Nov 10, 2009 Portland Edition Vol. 5 No. 15 Events   There are 19 upcoming events listed in our Portland calendar. Click here for calendar. News 30000 to Afghanistan News reports speak of President Obama getting set to dispatch 30000 more troops to Afghanistan. The decision would come after several weeks of deliberations within the President's advisory circles. The announcement would be in response to the demand by Gen. Stanley McChrystal for 40000 troops. Health Care Bill The House of Representatives passed a Health Care bill on Saturday, Nov 7. The Bill was opposed by all Republicans except one, and by 39 Democrats, including Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Ft. Hood Tragedy Maj. Nidal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, walked into a building in Ft. Hood, Texas, the largest Army base in the country, and shouting, "Allah u Akbar", opened fire with two guns. 12 killed, 31 injured. Personal Memories Twenty-five years ago last week, Indira Nehru Gandhi was killed on the lawns of her residence, gunned down by two of her own bodyguards. A controversial public figure, admired and hated by millions -- sometimes by the same people -- her personality remains an enigma. Ravi V. Prasad got to see her close-up during his childhood years, records his impressions. Like or hate her, what you read about Indira Gandhi here will surprise you. More... Indira wouldn't need a dictatorship today In another article in this issue, there is a quote of Justice Beg asking Indira Gandhi's lawyer, "When in Indian history was there such arrogation of executive power?" After thinking awhile, the Solicitor General replied, "In the Court of Jahangir". As Jawed Naqvi observes, many of Indira Gandhi's worst legislative excesses are now part of the statute book, without an outcry. More... Medium, Message and Money Power While we are justly proud of an election process that enables the world's largest democracy to choose its representatives, the influence of money puts democracy itself at risk. P. Sainath on the recent elections in Maharashtra as a metaphor for this disease. More... A New Power Rises in Bombay The Shiv Sena began in 1967 as a Congress creature, a cynical promotion to counter the Malayalee, VK Krishna Menon who ran from Bombay NE Lok Sabha seat. As the Bal Thackeray era draws to a close, instead of the mantle passing to the son, it has instead landed on the nephew. Aakar Patel on Raj Thackeray's rise. More... Some Old Truths Women beaten for appearing in public without the veil. A lady tied and stoned in a city square for adultery, as scores gather to watch the entertainment, and fling a few stones themselves. An public execution of a murderer, not by the state but by the victim's father. The Taliban's Afghanistan? Think again. Niranjan Ramakrishnan comes across a startling old book. More... Music and Mathematics One thing even a novice can say - both music and mathematics are made up of patterns. But that is only the beginning, says Venkat Ramanan, as he explores the connection between the two ancient arts. As others before him, he is drawn to the irresistible conclusion that there is something essential to what makes us human in both these areas, where soul and science both congregate. More... Movies     There is one Indian movie playing in Portland. Details... In Quotes "Clearly, the insurance companies are the problem, not the solution. They are driving up the cost of health care. Because their massive bureaucracy avoids paying bills so effectively, they force hospitals and doctors to hire their own bureaucracy to fight the insurance companies to avoid getting stuck with an unfair share of the bills. The result is that since 1970, the number of physicians has increased by less than 200% while the number of administrators has increased by 3000%. It is no wonder that 31 cents of every health care dollar goes to administrative costs, not toward providing care..." --Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Why I voted against the Health Care Bill Photos of Old Hyderabad Reader Kanak Ravel wanted to share some old black-and-white photos of Hyderabad and Warangal that he came across, from a collection at the Salar Jung Museum. See here. About us |Submit articles |Advertise | Contact us |Subscribe FREE |Privacy Policy |Archives Copyright© indogram - the global Indian village in your neighborhood™