Islamabad, Feb 27: In yet another sign of prevalent utter disarray in the Pakistani establishment, their Navy Chief Noman Bashir on Friday claimed that there is “no proof” behind Indian claims that the lone surviving terrorist Ajmal Kasab had landed in Mumbai to carry out attacks using sea route from Pakistan.
Bashir said that although there is no definitive proof that sea route was used, but even if they indeed came by sea to Mumbai then it is nothing but a failure of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard.
“Even if they (Mumbai attackers) could pass through Pak waters unnoticed, what Navy that’s 10 times bigger than us doing is anybody’s guess,” said Noman.
At the same time, he admitted that patrolling the waters on the Pakistani side of the international border off the Gujarat coast was "difficult" due to the dispute over the Sir Creek.
His claims are in absolute contradiction to the Pakistan Interior Ministry’s reply to the 26/11 dossier in which they had acceded that the persons involved in the attacks were Pakistani nationals and that they had used the sea route to Mumbai.
In fact, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said, while replying to the dossier, that the interrogation of the dealer - of the Yamaha engine fitted on the 11-seater inflatable dinghy, used by the attackers after they abandoned al Kuber boat and was recovered from Badhwar Park in Mumbai – was a crucial link in unravelling the entire operation.
Incidentally, the U-turn by Pakistan comes just two days after the Mumbai Police filed the chargesheet in the 26/11 attacks case and can also be perceived as a measure to derail the investigations in India.
More importantly, the discordant notes in Pakistan also points to the still persisting and well apparent discomfort about owing up the complacency of its nationals in the 26/11 attacks. Even the special public prosecutor in the 26/11 attacks case was fired by President Zardari, earlier today, for claiming that Islamabad had formally asked for the extradition of Ajmal Kasab.
Friday, February 27, 2009
How To Resolve Kashmir
How To Resolve Kashmir
26 Feb 2009, 0000 hrs IST, K Subrahmanyam
Former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri's interview to Karan Thapar has stirred up a lot of interest in his claims on the
results achieved in the backchannel negotiations between New Delhi and Islamabad. Kasuri said that most of the negotiations on Kashmir were successfully completed during his tenure as foreign minister under Pervez Musharraf and draft agreements were ready to be signed. They were to have been signed during the visit of the Indian PM to Pakistan which did not take place, according to Kasuri, because of elections in India, the crisis in Pakistan following the ouster of the supreme court chief justice and subsequent polls and change of government.
There is another view that the Indian government backed off at the last moment. Some informed observers in India maintain that developments in Pakistan came in the way of the agreement being finalised. In this connection it is pertinent to recall the much-criticised comment of national security adviser M K Narayanan in an interview that India found it easier to do business with Musharraf. The latest article by Steve Coll in the New Yorker goes some way in confirming the Indian and not Kasuri's version.
In the last few days US special envoy Richard Holbrooke has been holding discussions with the Pakistani army chief and ISI chief along with senior Afghan officials in Washington on the proposed strategy for the Af-Pak region, especially in the light of the ceasefire agreement reached with the Taliban in the Swat valley. While India is staying out of this meeting, the idea appears to be to persuade the Pakistani army and ISI that the concerns of Pakistan about its eastern front, and often used as an alibi to justify the inadequate response against the al-Qaeda and Taliban, are totally misplaced. Kasuri's revelations and Coll's report should strengthen the hands of Washington.
There is general agreement in India and the US that the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack was carried out by people with the intention of provoking New Delhi to react militarily. This, in turn, would have resulted in Pakistan shifting forces from its western to eastern borders and arguing that it was unable to effectively support the US-NATO strategy in Afghanistan. India, however, did not walk into the trap. It is obvious that some people would not like to see a solution to Kashmir as envisaged in the Indo-Pak backchannel dialogue. It would also appear that such opposition may not be restricted to a small group in Pakistan but may extend to a much larger section that is not interested in a bilateral solution to Kashmir but to continually bleed India through a thousand cuts. It is unfortunate that the Simla Pact efforts to solve Kashmir bilaterally were torpedoed and the Lahore Declaration was followed by the Kargil infiltration.
There are reasons to worry whether there is continuity of policy and approach in Pakistan. General Kayani was fully in the picture, according to both Kasuri and Coll, and was supportive of the draft agreement arrived at on Kashmir. However, the present government and army chief have discarded Musharraf's version of A Q Khan being the sole nuclear proliferator. According to the findings of the Islamabad high court, the charges against Khan were not substantiated. If this was so, who authorised the proliferation from Pakistan to North Korea, Iran and Libya? For reasons best known to them, the present rulers of Pakistan have decided to repudiate past policy.
Can we be sure that in respect of the backchannel understanding on Kashmir the current regime has not repudiated that too, as they have done with the version on Khan? If the Pakistani government feels bound by that backchannel understanding, why did they use the eastern border as a security concern preventing their full cooperation against Taliban? Two books by journalists David Sanger and Ron Susskind quote intercepts of telephone conversations in which Pakistani generals had referred to Taliban leaders Haqqani and Mullah Omar as strategic assets. Musharraf was prepared to assure the Americans of his cooperation to fight Taliban and at the same time use them.
If we are able to conclude a mutually satisfactory arrangement between India and Pakistan, which is also acceptable to the people of Kashmir, we should go ahead with it. But before we do that, we have to be sure that the backchannel understanding is not one more instance of running with the hares and hunting with the hounds. Second, we have to be sure that the present army leadership still stands by the understanding reached earlier and has not changed its mind as it has done in the case of Khan. The result of the repudiation of the earlier story on Khan is to restore the image of Pakistan and hold a pistol to the head of the US about the consequences of not giving full aid.
Now that Kasuri and Coll have spilt the beans, the Indian government should organise an education campaign, especially among US think tanks, that a framework for a Kashmiri settlement already exists. And as US president Barack Obama pointed out, Pakistan does not have to worry about any threat from its eastern border; its threats are from within. But the Pakistani army's leadership is yet to be convinced that Taliban is a threat and not an asset and Khan was a proliferator.
The writer is a Delhi-based strategic affairs analyst.
From THE TIMES OF INDIA 26, February 2009
26 Feb 2009, 0000 hrs IST, K Subrahmanyam
Former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri's interview to Karan Thapar has stirred up a lot of interest in his claims on the
results achieved in the backchannel negotiations between New Delhi and Islamabad. Kasuri said that most of the negotiations on Kashmir were successfully completed during his tenure as foreign minister under Pervez Musharraf and draft agreements were ready to be signed. They were to have been signed during the visit of the Indian PM to Pakistan which did not take place, according to Kasuri, because of elections in India, the crisis in Pakistan following the ouster of the supreme court chief justice and subsequent polls and change of government.
There is another view that the Indian government backed off at the last moment. Some informed observers in India maintain that developments in Pakistan came in the way of the agreement being finalised. In this connection it is pertinent to recall the much-criticised comment of national security adviser M K Narayanan in an interview that India found it easier to do business with Musharraf. The latest article by Steve Coll in the New Yorker goes some way in confirming the Indian and not Kasuri's version.
In the last few days US special envoy Richard Holbrooke has been holding discussions with the Pakistani army chief and ISI chief along with senior Afghan officials in Washington on the proposed strategy for the Af-Pak region, especially in the light of the ceasefire agreement reached with the Taliban in the Swat valley. While India is staying out of this meeting, the idea appears to be to persuade the Pakistani army and ISI that the concerns of Pakistan about its eastern front, and often used as an alibi to justify the inadequate response against the al-Qaeda and Taliban, are totally misplaced. Kasuri's revelations and Coll's report should strengthen the hands of Washington.
There is general agreement in India and the US that the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack was carried out by people with the intention of provoking New Delhi to react militarily. This, in turn, would have resulted in Pakistan shifting forces from its western to eastern borders and arguing that it was unable to effectively support the US-NATO strategy in Afghanistan. India, however, did not walk into the trap. It is obvious that some people would not like to see a solution to Kashmir as envisaged in the Indo-Pak backchannel dialogue. It would also appear that such opposition may not be restricted to a small group in Pakistan but may extend to a much larger section that is not interested in a bilateral solution to Kashmir but to continually bleed India through a thousand cuts. It is unfortunate that the Simla Pact efforts to solve Kashmir bilaterally were torpedoed and the Lahore Declaration was followed by the Kargil infiltration.
There are reasons to worry whether there is continuity of policy and approach in Pakistan. General Kayani was fully in the picture, according to both Kasuri and Coll, and was supportive of the draft agreement arrived at on Kashmir. However, the present government and army chief have discarded Musharraf's version of A Q Khan being the sole nuclear proliferator. According to the findings of the Islamabad high court, the charges against Khan were not substantiated. If this was so, who authorised the proliferation from Pakistan to North Korea, Iran and Libya? For reasons best known to them, the present rulers of Pakistan have decided to repudiate past policy.
Can we be sure that in respect of the backchannel understanding on Kashmir the current regime has not repudiated that too, as they have done with the version on Khan? If the Pakistani government feels bound by that backchannel understanding, why did they use the eastern border as a security concern preventing their full cooperation against Taliban? Two books by journalists David Sanger and Ron Susskind quote intercepts of telephone conversations in which Pakistani generals had referred to Taliban leaders Haqqani and Mullah Omar as strategic assets. Musharraf was prepared to assure the Americans of his cooperation to fight Taliban and at the same time use them.
If we are able to conclude a mutually satisfactory arrangement between India and Pakistan, which is also acceptable to the people of Kashmir, we should go ahead with it. But before we do that, we have to be sure that the backchannel understanding is not one more instance of running with the hares and hunting with the hounds. Second, we have to be sure that the present army leadership still stands by the understanding reached earlier and has not changed its mind as it has done in the case of Khan. The result of the repudiation of the earlier story on Khan is to restore the image of Pakistan and hold a pistol to the head of the US about the consequences of not giving full aid.
Now that Kasuri and Coll have spilt the beans, the Indian government should organise an education campaign, especially among US think tanks, that a framework for a Kashmiri settlement already exists. And as US president Barack Obama pointed out, Pakistan does not have to worry about any threat from its eastern border; its threats are from within. But the Pakistani army's leadership is yet to be convinced that Taliban is a threat and not an asset and Khan was a proliferator.
The writer is a Delhi-based strategic affairs analyst.
From THE TIMES OF INDIA 26, February 2009
There is a way to live without terror: Martin Luther King
There is a way to live without terror: Martin Luther King
Special Correspondent
AMBASSADOR OF PEACE: Martin Luther King III, addressing students of P.S.B.B. Senior Secondary School in Chennai on Wednesday. —
CHENNAI: Half a century ago, Martin Luther King Jr. adopted Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence as his key weapon in the fight against segregation and racial discrimination in America. Today, his son wants to adapt the policy to win the war against global terrorism.
“We have got to find out what makes them terrorists…we have to show them that there is a way for you to live and achieve happiness for your family without terror, without hurting others,” Martin Luther King III told city school students in Chennai on Wednesday. He is in the city, recreating the pilgrimage that his parents undertook to India 50 years ago.
Echoing his father’s attitude towards the segregationists of his era, Mr. King said the only way to fight terror was its victims extending the olive branch and showing love to the very people hurting them. “The example of non-violence ultimately transforms lives,” he told a student from Vidyodaya Matriculation and Higher Secondary School, who asked how non-violence could be used to combat terror. “We need to show them that we can live together as brothers so that we won’t have to perish together as fools.”
Mr. King and members of his organisation, Realising the Dream, will travel to Kenya, Israel and the other troubled parts of the world to spread the same message before returning to India in a year’s time.
He doesn’t think the new wars needing a non-violent arsenal means that the old battles have been won. Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States is one aspect of the dream fulfilled, a sign that his country has come a long way in fighting racism. However, Mr. King pointed to a controversial cartoon seeming to depict Mr. Obama as a chimpanzee published in the New York Post last week as evidence that that battle was not ever yet.
The situation was even worse when it came to the other two aspects of the historic, “I Have A Dream” speech. “In relation to poverty and militarism, we have made almost no progress,” he said in a blunt assessment. The US economy was built around militarism, he said, adding, “We have to build an economy around peace.”
His claim to fame may lie in the past, anchored around those images of the young boy at his father’s funeral, but Mr. King is taking the message to the future. “His words will resonate for decades to come, just like his father’s,” said a Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan student after Mr. King urged students toward a life-long commitment to love, non-violence and becoming the best they can be.
For the 700 students crowded into the PSBB auditorium, he seemed to provide a slogan for the future as he led them in a rousing chant: spread the word, have you heard, all around the world – we are going to be a great generation.
From THE HINDU 26, February 2009
Special Correspondent
AMBASSADOR OF PEACE: Martin Luther King III, addressing students of P.S.B.B. Senior Secondary School in Chennai on Wednesday. —
CHENNAI: Half a century ago, Martin Luther King Jr. adopted Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence as his key weapon in the fight against segregation and racial discrimination in America. Today, his son wants to adapt the policy to win the war against global terrorism.
“We have got to find out what makes them terrorists…we have to show them that there is a way for you to live and achieve happiness for your family without terror, without hurting others,” Martin Luther King III told city school students in Chennai on Wednesday. He is in the city, recreating the pilgrimage that his parents undertook to India 50 years ago.
Echoing his father’s attitude towards the segregationists of his era, Mr. King said the only way to fight terror was its victims extending the olive branch and showing love to the very people hurting them. “The example of non-violence ultimately transforms lives,” he told a student from Vidyodaya Matriculation and Higher Secondary School, who asked how non-violence could be used to combat terror. “We need to show them that we can live together as brothers so that we won’t have to perish together as fools.”
Mr. King and members of his organisation, Realising the Dream, will travel to Kenya, Israel and the other troubled parts of the world to spread the same message before returning to India in a year’s time.
He doesn’t think the new wars needing a non-violent arsenal means that the old battles have been won. Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States is one aspect of the dream fulfilled, a sign that his country has come a long way in fighting racism. However, Mr. King pointed to a controversial cartoon seeming to depict Mr. Obama as a chimpanzee published in the New York Post last week as evidence that that battle was not ever yet.
The situation was even worse when it came to the other two aspects of the historic, “I Have A Dream” speech. “In relation to poverty and militarism, we have made almost no progress,” he said in a blunt assessment. The US economy was built around militarism, he said, adding, “We have to build an economy around peace.”
His claim to fame may lie in the past, anchored around those images of the young boy at his father’s funeral, but Mr. King is taking the message to the future. “His words will resonate for decades to come, just like his father’s,” said a Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan student after Mr. King urged students toward a life-long commitment to love, non-violence and becoming the best they can be.
For the 700 students crowded into the PSBB auditorium, he seemed to provide a slogan for the future as he led them in a rousing chant: spread the word, have you heard, all around the world – we are going to be a great generation.
From THE HINDU 26, February 2009
There is a way to live without terror: Martin Luther King
There is a way to live without terror: Martin Luther King
Special Correspondent
AMBASSADOR OF PEACE: Martin Luther King III, addressing students of P.S.B.B. Senior Secondary School in Chennai on Wednesday. —
CHENNAI: Half a century ago, Martin Luther King Jr. adopted Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence as his key weapon in the fight against segregation and racial discrimination in America. Today, his son wants to adapt the policy to win the war against global terrorism.
“We have got to find out what makes them terrorists…we have to show them that there is a way for you to live and achieve happiness for your family without terror, without hurting others,” Martin Luther King III told city school students in Chennai on Wednesday. He is in the city, recreating the pilgrimage that his parents undertook to India 50 years ago.
Echoing his father’s attitude towards the segregationists of his era, Mr. King said the only way to fight terror was its victims extending the olive branch and showing love to the very people hurting them. “The example of non-violence ultimately transforms lives,” he told a student from Vidyodaya Matriculation and Higher Secondary School, who asked how non-violence could be used to combat terror. “We need to show them that we can live together as brothers so that we won’t have to perish together as fools.”
Mr. King and members of his organisation, Realising the Dream, will travel to Kenya, Israel and the other troubled parts of the world to spread the same message before returning to India in a year’s time.
He doesn’t think the new wars needing a non-violent arsenal means that the old battles have been won. Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States is one aspect of the dream fulfilled, a sign that his country has come a long way in fighting racism. However, Mr. King pointed to a controversial cartoon seeming to depict Mr. Obama as a chimpanzee published in the New York Post last week as evidence that that battle was not ever yet.
The situation was even worse when it came to the other two aspects of the historic, “I Have A Dream” speech. “In relation to poverty and militarism, we have made almost no progress,” he said in a blunt assessment. The US economy was built around militarism, he said, adding, “We have to build an economy around peace.”
His claim to fame may lie in the past, anchored around those images of the young boy at his father’s funeral, but Mr. King is taking the message to the future. “His words will resonate for decades to come, just like his father’s,” said a Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan student after Mr. King urged students toward a life-long commitment to love, non-violence and becoming the best they can be.
For the 700 students crowded into the PSBB auditorium, he seemed to provide a slogan for the future as he led them in a rousing chant: spread the word, have you heard, all around the world – we are going to be a great generation.
From THE HINDU 26, February 2009
Special Correspondent
AMBASSADOR OF PEACE: Martin Luther King III, addressing students of P.S.B.B. Senior Secondary School in Chennai on Wednesday. —
CHENNAI: Half a century ago, Martin Luther King Jr. adopted Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence as his key weapon in the fight against segregation and racial discrimination in America. Today, his son wants to adapt the policy to win the war against global terrorism.
“We have got to find out what makes them terrorists…we have to show them that there is a way for you to live and achieve happiness for your family without terror, without hurting others,” Martin Luther King III told city school students in Chennai on Wednesday. He is in the city, recreating the pilgrimage that his parents undertook to India 50 years ago.
Echoing his father’s attitude towards the segregationists of his era, Mr. King said the only way to fight terror was its victims extending the olive branch and showing love to the very people hurting them. “The example of non-violence ultimately transforms lives,” he told a student from Vidyodaya Matriculation and Higher Secondary School, who asked how non-violence could be used to combat terror. “We need to show them that we can live together as brothers so that we won’t have to perish together as fools.”
Mr. King and members of his organisation, Realising the Dream, will travel to Kenya, Israel and the other troubled parts of the world to spread the same message before returning to India in a year’s time.
He doesn’t think the new wars needing a non-violent arsenal means that the old battles have been won. Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States is one aspect of the dream fulfilled, a sign that his country has come a long way in fighting racism. However, Mr. King pointed to a controversial cartoon seeming to depict Mr. Obama as a chimpanzee published in the New York Post last week as evidence that that battle was not ever yet.
The situation was even worse when it came to the other two aspects of the historic, “I Have A Dream” speech. “In relation to poverty and militarism, we have made almost no progress,” he said in a blunt assessment. The US economy was built around militarism, he said, adding, “We have to build an economy around peace.”
His claim to fame may lie in the past, anchored around those images of the young boy at his father’s funeral, but Mr. King is taking the message to the future. “His words will resonate for decades to come, just like his father’s,” said a Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan student after Mr. King urged students toward a life-long commitment to love, non-violence and becoming the best they can be.
For the 700 students crowded into the PSBB auditorium, he seemed to provide a slogan for the future as he led them in a rousing chant: spread the word, have you heard, all around the world – we are going to be a great generation.
From THE HINDU 26, February 2009
There is a way to live without terror: Martin Luther King
There is a way to live without terror: Martin Luther King
Special Correspondent
AMBASSADOR OF PEACE: Martin Luther King III, addressing students of P.S.B.B. Senior Secondary School in Chennai on Wednesday. —
CHENNAI: Half a century ago, Martin Luther King Jr. adopted Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence as his key weapon in the fight against segregation and racial discrimination in America. Today, his son wants to adapt the policy to win the war against global terrorism.
“We have got to find out what makes them terrorists…we have to show them that there is a way for you to live and achieve happiness for your family without terror, without hurting others,” Martin Luther King III told city school students in Chennai on Wednesday. He is in the city, recreating the pilgrimage that his parents undertook to India 50 years ago.
Echoing his father’s attitude towards the segregationists of his era, Mr. King said the only way to fight terror was its victims extending the olive branch and showing love to the very people hurting them. “The example of non-violence ultimately transforms lives,” he told a student from Vidyodaya Matriculation and Higher Secondary School, who asked how non-violence could be used to combat terror. “We need to show them that we can live together as brothers so that we won’t have to perish together as fools.”
Mr. King and members of his organisation, Realising the Dream, will travel to Kenya, Israel and the other troubled parts of the world to spread the same message before returning to India in a year’s time.
He doesn’t think the new wars needing a non-violent arsenal means that the old battles have been won. Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States is one aspect of the dream fulfilled, a sign that his country has come a long way in fighting racism. However, Mr. King pointed to a controversial cartoon seeming to depict Mr. Obama as a chimpanzee published in the New York Post last week as evidence that that battle was not ever yet.
The situation was even worse when it came to the other two aspects of the historic, “I Have A Dream” speech. “In relation to poverty and militarism, we have made almost no progress,” he said in a blunt assessment. The US economy was built around militarism, he said, adding, “We have to build an economy around peace.”
His claim to fame may lie in the past, anchored around those images of the young boy at his father’s funeral, but Mr. King is taking the message to the future. “His words will resonate for decades to come, just like his father’s,” said a Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan student after Mr. King urged students toward a life-long commitment to love, non-violence and becoming the best they can be.
For the 700 students crowded into the PSBB auditorium, he seemed to provide a slogan for the future as he led them in a rousing chant: spread the word, have you heard, all around the world – we are going to be a great generation.
From THE HINDU 26, February 2009
Special Correspondent
AMBASSADOR OF PEACE: Martin Luther King III, addressing students of P.S.B.B. Senior Secondary School in Chennai on Wednesday. —
CHENNAI: Half a century ago, Martin Luther King Jr. adopted Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence as his key weapon in the fight against segregation and racial discrimination in America. Today, his son wants to adapt the policy to win the war against global terrorism.
“We have got to find out what makes them terrorists…we have to show them that there is a way for you to live and achieve happiness for your family without terror, without hurting others,” Martin Luther King III told city school students in Chennai on Wednesday. He is in the city, recreating the pilgrimage that his parents undertook to India 50 years ago.
Echoing his father’s attitude towards the segregationists of his era, Mr. King said the only way to fight terror was its victims extending the olive branch and showing love to the very people hurting them. “The example of non-violence ultimately transforms lives,” he told a student from Vidyodaya Matriculation and Higher Secondary School, who asked how non-violence could be used to combat terror. “We need to show them that we can live together as brothers so that we won’t have to perish together as fools.”
Mr. King and members of his organisation, Realising the Dream, will travel to Kenya, Israel and the other troubled parts of the world to spread the same message before returning to India in a year’s time.
He doesn’t think the new wars needing a non-violent arsenal means that the old battles have been won. Barack Obama’s election as President of the United States is one aspect of the dream fulfilled, a sign that his country has come a long way in fighting racism. However, Mr. King pointed to a controversial cartoon seeming to depict Mr. Obama as a chimpanzee published in the New York Post last week as evidence that that battle was not ever yet.
The situation was even worse when it came to the other two aspects of the historic, “I Have A Dream” speech. “In relation to poverty and militarism, we have made almost no progress,” he said in a blunt assessment. The US economy was built around militarism, he said, adding, “We have to build an economy around peace.”
His claim to fame may lie in the past, anchored around those images of the young boy at his father’s funeral, but Mr. King is taking the message to the future. “His words will resonate for decades to come, just like his father’s,” said a Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan student after Mr. King urged students toward a life-long commitment to love, non-violence and becoming the best they can be.
For the 700 students crowded into the PSBB auditorium, he seemed to provide a slogan for the future as he led them in a rousing chant: spread the word, have you heard, all around the world – we are going to be a great generation.
From THE HINDU 26, February 2009
Surrender a ‘mistake’, says top Maoist leader
Correspondent
MAHABUBNAGAR: Top Maoist leader Konapuri Ilaiah alias Sambasivudu felt that he had committed a mistake by surrendering to th e police, because 81 cases, including murder, have been registered against him. He said this was in total contradiction to the assurance given to him by a senior Congress leader from Nalgonda district.
Sambasivudu expressed his anguish to local advocates when he was brought to the Kodangal Junior Civil Magistrate Jayasimha Rao in connection with his alleged involvement in the murder case of C. Narsi Reddy, legislator and ten others on August 15, 2005, in Narayanpet of Mahabubnagar district. Mr. Jayasimha Rao is presently in-charge of Narayanpet court as the Magistrate there had proceeded on leave.
Mr. Sambasivudu is stated to have been distressed over the harassment being meted out to him by the police.
He reportedly told the advocates that the Congress leader had promised early rehabilitation if he surrendered.
The leader had also promised that no cases would be registered against him. The Maoist ‘condemned’ a report about 3,000 former CPI-ML activists joining the Praja Rajyam as ‘false’. The advocates revealed this information to waiting local media persons.
Remanded till March 9
Sambasivudu was remanded till March 9. He was brought here in connection with his alleged involvement in killing of C. Narsi Reddy MLA, Maktal, and 10 others at Narayanpet in the district. –Correspondent
MAHABUBNAGAR: Top Maoist leader Konapuri Ilaiah alias Sambasivudu felt that he had committed a mistake by surrendering to th e police, because 81 cases, including murder, have been registered against him. He said this was in total contradiction to the assurance given to him by a senior Congress leader from Nalgonda district.
Sambasivudu expressed his anguish to local advocates when he was brought to the Kodangal Junior Civil Magistrate Jayasimha Rao in connection with his alleged involvement in the murder case of C. Narsi Reddy, legislator and ten others on August 15, 2005, in Narayanpet of Mahabubnagar district. Mr. Jayasimha Rao is presently in-charge of Narayanpet court as the Magistrate there had proceeded on leave.
Mr. Sambasivudu is stated to have been distressed over the harassment being meted out to him by the police.
He reportedly told the advocates that the Congress leader had promised early rehabilitation if he surrendered.
The leader had also promised that no cases would be registered against him. The Maoist ‘condemned’ a report about 3,000 former CPI-ML activists joining the Praja Rajyam as ‘false’. The advocates revealed this information to waiting local media persons.
Remanded till March 9
Sambasivudu was remanded till March 9. He was brought here in connection with his alleged involvement in killing of C. Narsi Reddy MLA, Maktal, and 10 others at Narayanpet in the district. –Correspondent
It is advantage NDA in LS polls
It is advantage NDA in LS polls
Anita Saluja
First Published : 26 Feb 2009 01:34:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 26 Feb 2009 09:49:09 AM IST
NEW DELHI: Big and uncertain states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal will determine the final outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, besides UP and Bihar where small shifts will make all the difference in the formation of the 15th Lok Sabha.
As per the study conducted by Economic and Political Weekly, the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA cannot sweep the polls, nor can they be swept aside in the coming elections. What will decide the final outcome is the result in every single seat, the smallest of shifts.
With the decline in the incumbency factor, the NDA has an edge over the UPA, since there are as many as 84 seats that are under the former, which includes Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Punjab and Bihar, while only 55 seats are under the UPA, including Tamil Nadu, Assam, Goa, which will stand for a mid-term review.
It is advantage NDA when it comes to the States where elections were recently held - in states like Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and also Himachal Pradesh, Tripura and Meghalaya. In these 116 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP has a slight advantage, because 72 of these seats are in states where the party will press its probationary advantage.
The UPA has a bigger stake in the States which go to the polls simultaneously with the State elections or after a year. Under this category come Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Sikkim, Orissa, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh, which account for 137 seats in the Lok Sabha. Orissa is the only NDAruled state. Since these states are not the routine oscillation states, it is not easy to project the outcome simply on past performance and pattern.
In Andhra Pradesh a new political formation (Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam) has cropped up and in Haryana, Bhajan Lal’s Haryana Janhit Congress could lead to a new configuration of the party system.
While in Jharkhand there could be an unpredictable response due to the political mess, in Maharashtra and Orissa the ruling coalitions have a long incumbency to defend.
From THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS 26, February 2009
Anita Saluja
First Published : 26 Feb 2009 01:34:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 26 Feb 2009 09:49:09 AM IST
NEW DELHI: Big and uncertain states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal will determine the final outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, besides UP and Bihar where small shifts will make all the difference in the formation of the 15th Lok Sabha.
As per the study conducted by Economic and Political Weekly, the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA cannot sweep the polls, nor can they be swept aside in the coming elections. What will decide the final outcome is the result in every single seat, the smallest of shifts.
With the decline in the incumbency factor, the NDA has an edge over the UPA, since there are as many as 84 seats that are under the former, which includes Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Punjab and Bihar, while only 55 seats are under the UPA, including Tamil Nadu, Assam, Goa, which will stand for a mid-term review.
It is advantage NDA when it comes to the States where elections were recently held - in states like Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Delhi, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and also Himachal Pradesh, Tripura and Meghalaya. In these 116 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP has a slight advantage, because 72 of these seats are in states where the party will press its probationary advantage.
The UPA has a bigger stake in the States which go to the polls simultaneously with the State elections or after a year. Under this category come Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Sikkim, Orissa, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh, which account for 137 seats in the Lok Sabha. Orissa is the only NDAruled state. Since these states are not the routine oscillation states, it is not easy to project the outcome simply on past performance and pattern.
In Andhra Pradesh a new political formation (Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam) has cropped up and in Haryana, Bhajan Lal’s Haryana Janhit Congress could lead to a new configuration of the party system.
While in Jharkhand there could be an unpredictable response due to the political mess, in Maharashtra and Orissa the ruling coalitions have a long incumbency to defend.
From THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS 26, February 2009
The disaster of ‘me, me’
The disaster of ‘me, me’
S Gurumurthy
First Published : 26 Feb 2009 02:13:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 26 Feb 2009 08:21:55 AM IST
This happened in Mangalore as February 14 — now marketed as Valentine’s Day by traders to sell their wares — was approaching.
Upset with public drinking by boys and girls, a freak by name Pramod Muthalik got mad. He got some of them in a pub beaten up like their parents would do, but unlike them. He had informed the media about his show so that the news cameras were in place to telecast the Muthalik action everywhere. Thus the Muthalik show was a joint venture between him and the media to keep away the state police, which could spoil the show. Predictably, the whole world pounced on poor Yeddyurappa who heads the BJP government in Karnataka for allowing Muthalik to take the law into his hands. The BJP, ever torn between its love of Hindu culture and its desire for a modern image, was greatly embarrassed. With the BJP in power in Karnataka, Muthalik knew the publicity value of his show. Had he enacted his theatre elsewhere, like when the Shiv Sena raided pubs years ago in Mumbai and Pune under the ‘secular’ Congress rule, it would have been far less noisy.
More. By just one mad act, Muthalik turned many, including a minister, into full-scale lunatics. Renuka Chowdhury, a minister of state, supported a “pub bharo andolan” to take on Muthalik, thus openly encouraging young boys and girls to take to mass drinking in public. And believe it or not, her portfolio is Women and Child Development. Came an even more mad response to Muthalik’s take on Valentine’s Day. “I support every kind of love, heterosexual, transgender, marital, extramarital”.
This is Arundhati Roy sermonising to youths. Why she left out incest from her catalogue of love is not clear. Now, take the secular media. It quickly equated pubgoing with individual rights, and held Muthalik as an offender against human rights. Evidently, the mad act of a freak Hindu in a distant corner of India is sufficient to turn the whole of secular India into lunatics. Now move away from this trivia to the danger to which Renukas and Arundhatis expose the nation’s economy.
The current Indian discourse on individual and human rights, which tends to smuggle in even gay and lesbian rights, apes the West. As India attempts to copy the West, it clearly misses the serious economic issues that confront West, thanks to its obsession with unfettered individual and human rights. Many in the West now seem to realise that continuously undermining the moral and social order has led to the present economic crisis. The West did not slide overnight. Beginning from the late 19th century, the Anglo-American West gradually moved away from a relation- based lifestyle to a contract-based lifestyle.
While culture and tradition govern relation, law and rights inhere in contracts.
And this move from relation to contracts became almost complete in the second half of the 20th century. With law overriding relations, even parents could not curb the rights of their wards once they legally matured.
It is the other way. If they acted against their wards, the law would punish the parents for child abuse. So contracts replaced relations, and rule of law substituted for moral order. To what effect? The rise of unfettered individualism and undefined feminism have led to the erosion of families and a rise in divorces, singleparent families, unwed mothers, lesbians, gays and almost the collapse of traditional families. Over 50 per cent of the first marriages, 67 per cent of the second marriages, and 74 per cent of the third marriages end in divorce in the US. Over 40 per cent of births are outside wedlock. Almost half of the families are headed by a single parent.
The number is more in most of Europe. It was seen as cultural erosion first. But slowly it has turned into an economic disaster.
The contract-based model undermined families and led to low or no household savings, high personal debt, credit card based living, outsourcing of household functions including kitchen work. The erosion in relation-based lifestyle soon imposed a huge social security burden on the state because the family mechanism that supported the unemployed, infirm, aged and the rest and the state had to step in to aid them. Thus the family functions were taken over by the state. The families were nationalised. The overburdened state consequently had to shed its traditional functions, like public works, and privatise itself.
The socialisation of family functions obviated the need to save for a rainy day and led to even lower savings. With the growth of individualism to the exclusion of kinship and relations, corporates and the state alike promoted unrestrained consumerism.
Result, some 110 millions US households have some 1.2 billion credit cards, almost a dozen cards per household.
As the people saved less and spent more, they got into trillions of dollars of private debt; and as the government spent more, it also ran into tens of trillions of dollars of public debt. The result is that the government is bankrupt and so households are insolvent. More, the US, the largest creditor nation of the world three decades ago, is today the number one debtor of the world, with $12.5 trillion of debt.
A quick survey shows this: all individual- centric economies are deep in debt; but nations more family-oriented and less individual- centric, like Japan, China, India, and generally Asian nations, account for over three-fourths of global savings; the individualist West lives off the savings of family-centric Asia. Today the West says that, in the present crisis only Asia, which has huge savings thanks to family orientation, can save the West, which has almost lost its traditional family lifestyle.
So the idea of unbridled human rights and unrestrained personal freedom that have led to social and cultural degeneration are increasingly seen as the cause of the present economic crisis. Weeks ago, Thomas L Friedman, a leading economic journalist, wrote in the New York Times that he had told those eating in a restaurant that they could no more afford to eat out and they had better cook and eat at home. But how will they cook and eat at home unless families are re-created? If they do, how would the US compensate for loss of employment if restaurants, which exist because households have closed their kitchens, shut down? There seems to be no solution within economic laws to the present crisis of the West. Amoral economics once yielded higher returns. It now yields negative returns.
Here Renukas and Arundhatis advocate unbridled individualism that has undermined families and morals and dynamited the economies of the West. Renuka questions the idea public morals. Arundhati advocates amoral living. Both seem unaware that an economy built at the cost of family and social morals, too collapses on the ruins of the morals it has brought down. QED: morality supports economics; lack of it ruins economies
comment@gurumurthy.net
About the author:
S Gurumurthy is a well-known commentator on political and economic issues
S Gurumurthy
First Published : 26 Feb 2009 02:13:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 26 Feb 2009 08:21:55 AM IST
This happened in Mangalore as February 14 — now marketed as Valentine’s Day by traders to sell their wares — was approaching.
Upset with public drinking by boys and girls, a freak by name Pramod Muthalik got mad. He got some of them in a pub beaten up like their parents would do, but unlike them. He had informed the media about his show so that the news cameras were in place to telecast the Muthalik action everywhere. Thus the Muthalik show was a joint venture between him and the media to keep away the state police, which could spoil the show. Predictably, the whole world pounced on poor Yeddyurappa who heads the BJP government in Karnataka for allowing Muthalik to take the law into his hands. The BJP, ever torn between its love of Hindu culture and its desire for a modern image, was greatly embarrassed. With the BJP in power in Karnataka, Muthalik knew the publicity value of his show. Had he enacted his theatre elsewhere, like when the Shiv Sena raided pubs years ago in Mumbai and Pune under the ‘secular’ Congress rule, it would have been far less noisy.
More. By just one mad act, Muthalik turned many, including a minister, into full-scale lunatics. Renuka Chowdhury, a minister of state, supported a “pub bharo andolan” to take on Muthalik, thus openly encouraging young boys and girls to take to mass drinking in public. And believe it or not, her portfolio is Women and Child Development. Came an even more mad response to Muthalik’s take on Valentine’s Day. “I support every kind of love, heterosexual, transgender, marital, extramarital”.
This is Arundhati Roy sermonising to youths. Why she left out incest from her catalogue of love is not clear. Now, take the secular media. It quickly equated pubgoing with individual rights, and held Muthalik as an offender against human rights. Evidently, the mad act of a freak Hindu in a distant corner of India is sufficient to turn the whole of secular India into lunatics. Now move away from this trivia to the danger to which Renukas and Arundhatis expose the nation’s economy.
The current Indian discourse on individual and human rights, which tends to smuggle in even gay and lesbian rights, apes the West. As India attempts to copy the West, it clearly misses the serious economic issues that confront West, thanks to its obsession with unfettered individual and human rights. Many in the West now seem to realise that continuously undermining the moral and social order has led to the present economic crisis. The West did not slide overnight. Beginning from the late 19th century, the Anglo-American West gradually moved away from a relation- based lifestyle to a contract-based lifestyle.
While culture and tradition govern relation, law and rights inhere in contracts.
And this move from relation to contracts became almost complete in the second half of the 20th century. With law overriding relations, even parents could not curb the rights of their wards once they legally matured.
It is the other way. If they acted against their wards, the law would punish the parents for child abuse. So contracts replaced relations, and rule of law substituted for moral order. To what effect? The rise of unfettered individualism and undefined feminism have led to the erosion of families and a rise in divorces, singleparent families, unwed mothers, lesbians, gays and almost the collapse of traditional families. Over 50 per cent of the first marriages, 67 per cent of the second marriages, and 74 per cent of the third marriages end in divorce in the US. Over 40 per cent of births are outside wedlock. Almost half of the families are headed by a single parent.
The number is more in most of Europe. It was seen as cultural erosion first. But slowly it has turned into an economic disaster.
The contract-based model undermined families and led to low or no household savings, high personal debt, credit card based living, outsourcing of household functions including kitchen work. The erosion in relation-based lifestyle soon imposed a huge social security burden on the state because the family mechanism that supported the unemployed, infirm, aged and the rest and the state had to step in to aid them. Thus the family functions were taken over by the state. The families were nationalised. The overburdened state consequently had to shed its traditional functions, like public works, and privatise itself.
The socialisation of family functions obviated the need to save for a rainy day and led to even lower savings. With the growth of individualism to the exclusion of kinship and relations, corporates and the state alike promoted unrestrained consumerism.
Result, some 110 millions US households have some 1.2 billion credit cards, almost a dozen cards per household.
As the people saved less and spent more, they got into trillions of dollars of private debt; and as the government spent more, it also ran into tens of trillions of dollars of public debt. The result is that the government is bankrupt and so households are insolvent. More, the US, the largest creditor nation of the world three decades ago, is today the number one debtor of the world, with $12.5 trillion of debt.
A quick survey shows this: all individual- centric economies are deep in debt; but nations more family-oriented and less individual- centric, like Japan, China, India, and generally Asian nations, account for over three-fourths of global savings; the individualist West lives off the savings of family-centric Asia. Today the West says that, in the present crisis only Asia, which has huge savings thanks to family orientation, can save the West, which has almost lost its traditional family lifestyle.
So the idea of unbridled human rights and unrestrained personal freedom that have led to social and cultural degeneration are increasingly seen as the cause of the present economic crisis. Weeks ago, Thomas L Friedman, a leading economic journalist, wrote in the New York Times that he had told those eating in a restaurant that they could no more afford to eat out and they had better cook and eat at home. But how will they cook and eat at home unless families are re-created? If they do, how would the US compensate for loss of employment if restaurants, which exist because households have closed their kitchens, shut down? There seems to be no solution within economic laws to the present crisis of the West. Amoral economics once yielded higher returns. It now yields negative returns.
Here Renukas and Arundhatis advocate unbridled individualism that has undermined families and morals and dynamited the economies of the West. Renuka questions the idea public morals. Arundhati advocates amoral living. Both seem unaware that an economy built at the cost of family and social morals, too collapses on the ruins of the morals it has brought down. QED: morality supports economics; lack of it ruins economies
comment@gurumurthy.net
About the author:
S Gurumurthy is a well-known commentator on political and economic issues
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Communal tension in Rourkela: Hundreds of Christian fascists attack, 11 arrested
Communal tension in Rourkela
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Communal+tension+in+Rourkela&artid=CNIDOwH6F3w=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=Saroj+Biswal,+Panposh+SDPO+GC+Tripathy26 Feb 2009
ROURKELA: Members of Christian community in Kukuda village nearLanjiberna in Rajgangpur assembly constituency protested the move toset up a temple in the village.
Apprehending trouble a section of armed forces have been deployed atthe and a case registered against 11 believers in Christianity.However, no arrest has been made yet.
Today’s protest stemmed from the trouble that erupted on MahaShivratri when a group of Hindu women formally laid the foundationstone for a temple near a small hill, Sunaripara.
Then they were allegedly attacked and driven away by more than 100Christians who opposed the construction as the site where the statueof Mother Mary already exists.
For an amicable solution today the Sundergarh district administrationcalled a meeting which was attended by two members each from both thecommunities, tehsildar Saroj Biswal, Panposh SDPO GC Tripathy andWestern Orissa organising secretary of VHP Gadadhar Sahu.
During a spot visit to find out a suitable location they had tovirtually scurry for cover on being encountered by over 200 angryChristian men and women, most of them were carrying sickles andsticks.
Later, angry Christians also briefly gheraoed the Lanjiberna outpost.
Tripathy said precautionary measures have been undertaken to keep peace.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Communal+tension+in+Rourkela&artid=CNIDOwH6F3w=&SectionID=mvKkT3vj5ZA=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=nUFeEOBkuKw=&SEO=Saroj+Biswal,+Panposh+SDPO+GC+Tripathy26 Feb 2009
ROURKELA: Members of Christian community in Kukuda village nearLanjiberna in Rajgangpur assembly constituency protested the move toset up a temple in the village.
Apprehending trouble a section of armed forces have been deployed atthe and a case registered against 11 believers in Christianity.However, no arrest has been made yet.
Today’s protest stemmed from the trouble that erupted on MahaShivratri when a group of Hindu women formally laid the foundationstone for a temple near a small hill, Sunaripara.
Then they were allegedly attacked and driven away by more than 100Christians who opposed the construction as the site where the statueof Mother Mary already exists.
For an amicable solution today the Sundergarh district administrationcalled a meeting which was attended by two members each from both thecommunities, tehsildar Saroj Biswal, Panposh SDPO GC Tripathy andWestern Orissa organising secretary of VHP Gadadhar Sahu.
During a spot visit to find out a suitable location they had tovirtually scurry for cover on being encountered by over 200 angryChristian men and women, most of them were carrying sickles andsticks.
Later, angry Christians also briefly gheraoed the Lanjiberna outpost.
Tripathy said precautionary measures have been undertaken to keep peace.
SEVA BHARATI मेघालय
SEVA BHARATI मेघालय
Overwhelmed response to Book Bank Project
The Redistribution program of book bank project was held on 21।02.2009 at Govt.L.P School, Dewsaw, Pynursla. The programme was started from 10:00 am. Bah Banteilang Rumnong the General Secretary of Sengkhasi (Kmie) Mawkhar,Shillong was present as chief guest of the function. Along with him, Bah Munujik Khongjirem President Sengkhasi Riwar Mihngi(Pynursla), Bah Phoin Khongtani(Sordar Raid Mawlam) and other respected personalities were present to witness this day. Bah Banteilang praised the selfless effort of the organization in helping the needy children. He encourages the students and parents not to take these books for granted but to toil for the sake of knowledge. He again said that these students are lucky to have an organization to support together with parents. Bah Munujik said that he was really moved by the good gesture of this group of youths from this organization to the downtrodden. He motivated the youngminds to aim higher by giving the example of Abraham Lincoln. Sordar of Mawlam glad to be in this programme and promised his readiness to associate himself in any time in the need of the organisation. Last year 112 set of text books were distributed to the students from 43 villages. With increasing demand from parents and encouragement from various organizations and headmen of the area for this year the no of beneficiaries increased to 170 students from 60 villages. The programme concluded with vote of thank from Babu Jeffree Khonglam Teacher Sengkhasi School,Pynursla followed by refreshment to all.
Overwhelmed response to Book Bank Project
The Redistribution program of book bank project was held on 21।02.2009 at Govt.L.P School, Dewsaw, Pynursla. The programme was started from 10:00 am. Bah Banteilang Rumnong the General Secretary of Sengkhasi (Kmie) Mawkhar,Shillong was present as chief guest of the function. Along with him, Bah Munujik Khongjirem President Sengkhasi Riwar Mihngi(Pynursla), Bah Phoin Khongtani(Sordar Raid Mawlam) and other respected personalities were present to witness this day. Bah Banteilang praised the selfless effort of the organization in helping the needy children. He encourages the students and parents not to take these books for granted but to toil for the sake of knowledge. He again said that these students are lucky to have an organization to support together with parents. Bah Munujik said that he was really moved by the good gesture of this group of youths from this organization to the downtrodden. He motivated the youngminds to aim higher by giving the example of Abraham Lincoln. Sordar of Mawlam glad to be in this programme and promised his readiness to associate himself in any time in the need of the organisation. Last year 112 set of text books were distributed to the students from 43 villages. With increasing demand from parents and encouragement from various organizations and headmen of the area for this year the no of beneficiaries increased to 170 students from 60 villages. The programme concluded with vote of thank from Babu Jeffree Khonglam Teacher Sengkhasi School,Pynursla followed by refreshment to all.
Nagaland: Missionaries set Hindu Temple on फायर
Nagaland: Missionaries set Hindu Temple on फायर
14/02/2009 15:50:38
Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches Missionaries set Hindu temple on fire
Source:www.organiser.org
SILCHAR: Christian missionaries preach many things and quote the Bible in particular to say, “We do not hurt other denominations.” And behind the facade of this Biblical adherence lies the ugly face of their activities to take resort to illegal and fraud for conversion of the innocent and simple minded people by force, inducement and questionable means. It is now more than clear that it is these missionaries who create conflict and stoke the flame of religious bigotry and communal passion. Glaring example is Kandhamal.Laxamananda Saraswati was murdered because he had become a formidable force in the area against forced conversion of Hindus. His popularity and following in the area was rapidly increasing, scaring the Christian zealots.
The pseudo secularists and the media of that mindset blamed the VHP and the Bajrang Dal for the Kandhamal situation without making any ground study. Let them come to Barak Valley of Assam and have independent and objective look at the nefarious and provocative designs of the missionaries to convert the Hindus.
Christian missionaries as a part of their proselytisation drive after abortive attempts at conversion have again targeted the Hindu Rongmei Naga inhabited village of Ujan Tarapur, near Banskandi. Under the guidance of their pastor they attacked the temple of Goddess Kali and set the idol on fire, besides causing extensive damage to the temple.
On the basis of the complaint lodged with the Lakhipur police station by the Rongmeis, the police took prompt action and arrested Thuirangdin Rongmei (47), Pawhailung Rongmei (63) and Alum Rongmei (35). Thuirangdin is from the Tamenlong district of Manipur while two others are from Barak Valley of Assam. Another missionary involved in the crime identified as Miuri Rongmei is absconding.
Additional SP of Cachar Pradip Ranjan Kar, officer in-charge of Lakhipur Seva Singh and magistrate Ranjit Kumar Laskar rushed to the spot on receipt of information and arrested the missionaries who were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Silchar. These missionaries have been chargesheeted under sections 120(B), 153(A), 295(A) of 427/435/34 IPC.
According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas, the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through allurements and even by threats. Zeliangrong Haraku Association (ZHA), an organisation of Naga Tribes—Zeme, Rongmei and Liyangmei—has taken serious exception to the decision of the Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches (CNBC) to evangelise the Nagas.
The Council at its last annual meeting held at Paren in Nagaland has adopted a resolution to conduct evangelisation programme. The resolution calls upon the Baptist churches to take positive steps in this regard.
Quite intriguing is the use of code and the organised efforts of the Baptist churches to work for the realisation of Myanmar mission. Details of this mission are not known. The CNBC has reiterated to “uphold this mission project in every possible way as a joint ministry in the world evangelisation mission.”
Gaifui Rongmei, Pinsingpoi Rongmei and Chinkudai Rongmei of Ujan Tarapur had complained earlier that “this proselytisation drive is not new.” Three missionaries have been frequenting their areas and forcing them to embrace Christianity. This process started in 1996 when copies of Bible were distributed among the 50 odd families of the village. Following year their visit was with questionnaires to all of them and particularly on the essence of the Bible and what they have learnt about Jesus Christ and Christianity.
Panicked villagers met Kalyan Ashram members who immediately took up the matter with the then deputy commissioner, Pawan Kumar Borthakur and SP Jeevan Singh as well as the subsidiary intelligence bureau officials. The villagers said the missionaries abused their gods and goddesses and advised them not to offer worship at their apoo ragwang (Shiva) and paimadiliu (Kali) temples. They also alleged that the missionaries not only resorted to coercive methods but also extorted money from 43 families.
ZHA in a statement at Haflong while advising the Zeliangrongs to preserve their tradition, culture and heritage has cautioned the missionaries against conversion for such a process would only create tension and conflict, fraught with disastrous consequences.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sankalp Samavesh in Sullia taluka of KarnatakaOrganise Hindu society against alien onslaughts
Sankalp Samavesh in Sullia taluka of KarnatakaOrganise Hindu society against alien onslaughts
—K Suryanarayan राओ
http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=278&page=18
Sullia, a remote taluka centre in coastal Karnataka, witnessed a mammoth RSS gathering on Republic Day. It also marked the 50 years of Sangh work in this taluka. The day was celebrated as Sankalp Samaves. It is perhaps the first taluka in the country, which orgainsed such a huge route march. More than five thousand swayamsevaks in full uniform participated in the route march.
The regular Sangh shakha was started in this taluka in 1966 and the work expanded in great speed. Veteran Pracharaks like Baba Sahib Apte, Moropant Pingale, HV Seshadri, Madhav Rao and many others guided the workers in this taluka, which has only two lakh population with 44 revenue villages.
The function was unique one and all time record. Since last three months hundreds of swayamsevaks worked hard for expansion of the shakhas, as a result 117 bastis represented the programme. The pathsanchalan (route march) started from three different places of the town and finally assembled at Kurunjibagh playground.
Addressing the swayamsevaks and the equal number of public gathering, veteran Sangh Pracharak Shri K Suryanarayan Rao emphasised the importance of duty towards the nation. He expressed concern over the anti-national activities going on in the country. He appealed to the youth to discharge their duty to the nation in this hour of great need. He reiterated that immediate task before the swayamsevaks is to organise the Hindu society against foreign cultural and religious onslaughts.
Col. (Retd) AJ Bhandari, who attended the function as chief guest, appealed to the audience to extend full support to the armed forces in the fight against terrorism, Naxalism and corruption.
The Matri Samaves was also held exclusively for women in the fore noon session. The turnout of women in large number was observed as Sangh has deep roots among the rural masses. Smt. Sheelavathi Kolambe presided over the function. Veteran social activist Dr Gowri Pai inaugurated the meeting. Shri Kurunji Venkatramana Gowda, president of Accademy of Liberal Education, gladly let the college premises at the disposal of Sangh for the purpose.
Prant Prachar Pramukh Shri Chandrashekara Bandari, Sanghachalak Sri Vaman Shenoy, Shri Kalladka Prabhakara Bhat, Prant Vyavastha Pramukh Shri Gopal Chettiar, Shri Nirmal Kumar of Janaseva Bangalore and many other Pracharaks and Sangh activists graced the occasion.
(By Shivarama Gowda)
Religious conflict: Tracing the roots
Religious conflict: Tracing the roots
Virendra पारेख
24 Feb 2009
If all religions preach love, amity and peace, why are there so much hatred, strife and violence in the name of religion? This question has often baffled not just atheists and agnostics, but also quite a few devout souls. The short answer is that every religion wants unity of mankind under its own banner - the operative word here is ‘banner’ and not ‘unity.’ What is worded as a call for brotherhood of mankind is very often a call for the conquest of the world by the faithful. When Hindus come face to face with the behaviour pattern patented by followers of Islam and Christianity, some of them are often puzzled. “We respect their religious traditions, sacred books, prophets, messiahs and holy places as much as our own. We do not convert anyone. But they hold our traditions in contempt, indulge in senseless violence, destroy our sacred places and convert our people with force, fraud and allurement. Why should it be so?” Most people end up by concluding, mostly unconsciously, that people of other faiths are as a rule wicked, untrustworthy and prone to violence. This only deepens prejudices on either side. Since this is a sensitive matter, it is necessary to clear the ground by tracing the conflict to its roots. To put the matter brusquely, there are two types of religious traditions. One may be called the Biblical or Abrahamic tradition and the other, Vedic or Indic tradition. Biblical creeds The Bible-derived creeds are founded on a central figure (Jehovah, God, Allah or History) who commands the exclusive and overriding allegiance of the believers. He is jealous, cruel and brooks no rival. To equate or identify Him (e.g. Allah) with gods worshipped by people of other faiths (e.g. Rama or God of the Bible) is to insult him by denying his supremacy. He (e.g. Allah) is the only true god. All other godheads are usurpers, pretenders and impostors, and their worship, being a denial of the only true God, deserves to be stopped. This only true god is not accessible to ordinary human beings. He deals with his people through an intermediary messenger, prophet or Sole Saviour. His teachings are contained in the Book. The Book is sole repository of Ultimate Truth. Thus in these creeds, there is only one Truth; there is only one way to it; the God has given it to the chosen people, and them alone; it is contained in ‘our’ Book and in ‘our’ Book alone. Since the Book is authored by God Himself, every word in it is true, excellent, immutable, and binding. The Book, al-kitab, is beyond the comprehension of most of even the believers, and certainly the non-believers. They must therefore heed the Church, the Priest. Faith in the Book is the overriding duty, as is the duty of making others ‘see the light.’ Since this is the absolute Truth, since it alone can lead to Heaven or permanent bliss, mankind must be awakened to it for its own good, at any cost, in whatever way. No sacrifice is too great for holding on to it; no means impermissible for converting others to it. The exclusivist claims about the only true god, the prophet, the Saviour etc. are to be accepted on faith, on authority. A believer is not permitted to ask for proof or confirmation of the claims or contents of the book. Asking for proof which cannot be supplied is to show one’s lack of faith, a great disqualification. Since their entire edifice rests on unquestioning acceptance of the dogma or belief system, the Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, Islam as well as their secular variants like Nazism and Marxism - have always despised doubt, suspected reason and viewed science as a rival if not enemy. For them, testimony of the book is stronger than the proof of logic or testimony of experience. The very idea of an absolute monopoly of ultimate truth contains within itself seeds of intolerance, aggression, strife and authoritarianism. It is a charter of killing, destruction and subversion with a clean conscience. Within the Church or the Party, there will always be more than one claimant to this monopoly of truth. Outside, there are bound to be others who refuse to acknowledge the authority of the Church or the Party. Vedic Tradition The Vedic tradition, on the other hand, is founded on very different premises. The starting point of this tradition is human consciousness, which can be explored, which can be purified progressively, and which can be transcended till it attains the loftiest heights of knowledge and creativity. At this summit, the Self becomes one with the Universe and sees all things, animate and inanimate, in Himself and Himself in everything. In this vast vision, sanctity attaches not only to human life, but to the whole of creation. This is the sumum bonum of spiritual humanism, which has always been India’s message to mankind. The Indic tradition teaches us that Man is the child of Light, that he grows from within, responding to what he secretly is. The quest for spiritual truths is innately ingrained in Man, just like hunger or thirst. These truths are not contained in or confined to a Book. On the contrary, they lie secretly in every human heart and have always been accessible to those who seek them. These truths never need any Jihad or Crusade for their spread and propagation. On the contrary, these truths are self-propagating due to their own inner strength. All they need is the dedication they inspire spontaneously in all those who invoke them. The Vedic tradition advises people to be busy with themselves, that is, their own moral and spiritual improvement. Several disciplines have been evolved for this purpose: tapas (austerity), yoga (meditation), jnana (reflection), bhakti (devotion), etc. A seeker can take to any path or discipline that suits his adhara (stage of moral-spiritual preparation). There is no uniform prescription for everybody, no coercion or allurement into a belief system, and no claim of merit for aggression against others. No single individual, book or sect has a monopoly of a vision of or path to the Ultimate Reality. Several sages all over the world, in all ages, have attained it. They have put down approximate descriptions of that reality as well as hints of how to attain it in some books. These books are like travel guides. What matters is not the adherence to the travel guide, but to arrive at the Truth, to perceive and be one with the Reality. Buddha cautioned his followers that they should not mistake his finger (his teachings) pointing at the moon for the moon itself. The Message and the Means The essential points are three: First, it is the individual who has to strive for himself; second, different ways will suit different persons; and third, the striving, the search is directed inwards. The Biblical tradition, on the other hand, teaches people to be busy with others. One is supposed to have become a superior human being as soon as one confesses the ‘only true faith.’ Thenceforward one stands qualified to ‘save’ others. The only training one needs thereafter is how to man a mission or military expedition, how to convert others, and how to kill or ruin or blacken those who refuse to come around. As the Message is the ‘Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth,’ as there is no truth beside it, those who do not accept the Message are cussed. Worse, they are thwarting the Will of God/Allah or the march of History (Marxism-Leninism). The believers, therefore, have a right as well as a duty to make them accept the Message, and if they refuse, to vanquish them altogether. Abrahamic religions therefore, are closer to ideologies of power than pathways to spiritual truth. They use the language of theology, but their objectives are political. They aim at conquest of the world by decimating other traditions, capturing territories, and converting people. The Indic tradition has given to the world many schools of Sanatana Dharma, which have practiced peace among their own followers as well as towards the followers of other paths. On the other hand, the Biblical tradition has spawned intolerant, aggressive and violent cults such as Christianity, Islam, Communism and Nazism, which have always produced brutal conflicts with the rest of the mankind, with one another, and even within their own ranks. The syrupy slogan of sarva-dharma-samabhava glosses over the basic differences between these two traditions. This has caused an enormous amount of confusion. The author is Executive Editor, Corporate India, and lives in Mumbai Reply Reply to all Forward Invite Pratap Mohanty to chat
Virendra पारेख
24 Feb 2009
If all religions preach love, amity and peace, why are there so much hatred, strife and violence in the name of religion? This question has often baffled not just atheists and agnostics, but also quite a few devout souls. The short answer is that every religion wants unity of mankind under its own banner - the operative word here is ‘banner’ and not ‘unity.’ What is worded as a call for brotherhood of mankind is very often a call for the conquest of the world by the faithful. When Hindus come face to face with the behaviour pattern patented by followers of Islam and Christianity, some of them are often puzzled. “We respect their religious traditions, sacred books, prophets, messiahs and holy places as much as our own. We do not convert anyone. But they hold our traditions in contempt, indulge in senseless violence, destroy our sacred places and convert our people with force, fraud and allurement. Why should it be so?” Most people end up by concluding, mostly unconsciously, that people of other faiths are as a rule wicked, untrustworthy and prone to violence. This only deepens prejudices on either side. Since this is a sensitive matter, it is necessary to clear the ground by tracing the conflict to its roots. To put the matter brusquely, there are two types of religious traditions. One may be called the Biblical or Abrahamic tradition and the other, Vedic or Indic tradition. Biblical creeds The Bible-derived creeds are founded on a central figure (Jehovah, God, Allah or History) who commands the exclusive and overriding allegiance of the believers. He is jealous, cruel and brooks no rival. To equate or identify Him (e.g. Allah) with gods worshipped by people of other faiths (e.g. Rama or God of the Bible) is to insult him by denying his supremacy. He (e.g. Allah) is the only true god. All other godheads are usurpers, pretenders and impostors, and their worship, being a denial of the only true God, deserves to be stopped. This only true god is not accessible to ordinary human beings. He deals with his people through an intermediary messenger, prophet or Sole Saviour. His teachings are contained in the Book. The Book is sole repository of Ultimate Truth. Thus in these creeds, there is only one Truth; there is only one way to it; the God has given it to the chosen people, and them alone; it is contained in ‘our’ Book and in ‘our’ Book alone. Since the Book is authored by God Himself, every word in it is true, excellent, immutable, and binding. The Book, al-kitab, is beyond the comprehension of most of even the believers, and certainly the non-believers. They must therefore heed the Church, the Priest. Faith in the Book is the overriding duty, as is the duty of making others ‘see the light.’ Since this is the absolute Truth, since it alone can lead to Heaven or permanent bliss, mankind must be awakened to it for its own good, at any cost, in whatever way. No sacrifice is too great for holding on to it; no means impermissible for converting others to it. The exclusivist claims about the only true god, the prophet, the Saviour etc. are to be accepted on faith, on authority. A believer is not permitted to ask for proof or confirmation of the claims or contents of the book. Asking for proof which cannot be supplied is to show one’s lack of faith, a great disqualification. Since their entire edifice rests on unquestioning acceptance of the dogma or belief system, the Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, Islam as well as their secular variants like Nazism and Marxism - have always despised doubt, suspected reason and viewed science as a rival if not enemy. For them, testimony of the book is stronger than the proof of logic or testimony of experience. The very idea of an absolute monopoly of ultimate truth contains within itself seeds of intolerance, aggression, strife and authoritarianism. It is a charter of killing, destruction and subversion with a clean conscience. Within the Church or the Party, there will always be more than one claimant to this monopoly of truth. Outside, there are bound to be others who refuse to acknowledge the authority of the Church or the Party. Vedic Tradition The Vedic tradition, on the other hand, is founded on very different premises. The starting point of this tradition is human consciousness, which can be explored, which can be purified progressively, and which can be transcended till it attains the loftiest heights of knowledge and creativity. At this summit, the Self becomes one with the Universe and sees all things, animate and inanimate, in Himself and Himself in everything. In this vast vision, sanctity attaches not only to human life, but to the whole of creation. This is the sumum bonum of spiritual humanism, which has always been India’s message to mankind. The Indic tradition teaches us that Man is the child of Light, that he grows from within, responding to what he secretly is. The quest for spiritual truths is innately ingrained in Man, just like hunger or thirst. These truths are not contained in or confined to a Book. On the contrary, they lie secretly in every human heart and have always been accessible to those who seek them. These truths never need any Jihad or Crusade for their spread and propagation. On the contrary, these truths are self-propagating due to their own inner strength. All they need is the dedication they inspire spontaneously in all those who invoke them. The Vedic tradition advises people to be busy with themselves, that is, their own moral and spiritual improvement. Several disciplines have been evolved for this purpose: tapas (austerity), yoga (meditation), jnana (reflection), bhakti (devotion), etc. A seeker can take to any path or discipline that suits his adhara (stage of moral-spiritual preparation). There is no uniform prescription for everybody, no coercion or allurement into a belief system, and no claim of merit for aggression against others. No single individual, book or sect has a monopoly of a vision of or path to the Ultimate Reality. Several sages all over the world, in all ages, have attained it. They have put down approximate descriptions of that reality as well as hints of how to attain it in some books. These books are like travel guides. What matters is not the adherence to the travel guide, but to arrive at the Truth, to perceive and be one with the Reality. Buddha cautioned his followers that they should not mistake his finger (his teachings) pointing at the moon for the moon itself. The Message and the Means The essential points are three: First, it is the individual who has to strive for himself; second, different ways will suit different persons; and third, the striving, the search is directed inwards. The Biblical tradition, on the other hand, teaches people to be busy with others. One is supposed to have become a superior human being as soon as one confesses the ‘only true faith.’ Thenceforward one stands qualified to ‘save’ others. The only training one needs thereafter is how to man a mission or military expedition, how to convert others, and how to kill or ruin or blacken those who refuse to come around. As the Message is the ‘Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth,’ as there is no truth beside it, those who do not accept the Message are cussed. Worse, they are thwarting the Will of God/Allah or the march of History (Marxism-Leninism). The believers, therefore, have a right as well as a duty to make them accept the Message, and if they refuse, to vanquish them altogether. Abrahamic religions therefore, are closer to ideologies of power than pathways to spiritual truth. They use the language of theology, but their objectives are political. They aim at conquest of the world by decimating other traditions, capturing territories, and converting people. The Indic tradition has given to the world many schools of Sanatana Dharma, which have practiced peace among their own followers as well as towards the followers of other paths. On the other hand, the Biblical tradition has spawned intolerant, aggressive and violent cults such as Christianity, Islam, Communism and Nazism, which have always produced brutal conflicts with the rest of the mankind, with one another, and even within their own ranks. The syrupy slogan of sarva-dharma-samabhava glosses over the basic differences between these two traditions. This has caused an enormous amount of confusion. The author is Executive Editor, Corporate India, and lives in Mumbai Reply Reply to all Forward Invite Pratap Mohanty to chat
Demand an explanation for terrorist attacks from leaders who govern the country
Smita Salaskar and Shirish Karkare appeal
Demand an explanation for terrorist attacks from leaders who govern the country
Panvel 24feb., “Why India has been a repeated target of terrorist attacks? Why terrorism is not tackled at the roots itself? Who is responsible for these terrorist attacks?” People of this country should pose these questions before the leaders whom we have empowered to govern the country,’’ appealed Smita Salaskar, wife of late Vijay Salaskar and Shirish Karkare, brother of late Hemant Karkare here today.
Smita Salaskar, wife of the late encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and Shirish Karkare, brother of the late ATS chief Hemant Karkare addressed the audience as chief guests in an open programme arranged on the occasion of Rashtraraksha Ninand Ghosh Shibir organized by the Konkan Pranta of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at Karnala Sports Academy on February 22. The noted singer and music director Shridhar Phadke who was the chief of the three-day camp welcomed the chief guests. In his inaugural speech he said, “Music is very close to human life. Music can effectively portray happy and tragic moments in life and it also has tremendous power to inspire society. Veer rasa rousing patriotic feelings among masses is necessary today for national security.” Delightful demonstrations presented by 770 participants (ghosh vadaks) set the mood of the programme.
Smita Salaskar maintained in her speech, “I don’t take pride in calling myself ‘veer patni’, because the very fact that my husband was the victim of terrorists who were illiterate and some ordinary people who could handle guns --is extremely disgraceful to the national security of the country. How many more veer mata and veera patni do we want? Everybody should readily perform one’s duty if such a danger has to be avoided in future”. She further added that organizations like the RSS would inspire people to perform their duties. Shirish Karkare, brother of martyr Heman Karkare shared some memories of late Hemant Karkare and expressed that every citizen should understand one’s responsibility and perform one’s duty honestly. He mentioned, ‘’The late Hemant Karkare had very high hopes from the youngsters of the country. After witnessing the Rashtriya Ninand Shibir, I am hopeful that the committed youngsters of this country can perform many things in future. This Ghosh Shibir is the very embodiment of patriotic fervour. Families are becoming smaller and smaller in today’s age of globalization. In future the middle class people would have to bare the responsibility of performing national duty. The organization like the RSS can nourish such feelings,” he added. Vaishali Ombale, daughter of martyr police constable Ombale also spoke on the occasion.
Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Saha Sarkaryavaha RSS appealed the audience to preserve national safety and told the citizens to be prepared to destroy the evil tendencies in the society. He totally agreed with the opinions expressed by Karkare and Salaskar but he maintained that these feelings should be supported by positive action. He opined that India had experienced such challenges even before and positive strength of this country had successfully retaliated against it. It is wrong that today Hindu society is blamed as terrorist. Hindus were never terrorists and would never be terrorists in future. This country has always excelled in giving something to others. The internal security of India is indeed a matter of concern but more alarming is the threat of attacks from outside. Infiltration in border areas is the major challenge before the country. China is trying to increase its dominance over Arunachal Pradesh. To tackle this problem it is necessary to take support of International law and power of weapons. Today too much importance is given to politics and power game. It is sad that powers from outside play important roles in deciding the prime minister or president of the country. Adivasi and vanavasi people are forced to convert to Christianity by using money. Every citizen should readily take some responsibility in tackling these challenges before the country. The government should do its duties and people should be conscious and alert in performing their duties and responsibilities. Hindus can be patient and tolerant only up to some limit and there is no need to teach lessons of humanity to them,’’ he maintained. “If the country has to face the challenge of problems like national security and conversion then the society should be more organized and media should play an important role in giving positive publicity to such organized work”, he added.
Attractive Deepotsav was also arranged on the occasion. Pramod Bapat presented a song. Swanand Oak anchored the event.
Demand an explanation for terrorist attacks from leaders who govern the country
Panvel 24feb., “Why India has been a repeated target of terrorist attacks? Why terrorism is not tackled at the roots itself? Who is responsible for these terrorist attacks?” People of this country should pose these questions before the leaders whom we have empowered to govern the country,’’ appealed Smita Salaskar, wife of late Vijay Salaskar and Shirish Karkare, brother of late Hemant Karkare here today.
Smita Salaskar, wife of the late encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and Shirish Karkare, brother of the late ATS chief Hemant Karkare addressed the audience as chief guests in an open programme arranged on the occasion of Rashtraraksha Ninand Ghosh Shibir organized by the Konkan Pranta of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at Karnala Sports Academy on February 22. The noted singer and music director Shridhar Phadke who was the chief of the three-day camp welcomed the chief guests. In his inaugural speech he said, “Music is very close to human life. Music can effectively portray happy and tragic moments in life and it also has tremendous power to inspire society. Veer rasa rousing patriotic feelings among masses is necessary today for national security.” Delightful demonstrations presented by 770 participants (ghosh vadaks) set the mood of the programme.
Smita Salaskar maintained in her speech, “I don’t take pride in calling myself ‘veer patni’, because the very fact that my husband was the victim of terrorists who were illiterate and some ordinary people who could handle guns --is extremely disgraceful to the national security of the country. How many more veer mata and veera patni do we want? Everybody should readily perform one’s duty if such a danger has to be avoided in future”. She further added that organizations like the RSS would inspire people to perform their duties. Shirish Karkare, brother of martyr Heman Karkare shared some memories of late Hemant Karkare and expressed that every citizen should understand one’s responsibility and perform one’s duty honestly. He mentioned, ‘’The late Hemant Karkare had very high hopes from the youngsters of the country. After witnessing the Rashtriya Ninand Shibir, I am hopeful that the committed youngsters of this country can perform many things in future. This Ghosh Shibir is the very embodiment of patriotic fervour. Families are becoming smaller and smaller in today’s age of globalization. In future the middle class people would have to bare the responsibility of performing national duty. The organization like the RSS can nourish such feelings,” he added. Vaishali Ombale, daughter of martyr police constable Ombale also spoke on the occasion.
Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Saha Sarkaryavaha RSS appealed the audience to preserve national safety and told the citizens to be prepared to destroy the evil tendencies in the society. He totally agreed with the opinions expressed by Karkare and Salaskar but he maintained that these feelings should be supported by positive action. He opined that India had experienced such challenges even before and positive strength of this country had successfully retaliated against it. It is wrong that today Hindu society is blamed as terrorist. Hindus were never terrorists and would never be terrorists in future. This country has always excelled in giving something to others. The internal security of India is indeed a matter of concern but more alarming is the threat of attacks from outside. Infiltration in border areas is the major challenge before the country. China is trying to increase its dominance over Arunachal Pradesh. To tackle this problem it is necessary to take support of International law and power of weapons. Today too much importance is given to politics and power game. It is sad that powers from outside play important roles in deciding the prime minister or president of the country. Adivasi and vanavasi people are forced to convert to Christianity by using money. Every citizen should readily take some responsibility in tackling these challenges before the country. The government should do its duties and people should be conscious and alert in performing their duties and responsibilities. Hindus can be patient and tolerant only up to some limit and there is no need to teach lessons of humanity to them,’’ he maintained. “If the country has to face the challenge of problems like national security and conversion then the society should be more organized and media should play an important role in giving positive publicity to such organized work”, he added.
Attractive Deepotsav was also arranged on the occasion. Pramod Bapat presented a song. Swanand Oak anchored the event.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Prof Bipin Bihari Nanda chosen Pranta Sanghachalak
Prof Bipin Bihari Nanda chosen Pranta Sanghachalak
By Golak Chandra Das
ANGUL: Prof Bipin Bihari Nanda has been elected as the new Pranta Sanghachalak of the Orissa unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He replaced Er Ashok Das. Khetra Karyabaha SN Majumdar declared the name of Prof Nanda as Pranta Sanghachalak. The State executive was reshuffled at the three daylong meet held in the premises of Angul Saraswati Sishu Mandir. Later, Prof Nanda announced the State Executive. According to the announcement, HK Dhar was elected as Saha Pranta Sanghchalak followed by Gopal Prasad Mohapatra as Pranta Karyabaha, Durga Prasad Sahoo and Anil Kumar Mishra as Saha Pranta Karyabaha, Pranta Pracharak Jagadish Kadhanga,Pranta Saririka Pramukha Sudarshan Das, Saha Pranta Saririka Pramukha Anil Kumar Dehuri, Pranta Ghosa Pramukha Mahadev Behera, Saha Pranta Ghosa Pramukha Girija Mohapatra, Sarbeswar Behera as Pranta Boudhika Pramukha, Ashok Kumar Padhi as Seva Pramukha, Saroj Kar as Saha Pranta Seva Pramukha, M Agarwal as Pranta Samparka Pramukha, Simanchal Khatua as Pranta Prachar Pramukha, M Sethia as Pranta Bebastha Pramukha, Subash Jain as Saha Bebashta Pramukha. Apart from this, Das was elected to the State executive while Bhagaban Tripathy, Binay Kumar Bhuyan and Kailash Jena were among those included invited members of the State Executive. RSS Saha Karyabaha Mohan Rao Bhagwat inaugurated the meet and review various progress of the organization in the State. Bhagwat also launched a book named Veda Vandita Saraswati and Saraswata Sabhayata written eminent writer Dr Nagendra Pradhan. Around 300 representatives from all RSS affiliated bodies including Viswa Hindu Parishad, ABVP, Banabasi Kalayan Ashram, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bharatiya Kissan Sangh, Sikshya Vikash Samiti, Itihash Sankalan Samiti, Akhil Bharatiya Adhibhakata Parishad, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Bharatiya Sikshyan Mandal, Biswa Sambad Kendra, Rashtradeepa, Seva Bharati, Utkal Biparana Sahayata Samiti, National Medicos Organisation, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, Purba Sainika Seva Parishad, Sahakar Bharati, Dharma Jagaran Samiti, Sanskar Bharati, Laghu Udyoga Bharati and Rashtra Sevika Samiti are attending the meet that will ended on February 22. Orissa-West Bengal Khetra Sanghachalak Jyotrimaya Chakravorty, Khetra Karyabaha Satyanarayan Mazumdar, Khetra Pracharak Sunilpada Goswami, Saha Khetra Pracharak Ajit Prasad Mohapatra, Khetra Prachar Pramukha Asim Kumar Mitra were among those present.
By Golak Chandra Das
ANGUL: Prof Bipin Bihari Nanda has been elected as the new Pranta Sanghachalak of the Orissa unit of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He replaced Er Ashok Das. Khetra Karyabaha SN Majumdar declared the name of Prof Nanda as Pranta Sanghachalak. The State executive was reshuffled at the three daylong meet held in the premises of Angul Saraswati Sishu Mandir. Later, Prof Nanda announced the State Executive. According to the announcement, HK Dhar was elected as Saha Pranta Sanghchalak followed by Gopal Prasad Mohapatra as Pranta Karyabaha, Durga Prasad Sahoo and Anil Kumar Mishra as Saha Pranta Karyabaha, Pranta Pracharak Jagadish Kadhanga,Pranta Saririka Pramukha Sudarshan Das, Saha Pranta Saririka Pramukha Anil Kumar Dehuri, Pranta Ghosa Pramukha Mahadev Behera, Saha Pranta Ghosa Pramukha Girija Mohapatra, Sarbeswar Behera as Pranta Boudhika Pramukha, Ashok Kumar Padhi as Seva Pramukha, Saroj Kar as Saha Pranta Seva Pramukha, M Agarwal as Pranta Samparka Pramukha, Simanchal Khatua as Pranta Prachar Pramukha, M Sethia as Pranta Bebastha Pramukha, Subash Jain as Saha Bebashta Pramukha. Apart from this, Das was elected to the State executive while Bhagaban Tripathy, Binay Kumar Bhuyan and Kailash Jena were among those included invited members of the State Executive. RSS Saha Karyabaha Mohan Rao Bhagwat inaugurated the meet and review various progress of the organization in the State. Bhagwat also launched a book named Veda Vandita Saraswati and Saraswata Sabhayata written eminent writer Dr Nagendra Pradhan. Around 300 representatives from all RSS affiliated bodies including Viswa Hindu Parishad, ABVP, Banabasi Kalayan Ashram, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bharatiya Kissan Sangh, Sikshya Vikash Samiti, Itihash Sankalan Samiti, Akhil Bharatiya Adhibhakata Parishad, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Bharatiya Sikshyan Mandal, Biswa Sambad Kendra, Rashtradeepa, Seva Bharati, Utkal Biparana Sahayata Samiti, National Medicos Organisation, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, Purba Sainika Seva Parishad, Sahakar Bharati, Dharma Jagaran Samiti, Sanskar Bharati, Laghu Udyoga Bharati and Rashtra Sevika Samiti are attending the meet that will ended on February 22. Orissa-West Bengal Khetra Sanghachalak Jyotrimaya Chakravorty, Khetra Karyabaha Satyanarayan Mazumdar, Khetra Pracharak Sunilpada Goswami, Saha Khetra Pracharak Ajit Prasad Mohapatra, Khetra Prachar Pramukha Asim Kumar Mitra were among those present.
Prof Nanda new RSS Sanghachalak for Orissa
By Golak Chandr Das
Bhubaneswar:(Visakeo)- Prof Bipin Bihari Nanda has been appointed as the new Sanghachalak of the RSS Orissa branch after the retirement of Ashok Kumar Dash. This was announced by the Election officer of the RSS Satya Narayan Majumdar at the two-day meeting of the Sangha’s state executive on Friday and Saturday at Angul.Nanda also declared the names of the members of the executive, Hemanta Kumar Dhar as the state SahaSanghachalak, Prof Gopal Mohapatra as Pranta Karyabaha, Durgaprasad sahoo & Anil kumar Mishra as Saha Pranta Karyabaha,Jagdish Khangada as PrantaPracharak, Sudarsan दस
as Pranta Saririka Pramukha,Anil kumar Dehuri as Pranta Saha Saririka Pramukha,Mahadeb Behera as Pranta Ghosha Pramukha, Girija prasad Mohapatra as Saha Pranta Ghosha Pramukha,Sarbeswar Behera as Pranta Boudhik Pramukh, Maganlala Agarwal as Pranta Sampark Pramukh , Simanchal Khatua as Pranta prachar pramukh, Ashok kumar padhi pranta Seva pramukh, Saroj kumar kar pranta Saha Seva pramukha.Mansukhu lal Sethia pranta Byabasta pramukha.
Bhubaneswar:(Visakeo)- Prof Bipin Bihari Nanda has been appointed as the new Sanghachalak of the RSS Orissa branch after the retirement of Ashok Kumar Dash. This was announced by the Election officer of the RSS Satya Narayan Majumdar at the two-day meeting of the Sangha’s state executive on Friday and Saturday at Angul.Nanda also declared the names of the members of the executive, Hemanta Kumar Dhar as the state SahaSanghachalak, Prof Gopal Mohapatra as Pranta Karyabaha, Durgaprasad sahoo & Anil kumar Mishra as Saha Pranta Karyabaha,Jagdish Khangada as PrantaPracharak, Sudarsan दस
as Pranta Saririka Pramukha,Anil kumar Dehuri as Pranta Saha Saririka Pramukha,Mahadeb Behera as Pranta Ghosha Pramukha, Girija prasad Mohapatra as Saha Pranta Ghosha Pramukha,Sarbeswar Behera as Pranta Boudhik Pramukh, Maganlala Agarwal as Pranta Sampark Pramukh , Simanchal Khatua as Pranta prachar pramukh, Ashok kumar padhi pranta Seva pramukh, Saroj kumar kar pranta Saha Seva pramukha.Mansukhu lal Sethia pranta Byabasta pramukha.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Contemporary Hindu प्रेदिकामें
The Contemporary Hindu प्रेदिकामें
Dr। Gautam सेन
Hindus are in serious danger of reaching the point of no return in the very near future। Political circumstances are changing swiftly and will soon make it very difficult, if not impossible, for Hindus to recover from the onset of political, social and spiritual oblivion। The combination of modern communication technologies for brainwashing and political assault has placed Hindus in greater danger. The underlying dominance of Islam in West Bengal is obscured by the outward resilience of a superficially communist dispensation. At an opportune moment, a Muslim party will pose a deadly challenge to it in alliance with opportunistic parties like the Trinamul Congress. Many areas of UP, Bihar, Delhi as well as other states are effectively quasi-sovereign Muslims enclaves and access to them by legally constituted authorities minimal. This is the life-and-death struggle that Hindus are unable to comprehend and resist. Instead the outflow of educated Hindus to a militantly evangelical US has created a diabolical situation in which they are overwhelmingly dependent on the US, and to a lesser degree the British market, for their livelihoods.Virtually every author from Mumbai, writing for the English speaking market, sought to downplay the role of terrorism. The scandalous disarray of India’s political class has been highlighted in recent weeks, without Hindus apparently unable to even comprehend the unfolding drama affecting their destiny. The UPA has descended to treasonous co-ordination of its pending general election campaign with governmental agencies in Pakistan, including, in effect, the ISI. The diabolical enemy of Hindu India, the US, has brokered a deal between India and Pakistan that includes the disingenuous arrest of 124 jehadis and measures like the closure of their Internet web sites, contrived to provide respite to Manmohan Singh’s beleaguered government. David Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary was evidently sent by the US to deliver a message that India must abandon, as a quid pro quo, its demand for the extradition of the planners of the Mumbai terror carnage. The idea that Pakistan will actually prosecute anyone and punish them for attacking India is laughable, but it will buy time for the UPA to apply the balm of forgetfulness to India. The Indian EAM, Pranab Mukherjee, of Murshidabad’s Jangipur Islamic constituency, which he bribed with 2100 crore rupees in 2006, obliged with alacrity, quite forgetting his periodic hypocritical belligerence towards Pakistan, all apparently intended to deceive. His subsequent delirious recanting of his initial surrender to India’s erstwhile colonial masters occurred because Congress Party managers evidently deemed such public acknowledgement impolitic. Far from being indiscreet, British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, has merely restated what has been British policy towards India since the 1940s, which has been to incite Islamic jehad to undermine it. The British Foreign Secretary rounded of his imperious visit to India by joining Rahul Gandhi on the campaign trail in Amethi, underlining the extent of India’s subordination to the Anglo-American imperialists. And Miliband, the lowly whippersnapper, gallingly added insult to injury by asserting that the Mumbai carnage was due to Indian policies in Kashmir. But this is all of a piece, which echoes the cynical and unflagging attempts of Britain’s elites since the late nineteenth century to damage Hindus as much as possible. Author Narinder Singh Sarila has documented the extent to which Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the butcher who sponsored the bloodletting in Calcutta on Direct Action Day in August 1946, was a mere pawn in British imperial designs to create a strategic hold over the Indian subcontinent. It is therefore cause for dismay that the NDA candidate for Prime Minister and his advisers have now embraced both the murderous Jinnah and the jehadi Deobandis. Where will it all end? Hindus need to reflect deeply on the fact that their civilisational reach once included East, Southeast Asia and modern Iran and the latter itself encompassed territories today part of the Islamic Arab world. Islam and Christianity have subjugated all these regions in succession. Yet, no Hindu regards the fate of these vast lands as relevant to their current predicament and the political conquest threatening them. Most even dismiss the loss of vast additional territories in 1947 to murderous usurpers determined to destroy them and which includes areas once the cradle of their civilisation. Hindus are also unable to grasp their effective dis-empowerment in significant areas of the Indian Union. Christians barely tolerate Hindus in the Northeast, which is an armed Christian enclave that will assert its political independence the moment the federal centre is embroiled in a crisis of authority. Muslims and Christians have long imposed a condominium in Kerala, but predictable rivalry between them for supremacy has arisen now that the common goal of curbing Hindus has been achieved. The initial political alliance between Muslims and Christians against Hindus followed by competition between them is the pattern likely to occur elsewhere in India. Tamil Nadu politics is dominated by Christians under the spurious guise of Dravidian irreligiousness and in concert with Islam. Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a remarkable surge of Christian conversions under an evangelical Chief Minister. However, Muslim resistance to Christian primacy will surface vengefully in the future since Muslims retain strong local historical roots, backed by significant numbers and ideological consciousness. A number of inter-linked reasons account for the disastrous decline of Hindu civilisation. Some of them are internal to the Hindu tradition and arise from their very own spiritual identity and historical legacy. Still others are accidental though consequential, such as the misadventure of one individual’s diabolical role in their society and the constitutional structure of the Indian polity inherited after Independence. India is suffering from the disastrous impact of the usurpation of political power by one individual, whose loyalty to Indian sovereign interests is suspect and who, in addition, is mainly motivated by private family aspirations for wealth. The constitutional structure of Indian politics has also guaranteed national disunity, by articulating and amplifying every domestic division and dispute for electoral advantage. Finally, India is facing determined assault by imperialists, who are deploying the advantages of modern technology and economics to subordinate it. All of these factors in combination seem to outweigh the ability of Hindus to respond in a farsighted way to protect their civilisation and assure a legacy to their children and grandchildren as well as the wider world. A mortal external danger facing Hindus and India is the Christian Crusader State, the US. The US and its British, German and Scandinavian allies are assiduously engaged in evangelical conversion to destroy Hinduism once-and-for-all. As Sitaram Goel averred, Christianity and Islam are both political ideologies and, one should add, their fervent claims to divine inspiration subterfuge to deceive. The US hatred for India is long-standing, having begun more or less from the moment India became independent in 1947. It has been the principal sponsor of India’s enemies in the region, with some sterling help from Britain’s duplicitous political elites. In the late 1960s, the US joined with China to undermine India, with Henry Kissinger in 1971 inviting the Chinese ambassador to the UN, Huang Hua, to advise his country to attack India. But Pakistan remained the main US instrument to torment it and collusion with its merciless butchers to commit genocide in Bangladesh was the most blatant example of evil US predilections towards Hindu India. Even at this very moment, the US government and its liberal media are working overtime to stop India punishing Pakistan by resorting to intrigues about a common enemy and pretending to chastise Pakistan when the Pakistani ISI was created in fact as an outsourced branch of the CIA. Contemporary evangelism is the modern offspring of Nazism, which sought to implement a programme of racial subjugation in a pattern with long antecedents in the history of Christian nations. Christianity highlights an unbroken history of torture and mass murder to achieve imperialist political goals. From the sixth century onwards it showed its true colours once it had suborned the Roman State and began a programme of extirpation against all rivals. From Charlemagne’s cold-blooded execution of tens of thousands of pagans and the subsequent killing spree in the Christian expansion into Eastern Europe to the mass murder of Cathars and the unrelenting persecution of Jews, the Church was the unequivocal progenitor of modern Nazism. The instances of the complicity of most major denominations in murder and enslavement is endless, from active participation in the genocide of Amerindians and Africans, to the creation of the Southern Baptist Convention to defend US slavery and their Absolution for apartheid in South Africa. But in India they have appeared to liberate so-called oppressed groups who are merely going to become instruments for the introduction of modern slavery for all Indians. This is the life-and-death struggle that Hindus are unable to comprehend and resist. Instead the outflow of educated Hindus to a militantly evangelical US has created a diabolical situation in which they are overwhelmingly dependent on the US, and to a lesser degree the British market, for their livelihoods. Virtually every author from Mumbai, writing for the English speaking market, sought to downplay the role of terrorism per se in the recent murderous assault against its people. They engaged instead in self-flagellation and deviously advanced the idea that there were deeper causes of terrorism and for which of course India was allegedly responsible. All this cynical hand wringing is really designed to validate the fervent US desire to shield its dastardly ally from the consequences of terrorism against innocent Indians. And of course it does no harm to the book sales of these distinctly second-rate wordsmiths. As any reasonable observer is aware, there is no such thing as Hindu except to locate them geographically as a people. And to also differentiate Hindus in the negative sense from the imperious monotheisms of Christianity and Islam. Hindu practices do share some features, the central attribute of which is the ability to accommodate what other faiths denounce as the heresy of rivals. Of course most Hindus do privilege some common practices and beliefs, especially the singular importance of certain key texts. There is also a willingness to accord recognition to deities privileged by competing sects even as they continue to accord primacy to their own particular form of worship. However, one striking commonality for Hindus is a feeling of affinity that they experience entering temples anywhere within India and beyond. The most significant aspect of Hindu religious life remains its ingrained tolerance towards each other’s spiritual beliefs. It is important to note that Hindus instinctively react in the same way to Islam and Christianity despite the fact that both are determined to extirpate Hinduism and impose their own exclusive faith on them. The result of Hindu eclecticism and its admixture of the divine and secular make it difficult to create an overarching sense of political belonging. In the absence of the kind of rigid beliefs that define Semitic religious identity, accompanied by a single text and clear prescriptions and proscriptions, Hindu consciousness remains determinedly local. The philosophical scepticism of the Adi Shankaracharya co-exists with the assertion of a later successor, Swami Vivekananda, who argued that belief in a Supreme Being was necessary for attaining Moksha. But it was Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and their acolytes who inadvertently, in the first case and actively, in the second, who have instigated the worst damage to the possibilities inherent in Hinduism. Gandhiji’s misguided insistence on neutering any manifestation of Hinduism that might be found provocative by Islam and Nehru’s illiterate, Anglicised socialism created a devastating moral vacuum in Indian society. This was a huge and many-sided emptiness that socialist nonsense has failed to fill anywhere in the world and which the passionate reversion to religious faith across former socialist countries is demonstrating. In India, the expulsion of all Hindu sensibility from public life in the name of secularism resulted in its substitution by crass materialism and a pitiable sentimentality, both deriving from Bollywood. The Hindu moral universe, in both its secular and specifically religious variants, has been all but destroyed except for what endures in the private sphere since Hindus still crave for transcendental meaning even as they lose their moorings in possessive individualism and materialism. Dr. Gautam Sen(Taught at the London School of Economics for more than two decades and now writes on international political economy. The writer can be contacted at
Friday, February 20, 2009
RSS State Executive begins in Angul
By Golak Chandra Das
ANGUL, Feb 20: The three day long State Executive of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Friday began in the premises of Saraswati Sishu Mandir here. RSS Saha Karyabaha Mohan Rao Bhagwat inaugurated the meet and review various progress of the organization in the State. Bhagwat also launched a book named Veda Vandita Saraswati and Saraswata Sabhayata written eminent writer Dr Nagendra Pradhan, said RSS State spokesman Simanchal Khatua.
Around 300 representatives from all RSS affiliated bodies including Viswa Hindu Parishad, ABVP, Banabasi Kalayan Ashram, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bharatiya Kissan Sangh, Sikshya Vikash Samiti, Itihash Sankalan Samiti, Akhil Bharatiya Adhibhakata Parishad, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Bharatiya Sikshyan Mandal, Biswa Sambad Kendra, Rashtradeepa, Seva Bharati, Utkal Biparana Sahayata Samiti, National Medicos Organisation, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, Purba Sainika Seva Parishad, Sahakar Bharati, Dharma Jagaran Samiti, Sanskar Bharati, Laghu Udyoga Bharati and Rashtra Sevika Samiti are attending the meet that will ended on February 22.
Orissa-West Bengal Khetra Sanghachalak Jyotrimaya Chakravorty, Khetra Karyabaha Satyanarayan Mazumdar, Khetra Pracharak Sunilpada Goswami, Saha Khetra Pracharak Ajit Prasad Mohapatra, Khetra Prachar Pramukha Asim Kumar Mitra, Pranta Sangha Chalak Ashok Das and Karyabaha Gopal Prasad Mohapatra were among those present.
ANGUL, Feb 20: The three day long State Executive of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Friday began in the premises of Saraswati Sishu Mandir here. RSS Saha Karyabaha Mohan Rao Bhagwat inaugurated the meet and review various progress of the organization in the State. Bhagwat also launched a book named Veda Vandita Saraswati and Saraswata Sabhayata written eminent writer Dr Nagendra Pradhan, said RSS State spokesman Simanchal Khatua.
Around 300 representatives from all RSS affiliated bodies including Viswa Hindu Parishad, ABVP, Banabasi Kalayan Ashram, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Bharatiya Kissan Sangh, Sikshya Vikash Samiti, Itihash Sankalan Samiti, Akhil Bharatiya Adhibhakata Parishad, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Bharatiya Sikshyan Mandal, Biswa Sambad Kendra, Rashtradeepa, Seva Bharati, Utkal Biparana Sahayata Samiti, National Medicos Organisation, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Parishad, Purba Sainika Seva Parishad, Sahakar Bharati, Dharma Jagaran Samiti, Sanskar Bharati, Laghu Udyoga Bharati and Rashtra Sevika Samiti are attending the meet that will ended on February 22.
Orissa-West Bengal Khetra Sanghachalak Jyotrimaya Chakravorty, Khetra Karyabaha Satyanarayan Mazumdar, Khetra Pracharak Sunilpada Goswami, Saha Khetra Pracharak Ajit Prasad Mohapatra, Khetra Prachar Pramukha Asim Kumar Mitra, Pranta Sangha Chalak Ashok Das and Karyabaha Gopal Prasad Mohapatra were among those present.
President Obama has started Ethnic Cleansing of Indians in America
President Obama has started Ethnic Cleansing of Indians in America
That too, based on a racist lie
-Dr. Pravin Togadia
Bhopal, 18th February, 2009
Due to American President Barak Hussein Obama’s communal & racist decision, millions of Indian youth have already lost jobs in America & many will be losing jobs in coming 2 months.
Criticising America for this, VHP Secretary General Dr Pravin Togadia said, “American President Barak Hussein Obama has passed the bill of giving $ 787 billion (isn’t it closer to 786?) to the sick American companies. Good that he is helping companies in America in a difficult Economic Crisis time. But in the garb of saving costs, Prez Barak Hussein Obama has surreptitiously started Ethnic Cleansing of Indians in America. How? Prez Barak Hussein Obama has sanctioned $ 787 billion package to the American Companies on the condition that THEY SHOULD NOT APPOINT ANY H1-B EMPLOYEES IF THEY WANT HELP FROM THIS PACKAGE. What is H1-B? People who go from various countries to America to work there, are given a Visa which is called H1-B Visa. With this condition, PREZ BARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA HAS SLIT THE ECONOMIC THROAT OF ALL INDIANS WHO WORK IN AMERICA ON H1-B VISA. Prez Barak Hussein Obama has not stopped at that. Now he is bringing the bill that will NOT ALLOW ANY H1-B VISAS for any company in America for coming years. How does it ill-affect Indian Youth?
Currently over 2 Lakh Indian youth are already losing jobs from the companies who are accepting the package.
Over 8 Lakh Indian students are studying in various American universities & many of them had got study loans back home on the basis of their bright future of getting dollar paying jobs in America. With such a communally racist pre-condition of not appointing any H1-B visa employee, all these Indian Youths are thrown in a huge problem of loan repayment.
Over 10 Lakh bright students are studying in India in premium institutions like IIMs, IITs & other regional institutions. Some of them are looking forward to & some of them have already got placements in companies in America. These youths have already applied / planning to apply for H1-B Visa. All these are affected.
Agreed that any country can have its own discretion about whom to give Visas & how many. Agreed that any corporate house has every right to cut costs & so do companies in America.
But WHAT IS THE TRUTH BEHIND THIS ECONOMIC ETHNIC CLEANSING OF INDIANS IN AMERICA?
Bright young Indians like Sabeer Bhatia (creator of Hotmail. Microsoft bought Hotmail from him & then Microsoft became big on this & on many of the Indian Software & hardware Engineer’s hard work & talent) made America’s economy big in the new technology era. After using lakhs of these young talented people, now America is throwing them out.
Many American companies appointed lakhs of young Indian professionals. From Microsoft to CISCO, from Yahoo to PepsiCo, from Boeing to Colgate, from 3 M to Compaq, from Coca Cola to IBN, from Citi Bank to American Express & from Kellogg’s to GE etc. Some were appointed at the entry level & some grew those companies to today’s heights & reached top levels like Indira Nooi, Dr Dinesh Keskar & Vikram Pundit. But now when it came to returning the favour, America’s new Prez Barak Hussein Obama, obviously so, is throwing most of them out.
Truth is that most American companies appointed Indian young talent because they got better work from Indian professionals at lower cost. America has law that if any company appoints an H1-B employee, amount equal to his per year salary has to be paid to American govt by the company. Yet American companies saved by appointing talented Indian youth on lower salaries. So, this logic of Kenyan origin Prez Barak Hussein Obama that by throwing Indian employees out, American companies would save money is all humbug & a big eye-wash; This lie by him is just to please sentiments of a group in America, but truly it is ECONOMIC ETHNIC CLEANSING OF INDIANS IN AMERICA.
Those senior employees, who were paid salaries at par with local Americans, are also being under pressure to either accept lower salaries or quit.
If Green Card holder Americans of Indian origin American citizens think that they are above all this & their America will not hurt them, then they are living in a fool’s paradise. They must recall what happened in Uganda, Fiji & most importantly in Kenya- the country of origin of new American Prez Barak Hussein Obama. Lakhs of Indians were literally thrown out without any mercy. They had to leave their land, houses & other belongings behind. Many could never stand up in life again. Many came back to homeland India- hurt, penniless. Many went to America, U.K., and Canada etc on asylum. Current America & Prez Barak Hussein Obama are behaving towards this direction. It would not stop at only H1-B. This large ECONOMIC ETHNIC CLEANSING of INDIANS IN AMERICA by Prez Barak Hussein Obama would soon set example for a very large group in America waiting to hoard Indians out. This group is being misdirected by many that Indians have ‘grabbed’ their jobs, displacing them. Prez Barak Hussein Obama’s recent action of throwing H1-B
Indians out is in line with this misguided sentiment & to please this group who voted for him. He would then target settled Indians to ensure appeasement of this group. Recent attacks on Indians, Indian students & Indian Executives killing 10 Indians at different places in America is a sign of things to come which are being encouraged by such racist actions by the Prez himself.
Agreed that many other nations people have H1-B visa too. This percentage is minimal at 11%. Remaining 91% are Indian youths. This is CLEARLY ECONOMIC ETHNIC CLEANSING OF WORKING INDIANS IN AMERICA,
It is high time that Indians in America & other countries, USIBC (United States India Business Council of which Hillary Clinton & Boeing are members), Indians in India & Indian government put enough pressure on American Government to revoke its decision of not allowing H1-B employees in America. If not, Indians in India will not support American Companies & their products / services. It is criminal to earn billions of dollars from Indian markets & through Indian talent in America & hurt Indians in America! VHP demands immediate intervention from Indian government in this matter. If American Prez Barak Hussein Obama does not revoke his racist decision then Indians would stand up to it & BOYCOTT AMERICAN PRODUCTS & SERVICES. Some of the American companies who are earning billions of dollars DISPLACING LOCAL INDIAN BUSINESSES & CUTTING INDIAN CONSUMER’S POCKETS ARE:
Colgate Palmolive: Colgate toothpaste / toothbrush, Palmolive Shaving products & personal care, Oral-B, etc.
Procter & Gamble: Ariel detergent, Whisper sanitary napkins, Vicks, Pantene / Head & Shoulders / Rejoice shampoos & Old Spice personal care
Kellogg’s: Corn Flex / Wheat Flex / Rice Flex / Choco Flex
PepsiCo & Coca Cola: Cold drinks & water like Aquafina & Kinley
Johnson & Johnson: Johnson baby soap / shampoo / oil / powder, Stayfree sanitary napkins, Surgical products like sutures / catguts etc
Pfizer Pharma: Becosule & many medicines
Boeing: Sacking hundreds of Indian employees in Seattle factory, Boeing is starting a factory in Nagpur in India for low cost employees. This India operation is led by a senior Indian born American employee of Boeing Dr Dinesh Keskar. We appeal to him that he should help reach fellow Indian’s woos to Prez Barak Hussein Obama.
General Electric: Washing Machines, Air conditioners, etc
Abbott Pharma: Erythrocin & other medicines
Citi Bank: Banking & Financial services
Compaq, IBM, HP & Dell: Computers
Microsoft: Windows & other Softwares & computer operating systems
Monsanto: Agriculture products like seeds etc.
Yahoo, G Mail: Email services
These are only a few. American companies flourished by selling these products in cash-strapped Indian markets, displaced Indian businesses & height is NOW THEIR NEW PRESIDENT BARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA (according to his own book ‘My Father’s Dream’) doing ECONOMIC JEHAD AGAINST YOUNG INDIANS WORKING & STUDYING IN AMERICA.
This is also an appeal to be a free member of YOUNG INDIANS WORKING ABROAD FORUM (YIWAF)
If Indians do not stand up to this injustice now, it would be too late. It is easy to say that we don’t care what America does to these young talented people; we have enough jobs; why talent should go out etc. But we all know the job situation even in India. The fact of the matter is that FOR OWN COMMUNAL AGENDA, NO COUNTRY HAS ANY RIGHT TO EXPLOIT INDIAN TALENT ED YOUTH & THEN THROW THEM OUT LIKE A USED COKE CAN OR LIKE AN EMPTY PIZZA BOX!
This is an appeal to Indian Govt & American Govt to follow TRUTH, JUSTICE, EQALITY & LIBERTY (what they keep on preaching) seriously & STOP PERSECUTING INDIANS IMMEDIATELY.
For any positive suggestions, to be a member of YIWAF & for further action, please contact
Dr Pravin Togadia, Secretary General, VHP
That too, based on a racist lie
-Dr. Pravin Togadia
Bhopal, 18th February, 2009
Due to American President Barak Hussein Obama’s communal & racist decision, millions of Indian youth have already lost jobs in America & many will be losing jobs in coming 2 months.
Criticising America for this, VHP Secretary General Dr Pravin Togadia said, “American President Barak Hussein Obama has passed the bill of giving $ 787 billion (isn’t it closer to 786?) to the sick American companies. Good that he is helping companies in America in a difficult Economic Crisis time. But in the garb of saving costs, Prez Barak Hussein Obama has surreptitiously started Ethnic Cleansing of Indians in America. How? Prez Barak Hussein Obama has sanctioned $ 787 billion package to the American Companies on the condition that THEY SHOULD NOT APPOINT ANY H1-B EMPLOYEES IF THEY WANT HELP FROM THIS PACKAGE. What is H1-B? People who go from various countries to America to work there, are given a Visa which is called H1-B Visa. With this condition, PREZ BARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA HAS SLIT THE ECONOMIC THROAT OF ALL INDIANS WHO WORK IN AMERICA ON H1-B VISA. Prez Barak Hussein Obama has not stopped at that. Now he is bringing the bill that will NOT ALLOW ANY H1-B VISAS for any company in America for coming years. How does it ill-affect Indian Youth?
Currently over 2 Lakh Indian youth are already losing jobs from the companies who are accepting the package.
Over 8 Lakh Indian students are studying in various American universities & many of them had got study loans back home on the basis of their bright future of getting dollar paying jobs in America. With such a communally racist pre-condition of not appointing any H1-B visa employee, all these Indian Youths are thrown in a huge problem of loan repayment.
Over 10 Lakh bright students are studying in India in premium institutions like IIMs, IITs & other regional institutions. Some of them are looking forward to & some of them have already got placements in companies in America. These youths have already applied / planning to apply for H1-B Visa. All these are affected.
Agreed that any country can have its own discretion about whom to give Visas & how many. Agreed that any corporate house has every right to cut costs & so do companies in America.
But WHAT IS THE TRUTH BEHIND THIS ECONOMIC ETHNIC CLEANSING OF INDIANS IN AMERICA?
Bright young Indians like Sabeer Bhatia (creator of Hotmail. Microsoft bought Hotmail from him & then Microsoft became big on this & on many of the Indian Software & hardware Engineer’s hard work & talent) made America’s economy big in the new technology era. After using lakhs of these young talented people, now America is throwing them out.
Many American companies appointed lakhs of young Indian professionals. From Microsoft to CISCO, from Yahoo to PepsiCo, from Boeing to Colgate, from 3 M to Compaq, from Coca Cola to IBN, from Citi Bank to American Express & from Kellogg’s to GE etc. Some were appointed at the entry level & some grew those companies to today’s heights & reached top levels like Indira Nooi, Dr Dinesh Keskar & Vikram Pundit. But now when it came to returning the favour, America’s new Prez Barak Hussein Obama, obviously so, is throwing most of them out.
Truth is that most American companies appointed Indian young talent because they got better work from Indian professionals at lower cost. America has law that if any company appoints an H1-B employee, amount equal to his per year salary has to be paid to American govt by the company. Yet American companies saved by appointing talented Indian youth on lower salaries. So, this logic of Kenyan origin Prez Barak Hussein Obama that by throwing Indian employees out, American companies would save money is all humbug & a big eye-wash; This lie by him is just to please sentiments of a group in America, but truly it is ECONOMIC ETHNIC CLEANSING OF INDIANS IN AMERICA.
Those senior employees, who were paid salaries at par with local Americans, are also being under pressure to either accept lower salaries or quit.
If Green Card holder Americans of Indian origin American citizens think that they are above all this & their America will not hurt them, then they are living in a fool’s paradise. They must recall what happened in Uganda, Fiji & most importantly in Kenya- the country of origin of new American Prez Barak Hussein Obama. Lakhs of Indians were literally thrown out without any mercy. They had to leave their land, houses & other belongings behind. Many could never stand up in life again. Many came back to homeland India- hurt, penniless. Many went to America, U.K., and Canada etc on asylum. Current America & Prez Barak Hussein Obama are behaving towards this direction. It would not stop at only H1-B. This large ECONOMIC ETHNIC CLEANSING of INDIANS IN AMERICA by Prez Barak Hussein Obama would soon set example for a very large group in America waiting to hoard Indians out. This group is being misdirected by many that Indians have ‘grabbed’ their jobs, displacing them. Prez Barak Hussein Obama’s recent action of throwing H1-B
Indians out is in line with this misguided sentiment & to please this group who voted for him. He would then target settled Indians to ensure appeasement of this group. Recent attacks on Indians, Indian students & Indian Executives killing 10 Indians at different places in America is a sign of things to come which are being encouraged by such racist actions by the Prez himself.
Agreed that many other nations people have H1-B visa too. This percentage is minimal at 11%. Remaining 91% are Indian youths. This is CLEARLY ECONOMIC ETHNIC CLEANSING OF WORKING INDIANS IN AMERICA,
It is high time that Indians in America & other countries, USIBC (United States India Business Council of which Hillary Clinton & Boeing are members), Indians in India & Indian government put enough pressure on American Government to revoke its decision of not allowing H1-B employees in America. If not, Indians in India will not support American Companies & their products / services. It is criminal to earn billions of dollars from Indian markets & through Indian talent in America & hurt Indians in America! VHP demands immediate intervention from Indian government in this matter. If American Prez Barak Hussein Obama does not revoke his racist decision then Indians would stand up to it & BOYCOTT AMERICAN PRODUCTS & SERVICES. Some of the American companies who are earning billions of dollars DISPLACING LOCAL INDIAN BUSINESSES & CUTTING INDIAN CONSUMER’S POCKETS ARE:
Colgate Palmolive: Colgate toothpaste / toothbrush, Palmolive Shaving products & personal care, Oral-B, etc.
Procter & Gamble: Ariel detergent, Whisper sanitary napkins, Vicks, Pantene / Head & Shoulders / Rejoice shampoos & Old Spice personal care
Kellogg’s: Corn Flex / Wheat Flex / Rice Flex / Choco Flex
PepsiCo & Coca Cola: Cold drinks & water like Aquafina & Kinley
Johnson & Johnson: Johnson baby soap / shampoo / oil / powder, Stayfree sanitary napkins, Surgical products like sutures / catguts etc
Pfizer Pharma: Becosule & many medicines
Boeing: Sacking hundreds of Indian employees in Seattle factory, Boeing is starting a factory in Nagpur in India for low cost employees. This India operation is led by a senior Indian born American employee of Boeing Dr Dinesh Keskar. We appeal to him that he should help reach fellow Indian’s woos to Prez Barak Hussein Obama.
General Electric: Washing Machines, Air conditioners, etc
Abbott Pharma: Erythrocin & other medicines
Citi Bank: Banking & Financial services
Compaq, IBM, HP & Dell: Computers
Microsoft: Windows & other Softwares & computer operating systems
Monsanto: Agriculture products like seeds etc.
Yahoo, G Mail: Email services
These are only a few. American companies flourished by selling these products in cash-strapped Indian markets, displaced Indian businesses & height is NOW THEIR NEW PRESIDENT BARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA (according to his own book ‘My Father’s Dream’) doing ECONOMIC JEHAD AGAINST YOUNG INDIANS WORKING & STUDYING IN AMERICA.
This is also an appeal to be a free member of YOUNG INDIANS WORKING ABROAD FORUM (YIWAF)
If Indians do not stand up to this injustice now, it would be too late. It is easy to say that we don’t care what America does to these young talented people; we have enough jobs; why talent should go out etc. But we all know the job situation even in India. The fact of the matter is that FOR OWN COMMUNAL AGENDA, NO COUNTRY HAS ANY RIGHT TO EXPLOIT INDIAN TALENT ED YOUTH & THEN THROW THEM OUT LIKE A USED COKE CAN OR LIKE AN EMPTY PIZZA BOX!
This is an appeal to Indian Govt & American Govt to follow TRUTH, JUSTICE, EQALITY & LIBERTY (what they keep on preaching) seriously & STOP PERSECUTING INDIANS IMMEDIATELY.
For any positive suggestions, to be a member of YIWAF & for further action, please contact
Dr Pravin Togadia, Secretary General, VHP
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Andhra प्रदेश्समाचार
Andhra प्रदेश्समाचार
DAILY NEWSOrganize
by SAMACHARA BHARATI
(AP Vishwa Samvad Kendra)Email : samaachaarabhaarati@yahoo.com, vskap1@gmail.com12 February 09
IM threw party after every blastFebruary 12th, 2009 By Our CorrespondentFeb. 11: Mohammed Akbar Ismail Choudhary, one of the arrested the bombers, said members of Indian Mujahideen (IM) would celebrate after the blasts occurred."The IM chief Riyaz Bhatkal's brother Iqbal Bhatkal told my elder brother, Mohsin Choudhary, to arrange a small function to celebrate the Jaipur blasts," said Akbar, who was brought to the city from Mumbai.The police said that Akbar confessed that Anique, another accused, and he were sent to Chikmagalur to be trained in explosives and firing by Waseem alias Ahmed Bawa of IM.Anique said Riyaz was upset that the bomb didn't explode at Dilsukhnagar. Rhetoric apart, can India tackle terror decisively? February 12th, 2009 By S. Nihal SinghSomewhere along the way the Indian authorities have lost the plot in coping with the consequences of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Granted that the question of surgical strikes against militant camps in Pakistan-controlled territory became academic after 72 hours of the tragic happenings, New Delhi relied on the amorphous "international community" to pressure Pakistan to come clean. But the fragile civilian dispensation was unable or unwilling, or both, to deliver on its promises.There have, of course, been much posturing and many speeches from Indian leaders and their Pakistani counterparts on 9/11, but more than three months after the attacks on India's financial capital leading to many deaths, the score card remains unimpressive. The United States has expressed sympathy, the UN Security Council has passed a resolution, but New Delhi is far from reaching its objective of bringing those who sponsored or masterminded the operation to justice.The problem is two-fold: the limited interest of the major players in helping India in this area and the inability of the Indian establishment to measure up to dealing effectively with a cataclysmic event of the Mumbai variety. Americans are already seeking to make a distinction between good Taliban and bad Taliban as a prelude to striking a compromise in Afghanistan. The kind of terrorism India faces and will face in the future does not fall in the essential category for US policymakers, quite apart from who occupies the White House.Besides, despite the number of measures taken to streamline and upgrade the decision-making process and equipment, the Indian establishment is far from ready to face emergencies, as the recent false hijack drama revealed. It will take much more effort and cooperation between the state and federal governments to have an effective counter-terrorism fighting machine seamlessly going into action.On the political plane, a coincidence of inhospitable events and circumstances has made India's task unenviable. The apparent heart-warming remarks made by President Asif Zardari brought short-lived comfort because he had to obfuscate, rather than clarify, the Pakistani provenance of the attacks. They involved a wing of the powerful Army, the ISI spy agency, as has now been officially stated by India. Whatever the inclination of the civilian government, its writ does not run over the Army.In an effort to reconcile the irreconcilable, statements by Pakistani leaders were full of contradictions and red herring, as the official reaction to the Indian dossier revealed. The Zardari government seems to have little control over the terrorist camps, even assuming that it wants to abolish them, and the various forms of arrest of named leaders of terrorist groups are, at best, revolving door operations.The Indian authorities' problem is that they have to give the impression of exerting themselves in mitigating a national tragedy as best they can. Rhetoric, therefore, must substitute for action, and with the general election looming on the horizon, even war rhetoric on occasion. The Opposition BJP's taunt of the Congress-led government being soft on terror must be countered with thundering speeches and yet more calls on the "international community" and the United Nations to come to India's aid. But the nations that count have their own agenda and the UN is only the stepchild of the major powers.Many well-meaning Pakistanis appeal to India to strengthen the hands of the civilian government, rather than call a spade a spade. But New Delhi has no option but to deal with the power structure that exists. The ethos that has evolved in Pakistan almost since independence is of an Army-dominated state whose interests lie in opposing India, given the genesis of the Partition and the circumstances in which it lost half the country with the birth of Bangladesh.Ironically, it was an Army-ruled Pakistan that came closest to finding a basis for making peace with India, symbolised by the January 2004 agreement between General Pervez Musharraf and then Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee based on the promise of Islamabad not permitting the use of the territory it controlled for terrorist activities against India. As became evident later, the General chose not to keep his word and retained the elaborate terrorist structures and permitted open and clandestine collection of funds by terrorist organisations.The only other occasion that promised a basic redefinition of the India-Pakistan equation was after the defeat of the Pakistan Army in the Bangladesh war in 1971, with the Indira Gandhi government showing generosity in releasing thousands of Pakistani prisoners of war on the basis of an oral promise on Kashmir made by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. But he was the leader of a defeated country and promptly went back on his word. P.N. Haksar, Indira's key adviser, later told me that India made this historic gesture to bury the past and begin a new chapter in relations between the two countries.Returning to the present, the Pakistan Army appears to have got away with inspiring, if not organising, the Mumbai attacks with a few bruises but without much body harm. India has been unable to make the Pakistan Army pay for its actions. Pakistan's standing in the international terrorism league might have gone up by a few notches but its usefulness to the United States vis-à-vis Afghanistan has not diminished. In fact, it might have increased in the new thinking taking root in Washington of divorcing the Taliban from Al Qaeda. Islamabad might emerge as a valuable go-between in organising a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan for Americans.Which brings us to the central problem of the options India has. The stark message of post-Mumbai attacks is that there is no substitute for modernising and upgrading the anti-terrorism machine and the political decision-making apparatus that must go with it so that India is ready to meet the next attack with determination and immediate follow-up action. Can India make the transition from its traditionally sloppy ways, whatever the complexion of the government, to becoming a well-run modern state capable of giving a fitting answer to those who choose to attack? That is the question. From DECCAN CHRONICLE, 12, February 2009 Assembly turns into 'battlefield' Special Correspondent Free-for-all at House; 49 Opposition members suspended
Photo: PTI
BIG TROUBLE: Marshals carry one of the Opposition members out of the Assembly hall on Wednesday. HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh Assembly turned into a virtual battleground on Wednesday as some Opposition members wrenched off microphones and took on the marshals when they tried to physically remove them from the House.As many as 49 members of the Telugu Desam Party, Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the Left parties were suspended earlier, but many resisted their ejection from the House leading to a scuffle with the marshals and bruises to both.In the free-for-all that ensued, some MLAs pounced on Chief Marshal Ch. A. Gajapathi Raju, injuring his elbow, and raised the broken microphones to hit marshals, forcing the latter to huddle in a corner. The members later trooped out on their own led by TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, when the House re-assembled, this time with more marshals. The trouble started as soon as the House assembled when the TDP, TRS, CPI (M) and CPI tabled adjournment notices seeking a debate on Sandur Power Company, owned by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The notice alleged that "easy money" earned out of "shady deals" with Satyam Computers and Maytas Infra was diverted into Sandur. They shouted slogans and repeatedly rushed to the podium thrice and threw papers into air, forcing Speaker K. R. Suresh Reddy to adjourn the House two times. As his repeated appeals for restoration of normalcy failed to evoke any response, he suspended the Opposition members, including Mr. Naidu, after Minister for Legislative Affairs K. Rosaiah moved a motion to that effect. Marshals were called in as members did not move out.The Opposition claimed that several of its members including P. Keshav and Vem Narender Reddy, T. Harish Rao of TRS and Julakanti Ranga Reddy of CPI (M) sustained injuries at the hands of the marshals. They later stormed the chambers of the Speaker to protest against their treatment by the marshals. Mr. Naidu and others staged a dharna on the steps leading to the House and addressed a meeting denouncing the alleged shady deals in Sandur power.The Congress as well as the TDP described the unprecedented developments as 'a black day' in the history of the Assembly. From THE HINDU, 12, February 2009Send your Comments to vskap1@gmail.com or samaachaarabhaarati@yahoo.com
-- From :
R.MallikarjunaraoSamachara Bharati3-4-852, Barkatpura,Hyderabad, Andhrapradesh.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Report of Village Health Workers Training Program Village Health Worker प्रोजेक्ट
Report of Village Health Workers Training Program Village Health Worker प्रोजेक्ट
(Arogya Rakshak):-
Seva Bharati Meghalaya have well spread activity of village Health workers for the last ten years। We arrange the training programme for selected boys and girls from different villages। We train them in Primary health care and about common diseases and give them a medical box for free distribution of medicine to the needy patient। Our 256 workers are working in 159 villages in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills. We have a register of more than 4000 patients who were benefited by this programme. The village health workers new batch training concluded on 7th Feb 2009 at 3.00 pm at Sohiong village in West khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The two days training was started on 6th Feb 2009 at 10.00 am. Shri Thabah, President of Seng Khasi organization inaugurated the training. Shri D. Lyngdoh, President of Seng Khasi Nongthilew also was present in the function. 52 youths from 32 villages of West Khasi Hills District participated in this training. They traveled from their village to venue of training and paid the training fees also from their own pockets. Dr. Pdeh delivered speech about common diseases their symptoms and precautions etc. Dr. K. Sari explained them about digestive system and the diseased related to the same. Shri E.W. Warjri trained the trainees about the medicines and medicine box. Smt. T. Kharkylliang explained them anatomy and physiology. Seva Bharati has provided a medicine box to them in which medicine for common diseases has given. These health workers will work voluntarily in their respective village. Villagers from remote villages will be benefited through this project. . Seva Bharati has arranged night halt of the trainees in different families of Sohiong village. It was the experience of interaction among the people which created the atmosphere of love and harmony among villagers and health workers. This training was informative and nice experience to the trainees who came from remote villages
(Arogya Rakshak):-
Seva Bharati Meghalaya have well spread activity of village Health workers for the last ten years। We arrange the training programme for selected boys and girls from different villages। We train them in Primary health care and about common diseases and give them a medical box for free distribution of medicine to the needy patient। Our 256 workers are working in 159 villages in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills. We have a register of more than 4000 patients who were benefited by this programme. The village health workers new batch training concluded on 7th Feb 2009 at 3.00 pm at Sohiong village in West khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The two days training was started on 6th Feb 2009 at 10.00 am. Shri Thabah, President of Seng Khasi organization inaugurated the training. Shri D. Lyngdoh, President of Seng Khasi Nongthilew also was present in the function. 52 youths from 32 villages of West Khasi Hills District participated in this training. They traveled from their village to venue of training and paid the training fees also from their own pockets. Dr. Pdeh delivered speech about common diseases their symptoms and precautions etc. Dr. K. Sari explained them about digestive system and the diseased related to the same. Shri E.W. Warjri trained the trainees about the medicines and medicine box. Smt. T. Kharkylliang explained them anatomy and physiology. Seva Bharati has provided a medicine box to them in which medicine for common diseases has given. These health workers will work voluntarily in their respective village. Villagers from remote villages will be benefited through this project. . Seva Bharati has arranged night halt of the trainees in different families of Sohiong village. It was the experience of interaction among the people which created the atmosphere of love and harmony among villagers and health workers. This training was informative and nice experience to the trainees who came from remote villages
Monday, February 09, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
विसकेओ बुलेटिन-फरवरी-2009
Orissa news
‘Kui’ replaced by ‘Kui Kandha’, KSSS
rejects Govt’s move
BHUBANESWAR : Naveen Patnaik always plays safe. So in an election year the Orissa Chief Minister adopted the middle path and neither here nor there.
While the ST SC Development department favored to delete ‘Kui’ from the Presidential order of Orissa Scheduled list, Patnaik agreed to substitute ‘Kui’ with ‘Kui Kandha’.
Former Chief Minister and sitting Congress Lok Sabha MP from Koraput, Giridhar Gamang also favored the idea and the Chief Minister also accepted the same.
The Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) held its meeting here on January 9, 2009 to discuss the contentious issue of ‘Kui’. Madhu Sudan Padhi, Special Administrator Kandhamal Affairs briefed in a clear cut manner about the ‘Kui’ and cleared many apprehensions from the mind of the leaders.
Though ‘Kui’ is a language, but ‘Kui’ speaking non-tribals are allegedly misusing the facility. And this issue has turned out to be major problem in Kandhamal district. ‘Kui’ speaking non-tribals are also asking the status of tribals, leaving the State Government in a jam.
So the SC ST Development department proposed to delete the ‘Kui’ from the list. However Dr.Gamang opposed the same, saying this will irk Kandhas residing all over the state.
He favored the idea of replacing ‘Kui’ in favor of ‘Kui Kandha’. Sensing the mood Chief Minister rejected the proposal of the department and adopted the idea of Dr Gamang.
And TAC adopted it. So now the State Government will approach the Centre to replace ‘Kui’ in favor of ‘Kui Kandha’.
Meanwhile, Kui Samaj Samanoya Samiti, a tribal body fighting in riot hit Kandhamal, however rejected the move of the State Government and announced to oppose it.
Ban cow slaughter; declare it as national animal, demands Seer
BHUBANESWAR: Shankaracharya of Gokarna Pitha, Karanataka Swami Jagadaguru Raghaveshwar Bharati on January 6 asked Congress led UPA Government at Centre as well as respective States Government to impose a complete ban on cow slaughtering.
The firebrand Hindu Seer, while addressing a Press Conference here, further demanded that the Government should declare cow as national animal and ensure protection.
"We would conduct a 108 days Rath Yatra to high light the issue. The Rath Yatra, which will spread the message of ‘save cow and save village’ will be flagged off on September 28, 2009, on Vijaya Dashami Day at Kurukhetra in Hariyana and calumniated at Nagpur in 2010 on Makar Sankranti Day," the Shankaracharya said. The Yatra would traverse some 20,000 kilometers, he added.
Apart, from the main Rath, 15,000 smaller Rath to traverse some 10 lakh kilometers during in 108 days, he added. The Seer further said that meetings will be held at 400 places across the country and signature of 50 crore people will be collected and submitted to the President of India seeking complete ban on cow slaughter, he added.
The Seer said that main Rath would stay in Orissa for three days. Coming down heavily on Church and Islamic terrorists, the Seer claimed that Hindus are in danger due to faulty policies of the political class.
The urgent call for the protection and preservation of Indian Cow Breed has been his primary activity in the very recent years. Of total 70 breeds recognised in India, only around 35 breeds exist now and all of them can be found in Seer’s Matt in Karnataka. He started the Kamaduga yogana, to concentrate on the work. Projects are on to start 108 goshalas, of which few are already started in Karnataka, Maharastra, Kerala, Tamilnadu.
The Seer, who came into prominence after organising the "Go Yatre" in 2004 and the "Go Sansat" in 2006 has said that this move to focus attention on the need to protect and promote Indian cow breeds many of which are believed to be on the verge of extinction.
Swamiji who had taken up protection of the pure Indian cow breeds as his mission through a programme "Kamadugha" will lead the 108 days Yatra, sources added. Shankar Lal ji, Joint-Coordinator Biswa Mangal Go Gram Yatra Samiti and AS Panigrahi of the State unit were among those present at the Press meet.
RSS observes Makar Sankranti
BHUBANESWAR(VISAKEO): The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on January 14 observed Makar Sankranti while appealing people to maintain the spirit of cultural nationalism. Sangh workers hosted several functions in the city to mark the occasion.
RSS Khetra Pracharak(East) Sunilpada Goswami attend a function hosted here at Bhimatangi Saraswati Sishu Mandir. Similar function was hosted in the premises of Utkal Biparna Sahayata Samiti, where Prata Boudhika Pramukha Anil Mishra, Pranta Sanghchalak Ashok Das, Pranta Karyabaha Gopal Mohapatra attended.
Another function hosted at Budheswari UP School, Bhubaneswar Saha Zilla Sanghchalak BN Sahu, Prant Prachar Pramukha Simanchal Khatua, Puri Bibhaga Karyabaha BB Samantasinghar attended. Functions were also hosted at BJB College, Sundarpada, Unit-8 Saraswati Sishu Mandir, Barmunda, Rental Colony, Mahavir Slum, Chandrasekharpur, OUAT Campus, Niladri Vihar, Patia, Nehru Park, Dharma Vihar, IDCO Colony, Forest Park, Unit-1, Rasulgarh, Naharkanta, Balipatna, Nuapada and FR Colony.
Orissa police files chargesheet against Australian doctor
PURI(VISAKEO): Orissa police has filed a charge-sheet against the 65-year-old Australian doctor who was arrested for alleged sexual assault on some boy inmates of an orphanage here.
The eye surgeon, Alan Herbert Rose alias Paul Allen, was arrested on November 12 on charges of paedophilia. Mary Ellen Gerber, the French founder of the orphanage, helped police arrest the doctor by filing a complaint against him.
"We submitted a charge-sheet against Rose before Puri sub divisional judicial magistrate on January 10 ," inspector-in-charge (Puri Sadar police station) Debi Prasad Dash said. The police action has set the stage for the beginning of the trial into the sensational case.
Dash said the doctor has been charged under various sections including sexually assaulting a minor, criminal intimidation and violating the Foreigners’ Act.
The arrest had been followed with a startling survey by some NGOs that claimed paedophilia in Puri was highest in comparison with other sacred destinations in the country.
The Australian doctor, who is in Puri district jail, has approached the Orissa High Court for bail, sources said. "We will appeal to the court not to grant him bail until the trial is over. We have gathered all evidence against the Australian doctor to substantiate the sexual harassment charge against him. Even the foreigner did not furnish his personal details despite a directive by the Australian High Commission," the inspector said. "If convicted, the Australian National may face imprisonment for life or imprisonment for 10 years and fine," the cop added.
This was the third such incident, which surfaced in Puri in the last 10 years. The other two paedophilia cases had occurred in 1999 and 2000. In both the cases, the accused (both British citizens) had got clean chits by courts here.
Writ on Kandhamal allowed to be withdrawn by HC
CUTTACK (VISAKEO): The Orissa High Court on January 15 allowed a petitioner to withdraw her writ pertaining to the situation in Kandhamal district observing that the Supreme Court was already seized of the matter.
Petitioner Kesamati Pradhan of Raikia area in Kandhamal, which was rocked by violence following the killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati on August 23 last year, had filed a petition last week alleging that the state government, without bothering to improve the situation in the district, was forcing those sheltered in relief camps to leave.
The bench of Chief Justice B S Chouhan and Justice Indrajit Mohanty refused to pass any ruling on the writ by Pradhan, who described herself as a social activist, observing that the Supreme Court was already monitoring a similar petition.
‘The writ is permitted to be withdrawn as we do not want to multiply the court proceedings,’ the bench observed. It advised those who were affected to approach the high court directly and not through via media.
1984 anti-Sikh riot victims to get more compensation
BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): twenty-five years after they were affected by the anti-Sikh riot in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Orissa government has been formulating a formula to compansate the victims’ families.
‘We have set up a committee under the special secretary, home to verify the riot beneficiaries,’ Home Secretary A P Padhi said on January 15.
The government had to verify the FIR filed during and after the 1984 riot, he said.The beneficiaries would be given more compensation according to the new scheme decalred by the Centre in 2006.
Though there was not much impact of the riot in the state, a total of three persons were killed and 25 injured in the vi some houses and shops belonging to Sikh community were damaged in the riot.
Two persons were killed in Sundargarh district and one in Khurda district.While the family members of the deceased persons had received Rs 3.5 lakh as ex-gratia according to the central policy, 2006, the injured persons were yet to get additional compensation as per the new policy.
The persons whose houses and shops were damaged in the riot did not get additional benefits. ‘The persons who have received compensation earlier, will again be offered financial assistance according to the 2006 policy,’ a senior official said adding that the state finance department had already sanctioned Rs 44 lakh for the purpose.
Pachauri rings Mahanadi alarm
BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): Thanks to the effects of climate change, Orissa is among one of the ecologically vulnerable states in the country, while the Mahanadi delta faces the threat.
This grim revelation came from none other than Nobel laureate and Climate Change Expert Rajendra Kumar Pachauri here on January 6.
The coastal states could be affected by the loss of glacial mass and the subsequent rise in sea levels. This can lead to coastal erosion and inundation of coastal lowlands," he said, speaking at the NALCO Foundation Day Lecture here.
The state might also have to contend with rising salinity in groundwater, lower number of rainy days and droughts in the delta region.
Dr. Pachauri the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Director-General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) advised the State Government to take up a comprehensive Climate Change Study on Orissa.
Reminding the state, he said in 1999, Orissa faced devastating Super Cyclone, which took a toll of 10,000 people. Repeated drought and floods in the state signifies the Climate Change effects, said he.
Ajit Kumar Tripathy, Chief Secretary chaired the meeting. Chitta Ranjan Pradhan, Chairman & Managing Director, NALCO gave out details of the various Annual Lectures held in the company, where luminaries have enlightened the audience.
Joy Verghese, Director Personnel & Administration, NALCO said after listening to Dr.Pachauri, he has decided to cut off his meat consumption.
Dr.Pachauri’s prescription for less meat consumption has created debate all over the world and Mayor of London is critical about the approach of the Nobel Laureate.
Kandhamal turmeric market on the decline
PHULABANI (VISAKEO): International market for the traditional Kandhamal turmeric is on the wane due to the diminishing cur cumin content of the crop, State Agriculture Department sources said.
The cur cumin content has a bearing on the market potential of turmeric, cultivated widely in Orissa’s Kandhamal district, both within and outside the country, mainly in the US, UK and Japan.
In international market there is high demand for turmeric with cur cumin content of over five per cent. But the produce from Kandhamal has a content of only two to three per cent, the sources said.
An analysis conducted at the quality control laboratory of Spices Board of India, Cochin in 2006 found that the cur cumin content at harvest decreased to an alarming 2.14 per cent against 6.12 per cent at the time of planting.
The reasons for depletion of cur cumin content was the admixture of seed materials with wild and other species of turmeric, developmental physiology, pest and micro organism infestation, inadequate soil nutrition, improper time of sowing/harvesting and processing and unhygienic method of processing, development of poisonous substance and impurities, the sources said.
Over 28,9000 tonnes of turmeric and 2,700 tonnes of ginger are produced in traditional and unscientific method in the district, whose 52 per cent population cultivate turmeric in about 16,00 hectares annually as a cash crop.
In view of the massive production of turmeric and ginger, Kandhamal district has been declared as an agri export zone (AEZ).
Brain mapping on 4 accused in Swamiji murder case
CUTTACK(VISAKEO): With Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s assurance to Swami Laxmananda Saraswati Sradhanjali Samiti to wind up the murder case of Swamiji within a month, Crime Branch of the State Police is missing not a single stone unturned in this regard.
In an attempt to track down more clues, the Crime Branch has decided to conduct brain-mapping test on four of the seven accused persons arrested in connection with the killing of Swami Laxamananda Saraswati and four others. Patnaik made this assurance basing on , which the Samiti withdrew its proposed Orissa bandh on December 25.
The Hindu seer and four of his disciples were shot dead by armed killers at Jalespata Ashram in Tumulibandha police limits of riot hit southern districts of Kandhamal on August 23 this year.
"We are planning to send the four accused persons for brain mapping at Bangalore", a CB official said. The four were arrested on December 14 during a search operation in Kandhamal-Rayagada district border.
Though the CB had already conducted DNA test on the accused persons arrested in the alleged nun rape case, this was for the first time that four nabbed in Saraswati murder case would be subjected to brain mapping test.
Meanwhile, investigating officials were still interrogating nearly a dozen people before arresting them in connection with the murder case.
Orissa Govt betrays sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik
PURI( VISAKEO): Call it ridiculous or taking things easy, Orissa Government has cross all limits in betraying rare talents of the State. From wonder kids to young talents, the Government continues to play with their future.
Now, globally acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik is running from pillar to post to set up a sand sculpture park in State Capital, which will be first of its kind in the world.
"I have requested the Orissa government for a job as well as a piece of land since sand art is unique art. It requires fund. My requests have been overlooked," Pattnaik rued on Saturday adding that he had no patience to pursue the matter anymore.
Pattnaik said he had approached several State governments and other country heads, including Barack Obama, the newly elected president of America, for facilitating necessary resources to realise his dream.
"I have been practising this unique art form for the last 20 years in India. I have also represented my country in more than 38 International Sand Sculpture competitions and recently won the world champion title at USF World sand sculpture," Pattnaik mentioned in his letter to the US president-elect.
He requested Obama to donate a piece of land near to the sea beach in America to create a sand sculpture park. Before that, the renowned sand artist had sent request letters to governments of Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala and Goa.
"I have got initial response from these Governments," Pattnaik said. The sand artist has become desperate due to continuous negligence of State government to request for allotment of a piece of land along sea beach in Puri district. Pattnaik has been running from pillar to the post approaching everybody those matters in government for last few years.
Yatra faces onslaught from TV serials in Orissa
KENDRAPARA (VISAKEO): Hit hard by spurt in Odia entertainment television serials, Yatra, popular form of entertainment in rural areas, is experiencing a meltdown of a different kind.
Noted playwright and convener of All Orissa Yatra Artists’ Association Ananta Charan Ojha told reporters here on January 7 that overdose of entertainment programmes being aired from television channels is distracting the audience from the Yatra pandals.
First of all, the strict enforcement of sound pollution control act affected this form of entertainment industry. The shows were to be rescheduled to meet with 10 pm deadline. Now the primetime TV entertainment programmes has led to the diminishing of audiences into the Yatra grounds.
Today there was a congregation of Yatra artists, playwrights, music composers and lyricists in Kendrapara town under the banner of ‘Antaranga Kalakara’. The emerging crisis that Yatra industry is face to face with came under intense debate.
The bulk of revenue was being generated from rural audiences. With 24-hour Oriya entertainment channels gaining popularity, the audiences that Yatra target have begun preferring to TV entertainment in homely comfort. The mythological serials and family drama, often the forte of Yatra, are aired in abundance through TV medium, he said.
"The onslaught from the Oriya private TV channels is quite severe. Unless the Yatra owners and managers evolve the way to tide over the crisis, future does not augur well."
CPI (Maoist) leader Sabyasachi Panda expelled
BHUBANESWAR(VISAKEO): A Maoist press release announcing the expulsion of one of Orissa’s most wanted left-wing rebels published in states regional dailes has created flutter in the state.
The infamous Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda alias Sunil was expelled from the CPI (Maoist) for anti-party activities. The CPI (Maoist) Central Committee has come up with a press release stating Sabyasachi’s expulsion for illegal activities and bringing disrepute to the Maoist Organization.
Sabysachi was accused of spreading misinformation, by posing as the General Secretary of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee and a member of Central Military Committee of CPI (Maoist). He was also accused of adopting a luxurious lifestyle by giving up the original Maoist ideology. The CPI (Maoist) alleged that Sabyasachi Panda collected a huge amount of money using his Maoist clout and distributed it among his family and relatives.
The press release termed Sabyasachi Panda as a liar and power-hungry person and has demanded that he must return all money he has collected so far or else face dire consequences for his ‘anti-people activities’.
This apart, the CPI (Maoist) has condemned the role of Sabyasachi Panda in the killing of Swami Laxamanananda Saraswati in Kandhamal district on August 23 and held him responsible for the communal riots that followed aftermath of Swamiji’s killing. The committee blamed Sabyasachi Panda’s personal ego for the precarious problem in Kandhamal.
A senior state police official said he had doubts about the authenticity of the press release. ‘The Maoists in the state are divided on religious lines after the communal violence and it may have been the handiwork of a rival group,’ he said on condition of anonymity.
Panda, 39, who is one of the most wanted Maoist rebels, said on television October last year that his group killed Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others in Kandhamal district.
The district, about 200 km from here, witnessed violence after the murder of Saraswati and his four aides Aug 23 in Jalespata Ashram.
Father Thomas Chelan fails to identify nun’s ‘rapists’
CUTTACK(VISAKEO): Father Thomas Chelan, the lone witness to the alleged rape of the nun in Orissa’s Kandhamal district, has failed to identify any of the accused . The victim recognised two persons, police sources admitted on Tuesday.
"Father Chelan could not identify any of the accused during the Test Identification Parade held at Chaudwar Central Jail in Cuttack on January 5," a senior Crime Branch official said.The police officer added that Fr Chelan was the only person from the community who was with the 29-year-old Catholic nun when she was allegedly raped by a mob during the Orissa bandh on August 25.
The nun, in her FIR lodged at Baliguda police station in Kandhamal, had stated that Father Thomas Chelan was being beaten up by the miscreants on the road when she was dragged into a near by building where they allegedly raped her.
While the nun had filed a complaint with the police, Fr Chelan had filed two separate FIRs alleging that he was physically assaulted by the mob.
The mob also attacked Divyajyoti Pastor Training Centre, Fr Chelan stated in his complaint. Though Fr Chelan was the only witness to the assault on the nun, his silence had created difficulties for investigating agency, the officers said, adding the priest had earlier said he would not assist the probe by the Orissa police.
After prolonged persuasion, Father Chelan agreed to come from Kerala to attend the Test Identification Parade at Choudwar jail near Cuttack.
State level training camp for School students from Jan 16
CUTTACK(VISAKEO): Sikshya Bikash Samiti, the State unit of RSS backed Bidya Bharati will host a State level Ghosa Sibir(training camp on band music) at Barabati Stadium in which, more than 1,500 students from 735 Saraswati Sishu Mandirs across the State are expected to attend.
During the three-day long camp, students will be imparted training on music and song related issues and a special training would be given on military band music, said Samiti State spokesman Simanchal Khatua on Thursday.
He said that students have been divided into 13 Zones basing on their locations while 600 from outside and 900 from the host Cuttack, will be attend. 150 trainers and officials will assist the participants.
A rallies will be carried in Cuttack city from all Saraswati Sishu Mandirs. Swami Asimananda Saraswati will light the lamp on January 16 while Bidyabharati Organising secretary (East) Bijay Ganesh Kulkarni will join as Chief Guest and Sikshya Bikash Samiti State secretary Dr Bijay Kumar Swain as guest of honour.
On the concluding day on January 18, State Higher Education Minister Sameer Dey, Excise Commissioner Sudarshan Nayak, Saha Pranta Sanghachalak Bipin Bihari Nanda, Bidyabharati national joint-organising secretary Prakash Chandraji and Samiti president Dr Prafulla C Mohapatra will join, Khatua added.
Probe against RK Nayak, Sugrib Singh, tribal tells Judicial Panel
CUTTACK (VISAKEO) : Some startling revelations came up before the Justice Basudev Panigrahi Commission constituted under the Commission of Enquiry act to probe the incidents that led to Kandhamal violence on January 21 at the Circuit House here.
These revelations came from none other than general secretary of Kui Kula Samiti of Baliguda, Gobardhan Mallick. Appearing before the Commission, he said that they were agitating against obtaining forged caste certificates by Pana Christians although these people no longer belonged to Scheduled Tribe as enshrined in our Constitution.
He specifically leveled allegation against Congress Rajya Sabha member Radhakant Nayak and BJD MP Sugrib Singh, who by forgery have obtained caste certificates of being Kandha tribal. Besides he also said that lands of scheduled tribes are being illegally and forcibly being grabbed by Pana Christians.
He put forth his demand to the Government before the Commission, to declare Kui Jana Kalyan Sangha functioning at Bhubaneswar as non- ST organisation because it is being operated by Pana Christians. As to the controversy whether Kui is a caste or not he made it clear that Kui is not caste but a language of Kandhas one of the primitive tribes of the State.
Former MP, Sribatsha Digal (Janata.Dal,1977-80) during his cross examination on January 19 before the Commission, submitted documents relating to damage and loss of his own house and properties during Kandhamal riots, which he said, to have arisen due to political rivalry masterminded by his opponents.
On January 21, another vital witness, general secretary Kandhamal Zilla Kui Coordination Committee Lambodar Kuanar appeared before the Commission but his examination was deferred due to adjournment sought by Government Counsel JP Das. Advocate Ajit Pattnaik appeared for Simanchal Patra, a social activist of the Kandhamal district. The next hearing will take place at any designated place of Kandhamal district.
IAS officer Hrushikesh Panda dares political bosses in Orissa
BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): The shifting of senior bureaucrat Hrusikesh Panda from the post of Chairman and Chief Managing Director of Orissa Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED) to Officer on Special Duty in the General Administration Department has gone not well with many in Orissa. The State Government on December 16, 2008 transferred Panda from this post.
Transfers have become a routine affair for 1979 batch IAS officer Panda - 27 times since joining the office. Panda was an All India topper in Civil Service as his transfer has kicked up controversy with dairy farmers protesting against the move
Panda has often been at the centre of a storm for his struggle against corruption and standing up to politicians since he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1979 after topping the entrance examination.
The latest transfer is just like the other 27 times he has been shifted during his career. However, thousands of dairy farmers in the State fear their interests will now be sacrificed.
As Milk Federation Chairman, Panda increased the milk price on November 1 by Rs 4 a litre—a move that he claimed was intended to benefit the federation’s half a million members who were finding it difficult to make ends meet due to the rising prices of food items in the last one year.
However, the decision was opposed by the government, which the same day asked Panda to withdraw the hike, and set up a panel to examine if a hike in milk prices was really required and if so, to determine the amount. The panel was to submit its report by November 28.
As the panel did not submit a report by the deadline, the OMFED’s programming committee, which is authorised to fix prices, decided to go ahead with the hike. Panda, who chairs the committee, announced on December 14 that OMFED will increase the price of the milk from Rs 20 to Rs 24 per litre from December 21.
The government transferred Panda after he made the announcement. However, his removal was protested by dairy farmers, who said the milk federation had stagnated for a decade, with procurement about 100,000 litres a day until 2003 when he took over.
In the next five years, Panda increased the procurement four fold, reaching out all over the state. Even in insurgency-affected areas, the milk cooperatives have been running to the satisfaction of the farmers.
After the roll back of prices in November 2008, procurement has halved and is currently 250,000 litres only.
"We are shocked that Panda was transferred," Rukmini Dang, a milk producer from Bargarh said. After he was shifted, Panda argued that he was not sorry for the hike in price and rued that the viewpoint of farmers was not reflected in the media reports.
His short stints in various posts recently have been due to his decision to enforce pollution control on high profile industries, resisting moves to hand over fishing harbours to big ports, refusal to be bullied by builder lobbies, and enforcement of strict labour laws.
Gopalpur Beach Fest lure tourists
GOPALPUR (VISAKEO): Thousands of visitors including guests from Europe, America and Russia are thronging to the serene environment of Gopalpur-on-Sea.
Apart form the immense sailing opportunities they are enjoying loads of fun and frolic, cultural extravaganza and charged atmosphere of Gopalpur Beach Festival.The annual festival of dance, music and exposure of brilliants artists from all over Orissa is a real treat presented to the tourists.
The Beach Festival, recently revived, thanks to the initiative of Satyabrat Sahu kicked off since 24 December has been a great crowd puller.The Revenue Divisional Commissioner of Southern Division worked overtime to lure the tourists in general and foreign guests in particular to one of the most pristine beaches of Orissa- Gopalpur on Sea.
Located at a mere distance of 16 kilometer from Berhampur, this is a real retreat to the sea worshippers.
The beach offers peaceful ambience conducive to introspection and conviviality. Ideal for both sailing and surfing, the beach is fairly isolated and remains undisturbed by the day trippers.
Avid beach combers have time and again declared the beach as one of the finest ones at the Eastern Coast.
The pleasures of the beach with her backwaters continue to spread its aquatic magic!And the Beach Festival is an added attraction for the unspoilt beach, said Rishikant Banerjee, a nature lover.
The Beach Festival was started by the Ganjam District Hotel Association in 1996 to promote tourism in the district and performing arts of the area.
It became an annual event till 1999 as the Super cyclone struck the Orissa Coast.Though it was revived in 2002, due to lack of initiative the Festival had not held since 2005. With Sahu leading the front, the five day long Festival that took place in the last week of December ,2008 has been a grand success, said Uma S Panigrahi, Convener of the annual event.
Cultural program included performance of Jodi Sankha, Sambalpuri Dance, Animal Mask Dance, Ghumura, Bajasal, Danda nata, Dandia, Ghanta Mrudanga, Ghoda Nacha, Gotipua, Dandia, Ranapa, Chhou and Kuchipudi artists, said Mr.Panigrahi.
The annual extravaganza came to an end on 28 December,2008 was really an event not to be missed by thrill seekers and nature lovers, said Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister Tourism. He said the Southern zone will be developed as a "Tourist Circuit"
Phased withdrawal of central forces from Kandhamal begins
BHUBANESWAR(VISAKEO) Twelve companies of central para-military forces, including seven from Kandhamal, were withdrawn on January 15 with the Orissa government saying it will not affect law and order in the riot-hit district.
"Withdrawal of central forces from Kandhamal in a phased manner will in no way affect law and order situation in the riot-hit district," Home Secretary A P Padhi said.
According to Director General of Police, Manmohan Praharaj, the first phase of force withdrawal would not have any impact on security in Kandhamal because forces had been mobilised there from other places "As many as 33 of the 53 companies of central force will be withdrawn from Orissa by the end of March, leaving about 20 companies till the elections," the DGP said.
Fifty three companies (over 5300 personnel) of central forces were deployed in seven districts of the state, including 40 in Kandhamal, following largescale violence after VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati’s killing on August 23 last year.
Besides Kandhamal, central forces were also deployed in Ganjam, Gajapati, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Sambalpur and Baragarh districts.
The second phase of withdrawal comprising five companies will start from January 23 and another five will leave next month.
Earlier, Chief Minister Navin Patnaik had demanded deployment of 2000 personnel in Kandhamal till the end of the general elections.
‘Kui’ replaced by ‘Kui Kandha’, KSSS
rejects Govt’s move
BHUBANESWAR : Naveen Patnaik always plays safe. So in an election year the Orissa Chief Minister adopted the middle path and neither here nor there.
While the ST SC Development department favored to delete ‘Kui’ from the Presidential order of Orissa Scheduled list, Patnaik agreed to substitute ‘Kui’ with ‘Kui Kandha’.
Former Chief Minister and sitting Congress Lok Sabha MP from Koraput, Giridhar Gamang also favored the idea and the Chief Minister also accepted the same.
The Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) held its meeting here on January 9, 2009 to discuss the contentious issue of ‘Kui’. Madhu Sudan Padhi, Special Administrator Kandhamal Affairs briefed in a clear cut manner about the ‘Kui’ and cleared many apprehensions from the mind of the leaders.
Though ‘Kui’ is a language, but ‘Kui’ speaking non-tribals are allegedly misusing the facility. And this issue has turned out to be major problem in Kandhamal district. ‘Kui’ speaking non-tribals are also asking the status of tribals, leaving the State Government in a jam.
So the SC ST Development department proposed to delete the ‘Kui’ from the list. However Dr.Gamang opposed the same, saying this will irk Kandhas residing all over the state.
He favored the idea of replacing ‘Kui’ in favor of ‘Kui Kandha’. Sensing the mood Chief Minister rejected the proposal of the department and adopted the idea of Dr Gamang.
And TAC adopted it. So now the State Government will approach the Centre to replace ‘Kui’ in favor of ‘Kui Kandha’.
Meanwhile, Kui Samaj Samanoya Samiti, a tribal body fighting in riot hit Kandhamal, however rejected the move of the State Government and announced to oppose it.
Ban cow slaughter; declare it as national animal, demands Seer
BHUBANESWAR: Shankaracharya of Gokarna Pitha, Karanataka Swami Jagadaguru Raghaveshwar Bharati on January 6 asked Congress led UPA Government at Centre as well as respective States Government to impose a complete ban on cow slaughtering.
The firebrand Hindu Seer, while addressing a Press Conference here, further demanded that the Government should declare cow as national animal and ensure protection.
"We would conduct a 108 days Rath Yatra to high light the issue. The Rath Yatra, which will spread the message of ‘save cow and save village’ will be flagged off on September 28, 2009, on Vijaya Dashami Day at Kurukhetra in Hariyana and calumniated at Nagpur in 2010 on Makar Sankranti Day," the Shankaracharya said. The Yatra would traverse some 20,000 kilometers, he added.
Apart, from the main Rath, 15,000 smaller Rath to traverse some 10 lakh kilometers during in 108 days, he added. The Seer further said that meetings will be held at 400 places across the country and signature of 50 crore people will be collected and submitted to the President of India seeking complete ban on cow slaughter, he added.
The Seer said that main Rath would stay in Orissa for three days. Coming down heavily on Church and Islamic terrorists, the Seer claimed that Hindus are in danger due to faulty policies of the political class.
The urgent call for the protection and preservation of Indian Cow Breed has been his primary activity in the very recent years. Of total 70 breeds recognised in India, only around 35 breeds exist now and all of them can be found in Seer’s Matt in Karnataka. He started the Kamaduga yogana, to concentrate on the work. Projects are on to start 108 goshalas, of which few are already started in Karnataka, Maharastra, Kerala, Tamilnadu.
The Seer, who came into prominence after organising the "Go Yatre" in 2004 and the "Go Sansat" in 2006 has said that this move to focus attention on the need to protect and promote Indian cow breeds many of which are believed to be on the verge of extinction.
Swamiji who had taken up protection of the pure Indian cow breeds as his mission through a programme "Kamadugha" will lead the 108 days Yatra, sources added. Shankar Lal ji, Joint-Coordinator Biswa Mangal Go Gram Yatra Samiti and AS Panigrahi of the State unit were among those present at the Press meet.
RSS observes Makar Sankranti
BHUBANESWAR(VISAKEO): The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on January 14 observed Makar Sankranti while appealing people to maintain the spirit of cultural nationalism. Sangh workers hosted several functions in the city to mark the occasion.
RSS Khetra Pracharak(East) Sunilpada Goswami attend a function hosted here at Bhimatangi Saraswati Sishu Mandir. Similar function was hosted in the premises of Utkal Biparna Sahayata Samiti, where Prata Boudhika Pramukha Anil Mishra, Pranta Sanghchalak Ashok Das, Pranta Karyabaha Gopal Mohapatra attended.
Another function hosted at Budheswari UP School, Bhubaneswar Saha Zilla Sanghchalak BN Sahu, Prant Prachar Pramukha Simanchal Khatua, Puri Bibhaga Karyabaha BB Samantasinghar attended. Functions were also hosted at BJB College, Sundarpada, Unit-8 Saraswati Sishu Mandir, Barmunda, Rental Colony, Mahavir Slum, Chandrasekharpur, OUAT Campus, Niladri Vihar, Patia, Nehru Park, Dharma Vihar, IDCO Colony, Forest Park, Unit-1, Rasulgarh, Naharkanta, Balipatna, Nuapada and FR Colony.
Orissa police files chargesheet against Australian doctor
PURI(VISAKEO): Orissa police has filed a charge-sheet against the 65-year-old Australian doctor who was arrested for alleged sexual assault on some boy inmates of an orphanage here.
The eye surgeon, Alan Herbert Rose alias Paul Allen, was arrested on November 12 on charges of paedophilia. Mary Ellen Gerber, the French founder of the orphanage, helped police arrest the doctor by filing a complaint against him.
"We submitted a charge-sheet against Rose before Puri sub divisional judicial magistrate on January 10 ," inspector-in-charge (Puri Sadar police station) Debi Prasad Dash said. The police action has set the stage for the beginning of the trial into the sensational case.
Dash said the doctor has been charged under various sections including sexually assaulting a minor, criminal intimidation and violating the Foreigners’ Act.
The arrest had been followed with a startling survey by some NGOs that claimed paedophilia in Puri was highest in comparison with other sacred destinations in the country.
The Australian doctor, who is in Puri district jail, has approached the Orissa High Court for bail, sources said. "We will appeal to the court not to grant him bail until the trial is over. We have gathered all evidence against the Australian doctor to substantiate the sexual harassment charge against him. Even the foreigner did not furnish his personal details despite a directive by the Australian High Commission," the inspector said. "If convicted, the Australian National may face imprisonment for life or imprisonment for 10 years and fine," the cop added.
This was the third such incident, which surfaced in Puri in the last 10 years. The other two paedophilia cases had occurred in 1999 and 2000. In both the cases, the accused (both British citizens) had got clean chits by courts here.
Writ on Kandhamal allowed to be withdrawn by HC
CUTTACK (VISAKEO): The Orissa High Court on January 15 allowed a petitioner to withdraw her writ pertaining to the situation in Kandhamal district observing that the Supreme Court was already seized of the matter.
Petitioner Kesamati Pradhan of Raikia area in Kandhamal, which was rocked by violence following the killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati on August 23 last year, had filed a petition last week alleging that the state government, without bothering to improve the situation in the district, was forcing those sheltered in relief camps to leave.
The bench of Chief Justice B S Chouhan and Justice Indrajit Mohanty refused to pass any ruling on the writ by Pradhan, who described herself as a social activist, observing that the Supreme Court was already monitoring a similar petition.
‘The writ is permitted to be withdrawn as we do not want to multiply the court proceedings,’ the bench observed. It advised those who were affected to approach the high court directly and not through via media.
1984 anti-Sikh riot victims to get more compensation
BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): twenty-five years after they were affected by the anti-Sikh riot in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Orissa government has been formulating a formula to compansate the victims’ families.
‘We have set up a committee under the special secretary, home to verify the riot beneficiaries,’ Home Secretary A P Padhi said on January 15.
The government had to verify the FIR filed during and after the 1984 riot, he said.The beneficiaries would be given more compensation according to the new scheme decalred by the Centre in 2006.
Though there was not much impact of the riot in the state, a total of three persons were killed and 25 injured in the vi some houses and shops belonging to Sikh community were damaged in the riot.
Two persons were killed in Sundargarh district and one in Khurda district.While the family members of the deceased persons had received Rs 3.5 lakh as ex-gratia according to the central policy, 2006, the injured persons were yet to get additional compensation as per the new policy.
The persons whose houses and shops were damaged in the riot did not get additional benefits. ‘The persons who have received compensation earlier, will again be offered financial assistance according to the 2006 policy,’ a senior official said adding that the state finance department had already sanctioned Rs 44 lakh for the purpose.
Pachauri rings Mahanadi alarm
BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): Thanks to the effects of climate change, Orissa is among one of the ecologically vulnerable states in the country, while the Mahanadi delta faces the threat.
This grim revelation came from none other than Nobel laureate and Climate Change Expert Rajendra Kumar Pachauri here on January 6.
The coastal states could be affected by the loss of glacial mass and the subsequent rise in sea levels. This can lead to coastal erosion and inundation of coastal lowlands," he said, speaking at the NALCO Foundation Day Lecture here.
The state might also have to contend with rising salinity in groundwater, lower number of rainy days and droughts in the delta region.
Dr. Pachauri the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Director-General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) advised the State Government to take up a comprehensive Climate Change Study on Orissa.
Reminding the state, he said in 1999, Orissa faced devastating Super Cyclone, which took a toll of 10,000 people. Repeated drought and floods in the state signifies the Climate Change effects, said he.
Ajit Kumar Tripathy, Chief Secretary chaired the meeting. Chitta Ranjan Pradhan, Chairman & Managing Director, NALCO gave out details of the various Annual Lectures held in the company, where luminaries have enlightened the audience.
Joy Verghese, Director Personnel & Administration, NALCO said after listening to Dr.Pachauri, he has decided to cut off his meat consumption.
Dr.Pachauri’s prescription for less meat consumption has created debate all over the world and Mayor of London is critical about the approach of the Nobel Laureate.
Kandhamal turmeric market on the decline
PHULABANI (VISAKEO): International market for the traditional Kandhamal turmeric is on the wane due to the diminishing cur cumin content of the crop, State Agriculture Department sources said.
The cur cumin content has a bearing on the market potential of turmeric, cultivated widely in Orissa’s Kandhamal district, both within and outside the country, mainly in the US, UK and Japan.
In international market there is high demand for turmeric with cur cumin content of over five per cent. But the produce from Kandhamal has a content of only two to three per cent, the sources said.
An analysis conducted at the quality control laboratory of Spices Board of India, Cochin in 2006 found that the cur cumin content at harvest decreased to an alarming 2.14 per cent against 6.12 per cent at the time of planting.
The reasons for depletion of cur cumin content was the admixture of seed materials with wild and other species of turmeric, developmental physiology, pest and micro organism infestation, inadequate soil nutrition, improper time of sowing/harvesting and processing and unhygienic method of processing, development of poisonous substance and impurities, the sources said.
Over 28,9000 tonnes of turmeric and 2,700 tonnes of ginger are produced in traditional and unscientific method in the district, whose 52 per cent population cultivate turmeric in about 16,00 hectares annually as a cash crop.
In view of the massive production of turmeric and ginger, Kandhamal district has been declared as an agri export zone (AEZ).
Brain mapping on 4 accused in Swamiji murder case
CUTTACK(VISAKEO): With Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s assurance to Swami Laxmananda Saraswati Sradhanjali Samiti to wind up the murder case of Swamiji within a month, Crime Branch of the State Police is missing not a single stone unturned in this regard.
In an attempt to track down more clues, the Crime Branch has decided to conduct brain-mapping test on four of the seven accused persons arrested in connection with the killing of Swami Laxamananda Saraswati and four others. Patnaik made this assurance basing on , which the Samiti withdrew its proposed Orissa bandh on December 25.
The Hindu seer and four of his disciples were shot dead by armed killers at Jalespata Ashram in Tumulibandha police limits of riot hit southern districts of Kandhamal on August 23 this year.
"We are planning to send the four accused persons for brain mapping at Bangalore", a CB official said. The four were arrested on December 14 during a search operation in Kandhamal-Rayagada district border.
Though the CB had already conducted DNA test on the accused persons arrested in the alleged nun rape case, this was for the first time that four nabbed in Saraswati murder case would be subjected to brain mapping test.
Meanwhile, investigating officials were still interrogating nearly a dozen people before arresting them in connection with the murder case.
Orissa Govt betrays sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik
PURI( VISAKEO): Call it ridiculous or taking things easy, Orissa Government has cross all limits in betraying rare talents of the State. From wonder kids to young talents, the Government continues to play with their future.
Now, globally acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik is running from pillar to post to set up a sand sculpture park in State Capital, which will be first of its kind in the world.
"I have requested the Orissa government for a job as well as a piece of land since sand art is unique art. It requires fund. My requests have been overlooked," Pattnaik rued on Saturday adding that he had no patience to pursue the matter anymore.
Pattnaik said he had approached several State governments and other country heads, including Barack Obama, the newly elected president of America, for facilitating necessary resources to realise his dream.
"I have been practising this unique art form for the last 20 years in India. I have also represented my country in more than 38 International Sand Sculpture competitions and recently won the world champion title at USF World sand sculpture," Pattnaik mentioned in his letter to the US president-elect.
He requested Obama to donate a piece of land near to the sea beach in America to create a sand sculpture park. Before that, the renowned sand artist had sent request letters to governments of Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala and Goa.
"I have got initial response from these Governments," Pattnaik said. The sand artist has become desperate due to continuous negligence of State government to request for allotment of a piece of land along sea beach in Puri district. Pattnaik has been running from pillar to the post approaching everybody those matters in government for last few years.
Yatra faces onslaught from TV serials in Orissa
KENDRAPARA (VISAKEO): Hit hard by spurt in Odia entertainment television serials, Yatra, popular form of entertainment in rural areas, is experiencing a meltdown of a different kind.
Noted playwright and convener of All Orissa Yatra Artists’ Association Ananta Charan Ojha told reporters here on January 7 that overdose of entertainment programmes being aired from television channels is distracting the audience from the Yatra pandals.
First of all, the strict enforcement of sound pollution control act affected this form of entertainment industry. The shows were to be rescheduled to meet with 10 pm deadline. Now the primetime TV entertainment programmes has led to the diminishing of audiences into the Yatra grounds.
Today there was a congregation of Yatra artists, playwrights, music composers and lyricists in Kendrapara town under the banner of ‘Antaranga Kalakara’. The emerging crisis that Yatra industry is face to face with came under intense debate.
The bulk of revenue was being generated from rural audiences. With 24-hour Oriya entertainment channels gaining popularity, the audiences that Yatra target have begun preferring to TV entertainment in homely comfort. The mythological serials and family drama, often the forte of Yatra, are aired in abundance through TV medium, he said.
"The onslaught from the Oriya private TV channels is quite severe. Unless the Yatra owners and managers evolve the way to tide over the crisis, future does not augur well."
CPI (Maoist) leader Sabyasachi Panda expelled
BHUBANESWAR(VISAKEO): A Maoist press release announcing the expulsion of one of Orissa’s most wanted left-wing rebels published in states regional dailes has created flutter in the state.
The infamous Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda alias Sunil was expelled from the CPI (Maoist) for anti-party activities. The CPI (Maoist) Central Committee has come up with a press release stating Sabyasachi’s expulsion for illegal activities and bringing disrepute to the Maoist Organization.
Sabysachi was accused of spreading misinformation, by posing as the General Secretary of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee and a member of Central Military Committee of CPI (Maoist). He was also accused of adopting a luxurious lifestyle by giving up the original Maoist ideology. The CPI (Maoist) alleged that Sabyasachi Panda collected a huge amount of money using his Maoist clout and distributed it among his family and relatives.
The press release termed Sabyasachi Panda as a liar and power-hungry person and has demanded that he must return all money he has collected so far or else face dire consequences for his ‘anti-people activities’.
This apart, the CPI (Maoist) has condemned the role of Sabyasachi Panda in the killing of Swami Laxamanananda Saraswati in Kandhamal district on August 23 and held him responsible for the communal riots that followed aftermath of Swamiji’s killing. The committee blamed Sabyasachi Panda’s personal ego for the precarious problem in Kandhamal.
A senior state police official said he had doubts about the authenticity of the press release. ‘The Maoists in the state are divided on religious lines after the communal violence and it may have been the handiwork of a rival group,’ he said on condition of anonymity.
Panda, 39, who is one of the most wanted Maoist rebels, said on television October last year that his group killed Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others in Kandhamal district.
The district, about 200 km from here, witnessed violence after the murder of Saraswati and his four aides Aug 23 in Jalespata Ashram.
Father Thomas Chelan fails to identify nun’s ‘rapists’
CUTTACK(VISAKEO): Father Thomas Chelan, the lone witness to the alleged rape of the nun in Orissa’s Kandhamal district, has failed to identify any of the accused . The victim recognised two persons, police sources admitted on Tuesday.
"Father Chelan could not identify any of the accused during the Test Identification Parade held at Chaudwar Central Jail in Cuttack on January 5," a senior Crime Branch official said.The police officer added that Fr Chelan was the only person from the community who was with the 29-year-old Catholic nun when she was allegedly raped by a mob during the Orissa bandh on August 25.
The nun, in her FIR lodged at Baliguda police station in Kandhamal, had stated that Father Thomas Chelan was being beaten up by the miscreants on the road when she was dragged into a near by building where they allegedly raped her.
While the nun had filed a complaint with the police, Fr Chelan had filed two separate FIRs alleging that he was physically assaulted by the mob.
The mob also attacked Divyajyoti Pastor Training Centre, Fr Chelan stated in his complaint. Though Fr Chelan was the only witness to the assault on the nun, his silence had created difficulties for investigating agency, the officers said, adding the priest had earlier said he would not assist the probe by the Orissa police.
After prolonged persuasion, Father Chelan agreed to come from Kerala to attend the Test Identification Parade at Choudwar jail near Cuttack.
State level training camp for School students from Jan 16
CUTTACK(VISAKEO): Sikshya Bikash Samiti, the State unit of RSS backed Bidya Bharati will host a State level Ghosa Sibir(training camp on band music) at Barabati Stadium in which, more than 1,500 students from 735 Saraswati Sishu Mandirs across the State are expected to attend.
During the three-day long camp, students will be imparted training on music and song related issues and a special training would be given on military band music, said Samiti State spokesman Simanchal Khatua on Thursday.
He said that students have been divided into 13 Zones basing on their locations while 600 from outside and 900 from the host Cuttack, will be attend. 150 trainers and officials will assist the participants.
A rallies will be carried in Cuttack city from all Saraswati Sishu Mandirs. Swami Asimananda Saraswati will light the lamp on January 16 while Bidyabharati Organising secretary (East) Bijay Ganesh Kulkarni will join as Chief Guest and Sikshya Bikash Samiti State secretary Dr Bijay Kumar Swain as guest of honour.
On the concluding day on January 18, State Higher Education Minister Sameer Dey, Excise Commissioner Sudarshan Nayak, Saha Pranta Sanghachalak Bipin Bihari Nanda, Bidyabharati national joint-organising secretary Prakash Chandraji and Samiti president Dr Prafulla C Mohapatra will join, Khatua added.
Probe against RK Nayak, Sugrib Singh, tribal tells Judicial Panel
CUTTACK (VISAKEO) : Some startling revelations came up before the Justice Basudev Panigrahi Commission constituted under the Commission of Enquiry act to probe the incidents that led to Kandhamal violence on January 21 at the Circuit House here.
These revelations came from none other than general secretary of Kui Kula Samiti of Baliguda, Gobardhan Mallick. Appearing before the Commission, he said that they were agitating against obtaining forged caste certificates by Pana Christians although these people no longer belonged to Scheduled Tribe as enshrined in our Constitution.
He specifically leveled allegation against Congress Rajya Sabha member Radhakant Nayak and BJD MP Sugrib Singh, who by forgery have obtained caste certificates of being Kandha tribal. Besides he also said that lands of scheduled tribes are being illegally and forcibly being grabbed by Pana Christians.
He put forth his demand to the Government before the Commission, to declare Kui Jana Kalyan Sangha functioning at Bhubaneswar as non- ST organisation because it is being operated by Pana Christians. As to the controversy whether Kui is a caste or not he made it clear that Kui is not caste but a language of Kandhas one of the primitive tribes of the State.
Former MP, Sribatsha Digal (Janata.Dal,1977-80) during his cross examination on January 19 before the Commission, submitted documents relating to damage and loss of his own house and properties during Kandhamal riots, which he said, to have arisen due to political rivalry masterminded by his opponents.
On January 21, another vital witness, general secretary Kandhamal Zilla Kui Coordination Committee Lambodar Kuanar appeared before the Commission but his examination was deferred due to adjournment sought by Government Counsel JP Das. Advocate Ajit Pattnaik appeared for Simanchal Patra, a social activist of the Kandhamal district. The next hearing will take place at any designated place of Kandhamal district.
IAS officer Hrushikesh Panda dares political bosses in Orissa
BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): The shifting of senior bureaucrat Hrusikesh Panda from the post of Chairman and Chief Managing Director of Orissa Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED) to Officer on Special Duty in the General Administration Department has gone not well with many in Orissa. The State Government on December 16, 2008 transferred Panda from this post.
Transfers have become a routine affair for 1979 batch IAS officer Panda - 27 times since joining the office. Panda was an All India topper in Civil Service as his transfer has kicked up controversy with dairy farmers protesting against the move
Panda has often been at the centre of a storm for his struggle against corruption and standing up to politicians since he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1979 after topping the entrance examination.
The latest transfer is just like the other 27 times he has been shifted during his career. However, thousands of dairy farmers in the State fear their interests will now be sacrificed.
As Milk Federation Chairman, Panda increased the milk price on November 1 by Rs 4 a litre—a move that he claimed was intended to benefit the federation’s half a million members who were finding it difficult to make ends meet due to the rising prices of food items in the last one year.
However, the decision was opposed by the government, which the same day asked Panda to withdraw the hike, and set up a panel to examine if a hike in milk prices was really required and if so, to determine the amount. The panel was to submit its report by November 28.
As the panel did not submit a report by the deadline, the OMFED’s programming committee, which is authorised to fix prices, decided to go ahead with the hike. Panda, who chairs the committee, announced on December 14 that OMFED will increase the price of the milk from Rs 20 to Rs 24 per litre from December 21.
The government transferred Panda after he made the announcement. However, his removal was protested by dairy farmers, who said the milk federation had stagnated for a decade, with procurement about 100,000 litres a day until 2003 when he took over.
In the next five years, Panda increased the procurement four fold, reaching out all over the state. Even in insurgency-affected areas, the milk cooperatives have been running to the satisfaction of the farmers.
After the roll back of prices in November 2008, procurement has halved and is currently 250,000 litres only.
"We are shocked that Panda was transferred," Rukmini Dang, a milk producer from Bargarh said. After he was shifted, Panda argued that he was not sorry for the hike in price and rued that the viewpoint of farmers was not reflected in the media reports.
His short stints in various posts recently have been due to his decision to enforce pollution control on high profile industries, resisting moves to hand over fishing harbours to big ports, refusal to be bullied by builder lobbies, and enforcement of strict labour laws.
Gopalpur Beach Fest lure tourists
GOPALPUR (VISAKEO): Thousands of visitors including guests from Europe, America and Russia are thronging to the serene environment of Gopalpur-on-Sea.
Apart form the immense sailing opportunities they are enjoying loads of fun and frolic, cultural extravaganza and charged atmosphere of Gopalpur Beach Festival.The annual festival of dance, music and exposure of brilliants artists from all over Orissa is a real treat presented to the tourists.
The Beach Festival, recently revived, thanks to the initiative of Satyabrat Sahu kicked off since 24 December has been a great crowd puller.The Revenue Divisional Commissioner of Southern Division worked overtime to lure the tourists in general and foreign guests in particular to one of the most pristine beaches of Orissa- Gopalpur on Sea.
Located at a mere distance of 16 kilometer from Berhampur, this is a real retreat to the sea worshippers.
The beach offers peaceful ambience conducive to introspection and conviviality. Ideal for both sailing and surfing, the beach is fairly isolated and remains undisturbed by the day trippers.
Avid beach combers have time and again declared the beach as one of the finest ones at the Eastern Coast.
The pleasures of the beach with her backwaters continue to spread its aquatic magic!And the Beach Festival is an added attraction for the unspoilt beach, said Rishikant Banerjee, a nature lover.
The Beach Festival was started by the Ganjam District Hotel Association in 1996 to promote tourism in the district and performing arts of the area.
It became an annual event till 1999 as the Super cyclone struck the Orissa Coast.Though it was revived in 2002, due to lack of initiative the Festival had not held since 2005. With Sahu leading the front, the five day long Festival that took place in the last week of December ,2008 has been a grand success, said Uma S Panigrahi, Convener of the annual event.
Cultural program included performance of Jodi Sankha, Sambalpuri Dance, Animal Mask Dance, Ghumura, Bajasal, Danda nata, Dandia, Ghanta Mrudanga, Ghoda Nacha, Gotipua, Dandia, Ranapa, Chhou and Kuchipudi artists, said Mr.Panigrahi.
The annual extravaganza came to an end on 28 December,2008 was really an event not to be missed by thrill seekers and nature lovers, said Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister Tourism. He said the Southern zone will be developed as a "Tourist Circuit"
Phased withdrawal of central forces from Kandhamal begins
BHUBANESWAR(VISAKEO) Twelve companies of central para-military forces, including seven from Kandhamal, were withdrawn on January 15 with the Orissa government saying it will not affect law and order in the riot-hit district.
"Withdrawal of central forces from Kandhamal in a phased manner will in no way affect law and order situation in the riot-hit district," Home Secretary A P Padhi said.
According to Director General of Police, Manmohan Praharaj, the first phase of force withdrawal would not have any impact on security in Kandhamal because forces had been mobilised there from other places "As many as 33 of the 53 companies of central force will be withdrawn from Orissa by the end of March, leaving about 20 companies till the elections," the DGP said.
Fifty three companies (over 5300 personnel) of central forces were deployed in seven districts of the state, including 40 in Kandhamal, following largescale violence after VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati’s killing on August 23 last year.
Besides Kandhamal, central forces were also deployed in Ganjam, Gajapati, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Sambalpur and Baragarh districts.
The second phase of withdrawal comprising five companies will start from January 23 and another five will leave next month.
Earlier, Chief Minister Navin Patnaik had demanded deployment of 2000 personnel in Kandhamal till the end of the general elections.
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