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| Mar 28, 2007 |
In Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh local politicians fight against conversions to Christianity
The rising number of conversions is worrying local authorities who accuse Christians of stealing from the poor and carrying out all sorts of vile acts. In Jharkhand there is a growing demand that Tribal converts be denied government benefits. In Andhra Pradesh campaigns of open intolerance are underway.
Tribal leaders and politicians in the Indian state of Jharkhand have complained against what they view as an "invasion" by converts and want the state to deny them public benefits. In Andhra Pradesh public campaigns against Christian missionaries and converts are currently being organised.
In Jharkhand Tribals were lumped together with converts to religions like Christianity in the 2001 census. "But Tribals must be put under a different column to maintain their separate identity," said a member of the Adi Dharma Parisad, a tribal body. "The country's Tribals should be brought under one religion—Adi Dharma (or Supreme Natural Law)—so that they can get the benefits provided by state and central governments."
Similarly, for Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Christian converts should not be included in the Tribals category and are not entitled to the benefits that belong to that group.
"There should be a separate column for Tribals' religion in the census. Converted Tribals have access to Christian missionary schools and benefit from jobs whilst real Tribals are deprived," BJP lawmaker Chandresh Oraon said.
In Jharkhand Tribals constituted 40 per cent of the total population in 1950 but now they are about 27 per cent (2001). Christians, who were almost non existent in 1950, are now 4 per cent.
The literacy rate among the tribal population is less than 40 percent as opposed to the state average of 54 per cent.
About 52 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, most of them Tribals.
In the southern State of Andhra Pradhesh, campaigns against the growing number of Christian converts are also being mounted.
Swami Swarupanandendra Saraswati, head of the Visakha's Sarada Peetham, said that large-scale, uncontrolled and untracked Tribal conversions to Christianity are a threat to the state. He accused the government of doing nothing.
"Just as one cannot change his mother, one cannot change his religion," he said, urging people to chase away the "lying missionaries".
On February 11, he formed a group whose task is to stop Hindus to convert to Christianity and bring back converts to the Hindu fold. He called on a local Andhra Jvothy newspaper to write about the pending danger of conversions.
Following an article last Sunday titled "Changing winds: New religion takes root," many people marched on state agencies in the north-eastern part of the state to protest against Christian conversions.
In this atmosphere, Tribal and Hindu leaders claim that missionaries are attacking traditional tribal beliefs, culture and customs, importing an alien culture, cheating Tribals in order to get rich. For instance, Damavanthi Naidu, head village in Seethampet, complains that after people convert no one celebrates traditional festivities.
Some local Tribal leaders and BJP officials slam missionaries for using foreign money to get people to convert, taking advantage this way of the economic problems Tribals and poor people face.
Others like BJP district secretary Tankala Durga Rao claim that missionaries use religion as a pretext to "steal" from Tribals.
There are even some local leaders who claim that the Christian faith is responsible for many vile things like laziness, this according to Arika Kannayya, a local tribal committee leader.
But for Ma Ramana Madiga, a leader of the state-based Telugu Desam Party, people are drawn to this religion because it has no backward castes or tribes. If Hindu temples and institutions treated everyone with equal respect, the number of conversions would not be rising.
http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=8856&size=A
PFC stretches bid deadline for Jharkhand project
MUMBAI, MAR 27 : Once bitten twice shy, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has discreetly deferred the deadline for submitting requests for qualification (RFQs) for the 4,000-mw Tilaya ultra-mega power project in Jharkhand to April 10 from March 20. The move assumes significance especially in the backdrop of PFC being in the midst of a controversy over an alleged misrepresentation by the Lanco-Globeleq consortium in the Sasan project.
Interestingly, PFC delivered a letter in this regard to the representatives of Reliance Energy, Tata Power Company and Adani Power, who were present until 5 pm on March 20 at the PFC office in New Delhi. Jindal Steel & Power and AES had couriered their RFQs. PFC sources confirmed this development but did not give reasons.
The PFC letter dated March 20, which is in FE's possession, said, "In continuation to our telephonic intimation yesterday (March 19, 2007), this is to confirm that the last date for submission of responses of RFQ scheduled on March 20 is hereby extended. The revised last date of submission of responses will now be 12.30 pm on April 10 and bids will be opened on the same day at 2.30 pm."
But industry sources contested PFC's version, denying any telephonic communication on March 19. PFC has formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Jharkhand Integrated Power Ltd, for managing the bidding process for the upcoming project.
According to the original plan, PFC had asked bidders to submit RFQs by March 20, while their short-listing based on responses to RFQs and issuance of request for proposal (RFP), were to have taken place on April 2. But now, the whole schedule has been revised.
PFC proposes to shortlist bidders and issue letters of intent before July 16 and subsequently sign agreements before September 17.
Power from the upcoming project would be bought through competitive bidding route by Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Harayana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar and Jharkhand. The development of the Tilaya project includes establishment, operation and maintenance of a 4,000-mw coal-fired pit head power project. This will include mine development and transportation of coal from the proposed allocated captive coal mines at North Karanpura. The project site is located near Tilaiya village.
According to the RFQ, bidders' internal resource generation should equal at least Rs 1,140 crore or be equivalent of US dollars computed five times the maximum internal resources generated during any of the last five years' business operations. Bidders should have a net worth of Rs 1,000 crore and an annual turnover of Rs 2,400 crore
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=159195
New SSA funding pattern likely to hit 'weak' states
NEW DELHI: It could be a case of one step forward, two steps backward. Just when the elementary education scenario had started firming up, the new funding pattern of 50:50 (against 75:25 so far) between the Centre and the states for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) could well turn the hope of a revolution to one more failed promise on education.
The states are already feeling the heat of the new funding pattern. For instance, Rajasthan came to HRD ministry with an annual SSA work plan of Rs 2,000 crore which was approved. But then the state said it could at best contribute Rs 800 crore to the kitty. In turn, HRD said Centre could make a matching contribution of Rs 800 crore. In no time, state plan was reduced to Rs 1,600 crore.
Though for Rajasthan Rs 1,600 crore is still more than last year's Rs 1,253 crore, other states would not be so lucky for they do not have the financial wherewithal to withstand the new funding pattern. States like Bihar, UP, West Bengal and MP are yet to come to HRD ministry to get their SSA work plans approved.
The worst sufferers of the new funding pattern are the north-eastern states. Having so far enjoyed a special status with the Centre footing 90% of the SSA bill, these states are now being told that they too will have to share 50% of the SSA cost. This has resulted in a mini-movement of sorts the among seven sisters with the Mizoram education minister galvanising the other N-E states. He has already sent letters to HRD ministry protesting against the move.
But the Centre appears to be unmoved. It has been nearly two months since HRD ministry's note for retaining the 75:25 funding pattern was sent for the Union cabinet's consideration. The note was the result of a communication between the ministry and the Planning Commission whereby the latter had said that in case HRD has an objection to the 50:50 pattern, it can move a cabinet note.
Officials at the helm of SSA point out that the repercussions of the new funding pattern would be felt mostly by states like Bihar, West Bengal, UP, MP and Assam, which after being at the bottom of the heap for years, had taken tentative steps in the right direction in the past two years. They just do not have the financial resources to make large allocations for SSA.
These states still lack infrastructure in terms of classrooms, teachers, textbooks and better learning tools.
With limited resources, these states might end up giving top priority for creating right infrastructure while necessary attention would not be given to enhancing the learning abilities of children. Various surveys on learning abilities have repeatedly shown children in these states lagging behind.
On the other hand, the southern and western states are better placed. States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat already have the necessary infrastructure in place. Though these states would equally suffer the new funding pattern, they can give priority to the learning outcome of children. This could further sharpen the existing divide between northern and southern states.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/New_SSA_funding_pattern_likely_to_hit
_weak_states/articleshow/1818008.cms
Generation X: Outlook vs Values
LUCRATIVE JOBS FOR freshers, enormous salary packages, killing competition, vulnerable minds, stressful lifestyle and aggressive attitudes— sums up the making of our youth. Several global ventures have opened multinationals in India providing high–income jobs to youngsters. On one hand where job opportunities have opened for our youth, the entire scenario has changed when it comes to their lifestyles, values and outlook.
The youth of today are the future of tomorrow. Are we ready to give the reigns of our nation in their hands? This has become a question of grave concern. It also leaves us wondering about where we are going wrong and what can be done to groom them into mature and responsible citizens.
Neeti, 29, is working in a call centre in Gurgaon. She relocated all the way from a small town in Bihar last year. She was lured into working in a multinational and agreed immediately on account of the handsome salary package. It had barely been a few months after Neeti joined that she transformed into a cosmopolitan queen. Her traditional wardrobe was revamped to an ultra- trendy one and her lifestyle too, underwent a leviathan change. For a girl who could barely step out of her house, she has become a corporate puppet who is successful and glamorous.
Kishan, 21, has comfortably adjusted to the urban lifestyle. He has come from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and has gladly changed his name to Ken. He feels that it sounds trendier. He further adds that if his parents ever got to know of it they will throw him out for good!
Manik, 19, is working in the marketing department of a well known multinational. According to him the youngsters get heavy discount packages everywhere in addition to a high salary package and weekend parties. This leaves them wondering where to spend the money.
A lot of them hit vivacious pubs every week and end up consuming alcohol and fall prey to substance abuse. The foremost things on the mind of today's youth are money, sex, drugs and violence. They seem to be the latest trend. What leaves us gaping is the fact that education is no longer a priority. They have the option of falling back on distance education courses and get a degree through correspondence.
Arushi, 17, is giving her board exams but at the same time she is looking forward to finding a job through campus hiring. She no longer feels the need to excel in her papers as she is likely to find a job anyway.
Money is the prime factor that governs the life of our youngsters. A lot of money at a very young age leaves them with a hunger for more. Alcohol is served at most office parties and nobody goes to the extent of asking the legal age of the individual before serving it to him. Everybody knows that the legal age is 25 for consuming alcohol but few adhere to the norm.
Busy schedules and raging competition increases stress levels and make the youngsters highly aggressive and violent. They often indulge in serious fights over petty issues, succumb to grave injuries and destroy their lives.
Parthak, 22, a process associate in a corporate says, "With night shifts having become the norm, we get no time for ourselves. The strenuous working hours create a lot of pressure and for those of us who are studying multi-tasking is the only option left."
Many youngsters drop out of college and ruin their career on account of these jobs. Few years down the line they are left without adequate growth opportunities, education and have nothing to fall back on.
Sex remains the million dollar question. Access to freedom and funds leads the youth to experiment on the sexual front as well. They fall prey to sexually transmitted diseases and not all of them care to use contraceptives. These glaring facts point towards the increase in HIV rates and abortions. The youngsters might be educated but are they really responsible citizens who can bear the burden of this nation on their shoulders.
Substance abuse and alcoholism are other areas of concern. According to a study, more than sixty per cent of the youth in India are addicted to drugs, alcohol or both. Little do they realize that they are giving an open invitation to death.
The striking fact that still continues to attract our attention revolves around the high attrition rates in multi-nationals accompanied by restlessness in the youth. A need to educate the youth on the front of their civic duties has suddenly arisen. The crime rate can only be cut down if our youth share the burden. They need to understand their moral responsibilities towards the society and co-workers. They are the light of the nation and must bear forth our ideals to the next generation.
http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=124593&catID=2&category=India&
rtFlg=rtFlg
Starvation deaths stalk West Bengal tea plantations
KOLKATA, India (Reuters) - At least 150 people have died of malnutrition in West Bengal in the past year after the closure of scores of tea plantations in what investigators say is a unique case of social breakdown in a heavily unionised sector.
"So many deaths in one period from chronic malnutrition has not been seen in any other organised sector before," Anuradha Talwar, an advisor to the Supreme Court, told Reuters after conducting an investigation into the deaths in West Bengal.
At least 16 plantations in West Bengal, in a remote part of the state near the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, were shut down two years ago after production fell and profits plummeted due to low yields from ageing tea bushes.
The Supreme Court has been investigating deaths at the plantations after several petitions were filed by former workers against the closures.
Experts say the deaths have stood out in a unionised sector like tea, where workers were given electricity, water, food as part of their emoluments.
While millions of Indians live in poverty, jobs in unionised sectors like tea are normally prized for the stability they offer workers.
India, the world's largest producer of tea, has had state regulations to protect formal workers for decades and unions are strong.
But in this case, union protection appears to have collapsed.
More than 15,000 workers in West Bengal have been struggling to survive without any alternative means of livelihood and depending on rats, wild plants and flowers for food, Talwar said.
"It was appalling to find how the world's largest tea producer treats its workers," Talwar, who is due to submit her report to the Supreme Court, said in Kolkata.
In many tea plantations in West Bengal, employers did not pay wages owed to workers following the shutdown, Talwar and tea workers' associations said.
A spokesman for the Tea Board, the umbrella organisation for tea companies, said an internal report on the situation had been sent to the government, but said the board could make no further comment because the matter was pending in courts.
The government wants the plantations to reopen.
"We are working on a plan to reopen the gardens by getting the employees to form a cooperative," Jairam Ramesh, junior commerce minister said from New Delhi.
"I have heard about reports of starvation deaths in tea gardens of West Bengal, but right now our focus is to find a solution to reopen the gardens," Ramesh said on Wednesday.
Medical reports and death certificates of many dead workers show severe malnutrition and anaemia, Talwar said.
"I will drink water, but I am not sure what I will feed my three children," Talwar quoted Phulmani Kharia, a 25-year-old woman in Varnavari, 660 km north of Kolkata as saying.
http://in.today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-03-28
T153958Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-292486-1.xml
Singur site safely sheathed
Kolkata, Mar 27 For Tata Motors, the last hurdle on the road to Singur has just been crossed. After the farmers, the West Bengal government has concluded a settlement with all four industrial units located within the 997-acre site for the small car project of Tata Motors in Singur.
Among the four, the agreement with the owners of a condom manufacturing unit—Padmasagar Export Company Pvt Ltd—has just been reached, with the company agreeing to shift after receiving compensation.
Padmasagar, a joint venture with a Malaysian company, had in February appealed against the acquisition before a division bench of the Calcutta high court. The state government then offered an out-of-court settlement.
The state, which is likely to issue a tender on Thursday for the disposal of these facilities, has roped in consultancy firm ICICI-Winfra, a joint venture between the state and ICICI, to handle the tender process.
"The owners of Padmasagar Export have agreed to an out-of-court settlement and we have already taken possession of their assets," a top official of the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation said.
One step closer
• Assets of the units will be disposed of through a tendering process drawn up by consultant ICICI Winfra
• Though the units don't occupy much area, estimated to be around 15 acres, they are located strategically
The assets of all these four units would now be disposed of.
According to the official, Shanti Ceramics was paid Rs 14 crore, while Rs 3.5 crore was given to the owner of the multi-product cold storage unit. No figure was given for the condom unit.
URL: http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=159265
Most unwed mothers in tribal Orissa below 18
New Delhi, March 28 - Nearly 53 percent of unwed mothers in tribal Orissa are below the age of 18, says a study by an NGO.
Though there is no exact data with the government regarding the number of unwed mothers, experts believe that Orissa is home to 10,000 such women, of which over 70 percent belong to the 11 tribal dominated districts.
'Poverty, coupled with ignorance and innocence, compound the problem of unwed mothers in tribal Orissa. Nearly 53 percent of surveyed unwed mothers are below the legal marriageable age. It's shocking and unfortunate,' Amrendra Kishore, executive director, Indian National Trust for the Welfare of Tribals -, told IANS.
According to a sample survey by INTWOT, an NGO working in tribal Orissa, 103 unwed mothers of the 216 surveyed were between 14 and 18 years old and another 11 were between nine and 14 years.
The survey also found that among the tribal districts, Kalahandi accounts for 57 cases - and Phulbani reported 47 cases -.
Interestingly, the areas where primary health and education are still a far cry, sex stimulant drugs and blue films are easy available in grocery shops.
'Their easy availability is adding fuel to the fire. These teenagers are enticed into watching them with gifts, cosmetics and food items like mutton and chicken, which otherwise cost nearly twice the daily wages they earn.
'Deprived of worldly pleasures, these immature girls get easily trapped, and since sex is not a taboo in tribal communities they get physically involved,' said Kishore. He added: 'Is the value of a girl less than a kilo of chicken?'
However, police said tribal people never come forward to report such illegal cases and it compounds their problem.
'We have registered 10 cases of unwed mothers in 2006. Of these seven are charge-sheeted and three are pending, including the case of Hema Rana, a 15-year-old mother of a baby girl,' said Kalahandi Superintendent of Police S.C. Chauoupattanaik.
Giving Hema Rana's example as a model, Chauoupattanaik said her father reported the case too late. 'Sadhu Rana reported the case late to the police as they were involved in getting the case adjudicated in the village. The father wanted to marry off Hema to the boy involved.
'The department is trying its level best but the whereabouts of the boy are yet to be ascertained.'
Hema Rana is a resident of village Jampadar of Kalahandi. She is a Class 6 dropout of Turlapadar Middle School. About a year ago, Hema came into contact with Saroj Manjhi, a rich tribal youth who allegedly instigated her into having sex with him. When Hema got pregnant, Manjhi fled. Hema's angry father filed a criminal case against Manjhi.
http://www.rxpgnews.com/india/Most-unwed-mothers-in-tribal-Orissa-below-18
_21305.shtml
Naxal attacks a nightmarish experience for tribal families
MARAIGUDEM: The raids by the CPI (Maoist) on a police station and adjacent Salwa Judum base camp, housing about 1,600 tribal families, at Maraigudem in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh from March 24 to 27 has caused considerable alarm.
The families were displaced in the wake of confrontation between the extremist group and the State-sponsored Salwa Judum campaign.
The raids were spearheaded by an assault group of 70 naxalites, accompanied by about 1,000 members of the party's village level "sanghams."
The naxalites, camping in nearby forests, launched attacks only after nightfall. They hurled petrol and soap bombs and resorted to heavy firing.
It was a nightmarish experience for the inmates of the tribal settlement, which lacks basic amenities. There is no power supply either at the camp or in the police station.
Dantewada Collector K.R. Pisda visited the camp on Tuesday and assured the inmates that all steps to protect their lives. They made a representation him, urging that the camp be shifted either to Gollapali or Konta, division headquarters. Mr. Pisda said their request would be looked into.
The first attack was launched in the early hours of March 24. The Salwa Judum activists responded quickly and retaliated with bows and arrows.
About 60 youths, designated as special police officers and armed with .303 rifles, thwarted the attack. The fierce fighting lasted for about three hours.
A Central Reserve Police Force unit camping in the village and some 30 personnel of the State civil and armed police joined the SPOs in beating back the Maoists. A CRPF officer said the naxalites suffered heavy casualties. Explosives, a .303 rifle and Rs. 27,000 were recovered.
The second night
Maoists laid siege to the village again the next night. There was sporadic firing all through the night, with the naxalites retreating to the forests at 5 a.m.
So was the case on the third and fourth day. No reinforcements could be sent to Maraigudem as the area lacked proper roads.
Some of the panic-stricken camp inmates have started migrating to safer places. The youth, shouldering the task of fortifying the camp, were engaged in the last few days in putting up wooden barricades to block the free passage of intruders.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/29/stories/2007032902161300.htm
No scope for spices here
JEYPORE: Spice cultivation is no more lucrative for farmers of Koraput district. In the absence of proper marketing facilities, many farmers have decided to quit the age-old practice.
Spices, mostly ginger and turmeric, are produced in plenty in Patanagi, Dasmantpur, Semiliguda, Nandapur, Lamataput, Laxmipur blocks and as many as 6,000 eke out a living through spice cultivation.
Farmers produce nearly 5,000 mt of ginger and turmeric every year due to favourable climatic conditions, good quality soil and adoption of new farming technologies.
But the rich harvest hardly changes their economic condition as most of their produce is sold at throwaway prices.
The farmers sell the spices between November and March in local markets of Koraput, Kakarigumma, Laxmipur, Semiliguda, Patangi Kundai and Padua villages with the help of middlemen.
They, however, rue that while ginger and turmeric fetch around Rs 35,000 per mt in other states, they hardly fetch Rs 10,000 in Koraput markets.
Farmers alleged that several private agencies of neighbouring Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu engage local middlemen to procure the spices from them at lower rates. "In such cases, the government agencies fail to compete with outside agencies," a farmer said.
Market sources said although procurers under State Cooperative Marketing Federation, State Seed Corporation and Horticulture Department have been engaged to collect spice stocks from farmers, the agencies procure only 10 percent of the total produce and private players take the lion's share.
"We procure spices from the farmers only for the purpose of seeds. They are paid according to the government support price," admitted a senior horticulture officer of Koraput circle, adding, the absence of storage facilities for the spices lead to distress sales.
There are no special cold storage facilities in the tribal areas. Sources said the procurers store the marketed spices at Vizianagram, Andhra Pradesh, or in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and sell it in different markets whenever the prices increase.
On the other hand, district administration sources claimed that the farmers are regularly guided to market their produce at fair prices only to government agencies, block and panchayat-level officials.
Meanwhile, the State Seed Corporation is planning to spread procurement of ginger and turmeric to tribal areas for the farmers' benefit.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20070327235717&Page=Q&Title=
ORISSA&Topic=0
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| Hot issues of Today |
- Mar 27, 2007
- Mar 26, 2007
- Mar 25, 2007
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- Mar 18, 2007
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