Married six days before deploying

Snow-boarding Wounded Warrior Refuses to Be Sidelined

04/02/2013 11:21 AM CDT                     Tue, Apr 2, 2013 at 9:03 PM

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo., April 2, 2013 - Eight and a half months ago, Army Sgt. Kristian "Dino" Cedeno was on the top of the world -- married six days before deploying to Afghanistan with the love of his life and soldiering with his band of brothers from the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade. Army Sgt. Kristian "Dino" Cedeno, who was severely wounded in Afghanistan, center, gets his ski boots adjusted by adaptive ski instructor Jill Reifsnider, right, and another instructor at the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic at Snowmass Mountain, Colo., April 1, 2013, as his wife, Gwen, left, looks on. Cedeno snowboarded at the clinic for the first time since being wounded, another step in his impressive rehabilitation. DOD photo by Donna Miles  Life changed in an instant when Cedeno stepped on an improvised explosive device during a firefight in Kandahar. His right leg was blown off just above the knee, and his left leg was so burned and peppered with shrapnel that his wife, Gwen, said it looked like a shark had chewed it away.Cedeno begged Gwen to divorce him, fearing he had let her down and could never be the husband she deserved. But Gwen, a fourth-grade teacher at the Department of Defense Education Activity school at Fort Stewart, Ga., assured him that she knew what she was getting into when she married a soldier. "I told him, 'You are mine, and I am yours,'" she said, promising to stand with him as their lives took a new and unexpected turn. Flash forward to today. After a month at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and four months after being discharged from the James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Hospital in Tampa, Fla., Cedeno refuses to let what some would consider life-changing wounds define him -- or even slow him down. Yesterday, Cedeno snowboarded down Snowmass Mountain during the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, surprising even himself at his accomplishment. The experience exhilarated Cedeno, one of just two active-duty troops among almost 400 disabled veterans participating in the clinic. "In one word, I feel like I'm alive again," he said while celebrating the success with Gwen and his adaptive ski instructor, Air Force veteran Jill Reifsnider, at his side. Like so many other aspects of his life, Cedeno acknowledged that his first time on a snowboard since his injury wasn't exactly as he remembered. As Iraq veteran Tommy Sowers, assistant secretary of veterans affairs for public and intergovernmental affairs, asked Cedeno if he was ready to take on the mountain, Cedeno said he expected to do a lot of falling. "That's OK," Sowers assured him. "If you're not falling down, you're not trying hard enough." Then, at one point during Cedeno's downward run, air pockets formed around his new prosthetic leg, causing it to unexpectedly pop out of position midway down the slope. "It's a little different, and I have to adjust. I have to relearn things I have been doing for 20 years," he said. "But do you know what? I'll take that over being told, 'Hey, you can't do that.'" For Cedeno, the lessons he's learning at the world's largest and longest-running rehabilitative disabled sports event are life lessons: never give up and never stop reaching for new heights. It's the can-do spirit that's driven him throughout his recovery and rehabilitation, Gwen said. Cedeno remains committed to his career as an Army infantryman. "I'm not done yet," he said, hoping to one day serve as a drill sergeant so he can continue training other soldiers. "And I know I have a few more deployments in me," he added. "I'm not unrealistic," Cedeno insisted. "I know I have limitations and have to relearn things, and I accept that. But I'm 31 years old and not ready to hang my boots up." The speed of Cedeno's recovery attracts a lot of attention that he admits makes him uncomfortable. "I hate being told I'm a hero or an inspiration," he said. "I have always been that guy to do his job, not for the 'Good for you' or the congratulations." But Gwen regularly reminds her husband that he's a role model for his fellow wounded warriors who inspires awe in those who meet him and learn his story. "Do you not realize just how amazing you are?" she asks him, reminding him of how far he has come during the past eight months. In fact, Cedeno said, it's those around him -- his wife, his fellow soldiers, his caregivers -- who inspire him to press on. Talking privately with his fellow platoon members, he tells them, "You motivated me to continue this fight that I thought I had lost." That fight continues this week at the winter sports clinic, where Cedeno said he's found a support network that will be a big factor in his continued progress -- here on the slopes and in life. Looking up at the mountain, Cedeno said he was ready to tackle it once again, perhaps even faster this time. "It's just like my job. Of course I'm going back out there!" he said. "The important thing here is for the veterans to feel challenged," said Sowers as he joined Cedeno for a run down the mountain. "They get that joy of moving fast again. They get that experience of taking on something new." What participants experience during their week at the winter sports clinic continues for the other 51 weeks of the year, Sowers said. "They go back to their local communities and work with their recreational therapists to make sure they continue to challenge themselves," he said. They'll also take with them the camaraderie and support of their fellow veterans and wounded warriors, Sowers said. "We form lifelong friendships here that continue well after this event ends," he said. "It's part of what ensures that what begins here at the winter sports clinic continues encouraging them." The winter sports clinic, co-sponsored by the Veterans Affairs Department and the Disabled American Veterans, is open to U.S. military veterans with disabilities ranging from spinal cord injuries and orthopedic amputations to visual impairment and neurological conditions. During the six-day program, veterans learn adaptive Alpine and Nordic skiing and are introduced to rock climbing, scuba diving, trapshooting, snowmobiling, sled hockey and other sports and activities.

Biographies: Tommy SowersRelated Sites: Department of Veterans Affairs Related Articles: Disabled Veterans Sports Clinic Opens in Colorado

Combined Force Detains Senior Taliban Leader

04/01/2013 12:12 PM CDT                  Mon, Apr 1, 2013 at 10:38 PM

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases WASHINGTON, April 1, 2013 - An Afghan and coalition security force detained a senior Taliban leader and several other insurgents during an operation the in Pul-e 'Alam district of Afghanistan's Logar province yesterday, military officials reported. The detained Taliban leader is accused of a wide range of insurgent operations in Logar province, officials said, including recruiting extremist fighters, managing the Taliban logistical network for the province, and planning and coordinating attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. In other Afghanistan operations yesterday: -- During a search for a senior Taliban official, a combined force killed or detained several insurgents in the Panjwa'i district of Kandahar province. The sought-after Taliban official is accused of overseeing all Taliban operations in the district. His network is believed to be responsible for insurgent activities including the assassination of Afghan civilians, the facilitation of weapons and improvised explosive devices into the district, and of attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized IED-making materials, three rifles, a pistol, six rifle magazines, six pistol magazines and ammunition as a result of the operation. -- In the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province, a combined force arrested a senior Taliban leader and one other insurgent. The arrested Taliban leader is believed to command a cell of insurgent fighters in the Khugyani district. He and his fighters are accused of illegally procuring various types of weapons and using them in multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized one AK-47 rifle and a pistol as a result of the operation. -- A combined force detained an insurgent leader connected to both the Taliban and Haqqani networks and two other insurgents in the Gardez district of Paktiya province. The security force also seized IED components. In March 30 Afghanistan operations: -- The Kapisa Provincial Response Company, advised by coalition forces, arrested Najibullah Rahimi, the Tagab District Representative to the Kapisa Provincial Council. Najibullah is accused of financing a lethal-aid network and facilitating insurgent operations. The combined force also seized nine AK-47 rifles, five grenades, $50,000 in sequentially-numbered $100 bills and numerous cell phones and computers. -- A combined force arrested a Haqqani leader in the Sabari district of Khost province. The arrested insurgent leader is accused of obtaining IEDs and other weapons and distributing them to insurgent commanders. He also allegedly led a number of fighters in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. -- In the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province, a combined force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other insurgent. The arrest Taliban leader is believed to be responsible for multiple insurgent operations including IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. -- A combined force detained several insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province. The sought-after Taliban leader was allegedly plotting a campaign of attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in Helmand province. He and his subordinates are believed to have participated in a number of recent attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force also seized a pistol, bomb-making materials and narcotics.

Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force

A report from Jacobabad

Hindu Girl Ganga converted and forced married

Forced conversions                                                                                         Ugly face

Ganga a Hindu woman converted to Islam and forced married a Muslim man. The protest and a “wave of anger” within the minority community led to the postponement of polls for the Hindu Panchayat in Jacobabad yesterday.

Reports from Jhanjhri Street area of Jacobabad said Ganga, the daughter of gold trader Ashok Kumar,kidnapped & forced married Asif Ali, son of Bahadur Ali Surhio, at Amrot Sharif Dargah after converted to Islam. Aasia name given to Ganga.The woman’s parents and several relatives rushed to the shrine after learning about the conversion but the marriage had already been registered before their arrival. They returned to Jacobabad and lodged an FIR that alleged Ganga was kidnapped by Asif Ali his father, a brother named Abid Ali, and another man identified as Miran Bukhsh. Asif Ali was not at his residence but his father, brother and Miran Bukhsh were arrested.

The Hindu community of Jacobabad took to the streets and organised a protest against what the “kidnapping” of the woman. Incumbent Panchayat chief Harpal Das Chabria told several hundred voters and their candidates that kidnapping of Hindu girls and their “forced conversion” had increased.
He appealed to authorities to check the trend and provide protection to Hindus in Sindh.

A rally was organised from Janta Hall in Jacobabad against the alleged kidnapping. People marched to the local press club, shouting slogans for Ganga’s reunion with her family. Hindu leaders warned that if their demand was not met, the community would observe a strike across the city and start an agitation.

The Hindu community in Sindh has been up in arms since last year over the alleged abduction and forced conversion of many Hindu girls ...

Nose to Nose

03/27/2013 07:42 PM CDT                    Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 5:37 AM

Marine Corps Sgt. Chesty XIII, right, official mascot of the U.S. Marine Corps, stares down his successor, Recruit Chesty, during training on Marine Barracks Washington in Washington, D.C., March 20, 2013.

Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar started

Emancipation of Indian Society is impossible 

without finding a solution to the Caste question

Chandigarh, 12 March. The dicussion involving the various intellectuals and social activists arrived here from different corners of the country on the subject 'Caste question amd Marxism' has started in the Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar that has commenced in Bhakna Bhavan today.

            At the very beginning of the seminar, it was clearly stated that no project of eliminating exploitation in Indian Society can be put forward without giving due consideration to the caste question. In this five-day seminar, various historians, social scientists, writers, social activities from states like Punjab, UP, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Bihar etc. are participating. In addition, senior leaders from both the main political parties of Nepal are also participating along with the intellectuals from the Britain and Germany.

            In the commencing session of the seminar, Satyam from Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies said that in the seminar, issues like relation between Marxism and Ambedkarism, political ideas of Dr. Ambedkar, Marxist Understanding of the caste qusetion, historiographic writing of the caste question, caste question and dalit literature & aesthetics etc. will be thoroughly debated so that the obtacles to the social change can be removed. He said that in last few years the mechanical thinking prevalent in Marxist circles has undergone a change and in Dalitists also, questions are being raised regarding the ideas of Dr. Ambedkar.

            Satyam also said that there has been a trend to bring a compromise between the Marxixm & Ambedkarism, and a trend of subaltern & identity politics. Analysis of these trends from Marxist perspective is also the need of the hour.

              Managing trustee of Arvind Memorial Trust, Meenakashi said that a national level seminar on the important issues concerning the communist movement of India is organized every year in the memory of Com. Arvind. Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies has been founded to carry out the research and study on the theoretical and practical issues faced by the communist movement of India.

            While welcoming the various guests reached for the seminar, Sukhwinder, editor of Punjabi magazine Pratibadh said that left movement in Punjab has a distinct history and the
 caste question has also always remained here in its peculiar form. It has been a big thing for us that such a seminar is being organized here in Chandigarh.

            The commencing session was presided over by the politbureau member of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and famous literary critic Ninu Chapagai, senior tradeunionist from Mumbai Deepati, Trustee of Arvind Memorial Trust Meenakshi, and editor of Magazine 'Ahwan' Abhinav. The stage was conducted by poetess Katyayani.

            The program started after paying homage to Comrade Arvind. Then the team from 'Vihaan' cultural group presented revolutionary songs.

            Overall, 14 papers and write-ups will be presented in the seminar on different aspects of the subject. The base paper of the seminar 'Caste Question and its solution: A Marxist Viewpoint' is prepared by the research team of Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies.   Other papers include 'Ambedkarism and Dalit Liberation' by Sukhwinder, editor of Punjabi journal Pratibaddh;  'Historiography of Caste' by Abhinav, editor, Aahvan; 'Class, Caste and Identity Politics' by Shivani, Delhi University; 'Caste and Politics in West Bengal' by Praskanva Sinharay, CSSS, Kolkata; 'Caste and Sex in Marxist Traditions' by Dr. Rajarshi Dasgupta, JNU; Marxism and the caste question' by Asit Das, Researcher and Activist, New Delhi;  'On Identity Politics' by Prashant Gupta, B.R. Ambedkar College, Delhi University; On Conjoint Relevance of Marxism and Ambedkarism by Sukhdev Singh Janagal, Punjab and on the limitations of caste and identity politics by Jai Prakash of the 'Jati Virodhi Andolan'.

Eminent historian Prof. Irfan Habib will send a background note on caste in India, Ninu Chapagain, Politburo Member and in charge of the Cultural Division of UCPN (M) will present a write-up on 'The Dalit Question and Aesthetics' and a paper 'Towards A Programme for Abolition of Material Basis of Casteist Hierarchy' by Dr. Anant Phadke, Shramik Mukti Dal (Democratic), Pune will be presented. Prof. William Paul Cockshott, University of Glasgow will make a presentation through internet linkup and his paper 'Dr. Ambedkar or Dr. Marx' will be circulated as a background note.

— Meenakshy (Managing Trustee), Anand Singh (Secretary)

Arvind Memorial Trust

For more information, please contact:

Katyayani – 09936650658, Satyam – 9910462009, Namita (Chandigarh) –  9780724125

Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar started

Excessive use of force by Police

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights CommissionWed, Mar 6, 2013 at 10:22 AM

INDONESIA: Poso video calls for establishment of independent procedures for reviewing the use of force by police officers

A video depicting ill-treatment and excessive use of force by police officers has recently been released to the public. In the video, several men who were suspected of being terrorists were lying down on the grass with their hands bound while the police officers asked them questions. One of the suspects was shot in his leg while one other identified as Wiwin Kalahe was shot in his back and the back of his head. The Indonesian National Police spokesman has confirmed that the video was taken in 2007 during a counter-terrorism operation in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

While condemning terrorism and any type of violence, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is saddened that the police officers made use of such excessive use of force in conducting the operation. The short conversation between Wiwin Kalahe and a police officer in the video, for instance, reveals that Wiwin was shot by the police after he surrendered.

The AHRC is aware that the Indonesian National Police has promised to bring the police officers involved in the excessive use of force to justice and that 26 police officers are currently under investigation. The Commissioner of the National Police Commission, M. Nasser, has also mentioned in the media that over half of those police officers will be criminally prosecuted. The AHRC welcomes and appreciates the positive response given by the National Police to the allegations of ill-treatment and excessive use of force. However, it wishes to emphasise that this case reflects the need for the National Police to carry out more research into the activities of its officers in order to curtail their arbitrary and excessive use of force rather than simply punishing the perpetrators. The institution should treat the case as a call to evaluate and amend its policy on the use of force, particularly those engaging lethal weapons, by its members.

The AHRC has received and published various reports in the past concerning the allegations on excessive use of force by the police from different units, including the anti-terrorist detachment, Densus 88, and the mobile brigadiers (Brimob). The excessive force had been performed by the police officers towards various groups, including peaceful protesters (see, for instance, Police use excessive force during a peaceful protest in South Sumatera), unarmed civilians posing no imminent threat (see Police shoot an unarmed and spread a false report), criminal suspects attempted to escape (see Police shot arrestee in the head while allegedly trying to escape), as well as individuals alleged to be members of terrorist groups (see Police act disproportionately in war on terror). One commonality in these cases is that there have been no measures taken by the police to investigate the disproportionate use of force. There is no way, as of today, in which the claim by the police that the measures they took were 'proportionate and necessary' can be effectively and impartially challenged. Most of the time, if not always, the allegations on excessive use of force by the police are thus forgotten and the perpetrators remain unpunished.

The AHRC is aware that there are circumstances where use of force and lethal weapons are inevitable and necessary. However, to avoid arbitrariness and minimise the negative impact of it, a reporting and review procedure should be established. As pointed out in the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, these procedures shall be effective and independent. Instead of being examined by the police themselves, cases of death, serious injury or other grave consequences caused by use of force and firearms should be available for competent authorities responsible for administrative review and judicial control.

Given this above, the AHRC is calling upon the Indonesian government to ensure that such independent procedure is available and accessible in the country. The AHRC is urging the National Police to be cooperative and open itself for reform. It is essential that the police also regularly review its internal regulations and procedures concerning use of force to ensure their compliance with human rights principles. In the mean time, in the absence of an independent mechanism to review their actions, the police have to impartially investigate any complaints and allegations concerning disproportionate use of force perpetrated by its members.

Read this statement online

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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

1.5 cms. thick stone removed at CMC

Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 11:59 AM 
A 3 year old Girl Child was suffering from pain

Ludhiana, 6th March, 2013:(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria):A 3 year old girl child, daughter of a labourer was suffering, with continuous pain in the lower abdomen and urinary infection for past threemonths. She was referred to the Department of Paediatric Surgery CMC and Hospital Ludhiana for further management. Investigations revealed that there was a 2.5 cms. long and 1.5 cms. thick,stone which was completely  obstructing the flow of urine from left kidney to urinary bladder and causing urinary infection and abdominal pain. Since there was no free flow of urine from kidney, there wasswelling and deterioration of kidney function with continuous abdominal pain.

Dr William Bhatti Professor &Head, Department of Paediatric Surgery and his teamdoctors, Dr N Bedi, Dr A Gupta and Dr S Dhuria, successfully performed laparoscopic removal of stone from the ureter. Theparents are happy as their daughter does not have a big operative scar on her abdomen and she ispain free because of the laparoscopic surgery. This type of operation, where the impacted stone at lower ureterovesical junction in a 3 year old child,was removed by laparoscopic operationis the first to be performed in India. So far this type of surgery has been done by open procedures which results in long scar marks and prolongedhospital stay. In laparoscopic surgery,the child will have 2-3 tiny scars of 5mm on their abdomen, with  less pain and shorter hospital stay as compared to open surgeries.

Dr William Bhatti further mentioned that presence of stones in urinary system is a common problem in children and it can be managed safely with laparoscopic operations. Parents should not ignore if their child complains of continuous abdominal pain and paediatric surgeons should be consulted immediately to prevent further complications.