Thursday, January 17, 2013

State level joint convention of farmers at Ldh

Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 4:09 PM
Convention criticized anti farmer Govt.Policies
Ludhiana: January 17,2013: With a demand for increase in the minimum support price (MSP) the state level joint convention of Kissan Sabhas held here at Ludhiana today decided to launch movement for their demands. The joint convention was organized by the Punjab Kissan Sabhas affiliated to CPI and CPI(M) , Bharti Kissan Union Ekta (Sidhupur) and All India Democratic Party.  The convention was addressed by Comrades Kulwant Singh (Ex MLA) President and Bhupinder Sambar General Secretary Punjab Kissan Sabha, Comrades Gurchetan Singh-President and Sukhminder Sekhon –General Secretary Kissan Sabha Punjab,  Kartar Singh Bowani, Giani Gurdev Singh Nihal Singhwala, Com Kamiker Singh Sekhon.                            

Various speakers at the convention criticized the anti farmer policies of the government at the centre and state for ignoring their demands which has led large number of suicides by the farmers throughout India,  including Punjab.  Kissans have to face huge losses every year due to natural calamities that affect their production which are many a time destroyed. But governments  do not have any policy for them in this regard to meet the loss.  They demanded that all loans given to small and medium farmers be waived off.  They further demanded that the MSP for wheat be fixed at Rs.1800 per quintal and an additional bonus of Rs. 150 be given to the farmers by the state govt. This has become essential due to increase in the input costs like, Diesel, electricity and fertilizers. More over there has been exorbitant rise in prices of essential commodities which the kissans have to use too.  They also demanded increase in the MSP of sugar cane which is higher in Haryana by 45 rupees. They also demanded that milk rate should be bought at the previous rates and not at the present reduced rates.   

The farmer organizations also warned of introduction of GM crops without safety audit. Such a move may lead to several problems for our food security and health in future. The farmer orgnaisations also supported the ongoing struggle of the Punjab Agricultural University Employee’s Union for release of arears. They further said that the Punjab government should increase the grant to PAU for the further research.
Kartar Singh Bowani (94175 38005)

Friday, January 04, 2013

Dr. Manmohan Singh and Kumari Mamata Banerjee

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Kumari Mamata Banerjee, during the inauguration of the 100th Session of Indian Science Congress, in Kolkata on January 03, 2013. (PIB)
                                                                                               
03-January-2013

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron

U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Kenia Palacio, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132's Line Division, signals to the aircrew of an EA-18G Growler aircraft as it taxis off the flight line at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa, Japan, Dec. 28, 2012. VAQ-132 was on a six-month deployment at NAF Misawa in support of U.S. 7th Fleet. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kenneth G. Takada, U.S. Navy/Released) 12/28/2012 - VIRIN: 121228-N-VZ328-087


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Sunday, December 30, 2012

A letter from Namita Bhandare

Sun, Dec 30, 2012 at 12:43 PM
A time for grief but also a time for action
We have a long fight ahead. But we will win
Photo courtesy Facebook
Dear Rector,
Yesterday was a sad day as we woke up to the heartbreaking news of the death of the 23-year-old medical student who was subject to a brutal gang rape, beaten and then dumped on the road on the night of December 16. 
Today, we share the same feelings of sorrow, hopelessness, anger and frustration. Yet, I believe that while this is a time for grief, this is also a time for action. This is a time to say: enough. 
Our petition has gathered over 88,000 signatures. It is important to make every voice count and to send a strong message that we will not continue to tolerate sexual violence against women. 
Tomorrow, at 10 am, I am going to the office of Justice J.S. Verma who is the head of a three-person committee that will submit its findings and recommendations on issues of safety of women. I will be submitting our petition with all the signatures (yes, all 2,700+ pages!). 

It is important to keep this campaign going. I am writing to you once again to request you to sign this petition and forward this email to your friends and family.

The Justice Verma Commission is accepting submissions until January 5. We don't have a lot of time. If you would like to make additional suggestions, please leave a comment as 'reasons for signing this petition'. I will be collecting all the comments and submitting them to the committee.

We have a long fight ahead. But we will win. 

With warm regards,

Namita Bhandare via Change.org
A letter from Namita Bhandare 
PS:  Help us reach out to more people by forwarding this email to your friends or share it on Twitter and Facebook.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

An Afghan guard holds a baby

An Afghan guard holds a baby while the child's mother is processed through the medical entry control point at Bagram Airfield, Parwan province, Afghanistan, Dec. 2, 2012. U.S. Airmen with the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Group and Afghan guards processed residents needing services ranging from basic clinical care to student vocational programs. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Chris Willis, U.S. Air Force/Released)   12/02/2012

An open debate on violence against women at Ldh

Sat, Dec 22, 2012 at 11:26 AM
A bill must be passed in parliament at earliest
such crimes are generally committed by the well connected people
LUDHIANA, 21 December 2012:A comprehensive strategy has to be evolved through administrative, socio political and judicial measures to combat the inhuman menace of violence against women. This was the consensus arrived at after open debate on violence against women organized by the All India Working Women Forum (AITUC), Punjab Istri Sabha and Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha Ludhiana today at Shaheed Karnail Singh Isru Bhawan Ludhiana. Dr Narjit Kaur –Convener of the forum said that it was heartbreaking and sobering to read the morning papers and realise how low we have fallen as a society and as human beings. A group of drunk middle aged men raped a young physiotherapist and brutally assaulted her and her boyfriend. Even if the girl survives her physical injuries, the mental scars she bears may not be erased for a lifetime. What sort of wicked and depraved men they must be to so casually and easily rob the joy and health of a harmless young girl at the threshold of womanhood and life and reduce her and her family to utter despair?

Mrs.Gurcharan Kochar – President Punjab Istri Sabha Ludhiana cautioned that it brings us to the urgent question of what needs to be done to prevent more of our daughters being deprived of their happiness, esteem, health and often, their lives. To act strongly and firmly. The female foeticide, honour killings and discrimination against the girl child are a reflection of  gender bias prevailing in the society. This needs to be condemned  and corrected.

Dr Arun Mitra – General Secretary Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha said that such crimes are generally committed by the well connected people who feel that they will go scot free after committing the crime. The economic gaps which have increased in the last about two decades have further marginalized the already deprived section of the society who have become more vulnerable to violence.

The meeting proposed following measures to meet the situation.

1.      All concerned men and women holding any position of authority and whose voice can be heard  by many, should publicly express their outrage and concern.

2.      A bill must be passed in parliament at the earliest wherein the outcome of rape cases must be decided within 45 days by a fast track court. Strong punishment must be meted out to the rapist and he must be publicly humiliated.

3.      Police reforms must be undertaken immediately. Political intervention in the police must stop.  If any police station refuses to register a complaint of rape, there must be a strong and well -defined punishment for the concerned officer.

4.      Laws in relation to sexual harassment at workplace should be enacted in consultation with women orgnaisations.


There should be one page devoted in the daily newspapers to women’s safety. This page should exclusively list crimes against women. Detailed identities and addresses of culprits involved, photographs and daily progress on brutal cases (ie who has been apprehended as yet, what punishment has been given etc)

5.      All employers should make their own  workplaces  as safe as possible for women.

6.      There should be several options for safe travel for women including exclusive buses and taxis, train compartments and plenty of well-lit public toilets. These should have female staff manning them as well.

7.      All parents, when rearing  their children, should place a very strong emphasis on not letting them use violence. Gentleness must be inculcated from the start in boys especially.

8.      All schools should make self- defence, especially for girls , a mandatory part of the curriculum.

Others who spoke at the meeting include Maj. Sher Singh Aulukh – President BJVJ, M.S.Bhatia – Organising Secretary BJVJ, Jit Kumar – General Secretary Punjab Istri Sabha Ludhiana, D.P.Maur – General Secretary Joint Council of Trade Unions Ludhiana.  

 An open debate on violence against women at Ldh

Friday, December 21, 2012

Daughter Delight


Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 10:31 PM//12/20/2012 10:55 AM CST
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Richard Winstead hugs his daughter during a homecoming celebration on Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan, Nov. 17, 2012. Winstead is assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 141, which completed a deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
(USA Dod) Daughter Delight