India-US Relations : News and Discussion

KLNMurthy · Post by **KLNMurthy** » 26 Sep 2014 22:09

Shreeman wrote: ...
The language/draft of the summons (kind of like a debt collector's call) is prepared by the plaintiff's lawyer along with the complaint:

http://www.uscourts.gov/FederalCourts/U ... Cases.aspx

http://www.americanbar.org/groups/publi ... trial.html

even a jurisdictional decision has not been made by this time. The legal professions is mostly glorified extortion, so you will not find a reasonable explanation of the process. The language of the summons doesn't mean the court will grant a summary judgment. Its contents are just as true as the allegations in the complaint. As I said before, save your sanity and read only the governmand releases on what transpires during the visit.

The media reports are only good for compiling Berkeley/Haas tentacles/web.

edit -- any established institution in america (read deep pockets) treats the civil process like a joke. IF you (the individual) pass all the hurdles, THEN the judges themselves will tell you to settle ( "you will never have more leverage than right now" -- a judge before the trial.). If you don't want to go after money, the civil process has nothing for you. I can provide factual evidence. But IANAL.

IIRC the thing is basically analogous to what's called a Legal Notice in India, slightly more than a sort of threatening letter on a lawyer's stationery. (BTW, Angry uncles in India routinely threaten to send a legal notice, which is like a threat to send a threat, Yagnasri garu please feel free to correct me.)

Peregrine · Post by **Peregrine** » 26 Sep 2014 22:10

CRamS wrote:A_GuptaJi,

When does Indian PM Modi go? For equal equal, will it be soon after Badmaash?

CRamS Ji :

PM Narendra Modi to address UN General Assembly on September 27

Cheers

RoyG · Post by **RoyG** » 26 Sep 2014 22:16

All these media personalities that we have are absolutely pathetic. Bhupendra walking around NY asking people about Modi and Burkha with that stupid haircut acting like a sexually frustrated hamster in a cage full of know it all indian businessman. Bhagwan, when will these people stop embarrassing us?

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 26 Sep 2014 22:32

Well LION of Bharat has landed.

Modi flew into New York’s JFK airport on a special Air India Boeing plane on the first leg of his maiden visit to the US as Prime Minister after a nearly nine-hour flight from Frankfurt where he had an overnight halt.

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 26 Sep 2014 22:36

And the Loin of Pakisatan has just finished his speech at the UN General Assembly.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 26 Sep 2014 22:42

The proper response to this "lawsuit" scam is:

1. File a response with the US judge declaring that
a) they have no jurisdiction, so sending the notice was illegal, incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial, unethical and a breach of privilege.

b) Point out that the Statute of Limitations is long expired, and the judge should have seen that and not wasted people's time

c) Deplore the abuse of the US Court for political slander and propaganda

d) Seek summary dismissal and award of court costs promptly.

e) Seek debarment of the plaintiff's attorney and their firm
f) Call for an investigation of criminal extortion

2. File a countersuit for civil damages to the tune of $330M, one dollar for every voter who voted for Shri Modi. Name the lawfirm, and every single plaintiff and all their organizations.
Point to
a) Slander: The malice is clear because the Supreme Court of India, the relevant supreme authority, has ruled clearly that Mr. Modi had no role in riots of 2002.
b) Extortion: Trying to extort money by false means
c) Deliberate smear campaign, resulting in wide publicity, falsely damaging Mr. Modi and the 330 million who voted for him, as well as the rest of the Indian public.
d) Seek actual damages of $1 per voter, total $330M. Multipled by 3 for punitive damages. Add costs. Total $1B.
3) Investigate and expose the whole web, including the Churches, behind this. They do have $1B to shell out.

PERSIST with this suit long after the other gets tossed out, but don't call that suit "frivolous": call it malicious.
Get a judgement against this gang. Even $10M will sink them, and I think that WILL be awarded. Pay a firm of Collectors to go after them individually and collect every penny and penalties for all delays. Grind them into the dirt for all time.

3. CONTEMPT OF COURT filing with the Supreme Court against all the plaintiffs. The Indian citjens there should have warrants out for contempt of court, waiting at the airport. The foreigners should have visas banned, plus warrants out, and maybe extradition requests out.

4. Indian Parliament should pass an Alien Tort Bill, placing criminal penalties enforceable worldwide on people who file malicious attacks on India such as these.

Do desis have the spine to do this or will they do the usual with thumbs up their oiseules?

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 26 Sep 2014 22:59

JE Menon wrote:And the Loin of Pakisatan has just finished his speech at the UN General Assembly.

He symbolizes Paki historical Jorru-ney from being Fourfatherish Dejurrre Loin Scratcher To De facto Loin Kisser.

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 26 Sep 2014 23:51

RoyG wrote:All these media personalities that we have are absolutely pathetic. Bhupendra walking around NY asking people about Modi and Burkha with that stupid haircut acting like a sexually frustrated hamster in a cage full of know it all indian businessman. Bhagwan, when will these people stop embarrassing us?

I agree they are pathetic, except for a bit when Arnab confronted US diplomats with their mollycoddling of TSP, but then they are media like anywhere. I mean as pathetic as DDM is, I cannot watch more then 5 mins of CNN/Fox when they are in propaganda mode.

But I notice an interesting contrast. TimesNow is most aggressive in pushing India's viewpoint, HeadlinesToday with that Rahul whatever keep harping on "India boxing itself into a corner" by canceling talks with TSP, and Bakara doing some garba and other social stuff.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 26 Sep 2014 23:52

Nothing new here but I like the headline considering this is WaPo. Not that WaPo has changed there is another one in the old style by that Constable girl.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asi ... story.html

India’s Modi begins rock star-like U.S. tour

NEW DELHI – Thousands of supporters are expected to throng midtown Manhattan Sunday to greet India’s new prime minister, Narendra Modi, a reception more befitting a rock star or a pope than a visiting foreign dignitary.

...
The excitement over Modi’s first visit to the United States is a measure of his popularity at home and the high expectations surrounding his five-day trip, where he’ll speak at the United Nations, meet business leaders and travel to Washington Monday and Tuesday for a summit with President Obama.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 00:19

ANIVerified account ‏@ANI_news

Narendra Modi's supporter blows conch outside New York Palace Hotel #ModiInAmerica

Smita Prakash ‏@smitaprakash 15m

The cop's expression: Priceless! https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/515578666315554816 … #ModiInUS

Santosh ‏@SaffronZeppelin 21m

How communal RT @ANI_news: Narendra Modi's supporter blows conch outside New York Palace Hotel #ModiInAmerica pic.twitter.com/tJnnOAEWRM

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 00:24

Rahul Kanwal ‏@rahulkanwal 26m

A study in contrast. Rockstar reception for @narendramodi Activists protest against Nawaz Sharif in New York

Shiv AroorVerified account ‏@ShivAroor

Two welcomes. #ModiInAmerica

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 00:29

Fox News Video ‏@foxnewsvideo 45m

FBI investigating workplace beheading at Okla. food facility http://fxn.ws/1qDf14d

Does it mean what I think it means. The embedded video did not open for me.

saip · Post by **saip** » 27 Sep 2014 01:12

He IS a Muslim, tried to convert co workers, fired from his job yday (dont know why) and he did this.

He is still alive but was shot twice.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 01:28

So the ISIS call for action is being answered in the US?

member_22733 · Post by **member_22733** » 27 Sep 2014 01:57

^^^ These worthies will get into US prisons and change the prison criminal dynamics in a fundamental way. Future just got interesting.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 02:00

Gunjan Mathur ‏@hellogunj 1h

Wow, apart from Madison Garden, thousands in Times Square will watch him on big screen, also 40 Univs of USA wil Live Telecast Modi's speech

Bhatt!!! How communal hanji! Where are the Angana's of the world who fought so bravely at Warton.

MurthyB · Post by **MurthyB** » 27 Sep 2014 02:04

LokeshC wrote:^^^ These worthies will get into US prisons and change the prison criminal dynamics in a fundamental way. Future just got interesting.

Yes, behead outside prison, but make up by giving a lot of, er

, inside prison.

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 27 Sep 2014 02:08

What can only be desrcribed as unhinged.

Tough guy Modi is the man of the moment for wealthy Indian Americans

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... lim-pogrom

For wealthy sections of Indian America, Modi represents a strong man who evokes pride in India. When Modi brags about his 56-inch chest, his machismo indicates India’s arrival in world affairs. Poverty is swept away by his braggadocio. Eyes are averted from the slums and instead rest upon his promises to toss environmental and labour laws in the dustbin. Trains will run on time, workers obey their supervisors and the armed forces will spread their testosterone along India’s borders. Experiences of racism and discrimination inside the US will be forgotten in the presence of Modi. If America sees Modi’s toughness, say his US supporters, the petty humiliations of life in the west will vanish.

Oh okay, he comes from an illustrious line of those whose profession it is to tilt at windmills.
He is the nephew of Indian politician Brinda Karat.

member_22733 · Post by **member_22733** » 27 Sep 2014 02:10

MurthyB wrote:Yes, behead outside prison, but make up by giving a lot of, er , inside prison.

^^^ ha ha. That too. But Abrahamic religion is a powerful drug. These guys will turn uber-religious within prisons, and soon there will be a large islamic population in prisons. These guys are going to try and convert everyone, including the ones that are in prison temporarily. From there its easy to extrapolate and see where it goes

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 02:14

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 27 Sep 2014 02:14

Dang! The Paki's Nightmare Dilemma. Modi-saan Aangan or Times Square? Times Square or Modisaan Aanga?

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 02:17

Tajinder Pal S Bagga ‏@tajinderbagga

Watch LIVE webcast of PM Narendra Modi Madison Garden speech at Facebook on September 28 at 8:30pm IST #ModiInAmerica

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 02:25

Is this a joke ....

http://m.indiatoday.in/story/modi-offer ... 92678.html

Modi offered honorary doctorate by US university

Southern University System of Louisiana in the United States has decided to offer Prime Minister Narendra Modi an honorary doctorate for his work in inclusive growth.

On Thursday, the university board met in the Baton Rouge campus and approved the conferment of the PhD to the Indian Prime Minister.

"Our academic community became particularly aware of the sterling achievements of Gujarat under Mr. Modi's leadership including his emphasis on 'Inclusive Growth for All' during a Research Colloquium presentation by Dr Pankaj Phadnis on August 30, 2013, at the College of Business on our Baton Rouge campus," said Ronald Mason Jr, president of Southern University System, in a release.

Baton Rogue is the capital of Louisiana State located about 150 km from New Orleans.

The Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, who is an Indian-American, was born in Baton Rogue.

According to Dr Phadnis, the degree is in recognition of Modi's contribution towards social transformation, especially for empowering women and minorities in Gujarat.

Talking to IndiaToday.in, Dr Phadnis said: "Technically, the American university has offered the doctorate degree to PM. It's up to Mr Modi to accept it or not."

In 2002, South African freedom icon Nelson Mandela was also conferred upon the same degree. A public policy school at the university is also named after Mandela.

A statement issued by the university said it was impressed by Modi's agenda of inclusive growth in Gujarat.

It also considered the work done by Modi is the first 100 days as Prime Minister.

Modi's declaration of a 10-year moratorium on caste and communal violence in the country and $20-billion commitment towards 'Digital India' initiative were also lauded by the university.

The university has also invited Modi to be the Commencement Speaker for Fall 2015 Commencement (to be held on December 11, 2015) and for inauguration of the Global Headquarters of the Center for ICT Enabled Social Transformation to be named after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System is the only HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) system in the United States and consists of two universities, a community college, a law centre, an agricultural research and an extension centre.

How very communal!

Raja Bose · Post by **Raja Bose** » 27 Sep 2014 03:35

JE Menon wrote:And the Loin of Pakisatan has just finished his speech at the UN General Assembly.

And getting toweled vigorously hopefully.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 27 Sep 2014 04:01

dehati aurat they will see!
time for musharrafite to do another coup-de-tat!

Vayutuvan · Post by **Vayutuvan** » 27 Sep 2014 04:14

pankajs: Why do you think it is a joke? The board has decided to give him the degree, so it is not a joke. Or are you referring the news source being credible?

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 27 Sep 2014 04:52

Many us officials like ombba and others including vp Biden have ben lined to have dinner wiht him.

True to his style-- NaMo will not eat or allow others to eat.

A_Gupta · Post by **A_Gupta** » 27 Sep 2014 05:24

Peregrine wrote:
CRamS wrote:A_GuptaJi,

When does Indian PM Modi go? For equal equal, will it be soon after Badmaash?
CRamS Ji :

PM Narendra Modi to address UN General Assembly on September 27

Cheers

India apparently always speaks a day after Pakistan. So it is alleged.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 27 Sep 2014 05:31

matrimc wrote:pankajs: Why do you think it is a joke? The board has decided to give him the degree, so it is not a joke. Or are you referring the news source being credible?

I think it may be more "Southern University System of Louisiana" which, needs to be enrolling foreign students than any gain to be had by NaMo by accepting.

A SUSL degree (is this college even accredited?) is gumbo

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 27 Sep 2014 05:34

UlanBatori wrote:The proper response to this "lawsuit" scam is: ...

The DoS beat everyone to it saying NaMo has full immunity both political and personal (no summons can be served).

In short, there is nothing needed or to do.

Sonugn · Post by **Sonugn** » 27 Sep 2014 07:14

$10,000 bounty for serving summons to Modi

The organization behind a lawsuit filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered a bounty of $10,000 to anyone who could serve him with the summons issued by a federal district court and capture the service on video, sparking concerns that there could be a security incident during Mr. Modi’s historic five-day visit to the U.S.

The summons could be thrown at him also at is feet, potential security threat.

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 27 Sep 2014 07:31

^^^^^ Shows where their loyalties lie. Anyone willing to join a crowdfunding initiative for naming the paper either chindu or mislum? Either kickstarter (hoiw appropriate for their behinds), or gofundme, or the like.

The US law (which the summons is based on) does not provide a way forward. So the good guy lawyer is asking people to break the law so they could uphold minor civil proceedings? Frankly, how would it be different than the shoe thrown at W?

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 27 Sep 2014 08:05

federal court in the Southern District of New York

I had thought it was someplace in Virginia. Isn't this the slum where Pleet Bhalala rules the roost?

India really needs to hire some good lawyers and go after these scum.

Cain Marko · Post by **Cain Marko** » 27 Sep 2014 08:16

pankajs wrote:Is this a joke ....

http://m.indiatoday.in/story/modi-offer ... 92678.html

Modi offered honorary doctorate by US university
Southern University System of Louisiana in the United States has decided to offer Prime Minister Narendra Modi an honorary doctorate for his work in inclusive growth.

On Thursday, the university board met in the Baton Rouge campus and approved the conferment of the PhD to the Indian Prime Minister.

"Our academic community became particularly aware of the sterling achievements of Gujarat under Mr. Modi's leadership including his emphasis on 'Inclusive Growth for All' during a Research Colloquium presentation by Dr Pankaj Phadnis on August 30, 2013, at the College of Business on our Baton Rouge campus," said Ronald Mason Jr, president of Southern University System, in a release.

Baton Rogue is the capital of Louisiana State located about 150 km from New Orleans.

The Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, who is an Indian-American, was born in Baton Rogue.

According to Dr Phadnis, the degree is in recognition of Modi's contribution towards social transformation, especially for empowering women and minorities in Gujarat.

Talking to IndiaToday.in, Dr Phadnis said: "Technically, the American university has offered the doctorate degree to PM. It's up to Mr Modi to accept it or not."

In 2002, South African freedom icon Nelson Mandela was also conferred upon the same degree. A public policy school at the university is also named after Mandela.

A statement issued by the university said it was impressed by Modi's agenda of inclusive growth in Gujarat.

It also considered the work done by Modi is the first 100 days as Prime Minister.

Modi's declaration of a 10-year moratorium on caste and communal violence in the country and $20-billion commitment towards 'Digital India' initiative were also lauded by the university.

The university has also invited Modi to be the Commencement Speaker for Fall 2015 Commencement (to be held on December 11, 2015) and for inauguration of the Global Headquarters of the Center for ICT Enabled Social Transformation to be named after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.

Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System is the only HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) system in the United States and consists of two universities, a community college, a law centre, an agricultural research and an extension centre.
How very communal!

Cosmo_R wrote:
matrimc wrote:pankajs: Why do you think it is a joke? The board has decided to give him the degree, so it is not a joke. Or are you referring the news source being credible?
I think it may be more "Southern University System of Louisiana" which, needs to be enrolling foreign students than any gain to be had by NaMo by accepting.

A SUSL degree (is this college even accredited?) is gumbo

I don't know why folks are knocking down SUS - the CoBA @ Baton Rouge is AACSB accredited, which AFAIK is the gold standard when it comes to Biz Schools world over (unless of course, you are talking Ivy League, and even there some are AACSB). I doubt there are more than a handful of Biz schools in India with AACSB accreditation - not the easiest thing in the world. So the school is not exactly "gumbo".

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 27 Sep 2014 09:05

WOW.. Rockstar welcome for Modi.

sudarshan · Post by **sudarshan** » 27 Sep 2014 09:31

Did Modi ji just break through security again to mingle with crowds in NYC? I was trying to put a brave face on this habit of his when he did it in Nepal and Bhutan, but this is starting to concern me now

.

Edit: RajeshA ji, if you see this - you got mail.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 10:44

http://www.business-standard.com/articl ... 055_1.html

India may turn down US' push for bilateral trade agreement

India is likely to turn down the US’ push for establishing a bilateral trade and investment agreement (BTIA), the talks for which were commenced under the previous regime of United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

To push its exports into the Indian market, the US had been urging India to have the pact with it that will have a special concessional tariff arrangement. This is different from the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which required tariffs to be reduced to zero in a phased manner.

“India is in the process of revising our model BIT Agreement to eliminate the prospects of investors-state dispute in future. We hope to have revised the model in place in a few months, after which we could resume our negotiations,” a top official told Business Standard.

BTIA was agreed in March 2010 under then commerce minister Anand Sharma and former US Trade Representative Ron Kirk. However, while India had slowed down the pace of negotiations, the US had been pushing for it.

According to K Nandini Singla, director, AMS Division, Ministry of External Affairs, during his ongoing visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not going to discuss the issue with US President Barack Obama when both leaders meet in Washington next week for bilateral meeting.

However, according to sources in the US government, the other side is expected to take up the issue strongly with India.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 27 Sep 2014 11:14

Ah .. arm-twisting before meeting.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-new ... 68931.aspx

Ahead of PM Modi's visit, US launched another investigation into India’s trade policies

Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in America on Friday for a high-profile visit, the US Congress ordered a second probe into India’s trade policies, alleging they were discriminatory.

The powerful Senate finance committee and House Ways and Means committee sought this new probe by the US International Trade Commission in a letter on Thursday.

...
This time the target is specifically Modi’s BJP government.

This new investigation is in addition to one the independent body is already conducting, to much consternation in New Delhi, with its final report due in November.

...
And it had come after weeks and months of intense pressure mounted by a section of US private sector, especially pharmaceutical IT companies, on the administration and lawmakers.

India’s trade practices are the subject of another ongoing probe, by the US Trade Representative, which releases an annual Special 301 list of worst offenders from the US point of view.

As a matter of policy, India has not deposed at these hearings. But it has been defended by trade bodies from India and US academics and activists.

A team of USITC investigators wanted to visit India and talk to private sector executives and officials. They were allowed to go, but the government refused to let them speak to officials.

“It is not just embarrassing for us,” said an official requesting anonymity, “but downright unfair — these are our policies and if they have a problem they are welcome to go to WTO”.

India and the US taken each other to the world body over several disputes, with mixed results for both.

The same bodies are back, drumming up the same issue in the light of Prime Minister Modi’s visit. The Alliance for Free Trade with India wrote to Obama recently urging him to press him to press the prime minister on these issues when they meet next week.

Will be interesting to watch Modi respond.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 27 Sep 2014 11:21

Cosmo_R wrote:
UlanBatori wrote:The proper response to this "lawsuit" scam is: ...
The DoS beat everyone to it saying NaMo has full immunity both political and personal (no summons can be served).

In short, there is nothing needed or to do.

That may well be true. Why should we go through such nuances and hair-splitting? There should never have been any summons to an Indian PM in the first place. It is mind boggling that some court in the US serves summons on the Indian PM for an event that has nothing to with it. Some obscure guy claims that some relatives of some from his county were affected by events in Gujarat twelve years back and the court issues summons? This is the height of arrogance and this needs to be countered by a similar or even more dramatic reprisal by an Indian when the US president next arrives in India. Nothing short of that would do. The US must be put in its place.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 27 Sep 2014 11:37

Swami Vivekanand's Speech at The World Parliament of Religions, Chicago

WELCOME ADDRESS - Chicago, Sept 11, 1893 ( Date is quite significant.)

Sisters and Brothers of America,

It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.

My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: "As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee."

The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: "Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me." Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal

CONCLUDING ADDRESS -Chicago, Sept 27, 1893

The World's Parliament of Religions has become an accomplished fact, and the merciful Father has helped those who labored to bring it into existence, and crowned with success their most unselfish labor.

My thanks to those noble souls whose large hearts and love of truth first dreamed this wonderful dream and then realized it. My thanks to the shower of liberal sentiments that has overflowed this platform. My thanks to this enlightened audience for their uniform kindness to me and for their appreciation of every thought that tends to smooth the friction of religions. A few jarring notes were heard from time to time in this harmony. My special thanks to them, for they have, by their striking contrast, made general harmony the sweeter.

Much has been said of the common ground of religious unity. I am not going just now to venture my own theory. But if any one here hopes that this unity will come by the triumph of any one of the religions and the destruction of the others, to him I say, "Brother, yours is an impossible hope." Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu? God forbid. Do I wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian? God forbid.

The seed is put in the ground, and earth and air and water are placed around it. Does the seed become the earth, or the air, or the water? No. It becomes a plant. It develops after the law of its own growth, assimilates the air, the earth, and the water, converts them into plant substance, and grows into a plant.

Similar is the case with religion. The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.

If the Parliament of Religions has shown anything to the world, it is this: It has proved to the world that holiness, purity and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character. In the face of this evidence, if anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction of the others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written in spite of resistance: "Help and not fight," "Assimilation and not Destruction," "Harmony and Peace and not Dissension."

You will find echoes of Swami Vivekanand's speech in the speech of Narendrabhai Damodardas Modi at today's speech in United Nation's 69th Session of General Assembly.