Is it not terrorism if you use helicopters, planes and tanks?
Some pictures of the recent Gaza massacre by Israeli forces are here: http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=1&p=49933&s2=27
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Hungry Kya?
Arundhati Roy in her article points out thus,
a small box on the top left-hand corner in the inner pages of a national newspaper (sponsored by a pizza company, I think) said, "Hungry, kya?" ("Hungry eh?"). It, then, with the best of intentions I'm sure, informed its readers that, on the international hunger index, India ranked below Sudan and Somalia.
No news channel bothers to chase this issue like I would like to see. Here is BBC on th International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) report.
Twelve Indian states have "alarming" levels of hunger while the situation is "extremely alarming" in the state of Madhya Pradesh, says a new report
....
"When Indian states are compared to countries in the Global Hunger Index, [the central Indian state of] Madhya Pradesh ranks between Ethiopia and Chad," it says.
The report, released as part of the 2008 Global Hunger Index, ranks India at 66 out 88
Here is the chart and how Indian states are ranked.
Arent you a bit surprised that Modi's "Top investment destination" state is ranked worse than Orissa?
Here's an article by corporate spokesman Suhel Seth titled "Why India needs Narendra Modi":
The passion for development; the passion for an invigorated Gujarat; the passion for the uplifting the living standards of the people in his state and the joy with which he recounted simple yet memorable data-points. For instance, almost all of the milk consumed in Singapore is supplied by Gujarat; or for that matter all the tomatoes that are eaten in Afghanistan are produced in Gujarat or the potatoes that Canadians gorge on are all farmed in Gujarat.
Hmm, so now you know?
India Shining? Think again.
Next time you are worried about India's superpower status, remember this report from the Govt. of India website: (Let it be known that governments seldom accept their failures).
(Report submitted to Prime Minister on 5th November' 2007)
says:
Such a buoyancy in the economy did lead to a sense of euphoria by the turn of the last century. However, a majority of the people, who did not have even Rs. 20 a day for consumption,were not touched by this euphoria. At the end of 2004-05, about 836 million or 77 per cent of the population were living below Rs.20 per day and constituted most of India's informal economy. About 79 per cent of the informal or unorganised workers belonged to this group without any legal protection of their jobs or working conditions or social security, living in abject poverty and excluded from all the glory of a shining India
...
what is quite significant is that 79 per cent of the informal or unorganised workers, 88 per cent of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, 80 per cent of the OBC population and 84 per cent of the Muslims belong to the poor and vulnerable group. They have remained poor at a bare subsistence level without any job or social security, working in the most miserable, unhygienic and unliveable conditions, throughout this period of high economic growth since the early nineties. There have been some inter se changes within this total group, such that the proportion of the Extremely Poor and the Poor has come down, while the number of marginally poor and the Vulnerable gr
groups have increased. But the percentage of population suffering from poverty and vulnerability has remained substantial.
...
Since data from the 61st Round of the NSS are now available we are in a position to compare our estimates of the 55th Round (1999-00) with those for 2004-05
....... What this means in simple terms is that the entire increase in the employment in the organised sector over this period has been informal in nature i.e. without any job or social security. This constitutes what can be termed as informalisation of the formal sector, where any employment increase consists of regular workers without social security benefits and casual or contract workers again without the benefits that should accrue to formal workers.
....
While the percentage of population below the poverty line has come down, albeit at a slower rate during the nineties and until recently compared to in the eighties, the movement is within the group of broadly poor (41 per cent) or the poor and vulnerable (77 per cent) of the population.
....
It is quite evident that the Indian growth story has been characterized by a rapid growth of middle class and the rich, expanding their consumption of non-food, non-essential and durable items and thereby providing a huge market of 253 million people that includes imports of these items from the global market. There is no doubt that this "Shining India" has expanded in the past and is still expanding at a very high rate. But this picture is spoiled by a virtually stagnant consumption expenditure and miserable working and living conditions of the 77 per cent of our population who are poor and vulnerable.
This group includes the overwhelming population of the dalits and adivasis, OBCs and Muslims. This is the other world which can be characterised as the India of the Common People, constituting more than three-fourths of the population and consisting of all those whom the growth process has, by and large, bypassed.”
....
So much for the piss on (err trickle down) economy!!!
Enuf said!
PS: Thanks Sainath for pointing out the document!
David Rockefeller Quote
"We are grateful to the Washington Post, The New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years."
"It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subjected to the lights of publicity during those years. But, the world is now more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries"
GM
Today Pillsbury food products are made from genetically engineered crops. Other genetically engineered foods include Crisco, Kraft salad dressings, Nestle's chocolate, Green Giant harvest burgers, Parkay margarine, Isomil and ProSobee infant formulas and Wesson vegetable oils. Fritos, Doritos, Tostitos and Ruffles chips -- and chips sold by McDonald's -- are genetically engineered.
By next year 100% of the US soybean crop will be genetically engineered. Eighty per cent of all the vegetable oils in US foods are derived from soybeans, so most foods that contain vegetable oils will contain genetically engineered components by next year or the year after.
Get ready for more "reforms"
With the Left off its back, the government is all set to initiate major reforms, especially in the financial sector, are expected in the coming months. Labour reforms too are long awaited, but the government knows that this is much more politically fraught, and is unlikely to do anything on which there is no consensus among UPA allies.
So what really are these reforms and who is asking for them? You dont have to look very far.
In other news
Mukesh Ambani India's richest man and owner of Reliance Industries Ltd Gifted his wife a Luxury Jet with entertainment cabins, a sky bar and fancy showers for her birthday, He gifted $60 million Air Bus on her 44 th birthday. Rumours are that he is planning to gift her $1 billion home on her next birthday which is a 27 storey home with a helipad, health club, and six floors of car parking and 600 staff
Jerk!
Vandana Shiva
Here is an interesting observation from Dr Vandana Shiva*.
The war mentality underlying military-industrial agriculture is evident from the names given to herbicides which destroy the economic basis of the survival of the poorest women in the rural areas of the Third World. Monsanto's herbicides are called "Round Up", "Machete","Lasso". American Home Products which has merged with Monsanto calls its herbicides "Pentagon", "Prowl", "Scepter", "Squadron", "Cadre" ," Lightening", "Assert", "Avenge". This is the language of war, not sustainability.Sustainability is based on peace with the earth
*Dr. Vandana Shiva is one of the world's most dynamic and provocative thinkers on the environment, women's rights and international affairs. A physicist, ecologist and activist, she won the alternative Nobel Prize in 1993
TOI bats for Monsanto
Was I amazed that the news outlet that generally presents a rosy picture of "India" was prophecising a dark future when I read the following headline?
By 2020, India a 'chronic' importer of foodgrain?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/By_2020_India_a_chronic_importer_of_foodgrain/articleshow/3161680.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/By_2020_India_a_chronic_importer_of_foodgrain/articleshow/3161680.cms
Well almost, until the smoking Chekhov's* gun appeared in the fine prints.
A yet-to-be-released report of ASSOCHAM has warned that India could become a chronic net importer of rice and wheat by 2020 if the trends are not reversed.
Ah the ASSOCHAM (stands for Chamber of Ass-os).. werent these guys the same people who said (my emphasis)
With adoption of BT cotton technology, farmers engaged in cotton cultivation earned additional income of Rs. 7,039 crores in 20061; saved Rs. 1,600 on pesticides use in their one hectare of farm land compared to farmers growing conventional cotton hybrids; and had higher access to social services important for family health and welfare, according to two studies on "BT Cotton Farming in India" released today by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
Yeah right, and because of the improved conditions and more money they weren't happy with life anymore and started commiting suicides? Yes?
(my emphasis)
In the year 2007, 1095 farmers committed suicide in Vidharbha, that is one in every eight hours.
Vidharbha in Maharashtra has emerged as an epicenter of farmers suicides over the last decade
Vidharbha is also the region where Monsanto sells most of its genetically engineered Bt. Cotton.
So you see, this is just the ground work to convince people to eventually support more GMO/BioTech enhanced agriculture. Nothing wrong with that, unless you realize that its only going to work for them not us! For, we will either pay with our lives or thru our noses.
*"If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired. Otherwise don't put it there."
Bush Lies media buys. As usual.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1806579,00.html?imw=Y
President Bush has never been known for his eloquence, but his comment earlier this month that India's growing middle class was demanding "better nutrition and better food, and so demand is high, and that causes the price to go up" was neither particularly mangled nor, at first flush, offensive. .....
But Bush was not completely wrong, either. There's no doubt that China and India's growing middle classes are consuming more and different types of food. As people get richer they tend to eat more meat and dairy products, for instance, and that's exactly what's happening in China and India.
We all know how Indian press reacted to this news. Most of them blaming the US for eating more instead and asking them to stop policing. Over all readers may have been left with an impression that things are much better off in India and they are now eating more, thanks to globalisation. The response that was metted out did not correct that impression and instead showed that US folks ate even more and that they should not bully.
Some like TOI even reacted thus:
While the Indian government, including the Prime Minister, maintained a dignified silence on the matter, it was mostly the media, his headline seeking colleagues, and Left politicians who feasted on the controversy and made a meal of it in the end.
Only a few had the courage to show that it was not just a dumb statement out of Bush's potty mouth, but a blatant lie! And for that lie, Sir, I DO take offense.
http://www.countercurrents.org/kavita090508.htm
But in India, since the entry of globalisation, the average per capita consumption of food grain has actually gone down from 177 kg per person to 155 kg per person: which is the same as the hunger levels seen during famine in times of the British Raj. And in India, foodgrains absorption is rising fast for the (mainly urban) middle class, which boosts the national average. A large section of rural poor are actually reduced to as low as 136 kg per capita per year – which is the same as that of starvation-hit sub-Saharan Africa. Bush grudges the 350 million-strong Indian middle class its improved diet: he is blithely silent about over 350 million rural Indians who are below the average food energy intake of sub-Saharan African countries! Studies have shown a long-term tendency towards declining per capita calorie consumption, especially in rural India – that is, Indians are growing hungrier year after year. Deaths by hunger are an all-too common phenomenon which Indian rulers are united in denying.
Geetanjali 2008 experience.
They say the music was great and the event was highly entertaining. I wouldn't know, for, I was outside doing my own "bounden duty" distributing the Irom Sharmila pamphlets not very different from the one below. Six hundred or so people with at least three hundred of them adults showed up. There must be something missing in the pamphlet or my approach when I speak, for I only got around thirty signups for the petition. So far so good. But I am still a long way from beating Sanjay Dutt petitions. Sigh!
But this is not the thing troubling me tonight, for, I am hopeful that some day people will see Irom's point. What troubles me is a small incident that happened as I tried to get my thoughts across to a small group of people who disagreed with me. There were some valid concerns in their argument and had I handled it properly I could have explained to them why AFSPA may not be the only solution in that situation. That's when one of the guy saw "manipur freedom" at the bottom of the pamphlet as an information reference and screamed as if he just met a traitor. He refused to even consider the petition for the sake of anyone who "says he wants to separate from India". A patriot in his own eyes, he must have been appalled at my attitude for he threw the pamphlet in the Waste can right in front of my eyes. I felt as if I really failed at communicating the very message that I have been trying to convey for past few weeks. That's when I lost my "cool", I shouldn't have and I feel sorry for it. This happened as the other guy in the group was raising the concern about how does the army control a rioting mob if they have to give fair trial/respect human rights etc.
I rambled some random things starting from how AFSPA is much worse than Rowlatt Act and how I could use the same argument he made and justify Jalianwallah Bagh massacare by British officers. My eyes returning to look at the waste can* again and again as I spoke. I don't even know how it all ended. I probably went into the argument that the fact that we needed army to control the general population of a state for 45+ years says about their (democratic) choice. That's when I lost them perhaps, I changed the issue from the plain simple issue of human rights to politics. Bad idea. My personal opinion instead of a well accepted fact.
I wish I could go back in time and behave differently. I wish I had four more signs for the petition. I have not seen the law books but I have some answer for them. I wish I said :
To the guy asking about the riot:
In case of the riot the army may fire back in self defence. (However much I hate saying that). The firing on a rioting public may still not come free, in the absence of AFSPA their will be an investigation, that will need witnesses. The officer issuing firing order will probably have less reasons to do so if he is aware that there can be consequences.
To the guy who threw my pamphlet: Excuse me, this pamphlet business is pretty expensive stuff. But if you still feel like throwing it in trash can as a protest gesture please use the "Mixed paper" can instead of the "Waste". We have gone Green sir.
If I am to meet a few more people like them, I really wish "Indian Unity" or perhaps TimesofIndia starts covering AFSPA and Irom Sharmila so that I can fix the information references.
* I retrieved the pamphlet from the trash. I still have it with me.
Meanwhile in the wonderland
We continue to celebrate another woman.
(printed in news paper on March 8th 2008, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/archive/year-2008,month-3,starttime-39515.cms)
And that's why most tend to whish her off. They comment on her 'plastic face', her 'irritating giggling-syndrome', her 'much practiced behaviour', her 'boring diplomacy', and mock her when she is in the company of her in-laws and hubby playing the family woman to the hilt. However, it's for all the above mentioned reasons that we intend to salute Aishwarya today – on Woman's Day. We call her the Balancer, for she balances her professional life with her personal so beautifully. And we swear, that every woman who despises her does so because somewhere deep inside she knows that she can never get there
Talk about choosing a role model on Woman's day, bah! Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Btw, Times of India gave ZERO coverage to Irom Sharmila's release and re-arrest.
Immediately afterwards, Sharmila went to the office of the meira paibis (women activists) in her locality, Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, to resume her hungerstrike.
The police took her into custody again at 2.30pm today, International Women’s Day, for trying to commit suicide by refusing to eat.
Oh wait I almost forgot, isn't Times Group hunting for a new Indian Leader or something? Lead India perhaps, hope they notice. Yeah right!
Aaj Tak Masterpiece. Indeed sabse tez!
Unless I forgot how to read Hindi(and right now I am hoping I did), the (self declared) "nation's best channel" informs us that Mr. Amitabh Bachchan has caught cold! Do I really need to comment on this "National Emergency"?
Btw, now I am wondering what other "lagi"s of Mr. Amitabhi Bachchan are covered in the mainstream Indian Media!
Media treatment: Herman/Chomsky's Fifth Filter
Two brave people, standing against oppression. Two oppressing regimes. Did they get different media treatment?
The Tank Man:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_Man
- Against China (Them)
- The tank tried to avoid and finally stopped. See video(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-nXT8lSnPQ)
- Tank Man not hurt, later arrested.
Rachel Corrie:
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article1248.shtml and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Corrie
- Against Israel( Us/Ally)
- The bulldozer continued its destruction, while trying to avoid.
- Rachel Corrie perished as she was "accidentally" crushed by bulldozer.
Times of 'Elite' India
Converting my mail to blog entry on a friendly request.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_short_of_6_lakh_doctors_/articleshow/2921262.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Private_sector_can_help_overcome_doctor_shortage_Report/articleshow/2921291.cms
This has made the Planning Commission suggest that the medical education sector should be opened up completely for private sector participation and companies should be allowed to establish medical and dental colleges just as they have been allowed to open nursing colleges.
Yeah first they make pathetic investment in health sector(.99 percent of GDP), then they make govt. medical college education very unattractive by making quixotic rules, then call in the big brothers. I may be missing something here, how does opening for private sector solve the problem or doctors leaving the country?
Also I had a tough time finding the findings of these report on: http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/11thf.htm, you can try your luck and let me know.
Those wishing to read other perspectives about health system proceed to : http://www.indiatogether.org/2006/jan/psa-health.htm
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Private_sector_can_help_overcome_doctor_shortage_Report/articleshow/2921291.cms
This has made the Planning Commission suggest that the medical education sector should be opened up completely for private sector participation and companies should be allowed to establish medical and dental colleges just as they have been allowed to open nursing colleges.
Yeah first they make pathetic investment in health sector(.99 percent of GDP), then they make govt. medical college education very unattractive by making quixotic rules, then call in the big brothers. I may be missing something here, how does opening for private sector solve the problem or doctors leaving the country?
Also I had a tough time finding the findings of these report on: http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/11thf.htm, you can try your luck and let me know.
Those wishing to read other perspectives about health system proceed to : http://www.indiatogether.org/2006/jan/psa-health.htm
And believe it or not, our readers' second choice of the 'Biggest Fool' is the India's common man himself. Of course, he takes various avatars such as the Indian Public, Public, citizens of India, Indian citizen, the common man, I, me, general public and aam aadmi .
In a clear message that the Indian voter is dissatisfied with the choices he makes, at number three comes the Indian voter and his various avatars such as 'I who voted' and even 'The Indian voter for letting politicians take him for a ride'.
Its quite shocking huh? After the 2004 election shock isn't it so obvious that the common man/voter is an idiot? Only we(the elites) know what's good for him. Right? Don't tell me it was a self depricating humor, because, if it were the whole survey is moot.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/IIM-A_chairman_rules_out_roll_back_of_fee_hike/articleshow/2920953.cms
"The Minister was concerned about the meritorious poor students who will not be able to afford the burden of fee-hike," Singhania said adding IIM-A has decided to increase the scholarship manifold.
Of course the scholarship will be provided to RIGHT kind of students, students who are disciplined and go along the dictat and not express any dissent. They will be well behaved and must agree with the form of management and studies WE say are right.
For Irom Sharmila Chanu
>
May be its is more important for me to know about each and every move the Bachchans make or when Shahrukh smokes. May be I am supposed to go dancing in the streets when the media rejoices that India has more billionares in top 10 than any other country. But 7 years of apathy, I tell you TOIs, the Hindus, the rediff and other mainstream medias of India., that's a FRAUD you are doing with your readers. Today starts depressing, not just the news, but the fact that for seven years it was not even discussed. The fact that this doesnt bother any of our "leaders". "Leaders" who come running to talk when a bottle gets thrown in Bachchan mansion.
Call your local newspaper/media and demand to know more about this brave woman and her fight.
http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=41395&typeid=1
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200803071758.htm
Here's an interview from last year by tehelka.
http://tehelka.com/story_main23.asp?filename=Ne120906The_unlikely_CS.asp
Here are some more details covered in alternate media.
http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/2676
Oh and by the way don't forget to sign the petition if you wish to contribute to her cause. (Yes petitions do work)
http://www.petitiononline.com/afspa/petition.html
Pamphlet for Irom Sharmila
The following pamphlet was distributed at the Tasveer's Aaina 2008 event after we watched Tales from the Margins by Kavita Joshi.
Real life joke
Consider this petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?savebaba
Desperte pleas to save Sanju baba saying that 6 years in jail will be a grave mistake. For a mistake he commited long time back. Nothing funny about that.
See the signatures: currently at 4356.
Compare with the petition for Irom Sharmila
http://www.petitiononline.com/afspa/petition.html
See the signatures: currently at 509
Laugh with me. Hahahaha.
PS:
Wait there is one more for sanju http://www.petitiononline.com/Sanju786/petition.html
See the signatures: currently at 5717
Laugh some more.. will you?
http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?savebaba
Desperte pleas to save Sanju baba saying that 6 years in jail will be a grave mistake. For a mistake he commited long time back. Nothing funny about that.
See the signatures: currently at 4356.
Compare with the petition for Irom Sharmila
http://www.petitiononline.com/afspa/petition.html
See the signatures: currently at 509
Laugh with me. Hahahaha.
PS:
Wait there is one more for sanju http://www.petitiononline.com/Sanju786/petition.html
See the signatures: currently at 5717
Laugh some more.. will you?
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