From: PADMINI ARHANT WWW.PADMINIARHANT.COM
Attention: Mr. Richard Gere Chairman of the Board of Directors International Campaign for Tibet
Dear Mr. Richard Gere,
I acknowledge your kind invitation to join you and millions of voices around the world in the Freedom Campaign for Tibet. I admire the passion, determination and zeal exhibited by the supporters towards the noble cause.
I share your concerns and views regarding the human rights abuse, violation and suppression of democracy in Tibet. Having been a resident of New Delhi, India, I’m all too familiar with the plight of the Tibetan population fleeing their homeland from persecution and unspeakable crime against humanity.
Please refer to http://www.padminiarhant.com for the remaining content.
Thank you.
Padmini Arhant
By Padmini Arhant
Welcome to the forum on the important global gathering of nations to discuss the issues confronting the international community at large.
A humble request to all visitors to the website http://www.padminiarhant.com to take a moment and view the featured videos that speaks volume of the serious humanitarian crisis in hand. As we all know that pictures are worth thousand words and a confirmation of the reality.
Again, the visuals may not be appropriate for all, given the graphic content. The dire situations in these parts of the world beckon the worldwide condemnation and put an end to these atrocities against humanity and bring the perpetrators irrespective of stature to justice as an evidence there is still hope for goodness to prevail in the ever deteriorating immoral world.
Please remember silence is the worst act of crime.
The general debate by the United Nations began early this week with President Barack Obama addressing the General Assembly for the first time since elected to the office of Presidency. The debate continued then onwards with the address by the undemocratically nominated authorities like the Islamic Republic of Iran and The Great Socialist People’s Libya…
The UN Security Council Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was the highlight of the UN session. The objective of this particular conference was aimed at bringing the States that have not yet agreed to or ratified the treaty for the Non-Proliferation Treaty to come into effect.
For the remaining content please refer to http://www.padminiarhant.com
“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” – simple yet meaningful creation by the renowned American Poet – Robert Lee Frost.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.But I have promises to keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep.
Only if the authorities in power – the corporations and the governments alike, in the contemporary world honor the commitment to their people and prioritize the promise to the general population over personal quest for profit, privilege, prestige and politics,
Perhaps, it might be possible to wipe out the global problems such as poverty, disease and war polluting the planet and restore the deep, dark and lovely woods that once used to be the nature’s paradise.
The past week event involving the release of two American journalists – Laura Ling and Euna Lee through high profile diplomacy aided with the former President Bill Clinton’s visit is a confirmation that communication and dialogue can be effective in resolving international crisis.
For the remaining content, please visit http://www.padminiarhant.com
The Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s visit to the Indian sub-continent is a topic to discuss in different context. It’s obvious that the United States engagement in Afghanistan tied with the success of the Zardari-Gilani government presumably involved in eliminating the mayhem in the northwestern region by the Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces after substantial autonomy from the less credible previous military rule of the President Pervez Musharraf.
Despite the severe domestic economic crisis, the continuation of U.S. financial and military aid to Pakistan is an enormous investment of U.S. trust and resources in the nuclear Pakistan.
More information @http://www.padminiarhant.com
In continuation of the topic on racial attacks against Indian students (from India) in Melbourne, Australia, the incident in the new millennium strikes resemblance to apartheid in South Africa until it became free in 1994.
Australia designated as the industrialized nation, multicultural yet homogenous society…devoid of major ethnic representation in politics, democratic with mandatory voting (the only democratic nation to impose penalty for not voting) and,
A willful participant in all U.S. led major conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq - is a commonwealth nation sworn allegiance to Great Britain’s monarch as the head of the Republic.
The nation from “down under” celebrated bicentennial in 1970 and 1988 to commemorate the permanent white settlement is not a young republic and not new to controversies either.
More @ http://www.padminiarhant.com
Prelude: The topic will touch base on the human rights violation and much more about the nation from “Down Under” – Australia.
The United States preoccupied in numerous important events unfolding by the hour, international community set their eyes on the much-anticipated speech from the U.S. President Barack Obama in Cairo, Egypt and,
Other industrialized nations engaged in criticizing China on the eve of Tiananmen Square; similar events involving the brutal racist attacks on Indian students lured to the Australian educational institutions could not compete effectively in the press and media coverage.
As a website committed towards issues generally isolated by the large focus groups in the media and press, a detailed analysis on the appalling incidents concerning Indian students systematically targeted for their ’skin color’ in the new millennium, twenty first century is attention worthy.
Please stand by for the in-depth coverage on the topic presented shortly.
Meanwhile, please take a moment to review the You-Tube images of the incidents and the victims’ plight in the “socially-advanced” nation in southern hemisphere - @ http://www.padminiarhant.com
The map, based on 18 months’ worth of satellite data, shows very high levels of NO2 above major European and North American cities and across much of north-east China. South-east Asia and Africa also have raised concentrations of the gas due to their burning of vegetation. “Ship tracks are visible in some locations,” says Steffen Beirle, one of the research team at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. “Look at the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean between the southern tip of India and Indonesia.” Although NO2 is formed naturally by lightning and by microbes in the ground, it is also released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels by power plants, heavy industry and vehicles. Large quantities of the gas can cause respiratory problems and lung damage, and can also contribute to harmful ozone forming near ground level.
Obama has commented on helping poor nations to develop clean technologies but as you can see, it is not the poor countries that harm the planet the most. It is the rich large countries doing all of the damage. We first need to look at home and prevent the devastation that has been ongoing. United States, China, and Europe need to change the way they live first before they can start criticizing other poorer nations that only amount to about 11% of emissions around the world. Our polar ice caps have lost nearly a third of its size from 1981 to 2003(NASA Data). Your plan is to reduce amounts of emissions by the year 2050. By your logic, we won’t have a polar ice cap left. There won’t be anything to save. The climates around the world are already beginning to shift. Melting glacial water changes the composition of the ocean and changes the weather patterns around the world. Yearly Warming Temperatures from NASA
http://politicalpete.com/
The Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and the northwestern regions of Pakistan, particularly the swat valley have proven deadlier for the ruling powers in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United Sates due to the inevitable civilian casualties and displacement arising from the incessant shelling supposedly targeting the Taliban militants.
According to the Pakistani government,
Further info @ http://www.padminiarhant.com
Through this blog, I would like to make a request to Mr. President Barack Obama to help the Sikh people in Pakistan. I belong to Sikh communtiy from Punjab (India). Recently, I saw the news that Taliban forces behaving very badly with Non-Muslim communities in Pakistan. I watched a report on an Indian news channel that almost 150 sikh families lost their homes in Pakistan, because they were unable to pay the huge amount of some million rupees to Taliban. Report also ahowed that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan singh has talked to Pakistan officials to give some helps to Sikh communities suffered by Taliban. But Pakistan government refused their request by saying that Indian government has no need to worry about Pakistan Civilians. Whole Sikh Community is very disappointed on this and praying for Sikh families in Pakistan. I hope President will read my post and try to help the minorities in Pakistan. Also, for other readers, please feel free to ask questions and comments on this request.
Resources:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Demolition-of-Sikh-homes-India-takes-up-matter-with-Pakistan/articleshow/4471938.cms
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=fffea9ee-2bc5-4017-a48d-69888e4d6cd3
The elections, covering more than 3 million square kilometers of the planet, will run until next month in several stages of scattered polling. Then elections officials will count the vote electronically in a single day -- on May 16, three days after the last round of polling.
It is an exercise India undertakes every five years for its 1 billion-plus population. This year the country is voting in 543 boroughs of the Lok Sabha, or the lower house of the Indian parliament.
By Thursday afternoon, Maoists had launched at least four attacks. The rebels have been battling the government in several states in an insurgency that has resulted in thousands of casualties since the late 1960s. They claim to be fighting for the poor and the dispossessed.
In an article authored by Hari Sud for UPI Asia, I found out what has happened to my country of America the past thirty years and especially the last ten years.
I have reprinted the article in its entirety, since I strongly belief it should be read and considered by all; the article is entitled: “What’s next for globalization?” I have taken the liberty of high-lighting sections and phrases, which I deem most important to our current financial burden.
What’s next for globalization?
By Hari Sud Column: Abroad View Published: February 20, 2009
Toronto, ON, Canada, — As the U.S. financial meltdown continues in 2009, attention is now directed toward the wider and long-range impact of globalization. In theory, globalization is increasing the mobility of goods, services and capital throughout the world by removing the barriers to free trade and increasing closer integration and the inter-connectedness of national economies.
For the West, that has translated into relocating labor-intensive and smokestack industries to countries where costs are lower. Europe and the United States have envisioned themselves as the world’s bankers, financial masters and influence peddlers – which was great in theory, if only the crooks in the U.S. financial sector had been kept away from the proceeds of globalization.
Since 2001, the United States has been awash with cash. It came from oil-producing Arabs and from the export proceeds of China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and India. That cash found a home in the subprime mortgages that have started the financial meltdown that is pulling the world down.
Europe and the United States were winning the globalization race until 2008, as master bankers handling the export earnings of other states. On the sidelines, China, Asia’s Tiger economies, Brazil and India began generating some cash and technology and building their own economies, leading to rapid increases in their gross national products. However, the benefits did not extend to the rest of Asia, Africa and other less-developed countries.
Look at our matrimonial ads. Parents from the 30% are every day seeking alliance from well settled brides / grooms in UK, US, Canada, Australia and Europe. Every one of our ruling elites, including the PM, President, nationalist party leaders and policy makers have their sons and daughters settled in these nations.
Let us look around our neighbours. While bollywood movies and Indian people are loved by everyone around the world, we pretend ignorant to the fact that there is a growing aversion towards India in the SAARC region. While the traditional hatred between India and Pakistan is well known, why India could not build a cordial relationship with any of it’s neighbours Bangladesh, Srilanka, Nepal and China?. We can not close our eyes to the fact that the entire subcontinent is gravitating towards China and very soon India may be left all alone.
The “holier than thou” attitude and unreasonable boasting of intellectual prowess by repeatedly quoting certain phrases like Einstein’s “We owe a lot to Indians who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made”, “worlds largest democracy” etc while the genocides, corrupt judiciary, quality of life, deteriorating infrastrature and weeping poverty speaks otherwise, generates a sense of hypocrisy and disillusion about India in the minds of weaker neighbours.Dr.Manmohan Singh knows these geopolitical dynamics very well and realised that he can't have an Indo-US nuclear deal under his arms and extend the hand of friendship to China as well. Simply put, China did not buy his bluff. In this context, China is emerging as a defacto leader of the subcontinent and all our "weaker neighbours" have started signing "deals and pacts" with China. Obviously, one can not have his cake and eat it too.
Hope, we are not moving towards taking pride in glorified tragedies like “slumdog millionaire”.
We all know very well that 150 years of Hindu-Muslim hatred has culminated into the birth of Pakistan. After partition, the Hindu and Muslim population in either countries have become easy target for the majority to vent their anger and frustration against the minority.
After 60 years, the 10% Hindu population of Pakistan has dwindled down to less than 2% while 10% of Muslim population of India has almost doubled to 20% , in proportion with the national average. Most of the Pakistani Hindus have migrated to India, while almost all the Indian Muslims who were not cut by the geographical division have remained intact as Indians, despite descrimination and alienation.
The abscence of a moderating force has pushed Pakistan into the grip of Islamists while Hinduism in India has done the remarkable job of severing the umbilical cord between the Muslims and the Mullahs. An Indian Muslim might be economically and politically weaker than his Pakistani counter part but definitely commands more respect in the world arena and knows how to play by the rules of the game.
The Mumbai terror attack is a crucial milestone in the Indo-Pak rivalry. It has proved beyond doubt that it is impossible for India to teach any kind of lesson to Pakistan by any war. Whatever "other options open" is irrelevant for Pakistan because it is seen as a hero in the eyes of "Muslim world", for the very resons that India can NOT bully Pakistan any more.
Today, the people of Pakistan have got fedup of "Allah + Army" combo and they are eagerly looking out for an opportunity to get out of this mess. In fact, most of the Pakistani intellectuals have started enjoying the vulgar assault of Indian media on Pakistani establishments and they welcome it as a necessary anti-dose for their illness. But, it should NOT be misinterpreted as a disillusion against their state of Pakistan. The desire to see their nation strong and prosperous is "deep rooted" in the heart of every Pakistani as much as that of an Indian for India.
India can not continue with it's "outdated" mindset against Pakistan. We don't have an answer for the "roti, kapda, makaan" dream of 1.2 billion population. It is a silent volcano and tsunami brewing right under our arse. Jingoistic slogans of "Bharat mata ki, jay" is pushing all the neighbours towards China and creating an aversion for India in the SAARC region.
India should gracefully accept the bitter reality that Pakistan is a strong and sovereign nation and will NEVER get cowed down by India.
Pakistan is ready for a "real" dialogue. It is anxiously waiting. India should accept to "live and sleep" with the enemy. India should break the barriers. Pakistan is waiting.
What Obama and this country’s financial leaders of this country don’t seem to understand is that simply bailing it out doesn’t fix the hole. How does giving a few people temporary jobs help solve the problem? By temporary I mean that hopefully it will not require 30 years to fix and build all of the infrastructure we need.
But let us say that some how, I don’t know where, the government comes up with money to pay for all of these projects. The money is sent to the state. The states allot the required amounts to the contractors. This goes into the payroll of the various businesses. The question they have to ask is, “then where does it go?” A good guess would be to look at who make up the top retailers in the country. Wal-Mart, Home Depot, CVS, Kroger, Costco, Target, Walgreen, Sears/ K-mart, Lowe’s, and Super Value make up the top 10. Next quantify what percentage of their gross income ends up being sent outside of the economy. How much of that local income is spent on paying low wages to people that are forced to shop at these chains and deliver even more money outside of the economy. What you see is that in very few turns of the original capital, almost all of the invested money is no longer circulating through the US economy. That leads us right back to where we are today.
How are any of these suggestions going to stop capital from going outside the economy. We are drowning in debt. That is a fact that is true from the individual family, through all branches of business and government, and ends on the capital steps. Is there anybody in Washington that really understands how we ended up here?
Dear President Obama
Today, America has elected the son of an African black slave as it's President. Mr.President, you will be surprised to know that Prophet Mohammed had appointed, 1400 years ago, an African black slave, Hazarat Bilal as the first moezzin (prayer caller) and the treasurer of the state. Also, for your kind information, Hazarat Bilal is the first person who embraced Islam when Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) brought the peaceful message of Islam for the mankind.
Everyone should practice their faith fearlessly and live true to themselves. Hypocricy wouldn’t work because when i die, God will not ask me what’s my nationality, which religion i followed and how much patriotic was I ?. Rather, i will be judged by my actions as a good human.
I am an Indian Muslim and i follow all good things in my religion but i will NOT accept that one has to be a Muslim in order to enter “jannah”. I can’t imagine a jannah without my good Non Muslim friends.
Our Prophet(PBUH) brought Islam for humanity and he preached universal brotherhood. His own uncle, Abu Talib, who protected him from non believers of Islam never embraced Islam till his last breath. Prophet respected his decision and left it to God. What other example is required for secularism, tolerance and equality in Islam?.
Islam is a revolutionary concept which shattered all the social inequalities and removed the very concept of appointing a religious high priest as a guardian of social values. It brought freedom, equality, and justice for the mankind. Prophet(PBUH) appointed Hazarat Bilal, the black African slave, as the first moezzin (Prayer caller) and treasurer of the state. How many so called Islamic countries practice these great values, is a question they love to avoid. Whereas, Europe, Australia, France, US and UK have all opened their borders for everyone and have allowed them to settle and live a better life.
In fact, if one has to embrace these values of universal brotherhood and humanity, patriotism and motherland becomes antithesis to Islam. Let us be honest. Patriotism has brought wars, hatred and has divided the humanity. One can easily get away wih murders, genocides and massacres in the name of patriotism. It is a lie and evil against mankind and every human being will ultimately move on and settle in any country which provides better life & oppportunities, including we Indians.
I am a proud US naturalized citizen born and raised in India. I am glad to be born in the largest democracy and settled in the second largest democracy in the world. In the last five years I voted in national/state/local elections and I am proud of that.
Now I am looking forward to Obama's oath ceremony! It is indeed a historic moment!! I wish Obama good luck and extend my full support. He has a huge task in front of him and I hope he lives to the expectations of the millions who supported him for "change"
So far Obama has shown that he is a shrewd politician with his cabinet selection, not a real change! However, it is too early to judege his decisions.
I hope he brings in long lasting peace in Middle east, do damage control with Europe and extend a friendly hand to India.
Good Luck Mr. Obama!
US President elect Obama, during a visit to Israel, said:
"If somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I'm going to do everything in my power to stop that. I would expect Israelis to do the same thing."
Drawing a parallel between this and what happened in Mumbai on 26/11, don't you think we Indians also have a right to bring to justice the people who carried on the attacks.
Indians have been the victims of terror for over 5 decades now and we have been considered as a soft state because our government has not taken any concrete action all these years... and in most probability we wont act even now...
We would expect the new president to instil the same confidence trust in India as you have in your mid-east ally, Israel, so that the root of terrorism in the world, the state of Pakistan is made to act against its state/non-state actors...
Hope this post meets the eye of the people that matter.
-In anticipation...
Piyush
At the time of partition of India in 1947, Kashmir was acceded to the Republic of India by the Princely ruler by signing the 'Instrument of Accession' despite aggression from Pakistan. Following that territorial land from India has been taken by China and Pakistan. The present Indian-administered democratically elected State Governments have consistently won fair elections since 1951 and have consistently supported being part of the Indian Republic.
Kashmir is a strategic place of interest for US in its focus on Tibet and Afghanisthan.
I am posting selected extracts about Kashmir from Wikipedia.
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. It includes the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir consisting of the Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh; the Pakistani-administered provinces of the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir, and the Chinese-administered region of Aksai Chin.
In 1846, upon the purchase of the region from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar, the Dogras—under Gulab Singh—became the new rulers. Dogra Rule, under the paramountcy (or tutelage) of the British Crown, lasted until 1947, when the former princely state became a disputed territory, now administered by three countries: India, Pakistan, and the People's Republic of China.
Ranbir Singh's grandson Hari Singh, who had ascended the throne of Kashmir in 1925, was the reigning monarch in 1947 at the conclusion of British rule of the subcontinent and the subsequent partition of the British Indian Empire into the newly independent Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. As parties to the partition process, both countries had agreed that the rulers of princely states would be given the right to opt for either Pakistan or India or—in special cases—to remain independent. When he hesitated to take a decision, Pakistan launched a guerilla onslaught meant to frighten its ruler into submission. Instead the Maharaja appealed to Mountbatten for assistance.
The Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession, Indian soldiers entered Kashmir and drove the Pakistani-sponsored irregulars from all but a small section of the state.
The Government of India holds that the Maharaja signed a document of accession to India October 26, 1947. India has produced the instrument of accession with an original copy image on its website. Alan Campbell-Johnson, the press attaché to the Viceroy of India states that "The legality of the accession is beyond doubt."
China has occupied Aksai Chin since the early 1950s and, in addition, an adjoining region almost 8% of the territory, the Trans-Karakoram Tract was ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963.
Meanwhile, elections were held in Indian Jammu & Kashmir, which brought up the popular Muslim leader Sheikh Abdullah, who with his party National Conference, by and large supported India. The elected Constituent Assembly met for the first time in Srinagar on October 31, 1951. Then The State Constituent Assembly ratified the accession of the State to the Union of India on February 6, 1954 and the President of India subsequently issued the Constitution (Application to J&K) Order under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution extending the Union Constitution to the State with some exceptions and modifications.
In december 2008 Pro-India parties won elections in Kashmir. The National Conference party and the Congress party together won enough seats in the state assembly to form a ruling alliance.
Terrorism is being used by external forces to prolong the agony for India, and Kashmiris for what remaining territory is being left in Indian administration. No international voices are being raised to recover the land from China and Pakistan.
References:Wikipedia. Available from the URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir
President-Elect Obama is inheriting so many problems that no other President had. He is among the most intelligent and highly educated President we ever had so I think he must have thought about the same what I am going to write here in brief for your feedback. The difference is, it is based on my observation and experience gained from working and living in Middle East, Africa, Asia and of course US.
Major Hot Points in the World:
There are two major areas that could blow up the big part of the world if President-elect Obama, like his predecessors, does not take a positive and unbiased action; Palestine and Kashmir. Before him, every one also wanted Peace but no one was bold enough to spell out the root cause of the issues and try to bring the warring nations to the table. It is time that we put our foot down and call a Spade a Spade.
The issues are highly complex. No one is willing to compromise. There are many things common among the parties Pakistan/India & Palestine/Israel. Will the history hold America responsible for what is going on in that part of the world? Will the history call us a silent observer or silent party to the problems in those countries? To mention few common areas;
· We as Americans always used UN/Security council to take any action. On the other hand, our biggest allies, India and Israel both occupy land of Kashmir and Palestine and refuse to implement the UN resolutions but we never raised our voice about their inaction.
· We pay each year almost four billions of dollars to Israel from our own Tax money, but we never question, where they are spending, on weapons or infrastructure.
· We gave nuclear technology to Israel and India to build their nuclear reactors and we never ask any question about their piles of nuclear weapons.
President-elect Obama needs to take the Lead and BRING LOVE, PEACE AND JUSTICE to that part of the world. If he succeeds, there will be peace in the world and history will remember him with the best words.
What Needs To Be Done?
Without going into details here is what I think he needs to do as the next President of United States.
1- Tell all the four warring countries, India & Pakistan, and Israel & Palestine to sit at the table to discuss their issues and come up with their solution, within a given time period. We should be represented in those meetings.
2- If they do not reach a decision,
a. US will recall its diplomatic staff
b. US will stop sending financial aid
c. US will get a Resolution passed by the UN to impose strict air, land and sea blockade, as we did against Iraq, Libya and Iran.
d. US will not allow any funds transfer to the country by a business or an individual
e. US will use armed forces of Muslim countries, if necessary, to bring peace and order in those countries.
3- Do not pay any Financial aid to any country in cash. Approve the amount for their specific projects that must be completed by American companies. It will generate more jobs and more business for Americans. The local population of the recipient country will see the result of the aid and will appreciate it. Our money will not go into the pockets of their politicians. Otherwise, we will continue losing money.
India is the world's largest democracy, and has a consistent state policy of secularism. India has a large and educated work-force in USA who are contributing to the wealth,and economy of US. Many of Indians have contributed to the knowledge system in computing, healthcare and other fields in the USA.
History
India is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, and the largest democracy in the world.
Home to the Indus Valley Civilization and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history.
Religious plurality and Secularism
Four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism originated there, while Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam arrived in the first millennium CE and shaped the region's diverse culture.
Democracy and Secularism
India is a republic consisting of 28 states and seven union territories with a parliamentary system of democracy. Economic reforms have transformed it into the second fastest growing large economy;however, it still suffers from high levels of poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition.
A pluralistic, multilingual, and multiethnic society, India is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats. The Constitution of India, the longest and the most exhaustive constitution of any independent nation in the world, came into force on January 26, 1950. The preamble of the constitution defines India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. India's culture is marked by a high degree of syncretism and cultural pluralism.
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India
