attributed to the Sangh Parivar with the heading: "HINDUS ARISE!!
MUSLIMS HAVE AK-47s!! ISLAMIC JIHAD MEANS KILLING ALL HINDUS!! RESIST
MUSLIM BULLIES!!" (translated from the Gujarati text--I have a copy
of the flyer in case some one wants verification.)
I do not know what bothered me more--seeing the unfathomable level of
hatred or knowing that the very flyer in my hand may have been funded
from well-heeled Indians in UK, US, and Canada.
As evidence mounts that the VHP and RSS were the chief architects of
the Gujarat Carnage, the activities of the Sangh Parivar abroad
deserve attention . Gautam Appa of the London School of Economics,
writes, "The contribution of these British organizations (VHP UK,
HSS) to the work of the Sang Parivar in India in terms of fund
raising is not insignificant. According to the charity commissioner's
records, the two main charities associated with VHP (UK) and the HSS
had collected nearly one million pounds in the last financial year.
It is common knowledge that a large chunk of the overt and covert
collection ends up in India in the hands of the Sang Parivar.¨ (from
a May 300, 2002 article, as quoted from
www.onlinevolunteers.org/gujarat/news/articles/appa.htm; HSS is the
international body of the RSS, the word Rashtriya is replaced by the
word Hindu)
But efforts to investigate the VHP's foreign funding have been
thwarted. In a 1999 article, Om Prakash Tiwari documents a
distressing "missing" file of the VHP. He writes: "The corridors of
power in Delhi have mysteriously suppressed a file of the Income Tax
Department which was investigating into the fund of Rs 300 crore ($
62.5 million USD) coming from NRIs allegedly received by VHP. The
Income Tax Commsioner Mr. Vishwa Bandhu Gupta said that VHP have
received ample amount from abroad.¨ (from South Asia Citizens web)
According to Indian Income Tax laws, any religious trust needs to
submit its account for governmental review each year. Section 11 of
the Income Tax Act prohibits the classification of any organization
that spreads religious or caste doctrine as charitable. Each
recipient of foreign aid must spend 75% of the funds in the same year
it was received. (ibid)
The "missing" file prevented the Income Commissioner from auditing
the records of the VHP. Since then, the Income Commissioner has been
unable to make a case against the VHP. The Commissioner made four
notable conclusions: 1) the VHP and BJP are not separate bodies and
should be treated as one entity; 2) the VHP did not have any accounts
of its expenditure-income; and 3) the construction of a temple (in
Ayoodha) is not a social work; and 4) the VHP did not file any return
which would determine where it received the large quantity of funds.
(ibid)
Where then is the money coming from? Below is my effort to trace both
the roots--and the funds—of the Sangh Parivar abroad.
I. The Sangh Parivar's Global Reach
The Sangh Parivar is the name used to describe the fraternity of
organizations that espouse the doctrine of Hindutva. Many insist that
the doctrine of Hindutva originated with the advent of the BJP. But
it was Veer Savakar and MS Gowalkar who first equated Indian
nationalism with its essential "Hinduness" nearly 80 years ago. (I
should add on the RSS website, Savakar is called a "revolutionary,"
see www.rss.org)
>From this ideology sprouted several groups. The RSS (Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh) was formed in 1925 and counts current Prime
Minister Vajpayee, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its
members. In an interview published today in the Economic Times,
Deputy Prime Minister Advani pleaded,"If you see any virtue in me, I
have imbibed it from the RSS--its discipline, patriotism and
commitment to integrity of public life. It is absurd to ask me to
delink from the RSS." (see Economic Times, July 5, 2002 page 5)
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was started in 1968 as a pan-
Hindu "cultural" group to uplift Hindus throughout the world. In the
state of Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena represents the Hindutva doctrine.
Its leader, Bal Thackery proudly boasted of his role in agitating
Muslims after the Babri-Masjid destruction in 1992. (see Time
magazine)
Western writers often make the blunder of misunderstanding the
relationship between these groups. AG Noorani, the author of the
eloquent RSS and VHP: Division of Labour, argues that any
understanding of the BJP must begin with the RSS and VHP. These are
the root organizations that engrain the Hindutva doctrine to tens of
thousands of youth in the estimated 25,000 schools that the RSS
operate. When these children reach maturation, they use the outward,
political vehicle of the BJP to manifest their Hindutva doctrine. The
strength of these organizations is that they each work in entirely
different sectors yet operate under one unifying name and banner, the
SangH Parivar. To treat each of these organizations as separate
entities is to impose a division that even the Sangh Parivar rejects
for itself. (AG Noorani's book is published by Signpost; the book may
be hard to find, you may try writing the publisher.)
Now seventy-seven years after its founding, the Sangh Parivar shows
little sign of relenting. At a June 22 meeting in Hardwar (the holy
city where the Ganges meets the plains), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad
announced, "If (Muslims) continue to take the country towards
partition, they will have to stay in refugee camps like in Gujarat."
(see Times of India, June 23, cover page)
These words should not surprise us. A week after the genocide began
here in Gujarat, unrepentant VHP leader Harish Bhai Bhatt
confessed, "Now, it is the end of tolerance. If the Muslims do not
learn, it will be very harmful for them." (as quoted in Mid-Day from
the New York Times, March 6, 2002)
Here in Gujarat I am appalled by the utter lack of remorse. The
architect of the carnage, Narendra Modi, has become a hero in the
eyes of many. A BJP Union Minister from UP told the Telegraph on
March 6, 2002, "He (Modi) has salvaged the party's credibility and
honour in a way no one has done after we came to power in the Centre."
I leave Gujarat with terrible trepidation that if the Sangh Parivar
is not stopped, then the ethnic cleansing of Muslims will continue.
Exaggeration? Since February 28, over 5000 Muslims have been killed,
150,000 forced into camps, and according to Father Cedric Prakash of
Prashant testimony to US Congress, 300 women have been gang raped and
estimated 600,000 Muslims fled the Gujarat state.
Now consider this: the ruling party (BJP) blames Muslims for the
carnage and gains in popularity; the VHP admits to its hand in the
violence and continues to receive foreign funding; and the
international community passively responds.
Gone are the days when we can dismiss the Sangh Parivar as a problem
limited to the borders of India. When VHP President Ashok Singhal
spoke at the Global Vision 2000 conference, he proudly
predicted, "America will realize with this program that Hindutva has
asserted itself and there is no force that can stop it." (India
Today, August 31, 1993)
The information below reveals that perhaps prolific writer Shashi
Tharoor is correct: "exile nurtures extremism." (For Tharoor quote
see www.washpost.com)
A. The VHP of America
The Vishwa Hindu Parisad of America (VHPA) was started in 1970 and
registered in New York State in 1974 as a cultural organization.
Today it is a registered tax exempt Non-Profit [501(c)3] (see the VHP
America website, www.vhp-america.org/)
If you visit the VHPA website, there are two listed chapters of the
VHPA--the headquarters in Houston and a chapter in West Bloomfield,
Michigan. However if you visit the website of the main VHP in India,
it claims, "It has its Chapters in 40 States throughout the US."
(
http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/qVishwa% 20Samanvya/vishvahinduparishadabroad.htm#cultural)
The website of the Michigan chapter insists, "At present Parishad
serves the needs of over 10, 000 Hindu families in USA through its
chapters." (see
http://www.vhp-america.org/michigan/index.html) More distressing are the ties with other groups. Again from the VHP
Website: "VHP of America has been working in close association with
other Hindu organizations such as Ramkrishna Mission, ISKCON, Divine
Life Society, etc¨
(
http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/qVishwa% 20Samanvya/vishvahinduparishadabroad.htm#cultural)
The website of the Michigan VHPA Chapter features an inflammatory
allegation: "Alert! Muslim men getting rewarded for marrying Hindu
girls!" The article is so far-fetched I feel silly responding. Check
it out:
http://www.vhp-america.org/michigan/index.html B. Hindu Students Council
The Hindu Students Council (HSC) was formed in the US in 1990 "as a
project of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America.¨ (taken from the HSC
website, see
http://www.hscnet.org/history.shtml) Today there are 44 chapters of the HSC throughout the US and 6
chapters in Canada. According to an article by Trinity College
Professors B. Mathew and V. Prashad, "The typical HSC is organized
and run by an immigrant graduate male student who has some Sangh
Parivar connections." (see
http://www.hscnet.org/vm.shtml for numbers
of HSC chapters, see
http://www.vhp-america.org/vhp_intro.htm information about groups roots, see
www.geocities.com/indianfascism/fascism/in_usa.htm for Mathew,
Prashad quote)
In 1993 (just 9 months after the destruction of the Babri masjid),
the HSC participated in the Global Vision 2000 conference. The aim of
the conference was, according to the HSC website to "commemorate the
famous Chicago Address of Swami Vivekananda in 1893.¨ But Shahi
Tharoor, the brilliant writer and Indian Senior UN official, raised
questions about the intentions of this conference: "Its organizers
have no claim to the all-embracing tolerance and wisdom of the late
sage. They are the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, whose Vision extends most
famously so far to the destruction of the Babri Mosque at Ayodhya in
northern India last December, an act that unleashed violence and
rioting on scale not seen in India since independence.¨ (For Tharoor
quote see www.washpost.com and
http://www.geocities.com/indianfascism/fascism/in_usa.htm; For proof
of HSC's involvement in conference see
http://www.hscnet.org/history.shtml) The VHP in UK
According to the VHP website, "The VHP work in UK commenced in 1972.
It has branches in various parts of London,and in Leicester,
Manchester, Birmingham, Northampton, Nottingham, Bradford and
Bolton.¨ (see
http://www.vhp-uk.com/Activities/activities.htm) Gautam Appa, London School of Economics, has extensively written on
the Sang Parivar in UK. He writes: "Here in Britain the VHP (UK) and
the HSS have a strong organizational base among Gujaratis from East
Africa. Like its counterpart in India, the VHP (UK) fronts many
organizations. Management committees of many Gujarati temples include
one or two VHP members. There is overlapping membership of the VHP
(UK) and local government-funded centres purporting to cover such
innocuous sounding cultural activities such as language or yoga
classes and prayer group.A key aspiration of all these front
organisations is to work as a bulwark for the promotion of the goals
of the VHP and the RSS in India, including the nefarious goal of
Muslim-bashing. I have seen their information sheets for members
detailing how much money each local government administration spends
on Muslim as opposed to Hindu organisations. Recent reports suggest
that the extreme racist British National Party has approached them
for joint work against Muslims, their common enemy."
(see
http://www.onlinevolunteers.org/gujarat/news/articles/appa.htm) D. The VHP in Canada, Other Parts of the World
According to the VHP website, the VHP Canada was started in 1970. Its
membership continues to expand today and the VHP Canada has pledged
to establish a chapter wherever "even 10 Hindus can be found." (see
http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/qVishwa% 20Samanvya/vishvahinduparishadabroad.htm#canada)
The VHP also has branches in: Zambia, Netherlands, West Germany, Hong
Kong, and a alarmingly growing presence in Sri Lanka. (again see
http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/qVishwa% 20Samanvya/vishvahinduparishadabroad.htm#canada)
E. RSS in US, UK, Other Parts of the World
The website, www.hindubooks.org, gives a brief history of the
evolution of the RSS abroad: "The Sangh Shakha made its debut beyond
the borders in 1946 on a ship sailing from Bombay to Kenya… On
reaching Kenya, they successfully discovered more of their brethren;
and on Makara Sankranti of 1947, the first Shakha of Bharateeya
Swayamsevak Sangh (BSS) was formally founded…Then onwards it has been
continuous growth for the Sangh not only in African countries, but
also in the U.K., Europe, America, Canada and West Indies in the West
and Mayanmar (formerly Burma), Malaysia and Indonesia in the East.
For obvious reasons, the name is not Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
everywhere. In the U.K. and in the small Caribbean states it is Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), in Mayanmar Sanatana Dharma Swayamsevak
Sangh (SDSS), in America Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and in Mauritius the
Hindu Council of Mauritius. Though the names vary, the purpose is the
same - i.e., to organise Hindus, to inculcate proper samskars in
them." (see
http://www.hindubooks.org/WideningHorizons/ch8.html) Go to the website for HSS and it lists all the chapters in the US. In
my home state of California, there are six chapters of HSS; two in
Los Angeles alone. Check out the site: www.hssworld.org
The Indian Express reported that earlier this year, an RSS camp was
held in Bombay exclusively for NRI women. That NRIs would travel all
the way to India for an RSS camp shows that the RSS enjoys
considerable pull. One of the featured activities was "rifle
training." (see www.expressindia.com, January 9, 2002)
2. Non-Profits Working with links to RSS, VHP in India
One of the challenges of linking the VHP India with donors in the US
is the VHPA and HSS appear benign on paper. They are registered as
non-profit groups. Both the VHPA and HSS operate camps, picnics,
homeless feeding drives, education centres—all programs that appear
to be noteworthy. Their websites are cleverly worded and explicitly
state that the VHPA does not give funds to the Ram Mandir
Construction Project in Ayoodha. In fact, the VHPA websites even
issues a condemnation of the violence in Gujarat. (They fail to
condemn their VHP India counterparts who carried out the carnage.)
All foreign money sent to groups in India is carefully monitored by
the Indian government. The RSS and VHP are well-politicized groups
and would not make the blunder to openly solicit for foreign funds. A
considerable amount of funds reaches the RSS and VHP in India through
covert donations by NRIs who visit India and hand over heaps of cash.
But these are cash transactions—there is no proof, no case here.
What we can focus on are the overt donations by NRIs to organizations
with questionable links to the RSS and the VHP. Consider the
following three groups.
A. Sewa International
In its own words, "Sewa International is an umbrella for more than
2000 projects and programs all over India. More than 50000 volunteers
(Swayamsevaks) involved in running the activities. 76 types of
activities. Provides the NRI community and visitors to India, with
information and contacts of all the above mentioned programs. Bridges
the gap between the social service organization and volunteers or
donors." (see
http://www.sewainternational.org/intro.html) Their website even flashes a Gandhi quote on its home page, "Serving
Humanity is Serving God."
The group sounds entirely benign. But if you go to the main website
for the RSS India, it features links for Sewa International (Sewa
International should not be confused with the admirable SEWA Bank
here in Ahmedabad.) (see www.rss.org for link to SEWA International)
Click on the link for Sewa and a distressing page appears. A five
page survey is attached for people to fill out describing the
specifics of their locale. They are asked to list demographics for
their city (by religion, caste, language group), specify their income
(and preferably those around), disclose the assets of their locale
(number of phones, TVs, scooters). Here in Gujarat it was surveys
like these that were used to identify which home and shop belonged to
Muslims. Many of the RSS, VHP have been caught with these lists;
others RSS leaders have even confessed to using lists. Go to
www.riotinfo.com for proof.
On the same RSS website, click the "History" link and the connection
becomes clear. It reads: "During the last 75 years, RSS has spread
across all the regions, states, districts, and cities of Bharat. It
lives in its more than 50,000 shakhas…similar work is on in over 100
countries where volunteers are busy organizing Hindus under different
organizations. Hindu Council, Hindu Swayamsevak Sang (HSS), Sewa
International, Friends of India Society International, etc are some
of them…" (www.rss.org, italics mine)
Both the RSS and Sewa International mention that a relationship
exists between the groups—however casual it may be. But where then is
the proof of money being sent?
On the Sewa International homepage, click on the section
labeled "News." It states that on January 28, 2002, seven Members of
Parliament from UK arrived with wealthy NRIs from England and
handed "a cheque to Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat on
behalf of Sewa International UK for one million pounds for
rehabilitation of earthquake affected in that state through Sewa
Bharati Gujarat." (from www.sewainternational.org)
Note two things: 1) the funds came a year after the earthquake and 2)
The funds were given directly to the government and specifically to
Modi, a RSS member. The same news briefing inficates that Sewa
International had collected a total of 4.3 million British pounds.
(see
http://www.sewainternational.org/newslet.htm) What then is the problem? After all, there is no legal problem with
including a web link to the RSS; nor is there a problem with giving
money to a government official for relief efforts. Look a little
closer on the Sewa International website and the connection can be
seen. Now go the home page for Sewa International. Go to the link
labeled "States" and the Sewa International lists that to facilitate
its work in India, its partners include the VHP, RSS in India.
Again—its possible that Sewa International clearly specified that no
money be sent to the RSS, VHP when they passed the check to Modi. I
stand clearly and say on paper, Sewa International is clean. But I do
believe their links to the VHP, RSS deserve investigation.
Still skeptic? On the Sewa International website, click on the
link "Experiment and Results." Once there click on "Social Harmony"
and you will find the Hindutva doctrine explained and praised openly.
B. India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF)
In its own words, "The name IDRF reflects our interest in the
interaction and convergence of development and relief work,
particularly in relation to the needs and welfare of the poor. As
such, IDRF has a broad focus and does not restrict its activities to
any set of projects. The projects with which IDRF is involved at any
particular time, will always reflect our pledge to create self help,
rather than welfare dependence." (www.idrf.org)
Serve economically and socially disadvantaged people irrespective of
caste, sect, region or religion
Operate, manage and monitor project activities without any overhead
costs." (see www.idrf.org)
According to the website, "As before, the IDRF volunteers were called
upon for self-sacrifice; they immediately plunged into another
special fund-raising campaign: raising around $2.75 million." (bold
theirs, ibid)
IDRF has offices in Freemont, California; Arlington, Massachusetts;
Houston, Texas; Woodbridge, Ontario; Toronto, Ontario; Hyderabad,
India; and its headquarters in North Betheseda, Maryland.
Again perfectly innocent. Click on "Sister Organizations" and it
lists a link to Sewa International and the RSS, VHP as its partners.
(ibid)
One of the links allows you to adopt a child of the "Kargil
Terrorism." (ibid)
As with Sewa International, I will say that IDRF is clean on paper.
But its alliances are suspect.
C. Friends of India Society International (FISI)
The FISI was started in 1976 when India was going through
its "Emergency" and civil rights were suspended.
If we go back to www.hindubooks.org, the site makes references to
FISI and its connection to Hindutva doctrine. It reads: "The
swayamsevaks living abroad played a significant role during the
internal emergency (1975-77) in helping the underground movement from
outside, in every possible way. The two forums, 'Indians for
Democracy' in U.S.A. and 'Friends of India Society' in the U.K., took
upon themselves the task of arranging tours of the leaders of
underground movement for apprising the intelligentsia in their
respective countries, of the actual goings-on in Bharat, and also
acted as conduits of information to foreign correspondents like Jack
Anderson and George Laizle of 'Newsweek' of U.S.A. It was because of
these two forums that the constitutional autocracy of Bharat could be
denuded in the eyes of the world. After lifting of the emergency,
these two forums became one as 'Friends of India Society
International' (FISI) and this society is now trying to build
Bharateeya lobbies in world centres such as Washington and London….
While always upholding the Hindu identity, they inspire the people of
those countries also to recognise the greatness of Bharat and
Hindutwa." (italics, bold, theirs; taken from
http://www.hindubooks.org/WideningHorizons/ch8.html) Prominently on the website (scroll down from the home page) and it
reads, "SAVE THE WORLD…BOYCOTT PAKISTANI BUSINESSES and GOODS."
(bold, caps, theirs, see www.fisiusa.org)
Search the FISI more and click on the link "Gujarat Burning." Some of
the titles that appear include, "Minoritism (sic)—A Promoter to
Muslims," "Muslims equally responsible in participating in riots,"
and my favorite, "Analyzing Muslim Agony."
Unlike Sewa International or IDRF, FISI focuses its attention on
lobbying in DC.
3. Sangh Parivar Presence in Washington, DC
A Washington Post report expouned on the lobbying efforts of the
Sangh Parivar in DC. It says, "Organizations such as the Overseas
Friends of the BJP, the US chapter of the RSS, the VHP (also known as
World Hindu Council), and the Friends of India Society International
are lobbying in and around Capitol Hill in support of ideas both
fanatical and fascistic by many supporters of secular government in
India." (see washpost.com)
A report from the Washington DC bureau of The Times of India
stated, "what nevertheless remains a fact is the persistent lobbying
by Sangh Parivar supporters here." (Times of India, August 1, 1993)
4. Sangh Parivar-Zionist Connection
It is ironic (and tragic) that India would be steered by the Sangh
Parivar towards normalized relations with Israel. Mahatama Gandhi,
affectionately called Bapuji (father) here in India, said, "Palestine
belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the
English." He believed it was "wrong and inhuman to impose the Jews on
the Arabs. What is going on in Palestine today cannot be justified by
any moral code of conduct." (www.washpost.com)
In a Washington Post article by Faisal Kutty, he writes, "In its Aug
1 article, The Times of India reported that Hindutva leaders also
have met both with Clinton administration officials and with Zionist
leaders to bring about a favorable attitude toward the rising
Hindutva tide in India. `It is a known practice that whenever senior
BJP officials leaders visit the US,' The Times of India
reported, `meetings are scheduled with Jewish groups…experts from
prestigious think tanks such as the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace and, if possible, the State Department." (see
washpost.com)
Given the cozy relations between the Zionists and the Sangh Parivar,
it should come as no surprise that this has led to greater
interaction of intelligence efforts. Again from Kutty: "There is
already cooperation in military intelligence and training. In fact,
the former Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani told the Times of
India `Mossad has no conflict of interest with India. Remember the
kind of assistance they gave us during the Kargil conflict.'" (The
Mossad is Israel's equivalent to the CIA. For an expose about the
ruthless exploits of the Mossad, read the disturbing testimony of two
former Mossad agents in By Way of Deception; Kutty quote from
http://www.ummahnews.com/viewarticle.php?sid=967) The ruling BJP makes combating terrorism its staple campaign issue.
As the US seeks support for its "War on Terrorism," India insists it
is bullied by its neighbor, Pakistan—despite the fact India has a
population ten times that of Pakistan, an army that overpowers
Pakistan, and a GNP that dwarfs Pakistan. To assist in this campaign
against terrorism, India has looked towards Israel and even sent
Deputy Prime Minister Advani to Israel. Kutty writes, "The focus of
L. K. Advani's visit was on devising ways to combat terrorism. The
discussions were firmed up during Singh's visit when the two
countries agreed to set up a joint forum to combat terrorism (ie
undermine Kashmiri independence and the Muslim minority). In fact,
according to Professor Barry Rubin of Bar Ilan University, Israel is
the only country helping India to combat so-called Pakistani aided
terrorists." (see
http://www.ummahnews.com/viewarticle.php?sid=967) 5. What Can be Done
Write VHP, HSS, FISI, Sewa International, IDRF
All the websites for the groups above are listed in this article. I
encourage you to write to the VHPA, VHP (UK) and HSS. Inquire about
their histories and their links to the VHP, RSS India. Ask them to
expound their position on their counterparts in India who have
endorsed the Gujarat Carnage. Be courteous and polite when you email
them—many may have joined these organization for the numerable social
programs that these groups sponsor and may be fully unware of the
links to the VHP, RSS in India.
Those still in University should contact their campus chapter of HSC.
Inform them of the HSC's roots in the VHP and share your knowledge of
the VHP with them. Again I assume most students joined because the
name is so innocent—Hindu Students Council. Give them the benefit of
the doubt.
Contact Congressman Joe Pitts (Republican--Pennsylvania)
Congressman Pitts made a brave and commendable statement against the
atrocities in Gujarat. He also expressed concern over possible funds
from the US being sent to radical groups that support the Carnage.
Email him and show your appreciation for his remarks. (and while you
are emailing him, express your support for his proposal for a
memorial to recognize the brutality of slavery in the US) To contact
him, go to:
http://www.house.gov/pitts/service/correspond.htm Explore Legal Avenues to Freeze Assets of Groups
There is talk here of a case being prepared in the US to freeze the
assets of groups that donate to the Sangh Parivar or their
affiliates. There is still considerable research and legwork
involved. If interested, email me at
mithapaan@hotmail.com Engage
Most important meet with the South Asian diaspora, the Muslim
community, professors, activists and anyone interested, and discuss
the disturbing spread of the Sangh Parivar in the West. As the US
continues to add to its list of prohibited "terrorist" organizations,
perhaps the US should consider adding one more.
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