Profari

During the cold war US-leaded NATO was established to face Soviet Union (Russia) but those days has gone. Now Russian is going most likely to get membership in NATO under the Obama administration. The NATO military alliance was initially founded to defend Europe from Soviet aggression whereas Soviet-lead WARSAW was established to dominate Europe.

To mention about Russian membership in NATO, US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon said the USA will think Russian membership in NATO for common security. He added Russia must not be excluded from NATO if it would meet the criteria for membership. However, Russian administration has often objected to the NATO expansion, particularly as it expansions to include some countries on Russia’s border.

US Prsident Barack Obama has vowed all American troops must be out of Iraq by 2011. He said it when he welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to the White House. Obama said hard times were likely for Iraq; however, the USA was ready to make a solid relationship. Maliki joined US President in Washington D.C after talking in New York with UN executives on ending the sanctions imposed on his country following Saddam Hussein’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

President Obama warned of the much tough days ahead as still some would be ready to sabotage any progress. He said: “There are still those in Iraq who would murder innocent men, women and children. There are still those who want to foment sectarian conflict. But make no mistake, those efforts will fail.” He said the Iraqi people already rejected “the forces of division and destruction” and US troops would all the time be ready to help.

Prime Minister al-Maliki assured Obama that everything was going well in Iraq.  Minster added he shared the objective of Obama to make a new liaison on far above security concerns. Maliki said: “We will work very hard not to allow any sectarian behavior an opportunity to flourish. We will work on a national plan where all sons of Iraq and all daughters of Iraq are equal in their contribution and their services.”

Bangladeshi Prime Minister met her counterpart Indian Manmohan Singh Sheikh Hasina at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt Wednesday. Both leaders met for the first time after their respective electoral victories. During the meeting the two prime minister talking some of their bilateral issues like

• Use of Bangladesh Territory by Indian Insurgent Groups
• Contentious Tipaimukh Dam
• Railway Projects
• Business Development
• Some Other Relevant Issues

Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said getting the use of Bangladesh territory by Indian insurgent groups, Sheikh Hasina assured Mr. Singh that this must not be allowed and necessary step would be taken. On the other hand, on the issue of proposed the Tipaimukh dam which is opposed by Bangladeshi politicians and environmentalists it was settled that a Bangladeshi observing team would visit the site on 29 July. The dam would be built across the Barak River in Manipur.

Menon said ‘We’re ready to look at all kinds of creative solutions.’ He illustrated ties between India and Bangladesh as ‘close & intimate’ and mentioned there always would be issues ‘but no issues that can’t be solved with goodwill’. He said both sides were pleased with the approach the relationship was going.

More than 900 years old Shrine of Shiva is the only Hindu temple in Kashmir valley. It located on the banks of the icy Lidder River and built by Raja Jai Suria. Once the temple was a must halt over for pilgrims leaving to the Amarnath cave shrine in the southern Kashmir Himalayas. The temple has also images of Parvati, Hanuman and Ganesha carved in stone.

It was for long time maintained by a local association of Kashmir Pandits guided by Pandit Radha Krishen. In 1989 after Krishen’s migration from Kashmir, the Mamalaka temple became a protected monument and property of the state Archaeology, Archives & Museum Department. At the time of leaving, Pandit handed the charge over the temple to his Muslim friend Abdul Bhat. Pandit requested Bhat to keep the temple’s gates open and keeping the promise, Abdul Bhat took care of this temple until he transferred from the region in 2004.

After the migration of Pandits from a nearby village, 2 Muslim priests were appointed here. The priests are Ghulam Hassan and Mohmmad Abdullah. They kept the temple’s doors open & bells continued to toll. Ghulam Hasan said to a visiting reporter “We not only took care of temple but also held ‘Aartis’ everyday.” They are ensuring the safety of “Shivling” (3 ft-long black stone). The priests have also ensured no devotee leave the place without Prasad.

Abdullah and Hassan both were entrusted with the duty of maintaining this temple. They said “We have faith in Lord Shiva. We not only maintained the temple, undertook repairs but also ensured that the temple remains fully functional despite threats from the militants.” They added “We have fulfilled our task of guarding this shrine for Kashmiri Pandits. It is theirs. We wish they return and take back the control of the temple.”