The Ground Report India - 2010 January Edition PDF

Ground Report India (GRI) January 2010
GRI - January 2010 3
Cover Reports 3
Spring of Hope : HOPE BEYOND DISCONTENTMENT 3
WHEN THE HEARTHS WENT COLD 4
Is the State Information Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh, loosing his mind or is it ego of power and misuses of
power ? 5
In one year the small village of Gadrata, Rajasthan earned 0.15 Million US$. The secret: rainwater
harvesting 6
Trade, Corporate Market and Indigenous People 6
Energy Injustice in India: Hiding Behind Poor 8
Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years imprisonment 10
International 12
Pakistani Christian distrust government claims to ensure justice in Shazia murder case 12
Jyoti Basu's Legacy An Opportunity to Revisit Indian Politics 13
Another print journalist abducted and murdered (Mexico) 16
Newspaper editor shot dead 16
ANU Chancellor wins International Freedom award 17
Ashley Madison going down? Adultery is illegal no?! 18
JIP Condemns Suicidal Attack on Religious Procession at Karachi 18
Reports 20
SRI LANKA NOW NEEDS HEALING TOUCH 20
A brief report on rape of four Khond adivasi women 21
“Magsaysay Winner Dr. Sandeep Pandey is a dual character man” says Sanjeeba, a known street play activist of
Kanpur 22
R-Day Activists meet sets up Citizens’ SOS group 22
PRESS RELEASE by NAPM-West Bengal 23
SCAM in High School Arai, Dist. Aurangabad (Bihar) 24
Bihar administration does not care for public complaints on misuses of public money, even though they have been
made to the Chief Minister 25
Nange Paon condemns statements made by Adv. Prasahnt Bhooshan 25
Inhuman torture by BSF upon a student and a minor of religious minority section 26
Muslims in Manipur: A look at their socio-economic condition 27
One custodial death and denial of legal mandate by the criminal justice administrators 28
www.groundreportindia.com 1
Patna police uprooting Muslim traders selling cane-made items, govt. silent 29
"DHARMA SANSAD" at IIPA, New Delhi 30
DISABLED SR. CITIZEN COMPELLED TO USE E-MAIL COMMUNICATION FAILED TO GET DESIRED OUT
COME/RESPONSE/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 30
Columns 33
Election of Geeta Prasad Yadav, a spark in Electoral Politics in India 33
Nearly 2 lakh farm suicides since 1997 (by P. Sainath) 33
Status of the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in different states 34
OPEN LETTER TO CORPORATE GIANT- VEDANTA 35
PTI Diary by Neeraj Bhushan (001) 37
Maharashtra government & others have neglected & ignored the cause of Senior Citizens 38
About Ground Report India 39
Publication Policies: 39
Email Policies: 40
Disclaimer: 40
GRI - January 2010
Cover Reports
Spring of Hope : HOPE BEYOND DISCONTENTMENT
Karnataka
IS the New Year going to be different from the old? Many in this country, millions upon millions, would certainly like to ring out the
old and ring in the new with new hopes and expectations. They would wish the spectre that haunted them in the past – natural
calamities, impoverishment, unemployment, fratricidal clashes, caste, communal and terrorist violence – to disappear and not keep
company with them in the journey ahead.
There is distress all over the country. The reality, grim and grinding, beckons the nation to a desperate prospect. Deep-rooted fatalism,
dumb acceptance of misery, a raging sea of poverty, and a few islands of vulgar luxury, inhabited by a few who behave as if nothing
has happened. It is too deep for tears. And this should disturb every sensitive Indian.
The cancers that have grown in the vitals of India are so horrendous that whole limbs may decay and die before some sort of curative
effort succeeds in the rest of the system. Corruption has become so entrenched that all of us justify it as a fact of global life. It is a
situation where "the best lack all conviction/ And the worst are full of passionate intensity/The things fall apart/The centre cannot
hold/Mere anarchy loosed upon the world". It is the winter of our discontent.
Yes, to begin the New Year with forebodings may sound like a pessimist’s pastime. But we must face it with buoyant self-confidence.
And the stout-hearts among us should not lose hope.
Caught in the immediacy of the present we may be agonizing over these maladies. But, there is still hope. "There is an ebb and tide in
the affairs of man. Things will change". This may be the darkest hour before the radiant dawn. God has not gone bankrupt. He can
make the blind see, the deaf hear and the lame cross the mountain. If past is any pointer to the future, there is indeed hope. There is
resilience in our people, which no combination of adversities can kill. Our ideals and principles might appear to be in eclipse. But,
eclipses are short-lived.
In an atmosphere surcharged with cynicism on the one hand and despair on the other, we would do well to remind ourselves that our
present predicament is not unique. There was a time when many Indians sold their souls to foreign overlords and many among us
despaired of ever liberating the country from the grip of foreign rule and from the corruption it bred. Yet, our leaders were able to
dispel the gloom when it was at its darkest and to show the way not only to freedom from foreign rule, but also from the vices that
polluted public life.
Yes, India in the past has seen many a crisis. But, the country lives on. The present ordeal too will pass and the country will again
resume the path of progress. If one has eyes to see and ears to hear, this country is moving. It is bestirred by new urges. There is
intense heart-searching, groping in the dark – not out of despair, but in the earnest hope of finding a way out.
The old value system has collapsed, but already an intense search has begun for new values for the establishment of a new morality in
public life. Go out anywhere, amidst the din and bustle of the factory or vast expanses of the fields, in the beehive of busy offices or in
the boisterous, crowded campuses – among men, women, the young and the old – you will hear a thousand and one questions why
things have gone wrong and what’s the way out of it.
Dedicated men and women, sacrificing comfort and many allurements of the consumerist society are building a new India in the
remote villages and hilly regions of this vast land of ours. There abound in this country today men and women of finest moral
qualities, experts in their respective fields seeking to advance the frontiers of knowledge and to serve the community by disseminating
it to the public.
They are playing their role in the building of this great country and are sharers, in common with others, in the triumphs and setbacks
that come their way. In the prevailing darkness they move about like figures in silhouettes; soon the sun shall arrive and identify them,
and among them shall be seen new leaders with a new message of enriched patriotism and a new resolve to make this land of ours a
better place to live in. They give us reasons for hope. Hope, where there is despair. Light, where there is darkness. Joy, where there is
sadness.
But, the saga of such endeavours is hardly publicised by the media addicted to the burlesque of present-day politics and the
accompaniments of permissive morality, addiction to vicarious violence, and erotic and narcotic fantasies.
The New Year 2010 is upon us. Come, let us make it the hour before that radiant dawn. The present with all its unhappiness and
misery will pass. It is the future that counts and it is that future that beckons to us. Beyond the winter of our discontent and
despondence, there is the Spring of Hope!
Column by:
P. N. Benjamin
--------------------------
WHEN THE HEARTHS WENT COLD

30th January
Precisely at six o’clock in the evening, on January 30, 1948, All India Radio announced: "Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in New
Delhi at twenty minutes past five this afternoon. His assassin was a Hindu."
The Mahatma was shot in the gardens of Birla Mandir, in the presence of about one thousand of his followers whom he was leading
to make his daily evening devotions. Dressed, as always, in his khadi dhoti and leaning heavily on a stout walking stick, Mahatma
Gandhi was only a few feet from the Mandir when the shots were fired. He crumbled instantly, putting his hands to his forehead in the
Hindu gesture of forgiveness to his assassin. Three bullets penetrated his body, one in the upper right thigh, one in the abdomen, and
one in the chest.
India was plunged into sorrow. All over India the news spread like wildfire. Minutes later, in Bombay rioting broke out. In Delhi, in the
fast-gathering gloom of the night, the news set the people on the march. They walked slowly down the avenues and out of the squalid
bazzars, converging on Birla House. Thereby the thousands they stood weeping silently, moaning and wailing.
Above the vast plains, the fields, the cluttered slums, writhing jungles, the air was crystal clear. The mantle of India’s night, the fine
haze of the cow-dung fires burning in a hundred millions hearths, had disappeared. To mourn the Mahatma, those hearths were cold.
From the beautiful mansion to the wretched slums, the people wept. Calcutta’s great maidan was almost empty. Through its streets a
barefoot sadhu, his face smeared with ashes walked crying: "The Mahatma is dead. When comes another such as he?"
There were grave fears, heightened by the savage outbreaks in Bombay, that without her saint to hold passions in check, all India
might be whirled into strife.
In New Delhi, a heartbroken man found in the depths of his sorrow the words that he had despaired of finding. Jawaharlal Nehru’s
eyes were filled with tears as he stepped before the microphone of the All India Radio. The words he was about to utter were
spontaneous, but they glowed with unforgettable beauty.
"The light has gone out of our lives and there is darkness everywhere", he said. (Perhaps, an unconscious imitation of Homer’s: "The
sun has perished out of the heavens"). "The light has gone out, I said, and yet I was wrong. For the light that shone in this country was
no ordinary light".
"In a thousand years", Nehru predicted, "that light will still be seen…the world will see it and it will give solace to innumerable hearts.
For that light represented something more than the immediate present; it represented the living, the eternal truths, reminding us of the
right path, drawing us from error, taking this ancient country to freedom."
The light whose disappearance Nehru mourned belonged to the rest of the world, too. Messages of condolence poured in from every
corner of a shocked globe. Mahatma Gandhi’s first political rival, Field Marshal Smuts, sent a simple tribute: "A prince among us has
passed". At Vatican, the Pope Pius XII paid tribute to the Mahatma as "an apostle of peace".
It was the irony of fate that one whose life was directed against violence should be snuffed out by the forces of violence. "It shows how
dangerous it is to be good", was George Bernard Shaw’s reaction to the news of the assassination.
"Just an old man in loin cloth in distant India", commented Louis Fischer. "Yet, when he died, humanity wept"
In a moving editorial the New York Times wrote: "…the saint who will be remembered, not only on the plains and in the hills of India
but all over the world. He strove for perfection as other men strive for power and professions. He pitied those to whom wrong was
done: the East Indian labourers in South Africa, the untouchable ‘children of God’ of the lowest caste in India, but he schooled
himself not to hate the wrongdoer…Now he belongs to the ages".
Appropriately in the vast outpourings of tributes, Indian newspapers themselves produced the most memorable testimonial of all.
Several of them left their editorial pages blank ringed by a black border.
Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948 and he was tried and executed. But almost everyone, who holds authority
now in India and speaks untruths is a co-assassin with Godse, though not tried and convicted. Everyone in power who misleads the
country away from freedom – political, economic, cultural and social – for which Gandhiji stood all his life, is an uncovicted abettor of
Godse. Every dishonest man, either in business or in government, is a co-assassin with Godse. Everyone who utilises power for
personal or party advantage is a Godse.
Everyone who gives or receives a bribe is an unconvicted Godse. Every hypocrite in public life puts a knife into Gandhiji’s side. Father,
forgive us.
Article by:
P. N. BENJAMIN
----------------------------------
Is the State Information Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh, loosing his mind or is it ego of power and
misuses of power ?
Uttar Pradesh, India
Ram Saran Awasthi, the State Information Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh rejected a very genuine appeal illegally.
Details of Case:
An application under RTI Act was filed to Public Information Officer, District Administration- Mau, Uttar Pradesh by Arvind Murti
s/o Ram Murti, resident Village- Sahupur, District- Mau.
The main points of the RTI application are:
• From 13th October 2005 to 8th October 2009

17. How many RTI applications were received?
18. How many RTI applications were replied within 30 days?
19. How much revenue was received by these RTI applications?
20. How many RTI applications were not replied to within 30 days?
21. For how many cases did the district administration receive notices by the State Information Commission?
22. How much expenses were made as TA & DA by officers in cases for those notices were sent by State Information
Commission?
• If section 4 of RTI Act has been published, please provide a copy of that.
• What is your Citizen Charter?
The above points were mentioned in the RTI application by Arvind Murti s/o Ram Murti.
This RTI application was rejected by Ram Saran Awasthi, the State Information Commissioner. The Commissioner commented that
the application was baseless and was made to create problems for the district administration.
The applicant, Arvind Murti, is a known RTI activist of Uttar Pradesh and has been actively participating in people’s movements for
the last 3 decades. He is planning to put the whole case in front of the Governor of the State under section 17 of RTI Act.
---
Report by:
GRI Reporter
-------------------------
In one year the small village of Gadrata, Rajasthan earned 0.15 Million US$. The secret: rainwater
harvesting
Seekar, Rajasthan, India
This is the success story of the small village of Gadrata and its hamlets (overall about 50-55 families) in the Seekar district of
Rajasthan and how water means gold!
A few years ago Smt. Amla Ruia, Chairperson of Aakar Charitable Trust and a resident of Mumbai, Maharashtra, motivated and
supported the villagers of Gadrata to build a Check Dam to solve their water problems. Until that time groundwater levels in their
wells were in serious decline.
The Gadrata-Check Dam has produced fantastic results with wells, hand-pumps and ponds upto a range of 7-8 kms receiving
recharge from the structure and groundwater-levels have increased significantly.
Villagers had never grown vegetables before the construction of the check-dam, but in the year of 2008-2009 they earnt around 9
Lakh Rs (about 20,000 US$) from irrigating tomatoes, cauliflowers, onions, brinjals, gourd and other vegetables.
Benefits to the village because of the Check-Dam:

Vegetables crops could be produced
Wheat, Mustard, Millet and Fodder yield increased many times
Diesel expenses decreased significantly as groundwater levels rose
Note: GRI was highly impressed by the work done by Aakar Charitable Trust thus the GRI team is making detailed reports on the
rainwater-harvesting works and village economy development works of Aakar Charitable Trust in Rajasthan. The detailed reports will
be published in the coming Editions of GRI.
Report by:
Ground Report India
------------------------------------
Trade, Corporate Market and Indigenous People
The Copenhagen drama is over. Nothing came out of it. It was predicted the same by many expert and many intellectuals, activists,
professional experts kept a distance from this proscenium. But what is that concerns the ordinary people of this nation? How does
market and market values related with people at large and particularly the Dalits, Adivasis and the exploited sections of Indian
society? What is the correlation between trade, corporates, market and indigenous communities of this land who still have the noble
quality of surviving on a minimum basis?
A Competition of Unequals
In March 2009, European Parliament came up with a resolution on EU-India Free Trade Agreement, where one of the major
concerns raised was the inability of India to contain with the problems of Dalits and Adivasis. The reason identified was the lack of
administrative and political will of the government, which underlines the existence of an unjust socio-political divide. Apparently this
stratifies the inability of Dalits and Adivasis to coup up with the situation under free trade formula particularly in the context of unjust
caste system.
In October 2008, the Director General of WTO, Pascal Lamy said, “All of the models suggest that the gains to developing countries
will be larger the more they open their markets to trade.” Citing specific cases, he said, “since opening their economies, Asian giants
like China and India have together lifted more than 440 million people out of poverty, an economic success.” While trade has been an
engine of aggregate economic growth, Lamy did not consider the unmitigated displacement of traditional sectors and the uneven
development that has led to an alarming rise in income inequality both socially and geographically within each country.
Industrialization has today proved to be the worst form of development with unchecked exploitation, particularly with WTO taking
the centre stage of all sorts of trade related agreements and transactions. Trade is no longer buying and selling of goods and services
but it encompasses issues like Intellectual Property Rights, exploitation of resources, maintenance of supremacy, mobilizing capital,
controlling share market etc. Prophets of free trade argue that it maximizes economic output but what has been witnessed is a
competition of unequals – diametrically opposite to these claims.
Corporates Trading Indigenity
The symbiotic relationship between the forest-based communities and the forest Eco-system is an eternal truth. Their life cannot be
segregated into watertight compartments such as social, economic, political, religious, cultural, administrative, intellectual, spiritual,
etc. Undoubtedly Adivasis, live in close relationship with the forest and have the greater dependency on it. There are many Dalit
artisan and craftsman communities like Kurava in Kerala, Mala communities in Andhra Pradesh, Basod in Madhya Pradesh
dependent on the forests. However their customary rights were either curtailed or ignored by every ruler – both Colonial and
National.
Undeniably the past policies led to unchecked forest destruction, affecting people’s lifestyle and stuck at the very survival. People’s
control over Natural Resources was further reduced with the direct intervention of World Bank in funding forest projects. Biodiversity,
bionetwork genealogy, natural knowledge, medicinal herbs etc. are treasure of wealth in forests. With land, forest and water in the
open market, life and culture turns corporatized, slowly legitimizing an unquestionable political and social control over people.
State has turned out to be an implementation tool of the corporatehood. For instance private participation in mining sector is widely
open in Chhattisgarh. The State’s Mineral Policy has created conducive business environment to attract private investment with
simplified procedures. The state is interested to provide resources and manpower such as tailor-made programs in geology, geophysics,
geochemistry, mineral beneficiation, mining engineering, land procurement, financial support, recommend for mining operations in
forests area, etc. For the people, their dependency on land and forest is not just as a productive asset but as a symbol of their self-
determination, co-existence, community feeling and dignity.
Displaced & Dislocated

Mining projects, power plants, dams, defense projects, wildlife management, botanical gardens, bio-experiments, eco-tourism, etc has
displaced large population across the country. For example in Chhattisgarh alone almost 17 lakh acres demarcated for wildlife
conservation consisting of 250 villages with an approximate population of 50000 had already been cleared off. 10 major dams
acquired 257032.585 acres of land affecting 238 villages and their rehabilitation has not yet been done. 30 medium projects impacted
123 villages with an acquisition of 32745.13 acres. These statistics are of 2000, which has gone several multiple by now.
Sarguja, Raigarh and Bilaspur districts are the coal zones. It is estimated that more than 72000 acres was leased to SECL for coal
mining, dislocating hundreds of villages. Nearly 20000 acres have been occupied for mining steel in Bailadeela and Dalli Rajhara area
of Bastar and Durg districts with some of the rare quality of steel. In Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur, there are 10 big cement plants and
its auxiliary units. Huge diamond deposits in Devbhog (Raipur) and Bastar are also in the eyes of the MNCs. In all for cement
industry 2990 acres, 14530 acres for rice mills, 7665 acres for steel industry, for ferry alloys 940 acres and 285 acres for re-rolling mills
were already acquired till 1998. Apart from these 18652.377 acres of land has been given for mining.
Within the last 2 years, Chhattisgarh has signed 61 MoUs with Independent Power Producer (IPP) to generate 50000 MW of
electricity with an investment of nearly Rs.250000 crores. National Thermal Power Corporation signed an agreement last July to set
up a 4000 MW plant needing 30000 hectares. 16 power projects are to be established in Janjgir-Champa district alone with an
approximate estimation of 80000 acres of land for unit establishment, ancillary divisions and blocks, overburden dumping, fly-ash,
staff quarter, road, and other infrastructure.
Between 2005 and 2007 Jindal alone had applied for the prospecting licence (PL) and mining licence (ML) for 6110.95 sq km and
another 1559.172 hectare (3852.66 acres) in Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Rajnandgoan, Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh,
Jashpur and Surguja districts. This gives a glimpse of displacement or possible dislocation. A survey by a Delhi based NGO revealed
that over 1.5 Jharkhandi Adivasi girls/women are domestic workers in Delhi. Over half of them are found to be from displaced group.
Non-recognition of land rights implies land alienation which further leads to depeasantisation.
Seeking Market or Alternatives?

Under the impact of corporate market the lifestyle, culture and ethos of indigenous people change forcefully. Land is turned into a
commodity with concentration on corporate capital. People’s rights are systematically and strategically bypassed, excluded or isolated,
while a new army of easily disposable domestic refugees emerge. The historic omission and betrayal continues multifold. It is a conflict
between surplus and survival, subsistent economy and market economy, between community life and competition.
Devastating development based on industrialism and wasteful growth is the root cause of this. Developing countries must be allowed
the policy flexibility and political space to create national development strategies to increase incomes and secure livelihoods. Policies
should create employment and raise productivity, especially in the agricultural and informal sector along with progressive taxation
system, land reform and equitable access to education, health, credit and technology.
Hence a reorienting of economies from production for export to production for the local market is required. De-emphasize growth
and maximize equity in order to radically reduce environmental disequilibrium. Global policymakers need to understand not only the
economics of aggregate growth, but the socio-economic impact of globalized flows on the distribution of income aligning welfare of
human beings. One needs to come out of the socio-political inferiority and impotence, which prevents them from identifying the de-
humanizing situations, and restricts them to magical explanations and limits the activities to passive acceptance and resignation.
Article by:
Goldy George
-----------------------
Energy Injustice in India: Hiding Behind Poor
Synopsis:
Greenpeace India recently released a survey report on the discrimination prevailing in the supply of electricity to rural and urban
areas. This report “Still Waiting” demonstrates, on the basis of survey conducted in five states, that the rural India is being neglected
even after 62 years of independence as far as electricity supply is concerned, and provides useful recommendations to over come the
same. The author was involved in the preparation of that report. This article is based on the main points of that report.
---------------------
Energy Injustice in India
The deleterious impacts of man made Climate Change as a consequence of Global Warming are no more seen as theory; they are
already being experienced in many ways. The Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has listed the potential impacts
of Global Warming as: famines and droughts; worldwide drop in crops; risk of flooding and scarcity of fresh water supplies; sea levels
rise; huge impact on general health etc. These impacts are projected to have massive influence on the lives of millions of people living
in tropical countries such as India.
Energy consumption is closely associated with substantial part of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions leading to Global Warming. Of
various forms of energy electricity alone is responsible for about 42% of global CO2 emissions and about 24% of all GHG emissions.
Fossil fuel burning for generation of electricity is one of the main causes of GHG emissions.
India’s low per capita electricity consumption, as also of other developing countries, is being offered as the main argument in favor of
larger carbon space for India. When we consider the fact that for about 40% of such a large population the commercial energy is out
of reach even after 6 decades of independence the gravity of the situation becomes crystal clear. If we aim to provide energy security
to our growing population in a business-as-usual scenario, the pollution level in our country will be enormous. As per Greenpeace’s
projection India’s contribution to the global CO2 emissions will increase from about 1,126 million tons in 2003 to approximately
4,039 million tons in 2050, increasing its share in global emissions from 4.8% to 8.7% in a business as usual scenario.
While it may appear logical that India should argue for common but differentiated responsibilities for each country to reduce country
specific GHG emissions, its own record of energy consumption by two broad categories of citizens should be of grave concern.
Energy profligacy by the rich and lack of access to commercial energy for the poor within India should be of a major concern. India
has a primary obligation to its own people to do all that is possible to minimize the impact of climate change. As per Greenpeace
report “Hiding Behind the Poor” much of India’s population, which is in lowest income group, have per capita CO2 emissions of
about 335 kg, while a small section of the population with the highest income group have per capita CO2 emissions of about 1,500 kg.
The Integrated Energy Policy as developed by the Planning Commission has projected that “to sustain a growth rate of 8% through
2031-32 and to meet the lifeline energy needs of the poor, India needs, at the very least, to increase the power generation capacity to
nearly 800,000 MW from the current capacity of about 160,000 MW inclusive of all captive power plants.” In this context it is
important to note that more than 70% of such additional capacity is projected to be coal based. Hiding Behind the Poor, the
successive governments have embarked on a major capacity addition drive based on fossil fuels and dams since last few decades.
Such a large scale addition of conventional power capacity in a short period will have profound impact on social, environmental and
economic aspects of our society. The massive amount of coal burning; the large requirement of fresh water and land to support this
much of additional power capacity will not only devastate our environment but will also push the vulnerable sections of our society to
destitution, because of displacement, lack of fresh water and threat to livelihood.
While India is asking for adequate Carbon space for its poor to develop, it is finding it impossible to provide electricity to its poor
through the business-as-usual model, even though huge sums of money are being poured in additional conventional technology power
stations. Whereas the middle and upper classes of its population are rapidly catching up with the high per capita electricity
consumption levels of the developed countries, the poor and the vulnerable in rural areas are yet to get even the life line electrical
energy.
A study on Rural – Urban divide

Greenpeace India undertook a study recently to expose the electricity injustice within India. To compare the electricity supply scenario
in rural and urban populations, relevant data were sought from 5 different states from four regions of the country. In each of theses
states one tier A city, one tier B city, and three villages were chosen for survey in this regard. None of the 15 villages covered in the
survey were found to have 100% electrification. Even in those villages, where the official records indicate more than 50%
electrification of households, the supply is so bad that the per capita electricity consumption is abysmally low. Most of the villages
covered in the survey have per capita electricity consumption less than 100, which almost negates the very purpose of electrification.
Most states consider one unit a day as the lifeline energy requirement for a family.
The worst part of such a poor supply to the villages is that there is neither a regularity nor it is provided when the people need it most.
Generally the power supply is provided in the afternoon hours and late night hours, when it is not of much use for the villagers.
Additionally, the low voltage conditions and frequent interruptions make the electrification a cruel joke on the villagers.
This pathetic situation of villages is in stark contrast with the capital cities and urban areas, which have almost 100% electrification
and enjoyed 22 to 24 hours of much better quality supply. This objective survey of the villages, under the title “Still Waiting”, has
revealed that with 100% house hold electrification and 24 hours of supply each of these villages can attain a much better quality of
life style, drastically reducing the need for urban migration and slums.
The Electricity Injustice for the rural population of the country can be exemplified by the facts below.
( In Karnataka between 1999 and 2009 the available power capacity has gone up by 70%; energy consumption has gone up by 95%;
per capita consumption has gone up by 76%. But 356 villages remained unelectrified.
In Maharastra between 1999 and 2009 the available power capacity has gone up by 54%; energy consumption has gone up by 54%;
per capita consumption has gone up by 32%. But 5,018 villages remained unelectrified.
In Uttar Pradesh between 1997and 2009 the available power capacity has gone up by 58%; energy consumption has gone up by 53%;
per capita consumption has gone up by 6%. But 12,298 villages remained unelectrified. )
About 40% of the entire population in India, almost all of which in rural areas, are still without access to any commercial form of
energy including electricity. Even few households in a village, having electrical connection, get power supply only during some parts of
the say. Whereas the demand and supply of electricity to towns and cities have been increasing at a tremendous rate, the rural areas
are unable to meet even their basic needs for lighting and agriculture.
( The total installed generating capacity in the country has gone up from 58,012 MW in 1989 to 1,52,148 MW in 2009, a whopping
162% increase. Total monthly generation from conventional sources has increased from 43,596 MU in March 2000 to 65,057 MU in
March 2008, an increase of about 50%. National per capita electricity consumption has gone up from 283 kWH in 1992-93 to 429 in
2005-06, an increase of 52%. But 40% of the households, mostly in rural areas, have no access to electricity even in 2009. )
A thorough analysis of the power sector in the country provides real reasons for this gross neglect of rural areas. Huge inefficiencies
prevailing in generation, transmission, distribution and utilization of electricity are at the root of the larger problem. These
inefficiencies alone, which are typical characteristics of a badly managed grid based centralized electricity generation system, amount
to a total loss in the range of 25-40% of the installed capacity. Few effective measures such as improving the generating plant
performance; reducing the T&D losses; minimizing the wastage in usage; demand side management (DSM); energy conservation have
all tremendous potential to overcome the deficits.
Sustainability of centralised supply system and conventional power plants

Inherent with a grid based centralized generation system are the need for long lengths of transmission lines, complex network of
distribution systems, and the associated equipment such as transformers. Each of these add to the complexity, reduced reliability and
increased capital & operational costs. These centralized generation systems also are found to be economical only with large size power
plants and concentrated loads. But Indian villages are wide spread and cannot provide any substantial loads individually as in the case
of towns and cities.
The centralized generation/distribution model has inherent problems attached to it in terms of equity also. In a case of power
shortage it will be the rural poor that are suffering. The poor is the last to get power (Last In) and the first to get shut out of power
(First Out). Clearly the present model is not the best way forward in any welfare society.
( Whereas the grid based centralized generation system has failed to meet the basic energy needs of the majority of the country’s
population, who are living in rural areas, few recent initiatives in the private sector to provide electricity to un-electrified villages
through stand alone community based non-conventional energy power plants fed by bio-mass OR wind OR solar OR micro-hydel
power have established that they are the appropriate solution to the energy requirements of most sections of the country. The major
advantages which are associated with these alternatives are the shorter gestation periods, low societal impacts, and their immense
suitability to rural needs. )
There is clearly an urgent need for a paradigm shift in our energy policy: instead of blindly adding millions of MW of additional
capacity based on conventional power sources and centralized power supply system, we need to adopt an ‘integrated energy resource
management’ approach which will have renewable energy sources and decentralized supply systems at its core.
There are growing indications that in view of the huge societal costs associated with economic, social and environmental aspects of
grid based centralized generation system of conventional power sources, the decentralized electric supply systems based on renewable
energy sources are hugely economical in the long run and the best option for the accelerated electrification of rural house holds.
A thorough review of the existing practices in the way power sector is managed will reveal that there is huge scope for improvement
before we can catch up with the world best practices: whether it is in improving the generating plant performance, OR reducing the
T&D losses; OR minimizing the wastage in usage, OR demand side management (DSM); OR energy conservation. Adequate funds
should be made available to realise this potential before 2015 to enable peaking of GHG emissions in the power sector.
Few recent initiatives in the private sector to provide electricity to un-electrified villages through stand alone community based non-
conventional energy power plants fed by bio-mass OR wind OR solar OR micro-hydel power should be replicated at a wider scale
throughout the country on a priority basis.
Conclusions:
In summary, an objective overview of the electricity scenario in the country provides a sad picture of electricity injustice of huge
proportions, which is not leading to the welfare of the rural communities. Unless urgent corrective measures are taken to set right this
injustice the overall development of the country will greatly suffer, while accelerating the addition of GHG emissions against our own
national as well as global interests.
Grid based centralized generation system is considered by the successive governments as the solution for faster economic growth and
accelerated rural electrification, but in reality the same is observed to be helping largely to meet the ever growing electricity demand of
urban population. The deficiencies, complexities and costs inherent in the grid based centralized generation system in India cannot
provide any assurance that the rural-urban divide will be eliminated soon and that the electricity supply at the national level will be
satisfactory in the near future. The decentralized energy solutions are the right answers to provide quality access to electricity to the
rural population.
The poverty alleviation, rural electrification, decentralized electricity supply system based on renewable energy sources, human
development, mitigation and adoption to Climate Change are all intricately linked and hence need to be addressed with an integrated
approach.
The complete report can be downloaded from Greenpeace website :

http://www.greenpeace.org/india/press/reports
----------------------
Report by:
Shankar Sharma
Consultant to Electricity Industry
-----------------------------------
Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years imprisonment
China
Sydney PEN is shocked and dismayed by the sentencing of dissident Chinese writer and academic Liu Xiaobo to 11 years
imprisonment on charges of "subverting state power". The trial was held on December 23, 2009 in Beijing, following Liu's detention
late last year. The trial concluded without providing a verdict until Friday, December 25. Liu was detained shortly before the
publication of Charter 08, a petition which he co-wrote and which was signed by numerous Chinese intellectuals and writers in
December 2008 calling for political reforms including an end to the Communist Party's single-party rule.
Since Liu's detention, Sydney PEN has joined International PEN, Independent Chinese PEN Centre (ICPC) and other PEN centres in
the region and worldwide in publically protesting the charges against him. The American government, the UN joined hundreds of
international writers in the movement in favour of Liu's release.
According to International PEN, around 100 journalists were surrounded by the police near the No. 1 Intermate People's Court where
Liu's trial was held. It was reported that many of the activists were restricted at home while others were blocked by the police when
trying to go to the court. A few tens were said being detained. Most of them were released shortly after while Liu Di, a member of
ICPC, has been still missing since someone saw her in a police car near the court. According to some of her friends, she had sent a
www.groundreportindia.com
10
statement to publish before she left home at 6:40 in the morning of December 23. According to her statement published, she had
decided to give up to the police for complying with her promise to share responsibility with Liu Xiaobo.
Sydney PEN has not received further news of Liu Di, a Beijing resident. A translation of her statement is
presented below.
My Statement of Confession - Willing to Share Responsibility for Offence

with Liu Xiaobo
By Liu Di
December 23, 2009, the day of Xiaobo's trial
To: The Beijing First Intermediate People's Court, the No. 1 Branch of
Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate and the Beijing Municipal Public
Security Bureau
I am Liu Di, also known as Stainless Steel Mouse on Internet.

Considering that the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau and the No. 1 Branch of Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate
have completed the
investigation and prosecution of Liu Xiaobo's case of inciting subversion of state power and delivered to the Beijing First Intermediate
People's Court to be tried on December 23, considering that three organs mentioned above have taken Charter 08 as an important
criminal evidence against Liu Xiaobo, and considering that I am one of the signatories and organizing plotters, I am now "giving up
to confess" to you according to the paragraphs 3 and 4 of PRC Criminal Procedure Law. I declare the followings:
My "giving up to confess" does not mean that I agree that your allegations and trial against Liu Xiaobo is lawful and just. On the
contrary, I believe that the Charter 08, which , Liu Xiaobo and other has drafted, organized, planned and signed, is an outstanding
service to promote the country to constitutional democracy and benefit nation's future and people's welfare. I am honored and proud
to have been in it.
Since you has accounted Mr. Liu Xiaobo's launching of the Charter
movement as a crime based on your special values, I must be an integral part of this case because I not only completely agree with the
spiritual value of this document but also have been involved in its organizing, planning and operating activities. I should be an
accomplice of Liu Xiaobo's case. According to the principle of equality before law, you should take me as Liu Xiaobo's accomplice to
judge us together, but not make selective justice to leave out such an important criminal suspect as me.
As a judgment of values, a judicial trial should be examined by history. Czech Republic's Charter 77 movement in 1977, Taiwan's
Formosa Incident in 1979, and China's Charter 08 movement in 2008 are all the just acts of the people fighting for human rights,
freedom and democracy. The former two campaigns have already been justified by history, and so will the latter. As judicial staff, you
should bear in mind to safeguard the dignity of the Constitution. To safeguard the people's constitutional rights is your bounden duty.
In 2003, I published an article, Worms of Persimmon Oil (liberals) surrendering to the Party and Government, condemning the
authorities for violation of the citizens' constitutional rights to freedom of expression, and so had been detained for one year on the
charges cooked up by the Beijing Public Security Bureau. I have known well that losing freedom is a great pain of life, thus full of fear
and boredom of imprisonment. However, for the dignity of Constitution and laws, and for no more imprisonment of the people in the
future due to their free speeches and independent opinions, I would prefer to share with Mr. Liu Xiaobo the same case with the same
penalty.
(The Independent Chinese PEN is among 145 member centers of the International
PEN, the oldest human rights organization and international literary organization. It aims to protect Chinese writers' freedom of
speech and freedom to write worldwise and advocates for the rights of Chinese writers and journalists who are imprisoned,
threatened, persecuted or harassed. For more information on ICPC's work, please visit http://www.chinesepen.org.)
Source:
International PEN Sydney Centre
11
International
Pakistani Christian distrust government claims to ensure justice in Shazia murder case
Karachi, Pakistan: January 24, 2010
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC, expressed distrust on statements of President Asif Zardari, CM
Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and Federal Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti that culprits will be brought to justice in Shazia case.
Christian teenage girl Shazia Bashir Masih, working as housemaid was tortured, raped and murdered by Muslim lawyer Mohammad
Naeem on January 21, 2010.
The culprit Mohammad Naeem who is member of Lahore High Court Bar Association and resident of posh Defense Housing
Authority Lahore, molested, tortured and later killed Christian teenage Shazia Bashir in his home where she was working as maid
since 2009.
The shameless episode of this inhuman drama happened when killer Mohammad Naeem Advocate accompanies with one Pakistan
Army officer ranked as Brigadier and reached in hut of poor parents of Shazia Bashir and threatens not to raise voice and offers cash
for rape and killing.
Nazir S Bhatti said that government of Pakistan and government of Punjab have been failed to secure life, respect and property of
Christian.
The announcement of compensation to family of Shazia by President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Chief Minister of Punjab
Mian Shahbaz Sharif negates Christians demand “Justice not Money” raised after destruction of hundreds of homes in village
BahmainWali, Korian and Gjra by attack of Muslim mob in July-August 2009, in Punjab. Apart from setting on fire Churches and
desecration of Holy Bibles in said villages 7 Christian children, women and elders were burnt alive by Muslim extremists in Gojra
Town. Like Shazia rape-murder case government of Pakistan and Punjab government assured Christians that justice shall be ensure.
The Federal Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti was dispatched to Gojra, Korian and village Bahminwala by President of Pakistan and
Prime Minister of Pakistan with compensation checks and orders of registration of First Information Reports FIR against local
administration.
The Punjab Minority Minister Michael Kamran was also ordered to rush to effected villages by Chief Minister of Punjab.
The 20 million Pakistani Christians watched on electronic media waiving FIR against Gojra DCO, DSP and other officials by
Shahbaz Bhatti and Kamran Michael while standing beside seven dead bodies in presence of hundreds of mourners.
“Where is justice? The DCO Gojra is promoted by Punjab government and enquiry committees of administration have given clean
chit to involved officers who closed eyes and gave free hand to thousands of Muslims to destroy homes and burn Christian alive” said
Nazir Bhatti
“There is no justice for Christians in Pakistan and we doubt that culprit Mohammad Naeem will be also saved like Gojra killers”
added Nazir Bhatti.
Nazir Bhatti said “ Give us Justice not Money because justice can only end violence against Christians in Pakistan by establishment
and fundamental Islamic elements”
It is also reported in Pakistani Press that Special Team appointed by Chief Minister Punjab to conduct postmortem of victim Shazia
Bashir have found no evidence of rape and Shahbaz Bhatti have pointed finger on one Christian Ammant Masih who recruited
Shazia for maid worker in home of culprit Mohammad Naeem.
Nazir S Bhatti urged government of Pakistan and Punjab government to immediately arrest Mohammad Naeem advocate because
PCC doubts that administration is providing time to culprits to seek bail before arrest from higher courts.
Report by:
Dr. Nazir S Bhatti

President, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC
-----------------------------------------
12
Jyoti Basu's Legacy An Opportunity to Revisit Indian Politics
-One- The Legacy
Jyoti Basu, an icon of Indian socialism, died in Kolkata. He was 95. With him, an important era of South Asian politics passed too.
Even though Basu belonged to the Communist Party of India that called itself Marxist-Stalinist, observers always thought he was
more of a social democrat, a practitioner of realpolitik. His lifelong activities and particularly his later years demonstrated a rather
moderate, inclusive philosophy that made him well-accepted and respected not just to the hard left in India, but to its splintered
progressives, and even to some moderate conservatives. He's also been a believer of peoples' democracy voting style, much to the
chagrin of the election-boycotting far left (this is not to say that election democracy worked wonderfully in India; in fact, the powerless
majority might say it's been a window dressing and validation of the status quo -- just like the U.S.). Add to that his personal acumen:
vast knowledge and experience about India and world politics, personal integrity, and ability to create and sustain broad coalitions.
These were exceptional attributes for a professional politician, especially in today's India, that made him the longest-serving chief
minister of the state of West Bengal – a once-prosperous state that got the brunt of a British partition and the Bangladesh liberation
war with massive bloodshed, refugee and economic crises. In 2000, after twenty-three years as the head of state, he voluntarily stepped
down and transferred the mantle to one of his fellow torchbearers.
Meanwhile, in 1996, when a nationally elected moderate, left-of-center alliance asked him to be India's next prime minister -- the most
powerful throne in the subcontinent -- he sacrificed it because his own Communist Party’s politburo decided not to assume the position
on ideological reasons some might call anachronism. Later, Basu himself called the decision a "historic blunder." To millions of
Indians (including many who do not believe in vote-democracy), he would have undoubtedly been a much more qualified head of the
country than most others that came before or after.
As a card-carrying member of India's Communist Party who got his training both in left politics and law in 1930's London, where he
was involved with the anti-imperialist freedom struggle, he practiced and followed rules and dictates ardently. History, however, tells us
that even within his own party, he often sided with the moderates, and challenged hardcore policies he found non-pragmatic and out
of touch. Other than the 1996 decision not to make Basu the Indian prime minister – one that dashed hopes of left-liberals, students,
youth and labor unions, and eventually disempowered Indian progressives and anti-war forces – on significant national and
international issues Basu challenged the communist orthodoxy and diehard left. In many instances, he did not succeed: Indian
communist parties have had an unfortunate dogmatic saga to put international politics before national interests, alienating the middle
mass. Example: in 1960’s, just before a devastating Chinese military aggression on Indian borders that killed many soldiers and
civilians and humiliated the nation, Basu’s party in its national convention drew up a resolution expressing faith in Chinese
communists and their peaceful solidarity with Indian comrades. Basu and his ally E.M.S. Namboodiripad dissented on the party's
position that created major anti-left sentiments in India; right-wing and centrist-capitalist groups exploited it to their advantage. In
1967, a right-center conservative coalition won important state elections for the first time in post-partition India.
My own observation is that because Basu and his colleagues' inclusive realpolitik failed within their own party where doctrines came
first and ground reality second, the once-mighty, undivided left in India gradually lost its influence even in stronghold states like West
Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Punjab, broke up in countless factions, became victims of serious, protracted
infighting and bloodshed, and in post-Soviet era, largely became powerless, if not marginalized. Even in states like West Bengal and
Kerala where left coalition governments were in power for decades, Jyoti Basu’s departure from active politics created a major
leadership vacuum, and a once-unsullied left movement that implemented major land reform empowering landless farmers became
synonymous with India’s trademark government inefficiencies, bureaucracies, inertia, hooliganism and corruption. Public sector
education, employment and health – three traditional benchmark areas of any supposedly progressive administration – suffered the
worst; rampant privatization and an unprecedented socioeconomic divide took place.
Consequently, the next-generation Indian youth that grew up in a make-believe MTV-globalized world with little understanding of
working peoples’ history of struggle, lost respect for any notion of a non-materialist, moderate yet fanaticism-free world, let alone a
equity-driven, peaceful society and living.
Along with it, the vast majority of India's forever oppressed -- rural and urban farm and factory workers, dalits and untouchables,
working Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and especially the poorest of the poor women, men and children -- lost hope for a dignified life
where their children would also share in the advances of the so-called modern, globalized world: where they would also be able to go
to the same school as their affluent or upper-caste neighbors, drink water from the same well and go to the same temple, marry in a
dowry-free marriage, or find some basic health care for their ailing, old parents. Where the young women’s rights and respect would
not be violated by local musclemen, police, smugglers or mafia.
Today's "modern and globalized" (call it wealth-crazy) India is sadly an epitome of a class, race, caste, gender, region- and religion-
splintered society, where people increasingly believe in violence to combat violence, terror to fight terror. Where harmony is an
outdated concept. Unity in Diversity, however rudimentary it was, is a matter of the past. India is now sitting on a live volcano. With
demise of Jyoti Basu and his era of politics of on-the-ground coalition-building, chances to put the country back together are now ever
so remote.
13
-Two- My Problems with Indian Left
Let's take a quick history lesson on Indian politics. Of course, the informed reader might brand my observations as biased or
uninformed and coming from someone who never belonged to a communist party; and that it's in fact coming from someone who was
deeply involved with right-wing politics for over fifteen years when Jyoti Basu and Indian left were at the helm of affairs especially in
my state of West Bengal. Yet, the informed reader might have already known about my total disillusionment and departure from
Hindu fundamentalist RSS and BJP that led to my book on this subject. The informed friend might also know about my progressive
politics, activism and writing for the past twenty-five years, especially during my living as a graduate student-turned-immigrant in
USA. Although, along with building my own credibility as a grassroots observer both in Indian and American politics, I must confess
that I've never believed in hardcore left politics, ever more so disbelieved in right-wing politics based on bigotry and hate, and in recent
years, I've really developed a strong aversion for centrist politics where the elite and privileged run the show keeping status quo and
profit, perpetually disempowering the poor. At the same time, to disappointment and perhaps some dismay of friends, I've been a
strong believer of peaceful democratic politics in the U.S., worked hard for a Barack Obama election, and kept faith in his politics of
inclusion, in spite of all the problems and missteps his administration has so far caused.
Former Speaker of Indian parliament Somnath Chatterjee, a lifelong Jyoti Basu follower whom Communist Party of India (Marxist)
expelled recently on his position on the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, said after Basu’s death that his party's decision to pull out of the
Congress-led India government was a disastrous one that contributed to the Left Front government's debacle in West Bengal. He said
Jyoti Basu did not support the pull-out.
I'm not so sure about Chatterjee's assertion. That's not the politics of pragmatism I'm talking about. Indian vote-left has stuck with the
centrist Congress administration for decades, without ever being an active part of it. Sticking with a centrist, corrupt, pro-rich,
inefficient government just to help it be in power has not ever helped the Indian left to increase or assume power of its own. If
anything, it's created an illusion that after all, the Congress-led national government is a lesser evil and worth supporting, and pulling
out would bring back the right-wing, communal forces leading to more bloodshed.
But that's only an illusion; reality is, neither the Congress nor the BJP governments have affected any significant improvements of the
lives of India's 80 percent poor, a large majority of whom have lived in destitution for generations. Indian vote-left spearheaded by the
two major communist factions CPI and CPI(Marxist) -- groups that long separated on pro-Soviet, pro-China lines -- once had sharp
differences which national government to support. Pro-Soviet CPI always supported a violently repressive, dictatorial Congress
government led by Indira Gandhi, and once-pro-China CPI(M) and vote-boycotting, more pro-China CPI(Marxist-Leninist)
vehemently opposed it. CPI(M) later supported an anti-dictatorship movement led by socialist Jay Prakash Narayan (who also
relinquished the position of prime minister) that for the first time helped topple the Congress regime at the national level, to be
replaced by an equally inefficient and ideologically-splintered Janata Party administration, one that Jyoti Basu's party supported briefly,
only to pull out in two years, causing its downfall. Many thought, pulling out of the Manmohan Singh government (one that
Chatterjee mentioned) would have the same effect; however, it survived with help from dubious, caste-based politicians – allegedly,
with use of massive bribes. CPI(M-L), however, to their credit, always opposed the Congress and Janata Party governments; one might
say, their vote-boycotting line would not let them support any elected administrations.
In hindsight, my problem with the Indian left has been that I've never believed in politics of disengagement. I see little difference
between CPI and CPI(M)'s apparently principled decision not to actively involve in national administrations and that of anti-
parliamentary-democra
cy CPI(M-L) not to support any elected governments. On that note, I now strongly support Jyoti Basu's assessment that not assuming
power in 1996 when there was a golden opportunity was indeed a historic blunder. There's a big difference between that and CPI(M)'s
pulling out of the 1977-1980 Janata Party government and 2009 Congress government. One, Jyoti Basu's consensus prime
ministership would bring together a non-Congress, non-BJP third front, which under his stewardship, would help implement some
pro-poor national plans especially massive land and water reform for the countless landless farmers and enslaved laborers. Two, even if
his government would fall under pressure from fedual India, its "modern" capitalists and pressure from West-backed global
corporations (the way the Janata Party government fell in 1980), it would be a much more cohesive government implementing policies
put together by a cohesive, left-of-center forces unlike the left-right tug-of-war Janata Party alliance. Thirdly, a Jyoti Basu national
government would make the abstraction a reality that a moderate left, pro-people, progressive national government is indeed possible
in feudal, colonial, caste- and class-ridden India.
By refusing to lead the national government at a critically opportune moment, CPI(M) leadership failed to take up on that challenge
and exposed its ultimate weakness; nobody would now believe that this group of people, unlike the right wing BJP and caste-based,
corrupt parties, has courage and strength to live up to the expectations. I believe, Jyoti Basu’s and CPI(M)’s stars began falling ever
since. Basu’s age, failing health and subsequent years of Left Front administration accelerated the downfall. Many Front leaders and
workers became synonymous with dysfunction, some otherwise good persons of integrity lost touch with reality on the ground, made
serious administrative and policy blunders (culminating in the West Bengal farming-land-giveaway deals with mega-rich corporations,
causing huge uproar and bloodshed among the rural poor), and now in early 2010, it’s almost certain that soon, the three-decade-long
Left Front regime is going to be replaced by a centrist Congress government put together by people whose own inefficiencies, lack of
administrative and intellectual preparations, massive corruption and politics of muscle power are all too well known. Longtime
activists like us shudder to vision that the dark 1970’s days of police repression, anarchy and street violence are inching back to
Calcutta and West Bengal.
14
-Three- Humility and Arrogance
Jyoti Basu donated his body -- organs, eyes, everything. It shows his benevolence, care for the needy, and also a scientific, modern,
progressive belief -- without superstitions or pseudo-religious taboos. It also symbolizes his ultimate sacrifice and dedication of his life
for the people he's left behind.
I never knew Basu well; although as a political worker, first with the right and then with the left, I've attended some of his mass
meetings when he was still strong just the way the Left Front government was strong. I found his speeches to be confident, simple, clear
and easy to understand for the mass. I never heard him using communist jargons and cliches; nor have I heard him using convoluted-
confounded reasoning only to prove that he was right. In fact, even when I was a "rising star" in the right-wing student movement, I
was deeply impressed with the simple, reassuring style of his speeches. He spoke about peoples' lives and their problems; he clearly
gave directions to resolve the problems with use of his administration and political philosophy.
In fact, I've had opportunities to hear Indian leaders from various shades of the spectrum. Other than Basu, Naboodiripad and Hiren
Mukherjee, three major communist leaders, I've closely heard socialist Jay Prakash Narayan, RSS' Golwalkar and BJP's Vajpayee,
then-Congress' "low-caste" mouthpiece Jagjivan Ram (who later quit Congress and joined the anti-Indira Gandhi alliance), and big-
ticket Nehru-Gandhi royal family leaders. As a student of public speaking, I always thought both the left and right leaders' speeches
were much closer to the ground than those of the "Gandhi'ite" centrists. Indira Gandhi's speeches were always full of fluff, rosy
promises and little substance. It reminded me of the extremely long, boring speeches of then-Soviet Gorbachev or Brezhnev.
My father's lifelong involvement with RSS and BJP (former Jana Sangh) first made me an active worker in right politics. Later,
however, when I came out of RSS and its various wings once and for all, I came to know a large number of left leaders and
personalities, including my father-in-law and colleagues at a remote, rural Bengal college where I was a biology professor before
emigrating to the U.S. At the same time, my maternal uncle Buddhadeb Bhattacharyya -- an Indira Congress "rising star" who was
later mysteriously shot to death -- took me to a whole bunch of Congress leaders, and I had a privileged opportunity to see them
closely too. In recent years, I've come to know CPI(M)'s stalwart Biman Basu who found time to meet with me on a number of
occasions.
I must say, I've always found that there are two types of political personalities in India: humble and arrogant. Not that it's anything
extraordinary considering human nature: personalities come in various colors -- red, blue, green, white, gray and black. But for leaders
both in the political arena and family circles, their persona, knowledge, experience, foresight and action plans matter a lot; their ability
to build and hold together coalitions of any kind makes or breaks. It influences not just the contemporary generation, but future
generations that watch them. Breaking is easy; making is hard. Role models matter.
In spite of its dedication, tireless grassroots work, promises, action plans and a fertile ground to organize the mass, Indian Left has
gradually failed to keep itself together; ideological strongheadedness and unwillingness to compromise broke itself up. Extreme
arrogance and not taking full responsibility for failures caused its debacle. In late 1960's, CPI, CPI(M) and CPI(M-L) went their own
violent ways; the enormous bloodshed and loss of thousands of young, promising, intelligent lives during the so-called Naxalite era
paved way for massive police repression and eventual destruction of a revolutionary movement. Naxalite leaders' unrepentant
association with the Chinese doctrine, politics of decapitation, and inexplicable opposition to the glorious-yet-bloodstained Bangladesh
Liberation Struggle made it even more detached from Bengal for generations.
Similarly, after a decade of pro-people, ear-to-the-ground administration led by an energetic Jyoti Basu and his first cabinet members,
Left Front and its countless big and small leaders -- urban, semi-urban and rural -- slowly started losing touch with reality, and
complacency and arrogance rose its ugly head. Our Kolkata metaphor is that after a long, dark Congress era of chaos when there
would be blanket power cuts, first there was light (Jyoti means light or radiance), and then there was no light over again. I'd like to add
one contributing, critical element to that second round of power cut: short fuses of Left leaders.
The recent, forceful land-grabbing for industry-manufacturing that led to massive bloodshed of poor peasants and farm workers
(who've been the backbone supporters of Left Front for thirty years) is an example of the short fuse. Not only that: unlike a pragmatic,
firm yet humble generation of Jyoti Basu that talked less, worked more, found common grounds, and would not be embarrassed to
admit mistakes, the new-generation personalities -- big or small, urban or rural -- with their insolence and inability to work together
either with the disenchanted mass or overlapping politics, brought both the Indian left movement and administrations they've run to
the brink of disaster. Worse, the once-impossible-now-likely replacement forces in Bengal are more than enough reasons to feel frozen
and see nightmares.
Add to that the other historic blunder to deprive an entire Bengali generation of English education -- a blunder that Jyoti Basu
perhaps didn't ever mention -- and we know that the disempowered mass is now even more impoverished, this time intellectually too.
With the onslaught of pro-West, pro-Wall Street, brainwashing media and an aggressive MTV-generation class that slanders any
progressive lifestyles and any concepts of equality let alone socialism, the dispossessed, vulnerable class both in West Bengal and
elsewhere in India is bound for doom. And hunger, despair, suicides, separatist violence and international terror – and more state
repression and terror India government-style – are bound to overwhelm South Asia.
Jyoti Basu gave his body and soul to the people. But he is no more to stand by their side, to save them from destruction.
Article by: Partha Banerjee Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
--------------------------
15
Another print journalist abducted and murdered (Mexico)

Mexico
Valentín Valdés Espinosa, co-founder of and journalist for the daily newspaper Zócalo de Saltillo, reportedly left the newspaper offices
with two colleagues late on the night of 7 January 2010. In the centre of Saltillo, their car was intercepted by a group of men who
forced Valdés and another, unnamed Zócalo reporter into a vehicle and drove away.
According to the Coahuila state attorney general's office, Valdés was found dead in front of a hotel in Saltillo early on the morning of
8 January. He had reportedly been tortured and shot several times. On his corpse a message was found that read: "This is going to
happen to those who don't understand. The message is for everyone."
The attorney general's office has stated that the murder was carried out by organized crime. Valdés covered local news, including
crime, for Zócalo de Saltillo. In July 2006, another journalist from the same newspaper chain, Rafael Ortiz Martínez, reportedly
disappeared in Monclova, Coahuila, and has not been seen since.
The national news magazine Proceso has reported that the other reporter who was abducted along with Valdés was later released, but
this has not been confirmed by either the newspaper or the attorney general's office. According to the newspaper, the third reporter
who was with Valdés was not abducted.
------
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) is shocked and saddened by the murder of Zócalo de Saltillo
journalist Valentín Valdés Espinosa, who was abducted on 7 January 2010 and found dead the next day in Saltillo, Coahuila state. He
had reportedly been tortured before being shot dead. Valdés is the second print journalist to be murdered in Mexico in as many weeks
and the 28th since 2004. The WiPC calls on the federal and state authorities to investigate this latest killing, along with all other
unsolved journalist murders, as a matter of the utmost urgency, and to bring the culprits to justice. It also calls for the implementation
of effective journalist protection programmes.
------
Source:
International PEN
-----------------------------
Newspaper editor shot dead

Mexico
José Alberto Velázquez López, editor and owner of the daily newspaper Expresiones de Tulum, based in Tulum, Quintana Roo state,
and a contributor to a local television station, was shot dead in Cancún on 22 December 2009. Velázquez was driving home after a
Christmas party for the newspaper staff when he was followed by two men on a motorbike who shot him in the chest, leaving him
with serious wounds. He was taken to hospital but died late that night.
The newspaper staff had reportedly received several anonymous telephone death threats in the previous few months and its printing
press was also firebombed in November 2009. Velázquez, who was also a lawyer, had reportedly written a number of articles accusing
the mayor of Tulum of corruption, poor administration and a lack of regard for the public but had stopped reporting on local politics
after receiving the death threats, which allegedly included a threatening phone call from the mayor. The mayor and Velázquez had
reportedly been enemies since April 2009, the month that the newspaper was set up and that the mayor came into office.
State prosecutors in Quintana Roo have opened an inquiry into the murder. They are reportedly looking at two possible motives:
Velázquez' work as a lawyer or that it was a crime of passion. However, his colleagues at Expresiones de Tulum have reportedly
dismissed these leads, suggesting that the murder is instead likely to have been related to the editor's criticism of the mayor. Police
investigations into the November 2009 firebombing of the newspaper premises have yet to yield any results.
Velázquez reportedly leaves behind a heavily pregnant wife and a five-year-old son.
Background
Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to work as a journalist. From January 2004 to December 2009, a total of
27 writers - 26 print journalists and one author - were murdered, seven of them in 2009 alone. Five more print journalists have
disappeared in the same period. Few if any of these crimes have been properly investigated or punished. International PEN believes
that it is likely that these journalists were targeted in retaliation for their critical reporting, particularly on drug trafficking. While
organised crime groups are responsible for many attacks, state agents, especially government officials and the police, are reportedly the
main perpetrators of violence against journalists, and complicit in its continuance.
16
----
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) protests the murder of José Alberto Velázquez López, editor of
Expresiones de Tulum, who was shot dead in Cancún, Quintana Roo state, on 22 December 2009. The newspaper had been subject
to attack, including death threats, in the previous few months and it is thought that Velázquez' murder may have been connected to his
criticism of local authorities. He was the seventh print journalist to be killed in Mexico in 2009 and the 27th since 2004. The WiPC
calls on the federal and state authorities to investigate this latest killing, along with all other unsolved journalist murders, as a matter of
the utmost urgency, and to bring the culprits to justice. It also calls for the implementation of effective journalist protection
programmes.
----
Source:
International PEN
-------------------------
ANU Chancellor wins International Freedom award

Australia
Australian National University (ANU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb has congratulated the University’s new Chancellor
Gareth Evans on being named winner of the international 2010 Freedom from Fear Medal.
The international prize is awarded every two years by the Roosevelt Stichting in the Netherlands, a private foundation allied with the
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute in New York. Previous recipients of Roosevelt medals include Nelson Mandela, John F.
Kennedy and Terry Waite.
Professor Evans receives the Freedom from Fear award for his pioneering work in compelling the world to understand the
Responsibility to Protect Concept (R2P). According to R2P, national sovereignty can no longer serve as a protective shield for nations
which allow their own citizens to be the subject of atrocities and genocidal crimes.
“This is a credit to Gareth, recognising his efforts to tackle some of the big problems on the world stage,” Professor Chubb said. “We
are proud that he will be bringing this same energy to his new role as Chancellor at ANU.”
The Freedom from Fear award is one of the Four Freedoms Medals presented each year to people whose achievements have
demonstrated a commitment to the principles that President Roosevelt proclaimed in his historic speech to the US Congress on
January 6, 1941, as essential to democracy: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from
fear.
Professor Evans is also President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group, Co-Chair of the International Commission on Nuclear
Non-Proliferation and Disarmament and Honorary Professorial Fellow at Melbourne University. He served for 21 years in the
Australian Parliament and 13 years as a Cabinet Minister.
Professor Evans will be installed as ANU Chancellor next month.
Source:
Australian National University

----------------------------------------------
17
Ashley Madison going down? Adultery is illegal no?!
Canada
Well let’s have a simple quick look at what "apparently" is too difficult for those of "apparent" authority to deal with. Let’s begin with,
when last I checked adultery is illegal.
Conspiring to do illegal things is illegal no?!
Murder is illegal and if you conspire to commit murder even if you are not the one doing it, it makes you accessory to murder.
Rape is illegal and if you conspire to commit Rape even if you are not the one doing it, it makes you accessory to rape.
Theft is illegal and if you conspire to commit theft even if you are not the one doing it, it makes you accessory to theft.
Child porn is illegal and if you conspire to commit Child porn even if you are not the one doing it, it makes you accessory to child
porn.
So lets see, last I checked adultery is illegal so how is it that there is a business getting away with conspiring to commit adultery without
being charged for conspiring to commit adultery thousands of times over?!!
Could it be that politicians were paid off / are being paid off to turn a blind eye to illegal activity?
I mean really how else is it possible that someone can get away with conspiring to commit adultery and yet adultery is illegal?
How would you like it if conspiring to commit murder etc. were to become legal? Yeah let’s put this potential trend to rest not only for
the many couples it affects through adultery anguish but for the benefit of our so called justice system being kept from becoming even
more corrupted then it already obviously is.
The company known as Ashley Madison has no leg to stand on because they are obviously full out with the intent to conspire to
commit adultery thousands of times over and just fully deserve to be shut down and anyone who has suffered anguish within their
relationship because Ashley Madison conspires such illegal activity obviously deserves to be entitled to a nice chunk of their greedy
little pie through law suit success.
Personally I do not mind doing the public a service by helping opening peoples eyes to what is going on here to shut down this
company A.S.A.P. Unless the government of course is going to or already has made adultery legal ... which I doubt very much even
they would stoop to do something like make adultery legal. If people are going to do commit adultery they will commit adultery but it
doesn't make it legal. Just like if people are going to commit murder they are going to commit murder but it doesn't make it legal.
It is obviously not the biggest deal but I feel it deserves a wee bit of my time so what ya gunna do when Spetch runs wild on you :)
Article by:
David Jeffrey Spetch

------------------------------
JIP Condemns Suicidal Attack on Religious Procession at Karachi

Pakistan
Journalists For International Peace, strongly condemned the suicide bomb blast during 10th Muharram procession near Light House
traffic signal on M.A. Jinnah road Karachi on Monday (28 Dec). The blast occurred at 04:13 pm , in which 43 innocent persons were
martyred.
The dead include 2 children and 1 Rangers official. More than 80 people have been severely injured in the suicide bomb blast. Twenty
one dead bodies have been brought to Civil Hospital Karachi whereas 4 dead bodies have also been brought to Jinnah Hospital.
About 40 injured have been brought to Civil Hospital Karachi. Ten of these are said to be in a critical condition. There are about 40
injured, including 5 women, have been brought to Jinnah Hospital Karachi.
The police said that the suicide bomber was in his teens and he was about 18 years old. The suicide bomber hit the fourth lane in the
Ashura procession. The bomb blast hit the major Muharram procession near Light House traffic signal on M.A. Jinnah road when
thousands of Muslims were paying tribute to the scarifies of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) and his family. The Ashura procession was
coming from Nistar Park and was on its way to Hussainia Iranian Kharadar.
18
Violence erupted soon after the blast and enraged people came on roads to protest the attack on Ashura procession. Angry mob set on
fire many vehicles and many markets. The firing incidents were also reported from various parts of the city after the blast. All the
Muharram processions were stopped by the security forces and were not permitted to proceed forward.
“JIP terms the suicide Bombing against any religion , as every religion of the world teaches , peace and harmony-No religion is
formed from Divine , as promoter of violence” . Iftikhar Chaudri, the President of JIP issued the statement . He demanded that
international Community must come forward to expose the conspiracy of such suicide attacks , as it aimed at provoking and
instigating sectarian clashes and damaging the peace and harmony . “The plans of the conspirators would prove in vein who are
involved in the suicide attack and want to fire the sectarian violence in the country.” He added.
He demanded to the government to take all the possible security steps to secure the lives of common citizens. He maintained that ,
some miscreants looted and burnt the shops and cars of common innocent citizens of Karachi, which incurred loss of billions of
Rupees. JIP prays to the government to immediate identify the culprits, arrest them and ensure exemplary punishment to the culprits.
He also demanded to International Community to convene an international conference “ to curb the menace of Terrorism through
Suicidal Attacks” and to ensure Peace and Harmony in Pakistan. JIP also appealed to support newly formed Global Peace Committee
on Interfaith Harmony, in Pakistan. All members JIP, pray for the departed souls, to rest in peace.
By:
Iftikhar Chaudri
President
Journalists For International Peace
Islamabad, Pakistan
--------------------------------
19
Reports
SRI LANKA NOW NEEDS HEALING TOUCH
Tamilnadu
It is gratifying that the Presidential election in Sri Lanka has been conducted at reasonably good standards and a firm verdict has been
given by the electorate. Obviously, Sri Lanka now needs a prolonged period of reconstruction in an atmosphere of peace and good
will and a healing touch. What is really important is not as to who has won the election but how the victorious candidate would
approach the various issues confronting Sri Lanka.
The President Rajapaksa should reveal enormous quality of wisdom and statesmanship and take the country forward along with him.
The whole world which watched the recent Sri Lankan Presidential election with admiration and awe would be watching the post
electoral scenes in Sri Lanka with equal interest. Certainly, the world opinion would be disappointed if . Rajapaksa would fail to
ensure an era of peace and amity. Of course, in the true democratic tradition, the defeated opposition would be critical of the
government . But, the critical attitude of the opposition would do lot of good to Rajapaksa and the Sri Lankan government if the
criticism would be viewed in right spirits.
One of the severe criticisms that has been leveled around the world in the recent past against the Sri Lankan government has been the
arrest of journalists on one reason or the other and murder of several well intentioned journalists by whatever elements. The fact is
that the earlier Sri Lankan government of Rajapaksa has failed to counter such criticisms and it does not appear to have done
anything substantial to ensure that the journalists would be provided protection and security and the freedom of the press would be
safeguarded. Any claim of robust democracy in Sri Lanka will not hold water, when press would feel threatened and journalists are
attacked and victimized. Rajapaksa should walk an extra mile to reassure the world that the freedom of press in Sri Lanka would be
respected. This is his first challenge.
It is very important that Rajapaksa should develop a working relationship with the opposition parties. Since he is in the leadership
position now, it is the duty of Rajapaksa to take the initiative in reassuring the opposition that the government would recognize the
role and duty of the opposition parties Unfortunately, in the past, there have been bitter and counter productive difference of opinions
between the ruling party and opposition parties. With matured stand from Rajapaksa, this situation can be rectified.
Rajapaksa should also take note of one of the major criticisms against him, of promoting the family members in crucial governmental
positions. While persons with merit can certainly be in crucial positions, it should be ensured that only persons with merits would
occupy such positions and the members of the family would not be pushed up at the cost of others with greater merits. Rajapaksa
needs the support of technologists, intellectuals and economic experts to steer the country ahead and he can get their support only by
ensuring that they would be given suitable positions, irrespective of the fact whether they would belong to his family or not. Entire Sri
Lanka would now watch whether Rajapaksa would rise above the family preferences.
The basic issue to be tackled in Sri Lanka is industrial and economic growth. Sri Lanka has all the natural advantages and potentials
to become an economic power. The successful leader should have the capability to ensure that the focus of the nation would be on
industrial, agriculture and economic targets, avoiding counter productive fissiparous tendencies. The best way to avoid negative
developments would be to focus entirely and fully on positive directions of growth and building up of the economy in a pragmatic
manner.
Finally, Rajapaksa has a great opportunity in proving himself as a man of peace, by approaching the problems faced by the Tamils
living in the erstwhile areas of conflict with great compassion and understanding. He should keep in mind the fact that the percentage
of polling in Tamil dominated areas have been low, obviously implying that the Sri Lankan Tamils are still apprehensive.
One would wish Rajapaksa all success and one hope that he would rise up to the expectations of the Sri Lankan population.
Article by:
N S Venkataraman
--------------------------------------------
20
A brief report on rape of four Khond adivasi women
Orissa
We, the functionaries of several rights, women and dalit organisations demand immediate filing of a criminal case under relevant
sections of the law into the January 22 rape by policemen of four Khond adivasi women of Baaluguda village in Babusala panchayat
of Munchingput mandal in Visakhapatnam district. We strongly condemn the attempts of the local police to hush up this heinous
crime.
Members of these organisations visited Baaluguda on Sunday (Jan. 24) and spoke with the resident adivasis. The adivasi women
confirmed to us what they had told the Paderu ex-MLA Mr Lake Raja Rao the day before, on January 23. According to them, around
50 greyhounds police personnel along with the Munchingput SI of police Keshav Rao descended on the village at about 5 am on
Friday (Jan 22). They rounded up all the men and boys they could find near a school located on the edge of the village. Several
policemen then entered the houses of the four adivasi women, Vanthala Domini (who is also the community health worker in the
village), Vanthala Rami, Vanthala Muktha and Killo Butto and raped them.
The policemen took into their custody nine men of the village and left at about 8 am. The following day, 6 of them were let off after
“bind over” cases were booked against them. Criminal cases were booked against three others and they have since been remanded to
judicial custody.
Shockingly, even three days after the heinous crime of rape was committed by the policemen, no case has been registered and no
investigation taken up. The SP has appointed the Chintapalli ASP Mr Sundar Rao to look into the allegations made by the women
but the ASP has not even bothered to visit the village and speak with the Khond women. On the other hand, the local police are
threatening Baaluguda residents that they would have to face dire consequences if they persisted with speaking the truth. We found
most of the adivasis in the village, including the women who were raped, a frightened lot.
We wish to point out here that it is not necessary that the police receive a written complaint in order to begin investigation. The police
are empowered to investigate even in the absence of a written complaint. In this case, the police possess full knowledge of the
allegation of rape made by the women. The matter was reported widely in both the print and audio-visual media also. Yet, no FIR has
been registered and therefore there has not been any witness examination, collection of circumstantial evidence, medical examination
etc. In cases of rape, medical corroboration is extremely important and already precious time has been lost.
We demand that a criminal case must be registered under relevant sections of the law including IPC 376 (2) (g) relating to gang-rape
as well as section 3 (2) (v) of the SC, ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The government must ensure that the local police desist
from their attempts to protect perpetrators of this crime and see that investigative procedures are initiated without further delay so that
the police personnel responsible for this terrible crime are punished.
Importantly, the investigation into the case must not be handed over to the local police. Since the accused are the police themselves, it
would not be proper or prudent to get the criminal investigation done by either their local counterparts or the CID of AP. The case
must be handed over to the CBI if justice is to be done.
It may be recalled that in the Vakapally rape case, where 11 Khond women were raped by Greyhounds personnel on August 20, 2007,
the then ASP Mr Ananda Rao who was appointed the investigative officer did not even bother to visit the village for nearly two weeks.
This fact was also stated in the enquiry proceedings of Mr Nagi Reddy, the then Secretary, Tribal Welfare, Govt of AP. In fact, the
National ST Commission had recommended on December 12, 2007 to the AP government that the Vakapally case be handed over to
the CBI but the State government sat on this. If police personnel responsible for sexual inhumanity on women are allowed to go scot-
free, they will continue to commit crimes with impunity.
VS Krishna K Padma A Annapurna

(State general secretary (general secretary (Dist. EC member Human Rights Forum) Mahila Chetna) APCLC)
K Venkata Ramana
(Gen. Secretary Jai Bheem Cultural and Welfare Association)

----------------------
21
“Magsaysay Winner Dr. Sandeep Pandey is a dual character man” says Sanjeeba, a known street play
activist of Kanpur
Uttar Pradesh, India
A new episode of annual humiliation drama by the administration of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur was played recently.
About 120 termination letters were issued to the students of which more than 50% students were of SC & ST categories.
Terminations of about 80 students were later cancelled.
Magsaysay winner Dr. Sandeep Pandey went to meet the remaining terminated students to provide his support to them, but after
meeting with students, Dr. Pandey became silent.
Sanjeeba told GRI that he cannot understand the actual hidden reasons of silence by Magsaysay Winner Dr. Sandeep Pandey. He
said, “Magsaysay Winner Dr. Sandeep Pandey is highly scared to loose support of the alumni people of IITs, NRIs and people of elite
institutions. Dr. Sandeep Pandey does not want to loose glamour of eliteness thus he is not standing with the Truth”. Sanjeeba also
said that the silence of Dr. Sandeep Pandey is extremely shameful and the dual character of Dr. Sandeep Pandey has been exposed.
“Why did Dr. Sandeep Pandey leave teaching in IIT Kanpur in early 1990-s, because he has started teachings in IITs again? What are
the values of Magsaysay Winner Dr. Sandeep Pandey?” bursted Sanjeeba on Dr. Sandeep Pandey.
Sanjeeba told to GRI that people like Dr. Sandeep Pandey should not be termed Social, because they associate caste with their names
to enjoy the feudal-egos of caste-superiority on the 80% of the population of the India.
Report by:
GRI Reporter
-------------------------
R-Day Activists meet sets up Citizens’ SOS group

Mumbai:
Two weeks after the killing of Pune activist Satish Shetty and the firing at city activist Nayana Kathpalia, 27 well-known activists came
together on Republic Day and set up a core committee to build an organization to protect activists, which is tentatively named
“Citizen Support”. Participants in the meeting, which was organized by activists Viren Shah and Krishnaraj Rao, included
representatives of well-known organizations such as Vinay Somani from Karmayog, havesh Patel from Anna Hazare’s “Bhrashtrachar
Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas”, Bhaskar Prabhu and S K Nangia from “Mahiti Adhikar Manch”, six activists who were arrested by the
police on various flimsy charges during the last year, including Vijay Chauhan (Force 24x7), Sophia Sawant & Dr Prashant Sawant,
and Dr Sangeeta Pikale, one of the medical doctors who had successfully pressed the state to enact a Doctor’s Protection Ordinance.
Others present included Dr Mona Shah (Professional People’s Party), Dr Parag Jhaveri (Forum for Public Awareness), and lawyers
Rina Kamath and Sandeep Jalan.
The round-table gathering, which was held at Roopam Hall opposite Police Commissioner’s Office, steered clear of oratory, and
discussed practical feasibilities of setting up an organization to protect active and assertive citizens from various sorts of harm and
threats coming from criminal elements as well as vested interests within the administration. See agenda papers: http://www.box.net/
shared/yil4f60u2s
At the end of the round-table, a letter to the Maharashtra Chief Minister was signed by a majority of those present. The letter urged
him to facilitate the ongoing social efforts of various activists by setting up a platform to enable activists to officially present their views
in a non-confrontationist way to various members of the administration, police etc. “This is an urgently needed measure, which will
spare both activists and administration much heartache if properly implemented,” the letter said.
The letter also argued that It was necessary to promulgate, on the lines of the recent Doctors’ Protection Ordinance, an Act that was
designed specifically for the accreditation and protection of bonafide activists. “This need arises especially because the numbers of
activists working for Right to Information, Consumer Protection, Protection of Open Spaces, Environment Protection, Animal
Welfare, Protection of Women, Children, Aged, Physically Challenged, etc. are in the hundreds, if not in the thousands. These are
true sons and daughters of India, and modern day Freedom Fighters. Their battle for various social causes, against the odds, and in
the face of threats from both vested interests and the administration, is nothing short of heroic. Their safety and welfare is definitely a
responsibility of the State and Union Government,” the letter said. “Please take cognizance of this and promulgate an appropriately
worded legislation in the first half of 2010,” it urged the Chief Minister. Copies of this letter, were endorsed to State and Union
Home Minister, Prime Minister, UPA Chief Sonia Gandhi and Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi. Download copy of signed letter:
http://www.box.net/shared/lpzzm2exxd
22
After the round table was wound up, a core group was formed to discuss specifics of setting up an organization to respond to SOS
calls. The Vision Statement of the organization, drafted after much deliberation of this core group, was as follows: “Support to
Citizens who are working in public interest, who are under threat, attack or arrest.” Phase 1 of this effort will include only citizens who
are within MCGM limits, it was decided.
Report by:
Krishnaraj Rao
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Download a few photos of meeting: http://www.box.net/shared/3q3yr29bh8
Download Background material about Doctors Protection Ordinance etc: http://www.box.net/shared/6oll571s7v

-------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE by NAPM-West Bengal

West Bengal
Downright Assault on Human Rights, Extra Constitutional Exercise of Constitutional Powers—a Shame on the
Anarchic Governmental Left-ism
National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), West Bengal strongly condemns the blatant attack on the Fundamental Rights of
the people of the country guaranteed by the Constitution made by the police and administration of the state of West Bengal by
illegally detaining and finally arresting with some false and frivolous allegations the human rights activists and the renowned members
of civil society on their way to visit Lalgarh for access of the situation over there and in their peaceful and lawful demands of
withdrawing Joint Force from Lalgarh, release of political prisoners of Lalgarh and withdrawing the preventive orders U/S. 144 of
Cr.P.C. from the area.
As soon as the team comprised of Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), Bandi Mukti Committee, Mazdoor
Kranti Parishad, Legal Service Committee, Lalgarh Mancha and others reached Kharagpur Railway Station around 10-45 a.m. from
Howrah, where some other local people joined them, and got down at the platform the police personnel posted there beforehand
forcefully lifted 76 of the members of the team in the prison van without any warrant of arrest or without issuing memo of arrest nor
did the police mention any reason for their action. The activists requested to show them the copy of the prohibitory order, if any,
which was not shown by the police. We also condemn the heinous act of bodily lifting of 25 women members of the team to the
prison van by male police personnel.
They were taken to Kharagpur Town Police Station in Paschim Medinipur District and were illegally detained there till 5-30 p.m.
After they were taken to the Police Station the Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Chowdhury once came to the place and asked
for the identity proof of the detainees but within ten minutes he left the place. A huge armed police force had been posted there. The
lawyers and other friends reached the spot by the time and wanted to meet the detainees. But they were not allowed by the police. The
detainees wanted to lodge complaint against the police for their illegal, improper and overt acts which are in contravention of the law
of the land. But they were constantly discouraged to do so by the police officers, which is again a violation of law.
At about 5-30 p.m. they were told to have been arrested U/S. 143/188/511/186/506/123 of I.P.C. and that would be produced in
court next day.
But we understand that the intervention and collective pressure of the opposition parties, the opposition leader, the noted writer like
Mahasveta Devi and many other concerned citizens ultimately made the police and administration drop the false allegation made U/
S. 123 of I.P.C. against the team of activists and to release them on P.R. Bond. They were released from the Police Station after 9 p.m.
Kharagpur P.S. Case Number 18 of 2010 U/S. 143/188/511/186/506 of I.P.C. has been started against them.
It is a clear case of police high handedness and impunity in West Bengal that anyone can be detained by the police or arrested without
any charge at any time and also can be released according to their whims which is quite shameful and condemnable instances of
which are plenty. It remains a cause of great concerns as to the intentions of Governments—State and Central—and what they
attempt to achieve by cordoning off Lalgarh and making it in-accessible to the people, in general. Also the restriction imposed on the
movement of the people way before Lalgarh, in this case Kharagpur, a busy township which hardly has anything to do with Lalgarh
insurgence (?), is a clear instance of the extremely repressive attitude of the State Government under the pretext of containing so-
called Maoist extremism. Notwithstanding the supreme stubbornness of the Government to create a state within a state, we expressed
our solidarity and by all such peaceful—and peaceful only—endeavours to break the anti-people barrier posed by the authority.
23
In this context, we mention that in spite of our best efforts we could not collect from the police or from the administration the copy of
the prohibitory orders U/S. 144 (3) of Cr.P.C. operative in different areas of Paschim Medinipur including Lalgarh and an application
seeking information as well as first appeal under Right to Information Act have been filed on behalf of NAPM, West Bengal but the
authorities are seemingly reluctant.
for National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), West Bengal

Samar Bagchi, Pranab Banerjee, Manik Samajdar, Murad Hossain, Debjit Dutta, Anuradha Talwar, Kalyan Sengupta,
Amitadyuti Kumar
---------------------------
SCAM in High School Arai, Dist. Aurangabad (Bihar)

Aurangabad, Bihar, India
High School, Arai has been upgraded to 10+2 by letter issued from District Education Office, Aurangabad (Bihar) having letter no.
1034 dated 22.05.2009. After up gradation Rs. 39, 50,000 have been disbursed by the govt. for construction of new building and other
developmental activities. A meeting of school management committee was held for spending of amount on dated 04.07.2009 and by
resolution no. 7 a purchasing committee was formed. Mr. Sudarshan Sharma,, Principal In charge and Mrs. Lalita Devi was selected
as member of purchasing committee and it was decided that all purchase will be done in special care of that committee.
But worst is that Principal In charge Mr. Yamuna Sharma and Mr. Shatrughna Sharan Sharma taken out all the rupees and
swallowed near about 20 lakhs and produced fake utilization certificate and related other papers to department.
Some irregularities maintained-
(a) Principal In charge Yamuna Sharma, who was also secretary of management committee, was authorized to keep and maintain
proceeding register. Name of Mr. Sudarshan Sharma (member of purchasing committee) was eclipsed by chemical on proceeding
register and was overwritten the name of Mr. Shatrughna Sharan Sharma.
It may be viewed clearly on proceeding register by any one. It should be noted that Mr. Sudarshan Sharma is one of the founders of
this school and have a crystal clear image among people. He always protested the corrupt activities of Principal In charge Mr. Yamuna
Sharma. This is the reason that their name omitted from proceeding register.
(b) It is strong causes of suspicion that all purchasing process was finished within a month by Principal In charge Mr. Yamuna
Sharma, because he had to be retired on 30.09.2009.
(c) Although he was retired on 30.09.2009 but didn’t given charge of purchased items and proceeding register to new principal in
charge till November. And after interference of DEO he handed over.
It is too big scam for this village to explain. We the villagers were very excited to know about up gradation of this school into 10+2 but
these two people ruined all the excitement.
What type of system this is? Is it enough to disburse the money for developmental work by government or its proper utilization should
be confirmed?
If government set-ups an enquiry many of villagers are ready to put the facts before Investigation Officer including me.
Report by:
Rajnish Kumar
Aurangabad, Bihar
----------------------------------
24
Bihar administration does not care for public complaints on misuses of public money, even though they
have been made to the Chief Minister
Khagaria, Bihar
The Bihar Administration is a living day example of feudal attitude. Nitish Kumar visits village areas and asks for complaints by the
common people, but it is only a show of good governance. Some examples of thousands of experiences are given below.
1. A Health Sub Centre was approved after large struggle in Teliabathan, Block-Parbatta, District-Khagaria, Bihar. Building
Construction started in 2006 and construction was stopped without completing the Health Sub Centre. A complaint was
made by Abhinandan Kumar s/o Mahendra Prasad Mandal to the Chief Minister on 11th February 2009. The enquiry
report was submitted to the enquiry officer months before, but no action has been taken yet.
2. Another complaint was made to the Chief Minister by Abhinandan Kumar s/o Mahendra Prasad Mandal against
AGANBARI centres for irregularities and uses of fraud vouchers to withdraw government-funds. According to government
rules, a AGANBARI centre will be terminated immediately if complaints will be found true by enquiry officer. The enquiry
officer submitted his report in the October 2009 but no action has been taken yet.
Report by:
GRI Reporter
------------------------
Nange Paon condemns statements made by Adv. Prasahnt Bhooshan

Chhattisgarh
After carefully reading, what Advocate Prashant Bhooshan said, we do have strong reservations to his publicly made statements, which
are as under:
· Inspite of condemning “Operation Green Hunt” which is decision of our elected governments, Sri Bhooshan should conduct a
plebiscite in Bastar on this issue. Realities would come before him, whether the people of that particular area want it or not? Green
Hunt is decision of our elected governments not that of Vishwaranjan. Hence, holding him solely responsible and publicly warning
him of his murder only due to this operation is neither fair nor justifiable. Furthermore, such a public warning is not in consonance
with the dignity of Advocate Prashant Bhooshan and DGP Vishwaranjan.
· Whether Vishwaranjan is a pseudo – literary person or a real, we in Chhattisgarh know it better than Sri Bhooshan. Nange Paon
Satyagrah is going to publish hindi version of “Historical Burkle Presentation” and circulate it in every nook and corner of the
province. We are not going to publish that as it was presented by D.G.P., but because by such a person whose linkages with “Literature
and Culture” are ancestral, though Vishwaranjan is fairly linked to “every walk of life”.
· Sri Bhooshan ruled out “murder of tribals by the naxals”. Reality is that “only poor tribals became victims of wrath of naxals. He
himself admitted that he had not enough informations.
· Sri Bhooshan lashed on Chhattisgarhiya media also and criticized the later for not bringing the facts. His allegations upon media are
biased.
· Sri Bhooshan “contempted judicial system” also. This is the system, where he works in. He ranked “Judiciary” as the “second most
corrupt system”. To him police was the most corrupt. If “judiciary” is really corrupt, than how Sri Bhooshan is coping with the
situations thereat, as a leading Lawyer.
· The Nange Paon Satyagraha, also believes in practice & principles of “Human Rights”. We have pride in mentioning that we were
able to render relief to victims of fake – arrests through Honorable N.H.R.C. last year. But “every now and then condemnation of
police only” not comes in ambit of “Human Rights”. Police is also an institution, which is meant to promote and protect “Human
Rights” of common masses.
In fact, he made such humiliating statements in frustration. All the peace – loving people must condemn his contemptuous statement.
Article By:
Rajesh Singh Sisodia

Nange Paon Satyagrah (Pledged to remain bare – foot until human rights are totally exercised.)
(GRI does not align with anyone. If GRI gets a release by Prashant Bhushan, GRI will publish that.)
25
Inhuman torture by BSF upon a student and a minor of religious minority section
West Bengal
Name of the Victim(s): 1. Md. Tutan Shaikh aged about 20 years 2. Mr. Khalil Seikh aged about 24 years both are son of Md
Sajahan Ali 3. Master Hasibul Seikh son of Mr. Rabban Seikh aged about 14 years, a wage labourer all are residing at Village-
Sitanagar 20 no., Post – Sagarpara, Police Station- Jalangi, District – Murshidabad, West Bengal.
Name of the Perpetrator(s): 1. One Border Security Force (BSF) jawan (name unknown) attached with “G” company of
Battalion no 191 posted at Out Post – Tent point of Khasmahal BSF Border Outpost camp, District – Murshidabad, West Bengal.
Place of incident: Mouja Hazrahati, Near - Out post- Tent point of Khasmahal BSF camp, District – Murshidabad, West Bengal.
Date & time of the incident: On 12/12/2009 about 2.15 pm
Case Details:
On 12/12/2009 within around 11 am to 2 pm Mr. Tutan Seikh along with his brother Ms. Khalil Seikh and Master Hasibul Seikh
was busy in some agricultural work at their pulse field. The field situated at Hazrahati Mouza near Tent point out post of Khasmahal
Border outpost camp of Border Security Force (BSF). They went to their field after showing their Electoral Photo Identity Card to one
BSF jawan posted at the said out post.
Around 2 pm while Mr. Tutan and his brother were uploading crops on a van rickshaw to take the crops to their home one BSF jawan
posted at the said out post and stood few yards back from them, ordered them to stop. They could not hear his order and carried on
their activities. It made the jawan very angry and he rushed in-front of them and started using filthy and vulgar words to them. Then
the jawan instructed them to sit down and stand up for 50 times continuously by holding their ears. It was very much annoying and as
well as insulting to them. Mr. Khalil prepared his mind to follow the jawan’s instruction but Mr. Tutan who is a college student
studying in degree course at Islampur Adarsha Maha Vidyalaya (a college at Domkal Sub-Division, District Murshidabad), denied to
do that. Actually, the instruction was too insulting. Then the BSF jawan threatened him and compelled him to do that. He also
battered them by one bamboo stick. The grievous treatment of the BSF personnel resulted several marks of Haematoma at Tutan’s
body and he became sick.
So on 12/12/2009 (same day) at evening he was taken to Dr. B. Islam of Saheb Nagar Debipur crossing, under Jalangi police station
and got medical treatment there.
Next day, on 13/12/2009 he went to Jalangi police station to lodge complaints against the BSF personnel. But Mr. Bhabataran Pal;
the duty officer of Jalangi Police Station, compelled him to sit there from 11 am to 1 pm. Then the duty officer registered a General
Dairy having number 764/09 dated 13/12/2009. Then Mr. Tutan requested the Dairy Officer, after showing the marks of
Haematoma at his body, to issue a forwarding letter before the Block Medical Officer for getting better medical treatment. But his
request was refused by the police personnel. Getting the information, our fact finding team talked with Mr. Biplab Kumar De; Circle
Inspector (CI) of Police, Domkal Sub-Division, over phone and requested him to intervene into the matter. He assured our team to
look after the matter. Then around 2 pm Mr. Tutan again went to Jalangi Police station and met Mr. Harish Ali Khan; The Officer in
Charge (OC) of Jalangi Police Station (PS) and informed everything to him. But astonishingly Mr. Harish Ali Khan told him that the
BSF personnel committed no guilt. BSF is there to beat the people, he added, and no such forwarding letter was issued by the police.
On 14/12/2009 he sent written complaint to the Superintendent of Police of district Murshidabad, by courier, but till date no action
has been taken by any authority.
On 26/12/2009 around 2 pm our fact finding team talked with Mr. Harish Ali Khan, Officer-in-Charge of Jalangi police station over
his mobile phone but he told our team that he was then out of station and did not entertain our team. Then our team tried to talk
with the other officials at Jalangi PS but no body picked up the phone.
Report by:
Kirity Roy
----------------------------
26
Muslims in Manipur: A look at their socio-economic condition
Manipur
Muslims who are also called Pangal in local terminology came to the Manipuri region in the late 16th or early 17th century. They are
also called Meitei-Pangal which means indigenized and acculturated or simply Manipuri Muslims. They settled in this land earlier
than many other communities. They have since remained part and parcel of Manipuri society. They were very much part of the
various ups and downs witnessed by the region, as it evolved from its tribal nature to its present status.
As per the Census 2001 Muslims constitute 7% of the total population of the state. They are settled in different pockets such as
Lilong, Yairipok, Sangaiyumpham, Kshetrigao, Moirang, Mayang Imphal, Thoubal, Bishenpur, Chandel and Churachandpur. A
section of the Muslims in the state also are migrants from Bihar and UP.
The present socio-economic condition of the Pangals or Muslims in Manipur is pathetic. At least this is what one concludes from the
statistics provided by the All-Manipur Muslim United Coordinating Committee (AMMUCOC), a Muslim representative body in the
state.
According to the Muslim body, the literacy rate among Muslims is 58.6 percent (male 75 percent and female 41.6 percent) much
below the state’s average of 70.5 percent (male 80.3 percent and female 60.5 percent).
Out of 1,35,000 people (the Muslim population in the state ) by the end of the year 1995 there were only 5,704 matriculates, 1,822
graduates in addition to 86 technical and professional graduates. There are only 51 Class I Muslim officers including three women,
101 Class II officers and 1,270 and 1,663 employees belonging to Class III and IV categories respectively.
At the root of their pathetic condition, as the community leaders feel, is the fact that the successive governments have done nothing
worthwhile to uplift the community educationally and economically. It is evident from the fact that the twenty-nine officially
recognized tribal groups have 20-seats exclusively reserved for them in the 60-member Manipur state assembly and up to 31 percent
reservation in all government jobs. But by contrast Muslims have been forced to recoil in their own ghettos without any kind of help
from the government.
Although in December 2006 Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh did announce a four percent reservation policy for the Muslim
community in government jobs. But this half hearted announcement hasn't bore satisfactory results.
Their subhuman living condition is characterized by ethnic rivalry. Rivalry between Pangals and Meiteis.
Meiteis are the privileged majority community of the state. They are the most educated and economically well-off community. The
clash between them and the Pangals (Muslims) in 1993 is one of the well etched communal scars in the history of Muslims in the state.
We talked to Sitara Begum, President of All Manipur Muslims Women Development Organization (AIMMWDO). According to her
it started due to wild rumors and misunderstanding between Meiteis and Meitei Muslims.
Although an altercation did take place between the Muslim groups and the Meitei youths belonging to People's Republican Army
(PRA), the neighboring Meitei villagers spread the rumors of molestation of some Meitei girls by the Meitei Muslims.
In the riot which followed the rumors, 150 Muslims and 4 Meiteis died in the valley districts and 149 were injured. One hundred and
one cases were registered by the police and 423 persons arrested in connection with the incident.
Fortunately, it ended abruptly though healing of wounds took a bit long.
And it is because of this fight between two unequal groups that according to Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies, North East India,
militant Muslim groups like the People's United Liberation Front (PULF), Islamic Revolutionary Front (IRF), Islamic National Front
(INF), United Islamic Revolutionary Army (UIRA) and United Islamic Liberation Army (UILA) came into existence in Manipur to
protect their communities after the Meitei-Pangal clash that took 150 Muslim lives in 1993.
We talked to Azimuddin Choudhary, about the socio-economic conditions of the Muslims in the state. Mr. Choudhary is the General
Secretary of Markaz Maarif and also runs a madarsa in Lolang.
He too expressed concern over pathetic socio-economic condition of the Muslims in the state. He stressed that they are in urgent need
of quality education and economic empowerment.
So it is high time that the government must take concrete measures to ensure fair participation of Muslims in the economic and social
mainstream. Otherwise the day is not far when they will be reduced to non-entity.
(With inputs from Delhi-based journalist Md. Ali)

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meitei_people#External_links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangal#External_links
Article by:
Mudassir Rizwan
-------------------------------
27
One custodial death and denial of legal mandate by the criminal justice administrators
West Bengal
Name of the victim: Ucharan Roy (deceased) son of late Sankar Roy, aged about-27 years, by faith-Hindu, residential address at
Bijoyram Ghoshpara, Police Station & District-Burdwan, West Bengal, India.
Name of the perpetrators: (1) The Superintendent of Alipore Central Correctional Home, Alipore, Kolkata; (2) Mr. Sujit Kumar
Mitra, Assistant Commissioner of Police (II), Kolkata.
Place of incident: At Alipore Central Correctional Home, Police Station-Alipore, Kolkata, District-South 24 Parganas.
Date of incident: On 22.12.2009
Fact Finding Details:

The victim Ucharan Roy imprisoned at Alipore Central Correctional Home allegedly committed suicide on 22.12.2009. Alipore
Central Correctional Home falls under the jurisdiction of Alipore Police Station. He was reportedly imprisoned at the said
correctional home for last two years and earlier he was detained Burdwan Sub-Divisional Correctional Home, District-Burdwan. He
was reportedly convicted in a criminal case lodged by her wife and mother-in-law.
On 22.12.2009, Ms. Fuli Roy, the mother of the victim came to visit her son at Alipore Central Correctional Home and upon arrival
the officers of the said correctional home told her that her son committed suicide inside the correctional home. She was taken to the
spot of incident and she found that the body of her son was hanging. Then one officer came and he examined the body. Then his
body was sent to hospital. She stayed at the compound of Alipore Police Station for the whole night and in the next morning i.e. on
23.12.2009 she went to Kolkata Police Morgue along with her son-in-law Mr. Ujjal Santra. Our fact finding team met with them at
Kolkata Police Morgue and came to know the above noted facts.
Our fact finding team also gathered information that the unnatural death of the victim was registered vide Section-V, G.D.E. no. 1904
dated 22.12.2009 at Alipore Police Station. The post mortem examination of the victim Ucharan Roy was held at Kolkata Police
Morgue vide P.M. no. 1126 dated 23.12.2009.
Our fact finding team met with a police officer of Alipore Police Station at Kolkata Police Morgue and from his mouth came to know
that the inquest upon the body of the victim was done by Mr. Sujit Kumar Mitra, Assistant Commissioner (AC ll), Kolkata Police.
Our fact finding team tried to confirm whether any inquiry by any judicial magistrate was done upon the custodial death of the victim
in view of Section 176(1-A) of Criminal Procedure Code and during our such effort Alipore Police Station was contacted over
telephone on 1 January 2010 at about 11 am in the morning. Mr. J. Mondal, Sub-Inspector of Police of the said received the call. The
said police officer, on being asked whether any inquiry by any judicial magistrate was done upon the custodial death of the victim, told
that Mr. Sujit Mitra, Assistant Commissioner (AC-II), Kolkata Police conducted the inquiry by order of the Chief Judicial Magistrate,
Alipore, Kolkata.
Our fact finding team during fact finding effort could get one photocopy of the disposal order certificate of the victim and we noticed
in the photocopy of the disposal order certificate that it was written as “...Magistrial Inquest No. 157 dt. 22.12.2009” though as per
information provided to our fact finding team from Alipore Police Station as mentioned above there was no inquiry/inquest by any
magistrate.
Our fact finding team tried to get copy of alleged ‘order’ of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Alipore, Kolkata under which the police
officer held the inquiry into the death victim but the team though several efforts was not successful in getting the same.
Report by:
Kirity Roy
--------------------------
28
Patna police uprooting Muslim traders selling cane-made items, govt. silent
Patna, Bihar
Abdul Jalil (30) has been selling cane chairs and sofas made with cane in his open-air shop near Gandhi Maidan in Patna for years.
Himself an expert in making cane-made items, Jalil has 10 employees to meet the demand for his items. His father has been doing this
business for the last 40 years and following into his footsteps, Abdul Jalil along with his three brothers adopted the same trade.
He originally hails from Gaya district in Bihar but lives with his family in Phulwari Shareef area in Patna – the capital city. He has
been able to earn Rs.10000-15000 per month which, according to him, goes up to 20000 in season such as in January-February in
which demand for the products increases.
Abdul Jalil says their sofas and other cane items are bought not only by the people in the state but they are also transported to other
parts of the country. Thus they were able to get better income.
Jalil is not alone in the trade in that area. In fact, there are several dozens of businessmen – almost all of them Muslims – who are
involved in the trade and running shops like Jalil’s. Everything was going fine for them till a few weeks ago. But now they are much
worried about their future.
About one month ago – all of a sudden, without giving any notice – the Patna Police forcibly stopped them from selling their goods at
that place where they have been for decades, without giving them any alternate place. This ‘anti-encroachment’ or ‘city beautification’
drive has snatched the livelihood of hundreds of people.
“For the last one month the local police are not permitting us to open our shops. Police come here many times in a day and if they
find any sofa at roadside, they beat the owner and also take the sofa with them. There is no surety that the owner will get back the item
from the police station. Thus they lose at least Rs. 5000 which is a big loss for people like us. Therefore, we are frightened and put our
goods inside the streets,” Abdul Jalil told.
It is not only Abdul Jalil but there are many shopkeepers who told the same tale. They have been putting their shops everyday at
roadside to sell the cane items. They buy cane from the market and made different types of beautiful pieces of furniture like sofas,
chairs and tables. Some of them make these items at their homes and put here for sale while some others prepare it here itself.
Mashooq Alam, another sofa-maker and lone bread earner for his family, said: “I am doing this business for the last 18 years. I learnt
it from my late father. My three children are pursuing education in schools and I have been fulfilling their needs from this business. But
now it is getting difficult as police disturb us every day. They stopped us from opening our shops at the place where we have been
doing the business for decades but they are not giving us any alternate place for our business.”
25-year-old Muzaffar Alam also seemed somehow worried. He said that just two years ago he started this business and was happy with
it but now he is getting nervous as he has little saving to set up his shop in a new place as police is not allowing him to do the business
here.
While we were talking to them, a police jeep arrived and traders got frightened. Some of them fled the scene leaving their shops at the
mercy of the policemen. Some of them later said that though their shops were inside the street they feared the police would beat
them.
Whether the government will provide these traders with any alternative or just continue letting the police terrify them – and make
money in the process – is to be seen.
Report by:
Mudassir Rizwan
Patna, Bihar, India
----------------------
29
"DHARMA SANSAD" at IIPA, New Delhi
New Delhi
Organized by: Bharat Charitra Nirman Sansthan (BCNS). BCNS is a NGO and has been working in Tihar Jail for about 10 years
with criminals and jail-administrations for character and behaviour reforms through the Bhagvad Gita.
Co-organized by: Tihar Jail and Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA).
Objective: Human Rights Protection, World Security & Peace
Inauguration: Dr. Md. Hanif Khan Shashtri

Chair: Sh. C. R. Garg, DIG-Tihar Jail
Programme Coordinator: Prof. (Dr.) Rajvir Singh Solanki, Delhi University
Speakers:
Sh. I. D. Shukla, IPS (DCP-Anti Corruption, Delhi)
Prof. P. K. Chaube, IIPA
Prof. Reeta Bagchi, Hamdard University
Dr. Dipti Bharadwaj
Dr. R. C. Sharma,
Sh. Subhash Sharma, Industrialist
Advocate Sandeep Tyagi
Sh. Rajesh Agrawal, Chartered Accountant
Sh. Puneet Goswami
Participants: Government officers, Educationists, Doctors, Engineers, Journalists, Chartered Accountants, Industrialists, Social
Activists, Youth, Women, Students and others.
Conclusion of meeting:
Establishment of crime free social system in the world is the great DHARMA of the human. Without crime free society- protection of
human rights, protection of nation, state, peace, respect, brotherhood, social-justice and welfare of family and society are not possible.
JAGADGURU Shri Krishna has declared it about 5147 years before.
Dr. Rajvir Singh Solanki was declared as the first prime-minister of the DHARMA SANSAD.
--------------
Report by:
Ram Krishna Goswami
Chairman- Bharat Charitra Nirman Sansthan (BCNS)
-------------------------
DISABLED SR. CITIZEN COMPELLED TO USE E-MAIL COMMUNICATION FAILED TO GET

DESIRED OUT COME/RESPONSE/ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
West Bengal
Now a day old aged including Person with Disabilities had under compulsion depend on E-mail for their day to day official
communications. E-mail is a convenient system of communications which reduces difficulties of an aged disability or disabled making
drafts, getting it typed and arranging someone to post office for its delivery to destination. Further it can be said that E-mail
communication system is not only a fast communication but in cases of reminders / persuasion / follow up (being a traditional system
prevailing in this country) becomes much more effective measure.
It is however experienced that official letters issued to various Government offices, Semi Government offices and other Non
Government Offices either do not appreciate these E-mails or prefer to ignore it on some pleas. Thus a very useful system of the
modern age, particularly beneficial for old age disability and disabled persons becoming useless.
Attention of the Union Government at its appropriate level is invited to this issue with a request to find out suitable way out to over
come this practice through a guide line issued in this respect.
For ready appreciation of the point at issue some few examples are cited below:-
I am a Retd.CGS, Hemaparasis Disabled (60%), right side of body fully paralyzed and cannot move out side freely with out an escort
to attend any office but can only operate computer / internet with unusual left hand to communicate rest part of world in connection
30
with social welfare works with different NGOs for betterment of Old Aged Disability and Disabled persons. Since I cannot write with
my right hand I had to depend entirely on E-mail communications under compulsion.
Cases are:
ICICI Bank Case: -

Due to a typographical mistaken place at my personal portfolio of ICICI Bank a/c, letter of bank along the Blank Cheque Book,
ATM Card and other important documents was not delivered to me and returned by end of 2007. The matter was reported to the
bank through an E-mail with the request to correct as Block-"A" instead of Block-"4" duly quoting & enclosing supporting document
and web site of BSNL. ICICI, though several reminders issued from time to time did not take any action till a hard copy reminder is
sent. ICICI started insisting me to attend Banks office personally, fill up forms for rectification of address etc though they know that I
cannot move due to explained reasons. Finally I got my Documents at home address with out attending Bank's office or filling up any
forms as because the highest authority of NSDL interfered. I got my documents back after a lapse of almost one year.
b) SBI/TNT-Studio/Kolkata and CPPU/LHO-Kolkata:
Detail calculation of fixation of pay in terms of 6th CPC demand case: - Request made by E-Mails on 27-03-09 followed by
reminders after every 20-25 days to Manager/SBI and Dy. General Manager/ Complains/Mumbai. (As an exceptional case Dy.GM/
C attended / responded each and every mail, pursued the case but miserably failed to get through-). I had been to Ch. Branch
Manager / SBI / TNT-Studio / Kol. to enquire about my case. CBM explained the difficulties he is facing to correspond through E-
mails but requested to hand over a hard copy of earlier letter so that he can pursue the case with CPPU by deputing a Bank's
representative. On 00-12-09 an officer of CPPU / LHO-Kol (Ph.No.2288-4282) expressed sorry for the delay taken in furnishing
details as demanded but expressed his inability to send reply / copy of calculations through E-mails as though his office is having
computer/internet but operator not available. He proposed to send papers by currier dak in 2.3 days which I had to agree. In this case
a delay has taken place for nine months only due to the reasons that even office having computer / internet neglected all E-mail
letters. [Finally I received letter from DGM/O&C/ SBI / Kolkata on 13.12.09 enclosing a statement of my pension drawn from the
year 2007 to 2009. According to old aged retired Pundits of the society it clearly shows that no body has gone through the appeal and
its reminders for more than 7 months and preferred to send a sweeping letter. Result - again I will have to start writing e-letters which
may consume year after year till I bid good by to this earth.
c) CMD / CGM (Kol) / CAO-ALP of BSNL:
Disputes arising out of wrong billing for modem supplied, continuous disturbances in Broad Band services, excess billing, non working
of dataone e-mail services, low speed Broad Band services and illogical as well as forcible stoppage of 20% discount of fixed charges of
Broad Band connection by introducing post dated conditions etc. were reported to Chief General Manager / Calcutta Telephones /
BSNL through an E-mail dated. 12-03-2008 followed by reminders inclusive of incidents after an interval of every 20-25 days. CGM
acknowledged and assured to look into the case in 4 occasions on reminders but no action taken. Since no action initiated by BSNL,
the entire issue was brought to the notice of CMD / BSNL ( Delhi ) and hard copy of letter sent to CGM. On receipt of hard copy of
letter and being directed by CMD, BSNL authority deputed their Accounts Officers to my residence for discussions and settles the
issue. BSNL officers discussed the issues cordially but expressed "we have no powers to solve problems which can be done by higher
authority only" They however suggested to send letters only as E-mails are not attended for want of computer operators at different
offices though they are having computer and its all accessories.
The entire issues have been discussed several occasions with Sr. officials of CGM's office over telephone but with out result. These
officers have also expressed that they do not attend E-mails and act upon it due to several constraints though all of them are provided
with computer / internet sets. On date the status of the entire issue stand as: 60% of the disputes/ claims settled somehow and
remaining being chased through E-mails under physical compulsion. Case not yet solved.
d) CMS / GM / COM- Metro Railway/Kolkata:
Issue of concession certificate to an ortohpadically handicapped, paraplegic patient: - I, being a Hemaparasis paraplegic Disabled
(60%) holding Handicapped Certificate issued by competent government authority and Medical Board of Govt. of West Bengal
bearing No.2567 dated 09, 02.2004 valid up to 09.02.2014), Sr. Citizen, right side of body fully paralyzed, cannot move freely outside
without the help of an escort / attendant, appeared before Sr.DMO / M.Rly-Kol. (this Doctor treated me right from beginning I
become a victim of the disease & this hospital situated nearer to my place of Kolkata residence) for issue of a certificate by
"Government Doctor" as per requirement of the Rly standard form No. 1 / 36 on14-11-2009 at 10.50 AM. Sr.DMO was about to
issue the certificate but wanted to obtain formal approval of CMS and desired me to meet CMS personally. I had been to CMS along
with wife & daughter. CMS, an administrative officer was available in his office alone but did not enquire anything regarding the
subject issue but directed to deposit the paper to his office. As such cases are required to be dealt with directly by a Doctor; officials of
CMS office redirected me to Sr.DMO. Sr.DMO was available at 2.30 PM. Sr.DMO accompanied by me had been to CMS again but
as he was out of office we had to meet Dy.CMS. Dy.CMS advised me (i.e. a disabled person who cannot move out side freely to chase
a case) to contact time to time to get the required instruction / certificate. We had to come back empty handed by 2.45 PM. Situation
being thus I had no other alternate way but to remind through E-mails. Unfortunately it is observed that all E-mail IDs of Metro
Railway Officers i.e. CMS, GM, COM < ------@mtp.railnet.gov.in > (IDs available at web site) are not working properly. All the
letters / reminders issued are bounced back undelivered. In an unconventional method I had to bring the case to the knowledge of
DG / RHS at New Delhi through E-mail. A month already lapsed but Issue continues.
31
e) Railway Board CRB/M.R -
Hemaparasis Disabled (60%) right side fully paralyzed, Rly Retd, Sr. Citizen's request to allow his escort/ attendant to travel in same
class instead of accompanying from 2nd class on humanitarian grounds:- Explaining details of the difficulties experienced by a
disabled in a mobile train I had requested railway administration at the highest level to kindly allow my escort/ attendant (against pass
issued to me after post retirement) to travel along with me in the same class I am traveling, considering the constraints of a disabled
person on humanitarian grounds in the month June'2009. Escort/attendant is allowed to travel in 2nd class i.e. Far away from AC-2 /
FC and as such no useful purpose is served. Although every after 20-25 days a reminder is issued through E-mails, no response
received till date. Normally no response / acknowledgements of an appeal/letters are received from any office of our country unless
they are compelled to do so. It cannot be expected by an old aged disabled person that a prompt reply / acknowledgement will be sent
to him. Hence I had no other alternative but to remind through unproductive E-mails. Probably railway administrators started deeply
thinking over the issue of an instant humanitarian consideration case of a non- gazette person and its impacts on the entire country.
Issue is on.
-----------
Report by:
Chinmay Kar
32
Columns
Election of Geeta Prasad Yadav, a spark in Electoral Politics in India
Khagaria, Bihar
We have forgotten the Bihar Assembly Election of 2005. Five years have passed since then but today there is no talk for the election of
Geeta Prasad Yadav.
Geeta Prasad Yadav was a candidate of MCP, supported by RJD in the Bihar Election of 2005 for the seat of Khagaria. Geeta Prasad
Yadav lives in a hut. He does not have any agricultural land for farming. He has three sons, who are all casual labourers.
Yadav had no money for election campaigning. But P. C. Ghosh, one of his supporters, polished shoes after a public announcement to
earn money for financial supports for election campaigning and also to give a message to the public. P. C. Ghosh earned about Rs.
10,000 by polishing shoes.
Geeta Prasad Yadav did not hire any four or two wheeler vehicle for election campaigning.
Election result-
Geeta Prasad Yadav received second rank, he got around 30,000 votes. Yadav was defeated by around 5,000 votes by Poonam Yadav
w/o Ranvir Yadav. Ranvir Yadav bribed voters two days before voting-day, local people say that he spent more than one million Rs to
bribe voters.
-----
Report by:
GRI Reporter
-------------------
Nearly 2 lakh farm suicides since 1997 (by P. Sainath)

India
There were at least 16,196 farmers’ suicides in India in 2008, bringing the total since 1997 to 199,132, according to the National
Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The share of the Big 5 States or ‘suicide belt’ in 2008 — Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and
Chhattisgarh — remained very high at 10,797, or 66.6 per cent of the total farm suicides in the country. This was marginally higher
than it was in 2007 (66.2 per cent). Maharashtra remains the worst State in the nation for farm suicides with a total of 3802. (This is
just 40 short of the combined total of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.) The all-India total of 16,196 represents a fall of 436 from
2007. But the broad trends of the past decade reflect no significant change. The national average for farm suicides since 2003 stays at
roughly one every 30 minutes.
Within the Big 5, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh recorded higher numbers. The increase of 604 in these three
States somewhat offset the dip in Maharashtra (436) and Karnataka (398). But a fall in suicide numbers in other States (for example, a
decline of 412 in Kerala and 343 in West Bengal) means that the Big 5 marginally increased their two-thirds share of total farm
suicides in 2008.
The NCRB data now cover all States for 12 years from 1997. In the first six years (1997-2002), the Big 5 witnessed 55,769 farmers’
suicides. From 2003 to 2008, they totalled 67,054, a rise of nearly 1900 a year on average.
Maharashtra has logged 41,404 farm suicides from 1997 (over a fifth of the national total) and 44,468 from 1995, the year when this
State began recording farm data. No other State comes close. During 1997-2002, Maharashtra saw, on average, eight farmers kill
themselves daily. The corresponding figure rose to 11 during 2003-2008. The rise was from an average of 2,833 farm suicides a year
in the first period to an average of 4,067 in the next period.
Professor K. Nagaraj, an economist who has worked at the Madras Institute of Development Studies, says of the NCRB data: “There
is hardly any decline in the suicide belt, though individual States may show variations across 12 years. If this is the state for 2008, the
year of the Rs. 70,000 crore loan waiver and multiple farm packages, then 2009, a drought year, could show very disturbing figures.
The underlying agrarian problems seem as acute as ever.”
Article by:
P. Sainath
Courtesy Source of Article- The Hindu Newspaper
--------------------------------------
33
Status of the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in different states
India
Traditional norms and values of the Indian society laid stress on providing care for the elderly. However, due to withering of the joint
family system, a large number of elderly are not being looked after by their family. Consequently, many older persons, particularly
widowed women are now forced to spend their twilight years all alone and are exposed to emotional neglect and to lack of physical
and financial support. This clearly reveals that ageing has become a major social challenge and there is a need to give more attention
to the care and protection for the older persons. Though the parents can claim maintenance under the Section 125 of the Cr Pc and
Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) BUT the procedure is both time-consuming as well as expensive. Hence, there is
need to have simple, inexpensive and speedy provisions to claim maintenance for parents.
The Indian Parliament felt that the elderly and senior citizens of the country required care and attention and also protection of their
life and liberty. It further felt that the young generation was failing in its duty to take adequate care of its elderly citizens, including
parents, relatives or other members of the society, who have turned old and infirm and whose population in 2009 is estimated 90
millions.
The major benefits in the act includes : Monthly maintenance upto Rs.10,000/- , punishment of Rs.5000/- or jail for three months or
both for not paying the monthly allowance by children's or relative, 90 days time bound disposal,no need of advocate, a 3rd party
intervention possible , to first resolve the differences and disputes between parents and children amicably, medical facility , protection
of life and property , old age homes in every districts etc...
To eliminate the agony and sufferings of this vulnerable section of society, the Parliament enacted a law Maintenance and Welfare of
Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in Dec 2007, whereby state governments were required to constitute maintenance tribunal
within six weeks of enforcement of the Act.
The Act, which aims to protect the rights of senior citizens and has provisions like 3-month jail to children who abandon their parents,
has been implemented by only 11 states so far, but some have still not form the Tribunals to address and implement the Act. The states
that have come on board to implement the Act are Nagaland, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Kerala,
Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Orissa.
Maharashtra government and other states have neglected and ignored the cause of Senior Citizens.
Silver Inning Foundation, an NGO working with Senior Citizens demands from Maharashtra government and all state government to
immediately adopt, implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and constitute 'maintenance
tribunals' to hear and decide the grievance of our Elders ,the Senior Citizens.
If any state government refuges or delays this process then Honorable Supreme Court and High Court should take action against such
government for protection of constitutional and human rights of Senor Citizens.Justice delayed is Justice denied.
Lets give Justice to our Elders, lets give Love, Care & Respect to our parents. Say NO TO ELDER ABUSE.
On this new year, 1st Jan 2010 Lets take an pledge to protect our Elderly and make this "My World. Your World. Our World - Free of
Elder Abuse".
------
Article by:
Sailesh Mishra
Founder President - Silver Inning Foundation
Founder - ARDSI Greater Mumbai Chapter
---------------------
34
OPEN LETTER TO CORPORATE GIANT- VEDANTA
It was a very interesting and passionate letter. But, I have few crucial questions and can I expect a transparent Multinational
Corporate like Vedanta to give focused response.
1. At the outset, keeping in line with Copenhagen Climate change agenda, may I share with you that Adivasis, Tribals or with
whatever name you may call us, WE do not want the prosperity of the parrot in a golden cage and fed regularly with apples. We desire
the freedom and Independence of the parrot to fly around the forest and garden, work hard to get our fruits direct from the trees. Do
you share this value, which we strongly think that the entire Humanity must respond?
2. We are a large and closely integrated India, after Independence, thanks to Mountbatten and Patel. Similar largeness and integrated
India was there during 90 years of British Raj, 180 years of the Mughal Empire and 130 years of Asoka and Maurya rulers. Before
the 90 years of British rule, all the property- Land, Forest, Water and even Air was our property- the property of the communities.
The kings or “State” merely gave protection from outside invasion, in turn collecting taxes. It was the British Raj who first illegally
declared Forest and Land as the property of the State or Government. Even here they did not interfere with the local governance. At
the time of Independence, the Tribal/Adivasi populations were persuaded to join the Indian Union with a solemn commitment given
on behalf of the Government of India by Nehru as Panch sheal. In addition, keeping the same spirit we have constitutional provisions
of V and VI schedule, Tribal Advisory Committee and special role of the Governor of states and President of India beyond even the
purview of the legislators.
3. Above all, keeping in line with our father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi- Gram Swaraj, we have the Panchayath Raj Act and
provision of building bottom up Democracy Participatory Democracy is budding and needs to mature before taking big decision like
your mega mining.
· Is it irony, your company is named Vedanta or do you/your company believe in Vedanta?
· If so or even otherwise, who gave you permission to do the mining, when it belongs to the local communities? It is their property and
it is a fundamental right.
· If you say that Orissa State Government or Government of India gave, is it not using their brute force and tyranny of majority in
legislatures and without any moral authority? We do not believe in the British and Nazi idea of making people believe untruth by
going on saying it. We are a land of Gandhi- Satyameva Jayathe- Truth Prevails. Vedanta, will you join us in this mission to preserve
and stand by Truth?
· Foreign NGOs creating unrest in Lanjigarh – Is this the Truth? Or can we say that Foreign Corporate are colonizing and carpet
bombing our Eastern Ghats?
· We are sure that Vedanta has strong base or is it based in America. Your venture is against the much cherished Doctrine of Monroe
and Doctrine of Truman because “you are colonizing through back or is it front door our distant Eastern Ghats and destroying the
Democracies of Local Governance”. Am I wrong?
4. Will you be fair to share this letter with all the journalist, whom you had circulated your earlier letter?
5. Will you acknowledge this mail?
6. Is it fair now you have instigated our Government of India to do Green Hunt which is spilling Red Blood of our Adivasis in
Abhujmud- Chattisgah in Dandakaranya, in the name and euphemism of eliminating terrorism?
In the context of Climate change, a war between living and non living being on the globe, the terrorism that has root in mad/crazy
materialism path humanity is adopting, degradation of spiritual values, conflict between Social Sciences and Material sciences, if you
believe in Vedanta STOP this and your future such inhuman ventures. Be like a Sidhartha who became Buddha or Asoka to search
your Human soul and help others.
OR ATLEAST CHANGE YOUR NAME VEDANTA. IT IS MISLEADING.
With High Regards,

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Vedanta’s letter to journalists-
Foreign NGOs creating unrest in Lanjigarh
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 17:14:18 +0530
Dear Sir,
35
You may kindly like to go through the background below which is a serious matter as foreign NGOs are creating unrest in Lanjigarh
and provoking people to talk against the government and the company. I would request if you could kindly depute some one to do this
story please.. I have also mentioned the phone numbers of SP Kalahandi and also the COO of Vedanta in Lanjigarh for any
reference or talking over phone please.
Ill be grateful if you could kindly take up this issue please.
Regards
Pavan Kaushik
Head – Corporate Communication
Vedanta Group
Phone: 9928844499
Foreign NGOs creating unrest in Lanjigarh
Recently the statement of Hon’ble Steel and Mines Minister of Orissa, Mr. Raghunath Mohanty, stating that ‘Not a single tribal
family would be displaced due to this mining project’ and also that ‘No Dongria Kondha tribe live at the proposed mining area of
Lanjigarh located between Rayagada and Kalahandi districts’ has been a lot unrest in the foreign NGOs who have been circulating a
lot of false information about the entire mining activity in Orissa.
2There has been a sudden movement of foreigners / foreign NGOs in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district in the past few days. Strangely
foreigners coming on tourist visa from countries like Italy, Germany, Australia, Denmark, UK etc. have become frequent and they are
freely moving in the region. These people have been forcedly interacting with local tribals and disturbing their peace. A local NGO is
supporting the visits. The local people have taken this very seriously and are opposing their entry into their region. The unrest has also
got reported to local police authorities who are now looking into the matter of this sudden movement of foreign NGOs including
Survival International. These foreign NGOs are provoking innocent tribals to defame the government and the company, Vedanta
Group. This is being done to create misunderstanding and an environment of unrest before the visit of Central Team of MoEF that is
scheduled to visit the Niyamgiri shortly.
The world is taking note of India starting bauxite mining after a gap of over 25 years. Once the bauxite mine at Niyamgiri starts,
India will be placed as one of the largest aluminium producer in the world.
Niyamgiri range of hills has 250 sq. cm large foot print. The actual mineralization area in the proposed mining project is only 3.5%
KM, that also having a depth of about 30 metres on the top. This truth has put a complete dent on the false information being
circulated by these foreign NGOs that proposed mining will completely destroy the Niyamgiri mountain. Actually speaking, Bauxite
extraction will actually benefit the environment, because it removes a hard rocky layer called laterite which would allow rain water to
percolate deep inside the soil, increasing afforestation post-mining. Vedanta highlighted that with the use of best technology the plant
is meeting all the required compliances in respect of air and water pollution, rather Lanjigarh Refinery is amongst the few in the world
to have attained zero discharge status.
The Orissa government has constituted a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the name of Lanjigarh Project Area Development
Foundation (LDADF), with contribution of State Government as 25%, Orissa Mining Corporation as 26% and Sterlite Industries Ltd
as 49%, as directed by the Supreme Court. The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) – Southern Division is the Chairman of
the Special Purpose Vehicle which on its first meeting itself decided to take up development projects worth Rs. 17.70 crore in the areas
of health, education, road, infrastructure development that are required for the upliftment of Dongria and Kutia Kondha tribes, the
Minister added.
Earlier, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, while granting permission vide the judgement dated August 8, 2008, had looked all
aspects including tribal development, wild life impact, environment impact, and sustainable development in the area connected with
this project, taking into account all arguments, and came to the conclusion that starting mining operation at Niyamgiri Hills, subject to
fulfilment of all statutory requirement, will definitely give a boost to the development of the entire area. Since mining is an important
source of revenue generation, such projects should be encouraged along with principle of sustainable development so that these areas
can be brought to the main line, the Hon’ble Court had observed.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India also observed that there is abject poverty in the area and the area is lacking with regards to
health, education, infrastructure, communication, to name a few. On the recommendation of the apex court, the Company agreed for
investing 5% of the profit or Rs. 10 crore, which ever is more, from this project, for the developmental works within 50 km of the
project area.
Vedanta has been saying this all along that bauxite is a hard rock that exists above 900 metres from the surface and therefore the
Niyamgiri hills are neither crop nor inhabitants-friendly.
The bauxite-alumina project at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district in Orissa would initiate investment of over Rs. 10,000 crore by
Vedanta. Over 5000 local people have worked to build the Lanjigarh Plant. Kalahandi district of Orissa is one of the most backward
district in India and the project is expected to change the profile of the entire district bringing considerable direct and indirect
employment, infrastructure development, community development, social-economic development and empowerment.
36
Mines are generally located in the remote areas and development of such projects not only bring prosperity of that area but also add
considerable value to the State’s exchequer.
India is a mineral rich country and at par with countries like Canada, Australia, South Africa and Brazil. The minerals have
contributed significantly to the GDP’s of these countries and have become alternative source of revenue to the government. The same
model should work for India as well.
Regards
Pavan
You can speak to the following two people on the above:-
1. Chief Operating Officer of Lanjigarh, Dr. Mukesh Kumar. His mobile number is +91 9937251216.
2. SP Kalahandi is Mr. Manohar Das – +91 9437158022, 06670230207, 06670230216
Open Letter by:
V.B.Chandrasekaran
People’s Peace and Prosperity Mission,

Gudem Post, G.K.Veedhi Mandal, Visakha District, Andhra Pradesh, India-531 133.
And
Chatti Post, Chinthur Mandal, Khammam District, Andhra Pradesh, India- 507 129
Mobile: 9490109328.
-----------------------
PTI Diary by Neeraj Bhushan (001)
(Neeraj Bhushan is writing ‘PTI Diary’ these days, taking up the role of a whistleblower attempting to expose a corrupt system eating up India’s premier English News
Agency – Press Trust of India, commonly known as PTI.
Postings in the online diary are done every Sunday evening, when Neeraj turns into a wonderful storyteller, and his stories are real, based on his personal experiences
and first hand accounts).
Here are some excerpts from his jottings:
“Joining PTI at its head office in New Delhi on August 1, 1997 was a good break, despite a meager stipend. We were a lot of 40 odd
journalists inducted into the news agency after a difficult written test and screwing interviews.
To begin with, we were quite out-placed. There were no chairs for the new recruits. We were put under strenuous postures while
discovering the new job relationship. We were to report to different news departments for next six months. It was difficult, as there
were no Department Heads. Things were just running. People were just working, routinely and mechanically.
During on-the-job training, I found a very disturbing trend. People were quitting in large numbers. I was shaky. Further, I found the
office atmosphere choking. There wasn’t clean air around. Safe drinking water was another problem. But, no one in the office premises
would dare talk, confidently. Someone may be always listening. Every conversation was being overheard.
There was no one I could discuss my problems with. I had no clue about my service conditions. I wanted to know my company’s rules
and regulations so that I could follow them in true letter and spirit.
However, there was neither the HR Department nor a Legal Cell. My Regional Manager, whom I had reported while joining, would
see me with contempt. Once, when I raised an important issue related to my leave, she was rude. “Why don’t you leave PTI?” was her
terse unprovoked statement. I would have normally been shocked by the such treatment but since by then it had become transparently
clear that there was a caucus in the company which promoted only its YES MEN and would not listen to anybody else, her behavior
did not come as a surprise. Sadly, this caucus comprised of persons from both the management and employees and had the covert
support of a section of journalist and non-journalist staff which would act as the eyes and ears of ‘the management’. Other than
them, every single officer or any journalist was a mere nominal person.
The lecture session by the Editor-in-Chief finally brought about my collapse when, in a class of his own, he had ensured presence of
all those occupying ‘top’ journalistic positions. They were noticeably made to sit there only to be bullied by him. To me, it appeared
37
they had already been conditioned for the situation. The Editor-in-Chief wanted to make it very clear to us that he was the only boss
of the company. Many amongst us had no doubt about that, with their journalistic fire and self-esteem having been wiped and flushed
down. They stood brainwashed.”
By:
Neeraj Bhushan
Please go to http://neerajbhushan.com/pti-diary/ to read Neeraj’s Diary in detail.

-------------------------
Maharashtra government & others have neglected & ignored the cause of Senior Citizens
Maharashtra
Traditional norms and values of the Indian society laid stress on providing care for the elderly. However, due to withering of the joint
family system, a large number of elderly are not being looked after by their family. Consequently, many older persons, particularly
widowed women are now forced to spend their twilight years all alone and are exposed to emotional neglect and to lack of physical
and financial support. This clearly reveals that ageing has become a major social challenge and there is a need to give more attention
to the care and protection for the older persons. Though the parents can claim maintenance under the Section 125 of the Cr Pc and
Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) BUT the procedure is both time-consuming as well as expensive. Hence, there is
need to have simple, inexpensive and speedy provisions to claim maintenance for parents.
The Indian Parliament felt that the elderly and senior citizens of the country required care and attention and also protection of their
life and liberty. It further felt that the young generation was failing in its duty to take adequate care of its elderly citizens, including
parents, relatives or other members of the society, who have turned old and infirm and whose population in 2009 is estimated 90
millions.
The major benefits in the act includes: Monthly maintenance upto Rs.10,000/-, punishment of Rs.5000/- or jail for three months or
both for not paying the monthly allowance by children's or relative, 90 days time bound disposal, no need of advocate, a 3rd party
intervention possible , to first resolve the differences and disputes between parents and children amicably, medical facility , protection
of life and property , old age homes in every districts etc...
To eliminate the agony and sufferings of this vulnerable section of society, the Parliament enacted a law Maintenance and Welfare of
Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in Dec 2007, whereby state governments were required to constitute maintenance tribunal
within six weeks of enforcement of the Act.
The Act, which aims to protect the rights of senior citizens and has provisions like 3-month jail to children who abandon their parents,
has been implemented by only 11 states so far, but some have still not form the Tribunals to address and implement the Act. The states
that have come on board to implement the Act are Nagaland, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Kerala,
Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Orissa.
Maharashtra government and other states have neglected and ignored the cause of Senior Citizens.
Silver Inning Foundation, an NGO working with Senior Citizens demands from Maharashtra government and all state government to
immediately adopt, implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and constitute 'maintenance
tribunals' to hear and decide the grievance of our Elders, the Senior Citizens.
If any state government refuges or delays this process then Honorable Supreme Court and High Court should take action against such
government for protection of constitutional and human rights of Senor Citizens.Justice delayed is Justice denied.
Lets give Justice to our Elders, lets give Love, Care & Respect to our parents. Say NO TO ELDER ABUSE.
Article by:
Sailesh Mishra
Founder President - Silver Inning Foundation
Founder – ARDSI Greater Mumbai Chapter
---------------
38
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असमथ2ता को अ5यथा नहo dp। Yकािशत ना हो पाa % कारण? की चचq का Gवागत ,ाउ.ड *रपोट2 इ.*डया सदmव करती N।
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Ground Report India (GRI) January 2010

GRI - January 2010 3

WHEN THE HEARTHS WENT COLD 4

Trade, Corporate Market and Indigenous People 6

Energy Injustice in India: Hiding Behind Poor 8

Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years imprisonment 10

Jyoti Basu's Legacy An Opportunity to Revisit Indian Politics 13

Another print journalist abducted and murdered (Mexico) 16

Newspaper editor shot dead 16

ANU Chancellor wins International Freedom award 17

Ashley Madison going down? Adultery is illegal no?! 18

JIP Condemns Suicidal Attack on Religious Procession at Karachi 18

A brief report on rape of four Khond adivasi women 21

R-Day Activists meet sets up Citizens’ SOS group 22

PRESS RELEASE by NAPM-West Bengal 23

SCAM in High School Arai, Dist. Aurangabad (Bihar) 24

Nange Paon condemns statements made by Adv. Prasahnt Bhooshan 25

Muslims in Manipur: A look at their socio-economic condition 27

"DHARMA SANSAD" at IIPA, New Delhi 30

Nearly 2 lakh farm suicides since 1997 (by P. Sainath) 33

Status of the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in different states 34

OPEN LETTER TO CORPORATE GIANT- VEDANTA 35

PTI Diary by Neeraj Bhushan (001) 37

About Ground Report India 39

GRI - January 2010

Spring of Hope : HOPE BEYOND DISCONTENTMENT

WHEN THE HEARTHS WENT COLD

The main points of the RTI application are:

• From 13th October 2005 to 8th October 2009

Benefits to the village because of the Check-Dam:

Trade, Corporate Market and Indigenous People

Displaced & Dislocated

Seeking Market or Alternatives?

Energy Injustice in India

A study on Rural – Urban divide

Sustainability of centralised supply system and conventional power plants

The complete report can be downloaded from Greenpeace website :

Liu Xiaobo sentenced to 11 years imprisonment

My Statement of Confession - Willing to Share Responsibility for Offence

I am Liu Di, also known as Stainless Steel Mouse on Internet.

Dr. Nazir S Bhatti

-One- The Legacy

Another print journalist abducted and murdered (Mexico)

Newspaper editor shot dead

ANU Chancellor wins International Freedom award

Professor Evans will be installed as ANU Chancellor next month.

Australian National University

Conspiring to do illegal things is illegal no?!

David Jeffrey Spetch

JIP Condemns Suicidal Attack on Religious Procession at Karachi

VS Krishna K Padma A Annapurna

(Gen. Secretary Jai Bheem Cultural and Welfare Association)

R-Day Activists meet sets up Citizens’ SOS group

Download a few photos of meeting: http://www.box.net/shared/3q3yr29bh8

Download Background material about Doctors Protection Ordinance etc: http://www.box.net/shared/6oll571s7v

PRESS RELEASE by NAPM-West Bengal

for National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), West Bengal

SCAM in High School Arai, Dist. Aurangabad (Bihar)

Some irregularities maintained-

Nange Paon condemns statements made by Adv. Prasahnt Bhooshan

Rajesh Singh Sisodia

Date & time of the incident: On 12/12/2009 about 2.15 pm

(With inputs from Delhi-based journalist Md. Ali)