READ THE STORY OF A MAN FROM VARANASI WHO DIDN'T HAD BATH FOR 35 YEARS IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE A SON

Kailash ‘Kalau’ Singh is from the village of Chatav outside the holy city of Varanasi. He is 63-years-old and the father of seven daughters. He has gone for 35 years without bathing apparently in an attempt to have a son. Read about it below and see his photo.

One of Singh’s neighbors, Madhusudan, says that a seer told Kalau years ago that if he didn’t take a bath, he would be blessed with a male child. It seems that many Indians prefer sons for financial reasons. Sons are breadwinners. Girls have to have the matrimonial dowry for the grooms family when they marry. Also, in Indian culture, all their earnings go to their husband’s family. For those reasons, girl children are considered a burden.
So for 35 years Singh hasn’t bathed. It appears his efforts are not working so far.
This has been costly for him. He used to own a grocery store, but had to go out of business when customers quit coming to his store because of his ‘unhealthy personality’. He now works in the fields. He also incurred the anger of his family when he refused to take a ritual dip in the river Ganges even after the death of his brother five years ago.
In spite of what his neighbors have said, Kalau claims he doesn’t remember how it all began. He claims his pledge to not wash is in the ‘national interest’. ‘I’ll end this vow only when all problems confronting the nation end,’ he said.
Even though he refuses to take water baths, he does take fire baths. That involves standing on one leg next to a bonfire, smoking marijuana and saying prayers to Lord Shiva. He claims its just as good as using water to bath and the fire kills germs and infection in the body.
Oh, and he doesn’t brush his teeth either.
Considering this whole scenario its not surprising that he hasn’t had a male child. The surprising thing is that he’s had any children at all.

NEWYORK TIMES FUELLING WAR ON RELIGION ?

This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," May 14, 2009. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
SEAN HANNITY, HOST: The liberal media's war against religion is alive and well. A recent front-page story in The New York Times reported on the alleged rise of atheism in America. And, of course, a story like that didn't go unnoticed by Bill Maher.
Let's take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER")
BILL MAHER, HOST: Now, what do you think of the fact that it seems to be a movement that's gaining credibility as of late?
Well, it was on the front page of The New York Times this week in a number of places around the country that you might not think it would be happening, when they put up a billboard that says, "Atheists, please call," you know, there was no complaints. It was just people saying, "Hey, I want to join."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HANNITY: So, is The New York Times and other liberal outlets responsible for pushing an atheist agenda?

Joining me now is the author of the New York Times best-selling "A Slobbering Love Affair: The True, Pathetic Story of the Torrid Romance Between Barack Obama and the Mainstream Media."
(LAUGHTER)
HANNITY: I still laugh at the title.
Bernie Goldberg is with us.
Bernie, good to see you.
BERNARD GOLDBERG, FOX NEWS ANALYST: Good to see you, Sean.
HANNITY: All right.
There is — and I have said this for years — a hostility in the media towards Christian conservatives. Do I overstate that case?

GOLDBERG: No, no.
Let's take this — this New York Times story as one example. It's a perfectly legitimate journalism story to talk about the rise of atheism in America, if, indeed, the facts are correct.
Now, The Times put it on page one. Now they're sending a message. The message is: We think this is important.
Well, here is what they didn't think was important. When a book came out by a Syracuse University professor saying that conservatives are more generous than liberals when it comes to giving money to charity, and the reason that they're more generous is because of their Christian faith, or their religious faith, that story didn't wind up on page one of The New York Times or page two or page five page 10. In fact, there was no news story about that.
There was no book review of the guy's book. There was an op-ed. But that was all.
HANNITY: Yes.
GOLDBERG: Now, why is that? Why is a story that says people of faith — by the way, even liberals of faith are generous when it comes to giving money to charity. So, religion was the key. That story didn't interest the editors at The New York Times, but the rise of atheism did.
I report. You decide.
HANNITY: Yes.
I don't know what — whether The New York Times has — has ever reviewed your books. I don't know what shows you have been invited on. Now, in fairness, my book was number one for five weeks in a row, my last book, on The New York Times list.
Mark Levin's book is now seven weeks in a row. He has not been invited on any of the mainstream media shows. You went through this same type of treatment as a conservative. Is this more broadly conservative and less about religion? Is this about political philosophy?
GOLDBERG: Yes, that's a good question.
The two seem to meld in the minds of many liberal elites. When it comes to religion, for instance, a lot of liberal elites, including liberal elites inside news rooms, think that people who believe in an invisible man who lives in the sky and, you know, can send fire down with his fingertips, people who believe that, the elites think, aren't too smart, because that's irrational, they think.
Well, what is the opposite of that? Atheism. Atheism is rational to them. It's smart to them. It's hip in places like Manhattan. So, that's why atheism is given this kind of prominence on page one, and a lot of things having to do with religion in a good sense just aren't.
But — but we can't separate the religious part from the conservative part, because they're very closely linked together.
HANNITY: Well, is that why Barack Obama, in spite of the overwhelming history about America being founded on Judeo-Christian principles, can say, this is not a Christian nation? Is that why he can say, we are not at war with Islam?
We have never been at war with Islam. We have been at war against radical Islam and we have been at war against — against terrorism. So, is that where maybe this is — look, because I agree with you. I think there is a certain — a fundamental belief that if — well, if you believe in God, or you believe in faith, that you have — well, you are not quite as smart as they are. There's a certain elitism.
GOLDBERG: Right.
HANNITY: But — but they...
GOLDBERG: That's right.
HANNITY: In my view, they believe something can come from nothing. Even if you believe in the Big Bang theory, well, where did all that energy and all those molecules come together to bang together and create universes within universes?
It's...
GOLDBERG: Right.
HANNITY: It seems like a far greater miracle to me.
GOLDBERG: I know. That — that's a tough one, isn't it?
Look, let me...
(LAUGHTER)
GOLDBERG: Let me tell you about a true story that happened — that I witnessed when I was at CBS News that may put some of this in perspective.
There was a conference call with producers from all around the country, New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami. And they were talking about the stories that were going to go on the air the next day. And it — I wasn't part of the call, but I heard it on the speakerphone.
And the producer in Washington said, well, there is a rally tomorrow with Gary Bauer. Gary Bauer was the head of a family values organization.
HANNITY: Family Research, yes.
GOLDBERG: And she said — she — yes, she said, there is a rally tomorrow with Gary Bauer — and this is a verbatim quote — "you know, that little nut from the Christian group," right?
HANNITY: Wow.
GOLDBERG: "That little nut from the Christian group."
And not one person on the conference call said anything, like, "You can't say that."
HANNITY: Yes.
GOLDBERG: Could you imagine if a CBS News producer said, "Jesse Jackson, the nut from the black group," or "some nut from the Hispanic group" or "some nut from the gay group"?
HANNITY: Good point.
GOLDBERG: That would never be tolerated, but — but saying somebody is a nut from a Christian group, no problem.
HANNITY: Did you notice, as I did — and maybe — maybe some will say I am being a bit picky here.
At the Correspondents Dinner, putting aside — we have — we have dealt with the "Wanda Sykes wishing Rush Limbaugh dead, the president laughing" aspect of this, which I think is unforgivable to me, because, if it was ever said about the president, we know the reaction would be.
Were you as surprised? The one thing that Barack Obama said, which was funny — and all good humor is rooted in truth — is when he goes, "And I know you all voted for me," meaning the press.
GOLDBERG: Oh, yes, that — thank you.
HANNITY: Yes.
GOLDBERG: Thank you for asking me about that. Thank you.
Listen, he said, "Most of you covered me." Pause. "All of you voted for me." They didn't just laugh. They applauded.
All good humor has a ring of truth to it. This had a lot more than a ring of truth to it. They all knew it was true. And the most important thing is, they didn't care and they weren't embarrassed.
HANNITY: Yes.
GOLDBERG: That's the important thing.
HANNITY: Wow. I have got to tell you something. Journalism is dead in America. And, by the way, that's why we say thank you to all of our viewers, because you know what? This is alternative media.
And, Bernie, we appreciate it. We always love hearing your voice. Thanks for being with us.
GOLDBERG: Thanks a lot, Sean.

PARENTS BATTLE OVER FREE BIBLES FOR STUDENTS IN FRISCO SCHOOLS IN DALLAS

FRISCO — There is a book battle of sorts taking place in Frisco schools. This isn't about a textbook — it's about the "Good Book."
The district permits free Bibles to be put out for students; but there's a fine line between nonschool literature that's "put out" and "given out."
Debbie Lutz has two children in Frisco schools. "How is that allowed?" she asked. "It makes me very mad."
Gideon volunteers have visited both her children's campuses with Bibles in tow. It's part of the Frisco ISD's rotating schedule that permits the religious group in some schools for one day.
"That is unbelievable," Lutz said. "No one has ever sent a letter home from the school district telling me that."
District policy says nonschool literature is allowed as long as it doesn't "attack ethnic, religious, or racial groups." It also can't "interfere with school activities or the rights of others."
"I just think religion should be out of schools," Lutz said.
Another Frisco mom, Nicki Wilks, has a son who attends Griffin Middle School. "He said, 'Oh yeah, mom, somebody was handing out Bibles at school today, and some of the kids started getting upset, and the parents started showing up.'"
Wilks tries to read the Bible daily, and is stunned at the outcry of negativity. "It's not like it is in the curriculum," Wilks said. "It's not like we're making them take Bible classes."

But Wilks says offering — not pushing — the Bible should be fair game. "I believe in freedom of religion, but I think there are people from the other religions who would like to completely stifle the Christian side of it," she said.
The Gideons once handed out their Bibles along a public sidewalk in Frisco, but after too many parent complaints to the police department and the school, the district decided to move things inside. School officials said it's the only way to control the situation.
"We cannot pick and choose which materials are allowed to be left at a designated location for display/pickup based upon the viewpoint expressed in the materials," a Frisco ISD spokeswoman said in a statement.
The district admits that it has had to remind representatives of the Gideons to not approach children; that's the only way the volunteers are allowed in schools.
Either way, Lutz says it puts her kids in a tough spot. "Not maybe 'forced,' but maybe [they] they feel a sense of obligation to pick it up? Just so they're not uncomfortable," she said.
Wilk disagrees. "This should be made available if our children want it."
And at least at some Frisco public schools, Bibles are made available for students.

UN CHIEF CALLS ON THE WORLD TO REMAIN ALERT ON SWINE FLU: FLU CASES RISES NEARLY TO 10,OOO

GENEVA: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday told the World Health Organisation's 193 member states that the world must remain "vigilant and alert" against the new swine flu virus.

Ban said previous pandemics had shown that outbreaks of flu could start as mild and worsen. "That is why the world must remain vigilant and alert to the warning signs," he added in a speech to the WHO's annual sssembly.
The global tally of confirmed swine flu cases in 40 countries rose by 1,001 in a day to 9,830, with 79 deaths, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday.

Some 545 of the new confirmed cases and four of the additional deaths recorded since Monday were reported by Mexico, while 409 new cases and one additional death were reported by the United States, data posted on the WHO's website showed.

third most infected country was Japan, which has been the focus of most recent concern because of the sudden spike in infections there that has prompted authorities to close thousands of schools.

Japan reported 34 new cases bringing the national total to 159, according to the WHO's daily update. The other new cases were recorded in Chile (three, for a total of four), China (one, total seven), El Salvador (two, total six), Panama (five, total 59), Peru (one, total two) and Britain (one, total 102).

The WHO data refers to laboratory confirmed cases reported by countries at 0600 GMT on Tuesday, and includes cases from previous days or weeks that have only just been confirmed by testing. On Monday, the tally stood at 8,829 cases in 40 countries with 74 deaths.

CONGRESS SWEEPS OUT IN THE ELECTIONS IN INDIA

NEW DELHI: India has yet again been surprised by Indians. Last time, no one thought a Congress-led UPA would emerge winners. It did. This time, many said Congress would be the single-largest party and UPA the top coalition, but few imagined Congress would retain office with 201 seats — the highest any single party has got in 25 years — and UPA 258 seats.

And yet like a silent tsunami, the Congress swamped its rivals to triumphantly return to power. This election was supposed to be without any national issue. The Indian voter, however, had different ideas — he has voted with his feet for a coherent and stable government.

Manmohan Singh is set to take charge as Prime Minister and become the only PM since Jawaharlal Nehru in 1961 to be voted back after completing a full five-year term. What's more, he will head a government without the support of the Left, whimsical partners like Mayawati or any other coercive ally.

The middle class would be heaving a sigh of relief. The scale of the Congress win looks even more stunning when you consider the party did not contest all seats in big states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu. Not just that, it took the field in UP and Bihar on its own, without any preparation. The gamble did not click in Bihar, but it did in UP — and handsomely.

In Bihar, too, it has been able to get many Muslim votes. The election marked an emphatic endorsement of Manmohan Singh as PM, a triumph of Sonia Gandhi who took the right calls — from a robust backing of Manmohan as PM to allowing Rahul to take over from her as the party's main campaigner which, in turn, saw her son come into his own.

National parties fail to up seat share Many commentators have called this election a return of national parties — no doubt, on the basis of the performance of Congress and BJP in UP, a state which has been in the hands of regional outfits for over a decade. But that would be misreading the election.

While in UP, voters seem to have viewed national parties with favour, the BSP is still the state's No. 1 party, having emerging as either the winner or runner-up in 68 of the 80 seats. But more than that, there is another statistic that is more telling. The combined strength of all national parties — Congress, BJP and the Left — remain the same in this election as it was the last time. In 2004, these national parties had a combined tally of 345 seats; this time they have a tally of 344. In other words, some regional parties might have lost, but some have gained. Ditto for the national parties.

So, why has Congress done so well? What went right for it? It would appear it was seen as a more sincere party than its rivals — possibly a result of Manmohan Singh's earnest and honest image and Sonia Gandhi's understated style. It was also seen as a party for the ‘‘aam admi'', and the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme and loan waiver for indebted farmers made it appear a pro-poor party. In short, the Congress was seen as a party with its heart in the right place.

Even for the middle class, Manmohan Singh's passionate espousal of the nuclear deal seems to shown him up as a man of conviction. It was also seen as a party for the youth, with most urban youth connecting more with young leaders like Rahul Gandhi than BJP's gen-next. For the BJP, the election has been something of a disaster with Narendra Modi being touted as L K Advani's successor right in the middle of the poll campaign, and Varun Gandhi usurping the party's agenda with his personal positioning exercise as UP's Modi. At the end of it, the BJP was left with a negative campaign and could hardly convey to the electorate what it would bring to the table. Advani is now likely to call it quits. On Saturday, as the results came in, he offered his resignation as leader of the opposition which was turned down by the party.