May 19, 2012 – Page 3

100 extrajudicial killings reported during last three decades

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 19 : In an unprecedented step, for the first time, a team of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), North East Cell led by the Chairperson Prof. Shantha Sinha and accompanied by Dr. L. Mishra, Special Adviser (North East Cell) NCPCR; Shri D.R. Kaarthikeyan, former Director, CBI and DG, NHRC; Shri Ajay Kumar, Project Coordinator (RTE) NCPCR; Shri Sanjay Kumar Tiwari, Sr. Consultant, NCPCR and Shri Santosh Chakma, Consultant, Asian Centre for Human Rights is visiting Imphal from the 18thto the 20thMay, 2012.
Nearly 100 cases of extrajudicial execution of children have been reported in the last three decades in Maniipur.
This shocking picture came to light after Civil Societies Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur (CSCHR) mentioned in its petition submitted to a team of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), North East Cell. The CSCHR alleged that 92 children have ben executed.
“Ninety-two cases of extrajudicial execution of children have been recorded in Manipur from 1979 to February 6, 2012, the CSCHR said. The petition was supported with documents.
The team members of the NCPCR are camping in Imphal since Friday.
The visit was scheduled to investigate into the alleged encounter killings of children in Imphal West District Manipur.
The investigating team of the NCPCR is visiting Manipur in response to a complaint made by the Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Manipur regarding the alleged extra judicial execution of Master (L) Ahanthem Amujao 16 years old boy of Sawombung at Khuman Palli, Imphal West by the Imphal West Commandos.
The team conducted a formal hearing at the Hotel Imphal on Friday, 18th May, 2012 and met with the family members and other witnesses of Master (L) Ahanthem Amujao. During the hearing the NCPCR also took up the case of Master Sonkhopao Mate (16) year old boy from Chandel district who was allegedly tortured by Assam Rifles.
Following the hearing, the NCPCR team had a consultation with the NGOs of Manipur including members of the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) of Chandel, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Imphal West and Imphal East to discussed related issues of protection of children in ‘disturbed’ areas or armed conflict situations.
During the NGOs consultation the Chairperson announced that a special North East Cell has been recently opened at the NCPCR.
The NGOs Consultation was facilitated by the Civil Societies Coalition on Human Rights in Manipur and the UN (CSCHR).CSCHR also submitted a petition regarding 92 documented cases of extrajudicial executions of children in Manipur from 1979 till 6th Feb. 2012 with a prayer to the Commission to take up urgent steps regarding these cases for the end of justice.
The issues discussed impunity in the context of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, various lapses and lacunae in the procedures to be taken up by the Government in cases of culpable homicide involving children in accordance to the guidelines of the Supreme Court, the National Human Rights Commission and the Code of Criminal Procedures (CrPC); the need to assert the supremacy of The Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 (amended 2006) over AFSPA with regard to children in conflict with the law and involved in the armed conflict in Manipur and other parts of India; and the need to develop a “Standard Operating Procedure” to be adopted by NCPCR to deal with complaints relating to “encounter deaths” of children.
The team will meet Deputy Commissioners & Superintendent of Police of Chandel, Tamenglong and Imphal West, Home Secretary, Chief Secretary, Home Minister and the Chief Minister of the State on the 19th May, 2012 and will leave on the 20th May, 2012 after a Press Conference at the Hotel Classic at 10:00 A.M.

Students attack political parties’ offices to protest killings of Richard, Laaba

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 19 : To protest the death of Richard Loitam and O. Laaba and the attitude of Political party which remain as a silent spectator in connection with the death of students, a large students damaged BJP office and stormed other political parties offices today.
The protesters attacked BJP office and damaged doors, windows and signboard and locked the main gate. The students then stormed the office of congress office however the security personnel posted there blocked the gate.
The security personnel beat up students who tried to lock main gate. The angry protesters then pushed barricade used in road dividing. The students again closed the main gate of MPP office and proceeded towards CPI office situated at Rupmahal tank where police rounded up 20 students including students leaders.
After the incident, the general secy. of DESAM, Thoithoi while talking to press said, there is BJP govt. in Karnataka. The BJP, Manipur state unit did not the issue seriously. They didn’t pressurize the issue. The congress govt. also did not pressurize the central govt.
Various agitations will be launched if students are not released on or before tomorrow.
Meanwhile Asian Age reports that , “A day after the long awaited histopathology report of Richard Loitam, who was found dead in his hostel room, was finally handed over to the police, Loitam’s parents refuted the report which said his weak heart was the reason he died.
In one of her posts on a social networking site, Richard’s mother Dr Vidyabali Loitam, says that the histopathology report of Richard was ‘baseless’ and was only ‘covering up facts’. She said: “My son was an active football player and was in good physical condition. Moreover in his school here, he had to go through a medical check-up every six months.
There was no indication of a heart problem so far. How can it suddenly happen?” “We (parents) both are doctors and are fairly knowledgeable in medicine. If our son had shown symptoms of a problem, we would have known about it. The report calls it hereditary, but there is no significant history of heart disease in our family”, she added.
Richard’s parents are now planning to approach the Karnataka and Manipur governments for a CBI probe into the case.
The Union home ministry on Friday asked states to adopt a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against ‘racial profiling and discrimination faced by Indian citizens of Northeastern states’.
In an advisory sent to all states and UTs, the MHA has suggested stringent measures, including action against police officers if they fail to act on a complaint or any information received from a citizen hailing from the Northeast, regarding a cognizable offence.
The move follows deaths of two Northeastern students, Dana Sangma and Richard Loitam in Gurgaon and Bengaluru in April, amid allegations that they fell victim to racial bias.
The MHA has said, “Where a complaint or if any information is received from a citizen hailing from the Northeast, regarding a cognizable offence and no follow-up action is taken, then a serious view should be taken against the police officer concerned and also against the officer-in-charge of the police station.”
It says if the complainant is a member of the Scheduled Tribe, then the provisions of Section 4 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act should be invoked. This section prescribes imprisonment between six months to one year for a public servant who is not a member of the SC or ST communities and wilfully neglects his duties under the Act.
Toll-free helplines should be made available, where services of any officer or any operator conversant with English must be provided, since it is possible that the complainants may not be able to communicate in the local languages, says the home ministry.
The letter points to reports that people originating from the North Eastern states are facing discrimination ‘as they are addressed with derogatory adjectives or face discrimination in the form of targeted attacks, assault, molestation and other atrocities’. This has caused considerable anguish and distress in the minds of the people from the North east, it says.
The home ministry says, “Quick action by the police would restore confidence not only of the victim but also of the community and send a clear message to the accused that such behaviour would not be tolerated.” It says when complaints are received from a person belonging to the North-East, particularly from women, the ‘level of sensitivity and response should be of an even higher level’.’
The states have also been asked to arrange outreach programmes , under supervision of DCPs or district SPs , in areas of northeast congregation to meet community leaders of such groups and address their concerns.

AIDS candle light memorial day

Mail News Service
Imphal, May 19 : As observed all over the world, the 29th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day 2012 will be observed on Sunday, the 20th May 2012, throughout the state by Networks with financial support from Manipur State AIDS Control Society. The day will be observed under the theme “Promoting Health and Dignity”. The theme aims to raise awareness around HIV and to promote respect for the human rights of people living with HIV.
The Candlelight Memorial began in 1983 during a time of confusion and misconception about a mysterious disease sweeping the gay community in San Francisco in the United States. Knowing they would die within the year and with no political support, four young men – Bobbi Campbell, Bobby Reynolds, Dan Turner and Mark Feldman – decided to put a “face on the disease” by coordinating a small vigil behind a banner reading “Fighting For Our Lives.” -:
The original coordinators planned a march down the Castro District to City Hall and created a poster. As others joined in, the Candlelight drew thousands, beginning a movement that would inspire countflss other people living with HIV and AIDS in other countries to bring HIV into the light for communities and national leaders, to foster support, and move people to action.
Since that day, now for almost 30 years, the Candlelight Memorial has brought together people in every region of the world to honor those lost to AIDS, support people living with HIV and demonstrate the importance of civil society, which plays a central role in HIV treatment, prevention, care and support.
The Day will be observed by Manipur Network of Positive People, Yaiskul Imphal-West, All Manipur Positive Women Network, New Checkon Road. Manipur Positive Women Network. Thoubal Network of Positive People, Thoubal, Manipur Network of Positive People, Thoubal Bazar, Progressive Network of People Plus, Sugnu Bazar, Ukhrul Network of Positive People, Ukhrul, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Imphal-East. Network of Positive People. Senapati. Bishnupur Network of Positive People, Bishnupur. Chandel Network of Positive People, Chandel, Network for Positive People. Imphal West. Manipur Positive Women Network, Network for Positive People. Imphal West and Consortium of Positive People. Churachandpur.

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/aids-candle-light-memorial-day/

Jeet Kune-Do Championship

IMPHAL, May 19: Manipur bagged four gold in the recently held 1st Sub-Jr, Junior and… more »

IMPHAL, May 19: Manipur bagged four gold in the recently held 1st Sub-Jr, Junior and Senior North East Jeet Kune-Do Championship, 2012 held at Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak. The gold winners are Ng Hemba Singh in the 14-17 years boys weight: 40-43 kg, H Birhan Meitei in the 10-20 years boys weight: 28-30 kg, H Haridas Singh in the 12-14 years boys weight 30-32 kg and P Priyaborta Singh in the 14-17 years boys weight 43-46 kg.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/jeet-kunedo-championship/

Lakda Men`s Open

IMPHAL, May 19: TSC Khurai beat SSC Sekta by 3-1 in today’s match of the… more »

IMPHAL, May 19: TSC Khurai beat SSC Sekta by 3-1 in today’s match of the 2nd State Level Lakda Men’s Open Football Tournament at SKYC Ground, Sawombung.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/lakda-mens-open/

PHLYO Cup

IMPHAL, May 19: Tarung Kickers beat Bakhe by 4-3, YSFC beat Star C by 9-2… more »

IMPHAL, May 19: Tarung Kickers beat Bakhe by 4-3, YSFC beat Star C by 9-2 and PHLYO beat SKYC by 3-2 in today’s matches of the 1st PHLYO Cup Football Tournament at Gurukhul School Ground, Thangmeiband.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/phlyo-cup/

Softball Championship

IMPHAL, May 19: Both men’s and women’s Manipur softball teams have entered into the final… more »

IMPHAL, May 19: Both men’s and women’s Manipur softball teams have entered into the final of the 4th East Zone Softball Championship held at the Practice Ground, Khuman Lampak.

The Manipur Men’s team entered into the final after defeating Nagaland by 6-1 and later Assam by 13-3 runs.

On the other side, both men’s and women’s teams of Orissa also got into the final. Orissa men’s team defeated Assam by 9-2 runs and later Bihar by 11-0 runs.

In the women’s section, Manipur defeated Assam by 10-0 runs in the last league round match, later Orissa also defeated Assam by 7-0 runs.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/softball-championship/

FORCE won by 11 runs

IMPHAL, May 19: FORCE defeated YWC by 11 runs in today’s match of the ongoing… more »

IMPHAL, May 19: FORCE defeated YWC by 11 runs in today’s match of the ongoing Classification Tournament 2011-2012 of Manipur Cricket Association at Luwangpokpa Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss, FORCE was elected to bat and scores 116 runs for 10 wickets in 39.1 overs. YWC Batsman chased the target but failed and bundled out 105 runs 10 wickets in 23 overs.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/force-won-by-11-runs/

Body disposed

IMPHAL, May 19: An unidentified decomposed body of a man lying unclaimed at RIMS morgue… more »

IMPHAL, May 19: An unidentified decomposed body of a man lying unclaimed at RIMS morgue was today disposed off.

The body was found at a fish farm at Ghari Makha Leikai Loukol under Lamphel police station May 17 late afternoon. It was handed over to Imphal Municipality after conducting post mortem at RIMS.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/body-disposed/

Grenade threat

IMPHAL, May 19: Unidentified persons suspected to be militants placed a Chinese hand grenade at… more »

IMPHAL, May 19: Unidentified persons suspected to be militants placed a Chinese hand grenade at the courtyard of an Associate Prof of Manipur University at Thamnapokpi Mayai Leikai under Moirang police station this early morning, police said.

Police said the bomb was apparently planted by cadres of KCP (MC) in connection with non-payment of a monetary demand of Rs three lakh issued to Moirangthem Premjit, an Associate Prof of Manipur University and his brother, Ranjit who is an Indian Army soldier.

The hand grenade was found at the courtyard of Premjit around 6 am and an envelope was also attached to the bomb wherein a short note was written as ‘Last warning to both the brothers.”

Premjit is presently staying at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, Imphal West and that it was likely that some cadres of KCP (MC) planted the bomb as a warning in connection with a Rs three lakh demand to both the brothers, the police added.

The bomb was removed by a team of commandos and personnel of 5/9 Gurkha Regiment, they said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/grenade-threat/

Students storm political parties’ offices in Manipur – Assam Tribune

IBNLive.comStudents storm political parties' offices in ManipurAssam TribuneIMPHAL, May 19 – Representatives of Manipur's six powerful student bodies on Saturday stormed the political party offices here over their alleged inaction into the my…

IBNLive.com

Students storm political parties' offices in Manipur
Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, May 19 – Representatives of Manipur's six powerful student bodies on Saturday stormed the political party offices here over their alleged inaction into the mysterious deaths of Manipuri students in Bangalore and Chennai.
Murder ruled out in Richard Loitam's death case: policeDeccan Herald
Students attack party offices demanding justice for Richard LoitamTimes of India
Murder ruled out in Loitam death case, say sourcesIBNLive.com
Daily News & Analysis
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Manipur Landscape Wallpaper # 16 – E-Pao.net

Manipur Landscape Wallpaper # 16E-Pao.netIn Internet Explorer, right click on an image in your browser and select from the popup menu "Set desktop background". The image will now become your background image. Done. Download the image to your …

Manipur Landscape Wallpaper # 16
E-Pao.net
In Internet Explorer, right click on an image in your browser and select from the popup menu "Set desktop background". The image will now become your background image. Done. Download the image to your hard drive to where you desire it to be stored by …

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Research & Dev in Nanoelectronics

Inputs from the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Department of Information Technology.
The Nanotechnology Initiatives Programme of Department of Information Technology (DIT) was initiated in 2004. The focus of the programme is on Institutional capacity building, human resource development, Infrastructure creation and research & development in Nanoelectronics. In the long run, the programme is expected to create a synergetic environment for creation of vibrant Nanoelectronics industry in the country.
Centers of Excellence in Nanoelectronics
Nanoelectronics Centres at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Mumbai and Indian Institute of Science, Bangaluru
A joint project for setting of two Nanaoelectronics Centers at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Indian Institute of Science Bangalore was initiated with a cost of ` 100 Crores in the year 2006 as a Phase I. This project has been unique in the manner in which two top level academic organizations in India have come together with an MOU between them to take up an R&D project of this magnitude. The objectives of these Centers have been:
Embark on R&D activities in the areas of nanoelectronics including materials, devices and sensors, nanosystems and their characterization and modeling.
Networking with other agencies, institutions, national labs and industry working in the area of nanoelectronics and create a nanofabrication facility accessible to all researchers.
Generate trained human resources suitable for nanoelectronics research, engineering and manufacturing.
Demonstrate that the nanofab facilities created and human resources generated can be used to develop socially relevant systems with nanostructured materials and systems.
The deliverables at the Center of Excellence at IIT Bombay included development and establishment of sub 100 nanometer CMOS process, development of nanosystems for Healthcare and environmental monitoring, development of organic and biopolymer devices,
GaN devices, and characterization, modeling and simulation of nanoelectronic devices.
The deliverables at IISc included magnetic materials for LC resonator, acoustic sensors, ferroelectrics for Ferratic RAMs (FRAMs) and phase shifters, rare earth metal oxides for MOS gate dielectrics, molecular rectifiers based on organic thin films.
Centres of Excellence in Nanoelectronics Phase I
The first phase has been very successful in establishing major nanofabrication facilities of international standards at the two institutions and providing a catalyst for ambitious research initiatives in the area of nanoelectronics. Within a short span of five years, state-of-the-art facilities in nanoelectronics have been set up and used by a large number of faculty and students at the two Institutes as well as researchers from other institutions under the satellite “Indian Nanoelectronics Users’ Programme”. Significant research output as well as training of manpower has been accomplished in this project during a relatively very short span of time. These centres have attracted international attention and talent (as faculty) to these institutions and have become “Centres of Excellence in Nanoelectronics”. This project has provided confidence that academic organizations can take up large R&D projects effectively and has become a model project for funding of large R&D projects by other Government departments and organizations at academic institutions.
Centres of Excellence in Nanoelectronics Phase II
Based on the experience and success of the phase I project, the phase II project at a cost of Rs. 146.91 Cr was initiated in December 2011 for execution by IIT Bombay and IISc over a period of 5 years. While the previous project was largely focused on infrastructure creation for nanoelectronics research, the Phase II project focuses on research in frontier areas of nanoelectronics, technology generation, closer interaction with industries for commercialization and scaled up effort in high quality R&D manpower generation.
Nanoelectronics Centres at IIT Delhi, IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur
Inspired by the success of the Nanoelectronics Centres project at IIT Bombay and IISc, setting up of 3 more Nanoelectronics centres has been taken up by the Department of IT at IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, Chennai and IIT Kharagpur on different aspects of Nanoelectronics.
R&D Projects
In addition to establishing Centres, several small and medium scale projects have also been initiated for capacity building for R&D in the areas of nano materials, nano devices, nano subsystem and nano systems at various institutions across India including Indian Institutes of Technology at New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Roorkee, IISc Bangalore, C-MET Pune, CEERI Pilani, CSIO Chandigarh, Jadavpur University Kolkata, Jamia Milia Islamia, Visvevaraya Institute of Technology Nagpur etc. The specific R&D areas included Nano silver oxide, nano-particles of noble and transition medals, nano-sized metals/metal oxide/metal nitrides, nanocrystalline silicon MEMS Pressure Sensor, technology for quantum structures, organic thin film transistors, quantum-well infrared photodetectors, Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) for targeted drug delivery, tin oxide powder and tin oxide thin films for gas sensing, CNTs for field emission devices, simulation of Nanoscale MOSFETs, Nanosized SiC based quantum structures, Quantum-semiconductor-glass-nanocomposites, porous silicon for sensing of gas and biological spices, simulation of nano-devices,oxide based functional thin film nano-structures for Spintronics and quantum informatics, GaN, InGaN based quantum dots for LEDs, Nano silver oxide doped/ mixed with gold and copper for ultra high density storage devices, III/ V compound semiconductor based quantum dots technology, wide band gap semiconductors nanostructured materials and devices, semiconducting Single Wall Carbon Nano Tubes (SWCNTs), CNTs based Gas sensor and Multi-functional magnetic nano particulates for cancer therapy.
Nanometrology
In order to implement the Nanoelectronics development program successfully, nanometrology (science of measurement at nanoscales) is also an requirement. The general trend towards increased miniaturization in manufacturing to micro to nano is not simply a scale problem, but involves facing new physics.
A project has been taken up at National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi to address the issues of nanometrology by establishing a National nanometorlogy laboratory. This laboratory provides calibration and traceability for physical dimensions like linewidth, step height, surface texture and calibration of electrical parameters like low voltages in nanovolts, low currents in picoamperes, electric charge in femtocoulombs (fC). It is expected to cater to the nanoscale measurements for various industrial applications including automotive, biomedical and semiconductor industry.
Indian Nanoelectronics User Program
The Indian Nanoelectronics User Program (INUP) has been conceived and initiated by the Department of IT to facilitate and support generation in India of expertise and knowledge in nanoelectronics through participation and utilization of the facilities established at the Centres of Excellence in Nanoelectronics at IISc, Bangaluru and IIT Bombay, Mumbai by external users from academia, R&D institutions and Industry. The INUP program aims to:
Impart hands-on training in nanoelectronics to researchers from other institutions in the country and help train researchers in Nanoelectronics. Users from academic, research and industrial R&D institutions are trained through this project at three levels.
Short-term workshops to disseminate the outcome of the research activities. These workshops are also expected to provide exposure and awareness.
Hands-on training for selected researchers.
Execution of collaborative research projects by external users by providing support for fabrication and expert guidance.
Assist in the initiation of research in nanoelectronics at various institutions in the country by enabling the execution of the work of external users at these centres.
Collaborate with research teams at various Indian organizations and develop joint projects in nanoelectronics.
Provide a platform for researchers in Naoelectronics to come together and benefit from complementary expertise.
To generate more than 750 trained students, professional scientists and engineers etc., at various levels and take up about 40 research projects in Nanoelectronics.
The INUP has been utilized by researchers and engineers from academia, R&D organizations and industry. More than 110 R&D projects from more than 100 external organizations across the country have been taken up so far under INUP. About 1150 researchers and students from across India have been trained through INUP.
Patents, Publications
More than 500 articles have been published and more than 20 patents have been filed in the projects initiated under this programme.
Industry Participation and Commercialization
While initiatives have already been taken for establishing the R&D infrastructure for Nanoelectronics, the focus of programme is now progressively leaning to technology transfer, product development and commercialization. A startup company viz. Nanosniff has been incubated at IIT Bombay for product development. A mechanism for incubation of startup companies and commercialization of technologies is being contemplated by the Department of IT in collaboration with other organizations. (PIB Feature).

Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/research-dev-in-nanoelectronics/

Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with the Centre – IBNLive.com

IBNLive.com PTI | 05:05 PM,May 19,2012 Shillong, May 19 (PTI) The issue of child soldiers… more »

IBNLive.com

PTI | 05:05 PM,May 19,2012 Shillong, May 19 (PTI) The issue of child soldiers being used by militant outfits in Meghalaya and Manipur would be taken up with the Centre by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
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Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with Centre – Zee News

Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with CentreZee NewsShillong: The issue of child soldiers being used by militant outfits in Meghalaya and Manipur would be taken up with the Centre by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. "We wi…

Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with Centre
Zee News
Shillong: The issue of child soldiers being used by militant outfits in Meghalaya and Manipur would be taken up with the Centre by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. "We will take suo moto cognisance and raise the issue with the union …

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Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with Centre – Zee News

Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with the Centre – IBNLive.com

Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with the CentreIBNLive.comPTI | 05:05 PM,May 19,2012 Shillong, May 19 (PTI) The issue of child soldiers being used by militant outfits in Meghalaya and Manipur would be taken up with the Centre by National Commiss…

Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with the Centre
IBNLive.com
PTI | 05:05 PM,May 19,2012 Shillong, May 19 (PTI) The issue of child soldiers being used by militant outfits in Meghalaya and Manipur would be taken up with the Centre by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

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Issue of child soldiers to be taken up with the Centre – IBNLive.com

Why Tibet Matters

By Bianca Jagger (Founder and Chair, Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation) His Holiness the… more »

By Bianca Jagger

(Founder and Chair, Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in London today to receive the Templeton Prize in recognition of his outstanding achievements and spiritual wisdom.

Tibet has a long-standing connection to Britain. Prior to the Chinese invasion in 1949-50, Britain was the only country to formally recognize Tibet as an independent nation. British representatives were stationed in Lhasa from 1904 to 1947 to liaise with the Tibetan government. In 1949 the newly-victorious leader of the China Communist Party Mao Zedong announced, over the radio waves, his intention to “liberate” Tibet from this “foreign imperialism.”

Over the past 60 years, Tibet has been anything but “liberated” by the Chinese Communist Party.

On the 10th of May I delivered two reports to 10 Downing Street. The reports, by the Society for Threatened People and the International Campaign for Tibet, document the devastating impact of Chinese Communist Party rule in Tibet.

I appealed to Prime Minister David Cameron to support the Tibetans at this critical time in their struggle.

In recent months we have seen harrowing images and footage of Tibetans who have set fire to themselves as a form of protest. Since February, 2009, 35 Tibetans have sacrificed themselves, in an act of desperation, which emerges from the anguish of oppression. Tibetans who have self-immolated include monks, nuns, a 19-year old female student, a widowed mother of four, and a Tibetan reincarnate lama in his forties.

This is one of the most significant waves of self-immolation for the past 60 years, eclipsing the number of self-immolation protests by Vietnamese monks, those associated with the Vietnam War and the pro-democracy movement in South Korea.

The Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn has observed, “To burn oneself by fire is to prove that what one is saying is of the utmost importance.”

Although we do not know the last words of all the Tibetans who have poured kerosene over themselves and lit a match, we do know that most have died offering prayers for the Dalai Lama to return home, and for freedom in Tibet.

It is time for us to listen to what Tibetans inside Tibet are saying. It is time for the international community to listen to them and to act.

Over the past four years, the Chinese government has engaged in a comprehensive cover-up of the torture, disappearances and killings that have taken place across Tibet. They have engaged upon a virulent propaganda offensive against the Dalai Lama.

On the international stage, Beijing has subverted and politicized international forums where its human rights record has been challenged and refused to answer legitimate questions from governments about the use of lethal force against unarmed protestors, or the welfare of individual detainees.

Over the past 60 years, the Chinese government has instituted increasingly hard line policies that undermine Tibetan culture and religion. The Tibetan people have been denied freedom of expression. Their language has been downgraded. And their economic resources have been misappropriated by the Chinese state, with increasing numbers of Chinese migrants moving to the Tibetan plateau.

China`s economic strategies are literally re-shaping the Tibetan landscape and endangering the fragile ecosystem of the world`s largest and highest altitude plateau. The survival of one of the world`s only remaining systems of sustainable pastoralism is under threat, as nomads are being displaced from their ancestral lands and settled into remote concrete encampments under an urbanization drive.

Why should Tibet matter? It matters because of the terrible suffering of its people, and because of the need for this ancient religion and the Tibetan cultural identity to survive. This is a culture based on the concepts of wisdom, compassion and inter-dependence. These are valuable teachings for the Tibetan people, and for the world.

The survival of Tibet is not just a moral issue. The country is situated in a strategic geopolitical position, between two nuclear giants, India and China. The future of Tibet is tied to Asian and international security.

Tibet is known as the earth`s `Third Pole`, with the largest supply of fresh water in the world outside the two Poles. Most of Asia`s major rivers have their sources in Tibet, meaning that development policies, damming and land degradation in Tibet can affect hundreds of millions of people elsewhere. China cannot claim that Tibet is their `internal affair.`

This is a critical year for China. Divisions in the Chinese Communist Party have been exposed amidst a new clamor for genuine reform. At this historic juncture the international community should be actively engaged in finding a solution to the crisis in Tibet.

In our letter to David Cameron, we urged him to lead a multilateral effort in support of Tibet. The UK government should coordinate its efforts with other like-minded countries and call on the Chinese government to review the policies towards Tibetans that are the root cause of the self-immolations, the ongoing tensions and unrest, and which are threatening the unique culture, religion, and identity of the Tibetan people. The UK government, together with the European Commission should maintain and where possible expand targeted programmatic assistance for Tibetans including support for sustainable, culturally appropriate development assistance to Tibetan communities; educational and cultural exchange programs targeted to Tibetans both in Tibet and in exile.

Amnesty has also requested that the Chinese government allow independent monitors, for instance the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, into the country.

The international community should engage in regular dialogue with Tibetan representatives, including the Dalai Lama and his representatives, and Lobsang Sangay, the new Tibetan Prime Minister in exile, to address the immediate crisis in Tibet.

I urge President Obama to take concrete steps to demonstrate his commitment to the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people, and stand by his words of January 19th 2011, when he professed `America`s fundamental commitment to the universal rights of all people. That includes basic human rights like freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association and demonstration, and of religion — rights that are recognized in the Chinese constitution… Even as we, the United States, recognize that Tibet is part of the People`s Republic of China, the United States continues to support further dialogue between the government of China and the representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve concerns and differences, including the preservation of the religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people.`

The religious and cultural identity of the Tibetan people is under threat in Tibet today. The Tibetans are standing up to the vast and expanding power of the Chinese state with nonviolent resistance through religious practice, song, literature, and even self-immolation. They are struggling to preserve their religion and cultural identity. As a consequence they are subjected to imprisonment, torture, deprivation and worse. Yet they persevere. Their bravery should serve as a call to action. I call upon the international community to act now on behalf of Tibet. Time is running out. The very survival of the Tibetan people hangs in the balance.

Bianca Jagger is Founder and Chair of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, Council of Europe Goodwill Ambassador, Member of the Executive Director`s Leadership Council of Amnesty International, USA, and Member of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/why-tibet-matters/

Army 10 plus2 Technical Entry for PSC Officers

28th 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) Course Commencing from January 2013 Applications are invited from… more »

28th 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) Course Commencing from January 2013

Applications are invited from unmarried male who have passed 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics subjects and fulfill the eligibility conditions for the grant of Permanent Commission (PSC) in the Indian Army.

Posts : 85 posts
Qualification : 10+2 (PCM) with 70% marks.
Age : 16 and half to 19 and half years i.e. born between 01 July 1993 and and 01 July 1996 (both days inclusive)
Physical Standard: min. height 152 cm and weight 42 kg., better eye 6/6 and worst eye 6/18
Type of Commission : On successful completion of 4 years of the course cadets will be granted Permanent Commission in the Army in the rank of Lt. in Arms/Services as per discretion of Army Hq.
Pay Scale : Candidates will be entitled to pay sclae of Rs.15600-39100 plus Grade Pay Rs.5400 plus MSP Rs.6000 and other allowances.

Method of Selection: Only selected (shortlisted) candidates will be called for Service Selection Board (SSB) interview at Allahabad, Bhopal and Bangalore for fives selection process in Aug/Sep. In which candidates will be put through Psychological test, Group Test and Interview.

How to Apply: Apply Online at Indian Army website http://joinindianarmy.nic.in (Officer’s->How to Apply–>ONLINE APPLICATION) from 22/05/2012 to 02/02/2012. Take a print out of the system generated to “Additional Directorate General of Recruiting (Rtg-6), TES Section, West Block-III, R.K.Puram, New Delhi-110066″ to reach by 10/07/2012.

Further detail regarding this entry scheme can be seen at http://www.joinindianarmy.nic.in (in Permanent Commission and the look of this advt. and online submission is available in What’s New section).

Details are also available at http://indianarmy.nic.in/.

Is The Indian Army Competent To Receive And Use `Special Powers`? (kanglaonline.com)

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/05/army-10-plus2-technical-entry-for-psc-officers/

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