ACHA PEACE BULLETIN http://www

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A publication of Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA) www.asiapeace.org

Editor: Pritam K. Rohila, Ph. D.

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ACHA PEACE BULLETIN (Volume IV, No. 10, October 02, 2002 (Next issue, November 6, 2002)

(NOTE: I will be on vacation September 25 through October 5. Therefore, I am sending this issue of ACHA Peace Bulletin early. Items received on or after September 25 will be included in the November issue. Pritam Rohila, Editor)

CONTENTS

Sri Lanka Peace Talks

Peace & Harmony News

Jammu & Kashmir News

Peace & Harmony Organization

Samata Sainik Dal, New Delhi, India

Children

Conferences

January 9 - 11, 2003, Hyderabad, India: Towards Violence Prevention

April 11 - 13, 2003, Lisbon, Portugal: Utilitarianism, Human Rights & Globalization

July 27 - August 2, 2003, Chiang Mai, Thailand: Inter. Conference on Religion & Globalization

Development & Technology

Environment

Events

Human Rights & Minorities

Lectures

Nuclear Issues

Women

REPORTS & ANALYSES

(For a copy send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with its subject as the UPPERCASE word in the article title. Please limit your request to 3 articles)

Bangladesh

CHAMPIONING Islamist Extremism, B Lintner, South Asia Intelligence Review, Sep 16, 2002

Communalism

On ROOTS of Communal Violence, Asghar A. Engineer, Secular Perspective, Sep. 16-30, 2002

India

Resurgent India: The CALL of the Land, Shanti, Sulekha.com Sep 18-14, 2002

India-Pakistan Relations

The India-Pakistan CONFLICT – Towards The Failure of Nuclear Deterrence, P Hoodbhoy & Z Mian

Jammu & Kashmir Elections

Violence Mounts ACROSS Kashmir As Election Nears, J Lancaster, Washington Post Sep 13, 2002

A Kashmir Election With GLOBAL Stakes, J Slate, Wall Street Journal, Sep 13, 2002

A Softer LINE by Separatists Enlivens Kashmir Elections, A Waldman, New York Times, Sep 16, 2002

Pressed From Two SIDES, Kashmiris Turn Out to Vote, A Waldman, New York Times Sep 17, 2002

Elections BEGIN in Kashmir Despite Scattered Violence, J Lancaster, Washington Post Sep 17, 2002

Kashmir

Kashmir: TIME for honesty, Khalid Hasan, Friday Times, Sep 13, 2002

'You don't understand Pakistan's AGENDA,' Shabir Choudhry, Sep 9, 2002

Nepal

Maoist STING in the Tail, D Thapa, South Asia Intelligence Review, Sep 16, 2002

INTERVIEW with Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Convenor, United Revolutionary People’s Council, Nepal, Nepal News Service, Sep 14, 2002

Pakistan

Musharraf and the Jihad INDUSTRY, P Hoodbhoy

Were We Too HIJACKED On 9/11? P Hoodbhoy

One Year Later –The MORBID Calculus Of 9/11: A View From Islamabad, P Hoodbhoy

FATAL Friendships –Pakistan and America four decades and four dictators later, P Hoodbhoy

How to not REFORM universities, by Pervez Hoodbhoy

The role of EDUCATION in democracy, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, Sep 15, 2002

Constitutionalism and DEMOCRACY, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, Sep 22, 2002

Religion

Intellectual APPROACH to Islam, Asghar Ali Engineer, Islam and Modern Age, Sep 2002

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka TALKS May End Years of Ethnic Strife, J Margolis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sep 16, 2002

War on Terrorism (U.S.)

The Troubling New FACE of America, . (President) Jimmy Carter, Washington Post Sep 4, 2002

The SPIRIT of Terrorism, Geoffrey Cook, December 13, 2001

____________________________________________________________________________

SRI LANKA PEACE TALKS

Thailand talks show peace possible between Sri Lanka, LTTE

After three days of talks with Sri Lankan officials, the LTTE said it had dropped its demand for a separate homeland. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/20ltte.htm

We are fighting for self-determination, not a separate nation: LTTE

The Tigers' chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, who is holding talks with a Sri Lankan delegation in Thailand, said it is 'too early' for the outfit to disarm.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/18lanka.htm

Sri Lanka offers devolution, but rules out Tamil nation

LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham said his outfit has renounced war and looks towards negotiations to resolve the decades-old ethnic conflict. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/16lanka1.htm

PEACE & HARMONY NEWS

(Readers are invited to submit similar news from other areas of South Asia to help us broaden of our coverage? Please send the news, along with its date, and source, to pritamr@open.org , a week before the date of publication of the next issue of ACHA Peace Bulletin)

Muslims roundly condemn attack on Swaminarayan temple

They termed the killing of innocent people as anti-Islamic and the incident an attack on humanity.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/24guj17.htm

Indo-Pak peace march by Buddhists

Taxila (Pakistan)-to-Sanchi (India) peace march by Buddhist monks carrying the holy ashes of Lord Buddha crossed in India-Pakistan border at Wagah on September 10. (India west September 13, 2002)

Indian prime minister’s Khwaja Chisti Urs

Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee September 9 greeted people on the 790^th Urs of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Chisti. According to him, the message of tolerance and brotherhood propounded by saints like Khwaja Chisti have as much relevance today as in the past. He presented a floral chadar and said, “These teachings can guide the entire humanity to end violence and hatred across the world.” (India West September 20, 2002)

India repatriates Pakistani soldier

Owais Mustafa, who had reportedly deserted his unit and crossed over to India, was sent back on humanitarian grounds. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/06pak.htm

No justification for violence: Kalam

The President also said the increasing intolerance for views, lives and religions of others also cannot be justified in 'any context'. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/05prez2.htm

Music to bridge India-Pak Gap in London, U.K.

Notwithstanding the prolonged standoff between India and Pakistan, Super Music Masti 2002, a music concert held August 25 in London by artists from both the countries succeeded once again in bringing together Indians and Pakistanis, who share common traditions and tastes. “Music cuts across physical boundaries,” said Tahir Saki of Pakistan’s famous Nexus Group. He told reporters that his group would use music as ameium to strive for peace and harmony between Indian and Pakistan communities. Songs of Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi are very popular in Pakistan, and people listen to pirated cassettes when the original ones are not available, he added. (India West September 6, 2002)

PM may participate in next SAARC summit in Pak

The summit will be held in Islamabad between January 5 and 20 next year.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/aug/22saarc.htm

Musharraf sends mangoes to Vajpaee

As a goodwill gesture Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf has sent several boxes on Pakistani mangoes to Indian prim minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, a Foreign Office spokesman in Islamabad told Reuters August 1. The mangoes were delivered through the Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi. (India West August 9, 2002)

Indian stars on ‘Stop the Hatred’ Campaign

Mumbai – India’s top stars – Amitabh Bachan, Aamir Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Zakir Husain, Raveena Tandon, M. F. Husain, Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi and others – have starred in a series of public service announcements for a ‘Stop the Hatred Campaign.’ Four 30-second spots are being screened in nearly 250 cinemas around the country. Also Indian TV channels (Doordarshan, Sony, Star, and others) and WIN 94.6FM are participating in the campaign. (India West August 2, 2002)

JAMMU & KASHMIR NEWS

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Polls: Full Coverage http://www.rediff.com/election/jk2002.htm

J&K Polls: 42 per cent polling in second phase

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/24jk12.htm

58 per cent polling in Jammu division

The polling was heavy in the border areas with Chhamb district registering the highest 70 per cent polling. Marh with 68 per cent came in second. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/24jk14.htm

Srinagar gives a thumbs down to Election 2002

The dead look the town wore on Tuesday was a kind of a blunt message to the state authorities -- all's not well with Election 2002, not at least in Srinagar. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/24jk4.htm

Srinagar voters show no enthusiasm

Two hours after polling began, only 10 voters, including Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, had exercised their franchise in the Burn Hall School polling booth. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/24jk3.htm

Candidate campaigns on TV on poll day

In the message, aired by Siti Cable, Hansraj Dogra, an independent candidate form Jammu West, was seen pleading with people to vote for him. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/24jk8.htm

Militants attack polling station in Budgam district

Militants also attacked the residences of two candidates and brutally murdered a relative of another in Baramulla district. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/24jk6.htm

Pak firing forces shifting of polling booths

The affected border villages are Galar, Pen and Fakirachaka near Samba town in Jammu district.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/24jk2.htm

'People realise their vote can make a difference'

'Elections not only elect the next government, they also elect the next Opposition. So the ruling combination and Opposition play an important role in shaping future developments in the state,' says J&K Governor Girish Chandra Saxena. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/24inter.htm

Terrorists kill 1 cop, take 3 hostage http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk14.htm

No post-poll alliance with National Conference: BJP

The BJP spokesman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, claimed that the NC had treated his party 'shabbily'.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk16.htm

BJP in favour of regional councils for Jammu, Ladakh

Party president Venkaiah Naidu ruled out the demand of the RSS to trifurcate the state.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk11.htm

National Conference floats its hopes on Dal lake

Party chief Omar Abdullah led a boat rally in the Dal Lake in Srinagar where the Hurriyat has called for a poll boycott. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk.htm

Hurriyat may accept greater autonomy for Kashmir: Mirwaiz

'Kashmir is not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, but a human problem...,' the Hurriyat leader told the 'Washington Times' in an interview. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk17.htm

Jammu administration all set for polls

'We are not tense at all. We have made the required arrangements to hold free and fair polls in Jammu,' Chief Electoral Officer Rohit Kansal told 'rediff.com'. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk6.htm

All set for second phase of polling

Over 2.1 million voters will decide the fate of 263 candidates, including NC president and chief ministerial candidate Omar Abdullah. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk3.htm

Tense Srinagar awaits polling day

'We will ensure the security of both the voters and the candidates. We are confident that the elections will pass without any major incident,' said K Rajendra, the Inspector General Police, Kashmir.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk9.htm

Water will motivate Hizb chief's village to vote

Residents complain that at times, they go without a bath for days at a stretch. They see the election as payback time. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk8.htm

Jawan killed, another injured in Doda

A massive combing operation had been launched to trace the militants.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk2.htm

On Dal Lake, his mask is his only shield

Basharat Peer reports on Kashmiri boatmen campaigning under the shadow of death in Srinagar's most beautiful lake. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/23jk1.htm

Attempt on J&K tourism minister's life http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/21jk.htm

Militants barge into police colony in J&K http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/21jk3.htm

Police detained JKLF acting chairman Javed Ahmed Mir as he tried to take out an anti-election rally in Srinagar, while militants killed Azad Ahmed Khan, a National Conference activist.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/20jk1.htm

Jammu has a crowded field, and everyone is going all out. Campaigning is so fierce that even the nights are noisy, residents complained. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/20jk3.htm

Kashmir is craving for good governance

'For the first time the Election Commission's perceived fairness was too visible to be missed by those who have covered previous elections in Kashmir,' says Mohammad Sayeed Malik.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/20malik.htm

Sonia for 'final solution' to Kashmir issue http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/19jk3.htm

Only Congress can solve Kashmir problem: Sonia

"Gun is no answer to a problem. The only way out is dialogue. If the Congress is voted to power, we will enter into a dialogue to solve the Kashmir problem," she said at an election rally in Srinagar.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/19jk4.htm

First phase of J&K polls a 'positive start': US

The US applauded 'the courage of voters to have chosen to participate in the voting' in the backdrop of threats and sporadic violence. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/19jk7.htm

Infiltration across LoC has increased: US

The US ambassador to India, Robert Blackwill, also hoped the successful completion of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election would lead to an early resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/19jk6.htm

Militants attack school in Udhampur, 2 killed

Those killed were identified as Deep Chander Badyal, a teacher, and P Singh, a class X student, sources said. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/19jk5.htm

Four candidates survive militant attacks

Earlier on Wednesday, militants had killed two National Conference activists in Srinagar.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/19jk.htm

'This was The 7th attempt on my life'

'Srinagar Times' editor Ghulam Mohammed Sofi who escaped assassination on Tuesday, presents an eloquent case for peace in Jammu and Kashmir. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/18inter1.htm

J&K polling figure rises by over 3 per cent

The figure went up to 47.97 per cent with Kargil registering a nine per cent increase from the 67 per cent announced by Chief Electoral Officer Pramod Jain on Monday.

http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/18jk.htm

Two NC activists among 13 killed in J&K

NC workers Ali Mohammed Dar and Ghulam Rasool Mir were killed outside their residences in Srinagar.
http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/18jk1.htm

Pakistan TV lie about J&K polls exposed

The false propaganda of Pakistan TV stood exposed yet again when the channel claimed that voters were dragged out of their houses in Lolab assembly constituency in Kupwara district without realising that elections were countermanded there after the assassination of Jammu and Kashmir minister Mushtaq Ahmed Lone. Crescent Progressive Association cpa1995@rediffmail.com 17 Sep 2002

44 per cent turnout in 1st phase of J&K election http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/16jk4.htm

J&K: Moderate turnout marks north Kashmir polling http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/16jk8.htm

Stray violence during first phase of polling

A jawan was killed when militants fired indiscriminately at a polling station located at a school in Sar village in Gursai area of Poonch district. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/16jk1.htm

Kashmir valley observes bandh to protest polls

JKLF activists led by their acting chairman Javed Ahmed Mir staged a demonstration outside their party headquarters at Maisuma in Srinagar. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/sep/16jk7.htm

28 diplomats to witness J&K elections

According to official sources, 28 diplomats from various countries, including four each from US and UK, have been issued special passes by the Election Commission of India for witnessing the Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir commencing on September 16, 2002. The special passes authorize the visiting diplomats to enter polling booths and other facilities for administration of the elections, though the Election Commission has not conferred any official status on the diplomatic delegations. Indian Express, September 14, 2002.

Minister assassinated during election rally in Kupwara, J&K

State Law Minister and a candidate of the ruling National Conference from Lolab constituency in Kupwara District, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, was assassinated on September 11, 2002, while addressing an election meeting in Tikipora. Three security force (SF) personnel were also killed in the attack. Three different outfits have claimed responsibility for the attack. A terrorist belonging to the hitherto unknown 'Al-Aarifeen' group called up the local media to claim responsibility. An unidentified spokesperson of the Abu Qasim group of the Lashkar-e-Toiba also claimed that one of its cadres, Abu Veqas, had led the group that carried out the killings. The Al-Barq separately claimed responsibility in a message sent to a local news agency. Daily Excelsior, September 12, 2002.

10 SF personnel killed during attack on election rally in Surankote, J&K

10 security force personnel (SF) and two civilians were killed and 22 others injured during a terrorist attack on an election rally of the Indian National Congress in Surankote on September 11, 2002. SF personnel killed two terrorists later in retaliatory firing. Daily Excelsior, September 12, 2002.

The delegation of APHC and members of Kashmir Committee meet in New Delhi on Sep 9

The All Parties Hurriyet Conference and the Kashmir Committee have, while taking stock of the situation, unanimously agreed that all concerned parties must rise above their traditional positions, abandon extreme stands and show the necessary flexibility and realism to reach an acceptable, honourable and durable olution, according to the joint statement of the two parties. Kashmir Awareness Bureau kabaphc@vsnl.com 9 Sep 2002

Hurriyat seeks Pakistan's help for meeting of two Kashmir Committees

Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat described the meeting with the Ram Jethmalani-led Kashmir Committee as 'successful'. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/09jk2.htm

Jammu's the stage for RSS vs BJP battle

The RSS-backed Jammu State Morcha and the BJP have, for all practical purposes, parted ways, as both try independent rides on the wave of Jammu's age-old complaint of state neglect and discrimination.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/09jk.htm

Kashmir Committee to meet its Pakistani counterpart

This was decided at a meeting between the Kashmir Committee and the Hurriyat on Saturday. `Specific proposals' to resolve the Kashmir issue were discussed at the meeting.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/07jk5.htm

CEC reviews poll arrangements in Srinagar

Lyngdoh said that two planeloads of election officials, deputed by the Uttar Pradesh government, had arrived in Srinagar and an equal number would be coming soon.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/07jk4.htm

Notification issued for third phase of polls

Polling in the third phase will involve 27 constituencies in four districts.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/06jk3.htm

299 left in fray for 2nd phase of polls

Those rejected included Nazir Ahmad of the National Panther's Party. He wanted to contest from Ganderbal, from where National Conference chief Omar Abdullah is in the fray, sources said.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/06jk7.htm

Militants kill independent candidate from Handwara

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/06jk2.htm

Shabir Shah's party won't join anti-poll campaign

The Democratic Freedom Party's chief organiser, Saleem Geelani, reiterated the party's stand that it will not participate in the polls. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/05jk2.htm

J&K: Over 130 houses gutted as ultras set village on fire

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/aug/22jk5.htm

PEACE & HARMONY ORGANIZATION

(Readers are invited to submit similar items from other areas of South Asia to help us broaden of our coverage? Please send the items, along with its date, and source, to pritamr@open.org , a week before the date of publication of the next issue of ACHA Peace Bulletin)

*Samata Sainik Dal, New Delhi, India

To promote peace, communal harmony and justice for all and to protest against hatred and violence committed against Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and other minorities, Samata Sainik Dal (SSD) organized a huge rally of community activists at Dr. Ambedkar Bhavan in New Delhi on 24 September 2002. SSD was founded 79 years ago, on September 24, by Dr.Ambedkar who had dreamt of a society based on equality, justice and fraternity.

CHILDREN

EU ready to help Madaris in Pakistan

Sources in the provincial religious affairs ministry revealed that the EU had asked Islamabad to come up with a long-term plan for the rehabilitation of seminaries which the western world believed were breeding terrorism and extremism in the region. European Union has agreed to provide $ 4 billion to the government to help introduce reforms in seminaries. Liberty lawpak@nexlinx.net.pk September 6, 02

Toys that teach

Sutradhar is a resource centre for the dissemination of innovative and culturally relevant educational material www.infochangeindia.org/EducationIstory.jsp?recordno=108&section_idv=5

CONFERENCES

*January 9 - 11, 2003, Hyderabad, India: MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT TOWARDS VIOLENCE PREVENTION is the theme of the 55th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society. More info from Dr. Vithal Rajan, 1-2-16/11, Block B, First Street, Habsiguda, Hyderabad 500 007 AP, India, Telephone 91-40-717 2884, vithal2@hd1.vsnl.net.in, or www.ipsonline.org/events/ancips2003.php (Via www.coexistence.net/coexistence_network).

*April 11 - 13, 2003, Lisbon, Portugal: UTILITARIANISM, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GLOBALIZATION is the theme of the 7th International Conference of the International Society for Utilitarian Studies. This body organizes seminars and conferences on topics relevant to lawyers, philosophers, political scientists, and historians and provides a forum for debate and research on utilitarianism and its present-day relevance in the fields of legal, political, and social reform. EUR 315 (participants from the EU), EUR 335 (participants from the US), EUR 320 (the rest of the world). More info from Manuel Oliveira, FLAD, Tribunal Constitucional, Rua de Século, 111, 1249-117, Lisbon, Portugal, Fax 351-21-395 6614, info@utilitarianism2003.net, or www.utilitarianism2003.net

(Via www.coexistence.net/coexistence_network)

*July 27 - August 2, 2003, Chiang Mai, Thailand: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RELIGION AND GLOBALIZATION. Proposals for this conference to be held at Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture, Payap University are now being around five broad conference themes: 1. Religious Diversity and Interfaith Relations in a Global Age, 2. Religion and Global Society, 3. Religious Reform and Reformulation for a Global Age, 4. Historical Perspectives in Interreligious Interaction, and 5.Methodological and Philosophical Issues in Intercultural and Interreligious Communication and Exchanges. The cost of the seven-day conference for international participants, including registration, meals, lodging, scheduled site visits for registered conference participants, local transportation in Chiang Mai and entertainment related to the conference is US $575 or the equivalent in Euro, Yen or Baht. Travel to and from Chiang Mai is not included in the fee. More info from www.religionandculture.org, Prof. John Butt isrc@cm.ksc.co.th, or Prof. Ruben Habito, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, USA rhabito@mail.smu.edu

DEVELOPMENT & TECHNOLOGY

(Readers are invited to submit similar items from other areas of South Asia to help us broaden of our coverage? Please send the items, along with its date, and source, to pritamr@open.org , a week before the date of publication of the next issue of ACHA Peace Bulletin)

The Simputer challenges the PC

Hailed as one of the ten technological innovations that could help the poor get rich, the low-cost Bangalore (India) invention which should be in the markets soon could be the alternative to the PC in the developing world
http://infochangeindia.org/ItanddIstory.jsp?recordno=192&storyofchangev=ItanddIstory.jsp&section_idv=9

What use can a computer be to someone earning less than a dollar a day?

What use is information technology in a country that has a low penetration of telephony and computers, where even electricity is not assured, and where millions are still illiterate? These are standard questions. But diverse social and infrastructural needs must be addressed simultaneously to ensure a nation's future growth and prosperity. Already, several projects in the slums of New Delhi, in the fishermens' communities of Pondicherry and in the villages of Madhya Pradesh have demonstrated that information technology can and does positively impact the lives and livelihoods of the poor and semi-literate.

http://www.infochangeindia.org/ItanddIbp.jsp

ENVIRONMENT

To privatise, or not to privatise, water

Watershed management expert Vijay Paranjpye sorts out the tangle over water privatisation, and insists that privatisation of public utilities can be resorted to only if the government completely fails to manage the utility, and if private management is going to make the utility cheaper for the people

http://www.infochangeindia.org/features51.jsp

Water wars in the US: Lessons for India

Taps are running dry, water tables are falling, crops are shrivelling and cattle dying as America faces its worst drought since the '30s. Strangely, America's hi-tech model of precision farming has crumbled under just one year of severe drought. What does this say about the wisdom and efficacy of industrialised farming versus India's subsistence farming methods? http://infochangeindia.org/features48.jsp

How dangerous is the Asian Brown Haze?

A startling UNEP study claims that a blanket of pollution three kilometres thick is threatening the food security and health of millions http://infochangeindia.org/features45.jsp

Living through the great drought

Yana Bey travels through the poverty-stricken Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput region of Orissa, meeting villagers with long memories of hard times and starvation http://www.infochangeindia.org/features49.jsp

India, Nepal to step up efforts to protect wildlife

The two nations will set up a joint trans-border committee to discuss and monitor the progress related to conservation of wildlife in the Terai Arc Landscape. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/18wild.htm

Cry, Beloved Earth

The recently concluded World Summit on Sustainable Development has generated more scepticism than excitement mainly because developed nations like the US continue to ignore larger considerations to protect their narrow vested interests, says Ramesh Menon.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/09spec.htm

Eco pacts not translated into action: Pachauri

But pressure from civil society is prodding governments and corporates to implement crucial environmental initiative, the director general of the Tata Energy Research Institute said.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/07teri.htm

EVENTS

*October 5, Hayward, CA, USA: TUMHARI AMRITA, a Hindu-Muslim love story featuring Shabana Azmi and Farooque Sheikh at 8:30p.m. at Chabot College Theater, 25555 Hesperian Blvd. Tickets at $20-$65 and up from www.sulekha.com/Bayarea. More info from liz@kaladarshan.com

*October 6, Anaheim, CA, USA: TUMHARI AMRITA, a Hindu-Muslim love story featuring Shabana Azmi and Farooque Sheikh at 6:30p.m. at Chabot College Theater, 811W. Lincoln Ave. Tickets at $20-$65 and up from www.sulekha.com/LosAngeles. More info from www.kaladarshan.com

*October 7, Geneva, Switzerland: More than 500 women religious and spiritual leaders from around the world will gather at the Palais des Nations in to launch a new global peace initiative that combines contemplative practices with specific peace building activities. Joining the women leaders will be members of the United Nations community, a select group of business and governmental leaders, scholars, thought and cultural leaders and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

*October 11-13, Dearborn, MI, USA: 12^th BIENNIAL CONVNTION of the National Federation of Indian American Associations at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. More info from Radha Krishnan 248.682.2106, Parthasarthy Pillai 301.935.5321.

HUMAN RIGHTS & MINORITIES

Chennai police rescues 97 bonded labourers

They had arrived in Chennai from the Tenkasi-Mukkudal area. The police sent them to various protection homes being run by the Social Welfare Department. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/19sathya1.htm

Bonded Labour issue surfaces again in Pakistan

The torture of Christian brick kiln workers by their employers in Daska has once again surfaced the lingering issue of bonded labour making men, women and children salves at the hands of a few moneyed and powerful. The Christian community in Allo Maher village of Daska held demonstration to protest the alleged torture by the kiln owners of Christian brothers David and Robert when they refused to work for them in the last week of July. They demanded that the authorities should save the m form the bonded labour imposed on them through loans, which were a mere trap. (Liberty lawpak@nexlinx.net.pk 09.06.02)

Four VHP men arrested in India for attacking Christians

The attack took place in Kurti village of Deogarh district in Orissa.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/05oris.htm

LECTURES

*October 18, Seattle, WA: FEARFUL SYMMETRY: EXPLAINING THE INDO-PAKISTANI CONFLICTS, a lecture by Sumit Ganguly of the University of Texas, (Sponsored by the South Asia Center, the Institute for Global and Regional Security Studies, and the Indo American Friendship
Forum) in Walker-Ames Room, Kane Hall, UW Campus. More info from 206.543.4800

*October 24, Seattle, WA: SECURITY ISSUES AND NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON INDIA AND PAKISTAN, lecture by Robert Anderson, sponsored by the South Asia Center, the Institute for Global and Regional Security Studies, and the Indo - American Friendship Forum, at 3:30 p.m. at UW Thomson Hall 317. More info from 206.543.4800

*October 24, Seattle, WA: MUSLIM WOMEN LEADERS IN POWER IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT, a talk by Begum Khurshid Jahan Haque, Minister of Women and Children Affairs of Bangladesh, and dinner, a part of the First International Women Leaders' Series of the Women's Center of UW 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Town Hall in downtown Seattle. Register by phone at 206.685.1090 and by mail to Annual Benefit Dinner Registration, University of Washington-Women's Center, Box 351380 Seattle, WA 98195-1380.

NUCLEAR ISSUES

Former Indian and Pakistani officials to collaborate in a U.S. study of nuclear escalation in South Asia

The Bush administration has awarded a grant to the Henry L. Stimson Center to study the dynamics of nuclear escalation in South Asia. The grant will allow this U. S. think tank to engage former Indian and Pakistani officials and military officers in a collaborative effort to assess scenarios that could lead up to the nuclear threshold. Former army chief V. R. Raghvan and former Indian ambassador Shankar Bajpai from India and former Lt. General Mahmud Durrani and former foreign secretary Najmuddin Shaikh from Pakistan will participate in the project directed by Michael Krepon of the Center’s South Asia program. (India West August 16, 2002)

WOMEN

Breaking the silence
RAHI, a Delhi-based support centre for female victims of incest, is making it possible for them to grow from victim to survivor, and finally to contributor
www.infochangeindia.org/WomenIstory.jsp?recordno=169&section_idv=1

The barber's wife: Sex advisor to child brides

In the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh (India), where no family planning campaign has ever penetrated, it is the Naun or barber's wife who accompanies child brides to their husbands' homes at puberty and advises them on family planning and family welfare. This traditional practice does not seem likely to change in the foreseeable future http://www.infochangeindia.org/features50.jsp

Andhra (India) tops in body trafficking: Survey

A majority of females in the age group of 12 to 35 years in the red-light areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Goa are from Andhra Pradesh, says the survey conducted by Prajwala, an NGO.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/19jafri.htm

Self-defence classes for Mumbai (India) women

Among other things, the 30-day course will teach women judo and taekwondo.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/sep/07fird.htm

UN-sponsored report takes issue with Indian media’s portrayal of women

The report titled “Women in India: How free, How equal,” said only 14 percent of air time in the country features women on television including seven percent in hard news segment, compared to nearly 20 percent on cricket. In the print media too women occupy only a marginal space. (India West August 9, 2002)

Defiant Dalit women create history in India

Men were shocked when 10 Dalit women in Haryana walked into an auction traditionally reserved for men and made a successful bid for farmland in the annual auction organized June 6 by the Panchayat of Bandh village near Panipat, Jagwati Sangwan, president of the Haryana unit of All India Democratic Womn’s Association said last week. “The upper caste men did not want this land to come to us, which is why they raised the bid up to Rs. 18,000 but we outbid them by another Rs. 300,” she said. The women’s bid was made possible by financial assistance from the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Commission which advanced them Rs. 25,000. (India West August 9, 2002)