Do not be carried away from rumours says SRI SATHYA SAI CENTRAL TRUST

Published Thursday, April 21, 2011 @ 2250 hrs.

SRI SATHYA SAI CENTRAL TRUST

PRASANTHI NILAYAM

Date: 21-04-2011

BABA'S MEDICAL CONDITION:

The series of daily medical bulletins issued by the Director, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram, has been giving the health status of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba from time to time. In spite of the best treatment given to Him, in consultation with leading doctors in India and abroad and also the teams of doctors deputed by the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Bhagawan's health condition has deteriorated. The bulletins issued by the Director have been mentioning the names of prominent specialist doctors who had been called in for consultation from time to time and also the response of Baba's vital organs to the treatment. The information in the Director's bulletins is in accordance with medical ethics.

While the response of the vital organs have been varying - good on certain days, sluggish on other days - the improvement has been generally slow. During the last 24 hours, Bhagawan's health condition has deteriorated further, causing concern.

CERTAIN REPORTS IN THE MEDIA:

It is unfortunate that at a time when we are facing a grave crisis, there has been a series of calumnious reports by a couple of newspapers. Some news channels of electronic media are also indulging in sensational and totally false reporting. The reports contain absolutely false, unsubstantiated allegations imputing financial irregularities, defalcation of funds, commission of illegalities, violation of laws, denial of proper food and nutrition to Bhagawan Baba and wrongfully holding Him in confinement, etc. Sensational and mischievous headlines like "Baba Bandi", "Puttaparthi Lo Dongalu Padaru", "Jabbu Lo Baba, Dabbu Lo Shishya Pramukhulu", "Bangarum Paaya", "Devanahalli daggara pattukonna customs adhikarulu" etc., are being employed.

The above allegations are totally false, motivated and are made with sole objective of creating confusion in the minds of public and the devotees in particular, as well as defaming the trustees and the Secretary of the Trust, who are distinguished themselves in public life, and have been handpicked and appointed by Bhagawan Baba Himself. All these allegations are attempts to defame Bhagawan Baba and His institutions, which have been rendering yeomen service to humanity in an exemplary manner for several decades.

Suitable legal action will be initiated against the offenders of law at the appropriate time. All of us are preoccupied and deeply concerned that Bhagawan Baba's health should get back to normalcy. No other concern, no other thought is at present in the minds of the trustees and all the devotees at this point of time.

We strongly appeal to the general public not to be misled by such outrageous efforts but be firm in their resolve and faith in Bhagawan Baba and pray for His speedy recovery.

RESPONSE OF ADMIRERS AND DEVOTEES OF BHAGAWAN:

There has been a ground swell of prayers, bhajans, yagnas all over the world praying for Bhagawan's health. Mass processions comprising people of different faiths - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and all others - are being conducted in various parts of India and abroad. There has been a 48 hour continuous bhajan in Sri Damdama Saheb Gurudwara, New Delhi with participants from all faiths. Email messages are pouring in from all over the world praying for Bhagawan's speedy recovery.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The trustees and the members of the council of management, including the Secretary of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust deeply appreciate and are gratified by the strong and vigorous support extended to, and the confidence expressed in them, by one and all.

Jai SaiRam

Signed by the trustees of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.

(signed)

Released by Sri. R.J. Rathnakar (Trustee, SSSCT)

 

AMITYINDIA SHARES WITH MILLIONS OF GRIEVERS AROUND THE WORLD

Dear Readers,

www.amityindias.blogspot.com shares with this sorrowful moment along with the readers

around the world on Sathya Sai Baba’s critical health situation.

The state of the art hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam has cured many thousands of patients be them Hindus,Muslims, Christians, and others with no discriminations.

Please post your prayers to Sathya Sai Baba in Amityindia’s comment box.

Thousands of readers around the world will share with you.

Shafee Ahmed Ko

Chief

www.amityindias.blogspot.com

Chennai,Tamil Nadu

South India.

Email:press.sha@gmail.com

Shafeeahmed8@gmail.com

THE GREAT SATHYA SAI BABA :ADMIRED WORLD AROUND

collection of Sai Baba's Rare & unique pictures  -  Sai news - 
    - Eye witness account of Shivaratri celeberations 2007 - sent by a devotee in Puttaparthi -

Sacred Past - 26     Sacred Past main Index   "The Unique International Purifier"

The Unique International Purifier Puttaparti, a village full of serpents till 1926 & a name never heard has become a centre of unbelievable surprises in the last 20 years: This area which is a part Rayalaseema, an area known in the past for shortages of every kind, stands converted to !!Ratnalaseelna, thanks to the many special projects implemented by Sri Sathya Sat Baba, who has emerged on the Indian soil as the Master of Yoga, the seer, the proponent of Vedanta, a monumental Spiritual reformer & the Unique International Purifier. Puttaparthi, a small village of barely 30 acres, is now on the map of the world, & has full fledged educational campus under the aegis of Sri Sathya Sal University, Super Specialty Hospital, Indoor Gymnasia, Space Theatre, Airport, World Class Cricket Stadium, Eternal Heritage Museum, Stupendous Water Project, each completed in a record time of 11 months & a Railway line. All these have happened during the life time of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, which is unprecedented in the history of mankind Money comes spontaneously whenever any project is taken up out of Pure & selfless will of the Divinity, says Sri Sathya Sai Baba, while speaking to the members of the group from the leading media houses from the city of Mumbai, India -Year 1998.   Questioner: Have you seen Sai Baba of Shirdi? Swami: This body has not seen him. Questioner: Indians are increasingly turning to godmen and godwomen. Is this a sign of growing insecurity within them? Or is it something else? Swami: This is basically a search for God. The Divine is there within each person. The search is for this divinity. God realisation cannot be seen as a sign of insecurity. It is a positive aspiration to be one with God. It is a good sign. Questioner: Even as mankind is relentlessly searching for God, he finds himself engulfed by more and more misery. What is the reason for this state of affairs? Swami: Attachment to the body is the root cause of all suffering and misery. Once this attachment ends, then one can experience divine Bliss. There is no doubt about that. Since God does not have any bodily attachment, he does not attach any importance to the suffering of His body. Questioner: What is the best way to serve God? Swami: Serve the poor, the weak, the downtrodden and the underprivileged. There is divinity in each of us, hence love and serve fellow human beings selflessly. Give those around you pure love. Religion can be best pursued through the axiom, "Dil mein Ram, Haath mein Kaam." There is only one religion - the religion of love; one caste - the caste of humanity; one language - the language of the heart; one law - the law of Karma; and there is only one God - He is omnipresent.  All of us should remember these simple yet profound truths. These truths lead us to God.    Questioner: Is there no escape from human misery? Swami: It is all Karma. The need is to adopt the path of righteousness. One should surrender oneself to the Almighty. Questioner: Why do you perform miracles like materialising a ring, a medallion, a necklace, vibhuti and other objects? What are you trying to prove by performing these miracles? Swami: Chamatkaar or miracle is a cheap word for what I do. A magician performs his tricks to earn a livelihood and worldly fame. But, I materialize these talismans as my visiting cards, as evidence that divinity can transform earth into the sky and vice versa. To doubt this is to betray an inability to grasp the grandeur of the universe. I get lot of satisfaction while gifting these talismans to my devotees. Questioner: The suffering millions flock to you. They want to pass on their problems and suffering to you. How much of these suffering can you take on? Swami: I am only performing a Divine mission. Questioner: How do you spend your day? Swami: My day begins with granting darshan to my devotees, interviews to people, bhajans, attending to all projects taken up for human welfare. Same cycle is repeated from post noon till evening. Although I know the contents of all letters which I receive, I read all of them for the Trupti or satisfaction of my devotees. I avoid milk, green fruits, dry fruits, sweets, ghee, butter, tea, coffee, etc. I take a skimpy meal of ragi and green grams. For the past 60 years my weight has remained unchanged at 108 pounds. When the world sleeps, I go to my devotees, give them my vision, comfort them, console them and solve their problems. I willingly take on the sufferings of my devotees on myself. Questioner: Have you gone abroad any time? Swami: Yes, only once - to East Africa, that too because of the pure love of a devotee, who is no more now. I did not go at the invitation of the government. Questioner: Do you have any plans to visit foreign nations and spread your message? Swami: No. Where there is sugar, the ants come there; the sugar does not go chasing after the ants. My first task is to clean up our own country first, then go to other countries. Questioner: You wield enormous influence over the top politicians of the country. Why don't you impress on them the need to inculcate values in public life? If this is done, India will be a much better place. Swami: Politicians have a choice to pursue good or bad governance; they do covet power with a frenzy. But I tell them that: Politics without principles, Science without humanity, Education without character, And commerce without morality, Are not only useless, But can prove to be positively dangerous And harm people at large. Questioner: Do you read newspapers? Swami: I never read them. Even though I do not read any newspaper, I am aware about everything that is happening round the globe. What is necessary today is that the newspapers should be more careful and responsible in their reporting. Publishing of sensational and baseless news must be avoided. No negative and baseless reporting, specially of those at the helm of affairs of the country, should be done since it has lot of repercussions abroad. If there are any doubts, then they should be cleared after free and frank discussions with the persons concerned. Truth should not be compromised under any circumstance. Questioner: You are the chancellor of the Sathya Sai University and you attach tremendous importance to education. Why do you think that education in India has now become a mechanical exercise? Swami: This is because that education has been divorced from values. Education bereft of values is meaningless. The need is to restore values to education. Questioner: What are your views on different political parties in India? Swami: All parties do good work as well as bad; the problem lies with ourselves. We should insist on principles. Questioner: Who will lead the Sathya Sai movement after you? Swami: My devotees. God will continue to guide them. Questioner: There are so many in India, who sully the image of God what is your view ? Swami: It is their choice what they do or say; I do not think about this. Freedom of speech exists. Questioner: What is future of India? Swami: The time is good from the year 2000. Questioner: How do you generate funds for a multi crore rupees projects that various trusts of yours take up from time to time? Swami: Whenever intentions are pure determination (sankalp) is strong the money comes on its own. I've never thought of money in my Iife. Money comes & goes, Morality comes & grows. Questioner: How to eliminate desire ? Swami: It is rather most difficult to develop the desire. It is very easy to cut down the desire Just decide - if you have two pens - what is the necessity of a third ? Questioner: How to get rid of ego ? Swami: Earth is a small planet in the universe. Countries are rooms in the earth. City is one of the rooms in the country. Locality is one room in the city, building is one room in the locality. Floor is one room in the Building. Flat is a room in the floor. Drawing Room is one of the rooms in the flat & in that you are. Just think this. In this vast universe. how small you are? This the way to get rid of ego. Questioner: What is your role on earth? Swami: You will witness this Puttaparthi becoming Mathura Nagari & a time will come when whole world will stand converted into Sathya Sai Organisation. No one can stop this development or delay it I wilt not give you up. nor can any of you give me up. Even if you lose faith you will repent & come to this refuge very soon, clamouring for admission... your lives are intervened with my earthly career. Act always in accordance with that great privilege. LOVE ALL... SERVE ALL... HELP EVER... HURT Never

Loving Sairam to all! It was the dawn of the morning of Tuesday, August 11, 1998; when Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai, out of HIS INFINITE DIVINE GRACE, called upon a group led by Shri Ramesh and Smt.Devi Narayan from Canco Advertising Pvt.Ltd., Mumbai, Shri Sudhir Joshi from Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Mumbai & Editors and Chiefs of Bureaus from the most leading media houses from Mumbai viz. The Times of India, The Indian Express, Blitz, The Observer of Business and Politics, Mumbai Samachar (Gujarati), Loksatta (Marathi), Maharashtra Times (Marathi) and Navbharat Times (Hindi), inside an Interview Room at Prashanti Nilayam. This was the first ever private interview given to the press after an only interview that Bhagavan had granted to Shri Rusi Karanjia, the then editor of Blitz and the author of a book “The God lives in India”. Amidst the lots of curiosity, Bhagavan had approved this visit. The group had left Mumbai by direct flight to Puttaparti on Monday, August 10, 2006. On this day, the first function after reopening of college in Prashanti Nilayam campus of Sri Sathya Sai University was scheduled in the morning. Since our flight was to land at Puttaparti around 12.30 p.m; Bhagavan rescheduled this function in the afternoon. Immediately after landing at Puttaparti Airport, our group was taken to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in order to have the first hand information and interactions with the senior officials. The Media Officials were amazed to see such an institute. Later, all of us attended the University function during which Shri S V Giri, former Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Government of India took formal charge as the new Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University from the then Vice Chancellor Dr.G Venkatraman. The faculty and the students of the institute created a deep impression in the minds of media personnel. In the late evening, the group had an excellent time during visits at various places inside the Prashanti Nilayam ashram campus. It was so fascinating to note that neither the media officials nor Bhagavan had any specific item in the agenda during the interview session. The 75 minutes interview session started with Bhagavan asking everyone to introduce oneself and later requesting them to ask any question, they wished. The transcription of the conversations during the interview session can be read above click here.  Each and every individual was fortunate to have a photograph with Bhagavan besides Vibhuti Prasadam from His own Hands. SAIRAM…! Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu…!

Source: SBOI with kind cooperation of Sudhir Joshi

SATHYA SAI BABA'S HEALTH UPDATED

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ABOUT SWAMI'S HEALTH ISSUED ON APRIL 22, 2011 AT 08:00 A.M. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba still continues to be in a very critical state of health. His respiration is supported by ventilator. He is put on CRRT system of dialysis to assist the functioning of the kidneys. The response shown to the treatment continues to be minimal by all the vital organs. His heart rate and blood pressure continue to be low and they are supported by drugs. There is no significant change in the overall clinical condition since yesterday. The doctors, however, are continuing their vigorous, round the clock treatment.   Signed by Dr. A. N. Safaya Director, SSSIHMS-PG. Latest Press Release by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust 21 April 2011

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ABOUT SWAMI'S HEALTH ISSUED ON APRIL 21, 2011 AT 05:00 P.M. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba continues to be in a very critical state of health. There is very poor response from the vital organs of the body to the treatment. The intermittent episodes of low blood pressure are persisting indicating that the heart is quite weak. The parameters of the functioning of the various organs of the body are also erratic. Every attempt is being made to keep them in the normal limits by the administration of appropriate drugs. The breathing is still assisted by the ventilator. One successful cycle of slow hemodialysis was conducted during the past 12 hours to assist the functioning of the kidneys. Doctors are continuing vigorous efforts to make the vital organs recommence their functions.   Signed by Dr. A. N. Safaya Director, SSSIHMS-PG.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ABOUT SWAMI'S HEALTH ISSUED ON APRIL 21, 2011 AT 08:00 A.M. The situation of Bhagawan Baba's health is very critical. All the organs are showing very poor response to the treatment. Non-functioning of the liver and persistent episodes of low blood pressure are causing great worry to the doctors. However, most of the other parameters have still been kept at nearly normal levels by the use of appropriate medicines. The breathing is still dependent on the ventilator. And the process of slow hemodialysis has been started in the morning to assist the kidneys. The doctors are putting their best efforts to improve His clinical condition.   Signed by Dr. A. N. Safaya Director, SSSIHMS-PG

Happy 268th Birthday to Thomas Jefferson

Posted on :13 APRIL 2011

 

Today is the 268th birthday of President Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States.

Today we celebrate the birthday of the man who united the colonies with mere parchment and pen. As we remember the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, we commemorate the document that embodies the principles of America.

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–1809) and the principal author of theDeclaration of Independence (1776). An influential Founding Father, Jefferson envisioned America as a great “Empire of Liberty” that would promote republicanism.

In the thick of party conflict in 1800, Thomas Jefferson wrote in a private letter, “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

Freckled and sandy-haired, rather tall and awkward, Jefferson was eloquent as a correspondent, but he was no public speaker. In the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress, he contributed his pen rather than his voice to the patriot cause. As the “silent member” of the Congress, Jefferson, at 33, drafted the Declaration of Independence. In years following he labored to make its words a reality in Virginia. Most notably, he wrote a bill establishing religious freedom, enacted in 1786.

At the age of thirty-three, Thomas Jefferson accepted the challenge of writing the Declaration ofIndependence. John Adams insisted that Jefferson was the one for the job, because, Adams admitted, “I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular and you can write ten times better than I can.” Many delegates wondered if the colonists could join together to defend themselves against Britain. Such unity would be possible with the right statement of purpose. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson harmonized the dissenting voices echoing across the colonies. The self-evident truths rang from the swamps of Charleston to the sea-ports of Connecticut.

He sure is a great man, but then again some historians have negative perspectives by saying that he is a hypocrite.

It’s an easy charge to make. He believed slavery to be iniquitous, yet he owned slaves and only freed a few of them. He was a champion of limited government and was a solid strict constructionist, believing that the Constitution should be interpreted as it was written. Yet, he doubled the size of the country with theLouisiana Purchase without asking for a constitutional amendment to authorize buying the 828,800 square miles of land from France.

Well, that accusation might be right, but histories have also written how Jefferson not only united the colonists, but he gave future generations a clear vision of the purpose of government. His succinct statement of principles resonated with the delegates of Philadelphia as they crafted a new Constitutional government. The principles proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence and promulgated by the Constitution still define us as a nation and inspires us as a people.
But then again, happy 268th birthday Thomas Jefferson. 

Courtesy:http://allaboutnews.net/happy-268th-birthday-to-thomas-jefferson/4932/.

Practice of female foeticide a national shame

PM Updated on Thursday, April 21, 2011, 13:18 

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said it was a "national shame" that the practice of female foeticide was continuing in the country despite women breaking existing barriers to prove their worth in every sphere. 

"The provisional population totals for Census 2011 have been released recently. While most of the news appears to be good, the falling child sex ratio is an indictment of our social values," he said inaugurating the Civil Services Day here. 

Improving this ratio was not merely a question of stricter compliance with the existing laws and "What is more important is how we view and value the girl child in our society," he said. 

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said it was a "national shame" that the practice of female foeticide was continuing in the country despite women breaking existing barriers to prove their worth in every sphere. 

"The provisional population totals for Census 2011 have been released recently. While most of the news appears to be good, the falling child sex ratio is an indictment of our social values," he said inaugurating the Civil Services Day here. 

Improving this ratio was not merely a question of stricter compliance with the existing laws and "What is more important is how we view and value the girl child in our society," he said. 

Seeking a national campaign to counter this bias, Singh told the civil servants to play a big role in launching a crusade against it. 

PTI 

Courtesy :Zeenews

Swamy predicts mid-term elections to TN Assembly

Updated on Thursday, April 21, 2011, 19:34

Coimbatore: Claiming that the new Tamil Nadu government formed after the Assembly polls would not last till the next Lok Sabha elections, Janata Party President Dr Subramanian Swamy today said allies of both the DMK and AIADMK would have switched loyalties by that time. 

Which ever alliance formed the government, its partners would withdraw support to form a new front at national level for the general elections, he told reporters here. 

Swamy hastened to add that he also foresaw early elections to the Lok Sabha, sometime between November and March 2012, as the results of the recent assembly elections in five states would have a "serious impact" on national politics. 

The votes polled in the April 13 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, West Bengal and Assam will be counted on May 13. 

DMDK chief and actor Vijaykanth was likely to leave the alliance throwing open the situation for another mid-term elections, Swamy said. 

On 2G Spectrum scam case, he said the CBI, despite some hitches, was moving in the right direction under the strict monitoring 


Courteesy:Zeenews

Swamy predicts mid-term elections to TN Assembly

Updated on Thursday, April 21, 2011, 19:34

Coimbatore: Claiming that the new Tamil Nadu government formed after the Assembly polls would not last till the next Lok Sabha elections, Janata Party President Dr Subramanian Swamy today said allies of both the DMK and AIADMK would have switched loyalties by that time. 

Which ever alliance formed the government, its partners would withdraw support to form a new front at national level for the general elections, he told reporters here. 

Swamy hastened to add that he also foresaw early elections to the Lok Sabha, sometime between November and March 2012, as the results of the recent assembly elections in five states would have a "serious impact" on national politics. 

The votes polled in the April 13 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, West Bengal and Assam will be counted on May 13. 

DMDK chief and actor Vijaykanth was likely to leave the alliance throwing open the situation for another mid-term elections, Swamy said. 

On 2G Spectrum scam case, he said the CBI, despite some hitches, was moving in the right direction under the strict monitoring 


Courtesy:Zeenews

Loss-hit Ishinomaki school opens

Friday, April 22, 2011

Kyodo

ISHINOMAKI, Miyagi Pref. — An elementary school in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, started the new school year Thursday despite losing about 70 percent of its students and most of its teachers in the March 11 disaster.

Your school, my school: Students at Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, go to their opening ceremony, which was held at another public school. KYODO PHOTO Courtesy:Japantimes

The tsunami killed or left missing 74 of Okawa Elementary School's 108 students and 10 of its 13 teachers, as many were swept away before they could evacuate to higher ground. The school is located some 5 km from the mouth of the Kitakami River.

Twenty-two students and 16 teachers attended the school's opening ceremony, which was held at another public school in the city. Okawa's school building was severely damaged by the tsunami and remains surrounded by debris and seawater more than a month after the catastrophe.

A Passage to Srinagar

By Mohan Rao

(Professor at the Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jahwaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)

(mohanrao2008@gmail.com)

I went to Kashmir for the first time the last weekend – to Srinagar and made a quick trip to Gulmarg. I spoke to everyone I met, going out of my way to do so; fortuitously I heard diverse people at a meeting I attended  - of civil society groups discussing what can be done about the situation. I am not writing about the discussions at these meetings for there will no doubt be a report.

I have come back profoundly shaken and disturbed: the trip was indeed to India- Occupied- Kashmir. I went thinking azaadi was out of question, but have come back questioning that. I don’t know what shape Azaadi will take or should. My idea of India, multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, a lovely and terrible mishmash of things will have to change.

First, the ubiquitous, visible presence of the army, deeply hated. Why are they not at the borders? What are they doing at every street corner in Srinagar, and indeed even in the rural areas? This is what I felt but every person I met had an explanation: that the army has now developed a vested interest in wanting to stay in Kashmir, that they do not want a solution to the problem because moneys are being made. Money is being made by the army, by the CRPF, and by all political groups, I was told. A very striking definition of the rich was given to me: one who has not had a killing in the family or been raped or assaulted and whose children study abroad. These people, I was told, have no stake in Kashmir, nor in resolving the conflict.

The landscape is still beautiful, the chinar trees magnificent, but Srinagar is a graceless grey city, stinking in garbage and overflowing with plastics. What struck me is how hopeless, how cynical, the young people I met are. “A black dog replaces a white dog” said one referring to the main political formations, “but they are dogs, not humans. They do not care for the people. Neither do the others who fight both – the former too are funded by the Indian state, the other groups, both by India and Pakistan”.  “In Kashmir, an Omar or Umar is hereditary – both do not care for people”.

I heard some celebratory noises during the India Sri-Lanka World Cup finals when the first two Indian wickets fell. Later, there was deathly silence. We could have heard a leaf drop. “We will celebrate any victory against India – it does not matter, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka “said a young student, adding, “We are not against Indians”.

“This had nothing to do with Pakistan, or indeed with Hindus and Muslims. This had to do with azaadi for a Kashmir – we will bring together Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and India Occupied Kashmir” I repeatedly heard. “Kashmiris should not pay the blood price for partition and the problems between India and Pakistan” I was told.

Srinagar has no streetlights, and the city is dead after dark – which is early. How can people live without the exaltation of music, opportunities for dance and indeed for vulgar consumption of culture - as in the World Cup cricket matches? A curfew was declared on the day of the India- Pakistan semi-finals. Theater? Forget it. Cinemas? Forget it. Seminars, lectures and conferences for people to know what is happening around the world? Forget it. How can one feed the hunger of the young for knowledge, for history, for art, for love? Forget it. Bookshops? Well, yes, but hardly inspiring one or two.

This is clearly not due to lack of money – Srinagar and surrounding areas seems to be seeing a construction boom, with Greater Kailash inspired vulgar bungalows coming up. There are two golf courses with ancient looming chinar trees, magnificent even in winter modesty.

The tragedy is- as in the rest of India – the tragedy of the middle classes. They have seceded from our people. I think Kashmiris are our people, and hence my sorrow.

Courtesy: the-moderates@googlegroups.com

Mortars pound Misrata; West talks of tougher action

Hundreds of stranded foreign refugees line up

 in order to board a ship evacuating wounded

Libyans and refugees fleeing conflict zone at

the port of Misrata, Libya. (AP)

By REUTERS

Published: Apr 21, 2011 14:25 Updated: Apr 21, 2011

 14:25

MISRATA, Libya: Libyan government troops pounded the besieged rebel-held city of Misrata overnight, undeterred by Western threats to step up military action against Muammar Qaddafi’s forces.

.

Mortar fire killed at least three rebel fighters and wounded 17 in the latest attacks on Tripoli Street, rebel spokesmen said.

Libya’s third largest city, the only rebel stronghold in the west of the country, has been under a punishing siege by forces loyal to Qaddafi for seven weeks. Hundreds of people are reported to have died.

Among the casualties on Wednesday were British and American photojournalists and a Ukrainian doctor. Rebels say Qaddafi’s forces, including snipers, are deliberately attacking civilians, an accusation denied by Tripoli.

Libyan state television said early on Thursday NATO forces had struck the Khallat Al-Farjan area of the capital Tripoli, killing seven people and wounding 18 others. The report could not immediately be independently verified.

Canadian Lt. General Charles Bouchard, commander of NATO’s Libya operations, said on Wednesday civilians should keep away from Qaddafi’s forces to avoid being hurt by NATO air attacks on government troops.

“Civilians can assist NATO by distancing themselves from Qaddafi regime forces and equipment whenever possible. Doing this will allow NATO to strike those forces and equipment with greater success,” he said in a statement.

NATO 'has failed'

Rebel fighters voiced frustration with an international military operation they see as too cautious.

“NATO has been inefficient in Misrata. NATO has completely failed to change things on the ground,” rebel spokesman Abdelsalam said.

France said it would send up to 10 military advisers to Libya. Britain plans to dispatch up to a dozen officers to help rebels improve organization and communications. Neither country plans to arm or train insurgents to fight.

In Paris, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has spearheaded UN-backed NATO intervention, pledged stronger military action at his first meeting with the leader of the opposition Libyan National Council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil.

“We are indeed going to intensify the attacks and respond to this request from the national transition council,” an official in the president’s office said, quoting Sarkozy as telling Abdel Jalil: “We will help you.”

He did not say how NATO-led forces planned to overcome the stalemate on the ground after the United States and several European allies declined last week to join ground strikes.

Abdel Jalil told reporters he had invited Sarkozy to pay a visit to the eastern rebel powerbase of Benghazi to “boost the morale of the revolution.”

French officials did not say whether Sarkozy had accepted.

Among the dead in Misrata were British photojournalist Tim Hetherington, co-director of Oscar-nominated war documentary “Restrepo,” and American photographer Chris Hondros, killed when a group they were in came under fire. 

Guillermo Cervera, a Spanish photojournalist, told Reuters the group had been returning from Tripoli Street when there was an explosion.

“It hit the group,” he said. “They were all on the floor.”

A Ukrainian doctor was killed in a separate incident, medics said. The doctor’s wife lost her legs.

Khalid Abufalgha, a doctor on the Misrata medical committee, said a total of 365 people had been killed, including at least 85 civilians, and 4,000 people wounded in the Mediterranean city since it came under government siege about seven weeks ago.

Rebels said they were battling for control of a major road in the port of 300,000 people, which is the insurgents’ last bastion in the west of the country, where civil war erupted in February over demands for an end to Qaddafi’s 41-year rule.

Civilians say they live in constant fear of snipers.

“Mohammed and his friends were in our garage. They had gone outside to play when he had to pause to put his shoe on. In that instant the bullet hit his head,” said Zeinab, mother of a 10-year-old boy who lay in a hospital bed with a bullet wound.

Misrata is running out of food and medical supplies. There are long queues for petrol, and electricity has been cut so residents depend on generators. Thousands of stranded foreign migrant workers are awaiting rescue in the port area.

Rebel spokesman Abdulrahman, reached by telephone from the western town of Zintan, said there was also fighting near Libya’s Western border with Tunisia.

“Clashes are currently occuring in Nalut and have been going on since Monday. The Qaddafi forces are using Grad missiles and mortar rounds to attack Nalut. It’s not an even battle. The rebels are not well-armed.”

Evidence surfaced on Wednesday that Qaddafi’s government is dodging UN sanctions to import gasoline to western Libya using intermediaries who transfer the fuel between ships in Tunisia, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told Reuters.

Courtesy :Arabnews

Supreme Court pulls up Govt. over black money probe

Reiterating its concern that black money is being earned from drug trafficking and terrorist activities, the Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on the government with regard to its probe on the black money issue.

April 21, 2011 - New Delhi

Reiterating its concern that black money is being earned from drug trafficking and terrorist activities, the Supreme court on Thursday came down heavily on the government with regard to its probe on the black money issue.

"You say different agencies are looking into the issue. Till now what these agencies were doing? Are they sleeping?" the apex court said.

The Supreme court also criticized the government for focusing only on Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali, who is alleged to have stashed away over eight billion dollars in Swiss banks.

"Only one person on this country has an account in Switzerland. No other Indian has an account? You are working from 2009. What information do you have?" asked the court.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the apex court asking for the government to be held accountable for recovering black money.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Hasan Ali, who also has been accused of forging documents to acquire multiple passports, in Mumbai on the night of March 7 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

ANI

Courtesy:andhranews.net

Bangladesh court: no bail for Islamic party chiefs

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: Apr 21, 2011 14:20 Updated: Apr 21, 2011 14:20

DHAKA, Bangladesh: A Bangladesh tribunal has rejected bail pleas by four leaders of the country’s largest Islamic party accused of war crimes duringthe nation’s 1971 independence war.

The ruling Thursday by the International Crimes Tribunal means the four leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, who were arrested last year, will remain in jail until the investigation is complete.

The party sided with Pakistan as it tried to prevent Bangladesh from breaking away in the 1971 war. Bangladesh says Pakistani soldiers, aided by local collaborators, killed an estimated 3 million people and forced millions to flee their homes.

The suspects face charges such as genocide, murder, rape, torture, looting and arson.

The party says the charges are politically motivated.

Courtesy:Arabnews