From arshad.mcrc at gmail.com Mon Oct 2 08:21:03 2006 From: arshad.mcrc at gmail.com (arshad amanullah) Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 08:21:03 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] THE ISSUE OF HAJ SUBSIDY Message-ID: <2076f31d0610011951x7eb86e92m412d479995fe07e2@mail.gmail.com> THE ISSUE OF HAJ SUBSIDY By: Arshad Amanullah. For a week or so, the issue of Haj subsidy is in news. The Supreme Court had stayed the Allahabad High Court order restraining the Centre from granting financial subsidy to Haj pilgrims every year and cleared the subsidy for 2006. However, it asked the latter to dispose of the main petition on the validity of the subsidy as expeditiously as possible, but before Haj 2007. This judicial intervention into an issue which is directly linked to the religious sentiments of the Muslim community raises several questions regarding the difference in the understanding of the idea of secularism enshrined in the Constitution and the role of the political and religious elite of the community and the country at large. Initiated as a financial support for those who used to go on the Haj pilgrimage by ships, Haj subsidy continued even after 1995 when it was prohibited to travel in ships. In the same year, Hari Shankar Jain on behalf of BN Shukla, a VHP activist, challenged the legitimacy of the subsidy in a writ filed in the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court. It is, during one of the hearings on this petition, the Court had given its latest verdict. The judiciary is of the view that Haj subsidy violates "the secular character of our Constitution" according to which there shall be no discrimination on the basis of religion while no communities other than Muslims receive such a subsidy for their pilgrimage. It has spurred a debate among the Muslim society whether it's Islamic to accept a grant from the Government to perform Haj, a religious ritual. Those who are for the subsidy, argue that it is not alms on the part of the government to the Muslims as the subsidy is paid from the exchequer of the country to which the Muslims tax-payers also contribute. It is true that the Government has been providing facilities for the Kailash Manasarovar yatra and incurring an expense of Rs. 3,200 on each pilgrim. But, the tax-payers money here is used as provision of facilities, not as subsidy. Those Muslims who oppose the subsidy aver how Islamic it is to perform Haj with subsidies generated from taxes, mostly paid by non-Muslims. Even Muslim nations do not offer subsidy for Haj to their poorest citizens. In 1997, Justice Tanvir Ahmed of the Lahore High Court had ruled that any expenditure defrayed by the government in subsidizing the Haj pilgrims was contrary to the Shariat. Religiously speaking, only those Muslims are required to perform Haj who can bear the expense out of their own legitimate income. Thus, the fear expressed by Solicitor General G E Vahanvati in the Supreme Court that most of 1,47,000 pilgrims for Haj 2006-II would not undertake Haj if there was non subsidy, does not stand to the test of Shariat. An analysis of the financial aspects of Haj subsidy exposes its absurdity. It's the government which benefits more from the subsidy than the intending pilgrim do. They are compelled to travel by Air India and this is to, as some politicians allege, make up of the huge losses incurred by the same. An intending pilgrim has to pay Rs.36000 for his ticket from Delhi to Jeddah while an average traveler has to pay only Rs.22,000 for the same as Air India effects considerable increments in its fare for the same destination for Haj pilgrims. If one avails the services of other airways, one needs to pay much less amount than he pays to Air India. It should also be borne in the mind that only those pilgrims can avail the facility of the subsidy who travel through the Central Haj Committee. Before lapse of even two months, it starts preparations for the next Haj. In this connection, many delegates visit Saudi Arabia for several times to make arrangements for the stay of the pilgrims. In the process, they make money as they are bribed to make compromise on the healthy and comfortable stay of the pilgrims. It is very prominent in the process of building selection. Generally, eleven pilgrims are accommodated in the space allocated for only ten of them and, thus, the expenses of one pilgrim are saved. Likewise, while fixing the rate for the exchange of currencies, a huge margin is observed, resulting in large amount of profits. The Sangh Parivar is lambasting the UPA government for its minority appeasement policy on the issue of Haj subsidy. However, the fact that even the BJP, despite its being so keen on the abolition of the subsidy, refused to do away with it in the six years of the NDA rule at the Centre, speaks volumes about how beneficial the subsidy is in practice for the intending pilgrims. This serves as a yardstick to measure the opportunism of the UPA leadership to keep its Muslim vote-bank consolidate at the cost of the electorate. In a nutshell, the package of Haj subsidy is in no way beneficial for the Muslim community. Clamor for its restoration on the part of the political and the religious leadership of the community belies their demonstrated commitments for the betterment of the community. arshad amanullah 35,masihgarh, jamia nagar new delhi-25. From sunil at mahiti.org Sun Oct 1 23:55:50 2006 From: sunil at mahiti.org (Sunil Abraham) Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2006 23:55:50 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Request for Peer Review - FOSS: Open Content Message-ID: <1159727151.5107.166.camel@localhost.localdomain> Dear Friends, Greetings from the IOSN! The International Open Source Network (IOSN) is an initiative of APDIP and supported by the International Development Research Centre of Canada. IOSN is a Centre of Excellence for Free/ Open Source Software (FOSS), Open Content and Open Standards in the Asia-Pacific region. It is a network with a small secretariat based at the UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok and three centres of excellence – IOSN ASEAN+3, IOSN PIC (Pacific Island Countries), and IOSN South Asia, based in Manila, Suva and Chennai respectively. We are currently seeking public feedback on an IOSN primer titled FOSS: Open Content by Lawrence Liang. Lawrence Liang is a researcher with the Alternative Law Forum, Bangalore. His key areas of interest are law, technology and culture, the politics of copyright and he has been working closely with Sarai, New Delhi on a joint research project Intellectual Property and the Knowledge/Culture Commons. He is the author of two books, “Guide to Open Content Licenses” and “The Public is watching: Sex, Laws and Videotapes” and numerous articles on copyright, informal information economies and the commons. Contents Include: Contexualising Open Content, The Myths of Copyright, Expansion of Copyright Over The Years, How Copyright impedes Creativity and Access to Knowledge, Emergence of the Open Content Paradigm, Licenses and the Control of Copyright, The Public Domain, Open/ Collaborative Production and its Advantages, Characteristics of Open Content Licenses, Survey of Open Content Projects, Policy Implications and Limitations of Open Content. You can download the files in OpenOffice.org, MS Office and PDF format from here:- http://www.iosn.net/open-content/foss-open-content-draft.doc http://www.iosn.net/open-content/foss-open-content-draft.odt http://www.iosn.net/open-content/foss-open-content-draft.pdf We would be very grateful if you could send your feedback on Lawrence's primer by 14th of October 2006. Thanking you in advance. Sunil == People who have provided peer review in the past include: Dr. M Sasikumar Dr. Nah Soo Hoe Onno W. Purbo Colin Charles Phet Sayo Richard Stallman Wooi Tong Tan Atsushi Yamanaka Raul Zambrano Helena Loh Gaurab Raj Upadhaya Anousak Souphavanh Arun M Dr. Sarmad Hussain Javier Sola Guntupalli Karunakar Pramod Raghavendra Will Smith Bjorn Stabell Jethro Cramp Karl O. Pinc Serge Marelli Vorasone Dengkayaphichith Vincent Berment Alberto Escudero-Pascual Eric S. Raymond Aniruddha Shankar Mahesh T. Pai Kenneth Wong Philippe Langlois Dinesh Nair Devdas Bhagat Raj Mathur Satyakam Goswami Vimal Joseph Simos Xenitellis Seow Hiong Goh Michael Mudd Peter Chong From mail at shivamvij.com Mon Oct 2 19:07:51 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 19:07:51 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Merit at AIIMS: Doctor dies of dengue, Delhi on the verge of a dengue epidemic Message-ID: <9c06aab30610020637m2368eea4kac7369cc87518162@mail.gmail.com> [Given below is the press release of the Progressive Medicos and Scientists Association.] Progressive Medicos and Scientists Forum Press release Dated: 2.10.06 AIIMS administration that has earned a reputation for itself to rake up and foster divide on sectarian questions has once again proved its ineptness in doing what it is supposed to do best i.e. provide quality medical care to the patients, that too at a time when the Government is considering declaring Delhi being in the grip of Dengu epidemic. Only that in the latest instance the victim of negligence has been none other than a brilliant student of AIIMS it self. A senior faculty member of the Department of Medicine at AIIMS has himself told the tale of utter negligence that cost Kalmalla Raj Kiran his life. It may first be known that at a time when there is an explosion of sorts in cases of Dengu at AIIMS itself, most of the senior medical staff of AIIMS casualty has been deputed to organizing the Indo-U.S Summit on Emergency Medicine that is going on at AIIMS. The emergency services have been virtually left to junior doctors who are not oriented to deal with the outbreak of Dengu. Apart from this AIIMS has a surplus of 60 faculty that have been appointed for the 'Trauma Centre' of AIIMS that has not started functioning till date. Even this faculty that is posted in the casualty was not present. Raj Kiran was first brought to the casualty on the 27th of September with complaints of fever and coffee colored vomiting, which is a sign of bleeding in the stomach or food pipe (the esophagus). He was attended to by a junior doctor who failed to take notice of the symptoms which should have immediately aroused suspicion of Dengu. However Dengu was ruled out by the junior resident doctor as the platelet count (cells in the blood that prevent excess bleeding) was 1.3 lacks. The next time Raj Kiran was rushed to the casualty by his friends when he was found collapsed in the toilet of the hostel. However the same story got repeated as earlier. Even though he was brought to the casualty earlier in the day on 28th, no Consultant was approached to examine him. The platelet count had dropped drastically to 60,000 by this time. Finally when the doctor wrote that he be admitted immediately, no bed was available for the student. Later in the evening Raj Kiran had an attack of seizure as noticed by the another medical student who had been attending to Raj Kiran. On being told about it the attending doctor in the casualty, dismissed it merely as shivering due to high fever. Even though the patient was very drowsy and had altered sensorium, no CT was done. He was rushed to the medical ICU in ward C-2 at 2.00am on 29th, where again the senior resident doctor on duty was not present. The junior post-graduate students who attended to Raj Kiran tried their best to salvage the situation. A CT scan was performed only at 5.00 am in the morning and when it was finally learnt at 6.30 am that Raj Kiran had had a massive bleeding in the brain, that the concerned Consultant on call was informed of the condition for the first time. Even though the consultant immediately arranged for the patient to be taken up for surgery in the Neurosurgery department, but the patient had virtually been lost. In the meantime at least a dozen friends of Raj Kiran were running from pillar to post to donate blood for him when they learnt that there was not a single unit of 'Fresh Frozen Plasma' available for transfusion. To their utter shock when they finally managed to contact the doctor incharge of the blood bank they were told that the kit meant for separating platelets from blood (SDP kit) was not available with the blood bank of the 'Premier Medical Institute' of the country. If this is the efficiency with which a student of AIIMS was done to death due to a series of negligence in the treatment, one can only well imagine the plight of common faceless patients in whose stories never get to see the light of the day. PMSF feels that there is an Institutional breakdown at AIIMS as shown by the shoddy handling in the case of Raj Kiran. The death of this student is a reflection of the state of affairs at AIIMS and the capabilities of the administration. PMSF also demands that a through going enquiry be conducted by an outside agency in this whole issue, that responsibilities be fixed and proper action be taken in the matter against the authorities. * sd – (Dr Vikas Bajpai) Spokesperson, PMSF From abhayraj.naik at hotmail.com Mon Oct 2 19:31:35 2006 From: abhayraj.naik at hotmail.com (Abhayraj Naik) Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:31:35 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Quirk litmag submission call for sept-dec 2006 Message-ID: the 8th issue (may-august 2006) of quirk has recently released with limited print copies floating around bangalore, delhi, mumbai, chandigarh and a few other cities. most of the writing is also available online on quirk's (still-under-construction) website http://www.quirk.in find below, the submission call for the september-december 2006 issue. please do circulate in interested channels. abhay. " WRITING FOR QUIRK: THE SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER EDITION We really appreciate new writers/artists contributing to Quirk through pieces exploring the theme or otherwise. We encourage contributions of all kinds � articles, poetry, stories, prose, visual art, crosswords, quizzes, trivia�the list goes on � with absolutely no restrictions on content, style or form. So go ahead, let the creative juices flow and swirl around freely � and surprise us, or stick to traditional literary styles � you meet our quirky quality standards, we�re good to publish! The theme for the September-December edition of Quirk is �Taste Abandon�. The flexible deadline for submissions is November 20th, 2006. And no, your submissions do not have to relate to the theme. Just to give you a pointer as to how diverse the material that we�ve published in the past has been � from sports literature to children�s literature to sci-fiction to horror to humour � we traverse the whole terrain. And if you�re specially burning with the desire to let out and let the world know what exactly you think of them � albeit from the point of the pen � here�s your chance. Because we encourage criticism. Of. Books, movies, music, pubs, restaurants, sportspeople, politics and university bureaucracy � in fact, anything under the sun that may be possibly subject to review. E-mail your submissions to quirk at nls.ac.in. For postal submissions, send your contributions to: (pleases mark the envelope with �Attn: Ms. Ganeev�) The Quirk Editorial Collective, National Law School of India University, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore � 560072, India. Flexible deadline: November 20, 2006 CONTRIBUTE. CRITICIZE. ABUSE. PRAISE. Send in your contributions http://www.quirk.in " _________________________________________________________________ One and only Ash. Find out all about her. Only on MSN Search http://server1.msn.co.in/profile/aishwarya.asp From mail at caei.com.ar Mon Oct 2 21:47:10 2006 From: mail at caei.com.ar (Argentine Center of International Studies) Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2006 13:17:10 -0300 Subject: [Reader-list] International Organisations Area of the CAEI invites... Message-ID: <412-220061012161710498@oemcomputer> Dear Colleagues, The International Organisations Area of the CAEI (Argentine Center of International Studies) is proud to announce the beginning of its research program. The CAEI is a research-oriented website that analyses international politics from a pluralist point of view. Within the CAEI, the International Organization Area aims to serve as an open forum for debate on most of the critical issues on International Relations regarding International Organizations. We welcome the participation of both scholars and students. If you are interested in taking part of our activities or publish in our website, please submit your working paper or contact us to the following e-mail address: organismos at caei.com.ar. Our URL direction is http://www.caei.com.ar/en/iorg.htm Best regards, Lic. Mariana Foglia Lic. Mauro Vega Lic. Carla Majdalani From nuaiman at gmail.com Tue Oct 3 14:27:34 2006 From: nuaiman at gmail.com (Nuaiman ,) Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2006 14:27:34 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Re; Note from Bangalore Message-ID: <9c57aafc0610030157n258c00a4k6c08c1cd6128f1dc@mail.gmail.com> I was reading the article Zainab has written about Bangalore, particularly about Thilagnagar, where I live for two months during my summer vacation and was narrowly escaped from a communal clash between Tamilians, who are rehabilitated in that area and Muslims, who have been living there for generations. Most of the Tamilians in that area are lower class Dalits, converted into Christianity. The tension was broken up because three Muslim girls ran away with Tamilians and speculation started to spread saying that those three girls were raped and was forcefully converted into Christianity. The rehabilitation program was initiated a s part of govt's policy to "manage the city" and "beautification of the city" and ironically became the agency of communal tensions later. Still the people in the area are divided on communal as well as regional lines. That is Kannada Muslims and Tamil Dalit Christians. Nuaiman Hyderabad -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061003/495ed22b/attachment.html From sadan at sarai.net Tue Oct 3 19:40:06 2006 From: sadan at sarai.net (Sadan) Date: Tue, 03 Oct 2006 19:40:06 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] Sarai, CSDS Student Stipendship Workshop: 6-7 Oct, 2006 Message-ID: <45226F3E.5080605@sarai.net> Dear All, Please find below the programme schedule for the third and final workshop of Sarai,CSDS Student Stipendship programme for research on the city. A brief note about research scholars associated with this programme, their topic of research as well as abstracts are also given below. You all are invited in the workshop. Wishes, sadan. Sarai-CSDS Student Stipendship for Research on the City, 2005-2006 Student Stipendship Programme at Sarai Sarai is committed towards building a network of young researchers, with an interest in the urban condition. The Student Stipendship Programme is a crucial intervention in this regard. Students are provided financial support and academic resources to carry out research, present their work and interact with the wider academic community. Covering a wide frame of geo-cultural regions from Thiruvananthapuram to Varanasi and Pune to Darbhanga and Kolkata, these stipendiaries focus on a broad range of disciplines including literature, history, gender studies, urban planning and communication studies. In the course of nine months of stipendship, researchers were invited to participate in three workshops to discuss their ideas and problems and engage with scholars of urban studies. This is third and final workshop intended for researchers to present their research addressing a wide variety of themes. This year's subjects include engagements with dynamics of new urbanism in Pune, historical trajectories of matrimonial classifieds, Popular music and issues of regional and gendered identities urban memories and question of representations, narratives and desires, geographies of capital and labour in Trivandrum, historical construction of goondas in context of Great Calcutta Killings of 1946 and many worlds of beauty and the beauty industry. Sarai, CSDS Student Stipendship For Research on City Life 2006 Third Workshop 6-7 October 2006 Sarai,CSDS Seminar Room Day One October 6, 2006. 10.00-10.15 Opening Remarks: Awadhendra Sharan 10.15-12.00 Development, Planning and Emerging Urbanism Chair: Sugata Nandi Ateya: Development/Displacement: Understanding the Tools of Urbanisation Discussant: Ramya Swayamprakash Apurva:The Cultural Economy of New Urbanism: Pune’s Magarpatta City, A Case Study. Surbhi Tiwari Mythri Prasad: Geographies of Capital and Labour in Trivandrum City, Kerala. Sutapa Majumdar Open Discussion 12.00- 1.15 Performative Traditions Chair: Sukanya Sen Amruta sadanand More :Development of Marathi Experimental Theatre in Pune in the Post-‘90s Discussant: Girija Duggal Shirish Khare: Little Bele Troupe aur Chhau Nritya Parampara (Little Bele Troupe and the Chhau Dance Tradition), Discussant: Rajeev Ranjan Giri Open Discussion 1.15-2.00 Lunch 2.00-3.15 Popular Music and Issues of Identity Chair: Ateya Khorakiwala Deepak Kumar: Popular Music and the Configuration of Jat Identity in Haryana Discussant: Pawas Bisht Swati Das:Exploring the Impact of Audio-Video Recording of Women's Songs in Bihar, Discussant: Mythri Open Discussion 3.15-3.30 Tea Break 3.30-5.15 Institutions, Narratives and Images of/from Small Towns Chair: Apurva Pawas Bisht and Sukanya Sen:Situating Small-Town Desire: Space and Memory in Bunty aur Babli Discussant: Deepak Kumar Manoj Kumar Jha: Vikshipton par Padti Nigahon ki Dastan, (A Story of Gazing Madness and Mad People) Discussant: Surbhi Tiwari Rajeev Ranjan Giri: Pushtakalaya aur Shahar ke Baudhik Vikas ka Antarsambandh (Library and the Intellectual Life of a City) Discussant: Swati Das Open Discussion 5.15-5.45 Feedback 01: Prasad Shetty and Prabhu Mohapatra. Day II 7 October 2006 10.00-11.15 Going Beyond: Beauty and Urban Spaces Chair: Surbhi Tiwari Sutapa Majumdar: Beyond the Beauty Myth: Exploring Invention, Invisible Labour and Consumption in Beauty Services Discussant: Ateya Amit Ranjan: Memories and Narratives of Delhi Discussant: Sukanya Sen Open Discussion 11.15-11.30 Tea Break 11.30-1.15 Historical Trajectories of Representations Chair: Pawas Bisht Sugata Nandi : A Criminal Riot: The Calcutta Riot of August 1946 and the Goondas, Discussant: Sadan Jha Girija and Sudeep Duggal: Deconstructing Holy Matrimony: The Politics of the Matrimonial Classified in Delhi’s Leading Newspapers, Discussant: Ateya Khorakiwala Open Discussion 1.15-2.00 Lunch 2.00-3.15 Kolkata: Domains of Legality and literature Chair: Sutapa Majumdar Surbhi Tiwari: The Corrupt Son of the Erupting City: Kolkata in Law and Lovely Matters like Relationship, Discussant: Vaibhav Parel Jhelum Biswas: Calcutta in Modern Indian English Literature, Discussant: Sugata Nandi Open Discussion 3.15-3.30 Tea Break 3.30—5.15 Communities, Localities and Work Culture Chair: Deepak Kumar Rajesh Narayan Dwivedi:Varanasi ke Bunakaron ki Samkalin Chunautiyan: Ek Sarvekshana (Contemporary Challenges of the Weavers of Varanai: A Survey) Discussant: Amruta Ramya Swayamprakash:Textile Dreams, Discussant: Apurva Vaibhav Parel: Brahmin Gali, Ehthnography of a Bylane Discussant: Amit Ranjan Open Discussion 5.15-5.45 Feedback 02: Ranjini Mazumdar and Debjani Sengupta. 5.15-- 6.00 Feedback 03: Researchers Remarks Moderated by Sugata Nandi and Sutapa Majumdar. 6.00-7.00 Feedback 04 : Remarks by Senior Research Scholars Moderated by Ravi Sundaram Participants: Ranjini Mazumdar, Debjani Sengupta, Prabhu Mohapatra, Awadhendra Sharan. Selected Proposals: 1. Amit Ranjan Sharma, Memories and Narratives of Delhi, M.Phil. English, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. amit_ranjan10 at rediffmail.com An experiment in creative writing, the project intends to rediscover old language and the old city through the stories of families that have stayed in Delhi. These are juxtaposed with contemporary memoirs/accounts, such as those focusing on the 1984 riots. The project will use a collage format to enhance creative expression. 2. Amruta Sadanand More, Development of Marathi Experimental Theatre in Pune in the Post-‘90s, MA Communication Studies, University of Pune, Pune. more.amruta at rediffmail.com This project studies the transformations in content, themes, forms, sensibilities and language of Marathi experimental theatre in Pune. It examines the changing social structure and cultural presence/influence of this group on communities in Pune during a particular historical moment. 3. Apurva, The Cultural Economy of New Urbanism: Pune’s Magarpatta City, A Case Study, M.Phil. Sociology, University of Pune, Pune. apurvakr at yahoo.com This project focuses on the dynamics of new urbanism in Pune, examining the new cultural economy that is (re)organising and creating new forms of spatial segragation in the era of global capitalism. The project assesses the relationship between the production of space, class, culture and consumption through observing a gated community (Magarpatta) in Pune. 4. Ateya Khorakiwala, Development/Displacement: Understanding the Tools of Urbanisation, B.Arch. KRVIA, Mumbai. ateya.k at gmail.com This project studies the demolition drives that have been equated with a form of 'urban cleansing' in Mumbai, and attempts to correlate these with plans to develop and upgrade the metropolis. It examines how communities have been displaced by the development plan, raising the question of whether the drive towards urbanisation is also simultaneously a drive towards the depoliticisation of the city. 5. Deepa Palaniappan, Invisible in New Delhi: Spatial Narratives of the Disabled in City 'Public' Spaces, M.Phil. Political Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. deepa.palaniappan at gmail.com This project attempts to document various imaginaries and signifiers that constitute city space for disabled populations, by studying the mobility patterns of their daily life in New Delhi. The study asks whether the disabled are able to participate in/contribute to the normative public terrain that culturally defines a city. 6. Deepak Kumar, Popular Music and the Configuration of Jat Identity in Haryana, M.Phil. History, Delhi University, Delhi. hie_Deepak at yahoo.com. This project studies the emergence of the cassette industry in Haryana, and the forces by which oral tradition has been tapped in a manner that not only legitimises this tradition, but also enables the forging of a Jat identity. The research explores networks of reception and dissemination, linkages with film music, and with other regional cassette industries. 7. Girija Duggal and Sudeep Duggal, Deconstructing Holy Matrimony: The Politics of the Matrimonial Classified in Delhi’s Leading Newspapers, MA English, Delhi University, Delhi; B.Tech (Computers), IILM, UP Technical University, Noida. girijaduggal at gmail.com, duggalsudeep at gmail.com This project studies the content of matrimonial classifieds in the city’s leading newspapers, and maps their dominant trends. It compares these findings with the patterns of previous decades; it also attempts to analyse related changes, if any, to socio-cultural, political, economic and technological factors. This documentation of a media space will analyse changing value systems, particularly in the urban middle classes. 8. Jhelum Biswas, Calcutta in Modern Indian English Literature, M.Phil. English, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. jhelumb at rediffmail.com The project focuses on the concept of the urban novel, exploring what has fascinated generations of writers about the city of Calcutta, a complex space that is viewed as semi-decadent, and well as on the verge of resurrection. The researcher will draw upon contemporary writers such as Amitav Ghosh, Indrajit Hazra, Raj Kamal Jha and others whose work features Calcutta as the prominent fulcrum of the narrative. 9. Manoj Kumar Jha, Vikshipton par Padti Nigahon ki Dastan, (A Story of Gazing Madness and Mad People) MA Political Science, Annamalai University, Darbhanga. jhamanoj01 at rediffmail.com This project explores urban responses to madness in the small town of Darbhanga in Bihar. It focuses on issues such as linkages and tensions between the ‘mad’ people of today and the ‘mad’ saints of the past; it also examines the presence of madness in social memory and the changing nature of social responses to madness The study will incorporate oral culture, folk and literary sources that relate to the theme. 10. Mythri Prasad, Geographies of Capital and Labour in Trivandrum City, Kerala, M.Phil. Applied Economics, CDS, Thiruvananthapuram. mythriprasad at rediffmail.com Focusing on road construction sites in the city of Trivandrum, this project analyses the political economy of urban infrastructure in the context of a regime of privatisation. It explores the patterns and trajectories of the relocations of ethnic communities of Bengal and Jharkhand in these new spaces of global capital. Methodology includes archival research as well as in-depth field interviews. 11. Pawas Bisht and Sukanya Sen, Situating Small-Town Desire: Space and Memory in Bunty aur Babli, MA Mass Communication, AJKMCRC, Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi. pawasbisht at rediffmail.com, sensukanya at gmail.com Through a semiotic and an ideological analysis of the Hindi blockbuster Bunty aur Babli (2005), the study aims to track the process and the politics of the transference of urban space and collective memory onto the cinematic text. It is also a reception study, exploring the relationship between the audience and the cinematic city as a site of the collective memory. 12. Rajeev Ranjan Giri, Pushtakalaya aur Shahar ke Baudhik Vikas ka Antarsambandh (Library and the Intellectual Life of a City), Ph.D, CIL/SLL &CS, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. rajeevgirijnu at rediffmail.com This project attempts to understand the changing dynamics of a particular space and its relationship with its urban location. Focusing on a library with a long history, the Sharda Sadan Pushtakalaya in the small town of Lalgunj (Bihar), the research documents the varying trends of readership as well as the history of this library. 13. Rajesh Narayan Dwivedi, Varanasi ke Bunakaron ki Samkalin Chunautiyan: Ek Sarvekshana (Contemporary Challenges of the Weavers of Varanai: A Survey), Ph.D Hindi, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. narayan_vats at yahoo.co.in This project documents the challenges and different livelihood strategies of the weavers of specific Varanasi localities. The study attempts to understand how the weaver community has devised ways to negotiate economic pressures such as globalisation, within which identity, work culture and craft traditions have been transformed. A wide range of representational registers, e.g., literary texts, documentary films, government records and newspaper reports, will also be documented and analysed. 14. Ramya Swayamprakash, Textile Dreams, MA Political Science, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai. ramya.swayamprakash at gmail.com. This project takes the shape of a 'walk' through different periods of the textile mills of Mumbai. An attempt at oral history, the study explores migrants’ perspectives on the city during the past two decades. It also examines the viability of ‘ghost trades’ and the relevance of trade unionism in Mumbai. 15. Shirish Khare, Little Bele Troupe aur Chhau Nritya Parampara (Little Bele Troupe and the Chhau Dance Tradition), MA Hindi, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. shirish_khare at rediffmail.com This project documents 25 years of activity of the Little Bele theatre troupe of Indore and Bhopal. This group has developed a unique style by incorporating Chhau dance movements/rhythms into its repertoire. The research will document visual materials and texts, newspaper reports, folders and brochures, as well as record interviews with people associated with the group. 16. Sugata Nandi, A Criminal Riot: The Calcutta Riot of August 1946 and the Goondas, Ph.D History, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. meetnandi at hotmail.com This project analyses the mechanisms used to produce the discourses through which the Calcutta riot of August 1946 has been represented as a carnival of crime actualised by goondas, urban criminals of the city. The research draws on government reports, media accounts and personal memoirs. It explores how the concept of criminality was constituted in the context of the ‘Great Calcutta Killing’, and then employed in a contest over claims to the correct and definitive account of the riot. 17. Surbhi Tiwari, The Corrupt Son of the Erupting City: Kolkata in Law and Lovely Matters like Relationship, MA Political Science, Calcutta University, Kolkata. surbhi1010 at yahoo.co.in This project explores how Kolkata becomes a site of reference for law, through a close reading of a legal case – a child-parent dispute initiated over the neglect of parents by their offspring. The research reflects on the manner in which the city itself is articulated in legal rhetoric, and also explores questions of agency and legitimacy. 18. Sutapa Majumdar, Beyond the Beauty Myth: Exploring Invention, Invisible Labour and Consumption in Beauty Services, M.Phil. Sociology, University of Pune, Pune. sutapa_majumdar at yahoo.com This project studies the various worlds of beauty and the beauty industry in the city of Pune. With an emphasis on different levels of hierarchy and gradation that exist within this service industry, the research attempts to understand 'beauty' as a process of consumption in daily life, focusing on the services offered, labour structure, notions of space and hygiene, and their interface with processes relating to the medicalisation of beauty. 19. Swati Das, Exploring the Impact of Audio-Video Recording of Women's Songs in Bihar, M.Phil. Sociology, University of Pune, Pune. sweeti_das at yahoo.com This project examines the interface of oral traditions and the cassette industry in Bihar. The research documents the commercial videotaping of social events involving music, such as marriages. Analytical parameters focus on the reformulation of both the context and performance of folk songs, including songs that celebrate female sexuality. The research also scrutinises how cassettes are replacing the living voices of women performers, and enabling the erasure of the images of folk artists. 20. Vaibhav Parel, Brahmin Gali, Ehthnography of a Bylane, MA English, Delhi University, Delhi. viparel at yahoo.co.uk This project is an ethnographic study of a Delhi bylane called Brahmin Gali. It attempts to highlight the intersecting strategies of intense brahmanical ritualism/spirituality, aggressive materialism, a rigid caste hierarchy and patriarchal structures within this space, and their relationship with the larger urban context. _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From zainab at xtdnet.nl Wed Oct 4 23:30:57 2006 From: zainab at xtdnet.nl (zainab at xtdnet.nl) Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2006 22:00:57 +0400 (RET) Subject: [Reader-list] Notes from Bangalore - contd Message-ID: <19639.202.56.231.116.1159984857.squirrel@webmail.xtdnet.nl> I "These days when I travel by auto rickshaws, I notice the addresses of the auto drivers (auto drivers in Bangalore have to put up their driving license and address details on the auto). I wonder where these addresses are in Bangalore. I start chatting up with some of the auto drivers to find out where exactly their residential addresses are. I now realize that this city tries to hide its slums. Most of the areas which are shown as addresses of these auto drivers are actually slums which we cannot see. It is different in Bombay where you do not have the space to hide the slums." II I think of individual identity and group identity these days. I have realized that identity is not an end in itself. I am not sure if I can extend this statement to all, but I do believe that identity is a means to an end for a lot of groups. There is something material about identity which allows the individual and which allows groups to be able to mobilize their claims and rights by alluding to their identities. What then is this identity? What kind of a self and a subject are we with and without our identities? Zainab Bawa Bombay www.xanga.com/CityBytes http://crimsonfeet.recut.org/rubrique53.html From quraishy at sarai.net Thu Oct 5 10:10:50 2006 From: quraishy at sarai.net (Moslem Ali Quraishy) Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 06:40:50 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] DD-1 to telecast Anand Patwardhan Message-ID: <2efe79247dd2a064bafa32afce6d1c83@sarai.net> Finally ! DD-1 to telecast Anand Patwardhan's "Father, Son and Holy War" on this Sunday, October 8th at 10 a.m. (All India \ telecast) At 10 am on Sunday morning, October 8, 2006 an 11 year old battle will \ finally come to an end. Anand Patwardhan's 1995 documentary "Father, Son and \ Holy War" on the connection between communal violence and the male psyche had \ won two National and several international awards. But when he submitted it \ for telecast, Doordarshan rejected it. Patwardhan took the matter to the Bombay \ High Court and in 2001 the court ordered DD to telecast the film but DD \ chose to appeal the matter in the Supreme Court. The SC asked DD to review the \ film. DD's own preview panel approved the telecast but Prasar Bharati, then \ dominated by BJP appointees, stepped in and rejected the film. Patwardhan moved \ the High Court again and won a fresh order to telecast in 2004. Prasar Bharati \ once again went to the Supreme Court in appeal. Finally on 25 August 2006 \ Justice Lakshmanan and Justice Panta of the Supreme Court upheld the High \ Court order to telecast the film without cuts within 8 weeks of the judgement. Noting that several times in the past DD had rejected Patwardhan's \ documentaries until the judiciary forced them to be telecast, the Honourable \ Justices went so far as to pass strictures against DD and Prasar Bharati \ reprimanding the broadcaster for finding "flimsy excuses" time and again not \ to telecast Patwardhan's films. When asked what DD found so hard to swallow in his films, Patwardhan said: "When a government and its bureaucrats become averse to the slightest sign of \ criticism, it signals a lack of self-confidence. America today is passing \ through a similar phase and resorting to outright censorship to cover up its \ war crimes in Iraq. In India the BJP openly stifled the secular voice while \ the Congress merely gave it lip service. Luckily for people like me the Indian \ Constitution has proven to be much more robust. It is this that gives us some \ hope for the preservation of our secular democracy." Patwardhan thanked his lawyers P.A.Sebastian, Prashant Bhushan and Nitya \ Ramakrishnan for consistently taking up the cause of civil liberties and human \ rights and expressed the hope that Prasar Bharati would no longer force people \ like him to go to court. "Father, Son and Holy War" is a two hour documentary that was shot from the \ mid 80's to the mid 90's and covers a wide spectrum of events, from the Sati \ in Deorala in 1987 to the Bombay riots and subsequent bomb blasts in \ 1992-1993. It is a critique of the male bias that permeates the dominant \ religions of the world, with specific reference to Hinduism and Islam in India, \ and a critique of ruthless politicians who use the communal divide to further \ their own ends. In 2004 the film was included by Dox Magazine (Europe) amongst the 50 \ memorable documentaries in world cinema. Information on this film and other \ works by Anand is available from the website www.patwardhan.com Thanking You Regards Shashi Mehta (09819188806), Simantini Dhuru (09820528030) Contact for Anand Patwardhan (09819882244) anandpat at gmail.com \ www.patwardhan.com From mail at shivamvij.com Wed Oct 4 21:47:35 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2006 21:47:35 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Google Video: Burning books at AIIMS Message-ID: <9c06aab30610040917o1c9281c5s238a08dcff47ce37@mail.gmail.com> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8912592540526323634&sourceid=docidfeed&hl=en -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061004/a31bc91e/attachment.html From patrice at xs4all.nl Thu Oct 5 14:13:51 2006 From: patrice at xs4all.nl (Patrice Riemens) Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 10:43:51 +0200 (CEST) Subject: [Reader-list] newsletter eurozine octobre 06: On the Indian view of things Message-ID: <24296.84.192.158.206.1160037831.squirrel@webmail.xs4all.nl> (excerpt from:) Newsletter 10/2006 * Article of the month: On the Indian view of things > > Article of the month: On the Indian view of things With India as guest of honour at the Franfurt Book Fair, Wespennest publishes a conversation between Austrian writer on religion Adolf Holl and Indian psychoanalyst and author Sudhir Kakar, whose book The Indians. Portrait of a Society was published this year. Beginning with a contrast between the Western and Indian ego ("In the West, the ego is a fortress [...] The exchange between environment and ego is emphasized much more strongly in India"), the discussion of "The Indian view of things" moves onto religion and the female principle: "For me, the most important religious moment [...] is the gaze into the mother's countenance, in which the child also sees itself," Kakar tells Holl. "That is religious awe, entrancement, magic. Human beings want to rediscover this magic in religion. [...] This awe, this magic, is actually sought in all possible kinds of religion and, as long as the religion is not some dead ritual, can also be found." Moving through India's penetration of the West in the form of Ayurveda, esotericism, and the wellness trend -- "I welcome all these things that have come to the West through globalization [...] I'm not one of those who say that everything always has to be authentic" -- the conversation ends on Kakar's analysis of the connections between globalization, class, and religion in India today: "Globalization is actually not rejected by Hindu nationalists, and that's the biggest difference to Christian and Muslim fundamentalists. The only thing that is strictly rejected by all is liberated Western sexuality. All fundamentalists are scared of the sexual aspect of the modern. The Hindus define themselves as the winners of globalization in the areas of technology, finance, and communication, while the Muslims consider themselves more as losers." Adolf Holl, Sudhir Kakar On the Indian view of things This article is available in German and English. .................................................................................... If you have questions or comments, please write to us: comments.newsletter at eurozine.com To subscribe, follow this link, or visit the Eurozine Newsletter page: www.eurozine.com/newsletter.html. > Eurozine Imprint > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > Email: office at eurozine.com > Web: http://www.eurozine.com > Phone: +43-1-334 29 80 > Fax: +43-1-334 29 80-20 > Postal address: Rembrandtstraße 31/10, A-1020 Wien, Austria > > Eurozine Newsletter: 2006-10-03 | 10/2006 From quraishy at sarai.net Fri Oct 6 11:26:26 2006 From: quraishy at sarai.net (Moslem Ali Quraishy) Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 07:56:26 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] Google Code Search Message-ID: <89386aeebccbecb5feb83271ffac5db5@sarai.net> Google has introduced a new search service -- strictly for computer programmers only. Google Code Search, a site that simplifies how software developers search for programming code to improve existing software or create new programs. Similar to how a consumer might type a few words into a standard Google search box to find an answer, programmers can seek out relevant lines of code at http://google.com/codesearch and find a range of search results that link them to answers. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/05/AR2006100500053. \ html Thanks & Regards, Moslem Quraishy From ashish_negi at cm.sarai.net Fri Oct 6 11:44:06 2006 From: ashish_negi at cm.sarai.net (Ashish Negi) Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 08:14:06 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] [Internal] Google Code Search In-Reply-To: <89386aeebccbecb5feb83271ffac5db5@sarai.net> References: <89386aeebccbecb5feb83271ffac5db5@sarai.net> Message-ID: <0212dbb7764a484d556bfb6d5b4ad9b8@sarai.net> thanks ! it's a very good link for us cheers ashish On 7:56:26 am 10/06/06 "Moslem Ali Quraishy" wrote: > Google has introduced a new search service -- strictly for computer > programmers only. > > Google Code Search, a site that simplifies how software developers > search for programming code to improve existing software or create > new programs. > > Similar to how a consumer might type a few words into a standard > Google search box to find an answer, programmers can seek out > relevant lines of code at http://google.com/codesearch and find a > range of search results that link them to answers. > > > http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/05/AR2006 > 100500053. \ > html > > > Thanks & Regards, > > Moslem Quraishy > > ___________________________________ > An Internal Sarai List > internal at sarai.net > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/internal From announcer at crit.org.in Thu Oct 5 21:25:55 2006 From: announcer at crit.org.in (7 Islands and a Metro) Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:55:55 -0400 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] Mumbai Release on 6 October Message-ID: <1160063755.7661.139.camel@localhost> Dear Friends: SEVEN ISLANDS AND A METRO, a non-fiction feature film by Madhusree Datta, will be theatrically released in Mumbai at INOX (Nariman Point), Fame Adlabs (Malad) and Fun Republic (Andheri) on FRIDAY 6 OCTOBER 2006. For show timings and more details, please contact Majlis at 101, Christina Apartments, near Police Post, Kalina-Kurla Road, Kalina Market, Mumbai 400098, Phone +91.22.5601.7723. For more information on the film, please visit http://7islandsfilm.googlepages.com ABOUT THE FILM A frayed rug round his shoulders, My father came down the Sahyadris And stood at your doorstep, With only his labour in his hands. -- from “Mumbai” by Narayan Surve The multilingual Bombay, the Bombay of intolerance, the Bombay of closed mills, of popular culture, sprawling slums and real estate onslaughts, the metropolis of numerous ghettos, the El Dorado. This film is a tale of the cities of Bom Bahia / Bombay / Mumbai, through a tapestry of fiction, cinema vérité, art objects, found footage, sound installation and literary texts. The non-fiction feature film is structured around imaginary debates between Ismat Chugtai and Sadat Hasan Manto, the two legendary writers who lived in this metropolis, over the art of chronicling these multi-layered overlapping cities. Shot mainly during the monsoon the film portrays some extremely beautiful yet ruthlessly violent features of Bombay which, generally, are not part of the popular narratives. By Madhusree Dutta Duration 100 minutes Format: DVcam / DG Beta Languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Marathi and Bombayia Actors: Harish Khanna / Vibha Chibbar Camera: Avijit Mukul Kishore Editing: Reena Mohan / Shyamal Karmakar Dialogue: Sara Rai Sound Design: Boby John Music: Arjun Sen Available with English and French subtitles MORE ABOUT THE FILM ‘Seven Islands and a Metro’ is a hard-hitting, yet lyrical take on Mumbai’s turbulent story. Where the city’s islands become touchstones for seven significant moments in its life to generate a tantalizing mix of images, anecdotes and information. Waves of migration, regularly hitting the city’s muddy shores all through the centuries, have left behind memories and mind-sets that still influence Mumbai. The film explores them through a touch of poetry, a bit of drama and mostly through unsettling conversations with its citizens. To reveal the contrary worldviews that make up Mumbai’s rambling public sphere. One that is as fragmented - and islanded – as it is cohesive - glued together by an abstract affection for the city. ‘Seven Islands and a Metro’ takes you through Mumbai’s streets so intimately you can smell them. It uncovers secrets from the past and constructs riddles for the present in a way that each frame surprises, puzzles and intrigues. Graveyards speak, application forms torment, Bombay ducks glisten, fisherwomen grumble, disembodied maps of the city haunt, futuristic vehicles rumble through the night, nights dance crazily and dancer’s bristle with indignation. Two extraordinary storytellers gather these tumultuous moments to re-tell their stories. After all, the city hasn’t changed that much – it still erupts into violence; people riot, the poor are destroyed, women get a raw deal – and stories have to be repeated, once again. The film pays a rich obeisance to the goddesses that guard Mumbai’s porous boundaries and personify its unpredictable moods, even though it disapproves of their cruel ways. After all, at the end of the day, the goddesses remain, like the resilient city itself, extraordinarily powerful. But each citizen, like the film, maintains the right to disobey. (from a review by Rahul Srivastava, social scientist based in Mumbai and Goa). ABOUT THE FILM-MAKER Madhusree Dutta is an alumnus of the National School of Drama, India, and has been making non-fiction films since 1993. Gender, identity and marginalisation are her chosen areas of work. She is the executive director of Majlis, a centre initiating multicultural projects in Mumbai, India. The centre is engaged in campaigning for cultural literacy among students and other youth groups, mobilizing artists around contemporary issues and in producing plays, films and multidisciplinary art works. Madhusree has designed a number of pedagogical courses on multiculturalism both for social movements and academic institutions. She has also curated and coordinated several art and cultural festivals, among others, Expressions, the first women’s art festival in India in 1990; India Sabka, a youth festival on multiculturalism in 2002; Substitute City, a multidisciplinary event on Bombay/Mumbai for Volksbuehne theatre, Berlin in 2003; Culture at WSF, the art component for the World Social Forum, 2004. Madhusree has co-edited, along with Flavia Agnes and Neera Adarkar, The Nation, The State and Indian Identity, an anthology of essays published in 1994. She has received several citizens’ honors among others the Salaam Mumbai award, Bharat Nirman award and Stree Shakti Sanman. _____ CRIT (Collective Research Initiatives Trust), Mumbai Announcements List http://www.crit.org.in http://lists.crit.org.in/mailman/listinfo/announcer _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From cziellah at yahoo.co.in Sat Oct 7 14:42:03 2006 From: cziellah at yahoo.co.in (Yengkhom Jilangamba) Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 10:12:03 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Reader-list] Irom Sharmila arrested Message-ID: <20061007091203.11848.qmail@web8401.mail.in.yahoo.com> New Delhi: In a late night swoop on Friday, the Delhi police arrested human rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu, who is on a hunger strike against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, for six years from Jantar Mantar and took her to the All-India Institute for Medical Sciences for urgent medical treatment. __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ From mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com Sat Oct 7 16:36:20 2006 From: mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com (mahmood farooqui) Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 16:36:20 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Letter from Mohammed Afzal-to be hanged on the 20th... Message-ID: Letter to Sushil Kumar, senior advocate Supreme Court. This was the only stage when Afsal had a lawyer of his choice. But as you know, a criminal case is made at the trial stage (in the sessions court) when you cross-examine witnesses. At the HC and SC you don't can't into the evidences. And in the lawyer court there was no lawyer for Afsal. Respected Shri Sushil Kumar; Hello (I) I am extremely thankful and feel very much obligated to you that you have taken up my case and decided to defend me. From the beginning of this case I was neglected and had never been given a chance to reveal the truth before media or in court. The designated court did not provided me the lawyer inspite of giving three applications. In the high court one human rights lawyer asked the court that Afzal had expressed his desire that he want to be killed by toxic injection rather by hanging which is absolutely false. I never told this to my lawyer. Since that lawyer was not of my own choice (or my family) but it was due to my helplessness and non-accessibility to proper lawyer. Being locked up in high security jail and without being in communication with that human rights lawyer I could not change him or to convey my objection regarding my death desire to highcourt as I came to know this after high court's decision. In the parliament attack case I was entrapped by Special Task Force of Kashmir. Here in Delhi the designated court sentenced me to death on the basis of special police version which workes in nexus with STF, and also came under the influence of mass media in which I was made to accept the crime under duress and threat by special police A.C.P. Rajbir Singh. That threat even get confirmed to designated court by T.V. interviewer (Shams Tahir Aaj-Tak). When I was arrested in Srinagar bus stand I was taken to STF Headquarter from here the special police along with STF brought me to Delhi. In Srinagar at Parompora Police Station everything of my belongings was seized and then they beated me and threatened me of dire consequences regarding my wife and family if I reveal or disclose the reality before anybody. Even my younger brother Hilal Ahmad Guru he was taken into police custody without any warrant etc. and was kept there for 2-3 months. This was first told to me by A.C.P. Rajbir Singh. Special police told me that if I will speak according to their wishes they will not harm my family members and also gave me false assurance that they will make my case weak so that after sometime I will get released. The most important priority I gave to safety of my family. As I know from last seven years how the STF men kill, the Kashmiris, how they had made youth invisible and had disappeared them while killing them in custody. I am living and organic eye-witness to various tortures and custodial killings and I am myself the victim of STF terror and torture. Being an surrendered militant of JKLF I was constantly harassed, threatened and agonized by various security agencies like Army. B.S.F. and S.T. F., But since S.T.F. is unorganized, without being accountable a band and gang of renegades patronised by state government. They intrude every house, every family everywhere in Kashmir anytime day or night. If anybody is picked up by STF and his family came to know this, then family members only wait to get his dead body which they hope. But usually they never came to know his whereabouts. 6000 youthes have disappeared. Under these circumstances and under this fearful environment persons like me are always ready to play any dirty game in the hands of S.T.F. Just for the survival. The people who are able to pay in terms of cash are not forced to do the diryt things the way I did as I was not able to pay. Even one of the policeman of the same police station of Parimpora named Akbar had extorted 5000 Rs. Long brfore attack and threatened me that he will charge me as selling duplicate medicines and surgical items of which I was doing business at Sopore, in 2000. He came here in designated court and became a witness against me. He was knowing me before parliament attack. In the court room he told me in Kashmiri that my family is o.k. indirectly it was a hidden threat which the designated court hardly could realise otherwise in court I would have questioned him but before court started recording his statement he told me this. Throughout the trial I remained mute and helpless spectator as witnesses, police and even judge they all became a single force against me. I remained a frustrate bewildered and confused between the security and safety of myself and my family. I protected and saved my family. That is how I am lying in deathrow. II. In 1997-98 I started a business of medicines and surgical instruments on commission basis as I could not get a govt. job due to the reason of being an surrendered militant. Because surrendered militants were not given jobs. They were either to work as SPOs or STF or to join the renegades under the patronage of security forces or police. Everyday SPOs were get killed by militants. In these conditions I started my commission based business earning 4000Rs. – 5000Rs. per month. But since the police informers (SPOs) usually harass those surrendered militants who do not work with S.T.F. etc. >From 98-2000 I usually used to pay 300Rs. sometimes 500 Rs. to local SPO so as to keep myself in business otherwise these SPO make us to present us before security agencies. Even one of the SPO one day told me that they too have to pay their bosses. As I was working hard in my business my business flourished. One day at 10 AM I was on my Two wheeler scooter that I had purchased just before two months. I was whisked away by STF men in bullet proof gypsy to ------- camp. There the D.S.P. Vinay Gupta tortured me, electrified me—put me in cold water – used petrol—chillies and other techniques. He told me that I possess weapons but at evening time one of his inspector Farooq told me that if I can pay 1000,000 Rs. to him (D.S.P) I will be released or they will kill me. Then they took me to Humhama STF camp where D.S.P. Dravinder Singh also tortured me. One of his torture inspector as they called him Shanty Singh electrified me naked for 3 hours and made me drink water while giving electric shocks through telephone instrument. Ultimately I accepted to pay them 1000000Rs. for which my family sold the gold of my wife. Even after this they could manage only 80000 Rs. Then they took the scooter too which was just 2-3 months old which I bought for 24000Rs. Thus after getting 1lakh rupees they let me free. But now I was a broken person. In the same Humhama STF camp there was one more victim named Tariq. He suggested me that I should always co-operate with STF otherwise they will always harass and will not let me to live normal—free life. This was a turning point of my life . I decided to live the way Tariq told me. Since from 1990-1996 I had studied in Delhi University I was also giving tuitions in different coaching centres and also home tuitions. This fact reached to the man named Altaf Hussain who is brother-in-law of S.S.P. Ashaq Hussain of Budgam. Since it was this Altaf Hussain who managed my family rather he became the broker between my family and D.S.P. Humhama Dravinder Singh. Altaf told me that I should teach his two children one on 12th , 2nd [second one] in 10th class as his children were not able to go outside for tuition due to militant threat. Thus I became very close to Altaf's and Altaf also. One day Altaf took me to Dravinder Singh (D.S.P.). D.S. told me that I had to do a small job for him that has to took one man to delhi as I was well aware about Delhi and has to manage a rented house for him. Since I was not knowing the man but I suspected that this man is not Kashmiri as he did not speak in Kashmiri but I was helpless to do what Dravinder told me . I took him to Delhi. One day he told me that he want to purchase a car. Thus I went with him to Karol Bagh. He purchased the car. Then in Delhi he used to meet different persons and both of us he Mohammad and me used to get the different phone calls from Dravinder Singh. One day Mohammad told me that if he want to go back to Kashmir he can. He also gave me 35000Rs. and told me that this gift is for you. 6 days or 8 days before I took a rented room at Indra Vihar for my family as I decided to live in Delhi with my family because I was not satisfied with my this life. I left the keys of rented house to my land lady and told her that I will be back after Eid festival on 14th Dec. after parliament attack about which there was a lot of tension. I contacted Tariq in Sgr. [Srinagar]. At evening he told me when I came back from Delhi. I replied just one hour before. Next morning when I was about to leave to Sopore from bus stand Sgr. police caught me and took me to Parampora police station . Tariq was there also with STF. They took 35000 Rs. from my pocket, beated me and directly took me STF Head Quarter. From there I was taken to Delhi. My eyes were blind folded. Here I found myself in special police torture cell. In special cell custody I told them everything regarding Mohammad etc. but they told me that I Showkat his wife Navjot (Afshan) Geelani are the people behind parliament attack. They too threatened me regarding my family and one of the inspector told me that my younger brother Hilal Ahmad Guru is in STF custody. They can lift the other family members too if I don't co-operate with them. They tried me and forced me to implicate Showkat his wife and Geelani but I did not yield. I told them this is not possible. Then they told me that I should not say anything about Geelani (be about his innocence). After some days I was presented before media hand-cuffed. There were NDTV, Aaj tak, Zee news, Sahara TV etc. Rajbeer Singh (A.C.P.) was also there. When one of the interviewer Shams tahir told me what is the role of Geelani in parliament attack, I just said that Geelani is innocent. This moment A.C.P. Rajbeer Singh got up from his moving chair he shouted at me and told me that he had already said me not to speak about Geelani in front of everybody (Media-personnel). Rajbeer Singh's behaviour exposed my helplessness and media personnel atleast came to know that what Afzal is saying under threat or duress. Then Rajbir Singh (A.C.P.) requested T.V. personel that the question regarding Geelani should be washed away or not to be shown before public. At evening time Rajbir Singh told me that if I want to talk [to] my family. I replied in yes. Then I talked to my wife. After finishing my phone he told me if I want to see my wife & family alive I must co-operate [with] them at every step. They took me to various places in delhi. >From where they showed that Mohammad had purchased different things. They took me to Kashmir from where we came back without doing anything. They made me to sign on atleast 200-300 blank pages. I was never given an [a] chance in [the] designated court to tell the real story. The judge told me that I will be given full opportunity to speak at the end of case but at the end he even did not recorded my all statements neither the court gave me whatever even court recorded. If phone numbers recorded will be seen carefully the court would have come to know the phone numbers of STF. Now I hope that the Supreme Court will consider my helplessness and the reality through which I had passed. STF made an [a] scapegoat in all this criminal act which was designed and directed by STF and others which I don't know. Special Police is definitely the part of this game because every time they forced me to remain silent. I hope my forced silence will be heard and justice will prevail. I once again pay heart felt thanks to your good self for defending my case. May truth prevail! (Sd) Mohammad Afzal S/O Habibullah Guru Ward No. 6(High Security Ward) Jail No. 1, Tihar New Delhi 110064 From arshad.mcrc at gmail.com Sun Oct 8 08:56:17 2006 From: arshad.mcrc at gmail.com (arshad amanullah) Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 08:56:17 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] FILM CELEBRATES AMERICAN RAMAZAN Message-ID: <2076f31d0610072026g49a65be1k6bcf2373bf26455f@mail.gmail.com> FILM CELEBRATES AMERICAN RAMAZAN Washington: A Muslim-Amarican film-maker has directed a new and unique film about the American Muslim experience in the holy fasting month of Ramazan in order to counter the negative stereotype in the mainstream media and to meet the growing demand for positive Muslim content."Our goal essentially was to show American Muslims in realistic light," said Naeem Randhawa,a first time film-maker. " We want to show Muslims in their real world that we don't often get to see in mainstream media or Hollywood, ' he added. Islam had been lampooned in movies,writings and TV shows in the United States,including "JAG","24" ,and Arnold Schwarzen-egger's "True Lies". Trying to build bridges between all faithts,the film shows the personal stories of five American Muslim families observing their faith in Ramazan with commentary by a Jewish rabbi,Christian doctor and a Muslim scholar. "We want to show that Muslims are a very diverse group," said Randhawa,who was born in Pakistan and raised in Canada. In his movie, Randhawa tried to show that American Muslims are part of the fabric of America and that they go through the same issues as their fellow Americans."American Muslims have the same hopes, fears and aspirations as any other American has," he said. Randhawa's documentary will be screened round the nation and will enter into film festivals in the US and abroad. It will be aired on PBS-Dallas,Link TV, KRA and other netwroks world-wide. The film has already been awarded official Selection status by 'Dallas South Asian Film Fest' and Dallas video Fest' , the first two fests that it was submitted to. (Islamic Voice,Monthly,Bangalore,October-2006). arshad amanullah 35,masihgarh, jamia nagar new delhi-25. From mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com Sun Oct 8 11:57:35 2006 From: mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com (mahmood farooqui) Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 11:57:35 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] mailka pukhraj throgh Saleem Kidwai Message-ID: Saleem Kidwai, the author of Same Sex Love in India and the translator of Malika Pukhraj's memoirs Song Sung True will hold a conversation about Malika Pukhraj and other Singing Ladies of twentieth century at Sarai on Monday, 9th October at 3 pm. There will also be a brief reading from Song Sung True. From ravis at sarai.net Sun Oct 8 14:58:14 2006 From: ravis at sarai.net (Ravi Sundaram) Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2006 14:58:14 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] monday the 9th Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.2.20061008145657.035f6700@mail.sarai.net> Dear Sadan and all, i wont be in this monday as I have just got an important research appt. I will be in Tuesday the 10th. best Ravi From mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com Sun Oct 8 16:40:22 2006 From: mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com (mahmood farooqui) Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 16:40:22 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Jahangirabad Media Director Announcement Message-ID: Apropos the announcement calling for applications to the post of the director for the Jehangirabad Media Institute at Barabanki, the following is the e-mail address that one can write to- Chairmanjmisearch at yahoo.co.in -------------------- Jahangirabad Media Institute has been set up by Jahangirabad Education Trust under Jahangirabad Institute of Technology as one of its centers of excellence in electronic media. JMI aims to train and shape highly skilled professionals for the video, television and advertising industry. Its broad mission is to impart a holistic education It aims to stimulate creative potential of students and to cultivate a scientific temper, carry out research in media and communication and encourage the students to creatively e xplore the audio visual medium for social change. To achieve above objective the institute is currently imparting post graduate diploma to prepare its students for a leading careers in TV channels, production houses, advertising firms, MNC's, media research and educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, more courses are planned soon. This premier institute of higher learning is located in the fort of Jahangirabad, a 19th century palatial monument, built across the serene and picturesque environs of more than 30-acre campu s at Barabanki district, is about 35 kilometers from Lucknow City . The institute is loo king for Director, The candidate will be a Dynamic media professional with a vision & passion to shape the Media Studies and set global benchmarks. The ideal candidate will have proven track record as a leader and of handling academic, administrative and financial matters. He/She will have excellent contacts in the media & government agencies. The position carries competitive emoluments as well as appropriate ac commodation on the campus. The interested candidates are requested to send their detailed resume in confidence along with a 'Vision Paper' to: The Chairman Search Committee for Director Media Institute Jahangirabad Institute of Technology Jahangirabad Fort. District Barabanki UP." From mail at shivamvij.com Mon Oct 9 02:43:25 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 02:43:25 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Bant Singh: Celebrating Resistance Message-ID: <9c06aab30610081413h2edaf75cra0af6a13d94dc60@mail.gmail.com> [ Please spread the word. Info on Bant Singh here: 1) http://tehelka.com/story_main18.asp?filename=Cr052706An_appeal.asp 2) http://www.flonnet.com/fl2302/stories/20060210003703300.htm 3) http://www.himalmag.com/2006/october/profile.htm 4) http://www.petitiononline.com/Bant06/petition.html ] ====================================================== http://doingdelhi.blogspot.com/2006/10/bant-singh-can-still-singh.html ====================================================== Bant Singh: Celebrating Resistance Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:00 pm JNU City Centre, Near Mandi House 35, Feroze Shah Road Delhi, Delh, India Phone: 9868038981 Forum for Democratic Initiatives invites you to an evening of cultural performances to celebrate resistance. Bant Singh, a Dalit singer and an agrarian worker, who continues to be defiant even after the amputation of three limbs, is currently being treated in St. Stephen's Hospital, Delhi. The doctors are hopeful that with artificial limbs, Bant Singh will be able to walk again. An evening of cultural performances to honour Bant Singh's courage and defiance and to raise funds for his rehabilitation will be held on 15th October 2006 (Sunday) venue: jnu city centre, near mandi house, 35, feroze shah road, new delhi time: 4:00 pm * an exhibition of photographs by raghu rai and others * 'video letter from bant singh' * musical performance by rahul ram of indian ocean * sufi songs by dhruv sangari * bhojpuri songs by hirawal, a patna-based cultural group * ragini and haryanvi folk songs * akarmashi: a play based on saran kumar limbale's story * dastangoi: the lost art of urdu story telling by mahmood farooqui and danish husain * protest poetry by balli singh cheema and others * revolutionary Punjabi songs by iqbal udasi Contributions for the programme will be directed to the 'bant singh relief fund' Entries are through coupons ranging from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 500/- For further details, coupons and contributions contact: Forum for democratic initiatives 9868038981/ 9811625577 / 9910074470/ 9810252416/ 9818416968/ 9871338943 From aarti at sarai.net Mon Oct 9 01:58:09 2006 From: aarti at sarai.net (Aarti Sethi) Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 01:58:09 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] Beyond Pleasure and Disgust: Contextual Readings of Online Pornography Message-ID: <3B62865B-CE76-4718-B567-0D692CF40B7D@sarai.net> Beyond Pleasure and Disgust: Contextual Readings of Online Pornography Facilitated by Susana Paasonen 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Satruday, 14 October 20056 Seminar Room Sarai-CSDS This one day workshop addresses the politics involved in feminist, cross-cultural studies of (online) pornography and possible departures from the still influential legacy of North-American sex wars of the 1980s. With specific attention on location and theorisations of affect, we will discuss the critical possibilities of context-specificity and 'other pornographies'. [Susanna Paasonen, PhD, is Assistant Professor in Digital Culture at the University of Jyväskylä and Reader in Universities of Turku and Tampere, Finland. Her research interests include Internet research, feminist theory, studies of popular culture and pornography. She is the author of Figures of Fantasy: Internet, Women and Cyberdiscourse (Peter Lang, 2005), and the co-editor of the anthologies Women and Everyday Uses of the Internet: Agency & Identity (Lang, 2002) and Pornification: Sex and Sexuality in Media Culture (Berg, forthcoming in 2007). Url: http://www.translocal.net/susanna/] To register, please send a short bio and why you wish to attend the workshop to dak at sarai.net by 12 October 2006. _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From nicheant at yahoo.co.uk Sat Oct 7 18:03:37 2006 From: nicheant at yahoo.co.uk (Nishant) Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2006 12:33:37 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Reader-list] Essar gets tribal spit on its face Message-ID: <20061007123337.9278.qmail@web27903.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> Essar gets tribal spit on its face (http://merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=123539&catID=2&category=India) Seby Rodrigues 07 October 2006, Saturday Industry biggies that have signed up to set up mega projects in Jharkhand are facing the heat of violent opposition from the affected tribals. Essar Steel recently experienced their seething rage. EVEN AS RED-CARPET welcome is being extended to corporate investors in Jharkhand, getting to the ground is not so easy. Essar Steel learnt this lesson recently on September 29 near the Chaibasa city. As part of a confidence-building exercise, Essar Steel organized medical camps in collaboration with the doctors of Chaibasa Sadar Hospital. The company had held one camp in Buzujol village with moderate success and emboldened by it organized another in Ulijhari. And, it is here that it got the taste of Adivasi revolt and was forced to beat a hasty retreat. Tribal chief Antu Hembrom, who was cooperating with the company, was caught and beaten up in front of company officials and the Jharkhand Police, and then tied and paraded through the city market, with women spitting into his face. Hembrom was also forced to give a written undertaking that he will not henceforth collaborate with the company. A pot was hung around his neck with a poster reading: “I am a land robber.” A garland of slippers was also presented to Hembrom, who is also the president of Manki Munda Sangh. He was forced to walk, carrying the poster and the garland, a distance of 4 km. Essar Steel plans to set up a steel plant and make major investments in the state. It is among the 44 corporates that signed memorandum of understandings (MoUs) with the previous state government headed by Arjun Munda. The new government, headed by Madhu Koda, has upheld MoUs signed by the earlier government, but with a mild warning that “unnecessary” MoUs would be cancelled. It has, however, not spelt out the cancellation criteria. The quantum of investments in mining and other industrial plants are around Rs 66,000 crore. Among the major investors in Jharkhand, besides Essar Steel, are Tatas, Mittals, Jindals, Dempos and South African De beers. Each of these companies is finding it tough getting hold of suitable land for its project. A number of officials of these companies have been prevented — sometimes violently — from conducting surveys, as most such lands are inhabited by tribals and Dalits. A large-scale industrialization of Jharkhand has been planned. This will displace and uproot a large number of natives from their forest areas, where they have been living and farming for ages. Essar Steel organized a medical camp in Ulihatu village, where the villagers were given ladoos to eat and some tablets to get cure of the various diseases identified by the doctors at the campsite. Essar then took signatures of the villagers on a blank paper. Nobody knows what happened to those blank papers on which the villagers’ signatures were taken. The company, in a press statement to the Ranchi edition of The Telegraph called it a “confidence-building exercise” with the villagers whom the company is trying to get rid of. But ironically it was the company’s confidence that got shattered when angry villagers refused to eat the ladoos and swallow the tablets. Essar Steel is seeking land measuring 4,000 acres, which is estimated to directly displace about 15,000 persons near Chaibasa. The villages that are resisting Essar Steel project are Amita, Achu, Buzujul, Barizol, Katikutu, Ulijhari, Chinihatu, Kanki, Lokyahatu, Nakahatu, Sinderi and Ulihatu. All these villages are in West Singhbhum District’s Sadar Prakhand. Villagers were alerted when the company itself served letters to village heads (Mundas) before the state authorities could come out in its support. This was followed by a letter from the state authorities intimating plans for land survey for the company. Villagers then responded with letters of protest and demonstrations. Essar is not the only company that is vying for the land in these remote villages. Prakash Industries and Rungta industries are also in the race to buy out land. Essar officials were earlier chased away from Manoharpur district of West Singhbhum. The same land is being preyed upon by Goa’s Dempo Mining Corporation. And, they are facing an equally uphill task. Corporates that are all set to invest in Jharkhand are finding the going tough in the initial stages and are keeping their fingers crossed on the fate that will befall them them in the future. Essar Steel is the first to have got the bitter taste. It is now an open battle of wits as Adivasis vow to fight until death. Tribals in Orissa have affirmed that they will not get cowed down even though if blasted by Tata’s landmines in Kalinganagar. The road to development of Jharkhand is as fraught with dangers as one saw earlier in Orissa on January 2. (With inputs from Ashish Kudada, Ulijhari village, Sadar, West Singhbhum, Jharkhand.) ___________________________________________________________ Copy addresses and emails from any email account to Yahoo! Mail - quick, easy and free. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/trueswitch2.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061007/ce1b46df/attachment.html From cziellah at yahoo.co.in Sun Oct 8 16:47:34 2006 From: cziellah at yahoo.co.in (Yengkhom Jilangamba) Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 12:17:34 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: [Campaign update: manipur Freedom] Repeal Armed Force Act:: Sharmila continues fast at AIIMS Message-ID: <20061008111734.85054.qmail@web8414.mail.in.yahoo.com> Note: forwarded message attached. __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: homen thangjam Subject: Fwd: [Campaign update: manipur Freedom] Repeal Armed Force Act:: Sharmila continues fast at AIIMS Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 10:16:53 +0100 (BST) Size: 9098 Url: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061008/b25330b2/attachment.mht From mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com Mon Oct 9 13:18:43 2006 From: mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com (mahmood farooqui) Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 13:18:43 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: Dastangoi and other performances for Bant Singh's fund raising In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dan Husain Date: 08-Oct-2006 22:25 Subject: Dastangoi and other performances for Bant Singh's fund raising To: Hey Everyone, We're doing a Dastangoi performance as part of a fund raiser for Shri Bant Singh. I am sure you must have heard about him. If you're curious then you may click here for details. I'd request you to join us at the fund raiser and contribute to Bant Singh's rehabilitation funds. If you cannot make it then you may, if you wish, tip your friends about this fund raiser. Thanks & warm regards, Danish Bant Singh Can Still Singh Sun Oct 15, 2006 4:00 pm JNU City Centre, Near Mandi House 35, Feroze Shah Road Delhi, Delh, India Map & Directions Phone: 9868038981 Forum for Democratic Initiatives invites you to an evening of cultural performances to celebrate resistance. Bant Singh, a Dalit singer and an agrarian worker, who continues to be defiant even after the amputation of three limbs, is currently being treated in St. Stephen's Hospital, Delhi. The doctors are hopeful that with artificial limbs, Bant Singh will be able to walk again. Bant Singh was assaulted by powerful landlords in Mansa, Punjab for consistently pursuing the legal battle against the rapists of his daughter and for organising the rural poor under the banner of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha (of the All India Agriculture Labour Association). An evening of cultural performances to honour Bant Singh's courage and defiance and to raise funds for his rehabilitation will be held on 15th October 2006 (Sunday) venue: jnu city centre, near mandi house, 35, feroze shah road, new delhi time: 4:00 pm * an exhibition of photographs by raghu rai and others * 'video letter from bant singh' * musical performance by rahul ram of indian ocean * sufi songs by dhruv sangari * bhojpuri songs by hirawal, a patna-based cultural group * ragini and haryanvi folk songs * akarmashi: a play based on saran kumar limbale's story * dastangoi: the lost art of urdu story telling by mahmood farooqui and danish husain * protest poetry by balli singh cheema and others * revolutionary Punjabi songs by Iqbal Udasi Contributions for the programme will be directed to the 'bant singh relief fund' Entries are through coupons ranging from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 500/- For further details, coupons and contributions contact: Forum for democratic initiatives 9868038981/ 9811625577 / 9910074470/ 9810252416/ 9818416968/ 9871338943 http://punjabdalitsolidarity.blogspot.com - -- Dan's Blogs http://shamethepoem.blogspot.com http://proseonama.blogspot.com http://dastangoi.blogspot.com http://writersagainstterrorism.blogspot.com From jcm at ata.org.pe Mon Oct 9 18:23:28 2006 From: jcm at ata.org.pe (Jose-Carlos Mariategui) Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2006 13:53:28 +0100 Subject: [Reader-list] RESISTANCES: THE FIRST MUSICAL AVANT-GARDES IN PERU Message-ID: ---> English (Spanish version follows) CENTRO FUNDACIÓN TELEFÓNICA AND ATA PRESENTS THE EXHIBITION ³RESISTENCIAS: PRIMERAS VANGUARDIAS MUSICALES EN EL PERÚ² (RESISTANCES: THE FIRST MUSICAL AVANT-GARDES IN PERÚ) * ³Resistencias² rescues and highlights the works from a generation of internationally-renowned Peruvian avant-garde musicians. * Science, art and new technologies ­all considered from a historical perspective­ will come together in this, the second exhibition organized by sound art festival VIBRA: Audio Lima Experimental. * The exhibition will be complemented by a series of activities in which two generations of musicians, each one from a different avant-garde, will join together in concerts and seminars. During the sixties, music experienced an age of splendor all over the world, due to the emergence of great geniuses who have become a part of the cultural heritage in the West and part of the East. People from almost every corner of the world were singing to, dancing to and thinking to the rhythm of the big names in music. Thanks to the emergence of new concepts and new technologies, those years were a time for research and experimentation. And Lima¹s musical scene was not the exception. The sixties saw the birth of a gifted generation of Peruvian musicians, who experimented with the new languages developed after the end of the Second World War. Serialism, aleatory techniques, electronic devices, electro acoustic music and an interdisciplinary approach were key to the works of this Peruvian avant-garde. César Bolaños, Édgar Valcárcel, Olga Pozzi-Escot, Leopoldo La Rosa, Enrique Pinilla, Celso Garrido-Lecca, Alejandro Núñez Allauca, Walter Casas, among others, revolutionized Peruvian experimental music history, and left a mark that spread beyond the boundaries of their country. Centro Fundación Telefónica and Alta Tecnología Andina association present Resistencias: primeras vanguardias musicales en el Perú (Resistances: the first musical avant-gardes in Peru), the second exhibition organized by sound art festival VIBRA: Audio Lima Experimental. Resistencias intends to uncover and re-discover the significance of this generation of Peruvian experimental scholarly composers, whose works had a national and international impact, and who had an intensely active career during the sixties, yet today are unknown to the general public. Public assisting to Sala Paréntesis of Centro Fundación Telefónica will be part of an experience in which they will be able to see, listen and come closer to these musicians¹ worlds through sound documents, such as recordings from reel-to-reel tapes that have been digitalized for the first time; and documents, such as photographs, show programs, press clippings, and scores. Furthermore, there is a video recording of interviews made to the composers, which will allow the public to be acquainted with the context in which this generation developed, a context marked by a complete reinvention of scholar music in Latin America. Complementary activities As a complement to Resistencias, Centro Fundación Telefónica presents a seminar about musical avant-gardes in Latin America, and a concert of Peruvian compositions and performances. Seminar: ³Latinoamérica y la vanguardia musical² (Latin America and the musical avant-garde) Presented by Centro Fundación Telefónica, this seminar will be held on October 12th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 26th and 31st. It will allow the public to be acquainted with how Latin America experienced the first samples of electronic music and the avant-garde, starting from the fifties. The research done by Luis Alvarado ­about musical avant-gardes in Peru and Latin America­ is the starting point for this seminar in which will take part some renowned composers and theorists from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Peru, such as: Édgar Valcárcel (Peru), Leopoldo La Rosa (Peru), José Javier Castro (Peru), Luis Alvarado (Peru), Daniel Varela (Argentina), Francisco Kröpfl (Argentina), Federico Schumacher (Chile), and Mesías Maiguashca (Ecuador). Place: Centro Fundación Telefónica Address: 1155 Arequipa Ave., Lima Entrance: free of charge (limited seating capacity), after registration at http://www.centro.fundaciontelefonica.org.pe. Tributo (Homage) Adaptation of Intihuatana for string quartet (1967), composed by Celso Garrido-Lecca, performed by electric guitar players Valentín Yoshimoto, Tete Leguía, Paulo Novoa and Renzo Gianella, and conducted by young musician Juan Carlos Rivera. Also, José Javier Castro will perform an adaptation of Interpolaciones (Interpolations) for electric guitar and sound recording tape (1966), composed by César Bolaños. Place: Centro Fundación Telefónica Date: Friday, October 27th Time: 19.00 Entrance: free of charge (limited seating capacity) The festival takes place at Centro Fundación Telefónica, open Monday to Saturday from 12.00 to 21.00 (Wednesdays closed), and Sundays from 12.00 to 19.00. Access to all activities is free of charge (limited availability). Centro Fundación Telefónica can also be reached at http://centro.fundaciontelefonica.org.pe/. ---> Spanish CENTRO FUNDACIÓN TELEFÓNICA Y ATA PRESENTAN LA MUESTRA ³RESISTENCIAS: PRIMERAS VANGUARDIAS MUSICALES EN EL PERÚ² · ³Resistencias² rescata y pone en valor la obra de una generación de músicos peruanos de vanguardia internacionalmente reconocidos. · Esta muestra es la segunda exposición del festival de arte sonoro VIBRA: Audio Lima Experimental, y en ella confluyen ciencia, arte y nuevas tecnologías en una perspectiva histórica. · La exposición será complementada por actividades en donde dos generaciones de músicos, cada una desde sus vanguardias, se encontrarán en interesantes conciertos y seminarios. Durante los años sesenta, la música a nivel mundial gozaba de un momento de esplendor por la aparición de grandes genios que hoy son parte del acervo cultural de occidente y parte de oriente. Personas de casi todas las latitudes cantaban, bailaban y pensaban al ritmo de los grandes de la música. Estos años significaron una época de búsqueda y experimentación, gracias a nuevos conceptos y a nuevas tecnologías. Y la escena limeña no fue la excepción. Los años sesenta vieron surgir a una talentosa generación de músicos peruanos que experimentaron con los nuevos lenguajes desarrollados tras la segunda posguerra. Serialismo, aleatoriedad, electrónica, electroacústica e interdisciplinariedad, son las coordenadas de la creación musical de esa vanguardia peruana. César Bolaños, Edgar Valcárcel, Olga Pozzi-Escot, Leopoldo La Rosa, Enrique Pinilla, Celso Garrido-Lecca, Alejandro Núñez Allauca, Walter Casas, entre otros, fueron quienes revolucionaron la historia de la música experimental nacional y dejaron una marca más allá de las fronteras del país. El Centro Fundación Telefónica y la asociación Alta Tecnología Andina presentan la exposición Resistencias: Primeras vanguardias musicales en el Perú, como segunda muestra del festival de arte sonoro Vibra: Audio Lima Experimental.. Resistencias responde a la intención de poner al descubierto la importancia, de carácter nacional e internacional, que tuvo la existencia de esta generación de compositores académicos experimentales peruanos, que estuvo intensamente activa en la década de 1960, y que hoy pasa desapercibida para el público. Los asistentes a la Sala Paréntesis del Centro Fundación Telefónica serán partícipes de una experiencia en donde podrán ver, escuchar y aproximarse al mundo de estos músicos, a través de documentos sonoros tales como grabaciones digitalizadas por primera vez a partir de las cintas de carrete originales; y de documentos gráficos, como fotografías, programas, recortes periodísticos y partituras. Además, un video con entrevistas a los compositores permitirá conocer el contexto en el que se desarrolló esta generación, marcada por una renovación musical de la música erudita en Latinoamérica. Actividades complementarias Para complementar Resistencias, el Centro Fundación Telefónica presentará un seminario sobre vanguardias musicales en Latinoamérica y un concierto con composiciones e interpretaciones hechas por peruanos. Seminario ³Latinoamérica y la vanguardia musical² Los días 12, 17, 18, 24, 26 y 31 de octubre el Centro Fundación Telefónica presenta este seminario a través del cual el público asistente conocerá la experiencia latinoamericana en torno a las primeras manifestaciones de la música electrónica y de vanguardia a partir de los años cincuenta. Este seminario parte de la investigación realizada por Luis Alvarado acerca de las vanguardias musicales en el Perú y Latinoamérica. Contará con la presencia de reconocidos compositores y teóricos de Argentina, Chile, Ecuador y Perú, como Edgar Valcárcel (Perú), Leopoldo la Rosa (Perú), José Javier Castro (Perú), Luis Alvarado (Perú), Daniel Varela (Argentina), Francisco Kröpfl (Argentina), Federico Schumacher (Chile), Mesías Maiguashca (Ecuador). Lugar: Centro Fundación Telefónica Dirección: Av. Arequipa 1155, Lima Ingreso gratuito, capacidad limitada. Inscríbete en www.centro.fundaciontelefónica.org.pe Tributo Adaptación de Intihuatana para cuarteto de cuerdas (1967), de Celso Garrido-Lecca, que interpretarán los guitarristas eléctricos Valentín Yoshimoto, Tete Leguía, Paulo Novoa y Renzo Gianella, dirigidos por el joven músico Juan Carlos Rivera. Asimismo, José Javier Castro interpretará la adaptación de Interpolaciones para guitarra eléctrica y cinta magnetofónica (1966), de César Bolaños. Fecha: Viernes 27 de Octubre Hora: 7:00 p.m. Lugar: Centro Fundación Telefónica Ingreso libre, capacidad limitada El Festival se realiza en el Centro Fundación Telefónica, el cual está abierto al servicio de la comunidad de lunes a sábado de 12.00 m. a 9.00 p.m. (a excepción del miércoles que está cerrado) y los domingos de 12.00 m. a 7.00 p.m. El ingreso para todas las actividades es gratuito y la capacidad limitada. Además, se puede acceder al Centro a través de http://centro.fundaciontelefonica.org.pe/ From sirfirf at yahoo.com Mon Oct 9 19:50:50 2006 From: sirfirf at yahoo.com (irfan) Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 07:20:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] one hundred singing ladies! In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20061009142050.76229.qmail@web36812.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear Mahmood and all, I have compiled one hundred pre recorded songs of one hundred singing ladies of twentieth century.I am looking for some financial support to make the whole project public. Irfan __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From trebor at thing.net Mon Oct 9 23:08:11 2006 From: trebor at thing.net (Trebor Scholz) Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2006 13:38:11 -0400 Subject: [Reader-list] Reminder: ARCHITECTURE AND SITUATED TECHNOLOGIES Message-ID: The Center for Virtual Architecture at the University at Buffalo, the Institute for Distributed Creativity, and The Architectural League of New York present: ARCHITECTURE AND SITUATED TECHNOLOGIES October 19-21, 2006 @ The Urban Center & Eyebeam New York City http://www.situatedtechnologies.net A 3-day symposium bringing together researchers and practitioners from art, architecture, technology and sociology to explore new sites of practice, research vectors, and working methods for the confluence of Architecture and Situated Technologies. Organized by Omar Khan, Trebor Scholz, and Mark Shepard Participants: Jonah Brucker-Cohen, Richard Coyne, Michael Fox, Anne Galloway, Charlie Gere, Usman Haque, Natalie Jeremijenko, Sheila Kennedy, Eric Paulos, Karmen Franinovic, Kazys Varnelis NOTE: Space is limited. Reservations/advance ticket purchase required. Contact: Jessica Blaustein - blaustein at archleague.org or call 212.753.1722x13 From quraishy at sarai.net Tue Oct 10 11:18:02 2006 From: quraishy at sarai.net (Moslem Ali Quraishy) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 07:48:02 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] Web Curator Tool Message-ID: Web Curator Tool 1.1 Released on (22 September 2006) The National Library of New Zealand, the British Library, and Sytec Resources Ltd are pleased to announce the official launch of the Web Curator Tool as an open-source project. The release was announced on Friday at The 6th International Web Archiving Workshop in Alicante, Spain. Steve Knight (National Library of New Zealand) and Philip Beresford (British Library) spoke about the development of the tool and their future plans, and Arun Persad gave a live demonstartion of the tool in action. Version 1.1 of the Web Curator Tool can be downloaded from http://webcurator.sf.net/. The source code is also freely available under the terms of the Apache Public License. With regards Moslem quraishy Sarai Archive Delhi From cziellah at yahoo.co.in Tue Oct 10 12:21:23 2006 From: cziellah at yahoo.co.in (Yengkhom Jilangamba) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 07:51:23 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Reader-list] afspa Message-ID: <20061010065123.29033.qmail@web8404.mail.in.yahoo.com> REPEAL ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWERS ACT, 1958 A CALL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION Miss Irom Sharmila has been on hunger strike since Nov 2006 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 2000. This was her immediate response to the Malom Massacre (Manipur) of 2nd Nov 2000 when the Assam Rifles massacred 10 innocent civilians, including women and children, and brutally assaulted more than 64 civilians in the name of counter insurgency. She was arrested on the charge of attempted homicide and has been forced fed in custody. After her escape she reached Delhi on 4th October and continued her hunger strike at Janter Manter, Delhi. She was arrested by the police on 6th October 2006. The people’s movement against Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, (AFSPA) has been continuing since the time of its very imposition in 1958. The movement has been historically fought by many struggling communities. It is important to remember that when the Act was enacted for the first time in 1958, many regions where the Act was imposed did not have a manifestation of armed struggle. Moreover, this Act of 1958 is the continuation of a colonial law (to suppress Quit India Movement-1942) in ‘post-colonial’ India. The inherent colonial character of independent India is manifested in the ‘continuance’ defining the frontiers as politico-military regions only. The resistance against AFSPA is imminent in the wake of prolonged experiences of involuntary disappearances, rape, killings on mere suspicion, protest, self-immolation, nude protest, ceaseless hunger strikes and street protests. The rape and killing of Thangjam Monarama by paramilitary, nude protest of Manipuri women, self-immolation of Pebam Chitranjan against AFSPA and continuing hunger strike of Irom Sharmila against AFSPA since November 2000 are some of the accounts that explain the existential state of the people in Manipur and elsewhere. This shared experience of existential deprivation of many societies is well reflected in some of the Clauses of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, as the most fundamental question of Right to life itself is suspended. To cite, under the Article 4 Clause (a) of the AFSPA, the security forces can use force “even causing death” on mere grounds of suspicion and ‘arrest any person without warrant’ and Article 6 further implicates a total derailing of the autonomy of federal/constituting units of India as it says that without a prior approval of the Central government no commissions or prosecutions or other legal proceedings be constituted against the issues concerning the Act. Such tendencies of the Act spell out the politics of defining how specific communities are suspected historically by the Indian State which is aptly seen in the Article 4 (a) of AFSPA. The struggle against AFSPA has been successful in initiating a wider demand for repealing the Act at the mass level. Today, the presence of Irom Sharmila in Delhi (arrested by Delhi police on 6th Oct 06) continuing her hunger strike at AIIMS and not being responded to the demand for repeal by the Government has in turn strengthened the collective struggle against the Act. It is important to remember that when the movement against the AFSPA in 2004 reached a significant height, the GOI set up the Justice Reddy Committee to review the Act. This Committee report has still not been made public by the GOI. Ironically, the leaked copy of the report has nothing substantial for the people despite its recommendation for the ‘Repeal of the Act’. For, it recommends the incorporation of AFSPA in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 which will be operable all over India. The ‘collective’ will always fight against any form of re-appropriation of the Act. We demand: * Immediate Repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. * Make the Justice Reddy Review Committee Report on AFSPA, 1958, public. * Do not retain AFSPA in any form. JOIN US Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, 1958 ITO, Delhi 11 October 2006 Time: 11:00 AM. (Bring your protest Banners) Issued by: MSAD, NPMHR, LRS, SAHELI, DMMSA, JNUSU, AISA, DSU, FDI, MRFD, JAGORI, PSU, Other Media, PUDR, PUCL, PLS, HRA, HRLN, Oxfam, Amnesty I, SANGAT, CG P I, MPO, ISI-Delhi, New Democracy. KJS, SAD, KYSV, JKLF, Yuba Bharat, Justice for worker, NTUI, SPDPR. Mail: msad_manipur at yahoo.com/ adissent at yahoo.co.in/ mningthouja at yahoo.com Date: 08-10-2006. Contacts: 9899925345 (Malem), 9312314339 (Rojesh), 9811352626 (Banerjit). __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ From cziellah at yahoo.co.in Tue Oct 10 12:24:03 2006 From: cziellah at yahoo.co.in (Yengkhom Jilangamba) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 07:54:03 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Reader-list] AFSPA Message-ID: <20061010065403.27918.qmail@web8401.mail.in.yahoo.com> Dear all, Miss Irom Sharmila has been on hunger strike since Nov 2006 demanding the repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 2000. This was her immediate response to the Malom Massacre (Manipur) of 2nd Nov 2000 when the Assam Rifles massacred 10 innocent civilians, including women and children, and brutally assaulted more than 64 civilians in the name of counter insurgency. She was arrested on the charge of attempted homicide and has been forced fed in custody. After her escape she reached Delhi on 4th October and continued her hunger strike at Janter Manter, Delhi. She was arrested by the police on 6th October 2006. AFSPA 1958: • Suspends Democratic Rights • Legitimizes State Terrorism WE DEMAND: • Immediate Repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. • Make the Justice Reddy Review Committee Report on AFSPA, 1958, public. • Refrain from retaining provisions of AFSPA in any form. JOIN Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, 1958 Venue: ITO, Delhi, Date :11 October 2006, Time: 11:00 AM. Contacts: 9899925345 (Malem), 9312314339 (Rojesh), 9811352626 (Banerjit) __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ From uddipana at gmail.com Tue Oct 10 14:12:03 2006 From: uddipana at gmail.com (Uddipana Goswami) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:12:03 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] AFSPA In-Reply-To: <20061010065403.27918.qmail@web8401.mail.in.yahoo.com> References: <20061010065403.27918.qmail@web8401.mail.in.yahoo.com> Message-ID: do you really think that the reddy committee report being made public will have any positive impact towards the repeal of the act? 'amendment' maybe, but 'repeal' no. it will just be the 'old wine in a new bottle' formula. the justice reddy committee was a government-constituted committee. whatever it has to say will not be radically different from the state's appoach to the northeast. On 10/10/06, Yengkhom Jilangamba wrote: > Dear all, > > > Miss Irom Sharmila has been on hunger strike since Nov > 2006 demanding the repealing of the Armed Forces > Special Powers Act 2000. This was her immediate > response to the Malom Massacre (Manipur) of 2nd Nov > 2000 when the Assam Rifles massacred 10 innocent > civilians, including women and children, and brutally > assaulted more than 64 civilians in the name of > counter insurgency. She was arrested on the charge of > attempted homicide and has been forced fed in custody. > After her escape she reached Delhi on 4th October and > continued her hunger strike at Janter Manter, Delhi. > She was arrested by the police on 6th October 2006. > > > AFSPA 1958: > • Suspends Democratic Rights > • Legitimizes State Terrorism > > WE DEMAND: > • Immediate Repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers > Act, 1958. > • Make the Justice Reddy Review Committee Report on > AFSPA, 1958, public. > • Refrain from retaining provisions of AFSPA in any > form. > > JOIN > Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, 1958 > Venue: ITO, Delhi, Date :11 October 2006, Time: 11:00 > AM. > Contacts: 9899925345 (Malem), 9312314339 (Rojesh), > 9811352626 (Banerjit) > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new > http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: From sridevi.panikkar at gmail.com Mon Oct 9 17:29:05 2006 From: sridevi.panikkar at gmail.com (sridevi panikkar) Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 17:29:05 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: repeal afspa - protest on 11th october 2006 at 11am at ITO In-Reply-To: <42d681650610090456l4b36098embda03c2b004975cb@mail.gmail.com> References: <42d681650610090456l4b36098embda03c2b004975cb@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <431944be0610090459h2941efeaodd5b6d4eb578bc26@mail.gmail.com> Do please send on... * **Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958* ** *A Call for Your Participation* The people's movement against Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, (AFSPA) has been continuing since the time of its very imposition in 1958. The movement has been historically fought by many struggling communities. It is important to remember that when the Act was enacted for the first time in 1958, many regions where the Act was imposed did not have a significant manifestation of armed struggle. Moreover, this Act of 1958 is the retention of a colonial law (to suppress Quit India Movement-1942) in 'post-colonial' India. The inherent colonial character of independent India is manifested in the continuance defining the frontiers as politico-military regions only. The resistance against AFSPA is imminent in the wake of prolonged experiences of involuntary disappearances, rape, killings on mere suspicion, protest self-immolation, nude protest, ceaseless hunger strikes and street protests. The rape and killing of Thangjam Monarama by paramilitary, nude protest of Manipuri women, self-immolation of Pebam Chitranjan against AFSPA and continuing hunger strike of Irom Sharmila against AFSPA since November 2000 are some of the accounts that explain the existential state of the people in Manipur and elsewhere. This shared experience of existential deprivation of many societies is well reflected in some of the Clauses of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, as the most fundamental question of Right to life itself is suspended. To cite, under the Article 4 Clause (a) of the AFSPA, the security forces can use force "even causing death" on mere grounds of suspicion and 'arrest any person without warrant' and Article 6 further implicates a total derailing of the autonomy of federal/constituting units of India as it says that without a prior approval of the Central government no commissions or prosecutions or other legal proceedings be constituted against the issues concerning the Act. Such tendencies of the Act spell out the politics of defining how specific communities are suspected historically by the Indian State which is aptly seen in the Article 4 (a) of AFSPA. The struggle against AFSPA has been successful in initiating a wider demand for repealing the Act at the mass level. Today, the presence of Irom Sharmila in Delhi (arrested by Delhi police on 6 th Oct 06) continuing her hunger strike at AIIMS and not being responded to the demand for repeal by the Government has in turn strengthened the collective struggle against the Act. It is important to remember that when the movement against the AFSPA in 2004 reached a significant height, the GOI set up the Justice Reddy Committee to review the Act. This Committee report has still not been made public by the GOI. Ironically, the leaked copy of the report has nothing substantial for the people despite its recommendation for the 'Repeal of the Act'. For, it recommends the incorporation of AFSPA in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 which will be operable all over India. The collective will always fight against any form of re-appropriation of the Act. We demand: * Immediate Repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. * Make the Justice Reddy Review Committee Report on AFSPA, 1958, public. * Do not retain AFSPA in any form. ** *JOIN US* *Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, 1958 * *ITO, Delhi* *11 October 2006* *Time: 11:00 AM. (Bring your protest Banners)* Issued by: MSAD, NPMHR, LRS, SAHELI, DMMSA, JNUSU, AISA, DSU, FDI, MRFD, JAGORI, PSU, Other Media, PUDR, PUCL, PLS, HRA, HRLN, Oxfam, Amnesty I, SANGAT, CG P I, MPO, ISI-Delhi, New Democracy. KJS, SAD, KYSV, JKLF, Yuba Bharat, Justice for worker, NTUI, SPDPR. Mail: msad_manipur at yahoo.com/ adissent at yahoo.co.in Date: 08-10-2006. Contacts: 9899925345 (Malem), 9312314339 (Rojesh), 9811352626 (Banerjit). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061009/e69e5904/attachment.html From cziellah at yahoo.co.in Tue Oct 10 15:24:20 2006 From: cziellah at yahoo.co.in (Yengkhom Jilangamba) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:54:20 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Reader-list] AFSPA In-Reply-To: <12d068e70610100218u1d043940w5ceef19c5f9dd010@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <20061010095420.39701.qmail@web8407.mail.in.yahoo.com> Thank you Depti, I fouond out the mistake after I had posted it. Solidarity Jilangamba --- Saheli Women wrote: > Dear all, > Please note a correction in the below mentioned > e-mail: > In November 2000, Sharmila was arrested for > attempted suicide and not for > attempted homicide. Last night in AIIMS, the police > have again booked her > under section 309. > Regards, > Deepti > > On 10/10/06, Yengkhom Jilangamba > wrote: > > > > Dear all, > > > > > > Miss Irom Sharmila has been on hunger strike since > Nov > > 2006 demanding the repealing of the Armed Forces > > Special Powers Act 2000. This was her immediate > > response to the Malom Massacre (Manipur) of 2nd > Nov > > 2000 when the Assam Rifles massacred 10 innocent > > civilians, including women and children, and > brutally > > assaulted more than 64 civilians in the name of > > counter insurgency. She was arrested on the charge > of > > attempted homicide and has been forced fed in > custody. > > After her escape she reached Delhi on 4th October > and > > continued her hunger strike at Janter Manter, > Delhi. > > She was arrested by the police on 6th October > 2006. > > > > > > AFSPA 1958: > > • Suspends Democratic Rights > > • Legitimizes State Terrorism > > > > WE DEMAND: > > • Immediate Repeal of the Armed Forces > Special Powers > > Act, 1958. > > • Make the Justice Reddy Review Committee > Report on > > AFSPA, 1958, public. > > • Refrain from retaining provisions of AFSPA > in any > > form. > > > > JOIN > > Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, 1958 > > Venue: ITO, Delhi, Date :11 October 2006, Time: > 11:00 > > AM. > > Contacts: 9899925345 (Malem), 9312314339 (Rojesh), > > 9811352626 (Banerjit) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn > something new > > http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ > > _________________________________________ > > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and > the city. > > Critiques & Collaborations > > To subscribe: send an email to > reader-list-request at sarai.net with > > subscribe in the subject header. > > To unsubscribe: > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > > List archive: > > __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ From cziellah at yahoo.co.in Tue Oct 10 15:28:53 2006 From: cziellah at yahoo.co.in (Yengkhom Jilangamba) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:58:53 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Reader-list] AFSPA In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20061010095853.92716.qmail@web8406.mail.in.yahoo.com> First, the Justice Reddy Committee Report has not been officially made public. It was leaked through some media. So, there is still a need to demand that the Government should make it public. Second, there are dangerous provisions in the report. But as an initial step, the Government should make it public, so that there can atleast be a debate around the report. --- Uddipana Goswami wrote: > do you really think that the reddy committee report > being made public > will have any positive impact towards the repeal of > the act? > 'amendment' maybe, but 'repeal' no. it will just be > the 'old wine in a > new bottle' formula. > > the justice reddy committee was a > government-constituted committee. > whatever it has to say will not be radically > different from the > state's appoach to the northeast. > > On 10/10/06, Yengkhom Jilangamba > wrote: > > Dear all, > > > > > > Miss Irom Sharmila has been on hunger strike since > Nov > > 2006 demanding the repealing of the Armed Forces > > Special Powers Act 2000. This was her immediate > > response to the Malom Massacre (Manipur) of 2nd > Nov > > 2000 when the Assam Rifles massacred 10 innocent > > civilians, including women and children, and > brutally > > assaulted more than 64 civilians in the name of > > counter insurgency. She was arrested on the charge > of > > attempted homicide and has been forced fed in > custody. > > After her escape she reached Delhi on 4th October > and > > continued her hunger strike at Janter Manter, > Delhi. > > She was arrested by the police on 6th October > 2006. > > > > > > AFSPA 1958: > > • Suspends Democratic Rights > > • Legitimizes State Terrorism > > > > WE DEMAND: > > • Immediate Repeal of the Armed Forces > Special Powers > > Act, 1958. > > • Make the Justice Reddy Review Committee > Report on > > AFSPA, 1958, public. > > • Refrain from retaining provisions of AFSPA > in any > > form. > > > > JOIN > > Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, 1958 > > Venue: ITO, Delhi, Date :11 October 2006, Time: > 11:00 > > AM. > > Contacts: 9899925345 (Malem), 9312314339 (Rojesh), > > 9811352626 (Banerjit) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn > something new > > http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ > > _________________________________________ > > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and > the city. > > Critiques & Collaborations > > To subscribe: send an email to > reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the > subject header. > > To unsubscribe: > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > > List archive: > > __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ From ixa10 at psu.edu Tue Oct 10 22:20:08 2006 From: ixa10 at psu.edu (Irina Aristarkhova) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 12:50:08 -0400 Subject: [Reader-list] Ana Politkovskaya's funeral Message-ID: <2A08F2F9-D1BF-4C1B-9D7C-5E10B6BBEFEE@psu.edu> If anyone is interested in the images from Ana Politkovskaya's funeral in Moscow today, please refer to this site: http://www.grani.ru/galleries/m.112641.html Regards! Irina From cahen.x at levels9.com Thu Oct 12 04:08:24 2006 From: cahen.x at levels9.com (xavier cahen) Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:38:24 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] pourinfos Newsletter / 10-11 to 10-18-2006 Message-ID: <452D7260.8040003@levels9.com> pourinfos.org l'actualité du monde de l'art / daily Art news ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From Wenesday October 11, 2006 to Wenesday October 18 2006 (included) ------------------------------------------------------------------- (mostly in french) @ 001 (11/10/2006) Screening : Peregrination, Yanira Yariv , Brouillon d’un rêve , Wednesday October 11, Scam, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33685-tit--Peregrination-Yanira-Yariv-Brouillon -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 003 (11/10/2006) Workshop : atelier puredata, Médias-Cité, 11-13 October, 2006, Saint-Medard en Jalles, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33695-tit-Formation-atelier-puredata-Medias-Cite- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 004 (11/10/2006) Screening : Two short films, Wednesday October 11, 2006, Centre Pompidou, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33725-tit--Deux-rendez-vous-courts-metrages- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 005 (11/10/2006) Residence : artist at Joseph Ducuing Hospital, Toulouse, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33731-tit-Residence-d-un-artiste-plasticien-a -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 006 (11/10/2006) Publication : They're Already Here, Dr. Roland Korg / P.A.M., éditions nieves, Zürich, Switzerland. http://pourinfos.org/art-33734-tit--They-re-Already-Here-Dr-Roland-Korg- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 007 (11/10/2006) Publication : "Yves Klein : Substitution", editions Art inprogress, Editions of contemporary art, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33735-tit--Yves-Klein-Substitution-editions -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 008 (11/10/2006) Publication : “Numerical Arts” in the digital images, n# 118, magazine Pixel , Suresnes, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33736-tit--Arts-numeriques-aux-images -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 009 (11/10/2006) Publication : Abécédaires formels, Richard Marnier, Lendroit, Rennes, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33737-tit--Abecedaires-formels-Richard-Marnier- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 010 (11/10/2006) Publication : DOMINATIONS de Denis Robert et Philippe Pasquet, Hugo Editions, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33738-tit--DOMINATIONS-de-Denis-Robert-et-Philippe -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 011 (11/10/2006) Publication : frieze issue 102, London, United Kingdom. http://pourinfos.org/art-33739-tit--frieze-issue-102-Londres-Royaume -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 012 (11/10/2006) Call : lÎle de PAradis(TM) paradis island, Ultralab(TM), Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33740-tit--lIle-de-PAradis-TM-Ultralab-TM- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 013 (11/10/2006) Call : Call: ICEBOX 02 Audio/Visual Art Festival, Johannesburg, South African. http://pourinfos.org/art-33741-tit--Call-ICEBOX-02-Audio-Visual-Art -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 014 (11/10/2006) Call : young “video-cinema”, Pépinières européennes for young artists, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33742-tit--jeune-video-cinema-Pepinieres -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 015 (11/10/2006) Call : Magmart | International Festival of VideoArt | 2nd edition, Casoria Contemporary Art Museum's, Naples, Italy. http://pourinfos.org/art-33743-tit--Magmart-International-Festival-of -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 016 (11/10/2006) Call : Call for Entries: Impakt Festival 2007, Utrecht, Netherlands. http://pourinfos.org/art-33744-tit--Call-for-Entries-Impakt-Festival-2007- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 017 (11/10/2006) Call : International symposium of sculptures in 2007, Cridart, center of contemporary art, Amneville les thermes, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33745-tit-Appels-a-candidature-Symposium-de -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 018 (12/10/2006) Meetings : Angel's World - Girls at Work, 12-29 October 2006 at Frigos, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33609-tit--Angel-s-World-Girls-Work-du-12-au-29 -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 019 (12/10/2006) Meetings : press conference of the 19th Instants Vidéo, Thursday October 12, 2006, Compagnie, Marseille, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33674-tit--conference-de-presse-des-19es-Instants -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 020 (12/10/2006) Exhibition : Musée Ferraille, les Requins Marteaux, Astérides, Galerie de la Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseilles, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33694-tit-Expsoition-Musee-Ferraille-les-Requins -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 021 (12/10/2006) Screening : 59 Seconds Video Festival Fall Tour Italy. http://pourinfos.org/art-33716-tit--59-Seconds-Video-Festival-Fall-Tour -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 022 (12/10/2006) Exhibition : Réponse à Zola, Clark, Montreal, Canada. http://pourinfos.org/art-33719-tit--Reponse-a-Zola-Clark-Montreal- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 023 (12/10/2006) Various : libr-critique.com, Arras, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33722-tit-Divers-Nouveautes-libr-critique-com- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 024 (13/10/2006) Meetings : Conference “Surrealism and formal constraints”, 13 October 14, 2006, Research center on surrealism (Paris III-CNRS) and the review Formules, Sorbonne, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33707-tit--Colloque-Surrealisme-et-contraintes -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 025 (13/10/2006) Exhibition : RIDER Project 2006, New York, Usa. http://pourinfos.org/art-33718-tit--RIDER-Project-2006-New-York- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 026 (13/10/2006) Meetings : Jean Helene-Conference: Reporters in the war, on October 13, 2006, CARGO 21, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33724-tit--Jean-Helene-Conference-Reporters-dans -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 027 (13/10/2006) Publication : bribes/ratures/fragments, LIVRAISON #7, éditions rhinoceros, Strasbourg, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33732-tit--bribes-ratures-fragments-LIVRAISON-7- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 028 (14/10/2006) Exposition : The Pirate University & Biennial of Paris 2006 the, Biennial one of Paris 2006, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33654-tit--L-Universite-Pirate-la-Biennale-de -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 029 (14/10/2006) Various : Reservations for one poetry day Songs for one evening with Pantin, Saturday October 14, Pantin, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33696-tit-Divers-Reservations-pour-Chansons-d-un -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 030 (14/10/2006) Meetings : “L’ART EST L’ENTREPRISE”, Art and flow of the CERAP, 14 & October 21, 2006, Amphithéâtre Bachelard à la Sorbonne, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33701-tit--L-ART-EST-L-ENTREPRISE-Art-et-flux- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 031 (14/10/2006) Exhibition : Breughel’s View, Geert De Mot, Etablissement d’en face projects, Brussels, Belgium. http://pourinfos.org/art-33720-tit--Breughel-s-View-Geert-De-Mot- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 032 (15/10/2006) Meetings : Congress AICA 2006: Critical Evaluation Reloaded, 40th congress International of Criticisms of Art, the 15 with October 19, 2006, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33630-tit--Congres-AICA-2006-Nouveaux-modes -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 033 (15/10/2006) Screening : "l'Index", lEmbassy, October 15, 2006, Instants Chavirés, Montreuil, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33717-tit--l-Index-l-Ambassade-15-octobre- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 034 (15/10/2006) Meetins : presentation of the editions PPT, October 15, 2006, Espace Khiasma, Les lilas, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33729-tit--presentation-des-editions-PPT-15-octobre -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 035 (17/10/2006) Exhibition : BLUE, Ingrid Luche, Transpalette, Bourges, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33482-tit--BLUE-Ingrid-Luche-Transpalette- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 036 (17/10/2006) Performance : "L'EXP. TOT. plan of attack", Dominiq Jenvrey, Tuesday October 17, 2006, Ensci/Les Ateliers, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33595-tit--L-EXP-TOT-plan-d-attaque-Dominiq -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 037 (17/10/2006) Meetings : melody and melody function and melody function as object of analysis, conference, Tuesday 17 Wednesday October 18, Ircam, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33612-tit--melodie-et-fonction-melodique-et-fonction -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 038 (17/10/2006) Meetings : Marc Veyrat, Marc Veyrat, company I material, Tuesday October 17, Palais de Tokyo, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33628-tit--Marc-Veyrat-Soutenance-de-these-La -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 039 (17/10/2006) Meetings : “VJ culture, video art in real time? ”, Tuesday October 17, 2006, Espace Culture Multimédia Kawenga, Mopellier, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33671-tit--VJ-culture-l-art-video-en-temps-reel -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 040 (17/10/2006) Exhobotion : Anima Sonora, Winshluss et Cizo, Espace Piano Nobile, Geneva, Switzerland. http://pourinfos.org/art-33686-tit--Anima-Sonora-Winshluss-et-Cizo-Espace -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 041 (17/10/2006) Rencontres : extensions #7, dynamiques d'écritures, Tuesday October 17, 2006, Ensci/Les Ateliers, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33723-tit--extensions-7-dynamiques-d-ecritures- -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 042 (18/10/2006) Exhibition : « L’Art désemmure », Univer, Paris, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33650-tit--L-Art-desemmure-Des-artistes-se -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 043 (18/10/2006) Meetingss : Reality with the fiction. The human figure represented, Conference, Wednesday October 18, Musée d'Art Contemporain de Lyon, Lyon, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33708-tit--Du-reel-a-la-fiction-La-figure-humaine -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 044 (18/10/2006) Meetings : madness, wisdom and reject, Ecrans Philosophiques, mercredi 18 octobre 2006, Georges-Méliès movie theater, Montreuil, France. http://pourinfos.org/art-33726-tit--La-folie-la-sagesse-et-le-rebut-Ecrans -------------------------------------------------------------------- @ 045 (18/10/2006) Displaying works of art. Some remarks about exhibition design. Jérôme Glicenstein http://pourinfos.org/art-33648-tit-Displaying-works-of-art-Some-remarks-about-exhibition-design- -------------------------------------------------------------------- From quraishy at sarai.net Thu Oct 12 10:20:13 2006 From: quraishy at sarai.net (Moslem Ali Quraishy) Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 06:50:13 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] Anand Patwardhan's War and Peace on DD National on Sunday morning 10.30, 15th October Message-ID: Press Release Anand Patwardhan's War and Peace on DD National on Sunday morning 10.30, 15th October It never rains, it pours! Fast on the heels of Father, Son and Holy War \ which Doordarshan (DD) telecast last Sunday morning, DD National is set to \ telecast Anand's anti-nuclear documentary War and Peace on Sunday, 15th \ October at 10.30 AM While Father, Son and Holy War took 11 years in court, War and Peace has \ had its own share of legal and extra legal battles. A chronology of events 1. In February 2002 "War and Peace" a 163 minute anti-nuclear documentary \ won the Best Film/Video award at the Mumbai International Film Festival. 2. A few months later the Central Board of Film Certification under the \ obvious influence of the ruling BJP, refused to grant the film a certificate \ unless 21 cuts were made. 3. After a long appeals procedure, the matter finally went to court. In \ April 2003 the Bombay High Court ruled that the film be granted a "U" \ certificate without a single cut. 4. Ironically, in 2004, the same film won a National award for the Best \ Non-feature film. It was then submitted for telecast on Doordarshan. On five \ previous occasions the courts have ordered Doordarshan to show Anand's \ national award winning films. 5. The heads of Doordarshan and Prasar Bharati agreed to telecast if \ certain sequences were removed from the film. Anand refused and a long battle \ of attrition followed. 6. With Anand threatening to return his National award and go to court \ once again, DD agreed in writing to telecast the film but attempted to set \ the time slot at 11.30 PM on a Sunday night. Anand countered that as his film \ was long and would end only after 2.15 AM, this would constitute "censorship \ by sleep". 7. Finally in November 2005 DD agreed in writing to telecast the entire \ film at 10.30 PM on two successive Sundays. Almost a year then passed with DD \ refusing to set the actual dates of telecast. 8. In April 2004 DD dropped a bombshell by going back on its commitment \ to telecast the entire film and formally asking for cuts. Anand refused this \ and the matter went into limbo. 9. On August 25 the Supreme Court passed a landmark judgement criticizing \ DD and Prasar Bharati for forcing Anand to go to court for the telecast of \ each of his National Award winning films and ordering the telecast of the \ uncut Father, Son and Holy War. 10. On 8th of October DD complied with the order. This coming Sunday they \ will go a step further and show War and Peace, for once without being forced \ to do so by court. From quraishy at sarai.net Thu Oct 12 10:25:28 2006 From: quraishy at sarai.net (Moslem Ali Quraishy) Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 06:55:28 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] PASSING CONFLICTS --- A series of 5 short films Message-ID: <7ce0148ff88d9d4b59d01b08fe5035be@sarai.net> PASSING CONFLICTS --- A series of 5 short films Telecast: October 14th at 09.00 am on DD I 10:30 pm on DD News �Passing Conflicts� is as series of 5 short films (6 mts each) made by \ first time filmmakers under the guidance of Pankaj Rishi Kumar, and prouced by \ PSBT Bol Golu Bol / Suvir Nath / Fiction / Hindi Synopsis -- A boy wants to propose to a girl, the girl wants to be proposed.. \ They both are going through their conflict and are trying to reach a \ resolution. As they try to do so external forces encourage and discourage them. \ When the resolution shapes up, it shapes up in various shades. Bare / Santana Issar / Documentary / English (longer version of the film is 11mts) Synopsis -- A daughter�s search to find meaning, if any, in her relationship \ with her alcoholic father. In the piecing together of home videos shot by her \ parents nearly 2 decades earlier, and through a string of conversations with \ her father, mother, and sister, the filmmaker looks to understand the impact of \ her father's alcoholism on each of their lives: the sister's refusal to \ include him in her life; the mother's belief that her daughters should reach \ out to their father despite her own refusal to see him; the father's moment of \ honest introspection. In talking to them, the questions she is struggling with come to the fore: \ should she stand behind him and continue to suffer the pain and the indignity, \ based only on her memories of what a wonderful father he was? Or should she \ rebuild her life without him, consigning him to a fate that will almost \ certainly be wretched? The Mall on top of my House/ Aditi Chitre / Annimation Synopsis -- An animation film that deals with the issue of rampant land \ reclamation by the flouting of environmental laws and the consequent \ displacement of the fishing community. The film narrates the story of a \ fisherman living in a dark underground tunnel, constantly negotiating with the \ chaos of traffic, fancy malls, luxury housing etc built on land that was once \ his. Reclamation has pushed the sea further away from him and reduced it to a \ puddle of industrial waste. In the past, he had a home, a family and a \ sustaining catch from the sea. But emerging land laws rendered the community \ homeless overnight. Being uneducated and poor, they were displaced and cheated \ out of compensation. With builders taking ever increasing chunks of the \ city�s open space, the fisherman is finally driven out even from his dingy \ tunnel to make way for more �development�. A place to stay / Prayas Abhinav / Documentary / Hindi Synopsis --While thousands in Mumbai, lose their home every month, thousands \ also search for one. One of these thousands, Prayas is disoriented and \ frustrated, fearful of what would happen if he doesn't find a place to stay. \ His friend offers him his place for the weekend, but for the week he still has \ to figure something out. He starts exploring Mumbai at night hoping to discover \ some places where he can sleep safely. As he begins his exploration, he finds \ friends who guide him to places he could never have imagined as shelters. And \ Prayas finds a place to stay! Vasudevs / Documentary / Hindi Synopsis -- Vasudevs are a group of mendicants, best described as a group of \ singing minstrels who move from one village to another, door to door, singing \ songs and collecting a ritualistic grant in cash or kind. The film looks at \ this ritual in the present context�is it Begging? Biographies Pankaj Rishi Kumar graduated from FTII in 1992 where he specialised in Film \ Editing. He was a Asia Society fellow at Harvard University in 2003. Pankaj \ began his film career in 1993 as an assistant editor on Sekhar kapur's "Bandirt \ Queen" . He edited documentaries, and TV serials before turning to making films \ himself. He was a Teaching Assistant at the first AFA program organized by \ Pusan film festival. Pankaj has movies in his blood. His late father turned an old factory into the \ town of Kalpi 's only cinema, Kumar Talkies. His first documentary, �Kumar \ Talkies�, offered a cin�ma v�rit� portrait of people of Kalpi�s \ relationship to their only picture show and an examination of the \ consciousness-shaping role of local cinema in a globalised and digitised world. \ Made with support of Hubert Bals fund and India Foundation of The Arts, the \ film won critical acclaim. (screened at 40 festivals and won Best \ Film-L'alternative Barcelona, Special Jury at Zanzibar and Indian National awrd \ for Best Sound. ) The film has been recently been blown up to 35mm and will be \ released theatrically in 2006. His second film �Pather Chujaeri� (The Play \ Is On) was about the survival of folk thetaer in war strife kashmir. (The film \ was screened at 25 film festivals and won Unesco Prize for Best Film at MITIL, \ Bronze Remi at Houston and a special Jury at Karachi , Dallas South Asia \ festival and Earthvision� Santacruz festival.) His third film 'The Vote" \ looked at the intricacies of the electoral politics. The film premierecat the \ Asia society in New York and picked up a special jury prize at Dallas South \ Asian festival and Earthvision� Santacruz festival. His latest film " 3 Men \ and a Bulb" won the IDPA Best Documentary prize.Pankaj is currently working on \ his new project--a documentary on women boxers in India with support from Jan \ Vrijman Fund. �Punches � Ponytails � Ringtones� Suvir Nath was born in Bihar and did his schooling throughout India. He \ graduated in English literature from Delhi University and pursued Dramatic Arts \ from Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, New Delhi. He later joined Film & \ Television Institute of India, Pune and pursued diploma course in Film and \ Television Editing.He worked as assistant editor and chief editor in films, \ television and documentaries. �Bol Golu Bol� is his first independent \ assignment as a director Santana Issar graduated in Economics from St Stephen�s College in 2005. In \ the one year since her graduation, she has worked at a news channel, on two \ corporate films, and assisted on a documentary film tracing the evolution of \ different forms of music in Goa. This is her first documentary film Aditi Chitre trained as a painter from the Faculty of Fine Art, MSU Baroda \ (BFA 2004) and since then has been working as a free lance graphic designer, \ illustrator and storyboard artist. Her hobbies include traveling to places of \ natural and historical interest, watching movies, music (she learnt sitar for \ two years) and reading. Prayas Abhinav is an artist, writer and activist working from Mumbai \ at present. He is an enthusiastic supporter of commons-based cultural \ movements. He published and edited Crimson feet, a literary arts print and \ online magazine under a creative-commons license. His practice is strongly \ inter-disciplinary � attempting to blend art, film, technology, drawing, \ poetry fluidly for fuller and more complete experiences. He has received \ numerous awards and fellowships for his creative works and has spoken at \ numerous conferences about the issues he supports. He dreams of establishing an \ open, sustainable and independent platform to reach his audience and interact \ with it. PANKAJ RISHI KUMAR; B/103, Gokul Tower, Thakur Complex, Kandivli (E), MUMBAI 400 101 PH: 91-22-2854 7585 59 gautam nagar, new delhi 49 Ph; 91-11- 2651 2019 From impulsecreatives at gmail.com Tue Oct 10 19:56:00 2006 From: impulsecreatives at gmail.com (Kavita Joshi [Impulse workshops]) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 19:56:00 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] CALL FOR ACTION: SHARMILA, MANIPUR & THE AFSPA Message-ID: <005701c6ec78$0a1f9370$0201a8c0@hpdab99e23044a> CALL FOR ACTION: MASS DEMONSTRATION AT ITO AGAINST AFSPA SUPPORT IROM SHARMILA, THE PEOPLE OF MANIPUR AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST THE AFSPA On 9th October 2006, Irom Sharmila refused all medical attention. Sitting in her hospital room in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), she resolutely withdrew the force-feed tube from her nose against all medical advice. Sharmila Irom has been on a fast-to-death for almost six years now. Six years without proper food, without a drop of water touching her lips. Six years without meeting her mother, and rarely being allowed access to her family. Six years of being held under arrest repeatedly on charges of "attempted suicide" by the government. Sharmila's demand is simple - repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958. But this is a demand the Indian government is simply not prepared to listen to. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act is a particularly black piece of legislation that gives the authority to India's armed forces, to arrest, search or destroy property without warrant; to shoot - and even kill - on suspicion alone. What is more, it gives the armed forces near-total immunity against any judicial action. Sharmila's home state of Manipur has been reeling under this act for decades now. So have large parts of North-Eastern India. On 4th October this year, Sharmila arrived from Manipur to Delhi to continue her epic fast on the streets of Delhi. For days and nights, she camped and slept on the footpaths of Delhi, at Jantar Mantar. Thereafter, in a characteristic midnight swoop, a large force of over a 100 police personnel picked up Sharmila and detained her at AIIMS on the night of Friday the 6th. Once again, her crime was - attempted suicide! Sharmila is currently under arrest in Delhi, at AIIMS. URGENT CALL FOR ACTION: JOIN US: Mass Demonstration against AFSPA 1958 Venue: ITO, Delhi | Date: 11 October 2006 | Time: 11:00 AM (Bring your protest banners) Call for action issued by several civil society organisations. For more information, contact: Mail: msad_manipur at yahoo.com | adissent at yahoo.co.in Phone: 9899925345 (Malem), 9312314339 (Rojesh), 9811352626 (Banerjit). READ MORE ON THIS SUBJECT READ THE SAHELI AND PUDR FACTSHEET ON AFSPA please follow this link: http://kavitajoshi.blogspot.com/2006/10/armed-forces-special-powers-act-1958.html READ THE: BARE ACT OF THE AFSPA 1958 please follow this link: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA200252005 A pdf will open. Go to Appendix I, page 25 or else, go to: http://kavitajoshi.blogspot.com/2006/10/afspa-bare-act.html READ NANDINI SUNDAR'S ARTICLE ON SHARMILA IN TOI When we first heard of Irom Sharmila in 2004, she had already been fasting for four years in protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). In July that year, a young woman, Manorama, had been killed. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2132074.cms READ KAVITA JOSHI'S INTERVIEW OF IROM SHARMILA IN TEHELKA Young, stoic and dogged, Irom Sharmila has been on a fast-unto-death since November, 2000. She wants the repressive Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act repealed. The Act gives draconian powers to the security forces http://www.tehelka.com/story_main17.asp?filename=Cr032506_Iroms_iron.asp READ KARTYK VENKATARAMAN ON IROM SHARMILA'S ARRIVAL IN DELHI; INDIAN EXPRESS Manipur's most famous protestor, Sharmila Chanu, poses a tough dilemma for the national government http://www.indianexpress.com/story/14153.html READ SIDDHARTH VARADARAJAN ON THE AFSPA; IN THE HINDU The question of repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act needs to be debated publicly in the light of the Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy Committee's report. http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/10/stories/2006101002661100.htm MORE PRESS COVERAGE LINKS ARE AT http://manipurfreedom.org/press *** with apologies for the cross posting... ---------------------------- Kavita Joshi http://kavitajoshi.blogspot.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061010/ddbfee2b/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From sagnik.chakravartty at gmail.com Wed Oct 11 10:49:38 2006 From: sagnik.chakravartty at gmail.com (SAGNIK CHAKRAVARTTY) Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 10:49:38 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] IGNOU's NORTH EAST EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOCUS (NEMFo) Message-ID: NEMFo North East Educational Media focus(NEMFo) is a special initiative undertaken by IGNOU in collaboration with EMPC to train the young film produces from the North East. In the first phase 19 films have been completed . Basically these films are aimed at capacity building and also to encourage the young professionals to contribute to the making of documentary films related to environment, ecology, social and cultural aspects of North east Region. This would also help in generating self employment in the region. Many of the films have been selected for screening at the India International center ( IIC ), New Delhi. (Source: www.ignou.ac.in) From kumartalkies at yahoo.com Wed Oct 11 12:34:47 2006 From: kumartalkies at yahoo.com (pankaj kumar) Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:04:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] Telecast of PASSING CONFLICTS --- A series of 5 short films Message-ID: <20061011070447.65101.qmail@web56403.mail.re3.yahoo.com> PASSING CONFLICTS --- A series of 5 short films Telecast: October 14th at 09.00 am on DD I 10:30 pm on DD News “Passing Conflicts” is as series of 5 short films (6 mts each) made by first time filmmakers under the guidance of Pankaj Rishi Kumar, and prouced by PSBT Bol Golu Bol / Suvir Nath / Fiction / Hindi Synopsis -- A boy wants to propose to a girl, the girl wants to be proposed. They both are going through their conflict and are trying to reach a resolution. As they try to do so external forces encourage and discourage them. When the resolution shapes up, it takes various shades. Bare / Santana Issar / Documentary / English (longer version of the film is 11mts) Synopsis -- A daughter’s search to find meaning, if any, in her relationship with her alcoholic father. In the piecing together of home videos shot by her parents nearly 2 decades earlier, and through a string of conversations with her father, mother, and sister, the filmmaker looks to understand the impact of her father's alcoholism on each of their lives: the sister's refusal to include him in her life; the mother's belief that her daughters should reach out to their father despite her own refusal to see him; the father's moment of honest introspection. In talking to them, the questions she is struggling with come to the fore: should she stand behind him and continue to suffer the pain and the indignity, based only on her memories of what a wonderful father he was? Or should she rebuild her life without him, consigning him to a fate that will almost certainly be wretched? The Mall on top of my House/ Aditi Chitre / Annimation Synopsis -- An animation film that deals with the issue of rampant land reclamation by the flouting of environmental laws and the consequent displacement of the fishing community. The film narrates the story of a fisherman living in a dark underground tunnel, constantly negotiating with the chaos of traffic, fancy malls, luxury housing etc built on land that was once his. Reclamation has pushed the sea further away from him and reduced it to a puddle of industrial waste. In the past, he had a home, a family and a sustaining catch from the sea. But emerging land laws rendered the community homeless overnight. Being uneducated and poor, they were displaced and cheated out of compensation. With builders taking ever increasing chunks of the city’s open space, the fisherman is finally driven out even from his dingy tunnel to make way for more ‘development’. A place to stay / Prayas Abhinav / Documentary / Hindi Synopsis --While thousands in Mumbai, lose their home every month, thousands also search for one. One of these thousands, Prayas is disoriented and frustrated, fearful of what would happen if he doesn't find a place to stay. His friend offers him his place for the weekend, but for the week he still has to figure something out. He starts exploring Mumbai at night hoping to discover some places where he can sleep safely. As he begins his exploration, he finds friends who guide him to places he could never have imagined as shelters. And Prayas finds a place to stay! Vasudevs / Documentary / Hindi Synopsis -- Vasudevs are a group of mendicants, best described as a group of singing minstrels who move from one village to another, door to door, singing songs and collecting a ritualistic grant in cash or kind. The film looks at this ritual in the present context is it Begging? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Biographies Pankaj Rishi Kumar graduated from FTII in 1992 where he specialised in Film Editing. He was a Asia Society fellow at Harvard University in 2003. Pankaj began his film career in 1993 as an assistant editor on Sekhar kapur's "Bandirt Queen" . He edited documentaries, and TV serials before turning to making films himself. He was a Teaching Assistant at the first AFA program organized by Pusan film festival. Pankaj has movies in his blood. His late father turned an old factory into the town of Kalpi 's only cinema, Kumar Talkies. His first documentary, “Kumar Talkies”, offered a cinéma vérité portrait of people of Kalpi’s relationship to their only picture show and an examination of the consciousness-shaping role of local cinema in a globalised and digitised world. Made with support of Hubert Bals fund and India Foundation of The Arts, the film won critical acclaim. (screened at 40 festivals and won Best Film-L'alternative Barcelona, Special Jury at Zanzibar and Indian National awrd for Best Sound. ) The film has been recently been blown up to 35mm and will be released theatrically in 2006. His second film “Pather Chujaeri” (The Play Is On) was about the survival of folk thetaer in war strife kashmir. (The film was screened at 25 film festivals and won Unesco Prize for Best Film at MITIL, Bronze Remi at Houston and a special Jury at Karachi , Dallas South Asia festival and Earthvision’ Santacruz festival.) His third film 'The Vote" looked at the intricacies of the electoral politics. The film premierecat the Asia society in New York and picked up a special jury prize at Dallas South Asian festival and Earthvision’ Santacruz festival. His latest film " 3 Men and a Bulb" won the IDPA Best Documentary prize.Pankaj is currently working on his new project--a documentary on women boxers in India with support from Jan Vrijman Fund. “Punches – Ponytails – Ringtones” http://kumartalkies.blogspot.com/ Suvir Nath was born in Bihar and did his schooling throughout India. He graduated in English literature from Delhi University and pursued Dramatic Arts from Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, New Delhi. He later joined Film & Television Institute of India, Pune and pursued diploma course in Film and Television Editing.He worked as assistant editor and chief editor in films, television and documentaries. “Bol Golu Bol” is his first independent assignment as a director Santana Issar graduated in Economics from St Stephen’s College in 2005. In the one year since her graduation, she has worked at a news channel, on two corporate films, and assisted on a documentary film tracing the evolution of different forms of music in Goa. This is her first documentary film Aditi Chitre trained as a painter from the Faculty of Fine Art, MSU Baroda (BFA 2004) and since then has been working as a free lance graphic designer, illustrator and storyboard artist. Her hobbies include traveling to places of natural and historical interest, watching movies, music (she learnt sitar for two years) and reading. Prayas Abhinav is an artist, writer and activist working from Mumbai at present. He is an enthusiastic supporter of commons-based cultural movements. He published and edited Crimson feet, a literary arts print and online magazine under a creative-commons license. His practice is strongly inter-disciplinary – attempting to blend art, film, technology, drawing, poetry fluidly for fuller and more complete experiences. He has received numerous awards and fellowships for his creative works and has spoken at numerous conferences about the issues he supports. He dreams of establishing an open, sustainable and independent platform to reach his audience and interact with it. --------------------------------- Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061011/d673cf14/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From saheliwomen at gmail.com Tue Oct 10 14:48:45 2006 From: saheliwomen at gmail.com (Saheli Women) Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:48:45 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] AFSPA In-Reply-To: <20061010065403.27918.qmail@web8401.mail.in.yahoo.com> References: <20061010065403.27918.qmail@web8401.mail.in.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <12d068e70610100218u1d043940w5ceef19c5f9dd010@mail.gmail.com> Dear all, Please note a correction in the below mentioned e-mail: In November 2000, Sharmila was arrested for attempted suicide and not for attempted homicide. Last night in AIIMS, the police have again booked her under section 309. Regards, Deepti On 10/10/06, Yengkhom Jilangamba wrote: > > Dear all, > > > Miss Irom Sharmila has been on hunger strike since Nov > 2006 demanding the repealing of the Armed Forces > Special Powers Act 2000. This was her immediate > response to the Malom Massacre (Manipur) of 2nd Nov > 2000 when the Assam Rifles massacred 10 innocent > civilians, including women and children, and brutally > assaulted more than 64 civilians in the name of > counter insurgency. She was arrested on the charge of > attempted homicide and has been forced fed in custody. > After her escape she reached Delhi on 4th October and > continued her hunger strike at Janter Manter, Delhi. > She was arrested by the police on 6th October 2006. > > > AFSPA 1958: > • Suspends Democratic Rights > • Legitimizes State Terrorism > > WE DEMAND: > • Immediate Repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers > Act, 1958. > • Make the Justice Reddy Review Committee Report on > AFSPA, 1958, public. > • Refrain from retaining provisions of AFSPA in any > form. > > JOIN > Mass Demonstration against AFSPA, 1958 > Venue: ITO, Delhi, Date :11 October 2006, Time: 11:00 > AM. > Contacts: 9899925345 (Malem), 9312314339 (Rojesh), > 9811352626 (Banerjit) > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new > http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061010/0b7bd5c9/attachment.html From cziellah at yahoo.co.in Thu Oct 12 16:57:34 2006 From: cziellah at yahoo.co.in (Yengkhom Jilangamba) Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 12:27:34 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Reader-list] afspa Message-ID: <20061012112734.92271.qmail@web8410.mail.in.yahoo.com> LATEST UPADTE The demonstration was successfully organized. Students blocked the ring road. Demonstrators were lathi charged and dispersed. Many received injury and about 70 students were lathi charged and arrested. All this happened around 1.30 P.M PRESS RELEASE Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 Manipur Students’ Association, Delhi, in association with civil societies operating in Delhi organized a mass demonstration demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA) from Manipur and other North Eastern states on 11th October 2006 at ITO traffic point, New Delhi. The rally, attended by hundreds of students from Northeast (particularly from Manipur), representatives of various civil societies, human right activists and rights conscious individuals etc took part in the demonstration. Demonstrators raised banners, hold placards and raised slogans that condemned suspension of democratic rights, violation of human rights and military response of the government in dealing with the political issues in the Northeast. The mass demonstration organized today is in response to the prevalence of the systematic pattern of violations and abuses unleashed by the state under emergency legislations and the long standing issues of impunity and denial of justice to the people of North East. Specifically the demonstration sought to extend solidarity and support to the ongoing democratic struggle of Miss Irom Sharmila to end state terrorism in Manipur. Miss Irom Sharmila has been on hunger strike since Nov 2000 demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958, as an immediate response to the Malom Massacre (Manipur) of 2nd Nov 2000 when the Assam Rifles massacred 10 innocent civilians, including women and children, and assaulting more than 64 civilians. She was arbitrarily arrested on the charge of attempted suicide and has been forced fed in custody. She reached Delhi on 4th October and continued her hunger strike at Janter Mantar. She was arbitrarily arrested by the Delhi Police on 6th October 2006 and she continues her strike in custody. The people of North East has long been questioning the rationality of AFSPA and protesting it since its inception in 1958. Articles 4 and 6 of the Armed Forces Special Powers’ Act 1958 empowers the armed forces of India to operate with special powers, including to suspend right to life without judicial remedy and as such cases of custodial killing, torturing, sexual harassment, unwarranted search, involuntary disappearance perpetrated by armed forces went unabated. In short, the AFSPA undermines the democratic rights of the people in the Northeast to decide their own political future and the armed forces operating under the Act created war hysteria. The mass demonstration constituted yet another expression of anger and discerning voices against human rights violations and injustices under the objective conditions of state terrorism in India in confronting the insurgents in Manipur. MSAD fully acknowledges the multi-national character of the Indian sub-continent and firmly believes that the democratic issues raised by the nationalities to defend their national and democratic rights cannot be suppressed through undemocratic military tactics and responses. The nationality question in the Indian sub-continent being political issue, MSAD believes that investing the military to deal with such political issues culminates in state sponsored terrorism in the Northeast. MSAD, on this occasion of the mass demonstration, fully condemned the AFSPA and demanded: * Immediate Repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. * Make the Justice Reddy Review Committee Report on AFSPA, 1958, public. * Refrain from retaining AFSPA in any form. Released and circulated by the Manipur Students’ Association Delhi Dated: 11th October 2006. E-mail add: msad_manipur at yahoo.com __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Answers: Share what you know. Learn something new http://in.answers.yahoo.com/ From quraishy at sarai.net Fri Oct 13 10:01:20 2006 From: quraishy at sarai.net (Moslem Ali Quraishy) Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 06:31:20 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] petition on Singur Message-ID: Dear Sir/Madam, Ref : http://www.petitiononline.com/singur/petition.html You are probably aware of the recent move of the West Bengal Government to acquire multi-crop lands at Singur and the ongoing agitation of the local farmers against this take over. We, a group of scientists from various research institutes have personally visited the area and it is beyond any doubt that the earmarked lands are extremely fertile and vast majority of those grow multi-crops through out the year as captured in the documentary film “ Abad Bhumi” (Right to Land) prepared by a group of research scientists from the Center for Studies on Social Sciences (CSSS), Kolkata. This move is going to render more than ten thousand (10,000) local inhabitants including farmers, sharecroppers and daily labourers jobless. The proposed small car factory (modern automated) cannot accommodate the dislodged farmers and at best can provide few hundred jobs, mostly to highly skilled personnels. This will have serious consequences, not only social and political unrest, but also ominous environmental and ecological imbalance. Despite protests from various corners, the Government is vehemently trying to bulldoze the ongoing movement through brutal police repressions and arbitrary arrests. In view of this, we express our concern to the Governor. We would like to request you to kindly circulate this mail as much as possible and endorse our online petition to the Governor hosted at http://www.petitiononline.com/singur/petition.html Thanking you Abhee K. Dutt-Mazumder * PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION BY VISITING THE WEB ADDRESS ABOVE * From quraishy at sarai.net Fri Oct 13 17:55:39 2006 From: quraishy at sarai.net (Moslem Ali Quraishy) Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:25:39 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE Message-ID: <80b4b1ff659c6e474a617223511ecd01@sarai.net> INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE LAUNCHED Bangalore The Economic Times |The Hindu Business Line www.guruji.com, founded by two Delhi IIT graduates, on Thursday launched country's first local Internet search engine. Aimed at the Indian web consumer, Guruji.com is focussed on providing better search results by leveraging proprietary algorithms and data in the Indian context, its Co-Founder and CEO Anurag Dod said. Crawl technology used by Guruji.com is a complex computing system that crawls the web identifying Indian content using sophisticated algorithms. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2160055.cms Moslem Quraishy From mail at shivamvij.com Fri Oct 13 18:02:45 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 18:02:45 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE In-Reply-To: <80b4b1ff659c6e474a617223511ecd01@sarai.net> References: <80b4b1ff659c6e474a617223511ecd01@sarai.net> Message-ID: <9c06aab30610130532l35842ee6gb24618f35a5eba77@mail.gmail.com> Identifying the 'national' is both utilitarian and parochial in the context of the web. Yet, what i this gobbledygook about the web algorithms - how exactly do they identify a web page as Indian? Indian server? The word 'India'? An article about America on an Indian site - is that Indian? An article about India on an American site - is that Indian? Except for some nauseating gyaan about India being the world's spiritual guru, their About section doesn't tell us much. It's just another IITian publicity stunt. best s -- http://www.shivamvij.com From cahen.x at levels9.com Fri Oct 13 19:07:29 2006 From: cahen.x at levels9.com (xavier cahen) Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 15:37:29 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] ))))) radiolist.org (((((.))))) visual arts noise platform ((((( 5 Message-ID: <452F9699.5000902@levels9.com> RadioList.org Plate-forme sonore des arts visuels / visual arts noise platform (((((((((.)))))))))) It's time for your french lesson ! # 5 .((((( Abonnement RSS : podcast, ipodder, sage, etc... http://radiolist.org/index.php?feed=rss2 .((((( Abonnement à la newsletter http://radiolist.org Bert Stern : Marilyn, la dernière séance, Paris )))))))).(((((((((( Exposition du 29 juin au 6 novembre 2006. Rencontre avec Olivier Lorquin, commissaire de l’exposition et directeur de la Fondation Dina Vierny-Musée Maillol. Une exposition de portraits de Marilyn Monroe pris par le photographe Bert Stern, pour le magazine Vogue, peu de temps avant la mort de l’actrice en 1962. http://radiolist.org//?p=64 Paysage sonore : Passage à Luang Prabang, Laos )))))))).(((((((((( 12/10/2006 Aux mois d’Avril et Mai 2005, treize étudiants et un enseignant de l’Université Paris 8 - Vincennes - St Denis, partent pour un voyage d’étude en Thaïlande et au Laos. Un livre retrace leur expérience. Il est le témoignage d’un mode d’action solidaire dans les domaines de l’éducation, de l’art et des nouveaux médias. http://radiolist.org//?p=63 Cuisine sonore : le marché )))))))).(((((((((( la cuisine comme un milieu sonore où les enjeux de la cuisine se constituent en même temps que se constitue la cuisine. http://radiolist.org//?p=62 )))))))).((((((((((.)))))))).((((((((((.)))))))).(((((((((( Summer episodes... )))))))).((((((((((.)))))))).(((((((((()))))))).(((((((((( Véronika : Emission n°2, la Foi )))))))).(((((((((( Pour cette deuxième “émission”, Véronika revient sur la question de la foi, prise bien évidemment sous l’angle des questions qui l’anime : conditions d’émission, de réception, dans ce champ particulier de la diffusion radiophonique. Dans la première partie nous nous entretiendrons avec Michaël Sellam, auteur d’une vidéo installée sur le gospel : “Community of Desire”. La seconde explore la tonalité provoquée par l’autopublication de production sonores (harmonies,entretiens, home music). http://radiolist.org//?p=61 Cuisine sonore : les fiches cuisine du Elle )))))))).(((((((((( La cuisine comme un milieu sonore où les enjeux de la cuisine se constituent en même temps que se constitue la cuisine. Avec la participation des élèves du collège Pablo Picasso de saulx-les-chartreux http://radiolist.org//?p=60 “INFRASOUND 19? : Randy H.Y.Yau et Scott Arford, Paris )))))))).(((((((((( “INFRASOUND 19? fait parti d’une série de concert acoustique spatial créée par Randy H.Y.Yau et Scott Arford en 2001 à San Francisco. Ce projet porte sur l’utilisation de basses fréquences et des effets corporels qu’elles provoquent. Le concert a été présenté lors de la soirée “SONS-ESPACES #1?, le 11 mai 2006, organisé par INFRA & ERRATUM au Skyline d’Agnès B. au Frigos. http://radiolist.org//?p=58 Le Bleu du ciel éditions : Pascale Petit, Christian Prigent, éof, Paris )))))))).(((((((((( Rencontre-lecture des éditions le Bleu du ciel, présentée par Didier Vergnaud chez éof, le 16 juin 2006. Extrait de cette rencontre, Christian Prigent lit son prochain livre “Demain je meurs” et Pascale Petit “Tu es un bombardier en piqué surdoué” (coll. Biennale internationale des poètes en Val-de-Marne). http://radiolist.org//?p=59 Cuisine sonore : Macédoine de fruits à l’eau de vie )))))))).(((((((((( La cuisine comme un milieu sonore où les enjeux de la cuisine se constituent en même temps que se constitue la cuisine. http://radiolist.org//?p=56 Uncommunicating Speech Frinfo )))))))).(((((((((( Cette pièce sonore appelée “Uncommunicating Speech” fait partie d’une série de pièces qui tentent de faire apparaître la musicalité du langage médiatique pour créer un nouveau langage qui serait ni dans la langue, ni hors d’elle. Une pièce Originellement nommée « Uncommunicating Speech Chanel 1 », remixée pour radiolist.org. http://radiolist.org//?p=57 Cuisine sonore : le caneton à la Nantaise )))))))).(((((((((( La cuisine comme milieu sonore où les enjeux de la cuisine se constituent en même temps que se constitue la cuisine. http://radiolist.org//?p=55 -- RadioList.org (((((((.))))))) xavier cahen administrateur xavier.cahen at radiolist.org http://www.radiolist.org From t.ray at vsnl.com Fri Oct 13 19:10:00 2006 From: t.ray at vsnl.com (t.ray at vsnl.com) Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 13:40:00 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE Message-ID: Shivam, I am an IIT-an, among other things. I say "other things" to stress the point that I have not confined myself to being an IIT-an and all that it entails in the popular imagination. For many years now, I have not even been an engineer ... and no, not a management guy either. That said, let me ask you what exactly is objectionable in trying to find India-related content on the web. Why exactly is it parochial? I suppose you have used Google. Have you noticed that the home page of Google India has an option up front that says "pages from India"? Is that parochial? If not, why? Because Google is an American company? Maybe I am missing something here. Could you help me understand the logic? Also, could you please explain what you mean by "another IITan publicity stunt"? Tapas Ray > Identifying the 'national' is both utilitarian and parochial in the > context of the web. Yet, what i this gobbledygook about the web > algorithms - how exactly do they identify a web page as Indian? Indian > server? The word 'India'? An article about America on an Indian site - > is that Indian? An article about India on an American site - is that > Indian? Except for some nauseating gyaan about India being the world's > spiritual guru, their About section doesn't tell us much. It's just > another IITian publicity stunt. > > best > s > > From supreet.sethi at gmail.com Fri Oct 13 20:12:11 2006 From: supreet.sethi at gmail.com (s|s) Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 20:12:11 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] One laptop per child Message-ID: Hi, While working for Cyber-mohalla project, lots of ideas for customized software for kids were discussed. I am not sure how much of it really happened. But as Linux comes of age, software like the ones imagined are becoming possible. Some of these ideas/softwares are centered around idea of One laptop per child. I have been following some of these projects with keen interest. Etoys http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Image:EToys_-_new_display.jpg and Sugar http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Sugar seem particularly promising. I am sure lot of people on this mailing-list can contribute via coding, documentation, testing and offcourse with experience in this domain. The developers mailing list for these softwares is at : http://mailman.laptop.org/mailman/listinfo/devel regards supreet From hight at 34n118w.net Sat Oct 14 02:13:52 2006 From: hight at 34n118w.net (hight at 34n118w.net) Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 13:43:52 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] floating points project shorlisted for potential work with european space agency Message-ID: <56916.70.34.210.234.1160772232.squirrel@webmail.34n118w.net> The Floating Points project by Jeremy Hight and Bjorn Wangen has been shortlist for consideration by the European space agency. for more information: floatingpointsspace.blogspot.com/ A CULTURAL POLICY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION The Arts Catalyst's Report to the European Space Agency http://www.artscatalyst.org/projects/space/ISS.html In 2005, the European Space Agency (ESA) awarded the The Arts Catalyst in London a contract to carry out a study into possible future cultural utilisation of the International Space Station. The study set out to investigate and focus the interest of the cultural world in the International Space Station, to generate a policy for involving cultural users in the International Space Station programme in the longer term and to develop a representative set of ready-to-implement demonstrator projects in arts, culture and media. Under the lead of the Arts Catalyst (GB), the study team also comprises Association Leonardo- Olats (F) and Delta Utec (NL), with the MIR network. Study Update - 5 October 2006 The Arts Catalyst submitted its report to the European Space Agency in early 2006. It is still to be approved by ESA, however permission has been given to makes its contents public From surovani at hotmail.com Sat Oct 14 08:56:51 2006 From: surovani at hotmail.com (surovani_hotmail) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 08:56:51 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] 25 years of continuity and change - A Saheli publication Order Now! Message-ID: Dear friends, Saheli has published a document encapsulating its 25-year history: Twenty-five years of continuity and change. Of hope, action, protest, song, togetherness, laughter, tears, dance, strength and feminist struggle. Through the work of Saheli since 1981, the document provides an insightful perspective of some of the major campaigns of the autonomous women’s movement: the campaign against violence; resisting coercive population control and hazardous contraceptives; combating communalism. The flavour of the politics of organising in a non-funded collective, with all its ups and downs is encapsulated through quotations, interviews, conversations and incisive analysis. Through notations from the organisational "daily diary", minutes books, correspondence, priceless photographs, posters and pamphlets in an attractive easy-to-read layout, the book is of immense interest to activists, students of women’s studies and anyone interested in the history of the women’s movement in India. Pages: 116 Size: A4 , Paperback Colour: Purple, Red, Black and White Language: English Contribution: Rs. 100 per copy [US$ 10 for out of India] Postage: Rs. 50 per copy within India and on actual charges for outside India Payments: Please make DD’s or cheques in favour of "Saheli Women’s Resource Centre". Please add Rs. 25 for out-station cheque payments. Discounts available for bulk orders (depending on the number). Please place orders through saheliwomen at hotmail.com or by post. Also, please feel free to forward/share this information with anyone who you think may be interested. In solidarity, All of us at Saheli Saheli Women's Resource Centre Above Shop Nos. 105-108 Under Defence Colony Flyover Market (South Side) New Delhi 110 024 Phone: +91 (011) 2461 6485 E-mail: saheliwomen at hotmail.com From arshad.mcrc at gmail.com Sat Oct 14 10:26:08 2006 From: arshad.mcrc at gmail.com (arshad amanullah) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:26:08 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL Message-ID: <2076f31d0610132156h5aeb4cf3j916e1f7de5031d7f@mail.gmail.com> THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL by: Arshad Amanullah The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006, popularly known as the Anti-Conversion Act Amendment Bill, has been passed by the Gujarat Assembly on Sep 19, 2006. With this, Rajasthan has joined the league of the BJP-run states (Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa) which already have Anti-Conversion Act. This bill has once again highlighted the gravity of concerns which had already been expressed by almost all major secular players of the country. Passed in 2003, the earlier version of the Act, , did not come into effect as it did not have clarity on what 'forced conversion' means and to whom should it apply. According to the amended bill, forcible religious conversion is a cognizable offence punishable by law. Punishment for those found guilty can be upto 3 years or Rs 50,000. Moreover, in case a minor, SC or ST is converted, the period is upto 4 years and fine is Rs 1 lakh. It makes prior permission of District Magistrate mandatory in case a conversion is planned. The bill places Jains and Buddhas under the category of the Hindus; Shias and Sunnis under the Muslim category and Protestants and Catholics under the Christian category. Under the Bill, a person need not seek permission in case he/she is converting from one sect to another of the same religion. Though a Right-wing bi-monthly is all praise of the 'logical coherence' observed in redefining the religious categories of the country in the Bill, the same in its essence, violates the Constitution and contravenes the Supreme Court orders. Articles 25 to 30 of the Constitution clearly state that Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism are three different religions. Buddhism is a separate religion according to the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.Similarly, the Jains enjoy the same separate status as a division of the Supreme Court has decried in 2004.Underlining this fallacy of the Bill, Mr. Hamid Ansari, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, said: "Legislators can not, and should not, decide the religious identity of a community this way. This decision has to be taken by the community itself in a democratic manner". All minority groups have bitterly criticized the Bill as they, apart from being its unconstitutional, are apprehensive of the intentions of the Gujarat government which has earned notoriety of being anti-minority. Father Cedric Prakash termed it "draconian" while Udit Raj, chairman of the All-India Confederation of SCs/STs organisations sees Hindutva designs behind the Bill. Mr. Chakresh Jain, President, Delhi Jain Samaj, has threatened to stage nation-wide protests against the Bill because they "are not Hindus at all" as the Bill stipulates. The issue of conversion always comes handy to the Hindu Right wing politicians to whip up the anti-minority sentiments in the majority community. As the Assembly election in Gujarat is round the corner, the Modi government has embarked upon the preparation for the same with the promulgation of the Bill. It aims at polarizing the electorate of the state along the communal lines, instilling a fear-psychosis among the majority community. The argument, though repeated ad nauseum by the Sangh Parivar, that if a check has not been put on the conversion from Hinduism to other religions, the Hindus will be reduced to minority till 2060, is still convincing to a large number of people. The silliness of this argument is evident from the fact that Christians and Jains constitute respectively 0.5 percent and 1percent of the total population of the state. Likewise, there are only 18000 Buddhists are part of the Gujarat populace. It's true that number of Dalits and SCs/STs embracing Buddhism, is increasing in Gujarat. No other than the vicious relationship between caste-power-poverty, so arduously perpetuated through the Varna-hierarchy, an intrinsic part of the Hindutva ideology, is responsible for this. Thus, conversion to other religions is an attempt to liberate themselves from this circle of oppressions on the part of these wretched souls. The Bill intends to sink the issues of poverty, education, employment and survival of the Dalits and SCs/STs into the debate of fictitious Hindu Brotherhood, with the help of dirty politics of identity. It has made it threateningly clear to them that in case they convert to non-Hindu religions, they will be deprived of the privileges bestowed on them by the Constitution of India. Thus, the Bill, holding an axe on heads of those SCs/STs, who may convert to other egalitarian religions in search of a better social status, will be instrumental in mobilizing the Vote bank of the BJP. Against this backdrop it is not difficult to understand why the Modi government is eager to incorporate Jainism and Buddhism into the Hindu 'mainstream'. The danger of this Bill goes beyond the politics of ballots and identity. It strikes at the very roots of the humanity. It brings all sorts of social work for the poor and needy citizens into the pale of suspicion. It puts a question mark on the sincerity of all activities by all non-Hindutva charity trusts. arshad amanullah 34,masihgarh, jamia nagar new delhi-25. From vrjogi at hotmail.com Sat Oct 14 10:38:15 2006 From: vrjogi at hotmail.com (Vedavati Jogi) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 05:08:15 +0000 Subject: [Reader-list] THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL In-Reply-To: <2076f31d0610132156h5aeb4cf3j916e1f7de5031d7f@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: i appreciate gujrat govt. for showing this courage...... when muslims outnumber hindus, this country is partitioned, in 1947 we have experienced this. kashmir problem is also an eyeopener for all hindus (excluding mentally bankrupt pseudo secularists) vedavati >From: "arshad amanullah" >To: reader-list at sarai.net >Subject: [Reader-list] THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL >Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:26:08 +0530 > > THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL > > >by: Arshad Amanullah > > >The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006, popularly known >as the Anti-Conversion Act Amendment Bill, has been passed by the >Gujarat Assembly on Sep 19, 2006. With this, Rajasthan has joined the >league of the BJP-run states (Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya >Pradesh and Orissa) which already have Anti-Conversion Act. This bill >has once again highlighted the gravity of concerns which had already >been expressed by almost all major secular players of the country. > > > >Passed in 2003, the earlier version of the Act, , did not come into >effect as it did not have clarity on what 'forced conversion' means >and to whom should it apply. According to the amended bill, forcible >religious conversion is a cognizable offence punishable by law. >Punishment for those found guilty can be upto 3 years or Rs 50,000. >Moreover, in case a minor, SC or ST is converted, the period is upto 4 >years and fine is Rs 1 lakh. It makes prior permission of District >Magistrate mandatory in case a conversion is planned. The bill places >Jains and Buddhas under the category of the Hindus; Shias and Sunnis >under the Muslim category and Protestants and Catholics under the >Christian category. >Under the Bill, a person need not seek permission in case he/she is >converting from one sect to another of the same religion. > > > >Though a Right-wing bi-monthly is all praise of the 'logical >coherence' observed in redefining the religious categories of the >country in the Bill, the same in its essence, violates the >Constitution and contravenes the Supreme Court orders. Articles 25 to >30 of the Constitution clearly state that Hinduism, Jainism and >Buddhism are three different religions. Buddhism is a separate >religion according to the National Commission for Minorities Act, >1992.Similarly, the Jains enjoy the same separate status as a division >of the Supreme Court has decried in 2004.Underlining this fallacy of >the Bill, Mr. Hamid Ansari, Chairman, National Commission for >Minorities, said: "Legislators can not, and should not, decide the >religious identity of a community this way. This decision has to be >taken by the community itself in a democratic manner". > > > >All minority groups have bitterly criticized the Bill as they, apart >from being its unconstitutional, are apprehensive of the intentions of >the Gujarat government which has earned notoriety of being >anti-minority. Father Cedric Prakash termed it "draconian" while Udit >Raj, chairman of the All-India Confederation of SCs/STs organisations >sees Hindutva designs behind the Bill. Mr. Chakresh Jain, President, >Delhi Jain Samaj, has threatened to stage nation-wide protests against >the Bill because they "are not Hindus at all" as the Bill stipulates. > > > >The issue of conversion always comes handy to the Hindu Right wing >politicians to whip up the anti-minority sentiments in the majority >community. As the Assembly election in Gujarat is round the corner, >the Modi government has embarked upon the preparation for the same >with the promulgation of the Bill. It aims at polarizing the >electorate of the state along the communal lines, instilling a >fear-psychosis among the majority community. The argument, though >repeated ad nauseum by the Sangh Parivar, that if a check has not >been put on the conversion from Hinduism to other religions, the >Hindus will be reduced to minority till 2060, is still convincing to a >large number of people. The silliness of this argument is evident from >the fact that Christians and Jains constitute respectively 0.5 percent >and 1percent of the total population of the state. Likewise, there are >only 18000 Buddhists are part of the Gujarat populace. > > > >It's true that number of Dalits and SCs/STs embracing Buddhism, is >increasing in Gujarat. No other than the vicious relationship between >caste-power-poverty, so arduously perpetuated through the >Varna-hierarchy, an intrinsic part of the Hindutva ideology, is >responsible for this. Thus, conversion to other religions is an >attempt to liberate themselves from this circle of oppressions on the >part of these wretched souls. > > > >The Bill intends to sink the issues of poverty, education, employment >and survival of the Dalits and SCs/STs into the debate of fictitious >Hindu Brotherhood, with the help of dirty politics of identity. It has >made it threateningly clear to them that in case they convert to >non-Hindu religions, they will be deprived of the privileges bestowed >on them by the Constitution of India. Thus, the Bill, holding an axe >on heads of those SCs/STs, who may convert to other egalitarian >religions in search of a better social status, will be instrumental in >mobilizing the Vote bank of the BJP. Against this backdrop it is not >difficult to understand why the Modi government is eager to >incorporate Jainism and Buddhism into the Hindu 'mainstream'. > > > >The danger of this Bill goes beyond the politics of ballots and >identity. It strikes at the very roots of the humanity. It brings all >sorts of social work for the poor and needy citizens into the pale of >suspicion. It puts a question mark on the sincerity of all activities >by all non-Hindutva charity trusts. > > >arshad amanullah >34,masihgarh, >jamia nagar >new delhi-25. >_________________________________________ >reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. >Critiques & Collaborations >To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe >in the subject header. >To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list >List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> From peeyush.bajpai at gmail.com Sat Oct 14 11:06:10 2006 From: peeyush.bajpai at gmail.com (Peeyush Bajpai) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 11:06:10 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] reader-list Digest, Vol 39, Issue 17 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <220f752b0610132236n50843435n1cffcceec8997e98@mail.gmail.com> Another First Hindustani Search Engine is www.Raftaar.com, the only other difference is that it is in HINDI. Take a look www.raftaar.com Peeyush > > 1. INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE (Moslem Ali Quraishy) > 2. Re: INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE (Shivam Vij) > The Hindu Business Line > > www.guruji.com, founded by two Delhi IIT graduates, on Thursday launched > country's first local Internet search engine. > > Aimed at the Indian web consumer, Guruji.com is focussed on providing > better search results by leveraging proprietary algorithms and data in the > Indian context, its Co-Founder and CEO Anurag Dod said. > > Crawl technology used by Guruji.com is a complex computing system that > crawls the web identifying Indian content using sophisticated algorithms. > http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2160055.cms > > > Moslem Quraishy > > > > From: "Shivam Vij" > Subject: Re: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE > To: "sarai list" > Message-ID: > <9c06aab30610130532l35842ee6gb24618f35a5eba77 at mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"; format=flowed > > Identifying the 'national' is both utilitarian and parochial in the > context of the web. Yet, what i this gobbledygook about the web > algorithms - how exactly do they identify a web page as Indian? Indian > server? The word 'India'? An article about America on an Indian site - > is that Indian? An article about India on an American site - is that > Indian? Except for some nauseating gyaan about India being the world's > spiritual guru, their About section doesn't tell us much. It's just > another IITian publicity stunt. > > best > s > > > -- > http://www.shivamvij.com > From monica at sarai.net Sat Oct 14 11:13:02 2006 From: monica at sarai.net (Monica Narula) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 11:13:02 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] reader-list Digest, Vol 39, Issue 17 In-Reply-To: <220f752b0610132236n50843435n1cffcceec8997e98@mail.gmail.com> References: <220f752b0610132236n50843435n1cffcceec8997e98@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <3BE859BF-E203-4D3D-840D-1E307648B840@sarai.net> But unfortunately only seems to claim to work on Internet Explorer. Didnt work either on mozilla or Safari on my mac... best M On 14-Oct-06, at 11:06 AM, Peeyush Bajpai wrote: > Another First Hindustani Search Engine is www.Raftaar.com, the only > other difference is that it is in HINDI. > > Take a look www.raftaar.com > > Peeyush > > >> >> 1. INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE (Moslem Ali Quraishy) >> 2. Re: INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE (Shivam Vij) >> > The Hindu Business Line >> >> www.guruji.com, founded by two Delhi IIT graduates, on Thursday >> launched >> country's first local Internet search engine. >> >> Aimed at the Indian web consumer, Guruji.com is focussed on providing >> better search results by leveraging proprietary algorithms and >> data in the >> Indian context, its Co-Founder and CEO Anurag Dod said. >> >> Crawl technology used by Guruji.com is a complex computing system >> that >> crawls the web identifying Indian content using sophisticated >> algorithms. >> http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2160055.cms >> >> >> Moslem Quraishy >> >> >> >> From: "Shivam Vij" >> Subject: Re: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE >> To: "sarai list" >> Message-ID: >> <9c06aab30610130532l35842ee6gb24618f35a5eba77 at mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"; format=flowed >> >> Identifying the 'national' is both utilitarian and parochial in the >> context of the web. Yet, what i this gobbledygook about the web >> algorithms - how exactly do they identify a web page as Indian? >> Indian >> server? The word 'India'? An article about America on an Indian >> site - >> is that Indian? An article about India on an American site - is that >> Indian? Except for some nauseating gyaan about India being the >> world's >> spiritual guru, their About section doesn't tell us much. It's just >> another IITian publicity stunt. >> >> best >> s >> >> >> -- >> http://www.shivamvij.com >> > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> Monica Narula Raqs Media Collective Sarai-CSDS 29 Rajpur Road Delhi 110054 www.raqsmediacollective.net www.sarai.net From ravikant at sarai.net Sat Oct 14 13:27:10 2006 From: ravikant at sarai.net (Ravikant) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 13:27:10 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] reader-list Digest, Vol 39, Issue 17 In-Reply-To: <3BE859BF-E203-4D3D-840D-1E307648B840@sarai.net> References: <220f752b0610132236n50843435n1cffcceec8997e98@mail.gmail.com> <3BE859BF-E203-4D3D-840D-1E307648B840@sarai.net> Message-ID: <200610141327.10948.ravikant@sarai.net> Same results with Konqueror, the browser from the immensely popular .kde Linux distribution. Raftaar says: It is not a supported platform, we support only IE. It has been an issue with commercial tool developers operating from India that they assume that everybody would use IE. But the fact remains Firefox is the best browser, especially if you want to browse content in Hindi or other Indian languages using unicode, which is the first universal coding scheme for most of the languages that could not be adequately represented within ASCII or such other formats. People in Guruji or Raftaar should know that the padma plugin of mozilla can convert existing scripts into unicode on the fly, so that you can read all the important newspapers online without downloading fonts, etc. What is more you can also further circulate it through your mailbox on Google, Yahoo, rediff or whatever. IE developers on the other hand have allowed people to use dynamic fonts that do not allow for copying content. Strange irony: Microsoft, which pushed for unicode and is using it for localisation, like Linux does, also promotes efforts such as webdunia - which hardly works on any other platform! Anyway, for sensible solutions - whether 'Indian' or 'global' - for Indic languages, esp. Hindi, you can visit these sites: http://devanaagarii.net http://pratibhaas.blogspot.com/2006/01/blog-post_25.html http://www.indlinux.org And you would be advised to use firefox with padma plugin if you want to write and search in Indian languages: http://padma.mozdev.org/ Just naming something Hindustani will not take these small shops very far. cheers ravikant शनिवार 14 अक्टूबर 2006 11:13 को, Monica Narula ने लिखा था: > But unfortunately only seems to claim to work on Internet Explorer. > Didnt work either on mozilla or Safari on my mac... > > best > M > > On 14-Oct-06, at 11:06 AM, Peeyush Bajpai wrote: > > Another First Hindustani Search Engine is www.Raftaar.com, the only > > other difference is that it is in HINDI. > > > > Take a look www.raftaar.com > > > > Peeyush > > > >> 1. INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE (Moslem Ali Quraishy) > >> 2. Re: INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE (Shivam Vij) > > > > The Hindu Business Line > > > >> www.guruji.com, founded by two Delhi IIT graduates, on Thursday > >> launched > >> country's first local Internet search engine. > >> > >> Aimed at the Indian web consumer, Guruji.com is focussed on providing > >> better search results by leveraging proprietary algorithms and > >> data in the > >> Indian context, its Co-Founder and CEO Anurag Dod said. > >> > >> Crawl technology used by Guruji.com is a complex computing system > >> that > >> crawls the web identifying Indian content using sophisticated > >> algorithms. > >> http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2160055.cms > >> > >> > >> Moslem Quraishy > >> > >> > >> > >> From: "Shivam Vij" > >> Subject: Re: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE > >> To: "sarai list" > >> Message-ID: > >> <9c06aab30610130532l35842ee6gb24618f35a5eba77 at mail.gmail.com> > >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"; format=flowed > >> > >> Identifying the 'national' is both utilitarian and parochial in the > >> context of the web. Yet, what i this gobbledygook about the web > >> algorithms - how exactly do they identify a web page as Indian? > >> Indian > >> server? The word 'India'? An article about America on an Indian > >> site - > >> is that Indian? An article about India on an American site - is that > >> Indian? Except for some nauseating gyaan about India being the > >> world's > >> spiritual guru, their About section doesn't tell us much. It's just > >> another IITian publicity stunt. > >> > >> best > >> s > >> > >> > >> -- > >> http://www.shivamvij.com > > > > _________________________________________ > > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > > Critiques & Collaborations > > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > > subscribe in the subject header. > > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> > > Monica Narula > Raqs Media Collective > Sarai-CSDS > 29 Rajpur Road > Delhi 110054 > www.raqsmediacollective.net > www.sarai.net > > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe > in the subject header. To unsubscribe: > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list List archive: > <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> From aman.am at gmail.com Sat Oct 14 01:06:34 2006 From: aman.am at gmail.com (Aman Sethi) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 01:06:34 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE Message-ID: <995a19920610131236x51f47874yd707867a2617fcac@mail.gmail.com> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Aman Sethi Date: Oct 14, 2006 1:06 AM Subject: Re: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE To: "t.ray at vsnl.com" Well, as a frequent user of the "pages from india" section of google, i must confess that i do find it useful - especially when hunting for things like the "73 rd parliamentary amendment" or "national child literacy programme" etc .. as it cuts out similar constitutional amendments / schemes that have been implemented in other countries .. so if ure looking for anything that has "national" in the search string - and there is a particular country u have in mind - it does help ... so yes it is "utilitarian" in the narrowest sense - ie it is of great utility .. ofcourse the internet - its like so cosomopolitan, and open and supra-national and stuff , so to tie oneself down to like just one like nation when ure like looking for like information is like so totally uncool ... but yeah .. sometimes it helps. on the otherhand - the guruji "about" section is poorly written - but who cares ...and the company that owns it is "Sequoia Capital India is a Mauritius based Indian venture capital" fund - which means that the taxes in mauritius are probably lower- so i dont think we need to get worried abt wether this is a jingoistic tool to promote a "parochial" idea of india ...its a business venture - and yeah so the india tag is an advertising gimmick .. i dont think it deserves much heartburn ... and the local search on guruji is not bad - i played google india against guruji local for delhi and guruji worked better .. atleast it did for the search string "delhi dentist" Best A. On 10/13/06, t.ray at vsnl.com wrote: > > Shivam, > > I am an IIT-an, among other things. I say "other things" to stress the > point that I have not confined myself to being an IIT-an and all that it > entails in the popular imagination. For many years now, I have not even been > an engineer ... and no, not a management guy either. > > That said, let me ask you what exactly is objectionable in trying to find > India-related content on the web. Why exactly is it parochial? I suppose you > have used Google. Have you noticed that the home page of Google India has an > option up front that says "pages from India"? Is that parochial? If not, > why? Because Google is an American company? > > Maybe I am missing something here. Could you help me understand the logic? > > Also, could you please explain what you mean by "another IITan publicity > stunt"? > > Tapas Ray > > > > Identifying the 'national' is both utilitarian and parochial in the > > context of the web. Yet, what i this gobbledygook about the web > > algorithms - how exactly do they identify a web page as Indian? Indian > > server? The word 'India'? An article about America on an Indian site - > > is that Indian? An article about India on an American site - is that > > Indian? Except for some nauseating gyaan about India being the world's > > spiritual guru, their About section doesn't tell us much. It's just > > another IITian publicity stunt. > > > > best > > s > > > > > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061014/35ccc868/attachment.html From jassim.ali at gmail.com Sat Oct 14 10:57:07 2006 From: jassim.ali at gmail.com (Jassim Ali) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 09:27:07 +0400 Subject: [Reader-list] THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL In-Reply-To: References: <2076f31d0610132156h5aeb4cf3j916e1f7de5031d7f@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <271ece9c0610132227q6a839a92x91fd967d972d5ba9@mail.gmail.com> Why do we need a 'BAN' to stop forcible conversions ? Cant the current legal and Security apparatus prevent it when the underprivileged,dalits, tribals etc are being force fed ? If Im hungry and homeless, religion would be last thing on my mind .... anyone who could provide me with them (with whatever ulterior motives) is more than a god ! Anyone who can argue logically on this ? If the state cant help people for their basic needs they shouldnt start worrying about the afterlife and salvation j On 10/14/06, Vedavati Jogi wrote: > > i appreciate gujrat govt. for showing this courage...... > when muslims outnumber hindus, this country is partitioned, in 1947 we > have > experienced this. > kashmir problem is also an eyeopener for all hindus > (excluding mentally bankrupt pseudo secularists) > > vedavati > > > >From: "arshad amanullah" > >To: reader-list at sarai.net > >Subject: [Reader-list] THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL > >Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:26:08 +0530 > > > > THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL > > > > > >by: Arshad Amanullah > > > > > >The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006, popularly known > >as the Anti-Conversion Act Amendment Bill, has been passed by the > >Gujarat Assembly on Sep 19, 2006. With this, Rajasthan has joined the > >league of the BJP-run states (Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya > >Pradesh and Orissa) which already have Anti-Conversion Act. This bill > >has once again highlighted the gravity of concerns which had already > >been expressed by almost all major secular players of the country. > > > > > > > >Passed in 2003, the earlier version of the Act, , did not come into > >effect as it did not have clarity on what 'forced conversion' means > >and to whom should it apply. According to the amended bill, forcible > >religious conversion is a cognizable offence punishable by law. > >Punishment for those found guilty can be upto 3 years or Rs 50,000. > >Moreover, in case a minor, SC or ST is converted, the period is upto 4 > >years and fine is Rs 1 lakh. It makes prior permission of District > >Magistrate mandatory in case a conversion is planned. The bill places > >Jains and Buddhas under the category of the Hindus; Shias and Sunnis > >under the Muslim category and Protestants and Catholics under the > >Christian category. > >Under the Bill, a person need not seek permission in case he/she is > >converting from one sect to another of the same religion. > > > > > > > >Though a Right-wing bi-monthly is all praise of the 'logical > >coherence' observed in redefining the religious categories of the > >country in the Bill, the same in its essence, violates the > >Constitution and contravenes the Supreme Court orders. Articles 25 to > >30 of the Constitution clearly state that Hinduism, Jainism and > >Buddhism are three different religions. Buddhism is a separate > >religion according to the National Commission for Minorities Act, > >1992.Similarly, the Jains enjoy the same separate status as a division > >of the Supreme Court has decried in 2004.Underlining this fallacy of > >the Bill, Mr. Hamid Ansari, Chairman, National Commission for > >Minorities, said: "Legislators can not, and should not, decide the > >religious identity of a community this way. This decision has to be > >taken by the community itself in a democratic manner". > > > > > > > >All minority groups have bitterly criticized the Bill as they, apart > >from being its unconstitutional, are apprehensive of the intentions of > >the Gujarat government which has earned notoriety of being > >anti-minority. Father Cedric Prakash termed it "draconian" while Udit > >Raj, chairman of the All-India Confederation of SCs/STs organisations > >sees Hindutva designs behind the Bill. Mr. Chakresh Jain, President, > >Delhi Jain Samaj, has threatened to stage nation-wide protests against > >the Bill because they "are not Hindus at all" as the Bill stipulates. > > > > > > > >The issue of conversion always comes handy to the Hindu Right wing > >politicians to whip up the anti-minority sentiments in the majority > >community. As the Assembly election in Gujarat is round the corner, > >the Modi government has embarked upon the preparation for the same > >with the promulgation of the Bill. It aims at polarizing the > >electorate of the state along the communal lines, instilling a > >fear-psychosis among the majority community. The argument, though > >repeated ad nauseum by the Sangh Parivar, that if a check has not > >been put on the conversion from Hinduism to other religions, the > >Hindus will be reduced to minority till 2060, is still convincing to a > >large number of people. The silliness of this argument is evident from > >the fact that Christians and Jains constitute respectively 0.5 percent > >and 1percent of the total population of the state. Likewise, there are > >only 18000 Buddhists are part of the Gujarat populace. > > > > > > > >It's true that number of Dalits and SCs/STs embracing Buddhism, is > >increasing in Gujarat. No other than the vicious relationship between > >caste-power-poverty, so arduously perpetuated through the > >Varna-hierarchy, an intrinsic part of the Hindutva ideology, is > >responsible for this. Thus, conversion to other religions is an > >attempt to liberate themselves from this circle of oppressions on the > >part of these wretched souls. > > > > > > > >The Bill intends to sink the issues of poverty, education, employment > >and survival of the Dalits and SCs/STs into the debate of fictitious > >Hindu Brotherhood, with the help of dirty politics of identity. It has > >made it threateningly clear to them that in case they convert to > >non-Hindu religions, they will be deprived of the privileges bestowed > >on them by the Constitution of India. Thus, the Bill, holding an axe > >on heads of those SCs/STs, who may convert to other egalitarian > >religions in search of a better social status, will be instrumental in > >mobilizing the Vote bank of the BJP. Against this backdrop it is not > >difficult to understand why the Modi government is eager to > >incorporate Jainism and Buddhism into the Hindu 'mainstream'. > > > > > > > >The danger of this Bill goes beyond the politics of ballots and > >identity. It strikes at the very roots of the humanity. It brings all > >sorts of social work for the poor and needy citizens into the pale of > >suspicion. It puts a question mark on the sincerity of all activities > >by all non-Hindutva charity trusts. > > > > > >arshad amanullah > >34,masihgarh, > >jamia nagar > >new delhi-25. > >_________________________________________ > >reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > >Critiques & Collaborations > >To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe > >in the subject header. > >To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > >List archive: > > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: -- -- Jassim Ali Revolutionist / Poet/ Manager / Prisoner / Escape-artist / Acrobat / Weaver / Rain Maker / Bio-scope Wallah ! Strategic Planning & Business Development OMD Digital Al Thuraya Tower, 19th Floor Dubai Media City PO Box 121428, Dubai, UAE Mobile: +97150 3425980 Telephone: +9714 360 4182 (direct) Facsimile: +9714 36 88 230 Website : www.omd.com Blog: www.tefloncoatedyuppie.blogspot.com "Those that danced were thought mad by those who could not hear the music" -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061014/af5891f5/attachment.html From bhatnagar_anamika at rediffmail.com Fri Oct 13 19:21:56 2006 From: bhatnagar_anamika at rediffmail.com (Anamika Bhatnagar) Date: 13 Oct 2006 13:51:56 -0000 Subject: [Reader-list] India's First Search Engine Message-ID: <20061013135156.18397.qmail@webmail66.rediffmail.com>   Hi Even I tend to agree with Tapas. We need to be careful with the words we use...I see nothing wrong in having an Indian search engine. Agreed there may be marketing stunts involved and the fact that both the founders are from IIT and want to use it for branding...I see nothing wrong in it...why call it an IIT publicity stunt?! It is not even on their front page...of guruju.com staring into our eyes saying it has been made by two IITians. It is there in their biographies. If they don't put it there, where will they put it? anamika. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061013/3ff5bd86/attachment.html From jace at pobox.com Sat Oct 14 15:54:51 2006 From: jace at pobox.com (Kiran Jonnalagadda) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:54:51 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] India's First Search Engine In-Reply-To: <20061013135156.18397.qmail@webmail66.rediffmail.com> References: <20061013135156.18397.qmail@webmail66.rediffmail.com> Message-ID: I think the more interesting bit is, when they describe something as "Indian so and so", exactly what does "Indian" mean here? The most typical use is when some site claims to be a replica of a more famous site "for the Indian community", which begs the question: is India a community? Usually, not. The typical Indian doesn't go online to meet other Indians. They are likelier to go looking for like-minded people under more specific categorisation, like people who are in the same profession as them, have similar political views, similar ethnic background, or otherwise. "India" is too broad to appeal here. A site may as well serve all Internet users worldwide but figure out how to present a personalised view to each user depending on what they are likely to be interested in. India does become a valid community in the context of a matrimonial site owing to the peculiarities of this tradition, but regional communities are even stronger, accounting for the spate of regional matrimonial sites, and the clear categorisation in pan-India sites. Here it is a tussle between community identity and brand recall. On the other hand, when a site like 70mm seeks to replicate NetFlix in "India", they are referring to the geographical and legal region of India. This too is a valid category. The dynamics of distributing movies from India to India is very different from distribution from India to Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka (or from NetFlix in the US to customers in India). Summary: making an India-specific site for reason of the dynamics of doing business in India is good, while being India-specific because you think your users will want to restrict themselves to that is bad. Witness how there are several successful examples of e-commerce sites in India, while practically none of search engines or social networking sites. At the moment, neither Raftaar nor Guruji appear to have any edge over Google. Their results may be more relevant, but that is not sufficient. They don't do worldwide searches, so one still has to use Google for that, and when India-specific results are needed, it's easier to check the box in Google than to remember to use a wholly different website with a new UI (the pages may appear similar, but UI is more than just appearance). Raftaar's USP is that they can read and index pages that use an encoding scheme other than Unicode. This is valid, but not sufficient to give them traction, and will only work while there's a sufficiently large userbase for such sites, and only until Google implements the same. In other words, it's a dead end street. Kiran On 13/Oct/2006, at 7:21 PM, Anamika Bhatnagar wrote: > > Hi > > Even I tend to agree with Tapas. We need to be careful with the > words we use...I see nothing wrong in having an Indian search > engine. Agreed there may be marketing stunts involved and the fact > that both the founders are from IIT and want to use it for > branding...I see nothing wrong in it...why call it an IIT publicity > stunt?! > > It is not even on their front page...of guruju.com staring into our > eyes saying it has been made by two IITians. It is there in their > biographies. If they don't put it there, where will they put it? > > anamika. > > > > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> -- Kiran Jonnalagadda http://jace.seacrow.com/ From t.ray at vsnl.com Sat Oct 14 21:45:49 2006 From: t.ray at vsnl.com (t.ray at vsnl.com) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 16:15:49 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Reader-list] India's First Search Engine Message-ID: Aman, Anamika and Kiran, I think India *can* be seen as a comunity if you go by one of the broader definitions from COD: "the people of an area or country considered collectively". The problem with Shivam's thinking, in my understanding, is that he seems to be mixing up the search engine as an instrument for locating pages with certain characteristics specified by the user, with the internet's characteristics as a seamless information space. In other words, it's a confusion between two analytical levels. I haven't had time to check out guruji's functionality, but I do wish they would use another name. The present one seems to have too strong a reference to the Hindu (and Hindi) tradition. That might offend some sensibilities. However, it is a private company and its owners have a right to name it the way they want as long as it's not against the law ... don't ask me which law, Indian or the law of any country where the net is accessible, because I can't even begin to answer that one. Best, Tapas >I think the more interesting bit is, when they describe something as > "Indian so and so", exactly what does "Indian" mean here? > > The most typical use is when some site claims to be a replica of a > more famous site "for the Indian community", which begs the question: > is India a community? > > Usually, not. The typical Indian doesn't go online to meet other > Indians. They are likelier to go looking for like-minded people under > more specific categorisation, like people who are in the same > profession as them, have similar political views, similar ethnic > background, or otherwise. "India" is too broad to appeal here. A site > may as well serve all Internet users worldwide but figure out how to > present a personalised view to each user depending on what they are > likely to be interested in. > > India does become a valid community in the context of a matrimonial > site owing to the peculiarities of this tradition, but regional > communities are even stronger, accounting for the spate of regional > matrimonial sites, and the clear categorisation in pan-India sites. > Here it is a tussle between community identity and brand recall. > > On the other hand, when a site like 70mm seeks to replicate NetFlix > in "India", they are referring to the geographical and legal region > of India. This too is a valid category. The dynamics of distributing > movies from India to India is very different from distribution from > India to Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka (or from NetFlix in the US > to customers in India). > > Summary: making an India-specific site for reason of the dynamics of > doing business in India is good, while being India-specific because > you think your users will want to restrict themselves to that is bad. > > Witness how there are several successful examples of e-commerce sites > in India, while practically none of search engines or social > networking sites. > > At the moment, neither Raftaar nor Guruji appear to have any edge > over Google. Their results may be more relevant, but that is not > sufficient. They don't do worldwide searches, so one still has to use > Google for that, and when India-specific results are needed, it's > easier to check the box in Google than to remember to use a wholly > different website with a new UI (the pages may appear similar, but UI > is more than just appearance). > > Raftaar's USP is that they can read and index pages that use an > encoding scheme other than Unicode. This is valid, but not sufficient > to give them traction, and will only work while there's a > sufficiently large userbase for such sites, and only until Google > implements the same. In other words, it's a dead end street. > > Kiran > > > On 13/Oct/2006, at 7:21 PM, Anamika Bhatnagar wrote: > >> >> Hi >> >> Even I tend to agree with Tapas. We need to be careful with the >> words we use...I see nothing wrong in having an Indian search >> engine. Agreed there may be marketing stunts involved and the fact >> that both the founders are from IIT and want to use it for >> branding...I see nothing wrong in it...why call it an IIT publicity >> stunt?! >> >> It is not even on their front page...of guruju.com staring into our >> eyes saying it has been made by two IITians. It is there in their >> biographies. If they don't put it there, where will they put it? >> >> anamika. >> >> >> >> >> _________________________________________ >> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. >> Critiques & Collaborations >> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with >> subscribe in the subject header. >> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list >> List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> > > > > -- > Kiran Jonnalagadda > http://jace.seacrow.com/ From zigzackly at gmail.com Sat Oct 14 22:40:27 2006 From: zigzackly at gmail.com (peter griffin) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 18:10:27 +0100 Subject: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE Message-ID: <4d145a50610141010g4aafb028r8aaa0036b76bb31c@mail.gmail.com> First? Heh. Anyone remember Khoj? From, um, lemme see, the second half of the 1990s? One of Rajesh Jain's creations, if memory serves. (It was bought over by Sify for much moolah, with some other sites he created, and was, IMO, the big catalyst for the Indian dotcom boom. The *first* boom. Which many among you may not remember. :) ) > Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 11:06:10 +0530 > From: "Peeyush Bajpai" > Subject: Re: [Reader-list] reader-list Digest, Vol 39, Issue 17 > To: reader-list at sarai.net > > Another First Hindustani Search Engine is www.Raftaar.com, the only > other difference is that it is in HINDI. > > Take a look www.raftaar.com > > Peeyush > > > > > > 1. INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE (Moslem Ali Quraishy) > > 2. Re: INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE (Shivam Vij) > > > The Hindu Business Line > > > > www.guruji.com, founded by two Delhi IIT graduates, on Thursday launched > > country's first local Internet search engine. > > > > Aimed at the Indian web consumer, Guruji.com is focussed on providing > > better search results by leveraging proprietary algorithms and data in the > > Indian context, its Co-Founder and CEO Anurag Dod said. > > > > Crawl technology used by Guruji.com is a complex computing system that > > crawls the web identifying Indian content using sophisticated algorithms. > > http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2160055.cms > > > > > > Moslem Quraishy From franciska at skynet.be Sat Oct 14 23:08:27 2006 From: franciska at skynet.be (Franciska Lambrechts) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 19:38:27 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL (Vedavati Jogi) In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I think this kind of reasoning caused the partition in the first place. On 14-okt-06, at 10:34, reader-list-request at sarai.net wrote: > i appreciate gujrat govt. for showing this courage...... > when muslims outnumber hindus, this country is partitioned, in 1947 we > have > experienced this. > kashmir problem is also an eyeopener for all hindus > (excluding mentally bankrupt pseudo secularists) > > vedavati From mail at shivamvij.com Sat Oct 14 23:44:32 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 23:44:32 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] India's First Search Engine In-Reply-To: <20061013135156.18397.qmail@webmail66.rediffmail.com> References: <20061013135156.18397.qmail@webmail66.rediffmail.com> Message-ID: <9c06aab30610141114p545b2116j640f0ed7f8c557c1@mail.gmail.com> Dear Anamika, Nice to be in touch again :) Yes, we do need to choose our words carefully, but more importantly, *read* them carefully. When did I say it was wrong to have an Indian search engine, or that its founders should disown their undergrad brandname? Warmly, Shivam -- http://www.shivamvij.com From mail at shivamvij.com Sat Oct 14 23:41:21 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 23:41:21 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9c06aab30610141111r7cc90f8eg4fa08fccc375e4cb@mail.gmail.com> On 10/13/06, t.ray at vsnl.com wrote: > Shivam, > > I am an IIT-an, among other things. I say "other things" to stress the point that I have not confined myself to being an IIT-an and all that it entails in the popular imagination. For many years now, I have not even been an engineer ... and no, not a management guy either. Nice to know you better, Tapas. > > That said, let me ask you what exactly is objectionable in trying to find India-related content on the web. Why exactly is it parochial? I suppose you have used Google. Have you noticed that the home page of Google India has an option up front that says "pages from India"? Is that parochial? If not, why? Because Google is an American company? > > Maybe I am missing something here. Could you help me understand the logic? > Tapas, I didn't say there's anything wrong with finding Indian content on the web. I do it at least a dozen times a day through Google, and at least another dozen times when I visit Indian news sites. My point was, and I quote: > > Yet, what is this gobbledygook about the web > > algorithms - how exactly do they identify a web page as Indian? Indian > > server? The word 'India'? An article about America on an Indian site - > > is that Indian? An article about India on an American site - is that > > Indian? I was asking questions out of sheer ignorance, and if I had the answers I wouldn't have asked them. > Also, could you please explain what you mean by "another IITan publicity stunt"? That dig was probably unwarranted, but the news excerpt quoted by Quraishy says in the very first line that the site has been founded by two IIT Delhi graduates. Perhaps it was the writer of the report who thought the IIT bit made good copy, though it is more likely that the IIT badge was prominently advertised in the press release itself, given that it is there in all twelve results I could find about it on Google News: http://news.google.co.in/news?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tab=wn&ncl=http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/tech/searchenginegoesswadeshisearchengine/searchenginegoesswadeshi/market/stocks/article/245430&hl=en I agree that this was a frivolous remark on my part, but equally, I don't see why it should have bothered you! Or perhaps I was thinking about another IIT 'stunt' gone awry: http://purohitexposed.blogspot.com/ :) And if you can still help me understand how a certain webpage may be identified as being Indian by a web crawler, I'll be grateful to you for that. Continuing conversations, Shivam -- http://www.shivamvij.com From mail at shivamvij.com Sat Oct 14 23:53:02 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 23:53:02 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] India's First Search Engine In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9c06aab30610141123p45eb7fek583197660febbeab@mail.gmail.com> On 10/14/06, t.ray at vsnl.com wrote: > The problem with Shivam's thinking, in my understanding, is that he seems to be mixing up the search engine as an instrument for locating pages with certain characteristics specified by the user, with the internet's characteristics as a seamless information space. In other words, it's a confusion between two analytical levels. Tapas, that is not the case. My point is simply that I'd rather search all of the web rather than what an upstart claims can search only Indian webpages, or Google India Search for that matter, when it is not even clear how a webpage is defined as Indian. That is all. > > I haven't had time to check out guruji's functionality, but I do wish they would use another name. The present one seems to have too strong a reference to the Hindu (and Hindi) tradition. That might offend some sensibilities. However, it is a private company and its owners have a right to name it the way they want as long as it's not against the law ... don't ask me which law, Indian or the law of any country where the net is accessible, because I can't even begin to answer that one. Of course, and nobody' even questioning Guruji's rights as a private organisation, including the right to have such an unimaginative name. Best, S > Best, > > Tapas > > > > >I think the more interesting bit is, when they describe something as > > "Indian so and so", exactly what does "Indian" mean here? > > > > The most typical use is when some site claims to be a replica of a > > more famous site "for the Indian community", which begs the question: > > is India a community? > > > > Usually, not. The typical Indian doesn't go online to meet other > > Indians. They are likelier to go looking for like-minded people under > > more specific categorisation, like people who are in the same > > profession as them, have similar political views, similar ethnic > > background, or otherwise. "India" is too broad to appeal here. A site > > may as well serve all Internet users worldwide but figure out how to > > present a personalised view to each user depending on what they are > > likely to be interested in. > > > > India does become a valid community in the context of a matrimonial > > site owing to the peculiarities of this tradition, but regional > > communities are even stronger, accounting for the spate of regional > > matrimonial sites, and the clear categorisation in pan-India sites. > > Here it is a tussle between community identity and brand recall. > > > > On the other hand, when a site like 70mm seeks to replicate NetFlix > > in "India", they are referring to the geographical and legal region > > of India. This too is a valid category. The dynamics of distributing > > movies from India to India is very different from distribution from > > India to Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka (or from NetFlix in the US > > to customers in India). > > > > Summary: making an India-specific site for reason of the dynamics of > > doing business in India is good, while being India-specific because > > you think your users will want to restrict themselves to that is bad. > > > > Witness how there are several successful examples of e-commerce sites > > in India, while practically none of search engines or social > > networking sites. > > > > At the moment, neither Raftaar nor Guruji appear to have any edge > > over Google. Their results may be more relevant, but that is not > > sufficient. They don't do worldwide searches, so one still has to use > > Google for that, and when India-specific results are needed, it's > > easier to check the box in Google than to remember to use a wholly > > different website with a new UI (the pages may appear similar, but UI > > is more than just appearance). > > > > Raftaar's USP is that they can read and index pages that use an > > encoding scheme other than Unicode. This is valid, but not sufficient > > to give them traction, and will only work while there's a > > sufficiently large userbase for such sites, and only until Google > > implements the same. In other words, it's a dead end street. > > > > Kiran > > > > > > On 13/Oct/2006, at 7:21 PM, Anamika Bhatnagar wrote: > > > >> > >> Hi > >> > >> Even I tend to agree with Tapas. We need to be careful with the > >> words we use...I see nothing wrong in having an Indian search > >> engine. Agreed there may be marketing stunts involved and the fact > >> that both the founders are from IIT and want to use it for > >> branding...I see nothing wrong in it...why call it an IIT publicity > >> stunt?! > >> > >> It is not even on their front page...of guruju.com staring into our > >> eyes saying it has been made by two IITians. It is there in their > >> biographies. If they don't put it there, where will they put it? > >> > >> anamika. > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> _________________________________________ > >> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > >> Critiques & Collaborations > >> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > >> subscribe in the subject header. > >> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > >> List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> > > > > > > > > -- > > Kiran Jonnalagadda > > http://jace.seacrow.com/ > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> -- http://www.shivamvij.com From t.ray at vsnl.com Sun Oct 15 01:00:52 2006 From: t.ray at vsnl.com (t.ray at vsnl.com) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 19:30:52 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Reader-list] India's First Search Engine Message-ID: Shivam, I see what you meant. Thanks. Tapas > Tapas, that is not the case. My point is simply that I'd rather search > all of the web rather than what an upstart claims can search only > Indian webpages, or Google India Search for that matter, when it is > not even clear how a webpage is defined as Indian. That is all. > From jace at pobox.com Sun Oct 15 09:57:47 2006 From: jace at pobox.com (Kiran Jonnalagadda) Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 09:57:47 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] India's First Search Engine In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <6D9E7268-8579-46C4-93D6-3F0C5E2BBE06@pobox.com> Yes, Tapas, So you do agree context makes the difference. This is a crucial bit that many of these sites seem to have missed. Who is "India" a community to? The site's creators, or the users? To which of these parties does India being a single, unified community become important to? For an e-commerce site, it's straightforward. India is (more or less) a single market with a common currency and common jurisdiction for certain classes of trade. It makes sense for an e-commerce site to be India focused. Users don't particularly care about where the site is hosted or what countries other users come from, as long it accepts a local currency and delivers quick and cheap (buying off Amazon vs FabMall, for eg). For a matrimonial site, while there are no operational barriers to serving the entire world, users specifically want to interact with other Indians, for reasons that run deeper than the site can hope to influence. Therefore it makes sense for the site to be India focused. (It is also worth noting that these sites are marriage focused, whereas elsewhere in the world they would be dating sites; dating sites have fared poorly in India.) So either the nature of operations should draw limits corresponding to the borders of India, or users should specially seek "Indianness". What, then, does one make of a site like Yaari.com, which hopes to be the Indian MySpace? 1. Are there operational difficulties to being global? 2. Do Indians want to restrict their online social circles to other Indians, or do they at least want to segregate Indians in their social circle from everyone else? Both appear a clear No to me. So what does Yaari hope will differentiate itself? The desi flavour? The CEO, Prerna Gupta, explains this is indeed so [1]. What, then, makes for "flavour"? The colours used on the site? The language of messages in the interface (a la PutVote.com)? Or the people you get to meet on the site? Surely the latter trumps all other forms of desi flavour? But surely your Indian friends are already talking to you on Orkut, MySpace, LiveJournal and a host of other spaces? So why would they move? Is an improvement over Orkut's scraps, one piece of the functionality, sufficient justification? Or does Yaari hope they'll entice you with the prospect of running into a fellow Indian no matter which random profile you pick? But do people actually visit random profiles so much? Is it not the case that after you've used Orkut, MySpace, LiveJournal, even Ryze for a while, pretty much anything on the site seems a familiar corner, because these sites are constructed to deliver you a personal universe that contains what you want it to contain? (I posted to this list on the same lines in relation to LiveJournal, last August). How does Yaari hope to break this spell then, by merely being "Indian" flavoured? Or is all the talk about being Indian only meant to be a media hook, to get the attention of reporters seeking an Indian angle to the story, because *their* publications, owing to operational constraints and community formed by extent of political jurisdiction, are limited to India? ~j [1] http://www.tech2.com/india/news/websites/desi-social-networking- site-yaari-com-debuts/2271/0 On 14/Oct/2006, at 9:45 PM, t.ray at vsnl.com wrote: > Aman, Anamika and Kiran, > > I think India *can* be seen as a comunity if you go by one of the > broader definitions from COD: "the people of an area or country > considered collectively". > > The problem with Shivam's thinking, in my understanding, is that he > seems to be mixing up the search engine as an instrument for > locating pages with certain characteristics specified by the user, > with the internet's characteristics as a seamless information > space. In other words, it's a confusion between two analytical levels. > > I haven't had time to check out guruji's functionality, but I do > wish they would use another name. The present one seems to have too > strong a reference to the Hindu (and Hindi) tradition. That might > offend some sensibilities. However, it is a private company and its > owners have a right to name it the way they want as long as it's > not against the law ... don't ask me which law, Indian or the law > of any country where the net is accessible, because I can't even > begin to answer that one. > > Best, > > Tapas > > > >> I think the more interesting bit is, when they describe something as >> "Indian so and so", exactly what does "Indian" mean here? >> >> The most typical use is when some site claims to be a replica of a >> more famous site "for the Indian community", which begs the question: >> is India a community? >> >> Usually, not. The typical Indian doesn't go online to meet other >> Indians. They are likelier to go looking for like-minded people under >> more specific categorisation, like people who are in the same >> profession as them, have similar political views, similar ethnic >> background, or otherwise. "India" is too broad to appeal here. A site >> may as well serve all Internet users worldwide but figure out how to >> present a personalised view to each user depending on what they are >> likely to be interested in. >> >> India does become a valid community in the context of a matrimonial >> site owing to the peculiarities of this tradition, but regional >> communities are even stronger, accounting for the spate of regional >> matrimonial sites, and the clear categorisation in pan-India sites. >> Here it is a tussle between community identity and brand recall. >> >> On the other hand, when a site like 70mm seeks to replicate NetFlix >> in "India", they are referring to the geographical and legal region >> of India. This too is a valid category. The dynamics of distributing >> movies from India to India is very different from distribution from >> India to Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka (or from NetFlix in the US >> to customers in India). >> >> Summary: making an India-specific site for reason of the dynamics of >> doing business in India is good, while being India-specific because >> you think your users will want to restrict themselves to that is bad. >> >> Witness how there are several successful examples of e-commerce sites >> in India, while practically none of search engines or social >> networking sites. >> >> At the moment, neither Raftaar nor Guruji appear to have any edge >> over Google. Their results may be more relevant, but that is not >> sufficient. They don't do worldwide searches, so one still has to use >> Google for that, and when India-specific results are needed, it's >> easier to check the box in Google than to remember to use a wholly >> different website with a new UI (the pages may appear similar, but UI >> is more than just appearance). >> >> Raftaar's USP is that they can read and index pages that use an >> encoding scheme other than Unicode. This is valid, but not sufficient >> to give them traction, and will only work while there's a >> sufficiently large userbase for such sites, and only until Google >> implements the same. In other words, it's a dead end street. >> >> Kiran >> >> >> On 13/Oct/2006, at 7:21 PM, Anamika Bhatnagar wrote: >> >>> >>> Hi >>> >>> Even I tend to agree with Tapas. We need to be careful with the >>> words we use...I see nothing wrong in having an Indian search >>> engine. Agreed there may be marketing stunts involved and the fact >>> that both the founders are from IIT and want to use it for >>> branding...I see nothing wrong in it...why call it an IIT publicity >>> stunt?! >>> >>> It is not even on their front page...of guruju.com staring into our >>> eyes saying it has been made by two IITians. It is there in their >>> biographies. If they don't put it there, where will they put it? >>> >>> anamika. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _________________________________________ >>> reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. >>> Critiques & Collaborations >>> To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with >>> subscribe in the subject header. >>> To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list >>> List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> >> >> >> >> -- >> Kiran Jonnalagadda >> http://jace.seacrow.com/ > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> -- Kiran Jonnalagadda http://jace.seacrow.com/ From tushar_bhor at yahoo.com Sat Oct 14 18:22:34 2006 From: tushar_bhor at yahoo.com (tushar bhor) Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 05:52:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] "emerging communities" thru ORKUT Message-ID: <20061014125234.57544.qmail@web51907.mail.yahoo.com> Now-a-days it not difficult to find your old crush, ever lasting grudge, bus stop pals, extended family members, etc etc etc. They all are just click apart. The possibility of meeting is through a virtual community called Orkut. Other day at friends place, aunty actually suggested my friend to scrap their distant relative and convey their regards. Apart from flirting and legally peeping into others life, the site gives an opportunity to express one’s opinion in the existing created virtual communities or it provides a space for forming a new community, which could be as silly as “ I hate Ekta Kapoor “ to as serious as promoting hacking through “Hackers” community. As I was browsing I encounter an interesting community called “Need Of Students in Politics”. Let’s see what it talks abt - This is a forum to indicate the need of educated people in the Politics, especially students who are well mannered, good natured,,, it will be a revolution if students enter students.......... soon India will become a Powerful country..... every State People can start a discussion on their own......... Advance thanking you, for making an awareness of the powerful future of students in politics.............. Further, the questions that were posted were more hilarious or rather worrying, which asked about the “opinion about Manmohan Singh” and also like “does Tamilnadu need students politics”, etc. The particular community talks about the concern on the larger picture, which young mind may be questioning and till now there was limited access for their voice. Looking backward historically, the community structure was largely based on caste, religion, demographic location or even formed due collective concern where people physically came in together. Later was period of associations were people came together for reasons of survival and rights. But, the new community structure or formations has their own ideology or even no logically framework. It might be formed through just an instinct with no operational reasons. Like one which on orkut “Lazy bones”, which is meant for people who would like to go languid to a largest extent. But these kind of virtual communities have empowered users to aspect of life which other wise are not accepted in the societal. These new virtual communities have developed their own concerns, language, and operational needs, which factually can be emerging structures for so called “contemporary communities”. Let time decide how they sustain and operate!! Enjoy orkutting!!!! TUSHAR BHOR ARCHITECT and INDEPENDENT RESEARCHER. Residence Address: 10/60, Madhu Sadan,Sion(w),Mumbai–400022,Maharashtra,India. Tel. No: +91 22 24083828. Mobile: +91 98190 35176. E mail: tushar_bhor at yahoo.com --------------------------------- Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061014/95a4d286/attachment.html From arshad.mcrc at gmail.com Sun Oct 15 22:55:50 2006 From: arshad.mcrc at gmail.com (arshad amanullah) Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 22:55:50 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] My Comments on the Nobel Peace Prize for Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh Message-ID: <2076f31d0610151025m7df66188h6425dc290c095e8c@mail.gmail.com> My Comments on the Nobel Peace Prize for Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh Taj Hashmi In response to Mirza A. Beg's article on Dr Muhammad Yunus's getting the Nobel Peace Prize, I have the following comments: This award proves again the Goebblian dictum that a lie uttered a thousand times becomes more credible than the truth. This Nobel Peace Prize for Yunus and his bank, on a "Friday the 13th" is a slap in the face of those who have been trying to bring the Third World out of the strangling grip of the global hegemons -- the IMF, World Bank and others -- who hate to see the Third World slipping out of their grip to become self-reliant with good accountable governments, rule of law and respect for human rights. This NGO business is the biggest business in the Third World. The IMF and World Bank, and most multi-nationals do not want too many Chinas, Taiwans,Malaysias, Thailand, Venezuelas, or even Singapores and South Koreas. They love countries like Bangladesh, Philippines, Egypt, Indonesia and Pakistan. who either buy arms, technology and expertise from the West, or do not build industrial infrastructure and good governance. There is NO substitute for good (honest and efficient) and accountable government. Why the Asian dragons and tigers did not adopt NGOs and microcredit for development is the billion dollar question. Having written this, I am happy for Bangladesh; this Nobel Prize (given for the wrong reason though) will bring a good name for the country, which is unfortunately only known for its poverty and corruption. I pose the following questions to those who unnecessarily glorify Dr Yunus and his bank: Do you know in most cases it is the husband / father/ elder brother who controls the Grameen loan taken in the name of his wife/daughter/sister? Do you know the bank charges around 30% interest? Do you know that Grameen borrowers lend the borrowed money at 80% to 100% interest to fellow villagers? Do you know any other business where someone can still make a living by borrowing at 30% interest rate? Do you know in some villages (especially in Sylhet) men take three/four wives to get Grameen loan to run their lucrative money lending business? Do you know that the poorest of the poor (as touted by Yunus, Clintons and others) are not eligible to Grameen loan as they cannot repay their loans in 52 instalments at 30% interest? Do you know that only middle peasants (having some lands or assets) are eligible to the credit? Had there been such business one would have borrowed thousands of dollars through credit cards to become rich overnight. I would like to recommend Nobel Peace Prize (why not the Economics prize?!) for all the credit card companies as they charge around 18 -20% and nothing happens to the defaulters. There are many people in the lower income group who somehow survive through credit cards, by borrowing and paying off the debts. And we have no reason to celebrate the performance of the Amex, Visa or Masters Card companies for their "noble and humane" acts of "empowering the poor through credit". It is a "shame" that credit card companies for charging less than 20% interest on the average are never considered for any prize anywhere in the world!While Grameen defaulters have to part with their ornaments, tin sheds, goats or cattle or even utensils, many credit card defaulters simply get away with by paying nothing. After staying four or five years in the state of bankruptcy, they again become creditable. All these assertions by me are buttressed by hard evidences from my field work and personal experience in Bangladesh. Why do you think Monsanto, the giant US corporation, engaged in marketing genetically modified seeds (disastrous in the long run as peansants will have to buy the seeds before every sowing season) is a big promoter of microcredit? Why does Grameen Bank pay NO income tax to Bangladesh? Why did Grameen Phone ( a joint Bangladesh-Norway cell phone company) pay any income tax till this year? This is the largest cell phone company in Bangladesh, charging for local incoming calls as well. Is there a link between this award and Grameen Phone's (Dr Yunus's cell phone company) partnership with the Norweigian telephone company, Nortel? Do you know that the Nortel has been siphoning off millions of dollars to Norway without paying any income tax to Bangladesh? And all of this money laundering is done in the name of charity? What a shame, what a disgrace! Instead of jointly robbing Bangladesh through this Shylockian project of mega lending to rip off the poor in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Grameen Bank, donor agencies (the real vultures in the production-growth-development arena), had they been really sincere in developing poor countries like Bangladesh, would have helped to modernize Bangladesh government run telecommunication system. But the Nortel, for the obvious reason, found it convenient to invest in the Grameen cell phone company in Bangladesh. And sadly, this happened through the active collaboration of Dr Muhammad Yunus. Why did Dr Yunus try to introduce Monsanto seeds in Bangladesh? And finally he had to scrap this project due to opposition. If micro-credit could alleviate poverty, why on earth hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis are going to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Singapore, borrowing hundreds of thousands of takas (two lakh per head on the average) to work as menials? If borrowing fifty or sixty dollars could alleviate poverty, why are they doing so? Are they stupids? Cheers Taj Hashmi Canada Email: taj_hashmi at hotmail.com arshad amanullah 34,masihgarh, jamia nagar new delhi-25. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061015/b5f306ab/attachment.html From vedprakash.sharma at gmail.com Sun Oct 15 07:02:07 2006 From: vedprakash.sharma at gmail.com (Vedprakash Sharma) Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 07:02:07 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] New member Message-ID: <003a01c6eff9$bcf8b970$6401a8c0@ved6suqbkuh1sf> Hi all, I have just joined the list. so let me introduce myself. I'm Vedprakash Sharma from Delhi teaching music in a Govt school. I'm doing my Ph.D. on South Asian musical instrumentalists: new career options. general philosophy, music of all types, reading e-books on current affairs are some of my hobbies. let us hope that this platform proves to be a source for mutual contentment. Regards Vedprakash Sharma, Ph 011-32440078, M 09350158273 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061015/7e8c0429/attachment.html From aliak77 at gmail.com Mon Oct 16 11:27:45 2006 From: aliak77 at gmail.com (Kath O'Donnell) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 06:57:45 +0100 Subject: [Reader-list] My Comments on the Nobel Peace Prize for Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh In-Reply-To: <2076f31d0610151025m7df66188h6425dc290c095e8c@mail.gmail.com> References: <2076f31d0610151025m7df66188h6425dc290c095e8c@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <383607190610152257n33d9da1l95542a2357401dd7@mail.gmail.com> thanks for your comments Arshad. I'm afraid I didn't know much about these loans prior to reading in the (Hindustan Times) paper over the weekend. from what the papers say it also sounds like the loans are only available for people in regional areas not the cities where there are still many who could benefit to start their own business. I was not aware of the other issues you mentioned below - there are always ways people will exploit a monetary situation. I'm not sure this will ever change (no matter what country). do you think the loans have helped some people/women though - not all were exploited were they? or are they (the papers) just using stereotypes of examples of women who take a loan to buy chickens to sell the eggs because it sounds nice to the readers. there's so many different scenarios in India that I'm unfamiliar with which I'd like to understand more about, so apologies if this sounds a touch naive. I read of so many stories in the paper, but they never go into depth and the articles I think should be front page so people take more notice seem to be buried as small paragraphs deep in the middle section of the papers. (same with papers around the world) cheers Kath On 10/15/06, arshad amanullah wrote: > > My Comments on the Nobel Peace Prize for Dr Yunus and > Grameen Bank of Bangladesh > > Taj Hashmi > > > In response to Mirza A. Beg's article on Dr Muhammad > Yunus's getting the Nobel Peace Prize, I have the > following comments: > -- http://www.aliak.com From abshi at vsnl.com Mon Oct 16 11:58:06 2006 From: abshi at vsnl.com (Shilpa Phadke) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 11:58:06 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Films of Desire: Sexuality and the Cinematic Imagination References: Message-ID: <007b01c6f0ec$3e083070$b488050a@pentium4> Films of Desire: Sexuality and the Cinematic Imagination Neemrana Fort Palace, Rajasthan, India March 7 - 10, 2007 Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action (CREA) The Event Films of Desire: Sexuality and the Cinematic Imagination is a four day event that aims to explore the ways in which visual representations in features, short films, documentaries, animation, music videos, and experimental films engage with ideas of sexuality in South and Southeast Asia. This event will address the different ways in which desires get articulated; normative and non-normative sexualities get represented; and how the filmmakers' intentions may be displaced by multiple readings by the audience. The program will feature screenings and panel discussions combining the aesthetic pleasures of watching films and the intellectual stimulation of discussions in a seminar format. Works, ideas and cinema from around the world will be discussed with a special focus on South and Southeast Asia. The Aim The event aims to foster a more complex understanding of issues of representation, sexuality, gender and rights; to strengthen advocacy strategies that might include visual representations; and to expand the resource pool of people in South and Southeast Asia who work on issues of sexuality, rights and representation. Criteria for Participation We welcome applications from individuals interested in sexuality and representation. Preference will be given to individuals who are at an early stage of their career who currently live and work in the South and Southeast Asian region, and who have demonstrated a sustained interest in these issues. They must be fluent in English. Short Film Submissions If you are a filmmaker and have made a film on sexuality, you are welcome to submit it in DVD format. Ten short films of not more than twenty minutes each will be selected to be shown at the event. If your film is selected we will offer you a scholarship to participate. Scholarships A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available for participants from South and Southeast Asia. These will be provided for travel and accommodation by the South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality, which is hosted by Talking About Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues (TARSHI). www.asiasrc.org Registration Fee To meet a small proportion of the costs, all selected participants from South and Southeast Asia are expected to contribute a registration fee of Rs.4500 or $100 (individuals) and Rs.6500 or $150 (institutions). Others will contribute a registration fee of $250. Website Films of Desire will host a permanent website ( www.filmsofdesire.org - under construction) and blog with information about the event, the panel discussions and films. This will be developed and maintained by the Association for Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support Programme. www.apcwomen.org Venue Films of Desire will be held from March 7 to 10, 2007 at the Neemrana Fort Palace in Rajasthan, India, which is a two hour drive from New Delhi. The Fort is an aesthetic location that includes an open-air amphitheatre. The Neemrana Group of Hotels has offered us rooms at discounted rates for this event. However, please be aware as a converted 15th century fort, it has steep staircases, complicated floor plans, and dim lighting. www.neemranahotels.com The Organizer CREA, founded in 2000, is a not for profit organization that aims at empowering women to articulate, demand and access their human rights by enhancing women's leadership and building networks at the local, regional and international levels through training, advocacy and research. CREA's efforts are dedicated to creating networks for social change, strengthening civil society organizations, building leadership capacities of a new generation of activists and empowering individuals to fight for their rights. CREA's work focuses on issues of sexuality, sexual and reproductive rights, violence against women, human rights and social justice. www.creaworld.org From supreet.sethi at gmail.com Mon Oct 16 12:39:54 2006 From: supreet.sethi at gmail.com (s|s) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:39:54 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE In-Reply-To: <9c06aab30610141111r7cc90f8eg4fa08fccc375e4cb@mail.gmail.com> References: <9c06aab30610141111r7cc90f8eg4fa08fccc375e4cb@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: The word before algorithm used in press release is proprietory. Being keenly involved with search engines, one can still assume few ways of doing this including IP tracking, reverse DNS, content type/encoding, content weight. My hunch is, its using all of them. Also one can use some search engine techniques which are also subject of my FOSS fellowship. As a sample, word India throws up following keywords: 'perilous times', 'bombay', 'urdu', 'socialism', 'kashmir', 'travel, 'women', 'reality bites', 'mumbai blasts', 'islam', 'quiddities and oddities', 'peace', 'dalit', 'iraq', 'liberal', 'chavez', 'religion', 'bill maher', 'war and rumors', 'vande mataram' Some of the keywords are obvious suspects others are unexpected. If software can track these complex interrelations, I guess it is possible to make India specific engine considering they have much larger index of websites compared to mine. Hope that answers the query. regards supreet http://supreetsethi.net From hpp at vsnl.com Mon Oct 16 12:49:33 2006 From: hpp at vsnl.com (hpp at vsnl.com) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:19:33 +0500 Subject: [Reader-list] Nobel Peace Prize - Grameen Bank Message-ID: Dear Mr Taj Hashmi I was glad to read your piece on the Nobel Peace Prize award to Dr M Yunus and Grameen Bank. I would be grateful to receive the link to Mirza A. Beg's article referred to by you. I had been thinking about the irony of a Muslim from a Muslim country being awarded the peace prize for a scheme to give loans to the poor at high rates of interest. As a socio-economist, I am entirely in favour of the Islamic stricture against interest. I see this as socially revolutionary. In essence this means that the lender of capital has to become a risk-taking entrepreneur, earning profits. In practice, in a poverty context, it would mean genuinely socialising the economy, through bringing capital flow into pro-poor concerns. But something like this is yet to happen. I know there are associations, journals, and institutes devoted to Islamic banking. Recently I learnt about such an institute in Malaysia. I would be glad to read critiques of the "microcredit revolution" from such quarters. Regarding microcredit, I am disturbed that this has become a high interest and profit earning means for banks and financial institutions, and there's a rush of companies to enter this fray. This has also become a means for middle-class individuals to gain well-paying jobs in NGOs. So if there's any benefit to the poor, that has to be weighed in absolute and relative terms against the real benefits to the non-poor. Even within the microcredit framework, the potential that exists to empower and enrich the poor, through making them the real stakeholders in the profits of the operation - is never pursued. Rather they are purely instrumental, in enabling the benefits for the non-poor. At root, there needs to be a commitment to allying completeing with the poor, and empowering and enriching them. When that is lacking, then a means like the microcredit scheme initiated by Grameen Bank to reach credit to the poor gets taken over for other non-poor goals. Banks and NGOs are the ones most blessed by this award! However, for what its worth, despite the reality behind the media hype, the Nobel peace award in the name of poverty, the attention on Bangladesh (and consequently, I hope, on its real human development achievements relative to India, and esp. West Bengal) are of some positive worth. Best regards V Ramaswamy Calcutta hpp at vsnl.com cuckooscall.blogspot.com From arshad.mcrc at gmail.com Mon Oct 16 19:42:19 2006 From: arshad.mcrc at gmail.com (arshad amanullah) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 19:42:19 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Sikhs Angry Over RSS Film In-Reply-To: <2076f31d0610160709j2fea49a4j426ef44bf57770cd@mail.gmail.com> References: <2076f31d0610160709j2fea49a4j426ef44bf57770cd@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <2076f31d0610160712w4b30df2dheb4f7d325b8780d3@mail.gmail.com> Sikhs Angry Over RSS Film New Delhi:Shiromani Akali Dal chief of Delhi Paramjit Singh Sarna in letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil has demanded a ban on the film on former RSS chief late MS Golwalkar in which the great role and contribution of Sikhs has been ignored.He declared that ithis fillm will not be allowed to be shown.He said in his letters that in this film Sikhs have been described as a part of Hinduism,thereby denying the existene of Sikhs.It is also said in this that during 1947 communal riots ,RSS men protected Sikhs.Expresssing his anger,he said in his letters that Master Tara Singh's role has also been ignored who had even torn away Muslim League's flag and because of whom large parts of Punjab and Bengal were retained by India and that it were the Sikh soldiers who had prevented Pakistan from grabbing kashmir.He further said that in this film the history of struggle from Bhagat Singh to Udham Singh has been blacked out.He quoted Mahatma Gandhi who had said that the first war of independence was won by Sikhs and added that a representative body of Akalis will soon meet ythe Jathedar of Akal Takht and demand that the relationship between RSS and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal group) may be clearly specified. (Source:The Milli Gazette,1-15 October,2006) arshad amanullah 34,masihgarh, jamia nagar new delhi-25. From choicetobe at gmail.com Mon Oct 16 20:26:35 2006 From: choicetobe at gmail.com (shruti j) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 07:56:35 -0700 Subject: [Reader-list] shruti j wants to chat Message-ID: <4d7620500610160756n5626b0c7j@mail.gmail.com> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- shruti j wants to stay in better touch using some of Google's coolest new products. If you already have Gmail or Google Talk, visit: http://mail.google.com/mail/b-1d83382603-c14e6429c0-1e626aab2b949f35 You'll need to click this link to be able to chat with shruti j. To get Gmail - a free email account from Google with over 2,600 megabytes of storage - and chat with shruti j, visit: http://mail.google.com/mail/a-1d83382603-c14e6429c0-4dd64b8de8 Gmail offers: - Powerful spam protection - Built-in search for finding your messages and a helpful way of organizing emails into "conversations" - No pop-up ads or untargeted banners - just text ads and related information that are relevant to the content of your messages - Instant messaging capabilities right inside Gmail All this, and its yours for free. But wait, there's more! You can also get Google Talk: http://www.google.com/talk/ Its a small Windows* download that lets you make free calls to your friends through your computer. It's simple and clutter-free, and it works with any computer speaker and microphone. Gmail and Google Talk are still in beta. We're working hard to add new features and make improvements, so we might also ask for your comments and suggestions periodically. We appreciate your help in making our products even better! Thanks, The Google Team To learn more about Gmail and Google Talk, visit: http://mail.google.com/mail/help/about.html http://www.google.com/talk/about.html (If clicking the URLs in this message does not work, copy and paste them into the address bar of your browser). * Not a Windows user? No problem. You can also connect to the Google Talk service from any platform using third-party clients (http://www.google.com/talk/otherclients.html). From shuddha at sarai.net Mon Oct 16 22:57:06 2006 From: shuddha at sarai.net (Shuddhabrata Sengupta) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 22:57:06 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Mohammad Afzal Guru's Impending Execution Message-ID: <4533C0EA.9090907@sarai.net> Satyameva Jayate? : With Regard to the Impending Execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru in Tihar Jail. Shuddhabrata Sengupta A few days from now, a man called Mohammad Afzal Guru, son of Habibullah Guru, currently resident in Ward Number 6 of Jail Number 1 in Tihar Central Prison in Delhi will hang to satisfy the bloodlust of the Indian Republic, unless the President of India thinks otherwise, A few weeks ago, I recall reading the NDTV newscaster Barkha Dutt's breathless three cheers for the fact that India retains the death penalty (so that the indignant tears in the eyes of television presenters like herself, and the loved ones of murder victims, can be wiped away with each rope that tightens around the neck of condemned prisoners). [See 'A Battle for Life : Barkha Dutt, on NDTV Columns, September 20, 2006 http://www.ndtv.com/columns/showcolumns.asp?id=1061 ] At times like this, when hangmen are asked to practice their moves, nothing comes more in handy than the teflon coated enthusiasm for capital punishment of television crusaders like Barkha Dutt. Great democracies, like the United States of America, the Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan, the Peoples Republic of China, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and enlightened states like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are known for their zeal in retaining the death penalty as a necessary part of state ritual. The Republic of India is in eminent company, and I am grateful to Barkha Dutt for making me remember that. I need not advance moral and ethical arguments against the death penalty here, because they have been so well countered by Ms. Dutt. Never mind the fact that states that have done away with the death penalty have lower rates of violent crime, never mind the fact the innocence of people that condemned to die has often been established after they have been executed. Ms. Dutt has demonstrated that the death penalty is the balm that comforts her agonized soul. And many of those who argue that the President should not in fact assent to the petition filed by Afzal's family are also arguing that the Afzal must hang so that the Indian democracy and the loved ones of those who died defending the Indian parliament may rest in peace. The dignity of the Indian Republic hinges on the lever that will catapult Afzal into the empty space under the gallows in Tihar jail. As the noose tightens, our polity will blossom with renewed vigour. In championing capital punishment, Barkha Dutt also joins the illustrious pantheon of the good and the great in India, such as Shri L.K. Advani, Shri Maninderjeet Singh Bitta (of the All India Anti Terrorist Front) and Shri Buddhadev Bhattacharya who have all, from time to time, publicly expressed their desire to see different people hanged to death in recent times. Politicians such as Ghulam Nabi Azad who have pleaded for a 'postponement' of Afzal's execution in view of 'prevailing circumstances' are as cynical as those (especially in the BJP) who demand that Afzal be hanged as soon as possible while simultaneously demanding that the unfortunate man called Sarabjit Singh who is held in death row in a Pakistani prison be released. Broadly echoing the Ghulam Nabi Azad line (with some nuanced differences) is the gerontocray of the Communist Party of India, which has not found fault with the verdict, only expressed an apprehension about the consequences of its execution. The central leadership of the Communist Part of India (Marxist) has maintained an undignified and convenient silence, even though its prominent legislator in Kashmir, Yusuf Tarigami has publicly opposed the death penalty for Afzal. Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir has suddenly discovered what he calls 'innocence' in Mohammad Afzal Guru in an interview given to Karan Thapar, and this is somewhat belated, because he never said a word about the 13 December Case while he was a coalition partner of the then ruling NDA. Presumably, the National Conference's sensitivity to the issue of Human Rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir have an inverse relationship to the fact of its being in office in that state. The only Indian politician of any stature who has publicly expressed a principled opposition to the death penalty, and to capital punishment as such, is the DMK patriarch K. Karunanidhi. The Indian political class's romance with the death penalty is not anything new, and we must remember that even Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi could see nothing wrong in Bhagat Singh being hanged. Capital Punishment and the core values of Indian Nationalism seem to have a close relationship. Perhaps they are both predicated on the idea that the nation-state and the rule of law demands sacrificial victims from time to time to re-invigorate the tired vitality of its foundations. The Indian state hanged Kehar Singh when it could not find anyone else to hang in order to restore it's vitality in the Indira Gandhi Assasination case, and this time, Mohammad Afzal Guru must serve that necessary function. Perhaps Giorgio Agamben, whose rediscovery of the concept of the pariah turned sacrificial victim of the foundational violence of the state though the term - Home Sacer has found such contemporary resonance in the light of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay , needs to turn his attention to the precincts of the maximum security ward in Tihar Prison. Mohammad Afzal Guru is as likey a candidate today as any for the status of Homo Sacer. Today, I read Vir Sanghvi, another eminent media mandarin, wrestle with his conscience about whether or not Afzal should hang. In a large op-ed piece in the Hindustan Times e paper next to a smaller piece from Karan Thapar that hesitantly takes a different view. [See - The Complexity of Execution, Vir Sanghvi, Counterpoint, Hindustan Times, October 15, 2006 http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1820675,00300001.htm and - Should Mohammad Afzal be Hanged, Karan Thapar, Hindustan Times, Sunday Sentiments, October 15, 2006 http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1820688,00300002.htm] And like all good Indian liberals who won debating prizes in high school, Sanghvi too does this by dispassionately examining the pros ('good strong signal to 'terrorists') and cons ('this damn inconvenience of the fact that he did not really have a legal defence') of execution before saying - "um, yes, maybe, there will be some good that can come out of hanging him, because you know, it might, you know, stop a hijacking, because, you know, you can't really hijack a plane to ask for a dead man to be brought alive, can you" - impeccable reasoning, and so much more reassuring for Vir Sanghvi the next time he checks in to fly. Dead Afzal, no hijakers. Its as simple as that. In fact we should logically follow through with the Sanghvi logic to propose that all the prisoners in Tihar jail be summarily executed tomorrow. it would solve the burgeoning Indian aviation industry's security concerns for the next ten years. Conscientious Citizens like Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi should be invited to conduct executions, preferably live, on television (there is always such a shortage of hangmen, and it would make for such good reality tv, and people could phone in saying how much more tranquil they feel when they watch an execution) in order to redeem frequent flyer points against swift and successful hangings. The more they hang, the higher they will fly. Fasten seat belts and hang a Kashmiri. I wish I were in Delhi, where I could get more of a sense of what is going on, talk to people, get a grip on the fact that there are faces that I would see and voices that I would hear of many people I know who would not be as hysterically celebratory about hanging people in prisons as the firm of Dutt, Singhvi & Co and others like them happen to be. But all I can do is read what I can where I am from the internet. So my day begins (when I get online) by typing the words 'Afzal', 'Guru' and 'Hanging' on google, and hoping that I can soon add 'Clemency' or 'Commutation' to my search string to yield some hopeful result. When I did add the word 'clemency' or 'pardon' recently, I got a result that confirmed my long held views on the wisdom inherent in our republic's judicial apparatus. The lord justices of the Supreme Court of India have sent out a thinly veiled warning addressed to the President, instructing him to act with caution, or else provoke a judicial review of the executive authority of the Presidency. Their words suggest that the President must exercise the utmost restraint and consideration, and not be carried away by passion, in arriving at any decision regarding the death penalty awarded to Mohammad Afzal Guru. It seems remarkable to me to think that the state's decision to kill a man in cold blood should be prefaced in terms of reason, caution, consideration and restraint, and that the mere consideration of reasons to save that life should be qualified by terms that suggest that even the entertainment of such a thought could be unreasonable, excessive, rash and impudent. I have remarked on the sagacity of the Supreme Court of India on other occasions, especially when the lord justices have passed innovative verdicts that suggest that illegal squatters on urban land in a city like should think more carefully about inclement weather, but I am once again amazed at the wisdom and sopistication that some lord justices of the Supreme Court, and other distinguished legal professionals like Soli Sorabjee, our erstwhile attorney general, have displayed in suggesting that even the banal human quality of compassion, or the ordinary, commonplace tendency to doubt that justice has been done when an accused person has gone unheard, or apprehensions about the unleashing of a new spiral of violence, can on occasion be wild, unreasonable, excessive and ever so intemperate. It is evident from the tenor of their pronouncements that cheap sentiments like sympathy, or ordinary doubts about the due processes of trial, or worries about more loss of life, when seen through the exalted filter of national security, are but irritating excesses that need to be held in check. That truth alone must triumph that the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Intelligence Bureau deem acceptable for the health of the Republic. In view of this, we might as well propose an amendment to the constitution such that the national motto be expanded to read - 'Sravoccha Nyayalaya-cha-Guptachara Vibhaga-cha-Griha Mantralayasya Satyameva Jayate". Such a move would yield a national motto or slogan that would render a resonant and precise statement about the present status of the concept known as the truth in the Indian Republic, especially in the wake of the events of the 13th of December, 2001. To have all manner of truths, especially crassly inconvenient and common ones emerge triumphant, such as the fact that the Indian state is a brutal colonial power that holds Kashmir and parts of the North East by military force and with the aid of "shoot at whim" laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act will simply not do. We need refined and processed truths - such as those that condemn Mohammad Afzal Guru to hang. Still, It is possible that APJ Abdul Kalam (the man, not necessaily the President, or the erstwhile weapons designer) may have some residual human qualities that may make him look askance at the fact that Mohammad Afzal Guru is sentenced to be hanged in a few days on the basis of statements that actually clearly implicate agencies of the Indian Government such as the Special Task Force that operate in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by India in the affair of the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001. That is why the Supreme Court must rush to protect APJ Abdul Kalam the President from being swayed by APJ Abdul Kalam the human being. No untoward considerations, such as the possibility of the outbreak of rage in the wake of a blatantly unfair execution, or the simple injustice of a man being killed for being trapped in circumstances that were totally beyond his control, must be allowed to stay the president's or the hangman's hand. He has listened to Afzal's son and wife. He has given them his time, and that shows how magnanimous the Indian state can be, and now, he must say no. Afzal must die. We do not need a reminder of the fact that Afzal's alleged involvement in the planning of this attack is the only reason why he is being sentenced to die. Unlike, other instances of the award of capital punishment, where the accused are likely to be people who have actually killed other people in particularly heinous ways, Afzal is accused only of being an an actor in a conspiracy, a cog in the wheel of terror. His was not a hand that held a gun on that day. He fired no shots, killed no one. He was caught because his phone number was in the phone directory in one of the mobile phones found on the person of the dead terrorists. In a letter written to his Supreme Court defence lawyer, Afzal points out that his mobile phone has numbers of STF personnel, and the same logic by which he is implicated in the conspiracy of December 13 should logically lead to an investigation of the STF personnel's role in the event. If that is so, then it would be natural for us to expect that all leads as to who else may be implicated in this conspiracy would have to be exhausted before any one of the conspirators or actors (in this case Afzal) is given the ultimate punishment. We know that Afzal did not have adequate legal representation in the course of his trial, but we also know that he made statements that the court took note of, in the sense that they are on the court record, which include statements that implicate officers of the Special Task Force in Jammu and Kashmir. These are public documents, and they have been meticulously collated in NIrmalangshu Mukherjee's courageous and disturbing book on the December 13 case - (December 13: Terror over Democracy. Published by Bibliophile South Asia, New Delhi. 2005). This book is available at any good bookship in Delhi, and I am amazed that the media has not in fact made more of this story than it has. [For more details of why Mohammad Afzal should not die, see Nirmalangshu Mukherjee's excellent summary of the main arguments outlined in his book in - 'Should Mohammad Afzal die?', The Economic and Political Weekly, September 17, 2005 this article is available online at - http://www.indianet.nl/indpk162.html#20050917b] Perhaps, once again, phone calls from the Intelligence Bureau and the Home Ministry to editorial offices of newspapers and television channels have done their job. That is the charitable explanation, that the majority of the media has acted out of fear. The uncharitable explanation is that the media is silent about Afzal's relationship with the STF for the same reason as to why it was so vocal in loudmouthing SAR Geelani's presumed culpability in the same case. The mainstream media, to a very large extent is not an organ that takes orders from the intelligence apparatus. It is in fact a part of the intelligence apparatus. The 13 December Case will go down in the history of Modern India as an instance that revealed the extent of embedding of the intelligence apparatus of the Indian state within the so called 'free' media in India. In this delicate game of silence and overstatement, the courts have based their indictment of Afzal partly on the statments made by him and partly on confessions extracted under brutal physical and mental torture in police custody, and the majority of the reporting in the media has conveniently overlooked that fact that the names that have been named by Afzal in these very statements point in the direction of the Indian Government's security, intelligence and counter-insurgency apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir. The 'needle of suspicion' to use another favourite Supreme Court phrase, is pointing all over the place, but no one seems to be looking. There is a pattern here that we need to recognize - when things are obvious, look away, and when truths need to be manufactured, use every tool in the book to manufacture them. We need only to remember that barring Shams Tahir Khan of Aaj Tak, no other journalist present during Afzal's infamous press conference stage managed by Rajbir Singh the sometime decorated special cell police officer, encounter expert and part time extortionist, had the gumption to report that Afzal had in fact stated that SAR Geelani was in no way involved with the events of December 13. All other journalists and the news channels that they represented, who had been present at that 'encounter' with the truth according to the Delhi Police's Special Cell, had fallen in line with Rajbir Singh's 'request' to edit out that part of Afzal's testimony. The only English language national level newspapers or publications that more or less consistently maintained an independent tone were the Hindu and to some extent, Frontline. The only news website that toed a slightly different line was rediff.com, and the only detailed un-biased reports that were published, could actually be found in regional newspapers and publications, mainly in Kashmir, and one, oddly in Kerala. What this suggests is that the intensity in the court's and the broad sweep of the national mainstream media's desire to execute Afzal and to focus on him alone, to the exception of those individuals named by him actually constitutes a move to consign aspects of the truth of what lay behind the events of December 13, and the possible part played in them by the 'deep state' in India, into a kind of oblivion - a black hole of judicially mandated and media packaged silence from which nothing can be recovered for posterity. With Afzal's death, the possibility of concrete evidence for alternative explanations behind the events of that day will die. We will never know, who or what entity actually masterminded the shootout in the Parliament that almost provoked a nuclear war and ensured the legislation of the infamous and now repealed Prevention of Terrorism Act by the then BJP led NDA ruling alliance. If the sentence is carried out, we will never know how much the shadowy senior echelons of the intelligence community in India, or the then home minister and deputy prime minister L.K. Advani, or the then defence minister George Fernandes, or the then prime minister A.B. Vajpayee knew about the fact that a medical and surgical equipment salesman and surrendered JKLF militant called Mohammad Afzal Guru was being 'cultivated' trhough torture, threats and extorition by STF personnel and serving military and para-military officers. We will never know as to whether or not this 'cultivation' led up to the processes that included his being instructed to take a man called Mohammad to Delhi, who eventually turned up as the body of a slain terrorist outside the Indian Parliament in Delh on the 13th of Decemberi. If Afzal dies, the deep state in India will just get a few fathoms deeper, and many uncomfortable secrets will die in its depths. As I write this, I am sitting in far away London, looking at pictures of Andamanese skulls, composite photographs of prisoners in British prisons and fingerprint impressions of convicts taken in un-named colonial prisons in nineteenth century India. Sometimes I do this in two rooms scattered in the campus of the University College of London that houses the remains of what was once founded as the National Eugenics Laboratory by Francis Galton. Galton championed the idea that all social problems could be solved by lessons learnt through indexing, recording and measuring bodies and minds. The truths he sought to legislate, about innate criminality and intrinsic genius, about racial characteristics and inherited traits were to be made concrete by measuring heads and deducing patterns from accumulated fingerprint impressions. In a series of haunting photographs, Galton produces what he calls 'photo-composites' - anthropometric images obtained by layering portraits on to each other such that the features blend in to create a composite face. A face that takes something from all the faces that go into it. So you have the average criminal, the average lunatic, the average East End Jew, the average of eight Andamanese crania. When I think of the events that unfolded on December 13, 2001, I cannot but help think of Galton's photo-composites, and his attempts at deducing the extent of criminality in a given population by producing an average image based on the statistical relationships of the distance of their noses from their chins. Remember how Mr. Advani, the then home minister said on December 13, 2001, that the slain 'terrorists' - 'looked like Pakistanis'. Perhaps he had an image of the 'average' Pakistani stored in the database in his cranium, with which he could compare the features of the dead men and come to this remarkable conclusion. Afzal's indictment too, is an instance of the photo-compositing method of jurisprudence. He is a Kashmiri Muslim man of a certain age, he once was a JKLF activist, he moved often between Srinagar and Delhi for reasons to do with his business. It goes like this - you take any Kashmiri Muslim man of a certain age, and they should look and sound adequately Kashmiri, you identify the fact that they may sympathise or may once have sympathised with the movement to rid Kashmir from brutal military occupation (which is not hard to do, because most human beings would want an end to the particular oppressions that beset them) , you zero in on the fact that he moved between Delhi and Srinagar with some frequency and you mix these facts together to produce the face of a terrorist. There are thousands of such faces, and what matters is not individual culpability in a given act, or even whether a person was coerced or bludgeoned or cajoled into participating in a chain of events, but that he should 'look' the part. His face should be an echo of the 'composite' of the visage of the terrorist that we have learnt to see in our heads. So much so that when the judges see Afzal, they also see Maqbool Butt, the Kashmiri man whose hanging on February 11, 1984, precipitated by a crime (the assasination of the Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in Birmingham) that he did not commit, was one of the sparks that stoked the ongoing Kashmir uprising. Maqbool Batt, who spent long years in Indian and Pakistani prisons, was like Afzal. dogged by the persistent shadow of his entanglement in Indian (and Pakistani) intelligence maneouvres. He had been sentenced to death many years previously for the alleged murder of an Indian military officer during the prehistory of the insurgency in Kashmir in the 1960s, when Butt had first started a rag tag band of partisans called the National Liberation Front. Subsequently, he may well have come under the shadow once again of Indian intelligence outfits, who used him, it is alleged, to mastermind the hijack of the Indian Airlines plane Ganga in 1971 - ( a remarkably non violent hijack in which no passengers or crew were harmed, but an ageing plane that had been out of commission and was surprisingly brought back into use days before the hijack was conveniently blown up while stationary in a Pakistani air field). The shadowy truths of the RAW's involvement (through the Border Security Force) in the hijacking of the Indian Airlines Fokker Friendship plane Ganga, in 1971 (one of the precipitating factors of the 1971 war) with which Batt had something to do, is one of those episodes in the history of modern India which has never quite seen the light of day. And Batt too, like Afzal, may have eventually been a pawn in a game far more complex then he could have comprehended at the time. It is possible that Butt too, like Afzal was acting at least part of the time under orders that emanated from quarters deep within the Indian deep state. Eventually, Butt, the secular idealist, the sometime double agent, the victim of Indian as well as Pakistani justice, returned to India, was arrested and put away to be forgotten in Tihar prison, and in the wake of Mhatre's kidnap and murder, made to walk to the gallows. While alive, he had been an obscure, little known agitator, in death he became 'Shaheed-e-Kashmir'. He proved to be far more dangerous in his death to the Indian state then he was when he had been alive, so much so that the Indian army routinely swoops down on his village on the 11th of February each year to prevent his family from holding a private memorial function in his honour. His brother too was killed in an encounter, his family prevented from coming to Delhi on the day of his execution, and all pictures or portaits of him have been taken away from the private homes of his immediate family. The cynical shortsightedness and the awkward combination of memory and forgetfulness that characterizes Indian state policy in Kashmir may once again produce Francis Galton's racially motivated pseudo-science died a quiet death, and persists mainly as an object lesson in the dangers of the attempt to harvest truths about the human condition on the basis of numbers alone. But it is making a quiet back door entry through the new sciences of biometrics that are at the core of the information technology of the war against terrorism - which itself is the key operation of the settung up of a new kind of state machinery predicated on the hyper-intensive surveillance of those it rules. This includes the impossible holy grail of machine assisted facial recognition as a preventive forensic measure designed to identify and neutralize potential terrorists. This would mean giving a scientific edge to say the act of hanging Mohammad Afzal Guru were it to take place, before, not after the 13th of December. In some crude ways this pre-cognitive neutralization of the terrorist to be is already a refined science in Indian statecraft. It includes the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which enable armed forces personnel to shoot to kill on the basis of suspicion. it is the theory of the practice known as the 'encounter'. Last week, even as the attempts to protest against the impending execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru were gaining momentum, two other events occured in Delhi which merit our attention. The first was a demonstration against the arrest and forced feeding of Irom Sharmila, a young Manipuri woman who has been on a continuous hunger strike against the AFSPA, and the suspected encounter death of Irshad Ahmed Lone, a young Kashmiri man in Delhi. While the first may have got some attention, the second is once again wrapped in silence. Protests rocked the Channapora neighbourhood of Srinagar at the manner in which his naked body showed visible marks of torture. But the Delhi Police, and its Special Cell, thought it wise not to display him as yet another trophy in their war against terror. Perhaps, they thought, it would be too much to exhibit another 'encounter' in the days leading up to Afzal's execution. In the light of this silence, it may be instructive to read a report that appeared on the website of the Kashmir Times newspaper on October 11. It merits a lengthy quotation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kashmiri youth tortured, killed in Delhi Protests rock Srinagar, custodial killing alleged KT NEWS SERVICE : http://www.kashmirtimes.com/news4.htm SRINAGAR, OCT 11: People took to streets and held strong demonstrations at Channapora here today in protest against the murder of a local youth, Irshad Ahmad Lone, an automobile engineer, in New Delhi. Police burst smoke shells and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the demonstrators, who retaliated by pelting stones on cops.. The bereaved family accused Delhi police of arresting Irshad and later killing him in custody. According to them the youth had gone to New Delhi for a job in an automobile company on September 21. He was arrested by police there and brutally tortured. Later they were informed by a cop from the union capital on telephone that Irshad is in an unconscious condition in a hospital. The youth later succumbed to his injuries. Ali Mohammad father of Irshad said that in the morning of October 8 he received a telephone call at his residence from New Delhi. The caller identified himself as assistant sub inspector Ram Ji Lal of Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) police chowki Kashmiri Gate. The cop asked him whether he knew Irshad. Ali Mohammad informed that he was his son. The sub inspector told Ali Mohammad that his son was in an unconscious condition at Sushrutra Trauma Centre. Irshad's brother, Tariq Ahmad, rushed to Delhi. According to him, his brother was in an unconscious condition with visible torture marks on his body. Irshad's arms, throat and head had torture marks. He later succumbed to his injuries. Tariq asked Ram Ji Lal as to what had happened to Irshad. The cop claimed that they found Irshad in a naked condition on a highway at ISBT Kashmiri Gate and that he was unconscious. Asked as to how he got the telephone number of their residence in Srinagar, Ram Ji Lal claimed that Irshad gave the number before he lost his consciousness. The bereaved family members said if police got their phone number from Irshad why it did not ask him as to who had tortured him. They said Irshad was arrested, tortured and then killed by Delhi police. Since this morning large number of people visited the affected family and were waiting for the body till late this evening. The body is likely to reach here during night hours... Senior separatist leaders Mohammad Yasin Malik, chairman JKLF, and Shabir Ahmad Shah, president of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) visited the bereaved family to offer their condolences. Addressing the people there Shah said the way Irshad was murdered it clearly indicated that Kashmiri youth can not go to any Indian state." Their only fault is that they are Kashmiri", he said. Shah alleged that on one side government of India is talking about peace and on the other side leaving no stone unturned to murder Kashmiri youth. The DFP president was placed under house arrest. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik visited the residence of Irshad immediately after his return from New Delhi. Accompanied by other party leaders, he took part in protest demonstrations. Addressing the people, Malik strongly condemned the killing. He asked as to what crime Irshad had committed." Is being a Kashmiri the biggest crime", the JKLF chairman asked. He said the slain engineer had qualified the interview for a job in Delhi on merit. "But he was denied the job for being a Kashmiri. When he was about to return his home, he was killed by unidentified men", Malik said. " ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It appears from this report, and from the arrest of Irom Sharmila and the police action in Delhi against those demonstrating in solidarity with her and against the AFSPA, that being a certain kind of Kashmiri, or having Manipuri or identifiably 'north eastern' features is in fact a crime in the capital of the Indian Republic. The pre-cognitive faculties of the state know that 'people like that' are potential subversives, and that no effort should be spared in neutralizing them. If this does result in the occasional execution of a Mohammad Afzal Guru or the death on the streets of Delhi of an Irshad Ahmad Lone, then it is way to small a price to pay for the integrity and security of the Indian state. It is said took the massacres of Algerians in Paris in 1961 for a generation of French Intellectuals to begin to understand the actual nature of the French colonialism in Algeria. How many Kashmiris will need to die in Delhi's streets and in Tihar (since the number of the dead in Kashmir does not seem to have much of an effect) for the Indian intelligentsia to wake up to the fact that the Indian state is a colonial state and that it acts like any occupying power would, in Kashmir and significant parts of the North East? In Afzal's written statement to his lawyer Sushil Kumar, posted earlier on the Reader List (7th October, 2006) by Mahmood Farooqui, he (Afzal) points out how Indian security officers routinely extorted money from him because he was a 'surrendered militant' who had not become a special police officer (SPO). (see http://www.humanrightskerala.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4384&Itemid=5 for an online version of this letter) In this sordid tale of greed, where different police officers demand varying sums of money after torturing Afzal, lies one of the secrets of Indian colonialism in Kashmir. Our militaries are in Kashmir, Indian soldiers and countless Kashmiris are dying in Kashmir, also because there is money to be made in this business. 'Terrorists' are just as necessary a part of this equation. Because 'terrorists' become 'surrendered terrorists', and 'surrendered terrorists' are excellent sources of cash, because if they do not pay up, they can be made to become 'terrorists' again. Here is the time honoured police and gangster tradition of the 'hafta' and 'vasuli' ratcheted up through the brute force of a military occupation. This in fact is one of the sad truths of the Indian state's presence in Kashmir, and for the sake of the triumph of this truth, Mohammad Afzal Guru is sentenced to die. I can only hope that APJ Abdul Kalam looks carefully at the motto inscribed on his website, his stationery, his cutlery and his towels before he goes to sleep each night in the next few days as he weighs the decision about whether to assent to the clemency petition filed by Afzal's family. Satyameva Jayate. ----------------------------------- From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Tue Oct 17 00:49:34 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:19:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] How Grameen Changed The World (Mushfiqur Rahman) In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20061016191934.17303.qmail@web50312.mail.yahoo.com> A little antidote to Taj Hashmi. "Grameen is not without its critics. Given the sprawling nature of the organisation and the vast number of operatives who run the network, there are bound to be scattered cases of maladministration. However I know from my personal experience, having visited my village home year after year during the last three decades, how truly the Grameen program has made a real difference to the lives of people at the very bottom of the socio-economic pool." DAILY STAR Tue. October 17, 2006 How Grameen has changed the world Mushfiqur Rahman I was listening to the announcement from Oslo live on CNN and I felt a sense of vicarious joy. Prizes of any kind are contentious, specially the Nobel Peace Prize, when there are so many worthy candidates and a few unworthy recipients (Henry Kissinger comes to mind). However that should not detract from this prize which will receive universal acclamation. Grameen is not without its critics. Given the sprawling nature of the organisation and the vast number of operatives who run the network, there are bound to be scattered cases of maladministration. However I know from my personal experience, having visited my village home year after year during the last three decades, how truly the Grameen program has made a real difference to the lives of people at the very bottom of the socio-economic pool. A case in point is Mortuza, who was employed as a cook in our home, succeeding her mother who used to be the cook during my childhood. It was a generational thing with which anyone with a rural background would be familiar with. Mortuza began her early childhood running around our home, sometimes playing with my younger sisters (but always aware of the social boundary which existed). Their lot never improved -- with pittance of an income -- they merely survived. Families like ours, of course, did nothing to change the status quo, happy to enjoy the fruits of their labour by virtue of our own fortuitous birth. Well, things have changed. Not in any dramatic earth shattering manner but in small incremental steps and Grameen has led the way to this transformation. Old attitudes persist. The deference and subservience shown by the "working class" to the "old order" is still very much there, but not any more in the context of an abject submission. Anyone with a rural background would be familiar with the nuances associated with the hierarchy of the village aristocracy. There have been no wholesale changes but one can see the incremental changes in such nuances of unequal relationships -- the body language and the eye contacts tell an unfolding story. Grameen has often been the catalyst behind these changes. "Empowerment" is a much used buzzword and cliché, but that is precisely what happened to the womenfolk in my village, to Mortuza and her cohorts. First, they have been able to unshackle themselves from the tyranny of their husbands; secondly they have discovered relative economic freedom. For centuries, our village women have suffered under the weight of a double whammy -- their ongoing exploitation by a semi-feudal social order and their situation further exacerbated by the generally oppressive environment in their own home. With new found economic freedom, in many cases being the primary income earner in the family, women in my village are starting to put their foot down. Without any doubt they have been "empowered." Mortuza does not cook for us anymore because my mother, too old and feeble to manage on her own, now stays in the city with my brother. When I made a day trip to my village last year Mortuza came round to resume her "duties" with unfailing loyalty, undeserving on my part yet so generously offered by her. I inquired about her family and she opened up a little bit, a glint in her eye that I had never seen before. She is illiterate but her children attend school and she talked about the future with a sense of hope and optimism. What was quite extra-ordinary about my last trip was her "audacity" to invite me to visit her home for a cup of tea. I use the word "audacity" merely to illustrate the absurdity of the request within the context of village protocol that existed and which in many respects still persist. In all my early years of growing up in my village and many subsequent visits I (or for that any other member of my family) have never condescended to visit the homes of these people who served us through generations. They lived in one corner of a very large tract of paddy field which their men folk had cultivated as share-croppers. From a distance one could see a few tiny huts with thatched roofs dotting the landscape. The weather-beaten fencing around the perimeter shielded our eyes from the misery of their world, a world so different from mine. That world has changed for the better, thanks to Grameen. I accepted Mortuza's invitation for tea and after a brisk walk turned up, somewhat to the amazement of the whole neighbourhood. Admittedly my hosts were a little flustered as they really didn't expect me and fumbled around to make me feel comfortable. After more than half-a-century I finally came to see how and where they lived. But gone were the thatched roofs and the shabby exterior. Corrugated iron sheets for roofing, a tube-well in one corner and a clean well-swept court yard where little kids played hop-scotch. From my vantage point I could peer inside their dwellings around us. Wooden cots were in view, not straw mats as I expected. For now, the game which the kids were playing had to be stopped. They were shooed away to make room for a lone chair which was brought for me to sit while everybody else stood around to watch the spectacle. Mortuza lined up her 3 kids for inspection, mildly rebuking them for mucking around and not studying hard enough. Most telling was the way she handled her husband who was a bit of rogue in a previous life and who also suffered a tongue lashing for being too lazy. He stood nearby, wringing his hand, accepting his wife's admonishment without much protest. How she was going to repay her "instalment" to Grameen if her husband didn't do his share in looking after the cows, she lamented. Mortuza, an illiterate woman, was after all running a little business -- selling fresh milk in the local market. She understood the critical importance of cash flow and she was not going to let anything, including a recalcitrant husband, get in the way of her dream! The quiet, confident demeanour in her body language had the hallmarks of a no-nonsense attitude and that she had taken control of her life. Tea was served with salted biscuits. I was the only one being feted. The old social barriers had not yet disappeared. Mortuza and her family were not expected to join in, not even in her own house! Neither did I press the issue as this would only embarrass her. As I walked back home accompanied by a whole procession of people, I felt chastised. But I felt happy and a tinge of joy too. Thank you Muhammad Yunus. Mushfiqur Rahman is a freelance contributor to The Daily Star. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From vishal.rawlley at gmail.com Tue Oct 17 03:37:04 2006 From: vishal.rawlley at gmail.com (Vishal Rawlley) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 03:37:04 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Mohammad Afzal Guru's Impending Execution In-Reply-To: <31d5ea920610161441i41a0899bof403b3f73ec2b787@mail.gmail.com> References: <4533C0EA.9090907@sarai.net> <31d5ea920610161441i41a0899bof403b3f73ec2b787@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <31d5ea920610161507s28937ac9t12f286fd63ac5c64@mail.gmail.com> Googling 'clemency' + ' india' got me: http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=690 where it states: Two recent cases of clemency have come from the relatives of victims. Sonia Gandhi, president of the Congress, now in power in India, secured clemency for Nalini, one of the four sentenced to death for the murder of Rajiv Gandhi, a former Prime Minister. Rajiv was Sonia's husband. Gladys Staines, widow of the Australian missionary, Graham Stewart Staines, who was burnt alive with his two sons, has recommended clemency for their murderers. When the majority of people - outraged by the very thought of considering clemency - are thirsting for Afzal's blood, can reason, logic and high principles be summoned to combat this depraved lust? This is an emotional issue; a calm reconsideration of the facts of the case and a reality check on the circumstances, require tedious engagement that the blood thirsty junta has little patience for. Can an emotive plea to uphold the high principles of Satyameva Jayate be employed more effectively? Can we not cite instances of granting clemency that have set high moral standards to be applauded, edified and eulogised. For many Kashmiris the attack on the parliament was probably the same as the Rang De Basanti gang hijacking the radio station and executing corrupt politicians. Afzal in probably a Bhagat Singh figure for many jaded Kashmiri youth. I am sure many of us also feel let down that the attack only resulted in the death of security personnel and not any of the rascal politicians. If the attackers had taken some hostages and bought some time, let the media come in and broadcast their heartfelt hatred for the state that is crushing their existence and had then been killed with indelible triumphant expressions on their dead faces, would the junta have swayed to their cause? It could have been very nice if Barkha Dutt was taken hostage, for example.... What led these men to make such a daring attack? Was it just because Afzal's medical equipment business was not doing too well and he decided a switch to his old line of work hoping it might still be more rewarding? Or these jehadis were hellbent on attaining a place in heaven and this seemed to be the easiest route to that? If the real people behind the terrorist tag are brought out, if their human stories could be serialised into a soaps, maybe then we would not be so blood thirsty. And why cannot Sonia Gandhi and Graham Stewart Staines express their views on national television or can some wily jurno manipulate and coerce them into making a public statement in favour of clemency? With the Gandhigiri wave on, an emotionally manipulative tactic towards urging a high moral stance could be attempted. Can we be made to understand that by not killing retributively we shall be demonstrating our immense strength and not weakness? Satyameva Jayate needs a good PR agency. -Vishal On 10/16/06, Shuddhabrata Sengupta wrote: Satyameva Jayate? : With Regard to the Impending Execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru in Tihar Jail. Shuddhabrata Sengupta A few days from now, a man called Mohammad Afzal Guru, son of Habibullah Guru, currently resident in Ward Number 6 of Jail Number 1 in Tihar Central Prison in Delhi will hang to satisfy the bloodlust of the Indian Republic, unless the President of India thinks otherwise, A few weeks ago, I recall reading the NDTV newscaster Barkha Dutt's breathless three cheers for the fact that India retains the death penalty (so that the indignant tears in the eyes of television presenters like herself, and the loved ones of murder victims, can be wiped away with each rope that tightens around the neck of condemned prisoners). [See 'A Battle for Life : Barkha Dutt, on NDTV Columns, September 20, 2006 http://www.ndtv.com/columns/showcolumns.asp?id=1061 ] At times like this, when hangmen are asked to practice their moves, nothing comes more in handy than the teflon coated enthusiasm for capital punishment of television crusaders like Barkha Dutt. Great democracies, like the United States of America, the Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan, the Peoples Republic of China, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and enlightened states like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are known for their zeal in retaining the death penalty as a necessary part of state ritual. The Republic of India is in eminent company, and I am grateful to Barkha Dutt for making me remember that. I need not advance moral and ethical arguments against the death penalty here, because they have been so well countered by Ms. Dutt. Never mind the fact that states that have done away with the death penalty have lower rates of violent crime, never mind the fact the innocence of people that condemned to die has often been established after they have been executed. Ms. Dutt has demonstrated that the death penalty is the balm that comforts her agonized soul. And many of those who argue that the President should not in fact assent to the petition filed by Afzal's family are also arguing that the Afzal must hang so that the Indian democracy and the loved ones of those who died defending the Indian parliament may rest in peace. The dignity of the Indian Republic hinges on the lever that will catapult Afzal into the empty space under the gallows in Tihar jail. As the noose tightens, our polity will blossom with renewed vigour. In championing capital punishment, Barkha Dutt also joins the illustrious pantheon of the good and the great in India, such as Shri L.K. Advani, Shri Maninderjeet Singh Bitta (of the All India Anti Terrorist Front) and Shri Buddhadev Bhattacharya who have all, from time to time, publicly expressed their desire to see different people hanged to death in recent times. Politicians such as Ghulam Nabi Azad who have pleaded for a 'postponement' of Afzal's execution in view of 'prevailing circumstances' are as cynical as those (especially in the BJP) who demand that Afzal be hanged as soon as possible while simultaneously demanding that the unfortunate man called Sarabjit Singh who is held in death row in a Pakistani prison be released. Broadly echoing the Ghulam Nabi Azad line (with some nuanced differences) is the gerontocray of the Communist Party of India, which has not found fault with the verdict, only expressed an apprehension about the consequences of its execution. The central leadership of the Communist Part of India (Marxist) has maintained an undignified and convenient silence, even though its prominent legislator in Kashmir, Yusuf Tarigami has publicly opposed the death penalty for Afzal. Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir has suddenly discovered what he calls 'innocence' in Mohammad Afzal Guru in an interview given to Karan Thapar, and this is somewhat belated, because he never said a word about the 13 December Case while he was a coalition partner of the then ruling NDA. Presumably, the National Conference's sensitivity to the issue of Human Rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir have an inverse relationship to the fact of its being in office in that state. The only Indian politician of any stature who has publicly expressed a principled opposition to the death penalty, and to capital punishment as such, is the DMK patriarch K. Karunanidhi. The Indian political class's romance with the death penalty is not anything new, and we must remember that even Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi could see nothing wrong in Bhagat Singh being hanged. Capital Punishment and the core values of Indian Nationalism seem to have a close relationship. Perhaps they are both predicated on the idea that the nation-state and the rule of law demands sacrificial victims from time to time to re-invigorate the tired vitality of its foundations. The Indian state hanged Kehar Singh when it could not find anyone else to hang in order to restore it's vitality in the Indira Gandhi Assasination case, and this time, Mohammad Afzal Guru must serve that necessary function. Perhaps Giorgio Agamben, whose rediscovery of the concept of the pariah turned sacrificial victim of the foundational violence of the state though the term - Home Sacer has found such contemporary resonance in the light of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay , needs to turn his attention to the precincts of the maximum security ward in Tihar Prison. Mohammad Afzal Guru is as likey a candidate today as any for the status of Homo Sacer. Today, I read Vir Sanghvi, another eminent media mandarin, wrestle with his conscience about whether or not Afzal should hang. In a large op-ed piece in the Hindustan Times e paper next to a smaller piece from Karan Thapar that hesitantly takes a different view. [See - The Complexity of Execution, Vir Sanghvi, Counterpoint, Hindustan Times, October 15, 2006 http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1820675,00300001.htm and - Should Mohammad Afzal be Hanged, Karan Thapar, Hindustan Times, Sunday Sentiments, October 15, 2006 http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1820688,00300002.htm] And like all good Indian liberals who won debating prizes in high school, Sanghvi too does this by dispassionately examining the pros ('good strong signal to 'terrorists') and cons ('this damn inconvenience of the fact that he did not really have a legal defence') of execution before saying - "um, yes, maybe, there will be some good that can come out of hanging him, because you know, it might, you know, stop a hijacking, because, you know, you can't really hijack a plane to ask for a dead man to be brought alive, can you" - impeccable reasoning, and so much more reassuring for Vir Sanghvi the next time he checks in to fly. Dead Afzal, no hijakers. Its as simple as that. In fact we should logically follow through with the Sanghvi logic to propose that all the prisoners in Tihar jail be summarily executed tomorrow. it would solve the burgeoning Indian aviation industry's security concerns for the next ten years. Conscientious Citizens like Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi should be invited to conduct executions, preferably live, on television (there is always such a shortage of hangmen, and it would make for such good reality tv, and people could phone in saying how much more tranquil they feel when they watch an execution) in order to redeem frequent flyer points against swift and successful hangings. The more they hang, the higher they will fly. Fasten seat belts and hang a Kashmiri. I wish I were in Delhi, where I could get more of a sense of what is going on, talk to people, get a grip on the fact that there are faces that I would see and voices that I would hear of many people I know who would not be as hysterically celebratory about hanging people in prisons as the firm of Dutt, Singhvi & Co and others like them happen to be. But all I can do is read what I can where I am from the internet. So my day begins (when I get online) by typing the words 'Afzal', 'Guru' and 'Hanging' on google, and hoping that I can soon add 'Clemency' or 'Commutation' to my search string to yield some hopeful result. When I did add the word 'clemency' or 'pardon' recently, I got a result that confirmed my long held views on the wisdom inherent in our republic's judicial apparatus. The lord justices of the Supreme Court of India have sent out a thinly veiled warning addressed to the President, instructing him to act with caution, or else provoke a judicial review of the executive authority of the Presidency. Their words suggest that the President must exercise the utmost restraint and consideration, and not be carried away by passion, in arriving at any decision regarding the death penalty awarded to Mohammad Afzal Guru. It seems remarkable to me to think that the state's decision to kill a man in cold blood should be prefaced in terms of reason, caution, consideration and restraint, and that the mere consideration of reasons to save that life should be qualified by terms that suggest that even the entertainment of such a thought could be unreasonable, excessive, rash and impudent. I have remarked on the sagacity of the Supreme Court of India on other occasions, especially when the lord justices have passed innovative verdicts that suggest that illegal squatters on urban land in a city like should think more carefully about inclement weather, but I am once again amazed at the wisdom and sopistication that some lord justices of the Supreme Court, and other distinguished legal professionals like Soli Sorabjee, our erstwhile attorney general, have displayed in suggesting that even the banal human quality of compassion, or the ordinary, commonplace tendency to doubt that justice has been done when an accused person has gone unheard, or apprehensions about the unleashing of a new spiral of violence, can on occasion be wild, unreasonable, excessive and ever so intemperate. It is evident from the tenor of their pronouncements that cheap sentiments like sympathy, or ordinary doubts about the due processes of trial, or worries about more loss of life, when seen through the exalted filter of national security, are but irritating excesses that need to be held in check. That truth alone must triumph that the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Intelligence Bureau deem acceptable for the health of the Republic. In view of this, we might as well propose an amendment to the constitution such that the national motto be expanded to read - 'Sravoccha Nyayalaya-cha-Guptachara Vibhaga-cha-Griha Mantralayasya Satyameva Jayate". Such a move would yield a national motto or slogan that would render a resonant and precise statement about the present status of the concept known as the truth in the Indian Republic, especially in the wake of the events of the 13th of December, 2001. To have all manner of truths, especially crassly inconvenient and common ones emerge triumphant, such as the fact that the Indian state is a brutal colonial power that holds Kashmir and parts of the North East by military force and with the aid of "shoot at whim" laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act will simply not do. We need refined and processed truths - such as those that condemn Mohammad Afzal Guru to hang. Still, It is possible that APJ Abdul Kalam (the man, not necessaily the President, or the erstwhile weapons designer) may have some residual human qualities that may make him look askance at the fact that Mohammad Afzal Guru is sentenced to be hanged in a few days on the basis of statements that actually clearly implicate agencies of the Indian Government such as the Special Task Force that operate in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by India in the affair of the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001. That is why the Supreme Court must rush to protect APJ Abdul Kalam the President from being swayed by APJ Abdul Kalam the human being. No untoward considerations, such as the possibility of the outbreak of rage in the wake of a blatantly unfair execution, or the simple injustice of a man being killed for being trapped in circumstances that were totally beyond his control, must be allowed to stay the president's or the hangman's hand. He has listened to Afzal's son and wife. He has given them his time, and that shows how magnanimous the Indian state can be, and now, he must say no. Afzal must die. We do not need a reminder of the fact that Afzal's alleged involvement in the planning of this attack is the only reason why he is being sentenced to die. Unlike, other instances of the award of capital punishment, where the accused are likely to be people who have actually killed other people in particularly heinous ways, Afzal is accused only of being an an actor in a conspiracy, a cog in the wheel of terror. His was not a hand that held a gun on that day. He fired no shots, killed no one. He was caught because his phone number was in the phone directory in one of the mobile phones found on the person of the dead terrorists. In a letter written to his Supreme Court defence lawyer, Afzal points out that his mobile phone has numbers of STF personnel, and the same logic by which he is implicated in the conspiracy of December 13 should logically lead to an investigation of the STF personnel's role in the event. If that is so, then it would be natural for us to expect that all leads as to who else may be implicated in this conspiracy would have to be exhausted before any one of the conspirators or actors (in this case Afzal) is given the ultimate punishment. We know that Afzal did not have adequate legal representation in the course of his trial, but we also know that he made statements that the court took note of, in the sense that they are on the court record, which include statements that implicate officers of the Special Task Force in Jammu and Kashmir. These are public documents, and they have been meticulously collated in NIrmalangshu Mukherjee's courageous and disturbing book on the December 13 case - (December 13: Terror over Democracy. Published by Bibliophile South Asia, New Delhi. 2005). This book is available at any good bookship in Delhi, and I am amazed that the media has not in fact made more of this story than it has. [For more details of why Mohammad Afzal should not die, see Nirmalangshu Mukherjee's excellent summary of the main arguments outlined in his book in - 'Should Mohammad Afzal die?', The Economic and Political Weekly, September 17, 2005 this article is available online at - http://www.indianet.nl/indpk162.html#20050917b] Perhaps, once again, phone calls from the Intelligence Bureau and the Home Ministry to editorial offices of newspapers and television channels have done their job. That is the charitable explanation, that the majority of the media has acted out of fear. The uncharitable explanation is that the media is silent about Afzal's relationship with the STF for the same reason as to why it was so vocal in loudmouthing SAR Geelani's presumed culpability in the same case. The mainstream media, to a very large extent is not an organ that takes orders from the intelligence apparatus. It is in fact a part of the intelligence apparatus. The 13 December Case will go down in the history of Modern India as an instance that revealed the extent of embedding of the intelligence apparatus of the Indian state within the so called 'free' media in India. In this delicate game of silence and overstatement, the courts have based their indictment of Afzal partly on the statments made by him and partly on confessions extracted under brutal physical and mental torture in police custody, and the majority of the reporting in the media has conveniently overlooked that fact that the names that have been named by Afzal in these very statements point in the direction of the Indian Government's security, intelligence and counter-insurgency apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir. The 'needle of suspicion' to use another favourite Supreme Court phrase, is pointing all over the place, but no one seems to be looking. There is a pattern here that we need to recognize - when things are obvious, look away, and when truths need to be manufactured, use every tool in the book to manufacture them. We need only to remember that barring Shams Tahir Khan of Aaj Tak, no other journalist present during Afzal's infamous press conference stage managed by Rajbir Singh the sometime decorated special cell police officer, encounter expert and part time extortionist, had the gumption to report that Afzal had in fact stated that SAR Geelani was in no way involved with the events of December 13. All other journalists and the news channels that they represented, who had been present at that 'encounter' with the truth according to the Delhi Police's Special Cell, had fallen in line with Rajbir Singh's 'request' to edit out that part of Afzal's testimony. The only English language national level newspapers or publications that more or less consistently maintained an independent tone were the Hindu and to some extent, Frontline. The only news website that toed a slightly different line was rediff.com, and the only detailed un-biased reports that were published, could actually be found in regional newspapers and publications, mainly in Kashmir, and one, oddly in Kerala. What this suggests is that the intensity in the court's and the broad sweep of the national mainstream media's desire to execute Afzal and to focus on him alone, to the exception of those individuals named by him actually constitutes a move to consign aspects of the truth of what lay behind the events of December 13, and the possible part played in them by the 'deep state' in India, into a kind of oblivion - a black hole of judicially mandated and media packaged silence from which nothing can be recovered for posterity. With Afzal's death, the possibility of concrete evidence for alternative explanations behind the events of that day will die. We will never know, who or what entity actually masterminded the shootout in the Parliament that almost provoked a nuclear war and ensured the legislation of the infamous and now repealed Prevention of Terrorism Act by the then BJP led NDA ruling alliance. If the sentence is carried out, we will never know how much the shadowy senior echelons of the intelligence community in India, or the then home minister and deputy prime minister L.K. Advani, or the then defence minister George Fernandes, or the then prime minister A.B. Vajpayee knew about the fact that a medical and surgical equipment salesman and surrendered JKLF militant called Mohammad Afzal Guru was being 'cultivated' trhough torture, threats and extorition by STF personnel and serving military and para-military officers. We will never know as to whether or not this 'cultivation' led up to the processes that included his being instructed to take a man called Mohammad to Delhi, who eventually turned up as the body of a slain terrorist outside the Indian Parliament in Delh on the 13th of Decemberi. If Afzal dies, the deep state in India will just get a few fathoms deeper, and many uncomfortable secrets will die in its depths. As I write this, I am sitting in far away London, looking at pictures of Andamanese skulls, composite photographs of prisoners in British prisons and fingerprint impressions of convicts taken in un-named colonial prisons in nineteenth century India. Sometimes I do this in two rooms scattered in the campus of the University College of London that houses the remains of what was once founded as the National Eugenics Laboratory by Francis Galton. Galton championed the idea that all social problems could be solved by lessons learnt through indexing, recording and measuring bodies and minds. The truths he sought to legislate, about innate criminality and intrinsic genius, about racial characteristics and inherited traits were to be made concrete by measuring heads and deducing patterns from accumulated fingerprint impressions. In a series of haunting photographs, Galton produces what he calls 'photo-composites' - anthropometric images obtained by layering portraits on to each other such that the features blend in to create a composite face. A face that takes something from all the faces that go into it. So you have the average criminal, the average lunatic, the average East End Jew, the average of eight Andamanese crania. When I think of the events that unfolded on December 13, 2001, I cannot but help think of Galton's photo-composites, and his attempts at deducing the extent of criminality in a given population by producing an average image based on the statistical relationships of the distance of their noses from their chins. Remember how Mr. Advani, the then home minister said on December 13, 2001, that the slain 'terrorists' - 'looked like Pakistanis'. Perhaps he had an image of the 'average' Pakistani stored in the database in his cranium, with which he could compare the features of the dead men and come to this remarkable conclusion. Afzal's indictment too, is an instance of the photo-compositing method of jurisprudence. He is a Kashmiri Muslim man of a certain age, he once was a JKLF activist, he moved often between Srinagar and Delhi for reasons to do with his business. It goes like this - you take any Kashmiri Muslim man of a certain age, and they should look and sound adequately Kashmiri, you identify the fact that they may sympathise or may once have sympathised with the movement to rid Kashmir from brutal military occupation (which is not hard to do, because most human beings would want an end to the particular oppressions that beset them) , you zero in on the fact that he moved between Delhi and Srinagar with some frequency and you mix these facts together to produce the face of a terrorist. There are thousands of such faces, and what matters is not individual culpability in a given act, or even whether a person was coerced or bludgeoned or cajoled into participating in a chain of events, but that he should 'look' the part. His face should be an echo of the 'composite' of the visage of the terrorist that we have learnt to see in our heads. So much so that when the judges see Afzal, they also see Maqbool Butt, the Kashmiri man whose hanging on February 11, 1984, precipitated by a crime (the assasination of the Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in Birmingham) that he did not commit, was one of the sparks that stoked the ongoing Kashmir uprising. Maqbool Batt, who spent long years in Indian and Pakistani prisons, was like Afzal. dogged by the persistent shadow of his entanglement in Indian (and Pakistani) intelligence maneouvres. He had been sentenced to death many years previously for the alleged murder of an Indian military officer during the prehistory of the insurgency in Kashmir in the 1960s, when Butt had first started a rag tag band of partisans called the National Liberation Front. Subsequently, he may well have come under the shadow once again of Indian intelligence outfits, who used him, it is alleged, to mastermind the hijack of the Indian Airlines plane Ganga in 1971 - ( a remarkably non violent hijack in which no passengers or crew were harmed, but an ageing plane that had been out of commission and was surprisingly brought back into use days before the hijack was conveniently blown up while stationary in a Pakistani air field). The shadowy truths of the RAW's involvement (through the Border Security Force) in the hijacking of the Indian Airlines Fokker Friendship plane Ganga, in 1971 (one of the precipitating factors of the 1971 war) with which Batt had something to do, is one of those episodes in the history of modern India which has never quite seen the light of day. And Batt too, like Afzal, may have eventually been a pawn in a game far more complex then he could have comprehended at the time. It is possible that Butt too, like Afzal was acting at least part of the time under orders that emanated from quarters deep within the Indian deep state. Eventually, Butt, the secular idealist, the sometime double agent, the victim of Indian as well as Pakistani justice, returned to India, was arrested and put away to be forgotten in Tihar prison, and in the wake of Mhatre's kidnap and murder, made to walk to the gallows. While alive, he had been an obscure, little known agitator, in death he became 'Shaheed-e-Kashmir'. He proved to be far more dangerous in his death to the Indian state then he was when he had been alive, so much so that the Indian army routinely swoops down on his village on the 11th of February each year to prevent his family from holding a private memorial function in his honour. His brother too was killed in an encounter, his family prevented from coming to Delhi on the day of his execution, and all pictures or portaits of him have been taken away from the private homes of his immediate family. The cynical shortsightedness and the awkward combination of memory and forgetfulness that characterizes Indian state policy in Kashmir may once again produce Francis Galton's racially motivated pseudo-science died a quiet death, and persists mainly as an object lesson in the dangers of the attempt to harvest truths about the human condition on the basis of numbers alone. But it is making a quiet back door entry through the new sciences of biometrics that are at the core of the information technology of the war against terrorism - which itself is the key operation of the settung up of a new kind of state machinery predicated on the hyper-intensive surveillance of those it rules. This includes the impossible holy grail of machine assisted facial recognition as a preventive forensic measure designed to identify and neutralize potential terrorists. This would mean giving a scientific edge to say the act of hanging Mohammad Afzal Guru were it to take place, before, not after the 13th of December. In some crude ways this pre-cognitive neutralization of the terrorist to be is already a refined science in Indian statecraft. It includes the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which enable armed forces personnel to shoot to kill on the basis of suspicion. it is the theory of the practice known as the 'encounter'. Last week, even as the attempts to protest against the impending execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru were gaining momentum, two other events occured in Delhi which merit our attention. The first was a demonstration against the arrest and forced feeding of Irom Sharmila, a young Manipuri woman who has been on a continuous hunger strike against the AFSPA, and the suspected encounter death of Irshad Ahmed Lone, a young Kashmiri man in Delhi. While the first may have got some attention, the second is once again wrapped in silence. Protests rocked the Channapora neighbourhood of Srinagar at the manner in which his naked body showed visible marks of torture. But the Delhi Police, and its Special Cell, thought it wise not to display him as yet another trophy in their war against terror. Perhaps, they thought, it would be too much to exhibit another 'encounter' in the days leading up to Afzal's execution. In the light of this silence, it may be instructive to read a report that appeared on the website of the Kashmir Times newspaper on October 11. It merits a lengthy quotation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kashmiri youth tortured, killed in Delhi Protests rock Srinagar, custodial killing alleged KT NEWS SERVICE : http://www.kashmirtimes.com/news4.htm SRINAGAR, OCT 11: People took to streets and held strong demonstrations at Channapora here today in protest against the murder of a local youth, Irshad Ahmad Lone, an automobile engineer, in New Delhi. Police burst smoke shells and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the demonstrators, who retaliated by pelting stones on cops.. The bereaved family accused Delhi police of arresting Irshad and later killing him in custody. According to them the youth had gone to New Delhi for a job in an automobile company on September 21. He was arrested by police there and brutally tortured. Later they were informed by a cop from the union capital on telephone that Irshad is in an unconscious condition in a hospital. The youth later succumbed to his injuries. Ali Mohammad father of Irshad said that in the morning of October 8 he received a telephone call at his residence from New Delhi. The caller identified himself as assistant sub inspector Ram Ji Lal of Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) police chowki Kashmiri Gate. The cop asked him whether he knew Irshad. Ali Mohammad informed that he was his son. The sub inspector told Ali Mohammad that his son was in an unconscious condition at Sushrutra Trauma Centre. Irshad's brother, Tariq Ahmad, rushed to Delhi. According to him, his brother was in an unconscious condition with visible torture marks on his body. Irshad's arms, throat and head had torture marks. He later succumbed to his injuries. Tariq asked Ram Ji Lal as to what had happened to Irshad. The cop claimed that they found Irshad in a naked condition on a highway at ISBT Kashmiri Gate and that he was unconscious. Asked as to how he got the telephone number of their residence in Srinagar, Ram Ji Lal claimed that Irshad gave the number before he lost his consciousness. The bereaved family members said if police got their phone number from Irshad why it did not ask him as to who had tortured him. They said Irshad was arrested, tortured and then killed by Delhi police. Since this morning large number of people visited the affected family and were waiting for the body till late this evening. The body is likely to reach here during night hours... Senior separatist leaders Mohammad Yasin Malik, chairman JKLF, and Shabir Ahmad Shah, president of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) visited the bereaved family to offer their condolences. Addressing the people there Shah said the way Irshad was murdered it clearly indicated that Kashmiri youth can not go to any Indian state." Their only fault is that they are Kashmiri", he said. Shah alleged that on one side government of India is talking about peace and on the other side leaving no stone unturned to murder Kashmiri youth. The DFP president was placed under house arrest. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik visited the residence of Irshad immediately after his return from New Delhi. Accompanied by other party leaders, he took part in protest demonstrations. Addressing the people, Malik strongly condemned the killing. He asked as to what crime Irshad had committed." Is being a Kashmiri the biggest crime", the JKLF chairman asked. He said the slain engineer had qualified the interview for a job in Delhi on merit. "But he was denied the job for being a Kashmiri. When he was about to return his home, he was killed by unidentified men", Malik said. " ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It appears from this report, and from the arrest of Irom Sharmila and the police action in Delhi against those demonstrating in solidarity with her and against the AFSPA, that being a certain kind of Kashmiri, or having Manipuri or identifiably 'north eastern' features is in fact a crime in the capital of the Indian Republic. The pre-cognitive faculties of the state know that 'people like that' are potential subversives, and that no effort should be spared in neutralizing them. If this does result in the occasional execution of a Mohammad Afzal Guru or the death on the streets of Delhi of an Irshad Ahmad Lone, then it is way to small a price to pay for the integrity and security of the Indian state. It is said took the massacres of Algerians in Paris in 1961 for a generation of French Intellectuals to begin to understand the actual nature of the French colonialism in Algeria. How many Kashmiris will need to die in Delhi's streets and in Tihar (since the number of the dead in Kashmir does not seem to have much of an effect) for the Indian intelligentsia to wake up to the fact that the Indian state is a colonial state and that it acts like any occupying power would, in Kashmir and significant parts of the North East? In Afzal's written statement to his lawyer Sushil Kumar, posted earlier on the Reader List (7th October, 2006) by Mahmood Farooqui, he (Afzal) points out how Indian security officers routinely extorted money from him because he was a 'surrendered militant' who had not become a special police officer (SPO). (see http://www.humanrightskerala.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4384&Itemid=5 for an online version of this letter) In this sordid tale of greed, where different police officers demand varying sums of money after torturing Afzal, lies one of the secrets of Indian colonialism in Kashmir. Our militaries are in Kashmir, Indian soldiers and countless Kashmiris are dying in Kashmir, also because there is money to be made in this business. 'Terrorists' are just as necessary a part of this equation. Because 'terrorists' become 'surrendered terrorists', and 'surrendered terrorists' are excellent sources of cash, because if they do not pay up, they can be made to become 'terrorists' again. Here is the time honoured police and gangster tradition of the 'hafta' and 'vasuli' ratcheted up through the brute force of a military occupation. This in fact is one of the sad truths of the Indian state's presence in Kashmir, and for the sake of the triumph of this truth, Mohammad Afzal Guru is sentenced to die. I can only hope that APJ Abdul Kalam looks carefully at the motto inscribed on his website, his stationery, his cutlery and his towels before he goes to sleep each night in the next few days as he weighs the decision about whether to assent to the clemency petition filed by Afzal's family. Satyameva Jayate. ----------------------------------- From vishal.rawlley at gmail.com Tue Oct 17 03:43:54 2006 From: vishal.rawlley at gmail.com (Vishal Rawlley) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 03:43:54 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Mohammad Afzal Guru's Impending Execution Message-ID: <31d5ea920610161513o59e6cb20jb4f776191511eda2@mail.gmail.com> Googling 'clemency' + ' india' got me: http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=690 where it states: Two recent cases of clemency have come from the relatives of victims. Sonia Gandhi, president of the Congress, now in power in India, secured clemency for Nalini, one of the four sentenced to death for the murder of Rajiv Gandhi, a former Prime Minister. Rajiv was Sonia's husband. Gladys Staines, widow of the Australian missionary, Graham Stewart Staines, who was burnt alive with his two sons, has recommended clemency for their murderers. When the majority of people - outraged by the very thought of considering clemency - are thirsting for Afzal's blood, can reason, logic and high principles be summoned to combat this depraved lust? This is an emotional issue; a calm reconsideration of the facts of the case and a reality check on the circumstances, require tedious engagement that the blood thirsty junta has little patience for. Can an emotive plea to uphold the high principles of Satyameva Jayate be employed more effectively? Can we not cite instances of granting clemency that have set high moral standards to be applauded, edified and eulogised. For many Kashmiris the attack on the parliament was probably the same as the Rang De Basanti gang hijacking the radio station and executing corrupt politicians. Afzal in probably a Bhagat Singh figure for many jaded Kashmiri youth. I am sure many of us also feel let down that the attack only resulted in the death of security personnel and not any of the rascal politicians. If the attackers had taken some hostages and bought some time, let the media come in and broadcast their heartfelt hatred for the state that is crushing their existence and had then been killed with indelible triumphant expressions on their dead faces, would the junta have swayed to their cause? It could have been very nice if Barkha Dutt was taken hostage, for example.... What led these men to make such a daring attack? Was it just because Afzal's medical equipment business was not doing too well and he decided a switch to his old line of work hoping it might still be more rewarding? Or these jehadis were hellbent on attaining a place in heaven and this seemed to be the easiest route to that? If the real people behind the terrorist tag are brought out, if their human stories could be serialised into a soaps, maybe then we would not be so blood thirsty. And why cannot Sonia Gandhi and Graham Stewart Staines express their views on national television or can some wily jurno manipulate and coerce them into making a public statement in favour of clemency? With the Gandhigiri wave on, an emotionally manipulative tactic towards urging a high moral stance could be attempted. Can we be made to understand that by not killing retributively we shall be demonstrating our immense strength and not weakness? Satyameva Jayate needs a good PR agency. -Vishal On 10/16/06, Shuddhabrata Sengupta wrote: Satyameva Jayate? : With Regard to the Impending Execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru in Tihar Jail. Shuddhabrata Sengupta A few days from now, a man called Mohammad Afzal Guru, son of Habibullah Guru, currently resident in Ward Number 6 of Jail Number 1 in Tihar Central Prison in Delhi will hang to satisfy the bloodlust of the Indian Republic, unless the President of India thinks otherwise, A few weeks ago, I recall reading the NDTV newscaster Barkha Dutt's breathless three cheers for the fact that India retains the death penalty (so that the indignant tears in the eyes of television presenters like herself, and the loved ones of murder victims, can be wiped away with each rope that tightens around the neck of condemned prisoners). [See 'A Battle for Life : Barkha Dutt, on NDTV Columns, September 20, 2006 http://www.ndtv.com/columns/showcolumns.asp?id=1061 ] At times like this, when hangmen are asked to practice their moves, nothing comes more in handy than the teflon coated enthusiasm for capital punishment of television crusaders like Barkha Dutt. Great democracies, like the United States of America, the Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan, the Peoples Republic of China, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and enlightened states like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are known for their zeal in retaining the death penalty as a necessary part of state ritual. The Republic of India is in eminent company, and I am grateful to Barkha Dutt for making me remember that. I need not advance moral and ethical arguments against the death penalty here, because they have been so well countered by Ms. Dutt. Never mind the fact that states that have done away with the death penalty have lower rates of violent crime, never mind the fact the innocence of people that condemned to die has often been established after they have been executed. Ms. Dutt has demonstrated that the death penalty is the balm that comforts her agonized soul. And many of those who argue that the President should not in fact assent to the petition filed by Afzal's family are also arguing that the Afzal must hang so that the Indian democracy and the loved ones of those who died defending the Indian parliament may rest in peace. The dignity of the Indian Republic hinges on the lever that will catapult Afzal into the empty space under the gallows in Tihar jail. As the noose tightens, our polity will blossom with renewed vigour. In championing capital punishment, Barkha Dutt also joins the illustrious pantheon of the good and the great in India, such as Shri L.K. Advani, Shri Maninderjeet Singh Bitta (of the All India Anti Terrorist Front) and Shri Buddhadev Bhattacharya who have all, from time to time, publicly expressed their desire to see different people hanged to death in recent times. Politicians such as Ghulam Nabi Azad who have pleaded for a 'postponement' of Afzal's execution in view of 'prevailing circumstances' are as cynical as those (especially in the BJP) who demand that Afzal be hanged as soon as possible while simultaneously demanding that the unfortunate man called Sarabjit Singh who is held in death row in a Pakistani prison be released. Broadly echoing the Ghulam Nabi Azad line (with some nuanced differences) is the gerontocray of the Communist Party of India, which has not found fault with the verdict, only expressed an apprehension about the consequences of its execution. The central leadership of the Communist Part of India (Marxist) has maintained an undignified and convenient silence, even though its prominent legislator in Kashmir, Yusuf Tarigami has publicly opposed the death penalty for Afzal. Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir has suddenly discovered what he calls 'innocence' in Mohammad Afzal Guru in an interview given to Karan Thapar, and this is somewhat belated, because he never said a word about the 13 December Case while he was a coalition partner of the then ruling NDA. Presumably, the National Conference's sensitivity to the issue of Human Rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir have an inverse relationship to the fact of its being in office in that state. The only Indian politician of any stature who has publicly expressed a principled opposition to the death penalty, and to capital punishment as such, is the DMK patriarch K. Karunanidhi. The Indian political class's romance with the death penalty is not anything new, and we must remember that even Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi could see nothing wrong in Bhagat Singh being hanged. Capital Punishment and the core values of Indian Nationalism seem to have a close relationship. Perhaps they are both predicated on the idea that the nation-state and the rule of law demands sacrificial victims from time to time to re-invigorate the tired vitality of its foundations. The Indian state hanged Kehar Singh when it could not find anyone else to hang in order to restore it's vitality in the Indira Gandhi Assasination case, and this time, Mohammad Afzal Guru must serve that necessary function. Perhaps Giorgio Agamben, whose rediscovery of the concept of the pariah turned sacrificial victim of the foundational violence of the state though the term - Home Sacer has found such contemporary resonance in the light of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay , needs to turn his attention to the precincts of the maximum security ward in Tihar Prison. Mohammad Afzal Guru is as likey a candidate today as any for the status of Homo Sacer. Today, I read Vir Sanghvi, another eminent media mandarin, wrestle with his conscience about whether or not Afzal should hang. In a large op-ed piece in the Hindustan Times e paper next to a smaller piece from Karan Thapar that hesitantly takes a different view. [See - The Complexity of Execution, Vir Sanghvi, Counterpoint, Hindustan Times, October 15, 2006 http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1820675,00300001.htm and - Should Mohammad Afzal be Hanged, Karan Thapar, Hindustan Times, Sunday Sentiments, October 15, 2006 http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1820688,00300002.htm] And like all good Indian liberals who won debating prizes in high school, Sanghvi too does this by dispassionately examining the pros ('good strong signal to 'terrorists') and cons ('this damn inconvenience of the fact that he did not really have a legal defence') of execution before saying - "um, yes, maybe, there will be some good that can come out of hanging him, because you know, it might, you know, stop a hijacking, because, you know, you can't really hijack a plane to ask for a dead man to be brought alive, can you" - impeccable reasoning, and so much more reassuring for Vir Sanghvi the next time he checks in to fly. Dead Afzal, no hijakers. Its as simple as that. In fact we should logically follow through with the Sanghvi logic to propose that all the prisoners in Tihar jail be summarily executed tomorrow. it would solve the burgeoning Indian aviation industry's security concerns for the next ten years. Conscientious Citizens like Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi should be invited to conduct executions, preferably live, on television (there is always such a shortage of hangmen, and it would make for such good reality tv, and people could phone in saying how much more tranquil they feel when they watch an execution) in order to redeem frequent flyer points against swift and successful hangings. The more they hang, the higher they will fly. Fasten seat belts and hang a Kashmiri. I wish I were in Delhi, where I could get more of a sense of what is going on, talk to people, get a grip on the fact that there are faces that I would see and voices that I would hear of many people I know who would not be as hysterically celebratory about hanging people in prisons as the firm of Dutt, Singhvi & Co and others like them happen to be. But all I can do is read what I can where I am from the internet. So my day begins (when I get online) by typing the words 'Afzal', 'Guru' and 'Hanging' on google, and hoping that I can soon add 'Clemency' or 'Commutation' to my search string to yield some hopeful result. When I did add the word 'clemency' or 'pardon' recently, I got a result that confirmed my long held views on the wisdom inherent in our republic's judicial apparatus. The lord justices of the Supreme Court of India have sent out a thinly veiled warning addressed to the President, instructing him to act with caution, or else provoke a judicial review of the executive authority of the Presidency. Their words suggest that the President must exercise the utmost restraint and consideration, and not be carried away by passion, in arriving at any decision regarding the death penalty awarded to Mohammad Afzal Guru. It seems remarkable to me to think that the state's decision to kill a man in cold blood should be prefaced in terms of reason, caution, consideration and restraint, and that the mere consideration of reasons to save that life should be qualified by terms that suggest that even the entertainment of such a thought could be unreasonable, excessive, rash and impudent. I have remarked on the sagacity of the Supreme Court of India on other occasions, especially when the lord justices have passed innovative verdicts that suggest that illegal squatters on urban land in a city like should think more carefully about inclement weather, but I am once again amazed at the wisdom and sopistication that some lord justices of the Supreme Court, and other distinguished legal professionals like Soli Sorabjee, our erstwhile attorney general, have displayed in suggesting that even the banal human quality of compassion, or the ordinary, commonplace tendency to doubt that justice has been done when an accused person has gone unheard, or apprehensions about the unleashing of a new spiral of violence, can on occasion be wild, unreasonable, excessive and ever so intemperate. It is evident from the tenor of their pronouncements that cheap sentiments like sympathy, or ordinary doubts about the due processes of trial, or worries about more loss of life, when seen through the exalted filter of national security, are but irritating excesses that need to be held in check. That truth alone must triumph that the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Intelligence Bureau deem acceptable for the health of the Republic. In view of this, we might as well propose an amendment to the constitution such that the national motto be expanded to read - 'Sravoccha Nyayalaya-cha-Guptachara Vibhaga-cha-Griha Mantralayasya Satyameva Jayate". Such a move would yield a national motto or slogan that would render a resonant and precise statement about the present status of the concept known as the truth in the Indian Republic, especially in the wake of the events of the 13th of December, 2001. To have all manner of truths, especially crassly inconvenient and common ones emerge triumphant, such as the fact that the Indian state is a brutal colonial power that holds Kashmir and parts of the North East by military force and with the aid of "shoot at whim" laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act will simply not do. We need refined and processed truths - such as those that condemn Mohammad Afzal Guru to hang. Still, It is possible that APJ Abdul Kalam (the man, not necessaily the President, or the erstwhile weapons designer) may have some residual human qualities that may make him look askance at the fact that Mohammad Afzal Guru is sentenced to be hanged in a few days on the basis of statements that actually clearly implicate agencies of the Indian Government such as the Special Task Force that operate in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by India in the affair of the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001. That is why the Supreme Court must rush to protect APJ Abdul Kalam the President from being swayed by APJ Abdul Kalam the human being. No untoward considerations, such as the possibility of the outbreak of rage in the wake of a blatantly unfair execution, or the simple injustice of a man being killed for being trapped in circumstances that were totally beyond his control, must be allowed to stay the president's or the hangman's hand. He has listened to Afzal's son and wife. He has given them his time, and that shows how magnanimous the Indian state can be, and now, he must say no. Afzal must die. We do not need a reminder of the fact that Afzal's alleged involvement in the planning of this attack is the only reason why he is being sentenced to die. Unlike, other instances of the award of capital punishment, where the accused are likely to be people who have actually killed other people in particularly heinous ways, Afzal is accused only of being an an actor in a conspiracy, a cog in the wheel of terror. His was not a hand that held a gun on that day. He fired no shots, killed no one. He was caught because his phone number was in the phone directory in one of the mobile phones found on the person of the dead terrorists. In a letter written to his Supreme Court defence lawyer, Afzal points out that his mobile phone has numbers of STF personnel, and the same logic by which he is implicated in the conspiracy of December 13 should logically lead to an investigation of the STF personnel's role in the event. If that is so, then it would be natural for us to expect that all leads as to who else may be implicated in this conspiracy would have to be exhausted before any one of the conspirators or actors (in this case Afzal) is given the ultimate punishment. We know that Afzal did not have adequate legal representation in the course of his trial, but we also know that he made statements that the court took note of, in the sense that they are on the court record, which include statements that implicate officers of the Special Task Force in Jammu and Kashmir. These are public documents, and they have been meticulously collated in NIrmalangshu Mukherjee's courageous and disturbing book on the December 13 case - (December 13: Terror over Democracy. Published by Bibliophile South Asia, New Delhi. 2005). This book is available at any good bookship in Delhi, and I am amazed that the media has not in fact made more of this story than it has. [For more details of why Mohammad Afzal should not die, see Nirmalangshu Mukherjee's excellent summary of the main arguments outlined in his book in - 'Should Mohammad Afzal die?', The Economic and Political Weekly, September 17, 2005 this article is available online at - http://www.indianet.nl/indpk162.html#20050917b] Perhaps, once again, phone calls from the Intelligence Bureau and the Home Ministry to editorial offices of newspapers and television channels have done their job. That is the charitable explanation, that the majority of the media has acted out of fear. The uncharitable explanation is that the media is silent about Afzal's relationship with the STF for the same reason as to why it was so vocal in loudmouthing SAR Geelani's presumed culpability in the same case. The mainstream media, to a very large extent is not an organ that takes orders from the intelligence apparatus. It is in fact a part of the intelligence apparatus. The 13 December Case will go down in the history of Modern India as an instance that revealed the extent of embedding of the intelligence apparatus of the Indian state within the so called 'free' media in India. In this delicate game of silence and overstatement, the courts have based their indictment of Afzal partly on the statments made by him and partly on confessions extracted under brutal physical and mental torture in police custody, and the majority of the reporting in the media has conveniently overlooked that fact that the names that have been named by Afzal in these very statements point in the direction of the Indian Government's security, intelligence and counter-insurgency apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir. The 'needle of suspicion' to use another favourite Supreme Court phrase, is pointing all over the place, but no one seems to be looking. There is a pattern here that we need to recognize - when things are obvious, look away, and when truths need to be manufactured, use every tool in the book to manufacture them. We need only to remember that barring Shams Tahir Khan of Aaj Tak, no other journalist present during Afzal's infamous press conference stage managed by Rajbir Singh the sometime decorated special cell police officer, encounter expert and part time extortionist, had the gumption to report that Afzal had in fact stated that SAR Geelani was in no way involved with the events of December 13. All other journalists and the news channels that they represented, who had been present at that 'encounter' with the truth according to the Delhi Police's Special Cell, had fallen in line with Rajbir Singh's 'request' to edit out that part of Afzal's testimony. The only English language national level newspapers or publications that more or less consistently maintained an independent tone were the Hindu and to some extent, Frontline. The only news website that toed a slightly different line was rediff.com, and the only detailed un-biased reports that were published, could actually be found in regional newspapers and publications, mainly in Kashmir, and one, oddly in Kerala. What this suggests is that the intensity in the court's and the broad sweep of the national mainstream media's desire to execute Afzal and to focus on him alone, to the exception of those individuals named by him actually constitutes a move to consign aspects of the truth of what lay behind the events of December 13, and the possible part played in them by the 'deep state' in India, into a kind of oblivion - a black hole of judicially mandated and media packaged silence from which nothing can be recovered for posterity. With Afzal's death, the possibility of concrete evidence for alternative explanations behind the events of that day will die. We will never know, who or what entity actually masterminded the shootout in the Parliament that almost provoked a nuclear war and ensured the legislation of the infamous and now repealed Prevention of Terrorism Act by the then BJP led NDA ruling alliance. If the sentence is carried out, we will never know how much the shadowy senior echelons of the intelligence community in India, or the then home minister and deputy prime minister L.K. Advani, or the then defence minister George Fernandes, or the then prime minister A.B. Vajpayee knew about the fact that a medical and surgical equipment salesman and surrendered JKLF militant called Mohammad Afzal Guru was being 'cultivated' trhough torture, threats and extorition by STF personnel and serving military and para-military officers. We will never know as to whether or not this 'cultivation' led up to the processes that included his being instructed to take a man called Mohammad to Delhi, who eventually turned up as the body of a slain terrorist outside the Indian Parliament in Delh on the 13th of Decemberi. If Afzal dies, the deep state in India will just get a few fathoms deeper, and many uncomfortable secrets will die in its depths. As I write this, I am sitting in far away London, looking at pictures of Andamanese skulls, composite photographs of prisoners in British prisons and fingerprint impressions of convicts taken in un-named colonial prisons in nineteenth century India. Sometimes I do this in two rooms scattered in the campus of the University College of London that houses the remains of what was once founded as the National Eugenics Laboratory by Francis Galton. Galton championed the idea that all social problems could be solved by lessons learnt through indexing, recording and measuring bodies and minds. The truths he sought to legislate, about innate criminality and intrinsic genius, about racial characteristics and inherited traits were to be made concrete by measuring heads and deducing patterns from accumulated fingerprint impressions. In a series of haunting photographs, Galton produces what he calls 'photo-composites' - anthropometric images obtained by layering portraits on to each other such that the features blend in to create a composite face. A face that takes something from all the faces that go into it. So you have the average criminal, the average lunatic, the average East End Jew, the average of eight Andamanese crania. When I think of the events that unfolded on December 13, 2001, I cannot but help think of Galton's photo-composites, and his attempts at deducing the extent of criminality in a given population by producing an average image based on the statistical relationships of the distance of their noses from their chins. Remember how Mr. Advani, the then home minister said on December 13, 2001, that the slain 'terrorists' - 'looked like Pakistanis'. Perhaps he had an image of the 'average' Pakistani stored in the database in his cranium, with which he could compare the features of the dead men and come to this remarkable conclusion. Afzal's indictment too, is an instance of the photo-compositing method of jurisprudence. He is a Kashmiri Muslim man of a certain age, he once was a JKLF activist, he moved often between Srinagar and Delhi for reasons to do with his business. It goes like this - you take any Kashmiri Muslim man of a certain age, and they should look and sound adequately Kashmiri, you identify the fact that they may sympathise or may once have sympathised with the movement to rid Kashmir from brutal military occupation (which is not hard to do, because most human beings would want an end to the particular oppressions that beset them) , you zero in on the fact that he moved between Delhi and Srinagar with some frequency and you mix these facts together to produce the face of a terrorist. There are thousands of such faces, and what matters is not individual culpability in a given act, or even whether a person was coerced or bludgeoned or cajoled into participating in a chain of events, but that he should 'look' the part. His face should be an echo of the 'composite' of the visage of the terrorist that we have learnt to see in our heads. So much so that when the judges see Afzal, they also see Maqbool Butt, the Kashmiri man whose hanging on February 11, 1984, precipitated by a crime (the assasination of the Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in Birmingham) that he did not commit, was one of the sparks that stoked the ongoing Kashmir uprising. Maqbool Batt, who spent long years in Indian and Pakistani prisons, was like Afzal. dogged by the persistent shadow of his entanglement in Indian (and Pakistani) intelligence maneouvres. He had been sentenced to death many years previously for the alleged murder of an Indian military officer during the prehistory of the insurgency in Kashmir in the 1960s, when Butt had first started a rag tag band of partisans called the National Liberation Front. Subsequently, he may well have come under the shadow once again of Indian intelligence outfits, who used him, it is alleged, to mastermind the hijack of the Indian Airlines plane Ganga in 1971 - ( a remarkably non violent hijack in which no passengers or crew were harmed, but an ageing plane that had been out of commission and was surprisingly brought back into use days before the hijack was conveniently blown up while stationary in a Pakistani air field). The shadowy truths of the RAW's involvement (through the Border Security Force) in the hijacking of the Indian Airlines Fokker Friendship plane Ganga, in 1971 (one of the precipitating factors of the 1971 war) with which Batt had something to do, is one of those episodes in the history of modern India which has never quite seen the light of day. And Batt too, like Afzal, may have eventually been a pawn in a game far more complex then he could have comprehended at the time. It is possible that Butt too, like Afzal was acting at least part of the time under orders that emanated from quarters deep within the Indian deep state. Eventually, Butt, the secular idealist, the sometime double agent, the victim of Indian as well as Pakistani justice, returned to India, was arrested and put away to be forgotten in Tihar prison, and in the wake of Mhatre's kidnap and murder, made to walk to the gallows. While alive, he had been an obscure, little known agitator, in death he became 'Shaheed-e-Kashmir'. He proved to be far more dangerous in his death to the Indian state then he was when he had been alive, so much so that the Indian army routinely swoops down on his village on the 11th of February each year to prevent his family from holding a private memorial function in his honour. His brother too was killed in an encounter, his family prevented from coming to Delhi on the day of his execution, and all pictures or portaits of him have been taken away from the private homes of his immediate family. The cynical shortsightedness and the awkward combination of memory and forgetfulness that characterizes Indian state policy in Kashmir may once again produce Francis Galton's racially motivated pseudo-science died a quiet death, and persists mainly as an object lesson in the dangers of the attempt to harvest truths about the human condition on the basis of numbers alone. But it is making a quiet back door entry through the new sciences of biometrics that are at the core of the information technology of the war against terrorism - which itself is the key operation of the settung up of a new kind of state machinery predicated on the hyper-intensive surveillance of those it rules. This includes the impossible holy grail of machine assisted facial recognition as a preventive forensic measure designed to identify and neutralize potential terrorists. This would mean giving a scientific edge to say the act of hanging Mohammad Afzal Guru were it to take place, before, not after the 13th of December. In some crude ways this pre-cognitive neutralization of the terrorist to be is already a refined science in Indian statecraft. It includes the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which enable armed forces personnel to shoot to kill on the basis of suspicion. it is the theory of the practice known as the 'encounter'. Last week, even as the attempts to protest against the impending execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru were gaining momentum, two other events occured in Delhi which merit our attention. The first was a demonstration against the arrest and forced feeding of Irom Sharmila, a young Manipuri woman who has been on a continuous hunger strike against the AFSPA, and the suspected encounter death of Irshad Ahmed Lone, a young Kashmiri man in Delhi. While the first may have got some attention, the second is once again wrapped in silence. Protests rocked the Channapora neighbourhood of Srinagar at the manner in which his naked body showed visible marks of torture. But the Delhi Police, and its Special Cell, thought it wise not to display him as yet another trophy in their war against terror. Perhaps, they thought, it would be too much to exhibit another 'encounter' in the days leading up to Afzal's execution. In the light of this silence, it may be instructive to read a report that appeared on the website of the Kashmir Times newspaper on October 11. It merits a lengthy quotation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kashmiri youth tortured, killed in Delhi Protests rock Srinagar, custodial killing alleged KT NEWS SERVICE : http://www.kashmirtimes.com/news4.htm SRINAGAR, OCT 11: People took to streets and held strong demonstrations at Channapora here today in protest against the murder of a local youth, Irshad Ahmad Lone, an automobile engineer, in New Delhi. Police burst smoke shells and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the demonstrators, who retaliated by pelting stones on cops.. The bereaved family accused Delhi police of arresting Irshad and later killing him in custody. According to them the youth had gone to New Delhi for a job in an automobile company on September 21. He was arrested by police there and brutally tortured. Later they were informed by a cop from the union capital on telephone that Irshad is in an unconscious condition in a hospital. The youth later succumbed to his injuries. Ali Mohammad father of Irshad said that in the morning of October 8 he received a telephone call at his residence from New Delhi. The caller identified himself as assistant sub inspector Ram Ji Lal of Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) police chowki Kashmiri Gate. The cop asked him whether he knew Irshad. Ali Mohammad informed that he was his son. The sub inspector told Ali Mohammad that his son was in an unconscious condition at Sushrutra Trauma Centre. Irshad's brother, Tariq Ahmad, rushed to Delhi. According to him, his brother was in an unconscious condition with visible torture marks on his body. Irshad's arms, throat and head had torture marks. He later succumbed to his injuries. Tariq asked Ram Ji Lal as to what had happened to Irshad. The cop claimed that they found Irshad in a naked condition on a highway at ISBT Kashmiri Gate and that he was unconscious. Asked as to how he got the telephone number of their residence in Srinagar, Ram Ji Lal claimed that Irshad gave the number before he lost his consciousness. The bereaved family members said if police got their phone number from Irshad why it did not ask him as to who had tortured him. They said Irshad was arrested, tortured and then killed by Delhi police. Since this morning large number of people visited the affected family and were waiting for the body till late this evening. The body is likely to reach here during night hours... Senior separatist leaders Mohammad Yasin Malik, chairman JKLF, and Shabir Ahmad Shah, president of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) visited the bereaved family to offer their condolences. Addressing the people there Shah said the way Irshad was murdered it clearly indicated that Kashmiri youth can not go to any Indian state." Their only fault is that they are Kashmiri", he said. Shah alleged that on one side government of India is talking about peace and on the other side leaving no stone unturned to murder Kashmiri youth. The DFP president was placed under house arrest. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik visited the residence of Irshad immediately after his return from New Delhi. Accompanied by other party leaders, he took part in protest demonstrations. Addressing the people, Malik strongly condemned the killing. He asked as to what crime Irshad had committed." Is being a Kashmiri the biggest crime", the JKLF chairman asked. He said the slain engineer had qualified the interview for a job in Delhi on merit. "But he was denied the job for being a Kashmiri. When he was about to return his home, he was killed by unidentified men", Malik said. " ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It appears from this report, and from the arrest of Irom Sharmila and the police action in Delhi against those demonstrating in solidarity with her and against the AFSPA, that being a certain kind of Kashmiri, or having Manipuri or identifiably 'north eastern' features is in fact a crime in the capital of the Indian Republic. The pre-cognitive faculties of the state know that 'people like that' are potential subversives, and that no effort should be spared in neutralizing them. If this does result in the occasional execution of a Mohammad Afzal Guru or the death on the streets of Delhi of an Irshad Ahmad Lone, then it is way to small a price to pay for the integrity and security of the Indian state. It is said took the massacres of Algerians in Paris in 1961 for a generation of French Intellectuals to begin to understand the actual nature of the French colonialism in Algeria. How many Kashmiris will need to die in Delhi's streets and in Tihar (since the number of the dead in Kashmir does not seem to have much of an effect) for the Indian intelligentsia to wake up to the fact that the Indian state is a colonial state and that it acts like any occupying power would, in Kashmir and significant parts of the North East? In Afzal's written statement to his lawyer Sushil Kumar, posted earlier on the Reader List (7th October, 2006) by Mahmood Farooqui, he (Afzal) points out how Indian security officers routinely extorted money from him because he was a 'surrendered militant' who had not become a special police officer (SPO). (see http://www.humanrightskerala.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4384&Itemid=5 for an online version of this letter) In this sordid tale of greed, where different police officers demand varying sums of money after torturing Afzal, lies one of the secrets of Indian colonialism in Kashmir. Our militaries are in Kashmir, Indian soldiers and countless Kashmiris are dying in Kashmir, also because there is money to be made in this business. 'Terrorists' are just as necessary a part of this equation. Because 'terrorists' become 'surrendered terrorists', and 'surrendered terrorists' are excellent sources of cash, because if they do not pay up, they can be made to become 'terrorists' again. Here is the time honoured police and gangster tradition of the 'hafta' and 'vasuli' ratcheted up through the brute force of a military occupation. This in fact is one of the sad truths of the Indian state's presence in Kashmir, and for the sake of the triumph of this truth, Mohammad Afzal Guru is sentenced to die. I can only hope that APJ Abdul Kalam looks carefully at the motto inscribed on his website, his stationery, his cutlery and his towels before he goes to sleep each night in the next few days as he weighs the decision about whether to assent to the clemency petition filed by Afzal's family. Satyameva Jayate. ----------------------------------- _________________________________________ reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. Critiques & Collaborations To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header. To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Tue Oct 17 11:26:33 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 22:56:33 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Somewhere In Time Message-ID: <20061017055633.91003.qmail@web50313.mail.yahoo.com> This is a piece written for the DAILY STAR in Dhaka, and influenced by national mood, somewhat sentimental. --- Somewhere In Time - Naeem Mohaiemen Senior year at Oberlin College. The Graduation committee was discussing candidates for the three Honorary Doctorates. After making our way through familiar names, we started discussion of an unfamiliar nominee. "So, who is this Muhammad Yunus?" The question was not hostile. Only curious. I started doing my prepared little spiel. Grameen, loans to women, Bangladesh, micro-credit, alternative economic theory, group borrowing, blah blah. I was running on empty. I really didn't know enough about Grameen Bank to put together a cogent argument. Microcredit wasn't really in most college syllabuses at that time. This was 1993 -- before the web, browsers or google. The only way to find information was on clunky VAX terminals running Lexis-Nexis. I hadn't found anything there on Grameen, but there was the little tangential mention in Rolling Stone magazine's pre-Presidential Bill Clinton interview. Another friend had photocopied an article from an environmental magazine. It had been sparse on details, but there was a nice photo of women in villages. They were all smiling. I passed the photocopies around and feebly continued my speech. But I was losing the audience, I could tell. Another professor spoke up: "The other Economist we just voted for, is he also Bangladeshi?" Now this was an odd spanner in the works. By a strange twist, two out of the three student representatives on this committee were from Bangladesh (the other was Nadim Haider). On a small, secluded, left-progressive college campus, there were eight Bangladeshi students (an unusually generous scholarship program the previous year). The Indian students outnumbered us, but had various affiliations (including boarding schools) that fragmented them. Our group had no particular moholla ties, so we were inseparable. Campus wags called it the "Bangla mafia," although our power was limited to tall tales and bad jokes. What had earlier seemed an amusing hegemony was now a liability on this committee. Suddenly, I was worried that it might look like we were stacking the decks. Ethnic or linguistic jingoism was certainly not my project. The other economist they were talking about was Amartya Sen. We had already voted to give him a doctorate. "Well," I said, "Amartya Sen is Bengali as well..." It didn't seem as if anyone was actually too worried about the Bengali dominance factor. It was more that there wasn't much literature about Grameen. Most of the other nominees were American. Amartya Sen was based in the US. Familiar faces from media coverage. Not much introduction needed. Suddenly the President of the College, S. Fred Starr, interrupted. "I know Dr. Yunus. Heard him give a speech a few years back. Moving and effective. Microcredit is a great concept. Very deserving of this Doctorate." Starr had been quiet for most of the meeting. Everyone knew it was his last year as College President. Controversy over his policies, perceived as aloof and conservative, had followed him around for four years. I hadn't expected him to weigh in on anything here. But now, for the first time in discussions, he put his weight behind Yunus' nomination. Although I was civil to Starr, I considered him suspect on political grounds. If campus students were agitating against him, surely our politics wouldn't mesh? But this committee was the first time I encountered him at close quarters. And here he was, expressing support for micro-credit. Not for the last time, I had to think beyond surface. And like that, it was done. Democracy is fun, but a confident argument from the big cheese is even better. There was some more discussion, a few general questions, and the group was unanimous in support. By the time Yunus and Sen arrived on campus for our graduation ceremonies, everyone had done their homework. The college library had ordered books on micro-credit. Some students had put up a nice bulletin board with photocopies of Grameen articles (it turned out there were many I had missed). A Chicago activist came and gave a slideshow from his recent trip to Bangladesh. He had apparently begun implementing the Grameen model in his American hometown. Now that really got the audience's attention. At a college where a majority of graduates go on to social welfare professions like human rights law, union organizing and environmental activism, the micro-credit concept was received enthusiastically. Even the skeptical economists were won over. By now, many others have been won over as well. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Tue Oct 17 11:28:30 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 22:58:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Young Turks on Dark Side of Moon Message-ID: <20061017055830.91434.qmail@web50313.mail.yahoo.com> This was meant to go in DAILY STAR this week, but got sidelined by the Nobel Prize announcement. The line about Yunus at the end was appended after the fact. ###### Young Turks on Dark Side of Moon - Naeem Mohaiemen "I'm not actually from India, you know," said Samad. Poppy Burt-Jones looked surprised and disappointed. "You're not?" "No. I'm from Bangladesh." "Bangladesh..." "Previously Pakistan. Previous to that, Bengal." "Oh, right. Same sort of ball-park, then." "Just about the same stadium, yes." [White Teeth, Zadie Smith] The American mediascape is agog about Google's $1.65 Billion acquisition of YouTube.com this week. The central "wow" factor is the insanely high valuation for a company that is only a year old, representing a return to the "irrational exuberance" of the first Internet mania (from which I carry battle scars). Much has been made about "Web 2.0", which is supposed to represent the new model of Internet startups -- steady leadership, bottom line focused, and no more crazy parties. Whether that's true or not remains to be seen, but the zero-to-hero trajectory of YouTube has everyone using cliches like "paradigm shift" once again. Discussing YouTube on San Francisco radio, I focused on the third co-founder of the company -- 27 year old Jawed Karim, a graduate student who made a fortune as the third-highest equity holder. He also generated instant clout with his track record (he was an early member of PayPal, which was bought by eBay). The youth factor is also an immense lure for an age-obsessed media cycle. More important for my own intervention purposes are Jawed's Bangladeshi-German roots. DNA is not destiny (far from it) and nurture is the real determinant, but you can still spin this as a story of another Bangali doing quirky, unconventional projects. While the US media is ga-ga over YouTube (the New York Times lead Business story -- with photo -- was about Jawed), there has been little coverage of the story in Dhaka. No doubt that will change in the next few days, but it's interesting to note a seven-day lag for this story with a Bangladesh link, long after the CNN canines have chewed the story dry. In a comparable high profile story involving an Indian, the Indian and Indian-American press runs at light speed to cover it. Kiran Desai winning the Booker, DJ Rekha's album release, Raju Narisetti becoming Deputy Editor of Wall Street Journal, Gautam Malkani's Houslow rudeboys in Londonstani, Jagdish Bhagwati's nomination for Nobel Prize, Rana Dasgupta's shimmering ephemera in Tokyo Cancelled, Indra Nooyi becoming CEO of Pepsi, Shashi Tharoor's nomination for UN Secretary General, Jhumpa Lahiri's Pulitzer, Fareed Zakaria's tenure as Newsweek International editor, Sabeer Bhatia's founding of Hotmail, Rajat Gupta's time as head of McKinsey - every single one of these stories has been celebrated (often to excess) in the Indian press. This can even lead to over-extending, as with front page stories celebrating Norah Jones multi-Grammy sweep (her father is Ravi Shankar), even though Jones herself does not (publicly) claim a primarily South Asian identity. The NRI bloc has been so critical in molding India's global image, even crusty citizenship laws have been changed to create a new category of PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) passports. An excess of "India Shining" may lead to nausea in the audience, and the intersection with Indian superpower designs are a potential danger. But on a simpler level, the focus on diaspora accomplishes a limited goal of instilling optimism. By contrast, the Bangla media is slow on the uptake to talk about the widespread younger diaspora. Deeder Zaman (Asian Dub Foundation), Akram Khan (Sacred Monsters), Moushumi Khan (Muslim Bar Association of NY), Farook Shamsher (Joi), Aziz Huq (former clerk for US Supreme Court), Sham Miah (Vol de Nuit), Sam Zaman (State of Bengal), Abeer Hoque (Olive Witch), Aladdin Ullah (Port Authority Throw Down), Shazna Nessa (Milky), Monami Maulik (DRUM), Fariba Alam (Bangla East Side), Shireen Pasha (Roti Eaters), Monica Ali (Alentejo Blues), Chaumtoli Huq (Taxi Workers Alliance), Dishad Husain (Viva Liberty), Ivan Jaigirdar (3rd I), and many others are not covered comprehensively or quickly. When the voracious Chernobyl virus invaded the Internet, a young student of BUET programmed an anti-virus in 24 hours. If he had been an Indian student of IIT, the Consulate would have ensured that he was on CNN by live satellite link within hours. But I had to wait two years until the BUET wunderkind came to graduate school in the US to meet him. Living inside the New York media frenzy, I look at the wall-to-wall coverage of Indians in the media and think that Bangalis are the little engine that could -- if only the Bangla press would wake up. I am always wary of excessive nationalism because it can quickly lead to chauvinism and exclusion. We only need consider our horrendous record in Chittagong Hill Tracts to see the dark side of nationalism. There is also a deep contradiction in gaining domestic applause after validation from a Western power structure. But at the current crisis crossroads, we could do with an injection of optimism and inspiration from unconventional locations. A decade ago, Mahfuz Anam gave a heartfelt lecture at Columbia University about the Bangla diaspora. But Daily Star and others have been slow to follow the lead of those words. Media profiles do not have to focus only on middle class professionals, or the sons and daughters of "established" people back home (the latter would only re-inscribe hierarchies and local elites). There are many other stories to track down -- the near monopoly of Bangalis in Brooklyn's brownstone renovation business, the Bangali head cheese buyer at Balducci's, the huge bloc of Bangalis in the pugnacious Taxi Drivers' union, the Sylheti uber-dominance of "Indian" restaurants in London and New York, the packed-to-the-gills Belgian bar-restaurant and trendy East Village hotspots, the new young Bangla activists in New York's immigrant rights battle, and the men who commandeered a signature campaign for International Mother Tongue Day. We can also attempt, emotionally and politically, to embrace a pan-Bangali identity and take the success stories of West Bengalis as part of our mosaic. The network can extend to projects that have a Bangla link, such as My Architect (we failed to build on the buzz around that film's Oscar nomination), and Telling Nicholas (HBO documentary about 9/11 that features a Bangali family). Current politics is a death-bound roller coaster, and the passengers can't disembark. People are always banging on about the resulting short supply of optimism. Dr. Yunus' Nobel Prize will bring a new rush of energy into the national psyche. Many more role models are also needed. The stories are there, inside and outside the borders - vested with the Tireless Activists, Young Turks and Culture Agitators. *** Naeem Mohaiemen's recent projects include DisappearedInAmerica.org and Between Devil & Deep Blue. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From delhi.yunus at gmail.com Tue Oct 17 12:45:53 2006 From: delhi.yunus at gmail.com (Syed Yunus) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 12:45:53 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] A little work for public Domain Message-ID: ...there have been many such programs now days who trying to catch young idea champions...can any body help our dear friend Mr. laha Qoating laha...... I am Rrivu Laha, a second year cinematography student from film & television Institute of India, Pune. I responded to the advertisements posted by Pankaj Rishi Kumar, KUMAR TALKIES inviting proposals from young/debut filmmakers for a series of 5 short films on the theme of 'CONFLICT' (around 5 1/2 min each; fiction, documentary or animation) for the Public Service Broadcasting Trust ( www.psbt.org) My proposal was selected, and I was given to make a film with a Handycamera, not much other equipment. Since I was keen, I went ahead with my making and submitted a rough cut. Although I heard that PSBT and kumar talkies approved my rough cut, no formal letter of communication has been made to me yet. I had several student exercises and a shoot to attend, returning from my shoot yesterday I am finding the news of telecast of my short film on Doordarshan without my name or biography with it. if it is my proposal and my rough cut that has been approved by the PSBT and KUMAR TALKIES, how come my name is not there against my film? How come I am not informed of its telecast? I maybe a young and debutant filmmaker, but can my commissioning editor decide to telecast or publicize my film without my name or my knowledge? What are my rights? Where do I stand in this whole gamut of commissioning? Who is the commissioner? What are my rights against his? Who is the funder? Who has approved the telecast? Where do I stand? No payments have been made to me yet, my expenses haven't been covered except a sum of Rs. 4500/- against research for the film, and no notification of telecast has been given to me. I wish clarification before any further publicity or telecast is made of my film. Rrivu Laha. 2nd year Cinematography Film & television Institute of India Law College Road,Pune Phone : 09372446397 -- Change is the only constant in life ! From seafire at gmail.com Mon Oct 16 17:52:12 2006 From: seafire at gmail.com (s.) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 17:52:12 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] INDIA'S FIRST LOCAL INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE In-Reply-To: References: <9c06aab30610141111r7cc90f8eg4fa08fccc375e4cb@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: s|s, it looks like an ambitious vertical search engine, i send about 200 queries, very interesting performance, it is very india centric even while throwing up results from blogger etcetra. i also see the originators of baazi.com as angel funders, so perhaps it is just a technology concept which will be acquired by a search major eventually. got a URL for your FOSS fellowship project somewhere? On 10/16/06, s|s wrote: > > The word before algorithm used in press release is proprietory. > > Being keenly involved with search engines, one can still assume few > ways of doing this including IP tracking, reverse DNS, content > type/encoding, content weight. My hunch is, its using all of them. > > Also one can use some search engine techniques which are also subject > of my FOSS fellowship. As a sample, word India throws up following > keywords: > > 'perilous times', 'bombay', 'urdu', 'socialism', 'kashmir', 'travel, > 'women', 'reality bites', 'mumbai blasts', 'islam', 'quiddities and > oddities', 'peace', 'dalit', 'iraq', 'liberal', 'chavez', 'religion', > 'bill maher', 'war and rumors', 'vande mataram' > > Some of the keywords are obvious suspects others are unexpected. If > software can track these complex interrelations, I guess it is > possible to make India specific engine considering they have much > larger index of websites compared to mine. > > > Hope that answers the query. > > regards > > supreet > http://supreetsethi.net > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061016/60678b45/attachment.html From arshad.mcrc at gmail.com Mon Oct 16 19:39:08 2006 From: arshad.mcrc at gmail.com (arshad amanullah) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 19:39:08 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Sikhs Angry Over RSS Film Message-ID: <2076f31d0610160709j2fea49a4j426ef44bf57770cd@mail.gmail.com> Sikhs Angry Over RSS Film New Delhi:Shiromani Akali Dal chief of Delhi Paramjit Singh Sarna in letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil has demanded a ban on the film on former RSS chief late MS Golwalkar in which the great role and contribution of Sikhs has been ignored.He declared that ithis fillm will not be allowed to be shown.He said in his letters that in this film Sikhs have been described as a part of Hinduism,thereby denying the existene of Sikhs.It is also said in this that during 1947 communal riots ,RSS men protected Sikhs.Expresssing his anger,he said in his letters that Master Tara Singh's role has also been ignored who had even torn away Muslim League's flag and because of whom large parts of Punjab and Bengal were retained by India and that it were the Sikh soldiers who had prevented Pakistan from grabbing kashmir.He further said that in this film the history of struggle from Bhagat Singh to Udham Singh has been blacked out.He quoted Mahatma Gandhi who had said that the first war of independence was won by Sikhs and added that a representative body of Akalis will soon meet ythe Jathedar of Akal Takht and demand that the relationship between RSS and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal group) may be clearly specified. (Source:The Milli Gazette,1-15 October,2006) arshad amanullah 34,masihgarh, jamia nagar new delhi-25. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061016/1f10a92f/attachment.html From choicetobe at gmail.com Mon Oct 16 23:51:33 2006 From: choicetobe at gmail.com (shruti j) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:51:33 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Online Petition Against Death Penalty for Mohammad Afzal Message-ID: <4d7620500610161121p3bc8d9fcn7c9c0eea41547309@mail.gmail.com> To: The President of India To The President of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Sub: PETITION AGAINST MOHAMMAD AFZAL GURU'S DEATH PENALTY Respected Sir, This is an appeal pertaining to one Mohammad Afzal Guru, 35, a resident of Sopore, a town in north Kashmir (India), who was arrested, to our knowledge, in December 2001 in connection with the armed assault on the Indian Parliament on Decmeber 13 2001. He is presently lodged in the Tihar Jail, New Delhi condemned to be hanged on 20th instant as per the verdict delivered by the Supreme Court of India. In this connection it would be pertinent to point out that under international human rights standards people charged with crimes punishable by death are entitled to the observance of strictest fair trial guarantees in view of the irreversible and most extreme nature of the penalty. Hence meting out of death penalty upon conclusion of a trial in which the provisions of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights had not been respected, which can no longer be remedied by appeal, would constitute a gross violation of the right to life as per the article 6(1) of the aforesaid Covenant. Keeping in view the above international humanitarian standards, we are of the firm opinion that Afzal Guru's trial was not according to the standards laid out for fair trial. More so, as he was denied any worthwhile legal assistance at the trial court - the most crucial stage where evidences were produced and examined, and the Supreme Court of India has rejected the confession that is the basis of his conviction in the trial court. Furthermore, the prosecution, has accused him as a facilitator and not as one directly perpetrating the said crime. And the case of the prosecution stands entirely on "circumstancial evidences". Consequently death penalty, in any case, is grossly disproportionate in this case. It is also highly pertinent that the trial, from the word go, was highly influenced by sustained hysteric propaganda of the Indian media, which had pronounced him guilty and was baying for his blood even before the trial started. It is no wonder and indeed highly significant that under the circumstances the people of Kashmir valley perceive this verdict nothing but as an act of appeasement to public opinion in India. The verdict has come at a time when there is global campaign going on against capital punishment. So far death sentence has been completely abolished in as many as 87 countries and at least another 38 countries have in practice done away with it. In this context the impact of hanging Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, another Kashmiri, in 1984 in the same Tihar Jail, at the end of a trial which was perceived as patently unfair by the people of the valley, radically aggravating the sense of their alienation with hugely tragic consequences must also be kept in mind. In view of above we the undersigned earnestly urge you to exercise your moral and legal authority to set aside the said death sentence and also ask for a judicial enquiry to find out the real truths behind the dastardly attack on the Indian Parliament, as facts have been clearly fudged and fabricated by the investigation agency which have been clearly acknowledged by the higher courts, and the flawed investigations carried out thereafter. This would not only set a healthy precedent and reinforce the common people's trust and faith in democratic values but also go a long way to soothe the inflamed feelings of the people of the Kashmir valley and thereby help the crucial "peace process" now under way. To sign the petition, go to http://www.petitiononline.com/ekta1/petition.html ------------------------------------------------------The Petition against death penalty for Mohammad Afzal Guru Petition to The President of India was created by EKTA (Committee for Communal Amity), Mumbai, India and written by Sukla Sen (ektapetition at yahoo.com). This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.comas a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061016/e56fc364/attachment.html From crd at fondation-langlois.org Tue Oct 17 01:22:13 2006 From: crd at fondation-langlois.org (CR+D) Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:52:13 -0400 Subject: [Reader-list] RESEARCHER IN RESIDENCE GRANTS Message-ID: <69201f9701c64e38949bb5f0d2535c75@fdl-webmestre> THE DANIEL LANGLOIS FOUNDATION: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: RESEARCHER IN RESIDENCE GRANTS Montreal, October 10, 2006 - The Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science and Technology is extending its call for research proposals for researcher in residence grants to November 15, 2006. Through its Researcher in Residence Grant program, the Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science, and Technology supports projects that not only draw on the documentation collection and archival fonds of the Centre for Research and Documentation (CR+D), but that also explore new ways of disseminating and interacting with documentary content. More specifically, the program aims to promote research projects that take an innovative approach to disseminating research results via data communications. Recent revisions to this program have led to the introduction of two research components that can be used as focal points for projects: CR+D documentary collections and archival fonds and Information architecture and online publishing. Component 1 - CR+D documentary collections and archival fonds The research project must make use of the CR+D's documentation collections and archives. A profile of the Foundation's collections is available under the "Fonds and Collections" heading in the "Centre for Research and Documentation" section of the Foundation's Web site at: http://www.fondation-langlois.org/flash/e/index.php?NumPage=147 Component 2 - Information architecture and electronic publishing project Research projects accepted in this component must propose a highly original concept for information architecture and/or electronic publishing. The Foundation is interested in research into content organization systems, navigation and user interface systems, semantics research systems, and metadata development. It is also interested in projects on data and system emulation or migration and research into database access modes and interoperability. For 2007, the Daniel Langlois Foundation is offering two research grants. The proposals selected will allow researchers to work at the Foundation's Centre for Research and Documentation (CR+D), where they will have access to computer and audiovisual equipment as well as to the Foundation's database, its entire document collection, digital documents and a high speed Internet connection (T1). The CR+D also offers reference and research support services as well as technical resources in accordance with the project in question. For more information on this grant program and on how to submit a proposal online, we invite you to consult the program guidelines under "Funding Programs" / "Program for Researchers in Residence" on the Foundation's Web site at: http://www.fondation-langlois.org/flash/e/index.php?NumPage=121 You may also contact Catalina Briceno, program officer, at prg_ind at fondation-langlois.org. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2006. SOURCE: Catalina Briceno, Program Officer The Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science and Technology Tel.: (514) 987-7177, ext. 4214, Fax: (514) 987-7492 E-mail: prg_ind at fondation-langlois.org Web site: http://www.fondation-langlois.org From kumartalkies at yahoo.com Tue Oct 17 13:05:13 2006 From: kumartalkies at yahoo.com (pankaj kumar) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:35:13 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] my response to Rivu Message-ID: <20061017073513.35031.qmail@web56414.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Dear Moderator, I have responded to Mr. Rivu. I do not wish to wash dirty linen in public. Mr. Rivu has the freedom to publish my mail. People on this list, those interested may write to him and get facts from him... rrivulaha at yahoo.com with warm regards pankaj --------------------------------- Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061017/0823c54c/attachment.html From lokesh at sarai.net Tue Oct 17 13:54:05 2006 From: lokesh at sarai.net (Lokesh) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 13:54:05 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] films for ysf Message-ID: <45349325.1000206@sarai.net> Dear All, The Youth Social Forum will be hosted in Delhi along with the Indian Social Fourm from 9th to 13th November 2006. As part of its focus on cultural activities, a space will be made available for screening short films - documentary and fiction. We invite filmmakers, especially young filmmakers, to send in their films, and make this an exciting YSF! The broad themes of the Forum are: --> Work and Labour --> Education and Employment --> Neo-Liberal Globalisation and Issues of Development --> Gender and Sexuality --> Internationalism and Revolutionary Movements --> Exclusions: Caste, Class, Race and Religion --> Alternatives: Dreams and Visions for another world --> Environment and Ecology --> Conflict and Violence --> Migration and Displacement The themes are intended as indicative of broad areas of concern. Do send in your films if you think they speak to the larger concerns of the YSF, even if your specefic theme is not listed above :) If you would like to screen your film at the ISF-Youth Social Forum, Please send a short note about yourself, and a brief description of the film to Bhagwati Prasad bhagwati at sarai.net and Lokesh lokesh at sarai.net . While there is no time-limit as such, in order that a diversity and range of projects can be screened, we would urge that films not exceed 30 mins in length. The last date for submissions is 25th October 2006. Looking forward! In solidarity Lokesh & Bhagwati Prasad for youth forum 2006 From delhi.yunus at gmail.com Tue Oct 17 14:40:18 2006 From: delhi.yunus at gmail.com (Syed Yunus) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:40:18 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Helpless City:Now SMS helplines are coming!! Message-ID: A new SMS helpline for women has been launched By National Commission for Women the number 6070 will be functinal after Deewali .This SMS helpline has been designed specially for women working in call centers and it is believd that it would be very helpful for them . Helplines are linked to phone some way or other but now the use of SMS as helpline will surly bring some new changes in its use and abuse.Since most of the time phone is at the disposal of helpline workers they experiment with it, some times certain habits are also inculcated because of it. Let me share my recent experiment with the technology. For quite some time I was observing the pattern of 'SMS' I get on my cell phone and I found that most of them were some what related to 'forwarding' it to others. It creates a desire for recognition among the receivers so that he/she should forward it to other friends for the sake of fun, recognition or love, and I found that very few of them were created for a social cause (some times it is for recognition too). I was thinking of using this technology for social cause (when we send a message from our own number it is taken as a personal message and taken seriously)... deep impact!! So recently when I was working on a campaign, I also started a SMS campaign for social awareness of the law against child labour. It picked some momentum but unlike anti reservation campaign I didn't get repeated messages. Yunus -- Change is the only constant in life ! From banamallika at hotmail.com Tue Oct 17 16:01:50 2006 From: banamallika at hotmail.com (banamallika choudhury) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:31:50 +0000 Subject: [Reader-list] Call for propsal on research project on Cities Message-ID: Hi. Can I please have the call for proposal on research projects on cities? _________________________________________________________________ Spice up your IM conversations. New, colorful and animated emoticons. Get chatting! http://server1.msn.co.in/SP05/emoticons/ From arshad.mcrc at gmail.com Tue Oct 17 17:45:29 2006 From: arshad.mcrc at gmail.com (arshad amanullah) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:45:29 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] More on Dr Yunus's Nobel Prize and Related Issues by:Taj Hashmi Message-ID: <2076f31d0610170515t6678d308h9c16fff4cf264d7d@mail.gmail.com> More on Dr Yunus's Nobel Prize and Related Issues Taj Hashmi Dear Friends: I have mixed feelings about Dr Yunus's getting this most prestigious award. On the one hand I am happy for him, rather happier for my country. At least more than a billion people globally read, watched and heard this image-boosting news. And I know, the average people do not know or care to know how a particular physicist, chemist, medical-researcher / physician, economist, writer and peacemaker got the Nobel. How many Indians can precisely tell as to why the great Amartya Sen got the prize is a billion dollar question. In this token, Dr Yunus's prize matters most to the bulk of the people in Bangladesh and abroad, NOT what fetched this prize. I have no problem with that. I also personally believe as I personally know Prof Yunus since our Chittagong University days as colleagues since 1972 that he is not the type who would make money by his project. So where is the problem that I am dead against NGOs and micro-credit? I was a BIG admirer of Grameen Bank up to 1996. After undertaking my book project to work on women and Islam in Bangladesh in early 1996, I spent a few months in Bangladeshi villages doing field work, examining the impact of NGOs (mainly Grameen and BRAC) on the poor villagers, especially women. I also looked into the problem of the ongoing confrontation between NGOs and village mullahs. I interviewed a cross section of the population, reviewed literature, both pro- and anti-Grameen (there are tons of anti-Grameen literature, both in print and web). And by early 1997 I was a changed man. Later in 2001 and early 2002 I spent two months in villages in Comilla, Sylhet and Dhaka districts, with my students as their supervisor (anthropology and ethnography). My students without my prompting all told me that they found non-Grameen villagers were much better off than those taken Grameen loans. Some villagers proudly asserted: "Sir ( unfortunately, a very common expression in Bangladesh on part of the poorer sections while addressing urban educated people), we did not allow the Grameen to open its branch in our village. And as a result, we are much better off than some neighbouring villagers, (who are indebted to Grameen) by the grace of Allah." Most unfortunately, contrary to what Dr Yunus has been telling us, the poorest of the poor simply do not / cannot get Grameen loan as they simply cannot service any loan at 30%, payable in 52 instalments in one year. There is no remission, exemptions or leniency. Defaulters part with tinsheds, utensils, goat and cattle. This came out in so many newspapers in Bangladesh and researchers (even admirers of Grameen) found out on the field. So, the Grameen borrowers are mainly middle peasants, who had access to micro credit throlughout our history. Even the wretched Kabuli (actually Pathan) money lenders in Bengal during the British period used to advance micro credit, collateral free, at 24% interest., None of those money lenders ever got any appreciations from us. Those money lenders rendered tremendous service to the poor during their crisis period -- on the eve of their children's wedding or when they were on the verge of starvation during a bad harvest, floods or drought. Do you know that Rabindra Nath Tagore started a beautiful rural banking system in the 1930s at a village called Patishar in Naogaon district (not far from Hasan Mahmud's ancestral home). Tagore's bank, called Patishar Bank is almost an exact replica of Dr Yunus's Grameen Bank (which Dr Yunus never acknowledged). But the beauty of Tagore's bank was that it charged NO INTEREST from the borrowers. Did Tagore deserve another Nobel Prize for this noble gesture at the fag end of his life? In sum, I do agree with the view that Dr Yunus has a vision and Bangladesh should celebrate this award, but Dr Yunus has failed to understand the implications of importing Monsanto seeds into Bangladesh, giving tax-free privilege to a Norwegian telephone company to rip off Bangladesh and the evil design of the IMF and World bank, who never ever did anything goof for the Third World. They have an agenda, which Dr Yunus failed to understand or ignored. Do you think that it is fair to charge around 28 to30% interest from the "target group" or the poor borrowers (the poorest don't get the loan, at all), while the Grameen Bank gets that capital from Western donors interest free or at 2% interest? Do you think Grameen Phone should have paid due income tax to the Bangladesh Government? Do you think NGOs, not good governance, can alleviate and eradicate poverty? I finish by citing Lee Kuan Yew, the father of modern Singapore. He wrote and said in public that had Singapore listened to the IMF and World Bank, by the 1990s Singapore would at best have been at the stage of Sri Lanka in terms of development. Similarly Bangladesh, taking Lee Kuan Yew and Jawaharlal Nehru, the great visionaries of our time as inspirers, should come out of the dictates of donor agencies, including the IMF and World Bank. My opposition to this Nobel Peace Prize to Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank has only one objective: Bangladesh should not let loose the demon of micro-credit and NGO business, at the cost of its long-term interest. You would be surprised to learn that how exploitative the mega NGOs like BRAC and PROSHIKA could be for the average bangladeshis. How many of you know that a Nakshi Kathar Sari you buy at Taka 12,000+ at Aarong shops, run by the BRAC, is a by-product of slave labour. The BRAC not only pays NO income tax (as charity, has occupied parts of Gulshan Lake to build its multi-storied complex , people allege, I am not sure) ,it also pays around Taka 500 to the village woman who makes the embroidery on the Nakshi Katha Sari. And it takes her about a month to complete one sari. Is it fair? Similarly is it fair to promote money lending by Grameen borrowers? They borrow at 30% and invest that in local money-lending business charging 100% or more on short-term loans. So, while the Nobel Prize is a good news, the story behind the Prize is not so. Finally, while Gandhi never go the Nobel Peace Prize (he deserved it most in South Asia), Menachem Begin, Anwar Sadat, Yasser Arafat and a former South Korean Prsident in 2000(the name slipped off my memory) got this prize for bringing about PEACE in the Middle East and the Korean peninsula! Where is the peace in these regions, could you please tell me? Warm wishes and kind regards to all. Taj Hashmi [taj_hashmi at hotmail.com] -- arshad amanullah 34,masihgarh, jamia nagar new delhi-25. From gabyvargasc at prodigy.net.mx Tue Oct 17 19:43:15 2006 From: gabyvargasc at prodigy.net.mx (Gabriela Vargas-Cetina) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:13:15 -0400 Subject: [Reader-list] More on Dr Yunus's Nobel Prize and Related Issues by:Taj Hashmi In-Reply-To: <2076f31d0610170515t6678d308h9c16fff4cf264d7d@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Thank you, Arshad, for this letter, which I found most informative about actual conditions in rural Bangladesh. When I was a researcher in Chiapas, Mexico, the Grameen Bank tried to set up a microcredit office to give loans to indigenous weavers. The weavers, however, were not interested, because the loans were for very little money and charged too much interest compared to local NGOs that ran credit programmes. I think that Dr. Yunus deserves the Nobel Prize because he had a good idea and stood by his vision. However, the way in which these idea and vision have been implemented shows, at most, a checkered pattern of light and shadows. In some places it has worked well but in many others it just hasn't. However, I have not seen in the ethnographic record -or elsewhere- that good ideas always work well everywhere. Gabriela -- Gabriela Vargas-Cetina, Fellow Cornell University Society for the Humanities A.D. White House 27 East Avenue Ithaca, NY 14853-1101 On 10/17/06 8:15 AM, "arshad amanullah" wrote: > More on Dr Yunus's Nobel Prize and Related Issues Taj Hashmi Dear > Friends: I have mixed feelings about Dr Yunus's getting this most > prestigious award. On the one hand I am happy for him, rather happier for > my country. At least more than a billion people globally read, watched and > heard this image-boosting news. And I know, the average people do not know or > care to know how a particular physicist, chemist, medical-researcher / > physician, economist, writer and peacemaker got the Nobel. How many Indians > can precisely tell as to why the great Amartya Sen got the prize is a billion > dollar question. In this token, Dr Yunus's prize matters most to the bulk of > the people in Bangladesh and abroad, NOT what fetched this prize. I have no > problem with that. I also personally believe as I personally know Prof Yunus > since our Chittagong University days as colleagues since 1972 that he is not > the type who would make money by his project. So where is the problem that I > am dead against NGOs and micro-credit? I was a BIG admirer of Grameen Bank > up to 1996. After undertaking my book project to work on women and Islam in > Bangladesh in early 1996, I spent a few months in Bangladeshi villages doing > field work, examining the impact of NGOs (mainly Grameen and BRAC) on the poor > villagers, especially women. I also looked into the problem of the > ongoing confrontation between NGOs and village mullahs. I interviewed a > cross section of the population, reviewed literature, both pro- > and anti-Grameen (there are tons of anti-Grameen literature, both in print and > web). And by early 1997 I was a changed man. Later in 2001 and early 2002 I > spent two months in villages in Comilla, Sylhet and Dhaka districts, with my > students as their supervisor (anthropology and ethnography). My students > without my prompting all told me that they found non-Grameen villagers were > much better off than those taken Grameen loans. Some villagers > proudly asserted: "Sir ( unfortunately, a very common expression in > Bangladesh on part of the poorer sections while addressing urban > educated people), we did not allow the Grameen to open its branch in > our village. And as a result, we are much better off than some neighbouring > villagers, (who are indebted to Grameen) by the grace of Allah." Most > unfortunately, contrary to what Dr Yunus has been telling us, the poorest of > the poor simply do not / cannot get Grameen loan as they simply cannot service > any loan at 30%, payable in 52 instalments in one year. There is no remission, > exemptions or leniency. Defaulters part with tinsheds, utensils, goat and > cattle. This came out in so many newspapers in Bangladesh and researchers > (even admirers of Grameen) found out on the field. So, the Grameen > borrowers are mainly middle peasants, who had access to micro credit > throlughout our history. Even the wretched Kabuli (actually Pathan) money > lenders in Bengal during the British period used to advance micro credit, > collateral free, at 24% interest., None of those money lenders ever got any > appreciations from us. Those money lenders rendered tremendous service to the > poor during their crisis period -- on the eve of their children's wedding or > when they were on the verge of starvation during a bad harvest, floods or > drought. Do you know that Rabindra Nath Tagore started a beautiful > rural banking system in the 1930s at a village called Patishar in > Naogaon district (not far from Hasan Mahmud's ancestral home). Tagore's > bank, called Patishar Bank is almost an exact replica of Dr Yunus's > Grameen Bank (which Dr Yunus never acknowledged). But the beauty of > Tagore's bank was that it charged NO INTEREST from the borrowers. Did > Tagore deserve another Nobel Prize for this noble gesture at the fag end > of his life? In sum, I do agree with the view that Dr Yunus has a vision > and Bangladesh should celebrate this award, but Dr Yunus has failed > to understand the implications of importing Monsanto seeds into Bangladesh, > giving tax-free privilege to a Norwegian telephone company to rip off > Bangladesh and the evil design of the IMF and World bank, who never ever did > anything goof for the Third World. They have an agenda, which Dr Yunus failed > to understand or ignored. Do you think that it is fair to charge around 28 > to30% interest from the "target group" or the poor borrowers (the poorest > don't get the loan, at all), while the Grameen Bank gets that capital from > Western donors interest free or at 2% interest? Do you think Grameen > Phone should have paid due income tax to the Bangladesh Government? Do > you think NGOs, not good governance, can alleviate and eradicate poverty? I > finish by citing Lee Kuan Yew, the father of modern Singapore. He wrote and > said in public that had Singapore listened to the IMF and World Bank, by the > 1990s Singapore would at best have been at the stage of Sri Lanka in terms of > development. Similarly Bangladesh, taking Lee Kuan Yew and Jawaharlal Nehru, > the great visionaries of our time as inspirers, should come out of the > dictates of donor agencies, including the IMF and World Bank. My opposition to > this Nobel Peace Prize to Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank has only one objective: > Bangladesh should not let loose the demon of micro-credit and NGO business, > at the cost of its long-term interest. You would be surprised to learn that > how exploitative the mega NGOs like BRAC and PROSHIKA could be for the average > bangladeshis. How many of you know that a Nakshi Kathar Sari you buy at Taka > 12,000+ at Aarong shops, run by the BRAC, is a by-product of slave labour. The > BRAC not only pays NO income tax (as charity, has occupied parts of Gulshan > Lake to build its multi-storied complex , people allege, I am not sure) ,it > also pays around Taka 500 to the village woman who makes the embroidery on > the Nakshi Katha Sari. And it takes her about a month to complete one sari. Is > it fair? Similarly is it fair to promote money lending by Grameen borrowers? > They borrow at 30% and invest that in local money-lending business charging > 100% or more on short-term loans. So, while the Nobel Prize is a good news, > the story behind the Prize is not so. Finally, while Gandhi never go the Nobel > Peace Prize (he deserved it most in South Asia), Menachem Begin, Anwar Sadat, > Yasser Arafat and a former South Korean Prsident in 2000(the name slipped off > my memory) got this prize for bringing about PEACE in the Middle East and the > Korean peninsula! Where is the peace in these regions, could you please tell > me? Warm wishes and kind regards to all. Taj Hashmi > [taj_hashmi at hotmail.com] -- arshad amanullah 34,masihgarh, jamia nagar new > delhi-25. _________________________________________ reader-list: an open > discussion list on media and the city. Critiques & Collaborations To > subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in > the subject header. To unsubscribe: > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list List archive: > <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Tue Oct 17 22:46:28 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:16:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Wounded Nation, Still The Dreamer Message-ID: <20061017171628.23587.qmail@web50309.mail.yahoo.com> http://shobakorg.blogspot.com Wounded Nation, Still The Dreamer - Naeem Mohaiemen "You and I are of that clan The one that sings in the middle of pain That painful scream is the only song, of this dead century." [ Humayun Azad, Bangla Bhashar Shothru Mithro, 1999] On Friday, after I sent the umpteenth SMS to various cell phones with the message "Nobel Prize!" one friend fired back, "Basta Ya! What is with this irritating display of nationalism! I thought you were above all this?" Somehow my recent bread crumb trail has manufactured a persona where a burst of patriotism is unexpected and unsettling. In the earlier "Young Turks" piece I wrote, "I am wary of excessive nationalism because it can quickly lead to chauvinism and exclusion." Apparently not enough of a caveat. The macro reaction to Muhammad Yunus' Nobel Prize has been an unprecedented show of pride among Bengalis on both sides of the border (Bangladesh & West Bengal). Within an hour of the announcement, a noted professor was demanding that Yunus take charge of the caretaker government (Bangladesh is constitutionally required to hold elections under a caretaker government to prevent vote rigging). "Yunus, Save The Nation" went the cry. Microcredit is a done deal. Now come and rescue the country from political chaos. A savior for all seasons? I'm hard-pressed to think of another recent Nobel Laureate where every single photo shows him surrounded by hordes of people, all waving at the camera. Contrast this with the sober, almost dour, photo of Orhan Pamuk leaving the Columbia University campus, followed by two lonely camera crews. It's New York -- everyone is too blasé anyway. Are Bengalis a uniquely emotional people, as per every cliché since time immemorial? "Two Bengalis is a political party, Three Bengalis is a political party and a splinter group, Four Bengalis is civil war." Or is there more going on? There are, of course, structural reasons for the jubilation response to this announcement. Shirin Ebadi's win was seen as a slap in the face of the mullahcracy, so the Iranian government's reaction was subdued. In Turkey, Pamuk's position on the Armenian genocide flays at the raw nerve of exclusionary nationalism, leading the Turkish President to only make an obscure reference to export of Turkish "cotton and figs" ("Pamuk" means "cotton"). El Baradei? Well, it's hard to calculate which country (or region) should celebrate his victory. By contrast, the notoriously antagonistic Bangla government (Khaleda Zia) and opposition (Sheikh Hasina) were temporarily united in the rush to congratulate Yunus. Ah, those turbo-charged headlines! "Nobel Hero", "How Grameen Changed The World", "Nation Parties on Nobel Win". Our version of "party" is flower garlands, receptions, speeches and a Fakir Alamgir song. But, still... Why does a Nobel Prize matter so much for Bangladesh? Muhammad Yunus is the third Bengali to win the award, after Rabindranath Tagore (1913: Literature) and Amartya Sen (1998: Economics). Sen's roots are in East Bengal, and Tagore spent some of his life in the same-- but neither were ever technically citizens of post-partition East Pakistan (later Bangladesh), although Tagore's song is the national anthem. Yunus is alone in being technically and actually a Bangladeshi citizen, and therefore some kind of "first" in this victory. Reason for a little something extra. Everyone likes the "first" something. Apparently Bono was the front-runner -- now that would truly have been a useless, vanity award to the last remaining shill for Bush and brutal crusher of Negativland. But for most Bangalis, every year has been marked by a moment of wondering before the awards are announced. During an interview to Rolling Stone in 1992, a pre-Presidential Bill Clinton name-checked Yunus and said "he should" win the Nobel Prize. Ever since then, Yunus has invariably been mentioned as a candidate every year. There was a tussle over whether Yunus should get the award in Economics, but wiser heads strategically nominated him for Peace instead. Why a nationalist project in this century, when these parochial feelings are supposed to be closeted. All sorts of ummah identity are to be the new transnational glue -- South Asian, Subcontinental, Deshi, Asian, Pan-Asian, Muslim, Southern, Third World, pick your kurta. But suddenly back to the national borders. Or is it forward to...? For my friends who have moved to a beyond-nation position, it's hard to explain a psyche that craves national heroes. For three decades, Bangladesh has struggled under the weight of the impossible, sky-high expectations created by the 1971 liberation war and the rise of Sheikh Mujib as a demi-god figure. Mujib's belief in his god status was so invincible, when the Army majors burst into his Dhanmondi home, instead of hiding he confronted them with the barked command "Thora Ki Chash?" (What Do You Boys Want) This is the way we address young boys, near ones or servants. But these were no servants, but killers who cared little for god-rules. For a soldier willing to rip Mujib's chest open with machine gun fire and then hunt down and kill every member of his family, there were no boundaries. Perhaps they were the originating atheists, determined to "Kill Your Idols" long before it was a grunge slogan. >From the dark days of August 1975, Bangladesh has seen many downs and downs. Judas kiss (Khondoker Mosharraf), jail killings (four AL leaders), army musical chairs (Khaled Mosharraf), "Shipai Shipai Bhai Bhai " (the mass mutiny), secret execution of the crippled war hero (Abu Taher), "I will make politics difficult" (General Zia), mysterious "mob" death (Zia's assassin Manzur), frog-not-prince (Abdus Sattar), "Every sonofabitch now a poet" (General Ershad), the return of the Collaborator (Ghulam Azam), and the continuing confrontation of the last fifteen years between the two main heirs (Mujib's daughter Hasina, and Zia's wife Khaleda -- women leading the two main dynasties, and yet this is no progress for feminism!). Politics is not everything, but this spiraling death game has poisoned many aspects of Bangladesh's trajectory. Think of Jimmy Carter's "national malaise" times ten (no Cowboy to our rescue). The new great game added in the last few years is the much-exaggerated idea of a "new Taliban" coming from Bangladesh. Another zero-zero image game. A nation that cannot define itself is forced to swallow others' definitions. When Henry Kissinger, smarting over the humiliation of Bangladesh's independence (in defiance of Nixon's policy of arming the Pakistani army), called the country a "bottomless basket", he opened a Pandora's Box of image assassination. Thirty years on, every new government feels the need to say to a foreign magazine interviewer, at least once, "Well, you know we are no longer that bottomless basket, we are self-sufficient in food..." Kissinger is now a national homage site, or rather a monument to be smashed. Calling Christopher Hitchens... Lazy journalism and media caricature always needs a country to be "Timbuktu" -- a symbol for distance, dystopia, mystery, poverty, or anarchy. In the last few years, Bangladesh also finds itself trapped inside the box of Islam. Fighting a rising militant Islamic threat inside its borders, the country is now the focus of unwelcome attention from both India and the US. A steady drumbeat of parachute journalism about "Talibanization." There are, predictably, a roll-call of achievements that are ignored -- dramatic increases in food sufficiency, child vaccination rates that are higher than the US, drop in child mortality, accelerating literacy rate, increase in female education (many of these indicators better than neighboring India), exploding export sector, literal rags-to-riches story as one of the largest suppliers of readymade garments to the world, a technologically savvy youth culture, construction boom, digital divide leapfrogging, fiercely free press, empowered women, and home to the largest number of NGOs and by extension a huge number of successful development, social welfare and grassroots organizing models. But none of these are particularly sexy, or bite-size stories. A universal oral saline solution -- that would never get newsrooms buzzing. These paradoxes are what make this nation so vulnerable to emotion and wild mood swings. In the midst of a poverty scenario, somehow a global "happiness" survey pronounced Bangladeshi people to be the "happiest in the world"! It is in this context that the Yunus Nobel has been appropriated and turned into something larger than its provenance. All the frustrated desires for a hero, a cause, a pride flag, have now been projected onto one man, institution and moment. Trying to make sense of a national pride project (while insisting to my skeptical friends that this is different from jingoism), I went back to my archives and dug out an email I had written from Dhaka last December. Filming back-to-back rallies by Islamist groups and Secularists, and finding the latter tiny and outnumbered, I was in a blue mood reflecting the national tenor. The country was reeling through an unbroken chain of political violence, magnified by "suicide bombings" by militant Islamists. Those six months of chaos were considered the gravest threat to Bangladesh's future since the 1971 war. Foraging for optimism, the NEW AGE ran a special issue on "Our Heroes". The lead editorial searched for hopeful words: “Bombs. Chaos. Lip service. Political impasse. More bombs. Partisan vitriol. Bipartisan inertia. Again, bombs. Fear of terrorism, of a brainwashed, uneducated, probably unthinking ‘Islamist militant’ walking into your workplace/school carrying an innocent enough looking tiffin box that suddenly blows up in your face. Life in Bangladesh in 2005 was like being in an unending labyrinth of fear and frustration. But even as the powers that be foster a society where faith in faux-religious dogma is increasingly threatening to uproot faith in humanity, countless others continue to stem the tide by being torchbearers of just that - humanity, the human spirit. Not necessarily by achieving extraordinary feats, but by simply doing their job well, they remind us that there must surely be a way out of the labyrinth....These are our heroes." But hajar holeo I am a Bengali. Words in English, in a newspaper read by the country's elite and embassies, cannot touch an emotional chord. I needed to hear it in Bengali. Finally, on a gloomy December 16th, known in more hopeful times as Independence Day, the weekly SHAPTAHIK 2000 mustered up unknown reserves of optimism to bring out their cover story. A green-red cover, echoing the flag. A cloud cluster of words, tracing the shape of the map. Among the many words, I could make out the following: Terrorism Cross-fire Bomb blasts Traffic Jam Murder Poison Pen Militancy Brain Drain Fundamentalism Gas crisis Bribery Water crisis Inflation Scandal Monga Fraud Bank loot Blackout And underneath that long litany, an impossible defiance: "Standing in the middle of a pile of smoke, we still dream of a prosperous, stable Bangladesh. A country where the Fundamentalists will have no space Where we can smash their throne of blood to pieces. Bengalis are on a cursed journey, but we still dream among the ashes" And then the seemingly impossible headline: AND YET, I STILL LOVE BANGLADESH "From a wounded land and people, who won't stop dreaming." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BIBLIOGRAPHY ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To see the magazine cover http://shobakorg.blogspot.com/2006/10/still-dreamer_17.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1. NOBEL: National Euphoria State http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/16/d61016070883p.htm http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/15/d61015060252p.htm http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/14/d6101401011p.htm http://www.ittefaq.com/uploaded/06/10/17/65833_1_a.jpg http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/10/17/d6101701011.htm http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/13/asia/AS_GEN_Nobel_Peace_Little_Loans.php 2. NEW AGE: Heroes for a Beleagured Nation SCIENCE: Jafar Iqbal & Quantum Leap http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes01.html BIOLOGY: Farhad Mazhar & Seed Shall Set You Free http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes03.html RELIGION: Brother Ronald Drahozal, Missionary Apart http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes07.html THEATER: Selim Al Deen, Our Stories Our Way http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes04.html LAW: Rokan Ud-Dawla, Man on the street http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes10.html HISTORY: Sirajul Islam & the Banglapedia Project http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes02.html ART: Shishir Bhattacharya’s Quest for Human Rights http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/02/18/d60218140195.htm ART: Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Brushstrokes of brilliance http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes08.html CREDIT: Shamima Khatun, from Biralakkhi to New York http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/heroes05.html Ten Faces of the Next Generation http://www.newagebd.com/2006/jan/01/newyear06/ff.html#01 3. BUSINESS: Goldman Sachs lists Bangladesh as one of 11 with greatest potential http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/24/bloomberg/sxmuk.php __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Wed Oct 18 00:24:28 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:54:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Reply to Taj Hashmi (Zafa/Rumi/NGO) Message-ID: <20061017185429.29880.qmail@web50306.mail.yahoo.com> Here are 3 replies to Taj Hashmi, from ongoing debate going on at Drishtiipat.org and Uttorshuri, two of the forums where Hashmi has posted his allegations. #################### From: Zafa Noor http://www.drishtipat.org/blog To answer Hashmi’s question; “Do you think Grameen Phone should have paid due income tax to the Bangladesh Government?” here are some facts that came from none other than Iqbal Quadir (who conceived the idea of Grameen Phone) Some clarifications first: There is no such thing as Grameen. There is a bank called Grameen Bank (GB). Grameen Bank officers (not owners ) have created a non-profit foundation called Grameen Telecom. It administers the 250,000 village retailers who sell telephone services in 55,000 villages. Grameen Telecom and Telenor together own GrameenPhone Limited (GPL). GPL is probably the largest corporation in Bangladesh in terms of revenues, probably above $1 billion this year. It is definitely the largest tax-paper in the country. In 2005, it paid to the government at least $200 million in VAT, corporate taxes, license fees, other fees, interconnection charges etc. That is Tk 1400 crores . This year, it is probably going up by 50%. #################### From: NGO employee in Dhaka Hi Naeem I've read some of this guy's posts. So full of factual inaccuracies as not to be dignified with any response. I would say to him does he really think 15 million plus people in BD can be duped into participating in a system that is of no benefit to them especially in absence of any legal binding. Please. What a waste of time. Should probably jot down my thoughts on these events when my head is clearer. Let's see.... #################### From: Rumi Ahmed Re: [dp_admin] A Culture of Dialogue Do you remember Shumon, when visiting Grameen we asked this same questions, as put forward by Dr Hashmi, repeatedly to different level of Grameen leadership and employees starting from Dr yunus. There answer were not at all of dismissal as not worthy of response. They tried their best to answer all the critique, point by point. To me some were convincing, some were not. I see Grameen more as a social movement rather than merely a banking platform. That makes me not focus on interest rate too much. And BTW, If Dr Hashmi can come up with a better one and show us the fruits, I'll definitely give it a try. Rumi __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From Prashant.Ramachandran at ogilvy.com Wed Oct 18 01:31:26 2006 From: Prashant.Ramachandran at ogilvy.com (Prashant Ramachandran) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 04:01:26 +0800 Subject: [Reader-list] Prashant Ramachandran is out of the office. Message-ID: I will be out of the office starting 10/18/2006 and will not return until 10/27/2006. I will respond to your message when I return. Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer does not consent to email or messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of the sender's company shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it. From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Wed Oct 18 02:37:56 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:07:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] John Tierney Compares Wal-Mart To Grameen Message-ID: <20061017210756.68269.qmail@web50311.mail.yahoo.com> The New York Times October 17, 2006 Op-Ed Columnist Shopping for a Nobel By JOHN TIERNEY I don’t want to begrudge the Nobel Peace Prize won last week by the Grameen Bank and its founder, Muhammad Yunus. They deserve it. The Grameen Bank has done more than the World Bank to help the poor, and Yunus has done more than Jimmy Carter or Bono or any philanthropist. But has he done more good than someone who never got the prize: Sam Walton? Has any organization in the world lifted more people out of poverty than Wal-Mart? The Grameen Bank is both an inspiration and a lesson in limits. Compared with other development programs, it’s remarkable for its large scale. Since it was started three decades ago in Bangladesh, it has expanded to more than 2,000 branches. Its micro-loans, typically less than $150, have helped millions of villagers start small businesses, like peddling incense or handicrafts at the local market, or selling milk and eggs. The economist William Easterly, who was afraid Bono was going to get this year’s Nobel, calls the bank’s prize “a victory for the one-step-at-a-time homegrown bottom-up approach” to development. That approach is a welcome contrast to the grandiose foreign-aid schemes that do more harm than good, as Easterly documents in his book, “The White Man’s Burden.” But there’s a limit to how much money villagers can make selling eggs to one another — a thatched ceiling, as Michael Strong calls it. Strong, the head of Flow, a nonprofit group promoting entrepreneurship abroad, is a fan of the Grameen Bank, but he figures that villagers can lift themselves out of poverty much faster by getting a job in a factory. The best way for third world villagers to tap “the vast pipeline of wealth from the developed world,” he argued in a recent TCSDaily.com article, is to sell their products to the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart. Strong challenged anyone to name an organization that is doing more to alleviate third world poverty than Wal-Mart. So far he’s gotten a lot of angry responses from Wal-Mart’s critics, but nobody has come up with a convincing nomination for a more effective antipoverty organization. And certainly none that saves money for Americans at the same time it’s helping foreigners. Making toys or shoes for Wal-Mart in a Chinese or Latin American factory may sound like hell to American college students — and some factories should treat their workers much better, as Strong readily concedes. But there are good reasons that villagers will move hundreds of miles for a job. Most “sweatshop” jobs — even ones paying just $2 per day — provide enough to lift a worker above the poverty level, and often far above it, according to a study of 10 Asian and Latin American countries by Benjamin Powell and David Skarbek. In Honduras, the economists note, the average apparel worker makes $13 a day, while nearly half the population makes less than $2 a day. In America, the economic debate on Wal-Mart mostly concerns its effect on American workers. The best evidence is that, while Wal-Mart’s competition might (or might not) depress the wages of some workers, on balance Americans come out well ahead because they save so much money by shopping there. Some critics, particularly ones allied with American labor unions, argue that the consumer savings don’t justify the social dislocations caused by Wal-Mart’s relentless cost-cutting. They’d rather see Wal-Mart and other retailers paying higher wages to their employees, and selling more products made by Americans instead of foreigners. But this argument makes moral sense only if your overriding concern is saving the jobs and protecting the salaries of American workers who are already far better off than most of the planet’s population. If you’re committed to Bono’s vision of “making poverty history,” shouldn’t you take a less parochial view? Shouldn’t you be more worried about villagers overseas subsisting on a dollar a day? Some of them prefer to keep farming or to run small local businesses, and they’re lucky to get loans from the Grameen Bank and its many emulators. But other villagers would prefer to make more money by working in a factory. If you want to help them, remember the new social justice slogan proposed by Strong: “Act locally, think globally: Shop Wal-Mart.” __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Wed Oct 18 05:45:15 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:15:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?=28no_subject=29?= Message-ID: <20061018001515.52630.qmail@web50311.mail.yahoo.com> Another response to Taj Hashmi http://www.drishtipat.org/blog/2006/10/16/should-yunus-be-in-politics/#comment-36070 I had said my piece earlier in this thread and I am loathe to get pulled into arguments without substance, but Taj Hashmi’s uninformed charges require rebutting. Mr. Hashmi claims: Most unfortunately, contrary to what Dr Yunus has been telling us, the poorest of the poor simply do not / cannot get Grameen loan as they simply cannot service any loan at 30%, payable in 52 instalments in one year. He is wrong. Grameen Bank’s top [http://www.grameen-info.org/bank/GBGlance.htm] interest rate is 20% (for income generating loans), 8% for housing loans, 5% for student loans, and interest free loans for beggers. In addition, Grameen’s loans are [ http://www.gdrc.org/icm/grameen-article4.html] simple interest loans as opposed to compound interest loans handed out by commercial banks. That makes a HUGE difference. You pay off principal first on a Grameen loan - try telling your mortgage company in the US that you would like to pay off principal before interest and see if they don’t laugh at you. The effective interest rate of a Grameen loan, because of simple interest calculation, is LOWER than commercial banks in Bangladesh. Grameen Bank is not a charity. It is a commercially viable lending business that has as its aim the alleviation of poverty. It has successfully married a business model to an anti-poverty model - and that is its major innovation. http://www.southasianmedia.net/cnn.cfm?id=332525&category=Economy&Country=BANGLADESH Results have been very positive - 75% of Grameen borrowers have improved their economic status while 48% have risen above the poverty line. Those are impressive statistics. I did not see anything in the comments from Mr. Hashmi that offered a better alternative. Hyperbole is not a valid means of criticism. His arguments about microcredit being an old concept is a non-sequitor. Dr. Yunus did not invent lending to poor people - he commercialized it and made it viable. Its not that Grameen Bank lends to the poor - its that it does it on such a massive scale. I have given money to people (gave my daugther 25 cents the other day) out of my pocket, that does not make me a microcredit pioneer. Not understanding the Grameen model and then trying to criticize it is kind of naive. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Wed Oct 18 06:22:47 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:52:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Nortel Employee Replies To Taj Hashmi Message-ID: <20061018005247.36256.qmail@web50313.mail.yahoo.com> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/37146 Re: My Comments on the Nobel Peace Prize for Dr Yunus and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/37066 Not surprised to see that our honourable laureate of disinformation is at it again. To quote from his article: "Is there a link between this award and Grameen Phone's (Dr Yunus's cell phone company) partnership with the Norweigian telephone company, Nortel? Do you know that the Nortel has been siphoning off millions of dollars to Norway without paying any income tax to Bangladesh? And all of this money laundering is done in the name of charity? What a shame, what a disgrace!" It would be expected of most informed members of this group to know that "Nortel" is NOT a Norwegian company (even though both starts with "Nor"^:). In fact it is one of the well known Canadian hi-tech companies. It amazes me that Taj Hashmi, being a long-time resident of Canada, is ignorant of this fact. But this is his familiar style - to start a conspiracy theory based on made-up facts and outright lies. Thinking about it, how convenient and clever is this chain of disinformation: (1) Norway awards the Nobel prize to Dr. Yunus. (2) Nortel is a Norwegian business because it sounds like it. (3) Grameen phone partners with Nortel (is that true?). (4) Md. Yunus thereby peddles influence on the Nobel committee members (5) Because they are all suckers for Nortel's bribe. (6) Therefore Dr. Yunus is a charlatan and does not deserve the prize. By the way, I am an emplyee of Nortel and wrote this message from a Nortel-owned computer. Mainul Ahsan Ottawa, Canada __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Wed Oct 18 06:35:29 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:05:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Saints, New Orleans, Doctors Message-ID: <20061018010529.7695.qmail@web50310.mail.yahoo.com> 2 more replies on the Yunus debate-- rebuttal to Taj Hashmi & Jaffor Ullah. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/37086 Taj Hashmi, Prof. Yunus "aint no saint" and he does not claim to be one. But he is a pioneer in bringing money and telephone to womenfolks of Bangladesh. Because of this and the presence of NGOs bangladesh is not yet in the grip of the fanatics, and the Bengalees has the potential to rebound to a secular healthy life. Because of the NGOs, girls/women still ride motorbikes along the bank of tista!If Prof. Yunus's bussiness is lucrative (charging 30% interest) Taj Hashmis can take on him by charging lower interest rate, making some money, and gaining much more respect as an added bonus. ############ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/37097 Dear Dr. Jaffor Ullah Scenario : A Kabuliwala I am sure you have acquired all the knowledge of writing and seen the cruelty of world. I am sure you are definitely a resourceful person. I like to be straight to you that I need money. Its very important. Unfortunately, I do not have anything to collateralize. I just came to USA. Living with few others in a crummy apartment in the gulf states. I just obtained the driving license and after reading your personal note on New Orleans Katrina disaster. All Bangladeshi concerned of you. Many thanks to Allah that you were safe but flood could not take your DOCTOR title and you are still very resourceful in every aspect. Now, Imagine the people who lost everything still trying for survival and to raise their children. I am not in that situation but I am very much poor and like to change my life. But I do not have any credit. I just started to work in McDonald @ 8.00/hour And I work only 36 hours. I have no credit and no savings. As I walk around in New Orleans, I see devastation and at the same time I see Opportunity. In French Quarter when girl selling sex for their survival, I see opportunity...., the property ... the business. Of course ! not a sex shop bur a small convenient store next to the Hospital and Dome. And I need about 100,000 including inventory. Dear Doctor Jafor Ullah . Now the question , I do not have money. Since you are Doctor holding the similar title as Dr. Yunus, I request please arrange me 100,000 dollar . I do not mean your personal money but to arrange from your credilibity and sale for my business.. perhaps you can arrange fund at 7%. And I do not care you become a kabuliwala and charge me 22% . I see the opportunity. I see the potential in the rubble...impoverished region. But I need the money I do not mind paying 22 percent interest. I guess you live not far from New Orleans. Please let me know if you would consider arranging 100,000 on your credit and collect 22% ? Dilawar Hossain __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From jumpshark at gmail.com Wed Oct 18 11:07:02 2006 From: jumpshark at gmail.com (Prashant Pandey) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:07:02 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Vivah MP3 Message-ID: Rajshree launches MP3 version of Vivah to fight Piracy. Vivah music comes in 3 packages Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, October 03, 2006] Rajshri Productions is going all out to ensure that the music of their upcoming release 'Vivah' is a success. Going by the way they are marketing their product by coming up with an effective packaging, they may as well be! This is because the songs for this Ravindra Jain written and composed music doesn't just come in a conventional CD and cassette format. Instead it comes in multiple packaging. One of them is a regular single CD/cassette format that we have been witnessing for all the musical releases. The second is a special collector's edition that is a 2 CD pack. While one of them comprises of the songs from the film, the second CD is titled "Exclusive Badhaee Ki Shehnaiyan" which has tunes by the late Ustad Bismillah Khan! For classically inclined, there couldn't have been a better gift. But hold your breath for the third offer in place! In order to fight piracy, the makers have come up with a MP3 version of the music which not just has the songs from 'Vivah' but also has 40 other Rajshri hits from the past! And all that an affordable price that is slightly more than the cheap pirated CDs thrown open on pavements. A smart marketing strategy at least, now one waits to see the audience reaction to the music of this Shahid Kapoor-Amrita Rao flick! From gowharfazili at yahoo.com Wed Oct 18 12:18:44 2006 From: gowharfazili at yahoo.com (gowhar fazli) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 23:48:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Read your piece on Afzal and death penalty and found it good! Message-ID: <20061018064844.64702.qmail@web60624.mail.yahoo.com> I think it is the most emphatic and honest representation of what is happening. In the interest of democracy and wellbeing of the public, i think it should receive wider circulation. Has it got published anywhere apart from the readerlist? Unfortunately, the balance of nature decrees that a super-abundance of dreams is paid for by a growing potential for nightmares. Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit. Peter Ustinov __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From karim at sarai.net Wed Oct 18 12:28:00 2006 From: karim at sarai.net (Aniruddha Shankar) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 12:28:00 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] THE GUJARAT ANTI-CONVERSION BILL (Vedavati Jogi) In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4535D078.6050903@sarai.net> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Franciska Lambrechts wrote: > I think this kind of reasoning caused the partition in the first place. Charming, I agree. Vedavati has been sporadically expectorating on this theme, see http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1513/15131090.htm for a particularly ripe example dating back to 8 years ago. Quite a fascinating article on trolling http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll and on flaming, A flame is typically not intended to be constructive, to further clarify a discussion, or to persuade other people. The motive for flaming is often not dialectic, but rather social or psychological. Sometimes, flamers are attempting to assert their authority, or establish a position of superiority. Occasionally, flamers wish to upset and offend other members of the forum, in which case they are trolls. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming > On 14-okt-06, at 10:34, reader-list-request at sarai.net wrote: > >> i appreciate gujrat govt. for showing this courage...... >> when muslims outnumber hindus, this country is partitioned, in 1947 we >> have >> experienced this. >> kashmir problem is also an eyeopener for all hindus >> (excluding mentally bankrupt pseudo secularists) >> >> vedavati > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.5 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFFNdB4hJkrd6A3rSsRAhGzAJwJ1w9wDNgAUalFM6pzFi9F7yYwDwCeMF1k eFi3YAZdBQFjatLo8j85ylk= =0Vgu -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From monica at sarai.net Wed Oct 18 13:05:10 2006 From: monica at sarai.net (Monica Narula) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 13:05:10 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] To add tuppence to the micro credit debate Message-ID: Posting this not to deny Yunus his glory or to agree with Hashmi, but there is more to things than the binary... best M MICROCREDIT, MACRO PROBLEMS Walden Bello* [Published on Sunday, October 15, 2006, by The Nation. This article can be found on the web at http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061030/bello] The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Muhammad Yunus, regarded as the father of microcredit, comes at a time when microcredit has become something like a religion to many of the powerful, rich and famous. Hillary Clinton regularly speaks about going to Bangladesh, Yunus's homeland, and being "inspired by the power of these loans to enable even the poorest of women to start businesses, lifting their families--and their communities--out of poverty." Like the liberal Clinton, the neocon Paul Wolfowitz, now president of the World Bank, has also gotten religion, after a recent trip to the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. With the fervor of the convert, he talks about the "transforming power" of microfinance: "I thought maybe this was just one successful project in one village, but then I went to the next village and it was the same story. That evening, I met with more than a hundred women leaders from self-help groups, and I realized this program was opening opportunities for poor women and their families in an entire state of 75 million people." There is no doubt that Yunus, a Bangladeshi economist, came up with a winning idea that has transformed the lives of many millions of poor women, and perhaps for that alone, he deserves the Nobel Prize. But Yunus--at least the young Yunus, who did not have the support of global institutions when he started out--did not see his Grameen Bank as a panacea. Others, like the World Bank and the United Nations, elevated it to that status (and, some say, convinced Yunus it was a panacea), and microcredit is now presented as a relatively painless approach to development. Through its dynamics of collective responsibility for repayment by a group of women borrowers, microcredit has indeed allowed many poor women to roll back pervasive poverty. However, it is mainly the moderately poor rather than the very poor who benefit, and not very many can claim they have permanently left the instability of poverty. Likewise, not many would claim that the degree of self- sufficiency and the ability to send children to school afforded by microcredit are indicators of their graduating to middle-class prosperity. As economic journalist Gina Neff notes, "after 8 years of borrowing, 55% of Grameen households still aren't able to meet their basic nutritional needs -- so many women are using their loans to buy food rather than invest in business." Indeed, one of those who have thoroughly studied the phenomenon, Thomas Dichter, says that the idea that microfinance allows its recipients to graduate from poverty to entrepreneurship is inflated. He sketches out the dynamics of microcredit: "It emerges that the clients with the most experience got started using their own resources, and though they have not progressed very far--they cannot because the market is just too limited--they have enough turnover to keep buying and selling, and probably would have with or without the microcredit. For them the loans are often diverted to consumption since they can use the relatively large lump sum of the loan, a luxury they do not come by in their daily turnover." He concludes: "Definitely, microcredit has not done what the majority of microcredit enthusiasts claim it can do -- function as capital aimed at increasing the returns to a business activity." And so the great microcredit paradox that, as Dichter puts it, "the poorest people can do little productive with the credit, and the ones who can do the most with it are those who don't really need microcredit, but larger amounts with different (often longer) credit terms." In other words, microcredit is a great tool as a survival strategy, but it is not the key to development, which involves not only massive capital-intensive, state-directed investments to build industries but also an assault on the structures of inequality such as concentrated land ownership that systematically deprive the poor of resources to escape poverty. Microcredit schemes end up coexisting with these entrenched structures, serving as a safety net for people excluded and marginalized by them, but not transforming them. No, Paul Wolfowitz, microcredit is not the key to ending poverty among the 75 million people in Andhra Pradesh. Dream on. Perhaps one of the reasons there is such enthusiasm for microcredit in establishment circles these days is that it is a market-based mechanism that has enjoyed some success where other market-based programs have crashed. Structural-adjustment programs promoting trade liberalization, deregulation and privatization have brought greater poverty and inequality to most parts of the developing world over the last quarter century, and have made economic stagnation a permanent condition. Many of the same institutions that pushed and are continuing to push these failed macro programs (sometimes under new labels like "Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers"), like the World Bank, are often the same institutions pushing microcredit programs. Viewed broadly, microcredit can be seen as the safety net for millions of people destabilized by the large-scale macro- failures engendered by structural adjustment. There have been gains in poverty reduction in a few places--like China, where, contrary to the myth, state-directed macro policies, not microcredit, have been central to lifting an estimated 120 million Chinese from poverty. So probably the best way we can honor Muhammad Yunus is to say, Yes, he deserves the Nobel Prize for helping so many women cope with poverty. His boosters discredit this great honor and engage in hyperbole when they claim he has invented a new compassionate form of capitalism -- social capitalism or "social entrepreneurship" -- that will be the magic bullet to end poverty and promote development. * Walden Bello is professor of sociology and public administration at the University of the Philippines and executive director of Focus on the Global South. Monica Narula Raqs Media Collective Sarai-CSDS 29 Rajpur Road Delhi 110054 www.raqsmediacollective.net www.sarai.net From ravig1 at vsnl.com Tue Oct 17 14:11:30 2006 From: ravig1 at vsnl.com (Ravi Agarwal) Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:11:30 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Alien Waters, IIC Gallery Message-ID: <46E08DD248B34AB5883E923F9FA48ABC@ToxicsLink.local> Apologies for cross postings You are invited to alien waters An exhibition of photographic works (2004-2006) by Ravi Agarwal from October 24 to November 1, 2006, 11 am to 7 pm, daily IIC Annexe Art Gallery, Lodhi Road, New Delhi In collaboration with Youthreach and India International Centre associated events Talking photography: Photographers talk about their practice and engagements with photography. Moderated by Sunil Gupta, photographer and curator, in collaboration with Khoj International Artists' Association. October 24, 4:30 pm to 8 pm. Photography revisited: Jeet Thayil, Rana Dasgupta, Sarnath Banerjee and Sheba Chacchi speak about their relationship to photographs. October 26, 4:30 pm to 8 pm The river is in the city's margins. It is very dirty, filthy. The city does not need it any more. Its future is pre-configured, the river is 'dead.' It will now be cleaned but not like a life giving artery, but a sparkling necklace, adorning a new globality of the city. There was a time when the river was its ecology as the city and the river shaped each other. Now the relationship is only with land, which the river holds in its belly. Violent. Thousands of poor are thrown out, for the new stadiums, temples, bridges and pathways their futures uncertain. Death, the predominant Hindu relationship to life in the cycle of rebirth has a timeless resonance as ashes are immersed in the waters. But what will the rebirth be? The self, seeking to recover a relationship in the new alienation as the river became a muse and metaphor for a search, within and without. The first bird I saw on the riverbank thirty years ago came back and changed my life as I attempted to regain a personal ecology as a photographer/activist. My organic body is now extended by the inorganic body of the city. The river is alive, throbbing in my veins resonating unresolved questions of spirit and sense. The engagement with the triad of the self, the city and the river, becomes a reclamation of the self. I photograph even as I experience other human abandonment. I go back, again and again, endlessly, searching. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061017/0183ee59/attachment.html From vishal.rawlley at gmail.com Wed Oct 18 06:13:21 2006 From: vishal.rawlley at gmail.com (Vishal Rawlley) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 06:13:21 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] A little work for public Domain In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <31d5ea920610171743kef2c4b3x18f43bd450de5947@mail.gmail.com> I totally empathise with Iaha. There are many scoundrels out there who do not have any respect for young talent and hard working people. I have personally faced such problems and learned the hard way. There is very little an individual can do in such cases except cry himself/ herself hoarse. Since such dealings are largely based on good faith and often there are no signed agreements and contracts, it his hard to fight the issue legally. And for a young individual in their early career it can be very demoralising. It is the passionate artist who is the most easy target of such exploitation, since they are so excited about making their film or art, they tend to ignore other mundane aspects such as contracts and payments. However the names of people and organisations that indulge in such exploitation must be brought out and publicly shared so that we can all know the truth about them. I would advise Laha to put the facts out in a clear and calm way to as many people as possible. Once we all know the truth, these people shall atleast be shamed and hesitate to repeat such a thing in future. And the other thing is not to lose hope Mr Iaha. You are probably very talented and hence provoke insecure people from acting against you. Keep up your passion, only remember to also watch out for the crocodiles. Do post your correspondence with Pankaj to all of us. Dont let these people get away so easily! On 10/17/06, Syed Yunus wrote: > > ...there have been many such programs now days who trying to catch > young idea champions...can any body help our dear friend Mr. laha > > Qoating laha...... > > I am Rrivu Laha, > a second year cinematography student from film & television > Institute of India, Pune. > I responded to the advertisements posted by Pankaj Rishi Kumar, > KUMAR TALKIES inviting proposals from young/debut filmmakers for a > series of 5 short films on the theme of 'CONFLICT' > (around 5 1/2 min each; fiction, documentary or animation) > for the Public Service Broadcasting Trust ( www.psbt.org) > > My proposal was selected, > and I was given to make a film with a Handycamera, not much other > equipment. > Since I was keen, I went ahead with my making and submitted a rough > cut. > Although I heard that PSBT and kumar talkies approved my rough cut, > no formal letter of communication has been made to me yet. > > I had several student exercises and a shoot to attend, > returning from my shoot yesterday I am finding the news of telecast > of my short film on Doordarshan without my name or biography with > it. > > > if it is my proposal and my rough cut that has been approved by the > PSBT and KUMAR TALKIES, how come my name is not there against my > film? > How come I am not informed of its telecast? > > I maybe a young and debutant filmmaker, but can my commissioning > editor decide to telecast or publicize my film without my name or my > knowledge? > > What are my rights? > Where do I stand in this whole gamut of commissioning? > Who is the commissioner? > What are my rights against his? > Who is the funder? > Who has approved the telecast? > > Where do I stand? > > No payments have been made to me yet, my expenses haven't been > covered except a sum of Rs. 4500/- against research for the film, > and no notification of telecast has been given to me. > > I wish clarification before any further publicity or telecast is > made of my film. > > > Rrivu Laha. > > 2nd year Cinematography > Film & television Institute of India > Law College Road,Pune > > Phone : 09372446397 > > > > > > -- > > Change is the only constant in life ! > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061018/5c72cc33/attachment.html From vishal.rawlley at gmail.com Wed Oct 18 06:23:37 2006 From: vishal.rawlley at gmail.com (Vishal Rawlley) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 06:23:37 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] my response to Rivu In-Reply-To: <20061017073513.35031.qmail@web56414.mail.re3.yahoo.com> References: <20061017073513.35031.qmail@web56414.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <31d5ea920610171753h58953b98j37c98ed088dded4e@mail.gmail.com> Shame on you Mr Kumar. It is pretty evident that you have done wrong and are now not willing to take responsibility. Your actions seem evasive - the wish to not wash dirty linen in public only seems like an excuse to avoid the issue. Why can't you present the facts if you are aware of them? Why are you deflecting the onus on to Rivu? If you have the gumption to come clean the let us hear it. Or are you much too busy to be bothered by some start up filmmakers's woes, now that you are such an big shot yourself?? if Rivu is wrong to be aggrived by your actions, you atleast owe it to him to clarify the issue and restore his trust in you. But you are just running away like a guilty thief. Chee chee. On 10/17/06, pankaj kumar wrote: > > Dear Moderator, > > I have responded to Mr. Rivu. > I do not wish to wash dirty linen in public. > Mr. Rivu has the freedom to publish my mail. > > People on this list, those interested may > write to him and get facts from him... > rrivulaha at yahoo.com > > with warm regards > pankaj > > ------------------------------ > Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. > > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061018/0f915dbe/attachment.html From rrivulaha at yahoo.com Wed Oct 18 16:09:18 2006 From: rrivulaha at yahoo.com (Rrivu Laha) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 03:39:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Pankaj's response Message-ID: <20061018103919.56215.qmail@web53906.mail.yahoo.com> For some reason, the attachment i sent containing Pankaj's response didnt reach all yahoo groups except docuwallahs.. i am resending it. Following is Pankaj's response. Rrivu, Here is my response to your mail: The fifth film mentioned in the series, Vasudev/ Documentary/ Hindi is a film without the filmmaker's name. ---- yes, I completely agree. It was a hard decision but I had to make. I will explain. Right from the word go when we started the program in end February your attitude has been very callous and lackadaisical. I had pointed this to you after you had finished your shoot in end march / early April (See letter dated 20th April) You did get back to me after that mail and a rough cut was achieved around 20th may. At that point you yourself were not too happy with the cut. I had communicated the same to you that the film needed more work. I had promised that I will send you a VCD within 2/3 days so that you can work on the film further. I did. Unfortunately it never reached you. You on your part didn’t bother to get back to me to check what had happened with the VCD. It was only when I met you in mid June at FTII’ Pune I was informed about this. I wonder why you sat quiet about a Cut which you had done. Furthermore, I was told that you had not worked any further on the film. Subsequently I sent you the RC once I reached Mumbai and you received it.. Next, I called you on 4th July and read out the feedback to your film from PSBT. You agreed to the feedback and the fact that more work was needed on the film. In this interim period of 15 days, no effort was made by you towards your project. I was informed over the phone that you would think about it at length and get back to me within 4 days. I had agreed to that. After that there was a very long unexplained silence form you 75 days to be precise. The next mail came from you on 18th sept. In this interim period there was no communication from you through phone or E mail or even a note through friends. You just sat happily! A person who is passionate about the subject and wants to make a film on it .this kind of attitude is completely uncalled for. For me it smells of being irresponsible and unprofessional. It’s your film, something which you claim to be concerned about, then what stops you from putting in the effort . Just to remind you once again -- in my mail dated 20th April I had clearly mentioned that since I am coordinating five filmmakers it’s not possible and it’s not my job to chase people. After 4th July, I waited and waited no news from you. I hope you realize that I am accountable to PSBT. I have deadlines to meet and the other 4 filmmakers cannot wait for you to be through with your siesta. Meanwhile, PSBT was planning their annual festival and they wanted to showcase these films. I had no choice but to step in finish the film and make the Masters. I had to take a final call. I took the decision. It is final and irrevocable. Your mail after a break of 75 days speaks volumes. To quote it verbatim: Mon, 18 Sep Hi Pankaj, Will get over with the dialogue exercises by Thursday or so... Planning to come to mumbai on friday. Would like to do the credit scroll and complete the vasudev film. When would it be possible for us to meet? waiting Rrivu I don’t know your noble intentions behind writing this mail but for me it was outright irresponsible and to repeat again CALLOUS and LACKADAISICAL. There was not a word from you explaining your absence for 75 days. What you had thought about the project Nothing. In fact it sounded like as if the cut done by you in May was the Master Cut (Would like to do the credit scroll and complete the vasudev film). Sorry I disagree with this and it is completely unacceptable to me. I do not approve of this attitude of taking things for granted you think you can just write a mail 3-4 days in advance and you expect me to be there at your disposal . You didn’t have the courtesy to explain your absence my house is not a public space open to people 24/7. I was in Delhi on 18th Sept and my response to your mail was: To quote it verbatim: sorry its too late we talked on 4th July u said u will get back to me.... sorry i cannot chase people i finished the film... the broadcast master was done too.. and we screened 4 films ...excfept yours at PSBT fest in delhi...3 days ago... Had you been concerned and sensitive the mail should have shaken you up cos its very clear that the film has been finalized and finished. There was no reaction from you. It didn’t bother you what was the shape of the final film, who did it NOTHING As a DIRECTOR you are supposed to see through the project and not walk away this is a simple rule which you ought to know. More so if you are undergoing training at FTII It didn’t bother you why VASUDEV was singled out and not screened at the PSBT festival it just didn’t matter to you This attitude of yours is very clear from the mail you wrote on 19th Sept: To quote it verbatim: its ok, i was occupied with other things, sorry. would like to have the copy of the film and the rushes. c u soon Rrivu. I need not jump to what this mail implies. Its self explanatory. My next mail was regarding money: pls send me an Email... stating that u had received Rs 4,250 as expenses reimbursement for research on the project "VASUDEV" best pankaj and on 21st sept I received this mail: hereby acknowledge thst I recieved Rs 4,250 as expense reimbursement for research on the project "Vasudev" Thanking you Rrivu Laha keeping the above exchange of our correspondence its quiet clear that for reasons best known to you, you had washed your hands off the project. You disappeared without informing me. This had put me in an extremely awkward situation cos I am legally responsible for delivering the five films to PSBT. ..I had no choice but to intervene and complete the project . I will now answer the other points raised in your mail: The commissioning editor, Pankaj Rishi Kumar, has sent the film for a national telecast, on Doordarshan, I am not the commissioning editor, I was a Mentor, Series Director and line producer on the overall project. I also got credit for any specialized job I did on any of the films. The commissioning editor is Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra at PSBT. Yes, as a Mentor on the project and somebody who is legally answerable I had agreed to the telecast. I hope you realize the role and responsibilities of the Mentor .I do not want to spell it out. That was the basic mistake you had committed from the word go You thought that you were commissioned to make the film Sorry you have misread. The Advt. put by me clearly said that it was a Mentoring process where you will get to make your first film Had I been the commissioning editor, honestly, I would have gone further and not let the film be in the final package for telecast. Throughout the program I helped filmmakers achieve what they wanted to. I did not practice hierarchy you may agree or disagree to this but it might help you to talk to other 4 filmmakers on this project as to what exactly my role and involvement was on the overall project. has sent the film for a national telecast, on Doordarshan without notifying the filmmaker, -------- I am not clear what you mean here. Do you mean ‘That I did not tell you that the film has been finalized’ : this is untrue. Please look at mails dated 18th and 19th Sept. I had written “ I finished the film” Regarding the telecast, I was informed by PSBT on 10th Oct’ during the day that the telecast MIGHT be on 14th OCT. They said they would confirm by evening I checked my mail around 7pm..DD had indeed finalized the date I immediately forwarded the mail and SMS to all 5 filmmakers and others involved with the project hence your above statement is completely malicious without putting the filmmaker's name or biography along with the film. ---Yes, you have been given credit for the work done by you It was a hard decision for me to take but after your unreasonable, unprofessional attitude I as a Mentor came to a conclusion that you could not be credited as ‘DIRECTOR’ on the project. Hence that was not mentioned. Mr. Rrivu, “You shall reap only what you sow” Whose film is it? filmmaker's film or the commissioning editor's? -------------- I want to ask you this question myself? Please let me know. With the effort put by you on the project do you really think you are the DIRECTOR. Isn’t that being too pompous. Have a conscience!, reflect on your actions and ask yourself a pertinent question “IS THIS MY WORK” ... if you truly believe, that it is your film then I suggest you take it around, screen it and tell this to people you will be surprised, people will believe you (I am not being sarcastic ) people will get to see your faith and conviction. .I have written above and will repeat again ‘you do not deserve to be given the credit what you are looking for.’ The film is again scheduled for telecast tonight (14th october) on DD NEWS at 10:30 pm . I am Rrivu Laha, a second year cinematography student from film & television Institute of India, Pune. I responded to the advertisements posted by Pankaj Rishi Kumar, KUMAR TALKIES inviting proposals from young/debut filmmakers for a series of 5 short films on the theme of 'CONFLICT' (around 5 1/2 min each; fiction, documentary or animation) for the Public Service Broadcasting Trust ( www.psbt.org) My proposal was selected ----ya this is true. and I was given to make a film with a Handycamera, not much other equipment. ------that is an outright lie. Its odd you have fallen so low. But I am not surprised. Not once before, during or after the shoot did you complain about the equipment ..neither did it malfunction...so what are we talking about .I challenge you to oragnise a screening of your rushes (at your cost) and let people decide if technology became an impediment on the shoot Since I was keen, I went ahead with my making and submitted a rough cut. ---------- Yes, that is true and then disappeared in thin air without informing anyone Although I heard that PSBT and kumar talkies approved my rough cut, no formal letter of communication has been made to me yet. ---------- another lie, please refer to our conversation on 4th July...when I read out the evaluators report from PSBT. You yourself agreed that work was needed on the project. Hence the cut was not final and you were expected to work on it further. ..Rest is history. I as a Mentor never practiced the hierarchy of approving or disapproving cuts what mattered was your effort and how close you could come to what you had planned in your mind .I wanted that from all 5 of you and I think it worked beautifully, except in your case During the entire program we were not looking for approvals from PSBT PSBT has always stood by filmmakers it has given the complete freedom and Independence to filmmakers what they want to make The reports by their evaluators are only suggestions and are not binding on the filmmaker you will be surprised to know Rrivu that 3 other filmmakers on the project continued to work on their project irrespective of PSBT evaluation report. They were driven by the dream of making their film better and better I wish you had followed their example I had several student exercises and a shoot to attend, returning from my shoot yesterday I am finding the news of telecast of my short film on Doordarshan without my name or biography with it. ---its sad but the inevitable truth if it is my proposal and my rough cut that has been approved by the PSBT and KUMAR TALKIES, how come my name is not there against my film? How come I am not informed of its telecast? I maybe a young and debutant filmmaker, but can my commissioning editor decide to telecast or publicize my film without my name or my knowledge? ---------I think I have clarified this above. I hope you realize that this project was an experiment undertaken by PSBt and me. It provided an opportunity to people to make their first film you clearly misconstrued this. You on the contrary wasted an opportunity I hope you realize that you denied somebody else to make their first film You are currently a student at FTII, even if you did not get to make this film you had ample opportunities ahead of you on top of that when you are given an additional opportunity, what did you do with it? isn’t that a colossal waste Instead of making the best use of an opportunity you instead took me and PSBT for a ride .I mean how low can you fall . What are my rights? Where do I stand in this whole gamut of commissioning? Who is the commissioner? What are my rights against his? Who is the funder? Who has approved the telecast? Where do I stand? ---- I think I have clarified all of this above .I disapprove of young bleeding artists who protest in name of artistic/individual work where was this bleeding artist for those 75 days? Its odd somebody who took 75 days to respond to his own film, now takes 48 hours to respond ...cos he thinks he is being violated sorry, I do not agree to these aspirations of yours. No payments have been made to me yet, my expenses haven't been covered except a sum of Rs. 4500/- against research for the film, --- check your statement on 21st sept. Further when you finished your rough cut in May. I had reimbursed you for all expenses till that date. In June when I met you at FTII, I gave you some more money as you needed some this was above the expenses incurred by you .so what are you talking about .another lie! Nothing else I do not owe you anything but would appreciate if you could submit detailed accounts with bills and vouchers for the money given to you .the same should have been done months ago you chose to set your own rules and no notification of telecast has been given to me. I wish clarification before any further publicity or telecast is made of my film. ---- I have clarified this above. I hope I have answered your queries. I do not wish to wash my dirty linen in public. You have every democratic right to do so kindly circulate this to whosoever you want to using mail, print, internet or broadcast as a medium I have no problem A word of advice you may disagree with me. Please take time out and see the other 4 films. Try and share your experience with the other 4 filmmakers. judge for yourself did you put in enough effort? More pertinent then that, ask yourself “Am I being honest in what I am demanding” I will leave the answers to your conscience I will send you a DVD of the 5 films I will have to seek PSBT approval if the rushes could be handed over to you. Yes, I had promised them to you at the beginning of the project but in this current scenario I just cant trust you anymore. pankaj ---------------------------- Thu, 20 Apr Dear Rrivu, I should not be writing this letter...that is the last thing I would like to do...but circumstances are such..... Its been quiet sometime since I heard from you regarding your project....after the shoot in end march...early April...I was given to understand that you will log the material and come up with a structure or the lack of it so that we could work on it further...not only you don’t keep in touch but I found it hard to believe that you could not find time to meet and clarify while I was at Ftii...u said u would turn up once the shoot gets over...but there was no sight of you...on 13th too I had asked the same question....What is the structure and your work plan? Your exams got over on 18th and once again I had to chase you to find answers to my queries...I hope you understand that I am answerable to PSBt...The fact that I have trusted filmmakers to do what they believe in and at their own pace should be taken as trust building exercise...you cannot go over the top..... I wonder if you have even logged your footage...cos u sounded as vague when I met you at FTii...I find this very disconcerting....I did send you SMS messages in the last 2 days...there has been no response....yes, quiet possible u never got them!...but I expect you to keep in touch and keep me informed, rather than me chasing you..... I was waiting for the camera...and got your message that i will have to wait for another 2 days....I hope u do not expect me to go and pick it up....the resources need to be shared...u cant sit on them.....I had lined up a shoot for 21st but had to cancel it....You had promised that you will come to Mumbai and discuss things but you cancelled it on your own free will..... once gain ...a humble request...what is the edit structure and the edit plan... hope u realise that I have to coordinate with 5 people...and you just cannot do things on timelines which are to your convenience.... a prompt response would be appreciated.... hope you have a good time in Dubai.... best pankaj ============================================== --------------------------------- Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061018/6570e876/attachment.html From aman.am at gmail.com Wed Oct 18 17:12:07 2006 From: aman.am at gmail.com (Aman Sethi) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 17:12:07 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] jethmalani's and colin's letters on afzal Message-ID: <995a19920610180442y3740684bu3958169f40e09157@mail.gmail.com> Colin Gonzalves responds to allegations regarding the demand for lethal injection in the case of Afzal. A. Dear Friends, I was taken aback to hear that certain persons are spreading a rumour that I did not defend Afzal in the High Court and instead asked for him to be put to death by lethal injection. I was asked by advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan who appeared for Shaukat in the High Court to defend Mohd Afzal. Apparently many persons were approached before me but were not available. I was brought in at the last moment, perhaps a couple of weeks before the arguments were to begin in the High Court. I was told that payment would not be possible and that I would have to do the case free. I gladly accepted even though it meant sacrificing my other work because I am totally opposed to the death sentence for any person. This has been my consistent stand over years. When I appeared for Afzal in the High Court, I found that there was nobody to help me in those days except for advocate Nitya who was more familiar with the case than I was since she had appeared in the Trial Court. Apart from her I found nobody interested in helping Afzal. I believe campaigns were conducted to help the other accused and also to raise money for them, but not one person met me during the six months of the day to day proceedings in the High Court. The expenses of the case came to about Rs. 40,000/- because volumes of materials had to be Xeroxed. About half that amount was reimbursed by Afzal's cousin. I am putting this on record to emphasize that all the current champions of Afzal coming on television were nowhere to be seen when they were needed most. I argued before the High Court for three weeks continuously. I have never argued that Afzal accepts his guilt and that he prays for death by lethal injection. I have my written arguments which were filed before the High Court and anyone wishing to read them may contact me. In the 250 page written submissions there is not one word on death by lethal injection. In the High Court judgment there is not one word on that. You must remember that in those days the High Court arguments were being covered by a battery of journalists on a day-to-day basis. Had I mentioned to the Court that I want Afzal to die by lethal injection that would have made sensational headlines. I met Afzal in jail thrice. On the second occasion he told me that someone had informed him that I was asking for him to be put to death by lethal injection. I told him that I would never argue such a position. He was satisfied on that explanation and the issue was not raised with me thereafter. I spoke to Mr. Jethmalani who was also in Court during that period and he has given me a letter which I am attaching with this document. Sd. Colin Gonsalves Ram Jethmalani Resi-Cum-Office: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) 2, Akbar Road, New Delhi. Senior Advocate Tel: 23794651, 23792287 Supreme Court of India Fax: 23010944 Professor Emeritus Symbiosis College of Law, Pune. Date : 10-10-2006 Dear Mr. Gonsalves, You appeared for accused Md. Afzal before the High Court of Delhi at the hearing of the Death Reference in which Md. Afzal and two others had been sentenced to death. I watched with admiration the manner in which you defended your client. It is all the more creditable that you agreed to appear for him in the first instance and in the second place you did an honorary job. It was a very unpopular cause and many stalwarts had refused to represent him. You acted at the request of a Human Rights Organization and your junior Nitya in the case. I believe she had appeared in the Trial Court too. You have acted in the best tradition of the Indian Bar and everyone should be proud of your performance. I have with me the final summary of your submissions which you made to the High Court running into nearly 250 pages. I have preserved it for my education and the education of the young lawyers who keep coming to my Chamber for training in the art and practice of advocacy. I can only imagine the amount of industry that must have gone into the preparation of this massive volume and the enormous energy that you used in your speeches as to the High Court over a long period of almost three months. I write this because I have been distressed to learn that Ms. Nandita Haksar, an advocate has appeared before the media and made statements against you which have no content of truth at all. She is reported to have said that you did nothing for your client except to tell the Court that he deserves a lethal injection. The impression that she has created is that you made no effort to provide any legal assistance to your client. While I cannot believe that Nandita has made these false statements with malice against you, I cannot but think that they are totally and recklessly false. I remember your argument that the provision of our criminal law which sanctions death by hanging is a cruel and unusual punishment and is constitutionally impermissible. If this argument had succeeded there was no provision left for executing the death sentence. You were only suggesting to the Court that there are more humane methods of carrying out the death sentence and a lethal injection is one of them. You never suggested to the Court that your client is guilty but he should be given such an injection. I am quite sure Nandita did not understand what was being argued. It may be that she was wrongly informed by somebody else. Please forgive her. I was quite impressed about by your eloquent argument supported by extracts from the record that your client did not get a fair trial. I regret that this argument did not succeed with the High Court. I am not sure whether it was pursued in the Supreme Court. It should have been and might well have produced a welcome result. I do want that you should help Md. Afzal in his family's Petition invoking the presidential powers under Article 72 of the Constitution of India. That would raise your stature and will certainly add to the reputation of our legal system. With warm regards Yours sincerely, Sd/- (RAM JETHMALANI) Mr. Colin Gonsalves Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India 65, Masjid Road Near D.A.V. School, Jangpura New Delhi – 110 014. From franciska at skynet.be Thu Oct 19 03:37:43 2006 From: franciska at skynet.be (Franciska Lambrechts) Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:07:43 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] To add tuppence to the micro credit debate (Monica Narula) In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4065d6efe19e1483d2b096443a3d2cea@skynet.be> Well it's clear that micro-credit or fair trade movements and the like will not make an economy boom. That it doesn't work for everybody and in every context, there are no miracle solutions and if you had to come up with a miracle to get a nobel price they wouldn't have to give any. That it gives an impulse in a social context -empowering of the women, even if the word 'empower' is maybe a bit big- isn't a bad thing. Even if it's just for a part of the people involved that it means a real difference it is already an achievement. About the interest rates, if you don't count interest on the whole of the loans according to the inflation rate and the basically running of the bank there is no more bank in no time it's as simple as that. To say that it would be better to put them all in a sweat shop, good for you good for us, I have my doubts apart from the fact that seen how many clothes here on the marked have a label: made in Bangladesh there must be already a lot of them. To say that in China they got 120 million people out of poverty is one side, the other side is : for how many chinese things got worse? They are consciously building up a middle class which is the classic motor of a capitalist economy combined with an almost monstrous industrialization. This doesn't mean that the group for whom micro-credit is intended will benefit, they most certainly will make out the low wages working force which enables the layer above to make profits. Of course that China is coming up as an economical force is a sort of relief in the sense that it balances power in a global context. I don't think it has to be or micro or macro. It's a different level with a different target. You might say that keeping people on a survival rate keeps them quiet and in that sense a sort of status quo, that the micro-credit as a system counts on a long term movement and that maybe a capitalist world won't wait for them, maybe but that's difficult to predict. That the world bank is a very dubious institution, I agree. And what seems to bother Mr Hashmi at least partially is that it's a Bangladeshi and not an Indian who got a nobel price. From delhi.yunus at gmail.com Thu Oct 19 10:47:39 2006 From: delhi.yunus at gmail.com (Syed Yunus) Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:47:39 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Experiences of another Yunus Message-ID: Dear All , Arshad,TAj and others have shared their concern over Micro credit and it remind me of a note i wrote around three years back when i was working with a rural development organisation . Indebted life (wrote three years ago In SARMATHURA ,Rajasthan) It is very sad that Self help groups promoted by our organisation are purely working as saving and credit groups or perhaps they are groomed as saving and credit groups. Strategic efforts are made to link these groups with the mainstream financial institution that too is an extension of saving and credit activity. The values and norms inculcated by the worker facilitating these groups revolve around the successful transaction of money in the group so that the members can became efficient in their financial dealings .after sometime when these group are linked to banks they are trained enough to maintain their accounts and repay their loans, which they take from banks time to time. The banks as financial institutions are eager to give number of loans to these smoothly running savings and credit groups because they know that the peer pressure in groups will make sure the repayments of loans and thus there will be less non performing assets.. Credit living The culture of credit living is spreading very fast the hypothetical situation or assumption I am making is purely based on my personal disliking about credit living. In the urban areas various finance schemes to acquire lucrative commodities like Ac frige and bikes, Home etc. have made quite a number of people indebted and many of my near and dear ones are repaying instalments of one thing or another i.e. the EMI trap. While working in district Dholpur Rajasthan, especially with groups of poor women a sceptical thought came in to my mind .that financial institutions might engulf these people into their trap. And since then I am sceptical about the micro finance institutions specifically about saving and credit groups S&C. The linkages of these groups to bank is necessary as most of them are poor and unable to meet their daily needs from their income so to enhance their income they need some investment which they can channalise from banks. But while doing so, the culture they will adopt might be dangerous as they might indulge in consumption that is not productive. Private Banks and their role Various private banks have jumped in to the sector to provide loans to saving and credits groups e.g. ICICI. Right now they are offering the same interest rates as offered by other banks .But with the speed they are covering the unexploited market, because of the inefficiency of the govt banks or even the competition (which is always healthy for such companies), might be injurious for our Poor's health. While I am working with rural poor families to promote savings and credit groups I can say that on one hand I am helping them to come out of from the exploitative systems of sahookar's on the other I am pushing them in the trap of bigger sahookar's . Who are not even physically visible to them. Donor agency and its expectation Self help groups and the concept of mutual help through groups is the only hope that ignites me and strengthens my belief that we have at least one 'WMD' weapon of mass development. But the hues and cries of mainstream are forcing us to work on 'savings and credit' and not on 'self help or mutual help'. As a result in the name of mainstream we want a universal system that is micro finance institution. The donor agency gives us money to form group that can be linked to banks. Pressurised by the heavy targets we try to evolve some mechanism so that we can fulfil our commitments easily and quickly,. Thus it can be said that we are helping mainstream financial institutions to run profitably. the assumed by products of mutual help and social issues fizzle out some where and 'we 'convince our self that it does not come in our 'mission or vision' or should be taken up by some body else. Yunus -- Change is the only constant in life ! From amitrbasu50 at yahoo.co.in Wed Oct 18 20:44:36 2006 From: amitrbasu50 at yahoo.co.in (Amit Basu) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:14:36 +0100 (BST) Subject: [Reader-list] jethmalani's and colin's letters on afzal In-Reply-To: <995a19920610180442y3740684bu3958169f40e09157@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <20061018151436.93170.qmail@web8505.mail.in.yahoo.com> Colin, thank for your bold reply and exposing the 'so called' champions of human rifghts who are now crying for afzal. in solidarity amit Aman Sethi wrote: Colin Gonzalves responds to allegations regarding the demand for lethal injection in the case of Afzal. A. Dear Friends, I was taken aback to hear that certain persons are spreading a rumour that I did not defend Afzal in the High Court and instead asked for him to be put to death by lethal injection. I was asked by advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan who appeared for Shaukat in the High Court to defend Mohd Afzal. Apparently many persons were approached before me but were not available. I was brought in at the last moment, perhaps a couple of weeks before the arguments were to begin in the High Court. I was told that payment would not be possible and that I would have to do the case free. I gladly accepted even though it meant sacrificing my other work because I am totally opposed to the death sentence for any person. This has been my consistent stand over years. When I appeared for Afzal in the High Court, I found that there was nobody to help me in those days except for advocate Nitya who was more familiar with the case than I was since she had appeared in the Trial Court. Apart from her I found nobody interested in helping Afzal. I believe campaigns were conducted to help the other accused and also to raise money for them, but not one person met me during the six months of the day to day proceedings in the High Court. The expenses of the case came to about Rs. 40,000/- because volumes of materials had to be Xeroxed. About half that amount was reimbursed by Afzal's cousin. I am putting this on record to emphasize that all the current champions of Afzal coming on television were nowhere to be seen when they were needed most. I argued before the High Court for three weeks continuously. I have never argued that Afzal accepts his guilt and that he prays for death by lethal injection. I have my written arguments which were filed before the High Court and anyone wishing to read them may contact me. In the 250 page written submissions there is not one word on death by lethal injection. In the High Court judgment there is not one word on that. You must remember that in those days the High Court arguments were being covered by a battery of journalists on a day-to-day basis. Had I mentioned to the Court that I want Afzal to die by lethal injection that would have made sensational headlines. I met Afzal in jail thrice. On the second occasion he told me that someone had informed him that I was asking for him to be put to death by lethal injection. I told him that I would never argue such a position. He was satisfied on that explanation and the issue was not raised with me thereafter. I spoke to Mr. Jethmalani who was also in Court during that period and he has given me a letter which I am attaching with this document. Sd. Colin Gonsalves Ram Jethmalani Resi-Cum-Office: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) 2, Akbar Road, New Delhi. Senior Advocate Tel: 23794651, 23792287 Supreme Court of India Fax: 23010944 Professor Emeritus Symbiosis College of Law, Pune. Date : 10-10-2006 Dear Mr. Gonsalves, You appeared for accused Md. Afzal before the High Court of Delhi at the hearing of the Death Reference in which Md. Afzal and two others had been sentenced to death. I watched with admiration the manner in which you defended your client. It is all the more creditable that you agreed to appear for him in the first instance and in the second place you did an honorary job. It was a very unpopular cause and many stalwarts had refused to represent him. You acted at the request of a Human Rights Organization and your junior Nitya in the case. I believe she had appeared in the Trial Court too. You have acted in the best tradition of the Indian Bar and everyone should be proud of your performance. I have with me the final summary of your submissions which you made to the High Court running into nearly 250 pages. I have preserved it for my education and the education of the young lawyers who keep coming to my Chamber for training in the art and practice of advocacy. I can only imagine the amount of industry that must have gone into the preparation of this massive volume and the enormous energy that you used in your speeches as to the High Court over a long period of almost three months. I write this because I have been distressed to learn that Ms. Nandita Haksar, an advocate has appeared before the media and made statements against you which have no content of truth at all. She is reported to have said that you did nothing for your client except to tell the Court that he deserves a lethal injection. The impression that she has created is that you made no effort to provide any legal assistance to your client. While I cannot believe that Nandita has made these false statements with malice against you, I cannot but think that they are totally and recklessly false. I remember your argument that the provision of our criminal law which sanctions death by hanging is a cruel and unusual punishment and is constitutionally impermissible. If this argument had succeeded there was no provision left for executing the death sentence. You were only suggesting to the Court that there are more humane methods of carrying out the death sentence and a lethal injection is one of them. You never suggested to the Court that your client is guilty but he should be given such an injection. I am quite sure Nandita did not understand what was being argued. It may be that she was wrongly informed by somebody else. Please forgive her. I was quite impressed about by your eloquent argument supported by extracts from the record that your client did not get a fair trial. I regret that this argument did not succeed with the High Court. I am not sure whether it was pursued in the Supreme Court. It should have been and might well have produced a welcome result. I do want that you should help Md. Afzal in his family's Petition invoking the presidential powers under Article 72 of the Constitution of India. That would raise your stature and will certainly add to the reputation of our legal system. With warm regards Yours sincerely, Sd/- (RAM JETHMALANI) Mr. Colin Gonsalves Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India 65, Masjid Road Near D.A.V. School, Jangpura New Delhi – 110 014. _________________________________________ reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. Critiques & Collaborations To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header. To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list List archive: --------------------------------- Find out what India is talking about on - Yahoo! Answers India Send FREE SMS to your friend's mobile from Yahoo! Messenger Version 8. Get it NOW -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061018/98454a0a/attachment.html From Greg.Wise at asu.edu Thu Oct 19 03:17:42 2006 From: Greg.Wise at asu.edu (Greg Wise) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:47:42 -0700 Subject: [Reader-list] CFP: Culture and Technology Message-ID: <479714394E307A48A478AE2EDEA82FBF01C9934C@westex3.west.asu.edu> Please forward widely (especially if you know of specific individuals working in this area, or other mailing lists that such individuals would read). Call for Papers Culture and Technology in Global Contexts I am seeking people who would be able and interested in writing relatively short conceptual genealogies of the ideas of culture and technology, and their relation, in particular cultural/national contexts. I am particularly interested in hearing from scholars in Asia, Africa, and South America in addition to Europe and North America. I am currently approaching journals and presses, but am also seeking a collective of scholars interested in the project. Right now I'm just asking for short abstracts from those interested which I can then use to approach additional journals and presses. Let me explain the project a bit further. I have just completed a book with a co-author, Jennifer Daryl Slack, which traces the constellation of ideas which have been key reference points for discourse on the relation of culture and technology in the North American context (Culture and Technology: A Primer, 2005, Peter Lang). These ideas include Progress, Convenience, Control, and Determinism. Building on the assumption that concepts have particular histories and trajectories I am interested now in seeing how ideas of culture and technology are conceptualized in other cultural contexts and what other conceptual constellations might accompany discourses of technology and culture. For example, it has been argued that in India technology is articulated to Nation, Development, and Science (see Prakash). In another example, Tetsuo Najita argues that the view that Japanese technology and production is an expression of Japanese culture (a view prevalent in Japan but also picked up in the west as a form of techno-orientalism, according to Morley and Robins), is a historical articulation of the post-Second World War era. Prior to the Second World War, culture and technology were thought distinct: technology coming to mean western industrialization and culture thought to be a shrinking premodern site for creativity and resistance to technology. This project is to trace the trajectories of concepts of technology and culture in various national and local cultural and historical contexts. I will be looking for papers which explore what ideas like technology and culture look like, and how they act and are mobilized and articulated, in various cultural contexts. If you are interested in contributing, send me a brief proposal (200-250 words) by November 15, 2006. Full papers would then be due later in 2007 once a press is lined up. Depending on the response to this call, I would be proposing this collection as either a special issue of a journal or approaching an academic press. If you have questions or would like to discuss the project further, please do not hesitate to contact me. Dr. J. Macgregor Wise Associate Professor Department of Communication Studies Arizona State University 4701 West Thunderbird Road Glendale, AZ 85306-4908 (602) 543 6646 (602) 543 6612 (fax) gregwise at asu.edu REFERENCES Morley, D. & Robins, K. (1995). Techno-Orientalism: Japan Panic. In Spaces of Identity: Global Media, Electronic Landscapes and Cultural Boundaries. New York: Routledge. Najita, T. (1989). On Culture and Technology in Postmodern Japan. In Miyoshi and Harootunian (Eds.) Postmodernism and Japan. Durham, NC: Duke. Prakash, G. (1999). Another Reason: Science and the Imagination of Modern India. Princeton. Slack, J. & Wise, J.M. (2005). Culture and Technology: A Primer. New York: Peter Lang. Dr. J. Macgregor Wise Associate Professor Department of Communication Studies Arizona State University 4701 West Thunderbird Road Glendale, AZ 85306-4908 (602) 543 6646 (602) 543 6612 (fax) From vishal.rawlley at gmail.com Wed Oct 18 20:36:18 2006 From: vishal.rawlley at gmail.com (Vishal Rawlley) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:36:18 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Pankaj's response In-Reply-To: <20061018103919.56215.qmail@web53906.mail.yahoo.com> References: <20061018103919.56215.qmail@web53906.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <31d5ea920610180806q26b4174bq33deb2b45a8a3ad7@mail.gmail.com> It seems that Pankaj has taken a LOT of time out to explain himself. Thank you for that. His frustration is totally understandable. However if he did commit himself in a "legal binding" to deliver 5 films, he made the mistake himself in the first place. Specially because these were to result from a mentoring process with near freshers. How can you give a guarantee on that? You said you will facilitate them a chance to make THEIR OWN film and not make their film for them. What was the agreement if the participant could not complete the film? That Pankaj would then be sent to jail? Or should Laha be in jail? Pankaj is a frustrated Mentor because he put in all the effort it seems with Laha but met with a very poor response, unpromising results, the experiment was failing... Sometimes it is best not to finish a piece of work. It is part of the learning curve. Indeed when one starts to put down a vision in actuality, in whatever medium, one makes new realisations, specially with relationships between thought and process, the idea and its creation... Some times these realisations are drastic and then there is a pause. These pauses can be difficult to articulate for the affected. This can be frustrating for a mentor. The project may not be complete but surely there has been a positive gain, an educational benefit, because failed experiments often teach us more. There is some dignity in not compromising your work - not finishing it for the heck of it. Is'nt it that how it should be? But in no way should another person be allowed to take someones work in progress (however long it stays that way) and complete it for them. It ROBS them of their half finished project, their unrealised idea, but still something that belongs to them, even as an idea of hope or stasis. When you take someones rough cut, you are taking away a lot of the effort the person put in - as filmmaking is not easy to construct and needs a lot of things to come together. A rough cut is a good stage to reach. I know people who have sat for five years with their roughcuts before eventually completing the film. So Laha HAS been ROBBED of his IDEA and partly actualized WORK. Its Pankaj's failure if he was not being able to deliver five films and strangely seems to have legally bound himself to that. But you do not fill the deficit by robbing something that is not yours. If Pankaj had respect for Laha and wasn't so patronising, he would realise that the footage and rough cut and the story idea were all Laha's and leave it with him with his blessings. If Pankaj could see the unfinished film as not necessarily a bad outcome and a complete failure and had managed to convince the commissioning agency of the same, I think the problem would have been solved. Its not Stalin's time. I am sure Pankaj would not have been blacklisted or penalized. Let us not disrespect anybody (even if they are first timers) by taking their ideas and work as if they are freeware to build your own thing with it. Now that what has happened has happened. Laha should be given the right to use his footage and roughcut to work on to make his own film, if it is at all possible to have another version. PSBT can still hold the copyright to that film, if that was the original agreement. Also Laha should be paid the same amount the other interns received - minus of course the production expenses he did not make. He is not is secondary school, you can't fail him. You can only fail yourself Mr Kumar. -Vishal On 10/18/06, Rrivu Laha wrote: > > For some reason, the attachment i sent containing Pankaj's response didnt > reach all yahoo groups except docuwallahs.. i am resending it. Following > is Pankaj's response. Rrivu, Here is my response to your mail: > *The fifth film mentioned in the series, **Vasudev/ Documentary/ Hindi > is a film without the filmmaker's name. *---- yes, I completely agree. It > was a hard decision but I had to make. I will explain. Right from the word > go when we started the program in end February your attitude has been very > callous and lackadaisical. I had pointed this to you after you had finished > your shoot in end march / early April… (See letter dated 20th April) You > did get back to me after that mail…and a rough cut was achieved around 20 > th may. At that point you yourself were not too happy with the cut. I had > communicated the same to you that the film needed more work. I had promised > that I will send you a VCD within 2/3 days so that you can work on the film > further. I did. Unfortunately it never reached you. You on your part didn't > bother to get back to me to check what had happened with the VCD. It was > only when I met you in mid June at FTII' Pune I was informed about this. I > wonder why you sat quiet about a Cut which you had done. Furthermore, I was > told that you had not worked any further on the film. Subsequently I sent > you the RC once I reached Mumbai and you received it.. Next, I called you > on 4th July and read out the feedback to your film from PSBT. You agreed to > the feedback and the fact that more work was needed on the film. In this > interim period of 15 days, no effort was made by you towards your project. I > was informed over the phone that you would think about it at length and get > back to me within 4 days. I had agreed to that. After that there was a very > long unexplained silence form you…75 days to be precise. The next mail came > from you on 18th sept. In this interim period there was no communication > from you through phone or E mail or even a note through friends. You just > sat happily! A person who is passionate about the subject and wants to > make a film on it….this kind of attitude is completely uncalled for. For me > it smells of being irresponsible and unprofessional. It's your film, > something which you claim to be concerned about, then what stops you from > putting in the effort…. Just to remind you once again -- in my mail dated > 20th April I had clearly mentioned that since I am coordinating five > filmmakers it's not possible and it's not my job to chase people. After 4 > th July, I waited and waited…no news from you. I hope you realize that I > am accountable to PSBT. I have deadlines to meet and the other 4 filmmakers > cannot wait for you to be through with your siesta. Meanwhile, PSBT was > planning their annual festival and they wanted to showcase these films. I > had no choice but to step in…finish the film and make the Masters. I had to > take a final call. I took the decision. It is final and irrevocable. > Your mail after a break of 75 days speaks volumes. To quote it > verbatim: Mon, 18 Sep Hi Pankaj, Will get over with the dialogue exercises > by Thursday or so... Planning to come to mumbai on friday. Would like to do > the credit scroll and complete the vasudev film. When would it be possible > for us to meet? waiting Rrivu I don't know your noble intentions behind > writing this mail but for me it was outright irresponsible and to repeat > again CALLOUS and LACKADAISICAL. There was not a word from you explaining > your absence for 75 days. What you had thought about the project…Nothing. In > fact it sounded like as if the cut done by you in May was the Master Cut > (Would like to do the credit scroll and complete the vasudev film). Sorry I > disagree with this and it is completely unacceptable to me. I do not approve > of this attitude of taking things for granted … you think you can just write > a mail 3-4 days in advance and you expect me to be there at your disposal …. > You didn't have the courtesy to explain your absence… my house is not a > public space open to people 24/7. I was in Delhi on 18thSept and my response to your mail was: To quote it verbatim: sorry its too > late…we talked on 4th July…u said u will get back to me.... sorry i cannot > chase people… i finished the film... the broadcast master was done too.. and > we screened 4 films ...excfept yours at PSBT fest in delhi...3 days ago... > Had you been concerned and sensitive the mail should have shaken you up… cos > its very clear that the film has been finalized and finished. There was no > reaction from you. It didn't bother you what was the shape of the final > film, who did it … NOTHING… As a DIRECTOR you are supposed to see through > the project and not walk away…this is a simple rule which you ought to > know. More so if you are undergoing training at FTII…It didn't bother you > why VASUDEV was singled out and not screened at the PSBT festival…it just > didn't matter to you…This attitude of yours is very clear from the mail you > wrote on 19th Sept: To quote it verbatim: its ok, i was occupied with > other things, sorry. would like to have the copy of the film and the rushes. > c u soon Rrivu. I need not jump to what this mail implies. Its self > explanatory. My next mail was regarding money: pls send me an Email... > stating that u had received Rs 4,250 as expenses > reimbursement for research on the project "VASUDEV" > best > pankaj and on 21st sept I received this mail: hereby acknowledge thst I > recieved Rs 4,250 as expense reimbursement for research on the project > "Vasudev" Thanking you Rrivu Laha > > keeping the above exchange of our correspondence its quiet clear that for > reasons best known to you, you had washed your hands off the project. You > disappeared without informing me. This had put me in an extremely awkward > situation cos I am legally responsible for delivering the five films to > PSBT. ..I had no choice but to intervene and complete the project…. I > will now answer the other points raised in your mail: *The commissioning > editor, Pankaj Rishi Kumar, has sent the film for a national telecast, on > Doordarshan, …*I am not the commissioning editor, I was a Mentor, Series > Director and line producer on the overall project. I also got credit for > any specialized job I did on any of the films. The commissioning editor is > Mr. Rajiv Mehrotra at PSBT. Yes, as a Mentor on the project and somebody who > is legally answerable I had agreed to the telecast. I hope you realize the > role and responsibilities of the Mentor….I do not want to spell it out. That > was the basic mistake you had committed from the word go…You thought that > you were commissioned to make the film…Sorry you have misread. The Advt. > put by me clearly said that it was a Mentoring process where you will get to > make your first film… Had I been the commissioning editor, honestly, I > would have gone further and not let the film be in the final package for > telecast. Throughout the program I helped filmmakers achieve what they > wanted to. I did not practice hierarchy… you may agree or disagree to > this…but it might help you to talk to other 4 filmmakers on this project as > to what exactly my role and involvement was on the overall project. *has > sent the film for a national telecast, on Doordarshan without notifying the > filmmaker*, -------- I am not clear what you mean here. Do you mean 'That > I did not tell you that the film has been finalized' : this is untrue. > Please look at mails dated 18th and 19th Sept. I had written " I finished > the film" Regarding the telecast, I was informed by PSBT on 10th Oct' > during the day that the telecast MIGHT be on 14th OCT. They said they > would confirm by evening…I checked my mail around 7pm..DD had indeed > finalized the date …I immediately forwarded the mail and SMS to all 5 > filmmakers and others involved with the project … hence your above statement > is completely malicious *without putting the filmmaker's name or > biography along with the film. ---*Yes, you have been given credit for the > work done by you…It was a hard decision for me to take but after your > unreasonable, unprofessional attitude I as a Mentor came to a conclusion > that you could not be credited as 'DIRECTOR' on the project. Hence that was > not mentioned. Mr. Rrivu, "You shall reap only what you sow" *Whose > film is it? filmmaker's film or the commissioning editor's? -------------- > * I want to ask you this question myself? Please let me know. With the > effort put by you on the project do you really think you are the DIRECTOR. > Isn't that being too pompous. Have a conscience!, reflect on your actions > and ask yourself a pertinent question "IS THIS MY WORK" ... if you truly > believe, that it is your film…then I suggest you take it around, screen it > and tell this to people…you will be surprised, people will believe you (I > am not being sarcastic…) people will get to see your faith and conviction. > ….I have written above and will repeat again 'you do not deserve to be given > the credit what you are looking for.' * The film is again scheduled for > telecast tonight (14th october) on DD NEWS at 10:30 pm . I am Rrivu Laha, a > second year cinematography student from film & television Institute of > India, Pune. I responded to the advertisements posted by Pankaj Rishi Kumar, > KUMAR TALKIES inviting proposals from young/debut filmmakers for a series of > 5 short films on the theme of 'CONFLICT' (around 5 1/2 min each; fiction, > documentary or animation) for the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (www.psbt.org) > My proposal was selected* ----ya this is true. > > * and I was given to make a film with a Handycamera, not much other > equipment.* ------that is an outright lie. Its odd you have fallen so low. > But I am not surprised. Not once before, during or after the shoot did you > complain about the equipment ..neither did it malfunction...so what are we > talking about….I challenge you to oragnise a screening of your rushes (at > your cost) and let people decide if technology became an impediment on the > shoot … > *Since I was keen, I went ahead with my making and submitted a rough cut. > ----------* Yes, that is true and then disappeared in thin air without > informing anyone… > *Although I heard that PSBT and kumar talkies approved my rough cut, no > formal letter of communication has been made to me yet. ----------*another lie, please refer to our conversation on 4 > th July...when I read out the evaluators report from PSBT. You yourself > agreed that work was needed on the project. Hence the cut was not final and > you were expected to work on it further. ..Rest is history. I as a Mentor > never practiced the hierarchy of approving or disapproving cuts…what > mattered was your effort and how close you could come to what you had > planned in your mind….I wanted that from all 5 of you…and I think it worked > beautifully, except in your case… During the entire program we were not > looking for approvals from PSBT…PSBT has always stood by filmmakers…it has > given the complete freedom and Independence to filmmakers what they want to > make…The reports by their evaluators are only suggestions and are not > binding on the filmmaker…you will be surprised to know Rrivu that 3 other > filmmakers on the project continued to work on their project irrespective of > PSBT evaluation report. They were driven by the dream of making their film > better and better… I wish you had followed their example… > > *I had several student exercises and a shoot to attend, returning from my > shoot yesterday I am finding the news of telecast of my short film on > Doordarshan without my name or biography with it.* ---its sad but the > inevitable truth… > > *if it is my proposal and my rough cut that has been approved by the PSBT > and KUMAR TALKIES, how come my name is not there against my film? How come I > am not informed of its telecast? I maybe a young and debutant filmmaker, but > can my commissioning editor decide to telecast or publicize my film without > my name or my knowledge? ---------*I think I have clarified this above. I > hope you realize that this project was an experiment undertaken by PSBt and > me. It provided an opportunity to people to make their first film…you > clearly misconstrued this. You on the contrary…wasted an opportunity… I hope > you realize that you denied somebody else to make their first film…You are > currently a student at FTII, even if you did not get to make this film…you > had ample opportunities ahead of you…on top of that when you are given an > additional opportunity, what did you do with it? …isn't that a colossal > waste… Instead of making the best use of an opportunity you instead took me > and PSBT for a ride….I mean how low can you fall…. > *What are my rights? Where do I stand in this whole gamut of > commissioning? > Who is the commissioner? What are my rights against his? > Who is the funder? Who has approved the telecast? Where do I stand? ----*I think I have clarified all of this above….I disapprove of young bleeding > artists who protest in name of artistic/individual work…where was this > bleeding artist for those 75 days? Its odd somebody who took 75 days to > respond to his own film, now takes 48 hours to respond ...cos he thinks he > is being violated… sorry, I do not agree to these aspirations of yours. > *No payments have been made to me yet, my expenses haven't been covered > except a sum of Rs. 4500/- against research for the film,* --- check your > statement on 21st sept. Further when you finished your rough cut in May. I > had reimbursed you for all expenses till that date. In June when I met you > at FTII, I gave you some more money as you needed some…this was above the > expenses incurred by you….so what are you talking about….another lie! > Nothing else…I do not owe you anything…but would appreciate if you could > submit detailed accounts with bills and vouchers for the money given to > you….the same should have been done months ago…you chose to set your own > rules… *and no notification of telecast has been given to me. I wish > clarification before any further publicity or telecast is made of my film. > *---- I have clarified this above. > I hope I have answered your queries. I do not wish to wash my dirty > linen in public. You have every democratic right to do so… kindly circulate > this to whosoever you want to…using mail, print, internet …or broadcast as a > medium …I have no problem… A word of advice…you may disagree with me. > Please take time out and see the other 4 films. Try and share your > experience with the other 4 filmmakers. …judge for yourself…did you put in > enough effort? More pertinent then that, ask yourself … "Am I being honest > in what I am demanding" …I will leave the answers to your conscience… I > will send you a DVD of the 5 films…I will have to seek PSBT approval if the > rushes could be handed over to you. Yes, I had promised them to you at the > beginning of the project…but in this current scenario I just cant trust you > anymore. pankaj ---------------------------- Thu, 20 Apr Dear Rrivu, I > should not be writing this letter...that is the last thing I would like to > do...but circumstances are such..... Its been quiet sometime since I heard > from you regarding your project....after the shoot in end march...early > April...I was given to understand that you will log the material and come up > with a structure or the lack of it so that we could work on it further...not > only you don't keep in touch but I found it hard to believe that you could > not find time to meet and clarify while I was at Ftii...u said u would turn > up once the shoot gets over...but there was no sight of you...on 13th too I > had asked the same question....What is the structure and your work plan? > Your exams got over on 18th and once again I had to chase you to find > answers to my queries...I hope you understand that I am answerable to > PSBt...The fact that I have trusted filmmakers to do what they believe in > and at their own pace should be taken as trust building exercise...you > cannot go over the top..... I wonder if you have even logged your > footage...cos u sounded as vague when I met you at FTii...I find this very > disconcerting....I did send you SMS messages in the last 2 days...there has > been no response....yes, quiet possible u never got them!...but I expect you > to keep in touch and keep me informed, rather than me chasing you..... I > was waiting for the camera...and got your message that i will have to wait > for another 2 days....I hope u do not expect me to go and pick it up....the > resources need to be shared...u cant sit on them.....I had lined up a shoot > for 21st but had to cancel it....You had promised that you will come to > Mumbai and discuss things but you cancelled it on your own free will..... > once gain ...a humble request...what is the edit structure and the edit > plan... > hope u realise that I have to coordinate with 5 people...and you just > cannot do things on timelines which are to your convenience.... a prompt > response would be appreciated.... hope you have a good time in Dubai.... > best > pankaj ============================================== > > ------------------------------ > Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com > > > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061018/715d55d3/attachment.html From rrivulaha at yahoo.com Wed Oct 18 17:23:06 2006 From: rrivulaha at yahoo.com (Rrivu Laha) Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 04:53:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Vasudev the bastard film Message-ID: <20061018115306.91998.qmail@web53913.mail.yahoo.com> Attached along with is a 6 page long explanation of Pankaj Rishi Kumar’s side of story. I do wish to interact on a public forum. Because I believe expressing my anguish has nothing to do with washing dirty linen. On this platform, I am here with my questions and insecurities regarding the whole commissioning pattern. I agree to my faults; And my very first fault being, not signing a formal contract with Pankaj Rishi Kumar or PSBT. I should have been careful enough to know what I am getting into. What are the clauses and conditions under which I am to make this film? Pankaj Rishi Kumar says that he is not the Commissioning Editor, it is Rajiv Mehrotra from PSBT. And Pankaj Rishi Kumar is the ‘Mentor’. I should have asked earlier what the role of a ‘Mentor’ is. There have been no documents, no contract given to me which clearly state the rights and authorities of a ‘Mentor’. Does Mentor have the right to decide whether the director is worthy enough to be given the credit? Can ‘Mentor’ give punishments? What kind of punishments? It is true that after submitting my rough cut, I didn’t communicate with my mentor for 2 months. And that precisely is that reason why my mentor decided to believe I’m callous and lackadaisical and irresponsible and unprofessional filmmaker. So much so that he took charge to ‘finish’ the film himself without even giving a notice to me once. This is my very question. I may have been callous and irresponsible, as a director I may have faltered, but was that a reason enough to deny me my own rough-cut? If Pankaj Rishi Kumar was so unhappy with my performance, he could have sacked the film. Why hack it ? Why keep the film, if throw the filmmaker away? And then give an impression as if the filmmaker washed his hands off. Is there any notification, or any rule book, or contract, or agreement that gives the right to anyone whom so ever to wrap up the film in absence of the filmmaker, no matter how much ever lousy the filmmaker is thought to be? I didn’t ask for a rule book or an agreement then, it was my mistake like many other mistakes. I ask for it now. Show me an agreement or a contract that justifies the decision of Pankaj Rishi Kumar as a ‘Mentor’ to ‘finish’ the film and telecast without the credits. What justifies this telecast? Whose telecast is it? For whom? Who has approved the telecast? By what logic or law? Where do I stand? What are my rights as against the commissioning editor’s or Mentor’s rights ? These questions are still unanswered. Pankaj has very skillfully managed to demonstrate how callous a filmmaker I have been, but if I am to demonstrate the callousness of the entire project, I would begin right from the advertisement titled ‘Make your own movie FOR FREE!’ Not to mention that there have been distressing discrepancies between the promises made in the advertisement and the actual functioning of the project. I feel disillusioned. Because I think I’m in a very ambiguous commissioning atmosphere, Where I have been simply put off because there have been no certain instructions or guidelines or information. Pankaj is my super senior from the institute. And it is his word I took and bore all gaps in the functioning of this entire package programme. But now, when my own project is robbed off me, I will question till the matter is resolved. Rrivu Laha 9372446397 pankaj kumar wrote: Dear Moderator, I have responded to Mr. Rivu. I do not wish to wash dirty linen in public. Mr. Rivu has the freedom to publish my mail. People on this list, those interested may write to him and get facts from him... rrivulaha at yahoo. com with warm regards pankaj ------------ --------- --------- --- Make your own movie FOR FREE! KUMAR TALKIES invites proposals from young/debut filmmakers for a series of 5 short films on the theme of 'CONFLICT' (around 5 1/2 min each; fiction, documentary or animation) for the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (www.psbt.org) What is "conflict"? A clash of attitudes. A disharmony between incompatible ideas. A state of prolonged battle. We seek sensitive films that will try to deal with roots and causes of any conflicts, their implications & consequences with hints at resolving them. These conflicts can be anything, including religious, ethnic, political, social, gender, or more personal issues. -- Five selected film makers will be invited for extensive mentoring sessions to evolve a shooting script/storyboard, shoot and edit their own DV film in any language. -- Kumar Talkies will arrange for entire production/post production support, along with a team of trained industry professionals (camera, editing, sound.) -- ALL expenditure - research, travel, mastering, all costs - will be facilitated by Kumar Talkies. -- Each stage of work will be reviewed and discussed at length by industry professionals. -- The selected filmmakers will be paid a fee of Rs 6,000. --- WHO CAN APPLY? ANYONE! --- 1 Well, anyone who has NOT made long films, say 30 min or more (except student movies, that's fine) 2 You have to be Mumbai-based 3 Anyone at the beginning of their careers who dreams of films No background in filmmaking? Just have a great idea? APPLY NOW! --- YOU CAN SEND ANY NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS! --- 1 In 5 lines describe what your film is about. Yes, just five lines, in any language - English, Hindi, Marathi, French, Latin ... well,it's up to you. 2 Also describe the idea, why you want to make it, your background.. .any material to support your application. 3 If you want, send us a sample of your previous work. Not compulsory! Send any material that'll persuade us to pick you! ---- Hurry! YOUR DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 20. Don't wait for the last moment - Apply now! ---- How to Apply: Just email your application with your contact details, including phone number, to ALL these emal addresses. kumartalkies@ yahoo.com conflict.mentor@ gmail.com conflict.mentor2@ gmail.com Optionally, post/courier your additional material to: Pankaj Rishi Kumar, B-103, Gokul Tower, Thakur Complex, Kandivli (E) Mumbai 400101 (No hand delivery, people!) Selections will be announced by Feb 25. Tentatively, your rough cut will be ready by April 10 Shoot any questions or queries to kumartalkies@ yahoo.com *** . --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061018/10391a8d/attachment.html From mail at shivamvij.com Thu Oct 19 23:20:51 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 23:20:51 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Community Radio Policy - Activists hail Decision by Group of Ministers/Cabinet Urged to Okay In-Reply-To: <4537b6ce.48f08eaa.511d.ffffb510SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.google.com> References: <4537b6ce.48f08eaa.511d.ffffb510SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.google.com> Message-ID: <9c06aab30610191050l2db87eb2t5db5fafa2deb7017@mail.gmail.com> Activists hail Decision by Group of Ministers/Cabinet Urged to Okay Media Release Activists hail Decision by Group of Ministers Cabinet Urged to Okay Community Radio Policy New Delhi, October 13, 2006 The Community Radio Forum of India has hailed the Group of Ministers recommendation to clear the Community Radio Policy, drawn up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The new policy will now allow civil society organizations, NGOs and other non-profits to apply for Community Radio licenses making citizens radio a reality. The Forum urged the Union Cabinet to accord the highest priority to approve and notify this policy and brings about democratization of Indias airwaves. Under the present community radio guidelines, only well-established educational institutions are permitted to set up campus-based radio stations. Following the landmark Supreme Court judgment of 1995  which declared that the airwaves are public property, to be used for public good - members of the Community Radio Forum, international advocacy groups such as World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), other civil society organizations across the country and international development organizations including UNESCO and UNDP have, over the past six years, held several consultative meetings with the ministry to expand the eligibility criteria to include community based organizations. In May 2004, the I & B Ministry, in consultation with civil society representatives including the Forum, drew up a set of policy recommendations to allow communities to own and manage their own FM community radio stations. In August 2005 the Forum petitioned the Prime Minister (http://www.petitiononline.com/comradio/) to put an end to this discriminatory broadcast policy where corporate houses could buy FM frequencies but communities could not own and operate their own stations and were left with no other choice but to buy air-time from existing All India Radio stations. Members of the Forum have since then collected over 50,000 signatures on this petition. News programmes and advertisements are currently banned on campus radio. The new policy will not only open up community radio to NGOs, self-help groups and other community-based organizations, but will also allow them to become self-supporting through limited ad-revenue. On notification of this policy India will become the first country in South Asia to have a separate policy for community radio. The Community Radio Forum, which is an association of community radio broadcasters, activists and academics looks forward to a genuine democratization of the countrys airwaves when this policy comes into force. Stalin K. For, Community Radio Forum, India Contact: stalink123 at gmail.com The Community Radio Forum, India 1. Stalin K., DRISHTI - Media, Arts & Human Rights, Ahmedabad 2. Preeti Soni, Radio Ujjas, Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan, Bhuj 3. Ashish Sen, VOICES, Bangalore 4. Dr. Vinod Pavarala, Dean, School of Communication, Central University, Hyderabad 5. Nandita Roy, National Foundation of India, New Delhi 6. Shankar Ghose, Charkha, New Delhi 7. Frederick Noronha, Panaji, Goa 8. P V Sateesh, Deccan Development Society, Hyderabad 9. Dr. B P Sanjay, School of Communication, Central University, Hyderabad 10. Nitya Jacob, WriteShop, New Delhi 11. Basheerhamad Shadrach, New Delhi 12. Vickram Crishna, Radiophony, Mumbai 13. Nimmi Chauhan, DRISHTI - Media, Arts & Human Rights, Ahmedabad 14. Geeta Malhotra, OneWorld South Asia, New Delhi 15. Osama Manzar, Digital Empowerment Foundation, New Delhi 16. Venu Arora, Equal Access, New Delhi 17. L Ajith, Radio Alakal, Trivandrum 18. Ram Bhatt, VOICES, Bangalore 19. Gabar Singh, Umang Group 20. Nalini Abraham, Plan International 21. Anshu Sharma, SEEDS, New Delhi 22. Tom Thomas, Praxis India, New Delhi ____________________ Suman Basnet Regional Coordinator AMARC Asia Pacific Kathmandu, Nepal http://asiapacific.amarc.org Phone: +977 1 5554811 Fax: +977 1 5521714 Forwarded for information purposes by ----------------------- Fouad Riaz Bajwa FOSS Advocate From quraishy at sarai.net Fri Oct 20 14:07:46 2006 From: quraishy at sarai.net (Moslem Ali Quraishy) Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:37:46 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] Internet Explorer 7 Message-ID: <527f0bb8dc7cf360d8478e08140aaf85@sarai.net> Microsoft released the final version of Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP and made it available for free download at the Internet Explorer 7 site(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/default.mspx). IE7 is a significant upgrade to IE6, and offers tabbed browsing, an anti-phishing toolbar, a redesigned interface, and a variety of security features, including increased protection against rogue ActiveX controls. It's Microsoft's first launch of an all new browser since the release of IE6 in 2001. The launch comes days after the Release Candidate 3 (RC3) release of Firefox, which has a similar feature set to Internet Explorer. http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleI \ d=9004246 Thanks and regards Moslem quraishy From zainab at xtdnet.nl Fri Oct 20 23:04:00 2006 From: zainab at xtdnet.nl (zainab at xtdnet.nl) Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 21:34:00 +0400 (RET) Subject: [Reader-list] A Place Called Home Message-ID: <1611.125.22.4.100.1161365640.squirrel@webmail.xtdnet.nl> A Place Called “Home” I was headed to the airport, going back from Bangalore to Mumbai. It was one of those thunderous nights, rain pouring heavily. Sridhar was the taxi driver. He promised to get me to the airport right on time. I trusted him. Around Airport Road, we got stuck in a jam. We started conversing. Sridhar was trained at the National Association of the Blind in Bombay sometime in the early 1980’s. He then came to Bangalore and started teaching here. After a while, I realized that personal and social life cannot be intermingled, he said to me as he continued driving. I then started my own cargo company, doing work for Blue Dart Couriers, ferrying between Bangalore and Bombay. After a while, I stopped because the stress increased. Then I bought a taxi of my own and I drive this taxi now. Sridhar continued to talk to me about his daughter and asked me for advice on what career in psychology she should pursue. As we neared the airport, suddenly I asked him, where do you live? Banshankari, he answered. Is it your own home? Nahi madam. When I did not have money, I said I will make enough to buy my own home. Now when I have the money, the prices have gone up and I cannot afford to make a purchase. That’s destiny. I don’t have a home of my own. I carried Sridhar’s words with me. My flight touched Bombay late that night. A day later, I met with Begum. Begum lives in slum settlement in Bombay that is due for resettlement. Begum is leading her block in the slum and is negotiating with builders for in-situ resettlement. Begum tells me about the negotiations that she is carrying out with the builders, legal safeguards that the block and she have worked out to ensure that all of them have a proper place to stay. Eventually, Begum starts to narrate a story, a story of the place called ‘her home’: I came to this place more than twenty-five years ago. This neighbourhood was largely Muslim. I had a different way of living. Since I was quite educated, I would speak with my children in English. We lived differently. The neighbours thought I was a Catholic lady. Gradually, they started coming to me and began to bring their grievances to me. They started telling me how their children had only one school to go to and that was far away. I decided to help them enrol their children in school. Initially they were afraid, telling me, will private schools admit our children? I said why not. As long as you are paying for their fees, why should they refuse you? Today this area has two good schools. Then the problem was that there was no public BEST bus coming to this area. Along with the residents of this area, I took out a morcha to the local bus station. Today, bus number --- comes to this area. I have realized and I must tell you that people of this area are very loyal. And they will stay loyal to you all their lives. The love that I got from this place, nothing can compensate that. That love, that is it! And I will never leave this place and go! Tomorrow, we will be resettled. The builder here has told me openly that he is hoping that most of the people here who will be given houses here, will sell them off and take the money and buy house some other place and invest the rest in business. I want to tell you that this builder, he wants to ultimately build malls here, and she raised her teacher’s stick and banged it and repeated, he wants to build malls here! That’s it! He wants to build malls here! I carry only these words with me to tell to you. What it is this place that they call home? Zainab Bawa Bombay www.xanga.com/CityBytes http://crimsonfeet.recut.org/rubrique53.html From arshad.mcrc at gmail.com Sat Oct 21 12:45:45 2006 From: arshad.mcrc at gmail.com (arshad amanullah) Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:45:45 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Mayhem in Mangalore Message-ID: <2076f31d0610210015o38bbb1f8u7628299a3499402e@mail.gmail.com> Mayhem in Mangalore Yoginder Sikand Early this month, a series of violent incidents rocked Mangalore and several nearby towns and villages in coastal Karnataka. Two people were killed, dozens injured and property worth several lakhs was destroyed. Although a semblance of peace has now been restored, tension remains, as I discovered after a recent trip to the area along with some social activists from Bangalore. For some years now, Hindutva forces have been very active in the Dakshina Kannada district, where Mangalore is located. The MP from the area and most of the local MLAs are from the BJP. The road leading to Mangalore is strewn with saffron banners and flags, indicating the presence of numerous Hindutva outfits. Economic factors, such as competition between Muslim and Hindu traders and contradictions between some sections of the fishermen community and Muslim traders have been used by Hindutva forces to whip up anti-Muslim sentiments and consolidate their presence. Consequently, relations between Hindus and Muslims have been badly affected, an outcome of which were what many locals believe were the pre-planned riots of early October, in which BJP and Bajrang Dal leaders, including some occupying top positions in the present Karnataka government, are said to have played a leading role. Madrasat ul-Badariya is a small mosque-cum-madrasa recently constructed in Bejai, a locality in Mangalore. There are around a dozen Muslim houses in this largely Christian and Hindu area. On the evening of the 6th of October, some young men entered the area in a car, scaled the wall of the Christian locality and barged into the madrasa. The only person inside the madrasa was Abdul Ghafur, the imam. They are said to have pelted the imam with stones, plunged swords into his body while raising slogans hailing the Bajrang Dal and then fled from the scene. The muezzin, who was in the adjacent bathroom while this was happening, fled to a nearby house to inform people of the attack. The imam was rushed to the hospital, where he died. Says Noor (name changed), a local youth, 'There has never been any communal tension in this area. Even in the 1992 and 1998 violence our locality remained tension-free. This incident was clearly motivated to terrorise us. But what can we do? We have to live and die here'. The imam was just 23 years-old an from a very poor family, he tells me. He is survived by his aged father, who is almost blind, his mother and three sisters of marriageable age. He was the sole breadwinner of his family. In Unity Hospital, Mangalore, a young Muslim man writhes in pain on his hospital bed as he tells us about how his cousin Ibrahim, who, while travelling in an ambulance to the airport, was laid upon by a Hindu mob, and was killed. The young man and six others were also in the vehicle and, they, too, were attacked with lethal weapons but escaped. The mob pelted his genitals with large stones, and he does not know if he can ever fully recover. He is a daily-wage earner and does not know how or when he can go back to work. It is clear that the police, too, actively engaged in this campaign of terror directed against the Muslims. In several Muslim localities in Mangalore and in nearby BC Road and Ullal that we visited, evidence of police brutality was amply evident. Rows upon rows of houses were set upon by the police in the dark of night. They barged into several dozen houses, breaking down doors and shattering windowpanes. Inside, they went on a rampage on the pretext of searching for miscreants, smashing television sets, wrenching open almirahs and abusing and physically manhandling womenfolk. Scores of Muslim men, most of them said to be innocent, were arrested and, it is alleged, false cases slapped on them. Many of them have been sent to jails in far-off places, some as distant as Bellary, over 400 kilometres from Mangalore. Their children and womenfolk have had no news of them. We met numerous Muslims who said they sought to file cases but the police refused to register them. Says Fatima (name changed), whose husband and son have been in jail for the last fifteen days, 'My husband was a poor daily wage earner. He had nothing to do with the violence. The police forced themselves into our house, stole my jewellery and took my husband away. For fifteen days we have had no source of income. We are surviving thanks to the help of our neighbours'. Uncontrollably sobbing, Najma (name changed), another Muslim housewife, says, 'My husband is a heart patient. He is on medication. He was at home when this happened. The police broke down our door and grabbed him and dragged him off with them. He is perfectly innocent. I have no idea when he will come back'. Looting and destruction of Muslim shops, in many cases said to have been abetted by the police, has resulted in loss of property running into several lakhs. In Ullal, some Hindu shops, too, were attacked, following a rumour, proved later to have been false, that the police had fired on Muslims in the vicinity of the famous dargah located in the town. A rumour of the imminent slaughter of cows by a Muslim butcher is said to have sparked off the recent violence in Mangalore. Apparently, over the past four years there have been several incidents of Bajrang Dal activists manhandling Muslim butchers. Last year the Bajrang Dal even took over the slaughterhouse in an auction in a bid to keep the Muslims out. However, they could not run the slaughterhouse for long and so it was once again taken over by a group of Muslims. Yet, they managed to get it closed down for several days on the grounds of lack of hygiene. This time Bajrang Dal leaders decided to use the issue of animal slaughter to engineer anti-Muslim violence in the town. According to some reports, this was pre-planned. An so when a Muslim butcher, was transporting what some say were buffaloes (and not cows) that he had bought for slaughter from a Hindu, Bajrang Dal activists pounced on the opportunity to set off a wave of attacks on Muslims in Mangalore. Some local Kannada newspapers, whose Hindutva connections are well-known, played a major role in further instigating the violence by publishing false reports of Muslim attacks on Hindus. As of now, a semblance of peace prevails, but for the families of the scores of people killed or injured in the violence, whose houses and properties were attacked by mobs and the police and whose menfolk languish in jail, many on trumped up charges—mostly Muslims—things can never be the same again. Says Mohammad, a Muslim youth from Mangalore, 'Hindutva leaders and some newspapers have made the ridiculous claim of SIMI or the Laskhar -i Tayyeba being behind the violence. Not even an idiot will believe this. The Hindu fascist forces started the violence, and those responsible for it still remain largely scot-free, while scores of innocent Muslims have been arrested and terrorised. What sort of democracy and justice is this?'. 'Hindutva forces want to plunge India into the throes of civil war', says Mohammad's friend Hussain. 'Inter-communal relations have largely been good here', he adds, 'but the Hindutva fascists want to destroy that, and are trying to do that all over Karnataka, now that they are in a coalition government in the state. Only Allah knows what the future holds for us'. -- arshad amanullah 34,masihgarh, jamia nagar new delhi-25. From gmc at metro.cx Fri Oct 20 15:48:56 2006 From: gmc at metro.cx (Koen Martens) Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:18:56 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] Internet Explorer 7 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4538A290.1040702@metro.cx> reader-list-request at sarai.net wrote: > Microsoft released the final version of Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP > and made it available for free download at the Internet Explorer 7 > site(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/default.mspx). > > IE7 is a significant upgrade to IE6, and offers tabbed browsing, an > anti-phishing toolbar, a redesigned interface, and a variety of security > features, including increased protection against rogue ActiveX controls. > It's Microsoft's first launch of an all new browser since the release of > IE6 in 2001. > > The launch comes days after the Release Candidate 3 (RC3) release of > Firefox, which has a similar feature set to Internet Explorer. > > http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleI \ > d=9004246 Warning, IE is dangerous for your computer. It contains flaws in its design that allow for easy installation of virusses and spyware without your knowledge and/or consent. Hours after it was released, the first vulnerability was found: http://www.whitedust.net/speaks/3048/ Gr, Koen From dattuagarwal at gmail.com Sat Oct 21 17:55:02 2006 From: dattuagarwal at gmail.com (Dattu Agarwal Agarwal) Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 17:55:02 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] happy diwali Message-ID: <9545e7840610210525m25b5724ci2fdcbdcf4086f97c@mail.gmail.com> I wish a happy and prosperous diwali to all the list members and their families Regards Prof. Dattu Agarwal. e-mail dattu.agarwal at rediffmail.com. mobile 919886678744. From saran_mohit at hotmail.com Sat Oct 21 20:33:28 2006 From: saran_mohit at hotmail.com (rs) Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 23:03:28 +0800 Subject: [Reader-list] happy diwali References: <9545e7840610210525m25b5724ci2fdcbdcf4086f97c@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: dear all, wish you all a very very happy and prosperous diwali greetings rajneesh ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dattu Agarwal Agarwal" To: Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 8:25 PM Subject: [Reader-list] happy diwali >I wish a happy and prosperous diwali to all the list members and their >families > Regards > Prof. Dattu Agarwal. > e-mail dattu.agarwal at rediffmail.com. > mobile 919886678744. > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with > subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> From aliak77 at gmail.com Mon Oct 23 13:57:28 2006 From: aliak77 at gmail.com (Kath O'Donnell) Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 13:57:28 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] indian videobloggers? Message-ID: <383607190610230127y130ef0e7wa33be295375f0091@mail.gmail.com> Hi everyone, I was wondering if there's much of a videoblogging community here in India. I've only been to Delhi & Bangalore and the people I've spoken to haven't really known about it or had cameras or spare time to make movies of their lives and environments. Would you know of any I could check out? Some people from the videoblogging yahoogroups list are going to AirJaldi Summit 2006 to talk about how videoblogging can be used in communities and how it is used overseas. http://summit.airjaldi.com/ thanks Kath -- http://www.aliak.com From vivek at sarai.net Mon Oct 23 15:31:16 2006 From: vivek at sarai.net (Vivek Narayanan) Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 15:31:16 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Performance from Universal Beach Message-ID: <453C92EC.3010405@sarai.net> Dear Friends, I will be performing poems from my first book (Universal Beach, published by Harbour Line, 2006) as well as a selection of new poems written towards the second book (tentatively titled Lectures in Indian History) at: *the British Council, Chennai, Thursday 26 October, at 7.30 p.m.* This will be part of the Chennai British Council’s “Writer’s Block” season, where one writer is featured each month. Please note that passes are not required for this event, and that all are welcome. Do come! Upcoming readings include Bangalore, Crosswords Bookstore, on November 9, and at the British Council Delhi on November 29. Below, find blurbs, reviews, bio. ****************************************************************** 'Soon the world will know of a daring, vigorous, sexy, humane, wise and traveled poet. It will find in Universal Beach a remarkable formal control, and an equally remarkable free-verse nonchalance. Narayanan has a noise all his own; a voice, happily, exceeding the limitations of voice.' --David Herd "What is more interesting is the way Narayanan performed... [He] doesn't just recite his poems, he acts them out, complete with strong vocal inflexions, chanting and hand gestures." --Jai Arjun Singh, Business Standard Weekend, Jabberwock blog. “Vivek Narayanan’s poems remind me of a thriving port-city, where diverse tongues are spoken, their registers varying from a priestly classical to a piratical demotic… And then there are moments of luminosity, when the word becomes the bearer of hope and redemption. Not by offering us a spurious clarity, but by challenging us into insight with a jaggedness of phrase, a treacherously ambiguous grammar, and a demanding musicality. --Ranjit Hoskote Vivek Narayanan’s first book of poems, Universal Beach, was published in 2006 from Harbour Line (Mumbai). In 2002, he was the Charles Wallace Writer-In-Residence at the University of Kent at Canterbury. As a poet, he has studied under Derek Walcott and Rosanna Warren (at Boston University) and Charles Tomlinson. He has recently had poems in Harvard Review, Fulcrum, Indian Literature and elsewhere, has been published in Indian and international journals and anthologies since 1994, including in Reasons For Belonging: Fourteen Contemporary Indian Poets (Viking Penguin, 2002). His short stories, reviews and essays have appeared in a number of places, including the Village Voice, The HarperCollins Book of New Indian Fiction (2005), Best New American Voices 2005 (Harcourt Publishers), Poetry Review (UK), The Hindu, and Perihelion. Upcoming work includes poems in the Norton Anthology of Contemporary Voices from the Eastern World (W.W. Norton, 2007) and Sixty Indian Poets (Penguin). In addition to publication, he has been working on the performance of his work since 1995. Narayanan was born in Ranchi in 1972, grew up in Lusaka, Zambia, studied in the US, and is currently based in Delhi, where he works at Sarai: The New Media Initiative ( www.sarai.net )— an organization that brings together visual artists, social scientists, writers, and others to reflect on old and new media forms and the city. Currently he is also a staff writer for the quirky British “non-literary literary magazine”, The Enthusiast ( www.theenthusiast.co.uk ) and Associate Editor at the Boston-based international poetry annual, Fulcrum: www.fulcrumpoetry.org . From mohaiemen at yahoo.com Mon Oct 23 23:21:30 2006 From: mohaiemen at yahoo.com (NAEEM MOHAIEMEN) Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:51:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Outside Whale w/ Bidoun & Shahidul Alam Message-ID: <20061023175130.72952.qmail@web50308.mail.yahoo.com> This is a conversation I did for BIDOUN. #### BIDOUN: The Interview Issue (Fall 06) http://www.bidoun.com/issues/issue_8/01_all.html#article Homi K. Bhabha with Tirdad Zolghadr Dr. Saad Bashir Eskander with Deena Chalabi Anna Boghighuian and Robert Shapazian Trevor Paglen and Thomas Keenan Rem Koolhaas with Markus Miessen Eliana Benador with George Pendle Alaa Abd El Fattah with Ahdaf Soueif Rashid Masharawi, Buthina Canaan Khoury, Nahed Awwad, Hazim Bitar, Annemarie Jacir and Ahmad Habash with Kamran Rastegar Orhan Pamuk with Lex ter Braak Hans Ulrich Obrist with Nav Haq Shahidul Alam and Naeem Mohaiemen Khalil Rabah with Mai Abu ElDahab Elaine Scarry with Curtis Brown Wayne Koestenbaum with Bruce Hainley Ahmed Alaidy and Mustafa Zikri Mohammed Fares with Hugh Macleod Eyal Danon with Basak Senova Ali-Reza Sami-Azar with Christopher de Bellaigue Eva Munz with Mauricio Guillen ++++++++++++++++++++++ BIDOUN: The Interview Issue Outside The Whale Naeem Mohaiemen talks to Shahidul Alam Shahidul Alam's work as a media activist and director of the award-winning Drik Picture Library (drik.net) inspired many Bengalis to blend cultural production with political work. Shahidul deliberately locates his work squarely inside Bangladesh, often defiantly placing himself against local stakeholders such as government ministries, the US Embassy, and the World Bank. At times, he has paid a price for his solitary defiance: DRIK’s phone lines have been cut, exhibitions cancelled, and during anti-government demonstrations in 1996, Shahidul was stabbed by unknown assailants. DRIK’s journey over the past decade highlights the relative privilege of those who live between words, within easy reach of a diasporic space of safety. Besides Drik, Shahidul set up the Bangladesh Photographic Institute, Pathshala (South Asian Institute of Photography) and Chobi Mela (Festival of Photography in Asia). His work has shown in MOMA, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Royal Albert Hall and Kuala Lumpur National Art Gallery. Filmmaker, writer and tactical media artist Naeem Mohaiemen directs created Visible Collective (disappearedinamerica.org), which works on art interventions on hyphenated identities, loyalty tests and security panic. Project excerpts have shown as installations or lectures, including with the Wrong Gallery at the 2006 Whitney Biennial. Naeem: In the 1980s, you left London to move back to Dhaka and start DRIK. In your writing, you've talked about the need to locate media work outside the dominant narrative spaces. Both you and your partner (anthropologist Rahnuma Ahmed) also consciously made a decision to conduct all your work in the Bengali (Bangla) language -- even in the difficult case of transliterated e-mail. Shahidul: I did not leave England. I returned to Bangladesh, where I was always going to be. The biggest need was to change the way majority world countries were portrayed. I was working with a London-based studio, and the only pictures they ever seemed to be interested in were pictures of disaster or poverty. So being based in Dhaka was a fairly automatic decision. My partner Rahnuma and I were involved in the anti-military junta agitations at that time, so I began documenting that movement. It was a much more ‘lived’ experience than I had felt before. The move towards speaking Bangla and the introduction of new media were, in combination, a mechanism aimed at reducing the digital divide. Without international lines, faxes or money to make expensive calls, we needed to find other ways to communicate. So setting up Bangladesh’s first email network was an obvious choice. The introduction of written Bangla in roman text dramatically changed the demographics of participants in our internet network, which brought home the centrality of the vernacular, even in urban, literate circles. Since then we’ve brought out several books and a photography magazine in Bangla. Later we developed a Bangla font that could be used on the Net, which we used in the online magazine I was publishing, so we could reverse the information flow. Naeem: I'm thinking of the imagine.art.after project, curated by Breda Beban, which brought together artists who left home and now live in London, and others who remained in the "country of their birth" (a misnomer anyway -- I don't know where I fit since I was born in London, grew up in Tripoli and Dhaka, and work in New York and Dhaka). This brings to mind all the differences in privilege, access, interests, methodology, and networks that are created when artists migrate. Bangladesh has a different trajectory from the exile dynamics in locales like Lebanon, Iran or Sri Lanka, but at times we've had equally volatile eruptions, especially the turbulent 70s with coups, counter-coups, and dirty-wars. Those in exile/in diasporadic conditions may choose to locate in the "belly of the beast" to challenge from inside. But for this to work, diaspora cultural producers need a theoretical and practical framework for work exchanges between those who "stayed" and those who "left". Shahidul: Leaving aside my overseas education, I was conscious of the fact that I was highly privileged in Bangladesh, by the fact that I had the opportunity to study and did not have to worry about tomorrow’s meal. We had all used the resources of this country for our education, but wealthier countries were reaping the benefits of that training. Through us, Bangladesh was effectively subsidizing the west. If enabling social change is measured, it is in Bangladesh that one can get the maximum returns for one’s efforts. This works at a personal and emotional level, and also if you evaluate how we can change our lives. But, there are obvious risks of working in Bangladesh, particularly for journalists for whom this is said to be the most dangerous country after Iraq [according to the Committee To Protect Journalists]. Naeem: Well, I know that when I tried to show a rough cut of Muslims or Heretics: My Camera Can Lie in Dhaka, the film was refused until you used your networks. I understood then that the risk of recrimination from the Islamists was borne by DRIK. The fact that I work in New York provided a strange kind of insulation. This is what made me think of the overlapping and divergent paths of diaspora versus "back home". What do these terms even mean when many have dual passports, conflicting loyalties, and multiple spaces of work? Shahidul: Being overseas allows one to work with greater impunity and substantially lower risks, and take advantage of greater earning potential. Technological benefits, as well as greater mobility, and the ability to network gives advantages that working here does not allow. Traveling on a Bangladeshi passport also makes a lot of my international work quite difficult (I was off-loaded from flights twice after 9/11). I see clearly different roles for those who work within and those outside. Moral judgment and self righteousness shouldn’t enter either sphere. You live in a country which has bombed 22 nations since World War II, and is clearly responsible for more civilian deaths in recent history than any other nation. To be a taxpayer and therefore an accomplice to the most brutal nation on earth, does require a lot of redemption! Having said that, to pay the taxes and utilize the benefits, to be able to turn the machinery in one’s favour and to actively subvert the normal course of the machinery may well be a strategically viable position, but it has to be carefully measured. Naeem: You have a history of taking anti-authoritarian positions in your struggles inside Bangladesh, which involve a level of actualized danger. There were situations when you were covering the Ershad junta, and the collapse of the first rightist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) regime, where you came under physical attack. From the early days of DRIK's work as an internet provider, the e-mail service as well as your phone lines came under constant, regular interference from government authorities. When DRIK sponsored the Muslims or Heretics screening, one of your employees received threatening phone calls. But I also note the recent Time magazine cover story "Bangladesh: Rescue Mission" carried a photograph of the Prime Minister, taken by you. How do we negotiate these interfaces with power? Shahidul: Our anti-establishment position has been perceived (by governments) as pro-opposition, regardless of who is in power. Hopefully it also reinforces our credibility as being non-partisan, in the sense of party politics. When we put together the exhibition ‘The War We Forgot’ on Bangladesh's liberation war of 1971, the government asked us to remove the images which showed revenge killings by Bangalis against Urdu speakers. We replied by pulling the entire exhibition from the National Museum and holding it in Drik’s gallery instead. The government was left with egg on its face because visitors constantly asked why such a show was refused by the National Museum. Our credibility and network (local & international) dissuades governments from bothering us unless we seriously become a threat. It’s gauging that distance which is critical. One needs to feel the intensity of the heat without getting too badly burnt. Naeem: After Zana Briski and Ross Kaufmann won the 2005 Best Documentary Oscar for Born Into Brothels, there was some talk of a "missionary rescue" syndrome where western activists come in and do work in the Southern context, but the existing infrastructure is forgotten. It may be linked to the "christmas tsunami syndrome", where certain causes get traction because they foster an idea of western enlightenment projects cleaning up and/or "helping" the South. This isn't even a critique of Brothels per se, but rather an invitation to probe the audience environment in which all projects operate. DRIK has had many western visitors come to study its work. Does this sort of reverse knowledge transfer work well, or is there some validity to the "rescue" critique? Shahidul: Briski actually spent time with DRIK's Out of Focus project in Dhaka, which has been teaching working class children photography since 1994. Interestingly, “Kids with Cameras” was the original name of our Out of Focus group, and that also became the name of the organization Briski founded -- but perhaps that's a coincidence. Suvendu Chatterjee, the director of our India branch, has been working with Sonagachi activists for a long time and I am told that he was the one who introduced Zana to the brothel. The Sonagachi children had many tutors over time, including [director/co-founder of Contact Press Images] Robert Pledge and children from Out of Focus. Of course, Zana had spent far more time than the rest of us with those children. However, there were many contributions from many sources which I believe did not make it into the film. I find that problematic, particularly in a project that is about community building. From my own conversations with the Sonagachi women, they want rights, not rescue. As for the numerous western visitors to DRIK, I welcome them. While it is true that Drik is not a funded organization, we have worked with and received support from many organizations. Our biggest support base has been our many friends, inside and outside Bangladesh. Besides, if we talk of being a transparent organization, we can hardly turn around and shield ourselves from curious eyes. Naeem: There is an iconoclastic orientation in your work. You documented the outre, diamond-studded wealth of Prince Musa, the Adom Bepari or human exporter who makes millions sending poor Bangla migrant labor to the Middle East. You also have a habit of catching the powerful in unguarded moments: Prime Minister Zia surrounded by sycophants, ex-dictator Ershad enjoying a wedding feast after getting out of jail, former Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif entourage-less at an airport. You also clashed with both the Dutch and French embassies for some strange dress code that didn't allow you to attend a formal dinner wearing sandals. How do these provocations fit with political re-orientation for our icon-blinded politics? How do today's characters compare with the founding heroes/villains: the Caesar figure of Sheikh Mujib, the tragic-romantic Maoist guerilla leader Shiraj Sikder, the secretly excuted crippled freedom fighter Colonel Taher, the hodgepodge of Islamo-Communism of Bhashani, etc. Compared to those flawed but colorful characters, today's political butcher house seems so debased that the punk ethic of "kill your idols" doesn't even seem necessary. Even satire is irrelevant for leaders who are already self-made caricatures. Shahidul: I was young and never met [independence movement leader] Sheikh Mujib personally, though I was there for the historic 1971 rally and was moved by his speech. I suppose I’ve never been awed by these icons, and have been more observant of their human attributes. Part of our condition is we deify or vilify our political figures, losing the opportunity to sift out the good and build anew. Godfathers support such idolatry as it is essential for their survival. I must admit some pleasure from bringing down these deities a peg or two. Maintaining such a position is not easy in Bangladesh. Even after thirty five years we haven’t been able to move away from the Zia or Mujib dynasties. Naeem: DRIK has always maintained the difficult position of not being dependent on donor money but surviving instead through your own commercial assignments. You also have a honorable commitment to internal wage equity, so that your salary is only slightly higher than the entry-level employee. But some of the photographers you train eventually leave to take higher-paying jobs with NGOs and foreign donor agencies. What are your thoughts about this dynamic? Shahidul: Being financially independent is essential for the credibility of a media organization. But we do take on contractual work, some of which is derived from grants. From a donor perspective, “partnership” can be simply a pretty word to use. And consultants and machinery continue to be tied to sources of funds. So donors assume a subservience in any partnership they enter into. The USIS [United States Information Service] reminded us that they would never work with us since we opposed Clinton’s visit to Bangladesh. Similarly, the British Council reminded us that Banglaright’s (banglarights.net) opposition to the invasion of Iraq would jeopardise future projects. They would never demonstrate such arrogance in their own countries (and have learnt never to try it again with DRIK). We know that we are white-listed by many donor organizations and will never get work from them, but take that as an indicator of our success. Our salary structure does cause problems, and things like our equal bonus policy is not always welcomed by those in higher ranks, and yes, we do lose people to NGOs and donor agencies, which is not a bad thing. What disappoints me is when bright energetic youngsters with spark get head hunted by the donors and turned into well paid clerks who do the donkeywork for their western counterparts. Naeem: Some people whose work has been interesting me recently are Dawolu Jabari Anderson (Otabenga Jones & Associates), Temporary Services (Prisoner's Inventions), Richard De Domenici (Richard De Domenici is Still an Artist), Yara el-Sherbini (How To Make a Carpet Bomb), Sandy Abdallah Kaltenborn (Kanak Attac), and Valentin Manz (Vision Machine). I am curious to know whose work you are tracking at this moment? Shahidul: Pedro Meyer (zonezero.com), Tyng-Ruey Chuang and Shunling Chen (Open Source Software Foundry), Steven Gan and Premesh Chandran (malaysiakini.com), Martin Chautari Group (Nepal), Marcelo Brodsky (Buena Memoria), and Tehelka.com. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Letter from the Editor Last year I bought a collection of old Interview magazines. The first time I cracked open the set, I learned that on June 30, 1973, Andy Warhol sat down for a chat with Roman Polanski. Warhol ate a salad and Polanski ordered a beer and a burger. In the span of 800 minutes, the two covered paparazzi culture, communism, sex, hygiene, bugs, dying, everything. I learned everything and nothing at once through that encounter. And that got me thinking about interview encounters in general. Interviews have a long history, of course. In my own lifetime, there's been the impious Oriana Fallaci questioning Khomeini on the heels of the Iranian revolution, or the famous Bashir interviews with Michael Jackson. Go back further, and there were Tom Wolfe's meetings with Timothy Leary, Leni Riefenstahl talking to Hitler. Each in its own way has been iconic, somehow fixing itself in the public mind and inevitably bringing new things to light. In this issue, we revisit the interview. Our selection wasn't that complicated: these are simply people we wanted to hear out. Among the featured are artists who are up to interesting projects (Khalil Rabah's virtual museum); others find themselves literally on the cusp of history (Dr. Saad Bashir Eskander, the head of the Iraqi National Archive) or, say, transition (Sami-Azar, the former director of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art). Some were selected for pure star quality (Mohammed Fares, the first Syrian in space; Homi K. Bhabha). We also have builders and visionaries, such as Bangladeshi activist-photographer Shahidul Alam and architect Rem Koolhaas. Occasionally, we tapped into conversations already in progress, as in the case of the long-running friendship between Cairene artist Anna Boghighuian and Los Angeles gallerist Robert Shapazian. So there you have it. Interviews as a medium have been subject to feminist critique, postmodern critique, and who knows what else. Their curation, orchestration, and execution can reveal an enormous amount about their subjects, but also illuminate the context in which they were held. Their circulation and interpretation tell us about the world we live in. Naturally, our selection reveals something about us and how we see the world-this is inevitable. It is biased, it is arbitrary, it is particular and even peculiar. But then, what selection isn't? Lisa Farjam __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From ravig1 at vsnl.com Wed Oct 25 12:22:01 2006 From: ravig1 at vsnl.com (ravig1 at vsnl.com) Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 06:52:01 +0000 (GMT) Subject: [Reader-list] Photography Revisted : Event Message-ID: As part of alien waters An exhibition of photographic works (2004-2006) by Ravi Agarwal Events On October 26, 5:15 pm to 8 pm at the IIC Annex Basement Lecture Room "Photography revisited" Jeet Thayil, Rana Dasgupta, Sarnath Banerjee Sheba Chacchi speak about their relationship to photographs. The provocation: Images abound. Today more than ever before, images and their circulation has become ubiquitous. With the advent of the digital, image making has become cheap, film need not be processed, and digital printing is no more expensive than printing from regular negatives. Images abound. They can be mammoth as in billboards or miniscule as on mobiles. They are on television sets, in magazines, on the internet, on computers, on mobile phones, I Pods, on video chats, billboards, hoardings, everywhere. But in a world full of images, is ‘photography’ dead? And when everyone is a 'photographer,' is s/he dead too? But amongst all this, is there a reinvention? Has the photograph reinvented itself, as maybe we have? If so, the re- invented photograph needs to be re-visited. What does a photograph mean to us now? How does it relate to our state of being? How comfortable are we with its unpredictability, as we are with ours? Maybe again, nothing has changed! This is the proposal, the journey they make. Take 3 to 5 photographs of their choice, and talk about how they relate to them. From nicheant at yahoo.co.uk Tue Oct 24 15:44:42 2006 From: nicheant at yahoo.co.uk (Nishant) Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:14:42 +0200 (CEST) Subject: [Reader-list] Forum Radio @ ISF 2006 Message-ID: <20061024101442.19050.qmail@web27911.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> Forum Radio @ ISF 2006 Requires Radio Journalists and Researchers Forum Radio @ ISF 2006 is a joint initiative of the India Institute for Critical Action: Centre in Movement (CACIM www.cacim.net), PANOS South Asia (http://www.panosradiosouthasia.org/) and the media teams of the Indian Social Forum (ISF) and the Youth Social Forum. It seeks to provide journalistic coverage to the events at the ISF, New Delhi, from November 9-13, 2006. Its radio programmes will be broadcast through the Internet and terrestrial radio frequencies across the globe. Forum Radio will critically explore political, social, economic and cultural issues around the ISF and provide news about the events within the ISF to the Internet and terrestrial radio listeners. Many of the news bulletins are likely to be broadcast live. We need journalists and researchers to be part of the team for the ISF. Journalists Forum Radio needs two Hindi- and four English-language journalists. They will be required to be part of the team for two weeks, as the proposed coverage is only for the ISF. They should be aware of the debates around the social forum movement all around the world, with particular reference to India. They should also be aware of the current issues in different spheres of Indian society. They should preferably know the technicalities involved in radio and Internet journalism. This position is open for all interested people, even if they do not have journalistic background. Researchers CACIM Radio also needs four researchers who will provide research support to the team of its reporters. People with academic interest will fit the bill, though there is no bar on other candidates. Contact Please contact Madhuresh Kumar at madhuresh at cacim.net or Nishant at nicheant at gmail.com and 9811454929 We hope to start broadcasting well before the ISF formally begins. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Also, feel free to circulate this note widely. ___________________________________________________________ Inbox full of spam? Get leading spam protection and 1GB storage with All New Yahoo! Mail. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061024/713ac64c/attachment.html From shoma.chatterji at gmail.com Sun Oct 22 08:28:04 2006 From: shoma.chatterji at gmail.com (Shoma Chatterji) Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2006 08:28:04 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Happy Diwali Greetings Message-ID: Dear Friends, Here is wishing all of you a very very happy Diwali. I need some help if any of you can through my personal mail ID. 1. The telephone, cell numbers and e-mail ID of business historial Gita Piramal. 2. Any remotest reference material on the late Shyamlal Ruia, head of the Ruia group that has recently re-opened Dunlop in West Bengal, taking back 400 of its former employees. 3. Any knowledge of an article on the slow phasing out of the Marwari community from the trading business in the country published in an issue of BUSINESS INDIA , date is at least between five and ten years ago. Thanks. shoma a. chatterji -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061022/256f73a2/attachment.html From lokesh at sarai.net Wed Oct 25 20:09:12 2006 From: lokesh at sarai.net (Lokesh) Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 20:09:12 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] films for ysf Message-ID: <453F7710.5020306@sarai.net> Dear friends, The YSF has recieved your mails and abstracts of your films. We are working out the details of the structure and grouping of various suggested films on the basis of some themes. We will let you know about the details once we have it worked out. Please start posting your films to us.You are supposed to send the copies of your films to the following address: To, Lokesh or Bhagwati c/o Meenu World Social forum -India 14/187 Malviya Nagar, New delhi 110017 Telephone number: +91-11-26674123, 26683910, 26683912 email: youth.isf at gmail.com . Please do not forget to mention YSF on top of your post. In Solidarity, Bhagwati and Lokesh ( YSF Film Group) for Youth and Students' Forum India Social Forum 9-13, November,2006, delhi. From mail at shivamvij.com Wed Oct 25 20:01:10 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2006 20:01:10 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Why Dalits should not write books Message-ID: <9c06aab30610250731h3d3e390ds630b9cc9f3956848@mail.gmail.com> ...their children won't get reservations in government jobs: http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/24/stories/2006102401041300.htm "The other categories falling under the creamy layer include children of professionals such as lawyers, chartered accountants, doctors, financial and management consultants, engineers, film artists, authors and playwrights." S. From rakesh at sarai.net Thu Oct 26 11:14:18 2006 From: rakesh at sarai.net (rakesh at sarai.net) Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 11:14:18 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Despite HC order, chhath celebrations to be grand Message-ID: <45404B32.5020606@sarai.net> Dear All Now Sanjay Nirupam has to go to the court in response to sume environmental group. Following is the detailed news: * Despite HC order, chhath celebrations to be grand* Mumbai: Despite a Bombay High Court directive restricting chhat celebrations on Saturday on Juhu beach, one of the organiser of the celebrations Sanjay Nirupam says the celebrations will happen full scale but without cocking a snook at the courts. He has moved the operative part of the celebrations to the grounds of the hotel and not Juhu beach per se, where the court has restricted the size of the stage (which has to accommodate an enormous number of film stars and politicians) to just 150 square feet. The Hotel Horizon abuts the Juhu beach and has vast acres of empty space surrounding the actual building. Nirupam has now secured a no-objection certificate from the hotel – which is private property and so outside the purview of objections by environmentalists opposing the celebrations – and a 60 by 100 square foot stage will rise above the walls of the hotel from where the expected five lakh people gathered on Juhu beach can view the celebrities. Nirupam is moving a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court on Thursday in this regard to close all possibilities of dispute with environmentalists. Meanwhile, he has already moved the Vacation Judge on Wednesday and secured the court's permission for kirtans and bhajans on chhat puja on Saturday. The judge, however, has asked the organisers to secure permission of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for the loudspeakers and Nirupam's SLP will also seek an interpretation of the 10 pm deadline with regard to noise pollution. Then, again, around four private trusts are being brought together to work round the court directive which says changing rooms for women should not be more than two per celebration. Nirupam said it was impossible to follow this directive without factoring in the possibility of a stampede because of the restricted enclosure. "We expect five lakh people of which around 4000-5000 women would be fasting. Each enclosure cannot accommodate more than two women and as you know one woman will not change before another. Under the circumstances, we have had to persuade the various organisations to come together to construct two enclosures each so that more women can change at a time." Nirupam said if this amounted to contempt of court, he was willing to appear before the judges and pay the price but he had to avoid the possibility of untoward accidents at all cost. "It will be a five-hour do and we cannot keep the people idle all this time until the main event begins, otherwise they would get into fights and stampedes. So we had to move the Vacation Judge today." However, there is one court directive he has no way to combat: that there should be no political posters at the chhat celebrations. Nirupam sounded pretty unhappy about it. "I will follow that directive but what happens later to Ganpati celebrations which have a political origin and to dahi handi celebrations which have acquired political overtones over the years?" Nirupam, who joined the Congress after quitting the Sena a couple of yeas ago, bases his powers on the large number of uttar bharatiyas in Mumbai and the chhat celebrations are essential to that as they are not to Kripa Shankar Singh, his north Indian rival in the party who is from Uttar Pradesh. Now Nirupam says, "Celebration of festivals is my constitutional right. How can anyone object to it?" What about the enormous amounts of garbage that the revelers might leave behind on the beach? That is the main objection of the Juhu Citizens Welfare group which moved the courts against celebrations - that they leave behind mounds of garbage that desoils the beach for weeks. The organisers have closed that particular debate with the greens by hiring Sulabh International to sweep Juhu beach clean the next day. "We will personally supervise the disposal of the last piece of garbage on the beach and leave it as clean as before," adds Nirupam. Source: Hindustan Times -- Rakesh Kumar Singh Sarai-CSDS 29, Rajpur Road Delhi-110054 Ph: 91 11 23960040 Fax: 91 11 2394 3450 web site: www.sarai.net web blog: http://blog.sarai.net/users/rakesh/ From lokesh at sarai.net Thu Oct 26 17:51:08 2006 From: lokesh at sarai.net (Lokesh) Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:51:08 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Discussion on Capital Punishment Message-ID: <4540A834.1000408@sarai.net> *Debeting Politics series* on *Capital Punishment Justice or Failure of Justice* speakers *Dr. Badri Raina Sonia Jabbar Ravi Nair* Venue : Seminar Room *Kirori Mal College * DelhiUniversity, North Campus Date : *27th October 2006* Time : *12:30 pm.* *Youth and Students' Forum* in collaboration with English Literary Society, KMC contact: 9871499738, 9871406533, 9210578165 From aarti at sarai.net Fri Oct 27 03:55:53 2006 From: aarti at sarai.net (aarti at sarai.net) Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:25:53 +0200 (CEST) Subject: [Reader-list] Delhi-Mumbai-Dehi: Screening; Saba Dewa Message-ID: <35489.203.190.159.3.1161901553.squirrel@mail.sarai.net> [[FILM]] ==================================== Film @ Sarai: October – November 2005 =================================== Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi A film by Saba Dewanm 5:30 P.M., Friday, 27 October 2006 Sarai-CSDS Riya dances in the beer bars of Mumbai to make a living. The documentary follows her from her home in Delhi to Mumbai where hundreds of working class girls come in search of work and a future. Riya’s future is unpredictable and the present is marked with its own difficulties. The police harass her family in Delhi, there is constant pressure from her agent in Mumbai to attract more tips and the work itself is demanding. However, there are other girls to have fun with, there is money to dress well and then there are men admirers promising the moon. The documentary is an intimate portrait of the everyday in the life of the girls, their agents and their neighbourhoods. Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi, shot in the backdrop of the Maharashtra Governments’ controversial move to ban girls from dancing in beer bars, interweaves stories of gender, labour, sexuality and popular culture within an increasingly globalized economy. Saba will be present for a discussion after the screening. Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi Duration: 63 Minutes Year of Production: 2006 Director: Saba Dewan Producer: Rahul Roy Camera: Rahul Roy Sound: Asheesh Pandya & Sunder Editor: Anupama Chandra [Saba Dewan did her masters in film and TV production from the Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi in 1987 and since has been making independent documentaries. Her work has focused on communalism, gender and agricultural labour. Delhi- Mumbai-Delhi was supported by the Jan Vrijman Fund and she is currently working on a film on tawaif (courtesan) art and sexuality under a fellowship from the India Foundation of the Arts.] From turbulence at turbulence.org Tue Oct 24 19:04:06 2006 From: turbulence at turbulence.org (Turbulence) Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 09:34:06 -0400 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] UPGRADE! BOSTON: Will Pappenheimer Message-ID: <000101c6f771$17f2efc0$6601a8c0@t5x1c0> UPGRADE! BOSTON: Will Pappenheimer http://www.turbulence.org/upgrade/ WHEN: October 26, 7:00-9:00 p.m. WHERE: Art Interactive, 130 Bishop Allen Drive, at the corner of Prospect Street, Cambridge. Free parking in the lot on the corner or take the T to Central Square and walk 1 block. < WILL PAPPENHEIMER > http://www.turbulence.org/upgrade/archives/10_26WP.html Will Pappenheimer is currently an assistant professor of Digital Media at Pace University. He received his MFA from the Museum School/Tufts University, Boston and BA from Harvard. His work in video, mixed media, installation and new media has been exhibited in over 50 solo and group exhibitions internationally, including the The ICA (Boston), the Stedman Art Gallery (NJ), Exit Art, New York, "immedia: 1901," MI, "Free Biennial," New York and Art Basel Miami Beach 2003. Recent work resulting from collaborations with New Media theorist Gregory Ulmer has been the subject of articles in Visual Culture, ArtUS and a chapter of Ulmer's 2005 book, "Electronic Monumentality." Pappenheimer's recent projects reconfiguring webcam and home surveillance networks have been presented at "Interactive Futures05" in British Columbia, FILE 2005 in Sao Paulo, Brazil and ISEA 2006/ZeroOne at the San Jose Musem of Art (CA). He was recently chosen for one of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts' prestigious Traveling Scholars Awards and will exhibit work from this grant at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 2008. Upgrade! Boston (http://www.turbulence.org/upgrade/about.html) is curated by Jo-Anne Green for Turbulence.org (http://turbulence.org) in partnership with Art Interactive (http://artinteractive.org). It is one of 22 nodes currently active in Upgrade! International (http://theupgrade.net), an emerging network of autonomous nodes united by art, technology, and a commitment to bridging cultural divides. If you would like to present your work or get involved, please email jo at turbulence.org. Jo-Anne Green, Co-Director New Radio and Performing Arts, Inc.: http://new-radio.org New York: 917.548.7780 . Boston: 617.522.3856 Turbulence: http://turbulence.org New American Radio: http://somewhere.org Networked_Performance Blog: http://turbulence.org/blog Upgrade! Boston: http://turbulence.org/upgrade _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From turbulence at turbulence.org Tue Oct 24 20:49:49 2006 From: turbulence at turbulence.org (Turbulence) Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2006 11:19:49 -0400 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] Turbulence Artist's Studio: "Headlines" by Michael Takeo Magruder Message-ID: <000001c6f77f$e04d08d0$6601a8c0@t5x1c0> October 24, 2006 Turbulence Artist's Studio: "Headlines" by Michael Takeo Magruder http://www.turbulence.org/studios/takeo/index.htm Needs Flash Player 7 "Headlines" examines the mediated histories generated by today's news corporations and reflects upon our collective preoccupation with real-time information generation, distribution and access. Given the developed world's countless network structures and our current state of data saturation, has news media evolved beyond mere information source and become a new form of cultural stimulant? "Headlines" was created for "OOG" (http://volkskrant.nl/oog/), a commentary and opinion platform for the online edition of De Volkskrant (http://www.volkskrant.nl/) a major Dutch daily national newspaper. "OOG" began in September 2005 as a platform in which every week a different artist working in sound and image is asked to respond to news and current affairs. The selection of artists participating has grown into a varied group of national and international artists working with very different forms of expertise and approaches. In this way, artists are using their skills to become commentators on events in a news environment. After each week, the work is placed in the archive (http://extra.volkskrant.nl/oog/client/overview.php). The artists participating in "OOG" are a diverse and renowned group of applied and autonomous artists both from inside and outside The Netherlands. "OOG" is one of the most visited pages within the Volkskrant website with weekly visits of 3,000-5,000. BIOGRAPHY Michael Takeo Magruder is an American artist based in the UK deploying New and Technological Media within Fine Art contexts. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1996 receiving a BA (Hons) in Biological Science. He is a long-standing member of King's Visualization Lab in the Centre for Computing in Humanities, King's College London. Through this organization he undertakes research, development and implementation of emerging technologies; including motion capture, immersive space and virtual environments, for use in contemporary creative and academic practice. Takeo's artworks have been showcased in over 150 exhibitions and 25 countries, including venues such as the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, EAST International 2005, Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography and Trans-Media-Akademie Hellerau. His works are regular inclusions in international New Media festivals, such as Cybersonica, CYNETart, FILE, Filmwinter, SeNef, Siggraph and Split. His artistic practice has been funded directly by Arts Council England, The National Endowment for the Arts, USA and numerous public galleries both within the UK and abroad. He is also recognized for his on-line arts practice and has been commissioned by leading portals for Internet Art such as Turbulence.org and Soundtoys.net. As artist/curator, he has been responsible for the internationally-renowned touring exhibitions, Net:Reality, the Cyber-Kitchen and Spectrum. Artistically, his current interests concern the simultaneous utilization and dissection of new technology as a means to explore the formal structures and conceptual paradigms of the digital realm. He seeks to create artworks in which there are no divisions between technologies, aesthetics, and concepts. Jo-Anne Green, Co-Director New Radio and Performing Arts, Inc.: http://new-radio.org New York: 917.548.7780 . Boston: 617.522.3856 Turbulence: http://turbulence.org New American Radio: http://somewhere.org Networked_Performance Blog: http://turbulence.org/blog Upgrade! Boston: http://turbulence.org/upgrade _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From hight at 34n118w.net Fri Oct 27 06:13:17 2006 From: hight at 34n118w.net (hight at 34n118w.net) Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:43:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] [Re: ] magazine 1st edition with Jeremy Hight interview about locative dissent Message-ID: <53725.69.163.72.202.1161909797.squirrel@webmail.34n118w.net> #b.en POSSIBILITIES IN LOCATIVE MEDIA (art.) the first issue of [Re: ] deals with the phenomenon of locative media. jeremy hight thinks about new possibilities in locative media in an e-mail conversation with carlos katastrofsky. hight is one of the artists behind /34 nort 118 west/ -- the first locative narrative -- and author of /narrative archaeology: reading the landscape/ -- a text that was recently named one of the four primary texts in locative media in leonardo, the renowned online journal of the massachusetts institute for technology (mit). locative media -- recently becoming more popular in media art discourses -- has roots dating back to the dawn of history. early myths like the gilgamesch epic or -- more specific -- homer's odyssee deal with issues of location and the recording of movement on earth's surface. developments since then include mediaeval cartography as well as the situationists' approach to mapping a city. nowadays locative media uses technology to trigger artworks in a specific physical space. __ to the interview [ http://re.cont3xt.net/pdf/Re_001.pdf ] -------------------------------------------------------- #a.de [RE: ] MAGAZIN (information.) interesse erzeugt gerade, wer 2.0 an seinen namen heften kann. ob sich dieses kuerzel auch die kommenden jahre noch halten wird, ist ungewiss. eines ist aber sicher: viele der angeblichen neuheiten, die das web 2.0 zu dem machen, was es ist, gibt es bereits laenger als ihre bezeichnung - und vermutlich werden sie auch laenger bestehen bleiben. [Re: ] magAzine ist das neueste (redaktions-)projekt von CONT3XT.NET, das zwar auf die diskussion um web 2.0 reagiert aber darauf ausgelegt ist, allgemeinere tendenzen innerhalb eines netzkulturellen feldes auszumachen. ungeachtet des hypes um die zwei und die null geht [Re: ] sozusagen vom punkt in der mitte aus. __ ueber das magazin [ http://re.cont3xt.net/pdf/Re_000.pdf ] __ ueber CONT3XT.NET [ http://cont3xt.net/programm.php ] -------------------------------------------------------- #b.de MOEGLICHKEITEN LOKATIVER MEDIEN (kunst.) die erste ausgabe von [Re: ] beschaeftigt sich mit dem phaenomen lokativer medien. carlos katastrofsky hat jeremy hight, autor von /narrative archaeology: reading the landscape/ und entwickler von /34 nort 118 west/, interviewt. das renommierte online-journal leonardo (massachusetts institute for technology - mit) hat seinen aufsatz kuerzlich zu einem der vier basistexte zum From iwasthere2000 at yahoo.com Fri Oct 27 09:25:20 2006 From: iwasthere2000 at yahoo.com (S.Shashidhar) Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:55:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Why Dalits should not write books Message-ID: <20061027035520.23677.qmail@web32410.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear All, The news that children of the under privilaged who have been given reservation or have benefitted from it once must sound as good news to them, this i am sure will prevent a new structure of caste where children of advocates will become advocates and so on.. I am presently working in areas where schools which go by the name Ashram Shala are run by the ministry of tribal development, one should just go to see these schools to understand why reservation is a big failure as a concept. The schools are supposedly concieved, manangement and fubded in toto by various organisations which strive for tribal development, as a result most of the mainstream education bodies are excluded from any development. The schools are exclusively for tribal children and going against human norms have the gall to refuse admission to any other, now how any person gets a certificate is common knowledge. We are running balwadis in five such villages and most of the dropouts are those who could not a get a certificate, a certificate which needs to be endorsed by a panchayat president who most often is a tribal and a woman. Reservation will never lead to inclusion.... there are hundereds of such examples Shashi ----- Original Message ---- From: Shivam Vij To: sarai list ; ZESTCaste ; Dalit Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 8:01:10 PM Subject: [Reader-list] Why Dalits should not write books ...their children won't get reservations in government jobs: http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/24/stories/2006102401041300.htm "The other categories falling under the creamy layer include children of professionals such as lawyers, chartered accountants, doctors, financial and management consultants, engineers, film artists, authors and playwrights." S. _________________________________________ reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. Critiques & Collaborations To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header. To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list List archive: <https://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com From P.Hatzopoulos at lse.ac.uk Fri Oct 27 12:57:25 2006 From: P.Hatzopoulos at lse.ac.uk (P.Hatzopoulos at lse.ac.uk) Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 08:27:25 +0100 Subject: [Reader-list] New publication: Migration unbound References: <11B2DD187658F34EA8FBCA304D6309B53ADA47@EXCHF2.lse.ac.uk> <11B2DD187658F34EA8FBCA304D6309B53ADA48@EXCHF2.lse.ac.uk> <11B2DD187658F34EA8FBCA304D6309B53ADA4F@EXCHF2.lse.ac.uk> <11B2DD187658F34EA8FBCA304D6309B53ADA55@EXCHF2.lse.ac.uk> <11B2DD187658F34EA8FBCA304D6309B53ADA56@EXCHF2.lse.ac.uk> Message-ID: <11B2DD187658F34EA8FBCA304D6309B53ADA57@EXCHF2.lse.ac.uk> Hello, a special issue which might be of interest. Best, PH New publication: Migration unbound New online journal Re-Public has just published the first part of its special issue "Migration unbound". The issue explores the potential challenges that international migrations represent for the development of new forms of democratic theory and practice. Articles include: Saskia Sassen - The politics of immobility Sassen discusses the theses of her new book, Territory, Authority, Rights. ________________________________ Roxanne Lynn Doty - Democracy and the undocumented The values that a society holds as fundamental to justice, fairness, and equality are put to the test in its reactions to those without documents. ________________________________ Nevzat Soguk - "Insurrectional" migrancy: One way ashore, thousand roads Migrants more than others issue forth a different measure of the world. ________________________________ Nikos Papastergiadis - Global flows and hybrid art in the age of siege Papastergiades highlights art practices as a critical response to issues of mobility and belonging. ________________________________ Claudia Aradau - Trafficking in women: Security and democratic subjects Aradau explores the possibilities of the claim of prostitution-as-work. ________________________________ Mark Salter - InsideOut: Borders, migration and the limits of democracy Dealing with migration is increasingly becoming an administrative procedure undertaken out of sight and beyond discussion. ________________________________ You can subscribe to Re-public's newsletter and to receive its RSS feeds, by visiting the web address www.re-public.gr/en/ From tbd.lists at gmail.com Sat Oct 28 06:55:40 2006 From: tbd.lists at gmail.com (Dinesh, Servelots) Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 06:55:40 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Why Dalits should not write books In-Reply-To: <20061027035520.23677.qmail@web32410.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <20061027035520.23677.qmail@web32410.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <4573cd0e0610271825k25edc884nb564bb55e5f968a6@mail.gmail.com> Not sure what to take of this. Its like "fasting is good" to "look so many people are dying of hunger" d On 10/27/06, S.Shashidhar wrote: > Dear All, > > The news that children of the under privilaged who have been given reservation or have benefitted from it once must sound as good news to them, this i am sure will prevent a new structure of caste where children of advocates will become advocates and so on.. > > I am presently working in areas where schools which go by the name Ashram Shala are run by the ministry of tribal development, one should just go to see these schools to understand why reservation is a big failure as a concept. The schools are supposedly concieved, manangement and fubded in toto by various organisations which strive for tribal development, as a result most of the mainstream education bodies are excluded from any development. The schools are exclusively for tribal children and going against human norms have the gall to refuse admission to any other, now how any person gets a certificate is common knowledge. > > We are running balwadis in five such villages and most of the dropouts are those who could not a get a certificate, a certificate which needs to be endorsed by a panchayat president who most often is a tribal and a woman. > > Reservation will never lead to inclusion.... there are hundereds of such examples > > Shashi > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Shivam Vij > To: sarai list ; ZESTCaste ; Dalit > Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 8:01:10 PM > Subject: [Reader-list] Why Dalits should not write books > > > ...their children won't get reservations in government jobs: > http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/24/stories/2006102401041300.htm > > "The other categories falling under the creamy layer include children > of professionals such as lawyers, chartered accountants, doctors, > financial and management consultants, engineers, film artists, authors > and playwrights." > > > S. > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com > _________________________________________ > reader-list: an open discussion list on media and the city. > Critiques & Collaborations > To subscribe: send an email to reader-list-request at sarai.net with subscribe in the subject header. > To unsubscribe: https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/reader-list > List archive: -- Dinesh, http://pantoto.com, +9180 26762963 From vivek at sarai.net Sat Oct 28 11:38:25 2006 From: vivek at sarai.net (Vivek Narayanan) Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 11:38:25 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Call for entries: Creative Writing awards for writers under 30 Message-ID: <4542F3D9.6050902@sarai.net> *Please note: the entries for the TFA award has been extended to November 8!* CALL FOR ENTRIES CREATIVE WRITING AWARDS TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) invites entries for its second annual awards for young Indian fiction writers in English. Two cash awards of Rs. 25,000 each will be given in January, 2007. BUT: If you are older than 30 on January 1, 2007, or live outside India, read no further! ALSO: The spirit of the Toto Awards is to identify promise and encourage young talent. Therefore, do not submit an entry if you are already commercially successful. TFA is looking for entries in a variety of genres -- the novel, short stories, plays, scripts and poetry. The submissions should ideally not be more than 10,000 words. Pieces of short fiction; an extract from a novel, play or script; or between five and ten poems are recommended norms. Sensible combinations of the above are acceptable within the word limit. Entries should reach TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) before November 8, 2006. TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) H 301 Adarsh Gardens 8th Block, 47th Cross Jayanagar Bangalore 560 082 Phone: 080-26548139 Entries should be sent in soft e-mail copy to totofundsthearts at yahoo.com as well in hard copy form to the above address. THE FINE PRINT: Entries must be accompanied by a signed statement confirming the applicant’s date of birth, whether the applicant’s work has been published in print (give details), and also affirming that the submitted work is original. Submitted material will not be returned. The decision of the TFA jury is final and cannot be contested in any forum. TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) is a not-for-profit public trust set up in memory of Angirus ‘Toto’ Vellani, who was intensely passionate about music, literature and films. Toto Funds the Arts Toto Funds the Arts (TFA) was established as a trust in Bangalore on September 15, 2004. It was set up in memory of Angirus ‘Toto’ Vellani, who passed away in a tragic accident in Goa on May 24, 2004. Toto was known for his poetry, music and film criticism and other writings among various youth communities in the arts. TFA is mandated to give awards, fellowships and grants to young artists and writers who demonstrate flair and promise of the kind that Toto displayed at a very young age. It supports talent that is yet to test its full potential. Its main focus is on the art of urban youth, which is least applauded and encouraged in our country. Much of urban youth art is neither classical nor folk, nor national or regional: its form is hybrid, of mixed origins, influenced as much by the local as the international. It is art that presages India’s future. TFA, which has been set up by those who loved and admired Toto, strives to work with the same passion that he brought to the arts. TFA announced its first award on Toto’s 21st birthday: January 19, 2005. The award was in the field of music because that was Toto’s first love. In addition to the award for music, this year saw the introduction of awards for creative writing. TFA is now inviting applications for its 2007 awards in both these fields. By 2008, the trust expects also to have a Toto award for young filmmakers. Beyond awards, TFA hosts readings and workshops to nurture new voices and emerging talent in the arts. A three-day theatre workshop conducted by Jaimini Pathak (Creating Theatre) was held in Bangalore in August 2006, followed by second one (Getting into Character) this month. These were the first two of a series of workshops (covering theatre, music, writing and design) that TFA plans to hold in the current financial year. The trust is also planning to host readings by young writers in Kannada. Hopefully, we will be able to make our first award in this field in 2008. We would welcome hearing from you if you have thoughts on how TFA could further its mandate or are interested in supporting our work in other ways. From choicetobe at gmail.com Sat Oct 28 21:54:05 2006 From: choicetobe at gmail.com (shruti j) Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:54:05 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] play-reading chernobyl Message-ID: <4d7620500610280924h4daf8fe1r9621e2ccf4e058cf@mail.gmail.com> Hello Friends, We have a play performance-*Reading Chernobyl* by a well known theatre activist Mr Parnab Mukherjee on *30th Oct* at 3:30 p.m in the auditorium of Delhi School of Social Work. *The play* brings forth captivating account- a journalist re-visits Chernobyl on it's 20th anniversary and finds the official history and people's history vastly different. Fragmented USSR has moved on and in the new political configuration of split republics old memories are forgotten. Everybody wants to move on except the survivors grappling with scars that refuse to heal….. Text, direction and solo performance: Parnab Mukherjee music curated by Yohan Yohanssen *Mr Parnab Mukherjee* is a conflict resolution theatre director and performer specialising in issues concerning the north-east of India. He has directed more than 40 productions all over the country including three international collaborations. He has earlier worked on the issue of nuclear radiation through theatre with the production Whole Lot of Gas on Bhopal and If I Do You Have A Problem on Jadugoda. The play on Bhopal was curated for St Stephen's College and the Jadugoda piece for school students in Kolkata. *Mr Yonas Yohannssen* is a Flemish dancer currently working in India on contact improvisation and healing body techniques. He is a well-known dancer on methods of Butoh and has curarted music for the production *Venue:* Delhi School of Social Work Opp Shankar Hall Near Mall Road bus stop 3, University Road Delhi-7 (Directions: it's at a walking distance from metro station of Delhi University, North Campus. Nearby landmarks are Mall road bus stop, Institute of Genomics and Shankar Hall) It will be great to have you and your friends there and discuss the possibilities of active youth campaigning in coming months. Really looking forward to meet you. Students for Bhopal, India -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061028/3c2bdc0b/attachment.html From gun1 at psu.edu Sun Oct 29 18:19:34 2006 From: gun1 at psu.edu (Gunalan Nadarajan) Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 08:49:34 -0400 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] Call: re:place 2007 Conference (Berlin, November 2007) Message-ID: > re:place 2007 > > The Second International Conference on the Histories of Media, Art, > Science and Technology > > Berlin, 15 - 18 November 2007 > > > CALL FOR PROPOSALS > > Introduction > > re:place 2007, the Second International Conference on the Histories > of Media, Art, Science and Technology, will take place in Berlin > from 15 - 18 November 2007 as a project of Kulturprojekte Berlin > GmbH in cooperation with Haus der Kulturen der Welt. This > conference is a sequel to 'Refresh!', the first in this series, > chaired by Oliver Grau and produced by the Database of Virtual Art, > Leonardo, and Banff New Media Institute, and held at the Banff > Center in Canada in September 2005, which brought together several > hundred artists, scientists, researchers, curators and > theoreticians of different disciplines. > > re:place 2007 will be an international forum for the presentation > and the discussion of exemplary approaches to the rapport between > art, media, science and technology. With the title, 're:place', we > propose a thematic focus on locatedness and the migration of > knowledge and knowledge production in the interdisciplinary > contexts of art, historiography, science and technology. > > The re:place 2007 conference will be devoted to examining the > manifold connections between art, science and technology, > connections which have come into view more sharply through the > growing attention to media art and its histories over the past > years. It will address historical contexts and artistic > explorations of new technologies as well as the historical and > contemporary research into the mutual influences between artistic > work, scientific research and technological developments. This > research concerns such diverse fields as cybernetics, artificial > intelligence, robotics, nano-technology, and bio-technology, as > well as investigations in the humanities including art history, > visual culture, musicology, comparative literature, media > archaeology, media theory, science studies, and sociology. > > Conference Programme > > The conference programme will include competitively selected, peer- > reviewed individual papers, panel presentations, poster sessions, > as well as a small number of invited speakers. Several Keynote > Lectures, by internationally renowned, outstanding theoreticians > and artists, will deliberate on the central themes of the conference. > > The conference will also include dedicated forum sessions for > participants to engage in more open-ended discussion and debate on > relevant issues and questions. > > > CALL FOR PROPOSALS > > re:place 2007 welcomes contributions from established as well as > from emerging researchers in diverse fields. The conference will be > of interest to those working in, but not limited to, the following > areas: art history and theory, literary studies, cultural studies, > film and media studies, theatre, dance and performance studies, > philosophy, history, gender studies, human-computer interaction, > contemporary art, musicology, sound studies, anthropology, > sociology, geography, science, technology and society studies, > history of science, and history of technology. > > We are especially keen on empirical, conceptual, and historical > contributions that exemplify and expand the diverse methodological > and thematic concerns of this extended interdisciplinary area. > These might include contributions to: > > - institutional histories of centers, sites, or events that have > helped to concretize and engender the intersections between media, > art, science and technology. Some broad areas could be: > experimental arts spaces, collaborative research labs, significant > exhibitions, etc. > - 'place studies' that highlight significant locations or > situations where such interdisciplinary intersections or > significant historical episodes have occurred. A few examples might > be: 'Tesla in Budapest', 'Flusser in Brazil', USSR in the 1920s, > 'Japan between 1950s-1970s,' etc. > - historiographical issues, methods, and debates that pose critical > questions in the formulation of the histories of the 'media arts'. > These might include: archaeology, genealogy or variantology as > methodological tools, bridging the divide between art and media > history, sociologies of interactivity, etc. > - theoretical frameworks from various philosophical and > disciplinary positions. Topics might include the exemplary role of > film studies or musicology for the study of media arts, or the > significance of cultural specificities and location in media and > technologies, etc. > - the migration of knowledges and practices from different > contexts, whether disciplinary, institutional, geographical or > cultural. Topics might include: the role of migrant artists in the > development of new discourses and practices; the movement and > adoption of disciplinary ideas from science into art contexts or > vice versa, etc. > > > SUBMISSIONS > > A dedicated website and online paper submission system will be > ready for submissions from 1st December 2006. Abstracts of > proposals, panel presentations and posters will have to be > submitted in either Text, RTF, Word or PDF formats. > > The DEADLINE for submissions will be 15 January 2007. > > INFORMATION about the submission process and general information > can be found at: http://tamtam.mi2.hr/replace > > > replace 2007 is a project of Kulturprojekte Berlin GmbH in > cooperation with Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin. Funded by > Hauptstadtkulturfonds, Berlin. > > Conference partners include Leonardo, Database of Virtual Art at > Danube University Krems' Center for Image Science, Ludwig Boltzmann > Institute Media.Art.Research, Forum Goethe Institut, and others. > > Conference chairs: Andreas Broeckmann (D), Gunalan Nadarajan (SG/USA) > _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From mail at shivamvij.com Sun Oct 29 21:32:47 2006 From: mail at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 21:32:47 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Summit of the Powerless Message-ID: <9c06aab30610290802g381da327x29b1da477b8cbfcb@mail.gmail.com> Tehelka is organising a Summit of the Powerless on 20 and 21 November 2006 at teh kamia Milia Islamia University in Delhi. Should you wish to attend, please register at http://www.summitofthepowerless.net/summit_registration.asp For details visit www.summitofthepowerless.net. Given below is an introductory note and the tentative schedule. o o o o o Summit of the Powerless India is going through a period of great change and great upheaval. At such a time, it has become crucial to ensure that voices across the country are heard, and people are given a chance to participate in the future being newly moulded for them -- people whose lives are impacted daily by the decisions the powerful make. To give voice to this silent majority, to find creative responses to some of the most difficult questions of our time, on November 20 –21 this year, Tehelka is hosting a visionary new forum: The Summit of the Powerless. The core idea of the Summit is to bring together the three key stakeholders of a free society on to the same platform: money, power, and people. Political and business leaders wield enormous power and influence over the lives of the poor. But in most forums, the converted talk to the converted: the powerful to the rich; the powerless to the powerless. The unique idea of the Summit is to create an environment where the powerful will lend their ear to the powerless. The Summit seeks to bring the powerful into a new context. A context visually, emotionally, and conceptually constructed to be empathetic to the powerless. The agenda? Not just to air differences, but hunt for common ground. The broad theme for this year's Summit is Two Indias, One Future. Under this matrix, the Summit will discuss some of the most pressing issues of our time: the role of the State; the farmer crisis; the gap between rural and urban India; reservations; naxals; Kashmir; the Northeast; land usage; and a vision for more equitable cities. Every panel in the Summit will have two or more speakers each from the grassroot, political, and corporate sectors. There will also be AVs and personal narratives in every panel. More than 50 key human rights activists, peoples' movement leaders, political, and corporate heads have already confirmed participation. Recognising the importance of such a forum, the President of India too has agreed to participate in the Summit. Apart from the panel discussions, many important conversations, arguments, and linkages will be made possible by the Summit. It has immense potential and provides an immense opportunity. (An agenda is attached with this letter.) Tehelka is inviting everybody working to create a more equitable and humane world to attend the Summit. Do come and empower the Summit with your presence. If you can come, please register at www.summitofthepowerless.net If you have any queries, please write to summit at tehelka.com And do pass the word around. Best wishes, The Tehelka Team DAY 1 Tarun Tejpal, Editor-in-Chief, Tehelka welcome address. Outlines summit agenda Keynote Address by the President of India OPENING SESSION: Two Indias, One Future Confirmed Speakers Aruna Roy Anna Hazare Kamal Nath Sitaram Yechury LK Advani Arun Maira SESSION 1 a Farmer Suicides: Urban India vs Rural India Confirmed Speakers Ajit Singh Sachin Pilot Rajiv Bakshi Vandana Shiva Mihir Shah Kishore Tiwari Sharad Pawar Amrinder Singh Devegowda SESSION 1 b (simultaneous) The Positive Model: Stories of Rural Success Confirmed Speakers Father Thomas Kocherry Rajinder Singh Prakash Amte SESSION 2 a Reservations: Inclusive Progress or the Death of Merit? Confirmed Speakers Yogendra Yadav Kani Mozhi Udit Raj Arjun Singh Arun Shourie SESSION 2 b (simultaneous) Equal Education: Excellence or Prejudice? Confirmed Speakers Anil Sadgopal Ashok Aggarwal Mushirul Hasan Krishna Kumar Parth J Shah MUSICAL EVENING Shubha Mudgal Kailash Kher Indian Ocean Zahroor Sahin DAY 2 Opening Session The Indian State: Protector or Alienator? Confirmed Speakers Kapil Sibal Ram Jethmalani Praful Patel Medha Patkar Dipankar CPIML SESSION 3 a Naxals: Backlash of the Fourth World? Confirmed Speakers Sumanto Banerjee Dilip Simeon Dr Vara Vara Rao Janak Lal Thakur Manendra Karma KPS Gill SESSION 3 b (simultaneous) Kashmir: External Hand or Internal Haemorrhage? Confirmed Speakers Wajahat Habibullah Pervez Imroze Omar Abdullah Mehbooba Mufti SESSION 4 a The City and the Powerless Confirmed Speakers Charles Correa KT Ravindran Madhu Kishwar A Jockin Jaipal Reddy Milind Deora Vijaypat Singhania Cyrus Gazdar Rajeev Chandrashekhar B S Nagesh SESSION 4 b (simultaneous) North East: On the Map, Off the Mind? Confirmed Speakers Wasbir Hussain Patricia Mukhim Lachit Bordoloi SESSION 5 (Final) Bollywood: Can cinema bridge the divide? Prasoon Joshi Sudhir Mishra Rakeysh Mehra Raveena Tandon Anupam Kher From epk at xs4all.nl Mon Oct 30 04:47:30 2006 From: epk at xs4all.nl (Eric Kluitenberg) Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:17:30 +0100 Subject: [Reader-list] Skycatcher: An art project of Luna Maurer Message-ID: <229E8336-6748-4975-80D6-A2A9728BAE37@xs4all.nl> dear members of the Reader-list, I wasn't entirely sure if a simple announcement would be appropriate for this list. However, next Sunday (16.00 CET) we will launch a new fascinating internet-project by artist Luna Maurer in Amsterdam, called Skycatcher, which consists of a camera that takes a snapshot of the sky every 5 minutes and stores them in an on-line accessible database. The opportunity to look at the sky in Amsterdam across such a vast geographical distance and within very different climates from the rather specific Dutch sea-climate, however, makes me to assume there might be more than a casual interest in this project amongst list members. The site will be available from the launch onwards. Kind regards, Eric ------------------------------- A N N O U N C E M E N T Skycatcher: an art project of Luna Maurer De Balie Amsterdam Sunday November 5, 2006 / 16.00 hrs. http://www.debalie.nl/media World-premiere of the project ‘Skycatcher’ by artist Luna Maurer. An installation on the roof of De Balie, centre for culture and politics in Amsterdam, takes a picture every 5 minutes of the perpetually changing skies. Already well over 100 thousand images have been archived so far in the project database: Always the same viewpoint, yet never the same picture. The skies, mostly strewn with clouds, have played a tremendously important role in the Netherlands’ visual arts for many centuries, because of their painterly and poetic qualities. The Dutch sea- climate ensures a constant interplay of constellations of clouds, rain, blue skies, covered and clear skies. With the skycatcher the visitor of the website is offered the opportunity to make her or his own selections, out of the thousands of images recorded by Maurer’s installation to date, and thus experience their endless multiplicity. During the afternoon Luna Maurer will present her project, while guest speakers offer their personal / professional comments, a.o.: Pier Siebesma, meteorologist working for the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI), and Eric Kluitenberg, media theorist, De Balie. A specially produced poster of the project will be on sale during the presentation, which displays one year of variable skies in A0 format... The project will be in operation from July 2005 till July 2007. The website of skycatcher will go ‘live’ on November 5, 2006: http://www.sky-catcher.nl Special thanks to the Fonds Beeldende Kunst, Vormgeving en Bouwkunst Admission: free ------------- De Balie Kleine Gartmanplantsoen 10 Amsterdam http://www.debalie.nl From preetunair at yahoo.com Mon Oct 30 09:27:38 2006 From: preetunair at yahoo.com (PREETU NAIR) Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006 19:57:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Reader-list] POSITIVELY NEGLECTED Message-ID: <20061030035738.65714.qmail@web31712.mail.mud.yahoo.com> POSITIVELY NEGLECTED PREETU NAIR preetu_nair at gomantaktimes.com (This article appeared on GT Weekender, Panjim edition, October 29, 2006) Women in commercial sex work are seen as agents of HIV and their clients unwitting victims. But in the absence of any economic rehabilitation or community based services, the HIV positive trafficked victim, the marginalized section of the society, continues to be commercially sexually exploited. PREETU NAIR goes behind the obvious and discovers that if HIV/AIDS is an epidemic of bad choices then it is also an epidemic of the choiceless and voiceless. Rehana has just resumed her night job at Vasco after a brief illness. If luck is smiles she will earn anything between Rs 100 and 500, from what she calls the only work she has. And because she and her family must survive, she fails to insist that the customer to use condom though she is HIV positive and aware that using condom decreases the risk of HIV transmission. "Most often we are not in a position to negotiate safer sex” she said. When Rehana (one of her many names) was 15, she caught a morning bus to Goa from Karnataka, along with her lover. By evening she was sold to a brothel keeper in the unofficial red light area of Baina for Rs 10,000. At the age of 23, she tested HIV positive. Rehana, who till then wanted to live a normal life and get rid of the world of drinks, diseases, beatings and neglect in utter disbelief started drinking heavily.” I began drinking heavily because I knew I was dying. Besides, I drink to reduce the pain I undergo while having sex with a customer". She knows that she can still live well and long, if she gives up her addiction to alcohol, gutka and beedis coupled with a careless attitude to medication and failure to adopt lifestyle changes. But what's killing her more than the virus is the lack of hope, the absence of family and community support, tension and their poor socio-economic condition. "I am aware of the community care services for HIV positive persons, but don’t want to avail them as of now I don’t want to leave Baina, my home, where I am not stigmatized and treated differently," she admitted. Rehana is not alone. There are many like her who want to leave commercial sex work (CSW) and live a healthy life but are unable to as there is no alternative. However, she added, "If these services are made available to me at home along with economic rehabilitation then I would definitely leave CSW and live a healthy and less painful life". Living with HIV is not easy. And for a HIV positive trafficked victim it is a bigger struggle. Despite their suffering they are rarely able to express themselves. To survive, majority of them hide their HIV status. What is really alarming is that though there is awareness about risks, use of condoms is low, both with non-paying and paying partners, thereby increasing the risk of transmitting the virus. A Behavioural Surveillance Survey 2003-04 at Baina showed that only 69 percent used condoms regularly. Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) sentinel surveillance estimates that in 2003, around 30.14 percent sex workers in the state were HIV positive. However, the real figure would be probably much higher now. The United Nations recently reported that that India with 5.7 million infections has become the HIV/AIDS capital of the world surpassing South Africa’s 5.5 million. Though there is dispute regarding the number of infections, no one denies that despite various attempts the spread of the virus shows no sign of slowing down. Talking to GT/Weekender, Dr Prakash Kanekar, Project Director, Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) admits that they can't afford to be complacent and need greater commitment to reverse HIV/AIDS epidemic as the task has become more difficult after Baina demolition. "It is now extremely difficult to identify a commercial sex worker” Even Arun Pandey from Arz, an NGO working with trafficked victims in Goa, candidly admits that HIV positive trafficked victims continue to be victimized due to lack of community based services and failure of the state and even NGOs to protect them. Instead of making them independent we make them dependent. We not only put their life at risk but also fail to control the spread of the virus.” Arun added. Interestingly, majority of targeted interventions undertaken by NGO's through GSACS among CSWs are focused on free condom distribution and creating awareness through peer educators. Besides, GSACS also funds two community care centres with 10 beds each –Freedom Foundation in the North and Aasro in the South – but they are short stay home providing services required in between a home and hospital. However, Ninoshka Norton, Project Coordinator, Freedom Foundation, admitted that they have often observed that HIV positive trafficked victims put on DOTS or ART don't continue treatment once they leave the home. "Once out of the home, they go back to their normal routine and start drinking and smoking. This deteriorates their health further," she added. No easy choices Though it is difficult to describe the predicaments and circumstances women in CSW face, GT/ Weekender tries to comprehend a few of them to better understand their lives and situations under which they live ALL ROADS LEAD TO The eldest daughter of the family, Surekha was dedicated to Goddess Yellama as soon as she gained puberty and brought to Baina by a brothel keeper for CSW. Three years back she was tested HIV positive and was also found to be suffering from TB. “I wanted to leave CSW but there was no alternative. Besides there is no one to take care of me," she said. Though her CD4 count is low, doctors can't put her on ART, because she is taking treatment for TB. However, her TB can't be cured because she doesn't regularly take medicines. NO DATE WITH MEDICINES Madhumita is just back from a date in Mysore. Date means going out of the state for CSW. She is fully educated about the pros and cons of HIV, yet hardly practices what she has been preached. Two years back when she tested positive, she expected support from her mard (lover). He was at first sympathetic but when he needed money, she was back on the streets. She protested but he threatened. "I started to go on date, 15 days after I was detected positive. I was feeling week but then got tired of the abuses hurled at me by my mard. When I work, he is happy and there is peace at home", she reveals. However, what she reveals later after is much shocking, "whenever I go on a date, I stop DOTS treatment," she admitted HOME IS WHERE YOUR HEART IS In a police raid at Baina recently, a HIV positive trafficked victim was rescued and sent to the State Protective Home. At that time she was taking DOTS treatment, but stopped it when sent to the home. Her condition deteriorated and she started vomiting blood at the Protective Home. Thus forcing D.C. Kundalkar, In - charge, Protective Home to write to the Mormugao Deputy Collector Levinson Martins, "it is not possible to take care of her and medically treat her in the Protective Home." As the medical tests confirmed that she was HIV positive and suffering from TB, Martins shifted her to Assro and meanwhile tried to make arrangements to send her back to her home in Karnataka. But she escaped from there within a few days and returned to her home in Baina. *(Names of HIV positive trafficked victims have been changed in order to protect their identity) ** (This story was made possible by a financial grant from The EU-India Media Initiative on HIV/AIDS implemented by The Thomson Foundation) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your email and see which of your friends are online - Right on the New Yahoo.com (http://www.yahoo.com/preview) From lokesh at sarai.net Mon Oct 30 11:50:03 2006 From: lokesh at sarai.net (Lokesh) Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 11:50:03 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] discussion on stealing culture? : IPR & the copyleft movement Message-ID: <45459993.2090803@sarai.net> *Debating Politics Series* *3rd meeting * **Youth and Stud** **ents Foru*m* *and* The St. Stephens College History Society Invites you for a talk on */Stealing Culture?:/* */Intellectual Property Rights/* */And/* */The Copyleft Movement./* // /speakers/ Ravi Sundaram and Ravikant (Sarai, CSDS) Time:1.30 pm venue: Seminar room From jalvaer at yahoo.com Tue Oct 31 04:18:43 2006 From: jalvaer at yahoo.com (jesper alvaer) Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:48:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: FILMS FROM CONTEMPORARY IRAN 2 7 NOVEMBER (PRAGUE/OSLO) Message-ID: <20061030224843.24230.qmail@web36607.mail.mud.yahoo.com> FILMS FROM CONTEMPORARY IRAN 6 – 7 NOVEMBER Screening of Iranian films 6 – 7 November at Soria Moria Cinema Presentation of the magazine Pages 7 November at Torpedo Bokhandel The screenings in Soria Moria (Torshov) follow the exhibition project „Sunset Cinema_edition 2“ which was realized in Display gallery in Prague, May 2006. The two Iranian artists living in the Netherlands, Nasrin Tabatabai and Babak Afrassiabi, created a framework and a stage for the screening of several films, out of which three are going to be screened within this program. Films from Contemporary Iran, is an initiative from Display (www.display.cz) in Prague and Pages in Rotterdam (www.pagesmagazine,net), organized in Oslo by UKS, Soria Moria, and Torpedo Bokhandel. The project is supported by OCA- Office for Contemporary Art, Norway. (PROGRAM PRAGUE: Kino Svetozor 2-4 November) PROGRAM DETAILS OSLO: Tuesday 6 November Time: 18:45 - 20:45 at Soria Moria Introduction by Director Alireza Rasoulinezhad Exteriors Director: Alireza Rasoulinezhad Iran, 2004 83 minutes, video Exteriors is a film in three parts about a discouraged intellectual uncle who disappears from Tehran to lead a different life elsewhere. He leaves his apartment to his nephew and niece. The two discover some notes on various social and cultural topics and an unfinished film by their uncle. Inspired by their uncle’s ideas and the film footage, they decide to make a film together. The involvement of the two in pursuing the film becomes a pretext for the director of this trilogy to address contemporary social and cultural issues of Iran. Wednesday 7 November Time: 17.00 at Torpedo Bokhandel (Hausmannsgate 42, Oslo) Short presentation by Babak Afrassiabi of the magazine Pages Pages is a bilingual, Farsi and English, magazine with the aim to function as a platform for exchange, dialogs and projects, a place for collaboration between artists and writers from Iran and elsewhere. The magazine’s interest lies in the socio-political flows within spaces of urban and everyday life. Time: 18:45 - 20:45 at Soria Moria, Introduction by Director Bahman Kiarostami Pilgrimage Director: Bahman Kiarostami Iran, 2004 52 minutes, video Shot in and around a small prosecutor’s office on the Iran-Iraq border, this documentary is about illegal pilgrims who are persistent in crossing the Iran’s border with Iraq for the holly city of Karbala. Being deprived of this pilgrimage for years during and after the Iran-Iraq war, now with the fall of Saddam many attempt to travel with forged documents or risk their lives while being smuggled across the harsh border. “Criminal pilgrims or pilgrim criminals” this is the dilemma the film is uncovering. Shabih Khani (Re-enactment) Director: Bahman Kiarostami Iran, 2006 52 minutes, Video Shabih-Khani is a documentary about men who, in the yearly held religious ceremony called the Ashura, re-enact the scenes of the battle Karbala (that took place in 680 ac in the desert of Karbala in current Iraq, commemorating the death of Imam Hossein, the grandson of the prophet Mohammad, and his entire family). Shabih (likeness) is a term which refers to an actor who plays the role of the holy companions of Imam Hossein or his enemies. The title Shabih-Khani underlines the separation between the actors and the roles they play. As the men are asked to play their roles in front of the camera, they inevitably indulge in a double re-enactment of their roles, causing moments of confusion, bordering on farce or slapstick. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Get your email and see which of your friends are online - Right on the New Yahoo.com (http://www.yahoo.com/preview) From peerzadaarshad at gmail.com Tue Oct 31 12:05:31 2006 From: peerzadaarshad at gmail.com (arshad hamid) Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:05:31 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] 'Bring out white paper on Parliament Attack' Message-ID: <83db55e00610302235g7e9e9aa7ocd355bf9c8aaf1a6@mail.gmail.com> *Hi Sarai readers,* *Go through the interview of SAR geelani that he gave to kashmirnewz.com in srinagar during the save Afzal Guroo campiagan in Kashmir.* ** *'Bring out white paper on Parliament Attack' * Srinagar Oct 19, 2006: *Syed Abdul Rehman Geelani may be a free man today, campaigning for a fair trial for Afzal Guru, but he has stood there along with Afzal as a convict in 2001 Parliament attack case, sentenced to death and portrayed by media as the kingpin of the attack. Acquitted by the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court of India, Geelani says he is no longer a free man and talks about the 'miscarriage of justice' in the case in an exclusive interview with Kashmir Newz. * [image: S A R Geelani] S A R Geelani*KN: You have been associated with this case right from the beginning. You have been stressing on the lack of a fair trial for Afzal Guru. Can you explain? * SAR: Look, the structure of a case is built in a lower court, in a trial court. The bases are laid there. You can examine witness there, you can examine evidences. This is the very crucial period for any case. In Afzal's case there was no one to represent him at this stage. He had no lawyer. And if you go by Indian laws the court was bound to provide him a lawyer of his choice, which they haven't. They never did. And at one point when Afzal was not given a lawyer after many applications then the Judge asked Afzal to cross examine witnesses and evidences on his own. I believe the Judge was making a mockery of Mohammad Afzal by asking him to cross examine himself. In fact he was making mockery of the whole procedure. I believe this because cross examination in a criminal case is a highly technical thing. Even ordinary lawyers not familiar with criminal procedure cannot do that job unless trained in criminal law. It needs specialized criminal lawyers. So how could Mohammad Afzal who did not know the a b c of law. *KN: Why in the first place did he not have a lawyer? * SAR: The first reason Mohammad Afzal told the court was that he cannot engage a lawyer as the fee of the lawyers was very high. And Afzal came from a poor background. The second thing was that in police custody we were all subject to media trial. Mohammad Afzal was brought in front of the media and forced to confess and tell the whole world that he was involved in the case. The media confession was later thrown out by Supreme Court as it was taken under duress. But that media trial prejudiced the whole atmosphere against us. The Bar Association of Delhi barred its members from representing our case. It was difficult for any of us to get a lawyer. *KN: And what was the status of your case? * SAR: Same was the case with me. The first crucial period of any criminal case is framing of charges. I had a lawyer but he was not even aware of the whole situation. He had never met me. It was not good for me also but it was worse for Mohammed Afzal because he had no lawyer. *KN: So you got a death sentence there? * SAR: Yes we all got a death sentence in the POTA court. And it was later referred to the High Court where death sentence of Mohammed Afzal and Shaukat Guru was confirmed. The high court acquitted me and Afshan Guru saying there was no evidence linking me to the case. In the High Court Afzal had a lawyer, a human rights lawyer Colin Gonsalves, but unfortunately Colin misrepresented Afzal at one point by submitting an affidavit on his behalf that Afzal wanted to die though a lethal injection and not by hanging. This was misrepresentation. Afzal came to know of this only through newspapers. When you put such an argument, it amounts to conceding. Even in Supreme Court Mr. Shanti Bhushan who was representing Afzal began his argument by saying that everyone standing here is innocent except Afzal. He went on like this so much so that Justice Reddy interrupted and asked him to clarify if he was representing Afzal and Shaukat or if he was confirming the death sentence. *KN: Apart from the lack of proper legal help what was the status of other factors. What was for instance the role of investigating agencies? * SAR: The whole case was built on a confessional statement in front of the media which Supreme Court concluded was taken by coercion and hence inadmissible. The High Court has itself stated that the investigation has been shoddy and the evidence has been fabricated. One the basis of this kind of evidence, how can you sentence someone to death. In Indian laws the death sentence is given only in rarest of rare cases and only when the guilt is established beyond doubt. Here in this case, the court itself puts question mark on the investigation process. *KN: Coming back to media confession you say it was by coercion. Can you explain? Was it taken in front of you? * SAR: It was not taken in front of me, but what happened that they first came to me and tried to extract the confession out of me through torture. They subjected me to third degree physical torture for days together telling me to accept it. I told them they cannot get anything out of me. Then when they couldn't get it out of physical torture they abducted my family, my wife, my kids were taken into custody, and they subjected me to psychological torture, forced my wife to prevail on me and pressurise into confession and ask me to do what ever they want or my family would be in danger. I explained to my wife that this was just a ploy to malign the movement of Kashmir. This was all happening in the backdrop of 9/11. I told them that whatever you do you can. I have not committed any crime so I won't accept it. So when they did not succeed in getting a confession out of me they went and tried on others and got it. *KN: Then you say you were subject to media trial. Do you think that Afzal is still subject to media trial? * SAR: Of course, you see the media confession was thrown out by the Supreme Court. The court clearly says the confession was taken by coercion, but the TV channels play those images every time there is news of Afzal or Parliament attack. Afzal proclaiming to the world that he had done it. Again the courts have maintained that Afzal has not been a member of any terror group still the media continues to call him a Jaish operative. *KN: If the confessional statement was thrown out, on what basis was he given a death sentence? * SAR: Afzal has been given a death sentence under IPC for murder and conspiracy. The Supreme Court says there is no direct evidence against him, there is some circumstantial evidence. I have always said that if he had been represented by a competent lawyer at the trial court, these circumstances would have never been against him, e.g one of the circumstances that goes against him is that he has identified the bodies of parliament attackers. The Supreme Court admitted the witness of a policeman as truth who stated in trial court that Afzal had identified the men. The witness was not cross examined at the trial court, and in High Court and Supreme Court there is no such procedure. Cross examination takes place at trial court where Afzal had no lawyer. *KN: Afzal's family has filed a clemency petition. You say that this is not a mercy petition? * SAR: It is not a clemency petition as clemency petition is conceded in traditional way. It is not that Afzal is accepting his guilt. Here in this petition we have pointed out that this man has not been given justice and there is an appeal for a fair trial. It is a legal procedure under Article 72. *KN: You say that Afzal did not get a fair trial, how come you were acquitted by the same court? * SAR: I have maintained that the Supreme Court did not do full justice even to me. If the Supreme Court or High court says that I am innocent and that I have been framed, then under the same laws it should have booked people who framed me. It should have taken action against them but that was not done. After stating that the police has fabricated the evidence, there is not even a stricture against police. *KN: You have come a long way through this trial? * SAR: Life has changed completely. I am no longer a free man. I have chains around me. I was a free man before the arrest. But today, the way media projected me I am recognised as a terrorist. That image still stays with me. I cannot move freely, with my family. My face is a known one. I feel I am doing injustice to my kids as I cannot move freely with them. I don't at times want them to be identified with me. *KN: You say you were framed and the whole investigation process was shoddy. What in your opinion was the motive behind it? * SAR: I think the whole motive of the police and the government was to malign the movement of Kashmir. It happens only after 9/11. If you see that few days before the attack Mr Advani who was then home minister, says that any moment our parliament may be attacked! Then you catch hold of a few Kashmiris and you link it to Kashmir. And this attack is condemned by the whole world including people in Kashmir, including the organisations to which it was attributed to. *KN: Do you suggest the attack itself was carried by Indian agencies? * SAR: I think say Indian people still do not know who really the attackers were. People of India were only told that five people were killed and they were Pakistanis. That is all. The Court said they were Pakistanis because nobody claimed their bodies here. Mr Advani said at that time that they were Pakistanis because they look like Pakistanis. I think that Musharraf looks like very much an Indian and Mr Advani looks like any Pakistani. I have always asked that government of India should come out with a white paper on the attack. If they are truthful why don't they come out with the details. In fact there is a question mark on everything. *KN: Given the atmosphere in India are you hopeful of getting clemency for Afzal? * SAR: I am hopeful. Before our campaign people were not aware of facts. And we told people of India that there has been a miscarriage of Justice and this man has been denied a fair trial. They are convinced. There were a lot of people with us on Oct. 4 in New Delhi supporting us. It is becoming evident that this man has not been given justice and it would be a stigma on Indian democracy if they allow Afzal to be hanged without giving him a fair trial. -- Peerzada Arshad Hamid +91-9419027486 +91-1932-234488 Address Baba mohalla, Bijbehara-192124 C/o Tak Trading Company, Bijbehara. Anantnag (Jammu & Kashmir) INDIA www.kashmirnewz.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061031/0fc55299/attachment.html From aarti at sarai.net Tue Oct 31 13:08:06 2006 From: aarti at sarai.net (Aarti Sethi) Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 13:08:06 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] Quotes from the Earth: A Film Festival on Environment Message-ID: <0A4BDFC8-C0E7-4B03-95FE-3B56B8823225@sarai.net> Toxics Linkcordially invites you to the QUOTES FROM THE EARTHA Film Festival on Environment from November 3-5, 2006 at India International Centre (Auditorium) The festival will be inaugurated by Smt Shiela Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi at the auditorium, India International Center on November 3, 2006 at 10 am. About the Festival:Quotes from the Earth is inspired by the thought of bringing together a multitude of voices and views on environment from across the globe. The unifying thread being equitable justice for all. From the rare cloud forests of Latin America to the impact of global warming on the world’s largest mangrove forests of Sunderbans in Bay of Bengal; from organic farming in Thailand to the impact of genetically modified cotton in Andhra Pradesh - 23 documentaries have been woven together under the themes of ‘Earth, Survival and Water’. About Toxics Link:Toxics Link is an environmental NGO, dedicated to bringing toxics related information into the public domain, both relating to struggles and problems at grassroots as well as global information to the local levels. We work with other groups around the country as well as internationally in an understanding that this will help bring the experience of the ground to the fore, and lead to a more meaningful articulation of issues. More on www.toxicslink.org The Schedule is attached. The same may be obtained by writing to us. Please feel free to further pass on this invite to all those who may be interested. Regards Upasana Choudhry Senior Coordinator, Chemicals and HealthTOXICS LINKH 2, Jungpura Extension,New Delhi 110014, INDIATel.: (91 11) 2432 8006, 2432 0711,Fax: (91 11) 2432 1747Email: upasana at toxicslink.orgURL: http:// www.toxicslink.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061031/1ab1f5a5/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements From anivar.aravind at gmail.com Tue Oct 31 10:53:23 2006 From: anivar.aravind at gmail.com (Anivar Aravind) Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2006 10:53:23 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] [Announcements] Call For Action on 2 Nov2006: 6 years of Hunger Strike against AFSPA In-Reply-To: <35f96d470610302122l74d04441ye170ed0dab267f16@mail.gmail.com> References: <35f96d470610302122l74d04441ye170ed0dab267f16@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <35f96d470610302123tcefad70tedc309593c26518b@mail.gmail.com> Call For Action on 2 Nov2006: 6 years of Hunger Strike against AFSPA Support Sharmila, Repeal AFSPA, Restore Right to Life Dear friends, During the last few decades, the people of North Eastern states and J&K have witnessed severe repression with the implementation of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (1958). Under this law, the security forces have: The power to arrest and enter property without warrant The power to shoot, arrest, and kill at the mere hint of suspicious activity, even without the lives of members of the security force being at imminent risk Immunity against legal action. The implementation of this law has led to brutal rape, arbitrary detentions, "disappearances", killings, and loot. This law is being actively used by security forces to terrorize and subordinate local communities in the name of counter-insurgency. The implementation of this draconian law AFSPA has challenged not only the democratic norms of Manipur, but also of the entire freedom loving people in India for allowing such blatant repression to take place. Protesting against AFSPA, Irom Sharmila Chanu, the young poet from Manipur has been on an indefinite hunger fast for many years. On November 2, 2006, the hunger strike of Sharmila Irom is going to complete six years. She is being forcefully nasal-fed in AIIMS, Delhi, by the authorities. She has only one demand: the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (1958) from Manipur. This year 2006 happens to be the 100th year of the non-violent and peaceful protest form `Satyagraha' initiated by Mahatma Gandhi. But in the land of Gandhi this is the first time in Indian history somebody has gone through a hunger strike for six years. The struggle of Sharmila Irom is generating moral and social support and solidarity from all over. Protest actions and solidarity actions are being planned in Trivandrum, Trichur, Kottayam, New Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Manipur, Patna and other places. We, the following organisations extend full support to the struggle of Sharmila Irom and peoples oppressed by AFSPA. We call all democratic organisations to extend your support by joining these protests and initiating solidarity actions wherever possible in your area. SANGAT ANHAD Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF) National Alliance of Peoples Movements (NAPM) People's Media Initiative Narmada Bachao Andolan Theeradesa Mahila Vedi, Kerala Global Alternate Information Applications (GAIA), Kerala Visual Search, Bangalore Samvedan Cultural Programme (Ahmedabad) KRITI, New Delhi PEACE, New Delhi Saheli, New Delhi Forum for Democratic Initiatives, New Delhi Manipur Students Association Delhi (MSAD) Centre for Contemporary Studies & Research, Lucknow EKTA (Committee for Communal Amity), Mumbai Human Rights Law network(HRLN) Focus on the Global South Malabar Theeradesha Vanitha Federation Nireesha - Women's Theatre Group Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation (KSMTF) SICHREM, Bangaloe People's Union for Civil Liberties(PUCL), Bangalore Praxis Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha Chhattisgarh Mahila Jagriti Sangathan Chhattisgarh Labour Institute People's Union for Civil Liberties (Chhattisgarh State Unit) Chhattisgarh Bal-Shramik Sangathan Sabla Dal ( A Union of Domestic Workers in Chhattisgarh) (Please send reports and protest stills of your actions to campaign at manipurfreedom.orgso that these actions can be publicised. For more information on the issue please visit: http://www.manipurfreedom.org) -- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mail.sarai.net/pipermail/reader-list/attachments/20061031/56cc4e1d/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- _______________________________________________ announcements mailing list announcements at sarai.net https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements