Kribhco, Iffco likely to take over sick fertiliser units
(WILL THIS UNFINISHED TASK WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED SOME DAY??)
K Giriprakash / BSCAL January 21,1997
The fertiliser ministry has decided to rope in Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (Kribhco) and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (Iffco) to revive some of the sick fertiliser units in the country.
Minister of state for fertiliser Sis Ram Ola said Kribhco has agreed to set up a new unit at Gorakhpur by utilising the infrastructure of the existing sick unit of the Fertiliser Corporation of India Ltd (FCI).
The proposed unit is expected to cost about Rs 900 crore. The old unit was closed down in June 1990 due to a fire accident. Ola said both Kribhco and Iffco will be asked to help out with the revival of the sick units. Both the cash-rich fertiliser giants had earlier refused to take over the sick units on the pretext they were saddled with ongoing expansion projects and joint ventures. Kribhco earned a net profit of Rs 202 crore in 1995-96 and Iffco netted Rs 132 crore for the same period.
The ministry has requested Board of Industrial & Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) to extend the deadline for submitting the revival package of certain units of FCI and Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation (HFC) to March 31.
Formulation of the revival package was delayed as Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of India and Industrial Development Bank of India, which are part of an expert group constituted for this purpose, had insisted upon an independent appraisal of the package.
The group is expected to submit its full report by mid-February. It consists of representatives from the two financial institutions. Fertiliser Corporation of India and HFC were asked to reformulate the revival packages, indicating specific reliefs. The packages envisaged revamp of Fertiliser Corporation of Indias Sindri, Ramagundam and Talcher units and HFCs Durgapur, Barauni and Namrup units, involving a fresh investment of Rs 2,201.13 crore at 1994 price levels. These units are expected to produce 23 million tonnes per year after revamp.
ICICI had, however, expressed certain reservations on the viability of the packages in October 1995 and, hence, the group of ministers referred the case to the committee of secretaries which, in turn, constituted an expert group.
Fertiliser Corporation of India incurred a net loss of Rs 426.62 crore in 1995-96 against Rs 336.13 crore in 1994-95. HFC incurred a net loss of Rs 466.52 crore, including interest on government loan of Rs 318.65 crore. Accumulated loss of the company is about Rs 3,090 crore. During 1995-96, Fertiliser Corporation of India produced 2.08 lakh tonnes of nitrogen at 35 per cent capacity utilisation.
The Fertiliser Corporation of India units were plagued with acute liquidity problems, prolonged power cuts from state grids in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa and strike in the mines of Singareni coal fields at Ramagundam.
The fertiliser ministry has decided to rope in Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (Kribhco) and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (Iffco) to revive some of the sick fertiliser units in the country.
Minister of state for fertiliser Sis Ram Ola said Kribhco has agreed to set up a new unit at Gorakhpur by utilising the infrastructure of the existing sick unit of the Fertiliser Corporation of India Ltd (FCI).
The proposed unit is expected to cost about Rs 900 crore. The old unit was closed down in June 1990 due to a fire accident. Ola said both Kribhco and Iffco will be asked to help out with the revival of the sick units. Both the cash-rich fertiliser giants had earlier refused to take over the sick units on the pretext they were saddled with ongoing expansion projects and joint ventures. Kribhco earned a net profit of Rs 202 crore in 1995-96 and Iffco netted Rs 132 crore for the same period.
The ministry has requested Board of Industrial & Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) to extend the deadline for submitting the revival package of certain units of FCI and Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation (HFC) to March 31.
Formulation of the revival package was delayed as Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of India and Industrial Development Bank of India, which are part of an expert group constituted for this purpose, had insisted upon an independent appraisal of the package.
The group is expected to submit its full report by mid-February. It consists of representatives from the two financial institutions. Fertiliser Corporation of India and HFC were asked to reformulate the revival packages, indicating specific reliefs. The packages envisaged revamp of Fertiliser Corporation of Indias Sindri, Ramagundam and Talcher units and HFCs Durgapur, Barauni and Namrup units, involving a fresh investment of Rs 2,201.13 crore at 1994 price levels. These units are expected to produce 23 million tonnes per year after revamp.
ICICI had, however, expressed certain reservations on the viability of the packages in October 1995 and, hence, the group of ministers referred the case to the committee of secretaries which, in turn, constituted an expert group.
Fertiliser Corporation of India incurred a net loss of Rs 426.62 crore in 1995-96 against Rs 336.13 crore in 1994-95. HFC incurred a net loss of Rs 466.52 crore, including interest on government loan of Rs 318.65 crore. Accumulated loss of the company is about Rs 3,090 crore. During 1995-96, Fertiliser Corporation of India produced 2.08 lakh tonnes of nitrogen at 35 per cent capacity utilisation.
The Fertiliser Corporation of India units were plagued with acute liquidity problems, prolonged power cuts from state grids in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa and strike in the mines of Singareni coal fields at Ramagundam
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Plan panel wants fertiliser units revived
The National Planning Commission has asked the finance ministry to release funds to modernise six sick public sector fertiliser units in the country. This move could save foreign exchange worth Rs 200 crore annually.
In a letter to the ministry, planning commission deputy chairman Madhu Dandavate pointed out if Rs 200 crore is pumped in for modernisation of the machinery, the country could save substantial foreign exchange by cutting down on urea import.
The NPCs request comes in the wake of several representations made by trade unions, including All India Trade Union Congress, which recently submitted a blueprint for the revival of these units.
Union agriculture minister Chaturanan Mishra recently wrote to fertiliser minister Sis Ram Ola that funds should be released for the revival of sick units.
In an internal note, Mishra indicated out of a total subsidy of about Rs 8,359 crore for fertiliser industry, Rs 2,244 crore was for urea.
As the government spends about Rs 2,000 crore importing urea every year, the same amount could be utilised to revive Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation (HFC) and Fertiliser Corporation of India (FCI).
This would reduce subsidy on urea by 75 per cent, the note stated.
The units that have been identified for revival are HFCs Durgapur, Barauni, Namrup units and Sindri, Ramagundam and Talcher of FCI.
The total annual installed capacity of the five manufacturing units of HFC at Barauni, Durgapur and Namrup I, II, III is 6.53 lakh tonnes of nitrogen.
Its total production was merely 1.26 lakh tonnes during 1995-96 at an average capacity utilisation of 19.2 per cent.
The performance at these units have fallen because of ageing plants and equipment deficiencies.
Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation has been unable to perform due to constant breakdowns. In 1995-96, the company incurred a loss of Rs 466.52 crore while the accumulated loss rose to Rs 3,090.17 crore, including interest of Rs 1720.75 crore on loans taken from the government.
In the case of FCI units, the total installed capacity of Sindri, Ramagundam, Talcher and Gorakhpur units is 5.87 lakh tonnes. In 1995-96, its total production was 2.08 lakh tonnes at 35.4 per cent capacity utilisation.
Following the poor performance at these units, which were largely due to equipment breakdowns, the company incurred a net loss of Rs 426.62 crore in 1995-96.
Both FCI and HFC have already been referred to Board of Industrial & Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) and the operating agency, Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of India Ltd, worked out a revival package.
Funding arrangements are, however, yet to be tied up fo r both the companies.
In a letter to the ministry, planning commission deputy chairman Madhu Dandavate pointed out if Rs 200 crore is pumped in for modernisation of the machinery, the country could save substantial foreign exchange by cutting down on urea import.
The NPCs request comes in the wake of several representations made by trade unions, including All India Trade Union Congress, which recently submitted a blueprint for the revival of these units.
Union agriculture minister Chaturanan Mishra recently wrote to fertiliser minister Sis Ram Ola that funds should be released for the revival of sick units.
In an internal note, Mishra indicated out of a total subsidy of about Rs 8,359 crore for fertiliser industry, Rs 2,244 crore was for urea.
As the government spends about Rs 2,000 crore importing urea every year, the same amount could be utilised to revive Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation (HFC) and Fertiliser Corporation of India (FCI).
This would reduce subsidy on urea by 75 per cent, the note stated.
The units that have been identified for revival are HFCs Durgapur, Barauni, Namrup units and Sindri, Ramagundam and Talcher of FCI.
The total annual installed capacity of the five manufacturing units of HFC at Barauni, Durgapur and Namrup I, II, III is 6.53 lakh tonnes of nitrogen.
Its total production was merely 1.26 lakh tonnes during 1995-96 at an average capacity utilisation of 19.2 per cent.
The performance at these units have fallen because of ageing plants and equipment deficiencies.
Hindustan Fertiliser Corporation has been unable to perform due to constant breakdowns. In 1995-96, the company incurred a loss of Rs 466.52 crore while the accumulated loss rose to Rs 3,090.17 crore, including interest of Rs 1720.75 crore on loans taken from the government.
In the case of FCI units, the total installed capacity of Sindri, Ramagundam, Talcher and Gorakhpur units is 5.87 lakh tonnes. In 1995-96, its total production was 2.08 lakh tonnes at 35.4 per cent capacity utilisation.
Following the poor performance at these units, which were largely due to equipment breakdowns, the company incurred a net loss of Rs 426.62 crore in 1995-96.
Both FCI and HFC have already been referred to Board of Industrial & Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) and the operating agency, Industrial Credit & Investment Corporation of India Ltd, worked out a revival package.
Funding arrangements are, however, yet to be tied up fo r both the companies.
‘Production in HFC unit by 2010’-can this mission is accomplished some day???
‘Production in HFC unit by 2010’
Union fertilizer and chemicals minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the revival of Barauni fertilizer plant was sort of a mission impossible, but he made relentless efforts and now the process has begun.
The Union fertilizer minister said the plant, which has been closed for last eight years, is likely to become operational from January next.
The minister, who visited the plant along with officials, expected that the production of urea will begin from 2010.
Source: Times of India
Union fertilizer and chemicals minister Ram Vilas Paswan said the revival of Barauni fertilizer plant was sort of a mission impossible, but he made relentless efforts and now the process has begun.
The Union fertilizer minister said the plant, which has been closed for last eight years, is likely to become operational from January next.
The minister, who visited the plant along with officials, expected that the production of urea will begin from 2010.
Source: Times of India
Cops seek Dhoni's help in anti-Maoist campaign-The state police also want Dhoni to appeal to the people not to support the left wing extreAug 30, 2010
Cops seek Dhoni's help in anti-Maoist campaign
IANS, Aug 30, 2010, 06.37pm IST
(THIS IS HOW ONE'S IMAGE 'SELLS',WELL CELEBRITY'S GOODWILL CAN HELP!!!...GOOD WISHES TO HIM....ITS GOOD IF WEST BENGAL,BIHAR,CHATTISHGARH,TAILANGANA(ANDHRAPRADESH) GOVERNMENTS ALSO TRY TO PERSUADE THESE PEOPLE TO JOIN MAINSTREAM AND LEAVE VIOLENCE-ONE CAN CHOOSE PEACEFUL/RIGHTFULL MEANS TO GET FULFILLED THEIR DEMANDS)
RANCHI: Jharkhand Police have sought help of Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a campaign against Maoist rebels.
Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Neyaz Ahmad met Dhoni at his home in Harmu housing colony on Monday. The Jharkhand police chief termed the meeting a courtesy call.
However, according to informed sources, Ahmed sought Dhoni's help in a campaign against Maoist rebels. Police want a video message from Dhoni appealing to the Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream of society.
The state police also want Dhoni to appeal to the people not to support the left wing extremists and not join their rank and file.
Dhoni has yet to give his consent to the state police's request. Dhoni is on the hit list of the Maoist rebels and has been provided Y-category security cover.
In the past, Dhoni has supported causes and drives like against child labour and to promote children's education.
IANS, Aug 30, 2010, 06.37pm IST
(THIS IS HOW ONE'S IMAGE 'SELLS',WELL CELEBRITY'S GOODWILL CAN HELP!!!...GOOD WISHES TO HIM....ITS GOOD IF WEST BENGAL,BIHAR,CHATTISHGARH,TAILANGANA(ANDHRAPRADESH) GOVERNMENTS ALSO TRY TO PERSUADE THESE PEOPLE TO JOIN MAINSTREAM AND LEAVE VIOLENCE-ONE CAN CHOOSE PEACEFUL/RIGHTFULL MEANS TO GET FULFILLED THEIR DEMANDS)
RANCHI: Jharkhand Police have sought help of Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a campaign against Maoist rebels.
Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Neyaz Ahmad met Dhoni at his home in Harmu housing colony on Monday. The Jharkhand police chief termed the meeting a courtesy call.
However, according to informed sources, Ahmed sought Dhoni's help in a campaign against Maoist rebels. Police want a video message from Dhoni appealing to the Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream of society.
The state police also want Dhoni to appeal to the people not to support the left wing extremists and not join their rank and file.
Dhoni has yet to give his consent to the state police's request. Dhoni is on the hit list of the Maoist rebels and has been provided Y-category security cover.
In the past, Dhoni has supported causes and drives like against child labour and to promote children's education.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Seven-year-old Briton advises government on finances -29/08/2010
29/08/2010
Seven-year-old Briton advises government on finances
London: A seven-year-old maths prodigy, who became the youngest Briton to gain the top grade in GCSE maths, now advises the government on the country's finances, a media report said Sunday. Oscar Selby, who last week got an A* at less than half the age at which most pupils take the exam, has demonstrated a new talent - advising the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the nation's finances, Daily Mail reported on its website.
Oscar took a break from building sandcastles on holiday Saturday to urge George Osborne to cut taxpayer funding to the banks and ask for cash they have borrowed to be paid back. Asked how he would tackle Britain's biggest maths problem - the £170.8-billion budget deficit - he advocated raising taxes and creating jobs.
In a 'manifesto' showing a populist touch, he also suggested more spending on care for the elderly and natural disasters such as Pakistan's floods. Oscar, from Epsom in Surrey, who attends Stamford Green Primary School but supplemented his maths skills at Hertfordshire-based tutors Ryde Teaching Services, said: "I would stop the banks from getting so much money and maybe ask them to pay some back."
Speaking from a beach on the Isle of Man, where he is on holiday with his family, he said: "Maybe (George Osborne) could spend some money in overseas countries. There are some places where people have nothing and they are very poor living without food or water. It could go to Pakistan where there are lots of floods."
Turning to the 2.4 million unemployed, he said: "I'd make some more places to go to work. I don't know what jobs people could do, but just any jobs. Good jobs, jobs the country needs." Perhaps thinking about his own grandparents, he also suggested that more could be done to help the elderly.
Oscar, who was already fascinated by numbers at the age of two, said: "When people get old they might start feeling lonely so they could get some people in to help." On the environment, he also had thoughtful advice, saying: "We could do something about global warming. We wouldn't save money but we should spend money there.
"I think we could have better insulation in houses. It would cost money, but it could save some later." He even had a panacea for the general gloom of the nation. "I think more should be spent on music and art because it cheers people up.'
His mother, actuary Natasha Regan, 39, said he had been learning about long-term saving through his favourite computer game, Bloons Tower Defense 4. Players have to plant bananas and then pick them later, teaching them about the principles of investment. Despite his wise words for the Chancellor, Oscar has said he does not want to go into politics and hopes instead to become an inventor and design a car that does not need fuel.
Source: IANS
Image Credit: AP
Seven-year-old Briton advises government on finances
London: A seven-year-old maths prodigy, who became the youngest Briton to gain the top grade in GCSE maths, now advises the government on the country's finances, a media report said Sunday. Oscar Selby, who last week got an A* at less than half the age at which most pupils take the exam, has demonstrated a new talent - advising the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the nation's finances, Daily Mail reported on its website.
Oscar took a break from building sandcastles on holiday Saturday to urge George Osborne to cut taxpayer funding to the banks and ask for cash they have borrowed to be paid back. Asked how he would tackle Britain's biggest maths problem - the £170.8-billion budget deficit - he advocated raising taxes and creating jobs.
In a 'manifesto' showing a populist touch, he also suggested more spending on care for the elderly and natural disasters such as Pakistan's floods. Oscar, from Epsom in Surrey, who attends Stamford Green Primary School but supplemented his maths skills at Hertfordshire-based tutors Ryde Teaching Services, said: "I would stop the banks from getting so much money and maybe ask them to pay some back."
Speaking from a beach on the Isle of Man, where he is on holiday with his family, he said: "Maybe (George Osborne) could spend some money in overseas countries. There are some places where people have nothing and they are very poor living without food or water. It could go to Pakistan where there are lots of floods."
Turning to the 2.4 million unemployed, he said: "I'd make some more places to go to work. I don't know what jobs people could do, but just any jobs. Good jobs, jobs the country needs." Perhaps thinking about his own grandparents, he also suggested that more could be done to help the elderly.
Oscar, who was already fascinated by numbers at the age of two, said: "When people get old they might start feeling lonely so they could get some people in to help." On the environment, he also had thoughtful advice, saying: "We could do something about global warming. We wouldn't save money but we should spend money there.
"I think we could have better insulation in houses. It would cost money, but it could save some later." He even had a panacea for the general gloom of the nation. "I think more should be spent on music and art because it cheers people up.'
His mother, actuary Natasha Regan, 39, said he had been learning about long-term saving through his favourite computer game, Bloons Tower Defense 4. Players have to plant bananas and then pick them later, teaching them about the principles of investment. Despite his wise words for the Chancellor, Oscar has said he does not want to go into politics and hopes instead to become an inventor and design a car that does not need fuel.
Source: IANS
Image Credit: AP
Friday, August 27, 2010
Column: "School and education should not be confused"
By P. Varadarajan, 21/05/2010
Column: "School and education should not be confused"
(THIS IS TO SAY THAT ONE CAN GO TO SCHOOL,COLLEGES AND GET SO MANY DEGREES, BUT EDUCATION IS WHAT LIFE AND EXPERIENCE TEACHES US...EDUCATION IS MUST AND COMBINATION OF BOTH IS THE BEST)
Our car pulled up at yet another of the scores of traffic signals. Newspaper vendors swarmed us and my friend rolled down the window to buy one. Glancing down the front page, he grimaced and said, “Petrol is costlier again.
We must switch to a horse-cart. "No, papa," said my friend's little son and added, "Let's get a bullock-cart." When I turned to the boy with a quizzical mien, he clarified, "Because we could get milk as well as a means of transport."
After both of us adults had laughed our heads off, my friend turned to his son and began saying, "you fool! Don't you know..." I cut him short and said, "Wait! The boy needs to be corrected, but his naïve innocence beckons his entry into the world of education. Let us make him aware of it, before correcting him."
School and Education should not be confused. Education enrolls one in the womb and graduates one in the tomb. School must be the mouse race that equips one for the rat race, if it is to be congenial for Education through life. Getting the youngsters to know what counts is more important than how to count. All true Education is to develop the mind, not to stuff the memory. Obviously, developing the mind is not simply learning, but learning to learn.
Formerly, we lived in the age of knowledge explosion. Then, it was claimed that knowledge doubled every five years. Now we live in the age of knowledge obsolescence. What is knowledge today will get obsolete sooner than later.
This brings to focus the necessity of learning to learn as against simple learning. Stultifying indeed will be simple learning in the emerging trend of obsolescence of knowledge and what will be of great avail to parry with the situation currently as well as in the future, is learning to learn.
Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana accords due significance to learning to learn. A mighty king Yadu asks a sage, "O Sage, whence did you get this highly penetrating wisdom?" The Sage replies, "Many are my preceptors, O King, selected by my keen sense, acquiring wisdom from whom, I wander in the world free (from all turmoil and worry). Please hear about them. The earth, the air, the sky, water, fire, the moon and the sun, the dove, the boa - constrictor, the sea, the moth, the honey-bee, the elephant, the honey-gatherer, the deer, the fish, Pingala (a courtesan), the osprey, the infant, the maiden, the forger of arrows, the serpent, the spider and the Bhinga (a kind of wasp) - these twenty-four have been accepted, O king, by me as preceptors. From the conduct of these have I learnt all that I had to learn in this life for my good.
The school must facilitate learning to learn. The youngsters must get sensitized and susceptible to learning to learn. They must get the tiller of learning to learn in their vessel to cruise through the ocean of life.
The moot question now is how to get the youngsters acquire this tiller? Obviously, this cannot be achieved, if schooling is circumscribed by merely protracted classroom teaching.
Achieving Education involves classroom teaching, self study, comprising, investigation, recording, reflection, etc., taking to seminar, symposium, group discussion, etc. and practicing and correlating whatever one learns, with everyday life.
It is needless to mention that when schooling gets learner centric, the learner will acquire the tiller of learning to learn for his vessel. We can do no better than concur that the prescription of the sages of ancient India, is the recipe to engender learning to learn.
Positive stance towards failure is the necessary pre-requisite for learning to learn. It must be remembered that falling down does not make one a failure, but staying down does. A failure in life is one who lives, but fails to learn. Each failure offers precious learning experience.
Fifty thousand experiments of Edison failed before he succeeded with a new storage battery. One of his assistants marveled at the bewildering total of his failures. "Results!" exclaimed Edison, "Why man? I have got a lot of results. I know fifty thousand things that won't work".
No wonder with such pronounced penchant to learn from failures, Edison excelled in learning to learn and became the inventor of the world.
Reflection is to reading as digestion is to eating. Learning to learn entails that reading must be in proportion to thinking and thinking in proportion to reading.
Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking which makes what we read ours, leading to learning. So far as we apprehend and see the connection of ideas, so far they are ours; without that, it is so much loose matter floating in our brain. One may be deep versed in books, but shallow in oneself. Thus Pope writes,
The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read,
With loads of learned number in his head,
With his own tongue still edifies his ears,
And always list'ning to himself appears.
It must be ensured that the youngsters inculcate a habit, a passion for reading; not flying from book to book, with the squeamish caprice of a literary epicure; but read systematically, closely, thoughtfully, analyzing every subject as they go along, and laying it up carefully and safely in their memory. This will ensure their learning to be at the same time extensive, accurate, and useful.
(Mr. Varadarajan is the Principal of RSK Higher Secondary School, Kailasapuram, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India)
Source: India Syndicate
Column: "School and education should not be confused"
(THIS IS TO SAY THAT ONE CAN GO TO SCHOOL,COLLEGES AND GET SO MANY DEGREES, BUT EDUCATION IS WHAT LIFE AND EXPERIENCE TEACHES US...EDUCATION IS MUST AND COMBINATION OF BOTH IS THE BEST)
Our car pulled up at yet another of the scores of traffic signals. Newspaper vendors swarmed us and my friend rolled down the window to buy one. Glancing down the front page, he grimaced and said, “Petrol is costlier again.
We must switch to a horse-cart. "No, papa," said my friend's little son and added, "Let's get a bullock-cart." When I turned to the boy with a quizzical mien, he clarified, "Because we could get milk as well as a means of transport."
After both of us adults had laughed our heads off, my friend turned to his son and began saying, "you fool! Don't you know..." I cut him short and said, "Wait! The boy needs to be corrected, but his naïve innocence beckons his entry into the world of education. Let us make him aware of it, before correcting him."
School and Education should not be confused. Education enrolls one in the womb and graduates one in the tomb. School must be the mouse race that equips one for the rat race, if it is to be congenial for Education through life. Getting the youngsters to know what counts is more important than how to count. All true Education is to develop the mind, not to stuff the memory. Obviously, developing the mind is not simply learning, but learning to learn.
Formerly, we lived in the age of knowledge explosion. Then, it was claimed that knowledge doubled every five years. Now we live in the age of knowledge obsolescence. What is knowledge today will get obsolete sooner than later.
This brings to focus the necessity of learning to learn as against simple learning. Stultifying indeed will be simple learning in the emerging trend of obsolescence of knowledge and what will be of great avail to parry with the situation currently as well as in the future, is learning to learn.
Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana accords due significance to learning to learn. A mighty king Yadu asks a sage, "O Sage, whence did you get this highly penetrating wisdom?" The Sage replies, "Many are my preceptors, O King, selected by my keen sense, acquiring wisdom from whom, I wander in the world free (from all turmoil and worry). Please hear about them. The earth, the air, the sky, water, fire, the moon and the sun, the dove, the boa - constrictor, the sea, the moth, the honey-bee, the elephant, the honey-gatherer, the deer, the fish, Pingala (a courtesan), the osprey, the infant, the maiden, the forger of arrows, the serpent, the spider and the Bhinga (a kind of wasp) - these twenty-four have been accepted, O king, by me as preceptors. From the conduct of these have I learnt all that I had to learn in this life for my good.
The school must facilitate learning to learn. The youngsters must get sensitized and susceptible to learning to learn. They must get the tiller of learning to learn in their vessel to cruise through the ocean of life.
The moot question now is how to get the youngsters acquire this tiller? Obviously, this cannot be achieved, if schooling is circumscribed by merely protracted classroom teaching.
Achieving Education involves classroom teaching, self study, comprising, investigation, recording, reflection, etc., taking to seminar, symposium, group discussion, etc. and practicing and correlating whatever one learns, with everyday life.
It is needless to mention that when schooling gets learner centric, the learner will acquire the tiller of learning to learn for his vessel. We can do no better than concur that the prescription of the sages of ancient India, is the recipe to engender learning to learn.
Positive stance towards failure is the necessary pre-requisite for learning to learn. It must be remembered that falling down does not make one a failure, but staying down does. A failure in life is one who lives, but fails to learn. Each failure offers precious learning experience.
Fifty thousand experiments of Edison failed before he succeeded with a new storage battery. One of his assistants marveled at the bewildering total of his failures. "Results!" exclaimed Edison, "Why man? I have got a lot of results. I know fifty thousand things that won't work".
No wonder with such pronounced penchant to learn from failures, Edison excelled in learning to learn and became the inventor of the world.
Reflection is to reading as digestion is to eating. Learning to learn entails that reading must be in proportion to thinking and thinking in proportion to reading.
Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking which makes what we read ours, leading to learning. So far as we apprehend and see the connection of ideas, so far they are ours; without that, it is so much loose matter floating in our brain. One may be deep versed in books, but shallow in oneself. Thus Pope writes,
The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read,
With loads of learned number in his head,
With his own tongue still edifies his ears,
And always list'ning to himself appears.
It must be ensured that the youngsters inculcate a habit, a passion for reading; not flying from book to book, with the squeamish caprice of a literary epicure; but read systematically, closely, thoughtfully, analyzing every subject as they go along, and laying it up carefully and safely in their memory. This will ensure their learning to be at the same time extensive, accurate, and useful.
(Mr. Varadarajan is the Principal of RSK Higher Secondary School, Kailasapuram, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India)
Source: India Syndicate
Netherlands to include same-sex couples in textbooks-26/08/2010
26/08/2010
Netherlands to include same-sex couples in textbooks
(I THINK MAKING A LAW IN THEIR FAVOUR IS ONE THING BUT INCLUDING IT IN TEXTBOOKS AS AN EXAMPLE IS A WRONG PRECEDENT...THOUGH THIS NEWS IS ABOUT ANOTHER COUNTRY AND WE NEED NOT INTERFERE,BUT JUST IN THIS CONTEXT,I NEED TO SAY THAT I HAVE WRITTEN A WRITEUP(AND NOT A "CUT N PASTE") ON 7/2/10,IN THIS BLOG ON "REPEELING OF IPC 377,A VICTORY OF GAY COMMUNITY'".. AND IN ANOTHER WRITEUP WITH HEADING '"ABOUT SHRI KAPIL SIBBAL KI DUURDRISHTI ON 13/7/09"' MENTIONING SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COURSES'!!
...ONCE AGAIN I AM TAKING RISK AND REPEATING IT THAT INSTEAD OF CREATING IT AS A NEW SUBJECTS, IT CAN BE ADDED IN OUR EXISTING TEXT BOOK COURSES AS NEW CHAPTERS IN IT!!...AS REPRODUCTION SYSTEM AND EVOLUTION OF HUMAN BEING ARE ALREADY A CHAPTER OF BIOLOGY...WHY CAN'T WE TELL ABOUT IT 'AS LGBT'...ARE BIT BIOLOGICALLY DIFFERENT FROM MALE AND FEMALE...SPECIALLY ABOUT 'TRANSGENDERS'...SO THAT SUCH PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND CHANGE IN SELF ON TIME AND GO FOR MEDICATIONS OR OTHER TREATNENT ON TIME, AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY LIVE NORMALLY IN EXISTING SYSTEM WITHOUT COMPLEXES AND HURTING EACH OTHER...IT WILL HELP PEOPLE IN RECOGNIZING THE '"SEXUAL HARRASSMENT OFFENCES'" ALSO, AND TREAT SUCH PEOPLE WITH SENSTIVITY!!!...NOW I DON'T WANT TO WRITE IN DETAIL ONCE AGAIN!!!...VIBHA)
Amsterdam: The Netherlands was the first country in the world to grant same-sex marriages and allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. Now the Dutch are taking the next logical step and are introducing same-sex couples into the nation's schoolbooks. However, not everyone in the country approves.
Two fathers go out to buy a guinea pig that costs 17.95 euros in the pet shop. The shop owner gives them a discount of 20 percent. How much must Jan's fathers pay?
In the near future, math books could be posing this question, or one like it, to school kids in the Netherlands. Soon the country's geography and foreign language textbooks will no longer be able to ignore the reality of same-sex parenting in Holland.
Eberhard van der Laan says the country's school system must treat same-sex couples as a normal part of daily life. The 55-year-old father of five children is mayor of Amsterdam, which has been marketing itself as a destination for gay travellers. Now his call has been heard by Holland's largest school book publisher.
"At the moment schoolbooks do not reflect life here," says Frans Grijzenhout, director of the Noordhof Uitgeverij publishing house.
"When a textbook deals with a family going on holiday, for example, the accompanying drawing will show a father, a mother and children. But there are other types of families."
In future, Noordhof's books will reflect the existence of same-sex parents in Holland. The country's schoolbooks already deal with Holland's multicultural society with depictions of Muslim girls wearing headscarves, says Grijzenhout. "In the same way we intend to bring homosexuality to children's attention."
Holland's association for the Integration of homosexuals has welcomed the move. It says the "hetero-normality in schoolbooks" should have done been away with long ago. For a long time the association has been observing a "decline in tolerance towards homosexuals" in Holland.
Homosexuality has a high profile in Holland but the number of attacks on gay men and women is on the rise. Even in Amsterdam homosexual couples have reported they feel less safe than in the past.
Many of the attackers are young men with Muslim immigrant backgrounds. The association for the Integration of Homosexuals says that makes it all the more important for schoolbooks to "show male couples and female couples as completely normal."
However, the Netherlands' Calvinist community, as well as the country's conservative Catholics, has rejected the prospect of same-sex couples in school textbooks.
"Schools should not be forced to accept homosexual emancipation," says the newspaper the Reformatorisch Dagblad, the most important orthodox Protestant publication in Holland.
The Association for Christian Reformed Education has also made it clear no "homo-schoolbooks" will be distributed in its schools.
The idea of making children familiar with same-sex couples is not a new one. Ten years ago the Dutch author Linda de Haan created a stir with the publication of her children's book "King and King".
In the book a gay crown prince refuses to marry a princess but still wants to become king. In the end there is a fairytale wedding between two princes who live happily ever after.
The book was a bestseller in Holland which is known for its tolerant attitudes. But in the US the book's publication was followed by litigation in courts. Some parents called for the book to be banned or at least removed from library shelves. The litigation came to an end in 2007 when a federal judge decided "diversity is a trademark of our nation
Source: www.ians.in
(SOME LETTERS....!!!)
Friday, 27 August 2010 06:20:50
I think Netherland Govt's Decision to allow same sex marriage is Good and appriciable but include this in the text book is not Good at all. I think Netherland's Govt. should think again to include this in the Text Book. It will give wrong indication to kids so it should not be included. Sugan Bairwa, Export Manager
Friday, 27 August 2010 00:56:36
Hey, come on law makers, don't make the society sick. Let's build healthier environment atleast from our kids. How would the parents accept these kind of crap is been thought in text books. Please avoid this, anywhere in the world. Allow gays and les get marry or live as they would like to, that is their own freedom, but don't make them as an examples in school text book. One worst day, no kids will be there for adoption and rate of birth will decrease and it's dangerous for world...)
Netherlands to include same-sex couples in textbooks
(I THINK MAKING A LAW IN THEIR FAVOUR IS ONE THING BUT INCLUDING IT IN TEXTBOOKS AS AN EXAMPLE IS A WRONG PRECEDENT...THOUGH THIS NEWS IS ABOUT ANOTHER COUNTRY AND WE NEED NOT INTERFERE,BUT JUST IN THIS CONTEXT,I NEED TO SAY THAT I HAVE WRITTEN A WRITEUP(AND NOT A "CUT N PASTE") ON 7/2/10,IN THIS BLOG ON "REPEELING OF IPC 377,A VICTORY OF GAY COMMUNITY'".. AND IN ANOTHER WRITEUP WITH HEADING '"ABOUT SHRI KAPIL SIBBAL KI DUURDRISHTI ON 13/7/09"' MENTIONING SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COURSES'!!
...ONCE AGAIN I AM TAKING RISK AND REPEATING IT THAT INSTEAD OF CREATING IT AS A NEW SUBJECTS, IT CAN BE ADDED IN OUR EXISTING TEXT BOOK COURSES AS NEW CHAPTERS IN IT!!...AS REPRODUCTION SYSTEM AND EVOLUTION OF HUMAN BEING ARE ALREADY A CHAPTER OF BIOLOGY...WHY CAN'T WE TELL ABOUT IT 'AS LGBT'...ARE BIT BIOLOGICALLY DIFFERENT FROM MALE AND FEMALE...SPECIALLY ABOUT 'TRANSGENDERS'...SO THAT SUCH PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND CHANGE IN SELF ON TIME AND GO FOR MEDICATIONS OR OTHER TREATNENT ON TIME, AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY LIVE NORMALLY IN EXISTING SYSTEM WITHOUT COMPLEXES AND HURTING EACH OTHER...IT WILL HELP PEOPLE IN RECOGNIZING THE '"SEXUAL HARRASSMENT OFFENCES'" ALSO, AND TREAT SUCH PEOPLE WITH SENSTIVITY!!!...NOW I DON'T WANT TO WRITE IN DETAIL ONCE AGAIN!!!...VIBHA)
Amsterdam: The Netherlands was the first country in the world to grant same-sex marriages and allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt children. Now the Dutch are taking the next logical step and are introducing same-sex couples into the nation's schoolbooks. However, not everyone in the country approves.
Two fathers go out to buy a guinea pig that costs 17.95 euros in the pet shop. The shop owner gives them a discount of 20 percent. How much must Jan's fathers pay?
In the near future, math books could be posing this question, or one like it, to school kids in the Netherlands. Soon the country's geography and foreign language textbooks will no longer be able to ignore the reality of same-sex parenting in Holland.
Eberhard van der Laan says the country's school system must treat same-sex couples as a normal part of daily life. The 55-year-old father of five children is mayor of Amsterdam, which has been marketing itself as a destination for gay travellers. Now his call has been heard by Holland's largest school book publisher.
"At the moment schoolbooks do not reflect life here," says Frans Grijzenhout, director of the Noordhof Uitgeverij publishing house.
"When a textbook deals with a family going on holiday, for example, the accompanying drawing will show a father, a mother and children. But there are other types of families."
In future, Noordhof's books will reflect the existence of same-sex parents in Holland. The country's schoolbooks already deal with Holland's multicultural society with depictions of Muslim girls wearing headscarves, says Grijzenhout. "In the same way we intend to bring homosexuality to children's attention."
Holland's association for the Integration of homosexuals has welcomed the move. It says the "hetero-normality in schoolbooks" should have done been away with long ago. For a long time the association has been observing a "decline in tolerance towards homosexuals" in Holland.
Homosexuality has a high profile in Holland but the number of attacks on gay men and women is on the rise. Even in Amsterdam homosexual couples have reported they feel less safe than in the past.
Many of the attackers are young men with Muslim immigrant backgrounds. The association for the Integration of Homosexuals says that makes it all the more important for schoolbooks to "show male couples and female couples as completely normal."
However, the Netherlands' Calvinist community, as well as the country's conservative Catholics, has rejected the prospect of same-sex couples in school textbooks.
"Schools should not be forced to accept homosexual emancipation," says the newspaper the Reformatorisch Dagblad, the most important orthodox Protestant publication in Holland.
The Association for Christian Reformed Education has also made it clear no "homo-schoolbooks" will be distributed in its schools.
The idea of making children familiar with same-sex couples is not a new one. Ten years ago the Dutch author Linda de Haan created a stir with the publication of her children's book "King and King".
In the book a gay crown prince refuses to marry a princess but still wants to become king. In the end there is a fairytale wedding between two princes who live happily ever after.
The book was a bestseller in Holland which is known for its tolerant attitudes. But in the US the book's publication was followed by litigation in courts. Some parents called for the book to be banned or at least removed from library shelves. The litigation came to an end in 2007 when a federal judge decided "diversity is a trademark of our nation
Source: www.ians.in
(SOME LETTERS....!!!)
Friday, 27 August 2010 06:20:50
I think Netherland Govt's Decision to allow same sex marriage is Good and appriciable but include this in the text book is not Good at all. I think Netherland's Govt. should think again to include this in the Text Book. It will give wrong indication to kids so it should not be included. Sugan Bairwa, Export Manager
Friday, 27 August 2010 00:56:36
Hey, come on law makers, don't make the society sick. Let's build healthier environment atleast from our kids. How would the parents accept these kind of crap is been thought in text books. Please avoid this, anywhere in the world. Allow gays and les get marry or live as they would like to, that is their own freedom, but don't make them as an examples in school text book. One worst day, no kids will be there for adoption and rate of birth will decrease and it's dangerous for world...)
Aptitude test to replace prelims in civil services exam-26/08/2010
26/08/2010
Aptitude test to replace prelims in civil services exam
(I AM SURE NEW FORMAT WILL BE BETTER AND BIT EASIER FOR PARTICIPANTS...GOOD WISHES TO ALL OF THEM)
New Delhi: In a significant move, Government has agreed to a proposal to introduce Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in place of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
"The government has approved the proposal for introduction of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in place of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination," Minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions Prithviraj Chavan informed the Rajya Sabha.
In CSAT, one of optional subjects which a candidate could have chosen out of 23 optional has been replaced with common paper on aptitude test, he said, adding the syllabus of CSAT is being worked out.
The Government will shortly notify the new scheme of examination giving details of the syllabus, he said in a written reply.
Source: PTI
Aptitude test to replace prelims in civil services exam
(I AM SURE NEW FORMAT WILL BE BETTER AND BIT EASIER FOR PARTICIPANTS...GOOD WISHES TO ALL OF THEM)
New Delhi: In a significant move, Government has agreed to a proposal to introduce Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in place of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
"The government has approved the proposal for introduction of Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) in place of Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination," Minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions Prithviraj Chavan informed the Rajya Sabha.
In CSAT, one of optional subjects which a candidate could have chosen out of 23 optional has been replaced with common paper on aptitude test, he said, adding the syllabus of CSAT is being worked out.
The Government will shortly notify the new scheme of examination giving details of the syllabus, he said in a written reply.
Source: PTI
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Ahead of CWG, Kiran Bedi's book on civic sense-Broom and Groom.-New Delhi, August 26, 2010"
Ahead of CWG, Kiran Bedi's book on civic sense
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, August 26, 2010
(SHE HAS DONE TV SHOWS- 'AAP KI KACHAARI WITH KIRAN BEDI' AS AGONY AUNT AND HANDLING OTHER DISPUTES ALSO, AND 'KIRAN KI KIRNAE' AS INTERVIEWING WOMEN ACHIEVERS, DURING WOMEN RESERVATION BILL WAS ABOUT TO INTRODUCED IN PARLIAMENT..!!)
Moved by the 'not so good' image of civic sense of Indians among foreigners, India's first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi has brought out suggestions for laymen to improve their civic behaviour ahead of the Commonwealth Games. "There are article after article in foreign nations is calling Indians unhygienic and dirty. Being a true Indian, I wanted to change the scenario," says Kiran Bedi who has collaborated with socio-political thinker, Pavan Chaudary for the book Broom and Groom.
With an introduction by former President APJ Abdul Kalam, the hardbound book suggests globally accepted manners and etiquette and features a muppet and other illustrations on its pages.
"Foreigners hug and hold hands in public. We should not stand and start staring at them, else they will carry the bad impression of us back home," Bedi said while releasing the book here last evening.
Co-author Pavan Chaudary says the government should stop tweaking and wake up before the games to provide good sanitation and hygiene conditions.
"India was first cradle of civic virtue in the world as Indus and Mohanjodaro civilisations had irrefutable evidence of good sanitation and code of conduct," he says.
Invoking Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, he said,"Gandhi ji said our Swaraj will stink if we do not clean our backyards. But, post-independence our governments have failed to provide education and infrastructure for good hygeine."
According to the authors, the idea to write the book came due to appalling living conditions in our country and from their desire of not seeing India lag behind other nations in terms of civility.
"The book tells that we are not giving up. We are starting a revival and revolution of civility. The book is for civil responsibility," says Bedi.
The book focusses on civic sense issue such as not spitting paan at public places, ogling at female co-passengers in an elevator or quarrelling in front of a guest at home.
Catering to a variety of sections ranging from the elite to government servants and domestic help, the book covers such issues such as restaurant and banquet manners, auditoria or airplanes must do's, gymnasium and sports field behaviour, greeting properly as well as being a good host or house guest.
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, August 26, 2010
(SHE HAS DONE TV SHOWS- 'AAP KI KACHAARI WITH KIRAN BEDI' AS AGONY AUNT AND HANDLING OTHER DISPUTES ALSO, AND 'KIRAN KI KIRNAE' AS INTERVIEWING WOMEN ACHIEVERS, DURING WOMEN RESERVATION BILL WAS ABOUT TO INTRODUCED IN PARLIAMENT..!!)
Moved by the 'not so good' image of civic sense of Indians among foreigners, India's first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi has brought out suggestions for laymen to improve their civic behaviour ahead of the Commonwealth Games. "There are article after article in foreign nations is calling Indians unhygienic and dirty. Being a true Indian, I wanted to change the scenario," says Kiran Bedi who has collaborated with socio-political thinker, Pavan Chaudary for the book Broom and Groom.
With an introduction by former President APJ Abdul Kalam, the hardbound book suggests globally accepted manners and etiquette and features a muppet and other illustrations on its pages.
"Foreigners hug and hold hands in public. We should not stand and start staring at them, else they will carry the bad impression of us back home," Bedi said while releasing the book here last evening.
Co-author Pavan Chaudary says the government should stop tweaking and wake up before the games to provide good sanitation and hygiene conditions.
"India was first cradle of civic virtue in the world as Indus and Mohanjodaro civilisations had irrefutable evidence of good sanitation and code of conduct," he says.
Invoking Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, he said,"Gandhi ji said our Swaraj will stink if we do not clean our backyards. But, post-independence our governments have failed to provide education and infrastructure for good hygeine."
According to the authors, the idea to write the book came due to appalling living conditions in our country and from their desire of not seeing India lag behind other nations in terms of civility.
"The book tells that we are not giving up. We are starting a revival and revolution of civility. The book is for civil responsibility," says Bedi.
The book focusses on civic sense issue such as not spitting paan at public places, ogling at female co-passengers in an elevator or quarrelling in front of a guest at home.
Catering to a variety of sections ranging from the elite to government servants and domestic help, the book covers such issues such as restaurant and banquet manners, auditoria or airplanes must do's, gymnasium and sports field behaviour, greeting properly as well as being a good host or house guest.
I am better than Raj, says Rakhi Sawant -26/08/2010
26/08/2010
I am better than Raj, says Rakhi Sawant
Mumbai: Rakhi Sawant is big-mouthed, they say. The celebrity item girl, who will soon play agony aunt in a new reality show "Rakhi Ka Insaaf", claims she has better solutions to Mumbai's growing migrant population than Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.
"Come to my show, I'll even solve that. I'll solve it better than our friend Raj Thackeray," she said when asked about a solution to the growing number of outsiders coming into Mumbai.
The 31-year-old, who was speaking at an event held to launch her new show on Imagine TV where Rakhi will solve issues of the common man, says she has raised her voice for many issues in Mumbai. She is a Maharashtrian herself.
"There are a lot of issues in our society. I have been raising my voice from day one. No one knows me better than the media. I have barged into BMC's (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) office to get road construction done.
"There are no problems that I haven't solved. The media knows it. Name me one celebrity who has barged into BMC commissioner's office to ask them to mend your road," she said.
October 2008. MNS activists beat up North Indian candidates appearing for the all-India Railway Recruitment Board entrance exam in Mumbai.
Rakhi is appalled with the governance in the city and is particularly against Thackeray's resistance to migrants from other states residing and working in the financial and entertainment capital of India.
"Angoothachaap log baithhe hain wahaan (Uneducated people are sitting at the helm of affairs). There are so many people who know nothing. They don't use their brain even.
"I don't think like Raj Thackeray...that anyone from Uttar Pradesh or Bihar or anywhere who comes to Mumbai is an outsider. This country, as well as this state, is of the god and the people living in it are all god's children. I don't believe in differentiating between Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian - we are all one, and Mumbai is for everyone. Everyone can earn their living here," Rakhi told IANS in an interview.
Rakhi is seldom in a serious mood, and is known more for her outrageous publicity stunts. But this time round, she is serious.
The glamour girl, who has been seen in films like "Main Hoon Naa" and "Dil Bole Hadippa", item numbers such as "Dekhta hai tu kya" and in reality shows "Nach Baliye", "Rakhi Ka Swayamvar" and "Pati, Patni Aur Woh", is also up in arms against certain issues which she feels must be solved by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.
Despite several assurances by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Mumbai's infrastructure continues to flounder.
"If I meet Ashok Chavan, I will ask him - when the rains come, why do the roads get flooded? Despite spending so much money and taking so much tax from the citizens, why? Throughout the year roads are being made...sometimes they are made 10 times, then why is there waterlogging? What is the problem?
"Secondly, why so much tax? Why are people paying huge taxes? Rich people will still survive with their black money, but where will the poor go? Those who earn Rs.50 or Rs.20 per day...where will they go? Should poor people be removed from this country? Should they die? Should only the rich live? Don't poor have a right to live?" she said in angst.
She is extremely excited about being given a platform like "Rakhi Ka Insaaf" to offer solutions to the common people for their personal problems like extra-marital affairs, alcoholic husband, atrocities by in-laws and wife beating.
Rakhi said she will give solutions to people in her unique style, which is bold, honest, and forthright.
"I have lived a very tough life. I have seen 'dukh', 'sukh', 'kathinaayi' (sadness, happiness and difficulty) and overcome it all. I have always fought for my right and that too honestly. So I feel I will be able to connect very well with the victims of such problems, and provide solutions through my heart," she said.
She said her show is not about giving legal justice to people. It is for those who want to amicably resolve their domestic issues without getting entangled in the web of court proceedings.
"I am no police, I don't even have any educational degree, but I have a degree in life management...so that, and my belief in god will help me suggest the right solutions to those who approach me on the show," she said.
Source: IANS
I am better than Raj, says Rakhi Sawant
Mumbai: Rakhi Sawant is big-mouthed, they say. The celebrity item girl, who will soon play agony aunt in a new reality show "Rakhi Ka Insaaf", claims she has better solutions to Mumbai's growing migrant population than Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.
"Come to my show, I'll even solve that. I'll solve it better than our friend Raj Thackeray," she said when asked about a solution to the growing number of outsiders coming into Mumbai.
The 31-year-old, who was speaking at an event held to launch her new show on Imagine TV where Rakhi will solve issues of the common man, says she has raised her voice for many issues in Mumbai. She is a Maharashtrian herself.
"There are a lot of issues in our society. I have been raising my voice from day one. No one knows me better than the media. I have barged into BMC's (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) office to get road construction done.
"There are no problems that I haven't solved. The media knows it. Name me one celebrity who has barged into BMC commissioner's office to ask them to mend your road," she said.
October 2008. MNS activists beat up North Indian candidates appearing for the all-India Railway Recruitment Board entrance exam in Mumbai.
Rakhi is appalled with the governance in the city and is particularly against Thackeray's resistance to migrants from other states residing and working in the financial and entertainment capital of India.
"Angoothachaap log baithhe hain wahaan (Uneducated people are sitting at the helm of affairs). There are so many people who know nothing. They don't use their brain even.
"I don't think like Raj Thackeray...that anyone from Uttar Pradesh or Bihar or anywhere who comes to Mumbai is an outsider. This country, as well as this state, is of the god and the people living in it are all god's children. I don't believe in differentiating between Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian - we are all one, and Mumbai is for everyone. Everyone can earn their living here," Rakhi told IANS in an interview.
Rakhi is seldom in a serious mood, and is known more for her outrageous publicity stunts. But this time round, she is serious.
The glamour girl, who has been seen in films like "Main Hoon Naa" and "Dil Bole Hadippa", item numbers such as "Dekhta hai tu kya" and in reality shows "Nach Baliye", "Rakhi Ka Swayamvar" and "Pati, Patni Aur Woh", is also up in arms against certain issues which she feels must be solved by Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.
Despite several assurances by Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Mumbai's infrastructure continues to flounder.
"If I meet Ashok Chavan, I will ask him - when the rains come, why do the roads get flooded? Despite spending so much money and taking so much tax from the citizens, why? Throughout the year roads are being made...sometimes they are made 10 times, then why is there waterlogging? What is the problem?
"Secondly, why so much tax? Why are people paying huge taxes? Rich people will still survive with their black money, but where will the poor go? Those who earn Rs.50 or Rs.20 per day...where will they go? Should poor people be removed from this country? Should they die? Should only the rich live? Don't poor have a right to live?" she said in angst.
She is extremely excited about being given a platform like "Rakhi Ka Insaaf" to offer solutions to the common people for their personal problems like extra-marital affairs, alcoholic husband, atrocities by in-laws and wife beating.
Rakhi said she will give solutions to people in her unique style, which is bold, honest, and forthright.
"I have lived a very tough life. I have seen 'dukh', 'sukh', 'kathinaayi' (sadness, happiness and difficulty) and overcome it all. I have always fought for my right and that too honestly. So I feel I will be able to connect very well with the victims of such problems, and provide solutions through my heart," she said.
She said her show is not about giving legal justice to people. It is for those who want to amicably resolve their domestic issues without getting entangled in the web of court proceedings.
"I am no police, I don't even have any educational degree, but I have a degree in life management...so that, and my belief in god will help me suggest the right solutions to those who approach me on the show," she said.
Source: IANS
Farmers, floods force Delhi to crawl-Farmers take over Delhi, upset traffic-26/08/2010 -
26/08/2010
Farmers take over Delhi, upset traffic
New Delhi: Courted by opposition parties, thousands of farmers from several states poured into the capital on Thursday to demand enhanced compensation for their lands being acquired for the Yamuna Expressway project in Uttar Pradesh.
Farmers raise slogans at a protest rally against the Yamuna expressway in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.
While the flood waters of a swollen Yamuna has entered many parts of Delhi and the streets were flooded leading to massive traffic snarls, farmers from UP brought traffic to a standstill on Thursday. They were protesting over poor compensation given for acquiring land for the Yamuna Express highway.
Jantar Mantar, the usual venue of protests near Parliament House, and the vast Ram Lila Ground, where the buses that ferried the thousands of farmers were parked, were packed with protesters who had come from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and other states. This led to the inevitable traffic trouble with jams reported from areas around Connaught Place.
"We will not stop protesting till our demands are met," declared Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh to loud applause from the protesters who rose in support.
He added that the government should ensure that farmers were not cheated of their lands.
A farmer, center, carries a hookah, or hubble-bubble, at a protest rally against the Yamuna expressway in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Arun Jaitley said both the central and the state governments were responsible for the situation in Aligarh in western Uttar Pradesh that had resulted in the killing of two farmers recently.
The farmers' agitation in the Mathura and Aligarh districts has become an issue of political oneupmanship with the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) blaming the central government for what it calls archaic land acquisition laws. The Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Samajwadi Party and other parties in turn blame the BSP for mishandling the farmers' agitation for higher compensation amounts.
Farmers intensified their stir after two protesters were killed in police firing in Aligarh district Aug 14.
Demanding the prosecution of the policemen involved in the shooting of the two farmers, Brinda Karat, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader, said: "The authorities should prosecute the policemen involved in the killing of two farmers."
Stressing that India could not afford to ignore its farmers, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Sharad Yadav said: "New India needs to be created from the land of farmers. It's high time the government stops ignoring them."
Attacking BSP chief Mayawati, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan said: "Mayawati can spend crores of rupees on making statues of Kanshi Ram and herself. So why not compensate the farmers?"Most farmers are reluctant to strike any deal with the Government over their lands.Said an angry Bhagat Pal from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh: "We want our land back, no questions asked. We won't settle for anything else. The deal is twisted in such a way that we won't have our lands or enough money to support ourselves for even a year."
A farmer looks while attending a protest rally against the Yamuna expressway with other farmers in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.
Om Pal Singh from Meerut added that the compensation money should be not less than Rs.30 lakh for an acre. "It is in the high yielding, flourishing basin of the Yamuna. If we move out, we won't find such a land anywhere and that is a loss with which we'll have to live with."
Farmers in Uttar Pradesh have been agitating for higher compensation for their lands acquired for the Yamuna Expressway, which is expected to bring the driving time between New Delhi and Agra -- a distance of 203 km -- down to about 90 minutes.
The expressway will pass through Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida), Aligarh, Mahamaya Nagar (Hathras) and Mathura districts, and involves acquisition of land in 115 villages.
A total of 2,500 hectares is to be acquired for the development of the expressway -- 500 hectares each in Noida, Aligarh and Agra and 1,000 hectares in Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Farmers and villagers charge a policeman during an agitation on Tuesday demanding a better deal for their land acquired by the Uttar Pradesh government for the Yamuna Expressway project. PTI
Meanwhile, lakhs of people across several states in north India, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Bihar, were affected as floodwaters entered homes and inundated vast swathes of agricultural land following incessant rain.
Major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna and Satluj were in spate, threatening to overflow their banks and prompting authorities in various states to issue an alert.
Many areas in the Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar belt were threatened as river waters rose alarmingly and officials rushed in to evacuate people most at danger.
In Uttar Pradesh, at least seven eastern districts were affected as water levels rose in the Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghra, Saryu and Rapti rivers. Lakhs of people in Ballia, Bahraich, Maharajganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gonda, Barabanki and Faizabad were hit and many had to be evacuated.
Vehicles ply on a flooded street near Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, a venue for 2010 Commonwealth Games, after heavy rains in New Delhi
Thousands of hectares of agricultural land were flooded, officials in Lucknow said, adding that the PAC (provincial armed constabulary) was being pressed into service.
"The government has ordered necessary steps to be taken for evacuation of flood affected population to safer areas," said an official, adding that Chief Minister Mayawati had issued a warning that no laxity on the part of any official dealing with the flood situation would be tolerated.
In Bihar, floodwaters entered over 200 villages and threatened to inundate many others. The most vulnerable areas were Bettiah, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga districts.
Besides, dozens of villages in Bagaha district were inundated after embankments were breached at several places and water levels rose in all the major rivers following heavy rains in the state and the catchment areas of Nepal.
A bus plies on a flooded road after heavy rains in New Delhi
"All the rivers are in full spate following heavy rains. Some rivers may cross the red mark late Wednesday or Thursday," an official said.
"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed officials to remain extra vigilant as the eastern afflux bund, which breached at Kushaha in 2008, is again under pressure due to heavy discharge in Kosi," an official in the Chief Minister's Office here told IANS.
Two men push an autorickshaw on a flooded street after heavy rains in New Delhi
In 2008, more than three million people were rendered homeless in Bihar when the Kosi river breached its bank upstream in Nepal and changed course. It was said to be the worst flood in Bihar in 50 years.
The situation was similar in Punjab, where many towns and villages in low lying districts were on alert as the water in the Satluj hovered close to the danger mark. At least 15 villages in Anandpur Sahib in Ropar district turned into a virtual sea, leading to thousands leaving their homes
Poultry vendors push their vehicle in waist-deep water after heavy rains at the Ring Road near Rajghat in New Delhi
The level at the Bhakra Dam was increasing by one ft a day - the water level can reach the maximum height of 1,680 feet in Bhakra Dam. By Tuesday evening, it had touched 1,673.55 feet.
In neighbouring Haryana, a fresh breach emerged in the Yamuna in Karnal district, leading to the flooding of many acres of farmland.
Flood affected villagers move to safer places with their belongings after after Qilla River inundates their village in Bareilly
The Yamuna threatened the national capital as well as the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra. In Delhi, a key bridge over the Yamuna linking the capital with its populous eastern district was shut Wednesday as the river waters rose menacingly, causing huge traffic jams.
Authorities said the Yamuna was flowing above the danger mark for the fifth consecutive day, with officials warning that its level was expected to rise further.
The water level has touched 205.92 metres and could go up, an official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department told IANS here.
People walk near trucks stranded on a water logged road after heavy rains in Gurgaon
The river had crossed the danger level of 204.8 metres late Friday.
The threat of floods also loomed large over Agra with authorities sounding a danger alert and advising people to move out as the water level was rising every hour.
"As the rain continues in Punjab and Haryana, we expect Yamuna to touch the danger mark," a Water Works official said.Water has entered fields in Bateshwar, in Vrindavan and parts of Mathura district.
Source: IANS, PTI
Also See:
Farmers take over Delhi, upset traffic
New Delhi: Courted by opposition parties, thousands of farmers from several states poured into the capital on Thursday to demand enhanced compensation for their lands being acquired for the Yamuna Expressway project in Uttar Pradesh.
Farmers raise slogans at a protest rally against the Yamuna expressway in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.
While the flood waters of a swollen Yamuna has entered many parts of Delhi and the streets were flooded leading to massive traffic snarls, farmers from UP brought traffic to a standstill on Thursday. They were protesting over poor compensation given for acquiring land for the Yamuna Express highway.
Jantar Mantar, the usual venue of protests near Parliament House, and the vast Ram Lila Ground, where the buses that ferried the thousands of farmers were parked, were packed with protesters who had come from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and other states. This led to the inevitable traffic trouble with jams reported from areas around Connaught Place.
"We will not stop protesting till our demands are met," declared Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh to loud applause from the protesters who rose in support.
He added that the government should ensure that farmers were not cheated of their lands.
A farmer, center, carries a hookah, or hubble-bubble, at a protest rally against the Yamuna expressway in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Arun Jaitley said both the central and the state governments were responsible for the situation in Aligarh in western Uttar Pradesh that had resulted in the killing of two farmers recently.
The farmers' agitation in the Mathura and Aligarh districts has become an issue of political oneupmanship with the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) blaming the central government for what it calls archaic land acquisition laws. The Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Samajwadi Party and other parties in turn blame the BSP for mishandling the farmers' agitation for higher compensation amounts.
Farmers intensified their stir after two protesters were killed in police firing in Aligarh district Aug 14.
Demanding the prosecution of the policemen involved in the shooting of the two farmers, Brinda Karat, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader, said: "The authorities should prosecute the policemen involved in the killing of two farmers."
Stressing that India could not afford to ignore its farmers, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Sharad Yadav said: "New India needs to be created from the land of farmers. It's high time the government stops ignoring them."
Attacking BSP chief Mayawati, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan said: "Mayawati can spend crores of rupees on making statues of Kanshi Ram and herself. So why not compensate the farmers?"Most farmers are reluctant to strike any deal with the Government over their lands.Said an angry Bhagat Pal from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh: "We want our land back, no questions asked. We won't settle for anything else. The deal is twisted in such a way that we won't have our lands or enough money to support ourselves for even a year."
A farmer looks while attending a protest rally against the Yamuna expressway with other farmers in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010.
Om Pal Singh from Meerut added that the compensation money should be not less than Rs.30 lakh for an acre. "It is in the high yielding, flourishing basin of the Yamuna. If we move out, we won't find such a land anywhere and that is a loss with which we'll have to live with."
Farmers in Uttar Pradesh have been agitating for higher compensation for their lands acquired for the Yamuna Expressway, which is expected to bring the driving time between New Delhi and Agra -- a distance of 203 km -- down to about 90 minutes.
The expressway will pass through Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida), Aligarh, Mahamaya Nagar (Hathras) and Mathura districts, and involves acquisition of land in 115 villages.
A total of 2,500 hectares is to be acquired for the development of the expressway -- 500 hectares each in Noida, Aligarh and Agra and 1,000 hectares in Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Farmers and villagers charge a policeman during an agitation on Tuesday demanding a better deal for their land acquired by the Uttar Pradesh government for the Yamuna Expressway project. PTI
Meanwhile, lakhs of people across several states in north India, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Bihar, were affected as floodwaters entered homes and inundated vast swathes of agricultural land following incessant rain.
Major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna and Satluj were in spate, threatening to overflow their banks and prompting authorities in various states to issue an alert.
Many areas in the Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar belt were threatened as river waters rose alarmingly and officials rushed in to evacuate people most at danger.
In Uttar Pradesh, at least seven eastern districts were affected as water levels rose in the Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghra, Saryu and Rapti rivers. Lakhs of people in Ballia, Bahraich, Maharajganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gonda, Barabanki and Faizabad were hit and many had to be evacuated.
Vehicles ply on a flooded street near Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, a venue for 2010 Commonwealth Games, after heavy rains in New Delhi
Thousands of hectares of agricultural land were flooded, officials in Lucknow said, adding that the PAC (provincial armed constabulary) was being pressed into service.
"The government has ordered necessary steps to be taken for evacuation of flood affected population to safer areas," said an official, adding that Chief Minister Mayawati had issued a warning that no laxity on the part of any official dealing with the flood situation would be tolerated.
In Bihar, floodwaters entered over 200 villages and threatened to inundate many others. The most vulnerable areas were Bettiah, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga districts.
Besides, dozens of villages in Bagaha district were inundated after embankments were breached at several places and water levels rose in all the major rivers following heavy rains in the state and the catchment areas of Nepal.
A bus plies on a flooded road after heavy rains in New Delhi
"All the rivers are in full spate following heavy rains. Some rivers may cross the red mark late Wednesday or Thursday," an official said.
"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed officials to remain extra vigilant as the eastern afflux bund, which breached at Kushaha in 2008, is again under pressure due to heavy discharge in Kosi," an official in the Chief Minister's Office here told IANS.
Two men push an autorickshaw on a flooded street after heavy rains in New Delhi
In 2008, more than three million people were rendered homeless in Bihar when the Kosi river breached its bank upstream in Nepal and changed course. It was said to be the worst flood in Bihar in 50 years.
The situation was similar in Punjab, where many towns and villages in low lying districts were on alert as the water in the Satluj hovered close to the danger mark. At least 15 villages in Anandpur Sahib in Ropar district turned into a virtual sea, leading to thousands leaving their homes
Poultry vendors push their vehicle in waist-deep water after heavy rains at the Ring Road near Rajghat in New Delhi
The level at the Bhakra Dam was increasing by one ft a day - the water level can reach the maximum height of 1,680 feet in Bhakra Dam. By Tuesday evening, it had touched 1,673.55 feet.
In neighbouring Haryana, a fresh breach emerged in the Yamuna in Karnal district, leading to the flooding of many acres of farmland.
Flood affected villagers move to safer places with their belongings after after Qilla River inundates their village in Bareilly
The Yamuna threatened the national capital as well as the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra. In Delhi, a key bridge over the Yamuna linking the capital with its populous eastern district was shut Wednesday as the river waters rose menacingly, causing huge traffic jams.
Authorities said the Yamuna was flowing above the danger mark for the fifth consecutive day, with officials warning that its level was expected to rise further.
The water level has touched 205.92 metres and could go up, an official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department told IANS here.
People walk near trucks stranded on a water logged road after heavy rains in Gurgaon
The river had crossed the danger level of 204.8 metres late Friday.
The threat of floods also loomed large over Agra with authorities sounding a danger alert and advising people to move out as the water level was rising every hour.
"As the rain continues in Punjab and Haryana, we expect Yamuna to touch the danger mark," a Water Works official said.Water has entered fields in Bateshwar, in Vrindavan and parts of Mathura district.
Source: IANS, PTI
Also See:
Cabinet clears Direct Taxes Code Bill-26/08/2010
26/08/2010
Cabinet clears Direct Taxes Code Bill
New Delhi: The Cabinet on Thursday approved Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill, clearing decks for tabling the legislation in the Monsoon Session of Parliament so that the new Act ushering in reduced tax rates and exemptions may come into effect from next fiscal.
The Cabinet cleared the Bill, highly placed sources said.When enacted, DTC will replace the archaic Income Tax Act and simplify the whole direct tax regime in the country.
The code aims at reducing tax rates, but expanding the tax base by minimising exemptions.The Finance Ministry had earlier come out with a draft on the DTC Bill, some of whose provisions drew strong criticism from industry as well as the public.
To address those issues, the ministry brought out the revised draft, dropping earlier proposals of taxing provident funds on withdrawal and levying Minimum Alternate Tax on corporates based on their assets.
"As of now, it is proposed to provide the EEE (Exempt- Exempt-Exempt) method of taxation for Government Provident Fund (GPF), Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Recognised Provident Funds (RPF)...," the revised DTC released by the Finance Ministry said.
The revised draft also puts pensions administered by the interim regulator PFRDA, including pension of government employees who were recruited since January 2004, under EEE treatment.
The first DTC draft had proposed to tax all savings schemes including provident funds at the time of withdrawal bringing them under the EET (Exempt-Exempt-Tax) mode.Under the EEE mode, the tax exemption is enjoyed at all the three stages--investment, accumulation and withdrawal.
As regards MAT, it has been clarified that tax would be levied on the book profit, as is the current practice, and not on gross assets has proposed in the draft. The government, Mitra said, had received 1,600 representations on the first draft which was made public in August last year.
The second draft, however, did not give any details on the income tax structure such as the slabs or rates, which were provided in the first draft released in August 2009.
The first draft had suggested 10 per cent tax on income from Rs 1.60-10 lakhs and 20 per cent on income between Rs 10-25 lakhs and 30 per cent beyond that. However, officials later said these slabs were illustrative.
The officials said the tax rates would be made known only in the proposed Act.
The earlier DTC draft had proposed to reduce the corporate tax to 25 per cent from the present 30 per cent. The revised proposal has also made it clear that tax incentives on housing loans will continue. Payment on interest on housing loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh will continue. The earlier draft was silent on housing loans.
Source: PTI
Cabinet clears Direct Taxes Code Bill
New Delhi: The Cabinet on Thursday approved Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill, clearing decks for tabling the legislation in the Monsoon Session of Parliament so that the new Act ushering in reduced tax rates and exemptions may come into effect from next fiscal.
The Cabinet cleared the Bill, highly placed sources said.When enacted, DTC will replace the archaic Income Tax Act and simplify the whole direct tax regime in the country.
The code aims at reducing tax rates, but expanding the tax base by minimising exemptions.The Finance Ministry had earlier come out with a draft on the DTC Bill, some of whose provisions drew strong criticism from industry as well as the public.
To address those issues, the ministry brought out the revised draft, dropping earlier proposals of taxing provident funds on withdrawal and levying Minimum Alternate Tax on corporates based on their assets.
"As of now, it is proposed to provide the EEE (Exempt- Exempt-Exempt) method of taxation for Government Provident Fund (GPF), Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Recognised Provident Funds (RPF)...," the revised DTC released by the Finance Ministry said.
The revised draft also puts pensions administered by the interim regulator PFRDA, including pension of government employees who were recruited since January 2004, under EEE treatment.
The first DTC draft had proposed to tax all savings schemes including provident funds at the time of withdrawal bringing them under the EET (Exempt-Exempt-Tax) mode.Under the EEE mode, the tax exemption is enjoyed at all the three stages--investment, accumulation and withdrawal.
As regards MAT, it has been clarified that tax would be levied on the book profit, as is the current practice, and not on gross assets has proposed in the draft. The government, Mitra said, had received 1,600 representations on the first draft which was made public in August last year.
The second draft, however, did not give any details on the income tax structure such as the slabs or rates, which were provided in the first draft released in August 2009.
The first draft had suggested 10 per cent tax on income from Rs 1.60-10 lakhs and 20 per cent on income between Rs 10-25 lakhs and 30 per cent beyond that. However, officials later said these slabs were illustrative.
The officials said the tax rates would be made known only in the proposed Act.
The earlier DTC draft had proposed to reduce the corporate tax to 25 per cent from the present 30 per cent. The revised proposal has also made it clear that tax incentives on housing loans will continue. Payment on interest on housing loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh will continue. The earlier draft was silent on housing loans.
Source: PTI
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Abhinav Bindra wants Commonwealth Games authorities shift focus to athletes-Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Abhinav Bindra wants Commonwealth Games authorities shift focus to athletes
In an attempt to ignite public enthusiasm vis-à-vis 2010 Commonwealth Games, India's ace shooter, Abhinav Bindra, appealed to citizens and authorities to rally behind the mega event to make it a grand success.
Speaking at a press interaction here on Tuesday, Bindra said that the time had come for the authorities to shift their focus from infrastructural preparations to the needs and promotion of the athletes.
"The Games are about the athletes. They are the most important stakeholders and are central to everything that happens with the Games. From now on, they should be the focus of all your attention. Everything that has been done, it is for them to participate and for them to come up with truly breathtaking performances," said Bindra.
"We are at the cusp of an historical moment in Indian sport and we have just 40 days to go. It is time for all of us to come together and ensure that we deliver great Games. I would like to appeal to the people of India and citizens of Delhi to rally behind the games," he added.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games, which kicks off on October 3 is India's biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games.
India is expecting about two million tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states.
Posted by Shaikh Mohammed Meraj at 10:10 AM
Labels: Commonwealth Games
Abhinav Bindra wants Commonwealth Games authorities shift focus to athletes
In an attempt to ignite public enthusiasm vis-à-vis 2010 Commonwealth Games, India's ace shooter, Abhinav Bindra, appealed to citizens and authorities to rally behind the mega event to make it a grand success.
Speaking at a press interaction here on Tuesday, Bindra said that the time had come for the authorities to shift their focus from infrastructural preparations to the needs and promotion of the athletes.
"The Games are about the athletes. They are the most important stakeholders and are central to everything that happens with the Games. From now on, they should be the focus of all your attention. Everything that has been done, it is for them to participate and for them to come up with truly breathtaking performances," said Bindra.
"We are at the cusp of an historical moment in Indian sport and we have just 40 days to go. It is time for all of us to come together and ensure that we deliver great Games. I would like to appeal to the people of India and citizens of Delhi to rally behind the games," he added.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games, which kicks off on October 3 is India's biggest sporting event since the 1982 Asian Games.
India is expecting about two million tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states.
Posted by Shaikh Mohammed Meraj at 10:10 AM
Labels: Commonwealth Games
Slippages, deficiencies in Commonwealth Games related projects-26/8/10
Slippages, deficiencies in Commonwealth Games related projects
Aarti Dhar
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) have found deficiencies and slippages in various Commonwealth Games-related projects.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Prithviraj Chavan said, “The Chief Technical Examiner's Unit of the Central Vigilance Commission, as its routine work, had undertaken intensive examination of works related to Commonwealth Games. The Commission in its inquiry found that works were awarded at higher rates and the quality of the works was also not up to the mark.”
Ineligible agencies were also awarded the works. The Commission has advised the organisations concerned to take corrective steps in the works inspected, he said.
“The Comptroller and Auditor General of India conducted review of preparedness for XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 in order to gain an understanding of the progress of projects and preparedness of different agencies for organising the games and to identify significant risks that needed to be addressed,” it was said in the reply.
It was observed that there had been slippages in the time schedules of some of the construction work, and deficiencies had been observed in some, the Minister said.
He said the Ministries concerned, the Delhi government and the Organising Committee were directed to complete all pending works expeditiously through time-bound action plans and carry out a quality audit of the completed facilities.
“The concerned Ministries were also directed to conduct thorough investigations into all the complaints that have been received of procedural and other irregularities,” Mr. Chavan said.
Keywords: CVC, Commonwealth Games project
Aarti Dhar
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) have found deficiencies and slippages in various Commonwealth Games-related projects.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Prithviraj Chavan said, “The Chief Technical Examiner's Unit of the Central Vigilance Commission, as its routine work, had undertaken intensive examination of works related to Commonwealth Games. The Commission in its inquiry found that works were awarded at higher rates and the quality of the works was also not up to the mark.”
Ineligible agencies were also awarded the works. The Commission has advised the organisations concerned to take corrective steps in the works inspected, he said.
“The Comptroller and Auditor General of India conducted review of preparedness for XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 in order to gain an understanding of the progress of projects and preparedness of different agencies for organising the games and to identify significant risks that needed to be addressed,” it was said in the reply.
It was observed that there had been slippages in the time schedules of some of the construction work, and deficiencies had been observed in some, the Minister said.
He said the Ministries concerned, the Delhi government and the Organising Committee were directed to complete all pending works expeditiously through time-bound action plans and carry out a quality audit of the completed facilities.
“The concerned Ministries were also directed to conduct thorough investigations into all the complaints that have been received of procedural and other irregularities,” Mr. Chavan said.
Keywords: CVC, Commonwealth Games project
Cloudburst in Leh may be due to climate change-25/08/2010
25/08/2010
Cloudburst in Leh may be due to climate change
New Delhi: Based on a detailed analysis of weather data from the last five years in Leh, Ladakh, scientists have attributed the recent cloudburst in the region to prolonged winters which may be due to climate change.
"After going through the sequence of events of the weather that led to the cloudburst on August 6, it has been reinforced that the catastrophe was due to prolonged winters being witnessed in the region," sources in Leh-based Defence Institute For High Altitude Research (DIHAR) said.
The analysis by the research institute under the Defence Ministry was done to look into the reasons that triggered the cloudburst in Ladakh which is usually considered unnatural because it is a rain shadow area.
On the condition of anonymity, he said at a recent meeting on "Evaluation of climate change in Ladakh sector and causes of Cloud Burst in Leh," the scientists led by DIHAR director Sashi Bala had analysed the weather data of the last five years in terms of monthly temperature, rainfall, humidity and snowfall.
The study indicated that increased temperature and hot summers in the plains lead to increased evaporation and subsequent cloud formation in the hills. "This in turn, lead to increased duration of snowfall in Ladakh when compared to previous years."
"The winters in Ladakh were found to be prolonged," the experts concluded though they felt the phenomenon could not be directly associated with climate change given the short range of data.
The region was witnessing unusual phenomenon of bright sunshine in the June and July months causing melting of snow and high relative humidity (72%) as compared to previous years (50%), the scientist said.
Tracing the change in weather on the basis of the data available, he pointed out "since snow absorbed the latent heat also, the monthly maximum and minimum temperature remained low and did not shoot up as compared to previous years (2006).
"The low temperature and high relative humidity lead to formation of dense low clouds in the valley. Since the vapour content in the clouds were high and on trying to cross the glaciers, the vapours further condensed.
"The clouds could not retain the water droplets that lead to the cloudburst. Since the rainfall was absent on 3rd, 4th and 5th August and was negligible on 7th, 8th and 9th August the theory of occurrence of a cloudburst in Leh due to prolonged winters may be reinforced," the meeting said on the sequence of event.
The cloudburst, which led to flash floods and mudslides, claimed about 180 lives and injured about 400 people, besides causing widespread damage to public and private property.
The Defence establishment has also initiated research towards preventing soil erosion in case of heavy rains in the area in future in view of climate change.
Source: PTI
Cloudburst in Leh may be due to climate change
New Delhi: Based on a detailed analysis of weather data from the last five years in Leh, Ladakh, scientists have attributed the recent cloudburst in the region to prolonged winters which may be due to climate change.
"After going through the sequence of events of the weather that led to the cloudburst on August 6, it has been reinforced that the catastrophe was due to prolonged winters being witnessed in the region," sources in Leh-based Defence Institute For High Altitude Research (DIHAR) said.
The analysis by the research institute under the Defence Ministry was done to look into the reasons that triggered the cloudburst in Ladakh which is usually considered unnatural because it is a rain shadow area.
On the condition of anonymity, he said at a recent meeting on "Evaluation of climate change in Ladakh sector and causes of Cloud Burst in Leh," the scientists led by DIHAR director Sashi Bala had analysed the weather data of the last five years in terms of monthly temperature, rainfall, humidity and snowfall.
The study indicated that increased temperature and hot summers in the plains lead to increased evaporation and subsequent cloud formation in the hills. "This in turn, lead to increased duration of snowfall in Ladakh when compared to previous years."
"The winters in Ladakh were found to be prolonged," the experts concluded though they felt the phenomenon could not be directly associated with climate change given the short range of data.
The region was witnessing unusual phenomenon of bright sunshine in the June and July months causing melting of snow and high relative humidity (72%) as compared to previous years (50%), the scientist said.
Tracing the change in weather on the basis of the data available, he pointed out "since snow absorbed the latent heat also, the monthly maximum and minimum temperature remained low and did not shoot up as compared to previous years (2006).
"The low temperature and high relative humidity lead to formation of dense low clouds in the valley. Since the vapour content in the clouds were high and on trying to cross the glaciers, the vapours further condensed.
"The clouds could not retain the water droplets that lead to the cloudburst. Since the rainfall was absent on 3rd, 4th and 5th August and was negligible on 7th, 8th and 9th August the theory of occurrence of a cloudburst in Leh due to prolonged winters may be reinforced," the meeting said on the sequence of event.
The cloudburst, which led to flash floods and mudslides, claimed about 180 lives and injured about 400 people, besides causing widespread damage to public and private property.
The Defence establishment has also initiated research towards preventing soil erosion in case of heavy rains in the area in future in view of climate change.
Source: PTI
Experts spot smallest planet outside solar system-25/08/2010
25/08/2010
Experts spot smallest planet outside solar system
Geneva: Scientists say they've identified a sun-like star with as many as seven different planets — including one that might be the smallest ever found outside the solar system.
This artist’s impression made available by the European Southern Observatory Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, shows the remarkable planetary system around the Sun-like star HD 10180. AP
If confirmed, the planetary system around HD 10180, a star more than 100 light years distant, would be the richest ever discovered. One astronomer says it's part of a growing body of evidence that the universe is full of planets -- and that a bunch of them could be similar to our own.
"The really nice thing about finding systems like this is that it shows that there are many more out there," said Alan Boss, of the Washington-based Carnegie Institution for Science, who wasn't involved with the find. "Mother Nature really had fun making planets."
The Earth as seen from the Moon. NASA
Although most of the planets identified are large -- about 13 to 25 times the mass of our home -- those behind the discovery, announced Tuesday at an international conference in France, say they're nearly certain they've identified one only 1.4 times the size of Earth.
That would be the smallest planet ever spotted outside of those which orbit our own sun.
An Eclectic Mix of Galaxies. NASA
Scientists have been spotting planets beyond our solar system for the past 15-odd years, and they've now catalogued some 450. But most finds have been limited to one or two or three planets, usually gargantuan balls of gas similar to Jupiter or Saturn.
But at up to seven planets, the new discovery is almost as rich as our own solar system, which counts eight.
Neptune's blue-green atmosphere is shown in greater detail than ever before by the Voyager 2 spacecraft as it rapidly approaches its encounter with the giant planet. NASA
Christophe Lovis of Geneva University, one of the scientists behind the find, said the first five were most comparable to Neptune.
"They are made essentially of rocks and ice. They have a solid core. But on top of that is a layer of gas, of hydrogen and helium most likely," he said. "They are probably not habitable."
Of the countless equinoxes Saturn has seen since the birth of the solar system, this one, captured here in a mosaic of light and dark, is the first witnessed up close by an emissary from Earth, none other than the faithful robotic explorer, Cassini. NASA
The sixth is possibly a Saturn-like planet, while the seventh, the smallest, would be so close to its star that its "year" would take just over a day.
Lovis and his team haven't been able to observe the planets directly, which is typical. Few planets can be seen against the blazing light given off by their much more massive parent stars. The European Southern Observatory compares the challenge to "spotting a dim candle in front of a raging forest fire."
Ancient, White Dwarf Stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. NASA
So the scientists used the observatory's 3.6 meter (11.8 foot) telescope at La Silla, Chile, to study the star itself. Over six years, they took 190 measurements, checking it for the telltale wobbling caused by the gravitational forces of nearby planets.
Boss noted that the method was "biased toward finding the big guys" because the greater the planet, the greater its gravity and the more it made its parent star wobble. But he said the discovery showed that finding smaller planets was still possible.
Composite Image of Jupiter Storms. NASA
"This field has gone from zero to close to 500 planets in just 15 years," he said. "Fifteen years we did not know about the big guys. Earth-like planets are going to be quite commonplace."
The find was made by researchers from Switzerland, France, Germany, and Portugal and has been submitted to the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Source: AP
Experts spot smallest planet outside solar system
Geneva: Scientists say they've identified a sun-like star with as many as seven different planets — including one that might be the smallest ever found outside the solar system.
This artist’s impression made available by the European Southern Observatory Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010, shows the remarkable planetary system around the Sun-like star HD 10180. AP
If confirmed, the planetary system around HD 10180, a star more than 100 light years distant, would be the richest ever discovered. One astronomer says it's part of a growing body of evidence that the universe is full of planets -- and that a bunch of them could be similar to our own.
"The really nice thing about finding systems like this is that it shows that there are many more out there," said Alan Boss, of the Washington-based Carnegie Institution for Science, who wasn't involved with the find. "Mother Nature really had fun making planets."
The Earth as seen from the Moon. NASA
Although most of the planets identified are large -- about 13 to 25 times the mass of our home -- those behind the discovery, announced Tuesday at an international conference in France, say they're nearly certain they've identified one only 1.4 times the size of Earth.
That would be the smallest planet ever spotted outside of those which orbit our own sun.
An Eclectic Mix of Galaxies. NASA
Scientists have been spotting planets beyond our solar system for the past 15-odd years, and they've now catalogued some 450. But most finds have been limited to one or two or three planets, usually gargantuan balls of gas similar to Jupiter or Saturn.
But at up to seven planets, the new discovery is almost as rich as our own solar system, which counts eight.
Neptune's blue-green atmosphere is shown in greater detail than ever before by the Voyager 2 spacecraft as it rapidly approaches its encounter with the giant planet. NASA
Christophe Lovis of Geneva University, one of the scientists behind the find, said the first five were most comparable to Neptune.
"They are made essentially of rocks and ice. They have a solid core. But on top of that is a layer of gas, of hydrogen and helium most likely," he said. "They are probably not habitable."
Of the countless equinoxes Saturn has seen since the birth of the solar system, this one, captured here in a mosaic of light and dark, is the first witnessed up close by an emissary from Earth, none other than the faithful robotic explorer, Cassini. NASA
The sixth is possibly a Saturn-like planet, while the seventh, the smallest, would be so close to its star that its "year" would take just over a day.
Lovis and his team haven't been able to observe the planets directly, which is typical. Few planets can be seen against the blazing light given off by their much more massive parent stars. The European Southern Observatory compares the challenge to "spotting a dim candle in front of a raging forest fire."
Ancient, White Dwarf Stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. NASA
So the scientists used the observatory's 3.6 meter (11.8 foot) telescope at La Silla, Chile, to study the star itself. Over six years, they took 190 measurements, checking it for the telltale wobbling caused by the gravitational forces of nearby planets.
Boss noted that the method was "biased toward finding the big guys" because the greater the planet, the greater its gravity and the more it made its parent star wobble. But he said the discovery showed that finding smaller planets was still possible.
Composite Image of Jupiter Storms. NASA
"This field has gone from zero to close to 500 planets in just 15 years," he said. "Fifteen years we did not know about the big guys. Earth-like planets are going to be quite commonplace."
The find was made by researchers from Switzerland, France, Germany, and Portugal and has been submitted to the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Source: AP
'Saffron terrorism' is a new phenomenon: Chidambaram -25/08/2010
25/08/2010
'Saffron terrorism' is a new phenomenon: Chidambaram
Warning that there has been no let-up in attempts to radicalise the youth, Home Minister P Chidambaram today said a new phenomenon of "saffron terrorism" has now come to the fore.
Inaugurating a conference of chiefs of police forces of the country, Chidambaram also expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir Valley and hoped that in the next few days, a "starting point" would be found to reach out to protestors and restart the process for a dialogue.
"There is no let-up in the attempts to radicalise young men and women in India. Besides, there is recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past," he said.
Chidambaram said beginning 2005 and with the exception of 2008, the law and order situation in J&K has been extremely benign with few incidents and fewer casualties.
Unfortunately, since June this year, there has been an unexpected turn of events, he said.
"I am afraid J&K is now caught in a vicious cycle of stone pelting, lathicharge, teargassing and firing, leading to casualties and resulting in more stone pelting," he said.
The Home Minister said the security forces have been instructed to act with great restraint and the situation has not yet returned to normal.
Chidambaram said the Central government has acknowledged that a political solution must be found to the problems of J&K and the Central government has offered a dialogue with all sections of the people, political parties and groups of the state.
"We are concerned that we have not been able to stop the vicious cycle in which the state is caught. However, it is my hope that, in the next few days, we would be able to find that elusive 'starting point' from where we could reach out to the protestors, reassure them of their rights and dignity, restore peace and order, redeem the promises made, and re-start the process of a dialogue that will lead to a solution," he said.
Chidambaram said through 2009 and in the first eight months of 2010, the security situation was severely challenged by forces inimical both within and outside the country.
"Contrary to perceptions in a section of the media -- and consequently, among sections of the people -- the Indian state has been able to stand up to these challenges and face them with confidence and courage," he said.
The Home Minister said save for one incident, the last 21 months have been remarkably free of any terrorist attack and the attack on the German bakery in Pune was indeed a blot and hoped that the suspects would be apprehended soon.
On the Naxal problem, Chidambaram said despite setbacks, security forces have been able to reassert their control in several Maoist affected districts.
He said 424 civilians have been killed so far this year. Of these, 192 were killed after becoming "police informers".
"We have called upon the CPI (Maoist) to abjure violence and come up for talks. I regret to say that there has been no direct and credible response to our offer for talks," he said.
Maintaining that one of the principal concerns of the government is the maintenance of communal peace and harmony, the Home Minister said he was particularly dismayed by the fact that petty disputes and imagined slights trigger conflicts between communities and groups.
"The Scheduled Castes are especially vulnerable," he said.
Chidambaram said it was a matter of satisfaction that there has been no major outbreak of communal or caste violence in the last 12 months and urged police officers to remain vigilant.
"At the first sign of communal or caste violence, you should depute senior officers to deal with the situation firmly and without fear or favour," he said.
The Home Minister said the best record of achievement in containing terrorism has been in the North Eastern States. He said: "In 2010, we have seen a dramatic decline in the number of incidents and in the number of casualties." He also said Manipur and Assam have been affected by long-duration blockades and bandh and by intermittent violence.
Chidambaram appealed to groups that have stayed away from talks to give up violence, accept the offer of talks, enter into agreements of ceasefire and begin talks with the government's representatives.
"I am confident that solutions can be found within the Constitution of India to the demands of various groups for recognition of their identity, history, culture and desire for self-government. The best example is the Bodo Territorial Council which has turned out to be a model of self-governance within the State of Assam and within the Constitution of India," he said.
Acknowledging the cooperation extended by the state governments, the Home Minister said the prime mover was always policy and experience showed that if there was clarity of purpose and a well-enunciated policy, the security forces would be able to deliver.
"For example, we announced a policy of zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism, and we initiated a number of steps to build capacity, augment intelligence, raise special forces, acquire modern equipment, impart better training and take counter-terrorism measures," he said.
Source: The Indian Express
'Saffron terrorism' is a new phenomenon: Chidambaram
Warning that there has been no let-up in attempts to radicalise the youth, Home Minister P Chidambaram today said a new phenomenon of "saffron terrorism" has now come to the fore.
Inaugurating a conference of chiefs of police forces of the country, Chidambaram also expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir Valley and hoped that in the next few days, a "starting point" would be found to reach out to protestors and restart the process for a dialogue.
"There is no let-up in the attempts to radicalise young men and women in India. Besides, there is recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past," he said.
Chidambaram said beginning 2005 and with the exception of 2008, the law and order situation in J&K has been extremely benign with few incidents and fewer casualties.
Unfortunately, since June this year, there has been an unexpected turn of events, he said.
"I am afraid J&K is now caught in a vicious cycle of stone pelting, lathicharge, teargassing and firing, leading to casualties and resulting in more stone pelting," he said.
The Home Minister said the security forces have been instructed to act with great restraint and the situation has not yet returned to normal.
Chidambaram said the Central government has acknowledged that a political solution must be found to the problems of J&K and the Central government has offered a dialogue with all sections of the people, political parties and groups of the state.
"We are concerned that we have not been able to stop the vicious cycle in which the state is caught. However, it is my hope that, in the next few days, we would be able to find that elusive 'starting point' from where we could reach out to the protestors, reassure them of their rights and dignity, restore peace and order, redeem the promises made, and re-start the process of a dialogue that will lead to a solution," he said.
Chidambaram said through 2009 and in the first eight months of 2010, the security situation was severely challenged by forces inimical both within and outside the country.
"Contrary to perceptions in a section of the media -- and consequently, among sections of the people -- the Indian state has been able to stand up to these challenges and face them with confidence and courage," he said.
The Home Minister said save for one incident, the last 21 months have been remarkably free of any terrorist attack and the attack on the German bakery in Pune was indeed a blot and hoped that the suspects would be apprehended soon.
On the Naxal problem, Chidambaram said despite setbacks, security forces have been able to reassert their control in several Maoist affected districts.
He said 424 civilians have been killed so far this year. Of these, 192 were killed after becoming "police informers".
"We have called upon the CPI (Maoist) to abjure violence and come up for talks. I regret to say that there has been no direct and credible response to our offer for talks," he said.
Maintaining that one of the principal concerns of the government is the maintenance of communal peace and harmony, the Home Minister said he was particularly dismayed by the fact that petty disputes and imagined slights trigger conflicts between communities and groups.
"The Scheduled Castes are especially vulnerable," he said.
Chidambaram said it was a matter of satisfaction that there has been no major outbreak of communal or caste violence in the last 12 months and urged police officers to remain vigilant.
"At the first sign of communal or caste violence, you should depute senior officers to deal with the situation firmly and without fear or favour," he said.
The Home Minister said the best record of achievement in containing terrorism has been in the North Eastern States. He said: "In 2010, we have seen a dramatic decline in the number of incidents and in the number of casualties." He also said Manipur and Assam have been affected by long-duration blockades and bandh and by intermittent violence.
Chidambaram appealed to groups that have stayed away from talks to give up violence, accept the offer of talks, enter into agreements of ceasefire and begin talks with the government's representatives.
"I am confident that solutions can be found within the Constitution of India to the demands of various groups for recognition of their identity, history, culture and desire for self-government. The best example is the Bodo Territorial Council which has turned out to be a model of self-governance within the State of Assam and within the Constitution of India," he said.
Acknowledging the cooperation extended by the state governments, the Home Minister said the prime mover was always policy and experience showed that if there was clarity of purpose and a well-enunciated policy, the security forces would be able to deliver.
"For example, we announced a policy of zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism, and we initiated a number of steps to build capacity, augment intelligence, raise special forces, acquire modern equipment, impart better training and take counter-terrorism measures," he said.
Source: The Indian Express
Mother Teresa – One hundred years young-"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."-25/8/10
By Dipankar Paul, India Syndicate, 25/08/2010
Mother Teresa – One hundred years young
(GREAT DAY TO REMEMBER HER WORK AND GET INSPIRIED FOR SILENT SOCIAL SERVICE..(though she used to get good coverage by media,except few property disputes or her foriengn origin...created adverse news,but got subsided)... AND OUR LOVE FOR GOD AND PAIN TOWARDS SUFFERINGS...AS SHE SAYS-"
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."
"We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love."
"I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish."
(VIBHA)
A hundred years ago, in the northern coast of the Mediterranean, was born a woman the world would later call Mother Teresa. We at MSN take a moment to honour Mother’s life – a life dedicated to the service of humanity, a life we can all take examples from. This is a tribute to a true centurion.
Mohammad Shadani lives just around the corner from Mother House in Kolkata. The 55-year-old, quoted by IANS, says he first saw Mother in 1974. "What I remember most about her is her ever-smiling face."
The world knows her as Mother. But in India she was called by a name that instantly symbolises warmth, love, belonging, and safety - Ma.
Shaukat Ali, a 50-year-old homeless labourer who was born - and still lives - on the pavement outside Mother House, recalls one cold winter night with tears in his eyes. "I was shivering with cold. Ma came to me and gave me a blanket."
He was speaking, of course, of the world's most-loved messiah: Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa waves to a press gathering on her 87th birthday on August 26, 1997, ten days before her death.
"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born on August 26, 1910. And now, one hundred years later, the world stands up in unison to celebrate the life of the little lady with a giant's heart.
As a little girl, Agnes was fascinated by stories of missionaries and by the age of 12 she had decided that she, too, would lead the life of one. She joined a group of Irish missionaries and came to India when she was 18. Years later, she took Indian citizenship and took an oath to serve the poor and the ailing.
In 1950, she set up the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, and set up her first home for the poor - Nirmal Hriday - near the famous Kali temple in Kalighat.
Whoever came in direct contact with Mother Teresa over the years recalls her kindness, her ever-willing spirit and the bond that they shared with her.
"Mother would always speak to me whenever she came to Nirmal Hriday," says Bijoy Kumar Samaddar, who owns a shop along the walls of Nirmal Hriday. "One day I was not feeling well, she came to my shop, sat down on the table I am sitting on now and asked about my health."
Mother Teresa tends to an ailing resident at Nirmal Hriday in Kolkata, while waiting for Pope John Paul II to visit on February 3, 1986.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."
Mother Teresa's commitment to her work was unquestionable. Ace lensman Raghu Rai, who chronicled much of Mother's work, tells The Week about the time Pope John Paul II visited Kolkata in 1986. "Mother Teresa was waiting for Pope John Paul II with a lot of hope and faith. While waiting, she cleaned the excreta of a man who was in her care. Even when the Pope was coming to meet her, she would not ignore her daily work."
Navin Chawla, former Chief Election Commissioner and Mother Teresa's official biographer, recalls in his book Mother Teresa about the first time he suggested writing a book about her. "She said, 'All right, but don't write about me, write about the work.'"
Veteran journalist and writer Khushwant Singh has first-hand experience of Mother Teresa's strength of will. While on a visit to Nirmal Hriday in Kolkata, the writer and Mother passed a man who had only a few moments to live. Singh recalls Mother holding the man's hands and whispering to him Bhogoban achhen (God exists). By the time they completed a round, the man had passed away. Mother calmly asked the sisters there to remove the body.
Mother Teresa smiles after being honoured with the Noble Peace Prize in 1979.
"We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love."
Shy, diminutive, but with an iron will, Mother Teresa was also, as some have been fortunate enough to know, quite a witty person. She once famously said, "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much."
She would often narrate the story of her interaction with a woman dying of cancer. "I told her, 'You know, this terrible pain is only the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Jesus on the cross that he can kiss you,' And she joined her hands together and said, 'Mother Teresa, please tell Jesus to stop kissing me.'"
Always accessible and always candid, Mother said once at a press conference, "The other day I dreamed that I was at the gates of heaven and St. Peter said, 'Go back to earth, there are no slums up here.'"
And that vividly summarises the life of the woman who would receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and a year later, India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.
Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity mourn the death of Mother Teresa even as a military honour guard carries her coffin in Kolkata
"I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish."
Mother Teresa breathed her last on September 5, 1997, but left behind a legacy that has only grown. At the time her death, The Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity numbered 3,914 members, and were established in 594 communities in 123 countries.
Today, her work continues under the guidance of Sister Nirmala, Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters. The order has grown to over 4,000 members in 697 foundations in 131 countries of the world.
And when you step through the doors of Mother House in Kolkata, a little signs says that Mother is 'in'. Mother is always in.
Source: India Syndicate
Mother Teresa – One hundred years young
(GREAT DAY TO REMEMBER HER WORK AND GET INSPIRIED FOR SILENT SOCIAL SERVICE..(though she used to get good coverage by media,except few property disputes or her foriengn origin...created adverse news,but got subsided)... AND OUR LOVE FOR GOD AND PAIN TOWARDS SUFFERINGS...AS SHE SAYS-"
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."
"We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love."
"I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish."
(VIBHA)
A hundred years ago, in the northern coast of the Mediterranean, was born a woman the world would later call Mother Teresa. We at MSN take a moment to honour Mother’s life – a life dedicated to the service of humanity, a life we can all take examples from. This is a tribute to a true centurion.
Mohammad Shadani lives just around the corner from Mother House in Kolkata. The 55-year-old, quoted by IANS, says he first saw Mother in 1974. "What I remember most about her is her ever-smiling face."
The world knows her as Mother. But in India she was called by a name that instantly symbolises warmth, love, belonging, and safety - Ma.
Shaukat Ali, a 50-year-old homeless labourer who was born - and still lives - on the pavement outside Mother House, recalls one cold winter night with tears in his eyes. "I was shivering with cold. Ma came to me and gave me a blanket."
He was speaking, of course, of the world's most-loved messiah: Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa waves to a press gathering on her 87th birthday on August 26, 1997, ten days before her death.
"Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person."
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born on August 26, 1910. And now, one hundred years later, the world stands up in unison to celebrate the life of the little lady with a giant's heart.
As a little girl, Agnes was fascinated by stories of missionaries and by the age of 12 she had decided that she, too, would lead the life of one. She joined a group of Irish missionaries and came to India when she was 18. Years later, she took Indian citizenship and took an oath to serve the poor and the ailing.
In 1950, she set up the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, and set up her first home for the poor - Nirmal Hriday - near the famous Kali temple in Kalighat.
Whoever came in direct contact with Mother Teresa over the years recalls her kindness, her ever-willing spirit and the bond that they shared with her.
"Mother would always speak to me whenever she came to Nirmal Hriday," says Bijoy Kumar Samaddar, who owns a shop along the walls of Nirmal Hriday. "One day I was not feeling well, she came to my shop, sat down on the table I am sitting on now and asked about my health."
Mother Teresa tends to an ailing resident at Nirmal Hriday in Kolkata, while waiting for Pope John Paul II to visit on February 3, 1986.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world."
Mother Teresa's commitment to her work was unquestionable. Ace lensman Raghu Rai, who chronicled much of Mother's work, tells The Week about the time Pope John Paul II visited Kolkata in 1986. "Mother Teresa was waiting for Pope John Paul II with a lot of hope and faith. While waiting, she cleaned the excreta of a man who was in her care. Even when the Pope was coming to meet her, she would not ignore her daily work."
Navin Chawla, former Chief Election Commissioner and Mother Teresa's official biographer, recalls in his book Mother Teresa about the first time he suggested writing a book about her. "She said, 'All right, but don't write about me, write about the work.'"
Veteran journalist and writer Khushwant Singh has first-hand experience of Mother Teresa's strength of will. While on a visit to Nirmal Hriday in Kolkata, the writer and Mother passed a man who had only a few moments to live. Singh recalls Mother holding the man's hands and whispering to him Bhogoban achhen (God exists). By the time they completed a round, the man had passed away. Mother calmly asked the sisters there to remove the body.
Mother Teresa smiles after being honoured with the Noble Peace Prize in 1979.
"We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love."
Shy, diminutive, but with an iron will, Mother Teresa was also, as some have been fortunate enough to know, quite a witty person. She once famously said, "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much."
She would often narrate the story of her interaction with a woman dying of cancer. "I told her, 'You know, this terrible pain is only the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Jesus on the cross that he can kiss you,' And she joined her hands together and said, 'Mother Teresa, please tell Jesus to stop kissing me.'"
Always accessible and always candid, Mother said once at a press conference, "The other day I dreamed that I was at the gates of heaven and St. Peter said, 'Go back to earth, there are no slums up here.'"
And that vividly summarises the life of the woman who would receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and a year later, India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.
Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity mourn the death of Mother Teresa even as a military honour guard carries her coffin in Kolkata
"I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish."
Mother Teresa breathed her last on September 5, 1997, but left behind a legacy that has only grown. At the time her death, The Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity numbered 3,914 members, and were established in 594 communities in 123 countries.
Today, her work continues under the guidance of Sister Nirmala, Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters. The order has grown to over 4,000 members in 697 foundations in 131 countries of the world.
And when you step through the doors of Mother House in Kolkata, a little signs says that Mother is 'in'. Mother is always in.
Source: India Syndicate
Lok Sabha passes nuclear liability bill-government removed the word "intent" along with 17 other amendments to the bill-25/08/2010-
25/08/2010
Lok Sabha passes nuclear liability bill
New Delhi: The civil nuclear liability bill got a near unanimous go-ahead from the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after months of hectic negotiations followed by a compromise between the government and the opposition over the legislation, which is critical for India's atomic industry.
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha after the government agreed to consider amendments suggested by a parliamentary panel to the original proposed atomic law tripling the liability cap on an operator in case of an accident to Rs.1,500 crore from the earlier Rs.500.
The legislation was cleared by the lower house after the government removed the word "intent" along with 17 other amendments to the bill that had been a major source of wrangling between the government and a united Left and right opposition.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left MPs though criticized the government and expressed their concerns over the risks at nuclear plants, but there was no severe opposition to the legislation.
Moving the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill, 2010, in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan said the government had taken on board the amendments proposed by the opposition parties to the bill. The proposed law is critical for India's nuclear deals with various countries.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a brief intervention during the four-and-a-half hour debate over the legislation, saying: "The nuclear liability bill completes our journey to end the apartheid in the nuclear field."
"To say that this bill is aimed at advancing US interests is far from the truth...and history will be the judge," Manmohan Singh said, in a bid to counter BJP leader Jaswant Singh's charges.
Initiating the debate, Jaswant Singh asked the government to take the larger concerns of Indians on board and not those of a "smaller" US market.
He said the government was resorting to a "sleight of hand" by introducing the controversial words "and" and "intent" in the draft bill suggested by the parliamentary panel.
He said the Government was trying to "hustle" through with the legislation ahead of the US President Barack Obama's visit to India.
"Why are you hustling the parliament and the issue? It is otherwise a very important issue," he maintained.
Congress MP Manish Tiwari said the first initiatives for ending nuclear isolation were taken by Jaswant Singh when he held talks with Strobe Talbot, the then US deputy secretary of state.
"When Manmohan Singh took over as the Prime minister, he only took that forward," Tiwari said.
Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav said the way the bill was brought suggested t
hat the government was in a tearing hurry.
"Only a handful of people will benefit from nuclear energy. At least the government has tried to evolve a consensus," he said adding: "I would not like to be an impediment. The government has already decided on the bill."
The bill was later passed through a voice vote amid loud thumping of desks by MPs.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) MP Basudeb Acharia moved an amendment to raise the liability cap to Rs.10,000 crore but it was defeated even as he demanded electronic voting as the voice vote didn't satisfy him. The electronic voting showed 252 MPs negating his amendment with only 25 votes in his favour.
The consensus over the bill was arrived at after the government altered a controversial clause stating that an operator would have the right to recourse in case of a nuclear accident if it was the consequence of an "act of a supplier or his employees done with the intent to cause nuclear damage".
Removing the word "intent", the clause now reads: "The nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of an act of supplier or his employee, which includes supply of equipment or material with patent or latent defects or sub-standard services."
Chavan, in the last two days, held various rounds of meetings with the BJP and the Left parties.
Chavan said the legislation was required for providing prompt compensation, without having to go through legal processes, to the victims in the event of a nuclear accident.
He cited the Bhopal gas leak and said that in the absence of a relevant law, the victims had to run from pillar to post for compensation.
"We have seen what happened in Bhopal. This is to ensure that victims don't have to run from pillar to post for compensation," he said.
The minister admitted that the foreign suppliers may fear that the law was too stringent, "But let me assure you that they are in accordance with the international laws that are in place elsewhere".
Source: IANS
Lok Sabha passes nuclear liability bill
New Delhi: The civil nuclear liability bill got a near unanimous go-ahead from the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after months of hectic negotiations followed by a compromise between the government and the opposition over the legislation, which is critical for India's atomic industry.
The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha after the government agreed to consider amendments suggested by a parliamentary panel to the original proposed atomic law tripling the liability cap on an operator in case of an accident to Rs.1,500 crore from the earlier Rs.500.
The legislation was cleared by the lower house after the government removed the word "intent" along with 17 other amendments to the bill that had been a major source of wrangling between the government and a united Left and right opposition.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left MPs though criticized the government and expressed their concerns over the risks at nuclear plants, but there was no severe opposition to the legislation.
Moving the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Bill, 2010, in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan said the government had taken on board the amendments proposed by the opposition parties to the bill. The proposed law is critical for India's nuclear deals with various countries.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a brief intervention during the four-and-a-half hour debate over the legislation, saying: "The nuclear liability bill completes our journey to end the apartheid in the nuclear field."
"To say that this bill is aimed at advancing US interests is far from the truth...and history will be the judge," Manmohan Singh said, in a bid to counter BJP leader Jaswant Singh's charges.
Initiating the debate, Jaswant Singh asked the government to take the larger concerns of Indians on board and not those of a "smaller" US market.
He said the government was resorting to a "sleight of hand" by introducing the controversial words "and" and "intent" in the draft bill suggested by the parliamentary panel.
He said the Government was trying to "hustle" through with the legislation ahead of the US President Barack Obama's visit to India.
"Why are you hustling the parliament and the issue? It is otherwise a very important issue," he maintained.
Congress MP Manish Tiwari said the first initiatives for ending nuclear isolation were taken by Jaswant Singh when he held talks with Strobe Talbot, the then US deputy secretary of state.
"When Manmohan Singh took over as the Prime minister, he only took that forward," Tiwari said.
Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav said the way the bill was brought suggested t
hat the government was in a tearing hurry.
"Only a handful of people will benefit from nuclear energy. At least the government has tried to evolve a consensus," he said adding: "I would not like to be an impediment. The government has already decided on the bill."
The bill was later passed through a voice vote amid loud thumping of desks by MPs.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) MP Basudeb Acharia moved an amendment to raise the liability cap to Rs.10,000 crore but it was defeated even as he demanded electronic voting as the voice vote didn't satisfy him. The electronic voting showed 252 MPs negating his amendment with only 25 votes in his favour.
The consensus over the bill was arrived at after the government altered a controversial clause stating that an operator would have the right to recourse in case of a nuclear accident if it was the consequence of an "act of a supplier or his employees done with the intent to cause nuclear damage".
Removing the word "intent", the clause now reads: "The nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of an act of supplier or his employee, which includes supply of equipment or material with patent or latent defects or sub-standard services."
Chavan, in the last two days, held various rounds of meetings with the BJP and the Left parties.
Chavan said the legislation was required for providing prompt compensation, without having to go through legal processes, to the victims in the event of a nuclear accident.
He cited the Bhopal gas leak and said that in the absence of a relevant law, the victims had to run from pillar to post for compensation.
"We have seen what happened in Bhopal. This is to ensure that victims don't have to run from pillar to post for compensation," he said.
The minister admitted that the foreign suppliers may fear that the law was too stringent, "But let me assure you that they are in accordance with the international laws that are in place elsewhere".
Source: IANS
Friday, August 20, 2010
Govt drops controversial word(and) in nuclear liability bill
20/08/2010
Govt drops controversial word in nuclear liability bill
New Delhi: Bowing to pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left parties, Government today dropped a controversial addition in the civil nuclear liability bill which the Opposition said diluted the liability of suppliers for accidents caused by their negligence.
The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, put its stamp of approval on the Civil Liability for Nuclear Bill deciding to omit the word 'and' connecting two sub-clauses of the draft legislation.
With this, decks have been cleared for introduction of the bill in Parliament.
The Cabinet accepted almost all the key suggestions made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee which had submitted its report to Parliament two days back.
Sources said the amendments also made it clear that the operator cannot seek a right to recourse unless he has settled the full compensation claims of the victims of a nuclear accident.
The date of introduction of the Bill in Parliament is expected to be decided at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha.
The semblance of consensus on the Bill was virtually shattered with Left parties criticising the government of introducing the word 'and' between Clause 17 (a) and Clause 17 (b), a move they claimed diluted the obligation of foreign suppliers of nuclear equipment in case on an accident.
The BJP, which had agreed to support the bill, also joined the Left and raised the matter with the government late last evening on addition the word in Clause 17 which says that "the operator of a nuclear installation shall have a right to recourse where -- (A) such right is expressly provided for in a contract in writing".
The parties fear that insertion of the word 'and' dilutes the obligations on the suppliers of equipment in case of a nuclear accident.
The fresh concerns led to a series of consultations within the government all through the day yesterday and an agreement was reached within to not to accept the suggestion pertaining to that particular sub-clause in the Committee report.
The report of Standing Committee on Science and Technology proposed that the Clause 17(A) may end with word 'and'
It also proposed modification of Clause 17(b) to say "the nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of latent or patent defect, supply of sub-standard material, defective equipment or services or from the gross negligence on the part of
Govt drops controversial word in nuclear liability bill
New Delhi: Bowing to pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left parties, Government today dropped a controversial addition in the civil nuclear liability bill which the Opposition said diluted the liability of suppliers for accidents caused by their negligence.
The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, put its stamp of approval on the Civil Liability for Nuclear Bill deciding to omit the word 'and' connecting two sub-clauses of the draft legislation.
With this, decks have been cleared for introduction of the bill in Parliament.
The Cabinet accepted almost all the key suggestions made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee which had submitted its report to Parliament two days back.
Sources said the amendments also made it clear that the operator cannot seek a right to recourse unless he has settled the full compensation claims of the victims of a nuclear accident.
The date of introduction of the Bill in Parliament is expected to be decided at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha.
The semblance of consensus on the Bill was virtually shattered with Left parties criticising the government of introducing the word 'and' between Clause 17 (a) and Clause 17 (b), a move they claimed diluted the obligation of foreign suppliers of nuclear equipment in case on an accident.
The BJP, which had agreed to support the bill, also joined the Left and raised the matter with the government late last evening on addition the word in Clause 17 which says that "the operator of a nuclear installation shall have a right to recourse where -- (A) such right is expressly provided for in a contract in writing".
The parties fear that insertion of the word 'and' dilutes the obligations on the suppliers of equipment in case of a nuclear accident.
The fresh concerns led to a series of consultations within the government all through the day yesterday and an agreement was reached within to not to accept the suggestion pertaining to that particular sub-clause in the Committee report.
The report of Standing Committee on Science and Technology proposed that the Clause 17(A) may end with word 'and'
It also proposed modification of Clause 17(b) to say "the nuclear incident has resulted as a consequence of latent or patent defect, supply of sub-standard material, defective equipment or services or from the gross negligence on the part of
People who changed our educational system-light from the tunnels for blinds - Part I, Louis Braille-20/08/2010
20/08/2010
People who changed our educational system - Part I, Louis Braille
Louis Braille devised the Braille system in 1821. Almost two centuries later, 11 languages in India have phonetically derived the six-dot system enabling thousands of blind people learn to read and write in their own language.
Louis Braille
The spirit of fighting the odds of life, most aptly, stemmed from the valour of no one else but Napoleon Bonaparte. Charles Barbier de la Serre was a Captain of the French army When Napoleon asked his men to create secret codes for soldiers to communicate silently and during night. Barbier came up with "Ecriture Nocturne". Translated as 'Night Writing', Barbier's idea was rejected for the complexity of learning it.
Later, in 1821, Barbier met Braille at the National Institute for the Blind, Paris. Braille thought it could be a great idea to use a similar system for the blind. It did not take him much time to tweak Barbier's idea and device a six-dot system, using which the blind could read by rolling the fingers over characters made up of an arrangement of embossed points.
How does Braille work?
So, how does Braille work? Take the English alphabet. Braille has 26 signs for 26 letters, and 11 signs for punctuations. Each sign is a combination of six dots, arranged in two columns vertically, like 'point 6' in a game of dice (see image above). The dots are numbered from 1 to 6. Every letter has a permutation. For eg., letter 'A' is marked with one embossed point on dot 1, and 'Z' is a combination of dots 1-3-5-6. From there, it is very much like English. And a blind student rolls his fingers over a sheet of Braille signs to read.
Bharati Braille
11 languages used in India are now available in Braille.
In India, however, the Braille system had a bigger challenge: local languages, which are essentially phonetic in nature. But the six-dot system could contain all letters of Indian languages, because it could have 63 combinations of embossed points.
So, in 1951, some scholars examined the possibility of creating a phonetically derived system using the same six-dot method for languages of the Subcontinent. The result was Bharati Braille, a system that is accepted even in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Today, a blind person can read and write in Sanskrit, Hindi, Gurmukhi, Gujarati, Bengali, Oriya, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Urdu and Sinhala.
The man named Braille
Arwa Daher uses a Braille system typewriter in her classroom.
The light he shone on the millions of blind people around the world still makes the name Braille shine. Louis Braille lost the sight of his left eye at age 3, when he accidentally poked it with a stitching awl. He lost the other eye to sympathetic ophthalmia, a condition that develops from an injury to one eye. He joined the National Institute for the Blind in Paris at age 10. He went on to become a good player of cello and organ. Braille later developed the six-dot system to include mathematics and music.
Braille went on to become a good teacher. However, his system was not implemented among students during his lifetime. In, 1854, two years after he died of tuberculosis at age 43, the system was officially recognised in France.
Braille system today
A blind boy uses a Braille system keyboard in a classroom.
Almost all blind schools use Braille today. Braille texts are printed using a Braille embosser. Though the technique was cumbersome initially, technology has made it possible to print 800 Braille letters in a second. Most Braille embossers need special paper. Copies of a Braille document can be made with a device called thermoform. Today, an 8-dot system is used instead of the 6-dot. A total of 256 combinations are available now, extending the scope of the system. A study says 70 per cent blind who have studied are employed, when only 30 per cent of those who have not have got a job.
Source: India Syndicate
Image source: Reuters
People who changed our educational system - Part I, Louis Braille
Louis Braille devised the Braille system in 1821. Almost two centuries later, 11 languages in India have phonetically derived the six-dot system enabling thousands of blind people learn to read and write in their own language.
Louis Braille
The spirit of fighting the odds of life, most aptly, stemmed from the valour of no one else but Napoleon Bonaparte. Charles Barbier de la Serre was a Captain of the French army When Napoleon asked his men to create secret codes for soldiers to communicate silently and during night. Barbier came up with "Ecriture Nocturne". Translated as 'Night Writing', Barbier's idea was rejected for the complexity of learning it.
Later, in 1821, Barbier met Braille at the National Institute for the Blind, Paris. Braille thought it could be a great idea to use a similar system for the blind. It did not take him much time to tweak Barbier's idea and device a six-dot system, using which the blind could read by rolling the fingers over characters made up of an arrangement of embossed points.
How does Braille work?
So, how does Braille work? Take the English alphabet. Braille has 26 signs for 26 letters, and 11 signs for punctuations. Each sign is a combination of six dots, arranged in two columns vertically, like 'point 6' in a game of dice (see image above). The dots are numbered from 1 to 6. Every letter has a permutation. For eg., letter 'A' is marked with one embossed point on dot 1, and 'Z' is a combination of dots 1-3-5-6. From there, it is very much like English. And a blind student rolls his fingers over a sheet of Braille signs to read.
Bharati Braille
11 languages used in India are now available in Braille.
In India, however, the Braille system had a bigger challenge: local languages, which are essentially phonetic in nature. But the six-dot system could contain all letters of Indian languages, because it could have 63 combinations of embossed points.
So, in 1951, some scholars examined the possibility of creating a phonetically derived system using the same six-dot method for languages of the Subcontinent. The result was Bharati Braille, a system that is accepted even in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Today, a blind person can read and write in Sanskrit, Hindi, Gurmukhi, Gujarati, Bengali, Oriya, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Urdu and Sinhala.
The man named Braille
Arwa Daher uses a Braille system typewriter in her classroom.
The light he shone on the millions of blind people around the world still makes the name Braille shine. Louis Braille lost the sight of his left eye at age 3, when he accidentally poked it with a stitching awl. He lost the other eye to sympathetic ophthalmia, a condition that develops from an injury to one eye. He joined the National Institute for the Blind in Paris at age 10. He went on to become a good player of cello and organ. Braille later developed the six-dot system to include mathematics and music.
Braille went on to become a good teacher. However, his system was not implemented among students during his lifetime. In, 1854, two years after he died of tuberculosis at age 43, the system was officially recognised in France.
Braille system today
A blind boy uses a Braille system keyboard in a classroom.
Almost all blind schools use Braille today. Braille texts are printed using a Braille embosser. Though the technique was cumbersome initially, technology has made it possible to print 800 Braille letters in a second. Most Braille embossers need special paper. Copies of a Braille document can be made with a device called thermoform. Today, an 8-dot system is used instead of the 6-dot. A total of 256 combinations are available now, extending the scope of the system. A study says 70 per cent blind who have studied are employed, when only 30 per cent of those who have not have got a job.
Source: India Syndicate
Image source: Reuters
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Connecting Philanthropy and Aid for Pakistan’s Flood Survivors-18th aug/10
Connecting Philanthropy and Aid for Pakistan’s Flood Survivors
MoreAugust 18th, 2010
By Birger Stamperdahl
In the farmland regions of Pakistan’s southern Punjab, what used to be fields are now covered with water. Acknowledged as the worst humanitarian crisis in Pakistan’s history, flooding that began three weeks ago in northwestern Pakistan has now displaced more than 20 million people.
Pakistani families carry their belongs in search of higher ground. Over the past three weeks, more than 20 million people have been displaced from flooding. Photo credit: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Bringing together Give2Asia’s private donor community and The Asia Foundation’s program expertise in Pakistan, the two organizations are working to attract much-needed philanthropy and aid for flood survivors.
United Nations officials report that the total number of people affected by the floods exceeds the combined number of those affected by the 2004 Andaman Sea tsunami, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Yet, surprisingly, the event has drawn relatively little international donor support. While visiting Pakistan’s hardest-hit areas on Sunday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this is the worst disaster he has ever seen and strongly urged the world to step up its assistance.
Approximately 750,000 homes have been damaged, and 2.6 million acres of cropland, along with roads and bridges, are destroyed, which makes availability and delivery of essential goods difficult. Riots and protests have already broken out in parts of the country due to the slow delivery of aid.
One reason for the slow response to date may be the low death toll relative to total damage. An estimated 1,600 people are dead, but many more are at risk. Yet, with minimal humanitarian funding to deliver health care and clean water to survivors, the UN warned that at least 3.5 million children are at high risk of deadly waterborne diseases, such as cholera. More casualties are predicted in the coming days and weeks as additional rains and increased flooding are forecast.
Flood Relief Fund Launched
Last week, Give2Asia launched its Pakistan Flood Relief Fund, with initial investments of $35,000 from individual donors. Additional investments are expected from corporations and corporate foundations.
The Asia Foundation’s office in Pakistan is directly involved with procuring relief items in bulk and transporting goods to local partners in affected locations. With Give2Asia’s relief fund, donors can help affected families in Nowshera and Swat, the worst-hit areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (formerly known as North-West Frontier Province).
Partner Organizations
Initial assessment by The Asia Foundation has resulted in three local partners to support the relief and recovery effort. They will work to deliver relief packages to approximately 4,000 survivors. Relief packages will include necessities such as rice, salt, sugar, flour, dates, petroleum jelly, cotton rolls, mosquito repellent lotion, and water purification tablets.
Local partners include:
Aurat Foundation (Aurat): Aurat will distribute aid packages via its network of 30 existing child protection centers in Swat, which are currently helping displaced victims of the flood. Aurat has extensive experience responding to natural disasters in Pakistan. In response to the 2005 earthquake in northwest Pakistan and to the heavy flooding that took place in the south and southwestern parts of the country in 2007, Aurat provided provisions of relief items, as well as support services for thousands of displaced women and children in affected areas. With their past experience in disaster response and relief work, Aurat is well positioned to monitor appropriate distribution and ensure that supplies are not being used for any other purposes.
Pattan Development Organization (Pattan): In Punjab, Pattan will distribute packages to local relief committees that would then direct them to the affected families. Pattan has been working in Punjab since 1992 when the region faced severe flooding. Based on that 1992 expertise, Pattan became a focal organization of the Asian Disaster Risk Reduction Network, the leading coalition of its kind in the region. Through that affiliation, Pattan has trained over 300 employees of various government ministries and NGOs on responding to such disaster situations.
URDO: URDO has been setting up various health camps and free medical services following the flooding in Nowshera, where it will distribute relief packages. URDO has been working in Nowshera since 1999 and has been implementing various programs on education, governance, health, and capacity building in Nowshera District. It was actively involved in relief and rehabilitation work during the 2005 earthquake and the conflict crisis that displaced several thousand people in the region last year.
Learn more about Give2Asia’s Pakistan Flood Relief Fund.
MoreAugust 18th, 2010
By Birger Stamperdahl
In the farmland regions of Pakistan’s southern Punjab, what used to be fields are now covered with water. Acknowledged as the worst humanitarian crisis in Pakistan’s history, flooding that began three weeks ago in northwestern Pakistan has now displaced more than 20 million people.
Pakistani families carry their belongs in search of higher ground. Over the past three weeks, more than 20 million people have been displaced from flooding. Photo credit: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Bringing together Give2Asia’s private donor community and The Asia Foundation’s program expertise in Pakistan, the two organizations are working to attract much-needed philanthropy and aid for flood survivors.
United Nations officials report that the total number of people affected by the floods exceeds the combined number of those affected by the 2004 Andaman Sea tsunami, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Yet, surprisingly, the event has drawn relatively little international donor support. While visiting Pakistan’s hardest-hit areas on Sunday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this is the worst disaster he has ever seen and strongly urged the world to step up its assistance.
Approximately 750,000 homes have been damaged, and 2.6 million acres of cropland, along with roads and bridges, are destroyed, which makes availability and delivery of essential goods difficult. Riots and protests have already broken out in parts of the country due to the slow delivery of aid.
One reason for the slow response to date may be the low death toll relative to total damage. An estimated 1,600 people are dead, but many more are at risk. Yet, with minimal humanitarian funding to deliver health care and clean water to survivors, the UN warned that at least 3.5 million children are at high risk of deadly waterborne diseases, such as cholera. More casualties are predicted in the coming days and weeks as additional rains and increased flooding are forecast.
Flood Relief Fund Launched
Last week, Give2Asia launched its Pakistan Flood Relief Fund, with initial investments of $35,000 from individual donors. Additional investments are expected from corporations and corporate foundations.
The Asia Foundation’s office in Pakistan is directly involved with procuring relief items in bulk and transporting goods to local partners in affected locations. With Give2Asia’s relief fund, donors can help affected families in Nowshera and Swat, the worst-hit areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (formerly known as North-West Frontier Province).
Partner Organizations
Initial assessment by The Asia Foundation has resulted in three local partners to support the relief and recovery effort. They will work to deliver relief packages to approximately 4,000 survivors. Relief packages will include necessities such as rice, salt, sugar, flour, dates, petroleum jelly, cotton rolls, mosquito repellent lotion, and water purification tablets.
Local partners include:
Aurat Foundation (Aurat): Aurat will distribute aid packages via its network of 30 existing child protection centers in Swat, which are currently helping displaced victims of the flood. Aurat has extensive experience responding to natural disasters in Pakistan. In response to the 2005 earthquake in northwest Pakistan and to the heavy flooding that took place in the south and southwestern parts of the country in 2007, Aurat provided provisions of relief items, as well as support services for thousands of displaced women and children in affected areas. With their past experience in disaster response and relief work, Aurat is well positioned to monitor appropriate distribution and ensure that supplies are not being used for any other purposes.
Pattan Development Organization (Pattan): In Punjab, Pattan will distribute packages to local relief committees that would then direct them to the affected families. Pattan has been working in Punjab since 1992 when the region faced severe flooding. Based on that 1992 expertise, Pattan became a focal organization of the Asian Disaster Risk Reduction Network, the leading coalition of its kind in the region. Through that affiliation, Pattan has trained over 300 employees of various government ministries and NGOs on responding to such disaster situations.
URDO: URDO has been setting up various health camps and free medical services following the flooding in Nowshera, where it will distribute relief packages. URDO has been working in Nowshera since 1999 and has been implementing various programs on education, governance, health, and capacity building in Nowshera District. It was actively involved in relief and rehabilitation work during the 2005 earthquake and the conflict crisis that displaced several thousand people in the region last year.
Learn more about Give2Asia’s Pakistan Flood Relief Fund.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Govt panel to suggest tougher nuclear liability bill-17/8/10
Govt panel to suggest tougher nuclear liability bill
(IN HINDI IT IS CALLED-PARMANU JAWABDEHI BILL)
(FINALLY 'BILLI/CAT KE GALLE MEIN GHANTI'...GOOD!)
Published on Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 20:56 |
Updated at Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 22:37 | Source : Reuters
A parliamentary panel will on Wednesday recommend changes to a bill aimed at opening up a USD 150 billion nuclear power market, including more compensation for accidents and extending liability to private suppliers.
The panel will recommend the liability cap be trebled to USD 320 million, a member of the panel who did not wish to be identified, said.
The recommendations, largely backed by opposition parties, would mean higher costs for firms such as US.-based General Electric and Westinghouse Electric, a subsidiary of Japan's Toshiba Corp, which would have to pay higher insurance premiums.
"The operator will also sign a contract which will hold suppliers liable if any accident is caused by defective equipment," the member said on condition on anonymity as the report has to be presented to parliament first.
(IN HINDI IT IS CALLED-PARMANU JAWABDEHI BILL)
(FINALLY 'BILLI/CAT KE GALLE MEIN GHANTI'...GOOD!)
Published on Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 20:56 |
Updated at Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 22:37 | Source : Reuters
A parliamentary panel will on Wednesday recommend changes to a bill aimed at opening up a USD 150 billion nuclear power market, including more compensation for accidents and extending liability to private suppliers.
The panel will recommend the liability cap be trebled to USD 320 million, a member of the panel who did not wish to be identified, said.
The recommendations, largely backed by opposition parties, would mean higher costs for firms such as US.-based General Electric and Westinghouse Electric, a subsidiary of Japan's Toshiba Corp, which would have to pay higher insurance premiums.
"The operator will also sign a contract which will hold suppliers liable if any accident is caused by defective equipment," the member said on condition on anonymity as the report has to be presented to parliament first.
Nuclear Liability Bill to be tabled in Parliament today
Nuclear Liability Bill to be tabled in Parliament today
NDTV Correspondent, Updated: August 18, 2010 08:47 IST
New Delhi: The controversial Nuclear Liability Bill will be tabled in Parliament today after the standoff finally ended on Tuesday.
The government was able to bring the BJP on board after its concerns were taken into account. (Read: Nuclear liability bill standoff ends; Govt, BJP find a way out)
As part of the understanding, the government has promised to look at the BJP's concerns and address them. In return they will not dissent like the Left parties will do.
According to sources, Opposition members Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley along with the principal opponent of the bill, Yashwant Sinha, met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
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NDTV has learnt that in the meeting it was decided that the operator will have to sign a contract with the supplier which will take care of latent or patent defects.
Also, the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) will be removed from the statement of objects and reasons of the bill. This means, the bill won't commit to India signing an international convention, which would have given India access to international funds in case of a major accident. The Left has objected to this since the CSC would not allow a foreign supplier to be sued.
They have also agreed to increase the extinction of right to claim for any nuclear damage for a period of 20 years from 10 years.
The standing committee on science and technology, which has been studying the bill, has recommended increasing the liability cap from 500 to 1500 crore. They have also said that the operator's liability will be the supplier's liability too.
The Left has, however, given a dissent note they want the cap to be Rs. 10,000 crore.
Story first published: August 18, 2010 08:42 IST
Tags: N-Bill, Nuclear Liability Bill, Parliament
NDTV Correspondent, Updated: August 18, 2010 08:47 IST
New Delhi: The controversial Nuclear Liability Bill will be tabled in Parliament today after the standoff finally ended on Tuesday.
The government was able to bring the BJP on board after its concerns were taken into account. (Read: Nuclear liability bill standoff ends; Govt, BJP find a way out)
As part of the understanding, the government has promised to look at the BJP's concerns and address them. In return they will not dissent like the Left parties will do.
According to sources, Opposition members Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley along with the principal opponent of the bill, Yashwant Sinha, met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Share on Twitter
Share on Social
Gmail Buzz
NDTV has learnt that in the meeting it was decided that the operator will have to sign a contract with the supplier which will take care of latent or patent defects.
Also, the Convention on Supplementary Compensation (CSC) will be removed from the statement of objects and reasons of the bill. This means, the bill won't commit to India signing an international convention, which would have given India access to international funds in case of a major accident. The Left has objected to this since the CSC would not allow a foreign supplier to be sued.
They have also agreed to increase the extinction of right to claim for any nuclear damage for a period of 20 years from 10 years.
The standing committee on science and technology, which has been studying the bill, has recommended increasing the liability cap from 500 to 1500 crore. They have also said that the operator's liability will be the supplier's liability too.
The Left has, however, given a dissent note they want the cap to be Rs. 10,000 crore.
Story first published: August 18, 2010 08:42 IST
Tags: N-Bill, Nuclear Liability Bill, Parliament
AAJ KA SAACH-----12/7/09
AAJ KA SAACH----VIBHA TAILANG
AAJ KA SAACH
Bhai mere
Kab tak jhuthalaoge
Pet ki aag ko
Kab tak bahlaoge
Aantdiyon ki eithan ko
Qua tumhare mann mein koi viddroh nahin hota?
Aakhir kab tak rahoge
Iss kaanch ke ghar mein?
Apne pita aur unke pita bhi
Issi kanch ke ghar mein rahe
Balki saans lene ke liye unhein
Hawa bhi mangni padi
Magar ab nahin hoga mujhse
Beant bunna ki jidhar jhukaya
Jayega udher jhukungi
Mere kandhon per hai YUVAON ke rakht ka bojh
Meri aankhon mein jal raha hai palas van
Rom-rom mein dukhta hai
Taaze sapnon ka lal lahu
Ek sawal fhir mere mann ko roandata hai,
Kaise lahluhaan ho gaye
Katon ke van mein foolon ka suhag?
Kyon bairon chitthi se fhir rahen hain
Khali haath log?
Sochiti hoon,
Basta ka bojh kitna bhari tha
Per kitni halki ho gai hai zindgai!
Per mein seekh liya hai,
Ki ab pet ko pet
Aur roti ko roti kahoongi
Kyonki meinne mahsoos kiya hai
Pet ki aag ko
Dekha hai
Bhook aur roti ke mahayuddh ko
Aur issliye
Meinne jaan liya hai
Ki bhook fool se ya kaagaz se nahin,
Roti se boojhti hai!
Yahi hai mere bhai,
AAJ KA SAACH!!
VIBHA TAILANG
1983 batch
AAJ KA SAACH
Bhai mere
Kab tak jhuthalaoge
Pet ki aag ko
Kab tak bahlaoge
Aantdiyon ki eithan ko
Qua tumhare mann mein koi viddroh nahin hota?
Aakhir kab tak rahoge
Iss kaanch ke ghar mein?
Apne pita aur unke pita bhi
Issi kanch ke ghar mein rahe
Balki saans lene ke liye unhein
Hawa bhi mangni padi
Magar ab nahin hoga mujhse
Beant bunna ki jidhar jhukaya
Jayega udher jhukungi
Mere kandhon per hai YUVAON ke rakht ka bojh
Meri aankhon mein jal raha hai palas van
Rom-rom mein dukhta hai
Taaze sapnon ka lal lahu
Ek sawal fhir mere mann ko roandata hai,
Kaise lahluhaan ho gaye
Katon ke van mein foolon ka suhag?
Kyon bairon chitthi se fhir rahen hain
Khali haath log?
Sochiti hoon,
Basta ka bojh kitna bhari tha
Per kitni halki ho gai hai zindgai!
Per mein seekh liya hai,
Ki ab pet ko pet
Aur roti ko roti kahoongi
Kyonki meinne mahsoos kiya hai
Pet ki aag ko
Dekha hai
Bhook aur roti ke mahayuddh ko
Aur issliye
Meinne jaan liya hai
Ki bhook fool se ya kaagaz se nahin,
Roti se boojhti hai!
Yahi hai mere bhai,
AAJ KA SAACH!!
VIBHA TAILANG
1983 batch
Need for 'Change Agents' to Change India
Need for 'Change Agents' to Change India.
(IT REMINDS ME OF ANIL KAPOOR OF MOVIE 'NAYAAK')
Author: Rajendra K Misra
Author is the founder of Change India
(I REMEMBER GANDHIJI'S LINE I READ- BE THE CHANGE...I NEED TO ADD-BE THE CHANGE AND MAKE A CHANGE BY YOUR ACTION. LOTS OF SERIALS AND ADVERTISMENTS WERE MADE DEPICTING 'THE CHANGE' LINE-INCLUDING PRADHAANMANTRIJI SERIAL, WHICH STARTED WITH A LINE---PRADHANMANTRIJI AAGYAATWAAS SE EK BAADLAV KE SAATH'....2YRS BACK WHEN I DID A SEMINAR-IT WAS ON 'KYA SWAYAAMSEVI SANSTHAYEN SAATH MILKER DUNIYA KI TASVEER BADAL SAKTI HAIN'....SPONSORED BY 'DAINIK BHASKAR'...WHO MADE AN ADVERTISEMENT WITH THEIR THEN BRAND AMBASSODOR MR M S DHONI, SAYING..."ZEEDD KARO DUNIYA BADLO...A FIGHT FOR COMMON MAN!!'"(WELL MR DHONI-EVEN I AM AN INDIAN,BORN IN SINDRI,JHARKHAAND,MY MAMAJI LIVES IN RANCHI, I DO HAVE CHANGED MY HAIRSTYLE FEW TIMES IN THESE 45YRS,....SO AS OTHERS, OH! SO WE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON!!)
.....SO AS MR OBAMA'S ELECTION LINE WAS...'YES! WE CAN CHANGE!!' AS MUCH I REMEMBER IN 2004 ELECTION TIME THERE WAS AN INTERESTING ADVERTISMENT SHOWING SMALL 4-5YRS OLD KIDS PARTICIPATING IN FANCY DRESS COMPETITION,WEARING COSTUMES OF DIFFERENT STATES TO REPRESENT THEM, SHARING ONE PLATFORM,AND SAYING-WE WANT TO BE PRIME MINISTER!!! WAS IT A CHANGE OF MINDSET IN CYNICAL TIME OF TODAY WHEN EVERYONE WANTS TO HATE POLITICIANS!!!
WE DO NEED LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN EVERYONE,SO THAT PERSON CAN LEAVE THEIR MARK OR IMPACT BY THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS WHERE EVER THEY WORK!!!AND ITS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW VITAL IS HOUSEWIVES ROLES 'ALSO'!!
THIS IS CALLED-"SILENT MASS MOVEMENT",WITHOUT COMING DOWN ON ROADS...YOU CAN BRING '"CHANGE" BY "CHANGING PEOPLE'S MINDSET POSITIVLY"..."MAKING THEM BIT MORE SENSITIVE ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS IN UNIVERSE,AS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY,WE ALL BENIFIT EACH OTHER...LIVING OR NON-LIVING THINGS!!"
WELL...THESE SLOGAANS ARE NOT NEW BUT THE POINT IS, ITS BETTER AND NATURAL TO EVOLVE, BUT DO WE NEED TO CHANGE FOREVER OR EMERGE AS A STRONGER PERSONS AND COUNTRYMEN,AS WE THINK OUR INDIAN CULTURE,HERITAGE,TRADITION,PHILOSHOPHY,LITERATURE,IDEAOLOGIES,HISTORY,ACHIEVEMENTS IN ALL THE FIELDS, GEOGRAPHY,CONSTITUTION,RULES REGULATIONS,LAWS...ETC..WHATEVER WE ALREADY HAS, ARE CONSISTS OF GOOD AND BAD (OR EVEN ROTTENNESS IN THEM WITH TIME)...BUT STILL I BELIEVE...GOOD 'INGREDIENTS' ARE MUCH MORE IN IT...AND WE NEED TO EMPHASIES ON IT MORE AND MORE,KNOW ABOUT IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT OUR LEGACY NEVER DIE AND WE ALL CAN PROUDLY SPREAD IT WHERE EVER WE GO...WE CAN DO COMPARETIVE STUDIES ABOUT OTHER CULTURES, LEARN FROM THEM,BUT MUST UNDERSTAND TO DIFFERENTIATE OR JUDGE IT- WHERE WE HAVE BETTER QUALITIES ACCORDING TO OUR SOCIAL AND NATURAL CONDITIONS.
NOW ITS REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND- FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL...AS I FEEL A FAMILY CONSISTS OF MANY INDIVIDUALS. AND A FAMILY AS A UNIT WITH OTHER FAMILIES FORMS A SOCIETY...THE COUNTRY OR THE WORLD!!!..AND WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND....WHAT EXACTLY WE WANT TO CHANGE,WE NEED TO CHANGE,WE SHOULD CHANGE- WITHIN OURSELF AND IN OTHERS, IN MINDSETS AND IN THE FIELD AS A GROUND REALITIES...??? IS IT JUST TO BE DISCIPLINED,PUNCTUAL,REGULAR,STUDIOUS OR WORKOHOLIC,OR GOOD IN WHATEVER TALENT ONE HAS INTEREST IN,AND ONE CAN EXCEL IN,WHETHER IT IS IN CREATIVE FIELD OR SPORTS, FITNESS FREAK,EATING BALANCED AND DIET FOODS AND DIET DRINKS,LIFESTYLE, BEHAVIOUR,HABITS,SPOKEN LANGUAGE OR IS IT MORE THEN THAT...AS EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN ETHICS AND PRINCIPALS??? YESTERDAY(29/8/10) I SAW A PROGRAMME ON TV "BRAND AND YOUTH"...WELL EVEN WE ARE YOUNG SO WE CAN RELATE WITH IT, MR PIYUSH PANDEY WAS DISCUSSING ABOUT IT...ACCORDING TO ME,WHAT KIND OF BRAND TODAY'S YOUTH NEED TO BE...??? I FEEL AS MAHATMA GANDHIJI HAS SAID,"WHENEVER YOU TAKE A STEP OR DECISION, THINK ABOUT LAST PERSON OF YOUR SOCIETY...IS H/SHE GOING TO BE BENIFFITTED WITH IT??...I DITTO HIM.
AS OUR SPECIALITY IS UNITY IN DIVERSITY, SO AS EVEN WE PEOPLE ARE FULL OF DIFFERENT EMOTIONS,HABITS,SHADES,INTEREST,I Q LEVEL, EDUCATIONAL LEVEL.....AND EVEN OUR SOCIO,ECONOMIC,PHYSICAL,GEOGRAPHICAL,MINDSET...STATUS AND CONDITIONS VARIES. SO WHAT EXACTLY'"WE WANT CHANGE'" MEANS???
AND NO,I AM NOT REPEATING ANYONE'S WORDS,AS THESE POINTS APPLIES EVERYWHERE.AT HOME OR IN OFFICES,SCHOOLS,COLLEGES,OR IN ANY INSTITUTIONS...!!OR IN GENERAL LIVES.FEW POINTS AND THINKINGS ARE UNIVERSAL AND VERY COMMON.
I FEEL WE NEED ALLROUND,CONSISTENT AND BALANCED GROWTH OR DEVOLOPMENT!!!
ONLY IT CAN CHANGE CURSE OF POVERTY,BACKWARDNESS,CRIME, UNEMPLOYMENT,ILLETRACY,...ETC...AND PEOPLE'S MINDSET ALSO!!!
FOR EXAMPLE, IF POWERFUL CM OF SO MANY YEARS IN BIHAR,SHRI LALLUJI, WHO HAS GIVEN VOICES TO DOWNTRODDEN'S THERE INITIALLY,BUT BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION AND CRIMINAL CHARGES,WENT TO JAIL SO MANY TIMES,STILL HE MADE HIS HOMELY 'ILLETRATE' WIFE A CM AND HIS 'KATHPUTLI' OR DUMMY(OR MADHYAM...I THINK, HE SHOULD SUPPORT WOMEN RESERVATION)..(SHE HAS WON ELECTION FINALLY)...AS HE WAS TAKING ALL THE DECISIONS!!!...STILL HE LOST,AS BIHAR WAS ONE OF THE MOST BACKWARD STATE THEN.-UNDERDEVOLOPED. LALLUJI'S ROLE IN NOT GETTING DONE ANY DEVOLOPMENT WORK THERE,CRIMINALISATION,AND HIS CASTE POLITICS BECAME 'CHAIN' IN BIHAR'S DEVOLOPMENT AND PROGRESS.NUMBERS OF BIHARI MIGRANTS INCREASED,SO AS INDUSTRIES CLOSED DOWN AND INVESTORS RUN AWAY. BASIC AMENITIES LIKE 'BIJLI,PANI,SADAK.EDUCATION.HEALTH,EMPLOYMENT...EVERYTHING WAS IN BAD SHAPE....SO HE LOST. DEFINITLY ANY NEW CM NEEDS ATLEAST 10YRS TO RECOVER FROM IT!!!...NITISHJI HAD A CLEAN IMAGE,HE WAS A HOPE FOR BIHAARI'S!!...IF MOST OF THE BIG CRIMINALS OF BIHAAR IS IN JAIL TODAY...WHY NOT IN OTHER STATES. ONE CAN LEARN THIS FROM BIHAR, AS IT CAME OUT OF IT AND MANY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANISIES ARE STARTED INVESTING THERE. MANY POSITIVES HAS SAPPLING, LET THEM BECAME A TREE...!! ITS A RAY OF HOPE FOR BIHAARI'S WHO GET INSULTED OUTSIDE THERE HOME STATE(SPECIALLY IN MUMBAI)...THOUGH SUCH INCIDENTS HAS LESSENED NOW.AND THEIR SELFESTEEM RISEN.
BUT AS ELECTION MONTH IS APPROACHING...LETS SEE HOW WELL HE PERFORMED IN THESE 5 YRS, SO THAT LIKE SHIELAJI IN DELHI(ITS HER 3RD TENURE),EVEN NDA GOVERNMENT GET 5 MORE YEARS-AND NEED NOT 'CHANGE', THAN ONLY IT CAN BRING 'CHANGE' IN FASTER PACE IN BIHAR,WHICH CAN BE EVIDENT TO EVERYONE!!!...BIHAR REALLY DESERVE BETTER SITUATIONS AND CONDITIONS TO GROW AND DEVOLOP FASTER.AND FOR THAT PEOPLE'S OR MASSES SUPPORT IN IMPLEMENTATIONS OF RIGHT ACTIONS AND RIGHT DECISIONS ARE MOST IMPORTANT. BUT THEN ONE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE GROUND REALITIES,AND SO,WHICH DECISIONS ARE RIGHT AND BENIFICIAL FOR THEM. FOR EXAMPLE,IF BIHAR CAN PROGRESS AND HAVE ALLROUND DEVOLOPMENT FASTER IN PRESENT CM'S LEADERSHIP AND GUIDIENCE ...IT WILL BRING A HOPE IN OTHER SUCH STATES AS WELL, WHO ARE NOT DOING WELL, AND FACING SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS.
IF AGREED THEN...NOW HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE THAT???
AND YES NEED TO ADD BEFORE SIGNING OUT IS, WHOEVER SPEAKS FROM PUBLIC PLATFORMS,IN A OFFICE,OR THROUGH MEDIA,OR IN ANY PUBLIC PROGRAMME ,EVEN WRITING IN A PUBLIC DOMAINS...ARE RESPONSIBLE OF THEIR ACT,SPEECH,AND WORDS,WHETHER IT IS WITH RIGHT OR WRONG INTENTIONS,MOTIVES,TONES,OR TO CRITICIZE,PRAISE,CUT SOMEONE ON SIZE,BOOST ANYONE'S IMAGE, GENUINE,FRAUD,"TO DO CORRECTIONS",SPINNING-JOKINGLY,INNOCENTLY,DUMBLY,IGNORANT OF LANGUAGE OR JUST LIKE THAT!!...SO NOW ONWARDS I TRY NOT TO SUGGEST ANYONE TO BE SENSIBLE OR GIVE JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THERE LINES!!!...ITS APPLIES ON ME ALSO.
When I was 11 years old, my parents had to shift between two small towns in Uttar Pradesh and I had to change my school, mid-session. So I was sent to my paternal village, in Sitapur district, and was put in the local village school till my admission in the town school got finalized, which did not happen for the next 15 months. Two teachers would teach for about 3-4 hrs before they returned to their agriculture or cattle chores. We wrote on ‘Takhtis’, wooden writing pads that were made to shine with a mixture of soot chalk solution. This may sound like a nostalgic story from early 20th century, but this was 1975. After my schooling I joined IIT Kanpur and, following the trends of IITians those days, upon graduation went abroad for my higher studies and settled down with a well-paid job. Later I started my own entrepreneurial ventures and worked in both Japan and the U.S.A. I moved to India in 1995 and founded 2 Internet and telecom ventures with successful exits.
Over the years, I had provided monetary support for the development of my village and one day while visiting the village school I was struck by what I saw. Though there was a brick building, notebooks, pens, and pencils and kids looked happy as in the good old days, the number of hours spent on teaching remained the same; quality and means of education had not changed at all. This bothered me a lot. How can we think of competing with the best in the world when most of India is still primitive in imparting basic education?
The realization dawned upon me that if I wanted change, I had to be a part of it. Hence, in 2005, at the age of 40 I gave my corporate life a rest and moved on to do something that would bring a socio-economic change in India. The result is the Change India Movement.
Today I work with several state governments and central government as a public policy advisor towards the development of both rural and urban India. The industrial policies and liberalization have drawn much investment in the urban areas, making them the growth centers while increasing infrastructural chaos. In these urban centers, which are the wealth creators and employment generators, the essential need of the populace is not finding a job but rather reaching the place of the job. The need of the hour for sustainable urban growth is the infrastructure and forward-looking industrial policies.
India’s GDP is growing at close to nine percent and is expected to reach ten percent. India overtook Japan this year in the number of billionaires, with 36 billionaires worth a total of $191 billion, while Japan's 24 billionaires were worth $64 billion. This is a good news! But it is also important to note that the majority of our population lives at less than Rs. 20 per day, mostly in rural India. Benefits of growth and prosperity are not reaching rural India and it is spiraling towards increased poverty. The question we need to ask is ‘why is rural India poor?’ Majority of our rural population is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. While the contribution of agriculture to India’s GDP has declined from 59 percent in 1950-51 to a mere 18 percent in 2005-2006, number of people in rural areas dependent on agriculture has grown three fold in the same period to more than 700 million now. Agriculture can no longer provide sustainable livelihood for our rural population. The result is that the villagers are migrating to the cities (urban areas) in large numbers in search of a better living. Once in the cities they may start earning a steadier income, ensuring they do not go hungry but are unable to afford the basic requirements like shelter, safe drinking water and sanitation. The result? Formation of slums that add more chaos to the already choked urban areas.
The government has failed to see this vicious circle. They still focus on agriculture subsidies and farm loan waivers, which is a futile exercise. It needs to provide non-agricultural jobs and self-employment opportunities in rural areas. Local skills based self-employment in industries such as dairy, poultry, food-processing, handicraft and related cottage industries should be encouraged through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to ensure forward integration where farmer gets ready markets and fair price for his produce. Micro-finance is very effective in promoting and sustaining such initiatives.
Even with the high economic growth and proliferation of service industries—telecom, retail, finance, security, and other support services—our cities are starved of trained manpower in skilled and semiskilled categories, while our rural youth is unemployed and frustrated. The solution is to fill this demand-supply gap.
Vocational training to the educated and semi-educated rural youth in collaboration with industry with reasonable assurance of job opportunities will bridge this gap. Such an initiative has already been embarked upon in Rajasthan under ‘Rajasthan Mission on Livelihood’ using the PPP model and involving local industries.
In one such PPP project, the villagers have been provided with a loom at a subsidized cost. Yarn (input) is provided by the company, which also takes the finished product, the carpet. It is akin to local outsourcing where a farmer does not need to leave his village and supplements his income by working on the carpet weaving during his spare time. Today every family easily earns an extra income of Rs. 2,000-3,000 a month. This initiative has shown a good promise and needs to be replicated.
A similar project is in progress in Sitapur (UP) where farmers are provided with micro-finance to buy cows and participate in a community dairy project. Since farmers had no skills (such as weaving in the above example), dairy business was found suitable for this village. Community dairy also helps as collective insurance, medical care and modern dairy technique are beyond the reach of individual farmers. Plan is to integrate primary health, hygiene, primary education and family welfare aspects of village life in the same project to ensure integrated development of the village.
One can see from the above example that my only role in bringing this change is being a ‘catalyst’. If you want to bring a change all you have to do is becoming a ‘change agent’.
Politics and Policy Formulation
I know most of us, especially the younger generation, dislike politics and politicians. But being the largest democracy in the world, we cannot choose to ignore them. Over the years we have witnessed the repeated failure of governance mechanisms and inefficient delivery systems under successive governments both in the states and at the center. Something is fundamentally wrong. No government or political party can be so naive to knowingly plan and work towards its removal at the end of its five-year term. So it may be argued that despite good intentions and best efforts (exceptions notwithstanding), governments in India repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises. Could there be systemic problems and inefficiencies which are so entrenched that a complete new thinking and approach is needed to bring efficiency, transparency, and accountability in our governance and delivery systems? I believe so, and the reason behind this is the so-called ‘middle class’, which has the means and wisdom to bring about the change but has chosen to sit on the sidelines. This middle class consists of the majority of population with people like us that earn well, have time to vacation abroad, have about two-three properties as assets, but do not have the time to go out and vote once in five years. Why?
My discussions with the top leadership of our national parties have also confirmed this view. During our dialogues we discussed about the need for a ‘new thinking’ and ‘approach’. We also agreed that our youth, educated working professionals, and the middle class are disillusioned with the political establishment and extremely frustrated with the repeated failure of governance and delivery mechanisms. They have lost faith and as a mark of protest they have disassociated themselves from the political process and have even stopped exercising their franchise. This number is now around 20 crores and growing. Of the total 67 crore registered voters, only 38 crore voted in the general elections in 2004.
As the nation produces more and more educated, affluent, and working professionals, the voting population reduces. Political parties are concerned about this fact as their vote bank is shrinking and they cannot afford to let this growing population move away from the democratic process. Since they do not know as to how to engage and motivate this section of the population, they tend to ignore, also because it is more vocal and has opinions on the issues and asks uncomfortable questions.
Our nation is at an inflection point of long-term growth and prosperity. We need to put appropriate policies, delivery systems, and monitoring processes in place to make sure that we reform our political and governance systems and do everything right to achieve this long term growth resulting in prosperity for all.
The question is how to reach this large populace of students, working professionals, and middle class families who have a longing but no means to collectively voice their views, opinions, and concerns and take-up what we call ‘Social Entrepreneurship and Political Change Initiatives’. They are groping with ‘How to make a difference?’ and ‘Where to start?’ kind of questions.
One can simply start by becoming a ‘change agent’. I do not say that to become a ‘change agent’ one must leave his or her job and plunge into politics. If each one of us understands and follows our responsibilities, a lot can be done for the country’s development. One can simply start with a community service and engage with local authorities and elected representatives. This will bring together the ‘doers’ that will later lead to the creation of a self-sustaining eco-system. Once they realize that their views and opinions have a logical destination and are reaching policy makers, they will be encouraged to register as voters and potentially exercise their franchise.
As they say ‘charity begins at home’, the most important aspect of being a change agent is every citizen pledging to bring changes within oneself and be accountable for his or her actions as an individual, a society, and as a nation.
(IT REMINDS ME OF ANIL KAPOOR OF MOVIE 'NAYAAK')
Author: Rajendra K Misra
Author is the founder of Change India
(I REMEMBER GANDHIJI'S LINE I READ- BE THE CHANGE...I NEED TO ADD-BE THE CHANGE AND MAKE A CHANGE BY YOUR ACTION. LOTS OF SERIALS AND ADVERTISMENTS WERE MADE DEPICTING 'THE CHANGE' LINE-INCLUDING PRADHAANMANTRIJI SERIAL, WHICH STARTED WITH A LINE---PRADHANMANTRIJI AAGYAATWAAS SE EK BAADLAV KE SAATH'....2YRS BACK WHEN I DID A SEMINAR-IT WAS ON 'KYA SWAYAAMSEVI SANSTHAYEN SAATH MILKER DUNIYA KI TASVEER BADAL SAKTI HAIN'....SPONSORED BY 'DAINIK BHASKAR'...WHO MADE AN ADVERTISEMENT WITH THEIR THEN BRAND AMBASSODOR MR M S DHONI, SAYING..."ZEEDD KARO DUNIYA BADLO...A FIGHT FOR COMMON MAN!!'"(WELL MR DHONI-EVEN I AM AN INDIAN,BORN IN SINDRI,JHARKHAAND,MY MAMAJI LIVES IN RANCHI, I DO HAVE CHANGED MY HAIRSTYLE FEW TIMES IN THESE 45YRS,....SO AS OTHERS, OH! SO WE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON!!)
.....SO AS MR OBAMA'S ELECTION LINE WAS...'YES! WE CAN CHANGE!!' AS MUCH I REMEMBER IN 2004 ELECTION TIME THERE WAS AN INTERESTING ADVERTISMENT SHOWING SMALL 4-5YRS OLD KIDS PARTICIPATING IN FANCY DRESS COMPETITION,WEARING COSTUMES OF DIFFERENT STATES TO REPRESENT THEM, SHARING ONE PLATFORM,AND SAYING-WE WANT TO BE PRIME MINISTER!!! WAS IT A CHANGE OF MINDSET IN CYNICAL TIME OF TODAY WHEN EVERYONE WANTS TO HATE POLITICIANS!!!
WE DO NEED LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN EVERYONE,SO THAT PERSON CAN LEAVE THEIR MARK OR IMPACT BY THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS WHERE EVER THEY WORK!!!AND ITS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW VITAL IS HOUSEWIVES ROLES 'ALSO'!!
THIS IS CALLED-"SILENT MASS MOVEMENT",WITHOUT COMING DOWN ON ROADS...YOU CAN BRING '"CHANGE" BY "CHANGING PEOPLE'S MINDSET POSITIVLY"..."MAKING THEM BIT MORE SENSITIVE ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS IN UNIVERSE,AS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY,WE ALL BENIFIT EACH OTHER...LIVING OR NON-LIVING THINGS!!"
WELL...THESE SLOGAANS ARE NOT NEW BUT THE POINT IS, ITS BETTER AND NATURAL TO EVOLVE, BUT DO WE NEED TO CHANGE FOREVER OR EMERGE AS A STRONGER PERSONS AND COUNTRYMEN,AS WE THINK OUR INDIAN CULTURE,HERITAGE,TRADITION,PHILOSHOPHY,LITERATURE,IDEAOLOGIES,HISTORY,ACHIEVEMENTS IN ALL THE FIELDS, GEOGRAPHY,CONSTITUTION,RULES REGULATIONS,LAWS...ETC..WHATEVER WE ALREADY HAS, ARE CONSISTS OF GOOD AND BAD (OR EVEN ROTTENNESS IN THEM WITH TIME)...BUT STILL I BELIEVE...GOOD 'INGREDIENTS' ARE MUCH MORE IN IT...AND WE NEED TO EMPHASIES ON IT MORE AND MORE,KNOW ABOUT IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT OUR LEGACY NEVER DIE AND WE ALL CAN PROUDLY SPREAD IT WHERE EVER WE GO...WE CAN DO COMPARETIVE STUDIES ABOUT OTHER CULTURES, LEARN FROM THEM,BUT MUST UNDERSTAND TO DIFFERENTIATE OR JUDGE IT- WHERE WE HAVE BETTER QUALITIES ACCORDING TO OUR SOCIAL AND NATURAL CONDITIONS.
NOW ITS REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND- FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL...AS I FEEL A FAMILY CONSISTS OF MANY INDIVIDUALS. AND A FAMILY AS A UNIT WITH OTHER FAMILIES FORMS A SOCIETY...THE COUNTRY OR THE WORLD!!!..AND WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND....WHAT EXACTLY WE WANT TO CHANGE,WE NEED TO CHANGE,WE SHOULD CHANGE- WITHIN OURSELF AND IN OTHERS, IN MINDSETS AND IN THE FIELD AS A GROUND REALITIES...??? IS IT JUST TO BE DISCIPLINED,PUNCTUAL,REGULAR,STUDIOUS OR WORKOHOLIC,OR GOOD IN WHATEVER TALENT ONE HAS INTEREST IN,AND ONE CAN EXCEL IN,WHETHER IT IS IN CREATIVE FIELD OR SPORTS, FITNESS FREAK,EATING BALANCED AND DIET FOODS AND DIET DRINKS,LIFESTYLE, BEHAVIOUR,HABITS,SPOKEN LANGUAGE OR IS IT MORE THEN THAT...AS EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN ETHICS AND PRINCIPALS??? YESTERDAY(29/8/10) I SAW A PROGRAMME ON TV "BRAND AND YOUTH"...WELL EVEN WE ARE YOUNG SO WE CAN RELATE WITH IT, MR PIYUSH PANDEY WAS DISCUSSING ABOUT IT...ACCORDING TO ME,WHAT KIND OF BRAND TODAY'S YOUTH NEED TO BE...??? I FEEL AS MAHATMA GANDHIJI HAS SAID,"WHENEVER YOU TAKE A STEP OR DECISION, THINK ABOUT LAST PERSON OF YOUR SOCIETY...IS H/SHE GOING TO BE BENIFFITTED WITH IT??...I DITTO HIM.
AS OUR SPECIALITY IS UNITY IN DIVERSITY, SO AS EVEN WE PEOPLE ARE FULL OF DIFFERENT EMOTIONS,HABITS,SHADES,INTEREST,I Q LEVEL, EDUCATIONAL LEVEL.....AND EVEN OUR SOCIO,ECONOMIC,PHYSICAL,GEOGRAPHICAL,MINDSET...STATUS AND CONDITIONS VARIES. SO WHAT EXACTLY'"WE WANT CHANGE'" MEANS???
AND NO,I AM NOT REPEATING ANYONE'S WORDS,AS THESE POINTS APPLIES EVERYWHERE.AT HOME OR IN OFFICES,SCHOOLS,COLLEGES,OR IN ANY INSTITUTIONS...!!OR IN GENERAL LIVES.FEW POINTS AND THINKINGS ARE UNIVERSAL AND VERY COMMON.
I FEEL WE NEED ALLROUND,CONSISTENT AND BALANCED GROWTH OR DEVOLOPMENT!!!
ONLY IT CAN CHANGE CURSE OF POVERTY,BACKWARDNESS,CRIME, UNEMPLOYMENT,ILLETRACY,...ETC...AND PEOPLE'S MINDSET ALSO!!!
FOR EXAMPLE, IF POWERFUL CM OF SO MANY YEARS IN BIHAR,SHRI LALLUJI, WHO HAS GIVEN VOICES TO DOWNTRODDEN'S THERE INITIALLY,BUT BECAUSE OF CORRUPTION AND CRIMINAL CHARGES,WENT TO JAIL SO MANY TIMES,STILL HE MADE HIS HOMELY 'ILLETRATE' WIFE A CM AND HIS 'KATHPUTLI' OR DUMMY(OR MADHYAM...I THINK, HE SHOULD SUPPORT WOMEN RESERVATION)..(SHE HAS WON ELECTION FINALLY)...AS HE WAS TAKING ALL THE DECISIONS!!!...STILL HE LOST,AS BIHAR WAS ONE OF THE MOST BACKWARD STATE THEN.-UNDERDEVOLOPED. LALLUJI'S ROLE IN NOT GETTING DONE ANY DEVOLOPMENT WORK THERE,CRIMINALISATION,AND HIS CASTE POLITICS BECAME 'CHAIN' IN BIHAR'S DEVOLOPMENT AND PROGRESS.NUMBERS OF BIHARI MIGRANTS INCREASED,SO AS INDUSTRIES CLOSED DOWN AND INVESTORS RUN AWAY. BASIC AMENITIES LIKE 'BIJLI,PANI,SADAK.EDUCATION.HEALTH,EMPLOYMENT...EVERYTHING WAS IN BAD SHAPE....SO HE LOST. DEFINITLY ANY NEW CM NEEDS ATLEAST 10YRS TO RECOVER FROM IT!!!...NITISHJI HAD A CLEAN IMAGE,HE WAS A HOPE FOR BIHAARI'S!!...IF MOST OF THE BIG CRIMINALS OF BIHAAR IS IN JAIL TODAY...WHY NOT IN OTHER STATES. ONE CAN LEARN THIS FROM BIHAR, AS IT CAME OUT OF IT AND MANY NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANISIES ARE STARTED INVESTING THERE. MANY POSITIVES HAS SAPPLING, LET THEM BECAME A TREE...!! ITS A RAY OF HOPE FOR BIHAARI'S WHO GET INSULTED OUTSIDE THERE HOME STATE(SPECIALLY IN MUMBAI)...THOUGH SUCH INCIDENTS HAS LESSENED NOW.AND THEIR SELFESTEEM RISEN.
BUT AS ELECTION MONTH IS APPROACHING...LETS SEE HOW WELL HE PERFORMED IN THESE 5 YRS, SO THAT LIKE SHIELAJI IN DELHI(ITS HER 3RD TENURE),EVEN NDA GOVERNMENT GET 5 MORE YEARS-AND NEED NOT 'CHANGE', THAN ONLY IT CAN BRING 'CHANGE' IN FASTER PACE IN BIHAR,WHICH CAN BE EVIDENT TO EVERYONE!!!...BIHAR REALLY DESERVE BETTER SITUATIONS AND CONDITIONS TO GROW AND DEVOLOP FASTER.AND FOR THAT PEOPLE'S OR MASSES SUPPORT IN IMPLEMENTATIONS OF RIGHT ACTIONS AND RIGHT DECISIONS ARE MOST IMPORTANT. BUT THEN ONE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE GROUND REALITIES,AND SO,WHICH DECISIONS ARE RIGHT AND BENIFICIAL FOR THEM. FOR EXAMPLE,IF BIHAR CAN PROGRESS AND HAVE ALLROUND DEVOLOPMENT FASTER IN PRESENT CM'S LEADERSHIP AND GUIDIENCE ...IT WILL BRING A HOPE IN OTHER SUCH STATES AS WELL, WHO ARE NOT DOING WELL, AND FACING SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS.
IF AGREED THEN...NOW HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE THAT???
AND YES NEED TO ADD BEFORE SIGNING OUT IS, WHOEVER SPEAKS FROM PUBLIC PLATFORMS,IN A OFFICE,OR THROUGH MEDIA,OR IN ANY PUBLIC PROGRAMME ,EVEN WRITING IN A PUBLIC DOMAINS...ARE RESPONSIBLE OF THEIR ACT,SPEECH,AND WORDS,WHETHER IT IS WITH RIGHT OR WRONG INTENTIONS,MOTIVES,TONES,OR TO CRITICIZE,PRAISE,CUT SOMEONE ON SIZE,BOOST ANYONE'S IMAGE, GENUINE,FRAUD,"TO DO CORRECTIONS",SPINNING-JOKINGLY,INNOCENTLY,DUMBLY,IGNORANT OF LANGUAGE OR JUST LIKE THAT!!...SO NOW ONWARDS I TRY NOT TO SUGGEST ANYONE TO BE SENSIBLE OR GIVE JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THERE LINES!!!...ITS APPLIES ON ME ALSO.
When I was 11 years old, my parents had to shift between two small towns in Uttar Pradesh and I had to change my school, mid-session. So I was sent to my paternal village, in Sitapur district, and was put in the local village school till my admission in the town school got finalized, which did not happen for the next 15 months. Two teachers would teach for about 3-4 hrs before they returned to their agriculture or cattle chores. We wrote on ‘Takhtis’, wooden writing pads that were made to shine with a mixture of soot chalk solution. This may sound like a nostalgic story from early 20th century, but this was 1975. After my schooling I joined IIT Kanpur and, following the trends of IITians those days, upon graduation went abroad for my higher studies and settled down with a well-paid job. Later I started my own entrepreneurial ventures and worked in both Japan and the U.S.A. I moved to India in 1995 and founded 2 Internet and telecom ventures with successful exits.
Over the years, I had provided monetary support for the development of my village and one day while visiting the village school I was struck by what I saw. Though there was a brick building, notebooks, pens, and pencils and kids looked happy as in the good old days, the number of hours spent on teaching remained the same; quality and means of education had not changed at all. This bothered me a lot. How can we think of competing with the best in the world when most of India is still primitive in imparting basic education?
The realization dawned upon me that if I wanted change, I had to be a part of it. Hence, in 2005, at the age of 40 I gave my corporate life a rest and moved on to do something that would bring a socio-economic change in India. The result is the Change India Movement.
Today I work with several state governments and central government as a public policy advisor towards the development of both rural and urban India. The industrial policies and liberalization have drawn much investment in the urban areas, making them the growth centers while increasing infrastructural chaos. In these urban centers, which are the wealth creators and employment generators, the essential need of the populace is not finding a job but rather reaching the place of the job. The need of the hour for sustainable urban growth is the infrastructure and forward-looking industrial policies.
India’s GDP is growing at close to nine percent and is expected to reach ten percent. India overtook Japan this year in the number of billionaires, with 36 billionaires worth a total of $191 billion, while Japan's 24 billionaires were worth $64 billion. This is a good news! But it is also important to note that the majority of our population lives at less than Rs. 20 per day, mostly in rural India. Benefits of growth and prosperity are not reaching rural India and it is spiraling towards increased poverty. The question we need to ask is ‘why is rural India poor?’ Majority of our rural population is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. While the contribution of agriculture to India’s GDP has declined from 59 percent in 1950-51 to a mere 18 percent in 2005-2006, number of people in rural areas dependent on agriculture has grown three fold in the same period to more than 700 million now. Agriculture can no longer provide sustainable livelihood for our rural population. The result is that the villagers are migrating to the cities (urban areas) in large numbers in search of a better living. Once in the cities they may start earning a steadier income, ensuring they do not go hungry but are unable to afford the basic requirements like shelter, safe drinking water and sanitation. The result? Formation of slums that add more chaos to the already choked urban areas.
The government has failed to see this vicious circle. They still focus on agriculture subsidies and farm loan waivers, which is a futile exercise. It needs to provide non-agricultural jobs and self-employment opportunities in rural areas. Local skills based self-employment in industries such as dairy, poultry, food-processing, handicraft and related cottage industries should be encouraged through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to ensure forward integration where farmer gets ready markets and fair price for his produce. Micro-finance is very effective in promoting and sustaining such initiatives.
Even with the high economic growth and proliferation of service industries—telecom, retail, finance, security, and other support services—our cities are starved of trained manpower in skilled and semiskilled categories, while our rural youth is unemployed and frustrated. The solution is to fill this demand-supply gap.
Vocational training to the educated and semi-educated rural youth in collaboration with industry with reasonable assurance of job opportunities will bridge this gap. Such an initiative has already been embarked upon in Rajasthan under ‘Rajasthan Mission on Livelihood’ using the PPP model and involving local industries.
In one such PPP project, the villagers have been provided with a loom at a subsidized cost. Yarn (input) is provided by the company, which also takes the finished product, the carpet. It is akin to local outsourcing where a farmer does not need to leave his village and supplements his income by working on the carpet weaving during his spare time. Today every family easily earns an extra income of Rs. 2,000-3,000 a month. This initiative has shown a good promise and needs to be replicated.
A similar project is in progress in Sitapur (UP) where farmers are provided with micro-finance to buy cows and participate in a community dairy project. Since farmers had no skills (such as weaving in the above example), dairy business was found suitable for this village. Community dairy also helps as collective insurance, medical care and modern dairy technique are beyond the reach of individual farmers. Plan is to integrate primary health, hygiene, primary education and family welfare aspects of village life in the same project to ensure integrated development of the village.
One can see from the above example that my only role in bringing this change is being a ‘catalyst’. If you want to bring a change all you have to do is becoming a ‘change agent’.
Politics and Policy Formulation
I know most of us, especially the younger generation, dislike politics and politicians. But being the largest democracy in the world, we cannot choose to ignore them. Over the years we have witnessed the repeated failure of governance mechanisms and inefficient delivery systems under successive governments both in the states and at the center. Something is fundamentally wrong. No government or political party can be so naive to knowingly plan and work towards its removal at the end of its five-year term. So it may be argued that despite good intentions and best efforts (exceptions notwithstanding), governments in India repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises. Could there be systemic problems and inefficiencies which are so entrenched that a complete new thinking and approach is needed to bring efficiency, transparency, and accountability in our governance and delivery systems? I believe so, and the reason behind this is the so-called ‘middle class’, which has the means and wisdom to bring about the change but has chosen to sit on the sidelines. This middle class consists of the majority of population with people like us that earn well, have time to vacation abroad, have about two-three properties as assets, but do not have the time to go out and vote once in five years. Why?
My discussions with the top leadership of our national parties have also confirmed this view. During our dialogues we discussed about the need for a ‘new thinking’ and ‘approach’. We also agreed that our youth, educated working professionals, and the middle class are disillusioned with the political establishment and extremely frustrated with the repeated failure of governance and delivery mechanisms. They have lost faith and as a mark of protest they have disassociated themselves from the political process and have even stopped exercising their franchise. This number is now around 20 crores and growing. Of the total 67 crore registered voters, only 38 crore voted in the general elections in 2004.
As the nation produces more and more educated, affluent, and working professionals, the voting population reduces. Political parties are concerned about this fact as their vote bank is shrinking and they cannot afford to let this growing population move away from the democratic process. Since they do not know as to how to engage and motivate this section of the population, they tend to ignore, also because it is more vocal and has opinions on the issues and asks uncomfortable questions.
Our nation is at an inflection point of long-term growth and prosperity. We need to put appropriate policies, delivery systems, and monitoring processes in place to make sure that we reform our political and governance systems and do everything right to achieve this long term growth resulting in prosperity for all.
The question is how to reach this large populace of students, working professionals, and middle class families who have a longing but no means to collectively voice their views, opinions, and concerns and take-up what we call ‘Social Entrepreneurship and Political Change Initiatives’. They are groping with ‘How to make a difference?’ and ‘Where to start?’ kind of questions.
One can simply start by becoming a ‘change agent’. I do not say that to become a ‘change agent’ one must leave his or her job and plunge into politics. If each one of us understands and follows our responsibilities, a lot can be done for the country’s development. One can simply start with a community service and engage with local authorities and elected representatives. This will bring together the ‘doers’ that will later lead to the creation of a self-sustaining eco-system. Once they realize that their views and opinions have a logical destination and are reaching policy makers, they will be encouraged to register as voters and potentially exercise their franchise.
As they say ‘charity begins at home’, the most important aspect of being a change agent is every citizen pledging to bring changes within oneself and be accountable for his or her actions as an individual, a society, and as a nation.
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