Barak Festival An Endeavour Towards Unity

Senapati, Feb 25 : In an effort to present the exclusive culture of the seven sisters of the Northeast India and also to bring forth the feeling of unity among the people, the Barak Festival has been organized by the Youth Hope Foundation, Senapati.

The secretary of the foundation Celvin has informed that the festival will be held on March 29 and 30, under the theme: “Peace through culture and identity” at Senapati. It is also reported that the event is an annual mega event which will present the rich culture of the Northeast people informed Luihing President of the Foundation.

The chief spoke person of the Foundation K. Dominic said this event is an attempt to inclusively accommodate the different rich culture of the Northeast People and to enact her history, tradition and the people and to infuse in the heart and mind of the people of the region, to live by the virtue of their culture in the midst of differences. He also added that it is a call upon the youth to walk away from the dying socio fabric, engulfed by the doctrine of violence.

Moreover, Dominic further said that the event is an endeavor towards unity and brotherhood of the northeast people and said that it will therefore put forth both as a proposal for the people of the Northeast particularly the youth, who are the backbone of the society. He further added that there is life beyond the politics of violence and that life is colored by upholding the virtue of ones culture.

The event will display the blend of tradition with modern taste. It also informed that there will be cultural dance competition with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for first, second with Rs. 30,000 and Rs, 5000 each to the participants. There will be Miss Barak Contest and the winner will be awarded Rs, 1, 50,000 and Rs. 30,000 for other winners of the contest. For the beauty contest, the NEIFCA, who organizes the Miss Northeast India, would provide its assistances.

Dominic further informed that MP Rahul Gandhi has been approached personally by the Foundation members to be the chief guest, of which he has agreed. However the final confirmation would be confirmed within two to three days. GOC 57th Mountain Division will grace the second day as the chief guest and IGAR(S) will be the guest of honor for the first day. It is also informed that all the Deputy Commissioners of the hill districts have been invited for the mega event along with other invitees too.

Meanwhile, Celvin has also disclosed to the press that there will be Rock Contest under the theme: “Music for Peace” in the month of October for the seven sisters’ states. The winners of the contest will be given Rs. 5 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs and Rs. 2 lakhs.

For further query visit to the Foundation’s website barakfestival.tk

Google Offers Free Advertising to Small Indian Businesses

Bangalore, Feb 24 : World’s leading search engine Google would offer free advertising coupons for small and medium businesses (SMBs) across the country, the global firm’s Indian subsidiary said Thursday.

“All SMBs with online presence will be able to avail our advertising coupons worth Rs.2,500 by calling toll free number 1860 266 6622 and registering their websites with our AdWords platform,” Google India online sales head Sridhar Seshadri said in a statement here.

The SMBs can register at adwords.google.co.in.

As part of this novel initiative, Google India also launched a new service JumpStart to offer free expert support to help SMBs build an online advertising campaign for attracting new customers.

“The AdWords programme provides marketers a cost-effective platform where-in they can measure RoI (return on investment), monitor and optimise their campaign. SMBs can start advertising online with a budget as low as Rs.200 a day and grow it as per their business demand, thus having control over their ad-spends and flexibility,” Seshadri pointed out.

The new service will provide a quick-and-easy way to SMBs to get their advertising campaign off to a good start. Google India specialists will work with SMBs to set up their AdWords account and build a customized campaign suitable to their business and budget.

The initiative received a good response when it was launched as a pilot project in Chandigarh recently.

The SMBs sector, which constitutes 80 percent of the country’s industrial enterprises faces an uphill task for advertising due to prohibitive costs involved.

“Recognizing this roadblock and the huge potential for SMBs to grow, the company launched offline and online initiatives to partner with them and educate these businesses about the power of internet advertising,” Seshadri noted.

Google AdWords enables SMBs to target precisely, pay only for results, and stay firmly in charge of costs.

“We foresee a vast opportunity in the small businesses sector and are committed to extend support to all SMB advertisers to help them gain from the internet medium,” Seshadri added.

More Drug De-addiction Centers Planned Across India

New Delhi, Feb 24 : Admitting an absence of credible data affording an insight into the drug abuse situation in the country, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik Wednesday said he has suggested setting up of more drug de-addiction centres across India.

Wasnik said he has suggested to the union health ministry to consider setting up of centres, like “national drugs dependent treatment centre, which is functioning at All India Institute of Medical Sciences”, in different parts of India as it would be a big step in dealing with drug abuse.

He was speaking after releasing the International Narcotic Control Board’s (INCB) 2009 annual report here.

“I would have to admit that data available on drug abuse has not been of such a nature that can give us a total insight into the entire situation,” Wasnik said.

He added that his ministry has been coordinating with other ministries on the issue and a big network of about 350 voluntary organisations are involved in dealing with the situation.

The INCB report highlights that rates of drug abuse tend to be higher among teenagers and young adults.

Another new trend noted by the report is increase in young women using drugs - the gap with the level of drug use by young men has narrowed substantially.

It said: “Primary prevention strategies need to focus on the whole population, as such strategies can reduce demands for drugs as well as identify gaps or population that are not sufficiently served.”

“Primary prevention needs to begin with prospective parents, by raising their awareness of the harms caused by drug, alcohol or tobacco abuse during pregnancy,” it added.

“Drug education is an important prevention component in early adolescence. Nightclubs, discotheques, bars and music festivals are key locations for getting messages about drug abuse across the older adolescents and young adults, as well as colleges and universities,” the report said.

It said that besides other steps, there needs to be collaboration with NGOs and others to tackle drug abuse.

Sachin Rewrites History, Hits First Double Ton in ODI

Gwalior, Feb 24 : Milestone man Sachin Tendulkar rewrote the record books today, hammering the first double century in the history of one-day cricket to add another feather to his well-adorned cap.

The capacity crowd at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium witnessed history on Wednesday as Tendulkar, statistically the greatest batsman the game has ever seen, pushed a Charl Langeveldt delivery through the off-side and ran a single to achieve a feat which no other cricketer has achieved.

One Day International cricket, since its 1971 inception, had to wait nearly four decades to see a batsman score 200.

The previous best mark was shared by Zimbabwean Charles Coventry (194 not out) and Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar (194).

As the crowd erupted with unbridled joy, Tendulkar, tired but composed, took off his helmet, looked skyward, closed his eyes to offer a silent prayer.

Sachin Tendulkar celebrates after becoming the first cricketer to hit a double century in ODIs, taking India to 401/3 in the second match against South Africa in Gwalior on Wednesday.

His captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni came down from the striker’s end to shake hands and hug him.

And as Tendulkar set on his way back to the pavilion after the completion of the Indian innings, a tumultuous celebration greeted him.

The crowd gave him a standing ovation as the entire stadium erupted in euphoria while his teammates were simply ecstatic as they clapped and hugged each other, basking in the glory of their senior teammates.

Tendulkar's double century steered India to a massive 401 for three against South Africa in the second cricket ODI here.

Tendulkar played an incredible and heart-stopping knock, which came off just 147 balls, treating the capacity crowd at the Captain Roop Singh stadium to a stunning exhibition of strokeplay.

It was not only Tendulkar’s 46th ODI century but it also marked the highest score in one-dayers, eclipsing the previous record of 194, which was held by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe’s Charles Conventry.

25 fours, 3 sixes in unbeaten knock

The little master was on fire and the South African bowlers bore the brunt as they were literally made to bleed runs at the short ground. His sublime unbeaten 200 came off just 147 balls and was bejewelled with 25 fours and three sixes.

Along with the classic Mumbai batsman, Charl Langvedt went into the history books as Tendulkar achieved the amazing milestone off his bowling.

Tendulkar steered Langveldt to the off side to get to the magical figure and the packed stadium went into a frenzy.

Dinesh Karthik (79), captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (68 not out) and Yusuf Pathan (36) were the other notable performers in India’s mammoth total, leaving the Proteas to score at a stiff asking rate of just over eight runs per over.

Tendulkar’s previous best was an unbeaten 186 against New Zealand made at Hyderabad in 1999.

Tendulkar, Karthik in record stand

During his unforgettable knock, Tendulkar rattled up a record 194-run second-wicket partnership with Dinesh Karthik, who recorded his career best 79 off 85 balls with the help of four fours and three six.

They bettered the earlier Indian record against the Proteas by 13 runs. Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid had made 181 at Nagpur in 2000.

It was Tendulkar all over as he also shared quick and big partnerships with Pathan and skipper Dhoni to pile the agony on the South Africans.

With Pathan he added 81 runs for the third wicket, which ended when the Baroda all-rounder fell to Roelf van der Merwe.

Pathan played his own aggressive brand of game and was ruthless against Parnell, hitting the left-armer for two sixes and a four in the 38th over.

Paceman Dale Steyn cut a sorry figure, bleeding runs in every spell of his and was hit for four boundaries in the 37th over by Pathan and Tendulkar.

Such was the impact of the power-hitting of the Indian batsmen that hardly any visiting bowlers could keep a good line and length.

Unbeaten 101-run stand with Dhoni

Then for the fourth wicket, Tendulkar and Dhoni raised an unbeaten 101-run stand, which took India to its highest score against South Africa.

Earlier, Sehwag almost had a disastrous start as he survived a tough chance in the second ball of the match when South African pace spearhead Steyn failed to hold on to a low straight drive.

Sehwag though could not last long as one cut off Parnell flew down to third man and Steyn accepted the chance gleefully.In came Dinesh Karthik and after a few watchful deliveries the Tamil Nadu batsman dispatched Parnell for a couple of fours to start his innings in brilliant fashion.

Karthik played a perfect partner to Tendulkar by keeping the scorer busy with good running and finding boundaries, letting the senior pro play his natural game.

They did not spare any bad ball and in just 10 overs India had put on 74 runs on the board, puncturing all Proteas hopes of taking advantage of an early wicket.

South Africa’s opening bowlers were made to look pedestrian as they leaked 78 runs in their first spells.

Tendulkar hit just four fours to reach 100 from 50 but opened up after reaching the three-figure mark as he lofted Duminy over long on for his first six after hitting Kallis for a four in the previous over.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words as Mime Show Carries Climate Message

Moinul Haque, a leading mime in northeast India, has incorporated climate change messages into his shows.

By Teresa Rehman

Assam, India : Visualize this. Several trees stand tall by the side of a pristine river. There is also a hand pump and people come from neighboring villages to collect water.

A family rows their boat on the river. Birds of all hues come and build their nests on the trees. Monkeys hop from one branch to another.

But this happiness is short lived. Disaster strikes.

A woodcutter starts felling one tree after another. This leads to a reduction in the water level of the river. The hand pump starts to run dry. Finally, when the last tree is felled, the water dries up completely.

This leads to a desperate situation. People start dying. It is then that a young child comes and plants a sapling.

This 'silent' play, without any props, was enacted on stage by a group of mime artists led by Moinul Haque. It left the audience, especially children, spell-bound, and prompted many schools to invite Haque and his troupe to perform for them and teach the nuances of mime to their students.

Haque, 52, an accomplished mime artist based in Assam, a state in Northeast India, has been incorporating environmental themes in almost all his shows.

ART AS MEDIUM FOR EDUCATION?

His work suggests how messages about climate change and environmental protection might be brought to a wider audience through art and entertainment, whether in the form of art exhibitions, radio plays or mime performances.

Haque started dabbling with issues on climate change some 10 years back, long before the subject became a global issue, largely out of a longstanding love for nature.

A self-taught performer, credited with popularizing mime across India, Haque has for more than three decades used the versatile nature of mime to comment on social issues, including most recently environmental issues.

One impetus was seeing his hometown of Guwahati, a bustling city in the region, growing in a haphazard and unplanned manner.

"There is acute scarcity of water in several localities of the city and people actually buy water from private water suppliers. Due to the ad hoc growth of the city, every year the city experiences artificial floods. I now plan to work on this issue," he said.

He believes the future rests on the efforts of the younger generation. Realizing that he could tap the potential of upcoming talented youngsters, Haque founded a mime academy in 1991, the only recognized institution of its kind in the region.

One of his favorite performances is aptly titled "Gos Thakile he Manuh Thakibo" ("Man dies when tree disappears").

In the poignant tale, a man plants a tree outside his house by the roadside. His wife waters it regularly, and as their children grow up, they sing and play under the huge tree and savor its fruits.

Many a weary traveler sits under the shade of the sprawling tree and the villagers organize meetings under it. The birds build their nests in its branches.

Then one day, wood cutters fell the gigantic tree and take it to sell in the market. The disheartened man dies when he sees his tree being felled. The birds and the monkeys that played on its branches weep.

This 'silent' act never fails to brings tears to the eyes of his audiences. In mime performances, as the saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words."

Photo: Teresa Rehman
**Teresa Rehman is a journalist based in Northeast India. She can be reached at www.teresarehman.net

Bangladesh and India: Will the Dams ‘Damage’ the Relationship?

Environmentalists  and  academics  called  for  a  greater  movement  at  national  and international  levels  to resist  what they  said “India’s conspiracy” to  construct  Tipaimukh dam  without  sharing  information  with  Bangladesh. They also  slammed  the  government’s  role  in  dealing   with  India  about  water  issues.  India  has  neither  ensured  water  flow  in  the  Ganges  as  per  the  Ganges  Treaty  nor  shared information  about Tipaimukh  Dam, which is  sheer  violation of the treaty.( The Daily Star,July08,2009).

Remonstrance over the Farakka Barrage , first in 1965 , led to Indo-Pak war, but in 1975, Bangladesh in good faith , agreed to allow its friend, India to “ test-run “ its feeder canal for fourteen days only. India guaranteed Bangladesh that actual operation will commence after an agreement is signed detailing terms of operation and share of water. Rest is a history of non-compliance from India, resulting in desertification of many rivers inside Bangladesh. Next is India’s move to construct the Tipaimukh Dam ignoring strong protest from Manipur, as well as Bangladesh as it threatens the North-East section part of the Country. Isn’t both, faith and friendship, being compromised?

So why is India so obsessed with its Dam projects? In April 2001 David Barsamian,Director of Alternative Radio in Boulder, Colorado interviewed Arundhati Roy and here is what she said, “the myth of big dams is something that’s sold to us from the time we’re three years old in every school textbook. Nehru said, “Dams are the temples of modern India”, the dam will serve you breakfast in bed, it will get your daughter married and cure your jaundice. People have to understand that they’re just monuments to political corruption, and they derive from very undemocratic political institutions. You just centralize natural resources, snatch them away from people, and then you decide who you’re going to give them to. When I was writing “The Greater Common Good,” what shocked me more than the figures that do exist are the figures that don’t exist. The Indian government does not have any estimate of how many people have been displaced by big dams. The reason that there aren’t these figures is because most of the people that are displaced are again the non-people, the Adivasis and the Dalits. India doesn’t mow down its people. It doesn’t kill people who are refusing to move. It just waits it out. It continues to do what it has to do and ignores the consequences. Because of the caste system, because of the fact that there is no social link between those who make the decisions and those who suffer the decisions, it just goes ahead and does what it wants. The people also assume that this is their lot, their karma, what was written. It’s quite an efficient way of doing things. Therefore, India has a very good reputation in the world as a democracy, as a government that cares, that has just got too much on its hands, whereas, in fact, it’s actually creating the problems.”- (http://www.progressive.org). The Book is an eye-opener for Citizens to understand the system in India ; its corruption, the obnoxious nexus with World Bank that offers the funds and the International Community that implements the projects robbing the poor to pay the rich. Tipaimukh Dam will be no exception to this system.

Now I wish to present an example of how arrogant attitude of “Government” over demands of the “Governed” breeds violence and terrorism. Water First by Kunta Lahiri-Dutt and Robert J.Wasson has a chapter on The Regional Politics of Water Sharing written by Douglas Hill.

In 1976 Central Government of India passed a ruling settling how much water should be available to each state. Punjab disagreed and filed a case in the Supreme Court challenging its validity. Meanwile construction of 112 km Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal began in 1982 to divert waters to farmers in Rajasthan and southern Harayana(khurana2006). Construction was immediately met with opposition from Punjab unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Shriomani Akali Dal(SAD). The SAD section of protest eventually reverted to violent agitation and terrorism culminating in the events of 0peration Blue Star at Amritsar, 1984(where Indira Gandhi ordered the killing of hundreds of Sikh separists) and arguably resulted in her assassination in 0ctober. New Prime Minister Rajib Gandhi and Akali Dal leader Harcharan Singh Longowal met in 1985, set up a tribunal under Justice Eradi to re-examine appropriate allocations for Rajasthan,Punjab and Haryana. The findings of this tribunal was disputed by Punjab in 1987 on grounds that sufficient water to cover the recommended allocation was not available.Violence caused the closure of this tribunal in 1988 and construction of the Punjab section of SYL canal ceased in 1990. Again tribunal re-opened in 1997 and ruling passed in favour of Harayana in 2004. This triggered political crisis and the Punjab Government passed a Bill that nullified all previous agreements related to sharing of the Ravi and Beas (khurana2006): -(Google.com) Did India learn any lesson from this?

Governments works intricately through “Mama” system, to do their dirty work. Chetan Bagat in his book “The 3 Mistakes in My life” describes “Mama”, a local tout but ambitious to climb up the ladder of” Power”. He asks his political Guru to get him an election ticket. The Guru informs Mama that ambitious people like him are required in the party and since he is good and committed, he (Mama) to get to the next top level, needs to do work that gets him noticed. India has such “Mamas” for operations.

“Mamas”, on behalf of India, bribed officials to make temporary settlement through promises that 10-12% of the electricity will be received free of cost and the rest of it will be given to NEEPCO for distribution to other states. Will other states not demand the same deal? Besides the “Citizens Concern for Dam and Development” (CCDD) and Environmentalists don’t care about this temporary settlement and are continuing with the protest and if the Marxists and Maoist insurgents joins there is great possibility that protests could turn to violent agitation. How will India contain this violence? What would be the world’s reaction to this? Will Bangladesh be pressurized to facilitate India?

And now, Bangladesh. India without moral and military support from the then USSR (Russia) couldn’t have assisted Bangladesh in the war of Liberation. During liberation India was selectively aiding groups from Awami League (Mama Factor) though other political groups worked in tandem to achieve the common goal of Independence. Former Foreign secretary,Late Mr.J.N.Dixit in his comments to the Foreign Affairs Committee, said “We helped in the liberation of Bangladesh in mutual interest, it was not a favor. He also said that 90% of the problems could be resolved if Bangladesh exported gas to India. India subsequently made a list of other items to demand from Bangladesh. Friendship is being tested harshly.

Additionally, (1) India is ignoring clauses 2 and 3 of the Dublin Principles, 1992. Clause 2, stipulates Water Development and Management should be based on a participatory approach involving all users, planners and policy makers and Clause 3 stipulates that women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water. (2) India never agreed to the proposal to discuss with Nepal to solve the problems of Bangladesh due to Farakka Barrage. Why is India acting so mysteriously ?

Will the Bangladesh Parliament team that has been invited to visit Manipur be able to find solutions? The answer is a straight NO. In the absence of full details from India and the Funding Agency and subsequent analysis by local experts by all three states, free from political influence, the team wouldn’t be able to distinguish any controversial points. Rather there is danger that the name of Bangladesh will be mis-utilized politically to pressurize Manipur and Mizoram.

What then is the solution? Following is my four step solutions: (1) Barrister Harun ur Rashid’s suggests the construction of Ganges Barrage at Pangsha (90 miles west of Dhaka) to offset the adverse effects of Farraka Barrage. (Ref: Daily Star, May 31, 2008). It was first conceived in 1963 and next in 1984 and after feasibility report of 1997 the Joint River Commission approved it. Immediate steps must be made to implement this and next Bangladesh experts should undertake another study to construct another similar Barrage in the Sylhet region to offset the Tipaimukh Dam effect. Only after an agreement is made with India for construction of these two Barrages, should our Government think to cooperate with India. (2) Dr.Aiun Nishat suggests that positive politics, mutual understanding and the Prime Ministers of both India and Bangladesh should be involved. (Ref: NewAge Xtra June 12,2009). (3) From all three states, Women’s participation must be ensured and their opinions recorded and taken into consideration. (4) I fully endorse the suggestions, the Non-resident Bangladeshis in Los Angeles, have forwarded to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through the Consul General; they recommended that a team comprising of five countries be formed: Bangladesh, India, China, Nepal and Myanmar to find the right solution(.Ref: zshare.net/audio/616901121db0d245/Huda reading memorandum sent to Sheikh Hasina).

At the sidelines of NAM Conference, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has confirmed to Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina that India won’t take any steps that might affect ties. Earlier in an exclusive interview Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh had stated “It is my sincere belief that a strong and prosperous Bangladesh is in India’s fundamental interest.”(Ref: Daily Star, Nov.15,2005). Let the Honorable Prime Minister prove his intentions. It would be great if Sonia Gandhi also takes a keen interest and joins Dr.Singh in this venture. I am confident that Bangladesh and India Relations will greatly improve.

via whatiswrongwiththeworldtoday

14 People Die Every Hour in India Due to Road Accidents

New Delhi, Feb 24 : India's record in road deaths has touched a new low, as toll rose to at least 14 deaths per hour in 2008 against 13 the previous year. The total annual deaths due to road accidents has crossed 1.18 lakh, according to the latest report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

While trucks/lorries and two-wheelers were responsible for over 40% deaths, the rush during afternoon and evening hours were the most fatal phases.

Traffic experts are alarmed over the shooting trend of fatalities on roads between 2003 and 2008, and progressive states having a significant share of road fatalities.

While the toll was only 84,430 in 2003, it crossed 1.18 lakh in 2008, an increase of nearly 40%. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu reported 12%, 11% and 10.8% of total road accident deaths in the country.

"The toll is on the rise and no one knows who is to be held responsible. Should central assistance for curbing accidents and fatalities be cut in case of states which are failing to reduce accidents and deaths? We must give a thought to the increasing tally of injured in road accidents," said Rohit Baluja, a member of the Commission for Global Road Safety.

In fact, 4.69 lakh people were injured in road accidents in 2008, nearly four times the total death toll. As per the annual NCRB report, road accidents had the maximum (37.1%) share of unnatural causes of accidental deaths in the country.

The report also defined the period between 3-6pm as the most accident prone phase during the day. Traffic experts said accident rates were high during this period as drivers felt stressed out and were often half-asleep while driving. "Early morning hours are also similarly critical," they added.

According to the report, small states had a dubious record as far as the rate of accident-deaths per thousand vehicles was concerned. It was highest in Arunachal Pradesh at 5.7, followed by 3.6 in the case of Sikkim.

Similarly, the rate of deaths per 100 cases of road accidents was highest in Nagaland at 92.1 followed by Mizoram at 89.7, against the national level of 28.4.

Mizoram Minister to visit Bangladesh

Aizawl, Feb 24 :  Mizoram Trade and Commerce Minister Lalrinliana Sailo will leave here for Bangladesh tomorrow to attend Bangladesh-NE India Trade & Investment Conclave to be held on February 25.

The Minister will deliver a talk on ‘Emerging business opportunities in Mizoram’ at the Conclave.

A meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on the issues of border trade and Land Customs Station at Theghmukh and Demagiri and other relevant matters between the two sides is also scheduled.

Official sources stated that during his stay in Dhaka, Sailo will also call upon Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Commerce Minister Faruk Khan besides visiting various trading centers and Chittagong Port.