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In Fighting Hunger, India trails China

In the event, a success story

 

 

 

  

Twenty-four hours before the opening ceremony, it looked as though Delhi had made a complete mess of the preparations for the Commonwealth Games. On Thursday, in front of 60,000 spectators, including chief guest President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, when the Commonwealth Games Federation president Michael Fennell declared, “Delhi, you have delivered a truly exceptional Games,” there was justifiable pride among Indians. Despite the shambolic build-up, the Organising Committee (OC) pulled it off in the end, overcoming seemingly insurmountable problems at the eleventh hour — such as repair work on the track at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on the eve of the athletics event — with generous support from the Central and State governments. Some of the venues, the Games Village, and the quality of food served came in for lavish praise from visiting athletes and officials. The transport department, after taking its time to warm up, functioned smoothly. The ‘Games lanes' operated without a hitch and Delhi's notorious traffic snarls seemed to be a figment of the imagination.

The tightest security ever experienced for a sports event in India might have caused some irritation among participants and spectators. But as Mr. Fennell pointed out, there could have been no compromise on this front. Defying predictions, the show went on with clockwork precision even when there were some organisational hiccups. But more than all this, what helped Indians put out of mind the chaos and tragi-comic mishaps witnessed during the run-up to the Games was the nation's unprecedented haul of 101 medals, including 38 gold. Ascent to the No. 2 spot, although a long way behind Australia (74 gold medals), was made possible mainly by the performance of the shooters (led by the versatile Gagan Narang), wrestlers, archers, and boxers. Saina Nehwal's hard-fought win in the badminton final was memorable and so too were the medals sweep in women's discus throw and the triumph of the Indian quartet in the women's 4x400 m relay. These were India's first gold medals in athletics since the legendary Milkha Singh won the 440-yard race in Cardiff in 1958. The major disappointment on the final day was India's debacle in the hockey final; perhaps the Australian stick wielders were keen to avenge the Test series loss suffered by Ricky Ponting's men at Bangalore the previous day. After the CWG success, the idea of bidding for the Olympics is likely to gain some traction. It would be unwise to rush into this venture without cleaning up the Indian Olympic Association and doing a cool appraisal of infrastructural and organisational capabilities and cost.

Hindu Editorial

Article:

A pass to tradeOpening of Nathu la can be a new beginningby Parshotam Mehra

IN the course of his two-day visit to Beijing early this month, which the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao hailed as ‘successful’, the Indian defence minister reached an agreement with his Chinese counter-part on a number of security matters. Among these is the prospective re-opening of the Nathu la (in Tibetan ‘la’ stand for pass) on the Sikkim-Tibet border for trade.
The re-opening of the 4,310 metre-high pass, which remains snow-bound during winter months, marks an important landmark in relations between the two countries and holds out the prospect of reviving a mutually beneficial overland trade and commercial link.
The Lhasa-Kalimpong trade route via the Nathu la, about one-third shorter than the Lhasa-Kathmandu road, offers the best possible linkage between Tibet and the world outside. It promises enormous potential benefits for both the Himalayan border regions and the local economies in what the Chinese now call the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), as well as northeast India. For more than a hundred years since the early 1890s, if not indeed farther back in time, the trade route has been a major axis of Asian trade. Together with its linkages north and eastwards towards China and Central Asia and its extension towards Kolkata, it has historically promoted considerable commercial activity in central Tibet as well as northeast India.
Thanks to this route and the rich variety of goods it carried, travellers to Tibet until the mid-20th century were able to find en-route, and in Lhasa itself, almost all they needed for their every day needs. Again, once the Nathu la is open, it would be incongruous to keep the neighbouring Jelap la closed; its re-opening would directly help Darjeeling revive its stagnant economy. Unlike Sikkim, it receives no central largesse; and for lack of trade avenues, the district’s health and prosperity have long been on the decline.
Understandably, the re-opening of Nathu la has been a key demand of the local authorities in Sikkim, the adjoining Darjeeling Autonomous Hill region and the TAR since the 1980s, in the wake of a modicum of normalcy returning to New Delhi-Beijing relations. A major obstacle was the political status of Sikkim. Long a tributary state of Tibet, it had in the 1890s become a British protectorate, a position independent India, the Raj’s political legatees, inherited in 1947. The status quo continued until 1974 when following some local disturbances New Delhi formally annexed the state. Beijing was not amused, and took another thirty long years to accept the ground reality.
Negotiations over border trade and other details were not a cakewalk and the actual re-opening of the pass, often times promised, was repeatedly postponed. Three earlier deadlines may be of interest. First mentioned in the wake of Prime Minister Vajpayee’s visit to Beijing in June 2003, at least two other dates were later officially announced October 2005 and as late as April 2006. Even as of date, the actual re-opening is scheduled in ‘about’ a month time!
Sadly the March 1959 Tibetan rebellion followed by the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict converted the Himalayan region into a super-sensitive border area replete with travel restrictions, road-building and the presence of large numbers of security forces. The closure of the border created dead-ends on both sides and ushered in a period of economic atrophy in Tibet and the whole Himalayan region. Another consequence was militarisation of the region and its societies, especially in the northeast, which further complicated their internecine conflicts and disputes with New Delhi. One would hope that with local tensions dissipating with the re-opening of a number of other passes in this Tibetan-speaking Himalayan rim of south Asia, the long-standing antipathy in New Delhi for Kathmandu’s desire for north-south roads within Nepal may also be finally overcome. The re-opening of Nathu la may thus herald the cementing of economic and human relationships across the northern frontiers of South Asia.
A word of caution though may not be out of place. The nature of the traffic in goods and services that the re-opening of Nathu la generates remains a moot point. All along, before its ‘liberation’ in October 1950, Tibet’s staple export was wool, which it traded for all kinds of consumer goods, for most part textiles. Not long after, by the mid-1950s for sure, the traffic in wool nearly dried up for the Indian monopoly quietly yielded place to a Chinese stranglehold.
What China’s Tibet needs today is access to the sea promised by Highway 31 which leads towards Siliguri and on to Calcutta. More, there is its desperate need for such hardware as steel, kerosene and other petroleum products, above all for rice and other food grains in which Tibet is abysmally deficit. And all of which Beijing brings into TAR at enormous expense — thanks to the intervening distance and the lie of the land. What we will get in return for our hardware will be a glut of cheap Chinese goods hitherto confined to the grey market in these hilly and inaccessible regions. A fair exchange that could only multiply with more avenues of ingress and egress!
The writer is a former chairman of the Departments of History and Central Asian Studies at Panjab University.

Yoga may have the power to fight fibromyalgia

ANI

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The Hindu Women practising yoga in Visakhapatnam. File Photo

Yoga exercises may have the power to combat fibromyalgia -- a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain, according to new research conducted at Oregon Health & Science University.

“Previous research suggests that the most successful treatment for fibromyalgia involves a combination of medications, physical exercise and development of coping skills,” said James Carson, a clinical health psychologist and an assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine. “Here, we specifically focused on yoga to determine whether it should be considered as a prescribed treatment and the extent to which it can be successful.” In this study, researchers enrolled 53 female study subjects previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The women were randomly assigned to two research groups. The first group participated in an eight-week yoga program, which included gentle poses, meditation, breathing exercises and group discussions.

The second group of women -- the control group -- received standard medication treatments for fibromyalgia. Following completion of the yoga program, researchers assessed each study subject using questionnaires and physical tests. The results were then compared with testing results obtained prior to the yoga classes. The members of the control group underwent the same evaluations. In addition, each participant in the yoga group was urged to keep a daily diary to personally assess their condition throughout the entire program.

Comparison of the data for the two groups revealed that yoga appears to assist in combating a number of serious fibromyalgia symptoms, including pain, fatigue, stiffness, poor sleep, depression, poor memory, anxiety and poor balance. All of these improvements were shown to be not only statistically but also clinically significant, meaning the changes were large enough to have a practical impact on daily functioning. For example, pain was reduced in the yoga group by an average of 24 percent, fatigue by 30 percent and depression by 42 percent.

“One likely reason for the apparent success of this study therapy was the strong commitment shown by the study subjects. Attendance at the classes was good as was most participants’ willingness to practice yoga while at home,” added Carson. “Based on the results of this research, we strongly believe that further study of this potential therapy is warranted.” The research is being published in the November 10 online edition of the journal Pain and appears online Thursday, Oct. 14.

source; The Hindu

The 'demographic dividend' is often used as a catchphrase for flaunting the advantages that emerging countries enjoy. This phrase usually implies the benefits that will arise out of most of the emerging world staying young while the rich world ages.

However, there's another subtler but extremely important feature within this trend that deserves closer attention. The number of young entrepreneurs in places like India are rising. And at an astonishing rate. In a report, the Economist points out to Infosys founder Nandan Nilekani. He expressed recently how he now comes across mould-breaking young leaders wherever he goes in India.

It further goes on to illustrate IT company 'Globals' as 'one of those fast-growing Indian IT companies that Westerners simultaneously admire and fear'. Its chairman is a mere 24 years of age. Most of its employees too are also in their mid-twenties. New business models and aggressive innovation are turning out to be the hallmarks of such young entrepreneurs.

This phenomenon gains importance for India in light of the sloppiness that the corruption soaked government has often shown. When it comes to rapid reforms and development, the government is the last thing you want to bet your money on. It is this young India, and its thriving entrepreneurial spirit, that will see the country through to those ambitiously high rates of growth we so desire.

J Mulraj

 

Children from Akshya Pratishthan performing at the pre- closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010 in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: S. Subramanium

SIKKIM: No need to worry about pink card, says CD Rai

Gangtok: The All Sikkim Educated Self-employed and Unemployed Association organized Khula Bahas (open discussion) Sunday in town on Pink Card and Residential Certificate. The programme was held with Pahalman Subba in the chair.

CD Rai, veteran journalist and chief advisor of Press Club of Sikkim addressed the gathering. He said that there is “no need to worry about pink card” because we have enough time to analyze the issue. Pink Card will not disturb Sikkim Subject, he said. He further said, “We can oppose it if it has any adverse effect on the people”.

Prem Goyal, president of Nagrik Samaj, said that State Government did not issue gazette notification regarding distribution of pink card and “without notification Government is trying to impose it on the Sikkimese people”. He said Government has already started distribution of pink card in North, West and South districts. Government should equally treat all people including those who were residing before 1975 in Sikkim, he said.

Padam Sharma, general secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party, Sikkim Unit, said “there is no need to discuss about the pink card because we are citizen of India”. Pink card is a minor issue but the “government is trying to keep us in the dark”, he alleged.

Dile Kaji Namgyal, treasurer of Sikkim National Peoples Party said “we have to discuss the matter with Government representative without which “it is impossible to clear doubts” on the issue.

AD Subba, president of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party said that there is no need of pink card for the Sikkimese “because we have already Sikkim Subject”. Purna Koirala member of CPI(M) said “we all have confusion about the pink card”.

Tseten Tashi Bhutia Convener of Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) said that land Revenue Department should rectify the Sikkim Subject Register. Nawin Kiran Pradhan, president of the Association said that “this (pink card) is a sentimental issue and people were still in confusion”.

[FROM SIKKIM REPORTER/ EDITED BY ASHOK CHATTERJEE]

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Posted by VoiceofSikkim on Oct 10, 2010 | Comments (16)

Prashant Bajgain

An Open Debate: Issuing of Pink Card & Residential Certificate

An open debate on Pink-Card and Residential-Certificate under the initiative of All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed and Unemployed Association (ASESEUA) was organised at Tso-Ka-Sum, Namnang here today.

Gangtok, October 10: An open debate on Pink-Card and Residential-Certificate under the initiative of All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed and Unemployed Association (ASESEUA) was organised at Tso-Ka-Sum, Namnang here today. The debate was attended by the representatives of almost all the existing parties of the state including Sikkimese conscious society wherein a three point resolution was passed unanimously.

The resolution carries 1. The absence of state government in debate regarding Pink-Card is regretted. 2. Purification process of the historic Sikkim subject register in the custody of government must start immediately. 3. Concerning the absence of gazette notification by the state government on Pink-Card, its implementation process must be shelved immediately in the interest of all Sikkimese citizens residing in state until April 26, 1975. While all the political parties of the state were asked to join the debate, the ruling government including the major opposition party Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) did not participated.

The debate was chaired by the Former Lok sabha MP Pahalman Subba and coordinated by Journalist BP Bajgain while veteran journalist CD Rai; Treasurer of Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP), Diley Namgyal Barfunga; Vice President of Bharatya Janata Party Sikkim Unit, Padam Sharma; Former District Court Judge, Uday P Sharma; Member of Nagarik Sangharsa Samity, Prem Goyal; Legal Expert Hemlal Bhandari; President of Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad (SHRP), Dr AD Subba; President of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC), Tsheten Tashi Bhutia and State Committee Member of Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM), Punya Prasad Koirala were present as the speakers. The President of ASESEUA Nabin Kiran said that the issue of Pink-Card has to be handled with care. Stressing on the importance of the debate he said that Sikkimese society is confused regarding Pink-Card which makes today’s initiative inevitable. He further said that any unlawful move of state government could give rise to agitation from association part. The points raised in the symposium by the speakers are as below:

CD Rai: Any Resolution framed by Sikkim State should not collide the Constitutution of India. Pre dominant mind is dangerous as we should firstly study the pros and cons of the Pink-Card and Residential-Certificate. Bhandari’s statement few days back that Pink-Card will replace Sikkim Subject is baseless.

Prem Goyal: Introduction of Pink-Card is intended for detaching the non Nepali business class society from Sikkim although they had been residing in the state before its merger with India. Pink-Card will act non functional outside Sikkim as it has no gazette notification and cabinet decision. Government should ensure equal status for its entire citizen before implementing any Acts in the state. Pink-Card should only be brought into force by taking all of the citizens in confidence.

Padam Sharma: Debating on Pink-Card is useless as our identity as Sikkimese was already dissolved with the government notification on April 26, 1975 after Sikkim’s merger with India. Despite introducing Pink-Card, the state government should cancel the records of approx thirty one thousands influx in state as per the data of the state government’s survey, if Pink-Card is really meant to check the flow of growing population in the state. Further, is the decision of confirming citizenship falls in the jurisdiction of the state or with the central government? Now it’s time to think on technology and world economy for the up gradation of our society rather than sticking on baseless issues.

Diley Namgyal Barfunga: One should be well versed in history of Sikkim before commenting in the very issue. The state government is acting silence even after raising protests concerning Pink-Card. Government should know accurate facts and figures before implementing Pink-Card for it may give rise to problems in near future.

Dr AD Subba: State government is trying to hypnotize the general public through the issue of Pink-Card. Government is charging Pink-Card application fee of Rs 50/- per individual even after the department for collecting the deposited charged money is not mentioned whatsoever. Further, Pink-Card will be of temporary means even after it is successfully introduced in the state.

Punya Prasad Koirala: Government should come forward to relieve the commoners from the prevalent misconceptions on Pink-Card. But the absent of government representative in the debate shows that they are confused in the whole episode, even after Pink-Card was their initiative. The Central Government is unaware of whole issue as Pink-Card has no base outside Sikkim. People in villages are being forced to apply for Pink-Card, in threatening of victimization by the government officials. The officials that leaded to thirty one thousands illegal registrations in state voter’s list should be punished at the earliest rather than introducing Pink-Card.

Tsheten Tashi Bhutia: We are the citizen’s of democratic India, so we should think of national integrity rather than involving in state related issues. Such flawless attitude of state government should give rise to extremism in near future. Government should bore the responsibility to face such debates rather than adding assets. The data of Sikkim subject holders must be scrutinized before implementing Pink-Card. State government is itself issuing certificate of identity (COI) without inputting relevant data which may leads influx in Sikkim. After all, it’s high time our youths should take the charge of Mintokgang for the upliftment of the Sikkimese society.

Uday P Sharma: The very issue has never been discussed in the assembly session nor it had any cabinet discussions. Pink-Card had no stand concerning legal values but it could follow the back door entry. Chief minister Pawan Chamling debriefed himself from the whole issue stating that the matter to be discussed and scrutinized by the conscious society, but he himself had maintained several times that Sikkim lacks conscious class.

Hemlal Bhandari: Pink-Card has no socio-economic values as it lacks necessary laws. The introduction of Pink-Card on Sikkim citizens is uncertain with the gazette notification still pending. Even the time limit concerning it’s introduction is unfixed.

The open debate was followed by question answer session wherein the curiosity of audiences regarding Pink-Card was answered by the speakers.

source;voice of sikkim