By IANS,
New Delhi : Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Thursday said he will fully cooperate with the students' union in its efforts to check the rising instances of crime against women and men from the northeastern states.
Pali Gongo, co-convener of the Northeast Students Union, said: "We went to meet Rahul Gandhi today (Thursday) to seek his support in fighting the rising crime against the northeastern community. Not only did he show his keen interest in the matter but also promised us full cooperation."
"We had a list of demands to fight this dangerous trend of targeting the northeastern community and Rahul Gandhi said that he will publicly announce his views on our demands very soon. He also said that he will be in regular contact with us," Gongo told IANS.
There has been an increasing number of cases of crime against women of the northeastern states living in the capital. On Saturday, a Naga girl was murdered by an Indian Institute of Technology scholar for rebuffing his advances.
The Naga Students Union has planned a massive protest rally and a sensitisation drive Friday,
Gongo said that the students have also submitted a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with 15 specific demands.
"We have 15 specific demands from the government in order to safeguard the northeastern community in the capital, and elsewhere in the country from racial bias. One among them is that there should be a 24/7 police control vehicle in vulnerable areas like Munirka in south Delhi where such crimes are often reported from," Gongo said.
"We also demand that there should be a special committee to look into cases of crime against northeastern women. The nodal officer in the police force, who is meant to look into these crimes, should be a person from the northeast, and there should be certain points included in the IPC (Indian Penal Code) whereby racial discrimination is absolutely not tolerated anywhere in the country," he added.
A 24-hour toll free helpline number and a special help cell for women are also among the demand the union has made.
"We are also planning a candle light vigil sometime in December to spread awareness against racial discrimination of the community. We will make sure that all of these initiatives are an on-going, sustained effort and not just an isolated event, in order to check these heinous crimes," Gongo said.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Arabic Introduces Islam to Ukrainians
By Hani Salah, IOL Correspondent
KIEV – Forty-five weekly schools that teach the Arabic language are gaining popularity among Ukrainian intellectuals and are helping introducing them to Islam and its civilization.
“Arabic, the language of the Qur’an, has become a window for many Ukrainians to know Islam,” Dr. Shadi Shawer, the head of Human Development Department at the Federation of Social Organizations in Ukraine (Arraid) and the schools supervisor, told IslamOnline.net.
He said the weekly schools help many Ukrainians to better understand the Muslim faith.
“The schools have become one of our tools to promote Islam and show its true image.”
Shawer said there are 45 weekly schools across the country that teach Arabic language, eastern culture and Islamic sciences over a period of three years.
Most of the students enrolled at the charges-free schools are university students and professors who attend classes once a week.
“Many enroll to know the Arabic culture to better communicate with Arab students at Ukrainian universities,” he said.
“Others are interested in knowing more about Islam.”
The Muslim leader notes that some students end up embracing Islam during or after the course.
Ukraine is home to some two million Muslims making up 4 percent of the estimated 48-million population.
There are up to 200 mosques and 20 Islamic centers in the country.
Eye-opener
Many Ukrainians credit the Arabic schools for changing their misconceptions about Islam.
“I used to have a negative view about Islam from the local and international media,” Irina Sladkikh, a university students’ affairs secretary, told IOL.
“But this has changed after attending the school,” added Sladkikh, who is set to graduate from the Arabic school this year.
Dr. Igor Vlasov, a physician, agrees.
“The school has brought me closer to the Arab world,” he said.
“I feel that I know much about Islam and the Muslim community.”
Thanks to the schools, many Ukrainians now have better understanding of the Muslim faith.
“I was surprised to know the true image of Islam after joining the school,” says Julia Bondinia, a university teacher.
“This has motivated me to invite two colleagues to enroll.”
Vikyoria, a third-grade student at the Faculty of Medicine, joined the school to better know the Arabic culture.
“Now I feel the school has become inseparable part of my life.”
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1256034108542&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout
KIEV – Forty-five weekly schools that teach the Arabic language are gaining popularity among Ukrainian intellectuals and are helping introducing them to Islam and its civilization.
“Arabic, the language of the Qur’an, has become a window for many Ukrainians to know Islam,” Dr. Shadi Shawer, the head of Human Development Department at the Federation of Social Organizations in Ukraine (Arraid) and the schools supervisor, told IslamOnline.net.
He said the weekly schools help many Ukrainians to better understand the Muslim faith.
“The schools have become one of our tools to promote Islam and show its true image.”
Shawer said there are 45 weekly schools across the country that teach Arabic language, eastern culture and Islamic sciences over a period of three years.
Most of the students enrolled at the charges-free schools are university students and professors who attend classes once a week.
“Many enroll to know the Arabic culture to better communicate with Arab students at Ukrainian universities,” he said.
“Others are interested in knowing more about Islam.”
The Muslim leader notes that some students end up embracing Islam during or after the course.
Ukraine is home to some two million Muslims making up 4 percent of the estimated 48-million population.
There are up to 200 mosques and 20 Islamic centers in the country.
Eye-opener
Many Ukrainians credit the Arabic schools for changing their misconceptions about Islam.
“I used to have a negative view about Islam from the local and international media,” Irina Sladkikh, a university students’ affairs secretary, told IOL.
“But this has changed after attending the school,” added Sladkikh, who is set to graduate from the Arabic school this year.
Dr. Igor Vlasov, a physician, agrees.
“The school has brought me closer to the Arab world,” he said.
“I feel that I know much about Islam and the Muslim community.”
Thanks to the schools, many Ukrainians now have better understanding of the Muslim faith.
“I was surprised to know the true image of Islam after joining the school,” says Julia Bondinia, a university teacher.
“This has motivated me to invite two colleagues to enroll.”
Vikyoria, a third-grade student at the Faculty of Medicine, joined the school to better know the Arabic culture.
“Now I feel the school has become inseparable part of my life.”
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1256034108542&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout
'Dharma Yudh' needed against Mohabbat ke Dushmans!
By NM Sampathkumar Iyangar for TwoCircles.net,
Till a few years ago, Karnataka and Kerala were among the states that stood apart in liberal thinking. The coastal populations as a rule were not significantly affected by a sort of apartheid mindset cultivated in the central and northern hinterland ever since the Indian British colony turned into distinct ‘free’ countries. Therefore, it is rather strange that a bizarre controversy about 'Love Jihad' should have emanated from the South.
The sinister conspiracy was “unearthed” after a couple of parents of educated girls sought the help of the judicial system to obtain their custody. The girls from Hindu and Christian families were well into adulthood and had chosen their Muslim boyfriends as life partners. The affluent or middle class parents apprehended that the daughters were ruining their lives while also demolishing 'traditional family honour'. The hype fueled by rumours has led many orthodox groups to genuinely suspect existence of a planned strategy to destroy their socio-religious identity. A well-funded network with lots of gulf money in its coffers was said to be sponsoring Muslim youths to rob them of their most cherished property - womenfolk!
Yes, women are still viewed as cherished 'property' by most 'elite' members of India. There is not much difference between the 21st Century AD and the age of Ramayana, the decree of the Ten Commandments or when invaders from Persia and Arabia were entitled to appropriate whole harems of the humbled local kings and take away the 'legitimate' queens and princesses as well.
The media, marked by a cut-throat competition to grab eyeballs and ad revenue through it, blew up the incidents – some real and some imaginary – into a giant humanitarian issue. How a band of Muslim youth, engaged by oil-rich Arab Sheikhs, was luring women with promises and expensive gifts became the talk of the town. The sole purpose of raining love and gifts, according to the vigilantes, was to convert them into Islam. For a time, every woman leaving her house in a huff was projected as another prize catch of the Love Jihad brigade. It continued blissfully till the police nabbed a serial killer who tricked dozens of ambitious brides-to-be by posing as a tycoon based abroad. Incidentally, this Romeo was not a Muslim.
Senior members of the media fraternity have castigated the adventurous elements in their tribe for being reckless in covering the rumours and farcical court proceedings sensationally. Such sort of 'self regulation' is of course a welcome phenomenon. But, it is unfair to squarely put all the blame on the "irresponsible journalists" alone. After all, the media did not imagine or cultivate the shameful medieval mindset that led to the shameful ruckus. It was only bringing out the perverted attitudes prevalent among the ‘elite’ classes. In fact, that precisely is the job of the media, not hushing up. On another note, however, the media must take the blame for the failure to bring to the surface the real culprits in the matter.
The lion’s share of the blame for the mischievous propaganda that has the potential to incite communal riots must go to 'honourable judges' of Kerala and Karnataka. Let us suppose, for a moment, that a 'jihad' or 'dharma yudh' is being waged in an organized fashion with the aim of influencing minds by employing love as a weapon. Why is it a "matter (that) needs to be further probed" as honourable judges have decreed? In any civilized society, only intimidation, torture or violence for getting someone converted or reconverted can be a matter of concern. Love, care or nourishment to influence someone can never be taboo! Even in cases when some people resort to violence to demand equity, the enlightened approach, it is now recognized, is not unleashing retaliatory violence.
Of course, there is a need for utmost caution on the part of the youth before taking the big plunge. They are better advised to objectively weigh pros and cons of teaming up with someone for life at the risk of alienation from current environment. It is particularly the girls who are at greater peril and must guard against flirts who abound. A casual approach can bring misery to scores of members of two families.
However, it is the job of family seniors and community elders to create awareness about pitfalls of immature infatuation in the guise of sacred love. Let us assume for a moment that the boys were worst frauds, fiends and Casanovas. But, it is not for the judicial babus to turn into guardians of morality. The learned judges are free to resign, become preachers and sermonize about the dangers of getting married against the wishes of their parents. Instead, by directing the police to take action against 'Love Jihad' movement (if it exists), saying that the matter had "national ramifications concerning security, besides the question of unlawful trafficking of women," the judiciary has exposed itself as Mohabbat ka Dushman! Here we have 'honourable' judges who abuse power to direct that a 20-plus female – budding engineer or MBA aspirant to boot – must go back and live with her parents. It is cruel, not funny, to see mutual love among people not permitted to love each other and being condemned. Such tyranny after she had decided on some boy as her love partner and to enroll herself willingly to get acquainted with his environment, moreover, smacks of raw male chauvinism.
More criminal is to overload an awfully understaffed police force, struggling to carry out its responsibilities, to waste public time in what is not their business. Just because the Indian courts have draconian powers to pull up dissenters for contempt of court, media people are afraid to speak up against their tyranny. Ironically, even after the top cop failed to manufacture evidence of any organized syndicate, he has been directed to waste more time and public money in the mission.
It is time that Indian judiciary is purged outdated mindsets portraying medieval orthodoxy. The esteem of the institution, voted in a Transparency International survey to be the most corrupt after the revenue bureaucracy, will fall further if members are permitted to stray out of their designated role at will.
http://twocircles.net/2009oct29/dharma_yudh_needed_against_mohabbat_ke_dushmans.html
Till a few years ago, Karnataka and Kerala were among the states that stood apart in liberal thinking. The coastal populations as a rule were not significantly affected by a sort of apartheid mindset cultivated in the central and northern hinterland ever since the Indian British colony turned into distinct ‘free’ countries. Therefore, it is rather strange that a bizarre controversy about 'Love Jihad' should have emanated from the South.
The sinister conspiracy was “unearthed” after a couple of parents of educated girls sought the help of the judicial system to obtain their custody. The girls from Hindu and Christian families were well into adulthood and had chosen their Muslim boyfriends as life partners. The affluent or middle class parents apprehended that the daughters were ruining their lives while also demolishing 'traditional family honour'. The hype fueled by rumours has led many orthodox groups to genuinely suspect existence of a planned strategy to destroy their socio-religious identity. A well-funded network with lots of gulf money in its coffers was said to be sponsoring Muslim youths to rob them of their most cherished property - womenfolk!
Yes, women are still viewed as cherished 'property' by most 'elite' members of India. There is not much difference between the 21st Century AD and the age of Ramayana, the decree of the Ten Commandments or when invaders from Persia and Arabia were entitled to appropriate whole harems of the humbled local kings and take away the 'legitimate' queens and princesses as well.
The media, marked by a cut-throat competition to grab eyeballs and ad revenue through it, blew up the incidents – some real and some imaginary – into a giant humanitarian issue. How a band of Muslim youth, engaged by oil-rich Arab Sheikhs, was luring women with promises and expensive gifts became the talk of the town. The sole purpose of raining love and gifts, according to the vigilantes, was to convert them into Islam. For a time, every woman leaving her house in a huff was projected as another prize catch of the Love Jihad brigade. It continued blissfully till the police nabbed a serial killer who tricked dozens of ambitious brides-to-be by posing as a tycoon based abroad. Incidentally, this Romeo was not a Muslim.
Senior members of the media fraternity have castigated the adventurous elements in their tribe for being reckless in covering the rumours and farcical court proceedings sensationally. Such sort of 'self regulation' is of course a welcome phenomenon. But, it is unfair to squarely put all the blame on the "irresponsible journalists" alone. After all, the media did not imagine or cultivate the shameful medieval mindset that led to the shameful ruckus. It was only bringing out the perverted attitudes prevalent among the ‘elite’ classes. In fact, that precisely is the job of the media, not hushing up. On another note, however, the media must take the blame for the failure to bring to the surface the real culprits in the matter.
The lion’s share of the blame for the mischievous propaganda that has the potential to incite communal riots must go to 'honourable judges' of Kerala and Karnataka. Let us suppose, for a moment, that a 'jihad' or 'dharma yudh' is being waged in an organized fashion with the aim of influencing minds by employing love as a weapon. Why is it a "matter (that) needs to be further probed" as honourable judges have decreed? In any civilized society, only intimidation, torture or violence for getting someone converted or reconverted can be a matter of concern. Love, care or nourishment to influence someone can never be taboo! Even in cases when some people resort to violence to demand equity, the enlightened approach, it is now recognized, is not unleashing retaliatory violence.
Of course, there is a need for utmost caution on the part of the youth before taking the big plunge. They are better advised to objectively weigh pros and cons of teaming up with someone for life at the risk of alienation from current environment. It is particularly the girls who are at greater peril and must guard against flirts who abound. A casual approach can bring misery to scores of members of two families.
However, it is the job of family seniors and community elders to create awareness about pitfalls of immature infatuation in the guise of sacred love. Let us assume for a moment that the boys were worst frauds, fiends and Casanovas. But, it is not for the judicial babus to turn into guardians of morality. The learned judges are free to resign, become preachers and sermonize about the dangers of getting married against the wishes of their parents. Instead, by directing the police to take action against 'Love Jihad' movement (if it exists), saying that the matter had "national ramifications concerning security, besides the question of unlawful trafficking of women," the judiciary has exposed itself as Mohabbat ka Dushman! Here we have 'honourable' judges who abuse power to direct that a 20-plus female – budding engineer or MBA aspirant to boot – must go back and live with her parents. It is cruel, not funny, to see mutual love among people not permitted to love each other and being condemned. Such tyranny after she had decided on some boy as her love partner and to enroll herself willingly to get acquainted with his environment, moreover, smacks of raw male chauvinism.
More criminal is to overload an awfully understaffed police force, struggling to carry out its responsibilities, to waste public time in what is not their business. Just because the Indian courts have draconian powers to pull up dissenters for contempt of court, media people are afraid to speak up against their tyranny. Ironically, even after the top cop failed to manufacture evidence of any organized syndicate, he has been directed to waste more time and public money in the mission.
It is time that Indian judiciary is purged outdated mindsets portraying medieval orthodoxy. The esteem of the institution, voted in a Transparency International survey to be the most corrupt after the revenue bureaucracy, will fall further if members are permitted to stray out of their designated role at will.
http://twocircles.net/2009oct29/dharma_yudh_needed_against_mohabbat_ke_dushmans.html
AAPSU for firm steps to curb violence against NE students
ITANAGAR, Oct 28: The apex students organization of the State, All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) today called for sincere and concerted measures from all concerned to curb the repeated violence being inflicted on students from the North-east studying in various parts of the country.
The Union condemned the molestation of an Arunachalee girl and the gruesome murder of a Naga girl in New Delhi in the last couple of days. It expressed fear that such incidents would have far reaching consequences and would further aggravate the imbalance between the region and mainland India. It urged upon the Delhi Government as well as the Central Government to deal with iron hands with perpetrators and sympathizers of such crimes.
The Union is leading a delegation to the national capital on October 30 next headed by its president Takam Tatung to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other Central leaders. Besides the issue of safety of North-east students and crime committed by mainstream Indians against people from the region, the Union would raise the issue of the repeated claims over Arunachal Pradesh by China.
The Union said, all elected members of Parliament from the region and all State governments of the North-east, cutting across party lines, needed to get together to voice their stand against all atrocities committed on people from the region.
It has further resolved to take the issue to the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) platform to give a united stand of the North East.
The Union condemned the molestation of an Arunachalee girl and the gruesome murder of a Naga girl in New Delhi in the last couple of days. It expressed fear that such incidents would have far reaching consequences and would further aggravate the imbalance between the region and mainland India. It urged upon the Delhi Government as well as the Central Government to deal with iron hands with perpetrators and sympathizers of such crimes.
The Union is leading a delegation to the national capital on October 30 next headed by its president Takam Tatung to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other Central leaders. Besides the issue of safety of North-east students and crime committed by mainstream Indians against people from the region, the Union would raise the issue of the repeated claims over Arunachal Pradesh by China.
The Union said, all elected members of Parliament from the region and all State governments of the North-east, cutting across party lines, needed to get together to voice their stand against all atrocities committed on people from the region.
It has further resolved to take the issue to the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) platform to give a united stand of the North East.
Bangla business delegation offers opportunities to Meghalaya
SHILLONG, Oct 28 – Bangladeshi business delegates today proposed setting up of a joint venture cement plant in Bangladesh with Meghalaya’s equity share being in limestone and Bangladesh providing infrastructure and capital.
The business delegates said Bangladesh has the requisite capital and power for the cement plant and Meghalaya has the raw material and both sides could work together for mutual benefit.
“Meghalaya’s equity share can be limestone export and Bangladesh would provide the rest (capital, infrastructure and power) and the profits can be shared equally between the two sides,” India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) president, Abdul Matlub Ahmed proposed during his visit here to forge bilateral ties.
Ahmed added capital and power for the proposed cement plant was readily available in Bangladesh all that was required was nod from Meghalaya to supply limestone from its vast reservoir and forge an equal partnership deal.
There is a shortage of 10 million ton of cement in Bangladesh annually. The cement plant set up by French cement manufacturing giant Lafarge in Chattak, Bangladesh with limestone imported from Shella Meghalaya has a capacity to produce 1.2 million ton annually.
“There is a great business opportunity for setting up a cement manufacturing unit to bridge the shortage and both Meghalaya and Bangladesh would equally benefit by entering into a joint venture in this sector,” the IBCCI chief said.
During their meeting with Chief Minister DD Lapang, the Bangladeshi side further urged the Meghalaya government to purchase “world class” garments from Bangladesh at a competitive price.
“The government of India has allowed duty free import of eight million garments of which four million has already been sold out. We have asked the Meghalaya government to buy at least one million pieces,” Ahmed said.
The business delegates said Bangladesh has the requisite capital and power for the cement plant and Meghalaya has the raw material and both sides could work together for mutual benefit.
“Meghalaya’s equity share can be limestone export and Bangladesh would provide the rest (capital, infrastructure and power) and the profits can be shared equally between the two sides,” India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) president, Abdul Matlub Ahmed proposed during his visit here to forge bilateral ties.
Ahmed added capital and power for the proposed cement plant was readily available in Bangladesh all that was required was nod from Meghalaya to supply limestone from its vast reservoir and forge an equal partnership deal.
There is a shortage of 10 million ton of cement in Bangladesh annually. The cement plant set up by French cement manufacturing giant Lafarge in Chattak, Bangladesh with limestone imported from Shella Meghalaya has a capacity to produce 1.2 million ton annually.
“There is a great business opportunity for setting up a cement manufacturing unit to bridge the shortage and both Meghalaya and Bangladesh would equally benefit by entering into a joint venture in this sector,” the IBCCI chief said.
During their meeting with Chief Minister DD Lapang, the Bangladeshi side further urged the Meghalaya government to purchase “world class” garments from Bangladesh at a competitive price.
“The government of India has allowed duty free import of eight million garments of which four million has already been sold out. We have asked the Meghalaya government to buy at least one million pieces,” Ahmed said.
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