 |
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
Issue 29 Vol II, December 15, 2006 |
|
C O M M E NT Terror Affecting Ties FOR Pakistan it is as with India so with Afghanistan. Terrorism is not only affecting good friendly relations, but hampering the economic development of the region. With good friendly relations, these three countries and could usher big progress, increase trade and help each other in host of fields; education, industrial development and tourism. Just to mention some. Imagine how rich tare the dividends of peace. Intriguingly people are passionate about it and the political leaders as usual play those nasty games of cheating and subterfuge. They not only indulge in war mongering, but make their armies and the people fight real bloody wars. What far? On December 7 in m Kabul the Afghan President Hamid Karzai minced no words when he declared to the visiting Pakistan foreign minister that attacks perpetrated by “terrorists” infiltrating Afghanistan from Pakistan were severely undermining relations between the two countries. “The president emphasised that the Afghan people desired to have strong and friendly relations with Pakistan. However, the continuation of violence perpetrated by terrorists from across the border was a major obstacle,” Karzai said in a statement. It was what the Indian leaders for the past two decades have said with lot of evidence at the command. Somewhere Pakistan president Musharraf does it admit and promises to do his best. But no one is sure about what promises and what he does. Pakistan insists it was doing its best to quash extremism and “terrorists” in the semi-autonomous tribal agencies, which are governed by tribal, rather than national, law. Mr Karzai issued a veiled warning that escalating violence in Afghanistan, which is already shattered by more than two decades of war, would harm Pakistan's interests too. “In the same way that Afghans cannot imagine a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan without a peaceful and stable Pakistan, it is also impossible for Pakistan to have peace and stability without a peaceful and stable Afghanistan,” |
|
For the kind Attention of Karl Marx and Mao Zedong
In Beijing on November 17, a young Chinese actress Zhang Yu showed the media more than 20 videotapes of her having sex with famous Chinese directors and actors. Most of newspapers not in China but elsewhere too carried the reports and some web sites and television networks showed the sleazy pictures too. One website had a million hit in three days. In September 2003, the then-unknown Zhang became nationally famous after telling the press that she had videotapes and other evidence to prove that director Huang Jianzhong had sex with her friend, Xiaoxia (real name not disclosed), in front of her June 1, 2002. Zhang admitted again that she had received all her roles by sleeping with directors. The videotapes revealed by her had the times, venues and names of the persons involved. Zhang said some of the videos show her having sex with Huang, a well known director who since 2003 had been denying the charge. Zhang also showed four letters signed by famous actors like Wen Haibo and Chen Youwang saying she would be offered roles in TV series in return for having sex. Chen admitted that he had signed the letter, but only under coercion, while Wen refused to comment. Zhang now threatens to expose further to write an autobiography titled "Days in Showbiz" and would continue her suit against Huang and other directors. Zhang said Huang had hinted many times that he would offer her roles in his TV series if she had sex with him. Zhang later said she did not want to have sex with Huang, but being worried she would lose the opportunity to act in the TV series, she asked Xiao-xia to be her "substitute." [Huang responded in 2003 that he did have dinner with Zhang but he was drunk after two bottles of beer and could not remember what had happened that day. Then he, along with TV producer Zhang Jizhong and director Yu Min, criticized Zhang in a newspaper article for making false accusations. In return, Zhang sued the three for damaging her reputation. In May this year, a Beijing court ruled the three directors were innocent as they had simply made general remarks about social morality.] now when the aspiring actress Zhang Yu decided she wanted to blow the whistle on some of China's top TV and film-makers - those who have demanded sex in return for roles in their soap operas and movies - she chose the internet to make her case. Zhang says she won all her roles through sleeping with the directors, assistant directors or men in charge of casting. She also made films herself - of the casting couch sessions. Then she rocked the film and TV world by releasing 20 graphic sex videos of her and a host of big names. The videos are an insight into how China's casting couch works and millions of Chinese have logged on to the websites, prompting a debate over what is justifiable content on the Web. Some internet users are shocked that household names would abuse their positions so shamefully, while others have merely had their worst fears confirmed about how things work in the film business. Yet shocked or saddened, millions of them are logging on to the websites showing the clips. "Why should a woman suffer in silence and bear with all the unfair treatment?" Zhang asks in her blog. "If you have to mix with beasts and snakes and you are not venomous, how shall you survive?" Some internet users are shocked that household names would abuse their positions so shamefully, while others have merely had their worst fears confirmed about how things work in the film business. Yet shocked or saddened, millions of them are logging on to the websites showing the clips. Zhang, 30, comes from a poor farming family in Hubei province, and insists the reason she is exposing the Chinese casting couch is because she wants to uncover what is referred to as the industry's "hidden rule", and thus challenge the powers-that-be who exploit young women. The casting couch is nothing new in China, no more than it is in other film industries. Many in this tale have referred to the "hidden rule" - confirming the widespread existence of the casting couch - but insist on silence regarding further details. "We the Chinese women have suffered so much humiliation in the past, but nobody dares to talk about it," Zhang said. "They are scoundrels, they don't care, and they always say the same thing, 'Zhang Yu, you don't have a future if you do this.' They all say the same thing. What does it mean? Even if you do that, we are not afraid. On the contrary, we can ruin you." |
|
Labour MP John McDonnell Voices Concern about Punjabis FOR a strong community of 7 lakh in Britain at least some members of House of Commons are raising their voice. Punjabis over the past century has not only made significant contribution to wealth creation in England, but have made huge sacrifices in defending the British empire during the two world wars. It is also well recognised that many of them fought valiantly against the British occupation of India. Yet they are much harassed people in England today. On 5 December this year a Labour MP John McDonnell lead a debate in Parliament on the issues facing the Punjabi community in Britain. John is the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group in Parliament on the Punjabi Community in Britain. John McDonnell is the, chairman of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MP and challenger to the leadership of both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. In his speech to Parliament John explained that it is estimated that there are over 700,000 people of Punjabi origin in Britain and that Punjabi is Britain’s second language. He described the successful role Punjabis play in our society leading in the fields of business, law, media, arts, sports and politics. John emphasised that policies were needed to ensure the continuing success of the Punjabi community including: *Support for Punjabi language teaching in schools, universities, Gurdwaras and community groups, *Support for Punjabi arts and culture, including Punjabi Folk art, drawing attention to the success of Punjabi radio stations and press, *Continuing improvements in the visa system, including the upgrading of the Jalandhar visa office to provide the full range of visa services, *Support for the environmental work being taken by the All Party Group to highlight the issues of water shortage, desertification and the plight of Punjabi farmers, *Developing links between Britain and the Panjab for economic development initiatives, linking colleges and universities for training and improving cheaper airport access into the Panjab from Britain, *the need for proper recognition of the Sikhs and the Punjabi language in the next census in 2011, *the development of a national and international protocol on the wearing of the Kirpan and other symbols of religious observance. John also drew attention to the case of Davinderpal Bhullar, facing the death penalty in India, and the lack of progress in the investigation of the attacks on broadcaster Jasvir Singh Rayat, and the murder of newspaper editor Mr Tarsem Singh Purewal, 20 years ago. John expressed the concern of the whole community at the recent attack on a Sikh youth in Glasgow. Other Members of Parliament from all parties participated in the debate and the Home Office Minister, Meg Munn, responded, promising Government action across Government departments on this wide range off issues. |
|
An Independent People’s Tribunal on World Bank and IMF SOME concerned citizens have taken big initiative and proposed an Independent People's Tribunal on the World Bank Group in India (IPT-WBG). The purpose is to provide a just forum for people, who have been impacted by projects and policies funded or promoted by the WBG, to express their grievances and propose alternatives. The IPT-WBG will conduct an in-depth examination of the WBG’s influence and impact on a host of sectoral and cross-sectoral issues through a series of depositions that will be presented to a panel of eminent experts from relevant fields. For more information and to endorse the IPT- WBG contact us at secretariat@worldbanktribunal.org or visit www.worldbanktribunal.org The record of projects funded and promoted by the WBG in India has been far from acceptable in terms of human rights violations and environmental degradation. The time has come to examine and judge the WBG's claim that it is serving the wider public interest and reducing poverty, given its increasing impact and influence on the country's economy, as well as its educational, social and cultural fabric. The main objectives identified for the Tribunal are; • To dismantle the impression that the World Bank is an independent body which does not espouse the cause of any country or private agency? • To establish the extent of the World Bank's influence on the policy-making decisions of Indian government officials. • To establish how the World Bank's policies have aggravated poverty, incapacitated democratic structures, and promoted privatization. At the National Consultation on Housing and the Urban Poor held in Mumbai in October 2005, where over two hundred groups participated, a call was issued to take forward this process. In order to formalize the idea, several consultations have been conducted with groups, individuals and organizations in Various parts of the country. Thereafter: A Strategy Meeting was held in Delhi on the 9th of September to establish a clear direction for the Tribunal. Around 40 groups and individuals were represented in a variety of sectors Concept Notes for the Health, Water and other sectors have been drafted and can be found on the website along with more information about the Strategy Meeting. This was followed by a Planning Meeting for the state of Orissa which took place on September 28th in Bhubaneswar with grassroots groups and a workshop at ISF in November 2006 to generate a wider debate and discuss how WBG-IPT can Support local initiatives and campaigns. The IPT -WBG is tentatively scheduled to take place over 5 days in March - April 2007 in New Delhi. A final date and location will be determined in consultation with participating groups. Please visit www.worldbanktribunal.org for the latest information. Who is organizing the People's Tribunal on the WBG? The Tribunal on the WBG and its allies is visualized as a collective process that will be guided by key organizations and groups from across the country. The Tribunal will be thus structured: Panel (jury) - Will hear the depositions and render judgement. Made up of distinguished individuals from within and outside of India jointly selected by the conveners, advisors and secretariat. Conveners - Will play the most critical role in the process. They are key groups/ grassroots organizations and movements who are responsible for a sector or region. They will assist the participant groups in mobilizing affected people, putting together the depositions and in selecting the projects to be profiled. 3. Advisors - Individuals with expertise in the field who will Guide, help with the research and assist the process. 4. Endorsing/Participating Organisations - Large spectrum of government groups/grassroots organisations who will endorse and support the process. And have a secretariat - Comprising of researchers and organizers who provide administrative and logistic support to the process and assist with research. |
|
|
KARL
Marx while striving earnestly to create a new man was always emphatic
about morality. The whole Marxian lexicon and later
practices emphasised that capitalism or the bourgeoisie order was
demeaning and immoral where there was neither equality nor justice.
Women were either symbols of sex or chattel. Now what is happening in
the world’s well known symbol of communist state and the only major
pall bearer after the collapse of Soviet Union?