I had never heard of IDRF until the attack on it by the SabDung gang of commies and <!--emo&n^3--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/n3.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='n3.gif' /><!--endemo--> and others' fitting reply. Even though I have been a BRF member since January 2002 and a lurker for six months before that. IDRF is now one of my primary charities for contribution.
Serious question though on Asha for Education. Is it a commie front and wastes its efforts in attacks on IDRF and other political activities? Or is it a genuine charity that does good work and is merely guilty by association with the likes of AID with whom they might have associated because of the feeling that they can acheive better by working together. Their website does give a lot of detail on constructive projects and no hint of any political activity.
Asha for Education is a commie front. Harvest young students in US University, these fooled foot soldiers work hard and collect funds to enhance Commie cause and support their bosses and struggle in India.
They fund so called "social engineering projects" in India.
If you see distribution of projects statewise you can guess.
Punjab only one funded project
West Bengal 33
Kerala 13
JHARKHAND -13
Tamil Nadu -75
Bihar -9
Gujarat - 17
(Review of social studies text books (Gujarat state))
Delhi -15 (Mostly in slum - BanglaDesh illegal immigrant)
CHHATTISGARH -0
Himachal -0
Some of the gems from Sandeep Pandey (ASHA founder) Interview link
<i>It was quite foolish to carry out the blasts because it gave Pakistan an opportunity to flex its nuclear muscles</i>
<i>We should know that America did not use nuclear bombs to win a war because Japan was by then on a point of surrendering and the US president did it because he was under tremendous pressure and had to justify millions of dollars spent on the nuclear programme.</i>
<i>Kashmir is for Kashmiris</i> <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rolleyes.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<i>It is to solve Kashmir political problem, Indo-Pak borders to be de-militarised, nuclear weaponry to be dismantled and the way Indians and Nepalese travel between each other should be the way of travelling between India and Pakistan and in the entire SAARC region</i>
Asha was formed on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley in '91 and ASHA raises a lot of $ from US based NRIs but then Sandeep Pandey says:
<i>USA is the biggest evil power on earth</i>
You might have to google out some more of his activities sharing podiums with Marxists/Naxal types or his boondongole in TSP..
Many many moons ago (before I really got to know about them) I contributed to ASHA i.e., sponsored education some kids in W. Bengal and was to receive regular reports about the progress. To date I have no idea about the names of those kids or what they've been upto. After some questioning I got a pathetic 'we are voluteers onlee, not efficient' stupid response - still have somewhere on my HD (anyone from ASHA's Oregaon chapter reading this are free to email me for details)
Thanks a lot. After Mudy's post I did some more research and thru Asha's own website I got all these "gems" Sandeep was talking about though they were trying to emphasize that it was his own views rather than Asha's. Maybe or maybe not but as far as I am concerned commies are guilty until proven innocent and they are guilty by association. Plus their Bay Area newsletter, Akash, has a newslink to ektaonline and that attacked IDRF. Believe it or not but I just went to the post office but before that I pulled out the check that I was going to mail Asha. Thank god I did not waste my money.
<!--QuoteBegin-Viren+Jan 10 2005, 05:50 PM-->QUOTE(Viren @ Jan 10 2005, 05:50 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> Communist Party of India-Marxist whine
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Communist Party of India-Marxist, in the latest issue of its weekly publication, People's Democracy, <b>has darkly hinted that Black Sunday was god's retribution for the people voting the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance Government to power in two successive elections and keeping it in office for six years</b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>The tsunami striking us in the last days of 2004 must be seen not as an ominous signal for the future, but as the culmination of a legacy of hate and destruction that we, the Indian people, unitedly and finally overcame in the political sphere in 2004. </b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--> EDITORIAL : Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist); January 02, 2005, Vol. XXIX , No. 01
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> AID diverting Tsunami relief funds to communist outfits?
AID (Association for India's Development) diverting Tsunami relief funds to communist outfits)?
-- Report from Chennai
I was in Tamil Nadu the whole of last week coordinating some relief work. I had gone along with some other individual freelancers from Bangalore city.
We did find the DYFI volunteers as ubiquitous atleast in Chidambaram district. DYFI and other NGO there called Creed had a mafia-level hold on the district. One cannot go anywhere without them monitoring you.
One DYFI guy called Dinesh Thirumurthi(working in NetApps, Calif) is coordinating their effort. Colluding with the local police and other perverted Marxist forums (with nice names like science forum etc), that pig is spreading his own message amongst the locals.
The DYFI guys had elaborate lists with each member of each family of the village listed out. Any outsider to that area is forced to take along the DYFI volunteers who project the action to the villagers as their own.
AID is working along with DYFI. It is not a hidden fact. In their daily dispatches, that pig Dinesh Thirumurthi is projecting his achievements as great contributions by DYFI to our society. Many individuals in Bangalore atleast have been bought over by his argument and are unknowingly associating with those devils.
The police are another impediment to relief work. We had to bribe those police morons at every checkpost else they do not let you access the villages. Add to this, the almost complete absence of Govt from most rural areas.
The media is concentrating only on the urban areas which are accessible easily by road. The areas cut off from pucca roads are being neglected. Even the non-Marxist NGOs there are busy in their old game of taking photos first and then worrying about relief.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The resolution had been brought by Zinniah and Manoj, councillors of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress. The resolution was defeated by 11 votes, as most of the councillors from Left outfits, namely, Students Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students Federation (AISF) voted against the resolution.
The one line resolution reads: "The council condemns the Republic of China for continuing to show Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory." In all, the council discussed 33 items on its agenda. The resolution on Arunachal Pradesh was the eighth item on the list. "Instead of taking a strong note of China's inconsistent policy towards Arunachal Pradesh, SFI and AISF showed a softness as if Arunachal Pradesh is not a part of India," Madhumita Chakraborty, JNU unit NSUI president, said.
"SFI, AISF and AISA representatives voted against the motion, thereby verifying that they actually support the Chinese claim of Arunachal Pradesh being a part of Chinese territory. Their voting against the motion is a betrayal of the very Constitution of our country and has exposed the anti-national character of the Left," she added.
SFI is the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), a major constituent of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), AISF is affiliated to the Communist Party of India (CPI), another Left constituent of the UPA, while the All India Students Association (AISA) is the student outfit of CPI-Marxist and Leninist. AISA's Mona Das heads the JNUSU.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-rajesh_g+Jan 14 2005, 05:25 PM-->QUOTE(rajesh_g @ Jan 14 2005, 05:25 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> ASHA's version of India..
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not sure if they'll adopt the Aman's line of defense and claim that it was drawn by a kid, afterall they are in business of educating kids <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='rolleyes.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The peace talks between the Naxalites and Andhra Pradesh government is in danger of breaking down following the death of six Maoists in shoot-outs with the police in two districts in the state.
The police have sounded a red alert all over the state after the killings, which, they claimed, were in self-defence.
While three Maoists were killed in Prakasam district, three others were shot dead in Mahbubnagar.
Reacting to the incidents, <b>Communist Party of India (Maoist) state secretary Ramakrishna,</b> in a letter, a copy of which was released to the press in Hyderabad, said the killings have made the possibility of the peace talks continuing very remote.
He blamed the state government for trying to scuttle the peace atmosphere. The recent incidents prove that it is impossible to resolve the burning problems of the people through peaceful methods of dialogue, Ramakrishna said.
<b>"We will retaliate the armed action of the police with arms itself," he said.</b>
The Naxal leader appealed to all 'supporters of democracy' to strengthen the hands of the movement as in the present atmosphere it was futile to wait for negotiations to solve the peoples problems.
The Naxalites and the state government have been observing a ceasefire in the state for some months now. The first round of peace talks was held last October.
Giving details of the Prakasam district incident, Superintendent of Police Mahesh Chandra Ludda said Naxalites opened fire on a police party, which was on its way to Peddachima village from Chintala village after receiving information that Maoists were moving about in the area.�
"Our personnel warned them not to fire and to surrender. Instead, they continued firing. Our police party fired in self-defence. The exchange of fire continued for 15 minutes. Some Naxalites fled the scene. The police party found the bodies of three Naxalites - one female and two males - after the firing ceased. Five weapons and five kitbags and a claymore mine were recovered from the site," the SP told rediff.com over phone.
The incident, near Chintala in Dornala mandal, occurred between 1300 IST and 1400 IST, he said.
The second incident occurred between 1400 IST and 1430 IST at Bukkalingayapalli village, under Siddapur police limits, in Mahbubnagar district.
Superintendent of Police Vikram Singh Mann said a police party was on its way to the village to inquire into reports of extortions by the Maoists.
On seeing the police party, the Naxalites started firing on it and the police returned fire. In the exchange, three Maoists, including a woman, were killed, he told rediff.com over phone.
The police are yet to establish the identity of the six slain Naxalites. <b>But they are suspected to be members of the local armed squad (dalam) of the Communist Party of India [Maoist].</b>
Earlier, on Friday night, <b>Naxalites belonging to CPI [Marxist-Leninist] [Janashakti group]</b> shot dead the Congress sarpanch of Rudrangi village in Chandurthi mandal in Karimnagar district.
Armed Naxalites barged into the house of Ganga Raj Lingaiah and forcibly took him to the village outskirts. Later, they pumped three bullets into him, killing him on the spot.�
The Janashakti Naxalites, in a leaflet left behind at the spot, claimed that the killing was in retaliation for the killing of their comrade in a 'fake encounter' by the police in Warangal district a few days ago.
<b>They warned they would kill 100 persons for every Naxalite</b> killed in fake counters and declared that they would target Congress leaders with landmines.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Here is an idea on how to double one's money - first you take your money and divide it into two equal piles. You then add up the two halves and presto! Each half has doubled and so your money has doubled!
Sulekha's webpage lists the contributions ostensibly collected for the relief of victims of the recent tsunamis. The catch is that the "matching fund" was created by halving the contributions received by sulekha. You can find the original scheme here. Note the part that says
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Your tax-deductible online contribution to Tsunami Relief in India will be matched dollar for dollar from the Sulekha-AID matching fund. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
At least one contributor did not know that his donation would be labeled as a matching contribution. From his blog:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->I recently donated $500 through Sulekha's portal & was shocked to see my contribution listed as a matching donation though I made no such explicit choice. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Some donors have contacted us with questions about Sulekha's fundraising effort and their arrangement with AID. Here are some points of clarification.
1) Sulekha is helping raise funds for AID's relief efforts through their website. Recognizing the massive need to mobilize support for the tsunami survivors, Sulekha offered to raise funds for AID's relief efforts because AID is a reputed organization which has long experience doing development and relief work and had already put up a prompt response to the Tsunami.
2) AID thanks Sulekha for their prompt initiative, which has helped raise a large amount of funds for Tsunami survivors.
3) Sulekha structured the fundraising scheme based on their ideas, and AID's priority has been to ensure the logistics so that the donations received through Sulekha reach AID promptly.
4) We have established a mechanism for them to transfer the donations received every week to AID, along with the list of donors and contact information. This will be received in batches by AID, and once we receive each batch, we process the information and send out a receipt. We have received the first payment on Thursday January 6th, and will receive future payments every Monday from now on.
5) AID has brought to the attention of Sulekha the concerns raised by some donors about the matching donation arrangement, and they have provided some explanations which we share with you below. Beyond that, any detailed questions about how the matching fund works should be addressed to Sulekha, because they are the best people to provide the answers.Â
6) Here is our understanding of how the fundraising works, based on the explanation received from Sulekha.
(a) Sulekha management have formed a core group who solicit funds for the Matching Fund using their personal and professional contacts. They have made more than 200 personal phone calls and also had a few get-togethers/meetings to solicit funds. Sulekha has informed us that more than 50% of the Matching Fund has been raised in this manner.
(b) In addition, they have also provided the option to any online donor to allocate their donation to the Matching Fund. If the donor chooses that option, then their donation goes to the Matching Fund. If the donor doesn't choose the option, then their donation gets matched from the Matching Fund.
(d) During the first day of fundraising, there was some confusion because Sulekha did not provide this option to donors. As soon as AID noted this, we conveyed to them that this might be construed as misleading. Sulekha immediately agreed to change this, and provided the option to the donor. They have also agreed to transfer any donations mistakenly made to the Matching Fund (the left side column on the Sulekha page) back as a regular donation (to the right side column).
(e) If your donation was mistakenly allotted to the Matching Fund, please contact Sulekha (arti@sulekha.net) and send a cc to AID (dpadur@ECECS.UC.EDU) and they will transfer the funds to the right-side and then match your donation from the Matching Fund.
(f) Recently, they have also introduced the option of donating to CARE, since many donors have indicated a desire to help victims in other countries too, and CARE works in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. If you want to donate to AID, please make sure that you choose AID as the organization.
7) We do understand that some donors might have expected that Sulekha.com has set up a corporate matching fund from their own resources, but that is not the case as Sulekha is a small firm. At the same time, because this is an emergency relief effort, we appreciate Sulekha's quick response in leveraging their online presence. Please be sure that if you have any concerns, you should bring them up with Sulekha or AID, and if you are uncomfortable with their arrangement, you are welcome to make a direct donation to AID on our website (http://survivors.aidindia.org) instead.
Please be assured that both AID and Sulekha are working in the best interests of raising community support for the Tsunami survivors, and we request you to be patient with any shortcomings in this extreme crunch time.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Quote:
Reader Bubba from Kerala, who has seen a lot of Marxist meetings sends in this one.
The "charity" organization that calls itself Association for India's Development (AID), and which has got into a controversy for being connected to Communists, has a logo that isn't very different from the Communist symbol of Hammer and Sickle.
Rotate AID's logo clockwise and it bears a striking similarity to the Communist symbol!
<img src='http://www.sabha.info/images/commieaid.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<!--QuoteBegin-rajesh_g+Jan 16 2005, 05:18 PM-->QUOTE(rajesh_g @ Jan 16 2005, 05:18 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--> Here is an idea on how to double one's money - first you take your money and divide it into two equal piles. You then add up the two halves and presto! Each half has doubled and so your money has doubled!
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Guess where this <i>ek or ek gyaaraa</i> math is coming from.
Go to the AID site and click the link List of Companies matching donation for relief fund
You land at CNN's site and am sure most of our desis won't bother reading it and conclude that Amex, Abbot, ...etc in that list are providing matching funds to AID
no url. Recd via e-mail:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Statement on Anti-AID smear campaigns </b>
The volunteers of the Association for India's Development (AID) are distressed by smear campaigns on a handful of email lists and web media. AID's coordinators in India include professors at IIT Chennai, IIT Mumbai, IISc Bangalore, Jagannath Institute of Technology Management, professionals from local companies as well as reputed full-time workers recognized by both local people and agencies such as UNICEF and the government Relief Commission. In the US, AID volunteers are active members of the student and professional community at universities, corporations and organizations.
<b>We caution the community against deliberate attempts to misrepresent our work and take things out of context, exploiting the emergency situation caused by the tsunami.</b> <!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo--> In short, AID rejects the slander campaign, and categorically states that it is not aligned with the communists or any other political party, opposes violence by any group, and has given an open account of its relief work on its website. We are issuing this detailed statement in order to inform everyone about the true spirit and the specifics of AID's work and our stand for peace and non-violence - so that community members can draw their own conclusions.
1. Context of Tsunami relief efforts: AID's relief efforts began within hours of the Tsunami striking. By the 27th of December, <b>AID-India's Chennai office had become the hub of activity for coordinating relief efforts from AID</b> as well as several other groups working in the districts of Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Chennai, Kanyakumari and Pondicherry. [Ref B]
Simultaneously, hundreds of volunteers in the US have worked to solicit help from the community, set-up a dynamic website to give regular updates, and sent much-needed funds. AID's efforts in both India and US have been recognized and have received extensive coverage by independent observers [See References].
2. A particular concern has been raised about AID working with DYFI and SFI volunteers during the relief operation. While AID has made its approach clear in the FAQs at its website http://survivors.aidindia.org[/URL], some have continued to misrepresent the work.
In several villages AID-India was one of the first groups to reach the affected areas [Ref A]. The choice was whether to do things that help the people, like finding survivors, burying/cremating the dead and addressing relief needs, or to be on the scene as spectators or worse still, do post-mortem analysis on the internet while people are to be saved. AID chose to work with various groups including local villagers affiliated with DYFI without whom it would have been impossible to dig up bodies and find survivors - tasks which many young people coming from Indian cities to volunteer for AID have no experience in, but learnt on the scene by working with others. The nature of this work and the profiles of various volunteers are well-described in AID reports. <b>AID has no plans of collaborating with DYFI or SFI beyond completing the immediate relief work. </b>
Many independent observers and reporters have described positively the cooperation between individuals from various backgrounds during relief work - from corporate executives to NGOs to religious groups to those with political affiliations. <b>When two groups collaborate it doesn't necessarily mean that there is an exchange of funds, since each group comes with its strength and resources. </b>
<b>3. AID has not sent any funds to DYFI or SFI. </b>
During the coordination of relief efforts, AID-India exercises full, independent control of funds to purchase relief material, transporting and distributing it. AID has sent funds to partners like SIFFS - Tamil Nadu Fishermens' Society, ANET, Breakthrough Science Society, CJWS; and is working with several long-term partners to provide long-term rehabilitation. The strength of AID is to work closely with the local communities with their full participation.
4. AID-India has worked with people from various backgrounds - more than 800 city-based volunteers and executives from corporations have worked hand-in-hand with villagers in the first 3 weeks. This work has been widely recognized by Chennai citizens, independent reporters as well as the district Collectors and the Relief Commissioner of Tamil Nadu.
5. AID has been open about all its work with about 50 field reports available on its dynamic website, and regular updates to donors. These reports from a variety of sources provide a good picture of the various groups that are working together, as well as our long-term plans. We urge everyone to visit our only request is that you read the reports in full, in order to overcome the selective misrepresentation and to avoid taking things out of context.
6. AID is an organization inspired by Gandhi's teachings - particularly non-violence, identifying and working with the most disadvantaged sections, and insisting on social justice. AID has always opposed violence of all kinds. AID condemns violent actions, whether by DYFI and SFI workers or any other individuals or groups. It is unfortunate that malicious attempts are being made to relate such unconnected actions with AID. In the past, AID has condemned the violence in Godhra and rest of Gujarat, the attack on Akshardham temple, bomb blasts in Mumbai and attacks in Kashmir, and called for peace and communal harmony.
7. AID is not affiliated with any political parties or their organizations. AID is an independent public organization working for the interests of the marginalized sections of people, on various issues such as education, health-care, natural resources, people's rights and democracy, livelihoods and income generation, women's empowerment, and environmental protection.
In fact, AID has been involved in campaigns on behalf of people's organizations against specific unjust policies of the government, irrespective of the party in power. Examples are: fish-workers' campaign against degradation of Sunderbans in West Bengal, right to primary education all over India, displacement without rehabilitation in Narmada valley in Maharashtra, MP and Gujarat, depletion of water resources in Kerala due to Coca Cola plant, election reforms in Andhra Pradesh, communal violence in Gujarat and justice for victims of Bhopal gas disaster.
In conclusion, AID rejects the misrepresentation of its work, and urges the community to get involved in AID's efforts and judge the work on its merits. If you have any questions, please contact: info@aidindia.org
References:
A. "...decide to try the last address... AID India. How I wish I had gone there first ... AID is providing relief to the very remote coastal villages thatfew have reached ." Manjeet Kriplani, chief of BusinessWeek's India Bureau
B. "...enormity of the problem is so much that one must try and work with every sincere group that is doing work on the field... What matters now is reaching relief and rehabilitation to all those who need it. " - Dr. Balaji Sampath, coordinator AID-Chennai. http://www.aidindia.org/updates/6.htm
C. "Serving the nation
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. U.S.-educated engineers like Balaji Sampath, .nd their calling in development work in their homeland." Sudhish Kamath, The Hindu http://www.hindu.com/edu/2005/01/03/storie...10300301100.htm
D. And now, a wave of compassion...
"Students, lawyers, doctors, slum-dwellers, IT professionals... help is pouring in from all quarters for post-tsunami relief works" Shonali Muthalay, The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/01/06/stories...10600990100.htm
E. Relief is on the way - By Mark Hansel, Cincinnati Post "AID would like to develop a network of agencies working together to provide relief. The group is trying to organize fund-raisers, multidenominational prayer vigils and other activities to help victims." http://www.cincypost.com/2005/01/03/mercy010305.html
F. Focus on rehabilitation: NGOs
R.K.Radhakrishnan, The Hindu, on meeting between Tamil Nadu Relief Commissioner and key NGOs.
"The organisations that participated in the meeting organised by the <b>Bhoomika Trust include Christian Counselling Centre, Vellore</b>; Abhiyan/KVMS from Gujarat; NIMHANS from Bangalore; IIT-Madras; Indians for Collective Action, U.S.A.; Association for India's Development, U.S.A.; <b>The Banyan, SMILE and Samanvaya, all based in Chennai</b>, ActionAid, People's Watch and SIFFS Tamil Nadu Fishermen's Society."
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> AID chose to work with various groups including local villagers affiliated with DYFI without whom it would have been impossible to dig up bodies and find survivors
....
AID has no plans of collaborating with DYFI or SFI beyond completing the immediate relief work <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It means we will provide funds to commies and naxal indirectly.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->When two groups collaborate it doesn't necessarily mean that there is an exchange of funds, since each group comes with its strength and resources.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sure, financial, moral and diplomatic support to each other. One kill innocent Indians in blast, other just provide money for great efforts. <!--emo&:thumbdown--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsdownsmileyanim.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='thumbsdownsmileyanim.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->In the past, AID has condemned the violence in Godhra and rest of Gujarat, the attack on Akshardham temple, bomb blasts in Mumbai and attacks in Kashmir, and called for peace and communal harmony.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What about Naxal activites in Nepal and India? Your comrades are killing indians on daily basis.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->displacement without rehabilitation in Narmada valley in Maharashtra, MP and Gujarat, depletion of water resources in Kerala due to Coca Cola plant, election reforms in Andhra Pradesh, communal violence in Gujarat and justice for victims of Bhopal gas disaster. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
All commies agenda using human tragedy to gain importance and pocketing money for their own families.
PRESS RELEASE
WHAT: <b>Silent Protest against AID and AID INDIA at Wortham Center</b>, Houston, Texas
BY: Concerned Citizens
DAY: Sunday, January 23, 2005
TIME: 5.00PM to 6.00PM
EVENT: Houston Benefit Concert for Tsunami Victims organized by
INDO-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION (IAA)
There was a protest against AID (Association for Indiaâs Development) or AID INDIA, which was listed as one of the beneficiaries of the funds raised during the concert. However, according to recent media reports in Houston and those reports emanating from Indian sources, AID is purportedly using funds collected in the name of relief to aid and abet nearly half a dozen communist or extreme left-wing political organizations in India and Nepal that are engaged in violent political and terrorist activities in the region. We believe that the purported activities of AID and AID INDIA are in violation of United States laws that specifically prohibit support to foreign political and terrorist organizations especially by non-profit organizations registered in the United States.
There are several reports, including one entitled âAIDing & Abetting Communistsâ by Dharam Singh, published in the local Houston paper âIndia Heraldâ (January 21, 2005), that clearly indicates that AID might be in violation of United States tax laws. We feel that pending further investigation of such reports, AID or AID INDIA should not be allowed to collect funds in the US. If indeed AID is engaged in nefarious political activities, putting a quick end to such activities and protecting the unsuspecting donors depends upon immediate action from our law enforcing authorities.
This information and our concerns, which we consider very serious, were earlier conveyed to the organizer of the concert. We feel that the donors must also be informed of the AID and AID INDIAâs alleged illegal activities.
Concerned Citizens
Contact: Mr. Pradip Parekh
104 Woodcreek Circle
Victoria Texas 77904
361 572 8125
E-mail: ppt@cox-internet.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copy of flyers distributed to the attendees at Wortham Center:
January 23, 2005
Dear Fellow Citizens and Kind Donors:
We, the concerned citizens of Houston, are deeply moved by the outpouring of support for the victims of the Tsunami disaster. We are proud that Americans are a very generous people and are always ready to help those in need.
However, the FBI in conjunction with domestic and international law enforcement agencies and industry partners, has issued several warnings involving the solicitation of funds for relief. The warnings state that certain organizations and individuals may be using such unfortunate catastrophes to advance their own subversive and illegal agendas. All agencies take such unscrupulous activities seriously and are resolved to aggressively pursuing those who attempt to victimize philanthropic people.
As concerned citizens we are compelled to inform you that one of the so-called charitable organizations known as AID (Association for Indiaâs Development) or AID INDIA, which will benefit from tonightâs concert may be misusing the funds for potentially illegal political activities. According to media reports here and those emanating from Indian sources, AID is purportedly using funds collected in the name of relief to aid and abet nearly half a dozen communist or extreme left-wing political organizations in India and Nepal that are engaged in violent terrorist activities in the region. We believe that the alleged activities of AID and AID INDIA are in violation of United States laws that specifically prohibit support to foreign political and terrorist organizations by non-profit organizations registered in the United States.
There are several reports, including one entitled âAIDing & Abetting Communistsâ by Dharam Singh, published in the local paper âIndia Heraldâ (January 21, 2005), that clearly indicate that AIDâs activities might be in violation of United States laws. We feel that pending further investigation of such reports, AID or AID INDIA should not be allowed to collect funds in the US. If indeed AID is engaged in nefarious political activities, putting a quick end to such activities and protecting the unsuspecting donors depends upon immediate action from donors and our law enforcing authorities.
We have conveyed this information and our concerns, which we consider very serious, to the organizer of tonightâs concert. We feel that the donors must also be informed of the AIDâs alleged illegal activities. Thank you for your kind generosity. Please do not donate to AID or AID INDIA.
Concerned Citizens
Bharateeyam (grad students org) organized a republic day get together along with AID-LA.
one of friends sent a mail to one of the organizers about communist/DYFI/Naxalite link of AID. Immediately they made the event with out sponsor by specifically sending a mail on this.
My friend went anyways , he saw aid presenting nice video. after that one of the attendees asked some questions on link with communists, naxalites. which were flatly denied. But one of the AIDLA guys agreed that AID used DYFI in tsunami areas since they (AID) did not have volunteers to 'dirty work' like burning corpses. Some one esle asked him (sarcastically) does AID really have any volunteers to do any work at all in Chennai/tsunami areas. AID guy denied that they tokk DYFI references out of website. some one told him that they did and asked if they want to hide anything. He said AID is a totally transparent organisation etc..
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