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SOLOMON THE WISEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED

This is an invitation write-up for "WISE MEN AND WISDOM" by Knol writer Prof. KVSS Narayana Rao. To read more on this subject please visit this link:

http://knol.google.com/k/narayana-rao-k-v-s-s/wise-men-and-wisdom/2utb2lsm2k7a/1793.

If we look at the long list of history’s wise men, Solomon the king of Israel will be seen at the top of the list. No doubt Solomon stands apart from all other wise men of this world. He is considered as the wise man ever lived on earth. There is none like him who obtained the wisdom in the whole earth. His wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. His wisdom is not obtained from people or from a school or a college but he obtained this from the God of Israel. He spoke 3,000 Proverbs and his songs were 1,005. These ascribed wise sayings are recorded in the Holy Bible in 3 separate books called Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

Solomon the son of King David born of Bathsheba, though not in line for the succession yet he was chosen by David and approved of God to be David’s successor. Solomon loved the Lord and walked in the statues of his father David and he did what is pleasing in the sight of God. One day as he was at Gibeon the great high place to offer burnt offerings to God, by night, Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge your people that I may discern between good and evil” this desire pleased the Lord and He said, ”Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice; “Behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. “And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So “if you walk in my ways, to keep my statues and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”(1 Kings 3: 3-14)

He was the third king of Israel and he ruled from about 965 B.C. Though David conquered many neighboring states Solomon ruled extensively without using much military force. Under his rule many public works including Temple, palace and many magnificent structures established.

He spoke of men, women, trees, animals, creeping things and birds. People from different destinations visited him knowing about his great wisdom. A detailed life history of Solomon is given in the Bible—first Kings Chapter one to eleven.

Three books of Old Testament, Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are distinctively considered as wisdom books in the Bible. Out of these, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are ascribed to King Solomon.

Solomon in his young age giving more emphasize to love and related issues wrote ‘Song of Solomon’. In his middle age he gave more importance to the practical aspects of moral rules of life and wrote ‘Proverbs’. At the fag end of his life from his life experience and lessons like a preacher he wrote ‘Ecclesiastes’.

Proverbs chapter 1 verse 1 and 12 indicates that he is the author of this book. Proverbs the twentieth book of the Bible speaks about wisdom and its different aspects. The purpose of this book is to explain how to live wisely, skillfully and purposefully. This is very visible from its first chapter itself, especially first seven verses gives an intro to real way of life. It says as follows:

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instructions; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtly to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise councils:
to understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1: 1-7)

Here is an outline of the book of proverbs:

1. The Purpose of Proverbs Chapter 1:1-7

2. Proverbs of the Youth 1:8—9:18

a. Obey Parent 1:8 &9
b. Avoid Bad Company 1:10-19
c. Seek Wisdom 1:20—2:22
d. Benefits of Wisdom 3:1-26
e. Be Kind to Others 3:27-35
f. Father Says Get Wisdom 4:1-13
g. Avoid the Wicked 4:14-22
h. Keep Your Heart 4:23-27
i. Do Not Commit Adultery 5:1-14
j. Do Be Faithful Your Spouse 5:15-23
k. Avoid Surety 6:1-5
l. Do Not Be Lazy 6:6-19
m. About Adultery 6:20—7:27
n. Praise of Wisdom 8:1—9:12
o. Foolish Women 9:13-18

3. Proverbs of Solomon 10:1—24-34

a. Proverb contrasting the Godly and the Wicked 10:1—15:33
b. Proverbs Encouraging Godly Lives 16:1—22:16
c. Proverbs Concerning Various Situations 22:17—24:34

4. Proverbs of Solomon Copied by Hezekiah’s Men 25:1—29:27

A. Proverbs Regulating Relationships with Others 25:1—29:27

1. Relationship with Kings 25:1-7
2. Relationship with Neighbors 25:8-20
3. Relationship with Enemies 25:21-24
4. Relationship with Yourself 25:25-28
5. Relationship With Fools 26:1-12
6. Relationship with Sluggards 26:13-16
7. Relationship with Gossip 26:17-28

B. Proverbs Regulating Various Activities 27:1—29:27

5. The Words of Agur 30:1-30

6. The Works of King Lemuel 31:1-31

a. Wisdom of Leaders 31:1-9
b. Wise Women 31:10-31

(This outline is adapted from the Open Bible)

Proverbs can also be called ‘a book of practical ethics’.

Solomon’s intellectual attainments become famous that kings and queen came from different parts of the world to hear his wisdom. He was the most powerful and famous king in Israel. He was noted for his wisdom, riches and literary works.

Hearing the Wisdom of Solomon Queen Sheba came to test him with hard questions. He answered all her questions with much ease. She was much delighted at Solomon’s wisdom and praised him and gave one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. (1 Kings 10:12).

He talked like a learned scientist and handled subjects like Botany and Zoology with much ease. He ruled like a well experienced leader. He took the decision quickly and wisely, his verdict in the case of two harlots and the child is well known. (1 Kings 3: 16-27)

He was a successful businessman with different enterprises under his control. Under his rule the country progressed tremendously in the business field. Business transactions are done through land and sea. Archeological surveys’ reveals that he had business dealings with Arabian countries. He owned and governed the business area between Arabia and Mesopotamia and between red sea and pameer. “The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold, (an approximate of $ 3,836,160,000), besides that from the traveling merchants, from the income of traders, from all the kings of Arabia, and from the governors of the country”. (1 Kings 10:14-15)

He was s poet moralist and a preacher. Read book of first Kings Chapter 4 and 9.

It deals with the especially to convey emphasizing righteousness and fear of God. It gives guidance to, how to relate God, parent, children, neighbors, rulers etc.

He covered numerous subjects connected with practical aspects of day to day life. It gives guidance to how to relate God, parent children neighbors rulers etc. also wrote on subjects like, Knowledge of God, fear of God, Wisdom, righteousness, knowledge, morality, chastity, diligence, tithes, concern towards poor, right usage of wealth, mercy towards enemies, selection of life partner, business, honesty, control of tongue, instruction of children, truthfulness, laziness, idleness, kindness, happiness, and common sense.

Solomon’s wisdom and knowledge made him an example to all the world of the wisdom of God’s ideas. Proverbs is considered as one of the “Best Guide Books to success that a young man can follow”.

Though Solomon considered as a wise king and had everything in his life, but his end days shows that he was not a happy person with all those wealth and welfare he had.

In the book Ecclesiastes Solomon the preacher looks at life under the sun from the human perspective and says, “Everything under the sun is vanity, money, power, popularity, prestige, pleasure nothing can fill the emptiness created by God but only God can. When everything looks from God’s perspective will come in line with a meaningful and purposeful life.

Vanity is the main theme of this book; the author provides a way out to this problem, he explains how to live a best life in such world. King David struggled a lot to build a kingdom, whereas Solomon could sit on the throne very peacefully where his father had built with all riches. A man who enjoyed everything in life in its full extend repeatedly said; everything under the sun is vain. This book is the creation of his old age and it gives us a clear picture that with all splendor and glory he was having was not sufficient to keep him happy, instead he says everything is vanity. Thirty seven times this word “vanity” is repeated in this book.

But very interestingly he concluded the whole affairs in these words, “Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man, for God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it be evil (Ch. 12: 13-14)

He ends the book with an alert; “Good Life” is only attained by holding God in the highest regard. He says, “Remember thy creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them (12:1). He exhorts the youth to use life well. Youth is too short and live well in the fullness of each day before God and acknowledge Him in early days of your youth.

This book can be analysis with following words:

1. The Experience of the preacher 1:1-4:16
2. The Estimation of the preacher experience 5:1-10:20
3. The Evaluation of the preacher 11:1-10
4. The Exhortation for the preacher 12:1-14

SONGS OF SONGS

This book of Solomon is considered as one of the most controversial book in the Bible. A Rabbinic writer called this book as one of God’s greatest gifts to Israel and from all the holy writing of the Old Testament has singled it out as the holy of holies. At the same time some regarded it as highly erotic and lustful. A careful study of this book will show that it guards itself delicately against any profamation of love either by eroticism or severity. Instead it is a beautiful and candid picture of the transparency of intimate love within the union of marriage.

The Bible Scholar James Hastings said, “The popular poetry of Israel would be a blank had there not been handed down to us the beautiful poem, springing out of the very life and Old Testament literature would have been incomplete without this poem of human love”.

Song of Songs the twenty second book in the Bible is a love song abounding in different descriptions and oriental imagery. Historically it depicts the love of a shepherdess and a king. It is like a one act play with different scenes. The story very well reveals that Solomon is the groom, Shulamite the bride, and daughters of Jerusalem the chorus are the main characters in this love story. In 1 Kings 4:32 there is a note about Solomon’s 1005 songs. Out of those songs this stands apart as Song of Songs. Because of its typical description style below 30 years old were not permitted to read these songs.

The following verses (1:1, 5; 3:7, 9, 11; 8:11, 12) in the book clearly show that Solomon is the author of this book. When he was writing these songs he was having sixty wives and eighty concubines and many virgins in the waiting list. (6:8) later it went up to seven hundred wives, princesses and three hundred concubines (1Kings 11:3)

The song is an acknowledgment of the joys of a married life. The purpose of the book is to portray the actual relationship between Solomon and the Shulamite maiden. Their relationship reveals the real love in the marriage. It symbolically speaks the loving relationship between God and Israel as husband and wife and Christ and the Church as Bridegroom and Bride (Hosea 2: 19-20; Ephesians 5: 25-33).

It can be somewhat analysis like this:

1. The Bride and bridegroom’s conversation Chapter 1—3:6
2. The Bride’s decision to accept the Bridegroom’s invitation 3:7—5:1
3. The Bride’s dream about the bridegroom’s departure 5:2—6:3
4. The Bride and Bridegroom’s delight in their love. 6:4—8:14

This book skillfully portrays the love of a married couple.


Though Solomon was a wise person there were some notable sins in his life. Here below are given a list of those sins:

1. He set his mind to know madness and folly. Ecc. 1:17
2. He spent time to pleasure and enjoyments. Ecc. 2:1
3. He fully entrusted his life to wine and amusements. Ecc. 2:3
4. He set his heart to fetch folly. 2:3
5. He mingled his mind and body to procure wealth (gold, silver
and other treasures), musicians (men and women) and pleasures
of men (women, concubines) of this world. 2:8
6. Without any limit he mingled in the pleasures of the body. 2:10
7. He accepted many wives (he had 700 wives and 300 concubines)
1 Kings 11:3
8. He worshiped the god of other nations. 1 Kings. 11:4


Source:
A. Holy Bible, (King James Version, New King James Version, New
International Version)
B. Sathyavedhapusthakam (Malayalam)
C Daniel Bible (Malayalam)
D. Bible Sabdasagaram (Malayalam) by Dr. G. Suseelan, GLS
Publications.
E. Open Bible NKJV
F. New International Bible commentary- General Editor F F Bruce
(Zondervan Publishing House).
G World book Encyclopedia Inc. (a Scott Fetzer Company).

H Pocket Bible Handbook
I Prof. KVSS Narayana Rao
J Knol.google.com
K Associatedcontent.com

http://knol.google.com/k/p-v-ariel/solomon-the-wise-man-ever-lived/12c8mwhnhltu7/119
www.associatedcontent.com

MY RESPONSE (FEEDBACK) TO AN EDITORIAL AT SUNDAY INDIAN

This is in reference to an editorial published by the Sunday Indian weekly
Why the communists lost Bengal and how mamata banerjee can easily ruin her big opportunity to destroy the cpm even now!

I f anyone has destroyed CPM, it is the CPM itself. I can personally bet that most workers of Trinamool Congress are also communists at heart because in Bengal, most hearts beat for the masses. The revolutionary fervour is a part of Bengali blood stream. It’s no wonder they tolerated a rotting communist party for so many years rather than vote for anyone else. The amazing thing is that even in these elections, out of a total population of 5.73 crores who voted in Bengal, Trinamool Congress got only five lakh votes more than the communists. Of course, rigging happened in many, many places where the communists won – from people not being allowed to leave their homes in the first place (something that can be never caught by the CRPF personnel who were posted) to threats at the voting booths, every trick in the book was rampantly used. But then, there are people who voted for CPM without coercion too. From people who actually benefitted from their regime, to their grassroots party supporters to communist lovers.

Before going any further, let’s first analyse, why did the CPM lose? Well, they lost primarily because they lost the support of the Muslim voters they had pampered for years (by allowing them to migrate freely from Bangladesh). This time alienated due to Nandigram-type issues, the Muslims came out and voted against them. And the fact, as I have always mentioned, is that Muslims are brave people for sure. There is no party that is strong enough to use muscle power to rig Muslim votes when they come out united. So, alienating the Muslims was a big mistake.

The second reason is that finally, the media played a positive role by default. Due to the pure nature of how nothing misses the media glare today, Nandigram got reported in mass media in an expansive way and became a huge issue, even though Buddhadeb’s predecessor Jyoti Basu had created a far bigger carnage at Marichapi in Sunderbans years back. At that time, the incident didn’t get reported properly; and he escaped media glare.

Read More.. on this blog: http://arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com OR www.thesundayindian.com


My Response:

Ariel P Verghese From Secunderabad--

As you said in your editorial’s (Why the communists lost Bengal and how Mamata Banerjee can easily ruin her big opportunity to destroy the C P M even now!) intro CPM itself is the culprit behind their fall in Kolkata, the case is not much different in Kerala too. There the splinter group and the infightings between the cadres paved their way out from the parliament. It’s a clear indication that one cannot fool the people continuously for a long time. The voters are now not as ignorant as before. It’s a good lesson not only to CPM or Mamata but to all political parties and their leaders in India. No doubt your editorial is a guide book to “Didi”, Mamata should read this and by heart some of the points noted there. A good guide book indeed. Ariel P Verghese Secunderabad

A Christian Magazine "Christian in India" from the Portals of "Times Group" (The Largest English Daily in the World)




(A Review on Its Inaugural Issue)

'Christian IN INDIA' The new Magazine from Times of India publications

is not just another Christian monthly instead it is an entirely different one. The inaugural issue is filled with information about all classes of Christian community. It contains the writings and opinion from well known Christian and non-Christian writers and celebrities from film field to the business world. Many well known personalities' life experience and their encounter with Jesus Christ and His followers are very well presented in the first issue.

Its editor 'Carol Andrade' in her editorial emphasized the high time need of Christian unity irrespective of their denominational background. She wrote: 'the magazine is a platform and a showcase at one and the same-'a platform for the community to meet across denominations, faith rituals, social levels and issues, as well as a showcase from which to present itself to people of other faiths in the unity of their fundamental belief.' She wrote in the opening article's "Towards a Genuine Unity" intro - "revitalized ecumenism that the country is witnessing as Christian groups turn towards each other in the essentials of their faith in Jesus Christ".

Almost every alternative page is allotted for colorful advertisements about the day to day essentials, mainly aiming at Christians, the prime readers of the magazine. No doubt adverts are the lifeline of any publication, and without that it's really difficult to survive. But placing it in the pages requires more care, this I say in connection with an advert placed just after the first article 'Towards a Genuine Unity'. The title head, illustration and the highlight sentence filled in one full page and in the next page you find a glossy advert from a cake company with a funny slogan "We're celebrating the fundoo moments of life" and in the next page only the article starts. This gives a confusing impression to the readers, what's the connection with the title and the slogan. If take little more care in this aspect, such confusion can avoid.

Aravind Adiga, author of "The White Tiger", the Booker Prize Award winner for 2008 narrates his experience with the Christian community-the schools and colleges run by the Christian missionaries in small towns through out India-He says: Christian institutions have played a key role in providing the country with a strong educational base-without its engineering, medical and technical colleges would not have thrived as they have. Pandit Nehru spoke many years ago of the "temples of modern India"-Catholic schools, like St Aloysius College, have as much right to this title as any other institution of the country". He wrote in his article "Educated? Then speak for the rest" "For over a hundred years, Catholic schools have been educating Indians of all religious background; charging very little money in most cases, they have provided boys and girls with access to a rigorous schooling in English, science and mathematics. Equally important has been the emphasis on secularism and social justice provided by these institutions. Hindus Muslims and Christians study side by side in these classrooms; the friendships that are formed here between children of different faiths can last for a life-time.... "Catholic institutions - particularly those run by the Jesuit order - have also historically emphasized the need to expand social and educational services to the poor and the downtrodden.

In this issue you find an interesting and informative interview with the world famous quiz master, entrepreneur, trail-blazing businessman, Derek O'Brien. This is presented in a different style with an eye capturing fonts.

An Anglo-Indian by birth Derek was a journalist, and then entered into advertising and later made quizzing into a fine art through live shows, television, demonstrations, books etc over a period of 20 years. He says with much joy and proud, "We are the only community in India, with the word 'Indian' in its name. Isn't that wonderful? We are proud of our language (English) and seek to be more inclusive. Though he is an (AI) he can read, write and speak fluently in Bengali. He further says to another question, "I follow a 4-word mantra: Make Meaning, Make Money - and meaning must always come before money.

In another article, 'Why don't our children go to church?', Margaret Da Costa asks herself and answers questions on this serious topic.

Father Anthony Charangat Editor of the Catholic magazine, The Examiner asks why "talented and competent Christians (are) so low-profiled in the world of business and politics". Through this article he made a thought provoking statement: "Either we put up or we shut up. In other words, either join the mainstream or quit complaining." At the same time he accept the fact that there are a good number of Christian in industry, administrative services, finance, politics, education medicine, science, engineering and sports who have done the community proud. Then he list out a number of people starts from Mother Teresa.

Another feature covered in this issue is the reports of Sandeep Mishra on the communal violence that hit Christians in the Orissa's Kandhamal district and the current developments in the region.

Yet another worth reading and encouraging article is the testimony of Rajeev Menon a successful businessman who has applied his faith and beliefs to the way he runs His Company. A believer in Jesus Christ, he describes his journey to the present. A conservative Hindu by birth, his encounter with Jesus Christ narrates in his own words: "My encounter with the Mentor, the name I use to describe Jesus Christ, brought me out from the very edge of the precipice. It brought me face to face with the notion that there exists an eternal dimension to life and that there are consequences to everything one does. He continued, "I am so grateful to the Mentor for bringing about such a paradigm shift in my ideological moorings. Earlier I thought that whatever I did shouldn't be examined in the light of right and wrong but only if it feels right at that moment. He showed me the need and necessity to speak the truth and basically, set the moral standards for me. In fact, He became the very standards for the way I lived my life, conducted business, interacted with people and even formulated the philosophical frame work that defines my thought process." There is a box item under the title 'THE COMPANY HE KEEPS' along with his testimony; it will be worth quoting the same here:
Rajeev Menon set up N-able solution with three principles in mind:
• Never to borrow to support the business
• Never to ask anybody to leave because of no business
• Never to default on paying salaries on the 1st of every month.
His company is into software development for off shore companies and so far, he has managed to stick to his principles even in these recessionary times.

What he is really excited about is the latest product developed by the company. Four years in the creating, using learning process, domain inputs, doing research making functional changes from the users' point of view, the product, called e-Flock: Shepherding Solutions, helps churches manage their congregation and makes them function more effectively.

Already launched internationally with considerable success. e-Flock aims at giving churches a boost into the digital age, making it easier for priests, pastors, deacons etc to stay in touch with members and congregations on a much more personal basis. It has single and multi church consolidation models with built in features.
For more information log on to: www.n-ablesolutions.com or www.eflock.net.

Other contents worth mentioning are Carol Andrade's report on Maharashtra Governor S C Jamir's borrowed life. Four attacks upon his life have only strengthened his belief in God. It changed the way he thinks he should live his life- with love, caring and compassion. Another report is about Daisy Irani the famous actress and her multi religious big family of Parsi, Christian, Hindu and Muslim. The report shares the changed life of a chain smoker Irani. And another interesting piece is the conversation by the editor with the famous Hindi actor comedian Johny Lever and his encounter with the real healer Jesus Christ and his experience of a changed life. Yet another report is on a group of Christian entrepreneurs and businessmen who joins hands to create wealth, pool resources and encourage the frightened to get out there and change popular perceptions of the community. Under the leadership of Freddy Mendonsa 'Dimensions Diamonds formed. They can be contacted by logging on to their website: www.dimensionsdirect.com

Flipping through the pages I found this magazine very unique in its appearance as well as in its contents. Few suggestions to its editor and publishers of this esteemed magazine. Its font size is too small as; many of your elderly readers may find it difficult to read, so please increase the font size to a minimum of 10 or 10.5. I think this is possible, at the present format you have given enough margin space to both sides. Give more space to air the reader's views and one or two separate pages for testimonies from Christians especially the one who experienced this faith from other backgrounds. Give more space to your readers' responses. More spiritual articles with Bible verses quoted also give prominent place in the magazine. Allot separate pages for children, youth and women. Create an opportunity to interact with people who connect the magazine via email. Publish the writers email id below their writings so that readers can interact directly with the writers.

This 88-page thought provoking and beautifully packed publication will definitely be accepted and adored by not only the Christians but also by other sections of faiths.

Kudos to the editor and publishers for bringing out such an elegant magazine-a platform-for the Christian community in India.

'Christian in India' is published by the giant publishers, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Mumbai.

Source:
www.thetimesofindia.com
www.timeschristianinindia.com
http://knol.google.com/k/p-v-ariel/-/12c8mwhnhltu7/0
http://pvariel.blogspot.com
Picture Credit: timesofindia.com
Press Trust of India

A PUSHKAR PANDIT'S TRYST with GOD (A BOOK REVIEW)

This is the story of a well known politician, a descendant of Maharshi Vedvyas, a philosopher, scholar a film actor and above all a seeker. The amazing story of his encounter with the Creator of this universe and the outcome of it is narrated in a poetic style in this book. This is an easy to read story of a man's eternal search for the truth and peace.

Dharam Prakash Sharma son of the chief priest of Pushkar Tirtha joined politics with a view to bring in Ramrajaya, thereby helping the people of his country. He thought he could serve God by serving people with honesty and faithfulness. But an encounter with the living God changed everything, his thoughts plans and purposes. Instead of serving the people he decided to serve God and thereby serve the people.

Immediately he decided to tender his resignation as General Secretary of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress committee. It was Emergency time. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi bluntly rejected his plea for resignation. She tried to persuade him to change his decision. Dharam utilized that opportunity to proclaim the good news to the Prime Minister and urged her to receive eternal life by believing in Jesus Christ. But unfortunately she said, "Don't talk nonsense. Go and work for the party, the nation needs politicians like you." Later he sent his resignation by post, and thus began a wonderful spiritual journey.

Later when the Janata Party government imprisoned Indira Gandhi. Dharm met her again in the prison and the same Indira Gandhi asked Dharam to pray to god.

The man who burned three Bible in the presence of his college mates become a preacher of the same book by miraculously meeting the God of the Bible. His father, an associate of Mahatma Gandhi during the independence movement, used to read the Bible along with Gandhiji. Both his parents were active members of the freedom movement and were in jail many years. Dharam Prakash was born during one of their jail sojourns.

Young Dharm was attracted to Christ by reading the 'Sermon on the Mount' in his college text book. But he was astonished at the life style of Christians; most of them did not practice his teachings. Some of the true stories will really put to shame not only to the ordinary Christians but also the leaders. Their behaviour and attitudes most often are against Christ and his teachings. But his wife happened to be a Christian and her life style, attitude, behaviour and nature greatly astonished him and found a Christian who really adopted the nature of Christ. Her life played a major role in transforming his opinion about Christians. Years later he met God's servant Bro. Bakth Singh and his opinion about Christians totally changed and he realized the fact that there were a good number of real and practicing Christians who followed the footsteps of Jesus Christ. His association with Br. Bakth Singh was a turning point in his life.

Continuous study of the word of God made Dharm a totally transformed man. His step by step growth in his Christian life is narrated systematically in this book. The people who were closely watching Dharam's life could find a new man in him and many attracted towards Jesus Christ, his mother and father among them. They both accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord and had a peaceful departure from this earth. His father shared his new faith with the doctor who came to examine him and urged him to believe in Christ. Few days before his death he called all his family members together and shared his faith and spoke of Jesus Christ and the great salvation.

Dharam became a full time gospel preacher and was busy withy his preaching schedule all over the world. A man who was against Christ and his people become an advocate of His teachings. What a miracle, an encounter with Jesus Christ can make!! This book will give you the details of that.

Many incidents like his meeting with his life partner, the miracle healing from dreadful sickness and attacks from enemies and many such incidents are narrated in this book. Altogether the reading of this book will give you a lovely and wonderful experience to the lay reader.

The writer should be appreciated for the effort and hard work put into brings out such an exemplary life story of a godly man. This valuable book will definitely bring a kind of change in the attitude of the readers. Especially, there are some good reminders for the Christian readers who quite often neglect some of those great teachings of their master in their life.

No doubt it is a must read for every Christian and a precious gift you can give to your non-Christian friends.

This book printed and published by Gospel Literature Service, Mumbai can be obtained from all major Christian book shops and from the branches of GLS. It can also be bought directly from www.glsindia.com

Number of pages: 188
Price: India- Rs.120.00/Overseas-US$ 6.00

Philip Verghese 'Ariel'
Associate Editor, Confident Living Magazine
Back to the Bible, Secunderabad-3
He can be reached at: http://pvariel.blogspot.com

Source: GLS India
http://glsindia.com
http://knol.google.com/k/p-v-ariel/-/12c8mwhnhltu7/0
http://linkbee.com/gmqo

A Reader's Response to a Leading Weekly's Cover Story

Apropos the cover story "Most desirable Married Men" (August 9 2009) made an interesting read. http://the-week.com At a time when some of our women flocks are involved in all kinds of forbidden acts as said in the story's intro, it's unfortunate to note that many of our women flocks are gazing at such acts and a kind of attraction is created everywhere. No doubt money and power are some of the main reasons for this twist. As Mr. Prasad Bidappa said, your projected personalities or the celebrities are all "achievers with a big bank balance. Yes naturally women want to build a secured life and it helps." Your same issue tells a different story of yet another group of our women. "The bus ladies" I appreciate these women for their guts and desire to work hard for a living. Bravo to such women. May their tribe increase. Yet another box item '"Women Only'"that too about on our women flock, a women minister's desperate looks out for a suitable women train driver too was interesting. Last but the least "your graphic view" "National filth" too was focused on the plight of our women flock the data mentioned about such women is really shocking. Even after 108 years of Gandhiji's revelation "women scavengers are the worst form or apartheid" the practice is still prevailing in a developing country like India is a national shame. Altogether this issue was interesting and thought provoking one. It would have been more appropriate if the Bible verse you mentioned at the beginning of the story with a small change for the context. "Oh my dear women flocks, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's husband".

Ariel Philip Verghese
Secunderabad
Source:
http://the-week.com
http://pvariel.blogspot.com
http://knol.google.com/k/p-v-ariel/-/12c8mwhnhltu7/0
http://linkbee.com/gmqo

PS: A portion of this response they published in the current issue of The week

"OPEN" the New English Weekly from the Portal of RPG Group (A Multi Crore Indian Company). A Review.

"OPEN" the new weekly magazine is launched in India on the first week of April 2009. It's from the RPG group, a 14,000 crore industrial multinational company which includes companies like Ceat Tyres, Spencer's etc. A Review and some suggestions.

"OPEN" Magazine yet another English weekly news magazine from India. It's from the RPG group a 14,000 crore industrial multinational company which includes companies like Ceat Tyres, Spencer's etc. launched in India on the first week of April 2009.

A weekly, entirely different in look as well as in its contents comparing with its counterparts in India. A weekly stands apart from all the other weeklies in the Indian market. The Editor Sandipan Deb said in its first issue's editorial and I quote:*

"Welcome to Open. We hope you will find it a friendly word: inviting liberal, without biases, inclusive and eager to engage. A pause amid the breakneck pace of TV and new media, more of a saunter than a sprint. After all, we'll trouble you only once a week."

"So, what does open hope to be? We hope to be a weekly offering on your life and times. We hope to inform, engage, stimulate and entertain in an intelligent fashion. But isn't this what almost all magazines set out to do? Yes, there may be nothing new in what we want to do, but we think we will be distinctive in how we do so, in these strange and complex times we live in. So let's start with what we won't do.

We won't repeat the news you have already watched on TV, read in the papers and on the net, unless we can find a new approach to it. Or contribute significantly to your additional knowledge needs. We won't know whether we have succeeded till we hear from you, but this is our promise to you: we value your time. And we don't want to be an echo. Also, we don't want to be a purely India centric magazine. You are a global citizen, and you are as interested in Barack Obama's hair greying considerably in his first ten weeks in the White House as in the men and women who are the closest advisors of Rahul Gandhi. We are a magazine from India for the global minded Indian. We will be opinionated. You will often not agree with that opinion. Let us know. Let us talk." *

The editor concludes with following lines:


"So many hopes we have, so many things we want to do through this magazine, so many ways we want to engage with you. And these are not just words for us, though we are fundamentally about words. Above all, above all, we will try our damnedest never ever to insult your intelligence. Call that more than a promise. Call that a covenant."

Editors concluding lines are very touching and it definitely draw the attention of the readers.

As the editor said, we hope they will stick to their words. At a time we the Indian readers are fed up with the routine style of presenting the stories. Hope this magazine's 'People Page' should not be restricted to the celebrities and for their juicy stories alone instead they share the feelings of the common readers too.

Thank God, they did not waste their pages for the so called "weekly astrology" column like many other Indian publications do. This is no doubt, a progressive step in this modern world.

When you flip thru the pages after the editorial page you find a section called "Small World" a seven page section allotted for the squeeze news from around the world. There you can read about 'the unreasonable person of the week' Confessions, Real India, and Business etc. And a page full of International news. The weekly also provides different sections for feature articles, politics, business, lifestyle, health, sports, literature, arts, culture and technology. And another important section called Mindspace; they emphasized this space as, "Literally, the icing on the cake, covers literary essays, stories on arts, culture, film reviews, and Gadget updates. Lastly a People page, a science page, and a headstart to challenge the readers with puzzles, riddles and mindgames. In short almost a complete magazine for the family.

Ah! The editor says, "And we will not be a magazine that mostly men find interesting Ever." * Its an interesting note: to watch for in the coming issues, hope that this will be a publication for the whole family.

Here are some suggestions to the Editor and publishers of this fascinating weekly magazine.

Please share some space to the general readers to air their views on current issues or any other relevant hot and burning subjects which we are facing in India in a wider angle. (I mean, not the letters to the editor column, which is generally restricted to few lines only).
Also, if the weekly provide some space exclusively for children, youth and women, and accommodate one or two short stories or mini stories and a poem. Then this will be a complete family magazine.

Add a small write-up (in one or two lines) about the writers' at the bottom of the article with their email ids, if possible with their photograph. So that readers can interact with the reporters and writers. Above all give an opportunity to the new writers to exhibit their talents by offering an attractive honorarium, this very few do in the Indian media.

A word about the content in the inaugural issue (April4-10): The Cover Story "Inside the Pakistani mind after 26/11 revealed so many chilling facts about the most dangerous place on earth 'Pakistan' and its people. It's really shocking to know that 90% Pakistanis will join the army if there is an Indo-Pak war. Even though only 2% think they'll win." We must be so alert and be ready to face any such situation. The story is a warning signal to the Indian administration as well as the people of India.

Manu Joseph's essay 'The Power of nonsense' was an interesting and informative read. The writer covered almost everything currently happened or happening around us in its 3 page write-up. And "Ow! Zzat?" Below the belt. Too revealed many unknown facts about that important cricket accessory. Of course the contents of the first issue were altogether informative and fascinating.

It was a lovely week with the weekly "OPEN", yes you made our week, and I have decided to be a regular reader of this amazing weekly. Hope your closing sentence, the promise or the covenant has a long-lasting effect on your readers. Yes, please remember that "Readers are KING", give them a prominent place in your esteemed weekly and satisfy them with your talented writers' creations.

Congratulations for bringing out such and elegant weekly news and family magazine for the Indian readers as well as the web community around the world.

I wish them a happy publishing time ahead.

Source:

www.openthemagazine.com
http://linkbee.com/gmqo
http://knol.google.com/k/p-v-ariel/-/12c8mwhnhltu7/0
www.pvariel.blogspot.com

An Interview with Martya Sen the Noble laureate by Vinod Mehta and Anjali Puri of Outlook News Weekly, New Delhi. Under the title: “I Prefer To Fight

I posted a response to it in the "Have Your Say" Column.




Excerpts from the interview...

In the 63rd year of Independence, how many cheers would you give Indian democracy?
How peculiar that Gandhi should be on the side of Krishna, who made Arjuna fight and kill people.



Out of a total of three (laughs)? That was a scale invented by E.M. Forster in Two Cheers for Democracy. I think I will give it a bit more than two but somewhat less than three. If you take the view, is democracy functioning as well as it could, it may even be one. But given the adversities we have had—a very poor country, largely illiterate, border wars with China and Pakistan, with Pakistan going its peculiarly difficult way, the relationship problems that we have had with the United States and the global powers—have we done as well as expected? Yes. Except in one big respect, namely that I had expected that non-dramatic deprivations would receive more attention than they ended up getting. Famines did go away with democracy, as I had expected, but I thought other things like gender inequality and the huge undernourishment of children would get more attention, but they did not get enough. That’s the disappointment.

Of all the injustices that haunt India today, the deprivations you have just spoken of, what disappoints you the most?

They are all complementary. One of the reasons that child undernourishment is so hard to remove in India is that children are born much more deprived here than in much of the world, because women are very deprived when they are pregnant. One basic issue is gender inequality. But I don’t want to say it is the only important one. I would rather speak of a cluster of deprivations. And we should address all of them together.

Apart from development issues, you’ve been speaking on a range of national issues, including, of late, the Indo-US nuclear deal. Was it a good deal?

Now, I am on record as having said I don’t know whether the Indo-US nuclear deal was a good thing or a bad thing, I don’t have a strong view, unlike Manmohan who clearly thinks it is a good thing, and the Communist Party, which thinks it is the biggest disaster.

Your friends on the Left are repenting now. It’s clear they picked the wrong issue to bring down the government.

I gave a television interview on that subject a year ago, in August, just after the vote.

And what you said hurt them the most because the criticism was coming from a friend, not from the other side.

“When I met Rahul at Trinity, politics wasn’t part of his plan. But he was clearly committed to Indian development.”

Certainly not from the other side. I am a friend of the Left and my politics has been on the Left, but sometimes it’s difficult to recognize what is Left, what is Right. I am in favour of fighting today’s battles rather than yesterday’s battles. I think this gut anti-Americanism—don’t make it the headline (laughs)—is a problem. It is a minor problem, but one of the reasons why the Left cannot liberate itself from the Cold War. It made sense at some stage to oppose America for various reasons. But I think gut anti-Americanism is certainly pulling the Left back now.

Read the full text of the Interview at:
http://outlookindia.com

MY RESPONSE PUBLISHED IN THE COLUMN “HAVE YOUR SAY”
Aug 14, 2009
1

This interview revealed the other side of this great personality. Indeed this interview increased my respect towards this much learned Nobel laureate. There is no partiality in his opinions; though a communist minded personality he criticized the adamant nature of his own close friends in the communist bandwagon. Especially his opine about our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is praiseworthy.
philip verghese ariel
Secunderabad, India





Source: Outlook News Weekly, New Delhi.
http://outlookindia.com
http://linkbee.com/gmqo

UNITY Learn It From Ants

(A message to My Fellow Beings)

Here is a great message or lesson to learn from the insignificant little creatures on earth, “The Ants”. They do everything in unity. But we with our disunity most of the time fails miserably. Let’s learn “UNITY” from them for our good.


“Ants’ work in groups,
And achieve their goal in unity
Alas! Men lack this and fail”.

NOTE:
Let us have a look at the lives of ants.

There are a good number of lessons we the human beings can pick up from these insignificant creatures.

Though they fail sometimes in their attempts they never give up.

They try and try and try until they reach their task.

They gather their food in group in unity.

These little creatures struggle to build their homes on earth.

But the giants of earth, we the human beings

quite often destroy it knowingly or unknowingly.

But they never give up and find a new place and re-build it.

But Alas! The humans most often fail miserably in their attempts

And get frustrated and leave the goal behind the way.

They attempt to do their things selfishly and try to carry it alone,
And utterly fail in many of their attempts.

They fail in their attempts mainly due to the lack of this unity.

In the Holy Bible, in the book of Proverb-

Solomon the wisest man ever lived on earth said, and I quote:

“Go to ant, thou sluggard;
Consider her ways and be wise
Which having no guide, overseer or ruler,
Provideth her meat in the summer,
And gathereth her food in the harvest.” *1

And the wisest man again said:

“Four things on earth are small,
Yet they are extremely wise:
Ants are creatures of little strength,
Yet they store up their food in the summer” *2

The ants comes first in that list,

Though they are small in size they are wise.

And do their things wisely and reach their goal.

But, Alas!! We the human beings lack this “unity”

And we fail miserably in all our attempts.

Why can’t we look at these little wise creatures

And pick up these precious lessons for our good.

Let’s learn this and practice in our daily life.



Source Reference:

*1 Proverb Chapter 6: verse 6 - 8 (King James Version)
*2 Proverb Chapter 30:24- 25 (New International Version)


Source:
Holy Bible
Associated.com
knol.google.com

A Letter to the Reader's Digest Editor and his reply.

A letter with much expectation posted to the editor of Readers Digest and the personal reply received from the Chief Editor, Mr. Mohan Sivanand



The Editor,
Reader’s Digest
New Delhi

Sir,

Your March issue made an informative reading. The timely subject ‘recession’ related articles are very informative and useful. Editor’s Bugs me anyway ‘Language’ column was an interesting read, The writer’s narration on the quite often used word in daily life ‘anyways’ is very educative. Thanks for the great tutorial here. The Facts about fat the cover story “13 things no one ever tells you about weight loss” is really astounding. Many things mentioned are really unknown especially the “Sleep Treatment”. Your interview with Maria Tippett the author of the master photographer Yosuf’s photographs were well captured, but it would have been better if you would have given one or two photographs apart from portraits. ‘The Air up there’ on women astronauts was a fitting tribute to the women astronauts on the occasion of international women’s day. Last but the least, about the visionary doctor Govindappa Venkataswamy’s enduring vision fulfilled through his family tree. You should have mentioned a word about this visionary doctor’s story (Bonus Read) on the cover page. The writer’s concluding paragraph said everything in short. “Though Dr. V’s strength waned his family continued “growing and developing a little of Dr. V in each of them. Ashok Mahadevan’s write-up is a great tribute to Dr. V and his institution ‘Aravind family’.


Philip Verghese ‘Ariel’,Secunderabad.


Dear Mr Ariel,
Thank you for your kind words on our March issue. It's always a pleasure to hear from our readers. You also asked a good question: Why was Dr V not mentioned on our cover? I have to explain that we have a lengthy and meticulous research process where every word written for RD is fact-checked independently by our Research Editor and a "research report" made, no matter who wrote it -- staff or outside writer, or me. Also, our covers have to be printed early. Before the March cover went to press, there were still several unfinished bits in the fact-checking process (in the Dr V article), and so I did not want to risk mentioning it on the cover, just in case it had to be rescheduled for the next month. Without a full research report, we don't publish anything. In fact I too would have been happy to have Dr V mentioned on our cover.

Best wishes,
Mohan

____________________
Mohan Sivanand
Editor
Reader's Digest India

http://linkbee.com/pvarielknol
http://linkbee.com/gmqo

A Feedback to The Week Weekly- on their Cover Feature Dated August 9th 2009

Few days back posted a response to the week weekly's cover feature titled "Most desirable Married Men. Pl. read..


Apropos the cover story “Most desirable Married Men” (August 9 2009) made an interesting read. At a time when some of our women flocks are involved in all kinds of forbidden acts as said in the story’s intro, it’s unfortunate to note that many of our women flocks are gazing at such acts and a kind of attraction is created everywhere. No doubt money and power are some of the main reasons for this twist. As Mr. Prasad Bidappa said, your projected personalities or the celebrities are all “achievers with a big bank balance. Yes naturally women want to build a secured life and it helps.” Your same issue tells a different story of yet another group of our women. “The bus ladies” I appreciate these women for their guts and desire to work hard for a living. Bravo to such women. May their tribe increase. Yet another box item—Women Only—that too about on our women flock, a women minister’s desperate looks out for a suitable women train driver too was interesting. Last but the least “your graphic view” “National filth” too was focused on the plight of our women flock the data mentioned about such women is really shocking. Even after 108 years of Gandhiji’s revelation “women scavengers are the worst form or apartheid” the practice is still prevailing in a developing country like India is a national shame. Altogether this issue was interesting and thought provoking one. It would have been more appropriate if the Bible verse you mentioned at the beginning of the story with a small change for the context. “Oh my dear women flocks, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s husband”.

Ariel Philip Verghese
Secunderabad
Source:
http://the-week.com

My Comment In India Today Web site and a response.

A letter received from a reader in response to my letter published in India Today website, for the reference I am publishing the same here below:
NOTE: The Hindu daily also published a portion of my view on today's Letters to the Editor Column.


My comment:

There is not doubt that Sharuk Khan episode in US is an unfortunate one, but the way in which our minister reacted to it is too unfortunate, It seems like just like utterances of a child. A responsible minister like her should have shown little more restrain and some intelligence. I fully agree with Mr. Shekar Kapoor’s opinion about her reaction, Yes these people celebrities or politicians should learn some important lessons from our former president Mr. Kalaam. The time is up to adopt some lessons from Dr. Kalaam’s book. So sad Mr. Sharukh.
Ariel P Verghese, Secunderabad
http://knol.google.com/k/p-v-ariel

Dear View pointers:

Of course it was not a publicity stunt but mounting concerns against SRK's nefarious financial greeds, operational modus operndi leading to his under world connections.

Shah Rukh, all his fans, and followers must first know his monstrous greed for money, popularity, publicity and obvious underworld connections that protects him in exchange of several money laundering schemes through 'Hawala' from every corner of the world he visits, mint huge cash on the pretext of stage or any event performance, which he has never reported at any source point either in India or abroad by eluding and dodging inbound and outbound customs authorities since 1990's. Vijay Taneja, one of his key source and contact and promoter for his nefarious money laundering schemes between 2002 and 2004 is presently serving ten years in a United States Prison at Loretto in Western Pennsylvania.

Shah Rukh has never disclosed a truth anywhere in his autobiography about his penal action and punishment for black marketing Kerosene Oil by Shri H.R. Malhotra, the then Additional Sessions Judge, Patiala House Courts at New Delhi when he owned a Kerosene Oil Agency in Paharganj, New Delhi...........

During a brief so called detention and interrogation by the U.S. Customs, Shah Rukh has deliberately lied to the Federal Authorities Newark International Airport about the very purpose of his visit and scheduled stay in United States, whereas the commercial clips in the television media in different channels aired by DISH NETWORK clearly informs that he is coming to Chicago for his event appearance at a Carnival organized by the Asian Community and would be staying at Fairmont Hotel in Chicago City.

Shahrukh's claim about his detention on the pretext of being a Muslim as a result of his racial pro filling by the United States Government almost eight years after 9/11 is a joke and highly misconceived. The so called claim of Shah Rukh, his fans and followers that United States must improve and restructure it's monitoring system is a result of their lack of knowledge as to why would the U.S. Authorities spent more than an hour to interrogate mere Shah Rukh's identity when there was nothing wrong with his travel documents specially when he has been traveling to United States for more than two decades. The suggestion and comments made by one of his bread provider Kabir Khan that it takes only 20 seconds to enter Shah Rukh's name at google search to ascertain his identity, is more than his stupidity in terms of an advise to the U.S. Authorities without having any knowledge of prima facie reason or any probable cause for his brief detention which obviously has got nothing to do with his identity, race, religion or his origin.

It is very difficult to assert any opinion on the the detention of Shah Rukh by the United States Government, but it is not only imperative but inevitable for the Revenue Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India to review Shah Rukh's international travel solely for his stage and event performances, his foreign currency declarations at customs and Income, Property and Wealth Tax reporting, and institute a massive criminal investigation into all and every ordeal of this mean, greedy and selfish so called King and world superstar.

I invite you all to post your prudent comments on my blog at:

http://shahrukhsmisconceptions.blogspot.com

Source: http://indiatoday.com
Thehindu.com