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Indian elections show vibrancy of India’s democracy

The U.S.-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) congratulates Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the UPA coalition on their victory in the Indian Elections. This victory is important not only for the people of India but also for US India relations. The larger mandate will provide consistency and clarity in the policies of the upcoming government. Key reforms that had been stalemated by the coalition partners in the prior Government should now be quickly implemented.

 

I congratulate the people of India on exercising their vote in the largest exercise of democracy in the world. I congratulate Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the UPA coalition on winning their trust. This victory is also an endorsement of the US India Nuclear agreement which the Prime Minister and his Government worked hard for. We look forward to the growing US India relationship at all levels since this government will be able to build on its work of the last five years.

USINPAC also lauds the work of the Election Commission of India on successfully conducting a massive operation which required 714 million citizens of India to vote from 828,894 polling stations. It sends out a clear message that the Indian democracy is vibrant, transparent and peaceful. What they have achieved is astounding since these elections were like holding multiple Olympics simultaneously.
- Sanjay Puri, chairman, USINPAC

 

IndianAuthentic portrayal of Buddha in upcoming mega-film urged

Welcoming the recent announcement of English language international megafilm on Buddha, we Hindus urge its makers to present an authentic portrayal of his life and times.  

Gautama Buddha, besides Buddhists is also revered by Hindus. Re-imagining of scriptures and life of Buddha purely for mercantile greed is likely to hurt the devotees. We welcome filmmakers to work on religious themes and figures, but recommend that they handle faith-related subjects very carefully and sensitively since Cinema is a highly powerful medium. Apparently the most expensive film to be ever made in Bollywood - reportedly costing about 122 million dollars – will be produced by Spice Enfotainment headed by industrialist B. K. Modi and directed by Filmfare Award winner Ashutosh Gowarikar (Lagaan). With a diverse cast and crew, it is expected to go on the floor in May 2010 and be completed by the end of that year. 

Reported to have been scripted by Oscar winner David S. Ward (Sleepless in Seattle) on a book by Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, biographical "Buddha" will be shot in the foothills of Himalayas. Spiritual and temporal leader of Tibetan Buddhists His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is said have some kind of an advisory role with it. Founder of Buddhism, Gautama Buddha (roughly 568-483 BCE) is also known as Sakyamuni or Siddhartha. Buddha means Wise One or Enlightened One. For Hindus, he was ninth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu (the all-pervader).
- Rajan Zed, Nevada

New Gandhi on the horizon

Congress’s idea of promoting Rahul Gandhi has been there for a while. However, the timing of his launch so to say had sparked-off wrong vibes. Many in the ruling coalition felt that Rahul’s launch was probably an attempt to bring unity to an otherwise broken party. However the stupendous success of Congress in UP has silenced the skeptics. And much of the credit for the success goes to Rahul Gandhi. Definitely he has invigorated the stagnate Congress but then being the General Secretary of UPA, he is performing his role only. Like his father, Rajiv, Rahul too has brought in a fresh breeze of youthful dynamism in the Indian politics. He has the foresightedness, vision, clarity of thought, sober and graceful personality would definitely stand him in good stead.
- Unni Vijayapuram, New Jersey 

OFBJP concedes defeat

Let me first congratulate all Overseas Friends of BJP volunteers, who selflessly tried to convince voters among their friends and family to vote for BJP, during the Parliamentary election in Bharat, through their repeated e-mails and phone calls to them. We at Overseas Friends of BJP –USA, are disappointed but not disheartened. We believe that BJP is the only political party, committed to economical development and well being of every citizen based on "Bharat and Bhartiya First" and has dynamic leadership at all the levels of BJP party around the country to support it. Even if it has not gained a clear majority, we congratulate the winner, UPA and request them to protect democratic rights and freedom of every citizen, control price rises, provide employment, better security, continue development and steer away from appeasing and applying cast and religion based politics. Overseas Friends of BJP honors the mandate of the people with "highest respect."
- Harish Dhruv, President Overseas Friends Of BJP, (OFBJP –USA)