On the occasion, as tributes poured in from all parts of the political spectrum, one newspaper carried an article headlined: "Why George Fernandes once said 'would like to be reborn as a Vietnamese'." The exact quote is: "If there is a rebirth, I would like to be reborn as a Vietnamese;" such was his admiration for the people of this country. He had made the statement following his visit to Vietnam as the Defense Minister of India. I had the opportunity to meet him then. His humility and absolute openness in talking to people was striking and very rare, because it was authentic, not a practiced politician’s smooth talk that I have come across frequently. When I asked him about specifics of the agreement reached in his talks with Vietnamese authorities, he quickly asked the very senior bureaucrat with him to make a copy and give it to me. I could see that the bureaucrat was not happy at all with this request, but he had no choice. This readiness to share information also set him … [Read more...] about An Indian leader who wanted to ‘be reborn as a Vietnamese’
Indian
Noted Indian transgender activist shakes up Hindu festival
Emily Schmall and Biswajeet Banerjee, Associated Press Updated 6:47 pm PST, Tuesday, January 29, 2019 In this Jan. 14, 2019, photo, Hindu devotees walk through the Kumbh Mela area in Prayagraj, India. The Kumbh Mela is a series of ritual baths by Hindu sadhus, or holy men, and other pilgrims at the confluence of three sacred rivers — the Yamuna, the Ganges and the mythical Saraswati — that dates back to at least medieval times. Pilgrims bathe in the river believing it cleanses them of their sins and ends their process of reincarnation. less In this Jan. 14, 2019, photo, Hindu devotees walk through the Kumbh Mela area in Prayagraj, India. The Kumbh Mela is a series of ritual baths by Hindu sadhus, or holy men, and other pilgrims at the confluence ... more Photo: Bernat Armangue, AP … [Read more...] about Noted Indian transgender activist shakes up Hindu festival
Institute of American Indian Arts plans for research center
Updated 11:24 pm CST, Monday, January 28, 2019 SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An effort by the Institute of American Indian Arts to create a new research center is getting support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The institute says the center will focus on the advancement of contemporary Native American arts and culture by streamlining the care of museum collections and records as well as supporting training through internships and fellowships. The three-year planning grant is worth $434,000. IAIA President Robert Martin says the partnership with Mellon is a critical step in expanding the institute's capacity to contribute to the field and build upon its legacy as the birthplace of contemporary Native arts. The institute also plans to start a scholarly fellowship program to provide financial support for a series of fellows working on projects related to contemporary Native American art. … [Read more...] about Institute of American Indian Arts plans for research center
Sleeping Indian Ranch: A Magnificent Private Group Getaway
This private estate, set on 15,000 acres in the Cimarron Range of the west slope of the Rocky Mountains is the perfect mountain hideout for a family or friends getaway. And now, Sleeping Indian Ranch is available to book — for the first time — exclusively through Telluride’s Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection. Nestled in a broad valley, known as the “Gateway to the San Juan Mountains,” Sleeping Indian Ranch is a showpiece 40,000-plus square-foot, seven-bedroom lodge that accommodates all who dream of wide-open spaces. It was designed and built in 1993 as a private family vacation estate by Douglas S. Ewing, FAIA, and is an American Institute of Architects award-winning home. Inspired by the legendary great lodges of Yellowstone and Yosemite, the warm and comfortable home — which can sleep up to 16 guests — was constructed with reclaimed logs from the 1988 Yellowstone fire. Guests cross a … [Read more...] about Sleeping Indian Ranch: A Magnificent Private Group Getaway
Uncharted waters: Scientists to explore Indian Ocean depths
Updated 12:24 am CST, Thursday, January 24, 2019 The Ocean Zephyr stands docked in Bremerhaven, Germany, Wednesday Jan. 23, 2019. The Britain-based Nekton Mission will use submarines to go 300 meters below the surface and sonar equipment to survey depths of up to 2,000 meters once the Ocean Zephyr reaches the Seychelles. Final preparations were being made Thursday for the start of an unprecedented, years-long mission to explore the Indian Ocean, during which scientists hope to document changes taking place beneath the waves that could affect billions of people in the surrounding region over the coming decades. less The Ocean Zephyr stands docked in Bremerhaven, Germany, Wednesday Jan. 23, 2019. The Britain-based Nekton Mission will use submarines to go 300 meters below the surface and sonar equipment to survey depths of ... more Photo: Stephen Barker, AP … [Read more...] about Uncharted waters: Scientists to explore Indian Ocean depths