Follow palashbiswaskl on Twitter

ArundhatiRay speaks

PalahBiswas On Unique Identity No1.mpg

Unique Identity No2

Please send the LINK to your Addresslist and send me every update, event, development,documents and FEEDBACK . just mail to palashbiswaskl@gmail.com

Website templates

Jyoti basu is dead

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Fwd: Digest for peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia@googlegroups.com - 3 Messages in 3 Topics



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia+noreply@googlegroups.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 9:50 PM
Subject: Digest for peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia@googlegroups.com - 3 Messages in 3 Topics
To: Digest Recipients <peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia+digest@googlegroups.com>


Group: http://groups.google.com/group/peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia/topics

    Pritam Rohila <asiapeace@comcast.net> Mar 16 07:15AM -0700 ^
     
    ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNAL HARMONY IN ASIA (ACHA)
    www.asiapeace.org & www.indiapakistanpeace.org
    4410 Verda Lane NE, Keizer, OR 97303, USA
    asiapeace@comcast.net
     
    March 16, 2010: Peace & Harmony News from S. Asia
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndiaPakistanPeaceDay
    &
    http://groups.google.com/group/peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia
     
    IN THIS ISSUE
     
    NOTE: I will be out of town March 17 through April 7. During this
    period I will have inconsistent access to internet, and will not be
    able to send you this bulletin with the usual regularity. Sorry!
    Pritam Rohila.
     
    *India to seek meeting with Pak (re) cross-border telecom signals,
    APP, March 15, 2010
    *Sufi teachings of love, peace can counter extremism, terrorism;
    Zardari, APP, March 15,
    *Pakistan: Babar Awan stresses religious harmony, APP, March 15, 2010
    *India: Maha's first open jail for women inaugurated in Pune, Rediff
    News, March 15, 2010
    *'Trade between India and Lanka improved' ISLAND LK | March 15, 2010
    *SAARC Summit on April 28-29 in Bhutan NEW NATION | March 14, 2010
    *Bhutan to lift women's football THE AFC | March 13, 2010
    __
     
    *India to seek meeting with Pak (re) cross-border telecom signals,
    APP, March 15, 2010
    http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=98468&Itemid=1
     
    NEW DELHI, Mar 14 (APP) India is planning to seek meeting with
    Pakistan to resolve issue of cross-border telecom signals which are
    affecting the quality of cellular operators of both countries in
    Punjab border areas. Indian cellular operators have complained that
    signals of Pakistani telecom providers are crossing into Indian
    territory in Punjab, leading to interference with Indian services.
    Pakistani mobile phone companies have also complained that
    interference in frequency bandwidth from Indian cellular operators
    affecting the quality of their services in border areas…
     
    *Sufi teachings of love, peace can counter extremism, terrorism;
    Zardari, APP, March 15,
    http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=98499&Itemid=1
     
    ISLAMABAD, Mar 15 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Monday called for
    focussing attention on teachings of peace, love and tolerance of the
    Sufi saints so as to counter extremism and the militant mindset.
    Addressing an International Conference on Sufism and Peace arranged by
    Pakistan Academy of Letters here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President
    Zardari said Sufism has a crucial role to play in mankind's struggle
    for a peaceful world. Around 80 delegates from 30 countries around the
    world and 250 from Pakistan are participating in the conference…
     
    *Pakistan: Babar Awan stresses religious harmony, APP, March 15, 2010
    http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=98502&Itemid=1
     
    ISLAMABAD, Mar 15 (APP): Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary
    Affairs Dr Babar Awan Monday emphasized on promoting religious harmony
    to thwart the recent surge of terrorist activities across the country.
    Addressing the annual Mehfil Milad organized by Capital Development
    Authority Employees Union, the minister stressed the people to go
    through the basic knowledge of Islam through reading the Holy Quran,
    which gives the lesson of humanity…
     
    *India: Maha's first open jail for women inaugurated in Pune, Rediff
    News, March 15, 2010
    http://www.ptinews.com/news/564536_Maha-s-first-open-jail-for-women-inaugurated-in-Pune
     
    Pune, Mar 14 (PTI) The first open jail for women in Maharashtra was
    today inaugurated by the State Home Minister R R Patil. The jail
    premises, spread across 17 acres of land of Yerawada Central Prison
    here, will have 50 women inmates with promising good conduct….
    He said the women prisoners would be given a substantial raise in the
    financial assistance at the time of their release in order to enable
    them to earn a decent living when they cross the prison gates.
     
    *'Trade between India and Lanka improved' ISLAND LK | March 15, 2010
    http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=642205&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN
     
    COLOMBO: The Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka is 10
    years old and a top trade economist says trade between the two South
    Asian neighbours have improved and that Sri Lanka should consider
    upgrading the agreement into a comprehensive economic partnership.
    "India is emerging as a leading economy in the world and whether or
    not one likes it Sri Lanka has to be close to India because it would
    stimulate Sri Lanka's own economy," Dr. Saman Kelegama, Executive
    Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, told the Island Financial
    Review…
     
    *SAARC Summit on April 28-29 in Bhutan NEW NATION | March 14, 2010
    http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=642022&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN
     
    DHAKA: The 16th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional
    Cooperation (SAARC) will be held in Bhutan on April 28-29 this year.
    Leaders of the eight-nation group will focus on climate issues at the
    summit, an apparent regional follow-up of the United Nations (UN)
    Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on securing global pledges on
    emission cuts. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already been invited
    to attend the summit…
     
    *Bhutan to lift women's football THE AFC | March 13, 2010
    http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=641943&category=Frontend&Country=BHUTAN
     
    THIMPHU: Their country is one of the smallest in the world but size
    and population doesn't matter when compared to a hunger to succeed.
    For Dechen Wangmo (left) and Sherab Gyenmo (right), nothing is bigger
    than their heart, desire and willingness to achieve their dream to
    turn Bhutan women's football into one of the Asia's best in the
    future. They are determined to prove that a tiny country with a total
    area of 38,394 square kilometres and population of 691,141 can gain a
    big reputation in football. If the Himalayan Kingdom can defy the
    odds, it could provide the inspiration for others…
    __
    EXPLANATION/DISCLIMER: The above is a selection of news stories
    pertaining to South Asian governments, civil society organizations and
    individuals working together on projects of mutual benefit including
    peace and communal harmony, and those relating to attempts to improve
    the condition of South Asian peoples, especially women and children.
    ACHA does not approve of or subscribe to any "disharmonizing
    language" (including terms such as POK or IOK) used in these items
    selected from various publications. Readers may exercise their
    linguistic judgment and ignore any biased language.

     

    Pritam Rohila <asiapeace@comcast.net> Mar 15 08:42PM -0700 ^
     
    ACHA PEACE BULLETIN, Volume XIV, No. 03: March 15, 2010
     
    A publication of Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA)
    www.asiapeace.org & www.indiapakistanpeace.org
     
    Editor: Pritam K. Rohila, PhD asiapeace@comcast.net
    _____________________________
    CONTENTS
     
    EDITORIAL
    *Marching Forward on the Way to Peace in South Asia, Pritam K. Rohila,
    Ph. D.
    ARTICLES OF THE MONTH
    *Forget 1947, it's history, Allen O'brien, TNN, 04 Mar, 2010
    *Suspicion of India's hegemonic ambitions not based on facts, M S
    Khan, New Age,
    *Canada-US Relationship Model for Pakistan-India? Ottawamysteryman,
    Feb 15, 10
    *Atmosphere of mistrust, Kuldip Nayar, Kashmir Times, March 5, 2010
    BOOKS & DVD'S
    *Striving for peace: Video Lectures on Communal Harmony-National
    Integration,
    EDUCATION & TRAINING
    *May-June 2010, Brattleboro, Vermont, USA: PEACEBUILDING PROGRAM
    EVENT REPORTS
    *February 19, Faisalabad, Pakistan: EDU FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE
    EVENTS
    *March 20-21, village Malwa, Ambala, Harayana, India: SAVE THE GIRL
    CHILD
    *March 26 – 27, Cleveland, Ohio, USA: BLDG INFRASTRUCTURES FOR
    CHANGE
    *March 27, Worldwide: EARTH HOUR
    *July 9-11, Brisbane, Australia: COPING RESILIENCE & HOPE BUILDING
    MEMBERS' CORNER
    *Dr. Stephen Gill
    PEACE EDUCATION & TRAINING
    *July 12 - 18, Cartagena, Colombia: INTER. INST. ON PEACE EDUCATION
    PEACE & HARMONY NEWS FROM INDIA & PAKISTAN
    PEACE & HARMONY NEWS FROM SOUTH ASIA
    UPDATE: KASHMIR
    UPDATE: NEPAL
    UPDATE: PAKISTAN
    UPDATE: SRILANKA
    *Road to Jaffna Requires Governmental Regulation, Dr. Jehan Perera, 10
    March 2010
    ___
    View the full version of ACHA Peace Bulletin each month at
    http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACHAPeaceBulletin or www.asiapeace.org
     
    For free subscription, email a request to ACHAPeaceBulletin-
    subscribe@yahoogroups.com

     

    Pritam Rohila <asiapeace@comcast.net> Mar 15 09:51AM -0700 ^
     
    ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNAL HARMONY IN ASIA (ACHA)
    www.asiapeace.org & www.indiapakistanpeace.org
    4410 Verda Lane NE, Keizer, OR 97303, USA
    asiapeace@comcast.net
     
    March 15, 2010: Peace & Harmony News from S. Asia
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndiaPakistanPeaceDay
    &
    http://groups.google.com/group/peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia
     
    IN THIS ISSUE
     
    *Pakistan: Plays and books, not bombs, Beena Sarwar, March 12, 2010
    http://beenasarwar.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/personal-political-plays-and-books-not-bombs/
     
    "New Karachi literary festival hopes to turn page on bombs," trumpeted
    a headline in the Independent, UK.
     
    Inspired by Jaipur, the festival in March "may not turn the page on
    the bombs," as Siraj Khan, a Boston-based Pakistani commented in an
    email, "but it is very inspiring. In my recent 7-month stint in
    Karachi, I saw and felt this breath of fresh air myself. This has not
    happened overnight and it's not just the new crop of writers who are
    turning the tide."
     
    The event, sponsored by Oxford University Press and the British
    Council, will cater to readers of English. The First International
    Urdu Conference in Karachi, November 2008, showcased several Indian
    writers. Last November, the inspiring five-day event included a music
    festival although ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India barred
    the Indian delegates from attending.
     
    Prominent scholar Dr Gopi Chand Narang addressed the gathering via
    telephone from New Delhi. `My heart is with the people of Pakistan in
    Karachi and I hope the condition in your country improves soon,' he
    said, to rousing applause.
     
    Siraj: "I do hope and pray that our youth get more engaged in reading
    books rather than blasting bombs."
     
    This bomb culture stems of course from attempts to convert Pakistan,
    from 1979 onwards into a centre of Islamic `jihad', by the military
    dictator Gen. Zia acting at America's behest to oust the Soviets from
    Afghanistan. The peculiar relations between Pakistan and India are
    part of that narrative: the pro-jihadi mindset is also virulently anti-
    India.
     
    I recently had breakfast with an Indian journalist living in Karachi,
    married to a Pakistani. She must return to Delhi every three months to
    renew her visa. She can't work in Pakistan because only two Indian
    journalists can work in Pakistan (and vice versa). The irritants
    include her Indian friends' one-dimensional views about Pakistan.
    "They thought I would have no freedom, that there are no coffee shops
    or women wearing jeans. Ok, so we can do this only in this part of
    Karachi, but at least it's there."
     
    Yes, there is violence and bomb blasts in Pakistan. But there is more
    to life than that. Visit the Danka website (danka.com.pk --started by
    a young Austrian who fell in love with Pakistan) to sample some events
    in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad -- art exhibitions, book readings,
    seminars, plays, fashion shows, musical evenings, hip hop and salsa
    dance classes, yoga...
     
    There's the fortnightly Critical Mass cycling event in Karachi I've
    been meaning to join. There's the annual All Pakistan Music
    Conference, held in Lahore for years and more recently, in Karachi
    too.
     
    Recently, I attended a talk on `youth and science' organised by Sindh
    Awami Sangat, a socialist youth group from low-income localities.
    College students, including some girls, most in hijabs, crowded the
    seminar hall (made by breaking down the dividing walls in a flat) of
    the Irtiqa Institute of Social Sciences.
     
    "Jihad," said Adnan Sabzwari, the young scientist and educator who
    addressed them, "is not strapping yourself with a suicide vest and
    blowing up people, but making life better for the hungry and the
    poor." He got a standing ovation.
     
    Sindh Awami Sangat activists were active in a commemoration recently
    to honour the Democratic Students Federation, a movement that rocked
    the country in the early 1950s. The inspiring (as many termed it)
    event, featuring a documentary, speeches, music and song, drew
    students and old leftists, packing the 1000-seater auditorium.
     
    The Classic and Vintage Car Show drew record crowds in its sixth year
    running. "We still plan to hold a joint rally with our Indian
    counterparts," said an organiser, referring to a plan scuttled earlier
    due to tensions between the two countries.
     
    For three weekends in February, stand up comedian Saad Haroon
    performed at sold-out shows (I couldn't get tickets).
     
    Last weekend, a friend's 16-year old son and his friends produced a
    play in English that they wrote, directed, acted in, and marketed. The
    suspense thriller dramatic, funny, and slickly done, ran to full halls
    both nights, raising over a lakh of rupees for a welfare organisation
    run by students.
     
    P.s. It was a query about the March literary festival from Mayank
    Austen Soofi, a Delhi-based journalist, that got me thinking about all
    this. Mayank runs the blog "Pakistan Paindabad" (http://
    pakistanpaindabad.blogspot.com/)
    __
    EXPLANATION/DISCLIMER: The above is a selection of news stories
    pertaining to South Asian governments, civil society organizations and
    individuals working together on projects of mutual benefit including
    peace and communal harmony, and those relating to attempts to improve
    the condition of South Asian peoples, especially women and children.
    ACHA does not approve of or subscribe to any "disharmonizing
    language" (including terms such as POK or IOK) used in these items
    selected from various publications. Readers may exercise their
    linguistic judgment and ignore any biased language.

     

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Peace & Harmony News From South Asia" group.
To post to this group, send email to peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/peace--harmony-news-from-south-asia?hl=en.

No comments: