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A special school for children run from brothel in Delhi

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:52:00 -0500

The Bharatiya Patita Uddhar Sabha, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the cause of uplifting sex workers in the country, has opened a small evening school for sex workers in the red light area G.B.Road in Old Delhi.

Being run from a brothel room following non-availability of required space, the six days a week school is aimed at providing primary education to sex workers'''' children.

"The organisation is also providing free books, schoolbags and other basic faciilties to these kids. Presently, there are 24 children studying at this special evening school which operates from 6.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m. The strength is likely to increase in the coming days," said Khairati Lal Bhola, the President of Bharatiya Patita Uddhar Sabha.

"BPUS is already running two permanent schools for sex workers'''' children in Uttar Pradesh''''s Varanasi and Allahabad cities since 1995 and 1996 respectively. A part of funds being provided by Central Social Welfare Board under Ministry of Women and Child Development and by private donations. The other two temporary schools are being run from brothel rooms in Surat (Gujarat) and Mumbai''''s Kamatipura (Maharashtra) since 1998 and 2000," Bhola informed.

Besides, the NGO is running a project since April, 2008 in which sex workers are given vocational training for five days a week (2.00 to 4.00 p.m). The training will enable them to take up an alternative profession.

The organisation has promised to provide sewing machines and monetary help to any of the sex workers on completion of this half-yearly training, if she is eager to quit her profession.

During a meeting of its working committe on Wednesday (Dec.31), Bharatiya Patita Uddhar Sabha thanked P.K.Datta, a trustee of the Abhayadan Trust, for gifting the BPUS a Rs.300,000 medical mobile van in April for the cause of sex workers, widows and destitute women.

"The mobile Maruti van is stationed at the G.B Road near the police post for five days (Monday to Friday) from 1.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m. Sex workers can avail free homeopathic treatment from this van. Since May, 2008, it has benefitted about 5,000 patients with free medical service," said Khairati Lal Bhola, a national awardee in the serivce of sex workers. (ANI)

Manipur villagers thwart kidnapping attempt

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:51:00 -0500

Fed up with the activities of militants in Manipur, people have started acting against them on their own without waiting for the police or other security personnel.

Recently, villagers of Kwakta in Manipur’s Bishenpur District successfully prevented an attempt to kidnap a villager by militants. In the clash between villagers and the militants two persons were killed and four were injured including two militants.

Roshan, a local resident, said: “Activities like extortion, kidnapping of people and

demanding large sums of amount frequently, happen in our village. The clash was in reaction against such mindless activities which the people have been tolerating for long.”

Angry villagers set ablaze five houses of militants at Ukha Tampak Village in Manipur and beat to death an assailant involved in the attempted abduction.

M.V. Kheirudding, a local resident, said: “We are all brothers and sisters living together in the village. I request everyone not to indulge in such activities.”

The militants groups here have taken a heavy toll on the growth and development of the state. Today, people are no longer willing to accept the militants’ claims that they represent the interests of the Manipuri society.

People across Manipur wish that their area should develop economically like the rest of the country. They want to prevent militants indulging in anti-social activities and extorting money in the disguise of ‘public cause’. (ANI)

Odissi dance makes inroads in Tripura

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:50:00 -0500

Odissi, one of the eight Indian classical dance forms, which originated in Orissa State, is now being initiated in Tripura.

A Kathak dancer of Padmabibhusan Kelucharan Mahapatra Gharana of Bubanaswas, has taken upon herself to popularise the Odissi dance form through fusion in remote Tripura, a place where this dance form was practically unknown till recently.

Sarbani Nandi, an accomplished Kathak dancer from the Lucknow Gharana, holding a national scholarship, is popularizing the Odissi dance form. She has given solo performances across the country and later acquired a degree in it. She gives fusion performances.

Rudrakshya, a renowned Odissi group formed by Pandit Bichitranandan Swain and joined by a dozen of Odissi dancers, recently gave a brilliant performance at the Odissi Utsav here.

Sarbani Nandi, who relates mythological tales to the accompaniment of music, mime and dance, with her latest performance at the ''Odissi Utsav'' in Agartala, enthralled a large number people of Tripura who converged here for the event.

She believes that there is a great deal of scope for the Odissi dance form to gain popularity in Tripura. She has done her State proud on several occasions.

"Tripura is famous for varied cultures and is now taking to the Kathak dance form. It was my dream to perform Kathak here to make it popular, particularly, among the youth. So I have brought my Guruji from Bhubaneshwar for the dance festival," said Sarbani Nandi.

She is today an inspiration to all aspiring Odissi dancers of her State.

People in the audience appreciated the Sarbani Nandi’s dance performance during the Utsav.

"Today''s performance was marvellous. I have not seen such a programme earlier here. Credit goes to Sarbani, I know her right from her childhood. She is a dedicated dancer," said Hira Dey, a dance teacher by profession and a performer.

"She could do so well in a very short time because of her dedication. One thing I liked the best is that Sarbani is the lone girl performing here. She has shown that girls don’t lag behind. Moreover, such programmes also encourage the new generation about our rich tradition", Dey added.

A member of the audience Sriti Sarkar, said: "Today we witnessed a totally new dance form over here. It is a unique performance and shall help us to understand the art in a new way. Technically also, it was rich as the team from Orissa was also there in the performance. We hope that Sarbani will become a big artist in the future. With here, our State shall also become famous."

Bichitranandan Swain, an Odissi dancer, said: "We have enjoyed performing over here and, I think, in this manner we shall be able to spread this dance form here and keep it alive."

"I am very pleased that the people of Tripura and the Rudrakshya have made efforts to preserve classical dance. It''s an indication that classical dances are abiding," Pt. Swain added.

Odissi is one of the most dynamic dance forms in the world. "

It is a classical dance form of Orissa and finds its origin in the temples. The rhythm, the Bhangis and Mudras used in Odissi dance have a distinct quality.

Odissi dance form deals largely with the love theme of Radha and Krishna. Traditionally, this dance form was kept alive by the Devdasis.

Devdasi used to perform the dance to the recitation of hymns and bols of Talas. But after Gitagovinda – dalliance between Radha and Krishna -- became a part of the rituals, the Devdasis performed the Odissi marked by Abhinaya or acting with different Bhavas or gestures reflecting moods of Krishna and Radha.(ANI)

High insulin levels increase breast cancer risk

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 07:49:00 -0500

An American study has revealed that high levels of insulin increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

Lead researchers Marc Gunter and Howard Strickler, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, revealed that they examined the role of insulin in breast cancer

while controlling for oestrogen levels.

This attains significance because, while the proneness to breast cancer has been attributed to high oestrogen levels in many obese postmenopausal women thus far, insulin

has never been recognised as an independent risk factor.

During the study, the researchers examined the association between incident breast cancer and baseline fasting insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (a related hormone), and

oestradiol levels in 835 women enrolled in the Women''''s Health Initiative Observational Study who developed breast cancer and a randomly-selected sample of 816 women in

the study who did not develop breast cancer.

Upon dividing the women into four groups based on their fasting insulin levels, the team found that the subjects with the highest insulin levels had nearly a 1.5-fold higher risk

of developing breast cancer than those with the lowest insulin levels.

When the researchers separately analysed women who were not using hormone therapy, they found that individuals with the highest insulin levels had a 2.4-fold increased

risk of developing breast cancer compared to those with the lowest levels.

The finding remained unchanged even when the researchers took into account multiple other breast cancer risk factors, including oestrogen levels.

"These data suggest that hyperinsulinemia is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and may have a substantial role in explaining the obesity-breast cancer

relationship," the authors conclude.

The study has been reported in the Journal of National Cancer Institute. (ANI)

Mumbai residents, police gear up to celebrate New Year''s eve

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:06:00 -0500

Police in Mumbai have taken all necessary steps to beef up security and residents are being told to be extra vigilant to ensure a safe and sound New Year''s eve celebration.

K L Prasad, Joint Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, said last evening that all precautions have been taken for New Year''s eve following the November 26-29 terror attacks in the city.

"Our first priority is to fight terrorism. We have made all the arrangements accordingly so that no untoward incident takes place especially at the crowded places. We want to make an appeal to the people that if they find any suspicious object, then it is their responsibility to immediately inform the police. And if they find any suspicious person they should inform police control room so that we can use our wireless service to provide them immediate help," said Prasad.

Prasad added that CCTV''s have been installed at all necessary places and special care would be taken regarding security of women and children.

The celebration at commercial places has been restricted to mid night. An extra 15-20 minutes can be given, but strict action would be taken beyond that. Traffic police have also been put on strict vigil to deal with drunk drivers.

Residents, however, have decided to celebrate while following law and order requirements.

"New Year celebrations this year would definitely be different after the sorrowful incident. We will have a share of enjoyment, but within our limits. And, we won''t be able to have full-fledged enjoyment like we had last year," said Jitendra Gandhi, a resident.

Some residents have made plans to celebrate indoors as they believe going out is not safe anymore.

"We won''t be going out and all. It''ll be more at a friend''s place or something. Not going much to discs and all," said Parizaad, another resident. (ANI)

Special team of doctors in Manipur to prevent spread of bird flu

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:05:00 -0500

Authorities in Manipur have deployed a special team of doctors to prevent the spread of avian flu from neighboring states.

With the outbreak of bird flu in Assam recently, efforts have been intensified to spread awareness about the disease to the grass roots level and introduce to prevent its possible outbreak in the State.

"In the eventuality of the occurrence of this disease in Manipur, our departments have alerted all the members and over and above this all the check posts installed at the borderlines have already been increased. Its surveillance and checking is intensified. Doctors are working round the clock," said Dorendro Singh, Director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services, Government of Manipur.

Besides awareness programmes, interaction programmes and surveillances are being carried out in full swing. Monitoring of the entry of poultry products from infected areas is also being carried out at strategic points.

According to the director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services, 100 male youth health workers (trainees) of the Medical Department from different districts have been trained to use the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), besides being provided with updated data of the prevailing situation.

"We consider these precautionary measures taken by the government very appreciating. It is very good and beneficial for us. It is actually awakening us to be alert of this disease," said E. Raja Meitei, a villager of Takhel.

Meanwhile, an official source said that a team of experienced officials has been dispatched to Jiribam and Eastern districts bordering Assam to organize awareness and interaction programmes for the general public including NGOs, offices and police personnels. (ANI)

Indo-Danish festival in Ludhiana Indo-Danish festival in Ludhiana

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:38:00 -0500

Punjab takes pride in its rich cultural heritage, which it shares with other cultures to strengthen and promote cultural bonds. It was visible recently when a cultural troupe from Denmark arrived here.

A team of 28 gymnasts-cum-dancers from Denmark recently gave a scintillating performance during the Indo-Danish Fest held at Partap College of Education in Ludhiana.

The performers brought the Danish culture alive before the Ludhiana audience and won hearts through their precise movements in rhythmic gymnastic skills, dance, artistic vaulting and tumbling.

Students of the host Partap College of Education also presented folklores, songs, choreography, Malwai Giddha dance with zeal.

For Danish artists, it was a memorable occasion to interact with the people of Punjab and sample their culture.

Thomas, one troupe member from Denmark, said: “This has been very great for us because we will meet the local people. But we also show the Danish to play the gymnastic and ask to interact with the students, that gives actually a very good idea how the culture is and what the conditions are for the periods and we can tell about our country and the way we live in through that exchange of ideas and dialogues and we will actually learn more about each other.”

Louis Cruz, another troupe member, said: “I feel very happy being in India, being able to see the culture of India and to show my culture to India. It''s very exciting.”

The festival focused to promote international friendship across borders; build new relationships and strengthen international networking among sports and cultural bodies of the world, highlight sports to promote dialogue between cultures.

Partap College of Education has signed an agreement with the Danish Government for academic-cum-cultural exchange between India and Denmark. Under this, the Danish group will be visiting various colleges and universities in Punjab and interacting with the students.

Dr.Balwant Singh, Director of Pratap College of Education, said: “The overall objective is to develop and strengthen human relations between Denmark and India. To develop the personality of students through Student Exchange Programs. Students of Denmark, they come to the Pratap College of Education and our students go and visit Denmark institutions. They attend workshops, exhibition, seminars and conference. Students coming from Denmark also participate in similar programmes. We try to meet the East and the West together in this way.”

The Punjab cultural Promotion Council is committed to work for `culture of peace'', international friendship, and cultural exchange with other states and nations.

The council has 53 international folk dance festivals to its credit. Its dancers have performed in over 500 concerts in national and international festivals to propagate the mission of peace and goodwill. (ANI)

Manipur theatre artists enthrall Delhi

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:38:00 -0500

Various theatre lovers in Delhi had a special treat from north-east India, recently as they attended a Manipuri play here.

The play “When we dead awaken” was staged by Ratan Thiyam, the noted Manipuri playwright and theatre director during the Delhi Ibsen Festival organized by Royal Norwegian Embassy in collaboration with Dramatic Art and Design academy.

In 1899, Henrik Ibsen wrote a play "When we dead awaken", which is about the celebrated sculptor Arnold Rubek and his wife Maia. The play reflected an intense desire for life.

The festival offered a platform to theatre artists for showcasing their talent.

R.K Bhogen, one theatre artist, said: “We encourage those who are interested in joining
theatre. Everyone is welcome. Be it a Tangkhul, Kuki or Meitei, if they are interested, we will train them."

Ratan Thiyam, the theatre Director on this occasion, said: “We are very lucky that we have many of the very good actors, senior actors are training them. Nowadays we are trying to promote the young actors."

Thiyam, who staged the play in Manipuri, has been a National School of Drama graduate. He is a multi-faceted artist. His theatre productions have gained recognition not just in India but also across the world.

For the audience, it was a special treat to witness such a production.

Dr. Ranjana Devi, one among the audience, said: "We should also encourage our youths to appreciate such kind of play. We are really proud from the remote part of the country, this renowned artist Ratan Thiyam, we are really proud of him."

Mahesh, another audience, said: “They get a platform to express themselves. Normally,
they are just doing out there, they don''t have much exposure, coming here and showing it, they get a wider audience."

Apart from Delhi, the artistes have performed various plays in other parts of the country.

Manipur has a rich tradition of theatre, which has been used to express and create awareness in the society. (ANI)

All-women bank in rural Assam

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:31:00 -0500

The Konoklota Mahila urban co-operative bank Ltd. in Jorhat, Assam is ushering in a new era of rural banking.

Facilitating micro-banking, advancing micro credit and providing micro insurance facilities, the all-women set up here bank here is going all out to make rural women become self-reliant.

The bank recently launched customer service centre at Dhekorgorah under North-west Jorhat Development Block.

With over 2,280 beneficiaries, the bank has disbursed a significant amount of over 210 million rupees as loan. Thirty per cent of the loans were given to Self-Help Groups and other 70 per cent to facilitate women entrepreneurs.

Set-up in 1998 by a group of rural women, the Konoklota Mahila Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd has been operating under a license obtained from Reserve Bank of India since 2000.

The main aim of this bank is to mobilize the rural people, especially women, in utilization of banking services.

Lakhimi Baruah, Managing Director, Konoklota Mahila Urban Co-Operative
Bank Limited, Jorhat, said: “ We have setup this bank for women as facilities provided
in other banks are not sufficient enough for women. The ordinary people can''t avail the facilities provided by most leading banks, so we founded the women''s bank so that ladies can derive maximum benefit out of it."

Aunima Khound, one bank account holder, Jorhat, said: “ I have an account in this bank; I am secretary of a women''s organization. We have taken rupees 300,000 from this bank as a loan for our organization. This bank has provided much assistance to us, and now we can keep our money safely in this bank. We are getting much wanted monetary help from this bank."

Besides providing finance to over 160 self-help groups, the bank allows a customer to open an account with minimum deposits of 50 to 100 rupees. It has over 10,000 account holders.

Geetanjali, one beneficiary said: “I''ve taken Rs. 10,000 loan from Konoklota Mahila Urban Co-Operative Bank. I have just repaid the loan back. I took this loan to support the higher education of my child. But now I have repaid back the loan."

Assam''s first all-women bank will facilitate the services meant for beneficiaries under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, old age pension and widow pension schemes and Janani Suraksha Yojana in the near future.

The success of Konoklota Mahila Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd is a milestone in the march towards economic emancipation and self-reliance of women. (ANI)

Pondicherry court to hear Sankaraman murder case today

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:02:00 -0500

A court in Puducherry will today hear the Sankararaman murder case, in which Kanchi Sankaracharyas, Jayendra Saraswathi and his junior Vijayendra Saraswathi are the main accused.

On December 19, the court had deferred the hearing after the Tamil Nadu Special Public Prosecutor (TNSPP) Balasundaram filed a counter to the objections raised by the Kanchi Seer''s defence counsel.

Of the 24 accused, four including the Kanchi Seer, Jayendra Saraswati and his junior Vijayendra Saraswati did not appear before the court. Separate petitions citing reasons for their inability to appear were filed.

Balasundaram filed two seperate counters on behalf of the accused.

After admitting the counters, the Pondicherry Principal District and Sessions Judge, M Chinnapandy, posted the case for hearing for December 30.

The Kanchi Shankaracharya was first arrested by the Tamil Nadu Police on November 11, 2004 in connection with the murder of Sankaraman, the manager of the Varadarajaperumal Temple in Kanchi in September 2004.

Sankararaman is said to have written 39 letters from May 2002 to August 2004 to the Tamil Nadu Government, seeking to expose the mismanagement of the Kanchi Temple funds. This is said to have led to his murder by alleged accomplices of the Kanchi Seer. (ANI)