Friday, May 25, 2012

‘Chaadar’ at the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh handing over the ‘Chaadar’ to be offered at the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Ajmer Sharif to the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office, Shri V. Narayanasamy, in New Delhi on May 23, 2012. The Union Minister for Rural Development, Shri Jairam Ramesh, the Union Minister for Law and Justice and Minority Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid and other dignitaries are also seen. (PIB photo)  23-May-2012

IOC Chairman on hike in the petrol prices

No rollback in Petrol Prices
Oil companies have ruled out any roll back in the prices of petrol. Briefing the media here, IOC chairman Shri R.S. Butola said that the decision to hike the prices by Rs 6.28 was taken after all the existing options were exhausted and it was done as a last resort measure in a collective manner. He, however, gave enough hints that if the international crude price softens and the Dollar-Rupee exchange rate eases, the hike may be partially rolled back on 1st of June, when the companies review the prices in a cyclic mode. Oil Companies revises petrol prices on 1st and 16th of every month on the basis of average international price and exchange rate in the previous fortnight. Shri Butola said, they are hoping that international oil prices will come down and if they come down, they will pass on the benefit to the consumers as was done on November 16 and December 1 after the November 4 petrol price hike last year. He said that in the last 50 days, they had lost more than Rs.2400 crore and the under-recovery in the last year was Rs.4,890 crore. Shri Butola informed that a joint letter was addressed to the government for 100% compensation as being done in the cases of Diesel, Kerosene and LPG, but the government had turned down the request as they have also very limited capacity to compensate. He, however thanked the Central Government for providing compensation to the oil companies on Diesel, LPG and Kerosene to the tune of one lakh 38,000 crore rupees last year, but after the de-regulation of Petrol prices since June, 2010, compensation on this count was ruled out. In reply to a question, he said, the impact on inflation will be very low due to hike in petrol prices. On diesel and LPG pricing, the HPCL Chairman and Managing Director, Mr S. Roy Choudhury, said, he has not heard anything as yet and can’t speculate on the subject. (PIB)           24-May-2012 19:7 IS
******

Marines Earn Citizenship Before Deployment

By Marine Corps Cpl. Isaac Lamberth
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, May 24, 2012 - Two Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 reached a turning point in their lives before deploying to Afghanistan.
Click photo for screen-resolution image
Marine Corps Sgt. Jose Guadarramapedraza, left, and Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jason Constable pose for a photo at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 16, 2012. They earned their U.S. citizenship before deploying. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Lamberth
Staff Sgt. Jason Constable, a watch officer and combat engineer, and Sgt. Jose Guadarramapedraza, an administration specialist, are now citizens of the United States. "I've always felt like I was an American," said Constable, a native of New Zealand.
Constable said he came to the United States in 1985 and completed his sophomore year in high school after having stayed in the country for four years. He returned in 1991 and became a security guard at a hospital in Phoenix before joining the Marine Corps in 1993.
"My father wanted me to join the French Foreign Legion," he said. Instead, Constable sought his friends' opinions on what the hardest option would be to serve in the U.S. military. His friends told him it was the Marine Corps.
Constable enlisted in 1993 and left the Corps when his enlistment ended four years later.
"I lived a pretty uneventful seven years after that," he said. "After I got out, it just wasn't the same."
Constable said he missed the camaraderie and his sense of belonging and having a purpose in life. After the 9/11 attacks, he said, he felt a resurgence in patriotism and re-enlisted in 2004. In 2005, he deployed to Iraq, where he earned a Purple Heart after being injured when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb.
Constable said he wanted to earn his citizenship, and he also needed it to perform his duties. "I started needing clearances that I couldn't get because I wasn't a citizen," he explained. He took his citizenship oath hours before he deployed to Afghanistan.
Guadarramapedraza migrated to Idaho from central Mexico with his family of 11. He grew up in Mountain Home and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004. He said he had permanent residency before he joined, but that not being a citizen began to hamper his ability to carry out day-to-day activities at work.
"I can do my job easier and not have headaches from having to renew my green card and not be able to do certain tasks with my job," he said. "It's a huge relief."
Guadarramapedraza said gaining his citizenship has opened new avenues for him at work. As an administrative specialist, he ensures squadron personnel are paid their entitlements and receive their awards. The new clearances allow him to access secure networks while he's deployed.
"I felt proud," he said. "It was the right thing to do for my family and the Marine Corps. In order to do my job and be proficient and support my Marines, I needed my citizenship," he said.
 

Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

Monday, May 21, 2012

Remembering Dr. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh paying floral tributes to the former President of India, Dr. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy on his Birth Anniversary, at Parliament House, in New Delhi on May 19, 2012. (PIB photo)  19-May-2012

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Appeal For Nagma

Patient Nagma (Hospital No: - C-7372377) is a 7 year old girl, who is diagnosed to have Aplastic Anemia. She requires bone marrow transplant whose approximate cost is Rs. 8 to 10 Lakhs. Since her father is a truck driver, there is a financial constrains. Her family is unable to bear the cost of transplant. Christian Medical College is providing free bed charges and is arranging free medicines. However, the added expenses need to be met. Well wishers are requested to come forward and help her.  If any one is willing to contribute for the same please contact Clinical haematology office – 0161-5037957 (cmcbmt@gmail.com) .
Donations can be deposited in the patient’s name in the form of cheque/DD in favour of “CMC Ludhiana Society”. Cash payments will also be accepted at our accounts/billing section. Donors will be eligible for tax exemption.

CMC: CME Iinaugurated by Dr. R. S Mann

Dental Implants: Ambition to reality
Ludhiana, 19th May, 2012(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) The continuing dental education programme "Dental Implants: Ambition to reality" at Christian Dental College, was inaugurated by Dr. R. S Mann, President, Punjab Dental Council. On his address to the audience he assured the support of the Chief Minister Shri. Prakash Singh Badal for the best dental health care in the State. Also, he shared the decision of the executive committee of the Punjab Dental Council to encourage all the dental institutions to open atleast three rural dental health centers.
Dr. Abraham G Thomas, Director of CMC Ludhiana thanked the support of the Punjab Government for bringing in excellence in health care in the state through various state agencies like Punjab State Dental Council. Dr. Vikas Jindal, Vice President of the Punjab Dental council and president of the Ludhiana Branch of the Indian Dental Association assured whole hearted support for the cause of excellence in dental health care. Earlier Dr. Abi M Thomas, Principal CDC welcomed all the dignitaries and delegates. There were 240 delegates for programme.
The faculties for the programme were Dr. Sumir Gandhi (CDC), Dr. Laxman Kumar (CDC), Dr. Nitasha Gandhi (CDC) and Dr. Abhinav Sood (New Delhi).

Friday, May 18, 2012

Dental Implants: Ambition to reality

Continuing Dental Education Programme on 19th May, 2012 
Ludhiana, 18th May, 2012(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) Christian Dental College, Ludhiana is organizing a one day continuing Dental Education Programme on ‘Dental Implants: Ambition to reality’, which is accredited with six CDE points by the Punjab Dental council on 19th May, 2012 at the historic Lady Willingdon Assembly of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana.

The Chief Guest for the programme will be Dr. RS Mann, President, Punjab Dental Council and the Guest of Honor will be Dr. Abraham G Thomas, Director of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana. Dr. Vikas Jindal, Vice president of Punjab Dental Council and President of the Ludhiana Branch of the Indian Dental Association will also be the Guest of Honor for the occasion.

Recently implant dentistry is taking lot of importance in dental practice with the predictable success rate of replacing missing teeth with titanium implants into the bone and attaching the prosthetic component immediately or later depending on the clinical condition. Implant dentistry is practiced at Christian Dental College (CDC) since 2002 and there are more than 2000 implants placed successfully with good follow up of all the cases with a dedicated team for the same.

The faculty for the programme will be Dr. Sumir Gandhi (CDC), Dr. Laxman Kumar (CDC), Dr. Nitasha Gandhi (CDC) and Dr. Abhinav Sood (New Delhi).

The programme has already generated lot of interest amongst the professionals in the sense that at present there are more than 170 participants already registered for the event.

The main topics covered during this programme will be diagnosis and surgical treatment planning, diagnosis and prosthetic treatment planning, case discussion (live), implant design, osseo-integration and introduction to various implant systems, two live surgeries, impressions in implants and live demonstration on impression making.

Dr. Abi M. Thomas, Principal, emphasized that there will be a follow up workshop for advanced training in dental implantology.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia addressing

The Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia addressing at the presentation of the EPCES Export Awards for Outstanding Export Performance, in New Delhi on May 17, 2012. (PIB)

17-May-2012

Availability of Cheap and Affordable Drugs

The Indian Patent Act have provisions for making available cheap and affordable medicines. 

Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has informed that so far one Compulsory license has been granted by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks to a drug manufacturing company since the amendment of the Patents Act in 2005 for an application filed under Section 84 of the Patents Act (as amended in 2005). As per the orders of the Controller of Patents, Mumbai compulsory license has been granted to M/s Natco for manufacture of “NEXAVAR”, M/s Natco Pharma Ltd. are required to sell this drug at a price not exceeding Rs. 8880/- for a pact of 120 tablets, required for a month’s treatment which was earlier being sold by M/s Bayer Corporation at Rs. 2,80,428/- for one month treatment. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Shri Srikant Kumar Jena in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today
 .17-May-2012 12:49 IST

Kabir Kala Manch Defence Committee statement

2 dalits are killed and 3 raped every day
According to official government figures, on an average 2 dalits are killed and 3 raped every day across India. All the more shocking is the fact that even in Maharashtra which gave birth to major social reformists and progressive thinkers like Jotiba Phule and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the incidence of atrocities remains unacceptably high.

In this landscape it cannot be surprising that dalit and adivasi youth have begun to voice their protest more openly than before. After the police killings at Ramabai colony and later, the Khairlanji massacre many protests took place. Instead of bringing the guilty to book, the State responded by branding the protesters as Naxalites (Maoists). Dalit cultural activists like Sudhir Dhawle were jailed for “sedition” and remain behind bars for years, pending trial.

It is in this context that the story of Kabir Kala Manch must be understood. KKM is a Pune based cultural troupe mainly consisting of Dalit youth from the region. First coming together against the communal carnage in Gujarat, they took part in innumerable public interest causes like slum-dwellers rights, workers rights and sustainable development, but their special affinity has been fighting for the annihilation of caste to which end they even held events promoting inter-caste marriage. As a cultural troupe they performed for and with movements led by Medha Patkar and Bhai Vaidya as well as with groups from the working class movement.

Around last year the state began to brand them as Naxalites. Today while Deepak Dengle and Siddharth Bhonsle of KKM are in prison, many other members including lead singer-poets Sheetal Sathe, Sagar Gorkhe and Sachin Mali have gone underground after threats from the police.  All are charged with being Naxalites and the ATS is using an uncritical media to plant regular allegations against the KKM. Even these allegations do not accuse the KKM of any violence, but are dependent mainly on guilt by association.

It is not so long ago that Dr. Binayak Sen was similarly charged and jailed for close to 3 years before the Supreme Court intervened to grant him bail. Binayak Sen had by then become an international cause célèbre. It was hoped that his release on bail would put a brake on the targeting of innocent civilians for the mere “crime” of taking up the cause of the poor. The targeting of KKM shows that this is not the case.

The Kabir Kala Manch Defense Committee urges the government of Maharashtra to withdraw all false charges against members of the KKM, free the cultural activists who are currently in prison and allow the KKM to perform in public again.

Medha Patkar, Bhai Vaidya, Sudhakar Suradkar, Anandrao Ambedkar,  Anand Teltumbde , J.V.Pawar, Sumedh Jadhav, Comrade Prakash Reddy, P.A. Sebastian, Ratna Pathak Shah,  Ramu Ramanathan, Suneeta Rao,  Simantini Dhuru, Kamayani Bali  Mahabal,   Asit Das, Satyen Bordoloi, Rizvi Amir, Vivek Sundara, S. Anand,  Teesta Setalvad, Anand Patwardhan

People are requested to add their name to the KKM defence committee.

May11, 2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A Russian delegation

A A Russian delegation led by the Dy. Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defence and Security, Mr. R.G. Iskuzhin including Mr. V.F. Kulakov, MP, Dy. Chairman of Federation of Council Committee on Regulation and Organisation of Parliamentary Work, called on the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. M.M. Pallam Raju, in New Delhi on May 15, 2012. 
(PIB photo)                         15-May-2012

Nurses week & International Nurses Day at CMC

Ludhiana, 14th May, 2012 (Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) The nurses week was celebrated with various activities such as Procedure Competition, Quiz on different subjects, Poster competition etc. Prof. (Mrs.) Renuka Chauhan gave her views on Nurses Day theme. On the International Nurses’ Day, a function was organized by TNAI (Trained Nurses Association of India) & SNA(Student Nurses Association)  Units of College of Nursing, CMC, Ludhiana.
This day is observed to commemorate the Birthday of the founder of Modern Nursing Miss Florence Nightingale. The day started from Hospital chapel, where many nurses assembled & prayed together for a dedicated & compassionate profession and message by Prof. (Mrs.) Veena Barkat Masih. This was followed by other activities in the College of Nursing on the theme “Closing the gap, from Evidence to Action”. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Director Dr. Abraham G. Thomas, highlighted the responsibility of an Ideal Nurse. He expressed that by effective communication, better understanding is created with patients and their relatives. He emphasized to put compassionate practice as per evidence.

The scientific session was conducted by Prof. (Mrs.) Triza Jiwan and Mrs. Monika Walia on different topics i.e. Occupational Exposure protocol and Hand Hygiene. Role play and documentary on Florence Nightingale was also enacted by the Nursing students. All TNAI Members participated enthusiastically under the leadership of Prof. (Mrs.) Ponnamma R. Singh, Principal and Mrs. Balqis Victor, President, TNAI, CMC Unit.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Lesson to learn:


Say No to Tobacco
29 year old Satish Kumar Sansi, working as a cobbler on the roadsides in Delhi, is suffering from cancer for the last two and a half months which has been caused due to chewing of GUTKA TOBACCO. Out of his five family members suffering from cancer, three have already died, the three being his father, elder brother and paternal uncle. His other elder brother is also suffering from cancer.

Patient Satish Kumar went to TATA Memorial Hospital, Bombay for treatment but the treatment could not even be initiated as he was unable to afford any expense for his treatment.

Now he has approached Advocate Ashok Agarwal, Member, Monitoring Committee on Free Treatment Facility in Identified Private Hospitals, for free treatment and he has accordingly been sent to Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket for free treatment.

Remembering Communist Martyrs


Pledge to fight for a society based on justice and equality
On the occasion of 23nd  martyrdom anniversary of Com Gurmail Singh Hunjan and Com Joginder Singh who fought against separatist designs of Khalisatni terrorists and laid down their lives for integrity and sovereignty of the country, a mammoth public meeting was organised at their native village Pandher Kheri, Block Dehlon, Distt. Ludhiana where like previous years thousands of people gathered  to pay homage to the beloved leaders. While paying homage Com Dr Joginder Dayal, Member Central Executive Committee  CPI praised the glorious role of comrades in Punjab who did not care for their lives to save integrity of the nation during the days of terrorism in Punjab. Their fight against separatism bears no parallel. As a result of that the lost glory of state of Punjab was restored. He cautioned that similar danger signals are appearing again with the exhibition of Bhindranwala and other terrorists. It is a serious matter that the present Akali BJP government is completely ignoring such development and sheltering such elements. State Secretariat Member of the CPI Com Bant Singh Brar said that on the one side communists have to fight out such tendencies alongside the struggle for socio economic justice. After the neoliberal economic policies the working class, peasantry and other toiling masses are hit hard due to job freeze, under employment, insecurity of jobs, rising prices of essential items and inability to afford the high cost of health and education. The super rich are being given subsidies while the govt. is taking away all subsidies from the poor people.  In Punjab, he said, the public sector is being scuttled blatantly. Referring to the transport he said  he said that whereas the govt. run buses are being run on  non profit timings, the private buses owned by the CM and his kins are being tax concessions and highly profitable timings causing immense loss to the exchequer.

Com Kartar Singh Bowani – Distt. Secretary CPI said that the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab is a very serious matter. He expressed deep concern at the falling economic condition of the farmers in Punjab leading to suicide by them. Com Sukhminder Sekhon-Secretary CPI Ludhiana, Dr.Arun Mitra, Com O.P.Mehta, Com Ramesh Rattan, Com.Gulzar Goria, Amar Singh Bhattian, Mewa Singh-Raikot, Bhagwan Singh-Maloud, Com D.P.Maur Com Surinder Singh Jalaldiwal, Dr.Gulzar Pandher, Principal Jagjit Singh, Com.Paramjit Sehora, Com.Kulwant Singh Hunjan also gave tribute to the martyrs. Com Gulzar Goria compeered the event.

The function was presided over by Mrs.Sharanjit Kaur and Mrs.Harbans Kaurs widows of the martyrs. Com Sharanjti Kaur gave scholarship to the students of the village schools who have scored first and second position. Revolutionary cultural programme was presented by Sushma and Babby.


Dr Arun Mitra
Asstt. Secretary CPI Ludhiana

Sunday, May 13, 2012

A ceremonial procession to the Central Hall of Parliament

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil being led in a ceremonial procession to the Central Hall of Parliament House to address the Parliament on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the first sitting of the Parliament of India, in New Delhi on May 13, 2012. The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Smt. Meira Kumar, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal are also seen. (PIB photo 13-May-2012)

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Dr Bedi is a pioneer in beating heart surgery

A new chapter of success added in CMC
Ludhiana, 12th May, 2012 (Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) Mr Jagdev Singh was in a very difficult situation. He was suffering from severe heart disease. All his heart arteries were blocked. He had earlier had 2 stents put in – but they too had blocked. He was at a grave risk of suffering from a major potentially fatal heart attack. Added to this was the fact that both his kidneys had failed and he was on continuous peritoneal dialysis.

He was seen by Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of Cardio Vascular and Thoracic Surgery - at the prestigious Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana.   Dr Bedi consulted Dr Timothy -    Head of Nephrology and it was realised that the though the patient needed an early bypass surgery but because of his kidney failure he was at a great risk. This is because the conventional on pump CABG produces an inherent kidney failure of its own which when added to the existing problem would have been difficult for the patient’s body to handle. So he underwent a triple beating heart bypass which was preceded by a cycle of dialysis and followed by routine peritoneal dialysis cycles. Dr Bedi has trained at the St Vincents Hospital in Sydney where he has seen such cases deteriorating rapidly with conventional surgery

The other members of the cardiac team involved in this marathon surgery were Dr Allen, Dr S Garg , Dr Melchi , Dr Paul, Dr D Arora , Dr Saavan , Dr Pearl and Dr Neelakshi   .  The kidney failure and dialysis technicalities were taken care of by the superspecialist team of nephrologists headed by Dr Timothy – his team included Dr Jasmin and Dr Pratish . In a CABG patient the greatest risk is low blood pressure but this was tackled by doing a beating heart triple bypass surgery.

Mr Jagdev   is now doing well. Dr Bedi is a pioneer in beating heart surgery in which he holds a Limca World Record. He said that because of the special technique devised by him patients who were earlier refused surgery can undergo this life saving procedure with safety.

Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC – emphasised that now complex heart surgeries are being done successfully at CMC. This is possible because of the excellent infrastructure and faculty of CMC. He said that CMC is committed to bring International level cardiac care to the doorsteps of the people of this region.

Dr Bedi can be contacted at 9814060480 for any clarification
Photo: Mr Jagdev Singh with Dr HS Bedi after the surgery.

Delhi HC:

Implement Pay Commission recommendations from date of inception
The Delhi High Court today rejected the appeals filed by an unaided school, Rukmini Devi Jaipuria School, Rajpur Road while holding that the teachers of unaided private schools are entitled to parity in pay and emoluments’ with their counterparts working in government schools under Section 10 of Delhi Education Act, 1973. Accepting the contention of advocate Ashok Agarwal appearing for the teachers that it’s a travesty of justice that the teachers are denied their lawful salary without any justification, the court while directing the school to pay arrears of salary from 01.01.1996 within four weeks also imposed costs of Rs 15,000 for each appeal.

The court also held that all the employees of all unaided recognized private schools are entitled to benefits of pay and emoluments from 01.01.1996, the date the fifth pay commission recommendations have become applicable and the schools cannot deny or delay the same on the ground that it could not recover fee from the students.



Upholding the order of the single bench of Justice Kailash Gambhir, a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajeev Sahai Endlaw directed the Rukmini Devi Jaipuria School to implement the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission and pay the teachers accordingly. 

Justice Gambhir had earlier directed the school to pay all the arrears with effect from January 1, 1996 but the teachers claimed that they were only paid with effect from  April  1997, after  15 month. 

Lawyer Ashok Agarwal, appearing on behalf the four teachers, told the court that many private schools are violating the recommendations of the Pay Commissions even though they have collected surplus funds from the students. 

Their audit records show that the private schools have crores of rupees lying as surplus which they collected from the students on the pretext of implementing the Fifth and Sixth Pay Commission, Mr Agarwal contended. 

He told the court that Section 10 of Delhi School Education Act, 1973 mandates that the employees of all the Unaided Private Recognised Schools are entitled to benefit of pay and allowances etc as per the Government school teachers. 

Senior Advocate, Sanjeev Sachdeva, appearing on behalf of the school, said the pay commission recommendations are only applicable to the government-aided schools and not to private schools. 



Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
M-09811101923
11 May 2012

Friday, May 11, 2012

Social jurist moves Delhi HC

Seeking 2 Years Pre-Primary classes in all schools
A camera view of a classroom : Courtesy photo
Social Jurist, A Civil Rights Group through Advocate Ashok Agarwal has today filed a PIL in Delhi High Court seeking directions against the Government of Delhi, and Local Bodies to start 2 years of Pre-Primary (Pre-primary & Pre-school) Classes in their formal schools from the academic year 2012-13 and no child of 3+ age in Pre-school and 4+ age in Pre-primary class is denied admission. The petition states that in terms of Section 11 of RTE Act, 2009, the respondents are obliged to start 2 years of Pre-Primary (Pre-primary & Pre-school) Classes in all their formal schools where children of 3+ in Pre-school. The PIL is likely to come up for hearing next week.
Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
M-09811101923
10 May 2012          

Thursday, May 10, 2012

“Atharva Veda- Prithvi Sukta” released

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari releasing the book entitled “Atharva Veda- Prithvi Sukta”, a collection of poems, written by the Secretary, Rajya Sabha, Shri Naresh Chandra Joshi, in New Delhi on May 10, 2012. The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Shri Arun Jaitley and the Minister of State for Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Ashwani Kumar are also seen.   {PIB photo}      10-May-2012

Meeting with PM

The Minister for Foreign Affairs & Minister for Law of the Republic of Singapore, Mr. K. Shanmugam calling on the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on May 10, 2012. {PIB photo}10-May-2012

A letter from Barack Obama

Same-sex couples should be allowed to marry
Friend --
Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer:

I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I hope you'll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality:

http://my.barackobama.com/Marriage

I've always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.

But over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.

What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens.

Even at my own dinner table, when I look at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex couples, I know it wouldn't dawn on them that their friends' parents should be treated differently.

So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.

If you agree, you can stand up with me here.

Thank you,

Barack
A letter from Barack Obama

National Workshop

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan releasing the India’s Second National Communication to the UNFCCC, at the National Workshop on India’s National Communication – Future Challenges, organised by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, in New Delhi on May 09, 2012.  {PIB photo}  09-May-2012
09-May-2012

Monday, May 07, 2012

The School of Media and Cultural Studies invites you

Screening of a series of five final films
The film screenings by the Class of 2012 will be followed by an interaction and discussion with the filmmakers.
Date: May 8, 2012
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Venue: Library Conference Hall, TISS Main Campus, Opp Deonar bus depot
ENTRY IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL
The details of the films follow.
BREAKIN’ MUMBAI
2012, 33 Mins, Hindi with English Subtitles
A film by Aakriti Kohli, Sandeep Kr. Singh, Shweta Ghosh, Gin Khan Siam and Sumit Singh.
Gani, a 21-year old, has done many things for a living: bag-making, embroidery work and working at a call
centre.18-year old Aman studies in school. He loves eating mangoes and chenna-murgi. He sketches and
plays cricket. The two have very little in common, but there is one thing that binds them- Breaking, a dance form that started back in the 70s in the Bronx, New York. Since then, it has grown popular across countries and has moulded itself to fit into specific cultures.
This film looks at what it means to be a breaker in Mumbai, how breaking becomes a site of expression of
subaltern youth cultures and what it means to win and lose battles. Through the personal lives of Gani, Aman and their friends, the film tries to understand the dynamics of  breaking, and explores questions of space and the avenues for leisure in Mumbai.
NISWAN-E-MUMBRA
The Women of Mumbra
2012, 21 mins., Hindustani with English Subtitles
A film by Shazia Nigar, Sharib Ali and Ufaque Paikar

The riots of 1992-93 changed the spatial character of the city of Mumbai.While some Muslims left the city out of choice others were forced to leave in search of security. It was in this context that Mumbra, a Muslim ghetto, was established. Niswa-E-Mumbra is a film that explores the lives of Muslim women in Mumbra, through two central characters. Shireen Kamal Dehlvi is a journalist working with an Urdu daily. With her stories of struggle she brings to life what it means not just be Muslim but also a woman in contemporary times.

Kausar is an activist working with a women's organisation called Awaaz-E-Niswan. Through her working on women she throws light on the present infrastructural problems in Mumbra and the struggles they pose for women. The film dwells on questions which attempts to answer weather the life of a Muslim woman is any different from that of other women.
BHARATMATA KI JAI
The story of a single-screen theatre in Mumbai's mill country
2012, 28 minutes, Hindi, Marathi and English with English subtitles
A Film by Avadhoot Khanolkar, Amol Ranjan, Anurag Mazumdar, Arpita Chakraborthy and Shweta Radhakrishnan

At the heart of Mumbai’s mill country, Lalbaug-Parel, stands Bharatmata Cinema, one of the remaining single screen theatres that plays only Marathi films. The theatre is an iconic reminder of a colourful working class culture which is now on the decline in Mumbai. Through the narratives of Kapil Bhopatkar, the owner, and Baban, one of the oldest employees of the theatre, the film explores the history and development of Bharatmata as a space for articulating the cultural identity of Mumbai’s working class and ponders on its existence and survival. The characters, though from widely disparate socio-economic classes, come together in their passionate love for cinema and their celebration of the main character in the film, Bharatmata Cinema itself.
A HOME HERE
2012, 23 mins, English with subtitles
A Film by Vikram Buragohain, Kaikho Paphro, Joyashree Sarma, Daisy Leivon, Abhishek Yadav

From the echoing hills of the North east to a bustling city of Mumbai by the sea, the film is about the people who have made this journey in search of better life. But does the journey end here?

Amidst the changes and negotiations, the search for familiar faces and flavours of food lead them all to Kalina. In the film, a musician, an entrepreneur, a researcher, a homemaker and a martial art trainer, reflect on their lived experiences and the efforts to recreate their homes and maintain their identity in the city.
The film explores Kalina as a space and the elements of food and music which link them to their homeland and its memories.
TAMASHA- A RUSTIC DRAMA
30 min, Marathi with English subtitles
A Film By Devendra Ghorpade, Manoj Bhandare, Prakash Sao and Raju Hittalamani

This is a film on the performing artists of Tamasha and the changing facets of art form itself. Women have been an integral part of Tamasha contributing on and off stage. Their lives and struggles are a result of the interplay between social constructions, the changing location and form of Tamasha. Kanthabai Satarkar is a veteran Tamashgir. With her first performance at the age of nine, she grew as an artist to manage one of the biggest Tamasha troupes in Maharashtra. With over six decades of experience, her life bears witness to the journey of Tamasha and lives of those associated with it.

Sunday, May 06, 2012

Manpreet Singh Badal announces party set-up

*Birdavinder appointed Chief Spokesman
*Bhagwant Mann will be YPP President

Birdavinder Singh.JPG
Bhagwant Mann .jpgAmanpreet Singh Chhina Ok.jpgBibi Ranjit Kaur Bhatti Mansa.jpg Chandigarh: People’s Party of Punjab president  S. Manpreet Singh Badal has today announced his Party’s set-up. At the State level S.Birdavinder Singh Ex-Deputy Speaker Punjab  has been appointed Chief spokesman , Sh. Bhagwant Maan has been appointed President of the YPP ( Youth People’s Party)  while S. Yadwinder Singh Bhutter and S.Davinderjit Singh Dhose will be Vice-President of YPP.  Ex Senior additional advocate general Sh. S.S.Bhinder will head Legal Wing and Sh. Kuldeedp Singh Dhose will be President of the Kissan Wing.  Mrs. Ranjit Kaur Bhatti will head the Women Wing of the Party. In a press statement issued today by the Party’s Press Secretary S. Arunjot Singh Sodhi, Dr. Navjot Singh Dahiya has been made President of the Medico Wing and S. Nirmaljeet Singh Nimma, Ex-MLA is the head of SC/ST Wing. Sh. Sitar Bhatti will head Minorities’ Wing and Col. Surjeet Singh Firochechi will be President of Ex-Servicemen Wing. S. Amanpreet Singh Chhina will head NRI Wing and Sh. Vibhor Garg will be the President of the Parwassi Mazdoor Wing. Sh. Satpal Adampur, IRS (Retd.) will be the President of Retired Officers &Employees Wing of the Party.  
According to press statement S. Manmohan Singh Gumtala will be District president of Shri Amritsar Sahib , Kulwant Singh Lohgarh Barnala, Sukhdev Singh Chahal Bathinda, Pardeep Singh Sibiya Faridhkot, Jagmeet Singh Sahota ‘Bawa’ Fatehgarh Sahib,Sukhpreet Singh Randhawa Fazilka, Jai Jeet Singh Johal Ferozpur, Hardyal Singh Gajnipur Gurdaspur, Bhupinder Singh Pappu Azrram Hoshiarpur,Dr Navjot Singh Dahiya Jallandhar Urban, Baba Rajinder Singh Johal Jallandhar Rural,Kuldeep Singh Cheema Kapurthala, Er. Jagdeep Singh Jagraon Ludhiana Rural, Munish Gupta Ludhiana Urban, Dr Ranider Singh Bhana Moga,Jagjit Singh Honey Fattanwala Mukatsar, Dr Jaspal Singh Bhinder Pathankot, Avtar Singh Harpalpur Patiala Rural, Joga Singh Chaparr Patiala Urban, Balwant Singh Gill Ropar, Harmanjit Singh Dicky Sangrur and Vijaypal Chaudhary will be district president of Shri Tarn Taran Sahib.District presidents of Mohali , Mansa & SBS Nagar will be announced later. First meeting of all State and District presidents will be on 10th May at Chandigarh said Sodhi.  

Saturday, May 05, 2012

PM's address for NCTC Meeting

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) meeting in Delhi
Following is the text of Prime Minister’s address:
“I welcome you to this very important meeting on the very important issue of operationalising the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).


As all of you know, we had initially intended to discuss this issue in the Chief Ministers' Conference on Internal Security held on 16th April, 2012. But in view of the importance of the matter and concerns raised by some Chief Ministers, we have decided to have a meeting exclusively on this important subject. It’s my sincere hope that as a result of your deliberations today, we will make further progress in improving our counter-terrorism architecture and our operational and institutional capabilities to deal with this menace. I also hope that today's discussions will take place in a spirit of harmony and cooperation, which are essential in tackling the challenge of terrorism.


I would like to reiterate what I have said before. It is not our Government's intention in any way to affect the distribution of powers between the States and the Union that our Constitution provides. The establishment of the NCTC is not a State versus Centre issue. The primary purpose behind setting up the NCTC is to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts throughout this vast country, as the Intelligence Bureau has been doing so far. The NCTC should be a vehicle of our combined efforts to reach the shared goal of curbing terrorism and eradicating militancy.


Terrorism is today one of the most potent threats to our national security. There can be no disagreement on putting in place an effective counter terrorism regime with efficient mechanisms and response systems both at the national level and at the State level. Neither the states nor the Centre can fulfill this task alone. The closest cooperation and coordination is therefore necessary to meet the threats that emanate from within and outside our borders.


I believe that it is the responsibility of the Centre to give form and shape to a cohesive national approach and strategy based on information gathered globally and from all the states of our Union. On their part, the states should use their expertise, knowledge and machinery to secure their own territories and work in coordination with the Centre and other States.
Since 26/11, we have diligently strengthened our counter terrorism capabilities both in the States and at the Centre. I believe that today the State and Central Police and intelligence agencies are working in harmony and in close coordination. These efforts have resulted in several noteworthy successes. The State Police forces have achieved some excellent results in the recent past. On the whole there is broad agreement on the strategy and measures that we must adopt to counter terrorism in all its multifarious dimensions in India, including cross-border terrorism, Left Wing Extremism, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-East and religion based terrorism. However, much remains to be done.


Our government remains committed to working with the State governments and providing them all possible help in combating terrorism. We have been providing financial assistance to the States and helping them train State police and intelligence agencies. We are also implementing schemes on border management and on coastal security, and the scheme for modernization of state police forces. Our government will continue and strengthen these efforts.


The antecedents of the NCTC lie in the recommendations by a Group of Ministers and by the Administrative Reforms Commission, commencing from the lessons learnt in Kargil. It is our belief that the NCTC, in its design and its operational aspects, will supplement the counter-terrorism capabilities of the States and not supplant them. The NCTC mechanism will give each state agency an ability to see the bigger picture of terrorist threats and thus would enhance their counter terrorism capability and access to resources to tackle them.


But for the NCTC to function smoothly and effectively, it is very important that we have a fairly broad consensus on its powers and its functions. We would like the State governments to be with us in this important initiative, which we believe would strengthen our counter-terrorism efforts. We remain open to the suggestions of Chief Ministers. We would like to benefit from their vast knowledge, wisdom and experience.


In preparation for our discussions, the Ministry of Home Affairs has circulated drafts for the Standard Operating Procedures for the Standing Council and for the exercise of operational powers under section 43 A of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Both drafts reflect the detailed provisions for Centre-State coordination in both the organizational set-up of NCTC and in its proposed powers and functions.
With these words, I wish you success in your deliberations and I look forward to an open discussion today. May today's deliberations enable us to continue working together to put in place even more effective counter-terrorism architecture in our country. (PIB) 05-May-2012 11:52 IST


*****

DOD, Financial Protection Bureau Underscore Partnership

They signed a joint statement of shared principles
By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2012 - Defense Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau officials attended a Pentagon ceremony here today where they signed a joint statement of shared principles that underscores their partnership to protect the finances of service members.
Click photo for screen-resolution image
Robert L. Gordon III, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy, and Holly Petreaus, who heads the office of service members affairs for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, prepare to sign a joint statement of principles for protecting service members and their families from financial and consumer fraud and abuse during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., May 4, 2012. DOD photo by Steven Wood
 
Robert L. Gordon III, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy who signed for the department, said the ceremony was another example of the DOD and the bureau coming together to protect service members."This is just the beginning," Gordon said, "... as we think of novel and new ways to form a great partnership for our community."
Holly Petraeus, who signed for the bureau and leads its office of service member affairs, said the ceremony was "an outward expression of what we're already doing."
Petraeus, wife of retired Army Gen. David H. Petraeus who now serves as CIA director, said it was important to put on paper DOD's and the bureau's shared interests. As spelled out in the statement, those include:
-- Protecting service members and their families from illegal consumer financial practices and products;
-- Enabling the department and the bureau to provide input to each other to reduce financial risk for service members and their families;
-- Working together to address consumer financial concerns of military members and their families;
-- Reducing risk in the small-dollar lending market; and
-- Supporting financial literacy among service members and their families.
The statement says the department and bureau will work together to monitor market trends directed at service members and their families, coordinate consumer protection measures, identify risky small-dollar loans, and identify ways to improve laws related to financial protection of military members and their families.
"We feel that financial fitness is part of resilience and it's part of readiness for our service members and their families," Gordon said.
Too often, Petraeus said, scam artists prey on service members and their families and many have learned how to get around the language of the law. Service members and their families, she said, should take any concerns about financial and consumer protection to their installation's financial or legal offices.
"That can hold off a lot of trouble," Petraeus said. 
Biographies:
Robert L. Gordon III
Related Sites:
Military One Source
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Related Articles:
Agencies Create Database to Protect Troops, Quell Swindlers

Press Release // Freedom Fast:

Third day of hunger strike for internet freedom
Aseem Trivedi and Alok Dixit from Save Your Voice completed the third day of their hunger strike to support annulment motion against IT Rules-2011 in Rajya Sabha. We started this hunger strike on 2nd May and we will carry on until we get any satisfactory response from the government and the opposition regarding the annulment of IT Rules-2011.
Government has enacted laws that give it a free pass to censor our Facebook posts, listen to every Skype conversation we have, monitor our tweets or blogs oraccess private photographs and documents we store online, or track our location using our mobile phones or surveil all of your online activity. We want to tell our government that they cannot use vaguely defined laws and loopholes to take away our freedom of speech and expression.
IT Acts are unconstitutional: On 11th April 2011, the Government notified the new Information Technology (Intermediaries Guidelines) Rules, 2011 prescribing various guiding principles to be observed by all internet related companies. These rules will:
1. Lead to a clamp down on the freedom of speech and expression enshrined in the Constitution of India by providing for a system of censorship/self-censorship by private parties;
2. Adversely affect the right to privacy of citizens by allowing Government agencies to access their information;
3. Will severely hamper the growth of internet penetration in India, and consequently lead to a slowdown of economic growth;
4. Limit the growth of various IT related industries and services (in particular cyber cafes, search engines and bloggers).
In addition, mandatory data retention would force the Internet Service Provider to create vast and expensive new databases of sensitive information about an individual. That information would then be available to the government, in secret and without any court oversight.
Annulment Motion in Rajya Sabha: Sh. P. Rajeev, Hon'ble Member of the Rajya sabha has moved an annulment motion to get these rules abolished and the motion has been admitted and is expected to come up in this budget session. The Bangalore MP Rajeev Chandrashekar has spoken in Parliament in support.  It’s also interesting to note that a professor of chemistry of the Jadavpur University was arrested recently along with his neighbour for allegedly posting a cartoon on a popular social networking site and forwarding emails, cases were booked under the IT ACT as well.

Thanks,

Save Your Voice Team,

Contact no: 09717900302, 09810659060, 09336505530, 07499219770 


Courtesy: kracktivist

RTE Breached

 Delhi Govt. schools reluctant to admit children
These 25 complaints regarding denial of admission in Government schools in Jahangirpuri, Delhi-33 written by the students/parents on 2/3 May 2012 are addressed to  Advocate Ashok Agarwal .  
S. No.
Name of Child with Address & Phone No.
Class  and School in which admission is sought

1.
Chanda  R/o. 19/23 Bhaghanand Colony, Bhalswa Jahangirpuri Delhi. M- 9899265805

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
2.
Khushbu R/o. 320 Kalander Colony, Bhalswa Dairy, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.
M-  9868318503

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
3.
Neeta R/o. Sadhyanand, Jahangirpuri.     M- 8826122867

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
4.
Sanam R/o. 199-C-D Park, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.
M- 8447124379

Class-VII, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
5.
Kripali R/o. 199, Bhalswa Dairy, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.
M- 7503505200

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
6.
Uma R/o. Vinsnakpuri, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.
M- 9540022457

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
7.
Geeta R/o. Bhalswa Dairy-228, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.
M- 7563565200

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
8.
Khushi R/o. 317, Kalander Colony, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.
M- 8860223395

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
9.
Saira R/o 193-C-D Park, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.
M-9873419692

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
10.
Bhawna R/o B- Block, H No. 24, Gali No. 24, Bhalswa, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.
M- 8750768854

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
11
Rukhsar R/o N/38 C-D- Park, Jhuggi No. 127, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
12
Zakir  R/o. N/38 C- D Park, Jhuggi No. 127, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033
Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
13
Aarti R/o. 101 Sadhyanand Colony, Bhalswa , Delhi.
M-9999219350

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
14
Shadab R/o. N/38 C-D Park, Jhuggi No. 152

Class-VIII, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
15
Rakesh R/o.

Class-IX, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.

16
Kishan R/o. N/38 C- D Park, Jhuggi No. 146.

Class-IX, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
17
Sahil R/o. N/38 B 263 C-D- Park, Jahangirpuri, Delhi.

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
18
Deepika R/o. N/38 C-D- Park Jhuggi No. 128.

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
19
Rubina R/o. K-552, Jahangirpuri.
M- 9891173273

Class-VIII, K- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
20
Tamanaa R/o. K- 552, Jahangirpuri.
M-9891173273

Class-VIII, K- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
21
Shobha R/o 1157, K- Block, Jhuggi.
M-9871285226

Class-VI, K- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
22
Shravan Kumar R/o. B-171, Jahangirpuri,
M-9582747274

Class-VI, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
23
Radha R/o. A – 1528, Jahangirpuri,
M-9278691740

Class-IX, D- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
24.
Nur Salim R/o. B-881, Jahangirpuri,

C-I, B-Block, MCD, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.
25
Rashid R/o. B-496, Jahangirpuri,.

Class-VI, A- Block, Govt.  School, Jahangirpuri, Delhi-110033.