THE ORIGIN OF FOTADAR A RELATIVELY RARE FAMILY NAME: We Kashmiri Brahmans go by Gotras; that is a specific lineage handed-down from an Aryan Rishi. Fotadar is not a Gotra but a title (with an explicit meaning that of a treasurer bestowed upon our ancestor) and when some people erroneously refer to this surname as Fotedar, it then has an absolutely different meaning! Also, no self-respecting Kashmiri Brahman will allow any foreign element to use this family name to enter their family or be planted (staged) skillfully into the family. No matter what backing he or she has. Never for a true Brahman (who genuinely follows the Bhagwad Gita) surely means a Never. As is well known that most Kashmiri Brahmans follow the Bhagwad Gita rather stringently. This means most of us will never deviate from the Bhagwad Gita, nonetheless, due to our ancient solid civilization we do respect all religions, cultures, races, etc. Note what the genuine Bhagwad Gita (not a planted or modified one) vividly mentions on marriage with Mlecchas or out of caste marriage: “When adharma overwhelms the family, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupt; and when, O Krishna, the women are corrupt, there arises a mixing of castes. This mixture leads into hell the family itself as well as those who destroy it; for their ancestors fall, deprived of the offerings of rice-balls and water.” Chapter 1, Verse 40-42. Thus it is the responsibility of us the traditional Kashmiri Brahmans to protect our pure lineage. Our ancestors have sacrificed much to maintain this hence who are we to ignore the sacrifices of our ancestors?
Upinder performing Chubuka Upari (Chin-up) in NYC, 2008. During this period I could surely lift more weights than this. As of now (2022) I am in my seventies; the aim now is to maintain this capability into my eighties as demonstrated in the photograph or even enhance this further if possible! Hopefully, Lord Rudra of Haramukuta (patron god of us Kashmiri Pandits) will assist me in achieving this. Prayers to the Suna (Son in Sanskrit) of Lord Rudra
A photograph (1950s) of the begetter (Pitr), Pandit Narendra Khardoori. Panditji was the direct descendent of Manu. Also apart from being a pretty high level official (he would surely have been even a higher official had he not sacrificed his career for the love of his children) in Bharat, his hobby was wrestling. He was coached by Pandit Gopi Krishna.
Dr. Upinder Fotadar had his schooling at The Lawrence School Sanawar in India and higher education in Europe at the University of Ghent. Following this, he has held academic positions at some of the elite universities, such as the Rockefeller University, University of Texas, etc. Dr. Fotadar was a Guest Investigator (Faculty) at the Rockefeller University.
Dr. Upinder Fotadar has written extensively on political affairs and history in many Indian and international publications, such as The New York Times, Guardian, etc.
Upinder comes from a physically ardent family and he has been the University of Kanpur Lightweight and Middleweight weightlifting champion, and record holder during the period 1969-70.
Moreover, Upinder has been rather fortunate to have traveled extensively, at a young age, in different regions of the world. This has given him a bounteous understanding and appreciation of different people and cultures. He is a citizen of Bharat.
A Praudha Bharatvasi-Koshurbatta, Upinder follows the Rigvedic Lord Rudra of Haramukuta. He venerates Agun (Agni) and interestingly is also a direct descendant of Manu. He is also greatly influenced by Mahrana Pratap and Gandhiji.
"I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any".
-- Mahatma Gandhi
A Simple Protocol for the Generation of Recombinant Adenovirus
