India, Pakistan students launch diary campaign!

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Courtesy: Special Correspondent, The Hindu / MUMBAI, September 1, 2011.

IIT Techfest's Ummeed-e-Milaap, an India-Pakistan student peace initiative, being launched in Mumbai on Tuesday - Special Arrangement.

Programme received an encouraging launch on August 30 in Mumbai

Students from India and Pakistan have launched a first-of-its-kind initiative called “Ummeed-e-Milaap” to invite opinions on initiating peace. It will be compiled into a 120- page diary and released next year.

The brainchild of Techfest, the annual science and technological festival of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai, the venture is partnered by the Lahore University of Management Studies (LUMS) and the Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales (AIESEC), world's largest student-driven organisation.

“Ummeed-e-Milaap” aims at uniting the students of India and Pakistan. “We aim to set an example to the world that students can lead the way in establishing peaceful relations between countries and a hatred-free world,” according to Ronnie Philip of Techfest.

The programme received an encouraging launch on August 30 with over 350 entries from students of 11colleges here. IIT student Anish Sankhe writes, “Let's add every Pakistani Student on Facebook and share our thoughts. I am sure that [the] youth of both these countries thinks positively on the peace process. So friends, Lets remove the hatred, lets spearhead Love.”

Bharat Prabhakar says: “Whatever we do today is gonna be in the history textbooks of tomorrow. It's time we make our generation-Y immortal by taking a stand which no one has ever before.”

The media too came in for criticism. Revanth Raju says: “Media on both sides must act more responsible. The attitude of pointing fingers at your neighbour as soon as a terror strike happens should change; and I think media can play an important role here by spreading the message that a common man across the border faces the same threat as we do, and we must stand united to fight against the common enemy.”

Others demanded that the voice of youth should be heard. Suparna Vivek Gharpure says: “We should have India-Pakistan student meets where we would get to meet and interact with people across the border. It's time we realise that people across the border are also just like you or me! And the youth of both nations should stand up to get counted in this social issue.”

Techfest aims at instilling in the youth of both nations a sense of fraternity. Over 30 colleges will be involved in Mumbai, Lahore and Karachi, and two dairies will be circulated for students in both countries to give their comments. In Mumbai, 11colleges will take part and about 20 in Lahore and Karachi.

From each college, 20 best entries will be selected and pasted in the diary, which will then move on to the next college. Students are required to comment on the peace process and their thoughts on the role of students, media, people-to-people exchanges and their perception of the common people in each country. An online campaign is also being launched where people can write their thoughts in a diary at www.techfest.org/umme

ed_e_milaap.

The diaries from India and Pakistan will be received by Techfest before the festival and an ‘Ummeed-e-Milaap Diary' will be created along with a special section for the best entries from the online campaign.

The diary will be released from January 6 to 8, 2012 and kept for public viewing. In Pakistan, the diary will be kept on display in LUMS during their scientific festival ‘PSIFI'.

                

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ANTI-CORRUPTION MOVEMENT: India risks facing its own Arab Spring - Analysis!

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By Paul de Bendern, NEW DELHI / Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:04am EDT.

(Reuters) - An anti-corruption movement led by a feisty 74-year-old social activist is snowballing into one of the biggest challenges in decades for the ruling Congress party and if not contained risks sparking India's own version of an Arab Spring revolt.

While no one is expecting an Egypt-like overthrow in the world's biggest democracy, a galvanized and frustrated middle class and the mushrooming of social networking sites combined with an aggressive private media may be transforming India's political landscape.

Anna Hazare has quickly become a 21st century Mahatma Gandhi inspiration for millions of Indians fed up with rampant corruption, red tape and inadequate services provided by the state despite the country posting near-double digit economic growth for almost a decade.

"Democracy means no voice, however small, must go unheard. The anti-corruption sentiment is not a whisper-it's a scream. Grave error to ignore it," Anand Mahindra, one of India's leading businessmen and managing director of conglomerate Mahindra Group, wrote on Twitter.

Hazare's arrest on Tuesday, only hours ahead of a planned fast until death against graft was the last straw and sparked spontaneous protest across the country of 1.2 billion people.

The young and old, rich and poor, without apparent political affiliations, took to the streets in a rare voice of solidarity -- a potential lethal cocktail for any party in power in India.

Politicians are increasingly being judged on governance rather than old caste and regional ties - as has already happened in states like Bihar - and the new social shift will push national parties to be more responsive to voters' needs.

Full Story at,

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/us-india-protests-idUSTRE77G2E220110817

CONGRESS SMEAR CAMPAIGN: Sawant Commission didn't term Anna corrupt - Lawyer!

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ibnlive.in.com / Press Trust Of India / Posted on Aug 14, 2011 at 11:33pm IST.

Pune: Amidst Congress accusing social activist Anna Hazare of corruption citing Justice PB Sawant Commission report, his lawyer said the Commission did not hold the Gandhian guilty of any wrongdoings.

Justice PB Sawant who had investigated the complaints against Hazare's Hind Swaraj Trust had remarked about "irregularities" in submission of accounts and not held him guilty of any "corrupt" practices, Hazare's lawyer Milind Pawar said in a statement.

Sawant, whose probe found that an amount of Rs 2.2 lakh was diverted from Hazare's trust for his birthday celebrations, has said this action amounted to "corruption".

Pawar said when a US-based NGO Care International announced an award for Hazare, it was decided to felicitate him on June 16, 1998, coinciding with his 61st birthday.

"Abhay Phirodia, a Pune-based industrialist took the initiative to organise the function and remitted an amount of Rs 2,48,950 to the trust by cheque soon after the function for which the trust had spent Rs 2.18 lakh," he said.

Pawar said after the report of Justice Sawant was released in 2003, a complaint was filed with Pune police on December 9, 2005.

Police, in their report submitted to the court, stated there was no evidence of corruption on part of Hazare, the lawyer claimed.

In a World where there are always people who attribute motives to those who expose corruption, we shouldn't be surprised that maligning campaigners do not care for any proof or evidence to throw mud on almost anyone!

Full Story at,

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sawant-commission-didnt-term-anna-corrupt-lawyer/175673-3.html

SYRIAN OPPRESSION: Obama reaches out to world leaders on Syria!

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PTI / The Hindu / WASHINGTON, August 14, 2011.

U.S. President Barack Obama has reached out to several world leaders as part of his effort to build an international consensus on Syria where the Assad regime continues to use force on protesters demanding his ouster. File photo - AP.

U.S. President Barack Obama has reached out to several world leaders as part of his effort to build an international consensus on Syria where the Assad regime continues to use force on protesters demanding his ouster.

The White House said Mr. Obama called the Saudi King and the British Prime Minister on Saturday.

Mr. Obama and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia expressed their shared, deep concerns about the Syrian Government’s use of violence against its citizens, the White House said.

“They agreed that the Syrian regime’s brutal campaign of violence against the Syrian people must end immediately, and to continue close consultations about the situation in the days ahead,” it said.

“The President also reaffirmed the long-term commitment of the United States to the region’s peace and security, the statement said.

In his telephonic call with British Prime Minister David Cameroon, Mr. Obama discussed the situation in Syria.

The two leaders reiterated their deep concern about the Syrian government’s use of violence against civilians and their belief that the Syrian people’s legitimate demands for a transition to democracy should be met.

“They agreed on the need for an immediate halt of all bloodshed and violence against the Syrian people.

They also agreed to closely monitor the actions that the Syrian government is taking and to consult on further steps in the days ahead,” the White House said.

Full Story at,

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2356130.ece

LOK PAL BILL: NDA to discuss nuances, Anna to persuade Sonia!

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Have you read, “Mayhem of the Miserables!” available @ http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/52075

Agencies / New Delhi, July 02, 2011 / Hindustan Times.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad with Anna Hazare after a meeting with BJP leaders on lokpal bill at......

It's a day of meetings again today with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) brainstorming to finalise its stance on the lokpal bill and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Anna Hazare hold parleys. The Congress and the BJP are scurrying to position themselves ahead of Sunday's 

On Friday, the parties unsheathed their swords, accusing each other of not being sincere about the fight against corruption.

Since the BJP stopped short of spelling out its stand on issues, such as bringing the PM and higher judiciary under the lokpal - despite supporting Anna Hazare - the Congress seized the opportunity and dared the BJP to come out in the open.

Full Story at,

http://www.hindustantimes.com/NDA-to-discuss-nuances-Anna-to-persuade-Sonia/Article1- 716370.aspx

Lok Pal Bill: Upset with government, Hazare to fast from August 16!

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Please Join us in India’s Anti-corruption Movement; Kindly sign “Save Lokpal Bill” @

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_jan_lokpal/?copy

PTI / The Hindu.

Civil society activist and member of joint committee constituted to draft Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare along with other members Shanti Bhushan, and Arvind Kejriwal (centre), on their way to attend the meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photo: Rajeev Bhatt.

A day after talks on Lokpal Bill got deadlocked, Anna Hazare on Thursday accused the government of having no intention of enacting a strong anti-corruption law and said he will undertake an indefinite fast from August 16 if a diluted legislation is brought.

Mr. Hazare alleged that the government had “backtracked” on the promises that it would agree to all suggestions forwarded by civil society members.

He told reporters that he was “surprised” that the government wants civil society members to give a separate draft of the bill which will be brought before the Cabinet along with that of the government.

01) I have a vague feeling that 'Team Anna' is stretching it too far;  the UPA Government could indulge them in Dialogue to a great extent, despite facing flak from most Political Parties, Non-Committed Elite and some sections of NGOs and beyond that, they too have internal & external constraints.

02) Instead of giving any further pressure, which might  boomerang on their face, 'Team Anna' should join the UPA and others to rope in as many Political Parties and MPs as possible from all the political parties for, ultimately, it is them who could make or mar the prospects of any Lokpal Bill, introduced in the Parliament.

03) Once, a Lok Pal is in place, there will always be room for further improvisation, through public opinion and Parliamentary procedures.

Full Story at,

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2109386.ece

Anti Corruption Movement: Cong campaign to counter Anna, Ramdev agitations!

Please Join us in India’s Anti-corruption Movement; Kindly sign “Save Lokpal Bill” @

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_jan_lokpal/?copy

PTI – 1 hour 12 minutes ago.

New Delhi, Jun 11 (PTI) In a counter-offensive, Congress will launch its campaign tomorrow to "expose communal forces" behind the agitations by civil rights activist Anna Hazare and yoga guru Ramdev on the issue of corruption and blackmoney.

Senior leader Pranab Mukherjee will hold a media interaction in Kolkata kickstarting the party''s nationwide camapign in the wake of agitations by Ramdev and Hazare.

The party is also organizing a public rally in Raipur on June 26 which central leaders are expected to attend.

It seems they have already roped-in past-masters of corruption and blackmoney like Laluji!, for this mudslinging!

Full Story at,

http://in.news.yahoo.com/cong-campaign-counter-anna-ramdev-agitations-144100772.html;_ylt=Ag7TPv2uYmweDUkab.WEqqy7scB_;_ylu=X3oDMTM5aG10N2hoBHBrZwNkYTY1ZDBjNy01ZTc4LTNiOWQtOGRlMC03Y2RjYTNlMWI2OWEEcG9zAzQEc2VjA01lZGlhVG9wU3RvcnkEdmVyAzQ4YjIzNDgwLTk0MzktMTFlMC1iZmZmLTJiNTBiOGQ1NDE3Mg--;_ylg=X3oDMTFlbGJ1cmZrBGludGwDaW4EbGFuZwNlbi1pbgRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAMEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3