About Anna Hazare - Kisan Baburao Hazare

Kisan Baburao Hazare (born 15 June 1937), popularly known as Anna Hazare is an Indian social activist and a prominent leader in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Hazare also contributed to the development and structuring of Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Parner taluka of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan—the third-highest civilian award—by the Government of India in 1992 for his efforts in establishing this village as a model for others.

Anna Hazare started an indefinite hunger strike on 5 April 2011 to exert pressure on the Indian government to enact a stringent anti-corruption law as envisaged in the Jan Lokpal Bill, for the institution of an ombudsman with the power to deal with corruption in public places. The fast led to nation-wide protests in support of Hazare. The fast ended on 9 April 2011, a day after the government accepted Hazare's demands. The government issued a gazette notification on the formation of a joint committee, consisting of government and civil society representatives, to draft the legislation.

For the year 2011 Foreign Policy magazine has named him among top 100 global thinkers. Anna has been ranked as the most influential person in Mumbai by a national daily newspaper. He has faced criticism for his authoritarian views on justice, including death as punishment for corrupt public officials and his alleged support for forced vasectomies as a method of family planning.

Kisan Hazare was born on 15 June 1937 (some sources say 1940) in Bhingar, near to Ahmednagar. The eldest son, with two sisters and four brothers, the later adoption of the name Anna reflects the Marathi word for "elder brother". His father worked in a pharmacy and struggled to support the family financially. In time, the family moved to their ancestral village of Ralegan Siddhi, where they owned a small amount of agricultural land. A relative took on the burden of providing Kisan with an education, taking him to Mumbai because the village had no primary school. The relative became unable financially to continue the support and Kisan's schooling ended in the Standard Seventh grade; his siblings were not schooled at all. He started selling flowers at the Dadar railway station in Mumbai and was able eventually to own two flower shops in the city. He also became involved in vigilantism, joining groups who acted to prevent the poor from being bullied out of their shelters by thugs in the employ of landlords.

Milatary Service

The Indo-China War of 1962 caused the Indian Army to commence emergency recruitment measures. Hazare was recruited in April 1963, despite not meeting the physical requirements, and was attested as a soldier on 16 November of that year after undertaking training at Aurangabad.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Hazare was posted at the border in the Khem Karan sector. He was the sole survivor of an enemy attack - variously claimed to have been a bomb, an aerial assault and an exchange of fire at the border - while he was driving a truck. The experiences of war time, coupled with the poverty from which he had come, affected him. He had considered suicide at one point but now turned to pondering the meaning of life and death. He has said of the truck attack that "[It] sent me thinking. I felt that God wanted me to stay alive for some reason. I was re-born in the battlefield of Khem Karan. And I decided to dedicate my new life to serving people." He spent his spare time reading the works of Swami Vivekananda, Gandhi, and Vinoba Bhave. In a blog post, Hazare expressed his views on Kashmir by saying that it was his "active conviction that Kashmir is an integral part of India" and that if required once again for service, he would remain "ready to take part in war against Pakistan.
During the mid-1970s, Hazare survived a road accident while driving for the army. He interpreted his survival as a further sign that his life was intended to be dedicated to the service of the community. Despite subsequent allegations that he had deserted from the army, official records show that he was honourably discharged in 1975 after completing his 12 years of service.

Hazare returned to Ralegan Siddhi, a village described by Satpathy and Mehta as being then "one of the many villages of India plagued by acute poverty, deprivation, a fragile ecosystem, neglect and hopelessness.
Although most of the villagers owned some land, cultivation was extremely difficult due to the rocky ground preventing retention of the monsoon rains; this situation had not been assisted by a gradual deterioration as trees were cut down, erosion spread and droughts were also experienced. The shortage of water also led to disease because conditions became unsanitary and water was re-used for multiple purposes. The economy of the village had become reliant on illegal manufacture and sale of alcohol, a product to which many of the villagers had themselves become addicted. Many inhabitants were at the mercy of moneylenders in order to survive, and those lenders would charge monthly interest rates of as much as 10%. Crime and violence (including domestic violence) had become commonplace, while education and employment opportunities were poor.
Hazare was relatively wealthy because of the gratuity from his army service. He set about using that money to restore a run-down, vandalised village temple as a focal point for the community. Some were able to respond with small financial donations but many other villagers, particularly among the elderly, donated their labour in a process that became known as shramdaan. Some youths also became involved in the work and these he organised into a Tarun Mandal (Youth Association). One of the works of Vivekananda which he had read was Call to the youth for nation building.

Prohibition of alcohol

In 1991 Hazare launched the Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Aandolan (BVJA) (People's Movement against Corruption), a popular movement to fight against corruption in Ralegaon Siddhi. In the same year he protested against the collusion between 40 forest officials and timber merchants. This protest resulted in the transfer and suspension of these officials.
In May 1997 Hazare protested against alleged malpractices in the purchase of powerlooms by the Vasantrao Naik Bhathya Vimukt Jhtra Governor P. C. Alexander. On 4 November 1997 Gholap filed a defamation suit against Hazare for accusing him of corruption. He was arrested in April 1998 and was released on a personal bond of 5,000 (US$100). On 9 September 1998 Hazare was imprisoned in the Yerawada Jail to serve a three-month sentence mandated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Court. The sentencing caused leaders of all political parties except the BJP and the Shiv Sena came in support of him. Later, due to public protests, the Government of Maharashtra ordered his release from the jail. After release, Hazare wrote a letter to then chief minister Manohar Joshi demanding Gholap's removal for his role in alleged malpractices in the Awami Merchant Bank. Gholap resigned from the cabinet on 27 April 1999.

In 2003 corruption charges were raised by Hazare against four NCP ministers of the Congress-NCP government. He started his fast unto death on 9 August 2003. He ended his fast on 17 August 2003 after then chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde formed a one-man commission headed by the retired justice P. B. Sawant to probe his charges. The P. B. Sawant commission report, submitted on 23 February 2005, indicted Sureshdada Jain, Nawab Malik, and Padmasinh Patil. The report exonerated Vijaykumar Gavit. Suresh Jain and Nawab Malik resigned from the cabinet in March 2005.
Three trusts headed by Anna Hazare were also indicted in the P. B. Sawant commission report. 220,000 (US$4,180) spent by the Hind Swaraj Trust for Anna Hazare's birthday celebrations was concluded by the commission as illegal and amounting to a corrupt practice, though Abhay Firodia, an industrialist subsequently donated 248,000 (US$4,710) to the trust for that purpose. The setting apart of 11 acres of its land by the trust in favour of the Zilla Parishad without obtaining permission from the charity commissioner was concluded as a case of maladministration. The commission also concluded that the maintenance of accounts of the Bhrashtachar Virodhi Janandolan Trust after 10 November 2001 had not been according to the rules and 46,374 (US$880) spent by the Sant Yadavbaba Shikshan Prasarak Mandal Trust for renovating a temple was in contravention to its object of imparting secular education.

Right to Information movement

In the early 2000s Hazare led a movement in Maharashtra state which forced the state government to enact a revised Maharashtra Right to Information Act. This Act was later considered as the base document for the Right to Information Act 2005 (RTI), enacted by the Union Government. It also ensured that the President of India assented to this new Act.

On 20 July 2006 the Union Cabinet amended the Right to Information Act 2005 to exclude the file noting by the government officials from its purview. Hazare began his fast unto death on 9 August 2006 in Alandi against the proposed amendment. He ended his fast on 19 August 2006, after the government agreed to change its earlier decision.
Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties Act
Before 2006 in the state of Maharashtra, even honest government officers were transferred to other places according to ministers wish. Sometimes within months of being posted to a place, whereas some corrupt and favoured officials were cozy in their postings for many years in some cases even for 10 to 20 years and since there was not any guideline or law many government officials were reluctant to process files that contained important public proposals and decisions. Anna fought hard for a law whereby a government servant must clear a file within a specified time and that transfers must take place only after three years. After many years of relentless efforts of Anna, finally on 25 May 2006 state government of Maharashtra issued a notification announcing that the execution of the special act, The Prevention of Delay in Discharge of Official Duties Act 2006, aimed at curbing the delay by its officers and employees in discharging their duties. This act provides for disciplinary action against officials who move files slowly and enables monitoring officials who stay too long in a post, or in a department, and for involvement in a corrupt nexus. Within this act, it is mandatory for the government to effect transfers of all government officers and employees, except Class IV workers, after the stipulated three years. Act also prevents the government from effecting frequent transfers of officers before the stipulated three-year tenure, except in case of emergency and under exceptional circumstances. Maharashtra is the first state in the country to have introduced such act. However, like others, this law has also not been followed in its true spirit.

The 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement is a series of ongoing demonstrations and protests across India intended to establish strong legislation and enforcement against endemic political corruption. The movement has gained momentum since April 5, 2011, when anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare began his now-famous hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The chief aim of the movement is to alleviate corruption in the Indian government through a piece of legislation called the Jan Lokpal Bill. Another important aim, led by protests under Swami Ramdev, is the repatriation of black money from Swiss and other foreign banks.

The movement is primarily one of non-violent civil resistance, featuring demonstrations, marches, acts of civil disobedience, hunger strikes, marches and rallies, as well as the use of social media to organize, communicate, and raise awareness. The protests are unusual as they haveno political affiliation; most protesters have been hostile to attempts by political parties to use them to strengthen their own personal political agendas.
Grievances of Indian protesters were focused on legal and political issues including political corruption, kleptocracy, as well as other form of corruption.
The anti-corruption movement has been named among the top 10 news stories in the world for the year 2011 by Time magazine.

Hazare’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar

Hazare began his Indefinite Fast on 5 April 2011 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to press for the demand to form a joint committee of the representatives of the Government and the civil society to draft a stronger anti-corruption bill with stronger penal actions and more independence to the Lokpal andLokayuktas (Ombudsmen in the states), after his demand was rejected by the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh. He stated, "I will fast until Jan Lokpal Bill is passed".
The movement attracted attention in the media, and thousands of supporters. Almost 150 people reportedly joined Hazare in his fast.[45] Social activists, including Medha Patkar, Arvind Kejriwal, former Indian Police Service officer Kiran Bedi, Noted Hindi Poet Kumar Vishwas and Jayaprakash Narayan lent their support to Hazare's hunger strike and anti-corruption campaign. People have shown support in internet social media such as Twitter and Facebook. In addition to spiritual leaders Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Swami Ramdev, Swami Agnivesh and former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev, many celebrities showed their public support through Twitter.[46][47] Hazare decided that he would not allow any politician to sit with him in this movement. Politicians like Uma Bharti and Om Prakash Chautala were shooed away by the protesters when they came to visit the site where the protest was taking place.[48] On 6 April 2011 Sharad Pawar resigned from the group of ministers formed for reviewing the draft Lokpal bill 2010.
Protests spread to Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Shillong, Aizawl and a number of other cities in India.

Government response to Hazare

On 7 April, Hazare's strike led to the resignation of Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from the Group of Ministers on corruption. On 8 April, the government started seriously considering the demands of the protesters. The government stated that it would table the bill in Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon session. On 9 April, the government finally agreed to have a 50:50 distribution of the Government appointed officials and the members of the civil society. On 13 May, PM Manmohan Singh stated that the Indian government had completed the ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption.
Political party response to Hazare
Bhartiya Janata Party
The Bhartiya Janata Party supported Hazare, with prominent member Arun Jaitley urging the government to take Hazare's fast seriously.
Another prominent BJP figure, L.K. Advani, suggested that a meeting of political parties should be convened to discuss the issue "particularly in the context of black money and curbing money-power in elections".
BJP leader Narendra Modi posted on his Facebook account that he was praying for Hazare's health. He also published an open letter to Hazare thanking him for the latter's support for the development work in Gujarat. Modi also warned Hazare of possible vilification by a certain 'powerful-group' that wishes to defame Modi and Gujarat. He reiterated his support for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) came out in support of Anna Hazare. Prakash Karat pledged support to Hazare over the Jan Lokpal Bill.

POPE - Bishop of Rome

The Pope (from Latin: papa; from Greek: πάππας(pappas), a child's word for father) is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church (which is composed of the Latin Rite and the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the see of Rome). The current office-holder is Pope Benedict XVI, who was elected in a papal conclave on 19 April 2005.

The office of the pope is known as the Papacy. His ecclesiastical jurisdiction is often called the "Holy See" (Sancta Sedes in Latin), or the "Apostolic See" based upon the Church tradition that the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul were martyred in Rome. The pope is also head of state of Vatican City State, a sovereign city-state entirely enclaved within the city of Rome.Early popes helped to spread Christianity and resolve doctrinal disputes.

After the conversion of the rulers of the Roman Empire (the conversion of the populace was already advanced even before the Edict of Milan, the Roman emperors became the popes' secular allies until the 8th century whenPope Stephen II was forced to appeal to the Franks for help, beginning a period of close interaction with the rulers of the west. For centuries, the Donation of Constantine, later proved to be a forgery, provided support for the papacy's claim of political supremacy over the entire former Western Roman Empire. In medieval times, popes played powerful roles in Western Europe, often struggling with monarchs for control over the wide-ranging affairs of Church and state, crowning emperors (Charlemagne was the first emperor crowned by a pope), and regulating disputes among secular rulers.

Gradually forced to give up temporal power, popes now focus almost exclusively on religious matters. Over the centuries, papal claims of spiritual authority have been ever more clearly expressed, culminating in 1870 with the proclamation of the dogma of papal infallibility for rare occasions when the pope speaks ex cathedra (literally "from the chair (of St. Peter)") to issue a formal definition of faith or morals.

The first (after the proclamation) and so far the last such occasion was in 1950, with the definition of the dogma of the Assumption of Mary The word Pope derives from Greek πάππας meaning "Father". This title was first assumed by the Patriarchs of Alexandria, long before it was assumed by the Bishops of Rome. In fact, the first to carry the title of Pope was the Patriarch of Alexandria, Pope Heracleus (232-249 AD), the 13th Alexandrine Patriarch.

Papa has been the specific designation for the Archbishop of Alexandria, Patriarch of Egypt, and the See of Saint Mark, whose ecclessiastic title is "Papa Abba", the Abba stands for the devotion of all monastics, from Pentapolis in the West to Constantinople in the East, to his guidance. Abba is the most powerful designation, that for all monks in the East to voluntarily follow his spiritual authority.

The first record in history of the term "Pope" is assigned to Pope Heraclas of Alexandria in a letter written by the bishop of Rome, Dionysius, to Philemon:

It is difficult to ascertain the identity of the first Bishop of Rome to carry the title Pope of Rome. Some sources suggest that it was Pope Marcellinus (d. 304 AD),[10] while other sources suggest that this did not happen until the 6th century, with Pope John I (523 - 526 AD) the first to assume this title.

Bestowing the title on Rome's Pontiff did not strip it from Alexandria's, and the Roman Catholic Church recognizes this ecclesiastical fact.[7] From the 6th century, the imperial chancery of Constantinople normally reserved this designation for the Bishop of Rome. From the early 6th century, it began to be confined in the West to the Bishop of Rome, a practice that was firmly in place by the 11th century, when Pope Gregory VII declared it reserved for the Bishop of Rome.

Catholics recognize the Pope as a successor to Saint Peter, whom, according to Roman Catholic teaching, Jesus named as the "shepherd" and "rock" of the Catholic Church, which according to Catholic dogma is the one true Church founded by Christ.

Peter never bore the title of "Pope", which came into use three centuries later, but Catholics traditionally recognize him as the first Pope, while official declarations of the Church only speak of the Popes as holding within the college of the Bishops a role analogous to that held by Peter within the college of the Apostles, of which the college of the Bishops, a distinct entity, is the successor. Protestants contend that the New Testament offers no proof that Jesus established the papacy nor even that he established Peter as the first bishop of Rome.

The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus personally appointed Peter as leader of the Church and in its dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentiummakes a clear distinction between apostles and bishops, presenting the latter as the successors of the former, with the Pope as successor of Peter in that he is head of the bishops as Peter was head of the apostles.

Some historians have argued that the notion that Peter was the first bishop of Rome and founded the episcopal see there can be traced back no earlier than the 3rd century. The writings of the Church Father Irenaeus who wrote around 180 AD reflect a belief that Peter "founded and organised" the Church at Rome.

However, Irenaeus was not the first to write of Peter's presence in the early Roman Church. Clement of Rome wrote in a letter to the Corinthians, c. 96 about the persecution of Christians in Rome as the “struggles in our time” and presented to the Corinthians its heroes, “first, the greatest and most just columns, the “good apostles” Peter and Paul.[22] St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote shortly after Clement and in his letter from the city of Smyrna to the Romans he said he would not command them as Peter and Paul did. Given this and other evidence, many scholars agree that Peter was martyred in Rome under Nero, although some scholars argue that he may have been martyred in Palestine.

Various Christian communities would have had a group of presbyter-bishops functioning as leaders of their local churches. Gradually, episcopacies were established in metropolitan areas. It has been conjectured[who?] that Antioch, where Peter was before he went to Rome, may have been one of the first Christian communities to have adopted such a structure.

In Rome there were many who claimed to be the rightful bishop though again Irenaeus stressed the validity of one line of bishops from the time of St. Peter up to his contemporary Pope Victor I and listed them. Some[who?] writers claim that the emergence of a single bishop in Rome probably did not occur until the middle of the 2nd century. In their view, Linus, Cletus and Clement were possibly prominent presbyter-bishops but not necessarily monarchical bishops. This would not affect their authority as Popes in Catholic Theology.The Holy See was accorded prominence in the early Church period in issues related to matters of the whole Catholic Church.

BABA RAMDEV

Ramkishan Yadav popularly known as Swami Ramdev (Hindi: स्वामी रामदेव), is an Indian Hindu swami. He is known for his efforts in popularizing yoga as it is enunciated in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. He is also one of the founders of the Divya Yog Mandir Trust headquartered in Haridwar, that aims to popularize Yoga and offer Ayurvedic treatments. The New York Times calls him an "Indian who built Yoga Empire", "a product and symbol of the New India, a yogic fusion of Richard Simmons, Dr. Oz and Oprah Winfrey, irrepressible and bursting with Vedic wisdom".

His camps are attended by a large number of people. Over 85 million people follow his yoga camps via TV channels and video. His yoga teaching sessions are for the masses and free for all.

Swami Ramdev's flagship project, the Patanjali Yogpeeth (PYP) Trust, was inaugurated on August 6, 2006. Its aim is to build the world's largest center for Ayurveda and Yoga that includes facilities for treatment, research and a teaching university. The trust primarily offers free treatment to those who cannot afford to pay. For others, treatment is provided at a lower cost than at hospitals.

Through PYP, Swami Ramdev continues to work with various institutions and medical organizations in an effort to study and improve the effectiveness of yoga against diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc.

Swami Ramdev has acquired a Scottish isle for about £2 million to set up a wellness retreat. The Little Cumbrae Island, off the fishing town of Largs in Scotland, will also serve as the guru’s base overseas, where his teachings of yoga as a means to cleanse the body and mind are gaining popularity. The acquisition itself was carried out by a Scottish couple of Indian origin, Sam and Sunita Poddar, who saw recession and the resultant fall in property prices as an opportunity to expand the base of Patanjali Yogpeeth — the institution founded by Ramdev for scientific research and treatment in yog, spiritualism and ayurveda. The island property has been inaugurated in September 2009 with a ‘Yagna or 'Yagya’(a Vedic Sanatan Dharm prayer in the presence of a purifying fire), will be administered by the Patanjali Yogpeeth (UK) Trust.

Swami Ramdev has raised a number of national issues through his yoga camps (yog shivirs). Most of the issues raised by him demand change in the governance policies of India and the lifestyle of the common people. Some of the most emphasized issues are:

KALESHWAR BABA

SHIRDI BABA’S CHILDHOODInside the Shiva cave at the ashramMore details about Baba’s childhood are recorded in ‘The Divine Mystery Fort, Volume I’The historic details of Shirdi Baba’s birth are unrecorded. The few facts which are known of Baba’s childhood come from his authorized biography,The Sri Sai Satcharita, and from Swami Kaleshwar.Baba’s birth name and the names of his parents are undocumented. Baba’s parents were simple villagers—his father was a boatman and his mother, a devoted housewife. She was also known to be a great devotee of Shiva, praying that He would grant her wish and be born as her child. Even though the couple remained childless after many years of marriage, her devotion never waivered, and she persisted in her prayers for a divine son.An Incarnation of ShivaOne day, while her husband was ferrying passengers across the river, a huge storm came. It was clear to the wife that her husband was in mortal danger. As she stood watching with tears in her eyes, Shiva appeared and asked, “What do you want?” She said, “You have to come in my life as my son.” Shiva gave her a fruit and told her to eat it. At the same time her husband returned safely to shore. She told him of her divine experience showing him Shiva’s fingerprints on the fruit as proof. The husband became jealous, his jealousy increasing when his wife became pregnant. Determined that he, too, should have direct experience of the Lord, he decided to leave his wife and go to the forest to live and meditate. However, his wife did not want to be separated from him. Leaving the child in their hut, she went with her husband into the forest where they lived out the remainder of their lives, “receiving enlightenment from Shiva”, Swami Kaleshwar said.A Muslim couple from a nearby village found the child and adopted him. One day, the boy was playing with the son of the local Hindu priest. As part of their game, the priest’s son brought a Shiva Lingam from the temple. Upon seeing it the boy immediately put it in his mouth and gleefully swallowed it. All the Muslims were outraged at his actions, which they felt were blasphemy. The Hindus as well were so deeply upset at the loss of the lingam, their sacred symbol, that they were determined to cut open the boy’s stomach and retrieve it. Eventually everyone calmed down when the parents reminded them that he was adopted: they didn’t even know his birth name or whether he was actually a Hindu or a Muslim. Throughout the incident, the boy remained unconcerned. Soon after, he left home, taken by a fakir, who eventually brought the boy to the saint, Venkusa, who would become his master. In later years, Baba would freely quote from the sacred scriptures of both Islam and Hinduism. When asked whether he was in fact a Hindu or a Muslim he would reply, “The ways to God are many but God is one. Serve God. Serve each other. Love each other. This is God’s Way.” His life, from the very beginning, was a message to the world about the unity of all religions.Baba stayed with Venkusa for 12 years. Because he received more attention from his master than the other disciples, the disciples became jealous and attempted to kill him by pummeling him with a brick. As the brick flew towards his head, Baba called out his master’s name and the brick miraculously stopped in mid-air thus Baba’s life was saved. Afterwards, the brick was given to Baba as a gift by Venkusa. It became Baba’s power object, which he used as a pillow and kept with him until the last days of his life.attention fell on Sri Kaleshwar after one of his ardent devotees claimed to have tasted the wine he produced from water. There's nothing like stealing from Jesus to make folks think you're God.

As it turns out, he also attracted the attention of the local officials in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, a few years ago:The activities of Kaleshwar during the last five years included deceiving people in the name of unearthing a hidden treasure and identifying such a treasure at historical wells, temples, graves and choultries during nights with the help of a team from Poland and metal detectors and unearthing it, they alleged.

Besides smuggling of ancient idols, jewellery and diamonds, hawala, running fake currency racket, sale of narcotics, business of blue films among others also comprised his major activities during the last five years, they charged. A group of persons also used to help Kaleshwar but they later kept away.

Kaleshwar had donned the garb of a godman to safeguard his illegal activities, they alleged. According to a plan to unearth `hidden treasure' he had also encroached upon historic constructions and precious lands. Initially, he had even taken on lease illegally the lands belonging to two temples in survey numbers 394(2) and 295(4). Later, the Endowments Commissioner, Ajay Kallam, sold the land legally to Kaleshwar on the suggestion of the District Collector.You gotta love Indian politics, where all legal troubles can be solved with a few rupees placed in the right pockets.

His Holiness Parama Pujya Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji

Think and you will experience Swamiji for yourself. Some people say yogi, man of miracles, healer, doctor, yoga man, magician; other say he follows the vedic way; some say confusion man - all are correct. Each person has his own way of looking at me but I say I am not a spiritual business man."

His Holiness Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore, one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the present day is an asset to India and the world at large. He is an incarnation of the Great Cosmic Power. Revival of culture, reformation of society and establishing peace and happiness among mankind and transforming into godly men is his mission. His methods include: establishing Dharma.* and Bhakti.* by singing devotional hymns, by reciting the names of the Lord Almighty and inculcating the masses by instilling into them love of God through chorus singing of Bhajans and listening to his meditation-music. Sri Swamiji is traveling the world to help seekers discover that everything is God. In Him devotees find compassion, love and divine wisdom as He guides them on the path of Yoga sadhana - to discover and realize their true Self. Sri Swamiji conveys an important part of His message through His music, being noted for His namasankirtan. Sri Swamiji's music is devotional and used for spiritual energy transmission. This great master sings self-composed bhajans in Sanskrit, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and English and plays ayurvedic healing ragas on an electronic synthesizer, accompanied by musicians on classical Indian instruments. Devotees around the world claim to have received immense benefit through his concerts, everything from physical healing to spiritual guidance, and great outpourings of divine love.

It is easier to describe what He does than to say who He is. To begin to know who he is one must experience him, one must adopt the attitude of a seeker of God. Sri Swamiji speakssimply and to the heart in fact He is a silent teacher who teaches through your own love and devotion . To experience Him is to begin to know one's own true self.

occurred on a rock in the Kaveri river. His mother Jayalakshmi was in deep meditation and the child was born covered with holy ash. The child was named Satyanarayana. His mother, whom the Swami calls His first Guru, initiated Him into spiritual life before her passing in 1951. Satyanarayana completed His education like other children, but found school had nothing to offer Him. He was endowed at birth with great knowledge and power. Even as a child, he organized satsangs and taught bhajans to His friends, and performed "siddhis" to entertain them, such as turning tree leaves into sweets.

For some time He performed various mundane jobs to earn a living, such as school teacher and postal worker. All along, however, he had been serving his fellow humans, helping them with their problems. Through his miraculous powers He was able to understand their situations, knowing their past, present , and future and helped them to overcome difficulties. Some of them became his first disciples who were soon to be followed by more. He sang bhajans and kirtans for them and started giving yoga classes in small village huts or on river banks, while he was wandering the countryside as a monk. He acquired a following which demanded all of His time an attention.

In 1966 He moved to the present site of the Mysore Ashram, which in the early days was only a straw hut in a field. It was there at Mysore that He became Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji . Since then Sri Swamiji has been helping people in His unique way. People come to Him for help with their worldly affairs, or to become healed of physical afflictions, or for guidance in their spiritual practice. Many come to hear His beautiful and powerful songs, which draw the heart and mind to God or to celebrate the special Hindu holidays in the old vedic traditions.

They especially come during Maha Shivaratri, when Sri Swamiji enters the homakunda unmindful of the surrounding fire. An ordinary person would be scorched by the fire, but the flames are powerless before Sri Swamiji, who goes with His bare hands into the fire and materializes Shiva Lingams, Sri Chakras and other items. has grown over years to an impressive size and encompasses many aspects of the spiritual life. There one can study Yoga, the Vedas and Sanskrit. There is a Universal Prayer Hall where traditional Pujas and Homas (special Hindu worship services) are performed. As Sri Swamiji propagates the teaching of Dattatreya Avadhoota, a Datta Temple has been constructed. Dattatreya represents the eternal teacher, the Manifestation of the Triple Principle of Sat (Existence), Chit (Knowledge) and Ananda (Bliss).

Social Projects In addition to intense spiritual activity, ashram life is also devoted to helping the poor. It is a tradition that all ashram visitors are fed free and food is distributed to the needy on a regular basis. Also, the Ashram runs two local schools and provides free medical services.Centers Sri Swamiji has established more then 50 centers in India and abroad and has build 18 new Dattatreya temples in India. Recently, He has been asked by Indian religious leaders to take care of five other ancient Dattatreya temples. Regular worship, including homas, pujas, classes in Hatha and Kriya Yoga , Sanskrit and the Vedas.

SWAMY NITHYANANDA

Swami Nithyananda (also known as Paramahamsa Nithyananda, Tamil: பரமாஹம்ஸா நிதியானந்த) (born 1 January 1978) is a spiritual teacher and the founder of Dhyanapeetam, a worldwide movement, based in Bangalore, India.[1] In April 2010, Nithyananda was arrested after failing to answer bail for criminal charges in regards to allegations arising after a video was released allegedly showing him in a compromising situation with a woman.In 2007, he was elected chairman of the Hindu University of America, also known as the International Vedic Hindu University, an institution in the U.S. state of Florida.Life Bliss Foundation is Nithyananda's movement.

Established in 2003, it now consists of over 1000 centers in 33 different countries. The foundation also owns Nithyananda Meditation Academies (NMAs) worldwide.[edit]Sun News videoA video that claimed to show Nithyananada in a compromising situation with a woman was broadcast on the Tamil television channel Sun News on 2 March 2010. This resulted in protests outside theAshram during which a fire broke out. The Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam's website called the video defamatory, terming it "a mix of conspiracy, graphics and rumour". On March 4, Nithyananda made an application to a civil court in Chennai , seeking an injunction blocking further broadcasting of the video material.[3]At the end of March it was reported that Swami Nithyananda had issued a statement stating that he was resigning his position at Dhyanapeetam as head of the organization and from all positions at the various associated trusts. He further announced that he intended to live a "life of spiritual seclusion" for an indefinite period of time. [4]Swami Nithyananda was arrested on April 21, 2010 in Arki in Himachal Pradesh by Bangalore Police with the help of the police of Himachal[5] and the interrogation was done in Bangalore by the CID of the Bangalore Police.[6] A court in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu issued a non-bailable arrest warrant when he failed to appear in a case connected with the sleaze tapes. He has been charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Nityananda had reportedly been staying in Solan, Himachal Pradesh for over a month following his retirement.[7][8] He was flown to Bangalore andremanded into police custody.[9]

At a court in Ramanagaram he was further remanded until June 23rd in judicial custody.[10]On 11th June 2010 Nithyananda was granted bail, with the conditions that he not give public discourses, that he pay a Rupee.1 lakh bond, surrender his passport and report to the police once in afortnight. He was released from judicial custody after fifty two days in Ramanagaram sub-jail. On release Nityananda returned to the Dhyanapeetam Ashram near Bidadi.[11][12]After his bail conditions were relaxed to allow Nithyananda to resume preaching, a press release from his Ashram said he would give his first discourse, entitled freedom on July 11.[13]In October 2010, the releaser of the video who worked as Nithyanda's driver was charged by Bidadi police under several sections of the IPC with accusations of defaming Nithyanada through distributing the video.[14]

KALKI AMMA BAGAWAN

Supported and loved by more than a 100 million people, Sri Amma Bhagavan are the founders and the inspiration behind the Oneness University. They are one single consciousness in two bodies. Together Amma and Bhagavan power the process of awakening in the individual seeker. They are like the spirit, all pervading yet abiding in the deepest recesses of one's Being. They are the silent Presence powering the phenomenon of Oneness Blessing everywhere. Far removed from the periphery of the various activities of the movement they reside at the Oneness temple.Bhagavan was born on the 7th of March 1949 in the town of Natham, North Arcot District in the state of Tamil Nadu, South India to Mrs. Vaidharbi and Mr. Varadharajalu as the first child. He was given the name Vijay Kumar. He has two brothers and a sister. He was a very unusual child, always introspective and only concerned about how to give mankind total freedom. Today, we recognize Sri Bhagavan and his partner Amma as Divine Avatars, very rare beings who can give liberation to practically any-body. They take complete responsibility for giving complete enlightenment to all seekers and are not satisfied with giving some nice teachings, temporary states or performing some miracles.

When asked “When did this change in consciousness come to you?” Sri Bhagavan replies: There has been no change in my consciousness since I was a little child. I never had a guru. Even as a little child riding on the shoulders of a giant-like servant or sitting under a tree while my friends played, my only concern was humanity’s suffering. I would silently sob, choke and faint, experiencing humanity’s suffering. My body does not have a limitation. The consciousness of my body is limitless and hence it experiences all that man experiences. "My only passion ever since I came into this planet has been to end humanity’s suffering. And I knew to end suffering, mankind needed to enter into an altered state of consciousness. I also knew that man was helpless and it has to be given to him and I decided to give it.

"The miracles that Amma and I perform are merely manifestation of the compassion and love we feel for you. It is simply the power of our consciousness that is making this neuro-biological transformation in the brain possible, leading you to enlightenm.

GOSSIPS

Kalki bhagavan fraud of kalki avatar and amma bhagavan has been reportedly exposed by a Telugu news channel Tv9 in which Kalki Bhagavan (Vijay Kumar Naidu) and Amma Bhagawan are being targeted.Kalki Bhagavan (Vijay Kumar Naidu) and Amma Bhagawan claim to be two divine beings, or Avatars.They claim that they will fully enlighten 64,000 people in the world. These people are in a severe case of the communion of enlightened would prevent the rest of humanity by the year 2012.According to claims of Kalki Bhagavan and Amma Bhagwan – they will enlighten (or give Deeksha to) 64,000 people in the worldAccording to them, this state of enlightenment and offers researchers through a process known as deeksha. Deeksha is the transfer of divine energy, which is said to be so powerful that it has the ability to penetrate the concepts and conditioning of our minds.One of the devotees Narayana who has opened the lid has indicated that Kalki Bhagavan and Amma Bhagwan are charging exorbitant sums of money. For example Darshan of Amma’s padam the devotees are shelling out 5000-6000 Rupees and for Special Darshan 20-25,000 Rupees while the 60,000 Rupees is charged for the Homam. Kalki Bhagavan and Amma Bhagwan have amssed a wealth of 240 Crores while their trust is running many businesses including Real Estate

SATYA SAI BABA - PUTTAPARTHI

Sathya Sai Baba (Telugu: సత్య సాయిబాబా [sʌtjə sɑːɪ bɑːbɑː]; Kannada: ಸತ್ಯ ಸಾಯಿ ಬಾಬ; Tamil: சத்ய சாயி பாபா; Malayalam: സത്യസായിബാബ;Sanskrit: सत्य साईबाबा), born as Sathyanarayana Raju, on 23 November 1926,^[1] is a popular Indian guru, spiritual figure and educator.^[2] He is described by his devotees as an avatar, godman,^[3] spiritual teacher and miracle worker.^{[1][4][5][6][7]} The apparent materializing of vibuthi (holy ash) and small objects such as rings, necklaces and watches by Sathya Sai Baba has been a source of both fame and controversy – skeptics consider these simple conjuring tricks, while devotees consider them evidence of divinity. Sathya Sai Baba has claimed to be the reincarnation of the great spiritual guru, Sai Baba of Shirdi, whose teachings were an eclectic blend of Hindu and Muslim beliefs.

Sathya Sai Baba and his organizations support a variety of free educational institutions, hospitals, and other charitable works in India and abroad. The number of active Sathya Sai Baba adherents was estimated in 1999 to be around 6 million, although followers' estimations are far higher. Since there are no formal ties of membership, the actual figure may never be known.The Sathya Sai Organization reports that there are an estimated 1,200 Sathya Sai Baba Centers in 114 countries worldwide. In India itself, Sai Baba draws followers from predominantly upper-middle-class, urban sections of society who have the "most wealth, education and exposure to Western ideas."^[13] A cultural icon in his home country, Sai Baba has attracted presidents and prime ministers from India and beyond who have become his devotees; in 2002, he claimed to have followers in 178 countries.

Sathyanarayana Raju was born to Eswaramma and Peddavenkama Raju Ratnakaram^[16] in the village of Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India.Almost everything known about his life stems from the hagiography that has grown around him, the presentation of narratives that hold special meaning to his devotees and are considered evidence of his divine nature.

His birth, which his mother Eswaramma asserted was by miraculous conception, was also said to be heralded by miracles. As a child, he was described as "unusually intelligent" and charitable He was exceptionally talented in drama, music, dance and writing, and was an avid composer of poems and plays.He was said to be capable of materialising objects such as food and sweets out of thin air.

On 8 March 1940, while living with his elder brother Seshama Raju in Uravakonda, Sathya was apparently stung by a scorpion. He lost consciousness for several hours. Within the next few days there was a noticeable change in Sathya's behavior. There were "symptoms of laughing and weeping, eloquence and silence.He began to sing Sanskrit verses, a language of which he had no prior knowledge.Doctors believed his behavior to be hysteria His parents brought Sathya home to Puttaparthi.Concerned, they took him to many priests, "doctors" and exorcists.

On 23 May 1940, Sathya called household members and materialized sugar candy and other items. His father became furious upon seeing this, thinking his son was bewitched. He took a stick and asked him who he was. To this Sathya announced calmly and firmly "I am Sai Baba," a reference to Sai Baba of Shirdi. He proclaimed himself to be a reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi—a saint who became famous in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in Maharashtra, and who had died eight years before Sathya was born.

Later that year, Sathya Sai Baba declared that he had no worldly relationship with anyone, and around this time, devotees began to gather to him. In 1940, Sathya Sai Baba began to travel to Madras and elsewhere in South India and soon had a large regional following.

In 1944, a mandir (temple) for Sathya Sai Baba's devotees was built near the village. It is now referred to as the old mandir.The construction of Prashanthi Nilayam, the current ashram, began in 1948 and after 2 years, was completed in 1950.In 1957 Sathya Sai Baba went on a North Indian temple tour. In 1954, Sathya Sai Baba established a small free General Hospital in the village of Puttaparthi.