Friday, May 25, 2012
In the Rafale Aircraft
Allen Anticipates
Much Summer Activity in Afghanistan
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 23, 2012 - The commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan candidly told reporters today his assessment will largely set the course for operations there after the drawdown of U.S. surge forces and before the end of NATO's combat role in 2014.
"We've got about 30 months left on the campaign, 31 months or so," the commander said. "The ANSF has yet to be fully recruited. It'll be done soon, but the deadline on it was 1 October." The general noted Afghan army and police numbers have grown over the past year from 276,000 to 340,000, and they will reach their full strength ahead of the scheduled deadline in October. After the 23,000 remaining U.S. "surge" troops leave Afghanistan by the end of September, Allen said, he will take "a very hard look" at the state of the insurgency, the Afghan forces' success in planning and leading combat operations, and the operational environment he anticipates in 2013. "The aggregation of those factors will generate ultimately an assessment of what U.S. and non-U.S. ISAF combat power I'll need ... to continue the process of moving the ANSF into the lead in '13 and '14 and giving them the kind of support that they need so that they'll be successful," he said. "We're going to make that analysis in the aftermath of the fighting season and the recovery of the 23,000 troops," the general added. Afghan forces augmented by International Security Assistance Force advisory teams will fill in as NATO troops thin out, the general said. "While, in absolute terms, eventually our numbers come down, it is not our intention to cede the ground ... to the Taliban," he said. Afghan forces will concentrate in the eastern and southwestern areas of Afghanistan to maintain security gains in the hardest-fought areas, Allen said. At the Chicago NATO summit that ended Monday, coalition members noted the ISAF commander will regularly assess operational conditions and the capability of Afghan forces, Allen said. "Right now we're planning every six months, so that we can adapt our plan ultimately for the final size and structure of the [Afghan army and police forces] in the post-2014 period as conditions require," he added. Allen said NATO's campaign in Afghanistan has been long, difficult and costly, but he believes it is on track. "I see it every day -- tangible evidence of progress," he said. "And we're making a difference. We're fulfilling the Lisbon road map of transition, and the international community is standing with the noble people of Afghanistan and Afghanistan now and into the decade of transformation." |
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| Biographies: Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force Related Articles: Allen Explains Priorities in Afghanistan |
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Monday, May 21, 2012
Gen. V.K. Singh with Gen. Sankar Roy Chawdhury
The Chief
of Army Staff, Gen. V.K. Singh with the Retd. COAS Gen. Sankar Roy
Chawdhury and the GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt. Gen Bikram Singh during
his visit to HQ Eastern Command, Kolkata on May 19, 2012. (PIB photo) 19-May-2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
A special Postage Stamp
17-May-2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The former President releasing the NCDC Anthem
Sunday, May 13, 2012
The
President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil releasing the coins in
denominations of Rs.5/- and Rs.10/-, at the function to mark the 60th
anniversary of the first sitting of the Parliament of India, in Central
Hall of Parliament House, in New Delhi on May 13, 2012.
The Vice President and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari,
the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar and the Prime Minister, Dr.
Manmohan Singh are also seen.
13-May-201Saturday, May 12, 2012
Kabir Kala Manch creates awareness through dramatics
Creating awareness through Stage
For Kabir Kala Manch art is much more than a medium of entertainment. It’s a tool to denounce injustice, mobilise the oppressed, prepare them for struggle, create consciousness and bring about positive change.
The manch, which is a group of students and professionals, has been making people aware on various social issues through their forceful shahiri and street plays in the city.
The group comprises writers, composers and talented performers who impress the audience with their thoughtful compositions and presentations.
The Gujarat riots in 1992 inspired the artistes to come together and use their art for awareness. Drawing inspiration from Kabir’s compositions, with social messages, they chose to name their group after the sant who has commented on various issues in his dohas.
“People like Kabir, Pablo Picasso and others who used their art for bringing in revolutionary changes are our ideals,” said one of the members Sagar Gorkhe.
The absence of glamour or showy tactics makes their performance more effective. The words are direct, hitting you straight and the message is loud and clear, forcing you to think and act.
The force comes from a thoughtful study of the issues, whether its farmers’ suicides, atrocities on the backward section, violence against women, casteism, Hindu-Muslim riots, terrorism, students’ issues, regional issues like naxalism in Jharkhand or capitalism in Bengal.
Sagar Gorkhe said, “We have a library with over 500 books on a wide variety of subjects from law, various ideologies, thinkers, issues, caste system and its evolution, capitalism, economic inequality and various social revolutions all over the world. We make it a point to study all the aspects of an issue before taking it up.”
Whether its ‘Tanta thambva, Budakhali Andhar; Rajyat Bharla Gundancha Bazaar, Mazya Dehatun Ya Aag Krantichi Vahate, Ani Vidrohachi He Sapaan Balicha Pahate or Savitrichya Lekiho Saad Ghalti Jagaala, Pankh Levun Navyache Haak Deti Abhalala….the compositions seldom miss the target. The message is driven home through the use of local dialects, simple words and direct style without mincing words.
The group performs at programmes and meetings related to various issues. They also hold programmes at colleges and schools. Street play is another strong medium used to reach out to people.
The group has brought out two CDs Yeo Balicha Raaj and Jaati Antaachi Kahani while two other CDs will hit the market soon.
“Our aim is clear. We do not wish to get into commercialisation nor will we go with any political party or non-government organisation. We wish to make people aware and motivate them to fight injustice. We aim at individuals and not at groups or communities. It’s only when individuals will rise to revolt that a change will come,” said Gorkhe.
The scripts, direction and dialogues are managed by the group members. They also hold workshops on composing songs, singing, performing street plays and skits. They come together for practice at their office near Alka theatre every morning.
Courtesy: kracktivist
For Kabir Kala Manch art is much more than a medium of entertainment. It’s a tool to denounce injustice, mobilise the oppressed, prepare them for struggle, create consciousness and bring about positive change.
The manch, which is a group of students and professionals, has been making people aware on various social issues through their forceful shahiri and street plays in the city.
The group comprises writers, composers and talented performers who impress the audience with their thoughtful compositions and presentations.
The Gujarat riots in 1992 inspired the artistes to come together and use their art for awareness. Drawing inspiration from Kabir’s compositions, with social messages, they chose to name their group after the sant who has commented on various issues in his dohas.
“People like Kabir, Pablo Picasso and others who used their art for bringing in revolutionary changes are our ideals,” said one of the members Sagar Gorkhe.
The absence of glamour or showy tactics makes their performance more effective. The words are direct, hitting you straight and the message is loud and clear, forcing you to think and act.
The force comes from a thoughtful study of the issues, whether its farmers’ suicides, atrocities on the backward section, violence against women, casteism, Hindu-Muslim riots, terrorism, students’ issues, regional issues like naxalism in Jharkhand or capitalism in Bengal.
Sagar Gorkhe said, “We have a library with over 500 books on a wide variety of subjects from law, various ideologies, thinkers, issues, caste system and its evolution, capitalism, economic inequality and various social revolutions all over the world. We make it a point to study all the aspects of an issue before taking it up.”
Whether its ‘Tanta thambva, Budakhali Andhar; Rajyat Bharla Gundancha Bazaar, Mazya Dehatun Ya Aag Krantichi Vahate, Ani Vidrohachi He Sapaan Balicha Pahate or Savitrichya Lekiho Saad Ghalti Jagaala, Pankh Levun Navyache Haak Deti Abhalala….the compositions seldom miss the target. The message is driven home through the use of local dialects, simple words and direct style without mincing words.
The group performs at programmes and meetings related to various issues. They also hold programmes at colleges and schools. Street play is another strong medium used to reach out to people.
The group has brought out two CDs Yeo Balicha Raaj and Jaati Antaachi Kahani while two other CDs will hit the market soon.
“Our aim is clear. We do not wish to get into commercialisation nor will we go with any political party or non-government organisation. We wish to make people aware and motivate them to fight injustice. We aim at individuals and not at groups or communities. It’s only when individuals will rise to revolt that a change will come,” said Gorkhe.
The scripts, direction and dialogues are managed by the group members. They also hold workshops on composing songs, singing, performing street plays and skits. They come together for practice at their office near Alka theatre every morning.
Courtesy: kracktivist
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