Joppan, father of Tenny said the real culprits in the case are outside the bars. He said:

“Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan’s police came to arrest Tenny when Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was out of station. Tenny was made a scapegoat. There has been a conspiracy behind this. Many people including Salim Raj and Jikku are safe outside. Tenny hasn’t earned anything illegally.”

On August 23, 2013, Kerala High Court granted bail to Joppen.

A. Firoze, former director of Kerala’s Information and Public Relations department.

On July 18, 2013, A. Firoze, suspended Director of the  Information and Public Relations Department, surrendered at the Medical College Police station after the Kerala High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail. He was accused of defrauding a Thiruvananthapuram builder of र40 lakh promising to arrange an Asian Development Bank loan for setting up a solar facility. Firoze had reportedly introduced Biju Radhakrishnan and Saritha Nair to the builder saying one of them was a offical of ADB.

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← Previous:  Part 1 – Team Solar                                                                    To be continued …

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RELATED ARTICLES

• 2013 Kerala solar panel scam (en.wikipedia.org)
• Solar scam heat scorches Kerala (indiatogether.org)
• Kerala’s first couple of sleaze and blackmail (newindianexpress.com)
• Team Solar built up impressive clientele to lure investors (thehindu.com)
• Mammooty Among 6 Persons To Get Golden Feather Award (movies.ndtv.com)
• Biju sent to police custody (thehindu.com)
• Ill Omen fo Chandy (indiatoday.intoday.in)
• Salim ‘Raj’ in Kerala: The story of a constable dubbed Super Chief Minister (indiatoday.intoday.in)

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