I n d i a M a h e s h

Perceptions are strange; very strange, actually. Consider those perceptions people have about “journalists” and “gossip mongers”. What’s the difference between the two? Both have strange similarities; both have an astute appetite for “information”. While one terms it “news” and the other calls it “gossip”. The medium is different; difference(s) ends then and there. Yeah, journalists are “supposed” to be “ethical”.  …

By U. Mahesh Prabhu
The ignorance we Mangaloreans have for our own history is substantial. “So, what’s great about Mangalore?” if we are asked, our answers would be little more than “We have the largest pool of engineers and doctors.” And at the most we could take pride on Mangalore being “World’s idli/dosa capital”. But …

Book review by U. Mahesh Prabhu
When President George W. Bush assumed office in 2000, his administration inherited a small budget surplus. President Barack Obama, today, faces a national debt of $10 trillion – about 70 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) or 18 percent of the world economy. So where did all that …

Book Review by U. Mahesh Prabhu

In Hinduism itself Krishna, as a person, as a statesman and/or as a God, has been subjected to criticism; not just his detractors but even those who believed in his divinity have criticized him. Scores of his devotees across the ages have sung him in, both, love and rage. However, it was only after …

Book review by U. Mahesh Prabhu
Nine years have passed since United States of America, along with its allies, commenced its “War on Terror”. Yet, what we see on ground is far from encouraging. Taliban is still operational; its ally Al-Qaeda along with its leader Osama Bin Laden is still on the loose perpetrating terror on “infidels”. …

“Koran burning ’100 per cent’ canceled.” Good news – indeed! Now, celebrate 9/11 as Koran/Islam awareness week – instead. Educate people – world over – as to how this book continues to inspire thousands of Muslims into terrorism and millions more into deception – Al-Takiya – against ‘Kafirs’. Spread …

The BJP vice-president – Kalraj Mishra -  recently claimed that the party has been “opposed to the use of the term Islamic terrorism as it causes prejudice and suspicion against an entire community”.
This is all because of sheer lack of knowledge about Islam as well as Hinduism. True, there are violent extremists from Hinduism. LTTE – a separatist …

The following blog by Daniel L. Byman, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Saban Center for Middle East Policy at The Brookings Institution still continues to believe that US’ “war” is with Al-Qaeda and NOT Islam. Why does he forgets that Al-Qaeda draws its inspiration from Koran, Sira and Hadith – the Islamic trilogy? Do you think Word War II would have …

This is a very interesting phenomenon – “Love” Jihad. Muslim lads luring and eloping with young non-Muslim girls and then brainwashing them before converting to Islam and produce infidel-slayers . I know a case where a 18 year beautiful non-Muslim girl was seduced by a 43 year awful-looking old Muslim man who was already …

Here’s an Imam from “religion of peace” aka Islam calling for beheading of Dutch politician – Geert Wilders. Now, can I have some “moderate” Muslim voices against this outrageous act against Freedom of Speech?

The following piece by Bill Warner is an superbly written piece against the GROUND ZERO MOSQUE. It was published on August 30, 2010 in FrontPage Magazine. It is a must read for those who are easily following prey to deceitful arguments of Islamic apologists.
Religious Freedom and a Mosque
One of the most common arguments of the supporters of the Ground …

When Muslims in democratic societies demand for “a room for Islamic prayer”, for “liberty” to wear head scarf or call for newspapers “to refrain from publishing Mohammed’s cartoons”, Islam’s apologists support them by referring to “freedom of faith”. By comparing Islam to other religion(s) and by presenting arguments like “What would you do if you were not allowed to practice …

Book Review by U. Mahesh Prabhu
With “9/11 mosque” controversy in New York is already making news, not just in the United States but also across every free thinking world. A question as to whether it is appropriate to build a mosque so close to a place where World Trade Centre once stood before it was brought …

Several radical Islamic organizations in India – who claim to come “in peace” by “shunning” violence and hate – have seriously doubtful credentials. Students Islamic Organization, or SIO, is one such organization, which claims of “nothing but peace and brotherhood”.
Two days back one of its “admirers” a Muslim, also a very dear friend of mine, forwarded an article entitled “SIO …

By U. Mahesh Prabhu
Remember Fareed Zakaria’s much hyped book “The Post-American World” which claimed that it was “not about the decline of America, but rather rise of everyone else”? It was a jolly good read for non-Americans, specifically, as it spoke of the “tallest building, biggest dams, largest-selling movies, and most advanced cell phones all being …

“There are troubles for everyone in life;
the lord gives everyone his share of strife.
Everyone in this world is sure to cry;
And all are hell-bound to die.
There are no-one who can claim all the wealth,
None in this world ever in pink of health.
Lord Purandara the stupidity of people is not sane;
their selfishness is indeed a bane.”
By Purandara Dasa
Translated by U. Mahesh …

“This is life, this is life, this is only life my friend,
With all courage we must fight it and never bend,
Be a rock forth in the trails of life,
and be like a grass forth the wise.
Love is ever gracious and it’s ever kind,
There is nothing like it; but hate you must ever mind!
Wisdom through the ages come to only the …

One of the GREATEST teachings of HITOPADESHA: “When you FEEL for your fellow beings (humans and animals – alike); through your FEELINGS you ADORE GOD(S). And when you work with all your strength and ability for the GOOD of all beings; you – indeed – WORSHIP HIM. There can be NO GREATER SERVICE unto the DIVINE than LOVE… FOR EVERY …

By U. Mahesh Prabhu
This book by Stephen Schwartz (a Sufi Muslim) consists of unusual account focusing on a murderous cult in Islam called “Wahhabism”. He fervently believes that “Islamaphobia” is owing to acts of “misguided” Muslims “in the name of Islam”. “Wahhabism”, the actual state religion of Saudi Arabia is, according to him, “one of the …

There was a time when freelance journalists would write with scores of concerns running on top of their mind, other than the essence of the article or the column they were embarking upon. There was a time when they would have to make sure that they don’t hurt any individual’s “sentiments” and, most importantly, their publishing magazine’s/newspaper’s “editorial policy”. After …

Today I received an unexpected email in my inbox  from Madhu Sridhar, President and CEO of Akshay Patra Foundation, USA, expressing his “pride” over the organization’s chairman Gururaj Deshpande’s nomination to US President Barak Obama’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. According US Dept of Commerce’ press release Deshpande is to join the council as one of 26 members. …

A good elderly friend of mine from Gujarat, Sri. Jyotindra Khandwalla, sent me, by email, an article published by Afternoon Dispatch and Courier on July 5, 2010. The article, authored by Ruby Arun, was entitled “Sonia Gandhi and Gujarat“. It had some “critical” observations with regard to Congress President’s, aka Sonia Gandhi’s, ambition to topple the Narendra Modi government in …

CNN-IBN, the Indian news (and entertainment?) television channel, seems to be recklessly behind Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to “expose” it as a “terror” organization. Its correspondent Bhupendra Chaubey seem to be dead sure about RSS’s involvement in “Mecca Masjid Blast Case” (see “RSS under scanner for links to Hindu terrorists“); just like those Islamic clerics, Indian Muslim apologists as …

Three years before, on 26-12-2007, I embarked on a column that which was published as a blog by The Indian Express, entitled “Hindu Lobby“. There were two reasons for me to embark on it: defend Narendra Modi from being branded as a “fascist” by resisting The Economist’s propaganda and, also, to promote my idea for forming …

As a fellow of three distinguished intellectual bodies in UK I have the privilege of having friendship with several distinguished journalists and intellectuals there. I often ask them as to why are they not able to see the radical Islamist developments in their country. And more than often they brush away the topic.
“It’s that during the …

Technically (or legally?) there exists no license for corruption. However, that greedy and ethically bereft people get involved in corrupt activities without getting caught – most of the time, at least -  is enough for anyone to conclude that: There is a license to get corrupt – though not legally certified. Given this Karnataka’s Honorable Governor’s recent claim that “Nobody …

New York politicians are bending over backwards, violating protocol, to build a mega mosque at Ground Zero. In warped speed they are ramming it through, removing every obstacle to expedite the process and erect a triumphal mosque at Ground Zero in time for it to meet its stated opening date, the tenth anniversary of September 11th. …

You certainly don’t need a “yatra” (actually “voyage”; but in reality a “grand and long procession” in Indian political terminology) to console members of  families “at loss” after the death of former Andra chief minister YSR Reddy in a chopper crash under mysterious circumstances. Yet, his son Jaganmohan Reddy (Jagan) thinks it’s imperative. Jagan who after the demise of his …

I am still not sure as to who authored this book review. But that this review, of “Himalayan Blunder” by John Dalvi, is a MUST read to every Indian is for sure. The book was banned in 1969 by Indian Govt. Read it and learn for yourself how nincompoop first Indian Prime Minister – Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru – really was. …

A great part of the global population is still illiterate, among these literates very few are educated, educated ones are not necessarily knowledgeable and being knowledgeable doesn’t necessarily mean wise. Confused? But it’s true.
A university certificate assures – at best – your presence at college but not your learning or quality. Yet, we often tend to confuse literates with educated …

I thought this article had to do something with puppies – initially. But that it had to do something with Muslims surprises me, still (that’s how bizarre language of “India’s No.1 Newspaper” can actually be).  This article suggests that Muslim youths in India today are “more employable than before.” Oh really? And who says so? Times of India ( in …

Two years back I had penned a column entitled “Understanding and reviving Muslim psyche.” It was well received and was even reproduced in over 45 different vernacular publications across India. The response from readers was indeed encouraging but several of my distinguished Muslim and, even, Muslim-apologists friends were furious. Many of them declared me as a “Islamaphobia infested journalist”. MJ …

Yes, they both were founding fathers of their respective nations; United States of America and Pakistan, respectively. But there ends all similarities. Any comparison further is an attempt to concoct history. Just like Akbar Ahmed attempts to do his article, entitled “Thomas Jefferson and Mohammed Ali Jinnah: Dreams from Two Founding Fathers“, published on its website by Brookings Institution.
He …

That “Gandhi got freedom to India” is among the greatest travesties embedded into the Indian history books. [Folks Magazine's cover story dating October 10, 2009 "Who brought freedom Gandhiji or Netaji?" should be a good read.] He did nothing except to oppose the English “peacefully” and appease the Muslims all his life, only see India divided during his lifetime.
It was …

As an accredited journalist and editor I feel competent enough to declare that Journalists – in India, at least – are among the most corrupt class of people, they are second next to politicians. Those whom we call, and regard, as “distinguished”, “sincere” and “upright” are in fact completely contrary to the belief. Their hypocrisy is evident if only you …

What I do want to see is as to how far these feminists can really go within Islam. I won’t be surprised if I see these radical clergy beating them up or get them killed.

Enter the Islamic feminist
Mohammed Wajihuddin |  Source: Times of India
Spreading wings: Islamic feminism is a decade and a half old. In the 1990s Iranian, Egyptian, …

Rs. 150 for daily wages or for pelting stones at security forces in kashmir valley. Just read this insanity of our Kashmir youth funded by Jihadist forces.

Get up to Rs 300 daily for throwing stones at jawans
Kumar Shakti Shekhar | Source: The Pioneer
Stone-pelting, which has become a menace for the security forces in the Kashmir …

I have no idea why UPA Government wants to make yet another identification scheme? Why can’t they simply strengthen the existing ration/election ID card system instead of wasting 45000 crore rupees?

No card, only a number despite Rs45,000 crore being spent on the UID project
Source: Money Life
The Aadhaar project of the UIDAI will just provide unique ID …

I am truly appalled to know, and equally sad while informing you, that one of the finest journalist/writer of our time Christopher Hitchens is diagnosed with a terminal cancer. I desire to wish my very best this very honest person, who did his part of duty in educating the world about truth, in his fight with …

Someone just asked me the definition of a DHIMMI. Here it is. I bet many of you know not what this word means so I suggest you do read this. It’s an attitude that has gripped a great number of politicos the world over.

Kashmir is a chaos; it’s a perfect example of what any state – no matter in which part of the world – would be if it falls into hands of Islamists. Blessed with resources and scenic beauty – a heaven in every sense – this once blissful valley, after throwing out its original inhabitants – Kashmiri Pandits, …

I sincerely appreciate the following David Horowitz’s review of Christopher Hitchen’s book “Hitch 22″. I am yet to get my review copy – very eagerly looking forward to it along with Robert Spencer’s “The Post American Presidency” and Suleyman Schwartz “The Two faces of Islam” and “The Other Islam”. Book reviewing is such a great thing; it adds so much …

In 2002, a train carrying Hindus was put on fire after its coaches were locked from outside in Godhara (Gujarat) by radical Islamists. All the Hindus inside were burned alive. No media came to show “pity”. After couple of hours Hindus in the state retaliated fiercely in which several Muslims were butchered. The entire media came to support of Muslims …

There are times in turbulent history of humanity when brave men are born. They are like voices in the deserts, lights shining in the darkness and beacons of reason in a world racked by ignorance, or even self-destructing folly. They are sent by destiny to fight against the trends of the moment, the politically correct, to sail against the social …

WORLD PASSPORT FOR GLOBAL MANAGER | Author: WALTER E. VIEIRA | Publisher: UNICORN BOOKS | Pages: 169 | ISBN: 978-81-7806-184-9 |

That there exists a difference between “speaking” and “communicating” isn’t known to many. The fact that “we communicate much before we speak” may be termed silly. Similarly, that “our whole body communicates and conveys ideas about ourselves to others” may …

A large section of Muslims created hullabaloo recently for banning of Dr. Zakir Naik from entering UK. “He’s banned for having spoken the truth.” many Muslims along with their apologists assert. “See he has proved the supremacy of Islam in front of several religious leaders.” This idea of having “proved the supremacy of Islam” for these Muslims is little more …

Stephen Suleyman Schwartz, born in 1948, is currently the Executive Director of Center for Islamic Pluralism based in Washington, DC. He is also a bestselling author of the 2008 book The Other Islam: Sufism and the Road to Global Harmony (Doubleday). In 2002, he authored the bestseller The Two Faces of Islam: Saudi Fundamentalism and Its Role in Terrorism (Doubleday). …

Who are Saraswats?

In India, there are at least five Brahmin communities who claim themselves as ‘Saraswat Brahmins’, including: Gaud Saraswat Brahmins, Chitrapur Saraswats, Rajapur/Bhalavalikar Saraswat Brahmins, Kashmiri Saraswats, Punjabi Saraswats, Sindh Saraswats, Kutch Saraswats and Rajasthan Saraswats. This community, as a whole, has produced eminent personalities including Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Vijay Mallya, Dr TMA Pai, Nandan Nilekani, Girish Karnad, Sachin …

In 1940 a little known Buddhist Bhikshu (monk) – Chaman Lal – authored & published a book entitled “Hindu America” with the intent of “revealing” the forgotten story of the ancient Americas, especially India’s “immortal links” with the Aztec and Mayan civilizations of Mexico and the Ayar-Inca rulers of the Ayar Empire.
The book, though coupled with several circumstantial evidences and …

“Money is like oxygen…” her friends found her saying, often. Interestingly, she wasn’t from a hapless family; hers was upper (or near to upper?) middleclass. Born into household of servicemen she hardly had anything to quetch about life and yet she would crib anyways.
We humans need food, shelter and clothing – those are our basic necessities. Because our necessities, essential …