Rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Taiwan are being stepped up to save the life of stranded people following floods and landslides unleashed by Typhoon Morakot last weekend that took death toll of nearly 500 people. The country, however, needs international assistance to effectively continue its rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan has released a detailed list of items that Taiwan needs in terms of international assistance, including specialized helicopters and pilots capable of transporting very heavy payloads, 1,000 prefabricated houses to provide temporary refuge for homeless flood victims.
The MOFA press release also stated that the country badly needs 100,000 bottles of phenolic disinfectant or Benzyl-p-chloropherno, 200,000 Aquatab water purification tablets, 100,000 liters of sterilizing agent for sanitation, 1,000 portable sterilizers and 500 automatic sterilizers.
"On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China, we would like to express our most sincere appreciation for all the support and concern expressed by the countries and international organizations," the MOFA said in the press release.
Earlier President Ma Ying-jeou called the damage caused by typhoon as the most severe to the island in more than 50 years. He said that floods and landslides unleashed by Typhoon Morakot from August 7-9 had killed about 500 people, and destroyed the homes of 7,000 people.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Right to Education is now a reality
A new era begins with the approval given by the Parliament to a landmark Education Bill which ensures free and compulsory education for children in the age bracket of 6 to 14 years. The law is unique in the sense that no student will be failed till class 8th, including all government and private schools will have to provide 25% quota to “disadvantaged” children.
"This bill provides for the inclusion of children who are disadvantaged because of disability. The government is not only setting up special schools for them but doing all it can to provide education to them in all types of schools," said Kapil Sibal, Human Resource Development Minister.
As far as minority institutions are concerned up to 50 per cent of those seats could be offered to students from their communities. The curriculum would be less rigorous and it would ensure all-round development of children.
The law provides for building neighbourhood schools in three years whose definition and location will be decided by states. The bill aims to do away widespread practices by which schools impose admission fees on parents to guarantee their children a place.
The RTE (Right to Education) would empower the 86th Constitutional amendment that made free and compulsory education a fundamental right. The RTE bill sets down guidelines for states and the Centre to execute and enforce this right. Earlier, education was part of the directive principles of state policy.
The bill was passed by the Lower House (Lok Sabha). The bill was passed by the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) last month. The legislation will now soon be enacted after getting the assent from President Pratibha Patil. The finance will be managed by both the Centre and states. The Centre will prepare the capital and recurring expenditure and provide it as grants-in-aid to each state.
"This bill provides for the inclusion of children who are disadvantaged because of disability. The government is not only setting up special schools for them but doing all it can to provide education to them in all types of schools," said Kapil Sibal, Human Resource Development Minister.
As far as minority institutions are concerned up to 50 per cent of those seats could be offered to students from their communities. The curriculum would be less rigorous and it would ensure all-round development of children.
The law provides for building neighbourhood schools in three years whose definition and location will be decided by states. The bill aims to do away widespread practices by which schools impose admission fees on parents to guarantee their children a place.
The RTE (Right to Education) would empower the 86th Constitutional amendment that made free and compulsory education a fundamental right. The RTE bill sets down guidelines for states and the Centre to execute and enforce this right. Earlier, education was part of the directive principles of state policy.
The bill was passed by the Lower House (Lok Sabha). The bill was passed by the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) last month. The legislation will now soon be enacted after getting the assent from President Pratibha Patil. The finance will be managed by both the Centre and states. The Centre will prepare the capital and recurring expenditure and provide it as grants-in-aid to each state.
UNESCO releases a manual on investigative reporting
UNESCO and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) release the Arabic version of an important guide to basic methods and techniques in investigative journalism, filling a gap in the literature of the profession. Story-based inquiry: a manual for investigative journalists, which is also available in English and French, can be downloaded online for free.
The manual focuses on the hypothesis-based inquiry approach, which takes the basic assumption that a story is only a hypothesis until verified. The methods and skills applying to every step of the investigative process, from conception to research, writing, quality control and dissemination, have been thoroughly analyzed and are well illustrated by case studies in each chapter.
The official launch will take place at the Second ARIJ conference in Amman, Jordan, from 20 to 22 November 2009. More than 250 investigative reporters representing 14 countries from the Arab world are expected to attend.
To download the manual in English please click the following URL:
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/29032/12494586523story_based_inquiry_en.pdf/story_based_inquiry_en.pdf
For French, click:
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/29032/12494586535story_based_inquiry_fr.pdf/story_based_inquiry_fr.pdf
For Arabic,
click: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/29032/124945865311story_based_inquiry_ar.pdf/story_based_inquiry_ar.pdf
The manual focuses on the hypothesis-based inquiry approach, which takes the basic assumption that a story is only a hypothesis until verified. The methods and skills applying to every step of the investigative process, from conception to research, writing, quality control and dissemination, have been thoroughly analyzed and are well illustrated by case studies in each chapter.
The official launch will take place at the Second ARIJ conference in Amman, Jordan, from 20 to 22 November 2009. More than 250 investigative reporters representing 14 countries from the Arab world are expected to attend.
To download the manual in English please click the following URL:
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/29032/12494586523story_based_inquiry_en.pdf/story_based_inquiry_en.pdf
For French, click:
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/29032/12494586535story_based_inquiry_fr.pdf/story_based_inquiry_fr.pdf
For Arabic,
click: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/29032/124945865311story_based_inquiry_ar.pdf/story_based_inquiry_ar.pdf
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Legalising Gay Sex against Indian ethos
The “global sex industry”, with massive business hubs in Thailand, Philippines, Mexico and Brazil, is poised to extend its tentacles to India taking advantage of gradually relaxing sexual ethos, Purshothaman Mulloli, general convenor Joint Action Committee Kannur said in New Delhi today.
He was speaking in a seminar on “The Delhi High Court Judgment: Section 377, IPC and its consequences” called by the Institute of Objective Studies at Indian Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi.
Mr Mulloli, whose committee has been fighting legal battles against legalisation of homosexuality, said the Delhi High Court judgment decriminalising homosexual acts between consenting adults in the privacy of homes, would create a conducive environment for the global sex industry to step in.
He said it was not true that because section 377 (prohibiting unnatural sex with men, women or animals) was a 19th century law that had to be “read down”. The fact was that it was reviewed twice after 1947. He said that the Delhi HC, going beyond its area of operation, has asked Parliament in the judgment to enact appropriate laws protecting gay rights.
The Delhi HC in a controversial judgment on July 2, 2009 had read down the Section 377 to decriminalize same-sex behavior among consenting adults. Section 377 continues to apply in the case of sex involving minors and coercive sex. It is to note here that out of two commissions set up by the Parliament that had examined the relevance of Section 377, one had supported it while the other wanted gay rights. It has gone to the cabinet for consideration.
Earlier, in his inaugural address Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam, chairman of the Institute of Objective Studies, said that it was a struggle between the values of small westernized elite and the common people of India. The outcome of the struggle would show “whether we would live by God-given laws, or guided by our basic instincts”. He cautioned the government not to force a law on people that would destroy “India’s moral fibre”.
Dr. DBS Sehra, president of Delhi unit of Buddhist Society of India, said that homosexuality was an aberration that was against the ethos of the country. It should never be given legal sanction. He said that consent between two adults to indulge in something undesirable should not become the criterion for its being right.
Journalist and former MP Santosh Bhartiya cautioned that the international sex industry was eyeing India for expanding its business here. It was possible under lax laws only. He urged the nation against opening the gates to such interests.
The following resolutions were passed at the end of seminar:
1. oppose the judgment and its far-reaching implications for the physical health, emotional security, public morality and spiritual wellbeing of the people of India and its future generations;
2. support legal challenge to the ruling in the Supreme Court of India for the protection of our values;
3. mobilise and educate our society to resist such moral decline; and
4.request the Union government to bring legislation that prevents further erosion of our moral values.
He was speaking in a seminar on “The Delhi High Court Judgment: Section 377, IPC and its consequences” called by the Institute of Objective Studies at Indian Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi.
Mr Mulloli, whose committee has been fighting legal battles against legalisation of homosexuality, said the Delhi High Court judgment decriminalising homosexual acts between consenting adults in the privacy of homes, would create a conducive environment for the global sex industry to step in.
He said it was not true that because section 377 (prohibiting unnatural sex with men, women or animals) was a 19th century law that had to be “read down”. The fact was that it was reviewed twice after 1947. He said that the Delhi HC, going beyond its area of operation, has asked Parliament in the judgment to enact appropriate laws protecting gay rights.
The Delhi HC in a controversial judgment on July 2, 2009 had read down the Section 377 to decriminalize same-sex behavior among consenting adults. Section 377 continues to apply in the case of sex involving minors and coercive sex. It is to note here that out of two commissions set up by the Parliament that had examined the relevance of Section 377, one had supported it while the other wanted gay rights. It has gone to the cabinet for consideration.
Earlier, in his inaugural address Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam, chairman of the Institute of Objective Studies, said that it was a struggle between the values of small westernized elite and the common people of India. The outcome of the struggle would show “whether we would live by God-given laws, or guided by our basic instincts”. He cautioned the government not to force a law on people that would destroy “India’s moral fibre”.
Dr. DBS Sehra, president of Delhi unit of Buddhist Society of India, said that homosexuality was an aberration that was against the ethos of the country. It should never be given legal sanction. He said that consent between two adults to indulge in something undesirable should not become the criterion for its being right.
Journalist and former MP Santosh Bhartiya cautioned that the international sex industry was eyeing India for expanding its business here. It was possible under lax laws only. He urged the nation against opening the gates to such interests.
The following resolutions were passed at the end of seminar:
1. oppose the judgment and its far-reaching implications for the physical health, emotional security, public morality and spiritual wellbeing of the people of India and its future generations;
2. support legal challenge to the ruling in the Supreme Court of India for the protection of our values;
3. mobilise and educate our society to resist such moral decline; and
4.request the Union government to bring legislation that prevents further erosion of our moral values.
Monday, August 3, 2009
BREASTFEEDING has no substitution
BREASTFEEDING WEEK (Aug 1-7) SPECIAL
This is an eye-opener article for all those mothers who avoid their infants from breastfeeding for the fear of their breast will go shapeless and unattractive. Modern mothers, who fear that they will lose their charm, their beauty, and their sex and energy if they breastfeed their child, should know that breastfeeding has no substitution. No any formula milk or top feeding can fulfill requirements a baby needs. In fact, breast milk is an infant’s birthright which he must not be deprived of.
Breast milk is quite natural and full of appropriate nutrients for the baby which he needs at the time when the growth and development rates are maximal. Breastfeeding promotes health, helps to prevent diseases and reduces health care. Breast milk is clean, free from bacteria and has mother’s antibodies that helps the baby avoid or fight off infections. Besides other benefits breast milk is readily availabe to the baby as well as it is economical and free from contamination.
On the other hand, formula feeding helps increase lower morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and then supplemented breastfeeding for up to one year or two years or more. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life "provides continuing protection against diarrhoea and respiratory tract infection" that are more common in babies fed formula. Study shows that 16 per cent of neonatal deaths could be averted if all infants were breastfed from the very first day of birth and 22 per cent if breastfeeding was started within the first hour itself.
Breastfeeding is not only essential for babies but for mothers too. It enhances emotional bond between the child and the mother, provides warmth, love, and affection. Study shows that long duration of lactation reduces risk of heart disease in women, and breastfeeding mothers also have less risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
This year, World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7) under the theme of “Breastfeeding - A vital emergency response. Are you ready?” is being organized with an aim to encourage breastfeeding among mothers and improve the health of babies. The theme emphasizes the need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding to make children healthy and strong.
This is an eye-opener article for all those mothers who avoid their infants from breastfeeding for the fear of their breast will go shapeless and unattractive. Modern mothers, who fear that they will lose their charm, their beauty, and their sex and energy if they breastfeed their child, should know that breastfeeding has no substitution. No any formula milk or top feeding can fulfill requirements a baby needs. In fact, breast milk is an infant’s birthright which he must not be deprived of.
Breast milk is quite natural and full of appropriate nutrients for the baby which he needs at the time when the growth and development rates are maximal. Breastfeeding promotes health, helps to prevent diseases and reduces health care. Breast milk is clean, free from bacteria and has mother’s antibodies that helps the baby avoid or fight off infections. Besides other benefits breast milk is readily availabe to the baby as well as it is economical and free from contamination.
On the other hand, formula feeding helps increase lower morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and then supplemented breastfeeding for up to one year or two years or more. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life "provides continuing protection against diarrhoea and respiratory tract infection" that are more common in babies fed formula. Study shows that 16 per cent of neonatal deaths could be averted if all infants were breastfed from the very first day of birth and 22 per cent if breastfeeding was started within the first hour itself.
Breastfeeding is not only essential for babies but for mothers too. It enhances emotional bond between the child and the mother, provides warmth, love, and affection. Study shows that long duration of lactation reduces risk of heart disease in women, and breastfeeding mothers also have less risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
This year, World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7) under the theme of “Breastfeeding - A vital emergency response. Are you ready?” is being organized with an aim to encourage breastfeeding among mothers and improve the health of babies. The theme emphasizes the need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding to make children healthy and strong.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
FRIENDSHIP an eternal bonding
On this occasion of Friendship Day, I give you a simple but complex thought. Just imagine your life without a friend. Dull, boring and colorless, isn’t it? I knew your answer because this is one such relation we are not born with like other family relations. This is one such relation we make ourselves with a complex blend of heart and mind. True friendship is a gift of God and a friend’s affection is a greatest treasure of life. Many people say a boy and girl can never be friend. This is utterly ridiculous. In fact, a true friend can be anyone irrespective of gender and class. Second thought (?) never comes if one is a true friend.
History speaks in volume about how one sacrificed its life for his friend, and also how one stabbed on the back of his friend. This is just part of life. Sometimes we may be wrong in making right friend, but not always. I mean to say be careful while making friends because you share ever secrets of your life with your friend even those which you can not share with your family members. Oops! I must not speak like this on this very day. So just chill out and enjoy the day with your friends. But do not forget my one advice. Never let build wall between friends. If any problems occur, try to solve it soon. Because communication gap can be perilous for your relationship. Fingers crossed.
History speaks in volume about how one sacrificed its life for his friend, and also how one stabbed on the back of his friend. This is just part of life. Sometimes we may be wrong in making right friend, but not always. I mean to say be careful while making friends because you share ever secrets of your life with your friend even those which you can not share with your family members. Oops! I must not speak like this on this very day. So just chill out and enjoy the day with your friends. But do not forget my one advice. Never let build wall between friends. If any problems occur, try to solve it soon. Because communication gap can be perilous for your relationship. Fingers crossed.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
MASSAGE by opposite sex not illegal: HC
People belonging to both genders, particularly who go to health spa for a massage by members of opposite sex, and the owner of health spa have no problems to use/ provide such facilities. The police, however, could inspect the spas and take appropriate action in accordance with law, if find there any illegality, but can not prohibit massages done by the opposite sex in spas.
The Madras High Court on Friday ruled that the city police do not have any legal right to interfere with such activities. Police, as on date, has no legal right to prevent a massage parlour being operated by any citizen of this country, even if it (massage) is done by persons belonging to the opposite sex.
Justice Chandru reading out the order cited judgments of the Supreme Court that the apex court and several high courts had on occasions interfered with police powers to prohibit dance shows in restaurants, video parlours running video games for youth and children, and women serving liquor in bars.
He, however, added that the police can inspect and take appropriate action in accordance with law in cases of any criminal activities prohibited by the law is carried out covertly in the name of spa centres.
The application in this regard was filed by Influence Lifestyle Stores Private Limited seeking to restrain the city police from interfering with its business.
The Madras High Court on Friday ruled that the city police do not have any legal right to interfere with such activities. Police, as on date, has no legal right to prevent a massage parlour being operated by any citizen of this country, even if it (massage) is done by persons belonging to the opposite sex.
Justice Chandru reading out the order cited judgments of the Supreme Court that the apex court and several high courts had on occasions interfered with police powers to prohibit dance shows in restaurants, video parlours running video games for youth and children, and women serving liquor in bars.
He, however, added that the police can inspect and take appropriate action in accordance with law in cases of any criminal activities prohibited by the law is carried out covertly in the name of spa centres.
The application in this regard was filed by Influence Lifestyle Stores Private Limited seeking to restrain the city police from interfering with its business.
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