Louisiana elects young, Indian-American governor

As voters in Louisiana begin going to the polls on October 20 to cast their ballot in this Cajun State's gubernatorial primary, front-runner Congressman Piyush 'Bobby'Jindal stands on the verge of creating history by becoming the first even Indian American governor. Jindal, 36, is the nation's youngest sitting governor. The son of Indian immigrants, he will also be the first Indian American governor in U.S. history, and the first non white to hold the job in Louisiana since Reconstruction.
"My mom and dad came to this country in pursuit of the American dream. And guess what happened. They found the American dream to be alive and well right here in Louisiana," he said to cheers and applause at his victory party. With about 70 percent of the vote in, Jindal had 53 percent with 444,550. His nearest competitors: Democrat Walter Boasso with 155,154 votes or 18 percent; Independent John Georges had 120,103 votes or 14 percent; Democrat Foster Campbell with 109,375 or 13 percent. Eight candidates divided the rest. Political analysts said Jindal built up support as a sort of "buyer's remorse" from people who voted for Blanco last time and had second thoughts about that decision. Blanco was widely criticized for the state's response to Hurricane Katrina and she announced months ago that she would not seek re-election. When he takes office in January, Jindal will become the nation's youngest governor in office. He pledged to fight corruption and rid the state of those "feeding at the public trough," revisiting a campaign theme.
A Roman Catholic, Mr. Jindal made a particular campaign target of these areas, visiting them frequently and bringing his brand of devout Christianity to their rural churches. His social-conservative message — teaching “intelligent design” as an alternative to evolution in public schools, a total ban on abortion, repealing hate-crimes laws — would have been welcome in these areas. But he faces significant challenges. He takes over what is now the nation’s poorest, most uneducated and most unhealthy state, by a number of important measures.

For further readings :

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3756325
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6468.html
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Bobby-Jindal-holds-strong-lead-in-Louisiana-governor-race/230470/

Sebastian Kollamkunnel.

Pope Benedict XVI to elevate 23 new cardinals

Pope Benedict XVI named 23 new cardinals on 17th October, Wednesday, a list that highlights the concerns and the shifting demographics of the worldwide church. He said he would elevate the prelates at a Vatican ceremony on 24 November. After the November 24ths consistory, the College of Cardinals will have 202 members, of whom 121 will be electors.

The cardinal electors are the archbishops of Paris; Mumbai, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Valencia, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Monterrey, Mexico; Dakar, Senegal; Sao Palo, Brazil; the primate of Ireland; and a handful of Italians. A cardinal's main function is to elect the Pope, whenever by death or resignation, the seat becomes vacant. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and making themselves available individually or collectively to the pope if he requests their counsel. Most cardinals have additional duties, such as leading a diocese or archdiocese or running a department of the Roman Curia.

The Cardinals are ranked in to three levels. They are Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests and Cardinal Deacons. Cardinal Bishops, or Cardinals of the Episcopal Order, are among the most senior Prelates of the Catholic Church. Each cardinal takes on a “title” to a certain church in Rome or one of the suburbicarin sees. The only exception is for patriarchs of Eastern Catholic Churches.Cardinal Priests are the most numerous of the three orders of Cardinals in the Catholic Church. They formally rank above the Cardinal Deacons and below the Cardinal Bishops though this is not a matter of exercise of authority. Those who are named Cardinal Priests today are generally archbishops of important dioceses throughout the world, though some hold Curial positions.The Cardinal Deacons are the lowest-ranked of the three orders of Cardinals of the Catholic Church. Cardinals elevated to the diaconal order are either officials of the Roman Curia or priests elevated after their eightieth birthday.

Mumbai Archbishop Oswald Gracias is the 10th Cardinal form India in the history of the Church. Dr.Valerian Gracias, Mar Joseph Parekkattil, Dr. Lawrence Pikkashi, Mar Antony Padiyara, Dr. Simon Lourde Swami, Dr. Simon Pimenta, Dr. Teles Pher Toppo, Mar Varkey Vithayathil, Dr. Ivan Dias are the other Indian Cardinals.

Further readings please do visit

1. zenitenglish@zenit.org 18 October 2007
2. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1176456,00.html
3. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21342463/

Sebastian Kollamkunnel

Recent developments over India-US nuclear deal

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told US President George W Bush that he is having difficulty implementing a controversial nuclear deal with the United States. Mr Singh had briefed Mr Bush by phone on Monday, a government statement said. The prime minister explained to President Bush that certain difficulties have arisen with respect to the operationalisation of the India-US civil nuclear co-operation agreement. India internally is not happy with the nuclear bill. It will be hesitant to welcome any American nuclear technology in the country. What India needed is the nuclear agreement. It will make America compete with French and Russians before awarding any contract.

During the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the U.S. in July 2005, the two countries decided to turn a new leaf in their bilateral relationship. The Bush administration declared its ambition to achieve full civil nuclear energy cooperation with India. The recent agreement immediately provoked heated debate both in the United States and in India. Many in the U.S. looked at the deal negatively. Their main focus was the impact that the deal would have on other states that might be thinking of pursuing nuclear weapons. It was argued that this was a signal to such states that acquiring nuclear weapons could be a stepping stone to recognition as a major global player without any sanctions being imposed for such an acquisition. Specifically, the issue of Pakistan was raised in so far as Pakistan might also demand the status given to India; as part of this argument, a refusal to Islamabad might mean growing anti-U.S. feelings in a state crucial for the success of Washington's war on terrorism.
From an Indian’s point of view I can say that India is a country where Governments are formed with coalition of political parties. Congress party itself is a minority party. If you take count of parties that oppose the nuclear deal with America, the majority of India is on the opposition side. American’s may not understand how Indian politics work. It is not a two party system where the third party can never into existence because of artificial barriers. India is a real democratic and free nation. Any one can form a political party. The basis of recent developments are caused by the oppositions of the other coalition political parties in the present government.

For further readings please do visit :
1.http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1104AP_India_US_Nuclear.html?source=mypi
2.http://www.theconservativevoice.com/ap/article.html?mi=D8SA8F100&apc=9002
3. http://dailymail.com/static/apnews/?story=ap0450n.php


Sebastian Kollamkunnel