Excelsior... Nation

Ambitious project on preventing AIDS in women to be launched

NEW DELHI, Aug 20: A unique and ambitious AIDS prevention and care project titled 'Prevention of Trafficking and HIV/AIDS in Women and Girls’ (TAHA) is being launched here on August 22 jointly by the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), National Aids Control Organisation(NACO) and Department of Women and Child Development(DWCD) of the Government with support from Department for International Development (DfID).

The launch will be followed by a day-long sensitization cum orientation workshop on trafficking and HIV in which a large number of policy makers, representatives of the Centre and state Govts, UN representatives, eminent experts, national level NGOs and individuals from networks of trafficked survivors and people affected with HIV/AIDS will participate.

The workshop will also focus on formulating strategies to strengthen partnerships with media, law enforcement agencies and legal groups.

The project is being launched in view of the fact that an estimated 5.1 million people are living with HIV in India, needing immediate attention to the root causes that heighten the vulnerability of women and girls to trafficking and HIV. These are mediated by the same set of factors such as poverty, gender discrimination and unsafe mobility.

Trafficking in human for profit and exploitation is the largest form of illegal trade after drugs and arms trafficking. It is a fast rising inter-state and trans-boarder issue. Contextually, India is a source, transit and destination point for trafficked women and children in the region. Trafficked persons' vulnerability to contracting HIV is heightened in the atmosphere of exploitation and denial of basic rights and services.

The workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss the various issues of trafficking and HIV especially in the context of gender and human rights.

Among the key speakers at the inaugural session will be Ms. Reva Nayyar, Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, Special Secretary and Director General, National AIDS Control Organisation, and Dr Maxine Olson, UN Resident Co-ordinator. (UNI)

Govt unveils Action Plan for children

NEW DELHI, Aug 20: Centre today unveiled an ambitious National Plan of Action for Children which regards the child as an asset and a person with human rights and focuses among other things on total abolition of child labour and ensuring their choice in decisions affecting their lives.

"No plan can actually succeed unless it captures the spirt of service and commitment", Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh said releasing the Action Plan 2005 which commits itself to ensure rights of all children upto the age of 18 years.

Singh said many plans flounder as they get caught up in bureaucratic mould and as their success was rated on the basis of the money spent. "Money is important but it cannot decide how much a plan has succeeded", he said.

With Child Survival, Child Development, Child Protection and Child Participation as its four pillars, the guiding principles of the Plan are to regard the child as an asset and a person with human rights and to address issues of discrimination emanating from biases of gender, class, caste, race, religion and legal status in order to ensure equality.

The 12 key areas identified under the Plan include reducing infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and malnutrition, achieving 100 per cent civil registration of births, universalitation of early childhood care and development of quality education for all children including 100 per cent access and retention in schools, including pre-schools.

Complete abolition of child labour with the aim of progressively eliminating all forms of economic exploitation and ensuring child participation and choice in matters and decisions affecting their lives are the other key areas. (PTI)

Technogical advances could solve water disputes: Kalam

BANGALORE, Aug 20: With the threat of water scarcity looming large, President A P J Abdul Kalam today advocated use of improved technology in agriculture to wade through the disputes relating to sharing of river waters between states.

The threat of water scarcity in the years to come could be coped with the use of technology in agriculture to derive higher productivity and bring about equitable distribution of water, Kalam said at the `Bangalore Leadership Conclave 2005' organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry here.

The president also said there was need for equitable distribution in the energy sector too, much like in the water sector.

Noting that the country's oil import bill was a staggering Rs 1,40,000 crore, the President stressed the need to pursue efforts in the renewable energy front and work towards self reliance in the field.

He observed agriculture, industries and the service sector needed to work 'in symphony'.

Kalam said role of technology, innovation, resource investment, quality, value, employee production, working environment and management sterwardship had to be enhanced to increase competitiveness, which he identified to be the key to India's economic development.

Managing one billion people of multiple religions, languages, culture and knowledge power was India's core competency, the President said.

Kalam also told the audience at the conclave, who included people from diverse backgrounds like scientists, artists, doctors, teachers, businessmen, teachers and students, that unless employment potential was generated, it would not be possible to sell the concept of education and healthcare in rural areas. (PTI)

Bharti issue will be amicably solved: BJP

BHOPAL, Aug 20: The state BJP today ruled out any leadership change in Madhya Pradesh, despite Uma Bharti supporters demanding her return as Chief Minister, saying the issue would be amicably sorted out through discussions within the party.

"There is no question of replacing the Chief Minister Babulal Gaur. Leadership change in the state is completely ruled out at this juncture as there is no need for this", state BJP President Shivraj Singh Chouhan told PTI here.

Describing former Union Minister Prahlad Patel's demand for reinstatement of Bharti as an `internal matter' of the party, he said "it will be settled amicably through discussion amongst ourselves".

Stating that Patel had not made any demand in the party forum, Chouhan said the matter was not as 'serious' as it had been projected by the media. "Differences of opinion take place at times in a large party like the BJP, but we will sort them out", he said.

The state BJP Chief, responding to a query, said the issue was not so important as to figure in the state party office bearers' meeting scheduled to be held here tomorrow.

Unfazed by pressure mounted by Bharti loyalists, Gaur had said that there was no threat to his chair and added that "Patel's statement was his personal opinion. It is not the view of party."

Claiming that there was no groupism in BJP, he said "These are all media imagination. Diverse views are natural in democracy ... But things are often blown out of proportion".

Besides Patel, Bharti loyalists like former minister Sunil Nayak are of the view that she should stage a comeback "in the interest of the party and people".

Nayak, who was sacked by Gaur eight months ago, told PTI today that the campaign for Bharti's return as Chief Minister would go on as "she was instrumental in the BJP's spectacular victory in last assembly polls and she alone is capable of steering the state on the path of development".

Claiming that BJP would suffer considerably if Gaur was allowed to continue in office, he said Bharti loyalists had apprised the party of their stand a long ago.

"It is for the party to decide. Leaders at the helm of affairs must realise that party workers all over have become a demoralised lot under the present dispensation. They want Umaji, their true leader, to come back", Nayak said.

Bharti loyalists, including Patel and Nayak, were of the view that the path for the firebrand leader's return should be cleared following a Hubli court upholding her discharge in the 1994 flag hoisting case.

However, senior BJP leaders appear to have taken strong exception to these statements, party sources said. While most of them are tightlipped, some leaders, on condition of anonymity, said the party should initiate disciplinary action against those airing their views in public. (PTI)

No pressure from Congress to join RJD in polls: Paswan

PATNA, Aug 20: Lok Janshakhi party leader Ramvilas Paswasn today said he was under no pressure from the Congress to patch up with RJD chief and Union Minister Lalu Prasad and rubbished reports that its leadership gave him an ultimatum to make his stand clear on the issue by tomorrow.

"I am under no pressure from either Congress President Sonia Gandhi or AICC in-charge for Bihar polls Digvijay Singh to join hands with RJD chief Lalu Prasad for the upcoming elections. Media reports are all false," Paswan told reporters here.

Paswan said any tie-up with RJD was possible only if it conceded to his demand for a Muslim Chief Minister, but felt that the chances of Lalu Prasad agreeing to his suggestion was very remote.

"To avoid the unfortunate dissolution of the Bihar Assembly I had even proposed the name of RJD leader and chairman of the legislative council Jabir Hussain as Chief Minister but Lalu did not agree.

"Even recently, RJD National Spokesman Shivanand Tiwari and Union minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh declared that there can be no compromise on the issue and Rabri Devi will be UPA's chief ministerial candidate," he said.

Asked whether he would quit the Union Government and the ruling UPA alliance if Congress exerted pressure on him to fight the polls unitedly with the RJD, Paswan evaded a direct reply, saying "I know being a champion of the minorities, the Congress will never pressure me to compromise on the issue of a Muslim Chief minister."

Paswan asked how he can be forced to fight the polls with RJD on the strength of the arguement that both the parties were constituents of the UPA when Lalu Prasad's party was not adhering to "coalition dharma" in neighbouring Jharkhand.

"Despite being a constituent of the UPA, the RJD fielded a large number of candidates in Jharkhand against nominees of the JMM, a UPA partner, in the assembly elections to the advantage of the NDA," he said.

"RJD also fielded its candidate for a Rajya Sabha seat which had fallen vacant due to the resignation of a JMM member paving the way for the victory of NDA nominee. RJD is creating a divide between UPA partners and strengthening NDA in Jharkhand," he charged.

Paswan said "my commitment to secularism is total which was evident in my resignation from the NDA government in the wake of Gujarat riots. The BJP and RSS want the muslims to be treated as second class citizens and I want them to be treated on par with any other community keeping in mind their contributions to the freedom struggle."

On suggestions that he stood isolated on the Bihar's political scene, the LJP leader said "this is a misconception. My party's alliance with CPI is about to be formalised." (PTI)

Temple would take concrete shape within 2 years of verdict

COIMBATORE, Aug 20: Expressing hope that the verdict in the Ram Janambhoomi dispute in Allahabad Court would be in its favour, senior VHP leader Acharya Giriraj Kishore today said the Ram Temple would be in place within two years of the final verdict.

The proceedings in Allahabad court were likely to be completed within a year or so and 'we hope that the Court may give the verdict in favour of Ram Janambhoomi Nyas and within two years or so, Ramlalla Temple may take concrete shape,' Acharya told reporters here.

The main question before the Court was whether any Hindu religious shrine existed before the Babri mosque was constructed, the VHP leader, here for ayurvedic treatment, said.

Asked whether VHP was ready to accept the Court verdict, he said 'except on one thing where and when Ram was born. It is out of the Court's jurisdiction. It is concerned about the title issue only, which we have to accept.'

To a question on the recent attack on the makeshift temple complex at Ayodhya and the possible lapse of security, he said it was the duty of the Government to safeguard any religious place.

Blaming successive Governments for ignoring the issue of Ram Temple construction, he said that every political party was interested only to rule the Country, by using the public issue for their own benefit. (PTI)

Demo against 24x7 water project as WB chief visits Delhi

NEW DELHI, Aug 20: Scores of NGO activists demonstrated outside the World Bank office here today to protest the proposed 24x7 water supply project for Delhi funded by it as the Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz visited the capital.

Under the banner of Citizens' Front of Water Democracy (CFWD), the activists staged a demonstration in front of the World Bank office, raising slogans against the 250 million dollar project of Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

A delegation of the activists met Wolfowitz and submitted a memorandum demanding scrapping of the project.

"This is a deliberate attempt to privatise water and make moeny out of selling water. Water is synonymous with life for an Indian. We will never allow World Bank or any agency to privatise the valuable resource," said Vandana Shiva, CFWD co-convenor.

She said the project, if implemented, would provide water to 13 lakh people in Delhi but the rest 1.3 crore people in the national capital will suffer for this project.

"World Bank will not generate water. It will divert water from other areas for this project resulting into scarcity of water in those areas," she remarked.

She said the World Bank chief listened to their demands but did not give any assurance. "We will intensify our movement against the privatisation of water," she added.

Shiva said all projects started through World Bank loans have proved to be failures in India. But the quantum of loan has increased putting heavy burden on the masses.

CFWD would organise a national convention on September 16 to highlight the failure of World Bank projects in India.

"The Jal Board has been providing water for decades. And it can render the service in coming days. So there is no necessity for any World Bank project," said R P Sharma, president of Water, Sewer and Sewerage Disposal Employees Union under DJB.

The controversial water supply project, recommended in a report prepared by the consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which recommends the 24x7 scheme, has already been sent by DJB to the Planning Commission for its inputs.

The project, which has been criticised as opening up water supply to privatisation, has been put on hold by DJB till the PwC report is cleared by the Planning Commission.

NGOs have alleged that PwC was engaged by DJB under pressure from World Bank.

They have also alleged that by implementing the 24x7 scheme, to be handled by private parties, water privatisation was being privatised.

The proposed 24x7 scheme, as the name suggests, is for ensuring non-stop water supply, and the plan is to initially launch it in South Delhi. (PTI)

PM to launch land distribution programme in AP

HYDERABAD, Aug 20: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would launch the second phase of "land distribution" programme at Sanga Reddy in Medak district tomorrow, Andhra Pradesh Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao said today.

, "In the second phase, 1.68 lakh acre of land would be distributed to poor in the state. Cheques worth Rs 240 crore would be issued to tbe beneficiaries under land development scheme, along with title deeds and pattas,"Mr Rao said while adressing mediapersons here.

Stating that the "pattas" and title deeds would be given in the name of women, Mr Rao said 1.68 lakh acres of land would be distributed to 1.05 lakh beneficiaries. The Revenue Department had selected 32 per cent SCs, 21 per cent STs, one per cent minorities, 30 per cent BCs and 16 per cent other Backward Classes as beneficiaries.

He said the land distribution programme would be conducted at every revenue division level on August 23 and the Government would be distributing surplus and banjar lands to landless poor in future. (UNI)

Karishma says husband deserted her and daughter

NEW DELHI, Aug 20: Bollywood star Karishma Kapur today told Delhi High Court that her husband Sanjay Kapur had deserted her and daughter Samaira forcing them to stay in Mumbai.

In an affidavit filed in reply to the petition by Sunjay, Karishma said, "the petitioner (Sunjay) constuctively deserted this respondent (Karishma). The petitioner is aware as to why this respondent was compelled to reside at Mumbai."

"This respondent is advised not to state and place on record the good and sufficient reasons, which compelled me to do so as they are not relevant to the present case," said the petition filed by Karishma’s counsel.

Blaming squarely her estranged husband for going to the court for a trivial matter of issuance of passport to their daughter, Karishma, said, "the contours of the instant writ petition leave no manner of doubt that the instant petition is nothing but a crude attempt to urge and seek redress of matrimonial issues of a disgruntled husband and this respondent by using the minor as a pawn." (UNI)

Maithri, for those in distress

KOCHI, Aug 20: Maithri, a voluntary organisation, working to provide emotional support to distressed persons, who may be on the brink of taking their lives, has won the appreciation of all for their services and is receiving calls for the Gulf too.

Maithri’s primary mission was to reduce the number of suicides and strive to reverse Kerala’s high suicide rate by bringing comfort to the emotional needs of those distressed, M V Kunjachan, Director, Maithri told PTI.

The volunteers of Maithri are carefully selected and trained to take care of persons in emotional distress. They come from different backgrounds and professions like Government servants, social workers, health professionals, lawyers, housewives and teachers, he said.

Maithri can be contacted by a distressed person through direct visit, telephone or letters. No prior appointments are required and no fees are charged, Kunjachan said.

The anonymity of the per son is protected and all conversations are strictly in confidence. The caller is not required to reveal his or her identity or disclose contact telephone numbers.

Dr C J John, a renowned psychiatrist and the founder Director of Maithri said though Kerala ranks top in reported suicides among all Indian states, it is not that suicides in other states are low.

In Kerala nothing gets unnoticed, which might have put the state in the higher suicide rate, he added.

Though reasons for the abnormally high suicide-rate of Kerala society has not been conclusively established, factors including social changes, deterioration in indices of social progress, life styles, mental disorders and negative interactions are thought to be forcing more individuals to take this extreme step.

In every one hour one suicide is taking place in the state and in a day about 24 persons take their lives. The overall ratio of male-female suicide in the state is 70:30 as per the national crime records, he said.

Idukki and Wayanad districts top in suicide in Kerala while Kochi city has the lowest suicide rate. The higher rate of suicide in Idukki and Wayanad was probably due to the non-availablity of immediate medical care to those attempting suicide.

Maithri usually gets around 1800 to 2000 calls every year and among this 25 per cent are from the ‘very active suicide tendency’ group, Kunjachan said.

Suicides can be prevented, if there is a way to alleviate the underlying mental pain, the individual will spring back to active life.

Most suicidal people can be helped in getting through their moment of crisis if they have someone who will spend time with them, listen, take them seriously and help them talk about their thoughts and feelings.

Volunteers at Maithri work day and night two days before and after examination results. However, this year there was no call from desperate students and parents probably due to the introduction of grading systems in tenth standard.

"We are not a substitute for professional guidance, but we only lend a listening ear with empathy to the distressed and provide unconditional and unbiased emotional support," he said.

Besides Kerala, we get calls from Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Bihar and even from Kuwait and Dubai, he added.

Maithri, which started functioning in 1995, operates as part of Maithri foundation trust and is affiliated to befrienders India, the India Chapter of Samaritans International. (PTI)

50 Pak writers to attend literary meet in Jammu next month

JAMMU, Aug 20: Fifty writers from Pakistan are expected to visit Jammu and Kashmir next month to participate in an international literary meet organised by Jammu University (JU) here.

The university has forwarded the names of 50 Pakistani writers, who are invited to particiapte in a three-day Indo-Pak International Writers Meet from September 24, to the Home Ministry for clearance, Dean Academic Affairs of JU Devinder Singh said here today.

The Pak delegation will be led by former minister in Benazir Bhutto’s Government Farooq Jamal. Jamal is also the chairman of World Punjabi Congress.

The meet, conceived to enhance people-to-people contact as a part of ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan, will also see the particiaption of writers of Indian and Pakistani origin from Canada, China, Singapore, Kenya and United States.

Singh said that the meet will provide an opportunity to the people of both sides to suggest ways and means to further consolidate the cultural relation. (PTI)