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

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil releasing a special Postage Stamp to commemorate the Birth Centenary of Karmayogi M.B. Appasaheb Kadadi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on May 17, 2012. The Union Minister for Human Resource Development and Communications and Information Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal and the Union Power Minister, Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde are also seen.  (PIB photo)
17-May-2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The former President releasing the NCDC Anthem

The former President of India, Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam a releasing the NCDC Anthem at the National Conference on Cooperatives for the celebration of International Year of Cooperatives, 2012, in New Delhi on May 15, 2012. The Union Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Sharad Pawar, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Food Processing Industries and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Harish Rawat and the Secretary, Agriculture & Cooperation, Shri P.K. Basu are also seen. (PIB photo)      15-May-2012

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-201

Saturday, 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

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Professor K.V. Thomas delivering the inaugural address

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Professor K.V. Thomas delivering the inaugural address at the workshop ‘Best Practices in Targeted Public Distribution System’ organized by Department of Food and World Food Programme, in New Delhi on May 10, 2012. {PIB photo}    10-May-2012

A letter from Barack Obama

Same-sex couples should be allowed to marry
Friend --
Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer:

I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I hope you'll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality:

http://my.barackobama.com/Marriage

I've always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.

But over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.

What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens.

Even at my own dinner table, when I look at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex couples, I know it wouldn't dawn on them that their friends' parents should be treated differently.

So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.

If you agree, you can stand up with me here.

Thank you,

Barack