Burma in need of press freedom

Burma military Generals have changed their robes to democracy but the country is in need of Media freedom which is core of democracy.Peoples of Burma on World Press Freedom Day is being watched by the world, Myanmar journalists claim Burma’s new government has not ushered in freedom of the press but superficial change is in the air.United Nations declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness about press freedom and remind all governments about the need for a free press.

Burma media REPORTS,in for strict censorship and under the new government of President Thein Sein, the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division (PSRD) under the Information Ministry recently lifted censorship of some journals and eased their tight control over media coverage of certain subjects.The Burmese authorities allow the publishing of private weekly journals but not private daily newspapers. All private journals have to pass articles through a censorship board led by military officers prior to publication. But as an experienced editor of a private journal told Mizzima, there has recently been a slight relaxation of censorship.Earlier, the board imposed strict censorship on news and articles that included criticism of the education and health care systems, and the problems faced by farmers. Now, the board has eased up a little.

‘Currently, we can use screaming headlines’, the editor said. ‘It’s been a long time since the censor board warned and ordered the editors to sign pledges. So, we feel relatively comfortable. The change is really obvious’.

Earlier, many reporters were routinely picked up and interrogated for taking news photographs. Now, taking news photographs and conducting interviews are relatively free, according to the editor.

Not everyone agrees. Another editor Mizzima talked to said there has been no signal for a free press.‘We still do not have freedom of press’, he said. When journalists collected information from government ministries last month, they faced strict restrictions.‘There is no obvious change. Change may occur gradually’, the editor said.

There are small signs of change in freedom of the press in Burma, but as long as there is a press censorship board the press will not be free, say journalists. Photo: Mizzima

There are small signs of change in freedom of the press in Burma, but as long as there is a press censorship board the press will not be free, say journalists. Photo: Mizzima
Few are old enough to remember a free press. After General Ne Win seized power in a coup in 1962, the Printers and Publishers Registration Law was imposed, coupled with censorship laws enacted during the British colonial. These laws are still in effect.

A recent report compiled by the US democracy and rights watchdog Freedom House said that Burma remained on the list of the 10 worst countries for violating media freedom, near North Korea at the bottom. At least 17 journalists were in prison in Burma at the end of 2010, according to Freedom House. Most of them were charged under the Electronics Act, The Printers and Publishers Registration Law, The Emergency Provision Act and The State Protection Act.

Journalists in Burma have to work under difficult circumstances and have to act with care if they are not to fall foul of the draconian laws.

Just after pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi was released from house arrest at the end of 2010, news about her was allowed to be published in local journals, but later news on her actions was effectively banned.

Only last week, the censor board allowed some journals to publish photos of Aung San Suu Kyi at a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Free Funeral Service Society led by former actor, Kyaw Thu. But, the name of Kyaw Thu was not allowed to be mentioned in the news.

For published news on the serious outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, which had been already reported by state-run newspapers, journalists did not need approval, but for news about border trade and import and export, journalists need approval from the Commerce Ministry.

‘Although there is no threat to journalists, editorial teams need to sign a pledge if something is allegedly wrong. Anyway, the number of those cases is less than before. In fact, this is the result of journalists’ utmost caution’, one editor told Mizzima.

When reporters conduct interviews with government officials, they need to show the transcripts to the officials and seek approval from them prior to submitting the stories to the censor board.

When we conduct interview with the officials, they used to talk freely. But, when we show the transcripts to them, sometimes they want to modify them’, said one editor.

If a journal publishes an article that does not get the clearance of the censor board, the authorities often threaten the editors, and the editors need to sign pledges. Then the journal will be suspended for at least two weeks.

Political subjects are difficult to report on. In 2007, when the Saffron Revolution occurred in Burma as a result of a fuel price hike, the news was not allowed to be published in local journals, according to an editor. Restrictions were also tight over what could be reported before, during and after the 2010 election.

On the other hand, a reporter said that over the last three months, they did not need to seek approval from government ministries if the sources were reliable.

The PSRD director, Tint Swe, told Flower News Journal that the new government would relax the censorship in accordance with the constitution.

media-freedom3Although the authorities recently said that publications focusing on sport, entertainment, general knowledge, health, children’s literature, the supernatural and technology do not need to submit stories to the censor board, they still have had to submit them so far.

Since early 2011, the censor board lifted restrictions on the publication of some important news, which can be useful for people, according to another editor. He told Mizzima that this was very obvious in April.

‘As a local journalist, the current situation is not bad. But, there are still restrictions because we still have a censor board. So, we cannot enjoy complete freedom of the press. But, we can see a little improvement’, the editor said.

Another editor said that although the censor board lifted some restrictions on the local journals, the overseas Burmese news agencies would not decline in importance because the local journals still need to present manuscripts to the censor board and that caused a delay in the reporting processes.

‘Often, the overseas news agencies can publish a scoop before the local journals because we need to pass the censor board. In my opinion, some restrictions on local journals have been lifted because the new government wants to show some changes’, the editor said.

The process is laboured. The manuscripts must be saved as PDF files and then the PDF files and four hard copies of the manuscripts need to be submitted to the censor board. About three days after the copies have been submitted, the publication can be published, an editor said.

‘A member of staff from the censor board will say which pages need to be removed or sources need to be mentioned in some news. Then, the local journal needs to modify the manuscripts in accordance with the censor board’s instructions. Then, the front cover needs to be submitted to the censor board again. At that time, we don’t need to submit the contents of other pages. Then we need to wait three days’.

The censor board is just one of the challenges faced by journalists in Burma.

Some journalists have been imprisoned for reporting for overseas news agencies. And some have been imprisoned for their alleged political actions.

Hla Hla Win and Ngwe Soe Lin from the Norway-based Democratic Voice of Burma have been sentenced to 27 years and 13 years in prison respectively under The Electronics Act, The Video Act and The Emergency Provision Act.

Although the new President Thein Sein said in his presidential acceptance speech that the media is very important in a democratic country, Burma still has many restrictions on the media.

Reporters and editors that Mizzima talked to said they could see some changes, but that it is too early to judge the new government because it only came to power a month ago.

One female journalist said, ‘We will neither criticize the political system nor the government leaders. But, if we can freely give opinions about the education system, the health care system and other important things, it would be good’.

She said that only if there is no censor board could they talk about press freedom.

But, she said, ‘We can do better than before and difficulties have decreased in number because the censor board has lifted some restrictions’.

When it comes to press freedom, no Burmese journalists are holding their breath, but there is some hope that certain restrictions will ease.

PGTI Feeder Tour 2011 starts Rambagh Golf Club Jaipur

PGTI Feeder Tour 2011 gets underway with opening event in Jaipur and Seven events in 2011 with prize purse of Rs. 6 lakh each:Jaipur, May 2, 2011: The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) will stage the opening event of its Feeder Tour for 2011 at the Rambagh Golf Club, Jaipur, from 3-5 May, 2011. The Feeder Tour is set to stage seven tournaments in the 2011 season. Each tournament on the Feeder Tour will boast a prize money of Rs. 6 lakh. These tournaments will have a maximum field of 90 players and will be played over three rounds of 18 holes each with the cut being applied after 36 holes.
Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “The prize purse for each event on the 2011 Feeder Tour has been raised to Rs. 6 lakh, and two top-60 order of merit players will now be allowed to play in the Feeder Tour events. The objective is to make the tour more competitive and help raise the level at this stage. We are confident that the Feeder Tour will provide an ideal platform for the budding talent in the country. I would like to thank the Rambagh Golf Club, Jaipur for partnering with us in our efforts to help build a solid foundation for the sport in the country and am confident of similar support from other clubs across India.”

A call for constitution reform

My dear friends,
I have given a call for constitution reform I am not a Anna or Baba
Ram deo, The fight against corruption will be flop with time, because
only Lokayukta bill is not sufficient, it will be according to the
constitution, which we have adopted after indepence, when India was
immature republic, People were suffering from povert and iliteracy.
Now India is mature republic and people have awaken for their right.
Now we are not shephard whom any one can drive in one direction.
We have been taught that Aryan came from out side, and Vedic hymns are
shephard's song?
Accordingly, Hindu and muslim conflict has been raised with conspiracy
of the British rulers. The political parties have compromised with
this on the name of vote bank under secularism. Although India is
secular from time immemorial under 'eternal religion' Hindu is term
for Indians only, It is not a ritualistic religion as compared to the
Christian or Muslim, On the name of the so called 'Hindu religion' the
Britishers have divided India and Indians. The political parties have
compromized with this to rule over the country. The politicians are
actual rulers now, why they will try to bring the truth in light?
Their base of vote bank is secularism - Dharma-nirpekshata and
Hindutva, both are only the weapon to attract the vote bank with false
notions.
Accordingly lord Mcalley has given the education policy and British
Govt. has constututed the constitution, which we have adopted after
independence. In this refrence we are still mental slave of the
Btritishers? We have not taken the cogninzence of this, and could not
find the solution for national integrity and ethics. Under
Parliamentary democracy and bureaucracy the corruption has spread in
all direction. First Indians should know their great cultural
heritage, than the constitution reform should be there. Otherwise
mushroom groth of political parties to cash the corruption issue of
Anna and Baba Ramdeo will be the issues of the political parties also
for the vote bank. Again we will be on same platform, Govt. of any
party or allience will rule over the country with divide and rule
policy.
We should prepare the public for the presidential system of Govt. with
lesser political parties with international and national ethics.
The Antiquity of India in Vedic Science

Dr. C.P. Trivedi

Why we need a constitution reform?

Dear friends, fellow son’s and daughter’s of India,

Why we need a constitution reform? The question may be in your mind.
Please read it seriously and you will realize the need of constitution
reform.

We have been taught that Arya came from out side and Hindu is a
religion, The Vedas are songs of the shephards? We are moving round
the same unknowingly.

The most important branches of any country are education, medical, and
judiciary, they form the back bone of a Nation, In India, the
education Institutes, Medical, and judiciary are in the sphere of
corruption.
Otherwise the 10 % commission is a culture of scam and corruption
every where, which has taken a shape just like a legal right every
where. It is managed by the caucus in the different departments.
Its full burden is on the Indian public, we all are the victims of the
same, and our future generation also will face the same.

India is passing through a crucial period with scams and corruption.
To blame any one is a political conspiracy, because no one can say
that he is not corrupt, as a voter in democracy we all are part in
background. India is a mature republic in the world with great
cultural heritage. When the constitution was framed India was immature
republic, people were suffering from poverty, illiteracy and communal
tension due to bifurcation of India on the name of so called hindu
religion.

Now India is mature responsible democratic country in the world, the
public is mature and mostly literate with their integrity in the
nation. Now the facts which we have acquired that ‘Hindu is not a
religion from remote past, it was a fabricated word of foreigners.

India is secular under ‘eternal religion’ from time immemorial with
spiritual freedom, so secularism should be redefined.
The Vedas are the oldest literary monuments of the human civilization
on the earth. They were beyond the reach of the scholars. And with
the discovery of Ancient Indus Valley Civilization by Sir John
Marshal, it has been concluded that Aryans came from out side, and the
Vedic hymns are barbarian shephard’s songs? Bcause Indus Valley was
scientifically developed and Indian rural culture was not in tune with
scientifically developed Indus Valley.
Now the seals have been deciphered and the Vedic hymns have been
decoded. It reveals the fact that Vedic metaphors have been engraved
on the seals. They explore their scientific achievements in the field
of ‘Biotechnology’ and DNA in particular, with its scientific literary
evidences in the Vedic hymns.

Now we have the answer that Vedas are the books of Science, where
The knowledge has been expressed in metaphors and riddles.
The Aryan means well cultured, the Aryans are native of India. Hindu
is not a religion as advocated by the foreigners.

We should avoid to blame particularly to Honourable Man Mohan Singh or
Sonia Gandhi, Dr.Man Mohan Singh is a honest man and Mrs. Sonia is
serving like Anny Bessent, they are serving the nation with their
limitations, and the backbone of the congress and the India at
present. Otherwise mushroom growth of the political parties may have
done havoc.

If we want to remove them from the power is only to give way for other
(UPA OR NDA). It will not solve the problem? To rule over the country
is their motto, on the name of secularism or on the name of Hindu?
They are doing their job following British conspiracy to divide and
rule after independence.

The main cause of corruption and scam is parliamentary democracy and
the present bureaucratic system. Under this the system of education is
responsible for the present situation of chaos in India, no ethics, no
regards for the Indian culture and human values.

It is not out of way to explore that the main principle of congress is
secularism, and Hindu agenda is the principle of BJP. “ the Hindu is
not a religion” on which ground secularism and Hindutva are Political
slogan on the name of minority and majority. Due to this the
minorities and low caste have been considered as foreigners, so as to
satisfy them with reservation? It is a vote bank policy only.
The demand of the resignation of the PM, or inquiry by JPC are only to
divert the public from the root cause of the scam, and its
beneficiaries. The demand of Lok Ayukta bill is a mirage to check the
corruption, it may be a political movement to acquire power in the
centre.
The eternal truth is one and the same for all. It is not a illusion.
The same is the Creator as Universal Soul, and the consciousness in
the physical body is known as Soul. The fundamental energy, from where
the creation came into the existence, to it the scientists call as
Gravitational force is the eternal truth of all religion.
The basic fact of all Religion

The God and Soul is a scientific fact. We can not divide it with name.
The fundamental energy - gravitational force is the omnipotent,
omnipresent, omniscient God and Soul of the religious scriptures. The
life energy known as gravitational force, appears at its own with the
movement of the sap in the cell body in the first cell with birth. It
maintains its continuity with cell division. With ageing and death of
the physical cell body, it disappears at its own.

The concept of the Religious scriptures that one has to face the
consequences of his deeds is also having a scientific base. The DNA is
universally present in the living-beings. It records the deeds of an
individual in its language code. The DNA is immortal through cell
division. Accordingly one has to face the consequences of his deeds
with opening of the language on the DNA in the womb. Accordingly under
the laws of God and Soul, an individual lead a new life with birth,
with repercussions of his deeds of his previous birth. It is known as
fate or Prarabdh. Due to this even the time twins have different
fate.
At cellular level we all are related with each other with common
ancestry in DNA.
A call for the constitution reform is the need of our nation.

Dr.C.P.Trivedi

A call for the constitution reform is the need of our nation. The
needed reforms.



1. We all should come forward unanimously for the amendment in the
constitution that “ The eternal truth is one and the same for all, we
trust in it.” So that in future no such problem can be raised.
Secularism should be redefined with reference to ‘eternal religion’
Hindu is not a religion in remote past. It is a foreigner’s slogan.
India has a caste based society. The spiritual freedom is the identity
of India.

2. India should switch over to Presidential system of Govt. from
Parliamentary system. The religious conversion is motivated by the
vote bank policy, it influences the local elections of the Member of
parliament, hence the political parties either support or oppose it.
It can be checked by the Presidential system, and direct voting for
the President and C.M of the state. It can check the mushroom growth
of the political parties also, who have no national agenda.
3. To stop the corruption and scam, there must be a law to acquire and
seize the property of culprits immediately with imprisonment.
4. The 2G scam has shaken the country , it require nationalization of
the telecommunication sectors immediately to check the movement.
5. To recover the black money the 500/ and 1000/ currency should be
cancelled with immediate effect.

Keep in mind that all political parties will be against this? Shri
Anna Hazare should prepare the Indians for constitution reforms, not
only for ‘Lok Ayukta bill’ only. Lok Ayukta bill may be political
agenda of the politicians. If system will be changed than the foreign
money will come back to India easily with restoration of ethics.

Dr.C.P.Trivedi

Karan Thapar interview with Dr. Subramanian Swamy

Thapar: Let’s come to some of the anomalies of the situation. We are all praising the way the Supreme Court has reached out and brought people to justice or is beginning the process. But there are some anomalies. For instance, if three top people from Reliance are arrested and jailed, is it odd that Anil Ambani is not touched at all?

Swamy: It’s not odd because it’s a question of sequencing. I think our judicial system has a capacity. We have many chargesheets coming and it’s not necessary that they should be in the first chargesheet or second chargesheet. I think the evidence gets built when you start putting the people who did the nitty-gritty of the operations and then get evidence from them. I think it will lead to a situation and I am 100% certain that Mr Anil Ambani and Mr Tata will see the insides of a jail.
Thapar: You are sure of that?
Swamy: I am absolutely certain.
Thapar: It’s so important things that I am going to repeat it, it will lead to a situation where you are 100% certain that Anil Ambani and Ratan Tata will see the inside of a jail.
Swamy: Yes.
Thapar: Not as visitors, but as people who are arrested?
Swamy: Certainly not as visitors, maybe you as visitor, but not them.
Thapar: Let me quote to you what Prashant Bhushan said in the Supreme Court yesterday and I am quoting from today’s Times of India, “How is it possible in a situation where Reliance’s finances over Rs 1,000 crore in Swan and it is hived off to Shahid Balwa’s firm and only three paid employees of Reliance were involved? The person, who is the Chairman of the company, holds the key to investigation into the Swan-Reliance muddle.” Prashant Bhushan was arguing in the Supreme Court that in fact Anil Ambani on these grounds should be arrested. How do you respond to that?
Ranina: I won’t say with any certainty. But I think there is a strong possibility. As far as Ratan Tata is concerned, I think maybe it’s a separate issue because he is more involved in so many other matters and one has to prove that he was privy to the decision that was taken for such type of investment. So, it’s a matter of fact, it’s a matter of going into the evidence.
Thapar: If I understand you correctly, you are saying it’s a strong possibility in the case of Anil Ambani. You are not so sure in the case of Ratan Tata. Have I summed you up correctly?
Ranina: Yes, that’s right.

Statement of Dr. Subramanian Swamy on draft Report of the PAC

April 27, 2011.





Statement of Dr. Subramanian Swamy,

President of the Janata Party.

I fully endorse and welcome the draft Report of the Public Accounts Committee prepared under the Chairmanship of the former Union Minister Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi.


The principal conclusions of the draft PAC Report are –


(1) that the bureaucrats of the PMO failed to keep the Prime Minister in the loop on the process of decision making by the Ministry of Communications & IT; (2) the Finance Minister (Mr. P. Chidambaram) and the Telecom Minister (Mr. Raja) erroneously decided the price of Spectrum at the very low price of 2001, and that it is a complex subject and hence in future it should be left to the TRAI; (3) that the Government should cancel all the 2G licenses so far allotted to nine companies since January 10, 2008.


These three conclusions are what I had argued in the Supreme Court wherein I held the Prime Minister as a powerless person but not culpable in the 2G Scam; (2) that Mr. P. Chidambaram is as culpable in causing the loss to the nation of Rs.l.76 lakh crores as Mr. Raja was and who has already been indicted for and is in prison; (3) that all the 2G licenses should be cancelled forthwith and fresh auction be held for the same.



( SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY )

SIO DEMANDS A FIRM STAND ON BAN AGAINST ENDOSULFAN

New Delhi (26.04.2010): The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) demanded a strong and firm stand from the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh in favour of the ban on ‘endosulfan’ at the current meeting of the Stockholm Convention.

The Secretary General of SIO, PM Salih was addressing a gathering during the anti-endosulfan demonstration at Jantar Mantar after the protest march from Kerala House to Jantar Mantar. He expressed surprise and grief that though majority countries during the 6th Meeting of Stockholm Convention called for a ban on Endosulfan, India opposed this move. Salih reiterated, “More than 80 coun tries in the world today have banned the manufacture, sales and use of endosulfan due to its ill effects, but India is yet to take a decision.” He further said, “We demand that the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh should take a firm stand and favour the ban of endosulfan”.


Prof. A.K. Ramakrishnan, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Rama Pillai from the Greenpeace Foundation, Mohd. Akhlaq of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Ravi Agarwal from Toxicon Link, Adv Shakir Jamil, Adila Shoaib, P.K. Noufal of the Solidarity Youth Movement, Kerala and Anis-ur-Rahman, Zonal President, SIO Delhi Zone spoke at the occasion.


A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister alongwith 1 lakh signatures collected from the Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia by Thanima Kala Samskarika Vedi in favour of banning Endosulfan. The protest was jointly organized by Solidarity Youth Movement - Kerala, Students Islamic Organisation of India, Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Delhi Malayali Solidarity, etc.


--

Fali S. Nariman:Nothing will be done unless “Civil Society” takes it up.

When asked why the two days conference at India international center didn’t talk about the effectiveness of the Lok Pal to ensure restitution of monies stacked abroad?

In my stint in the Rajya Sabha I had repeatedly drawn attention of the Government benches, of the huge amounts stacked abroad and the need to do something about it. Everyone congratulated me on the intervention but nothing was done. In one of my speeches I had also suggested nationalisation of all accounts held in Swiss Banks with a provision that moneys legitimately there would be paid back by the Custodian of the nationalised accounts in Banks in Switzerland to the holders – It was met with silence. But there was no positive response from the Government (neither the BJP Government nor the UPAI Government.

So take heart NOTHING WILL BE DONE – unless the wow-much maligned expression “Civil Society” takes it up.

Fali S. Nariman

Civil Society Draft of Lok pal Bill Round table discussion

The major points agreed up on in this meeting is

1 ) Judiciary should be probed equally but under another independent arm but not as part of Lokpal. Agreed unanimously.
2 ) On including PM the board was divided
3 ) Every higher authority should come under its purview.

Even the educated/aware crowd being susceptible to rhetoric instead of substance is very disheartening.

--Kapil

Save Maharashtra from being a Chernobyl: SIO

New Delhi (24.04.2011): The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) standing in solidarity with the mass movement of the people of Jaitapur and Maharashtra has demanded to the Government of India to ‘Save Maharashtra from being a Chernobyl’.
The President of SIO, Mohd. Azharuddin Said, “the nation has seen the effects of the worst of chemical disasters in the country as an aftermath of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, from which the city is yet to recover. We do not wish for any such calamities and disasters for our brethren. It would be genocide if the Government of India would implement its decisions knowing the impacts of the emergency situation. We demand that Maharashtra be saved from being the next Chernobyl of the world.”
The activists sharing their concerns pointed towards the vast agricultural land that is acquired to build the project. Also the fear of contamination of the water table is a major concern amongst the activists opposing the Jaitapur Nuclear project.
In wake of the catastrophic accident at Fukushima, Japan which has unfolded the disasters of nuclear plants in times of emergency, SIO alongwith other organizations is demanding scrapping of the plans to set up nuclear power plants across the country and instead harvest the fruits of eco-friendly resources of energy.
The Fukushima accident has forced the Japanese government to evacuate an area of 20 kms from the plant; while the US has recommended an 80-km no-go zone to its citizens. Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated; the number could cross a few lakhs. The Japanese government has increased the severity of the accident to the highest level of seven, the same level as that of Chernobyl. The Chernobyl accident seriously contaminated an area as big as Maharashtra.
While four lakh people were evacuated, the many millions who continue to live in this region know that they are forever contaminated, that they could develop cancer anytime, that their children and grand children and great grand children could be born with severe birth defects. However, the government of India is hell-bent on pursuing its nuclear power expansion program, including setting up a string of nuclear plants all along India's coast. The biggest of these is coming up in the earthquake-prone region of Jaitapur, in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

Lokpal bill to be enacted soon: Moily

(PTI) Eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan today refused to comment on the CD controversy which has led to a certain section demand his resignation from the joint committee to draft the Lokpal Bill."I do not want to give any interview. I don't want to talk (on the issue)," Bhushan said when reporters asked him for comments on the CD controversy.
Law Minister M Veerappa Moily today said the proposed Lokpal bill will be enacted soon.Inaugurating a convention of Southern State Advocates and Human Rights? Delegates, he declined to comment further on the issue.

He said speedy redress of cases was still a major challenge before the judiciary. To tackle this problem, the Union Government has decided to establish rural and mobile courts at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore each and Rs 935 crore will be released for setting up e-courts.

He also said more lawyers will be recruited to all courts in the state.

The convention was organised here jointly by Legal and Human Rights? Department and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

Shanti Bhushan :Smear Capaign continues

(PTI) A fresh controversy involving anti-corruption campaigner Shanti Bhushan broke out today over allotment of priced farmhouse plots to him and his son Jayant in nearby Noida and demands have cropped for the lawyer's resignation from the joint committee to draft the Lokpal Bill.Prashant termed it smear campaign to malign their family.

Congress and Samajwadi Party questioned the allotment of farmhouses to Bhushans and suggested that Shanti Bhushan should withdraw himself from the Joint Committee to draft Lokpal Bill.The controversy arose after reports were published today that the Bhushans has been allotted 10,000 sq metre plots valued at Rs 3.5 crore each to them by the UP government in 2009.Both the Bhushans were quoted in a newspaper that there was no transparency in the scheme and allotments were made without any clear criterion.
Amar Singh contradicts Shanti Bhushan's claim said in the continuing war of words with the Bhushans, Amar Singh today dismissed the claim of eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan that the two have never met and that he had used his chartered aircraft to go to Lucknow for appearing in a case.

Addressing a press conference here, he said that he had participated in a lawyer-client conference in the Samajwadi Party case when some BSP MLAs had joined it in 2006, in which he had a role.The party also paid the lawyer Rs 50 lakh to fight the anti-defection case.PTI

Jyrki Katainen PM contenders Finns Nationalist party gains

Nationalist True Finns make gains in Finland vote and True Finns leader Timo Soini celebrates with supporters at the party's reception in Helsinki, Finland, 17 April 2011 Timo Soini's True Finns have more than quadrupled their support since 2007.

A nationalist party has taken nearly a fifth of votes in Finland's general election, the electoral commission says.The True Finns finished just behind the conservative NCP and the Social Democrats on around 19%.While the Social Democrats have called for changes on EU bail-outs, including the planned Portuguese rescue, True Finns opposes the plans altogether.

Finland's parliament,has the right to vote on EU requests for bailout funds, political party with new set could hold up fiscal plans to shore up Portugal for supporting stability to debt markets.The strong gains for the populist True Finns lagging in third place show immense public frustration in anvil of EU states with stronger economies, notably Germany, at having to foot the bill to bail out the weaker economies such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal.The biggest party, the NCP is tipped to lead the next government with former Finance Minister Jyrki Katainen likely to become prime minister of whatever coalition emerges, replacing Mari Kiviniemi of the Centre Party.The anti-immigration True Finns won 39 seats in the 200-member parliament, final results showed.That put it five seats behind the conservative National Coalition Party (NCP) part of the current centre-right government and a strong advocate for European integration and just three behind the opposition Social Democrats.The Centre Party previously the largest party in parliament won thirty five seats, down sixteen from the last election in 2007.The strong showing for the True Finns meant the anti-euro party would at least "get an invitation to talks" on a new government, Reuters quoted party leader Timo Soini as saying.Celebrating the NCP's success, Jyrki Katainen played down suggestions that Finland would now cause difficulties for the eurozone.

Libya: battle continues

Libya, fierce battle is reported between the rebels and Gaddafi forces in the western besieged town of Misurata. For the third day in a row, troops loyal to Gaddafi shelled Misurata with at least 100 Grad rockets.

Libyan troops, which have besieged the coastal town for over six weeks, pounded Misurata yesterday also killing at least eight people. Seven other civilians, including children and older people, were wounded in that attack. Human Rights Watch has accused the Libyan regime of firing cluster bombs into residential areas.

Renewed fighting erupted near the key eastern town of Ajdabiya, where rebels, bolstered by NATO air strikes, are regrouping on the road to the oil town of Brega, 80-km west of Ajdabiya.

Controversy ahead of meet on Lok Pal

Nksagar-Sagar Media Inc:New Delhi
At a press conference in Noida, activists Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal alleged that a "concerted smear" campaign has been launched against them to benefit the corrupt people.Controversy broke out over a CD involving eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan as civil society activists and five senior Union ministers meet here to discuss drafting of an effective Lok Pal Bill to tackle corruption in government.

Civil society five member team is not making an efforts to listen to other intellectuals on the issue of Lokpal Bill. Anybody when gives inputs ask the member to fill in suggestion in their website thus stopping the interaction to me it appears that entire team is ignorant of the subject what is interaction and transparency and thus behaving like
babus class of knowing everything and elite
behaving busy.

The activists led by Anna Hazare, who called off his fast-unto-death agitation last week after government conceded his demand for a Joint Drafting Committee on the legislation, were at pains to declare that they had nothing to hide and offered themselves for any probe into allegations against them.

PTI reports Anna Hazare called off his fast demanding a stronger Lokpal law, the joint committee to draft the bill met here today for the first time amid a controversy over a CD allegedly involving eminent lawyer and panel co-chairman Shanti Bhushan.

The meeting chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was held at North Block and attended by Ministers P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, M Veerappa Moily and Salman Khurshid and Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, Santosh Hegde, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan from the civil society side.

The deliberations came in the backdrop of a controversy over a CD in circulation which purpotedly has conversations with senior Bhushan, a former Law Minister, and politicians Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh. Bhushan has termed the CD as "clearly fabricated".

Dikshit promises full cooperation to MHA Shunglu probe

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday promised to extend "full cooperation" to the Home Ministry if it seeks any reply from her government on the findings of the CWG probe panel. "We have not received any communication from the Home Ministry so far. We will extend our full cooperation if they seek our response (on the Shunglu committee report)," Dikshit said when asked whether government has received any communication from Home Ministry. Sources said all the city government officials whose names figure in the Shunglu Committee report have been told to submit their response in writing to the government. Prime Minister's Office earlier this month had referred the Shunglu Committee findings on alleged irregularities by certain Delhi government departments to the Home Ministry for further action.

Home Ministry is likely to seek reply from Khanna and Dikshit and other agencies concerned,held responsible by the panel for lack of oversight and decisions that led to cost escalation.Rejecting the Shunglu committee report, Delhi government had termed the findings as a "product of paranoia" which is "full of contradictions" and "anomalies".

In its brief report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in response to the findings of the Shunglu Committee, the city government last month had rejected almost all the findings of the panel and instead accused it of deliberately choosing to adopt a logic of "convenience" in finding corruption in every policy and every tender of the government.The BJP has been demanding resignation of Dikshit in the wake of the report by the high powered committee.The administration of Delhi, being a Union Territory, comes under the control of Home Ministry.Media agencies

Kerala 74 pc Assembly polls

Kerala,an estimated 74.4 per cent of voters exercised their franchise on Wednesday as voting ended peacefully in all the 140 assembly segments across the state.
According to provisional figures released by Election Commission after polling ended at 5 pm, a total of 74.4 per cent of the 2.31 crore electorate cast their votes, exceeding the 2006 poll percentage of 72.38.Kannur district topped in the turnout recording 80.4 per cent followed by Kozhikode (80.2) and Alappuzha and Ernakulam with 77.8 and 77.4 per cent.The lowest voter participation was reported from Pathanamthitta (68.2) and the capital district Thiruvananthapuram (68.5) In Palakkad district, where Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan is contesting in Malampuzha segment, the turnout was 75.3 per cent.The battle to gain power in the state is keenly fought between ruling LDF and Congress-led UDF with BJP making the contest three-cornered one in at least two seats. In all, 971 candidates are in the fray, including Independents.No major incidents of violence or malpractices had been reported from anywhere, police said.In the LDF, lead partner CPI-M is contesting in 93 seats, CPI (27),JD-S (5), RSP, NCP (4 each), Kerala Congress, INL (three each) and Congress-S (1).

In the UDF, Congress has fielded 82 candidates followed by IUML (24), KC-M (15), SJD (6), JSS (4), KC-J, CMP (3 each), KC-B (2) and RSP-B (1).Key players include Acuthanandan, seeking mandate for the third time and UDF's chief ministerial probable Oommen Chandy from Puthuppally in Kottayam, from where he has won nine times in a row.Besides Achuthanandan, 14 ministers are seeking fresh mandate, eight from CPI-M, two from CPI, one each from RSP, Congress-S, Janata Dal-S and Kerala Congress (Thomas).BJP is pinning its hopes on senior leader O Rajagopal, contesting in Nemom to open its account in the assembly.

Cracks in civil society

Apr 9 (PTI) Difference of opinion has cropped up among the civil society groups over the inclusion of father-son lawyers duo Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan in the committee to draft the Lokpal Bill.Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who was one of the prominent backers of the agitation, said in Haridwar why there was nepotism in the committee of civil society.

"Why is there nepotism in there committee? Why both father and son are accommodated in the committee"? he said.Hazare, however, disagreed with him. At a press conference in Delhi, he said "you can level any allegations against me. I am a person who follows Gandhian principles.Nothing wrong in having two members of the same family in the panel. We need experience. We need expertise".

Anna Hazare and Government show on

Anna Hazare and Government show on
2011-04-07 20:29:28 - Nksagar_Sagar Media Inc:Imperialist created a system to suit the inner and those out of the system with no powers: What a method of loot or money laundering experts says the laws are there but results are in far flung for him to enjoy and can be punished but no provision of recovery of loot money so is the case of stashed money abroad:

Indian system with balant hope on which we breathe has decomposed to foul smell and hear the business with anecdote of scams every now and then and the scam-er show the strength with law remain dormant:Thus an act to show the every thing is in development keeps people hope ignited:Lokpal Bill music being played by the protesters are all in mood of protests but do not discuss further beyond their ambit thus second layer of self style leadership developed to which many are raising their intention: With Anna's goodwill to get the draft of law is their ultimate goal to weed out corruption is again a folly:Each authority from local level to International needs civil -Intellectual observation:Parliament debate begins after public discourse which continue after floor debate too:
Parallel meeting was held with transparency and accountability at VIF Chankyapuri New Delhi but the peoples were raising criticism but no solutions were allowed to discuss and let up for next day such wonderful people because of their own solutions for next day - one is searching freedom of corruption from them Those of yesteryear's now in freedom looks for freedom when did not work for freedom enjoyed the fruits of being parasite enslave of the cult they follow: -Imperialist created a system to suit the inner and those out of the system with no powers: What a method of loot or money laundering experts says the laws are there but results are in far flung for him to enjoy and can be punished but no provision of recovery of loot money so is the case of stashed money abroad:

Thus Government on Thursday opened a channel of communication with anti-corruption protestors led by Anna Hazare with Union Minister Kapil Sibal meeting activists Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal to find a way out on the demand for a joint committee on drafting Lokpal Bill.Sibal, who met the activists at his residence, said the broad parametres of solving the issue has been agreed upon."We have started a channel of communication. We met last evening. We met today also. The talks have been constructive...The formalities are yet to be agreed upon. We are meeting again," Sibal told reporters after the meeting.But he did not elaborate on what the formula is saying the attempt is that all are together. "We want to deal with corruption. We want to get rid of corruption. We want the civil society to participate. We have no problem with that," he said appealing to Hazare to call off the hunger strike.

"The objective of the government and civil society is to sit together and to deal with the issue of corruption effectively through an appropriate legislation," he said.Agnivesh said he will inform Hazare about the outcome of the talks which he described as "positive". "We will inform Hazare about the talks. The final decision will be his," he said.

India playing impressie role in peace keeping: UN

United Nations says, India plays an important role in peace keeping during conflicts around the globe. UN Assistant Secretary General Anthony Banbury said, India had been the world body's partner in peacekeeping since 1956 and it will be strengthened in coming years.Addressing a Press conference in New Delhi, he described Indian military a highly professional force with full range of capabilities including engineering and aviation.Replying to a question, Special representative of UN Secretary General on sexual violence, Margot Wallstrom said that UN has a policy of 'Zero tolerance' against such acts. Media agencies

Japan uses colour dye to trace radioactive leak

Emergency crews at Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant are using a colour dye to trace the source of a radioactive leak. It is believed seven tonnes of water with 10,000 times higher radioactivity than normal is escaping from the plant every hour.Emergency crews have tried unsuccessfully to plug a crack in a concrete pit in the plant's second reactor.

There are also plans to dump 11,500 tonnes of radioactive water at sea to free up storage space at the plant. The official told reporters that highly radioactive waste water has been accumulated at turbine buildings at Fukushima Daiichi, especially at the reactor unit 2.There is a need to release already stored water in order to accept the additional waste water. He said the release would take place as soon as necessary preparations are made.

Kazakhstan holds early presidential poll

Kazakhstan holds early presidential poll - Kazakhstan today holds an early presidential election that is widely expected to hand long-time President Nursultan Nazarbayev another term in office. The 70-year-old leader's current term ends in 2012, but he called for snap elections after rejecting a proposed referendum that would have extended his rule of one of the wealthiest Central Asian nations until 2020. He is expected to seek another term in 2016. Kazakhstan's main opposition leaders called for a voter boycott, saying there was not enough time to organize a meaningful campaign in time for the April 3 vote. Kazakhstan has never held an election deemed free and fair by international observers.

Thein Sein, sworn in President

On Wednesday, Burma’s dictator, Than Shwe, officially disbanded the State Peace and Development Council, the body through which Burma’s dictators have ruled the country since 1997. The new President, Thein Sein, was sworn in.

However, the changes are more about re branding than reform. Dictatorship remains alive and well in Burma, guaranteed by a new Constitution and a new political structure.The new government is the final stage in the regime’s so-called ‘roadmap to democracy’, following the sham election last November. In reality, it is a transition from military to civilian dictatorship. The new parliament has no real power. Real power still lies firmly with the military and a new all-powerful body, the National Defence and Security Council.

This is history repeating itself. Burma’s first dictatorship began in 1962, led by General Ne Win. Ne Win also introduced a new constitution through a rigged referendum and rubber-stamp parliament.

The real facts on the ground are that there are no new freedoms, that human rights abuses continue, and that those ruling Burma clearly have no intention of introducing any genuine reforms to improve human rights or move towards democracy.

Taufel, Aleem Dar umpires for World Cup final

Australian Simon Taufel, a winner of five consecutive ICC Umpire of the Year awards, and Pakistan's Aleem Dar were today appointed as the on-field officials for the World Cup finals between India and Sri Lanka on Saturday.The match will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.New Zealand's Jeff Crowe has been named the match referee. England's Ian Gould and Steve Davis of Australia will be the third and fourth umpires respectively:

Myanmar military rule ends, Army retains grip

Myanmar's military handed power to a nominally civilian government after almost half a century of army rule today, as the junta was disbanded and a new President appointed.The army hierarchy retains a firm grip on power in the resource-rich Southeast Asian country, and many analysts believe Senior General Than Shwe will attempt to retain some sort of control behind the scenes.The handover came after controversial elections last November-the country's first in 20 years which were marred by the absence of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and claims of cheating and intimidation.Quoting an order signed by strongman Than Shwe, Myanmar state television reported the junta's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) "has been officially dissolved".

Than Shwe, who has ruled with an iron fist since 1992, is apparently no longer in the hitherto most powerful position of head of the army.But Myanmar analyst Aung Naing Oo said, "Everyone will be required to report to him for quite some time."He added the handover was similar to the slow withdrawal of Than Shwe's predecessor, late dictator Ne Win."We have not had any kind of democracy in the past 50 years so it is more like an experiment," the Thailand-based analyst said."There are more questions than answers."
The SPDC, previously known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council, or SLORC, seized power in 1988, but Myanmar has been under military authority since 1962 and the generals continue to dominate the impoverished nation.

Former prime minister Thein Sein, a key Than Shwe ally, was sworn in as President today.He is among a slew of generals who shed their army uniforms to contest the elections last year and are now civilian members of Parliament, which also has a quarter of its seats kept aside for the military.

An official said today's presidential inauguration was attended by General Min Aung Hlaing in a new guise as armed forces commander-in-chief, implying Than Shwe no longer holds the top military job.But the official added that "it's not clear yet" whether Min Aung Hlaing has officially taken over the army."Altogether 58 new cabinet members including the president, two vice presidents, officials and ministers were sworn in this morning at the Union Parliament" in Naypyidaw, the official added.

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand enter ICC- W C Finals

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 5 wickets to enter ICC World Cup Finals: SLanka bundle out NZealand for a modest 217 in 48.5 overs despite Scott Stryis's fighting half-century, in the first semi-final of the cricket World Cup in Colombo on Tuesday.Pace spearhead Lasith Malinga and spinner Ajantha Mendis, with three wickets each, were the wreckers-in-chief, while Muttiah Muralitharan finished with two salps as New Zealand's innings lacked the thurst needed to power them to a challenging total.

Batting first after winning the toss, Styris struck 57 off 77 balls, an innings that was laced with five boundaries, before becoming Muralitharan's final ODI victim.The match at the Premadasa stadium is the veteran off-spinner's final ODI on home soil.Apart from Styris, Martin Guptill contributed 39 while Ross Taylor made 36.New Zealand didn't set the stage ablaze and preferred to play safe at the start.

A run-rate of just about 4 by the time the mandatory powerplay ended was an indication of their approach.But what must have hurt the Kiwis was Brendon McCullum's early departure.Continuing with his awful run with the bat, McCullum fell cheaply to Rangana Herath for 13.As McCullum positioned himself for a slog-sweap, a shot that brought him a six in the left-arm spinner's previous over, Herath slipped in a quicker delivery that disturbed the off-stump.

Jesse Ryder joined Guptill and the two looked at ease until Muralitharan brought to an end the burly left-hander's stay at the crease.The veteran spinner, who came into this match with 13 wickets from eight matches and is playing in his last ODI on home soil, bowled a perfect off-break that took a thin edge off Ryder's blade.

Returning for his second spell, Malinga then uprooted Guptill's stump with a inswinging yorker to leave the New Zealander's struggling at 84 for three in the 22nd over.Guptill's wicket was an important from Sri Lanka's perspective as he has the ability to play the sheet anchor's role to perfection.The gutsy right-hander was in his element till the slinger bowled that unplayable delivery to end his knock of 39 that included three hits to the fence.

Focus on Rural Tourism

Union Tourism Minister Shri Subodh Kant Sahai has called for enhanced focus on Rural Tourism. Presenting the National Tourism Awards for 2009-10 here today he said that the Ministry of Tourism will carry out an audit of its Rural Tourism Projects to ensure that this important initiative is not lost. He said that Rural Tourism while providing a varied and vivid experience can also expose the visitors to different ways to live life.
Shri Sahai said that the key for the development of tourism in future would be research, collaboration, innovation, public private partnership and sustainability. “While culture and heritage is going to remain as mainstay of India tourism, the world is going to find our new products like Wellness and Medical Tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) Tourism, Adventure and Sports Tourism including Golf and Polo very attractive”, the Minister added.
Stating that India is an excellent destination for making films, Shri Sahai called upon the international film industry to take advantage of beautiful locales of the country.The Minister also assured the tourism industry that the Ministry’s endeavor remains to work hand-in-hand with the industry and sincere towards its genuine demands and it would not hesitate to champion the cause of the industry with various authorities.
Lok Sabha Speaker Smt.Meira Kumar was the Chief Guest at the awards presentation ceremony. Cine artist Priyanka Chopra was the Guest of Honour.Best State/UT award for tourism infrastructure and tourism related programmes under North-East category went to Sikkim while for rest of India it went to Madhya Pradesh. Best tourism Film award went to “ Karnataka “ produced by Karnataka Tourism. Karnataka Tourism and Rajasthan Tourism were adjudged joint winners for Best Tourism Promotion Publicity Material by States/ UTs. Bhootgarh Rural tourism Project of Punjab won the Best Rural Tourism Project award.Caravan Bus of MP Tourism won the Most Innovative/Unique Tourism Project award.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India presents National Tourism Awards to various segments of the travel and tourism industry every year. These awards are presented to State Governments / Union Territories, classified hotels, heritage hotels, approved travel agents, tour operators and tourist transport operators, individuals and other private organizations in recognition of their performances in their respective fields and also to encourage healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism.The National Tourism Awards have over the years emerged as the most prestigious recognition of achievements in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors of the country since its inception.

Japan Nuke Crisis deepens Workers evacuated from Japan's N-plant

With Japan Nuke Crisis deepens the workers were evacuated from the tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant today after radiation levels surged 10 million times higher than usual, dealing a major blow to efforts to avoid a meltdown of the reactors.The radiation in the water is 10 million times higher than that seen usually in the No.2 reactor complex, according Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the operator of the plant, 250-km north-east of capital Tokyo.

"We are examining the cause of this, but no work is being done there because of the high level of radiation," said (TEPCO), which later retracted the radioactivity result as it was taking another sample to get accurate levels.It said the data for iodine-134 announced earlier in the day was actually for another substance that has a longer half-life.Emergency workers trying to cool the nuclear plant were temporarily evacuated. Hidehiko Nishiyama, spokesman for Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), said the figure is "quite high".

Tepco has come in for criticism for for a lack of transparency and promptness in providing information."We strongly urge Tepco to provide information to the government more promptly," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano.Edano conceded that the progress was slow.More than two weeks after the devastating magnitude-9 quake and tsunami, leaving more than 27,000 people dead or unaccounted for, the government warned that the crisis was far from over."We'd like to be able to give a clear outline as to when this will be resolved, and those working at the site feel the same way," Edano was quoted as saying by NHK, the Japanese broadcaster.
"But I can't be anymore optimistic than what the reality of it is," he said.
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has sent extra teams to the damaged plant, has also cautioned that the crisis could go on for months."This is a very serious accident by all standards," Yukiya Amano, the director-general IAEA, was quoted as saying by the New York Times."More efforts should be done to put an end to the accident," he said.

Adding to the concerns is the increasing level of radioactive iodine in the seawater near the plant, reaching 1,850.5 times the legal limit.On Friday, it was found to be 1,250.8 times the limit, the nuclear agency said.The nuclear safety agency said there is no immediate threat to people within the 20-kilometer evacuation zone from the nuclear power plant.It said seawater is dispersed by ocean currents and the contamination level will decline.TEPCO said it measured 2.9-billion becquerels of radiation per cubic cm of water from the basement of the turbine building attached to the Number 2 reactor, NHK reported.The level of contamination is about 1,000 times that of the leaked water already found in the basements of the Number 1 and 3 reactor turbine buildings, it said.Three workers at the No.3 reactor's turbine building, who were earlier exposed to contaminated water on March 24, are set to be discharged from medical care.
Japanese police said 10,489 people were confirmed dead and more than 16,600 missing after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.A total of 6,333 dead were counted in Miyagi Prefecture, while in Iwate Prefecture 3,152 people had been killed.In Fukushima Prefecture, 946 people died.

As part of efforts to bring the situation at the nuclear plant under control, TEPCO prepared to turn on the lights in the control room for the No. 4 reactor and inject fresh water into four reactors as a coolant, rather than sea water.It is seen as essential to prevent crystallized salt from seawater from hampering the smooth circulation of water and diminishing the cooling of the overheated fuel rods, Kyodo said.
Following the megaquake and tsunami, cooling functions failed at the No.1, No.2 and No.3 reactors and their cores partially melted.Top officers of Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and the US Pacific Fleet have agreed to share information on the troubled Fukushima plant and cooperate in solving the problem, NHK said.The head of the SDF Joint Staff Office, General Ryoichi Oriki, and US Admiral Patrick Walsh met as American forces sent a vessel carrying a large amount of fresh water to cool the nuclear plant.

Amid concerns over high level of radiation, Japan has banned shipments of foodstuffs grown in several prefectures around the damaged nuclear plant.Several countries - Australia, the European Union, the United States, Russia and other Asian importers - have already placed bans on some imports of vegetables, seafood and milk products from Japan.They are also monitoring Japanese seafood over fears of radioactive contamination.In the first opinion poll since the disaster struck, the approval rating for Prime Minister Naoto Kan increased by 8.4 percentage points to 28.3 per cent in comparison to an earlier survey in mid-February.

At the same time, 58.2 per cent of respondents did not approve of the government's handling of the nuclear crisis, while 39.3 per cent supported its efforts, the survey by Kyodo said.The crisis at the nuclear plant has overshadowed the massive relief and recovery effort from the devastation.Child welfare officials have launched an extensive search for children who have lost their parents or have gone missing following the quake.Akira Katsusawa, the head of the Yokohama central child consultation centre, was quoted as saying by Kyodo that "it is a scale (of work) unimaginable but we hope to do as much as we possibly can."

The devastation has left a huge backlog of thousands of bodies in makeshift morgues, forcing the government to go in for mass burial.Such an unceremonious disposal of the dead would be unthinkable in Japan in normal times.Media agencies

Kids’ Fashion Show by Lilliput Kidswear

New Delhi, 26th March 2011: Lilliput, a dominant player in the Indian Kidswear industry, showcased their Spring–Summer Collection 2011 at the Kids’ Fashion Show, held at Roots to Wings School’s Annual Day Function. Kids were delighted to walk the ramp in smart Lilliput Collection which made them look stylish & fashionable. The Spring-Summer Collection flaunts the liveliness of spring and the warm kiss of summer. No wonder, the audience was surprised to see such little wonders walk the ramp with full enthusiasm & passion.
Lilliput Fashion Show witnessed 25 little champs displaying the fabulous collection ranging from ‘a tale of action and adventure’ for boys to ‘sunny delight’ for girls. The ramp walk of a charming little girl in ‘Glitterati’ outfit can give any adult model a run for their money. A delightful little boy in colourful ‘Soccer Player’ outfit accompanied by an attractive girl in ‘Rosy Glow’ dress made a perfect little pair of the show. The charm of the young models was enhanced by matching accessories like stylish fine flowery head band and baseball cap. The Spring-Summer collection is fresh and contemporary using fabrics like poplin, linen and other wicking (perspiration relief) materials suitable for the sultry weather.
Mr. Sanjeev Narula, Managing Director, Lilliput Kidswear Ltd. commented, “This Fashion Show provides an excellent platform for us to acquaint the audience with the latest range of our high-quality and designer collection which are available in the market at affordable prices. Children are influenced easily and on seeing these little models walk the ramp in new Spring-Summer collection, we are sure they would want to wear the range too. It gives us immense pleasure to provide an opportunity to these wonderful kids to showcase their talent.”
The Spring-Summer Collection offers a complete wardrobe with exciting options in strappy sundresses, short button-me ups, bohemian skirts, classic vintage denims, brawny bermudas, floral shirts and bright t-shirts providing a complete stylish look to the little one.The ecstatic little models received a standing ovation from the audience who took everybody with awe by exhibiting the Lilliput collection in the most enthusiastic manner.

Myanmar Earthquake

More than 60 people were killed and 90 injured in the strong earthquake that struck Myanmar Thursday near its border with Thailand and the affected areas still remained cut off.Tremors were felt as far away as Bangkok, almost 800 kilometres from the epicentre, Hanoi and parts of China. The US Geological Survey measured the magnitude 6.8.A Myanmar official said dozens of people were killed in areas close to the epicentre and more than 240 buildings had collapsed.Deaths were mainly reported from Tarlay, Mine Lin and Tachileik townships. About 90 people were injured from those areas. Efforts are on to reach some more affected areas.Across the border, Thai authorities said a 52-year-old woman was killed in Mae Sai district after a wall in her house collapsed.Terrified residents across the region fled their homes after tall buildings swayed during the quake, hospitals and schools were evacuated during the tremors.
7.0 Mw - MYANMAR Preliminary Earthquake Report Magnitude7.0 Mw
Date-Time * 24 Mar 2011 13:55:12 UTC
* 24 Mar 2011 20:25:12 near epicenter
* 24 Mar 2011 17:55:12 standard time in your timezone
Location 20.705N 99.948E Depth 10 km
Distances * 90 km (56 miles) N (8 degrees) of Chiang Rai, Thailand
* 168 km (104 miles) SSW (213 degrees) of Yunjinghong, Yunnan, China
* 233 km (145 miles) NNW (337 degrees) of Muang Nan, Thailand
* 235 km (146 miles) NNE (25 degrees) of Chiang Mai, Thailand
* 413 km (257 miles) NW (317 degrees) of VIENTIANE, Laos
Location Uncertainty Horizontal: 15.4 km; Vertical 5.8 km
Media Agencies

India developing 5000 km-range Agni missile: Antony

Defence Minister A K Antony said today that India is developing a 5,000 kilometers-range Agni ballistic missile. Addressing a conference of heads of DRDO laboratories in New Delhi, he said, India has reached an appreciable level of competence in missile technologies, with a reach capability of 3,500 kilometres. He said, Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO is developing Agni missile with a capacity to reach 5000 kilometres. The Agni-series also includes missile variants with ranges between 700 and 2,500 km.The 5,000 km-range Agni-V is a further advancement of the existing systems and is expected to be test-fired later this year. Other missiles developed by the DRDO are the Prithviand its variants with ranges upto 350 km, surface-to-air Akash missile defence system with a range of 25-30 km and the short- range anti-tank NAG missile.
The Trishul air defence missile system programme was scrapped by the DRDO after it was marred by delays. In his address, the Defence Minister asked the DRDO to speed up the development trials and induction of Interceptor Missile as part of the credible Ballistic Missile Defence, BMD.To reduce cases of suicides and fratricides in the armed forces, Antony asked the DRDO to to undertake a detailed research program to make an assessment of stress profile and mental health of the soldiers.Media Agencies

Yuvraj knock carry into semis final

India knocked defending champions Australia out of the cricket World Cup with a thrilling five-wicket victory to set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against arch rivals Pakistan in Ahmedabad on Thursday.Team India after restricting Australia to 260 for 6, largely built around Ricky Ponting's 104, the Indians held their nerves to overhaul the target with 14 balls to spare with Yuvraj Singh 57 not out, Sachin Tendulkar 53 and being the star batting performers.A scintillating of a contest,where fortune fluctuated from one team to the other before Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina 34 with their steady knock put balance in India's favour with an unbeaten 74 run partnership to send a capacity crowd at the Sardar Patel stadium into a frenzy in Ahmedabad: A clinical display by the Indians as they ended Australia's reign as world champions and have given a huge boost to their campaign to regain the coveted trophy after a gap of 28 years.Yuvraj Singh slammed Brett Lee to the boundary to bring about the dramatic victory as the Indian players and officals hugged each to celebrate the triumph amidst deafening cheers from nearly 43,000 spectators.India will now travel to Mohali for the much anticipated semi-final match against Pakistan:

Ponting 118-ball 104, Brad Haddin (53) and David Hussey (38 not out) were the other notable performers for the defending champions. For the Indians, Yuvraj Singh (2/44), R Ashwin (2/52) and Zaheer Khan (2/53) were the wicket-takers.

The Indian innings began with a flourish as both Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag went on the offensive and unleashed a flurry of boundaries in the first five overs.Speedster Shaun Tait came in for some harsh punishment as he repeatedly strayed in line and length and was promptly despatched to the boundary. He also bowled a few wides and no balls to compound the problems for Australia.Sehwag, who was not in his destructive best, survived a caught behind appeal in the very first over off Brett Lee. The Australians asked for a review and the television replays suggested that there was no edge.The duo put on 44 brisk runs for the opening wicket before Shane Watson provided the breakthrough by evicting Sehwag (15) who paid the price for playing a poor shot to a bouncing delivery.Sehwag was cramped for room but he still went for the pull shot and top edged the ball for Michael Hussey to take a simple catch at square leg region.

The left-handed Gautam Gambhir, who joined the action after Sehwag's dismissal, was quite content in playing second fiddle to Tendulkar who completed a mind-boggling 18,000 ODI runs when he reached 45.Tendulkar was rather lucky to get a reprieve when his late cut landed just short of Jason Krejza who appeared to be a bit slow in coming forward. Lee was the unlucky bowler.A few minutes later, Tendulkar unleashed a delectable flick towards the square-leg region for two runs to notch up his 94th ODI half century to get a thunderous applause from the capacity crowd.

TKDL-Livelihood of Large Population in World

TKDL crossed many hurdles and impediments and have been successfully negotiated and benchmarks created and set in place. TKDL team with its organized and objective activity has brought TKDL to this stage of international acceptability. More than 150 experts in the area of traditional medicine, Information Technology, IPRs and Scientists spent almost ten years for this task.Speaking at the inaugural session of the International Conference on Utilization of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) as a model for the protection of Traditional Knowledge here today, Union Minister of Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Vice President, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, said, “Today, India is well equipped to protect 2lakh,26 thousand formulations within a time range of ‘days and weeks’ and without any cost, whereas in the cases of ‘Neem’ and ‘Turmeric’ the country had to incur huge cost and it took more than 10 years to get the ‘Neem’ patent revoked at EPO. TKDL has been embraced by the World Intellectual Property Organization and by the EPO and US-PTO as well as other patent offices worldwide who have found in it a powerful weapon to fight biopiracy.”

The Minister explained that Traditional Knowledge is also the basis of the livelihood of a very large population in the world, in particular, in developing countries. He added, “ The issue of Traditional knowledge protection is quite a sensitive one, since traditional knowledge is the information that people in a given community, have developed over generations, on the basis of their experience and which is adapted to local culture and environment. Many countries are struggling to protect their traditional knowledge, against wrongful exploitation, primarily in the pharmaceutical sector. This knowledge is used to sustain the community and its culture, as well as biological resources necessary for the continued survival of the community. As per World Health Organization reports, it is estimated that more than 70% of the population is dependent on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs.”

For the last several years efforts are being made by different International organizations like World Trade Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization and Convention on Biological Diversity, to evolve an implementable solution for protection of Traditional Knowledge, though it is very difficult to bring about a consensus due to diversity of interests at multilateral fora.

Shri Bansal informed, “To ensure that that no wrong patent is granted on India’s traditional knowledge, the access of TKDL database – which breaks the language barriers and converts India’s traditional knowledge of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Yoga, originally written in Sanskrit, Arebic, Persian and Tamil, into five international languages makes information understandable to the International Patent Examiners. Access to TKDL has been given to several international Patent Offices under a non-disclosure agreement.” Expressing deep concern about earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on 12.3.2011, Shri Bansal said, “We were to sign the TKDL Access Agreement with Japan Patent Office on March 25, 2011, in New Delhi. People of Japan are passing through a difficult and trying times. We express solidarity with the brave and resilient people of Japan.”

TKDL has made waves around the world, particularly in traditional knowledge rich countries by demonstrating the advantages of proactive action and the power of strong deterrence. The idea is not to restrict the use of traditional knowledge, but to ensure that wrong patents are not granted due to lack of access to the prior art for Patent examiners. India developed this much needed tool for protection of Traditional Knowledge. This process began in the year 2000, when wrong patents granted on the wound healing properties of turmeric by US Patent Office and another on the antifungal property of Neem by the European Patent Office, came to notice and were later fought and got revoked.

Power lines connected to all six reactors at Fukushima

Japanese workers struggling to avert a nuclear disaster have succeeded in reconnecting all six reactors to power lines at the quake-hit Fukushima plant. This was disclosed by Tokyo Electric Power Company, which operates the plant. However, the company cautioned that a lot of work still needs to be done before electricity can actually be turned on at the plant. The workers are checking all additional equipment for damage to make sure cooling systems can be safely operated.

The critical restoration work at the plant was stalled yesterday after smoke rose from No 2 and No 3 reactors, fuelling fears of fresh radiation leaks from the area rocked by the March 11 quake of magnitude 9 and devastating tsunami.

Meanwhile, seawater pollution in the region has expanded, but the country's nuclear safety agency said there are no immediate health threats. The amount of radioactive iodine reached 80.3-fold of the standard level at the point 8 km south of the plant and 16.4-fold at the point 16 km south.

Pakistan beat Aussies

Australia’s unbeaten 34-match run in the World Cup was brought to halt by Tea Pakistan thus ascended top spot on their group table:Pakistan bowlers opened the attack with left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman from one end, forced an early breakthrough when Gul bowled opener Shane Watson for nine later Umar Gul took three for 30 to help Pakistan dismiss Australia for 176 their lowest World Cup total since 1992:
Pakistan beating the defending champions by four wickets in their final match of the Group A here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday.Pakistan, champions in 1992, will play the fourth placed team in Group B, while Australia (nine points) finished third behind Sri Lanka (nine points) on run-rate and will play the second placed team from Group B.

This was Australia's first defeat in the World Cup since losing to Pakistan by 10 runs in Leeds in 1999.Oz the champions, spearhead Brett Lee (4-28),fought hard and twice raised hopes of an unlikely win.

Pakistan were cruising along on 98-2 before Lee derailed the chase in his first over of his second spell, dismissing Younis Khan (31) and Misbah-ul-Haq for a first-ball duck -- both caught by keeper Brad Haddin.Mitchell Johnson removed Asad Shafiq (46) while Jason Krejza tempted skipper Shahid Afridi (two) to hole out in the deep, but Umar and Abdul Razzaq (20 not out) saw their team home with a cautious 36-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Razzaq hit two boundaries off spinner Jason Krejza to complete the victory.
Lee had taken two wickets in his first spell, taking a smart catch off his own bowling to dismiss opener Mohammad Hafeez (five) before trapping Kamran Akmal lbw for 23.

Dr. Oetker Fun Foods India

Product Launch Dr. Oetker Fun Foods India

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Sandwich Spread Classic contains ingredients such as vegetable (carrots and cucumber) bits and tomato paste and other ingredients mixed with Classic Mayonnaise to make a spread which can be eaten in sandwiches & parathas alike.

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WHO conference "Partners for Health in South-East Asia"

Sagar Media Inc:Press Release :16 March 2011, New Delhi
nt more affordable. “The sheer challenge of reducing mortality on account of Non Communicable Diseases and enhancing quality of life of our people makes this a risk worth taking’, he elaborated . The Minister informed that a revamped and synergised ‘National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD & Stroke’ is being implemented in 100 Districts across 21 States during the 11th Plan period. Eventually it will be extended over all the 640 districts in the country. For Diabetes, screening of over seventy million adult population (30 years & above) and pregnant women of all age group and children would be undertaken initially in six districts and eventually this scheme will also be extended to the entire country. This is perhaps the largest such exercise in the world, he noted. The Minister added that as policy makers we have to tackle these growing issues comprehensively and devise appropriate strategies. Shri Azad also stated that India has made impressive gains vis-a vis the Millennium Development Goals – VI. As against a projected figure of 5 million HIV/AID patients in the country, the current numbers are 2.3 million and these numbers have started showing a declining trend. We have also been able to avert more than 2 million deaths on account of TB with the scaling up of DOTS programme throughout the country. Against the MDG target of mortality reduction by 50% by 2015, we have already achieved a 68% reduction, he highlighted. Lancet has infact cited Janani Suraksha Yojana as a most promising public health initiative whereby the scheme has been able to reach out to approximately 10 million pregnant women providing safe motherhood. The Minister also called for inter sectoral coordination as he noted that health issues are now often being determined by non health indicators such as safe drinking water. The Minister also informed that nearly Rs 10,000 crores will be spent in the next 2-3 years to establish six state-of- art tertiary care institutions modelled on the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the under-developed and under-served regions of the country. Likewise, over 300 million US dollars are being invested in Government medical colleges for expanding medical seats and 250 million US dollars on establishing 250 nursing schools in the country in the same underserved areas so as to increase the overall availability of health personnel in these states. There is an urgent need for drawing up short term and long term plans to meet unmet requirement of health manpower at the grassroots level, he emphasized. It is for this reason that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken several path-breaking initiatives not only towards augmenting the requirements of rural health manpower, but also towards ‘capacity building’ for health professionals in the country. As a consequence of these measures, “I expect that within a short span of time an additional 10000 seats in post graduate medical courses will be created in just three years time – something that has not happened since independence”, he said. The challenge however is now to ensure that the desired quality of teaching and training is not compromised with in any manner, he cautioned. The Minister also noted that we have to work in unison to aggressively produce good quality and low cost diagnostics, vaccines and drugs. “Good quality low cost generic medicines hold the key to improved health care”, he underscored. Shri Azad urged the Partners to commit ourselves to instituting a health care system which is equitable, affordable and accessible by all sections of the society. He asked WHO’s South East Asian Regional Office to follow up this conference by prescribing monitor able milestones to make the region free of want and disease.

Launch "MTS Pulse" Smartphone

Launch "MTS Pulse" Smartphone
MTS Crosses 10 Mn Customer Launch MTS Pulse Smartphone MTS, Tuesday launched a new new MTS brand MTS Pulse from HTC in Smartphones category: Leonid Musatov, Chief Marketing Officer, Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd., “We are excited to unveil the new MTS brand, in line with MTS’ global strategy. MTS has recently been ranked as the 72nd most powerful brand in the world by Millward Brown. In keeping with our endeavor to delight our customers, we have adopted a disruptive approach to marketing that would redefine the way Smartphones are sold in India. The latest in our range of Smartphones is MTS Pulse from HTC is powered by Android 2.1, with impressive stylish and technology together with incentive scheme free calls, data usage and SMSs”identity designed the need of the hour and catching attention of today’s youth, the tag, “A Step Ahead”. This launch comes at a time when MTS has crossed the 10 million subscriber mark in India. Telecoms service provider company provides High Speed Mobile Internet services to over 5 lakh customers in the country. Adding to the celebrations, MTS has brought out for its customers the MTS Pulse from HTC– the company’s first Android powered Smartphone.Vsevolod Rozanov, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd said "Indeed a proud moment for me and the entire MTS team to have crossed the 10 million customer milestone. We had started this journey about two years ago in Tamil Nadu and have crossed this milestone in less than two years. Today, we are one of the fastest growing telecom companies in India with presence across all telecom circles. Going forward, it will be our endeavor to stay true to our data centric-voice enabled strategy to provide innovative telecom solutions to our customers.”

Buddha Temples and Heritage Sites

Development and promotion of tourism including Buddhist and the heritage sites is primarily undertaken by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, provides Central Financial Assistance to the project proposals identified in consultation with them subject to availability of funds and inter-se-priority under various schemes of the Ministry.
Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned central financial assistance of Rs.117.39 crore for 34 Tourism Projects during 11th Plan including current financial year for Government of Uttar Pradesh. This includes Destination Development of Varanasi-Sarnath-Ramnagar, Phase-II.

Apart from this, a loan agreement has been signed with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Government of India on March 31, 2005 for Uttar Pradesh Buddhist Circuit Development project. The scope of the project covers improvement of roads, public utilities, site development and support programmes etc. at selected Buddhist sites in Uttar Pradesh.This information was given by Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Minister for Tourism

Denmark and Latvia Support UN Burma Inquiry

Two more European countries have expressed support for international investigations into human rights abuses in Burma, following protests in London targeting six European countries. Latvia stated it supports a UN Commission of Inquiry; ‘in principle’, while Denmark stated it; ‘supports in principle the establishment of an international investigation into human rights abuses in Burma… a Commission could be a possible model for an international investigation.”

One-hundred people joined protests today at the Swedish, Latvian, Luxembourg, Norwegian and German Embassies. The protest at the Danish Embassy was cancelled following their expression of support for a Commission. The protests were led by Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK, and daughter of Ko Mya Aye, whose 44th birthday is today. Burma Campaign UK today also published a briefing on how the detention and treatment of political prisoners in Burma constitutes crimes against humanity.

The Danish Ambassador Birger Riis-Jorgensen wrote to Burma Campaign UK on the eve of a planned protest at the Danish Embassy. He stated in his letter:
“Denmark supports in principle the establishment of an international investigation into human rights abuses in Burma/Myanmar. This can be an important element in a national reconciliation process. As noted in your letter, the idea of a Commission of Inquiry was first expressed by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma/Myanmar, Mr Quintana, in March 2010. Such a Commission could be a possible model for an international investigation. Before steps are taken we need, however, to establish broad international support in order to make sure that an investigative commission will be able to conduct its work in the most effective way.”

A government representative from the Latvian Embassy, who met with the delegation from Burma Campaign UK, Wai Hnin, Zoya Phan and Jacqueline San, this morning, stated that the Latvian government ‘supports in principle a UN Inquiry’.

The Swedish Deputy Ambassador met with the delegation, pledged strong support for human rights and democracy in Burma, and promised a response on Sweden’s position on a UN Inquiry soon. The Luxembourg and Norwegian Embassies also promised a response at a later date.

The generally polite and warm reception at these Embassies was in stark contrast to the reception at the German Embassy. The German Embassy at first refused to allow the delegation of three into the Embassy to deliver the letter, only backing down when the delegation pointed out all the other Embassies had been happy to have three people in the meeting. However, a German Embassy Security Officer stayed in the room while the meeting took place. The Embassy also told protesters outside to move across the road. When they refused, as the German Embassy does not have the right to tell people where they can stand in a public street, the German Embassy called the police. The police declined to tell the protesters to move. The German government representative refused to express support for a UN Inquiry, and told the delegation to go and protest at the French, American and Chinese Embassies instead.

“Today we made sure European governments could not ignore the situation of political prisoners in Burma, which is a crime against humanity”, said Wai Hnin. “I am very pleased that two more European countries are supporting a Commission into crimes against humanity in Burma. The European Union must now officially support a UN Commission of Inquiry.”

Morocco to vote for new constitution

Morocco's King Mohammed VI announced a "comprehensive constitutional reform" to be put to the people in a referendum, in his first speech following uprisings across the Arab world.Less than a month after protests erupted in Morocco demanding more social justice and limits on his powers, the king pledged to draw up a new draft constitution by June."We have decided to undertake a comprehensive constitutional reform," King Mohammed said Wednesday, underlining his "firm commitment to giving a strong impetus to the dynamic and deep reforms... taking place."

The monarch announced the formation of a commission to work on the constitutional revisions, with proposals to be made to him by June. A referendum would be held on the draft constitution, he added.The live broadcast was the first time the king has delivered an address to the nation since thousands of people demonstrated in several cities on 20th February demanding political reform and limits on his powers.They were the first protests in the country since the start of the uprisings across the Arab world that toppled the presidents of Tunisia and Egypt this year.There have been other peaceful rallies since then, including in the capital Rabat and the country's biggest city Casablanca, with young activists campaigning for greater democracy using the Facebook social network to call for new demonstrations on 20th March.Six people were killed in unrest that erupted after the 20th February demonstrations, including five found burned to death in a bank set ablaze by people whom officials labelled vandals.Another 128, including 115 members of the security forces, were wounded in the violence and 120 people were arrested, the interior ministry said. Dozens of vehicles and buildings were also damaged or set alight.Media Agencies

Postal services to be more people friendly: Sibal

Union minister for communications and information technology Kapil Sibal today said the government is committed to make the postal services more people friendly. Inaugurating an e-post office in New Delhi, Mr. Sibal said the e-post office is an ambitious project of India post. E-post office is the e-commerce portal of India Post. The portal will enable the customers to transact postal business any time and from anywhere using either debit card or credit card through the medium of internet.

Mr. Sibal said it would enable its customers to carry out postal transactions through the internet, from customers homes or offices. One of the focus areas of the first phase of e-post office is on the money order service.

AIR correspondent reports the first phase of the e-post office launched will now offer electronic money order, instant money order, sale of philatelic stamps and tracking of express and international shipments. India post has collaborated with agencies in the public and private sector to make the e-post office a reality.

EU Calls Burma For Reform

EU asked four key demands to the Burma rulers Summarized, for genuine dialogue, credible free and fair elections, more engagement with the international community to work towards a peaceful transition to democracy, and to end violations of international law. Are these demands were met, and in some instances the situation actually got worse.Official position is that the EU will; ‘revise, amend or reinforce the measures it has already adopted in light of developments on the ground.’

“Given that human rights abuses and violations of international law have increased, rather than decreased, and that the dictatorship is trying to consolidate, not end its rule, if the EU were to follow its own policy it would be discussing increasing, not decreasing, the sanctions,’ said Zoya Phan, Campaigns Manager at Burma Campaign UK.

The briefing paper also calls on the European Union to engage with the NLD on how sanctions can be modified, as requested in its sanctions policy review. The paper argues that by setting clear benchmarks which must be met before sanctions are lifted, it will not only make better use of those sanctions as a tool for promoting change, but also help end some of the divisions over sanctions within the EU, enabling a focus on other important areas.

Briefing paper calls on the European Union to announce its support for a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. The failure of the EU to support such an Inquiry contributes to the dictatorship having a sense of impunity, which in turn encourages it to continue its abuses.

“Without genuine progress and change in Burma there is no justification for the EU weakening its current sanctions on Burma”, said Zoya Phan. “We want sanctions to be smart and well-targeted, but the EU must engage with the NLD on how any sanctions should be changed, and setting clear benchmarks, such as the release of all political prisoners.
European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma calls on the European Union to announce support for a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity. The establishment of such an inquiry must be included in the draft UN General Assembly Resolution on Burma for 2011.
Members of the European Burma Network (EBN) met in Prague, Czech Republic, on 12th and 13th February, 2011. The European Burma Network brings together organisations promoting human rights and democracy in Burma, and works in solidarity with Burma’s democracy movement.Members of the EBN remain deeply concerned about the lack of any improvement in the situation of human rights in Burma, and the lack of any progress towards genuine democratisation.Elections held in Burma in November 2010 had no credibility. They did not meet any internationally accepted standards of being free and fair.
Media Agencies

Kiran Walia Delhi Health Min- On International Women day Celebrations

Prof Iftikhar Mohd Chishti -Delhi 2050

A civil war in Libya 74 killed

Libya Saturday plunged into a civil war with see-saw battles going on between Muammar Gaddafi loyalists and rebels for territorial gains, leaving 74 dead in one of the bloodiest day of fighting as the country's opposition held its first conclave apparently to form a parallel government.The efforts to form a self-declared national-council comes as US and western countries as well as world bodies have virtually derecognised the Gaddafi regime and interpol has issued warrants against him and his family for genocide.

Rebels says that they have formed local councils in cities they control in the eastern region with an aim to lead the nation into election, local media reports said.As ding-dong heavy battles and explosions continue across the country, the US and NATO forces warships and fighters were positioned of the strife torn country's coast.

US President Barack Obama has said that the primary mission of the task force is to undertake humanitarian evacuation, "but all options were on the table."While Gaddafi's forces using tanks and heavy artillery tried to retake towns in the country's oil-rich east, where the rebellion has left them without space, the rebels beat back attacks on the key town of al-Zawiyah, close to the capital Tripoli and overran oil town of Ras Lanuf.

At least 10 people have been killed and 20 injured in Ras Lanuf, where Libyan rebels are locked in intense fighting with the forces loyal to 68-year-old-Gaddafi.
Media reports said rebels were witnessed manning the oil-compounds, police stations and army-barracks in the oil-rich town.More than 20 people were injured in Ajdabiya where fresh fightings between the rebels and Gaddafi forces have erupted.In another development, explosions at a military arms depot outside the rebel-held city of Benghazi, which took place minutes apart, left at least 34 people dead and dozens injured, reports reaching here said.

Residence living upto 10 kms from the main weapons depot said windows shook and an inferno lit up the sky. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known, but rebels said it could have been caused by air-raids or enemy agents.

Eyewitnesses quoted by al-Jazeera said that Gaddafi's forces in their desperate bid to widen the security belt around Tripoli made three advances to capture al-Zawiyah, even training tanks on residential buildings.Conflicting reports were coming in about the battle, with the town reported changing hands twice.
BBC said more than 30 people were killed when 15 tanks and lorry loads of Gaddafi loyalists swarmed into the town, getting into street fighting with the rebels.

"They came from the east and west and occupied high rise buildings," BBC quoted a rebel fighter as saying, who claimed that Gaddafi's forces have been repelled.
"There tanks almost reached the city-square before they were bombed off," the fighter said.The rebellion in al Zawiyah - the closest rebel-held territory to Gaddafi's bastion of Tripoli and also the site of an oil refinery - has been an embarrassment to the Libyan authorities who are trying hard to demonstrate that they control at least the west of the country.


Eastern regions of the country, around the city of Benghazi, have already fallen out of Gaddafi's control after a popular revolt against his 41-year rule which began in mid-February. Amid the heavy fighting the Libyan opposition announced that it held its first formal meeting at a secret location apparently to announce a parallel government.Gaddafi's warplanes had earlier attacked military bases overrun by rebels, though they had missed their targets.


Earlier Friday, clashes briefly erupted after the Friday prayers in the capital Tripoli.Braving the large presence of gun-totting security personnel and mercenaries, over 1,000 protesters hit the streets in large numbers after the Friday prayers, demanding ouster of the Libyan ruler and chanting slogans like "Gaddafi is the enemy of God", witnesses said.They were tear-gassed and fired upon by the forces loyal to Gaddafi.Media reports said the protesters tore down posters of the Libyan leader and spray-painted walls with graffiti such as: "Down with Gaddafi" and "Tajoura will dig your grave."

For the first time since the uprising began on February 15, Interpol issued an Orange Notice against Gaddafi and 15 other Libyans, including members of his family and close associates. The Interpol alert is aimed at ensuring that law enforcement agencies in each of the world police bodies in 188-member countries take all necessary measures to enforce travel ban against the Libyan leader and others.

Fierce fighting was also reported outside Ras Lanuf town, with the sound of multiple explosions and heavy artillery being heard after opposition fighters advanced on the city, BBC said. Pro-Gaddafi forces withdrew to Ras Lanuf two days ago after a battle.

Rebels at Ras Lanuf later told the media they had taken complete control of the town, but there was no independent confirmation.There were also conflicting reports about the situation in Brega. Some government sources were quoted as saying that the town was in rebel hands, while others insisted it was not.

Earlier Friday, Libyan forces carried out an air strike near a military base on the western outskirts of Ajdabiya, a town that fell in the hands of the anti-Gaddafi rebels. However, media reports said there were no casualties or damage.In Caracas, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said that Libya has given go-ahead to his country to form a mission to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the North African country, a day after the US and France rejected the Venezuelan mediation offer.Meanwhile, the United States dispatched its two military aircraft under a code-name 'Operation Odyssey Dawn' -- to Tunisia border last evening with relief supplies for thousands of foreigners fleeing Libya.

A day after US President Barack Obama made the announcement, the State Department and Pentagon said two C-130 military transports have landed in Djerba, Tunisia, delivering humanitarian supplies from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).The Pentagon, which has sent considerable air and naval assets to the region along with 400 marines, said it is closely monitoring the situation in Libya."We have seen very clearly broadcast reports showing effects of air power being used. Whether or not those were used on rebels, I can't say but ... there is evidence they have used air assets and dropped ordnance," Pentagon spokesman, Col Dave Lapan, told reporters in Washington.Over one lakh people have fled Libya, where the violence in the uprising against Gaddafi has killed at least 1,000, according to UN estimates.Media agencies

Dang Thi Hoang Yen-Chairwoman:India Asean Business Conclave 2011

Nandan Nilekani: 83rd FICCI AGM