From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sat Oct 1 08:43:29 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2011 08:43:29 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Ford Foundation Message-ID: http://www.countercurrents.org/chossudovsky260910.htm _______________________________________________________________ "Manufacturing Dissent": The Anti-Globalization Movement Is Funded By The Corporate Elites By Michel Chossudovsky 26 September , 2010 Global Research The People's Movement has been Hijacked "Everything the [Ford] Foundation did could be regarded as "making the World safe for capitalism", reducing social tensions by helping to comfort the afflicted, provide safety valves for the angry, and improve the functioning of government (McGeorge Bundy, National Security Advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson (1961-1966), President of the Ford Foundation, (1966-1979)) "By providing the funding and the policy framework to many concerned and dedicated people working within the non-profit sector, the ruling class is able to co-opt leadership from grassroots communities, ... and is able to make the funding, accounting, and evaluation components of the work so time consuming and onerous that social justice work is virtually impossible under these conditions" (Paul Kivel, You Call this Democracy, Who Benefits, Who Pays and Who Really Decides, 2004, p. 122 ) "Under the New World Order, the ritual of inviting "civil society" leaders into the inner circles of power --while simultaneously repressing the rank and file-- serves several important functions. First, it says to the World that the critics of globalization "must make concessions" to earn the right to mingle. Second, it conveys the illusion that while the global elites should --under what is euphemistically called democracy-- be subject to criticism, they nonetheless rule legitimately. And third, it says "there is no alternative" to globalization: fundamental change is not possible and the most we can hope is to engage with these rulers in an ineffective "give and take". While the "Globalizers" may adopt a few progressive phrases to demonstrate they have good intentions, their fundamental goals are not challenged. And what this "civil society mingling" does is to reinforce the clutch of the corporate establishment while weakening and dividing the protest movement. An understanding of this process of co-optation is important, because tens of thousands of the most principled young people in Seattle, Prague and Quebec City [1999-2001] are involved in the anti-globalization protests because they reject the notion that money is everything, because they reject the impoverishment of millions and the destruction of fragile Earth so that a few may get richer. This rank and file and some of their leaders as well, are to be applauded. But we need to go further. We need to challenge the right of the "Globalizers" to rule. This requires that we rethink the strategy of protest. Can we move to a higher plane, by launching mass movements in our respective countries, movements that bring the message of what globalization is doing, to ordinary people? For they are the force that must be mobilized to challenge those who plunder the Globe." (Michel Chossudovsky, The Quebec Wall, April 2001) The term "manufacturing consent" was initially coined by Edward S Herman and Noam Chomsky. "Manufacturing consent" describes a propaganda model used by the corporate media to sway public opinion and "inculcate individuals with values and beliefs...": The mass media serve as a system for communicating messages and symbols to the general populace. It is their function to amuse, entertain, and inform, and to inculcate individuals with the values, beliefs, and codes of behavior that will integrate them into the institutional structures of the larger society. In a world of concentrated wealth and major conflicts of class interest, to fulfill this role requires systematic propaganda. (Manufacturing Consent by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky) "Manufacturing consent" implies manipulating and shaping public opinion. It establishes conformity and acceptance to authority and social hierarchy. It seeks compliance to an established social order. "Manufacturing consent" describes the submission of public opinion to the mainstream media narrative, to its lies and fabrications. "Manufacturing dissent" In this article, we focus on a related concept, namely the process of "manufacturing dissent" (rather than "consent"), which plays a decisive role in serving the interests of the ruling class. Under contemporary capitalism, the illusion of democracy must prevail. It is in the interest of the corporate elites to accept dissent and protest as a feature of the system inasmuch as they do not threaten the established social order. The purpose is not to repress dissent, but, on the contrary, to shape and mould the protest movement, to set the outer limits of dissent. To maintain their legitimacy, the economic elites favor limited and controlled forms of opposition, with a view to preventing the development of radical forms of protest, which might shake the very foundations and institutions of global capitalism. In other words, "manufacturing dissent" acts as a "safety valve", which protects and sustains the New World Order. To be effective, however, the process of "manufacturing dissent" must be carefully regulated and monitored by those who are the object of the protest movement. "Funding Dissent" How is the process of manufacturing dissent achieved? Essentially by "funding dissent", namely by channelling financial resources from those who are the object of the protest movement to those who are involved in organizing the protest movement. Co-optation is not limited to buying the favors of politicians. The economic elites --which control major foundations-- also oversee the funding of numerous NGOs and civil society organizations, which historically have been involved in the protest movement against the established economic and social order. The programs of many NGOs and people's movements rely heavily on both public as well as private funding agencies including the Ford, Rockefeller, McCarthy foundations, among others. The anti-globalization movement is opposed to Wall Street and the Texas oil giants controlled by Rockefeller, et al. Yet the foundations and charities of Rockefeller et al will generously fund progressive anti-capitalist networks as well as environmentalists (opposed to Big Oil) with a view to ultimately overseeing and shaping their various activities. The mechanisms of "manufacturing dissent" require a manipulative environment, a process of arm-twisting and subtle cooptation of individuals within progressive organizations, including anti-war coalitions, environmentalists and the anti-globalization movement. Whereas the mainstream media "manufactures consent", the complex network of NGOs (including segments of the alternative media) are used by the corporate elites to mould and manipulate the protest movement. Following the deregulation of the global financial system in the 1990s and the rapid enrichment of the financial establishment, funding through foundations and charities has skyrocketed. In a bitter irony, part of the fraudulent financial gains on Wall Street in recent years have been recycled to the elites' tax exempt foundations and charities. These windfall financial gains have not only been used to buy out politicians, they have also been channelled to NGOs, research institutes, community centres, church groups, environmentalists, alternative media, human rights groups, etc. "Manufactured dissent" also applies to "corporate left" and "progressive media" funded by NGOs or directly by the foundations. The inner objective is to "manufacture dissent" and establish the boundaries of a "politically correct" opposition. In turn, many NGOs are infiltrated by informants often acting on behalf of western intelligence agencies. Moreover, an increasingly large segment of the progressive alternative news media on the internet has become dependent on funding from corporate foundations and charities. Piecemeal Activism The objective of the corporate elites has been to fragment the people's movement into a vast "do it yourself" mosaic. War and globalization are no longer in the forefront of civil society activism. Activism tends to be piecemeal. There is no integrated anti-globalization anti-war movement. The economic crisis is not seen as having a relationship to the US led war. Dissent has been compartmentalized. Separate "issue oriented" protest movements (e.g. environment, anti-globalization, peace, women's rights, climate change) are encouraged and generously funded as opposed to a cohesive mass movement. This mosaic was already prevalent in the counter G7 summits and People's Summits of the 1990s. The Anti-Globalization Movement The Seattle 1999 counter-summit is invariably upheld as a triumph for the anti-globalization movement: "a historic coalition of activists shut down the World Trade Organization summit in Seattle, the spark that ignited a global anti-corporate movement." (See Naomi Klein, Copenhagen: Seattle Grows Up, The Nation, November 13, 2009). Seattle was an indeed an important crossroads in the history of the mass movement. Over 50,000 people from diverse backgrounds, civil society organizations, human rights, labor unions, environmentalists had come together in a common pursuit. Their goal was to forecefully dismantle the neoliberal agenda including its institutional base. But Seattle also marked a major reversal. With mounting dissent from all sectors of society, the official WTO Summit desperately needed the token participation of civil society leaders "on the inside", to give the appearance of being "democratic" on the outside. While thousands of people had converged on Seattle, what occurred behind the scenes was a de facto victory for neoliberalism. A handful of civil society organizations, formally opposed the WTO had contributed to legitimizing the WTO's global trading architecture. Instead of challenging the WTO as an an illegal intergovernmental body, they agreed to a pre-summit dialogue with the WTO and Western governments. "Accredited NGO participants were invited to mingle in a friendly environment with ambassadors, trade ministers and Wall Street tycoons at several of the official events including the numerous cocktail parties and receptions." (Michel Chossudovsky, Seattle and Beyond: Disarming the New World Order , Covert Action Quarterly, November 1999, See Ten Years Ago: "Manufacturing Dissent" in Seattle). The hidden agenda was to weaken and divide the protest movement and orient the anti-globalization movement into areas that would not directly threaten the interests of the business establishment. Funded by private foundations (including Ford, Rockefeller, Rockefeller Brothers, Charles Stewart Mott, The Foundation for Deep Ecology), these "accredited" civil society organizations had positioned themselves as lobby groups, acting formally on behalf of the people's movement. Led by prominent and committed activists, their hands were tied. They ultimately contributed (unwittingly) to weakening the anti-globalization movement by accepting the legitimacy of what was essentially an illegal organization. (The 1994 Marrakech Summit agreement which led to the creation of the WTO on January 1, 1995). (Ibid) The NGO leaders were fully aware as to where the money was coming from. Yet within the US and European NGO community, the foundations and charities are considered to be independent philanthropic bodies, separate from the corporations; namely the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, for instance, is considered to be separate and distinct from the Rockefeller family empire of banks and oil companies. With salaries and operating expenses depending on private foundations, it became an accepted routine: In a twisted logic, the battle against corporate capitalism was to be be fought using the funds from the tax exempt foundations owned by corporate capitalism. The NGOs were caught in a straightjacket; their very existence depended on the foundations. Their activities were closely monitored. In a twisted logic, the very nature of anti-capitalist activism was indirectly controlled by the capitalists through their independent foundations. "Progressive Watchdogs" In this evolving saga, the corporate elites whose interests are duly served by the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO, will readily fund (through their various foundations and charities) organizations which are at the forefront of the protest movement against the WTO and the Washington based international financial institutions. Supported by foundation money, various "watchdogs" were set up by the NGOs to monitor the implementation of neoliberal policies, without however raising the broader issue of how the Bretton Woods twins and the WTO, through their policies, had contributed to the impoverishment of millions of people. The Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Network (SAPRIN) was established by Development Gap, a USAID and World Bank funded NGO based in Washington DC. Amply documented, the imposition of the IMF-World Bank Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) on developing countries constitutes a blatant form of interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states on behalf of creditor institutions. Instead of challenging the legitimacy of the IMF-World Bank's "deadly economic medicine", SAPRIN's core organization sought to establish a participatory role for the NGOs, working hand in glove with USAID and the World Bank. The objective was to give a "human face" to the neoliberal policy agenda, rather than reject the IMF-World Bank policy framework outright: "SAPRIN is the global civil-society network that took its name from the Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiative (SAPRI), which it launched with the World Bank and its president, Jim Wolfensohn, in 1997. SAPRI is designed as a tripartite exercise to bring together organizations of civil society, their governments and the World Bank in a joint review of structural adjustment programs (SAPs) and an exploration of new policy options. It is legitimizing an active role for civil society in economic decision-making, as it is designed to indicate areas in which changes in economic policies and in the economic-policymaking process are required. ( http://www.saprin.org/overview.htm SAPRIN website, emphasis added) Similarly, The Trade Observatory (formerly WTO Watch), operating out of Geneva, is a project of the Minneapolis based Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), which is generously funded by Ford, Rockefeller, Charles Stewart Mott among others. (see Table 1 below). The Trade Observatory has a mandate to monitor the World Trade Organization (WTO), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA and the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). (IATP, About Trade Observatory, accessed September 2010). The Trade Observatory is also to develop data and information as well as foster "governance" and "accountability". Accountability to the victims of WTO policies or accountability to the protagonists of neoliberal reforms? The Trade Observatory watchdog functions does not in any way threaten the WTO. Quite the opposite: the legitimacy of the trade organizations and agreements are never questioned. Table 1 Minneapolis Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) largest donors (for complete list click here) Ford Foundation $2,612,500.00 1994 – 2006 Rockefeller Brothers Fund $2,320,000.00 1995 – 2005 Charles Stewart Mott Foundation $1,391,000.00 1994 – 2005 McKnight Foundation $1,056,600.00 1995 – 2005 Joyce Foundation $748,000.00 1996 – 2004 Bush Foundation $610,000.00 2001 – 2006 Bauman Family Foundation $600,000.00 1994 – 2006 Great Lakes Protection Fund $580,000.00 1995 – 2000 John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation $554,100.00 1991 – 2003 John Merck Fund $490,000.00 1992 – 2003 Harold K. Hochschild Foundation $486,600.00 1997 – 2005 Foundation for Deep Ecology $417,500.00 1991 – 2001 Jennifer Altman Foundation $366,500.00 1992 – 2001 Rockefeller Foundation $344,134.00 2000 – 2004 Soruce: http://activistcash.com/organization_financials.cfm/o/16-institute-for-agriculture-and-trade-policy The World Economic Forum. "All Roads Lead to Davos" The people's movement has been hijacked. Selected intellectuals, trade union executives, and the leaders of civil society organizations (including Oxfam, Amnesty International, Greenpeace) are routinely invited to the Davos World Economic Forum, where they mingle with the World's most powerful economic and political actors. This mingling of the World's corporate elites with hand-picked "progressives" is part of the ritual underlying the process of "manufacturing dissent". The ploy is to selectively handpick civil society leaders "whom we can trust" and integrate them into a "dialogue", cut them off from their rank and file, make them feel that they are "global citizens" acting on behalf of their fellow workers but make them act in a way which serves the interests of the corporate establishment: "The participation of NGOs in the Annual Meeting in Davos is evidence of the fact that [we] purposely seek to integrate a broad spectrum of the major stakeholders in society in ... defining and advancing the global agenda ... We believe the [Davos] World Economic Forum provides the business community with the ideal framework for engaging in collaborative efforts with the other principal stakeholders [NGOs] of the global economy to "improve the state of the world," which is the Forum's mission. (World Economic Forum, Press Release 5 January 2001) The WEF does not represent the broader business community. It is an elitist gathering: Its members are giant global corporations (with a minimum $5 billion annual turnover). The selected non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are viewed as partner "stakeholders" as well as a convenient "mouthpiece for the voiceless who are often left out of decision-making processes." (World Economic Forum - Non-Governmental Organizations, 2010) "They [the NGOs] play a variety of roles in partnering with the Forum to improve the state of the world, including serving as a bridge between business, government and civil society, connecting the policy makers to the grassroots, bringing practical solutions to the table..." (Ibid) Civil society "partnering" with global corporations on behalf of "the voiceless", who are "left out"? Trade union executives are also co-opted to the detriment of workers' rights. The leaders of the International Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU), the AFL-CIO, the European Trade Union Confederation, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), among others, are routinely invited to attend both the annual WEF meetings in Davos, Switzerland as well as to the regional summits. They also participate in the WEF's Labour Leaders Community which focuses on mutually acceptable patterns of behavior for the labor movement. The WEF "believes that the voice of Labour is important to dynamic dialogue on issues of globalisation, economic justice, transparency and accountability, and ensuring a healthy global financial system." "Ensuring a healthy global financial system" wrought by fraud and corruption? The issue of workers' rights is not mentioned. (World Economic Forum - Labour Leaders, 2010). The World Social Forum: "Another World Is Possible" The 1999 Seattle counter-summit in many regards laid the foundations for the development of the World Social Forum. The first gathering of the World Social Forum took place in January 2001, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. This international gathering involved the participation of tens of thousands of activists from grass-roots organizations and NGOs. The WSF gathering of NGOs and progressive organizations is held simultaneously with the Davos World Economic Forum (WEF). It was intended to voice opposition and dissent to the World Economic Forum of corporate leaders and finance ministers. The WSF at the outset was an initiative of France's ATTAC and several Brazilian NGOs': "... In February 2000, Bernard Cassen, the head of a French NGO platform ATTAC, Oded Grajew, head of a Brazilian employers' organisation, and Francisco Whitaker, head of an association of Brazilian NGOs, met to discuss a proposal for a "world civil society event"; by March 2000, they formally secured the support of the municipal government of Porto Alegre and the state government of Rio Grande do Sul, both controlled at the time by the Brazilian Workers' Party (PT).... A group of French NGOs, including ATTAC, Friends of L'Humanité, and Friends of Le Monde Diplomatique, sponsored an Alternative Social Forum in Paris titled "One Year after Seattle", in order to prepare an agenda for the protests to be staged at the upcoming European Union summit at Nice. The speakers called for "reorienting certain international institutions such as the IMF, World Bank, WTO... so as to create a globalization from below" and "building an international citizens' movement, not to destroy the IMF but to reorient its missions." (Research Unit For Political Economy, The Economics and Politics of the World Social Forum, Global Research, January 20, 2004) >From the outset in 2001, the WSF was supported by core funding from the Ford Foundation, which is known to have ties to the CIA going back to the 1950s: "The CIA uses philanthropic foundations as the most effective conduit to channel large sums of money to Agency projects without alerting the recipients to their source." (James Petras, The Ford Foundation and the CIA, Global Research, September 18, 2002) The same procedure of donor funded counter-summits or people's summits which characterized the 1990s People's Summits was embodied in the World Social Forum (WSF): "... other WSF funders (or `partners', as they are referred to in WSF terminology) included the Ford Foundation, -- suffice it to say here that it has always operated in the closest collaboration with the US Central Intelligence Agency and US overall strategic interests; the Heinrich Boll Foundation, which is controlled by the German Greens party, a partner in the present [2003] German government and a supporter of the wars on Yugoslavia and Afghanistan (its leader Joschka Fischer is the [former] German foreign minister); and major funding agencies such as Oxfam (UK), Novib (Netherlands), ActionAid (UK), and so on. Remarkably, an International Council member of the WSF reports that the "considerable funds" received from these agencies have "not hitherto awakened any significant debates [in the WSF bodies] on the possible relations of dependence it could generate." Yet he admits that "in order to get funding from the Ford Foundation, the organisers had to convince the foundation that the Workers Party was not involved in the process." Two points are worth noting here. First, this establishes that the funders were able to twist arms and determine the role of different forces in the WSF -- they needed to be `convinced' of the credentials of those who would be involved. Secondly, if the funders objected to the participation of the thoroughly domesticated Workers Party, they would all the more strenuously object to prominence being given to genuinely anti-imperialist forces. That they did so object will be become clear as we describe who was included and who excluded from the second and third meets of the WSF.... ... The question of funding [of the WSF] does not even figure in the charter of principles of the WSF, adopted in June 2001. Marxists, being materialists, would point out that one should look at the material base of the forum to grasp its nature. (One indeed does not have to be a Marxist to understand that "he who pays the piper calls the tune".) But the WSF does not agree. It can draw funds from imperialist institutions like Ford Foundation while fighting "domination of the world by capital and any form of imperialism" (Research Unit For Political Economy, The Economics and Politics of the World Social Forum, Global Research, January 20, 2004) The Ford Foundation provided core support to the WSF, with indirect contributions to participating "partner organizations" from the McArthur Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the W. Alton Jones Foundation, the European Commission, several European governments (including the Labour government of Tony Blair), the Canadian government, as well as a number of UN bodies (including UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, ILO and the FAO) .(Ibid). In addition to initial core support from the Ford Foundation, many of the participating civil society organizations receive funding from major foundations and charities. In turn, the US and European based NGOs often operate as secondary funding agencies channelling Ford and Rockefeller money towards partner organizations in developing countries, including grassroots peasant and human rights movements. The International Council (IC) of the WSF is made up of representatives from NGOs, trade unions, alternative media organizations, research institutes, many of which are heavily funded by foundations as well as governments. (See Fórum Social Mundial). The same trade unions, which are routinely invited to mingle with Wall Street CEOs at the Davos World Economic Forum (WSF) including the AFL-CIO, the European Trade Union Confederation and the Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) also sit on the WSF's International Council (IC). Among NGOs funded by major foundations sitting on the WSF's IC is the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) (see our analysis above) which oversees the Geneva based Trade Observatory. The Funders Network on Trade and Globalization (FTNG), which has observer status on the WSF International Council plays a key role. While channelling financial support to the WSF, it acts as a clearing house for major foundations. The FTNG describes itself as "an alliance of grant makers committed to building just and sustainable communities around the world". Members of this alliance are Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers, Heinrich Boell, C. S. Mott, Merck Family Foundation, Open Society Institute, Tides, among others. (For a complete list of FTNG funding agencies see FNTG: Funders). FTNG acts as a fund raising entity on behalf of the WSF. Western Governments Fund the Counter-Summits and Repress the Protest Movement In a bitter irony, governments including the European Union grant money to fund progressive groups (including the WSF) involved in organizing protests against the very same governments which finance their activities: "Governments, too, have been significant financiers of protest groups. The European Commission, for example, funded two groups who mobilised large numbers of people to protest at EU summits at Gothenburg and Nice. Britain's national lottery, which is overseen by the government, helped fund a group at the heart of the British contingent at both protests." (James Harding, Counter-capitalism, FT.com, October 15 2001) We are dealing with a diabolical process: The host government finances the official summit as well as the NGOs actively involved in the Counter-Summit. It also funds the anti-riot police operation which has a mandate to repress the grassroots participants of the Counter-Summit, including members of NGOs direcly funded by the government. . The purpose of these combined operations, including violent actions of vandalism committed by undercover cops (Toronto G20, 2010) dressed up as activists, is to discredit the protest movement and intimidate its participants. The broader objective is to transform the counter-summit into a ritual of dissent, which serves to uphold the interests of the official summit and the host government. This logic has prevailed in numerous counter summits since the 1990s. At the 2001 Summit of the America in Quebec City, funding from the Canadian federal government to mainstream NGOs and trade unions was granted under certain conditions. A large segment of the protest movement was de facto excluded from the People's Summit. This in itself led a second parallel venue, which some observers described as a "a counter-People's Summit. In turn, with both the provincial and federal authorities that the protest march would be move towards a remote location some 10 km out of town, rather than towards the historical downtown area were the official FTAA summit was being held behind a heavily guarded "security perimeter". "Rather than marching toward the perimeter fence and the Summit of the Americas meetings, march organizers chose a route that marched from the People's Summit away from the fence, through largely empty residential areas to the parking lot of a stadium in a vacant area several miles away. Henri Masse, the president of the Federation des travailleurs et travailleuses du Quebec (FTQ), explained, "I deplore that we are so far from the center-city.... But it was a question of security." One thousand marshals from the FTQ kept very tight control over the march. When the march came to the point where some activists planned to split off and go up the hill to the fence, FTQ marshals signalled the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) contingent walking behind CUPE to sit down and stop the march so that FTQ marshals could lock arms and prevent others from leaving the official march route." (Katherine Dwyer, Lessons of Quebec City, International Socialist Review, June/July 2001) The Summit of the Americas was held inside a four kilometer "bunker" made of concrete and galvanized steel fencing. The 10 feet high "Quebec Wall" encircled part of the historic city center including the parliamentary compound of the National Assembly, hotels and shopping areas. NGO Leaders versus their Grassroots The establishment of the World Social Forum (WSF) in 2001 was unquestionably a historical landmark, bringing together tens of thousands of committed activists. It was an important venue which allowed for the exchange of ideas and the establishment of ties of solidarity. What is at stake is the ambivalent role of the leaders of progressive organizations. Their cozy and polite relationship to the inner circles of power, to corporate and government funding, aid agencies, the World Bank, etc, undermines their relationship and responsibilities to their rank and file. The objective of manufactured dissent is precisely that: to distance the leaders from their rank and file as a means to effectively silencing and weakening grassroots actions. Funding dissent is also a means infiltrating the NGOs as well as acquiring inside information on strategies of protest and resistance of grass-roots movements. Most of the grassroots participating organizations in the World Social Forum including peasant, workers' and student organizations, firmly committed to combating neoliberalism were unaware of the WSF International Council's relationship to corporate funding, negotiated behind their backs by a handful of NGO leaders with ties to both official and private funding agencies. Funding to progressive organizations is not unconditional. Its purpose is to "pacify" and manipulate the protest movement. Precise conditionalities are set by the funding agencies. If they are not met, the disbursements are discontinued and the recipient NGO is driven into de facto bankruptcy due to lack of funds. The WSF defines itself as "an open meeting place for reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, free exchange of experiences and inter-linking for effective action, by groups and movements of civil society that are opposed to neo-liberalism and to domination of the world by capital and any form of imperialism, and are committed to building a society centred on the human person". (See Fórum Social Mundial, accessed 2010). The WSF is a mosaic of individual initiatives which does not directly threaten or challenge the legitimacy of global capitalism and its institutions. It meets annually. It is characterised by a multitude of sessions and workshops. In this regard, one of the features of the WSF was to retain the "do-it-yourself" framework, characteristic of the donor funded counter G7 People's Summits of the 1990s. This apparent disorganized structure is deliberate. While favoring debate on a number of individual topics, the WSF framework is not conducive to the articulation of a cohesive common platform and plan of action directed global capitalism. Moreover, the US led war in the Middle East and Central Asia, which broke out a few months after the inaugural WSF venue in Porto Alegre in January 2001, has not been a central issue in forum discussions. What prevails is a vast and intricate network of organizations. The recipient grassroots organizations in developing countries are invariably unaware that their partner NGOs in the United States or the European Union, which are providing them with financial support, are themselves funded by major foundations. The money trickles down, setting constraints on grassroots actions. Many of these NGO leaders are committed and well meaning individuals acting within a framework which sets the boundaries of dissent. The leaders of these movements are often co-opted, without even realizing that as a result of corporate funding their hands are tied. Global capitalism finances anti-capitalism: an absurd and contradictory relationship. "Another World is Possible", but it cannot be meaningfully achieved under the present arrangement. A shake-up of the World Social Forum, of its organizational structure, its funding arrangements and leadership is required. There can be no meaningful mass movement when dissent is generously funded by those same corporate interests which are the target of the protest movement. In the words of McGeorge Bundy, president of the Ford Foundation (1966-1979),"Everything the [Ford] Foundation did could be regarded as 'making the World safe for capitalism'". © Copyright 2005-2009 GlobalResearch.ca _______________________________________________________________________________________ Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From chandni_parekh at yahoo.com Sat Oct 1 11:48:54 2011 From: chandni_parekh at yahoo.com (Chandni Parekh) Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:18:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Film Screenings in October Message-ID: <1317449934.78286.YahooMailNeo@web161402.mail.bf1.yahoo.com> Here's my compilation of non-mainstream film screenings in October: 'The Passion' by Carlo Mazzacurati (Italian), Oct 1, Delhi http://bit.ly/o0uwsf 'Garbage Dreams' by Mai Iskander, Oct 1 and 2 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 8, Ahmedabad http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 Films on Mental Health, Oct 3 and Oct 8-10, Delhi http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/docuwallahs2/message/10204 'An Ordinary Execution' by Marc Dugain (French), Oct 4, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4274 'Old-Fashioned World' by Mario Soldati (Italian), Oct 5 and 8, Delhi http://bit.ly/qAR2BQ 'Bilal' by Sourav Sarangi, Oct 8 and 9 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j 'Shala' ('School') by Sujay Dahake (Marathi), Oct 9, Bombay http://www.ncpamumbai.com/event/ncpa-nave-valan-october-2011-shala 'Balgandharva - Sound of Heaven' by Ravi Jadhav (Marathi), Oct 11, Bombay http://bit.ly/oOaLGl 'Nostalgia for the Light' by Patricio Guzman (French), Oct 11, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4277 1st Jaipur Animation Film Festival, Oct 12-13 www.jiffindia.org Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 13, Delhi http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 13th Mumbai Film Festival, Oct 13-20 www.mumbaifilmfest.com Vikalp at Alliance Screening of 'One Day Ahead of Democracy' by Amlan Datta, Oct 14, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4281 'Maybe Baby' by Shannon O'Rourke, Oct 15 and 16 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j 'Muriel, or the Time of a Return' by Alain Resnais (French), Oct 19, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4287 Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 19, Bombay http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 20, Pune http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 'The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet’s Struggle for Freedom' by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, Oct 22 and 23 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j 'The Rabbi’s Cat' by Joann Sfar and Antoine Delesvaux (French), Oct 24, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4291 Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 29, Baroda http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 'Learning from Light: The Vision of I M Pei' by Bo Landin and Sterling Van Wagenen, Oct 29 and 30 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j Vikalp at Prithvi Screening of 'Blood and Iron' by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Monday, Oct 31, 7 pm, Prithvi House, Juhu, Bombay http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217252225004662 - Chandni PS: To join the Vikalp at Prithvi group on Facebook, visit http://tinyurl.com/vikalp-prithvi From rohitrellan at aol.in Sat Oct 1 12:13:01 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2011 02:43:01 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Film Screenings in October In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE4E1C7F70E879-1C90-1A87E@webmail-m027.sysops.aol.com> Here's my compilation of non-mainstream film screenings in October:By Chandni Parekh 'The Passion' by Carlo Mazzacurati (Italian), Oct 1, Delhi http://bit.ly/o0uwsf 'Garbage Dreams' by Mai Iskander, Oct 1 and 2 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 8, Ahmedabad http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 Films on Mental Health, Oct 3 and Oct 8-10, Delhi http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/docuwallahs2/message/10204 'An Ordinary Execution' by Marc Dugain (French), Oct 4, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4274 'Old-Fashioned World' by Mario Soldati (Italian), Oct 5 and 8, Delhi http://bit.ly/qAR2BQ 'Bilal' by Sourav Sarangi, Oct 8 and 9 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j 'Shala' ('School') by Sujay Dahake (Marathi), Oct 9, Bombay http://www.ncpamumbai.com/event/ncpa-nave-valan-october-2011-shala 'Balgandharva - Sound of Heaven' by Ravi Jadhav (Marathi), Oct 11, Bombay http://bit.ly/oOaLGl 'Nostalgia for the Light' by Patricio Guzman (French), Oct 11, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4277 1st Jaipur Animation Film Festival, Oct 12-13 www.jiffindia.org Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 13, Delhi http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 13th Mumbai Film Festival, Oct 13-20 www.mumbaifilmfest.com Vikalp at Alliance Screening of 'One Day Ahead of Democracy' by Amlan Datta, Oct 14, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4281 'Maybe Baby' by Shannon O'Rourke, Oct 15 and 16 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j 'Muriel, or the Time of a Return' by Alain Resnais (French), Oct 19, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4287 Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 19, Bombay http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 20, Pune http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 'The Sun Behind the Clouds: Tibet’s Struggle for Freedom' by Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, Oct 22 and 23 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j 'The Rabbi’s Cat' by Joann Sfar and Antoine Delesvaux (French), Oct 24, Bombay http://bombay.afindia.org/node/4291 Short Films presented by Shamiana, Oct 29, Baroda http://www.facebook.com/groups/19747943933 'Learning from Light: The Vision of I M Pei' by Bo Landin and Sterling Van Wagenen, Oct 29 and 30 on NDTV 24x7 http://post.ly/3Qb4j Vikalp at Prithvi Screening of 'Blood and Iron' by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Monday, Oct 31, 7 pm, Prithvi House, Juhu, Bombay http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217252225004662 - Chandni From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sat Oct 1 21:41:55 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2011 21:41:55 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Maruti Struggle Update Message-ID: http://newsclick.in/india/maruti-struggle-claims-indiscipline-baseless Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From javedmasoo at gmail.com Sun Oct 2 09:40:54 2011 From: javedmasoo at gmail.com (Javed) Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2011 09:40:54 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Under Mayawati, Muslims fare worse than dalits in education Message-ID: Under Mayawati, Muslims fare worse than dalits in education Abantika Ghosh, TNN | Oct 2, 2011 Mayawati may have demanded reservation for the Muslims in proportion to their population, but the community has little to cheer about during her five years' rule in UP. NEW DELHI: Mayawati may have demanded reservation for the Muslims in proportion to their population, but the community has little to cheer about during her five years' rule in Uttar Pradesh. An analysis of Muslims' share in employment and education shows how since 2007 the Muslims have fared worse than dalits in UP on the education front. Demolishing the tall claims of the minority concentration districts' programme to smithereens, the study shows that per capita consumption expenditure of the Muslims was the least (Rs 781 against Rs 948 for upper caste Hindus, Rs 846 for Hindu OBCs and Rs 808 for Hindu SCs), where the community's population is above 40%. Economist Abusaleh Shariiff, who conducted the study, has called for revoking the programme. "We want money from the HRD ministry for the development of education opportunities for our children, not from the ministry of minority affairs. The minority concentration districts programme should be closed down," Shariff said. Shariff is the chief economist of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), and was member secretary of the Sachar Committee that was formed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005 to look into the social, economic and educational status of Indian Muslims. He presented his findings at the Institute of Objective Studies on Saturday. The study showed that the Muslim participation in the UPA's flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is minimal (8.6%) in Uttar Pradesh, where the community's population is more than 18%. SC/STs' share in the scheme is 53.5%, followed by OBCs (33.9%). Only 11.3% of workers in the formal sector in urban areas are Muslims, and 30.6% of them are employed in the private sector against just 5.3% in the public sector, turning the very principle behind demands for reservation in the private sector on its head. On the contrary, 17.5% workers in the sector are SC/STs and 19.7% are OBCs. On the education front, the study showed that literacy among the Muslims on the OBC and general categories has gone up by about 7% in both urban and rural areas of UP over the last five years. Only Hindu STs are worse off at 4%. General category Hindus have shown the highest leap of 17% in rural and 22% in urban areas. The Muslims' plight worsens as level of education goes up. In matric education, Muslim OBCs showed just a 2% rise, while there was a dip of about 3% for those who belong to the general category. Correspondingly, Hindu STs showed a surge of close to 20% and SCs of about 3% in rural areas and 5% and 8% in urban areas, respectively. Muslims' share in higher education was the most dismal, with the OBCs registering a fall of 13% in urban and 12% in rural areas. General category Muslims showed a fall of 9% in urban areas and 14% in rural areas. "Education data shows that the present trend of politics in UP has worked in favour of OBC Muslims and dalits whereas general category Muslims have lagged behind in many cases," Shariff added. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Under-Mayawati-Muslims-fare-worse-than-dalits-in-education/articleshow/10200823.cms From rohitrellan at aol.in Sun Oct 2 09:47:31 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2011 00:17:31 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Two Days Short Film Festival, Chandigarh/ Auditions - Curtain Call Production's No Heaven, Hyderabad Message-ID: <8CE4ED155D833CC-1770-326A6@Webmail-m109.sysops.aol.com> Fools' Paradise Theatre Group presents "two days short film festival". 1st & 2nd october , at 6:30 pm (daily)at panjab kala bhawan, sec-16, near rose garden, Chandigarh.... :) Details of films: 1ST OCT: 1) Upaasmar-Ajay Saklani (opening film) 2) Himalayan Oasis Mahabodhi- 17 mts -Documentry 3) Rush-Tanushree, Niharika, Arunima-2 min 37 secs-short film 4) ...and the life was SNUFFED OFF -Babita Puri Gupta-15 min 41 secs Docu- Drama 5) Fading Steps-Chakresh and Ranjan-1 min 10 secs-short film 6) Dhundlaati Dharohar-Shweta Chauhan, Manvi Dewan, Krishan Rathi- 9min 42 secs- Documentry 7) Therefore I Win-Sandeep Kapoor-19 min- Documentry 2nd OCT: 1) Birth of death-Ankur Kapoor-8 mins 06 secs-Short film 2) Rang manch ki kahani-Chandan Gill-9 min 9 secs-Documentry 3) Blades of grass-Ankur Kapoor-8 mins- Short film 4) Patharon se moorat tak-Munna Dhiman-Documentry 5) The Handwritten Letter-Varundeep-1 min 30 secs 6) Aatu Khoji-Rajiv Sharma-40 mins-Short film (closing film) u all r invited :) schedule me kuch aur changes ho sakte hai.... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Auditions - Curtain Call Production's No Heaven Hi! We're having Auditions for Curtain Call Production's Horror Based Play "No Heaven". A First of its Kind Horror based plot, with dark characters and a gripping storyline. Believe it to be different. Dare to step up. This can be your moment. Do you have what it takes? **PLEASE CARRY YOUR PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOS ALONG** Location The Office Kartar Nivas, Shamlal Colony, the second left from Imperial Gardens when going towards Diamond Point, Secunderabad. Call +919052228980 or +919618424524 for directions. Hyderabad, India Time Saturday, October 8 · 12:30pm - 5:30pm ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sun Oct 2 20:11:19 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2011 20:11:19 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] on religion Message-ID: Many interesting essays here: http://nirmukta.com/heretics-rebels-and-revolutionaries/ This website has lots of interesting information on the bible: http://www.evilbible.com/ _________________________________ Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From kuhutanvir at gmail.com Mon Oct 3 10:26:06 2011 From: kuhutanvir at gmail.com (Kuhu Tanvir) Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 10:26:06 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] CFP: ART & MUSIC in DOCUMENTARY In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: CFP: ART & MUSIC in DOCUMENTARY WIDE SCREEN SPECIAL ISSUE EDITOR: VEENA HARIHARAN The art of the documentary has been explored at some length in documentary studies. John Grierson famously defined the documentary as the “creative treatment of actuality.” Less, however, has been written about the relationship between documentary and the arts, the impact of documentary on art and artists and vice-versa. The diversity of issues related to representation and interpretation, and the challenges involved in the representation of one medium by another, complicates the discursive spaces of production of art, music and documentary. From the early debates around fidelity and dynamism to the more contemporary ones around interactivity and performativity, the relationship between art, music and documentary is a rich terrain for exploration. This special issue of *Wide Screen* attempts to address this dynamic relationship between the two and hopes to include in its scope documentaries related to music, performance, photography, painting, dance, architecture, folk and cultural forms, kitsch, experimental video, installation art and exhibition practices. We hope to include in this issue, documentaries on art and music in the international context and within frameworks of ideological, narrative and cultural production analyses. We* *invite essays, articles, interviews, film and book reviews on this theme. They could include but are not limited to the following: Documentaries on particular artists Documentaries on particular artworks Folk art and artists Art online Installations Experimental Video Feminist Video Art Representational Challenges involved in depicting art and dance on film Spatiality, Architecture, Documentary Documentary and Photography Musical history Musical narratives Reconstructions and live recordings of musical events Documentary essays on musical genres Portraits of musicians The Use of Music in Documentary * * *Deadline for paper submission: Jan 5 2011.* *Papers can be submitted at*: http://widescreenjournal.org/index.php/journal/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions or *emailed to*: hariharan.veena at gmail.com *Author guidelines, copyright notice and other information can be accessed at*: http://widescreenjournal.org/index.php/journal/about/submissions -- Wide Screen http://widescreenjournal.org/index.php/journal/index http://twitter.com/widescreen2009 -- Wide Screen http://widescreenjournal.org/index.php/journal/index http://twitter.com/widescreen2009 -- Wide Screen http://widescreenjournal.org/index.php/journal/index http://twitter.com/widescreen2009 From rohitrellan at aol.in Tue Oct 4 15:27:34 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 05:57:34 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?October_Cin=C3=A9_Club_=3A_Animation_movi?= =?utf-8?q?es?= Message-ID: <8CE50932C3969FF-C58-A89@webmail-d072.sysops.aol.com> Ciné-club: October 2011 Film Screenings M. L. Bhartia Auditorium For the month of October, our cine-club has decided to bring animation films; the idea is to introduce to the children the real magic of happiness. Friday, 07 October 2011 10.00 am & 7.00pm L’Illusionniste / The Illusionist Director: Sylvain Chomet 2010 – 1hr 20min At the end of the 50's, the music-hall is experiencing a revolution. The phenomenal success of Rock has young people attracting large crowds, whilst the traditional players - acrobats, jugglers, ventriloquists - are considered out of fashion. Our protagonist, the illusionist, establishes that he now belongs to a group of fading artists. Contract offers are becoming more and rarer, and so he decides to leave the big Parisian halls with his doves and his rabbit, and he tries his luck in London. But the situation is the same there. He resigns himself to working in small theatres, garden parties, cafes, and then in the pub of a village on the west coast of Scotland, where he meets Alice, a young innocent girl who is going to change his life forever. Friday, 14 October 2011 10.00 am & 7.00pm Le Chat du Rabbin / The Rabbi’s Cat Director: Joann Sfar and Antoine Delesvaux 2011- 1hr 40min Algiers, 1920, Rabbi Sfar Zlabia lives with her daughter, a noisy parrot, and a mischievous cat that eats the parrot and begins to tell lies. Now rabbi wants him away. But the cat, crazy in love with his little mistress, is desperate to stay with her… even to do her bar Mitzvah! Rabbi wants to teach his cat the basics of the Mosaic Law! Rabbi gets to learn through a letter that to keep his post, he must submit a dictation in French. To help him, his cat commits the sacrilege to invoke the Lord. Rabbi succeeds but the cat does not speak anymore. It is treated again as an ordinary animal. His only friend will soon be a Russian painter in search of an imaginary Jerusalem where Jews would live black. He manages to convince Rabbi, a former soldier of the Tsar, a singer and the cat with him to the colonial road... Friday, 21 October 2011 10.00 am & 7.00pm Les triplettes de Belleville / Triplets of Belleville Director: Sylvain Chomet 2003- 1hr 20min Adopted by his grandmother, Madame Souza, Champion is a lonely little boy. Noticing that the lad is never happier than on a bicycle, Madame Souza puts him through a rigorous training process. Years go by and Champion becomes worthy of his name. Now he is ready to enter the world-famous cycling race the Tour de France. However during this cycling contest, two mysterious men in black kidnap Champion. Madame Souza and her faithful dog Bruno set out to rescue him. Their quest takes them across the ocean to a giant megalopolis called Belleville where they encounter the renowned Triplets of Belleville, three eccentric females; musical stars from the '30s who decide to take Madame Souza and Bruno under their wing. Thanks to Bruno's brilliant sense of smell, the brave duos are soon on to Champion's trail. But will they succeed in beating the devilish plans of the evil French mafia? From rajkamalgoswami at gmail.com Wed Oct 5 10:46:11 2011 From: rajkamalgoswami at gmail.com (Rajkamal Goswami) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 10:46:11 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Request to sign petition to "stop destruction of bird habitat" Message-ID: Dear Friends, If you can spare a moment, please endorse and forward the petition to others. The petition can be found here Read the mail below for details. regards Rajkamal - Hide quoted text - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: seshadri k.s Date: Tue, Oct 4, 2011 at 11:52 PM Subject: Request to sign petition to "stop destruction of bird habitat" To: Tamilbirds at yahoogroups.co.in, bngcore at yahoogroups.com Cc: PUGMARKS_4_U at yahoo.co.in, "T.Ganesh" Dear all, You must be aware of the recent developments in the Vaagaikulam tank in Tirnulveli dist where trees on which birds roost have been chopped and this was facilitated by a felling order from the forest department itself. ( See for more info http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article2507987.ece). There has been many new developments over the past few hours and there seems to be a political pressure not to revoke the permission to cut the remaining trees. These incidents are in the background where the forest department has refused permissions earlier and was working towards making the unique tank a bird conservation reserve. Please treat this mail as a personal request and do spare a moment to read through the petition and the enclosed URLs and extend your support in saving what is a one-of-its-kind heronry in the district of Tirunelveli. The petition can be found here Alternatively, you could individually mail the petition to the concerned authorities by fax or by Email the details are as below Dr R. Selvaraj IAS District Collector, Collectorate, Tirunelveli - 627 009 Phone: 0462-2500828 (O) 0462-2577655, 2577983 (R) Fax: 0462-2500244 E-Mail: collrtnv at nic.in Conservator of Forests Tirunelveli Circle, NGO Colony, Tirunelveli 627 007. Phone : 0462-2552612 E-mail – cftnv at nellai.tn.nic.in & cftni at yahoo.co.in - Hide quoted text - Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Panagal Maaligai, Saidapet, Chennai 600 015 Phone : 24348059 Fax : 24337307 Minister of State for Environment and Forests http://moef.nic.in/modules/contact-ministry/contact-ministry/ Hon’ble Chief Minister, http://www.tn.gov.in/feedback.html Apologies if its off topic and for cross posting -- With warm regards seshadri.k.s -- Rajkamal From peter.ksmtf at gmail.com Wed Oct 5 13:24:04 2011 From: peter.ksmtf at gmail.com (T Peter) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 13:24:04 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Vehicle march from Kerala against Kudankulam nuclear plant In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: [image: Return to frontpage] News » States » Kerala Published: October 2, 2011 12:19 IST | Updated: October 2, 2011 19:39 IST Vehicle march from Kerala against Kudankulam nuclear plantRoy Mathew [image: Anti-nuclear activists begin their march to Koodankulam from the Martyr's Memorial in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. Photo: Roy Mathew] The Hindu Anti-nuclear activists begin their march to Koodankulam from the Martyr's Memorial in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. Photo: Roy Mathew Anti-nuclear activists under the aegis of Solidarity Council supporting Kudankulam anti-nuclear movements began a vehicle march to Kudankulam from here on Sunday morning. They demand that the Kerala government should take a stand on the nuclear power plant coming up at Kudankulam as Tamil Nadu government had done. They note that the plant is only about 60 km from Thiruvananthapuram. In case of a nuclear accident at Kudankulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala would be affected besides the districts of Tamil Nadu. The march was joined by groups of people from Peringome and Kothamangalam in Kerala where nuclear plants had been proposed to be set up in the past. (The proposals were shelved following protests from the local people.) They will proceed to Idinthakarai near Kudankulam to express their solidarity and join the ongoing Satyagrah by local groups in the village. Anti-nuclear activist Surenda Gadekar inaugurated the march. Dr. N. A. Kareem, Civic Chandran, C. R. Neelakantan, T. Peter, John Peruvanthanam, B. Surendranath, T. O. Joseph, N. Subramaniam and other leaders and representatives of about 30 organisations participated. On Saturday night, they had staged a torch light procession at Sanghumukhom here to mark their protest. Leader of the Swatantra Matsyathozhilali Federation T. Peter said that the plant was being built in an area with high concentration of fishermen. Their security was in peril. He said that the agitation would be intensified from November 1. Keywords: anti-nuclear protest , Koodankulam protest , Koodankulam protest march From asit1917 at gmail.com Wed Oct 5 15:40:43 2011 From: asit1917 at gmail.com (asit das) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 15:40:43 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] homage to gurusharan singh Message-ID: *COMMITTEE FOR THE RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS* 185/3, FOURTH FLOOR, ZAKIR NAGAR, NEW DELHI-110025 *The most beautiful thing* *for those who have fought a whole life* *is to come to the end and say;* *we believed in people and life,* *and life and the people* *never let us down.* --Otto Rene Castillo *Gurusharanji—In Lieu of a Homage* It is with immense grief that the Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP) would share the demise of Gurusharan Singh. Apart from all other things which many of the readers might already know about him, he was for us, at CRPP, the honorary president of the committee, a spirited fighter who was always a source of strength and support. What was so disarming about Gurusharanji was his unflinching commitment to the people that too, to the oppressed, discriminated and exploited. Whenever we met him he kept us reminding of the need to carry forward the campaign to the vast sections of the people. As the conversation progressed in such meetings Gurusharanji used to forget his failing health and soon transform into his inimical thunderous and emotional self talking with a conviction steeled in the vast and arduous experience of his work among the masses, in the most challenging and trying circumstances—always going against the tide. Gurusharanji was everything. An artist par excellence he took the theatre to the common people of Punjab dealing with their problems thus connecting with the particularities of the everyday life of the toiling masses. Taking theatre to the common masses was no mean task. It made the dramatist in Gurusharanji aware of the acute/minute problems faced by the common masses of Punjab. It was through the grain of the everyday lives of the people of Punjab as landless agricultural labourers, factory workers, poor peasant, construction labour, peasant, dalits, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus etc. that Gurusharanji used to open to the world where through the struggles of the toiling masses for a better world he related himself with the struggles of other peoples of the subcontinent. It is this deep sensibility and commitment to the people that was the motivating spirit for several generations of activists, young and old, not only in Punjab but in other parts of the subcontinent. So when people approached Bhaji—as he was fondly called—there was that unfailing faith that he will never let them down. And it was that fearlessness, the forthrightness in criticism, that he inculcated within himself and by example among his comrades that he raised the bar of the activist in him in that process egging others to move against the tide. It is this tireless enthusiasm that made him initiate the Chandigarh School of Drama in the late 80s inspiring an entire generation of young theatre activists, actors and directors. He was a champion of human rights of the most deprived and downtrodden and an outspoken supporter of the Right to Self-determination of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He was always ready to go to Srinagar and stage a play there while at the same time declares that Kashmir belonged to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. But his failing health prevented him from travelling as he was bed-ridden for several years. But that didn’t prevent him from sending his solidarity speech in the historic convention on Kashmir, *Azadi: The Only Way* organised by the CRPP at Delhi in October 2010. His daughter Navsharan read the speech on his behalf in this historic convention which remained in the debate among intelligentsia for several months. The demise of Gurusharanji is an irreparable loss. It is a difficult act to emulate. But it is certainly an act that will motivate many an activist, theatre enthusiast, people who are fighting for life, livelihood and dignity. It is certainly an act which primarily stands in solidarity for the most deprived and exploited and looks at the overall well being of the society from the vantage point of their unhindered development. Gurusharanji will live with us forever! *SAR Geelani* Working President *Amit Bhattacharyya* Secretary General *Rona Wilson* Secretary, Public Relations From bawazainab79 at gmail.com Wed Oct 5 16:38:40 2011 From: bawazainab79 at gmail.com (Zainab Bawa) Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 16:38:40 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] My paper in the Journal of Asian and African Studies Message-ID: Dear all, My paper titled “Where is the State? How is the State? - Accessing Water and the State in Mumbai and Johannesburg” has appeared in the latest Special Issue on “Accessing the State” in the Journal of Asian and African Studies. I’d be happy to share a copy of the article with anyone who is interested in reading it. Abstract: This article examines the water distribution systems in Johannesburg and Mumbai to argue that the political and institutional contexts of service delivery shape people’s access to the state and its resources, and also mediation between citizens and government institutions by councillors. Through ethnographies of water supply and distribution systems in Mumbai and Johannesburg, I explain how the organizational structure of the water utility, institutional arrangements of service delivery, regulatory systems, councillors’ proximity to decision makers and their relationship with municipal officials, civil servants and party members variously influence councillors’ mediation capacities and their ability to fulfil the claims of their constituencies for piped water supply and connections. Regards, Zainab -- Zainab Bawa Ph.D. Student and Independent Researcher http://writerruns.wordpress.com/ ... ambling along roads and courses, not knowing whether I am running towards a destination or whether the act of running is destination in itself From the-network at koeln.de Thu Oct 6 15:20:56 2011 From: the-network at koeln.de (CologneOFF2011) Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:50:56 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] =?iso-8859-1?q?CologneOFF_2011=3A_videoart_in_Octob?= =?iso-8859-1?q?er?= Message-ID: <20111006115056.E8708A8C.4E0B68C1@192.168.0.2> CologneOFF 2011 - videoart in a global context nomadic festival project 2011 - 2012 http://coff.newmediafest.org ---------------------------------------- CologneOFF is happy to launch on 2 October two videoart features online 1. The solo artists of the month October //// Lily & Honglei (China) \\\\ 1. The Forbidden City, 2007-2008, 5:48 2. Home, 2010, 3:00 3. Butterfly Lovers, 2011, 5:00 4. Window: April, 2010, 1:30 5. Window: May, 2010, 1:35 6. The Peony Pavillon, 2011, 5:46 presenting a selection of six animated colourful video works created in a special way combining old & new media, but reporting also about the cultural heritage, tradition & history embedded in the modern times --> This solo will be presented during the screenings on CologneOFF 2011 Mexico City 10-18 November 2011 Enter the feature here---> http://vad.nmartproject.net/?page_id=2386 2. In the framework of the series "The Female Eye", CologneOFF releases the online version of the screening program "Contextual Face", curated by Evelin Stermitz (Austria) presenting a feminist view on the selected artists themeselves featuring --> 1. Duba Sambolec (Slovenia) - NoHomeVideos© CODE II - 2000, 01:32 Min. 2. Michelle Handelman (USA) - I hate You, 2002, 02:48 Min. 3. Evelin Stermitz (Austria) - Water Portrait I, Portrait of Carmen Lipush, 2010, 02:06 Min. 4. Ana Grobler (Slovenia) - Migraine, 2007, 05:23 Min. 5. Liana Zanfrisco (Italy) - Like Me, 2009, 01:30 Min. 6. Kika Nicolela (Brazil) - Ecstasy Poem, 2006, 02:46 Min. 7. Vesna Bukovec (Slovenia) - Endless Game, 2006, 01:32 Min. 8. Alison Williams (South Africa) - Sit Stay, 2008, 03:20 Min. 9. Angelika Rinnhofer (Germany) - traumraum revised:insomnia, 2009, 04:41 Min. 10. Grace Graupe Pillard (USA) - What I Worry About????, 2007, 02:57 Min. 11. Dominique Buchtala (Germany) - Collecting, 2006, 04:00 Min. 12. Evelin Stermitz (Austria) - Rose is a Rose, 2008, 03:52 Min. "Contextual Face" was already screened several times in the framework of CologneOFF 2011 - videoart in a global context Enter the feature here http://vad.nmartproject.net/?page_id=2386 ------------------------------------------------- In October also two physical presentations take place 1. CologneOFF 2011 Gdansk @ In Out Festival 2011 - Laznia Contemporary Art Center Gdansk/Poland 22-23 October 2011 - www.laznia.pl presenting "Young German Videoart" curated by Agricola de Cologne Daniel Lo Iacono - Digital Snapshots, (2:30), 2003 Johanna Reich - A State of Crystal, 2010, 3'19 Sarah Berger - Inside out #3, 2010, 4:02 Ebert Brothers - Bluescape- 2006, 2:54 Ascan Breuer - The Kurukshetra-Report, 8:00, 2009 Philip Matousek - A Beautiful Day, 3:12, 2009 Sarah Mock - Is there a Way Out, 2011, 3:47 Lars Nagler - Krypt, 2007, 6:16 Anna Porzelt - One's Bits and Pieces (Siebensachen), 2004, 3:00 Daniela Risch - When we are in heaven, 2008, 4:00 Sibylle Trickes - -Cyclic Islands: Meme´s-, 2009, 9:00 Susanne Wiegner - Just Midnight, 2010, 3:43 Constantin Hartenstein - Title: LIFTN, 2008, 1:20 2. CologneOFF 2011 Rome @ Arte Video Roma Festival 2011 21 - 23 October 2011 - http://www.artevideoromafestival.org/ presenting --> Art & the City: Mirrors curated by Agricola de Cologne 1, Ramon Suau Lleal (Spain) - Hoax, 2010, 4:23 2. Marko Batista (Slovenia) - The Machine of Memory, 2008, 1:29 3. Matthias Härenstam (Sweden) - Closed Circuit, 2011, 3:01 4. Shahar Marcus (Israel) - Leap of Faith, 2010, 3:02 5. Johanna Reich (Germany) - A State of Crystal, 2010, 3'19 6. Sarah Mock (Germany) - Is there a way out, 2011, 3 :47 7. Albert Merino Gomez (Spain) - The City and The Other, 2010, 3:09 8. Francesca Fini (Italy) - Oasis in The Desert, 2010, 5:05 9. Yuriy Kruchak, Yulia Kostereva (Ukraine) - The 7th of November, 2009, 3:36 10. Ana Brotas (Portugal) - Okupa, 2009, 2:14 11. Ezra Wube (Ethiopia) - Amora, 2011, 2:26 12. Liu Wei (China) - Hopeless Land, 2009, 13. Andrew Fedak (USA) - Orange County Surreality, 2011, 3:00 14. My Name is Scot (Canada) - Independance, 2011, 7:57 15. Tim Stokes (UK) - Untitled, 2011, 2:00 -------------------------------------------- CologneOFF 2011 - videoart in a global context nomadic festival project 1 January - 31 December 2012 is operated by Cologne International Videoart Festival http://coff.newmediafest.org http://coff.newmediafest.org/blog/ & artvideoKOELN - the curatorial initiative "art & moving images" http://video.mediaartcologne.org powered by Le Musee di-visioniste - the new museum of networked art - http://www.le-musee-divisioniste.org info (at) coff.newmediafest.org ---------------------------------------------- From tapasrayx at gmail.com Thu Oct 6 15:35:31 2011 From: tapasrayx at gmail.com (Tapas Ray [Gmail]) Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 15:35:31 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] CologneOFF 2011: videoart in October In-Reply-To: <20111006115056.E8708A8C.4E0B68C1@192.168.0.2> References: <20111006115056.E8708A8C.4E0B68C1@192.168.0.2> Message-ID: Apologies for cross-posting ... http://eipcp.net/transversal/1011/wang/en >From One Moment to the Next, Wisconsin to Wall Street Dan S. Wang #occupy and assemble∞ I was brought to New York to make a few remarks about the Wisconsin Uprising at the Creative Time Summit 3. Having just arrived in Manhattan, I found myself catching a cab to Liberty and Broadway, urged in by a New York activist friend who foresaw a Troy Davis protest march soon converging on the Occupy Wall Street encampment in Zuccotti Park, a granite-blocked open space in the canyon of the financial district. I made it there just in time to see and hear the marchers bearing down on the occupied park. THE SYSTEM! IS RACIST! THEY KILLED TROY DAVIS! THE SYSTEM! IS RACIST! THEY LYNCHED TROY DAVIS! This was the chant in the air, in many voices as one, over and over. Troy Davis, an African-American man sentenced to death for a murder he had likely not committed, had been legally killed by the State of Georgia less than 24 hours earlier, in the face of an international effort to grant Davis a stay of execution. A hastily organized speak-out event in Union Square turned into an impromptu march. The energy crested when hundreds of enraged protestors met up with the Occupy Wall Street activists in the park. It was Thursday, September 22, and the occupation was going into its sixth night. Although to a careless observer it might look like all the same people, this was in fact an encounter of potential, between activist worlds not quite in solid alliance. The marchers represented a part of the activist universe different than the Occupy Wall Street campers—namely, the worlds of death penalty abolition, wrongful conviction activism, prisoners’ rights groups, punk anti-racism, human rights organizations, criminal justice reform work, and efforts to end racial profiling and police brutality. Though many individual activists are undoubtedly comfortable with different ways of thinking about particular social injustices, the death penalty activists do not usually frame their work against the problems of financialized capital. This is necessarily true once you get beyond abstract analyses and bumper sticker sloganeering and go into the concreteness of legal challenges, policy work, and legislative reform. By contrast, the OWS encampment seemed to be populated mostly with young people newly radicalized by the economic crisis, the debt burdens of themselves and their parents, the evident wealth gaps, and the fast withering democracy in their country, all foisted upon them in their formative years. I saw some graybeards scattered around the plaza, but it was the early twenty-somethings, carrying with them the slightest vibe of desperation, who made up the core. The temporary presence of the Troy Davis constituency, self-identified as having been organized around and motivated by a political cause and movement with its own discourse, history, political fronts, and priorities, raised the temptation to speedily conflate one dissenting, outraged, and righteous segment of society with another. On that evening, the articulation of an equivalence seemed to be strangely and perhaps wisely resisted. The momentary satisfactions of unity were shared through the aesthetic experience, the surge of feeling that went through the combined crowd, generated by the encounter between two groups of committed people, each standing for radical social change. It made sense; there was not much to say, as neither group had any further recourse, at least not at that stage. What seemed most important was what in fact happened, that is, simply taking the time to be together, to let communications run informally at the molecular level, person-to-person, until the enlarged crowd eventually dissipated. This episode is worth recounting because it prefigured some of the complexities of Occupy Wall Street that we are seeing now, in the third week. Over the weekend part of my mind stayed on Wisconsin, for two reasons, neither being the Creative Time gig. First, there was the inevitable comparison with OWS—I could not help this, as the Wisconsin Uprising is now my movement frame of reference, like it is for everybody from Madison, and possibly for today’s labor movement as a whole. Second, being invested in the Wisconsin movement as a resident of that state, of course I followed the two breaking state political stories of that weekend: new coverage of the ongoing FBI corruption investigation into the Walker regime, and the latest efforts by the regressives to rewrite mining regulations in face of citizen and indigenous tribal opposition. In regards to the first point, ie the comparison between OWS and the Wisconsin Uprising, I tried to absorb the mood, setting, rhetoric, and activist profile, and put all in relation to Wisconsin at the same one-week point. Of the many differences, what strikes me now as probably the most consequential in terms of movement character and future evolution, is the comparatively abstract target: “Wall Street,” or “the banksters” or the 1%. In Wisconsin we have a central figure, Governor Scott Walker, and a host of background players (the Fitzgeralds, the Kochs, Paul Ryan, Alberta Darling, JB Van Hollen, etc), each of whom is a real person who can be personally targeted. Most of them being public figures, their career trajectories, at least, offer activists something by which we can measure our strength. With OWS, the monster before us—the banking structure, the corporate political system, and financialized capital in its entirety—is so huge, global, faceless, out of control, and fundamentally rotten, that it is difficult even for informed people to identify and prioritize specific aims, much less individual targets. As for the second point, it is important to understand that even though the massive mediagenic protests in Madison are long over, the movement continues on any number of specific, localized and continually unfolding fronts. Each of these battles requires resources and prolonged attention. To lose focus on them is to lose the war, because it is in these localized theaters that the actual implementation of the regressive agenda happens. As OWS moves through a growth phase of insurgency in which well-articulated generalities attract participants, and in which people situated in very different contexts can recognize themselves and organize for parallel uprisings, the other side of follow-through political struggle—the tediousness, dedication, and minutiae of in-depth, localized research, organizing, and action—must be expected and planned for. It is in the particular instances of policy execution that the corruption from above touches the ground, that is to say, where it is most readily witnessed, exposed, directly confronted, and arrested. My feeling is, because OWS has from the beginning called into account a system rather than persons or groups, compared to Wisconsin the movement has more long term potential for growth and endurance. This is for two reasons, one obvious and one less so. First, systems themselves are broad and endure, outlasting the reach and careers of any single, embodied villain. Though it is true that systems can crumble in amazingly short order, the conventional wisdom says that, for example, the system we refer to as “Wall Street” will outlast Scott Walker’s tenure as governor. As long as the target remains, the opposition, now sparked, may as well. The less obvious reason is also less positive in the short term. The abstract truth of the OWS critique reaches a limit on the ground. That is to say, the shared reality of living under a single system can fuel a mass movement only until that shared reality begins to fray in the uneven geography of capital. This problem is exemplified by the second point related to Wisconsin above; who, outside of the people of northern Wisconsin, knows or cares about the devastation of long wall mining now looming over the Penokee Hills? Every mining disaster, every home foreclosure, every supermax prison is sited in a local context, against which it casts its most heavily weighted shadow, rendering abstractions about systemic operations nearly moot. In Wisconsin it is already an achievement in translocal activism that many people in southern and urban areas have come to recognize the system as it takes this particular form in another part of the state—and that is under the comparatively unifying regime of the villain Walker. Thus the question for OWS—and really any new US left formation of national scale—is how does the movement embed within itself the function of articulation, as Laclau and Mouffe define that term, and apply it to these problems of translocal activism?* This was the underlying challenge I perceived in the Troy Davis march-turned OWS rally. How is Wall Street and the market theocracy it has imposed on the world readable in the Troy Davis travesty, and in prison-related issues generally? How can the one be articulated as the other, but in a way that preserves routes into the untransferable realms of tedious and specialized campaigns that define all of the specific, localized battles? These kinds of questions become more important as different constituencies, each with its own history, demands, and ongoing campaigns, joins OWS—an accelerating development as the occupation as of now looks toward a fourth week. Clearly, grappling with the essential fluidity and unfixed nature of the discursive identities that make up the socialist terrain, within a movement context, presents short term challenges. Familiar fractures are being voiced within OWS even as I write. But if properly negotiated, even partially, the current internal challenge also hints at a long term possibility we have not seen in the US since Seattle: a terrain of understood alliances able to shift, divide, and reconstitute according to the uneveness of capital itself. Again as Laclau and Mouffe might say, we will in time have before us a field of moments, each one an instance and place of movement identity only readable in relation to others, from northern Wisconsin to Occupy Wall Street, to the world. * “…we will call articulation any practice establishing a relation among elements such that their identity is modified as a result of the articulatory practice.” Hegemony & Socialist Strategy, Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe, p. 105. From rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 7 06:32:55 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 21:02:55 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Some photography work and all that... :) In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE52A3FBA2FFC6-1CA4-300AA@webmail-m096.sysops.aol.com> -----Original Message----- From: Sonia Minocha Sent: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 4:08 pm Subject: Hi and some photography work and all that... :) Dear all, Trust all of you are doing great! This is again one of those requests for help/requests that I often come up with wherever I go. This one is specially for an aspiring/ budding photographer. Currently, I am involved in a fusion music concert organized by a NGO with an international musician, South African students and an Indian classical singer. I have a position for a still photographer to assist them to document this initiative - to take the production stills and of high moments of emotions and so on. Not a huge project but quite decent - a lot of passion has gone into making it possible believe me. Children from under-privileged children from South Africa are here on a once a life-time kind of adventure and perform at IHC on October 28. Now, I was wondering if you know someone - a young photography student who would like to intern. There will small fee for the role. Do let me know if someone is looking for such an opportunity and learn much more than what we normally miss out in life. Those interested please mail your details at soniaminocha at gmail.com Shubho Vijaydashmi.. :) Cheers! Sonia -- ‎"If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." Emil Zatopek From rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 7 06:47:48 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 21:17:48 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] CALL For Entry: ViBGYOR 2012 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE52A60FB7D8D1-1CA4-302B9@webmail-m096.sysops.aol.com> ViBGYOR Film Festival-2012: CALL for Entries Welcome to the 7th Edition of ViBGYOR International Film Festival for Short & Documentary films, to be held in Thrissur, Kerala, India from January 25-29, 2012! Renowned filmmaker Megnath Akhra is the Festival Director for 2012 VIBGYOR. You may submit documentary/short fiction/music video/animation/spot or experimental films that pertain to any `spectrum’ (see below) for PREVIEW. An eminent panel of Jury will select the final set of films for ViBYOR-2012. The last date for film submissions: NOVEMBER 15th, 2011 (postmarked). Film Spectrum ‘South Asia: Lives and Livelihoods’ is the special focus theme of ViBGYOR-2012. Apart from the Focus theme package, there are seven ViBGYOR theme packages, namely: 1) Identities 2) Rights 3) Gender & Sexualities 4) Fundamentalism & Diversity 5) Developmentalism 6) Nation State and 7) Culture & Media. There are three zonal divisions such as International/National/Kerala Spectrum. One may enter films under `Focus of the Year’ package, `ViBGYOR’ Theme package and `Kerala Spectrum’ package. (Only films made by filmmakers residing in Kerala will be considered under Kerala Spectrum, which showcases documentaries, short fiction and `Focus-Children’ films based on `Kerala’ themes) We wish to insist on Online Film Entries submission procedure, for which you may visit www.vibgyorfilm.org and also refer to Film Submission Guidelines and FAQ. For any difficulty/problem with online film entry procedure please send queries to info at vibgyorfilmfest.org or contact us at: 0-9447441621 i) There is an Entry Fee of INR.300 for National/Kerala Spectrum entries and $10 for entries from overseas. You may submit more than one film, but each entry should comply with all submission requirements. ii) Please make sure that in the Online Film Entry form you provide with all mandatory information regarding each film entry and about yourself and also upload high resolution stills of your films and any other publicity material. iii) For Festival screening, we accept DVCAM, MiniDV and DVD as Exhibition copies (if your film is selected). However Two DVD (PAL) copies should be submitted for Selection Preview purpose, without which we will not consider your entry. iv) Send the film submission packets to: ViBGYOR, 2nd Floor Kalliath Square, Palace Road, Thrissur, 680 020, Kerala, Tel. 0487-2323590/9809477058. Please mention your Online Film Entry (registration) number on all discs, packets and in all further communications. v) All selected films will receive a Certificate of Participation. ViBGYOR is a non-competitive Film Festival; so there are no Awards. However we award filmmaking Fellowships to Three deserving young filmmakers whose films are entered under the National/ Kerala Spectrum sections. vi) The filmmaker or a representative of all selected films is invited to attend the festival and assured of local hospitality. (ViBGYOR is not in a position to pay for travel expenses). Warmly, Seena Panoli (cell. 9447546417) President-ViBGYOR Film Collective Joseph Lazer (9447441621)Secretary-ViBGYOR Sarat Cheloor (9809477058) Programme Coordinator Benny Benedict (9447000830), National Coordinator From bawazainab79 at gmail.com Fri Oct 7 22:10:15 2011 From: bawazainab79 at gmail.com (Zainab Bawa) Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2011 22:10:15 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: STRIKE IN MARUTI SUZUKI AND SEVEN OTHER FACTORIES IN MANESAR: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: nayan Date: Fri, Oct 7, 2011 at 10:07 PM Subject: STRIKE IN MARUTI SUZUKI AND SEVEN OTHER FACTORIES IN MANESAR: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES To: *STRIKE IN MARUTI SUZUKI AND SEVEN OTHER FACTORIES IN MANESAR:* *THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES* The struggle of the workers in Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, IMT Manesar refuses to die, and just when quietening under settlement truce, has stood up again, gathering political edge and crucial concrete support among workers in the area. *In a significant development this morning, 7th October 2011, the workers in seven nearby factories along with workers of MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LTD, IMT MANESAR have gone on strike. These are workers in the nearby plants of SUZUKI POWERTRAIN INDIA LTD. and SUZUKI CASTINGS (Plot 1, Phase 3A), and SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE INDIA PVT. LTD (in the Gurgaon-Manesar road), along with the workers of LUMAX AUTO TECHNOLOGIES LTD (165, Sector-5), SATYAM AUTO COMPONENTS LIMITED* *(26 C, Sector - 3), ENDURANCE TECHNOLOGIES LTD ( Plot no. 400, Sector 8), HI-LEX INDIA PVT LTD,** (**Plot No.55 Sector-3)**completely halting production. * The more than 10000 workers in these factories have stood with the struggling workers in Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) and are demanded an immediate settlement to the issue of targeting of contract workers in MSIL since 3rd October 2011, and that the management of MSIL refrain from its continuous activity of unfair labour practices vindictive attitude, even after the settlement between the workers representatives and the management on 30th September. Suzuki Powertrain India Ltd., which manufactures diesel engines and transmissions for supplies to MSIL and has an annual production capacity of 3 lakh units, has around 1250 trainee and permanent and over 600 contract workers; Suzuki Castings, a part of Powertrain, has around 375-400 trainee and permanent and over 500 contract workers, while Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd., has around 1200-1400 workers who relentlessly produce around 1,200 motorcycles and scooters a day. These around 4500 workers along with the over 5000 workers in the nearby plants of Lumax Auto Tech Ltd, Satyam Auto Components Ltd, Endurance Technologies Ltd and Hi-Lex India (P) Ltd., have joined forces with the around 1000 permanent workers inside the plant and the around 1200-1300 workers who sit outside at the gate of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. The build-up to this strike has of course been the long struggle of the MSIL, under Maruti Suzuki Employees Union on the right to organize and unionise, against the vindictive attack on workers by the management with the state administration, police and even the media towing its line. The struggle which begun this time on August 29th during the attack by the management terminating and suspending 62 workers, came to a settlement between the management of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., IMT Manesar, and the workers representatives on 30th September 2011. A crucial aspect of the settlement was that the permanent workers union fought for the right of the 18 terminated trainees who otherwise have insecure nature of jobs. This, more than its economist nature, shows a political understanding and a unity among permanent and contract workers which is the basis of the strength of the struggle. The settlement also binds the management to not take any action on the workers in ‘bad faith or with vengeance’ but this very unity of the workers during the struggle and after the settlement was not acceptable to the management of Maruti Suzuki, which is hell bent of breaking the spirit of solidarity and struggle among the workforce. For it, after partial production resumed this Monday, 3rd October, the management was more interested in furthering its agenda of attack on workers’ unity through various means rather than resuming production. A reshuffling on the assembly line was done to this effect, with workers who have worked for four years on a line, shifted to some other area on the shop floor. More importantly,* the around 1000-1200 contract workers were not allowed to enter the factory premises and were turned back from the gate when they reported for duty on Monday. This was done, as is the management ploy in the area, to pit the contract workers against the permanent workforce and to break their spirit of struggle and unity.* * * When the leadership of Maruti Suzuki Employees Union (MSEU) met the DC, Labour Commissioner and other state authorities against this unfair labour practice of the management of MSIL, and against the spirit of the settlement of 30th September this week, they got empty assurances, and dismissive attitude. The management was however adamant that its project of teaching the workers a lesson is not over and refused to budge from its position. It in fact, used a contractor, Rakesh, who brought in 10-15 ‘bouncers’ to threaten and physically assault the workers when they gathered outside the gate today, to provoke the workers so that the police could be brought in again. These conditions of the complete anti-worker attitude of the management of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, its relentless vengeful attack on the solidarity of workers, its refusal of work to contract workers even after the settlement, its use of legal and illegal measures to crush the spirit of struggle of workers must stop immediately, and we appeal to all concerned to stand in solidarity with this continuing struggle of workers. Nayanjyoti on behalf of Krantikari Naujawan Sabha part of the solidarity effort with struggling workers of Maruti Suzuki -- "nothing is stable, except instability; nothing is immovable, except movement." engels, 1853 -- Zainab Bawa Ph.D. Student and Independent Researcher http://writerruns.wordpress.com/ ... ambling along roads and courses, not knowing whether I am running towards a destination or whether the act of running is destination in itself From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sat Oct 8 06:55:54 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2011 06:55:54 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Best Obituary for Steve Jobs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: by RMS 06 October 2011 (Steve Jobs) Steve Jobs, the pioneer of the computer as a jail made cool, designed to sever fools from their freedom, has died. As Chicago Mayor Harold Washington said of the corrupt former Mayor Daley, "I'm not glad he's dead, but I'm glad he's gone." Nobody deserves to have to die - not Jobs, not Mr. Bill, not even people guilty of bigger evils than theirs. But we all deserve the end of Jobs' malign influence on people's computing. Unfortunately, that influence continues despite his absence. We can only hope his successors, as they attempt to carry on his legacy, will be less effective. ________________________________________________________________ Related Comments by others: Jobs was a marketing guru very good at selling you expensive crap and taking away people's freedom to use software and even hardware. ____________________________________________________________ Apple's vision is a conglomerate of everyone else's vision. It was Jobs himself who said, "we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas". What he has managed to do was dumb things down and make people feel stupid. It's the only way I can explain things like the one button mouse or those idiotic commercials (PC vs. Mac) featuring simple characters, unconfusing white background, and nursery music, not to mention all their other ads where people basically admit to being morons and, "gee, isn't it great that *finally* someone makes a computer for us!" People have never needed a science degree to use computers, this is the lie that Apple has perpetuated. My parents use a PC. My little nephews use a PC. Nerds use PCs, jocks use PCs, and so on and so on. The fact that you would still be toeing the "computer science degree" line says a lot more about how you see your own intelligence than what the reality is. This is what Jobs wants, this is what he's gunning for -- your insecurity, your lack of confidence, your belief that the world is just too big and scary and those awful awful machines are just way too complicated to figure out! And even if computers are easier to use today than they were a few decades ago, something which I will admit is true, Apple was merely riding on the bandwagon of change, not the driver. The people who really pushed things forward were companies like Xerox, Adobe, and Palm - graphical user interface, usable / creative / beautiful software and design, touch and portable devices. Apple simply brought it all together (they don't manufacture any of their own components, their OS is "borrowed"), slapped an Apple logo on it, doubled the price (their mobile unit sales are 4th on the world, their profits are 1st - you do the math), and used their brightest shill, Steve Jobs, to convince people that it was pure Apple "genius". PatrickBay.ca ________________________________________________________________ Mandatory : Apple fans are the exemplars of "Stockholm syndrome" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome ___________________________________________ Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From kiccovich at yahoo.com Sat Oct 8 07:56:58 2011 From: kiccovich at yahoo.com (francesca recchia) Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2011 19:26:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] pause at Kabul | 16th October | Sunday | Page Turners | 5:00-7:30 pm In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1318040818.13537.YahooMailNeo@web113215.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> For those of you who are in Bangalore. Cheers francesca   >PAUSE - IN TIMES OF CONFLICT >maraa presents PAUSE: in times of conflict, a monthly forum for reflection on creative practices in places of conflict.So far, we have paused to discuss Palestine, Iraqi Kurdistan and this month we are pausing at Kabul. > >We bring to you The creative face of Kabul - a talk by Francesca Rechhia. >16th October, Sunday | Page Turners, MG Road | 5:00-7:30 pm > >About the talk >In a country destroyed by decades of succeeding wars, creativity can become a tool for survival, a strategy of political subversion and a means to preserve and protect the past. The voices of artists and cultural practitioners from different backgrounds are combined to depict a portrait of the city of Kabul, which emerges through the contradictions of war economy, political upheaval, physical destruction and hidden spaces of resistance. The artistic practices of Rahim Walizada and Aman Mojadidi and the multi-faceted activity of the Turquoise Mountain are the main focus of the article. They become the lenses through which we explore the relation between conservation/conservatism and innovation, tradition and modernity, the quest for beauty and the destruction of war, the idea of statehood and that of heritage. >About the speaker                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Francesca Recchia currently consults with maraa on the Arts Programme: Spaces for Diverse Publics. She is also an independent researcher and lecturer, who has worked in several different countries: Iraq, India, Afghanistan, Holland, Italy, Sweden, Pakistan, Palestine among others. She is mainly interested in the relations between social and creative practices, cultural identities and transformation of places. Her work focuses on the geo-political dimension of cultural processes and mainly deals with the connections between power, space design and social conflicts. Her approach is constructed on a strong interdisciplinary ground intersecting the fields of Social, Postcolonial, Visual and Urban Studies. She has been a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College of London, holds a PhD in Cultural Studies at the Oriental Institute in Naples and a MA in Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths College, University of London. Her publications include ‘Within the Circle of Fear. Field notes from Iraqi Kurdistan’ in Sarai Reader 08: Fear; ‘Memory and Place. Perspectives from Iraqi Kurdistan’ in Third Text Asia and ‘Radical Territories of Affection” in Art and Activism in the Age of Globalization.16th October, Sunday | 5.30 - 7:00 pm | Page Turners, Next to Canara Bank, MG Road, Opposite Pillar No. 198. >The event will conclude with a conversation with the audience on the examples of creative practice based on the talk. Please find attached a note which provides more details about the project. Please confirm your participation.  >Please print (in black and white) the poster and put it up in your neighbourhood, offices, streets. Help us spread the word. > >Entry Free. All are welcome. Bring a friend along. > >_________________________________________________________________________________________________________organised by maraa  >email: info at maraa.in >contact: 9880755875/8105875350 >www.maraa.in > >_______________________________________________ >Notes mailing list >Notes at lists.maraa.in >http://lists.maraa.in/listinfo.cgi/notes-maraa.in > > > From rohitrellan at aol.in Sat Oct 8 17:55:26 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2011 08:25:26 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?Pierrot=E2=80=99s_Troupe_Presents_?= =?utf-8?q?=E2=80=93_Salman_Khurshid=E2=80=99s_SONS_OF_BABUR_-=28Hindustan?= =?utf-8?q?i=29=2C_October_9_=28Sun=29_7__PM=2C_SHRI_RAM_CENTRE=2CNew_Delh?= =?utf-8?q?i?= In-Reply-To: <8CE53C81A8B2AC8-1734-41C61@webmail-d068.sysops.aol.com> References: <8CE53C717D3B8C8-1734-41B45@webmail-d068.sysops.aol.com> <8CE53C81A8B2AC8-1734-41C61@webmail-d068.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <8CE53CC7E65F333-1734-4215C@webmail-d068.sysops.aol.com> Pierrot’s Troupe Presents – Salman Khurshid’s SONS OF BABUR -(Hindustani) October 9 (Sun) 7 PM, SHRI RAM CENTRE, 4, Safdar Hashmi Marg New Delhi Script:Salman Khurshid & Ather Farouqui Direction: Dr M Sayeed Alam; Duration —1:45hrs About thePlaywrights: Salman Khurshid (b 1953) read for B.A. (Hons)English at St Stephen’s College, Delhi University and Law at St Edmund Hall,Oxford . He then taught law at Trinity College, Oxford. A renowned legalthinker, a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and one of the finesteducationists, he is known for a deep interest in several fields of humanendeavour. He was Deputy Minister of Commerce and Minister of State forExternal Affairs (1991-6). Presently, he is the Union Minister of Law and the MinorityAffairs in the Government of India. Ather Farouqui: Ather Farouqui has a deep interest in the socio-political aspects oflanguage politics, in which field he was awarded a PhD by Jawaharlal NehruUniversity in 1995. He has also authored two books Redefining Urdu Politicsin India (2006) and Muslims and Media Images (2009), bothpublished by Oxford University Press. He has also reworked Mr Salman Khurshid’sEnglish play Sons of Babur into Hindi and Urdu, (Babur ki Aulad, Rupa& Company, 2008) with passion and as a labour of love. Original,incisive and topical – this is what Pierrot’s playsare characterized for. So this timearound the troupe opens Salman Khurshid’s‘SONS OF BABUR’; virtually a revisitto the era and aura of the Mughols. Inaddition, Salman Khurshid, in his theatre debut, has superimposed ‘a search forIndia’, on that identity issue of ‘sons of Babur’. The playwright’s intellectual search takes him backin time to the Mughal era. The central character of the play is of course Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughalemperor, languishing in exile in far away Rangoon. In the present times, he has an ardent admirer inRudranshu Sengupta the protagonist, a university student of history. Rudranshuis so obsessed with the life of the last Mughal that he has a virtualsupernatural to experience that transports him to meet Bahadur Shah in person.From then on the play swings between fantasy and reality, past and present,logic and emotion, fact and fiction. Rudranshu is taken on a guided tour byBahadur Shah through various milestone events of the Mughal era. Theyeffortlessly slide into the world of Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahanand Aurangzeb, all seen directing the course of medieval India or Hindustan. As the play progresses, one cannot but in turn beenamoured by the benevolence of the Mughals, feel disgust at their ambition,become fearful of their cruelty and also admire their ability to unite diversepopulations into an entity called Hindustan. With this is emphasized the understanding that India is a collage of cultures and nothingremains alien here, including foreigners who make this land their home; afterall home is where the heart is. Tickets: Rs. 500/-, Rs300/-, Rs 200/- & Rs 100/- available at SHRI RAM CENTRE from OCTOBER 7 2011 and on the day of the show. For details, Tele Booking, Bulk BookingContact: 9810255291, 9810460366, 40506826, 29944635, pierrotstroupe at yahoo.com, Visit us at www.pierrotstheatre.com From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sun Oct 9 00:25:39 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2011 00:25:39 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Vachathi: Triumph of a courageous struggle Message-ID: http://www.pragoti.in/node/4548 Vachathi: Triumph of a courageous struggle Nearly two decades after a tribal hamlet in Tamil Nadu, Vachathi, was attacked by police and State forest officials, under the guise of a crackdown on alleged sandalwood smuggling, last week a lower court convicted 215 government officials, including 17 held for rape. Subsequent cover-ups, in collusion with the State government, were exposed after the investigation was handed over to the CBI after a writ petition filed by the then CPI (M) State secretary, A. Nallasivan in the Madras High Court. R. VAIGAI documents the scale of atrocities and the role of the Left, both the CPI(M) and mass organisations like the AIDWA, in supporting the struggle of the people of Vachathi. This article first appeared in People's Democracy. _________________________________________________________________________________ Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sun Oct 9 21:06:03 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2011 21:06:03 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] =?windows-1252?q?The_Internet=92s_Unholy_Marriage_t?= =?windows-1252?q?o_Capitalism?= Message-ID: ___________________ Forwarded message ______________________________ From:   Today's Topic Summary Group: http://groups.google.com/group/ict-education-india/topics The Internet’s Unholy Marriage to Capitalism [1 Update]  Topic: The Internet’s Unholy Marriage to Capitalism "Guru गुरु" Oct 05 11:22AM +0530 ^ "Communication is more than an ordinary market. Indeed, it is properly not a market at all. It is more like air or water—a form of public wealth, a commons. When Aristotle said that human beings were “/social animals/,” he might just as well have said that we are /communicative animals/. We know that the human brain coevolved with language (a social characteristic).63 The development of social relations and democratic forms, as well as science, culture, etc., are all communicative. The rise of the Internet as a form of free communication, seemingly without limits, thus raises the prospect of new realms of human sociability and enhanced democratic possibilities. Yet, rather than a means of expanding human sociability, the Internet is being turned into the opposite: a new means of alienation. There is nothing natural in this process; at bottom it remains a social choice. The moral of the story is clear. People in the United States and worldwide must redouble their efforts to address the paradox of the Internet at all levels of the analysis presented herein. The outcome is far from certain, and the issues are still very much in play. A global network of resistance is both necessary and feasible. Indeed, in view of the nature of the Internet and the stakes involved, it seems fair to say that these issues will only become more encompassing in coming years. How this battle plays out will go a long way toward determining our future as social animals" http://monthlyreview.org/2011/03/01/the-internets-unholy-marriage-to-capitalism (attached) has a thought provoking article on the rapid and rampant privatisation of the 'digital public'. The article covers many different aspects of our polity/society/economy. We see the ramifications in the education system, with large technology vendors keen to promote their proprietary content and software as curricular resources for schools, where teachers and the education system can become life-long consumers, locked-into their products. Whereas ICTs can be used for the opposite- of strengthening the public system by having teachers as co-creators of teaching-learning resources, collaborating (physically and virtually) with one another and with teacher educators. For our work over the last year in this space, visit http://itforchange.net/sites/default/files/ITfC/page/AnnualReport_2011/1.exploring_techno-pedagogy.pdf available on http://itforchange.net/RightToKnow regards, Guru _____________________________________________________________________ Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From rohitrellan at aol.in Mon Oct 10 09:04:40 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sun, 9 Oct 2011 23:34:40 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] RESTORYING: Narratives from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh: Call for entry Message-ID: <8CE5514AD11FDE5-1790-851E7@webmail-d133.sysops.aol.com> RESTORYING: Narratives from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh Call for entry Last Date of Submission 7.11.2011 Pakistan, India and Bangladesh ‘Guftagu bund na ho Baat se baat chale Subh tak sham-e-mulaqat chale Hum pe hansti hui yeh taron bhari raat chale’ (Keep the conversation going. One word leading to another The evening rendezvous lasting till dawn, The starry night laughing down with us.) -Ali Sardar Jaffri/ The Youthful Boatman of Joy THE PARTITION ANTHOLOGY Over six decades since the epochal event of Partition, the interest and engagement with the division of the Indian subcontinent into two and then three sovereign independent states has barely diminished. Mapmaking, exodus, memories and curiosity have become permanent in the lives of the citizens of South Asia on all sides of the various borders. For over three generations now, the most definitive formative moment in modern South Asian history, Partition has remained an area of constant engagement for scholars, artists, journalists and commentators, who have given form to their explorations through academic research, reportage and creative encounters through art, literature and films. However, akin to cross-border migration, this cross-border engagement continues to be an ongoing exercise. The current generation of young scholars, activists, artists, media persons and creative professionals, did not live through this epoch-making event. They are in fact still struggling with facts and figures even as they explore the socio-political imperatives, identify common ground, and try to make sense of extant memories and images. They are attempting to piece together the jigsaw puzzle of Partition in an effort to come to terms with both the tangibility of the schism and life beyond, as well as the many related events that play themselves out in sectarian rhetoric all over South Asia. With the proposed Graphic Anthology on Partition under the aegis of the Goethe-Institut’s larger project 'Restorying: Narratives from Pakistan India and Bangladesh', an attempt is being made to give form to such an engagement in a graphic narrative with recourse to the possibilities of visual storytelling. At the same time, as we all know, no single narrative can comprehensively tell the story of Partition, nor can it hope to represent the entire gamut of responses that the memory, history and legacy of Partition evokes. For this reason, artists, writers and storytellers from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are being brought together to contribute to this unique effort. The Partition Anthology thus seeks graphic narratives or comics from comic book artists, writers, artists, illustrators, film makers, theatre artists and storytellers across Bangladesh, Pakistan and India.. PROJECT DETAILS • Restorying: Narratives from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, will have Vishwajyoti Ghosh, author of Delhi Calm as Volume Editor. The book will be published by YODA PRESS in partnership with Goethe-Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan. • Artists, writers, illustrators, film makers, photographers, theatre practitioners, storytellers and graphic novelists from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh are invited to contribute to the anthology that would be released in August 2012. • The anthology will publish only ORIGINAL, UNPUBLISHED stories by the authors. The anthology does not seek illustrated versions of classic narratives, or any author’s text whose consent has not been taken. • Around 20 selected narratives will be published in the anthology. • The narratives can be by a single author or through collaboration between more. • We seek a range of stories within the genres of fiction, reportage, non-fiction, documentary, poetic narratives, even abstract narratives, and so on, as long as there is a comprehensible story in evidence. Experimentation is more than welcome! OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS Copyright: All rights will rest with the authors for their respective pieces. However it will be expected that the contribution is first released in the Anthology and then if anywhere else. Also publishing the contribution simultaneously elsewhere is not expected. In the case of collaboration, the contributing artists will enjoy equal authorship. Honorarium: All contributions will be awarded a one-time fixed honorarium for the same. In case of a contribution having more than a single artist, the honorarium will be divided equally among the number of contributors. Size: Page Size: 16.5 cm. (width) X 23 cm. (height), Artwork Size: 13.2 cm. (width) X 19.5 cm. (height). In case of bleed the page size will be the final size. Colours: Black & White only. No. of Pages: A contribution may be extend from a minimum of 4 pages to a maximum of 16 pages. This would also include a single page/part-title page for the cover of the contribution. The deadline for sending in storylines/style sheetsis 7 November 2011. Submissions/ queries to be sent by mail to:partitionantho at gmail.com ABOUT THE PROJECT PARTNERS CURATOR/EDITOR: Vishwajyoti Ghosh, a graphic novelist and filmmaker is the author of the graphic novel Delhi Calm, a political graphic novel set during the Emergency of the 70s. Based in New Delhi, Ghosh has worked across the subcontinent with organizations in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As a founder member of the Pao Collective, he also remains an active and dynamic participant in graphic/comics artists’ collective projects and works often with graphic artists from different parts of South Asia. PUBLISHER: YODA PRESS has been publishing quality titles since 2004 in an effort to build cohesive lists on subjects which represent the alternative contemporary South Asia. Its focus on sexuality, new perspectives in Indian history, urban studies and popular and visual culture has been widely appreciated, and after eight years in the publishing trade, it can now claim to have a list of titles by a whole range of specialists, scholars, activists and litterateurs reflecting contemporary concerns and cutting-edge strategies. YODAKIN, the bookstore started by YODA PRESS in Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi offers books and periodicals by independent publishers, documentary cinema by Indian filmmakers, selected world cinema, and music by independent record labels and musicians. With YODAKIN, the publishing house now has a space where it connects with like-minded enterprises and individuals, and where it curates an entire series of events around the issues and strategies discussed by the titles on its publishing list. From bawazainab79 at gmail.com Mon Oct 10 14:12:59 2011 From: bawazainab79 at gmail.com (Zainab Bawa) Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:12:59 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Sainath: And the pay-to-print saga resumes In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: [image: Return to frontpage] Home News Opinion Sport Business Arts Life & Style S & T Education Health Classifieds Today's Paper Topics Cartoon Columns Editorial Interview Lead Letters Op-Ed Open Page Readers' Editor Opinion » Lead October 10, 2011 And the pay-to-print saga resumes P. Sainath Share · Comment· print · T+ [image: Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. File photo] PTI Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. File photo * * * * * * * * *The Delhi High Court's dismissal of Ashok Chavan's petition and, separately, the Press Council being told to put up its full report on ‘paid news' on its website by today promise many blushes for Big Media and platinum-tier politicians.* The Delhi High Court has handed both the political circuit and the media a ticking parcel with its judgment in the Ashok Chavan case. It shouldn't be long before we learn what's ticking. (What's not ticking is the media. Subdued quiet seems the norm.) The former Maharashtra Chief Minister had challenged the power of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to go into the truth or falsity of his 2009 poll expenses. Those proceedings in the ECI had gained infamy as the ‘paid news' case. A case which embarrassed major newspapers that had run scores of hagiographic full pages of ‘ news' on Mr. Chavan during his poll campaign. Pages without a single advertisement on them (*The Hindu*, November 30, 2009). And without so much as a mention of his rival in Bhokar constituency in Nanded. Chief Justice Dipak Misra (since elevated to the Supreme Court) and Justice Sanjiv Khanna of the Delhi High Court dismissed Chavan's petition as being ‘devoid of merit.' In doing so, they upheld the jurisdiction of the ECI to probe the truth or falseness of poll accounts. This is crucial for the future (and for Mr. Chavan, right away). It should really worry the wealthy political elite who spend untold sums to win elections. No elected legislator or MP has ever been disqualified on grounds of excess expenditure. If such a precedent does emerge, the next elections could be riveting for entirely novel reasons. The more so with a galvanised ECI that won't roll over meekly in deference to power. It's a double whammy. Not long before this judgment, the Central Information Commission (CIC) had ordered the Press Council of India (PCI) to unwrap its own ticking parcel. That is: the PCI's ‘paid news' report which it had suppressed under pressure from media bosses. After the ‘paid news' scandal surfaced, the Press Council under Justice G.N. Ray rightly set up a subcommittee to inquire into the racket. The committee comprising Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Sreenivas Reddy produced an explosive 71-page report naming names, pointing fingers. Yet, it did this within all the norms and ethics that such an exercise demands. The big guns of the media establishment struck back in a panic. The PCI buckled, burying its own report. It had a larger committee draft a 12-page version that dropped all references to the offenders. The final report reduced the original to a single footnote. It did not even include the real one as an annexure. Nor did it permit the authors to record a note of dissent. And the PCI never allowed the genuine report to be placed on its own website, though it paid lip service to the work of its authors. It stonewalled an RTI application from journalist Manu Moudgil seeking the full report. It was seeking legal opinion, it pleaded. Now the CIC, acting on Mr. Moudgil's complaint, has told the Press Council to put the full report up on its website by October 10. Together, these two developments promise many blushes for Big Media. In the Delhi case, of course, Mr. Chavan could appeal to the Supreme Court on the matter. Unless that happens, the ECI can proceed with its probe and render a verdict. Others in Mr. Chavan's boat include former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda. His accounts were in question, too. So we're not talking about just anyone, but two former chief ministers who won their elections. The platinum-tier political world has worries ahead. Money can't buy you everything, but it has bought a few elections. Mr. Chavan's accounts are a delight. A kind of Gandhian manual on poll austerity. Read them and you know that Bhokar, Nanded is where you want to settle post-retirement. Things are so cheap. Mr. Chavan wrapped up his newspaper advertising within a frugal Rs.5,379. His entire poll campaign cost less than Rs.7 lakh. (The limit for an assembly constituency in Maharashtra that year was Rs.10 lakh). This included two public meetings where he brought down Bollywood megastar Salman Khan as the main attraction, drawing thousands of people. The first meeting cost a piffling Rs.4,440 and the second even less, only Rs.4,300. In both cases the main cost, more than a third of the total, was on the public address system. (But even Steve Jobs could not have got the audio done in Rs.1,500). The *pandal *top cost just Rs.200, hired sofas cost the same and Mr. Chavan spent no more than Rs.1,000 on setting up the stage. (See: *The Hindu*, November 10, 2010). On December 2, 2009, Dr. Madhav Kinhalkar, Mr. Chavan's rival in the Bhokar poll, complained to the Election Commission. That is, two days after *The Hindu's *story on the amazing press coverage Mr. Chavan got during the polls. (“Is the Era of Ashok a new era for ‘ news'?” November 30, 2009). Dr. Kinhalkar's complaint focused on the latter's poll expenses and the huge number of full pages (many in colour) eulogising Mr. Chavan in large and powerful newspapers. Four dailies, asked by the ECI whether what had appeared on Mr. Chavan was news or paid-for, scorned all notions of paid news. It was all news, and balanced and fair at that, they said. The mere suggestion of payment was insulting. Their actions flowed from lofty journalistic values. Their letters to the ECI are clear and edifying. Two Marathi papers pleaded proximity to the Congress. As the daily *Pudhari *argued in a five-page letter: “….every newspaper has its inclination towards a political party and *Pudhari *is no exception to that.” Yet, *Pudhari *is known not only for “its frank and candid views.” It is also known for “rising above political affiliation.” At election time, the daily stated, newspapers cover all events and give “due publicity.” The “only difference being the degree and extent of coverage depending on (the) Newspaper's political inclination as explained above.” Such publication “is at the behest of the readers on their demand to satisfy their curiosity.” *Lokmat *candidly shared its aim in bringing out so many pages on Mr. Chavan. This was “to acquaint the people of Maharashtra about the achievements and developments of the Congress-led government in Maharashtra during its tenure under the present Chief Minister.” (Who had held that post for all of 11 months at the time). “The other factor that motivated us…is the alignment of our group's ideology with that of the Congress Party.” Mr. Chavan, for his part, contended that what had appeared in the press were “mere news items and are not advertisements.” The glowing articles on him were the outcome of the media's own assessments. He had neither control over, nor any role in that. The Times Group (for *Maharashtra Times*) also trashed any notion of ‘paid news.' We are “a balanced and responsible corporate,” their letter asserted. “The said articles are neither sponsored nor paid articles.” They were “not published at the instance of any political party or advertising agency.” And “no monetary consideration” was involved. It was, then, just good old news all the way. The shortest reply is a two-paragraph missive from the editor of *Deshonnati *. The key line: “the said publications were neither sponsored articles nor paid articles. It was a reflection of my individual perception.” Their individual perceptions are at odds with the whole media scene portrayed in the suppressed PCI report. The Election Commission's own experience of poll coverage also seems to have been different. The Commission saw ‘ paid news' as a real threat and ordered creation of “district-level committees for scrutiny of paid news during election periods” after the 2009 polls. It even set up an Expenditure Monitoring Division within the ECI to deal with the challenge of abuse of money power (including ‘paid news') in elections. The Commission responded to complaints by Dr. Kinhalkar and others and wrestled with the complex issues thrown up by the paid news syndrome. In April this year, Mr. Chavan went to the Delhi High Court, challenging the ECI's jurisdiction. The High Court judgment dismissing his petition has set the poll cat amongst the political pigeons. The CIC's order puts major sections of the media in a bind. Earlier, the ECI had to make do with the truncated 12-page report from the Press Council on paid news. Now it is entitled to receive the full 71-page version. And also, quite separately, to carry on from where it was interrupted in its proceedings. How does that phrase (perhaps wrongly attributed to the Chinese) go? “May you live in interesting times?” We sure will, fairly soon. -- Zainab Bawa Ph.D. Student and Independent Researcher http://writerruns.wordpress.com/ ... ambling along roads and courses, not knowing whether I am running towards a destination or whether the act of running is destination in itself From nagraj.adve at gmail.com Tue Oct 11 10:06:36 2011 From: nagraj.adve at gmail.com (Nagraj Adve) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:06:36 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: Police Intimidation of Rohit Prajapati, Environmental, Human Rights and Trade Union Activist of Gujarat. Is it a crime to raise peoples' issues? - Rohit Prajapati In-Reply-To: References: <4e93ad5f.0348440a.2d98.ffff9deb@mx.google.com> Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ROHIT PRAJAPATI & TRUPTI SHAH Date: 11 October 2011 07:58 Subject: Police Intimidation of Rohit Prajapati, Environmental, Human Rights and Trade Union Activist of Gujarat. Is it a crime to raise peoples' issues? - Rohit Prajapati Date: 11th October 2011 *Police Intimidation of Rohit Prajapati, Environmental, Human Rights and Trade Union Activist of Gujarat. Is it a crime to raise peoples' issues? - Rohit Prajapati Letter to the Police Commissioner of Vadodara - *Kindly provide me the reasons for the repeated questioning by police, whether there are any allegations or charges, and if so, what these are and if there is an investigation of any kind, I would like to know the nature of the investigation. – Rohit Prajapati On Sunday, Oct 9th 2011, at around 12.30 p.m., two policemen in plainclothes (Ajaysinh Gajendrasinh, ASI from LIB branch and Maheshbhai Prajapati, ASI at JP Police Station, Tandalja, Vadodara, Gujarat) visited my house. They asked for my phone number, name of my organization, and about my present ongoing activities. Having nothing to conceal, since our activities are public, I provided the requested information. Within 5 minutes of their departure two more policemen in uniform appeared and demanded two passport size photographs. I responded that I could provide the photographs only if there was a written request. Within 15 minutes we got a phone call from (Phone No. 2358132) Mr. Maheshbhai Prajapati requesting me to provide the two passport size photographs. I repeated that I would require the request in writing. The letter was provided within 10 minutes (letter no. 5098/2011from JP police station, signed by the station PI). Accordingly I promptly provided 2 passport size photographs. This was not* *a case of one day of sudden activity by the police, but the latest in a series of such enquiries that have been going on for some 2 years – police have visited both our home and the offices of Jyoti Karmachari Mandal (JKM). The first visit to Jyoti Karmachari Mandal was on March 7, 2010, followed by a police visit to our home the next day. The first visit to our home occurred in our absence, and the police questioned our minor son, who was present at home at that time. The next visit from the police occurred on 20th April, 2010. There were 2 officers (Mr. Dinesh Chaudhari, PI, State IB, along with a colleague). They remained for nearly an hour asking about details of my background, contacts, activities etc. After a few days they returned to collect copies of my passport. A few months later a team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) came to my home in the late evening. Six or seven members of the SOG team barged into my house and straight away went upstairs. We objected to their entry and demanded to know their identity and the reason for their “visit”. After that several of the team left, while three remained to question me. We pointed out that the same kind of extensive (relevant as well as irrelevant) questions had been asked and information collected by the police on earlier occasions, to which they replied that this occasion was different because they were from the SOG. The SOG members too took copies of my passport. The next police visit was on the afternoon of 3rd October 2011, involving Mr. Dineshsinh Chauhan (PI, State IB), Mr. Sureshbhai B. (PI, State IB) and Mr. Pappubhai (IO, State IB). They spent about 45 minutes getting “updates” on my activities. One of the matters they questioned me about was my complaint about the residential complex coming up next to industrial hazardous solid waste sites in Ahmedabad (Vatva & Naroda). They demanded to know why I was raising objections against the State Government’s move to amend the law prohibiting residential construction within 500 metres of hazardous waste sites (to permit construction within 100 metres of such sites). Mr. Chauhan gave me his e-mail ID and I even provided him further information by e-mail. Inspite of this once again on 09-10-2011 police officials came for further investigation as mentioned above. In the several visits and questioning by the police, no specific reason has ever been given for the questioning; the police have always insisted that these were “merely routine” enquiries. So far, I have cooperated with the police and provided whatever information or documents they have asked for, including things like bank account details. My activities in association with the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Jyoti Karmachari Mandal and Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti (Environment Protection organisation, a radical environmentalist group operating in Gujarat) organizations have been completely open, legal and public (and in the public interest). I have never had any reason to conceal any information related to these activities. However, in the light of repeated visits by the police, with demands for the same information provided earlier and already available with them, it is now difficult not to conclude that these repeated visits have any other purpose than intimidation and harassment. In today’s Gujarat, it appears that anybody who questions the correctness of government policy or actions, or is seen in any way to obstruct the purposes of the government, is becoming a target for intimidation and harassment. Yesterday I have written to the Police Commissioner requesting to know the reason for the repeated questioning by police, whether there are any allegations or charges, and if so, what these are and if there is an investigation of any kind, I would like to know the nature of the investigation. *In this connection, I feel I should provide a summary of my public activities, and present my assessment of why this harassment is being organised. *My Recent Activities As I have written above, I am involved in three organisations – PUCL, JKM, and PSS. As a Trotskyist, I have been an internationalist, and have collaborated with comrades in the Fourth International over trade union, environment and other issues. In 2002, during the pogrom like atmosphere created by Hindutva fanatics, I along with other friends played some role in fighting that. As a matter of principle, we decided to stay on in Tandalja, resisting the attempt to turn it into a purely Muslim ghetto. We campaigned for the restoration of peace. We brought out, through PUCL, a comprehensive report of the Gujarat Carnage. We campaigned over the Best Bakery case. We also collaborated in bringing out the first collected documentation in English about the Gujarat Carnage, *The Genocidal Pogrom in Gujarat: Anatomy of Indian Fascism*. Though I am also involved in a new organisation, Radical Socialist, my chosen areas of work have been, in the last half a decade or more, the three organisations already named. My work as a trade unionist and my work as an environmental activist have been intertwined. We believe in the need for environmentally aware trade unionism, as well as a class approach to the question of environment protection. As a result, for a decade and a half, we have been developing environmental agenda connected to industrial pollution. We have consistently been raising the issue of industrial pollution in Gujarat and exposed the industry-Gujarat Government nexus that touts ‘treatment facilities’ as a solution to the problems of hazardous solid waste, effluent, surface & groundwater contamination. Our position has been founded on the facts & figures obtained under RTI. Gujarat Pollution Control Board officials admitted that a lot still has to be achieved in pollution control. As treatment facilities were / are not able to meet the Gujarat Pollution Control Board‘s (GPCB) norms a moratorium on starting of new industries or expansion of existing industries was declared for the Ankleshwar area on 7-7-2007, and now Ministry of Environment and Forests has extended it up to 31-3-2012. Later on, on 13-1-2010 a moratorium was declared for other areas like Vatva, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Vapi, etc. The moratorium was ubsequently lifted for the Vapi, Bhavnagar, Junagadh area. PSS objected to the lifting of moratorium for Vapi because treatment facilities of Vapi are still not able to meet the GPCB norms. Today the moratorium for Vatva, Ankleshwar is extended till 31-3-2011. This has stalled the projected huge investment in these areas of Gujarat. However, we believe that as responsible citizens, we are not and cannot be concerned only with the quantum of investment, but with what is being invested, what the goal of the investment is, and how it affects the masses of working people. On 4-1-2007 Government of Gujarat granted permission to incinerate the hazardous waste of Union Carbide, Bhopal at Ankleshwar. We opposed it and also filed an intervention application in the Jabalpur High Court. Ultimately Government of Gujarat was forced to withdraw its permission by letter dated 4-10-2008 and now case is pending in the Supreme Court. A direct outcome of our persistent efforts since 1994 has been GPCB / Government having to act against Hema Chemicals which was responsible for illegal dumping of hazardous chromium waste. As per the direction of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee the company has been ordered to pay Rs. 17 crores as first instalment towards remediation of the site. GPCB was constrained to order the confiscation of passport of Hema Chemicals’ owner, and prohibiting him from disposing of his property etc. The owner’s name has been flashed across all international airports in India so that he does not leave the country. We had also launched a complaint against residential & commercial complexes coming up in the vicinity of hazardous solid waste sites in Ahmedabad (Vatva & Naroda) in violation of GPCB notification on industrial hazardous solid waste and The Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989. Now we are given to understand that Forest & Environment Department and Urban Development and Urban Housing Department of Government of Gujarat have decided to modify the CPCB & GPCB guideline and norms – which require 500 meters distance from TSDFs & CETPs for the residential complexes – and reduce it to 100 meters to legalize illegal residential complexes. The original guideline was issued with the intention of preventing risk to the health and safety of the people.* *The revision obviously looks at the profit margin of unscrupulous promoters, not the innocent buyers who will suffer in future. The decision to continue to enforce the 500 meters distance stipulation for future clearly shows that this norm is not wrong and that is why Government of Gujarat is now modifying it to 100 meters only for post-facto regularization of illegal residential complexes which came up in violation of the CPCB & GPCB guideline and norms. This is going to be a disastrous action on the part of the concerned authorities as far as the health and safety of the people is concerned. It is clear that such a decision can only be due to immense pressure from the rich and powerful. It cannot have been a suo moto decision. Instead of taking firm action and enforcing the regulations, these departments are succumbing to pressure from all sides from powerful rich people who want to legalize their illegal residential complexes. Any post facto relaxation in the present environmental guidelines and norms is nothing but manipulation of present environmental norms to legalize illegal construction activities in order to favour powerful rich people who can pressurize the Government to act against the interests of ordinary people. We opposed the proposed dilution of norms and letters were written to Government of Gujarat and also to Ministry of Environment and Forest to intervene in the matter to prevent such illegal modification. Vapi Industries Association (VIA), United Phosphorus Limited (UPL), and Avik Pharmaceutical Ltd. have filed a defamation case to the tune of Rs. 25 Crores against ‘The Times of India’ and Rohit Prajapati in the Vapi Court, District Valsad, Gujarat with reference to a news item which appeared in ‘The Times of India’ on 5th June 2010 [Vapi: caught in a toxic chokehold, The Times of India, 4th June 2010. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-05/pollution/28278983_1_cpcb-comprehensive-environmental-pollution-index-gpcb On 17th September 2011, I filed an RTI application with the Chief Minister’s office, seeking information regarding the ‘Sadbahvna Mission’. The RTI application sought to know how much money was spent on this programme, who were the sponsors, and under which policy or rules this programme was conceived and carried out. There is sufficient reason to apprehend that individuals and interest groups affected by our efforts may resort to legal, extra-legal and other means against some of us. We want to alert you to that possibility and request quick action in case of any such eventuality. I have already been subjected to repeated questioning by police both in our office and at home, amounting to intimidation and harassment. I would therefore appeal to friends and activists in trade unions, in human rights movements and in environment protection movements, as well as in other sectors of social movements, to take note of these developments and to extend solidarity with us. Rohit Prajapati Environmental and Trade Union Activist Member of People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Jyoti Karmachari Mandal & Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti * * Copy of the letter send to the Police Commissioner of Vadodara Rohit *P*rajapati 37, Patrakar Colony, Tandalja Road, Post: Akota, Vadodara 390 020 Phone No: +91-265-2320399 Email No: rohit.prajapati at gmail.com By Fax, Email & Speed Post 10th October 2011 To, The Commissioner of Police, Vadodara Police Bhavan, Indira Avenue, Jail Road, Vadodara – 390 001 * Reference:* Various and sudden visits by persons claiming to be police officers or persons belonging to LIB, IB and SOG divisions of police force during last 2 years and latest visit on 09/10/2011. *Subject: *Kindly provide me the reasons for the repeated questioning by police, whether there are any allegations or charges, and if so, what these are and if there is an investigation of any kind, I would like to know the nature of the investigation. Sir, I, Rohit Prajapati, the undersigned, am associated with various voluntary organizations and am a social activist concerned with various issues including environmental protection and the menace of pollution. As a part of my mission I have taken up and raised a number of matters and issues concerning environmental pollution. In view of the aforementioned I thought it fit to bring to your kind notice the following facts which seriously threaten my rights as an ordinary human being and citizen of this country: - During last 2 years, some 5 or 6 times persons claiming to be police personnel have suddenly visited my residence and office and made oral / verbal inquiries regarding my personal life, including matters related to my social being. Being a law abiding citizen, I have always extended cooperation in these enquiries. - However, during the last 2 or 3 of the several visits, the concerned individuals claiming to belong to the SOG conducted their enquiries in an aggressive manner and tone. As a law abiding citizen I have continued to extend all cooperation and hitherto never thought to refer the matter to you, because I believed that this might essentially be an unavoidable circumstance of my mission, since my work might be causing inconvenience to Government and persons in positions of power. - However, during the most recent visit on 09/10/2011, after the “routine” repeated inquiry was over, i.e. after I had replied to all questions, the police personnel asked for two copies of my photograph, which I thought was unreasonable and therefore asked for their request in writing; on receiving a letter bearing no. 5098, issued under the signature of the PI of JP Police Station, I did supply the photographs as demanded by them. - As a citizen, I am concerned about the treatment being meted out to me through secret inquiries, as I am not aware of any ongoing inquiry, or of any cause or reason for such an inquiry. - The process of inquiry has already caused considerable inconvenience to me. While I respect the fact that security agencies may at times be required to carry out certain investigations, I am unable to see what is prompting this rash of enquiries in this case, and feel compelled to bring to your notice the incidents and events. Law abiding citizens engaged in lawful, constitutionally sanctioned and guaranteed activities are not ordinarily subjected to repeated “routine” police enquiries and surveillance. I am optimistic that my communication to you may play a role in correcting and regulating the administration of inquiries by your department such that innocent citizens are not unnecessarily harassed for engaging in lawful activities considered essential to the proper functioning of a democratic state. I am sure you will take serious note of the aforesaid matter, which has caused absolutely unwarranted pain to me and my family, and therefore take some corrective and remedial steps to prevent any unjustifiable use of power and force. I am an activist who has agitated by remaining within the four corners of the law, and has never indulged in any illegal activities. The aforementioned type of actions carried out by persons from your department amount to intrusion into my fundamental rights of privacy. Your department’s actions amount to violation of my fundamental rights to privacy and dignity. Because of health reasons my movements have become very limited, as I have been advised substantial rest, and such intrusions into my home are having adverse effects on my health. Kindly provide me the reasons for the repeated questioning by police, whether there are any allegations or charges, and if so, what these are and if there is an investigation of any kind, I would like to know the nature of the investigation. I shall be thankful if you supply this information to me as a conscientious public servant, so that I shall not be compelled to take recourse to the RTI law. *Rohit Prajapati *[Rohit Prajapati] ** ** ___________________________________________________________________ * * Rohit *P* rajapati & *T* rupti *S* hah ** **37, Patrakar Colony, Tandalja Road, ** ** Post-Akota, Vadodara - 390 020 ** **GUJARAT, INDIA ** **Phone No. *+ 91 - 265 - 2320399 *** ** Email No: *rohit.prajapati at gmail.com * ____________________________________________________________________ -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Free Binayak Sen" group. To post to this group, send an email to free-binayaksen at googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to free-binayaksen+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/free-binayaksen?hl=en-GB. From rohitrellan at aol.in Tue Oct 11 11:20:38 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:50:38 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] DIGNITY INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: 10TH ANNUAL GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN DEVELOPMENT, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (1-10 Dec 2011) In-Reply-To: <9186992C-72E5-45F5-B1A2-EBB4F6A98FFD@waveindia.org> References: <4E92744B.9000704@dignityinternational.org> <9186992C-72E5-45F5-B1A2-EBB4F6A98FFD@waveindia.org> Message-ID: <8CE55F0D6233D04-2074-64974@webmail-d033.sysops.aol.com> *ANNOUNCEMENT* > > **** > CALL FOR APPLICATIONS > 10TH ANNUAL GLOBAL LINKING AND LEARNING PROGRAMME ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN DEVELOPMENT > * > > * > _APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19th OCTOBER 2011_* > > Dignity International and our partners believe that Human Rights and Development must go hand in hand as both share the same core functions. They cannot be separated and must complement each other to ensure the continuous sustainable progress of the human race, while ensuring the environment and other entities within it are protected and preserved. Human Rights provide a moral, authoritative and legal framework to tackle root causes of poverty – the deep-rooted structures of discrimination – i.e. the global processes of impoverishment. A human rights framework has the potential to deal with not only legal justice, which is the primary preoccupation of traditional human rights organisations, but also economic and social justice which is central to development work. Meanwhile, development is the primary motive to provide basic structural change. > > For the 10th consecutive year, Dignity International is proud to organise our signature capacity building program again, which will continue to empower human rights activists and development agency leaders, as well as leaders of civil society and grassroots community organizers. The learning enhances the skills, knowledge and spirit to uphold the principles of Human Rights and to bring Economic Social and Cultural rights to the ground. > > This programme will build on the successes of the previous learning programmes on “Human Rights-Based Development”, and on “Economic Social and Cultural Rights” organised by Dignity International, with a range of national, regional and international participants. > > Dignity’s programmes are designed as a process of mutual learning, with the participants´ experience and realities as the starting point of the learning process. Active participation and in-depth reflection – individually, in groups, and in plenary - are the key contributors to the success of the programme. > > Based on non-formal education and learner-centred methodologies, this programme provides a mutual learning atmosphere where participants can compare their approaches and concerns in a safe, intercultural context. In addition to that, the use of experiential methods and case studies strengthens the practical side of the programme. > > The call for the Global programme is now OPEN. We are happy to receive applications to this historical 10th Annual Global Linking and Learning Programme. > > For more information about the programme and to register as a participant, *CLICK HERE>>>* > > Please forward this to your friends/colleagues/partners who are interested to be a part of the programme. Deadline for applications: *_19th OCTOBER 2011, 11.59PM (GMT+8)_* From phadkeshilpa at gmail.com Tue Oct 11 13:00:51 2011 From: phadkeshilpa at gmail.com (Shilpa Phadke) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:00:51 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: Student Seminar - Frames of reference: Speaking the Unspeakable: 19 December 2011 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Speaking the Unspeakable 19 December 2011 The 'act' of speaking calls the world into being; what is not said does not exist. Meanings are moulded, refashioned and regurgitated to suit the established order of things. In the process of resistance and negotiation of power, they set the limits of our thought and imagination. The ‘unspeakable’ refers to non-articulation, an exclusion from the peculiar process of the creation of meanings. It is not just that which is not spoken, but that which ‘ought’ not to be spoken, an exclusion even from resistance. In art, literature, media, culture and politics, the ‘unspeakable’ is compelled to assume the form of the ‘incognito’. It surfaces at moments of rupture, through modes that speak to the realm of affect, emerging within the spaces of the non-rational and the deviant. It follows that much is at stake in maintaining a distance from the nebulous regions of what is neither seen nor heard. What governs the unspeakable? What grids of exclusion are used to define the unspeakable? What disciplinary mechanisms work to reproduce the site of the unspeakable? Whose politics makes it unspeakable? Is the distinction between the speakable and unspeakable more amorphous than we imagine? How does the unspeakable manifest itself in the everyday and in the realm of art and culture? How are certain arenas and speech deemed to be unspeakable as in the case of sexuality for instance? How does the law engage with the unspeakable in relation to hate speech or accusations of obscenity for example? This seminar calls for papers that will interrogate that which is unspeakable in the various worlds around us and seek to understand the production and reproduction of the unspeakable. The seminar will also look at voices that are not heard because they transgress the codes that govern the articulation of the speakable. *Papers can be submitted addressing the themes below but need not be restricted to them*: 1. *The city and its unspeakable(s)* 2. *Imagining India: speaking the unspeakable* 3. *‘**Modern, secular, democratic’: unspeakable(s) of a neo-world* 4. *The unspoken and the unspeakable in Indian media* 5. *Artistic expression and the unspeakable* 6. *Literary/poetic voice and the unspeakable* 7. *Censorship and the disciplining of the unspeakable* 8. *The unspeakable in cinema* 9. *Speaking the intangible: affect and faith* 10. *Sexuality, obscenity and the regulation of speech* 11. *Gender, violence and subterfuge of silence* 12. *“**New” media/ Digital technologies: contouring spaces of silence and speech* Abstracts invited from current post-graduate (M.A., M.Phil, Ph.D) students only. Last date for sending abstracts – October 28, 2011 Please send your abstracts by email along with your contact details (email, phone no, postal address) and current institutional affiliation to the following email ID: for.cmcs at gmail.comSelection of abstracts and intimation via email –1st week of November, 2011 Last date for sending papers -November 28, 2011 The seminar updates will be posted on our blog * http://forcmcs.wordpress.com/*. *For any queries, Please Contact : *9022952539 (Ufaque), 9820387103 (Anurag) *For any queries, Please Contact : **9022952539 (Ufaque), 9820387103 (Anurag)* From rohitrellan at aol.in Tue Oct 11 14:19:40 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:49:40 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?22_June_1897=3AThe_true_story_of_the_firs?= =?utf-8?q?t_martyrs_of_India=E2=80=99s_Freedom_Struggle?= In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE5609D92AA435-29E4-9BE43@webmail-d129.sysops.aol.com> PRESS RELEASE The true story of the first martyrs of India’s Freedom Struggle DVD of the film at your Door Step!! To celebrate the 30th year of this landmark film, Rudraa Home Video is proud to announce the release of this film in its ‘Rare and contemporary Classic’ series! The film will be released on DVDs with English subtitles and each original DVD is priced at Rs.199/-. A historic film and winner of two National and two State awards, 22nd June 1897 has an illustrious crew behind its making. With dialogues by Vijay Tendulkar and screenplay co-written by Shankar Nag, the film was the directorial debut of the husband-wife duo of Nachiket and Jayoo Patwardhan. The film was shot entirely on location in Pune, Wai and Mumbai and is a brilliant reconstruction of the events of the time. The film has been hailed for its convincing portrayal of the period and characters, making the film a true ‘Modern Classic’. The DVDs has been made available at all leading stores. Film is available on www.induna.com and also www.flipcart.com (Cash on Delivery is available PAN INDIA) SANKET/F.F.C. presents 22 June 1897 A film by Nachiket & Jayoo Marathi / Eastmancolor / 1:1.33 / 120 min. Script: Nachiket Screenplay: Shankar Nag, Nachiket Dialogues: Vijay Tendulkar Production Team: Sadanand Borse, Dilip Limaye, Gangaram, Makrand More and Prasad Purandare Assistants: Rekha Sabnis (Script, Continuity) Dinesh Mehta (Camera) Kalshikar (Sound) Karekar (Make-up, Costumes) Islam (Editing) and Bhalekar (Equipment) Sound Recodist: Vinay Shrivastav Music Director: Anand Modak Editor: Madhu Sinha Art Direction, Costumes: Jayoo Cameraman: Navroze Contractor Direction: Nachiket and Jayoo 16 mm processing – 35 mm blow up by Adlabs, Bombay Re-recording: Mangesh Desai at Rajkamal Kalamandir Produced by Sanket c/o Nachiket Patwardhan, 55/14 Erandwana, Poona 411 004 Financed by the Film Finance Corporation, Bombay. Cast: Damodar Chapekar Prabhakar Patankar Balkrishna Chapekar Ravindra Mankani Vasudev Chapekar Udayan Dixit Father Vasudev Palande Mother Shanta Jog Daughters-in-law Arundhatti Rao, Sujal Watve, Dipali Kulkarni Govindmama Satish Khare Ranade Sadanand Borse Apte Shrikant Gadre Dutta Bhuskute Suresh Bhasale Ganesh Dravid Jairam Hardikar Ramchandra Dravid Sanjiv Ambike Nilu Dravid Vikas Deshpande Havaldar Rama Pandu Mukund Chitale Water Rand John Irving Bal Gangadhar Tilak Sadashiv Amrapurkar Inspector Brewin Rod Gilbert Supported by: Ulrich Merkel, Mervin Popplstone, Mihir Thatte, Shri Pendse, Pramod Kale, Harry Falk, Father Lederle, Mathew Manning, Shirish More, Suhas Kulkarni, Kishore Joshi, Shirish Bodhani, Subhash Awchat, Zareer Reporter, Robert Manning, Anand Hagir, Peter Saylas, Frank and Dipa Handrich, Shaila Joshi, Dilip Limaye, Bali Awasthee, Priti Limaye, Jim Benson, Guy de la Chevalerie and others. Synopsis: On the 22nd of June in 1897, British officer Walter Rand was assassinated on the Ganeshkhind road, Poona, on his way back from a Government house party celebrating the Coronation anniversary of Queen Victoria. The film is based on the events leading up to, and the consequences of, this murder. Walter Rand of the ICS was appointed to take charge of the Plague control measures and had successfully contained the epidemic; but his methods of evacuating the people, of fumigating their dwellings and burning the contaminated articles evoked tremendous hatred amongst certain sections of the society. Damodar and Balkrishna Chapekar were the two elder sons of a Brahmin preacher-singer and had formed a club of idealistic youths who indulged in fanatical acts of terrorism in the name of religion and nationalism. Their youthful energies and their romantic idealism was further inspired by Tilak’s militant views and resulted in an intense hatred for the British rule, their religion and their language. The excesses of the plague administration and the untimely death of a close friend drove Damodar into a conspiracy leading to the night of the 22nd of June. The murderers escaped without a trace. Inspector Brewin of the CID, with the help of the Dravid brothers, traced Damodar and was able to extract a complete confession of the crime. When the Sessions court passed a death sentence, Tilak assisted Damodar in an appeal claiming innocence but the verdict was confirmed by the High Court and Damodar was executed. Balkrishna Chapekar was subsequently arrested in Hyderabad but he too claimed to be innocent. Finally, Inspector Brewin persuaded Vasudev Chapekar (the youngest brother) to testify against Balkrishna but in an outburst of violence there occurred two more murders, two attempted murders and finally the trials and executions of all the three assassins – Balkrishna, Vasudev and (his friend) Ranade. The Chapekar brothers and Ranade created one of the most eventful periods in the history of Poona city and their executions enthused the spirit of freedom into a whole generation of Indians who considered these four to be the first martyrs of the nations freedom struggle. All characters and events are real and based on available historical material. The film was shot entirely on locations in Poona, Wai and Bombay in March and April 1979. “…a remarkably successful first film; the period and characters convincingly portrayed. Historical films exploit one of cinema’s greatest assets, the ability to create a convincing illusion of reality. It is possible to give an audience the sense that they have seen something of their past. 22nd June 1897 is in that sense an honest attempt at liberating history from the printed page and restoring a sense of the actual human experience.” Sacha Braddel, Financial Express First Screening: Bangalore Filmotsav, January 1980 First Public Release: Prabhat Theatre, Poona, March 1980 Winner of Two National Awards: March 1980 Silver Lotus: Best Feature Film on National Integration “a brilliantly analytical reconstruction… combining an eye for color, locale, customs and lifelike characters, for powerfully communicating the patriotic fervor… for using silence in the film as significantly as the few spoken words.” Silver Lotus: Best Art Direction (Jayoo) “for combining well chosen locations and orchestrated use of muted colors and an eye for period detail, for giving the film a totally integrated visual style and proving that, with the increasing flexibility of the film medium, art direction has become more than mere set-building.” Winner of Two Maharashtra State Awards: March 1980 Best Film of the Year : Dadasaheb Phalke award Best Director of the Year: Nachiket and Jayoo Festival Participation: Calcutta ’80: Regional Film Festival, April 1980 Trivandrum, Kerala: Regional Film Festival, October 1980 International Film Festivals at: La Rochelle, France, June 1980 Montreal, Canada, August 1980 Mannheim, West Germany,October 1980 -- Subhash Chheda Rudraa Entertainment Private Limited www.rudraa.com +91 98202 22776 From rohitrellan at aol.in Tue Oct 11 15:34:35 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 06:04:35 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] PlexUs- Social Gaming Event In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE56145043D2D5-29E4-9D25D@webmail-d129.sysops.aol.com> PlexUs A gaming event between Delhi, Xalapa and Ithaca Khoj Studios, S-17, Khirkee Extension, New Delhi Friday, 14th October, 2011, 6:30pm onwards Amitesh Grover, Stephanie Owens and Antonio Prieto Stambough from Delhi, Ithaca and Xalapa respectively, create a three-location social gaming event. Audiences and players are invited to engage in a set of social games and playful experiences in each of the three cites with each other. For people separated by thousands of kilometers, social gaming offers an insight into different culture, language and city, through games. Using social interaction in game-playing, these games add creativity, fun and excitement to an otherwise solitary experience. Participants in each city will interact with each other via Skype, e-mail, Flicker, Facebook and other digital social connections. Two games will be played, each lasting for not more than 50minutes. This event is free and are open to all. Please write to register at khojworkshop.org to register. More information: http://www.khojworkshop.org/blog/plexus_gaming_event_between_delhi_xalapa_ithaca This event is in collaboration with Amitesh Grover participating in SELF n - a 2-week project series and symposium that addresses the complexity of representations and awareness of the self in the age of distributed information, the social web, and globalised media. SELF n is presented by Cornell Department of Art, Cornell University. KHOJ International Artists' Association S-17, Khirkee Ext. New Delhi - 110017 Ph: 00-91-11-29545274 email: interact at khojworkshop.org http://khojworkshop.org From chintan.backups at gmail.com Tue Oct 11 16:31:30 2011 From: chintan.backups at gmail.com (Chintan Girish Modi) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:31:30 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Call for Entries: RESTORYING -- Narratives from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India Message-ID: >From http://www.yodapress.com/callforentry.html *RESTORYING: Narratives from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India* * CALL FOR ENTRIES* * 'The shadows retreated* *into the roots of each tree,* *but we remained where we were.’* -Craig Thompson, Blankets *THE PARTITION ANTHOLOGY* Over sixty years of independence have done little to diminish the interest and engagement with the division of the Indian subcontinent into two and then three sovereign independent states. Mapmaking, exodus, memories and curiosity have become a permanent part of the lives of its citizens on all sides of the various borders. For over three generations now, the most definitive formative moment in modern South Asian history, Partition, has remained an area of constant engagement for scholars, artists, journalists and commentators manifesting their explorations through academic research, reportage and most importantly creative encounters through art, literature and films. However, this cross-border engagement, like cross-border migration, has not ended with a generation or two. It is an ongoing exercise. More acutely so in the case of Partition, as the current generation of young scholars, activists, artists, media persons and creative professionals who did not live through this epoch-making event, are still struggling with facts and figures, exploring the socio-political imperatives, identifying commons, trying to make sense of the memories and images, attempting to piece together the consequences, in an effort to come to terms with both the tangibility of the schism and life beyond, as well as the many related events that play themselves out in sectarian rhetoric all over the subcontinent. In their own way, many across the subcontinent are seeking a space for dialogue. In this regard, it would be important to explore this engagement of the subcontinent’s younger generation with an iconic event in a graphic narrative exploiting and experimenting with the possibilities of visual storytelling. At the same time, no one artist can comprehensively tell the story of Partition, nor can he/she hope to represent the entire gamut of responses that the memory, history and legacy of Partition evokes. For this reason, it is proposed to involve artists from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan and bring together a Partition Anthology in a Comic or Graphic Novel Format. The idea is to bring together storytellers from diverse practices and professions and explore the possibilities on the drawing board from their particular perspectives. *The Partition Anthology seeks graphic narratives or comics from comic book artists, writers, artists, illustrators, film makers, theatre artists and every other storyteller across the subcontinent. * We seek more exploration on Partition, by fiction and non-fiction writers/storytellers. The idea of bringing together a graphic anthology on a theme like Partition is also to explore the engagement of the fourth generation in a genre that is of great interest to young readers across the world. For the contributors and the readers too it would throw open a platform for a dialogue in a visual space, in black and white, and in print. *‘Guftagu bund na ho* *Baat se baat chale* *Subh tak sham-e-mulaqat chale* *Hum pe hansti hui yeh taron bhari raat chale’* (Keep the conversation going. One word leading to another The evening rendezvous lasting till dawn, The starry night laughing down with us.) -Ali Sardar Jaffri/ The Youthful Boatman of Joy *PROJECT DETAILS* - The Graphic Anthology on Partition will have Vishwajyoti Ghosh, author of *Delhi Calm,* as Volume Editor. The book will be published by YODA PRESS. The Goethe Institutis supporting the Project. - Comic book artists, writers, artists, illustrators, film makers, photographers, theatre artists and storytellers from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and such nationals from the world are invited to contribute to the anthology that would be released in August 2012. - The anthology will publish only ORIGINAL stories by the authors. The anthology does not seek illustrated versions of classic narratives, or any author’s text whose consent has not been taken. - Around 20 selected narratives will be published in the anthology. - The narratives can be by a single author or through collaboration between more. - We seek a range of stories within the genres of fiction, reportage, non-fiction; documentary, poetic narratives, even abstract narratives, etc. as long as there is a comprehensible story that moves from Point A to Point B to Point Z. Experimentation is more than welcome as long as there is a story! - Just as we seek a range of stories, visually too we look forward to a range of styles from conventional comics, photo comics, mixed media, collage, etc. - Text vs. Visuals: The idea of a graphic narrative is to sync the text and visuals together where they both take the story forward. The authorship of the text and the visuals should come out individually yet together seamlessly make the same narrative. For those who might be attempting the genre for the first time or collaborating, it will be important to keep this in mind. *OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS* Copyright: All rights will rest with the authors for their respective pieces. However it will be expected that the contribution is first released in the Anthology and then if anywhere else. Also publishing the contribution simultaneously elsewhere is not expected. In the case of collaboration, both the writer and artist will enjoy equal authorship. Honorarium: All contributions will be awarded a single time, fixed honorarium for the same. In case of a contribution having more than a single artist, the honorarium will be divided equally among the number of contributors. Size: Page Size: 16.5 cm. (width) X 23 cm. (height) Artwork Size: 13.2 cm. (width) X 19.5 cm. (height) In case of bleed the page size will be the final size. Colours: Black & White only *No. of Pages*: A contribution can be of minimum 4 pages to a maximum of 16 pages. This would also include a single page for the cover of the contribution. *STAGE I*: At this stage we will look forward to a final storyline laid out on the page (scribbles will do at this stage) & style sheets, i.e., two pages with the final style laid out the way it’ll be appear in the final version. *The deadline for sending in storylines/style sheets, etc., is 7thNovember 2011. * *Submissions/ queries to be sent by mail to: **partitionantho at gmail.com* *ABOUT THE PROJECT PARTNERS* *NOTE ABOUT CURATOR/EDITOR* Vishwajyoti Ghosh , a graphic novelist and filmmaker is the author of *Delhi Calm*, a political graphic novel set during the Emergency of the 70s. Based in New Delhi, Ghosh has worked across the subcontinent with organizations in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As a founder member of the Pao Collective, he also remains an active and dynamic participant in graphic/comics artists’ collective projects and works often with graphic artists from different parts of South Asia. *NOTE ABOUT PUBLISHER* YODA PRESS has been publishing quality titles since 2004 in an effort to build cohesive lists on subjects which represent the alternative contemporary South Asia. Its focus on sexuality, new perspectives in Indian history, urban studies and popular and visual culture has been widely appreciated, and after eight years in the publishing trade, it can now claim to have a list of titles by a whole range of specialists, scholars, activists and litterateurs reflecting contemporary concerns and cutting-edge strategies. With the opening of YODAKIN, the bookstore started by YODA PRESS in Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, for books and periodicals by independent publishers, documentary cinema by Indian filmmakers, selected world cinema, and music by independent record labels and musicians, the house now has a space where it connects with like-minded enterprises and individuals, and curates an entire series of events around the issues and strategies discussed by the titles on its list. *NOTE ABOUT Goethe-Institut, Delhi* The Goethe-Institutorganizes and promotes a wide spectrum of cultural events in Delhi and other north Indian cities with the aim of presenting German culture, particularly its contemporary aspects, in India. Its artistic and reflexive programmes and projects are developed in close cooperation with Indian partner institutions. From rohitrellan at aol.in Thu Oct 13 10:04:25 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:34:25 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?b?U3RhZ2VwbGF5IOKAkyBUYXhpKEhpbmRpIOKAkyA2?= =?utf-8?q?0_Minutes_=26_Musical_Travelogue_=E2=80=93_Sounds_Of_Earth=28Mu?= =?utf-8?q?ltilingual_=E2=80=93_60_Minutes=29=3AActor_Factor_Theatre_Co=2E?= =?utf-8?q?New_Productions?= In-Reply-To: <8CE57781D6DA349-145C-EEFB@web-mmc-m02.sysops.aol.com> References: <8CE57781D6DA349-145C-EEFB@web-mmc-m02.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <8CE57788532EB79-145C-EF68@web-mmc-m02.sysops.aol.com> ACTORFACTOR THEATRE COMPANY OUR NEWPRODUCTIONS: STAGEPLAY – TAXI(HINDI – 60 MINUTES) MUSICAL TRAVELOUGE – SOUNDS OF EARTH(MULTILINGUAL – 60 MINUTES) Detailsof the play ‘TAXI’: About the Play: Indira (an almost famous playback singer in Bollywood) attempts anescape from her dismal past. Little does she know that the taxi she is in, isas unreal as her quest. It is morosely trapped in the same time and space,ferrying everyone to nowhere. On another plane, the play issubliminally-wheeled on an ethereal journey, where the existential explorationsand inevitable realizations of its characters unravel the disturbing truthsbehind their pointless search for contentment. This 60-minute long play, set inMumbai, takes you on an emotional roller-coaster ride. A tribute to Beckettiandrama, the play raises some basic yet pertinent questions on the reason of ourexistence; depicting the lives of three people – Indira, the singer; Shankar,the taxi driver; &Jeet, Indira’s estranged boyfriend. SHOW DATES: 15 & 16 October 2011 VENUE:MuktadharaAuditorium, BangaSanskritiBhavan, 18-19 Bhai Veer Singh Marg, Gole Market, NewDelhi TIME: 7:30 pm CAST:VaishaliChakravarty,SunitSinha, Karan Kohli, NiteshBhardwaj&Mehek Panjabi CREW: Lyrics –MahmoodAlam; Music – ShashwatSrivastava; Costume – Mehek Panjabi; Lights –Arnab Das; Production – Rahul Chandra & K Suresh; Make up –SanghamitraChakraborty; Communication Design – NareshYadav; Story –ShashwatSrivastava; Script, Design & Direction – SunitSinha Important Informationregarding the shows of TAXI: For Invitation/Donor PASSES : Passes available at the venue on show days. Fordetails one can log on to our website: www.actorfactor.net For oneon one chat, please call SunitSinha on +91 9873581424 or write to him at sunit at actorfactor.net Detailsof the musical travelogue ‘Sounds of Earth’: About thePerformance: Sounds ofEarth is a 60-minute long musical travelogue performed by a group of musicians,that brings to you fresh musical compositions and adaptations from theinteriors of India – the sounds of the purest nature. It is a story of adrifter – a young woman. She wanders, with purpose at first and then aimlessly,in search of new sounds. For she believes music is the rhythm of her soul. Thedrilling sound of a jackhammer; the falling of rain on a tin-roof; the howl ofthe wind- it's all rhythmic. Lyrics and beats remove her from reality,transporting her to a place of her past, or of her future. And it is music thatconnects her with some very important people in her life and establisheseverlasting relationships. SHOW DATES: 22 & 23 October 2011 VENUE: M. L. BhartiaAuditorium, Alliance Francaise, 72 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi TIME: 7:30 pm MUSICIANS ON STAGE:ShashwatSrivastava,VaishaliChakravarty, DevanshiArora, VishakhaChakravarty&Vishwajit Das CREW: Lights – Arnab Das; Costume& Make up – Mehek Panjabi; Production – Rahul Chandra & K Suresh; Makeup – SanghamitraChakraborty; Communication Design – NareshYadav; Story –VaishaliChakravarty; Design & Direction – ShashwatSrivastava ImportantInformation: For TICKETS: Tickets available at the venue on show days. Fordetails one can log on to our website: www.actorfactor.net For oneon one chat, please call SunitSinha on +91 9873581424 or write to him atsunit at actorfactor.net About the Theatre Group:Actor Factor Theatre Company (AFTC) is a space for independent artistswho have chosen Theatre Arts as a medium to communicate with humankind atlarge. It is a 'private' theatre laboratory, where individual artists fromvarious disciplines come together to form a collective intellectual force.They, thus, collaborate to hone their individual tools, explore and experiment-with form and content, in their single-minded effort to discover newer means toenrich the performer-audience relationship. Since its inception, AFTC has striven to produce plays for the Global Stage.While knowing, researching, and challenging our own notions of human dilemmas -to tinkering with the means of effective communication - to the resultant bigreciprocal from the targeted audience is of utmost significance, however, howit affects our individual audience-member's life in infinitesimal ways, and howit helps one question, and hence, accept or reject a certain notion of a largersum has also been of paramount importance. From anivar at movingrepublic.org Thu Oct 13 11:41:16 2011 From: anivar at movingrepublic.org (Anivar Aravind) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:41:16 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: [GreenYouth] Posters to express people's dreams for a better world In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Praveen A Date: Wed, Oct 12, 2011 at 5:49 PM Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhiji We are inspired by people's uprisings around the world from Tunisia, Egypt, Spain, current Occupation of Wall Street in New York City and various cities in the United States. In Pune, we are coming together to join the global revolution on 15 October. Some users of the people's social network Diaspora (a response to profit motivated, single company controlled, easily censored, personal data collecting and selling social networks like twitter, facebook and google plus) noticed a call to action on 15 October for people of the world to rise up for #globalchange They were also following #occupywallstreet very closely and were greatly inspired by what they saw online. They also realized people are fed up with the current system and want change, from the huge popularity of Anna Hazare's movement against corruption. They wanted to extend this fight to other important issues this country faces like education and health care affordable only for the rich, people being thrown out of their homes in the name of development, etc They immediately started talking about this nascent movement to their friends even before it was picked up by the mainstream media. They felt it would be awesome if they can organize something in Pune in solidarity with the great struggles with the aim of spreading awareness about this uprising to more people and look for an opportunity to forge a similar movement - leaderless, horizondal, spontaneous, here. This circle of friends came up with this idea after many discussions and considering different possible ideas. ... to meet at  Shanivarwada, 4:00 pm Saturday 15 Oct and make posters together. Every  one should bring their on sheets, card board boxes, colour pens,  pencils, markers, paints etc. Theme for posters is "The change, I want  to bring in this world." "मैं इस दुनिया मैं क्या बदलाव लाना चाहता हूं।" It is open to anyone who wish to bring about a political, economical and social change via non-violant and democratic means. The idea here is to promote the feeling of peers doing things together as opposed to following a few leaders. We think the current system is broken and it caters to only a few elites at the top and we need to give power to the people at the bottom who is struggling every day to meet their ends. It is a leaderless collective and anyone sharing these values are open to join it. http://piratepad.net/15octpune or http://15october.net Share it with your friends and join an event neat you or make one event near you and stand with the rest of the world on 15 October for collective action. -- പ്രവീണ്‍ അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില്‍ You have to keep reminding your government that you don't get your rights from them; you give them permission to rule, only so long as they follow the rules: laws and constitution. -- "[It is not] possible to distinguish between 'numerical' and 'nonnumerical' algorithms, as if numbers were somehow different from other kinds of precise information." - Donald Knuth From patrice at xs4all.nl Thu Oct 13 14:08:21 2011 From: patrice at xs4all.nl (Patrice Riemens) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:38:21 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] Message from Chinese activists and academics in support of Occupy Wall Street Message-ID: <12a9acf3c39f6083ad4f810e4697da18.squirrel@webmail.xs4all.nl> Reposted from nettime-l with usual apps 4 X-posting! This letter of solidarity, signed over by 50 intellectuals and activists in China, was posted to Utopia yesterday. Thanks to everyone for the translation and editing work! http://chinastudygroup.net/2011/10/message-from-chinese-activists-and- academics-in-support-of-occupy-wall-street/ >From the middle of September, a great "Wall Street Revolution" has broken out in the United States. This street revolution, going by the name of "Occupy Wall Street," has already expanded to over 70 cities and countries in North America, Europe, and other areas. In their statement on "The Wall Street Revolution," the American people have sworn that this demand for "a democratic country, not a corporate kingdom" mass democratic revolution must spread to every part of the world, and they will not rest until this goal is met. From the anti-capitalist demonstrations that began after the 2008 financial crisis, and which this year have spread across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and South America, this magnificent global mass democratic movement has finally spread to the center of capitalism's financial empire -- Wall Street. The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" is an historical indicator that the popular democratic revolution that will soon sweep the world is set to begin. It is an especially significant and important event for this movement. Before this most recent action, street protests had virtually been exclusively used as a tool by US elite groups to subvert other countries. Now, however, the "Wall Street Revolution" -- with its goals of shared prosperity and popular democracy -- has launched protests in the country that is the self-proclaimed defender of democracy. This will inevitably strike a hard blow against the US elite group, itself responsible for the plunder and oppression of people all over the world, and the group that pushed the world into crisis and instability. The protests ring the death knell of the rule of capital. Popular democracy will replace elite democracy in the 21st Century, and the curtain has lifted on the movement from elite politics to popular politics. Using the language of the "Wall Street Revolution," this is a struggle of the popular 99% against the corrupt 1%, a struggle of the popular 99% against the elite 1%,and is the final struggle of the popular forces against elite capitalist rule. The world belongs to all of the people of the world. Countries belong to the entire people of those countries. Even more so, wealth is produced by the entire people, and therefore should be shared by the entire people, it cannot be monopolized by the 1% -- or even less than 1% -- that is made up of an extremely small number of elites. The demand for common prosperity in economics, and popular democracy in politics has become an unstoppable historical trend! The rapid expansion of a fictitious economy and the massive flow of social wealth has created an amply reliable material foundation for the realization of the common wealth of all people. The development of internet technology and political civilization has created the conditions for human society to make the transition from capitalist democracy to popular democracy. Human society is fully capable of transforming, on the foundation of the past democracy of slaveholders, the democracy of feudal lords, and the democracy of the capitalist class, to make the fundamental shift from the democracy of the elites to real popular democracy. Common prosperity and popular democracy will become the main content of the historical transformation of the 21st Century. No matter how brutally the American riot police will attempt to suppress the participants in the Wall Street revolution, no matter how much the global elites -- especially those in the U.S. and China -- try to suppress news of the Wall Street revolution, they cannot stop the vigorous growth and ultimate victory of the democratic revolution of the people of the world. The violent repression and virtual blockade of news about the "Wall Street Revolution" by elite groups led by the US proves that the fate of oppressed people around the world is the same, regardless of whether they are from developed or developing countries, whether they are from so-called democracies or authoritarian countries. The international elite was the first class to link-up internationally via globalization. Their plunder of public wealth and repression of popular democratic movements is cruel and far-reaching, and utterly lacking in freedom and democracy. So-called freedom and democracy in modern society is nothing more than democracy for capitalism, an elite democracy. Freedom is another word for the elite to plunder, oppress and violently suppress others. Popular forces have been completely excluded from the freedoms and democracy of modern society, and the extent of democratic rights is to choose between presidential candidates that have already been vetted by capital. You can vote once every four years, but you have no way of affecting the people above you who directly determine your fate: your boss or superior. And there is no way of constraining the capitalistoligarchs who can take away the wealth of the majority of the population with the slight of hand of fictitious capital. Freedom and democracy have become a virtual game, nothing more than a tool to subvert other countries. Now the popular and democratic world revolution -- symbolized by the "Wall Street Revolution"- demands an end to this political game, and that freedom and democracy be returned to the people. Democracy is not just a check on the president, but a check on government officials; democracy is not just a check on power, but a check on capital. If the rights and privileges of feudal and absolute rulers are understood to be a sin and abomination, then giving those rights to capital is also a travesty. Securities and computer networks should have been two crucial elements of our shift from an industrial society to an information society, from a material economy to a virtual economy, from capitalism to a human-centered economic system, and from elite politics to popular politics. But the elite class has turned securities into a tool of appropriation akin to the 'indulgences' issued by middle-age church functionaries in Europe. In the new securitized economy, all the public's wealth can easily melt into thin air -- including their houses, wages, labor power and even their hope for the future. All these things have become the targets of appropriation by a tiny elite minority. Both the white-collar middle classes in developed countries -- owners of fictitious property, and the blue-collar workers in developing countries who cannot afford housing or health care, belong in point of fact to the same class: modern proletariat. When the people protest the unprecedented plunder and vast income gap perpetrated by fictitious capital, they are met with violent repression -- both in so- called democracy countries that claim to be defenders of human rights such as the US, and in authoritarian countries that are said to lack freedom and democracy. Faced with street protests erupting from the Balkans to North Africa, President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have repeated over and over, "The rights of peaceful protest and the occupation of public space should be respected at all times." Yet when US citizens attempt to exercise this right they immediately are faced with violent repression by armed police, and a blockade by the news media. If this is reaction of the US -- the self-proclaimed leader in human rights -- then we can imagine what the reaction will be in other capitalist countries. Rule by the capitalist elite is just as described by the "Wall Street Revolution" -- everywhere. There is nowhere left were we can live and die as people. The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" in the heart of the world's financial empire shows that 99% of the world's people remain exploited and oppressed -- regardless of whether they are from developed or developing countries. People throughout the world see their wealth being plundered, and their rights being taken away. Economic polarization is now a common threat to all of us. The conflict between popular and elite rule is also found in all countries. Now, however, the popular democratic revolution meets repression not just from its own ruling class, but also from the world elite that has formed through globalization. The "Wall Street Revolution" has met with repression from US police, but also suffers from a media blackout organized by the Chinese elite. The same fate, the same pain, the same problems, the same conflict. Faced with a common enemy in an elite global class that has already linked-up, the people of the world have only one option: to unite and in a unified and shared struggle overturn the rule of the capitalist elite, to ensure that everyone enjoys the basic human rights of work, housing, health care, education, and a secure old-age. But we must go further if we are to realize shared prosperity and popular democracy in a new socialist world historical framework, If we are to fully escape and neutralize the crises and disasters that capitalism has brought the human race, and realize harmonious social development. The great "Wall Street Revolution" and the great popular "Chilean Winter" that preceded it signal that the day when we realize shared prosperity and popular democracy is approaching. It signals that worldwide popular and democratic socialist movement -- dormant since the 1970s -- is waking up again. But this time, it will be the final battle to put capitalism in its grave. The victory of popular democracy and death of elite rule are inevitable! The embers of revolt are scattered amongst us all, waiting to burn with the slightest breeze. The great era of popular democracy, set to change history, has arrived again! Resolutely support the American people in the "Wall Street Revolution"! Resolutely support all street protests pushing for shared prosperity and popular demoracy! Long live the "Wall Street Revolution"! Long live the global movement for popular democracy! From rohitrellan at aol.in Thu Oct 13 16:48:51 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:18:51 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Seminar at NMML on 18 October 2011 at 3:00 p.m. In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE57B104DAB359-145C-11C0B@web-mmc-m02.sysops.aol.com> The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library cordially invites you to The Tuesday Seminar on ‘Individuating pre-capitalist economic formations’ Date: Tuesday, 18th October 2011 Time: 3.00 PM Venue: Seminar Room, First Floor, Library Building. Speaker: Dr. Vishwa Mohan Jha is an Associate Professor of History, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College, University of Delhi. Abstract: The phenomenal increase in our knowledge of pre-capitalist societies has not been attended with the matching efforts at their systematic classification by theorists. My current work at individuating economic and political formations among agrarian class societies (as distinct from, say, hunting-fishing-gathering societies) seeks in a small way to redress this imbalance. The lecture will focus on four out of the several key issues that must be addressed for a beginning in the proper direction. First, there is a need to adopt, develop, and refine a terminology that is independent of association with any specific language so that a term becomes a general working concept. This need has acquired some urgency in view of a tendency among historians to a progressive atomization of terminology that has accordingly become more and more immune to comparative analysis as well as incompatible with a general scheme of classification. Second, analysis and description of economic formations suffer not infrequently also from the multiple meanings that are given to a single term, e.g. feudal, semi-feudal, or serfdom. Very often, however, these meanings are interrelated, and we need to understand the intellectual processes behind the phenomenon of conceptual confusion. Third, a critical re-look is needed at the fairly common idea that all pre-capitalist production relations in agrarian societies are marked by non-economic coercion. As a part of this, a case will be made finally for according a greater and more rigorous conceptual attention to farm tenancy than has been the case so far. All are welcome. Those wishing to have their names added to the e-mail list may please e-mail us at: nmmldirector at gmail.com -- Centre for Contemporary Studies NMML From rohitrellan at aol.in Thu Oct 13 16:52:23 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:22:23 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Covering India: Where Journalism meets Environment - New Delhi, December 1 - 15, 2011 In-Reply-To: References: <3002596.8941318496330121.JavaMail.root@mailer.cseindia.org><15178646.9191318496729903.JavaMail.root@mailer.cseindia.org> Message-ID: <8CE57B18399F477-145C-11C86@web-mmc-m02.sysops.aol.com> Hi, This is a course for mid level professionals who would like to know about environmental issues. Please send it out to your friends so that they at least know CSE conducts such a course and if not now maybe they can attend the course next year. A course offered by Centre for Science and Environment New Delhi. Covering India: WhereJournalism meets Environment - New Delhi, December 1 - 15, 2011 This December,strap up and brace yourselves, learn to communicate the environment-developmentchallenges in contemporary India. Interact with someof the country’s leading thinkers, academics, activists and developmentprofessionals on key environment and development challenges. Learn from them on ecologicalrights, natural resource management, food security, climate change and globalenvironmental governance, urban growth, pollution control. Travel with us toexplore and report on community-led eco-restoration efforts in rural India. Write and report from the field underguidance from experts. Take part in research and datainterpretation exercises. Create a poverty line based on suppliedbaseline data; interpret a pesticide company's year-end balance sheet, amongother challenging tasks. Numbers will reveal how the other India lives. Work as a team onyour assignment, a published magazine that the class has produced on its own.On the way, you will have learned the entire editorial process, from storyidea, research, reporting and editing to photography, design, layouts andproduction. This course is for young and mid level professionals. >From December 1 to 15, 2011 Submit a 500-word SOP& a recent résumé/CV by October 31, 2011 COURSE FEE: INR 15000/- (Coursefee: INR 10000/ Hostel fee: INR 5000) This will cover course fee, reading material, stay in hostel and fieldvisit cost. For details >> http://www.cseindia.org/node/2607 Course Contact: SharmilaSinha (sharmila at cseindia.org / cseindiasharmila at gmail.com) Centre for Science and Environment 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi-110 062 Ph: 91-11 29955124/6110/6399 (Ext: 270); Fax: 91-11-29955879, AAGCMobile: +91 9818482018 Thanks, Arushi From joshuasoans at gmail.com Thu Oct 13 20:02:14 2011 From: joshuasoans at gmail.com (Joshua Soans) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:02:14 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Message from Chinese activists and academics in support of Occupy Wall Street In-Reply-To: <12a9acf3c39f6083ad4f810e4697da18.squirrel@webmail.xs4all.nl> References: <12a9acf3c39f6083ad4f810e4697da18.squirrel@webmail.xs4all.nl> Message-ID: praiseworthy sentiments, unlikely to change much: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/nyregion/protesters-are-gunning-for-wall-street-with-faulty-aim.html?_r=2 On Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 2:08 PM, Patrice Riemens wrote: > Reposted from nettime-l with usual apps 4 X-posting! > > > This letter of solidarity, signed over by 50 intellectuals and activists in > China, was posted to Utopia yesterday. Thanks to everyone for the > translation and editing work! > > http://chinastudygroup.net/2011/10/message-from-chinese-activists-and- > academics-in-support-of-occupy-wall-street/ > > >From the middle of September, a great "Wall Street Revolution" has broken > out in the United States. This street revolution, going by the name of > "Occupy Wall Street," has already expanded to over 70 cities and countries > in North America, Europe, and other areas. In their statement on "The Wall > Street Revolution," the American people have sworn that this demand for "a > democratic country, not a corporate kingdom" mass democratic revolution > must spread to every part of the world, and they will not rest until this > goal is met. From the anti-capitalist demonstrations that began after the > 2008 financial crisis, and which this year have spread across Europe, the > Middle East, North Africa and South America, this magnificent global mass > democratic movement has finally spread to the center of capitalism's > financial empire -- Wall Street. > > The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" is an historical indicator > that the popular democratic revolution that will soon sweep the world is > set to begin. It is an especially significant and important event for this > movement. Before this most recent action, street protests had virtually > been exclusively used as a tool by US elite groups to subvert other > countries. Now, however, the "Wall Street Revolution" -- with its goals of > shared prosperity and popular democracy -- has launched protests in the > country that is the self-proclaimed defender of democracy. This will > inevitably strike a hard blow against the US elite group, itself > responsible for the plunder and oppression of people all over the world, > and the group that pushed the world into crisis and instability. The > protests ring the death knell of the rule of capital. Popular democracy > will replace elite democracy in the 21st Century, and the curtain has > lifted on the movement from elite politics to popular politics. Using the > language of the "Wall Street Revolution," this is a struggle of the popular > 99% against the corrupt 1%, a struggle of the popular 99% against the elite > 1%,and is the final struggle of the popular forces against elite capitalist > rule. > > The world belongs to all of the people of the world. Countries belong to > the entire people of those countries. Even more so, wealth is produced by > the entire people, and therefore should be shared by the entire people, it > cannot be monopolized by the 1% -- or even less than 1% -- that is made up > of an extremely small number of elites. The demand for common prosperity in > economics, and popular democracy in politics has become an unstoppable > historical trend! The rapid expansion of a fictitious economy and the > massive flow of social wealth has created an amply reliable material > foundation for the realization of the common wealth of all people. The > development of internet technology and political civilization has created > the conditions for human society to make the transition from capitalist > democracy to popular democracy. Human society is fully capable of > transforming, on the foundation of the past democracy of slaveholders, the > democracy of feudal lords, and the democracy of the capitalist class, to > make the fundamental shift from the democracy of the elites to real popular > democracy. Common prosperity and popular democracy will become the main > content of the historical transformation of the 21st Century. No matter how > brutally the American riot police will attempt to suppress the participants > in the Wall Street revolution, no matter how much the global elites -- > especially those in the U.S. and China -- try to suppress news of the Wall > Street revolution, they cannot stop the vigorous growth and ultimate > victory of the democratic revolution of the people of the world. > > The violent repression and virtual blockade of news about the "Wall Street > Revolution" by elite groups led by the US proves that the fate of oppressed > people around the world is the same, regardless of whether they are from > developed or developing countries, whether they are from so-called > democracies or authoritarian countries. The international elite was the > first class to link-up internationally via globalization. Their plunder of > public wealth and repression of popular democratic movements is cruel and > far-reaching, and utterly lacking in freedom and democracy. So-called > freedom and democracy in modern society is nothing more than democracy for > capitalism, an elite democracy. Freedom is another word for the elite to > plunder, oppress and violently suppress others. Popular forces have been > completely excluded from the freedoms and democracy of modern society, and > the extent of democratic rights is to choose between presidential > candidates that have already been vetted by capital. You can vote once > every four years, but you have no way of affecting the people above you who > directly determine your fate: your boss or superior. And there is no way of > constraining the capitalistoligarchs who can take away the wealth of the > majority of the population with the slight of hand of fictitious capital. > Freedom and democracy have become a virtual game, nothing more than a tool > to subvert other countries. Now the popular and democratic world revolution > -- symbolized by the "Wall Street Revolution"- demands an end to this > political game, and that freedom and democracy be returned to the people. > Democracy is not just a check on the president, but a check on government > officials; democracy is not just a check on power, but a check on capital. > If the rights and privileges of feudal and absolute rulers are understood > to be a sin and abomination, then giving those rights to capital is also a > travesty. > > Securities and computer networks should have been two crucial elements of > our shift from an industrial society to an information society, from a > material economy to a virtual economy, from capitalism to a human-centered > economic system, and from elite politics to popular politics. But the elite > class has turned securities into a tool of appropriation akin to the > 'indulgences' issued by middle-age church functionaries in Europe. In the > new securitized economy, all the public's wealth can easily melt into thin > air -- including their houses, wages, labor power and even their hope for > the future. All these things have become the targets of appropriation by a > tiny elite minority. Both the white-collar middle classes in developed > countries -- owners of fictitious property, and the blue-collar workers in > developing countries who cannot afford housing or health care, belong in > point of fact to the same class: modern proletariat. When the people > protest the unprecedented plunder and vast income gap perpetrated by > fictitious capital, they are met with violent repression -- both in so- > called democracy countries that claim to be defenders of human rights such > as the US, and in authoritarian countries that are said to lack freedom and > democracy. Faced with street protests erupting from the Balkans to North > Africa, President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have repeated over > and over, "The rights of peaceful protest and the occupation of public > space should be respected at all times." Yet when US citizens attempt to > exercise this right they immediately are faced with violent repression by > armed police, and a blockade by the news media. If this is reaction of the > US -- the self-proclaimed leader in human rights -- then we can imagine > what the reaction will be in other capitalist countries. Rule by the > capitalist elite is just as described by the "Wall Street Revolution" -- > everywhere. There is nowhere left were we can live and die as people. > > The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" in the heart of the world's > financial empire shows that 99% of the world's people remain exploited and > oppressed -- regardless of whether they are from developed or developing > countries. People throughout the world see their wealth being plundered, > and their rights being taken away. Economic polarization is now a common > threat to all of us. The conflict between popular and elite rule is also > found in all countries. Now, however, the popular democratic revolution > meets repression not just from its own ruling class, but also from the > world elite that has formed through globalization. The "Wall Street > Revolution" has met with repression from US police, but also suffers from a > media blackout organized by the Chinese elite. > > The same fate, the same pain, the same problems, the same conflict. Faced > with a common enemy in an elite global class that has already linked-up, > the people of the world have only one option: to unite and in a unified and > shared struggle overturn the rule of the capitalist elite, to ensure that > everyone enjoys the basic human rights of work, housing, health care, > education, and a secure old-age. But we must go further if we are to > realize shared prosperity and popular democracy in a new socialist world > historical framework, If we are to fully escape and neutralize the crises > and disasters that capitalism has brought the human race, and realize > harmonious social development. > > The great "Wall Street Revolution" and the great popular "Chilean Winter" > that preceded it signal that the day when we realize shared prosperity and > popular democracy is approaching. It signals that worldwide popular and > democratic socialist movement -- dormant since the 1970s -- is waking up > again. But this time, it will be the final battle to put capitalism in its > grave. The victory of popular democracy and death of elite rule are > inevitable! The embers of revolt are scattered amongst us all, waiting to > burn with the slightest breeze. The great era of popular democracy, set to > change history, has arrived again! > > Resolutely support the American people in the "Wall Street Revolution"! > > Resolutely support all street protests pushing for shared prosperity and > popular demoracy! > > Long live the "Wall Street Revolution"! > > Long live the global movement for popular democracy! > > > > > > > > _________________________________________ > 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/> -- Joshua SOANS Executive Editor MedicinMan www.medicinman.net From mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com Thu Oct 13 20:32:16 2011 From: mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com (mahmood.farooqui at gmail.com) Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:02:16 +0000 Subject: [Reader-list] Dastangoi at purana qila, delhi Message-ID: <1194982296-1318518101-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-847327958-@b2.c3.bise7.blackberry> Aficianadoes old and new For the first time ever We shall give a Dastangoi performance at the Old Fort tomorrow 7pm, at Old Fort/Purana Qila on 14th October Open to all I know the notice is short but given how old the qila-e kuhna or the Old Fort is, no notice would probably be long enough Come join us archly Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel From jeebesh at sarai.net Fri Oct 14 04:35:40 2011 From: jeebesh at sarai.net (Jeebesh) Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:35:40 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Message from Chinese activists and academics in support of Occupy Wall Street In-Reply-To: References: <12a9acf3c39f6083ad4f810e4697da18.squirrel@webmail.xs4all.nl> Message-ID: <13594910-DE0E-4AAB-A3F0-8F95656D1C5C@sarai.net> Very soon occupy New York Times will start. It will be a carnival of leaderless rejoicing :) On 13-Oct-11, at 8:02 PM, Joshua Soans wrote: > praiseworthy sentiments, unlikely to change much: > http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/nyregion/protesters-are-gunning-for-wall-street-with-faulty-aim.html?_r=2 > > On Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 2:08 PM, Patrice Riemens > wrote: > >> Reposted from nettime-l with usual apps 4 X-posting! >> >> >> This letter of solidarity, signed over by 50 intellectuals and >> activists in >> China, was posted to Utopia yesterday. Thanks to everyone for the >> translation and editing work! >> >> http://chinastudygroup.net/2011/10/message-from-chinese-activists- >> and- >> academics-in-support-of-occupy-wall-street/ >> >>> From the middle of September, a great "Wall Street Revolution" has >>> broken >> out in the United States. This street revolution, going by the name >> of >> "Occupy Wall Street," has already expanded to over 70 cities and >> countries >> in North America, Europe, and other areas. In their statement on >> "The Wall >> Street Revolution," the American people have sworn that this demand >> for "a >> democratic country, not a corporate kingdom" mass democratic >> revolution >> must spread to every part of the world, and they will not rest >> until this >> goal is met. From the anti-capitalist demonstrations that began >> after the >> 2008 financial crisis, and which this year have spread across >> Europe, the >> Middle East, North Africa and South America, this magnificent >> global mass >> democratic movement has finally spread to the center of capitalism's >> financial empire -- Wall Street. >> >> The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" is an historical >> indicator >> that the popular democratic revolution that will soon sweep the >> world is >> set to begin. It is an especially significant and important event >> for this >> movement. Before this most recent action, street protests had >> virtually >> been exclusively used as a tool by US elite groups to subvert other >> countries. Now, however, the "Wall Street Revolution" -- with its >> goals of >> shared prosperity and popular democracy -- has launched protests in >> the >> country that is the self-proclaimed defender of democracy. This will >> inevitably strike a hard blow against the US elite group, itself >> responsible for the plunder and oppression of people all over the >> world, >> and the group that pushed the world into crisis and instability. The >> protests ring the death knell of the rule of capital. Popular >> democracy >> will replace elite democracy in the 21st Century, and the curtain has >> lifted on the movement from elite politics to popular politics. >> Using the >> language of the "Wall Street Revolution," this is a struggle of the >> popular >> 99% against the corrupt 1%, a struggle of the popular 99% against >> the elite >> 1%,and is the final struggle of the popular forces against elite >> capitalist >> rule. >> >> The world belongs to all of the people of the world. Countries >> belong to >> the entire people of those countries. Even more so, wealth is >> produced by >> the entire people, and therefore should be shared by the entire >> people, it >> cannot be monopolized by the 1% -- or even less than 1% -- that is >> made up >> of an extremely small number of elites. The demand for common >> prosperity in >> economics, and popular democracy in politics has become an >> unstoppable >> historical trend! The rapid expansion of a fictitious economy and the >> massive flow of social wealth has created an amply reliable material >> foundation for the realization of the common wealth of all people. >> The >> development of internet technology and political civilization has >> created >> the conditions for human society to make the transition from >> capitalist >> democracy to popular democracy. Human society is fully capable of >> transforming, on the foundation of the past democracy of >> slaveholders, the >> democracy of feudal lords, and the democracy of the capitalist >> class, to >> make the fundamental shift from the democracy of the elites to real >> popular >> democracy. Common prosperity and popular democracy will become the >> main >> content of the historical transformation of the 21st Century. No >> matter how >> brutally the American riot police will attempt to suppress the >> participants >> in the Wall Street revolution, no matter how much the global elites >> -- >> especially those in the U.S. and China -- try to suppress news of >> the Wall >> Street revolution, they cannot stop the vigorous growth and ultimate >> victory of the democratic revolution of the people of the world. >> >> The violent repression and virtual blockade of news about the "Wall >> Street >> Revolution" by elite groups led by the US proves that the fate of >> oppressed >> people around the world is the same, regardless of whether they are >> from >> developed or developing countries, whether they are from so-called >> democracies or authoritarian countries. The international elite was >> the >> first class to link-up internationally via globalization. Their >> plunder of >> public wealth and repression of popular democratic movements is >> cruel and >> far-reaching, and utterly lacking in freedom and democracy. So-called >> freedom and democracy in modern society is nothing more than >> democracy for >> capitalism, an elite democracy. Freedom is another word for the >> elite to >> plunder, oppress and violently suppress others. Popular forces have >> been >> completely excluded from the freedoms and democracy of modern >> society, and >> the extent of democratic rights is to choose between presidential >> candidates that have already been vetted by capital. You can vote >> once >> every four years, but you have no way of affecting the people above >> you who >> directly determine your fate: your boss or superior. And there is >> no way of >> constraining the capitalistoligarchs who can take away the wealth >> of the >> majority of the population with the slight of hand of fictitious >> capital. >> Freedom and democracy have become a virtual game, nothing more than >> a tool >> to subvert other countries. Now the popular and democratic world >> revolution >> -- symbolized by the "Wall Street Revolution"- demands an end to this >> political game, and that freedom and democracy be returned to the >> people. >> Democracy is not just a check on the president, but a check on >> government >> officials; democracy is not just a check on power, but a check on >> capital. >> If the rights and privileges of feudal and absolute rulers are >> understood >> to be a sin and abomination, then giving those rights to capital is >> also a >> travesty. >> >> Securities and computer networks should have been two crucial >> elements of >> our shift from an industrial society to an information society, >> from a >> material economy to a virtual economy, from capitalism to a human- >> centered >> economic system, and from elite politics to popular politics. But >> the elite >> class has turned securities into a tool of appropriation akin to the >> 'indulgences' issued by middle-age church functionaries in Europe. >> In the >> new securitized economy, all the public's wealth can easily melt >> into thin >> air -- including their houses, wages, labor power and even their >> hope for >> the future. All these things have become the targets of >> appropriation by a >> tiny elite minority. Both the white-collar middle classes in >> developed >> countries -- owners of fictitious property, and the blue-collar >> workers in >> developing countries who cannot afford housing or health care, >> belong in >> point of fact to the same class: modern proletariat. When the people >> protest the unprecedented plunder and vast income gap perpetrated by >> fictitious capital, they are met with violent repression -- both in >> so- >> called democracy countries that claim to be defenders of human >> rights such >> as the US, and in authoritarian countries that are said to lack >> freedom and >> democracy. Faced with street protests erupting from the Balkans to >> North >> Africa, President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have >> repeated over >> and over, "The rights of peaceful protest and the occupation of >> public >> space should be respected at all times." Yet when US citizens >> attempt to >> exercise this right they immediately are faced with violent >> repression by >> armed police, and a blockade by the news media. If this is reaction >> of the >> US -- the self-proclaimed leader in human rights -- then we can >> imagine >> what the reaction will be in other capitalist countries. Rule by the >> capitalist elite is just as described by the "Wall Street >> Revolution" -- >> everywhere. There is nowhere left were we can live and die as people. >> >> The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" in the heart of the >> world's >> financial empire shows that 99% of the world's people remain >> exploited and >> oppressed -- regardless of whether they are from developed or >> developing >> countries. People throughout the world see their wealth being >> plundered, >> and their rights being taken away. Economic polarization is now a >> common >> threat to all of us. The conflict between popular and elite rule is >> also >> found in all countries. Now, however, the popular democratic >> revolution >> meets repression not just from its own ruling class, but also from >> the >> world elite that has formed through globalization. The "Wall Street >> Revolution" has met with repression from US police, but also >> suffers from a >> media blackout organized by the Chinese elite. >> >> The same fate, the same pain, the same problems, the same conflict. >> Faced >> with a common enemy in an elite global class that has already >> linked-up, >> the people of the world have only one option: to unite and in a >> unified and >> shared struggle overturn the rule of the capitalist elite, to >> ensure that >> everyone enjoys the basic human rights of work, housing, health care, >> education, and a secure old-age. But we must go further if we are to >> realize shared prosperity and popular democracy in a new socialist >> world >> historical framework, If we are to fully escape and neutralize the >> crises >> and disasters that capitalism has brought the human race, and realize >> harmonious social development. >> >> The great "Wall Street Revolution" and the great popular "Chilean >> Winter" >> that preceded it signal that the day when we realize shared >> prosperity and >> popular democracy is approaching. It signals that worldwide popular >> and >> democratic socialist movement -- dormant since the 1970s -- is >> waking up >> again. But this time, it will be the final battle to put capitalism >> in its >> grave. The victory of popular democracy and death of elite rule are >> inevitable! The embers of revolt are scattered amongst us all, >> waiting to >> burn with the slightest breeze. The great era of popular democracy, >> set to >> change history, has arrived again! >> >> Resolutely support the American people in the "Wall Street >> Revolution"! >> >> Resolutely support all street protests pushing for shared >> prosperity and >> popular demoracy! >> >> Long live the "Wall Street Revolution"! >> >> Long live the global movement for popular democracy! >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _________________________________________ >> 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/> > > > > > -- > Joshua SOANS > Executive Editor > MedicinMan > > www.medicinman.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 jeebesh at sarai.net Fri Oct 14 05:02:05 2011 From: jeebesh at sarai.net (Jeebesh) Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:02:05 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Message from Chinese activists and academics in support of Occupy Wall Street In-Reply-To: References: <12a9acf3c39f6083ad4f810e4697da18.squirrel@webmail.xs4all.nl> Message-ID: <7E0B22BF-1F72-4075-A381-3E05754DD4E3@sarai.net> Very soon occupy New York Times will start. It will be a carnival of leaderless rejoicing :) On 13-Oct-11, at 8:02 PM, Joshua Soans wrote: > praiseworthy sentiments, unlikely to change much: > http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/nyregion/protesters-are-gunning-for-wall-street-with-faulty-aim.html?_r=2 > > On Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 2:08 PM, Patrice Riemens > wrote: > >> Reposted from nettime-l with usual apps 4 X-posting! >> >> >> This letter of solidarity, signed over by 50 intellectuals and >> activists in >> China, was posted to Utopia yesterday. Thanks to everyone for the >> translation and editing work! >> >> http://chinastudygroup.net/2011/10/message-from-chinese-activists- >> and- >> academics-in-support-of-occupy-wall-street/ >> >>> From the middle of September, a great "Wall Street Revolution" has >>> broken >> out in the United States. This street revolution, going by the name >> of >> "Occupy Wall Street," has already expanded to over 70 cities and >> countries >> in North America, Europe, and other areas. In their statement on >> "The Wall >> Street Revolution," the American people have sworn that this demand >> for "a >> democratic country, not a corporate kingdom" mass democratic >> revolution >> must spread to every part of the world, and they will not rest >> until this >> goal is met. From the anti-capitalist demonstrations that began >> after the >> 2008 financial crisis, and which this year have spread across >> Europe, the >> Middle East, North Africa and South America, this magnificent >> global mass >> democratic movement has finally spread to the center of capitalism's >> financial empire -- Wall Street. >> >> The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" is an historical >> indicator >> that the popular democratic revolution that will soon sweep the >> world is >> set to begin. It is an especially significant and important event >> for this >> movement. Before this most recent action, street protests had >> virtually >> been exclusively used as a tool by US elite groups to subvert other >> countries. Now, however, the "Wall Street Revolution" -- with its >> goals of >> shared prosperity and popular democracy -- has launched protests in >> the >> country that is the self-proclaimed defender of democracy. This will >> inevitably strike a hard blow against the US elite group, itself >> responsible for the plunder and oppression of people all over the >> world, >> and the group that pushed the world into crisis and instability. The >> protests ring the death knell of the rule of capital. Popular >> democracy >> will replace elite democracy in the 21st Century, and the curtain has >> lifted on the movement from elite politics to popular politics. >> Using the >> language of the "Wall Street Revolution," this is a struggle of the >> popular >> 99% against the corrupt 1%, a struggle of the popular 99% against >> the elite >> 1%,and is the final struggle of the popular forces against elite >> capitalist >> rule. >> >> The world belongs to all of the people of the world. Countries >> belong to >> the entire people of those countries. Even more so, wealth is >> produced by >> the entire people, and therefore should be shared by the entire >> people, it >> cannot be monopolized by the 1% -- or even less than 1% -- that is >> made up >> of an extremely small number of elites. The demand for common >> prosperity in >> economics, and popular democracy in politics has become an >> unstoppable >> historical trend! The rapid expansion of a fictitious economy and the >> massive flow of social wealth has created an amply reliable material >> foundation for the realization of the common wealth of all people. >> The >> development of internet technology and political civilization has >> created >> the conditions for human society to make the transition from >> capitalist >> democracy to popular democracy. Human society is fully capable of >> transforming, on the foundation of the past democracy of >> slaveholders, the >> democracy of feudal lords, and the democracy of the capitalist >> class, to >> make the fundamental shift from the democracy of the elites to real >> popular >> democracy. Common prosperity and popular democracy will become the >> main >> content of the historical transformation of the 21st Century. No >> matter how >> brutally the American riot police will attempt to suppress the >> participants >> in the Wall Street revolution, no matter how much the global elites >> -- >> especially those in the U.S. and China -- try to suppress news of >> the Wall >> Street revolution, they cannot stop the vigorous growth and ultimate >> victory of the democratic revolution of the people of the world. >> >> The violent repression and virtual blockade of news about the "Wall >> Street >> Revolution" by elite groups led by the US proves that the fate of >> oppressed >> people around the world is the same, regardless of whether they are >> from >> developed or developing countries, whether they are from so-called >> democracies or authoritarian countries. The international elite was >> the >> first class to link-up internationally via globalization. Their >> plunder of >> public wealth and repression of popular democratic movements is >> cruel and >> far-reaching, and utterly lacking in freedom and democracy. So-called >> freedom and democracy in modern society is nothing more than >> democracy for >> capitalism, an elite democracy. Freedom is another word for the >> elite to >> plunder, oppress and violently suppress others. Popular forces have >> been >> completely excluded from the freedoms and democracy of modern >> society, and >> the extent of democratic rights is to choose between presidential >> candidates that have already been vetted by capital. You can vote >> once >> every four years, but you have no way of affecting the people above >> you who >> directly determine your fate: your boss or superior. And there is >> no way of >> constraining the capitalistoligarchs who can take away the wealth >> of the >> majority of the population with the slight of hand of fictitious >> capital. >> Freedom and democracy have become a virtual game, nothing more than >> a tool >> to subvert other countries. Now the popular and democratic world >> revolution >> -- symbolized by the "Wall Street Revolution"- demands an end to this >> political game, and that freedom and democracy be returned to the >> people. >> Democracy is not just a check on the president, but a check on >> government >> officials; democracy is not just a check on power, but a check on >> capital. >> If the rights and privileges of feudal and absolute rulers are >> understood >> to be a sin and abomination, then giving those rights to capital is >> also a >> travesty. >> >> Securities and computer networks should have been two crucial >> elements of >> our shift from an industrial society to an information society, >> from a >> material economy to a virtual economy, from capitalism to a human- >> centered >> economic system, and from elite politics to popular politics. But >> the elite >> class has turned securities into a tool of appropriation akin to the >> 'indulgences' issued by middle-age church functionaries in Europe. >> In the >> new securitized economy, all the public's wealth can easily melt >> into thin >> air -- including their houses, wages, labor power and even their >> hope for >> the future. All these things have become the targets of >> appropriation by a >> tiny elite minority. Both the white-collar middle classes in >> developed >> countries -- owners of fictitious property, and the blue-collar >> workers in >> developing countries who cannot afford housing or health care, >> belong in >> point of fact to the same class: modern proletariat. When the people >> protest the unprecedented plunder and vast income gap perpetrated by >> fictitious capital, they are met with violent repression -- both in >> so- >> called democracy countries that claim to be defenders of human >> rights such >> as the US, and in authoritarian countries that are said to lack >> freedom and >> democracy. Faced with street protests erupting from the Balkans to >> North >> Africa, President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have >> repeated over >> and over, "The rights of peaceful protest and the occupation of >> public >> space should be respected at all times." Yet when US citizens >> attempt to >> exercise this right they immediately are faced with violent >> repression by >> armed police, and a blockade by the news media. If this is reaction >> of the >> US -- the self-proclaimed leader in human rights -- then we can >> imagine >> what the reaction will be in other capitalist countries. Rule by the >> capitalist elite is just as described by the "Wall Street >> Revolution" -- >> everywhere. There is nowhere left were we can live and die as people. >> >> The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" in the heart of the >> world's >> financial empire shows that 99% of the world's people remain >> exploited and >> oppressed -- regardless of whether they are from developed or >> developing >> countries. People throughout the world see their wealth being >> plundered, >> and their rights being taken away. Economic polarization is now a >> common >> threat to all of us. The conflict between popular and elite rule is >> also >> found in all countries. Now, however, the popular democratic >> revolution >> meets repression not just from its own ruling class, but also from >> the >> world elite that has formed through globalization. The "Wall Street >> Revolution" has met with repression from US police, but also >> suffers from a >> media blackout organized by the Chinese elite. >> >> The same fate, the same pain, the same problems, the same conflict. >> Faced >> with a common enemy in an elite global class that has already >> linked-up, >> the people of the world have only one option: to unite and in a >> unified and >> shared struggle overturn the rule of the capitalist elite, to >> ensure that >> everyone enjoys the basic human rights of work, housing, health care, >> education, and a secure old-age. But we must go further if we are to >> realize shared prosperity and popular democracy in a new socialist >> world >> historical framework, If we are to fully escape and neutralize the >> crises >> and disasters that capitalism has brought the human race, and realize >> harmonious social development. >> >> The great "Wall Street Revolution" and the great popular "Chilean >> Winter" >> that preceded it signal that the day when we realize shared >> prosperity and >> popular democracy is approaching. It signals that worldwide popular >> and >> democratic socialist movement -- dormant since the 1970s -- is >> waking up >> again. But this time, it will be the final battle to put capitalism >> in its >> grave. The victory of popular democracy and death of elite rule are >> inevitable! The embers of revolt are scattered amongst us all, >> waiting to >> burn with the slightest breeze. The great era of popular democracy, >> set to >> change history, has arrived again! >> >> Resolutely support the American people in the "Wall Street >> Revolution"! >> >> Resolutely support all street protests pushing for shared >> prosperity and >> popular demoracy! >> >> Long live the "Wall Street Revolution"! >> >> Long live the global movement for popular democracy! >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _________________________________________ >> 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/> > > > > > -- > Joshua SOANS > Executive Editor > MedicinMan > > www.medicinman.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 rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 14 10:18:06 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:48:06 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?Robert_McKee=E2=80=99s_India_Story_Semina?= =?utf-8?q?r?= Message-ID: <8CE584398E8935D-132C-27B30@Webmail-d107.sysops.aol.com> Robert McKee’s India Story Seminar, http://www.raft.ramojifilmcity.com/ Robert McKee’s India Story Seminar is a unique opportunity for writers of any medium or genre in India to engage with one of the most respected thinkers on the subject. In recent years the number of Story Seminars has decreased due to writing deadlines for Mr. McKee’s genre books and his commitment to ‘storylogue’, his online community for writers. Writers are urged to register at the earliest to ensure they don’t miss out on this rare event. The Seminar is a 4-day intensive providing an entire approach to story; each day’s session begins at 9AM and closes at 7 PM. Seminar price represents tuition fee and does not include accommodation. Accommodation :The registration fee does not include accommodation charges. However, delegates may avail accommodation at Ramoji Film City’s hotels at special rates by quoting their delegate registration details. Delegates interested in staying at Ramoji Film City (RFC) are requested to kindly write in to us at indiastoryseminar at ramojifilmcity.com. Based upon the number of delegates expressing interest a rate will be arrived at in consultation with hotel management and conveyed to you. Please note that mere expression of interest in staying at the RFC hotels does not entail an obligation upon RAFT to provide the same. Meals :Meals will be made available at the venue on payment. Transport : The registration fee does not include transport to or from Ramoji Film City (RFC). However, buses will be run from some select points in the city to RFC; they will also make scheduled stops along the way. There will be a reasonable charge per bus journey. Registration by Regular Mail : Delegates may also register by applying with the details mentioned in the above (online registration) form and including a Demand Draft (payable at Hyderabad) for the registration fee. The DD must be made out in the name of ‘Ramoji Academy of Film & Television’. Mailing Address: Ramoji Academy of Film & Television Ramoji Film City Hyderabad - 501512 Andhra Pradesh. Ph: 08415-246555, Extn: 6705 From rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 14 10:35:48 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:05:48 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] AndhaYug:A Play in Hindi by Dharamvir Bharti, Kotla Ferozeshah, New Delhi, Oct 15-19, 2011, 7pm on wards Message-ID: <8CE584611DA8369-132C-27F8A@Webmail-d107.sysops.aol.com> AndhaYug:A Play in Hindi by Dharamvir Bharti Kotla Ferozeshah Near ITO,New Delhi October 15-19,2011 7pm on wards Kindly collect the invite/seat card from the venue Kotla Ferozeshah in advance from 11 October,2011 onward (11am -5pm). Andha Yug (Hindi: अंधा युग, The Age of Blindness/ The Blind Age) is 1954 verse play written in Hindi, by renowned novelist, poet, and playwright Dharamvir Bharati (1926 - 1997). It was the first important play of 20th century India. Set in the last day of the Great Mahabharatwar, the five-act tragedy was written in the years following the 1947 partition of India atrocities, as allegory to its destruction not just of human lives, but also ethical values, and is metaphoric meditation on the politics of violence and aggressive selfhood, and that war dehumanized both individual and society, thus both the victor and the vanquished loose eventually. The anti-war play first created sensation as a radio play at Allahabad All India Radio, which led to its production by Mumba-based theatre director, Satyadev Dubey (1962), and subsequent famous production by theatre doyen Ebrahim Alkazi against the backdrop of historical monuments in Delhi, like Feroz Shah Kotla and Purana Qila, became "a national theatrical event", his 1963 production was seen by then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.In was subsequently staged by numerous directors and numerous Indian languages.Part of the "theatre of the roots" movement which started in Indian theatre in 1950s, which tried to look into Indian epics and myths for form, inspiration and content, Andha Yug is today recognised as the "play that heralded a new era in Indian theatre" and standard repertoire of Hindi theatre.Dharamvir Bharati wrote just one play during his career, and was later awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Playwriting (Hindi) in 1988, given by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama. Andha Yug is based on the ancient Sanskrit epic, Mahabharata written by Ved Vyasa. The play begins on the eighteenth and last day of the Great Mahabharata War, which devastated the kingdom of Kauravas, the feuding cousins of Pandavas, their capital the once magnificent city ofHastinapur lay burning, in ruins, the battlefield of Kurukshetra was strewn with corpses, and skies filled with vultures and death laments. Fatalities were on both the side as cousins killed each other. The survivors were left grieving and enraged as they continued to blamed other for the destruction even divine will, yet no one was willing to view it as a consequence of their own moral choices. Just the Ashwatthama, son of guru Dronacharya, in one last ditch act of revenge against the Pandavas, releases the ultimate weapon of destruction, the Brahmastra, which promises to annihilate the world, yet no one comes forward to condemn it, ethics and humanity have been the first casualties of the war. Krishna who acted mediate between the cousins prior to war, remains the moral centre of the play. Even in his failure he presents options that are both ethical and just and reminds that higher or sacred way is always accessible to human beings even in the worst of times. The play ends with the death of Krishna. Bharati constructed the play utilizing not just western drama tradition but also early Indian drama, found in Sanskrit drama. Prologue Act One: The Kaurava Kingdom Act Two: The Making of a Beast Act Three: The Half-truth of Ashwatthama Interlude: Feathers, Wheels and Bandages Act Four: Gandhari's Curse Act Five: Victory and a Series of Suicides Epilogue: Death of the Lord Andha Yug highlights the perils of self-enchantment in his anti-war allegory. It explores human capacity for moral action, reconciliation, and goodness in times of atrocity and reveals what happens when individuals succumb to the cruelty and cynicism of a blind, dispirited age. When a ruler, epitomized by a blind Dhritarashtra, both physically and also by his ambition for his son Duryodhana along with an equally blinded society fail to its own shadow side and that of their loved ones. It also elaborates on the consequences, when a society fails to step out of the cycle of revenge and instead choose a redemptive path, which is always available even in worst of scenarios, shown by Krishna presence admit the mindlessness of fellow human being, it was only when they collectively reject the voice of wisdom that denigration of war step upon them, leading to wide-scale bloodshed. Hinting at the perils that await a society that urns away from its wisdom culture and instead succumb to the logic of the moment that can be easily swayed by emotions. Bharati uses the war of Mahabharat to make an anti-war statement but also raises questions regarding moral uprightness in the wake of Partition-related atrocities, loss of faith and national identity.Some directors have even used it to bring out contemporary issues like the role of diplomacy of the present world. Andha Yug (English), by Dharamvir Bharati, Tr. Alok Bhalla. Oxford University Press, USA, 2010. ISBN 0198065221. Andha Yug (Oriya), by Dharamvir Bharati, Tr. Saudamini Nanda . Sahitya Akademi, 2001. ISBN 8126012331. Andha Yug (English), by Dharamvir Bharati, Tr. Tripurari Sharma. National School of Drama. 2001 From rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 14 22:16:31 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:46:31 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?NISSAN_IS_MAKING_THE_WORLD=E2=80=99S_FIRS?= =?utf-8?q?T_BOLLYWOOD_MOVIE_AUDITIONED_ON_FACEBOOK_=28_Auditions_Open_fro?= =?utf-8?q?m_October_19th_2011=29?= Message-ID: <8CE58A7F5FD1E69-138C-31CF4@webmail-m046.sysops.aol.com> NISSAN IS MAKING THE WORLD’S FIRST BOLLYWOOD MOVIE AUDITIONED ON FACEBOOK Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Nissan and you! Nissan has arrived in India. We're all about innovation and excitement – and what could be more exciting than creating a world first? We know Indians share a love of dancing, so we’re searching for 20 passionate members of the public* to star alongside Ranbir in our Bollywood blockbuster: New Star Of India. Our movie will be auditioned and produced on Facebook, then premiered at exclusive red-carpet events in key cities across the country. We need YOU to make it happen! You don't need to be a professional to get involved, we're just looking for passion and enthusiasm. You can upload an audition video right here on Facebook, or we'll be touring the nation and filming auditions at a city near you. The competition's open to everyone and you can also audition as part of a group of up to 10 people. The winners will be selected from the videos that receive the most public votes – plus some of Ranbir's favourites too. You'll also have the opportunity to shape the plot of the movie. New Star Of India will then be screened live on Facebook, with all the main contributors featured in the credits. Drive away a new Nissan Micra Everyone who votes or shares, or takes a test drive will be entered into a competition to win one of the hottest tickets in town. A chance to attend the movie premiere, where we'll be giving away six Nissan Micras! *Competition entrants must reside in India, see full terms and conditions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terms & Conditions In the ‘New Star Of India’ campaign Nissan is searching for 20 members of the public to star alongside Ranbir in a 3-minute movie: New Star Of India. Our movie will be auditioned and produced on Facebook, then premiered at exclusive red-carpet events across the country. This campaign ‘New Star Of India’ is open for permanent residents in India aged 18 or over only. All entrants must agree to the Facebook permissions to participate. Nissan reserves the right to request proof of any entrant’s eligibility. Participant may submit audition videos either on Facebook or at one of the tour auditions. Only videos submitted via our Facebook app or at one of our tour dates will be accepted. Nissan reserves the right to exclude any videos from the competition it deems to be unacceptable or inappropriate. Users may also report videos for inappropriate content. These videos will then be reviewed by Nissan and removed if this is the case. The listing of ‘Most popular’ will be determined by those videos with the most votes and the most viewed. An entrant may submit multiple videos, sharing or voting to increase their chances of winning. The decision of Nissan in respect to short-listing the top 100 and 20 finalists shall be final and binding on all concerned. Entrants must ensure that they are available to participate in the filming during dates that will be provided by Nissan. Winners will be notified up to two weeks prior to the film shoot. Nissan agrees to cover reasonable subsistence and expenses arising during the filming period only. Reasonable costs to be defined by Nissan prior to the event. Entrants acknowledge and agree that they are solely responsible for all content that they post or publish on the web site. The entrants acknowledge and agree that Nissan shall be allowed to publicly use their names and other details or uploaded content without any compensation of whatsoever nature. Nissan reserves the right to condition the award of prizes upon the execution by the winner(s) of a publicity release. Notwithstanding this reserved right, entry of the entrant is conclusively deemed to be permission by the entrant to use the entrant’s name (without compensation to the entrant). Nissan and its officers, directors, employees, agents, associates, affiliates, successors, and assigns shall not be held responsible and/or liable in the event any entrant is not selected as a winner and/or his/her entry is rejected for any reasons whatsoever. In such event, the entrants undertake that they shall not claim any damages of whatsoever nature against the Nissan and the entrants hereby indemnify and keep indemnified Nissan and its officers, directors, employees, agents, associates, affiliates, successors, and assigns harmless from and against any loss and/or damages suffered by them. The entrants hereby waive all rights to pursue against Nissan and its officers, directors, employees, agents, associates, affiliates, successors, and assigns for any claims of any nature arising in connection with this contest. Nissan and its officers, directors, employees, agents, associates, affiliates, successors, and assigns shall not be responsible and/or liable to disclose the names of other entrants and/or the procedure involved for declaring an entrant as a winner. Neither Nissan nor its officers, directors, employees, agents, associates, affiliates, successors or assigns shall be liable and/or responsible for any costs, loss, damage, injury, suffered or any other claims incurred by the entrants as a result of participation in the competition. Nissan shall not be liable for any loss arising out of or in connection with any events connected with this contest or thereafter promoted by Nissan. Prizes are non-transferable, non-cashable, non re-routable or non-extendable. All applicable taxes, cess, levies, charges etc. or any shortfall thereto on the prizes shall be paid and borne by the winners. Nissan reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to terminate and/or cancel and/or postpone the film or premier events at any time without prior notice. Nissan reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to alter any contest rules at any time. By entering the contest, the entrants conclusively are deemed to have agreed to and be bound by these contest rules and terms and conditions as well as by any rules specific to such contest. This is an irrevocable condition of entry. Nissan reserves the right to modify or alter the terms and conditions of the contest announcement and the terms and conditions mentioned herein without giving any prior notice. You hereby acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for all materials that you post or publish on the Web Site, including without limitation, information, code, data, text, software, music, sound, links, photographs, pictures, graphics, video, chat, messages, files and any other materials (‘Content’). You represent, warrant and agree that no Content submitted by you or through your account will violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity or other personal or proprietary rights; or contain libellous, defamatory or otherwise unlawful material. You represent and warrant that you have all legal rights necessary to publish any Content on the Web Site or that you own such Content. You hereby acknowledge and agree that Company shall, at all times, possess the right to refuse to include and/or to cause the removal of any or all of your Content for any reason and at its sole discretion. You hereby acknowledge and agree that Company may, at its sole discretion, disclose your Content in order to: (i) comply with law enforcement, court orders, or the legal process; and/or (ii) protect the rights and safety of individuals; and/or (iii) settle disputes over intellectual property ownership. The Company owns, protects and enforces copyrights in its own creative material and respects the copyright properties of others. --------------------------------------------------------------------- For more info Log on to http://www.facebook.com/nissanindia?sk=app_163232707101573 From magiclantern.foundation at gmail.com Sat Oct 15 02:15:04 2011 From: magiclantern.foundation at gmail.com (Magic Lantern Foundation) Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:15:04 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Persistence Resistance in London Message-ID: <03BA0888-985F-45D9-9E4F-576F34603F67@gmail.com> Dear friends, We are creating a London edition of Persistence Resistance in collaboration with 5 academic institutions of London. I would be delighted if you could attend. the details are: Persistence Resistance: Documentary Practices from India Dates: 1-8 November Across multiple venues in London Entry Free. All welcome. Schedule and details here: http://magiclanternfoundation.org/persistence-resistance-in-london/ Please do circulate the invite to people who would want to attend or write about the festival. with best wishes, Gargi Sen --------- Magic Lantern Foundation J 1881 Chittaranjan Park, Basement, New Delhi 110019 P: +(91 11) 26273244/ 41605239 E: magiclantern.foundation at gmail.com W: http://magiclanternfoundation.org | http://www.ucfilms.in | http://persistenceresistance.in From rohitrellan at aol.in Sat Oct 15 12:08:57 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:38:57 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?Media_Registration=3A42nd_International_F?= =?utf-8?q?ilm_Festival_of_India_November_23_=E2=80=93December_03=2C_2011_?= =?utf-8?b?KEdvYSk=?= Message-ID: <8CE591C3F966FB9-1404-44D38@webmail-d178.sysops.aol.com> Media Registration 42nd International Film Festival of India November 23 –December 03, 2011 (Goa) Guidelines for Media Registration / Accreditation Online Registration/Accreditation for Media for 42nd IFFI Opens on October 10, 2011 and closes on November 15, 2011. Forms/links for online registration are available on PIB’s website http://pib.nic.in , IFFI’s website http://iffi.nic.in and http://iffigoa.org Anyone registered as a delegate will not get media accreditation. Incomplete applications will be summarily rejected. A. WHO CAN REGISTER: · Media persons above 18 years of age can be accreditated in this category · One should have professional experience of covering film festivals for 3 years B. ACCREDITATION ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANISATION: Should be recommended by the concerned Media Organization Normally one accreditation only will be given for each organisation except the following : Main News Ageny -- upto accreditations. TV News Organizations ---- 3 teams. Each team will have a maximum of one cameraman, one technician and one correspondent. Accreditation may be granted in exceptional cases to serious film journalists on merit. C. MEDIA PERSONS based in India but outside Delhi Applications for Accreditation must be recommended by the concerned PIB Regional / Branch Office. D. Media Persons based abroad Online applicatios must be accompanied by scanned copy of J Visa or recommendation from Indian Mission in their country of stay. E. Accreditation for Freelance Media Persons Eminent persons having 10 years professional experience of covering films may be granted accreditation in the category of "Freelance". APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Only online applications are accepted Application must accompany the following · Declaration [for freelance journalists] or recommendation letter from Editor/Bureau Chief as pergiven here · Photograph · Scanned copy of atleast three clippings pertaining to different years · Scanned copy of J-VISA [for foreign nationals] · Scanned copy of letter from Head of Indian Mission [for PIOs] as per given here. · Scanned copy of accreditation card of PIB/IFFI/State Government. · Any other file relevant to the applicant's professional experience. Anyone registered as a delegate will not get media accreditation. Incomplete applications will be summarily rejected. CHECK LIST While Submitting the application for media registration/accreditation, have you checked these? · Have you filled all relevant columns? · Have you uploaded : 1. Your photograph 2. Scan of declaration or recommendation letter from Editor/Bureau Chief 3. Scan of recommendation from the Indian Mission [for PIOs not based in India ] 4. Scan of J-Visa [in case of all foreigners] 5. Scans of 3 or more press clippings [in case of print journalists] 6. Any other file relevant to your work From rohitrellan at aol.in Sat Oct 15 12:10:21 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:40:21 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Invitation for 4th Cinema of Resistance Lucknow Film Festival In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE591C7198277B-1404-44DA4@webmail-d178.sysops.aol.com> In memory of Anil Sinha, Mani Kaul and Gurusharan Singh 4th Lucknow Film Festival Cinema of Resistance 21, 22 & 23 October2011 Valmiki Rangshala U.P. Sangeet Natak Academy Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar Lucknow Jan Sanskriti Manch Lucknow 1st Day : 21 Oct 2011 (Friday) 4.30 PM Inaugural Session. Inauguration of thefestival by Naresh Saxena,a renowned Hindi poet. Function Presided Over by Ajai Kumar, Poet & FilmCritic. A Lecture on 'Journey of Cinema ofResistance' by Sanjay Joshi, Convener, National Initiative for Cinema of Resistance Presentation of song by Sankalp Cultural Group, Baliya. 6.30PM “Janchetna ke Chitere” an exhibition of paintings by Chittoprasad, Somnath Hod andZainul Abedin designed by AshokBhaumick Evening 6 :30 PM Irani Feature Film- “Offside” (with English subtitles) Director : Jafar Panahi 2nd day 22 Oct 2011 (Saturday) Morning 11:00 AM Presentation of song by Sankalp Cultural Group, Baliya. Bangla Feature Film : “ Meghe Dhaka Tara” Director : Ritwik Ghatak 2:30 PM A Lecture by Sudhir Suman Sub: “Intervention by Women Film Makersin Indian Documentaries”. 3:15 PM Sasural (Documentary, Hindi) Director : Meera Divan Cities of Photos (Documentary, Hindi & English) Director: Nistha Jain 5:00 PM Presentation of song by Sankalp Cultural Group, Baliya. “Nadiyon Ke Sath” Presentation of Stories, Pictures & Videos ofthe Journeys of The Ganges, Brahmaputra,Gomti & Jambeji (Africa) by Film Maker andTraveler Apal Evening 6:30 PM ”I Wonder” (An Indian Documentary Searching Scenarioof Educational World) Director : Anupama Srinivasan Hindi Feature Film – “Duvidha” Director: Mani kaul 3rd day 23 Oct 2011 (Sunday) 11:00 AM Special Session ofChildren Short Animation Films for Children “Sunday” (A Feature Film for Children by Pankaj Adwani) 1:30 PM Special Session ofDocumentary Films “Malegaon Ka Superman” by FaizaAhmad khan “For Maya” by VasudhaJoshi “Sabji Mandi Ke Heere” by NilitaVachani “Kamla Bai” by ReenaMohan “Mai Tumhara Kavi Hun” by NitinK Pamnani And a Dialogue with theeditor of the Film Imran Khan 6:00 PM A lecture by Uma Chakravarti (Feminist writer,Historian and Film maker) Screening of her film “A Quite Little Entry” by Uma Chakravarti 7:30 PM Closing Session of Film Festival Poetry recital by Rmashankar Yadav 'Vidrohi' ENTRY IS FREE ! Contact: Kaushal Kishor Convener,Jan Sanskriti Manch, Lucknow F – 3144, Rajajipuram, Lucknow – 226017 Mob- 08400208031,09807519227 E mail : kaushalsil.2008 at gmail.com __._ __,_._,___ From shahzulf at yahoo.com Sat Oct 15 14:38:27 2011 From: shahzulf at yahoo.com (Zulfiqar Shah) Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 02:08:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Civil Society to Highlight Sindh Issues in South Asia Social Forum Message-ID: <1318669707.35127.YahooMailClassic@web38807.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Civil Society to Highlight Sindh Issues in South Asia Social Forum Daily Pakistan Today KARACHI - Members of the Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) and civil society activists and have unanimously decided to stage two major events - ‘Federalism in Pakistan: A Post Bangladesh Perspective’ and ‘Landlessness, Poverty and Land Reforms in Sindh and Peasant Movement’ - in the South Asia Social Forum that would be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on November 18 this year. In a meeting held on Friday, civil society activists reviewed the current socio-economic and political issues of Pakistan, particularly Sindh, as well as the issues relating to the regional integrity of South Asian as a viable regional union. The participants of the meeting also discussed the detention of fisherfolk from both Pakistan and India and termed these steps as irritants in the path of sustainable peace and stability in the region from the people’s security perspective. The participants also demanded the release of fisherfolk detained by both countries, particularly a large number of them held by Pakistan’s maritime personnel recently. The participants discussed the post-rain and -flood scenario in Sindh and demanded that the government as well as the global community, should provide timely emergency response support and initiatives for the calamity-stricken people. They shared their concern about the Sindh Local Government Ordinance and demanded that a pro-people and ethnically harmonious local government framework should be devised after taking all stakeholders into consultation. The meeting was attended by Zulfiqar Shah of the Institute for Social Movements, Zulfiqar Halepoto of the PPC, Suleman G Abro of the Sindh Agricultural and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organisation, Mustafa Baloch of the Strengthening Participatory Organisation, Dr Ashothama of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Punhal Sariyo, Jabbar Bhatti, Shehnaz Shidi, Zahida Detho, Nisar Khokhar, Maqsood Daheri, Shokat Memon, Akbar Dars, Fatima Siyal, Abdullah Langha, Dr Haider and Ghaffar Malik.     link: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/10/civil-society-to-highlight-sindh-issues-in-south-asia-social-forum/  From meeta_sol at hotmail.com Sun Oct 16 03:20:36 2011 From: meeta_sol at hotmail.com (meeta singh) Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:20:36 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Just look!! Message-ID: Hello Friend it was time to start a new chapter there is no comparing to this this is proof that miracles do exist wish I had more time to give details http://www.emballagedigest.fr/advertising/redirect.php?waxos&mow=twitter.com&noso=google.com&url=weeksnews.net/esubmit/bizopp_hw3.php talk to you soon. From rohitrellan at aol.in Sun Oct 16 18:55:19 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:25:19 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?XI_SETTIMANA_DELLA_LINGUA_ITALIANA_NEL_MO?= =?utf-8?q?NDO=3A=E2=80=9CPoesia=E2=80=9D_An_Evening_of_Italian_and_Indian?= =?utf-8?q?_Poetry?= Message-ID: <8CE5A1E2EE32493-1368-4ECB3@webmail-m048.sysops.aol.com> XI SETTIMANA DELLA LINGUA ITALIANA NEL MONDO Istituto Italiano di Cultura in collaboration with Poetry Across Cultures Expressions - The Creative Writing Society (Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi) and University of Delhi, Department of Germanic and Romance Studies cordially invites you to “Poesia” An Evening of Italian and Indian Poetry on Tuesday, 18th October 2011, 6 p.m. Followed by High Tea Istituto Italiano di Cultura 50 E, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri (Entry rom Nyaya Marg) New Delhi, 110021 From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sun Oct 16 19:59:24 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:59:24 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Maruti-Suzuki Strike Update Message-ID: http://www.pragoti.in/node/4558 Statement received from Shiv Kumar, General Secretary of the Maruti Suzuki Employees Union and circulated across the internet. Pragoti publishes this statement in solidarity and also appends a joint appeal by the Students Federation of India (SFI), the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Janwadi Mahila Samiti (JMS) calling for protests at the Maruti Suzuki headquarters in south Delhi. http://www.pragoti.in/node/4558 Please circulate among your lists as well. Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From the-network at koeln.de Mon Oct 17 18:12:03 2011 From: the-network at koeln.de (CologneOFF) Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:42:03 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] =?iso-8859-1?q?CologneOFF_2011-_Rome_=26_Gdansk_-_2?= =?iso-8859-1?q?1-23_Oct_2011?= Message-ID: <20111017144204.8153FCF6.74CB4CD3@192.168.0.2> Cologne International Videoart Festival http://coff.newmediafest.org is happy to announce the two manifestations in October see also catalogue to be downloaded as PDF for free http://downloads.nmartproject.net/CologneOFF2011_Rome_Gdansk.pdf 1. CologeOFF 2011 Rome @ Arte Video Roma Festival 2011 www.artevideoromafestival.org/ 21-23 October 2011 presenting the screeningsprogram CologneOFF VII - Art & the City: Mirrors This selection includes videos from the 7th CologneOFF festival edition which was launched in in September 2011 in Beirut-Budapest-Riga. "Art & the City" - is the title of a series of selections dealing with the urban context and how artists reflect and experience it - as a machine producing continuously memory, as a mysterious, frightening, absurd, creative or hopeless environment - once initiated now endlessly looping like a perpetuum mobile. 1, Ramon Suau Lleal (Spain) - Hoax, 2010, 4:23 2. Marko Batista (Slovenia) - The Machine of Memory, 2008, 1:29 3. Matthias Härenstam (Sweden) - Closed Circuit, 2011, 3:01 4. Shahar Marcus (Israel) - Leap of Faith, 2010, 3:02 5. Johanna Reich (Germany) - A State of Crystal, 2010, 3'19 6. Sarah Mock (Germany) - Is there a way out, 2011, 3 :47 7. Albert Merino Gomez (Spain) - The City and The Other, 2010, 3:09 8. Francesca Fini (Italy) - Oasis in The Desert, 2010, 5:05 9. Yuriy Kruchak, Yulia Kostereva (Ukraine) - The 7th of November, 2009, 3:36 10. Ana Brotas (Portugal) - Okupa, 2009, 2:14 11. Ezra Wube (Ethiopia) - Amora, 2011, 2:26 12. Liu Wei (China) - Hopeless Land, 2009, 13. Andrew Fedak (USA) - Orange County Surreality, 2011, 3:00 14. My Name is Scot (Canada) - Independance, 2011, 7:57 15. Tim Stokes (UK) - Untitled, 2011, 2:00 2. CologneOFF 2011 Gdansk @ In Out Festival 2011 at Laznia - Centre for Contemporary Art Gdansk/Poland http://www.laznia.pl 22 -23 October 2011 presenting "Young German Videoart" curated by Agricola de Cologne featuring videos by Daniel Lo Iacono - Digital Snapshots, (2:30), 2003 Johanna Reich - A State of Crystal, 2010, 3'19 Sarah Berger - Inside out #3, 2010, 4:02 Ebert Brothers - Bluescape, 2006, 2:54 Ascan Breuer - The Kurukshetra-Report, 8:00, 2009 Philip Matousek - A Beautiful Day, 3:12, 2009 Sarah Mock - Is there a Way Out, 2011, 3:47 Lars Nagler - Krypt, 2007, 6:16 Anna Porzelt - One's Bits and Pieces (Siebensachen), 2004, 3:00 Daniela Risch - When we are in heaven, 2008, 4:00 Sibylle Trickes - ,Cyclic Islands: Meme´s,, 2009, 9:00 Susanne Wiegner - Just Midnight, 2010, 3:43 Constantin Hartenstein - Title: LIFTN, 2008, 1:20 see also the common catalogue to be downloaded as PDF for free http://downloads.nmartproject.net/CologneOFF2011_Rome_Gdansk.pdf ------------------------------------------------ CologneOFF 2011 - videoart in a global context nomadic festival project 1 January 2011 - 31 December 2012 is operated by Cologne International Videoart Festival http://coff.newmediafest.org http://coff.newmediafest.org/blog/ & artvideoKOELN - the curatorial initiative "art & moving images" http://video.mediaartcologne.org powered by Le Musee di-visioniste - the new museum of networked art - http://www.le-musee-divisioniste.org info (at) coff.newmediafest.org ---------------------------------------------- From JohnTomson at gmx.co.uk Wed Oct 5 22:24:26 2011 From: JohnTomson at gmx.co.uk (John Tomson) Date: Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:54:26 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] London Anarchist Bookfair Programme Message-ID: <20111005165426.151100@gmx.com> Please Publicise this event,thanks 2011 Anarchist Bookfair *SATURDAY 22nd OCTOBER from 10am to 7pm* Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS. Meetings http://anarchistbookfair.org.uk/ Below are times and descriptions of all meetings with groups organising them where appropriate. All meetings, discussions, talks are 50 minutes unless stated. Texts for all meetings are written by the groups themselves. We are asking all facilitators and participants in meetings to keep meetings to 50 minutes instead of 1 hour (or 1 hour 50 minutes instead of 2 hours). This is because some comrades cannot get from room to room as quickly as others, while others need to set up specialist equipment to be able to participate in meetings fully. This is part of our ongoing strategy of making the bookfair more accessible to all participants. *Mason lecture theatre First Floor (Disabled access via ground floor)* *12noon to 1.30pm* *Reclaiming the Media* This year will hopefully be remembered as the year when Rupert Murdoch got his just desserts. 25 years after the Battle of Wapping, the UK's biggest scandal-rag, the News of the World, became a scandal itself and was shut down. But Murdoch isn't the only problem in the world of the media, only a handful of corporations own virtually all of it. All run to make huge profits and have been cutting staff and quality for years. Time to reclaim the media and build new economic models . Donnacha DeLong, NUJ President, leads a discussion about how we might do it. *1.30pm to 3.00pm* *The Advent of Capital Expansion in China A Case Study of Foxconn Production and the Impacts on its Workers * In 2010, 18 young workers attempted suicide at Foxconn Technology Group’s Chinese premises, attracting worldwide attention. Pun Ngai will use the Foxconn example to demonstrate the start of rapid capital expansion in China and its impacts on the lives of Chinese workers. She will also look at the role of the state that facilitates Foxconn’s expansion as a form of monopoly capital. Foxconn is an important example of this phenomenon due to its speed and scale of capital accumulation in all regions of China which is incomparable to present enterprises. This new form of capital generates a global factory regime and a distinctive managerial mode that further leads to workers suffering from work pressure, anxieties and desperation at an unprecedented level. Pun Ngai is a lecturer at Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and author of "Made in China: Women Factory Workers in a Global Workplace. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Made-China-Factory-Workers-Workplace/dp/1932643001/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315610359&sr=1-1 " *3pm to 4.30pm* *Four days that shook the world Insurrection or a minor disturbance? * The riots in August started in Tottenham, north London after the murder of Mark Duggan yet another black man killed by the police. Yet again, like with Jean Charles de Menezes, Ian Tomlingson, Harry Stanley, and countless others the police lied to cover up their killing. Mark’s death may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. But it wasn’t the main cause for the riots and looting throughout London and other parts of the country for nearly a week. A discussion about why the riots took place, the aftermath and where we go from here. *Speakers include Darcus Howe and Tony Wood from the Tottenham Defence Campaign. Organised by: London Anarchist Bookfair Collective* *4.30pm to 6.00pm* *Is Capitalism destroying itself? And can we replace it? * /'Karl Marx got it right, capitalism can destroy itself.'/- Nouriel Roubini (IMF and US Treasury adviser). /'The [economic] icebergs are the worst in the lifetime of anyone now living.'/ - Kenneth Clarke. 'People have lost faith in the free-market, Western democratic order.'/ - Charles Moore (Thatcher's biographer and Telegraph editor). Our rulers are worried. Austerity is not reviving the economy. Instead, it has led to protests and riots that are likely to intensify. How did we get here and what are the prospects for anti-capitalist revolution? *A debate with: Selma James (Wages for Housework Campaign; Chris Knight (Radical Anthropology Group); Hillel Ticktin ('Critique, a Journal of Socialist Theory')* *David Sizer lecture theatre Ground Floor* *12noon to 2.00pm* *Primitive Communism and its contemporary relevance* The chief value of the study of human origins is that it nails the myth that ‘no revolution can ever change human nature’. It shows, on the contrary, that everything distinctively human about our nature - our ability to speak, to see ourselves as others see us, to aspire to act on moral principle - has come to prevail in our species thanks precisely to the greatest revolution in history, ‘the revolution which worked’. This 'human revolution' broke out in Africa more than a hundred thousand years ago gave rise to an egalitarian, essentially anarchist, lifestyle which lasted in most parts of the world until only three or four thousand years ago. We know we can win the coming revolution because in a real sense, we won it already when language and culture were first established. We are a species designed for communist egalitarianism, not class society or capitalism. *Organised by: Radical Anthropology Group. Speaker: Prof Chris Knight* *2.00pm to 3.00pm* *The Bone & Wright annual address to the movement* Our punchy review of the last year. Including school kids, student riots, March 26th, Black Bloc and birth of ALARM. With, amongst other things the impending Olympics in London and the fiscal cuts kicking in, the following year could prove pivotal. Come to cheer or jeer as the two most angry veterans of the movement rabble rouse. We say it’s a straight choice between us or the usual American academic wittering on about “Capitalism”, “Hierarchy” or their next book. Not for the faint hearted or “pointy heads”. *Organised by: Ian Bone and Martin Wright* *3.00pm to 4.000pm* /Anarchy in the Egyptian Revolution: a talk by three Egyptian Anarchists about Tahrir Square, the Arab Spring, and the Anti-Capitalist Struggle/ In February, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians both in Cairo and throughout the country brought down the 30 year rule of Hosni Mubarak. Many had hopes of a new "democracy", but in July Egyptians were back in Tahrir Square demanding the rights they had expected. Now, 8 months on, how is the revolution progressing? Are the demands of the Egyptian revolution, as well as those of the other "Arab Spring" revolutions being destroyed by one or another power elite? Three Egyptian anarchists Amr Abdelrahman, Dina Makram Ebeid, and Jano Charbel are in the UK to discuss with us their views on the Egyptian uprising in Jan/Feb and where the revolution goes from here. *Organised by: Bookfair Collective and others* *4.00pm to 5.00pm* *Mistakes of the Spanish Revolution* My main contention is simple; briefly, it is that between July-August 1936, the FAI-CNT regional, national and peninsular committees of the CNT-FAI abandoned all pretence of being popular revolutionary organs. Instead, within a matter of days, they constituted a vested interest structure that served, primarily, to apply the brakes to — and reverse — the spontaneous revolutionary activity of the barrio (ward/district) committees, defence cadres, the action groups and the defence committees, and repress the rank-and-file activists who were pressing for social revolution. ‘Anti-fascist unity’ and state power were promoted at the expense of anarchist principles and values while the hegemony of the notables of the CNT–FAI leadership was imposed over the local revolutionary district committees and the general assemblies. *Speaker: Stuart Christie* *5.00pm to 6.00pm* *Anarchism, Feminism, Prostitution and Sex Work* Two years ago, this book fair hosted a panel on sex work that many felt failed to present an anarchist perspective. We believe that anarcha-feminist critiques of work, of legislation and of trade union structures have the potential to move forward the entrenched debate between those either advocating for the sex industry or fighting stigma and those calling for its abolition through state legislation. The meeting will try to open discussion on ways forward for grass roots organising, by prostitutes and sex workers, against their control by the state, the sex industry and the market. *Organised by: Anarchist Federation* *Room 3.28 Third Floor* *12noon to 1.00pm* *All London Anarchist Revolutionary Movement (ALARM)* The purpose is to build an organisational structure to give London Anarchism a chance to grow and meet the opportunities coming up. ALARM provides local contacts to act as hubs for anarchist activity in each borough. In addition to area based groups, college, workplaces and campaigning groups are welcomed into the structure as are national anarchist organisations. London wide meetings are held weekly and local groups organise as they wish. The Secretary and Treasurer will be elected at this meeting. *Organised by: ALARM* *1.00pm to 2.00pm* *Introduction to Anarchism* The word "anarchy" is chucked around freely by its supporters, enemies and the like of the press who knowingly use it totally out of context. So what does "anarchism" actually mean? Is it one theory or are there 69 varieties? Am I an "anarchist"? If you're new to anarchism and want to find out more, this is the meeting for you. We will try and explain some of the basic ideas and variations and answer all those questions you didn't know where to go to for proper answers. This is a "beginners" type meeting and not a place to argue the finer points of the theory. *Organised by: London Anarchist Bookfair Collective* *2.00pm to 3.00pm* *Debt & Resistance* The global economic 'crisis' isn't going away any time soon, but what can we can do about it? As the economy nosedives, more people are turning to high street loan sharks and credit companies to survive, amassing unpayable deficits. Toxic debts still fester on nationalised banks books and could lead to mass homelessness, while in 2012 the new university fee regime kicks in. Debt is becoming an ever more important part of the way capital controls our lives. This session will explain how debts plug us into the global finance system and offers some ideas about how to fight back. *Organised by: Corporate Watch* *3.00pm to 4.00pm* *We’re still pissed off! : Students in Struggle* Last November over 50,000 students and workers marched on London demanding an end to education cuts, occupying Tory HQ and sparking a movement. Yet despite the largest radical student mobilisation in decades and waves of direct action, we lost, with tuition fees rising, EMA swept away, thousands of education workers made redundant and young people’s hope of a future shattered. What next? Issues: Solidifying a formal anarchist student network; Acting in solidarity to defend ourselves; Envisioning a better education. For all - Education is not just a student issue! Speakers from the movement. Expect focused discussion and concrete outcomes. *Organised by: Autonomous Students Network* *4.00pm to 5.00pm* *Why do we call ourselves Class Struggle Anarchists?* In some anarchist circles the term “class struggle” is seen as outdated and boring. “Oh, you are so old fashioned” or “we don’t like to divide ourselves with terms like class struggle” are just a couple of quotes from people who don’t understand or accept the definition. Are they scared of the words, or do they just not understand what is meant by it? Is the reaction a class or cultural thing? Members of Anarchist Federation, IWW and ALARM will explain what we mean by “class struggle”, why it is still important in today’s society and then open up the debate with those present. *Organised by: London Anarchist Bookfair Collective Speakers from: IWW, Anarchist Federation, ALARM* *5.00pm to 6.00pm* *This space is kept free for an urgent issue that arises nearer the day. See Information Desk for details* *Room 3.26 Third Floor* *11.00am to 12noon* *Radical Booksellers* A meeting for those in the publishing trade to come together. *12 noon to 1.00pm* *Mumia Abu-Jamal and Capitalist "justice"* What does the case of political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal teach us about the role of the "justice" system in the US and around the world? Come and debate the issues. *Organised by: Free Mumia Campaign* *1.00pm to 2.00pm* *Anarchism and British Sign Language (BSL) - Does Anarchism offer a better world for Deaf people* This discussion explores how deaf / oral / BSL signers deal with trying to be part of the anarchist movement. It is aimed at giving people space to tell their own stories and explore solutions. Questions include: what place does BSL have in anarchist theory? In an anarchist ideal world of small communities, how would an isolated deaf person fit in? In anarchist theory, deaf people are free to form their own community, but how will they get access to that identity as children? This meeting will be interpreted into English *Organised by: Deaf Activists* *2.00pm to 3.00pm* *UK Youth Rebellion* Since the last Bookfair, things look very different in terms of youth struggles. Anarchists had already been commenting on the increase in state and media marginalisation of young people; being young in itself seemed to be a crime. Since then, youth have been fighting back and demanding respect and to have a voice. But do Millbank, Black Bloc and the recent riots present different faces of youth rebellion? This meeting explores why and how young people are fighting back, and how anarchists figure within this. *Organised by: Anarchist Federation* *3.00pm to 4.00pm* *Resisting Welfare Abolition* Successive governments have implemented reforms amounting to the abolition of welfare. The Condems are accelerating this process, throwing millions off sickness benefits and forcing the unemployed to work without pay. It’s now claimants' own fault if they are disabled, unemployed, older or single parents. No longer can you expect to be kept from starvation: the threat of two years' sanctions is real. Yet those of us not millionaire politicians or bankers will need the welfare state at some time in our lives. Come to this workshop to hear from members of the Defend Welfare network about what we are doing to stop this demolition process. *Organised by: Defend Welfare Network* *4.00pm to 5.00pm* *The London Olympics: How we can use the spectacle to build resistance* The upcoming 2012 London Olympics has already been a disaster for London. The five “Olympic boroughs” have been culturally and economically cleansed. The “Olympic legacy” has failed to materialise in every area from housing to local jobs to the environment, with increased security and gentrification the only things left to look forward to. Come along to discuss what action we can take between now and the Games in July 2012 to strengthen campaign networks and organise resistance to the Olympics. *Organised by: Corporate Watch and the Counter Olympics Network* *5.00pm to 6.00pm* *From Casa Pound to Anders Behring Breivik: Looking at recent developments in European fascism* >From black-bloc autonomist nationalists in Germany to 'third millennium fascist' squatters in Italy to suit-wearing Nazis in Sweden, the last twenty years has seen huge developments and shifts in the Neo-fascist scene. No longer can Nazis be simply identified by shaved heads, Swastikas and steel-capped boots. Some are even turning to Gramsci, Lenin and international anti-imperialist struggles for inspiration. Paul Hull, a veteran anti-fascist and trade unionist of over ten years in Sweden will discuss the evolution of Neo-Nazi theories and tactics in Northern Europe and will offer suggestions on how the modern militant anti-fascist movement can adapt to these changes. *Co-organised by: Irish, English and Swedish Anti-Fascists* *Room 3.19 Third Floor* *11.00am to 12noon* *The Battle of Cable Street, speaker David Rosenberg* The 75th anniversary of The Battle of Cable Street took place earlier this month, celebrating the time at least 100,000 East Enders ("Jewish tailors and Irish dockers"), possibly three times that number, turned out to physically prevent the British Union of Fascists marching through Stepney. The demonstrators built barricades, fought the police who had been sent to clear the way and the day became part of left-wing history and mythology. David Rosenberg organises radical East End walking tours. *Organised by: Five Leaves Publications* *12noon to 1.00pm* *Targeting Israeli Apartheid. An examination of strategies and targets for the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israeli apartheid. * Corporate Watch have recently released a new book on Israeli apartheid policies against Palestinians, providing relevant targets and other useful information for action. Taking its cue from the 2005 Palestinian call for 'boycott, divestment and sanctions' (BDS), the rationale behind the book is simple: to provide a tool and a compass for BDS campaigners by showing them information on Israeli and international companies complicit in Israeli apartheid, occupation and militarism. The workshop will be a chance to discuss and plan new BDS actions. *Organised by: Corporate Watch* *1.00pm to 2.00pm* /Is your group dominated by white people?/ Do you worry that your group does not reflect the racial diversity of the area? Have you tried to do anything about it and how did that work out? A chance for people to discuss their experiences. *2.00pm to 3.00pm* *Resisting the criminalization of squatting * Once more the government is threatening to destroy squatting, though all they could do would be to make it harder – there will still be thousands of empties and the need to squat. Come and hear what campaigning is already running. Is campaigning enough or should we be preparing to ignore the law, and squat bigger and better (and what would that mean?) *Organised by: Advisory Service for Squatters* *3.00pm to 4.00pm* *Anarchism and Fiction* Had enough political theory for one day? D.D. Johnston, anarchist activist and author of Peace, Love, and Petrol Bombs, discusses the possibilities of a new radical literature. All disillusioned writers and readers are welcome. *Organised by: AK Press & Distribution* *4.00pm to 5.00pm* *The History of Value* A critical theory in 2011 *Organised by: Principia Dialectica* *5.00pm to 6.00pm* *The Daily Practice of Building Autonomy – the Zapatista example* Every day through daily life practices the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico are building a peaceful sustainable alternative. They are living a concrete autonomous experiment in well- and collectively-organized communities. And they have inspired several other deliberate experiments. This workshop explores what we understand by autonomy and how we live it out in our everyday lives with reference to the Zapatistas deliberate democratic spaces, as well as the Zapatista principle of 'rule by obeying' (mandar obedeciendo). http://ukzapatistas.wordpress.com http://ukzapatistas.wordpress.com/ *Organised by: UK Zapatista Solidarity Network* *Room 3.20 Third Floor* *11.00am to 12noon* *Celebrating the 200 Anniversary of the Luddite Uprisings: Technology Politics Then and Now* In 1811-12 Artisan cloth workers (Luddites) in the Midlands and the North rose up against factory owners who were imposing new machines and putting them out of work. The Luddites only broke machines that were 'hurtful to commonality'. What can the Luddites teach us about how to successfully resist anti-democratic technology practices, such as GM crops and creating unemployment, today? *Organised by: Corporate Watch and the Luddites200 Organising Forum* *12noon to 1.00pm* *The International Anarkismo Network* "The Anarkismo Network - a network of organisations and individuals identifying with the platformist, especifista or anarchist-communist tradition within anarchism - has experienced a significant increase in participation and affiliation of member organizations since it's inception in 2005, with over thirty organizations now having endorsed the Anarkismo Editorial Statement. In this talk activists from several of the member of the project and talk about the regional activities, as well as the international coordination, taking place." *Organised by: Elements of the Anarkismo Network* *1.00pm to 2.00pm* *Radical Women Take Action* Whether its cuts to benefits, services, jobs, education, the NHS or the patriarchal political left, women find themselves at the sharp end. This meeting will discuss and plan co-ordinated nationwide women’s actions against the cuts, such as a radical women’s gathering, a women’s national strike, actions on budget day. Bring your ideas and enthusiasm. All self-defined women welcome. *Organised by: Radical Women Take Action!* *2.00pm to 3.00pm* *Radical London* Over the last couple of years new groups have formed in areas of London along anarchist/libertarian lines. How can we strengthen these groups and extend similar initiatives into other areas? What are the key activities needed to keep a group going? This is a meeting for all Londoners who are interested in discussing practical ways to develop radical, locally based groups throughout all parts of London. *Organised by the Radical London Network* *3.00pm to 4.00pm* *White privilege and Racism* 'I'm not a racist...' But have white anarchists in Britain done enough to address race as a political hierarchy? This workshop will explore the ways in which white people benefit from institutional racism, and start to unpick some of the unconscious prejudices and racist attitudes we learnt as children and adults. Participants should come with an open mind and heart, prepared to face some uncomfortable truths but ready to start breaking down barriers and expanding horizons. ‘Race’, along with class and gender, is one of the most enduring social and political hierarchies of our time. This workshop challenges white people to start with themselves in the long struggle to build a truly anti-hierarchical non-racist anarchist society. Aimed at white people prepared to challenge themselves and their privilege, but all are welcome. *4.00pm to 5.00pm* *A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum* London Anarchist Forum relaunch meeting that explores the history and ethos of its open, natural dialogue format and issues of anarchist organisation in general. A focal point will be a brief talk by LAF regular Steve Ash on his publication Unstructured Anarchy, a critique of the Tyranny of Structurelessness. The meeting itself is a demonstration of open dialogue. *Organised by: London Anarchist Forum* *5.00pm to 6.00pm* *Anarchangels of Creative Destruction* Anarchists must reclaim the high ground of value and tradition from the deceitful supporters of an irredeemably corrupt and deteriorating civilization. Armed with ancient universal wisdom, humanity can emerge from the death throes of this darkest age (Kali Yuga) into a revitalised future. Talk by Paul Cudenec plus discussion. *Organised by: Porkbolter Magazine* *Room 3.21 Third Floor* *11.00am to 12noon* *Deep Green Resistance: An introduction* Deep Green Resistance is an analysis, a strategy, and a movement being born. As an analysis, it reveals the last 10,000 years of human history–the rise and dominance of civilization–as the culture of death that is threatening every living being on Earth. As a strategy, it critiques ineffective actions and explains their inevitable failure to stop the destruction of people, species, and the planet. DGR offers a concrete plan for stopping that destruction. Featuring excerpts from the documentary END:CIV and Resist Do Not Comply, Deep Green Resistance UK introduces it's ideas, strategy and how to get involved. *Organised by: Deep Green Resistance* *12noon to 1.00pm* *Anarchist theory – use it or lose it* Why bother with dead anarchists? For some, while anarchists may do beards well we don’t do theory. This is wrong. We do have theory, as my An Anarchist FAQ and Property is Theft! show. Anarchism is a rich source for analysing and transforming society. Join me in exploring why dead anarchists are worth reading. *Organised by: AK Press Speaker: Iain McKay* *1.00pm to 3.00pm* *Tenants’ movement in Poland - social resistance to neo-liberal housing policy* Since 1990 the housing situation in Poland has deteriorated mainly due to the neo-liberal policies of the state and local authorities - resulting in public housing sector rent increases, privatisation of social housing and oppressive policies towards tenants unable to pay rents. As a response, grassroots tenants' organisations have emerged in a number of polish cities. They aim to stop these attacks and promote social alternatives. The anarchist movement is involved in many of these groups. We will discuss the activities that have taken place in the last 3-4 years and try to predict the future dynamics of this new social movement. *Organised by: "Syndicalist Courier" - polish syndicalist paper in UK* *3.00pm to 4.00pm* *“New Nuclear” energy: An Anarchist’s nightmare* Short film and discussion on why building ten new nuclear power reactors in the UK is incompatible with an anarchist view of the future and how we can fight for a better alternative. By direct action campaign group “Kick Nuclear” who campaign for an end to the UK’s addiction to nuclear power. www.boycottedf.org http://www.anarchistbookfair.org.uk/www.boycottedf.org *Organised by: Kick Nuclear* *4.00pm to 5.00pm* *The True Cost of Coal* A visually stunning large black and white graphic. It will take you on a visual tour of the connections between coalmining, climate change, the ever expanding capitalist economy, and the struggle for social justice in Appalachia, north America and throughout the world. *Organised by: Beehive Collective & London Rising Tide* *5.00pm to 6.00pm* *Smash EDO* In Summer 2012, starting on Mayday, Smash EDO are planning a Summer of continuous direct action against EDO in Brighton. We will be providing accomodation and legal support and are inviting campaign/affinity groups from around the country to join us in taking action. We are encouraging groups to organise their own actions and support a diversity of tactics; from lobbying to lock-ons, from vigils to citizen's decommissionings. There will be several mass demos too... Come along to find out how you can help. *Organised by: Smash Edo* *Room 3.22 Third Floor* *11.00am to 12noon* /Cars, Carbon, & Capitalism/ Eight of the top ten corporations are either car makers or oil companies. Over a million people are killed every year by motor vehicles, yet the car remains an iconic, aspirational symbol of global capitalism. Climate change threatens the survival of our species yet Western states continue to pursue bloody conflicts to feed their oil addiction. Over a billion people are overweight, largely as a consequence of policies dictated by government and corporate elites. This workshop from Bicycology, the radical cycling collective, seeks to unravel the tentacles of car culture and explore genuine alternatives." *Organised by: Bicycology* *12 noon to 1.00pm* *How to set up a Co-op* Information and politics around the co-operative network. A workshop to discuss the ins and outs of setting up a housing or workers co-op. *Organised by: Radical Routes* *1.00pm to 2.00pm* *From the Paris Commune to Saint-Imier* The Paris Commune of 1871 inspired revolutionaries everywhere. When it was defeated, tens of thousands of communards were murdered, imprisoned or deported. The events of ‘Bloody Week’ (May 21st to 28th) traumatised anarchists and drove some to the despair of assassination and bomb-throwing. Others regrouped in August the following year at Saint-Imier, Switzerland, with comrades disaffected from the by-then authoritarian sham that was Marx’s International. They established structures and founding principles at the roots of modern class-struggle anarchist organisation. This meeting builds for what will be the 140th anniversary of that congress: 9th-12th August 2012, in Saint-Imier itself. *Organised by: Anarchist Federation* *2.00pm to 3.00pm* *Welling Anti Fascism case* Supporting the prisoners. Learning the lessons. *Organised by: Welling Supporters* *3.00pm to 4.00pm* *Earth First!* Still doggedly hoping there’s a place for Ecology in the Class Struggle. Come and hear about the recent history of Ecological Direct Action in the UK, with space for questions and discussions *Organised by: Earth First! Update* *4.00pm to 5.00pm* *Red Rosa and the Arab Spring* Any revolutionary movement needs both spontaneity and organisation, the how can these apparent opposites be combined successfully? As the popular uprisings of 2011 bring this question to the fore once again, we will examine the ideas of Rosa Luxembury (1871 – 1919) and Raya Dunayevskaya (1910 – 1987). *Organised by: Hobgoblin* *5.00pm to 6.00pm* *Fitwatch - update and discussion* The effect of police surveillance tactics, disruption, preventative, detention and pre-emptive intervention has the potential to get even worse. But public confidence in the police is now low. Police are under pressure financially and politically. How should we, as a movement, respond to all this, and how can we deal effectively with policing that disrupts our campaigns? Should we use direct action - such as 'fitwatching' - against the police? What about the potential for campaigns of non-cooperation and resistance to data gathering? With increasing state repression, can we affect a cultural shift to protect ourselves from ‘robust’ policing? *Organised by: Fitwatch* *Room 3.23 Third Floor* *11.00am to 12noon* /Anarchism & Spirituality. / Gustav Landauer and Emma Goldman spoke about the importance of spirit while Christian anarchists including Dorothy Day and Tolstoi, pagan anarchists like Starhawk and the taoist anarchism of Ursula Le Guin continue to inspire today. The spiritual traditions of rebellious social movements in the global South, including indigenous movements like the Zapatistas and landless movements like Brazil’s MST, may be understated or even denied when anarchist atheism is taken for granted. Hosts Zoe and Jamie will hold space for people to talk about their relationship with anarchist culture and spiritual practice. *12 noon to 1.00pm* *Organising in the Workplace: Committees, Direct Action, and Reaching Out to the Class* What does radical workplace organisation look like? This talk includes a condensed version of the SolFed's Organiser Training, focusing on the 'nuts and bolts' of workplace organising. SF members will then recap the Office Angels campaign in which nationwide pickets forced the world's largest employment agency redress a case of wage theft. *Organised by: Solidarity Federation* *1.00pm to 2.00pm* *Free University* Until the twentieth century, the role of the University differed little from the times of Plato and Aristotle; to create an educated elite from amongst the ruling class. Then in the 1920s the IWW initiated a People's College, under the auspices of Cornell University; while in the midst of the Spanish Civil War the CNT-AIT and FAI started La Universida Popular. Education became available to all. As University admissions shrink due to current neoliberal policies, the Anarchist university in Toronto and A-Bildungnetz in Hannover continue to propose a system of non-hierarchical concensus-driven learner networks, and here some of our German comrades will discuss these issues. *Organised by: Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)* *2.00pm to 3.00pm* *Sorcery, rupture and fairy dust* What are the dynamics of capitalism? How can we break them? And what can we learn from resent episodes of protest and rebellion? A magical talk on the possibility of anti-capitalist action, linking Charlie Marx, The Troggs and the Arab Spring, by way of UK Uncut. *Organised by: The Free Association* *3.00pm to 4.00pm* *SAC and Workers without papers* The Swedish syndicalist union have a Q & A about SAC experience to organize workers without papers and the federation´s development since 2002. *Organised by: SAC* *4.00pm to 5.00pm* *Counterpower: Making Change Happen* "Many times throughout history the 'have nots' have resisted the rule of the 'haves'. On occasion it has led to the radical redistribution of power. But why is it that some campaigns have succeeded while others have failed? Author Tim Gee investigates the tactics that have contributed to the success (or otherwise) of some of the most prominent social movements of the last three hundred years." *Organised by: Tim Gee* *5.00pm to 6.00pm* *Against Austerity: Anarcho-Syndicalism across Europe* This talk will see radicals from across Europe come to London to discuss how anarchists can effectively fight austerity. A great opportunity to learn from each other and build the bridges of solidarity we'll need to beat back the global wave of austerity! *Organised by: Solidarity Federation* From mreiman at lps.org Thu Oct 6 08:30:06 2011 From: mreiman at lps.org (Samantha Jacob) Date: Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:00:06 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [Reader-list] NYC USA INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR INVITATION Message-ID: <51f064f5-e4c5-4a05-921c-3e4d06263115@zmail.lps.org> Dear Sir/Madam, It gives me a great pleasure to invite you to the forth coming international seminar which the America Foundation for Max Care (AFFMC) is excited to be hosting in November 24th to 26th 2011 first Phase at Elm Croft Manor New York City USA, And then from November 28th to December 3rd 2011, Second phase at Lagasca Madrid Spain. The theme of the forth coming seminar is; Racism and Human Right. Delegates who are interested in making a paper presentation are advice to make a summary presentation on the above subject. With this regard, I hereby request you to kindly extend your cooperation by giving wide publicity to the aforesaid workshop by sharing this invitation among your staff, members or relatives for their active participation in the workshop. Note: the (AFFMC) will be providing all delegates with to and fro Air ticket and also visa's guidance for the seminar purpose. Looking forward for your cooperation and support for the success of the workshop. Registration is open now! Contact the organizing secretary Mrs. Victoria T. Charles for more information. Email: victoria.t.charles at globomail.com See you in the Seminar. Regards Miss Samantha Jacob samantha_jacob at globomail.com America Foundation for Max Care (AFFMC) From ghoshvishwajyoti at gmail.com Thu Oct 6 19:44:42 2011 From: ghoshvishwajyoti at gmail.com (vishwajyoti ghosh) Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 19:44:42 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Call for Entries: Partition Graphic Anthology Message-ID: *RESTORYING: Narratives from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India* *CALL FOR ENTRIES* ‘The shadows retreated into the roots of each tree, but we remained where we were.’ -Craig Thompson, Blankets THE PARTITION ANTHOLOGY Over sixty years of independence have done little to diminish the interest and engagement with the division of the Indian subcontinent into two and then three sovereign independent states. Mapmaking, exodus, memories and curiosity have become a permanent in the lives of its citizens on all sides of the various borders. For over three generations now, the most definitive formative moment in modern South Asian history, Partition has remained an are of constant engagement for scholars, artists, journalists and commentators manifesting their explorations through academic research, reportage and most importantly creative encounters through art, literature and films. However, this cross-border engagement like cross-border migration has not ended with a generation or two. It is an ongoing exercise. The current generation of young scholars, activists, artists, media persons and creative professionals did not live through this epoch-making event. They are still struggling with facts and figures and they explore the socio-political imperatives, identify commons, try to make sense of the memories and images. They are attempting to piece together the consequences of the Partition in an effort to come to terms with both the tangibility of the schism and life beyond, as well as the many related events that play themselves out in sectarian rhetoric all over the subcontinent. In their own way, many across the subcontinent are seeking a space for dialogue. In this regard, it would be important to explore this engagement of the subcontinent’s younger generation with an iconic event in a graphic narrative exploiting and experimenting with the possibilities of visual storytelling. At the same time, as we all know, no single narritive can comprehensively tell the story of Partition, nor can hope to represent the entire gamut of responses that the memory, history and legacy of Partition evokes. For this reason, it is proposed to involve artists from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan and bring together a Partition Anthology in a Comic or Graphic Novel Format. The idea is to bring together storytellers from diverse practices and professions and explore the possibilities on the drawing board from their particular perspectives. The Partition Anthology seeks graphic narratives or comics from comic book artists, writers, artists, illustrators, film makers, theatre artists and every other storyteller across the subcontinent. We seek more exploration on Partition, by fiction and non-fiction writers/storytellers. The idea of bringing together a graphic anthology on a theme like Partition is also to explore the engagement of the fourth generation in a genre that is of great interest to young readers across the world. For the contributors and the readers too it would throw open a platform for a dialogue in a visual space, in black and white, and in print. ‘Guftagu bund na ho Baat se baat chale Subh tak sham-e-mulaqat chale Hum pe hansti hui yeh taron bhari raat chale’ (Keep the conversation going. One word leading to another The evening rendezvous lasting till dawn, The starry night laughing down with us.) -Ali Sardar Jaffri/ The Youthful Boatman of Joy *PROJECT DETAILS* • Restorying: Narratives from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, will have Vishwajyoti Ghosh, author of Delhi Calm as Volume Editor. The book will be published by YODA PRESS in partnership with Goethe-Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan. • Comic book artists, writers, artists, illustrators, film makers, photographers, theatre artists and storytellers from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and such nationals from the world are invited to contribute to the anthology that would be released in August 2012. • The anthology will publish only ORIGINAL stories by the authors. The anthology does not seek illustrated versions of classic narratives, or any author’s text whose consent has not been taken. • Around 20 selected narratives will be published in the anthology. • The narratives can be by a single author or through collaboration between more. • We seek a range of stories within the genres of fiction, reportage, non-fiction; documentary, poetic narratives, even abstract narratives, etc. as long as there is a comprehensible Story that moves from Point A to Point B to Point Z. Experimentation is more than welcome as long as there is a story! • Just as we seek a range of stories, visually too we look forward to a range of styles from conventional comics, photo comics, mixed media, collage, etc. • Text vs. Visuals: The idea of a graphic narrative is to sync the text and visuals together where they both take the story forward. The authorship of the text and the visuals should come out individually yet together seamlessly make the same narrative. For those who might be attempting the genre for the first time or collaborating, it will be important to keep this in mind. *OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS* Copyright: All rights will rest with the authors for their respective pieces. However it will be expected that the contribution is first released in the Anthology and then if anywhere else. Also publishing the contribution simultaneously elsewhere is not expected. In the case of collaboration, both the writer and artist will enjoy equal authorship. Honorarium: All contributions will be awarded a onetime fixed honorarium for the same. In case of a contribution having more than a single artist, the honorarium will be divided equally among the number of contributors. *Size:* Page Size: 16.5 cm. (width) X 23 cm. (height), Artwork Size: 13.2 cm. (width) X 19.5 cm. (height). In case of bleed the page size will be the final size. Colours: Black & White only No. of Pages: A contribution can be of minimum 4 pages to a maximum of 16 pages. This would also include a single page for the cover of the contribution. *The deadline for sending in the storyline alongwith 2 style sheets (final style of visuals/layouts 0n the page), etc., is 7th November 2011. * * * *Submissions/ queries to be sent by mail to: partitionantho at gmail.com* *ABOUT THE PROJECT PARTNERS* NOTE ABOUT CURATOR/EDITOR: Vishwajyoti Ghosh, a graphic novelist and filmmaker is the author of the graphic novel Delhi Calm, a political graphic novel set during the Emergency of the 70s. Based in New Delhi, Ghosh has worked across the subcontinent with organizations in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. As a founder member of the Pao Collective, he also remains an active and dynamic participant in graphic/comics artists’ collective projects and works often with graphic artists from different parts of South Asia. NOTE ABOUT PUBLISHER: YODA PRESS has been publishing quality titles since 2004 in an effort to build cohesive lists on subjects which represent the alternative contemporary South Asia. Its focus on sexuality, new perspectives in Indian history, urban studies and popular and visual culture has been widely appreciated, and after eight years in the publishing trade, it can now claim to have a list of titles by a whole range of specialists, scholars, activists and litterateurs reflecting contemporary concerns and cutting-edge strategies. YODAKIN, the bookstore started by YODA PRESS in Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi offers books and periodicals by independent publishers, documentary cinema by Indian filmmakers, selected world cinema, and music by independent record labels and musicians. With YODAKIN, the publishing house now has a space where it connects with like-minded enterprises and individuals, and where it curates entire series of events around the issues and strategies discussed by the titles on its list. -- Vishwajyoti Ghosh www.penbrush.page.tl http://vishwajyoti.wordpress.com From khoj at dispatch.khojworkshop.org Tue Oct 11 00:59:11 2011 From: khoj at dispatch.khojworkshop.org (KHOJ) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:59:11 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] [KHOJ] PlexUs- Social Gaming Event References: Message-ID: PlexUs A gaming event between Delhi, Xalapa and Ithaca Khoj Studios, S-17, Khirkee Extension, New Delhi Friday, 14th October, 2011, 6:30pm onwards Amitesh Grover, Stephanie Owens and Antonio Prieto Stambough from Delhi, Ithaca and Xalapa respectively, create a three-location social gaming event. Audiences and players are invited to engage in a set of social games and playful experiences in each of the three cites with each other. For people separated by thousands of kilometers, social gaming offers an insight into different culture, language and city, through games. Using social interaction in game-playing, these games add creativity, fun and excitement to an otherwise solitary experience. Participants in each city will interact with each other via Skype, e-mail, Flicker, Facebook and other digital social connections. Two games will be played, each lasting for not more than 50minutes. This event is free and are open to all. Please write to register at khojworkshop.org to register. More information: http://www.khojworkshop.org/blog/plexus_gaming_event_between_delhi_xalapa_ithaca This event is in collaboration with Amitesh Grover participating in SELF n - a 2-week project series and symposium that addresses the complexity of representations and awareness of the self in the age of distributed information, the social web, and globalised media. SELF n is presented by Cornell Department of Art, Cornell University. -------------- next part -------------- KHOJ International Artists' Association S-17, Khirkee Ext. New Delhi - 110017 Ph: 00-91-11-29545274 email: interact at khojworkshop.org http://khojworkshop.org From notification+off26yoy at facebookmail.com Tue Oct 11 21:45:42 2011 From: notification+off26yoy at facebookmail.com (Facebook) Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:15:42 -0700 Subject: [Reader-list] Gargi Sen invited you to the event "Persistence Resistance in London: documentary practices from Ind... Message-ID: <7b20c407e1d80299ae98a8b293a66177@async.facebook.com> Hi Bipin, Gargi invited you to "Persistence Resistance in London: documentary practices from India". Event: Persistence Resistance in London: documentary practices from India Start Time: Tuesday, November 1 at 6:30pm End Time: Tuesday, November 8 at 8:30pm Location: London, United Kingdom Thanks, The Facebook Team To see more details, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=210913178975864&mid=4fe68dcG2acc989cG710bacdG7&bcode=eLdAWPb1&n_m=reader-list%40sarai.net ======================================= The message was sent to reader-list at sarai.net. If you don't want to receive these emails from Facebook in the future, please follow the link below to unsubscribe. http://www.facebook.com/o.php?k=cc85c8&u=718051484&mid=4fe68dcG2acc989cG710bacdG7 Facebook, Inc. P.O. Box 10005, Palo Alto, CA 94303 From rohitrellan at aol.in Tue Oct 18 16:33:12 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:03:12 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Forms in Motion - Animation Film Festival , Bangalore Message-ID: <8CE5B9CA978B0CB-17B8-867FB@webmail-d172.sysops.aol.com> Forms in Motion - Animation Film Festival Curated and presented by Balachander M. Gandhekar Film Screenings, Talks, Presentations 21 - 22.10.2011 Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller Bhavan All are welcome! As a fitting curtain-raiser to the 5th Indo-German Film Festival Bangalore 2011, at which the focus will be on animation films, with a workshop conducted by experts from Germany, we present Forms in Motion - a weekend of animation films from across the world, presented by Balachander M. Gandhekar, Producer, Director, Script Writer, Editor, Cameraman, Photographer, Author & Publisher - and Managing Director, Foresee Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore. The series has been curated from a package developed by the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with DOK Leipzig and the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. The sequences of movements of animation films are not filmed in real-time. In contrast to feature film figures, objects and effects have to be artificially created. Moving pictures shown one after another create an animation film that leads viewers to believe in real motion with astonishing effects. For instance one 90-minute film can consist of around 1,29,600 single pictures. Watch a little boy whizz through space and time, a cow that decides to take fate into her own hands and a dog that is annoyed by a women’s magazine. In films are produced in Germany, France, Norway, Italy ... And at the same time garner insights into the history of animation films and the different genres, watch animation come alive before your eyes and take the opportunity to voice your ideas and express your opinions! Programme Schedule: October 21, 2011, 6.00 p.m. Introduction to 2-D animation Forms in Motion: Screening of selected films Info-Intervals: • Genres of films: Cartoon, 2-D, Puppetry/Stop motion • Brief of history of animation films • Introduction to the various genres of animation • Live demo of 2D animation Audience interaction - concepts and ideas October 22, 2011, 6.00 p.m. Introduction to clay/ plasticine/3D animations Forms in Motion: Screening of selected films Info-Intervals: • Understanding 3-D animation spread Audience interaction - concepts and ideas Related links International Leipzig Festival for documentary and animated film http://www.dok-leipzig.de/home/?lang=en FORESEE http://www.foresee.in/ Uniting 'You'th for Films http://uy4f.com/ All About Animation http://www.allaboutanimation.com/site/ From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Wed Oct 19 08:07:58 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:37:58 +0000 Subject: [Reader-list] Media Manipulation: Are Conflict Photos Staged? Message-ID: >From http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27141 Media Manipulation: Are Conflict Photos Staged? by Anthony Cuthbertson A photograph or video can be misleading. The adage that “the camera never lies” has itself never seemed more unreliable— in an age where visual documentation can present a warped or even entirely false picture of events for purposes of propaganda or sensationalism. The toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Firdos Square is a famous example of how what’s reported does not necessarily reflect reality. On that occasion, what was portrayed in the western media as a spontaneous demonstration against a hated dictator by his former subjects was in fact an event orchestrated for cameras by American-led coalition forces. Recently, Italian photographer Ruben Salvadori has offered a new perspective on photojournalism within the context of conflict by turning his camera back onto his fellow journalists. His photo essay Photojournalism Behind the Scenes explores the process of conflict-image-production in an area of East Jerusalem where Palestinian riots against Israeli forces are a weekly occurrence. In the accompanying video Salvadori questions the role and influence of journalists in conflict situations by “breaking the taboo of the invisible photographer.” This may be seen as the latest salvo in what has been variously dubbed ‘Pallywood’ and ‘Hezbollywood’ by pro-Israeli media watchdog advocates, terms used to describe the phenomenon of manufacturing documentation about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2005 Boston University professor Richard Landes produced the documentary Pallywood: According to Palestinian Sources, alleging specific instances of media manipulation designed to win the public relations war against Israel. It was a rebuttal in kind to the 2004 documentary Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land, which accused the US media of distorted and pro-Israel coverage on most of the major news networks. Both documentaries presented specific examples of intentional misrepresentation or invention of reported events by the media. Photojournalism Behind the Scenes sheds new light on how the situation in Israel and Palestine continues to be as much a war waged through means of PR and the media as it is a physical conflict. By drawing attention to this hidden dimension of the conflict, it offers a criticism of the media industry’s demands for dramatic photos – demands that have led some journalists to look for and create drama where there is none. Developing his project beyond this area, Salvadori now aims to investigate other conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_B1H-1opys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyn8Kb_do8g ___________________________________________________________________ Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From samvitr at gmail.com Wed Oct 19 18:02:29 2011 From: samvitr at gmail.com (Samvit) Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:02:29 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Where do we take our dead and go, ask Dalits Message-ID: Where do we take our dead and go, ask Dalits By Yogesh Pawar http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_exclusive-where-do-we-take-our-dead-and-go-ask-dalits_1599355-all If pain had a face, it could be Narayan Sonawane’s. The 45-year-old Dalit farmer keeps scratching a shaving wound on his face till it bleeds, and makes him flinch. The pain, perhaps, momentarily takes his mind off the gruesome reality outside his hut — a seven acre plot that used to be a Dalit cremation ground until a year ago. In June 2010, it was usurped by upper caste Maratha farmer Mahadeo Khandu. And on this day, as Sonawane stands watching mutely, Khandu supervises the tilling of the land. The land where the bodies of Sonawane’s parents were laid to rest. “I buried my father here two years ago. And my mother a year before that with my own hands,” says Sonawane, fighting back tears. “Would upper castes let this happen to their own dead?” As a crowd gathers around, a nonplussed Khandu shouts, “Don’t listen to him, he’s lying.” But he quickly changes tack. “Come now...We are all from the same village. Why take such petty differences to the media?” Seeing that his words have had no effect, he adds, “I’ll build a shed for you to cremate your dead. I don’t even want money for building it.” We soon discover the reason for Khandu’s generosity: the appropriated land is worth Rs30 lakh at market rates, while the steel shed with asbestos sheet roofs will cost a mere Rs30,000! Khandu and Sonawane belong to Mhalsapur-Zavla village in Beed district, which falls in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Such casual take-over of Dalit lands by upper castes is fairly common, not just in this district, but all over Maharashtra. According to figures compiled by the Maharashtra ministry for social justice, Dalit burial grounds have been usurped by upper castes in with 72.13% of the state’s 43,722 villages. About 150 km from Mhalsapur-Zavla, in Parbhani district’s Devalgaon village, the tension is palpable. It has been less than a week since violence erupted over a Dalit’s attempt to bury a deceased family member in the demarcated cremation ground. Upper caste men stopped the funeral procession, brutally attacked the pall-bearers, and flung the body of 39-year-old Shevanta Pawar to the ground. The pall-bearers, including Pawar’s husband, Mahesh Pawar, 42, barely escaped with their lives. Recalls a bitter Mahesh, “Upper caste men attacked us and threw my wife’s body into the bushes nearby. After we lodged a complaint with the tehsildar, the police arrived, and only then could we recover the body from the bushes and do the last rites.” Despite the violence, and the tension in the village on account of it, the upper castes are unrepentant. “This is our way of life. Those who don’t like it here are free to leave,” says Dhanajirao Kale, an obviously well-to-do upper caste farmer. Kale even has a word of advice for us, “It is better that you city folks stick to what you know and understand.” Adding insult to injury Nearly 60 km away, the Dalits of Malegaon still can’t forget November 22, 2008. On that fateful day, upper caste men led by priests of the local Khandoba temple, Sanjay and Ganptrao Naik, attacked a funeral procession with sticks and swords because they were taking a dead body to the designated crematorium. “They beat up everyone and forced them to flee with my father’s body, which then lay in our house for two days,” remembers Urmila Waghmare, daughter of the deceased, Ramchandra Waghmare. “When the body began to decompose and smell, we had to cremate it on the roadside,” she adds, tears welling up in her eyes. When Dalit rights organisations like Samajik Nyay Andolan forced a reluctant police to lodge an FIR, reprisal from the upper castes was swift —the Waghmares’ home was burnt down. Urmila’s distraught mother Mandubai suffered severe burn injuries but survived. While the culprits, thanks to their political patrons, move around freely, Urmila and her mother live without a roof over their heads. Promises from the then collector, Radheshyam Mopalwar, that they will get a house under Indira Awaas Yojana have remained promises. “Every time I go to the social welfare officer, he asks me to come later,” says Urmila. There are, of course, instances where official apathy has reduced even death to a farce. Like in Madalmoi village of Georai tehsil in Beed, where the 0.275 acre crematorium (Survey No 357) was first given to the Dalits by the Nizam in 1354. It was encroached upon by a wealthy Maratha, Sonaji Bhopale, in 1965, and subsequently sold to a local money lender, Sitaram Govind Harkut. Complaints from the Dalits led to a law suit, which is still pending in court. So after every death, the Dalits take the dead body and lay it in the middle of the busy highway for a rasta roko. “Once we create a traffic jam, the cops and the tehsildar scurry to the spot, and only then are we allowed to perform the last rites on the allocated land,” says Sarjerao Shinde, a resident of the village. The Marathas are calling it blackmail. “Why can’t they wait for the case to be decided by the court if they know they are right?” asks an angry Harkut. ‘Marathwada is worst’ These are by no means isolated incidents. In fact, since there have been several such incidents in the constituency of BJP general secretary and deputy opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Gopinath Munde, and in Dehu village in NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s constituency. When contacted by DNA, Munde admitted that the problem existed in his constituency, but was quick to add that it was prevalent across the state. “I have myself raised this issue several times, first in the state assembly and then in the Parliament, but the government is not serious about addressing this long-standing issue,” he said. When asked why the NDA government did nothing about the issue during the Sena-BJP reign in the state, he said, “Undoing what the Congress had allowed to fester for 45 years is not an easy task,” adding, “If the Dalits unite, mobilise and take to the streets on this issue, I will gladly join them gladly in their fight.” Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes all forms of untouchability. But the reality is otherwise even when it comes to burying/cremating the dead. In hundreds of villages and hamlets across Mahahrashtra, Dalits are not only denied access to the common burial/cremation ground but prevented from using even the burial grounds specifically demarcated for them. “The level of friction over the issue is the highest in Marathwada, where over one-fifth of the population is Dalit,” explains Eknath Avhad of the Manavi Hakk Abhiyan, which has been fighting for Dalit rights in the region. “Dalit youth of today do not want to wait endlessly for justice to prevail. Their increasing aggression is seen by upper castes as a challenge to their social and economic status.” Will justice ever be done? Dalits have traditionally had separate tracts of land to dispose of their dead as a part of the caste system. “In Maharashtra, these are on the eastern side of the village, so that the whole village is not ‘polluted’ by the winds blowing from the direction of the Dalit cremation ground,” points out Ganpat Bhise of the Samajik Nyay Andolan, a Parbhani-based organisation fighting for the restoration of these cremation tracts to Dalits. “The upper castes want to usurp Dalit cremation grounds, and they also do not want us to cremate our dead anywhere else. Where do they want us to take our dead and go?” asks Bhise. “Why then don’t they allow us to use the same crematoria that they do?” He says claims of progress on integration and mainstreaming of Dalits ring hollow on the ground, and remembers how the then Nanded collector had mocked him during a protest against the Malegaon incident, asking, “Do you expect the Collector to go to every Dalit’s house and help him fight for justice?” Access to cremation/burial grounds has become an increasingly sensitive issue over the last decade as population has grown. Land, always a contentious resource, is more so in this arid belt, which has the lowest per capita income in the state. “It is ironic that in the birthplace of BR Ambedkar, Dalits continue to be denied dignity even in death,” observes Eknath Avhad. “The government’s inability to resolve this issue even six decades after Independence has only created another reason to keep the caste cauldron on the boil.” Same story across the country Punjab: A paradox of Sikhism Though Dalits form 30% of Punjab’s population, and though Sikhism frowns on discrimination in the name of caste or creed, untouchability against the Mazhbis and Ramdasias, the two Dalit castes among Sikhs, is well established. They have been forced to live in separate settlements, contemptuously called thhattis or chamarhlees, and forced to reside on the western side, away from the main area of the villages, so that the winds blowing over them don’t pollute the upper castes. All the Sikh organisations, from Sikh temples to the political parties, are under the control of the Jat Sikhs, who refuse to consider Dalit Sikhs equals even after death. The former disallow cremation of the latter’s dead in the main cremation grounds. Over the years, such harsh discrimination has forced Dalits to establish separate gurdwaras, marriage places and cremation grounds. This, in many ways, is the biggest paradox of Sikhism, which is often characterised as ‘emancipatory’ and ‘revolutionary’. Tamil Nadu: Evidence of atrocity A study by the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) shows problems relating to burial and burning grounds in over 75% of the state’s 30,000-odd villages. The NGO Evidence found that Dalits had faced atrocities over burial/cremation in 208 of the 213 villages covered by their survey. In 153 villages, Dalits were not allowed to carry their dead through areas where the dominant castes lived. In 132 villages, Dalit graveyards do not have water, power or a cremation shed. Gujarat: it’s ‘wasteland’ According to the Ahmedabad-based Behavioural Science Centre (BSC), of the 18,100 villages in the state, 5,000 have no legal burial grounds for Dalits. Though the Dalit custom of burying the dead is an age-old one, the government doesn’t recognise it. As a result, the unregulated lands are classified as wasteland. Despite the fact that the Revenue Department had passed a GR in September 1989 to consider 1972 as the year for earmarking land for burial, nothing has been done so far. From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Wed Oct 19 20:57:56 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:57:56 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] hard, soft and banal hindutva Message-ID: October 18, 2011 Anna is the icon of banal Hindutva Mail Today, 17 October 2011 Anna is the icon of banal Hindutva by Jyotirmaya Sharma The ethical compass of his followers is skewed DOES ANNA Hazare have an ideology? Despite the surfeit of emotion that Hazare generates, this is a legitimate question that ought to be asked, understood and answered. That he is no democrat in the sense the word ‘ democracy’ is normally understood is a foregone conclusion, something that even his most vocal admirers would admit. He brings to debate and discussion the rigour and predictability of a military drill. His model of rule, governance and statecraft is that of undiluted paternalism, something even his secret admirers would admit. That he is medieval in his outlook, one who would like people who he doesn’t like to be flogged in public, hanged in public and humiliated in public, is no great secret waiting to reveal itself. His world is a simple world that divides people into friends and foes and proceeds to pass moral strictures against his foes. Character Neither is he too bright: calling actions evil can be polarising, but he calls people evil which is polemical and arrogant. He does not have the mental facility to focus on actions rather than the agents of such action. He feels he has neither the capacity for error nor the capacity for self- deception. For him, rhetoric is a substitute for explanation and not a demand for explanation. Hazare doesn’t think twice before abusing words like ‘ evil’ and ‘ corruption’. The excessive use of the words stifles thinking rather than promoting it. By demonising the idea of corruption, he has managed to externalise the idea altogether as something other people do. And by other people, he simply means those who do not agree with him or do not attend his rallies. The poison of his rhetoric poisons our lives; it undermines our trust in people and institutions and robs us of our freedom to debate and dissent. He is a non- violent terrorist: he does not bother about collateral damage in carrying out his mission. Having said all this, the question still remains whether Hazare belongs to the Hindutva camp. Notwithstanding Digvijaya Singh’s relentless rhetoric on this question, or Mohan Bhagwat’s open avowal of support, or Hazare’s own disagreement with Prashant Bhushan on the Kashmir issue, the question of Hazare’s seeming affinity with the Sangh Parivar needs careful analysis. One doesn’t have to belong to the RSS or the VHP or the Bajarang Dal or the BJP to be formally part of the Sangh Parivar. Analysts have often categorised Hindutva into ‘ hard’ and ‘ soft’ varieties. It is, therefore, important to understand that there are people who have formal allegiance to Hindutva as represented by institutions and organisations mentioned above, but there are those who might vote for the BJP not because of an ideological position that they take but because of resentment towards a particular party or dispensation. Going beyond the categories of ‘ hard’ and ‘ soft’ Hindutva, there is a third, and as yet not discussed, category of Hindutva. This is ‘ banal Hindutva’. Its features are a love for abstractions rather than action, self- righteousness over self- improvement, inflamed nationalism, easy judgement, moral sanctimoniousness over moral understanding and a gnawing sense of inferiority and victimhood. Type It manifests in the form of the person who regularly violates traffic lights, spits in public places, raves and rants about the state of education in India and then sends his children abroad, speeds in his car as if there was no tomorrow and yet complains of the fast life in the West, bribes his way through in life but gets tearful when Vande Mataram is sung. This sort of person does not have the application or the courage to question seriously the status quo, nor does he have the tenaciousness required to join a political party and work for a cause or an ideology. He wants a comfortable existence, dislikes disorder of any kind, finds dissent and debate in his own circles to be a waste of time, and is happy to fit several air conditioners in his own home while signing petitions to save the ozone layer. He is a misogynist at home but a serious champion of 33 per cent seats for women in Parliament. He relentlessly speaks of India’s great Hindu traditions but knows no more than what he gleaned from Amar Chitra Katha comics. He swears by Hindu tolerance yet makes no effort to have a Muslim or a Christian friend; more so, he secretly detests them. Being afflicted by this moral and ethical schizophrenia, he hides behind the rhetoric of the eternal Hindu civilisation, the dream of making India, which for him means Hindu India, an economic and military superpower, being the number one side in cricket and tracing the origins of all things good and noble to India. If confronted with questions of violence, cruelty and hypocrisy in India, he blames it on Western education, Christian missionaries, the Taliban, Pakistan, America, the rise in population, democracy, the Left and the intellectuals. Hazare is the leader of ‘ banal Hindutva’. He has no moral centre and his scruples are his misunderstandings. He typically is the kind of person described so eloquently by Hannah Arendt in her account of Eichmann’s trial: the pathetic, selfserving individual, who attains to a position of power and influence by accident. Fallout He is not demonic but just spectacularly mediocre. And he attracts a sizable number of those who are either his kind, or, if they are not necessarily mediocre, are just plainly opportunists, who find a state of political and moral anarchy convenient for their own ends. He is attractive because he does not challenge anyone intellectually or morally. All he asks anyone is to bask in his moral superiority. Like Krishna asking Arjuna to suspend everything and come unto him, Hazare too wants us to suspend judgement and follow him. Will ‘ banal Hindutva’ replace the more formal versions of the Hindu nationalist ideology? The answer is that it is unlikely. What Hazare is knowingly or unknowingly doing is to become the informal recruitment centre for the harder versions of Hindutva. By making ‘ banal Hindutva’ honourable, Hazare has begun the process of making the harder versions of Hindutva more acceptable and legitimate. The collateral damage, as stated earlier, will be Indian democracy. But does he care? The writer is professor of politics at University of Hyderabad WRITE TO THE EDITOR letters at mailtoday.in or editorsoffice at mailtoday.in _____________________________________________________________________________ Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From rohitrellan at aol.in Thu Oct 20 11:49:07 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:19:07 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Participate in the Bangalore Talkies | 30th Oct | Sat | 6 pm onwards | Jaaga In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE5D074EB788E7-D54-D01C@webmail-m091.sysops.aol.com> And one more tasty treat to participate in: Bangalore Talkies by Maraa at Jaaga a forum to see Bangalore through different eyes, through different lenses "Cinema is the ultimate pervert art. It doesn't give you what you desire - it tells you how to desire." - Slavoj Žižek- When you live in a city, your encounters with roads, friends, and strangers are all in pieces of images and sounds. What can you interpret of a city that you experience everyday in pieces? Bangalore Talkies a forum to see Bangalore through different eyes, through different lenses. How do YOU connect to Bangalore - bus rides/auto rides, pubs, darshinis, your neighborhood, street dogs, trees, the weather, street food, construction and deconstruction - it could be about any creature, thing, space or feeling in the city. Collect your stories on anything that can shoot image and record sound. Bring stories about what you feel about Bangalore through as visual stories, metaphors, images and sounds. What you need to do? Collect your stories on anything that can shoot image and record sound – from fancy DSLRs, handycams, to mobile phones. You can choose to edit it or leave it as it is.It can be simple or experimental –but remember it’s about the story, not so much about making a perfect film. Bottom line, don’t forget to have fun when you do this. Rules of this game Ensure that your entry does not discriminate against any community, religion or gender. All videos should play on VLC. Your entry can be silent or with sound. Entries can be non-edited. All entries can be anywhere between 30 secs and no longer than 5 mins in duration. Make sure the final output is on mov format. All entries should be sent to us by 26th October. Entries must be sent on a DVD or via email using dropbox or yousendit. For any clarifications contact ekta on ekta at maraa.in or call Paromita on 9632831275. Submit your entries on DVD OR mail it, upload it and send us a link on ekta at maraa.in before 26th October. Your stories will be screened for the public at the Bangalore Talkies at Jaaga, Double Road, on 30th October, 6:30 pm onwards. Remember it’s about the story, not so much about making a perfect film. This will be followed by a music jam between independent musicians in Bangalore. Please forward it to those who you think may be interested. This event is part of city of pieces, an urban festival of creative practices. From rohitrellan at aol.in Thu Oct 20 12:40:16 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:10:16 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] =?utf-8?q?Certificate_Course_in_=E2=80=98Citizen_Jo?= =?utf-8?q?urnalism_and_Citizen_Media_Leaders=E2=80=99?= Message-ID: <8CE5D0E73DA9E1A-A08-13579@webmail-m167.sysops.aol.com> Certificate Course in ‘Citizen Journalism and Citizen Media Leaders’ Training Type: Instructor-Led Online Target Audience: Citizens in India, no age barrier Description: The training provides critical training in new media, citizen journalism and empowerment to old and new generation of citizens desiring to bring positive changes around them. In 3 months, 100 men, women and youths are being given the knowledge and skills to actualize and vocalize their visions for reporting and change for themselves, their communities and the world. Course Benefits Designed as an Online programme Conducted by professionals and experts of IGNOU People’s University Provides critical training in new media, citizen journalism and empowerment to old and new generation of citizens. Course Duration: 90 days Mode of Course Delivery The course is online instructor led training. After the enrollment of 100 entries, applicants will be guided to respective instructors who shall guide his / her students to complete the project work and assignments leading towards final award of certificates. The mode of communication will be largely Internet driven. How to Apply: Please download the application form at www.defindia.net/cj. Filled in application form has to be mailed at cjcourse at gmail.com Eligibility: Candidate must possess at least a minimum of 10+ 2 formal education; have practical experience on developments around communities. Candidates must be at ease in English language. Seats: The intake capacity is 100 candidates (on first cum first basis) for the first quarter (October to December, 2011). Deadline for Application Submission: October 25, 2011 Language: English Fee: Rs. 2000/-(Rupees One Thousand only). Fee must be payable along with application form submission, favouring The Director, Digital Empowerment Foundation, payable at New Delhi. Certification: On successful completion of course with a submission of project report, certification shall be provided to successful candidates. CJ Course Background: http://defindia.net/files/2011/09/Citizen_Journalism_Note-for-website.pdf Download Application Form:http://defindia.net/files/2011/09/Citizen_Journalism-Application_Form1.pdf From aswathypsenan at gmail.com Tue Oct 18 16:13:12 2011 From: aswathypsenan at gmail.com (Aswathy Senan) Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:13:12 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Call for Papers: The Dalit Experience and the Question of Marginality, 16-18 February 2012, Department of English, University of Delhi Message-ID: http://www.englishdu.ac.in/uploads/DU%20Eng%20Conference%202012.pdf * * *Department of English, University of Delhi* *Annual Conference 2012* *The Dalit Experience and the Question of * *Marginality* *16-18 February 2012* *Call for Papers* * * Recent times have seen a rapid growth of interest in marginality in literary and cultural studies. Marginal cultures and identities are by definition the ‘other’ of hegemonic cultural formations; their place and plight are always determined by and peripheral to the dominant culture. Typically, Dalits are framed as socially frail, politically powerless and economically backward. However, in India, while the nature of traditional caste society does make Dalits a marginalized people, the discourse of marginality needs to be taken in conjunction with the fact that Dalits (along with Bahujans) constitute a majority work force. Further, the decisive alterations to the public sphere made by an assertion of Dalit political consciousness must be recognized. Against this background the Department of English, Delhi University is organizing a conference on “The Dalit Experience and the Question of Marginality” from February 16 – 18, 2012. The conference aims to probe the relation between the public sphere consolidation of Dalit identity and the continued devaluation of Dalit labour. At what point, can these different coordinates of the Dalit experiences be mobilized to constitute a counterhegemonic citizenship? What are the various theorizations of caste reality as it pertains to questions of symbolic and not-so-symbolic acts of violence? What are the limits and possibilities of framing the Dalit question as an identity question? How do we critically examine the institutional practice of Dalit studies especially within the cultural rubric of experience and affect? A core part of our conference intends to open up the question of modernity as imagined by Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar, given that 2012 will see the celebration of his 120th birth anniversary. In so far as the idea of the annihilation of caste remains central to Ambedkar, the embrace of modernity cannot simply be seen in terms of reconciliation. It was envisioned very much as a transformative project. Papers can be from any discipline. They should address but not be limited to the following topics:• Theorizing Dalitness: rigorous location in caste versus more open-ended category of the downtrodden. • Myths of origin: invented or historical proofs of indigeneity which trace Dalit ancestry to the broken men, nagas, rakshashas, adi-dravida, namashudras, Buddhists etc. and the expression of this genealogy in contemporary politics. • Questions of faith: differentiations within a broad Hindu habitus, relationship with Hindutva and conversion to Buddhism or other faiths. • Dalit Citizenship: the articulation of Dalit citizenship in relation to the issue of affirmative action as well as human rights. • Using the Media: representation of Dalits in the upper caste media and Dalit intervention in the different branches of mass media—print, electronic, publishing, theatre and films. • Globalisation and Dalit entrepreneurship: the role of the emergent Dalit diaspora; the indigenous Dalit bourgeoisie and the political class’s complicity with neoliberal policies on the one hand and Dalit (and tribal) displacement and resistance on the other. • Dalit and gender question: specificities of Dalit patriarchy. • Dalit aesthetics and the Dalit intellectual: the question of Dalit aesthetics and the forms of Dalit expression. Please send your abstract (300 words) and a brief bionote (150 words) to the following email or postal address by 9 December 2011: Dr. Raj Kumar Department of English Delhi University, Delhi – 110007 Email: bedamatiraj at yahoo.co.in Conference Committee: Dr. Raj Kumar (Director), Dr. Hany Babu, Dr. Tapan Basu, Dr. Nandini Chandra From meeta_sol at hotmail.com Fri Oct 21 04:44:09 2011 From: meeta_sol at hotmail.com (meeta singh) Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:14:09 +0000 Subject: [Reader-list] readers Message-ID: hi readers how are you doing? this works, i'm living proof http://t.co/TyaXTjnv From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Fri Oct 21 08:55:08 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:55:08 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Middle Class Proletariat Message-ID: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27157 Occupy The World! To the Barricades Comrades? by William Bowles Four years ago in a Ministry of Defence Review, the Whitehall Mandarins, more astutely than any so-called Lefty, determined the following: “The Middle Class Proletariat — The middle classes could become a revolutionary class, taking the role envisaged for the proletariat by Marx. The globalization of labour markets and reducing levels of national welfare provision and employment could reduce peoples’ attachment to particular states. The growing gap between themselves and a small number of highly visible super-rich individuals might fuel disillusion with meritocracy, while the growing urban under-classes are likely to pose an increasing threat to social order and stability, as the burden of acquired debt and the failure of pension provision begins to bite. Faced by these twin challenges, the world’s middle-classes might unite, using access to knowledge, resources and skills to shape transnational processes in their own class interest.” — ‘UK Ministry of Defence report, The DCDC Global Strategic Trends Programme 2007-2036’ (Third Edition) p.96, March 2007 Yeah, I know, I'm always using this quote (I first used it four years ago) but it illustrates the great intellectual divide between the political class and the citizens they rule, including our Left, now made so apparent by what the pundits are now calling the 'Occupy The World' (OTW) movement. It seems that only our very own ruling class foresaw OTW. Dig a little deeper into OTW and we find that with a few exceptions, there are no challenges to capitalism, mostly it's a 'clean up your act' kinda thing. Throw a few billionaires in jail, add some regulation and things will eventually turn out just fine. Dream on... But we've been here before. This is what attempts at 'reforming' capitalism in the past have looked like. We lived under such a system from 1945 until the late 1970s, before the Empire reasserted itself, proving once again, that concepts like 'democracy' under capitalism, are at best, mere conveniences and so vague a concept that it can be made to resemble almost anything. And once the so-called Good Life that capitalism allegedly had offered us started to wear thin and capitalism once more plunged us into war and poverty, so too the 'Good Life' had to be dumped. Belt-tightening time again. But unlike 1968, or even the 'Anti-Globalization Movement' that some are comparing OTW to, socialism is barely mentioned, let alone the central motif. Yes, there are increasing anti-capitalist references but in 1968, politics was at the very heart of the situation. It wasn't about money but about posing a real alternative to capitalism. The concept of belonging to a class still existed in the public's consciousness, even if it lacked the collective will to do anything about it. Am I being altogether too cruel to OTW? It is after all, early days in the development of OTW. It might all fizzle out or if it doesn't, the political class might have to use the logical response to the MoD's quote above: suppress it. Something for which, no doubt in another (secret) report, the Whitehall Mandarins have laid out the strategy and tactics to be employed in suppressing a burgeoning (socialist?) revolution. After all, when "[f]aced by th[o]se twin challenges, the world’s middle-classes might unite, using access to knowledge, resources and skills to shape transnational processes in their own class interest”, says it all. You have to take this stuff seriously! It's not a game and the state is very adept at employing whatever tactics it chooses to suppress serious dissent including the use of agents provocateurs (a long-standing 'tradition') to infiltrate and provoke pointless confrontations with the state, in order not only to justify suppression but more importantly, as part of a propaganda war waged through the media, where we have no counter-voice. Repression of course carries its own risks and far from being a solution could only further excerbate the problem. Timing is all. This is not a game. The political class is fighting for its life and that of its masters, the corporations. That's why they write those reports. Just as with the insurrections earlier this year in the UK, the state had a clear response to it and the role of the media was central to its effectiveness in spreading the state's message. Let it 'burn baby, burn' and turn the world's cameras onto the conflagration, followed by a good dose of Victorian 'rough justice' (pity they've abolished hard labour and deportation to Australia). Make an example of them should anyone else have ideas about following in their footsteps. The key here is the observation made by the Whitehall Mandarins about "class interests". Now if well-paid and no doubt loyal members of the political class' intelligentsia have gotten it figured out (and so far, their prediction is right on the money), how come the 'Left' hasn't? Currently class is something almost entirely absent from the OTW movement. Without it eventually taking centre stage, OTW is bound to be stillborn. But there are some positive signs that some kind of 'consensus' mechanism is emerging from the chaos akin to some kind of 'self-organizing' principle. After all, we have what the MoD report called "access to knowledge, resources and skills" necessary to produce workable alternatives not only to capitalism but to fashion a new kind of inclusive democracy, one that hasn't existed before. The aim is to create a venue for democratic deliberation and open debate in a place normally associated with secretive privilege. People working in the City of London have played a starring role in creating the global economic crisis. Since our representative institutions have thus far failed to address this crisis in a way that is both sensible and just, it is only fitting that we should use the City as a place in which [to] work on solutions ourselves. -- 'Talk Amongst Yourselves' By Dan Hind It's not a 'peasants revolt' kinda thing, though of course inevitably those hit the worst by the crisis will revolt first. But the crisis of capital has now hit those who make up the very bedrock of capitalist society's justification for existing, its so-called middle classes. These are the major consumers in our economy, not only is their consumption a major chunk of our GDP (as well its debt), they are also the managers and technicians of capitalism and the state machine. Piss them off and things could get out of hand just as the MoD has predicted. Some on the Left in the UK are still calling for revitalizing the Labour Party as a potential force for socialism but if so, then it means that it would have to come from its decimated grassroots membership, a tall if not impossible order to carry out. At the first signs of revolt in the Labour Party's constituency membership, the Party Machine will intervene and purge its ranks just as it has done so many times in the past. For a Left largely pinning its hopes on a working class that no longer exists, it will have to broaden and deepen its knowledge of how capitalism has evolved and transformed the nature of the working class and learn to seek connections to a much more diverse and complex alliance of forces if we are to defeat the Empire. What an irony that the Left—led largely by middle class intellectuals—fails to see what has happened, trapped as it is in its own patronizing and nostalgic vision of the working class aka George 'middle class' Orwell's 'Road to Wigan Pier'. And this is the problem: it's always middle class intellectuals on the Left who have set the agenda, not for their own 'class' mind but for an idea that emerged in the middle of the 19th century; that the organized industrial working class would undertake the Revolution, led of course by middle class intellectuals. OTW is nevertheless a transcendent moment, one to cherish and sustain and no doubt just the first shot across the bows of Global Capital but for it to have a chance of success it will have challenge corporate capitalism's right to exist. To do this we will first have to dispel the 'bad apple' theory as the cause of the current crisis. That it's just a question of regulating capitalism, smoothing out the rough edges, eliminating the extremes and above all, restoring 'competition', so-called real capitalism. But this could only be done by breaking up the giant corporations and abolishing the financial sector in its entirety as it currently exists. Is it likely that advocates of 'real' capitalism aka Max Keisser could undertake such a mission? The way I understand it, a 'real' capitalist economy would consist only of small competing private businesses, cooperatives, public utilities and the self-employed, and one assumes massive state intervention in order to make it all happen. Sounds a bit like my favourite kind of socialism, William Morris's version and not an overly ambitious objective given the political will to carry it out. But who will break up Shell or Goldman Sachs? Who will smash the military-industrial-media complex? Only a state owned and managed by the working class can undertake such a momentous task. OTY OTW... ___________________________________________________________________________ Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From rohitism at gmail.com Fri Oct 21 10:38:27 2011 From: rohitism at gmail.com (Rohit Shetti) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:38:27 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] London 2012 organisers admit having Dow Chemical as a sponsor was a mistake Message-ID: Please circulate widely. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/277735/Olympics-boycott-fear-over-Bhopal-firm-sponsor-deal Thanks and regards, Rohit From lalitambardar at hotmail.com Fri Oct 21 14:19:36 2011 From: lalitambardar at hotmail.com (Lalit Ambardar) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:49:36 +0000 Subject: [Reader-list] Is Kashmir an issue.... Message-ID: Cycle of death & destruction since Pak's anti India Kashmir jihad was launched two decades ago can come to an end in Kashmir,once the futility of pursuing Pak sponsored panIslamism inspired two nation theory agenda is understood................ Rgds allLA ------------------------------------------------------- http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/oped/14418-kashmir-is-key-to-united-india.htmlthe pioneerKashmir is key to united IndiaWEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2011 21:43 LALIT AMBARDAR The pliability of successive regimes in New Delhi towards the Kashmir issue, the Government’s failure to look beyond the Valley and incorporate the State’s many nationalist voices, the murderous silence over the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits and the K-complex of a billion strong nation have only given credence to the azadi propaganda. This will pave the way for the balkanisation of India...... Propaganda that ‘azadi’ for Kashmir is inevitable will thrive so long as the politically relevant questions pertaining to the so called ‘Kashmir conflict’ pile up unanswered. The blow hot, blow cold approach of successive Union Governments has only allowed separatism, inspired by Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s Two-Nation Theory, to haunt India six decades after it rejected the divisive doctrine.Beginning with the then Union Government’s voluntary reference to ‘referendum’ at the UN after Kashmir’s lawful accession to the Indian Union, the grant of a special status through Article 370 that was followed by the Delhi Declaration of 1952 that allowed further concessions such as a separate flag, etc, the pliability exhibited by New Delhi is germane to the subsequent growth of fissiparous tendencies that now challenge the sovereignty of India over the State of Jammu & Kashmir.Such follies committed over the decades have only fostered rapacious extremism. For instance, former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao’s declaration that the “sky was the limit” for autonomy in faraway Burkina Faso................read more at ..........http://www.dailypioneer.com/pioneer-news/oped/14418-kashmir-is-key-to-united-india.html From rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 21 21:01:01 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:31:01 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Theatre: Master Director Ranjit Kapoor's SAB THAAT PARAA REH JAAYEGA booking opens, 5-6 Nov, Shri Ram Centre In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE5E1D92B74175-FD8-2CA55@webmail-d164.sysops.aol.com> MasterDirector Ranjit Kapoor's SAB THAAT PARAA REH JAAYEGA booking opens, 5-6 Nov,Shri Ram Centre Shows after Houseful Shows at Kamani on 1-2 Oct DearTheatre Lovers, Once inmany years Dramatech invites a Master Director to train & direct ouractors. Such an event of this decade is our new play directed by Mr. RanjitKapoor. Ranjit Kapoor is the Writer/Director of many critically acclaimedmovies like Chintuji, Halla Bol, Bandit Queen, Legend of Bhagat Singh,Khakee, Lajja, Kya Kehna, the cult film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, etc. andclassic plays like Begum Ka Takia, Mukhya Mantri, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla,Hum Rahe Na Hum and many more. DRAMATECH Presents, SAB THAAT PARAA REH JAAYEGA Designed, Adapted & Directed by: RANJIT KAPOOR Venue: ShriRam Centre, Safdar Hashmi Marg, Mandi House (Next toMandi House metro) Sat-Sun 5th& 6th November 2011 at 7 pm Tickets: Rs 500, 300, 100 (balcony) Telebooking: 9910030256 MasterTheatre & Film Writer-Director Ranjit Kapoor’s comeback play ‘SabThaat Paraa Reh Jaayega’ is a ‘Comedy Celebrating Joys of Life’. At firstthe Mehta family seems mad, but it is not long before you realize that if theyare mad, then the rest of the world is crazier. In contrast to these delightfulpeople is the unhappy industrialist family- the Singhaniyas. Ashutosh, theattractive young son of the Singhaniyas, falls in love with VinnieMehta-Mukherjee and brings his parents to dine at the Mehta house on the wrongevening. The play unfolds the meaning of life through shock sustained by Mr.and Mrs. Singhaniya, in this mad-mad house of Shri S.N. Mehta. Watch out forsparks that fly in this situational comedy as two opposing ideologies arebrought face to face. Dramatech is a 27 year old group with 35 plays to its credit and having receivedacclaim and invitation from NSD and Sahitya Kala Parishad for its performances.This amateur theatre group with a professional outlook was started in 1984 by agroup of IIT Delhi Alumni. It then expanded to attract talent from otherinstitutions, in particular, IIM Ahmedabad and Delhi University. Over theyears, Dramatech has provided Delhi audience with good wholesome theatre bothin English & Hindi. www.dramatech.in From rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 21 21:33:26 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:03:26 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] 'WIKIREBELS' - Screening @ Suchitra, Sunday, 23 Oct. 11 AM, Bangalore/ The Women's Studies Programme, SSS-II, JNU Invites you to a Film Screening, "TEEN BEHENEIN" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE5E221A44DA3F-FD8-2D4E7@webmail-d164.sysops.aol.com> WikiRebels 2010, 58 mins, The screening will be followed by a discussion Producers: Bosse Lindquist and Jesper Huor Executive Producer: Johan Branstad Publisher: Ingemar Persson and SVT In WikiRebels, we learn about the early hacker life of Julian Assange, and his later decision to form an organization where whistleblowers can anonymously pass information that documents crime and immorality. His stated goal is to expose injustice, and nothing exemplifies this more than the leaked film entitled “Collateral Murder.” Published in April of 2010, the military video drew global attention for the callous reaction of the US soldiers who shot unarmed civilians in Baghdad in 2007, even killing a father who happened upon the murder scene while driving his children to school. WikiRebels shows other films released by WikiLeaks, and catalogs the most significant leaks since its 2006 inception, including the Iceland banking scandal, Kenya corruption and death squads, and toxic dumping in Cote D’Ivoire. Assange’s stated hope was that alternative media would disseminate the leaks – amounting to over a million documents to date – in a way that would drive positive change. In the film (and in various interviews), he expressed disappointment that alternative media has mostly been unable to adequately analyze and synthesize the data contained in the massive data dumps. So, the whistleblower organization turned to corporate media, with its deep pockets. The Guardian (UK), Der Spiegel (Germany) and the New York Times (US) brokered a deal to publish their analysis of the documents at the same time. Though this controversy is not mentioned in the rough cut of WikiRebels, such a move launched widespread suspicion that the group is part of a carefully contrived psychological operation. I discount this in Criminalizing Whistleblowers: Wikileaks and America's SHIELD Legislation. Speculation about the source of the documents is much easier than analyzing the thousands of released documents. One independent news source, IndyBay.org, reports that Assange accepted payment from Israel to delete any U.S. diplomatic cables that portray Israel poorly (as if anything could mar its reputation any worse than it already is). The source of this information, however, is Daniel Domscheit-Berg, a former disgruntled employee of WikiLeaks. WikiRebels gives Domscheit-Berg plenty of face time to present his views on WikiLeaks, and to voice his complaints about Assange. The most salient complaint might be the decision to release tens of thousands of documents at once, instead of a slower and more careful release, “to grow the project.” Domscheit-Berg promises to start a new whistleblower site that will pass leaked material to the media, apparently in an amount and at a rate that he believes the public can digest. The film clearly makes the point that, regardless of the controversies, the WikiLeaks disclosures benefit democracy. One web comment articulates this most succinctly: “Secrecy is the cloak behind which too many crimes are hidden these days.” Even Domscheit-Berg admits, “What I really learned in the last three years is that a difference can be made bottom up, and not only top down.” At the end of WikiRebels, Iceland TV journalist, Kristinn Hrafnsson concludes, “Democracy without transparency is not democracy.” (source: http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Women's Studies Programme, SSS-II, JNU Invites you to a Film Screening, "TEEN BEHENEIN" directed by, KUNDAN SHAH Date: 25th October 2011, Time: 3.00 p.m. Venue: Committee Room No.002, SSS-II, JNU ALL ARE WELCOME About the Film:Teen Behenein Dir: Kundan Shah Chief Associate Dir: Shekhar Hattangadi There are many tragic news stories of multiple suicides of three/four sisters in India due to dowry. This film makes three such sisters its protagonists. The film opens with them about to commit the act when they are interrupted and forced to postpone their deaths. What happens in this gratuitous period of six hours is the subject matter of the film. Without any flashbacks, the film brings out the essence of their lives which has led them to this decision. It explores all their joys and sorrows and mainly their zest for life even when death is virtually knocking at their door. They shouldn’t have died. None of these girls should have ever died. How these tragedies can be avoided is the hope and the vision of this film. The screening will be followed by an interaction with Shekhar Hattangadi. _ __,_._,___ From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sat Oct 22 04:29:36 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:59:36 +0000 Subject: [Reader-list] [Pragoti] Middle Class Proletariat In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I think the author is wrong on the point. The author's opinion is based on wrong abstractions from "apparent production lines" dictated by market hype. Instead of recognising that the composition of 'working class' has expanded, he is going nowhere. Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC, AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 4:39 AM, kinjal ghose wrote: > > > > For a Left largely pinning its hopes on a working class that no longer exists- on what basis has this conclusion been drawn? > > On Fri, Oct 21, 2011 at 8:55 AM, A. Mani wrote: >> >> http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27157 >> >> Occupy The World! To the Barricades Comrades? >> >> by William Bowles >> >> >> Four years ago in a Ministry of Defence Review, the Whitehall >> Mandarins, more astutely than any so-called Lefty, determined the >> following: >> >>    “The Middle Class Proletariat — The middle classes could become a >> revolutionary class, taking the role envisaged for the proletariat by >> Marx. The globalization of labour markets and reducing levels of >> national welfare provision and employment could reduce peoples’ >> attachment to particular states. The growing gap between themselves >> and a small number of highly visible super-rich individuals might fuel >> disillusion with meritocracy, while the growing urban under-classes >> are likely to pose an increasing threat to social order and stability, >> as the burden of acquired debt and the failure of pension provision >> begins to bite. Faced by these twin challenges, the world’s >> middle-classes might unite, using access to knowledge, resources and >> skills to shape transnational processes in their own class interest.” >> — ‘UK Ministry of Defence report, The DCDC Global Strategic Trends >> Programme 2007-2036’ (Third Edition) p.96, March 2007 >> >> Yeah, I know, I'm always using this quote (I first used it four years >> ago) but it illustrates the great intellectual divide between the >> political class and the citizens they rule, including our Left, now >> made so apparent by what the pundits are now calling the 'Occupy The >> World' (OTW) movement. It seems that only our very own ruling class >> foresaw OTW. >> >> Dig a little deeper into OTW and we find that with a few exceptions, >> there are no challenges to capitalism, mostly it's a 'clean up your >> act' kinda thing. Throw a few billionaires in jail, add some >> regulation and things will eventually turn out just fine. Dream on... >> >> But we've been here before. This is what attempts at 'reforming' >> capitalism in the past have looked like. We lived under such a system >> from 1945 until the late 1970s, before the Empire reasserted itself, >> proving once again, that concepts like 'democracy' under capitalism, >> are at best, mere conveniences and so vague a concept that it can be >> made to resemble almost anything. >> >> And once the so-called Good Life that capitalism allegedly had offered >> us started to wear thin and capitalism once more plunged us into war >> and poverty, so too the 'Good Life' had to be dumped. Belt-tightening >> time again. >> >> But unlike 1968, or even the 'Anti-Globalization Movement' that some >> are comparing OTW to, socialism is barely mentioned, let alone the >> central motif. Yes, there are increasing anti-capitalist references >> but in 1968, politics was at the very heart of the situation. It >> wasn't about money but about posing a real alternative to capitalism. >> The concept of belonging to a class still existed in the public's >> consciousness, even if it lacked the collective will to do anything >> about it. >> >> Am I being altogether too cruel to OTW? It is after all, early days in >> the development of OTW. It might all fizzle out or if it doesn't, the >> political class might have to use the logical response to the MoD's >> quote above: suppress it. Something for which, no doubt in another >> (secret) report, the Whitehall Mandarins have laid out the strategy >> and tactics to be employed in suppressing a burgeoning (socialist?) >> revolution. >> >> After all, when "[f]aced by th[o]se twin challenges, the world’s >> middle-classes might unite, using access to knowledge, resources and >> skills to shape transnational processes in their own class interest”, >> says it all. >> >> You have to take this stuff seriously! It's not a game and the state >> is very adept at employing whatever tactics it chooses to suppress >> serious dissent including the use of agents provocateurs (a >> long-standing 'tradition') to infiltrate and provoke pointless >> confrontations with the state, in order not only to justify >> suppression but more importantly, as part of a propaganda war waged >> through the media, where we have no counter-voice. >> >> Repression of course carries its own risks and far from being a >> solution could only further excerbate the problem. Timing is all. This >> is not a game. The political class is fighting for its life and that >> of its masters, the corporations. That's why they write those reports. >> Just as with the insurrections earlier this year in the UK, the state >> had a clear response to it and the role of the media was central to >> its effectiveness in spreading the state's message. >> >> Let it 'burn baby, burn' and turn the world's cameras onto the >> conflagration, followed by a good dose of Victorian 'rough justice' >> (pity they've abolished hard labour and deportation to Australia). >> Make an example of them should anyone else have ideas about following >> in their footsteps. >> >> The key here is the observation made by the Whitehall Mandarins about >> "class interests". Now if well-paid and no doubt loyal members of the >> political class' intelligentsia have gotten it figured out (and so >> far, their prediction is right on the money), how come the 'Left' >> hasn't? >> >> Currently class is something almost entirely absent from the OTW >> movement. Without it eventually taking centre stage, OTW is bound to >> be stillborn. But there are some positive signs that some kind of >> 'consensus' mechanism is emerging from the chaos akin to some kind of >> 'self-organizing' principle. After all, we have what the MoD report >> called "access to knowledge, resources and skills" necessary to >> produce workable alternatives not only to capitalism but to fashion a >> new kind of inclusive democracy, one that hasn't existed before. >> >>    The aim is to create a venue for democratic deliberation and open >> debate in a place normally associated with secretive privilege. People >> working in the City of London have played a starring role in creating >> the global economic crisis. Since our representative institutions have >> thus far failed to address this crisis in a way that is both sensible >> and just, it is only fitting that we should use the City as a place in >> which [to] work on solutions ourselves. -- 'Talk Amongst Yourselves' >> By Dan Hind >> >> It's not a 'peasants revolt' kinda thing, though of course inevitably >> those hit the worst by the crisis will revolt first. But the crisis of >> capital has now hit those who make up the very bedrock of capitalist >> society's justification for existing, its so-called middle classes. >> These are the major consumers in our economy, not only is their >> consumption a major chunk of our GDP (as well its debt), they are also >> the managers and technicians of capitalism and the state machine. Piss >> them off and things could get out of hand just as the MoD has >> predicted. >> >> Some on the Left in the UK are still calling for revitalizing the >> Labour Party as a potential force for socialism but if so, then it >> means that it would have to come from its decimated grassroots >> membership, a tall if not impossible order to carry out. At the first >> signs of revolt in the Labour Party's constituency membership, the >> Party Machine will intervene and purge its ranks just as it has done >> so many times in the past. >> >> For a Left largely pinning its hopes on a working class that no longer >> exists, it will have to broaden and deepen its knowledge of how >> capitalism has evolved and transformed the nature of the working class >> and learn to seek connections to a much more diverse and complex >> alliance of forces if we are to defeat the Empire. >> >> What an irony that the Left—led largely by middle class >> intellectuals—fails to see what has happened, trapped as it is in its >> own patronizing and nostalgic vision of the working class aka George >> 'middle class' Orwell's 'Road to Wigan Pier'. And this is the problem: >> it's always middle class intellectuals on the Left who have set the >> agenda, not for their own 'class' mind but for an idea that emerged in >> the middle of the 19th century; that the organized industrial working >> class would undertake the Revolution, led of course by middle class >> intellectuals. >> >> OTW is nevertheless a transcendent moment, one to cherish and sustain >> and no doubt just the first shot across the bows of Global Capital but >> for it to have a chance of success it will have challenge corporate >> capitalism's right to exist. >> >> To do this we will first have to dispel the 'bad apple' theory as the >> cause of the current crisis. That it's just a question of regulating >> capitalism, smoothing out the rough edges, eliminating the extremes >> and above all, restoring 'competition', so-called real capitalism. >> >> But this could only be done by breaking up the giant corporations and >> abolishing the financial sector in its entirety as it currently >> exists. Is it likely that advocates of 'real' capitalism aka Max >> Keisser could undertake such a mission? The way I understand it, a >> 'real' capitalist economy would consist only of small competing >> private businesses, cooperatives, public utilities and the >> self-employed, and one assumes massive state intervention in order to >> make it all happen. >> >> Sounds a bit like my favourite kind of socialism, William Morris's >> version and not an overly ambitious objective given the political will >> to carry it out. >> >> But who will break up Shell or Goldman Sachs? Who will smash the >> military-industrial-media complex? Only a state owned and managed by >> the working class can undertake such a momentous task. OTY OTW... >> >> ___________________________________________________________________________ >> >> >> Best >> >> A. Mani >> >> >> >> -- >> A. Mani >> CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS >> http://www.logicamani.co.cc >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> Subscribe To: >> http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=369603 >> >> Visit: >> http://www.pragoti.org/ >> >> Post Message: >> pragoti at yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links >> >> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: >>    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pragoti/ >> >> <*> Your email settings: >>    Individual Email | Traditional >> >> <*> To change settings online go to: >>    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pragoti/join >>    (Yahoo! ID required) >> >> <*> To change settings via email: >>    pragoti-digest at yahoogroups.com >>    pragoti-fullfeatured at yahoogroups.com >> >> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: >>    pragoti-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com >> >> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: >>    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ >> > > __._,_.___ > Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic > Messages in this topic (2) > Recent Activity: > > Visit Your Group > Subscribe To: > http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=369603 > > Visit: > http://www.pragoti.org/ > > Post Message: > pragoti at yahoogroups.com > MARKETPLACE > > Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now. > > Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use > . > __,_._,___ From a.mani.cms at gmail.com Sat Oct 22 04:31:17 2011 From: a.mani.cms at gmail.com (A. Mani) Date: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:01:17 +0000 Subject: [Reader-list] =?windows-1252?q?Revealed_=96_the_Capitalist_Networ?= =?windows-1252?q?k_that_Runs_the_World?= Message-ID: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27191 Nice infographics there.... "AS PROTESTS against financial power sweep the world this week, science may have confirmed the protesters' worst fears. An analysis of the relationships between 43,000 transnational corporations has identified a relatively small group of companies, mainly banks, with disproportionate power over the global economy." Best A. Mani -- A. Mani CU, ASL, CLC,  AMS, CMS http://www.logicamani.co.cc From rohitrellan at aol.in Sun Oct 23 15:06:04 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 05:36:04 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Mumbai 48HFP 2011: Workshop on the Basics of Camera / Light / Sound In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE5F7E51827F63-E00-487F0@webmail-d160.sysops.aol.com> The Mumbai 48HFP and Accord Equips present a hands-on workshop on how to make a film in 48 hours Register here http://www.48hfp.in/?p=986 The Workshop aims at getting the Mumbai 48HFP Teams to optimise their shoot and make the Best of 48 Hours! The following topics will be covered: 1) Basics of using a Canon 5D with a demo 2) Live camera and lights setup a) Basics of lighting b) Lighting up a scene 3) Using different lenses 4) Managing a production flow & team work 5) Basics of sound capturing and sound design 6) Basics of colour correction The Workshop will be conducted by Radha Krishnan (RK) an established cinematographer. Date: Sunday Oct. 30, 2011 Time: 4 pm to 8:30 pm Venue: Jai Hind College Auditorium, Near Churchgate Station The Workshop is FREE for 48HFP Teams/ Participants (You have to mention your team name and team leader's name at the time of signing up.) Workshop Fees for non-48HFP participants: Rs 700 Register here http://www.48hfp.in/?p=986 48HFP participants who have queries regarding the competition can meet us at the Venue from 3pm onwards. We would be happy to answer all your queries regarding the competition.Regards, We hope to see all of you there! Regards, Preeti Gopalkrishnan Delhi & Mumbai Producer 48 Hour Film Project 2011 From rohitrellan at aol.in Sun Oct 23 15:09:49 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 05:39:49 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Persistence Resistance in London Message-ID: <8CE5F7ED7E175F6-E00-488D7@webmail-d160.sysops.aol.com> Persistence Resistance in London Goldsmiths, University of London London School of Economics School of Oriental and African Studies University of Westminster Brunel University present Persistence Resistance: Documentary Practices in India London, 1 - 8 November 2011 A film festival that focuses on in-depth conversations between and amongst filmmakers and theorists, linked to screenings, round-tables and with plenty of time for open discussions with the audience. Filmmakers Arun Khopkar, Deepa Dhanraj, Rahul Roy, Rajula Shah and Saba Dewan, from India, Yasmine Kabir from Bangladesh, as well as UK based filmmakers John Wyver, Mairead McClean, Mao Mollona, Margaret Dickinson and Simon Chambers will be joined by, and be in conversations with, Alisa Lebow, Alpa Shah, Guilia Battaglia, Laura Bear, Lotte Hoek, Lucia King, Nicole Wolf, Partha Mitter, Radha D'Souza, Ravi Vasudevan, Ros Gray, Rosie Thomas, Stephen Hughes, Stewart Motha and Ziba Mir Hosseini. NEHRU CENTRE 18:30 to 20:30 on 1/11/2011 SOAS, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON 13:00 to 15:00 on 2/11/2011 10:00 to 20:00 on 7/11/2011 10:00 to 20:00 on 8/11/2011 UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER 17:00 to 21:00 on 2/11/2011 GOLDSMITHS, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON 17:00 to 20:00 on 3/11/2011 09:30 to 18:30 on 4/11/2011 LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS 09:30 to 18:00 on 5/11/2011 13:00 to 18:30 on 6/11/2011 Details of the festival, sessions, guests and the films: http://magiclanternfoundation.org/persistence-resistance-in-london/ ENTRY FREE, ALL ARE WELCOME Please do attend and do spread the word to those who might wish to attend or write about the festival. From joshuasoans at gmail.com Sun Oct 23 18:14:45 2011 From: joshuasoans at gmail.com (Joshua Soans) Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:14:45 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Message from Chinese activists and academics in support of Occupy Wall Street In-Reply-To: <7E0B22BF-1F72-4075-A381-3E05754DD4E3@sarai.net> References: <12a9acf3c39f6083ad4f810e4697da18.squirrel@webmail.xs4all.nl> <7E0B22BF-1F72-4075-A381-3E05754DD4E3@sarai.net> Message-ID: Very interesting article in the New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21228354.500-revealed--the-capitalist-network-that-runs-the-world.html# AS PROTESTS against financial power sweep the worldthis week, science may have confirmed the protesters' worst fears. An analysis of the relationships between 43,000 transnational corporations has identified a relatively small group of companies, mainly banks, with disproportionate power over the global economy. The study's assumptions have attracted some criticism, but complex systems analysts contacted by *New Scientist* say it is a unique effort to untangle control in the global economy. Pushing the analysis further, they say, could help to identify ways of making global capitalism more stable. The idea that a few bankers control a large chunk of the global economy might not seem like news to New York's Occupy Wall Streetmovement and protesters elsewhere (see photo). But the study, by a trio of complex systems theorists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, is the first to go beyond ideology to empirically identify such a network of power. It combines the mathematics long used to model natural systems with comprehensive corporate data to map ownership among the world's transnational corporations (TNCs). "Reality is so complex, we must move away from dogma, whether it's conspiracy theories or free-market," says James Glattfelder. "Our analysis is reality-based." Previous studies have found that a few TNCs own large chunks of the world's economy, but they included only a limited number of companies and omitted indirect ownerships, so could not say how this affected the global economy - whether it made it more or less stable, for instance. The Zurich team can. From Orbis 2007, a database listing 37 million companies and investors worldwide, they pulled out all 43,060 TNCs and the share ownerships linking them. Then they constructed a model of which companies controlled others through shareholding networks, coupled with each company's operating revenues, to map the structure of economic power. The work, to be published in *PloS One*, revealed a core of 1318 companies with interlocking ownerships (see image). Each of the 1318 had ties to two or more other companies, and on average they were connected to 20. What's more, although they represented 20 per cent of global operating revenues, the 1318 appeared to collectively own through their shares the majority of the world's large blue chip and manufacturing firms - the "real" economy - representing a further 60 per cent of global revenues. When the team further untangled the web of ownership, it found much of it tracked back to a "super-entity" of 147 even more tightly knit companies - all of their ownership was held by other members of the super-entity - that controlled 40 per cent of the total wealth in the network. "In effect, less than 1 per cent of the companies were able to control 40 per cent of the entire network," says Glattfelder. Most were financial institutions. The top 20 included Barclays Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co, and The Goldman Sachs Group. On Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 5:02 AM, Jeebesh wrote: > Very soon occupy New York Times will start. It will be a carnival of > leaderless rejoicing :) > > On 13-Oct-11, at 8:02 PM, Joshua Soans wrote: > > praiseworthy sentiments, unlikely to change much: >> http://www.nytimes.com/2011/**09/25/nyregion/protesters-are-** >> gunning-for-wall-street-with-**faulty-aim.html?_r=2 >> >> On Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 2:08 PM, Patrice Riemens >> wrote: >> >> Reposted from nettime-l with usual apps 4 X-posting! >>> >>> >>> This letter of solidarity, signed over by 50 intellectuals and activists >>> in >>> China, was posted to Utopia yesterday. Thanks to everyone for the >>> translation and editing work! >>> >>> http://chinastudygroup.net/**2011/10/message-from-chinese-** >>> activists-and- >>> academics-in-support-of-**occupy-wall-street/ >>> >>> From the middle of September, a great "Wall Street Revolution" has >>>> broken >>>> >>> out in the United States. This street revolution, going by the name of >>> "Occupy Wall Street," has already expanded to over 70 cities and >>> countries >>> in North America, Europe, and other areas. In their statement on "The >>> Wall >>> Street Revolution," the American people have sworn that this demand for >>> "a >>> democratic country, not a corporate kingdom" mass democratic revolution >>> must spread to every part of the world, and they will not rest until this >>> goal is met. From the anti-capitalist demonstrations that began after the >>> 2008 financial crisis, and which this year have spread across Europe, the >>> Middle East, North Africa and South America, this magnificent global mass >>> democratic movement has finally spread to the center of capitalism's >>> financial empire -- Wall Street. >>> >>> The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" is an historical indicator >>> that the popular democratic revolution that will soon sweep the world is >>> set to begin. It is an especially significant and important event for >>> this >>> movement. Before this most recent action, street protests had virtually >>> been exclusively used as a tool by US elite groups to subvert other >>> countries. Now, however, the "Wall Street Revolution" -- with its goals >>> of >>> shared prosperity and popular democracy -- has launched protests in the >>> country that is the self-proclaimed defender of democracy. This will >>> inevitably strike a hard blow against the US elite group, itself >>> responsible for the plunder and oppression of people all over the world, >>> and the group that pushed the world into crisis and instability. The >>> protests ring the death knell of the rule of capital. Popular democracy >>> will replace elite democracy in the 21st Century, and the curtain has >>> lifted on the movement from elite politics to popular politics. Using the >>> language of the "Wall Street Revolution," this is a struggle of the >>> popular >>> 99% against the corrupt 1%, a struggle of the popular 99% against the >>> elite >>> 1%,and is the final struggle of the popular forces against elite >>> capitalist >>> rule. >>> >>> The world belongs to all of the people of the world. Countries belong to >>> the entire people of those countries. Even more so, wealth is produced by >>> the entire people, and therefore should be shared by the entire people, >>> it >>> cannot be monopolized by the 1% -- or even less than 1% -- that is made >>> up >>> of an extremely small number of elites. The demand for common prosperity >>> in >>> economics, and popular democracy in politics has become an unstoppable >>> historical trend! The rapid expansion of a fictitious economy and the >>> massive flow of social wealth has created an amply reliable material >>> foundation for the realization of the common wealth of all people. The >>> development of internet technology and political civilization has created >>> the conditions for human society to make the transition from capitalist >>> democracy to popular democracy. Human society is fully capable of >>> transforming, on the foundation of the past democracy of slaveholders, >>> the >>> democracy of feudal lords, and the democracy of the capitalist class, to >>> make the fundamental shift from the democracy of the elites to real >>> popular >>> democracy. Common prosperity and popular democracy will become the main >>> content of the historical transformation of the 21st Century. No matter >>> how >>> brutally the American riot police will attempt to suppress the >>> participants >>> in the Wall Street revolution, no matter how much the global elites -- >>> especially those in the U.S. and China -- try to suppress news of the >>> Wall >>> Street revolution, they cannot stop the vigorous growth and ultimate >>> victory of the democratic revolution of the people of the world. >>> >>> The violent repression and virtual blockade of news about the "Wall >>> Street >>> Revolution" by elite groups led by the US proves that the fate of >>> oppressed >>> people around the world is the same, regardless of whether they are from >>> developed or developing countries, whether they are from so-called >>> democracies or authoritarian countries. The international elite was the >>> first class to link-up internationally via globalization. Their plunder >>> of >>> public wealth and repression of popular democratic movements is cruel and >>> far-reaching, and utterly lacking in freedom and democracy. So-called >>> freedom and democracy in modern society is nothing more than democracy >>> for >>> capitalism, an elite democracy. Freedom is another word for the elite to >>> plunder, oppress and violently suppress others. Popular forces have been >>> completely excluded from the freedoms and democracy of modern society, >>> and >>> the extent of democratic rights is to choose between presidential >>> candidates that have already been vetted by capital. You can vote once >>> every four years, but you have no way of affecting the people above you >>> who >>> directly determine your fate: your boss or superior. And there is no way >>> of >>> constraining the capitalistoligarchs who can take away the wealth of the >>> majority of the population with the slight of hand of fictitious capital. >>> Freedom and democracy have become a virtual game, nothing more than a >>> tool >>> to subvert other countries. Now the popular and democratic world >>> revolution >>> -- symbolized by the "Wall Street Revolution"- demands an end to this >>> political game, and that freedom and democracy be returned to the people. >>> Democracy is not just a check on the president, but a check on government >>> officials; democracy is not just a check on power, but a check on >>> capital. >>> If the rights and privileges of feudal and absolute rulers are understood >>> to be a sin and abomination, then giving those rights to capital is also >>> a >>> travesty. >>> >>> Securities and computer networks should have been two crucial elements of >>> our shift from an industrial society to an information society, from a >>> material economy to a virtual economy, from capitalism to a >>> human-centered >>> economic system, and from elite politics to popular politics. But the >>> elite >>> class has turned securities into a tool of appropriation akin to the >>> 'indulgences' issued by middle-age church functionaries in Europe. In the >>> new securitized economy, all the public's wealth can easily melt into >>> thin >>> air -- including their houses, wages, labor power and even their hope for >>> the future. All these things have become the targets of appropriation by >>> a >>> tiny elite minority. Both the white-collar middle classes in developed >>> countries -- owners of fictitious property, and the blue-collar workers >>> in >>> developing countries who cannot afford housing or health care, belong in >>> point of fact to the same class: modern proletariat. When the people >>> protest the unprecedented plunder and vast income gap perpetrated by >>> fictitious capital, they are met with violent repression -- both in so- >>> called democracy countries that claim to be defenders of human rights >>> such >>> as the US, and in authoritarian countries that are said to lack freedom >>> and >>> democracy. Faced with street protests erupting from the Balkans to North >>> Africa, President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have repeated over >>> and over, "The rights of peaceful protest and the occupation of public >>> space should be respected at all times." Yet when US citizens attempt to >>> exercise this right they immediately are faced with violent repression by >>> armed police, and a blockade by the news media. If this is reaction of >>> the >>> US -- the self-proclaimed leader in human rights -- then we can imagine >>> what the reaction will be in other capitalist countries. Rule by the >>> capitalist elite is just as described by the "Wall Street Revolution" -- >>> everywhere. There is nowhere left were we can live and die as people. >>> >>> The eruption of the "Wall Street Revolution" in the heart of the world's >>> financial empire shows that 99% of the world's people remain exploited >>> and >>> oppressed -- regardless of whether they are from developed or developing >>> countries. People throughout the world see their wealth being plundered, >>> and their rights being taken away. Economic polarization is now a common >>> threat to all of us. The conflict between popular and elite rule is also >>> found in all countries. Now, however, the popular democratic revolution >>> meets repression not just from its own ruling class, but also from the >>> world elite that has formed through globalization. The "Wall Street >>> Revolution" has met with repression from US police, but also suffers from >>> a >>> media blackout organized by the Chinese elite. >>> >>> The same fate, the same pain, the same problems, the same conflict. Faced >>> with a common enemy in an elite global class that has already linked-up, >>> the people of the world have only one option: to unite and in a unified >>> and >>> shared struggle overturn the rule of the capitalist elite, to ensure that >>> everyone enjoys the basic human rights of work, housing, health care, >>> education, and a secure old-age. But we must go further if we are to >>> realize shared prosperity and popular democracy in a new socialist world >>> historical framework, If we are to fully escape and neutralize the crises >>> and disasters that capitalism has brought the human race, and realize >>> harmonious social development. >>> >>> The great "Wall Street Revolution" and the great popular "Chilean Winter" >>> that preceded it signal that the day when we realize shared prosperity >>> and >>> popular democracy is approaching. It signals that worldwide popular and >>> democratic socialist movement -- dormant since the 1970s -- is waking up >>> again. But this time, it will be the final battle to put capitalism in >>> its >>> grave. The victory of popular democracy and death of elite rule are >>> inevitable! The embers of revolt are scattered amongst us all, waiting to >>> burn with the slightest breeze. The great era of popular democracy, set >>> to >>> change history, has arrived again! >>> >>> Resolutely support the American people in the "Wall Street Revolution"! >>> >>> Resolutely support all street protests pushing for shared prosperity and >>> popular demoracy! >>> >>> Long live the "Wall Street Revolution"! >>> >>> Long live the global movement for popular democracy! >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> ______________________________**___________ >>> 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/ >>> > >>> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Joshua SOANS >> Executive Editor >> MedicinMan >> >> www.medicinman.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/ >> > >> > > ______________________________**___________ > 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 rakesh.rnbdj at gmail.com Mon Oct 24 20:47:24 2011 From: rakesh.rnbdj at gmail.com (Rakesh Iyer) Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:47:24 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: some help would be great! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi to all Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan (JJSS) is an organization working in Bihar on issues related to MNREGA, PDS and ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme). They have been conducting social audits for the three mentioned schemes for the past 2 years. Here's their link: www.jjabihar.org Currently, one of their members, Shivnarayan jee (Shibu jee in short), who was our local volunteer from Araria district, has landed in trouble. He has had to move out of his brother-in-law's home and does not have any land even for dwelling. He also has a family with three kids. He requires around Rs. 50,000/- for building a kachcha house after having purchased a small plot of land. I had the pleasure of working with Shibu jee during May 2010 for conducting social audits in two panchayats of Araria district in Bihar on MNREGA. I personally request all members of the two forums (Sarai and Youth for Social Change) as well as other friends and acquaintances to whom I have personally sent this, to kindly help in whatever way you can. Also, please spread this message as far as you can. You can contact: Ashish Ranjan Jha Phone no: +9973363664 Member, JJSS Thank you. Regards Rakesh Krishnamoorthy Iyer Project Scientist c/o Prof. Sudhir Chella Rajan, Dept. of Humanities & Social Sciences, IIT Madras, Chennai - 600036 Phone no: +91-9444073884 E-mail ID: rakesh.rnbdj at gmail.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: ashish ranjan (आशीष रंजन) Date: 2011/10/24 Subject: Regarding Shibu To: kamayani02 at yahoo.com Dear Student Volunteers, Shibu has met with a crisis. He has had to leave his brother in law's house where he has been staying with his family and no place to go. He needs financial support (we are targeting 50 K). We know you may not be able to contribute but we are hoping you will be able to tap your friends/family to give personal support for a humanitarian cause. More below... When we first met Shibu, he was just another young person in our group of 20 odd people setting out on our first ‘kaam mango padyatra’. In fact we would never have imagined Shivnarayan would turn out to be this committed. Shivnarayan had decided to join us for a couple of reasons, he had time at hand, he was a friend of Ranjit’s and Ranjit had convinced him to come along, for this padyatra would give him an opportunity to learn more about singing and theatre, which were his interests, but for which the timber industry had little time. Shivnarayan worked in the timber factories for an earning. What we saw was a dandy and a fast rider of motorcycles. But the Shibu we have got to know since is a man who is much more. And here is Shibu for those of you who may want to know. Shivnayarayan is in his mid-thirties, he has worked as a sangathan whole timer for the last three years, cycling, biking and walking in the one of the most backwards blocks of Araria district, Raniganj. He has taken the message of unionising to distant corners of the JJSS work area, with his songs, some picked up from others and others self written. He has moved from Bhojpuri film music, which he knows well and had come with to the sangathan. He is also the man who stood shoulder to shoulder with his saathis in a dharna at Mansahi block, Katihar district when tragedy struck his family. Shibu lost his 6 year old son to brain fever in 2008, on the day of the dharna, Shivnarayan rushed back when he was told his son was critical but could not reach in time. Shibu has three children now, he sometimes talks about the son he lost, he has borne the loss with strength. The sangathan could not do much, and two years later when we could save another saathi Arun’s son ... from suspected brain fever, with the help of Dr. Vandana Prasad, it was some relief. Abhishek, now Shibu’s oldest boy is a TB survivor at the age of 7. Shivnarayan’s daily life is a struggle, he is a landless worker, first generation literate, eight class drop out, he has been a migrant worker, living in his brother-in-law’s house since neither his parents could make enough savings to make a house or buy land to plan for a house nor has all migrant work given anything more than survival to Shibu. We have all in our own small ways tried to be of help. The sangathan has demanded from Shibu what it demands from each of its whole timers- complete commitment to the cause, untiring work, a lot of physical and mental stress and strain. Shibu despite his personal problems has never shirked work. I know many of you have supported the JJSS financially by seeking us donations. We have appreciated your support. But today the support we ask of you is personal, Shibu has had to move out of his brother-in-law’s house and has no place to stay. His wife is at her parents place and his parents have shifted to a sister’s place. Last year Shibu was able to buy a piece of land and now he can build a kaccha house, if we can all chip in to give him Rupees 50,000. I am not sure if this will be a loan,for Shibu may not be able to repay, he earns Rs. 120 a day and it may not be enough to make a saving after supporting a family of three children and 4 adults. Shibu and his family like many of our other saathis lead a precarious life and support from you is needed. Eagerly awaiting your response. kamayani, ranjit, arvind and ashish for the JJSS -- www.jjabihar.org From rohitrellan at aol.in Mon Oct 24 22:09:24 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:39:24 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Grant for making Documentary In-Reply-To: References: <1319253032.90688.YahooMailClassic@web160720.mail.bf1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <8CE60829F4E8D6C-1B6C-6C86@web-mmc-m09.sysops.aol.com> Grants for Documentary Films The MacArthur Foundation Award: Up to $200,000 Deadline: December 2, 2011 Website: www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.943279/k.C2BD/General_Grantmaking__Media_Grantmaking_Guidelines.htm The program seeks to fund documentary film projects that address the significant social challenges of our time or explore important but under-reported topics. Domestic and international topics are welcome; preference will be given to projects that align with one of MacArthur's grantmaking areas, (e.g. human rights, conservation, peace and security, affordable housing, juvenile justice). Support will be provided primarily for production and post-production activities (though some of the funds may be used for pre-production or outreach activities). Documentary stories that will be told both in film and a second medium are especially encouraged. -- Open Call for Documentary Film Proposals The Media, Culture, and Special Initiatives program is accepting proposals for documentary film projects between November 1, 2011 to December 2, 2011. The program seeks to fund documentary projects that address the significant social challenges of our time or explore important but under-reported topics. Domestic and international topics are welcome, and preference will be given to projects that align with one of MacArthur's grantmaking areas. Support will be provided primarily for production and post-production activities, and to experienced filmmakers based in the U.S. with a track record of completing feature-length films that have been broadcast nationally and internationally. This is a highly selective process. In the last open call, the Foundation supported eight projects (out of nearly 400 proposals received). Proposals must be submitted electronically via documentarygrants at macfound.org with "Documentary Grant Proposal: [YOUR ORG'S NAME]" in the subject line (e.g., Documentary Grant Proposal: Hopeful Films). Proposals will not be accepted prior to November 1, 2011 or after 11:59pm CST on December 2, 2011. The Foundation will not be responding to phone or email inquiries about the program or the process, so please read the criteria and guidelines (and the FAQ section) carefully and proceed using your best judgment. Criteria In selecting documentary films for support, the Foundation looks for the following: Projects that address important, contemporary social topics – international or domestic Projects that align with MacArthur's programmatic interests in the U.S. and International Grantmaking areas Projects that follow an issue over time, providing in-depth reporting that goes beyond conventional news coverage Projects that utilize compelling personal stories to engage viewers and create empathy Projects that appeal to a broad audience because they are accessible, interesting, and balanced (treats different points of view respectfully) Projects that have a strong likelihood of broadcast in the U.S. and elsewhere, and thoughtful plans for broad dissemination in educational, community, or policy settings __._,_.___ From asit1917 at gmail.com Tue Oct 25 13:25:23 2011 From: asit1917 at gmail.com (asit das) Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:55:23 -0700 Subject: [Reader-list] The imperialists murder Gadhafi Message-ID: The imperialists murder Gadhafi Published Oct 21, 2011 12:36 PM News spread around the world on Oct. 20-21 that NATO planes had struck a car caravan leaving Sirte in Libya, wounding Moammar Gadhafi, and that the Libyan leader was captured alive and subsequently killed. The details of his death are sketchy and may be purposely distorted or obscured by his killers. This main fact stands out: It took the intervention of the imperialist air forces — including a U.S. Predator drone and a French warplane — to end the life of this African leader. Thus the assassination of Gadhafi was like the rest of the so-called uprising in Libya: a complete creation of the imperialist powers in NATO. As we have stated in this column before, the “rebels” — the Transitional National Council leaders, the monarchists from Benghasi and whatever other forces joined the rag-tag anti-government crusade in Libya — could not have won one battle without the air power, reconnaissance, logistics, funding, planning and direct intervention of NATO. That means that especially France, Britain and Italy, with full U.S. logistical support, carried out a war — using meager Libyan puppet forces — in an attempt to recolonize Libya, just as these imperialists have attempted to recolonize Iraq and Afghanistan. As of yet none of these attempts have completely succeeded in subjugating the people, who are still resisting heroically in each location. True, the imperialists have brought misery wherever they sunk their claws, but nowhere is their rule secure. Those who deceived themselves into believing this was an honest popular uprising in Libya — like those in neighboring Egypt or Tunisia — have to feel humiliated listening to the triumphant speeches today of NATO heads of government Nicolas Sarkozy, David Cameron, Silvio Berlusconi and Barack Obama. The words of the imperialist leaders ranting against the Gadhafi they murdered is proof enough that the Libyan leader died trying to fight for his oil-rich country’s independence from these very same predatory world powers. The even more important lesson, however, is that the imperialist states and their leaders have no compunction about using force, breaking international laws and simply carrying out murders of government leaders. They are war criminals. They deserve no respect. They deserve instead to be put on trial. In the past weeks hundreds of thousands of young people have been occupying the squares or demonstrating in the main cities of the countries headed by these imperialists. This latest murder should strengthen their determination to rid the world of the capitalist system, which not only robs them of their future at home but brings pain and misery to much of humanity. Long live the struggle to liberate Libya, and the world, from imperialism and the banks and corporations that own it! Workers World Party From tapasrayx at gmail.com Wed Oct 26 15:12:55 2011 From: tapasrayx at gmail.com (Tapas Ray [Gmail]) Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:12:55 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] This autumn of discontent, or let a hundred occupations bloom Message-ID: By way of nettime -- Original to the Los Angeles Review of Books: http://lareviewofbooks.org/post/11725867619/no-more-bubble-gum No More Bubble-gum Mike Davis Who could have envisioned Occupy Wall Street and its sudden wildflower-like profusion in cities large and small? John Carpenter could have, and did. Almost a quarter of a century ago (1988), the master of date-night terror (Halloween, The Thing), wrote and directed They Live, depicting the Age of Reagan as a catastrophic alien invasion. In one of the film’s brilliant early scenes, a huge third-world shantytown is reflected across the Hollywood Freeway in the sinister mirror-glass of Bunker Hill’s corporate skyscrapers. They Live remains Carpenter’s subversive tour de force. Few who’ve seen it could forget his portrayal of billionaire bankers and evil mediacrats and their zombie-distant rule over a pulverized American working class living in tents on a rubble-strewn hillside and begging for jobs. From this negative equality of homelessness and despair, and thanks to the magic dark glasses found by the enigmatic Nada (played by “Rowdy” Roddy Piper), the proletariat finally achieves interracial unity, sees through the subliminal deceptions of capitalism, and gets angry. Very angry. Yes, I know, I’m reading ahead. The Occupy the World movement is still looking for its magic glasses (program, demands, strategy, and so on) and its anger remains on Gandhian low heat. But, as Carpenter foresaw, force enough Americans out of their homes and/or careers (or at least torment tens of millions with the possibility) and something new and huge will begin to slouch towards Goldman Sachs. And unlike the “Tea Party,” so far it has no puppet strings. In 1965, when I was just eighteen and on the national staff of Students for a Democratic Society, I planned a sit-in at the Chase Manhattan Bank, for its key role in financing South Africa after the massacre of peaceful demonstrators, for being “a partner in Apartheid.” It was the first protest on Wall Street in a generation and 41 people were hauled away by the NYPD. One of the most important facts about the current uprising is simply that it has occupied the street and created an existential identification with the homeless. (Though, frankly, my generation, trained in the civil rights movement, would have thought first of sitting inside the buildings and waiting for the police to drag and club us out the door; today, the cops prefer pepper spray and “pain compliance techniques.”) I think taking over the skyscrapers is a wonderful idea, but for a later stage in the struggle. The genius of Occupy Wall Street, for now, is that it has temporarily liberated some of the most expensive real estate in the world and turned a privatized square into a magnetic public space and catalyst for protest. Our sit-in 46 years ago was a guerrilla raid; this is Wall Street under siege by the Lilliputians. It’s also the triumph of the supposedly archaic principle of face-to-face, dialogic organizing. Social media is important, sure, but not omnipotent. Activist self-organization — the crystallization of political will from free discussion — still thrives best in actual urban fora. Put another way, most of our internet conversations are preaching to the choir; even the mega-sites like MoveOn.org are tuned to the channel of the already converted, or at least their probable demographic. The occupations likewise are lightning rods, first and above all, for the scorned, alienated ranks of progressive Democrats, but they also appear to be breaking down generational barriers, providing the common ground, for instance, for imperiled, middle-aged school teachers to compare notes with young, pauperized college grads. More radically, the encampments have become symbolic sites for healing the divisions within the New Deal coalition in place since the Nixon years. As Jon Wiener observed on his consistently smart blog at www.TheNation.com: “hard hats and hippies — together at last.” Indeed. Who could not be moved when AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, who had brought his coalminers to Wall Street in 1989 during their bitter but ultimately successful strike against Pittston Coal Company, called upon his broad-shouldered women and men to “stand guard” over Zucotta Park in the face of an imminent attack by the NYPD? It’s true that old radicals like me are quick to declare each new baby the messiah, but this Occupy Wall Street child has the rainbow sign. I believe that we’re seeing the rebirth of the quality that so markedly defined the migrants and strikers of the Great Depression, of my parents’ generation: a broad, spontaneous compassion and solidarity based on a dangerously egalitarian ethic. It says, Stop and give a hitch-hiking family a ride. Never cross a picket line, even when you can’t pay the rent. Share your last cigarette with a stranger. Steal milk when your kids have none and then give half to the little kids next door — what my own mother did repeatedly in 1936. Listen carefully to the profoundly quiet people who have lost everything but their dignity. Cultivate the generosity of the “we.” What I mean to say, I suppose, is that I’m most impressed by folks who have rallied to defend the occupations despite significant differences in age, in social class and race. But equally, I adore the gutsy kids who are ready to face the coming winter on freezing streets, just like their homeless sisters and brothers. Back to strategy, though: what’s the next link in the chain (in Lenin’s sense) that needs to be grasped? How imperative is it for the wildflowers to hold a convention, adopt programmatic demands, and thereby put themselves up for bid on the auction block of the 2012 elections? Obama and the Democrats will desperately need their energy and authenticity. But the occupationistas are unlikely to put themselves or their extraordinary self-organizing process up for sale. Personally I lean toward the anarchist position and its obvious imperatives. First, expose the pain of the 99 percent; put Wall Street on trial. Bring Harrisburg, Loredo, Riverside, Camden, Flint, Gallup, and Holly Springs to downtown New York. Confront the predators with their victims — a national tribunal on economic mass murder. Second, continue to democratize and productively occupy public space (i.e. reclaim the Commons). The veteran Bronx activist-historian Mark Naison has proposed a bold plan for converting the derelict and abandoned spaces of New York into survival resources (gardens, campsites, playgrounds) for the unsheltered and unemployed. The Occupy protestors across the country now know what it’s like to be homeless and banned from sleeping in parks or under a tent. All the more reason to break the locks and scale the fences that separate unused space from urgent human needs. Third, keep our eyes on the real prize. The great issue is not raising taxes on the rich or achieving a better regulation of banks. It’s economic democracy: the right of ordinary people to make macro-decisions about social investment, interest rates, capital flows, job creation, and global warming. If the debate isn’t about economic power, it’s irrelevant. Fourth, the movement must survive the winter in order to fight the power in the next spring. It’s cold on the street in January. Bloomberg and every other mayor and local ruler is counting on a hard winter to deplete the protests. It is thus all-important to reinforce the occupations over the long Christmas break. Put on your overcoats. Finally, we must calm down — the itinerary of the current protest is totally unpredictable. But if one erects a lightning rod, we shouldn’t be surprised if lightning eventually strikes. Bankers, recently interviewed in the New York Times, claim to find the Occupy protests little more than a nuisance arising from an unsophisticated understanding of the financial sector. They should be more careful. Indeed, they should probably quake before the image of the tumbrel. Since 1987, African Americans have lost more than half of their net worth; Latinos, an incredible two-thirds. Five-and-a-half million manufacturing jobs have been lost in the United Sates since 2000, more than 42,000 factories closed, and an entire generation of college graduates now face the highest rate of downward mobility in American history. Wreck the American dream and the common people will put on you some serious hurt. Or as Nada explains to his unwary assailants in Carpenter’s great film: “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass…. and I’m all out of bubblegum.” ........... Mike Davis is a contributing editor at the Los Angeles Review of Books and the author of Planet of Slums, City of Quartz, In Praise of Barbarians, and more than a dozen other books. He teaches at UC Riverside. His biography of Harrison Gray Otis is appearing serially in these pages. From peter.ksmtf at gmail.com Wed Oct 26 17:30:57 2011 From: peter.ksmtf at gmail.com (T Peter) Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:30:57 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] People's movements in South Asia join hands In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: People's movements in South Asia join hands http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2572631.ece Special Correspondent Representatives of people's movements, social action groups, and human rights organisations from various countries in South Asia will hold a parallel meeting here on the two days preceding the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Summit scheduled to take place in the Maldives on November 10 and 11. The parallel meeting will be held on the theme ‘People's movements unite South Asia,' and will address major concerns in the region, including livelihood and human rights issues, environmental problems, and climate change, chairman of the alliance M. Rajan, convener T. Peter, and other leaders told a press conference here on Tuesday. “Most of the issues taken up by people's movements in South Asia are common,” Mr. Peter said. “The invasion of the corporate world on the sea, forests, and land and water resources is crippling a large section of the people in South Asia. The parallel meeting is expected to forge a larger alliance of struggles in South Asia.” The event here will have a broad agenda to bring various issues within the framework of ‘Governance, Democracy and Human Rights.' Leaders of political parties across the spectrum are expected to participate and express their solidarity. The programme will be organised at the YMCA hall here. “Globalisation and changes in the structure of capital have affected the working class in all Third World countries,” Ashim Roy, organising committee member of the parallel summit, said. “The growing concerns of the working class need a coordinated approach. While leaders of SAARC countries are coming together to promote trade and ensure better profit, the working class is forced to join hands for its livelihood and survival.” Workshops The alliance is organising eight workshops during the event on issues such as democracy and human rights; women's leadership in people's movements; trade and livelihood; militarisation and denuclearisation; natural resources and people's movements for sustainable development; nuclear industry in South Asia; rebuilding the labour movement in the region; and exclusion, discrimination and oppression in South Asia. “There are thousands of people's movements all over the country struggling for their rights,” K. Sajeed, another organising committee member, said. “The challenge before the people of South Asia is to educate the leaders of their governments to address their genuine concerns.” Human rights violations in South Asian countries are expected to figure in the sessions. “Policy-level changes in South Asia will take place only through the pressure exerted by the collective strength of grassroots movements,” P.T. George from the Intercultural Resources, New Delhi, said. “Ecological crisis and the challenges posed by climate change are some of the biggest issues facing humanity at large, especially in South Asian countries. The very existence of the Maldives is threatened today. In this context, there is an urgent need for people's movements in South Asia to bring pressure on the governments to adopt policies for sustainable development.” Meet to be held in city before SAARC Summit starts in the Maldives next month. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the-network at koeln.de Thu Oct 27 20:24:26 2011 From: the-network at koeln.de (CologneOFF2011) Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:54:26 +0200 Subject: [Reader-list] =?iso-8859-1?q?CologneOFF_2011_-_Mexico_=26_Cuba_-_?= =?iso-8859-1?q?10_Nov-2_Dec_2011?= Message-ID: <20111027165426.55632F29.989193D2@192.168.0.2> Cologne International Videoart Festival has the extraordinary pleasure to make the first step to the "new world", it's Mexico and Cuba 10 Nov - 2 Dec 2011 http://coff.newmediafest.org http://coff.newmediafest.org/blog/ (Blog) Download the new PDF catalogue http://downloads.nmartproject.net/CologneOFF2011_Mexico_Cuba.pdf ////////////////////////////////////////// CologneOFF 2011 Mexico is a collaboration with ExTeresa Arte Actual Mexico City & Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco Mexico City Circuito Electrovisiones Mexico 10-18 November 2011 CologneOFF 2011 Cuba is a collaboration with International Videoart Festival Camaguey/Cuba) & ISA - University of the Arts Havana (Cuba) 25 Nov - 2 December 2011 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Mexico City @ ExTeresa Arte Actual Mexico City 10 & 11 November - 20h-22h 10 November 20.00 h - CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 1 - Mirrors 20.40 h - CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 2 - A Velvet Underground 21.20 h - CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 3 - Perception of War - Inner Disorder 11 November 20.00 h - CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 4 - A Matter of Identity 20.40 h - CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 5 - Mysterious Entanglements 21.20 h - CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 6 - Black & White @ Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco Mexico City 14 & 15 November - Media Fest - 10h - 19h 16-18 November - Congress: New Paradigms in Art 14 November 2011 10h introducing lecture - Agricola de Cologne screenings 11h CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 1 12h Digitalis - aspects of digital video 13h Copy the Truth - Videoart from Portugal - featuring Margarida Paiva 14h Black & White 15h Mexican Visions I . Videoart from Mexico 16h Forever- The Ball - Football & Videoart 17h Disturbed Beauty - Landscape in Videoart 18h CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 2 15 November 2011 screenings 10h CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 3 11h Still Fighting - Videoart from Africa 12h Still Burning - Videoart from Middle East 13h Still Reflecting - Videoart from China - Lily & Hong Lei 14h Still Facing - Performance in Videoart 15h Mexican Visions II: Videoart Mexico 16h Still Lightning - SFC - Shoah Film Collection 17h CologneOFF VII - Art & the City 4 17h - 19h finalization - panel discussion \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Cuba 25-29 November - International Videoart Festival Camaguey 2 December - ISA - University of the Arts Havana Screening of a selection from CologneOFF VII - Art & the City \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ For all details, schedule of screenings and the lists of the programs, please download the new PDF catalogue http://downloads.nmartproject.net/CologneOFF2011_Mexico_Cuba.pdf //////////////////////////////////////////////////// ------------------------------------------------ CologneOFF 2011 - videoart in a global context nomadic festival project 1 January 2011 - 31 December 2012 is operated by Cologne International Videoart Festival http://coff.newmediafest.org http://coff.newmediafest.org/blog/ & artvideoKOELN - the curatorial initiative "art & moving images" http://video.mediaartcologne.org powered by Le Musee di-visioniste - the new museum of networked art - http://www.le-musee-divisioniste.org info (at) coff.newmediafest.org ---------------------------------------------- From rohitrellan at aol.in Thu Oct 27 20:37:32 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:07:32 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Bangalore Queer Film Festival: Call for submissions Message-ID: <8CE62D1495B36EC-9B0-B866C@webmail-m127.sysops.aol.com> Bangalore Queer Film Festival 2012 Call for Submissions Films on themes related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex (LGBT or Queer) communities The Bangalore Queer Film Festival is open for submissions for 2012. Send us your films, your friends’ films, your lovers’ films, anything that an audience absolutely must watch – goofy comedies, mind-numbing thrillers, bizarre experimental films, short shorts, long shorts, daring documentaries, historical retellings, animations, music videos, slasher films or slow-mo tales of love. Bangalore has hosted film festivals on themes related to LGBT or Queer communities since 2003. These smaller events later transformed into The Bangalore Queer Film Festival (BQFF) in April 2009, held at the Alliance Française, Vasanthnagar, Bangalore. This is the BQFF’s third year. As always, we seek to push boundaries, hoping to also push the limits within which filmmakers produce, and audiences view, films. That is therefore what we want from films being submitted for this year’s festival––something straining at the leash that won’t be tied to the usual ideas or forms of expression, or cinematic styles or stories. BQFF 2012––to be held in February 2012––continues on the path to bring you a festival you won’t easily forget. BQFF Screenings and Cultural Events This year, like the earlier versions of the BQFF, we will have film screenings alongside panel discussions, performances of poetry, music, drama, dance and exhibitions. BQFF screenings have always had full capacity audiences of all ages and backgrounds. BQFFcaters not just to film buffs but also to the general public and anyone interested in films that are not always accessible in mainstream theatres. Media Media coverage of the events has been phenomenal with both print and electronic media covering all events and side shows at BQFF. Tie-ups with print magazines like Time Out Bengaluru during BQFF 2010 ensured that the schedule was available to the public at large. Sometimes press reviews of films in the BQFF schedule appear prior to screening bringing awareness to both the festival and its films.BQFF 2011 hosted many exciting packages - a curated set of films from Rendezvous Pictures; a Zero Chou retrospective; the premiere of Danish filmmaker Nicolo Donato's Brotherhood; and an exciting set of Indian short films from filmmakers across the country. We hope to bring more of such variety to the upcoming event. Organisers BQFF 2012 is organised by Good As You (GAY), SWABHAVA Trust and We’re Here and Queer (WHAQ!). GAY (www.goodasyou.in) is a support group (est. 1994) for LGBT people in Bangalore and is one of the oldest support groups in India. SWABHAVA Trust (est. 1999) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation working with LGBT issues, including providing access to support services in Bangalore (www.swabhava.org). Both GAY and Swabhava have co-hosted previous queer film festivals in Bangalore. We’re Here and Queer (WHAQ!) is a queer women’s support group (estd. 2009). All groups regularly organise film screenings at their weekly meetings. All groups are non-funded and operate entirely on donations. BQFF 2011 was organised with the support of donations from the LGBT community. Festival details The Bangalore Queer Film Festival will be hosted in the last week of February, 2012. The venue will be the Alliance Française de Bangalore. Submission details BQFF uses only DVD or VCD formats for final screening. Please send in your screener disk (for preview) to the address listed below. Filmmakers will be notified about selected films and further requests regarding subtitling or better quality disks may be made at the time. All films will be required to have English subtitles for final screening. BQFF 2012 is a FREE event and no charges are levied on submissions. Additionally, only films that do not carry a screening charge will be accepted. Contact details Please post your screener disks to: SWABHAVA 4th Floor, M. S. Plaza, No. 1, 13th “A” Cross, 4th Main, Sampangiramnagar, Bangalore – 560 027 Karnataka, India Phone: +91-80-2223 0959 Please mark your submissions: “BQFF 2012” The last date for entries for BQFF 2011 is 15th December 2011. For enquiries Please contact us by email on blrqueerfilmfest at gmail.com access information on our website:http://blrqueerfilmfest.com. From rohitrellan at aol.in Thu Oct 27 20:36:17 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:06:17 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Film Screening at School of Arts and Aesthetics In-Reply-To: <4EA93200020000400004E72E@mail.jnu.ac.in> References: <4EA93200020000400004E72E@mail.jnu.ac.in> Message-ID: <8CE62D11C760BD4-9B0-B85F5@webmail-m127.sysops.aol.com> School of Arts and Aesthetics Jawaharlal Nehru University Presents Teen Behenein Directed by Kundan Shah Of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro Fame Chief Associate Director Shekhar Hattangadi There are many tragic newsstories of multiple suicides of three/four sisters in India due to dowry. Thisfilm makes three such sisters its protagonists. The film opens with them aboutto commit the act when they are interrupted and forced to postpone theirdeaths. What happens in this gratuitous period of six hours is the subjectmatter of the film. Without any flashbacks, the film brings out the essence oftheir lives which has led them to this decision. It explores all their joys andsorrows and mainly their zest for life even when death is virtually knocking attheir door. They shouldn’t have died. None of these girls should have everdied. How these tragedies can be avoided is the hope and the vision of thisfilm. At the SAA Auditorium Tuesday, 1st November at 5 pm A Discussion with Shekhar Hattangadi will follow the Screening All are Welcome From rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 28 15:16:40 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:46:40 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] 6th National & Documentary Film Festival In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CE636DA0821098-8D8-ADA9C@webmail-d148.sysops.aol.com> Dear Filmmaker, Thisletter is a call for the Sixth National Shortand Documentary Film Festival celebrates the Art and Artists, Art of ManmadeArt . The festival theme in 2012 is ‘Celebratingand Reminiscing Masters’. Thetheme is significant as we honour the works of M.F. Husain, Mani Kaul and manyartists, filmmakers and performing artists. This festival will provide a rareopportunity to view films on the artists and their contribution.ro the world ofart. Inaddition, this year we introduce a section for screening short films up to five minutes by students and first timefilmmakers.. The participants will be awarded with a scroll. RECEIPT OF FILMS: Entries–2DVD’s accompanied by completed forms - must reach us by 15th November2011. Filmmakers whose works have been selected will be informed by e-mail in the first week of December. PREVIEW & SCREENING COPIES: Please ensure the DVD’s has proper covers with the correct label. SENDING ENTRIES: DVDhas to be accompanied by a print out of the filled-up form to be signedby the director of the film along with the following requirements: 1. 2 Copies ofdetailed synopsis of the films in English 2. OnePhotograph of the Film Director 3. Bio-Data ofthe Film Director 4. Director’sNote 5. Good quality photographs of scenes from thefilm 6. Credit Line JD Center of Art (JCDA), established in 1997 is the vision of an artist and is anon-profit and non-commercial institution for conservation & promotion oftraditional & contemporary visual art, situated in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. JDCA Film Forumwas established in 2006 to archive short and documentary films on the wholerange of Art of Nature and Manmade Art. Kindly circulate this invitation tour friendsand filmmakers We look forwardto your contribution and support. Warm regards. Jatin Das Chairman, JD Centre of Art (JDCA) 93,Bhaktawar Singh Block, Asiad Village New Delhi 110049 Email: jdcaindia at gmail.com jdca at jatindas.com ._,___ From rohitrellan at aol.in Fri Oct 28 15:33:02 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:03:02 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] AUDITIONS - REDRUM a new mystery comedy/ AUDITION | Still and Still Moving | a new play by the Tadpole Repertory Message-ID: <8CE636FE98673DC-8D8-ADC71@webmail-d148.sysops.aol.com> AUDITIONS - REDRUM a new mystery comedy cathaayatra announces REDRUM, a new comedy mystery PLAY in an interesting format where the audience helps solve a crime to be based in goa, REDRUM will be part of the cathaayatra season this year including the (irreverent and in)famous 'A Perfect Relationship' , ‘Almost, Maine’ and a new Sherlock Holmes twistery. REDRUM aims to perform in public and private spaces in Goa, Delhi, Hyderabad and other places starting Jan 2012 We will play and work at lotus eaters http://www.facebook.com/groups/184359118284822/ we are auditioning for the following acting roles for REDRUM: 1. Female page 3 socialite, loud, supercilious type 2. An attractive but stupid young woman with questionable (loose?) morals 3. A thin, vertically challenged young man with a triggered lisp and something (masculinity?) to prove 4. A tall, (dark and handsome?), male butler with a British accent and stiff upper lip or a parody thereof 5. A squat (pot-bellied), balding, male wannabe Bhai with loud, lecherous behaviour 6. Chubby female with obscene manners 7. Owl 8. Chicken 9. Flowery patterned, preposterously ridiculous reading glasses (Roles open to everyone with clear English diction. 7,8 & 9 not open to humans or disguised aliens) Interested? Send us a mail about yourself (mainly your work or motivation) and the role you would wanna do to weare at cathaayatra.com we welcome youtube clips of your previous work (no web-cam pornos puhlees - we pride in our hypocritic propahness) AUDITIONS 15th - 24TH NOV 2011 IN GOA Starting 25th Nov 2011, rehearsals and tour may include excruciating fun, loads of bonding time and card games on trains, free sun'n'sand, chai – samosas, vada-pavs and the odd BYOB get-together we work on a co-operative model of payment. It’s shared, it’s strangely satisfying (just think of a coupla hundred friends calling you a star for a night) , it’s typically modest, it’s usually late. No, we won’t ASK you for money! DISSSSCLAIMER: we do not hob-nob with corrupt politicos, uptight babus or other high-and-mighty-low-life people therefore 'so-and-so is my brother’s cousin father' or any such lameness won’t work. if you plan on sending 'profile' pics by some famous and expensive person, you've wasted your money buddy! threats will be returned with bigger violent threats. fat cash envelops will be summarily pocketed and denied. love letters will not be returned for obvious future blackmailing purposes. and remember, we too have done this tediousness before so don’t be shy, be patient. Or whatever. For the fence-sitters, it’s www.cathaayatra.com For fb junkies and groupies, it’s http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58926580692 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUDITION | Still and Still Moving | a new play by the Tadpole Repertory The Tadpole Repertory announces AUDITIONS for its new production STILL AND STILL MOVING written by Neel Chaudhuri Saturday, October 29 / Sunday October 30, 2011 3 pm to 6 pm A60, Hauz Khas, Basement About the Play: Still and Still Moving is a love story between two men set in Delhi and Gurgaon. The play was developed in collaboration with the Royal Court Theatre (London) and Rage Theatre (Mumbai) as part of the Writers Bloc festival. The play will be directed by Neel Chaudhuri. It will have its premiere shows at the festival on January 20 at Prithvi Theatre, Mumbai followed by another show on 23 January at the NCPA Experimental Theatre. Rehearsals will be from mid November to mid-January in Delhi. We are auditioning male actors between the ages of 18 and 40 for one lead part and a chorus of five supporting parts. Please Note: We request you to register for the audition only if you can commit to the rehearsal and performance dates mentioned above. The audition will be held as a workshop. You will need to be present for the entire duration on Saturday and Sunday (3 - 6 pm) so please keep yourself free for that duration. To register for the audition please call 98731 34028 or 98117 69317 or email us at tadpoletheatre at gmail.com About Tadpole: The Tadpole Repertory is a collective of theatre practitioners, committed to producing original work in Delhi. The group aims to encourage innovative work on stage, and to create a space where writers, performers, and technical designers can collaborate, collide and bounce off each other – to create something new, something fresh and unexpected. Members of the Repertory have previously worked on productions by The First City Theatre Foundation. These included four original productions – Positions (2006), Mouse (2007), Good Hands / Godspeedand A Brief History of the Pantomimes (2008). Taramandal, Tadpole's first independent production received the MetroPlus Playwright Award in 2010. Recent productions include Rhapsody, Ich bin Fassbinder and This Land is Our Land. From magiclantern.foundation at gmail.com Sat Oct 29 15:31:22 2011 From: magiclantern.foundation at gmail.com (Magic Lantern Foundation) Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:31:22 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Reminder: Persistence Resistance in London Message-ID: <10EADF1B-BD29-4E57-9F1C-BC0D7B6CEC95@gmail.com> Dear Friends, I write to invite you to Persistence Resistance: Documentary Practices in India. Dates: 1-8 November Venues: London- Nehru Centre, SOAS, Westminsters University, London School of Economics and Goldsmiths. Programme details, schedules, film synopsis, biogs of academics and practitioners here: http://magiclanternfoundation.org/persistence-resistance-in-london/ Please do attend if you are in London. And do please spread the word to your friends and networks in London, and to other networks of documentary makers and lovers. Thank you. All sessions are open to public and entry free. warmly, Gargi Sen --------- Magic Lantern Foundation J 1881 Chittaranjan Park, Basement, New Delhi 110019 P: +(91 11) 26273244/ 41605239 E: magiclantern.foundation at gmail.com W: http://magiclanternfoundation.org | http://www.ucfilms.in | http://persistenceresistance.in From dillidurast at shivamvij.com Mon Oct 24 21:46:26 2011 From: dillidurast at shivamvij.com (Shivam Vij) Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:46:26 +0530 Subject: [Reader-list] Kafila reports from the Arab Spring Message-ID: The journalist Alia Allana is travelling in countries that are undergoing historical political change that has been described as the "Arab Spring". She has been sending despatches to Kafila, which I'd like to share with you. Sidi Bou Said: Mickey wants to be the first one to vote: http://kafila.org/2011/10/22/mickey-wants-to-be-the-first-one-to-vote-alia-allana-reports-from-tunisia/ Tunis: In the first of the Arab Spring elections, some Tunisians worry about Islamists http://kafila.org/2011/10/24/%e2%80%9cwe-are-not-like-iran-here%e2%80%9d-alia-allana-reports-from-tunisia/ Damascus, Syria: The Minister for Information says there is no revolution http://kafila.org/2011/10/22/the-minister-of-information-maintains-that-there-is-no-revolution-alia-allana-reports-from-damascus/ Homs: A day in Syria's rebel stronghold http://kafila.org/2011/10/21/a-despatch-from-homs-alia-allana/ best shivam From kiccovich at yahoo.com Mon Oct 31 19:06:39 2011 From: kiccovich at yahoo.com (francesca recchia) Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011 06:36:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Pause at Kashmir | 5th November | Saturday | rafiki workspace | 4:30 - 7:00 pm Message-ID: <1320068199.77905.YahooMailNeo@web113205.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> For those of you who are in Bangalore As a part of Pause-in times of conflict, maraa invites you to : Pause at Kashmir 5th November from 4.30 pm to 7 pm at the rafiki workspace, K. K. Foundation and Public Charitable Trust,Opposite Al Ameen Hospital , Miller’s Tank Bund Road, Off Cunningham Road In a participatory form, Pause in Kashmir is constructed around the performance and talk by Delhi-based artist Inder Salim. Inder Salim engages with the bodily dimension of experiences of fear and socio-political constraint and oppression. Visual excerpts of the graphic novels by Malik Sajad and a performative reading of passages from Mirza Waheed’s debut novel The Collaborator (2011) accompany the event. The evening concludes with an exchange with Abhishek Majumdar and an open discussion with the audeince.  Pause: In Times of Conflict, is a monthly forum for reflection on creative practices in countries of conflict - viewing films, learning about artists’ works, listening to poetry from these spaces, discussing the role of memory and forgetting, comparing similarities and differences to our own context.  For more information please contact info at maraa.in or call 8105675350.   PAUSE IN KASHMIR | 5th November | Saturday | 4:30-7:00 pm | *rafiki | maraa presents PAUSE: In Times of Conflict, a monthly forum for reflection on creative practices in countries of conflict. So far we have paused at Palestine, Iraqi Kurdistan and Afghanistan - viewing films, learning about artists’ works, listening to poetry from these spaces, discussing the role of memory and forgetting, comparing similarities and differences to our own context.   As part of Pause maraa on November 5th, 2011 maraa hosts an evening of discussion and exchange on Kashmir through the perspective of different forms of cultural production.   Kashmir appears and disappears from the news – from cancellation to a literary festival to discovering of over 2000 unmarked graves, to illegal killings and police firings. In a valley of people where an estimated 600,000 soldiers and paramilitary police are stationed one can only imagine the climate of fear and repression. Being caught between conflict and resistance, the people of Kashmir have often expressed their struggles through art, which hardly finds its way in the mainstream media. We are pausing to meet just a few of them, to remind ourselves that the story of Kashmir gets more complex and layered with every new perspective, to remind ourselves that the story of Kashmir is not black, white, or grey, it's all the shades in between.   In a participatory form, Pause in Kashmir is constructed around the performance and talk by Delhi-based artist Inder Salim, whose engagement with experimental forms of art and commitment to the cause of Kashmir has been well known for more than two decades. Inder Salimengages with the bodily dimension of experiences of fear and socio-political constraint and oppression.   The event is accompanied by visual excerpts of the graphic novels by Malik Sajadwhose work intends ‘to give a voice and texture to the desolation left behind by the war, which is referred to as “normalcy.”‘ (http://kashmirblackandwhite.com/)   The event also includes a reading of passages from Mirza Waheed’s debut novel The Collaborator (2011). The evening will continue with an interaction with Abhishek Majumdar, director of Rizwaan. This will be followed by an open discussion with the audience.   About the contributors Born in Kashmir, Inder Salim has been practising as a conceptual/performance artist for over 25 years. He resides in Delhi, with a regular employment in a bank as his support. He is a mentor of City-as-Studio program of Sarai/CSDS for performance work. Inder organized the Art Karavan International 2010, with support from a range of friends, the Lalit Kala Academy, Universities and other institutions. Art Karavan travelled over two and a half months through nine cities in North India with 30 odd participants from India and aboard to experiment with an open-ended interactive process. Inder was a Sarai Independent Research fellow in 2006-07 for documenting performance practices in India. Presently, he is working on a Project: KASHMIR.POINT.CHARLIE in collaboration with Silke Kastner in Berlin.   Mirza Waheed was born and brought up in Srinagar, Kashmir. He moved to Delhi when he was eighteen to study English Literature at the University of Delhi and worked as a journalist in the city for four years. In 2001 he went to London to join the BBC's Urdu Service, where he now works as an editor. Waheed attended the Arvon Foundation in 2007. He has written for The Kashmir Observer and the BBC’s Urdu and English websites and appeared on BBC radio and TV as a commentator. His first novel, The Collaborator is being published by Viking, Penguin in February 2011   Malik Sajad was born, and grew up, in Srinagar, Kashmir. He started making graphic novels in 2005 and documented stories about ‘encounter killings’, the experience of being a Kashmiri in India, Internet crackdowns and the 2010 mass uprising in the valley. He studied Fine Art at the Institute of Music and Fine Art in Srinagar, and is currently pursuing an MA in Image and Communication at Goldsmiths, University of London on a 2011 Inlaks Scholarship. He is using his artwork to review lost Kashmiri cultural heritage, such as its storytelling tradition and school of miniature art. Mallul Meeras (Precious Heritage) is a project aimed at resurrecting the artists’ community in Kashmir. Abhishek Majumdar is a theatre director, playwright, actor and performing arts teacher. He is an alumnus of the London International School of Performing Arts and has also trained under the guidance of Mahesh Dattani, Adishakti Theatre Lab and Yatrik.In 2010 he directed a Hindi and English play "Rizwan", based on Agha Shahid Ali's collection of poems 'The country without a post office'. At one level, Rizwaan was the poignant tale of a young Kashmiri boy and his experience of losing his family due to the insurgency and the military occupation. At another level, Rizwaan looked at the very fundamental understanding of the loss of loved ones. The play was also a fundraiser for the ‘PeaceWorks’ initiative for Seagull books, which is an initiative to enable workshops, lectures and performances with students in Kashmir. The initiative uses the arts to enable peaceful engagements in areas under conflict.   Details Date/Day: 5th November, Saturday Time: 4.30 pm – 7.00 pm Venue: rafiki, K K Foundation and Charitable Trust, Off Cunningham Road, right after Sigma mall Contact: 8105675350 for any clarifications   francesca recchia it +39 338 166 3648 in +91 998 670 7194 travel-snippets.tumblr.com http://www.veleno.tv/bollettini/?lang=en From rohitrellan at aol.in Mon Oct 31 20:54:25 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:24:25 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Panel Discussion In-Reply-To: <4EAEA83A020000400004EBA4@mail.jnu.ac.in> References: <4EAEA83A020000400004EBA4@mail.jnu.ac.in> Message-ID: <8CE65F84EA563ED-CC8-B3113@webmail-m045.sysops.aol.com> SCHOOL OF ARTS AND AESTHETICS JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY NEW DELHI, 110067 You are cordially invited for a panel discussion Public Art: sifting through the ground With Ravi Agarwal & Rohan D’Souza, chaired by ShuklaSawant VENUE:BUILDING II, School of Arts and Aeshtetics DATE & TIME: 4TH NOVEMBER 2011, 4PM The discussion is a part of PROJECT Y: A Yamuna-Elbe Public Art and Outreach Project A Public Art Project at the Yamuna in Delhi and the Elbein Hamburg Curated by Ravi Agarwal (Delhi) and Till Krause with NinaKalenbach (Hamburg) The panel discussion will take an interdisciplinaryapproach to examine the recent intensification of artistic engagement withenvironmental concerns; often site specific in nature. This commitment todirect intervention in the landscape has brought with it an attentivenessto the public space as a plural space, eliciting a multiplicity of creativeresponses and discursive methods. From antagonistic methods, provokingdissensus, to collaborative forms of community initiatives, “public art” as anactivist art practice has had a thought provoking trajectory in recent years.The panel brings together artists and environmental activists to discuss somecritical and aesthetic concerns around these interventions. Panelists Ravi Agarwal, is an artist and environmentalist, founder director of Toxic links, a public advocacygroup based in New Delhi. Ravi’s recent work delves into “personal ecologies”through photography, installation and video, marking a shift from his earlydocumentary work. His work has been included in important exhibitions such as Documenta 11 and Indian Highway at the Serpentine Gallery, London and hehas had four solo shows in Delhi. Dr Rohan D’Souza,teaches at the Centrefor Science Policy Studies, JNU. He has written extensively on hydraulicmanipulation of river systems in India, and other issues dealing withenvironmental history , the political economy of nature, conservation andhistory of technology. His recent publication includes Drowned andDamned:Colonial Capitalism and Flood Control in Eastern India (1803-1946) Shukla Sawant isan artist and writer and teaches at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNU The Site for Project Y inDelhi • Golden Jubilee Park nearOld Yamuna Bridge To be held from November9th to 20th, 2011 From rohitrellan at aol.in Mon Oct 31 20:56:07 2011 From: rohitrellan at aol.in (rohitrellan at aol.in) Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:26:07 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Reader-list] Invitation to participate in a Blogathon In-Reply-To: <30683B48-D1E2-4E6E-AAE4-80A7155C9C3C@gmail.com> References: <30683B48-D1E2-4E6E-AAE4-80A7155C9C3C@gmail.com> Message-ID: <8CE65F88B96D776-CC8-B318C@webmail-m045.sysops.aol.com> Greetings from Must Bol. We (www.mustbol.in) are a youth led campaign against Gender Based Violence. It’sa is a call to young people to examine violence in their livesand speak out against it. To recognize it, to talk about it, and to address it. It’s facilitated by Commutiny the Youth Collective (www.commutiny.in) and supported by UN Women (www.unwomensouthasia.org) & Partnersfor Prevention (www.partners4prevention.org). We, at Must Bol, are fans of the your blog and admire your writings and their diversity. Your work at the WAVE campaign was inspirational for us. For me being a filmmaker, it was especially heartening to see your efforts in using digital films for social change. We never met, but am proud to share that three wave fellows, Vandana, Akokala & Sudebi started their filmmaking journey with the Youth Collective. Today we would like to invite you to participate in... ‘Men Say No Blogathon’ On a Computer near you, 24 November to 10 December 2011 What Is a Blogathon A Blogathon is an online event during whichparticipating bloggers write one or more posts on a theme chosen by the host.The host blogger links each entry written for the Blogathon on one central poston her or his blog. People who visit the host blog thus have a “table ofcontents” from which to go to read as many blog posts as they want. In turn,each participating blogger links back to the central post so that readers whowant to see what else has been written for the Blogathon can find outeasily. Why ‘Men Say No’ We believe that the violence againstwomen can be eradicated only when men take up serious action against it. Withthis Blogathon, we want to collect ideas, thoughts and experiences of diversemen and women on the importance of men’s role and the urgency of theissue. We hope that this Blogathonwill help expose men to ideas theymay never have seen before and find uniqueinsights and perspectives on Violence against Women. The sense of community, change and action is genuinefor those of us who hold and participate in this Blogathon. ‘Men Say No’ willallow bloggers and readers to really dive into the many facets of violenceagainst women, men’s reaction to it and everything in between. What To Do We invite diverse blogs that share experiences of menchallenging Violence against women, celebrate the action leaders, provideperspective on role of men, and even highlight the barriers to maleparticipation & leadership. All youneed to do is to write a blogpost and share it on your own blog. Only that youshould post this blog entry between 24 November and 10 December 2011 andmention that its part of the ‘Men Say No’ Blogathon. All the participants arealso be asked to include the link to the host blog (www.mustbol.in/team-blog). MustBol (and partners) will market and share these blogs through diverse socialmedia platforms. It will be wonderful to inform us in advance about yourparticipation in the Blogathon. Just drop a mail at kuber.sharma at commutiny.inor mustbol at commutiny.in Why These Dates? 25 November to 10th December is theInternational 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an internationalcampaign that was started in 1991. The 16 Days runs from November 25,International Day against Violence against Women - to December 10,International Human Rights Day to symbolically link violence against women andhuman rights and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of humanrights. We would like to run this Blogathon in solidarity with this globalinitiative. Sapna, We hope that with your participation , this blogathon will be greatlystrengthened and together we will add towards a violence free future for all. A few hours effort from you will go a long way. If you think its appropriate, we would also love to invite other WAVE community members to this project. Looking forward to a favourable reply from you. Cheers Kuber on behalf of Team Must Bol -- Must बोल is a youth led campaign to examine violence in our lives and speak out against it. I am part of it, why dont you join us on http://MustBol.in/ and engage with us on http://www.Facebook.com/DelhiYouth Get up and Speak Out, because your opinion matters!!