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THE GREAT HOLOCAUST OF BENGAL 4 Apr 2005 ... Genocide committed by British Government in Bengal during their occupation 1765-1947 ... people of Bengal does not even deserve a footnote in history? ... However, special thanks are due to "The Unknown Famine Holocaust ... www.samarthbharat.com/bengalholocaust.htm - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - 27 Feb 2007 ... Pandua, the once celebrated capital of independent Bengal for almost a century, .... on the spotlights of Bengal history, right after the Gupta Period, .... yet another chapter of Bengal’s unknown historic legends. ... www.historyofbengal.com/Maldah_article.html - 40k - Cached - Similar pages - More results from www.historyofbengal.com » Dark age continues in West-bengal « Atrocity News Dark age continues in West-bengal. 07May08. 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HISTORY is all about Victories in War and civil War, Dynasties, Rulers, Hegemonies, Ruling class. Present day History involving the great events may prove the fact. Survival of the FITTEST remains the PRIME THEME. DELUSION of GOD is near impossible. Hegemonies are always DIVINE. Let it be AMERICANISM, Roman Empire or Greek mythology or Anglo Saxon colonialism or our own ARYAN Holy Scripts. History remains a CRUEL, Mercy less FACE of Humanity devoid of humanity. SLUM DOG Realities are often marginalised. History misses the BEATS of the day to day life of the REAL People enslaved. History is always Captured and Manipulated. Thus, we never know about our ancestors and their dreams, our identities and nationalities and simply we lose mother tongue and culture. Eventually we have to suffer from UN CURABLE Dementia! Americas did exist before colonisation. So did exists all great colonies in AFRICA, ASIA, EUROPE and Australia. But we know very little about the History of PAST. In fact, we are quite unaware of Present day day to day History as facts and information are manipulated by Global Hegemonies! Even a developed nation like GREAT BRITAIN has a DARK Age before the arrival of ANGLO Saxons. Invader BRAHAMINICAL ARYANS did everything to delete every trace of the NON ARYAN or PRE ARYAN legacy. Even SUBALTERN studies centre around personality CULT. Indian Anti APARTHEID anti VEDIC ARYAN movements have not been studied on multi dimensional level. Hence, we never know the required details about either the People or the time. Only today, I got a little mag , ATMA NIRIKSHAN published from KONTAI, Midnapur. The paper published a brilliant article of BIG BANG and materialistic Interpretaion of history focusing on NON EXISTENCE of GOD. The fact is that all over the DEVELOPED countries, HATRED CAMPAIGN against MUSLIMS and GLOBALISATION of Hindutva associated with ZIONISM, US Corporate Imperialism, Weapon industry and ILLUMINATI, have led the WESTERN SOCIETY to the DENIAL of SCIENCE and they tend to dismiss even a personality like DARWIN to reincarnate the JEWISH CHRISTIAN GOD. DELUSION of GOD remain IRRELEVANT there. The periodical newspaper is publishing three serials altogether. One is related to the HISTORY of INDIA, SECOND about the MYTH of GANDHI and third an autobiography by a Bengali Dalit writer DHURJOTI LASHKAR. From the first article, I came to know that GURUCHAND Thakur and MUKUNDA BIHARI MALLICK had submitted a demand of charter to the BRITISH Government demanding SEPARATE ELECTORATE for the SC ST people way back in 1911. It was unknown to most of the people. As we thought that the BRITISH RAJ offered COMMUNAL REWARD as a DIVIDE and RULE Policy. It was not. Only because, in 1911 itself the CHANDALS and DOMS of Bengal were called as NAMOSHUDRAS in the Census report of 1911. The SC people were counted separately which became the base of the Communal reward. Harichand THAKUR has begun ABOLISH UNTOUCHABILITY movement way back in 18th century long before AMBEDKAR. MID and GURUCHAND Thakur were responsible to make it official in 1911 Census report. Then the Revolution in USSR in 1917 and the UPRISING of enslaved nationalities led by LENIN and STALIN inspired the BRITISH RAJ to introduce the GOVERNMENT of India ACT! Dr Ambedkar was the nominated member of the ASSEMBLY by BOMBAY PRESIDENCY. Thus, he was invited as a representatives of SCHEDULED Castes in the ROUND TABLE MEETING in LONDON to decide on COMMUNAL Award. But Guruchand Thakur and MUKUNDA Behari Mallick who demanded Separate ELECTORATE for SC and ST way back in 1911, were not invited. Jogendra Nath Mandal was against the COMMUNAL AWARD and PUNE Pact was signed in 1936 deciding for the BRAHAMINICAL RAJ riding of GANDHIAN BETRAYAL! Jogendra Nath Mandal opposed PUNE pact only after the second conference of ALL INDIA Scheduled Caste Federation. But JOGENDRA Babu hit the JACK POT when he got DR BR AMBEDKAR elected from EAST Bengal for the CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY. It is IRONICAL that the land which elected AMBEDKAR is a foreign land called BANGLADESH. The People who have voted for AMBEDKAR were made to face the HOLOCAUST by the REVENGEFUL BRAHMINICAL HEGEMONIES BENGALI as well as INDIAN. now they have lost HOMELAND and PREDESTINED to be deported once again in NO MAN`S LAND. Mukund BIHARI Mallick who withdrew from the CONTEST supporting AMBEDKAR, has no place in indian history. Mallick and GURUCHAND THAKUR were not in the mainstream politics as JOGENDRA BABU had been as the minister of Bengal, then as the LAW MINISTER of India`s Interim GOVT. and at last the Law minister of PAKISTAN. It is the History we must know! I discussed the ISSUE with DR GUNADHAR BURMAN, the editor of ATM NIRIKSHAN immediately after I read the articles and challenged the FACTS. But he convinced me with DOCUMENTS!
Aboriginal Indigenous history of India is quite INCOMPLETE without MOHANJODORO, HARRAPA, TAKSHSHILA and SWAT Valley in Pakistan. It remains INCOMPLETE without the Land Left behind by our people who ruled BENGAL once upon a time, Now Called Bangladesh. The INVADERS have become the Masters of BENGALI Nationality and the ABORIGINAL INDIGENOUS Communities who INHIBITED and RULED BENGAL even in 19th CENTURY have been DRIVE OUT of BENGALI GEOPOLITICS. History has killed our LEGACY, Identity and NATIONALITY. We may trace NEITHER our ANCESTORS nor their DREAMS!
In Bengal, the missing links are mind blowing! I have been writing on the topic often! I have visited different parts of Bengal to trace the missing links. I have also visited the VICTIMS of HISTORY, the Aboriginal Indigenous and Minority communities in UP, BIHAR, Orissa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, North Eats, Himalayas, Jharkhand and CHHATTISHGARH. In Bengal, I visited extensive areas in South Bengal and North Bengal, from Jhargram to Murshidabad, Burdwan to HASNABAD, Darjeeling to Sundarvana. I have intensified my studies in Murshidabad, Maldah and BIRBHUM to trace our ancestors. I have already written how HISTORICAL Evidences are being destroyed in Criminal negligence in Murshidabad, Karna Subarno, Sundarvana,Midnapur, PURULIA, Gaur and Maldah and all over BIRBHUM and BURDWAN! Life before the Pala dynasty that controlled mainly what is now Bihar and Bengal from the 8th-12th Century, also consist the DARK AGE of Bengal. We know nothing about anything in between SHASHANK and RAMPAL of PALA dynasty! We know nothing significant about PRE SHASHANK Bengal and have to depend on myths and legends, totems and religion! Whatever we know about Shashank, it is ARYAN version and we never know the Real ruler. We know about his victories and wars, but we never know his time and the people. More over, we never know about all those INDIGENOUS States, kingdoms and rulers which existed even in British Raj all over in Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and North East, East Bengal,Orissa, Andhra, Chhattishgargh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and so on. We know very little about TRIBAL and PEASANT Insurrections countrywide. We are quite unaware of INDIGENOUS Aboriginal History anywhere on this GLOBE. We know very little about Mahasthan Gargh, Baghmundi, Panchkot, DHULBHOOM, SINGHBHOOM, LALGARH, Maanbhoom, Santhal Pargana, CHHOTANAGPUR, NATORE, UDDIYAN, RANI RASMANI or RANI Bhavani. Personalities like Rani Bhavani, Rani Rasmani, BIRSA MUNDA, TITUMIR, SIDU KANHO, CHARU MAJUMDAR, Harichand Thakur, Panchanan Burman, DEVI CHOWDHURANI, BHAVANI THAKUR have been made LEGENDS only. I am hopeless to note the detachedness of HISTORY Congress and UNIVERSITIES. ACADEMICIA is never intersestd to investigate TRUTH. We often talk about the SILK ROUTE but we never tried to know the Missing INDIAN historical links scattered in Central Asia and Middle East. We never try to understand PAN AFRICANISM. Even the Indian nation is VERTICALLY divided in North and SOUTH ARYAN North is not interested to link itself to DRAVID South. We don`t care about our legacy extended in neighbourhood into the DIVIDED SOUTH ASIAN Geopolitics. Then, the Entire hiamalayan region from Kashmir to Nagaland and Manipur do breathe under AFPSA, Military rule. We never know about their plights and they are quite isolated from the rest of the Nation. EAST never cares for the WEST. CENTRAL India lies alone. Indian history never tried to get the MISSING Links of History to UNIFY the NATION and the people. In fact, history remains a PHENOMENON of glorification of ETHNIC CLEANSING, ANNIHILATION and genocides, EXODUS and HOLOCAUST. History always justifies the HEGEMONIES as it justifies the Clash of CULTURE, ILLUMANITI, ZIONISM, BRAHAMINISM, Manusmriti, Caste System, APARTHEID, Colonies, Wars, Civil Wars, Repression, Persecution, Displacement, ARSON, Invasion, Exploitation, CAPTURE and Dominance, Enslavement, Brain Washing and Mind control, MASS DESTRUCTION, OPEN MARKET, Nuclear BIOLOGICAL Chemical Warfare, Invasion, Monopolistic AGGRESSION, Global GOVERNANCE, Underworld, MAFIA, Crimes against Humanity and WAR Against TERROR! Those who are missing since the 2002 post Godhra communal riots in Gujarat are soon to be declared dead by the authorities with the expiry of seven years' stipulated time.
As a result, official death figure of 2002 riots will go up from 952 to 1180, as 228 persons, who are missing will be presumed to be dead after seven years. As per the law, any person, who is missing for seven years, is declared dead after the stipulated period. "We have prepared a list of missing people and sent it to the revenue department, which would declare the missing persons as dead," said Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Balwant Singh. I am happy what the HISTORY CONGRESS and UNIVERSITIES never cared to do, Archaeologists did the thing. Excavators are active in GAUR, I have seen. but I always complained that KARNA SUBARNA region is criminally neglected. Now the Excavators succeeded to get a MISSING Link to know something about the DARK AGE of Bengal. CONGRATULATIONS! Just see the news!
Hunt for ancient stupa under teacher’s plot SEBANTI SARKAR
An excavated wall at the site. (Shiharan Nandy) Calcutta, Feb. 26: A schoolteacher’s plot in a Murshidabad village has yielded remains that archaeologists believe are of a pre-eighth century structure, possibly a stupa.
Excavators spent the last six days digging a 2,500sqm mound at the centre of Mohammed Qassem Ali’s four bigha plot at Deka-Bichkandi, in Kandi subdivision. The excavators believe what lies beneath could throw light on life before the Pala dynasty that controlled mainly what is now Bihar and Bengal from the 8th-12th Century.
“Qassem has been co-operative and is as excited as we are,” said Amal Roy, the superintendent of the state archaeology department team camping at Deka.
Residents of the area always regarded the mound as special. Some called it Deuliapar, others knew it as Haari Rajar Garh — named after a local hero who is said to have died fighting Mughal invaders.
The excavation has revealed a 6x6m section of a brick wall with decorative stucco of floral motifs, geometric patterns and beaded chain designs.
A fragment of a terracotta plaque dug out today showed legs of a kneeling figure. Parts of the forearms of the figure were found along with pieces of pottery and iron nails.
“We have uncovered seven lines of bricks to a depth of a metre. The bricks are larger and perhaps older than those in Jagjivanpur, an archaeological site nearby, and of various shapes. Moulded bricks, terracotta tiles and the plaque indicate these are from the pre-Pala period,” Roy said.
“There is an impressive brick structure underneath.... But we need more dateable evidence,” said Gautam Sengupta, the state director of archaeology and museums.
“This (the area) is in the Karna Suvarna region and is 2km from Panchstupi, or the village of five stupas. This could be one of the lost stupas. One stupa is Barkona Deul at Muniadihi in Murshidabad. It isn’t far from this site,” Roy said.
Work will continue at Deka-Bichkandi till the monsoon.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090227/jsp/bengal/story_10598990.jsp History of Bangladesh The original inhabitants of Bengal were non-Aryan. Many linguists and anthropologists believe that the early tribes of Bengal were Dravidian, but belonged ... www.bongoz.com/history/ - 59k - Cached - Similar pages - Bengal Bengal' (old Bangala), a name given to part of British India, but variously ... or non-Aryan, as many low-caste Hindus are wholly aboriginal in blood. ... chestofbooks.com/travel/reference/World-Gazetteer/Bengal.html - 23k - Cached - Similar pages - Facts about India - People of India- ethnic groups Negroids The Negritos or the Brachycephalic (broad headed) from Africa were the earliest people to have come to India. They have survived in their original ... www.webindia123.com/india/people/people.htm - 52k - Cached - Similar pages - The Aryans in Afghanistan and India According to the Rig Veda, the leader of the Aryan invasion was one Indra, and his role in “slaying the Dasyus” (the Negroids in India) is prominent in the ... www.white-history.com/hwr5c.htm - 25k - Cached - Similar pages - History News Network 9 Jan 2005 ... Today, untouchables are primarily of Black Indo-Negroid Dravidian and Kushic-speaking as well as "Ayranized," Indians of India. ... hnn.us/comments/50215.html - 26k - Cached - Similar pages - The Indian belongs to the white race? [Archive] - India Forums One thing more India is a country where Human being are of Caucasoid, Mongoloid and Negroid (siddhi People of grujarat are of negroid race they are brought ... www.indiabook.com/bbs/archive/index.php/t-4574.html - 15k - Cached - Similar pages - Did Negroids Creat Indus Civilisation(Harappa)? ...our data raise the possibility that this haplogroup arose in India and was later ... Harappans were small-toothed and gracile unlike African Negroids. ... www.raceandhistory.com/cgi-bin/forum/webbbs_config.pl/noframes/read/1219 - 16k - Cached - Similar pages - FROM NGR to ****** - Assata Shakur Speaks - Hands Off Assata ... 4 posts - 2 authors - Last post: 8 Sep 2004 In the Sudroid (Indo-Negroids of India) languages of India, which are part of the Cushite branch of the African languages, the term "Naga" ... www.assatashakur.org/forum/spirituality-connect-your-center/464-ngr.html - 89k - Cached - Similar pages - View topic - CHINA/AFRICA RELATIONS: ANCIENT BLACK CHINESE/MODERN ... 3 posts - Last post: 7 Oct 2007 Various groups of Black/Negroid people and Indo-Negroids (from India) also had kingdoms in Thailand, Siam, Angkhor, Funan, Cham (cham as in ... blackmalepowermovement.forumsland.com/blackmalepowermovement-ptopic86.html - 41k - Cached - Similar pages - The Sidhis of North Kanara, India. Having Negroid Characters in ... The Sidhis of North Kanara, India. Having Negroid Characters in their Physical Appearances. K ABE Journal of the Anthropological Society of Nippon Tokyo ... cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=12254133 - Similar pages - by K ABE - 1983 - Cited by 1 - Related articles Pan-Negroism - The Global Negroland Movement The Aryan-Hindu run Government of India is doing the same with the Sudra Negroids of India; it recognises Tamils, Dalits, Telugus, Malayalis, Santhals etc. ... www.blackherbals.com/Pan_Negroism.htm - 22k - Cached - Similar pages - Where did the term "Negro" come from? - Yahoo! Answers India 9 Yahoo! Answers - Where did the term "Negro" come from? – Discover the answer for this question and Earn more points for the best answer on ... in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070718105648AAZD4Rz - 52k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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Trajectories Of The Untouchables in West Bengal Raja Rammohan Roy, though was the tallest fellow and much of realization he had about the untouchables of Bengal, did not come forward to speak out in this ... www.dalitmirror.com/topic2.htm - 17k - Cached - Similar pages - BANGLAPEDIA: Caste System and Untouchability From the charya gitis, one gets an impression about the vocations pursued by the untouchable communities in Bengal. For instance, they were mostly engaged ... banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/C_0055.htm - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - BANGLAPEDIA: Lower Caste Movements The forms of discrimination against the untouchables in Bengal differed from that in Maharastra or South India. In Bengal, caste rigidities were never ... banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/L_0135.htm - 25k - Cached - Similar pages - More results from banglapedia.search.com.bd » Best "Bengal/Untouchable" Titles IMDb: The biggest, best, most award-winning movie site on the planet. portuguese.imdb.de/keyword/bengal/untouchable/ - 18k - Cached - Similar pages - Rediff On The NeT: Untouchability is a fact of life under Marxist ... Untouchability is a fact of life under Marxist rule in West Bengal. For them life was miserable under the laws of Manu -- and it is still bad under Marxist ... www.rediff.com/news/nov/17dalits.htm - 14k - Cached - Similar pages - Untouchable politics and politicians since 1956 20 Nov 2000 ... If the Left had developed more strength outside what became its strongholds in West Bengal and Kerala, the Untouchable attachment to ... www.ambedkar.org/books/tu2.htm - 23k - Cached - Similar pages - THE BLACKS OF THE EAST BENGAL: A NATIVE'S PERSPECTIVE 8 Aug 2002 ... Today the natives of East-Bengal speak Bengali or Bangla, ... Islam gained much support by the lower caste and "untouchable" Bengalis ... www.cwo.com/~lucumi/bengal.html - 20k - Cached - Similar pages - Myth, identity and belonging: the Rishi of Bengal/Bangladesh ... 15 Jul 2008 ... Myth, identity and belonging: the Rishi of Bengal/Bangladesh ... This is in contrast with the case of ‘Untouchable myths of origin’ offered ... https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/5161/ - 18k - Cached - Similar pages - by C Zene - 2007 - Related articles - All 2 versions lonerenger: The tainted Society and making of a Hero Unlike the Bombay Army, which has a predominance of untouchable Mahars ( with a ... and Mala untouchables, the Bengal Army had a high presence of Brahmins. ... lonerenger.blogspot.com/2007/12/tainted-society-and-making-of-hero.html - 57k - Cached - Similar pages - Untouchable!: Voices of the Dalit Liberation Movement - Google Books Result by Barbara R. Joshi, Minority Rights Group - 1986 - Political Science - 166 pages (India (Republic)., Scheduled castes, Protest movements, 1910-1985) Political Science / Public Policy / Social Policy dh Indien forts. untouchables poetry ... books.google.co.in/books?isbn=0862324602... You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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IngentaConnect 1. Pre-Aryan India This chapter begins with a discussion of the geographical environment of Pre-Aryan India. It then discusses the emergence of pastoralism and agriculture, ... www.ingentaconnect.com/content/oso/2723497/2004/00000001/00000001/art00002 - Similar pages - by D LAL - 2004 Munda-Magyar-Maori : An Indian Link Between the Antipodes : New ... A glance at Pre-Aryan India. 11. Some Indian tribes. 12. Notes on some languages of India. 13. Is Magyar a Munda language? 14. India and the Magyar. 15. ... www.vedamsbooks.com/no46544.htm - 4k - Cached - Similar pages - Pre-Aryan and Pre-Dravidian in India - Google Books Result by P. Levi, Sylvain Lévi, Jules Bloch, Jean ... - 1993 - Indo-Aryan philology - 184 pages Originally published: Calcutta, 1929. books.google.co.in/books?isbn=8120607724... Internet Archive: Details: Pre Aryan And Pre Dravidian In India Text Archive > Universal Library > Pre Aryan And Pre Dravidian In India ... Pre Aryan And Pre Dravidian In India. Author: Sylvain Levi Jean Prazyluski ... www.archive.org/details/prearyanandpredr035083mbp - 13k - Cached - Similar pages - Free Books > Nonfiction > Politics > General > Pre Aryan And Pre ... Pre Aryan And Pre Dravidian In India. by Prabodh Chandra Bhagchi. Download Book (Respecting the intellectual property of others is utmost important to us, ... 2020ok.com/books/9/pre-aryan-and-pre-dravidian-in-india-56609.htm - 10k - Cached - Similar pages - Pre Aryan Architecture Books: Buy in India @ Flipkart.com pre aryan architecture: Books Buy & Search Online @ Flipkart.com. Great Discounts, Free Shipping on pre aryan architecture Books: Biggest Online Book Store ... www.flipkart.com/search-books/pre+aryan+architecture - 35k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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Bangla Language and Script The Aitareya Brahmana and the Aitareya Aryanyaka clearly reveal that the non-Aryan Pundaras (pundara) of North Bengal and the Vangas (vangd) of eastern ... www.isical.ac.in/~rc_bangla/bangla.html - 18k - Cached - Similar pages - The Early Vaishnava Poets of Bengal - II. Cha.n.dî Dâs The particular idol affected by this sect is termed Bâsuli, and was probably a non-Aryan divinity adopted by the Aryan colonies in Bengal. ... www.sacred-texts.com/journals/ia/evp2.htm - 12k - Cached - Similar pages - Religion in Ancient Bengal: Before Guptas The earliest mention in Jaina texts of Bengal describes this as a primitive ... Most of these are dedicated to gods that were non-aryan in the beginning; ... tanmoy.tripod.com/bengal/preguptarelig.html - 13k - Cached - Similar pages - CELEBRATION OF 'DURGA PUJA' - THE GREATEST FESTIVAL OF BENGAL We call this festival 'Sharadiya Durga Puja' in Bengali. ... A non-Aryan king from the southern states, whose totem was the Buffalo,put a lot of pressure on ... hubpages.com/hub/festival_1 - 30k - Cached - Similar pages - BANGLAPEDIA: Islam (in Bengal) 12 May 2008 ... Raja laksmanasena was then ruling over the whole of Bengal. Moreover, non-Aryan elements were always present in Bengal, particularly outside ... banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/I_0103.htm - 48k - Cached - Similar pages - Byomkes Chakrabarti: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article Dr. Byomkes Chakrabarti investigated the complex process of assimilation of non-Aryan elements, particularly the Santali elements, by Bengali. ... www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Byomkes_Chakrabarti - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - Pundravardhana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 10 Feb 2009 ... [9]The impact of Aryan-Brahmana culture was felt in Bengal much after the same spread across northern India. The various non-Aryan people ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pundravardhana - 42k - Cached - Similar pages - [PDF] T & T-054 File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML North Bengal. Documentary Research. ABSTRACT TheDhimal of North Bengal had categorized as non-Aryan tribe by eminent scholars of ... www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/T%20&%20T/T%20&%20T-06-0-000...2.../T&T-06-2-117-08-160-Biswas-S-Ab.pdf - Similar pages - by S Biswas TRAGEDY OF MAHISHASUR - A NON-ARYAN KING WHO CROSSED HIS LIMIT ... 15 Sep 2008 ... TRAGEDY OF MAHISHASUR - A NON-ARYAN KING WHO CROSSED HIS LIMIT ! ... THROUGH MY CALWALK LENS · TERRA COTTA TEMPLES OF BENGAL : GUPTIPARA - I ... cshyamal.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/09/tragedy-of-mahishasur-a-king-who-crossed-his-limit.htm - 59k - Cached - Similar pages - BABUL'S WORLD: SUN WORSHIP IN ANCIENT BENGAL Ancient Bengal was inhabited by different tribes & races of Non-Aryan people of Negrito, Proto-Australoid & Indo-Mongoloid origin. ... anantaprema.blogspot.com/2007/09/sun-worship-in-ancient-bengal.html - 216k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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India will oppose protectionism: Pranab As US President Barack Obama vowed to eliminate tax benefits for American firms shipping jobs to foreign countries, India has said it is against any protectionist move as it would affect its IT industry. "The IT industry will be affected due to the impact of financial meltdown...substantial number of Indian workers are there…we will have to address this issue...we are opposing protectionism, not only here but at every forum," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Karan Thapar in an interview for Devil's Advocate programme.
"We can't just go for country specific solution for such problem...issue is that our IT industry will be affected," he said.
Mukherjee added that the protectionism of any kind at this time should be avoided and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also made it quite clear at G-20 meeting last year.
On February 26, Obama in his maiden budget speech said the US government would do away with tax breaks for firms outsourcing jobs to overseas destinations, including India. At the same time, the administration would be providing tax relief to 95 per cent of American working families.
Nearly 1,000 US firms, which have shipped their jobs overseas, are expected to be affected with the proposed elimination of tax incentives. The plan mainly refers to one of the provisions in the tax code that allows companies to pay less taxes for profits earned from foreign shores.
However, the US is yet to outline the ways to abolish tax breaks for the entities outsourcing jobs. Majority of the Democrats are against the provision, saying the same was encouraging firms to move jobs overseas and even cut the local positions.
Navy to oversee maritime security, says Antony Kochi In the backdrop of the Mumbai terror attacks exposing the chinks in coastal security, government designated the Navy as the central authority responsible for the country's overall maritime security on Saturday.
"The Navy will be assisted by Coast Guard, state marine police and central agencies for the coastal defence of the nation," Defence Minister A K Antony said in Kochi.
Observing that the 26/11 attacks have shaken the entire nation and brought out the need for strengthening coastal security, he said the government has approved certain important measures for strengthening maritime and coastal security against the threat from the sea.
"Against the backdrop of multiple agencies involved in coastal security, and the resultant problems of coordination, the Navy has been designated as the authority responsible for maritime security," he said.
The government has also decided that it will set up joint operation centres (JOCs) at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Port Blair under charge of Naval commanders-in-chief.
"The JOCs will be jointly manned and operated by Navy and Coast Guard with inputs from diverse agencies including Coast Guard, Navy and concerned Central and state agencies," he added.
Accordingly the Naval and commanders-in chief would be designated as commanders-in-chief of coastal defence, Antony said.
The Navy would get a specialised force called 'Sagar Prahari Bal' comprising 1,000 personnel for protecting naval assets and bases on both east and west coasts and island territories.
Antony said that a national command control communication and intelligence network, for real time maritime domain awareness between the operations rooms of Navy and Coast Guard, both at the field and the apex levels, will be established.
"The Navy will control all Navy and Coast Guard joint operations. This will ensure that the assets are optimally deployed and there is synergy between the two organisations," he added.
"With these measures, the government expects that a new focus would be given for effectively managing threats from the sea and security for our over 7,500 km long coastline," the minister said.
Government has also decided to enhance the assets of Navy and Coast Guard by increasing the number of ships, boats, helicopters and aircraft besides manpower.
The Navy would also get 80 fast interception crafts for sea-front patrolling. The Coast Guard would get a new regional headquarters in Gujarat, which would be designated as 'north-west region' and a new post of Commander Coast Guard to look after surveillance of the state's coast.
The government has also decided to install Vessel and Air Traffic Management System for all offshore development areas, as has been done in the western offshore region by the Petroleum Ministry.
"It would also procure immediate support vessels for offshore security by both Navy and the Petroleum Ministry. Till then crafts would be hired for patrolling," Antony said.
The Coast Guard would be additionally designated as the authority for coastal security in territorial waters, including areas patrolled by state coastal police.
The Coast Guard Director General would be designated as Commander of Coastal Command and would be responsible for overall coordination between state and central agencies in matters relating to coastal security, the minister said.
The government would also set up nine additional Coast Guard stations to integrate into the 'hub and spoke concept' with coastal police stations along with manpower.
These stations would be located at Karwar, Ratnagiri, Vadinar, Gopalpur, Minicoy, Androth, Karaikal, Hut Bay and Nizampatnam.
The Coast Guard would be empowered both in terms of providing assets and necessary manpower for their enhanced role in guarding the coast line.
New posts of Additional Director General and three deputy DGs have also been sanctioned in addition to 20 per cent increase in ships and 30 per cent increase for shore support, Antony added.
To improve the intelligence set-up of Coast Guard, adequate manpower resources would also be given.
Antony said that a new static coastal radar chain under comprehensive network of intelligence stations along the entire coastline, including islands would be set up.
"This will be implemented by the shipping, road transport and highway ministry in coordination with Coast Guard. Further, communication transponders on vessels below 300 tonnes are also proposed to be installed. This work will be done by the shipping ministry in coordination with Coast Guard," Antony said.
"These measures approved by the government are expected to give a new thrust for strengthening coastal security and meet the challenges of threats from the sea," he added.
Antony said a new static coastal radar chain and a comprehensive network of AIS stations along the entire coastline, including islands, would be set up.
"This will be implemented by the shipping, road transport and highway ministry in coordination with Coast Guard. Further, AIS transponders on vessels below 300 tonnes are also proposed to be installed. This work will be done by the shipping ministry in coordination with Coast Guard," Antony said.
"These measures approved by the government are expected to give a new thrust for strengthening coastal security and meet the challenges of threats from the sea," he said.
Asked if the government would henceforth provide the Navy, the smallest of the three armed forces, its due, Antony said: "In the future, we have to give more support to the Navy. We have to be more careful in the seas, as 90 per cent of India's international trade is carried out through the sea route."
ICRC wants Israel to end segregation http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=86881§ionid=351020202 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:47:57 GMT
The Israeli war on Gaza has left thousands of houses completely destroyed. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) calls a reluctant Israel to action, saying it must lift its blockade of Gaza.
In a statement released on Thursday, the humanitarian agency said since Israel ended its major military operations in Gaza, the people in the territory have been struggling with the lack of water, medicine and housing.
Israel has imposed a 19-month blockade on the Gaza Strip and in late 2008 began a major offensive against the sliver of land, killing more than 1,300 people -- many of them women and children.
By allowing the expansion of settlements and thus cutting access to the various territories, it has also launched a segregation campaign that restricts the movement of Palestinians in their native lands.
"The first and most urgent measure should be to end the isolation of Gaza, particularly by lifting restrictions on the movement of people and goods," responded ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger on the issue.
ICRC figures suggest that the Israeli invasion completely destroyed at least 2,800 houses and damaged 1,900 others, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless. Other accounts put the devastation higher.
The Red Cross also criticized Israel for preventing the entry of construction materials into Gaza. Machinery and spare parts, the aid organization said, are also badly needed in the strip.
Hamas was also taken to task and requested to allow a Red Cross representative to meet with Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier captured by Palestinian fighters in 2006, and to stop rocket attacks on Israeli targets.
Palestinian fighters in Gaza say they will end rocket attacks into Israel if Tel Aviv stops its military operations against the Palestinians and lifts its blockade on the strip.
Israel, however, has refused to stop the aggression.
According to the ICRC, Israel has put some 43 percent of farmland in Gaza within an imposed buffer zone in which the Israeli army has been carrying out regular military operations leading to the destruction of fields and harvests.
It is also a positive development for the Present day History that Bangladesh's powerful Army has reaffirmed its support for the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after a mutiny by paramilitary troops killed at least 80 people, mostly Army officers.
Militray COUP was on the cards, many people feraed. Pakistan as well as Bangladesh are ruled by Miltary hegemonies and they oblige the BRAHAMINICAL Hegeonies in India. The people accross the politicla borers consits of mostly Indigenous, aboriginal, minority and converted aboriginalindigenous communities. The HEGEMONY ruling the COUNTRY is the GLOBAL ZIONIST MANUSMRITI APARTHEID Hegemony. History would never tell the TRUTH as informations are always MUTILIATEd as the facts. but it is great RELIEF that DEMOCRACY survives the ONSLAUGHT in bangladesh for the time being!
"Let me tell you all again that the Bangladesh army is subservient to the government," Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed said.
"We are a people's army serving the nation and upholding democracy. Please stay calm. We are trying to address the situation and resolve (disputes) with the help of everyone," he said after a meeting with Hasina at her residence late on Friday.
Meanwhile, in ISLAMABAD a different kind of DRAMA is enacted as taking his fight with President Asif Ali Zardari a step further, former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) chief, Nawaz Sharif has said that he is still ready to mend ways with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), but unwilling to commit the “sin” of talking to Zardari.
“I am still ready to talk to Benazir’s PPP. But I consider talking to Zardari the biggest sin,” ‘The Nation’ quoted Sharif, as saying.
Addressing a Parliamentary Party meeting at his Raiwind residence, Sharif charged Zardari of behaving like a ‘dictator’ by imposing Governor’s rule in Punjab province.
“President Zardari has imposed a ‘democratic dictatorship’ in the country,” he said.
Sharif said he would not hold talks with Zardari regarding his disqualification, and dethroning of his brother,Shahbaz Sharif, from the Punjab Chief Minister’s chair.
The impoverished South Asian nation Bangladesh has suffered several military coups since independence in 1971. This week's mutiny by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) border guards was over pay and command and was not politically motivated, officials said.
The mutiny came as a stern test for Hasina, who took office last month after winning elections in December that brought to an end two years of emergency rule by an army-backed government.
Hasina has the task of trying to convince much-needed foreign investors and aid donors she can bring stability to a country where 40 per cent of the 140 million population live in poverty.
The mutiny ended late on Thursday when the rebels laid down their arms after an amnesty offer, made by Hasina late on Wednesday, was followed by threats of stronger action as regular troops, backed by tanks, surrounded the BDR complex in Dhaka.
Hasina's long-standing rival, Opposition leader and former premier Begum Khaleda Zia, offered to cooperate with the government in its investigations into the mutiny but criticised Hasina for offering the BDR rebels an amnesty.
"This gave them time to kill more people and conceal their brutality," Khaleda said late on Friday.
More than 50 bodies were recovered on Friday, many from a mass grave, with BDR commander Major-General Shakil Ahmed among the dead. Two more mass graves were found on the BDR compound on Saturday, and diggers said they already found 10 bodies and expected more.
BDR officers are usually drawn from regular army units and the mutiny was launched as officers arrived for a meeting.
An unknown number of people were still missing and the death toll could rise to more than 100, officials have said.
Moeen said the deaths of so many army officers was an irreparable loss for the Army and the country.
He spoke as rumours swirled through the capital that he might step down or that the Army might launch ‘reprisal’ strikes over the killing of so many of their colleagues.
Former Army Chief Lieutenant-General Harunur Rashid warned that the mutiny might not be an isolated incident.
"It may be a conspiracy to destroy the progress of the new democratic government," Rashid told the ‘Prothom Alo’ newspaper.
As the search for victims and survivors went on, a day of mourning was observed on Saturday, with flags flown at half mast across the country and special prayers said for the dead.
In Dhaka, activity on the streets appeared normal. Offices and schools were closed for the weekend.
Home Minister Shahara Khatun said there was no fear of a deterioration of law and order or a repeat of the mutiny, which spread to about a dozen smaller towns across Bangladesh.
But police said many BDR soldiers had fled the headquarters complex with arms and ammunition, as well as money and jewellery they had taken from the homes of dead officers. More than 200 BDR soldiers have been detained already across the country.
Friends
They say when difficulties come they come in procession. For us it is the other way round. Success keeps coming to us one after another and we keep enjoying them in our otherwise hard and hectic life.
This time it is not from Tumkur District but from far off Bidar District. This is no mean success. A huge one indeed. It is a saga of recapturing 25 acres of land by Dalits from a very powerful company. Imambad is a tiny village near Janavada of Bidar District. Dalit people of this village had gained 200 acres of land through government grant. They had the ownership document with them. However, little by little the Naranga Government Sugar Company managed to take away all the land from the Dalit people. They fenced the land and made them their own.
Mr. Muddale is the Coordinator of the Booshakthi Vedike of REDS. He went through many training in REDS on land issues. Recently he also went through a personality development course in Booshakthi Kendra. Inspired by the success stories of REDS he decided to invest his energy on the recovery of the land lost by his people. He first wrote a letter to the Management under the Right To Information Act asking them to give him the ownership details of the 200 acres of land in their possession. There was no response. When he went personally and asked them they gave lame excuses. He went up in appeal. Sensing his persistence the Management wrote a letter to him saying that they had nothing to do with the 200 acres of land in question.
This was something that we all wait for. From there started our struggle. Muddale who also runs a Newspaper contacted her friends in the Media, spoke to the people and to the Police. In the meantime the Company tried to give money to the people asking them to transfer the land legally to the Company. The people stood firm and refused to part with land documents.
This morning Muddale informed the police and went with the people to take possession of their land. There were four guards of the Company. The people showed them the letter from the Company pretending ignorance about the land and asked to leave the place. They left. The people broke the fence and each one took possession of his/her land according to the land documents that they have.
Today it was possible to take back only 25 acres of land. There are 175 acres more. The struggle to take back that land is going to be much more difficult, as the Company will put its act together now. But our people are also determined not to let the devil enter their lives. Into that heaven of freedom…..let my people awake. It is time to congratulate our brave leader Muddale and the Booshakthi Vedike.
TEAM REDS, Jyothi and Raj
Rural Education for Development society
Shanthinagar
Tumkur 572102
Karnataka - India
Phone: ++91-816-2277026
Fax: ++91-816-2272515
Web: www.dalitreds.in
Jyothi's Mobile: ++91-9880184667
Raj's Mobile: ++91-9845144893
A relevant correspondence. Pl see.
Sorry Anita! I had some hesitation to interact with someone UNKNOWN as my GMAIL ID had been hijacked and Misused earlier. CYBER CRIME has blocked FREE Interaction s you should agree. I am a professional Journalis as well as writer. I belong to a Partition victim Bengali untouchable Family. My father sacrificed his life and property for the cause of REFUGEE REHABILITATION. I bear the legacy of STRUGGLE. In india, we are not so free or sovereign or empowered as you happen to be.
I have been engaged in Nationality, Environment and refugee movements for at leats three decades and more. Now I am engaged in pro Active Social Activism to GLOBALINISE Black Untouchable RESISTANCE against Caste system, APARHEID and TRIIBLIS Satanic ZIONIST IMperialist Order. I supported BARRACK Obama right from the Beginning.
You may get more about me and my activities from my BLOGS!
I am not interested in any Romantic or Monetary, Business marketing affair.
If you feel the sympathy and support for our DEPRIVED and ENSLAVED people, pl WELCOME! I would like to hear from you. otherwise, please enjoy yourself and don not reply.
I am sending you my latest writeup to help you understand my concern! -- Palash Biswas Pl Read: http://nandigramunited.blogspot.com/ Anita wrote: Hello Friend, Thanks for your respond, I am quite sorry for the little delay to your respond this has been do to official job, I can't afford to overlook. I have been very busy with much job on my table in preparations for the on-coming Worker's recruitment/resettlement programme taking place here in United States of America , Europe, Asia and Africa . I don’t know if you will be interested on this programme? Through this programme, we will meet our selves here in United States. Sometimes, but if you are in USA let me know for us to meet for more introduction because life certainly can feel that way and what better shelter from the storms and trials of daily life than friendship and to know that there is someone out there whom you can fall back on. Really, people came into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there .to serve some sorts of purpose or help figure out whom you are or who you want to become. I am the second child of my parent, we are three in numbers, two girls and a boy, I'm Anita by name, and Elvis my brother and Clara is the last. We are American citizens. The name of my father is Paul Peter Wake and my mother's name Evelyn Peter. My father is an ex security man in a bank here in Florida while my Mother is currently working with the American department of Education Orlando , Florida . My hobbies are reading, watching movies, listening to soft music, long driving, and swimming. I hate delay, sluggishness and procrastination. Love some one who is faithful and does not smoke nor drink too much. Our country is a free society and a land of hope for all. It is also a land of dreams and victory for those who think widely, some call it Heaven on Earth, that’s all my profiles now. I have attached 2 of my pics and 1 of my parents for you to view, let me view yours my dear! Hope to hearing from you soon. Thanks Anita.
Rice calculations for the World
Dear Friends: How are you doing? Lets assume that we truly lived in a global world and had the political will to feed everyone irrespective of their qualifiers (as in country, creed, caste, education etc..) then recent data on rice production and the requirement of rice shows clearly that supply and demand both match but the mechanism to match the supply and demand is grossly at fault. This raises fresh questions on our governance, social and our human values which we claim to live by everyday. Here are some interesting "linear" (meaning everyone is assumed to consume same amount of rice but it varies in practice though not drastically) rice calculations for the world population: 1. 0.4 kg/ person/ day*6 billion persons*365 = 876 million metric tons. (1000 Kgs are there in a metric ton) . I get the data of 0.4kg from my hi-skool which used to keep 200g/person/serving which is generally on higher side unless you are a blue collar worker or you are in a job which requires physical labor. 2. According to International Rice Research Institute (http://www.irri.org/, http://beta.irri.org/statistics/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1) "World rice production in 2007 was approximately 645 million t. At least 114 countries grow rice and more than 50 have an annual production of 100,000 t or more. Asian farmers produce about 90% of the total, with two countries, China and India, growing more than half the total crop."
Seems like for all practical purposes we are only a little short in growing enough rice for the whole world but western world consumers relatively small amounts rice. I wonder why there should be food shortages barring distribution and discrimination problems. More comments are welcome on this blog . -priya _______________________________________________ Awareness mailing list is grateful to Shreyas, Ved, Anish, Devi and whole Free/Open source coummunity (Yo GNU/LINUX!!) for their tremendous technical support. Awareness thanks Harsha and Abhisek for providing real time petition support and related follow up services. We are also grateful to numerous contributors who make us more aware about the Indian world around us. Awareness provides only content delivery services. Aid-awareness mailing list Aid-awareness@lists.aidindia.org To unsubscribe please login at http://lists.aidindia.org/mailman/listinfo/aid-awareness Here's a fact worth pondering: If the money that taxpayers in California have already provided for the Iraq war - $83.1 billion - could somehow be magically rerouted to the state government's coffers, the lawmakers in Sacramento would now be faced with the problem of what to do with a massive surplus.
by Norman Solomon
Thursday 26 February 2009 (originally at San Francisco Chronicle) Early this winter, the PBS "NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" interviewed the medical director at a community clinic in Northern California. He recalled the sight of military equipment moving along railroad tracks next to his office. "I've joked with my colleagues," Dr. David Katz said, "if we could just get one of those Abrams tanks we could probably fund all the primary care clinics for a year." The comment didn't make it on the air - it was only included in video on a PBS Web site - and that was unfortunate. We need more public focus on what our tax dollars are buying. As medical providers and patients struggle with low funding and high barriers to adequate health care, the nation's largesse for war continues to soar. Every day, the U.S. Treasury spends close to $2 billion on the military. Such big numbers are hard to fathom, but it's worth doing the math. In Yolo County, for instance, where Dr. Katz watches Abrams tanks roll by his beleaguered clinic, taxpayers have already provided the IRS with $449.8 million to fund the Iraq war. That's enough to provide health care to 168,154 children for a full year. Those figures come from the National Priorities Project, a nonpartisan group with a nifty - and often chilling - online calculator (www. nationalpriorities.org). Type in the name of your locality, and huge military costs suddenly hit close to home. More than 40 percent of federal tax dollars go to military spending. The outlays buy a mighty war machine while depleting our own communities. In San Francisco, taxpayers have already sent the U.S. government $2.2 billion for the Iraq war - enough to provide health care to 828,378 children for a year. In Oakland, the figure is $826.7 million, costing out to a year of health care for 309,036 children. In San Mateo County, taxpayers' tab for the war in Iraq has reached $2.6 billion, enough to cover a year of health care for nearly 1 million kids. To make matters worse, this money wasn't just squandered. It financed warfare that damaged - often fatally - the health of Americans and Iraqis. When the National Priorities Project crunched the numbers for the entire Bay Area, it found that taxpayers have already sent the IRS a total of $22.6 billion for the Iraq war. In retrospect, other options for that money are heartbreaking. For a full year, it could have provided 9,284,504 people with health care. Or it could have paid for 67,522 affordable housing units. In pursuit of green goals, the Bay Area's share of expenditures for the Iraq war could have provided upward of 10 million homes with renewable electricity for four years. Mostly, the dividing line between foreign policy and domestic economy has narrowed to the vanishing point. As we know from our personal lives, priorities - whether openly examined or not - are pivotal. And government budgets tell the tale of social priorities writ large. Here's a fact worth pondering: If the money that taxpayers in the state have already provided for the Iraq war - $83.1 billion - could somehow be magically rerouted to the state government's coffers, the lawmakers in Sacramento would now be faced with the problem of what to do with a massive surplus. We shouldn't expect that a reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq will do much to slow the rocketing costs of America's global military ventures. The Obama administration plans to double U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan by early 2010, which will set a new deployment baseline in that country for years to come. And a significant boost in the overall size of the U.S. armed forces is on the bipartisan agenda in Washington. Meanwhile, along the railroad tracks near Katz's clinic in Yolo County, the Abrams tanks are likely to keep rolling. Each one has a price tag of $4.3 million. And we're paying for it.
What a community could buy for the cost of a war: To use the National Priorities Project calculator, go to http://links.sfgate.com/ZGGL. Norman Solomon, a national co-chair of the Healthcare Not Warfare campaign, lives in Marin County. He is the author of "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death." http://www.opednews.com/articles/Where-the-Money-Goes-by-Norman-Solomon-090227-880.html
“The battle...has to begin here. In America. The only institution more powerful than the U.S. government is American civil society. The rest of us are subjects of slave nations. We are by no means powerless, but you have the power of proximity. You have access to the Imperial Palace and the Emperor’s chambers. Empire’s conquests are being carried out in your name.” Arundhati Roy Mohd. Haque to alochona, bangla-vision, reform-bd : [bangla-vision] BDR mutiny - to destroy our army, our strength as a nation My mother cooked fish curry, steamed vapa pitha until around 16 freedom fighters filled their stomach. They came around 10 pm at our house and left before dawn. My father always accompanied them and I was busy ferrying vapa pitha. My father felt my two brother's company among them as they were after their formal training in Shiliguri’s jungle perhaps were preparing for ambush or crawling somewhere on the front line, empty stomach. The same spirit should have energised my sick mother to feed these hungry guests at the middle of the night remembering her sons.
When they left I learned they are from the elite of the freedom fighters, got special training and facilities as well, called Mujib Bahini.
Mujib was not present to oversee the fight but that is how it was manifested. An army of fighters that include army, EPR, police and little trained but dedicated common youths formed the liberation army, while the elite contingent started emerging enjoying preferences and different philosophy.
Military was sidelined by the founder of the nation himself, Rakhyi bahini was created as an elite and privileged force in place of regular army. That was unprecedented in any modern state. An independent nation’s won army and its strategy to strengthen it was missing as we emerged as a proud nation.
1975, what we have seen again onslaught on army whatever the pretext may be. Bright, experienced and well trained officers had to demise from the army off and on.
Many coups, mutiny until the death of Zia cost many lives, again many bright and trained officers from the army including Major General Ziaur Rahman and Brigadier Khalid Musharraf. During this time a simple major wished to be the president of Bangladesh, a nation was just born and its military remain shaky, Chain of command kept loose.
Mutiny stopped but made to indulge in non military activities or exposed to public corruptions and this continued till 1990. This also weakened the military’s strategic alliance with the state and the society at large. Institutional instability continued.
The indulgence did not stop, chain of commands were not strengthened rather left exposed to create many social controversy and conspicuous discourse. Not a healthy attitude toward our national army. A group of people remains critical about its strategic importance. Frustration surrounding it remained high during one democratic regime to another. On the background of this controversy and discord came the 1/11, military institutions were put on the front line of disintegration one more time. What is being expected of or cherished out of its state’s strategic, political and social activities, rather pulled it down from its remaining trust and integrity, otherwise necessary for a strong defence institution of a state. Another paradigm to weaken the military system further institutionalised.
So was the general trend of the development of our military institutions and its strategic alliance with the state. Whom should we blame?
On 25th of February a direct onslaught in the name existing frustration!
Resembling many others, my mother cooked middle of the night despite her frail health, my father proudly served them food and other necessary items, when the nation was not even born, out of their pure love to built our own strength and power. They are not alive to see how their wisdom and dream being shattered by putting the military on a strategic decline and wane and the state at peril.
Today, looking at the complete massacre, destruction and even disrespect of the dead by their own compatriots, happen to outnumber the total officers killed during nine months of our glorious liberation, in one night, I only feel devastated. It is very crucial that we remain vigilant against any imprudence act of the government or by any quarters, because our lives and dream are at a dangerous crossroad. Our psychological strength should remain indomitable. Hawala money in India linked to terrorist financing: US Washington Cautioning that the 'hawala' money in India is directly linked to terrorist financing, the US has suggested to New Delhi to strengthen its anti money laundering and counter terrorism-finance legislations. It also recommended that New Delhi should work towards becoming a full-fledged member of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body for development of policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. While noting that the Indian Parliament passed the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, early this week, a US State Department report has suggested that India should make necessary legislative amendments to bring its anti money laundering and counter terrorism finance regime in conformity to FATF. "Given the number of terrorist attacks in India and the fact that in India hawala is directly linked to terrorist financing, India should prioritise cooperation with international initiatives that provide increased transparency in alternative remittance systems," said the report in its section on India related to money laundering. The report, released by Assistant US Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, David T Johnson, quoted RBI estimates that remittances to India sent through legal, formal channels in 2007-2008 amounted to USD 42.6 billion. According to Indian observers, the report said funds transferred through the billion dollar hawala market are equal to between 30 to 40 per cent of the formal market. "In that case the hawala market could amount to between USD 13 billion to USD 17 billion," the report on International Narcotics Control Strategy, said. Given the large number of expatriates, India continues to retain its position as the leading recipient of remittances, according to the World Bank. India's strict foreign-exchange laws and transaction reporting requirements, combined with banking industry's due diligence policy, makes it difficult for criminals to use formal channels to launder money, the report said. However, large portions of illegal proceeds are often laundered through ‘hawala’ or ‘hundi’ networks or other informal money transfer systems. The report appreciated the steps taken by India post 9/11 with regard to money laundering and its possible use by terrorist network. However, several key steps are still required to be taken by New Delhi, it felt. Listing out the steps New Delhi still needs to take, the report said India should become a party to the UN Conventions against Transnational Organised Crime and Corruption.
"Also, India should pass the Foreign Contribution Regulation Bill for regulating nongovernmental organizations including charities," it said.
"India should devote more law enforcement and customs resources to curb abuses in the diamond trade. It should also consider the establishment of a Trade Transparency Unit (TTU) that promotes trade transparency; in India, trade is the back door to underground financial systems," the report said.
The hawala system can provide the same remittance service as a bank with little or no documentation, at lower rates and with faster delivery, while providing anonymity and security for its customers, the report said.
According to the report, while most money laundering in India aims to facilitate widespread tax avoidance, criminal activity contributes substantially.
Some common sources of illegal proceeds in India are narcotics trafficking, illegal trade in endangered wildlife, trade in illegal gems (particularly diamonds), smuggling, trafficking in persons, corruption, and income tax evasion, it said.
Pub attack: Girls can have their own way, says Advani
Bangalore Senior BJP leader L K Advani said there can be ‘no compromise’ on the issue of last month's attack on girls at a Mangalore pub as the act was ‘against Indian culture and ethos’. "I strongly condemn the attack on girls in Mangalore. There can be no compromise on this. It's wrong", Advani said on the sidelines of a function in Bangalore.
"It (the attack) is basically against Indian culture, Indian ethos. Girls or boys, they have their own way", he said, adding that one may not approve the girls in pub but that does not mean one attacks them.
Right wing Sri Ram Sene activists had attacked women and others at a Mangalore pub last month which triggered nationwide outrage against the Sene and the BJP government led by B S Yeddyurappa.
Proposed Defence Expenditure & BDR Mutiny – Interlinked? M.B.I. Munshi There are I believe certain features of the BDR mutiny that cannot be easily dismissed as mere conspiracy theorizing and which I wish to elaborate on in this short article. I would hope that readers will respond to my arguments and start a debate on this crucial national issue – 1. I am completely stunned and shocked like many others at the savagery and cruelty displayed by the BDR jawans during the revolt. We are informed that many of the victims had been first shot, then bayoneted with some having their eyes pulled out and then dumped in stinking and dirty sewers. The atrocious acts committed on the women were even more incomprehensible and debasing with many being first gang-raped and then their bodies burned. What level of hatred (or madness) is required for a human being to carry out such despicable acts? Not even the Pakistani forces resorted to such behaviour in our liberation war in 1971. The obvious reason for this restraint is that the mutilation or defilement of dead bodies is strictly prohibited in Islam. It is a great sin to humiliate or abuse the body of a dead person whether friend or foe. It is on this ground that I am of the opinion that the mutiny and killing could not have been done by Muslims who would have this sin carved into their souls for eternity. This could have only been planned and orchestrated by outsiders and non-Muslims. 2. The main ground for my suspicions on outside inspiration is the enlarged defence expenditure proposed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently. The type of military equipment that was to be procured were highly sophisticated and would have significantly enhanced our defence capabilities. I am of the opinion that the BDR mutiny and these defence expenditures are linked due to some quarters not wishing Bangladesh to have an effective fighting force. Who could possibly feel threatened by the government proposal and would then seek to have it cancelled and also to send a warning signal to the government and military not to move forward with the procurements or even disable the defence forces in a preemptive act of sabotage? 3, Related to point 2 is whether the Prime Minister hoodwinked the nation by pretending to seek the procurement of the weapons and thereby allow Bangladesh to establish an effective fighting force defending the country but she had no real intention to follow through on either issue. She made a similar comment to the BDR only a few hours before the mutiny started but according to some opinions she hesitated to act against the mutineers. Why in Gods name did it take 3 days for artillery and tanks to move to the spot? Why were such inexperienced negotiators allowed to enter the compound and parley with the mutineers with a very hasty amnesty agreement being cobbled together in only a matter of a few hours? 4. How is it that our neighbouring country's press and media were able to identify the culprits and planners of the mutiny within only a few hours of the revolt occurring? More pertinently those identified by the Indian reports had nothing to gain from this conspiracy and rebellion. Instead to identify possible suspects one should first list those who had most to gain and determine then whether they had the means and resources to carry out such an operation. From the eye witness accounts now appearing we know that this was pre-planned and premeditated. The army officers were taken by surprise without forewarning of the attack. We know now (according to firsthand testimony of survivors of the carnage in the BDR HQ) that Gen. Shakil Ahmed had in fact raised the BDR jawan's grievances with the Prime Minister who promised to look into the issue. If this be the case why was it necessary for the jawan's to then kill the officers regardless. 5. The intelligence and televisions pictures similarly raise some important questions. If the mutiny was planned by Islamist groups why were mutineers seen chanting `Joy Bangla' instead of `Allah hu Akbar' or `Bangladesh Zindabad'. The rumour that the BSF had been inciting the BDR jawans to attack the army should also be verified. There is also some doubts over why India proposed a Peace Mission even before Dhaka made a request. 6. There are rumours circulating that many of the army officers killed in the attack had only been transferred to the BDR in the last two weeks to one month. If this is really the case then this might show that the transfers were deliberately planned and the killings premeditated to wipe out some of the best and most brilliant officers in the army. These claims must be verified. All these points deserve an answer and by seeking to find the truth we will discover if any outside forces were indeed involved or whether this was a brief act of national madness.
Bangladesh plans major defence procurement The Hindu – February 23, 2009 Dhaka (PTI): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's new government in Bangladesh has decided to launch a massive defence procurement drive to strengthen the armed forces and to equip them with modern weapons and military hardware. Planning Minister Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khondoker told parliament yesterday that the purchases would be made during the current and next fiscals. He said the forces would be made well equipped and trained in line with the country's financial capabilities. "For equipping the army, plans have been taken to procure helicopters, tanks, APCs (armoured personnel carrier), anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, sniper rifles, different types of modern radio systems, explosives, night vision and related hardware, other types of weapons and vehicles in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010," he told the house. A process was now underway to procure three new frigates to earn the "three dimensional" capabilities for the navy to face the 21st centuries challenge, he said. "A process to sign a procurement deal has been completed to buy appropriate anti-ship missiles for Bangladesh Navy's ultra modern frigate while it is now awaiting the government's final nod... Works are underway to install anti-aircraft missile in the ship (frigate)," Khondoker said. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dhakamails/message/2855
Mutiny tests Hasina's mettle By Alastair Lawson BBC News
Many see the surrender of the rebels as a success for the government despite the bloodshed
Barely two months after being elected, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has found herself having to deal with a crisis in which the stakes were terrifyingly high.
The death toll from this week's mutiny staged by the country's border security force, the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) may be steadily rising, but the consensus among commentators in Dhaka is that a far bigger blood bath has still been averted. The prime minister has been credited with not allowing the military to take control as they have in the past.
"On this point nearly everyone is agreed," says the BBC's Bengali section head, Sabir Mustafa. "From the outset Sheikh Hasina took command of the crisis and handled it with confidence and determination.
"There was every chance after the the mutiny began that the army could have taken matters into their own hands, stormed the BDR headquarters and carried out revenge killings for the loss of their officers. That would unquestionably have led to a far higher death toll than we have at present. "But this did not happen because the prime minister ensured that the army stayed under her command and the crisis was solved by politicians."
High discontent The prime minister's address to the nation on Tuesday night has been widely acclaimed as an important turning point in the crisis.
Sheikh Hasina's address to the nation was a turning point In it she sent out a strong message to the mutineers that they had no option but to lay down their arms.
She also tacitly informed the army that she was the person in charge of the crisis and she would be the person who would be dealing with it.
The fact that the stand-off was resolved by Bangladesh's democratically elected government rather than the military - which for many years has been a dominant force in the country - is hugely important.
It shows the outside world that Bangladesh is run by a stable civilian administration and that the army is now accountable to it.
It is a message that will not go unnoticed by outside investors, foreign aid agencies and the UN - all of which are eager to strengthen their presence in the country. Measures also need to be taken immediately for officers of the BDR to come from within the regiment itself
Waliur Rahman, BBC, Dhaka So if Sheikh Hasina wins plaudits for her decisive handling of the stand-off - despite the relatively high number of casualties - could she have foreseen such a development in the first place? Most commentators agree that she was in no position to do so.
They argue that the prime minister only came to power in December and had no time to be fully aware of the high level of discontent within the BDR.
Some reports from Dhaka say she was prevented from meeting rank-and-file BDR members when she visited their headquarters on Tuesday, just hours ahead of the coup. It is alleged that army officers who command the BDR's 70,000 personnel felt that such a meeting would not have been appropriate and deleted it from the prime minister's schedule.
This move reportedly triggered a heated argument just before the mutiny between some BDR personnel and senior army officers - it was the "straw that broke the camel's back" according to Sabir Mustafa.
Recent hostilities So if the prime minister is exonerated, who should take the blame for not foreseeing the mutiny?
Most fingers point at the country's various intelligence agencies. It is likely that the mutiny will lead to a substantial revamp of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, National Security Intelligence and the Special Branch of the police who, it is argued, should all in different ways have been more alert to the dangers.
The army has not emerged from the mutiny with much credit Another likely spin-off from the mutiny is reform of the BDR, which needs to be done urgently. "At the moment the country's borders are closed and there are 70,000 paramilitary border personnel with no leadership," says the BBC's Waliur Rahman in Dhaka.
One suggestion is that retired army officers - with no connection to the recent hostilities - be put in temporary charge of the BDR until longer term replacements can be found.
"Measures also need to be taken immediately for officers of the BDR to come from within the regiment itself - rather than just from the army - and steps need to be taken to promote more non-commissioned officers," says Waliur Rahman. The army itself cannot expect to emerge from the mutiny unreformed. The top commander is due to retire soon and the expectation is that his successor will be a political appointee who will have no qualms about deferring to Sheikh Hasina. "Efforts are now almost certain to take place to consolidate civilian control over the army, possibly by the formation of a national security council," says Sabir Mustafa.
"The army have not emerged from this crisis with much credit. There was widespread resentment - even before the mutiny - that junior officers in particular lorded it over everyone. "People did not like the military's lack of accountability." Meanwhile the military must rebuild following the loss of several senior officers in the coup.
With the army weakened and an opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party still smarting from its recent poll trouncing, Sheikh Hasina seems to have emerged from the mutiny in a stronger position than ever.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7914406.stm
ICE AGE SWASTIKA FROM MEZIN IN UKRAINE : INTERPRETATION OF A BASIC SYMBOL OF MANKIND by John J White , III About Dr John White ABSTRACT This article attempts to explain the original meaning of the famous "Swastika" symbol occurring so often in ancient art. We will argue from Ice Age archaeological evidence that the ancient "Swastika" was a double-symbol of the Earth Mother Goddess, indicated by the equal-arm cross, and the Earth Father God, indicated by the attachment of a coiled serpentine figure to the tip of each cross arm. These are symbols of the gods of the ancient fertility religion known at Earth Mother Culture (EMC). Most of the ancient "Swastikas" observed are an abbreviated form that obscures the original meaning. Other examples of the EMC double-symbol usage will be mentioned. Our purpose is to establish a very basic observation about the use of symbols in ancient art. The notion offered is that many of our ancestors had a simple fertility-based religion that is revealed, in part, by the repeated use of simple symbols in their art that we can now interpret to have relatively fixed meanings. The general pervasiveness of this Earth Mother Culture led eventually to a method of sacred name construction called Earth Mother Sacred Language. All of this took place long before the development of writing, at which time knowledge of the old Earth Mother Culture was retained only in fragments and selected traditions. It is through the preponderance of symbols and words occurring in an acceptable or reasonable cultural context that this firm summary can be made. This approach does not refute the data of thousands of man-years of modern archaeology, but it does state that a simpler, sharper, more focussed, more logical method of cultural interpretation has been found. We predict that this is a dominant description of man's spiritual culture down through most of the Bronze Age and some of the Iron and Medieval Ages. INTRODUCTION I took up the field of ancient culture interpretation in late 1991 when I retired from the Defense R&D Industry, ie, contract research for the Department of Defense. My earliest conclusion about ancient culture was that the Phoenicians and their descendants were likely among the more adventuresome and underrated people in history. They were traders and pirates but seldom conquerors like the Romans. My favorite Phoenician-oriented exploration book was Fair Gods and Stone Faces by Constance Irwin,1 and it probably stimulated my current interests more than any other source. My discoveries about EMC symbols and EMSL names emerged steadily once I settled on a scope of research. The statements of purpose clarified from actions dictated by a decision to pursue insight about man's earliest attempts to communicate via artistic symbols and sacred names. The Burrows Cave research opportunity with its strong Phoenician-derived-cultural flavor came along before I had achieved a comfortable ancient history education. This was an amazing match of interest with opportunity. I found myself publishing papers long before I was ready by my earlier professional standards. Except for scrawny bearded faces, there was little established methodology for identifying a Phoenician influence. I was immediately drawn to the recurrence of simple symbols2,3 in art, but the much needed interpretations of meaning were seldom available. The far more fertile research topic on sacred words came from a scientific intuition that some ancient names showed a hint of word-element agglutination that authors did not stop to point out, discuss, or explain. Earth Mother Sacred Language (EMSL) was the outcome of this parallel research effort.4,5 The "Swastika" symbol, the center piece of this paper, is the subject of many speculations.6,7 The social scientist, it appears, does not excel in boiling topics down to a basic interpretation applicable in a cultural era of ancient times. The point is, we shouldn't be overly distracted by corruptions of interpretation or pronunciation that occur in later times when the original cultural context of a subject idea has become vague at best. And in the case of simple symbols, we can't be paralyzed if we locate the use of a favorite symbol for another cultural purpose altogether, eg, the hexagram, which was adapted by the Hebrew culture long after its earlier use as a fertility symbol of Earth Mother Culture (EMC). JOSEPH CAMPBELL STIMULATED INTEREST The oldest example of a "Swastika" symbol, as I interpret it, was discovered in the book Flight of the Wild Gander by Joseph Campbell8 circa 1998. It took some time to locate an older source of his figures that could be republished in this Journal. Campbell was a remarkable social-science scholar, in many ways the best I have encountered to date. He dominated the Establishment in his role as the Grand Spokesman for the elucidation of the Role of Mythology in the History of Man. The key to his success was his early grasp of the usefulness of a thorough knowledge of the modern German language. He apparently thought that the scientific and organizational approaches to the study of man, as fumbled around by his history-oriented contemporaries, failed to appreciate the benefits of art insights and the simplified elements of normal psychology. Thus we were treated to a comprehensive synthesis of the experience of man's pursuit of religious insight and inspiration, ala CG Jung, using the historical data to illustrate points of passing interest, but suggesting that the picture is too haphazard to be comprehended in organized societal and historical terms. Some of his metaphysical insights are truly amazing! But I think I can guarantee that well-trained scientists will eventually cope with the scattered data of ancient culture and make much more of the information than the current Establishment foot draggers. I personally cannot be gratified by the mumbo-jumbo of psychological unification, although clearly I am attracted to certain specific emotional notions that I relish to consider at appropriate times. Isn't it possible that Mythology is a vessel holding many poorly understood cultural insights and practices? While I lack the talent to constructively discuss the many contributions of Joseph Campbell, I will simply counter that I value scientific organization, pursuit of simple concepts, and repeated review of published data, which allows a slow but sure absorption and identification of underlying values/truths/techniques/ideas of my ancestors without relying on many prejudgments or biases. My preferred micro-method, steeped in the traditions of classical physics, is rather slow, but it locates truths and approaches that are relatively permanent and can be built upon both horizontally and vertically. Surely we can agree that research is not a productive activity for dilettantes! THE GOD OF THE NIGHT Now having opened a vague can of worms, let me give an example of what I advocate. My confidence that EMC was more organized, rational, proselytized, accepted, and universal during the Bronze Age and before is a hard sell, but I think I have made progress. I have been finding good data faster than I can write it up! It is difficult for me to be a pessimist. For example, you will find that the older I-E languages9 have a common root for words that mean "night" in English. Some examples are German "nacht", Spanish "noche", Latin "nox", Greek "nux", Lithuanian "naktis", and Sanskrit "nakta". The point is that the corruptions are minor, and all of these words have the EMSL translation of naga or the-naga. How could such agreement occur unless the implied religious perception became common in 6000 BC or before? It is safe to say that the basic interpretation of this discovery is that the old Earth God was thought of as The God of the Night, just as his son, The Sun, was thought of as The God of the Day. Notice that this point of highly universal cultural truth was uncloaked with a minimum of mumbo-jumbo about the psychic experiences or responses of ancient mankind. If you think that little that is causal can be discovered about ancient life, let me challenge your senses. Recall that the French word for "night" is "noir", which is an r-word instead of the g-words give above. Notice, however, that "noi-r(e)" means consort-of-earth in EMSL, that is, father or serpent.4 Thus the French adopted a local Western European r-word for night, whereas the others use a more Asiatic g-word with the same alleged meaning. Don't you love this kind of luck! Can you take a little more of this argument? Well it is fairly clear that the symbolic color of the Earth Mother is red, of the Earth God is black, and of the Sun/Sky God is white(pale)/ yellow/blue. (Studies of the colors of national/tribal flags and folk costumes are consistent with this argument.) Now we can argue that red is an Earth Mother name (the notion of ancient medicine was that babies were made from the mother's blood) and pale/yellow/blue are Sun God names in EMSL. But the word black, if anything, is a (negative) Sun name. Surely something is wrong here! Negro derives from the Niger River in Africa and does not mean black explicitly. Ebony is an EMSL synomym of the African cultural name Bantu; they refer to the "father" but not to the Eurasian concept of "black". Latin has the word pullatus for black clothes, but this is another Sun word. Greek uses the newer word melas, which leads to "mal", "melanin", "Melanesia", etc. Something more basic is needed! The solution to this puzzle comes from perceiving that the German schwartz and English swarthy are a corruption of an older word swatze/svatze, which means the-father in EMSL. Not only is va the root for the Germanic word vate(r) for "father", but one of the oldest Scandinavian goddess names was Vana.5 Thus the consort of Vana would have been called Va. And with all of the serpent images in ancient Scandinavian art, Va was surely the old Earth God. Many of the linguistic traces have been lost, but we have thus established a linguistic notion that the color black does have a connection with the ancient God of the Night, aka The Father or The Serpent. Now let us finish this essay on ancient notions of "night/black" with an exercise on the obvious. I refer to our dinner tables where we keep "salt" and "pepper" shakers. Salt is "white" and "pepper" is close to "black"; the "salt" and "pepper" words are surely quite old. The word "salt" means the-sun in EMSL, whereas "pepper" or more correctly "pepa" means father-father. How can such consistent meaning for words persist without a coherent system of name construction like EMSL? Is it too much to remind you that our favorite fruit, the tomato, is primarily "red" in color and has a name that means the-mother?
Figure 1. An Example of the medical profession symbol, the ancient symbol of knowledge (after Webster's Dictionary, 1951). Figure 2. Ice age Bird Figureines from Mezin [ca 10,000 BCE] with Inscribed Swastikas (after Hancar 10 from research by Volkov11 THE ICE AGE SWASTIKA FROM MEZIN I have inserted two essays above to assist with my true mission, namely to clarify the basics of Earth Mother Culture. First I reminded you that Joseph Campbell8 was a serious mentor and a great inspiration to take the understanding of the meaning and the symbols of EMC to a new level. Second I introduced you to some new insights about the strong influence in the past of the great Earth God or Earth Father of our ancestors. We live in a world that has been in denial about this god for most of the last 1-4 millennia. The serpent in the Garden of Eden story is clearly a remnant of this culture. Surely you recognize that the worldwide circumcision-type ceremonies were likely practiced in the old Serpent cultures. (The ancient king, the serpent priest or living earth god, shed his blood [a sacrificial symbol] for the religious benefit of the people!) And certainly you can affirm from our use of the modern symbol of the medicine profession [the caduceus] shown in Figure 1 that the Sun (eagle wings) and the Serpent were the great gods of wisdom and knowledge in ancient times. This concept remains unopposed! Figure 2 shows a sampling of the art of from the Ice Age site at Mezin in the Ukraine located approximately 100 km northeast of Kiev.10,11 The artifacts were bird figurines carved from mammoth ivory with inscribed patterns that included elaborate swastikas [ca 10,000 BCE]. We view these items as sacred images of the Earth Mother, represented as the Bird Mother, inscribed with symbols indicating her Earth Father consort, the Serpent. This is the essence of paleolithic EMC when it was principally a fertility cult! In 1939 Franz Hancar of Vienna wrote a survey10 on the various paleolithic "Venus" statues that had been discovered. He included the Mezin bird figurines but did not make a firm claim for the existence of EMC. The source of the Mezin figures appears to be the articles by FK Volkov11 in 1909, however the finds could have been earlier or involved others. The swastika patterns were first recognized by VA Gorodcov,8 and it was Hancar10 who called them the oldest swastikas found thus far. Campbell8 quotes the conservative ca 10,000 BCE date for Mezin. I subsequently found the book by Klein12 who cites Abramova13 as an authority on Mezin. The actual layer for the artifacts could be as old as 17,000 BCE, but perhaps I misunderstood. None of these sources discusses the actual workof FK Volkov.11 From Figure 2 we observe that the original swastika was an elaborate form with spiral arms, whereas the more modern symbol is like the gammadion (geometrical) form with short arms.14b Truncation to the gammadion form does not change the meaning of this symbol in connection with the Earth Mother or Goddess culture, but it lessens the chance of interpretive insight. The crux of the matter is this: the swastika is a double-symbol for a fertility religion having two gods, the Earth Mother and the Earth Father. To get to this point, you must study the symbols of ancient art until you conclude that the principal meaning of the equal-arm cross is reference to the Earth Mother. In addition to these context-related sources, numerous examples14a,c of ancient minimal art of human females and birds make the same suggestion about the cross. The point then is that the ancient swastika was an equal-arm cross with a serpent-symbol spiral attached to the tip of each arm. You can see this in Figure 2, and it is over 12,000 years old. Further to this point, we have published14d,e sacred bird images from ancient Australia and Shang China with inscribed snakes. Serious confirmation indeed! Perhaps you are not acquainted with ancient double- symbols. A familiar double-symbol is the caduceus used for the modern symbol of the medical profession (see Figure 1). Our interpretation is symbols of the Sun (eagle wings) and Serpent as the gods of wisdom/knowledge in ancient times. The frequently used "Yin/Yang" symbol refers to the Swastika gods. The so-called circle cross is a double-symbol alternative to the swastika. We interpret the circle to be the Serpent in the "uroborus" configuration, implying the protective aspect of the Male Principle. Finally, the hexagram is an ancient symbol of sexual union of the gods, the downward-pointed triangle being the female and the upward-pointed triangle being the male. Most of the ancient connections are quite simple. Surely you grasp the idea that the Sun was the Son of the Earth Gods in many cultures. That is why Sun and Son have the same sound! Referring to the old hexagram symbol, you surely know that "sex" and "six" have the same sound in many languages (eg, German, Latin). The reason for this is that the hexagram sex symbol has six points! Send us your alternative explanation. THE NAME "SWASTIKA" It is the nature of the closure of what might be called scientific proof that the pieces of an original puzzle can come together with some unsuspected clarity and perhaps new unsuspected predictions of reality. Two examples from physics illustrate the point, and they come across each year to diligent new graduate students as virtual miracles. In the course of developing electromagnetic theory, James Clerk-Maxwell added a previously undetected mathematical term to the equations. As a result, he showed that the ordinary description of electricity and magnetism was capable of predicting the existence of electromagnetic waves, including light. His closure was that these waves were predicted to travel at the speed of light, a value so large that it was barely measurable at that time. He was correct! The essence of Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity is the requirement that the speed of light must have the same value for all observers in non-accelerating frames of reference. The result of this assumption is the prediction that mass is a form of energy. The closure of this discovery is that the energy released in a nuclear explosion actually comes at the expense of the loss of a small amount of this mass form of energy. We had no clue before Einstein published his article! It is easy to understand that the word "Swastika" could have great significance and yet be called by some abstract name with an obscure meaning. An example is the Indo-European word "raga", which means "king" or "high person", but is made up of two sounds that give no hint of the correct meaning. But fortunately that is not the case for the very old word "Swastika", and hence we can obtain a bonus if you agree that the finding makes some sense. There are three spellings and two pronunciations of our special word. They are "Swastika" and "Suastika" pronounced with a w-sound and "Svastika" pronounced with a v-sound. The Indo-Germanic word is pronounced with the v-sound, which is the usual EMSL-sound with V = B = F = P generally assumed.4 The Oriental and Native American languages prefer the w-sound rather dominantly but with the old v-meaning.15 The English/Welsh language speakers pronounce the Germanic-w with the w-sound instead of the v-sound. They have many other w-sounds that are non-Germanic in origin. The point of this discussion is to gain understanding that "Svastika" is a double-name EMSL word, naming both male and female gods. Thus we view the word "Svastika" as "S(a)va-stika" with the EMSL translation The-father (&) the earth. Isn't this exactly what the above discussion of the double-symbol meaning of the "Svastika" claimed? All of this is very simple, but is there really any reason to expect something else? Could this be some outrageous linguistic accident that any scholar can see right through? The Establishment can only hope for one of its great linguistic knights to awake from academic slumber. Send us your claims, your refutations, or your real research! Let me remind the reader that we still use remnants of this scheme of linguistics in our words for "fathe(r)". The Germanic languages prefer the name "vate(r)". Of all the EMSL rules,4 surely the argument for the occurrence of imbedded definite articles (eg, te/the) in names is one of the easiest to accept. And surely the goddess names "Ban(a), Bona, Fauna, Vana, Venus" could be consorts of gods named "Ba, Bo, Fau, Va, Ve". And finally one could write a book on all of the "Ga/Ka" sounds that occur in ancient sacred names. Our largest continent is called "Asia" but pronounced "Agea/Ashea", as in the names "Agean" sea or "Achaean" people. And, of course, the "Ocean" is a part of the great Earth. Her name is pronounced "Okea(ni)/Ogea(ni)", which just happens to be a sacred name for the Earth. In one of the more sensible Flat Earth Theories, the Greeks alleged that the Ocean waters were contained by a great encircling serpent (what else!) named "Okenos", which has the EMSL translation Of-the-serpent. Here we have demonstrated the value of literal closure! The most common EMSL name-usages are probably the words "Ga/Naga" and "Ka/Kana". SUMMARY It is a challenge to summarize a topic that we have laid out so many times from so many internally consistent points of view. We suggest that our ancient ancestors followed a simple, straightforward fertility religion for thousands of years prior to the officially recognized date of ca 6500 BCE at Çatal Hüyük in modern Turkey.8 A flaw in the conventional interpretation is the requirement that followers of what I call EMC must have "Venus" statuettes for archaeological artifacts. If you survey the art of the native peoples of the world, you will see that many have some recognizable form of this old culture. Very few of them make "Venus" statuettes! The point is that they chose to use easy to make symbols instead. Finally, Figure 3 presents some Swastikas from the historic-era with snake-like arms. This suggests that many historic-era people knew the old Swastika meaning. These examples plus the general EMC context of most Swastika-usage suggest that the present model is the dominant interpretation. Figure 3. Selected Swastika symbols from ancient art of the historic era having snake-like arms: A-Tray from Rhodes (585 BCE) [Brit Mus]; B - Vase from the Greek culture (ca 500 BCE) of Messapia in So. Italy [Toledo Art Mus]; C - Bird vase from E Greek culture (ca 500 BCE) [Roy Ont Mus]; D - Bowl from E Greek culture (615 BCE) of Denos [Brit Mus]; E - Figurine shield from Joche III (ca 300 CE) in Peru [St Louis Art Mus]; F - Woodland Indian (ca 1000CE) pattern die [McClung Mus, Univ TN]; G - Vase from the Canosean culture (300 BCE) of Greek Italy [Roy Ont Mus]. Line drawings (A & F) by BH Moseley from JJ White photographs. REFERENCES Constance Irwin, Fair Gods and Stone Faces, St Martin's Press, New York, 1963, 347p. JJ White and BH Moseley, "Burrows Cave: Fraud or Find of the Century? (aka Men of Tyre in Ancient Illinois and Other Worldwide Destinations)", The Ancient American 1(2), 4-15 (1993). JJ White, "Tyre - Circle Cross Connection Found at Burrows Cave", Midwestern Epigraphic J 7, 91 (1993). JJ White, "Earth Mother Sacred Language: A Key To Ancient Names Worldwide", Midwestern Epigraphic Journal 10(1), 23-33 (1996). JJ White, "Self-Consistency of EMSL: The Case of the Words 'Man' and 'Ban', Midwestern Epigraphic Journal 12/13, 55-62 (1998-9). Gertrude Jobes, Dictionary of Mythology Folklore and Symbols, Scarecrow Press, New York, 1962, pp 1193, 1517; she was a thorough scholar, and yet her essay gives no hint of the original EMC usage and meaning. Barbara G Walker, The Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, Castle Books, Edison, NJ, 1996. See, pp 733, 964-965. Joseph Campbell, The Flight of the Wild Gander, HarperPerennial, New York, 1990, pp 136, 146-147, 150, and 165. FP 1951 Eric Partridge, Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, Greenwich House, New York, 1983. See, "night", p 435. F Hancar, "Zum Problem der Venusstatuetten im eurasiatischen Jungpaläolithikum", Praehistorische Zeitschrift, XXX-XXXI Band, 1939-40, 1/2 Heft, pp 85-156. See Taf VII, p 127 and Taf VIII, p 129. FK Volkov, "Paleoliticeskaya stojanka v Mezine", Tr XIV archeol sjezda v Cerigove, t III, 1909; F Vovk, "Paleoliticni znachidki s Mizeni", Zap Ukr nauk tovaristva, k IV, 1909. RG Klein, Ice-Age Hunters of the Ukraine, University of Chicago, Chicago, 1973, p 86. ZA Abramova, Paleolithic Art in the Territory of the USSR, AN SSSR, Moscow, 1962, plates 31, 32, and 35. JJ White and BH Moseley, back page art, Midwestern Epigraphic NL 12(5), 17(3), 18(1), 18(2), and 19(3). JJ White, "Applications of Earth Mother Sacred Language", Midwestern Epigraphic Journal 14, 135-138 (2000). A Massive Moral Black Hole Rami G Khouri Beirut, Lebanon Rami George Khouri is a Palestinian-Jordanian and U.S. citizen whose family resides in Beirut, Amman, and Nazareth. He is editor at large, and former executive editor, of the Beirut-based Daily Star newspaper... Washington Post - United States Israel and its foundational ideology of Zionism have always had a structural problem with how to accommodate Arab and Jewish nationalism in a single country. Most of the world believes that the best answer is two Israeli and Palestinian states side by side, with a negotiated and fair resolution of the Palestine refugee issue that is the core of the conflict for Palestinians and Arabs. Some Israelis feel the solution is to expel Palestinians within Israel, and treat those living under Israeli occupation as residents but not as citizens with equal rights. Few Israelis accept the principle that Palestinians and Israelis should enjoy fully equal rights in two adjacent states, with the Palestinian refugeehood issue resolved through negotiations on the basis of UN resolutions and prevailing international law. The dilemma increases every year for Israel, as the Palestinian population grows; the 1.5 million Palestinians in 1948 are now over 8 million; the 800,000 Palestinian refugees of 1947-48 are now nearly 4.5 million. No wonder Israelis increasingly fear the "demographic threat" and seek solace in right-wing parties that now form a majority in their parliament. Openly racist parties now seem perfectly legitimate in the Israeli political system -- parties that would be rightly shunned, say, in Europe or the USA. Israel still has not come to grips with the fundamental dilemma that its creation in 1947-48 came at the expense of the integrity and rights of the native Palestinian Arabs, who now find themselves in exile, under occupation and siege, or living as second-class citizens inside Israel. That fact must be acknowledged and rectified if there is ever going to be peace for Israelis and Palestinians and many others in the region. Proposals to expel Arabs or disenfranchise them in order to safeguard the Jewish purity of Israel are racist, Apartheid-like ideas that will never work logistically and should never be considered morally. The fact that such ideas are part of mainstream Israeli society today should be a great shame to otherwise impressive Jewish ethical traditions. There is only one resolution of this dilemma, and Moses passed it on to his people thousands of years ago to spread to all humankind: "pursue justice and only justice," and treat all people alike on the basis of a single standard of law that is adjudicated by fair judges. Speaking of Israel disenfranchising and expelling Arabs reminds us of this massive black hole in the morality of the state that says it represents all the Jewish people. If so, the Jewish people and their state have some serious work to do in moral and psychological rehabilitation. Failing that, they risk being taken over completely by a growing mob of electorally legitimized political skinheads and moral thugs who use the fear of ordinary Israelis to create an edifice of state racism that will only perpetuate the fears and vulnerabilities of the Israeli and Jewish people, rather then resolve them. -- Patrick Mac Manus Midgaardsgade 13, 3. th. 2200 København / Copenhagen N +45 22 45 41 78 Foreningen Oprør / Rebellion (Denmark): www.opror.net/blog/ &A: Bangladesh border guards mutiny Bangladesh border guards have surrendered after their two-day mutiny in the capital, Dhaka. Some 200 guards have been arrested. The fate of more than 100 officers who were taken hostage is still unclear. BBC News looks at the background to the situation. Who was behind the mutiny?
The revolt started on Wednesday at the headquarters of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in the Pilkhana area of Dhaka. The border guards released hostages taken during the mutiny The BDR are a paramilitary force, officially part of the home ministry, responsible for Bangladesh's border security.
They also perform anti-smuggling work and are required to help civil and military authorities as directed by the government. The BDR has 70,000 men stationed at 42 camps across the country, including 40,000 along the country's 4,000km (2,500-mile) border with India and Burma.
Why did the BDR mutiny? The mutineers want the BDR command and officers to be drawn from their own ranks rather than from the regular army - most BDR officers are seconded from the army for two to four years.
The mutineers also complained about pay and conditions. The average BDR guard earns about $70 (£50) a month, which is equivalent to the wages of a low-ranking government clerk.
"An ordinary guard doesn't get decent pay or food and spends a lot of time living in harsh, remote areas," a Dhaka University professor told the AFP news agency. The mutiny was reportedly sparked off by the refusal of senior officers to consider more pay and better conditions for the troops.
What impact might the mutiny have on Bangladeshi politics? Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sworn in at the start of the year after two years of an army-backed interim government. Sheikh Hasina promised to address concerns over pay and conditions The BDR mutineers were not thought to be asking for any political change.
In a televised address earlier on Thursday, Sheikh Hasina promised the mutineers that her government would address their concerns over pay and working conditions. But she also threatened "tough action" if they did not surrender their arms. It seems that this message had the desired effect.
What are the consequences for Bangladesh? Bangladesh's 37-year history has been a turbulent one, with many incidents of political turmoil and violence. The country has a population of more than 140 million - 40% of whom are below the poverty line - and it is dependent on foreign aid and investment.
There are fears that further political unrest could deter investors and donor countries. Current economic growth could miss its target of 6.5%, partly due to the global financial crisis, but political instability could push it down even more, according to some economists. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7912112.stm On Thu, 2/26/09, Zoglul Husain wrote: I am referring to today's Naya Diganta report on US human rights report on Bangladesh, 2009 (given below, please click). The hypocrisy of the US and UN Human Rights needs to be exposed. No where in the report you will find that, in the first place, it was the US, (Israel in the background), India, UK, EU, their allies and the UN, who jointly conspired to stage-manage the political conflict between 28 October 2006 and 11 January 2007 in order to cancel the election scheduled on 22 January 2007 (which the BNP was deemed to win) and bring in a military-controlled interim government for two years for staging the sham election on 29 December 2008 under army deployment and which was totally rigged to bring in the government we now have, with the majority for the government pre-planned, except that their 'minus two theory' failed because of Khaleda's stand.
Concerned people in Bangladesh know how the ambassadors of the above countries, in the above period, were running here, there and everywhere like crazy, including visits to army personnel (!!). It is them who planned, managed and monitored the activities of the totally illegal so-called Care Taker Government (CTG). So it is them who grossly and ruthlessly violated the human rights in Bangladesh during the tenure of the so-called CTG. When these people, who kill millions in wars staged on their false propaganda and conspiracy, talk of Human Rights, their pretentions need to be unmasked. We should, however, establish Human Rights of our own accord and for our own sake.
The report is similar to UNHCR report on Bangladesh, published by HRW, 14 January 2009
http://www..unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,BGD,,49705fac37,0.html TitleWorld Report 2009 - Bangladesh PublisherHuman Rights Watch CountryBangladesh Publication Date14 January 2009 Cite asHuman Rights Watch, World Report 2009 - Bangladesh, 14 January 2009. Online. UNHCR Refworld, available at:
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/49705fac37.html [accessed 27 February 2009] World Report 2009 - Bangladesh Events of 2008 A military-backed interim government ruled Bangladesh for the second year in a row in 2008 under a state of emergency. This was despite the absence of any visible internal or external threats justifying emergency rule. Fundamental rights were suspended during most of the year, but were partially restored in the run-up to parliamentary elections in December and the expected return to democratic rule. In the second half of 2008, the government released dozens of senior politicians and businesspersons arrested in an anti-corruption drive initiated in 2007. Extrajudicial executions, custodial torture, arbitrary arrests, and impunity for members of the security forces continue to characterize the human rights situation in Bangladesh. Political Developments The military-backed government headed by "Chief Advisor" Fakhruddin Ahmed claimed to be a non-party "caretaker government" constitutionally mandated to undertake routine government functions and ensure that the Election Commission can hold free and fair parliamentary elections. However, it interpreted its mandate broadly, and throughout 2008 adopted dozens of ordinances with little or no direct link to preparations for national elections. In December 2007 the President issued an ordinance for the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission. At this writing, the commission had not yet been made operational. Many of the country's political and business leaders were detained and charged in an unprecedented and initially welcomed anti-corruption drive that began in 2007. The drive has been plagued by perceived political favoritism and has so far had limited impact in reducing overall corruption. In the course of negotiations between the government and political parties over planned December 2008 elections, authorities released former prime ministers Khaleda Zia, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, together with dozens of other high profile prisoners who had been held on corruption-related charges. Extrajudicial Killings The police force and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) – an elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism force – continue to kill people in what the authorities refer to as "crossfire" killings, "encounters," and "shootouts," but which in fact are thinly disguised extrajudicial executions. After strong national and international criticism the number of killings decreased in 2007 and early 2008. According to the human rights organization Odhikar, law enforcement officials killed 116 people between January 1 and September 30, 2008. Alleged members of outlawed left wing political parties are often targeted. On July 26, the mother of Dr. Mizanur Rahman Tutul, the head of the outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (Red Flag faction), informed the media that RAB officers had arrested her son in Dhaka. She urged the government to save him from "crossfire." According to the police, Tutul was killed in a shootout between his group and the police on July 27, the day after his mother talked to the press. Torture Torture remains widespread in Bangladesh and is frequently used by law enforcement officials to coerce confessions in criminal investigations and to extort money. It is also used for politically motivated purposes against perceived government critics and alleged national security suspects. The bodies of those who are killed by RAB and the police regularly have physical marks and injuries indicating that they have been tortured. After their release in 2008, businesspersons and politicians targeted in the government's anti-corruption campaign alleged that the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) – Bangladesh's most important military intelligence agency – illegally detained them at its offices inside the military cantonment in Dhaka for days or weeks and subjected them to physical torture, harsh interrogations methods, and sleep deprivation. Former detainees also allege that the DGFI used threats and extortion to force suspects to transfer arbitrary sums of money to state coffers and individual accounts. Freedom of Expression and Assembly Emergency provisions limiting the rights of expression and assembly remained in force during most of 2008, but the interim government lifted some restrictions in advance of elections. Military and civilian government agencies have regularly interfered in the day-to-day work of the media. While direct intimidation and harassment of journalists was less frequent during the second part of 2008, members of DGFI provided "friendly advice" to journalists on editorial content and the media continued to exercise a high degree of self censorship, especially when reporting on allegations of corruption and other illegal acts by members of the armed forces. Military figures and their associates continue to increase their ownership of both electronic and print media. 2008 saw a sharp decrease in the number of criminal defamation cases filed against journalists. At this writing, no journalist had been murdered and none were known to be arbitrarily detained. Law enforcement agencies continue to use excessive force to break up demonstrations. On May 19, the Bangladesh Rifles, a paramilitary law enforcement agency, reportedly injured at least 50 people demonstrating against an assault on a sub-district commissioner by members of the Rifles. In June 2008 security forces detained thousands of grassroots political activists following the refusal of the major political parties to participate in a government-initiated dialogue about the country's political future until party leaders were released from detention. Most of those arrested were released shortly afterwards. Freedom of Association Union activities remain banned under the state of emergency. But factory workers continue to hold frequent, large-scale demonstrations protesting non-payment of salaries, below-minimum wages, and the failure of employers to respect basic labor standards. Several union and labor rights activists were arrested during 2008, while others went into hiding for fear of being subjected to harassment. In January 2008, National Security Intelligence agents arrested Mehedi Hasan of the Dhaka branch of the Worker Rights Consortium, an organization that monitors labor practices on behalf of US colleges and universities. Hasan was detained for ten days. Women's Rights Discrimination against women is common in both public and private spheres. There are few women in decision-making positions and women generally are paid lower wages than men. Maternal mortality rates remain extremely high, despite significant improvements over the past 20 years. Domestic violence is a daily reality for many women and dowry-related crimes are reported to be increasing. Following adoption of a new National Women's Development Policy in March 2008, a number of Islamist groups organized violent protests, arguing that provisions calling for equality in acquisition and control of property violate Sharia inheritance rules. In response to the protests, the government established a committee of Islamic scholars which among other things recommended that references to equal rights be taken out of the policy. At this writing, it remained unclear whether the policy would be amended or its implementation shaped by the recommendations. Privacy Section 377 of Bangladesh's criminal code, an inheritance of British colonialism, punishes consensual homosexual conduct with up to life imprisonment. Impunity The interim government's efforts to hold people accountable for corruption stand in sharp contrast to its complete inaction with regard to abuses committed by members of the security forces. No progress has been made in recent years to address the longstanding problem of impunity and at this writing not a single member of the security forces had been sentenced to prison for extrajudicial killings or torture. Impunity for security forces and officials has been further entrenched by a constitutional provision permitting authorities to suspend court enforcement of fundamental rights during the state of emergency. Despite considerable civil society pressure, there has been no move by the interim government to prosecute individuals believed responsible for atrocities in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. Human Rights Defenders Bangladesh's NGO Affairs bureau, which approves projects and funding of NGOs, has created obstacles for some human rights organizations seeking permission to receive foreign donor funding. Organizations critical of the regime and outspoken against human rights abuses appear to be particularly affected. There were some reports of staff members of nongovernmental human rights organizations being harassed by members of the security forces. Key International Actors Foreign governments and intergovernmental organizations, including the US, UK, and EU, stressed the importance of parliamentary elections being held before the end of 2008 and publicly urged the interim government to relax or lift the state of emergency before the elections. Several international donor agencies such as the Asia Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and World Bank are providing support to the government's anti-corruption efforts. They have rarely raised publicly any concerns about abuses resulting from the campaign. The United Kingdom conducted human rights training for selected RAB members in 2008, apparently in hopes of future cooperation with RAB, on organized crime, Islamic militancy, and terrorism. The US also has explored possibilities for future cooperation. The EU and some foreign missions continue to raise concerns about extrajudicial executions and other abuses. Multinational companies buying garments from Bangladesh were slow in reacting to the state of emergency ban on trade union activities even though their own codes of conduct stress the importance of freedom of association. In September 2008 some major brands asked the interim government to lift restrictions on such activities Bangladesh is due to be reviewed under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council in February 2009. Topics: Human rights activists, Impunity, Womens rights, Freedom of association, Freedom of assembly, Freedom of expression, Torture, Torture, Extrajudicial executions, Homosexuals, Gender discrimination, Political situation, Indian peace mission signal
SUJAN DUTTA
New Delhi, Feb. 26: India is offering to send a peace mission beyond borders to give security to the Calcutta-Dhaka-Calcutta Moitree Express on an explicit request from Dhaka in the wake of the mutiny by soldiers of the Bangladesh Rifles, highly placed sources in New Delhi have told The Telegraph.
As of today, the Moitree Express that runs between Calcutta and Dhaka is suspended — it runs between the two capitals on Saturdays and Sundays — because of the BDR uprising. Indian and Bangladeshi armies are currently engaged in a first joint training mission in Jalpaiguri for two weeks since February 22.
Yesterday, as two Indian goods trains that make a daily run to Darshana in Bangladesh to transport essential commodities were to enter Bangladesh, there was no one available at the BDR outposts beyond the border pillar to open the massive iron gates that would allow the trains into Bangladesh. The commanding officers of the BDR — actually army officers — had to clang open the gates themselves.
Since Sri Lanka, such a venture to Bangladesh would be the first international bilateral peace mission by India. The Indian Peacekeeping Force of the army to Sri Lanka got embroiled in a tragic war and was aborted at enormous cost to life and limb.
In this instance, India is considering paramilitary forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force, the Railway Protection Force or, if Dhaka agrees, even the Border Security Force, with the exclusive mandate of escorting the trains, protecting passengers and preventing damage to engines and rakes of the goods trains.
The train from Calcutta crosses the border after Gede in Bengal, passes through a metal carriageway, at the entrance for which the gates are opened by the Border Security Force on the Indian side, rolls over the tracks on no-man's land, still through the metal cage at the end of which huge gates are opened by personnel of the Bangladesh Rifles for the train to enter into Bangladesh.
At this point, the security of the train is handed over from India's Railway Protection Force to its Bangladeshi counterpart and for the border security to the Bangladesh Rifles.
In the proposal that is now being considered -- because the Bangladesh Army does not trust the Bangladesh Rifles and the Bangladesh Rifles has no confidence in its officers of the Bangladesh Army -- an Indian agency is offering to take over the responsibility.
For the UPA government in New Delhi and Sheikh Hasina's government in Dhaka, it is a grand statement that local disputes will not be allowed to take bilateral and cultural linkages hostage. Pranab Mukherjee and Sheikh Hasina, personal acquaintances themselves, are understood to be considering the move seriously.
They have concluded it is not worth shutting down the train that has meant so much when it was opened on Poila Boishakh last April.
It also is an eloquent illustration of Manmohan Singh's message to neighbours that India is willing to give friendly countries a stake in its development. The train is popular with Bangladeshis many of whom visit India for medical care.
Last year, there was a move from a hawkish section of the establishment in New Delhi to stop the train altogether when police alleged the hand of elements of the Harkat ul Jehad Ul Islam, based in Bangladesh, in blasts in Hyderabad. But a determined officer in Dhaka and the ambassador there put up a strong defence of continuing with the service.
Of the 538 km between Calcutta and Dhaka, 418 km is in Bangladesh and 120 km is in Bengal (India) but the symbolism it covers is greater than the distance.
Betrayal and slaughter - BDR chief, wife killed SUJAN DUTTA
New Delhi, Feb. 26: Major General Shakil Ahmed, the chief of Bangladesh Rifles, and his wife have been killed in the mutiny that briefly spiralled out of Dhaka but ended this evening after a show of force by rolling tanks.
As many as 56 of the 72 army officers deputed to the Bangladesh border force are feared to have been gunned down by the mutineers who rebelled over pay disputes. However, the official toll has been put at 14 — eight officers and six civilians.
The murder of Ahmed’s wife stood out for betrayal and brutality: a personal security guard emptied his gun on her in the family’s quarters inside the BDR complex, highly placed sources told The Telegraph. “Her body was put in a jeep and the vehicle was set ablaze,” a witness said in Dhaka.
The treachery carried echoes of another subcontinental tragedy — the assassination of Indira Gandhi who was gunned down by her bodyguards.
Reports reaching New Delhi said one of Ahmed’s two daughters was also killed along with her mother. But another version in Dhaka said the daughters escaped because they were in a school outside the compound, writing examinations. The Telegraph could not confirm either version independently.
Shakil Ahmed By the time the wife fell to the bullets of the guard, probably a runner who took care of errands, the major general himself had been shot by a sepoy in a fit of rage, according to multiple sources in Dhaka as well as Delhi.
So many officers were present at the border force headquarters in Dhaka because the BDR Week was being celebrated. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had inaugurated the celebrations on Tuesday — the event ironically setting the stage for the worst crisis to confront her since storming to power two months ago.
A day before that, disgruntled soldiers of the BDR met Ahmed and some of his juniors — all army officers on deputation to the BDR — and urged them to raise their grievances with Hasina at or after the function. Some even asked that Ahmed should do so in his speech.
These grievances were over salaries, perquisites (better living conditions) and greater opportunities for deployment in UN missions. But Ahmed did not raise these issues, at least in public, prompting one person to ask Hasina abruptly why the BDR was being discriminated against.
Tempers flared up because the day before, Hasina had lauded the army’s role in restoring democracy and announced a hefty raise for the military — something the aggrieved BDR was also expecting.
Accounts of what happened after Hasina left vary. One version suggests the person who raised the question was disciplined soon after but others said the flashpoint came the following morning.
On February 25, during the daily morning parade when Ahmed was taking the salute, one trooper raised his voice and asked the chief why he did not take up the BDR’s grievances with Hasina.
Ahmed told the soldier to “fall out” and asked a junior officer to punish him. According to one account, the trooper was to be put into the doghouse — a small confined space where he would roil in the sun. In another account, he was to carry a recoilless gun or a rifle over his head and run several rounds around the courtyard till his legs felt like jelly and his arms limp.
A comrade could not take this. Soldiers at parade to give the salute to the superior are not usually armed unless they are ready to go into action. The comrade ran to the corner where arms were stockpiled, pulled out a pistol, scurried back and, in a fit of rage, pumped the major general with bullets in the courtyard.
But mutineers who came out this evening claimed that Ahmed opened fire on the sepoy who questioned him, triggering the mutiny.
In minutes, the courtyard was showered with bullets, some from pistols, some from recoilless guns manned in twos and threes and, later, aimed at helicopters.
Some men manned mortars. Shells littered the streets of Dhanmandi and New Market. A rickshawpuller was killed. So were Colonel Mujibul Haq, once a leader of the simply named Operation Dal Bhaat in the Dhaka sector, and Lt Colonel Enayet, the commander of the 36 Battalion.
The rebels held out for several hours even after Hasina offered a general amnesty last evening, insisting that the army be withdrawn and they would surrender only to one of their superiors.
Eventually, the government asked Subedar Major Mohammad Touhid, said to be the senior-most in the original border force cadre, to accept the arms.
By then, Hasina had gone on air to warn of tough measures. “We don’t want to use force,” Hasina said. “But don’t play with our patience. We will not hesitate to do whatever is needed to end the violence….”
She also sent in tanks as another persuasive measure. Twenty tanks and 15 armoured vehicles with heavy machine guns from the ninth division — notorious for its role in coups — rumbled into Dhaka, taking up positions in residential neighbourhoods around the BDR complex.
The mutineers then hoisted a white flag and completed the surrender by late evening.
Before the surrender, unrest broke out in several parts of Bangladesh, possibly whipped up by the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami. At least three BDR commanding officers were reportedly shot dead in Rajshahi, Satkhira and Teknaf.
Sources said Touhid could be holding fort for the time being but eventually an army officer of the rank of major general would be given charge of the border force.
However, in future, the officer cadre of the BDR would be sourced from the State Armed Police, a force meant for emergencies.
WITH INPUTS FROM FARID HOSSAIN IN DHAKA http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090227/jsp/frontpage/story_10599073.jsp
Dark Ages From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search For the period of European history, see Middle Ages and Early Middle Ages. For other uses, see Dark Ages (disambiguation).
Petrarch, who conceived the idea of a European "Dark Age." From Cycle of Famous Men and Women, Andrea di Bartolo di Bargillac, c. 1450 Dark Age or Dark Ages is a term in historiography referring to a period of cultural decline or societal collapse that took place in Western Europe between the fall of Rome and the eventual recovery of learning.[1][2][3] The dating of the "Dark Ages" has always been fluid, but the concept was originally intended to denote the entire period between the fall of Rome in the 5th century and the "Renaissance" or "rebirth" of classical values.[4] Increased understanding of the accomplishments of the Middle Ages in the 19th century challenged the characterization of the entire period as one of darkness,[4] and thus the term is often restricted to periods within the Middle Ages, namely the Early Middle Ages; though this usage is also disputed by most modern scholars, who tend to avoid using the phrase.[1][5]
The concept of a Dark Age was created by the Italian scholar Petrarch (Francesco Petrarca) in the 1330s and was originally intended as a sweeping criticism of the character of Late Latin literature.[6] Later historians expanded the term to refer to the transitional period between Classical Roman Antiquity and the High Middle Ages, including not only the lack of Latin literature, but also a lack of contemporary written history, general demographic decline, limited building activity and material cultural achievements in general. Popular culture has further expanded on the term as a vehicle to depict the Middle Ages as a time of backwardness, extending its pejorative use and expanding its scope.[7]
Contents [hide] 1 Dark Ages of Latin Europe 1.1 Petrarch 1.2 Reformation 1.3 Enlightenment 1.4 Romanticism 2 Modern academic use 3 Modern popular use 4 Quotations 5 See also 6 Notes 7 Bibliography 8 External links
[edit] Dark Ages of Latin Europe Main article: Middle Ages in history Further information: Late Antiquity, Decline of the Roman Empire, Migration period, and Early Middle Ages The term "Dark Ages" was originally intended to denote the entire period between the fall of Rome and the "Renaissance"; the term "Middle Ages" has a similar motivation, implying an "intermediate" period between Classical Antiquity and the modern era. In the 19th century scholars began to recognize the accomplishments made during the period, thereby challenging the image of the Middle Ages as a time of darkness and decay.[4] The term "Dark Ages" is now rarely used in scholarship,[5] and when used, it is often restricted to the Early Middle Ages.[1]
The rise of archaeology and other specialties in the 20th century has shed much light on the period and offered a more nuanced understanding of its positive developments.[7] Other terms of periodization have come to the fore: Late Antiquity, the Early Middle Ages, and the Great Migrations, depending on which aspects of culture are being emphasized. When modern scholarly study of the Middle Ages arose in the 19th century, the term "Dark Ages" was at first kept, with all its critical overtones. On the rare occasions when the term "Dark Ages" is used by historians today, it is intended to be neutral, namely, to express the idea that the events of the period often seem "dark" to us only because of the paucity of artistic and cultural output,[8] including historical records, when compared with both earlier and later times.[5]
[edit] Petrarch
"Triumph of Christianity" by Tommaso Laureti (1530–1602), ceiling painting in the Sala di Constantino, Vatican Palace. Images like this one celebrate the triumph of Christianity over the paganism of Antiquity. The concept of a Dark Age was introduced by Petrarch in the 1330s.[4][6] Writing of those who had come before him, he said, "Amidst the errors there shone forth men of genius, no less keen were their eyes, although they were surrounded by darkness and dense gloom."[6] Christian writers had traditional metaphors of "light versus darkness" to describe "good versus evil." Petrarch was the first to co-opt the metaphor and give it secular meaning by reversing its application. Classical Antiquity, so long considered the "dark" age for its lack of Christianity, was now seen by Petrarch as the age of "light" because of its cultural achievements, while Petrarch's time, lacking such cultural achievements, was seen as the age of darkness.[6]
As an Italian, Petrarch saw the Roman Empire and the classical period as expressions of Italian greatness.[6] He spent much of his time traveling through Europe rediscovering and republishing classic Latin and Greek texts. He wanted to restore the classical Latin language to its former purity. Humanists saw the preceding 900-year period as a time of stagnation. They saw history unfolding, not along the religious outline of St. Augustine's Six Ages of the World, but in cultural (or secular) terms through the progressive developments of classical ideals, literature, and art.
Petrarch wrote that history had had two periods: the classic period of the Greeks and Romans, followed by a time of darkness, in which he saw himself as still living. Humanists believed one day the Roman Empire would rise again and restore classic cultural purity, and so by the late 14th and early 15th century, humanists such as Leonardo Bruni believed they had attained this new age, and that a third, Modern Age had begun. The age before their own, which Petrarch had labeled dark, thus became a "middle" age between the classic and the modern. The first use of the term "Middle Age" appeared with Flavio Biondo around 1439.
[edit] Reformation During the Protestant Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries, Protestants wrote of the Middle Ages as a period of Catholic corruption. Just as Petrarch's writing was not an attack on Christianity per se – in addition to his humanism, he was deeply occupied with the search for God – neither was this an attack on Christianity: it was a drive to restore what Protestants saw as biblical Christianity. In response to the Protestants, Roman Catholics developed a counter image, depicting the age as a period of social and religious harmony, and not "dark" at all.[9]
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a line from Gilbert Burnet's 1687 collection Travels mentioning "the darker ages" is the earliest recorded use of the term in English.[1]
[edit] Enlightenment During the 17th and 18th centuries, in the Age of Enlightenment, religion was seen as antithetical to reason. Because the Middle Ages were seen as the "Age of Faith," it was seen as a period contrary to reason, and thus contrary to the Age of Reason.[10] Immanuel Kant and Voltaire were two Enlightenment writers who were vocal in attacking the religiously dominated Middle Ages as a period of social decline. Yet just as Petrarch, seeing himself on the threshold of a "new age," was criticizing the centuries up until his own time, so too were the Enlightenment writers criticizing the centuries up until their own. These extended well after Petrarch's time, since religious domination and conflict were still common into the 17th century and beyond, albeit diminished in scope.
Consequently, an evolution had occurred in at least three ways. Petrarch's original metaphor of light versus dark had been expanded in time, implicitly, at least. Even if the early humanists after him no longer saw themselves living in a dark age, their times were still not light enough for 18th-century writers who saw themselves as living in the real Age of Enlightenment, while the period covered by their own condemnation had been extended and was focused also on what we now call Early Modern times. Additionally, Petrarch's metaphor of darkness, which he used mainly to deplore what he saw as a lack of secular achievements, was sharpened to take on a more explicitly anti-religious meaning in light of the draconian tactics of the Catholic and Orthodox clergy.
In spite of this, the term "Middle Ages", used by Biondo and other early humanists after Petrarch, was the name in general use before the 18th century to denote the period up until the Renaissance. The earliest recorded use of the English word "medieval" was in 1827. The concept of a dark ages was also in use, but by the 18th century, it tended to be confined to the earlier part of this medieval period. The earliest entry for a capitalised "Dark Ages" in the Oxford English Dictionary is a reference in Henry T. Buckle's History of civilisation in England in 1857.[1] Starting and ending dates varied: the Dark Ages were considered by some to start in 410, by others in 476 when there was no longer an emperor in Rome, and to end about 800, at the time of the Carolingian Renaissance under Charlemagne, or to extend through the rest of the 1st millennium up until about the year 1000.
[edit] Romanticism In the early 19th century, the Romantics reversed the negative assessment of Enlightenment critics. The word "Gothic" had been a term of opprobrium akin to "Vandal" until a few self-confident mid-18th-century English "goths" like Horace Walpole initiated the Gothic Revival in the arts—which for the following Romantic generation began to take on an idyllic image of the Age of Faith. This image, in reaction to a world dominated by Enlightenment rationalism in which reason trumped emotion, expressed a romantic view of a Golden Age of chivalry. The Middle Ages were seen with romantic nostalgia as a period of social and environmental harmony and spiritual inspiration, in contrast to the excesses of the French Revolution and, most of all, to the environmental and social upheavals and sterile utilitarianism of the emerging industrial revolution. The Romantics' view of these earlier centuries can still be seen in modern-day fairs and festivals celebrating the period with costumes and events.
Just as Petrarch had turned the meaning of light versus darkness, so had the Romantics turned the judgment of Enlightenment critics. However, the period idealized by the Romantics focused largely on what is now known as the High Middle Ages, extending into Early Modern times. In one respect, this was a reversal of the religious aspect of Petrarch's judgment, since these later centuries were those when the universal power and prestige of the Church was at its height. To many users of the term, the scope of the Dark Ages was becoming divorced from this period, denoting mainly the earlier centuries after the fall of Rome.
[edit] Modern academic use When modern scholarly study of the Middle Ages arose in the 19th century, the term "Dark Ages" was at first kept, with all its critical overtones. Although it was never the more formal term (universities named their departments "medieval history" not "Dark Age history"), it was widely used, including in such classics as Edward Gibbon's The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which expressed the author's contempt for the "rubbish of the Dark Ages."[11] However, the early 20th century saw a radical re-evaluation of the Middle Ages, and with it a calling into question of the terminology of darkness.[5] Historiographer Denys Hay exemplified this when he spoke ironically of "the lively centuries which we call dark."[12] It became clear that serious scholars would either have to redefine the term or abandon it.
When the term "Dark Ages" is used by historians today, it is intended to be neutral, namely, to express the idea that the events of the period often seem "dark" to us because of the paucity of historical records compared with both earlier and later times.[5] The term is used in this sense in reference to the Bronze Age collapse and the subsequent Greek Dark Ages, the Dark ages of Cambodia (ca. 1450-1863), and also of a hypothetical Digital Dark Age which would ensue if the electronic documents produced in the current period were to become unreadable at some point in the future.
Since Late Middle Ages significantly overlap with the Renaissance, the term "Dark Ages" has become restricted to distinct times and places in medieval Europe. Late 5th- and 6th-century Britain, for instance, at the height of the Saxon invasions, might well be numbered among "the darkest of the Dark Ages," with the equivalent of a near-total news blackout in terms of historical records, compared with either the Roman era before or the centuries that followed. Further south and east, the same was true in the formerly Roman province of Dacia, where history after the Roman withdrawal went unrecorded for centuries, as Slavs, Avars, Bulgars, and others struggled for supremacy in the Danube basin, and events there are still disputed. However, at this time the Byzantine Empire and especially the Arab Empire experienced Golden Ages rather than Dark Ages; consequently, this usage of the term must also differentiate geographically. While Petrarch's concept of a Dark Age corresponded to a mostly Christian period following pre-Christian Rome, the neutral use of the term today applies mainly to those cultures least Christianized and thus most sparsely covered by the Catholic Church's historians.[citation needed]
However, from the mid-20th century onwards, other scholars began to critique even this nonjudgmental use of the term.[5] There are two main criticisms. First, it is questionable whether it is possible to use the term "Dark Ages" effectively in a neutral way; scholars may intend this, but it does not mean that ordinary readers will so understand it. Second, the explosion of new knowledge and insight into the history and culture of the Early Middle Ages, which 20th-century scholarship has achieved, means that these centuries are no longer dark even in the sense of "unknown to us." Consequently, many academic writers prefer not to use the expression at all,[13] and a recently published history of German literature describes the term as "a popular if ignorant manner of speaking."[14].
[edit] Modern popular use Further information: Middle Ages in film, Historical novel, and Sword and sorcery
Medieval artistic illustration of the spherical Earth in a 14th century copy of L'Image du monde (ca. 1246) Films and novels often use the term "Dark Age" with its implied meaning of a time of backwardness. The movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail humorously portrays knights and chivalry, following the tradition begun with Don Quixote. A 2007 television show on The History Channel called the Dark Ages "600 years of degenerate, godless, inhuman behavior."[15]
The public idea of the Middle Ages as a supposed "Dark Age" is also reflected in misconceptions regarding the study of nature during this period. The contemporary historians of science David C. Lindberg and Ronald Numbers discuss the widespread popular belief that the Middle Ages was a "time of ignorance and superstition," the blame for which is to be laid on the Christian Church for allegedly "placing the word of religious authorities over personal experience and rational activity," and emphasize that this view is essentially a caricature.[16] For instance, a claim that was first propagated in the 19th century[17] and is still very common in popular culture is the supposition that all people from the Middle Ages believed that the Earth was flat. According to Lindberg and Ronald L. Numbers, this claim was mistaken, as "there was scarcely a Christian scholar of the Middle Ages who did not acknowledge [Earth's] sphericity and even know its approximate circumference."[17][18] Ronald Numbers states that misconceptions such as "the Church prohibited autopsies and dissections during the Middle Ages," "the rise of Christianity killed off ancient science," and "the medieval Christian church suppressed the growth of natural philosophy," are examples of widely popular myths that still pass as historical truth, though they are not supported by current historical research.[19]
[edit] Quotations "What else, then, is all history, but the praise of Rome?"—Petrarch "Each famous author of antiquity whom I recover places a new offence and another cause of dishonour to the charge of earlier generations, who, not satisfied with their own disgraceful barrenness, permitted the fruit of other minds, and the writings that their ancestors had produced by toil and application, to perish through insufferable neglect. Although they had nothing of their own to hand down to those who were to come after, they robbed posterity of its ancestral heritage."—Petrarch "My fate is to live among varied and confusing storms. But for you perhaps, if as I hope and wish you will live long after me, there will follow a better age. When the darkness has been dispersed, our descendants can come again in the former pure radiance."—Petrarch "Between the far away past history of the world, and that which lies near to us; in the time when the wisdom of the ancient times was dead and had passed away, and our own days of light had not yet come, there lay a great black gulf in human history, a gulf of ignorance, of superstition, of cruelty, and of wickedness. That time we call the dark or Middle Ages. Few records remain to us of that dreadful period in our world's history, and we only know of it through broken and disjointed fragments that have been handed down to us through the generations."— Howard Pyle, Otto of the Silver Hand (1888) "The Middle Ages is an unfortunate term. It was not invented until the age was long past. The dwellers in the Middle Ages would not have recognized it. They did not know that they were living in the middle; they thought, quite rightly, that they were time's latest achievement."—Morris Bishop, The Middle Ages (1968) "If it was dark, it was the darkness of the womb."[20] — Lynn White
[edit] See also Fall of Rome Plague of Justinian Migration Period Middle Ages in history Middle Ages Islamic Golden Age Muslim conquests Vikings Carolingian Renaissance Medieval demography Crisis of the Late Middle Ages Great Apostasy
[edit] Notes ^ a b c d e "Dark ages". The Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved December 5, 2008. "Dark Ages: a term sometimes applied to the period of the Middle Ages to mark the intellectual darkness characteristic of the time; often restricted to the early period of the Middle Ages, between the time of the fall of Rome and the appearance of vernacular written documents." ^ "Dark Ages". Merriam Webster's Dictionary & Thesaurus. Retrieved December 11, 2008. ^ "Dark Ages." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Retrieved September 30, 2008. ^ a b c d Franklin, James (1982), "The Renaissance Myth", Quadrant 26 (11): 51–60, http://web.maths.unsw.edu.au/~jim/renaissance.html ^ a b c d e f William Chester Jordon. Dictionary of the Middle Ages, Supplement 1, 2004. Kathleen Verdun, "Medievalism" pp. 389–397. Sections 'Victorian Medievalism', 'Nineteenth-Century Europe', 'Medievalism in America 1500–1900', 'The 20th Century'. Same volume, Paul Freedman, "Medieval Studies", pp. 383–389. ^ a b c d e Mommsen, Theodore E. (1942). "Petrarch's Conception of the 'Dark Ages'". Speculum (Cambridge MA: Medieval Academy of America) 17 (2): 226–242. ^ a b Tainter, Joseph A.; Barker, Graeme (ed.) (1999). "Post Collapse Societies". Companion Encyclopedia of Archaeology. Abingdon, England: Routledge. pp. 988. ISBN 0415064481. ^ Clarke, Kenneth (1969), Civilisation (BBC Books) ^ Philip Daileader. The High Middle Ages. The Teaching Company. ISBN 1565858271. "Catholics living during the Protestant Reformation were not going to take this assault lying down. They, too, turned to the study of the Middle Ages, going back to prove that, far from being a period of religious corruption, the Middle Ages were superior to the era of the Protestant Reformation, because the Middle Ages were free of the religious schisms and religious wars that were plaguing the 16th and 17th centuries." ^ Robert Bartlett. "Introduction: Perspectives on the Medieval World", in Medieval Panorama. 2001. ISBN 0892366427. "Disdain about the medieval past was especially forthright amongst the critical and rationalist thinkers of the Enlightenment. For them the Middle Ages epitomized the barbaric, priest-ridden world they were attempting to transform." ^ The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. 6, CHAPTER XXXVII, paragraph 619 ^ Denys Hay, Annalists and Historians, p. 50. ^ Encyclopedia Britannica "It is now rarely used by historians because of the value judgment it implies. Though sometimes taken to derive its meaning from the fact that little was then known about the period, the term's more usual and pejorative sense is of a period of intellectual darkness and barbarity." ^ Graeme Dunphy, "Literary Transitions, 1300–1500: From Late Mediaeval to Early Modern" in: The Camden House History of German Literature vol IV: "Early Modern German Literature". The chapter opens with the words: "A popular if ignorant manner of speaking refers to the mediaeval period as "the dark ages." If there is a dark age in the literary history of Germany, however, it is that which follows, the 14th and early 15th centuries, the black hole between the Middle High German Blütezeit and the full blossoming of the Renaissance: a dark age, not because literary production waned in these decades but because a combination of 19th-century aesthetics and the curricular needs of the 20th-century university have so often allowed their achievements to fade into relative obscurity." ^ The Dark Ages from the History Channel. ^ David C. Lindberg, "The Medieval Church Encounters the Classical Tradition: Saint Augustine, Roger Bacon, and the Handmaiden Metaphor", in David C. Lindberg and Ronald L. Numbers, ed. When Science & Christianity Meet, (Chicago: University of Chicago Pr., 2003), p.8 ^ a b Jeffrey Russell. Inventing the Flat Earth: Columbus and Modern Historians. Praeger Paperback; New Ed edition (January 30, 1997). ISBN-10: 027595904X; ISBN-13: 978-0275959043. ^ Quotation from David C. Lindberg and Ronald L. Numbers in Beyond War and Peace: A Reappraisal of the Encounter between Christianity and Science. Studies in the History of Science and Christianity. ^ Ronald Numbers (Lecturer). Myths and Truths in Science and Religion: A historical perspective [Video Lecture]. University of Cambridge (Howard Building, Downing College): The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion. ^ Quoted in The Tenth Century: How Dark the Dark Ages?, edited by Robert Sabatine Lopez. Holt, Reinhart and Winston (1959).
[edit] Bibliography Wells, Peter S. (2008-07-14). Barbarians to Angels: The Dark Ages Reconsidered. W. W. Norton. pp. 256. ISBN 0393060756. López, Robert Sabatino (1959). The Tenth Century: How Dark the Dark Ages?. Rinehart.
[edit] External links "Dark Ages" in Encyclopædia Britannica Online. "Decline and fall of the Roman myth" by Terry Jones. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Ages"
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It is for the Namoshudras only , that SC, ST, OBC reservation was possible ... And Now The Namoshudra Intellectuals stand by the muderer of nandigram! ... o3.indiatimes.com/palashbiswas/archive/2007/04/14/4013786.aspx - 59k - Cached - Similar pages - Bengal has no Anil Sarkar | Palash Speaks
7 Mar 2008 ... In last election also, Anil sarkar used, namoshudra community as his Vote ... The Namoshudra supporters of religious leader Thakur Anukul ... blogs.ibibo.com/Baesekolkata/bengal-has-no-anil-sarkar - 110k - Cached - Similar pages - Namosudra Matrimony, Namosudra Matrimonials - MATRIMONY.ORG.UK
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The Khulna people were mostly Pundras. namoshudras would call them PODE. Whenever I visited any namoshudra prominent village , they would poin out without ... dailyalochona.blogspot.com/2008/05/mukto-mona-holocaust-never-ceases.html - 421k - Cached - Similar pages -
Murshidabad, West Bengal
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Murshidabad Government website, with information on the area and its history, tourism, services, maps. murshidabad.gov.in/ - 17k - Cached - Similar pages - History of Murshidabad The Nawab Murshid Quli Khan made Murshidabad the capital city of Sube Bangla, comprising of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The East India Company reigned from ... murshidabad.gov.in/history.htm - 37k - Cached - Similar pages - Murshidabad - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Murshidabad (Bengali: মুর্শিদাবাদ) is a city in Murshidabad district of West Bengal state in India. The city of Murshidabad is located on the ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murshidabad - 55k - Cached - Similar pages - Pictures, Photos of Murshidabad, India Murshidabad was reputedly founded by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century. In 1704, the nawab Murshid Quli Khan (following Aurangzeb's orders) moved ... www.shunya.net/Pictures/NorthIndia/Murshidabad/Murshidabad.htm - 23k - Cached - Similar pages - Murshidabad road map, road map Murshidabad, map of Murshidabad Murshidabad Road Map showing Road boundary, Roads, Rail Network, and Road Headquarter. www.mapsofindia.com/maps/westbengal/roads/murshidabad.htm - 23k - Cached - Similar pages - Murshidabad, District of Murshidabad, Package to the Historical ... India Profile offers online booking of the tour to the city of Murshidabad and provides information about the city and places to visit. www.indiaprofile.com/monuments-temples/murshidabad.htm - 10k - Cached - Similar pages - Health Murshidabad, medicine Murshidabad, alternative therapy ... health Murshidabad, medicine, alternative therapy Murshidabad, healing, nutrition, ayurveda, massage, healing, well-being, FREE CLASSIFIED ADS in ... health-medicine.vivastreet.co.in/nutrition-massage-healing+murshidabad - 65k - Cached - Similar pages - West Bengal Murshidabad District Murshidabad District of West Bengal in India. ... Baharampur is the headquarters of Murshidabad district. It is an important educational center. ... www.wb.nic.in/dist/murshi.html - 9k - Cached - Similar pages - Calcuttaweb - Map of Murshidabad Map of the district from Calcuttaweb, showing towns, roads, railway lines, subdivisions, and neighbouring areas. www.calcuttaweb.com/maps/murshidabad.shtml - 6k - Cached - Similar pages - Jains in Murshidabad Murshidabad, the capital of Bengal after the demise of Mughal rule was founded by Murshid Quli Khan, the nawab of Bengal from 1704 to 1725, ... www.business.uiuc.edu/doogar/www/Other/Jain/murshid.html - 16k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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Are bengalis(indian), decendents of the Aryan or Dravidian race ... excuse me, bengali is an indo aryan language not dravidian, ... yeah, i've heard that aryans settled not only in the northern parts but moved east to bengal ... answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080208153608AAnU1iE - Similar pages - Who were they? 29 Sep 2001 ... Philosophy not known, Karma and transmigration of soul belief as in Pre-Aryan Bangla.(A Thousand Year Old Bengali Mystic Poetry" by Hasna ... www.geocities.com/raqta24/ind92.htm - 24k - Cached - Similar pages - Bengali people - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia They speak Bengali (বাংলা Bangla), a language of the eastern Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. In their native language, ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengali_people - 90k - Cached - Similar pages - Indo-Aryan languages - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2 Feb 2009 ... A comparative study of Santali and Bengali. Calcutta: K.P. Bagchi & Co. ISBN 8170741289; Erdosy, George. (1995). The Indo-Aryans of ancient ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Aryan_languages - 162k - Cached - Similar pages - THE BLACKS OF THE EAST BENGAL: A NATIVE'S PERSPECTIVE 8 Aug 2002 ... The armies of `Lord' Ram initiated the Aryan invasion into Bengal during 600 BC. Subsequently, the apartheid varna system was strictly ... www.cwo.com/~lucumi/bengal.html - 20k - Cached - Similar pages - Human Fertility Cults and Rituals of Bengal: A Comparative Study - Google Books Result by Pradyot Kumar Maity - 1989 - Religion - 216 pages 147 This points to the pre-Aryan origin of the goddess. But later on, she has been, like many other deities of the pre-Aryan or non-Aryan origin, ... books.google.co.in/books?isbn=8170172632... arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh/India Bengali belongs to the Aryan branch of the Indo-European family of languages. It has been in existence as an independent language for more than ten ... www.sos-arsenic.net/english/intro/bangla.html - 10k - Cached - Similar pages - peperonity - aj0bdhaka - The Root of Bangladesh The major pre-Aryan racial elements in Bengal were the proto-Austroloids. There is a striking similarity between the language of the aborigines of Bengal ... peperonity.com/go/sites/mview/aj0bdhaka/19740158 - 37k - Cached - Similar pages - Byomkes Chakrabarti: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article and having a tradition traceable from pre-Aryan days retained its distinct identity and co-existed with Bengali, a language belonging to the Indo-Aryan ... www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Byomkes_Chakrabarti - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - Article: On Bastardization of Muslims of Bengal Even Bankimchandra, who took pride in Bangali's Aryan connection, had to admit, "This Bengal was not Aryan land some nine hundred years ago. ... www.globalwebpost.com/farooqm/writings/islamic/illegitimization.html - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - by MO Farooq - All 2 versions You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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China, Thailand, Japan, Indonesian, Korea and Vietnam food restaurant in pune. www.silkrouterestaurant.com/ - 2k - Cached - Similar pages - outlookindia.com
Silk Route For The Pacific ... While ahimsa silk may lack the shine of regular silk, it is comfortable to wear. It’s also wrinkle-free and has a better fall ... www.outlookindia.com/mad.asp - 32k - Cached - Similar pages - The Silk Road
The Silk Road is the most well-known trading route of ancient Chinese civilization. Trade in silk grew under the Han Dynasty ( 202 BC - AD 220) in the first ... library.thinkquest.org/13406/sr/ - 6k - Cached - Similar pages - Deccan Herald - Silk route
Kalamandir has opened its fifth showroom in just one year. www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb282009/metrosat20090227121088.asp - 20 hours ago - Similar pages - Book results for Silk route The Prehistory of the Silk Road - by Elena Efimovna Kuzʹmina, Victor H Mair - 272 pages Silk and Religion: An Exploration of Material ... - by Xinru Liu - 254 pages Searches related to: Silk route silk route band silk route map silk route album new silk route private equity silk route boondein
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News results for Swat valley Militants declare ceasefire in Pakistan's Swat valley - 25 Feb 2009
Peshawar, Pakistan -- Pro-Taliban militants yesterday declared an indefinite ceasefire and vowed to release prisoners in Pakistan's Swat valley, ... Globe and Mail - 1968 related articles »
Will Good Times Ever Return to the Swat Valley? - TIME - 417 related articles » Pak: Swat surrender brings no peace - Sify - 16 related articles »
Swat, Pakistan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the Swat valley and district in Pakistan. ... Swat (Pashto/Urdu: سوات) is a valley and an administrative district in the North-West ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swat,_Pakistan - 95k - Cached - Similar pages - Swat Valley: A paradise on earth 25 Mar 2005 ... A site depicting history, culture and civilization of Swat Valley. www.swatvalley.com/ - 34k - Cached - Similar pages - WELCOME TO VALLEY SWAT The lush green and historic Swat Valley lies between 34°-40′ to 35° N latitude and 72′ to 74°-6′ E longitude and is part of the Provincially Administrated ... www.valleyswat.net/ - 18k - Cached - Similar pages - Image results for Swat valley - Report imagesReport the following images as offensive. Confirm CancelThank you for the feedback.
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Swat valley battle continues - 28 Oct 07 2 min 41 sec www.youtube.com
Taliban support in Pakistan's Swat Valley - 11 ... 2 min 7 sec www.youtube.com
VOA News - Struggle in Swat Valley Highlights Pakistan's ... 25 Feb 2009 ... Locals say at times it felt as if they were being attacked first by the Taliban and then by the military as Pakistani government re-attempts ... www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-25-voa57.cfm - 46k - Cached - Similar pages - Islamic Law Instituted In Pakistan's Swat Valley - washingtonpost.com PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Feb. 16 -- The Pakistani government, desperate to restore peace to a Taliban-infested valley once known as the "Switzerland of Pakistan ... www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/16/AR2009021601063.html - Similar pages - Buzzwords: Swat Valley | Wide Angle Buzzwords appears each Friday on the Wide Angle blog and breaks down the lingo, jargon and hot topics of the world's headlines. Erin Chapman While Swat. www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/blog/buzzwords-swat-valley/4275/ - 14 hours ago - Similar pages - Mideast Youth - Thinking Ahead » Pakistan’s Swat Valley: Lest We ... 2 Feb 2009 ... I saw a news report recently on ABC News, about a little known place called Swat Valley in northwest Pakistan. It used to be a tourist haven ... mideastyouth.com/2009/02/02/pakistans-swat-valley-lest-we-forget/ - 71k - Cached - Similar pages - Official kidnapped in Pakistan, despite Swat Valley cease-fire ... A top official in Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley was kidnapped Sunday -- a day after a cease-fire between the government and Taliban militants was supposed ... www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/22/pakistan.kidnap/index.html?iref=24hours - 78k - Cached - Similar pages - Blog posts about Swat valley Life In Swat Valley - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan - 1 hour ago Swat Valley, Pakistan - the Taliban rule - The Inquiring Mind - 26 Feb 2009 Pakistan's Government Gave Swat Valley To Taliban Now Say They Won ... - Holger Awakens - 27 Feb 2009
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Buddhism in Bangladesh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia It is possible that Buddhism entered Bengal before Asoka's time. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha is said to have delivered his first sermon at ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Bangladesh - 76k - Cached - Similar pages - History of Buddhism in India - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 10 Apr 2007 ... 6.1 Anagarika Dharmapala and the Maha Bodhi Society; 6.2 Bengal Buddhist Association; 6.3 Tibetan Buddhism; 6.4 Dalit Buddhist movement ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Buddhism_in_India - 146k - Cached - Similar pages - BANGLAPEDIA: Buddhism Tantric Buddhism is a later development in Bengal and therefore it remains ... The existence of Buddhism in Bengal in the Sunga period can also be inferred ... banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/B_0641.htm - 47k - Cached - Similar pages - Abstract Prajna Bangsha Bhikshu (Mahathero): Key Issues Related to ... Historical and archeological evidence are lot of the ancient Buddhism in Bengal. But among the historians opinion differs about the root and development of ... www.congress-on-buddhist-women.org/index.php?id=44 - 20k - Cached - Similar pages - History of Bangladesh A line of Buddhist kings ruled in East Bengal towards the close of seventh century A.D. Buddhism flourished in Bengal in the seventh century. ... www.bongoz.com/history/ - 59k - Cached - Similar pages - Folk Traditions of Bengal The Baul songs are a very specialised branch of Bengali folk songs. ... well have its roots in the tantrik Buddhism of Bengal in the 9th and 10th centuries. ... bengalonline.sitemarvel.com/bengali-folklore.asp?art=baul - 20k - Cached - Similar pages - Religion of Tibet, Buddhism, Atisha, Bengal, Tibetan religious ... Three centuries later, came Atisha (from Bengal), who encouraged the study of Buddhism in Tibet. By the 15th century, the Tibetan religious reformer ... www.milaadventure.com/subcat.php?sid=27 - 16k - Cached - Similar pages - Buddhism and Socio-Economic Life of Eastern India From the JacketWith the revival of Brahmanical Hinduism sometime around the fifth century AD, Buddhism had been dying out in India. www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/IDD099/ - 41k - Cached - Similar pages - Buddhism and Socio-Economic Life of Eastern India--With Special ... Position of Buddhism in Bengal and Orissa prior to the eighth century AD. 3. Buddhism in Bengal and Orissa during Palas and Bhaumkaras period. 4. ... https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no10647.htm - 2k - Cached - Similar pages - Buddhism And Socio Economic Life Of Eastern India With Special ... Related Tags buddhism in bengal education for economic development in india with special refference to assam impact of buddhism on social life in india ... www.flipkart.com/buddhism-socio-economic-life-eastern/8124600554-mu23fl3v0c - 38k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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Though Buddha is from India, why less Buddhists in India and how ...
During the 7th century a Brahmin King Shashank inflicted severe atrocities on ... Sasanka, the Raja of Bengal, proved in the middle of 7th century A.D. an ... in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071201052430AAhvtvA - 80k - Cached - Similar pages - Did Shaivite King Persecute Buddhists? - Audarya Fellowship
1 post - Last post: 18 Jan 2001 cite the example of the supposed persecution of Buddhists by King Shashank, the Shaivite ruler of Bengal, as a proof of their ... www.indiadivine.org/audarya/vedic-culture/184703-did-shaivite-king-persecute-buddhists.html - 43k - Cached - Similar pages - Hindu culture during and after Muslim rule: survival and ... - Google Books Result by Ram Gopal - 1994 - Religion - 199 pages The second instance is oi'Shashanka, a king of Bengal, who conquered Bihar in the seventh ... that Shashank persecuted the Buddhists and cut down the ... books.google.co.in/books?isbn=8185880263... Khat dominates male life in the tiny Muslim nation of Djibouti ...
Shashank Bengali, Knight Ridder Newspapers January 2006 ... Here, khat is king. Women sell it, men chew it, and children either lament their fathers' habit ... www.somaliview.com/Opinion/KhatDominatesMaleLife.htm - 85k - Cached - Similar pages - List of associates to whom Annual Party DVD has been sent ...
shashank sharma. Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh. Anand Pandey. 1475839. saranjeet singh .... 1351153, Bajarang Singh, Hawarh, West Bengal, King kraft, Allahabad ... biz.dewsoftoverseas.com/ftpuser/DVD.asp - Similar pages - Surfbirds Birding Trip Report: Eaglenest, North-east India - 15th ...
It ran smoothly, largely due to the expertise and experience of Shashank and the ... full day produced a wealth of birds and mammals and even a King Cobra, ... www.surfbirds.com/trip_report.php?id=1472 - 31k - Cached - Similar pages - Bengal: Definition from Answers.com
The first recorded independent king of Bengal was Shashanka, reigning around ..... Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. Retrieved on 2006-09-08. ^ "Shashank". ... www.answers.com/topic/bengal - 191k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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Tribal Beliefs, Practices and Insurrections - Google Books Result by R. Singh - 2000 - History - 312 pages 1 R. Singh R. Singh 2000 Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. ca-print-pub-9013168967769080 ISBN8126105046 8126105046 ISBN9788126105045 9788126105045 OCLC56143454 ... books.google.co.in/books?isbn=8126105046... nandigramunited: Slumdog Millionaire:CORPORATE PRIME MINISTER FACE ... ... Waest Bengal as it it fails as par as MODI`s Gujarat inviting so much so ALL TIME FUCKING capital! despite Nandigram, Singur and Lalgarh Insurrections! ... nandigramunited.blogspot.com/2009/01/slumdog-millionairecorporate-prime.html - 408k - Cached - Similar pages - Who Won in West Bengal? penalty. But is personal safety endan- gered only by insurrections? We in. West Bengal have passed through and are still passing through some very dif- ... www.jstor.org/stable/4361350 - Similar pages - by A Rudra - 1972 Insurrection... or ostracism: A study of the Santal rebellion of ... Calcutta: Bengal Secretariat Book Depot. Roy, N.B. 1961. More light on the Santal insurrection. Indian historical records commission 36, 2: 61-81; ——— 1960. ... cis.sagepub.com/cgi/content/refs/16/1/79 - Similar pages - THE EMPEROR AKBAR( Volume Set ) Hardcover - By FREDERICK AUGUSTUS ... Buy THE EMPEROR AKBAR( Volume Set ) Online at Lowest Price - THE EMPEROR AKBAR( Volume Set ) Books with free shipping in India, THE EMPEROR AKBAR( Volume ... www.infibeam.com/Books/info/FREDERICK-AUGUSTUS/THE-EMPEROR-AKBAR-Volume-Set/8171560067.html - 31k - Cached - Similar pages - Christmas Day Plot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 14 Jan 2009 ... The Christmas Day plot was a conspiracy made by the Indian revolutionary movement to initiate an insurrection in Bengal in British India ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Day_Plot - 126k - Cached - Similar pages - BANGLAPEDIA: Christian Missionaries Believing that 'utter want of education', and 'gross absurdity of Santal's religious belief' caused the insurrection, the Bengal Government requested the ... banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/C_0256.htm - 36k - Cached - Similar pages - INDIA: Ration Riot in Hegemony Polity ruled by Regemented Gestapo ... West Bengal may face food crisis in future, warns Minister ... Withe submerged villages and siege by intermittent insurrections Kolkata is indulged in ... www.ahrchk.net/ahrc-in-news/mainfile.php/2007ahrcinnews/1493/ - Similar pages - Dalit Voice - The Voice of the Persecuted Nationalities Denied ... ... game at this juncture while they face the fierce Dalit-Muslim insurrection. ... Manmohan talked to Buddhadeb and the entire West Bengal CPM unit is now ... www.dalitvoice.org/Templates/sep_a2007/articles.htm - 38k - Cached - Similar pages - Religion and Revolt: Bengal under the Raj The insurrections were precipitated in part by British insensitivity in religious .... More significant foreign influences on the Bengal revolution were the ... www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5000152388 - Similar pages - by P Heehs - 1993 You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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Caste, Culture, and Hegemony: Social Domination in Colonial Bengal - Google Books Result by Śekhara Bandyopādhyāẏa - 2004 - Social Science - 252 pages It was under his son ... the Matua sect prescribed for its devotees a simple religion of personal devotion that did not require the ... On the other hand, ... books.google.co.in/books?isbn=0761998497... Backward-caste Hindu Saints - HinduWiki, Hindu 108 Upanishads ... 21 Dec 2008 ... It is said that he poured water from his mouth on the Shivlingam and ... The Brahma Dharma movement sought to unite peoples of all ... Sant Guru Chand Thakur, Bengali, son of Sri Harichand Thakur, ... Sant Harichand Thakur (1811-1839), Namsudra, Bengali, founded Vaishnava Matua sect to worship Hari ... www.hinduwiki.com/index.php?title=Backward-caste_Hindu_Saints - 78k - Cached - Similar pages - More on Dalit Panchayats and Matua Dharma of Bengal | Palash ... His son Guruchand Thakur led the dalit awakening movement in Bengal. ... in Dalit Movement and Harichand Thakur established Matua Dharma refusing ... and 12. utter the name of your Lord while working with your hand. ... Apart from praising Hari and meditating upon him, the Matuya believe in kindness to the living. ... indiainteracts.com/members/2007/11/03/More-on-Dalit-Panchayats-and-Matua-Dharma-of-Bengal/ - 72k - Cached - Similar pages - Dev Bhoomi : Uttarakhand Hari Chand-Guru Chand Thakur Dharam Mandir. This temple is run by the people of Matua Sect. Many spiritually inclined people have rendered their services ... 210.212.78.56/dineshpur/hari_chand.asp - 23k - Cached - Similar pages - Places Of Worship Name, Hari Chand Guru Chand Thakur Dharam Mandir. Address, Main Market, Dineshpur, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand ... Deity Worshipped (if any), Matua Dharm ... 210.212.78.56/dineshpur/temple.asp - Similar pages - Yahoo! 360° - Entries tagged "myanmar" In the evening, Dharma Rain Centre, Indian Committee for Cultural Freedomand Friends of Tibet will jointly organise a Panel Discussion on "HumanRights: ... blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-E9zYOAknfqPYpJwqKFg-?cq=1&tag=myanmar - 183k - Cached - Similar pages - Welcome to ambedkartimes.com Mr. Heera and his Adi Dharam Brotherhood UK invited Baba Mangu Ram Muggowalia to ... Ambedkartimes pays floral tributes to beloved Ajit Chand Nimta Ji ... Then Ms Kalyani Thakur, Cashier/ Kosadhaksha of the Sanstha submitted the ...... on the subject of ‘ The creators and their creation of the Matua Sangits’ which ... www.ambedkartimes.com/the_news.htm - 431k - Cached - Similar pages - SL NAME AGE FACE PS/DIST/ST PHOTO NO F/H NAME HEIGHT COMPLEXION DD ... 7615, DHARAM SINGH NEWAR, 19, ROUND, HARI NAGAR / WEST DELHI / DELHI, NA .... MATUA PS AMETHI DISTT. SULTANPUR, UP, THIN, 08/03/2007, PENT & SHIRT BK SHOES .... 17 A SHRI CHAND PARK NEAR BUDH BAZAR DHARAMPURA NAZAFGARH, THIN, 06/04/2005 .... 7703, SHRI RAM THAKUR, 26, LONG, KAPASHERA / SOUTH WEST DELHI / DELHI, NA ... ncrb.nic.in/talashalldata/.%5CMISSINGReport08M193585.htm - Similar pages - [XLS] family File Format: Microsoft Excel 172, 2286, 3, dharm singh s/o pritim singh, 15, Bakarpur. 173, 2287, 2, 3, karnail singh s/o joginder choudhary ...... 1429, 9528, 3, 2, charnu ram s/o thakur singh, 7, joli ... 1479, 16588, 5, 3, hari chand s/o sh babu ram, 15, Jolla kalan ..... 1833, 20500, 4, 2, gandha ram s/o matua, 13, Kheri Jattan ... sasnagar.gov.in/derabassi.xls - Similar pages - nandigramunited: MANEATERS may not Save the MANKIND! Israel brands ... “The 75-year-old person migrated to his country of origin from Bangladesh to .... More over the Namoshudra ICON HARICHAND THAKUR established MATUA DHARMA rejecting .... On the other hand, in a move that could further delay auctions, ...... In the Hooghly incident, the Hari woman's family was forced to pay the money ... nandigramunited.blogspot.com/2009/01/maneaters-may-not-save-mankind-israel.html - 522k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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Scholarly articles for dalit movement in bengal Dalits and the democratic revolution: Dr. Ambedkar and ... - Omvedt - Cited by 68 Untouchable!: Voices of the Dalit liberation movement - Joshi - Cited by 40 Dalit Visions: The Anti-caste Movement and the ... - Omvedt - Cited by 22
Search Results Dalit movement in India and its leaders, 1857-1956 - Google Books Result by Rāmacandra Kshīrasāgara - 1994 - Political Science - 459 pages ... movement in Bengal which was based on the thoughts of Dr Babasaheb ... It has witnessed many upheavals and movements. Dalit liberation movement in Delhi ... books.google.co.in/books?isbn=8185880433... The Power of Women's Organizing: Gender, Caste, and Class in India - Google Books Result by Mangala Subramaniam - 2006 - Social Science - 161 pages In the sections that follow, I trace the emergence of the dalit movement, particularly the ... The movement found support from the communists in Bengal, ... books.google.co.in/books?isbn=0739113283... India Together: Dalits rights and issues: An overview - February 2002 The widespread adaptation of the word dalit symbolizes the change in the ideology of the dalit movement -– frm a passive acceptance of amelioration handed ... www.indiatogether.org/dalit/articles/intro.htm - 32k - Cached - Similar pages - WHY DALIT MOVEMENT FAILED IN INDIA? 1 Aug 2000 ... They are the real culprits of our society and the 'Dalit Movement' as well. The Brahminical forces (Hindi Micro-Minority) can do no harm to ... www.ambedkar.org/bss/failed.htm - Similar pages - Out-Caste: The Dalit Movement: From where, where to 7 Mar 2008 ... The Dalit movement is regarded by many scholars as the most ... well as Dalit movements in Maharashtra, Punjab, western UP, Bengal, Kerala, ... out-caste.blogspot.com/2008/03/dalit-movement-from-where-where-to.html - 87k - Cached - Similar pages - Dalit movement At The Cross Road By V.B.Rawat 9 Aug 2005 ... Whether there was a Dalit movement or there were separate caste movement .... in West Bengal, Malas in Andhra and a few others in Tamilnadu. ... www.countercurrents.org/dalit-rawat090805.htm - 42k - Cached - Similar pages - More on Dalit Panchayats and Matua Dharma of Bengal | Palash ... Mind you, Bengal along with Maharashtra has been the very base of Dalit Movement in India. People all over the world knows about Jogendra nath Mandal. ... indiainteracts.com/members/2007/11/03/More-on-Dalit-Panchayats-and-Matua-Dharma-of-Bengal/ - 72k - Cached - Similar pages - Dalit Panchayat Movement: Some good news from A social political initiative is needed as it happened during Colonial rule while Bengal became the centre stage of National Dalit Movement along with ... palashkatha.mywebdunia.com/2008/02/19/1203359400000.html - 81k - Cached - Similar pages - Caste Discrimination Translated into Ethnic Cleans | Palash Speaks 27 Mar 2008 ... Muslims in East Bengal were dead against partition. They wanted undivided Bengal.And bengal was the centrestage of national dalit Movement ... blogs.ibibo.com/Baesekolkata/Caste-Discrimination-Translated-into-Ethnic-C - 79k - Cached - Similar pages - 'Absence of a strong Dalit movement makes a big difference in ... Another state where there is no Dalit movement is West Bengal. Another state where Dalits and Muslims have been at the receiving ends both in education and ... insightyoungvoices.org/InsightIssues/Issueix/tete_a_tete/an-interview - 30k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
Growth rate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 4 Jan 2009 ... The slow growth rate of stalactites - new stalactites have been growing along the rim of a mother stalactite that was broken about 100 years ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_rate - 19k - Cached - Similar pages - Population growth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In demographics and ecology, Population growth rate (PGR) is the ... Annual population growth rate in percent, as listed in the CIA World Factbook (2006 ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_growth - 49k - Cached - Similar pages - growth rate Definition growth rate - definition of growth rate - Year-over-year change, expressed as a percentage. www.investorwords.com/2261/growth_rate.html - 23k - Cached - Similar pages - Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) - Definition of Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) on Investopedia - The year-over-year growth rate of an investment over ... www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cagr.asp - 28k - Cached - Similar pages -
Fresh News India industry bodies seek rate cuts to revive growth Reuters India - 2 hours ago ... packages announced by government would help industry in course of time, and the economy could end the fiscal year with a growth rate close to 7 percent. ... Will economy record 7.1 per cent growth in current fiscal? Economic Times CII cites GDP estimates to press for rate cuts domain-B GDP witnesses dismal growth at 5.3% in Q3FY09 Myiris.com EasyBourse.com - NDTV.com all 158 news articles »
Fresh News Sensex dips by 226 points on news of slow growth rate Hindu - 6 hours ago ... the economy has registered a growth rate of 5.3 per cent in October-December period of this fiscal as agriculture and manufacturing sector contracted. ... Sensex trims losses on rate cut hopes NDTV.com BSE Sensex extends fall to 2 pct on weak GDP data Reuters India Close: Low GDP drags Sensex by 0.7%, banks recover Livemint NDTV.com - NDTV.com all 365 news articles » India's economic growth slumped to a Six-year low at 5.3 per cent ... domain-B - 1 hour ago According to the latest estimates of the index of industrial production (IIP), the index of mining, manufacturing and electricity, registered growth rates ... India GDP Slows Down in Q3 123Jump.com all 2 news articles »
India will be second fastest growing economy by '10 Economic Times - Feb 26, 2009 India will be the second fastest growing economy next year with growth rate pegged at 4.9% for FY’10, but weak government finances would be a major ... Low pvt sector investment to trip growth next year Livemint India ratings may be downgraded, rupee to fall - CS Reuters India India faces credit rating downgrade: Credit Suisse Economic Times all 8 news articles »
Rupee at historic low; why is it falling?
February 27, 2009
The Indian rupee on Friday depreciated to an all-time low of 50.69 against the US dollar in early trade on continued capital outflow by foreign funds and increased dollar demand from importers.
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic currency was quoted at 50.69 against the dollar, down 23 paise from its previous day's close.
Dealers said concerns of capital outflows by funds and increased demand for dollar from importers caused the rupee to weaken. They added that the dollar's gains against other major currencies also weighed on the domestic currency.
Text: Rediff Business Desk
10 emerging technologies to watch out for
February 27, 2009
This is technology at its best: miniature and massive. From fast, cheap, capacious computer memory to batteries that can store enough energy to power a city. . .
MIT's Technology Review has announced the annual list of 10 emerging technologies with the potential to shape the way we live and do business. These revolutionary innovations�each represented by a researcher whose vision and work leads the field�promise fundamental shifts in areas from energy to health care, computing to communications.
The 2009 TR10 includes some technologies that should reach the market within a year, such as paper-based medical tests and virtual personal-assistant software. Others, like biological machines and traveling-wave reactors, could take a few years longer.
Check out how these innovations could change your lives. . .
Image: A man shows a toy fuel cell car at the International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo in Tokyo February 25, 2009. The educational toy is designed to help demonstrate the clean energy technologies and sells for JPY 22,800. | Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
Also read: Revolution in desktop computing
'Not gloom, but tough times ahead for India'
Text: Shobha Warrier
February 27, 2009
Sam Santhosh is the chief executive officer and president of Calsoft, a global solutions company that offers product engineering services and product-based business solutions.
He is also the man responsible for setting up Calsoft in 1992 in Silicon Valley with a strong focus on technology development to deliver value-added solutions to American customers. The company has a turnover of Rs 235 crore (Rs 2.35 billion), and has offices in Silicon Valley in the United States, India and the United Kingdom.
In this exclusive interview, Sam Santhosh talks about various issues that affect the world now. Read on. . .
Image: Sam Santhosh, chief executive officer and president, Calsoft. | Photograph: Sreeram Selvaraj
Also read: The world's 10 freest economies
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Jet-Pack man!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gcurwcPs3U
Internet TV Now Available - Thousands of UNCENSORED stations!
More games to look forward in 2009
Last time our list of awesome 2009 games included the mighty God of War 3 and Resident Evil 5. These are games that are sure to sell a few million copies and further fuel the ongoing flame war. This time around we'll take a look at some more games that will rock 2009 but at the same time burn a deep hole in your pocket.
Source: Techtree.com
Nokia working on multi-core ARM Sparrow-based Linux MID
While Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo recently expressed plans on entering the laptop business, a well-connected gentleman in Russia has revealed that he has had the chance to actually try out one of the company’s actual prototype devices that’s based on the idea of an ultraportable computer.
27
Feb
2009 Author: Gadgetted News Bureau
In: Gear, News Source: Electronic Pulp
PlayStation 3 Price Drop Finally in the Offing? 26
Feb
2009 Author: Gadgetted News Bureau
In: Gaming, Gear, News
Remember that $100 PlayStation 3 price drop you’ve been hearing about for a year or more? The one that keeps not happening? Well it’s about to, according to Mike Hickey with investment firm Janco Partners, with Sony set to announce something “in the next couple days.” Source: PC World
I became so afraid of the next demand of my only son apparently the 3G mobile, that I had to hide daily newspapers at home bearing BSNL 3G Ads! But the ploy won`t work. global friendcircle, Online connection and mobile along with TV Channels are SURE to hit the GENERATION Next feeling arnmed with JET PACK!After MTNL, the other state-owned telecom operator in India that rolled out 3G services in Delhi by the name of Jadoo, BSNL is the second telecom company to bring out 3G services in the country.
77.2 lakhs unemployed in W. Bengal under Left rule!
My son is trying hard to get a line in Employment and I may not help him anyway. Moreover, as he is known as my son, he is marginalised immediately. But , I continue trying to convince him that we may have an OPTION to get back HOME in Uttarakhand.
He is not Convinced. OBVIOUSLY. As he has become HABITUAL to METRO LIFE STYLE in Vogue.
I know well that it has been always difficult to get a job in WEST Bengal without POLITICAL Connection. My Friend DR Nitish Biswas sits in Kolkata University to disburse the connection to our people. The Disbursement is DECENTRALISED to LOCAL CPIM Committees.
I could not get a job for my school teacher wife and she complains that I never tried so hard.
Mind you,the economic health of West Bengal is dismal with the state having a backlog of 77.2 lakhs at employment exchanges, the highest in the country, and way behind Bihar and Jharkhand in facilitating business, a report has said. resrvation and quota has no chance at all if you do not oblige the party line!
No one is allowed to get a CASTE Certificate.
As being UTTARAKHANDI, we do fall in GENERAL Category. Now it has become near IMPOSSIBLE to get a job for my son. EVEN a PRIVATE job!
Rather some Political friends try their best to convince my WIFE and MY Son that whatever I do, it won`t help them.
I have been getting THREATs and WARNINGs!
Now it is PURE BRAIN WASHING Attmempt made to deestablise me at home!
`What is your father`s STATUS?’
My son is irritated by this question as HE also suffers from PERSONALITY Disorder and happens to be uprooted from HOME REALITY. The whole lot is submereged in an INFINITE BLACK HOLE called VIRTUAL Reality! His mother has always been very IMPULSIVE as it happens the basi INSTINCT of our People. They think with HEART and never USE the MIND!
However, I succeeded to convince my wife of my writings and socil activism! Unfortunately, in a very difficult time, it is tougher to convince a young ambitious son!
`WHY have you to live in a RENTED HOUSE?’
`WHO knows you people living like SLUM DOGS?’
` Why did you not get ENTRY in any REPUTED Institution?’
`How much does your parents afford and what is your purchasing power?’
`Why does your father VISIT so many places? Is he recognised as a SCHLAR in west Bengal, Anywhere?’
I have to suffer the SHOCK WAVE and I may understand well the PSYCHE of my helpless son!
I described the PERSONAL problem to give you some HINTS about the working of the GESTAPO and the HEGEMONY!
This is the METHODOLOGY with SURGICAL Precision with which they TAME the INTELLIGENTSIA and Professionals!
Just becuase most of us live in a family and have so many LIABILITIES!
They tend to tresspus the family Campus to make you SURRENDER!
A day after laying down office as Lok Sabha speaker, which also marked the conclusion of an almost four decade long political career, veteran leftist Somnath Chatterjee Friday asserted that communism was no political party's "monopoly" - and that he would forever remain a "comrade".
"Communism is no party's monopoly. I am still a communist," a relaxed Somnath, who was expelled from the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) for defying a diktat to step down ahead of a trust vote in parliament last year, told reporters in New Delhi.
Outgoing Speaker Somnath Chatterjee expressed concern about the manner in which money was flaunted by some MPs during the Trust Vote on July 23rd last year to save the government.
Addressing mediapersons after the conclusion of 14th Lok Sabha, he said, "My comment that all MPs should all be defeated was made more out of frustration."
JET PACK Shining NUCLEAR INDIAN Economy gets a GREAT Fall slumping down and down. But the anti national govt and BASTARDISED Economists as well as MEDIA projects GROWTH rate at 7.5!
People are lining up to get their hands on a Kiwi-built "jetpack" that could revolutionise the world of aviation.While the identities of the buyers are being kept secret, the jetpack's inventor confirmed it had sparked global interest from military, border patrol and search and rescue groups.
The Martin Jetpack caused a sensation when it was unveiled at a United States airshow last year.In India, India's No. 4 mobile operator, state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, said on Friday it had launched third-generation (3G) services in 11 cities and planned to expand services to other areas in the country.
BSNL said in a statement it had invested 27 billion rupees ($530 million) on rolling out 3G infrastructure and would cover all district headquarters and important commercial towns. India will hold an auction of 3G spectrum later this year, but state-run firms have already been given one slot in each service area, and will have to match the highest bid from private operators.
Third-generation services give users a chance to enjoy fast Internet access, games and a host of multimedia content from maps to music on their cellphones. BSNL provides telecoms services across the country except in the major cities of New Delhi and Mumbai, which are covered by another state-run firm, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam.
So EXCITING! Damned SEXY to have Vedio conference, Films, TV, Net Browsing in singular Mobile set ! Generation Nest would love it! we are so thrilled in DEFEAT. just look on the DHONI Brigade! New Zealand snatched a dramatic last-ball victory in the second Twenty20 cricket match to clinch the series 2-0 against India, who very nearly pulled off an incredible win in the dying moments of the thriller. What a Marketing so STRATEGIC!
Our Gandhian as well as socialist friends criticising the ECONOMIC Reforms may take HEART from the latest GOVT. decision!
The government decided to ensure Mahatma Gandhi's personal belongings, including his famous metal rimmed glasses, do not go under the hammers in the United States next month and bring them back to the country. There are five personal belongings of Gandhi in the list of auction proposed to be held on March 4-5 at the Antiquorum Auctioneers in New York including sandals, a pocket watch and some utensils.
“Whatever can be done is being done to ensure that articles are not auctioned by involving all concerned stakeholders,” Union Culture Minister Ambika Soni said.
The Culture Ministry has arrived at the decision to intervene after extensive consultations with the Ministries of External Affairs, Home, Law and Finance.
DECULTURISATION being the agenda for MASS DESTRUCTION , the ruling Brahaminical hegemony uses the TECHNOLOGY BLITZ JET PACK and the Culture Ministry is engaged to save the Legacy of Gandhi, from which Indian Brahaminical ZIONIST fascist Colonial HEGEMONY emerged and our Gandhian OXIDES and Socialist CARBIDES try so hard to glorify the BASTARDISED Legacy. BRAHAMINICAL dominance is sought in very sphere of life and thus, a known Marxist Maoist famous for his book on naxal Movement, ABHAY KUMAR Dubey says without any hesitation that the DALITS are not interested in Journalism! That is why Manglesh Dubral and Madan Kashyap known for their leftist commitment publishes a SPECIAL ISSUE on gandhian ideology and the Man responsible for PROMOTE BRAHMINS only campaigner Prabhash Joshi who killed so many talents subaltern, writes the cover story. They speak of Hind Swaraj, which is in fact BRAHMIN SWARAJ aligned with ZIONIST US CORPORATE Imperialism and fascist HINDUTVA!
Impacted by the global economic meltdown, the Indian economy has clocked slowest quarterly growth in over five years, at 5.3 per cent, in October-December of this fiscal as agriculture and manufacturing contracted, despite a stimulus package.
Against the whopping 8.9 per cent growth in the same period a year ago, economists said it is now the Reserve Bank's turn to provide stimulus to the economy by cutting rates, as inflation is already down to 3.36 per cent. While the fall in manufacturing, by 0.2 per cent, in the third quarter was expected, as was evident in negative industrial production numbers for October and December, contraction in farm output by 2.2 per cent was a bit surprising.
India's fiscal deficit for the April-January period stood at 2.63 trillion rupees ($52 billion), or 80.5 per cent of an upwardly revised budget target, a government statement said on Friday. Last week, the government revised upwards its fiscal deficit estimate for the year to end March to 3.27 trillion rupees or 6 per cent of gross domestic product, from 2.5 per cent estimated earlier. The deficit has widened after the government announced extra spending of close to 1.5 trillion rupees to cover a farm debt scheme, subsidies and steps to stimulate a slowing economy.
The latest UPDATE!
The Royal Bank of Scotland plans to sell its retail and commercial business in India as part of the restructuring exercise, a move that follows the bank recording biggest annual loss of 24 billion pounds.
"As a result of the strategic review RBS has announced its intention to consider options, including a potential sale of its retail and commercial business in Asia Pacific. This includes the retail and commercial business in India, said an official spokesperson of the UK-based bank said.
Without giving further details and the time frame by which it will exit from the specified portfolio, the spokesperson said wealth management portfolio would also be part of the sale strategy.
Citigroup says it has reached a deal that will give the US Government up to a 40 percent stake in the struggling bank
The company also says it recorded a goodwill impairment charge of about USD 9.6 billion due to deterioration in the financial markets.
I have shown you the scenerio in Bengal!What about the REST of the COUNTRY? FASCISM associated with Corporate Imperialism takes over as an email campaign to boost Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's image was launched across Gujarat Friday, seven years after the burning of a train in Godhra town killed 59 people and unleashed a communal frenzy that claimed more than 1,000 lives.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managers say the campaign was launched on the seventh anniversary of the Godhra burning as the chief minister's contribution to the state was ignored while the media kept accusing him of not having taken sufficient action to prevent the riots in several parts of the state.
"Even after seven years of the Godhra tragedy, the bad memories of the riots in Gujarat come back. The campaign just reminds people that Modi's contribution to the state should not be forgotten while they remember the tragedy and blame him for the post-Godhra riots," a party MP said on condition of anonymity.
In Washington, President Barack Obama on Wednesday promised that the USD 787 billion economic stimulus package will create 3.5 million jobs in the next two years and announced plans to cut tax, setting in motion a gigantic task of bringing the crisis-ridden US economy back on track.
"The recovery plan we passed is the first step in getting our economy back on track. But it is just the first step," he said in his maiden address to the joint session of US Congress.
"Because even if we manage this plan flawlessly, there will be no real recovery unless we clean up the credit crisis that has severely weakened our financial system," he said.
"We are delighted to offer AURA to Indian consumers with its luxurious design, artistry and sensory experience," said Faisal Siddiqui, Head of India Operations, Motorola Mobile Devices.
AURA is Motorola's latest high-tier mobile device targeted at the trend-setter Indian who has a taste for the exquisitely stylish, unrivalled quality and sensuous luxury, he added.
Meanwhile,with everyone looking preoccupied with recession, cellular handset maker Motorola gave the wealthy people a new obsession called 'AURA', a hand-sculpted mobile phone that costs Rs 1,11,000. Bharti Airtel has launched a 'speed-on-demand' service, specifically targeting its customers in the South. As the name suggests, the service will be offered in a pay-per-use model, with customers being able to select when they need high-speed and pay accordingly. The service will come in 4 different broadband speed options that range from 256kbps (Rs.25/hr) to around 2mbps (Rs. 120/hr). Customers can log on to the Airtel SelfCare portal to view their usage and session details, which will subsequently be mentioned in the bill as well.
Indian actress Frieda Pinto will share screen space with none other than Hollywood heart throb Antonio Banderas in Woody Allen's next film. The star-studded cast of Allen's next film which already includes Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins has just got another shot of glamour with the inclusion of Banderas, reported ‘Contactmusic.com’.
India will see a staggering Rs 10,000 crore, equivalent to the foreign direct investment it received in 1995-96, being spent on Lok Sabha polls this summer, with a fourth of the amount expected to be splurged on voters. The official spending is likely to be about 20 per cent of the total expenses, including about Rs 1,300 crore by the Election Commission, and the rest by political parties in campaigning, says a survey by Centre for Media Studies (CMS). An amount of Rs 2,000-2,500 crore would be spent in form of ‘unofficial money’ or cash paid to the voters.
Interestingly, Hindu Jagran Manch and other Hindu organisations have objected to allotment of "elephant " as an election symbol to any political party and have urged the Election Commission to withdraw it. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided in Pratapgarh, UP on Thursday by Avadh pranth president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, Om Prakash Misra and a request has already been sent to the Election Commission.
"Hindus revere elephant as Lord Ganesha and its use in election provides scope to political parties to use it for sloganeering and its akin to degrading the god thereby hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus, Misra said.
Meanwhile, the UPA government of INDIA on Thursday cleared a scheme to build a million “affordable” houses across the country over four years to bridge the glaring gap in home-ownership and kick-start the sputtering economy. The scheme — to be notified next month — was cleared today, barely days before the Election Commission is expected to notify the elections and bring the code of conduct into effect. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave the go-ahead for construction of a million houses in partnership with the private sector over the next four years. The scheme, though targeted at housing for middle and low-income families, will also have 2.5 lakh houses for the economically weaker section (EWS).
The houses will have a plinth area of 300-1,200 sq ft and will be sold at a pre-determined price that is expected to be lower than the market price. While states will release land for building such affordable houses, the Centre will fund 25 per cent of the total costs on external civic infrastructure such as roads and water supply. It has set aside Rs 5,000 crore for this purpose.
While any city can initiate a housing proposal under the scheme, the government is largely looking at cities with a population of over a million.
Apart from the private sector, state housing boards, employees’ welfare housing societies are expected to partner the government. The scheme will also fuel applications for home loans at reduced interest rates, the note said.
In a decision that will have a total financial implication to the tune of Rs 6,020 crore over a 14 month period starting January 1, 2009, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a six percent hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) given to Central Government employees and pensioners. The decision will benefit 41 lakh government employees and another 38 lakh pensioners. Although revision of DA is done every six months, the quantum of the hike is being viewed as another poll sop doled out by the government with an eye on the forthcoming general elections.
Following Thursday’s decision. the DA component in the salaries and pensions will increase from the 16 to 22 per cent. While the financial implication of the move on the salary component will be Rs 4,100 crore, the implication on the pension component will be around Rs 1,920 crore.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said that the hike will be effective from January 1 and will be payable from March 1 this year.
On the other hand, Former Union Communications Minister Sukh Ram was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in a 13-year-old disproportionate assets case by a New Delhi court on Wednesday. A fine of Rs 2 lakh was also imposed on him under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Ordering forfeiture of Rs 4.25 crore accumulated illegally by the 83-year-old Congress leader during his stint as a Cabinet minister in the P V Narasimha Rao government, Additional Sessions Judge V K Maheshwari observed, "Political corruption is the worst form because its consequences are far-reaching. When our leaders, who are the role models of society and whose actions should be above board, are themselves corrupt, how can we expect honesty and virtue from public at large?"
CLB reserves order on Maytas Infra board! The Company Law Board on Friday reserved its orders on government's petition for superseding the board of Ramalinga Raju-family promoted Maytas Infra, while suggesting that four independent directors be inducted.
However, CLB did not entertain a list of 12 probable directors submitted by Maytas.
It also favoured selecting a chairman from among the four independent directors to be taken on board.
Lenders IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank and IL&FS on Friday said welcomed the suggestion for inducting independent directors, while saying they do not want their own representatives for the role.
CLB had said it was against superseding the Maytas Infra board.
Sources said the order is likely to be pronounced next week. Indian equities markets fell at opening bell Friday with a key index ruling 0.43 percent lower than its last closing figure.
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Sensitive Index (Sensex) opened at 8,944.11 points, marginally lower than its 8,954.86 point close Thursday. About 10 minutes into trade, it was at 8,915.97 points, 0.43 percent or 32.24 points lower than its previous close.
Software multinationals in India have begun freezing wage increases, slashing salaries and postponing merit-based hikes, a study by Indian consulting firm Zinnov has found.
"Though Bangalore stands highest in its average salary for multinational R&D firms, followed by Pune and Chennai, the economic slump is causing undue pressure on them to retain compensation levels," Zinnov director for advisory services C.S. Chandramouli, told IANS after the survey was made public.
Hinting that IT salaries in 2009 would see a freeze across the board in a majority of the firms surveyed, Chandramouli said the average increment would be in the 5-12 percent range.
"Of the 30 representative multinationals surveyed in these three cities (Bangalore, Pune and Chennai), 27 percent of them said they have frozen salary increases this year, while 42 percent said they would provide salary increases and 15 percent have postponed their merit increase cycle to take a call at a later stage if the economic scenario changes," Chandramouli said.
As a preferred destination for IT services and R&D, about 680 multinationals operate in India.
Many of them have more than one R&D centre and presence in one or two of the three cities surveyed.
According to Zinnov's annual report on "Compensation and Benefit Study 2009", 12 percent of the MNCs have announced 5-10 percent salary cuts either for senior management or across levels.
"The survey highlights that multinationals are also shifting focus to the variable pay component to reward and retain top performers as opposed to fixed pay. Some of them have even restructured their compensation, linking employee rewards to individual and organisational results," the report said.
Referring to the adverse impact of the tough economic conditions on the compensation budgets, Chandramouli said MNCs were attempting to balance their need to retain key talent and address concerns over wage increase.
"Organisations are being proactive in managing people cost as it constitutes about 62 percent of the total operating cost," he noted.
Highlighting compensation trends across functions like engineering, quality assurance testing and technical architects, the report said senior positions such as engineering manager and director engineering continued to be on a rise, with an average eight percent increase.
As India's IT hub, Bangalore, however, continues to dominate the compensation index, especially in software product and R&D.
"Bangalore engineers are paid five percent higher than their counterparts in Pune and eight percent higher than in Chennai for engineering and quality positions," Zinnov consultant Sahana Shetty said.
However, average salaries of senior positions in the three cities are similar, though average salaries at junior positions are two-three percent higher in Bangalore.
"Employees are not clear if they will be laid off or if the projects they are working on will be de-prioritised. They are also concerned about the financial health of the parent company. Employees are frustrated with cost cuts for what seem like inexpensive benefits (snacks, lunch, office parties, etc)," Shetty added.
'Slumdog Millionaire', the rags-to-riches movie that took the Oscars by storm, also produced two of the most influential words of the 2008 Hollywood awards season, a language monitoring group said on Thursday.
'Jai Ho!', Hindi for Let There be Victory and the title of the movie's Oscar-winning best song, and 'Slumdog' - the controversial term coined by the filmmakers for young slum-dwellers in Mumbai - were named the top 'HollyWords' of the year that closed with last Sunday's Oscars.
The Global Language Monitor, which uses an algorithm to track the frequency of words and phrases in the world's print and electronic media, said it was rare for two words from the same movie to be ranked in its annual list.
'Slumdog Millionaire' crowned its awards sweep by winning eight Oscars, also including best picture and director.
Last summer's 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' inspired the new expression 'Nuke the Fridge' - a phrase coined on the Internet to describe a moment when a cinematic franchise has run its course.
Jet pack - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jet pack, rocket belt, rocket pack, and similar names, are various types of device, usually worn on the back, that use jets of escaping gases to allow a ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_pack - 105k - Cached - Similar pages - Jetpack (video game) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jetpack is a platform game currently available as freeware, originally published as shareware by Software Creations in 1993. The object of the levels is to ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jetpack_(computer_game) - 27k - Cached - Similar pages - Jetpack Design, Inc. Jetpack Design is an interactive product development firm based in Santa Monica, California. www.jetpack.com/ - 5k - Cached - Similar pages - Image results for Jet pack - Report imagesReport the following images as offensive. Confirm CancelThank you for the feedback.
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JET P.I. - Jetpack International - "What has come as a surprise is agriculture. There is a turnaround but we can be optimistic that the figures will improve," Chief Statistician Pronab Sen said.
For the nine months of this fiscal, the economy grew by 6.9 per cent against nine per cent a year ago, which may make it difficult to attain the 7.1 per cent growth this fiscal, as was pegged officially.
The Government put up a brave front, saying the third quarterly growth is not much off the mark.
"We had maintained seven per cent with a downward bias. That much has been said, but (there is) still a quarter to go. Even with 5.3 per cent, it still comes around seven per cent, maybe a shade below that," Minister of State for Finance P K Bansal said here.
However, others are not as sure about the possibility of attaining 7.1 per cent growth this fiscal. "It is unlikely that the growth is going to be 7.1 per cent (for the entire 2008-09)," Sen said.
In December, the Government provided the first stimulus package, cutting excise duty by four per cent across the board and increasing planned expenditure by Rs 20,000 crore among other things.
However, stimulus packages, also provided in January, and then the interim Budget, would take some time to work their way through the system, economists said.
"(The) Government will not be able to achieve over 7 per cent growth. The stimulus packages will take 6-8 months (to lift the economy) and (it will take) 8-9 months to get about 7 per cent (growth)," Crisil Principal Economist D K Joshi said.
It was only services that provided a sliver lining to the otherwise gloomy situation on the growth front.
Community, social and personal services recorded a robust growth rate of 17.3 per cent in the third quarter against 5.5 per cent a year ago, which is partly due to hike in salaries of government employees from September.
Another category of services -- financing, insurance, real estate and business services -- expanded by 9.5 per cent against 11.9 per cent.
However, trade, hotels, transport and communication grew by just 6.8 per cent from 11.6 per cent a year ago as tourist arrivals slowed due to the global economic meltdown and the Mumbai terror attacks.
Hit by the sharp slowdown in realty, construction growth fell to 6.7 per cent in the third quarter as against 9 per cent a year ago.
However, excise duty cuts by two percentage points or Rs 60 per metric tonne on bulk cement (whichever is higher) in the interim budget may provide some stimulus to construction, though it may take some time.
Within industry, mining and quarrying recorded faster growth in the third quarter year-on-year. It expanded by 5.3 per cent against 4.3 per cent.
Electricity, gas and water supply rose by almost the same pace as last year -- 3.3 per cent vs 3.8 per cent.
While Joshi attributed the fall in farm output to a high base effect as it grew by 6.9 per cent a year back, Nagesh Kumar, Director-General of think tank Research and Information System, blamed prices of agricultural produce for that.
Economists said as inflation is way below four per cent and is expected to fall further, so now the RBI should take the responsibility to provide a fillip to the economy.
"There is certainly more headroom for rate cuts by the RBI," Nagesh Kumar said.
Joshi said there is headroom for the RBI to cut rates by 50-100 basis points.
"Both the RBI and the government are always responsive to any emerging situations," Bansal said.
Domestic demand remains buoyant even in the slowing economy. Private final consumption expenditure at current and constant prices stood at 10.7 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, against 8.7 per cent and 8.4 per cent a year ago.
Gross fixed capital formation, a key factor in determining productive capacity in the economy, stood at 33.4 per cent and 31 per cent at current and constant prices, respectively, against 33 per cent and 30.8 per cent, a year go.
Inventor Glenn Martin said interest had appeared from all over the world, with some individuals and organisations getting out their wallets.
"I always expected there would be people buying them for fun, but there is also a lot of commercial interest, from companies and organisations who can see they would be a useful thing to use for border patrol, or search and rescue."
Mr Martin said Christchurch-based Martin Aircraft Company was test-flying the jetpack three times a week.
It consists of two rotors, powered by a 200-horsepower piston engine.
Kiwis will soon get a chance to check out the jetpack, with a public demonstration planned.
"What, when and how we don't know. Commercially it's probably not the right thing to do, but we need to satisfy the demand that's out there."
A $10,000 deposit will secure an order for one of the $100,000 jetpacks.
Mr Martin would not say how many had been sold, but said people would be coming to New Zealand this year for flight training.
The inventor, who spent 27 years designing the jetpack, stressed the need for determination to students from South Miramar School in Wellington at the launch of Fonterra's Science Roadshow yesterday.
The James Bond style jetpack is now a reality. Invented by German entrepreneur Hermann Ramke, the creation draws its inspiration from Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear.
The jet can propel the rider in air up to the height of 50 feet (15m), has a top speed of 30mph, and can travel almost 200 miles before it needs to be refuelled. A floating pump powered by a 150 horsepower four-stroke engine sends water through a 140ft-long (43m) hose to a pair of nozzles mounted on the jet pack. The jet leaving the nozzles is sufficiently powerful to push the rider off the ground, reports the Telegraph.
The nozzles can be further directed to balance the pilot in a stable position. The jet is priced at 160,000 pounds by the website advertising it. The vehicle promises "freedom, exhilaration, [and] adventure", as claimed by the site. It continues: "The dream of personal flight is as old as mankind. In the 21st century the daring vision of Daedalus has finally come true."
This brainchild of Ramke called 'JetLev' can accommodate a pilot of height 6 feet and weight ranging from 40kg(88lbs) to 120 kg(265 lbs), while a digital fly-by-wire system controls the ride. AGENCIES
77.2 lakhs unemployed in W. Bengal under Left rule
The economic health of West Bengal is dismal with the state having a backlog of 77.2 lakhs at employment exchanges, the highest in the country, and way behind Bihar and Jharkhand in facilitating business, a report has said.
"We had started tracking the state's own data from the early 60s, when it was one of India's better performing states, to now when it figures moderately on all parameters in the middle order of all states," economic research firm Indicus Analyticus Founder Director Laveesh Bhandari told reporters here.
The study, 'Transforming West Bengal', by economists Bibek Debroy and Laveesh Bhandari, identifies five "symptoms" that are telling instances of the state's degraded position.
The backlog at employment exchanges is at 7.72 million, chiefly due to the fact that employment growth has stagnated with the average annual growth at zero per cent in urban areas.
Also the state is not growing fast enough in terms of net state domestic productivity (5.8 per cent for 2001-06); average West Bengal residents are poor (gross state domestic product per capita for 2007-08 at Rs 29,457 against the national average of Rs 33,299); high levels of poverty in backward districts (28.6 per cent BPL population).
2009 is not going to be 2004, says Karat http://www.rediff.com/news/2009/feb/27karat-says-cpm-will-realign-forces-from-upa.htm
The CPI-M today indicated that it was trying to lure some United Progressive Alliance constituents for its "secular alternative" and ruled out supporting the Congress in the post-Lok Sabha poll scenario.
Signalling the Left's keenness to exploit the Congress' reservation over a national-level pre-poll tie-up with allies, party general secretary Prakash Karat [Images] said the party was keenly watching the emerging scenario after the Congress indicated its stand.
The Congress has said there would not be UPA in the elections.
"This signals that the constituents are free to move in tune with the circumstances prevailing in each state. The Left is keenly watching this scenario, Karat said in an interview to the CPI-M's mouthpiece Deshabhimani.
After assessing the existing political equations in each state, the Left would take appropriate decisions on relations with the UPA partners, he said.
Dismissing chances of the Left supporting the Congress after the polls, he said "2009 is not going to be 2004".
The non-Congress secular alliance has already been forged in most major states, Karat said adding, he was confident that this front would become broad-based and stronger to take on the Congress and the BJP.
"After the elections, we will come to know who is going to be compelled to support whom. We don't see a situation where Left would be forced to support Congress," Karat said.
The Left was trying to bring non-Congress secular parties on common platform on three core political themes -- pro-people economic policies, secularism and independent foreign policy, he said.
"If this strategy proves successful, the result will be a non-Congress, non-BJP government at the Centre," he said.
On tie-ups already worked out, he said the Left parties, TDP and TRS would stay together in Andhra Pradesh but it was too early to "say something" about the strength of Praja Rajyam floated by actor Chiranjeevi [Images].
In Tamil Nadu, the seat-sharing talks with AIADMK was yet to be concluded, he said.
Since PMK has snapped ties with DMK, electoral arrangements would be worked out only after knowing the PMK's stand, he said.
In Bihar, CPI-M, CPI and CPI-ML (Liberation) would fight the polls together. On its own, CPI-M has decided to contest 80 seats but it could go up when the electoral arrangements are worked out in all states, he said.
The party's poll manifesto will be finalized by the central committee meeting on March 7 and 8, whose thrust would be 'alternative proposals to neo-liberal policies,' Karat said.
Each Left party will have its separate manifesto but they would place a joint appeal before the people before the polls. The need for a set of alternative policies had become all the more necessary in view of the challenges posed by the global downturn,he said.
It was essential to have a government at the Centre which will mobilise resources through taxes and other means and enhance spending on areas like education and health care, he said.
It was also important to strengthen the public distribution system to take care of the basic needs of people. If all these alternative policies have to be carried out, it was necessary to end dependence on United States, he added.
Mom sells baby to pay ‘bribe’ in Renuka’s constituency
In a heart-rending incident, a young poverty-stricken single mother in Andhra Pradesh sold her newborn son to a childless couple for Rs 6,000 so that she could pay her medical bill in a government hospital. "My financial position is really bad," a distraught looking Rajitha (20) who could not afford the Rs 2,000 hospital fee said from her bed at the Government area hospital in Kothagudem in Khammam district.
She delivered the baby by Caesarean section last week and the infant changed hands within 24 hours.
Police said they would take action against the hospital which also faces an inquiry whether its doctors took any money as bribe from the woman.
"Buying and selling a baby is an offence, so we will be booking cases," Kothagudem revenue division officer P Rajaram said.
According to reports, a rickshaw driver friend gave the single mother Rs 6,000 for the baby, which he planned to bring up with his wife. The couple have no children.
The incident occurred in the parliamentary constituency of Union Minister of State for Women and Child development Renuka Chowdhury.
"At least, she is safe and at least the child is not dead and not killed. I think they are the most important things that we need to look at," Chowdhury said.
The woman told the police who interrogated her that her husband had abandoned her and she had no means to support herself and a baby.
"We are also inquiring into the fact whether the doctor had asked for money (from the woman)," he added.
Welfare officials reportedly want the baby to be reunited with his mother so she can breastfeed him. They said the mother and child would then be shifted to a state-run facility where Rajitha can decide if she wants to put the baby up for adoption.
More than 1,57,800 workers to lose jobs in Japan An estimated 157,806 non-regular employees in Japan, mainly temporary workers in the manufacturing sector, will lose their jobs between October 2008 and March 2009 amid the recession, a labour ministry survey showed on Friday. The estimated number of job cuts during the six-month period represents a 26.4 per cent rise from the Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry's projection in its January survey, a finding highlighting the severity of employment conditions of Japanese companies amid the downturn.
The latest survey also found 9,973 regular employees are expected to lose their jobs during the half-year period, up 52.8 per cent from the January survey.
The survey found a combined 1,574 college or high school students scheduled to graduate in March have had job offers cancelled by companies.
The figure is about 29.5 per cent higher than the 1,215 seen in the January survey, which was the worst since comparable figures became available in fiscal 1993, eclipsing the high of 1,077 recorded in fiscal 1997, when Japan's financial sector was in turmoil.
Of those who had their job offers cancelled, 1,280 were college students and 294 were high-school students.
Communism not anybody's monopoly: Somnath Apparently hitting out at CPM which had expelled him, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said he remains a ‘Communist’ as Communism is not ‘anybody's monopoly’. The 80-year-old veteran parliamentarian, addressing a press conference a day after presiding over the last session of 14th Lok Sabha, said however he will not rejoin politics and will take 'sanyas' (retirement).
Asked whether he still considers himself a 'comrade' after the CPM expelled him, Chatterjee said, "I am a Communist. Communism is not anybody's monopoly."
He was expelled by CPM before the trust vote of July 22, 2008 for refusing to quit as Speaker even after the Left withdrew support to UPA on the issue of Indo-US nuclear deal.
To a query whether he would contest elections, Chatterjee said the question has lost its topicality as he has already announced taking ‘sanyas’.
Asked whether he would accept a Gubernatorial assignment after his retirement, he quipped "Who will give me?"
"I am selecting a place to stay after retirement," said a relaxed Speaker, known for his serious headmaster-like attitude in conducting the proceedings of the House.
Chatterjee said the ‘saddest day’ of his life was when the Opposition NDA accused him of being partial.
Recalling that he was pained by the criticism, the Speaker said he even thought of resigning. This was in mid-2006.
"My letter of resignation was ready," he said adding that after NDA chairman Atal Bihari Vajpayee drove to his residence and leaders of other parties persuaded him not to quit, he decided to continue.
Rubbishing the charge that he was partial, the Speaker said there was not a single major issue which he did not allow the Opposition to raise.
On the hurried passage of eight bills without any discussion towards the fag end of the last session in December, 2008, Chatterjee defended himself by saying the government too has some responsibility.
"See the footage of three days. The House did not function. The government too has some responsibility. It has the responsibility to bring bills and see they are adopted," he said.
Asked when he felt badly let down, Chatterjee posed "are you interested in making a psycho-analysis? I cannot divulge everything. Otherwise my book will not sell".
Chatterjee plans to pen his memoirs after his retirement and spend time reading, listening to music, preferably songs from Oscar-winner 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
Chatterjee, who had said yesterday that he had received ‘encouragement and affection’ from CPM leaders particularly Jyoti Basu, said he had ‘natural leaning’ to the Left.
He also said that he was in minority within his party when he favoured that Basu should be the Prime Minister.
Referring to frequent disruptions in the proceedings of Lok Sabha, Chatterjee said he was of the view that MPs who do not work should not be paid.
The Speaker said that even his wife objected to his taking salary for the day when he adjourned the House for the day within minutes of its sitting.
When the veteran Parliamentarian was reminded of the belief that politicians never retire, Chatterjee said, "I want to show that politicians do retire".
Asked about his views on codification of the privilege of MPs, Chatterjee said there was no intention to punish anybody. "But, some actions have to be taken," he said.
He also said it was a ‘national shame’ that people were committing suicide because of financial reasons.
UPA trying to put me behind bars: Mulayam
Coming down heavily on the UPA government at the Centre which his party helped survive after the Left withdrew its support over the Indo-US nuclear deal, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has charged it with using the CBI to try and put him behind bars. "The government, which we have supported during the height of the Indo-US nuclear deal imbroglio, is now trying to send me to jail with CBI's help," the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister told a function at Charan Singh P G College in Etawah.
"The CBI is preparing fake documents to frame me (in the disproportionate assets case)," he said.
He said party General Secretary Amar Singh, however, came to know about this and found out how "the property of others was mentioned against my name".
Yadav also flayed the Centre's faulty foreign policy and said the country stood isolated at the global level because of that.
Turning to farmers, he said there was a move to stop the subsidy provided to them
German jet pack helps humans fly above water Published: 19 Feb 09 16:26 CET Online: http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20090219-17543.html
Ready for takeoff? A German company has developed a jet pack that solves a problem from almost every preceding model before it - propellant. Instead of rocket fuel, the JetLev Flyer uses pressurized water, making it the latest in sporting technology.
Opel workers protest GM cutback plans - National (26 Feb 09) Interior Ministry warns terror camp trainees returning to Germany - Politics (26 Feb 09) Dresdner drags down Allianz results - Money (26 Feb 09) “It is mainly fun sporting equipment and we are aiming to create a new exciting alternative for people who don’t want to sail or swim,” Christoph Winter, spokesperson of MS Watersports GmbH told The Local on Thursday.
The “personal flying machine” attached to a big yellow hose is not quite the science fiction fantasy of a rocket pack that enables individual human flight. But it can reach speeds up to 64 kilometres an hour and help riders soar almost ten metres above the water surface.
The hose connects to an unmanned boat that transports an engine that pumps pressurised water into the actual jet pack, where it is released through two nozzles next to the operator’s shoulders.
The company says that the 14 kilogramme jet pack is environmentally friendly and almost ready for serial production. They presented the JetLev at the Düsseldorf boat show in late January and are headed to the Dubai Boat Show in early March.
They are also looking into more serious uses for the JetLev.
“We already spoke with an off shore oil rig company about using the JetLev instead of boats to go out if something has to be fixed on the platform, for example, but using it in holiday resorts is an option, too” Winter said.
At a stunning €100,000, the JetLev is the private jet of water toys. “Someone with a little rubber dinghy surely won’t buy themselves one of these,” Winter said. “We are addressing a more exclusive group of clients.”
But before the rich and famous can get their hands on the JetLev, MS Watersports has a few formalities to take care of.
“We don’t know yet how the usage will be restricted and if maybe only people who with a boat licence would be allowed to used it,” Winter told The Local. “I would certainly not recommend flying off with it after a couple of drinks, though. Only responsible use will bring you the most fun,” Winter said.
But the fun of almost flying doesn’t come without risk, he said. “Obviously, if you make a mistake at full speed and crash onto the water surface, you can injure yourself pretty severely, but it is the same with every extreme sport. If you do a bungee jump and the rope is too long, you get hurt as well.” Winter said.
Kerstin von Glowacki (news@thelocal.de)
The real estate market - 2009 Posted: Jan 01, 2009 at 0303 hrs IST
Rohit Gera
The global financial meltdown has had the first level impact – that of shocking the world and causing the global markets to crash. Once the markets recaliberate their expectations factoring in a new set of rules for the game, a new paradigm will emerge. Double digit growth and greed will be replaced by cautious optimism and realistic growth.
Fortunately, India's GDP has an extremely large component of domestic consumption, and as we see the reality of the global meltdown being completely absorbed and factored in to our future projections and expectations, we will see the result of the strong domestic demand.
2009 will be a year where we will see the results of the active government intervention in fending off the global crisis. While there is still a lot more that the government can and claims that it will do, the fact that customers still need homes will set in. This, complimented with lower real estate rates, lower interest rates and better incentives to customers to purchase homes will go a long way in rebuilding the entire real estate industry.
We have already seen a change in the customer sentiment towards purchasing a home and expect that the currently visible trickle of change in customer sentiment towards purchasing a home will translate into a normal buying cycle. The reality is that customers are astute and have started to realise that while buying at the absolute bottom is a near impossible task, the downside risk from current levels is fairly low. Further, the purchasing power has improved substantially with the current market scenario.
The drop in interest rates from 11.5% to 9.25% combined with a reduction of 15% in real estate rates has resulted in an increase in purchasing power of 33%. The same EMI would, at a lower interest rate provide for a higher loan. The higher loan used to purchase a home at a lower price would enable the customer to purchase more square feet.
The transition of the real estate market will however lead to some fundamental differences this time. Customers will purchase based on need rather than based on the euphoria and hype we saw in 2006-2007. Already, sizes of homes have reduced and customers will be more circumspect in their purchase decisions. At the developer end, the indiscriminate growth will also give way to more rational and safer growth plans. Plans that are not based on arbitrage between cap rates between domestic and international markets and excel spread sheets but on the fundamentals of brick and mortar.
I believe 2009 will see the customers who have deferred their home purchases in 2008 take the decision and purchase their homes given the affordability impact as well as the tremendous need for homes in the country. As a result of the reduced number of projects launched in the last 12 months, we will see better projects developed by reputed developers being sold out sooner.
Gera is executive director, Gera Developments http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/The-real-estate-market-2009/405331/
Crisis an opportunity to fight corruption: UNGC
New York During the global economic downturn, corporate engagement with ethics, trust and the fight against corruption has assumed significance, head of the UN alliance for responsible business has said. "In times of crisis and loss of confidence, it is even more important to restore trust," Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), said at a press conference that followed an anti-corruption meeting for the initiative, which was created by the world organisation in 2000.
"Clearly," he said, "the issue of values and principles in restoring trust and confidence is more important than ever and the key component of this is indeed the work on anti-corruption, which is an integral part of our corporate citizenship agenda."
The Compact pledges participating businesses now numbering some 5,000 in over 100 countries to observe principles of human rights, labour rights, environmental sustainability as well as the fight against corruption.
Kell was joined at the press conference by Ntombifuthi Mtoba, Chair of the Board of Deloitte, South Africa, Jermyn Brooks, Director of Global Private Sector Programmes of Transparency International and Eckart Sunner, Chief Compliance Officer of the corporation BASF AG.
Is the Obama administration ignoring India?
Aziz Haniffa in Washington, DC
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February 27, 2009
India's non-inclusion in United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's [Images] first overseas trip to Asia has elicited diametrically opposite views from two South Asia experts.
While one argues that China's inclusion in Clinton's itinerary is a clear indication that for the Obama [Images] administration, New Delhi [Images] is not in the same league as Beijing [Images], the other contends that her itineraries are not illustrative of the priorities that the administration attaches to particular countries.
Besides China, Clinton's trip to Asia included visits to Japan [Images], Indonesia and South Korea.
Stephen P Cohen, who heads the South Asia Programme at the Brookings Institution, told rediff.com, "I think this administration is not quite sure about their map of Asia and India doesn't seem to be part of it."
"There are a lot of signs, which are quite, I won't say alarming, but, interesting," he said, and added, "The way in which they have put India in the National Security Council under China. The same guy who is in charge of matters concerning China also looks at Indian issues, even though he is from East Asia, not South Asia."
Jeff Baden, a specialist on China, heads the Asia Division in the NSC. So far, no one has been appointed as the director for South Asian affairs in the White House.
Cohen acknowledged that including India on Clinton's trip to Asia would have had a significant symbolic value. "It is really impressive that India doesn't seem to figure at all in the American foreign policy," he said.
"They certainly don't seem to have taken any special interest in India, as compared with the Bush administration," he added.
Cohen pointed out that so far, "Nobody has raised the issue of the Indo-US nuclear deal with India. It sort of has simply vanished from the screen. So we'll see what happens. But I am not encouraged by the first couple of weeks."
When reminded that the administration's Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, had also visited India during his trip to South Asia, Cohen retorted, "He went there because of Afghanistan and Pakistan (to include India in any regional agreement), not because of India."
Dismissing the argument that America's relations with India were on track and didn't need immediate attention, he said, "You can make that argument but they (the Obama administration) are worried about their immediate priorities. India doesn't seem to be able to help them out in Afghanistan or Iraq and certainly not in the case of Pakistan."
"India is not making trouble, but I think that's the way it's going to be -- that India is unable to help America in the short-term, in its short-term strategic objectives," he analysed.
Cohen added that Clinton visiting China and not India clearly proved "China's growing power -- and so much for Chindia! India was overblown by the advocates and now it's going to be undersold."
"The Chindia metaphor didn't correspond to reality," he argued, adding that, "In terms of economy, military power etc, China is miles ahead of India."
However, former assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs in the Clinton administration, Karl F Inderfurth, who was a foreign policy adviser on South Asia to the Obama campaign, disagreed with Cohen's views.
He stressed that absolutely nothing should be read into the fact that India was not included in Clinton's Asia itinerary.
Inderfurth, who is currently a professor of international relations at George Washington University, told rediff.com, "You can only do so much at one time, and this trip has a certain coherence and consistency to it."
When queried if India's exclusion in Clinton's itinerary meant that it had been relegated to the second tier in Asia for the Obama administration, Inderfurth asserted, "Absolutely not."
"I don't think one can judge the itineraries of secretaries of state as being definitive statements about the priority countries have in terms of foreign policy," he argued.
"I believe this was a good opportunity for her to travel to Asia. Clearly, her first stop in Japan was to send a signal to those who have sometimes been of the view that Japan is sort of dropping in order of importance to the United States. This was meant to reinforce the importance of Japan as an ally of the US in Asia."
He reiterated, "There is absolutely no reason for India to feel slighted. This administration will not need to be reminded of the importance of India because Hillary Clinton knows that directly from her own experience as First Lady, as Senator and the role that President Bill Clinton [Images] had in getting this new relationship going in the right direction."
"So, I look forward to seeing her in South Asia and India many times. I know that this is one region of the world that she has been fascinated with," he said.
Inderfurth's views were echoed by US Ambassador [Images] to India David Mulford, during an interaction at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, with a few select journalists, think-tank analysts and scholars, diplomats from the subcontinent and some mid-level administration officials.
Taking strong exception to the contention that India is being ignored by the administration, Mulford said, "The new administration understands the importance of the US-India relationship."
He said, "It is quite clear to me that India will be every bit as important a priority to them as it was to the previous administration."
Mulford acknowledged, "That doesn't mean they'll handle every issue the same way. But there's no doubt about the fact that it's important to them."
He added, "You have to give some space to the Obama administration because it's a new administration. They are very challenged, they are very busy, they have got a lot of other things to do. The fact that they haven't done some things first with India may reflect the fact that they think the relationship is in such good shape that they don't have to address it immediately."
Mulford assured his audience, "I have no doubt that the relationship will be every bit as important, and I wouldn't really worry about that -- I wouldn't think it's worth speculating about really."
Satyam still a worthy competitor: IBM It may have been rocked by the country's biggest-ever corporate fraud, but Satyam Computer still figures among the companies considered worthy rivals to global technology giant IBM. In its annual report filed with the regulator for 2008, New York Stock Exchange-listed IBM has said that Satyam, along with two other Indian IT majors, Infosys and Wipro, are among its main competitors in various business segments.
Incidentally, days before admitting financial wrongdoings at Satyam, its founder B Ramalinga Raju had told the company's board in a December 16, 2008 meeting that he feared a hostile takeover bid of the IT firm by global players like IBM.
After Satyam's aborted bid to acquire two Maytas firms, IBM's name had also figured among the possible suitors for the Indian IT firm, but had been denied by the US company. Later in January, Satyam's board was superseded by the government and is currently on the lookout for a new owner.
In its annual report, filed earlier this week with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), IBM said Satyam Computer and Wipro Technologies are among its competitors as they target customer groups similar to its Global Technology Services segment.
"Indian service providers, including Satyam Computer Services Ltd and Wipro Technologies (Wipro), are moving to offer managed infrastructure services, targeting similar customer segments to GTS," IBM stated.
Global Technology Services (GTS) segment primarily reflects IT infrastructure services and business process services, delivering value through the company's global scale, standardisation and automation.
Meanwhile, IBM stated in the filing that its Global Technology Services business competes with a variety of competitors worldwide across its principal market segments -- the global, broad-based competitors are Hewlett-Packard Company (HP), Accenture and Computer Sciences Corporation.
Further, the company stated that its main competitors for the Global Business Services segment include Accenture, Infosys Consulting and Wipro.
The company's GTS segment competes in strategic outsourcing, business transformation outsourcing, integrated technology services and IT support services, while GBS operates in consulting, system integration and application management services.
Interestingly, IBM Global Services has emerged as the largest vendor in the IT Services market in India with a market share of 10.8 per cent, followed by Wipro and TCS-CMC, in a recent report by an infotech tracking firm Springboard Research.
Meltdown chill hits IIM-C placements Font Size -A +A Shiv Sahay Singh Posted: Feb 27, 2009 at 0916 hrs IST
Kolkata Thanks to the economic recession, not many blue-chip companies have shown up at IIM-Calcutta during this year’s campus recruitments. At the end of phase I of recruitments held between February 21 and 24, only 49 companies visited the campus. They made a total of 207 offers, including multiple offers. The actual placement is thus well below 200 in a batch of 265 students.
Last year, 107 companies had come calling at the premier B-school.
Officials involved in the placement process accepted that the phase II of the placement process would be no better with only 30 companies expected to turn up.
Last year, over 240 offers were made to a batch of 290 students before the final placement process started. Of these, 90 were pre placement offers (PPOs). This year so far, there have been only 56 PPOs. While 45 firms made 153 lateral placement offers last year, only 25 companies have come forward for the same this year.
The recession has also displaced foreign investment banks from its prestigious slot called “Slot Zero” with marketing giants like Hindustan Unilever, Procter & Gamble along with ITC and Nokia becoming preferred companies.
It, however,remains to be seen whether the average pay package shoots up or not. Each year sees an increase of 18 -20 per cent in the packet over the previous year.
The IIM-C officials said that in the first round of placement, the salary structure has been the same as last year. Of the 207 offers this year, there are 33 international offers. Last year, the international offers numbered 50. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Meltdown-chill-hits-IIMC-placements/428564/
et pack From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Jet packs) Jump to: navigation, search For other meanings see Jetpack (disambiguation). The Martin Jetpack, despite its name, has no jets or rockets, but is a small helicopter, and is discussed as such. This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (August 2008)
Rocket Belt at a 2005 Melbourne show Rocket Belt at the 2007 Rose ParadeJet pack, rocket belt, rocket pack, and similar names, are various types of device, usually worn on the back, that use jets of escaping gases to allow a single user to fly.
The concept of these devices emerged from science fiction in the 1920s and popularised in the 1960s as the technology became a reality. Currently the only practical uses of the jet pack has been extra-vehicular activity for astronauts. Despite decades of advancement in the technology, the challenges of Earth's atmosphere, Earth's gravity, and the human body (which is not suited to this type of flight) remain an obstacle to its potential use in the military and as a means of personal transport.
Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 The German Flightpack of World War II 1.2 The Jump Belt (mostly compressed gas powered) 1.3 Aeropack 1.4 Development continues 2 Hydrogen peroxide powered rocketpacks 2.1 Bell Textron Rocket Belt 2.2 RB-2000 Rocket Belt 2.3 Bell Pogo 2.4 Powerhouse Productions Rocketbelt 2.5 Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana (TAM) 2.6 Jetpack International 3 Turbojet pack 3.1 Turbojets 3.2 Bell Jet Flying Belt 3.3 Special features of the turbojet pack 4 In space 4.1 NASA's Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) (compressed gas powered) 4.2 NASA's SAFER 5 Winged jet and rocket packs 5.1 Visa Parviainen's jet-assisted wingsuit 5.2 Yves Rossy's jetpack 5.2.1 Flights 5.2.2 Links to images of Rossy and his jetpack 6 Current technology 7 In popular culture 7.1 Music 7.2 Film 7.3 Television 7.4 In toys and videogames 8 Home-made rocket packs using plans from the Internet 9 See also 10 References 11 External links
[edit] History
[edit] The German Flightpack of World War II During World War II, Germany made late-war experiments of strapping two wearable shortened Schmidt pulse jet tubes of low thrust to the body of a pilot. The working principle was the same as the Schmidt-Argus pulse jet that powered the Fieseler Fi 103 flying bomb whereas the size was much smaller.
The device was called "Himmelstürmer" (Skystormer) and operated as follows: when the flier ignited both engines simultaneously the tubes began to pulse modulate. The angled rear tube strapped to the flier's back provided both lift and forward thrust while the chest mounted deflector tube of lower thrust maintained a constant upward thrust. This lifted the flier up and forward. By opening the throttle to the rear tube, calculated "jumps" could be made of up to 60 meter (180 ft) at low altitude (under 50 ft, 15 m). The tubes consumed very little fuel but not much could be carried either.
The intended use for this device was for German engineer units to cross minefields, barbed wire obstacles, and bridgeless waters. The device was never intended for troop use, despite a crude depiction of it in that role in the comic book and film The Rocketeer (which was a prop bearing no resemblance to the real device).
At the end of the war this device was handed over to Bell which tested it on a tether out of fear of harm as no test flier was willing to risk his life with the German machine. What became of the device is not known.[1]
The fictional device used by The Rocketeer was a rocket pack that was technically unique (at least in the film adaptation) because it was designed to remain cool. The Himmelstürmer, by comparison, never operated long enough to get extremely hot and both tubes were angled away from the body of the flier. In operation the thrust difference between pulse tubes acted as a push/pull/lift system. Flight time for jumps was in seconds with no lengthy descent time as altitude was minimal. As soon as the throttle was disengaged the device was shut off, a very simple operation and no report of any casualties.[2] [3]
[edit] The Jump Belt (mostly compressed gas powered) This section has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page. It may require restructuring to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Tagged since October 2006.
It may be confusing or unclear for some readers. Tagged since October 2006.
In 1958 Garry Burdett and Alexander Bohr, engineers of Thiokol Corporation created the "Jump Belt", which they named Project Grasshopper. Thrust was created by high-pressure compressed nitrogen. On the "belt" were fixed two small nozzles, directed vertically downward. The wearer of the "belt" could open a valve, letting out from the nitrogen gas cylinder through the nozzles, in this case it was tossed upward to the height to 7 meters. After leaning forward, it was possible with the aid of the "jump belt's" thrust to run at 45 to 50 km/h. Then Burdett and Bohr tested a hydrogen peroxide powered version. The "jump belt" was demonstrated by a serviceman in action, but there was no financing, and the matter again did not go to further tests.
The small size of the canisters is likely the reason why the name usage "-belt" rather than "-pack" became customary in the USA.
[edit] Aeropack In 1959 Aerojet General Corporation won a U.S. Army contract to make a jetpack or rocketpack. At the start of 1960 Richard Peoples made his first tethered flight with his Aeropack.
In 1960, Bell Rocketbelt was presented to the public. The jet of gas was provided by a hydrogen peroxide powered rocket but the jet can also be provided by a turbojet engine, a ducted fan, or other kinds of rockets powered by solid fuel, liquid fuel or compressed gas (usually nitrogen).
[edit] Development continues American servicemen did not lose interest in this type of flight vehicle. Control of transport studies of the U.S. Army Transportation Research Command, TRECOM) assumed that personal jet apparatuses could find the most diverse uses: for reconnaissance, crossing rivers, amphibious landing, access to steep mountain slopes, overcoming minefields, tactical manoeuvring, etc. The concept was named Small Rocket Lift Device, SRLD.
Within the framework of this concept the administration in 1959 concluded with the company Aerojet General a big contract to research on the possibility of designing an SRLD, suitable for army purposes. Aerojet came to the conclusion that the version with the engine running on hydrogen peroxide was most suitable. However, it soon became known to the military that engineer Wendell Moore of the company Bell Aerosystems had for several years been carrying out experiments to make a personal jet device. After becoming acquainted with his work, servicemen during August 1960 decided to send an order for Bell Aerosystems to develop an SLRD. Wendell Moore was appointed as the chief project engineer.
[edit] Hydrogen peroxide powered rocketpacks A hydrogen peroxide-powered motor is based on the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide. Nearly pure (90% in the Bell Rocket Belt) hydrogen peroxide is used. Pure hydrogen peroxide is relatively stable, but in contact with the catalyst (for example, silver) it decomposes into a mixture of superheated steam and oxygen in less than 1/10 millisecond increasing in volume 5000 times: 2 H2O2 = 2 H2O + O2. The reaction is exothermic, i.e. with liberation of much heat (about 2500 kJ/kg), forming in this case a steam-gas mixture at 740 °C. This hot gas is used exclusively as the reaction mass and is directly led to one or more jet nozzles.
The great disadvantage is the limited operating time. The jet of steam and oxygen can provide significant thrust from fairly lightweight rockets, but the jet has a reasonably low exhaust velocity and hence a poor specific impulse. A man's carrying capacity before take-off sets the upper bound on weight of propellant that can be used, and so currently such rocket belts can only fly for about 30 seconds.
A more conventional bipropellant could more than double the specific impulse. However, although the exhaust gases from the peroxide-based motor are very hot, they are still significantly cooler than those generated by alternative propellants. Using a peroxide-based propellant greatly reduces the risk of a fire/explosion which would cause severe injury to the operator.
In contrast to, for example, turbojet engines which mainly expel atmospheric air to produce thrust, rocket packs are far simpler to build than devices using turbojets. The classical rocket pack of the construction of Wendell Moore can be prepared in workshop conditions but needs good engineering training and a high level of tool-making craftsmanship.
The main faults of this type of rocket pack are:
Short duration of flight (a maximum of around 30 seconds). The high expense of the peroxide propellant. The inherent dangers of flying below minimum parachute altitude, and hence without any safety equipment to protect the operator if there is an accident or malfunction. Safely learning how to fly it, given that there are no dual-control training versions. The sheer difficulty of manually flying such a device. These circumstances limit the sphere of the application of rocket packs to very spectacular public demonstration flights i.e. stunts. Due to their strong visual impact, rocket pack flights are guaranteed to seize the attention of spectators. As a result, rocket pack flights enjoy great success at major sporting events. For example, a flight was arranged in the course of the opening ceremony of the summer Olympic Games 1984 in Los Angeles, USA
[edit] Bell Textron Rocket Belt Main article: Bell Rocket Belt This is the oldest known type of jetpack or rocketpack.
One Bell Rocket Belt is on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum annex, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, located near Dulles Airport.
[edit] RB-2000 Rocket Belt This was a successor to the Bell Rocket Belt.[4] See Bell Rocket Belt#RB2000 Rocket Belt.
[edit] Bell Pogo Main article: Bell Pogo The Bell Pogo was a small rocket-powered platform that 2 people could ride on. Its design used features from the Bell Rocket Belt.
[edit] Powerhouse Productions Rocketbelt More commonly known as "The Rocketman", Powerhouse Productions, owned and operated by Kinnie Gibson, is the first company to manufacture the 30 second flying Rocketbelt[citation needed] and performed Rocketbelt performances exclusively since 1983, including the 1984 Summer Olympics, Carnival in Rio de Janerio, Super Bowls, the Rose Parade and Daytona 500, Michael Jackson. Powerhouse Rocketbelt pilots include Kinnie Gibson, Eric Scott and Dan Schlund.[5]
[edit] Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana (TAM) The Tecaeromex Rocket Belt is or was made by Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana, which is said to be made by the only company in the world that offers a flying and tested rocket belt package, featured in the March 2006 issue of Popular Science magazine and many TV programs around the world like the Discovery Channel, the BBC, ProSieben, TV Azteca, The Science Channel, The History Channel. Its maker claims that four of his rocketpacks are flying now; his first tethered flights were on 22 September 2005.
On Aug. 11, 2006 Isabel Lozano was the first woman in the world to fly tethered in a rocket belt in front of millions of TV spectators; she flew with a special rocket belt built by TAM.[6]. See http://www.tecaeromex.com/ingles/RB-i.htm for a description and a big image. It runs on hydrogen peroxide. It sells for USA $125,000 including a training course in using it.
TAM also made a backpack helicopter called Libellula, with a 2-bladed rotor driven by a small rocket motor at the end of each rotor blade.[7]
[edit] Jetpack International Jetpack International made 3 types of jetpacks. They do not have wings: ('@' means "estimated")
Name Max flight time Max distance Max speed Max height Max pilot weight Fuel Motor type Fuel capacity Price Jet pack H202 33 seconds 500 ft 70 mph 120ft 180 lbs H2O2 rocket 5.8 gallons Not for sale Jet pack H202-Z 43 seconds 1500 ft 77 mph 250ft 180 lbs H2O2 rocket 8 gallons Not for sale Jet pack T-73 @ 9 minutes @ c. 11 miles @ 83 mph @ 250ft 180 lbs. Jet-A fuel T-73 jet motor 5 gallons $200,000 incl. training
A Jet Pack H202 was flown for 34 seconds in Central Park on the 9 April 2007 episode of the Today Show, and sold for $150,000. But http://www.jetpackinternational.com/equip.html says (as at 1 January 2009) that their H202 jetpacks are for demonstration only, not for sale.
T-73 jetpack: Information & images 2008 - 01/03 - Jet Pack Takes Off at www.youngeagles.org Ditch the car and fly to work with a jet-pack | News | TechRadar UK at www.techradar.com
[edit] Turbojet pack
[edit] Turbojets Packs with the turbojet engine work on the traditional kerosene. They have higher efficiency, greater height and a duration of flight of many minutes, but they are complex in construction and very expensive. Only one working model of this pack was made; it underwent flight tests in the 1960s and at present it no longer flies.
[edit] Bell Jet Flying Belt In 1965 Bell Aerosystems concluded a new contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a jet pack with a turbojet engine. This project was called the "Jet Flying Belt", or simply the "Jet Belt". Wendell Moore and John K. Hulbert, a specialist in gas turbines, worked to design a new turbojet pack. Williams Research Corporation (now Williams International) in Walled Lake, Michigan, designed and built a new turbojet engine to Bell's specifications in 1969. It was called the WR19, with a rated thrust of 195 kgf (1,910 newtons) and weighing 31 kg.
The first free flight of the "Jet Belt" took place on 7 April 1969 at the Niagara Falls Municipal Airport. Pilot Robert Courter flew about 100 meters in a circle at an altitude of 7 meters, reaching a speed of 45 km/h. The following flights were longer, up to 5 minutes. Theoretically, this new pack could fly for 25 minutes and go up to 135 km/h.
In spite of successful tests, the U.S. Army lost interest. The pack was complex to maintain and too heavy. Landing with its weight on his back was hazardous to the pilot, and catastrophic loss of a turbine blade could have been lethal.
Thus, the "Bell Jet Flying Belt" remained an experimental model. On 29 May 1969, Wendell Moore died of complications from a heart attack he had suffered six months earlier, and work on the turbojet pack was ended. Bell sold the sole version of the "Bell pack", together with the patents and the technical documentation, to Williams Research Corporation. This pack is now in the Williams International company museum. A version of this engine went on to power the later US Tomahawk cruise missiles.
[edit] Special features of the turbojet pack The "Jet Belt" used a small turbofan engine, which was mounted vertically, with its air intake downward (1). Intake air was divided into two flows. One flow went into the combustion chamber, the other flow bypassed the engine, then mixed with the hot turbine gases, cooling them and protecting the pilot from the high temperature. In the upper part of the engine the exhaust was divided and entered two pipes, which led to jet nozzles (2). The construction of the nozzles made it possible to move the jet to any side. Kerosene fuel was in tanks (33) beside the engine. Control of the turbojet pack was similar the rocket pack, but the pilot could not tilt the entire engine. Maneuvering was by deflecting the controlled nozzles. By inclining levers, the pilot could move the jets of both nozzles forward, back, or sideways. The pilot rotated left/right by the turning the left handle. The right handle governed the engine thrust. The jet engine was started with the aid of a powder cartridge. While testing this starter, a mobile starter on a special cart was used. There were instruments to control the power of the engine, and a portable radio to connect and transmit telemetry data to ground-based engineers. On top of the pack was a standard auxiliary landing parachute (4); it was effective only when opened higher than 20 meters. This engine went on to become the basis for the early cruise missile propulsion unit.
[edit] In space
Bruce McCandless II operating the Manned Maneuvering UnitRocket packs can be useful in outer space, where much less thrust is needed, because the weightlessness of space removes the need to continually fight against gravity.
Rocket packs were tested during mission STS-64. Mission Specialists Carl Meade and Mark Lee tested the SAFER Rocket Pack while Hammond remained inside the Orbiter.
[edit] NASA's Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) (compressed gas powered) In the 1980s, NASA demonstrated the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), a rocket pack that allowed an astronaut to function as his/her own spacecraft, but the system was retired before the decade was gone. The MMU is the only jetpack of practical importance. Its operational area is outside a space station or spacecraft, where an astronaut can limitedly move independently. The MMU's propulsion was produced by high-pressure nitrogen gas discharged through nozzles (which the MMU has 24 of). The MMU was used since 1984 in three Space Shuttle missions (STS-41-B, STS-41-C and STS-51-A).
[edit] NASA's SAFER Recently, NASA has introduced the SAFER, a smaller simpler version of the MMU meant to be used in case of accidental separation from spacecraft or station. With only small amounts of thrust needed, safety and temperature are much more manageable than in Earth gravity in the atmosphere.
[edit] Winged jet and rocket packs This article may be confusing or unclear to readers. Please help clarify the article; suggestions may be found on the talk page. (January 2008)
Artist's depiction of a jetpack with folding wingsJetpacks and rocketpacks would likely have much better flight time on a tankful of fuel if they had wings. There have been occasional real cases of a man gliding horizontally long distances with his body horizontal and no flying aid except a pair of rigid airplane-type wings strapped directly to his body; see also wingsuits.
[edit] Visa Parviainen's jet-assisted wingsuit On 25 October 2005 in Lahti in Finland, Visa Parviainen jumped from a hot air balloon in a wingsuit with two small turbojet jet engines attached to his feet. The turbojets provided approximately 16 kgf (160 N, 35 lbf) of thrust each and ran on kerosene (JET A-1) fuel. Visa apparently achieved approximately 30 seconds of horizontal flight with no noticeable loss of altitude.[8]
[edit] Yves Rossy's jetpack
Rossy's wing showing the four purple and silver jet-engines mounted close to the centreSwiss ex-military and commercial pilot Yves Rossy developed and built a winged pack with rigid aeroplane-type carbon-fiber wings spanning about 8 feet (2.4 m) and four small kerosene-burning jet engines underneath; these engines are large versions of a type designed for model aeroplanes.[9] He wears a heat-resistant suit similar to that of a firefighter or racing driver to protect him from the hot jet exhaust.[10][11] Similarly, the engines are modified with the addition of a carbon fibre heat shield extending the jet nozzle around the exhaust tail, to further protect the wearer.
Rossy claims to be "the first person to gain altitude and maintain a stable horizontal flight thanks to aerodynamic carbon foldable wings," which are folded by hinges at the midpoint of each wing. After being lifted to altitude by a plane, he ignites the engines just before he exits the plane with the wings folded. The wings unfold while in free-fall, and he is then able to fly horizontally for several minutes, landing using a parachute.[12] He achieves true controlled flight using his body and a hand throttle to maneuver.
The system is said by Rossy to be highly responsive and reactive in flight, to the point where he needs to closely control his head, arm and leg movements in order not to enter an uncontrolled spin. The engines on the wing require the achievement of a precise common alignment during set-up, in order to also prevent instability. An electronic starter system ensures all four engines ignite simultaneously. In the event of a spin, the wing unit can be detatched from the pilot, and both pilot and wing unit descend to Earth on separated parachutes.
Rossy's jetpack was exhibited on 18 April 2008 at the opening day of the 35th Exhibition of Inventions at Geneva.[13] Rossy and his sponsors spent over $190,000 to build the device.[14]
[edit] Flights His first successful trial was on 24 June 2004 near Geneva, Switzerland. Rossy has made more than 30 powered flights since. In November 2006 he flew with a later version of his jetpack.[citation needed]
On May 14, 2008 he made a successful 6-minute flight from the town of Bex near Lake Geneva. He exited a Pilatus Porter at 7,500 feet with his jetpack. It was the first public demonstration before the world's press. He made effortless loops from one side of the Rhone valley to the other and rose 2,600 feet.
It has been claimed that the military has been impressed and asked for prototypes for the powered wings, and that Rossy kindly refused the request and stated it is only for aviation enthusiasm purposes.[15] [16][17]
On 26 September 2008, Yves successfully flew across the English Channel from Calais, France to Dover, England in under 10 minutes[18] (9 minutes 7 seconds[19]). His speed reached 186 mph during the crossing[20], and was at 125 mph when he deployed the parachute[21].
[edit] Links to images of Rossy and his jetpack On the ground Wings folded, front view Wings unfolded, front view Close-up view of underside with jetmotors and harness, wings unfolded Flying From above From above Edge-on side view From below Video
[edit] Current technology According to the USA Government, real jetpacks have little practical value due to the limitations of current technology. The United States military, which conducted most jet pack research, has declared that helicopters are far more practical. Many others have worked on devising a functional jet pack, but with limited success.
In recent years the rocket pack has become popular among enthusiasts, and some have built one for themselves. The pack's basic construction is rather simple, but its flying capability depends on two key parts: the gas generator, and the thrust control valve. The rocket packs being built today are largely based on the research and inventions of Wendell Moore at Bell Aerospace.
One of the largest stumbling blocks that would-be rocket pack builders have faced is the difficulty of obtaining concentrated hydrogen peroxide, which is no longer produced by very many chemical companies. The companies who produce high concentration hydrogen peroxide only sell to large corporations or governments, forcing some amateurs and professionals to make their own hydrogen peroxide distillation installations. Since 2005, more rocket packs are being built and tested out, since hydrogen peroxide has become more readily available.[22]
Two high-profile jetpack projects are currently being operated:
Jetpack International: see above. Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana: see above.
[edit] In popular culture
A jetpack wearing hero on the cover of Amazing Stories, August 1928. The cover illustrates The Skylark of Space.The concept of jet packs appeared in popular culture, particularly science fiction long before the technology became practical.
Perhaps the first appearance was in pulp magazines. The 1928 cover of Amazing Stories featured a man flying with a jetpack.
Several science fiction novels from the 1950s featured jet packs.
But it was not until the "Bell Rocket Belt" in the 1960s that the jet pack reached the imagination of the mainstream. Bell's demonstration flights in the U.S. and other countries created significant public enthusiasm.
Several Superheroes in the DC Universe such as Agent Liberty, Colonel Future, and Adam Strange use jet packs.
The manga character Astroboy, who first appeared in 1963 achieved flight through two jetpacks hidden in his legs which appeared from his feet when needed. Likewise Iron Man, a comic book character who had jetpacks built into his armour first appeared in the same year.
The Johnny Quest series of prime time cartoons had an episode or two with jet pack technology integrated into those episodes as a common future technology.
The character The Rocketeer first appeared in comic books in 1982 and the central theme of this character was the jet pack.
A rocket pack occurred famously on the opening of the summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984. The pack was piloted by both Bill Suitor and Gordon Yaeger. Suitor was a legendary personality (in all calculation more than 1200 flights — more than in any other pilot to this day). Bill took off from platforms, flew above many spectators, who from the unexpected contingency covered their heads with their hands, and landed opposite the presidential platform, where Ronald Reagan sat. This flight was seen by 100,000 spectators on the platforms and about 2.5 billion television viewers.
[edit] Music A jet pack featured on Michael Jackson's "Dangerous World Tour" from 1992 where a stunt double flew a rocket jet at the end of the concerts.
While unrelated to the device, fellow musician Dan J. Standiford went by the name Jetpack.
[edit] Film The 1965 James Bond film Thunderball is one of the more famous appearances of the technology in film and widely captured the public imagination, as it showed an actual functioning jet pack and its potential usage in espionage, which was a popular theme during the cold war. In the filming of Thunderball, two packs were used. One was a non-functional prop: it can be seen on Sean Connery in the large-scale planning scenes. The second was a genuine Bell Rocket Belt and it actually flew, piloted by Bell Company pilots Bill Suitor and Gordon Yaeger. The scenes with Sean Connery and the pack had to be shot twice, because the first time they photographed it his head was uncovered, and in the flying shots Bill Suitor flatly refused to take off without a crash helmet. In the film's soundtrack the real shrill roar of the rocket pack's engine was replaced with the hiss of a fire extinguisher "to seem more realistic".
Boba Fett famously uses a rocket pack in Return of the Jedi.
In Fahrenheit 451, a jet-pack-equipped search squad is hunting the main protagonist.
In 1991 Disney produced a film based on the Rocketeer character.
The character Buzz Lightyear, first appearing in Toy Story had a flight pack (perhaps a jetpack or rocket-pack), which was non-functional in the two Toy Story movies, but functional in follow-up stories.
In the 2002 film Minority Report and its game, the pre-crime cops routinely use jet-packs.
[edit] Television In 1965, the same year as the film Thunderball, an early episode of Lost in Space featured a stunt flyer (who had stood in for actor Guy Williams) in a flight through an 'alien' canyon-area, using the hydrogen-peroxide jet belt.
The 1976 Saturday morning live-action television series Ark II featured a jet pack called a "Jet Jumper".
Star Wars character Boba Fett first appeared in the Star Wars Christmas Special television segment in 1978 featuring his trademark jet and rocket pack. Following his appearance the next year in The Empire Strikes Back, he became one of the most popular characters in the series.
The television series Transformers (1984) and M.A.S.K. (1985) began to show characters regularly using jetpacks and rocketpacks.
During the 2002 Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Seeing Red", Warren Mears escapes from Buffy using a jetpack; Andrew Wells reveals he too has a jetpack, but when he tries to escape, he only knocks himself out on the overhanging roof above him.
Also in 2002 Disney's Kim Possible, Kim Possible and her partner Ron Stoppable began to use winged jetpacks which were hidden in backpacks.
In another Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Cody uses a jetpack invented by Arwin to impress students in the episode "Election". This however, fails when Cody crashes into the walls and floor.
The Batman also includes cameo appearances of jetpacks.
[edit] In toys and videogames In the 1980s, the rocket pack began to emerge in video games. Early games like Asteroids featured jet propulsion, but it was not until the graphics could show proper human or robot characters that jet packs appeared.
Part of the original 1982 release of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline included a toy called Jet Mobile Propulsion Unit (JUMP). In was repackaged in 1983 with Grand Slam. Jetpac released in 1983 for the ZX Spectrum featured a spaceman with a jet pack. Space Harrier and Thexder (1985) both featured robot equipped with jet packs. JJ (1987) featured jetpacks on most levels. Rocket Ranger, (1988) featured a rocketman as part of the central character. The 1990 Nintendo video game PilotWings was a Super Nintendo Entertainment System flight simulator game which notably featured a rocket belt as one of the challenges. The game received a sequel on the Nintendo 64, which also featured the rocket belt. The computer game named Jetpack was released in 1993, with the central character of the platform game using a jetpack to get around. Characters in the multiplayer strategy Worms series of games have had this playing option since 1995. Super Bomberman 4 in 1996 was the first time the Nintendo character Bomberman appeared with a jetpack. He appeared in subsequent release of Bomberman Hero in 1998. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire for the Nintendo 64 featured a level that required extensive use of a jetpack for both transport over open pits and the final battle with Boba Fett. Duke Nukem 3D released in 1996 featured a jet pack with limited flight time. In the Secret Weapon expansion pack to the computer game Battlefield 1942, Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII, two German jetpacks are available for the players at one map. Sky King from the game Freedom Force Vs The Third Reich uses a Jet Pack. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater not only showed the Cobra Units, The Fury, with a jetpack, but also the enemies that preceded him that hovered at low altitudes to pursue Naked Snake. With the game taking place in the early 60's this could be presumed to be the technology that Russia used from the German jetpacks: see above. The jetpack also appears in later computer games like Starsiege: Tribes, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and in Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun, where Global Defense Initiative has infantry which are equipped with jetpacks.
In the popular 2005 online game Club Penguin, in one of the games the player flies a jetpack.
2005's 3rd-person James Bond game "From Russia With Love" allows players to use a jetpack.
Halo 3 features a race of Brutes that use jetpacks in the single-player campaign. Unfortunately, the jetpack is not availbable to human players in either the campaign or in multi-player matches.
[edit] Home-made rocket packs using plans from the Internet Episode 32 of MythBusters investigates the urban legend of an affordable jetpack or rocketpack that can be built from plans purchased off the Internet. Extensive modifications were made by the MythBusters team due to the vagueries in the plans, and the infeasible engine mounting system specified. The jetpack produced by the MythBusters had two ducted fans powered by ultralight-type engines. They found it was not powerful enough to lift a person off the ground, and was expensive to build. The plans specified a Rotax 503 ultralight engine, but they intended to use the more powerful and lighter Rotax 583 engine before a similar, lighter unnamed engine was substituted.[23]
America's only "private rocketeer", Gerard Martowlis, built a fully operational rocket pack. Like all flying packs, his is extraordinarily difficult and extremely dangerous to fly, taking many hours to learn and practice. He performed his recent test flights using a safety tether system in case he lost control. A consequence of the short flight time of any peroxide-based pack is that the entire flight is below the minimum parachute altitude. Accordingly, any loss of control or failure of the pack is most likely fatal. The training also incurs expensive fuel costs.
What is 3G spectrum? How does it help you? 29 Sep 2006 ... 3G spectrum has been provided to GSM players like BSNL, MTNL, Bharti, and Hutch to carry out an interface check on a non-commercial basis ... www.rediff.com/money/2006/sep/29bspec.htm - 37k - Cached - Similar pages - How 3G spectrum will transform your lives 19 May 2007 ... In times to come, people will refer to 2007 as the cusp year, that point of transition when India's mobile market changed gear from voice to ... www.rediff.com/money/2007/may/19tech.htm - 39k - Cached - Similar pages - More results from www.rediff.com » 3G Spectrum Everything about 3G spectrum. ... CDMA2000's spectrum flexibility is one reason why the operational 3G systems have so far used CDMA2000 1X (also because ... www.three-g.net/3g_spectrum.html - 15k - Cached - Similar pages - News results for 3g Spectrum
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Allotment of 3G spectrum and some aspects of its pricing - The ... 23 Jul 2006 ... Prior to this, Trai, under the chairmanship of Pradip Baijal, had submitted recommendations on 3G spectrum in May 2005 in which it had ... www.financialexpress.com/news/allotment-of-3g-spectrum-and-some-aspects-of-its-pricing/171953/ - 58k - Cached - Similar pages - No time-line yet for 3G spectrum auction: Govt - The Financial Express 19 Jan 2009 ... New Delhi: After postponing the 3G spectrum auction twice, the government still has no time-line for conducting the process to introduce ... www.financialexpress.com/news/no-timeline-yet-for-3g-spectrum-auction-govt/412559/ - 56k - Cached - Similar pages - The Hindu : National : 3G spectrum auction may be delayed further 4 Jan 2009 ... According to government sources, apart from the industry that has reacted negatively to any fee hike in 3G spectrum auction, some Ministries ... www.hindu.com/2009/01/04/stories/2009010459630800.htm - 20k - Cached - Similar pages - The Hindu Business Line : 3G spectrum auction postponed to Jan 30 30 Dec 2008 ... Meanwhile, State-owned BSNL and MTNL have been given 3G spectrum ahead of the others and they have already announced plans to launch 3G ... www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/12/30/stories/2008123052180100.htm - 25k - Cached - Similar pages - India 3G Spectrum Auction Guidelines : goBroadband 1 Aug 2008 ... Just minutes ago the Department of Telecom has released guidelines for 3G spectrum auction and allocation, Key points to be noted are as ... convergence.in/blog/2008/08/01/india-3g-spectrum-auction-guidelines/ - 29k - Cached - Similar pages - TRAI All Set To Auction 3G Spectrum 26 Sep 2006 ... TRAI All Set To Auction 3G Spectrum, posted by Newsdesk. indiabusinessweek.com/Industries/Telecommuncation/TRAI-3G-spectrum.html - 21k - Cached - Similar pages - 3G spectrum auction by March: A Raja- Telecom-News By Industry ... NEW DELHI: Telecoms minister A Raja on Tuesday said it is possible to hold the auctions for third generation (3G) spectrum by March 31. ... economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Telecom/3G-spectrum-auction-by-March-A-Raja/.../4144875.c... - 40k - Cached - Similar pages - You have removed results from this search. Hide them Loading...
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Techtree.com 3G auctions may bring in big gains for BSNL Economic Times - 20 hours ago NEW DELHI & KOLKATA: The defence forces are likely to get over $3.1 billion (Rs 15700 crore) of the proceeds from the upcoming 3G spectrum auctions for ... 11 Indian cities get 3G services IT Examiner 3G is here, but Apple wait a while Times of India India's state-owned players kick-start 3G Telecoms.com Reuters - Economic Times all 66 news articles » Analysis: 3G spectrum holdings cloud Voda-Hutch merger iT News - 3 hours ago By Brett Winterford Will the Australian operations of Vodafone and Hutchison be forced to offload 3G spectrum as part of their proposed merger? ...
TelecomTiger India Bharti: 3G base price should be reasonable Reuters - 9 hours ago ... a global auction of third- and fourth-generation radio waves and set a base price of 20.20 billion rupees ($400 million) for pan-India 3G spectrum. ... Forces at work to delay 3G auction, Sunil Mittal alleges Moneycontrol.com Sunil Mittal asks govt to fix a reasonable base price for 3G spectrum TelecomTiger all 13 news articles »
Calcutta Telegraph 3G, Going 3ce Indian Express - Feb 23, 2009 Thus, in recent times, 3G spectrum auctioning and policy guidelines have captured much attention. Rolling out 3G services means telecom companies can ... No GoM on 3G auctions yet Times of India ‘Pan-India launch is still a distant dream’ Hindu Two GoMs set up on the issue at different times set to be merged Daily News & Analysis Calcutta Telegraph all 9 news articles »
Fresh News 3G spectrum auction by March: A Raja Economic Times - Feb 17, 2009 NEW DELHI: Telecoms minister A Raja on Tuesday said it is possible to hold the auctions for third generation (3G) spectrum by March 31. ... Govt expects Rs20,000 cr revenue from 3G spectrum auction Livemint Auction of 3G spectrum to be completed before March 31 Khabrein.info 3G spectrum decision likely this week domain-B Myiris.com - TelecomTiger all 92 news articles » The magic of 3G Sify - Feb 25, 2009 The much awaited 3G spectrum auction for private players is also likely to happen soon and there could be up to 12 such service providers. ... BSNL launches 3G services Business Standard - Feb 22, 2009 BSNL and another PSU MTNL (for Delhi and Mumbai) were given 3G spectrum last year ahead of auction for private players keeping in mind the cumbersome ... BSNL starts 3G service in Chennai Newstrack India BSNL launches 3G services in Chennai; 700 cities too will receive ... TelecomTiger BSNL launches 3G pan India Economic Times TeleGeography - MSN India all 47 news articles » BOM:500108
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TelecomTiger Defence forces to release spectrum IT Examiner - Feb 16, 2009 That had forced the government to offer only 5Mhz of 3G spectrum to a maximum of five players. Due to scarcity in some circles, 3G services were not even ... GoM asks defence to vacate spectrum Economic Times Defence to release 15 MHz spectrum after pact with DoT Business Standard Defence to release 15 Mhz of spectrum after pact with DoT Hindu domain-B - TelecomTiger all 18 news articles » India's 3G, WiMax rollout may be pushed to 2010 ZDNet Asia - Feb 19, 2009 By Swati Prasad, ZDNet Asia INDIA--Although Telecommunication Minister A. Raja this week said it is possible to hold auctions for India's 3G spectrum by Mar ... Stay up to date on these results: Create an email alert for 3g Spectrum Add a custom section for 3g Spectrum to Google News Search blogs for 3g Spectrum Add a news gadget for 3g Spectrum to your Google homepage
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Growth Rates Growth Rates - Definition of Growth Rates on Investopedia - The amount of increase that a specific variable has gained within a specific period and context. www.investopedia.com/terms/g/growthrates.asp - 28k - Cached - Similar pages - India set to beat China in growth rate- Indicators-Economy-News ... 8 Feb 2009 ... As China’s GDP growth rate dropped to 6.8% during the October-December quarter and is expected to go down further, the Indian government has ... economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/India_set_to_beat_China_in_growth_rate/articleshow/4094119.cms - 42k - Cached - Similar pages - GM crops may double agri growth rate 31 Jan 2009 ... GM crops may double agri growth rate ... as the genetically modified (GM) crops have the capacity to double agriculture growth rate to 4 per ... www.business-standard.com/india/news/gm-crops-may-double-agri-growth-rate/01/07/347539/ - 121k - Cached - Similar pages - Growth rate to fall further next fiscal: Experts - Economy and ... Growth rate to fall further next fiscal: Experts, The Indian economy grew at 7.8% in the first half of the current fiscal compared with 9.3% in the same ... www.livemint.com/2009/01/18112532/Growth-rate-to-fall-further-ne.html?d=1 - 89k - Cached - Similar pages - Speculating GDP growth rate 29 Mar 2008 ... Everyone, from investment banks to economists, are speculating about the GDP growth rate. Such speculation is often followed by herd ... www.rediff.com/money/2008/mar/29gdp.htm - 35k - Cached - Similar pages - Himachal Pradesh growth rate pegged at 7.7% The economy of Himachal Pradesh is expected to grow at 7.7 percent this fiscal, higher than the national estimate of 7.1 percent, according to the state's ... finance.indiainfo.com/2009/02/14/0902141819_himachal_pradesh_growth_rate_pegged_77_percent.html - 32k - Cached - Similar pages - Searches related to: growth rate calculate growth rate economic growth rate hair growth rate sustainable growth rate gdp growth rate growth rate formula world population growth rate how to calculate growth rate
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JET P.I. - Jetpack International - Home of the Go Fast JetPack Jet pack International has the most experienced squadron of pilots in the world and have accumulated almost 2000 flights thrilling people of all ages across ... www.jetpackinternational.com/ - 13k - Cached - Similar pages - The Martin Jet Pack || The Martin Jet Pack The Martin Jet Pack. ... Former America's Cup Chief Joins Jetpack Company. Tuesday, December 16, 2008: ... Welcome to the website of Martin Jetpack ... www.martinjetpack.com/ - 8k - Cached - Similar pages - Adept Software - Jetpack Jetpack was an immediate hit when it was released in 1993, and a cult following grew internationally. I received a ton of mail and submissions by people ... www.adeptsoftware.com/jetpack/ - 12k - Cached - Similar pages - Jet Pack - 2 New Rocket Belts On Sale - Personal Flying Machine ... The good news: Not one, but two companies are selling jet packs. The bad news: The tech has a long way to go. But they both look similar for a reason — they ... www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4217989.html - 74k - Cached - Similar pages - Searches related to: Jet pack personal jet pack jet pack plans rf online jet pack jet pack man game san andreas jet pack
New personal jet pack flies on water Environmental Transport Association - Feb 18, 2009 A new water-powered personal jet pack that enables its user to fly to an altitude of 15m, reach a top speed of 45km per hour and travel 300kms before ... Meet the man who flies like superman and the maker of under water car Hindustan Times - Feb 13, 2009 “I have shot up to an altitude of 250 feet on the jet pack and can stay in air for about 45 seconds. We are developing a jet pack with which one can stay up ... Fluid Motion - JetLev-Flyer H20-Propelled Jet Pack Wired Blogs - Feb 2, 2009 A German entrepreneur has sidestepped that problem by using water pressure to create a "jet pack" he claims will stay aloft for hours. ... From Sky Flivver to Hydropolis What happened to the science ... Reason Online - Feb 26, 2009 Take the titular jetpack. It exists—but no one really wants it. It’sa 125-pound monster with a flight time of 30 seconds, powered by expensive fuel. ... In & Around Town Roxbury Register - 24 minutes ago Kennedy School in Succasunna is recycling used laser and ink jet printer cartridges in exchange for points to purchase computer technology. ...
Telegraph.co.uk You are here: Telegraph.co.uk - Feb 16, 2009 A German entrepreneur, Hermann Ramke, has invented a James Bond-like jetpack powered by high-pressure water, called the JetLev-Flyer. ...
This is London Jet lag fails to stop Bopara as he gets off to a real flyer This is London - Feb 23, 2009 But before even before padding up in Christchurch he was told by team boss David Parsons to pack his bags and head for the West Indies, along with fast ...
ET Headline Stocks seen ranged on mixed global cues
27 Feb 2009, 0919 hrs IST, ET Bureau
Stocks are seen rangebound on Friday after global cues, which dictate the market trend, painted a mixed picture. Stocks to watch | Diversified funds hold on to cash
Get ready for the bull run Rupee drops to record low on import payment Asian shares flat in end to tough month
Investment Tips 1003 hrs IST Why gold is shining 1017 hrs IST Best bets for investment 1125 hrs IST Debt Funds: They 're still hot 1105 hrs IST Invest right to increase your stack of money 1053 hrs IST If you have the appetite for risk 1451 hrs IST A balance of stocks, bonds & cash 0513 hrs IST Get ready for the bull run 0237 hrs IST In volatile times, bet on big guns 0400 hrs IST Investing for long term 1123 hrs IST Some choices in Mutual Funds 0551 hrs IST Why invest in Gold a safe bet? 1029 hrs IST ET Now's Equity Market Outlook 2009 0529 hrs IST Gold funds find favour with investors Non-tech firms can now bid for Satyam 27 Feb 2009, 0720 hrs IST, SONALI KRISHNA,ET Bureau
Satyam had earlier contemplated making prior experience in IT as a qualification criterion. FIs want say in L&T bid price | Satyam seeks reversion of diverted funds
TCS, Infosys & Wipro eye $3 bn UK outsourcing deals Low-beta stocks better wealth protectors 27 Feb 2009, 0843 hrs IST, KUMAR SHANKAR ROY,TNN
Sensex stocks that in past 1 year have swinged less compared to the market appear to have provided a better shield to investors. Get good returns | Investment Tips
Where to park your money safely in 2009
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Auto Avenue
Nano to roll out on March 23 Tata Motors will display the Nano at dealerships from the first week of April and will accept bookings from the second week of April. BMW beats Merc | New Merc E-Class | Porsche Panamera Xenon XT | Xenon | Diesel Cars | Honda Insight More >>
News by Industry Defence to get $3.1 b from 3G auction Airlines, portals offer cash refund Tata Motors lines up 5 more launches Investors in race for 32% in MSM Sectors: InfoTech| Telecom | Auto | Transport | Energy| Jobs | More >> Personal Finance Pension top-ups turn elusive for some Is knee-replacement insurance worth? How to earn from your home Read fine print before getting insured Look beyond the sunset years More >>
Markets News Bond yields down as rate cut seen FIIs seek nod for currency futures foray D-Street sees better futures ahead Diamond exporters take to equities Realty cos recast debt to beat crunch Economy Exports to contract through March quarter Oil falls below $45 after 6 pc jump SBI to lower credit targets for SMEs We couldn't have done much: Nath PN 4 gives relief to foreign companies
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Infotech Dell sales miss; cost-cuts help profit Govt for extension of STPI scheme Need domestic help? Bring robot IT cos eye $3 bn UK outsourcing deals IT infra offshoring to touch $6 bn International Business JPMorgan now cutting 14K jobs MS cuts temp workers' rates by 10% RBS suffers historic loss, gets bailout Jobless claims in US jump to 667K US deficit soars to $1.75 trillion
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Market Analysis Stocks Mutual Funds Bullion Real Estate
In volatile times, bet on big guns Investors continue pull out from India; Asia sees inflows It pays to go long on commodities No positive trigger until elections; pre-budget rally over: Experts Huge investor build-up in Nifty 2200 put More >>
RIL making less disclosures: Report PE funds in talks with DLF to buy majority stake in arm Debt mobilisation on private placements witness 46% growth Pension funds must go to Nifty-50 stocks: Panel Bulk trades in RTS under lens More >>
Wealth managers devise new strategies to woo investors Gilt funds may beat borrowing jitters New fund offers lose sheen on tough SEBI guidelines Agents must disclose fees that MFs pay Fortis bets on defensives portfolio as economic slump bites More >>
Silver too on a roll in tune with gold Despite soaring prices, people don't sell gold Market-wary investors are now turning to gold Gold sets fresh record on weak rupee Why investing in Gold is safe? More >>
It's not the best of times for real estate funds Distinguished Haryanavi? Come own a plot! Correction in real estate is bound to come: Parekh Biyani exploits real estate slack, inks deals for 5-lakh sq ft Unitech reschedules over 75 pct of debt: MD More >>
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ News Update
GDP growth slips to 5.3% in Q3 CLB reserves order on Maytas Infra board RIL mulls merger of Reliance Petro with itself Infosys for lower discretionary pay to senior management Tata Steel Q3 consolidated net drops 44% at Rs 732 cr Markets regain most of the losses Rupee ends at record closing low Corporate Filings More Markets (Feb 27) Nifty (at close) 2,763.65(-22.00) US Dollar (Buy/Sell) 51.10/12 Brent crude (a bbl) Rs 2,314 Gold (a gram) Rs 1,391 Silver (a kg) Rs 22,910
US regulator’s action sends Ranbaxy share tumbling 18% FDA halts review of company’s applications on ‘falsified data’. New Delhi, Feb. 26 Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd’s share price on the Bombay Stock Exchange fell by 18 per cent to close at Rs 169 on ...
Rs 325-cr package unveiled for leather, textile export sectors Procedures simplified to prune transaction costs. New Delhi, Feb. 26 A special package of Rs 325 crore for the employment-intensive leather and textiles export sector, fast settlement of duty credit scrips for duty paid in export production and ...
Bid for steel sourcing: M... TODAY'S PICK (Latest Audio: English/Tamil) Amtek Auto (Rs 73.75): Buy We recommend a buy in Amtek Auto stock from short and medium-term perspective. It is evident from the charts of Amtek Auto that following a breakthrough of the significant support at Rs 150 in October 2008, the stock witnessed sharp sell-off. ...
Day Trading Guide
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rupee falls sharply to 50.48 against dollar Mumbai, Feb. 26 The rupee fell sharply against the dollar on Thursday and inched closer to the psychologically important 50.50 mark, pressured by huge demand for the ...
CLB suggests four more directors on Maytas Infra board New Delhi, Feb. 26 The Company Law Board (CLB) on Thursday suggested the appointment of four directors for Maytas Infra Ltd. They would be appointed in addition to the existing three directors on the company ...
Cheaper food items keep inflation rate down Wholesale Price Index of all commodities at 227.8. New Delhi, Feb 26 The annual Wholesale Price Index-based inflation rose 3.36 per cent during the week ended February 14, way below the previous week’s annual rise of 3.92 per ...
‘Tax ambiguity on certain services exports removed’ The Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, today said that the “existing ambiguity” relating to applicability of “export of services” provisions on certain services has been removed following a Revenue ...
Nano finally gets a date Launch on March 23; bookings from April 2nd week. Mumbai, Feb. 26 The Tata Nano will be finally launched on March 23, just a week before a difficult fiscal for the automotive industry draws to ...
Nano booking likely to cost Rs 70,000 Mumbai, Feb.26 The Nano could be the least expensive car at a little over Rs 1 lakh but its booking amount is not going to come cheap, say Tata ...
‘All cash’ buys hurt passenger car dealers Dealers losing out on commission. Bangalore, Feb. 26 For passenger car dealers, the number of cash purchases has almost doubled during the past one year, thus reducing their earnings from auto-finance ...
Order conversion into business slow: TCS To freeze lateral hiring; rework salary packages. Kolkata, Feb. 26 Drawing a bleak picture for the year ahead Mr S. Ramadaroi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Tata Consultancy Services, said on Thursday that the company was ...
DoT wants audit report on RCom in 3 months TRAI seeks review of revenue reporting norms. New Delhi, Feb. 26 The Department of Telecom has asked the special auditors examining the books of Reliance Communication to submit its report within three ...
Banks investing in liquid schemes of mutual funds Better returns, redemption on call prove attractive. Mumbai, Feb. 26 With India Inc’s appetite for funds gradually waning in view of the economic slowdown, banks are increasingly channelling their surplus funds to the liquid schemes of ...
VAT collections unaffected by slowdown There has been no decline in VAT collections in any State during April-January in the current fiscal despite the current slowdown in the economy, Parliament was ...
Mapping your mind as you talk on your mobile LOVE DETECT. Be careful when you speak with your lover on the mobile in future. Technology will analyse voice patterns to see if the person is speaking honestly, affectionately ...
Satyam board readies framework for open bid route Hyderabad, Feb. 26 A ‘framework’ to undertake the open bidding route to rope in a suitable strategic investor to take over the reins of the scam-hit Satyam Computer Services has been readied by the ...
TCS puts on notice 130 staff in UK Mumbai, Feb. 26 About 130 employees of Tata Consultancy Services in UK, servicing financial services company Legal & General, could lose their jobs as they have been put on a 90-day consultation period. These 130 employees had come on ...
ROCKING Time in BED ROOM and TURMOIL in the BLEEDING DIVIDED GEOPOLITICS
Troubled Galaxy Destroyed Dreams: Chapter 171
Palash Biswas
New York Times Blogs Heroes' welcome for Slumdog stars BBC News - 47 minutes ago Huge crowds gave the child stars of Slumdog Millionaire a rousing heroes' welcome as they returned to Mumbai from LA after the film's Oscar glory. 'Slumdog' children accorded boisterous welcome Hindu That’s my baby, claims Slumdog Millionaire kid's real mom Hindustan Times IBNLive.com - HardNews Magazine - Indian Express - Times of India all 7,257 news articles » हिंदी में
GulfNews Rahman dedicates Oscars to Indian artistes Hindu - 30 minutes ago Chennai (PTI): Double Oscar winner AR Rahman on Thursday dedicated the golden statuettes he won for his score in "Slumdog Millionaire" to Indian artistes and their aspirations and said he was only their representative. AR Rahman meets the press Galatta.com Michael Jackson falls for AR Rahman NDTV.com Rediff - Oneindia - Sify - MSN India all 360 news articles » हिंदी में
guardian.co.uk Revolt in BDR over pay hike ends; 50 dead Hindu - 30 minutes ago Dhaka (PTI): Mutinous BDR soldiers surrendered on Thursday night and freed all hostages ending their two-day revolt during which they killed at least 50 army personnel and others, yielding to an ultimatum by the government which dispatched tanks to ... Eyewitness: Bangladesh mutiny BBC News Mutinous Guards Surrender in Bangladesh Voice of America Times Online - RIA Novosti - Reuters India - The Associated Press all 2,396 news articles » हिंदी में
SamayLive Scams and controversies marked 14th Lok Sabha IBNLive.com - 31 minutes ago New Delhi: The 14th Lok Sabha will go down in history as one of the most contentious ever. From cash for votes to cash for questions, one scam after another followed it around. 'Headmaster' Somnath bids goodbye to Lok Sabha Hindustan Times Our Grandfather is a Rock Star: Speaker's Granddaughters Outlook Press Trust of India - Times of India - NDTV.com - Central Chronicle all 120 news articles »
FOXNews Obama budget has $634 billion health fund: official Reuters - 2 hours ago WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's budget outline for the 2010 fiscal year includes a 10-year, $634-billion reserve fund to help pay for his proposed healthcare reforms, a White House official said on Wednesday. Obama budget projects 1.2 pct 2009 contraction AFP Obama budget moves toward universal health care The Associated Press Xinhua - Bloomberg - FOXNews - CNN all 8,492 news articles »
Media guidelines only after widest possible consultation: Govt SamayLive - 2 hours ago - New Delhi, Feb 26 : The government's proposal to lay guidelines for the media in the event of terror attacks would ... Indopia - Times of India - Hindu Business Line all 13 news articles » Site of royal massacre opens as museum in Nepal Reuters - 53 minutes ago - By Gopal Sharma KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nearly seven years after a popular king and almost all his family were gunned down ... Press Trust of India - Hindu - Times of India all 53 news articles » Excerpts from interview with Netanyahu adviser Dore Gold Reuters - 53 minutes ago - (Reuters) - Following are excerpts from an interview with Dore Gold, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime ... guardian.co.uk - Ynetnews - International Herald Tribune all 538 news articles »
Cops want shop owners to be aware of moral police Times of India - 1 hour ago MANGALORE: Police authorities here are seriously toying with the idea of sensitizing shop owners and other spots frequented by the youth to be aware of the perils posed by organizations and individuals indulging in `moral policing'. Moral policing in Mangalore Zee News Yet again moral policing in B’lore, SP transferred Sakaal Times NDTV.com - Mangalorean.com - Times of India all 9 news articles »
BBC News Pakistan evasive on 'army link' to Mumbai attacks Times of India - 7 hours ago NEW DELHI: The 11000 page chargesheet into the 26/11 Mumbai attacks which was presented in a Mumbai court on Wednesday has thrown up some interesting findings. India is a fair state, even Kasab deserves a trial IBNLive.com Mumbai terror chargesheet names 47 Economic Times Rediff - Calcutta Telegraph - Christian Science Monitor - Hindustan Times all 870 news articles » हिंदी में
Textile cos call for duty drawback, upset with Trade policy Moneycontrol.com - 47 minutes ago In the interim trade policy, the custom duty under Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG) was cut to 3% as compared to 5%. Duty Entitlement Passbook (DEPB) Scheme for exporters was extended to December. India may contest Obama's move against outsourcing in WTO Economic Times Exports to contract through March quarter Reuters India India Infoline.com - Hindu - Myiris.com - All India Radio all 55 news articles »
BBC News Tata Motors to launch 'Nano' on March 23 Economic Times - 57 minutes ago KOLKATA: The Tata Nano will roll out on March 23 and bookings for the cheapest family car will start from the second week of April. Nano launch on Mar 23, Maruti may compete: Expert Moneycontrol.com Tata Motors to launch 'Nano' on March 23 Business Standard Reuters India - Khabrein.info - CIOL - Gujarat Global.com all 137 news articles » BOM:500570 – BOM:532500
All India Radio Rupee has support at 50.1/50.20: Commtrendz Research Moneycontrol.com - 47 minutes ago According to Commtrendz Research's report on Indian Rupee, important supports now are at 50.1/50.20 followed by 49.60/49.70. Immediate resistance falls around 50.90/51 followed by 51.30/51.40 levels. Rupee ended at 50.45 against dollar Economic Times Rupee hits all-time closing low of 50.46 NDTV.com India Infoline.com - Reuters India - Business Standard - Bloomberg all 124 news articles » I am getting phone calls and mails from friends related to the TURMOIL in Bangladesh. For me, it is not an isolated incident.
I am happy to see my son and wife browsing all the NEWS CHANNELS to get the UPDATES from DHAKA. We are a part of the PERSECUTED partition Victim community but we are not BLIND and may IDENTIFY ourselves with GREATER ASIAN ABORIGINAL INDIGENOUS nationality. my son is an ATHEIST and changed his Brahaminical name. While my wife is religious and often engage herself with Brahaminincal rituals. We are Democrat enough to tolerate each other.
South Asia remains a DISINTEGRATED, disorganised CAPTURED FAMILY in Hostage! We must INVOKE the FAMILY BOND if we happen to resolve the PROBLEMS we face as a DIVIDED BLEEDING Geopolitics in COLONIES of ZIONIST FASCIST IMPERIALISM!
Some of our friends declare, `Let the Muslims kill themselves in CIVIL WAR! Hindus are persecuted in Bangladesh and they face ETHNIC CLEANSING as described well by Taslima Nasreen and SALAM AZAD! Humayoon Kabir has published an Encyclopedia of PERSECUTION of Minorities. Human Right organisation REPORTS disclose that there is no HUMAN RIGHT in Bangladesh’.
Only BLIND NATIONALISM, Hindutva or ISLAM do express the INTENSE HATRED injected in our veins by the HEGEMONY which works as DURABLE CAPITAL for them to hold on Power!
My Friend DR Jagadish Mandal emerged in my home and he was worried genuinely for the FUTURE REFUGEE INFLUX from Bangladesh.
South Block is also concerned with STRATEGIC position if HASINA loses the control!
Mutinous members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Dhaka surrendered their weapons on Thursday as tanks surrounded their headquarters after a second day of gunfire in a mutiny that killed about 50 people.
Indians do enjoy ROCKING TIME in BED ROOM in the land of VATSAYAN and KAMASHUTRA while the BLEEDING DIVIDED Geopolitics encounter the PREDESTINED TURMOIL UNPRECEDENTED thanks to the STRATEGIC RE ALLIANCE in US and ISRAEL lead.
DHAKA to ISLAMABAD and KABUL, KATHMANDU to COLOMBO, the Indigenous Aboriginal Minority LIFE is PUT on BURNER since the WAR ZONE is shifted right into our heart under the AGENDA of ZIONIST GLOBAL ILLUMINATI and US CORPORATE Imperialism.
SLUM DOG MILLIONAIRE won Eight OSCARS to focus the GREAT INDIAN SLUM reality faced by the BLACK Untouchables treated as ENSLAVED ANIMALS for thousands of years under MANUSMRITI RULE.
SLUM DOG reality is not an INDIAN AFFAIR at all, it is the GRAND REALTY of DAILY life across the GLOBE for all those people suffering from the RULE of MANUSMRITI, RELIGION, PROPHECY, HOLY SCRIPTS and APARTHEID imposed upon by the RULING HEGEMONIES.
Muslims, CHRISTIANS, SIKHs, BUDDHISTS as CONVERTED low caste HINDUs do share the DESTINY anywhere in the DIVIDED geopolitics!
Rahman, Pookutty return home to a rousing welcome!Would our peole be welcomed into the mainstream at all? Just ask any KASHMIRI, SWAT valley, entire NORTH EAST, JAFNA, AFGANISTAN, IRAQ or DARFUR!
'Slum dog' child actors return to heroes' welcome!
How about the LOT of INDIAN underprivileged WOMEN, CHILDREN, BONDED LABOUR, POPULATION thrown into JOB LOSS and LIVELIHOOD LOSS conditions?
Rest of the SLUM DOGS have to ENVY only and live the CURSED life!
We may try to understand the chemistry of INSURGENCY, SUBVERSION and Destabilisation only in the given condition if we dare to treat the SOUTH ASIAN GEOPOLITICS as a SINGLE UNIT.
BLIND NATIONALISM justifies Fascism as well as IMPERIALISM.
It won`t help to understand the STRATEGIC MARKETING of the TURMOIL and DISTURBANCE injected in any part of the GEOPOLITICS.
is the base of the SILK ROUTE and INDIAN NON ARYAN as well as ARYAN Culture. It holds the Golden HERITAGE of ISLAM as well as BUDDHISM! While DHAKA had been the AGE OLD Centre of ABORIGINAL INDIGENOUS Culture, Empowerment, NATIONALITY and Insurrections dating back in the PRE ARYAN Period.
All the missing links of the History and Heritage of Negroid PAN AFRICAN Black untouchable IDENTITY and GLORY is endowed in DHAKA.
SRilanka is engaged in suicidal CIVIL WAR in between indigenous TAMIL and SINHAL nationalities.
Incidentally, this entire geopolitics, from KABUL and TURKEY to Myanmar and SINGAPORE had been under BRITISH COLONIAL RULE barring the Himalayan kingdoms of NEPAL, BHUTAN and the Indian part SIKKIM! These three parts of the subcontinent linked us to Tibet, CHINA and CENTRAL ASIA.
Now this entire GEOPOLITICS has become an INFINITE ZONE of WAR and CIVIL WAR only in the best interest of ZIONISM, ILLUMINATI, TRI IBLIS SATANIC global Order of PHOENIX.
Apartheid as well as MANUSMRITI RULE sustain with POST MODERN COLONIALISM and MONOPOLISTIC AGGRESSIVE CORPORATE Imperialism.
India is struck by BRAHAMINICAL HEGEMONY turning the Land into bloody clusters of KILLINGS FIELDS while MILITARY Hegemony holds the POWER in PAKISTAN as well as BANGLADESH.
DEMOCRACY, EQUALITY, JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL RIGHTS, Sovereignty, FRATERNITY, FREEDOM are the INSTANT VICTIMS everywhere in the DIVIDED BLEEDING GEOPOLITICS!
BANGLADESH is not effected by GLOBAL RECESSION while the FALSE RECESSION takes over INDIA and Pakistan.
DESI ILLUMINATI in India gets all kinds of the SOPs and STIMULUS to en sharpen the GENOCIDE CULTURE and STARVATION in vogue! Military Hegemonies in Pakistan and Bangladesh aligned with ZIONIST GLOBAL STRATEGIC order never allows DEMOCRACY to exist.
NO WONDER that is why SHAIKH HASINA GOVERNMENT is being DE ESTABLISHED with DHAKA MUTINY covering the NATION as a whole creating POWER SPACE for the MILITARY HEGEMONY and the FASCIST COMRADORE ELEMENTS there!
NEPAL has ended the MONARCHY and still maintains AUTONOMY but it is alienated mischievously. While SRILANKA is destined to be destroyed in CIVIL WAR.
All these CIRCUMSTANCES help US ISRAEL DOMINANCE in the PEACE ZONE of INDIAN OCEAN. The SATANIC CIRCLE is COMPLETE with the ACTIVE PARTICIPATION of BRAHMINICAL as well as MILITARY HEGEMONIES in this GEOPOLITICS.
Pakistan Supreme Court order barring PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif from contesting polls has struck a major blow to the democratic process and set the stage for a confrontation that the country can ill afford, the country's leading newspapers said on Thursday.
The TURMOIL is a COMBINED PRODUCT produced by the GEOPOLITICAL ZIONIST ILLUMINATI RULING CLASS and the AGENDA happens to be COMPLETE DESTRUCTION of INDIGENOUS ABORIGINAL MINORITY POPULATION so that the NATURAL RESOURCES may be CAPTURED to feed the MONEY Machine.
How the MONEY Machine and the DESI ILLUMINATI work hand in hand with the HEGEMONY, INDIA remains the best EXAMPLE where FALSE RECESSION kills the PARLIAMENT as well the CONSTITUTION. Government of India, STATE GOVERNMENTS, RBI, Planning Commission, JUDICIARY, Administration, Institutions, FINMIN and SEBI work as the Marketing AGENTS of the DESI ILLUMINATI working with SELLING TACTICS in DIFFICULT POLL times.
Rocking BEDROOM has emerged out of SHINING RULING CONSUMER HINDUTVA REINCARNATED with POST MODERN Manusmriti as well as APARTHEID!
The ECONOMY has been SUBMERGED in the BEDROOM only with overtaking FREE SEX XX XXX PORN CULTURE. CELEB FUCKING is the CENTRAL POINT and it means COMPLETE DESTRUCTION of the PRODUCTION SYSTEM and ETHNIC CLEANSING OF THE PRODUCTIVE CLASSES.
A plant owned by generic drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories falsified data and test results in approved and pending drug applications, US regulators said on Wednesday. The Food and Drug Administration said it halted reviews of drug applications from Ranbaxy's Paonta Sahib plant in India.
BUT RANBAXY and all the BANNED CHEMICALS and DRUGS have the FREE KILLING fields in this Subcontinent. We are used as GUINIEPIGS to escalate CORPORATE and MNC MARKET!We are PREDESTINED to be INJECTED POISON or VACCINATED DEATH!
The IRONY is that the MARXIST lead the GESTAPO with the TASK of ANNIHILATION!
IT is QUITE an AMUSEMENT that the Government of INDIA is going AHEAD with DISINVESTMENT with JET PACKS! But PAY HIKE and DA ALLOWANCES are announced to preempt whatsoever RESISTANCE against JOB LOSS and DISINVESTMENT.
ROBOTS are going to take over the HUMAN RESOURCES. COMPUTERS have to yield HARVESTS! But at the same time, GOVT. OFFICIALS, Employees and SECURITY FORCES get the VACCINATION with PAY COMMISSIONS and DA Instalments as they have to ensure the ELECTORAL MAJORITY EQUATION. It is seer DEMOGRAPHIC READJUSTMENT that our people belonging to SC,MSC, ST, MST,BC, OBC, MBC and MINORIty People are WOOED Unprecedented! SACHHAR COMMITTEE Report is only the TIP of the ICEBERG!
Here you are! Indian people do STARVE in Unemployment and DISPLACEMENT, JOB LOSS but we have TELE REVOLUTION to take a NEW HEART to live on.
The SURVIVAL STRATEGY is linked to CYBER SPACE and PORNOGRAPHY.
Indians have not the PURCHASING power to sustain themselves in the OPEN MARKET! But these very Indians are READY to spend on SEX.
Retail chains are escalated to eject out MONEY from RURAL SAVINGS while the field are POLLUTED with DEBT, SUICIDES, GENETIC SEEDS, FERTILISERS, Weeds called CASH CROP killing CEREALS and FOOD, MEGA FOOD PRKS, SEZ, CHEMICAL HUBS, NUCLEAR PARKS and so called INFRASTRUCTURE.
Land acquisition is indiscriminate. URBANISATION displace our people from Jobs, Livelihood, citizenship and Life!
Indians sure are having a "rocking" time in the bedroom. A new survey has found that 70 per cent of people living in the sub-continent are sexually satisfied. According to the Asia-Pacific Sexual Health and Overall Wellness survey, by pharmaceutical company Pfizer, India topped the list with respondents saying they were satisfied with their sex lives while Japan reported the lowest sexual satisfaction rate at 10 per cent.
On the other hand, about 20,000 Indians have returned home after losing their jobs overseas due to the global economic crisis, the government said on Thursday. Though the exact number of people who have returned is not available, there are reports which indicate that between 16,000 to 20,000 Indians have come back here after the economic slowdown, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi told the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.To a supplementary, the Minister said that the number of incidents of overseas employers keeping passport of Indian employees have come down by 50 per cent. But he did not provide the period when this reduction has been witnessed.
In a decision that will have a total financial implication to the tune of Rs 6,020 crore over a 14 month period starting January 1, 2009, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a six percent hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) given to Central Government employees and pensioners. The decision will benefit 41 lakh government employees and another 38 lakh pensioners. Although revision of DA is done every six months, the quantum of the hike is being viewed as another poll sop doled out by the government with an eye on the forthcoming general elections. Following Thursday’s decision. the DA component in the salaries and pensions will increase from the 16 to 22 per cent. While the financial implication of the move on the salary component will be Rs 4,100 crore, the implication on the pension component will be around Rs 1,920 crore. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said that the hike will be effective from January 1 and will be payable from March 1 this year.
Oil minister, Murli Deora, said on Thursday oil marketing firms were losing very heavily from selling cooking gas and kerosene at government-fixed cheap rates.
"We are losing very heavily on LPG and kerosene. The government is subsidising them at heavy cost," Deora said.
Inflation declined to about a 15-month low of 3.36 per cent mainly due to fall in the prices food articles like fruit and vegetables, pulses, and some manufactured items, raising hopes of cuts in the key policy rates by the RBI. Wholesale price based inflation declined by 0.56 percentage points during the week ended February 14 against 3.92 per cent in the previous week.
Yesterday, the government expressed confidence that the RBI may ease money supply further.
INFLATION is DOWNTURN, but our People have to suffer Intense food Insecurity or STARVATION. Job loss and Displacement disguised as DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC REFORM and DEVELOPMENT leaves us NOWHERE! We may not SURVIVE at all!
Oil Prices DOWN but the GOI has to save the INTERESTS of AMBANIES and the people have to be deprived despite VOTE BONANZA and STATISTICAL JUGGLERY!
BBC News Eyewitness: Bangladesh mutiny BBC News - 1 hour ago It is also sad that Bangladesh gets attention from the international media for the wrong reasons. All the schools and colleges in the Dhanmondi area, ... India says border with mutiny-shaken Bangladesh under no threat Xinhua Bangladesh army starts assault on rebel HQ IBNLive.com Mutinous Guards Surrender in Bangladesh Voice of America Reuters India - AFP all 2,396 news articles » हिंदी में Speaker hopes Bangladesh turmoil will end soon Hindu - Feb 25, 2009 New Delhi (PTI): Expressing concern over the rebellion in Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Dhaka, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Wednesday said he was hopeful that ... BDR troops surrender en masse to Bangladesh army NDTV.com - 2 hours ago There are reports that BDR jawans have surrendered en masse inside the BDR headquarter area to the Bangladesh army. White flags have been hoisted at the ... PRESS DIGEST - BANGLADESH - Feb 25 Reuters India - Feb 24, 2009 These are some of the leading stories in the Bangladesh press on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. ... PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - Feb 26 Reuters PRESS DIGEST - India Commodity News - Feb 26 Reuters India PRESS DIGEST - Ireland - Feb 26 Reuters all 102 news articles » PINK:AGCPF – LON:WOS Developments in Bangladesh, Pakistan internal matter: India Hindustan Times - 7 hours ago Home Minister P Chidambaram says India's borders with Bangladesh are 'secure' and there are no threats to the 4095-km boundary in the wake of the rebellion ... Fresh exchange of gunfire takes place in Bangladesh's capital Xinhua - 6 hours ago 26 (Xinhua) -- The rebel soldiers of paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Thursday noon exchanged gunfire with security force which were deployed again ... Bangladesh unlikely to import rice this yr -official Reuters India - 9 hours ago KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Bangladesh is unlikely to import rice this year, and its output is seen exceeding 32 million tonnes, a government official ... Bangladesh shuts down cellphone networks Reuters - 7 hours ago DHAKA, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Bangladesh cellphone providers shut down mobile phone networks across the country on Thursday as disgruntled soldiers fired ... Bangladesh's rebel soldiers to lay down all arms by 2 pm Xinhua - 9 hours ago 26 (Xinhua) -- Paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) rebel soldiers will give up all their arms by 2 PM (08:00 GMT) Thursday, Agriculture Minister Motia ...
Aljazeera.net Country Profile: Bangladesh Aljazeera.net - Feb 25, 2009 For centuries, the area now known as Bangladesh was renowned for its fertile land and the beauty of its textiles. This drew European companies to establish ... Bangladesh sacks official for alleged remarks against Mujibur Times of India Bangladesh official loses plum job over fruit jibe AFP 2 sedition cases filed against Abu Karim The New Nation The Daily Star - The Daily Star all 16 news articles » Searches related to: Bangladesh dhaka cyclone south asian aid mohammad ashraful sri lanka
America's Central Intelligence Agency chief Leon Panetta has said that the US drone attacks against al-Qaeda and the Taliban targets inside Pakistan would continue.
"Nothing has changed our efforts to go after terrorists, and nothing will change those efforts," Panetta was quoted as saying by 'The Washington Post'.
The drone attack, against which there has been public backlash inside Pakistan, has been highly successful, the CIA chief said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's foreign minister has vowed that his government would not tolerate Al-Qaeda in its Swat Valley despite accepting a peace deal that includes imposition of Islamic sharia law. The West has voiced fears that the scenic valley, just 160 kilometers from Pakistan's capital, will turn into a safe haven for militants much like nearby Afghanistan during the 1996-2001 reign of the Taliban.
But Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in Washington for a three-way strategy review with the United States and Afghanistan, said the presence of Al-Qaeda in the Swat Valley was "negligible if any."
"The Taliban will not be in charge. The government of Pakistan will be in charge there. We are not compromising with the Taliban," Qureshi told PBS public television on Wednesday.
"We have pushed Al-Qaeda out ... of Swat and we are going to drive them out of the tribal belt," he said.
The Pakistani government has accepted the ceasefire with Islamic militants in the Swat Valley who waged a bloody two-year campaign that included forcibly shutting girls' schools and curbing entertainment.
Qureshi said Pakistan wanted girls' schools to reopen but stood by his stance that the sharia deal was a local agreement aimed at better administering justice.
"What people have not understood is that we have taken the wind out of the sail of extremists," Qureshi said.
Mutinous members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Dhaka surrendered their weapons on Thursday as tanks surrounded their headquarters after a second day of gunfire in a mutiny that killed about 50 people. A government official said the mutiny in Dhaka was under control and urged members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) border guards who had also mutinied over pay and command elsewhere in the country to lay down their arms.
Gunfire gradually subsided and stopped in the capital after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina warned of tough action in a national broadcast, a day after offering the mutineers an amnesty.
"All the rebel troops have surrendered with their arms and the process has been completed," Hasina's media spokesman Abul Kalam Azad said of the BDR troops in the capital.
At least six government tanks and 10 armoured personnel carriers were in position around the BDR headquarters in Dhaka, where violence on Wednesday killed nearly 50 people.
"The situation is now under complete control of the government and those who broke discipline to create violence outside the capital have been asked to surrender as well," Azad said.
The turmoil underscores the challenges faced by Hasina, who took office only last month after winning parliamentary elections in December that returned Bangladesh to democracy after nearly two years of army-backed Emergency rule.
The mutiny began on Wednesday at the BDR's Dhaka headquarters and shooting there and in the immediate vicinity accounted for the known deaths so far.
Shooting incidents involving BDR troops erupted in more than a dozen other towns on Thursday, local police said, but Reuters reporters later said calm was gradually returning.
Mobile phone services were ordered cut by the government to stem rumours and misinformation, one operator said, making it difficult to find out what was happening around the impoverished South Asian nation. Coverage resumed later on Thursday.
"Lay down your guns immediately and go back to barracks. Do not force me to take tough actions or push my patience beyond tolerable limits," Hasina warned restive BDR troops in her national broadcast on Thursday afternoon.
"Give democracy and the economy a chance to develop."
DESERTED
Dhaka streets were largely deserted and residents were tense as they waited to see what happened next.
Bangladesh, home to more than 140 million people, has had several military coups since independence in 1971, but this week's mutinies are over pay, benefits and command structure, officials and local media said, not politics.
Traditionally the BDR is led by army officers. Some BDR troops want commanders drawn from their own ranks.
Hasina said she was prepared to do as much a she could to meet their demands gradually but said they must first surrender to authorities.
The main duty of the BDR troops is guarding the country's borders, but they often back up the army and police in meeting other defence and security requirements.
As the government worked to restore order in Dhaka on Thursday, shooting began from BDR units scattered across the country. A Reuters reporter in Sylhet in the northeast said BDR troops were ‘coming on the street holding up guns and shooting’.
BDR members barricaded a highway linking two districts in the southern region while they took over camps from army commanders at several places, local officials said. There were no immediate reports of casualties in those actions.
The unrest is a blow to hopes Hasina's government could bring stability that would attract much-needed investors and boost development to Bangladesh, where around 40 per cent of the populace live below the poverty line.
Analysts said the mutinies pose a major challenge for Hasina in keeping together the powerful defence forces -- which have often intervened in the country's politics -- and in tackling their grievances without risking further discord.
"This poses a huge challenge for the Prime Minister and her government, who need to be tactful in trying to resolve it," said retired Major General Azizur Rahman, a former BDR chief.
Giving in to the BDR demands could spur others in Bangladesh to use violence to achieve their ends.
Soldiers’ 50 major grievances
The Bangladesh Rifles personnel on Wednesday distributed to journalists a leaflet containing their problems and grievances accumulating over the years. In their letter submitted to the prime minister, they appealed for immediate government measures to address some of their major grievances. The soldiers said the paramilitary border guards that evolved into Bangladesh Rifles from the erstwhile East Pakistan Rifles, had a glorious role in the country’s war of independence which had been imprinted in the hearts of the people.
This force, which had given its arms and ammunition to other forces to fight the independence war and laid down their lives at different times to protect the borders and sovereignty of the country, has itself become subject to oppression, the letter added.
It said that for the BDR Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had appointed 23 officers in 1973 but they had been transferred elsewhere by the military junta of Ziaur Rahman through conspiracy. Today, this force is being oppressed by the army in such a manner which was not done even by the Pakistanis.
In the letter, they said that the 50 demands they were placing were among hundreds of problems they were facing. The 50 demands and grievances are: Recruiting officers for the BDR through BCS examinations for its modernisation, and withdrawing all officers of the army deputed to the BDR which a major demand of BDR soldiers.
No steps have been taken, so far, to provide full rationing for the members of this 200-year old paramilitary force. There is neither any ration for its retired soldiers. Members of all forces and agencies, including the Ansars and VDP are being sent to UN peacekeeping missions but no step has been taken, so far, to send BDR personnel overseas. The pledges, made time and again in this regard, remain unfulfilled.
Steps have not been expedited to put an end to discrimination in salary structures and promotion procedures. BDR is being run by the Army’s black law. Punitive measures are been taken under the law of 1984. A policy has been formulated to punish and deprive educated and capable persons of promotion.
It is only the BDR which is regularly facing war-like situation on the borders but the Army is enjoying the defence allowance sitting back in the barracks. The Army officers have sent many BDR soldiers home showing different excuses during the Operation Dal-Bhat. In fact, Army officers were responsible for the faults. The Army officers also have distributed among themselves the DA meant for the BDR soldiers.
All the forces and agencies, except the BDR, had received allowances for duty during the parliamentary and upazila elections. There is a tug of war between the officers for share of the money.
In the name of BDR welfare, retired army officers are running 18 shops in different parts of the capital. These shops do not have any BDR personnel. The vehicles bought in the name of BDR’s welfare are being used by the Army officers for their private purposes.
The schools inside the BDR headquarters have only a few students from the BDR families. Most of the students are children of the Army officers and their relatives. It is unfortunate that being in the BDR we have to send our children to outside schools.
Our children are not allowed to take admission to the BDR schools and the excuse is that they lack merit although the schools were built to help our children overcome their deficiency. [When the schools were built, we were told they were meant for our children and for that our predecessors gave their labour..]
The wife of the present [BDR] DG was appointed to the post above the principal of the school. A teacher in name only she draws Taka 60,000 as honorarium per month without taking any class.
There is a dairy farm inside the BDR and only a few people get its milk and eggs. The milk and eggs, given to the 50 members from the Army, are much more than that given to the 8,000 members of BDR. BDR members do not receive good treatment at the BDR hospital. Only their (army) parents and relatives and people from their villages receive treatment. The BDR members are supplied with cheaper medicines while army officers receive expensive drugs.
The BDR Durbar Hall has been leased out to the wife of the present DG for an amount which is one-twentieth of its annual income. All the lakes/ponds of the Pilkhana and other property, including ‘Pushpita Simanta’, worth crores of taka were leased out in her name or fictitious names for 99 years. The cooks and sweepers of BDR are working at their [army officers] homes and residences of their relations. The BDR troopers have to clean all the streets of Pilkhana before dawn. They work at their [army officers] homes. Even the naik havildars are doing it regularly. The cooks are taken to prepare foods at functions at their relations’ homes.
20. The soldiers generally receive lesser amount of ration. But the savings from the allocations for different messes are taken to the homes of army officers and their relations. 21. The soldiers have to care for all the trees of the unit. But the fruits of the trees are sent to their [army officers] homes. No vehicles are purchased for the BDR troopers now. But expensive vehicles like Pajeros are bought, which are mostly used them [army officers] and their relations.
The army officers living in Pilkhana must have quarters. But the BDR soldiers or officers are residing out of Pilkhana. After the beginning of the construction of a residential quarter for the soldiers near the farm, a plan was taken for a quarter for army officers. Although they are living in their quarter, not a single floor has been completed in the soldiers’ quarters.
The soldiers are subjected to harassment over their leave. They are sent to the borders but have to take leave after coming back to the battalion, which is totally inhuman. BDR soldiers have to work on the borders but their families cannot live there. They are not even granted two months’ leave. We cannot enjoy recreation leave although employees in all organisations enjoy it [In 2001 Deshnetri Sheikh Hasina announced two months’ leave for BDR personnel after considering their problems. But the army officers stopped it through machinations].
They [army officers] come to this organisation with a small trunk but leave with 2/3 trunks. They carry out all the contractors’ jobs with their own people. Poor quality food is supplied to the BDR. If we protest, they threaten us with termination of our jobs. The posts designated for officers of BDR are not given properly. Although a few are made officers, they are not given ration/housing and other facilities. They are subjected to harassment.
In all services and organisations special emphasis is given on education but in this organisation there no such system. Rather those who are a bit more educated, efforts are made to throw them out of it.
If statistics of dismissals from different services and other organisations since the independence of the country are taken, it would be evident that dismissals from services without reason are rare in other organisations. More than 400 officers from the army deputed to the BDR consider its 46,000 members their slaves. An officer needs four to five people for cooking his food. Two [BDR men] are needed for work at the residences of their [Army officers] relations. They are treated like African slaves.
In the case of problems on the borders, the Indian border guards generally have a meeting with an army officer in command [of the BDR troops.] It often turns out that the officer either leaves for a UN mission or is transferred elsewhere. This results in further complication of the problem. The army covertly makes sure that the BDR does not progress in sports (for example, when the army achieves successes in sports it gets good coverage but the BDR wins go almost unnoticed). The BDR athletes and sportsmen are k ept heavily involved in administrative and other activities so that they cannot perform well. It is also made sure that the morales of BDR sportsmen and athletes are low. They are given minor awards for their achievements but at those occasions the arrangement for army officers makes it seem as if the prime minister is due to attend.
The director general of the BDR has smuggled Tk 30 crore to his mother-in-law’s account in the United States. 22 army officers have embezzled Tk 2 crore of Operation Dal-Bhat through bank signatures of BDR personnel. Twenty-two army officers have also embezzled Tk 60 crore from the profits of Operation Dal-Bhat.
A relative of the DG went missing with Tk 50 crore of Nur Mohammad Rifles Public School, but the matter was never investigated. [Former] director general Rezaqul Haider Chowdhury took away Tk 40 crore and that incident was not investigated either.
It was only because of the greed of some army officers that rice worth Tk 18 per kilogram was sold at Tk 40 per kg, and cooking oil worth Tk 56 was sold at Tk 120 per kg through syndication at the cost of the people’s sufferings. Army officers receive 30 per cent extra allowance for being deputed to the BDR, which is sheer wastage of national resources.. They do not want to do anything worthwhile for the BDR for it does not bring them [army officers] any benefits. Instead, they are concerned with the army’s interests.
They use BDR carpenters and tailors for their personal requirements. They not only use BDR’s trees for furnishing their homes but even distribute the timber among their neighbours.
Runners/drivers are kept busy even beyond the official duty hours. This results in high consumption of fuel (if it is needed to go a distance of 40 kilometres to buy a button, the army officers make them do that). Although there are a number of human rights organisations in the country, no one talks about our rights which are being violated all the time. (The army officers are careful not to give any hint of it).
Those who are a little intelligent in the BDR, are sent to the mental ward on the BDR hospital’s third floor, which is used like a prison. The medical board there disqualifies the BDR men as unfit for service. The officers deputed to the BDR are mostly of low calibre with little hope for further promotion. So they run their charges at their whims. We are governed by military rules but our benefits are like those of the ansars/civilians.
At combined drills and parades, the BDR contingent outperforms other forces all the time. But to undermine the BDR performance, they are trained by inefficient retired captains. The whole nation knows about the contribution of the BDR in the liberation of this country. But army officers appear to have become desperate to erase the name of this organisation from history.
http://www.newagebd.com/2009/feb/26/front.html
Wars/Depressions are Illuminati staged for Extortion of the Populace by Henry Makow Ph.D henry@henrymakow.com hmakow@gmail.com
“Woe unto those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness”… Isaiah 5:20
“The individual is handicapped by coming face-to-face with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists.” J. Edgar Hoover
At the end of the 19th Century, the Catholic Church organized massive resistance to Illuminati Jewish domination of national life. The Illuminati instigated World War One partly to crush and punish a recalcitrant Europe. Lenin defined “peace” as the end of all forms of resistance to Communist (i.e. Illuminati Jewish) despotism.
After WWI and WWII, the League of Nations and the UN both promised world government to prevent war. Indeed, Illuminati globalists always promise this–but we don’t realize they are blackmailing us. They start the wars in the first place.
The Elders of Zion vowed to harass the nations with corruption and strife until they accepted their “Superstate” (i.e. world government tyranny.) “The recognition of our despot may also come …when the peoples, utterly wearied by the irregularities and incompetence - a matter which we shall arrange for - of their rulers, will clamor: “Away with them and give us one king over all the earth who will unite us and annihilate the causes of disorders - frontiers, nationalities, religions, State debts - who will give us peace and quiet which we cannot find under our rulers and representatives.” (emphasis mine, Protocols of Zion, 10-18)
Of course, this also applies to the current economic depression. Right on cue, Henry Kissinger, CEO of the NWO, tells us: “the alternative to a new international order is chaos.” The “E” in CEO stands for Extortion. “Please Mr. Kissinger, give back our prosperity. We’ll agree to anything.”
We are in the eighth inning of a long term conspiracy and must shake off our complacency. This is not another recession; it is a final life-and-death power grab. A satanic cult, the Illuminati, has subverted all nations and religions and now is moving to consolidate its power. Our “leaders” (including Obama) belong to this cult. From their past record (in Russia & China), it is possible to predict the future: Conditions will deteriorate. There will be civil unrest. An assassination or some other contrived terror will result in war or martial law. Anyone who has expressed opposition to their agenda, — patriots, Christians, “anti Semites” — will be put into concentration camps and possibly murdered. The war and suffering will be such that the masses will accept the Illuminati’s sugar coated tyranny. I hope I am wrong. The Illuminati were founded by Cabalistic Jewish bankers like the Rothschilds who used “anti Semitism” to brainwash and empower other Jews as their agents. But, as we have seen, they will sacrifice these Jews to achieve their aims.
They are Freemasons –both Jews and non-Jews– who want to hog all the world’s wealth, cull the human race, enslave it mentally and spiritually, if not physically. They have been conspiring for thousands of years and we have the honor of seeing their final victory. They are a hydra headed monster-operating under many facades but today the main ones are socialism, communism, liberalism, feminism, zionism and neo conservatism.
THE CHURCH’S STRUGGLE WITH SATANISM For centuries, until after World War Two, the Catholic Church was the bastion of Western civilization and main obstacle to Illuminati world control. Recently, the Vatican opened their secret archives and revealed their centuries-long struggle to arrest the Illuminati (i.e. Masonic) Jewish stranglehold on European politics and culture. Jewish historian David Kertzer documents this struggle in his book “Popes Against the Jews” (2001) which of course he spins as the church’s role in creating anti Semitism..
Nevertheless the book is a treasure trove of valuable information including a graphic account of the 1840 “Damascus Affair,” the most famous instance of satanic Jewish human ritual sacrifice. (pp.86 ff.)
The salient points are 1. a prominent Italian Capuchin monk, father Tommaso was ritually slaughtered (and blood drained) by prominent cabalist Jews. 2. They confessed and led authorities to his identifiable remains and clothing. 3. The Rothschilds sent a delegation of prominent English Jews to Damascus and pressured all concerned to say the confessions were extracted by torture. 4. The Pope, Gregory XVI, had reliable intelligence and refused to knuckle under. Nor did any future Pope. They also had the testimony of a Moldavian priest, a former Jewish rabbi, who described and explained all the rituals, including the use of Christian blood in Passover matzoh. (92)
When a new ritual murder was reported in Hungary in 1899, the official Vatican newspaper L’Observatore Romano issued this warning “not to all Jews but to certain Jews in particular: Don’t throw oil on the fire…Content yourself with the Christian’s money, but stop shedding and sucking their blood.” (163)
Obviously these instances of human ritual sacrifice are relatively rare. The masses of Jews are not satanic and genuinely want assimilation. Only satanists among them engage in this practice. Nonetheless, all Jews are implicated by denials and cries of “blood libel.” Satanists –Jewish or not–engage in human ritual sacrifice. The Illuminati do it regularly. In addition, they have been doing it to the human race for centuries by virtue of war. While Jews are not satanists, their leadership, the Illuminati bankers are. In 1913, Illuminati bankers went to great length to whitewash the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Atlanta Georgia by Leo Frank, the head of the local B’nai Brith lodge. They even bribed the jury and the governor. (See the account in Michael Jones, The Jewish Revolutionary Spirit, p. 707-729) For these Illuminati Jews, lying and deception are the norm, what they call “magic.” They have convinced their fellow Jews that anti Semitism is a sickness of the gentile mind, a delusion, when in fact it is resistance to the satanic Illuminati agenda. Ordinary Jews will be sacrificed when the going gets tough unless they take a stand against their “leaders.”
The naivete of Jewish intellectuals is well illustrated by Kertzer himself. He portrays Vatican opposition to Masonic Jewish control as an old reflex born of prejudice, envy and fear of change. Yet, he relates that both Bismark and Metternick, the Austrian Chancellor, were in the Rothschilds’ pocket. Metternick depended on them for loans to keep his government afloat as well as “when members of his own family needed financial help.” (80)
Kertzer quotes voluminously from Catholic newspapers: “The Jews will be Satan’s preferred nation and his preferred instrument…The Jew Freemasons govern the world…in Prussia of 642 bankers, 550 are Jews and in Germany, in Austria and in some parts of the Orient, the word invasion is no exaggeration to express their number, their audacity and their near-irresistible power.” (172-3)
Wherever they live “the Jews form a state within a state,” an Italian monk wrote in 1825. Unless Christians act quickly, the Jews will finally succeed in reducing the Christians to be their slaves. Woe to us if we close out eyes! The Jews’ domination will be hard, inflexible, tyrannical…” (65)
In 1865 the editor of Civilta Cattolica warned of secular Jews joining Masonic secret societies “which threaten the ruin and extermination of all Christian society.” Such sects “express that anger, that vendetta, and that satanic hate that the Jew harbors against those who–unjustly he believes–deprive him of that absolute dominion over the entire universe that he Jewishly believes God gave him.” (139)
In 1922, the Vienna correspondent for Civilta Cattolica wrote that if present trends continue, “Vienna will be nothing but a Judaic city; property and houses will all be theirs, the Jews will be the bosses and gentlemen and the Christians will be their servants.” (273)
JEWS’ BLINDNESS TO LEGITIMATE CAUSES OF ANTI SEMITISM
Like most Jewish intellectuals, Kertzer is incapable of seeing the viewpoint of people his masters wish to despoil. He treats Catholic grievances as delusions and naively argues that Freemasonry was just a way of “providing satisfying social interaction.” (p.174) His book was partly sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Americans eventually will figure out that the Rothschilds and their agents are responsible for the Depression and Obama is their creation and puppet. They will discover that the Illuminati has waged war on humanity for centuries and the US media and education system are a farce. They will recognize the out sized role played by Jews in enacting this diabolical agenda. That’s when Illuminati Jews may again turn ordinary Jews, loyal American citizens, into their scapegoats.Hopefully, people will also see the huge role played by non-Jewish satanists. For example, the Illuminati Skull and Bones was founded at Yale in 1832 but didn’t admit Jews until the 1950’s. Their members undermined American life from inception.
Now is the time for people to decide where they stand, with the Illuminati and the “peace” of slaves, or with their fellow citizens and freedom. As Leonard Cohen wrote in his song, “The Future”–“I’ve seen the future baby and it is murder.”
http://www.henrymakow.com/
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared general amnesty to the revolting troops of Bangladesh Rifles [BDR], who virtually captivated the entire Head Quarters of the paramilitary troops of the country, assigned mainly to guard the bordering areas and combat cross-border terrorism. According to press reports, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, who attended the meeting between the Prime Minister and BDR representatives that the mutineers were granted amnesty Wednesday evening. The prime minister also urged the BDR members to surrender their arms and return to barrack.
A 14-soldier BDR team went to the prime minister’s official residence Jamuna for talks.Mutinous BDR members earlier said they would call a ceasefire after holding talks with the prime minister and Home Minister Sahara Khatun. Nanak said the prime minister would hold a video conference with the BDR jawans at Pilkhana in a bid to calm the situation.
The BDR is a paramilitary force guarding the country's long border line of 4,427 km with India and Myanmar. The BDR is headed by a Director General with the rank of Major General of the army.
Its total manpower is 67,000, organized into a central headquarters and various sectors, battalions and border outposts, mainly along the frontiers. Its headquarters is located in capital Dhaka. The British had first organized the Ramgarh Local Battalion in 1795 by recruiting the native population. The battalion was succeeded by the Eastern Frontier Rifles, which guarded the frontier from 1891 to 1920, when it was disbanded.
Border duties were assumed by the East Pakistan Rifles before Bangladesh's independence in 1971 and later the force was renamed as Bangladesh Rifles. Apart from its primary task of protecting the borders, the members of Bangladesh Rifles have taken part in other military operations. This force was vested with the additional task of checking smuggling in 1958. Its members took up arms in an organized manner against the Pakistan Army during the liberation war of 1971 and several members earned gallantry awards.
But when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, wanted to merge the Bangladesh Rifles with the national militia named Rakkhi Bahini, the BDR stiffly opposed the move. But that was the first and last time the border force witnessed a situation close to mutiny.
Earlier heavy gun battle erupted February 24 morning between army and paramilitary border security forces in the congested capital of Bangladesh, less than two months after the country returned to civilian rule and security forces prepared to return to barracks.
The gunfight began around 10 a.m. local time, after members of the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles took an unknown number of army officers hostage inside their headquarters. Army troops, along with members of Rapid Action Battalion [RAB], took up positions in the narrow residential lanes surrounding the building.
Around midday, two army helicopters approaching the building were fired on and they swiftly retreated. Three hours into the firefight, the army had not been able to penetrate the border force’s Head Quarters. Police told reporters a local rickshaw puller was killed in the gun fight. The mutinous BDR men were expressing anger and grief on the officers of the forces, who are deputed from Bangladesh Army. They [the mutinous troops] used abusive words against the Director General of Bangladesh Rifles, Major General Shakil Ahmed Chowdhury and other senior officers. They rose complains about everyday issues like the quality of their accommodations and salaries.
Meanwhile two leaders of the ruling party, named Jahangir Kabir Nanak [leader of the youth front] and a state minister for Local Government Ministry and Mirza Azam [another youth leader and brother-in-law of Islamist militancy group named Jamaatul Mujahedin kingpin Shaikh Abdur Rahman] went to the Bangladesh Rifles Head Quarters to meet the mutinous troops for a dialogue.. It was questioned by many that in such a crucial situation, why the government decided to send two of its leaders, who are infamous for instigating various forms of political agitations in the country. Although mutinous members of BDR were refusing to talk to members of media and even were firing at them, these two leaders from Awami League were virtually welcomed inside their Head Quarters by the mutinous troops and in less than 30 minutes, 14 members of their representatives even accompanied the two leaders of the ruling party to the official residence of the Prime Minister. The entire episode of meeting took place beyond the coverage of the media. But, Jahangir Kabir Nanak confessed to the press that, the representatives of the mutinous troops were ‘emotional’ in expressing their anger and demands to the Prime Minister.
Right after the hours long ‘meeting’ there had been official announcement of amnesty from the Prime Minister towards all the mutinous troops of Bangladesh Rifles. Prime Minister has also assured them to accepting all other demands in phases. One of the prominent demands from Bangladesh Rifles is to stop sending members of Armed Forces on deputation to BDR in official positions.
The gunfight came on a day when hundreds of the 42,000 Bangladesh Rifles forces gathered inside their headquarters for an annual conference. Their leaders, all serving army officers, were also present.
The rebellion erupted during a 'Darbar' or meeting between seniors officers and soldiers, where sources said the lower-rank troops got agitated alleging that the top brass had not taken up their grievances relating to pay hike, promotions and to make the paramilitary force an autonomous body with Premier Sheikh Hasina when she visited the headquarters a day earlier. Earlier, a number of mutinous BDR men gave interviews to a number of private television channels. They expressed anger and uttered abusive words about the officers of BDR, who were deputed from army.
Interestingly, almost all the mutinous members of BDR, who appeared before the media hail from the Southern part of the country, which is considered to be a strong vote bank of Bangladesh Awami League. Many of them were speaking like politicians or politically motivated elements.
What impact Wednesday’s clashes will have on a still fragile civilian government depends on how the mutinous members and Bangladesh Rifles will behave in the next coming weeks.
Political analysts believe that the revolt won’t be a threat to the stability of the state, but it’s certainly a serious threat to the security forces and their standing, their place in the structure of the state. They said, “This is a fragile time, and this could be a very destabilizing factor.”
Wednesday meeting of the representative of the mutinous troops of Bangladesh Rifles with the Prime Minister and the general amnesty will surely leave a long-standing impact on the very discipline of this extremely important institution of the republic.
There is yet to be exact picture on the degree of casualties during the day-long gun battle within the huge compound of the Bangladesh Rifles. According to various sources, a large number of officers on deputation from Army, who were present in the Head Quarter might have been seriously injured or killed by the mutinous troops of Bangladesh Rifle. At least two dead bodies of BDR members [their jackets and badges were removed to suppress identity] were recovered from a nearby area in the city. BDR men pushed the dead bodies inside a manhole, wherefrom the dead bodies moved to the nearby opening point at Buriganga River. It is believed that the dead bodies might have been of the officers from Bangladesh Army, who were on deputation in BDR.
There is even rumor centering the Director General of Bangladesh Rifles, Major General Shakil Ahmed Chowdhury, who was inside the BDR Head Quarters during the incident. It is assumed that, General Shakil might have been either seriously injured or killed by the mutinous troops of the border security forces. The present BDR chief, Shakil Ahmed, who is said to have been attacked by his irate troops on Wednesday, has promised to work closely with India countering terrorist groups active along the borders. Indian Border Security Force officials talk of him as a "very friendly person always willing to co-operate."
The entire episode of BDR mutiny is a clear confrontation between the paramilitary forces and army. No one should try to play with such extreme sensitive issue. There is no way either to undermine any justified demand of BDR men, but on the other hand to put a bad name of the entire armed forces. The way mutinous BDR troops were saying many people may misunderstand thinking; army in Bangladesh is generally corrupt. But, this is not true! Armed Forces are certainly the tested patriots who guard the very sovereignty of Bangladesh.
http://www.weeklyblitz.net/index.php?id=421
From: V. Suresh and D. Nagasaila [rightstn@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2009 6:28 PM To: Subject: [righttowater] Subject: HOLOCAUST IMMINENT - WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? PLEASE CIRCULATE
Please circulate amongst human rights groups. The situation in Sri Lanka is grim. We are trying to see what support we can gather in Delhi from MPs on a single point agenda, for the moment: how can we stop the impending massacre. Delhi is deaf and unbothered that a lah to 1.5 lakh people are threatened. SL Govt and Delhi will claim that these people were `combtants' who did not heed the `generous' invitation of the army to come out to their camps - even when HRW has documented how the camps are hell holes because deaths, abductions etc take place IF any person goes tothecamp. Please read the Human Rights Watch Report. Pressure from throughout the world has to be put. Suresh, President, PUCL-Tamil Nadu/Puducherry
Nazi-type Holocaust imminent in Sri Lanka- Mass Mobilisation for Massacre by Sri Lankan Armed Forces (SLAF) New Yorkbased ‘Human Rights Watch’ (HRW) has said in a report released yesterday that "Sri Lankan forces are shelling hospitals and so-called safe zones and slaughtering the civilians there." James Ross, legal and policy director at Human Rights Watch added: “Sri Lankan forces have repeatedly and indiscriminately shelled areas crowded with displaced persons. This includes numerous reported bombardments of government-declared "safe zones" and of the remaining hospitals in the region.”
The HRW report says Sri Lankan government forces have repeatedly and indiscriminately shelled areas crowded with Tamil civilians and casualties have skyrocketed in the past two months. Noting that civilian casualties “have risen dramatically since the LTTE retreated to a roughly 100-square-kilometer area in northeastern Mullaitivu district, HRW said Sri Lankan military attacks on civilians include “numerous reported bombardments of government-declared "safe zones" and the remaining hospitals in region.”
HRW places total civilian casualties at 7,000, with 2,000 deaths, in two / three weeks adding “information from other sources supports these findings.” “Added to this are the dire hardships faced by the displaced-insufficient food, medical care, and shelter, whether in the combat zone or government-run ‘welfare villages’,” HRW said.
“The Sri Lankan government has indicated that the ethnic Tamil population trapped in the war zone can be presumed to be siding with the LTTE and treated as combatants, effectively sanctioning unlawful attacks,” HRW said. This is a devious and frightening proposition. There are reliable reports that SLAF is planning a holocaust of Sri Lankan Tamils. The devious ploy appears to be to down-play the number of civilians ‘trapped in the war zone’. Despite several estimates put out by International Agencies and Humanitarian groups that IDPs trapped in the ‘war zone’ number over 250,000, GoSL is deliberately under-playing it by putting the numbers at 70,000. India’s External Affairs Minister has endorsed this figure without verifying facts. The Sri Lankan ploy appears to be as below. GoSL has stated that about 35,000 IDPs have already escaped the war zone. In the next few days they will claim that all the 70,000 has got away from the war zone leaving only the LTTE there. GoSL would then ‘sanction the unlawful attacks’ as predicted by HRW. Actually there would be over 200,000 Tamils in the 100-square-kilometer strip. This attack will be carried out by the massive force of over 60,000 Sri Lankan troops supported by Artillery, Tanks and Air Force. Result would be a human carnage of unimaginable proportions that could number over 100,000! This is not based on imaginary fear, but conveyed by independent and reliable sources who have first-hand knowledge of the situation obtaining in North Sri Lanka. And this holocaust is imminent. If this happens it will be the most horrendous human tragedy ever witnessed. The question is whether Government of India is a willing party to this horror of horrors or will they use all means to prevent this holocaust? Indians in general and Tamils in particular need an immediate answer before it is too late. The Human Rights community around the world also needs to step in and prevent this terrible blood bath. Forceful intervention by world citizens made a difference in Gaza. Sri Lankan war and the suffering of 240-280,000 Tamilians caught in north Sri Lanka has not even merited passing interest. the fate of hundreds of thousands is now our responsibility. Please act.
Please sign and pass on: http://www.petitiononline.com/mannar/petition.html
please see the mail!
We have been following the events with great anxiety... In spite of Government's clear intentions I think the army is planning a strong role. I just listened to PM's speech and it had a strong tone from the army's perspective.
I think the speech of PM should have come earlier and now the problems may travel across the country...
I think civilians should begin to advise the PM.. She seems to be advised by the army...
I believe force is the last option and perhaps should not be even considered... The issues of corruption by the BDR Army high command and other issues of inequity must be reflected on behalf of GOB.
I also believe the foreign ministry and foreign minister should have a press release so that foreign media advertently or inadvertently do not turn our national issue into something bad for the country...
While the PM has announced general pardon, a serious discussion on the issue must be taken up in the parliament where all political parties should participate. The issue of moving BDR and cantoonment outside metropolitan cities must be considered seriously.
Ziaur Rahman IITM Dhaka
Analysis: A Mutiny in Bangladesh
A mutiny took place in Dhaka today. The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), the paramilitary border guards, mutinied against the Army, who they say discriminate against the paramilitary forces. The statement, made by an unnamed BDR officer to BBC Bengali Service, said that the BDR has nothing against the government and they expect that the government will be humane. The latest reports indicate that the Prime Minister, along with her cabinet colleagues, met the representatives of the mutineers, and offered a general amnesty to mutineers in exchange of laying down of arms and release of the officers held hostage. Dhaka had a tense day - with visible military action on the streets, general panic and fear that this will snowball into something more sinister. Hopefully, it won't get there and normalcy will be restored soon. However, in my mind, this mutiny indicates how difficult it is to govern Bangladesh now and how urgent is the need for action to restore the faith in democracy and fair governance.
It is interesting to note that a general amnesty of mutineers is being offered. This is an extremely difficult decision and possibly made with short term considerations. This breaks down the gold standard of discipline in the armed forces and politicizes its operations. It also sets a precedence, both inside the forces and in the eyes of general public, and this is where the danger lies. Bangladesh has a history of coups, and an amnesty for the mutineers is indeed a dangerous thing in the context. It is almost besides the point that this mutiny was against the army. One can not mutiny against the army - it breaks the law of the land, so by implication, it is against the government.. If an unit takes its commanders hostage, it becomes un-commandable, and therefore, useless. But, in the context of Bangladesh, such a story has an interesting sub-plot. It is almost as if the mutineers are addressing their grievances from the period before the last election - when the army ran the country. It is 'revenge' when things have changed and the army has relinquished power. On the same note, the army is unlikely to take this generously. The army took the power a couple of years back and recently handed it back to a democratically elected government, but they will be less than willing to cooperate if this new government undermines their position in the society. And, that's exactly what the government may end up doing by being soft on the mutineers. By design or default, this will undermine the authority of the army overall, and let people on the street laugh at them. I spoke to friends in Bangladesh today and they assured me that the situation is well under control. They saw little chances of a snowballing of this incident. However, that's because there still seems to be some faith in the newly elected government. If the same incident happened before the election, it would have had explosive consequences. If the government does not deliver on the promises and meet the high expectation bestowed on them, a similar incident some months later will destabilize the country and undermine the balance in the region.
So, it is imperative that the government delivers, soon. The general economic climate is getting worse. The gloom in Dubai will hit Bangladeshis hard - several of them will return home and many of them will not be able to go. The most dangerous moment in the history of Bangladesh is now - when hope may dwindle and faith may fail. It is in everyone's interest in the region not to let that happen. The mutiny has been a wake up call - let us not sleep any more.
Tata Motors to launch 'Nano' on March 23 Tata Motors said it will launch 'Nano', touted as the world's cheapest family car, on March 23 in Mumbai and bookings will start from April this year. The car was unveiled at the auto expo in Delhi in January 2008 and a function on March 23 would mark the car's commercial launch.
"The cars will be on display at Tata Motors dealerships from the first week of April 2009. Bookings will commence from the second week of April 2009," the company said in a statement.
The company said that the booking process and other details of the Rs one lakh car would be announced on the day of launch.
"Tata Motors is making arrangements for the widest possible network to book the car, so that prospective customers can conveniently avail of booking facilities at their locations, across the length and breadth of India," the statement said.
The company had also displayed the Nano at the Geneva Motor Show last year and had triggered competition, including Nissan-Renault, to announce plans for building low-cost family cars. The economic crisis has, however, forced them to put the plans on hold.
Nano was originally to be launched in the second half of 2008, but was delayed after the company was forced to shift the manufacturing base from Singur in West Bengal to Sanand in Gujarat.
The company's website featuring Nano has registered 30 million hits or visits since the car, with a base-price tag of Rs 1,00,000, was first unveiled.
The hatchback car features a 624-cc petrol engine and boasts of a mileage of 20 km per litre. Its engine is located on the rear and the boot space in the front.
Tata Motors chief Ratan Tata had last year said that he would retain the price tag at Rs 1,00,000 (for the base model) despite input costs shooting up. But since then, steel prices have plunged by up to 40 per cent from early 2008-levels and overall demand in the economy too has witnessed a slump.
The company had announced the low-cost car project in 2006.
On the other hand, Accusing the UPA government of handling Pakistan with kid gloves post Mumbai attacks, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said the neighbouring country must be taught a lesson in a language it understands. "Unless you reply to Pakistan in the language it understands, terrorism will not be wiped out from this country and the UPA is incapable of doing this," he said addressing a public meeting in Pimpalgaon near in Nashik on Wednesday.
Modi said 26/11 happened because of the UPA's "ineffectiveness". The government compromised on national security because of their vote bank politics, he added.
He said, "26/11 was a war on India, but our government sends letters to Pakistan and Pakistan has the audacity to respond with 30 questions."
"Give me those questions and I will teach the government how to respond," he said.
Questioning Manmohan Singh's leadership capabilities, he claimed that not a single Congressman in the country says that Manmohan Singh is their leader.
"They take somebody else's name. Have you seen such a situation where the PM of the country is not accepted as the leader by his own party. How can he run the country?" he asked.
DHAKA:Mutinous members of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) have completed laying down their weapons at their headquarters in the capital Dhaka after an uprising that began on Wednesday, a government official said on Thursday.
"All the rebel troops have surrendered with their arms and the process has been completed," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's media spokesman Abul Kalam Azad said after Hasina told the men in a national broadcast to go back to their barracks.
Islamabad: Several people were feared injured in a major fire that broke out at the luxury Marriott Hotel in the capital, five months after it was devastated by a suicide attack. Paramedics were seen removing the injured from the hotel and rushing them to near by hospitals. The cause of the fire that reportedly broke out at the kitchen could not be immediately ascertained.
Firefighters were tackling the blaze, witnesses said, adding that large plumes of smoke were seen billowing from a section of the second floor of the hotel, which is frequented by businessmen, diplomats and top politicians.
More than 50 people were killed and several injured in the attack that took place on September 20 last year at the hotel.
The hotel reopened in December last.
Mumbai The 26/11 terror attacks would not have been possible without the inputs and assistance provided by the two Indian accused, Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin, according to the chargesheet filed in the case. Faheem and Sabauddin have been arrested for conducting recce of the city prior to the November 26 attacks and giving information, including maps, to the operatives of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
The two were first arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police for a terror attack on a CRPF camp in January 2008.
The 11,280 page-chargesheet was filed by Mumbai Police in a Mumbai court on Wednesday.
According to the document, Faheem conducted detailed reconnaissance of the targeted locations and submitted information and maps to Sabauddin, ‘a very important’ functionary of the LeT in India.
Sabauddin, in turn, got in touch with LeT commanders and wanted accused in the case, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Kaahfa and passed on the information, it said.
"During the last phase of training of the ten terrorists in Pakistan, Kaahfa had shown them the maps of the locations. On being questioned about the authenticity and accuracy of the maps, Kaahfa informed them that the maps had been meticulously prepared by Faheem and Sabauddin," the bulky chargesheet said.
It further said Lakhvi handed over the maps of the targeted locations to the attackers before they left Karachi for Mumbai.
"It was these maps and directions which enabled lone surviving terrorist, Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, and the nine dead terrorists to arrive with absolute precision at the targeted locations and comprehend the topography and lay out of the targets."
Faheem and Sabauddin had been arrested in January 2008 for the attack on CRPF camp at Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. The duo's custody was taken by the Mumbai Crime Branch in December 2008 in the terror attack here. They are currently in judicial custody.
Kasab, Faheem and Sabauddin are the arrested accused named in the chargesheet which is dominated by names of LeT operatives. Thirty-five Pakistan nationals have been shown as wanted accused.
The terrorists had targeted locations like Chhatrapti Shivaji Terminus (CST), Hotels Taj and Trident, Nariman House and Cafe Leopold during the three-day mayhem.
As many as 166 persons, including nearly two dozen foreigners, were killed in the strikes.
Die with us, Tigers tell Lankan refugees Reuters Posted: Feb 26, 2009 at 0929 hrs IST
Vavuniya The Tamil Tigers gave V Rasamalar no choice in how she would die - the separatist rebels told her she would die alongside them in Sri Lanka's war zone. But the mother of two escaped heavy fighting and fled to an army-controlled area. She and her children are now living with about 1,000 other refugees in a military-run transit camp in the northern city of Vavuniya.
"The organisation said we were going to die anyway if we crossed to the army-controlled area and told us to die with them," said 48-year-old Rasamalar, who fled the northern town of Udayarkattu when soldiers fought their way into it.
More than 36,000 Tamils since Jan. 1 have fled to government-controlled areas, running from the final battles of a 25-year-old war and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels who tried to force them to stay.
"After a long time, at least me and my two children are relieved from hearing the sound of shells and life in a bunker," she said at a school converted into one of 15 temporary homes for Tamil refugees.
On the run for weeks or months, refugees say they faced the wrath of the rebels, constant combat, perpetual fear and little food or water.
"There is scarce food. Even 15-year-old youth are being forcibly recruited by the LTTE. We were not allowed to leave the war zone. This is the situation of over 200,000 Tamils in that area," S. Selvekumar said.
Formerly a security guard for an international aid agency, Selvekumar escaped at night in a boat that was rescued by the Sri Lankan navy. But he left his sister behind and still does not know now where she is.
"DON'T KNOW THEIR FATE"
Aid agencies estimate that 200,000 Tamils are now squeezed into a 12-km long stretch of land on the northeastern coast which the army has declared as a no-fire zone. The government says there are no more than 70,000 people there, along with the LTTE.
Soldiers are less than 5 km (2 miles) away, and commanders expect they will face a final showdown with the Tigers there -- one in which they will have to fight carefully to prevent any civilian casualties.
Ariyakutti Velayutham, a 72-year former manager of a Hindu temple who escaped on a Red Cross ship bringing out sick and wounded people, now spends his days fearing for the safety of his children and grandchildren.
"I do not know the fate of my two sons, a daughter, and a grandson who had been hiding from being forcibly recruited by the LTTE," he said in the presence of government officers.
He said the LTTE had fired artillery from populated areas, "compelling the army to target us". The military denies targeting civilians, but has acknowledged some may have been killed.
"There were radio messages by the LTTE saying that once we got into government-controlled areas, females would be raped and males would be tortured, but nothing has happened," he said.
Some refugees complained that life in the refugee camp is just as hard as life in LTTE territory.
"I sometimes feel that we are now imprisoned in this refugee camp, after being held as prisoners by LTTE for a long time," 42-year-old S. Babu said.
At one camp, Reuters saw more than 100 refugees trying to speak to relatives over a camp wall.
The government says the restrictions are temporary, to give them time to weed out LTTE infiltrators and to ensure the rebels do not try to repeat a suicide attack that killed 30 people on Feb 9 at a refugee registration centre.
The government plans to transfer most refugees to temporary villages with schools and other facilities, with homes for each family. The government says people will be placed with others from their home areas.
This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital. It was sent by a medical doctor - Make sure to read what is in the closing statement AFTER THE POEM.
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,'Hi'
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift..
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
Dear All: PLEASE pass this mail on to everyone you know - even to those you don't know! It is the request of a special girl who will soon leave this world due to cancer. This young girl has 6 months left to live, and as her dying wish, she wanted to send a letter telling everyone to live their life to the fullest, since she never will. She'll never make it to prom, graduate from high school, or get married and have a family of her own.
By sending this to as many people as possible, you can give her and her family a little hope, because with every name that this is sent to, The American Cancer Society will donate 3 cents per name to her treatment and recovery plan.. One guy sent this to 500 people! So I know that we can at least send it to 5 or 6. It's not even your money, just your time!
Arna Seal, Ph.D. 'Megh-Muluk' E 11 New Garia Development Cooperative Housing Society Kolkata 700094 West Bengal INDIA Phone: 91 33 24325052 Cell: 9830056114
Dear All,
Greetings !!
MEETING TO FORM :
"MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK 26/11 - FACT FINDING COMMITTEE"
Venue: National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU), next to Dadar Railway Stn (East), Mumbai.
Date: March 3, 2009 (Tuesday) / 7-9pm.
The 26/11 Mumbai terror attack has created a tectonic shift in Indian politics with global ramifications.
Yet inspite of the enormity of the attack, no organized Human Rights group is willing to delve into the details, ask the questions or rather undertake a comprehensive FACT FINDING exercise.
It appears as if the on the issue of terror, we are willing to accept the version as propounded by the state and the corporate media.
Those of us who do not have thus decided to create a Fact Finding committe to probe into the 26/11 terror attacks.
This team will include lawyers, activists, writers, journalists et all from both Mumbai and across the country.
The idea is to compile a report and release the same prior to the general elections, at a national conference that we plan to organize in Delhi in the first week of April - 5th to be more precise.
This report that we will have to compile in March will only be the first report and more will follow.
But it is very imporatnt that we issue the report as the ensuing elections are being fought on the issues of terror, war and national security as the core issue.
We have spoken to most concerned and will speak to the rest as to wether they would agree to be part of this effort:
Most of the people concerned have been spoken to and some we will be soon discuusing the matter.
Those who are interested in being part of this complex task are requested to contact us as would have missed some of the names.
The members concerned are free to invite more people to be part of this team with prior intimation with the team in Mumbai.
The Fact Finding team in our estimation needs to be a national effort as the threads do lead into complex directions across the entire maze.
The team in Mumbai will focus on: a) The CST - CAMA HOSPITAL - leading to the killings of the entire ATS team et All. b) The TAJ c) The Oberoi d) The Nariman House e) The other bomb attacks as well.
Thus the two major tasks would entail
1) Recoding of the statements of the various witnesses, police, etc
2) Information that is available in the media and that would entail rigorous documentaion across all the languages and print and electronic media
Then we will have to put all the information together and arrive at the conclusions.
DO NOTE THAT WITH THE TIME CONSTRAINTS, THIS WOULD AT BEST BE A PRELIMINARY REPORT, BUT YET VERY IMPORTANT.
We will need special help from our friends in Delhi. The fact of the matter is that, is it possible to get access to the reports that the RAW had submitted to the state ?? Need some guidance here.
Even the story today into the TOI is telling. The simple question is that why weren't the communication system of the terrorists in the TAJ, OBEROI and the NARIMAN HSE J A M M E D !!
This is standard practise isn't it ??
The terrorists continued to get unhindered instructions from their handlers in Pakistan and yet that was allowed.
Strange, one must say. Though not really. The Mumbai police have refused to comment on this seeming lapse.
In anycase the meeting is on and it is imperative that we proceed with this extremely important mission.
A well documented report that exposes the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack will pose a grave challenge to the Imperialists and their allies across India and Pakistan & empower the PEOPLE to fight & expose the politics of terror.
And lastly Rohiniji, please email me Jairus Banaji's tel / mbl contacts so that he could be part of this team. We do need him here.
Warm Regards
In Solidarity
Arun Velaskar, Feroze Mithiborwala, Sudhir Dhawale, Kishore Jagtap, Shyam Sonar, Varsha V V & Chetna Birje.
My BDR contacts fear there might be a major battle brewing. Feel Hasina should intervene directly rather than leaving it to intermediaries. Still hearing machine gun bullets.
Videos and stills as well as message from Shireen and Rahnuma at: http://shahidul.wordpress.com/breaking-news/
Watch out for updates.
Shahidul _______________________________________________ shahidulnews mailing list shahidulnews@drik-amsterdam-01.drik.net http://drik-amsterdam-01.drik.net/mailman/listinfo/shahidulnews
The BDR Revolt and Role of Bangladesh Intelligence Agencies Dr. Abdul Momen
Today’s revolt in the BDR HQ in Dhaka is an eye-opener. Due to revolt, reportedly 50 lives were lost. Many civilian also died owing to stray bullets. Whatever the causes of the revolt, it is a fact that there has been a serious lapse of intelligence failure and secondly the death of civilians, closure of schools and postponement of exam demands a serious debate on the merits of keeping headquarters of security forces or cantonments inside crowded localities of the nation’s capital.
In USA, the forefathers of its independence nearly 230 years ago decided not to allow heavy weapons within the borders of capital i. e. Washington D. C or the District of Columbia. However, it allowed individual citizen to bear arms for their self protection. In the case of Bangladesh given its history of coups and counter coups, it may be necessary to forbid heavy weapons within 50 miles radius of the capital city of Dhaka. The recent BDR revolt and especially killing of innocent civilians and bystanders once again reminded the Bangladeshi nationals to seriously discuss this issue of relocating both the Dhaka cantonment and the BDR HQ away from the city limit.
If the BDR Headquarters would have been outside Dhaka away from Pilkhana, an overcrowded area of civilian population surrounded by schools and shops, such casualties could be minimized. Therefore, it may be recommended to relocate BDR HQ away from capital city.
Similarly, there is hardly any rationale to have Army Cantonment within the capital city. This may be relocated 50 miles away from the capital city to a remote locality.. In that case, prime and expensive lands will be made available for growth and expansion of Dhaka city. Moreover, fear and tension of revolt within the cantonment causing disruption of normal life would be lessened.
In Dhaka, civilian vehicles are not allowed to go through the cantonment area and such is an additional cause for bumper-to-bumper hour-long traffic jams on the VIP road. If the Cantonment is relocated away from its current location, such horrendous traffic congestion could be lessened. Bangladesh Army is a part of Bangladesh society and it desires to improve quality of life of its countrymen. In spite of this, it is unfortunate that they have not opened up their roads to the general public yet on their own initiative. Since army fails to open them up on its own, it may be necessary to relocate Dhaka cantonment for the good of the nation.
The BDR Revolt that occurred following Prime Minister’s trip to the BDR HQ is mind boggling. If this would happened during Prime Minister’s visit, it could have created a national crisis. Naturally, serious questions could be raised as regards the efficiency of the Bangladesh intelligence agencies. According to many, the focus of the Bangladesh Intelligence Agencies both the DGFI and the NSI have been basically pivots around finding and codifying information regarding civilian opinion leaders and political leadership. The rationale for secretly recording phone, fax and mobile calls of politicians, journalists, opinion leaders and talk-show participants in Bangladesh in addition to lawyers and businessmen has been designed with a view to collect information about civilian activities. Even their everyday activities and mobility are being watched in the name of nation’s interest.
Unfortunately, such appears to be uncommon in the area of security forces. No wonder, Bangladesh Intelligence Agencies miserably failed in protecting its founder President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or founder of the BNP party, General Ziaur Rahman. It even failed to provide intelligence information regarding the terrorist bombing attack of a public rally of Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004 in which 23 people were killed including the wife of current President of Bangladesh, Zillur Rahman and nearly 370 were wounded or maimed for life. It failed to provide intelligence information regarding grenade attacks on the former Finance Minister ASM Kibria or on British High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury. It also failed to furnish intelligence information regarding jehadi bombings in 493 towns and cities of Bangladesh simultaneously.
In fact, the performance record of Bangladesh Intelligence Agencies till to-date is very poor. It gets an F grade. The recent BDR revolt is a case in point
Bangladesh Intelligence Agencies are mostly headed by military personnel unlike industrialized countries. Most of the heads of the DGFI and the NSI in Bangladesh have been active duty military officials. In contrast, most of the heads of U. S. and the British Intelligence Agencies, for example, FBI, CIA, or MI5 (British) are non-military personnel.
The current FBI Director is Robert Mueller. He has been a lawyer. The current CIA Chief is Leon Panetta, a former congressman and a head of a Public Policy Institute at the California University. He was formerly Chief of Staff of President Clinton.
If we investigate the personal history of the heads of FBI for the last quarter century, one will be surprised that most of the intelligence heads were lawyers or judges. For example, there has been a total of 7 FBI Directors from February 23, 1978 till to-date of which three were Acting Directors. All four Directors were lawyers/judges, and among the Acting Directors, two were career intelligence officers and one was an accountant. William Webster (1978-87), William Sessions (1987-93), Louis Freeh (1993-2001) and Robert Mueller (2001-current) were Directors and all of them were lawyers/judges. The Acting ones; John Otto (26/5/87-2/11/87) and Floyd Clarke (19/7/93-1/9/93) were special FBI agents, and Thomas Pickard (25/6/01-4/9/01) was a CPA.
Given the limitations, the performance record of FBI and the CIA that are mostly run by civilian authority is much superior to that our DGFI or the NSI which are mostly headed by active-duty military officials.
Take the case of the British Intelligence Agencies. The British Military Intelligence Section 5 known as MI-5 or its agencies like SIS, MI-6, QCHQ or DIS are again mostly headed by civilian officials unlike Bangladesh. For example, the current head of MI5 is Mr. Jonathan Evans, a career intelligence officer. Prior to him Baroness Manningham-Buller (2002-07), a former school teacher headed it for 5 years. During 2000-02, Sir Stephen Lander, a PhD in History was its head. Prior to him, Dame Stella Rimington (1992-96), a diplomat’s wife headed the British intelligence organization. It may surprise Bangladeshi military leaders that a well known football player, Sir Patrick Walker headed MI-5 from 1988 through 1991.
There is no denying that the Intelligence Agencies of USA and UK are superior to that of Bangladesh. Admittedly they have more resources and superior information technology vis-à-vis Bangladesh. However, they have also more restrictions as they have to work within many legal limitations and restrictions unlike Bangladesh. Instead of this, their performance record is superior. This raises a valid question. Should we stop appointing active-duty military personnel in the intelligence agencies that mainly focus their attention on political or civil leaderships? Instead should we follow that of the USA and UK for the greater interest of the country?
It is a fact that in Bangladesh, two of its Presidents were assassinated not by their political supporters or by any public citizen. They were assassinated by members of active-duty security forces. It is unfortunate, and it looks odd when in the name of security, a head of the government for example, Sheikh Hasina is kept at a distance from public thus denying her from mingling with her electorates in Bangladesh. This was true in the case of Khaleda Zia as well. In addition, it looks odd when security personnel stand next to the head of the government in all public events. This custom must be done away with to improve nation’s image both home and abroad. Remember, such practice is not common in civilized countries like USA, UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Finland and the like.
Remember, their heads of governments in no way, less exposed to security risk. The custom in USA is that once a person is allowed to enter the premises through checking, he/she is allowed to meet the President freely. The security forces stay at a distance unlike Bangladesh. The way the Bangladeshi security forces behave is deplorable. They literally keep the Prime Minister away from the public. It is a disgrace in the name of security. When the Prime Minister is surrounded by security officers overlooking her shoulder, it lowers our image in the free world. Such basically shows that the political leadership of Bangladesh is still under military subjugation or control in spite of a free, fair, transparent and credible election. Under such aggressive security guardianship, it can neither improve its image nor can attract increasing FDI.
· Abdul Momen is a professor of economics and business in Boston, USA
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Jammu Sending out a tough message that his government will not tolerate human rights violations, J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that he has taken up with the Central government the violation of a procedure by the army in the state which lays down sharing of intelligence inputs with the local police to launch anti-militancy operations. Replying to the adjournment motion by the opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), over the continued rights violations in the state and the killing of two persons at Bomia in Sopore Chief Minister said that he has taken up the matter of violation of operating procedure for launching anti-militancy operations with the Union Home Minister.
Chief Minister however asked the PDP to distance from doing any politics over the killings of people asking the party that it shouldn’t dub the murders of the people as the violation of human rights. “The killing of a youth from Habbakadal was only a murder while the source on whose information army launched the operation at Bomai is in police custody,” he said.
Omar said during the PDP rule there were more incidents of the violation of human rights, but the party didn’t raise the demand for the withdrawal of security forces from the state.
“Police has replaced as a first rung force in Srinagar,’’ Chief Minister said, adding that, “my government was creating the conditions conducive for the withdrawal of armed forces special powers act from the state.”
Earlier PDP created pandemonium in the house after the Speaker of the Assembly, Akbar Lone, didn’t concede to their demand of first taking up the adjournment motion in the house instead of transacting the other business. PDP legislators rose up and created noisy scenes in the assembly. House proceedings were disrupted for nearly fifteen minutes in the assembly.
PDP legislative party leader, Mehbooba Mufti, accused the government for its failure to respect the human rights of people when they have turned out in large number to exercise their right to vote. Mufti asked the government not to look towards New Delhi to get vacated the armed forces special powers act and disturbed area act from the state.
“Government should make a beginning by removing the disturbed area act from Srinagar,” she said.
She even charged the BJP of double speak saying that the party has signed on the working group reports which called for withdrawal of special powers to armed forces. However, BJP’s legislative party leader, Chaman Lal Gupta, said that Mufti was resorting to lies.
After the din in the assembly due to the continued obstruction of business by the PDP members, those from the treasury bench asked the PDP to desist from misleading the house and doing politics over the blood letting of people. Senior NC leader and Rural Development Minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar, said, “PDP was only fostering its agenda while disrupting the proceedings of the house and the government has already initiated the probe on the Sopur killings.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that during the PDP rule Chairman of the State Human Rights Commission had been on record saying that the purpose for which the commission was set up couldn’t be served.
“In 2005, 54 civilians died in cross fire, in 2004 the number was 75 and in 2003 it was 111. From 2002-05 the number of custodial killings was 24 and PDP never talked of demilitarization at that time,” Omar said.
However PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti, said, “We put our government at stake and made the defence minister to set up a committee to review the troops level in the state."
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced amnesty for the mutineers of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR)
A long 10 hour standoff ended late Wednesday evening after prime minister Sheikh Hasina declared general pardon for revolting BDR men and pledged to meet their demands in phases, a state minister said. The mutineers had agreed to surrender their arms after a meeting with the prime minister at her official residence, state minister for local government Jahangir Kabir Nanak told reporters. The prime minister also urged the BDR members to surrender their arms and return to barrack.
State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, who attended the meeting between the prime minister and BDR representatives, told reporters that the mutineers were granted amnesty this evening.
Following the meeting, BDR Deputy Assistant Director Touhid told reporters that they would surrender arms and go back to barrack."We had talks with the prime minister and we agreed to return to barracks," Touhid said.
A 14-soldier BDR team went to the prime minister’s official residence Jamuna for talks.Mutinous BDR members earlier said they would call a ceasefire after holding talks with the prime minister and Home Minister Sahara Khatun.
Nanak said the prime minister would hold a video conference with the BDR jawans at Pilkhana in a bid to calm the situation.
At least one civilian was confirmed dead and 7 were wounded as heavy gunfire erupted in and around Bangladesh Rifles Headquarters in the morning. A number of top BDR officers were killed inside the compound, several soldiers and officers were wonded sources said.
A mutiny broke out in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) as angry soldiers demanding pay hike took their senior officers, including the Director General, hostage after opening fire inside the headquarters of the border force in Dhaka, leaving three people dead and 13 wounded. The dead were a BDR officer, a soldier and a rickshaw-puller who was felled by stray bullets close to the BDR headquarters located at Pilkhana area in the heart of the capital city, official sources said.
Unconfirmed reports put the death toll as high as six.
In India, Expressing concern over the rebellion in Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Dhaka, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Wednesday said he was hopeful that the matter would be resolved peacefully soon!
The revolt in the BDR headquarters and barracks housing 20,000 troops sent shock waves across the impoverished country, which since independence in 1971 has had a history of political violence, coups and counter-coups.
The rebellion erupted during a 'Darbar' or meeting between seniors officers and soldiers, where sources said the lower-rank troops got agitated alleging that the top brass had not taken up their grievances relating to pay hike, promotions and to make the paramilitary force an autonomous body with Premier Sheikh Hasina when she visited the headquarters a day earlier.
Intermittent gunfire rang out at the headquarters for hours as hundreds of army troops and specialised police forces moved to encircle the area and Air Force helicopters hovered overhead monitoring the situation.
Bangladesh's first line of defence Bangladeshi border guards have mutinied at their headquarters in the capital, Dhaka. Local media have speculated that the revolt is over pay and working conditions. The BBC's Subir Bhaumik reports on the origins of the force.
Bangladesh border guards complain of low pay and status
The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) is said to be the country's first line of defence. It is meant to patrol the borders, check smuggling and cross-border crime and establish the government's authority in remote areas.
In times of war, it is supposed to provide support to the army. The Bangladesh Rifles originated from the East Pakistan Rifles - a force set up in undivided Pakistan - and came into existence shortly after the country's independence in 1972.
The original batch of 9,000 troops were mostly East Pakistan Rifles deserters who revolted against the Pakistani officers. But when Bangladesh's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, wanted to merge the Bangladesh Rifles with the national militia Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini, the BDR stiffly opposed the move.
But that was the first and last time the border force witnessed a situation close to mutiny. "Though the Bangladesh army has a turbulent history of mutinies and revolts, specially between 1975 and 1984, the BDR has been remarkably free from indiscipline," says Bangladesh security analyst, retired major Shamsul Arefin.
"Its soldiers have severe resentment about pay and perks and they have angrily represented them from time to time, but they have never revolted. "So it has to be seen whether there's a conspiracy to use the disaffection to destabilise the new government," he said, referring to Wednesday's mutiny at the BDR's Dhaka headquarters.
Major role By 1973 a vigorous recruiting campaign had swelled the Bangladesh Rifles ranks to about 20,000 personnel. Its current strength is around 70,000. The BDR is under the Home Ministry, but the army plays a major role in staffing, training and directing the force. Most Bangladesh Rifles officers are seconded from the regular army.
Disputes over pay could have laid to the mutiny For instance, the army chief of staff, Lt Gen Atiqur Rahman, served as director general of the Bangladesh Rifles for four and a half years before taking over as army chief.
In addition, retired junior commissioned officers and those below them are often assigned to the Bangladesh Rifles in recognition of long years of service. "That's the problem. The army fellows don't take up our cause. We are paid very poorly," one BDR soldier, who did not want to be named, told the BBC. Although Bangladesh Rifles units can be called upon to assist the police in putting down domestic disturbances, their primary role is to guard the nation's frontiers.
The force is organised into battalions along military lines. During war time or national emergencies, the president as commander in chief can authorise the military to assume direct control over all paramilitary and police forces.
The present BDR chief, Shakil Ahmed, who is said to have been attacked by his irate troops on Wednesday, has promised to work closely with India countering terrorist groups active along the borders. Indian Border Security Force officials talk of him as a "very friendly person always willing to co-operate".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7909596.stm
This article, part 1 will be published in Pakistan link Opinion section on February 27, 2009
--------------------------
In the Shadow of Shariah Swat: the Past, Present and Future
- - By Dr. Mohammad Taqi
The rout of the secular forces in Swat is now complete. Pashtun nationalist leader, Khan Abdul Wali had once described the infamous Shariat Bill, presented in the Pakistani parliament, as Shararat Bill (mischief bill).Unfortunately, a much more perverse version of the Shariat or Islamic jurisprudence is being implemented in Swat, on the watch of Wali Khan’s son, Asfandyar Wali Khan.
Asfandyar Khan has joined the ilk of Jama’t e Islami and Imran Khan in dismissing the condemnation heaped on his Awami National Party (ANP), for imposing Shariat, as criticism by the nam nihad (so-called) liberals. Apparently the younger Khan has forgotten that most of these so-called liberals have remained associated with his father and his illustrious grandfather for the better part of Pakistan ’s checkered history.
The right-wing political forces in Pakistan have gone blue in the face highlighting how fair, swift and in sync with Islam, the pre-1974 judicial system in Swat was. They however, are not the only ones responsible for selling this figment of their imagination as a bonafide judicial thesis to their fellow Pakistanis and the West.
The leaders of the pro-judiciary movement in Pakistan have chosen to conveniently ignore addressing this issue even in passing, and by their omission are aiding and abetting the mutilation of the legal system being attempted in Swat. The deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Chaudhry and his lawyer lieutenants have been shirking their duty to explain and critique this fantastic story about the history and mechanizations of the judicial system of the princely State of Swat .
We find it relevant to the future of Swat, the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan (NWFP) and indeed the whole of Pakistan , to survey the history of Swat and its administrative and judicial system.
The story of the Swat State begins with a young Talib – a student of an Islamic seminary – named Abdul Ghafoor, who had immigrated to the plains of Peshawar , from Jabrai in Swat. Abdul Ghafoor was born into the Safi branch of the Mohmand tribe. He later returned to Saidu in Swat and became known as the Akhund (the holy man) of Swat and was appointed as Sheikh ul Islam or the chief religious leader by the Loya Jirgah – grand assembly – of the local Swatis, who predominantly belonged to the Yousafzai tribe. Akhund of Swat also led military campaigns against the British but never took a political office. His two sons Abdul Hannan and Abdul Khalique succeeded the Akhund upon his demise circa 1877. The sons carried the honorific Miangul, with connotations being an admixture of a term of endearment and some religious appeal. Abdul Hannan did pursue the temporal power and was involved in local politics of the time, without landing a major success. Abdul Khalique carried on with the religious mantel of the Akhund. The two brothers were survived by two sons each, upon their death. Said Badshah, a son of Hannan, was killed by his brother Mir Badshah and his cousins. Mir Badshah was subsequently shot dead by his cousin and son of Khalique, Gulshahzada Abdul Wadud. Gulshahzada and his brother Abdul Mannan aka Shirin Jan, after finishing off the rival branch of the family set out against each other. However, around 1915 were forced to forge unity in the face of other rivals, most notably Abdul Jabar Shah of Amb. Jabar Shah had previously been designated a king by the Swatis and had led a campaign against the British alongside the Akhund.
The Miangul brothers swiftly switched sides to enter into an alliance with another rival, the Nawab of the neighboring Dir State . However, Jabar Shah was shunned by the Swatis for being an Ahmedi and because of a lack of tangible gains under his leadership and the Mianguls were invited back in. Miangul Gulshahzada then dislodged the Nawab of Dir from the territories which later constituted the State of Swat, reined in the local chieftains and consolidated his power as far south as Buner and up north till Kalam. He however, was unable to annex Kalam and settled for a British brokered peace with the ruler of Chitral declaring Kalam as a buffer zone of sorts.
The British finally recognized Miangul Gulshahzada Sir Abdul Wadud as the Wa’li or ‘hereditary’ ruler of Swat in 1926. The capital of Swat State became Saidu Sharif – Saidu the exalted - and there being no major city, Mingora was its largest population center. The illiterate Wa’li ruled Swat autocratically and had divided the State in four administrative provinces, which were then sub-divided in eleven districts or Tehsils. His eldest son Miangul Jehanzeb, a graduate of Islamia College , Peshawar , was designated the heir-apparent or Vali Ehd in 1926. The heir-apparent dealt with the financial matters and along with the Vizier, assisted the ruler in administrative and judicial matters.
The judicial system implemented in the Swat of was a combination of Rivaj – the tribal custom, nominal Islam and the pleasure of the Wa’li. As the Wa’li captured new territories he would ask the tribal elders to put their Rivaj on record and the cases of petty crimes and offences of local nature were decided according to this custom. Major offences, acts against public welfare and crimes against the State were decided by the Wa’li himself at his discretion and the case merits.
In this quasi-feudal system of justice, no guarantees existed regarding fundamental human rights, inheritance, role of evidence and the due process. Shariat, as is understood in the context of Islamic law, has its own set of rules regarding all these matters but was never adopted to be the system for dispensing justice in the princely State of Swat .
The Swat State acceded to Pakistan on July 28, 1969 and along with the States of Dir and Chitral was incorporated into the Malakand Division of the NWFP, but its traditional legal system remained in place till 1974 , when finally the courts were established there, in accordance with the 1973 constitution of Pakistan. Also, the 1973 constitution recognized, under its article 246(b) the former princely states of Dir, Swat, Chitral and Amb as the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) and distinct from the FATA. The article 247(4) of the constitution states : “Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution, the President may, with respect to any matter within the legislative competence of the Parliament and the Governor of a Province, with the prior approval of the President, may, with respect to any matter within the legislative competence of the Provincial Assembly make regulations for the peace and good government of a Provincially Administered Tribal Area or any part thereof, situated in the Province ”. In simple words the president – for the sake of peace and prosperity – can sign as a regulation something, which otherwise would have required an act of parliament. The Shariah being imposed in Swat is apparently going to be implemented under these constitutional powers vested in the President. However, a gross generalization has been made in interpreting the legislative competence of the parliament and the powers that be, have pushed the envelope.
The article 8 of the constitution of Pakistan – which deals with the fundamental rights of the citizenry - voids any “laws inconsistent with or in derogation of fundamental rights”. The section 2 of article 8 further clarifies that “The State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges the rights so conferred and any law made in contravention of this clause shall, to the extent of such contravention, be void “. In other words, the president, parliament, Governor or the provincial assembly cannot give away in compromise, what is constitutionally not theirs to begin with.
Amazingly, all those supporting the implementation of Shariah in Swat have also been calling for extending the writ of the Pakistani State into its Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), including full implementation of the 1973 constitution along with the Political Parties Act. Full-throated sloganeering is going on for establishing the rule of law – British Law that is, in preparation of the long march to restore the deposed CJP. No one has bothered to explain to the common man as to why the 1973 constitution and the courts resulting from it are great for rest of the Pakistan and even for FATA but horrible for Swat.
To its credit the English press in Pakistan has devoted its op-ed pages to raising awareness about the rising specter of the Taliban Shariah but the vernacular print and electronic media has come out strongly in support of the obscurantist forces. The spin-masters of the federal and provincial governments are hard at work presenting the breakdown in their authority as the great breakthrough.
- To be concluded - (author practices and teaches medicine at the University of Florida and can be reached at taqimd@gmail.com )
Dr. Syed Ehtisham (607) 776-3336 Blog syedehtisham.blogspot.com Feudalism, militarism, fundamentalism and bureaucrats constitute the evil Quad in Pakistan.
by BAR executive editor Glen Ford
"Obama has consistently spoken and acted in lockstep with George Bush on Zimbabwe sanctions."
An "Open Letter to the People of Zimbabwe," widely circulated on the Internet in February, demands "the U.S., British and other imperialist governments" end economic sanctions against that nation and otherwise keep their "hands off Zimbabwe!" Although honest progressives may differ on the political character of Robert Mugabe's regime - now joined in a power-sharing relationship with the opposition, whose leader's allegiances are likewise subject to dispute - there can be no equivocation about the Zimbabwean people's "right to self-determination and sovereignty without any imperialist interference."
Washington's blatant and longstanding campaign for regime-change must be denounced and resisted in all its manifestations - no ifs, ands or buts. The economic sanctions are, as the letter describes them, "collective punishment of the Zimbabwean people." The signers correctly and "unequivocally denounce these sanctions as war crimes and the officials who initiated them as war criminals."
Well said - but there's a great disconnect between the words and some of the names listed as endorsing the letter. A number of the signers are full-throated, religious-like followers of Barack Obama, one of the "war criminals" that has supported and, as president, extended U.S. sanctions against Zimbabwe.
These unabashed Obamites, several of whom I debated at a large forum in Harlem, in December, make a great noise about "imperialists" in general while pledging undying "solidarity" in the struggle against such "criminals," yet in their daily practice labor mightily to absolve President Obama of culpability for his crimes. It requires rivers of obfuscation and oceans of purposeful omission to separate the Commander-in-Chief and President of the United States from the crimes planned and carried out in his office. The perpetrators of this bizarre fantasy - that the "imperialists" are out to get Mugabe, but Obama isn't one of them - deepen confusion among the public, especially African Americans, and make a mockery of true solidarity. In the light of ever-unfolding events, they make themselves and progressive politics appear ridiculous, as they tip-toe around the mountainous facts of Barack Obama's actual presidency - not the wishful one they have invented.
"They labor mightily to absolve President Obama of culpability for his crimes."
Obama's implacable hostility to Zimbabwean independence and sovereignty is undeniable. He has consistently spoken and acted in lockstep with George Bush on the subject, and as president is preparing new ground for aggression against that country and elsewhere in Africa and the developing world.
On June 24, 2008, following a U.S.-UK-led United Nations Security Council resolution declaring that violence fostered by Mugabe's government had made fair runoff elections "impossible," candidate Obama took South Africa to task for failure "to pressure the Zimbabwean government to stop its repressive behavior." The U.S., he said, should tighten its economic sanctions. Obama told the press: "If fresh elections prove impossible, regional leaders backed by the international community should pursue an enforceable, negotiated political transition in Zimbabwe that would end repressive rule and enable genuine democracy to take root." That's regime-change.
Obama's behavior was in perfect synch with the Bush Administration, and with Republican presidential candidate John McCain's statements on the issue.
At the United Nations on July 10, Russia and China vetoed punitive American and British sanctions against Zimbabwe. Frustrated and outraged, Bush used his executive powers to expand U.S. sanctions, joined by Britain and the European Union.
"The U.S., Obama said, should tighten its economic sanctions." On January 15 of this year, days before Obama took the oath of office, his nominee for Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, told a confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill it was still possible that Russia and China might be persuaded to change their votes on Zimbabwe sanctions. There can be no doubt she was speaking for the incoming administration, which looked forward to winning sanctions where George Bush had failed.
On January 26, Mugabe and the opposition agreed to form a unity government, threatening to derail the U.S.-British strategy to further isolate and then topple Mugabe. When the unity talks briefly fell apart, Obama, now president, let it be known that he hoped the opposition would remain out of government, so that momentum toward UN sanctions might be revived. That would be Susan Rice's job. "Susan is extremely aware of what is going on in Zimbabwe and she feels very strongly that there is a tremendous miscarriage of justice in that country and that it has to end," an Obama foreign policy aide told The Times-UK. "Once she has her feet on the ground she is going to turn her attention to this issue." The January 28 story was titled, "President Obama leads US drive to topple Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe."
When, a few days later, unity talks successfully resumed with the support of African organizations, the Obama administration reacted with bitterness and frustration. "Mugabe is not getting a reprieve from President Obama," said an aide. For the time being, however, UN sanctions were off the table, and the momentum of American aggression was spent.
But not necessarily for long. Susan Rice, an ardent supporter of AFRICOM, like her boss, is a leading advocate of "humanitarian" military intervention, the doctrine that big powers have a duty to intervene when a government fails to protect its people from...whatever. In the run-up to unity talks, the Brits and Americans appeared to be trial-ballooning Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak as a pretext for intervention - but in Africa, a "humanitarian" rationale for imperial interference can always be found, or invented.
"Obama let it be known that he hoped the opposition would remain out of government, so that momentum toward UN sanctions might be revived."
It is beyond dispute that Obama, as candidate and president, has been a fierce proponent of sanctions against Zimbabwe. George Bush's sanctions by executive order are now Barack Obama's sanctions - fully qualifying the new president as a "war criminal," as defined by the signers of the recent "Open Letter to the People of Zimbabwe." Yet some of the signers are apparently capable of compartmentalizing facts as it suits them, in order to avoid painful confrontation with the truth: Obama is not only our first Black president, but also our first Black war criminal president.
Who are these deeply conflicted persons? I am specifically referring to five signatories of the Open Letter, whose irrational Obama-Love I have personally witnessed in the context of debate over Obama's foreign and domestic policies, the first four at Harlem's Great Debate in December, the last encounter at Audubon Ballroom, Harlem, in early 2008.
Prof. Dr. Leonard Jeffries, City College CUNY. Dr. Jeffries refuses to present any substantive critique of Obama's actual policies on Africa or any other issue. He proclaims that every Black person should study "Obama-ology," meaning "how Obama does things."
Dr. James McIntosh, Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People (CEMOTAP). Dr. McIntosh tells audiences to look out for Obama's "winks" - those confidential messages meant especially for Black folks. The rest is just Obama doing what he has to do.
Viola Plummer, December 12th Movement. Ms. Plummer has the uncanny ability to call for revolution and declare the near-divinity of Obama in the same breath.
Atty. Malik Zulu Shabazz, New Black Panther Party. Atty. Shabazz and his party bear no resemblance to the original. His evaluation of Obama: "He is a good father and husband."
Amiri Baraka, playwright & poet. The one-time Prince of Schisms now pillories Cynthia McKinney for failing to get on the Obama-wagon. His capacity for both insult and reason appears to be failing.
Not one of these five people, all prolific speakers with followings in their own arenas, would call President Barack Obama a war criminal in the usual course of their political work. Instead, to varying degrees, they publicly praise and even express adoration for him. Yet they sign an Open Letter affirming solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe in the face of sanctions by "war criminals" - like Obama. Such solidarity is worthless on its face, because it means less than nothing in their actual domestic practice, which is filled with expressions of love for the war criminal and endless excuses and rationales for his behavior.
One line of the Open Letter is especially poignant in light of the contradictions personified by the Five Obamists: "We face the same enemies at home as do the people of Zimbabwe--the worldwide clique of bankers and bosses who put their greed for profits before meeting people's needs."
The Obamites are fully capable of damning the banksters till midnight, all the while pretending that Barack is not Wall Street's protector and co-conspirator. Resisting reality, they spread further confusion.
It is past time to call them out - not just the five signatories but all the "Left" representatives of Obamite contradiction who are misleading our people at this critical juncture in history. Preparations are under way on both coasts for a series of REAL debates on how to deal with the Obama presidential experience - a challenge like none other in American - especially African American - history.
We challenge the "Left" Obamites to attend. BYOR (Bring Your Own Reality) is not permitted.
BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1033&Itemid=1
“The battle...has to begin here. In America. The only institution more powerful than the U.S. government is American civil society. The rest of us are subjects of slave nations. We are by no means powerless, but you have the power of proximity. You have access to the Imperial Palace and the Emperor’s chambers. Empire’s conquests are being carried out in your name.” Arundhati Roy
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Times Now.tv Team from India brings message of peace Hindu - 18 hours ago Mr. Nayar described Pakistan as India’s “first line of defence” and said peace between the two countries was essential for the stability of the whole region ... Pakistan, India urged to combat menace of terrorism The News International 'Pak security is the first line of defence' Times Now.tv Pakistan, India peace activities for burying hatchet: Mushahid Associated Press of Pakistan Zee News - Daily Times all 83 news articles »
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We have always been under military control
M Asafuddowla, former secretary and former editor of the Bangladesh Today, tells New Age. Interviewed by Shameran Abed
Do you think the two-year emergency rule was constitutional? The interim government was absolutely unconstitutional and unlawful. How can you continue a state of emergency for two years, keeping suspended the rights and liberties of the people? Do you know how much I personally suffered? My son lost his job; my daughter, who was the deputy attorney general, lost her job just because I was considered by that regime to be too vocal and critical; because I spoke too strongly and loudly. Anyone who was associated with this regime, whether he was president of the republic, chief adviser or an adviser of the government, should be tried before a court of law for being party to this crime. And if that cannot be done, parliament should form a committee and declare that all these people supported an unlawful regime, and they should be censured.
What do you think were the forces/factors/events that led to the January 11, 2007 intervention? Some say it was inevitable, that there was no other alternative at that point. Do you agree? Rubbish. The January 11, 2007 intervention was an organised conspiracy. It was stage-managed, I believe, by a military intelligence agency — the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence. They wanted to declare martial law but they did not get the support of the Americans and the Indians. They even tried with the British but the British said that if you impose outright martial law, we will throw you out of the Commonwealth. So the intention was there [for martial law], but they failed to do it because the world would not accept Bangladesh going under full martial law again.
And now it seems as though the Awami League, which came to power following this two-year emergency, was party to the conspiracy. Otherwise, why has the government not set up a parliamentary committee to look into what has happened in the last two years? How is it that a government official [army chief Moeen U Ahmed] can write a book while still in service without facing any consequences? He should have been dismissed. If I had written such a book as a secretary to the government, my only fate would have been compulsory retirement. But nothing is happening now because they are above the law.
And how has the country been affected by this interregnum? Well, we have lost two precious years, and look at what we have now: the same Khaleda, the same Hasina. The last regime told us it would bring democracy. But we are back to square one. Look at what the students are doing now. After the 2001 elections, it was the BNP affiliated students, now it is the Awami League affiliated students. We haven’t changed at all. Economically, there was no foreign direct investment in these two years. Prices of essentials went out of the reach of the people. We have just lost two precious years, which were taken from us through a military intervention.
And what do you think will be the long-term impact of the fact that after 15 years of civilian rule, the armed forces were once again in control, albeit indirectly, of state power? Well, let me tell you something, in our country we have never had civilian control over the military. In 1971, the Pakistani army surrendered to the Indian army and the Indian army handed our country over to the Bangladesh army. Where were our civilian political leaders at the surrender on December 16, 1971? How can it be that all of the 7 Bir Shreshthas are all from the armed forces? Are they the only ones who fought with valour? Could they not find even one non-military person — a teacher, a student, a farmer — who is worthy of that honour? When we talk about the war of liberation now, we talk about the sector commanders, the Z-force and that K-force, but not about the government in exile and the role it played. The war of liberation was hijacked by the army. They have taken away all the medals, and we, bloody civilians, have been condemned. We are less than humans because we don’t wear uniforms.
We have always been under military control. Can you remember when we last had a defence minister? The military chiefs will not accept it, they won’t report to anyone; so they tell the prime minister not to put anyone over them. In India, the army chief reports to the defence secretary. In our country, the defence secretary is the army chief’s subordinate; the army chief summons the defence secretary to the cantonment when there is a meeting. As a matter of fact, we do not have a ministry of defence anymore — all it does is looks after the combined military hospitals and cadet colleges. The military is run by the Armed Forces Division, which is situated at the same campus as the office of the army chief. The division is run by some general who reports to the army chief. There is no civilian political oversight. Does the army chief appear in front of the parliamentary public accounts committee? For 14 years I was a secretary to the government and I became tired of having to answer to the public accounts committee. But has an army chief ever been summoned by the committee and made to account for the Tk 6,300 crore that is allocated for the armed forces, which is more than the budgetary allocation of 22 ministries put together? I have never seen it.
Our president has a military secretary, who is an agent of the army chief and whose only job is to pass on information to the army chief. Same with the prime minister; I do not know of any other country where an elected chief executive has a military secretary. All he does is pass on information to the army chief about what files are being signed, who the prime minister is talking to, what is being said, what decisions are being taken.
What approach should the current parliament take in dealing with the decisions and actions of the emergency regime? Every political government trembles in fear of the army. They all try to keep the armed forces happy; they try to outdo each other in pleasing the armed forces. What is Hasina doing now? Is she allowing any discussion of what happened in the last two years in parliament? She was herself locked up for 11 months, but now she is not allowing her MPs to talk about what happened in the last two years. Those who were taken away blindfolded and tortured, they cannot talk in parliament. Like I said, those who were associated with the last government should be tried, or at least the parliament should set up a committee to look into the constitutional breaches that have taken place and to censure those who were responsible. But nothing of the sort will happen.
How can recurrence of such undemocratic interventions into the political process be deterred? There is only one way. A line has to be inserted into the constitution which says that usurpation of state power in violation of a provision of the constitution will be deemed as sedition and punishable by death.. You know, the president, the prime minister, the speaker, the chief justice, the ministers, all take an oath of office. The army chief does not have to take any oath. He should be made to take an oath which says that he will be one of the defenders of the constitution and that if he ever usurps state power, it will amount to sedition and he will be punishable by death. After all, the worst kind of sedition, the worst kind of betrayal, is when the army itself takes over state power. And there is only one punishment for sedition — death.
Had Ershad been charged of sedition and punished, none of this would have happened. So my suggestion is, revisit the constitution and introduce the strictest punishment for usurpation of state power.. If you do that, then it will stop because no one will dare to do it. Otherwise it won’t. An army that has no war to fight will continue to go on these picnics of taking over the Bangabhaban every few years.
You suggested that the emergency was brought about and stage-managed by the DGFI. What do you think ought to be done about the DGFI? Can it be reined in? It should be dismantled. I don’t understand what we need the DGFI for. As the forces intelligence, this was the agency which was supposed to look out for signs of conspiracies within the armed forces. It was set up to forewarn any rebellion within the forces. But they do everything but that. They do surveillance of civilians. It is as if we are living in a Stalinist state. When it was started, it was housed in 3 rooms in the cantonment. Now it has a modern skyscraper with hundreds of rooms. Does that not bear testimony to the enlargement of its power and influence? The DGFI decides who will come to power and it does what it needs to do to make that happen. That is why they are so loved by the army chief. But let me tell you, I feel persecuted. If I die an unnatural death, there will be only one killer — the DGFI.
How badly is the world financial crisis hurting the world's poorest countries? The view from Bangladesh, one of the more successful low-income countries, is so far un-alarming. There was little loose foreign capital to flee when the crisis hit, no dodgy derivatives to collapse its banks.
However, events are signaling that for the medium- to long-term the nation must look for new motors if it is to maintain its record of 5-to-6 percent annual economic growth, let alone move it to the 8-percent level needed to get into the middle-income ranks within a decade.
Bangladesh may be a predominantly agricultural country with attention focused on growing enough food for 150 million people in a country the size of Iowa that is subject to natural disasters. But its growth impetus for the past decade has been its increased integration in the global economy through exports of garments and people. The former now bring in up to $15 billion a year, while remittances from Bangladeshis overseas are worth $9 billion. Taken together, these sources create many of the jobs for a population that is now 40 percent urbanized.
Until December, garment exports had been growing at 20 percent, thanks largely to Bangladesh's gains from sharply rising costs in China. The outlook has suddenly deteriorated with exports down 10 percent in December. Even so, this is better than most Asian exporters. Local industry and the World Bank are reasonably confident that with its focus on low-end items, duty-free access to some markets and formidable labor-cost advantages, Bangladesh will come through the recession relatively unscathed.
Remittances have so far continued to rise, although that is unlikely to last as tens of thousands of workers on Gulf construction sites look set to lose their jobs as projects stall. Forecasts suggest that for 2009 remittances could fall 10 percent. That would crimp remittance-dependent families but is unlikely to cause a foreign-exchange crisis.
In any event, several positive factors have been offsetting these external hits. The fall of the price of oil should cut the oil-import bill in half. Harvests have recovered strongly from the previous year's cyclone and flood damage, slashing grain import needs. Import prices have also fallen sharply from their 2008 peak. Fertilizer prices are lower, too, which should sustain grain output increases. So although overall economic growth is likely to fall from the recent 6 percent level, it is not wishful thinking to imagine that Bangladesh can keep growing at 5 percent through this year.
But then what? Bangladesh has clearly become dependent on garment sales to a West where growth will be slow for a sustained period, and on remittances from oil exporters who may have to live with low prices for a long time.
The nation's leaders do have options but they have been hostage to domestic politics and to fears of Indian domination. The country has vast gas and coal reserves that cannot be properly exploited if nationalist sentiment continues to prevent sales to India. As it is, power is short and gas supplies for Bangladesh itself inadequate to feed planned power stations.
Likewise, Bangladesh can attract multilateral capital for transport systems and ports if it is willing to let India use them for access to its northeastern states. Bangladesh needs capital and know-how to broaden its industrial base but will not get it while Indian and other foreign investment is impeded by nationalism and layers of government corruption. In turn, India must remove many of its barriers to Bangladeshi imports. In other words, enhanced regional cooperation and resource investments are vital. Better governance is needed for a country where growth has been driven by private and NGO initiatives, and where large sums in project aid remain unused because of official inaction.
There are now signs of a more realistic attitude on the part of the government. A Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the U.S. now in the works should improve sentiment and help, but action is needed soon if growth is to be sustained. Without it there will be insufficient money to sustain food output increases and give new impetus to education and health. Bangladesh has been very successful by several measures of social progress, such as improving gender equality in education. But much more needs to be done to stabilize the population and raise educational and nutritional levels. With luck, today's global gloom will spur Bangladesh to seize the opportunities that lie closer to home.
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