ek baar dekho, hazaar baar dekho, baar baar dekho hamari Maya Shahani Bill Clinton ke saath!
Maya Shahani I am proud to state is the Chairperson Emeritus of Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity (WMPP)...But there is so much more to this gracious gorgeous lady who has won the title of 'Beauty Queen'

Maya Shahani, is also the Chairperson of SAGE Foundation.
SAGE Foundation receives recognition at the Clinton Global Initiative in Hong Kong, China
Maya Shahani was recently invited to be part of the Clinton Global Initiative established by former President Bill Clinton. This initiative, aims to turn pioneering ideas into viable solutions to urgent global challenges, bringing together international leaders from government, the private sector, NGOs, the media, and academia to make "Commitments to Action" that impact lives around the world.

Bill Clinton issued a certificate of recognition to SAGE Foundation for its commitment to create a self sustaining model village near Mumbai, which could be replicated anywhere in the world.

About SAGE Foundation (www.TheSageFoundation.com)
contact press@clintonglobalinitiative.org.

Alongside a picture taken on a panel discussion on 'Women and how to cope with present conditions'

I saw a movie: Mittal vs Mittal...It is about marital rape...the sad part was that the woman can hardly ever prove the above...even if family members testify (the woman's screams at night), the members will be accused of having a bias or not being mentally stable...If doctors examine bruises the wife is accused of having an affair with another man...The movie did admit that women could take advantage of the 'law' to harass the husband...So does the woman fight?

BMA, IMC, BPWA jointly organized a panel discussion on: Sexual harassment of women at the workplace...(Implementation of Vishaakha guidelines)

Some of the panelists: Dr Vibhuti Patel, Poorvi Chothani, Hafiza Golandaz,Sadhana Dadich, Mihir Desai, Hanksey Thikeka...

Some of the pointers that I picked up during the discussion:


Some of the males believe: ...Women ask for it and if they do not accept it, they have no sense of humour...

Women keep quiet when sexually harassed because they are afraid that they will be accused of provoking it...

violating the modesty of a woman is a criminal offence...yet not all are criminal offences...

Sadly if women continously report such behaviour, companies decide to reduce the engagement of women in the workforce...

To sum it.
However we dress, Wherever we go
Yes means Yes and No means No!
Signed:
Women

Orla writes:
Hi Shakkun
In 1986 I had to take training (because i was a supervisor as well as employee) on the Training in Prevention of Sexual Harrassment (TIPOSH). I was working for the military at the time. the training involved films and scenarios. When sanat's niece went to work in Kolkatta afer college I told her what to do if she ever got harrassed. (guys should get warned as well since they get harrassed as well at times) I did this as no female in the family had ever had a job in an outside organization so would not be thinking along those lines. No organization is immune from sexual harrassment including 'religous ones"!
... You can put it on your blog...i never blogged before! One thing you might want to add to it is what the particular law is in India that people can run to for cover if they are experiencing harrassment, have voiced a complaint and it still continues. Voicing the complaint is the crucial thing...otherwise it is seen in retrospect as compliance.

An aside.....In a corporation in the states it is usually the personnel office (the one that hires and fires and handles benefits complaints etc) that handles such complaints. they have been known to squash things too if the perpetrator has power. Then the person has to go out and seek refuge in the law. In smaller businesses it would automatically be the law as they would not have that department in their work enviornment. Unfortunatly, a lot of times, people just leave and the behavior may or may not continue with the replacement employee.
When one of the supreme court justices was up for nomination there was a complaint against his appointment by a previous employee, Anita Hill, also a lawyer. He got nominated and she got slightly ridiculed...the press trying to site the usual things...she was flirtatious, she was jilted etc etc but it was a big big deal. I look at him now and I cringe.

See you soon.

Orla

What I love about what Obama said:
...On this day we gather because we have chosen hope over fear...

Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America

We're a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus-and non-believers

I believe that:
If we want to change the world...it is going to happen through the evolution of consciousness...by accepting the responsibility that it is up to us to create that future...

I celebrated Lohri hosted by the Times of India, with Daler Mehndi , the King of Punjabi pop on the 13th january at Bandra Fort, Bandstand. I really enjoyed myself and thought that I would share a little fun with you...It is a short video alongside, so play it and swing to the vibrant music!

Sankraanti, Uttarayan always falls on the 14th of January...Learn about it, Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/language_festivals/utran.htm

Attended the spiritually uplifting Arangetram of Riddhi, a student of Nandhini Ashok, a member of the council of International Dance, UNESCO.
In Tamil Arangu means stage and Etram means ascending. Arangetram therefore literally means 'Ascending the Stage'
An Arangetram is the artists' first solo performance...
The arangetram was on the 5 elements of nature.

In South India there are 5 temples, all dedicated to Lord Shiva, each one of them representing Him as one of the 5 elements.
Kanchipuram: Shivji is worshipped as earth
Tiruvannaika: worshipped as Water
Tiruvannamalai: worshipped as Fire
Shri Kalahastlsha: worshipped as Air
Chidambaram: worshipped as Ether (Space)

Each of these elements are also associated to a Chakra in our body: The 5 elements of nature also stand for various Gods worshupped by us.

Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Mantras/aum_and_chakras.htm

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/shivratri.htm

Alongside Anju Taraporewala on the mike welcoming Swami Svaroopananda in her beautiful home, surrounded by sky and sea!
Swami Svaroopananda spoke on the greatness of the Hanuman Chalisa.
As a child Hanuman flew up to devour the sun!
The Sun represents what is most luminous in creation.
Do not underestimate children...The sun and moon are goals that can be achieved!

Hanumanji flew over the ocean with a ring which had Shree Ram's name engraved in it...it is no wonder...flying over the ocean is simple if you have the Lord's name on your lips!

We celebrate Sankraanti, Uttarayan on the 14th of january.
Do click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/language_festivals/utran.htm http://www.dalsabzi.com/Articles/food_fit_for_the_gods.htm

Dear Friends,

Yesterday I attended the rehearsal of Shree Aurobindo's 'Savitri' ( a more detailed description of what you will savour is mentioned below...I would just like to share my views...

I personally have tried to read 'Savitri' and have failed to read the whole book as it is very beautiful but 'heavy'

Here you have an opportunity to see a beautiful, enjoyable visual treat, which will be an experience and learning, which 'chances are' you will not do on your own.

Fix a group and go for the 'cheaper tickets' if you must...but do attend...

See you,

Love Shakun

Call/email Amla Ruia at:

23673942

ruiaamla@hotmail.com


Much love,

Shakun



COSMIC DANCE
In an effort to bring the embalming freshness of Sri Aurobindo's spirituality to this generation, the Bombay Regional Committee is presenting a three fold dance ballet called "The Cosmic Embrace" at the main auditorium, Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai on Sat. 17th January 2009, from 5:15 pm to 7:30 pm.

On this spectacular evening of song, dance, drama and Malkhumb emerging from a spiritual base, our esteemed audience will first behold and experience the impact of the Cosmic Embrace on an ordinary individual called Venketraman who gets instantaneously transported to the height of a saint – none other than the great Raman Maharshi.

Next they will see how the same theme of Divinity is expressed in the tantalizing story of Nachiketa in the ancient lore of the Upanishads.

And lastly they will get a chance to unravel and absorb the most powerful excerpts of Sri Aurobindo's epic poem SAVITRI performed by skilled national level Malkhamb artists.

We hope that this viewing will firmly plant the seed of spirituality in the hearts and minds of the audience who will certainly feel a change in themselves by the time they are brought to the finale of this program.

On my birthday, I pray...so this year I decided to visit the Nariman House. Heart breaking experience...Naturally thought of baby Moshe, his parents and brave nanny...
The road on which Nariman House stands is a very narrow lane. The young boys living on the street quickly surrounded me and told me about the fateful night. They locked themselves in their homes, but yet provided food for the commandoes. Alongside you can see the bullets that were fired from the AK 47 and hit the walls...

Some words from some songs come to my mind...
Aasman pe hai khuda aur zameen pe hum
aaj kal woh is taraf dekhta hai kum?

Another one:
Kisikee muskuraahaton pe ho nisaar
kisika dard mil sakey to le udhaar
kisikey vaastey ho tere dil mein pyaar
jeena isika naam hai...

Alongside: Nariman house
and the song...
Doosron ka dukhra door karne waale
tere dukh door karenge Ram
Kiye ja to jag mein bhalaai ka kaam
tere dukh door karenge Ram...
Read about pain and suffering, Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/enlight_info/i_am_that.htm
also
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Books/In_touch_with_masters/ram_kinkar.htm

My loving husband gifted me the cow Lladro...for my Krishna...for my birthday...

In the picture from left Vimla Patil, Hafiza Golandaz, chairperson of BPWA, Advocate Veena Gowda of Majlis NGO and Uzma Nahid (Trustee WMPP, Women's Movement for Peace and Prosperity).
THE OTHER WOMAN (her rights)
Panel Discussion on LIve-in Relationship

On the 11th of December 2008, the above programme was held at the IMC (Indian Merchant Chamber)It was organized by BPWA(Business and Professional Women's Association,Bombay)Bombay,Ladies Wing of IMC and BMA.


When I first heard about: Giving rights to the Other woman' programme...I was shocked and felt: Is'nt giving rights to the 'Other woman' going to encourage men to stray, maybe some more? It is kind of legitimizing it, is'nt it?
But follows what they explained: There are cases where men are already married in the villages or in the United States or wherever...They remarry and the 'wife' is not aware that he is already married...The 'new wife' has a kid or two and the man springs the shocker when he tires of the latest wife. He says: "Bye! I was married before I met you, I am going back to my legally wedded wife"
Is it fair to the 'Other woman' who has been left high and dry, through no fault of hers?
Well, looking at one of the cases that they discussed, I had to concede that maybe the law is worth looking into...But it needs to be discussed and pondered upon a lot lot more...