Response of HHR to the statement by Ismail Merchant on the film "The
Goddess"
Hindu Human Rights group (HHR) highlights anti-Hindu bias in areas
such as the media because by demeaning Hindus and their culture, it
makes it much easier for anti-democratic elements to deny Hindus
their most basic right of all, that of life (please visit our
website at http://www.hinduhumanrights.org - Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Pakistan and India to name just a few examples). It is unfortunate
that Mr. Ismail Merchant has not sought to understand the protest to
his latest motion picture in that context and has instead chosen to
both sidestep the issue and deny that the existing opposition has
any legitimacy whatsoever. This is best explained by scrutinising
his statement (found at http://www.merchantivory.com/news-
thegoddess.html) in detail.
We would respectfully ask him to clarify what exactly he means
by "rightwing"? Is anyone who dares to oppose Mr. Merchant's views
on what he calls art, to be castigated as "rightwing"? It is obvious
that the use of "rightwing" is not explanatory, but yielded as a
swear word to hurl at someone who he does not agree with. As to the
claim that it is a "small contingent" opposed to him, we ask small
in comparison to whom? We are sure that his entire cast and crew
could be described as a "small contingent", but does being a "small
contingent", whatever that means, disqualify someone from having
views on a given subject?
Unfortunately Merchant's production is based on some fundamental
misconceptions about Hindu Dharma. According to our information, the
film is about Kali, who is a manifestation of Shakti. Indeed Shakti
is manifest in many forms although we would ask you to clarify with
Christian groups if Mother Mary is one of them. He also makes an
incredible contradiction. On the one hand he claims that Shakti is
not represented in a single deity such as Kali or Durga, and then to
say that Shakti is universal energy represented in Kali, Durga and
Mother Mary. This argument just does not make sense. It is like
saying that rain is not water it is only manifest as water.
Mr. Merchant seems to be of the opinion that we Hindus should be
grateful that an international star such as Tina Turner has even
taken a slight interest in ancient Hindu culture. Does he think that
only Ms. Turner can portray ancient culture of India to the world?
This is not to cast dispersion on her abilities as an artist, but it
does suggest that Mr. Merchant has a very narrow view on who exactly
can explain the greatness of India's dance, music and spiritual
ethos, when many others, obviously not good enough in his
estimation, have been doing that for years.
It appears however that Merchant is dictating exactly how Kali Mata,
revered goddess for millions of Hindus, should be portrayed. He
talks about her divine wisdom being spread to all, Hindus, Muslims,
Christians and Atheists. He then has the audacity to preach that a
true devotee of Kali should respect his film as a celebration of
her. But this attitude is insulting. He is dictating how one should
revere Kali, and anyone who does not is denigrated as
somehow "rightwing". As to Kali's compassion and divine wisdom being
spread to people other than Hindus, then as Hindus we certainly
respect the right of others to their beliefs and if they wish to
join us in showing respect to the Divine Energy manifest in Kali.
However, since we are only here to speak for Hindus, we would urge
you to contact representatives of the said communities to elicit
their views. In the mean time, we wonder what his views are on the
numerous Kali temples which are being destroyed and desecrated in
the world, Bangladesh for example?
As to the issue of discrimination, it is the character and method
that Kali is being portrayed that concerns us. He brings up the fact
that Tina Turner is a Buddhist as if it is news to us. We would urge
him to visit our site where he can see that we support the cause of
the Tibetan Buddhists and the (Richard) Gere Foundation. The basis
of our objection to Ms Turner is that she is a well known sex symbol
in the West and the same would apply if an Indian actress who had
the pin up sex appeal of Ms. Turner, such as the examples found in
what is known as Bollywood (like Miss World winner Ashwariya Rai),
were to do this. It seems that it is Merchant who is discriminating
against Hindus by portraying one of their holy figures in the manner
he has chosen.
Again the use of swear word, this time "extremist". Anyone who
opposed Merchant is therefore an extremist. Join that
with "rightwing" and you have "rightwing Extremist" and it is not
hard to figure out who is tainted with that label. As to crisis,
right before us we have controversy over the recent Mel Gibson film.
Were all who opposed it "rightwing extremists"? Of course not, just
as those who were in favour of it would also reject that label. Then
Ismail Merchant has the gall to preach to Hindus what their central
message is, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", and even claims to speak
for "all Hindus". Of course HHR fully supports his freedom to
express his personal opinions, but then again he does not
reciprocate the opposing point of view. Just what gives him the
right to speak on behalf of all Hindus, and dismiss the opponents to
his project as "extremists", "rightwing" and a "small contingent"?
As to there being a crisis, this project which only insults yet
another of Hinduism's sacred beliefs, is but another of a long line
of media assaults on Hindus and their culture, following hot on the
heels of such pathetic productions as "The Guru", "Second
Generation", and "Xena" which debased Hindus in order to earn
revenue for their wily creators. HHR is determined that this should
be looked at from the issue of respect for all, and just as they
would condemn the attack on any other community, so they ask
responsible film directors to do the same when it comes to Hindus
and Hinduism.
We repeat our request that Mr. Ismail listens to the concerns of
Hindus and rethinks this project.
Thank you.
Hindu Human Rights
received by email
============
Our Organisation, PAVAN (Prabhupada Association for Vedic Awareness Network), was founded by me in 1995 in Orissa, and since then it has been working for the benefit of the local people, with greater and greater success.
About 3 years ago we have started to cooperate with the Indian Government, especially with the Tribal Ministry, Delhi, and with their support we have organised two Seminars on Sustainable Development in Tribal Areas, in Bhavani Patna and Sundargarh.
As our Friends know very well, the main problems that Hindus face in defending their dharma from the attacks of other groups are defects in their own attitude and behavior that must be corrected:
1. lack of social cooperation and social/financial/cultural neglect of lower castes and tribals (especially in the fields of education/literacy, health assistance and sanitation, etc)
2. widespread ignorance of the real teachings of the Vedas and general lack of culture (including academic and scientific culture and knowledge and information of the other cultures, religions, history, finance, global developments etc)
3. disrespect for the Mother Goddess, in the form of the Earth, the Cows, and the Women in general
In order to assist the Renaissance of Hindu Dharma in this new millennium, we have been working very hard in Orissa, which is probably the most important and delicate front of the battle for Dharma, both in Puri (an extremely important holy place) and in the tribal areas both in the north-west and in the south-west of the State.
The purpose of these Seminars in Tribal Areas is to encourage and help tribal people both in their material development and in their spiritual development, and we have seen that people really appreciate what we are doing.
Helping tribal and rural people to appreciate the Mother Goddess in the form of the Earth and Laksmidevi, or spreading the awareness of environmental protection, fighting pollution, developing resources and wealth in a sustainable and harmonious way (without waste) is a fundamental work that must be done now -- in a few years it might already be too late.
Global warming, global pollution, global depletion of resources and impending global financial crisis are a reality that doesn't leave us too much time, and this is already recognized at international levels by all scientists and experts who keep warning the Governments and the NGOs all over the world.
In this scenario, India can really become the spiritual and material leader of the world because of the perfect solutions presented by Vedic knowledge, and because of the good will of so many sincere Dharma supporters who are just waiting to be inspired in the mission and to engage in practical action to implement India's Golden Heritage that is still waiting to shine freely and openly.
Seminars are an extremely efficient way to offer information and inspiration, as well as stimulate cooperation and build momentum. Together with the practical information for artha (economic development), we are also demonstrating our faithfulness to dharma, which is the basis of artha, and to moksa, which is the end purpose of the whole human development.
Seminar in Bhavani Patna:
On 17 January 2004 we had a preliminary meeting with the local NGOs that we invited to participate to the Seminar. This meeting was held in the headquarters of Parivartan, and our resource persons explained to the various NGOs leaders the purpose of the Seminar, the actitivies of PAVAN, and the development plan for cooperation in the area.
On 18 January we all traveled (our resource persons, plus the local NGOs leaders) to a local tribal village (Tiljodi, P.O. Ganda Barajhala), where we held the Seminar by direct interaction with the people.
The program included:
1. Presentation address by President, PAVAN
2. Objectives of the Seminar, by Karna Nayak, Parivartan
3. Addresses by representatives of local NGOs and social workers:
- Laxmidhar Kar, Sarial Harijan, Manjeed K. Pradha, of Parivartan
- Pradipta Haldar, Jagruti
- Santanu Kumar Mund, of Netaji Yuba Manch
- Shyam Sundar Jal, of Jyosada Anatha Ashram
4. Presentation of the topics of the Seminar:
- What is sustainable development, by Raghunath Mohapatra
- Vocational training and microfinancing, by Rahul K. Pradhan, of Maa Jhadesvari Center
- Globalization and International cooperation, by Parama Karuna Devi
- The role of education in social development, by Gokul Chandra Bisoi
- Rediscovering the cultural and spiritual roots, by Mukunda Binod Dash
- The role of women in sustainable development, by Sanjukta Mishra
- Traditional natural medicine, by Bamadev Das
- Demonstration of acupressure diagnosis and treatment, by Bamadev Das
- Renewable energy sources, Permacolture and environment protection, by Yogesh K. Agarwal
5. Lunch break
6. Interaction with the participants, questions and answers as per programme, creation of a working group
7. Conclusion of the programme and vote of thanks.
A working group has been established among the participants to the Seminar, and operational schemes have been studied and approved as follows:
1. All the participants have requested that we hold a second and larger Seminar in Bhavani Patna, to which they will invite all their contacts;
2. The precise date of other Seminar(s) will be finalized as soon as possible;
3. To the next Seminar(s), experts and resource persons from foreign countries will be participating;
4. Bhavani Patna and the district of Kalahandi will be included in the programme of Mobile Dispensary, soon starting in the area of Khurda and Puri;
5. PAVAN will start, in cooperation with other local NGOs, an educational programme called "One Teacher Schools", by training unemployed tribal youths transforming them into self-sufficient school teachers in a non-formal education and literacy programme in their tribal areas;
6. During the next Seminar, in future meetings and in cooperation with the local NGOs, suitable candidates will be chosen from tribal people for vocational training under PAVAN schemes, in the various areas discussed during the Seminar;
7. PAVAN is already organising, in cooperation with other NGOs, a "model village" for the demonstration of the principles discussed during the Seminar, with a school, a center of natural medicine, a research center, renewable energy systems, permacolture and organic agricolture cultivations, cow protection and bee-keeping, handicrafts vocational training center, and accommodation facilities for trainees. PAVAN will also assist the trainees in the marketing of their products.
Seminar in Sundargarh:
On 16 February 2004 we had a series of preliminary meeting with the local NGOs and prominent social workers and local personalities that we invited to participate to the Seminar.
On 17 February we had the main meeting at the Nari Kalyan Kendra, Sundargarh, with the presentation of the topics of the Seminar, and after the completion of the function we were requested to hold another meeting with the local women social workers, to better elaborate on the practical aspects of sustainable development and their immediate application in the area.
On 18 January we travelled with the leaders of a prominent local NGOs, (SEVA) to visit some local tribal villages in the district of Majhapada, where we had direct introduction and interaction with local social workers. SEVA has proposed us to open a branch in Sundargarh and organise and direct their many volunteer workers in cooperative effort. We have also been offered some land in the area, and a building within the town to start a branch of our Vedic school in cooperation with the local RSS workers and other NGOs and social workers.
On the same day (Shiva ratri), we were invited as guests to a public function at the Mahadeva Medhesvara shrine, in the village of Medha, where we gave a public presentation of our activities and the topics of the Seminar to the prominent social workers and to the public at large.
After this programme, we visited a local school for blind children and another local school for deaf and dumb children, where we had a meeting with the managers and social workers.
At each of these programmes, practical plans were made for future cooperation in the area and the following projects have been scheduled for the next months:
1. development of a model village based on sustainable development
2. permanent training on sustainable development and micro-financing
3. permanent vocational training on handicrafts and food processing
4. permanent training on organic agriculture, permaculture, cultivation of medicinal herbs, reforestation
5. development of a school with permanent training for teachers
6. future seminars and meetings, with foreign experts and resource persons
7. future visits of our Mobile Dispensary team
8. permanent training on natural medicine, acupressure, homeopathy, ayurveda etc
9. strict cooperation between PAVAN and NGOs in Sundargarh for various future programmes
The programme was conducted by the following delegates and resource persons:
- Parama Karuna Devi, President, PAVAN, Puri
- Raghunath Mohapatra, Treasurer, PAVAN, Puri
- Sanjukta Mishra, Secretary, PAVAN, Puri
- Dr. Alberto Grosoli, Siebenlinden Eco Village, Germany
- Dr. Srikanth Mohapatra, specialist in Ayurvedic medicine
- Ms. Snehalata Mohapatra, Gruhini Samaj, Sundargarh
- Prof. Raghunath Patel, eminent social worker, Sundargarh
Among the participants, the following directors of local NGOs:
- Jayanti Patel, Gopabandhu Dalit Vikash Kendra
- Kishor Prakash Panda, Deaf and dumb children school
- Naresh Ku. Naik, SEVA
- Ms. Panda, Blind children school
- Naresh Ku. Naik, Sevaka
- Umakanta Ojha, Seva Sansthan
- S. Mishra, Seva Sansthan
- Galendra Barla, Jeevan Jyoti Society
- Rohi Mohanty, Zillamahila parisad
- Pramod Behera, Shilpi Sadhana
- Ganesh Kullu, SNEHA(Special Network on Education, Health and Awareness)
- Kumud Prakash Pardo, Sahajya
- Baraja Nayak, SEARCH
- Talaram Pruseth, JJB club
- Sadha Naik, NKK
- Yasodha Naik, Nari Kalyan Kendra
plus several social workers from NGOs or independently engaged.
We took plenty of photos of these programs, and we'll be happy to send them by email to all our friends, starting from now.
Upcoming programmes:
In the next Seminars, which are already being arranged in various areas inside and outside Orissa (we are arranging a programme in Tripura shortly), we are inviting resource persons from foreign countries and from India itself, including successful examples of International cooperation based on Dharma, known in the West as eco-spiritual villages. One of these is the famous Auroville, founded by Aurobindo and the Mother (a French lady).
In the meantime, the construction of our Village just outside Puri is proceeding. The area is now about 6 acres, but we are negotiating with neighbors who are inclined to sell their plots for the expansion of the project.
We have started very good relationships with the local villagers, and one of the structures we will build is a large meeting hall/space that the local people can also use for functions like marriages, etc. at no cost.
The first buildings are already under construction; the bridge from the pakka road to the property is almost completed; the office-asram complex (about 6000 square feet) is also being built. Photos will also be sent to VFA forum from time to time.
Next to it we will immediately start the school building. One of our priorities is to create an International level school where Vedic culture and principles are taught and encouraged. For the last centuries, and still to date, the best brains of India have studied in Christian Mission schools and thereby have produced intellectuals, writers, journalists, scientists, teachers, managers, IAS, SEO and IPS officers, and politicians of every level, who are more or less negative towards (or at best ignorant about) the Vedic dharma, as we have amply observed. And as Gita teaches, yad yad acarati sresthas, tat tad evetaro janah, sa yah pramanam kuture, lokas tad anuvatate. Whatever the leaders of society show by their attitude and behavior, the general people will accept as ideal and model and will follow and imitate.
It is about time to reverse this tendency...
Another extremely important service we must start immediately in our Model Village is the Health Center, based on Traditional Natural Medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Acupressure etc; this Health Center will be in the style of Rishi villages and not a depressing hospital, and it will also branch out to the general people in the area and even in remote areas, with the Charitable Dispensary and the Mobile Dispensary, which will also start very soon.
Several devotees, very qualified both materially and spiritually, hailing from many countries, including US and Italy (where I am sending regularly a newsletter called Harikathaitalia and I have a group of supporters), have been inspired by our work here and are also planning to come shortly and offer voluntary work, also investing their savings in this great spiritual venture. Some of them are expected within a period from 2 weeks to 2 months. We have already had several visitors during this last month, and they are all enthusiastic about the project and determined to spread the word and support both financially and through their work.
However, as it is normally happening in this world, especially in Kali yuga, we have recently come to face the attacks and oppositon of Adharmis, who fear the Spiritual Revolution that has been predicted will start in Orissa and will spread all over the world (Acyutananda Malika, 15th century).
These adharmic forces are trying to give pressure to the local officers, who are refusing to send to Delhi my application for visa extension on the pretext that only people fully endorsed by Iskcon and working in Iskcon projects, fully and solely depending on Iskcon, can get visas.... Which of course is not true. And even if it was true, anybody who already had an entry visa from the Indian Government is entitled to apply for visa extension, and the duty of the local officers is to forward the visa application to the Home Ministry, Delhi, and not to grant or refuse the visa themselves.
Already two of our good workers from foreign countries, Nrisimha Das and Gitavali Devi, who had been living and serving Dharma in Puri for many years, successfully cooperating with the local people and the best Hindu NGOs and social workers here (especially with Ma Jhadesvari Center, our partner in social work in traditional medicine and yoga, and the organisation who endorsed my visa last year -- accepted by the Indian Consulate in Italy without any problem) are being forced out of India as the local officers have also refused to forward their visa extension application to Delhi. So our two friends and co-workers must be leaving India in 20 days and going outside to make a new visa. Their very valuable work for the upliftment of the people and in support of Vedic dharma has been amply documented, and we can send photos, particularly on a Seminar on Yoga and acupressure they held in Vrndavana, UP, to which hundreds of devotees and pilgrims participated.
Our PAVAN and the Vedic Village project is an independent project, although it is supported from several sides, including many good devotees in Iskcon, both in India and abroad, but also by several other groups and independent people from several spiritual schools, as it has been conceived from the very start to be an open opportunity for cooperation for all sincere supporters of Dharma, separately from sectarian politics considerations.
We have as a mission statement, the determination to work both materially and spiritually solely for the benefit of the people in general, without distinctions or discriminations of groups or political institutions. So we are actively cooperating with non-Iskcon groups, such as Gaudiya Maths, Vaisnavas and Shaivaites groups and individuals, Advaita Vedanta schools, Sakti worshipers groups etc. This is the only way to establish Dharma: the spirit of Kumbha Mela. The sectarian mentality, based on institutional politics, is a characteristic of the semitic groups, and very contrary to the Vedic Dharma, which accepts and includes all groups who sincerely follow the genuine principles of religion.
Besides, since I have been living in India since 1994 on a permanent basis, this year I am going to apply for Indian citizenship, and among the requirements, the Indian Government asks for 10 years of residence, of which the last one complete year must be spent within India without going out. These adharmic forces are trying to force me out of India so that I cannot complete this last one full year within India.
I am sending the word out and support letters have started to come in both through email and by courier.
I am kindly asking all our VFA friends, both in India and abroad, to please send their support letters either by courier or by email, since regular mail will probably take too long to reach here.
Please send copy of your email messages to my different email addresses for safety.
After collecting these letters I am planning to personally go to Delhi and stay there until our work is recognised and endorsed officially at the highest levels.
This is not simply a question of obtaining a visa extension for me personally. The entire project here is depending on my active work, and if I am forced out of India, the project will have to stop and suffer greatly. My friends and co-workers here consider me as a mother and they cannot continue their work without my practical, spiritual and moral support.
The matter is much wider and deeper than a simple visa extension for a foreigner: if India really wants the help of all her children, both born in India or born outside of India (including many NRIs), India's leaders must show in practice their determination and good will.
In the 70s, when India was under the Congress rule, the Indian Government endorsed and helped greatly many genuine spiritual establishments, like Auroville and all the Iskcon centers.
It would be a great shame to see that, under the BJP rule, those who have left everything in the West, including family etc, to come and work selflessly in India to support Hindu Dharma and cooperate with ALL GROUPS to inspire and facilitate a Global Hindu Dharma, are harrassed and forced out of India and their good work totally spoiled.
Or should the Indian Government only support Christian and Muslim organisations and facilitate their foreign missionaries?
Please send your support letters to the following addresses:
1. COURIER
Parama Karuna Devi (Paola Mosconi)
PAVAN House, Siddha Mahavir patna, Puri 2, Orissa (India)
phone 06752-251003, mobile 94370-36328
2. EMAIL
paramakaruna@satyam.net.in
paramakaruna@rediffmail.com
harikathaitalia@hotmail.com
harikathaitalia@libero.it
I am eternally grateful for your support to my service to Mother India and to Hindu Dharma.
Sincerely,
Parama Karuna Devi
Below is the schedule for Vedic Empire World History As It Was.
This was actually the 1st episode. It originally aired back in Oct
1996. If anyone is in MAui County, Hawaii or visiting at the time,
Watch Vedic Empire TV.
SCHEDULE
3/19 8:00:00 am Vedic Empire World History As It Was Ch52
3/21 10:30:00 am Vedic Empire World History As It Was Ch52
4/1 11:35:00 pm Vedic Empire World History As It Was Ch52
4/6 3:15:00 pm Vedic Empire World History As It Was Ch52
http://66.8.163.34/webcom?cmd=BROADCASTEVE...O&eventid=61967
http://www.akaku.org
received via email:
A debate is playing out on the
world stage and in our local communities. There are two opposing ideas. The first is pluralism,
which says that all people share a core set of human values but may have small individual
differences. We can all coexist with each other's differences. On the other side is fundamentalism,
my religion is the best, my country is better than other countries, my community and race is better
than other races  and therefore I am threatened by other communities and am only interested in
the success and welfare of my own.
Both sides advocate solidarity, but while fundamentalism advocates solidarity to just a piece of
one's identity (religion/country/race, etc), pluralism expands the boundaries and acknowledges the
interconnectedness of us as a human race.
The April 18 th , 2004 symposium in Fremont, CA will bring speakers from four different
communities  Indian, Chinese, Pakistani, and Afghani  to discuss what we share as people and
how we can celebrate each other's differences and work together as part of a larger world
community. Our objective is to figure out through dialogue and understanding, what are the
underlying causes for these problems and how, despite our differences, we can work together to find
solutions to these problems.
Check out the link at : http://www.iahv.org/PeaceSymposium/symposium.htm
From what I heard, there is a lot of publicity for the event in Bay Area and the turn out is expected to be around 400 and the organizers are expecting the symposium to be sold out soon. Not sure who the speakers are apart from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Dear All:
The Brits never relent in thier Mischief making with Hindu bashing and US bashing.They are working with the US as a world power for domination but they are still wracked with jealously that US superseded them on world stage.It is imperative that proud Hindus protest this outrageous campaign of lies distortions and deciet engaging in the most shameful lies to bring down the Hindu 'Nationalist Party) the BJP (who incidentally have betrayed the Hindu cause on all fronts). Christians are NOT MINORITIES but majority colonialists who are financed aided and abetted and insitigated by powerful corrupt meglamaniacs and plutarchs in the shape of western governments NGOS like FORD Foundation ,scores of Missionaries outfits from US,UK,Denmark ,Germany and Italy in thier evil agenda to dominate the slavish, submissive downtrodden Indian African Phillipino anything that is, by racist conclusion inferior.Practically the whole world has a hand in terrorizing and annhilating Hindus the true custodians of Sanatana Dharma the one true and Universal and eternal religion.communist traitors like Teesta Setalvad who has a muslim husband called Javad Aktar who deceptively goes by the pseudo name Javed Anand to fool Hindus and foreigners that he is a indigenous Hindu with credibility and that so that they can trick and procure Hindu women with thier Hindu sounding names this is a deliberated and very evil strategy muslims are employing for decades on British European and US university and college campuses. Muslim males are paid upto $5000 for every Kufir (nonmuslim heathen) they convert.Teesta Setalvad of Sabrang Communications www.sabrang.org and www.onlinevolunteers.org which spew anti Sangh propaganda or rather agit prop (communist crock) , Smita Narula, Senior 'Researcher' ( architect of lies and propaganda Goebbelisan style) of South Asia for Human Rights Watch (HRW.org) and Bijou Matthew of FOIL (Forum of Indian leftists www.foil.org can be reached at (917) 232 8437 and email:matthewrider.edu) are the brown baboos and slaves that their Masters use in the front to fire shots at their own countrymen. they join forces with seditious anti-national groups like Sonia Gandhi of Congress, leftwing pseudo secularists, anti Hindu fascists like the missionaries who are continuing their mischief of centuries to dominate Brown man in India and Christianize it so they can control and colonize the Indian mind forever and relentlessly. This physcological persecution is the mastermind of the supremacist in his cruel and ruthless domination and exploitation of the worlds resources for his own glory and self enrichment.all these evil front of Indian prostitutes who betray thier own homeland and suffering masses for a few crumbs from the Mullahs and Missionaries.
Policy Institute for Religion and State, Washington DC &
Center for the History of Religious and Political Pluralism
(University of Leicester, England)
Invites you to a Panel Discussion on:
India's National Elections and US Foreign Policy Interests
There are over 40 million Christian in India. In the past 5 years
or so the Hindu extremist political groups have killed hundreds of
Christians and burnt hundreds of churches all over India. Many Hindu
governments at the state levels have passed anti-conversion laws
making Evangelism and conversions illegal. But Washington seems to
think that the Hindu extremist party should be our ally! This US
policy is creating further hardships to an already struggling
Christian church in India.
India is holding its national elections in March / April 2004. An
estimated half a billion people will exercise their voting rights to
choose a new government. The Hindu Nationalist Party - Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) is poised to form the next government again.
The panel discussion at the Capitol Hill will analyze the policies
of this Hindu radical party and its impact on the population vis-a-
vis US foreign policy interest for the long run.
Well, known scholars (this is misinformation who the hell has heard of any of these traitors and geezers individually. They are a dime a dozen of these treacherous prostitutes in India) from UK and India are invited to speak about
this issue. We would like to invite you and your colleagues to the
conference.
Date: March 31st, Wednesday
Time: 12 noon - 3:30 PM
Location: Cannon Caucus Room, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
12:00 Noon: Reception & Lunch**
Opening Remarks: By invited members of Congress
Panelists:
(Reverend) Professor Richard Bonney: Director, The Center for History of
Religious and Political Pluralism, University of Leicester, UK.(Anglican priest with vested interest not mentioned of course)
Ms. Esther David: Indian Jewish Author, Ahmedabad, India
Dr. Ram Puniyani: Author and professor, IIT, India
Justice Suresh (Hosbet notice how they hide their Christian names to deceive the gullible public that they are Hindus and have credibility): Former Chief Justice, Mumbai High Court, India
Mr. John Prabhudoss: Executive Director, PIFRAS, Washington, DC.
For the details of the program please call 202 547 4700 or visit us
online at www.pifras.org (should be named propaganda and piffle.org)
Lunch served,(now tempting soliciting people with free lunch as a bait to discredit Indian Hindus) RSVP@pifras.org
COME AND SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITY (and a big stick for the organizers or rather disorganizers)! Feel free to circulate this information among your friends and
colleagues
> >
> > 110 Maryland Ave, NE Suite 510 Washington DC 20002, 202 547 4700
<b>Alert :</b>Traitor , anti Hindu/ anti India will making rounds in your cities
Challenges to Indian Democracy" - Dr. Ram Punyani
CHALLENGES TO INDIAN DEMOCRACY
When: Saturday, April 03, 2004
6.30 PM - 8.30 PM
Where: Troy Community Center, Room 303
You are invited to an interactive discussion and Q&A with
Dr. Ram Punyani on
Traitor, anti Hindu/ anti India will making round in different cities.
Challenges to Indian Democracy. Dr. RAM PUNIYANI, the well-known social activist, author and crusader for secularism and justice and also the Professor of Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai (Biomedical Engineering Department), is scheduled to visit Detroit On Saturday April 3 as a part of a multi-city tour in the USA.
Sponsoring Organizations:
1.National Federation of Indian Associations
2.Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment
3.NRI-SAHI (Non-Resident Indian for a Secular and Harmonious India)
4.Ann Arbor Committee for Peace
5.India Foundation
6.American Federation of Muslim of Indian Origin (AFMI)
7.Indian Muslim Council (IMC, USA)
For more information, please call: Local traitors in US
Prof. Venugopal Prasad:
Shamshad Quamar:
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF VEDIC STUDIES
Conference on India's Intellectual Traditions in the Contemporary Global Context
July 9 - 11, 2004
University of Maryland, Shady Grove Campus (Rockville, MD)
Washington, D.C., USA
A Symposium on Indian Influences on Contemporary Western Culture
Call for Paper Abstracts
The long-standing influence of Indian culture and Hindu spiritual thought on modern Western civilization has been both myriad and of great significance. Beginning as early as Emersonâs open acknowledgment of the Bhagavad Gitaâs deep influence on his thought in the Nineteenth Century, and continuing to the current keen interest in Indian culture today, America and the West continue to be deeply influenced by Indian and Hindu culture. Currently, there are 15 million Americans practicing the Hindu spiritual discipline of Yoga. An even larger number practice a wide variety of Hindu and Buddhist inspired forms of meditation. Serene images of Hindu gods and goddesses are found today gracing tee-shirts, bags and popular artwork in American apartments. Such Sanskrit terms as âmantraâ, âpunditâ and âguruâ have entered mainstream American language.
In this symposium, we will explore the history, dynamics, meaning, impact and future implications of Indian cultural and spiritual influence on American cultural development. We invite scholars to submit presentation proposals examining this inter-cultural phenomenon from a variety of perspectives: historical, philosophical, religious, literary, social, etc.
Only serious academic presentations dealing directly with the subject matter outlined above will be considered for this symposium.
Abstracts of papers (in about 200 words each), containing title of the paper, and name, address, phone, and e-mail of the author, may be submitted to the Moderator:
Dr. Frank Gaetano Morales, Ph.D.
Founder-President
American Institute for Yoga Studies
fmorales@dharmacentral.com
http://www.dharmacentral.com
(608) 280-8375
Deadline: May 31, 2004
For More information on the Conference, please visit www.umassd.edu/indic/waves.
Please forward this announcement to all your lists and web sites.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anne Johnson,
Communications
April 20, 2004 Director, (202) 523-3240,
ext. 27
Bangladesh: New York hearing with Congressman Crowley
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
(USCIRF) will hold a public, on-the-record hearing on Friday, April 30 at
the CUNY Queens College School of Law in Flushing, NY on "Bangladesh:
Protecting Human Rights of Thought, Conscience, and Religion." The hearing
is scheduled from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the City University
of New York (CUNY) School of Law, 65-21 Main Street, Flushing, NY.
Congressman Joseph Crowley, representing New York's 7th Congressional
District, will participate in this event.
The hearing will examine recent trends regarding religious freedom for both
Muslims and non-Muslims in Bangladesh and the implications of those trends
for U.S. policy. Bangladesh has constitutional and other legal protections
for human rights. Nevertheless, there were numerous reports of severe
abuses targeting members of religious minorities at the time of the
national elections in October 2001. In addition, according to the State
Department violence against women is widespread and sometimes led by
religious leaders, particularly in rural areas. There is concern that the
growth of religious extremism could have a negative impact on the rights of
all Bangladeshis.
WHAT: "Bangladesh: Protecting Human Rights of Thought, Conscience and
Religion"
WHEN: Friday, April 30, 2004, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
WHERE: City University of New York (CUNY), Queens College
School of Law Auditorium
65-21 Main Street
Flushing, NY
The witnesses and schedule are as follows:
6:30-6:45 Welcome and Introductory Remarks by USCIRF & Congressman Joseph
Crowley
6:45-7:45 Witness testimony:
Latifur Rahman, former Chief Justice of Bangladesh
U. A. B. Razia Akter Banu, Professor of Political Science,
University of Dhaka
Abbas Faiz, Amnesty International's lead researcher on
Bangladesh
Aroma Dutta, civil society activist and Executive Director,
PRIP Trust
Faustina Pereira, advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
7:45-8:00 Question and Answer
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by
the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to give independent policy
recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress.
Dean Michael K. Young, Chair Felice D. Gaer, Vice Chair Nina Shea, Vice
Chair Preeta D. Bansal Patti Chang
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Khaled Abou El Fadl Richard Land Bishop
Ricardo Ramirez
Ambassador John V. Hanford III, Ex-Officio Joseph R. Crapa, Executive
Director
800 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW SUITE 790 WASHINGTON, DC 20002 202-523-3240
202-523-5020 (FAX)
Visit our Web site at www.uscirf.gov
PATANJALI Lecture Series seminar on
Popular lecture: The Encoding of Astronomical Knowledge in an
Ancient
Sanskrit Text
Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Time: 7 PM (Coffee at 6:30 PM)
Place: Dion 115
Technical lecture: An Accurate Map of the Solar System in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
Place: Library Browsing Area
Date: Thursday, May 6, 2002
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Coffee and Cookies at 11:30 AM)
* Snacks will be served *
ByDr. Richard Thompson
Dr. Richard Thompson, a Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University is a
prolific author on many peer-reviewed articles on mathematical and computer
modeling, and has written several books including the following:
1. Computer Simulations of Self-Organization in Biological Systems, with N.S. Goel. London: Croome Helm, 1988; 2. Forbidden Archeology: The Hidden
History of the Human Race, Torch Publishing, 1998; 3. Mysteries of the Sacred Universe, Alachua: Govardhana Hill, 2000; 4. Maya: The World as Virtual Reality, Alachua: Govardhana Hill, 2003.
Popular Lecture, Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at 7 PM
The Encoding of Astronomical Knowledge in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
From the flat earth to the sun's chariot, traditional spiritual texts seem wedded to outmoded cosmologies that show, at best, the scientific limitations of their authors. The Bhagavata Purana, one of the classical scriptures of Hinduism, seems at first glance to be no exception. However, a closer examination of this text reveals unexpected depths of knowledge in ancient cosmology. This knowledge is encoded in the form of multiple interpretations of the text, each of which is supported by a series of textual statements. Although this creates a contradictory impression for
the modern reader, it is typical of ancient modes of _expression, in which several meanings are packed into one text or work of art.
Technical Lecture, Thursday, May 6, 2004 at noon:
An Accurate Map of the Solar System in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
The Bhagavata Purana presents a system of cosmic geography consisting of
ring-shaped features labeled as oceans and islands. This system looks like an elaborate account of a flat earth, with precise dimensions of geographical features given in terms of a unit of distance called the yojana. However, when these dimensions are carefully examined, they reveal a map of the solar system out to Uranus, with accurate values for the closest and greatest distance of each planet from the earth. This suggests that the so-called primitive cosmology of the Bhagavatam encodes advanced scientific knowledge of the solar system that was not matched in recent times until the nineteenth century. In addition, the correlation between planetary distances and features in the cosmological map allows us to calculate an accurate value for the length of the yojana. It turns out that there is historical evidence for the actual use of this particular unit of measure in countries ranging from ancient Egypt to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
For further information, please contact Bal Ram Singh
Bal Ram Singh, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Indic Studies
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
Phone: 508-999-8588
Fax: 508-999-8451
Email: bsingh@u...
<b>Hate fest </b>
Dan Burton, the anti-India pro-Pakistani Congressman who chairs the Congressional Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness, is holding a hearing on Human Rights Status in Kashmir on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 10 am at 2154 Main Hearing Room, House Rayburn Office Building in Washington DC.
Following is a list of the witnesses:
Panel One:
Michael Kozak
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
United States State Department
David Good
Director
Office of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka Affairs
United States State Department
Panel Two:
<b>T. Kumar</b> <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Advocacy Director -Asia
Amnesty International - USA
Panel Three:
<b>Bob Giuda</b> <!--emo&:thumbdown--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsdownsmileyanim.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='thumbsdownsmileyanim.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:devil--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devilsmiley.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='devilsmiley.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Chairman
Americans for Resolution of Kashmir
<b>Ghulam-Nabi Fai</b> <!--emo&:devil--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devilsmiley.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='devilsmiley.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Executive Director
Kashmiri American Council
<b>Gurmit Singh Aulakh</b> <!--emo&:lol:--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' /><!--endemo-->
President
Council of Khalistan
<b>Attiya Inayatullah</b> <!--emo&:lol:--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Aid Worker
<b>Selig Harrison</b> <!--emo&:omg--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/omg.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='omg.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Director of the Asia Program
Center for International Policy
The last named was arranged at the instance of USINPAC.
Certainly Hearings that objectively investigate human rights abuses, assess the horrors and denigration suffered by the victims and accurately informs and educates the American public are welcome. However, witnnesses like Gurmit Singh Aulakh lack credibility. He has been barred from Congressional Offices for misrepresentation and deceit.
Mr. Burton has made serious allegations, such as âgang rape of Muslim womenâ by Indian military personnel, which are unsubstantiated by the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. Department of State or nongovernmental organizations such as Amnesty International or various Western media outlets operating in the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
On the contrary, Mr. Burton has failed to note the escalation of human rights abuses in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) and in Pakistan in general as cited in the U.S. State Departmentâs human rights reports and also in Amnesty Internationalâs reports for the last several years. Mr. Burton has further failed to note the U.S. Governmentâs assessment of significant human rights abuses committed by Pakistan-based and Pakistani Government supported Jehadi groups operating in J&K. Several of these Jehadi groups and Islamic charities operating in J&K have been sanctioned by the United States as terrorist organizations with direct ties to Al Qaeda.
Mr. Burton has remarked that the primary reason for the violence in Kashmir is due to Indiaâs refusal to grant the residents of J&K the right of self-determination. Yet, he ignores the praises from then U.S. Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill on the free and fair elections held in J&K where voter turn out was at sixty percent and many came to the polls despite the threats and attacks on voters by Pakistani Jehadi groups. On the other hand, the residents of POK not only suffer daily reprisals from the Pakistani Military and Intelligence Service as well as Pakistani Jehadi groups (including Al Qaeda training camps who have relocated from Afghanistan), they also do not enjoy the rights of Pakistani citizenship.
It's important that the House Subcommittee on Wellnesss & Human Rights which is chaired by Rep Burton, conduct the hearing with fairness, accuracy and objectivity.
<b>ACTION NEEDED BY YOU </b>
Please call your House Representative to let him/her know about the hearing. Request him/her to attend the hearing, if possible, and insist that the hearing is conducted with objectivity, fairness, accuracy of information, and credibility of witnesses. To find out who your House Representative is, click here and type your zip code in the box under 'Elected Officials'. Click: "GO".
Below are some questions which you may wish to urge your House Representative to raise during the hearings.
Ram Narayanan
PS: Since there is very little time, please act TODAY. After calling your Congressman, please forward this message to your friends/relations who may be in touch with their US House Representatives. Please do not circulate this message to any one other than those whom you know well.
I have removed questions
ADVERTISEMENT
South Asian Progressive Conference 2004
Sun. May 23th, 2004
9:00 am - 5:00pm
California Institute for Integral Studies
1453 Mission St. (@ 10th)
San Francisco
In January 2003, 150 diverse South Asians from the San Francisco
Bay Area came together to discuss issues like domestic violence,
art and activism, labor rights, queer visibility, communal
violence, people's movements in South Asia, organizing in the South
Bay, and anti-war civil disobedience strategies.
Join us at our second annual SAPC conference on May 23, 2004, as we
keep working to build a strong, vibrant, South Asian progressive
community.
The SAPC conference is:
* a place to learn about the diverse South Asian progressive
community
* a forum to network with other people and organizations
* open to all discussion topics -- come talk about the issues
that move you
* only $10, including lunch (nobody turned away for lack of
funds)
Come to speak, listen, and participate! We will be using a flexible
form of facilitation where most of the agenda for the gathering
will be created by those who come that day, so consider what you
would like to discuss on the theme above, and bring your passion,
ideas, and engagement. You will leave the day with a better
understanding of each other's work, new ideas about how to
collaborate with one other, and action items to make this happen!
See pictures from last year's conference!
Questions? Email us.
Interested? Please pre-register for the conference.
Conference organized by:
* 3rd I Films
* Alliance of South Asians Taking Action
* American Muslim Voice
* Association for India's Development, Bay Area Chapter
* Association of South Asian Political Activists
* Coalition Against Communalism
* Ekta
* Friends of South Asia
* Maitri
* Narika
* Organizing Youth
* South Asian Development Alternatives Network
* South Asian Sisters
* Trikone
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Come to OY! SUMMER 2004!
August 12-15, 2004
San Francisco, California
A four day program of workshops, strategy sessions and panel discussions for South Asians interested in global justice.
Come to OY! SUMMER 2004!
August 12-15, 2004
San Francisco, California
If you are aged 17 to 23 (or thereabouts), with roots in South Asia, the OY! Summer Program is for you. The 4-day program will provide a unique place for youth and community organizers to come together and
trace the evolution of community organizing in South Asia and the South Asian diaspora
breakdown barriers based on race, religion, sexuality and class, and discover the common thread of oppression and struggle
nurture solidarity and ways to rebuild fractured communities
develop strategies for social change and global equality
Come, participate in interactive workshops and games for understanding and analysing oppression, discussions and panels on community resources and organizations in allied movements, and training in organizational skills and coalition building.
REGISTER
www.youthsolidarity.org/oy
About OY!
OY! (Organizing Youth) is a volunteer-based organization formed with the aim of empowering youth from the South Asian diaspora to organize for political, social and economic justice.
"<b>youthsolidarity</b> " - This is known pinko-anti Hindu organisation.
05-20-2004, 06:22 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-20-2004, 06:49 AM by acharya.)
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+May 15 2004, 06:22 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ May 15 2004, 06:22 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> "<b>youthsolidarity</b> "Â - This is known pinko-anti Hindu organisation. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
www.youthsolidarity.org/oy
http://www.youthsolidarity.org/oy/resources/
Very interesting. THey are trying to shape the mind of the new generation - ABCD
We are looking for South Asians between the ages of 17 and 23 (or thereabouts) who are looking for alternatives to the dominant socio-political and economic ideologies. If thatâs you, and if:
you have questions regarding or are interested in frameworks of leftist analysis and politics of dissent,
youâre interested in examining and deconstructing structures that promote systemic oppression and social injustice,
youâre sick of encountering prejudices on the basis of gender, class, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality and religion,
youâre aching to join with progressive causes and stand in solidarity with struggles in the global social justice movement,
you want to join a community of progressive South Asians organizing for social, political and economic justice,
-------------
The international geo-political situation: The increasing political prowess of neo-fascism in India and the ensuing genocide in Gujarat in 2002, as well as the rise of military dictatorship in Pakistan and its endorsement by the US, has also resulted in an urgent need to mobilize the South Asian Diaspora for progressive and tolerant causes.
05-20-2004, 06:28 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-20-2004, 06:49 AM by acharya.)
RESOURCES
http://www.youthsolidarity.org/oy/resources/
The San Francisco Bay Area has a number of youth organizations, some of which provide radical political education in order to create strong youth leaders and the next generation of community organizers, as well as others that organize around specific issues such as juvenile justice and incarceration, womenâs issues, and public education. OY! complements these programs by focusing specifically on South Asian youth, and stands fully aligned with the broader aims and objectives of these groups of empowering youth to effect social change. Some of these groups are listed below:
Center for Third World Organizing, Oakland, CA: CTWO conducts weekend-long programs that serve as introductions to community organizing, as well as intensive 6-7 week long programs that provide training and real-world experience in the theory and practice of building social justice movements. [website]
DiversityWorks, Oakland, CA: DiversityWorks provides workshops and training for bay-area youth to become peer educators who in-turn, work for social change. [website]
SOUL, Oakland CA: The School of Unity and Liberation (SOUL) offers training on organizing for social change. Specifically, SOUL offers a 3-day workshop called âTraining for Trainersâ, that helps community organizers develop their facilitation skills in a comprehensive way. OY! collective members intend to sign up for this training. [website]
STARC Alliance, San Francisco, CA: Students Transforming and Resisting Corporations (STARC) Alliance offers an intensive 8-week training program for youth and student activists, focusing both on anti-oppression analysis and organizing skills. [website]
Women of Color Resource Center, Oakland, CA: WCRC offers training and workshops on globalization and its impacts on women, and publishes the WeDGE (Womenâs education in the global economy) workbook. [website]
Other organizations with which we have been actively involved and with whom we stand in solidarity include, but are not limited to:
Association for Indiaâs Development (AID): Formed to support grassroots efforts for poverty alleviation and sustainable development in India. [website]
Campaign to Stop Funding Hate: Formed to put an end to the flow of money from the U.S. to Indian groups involved in religious fundamentalism. [website]
Chaya: Provides resources for South Asian women facing domestic violence. [website]
Coalition Against Communalism (CAC): Works to promote communal harmony amongst people from the Indian Diaspora as well as in India, and to respond to the growing influence of religious extremism in institutions and public spaces in India and the U.S. [website]
EKTA: Works to provide a platform for social change through art, dialogue, and activism. [website]
Friends of South Asia (FOSA): Aims to promote peace and demilitarization between countries in South Asia. [website]
Ghadar: A publication of the Forum of Indian Leftists that serves as a medium for organizing and discussion for left South Asians. [website]
India Relief and Education Fund: Organizes seminars and lectures by leading cultural figures and social activists; maintains an extensive library of publications, audio and video material; and supports disaster relief work in India. [website]
Trikone: A non-profit LGBT organization for people of South Asian descent based in the SF Bay Area. [website]
Youth Solidarity Summer (YSS): YSS organizes a week-long organizing program for South Asian youth in NYC. [website]
Acharya resource,
Chaya - Stay away, Good in breaking marriages.
Trikone - Indian Gay Lesbian group
EKTA - <!--emo&:roll--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ROTFL.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ROTFL.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Freedom Mela
-----------------
Arabia is part of "many South Asian cultures???" <!--emo&:omg--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/omg.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='omg.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Since when?
Where Texas Farm &Ranch
#1 Abercrombie St.
Houston, TX,77084
When Saturday, July 3, 2004 at 3:00 PM to
Saturday, July 3, 2004 11:59 PM Contact Shabbir Mandviwala
Phone: 832~212-3290
Email for Information[1] Admission Admission is FREE for all! Freedom Mela @
Texas Ranch on JULY 3 Saturday July 3 from 3PM to Midnight! Freedom Mela @
Texas Ranch on JULY 3 Saturday July 3 from 3PM to Midnight!
Come, celebrate the many South-Asian cultures of Houston under a gigantic
carnival-style âMelaâ at the Texas Farm &Ranch on Saturday, July 3, 2004
all-day from 3PM to Midnight!
- The venue will be divided into zones: North &South India, Pakistan,
Punjab,Bombay, Karachi, Arabia and a Kidz Zone.
- Each zone will have a different setting.
- Local radio hosts will do their live radio skits
- Exotic foods from different regions of Asia
- Face-painting, games, and fun for your kids
- Folk dances, singing
- Live DJ music, stand-up comedians, and more!
- Prizes for best dressed man, woman and couple
- Fashion Show by top designers
- Prizes include DVD Players, computers, grocery, etc.
- Palm-Reader, Chai Man, etc.
- Ice-Cream, Drinks, Mehendi, and more!
- Blood Drive on site
- Grand Prizes: Honda Civic, Mercedes Benz and BMW!
- Gallery of sports cars and more!
Click here[2] for more information.
Hosted By Occasionz
Important Note: Though we try our best to provide accurate information, we
urge you to check details before attending an event. Sulekha is not
responsible for any changes or cancellations of the events.
<!--QuoteBegin-k.ram+May 24 2004, 08:40 AM-->QUOTE(k.ram @ May 24 2004, 08:40 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> Freedom Mela
-----------------
- The venue will be divided into zones: North &South India, Pakistan,
Punjab,Bombay, Karachi, Arabia and a Kidz Zone.
- Each zone will have a different setting.
- Local radio hosts will do their live radio skits
- Exotic foods from different regions of Asia
- Face-painting, games, and fun for your kids
- Folk dances, singing
- Live DJ music, stand-up comedians, and more!
- Prizes for best dressed man, woman and couple
- Fashion Show by top designers
- Prizes include DVD Players, computers, grocery, etc.
- Palm-Reader, Chai Man, etc.
- Ice-Cream, Drinks, Mehendi, and more!
- Blood Drive on site
- Grand Prizes: Honda Civic, Mercedes Benz and BMW!
- Gallery of sports cars and more!
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Guess hunting season has begun - Muslim guys looking to chat up with Hindu gals.... <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Naga Story: The Other Side Of Silence
KRITI FILM CLUB SCREENINGS 2004
showing nowâ¦
NAGA STORY
THE OTHER SIDE OF SILENCE
Directed by: GOPAL MENON
Produced by: OTHER MEDIA COMUNICATIONS
Duration: 62min
on
29 MAY, 2004, Saturday, 5.45 pm
at the KRITI team's workplace:
S-35, Tara Apartments Alaknanda, New Delhi - 110 019, Phone:
26477845, 26213088 Email: kritidpc@v...
The film:
The Naga Story _The Other Side of Silence_ is the first comprehensive
film on the Nagas, a three million strong indigenous people, who
occupy the North-East frontier of the Indian subcontinent. The film,
which took five years in the making, documents human rights abuses
suffered by the Nagas in more than 50 years of the existence of
Independent India - with interviews, on-foot coverage and views from
different sections of the Naga population including various political
formations and factions.
"A film that captures the resistance, the despair, the anguish, the
hopes and aspirations of a generation of Nagas in their struggle for
self determination and their overwhelming desire for peaceâ¦"
The film maker:
Gopal Menon started his film career with a documentary on the
destruction of tropical evergreen forests in the Nilgiri biosphere.
While still a student of Business Administration, he started working
with the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) on the organised
violence on Muslims in Coimbatore, and the subsequent bomb blasts in
the city. He has been documenting the Naga and Kashmiri political
movements since 1998. Two films have evolved from this - Naga Story:
The Other Side of Silence and PAPA 2 (on enforced disappearances in
Kashmir). His other movies are Resilient Rhythms, Hey Ram!, Genocide
in the Land of Gandhi, Voices from Gujarat.
Gopal has worked as Location Director for a Channel 4 News report on
the funding of Hindu Extremist organisations and shot the film -
Hindu Nationalism in Britain in UK and India.
The film club:
The Kriti Film Club is an informal space for screening documentary &
mainstream films as well as slide shows, on a whole range of issues
connected with development, human rights & social attitudes/ trends
once a month. We also serve as a borrowing & buying space for
documentary films.
Looking forward to seeing you for the film and the discussion after
that.
* If you are interested in book shopping check out the KRITI
Information Place.
* If you are interested in jute bags, cloth notebooks, even some
jewellery etc check out our Gestures stall.
* And, if you are interested in recycling your waste paper, bring it
along & get handmade stationary in return.
It would be great if you let us know that you are coming. We can then
keep sufficient quantities of nimboo pani and kurkure available, to
go with the evening.
With warm regards, KRITI team.
Venue : S-35, Tara Apartments Alaknanda, New Delhi - 110 019,
Phone: 26477845, 26213088
Email: kritidpc@v...
Date : 5/29/2004
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