DHAKA, Jan 12: Bangladesh’s Hindus have been rattled by a string of attacks linked to the recent controversial general election, with leaders of the minority community saying such violence can be stopped only if the Government takes stern action against perpetrators.
Activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami were blamed for attacks on the Hindus, who were accused of backing the Awami League which won the January 5 polls despite a boycott by the opposition.
The activists torched, vandalised and looted homes, shops and businesses establishments of Hindus in the northwestern districts of Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat and Thakurgaon and at Noapara in western Jessore district, which was the worst affected area.
According to statistics from the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council (HBCUC), 485 households and 578 shops owned by Hindus in 32 districts were vandalised since the election schedule was announced on November 25. During this period, 152 temples were also damaged.
“It appeared that the state has failed to take adequate steps to protect the minority community,” said Mizanur Rahman Khan, chairman of the statutory Bangladesh Human Rights Commission.
Hindu community leaders have cautiously welcomed government actions to prevent attacks on minorities, including a decision last week to set up special tribunals under an anti-terror law to punish those responsible for violence.
“We see the situation is improving with no major attacks or intimidation if Hindus in the past two days thanks to growing social resistance and Government action,” Kajal Debnath, presidium member of the HBCUC, told reporters.
But the community leaders feared the improvement could be a short-lived phenomenon if culprits were not brought to justice quickly and given stern punishment like life sentence.
“The most important deterrent could be making a provision under which lawmakers of a (violence-affected) constituency will be held liable along with ensuring the accountability of the local administration and police for any attacks or intimidation,” Debnath said.
Information Minister Hassanul Haq Inu reiterated the Government’s “zero tolerance” policy for communal intimidation as announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He told reporters that steps were being taken for “stern punitive actions” against culprits. (AGENCIES)
String of attacks rattles Bangladesh’s Hindus
CB chargesheets Peer, 24 others
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 12: The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police today filed charge sheet against 25 accused in the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE)’s Common Entrance Test (CET)-2012 paper leak scam.
Crime Branch presented the chargesheet before the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Mohan Lal Manhas at his residence in Jammu today. The accused have been booked under Sections 5 (1) d, 5 (2) of Prevention of Corruption Act for cheating, criminal breach of trust and hatching criminal conspiracy.
Those against whom the chargesheet was filed include former Chairman of the BOPEE and main accused in the scam Mushtaq Ahmad Peer, Sajjad Ahmad Bhat, Farooq Shah, 12 students who are doing MBBS in GMC Srinagar and nine parents.
The chargesheet was filed today at the residence of the Anti-Corruption Judge in Jammu as judicial remand of one of the accused Sajjad Ahmad Bhat was ending today.
BOPEE is likely to cancel the admissions 12 chargesheeted candidates after show cause notices are served to them.
2 killed, 3 injured in mishaps
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 12: Two motorcyclists were killed while three others were injured in two different accidents in Sopore in Baramulla district.
A police spokesman said a Sumo, JK05A/6687, and a motorcycle collided at Hygam in which two motorcyclists, Danish Sultan Shah son of Mohammad Sultan of Kani Bagh, Baramulla, and Sheikh Uzair son of Ghulam Mohammad of Sangri Colony were killed.
Another person, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat of Kupwara was injured. He was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Two persons were injured in an accident when a passenger vehicle, JK05-1764, driven by Jan Mohammad Gojri son of Abdul Rashid of Model Town, Sopore hit them near Kapra theatre on Sopore-Kupwara road.
The spokesman said they were identified as Mohammad Ashraf son of Abdul Gaffar and his son Athar Ashraf, both residents of New Colony Sopore. Both the injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital Sopore where from they have been referred to SMHS Hospital Srinagar.
Police has registered cases in these accidents, he said.
Grandson held for woman’s murder
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 12: Gangyal police today solved a murder case with the arrest of deceased’s grandson.
As per police sources, a woman namely Basanti Devi, wife of Mangat Ram of Tantna Doda, presently residing in Lower Ratnu Chak, Gangyal was found murdered with her throat strangled in her house on January 9.
On getting information, police team from Gangyal police station rushed to the spot and shifted the body to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where after postmortem the body was handed over to family members for last rites.
A case under FIR number 5/14 under Section 302, 449 and 380 RPC was registered at Gangyal police station and investigation started.
During the course of investigation, police team headed by SHO Gangyal SI Jasbir Singh questioned the relatives of the deceased woman including her grandson in relation Sanjay Raina alias Sanju, son of Basi Ram.
Sanjay Raina, who lives near the house of the deceased along with his parents confessed to the crime and was arrested.
The weapon of offence (domestic knife), key of the deceased’s house and the stolen ‘mangalsutra’ have been recovered at the behest of the accused.
It is Hari Parvat not Koh-i -Maran
Sir,
On the one hand leaders of all political parties trumpet from their roof tops:” Kashmir is in complete without Kashmiri Pandits” and on the other hand do not check the trend on the part of print and electric media duly supported by administration who change the names of the places associated with the religious sentiments of the Kashmiri Pandits. They Call Shankracharya Hill as Takh-e-Suleiman, Srinagar City as Shahar-I Khas and now Hari Parvat (Kashmiris pronounce it as Parbhat) as Koh-i-Maran. Let put the record straight.
Hari Parvat is the focal point in the Kashmir landscape, rising amongst historical ruins in its environs and commanding a panoramic view of the majestic and glistening hill tops girdling the extensive valley, the shimmering lakes which touch its boundaries as a mark of respect for its traditional associations and being a place of great sanctity in Kashmir. In ancient times, it was known as “Sharika Parvata”, the hill of Sharika. The crowning glory is the “Shrine of Cakreshvari”, the Almighty Mother Sati, the controller of the titanic forces of nature. The cognoscenti have seen the mystical Shri Chakra represented in the shrine which structures her magic and mystery in the cubes, triangles, squares and circles represented therein. This then is a place of special veneration since the dawn of history. Besides, what is important is that all the important deities of the Hindu Pantheon have a traditional seat for themselves in and around “Sharika Parvata” as a mark of obeisance for Almighty Sati who had delivered the valley from the depredations of the demon “Jalodabhava” residing in the lakes. Thus it is a shrine which has a unique place in the history of Kashmir, since millions of Kashmiris have been worshipping the related shrines since the day the valley became fit for habitation and life flourished. The legend adds that the deities in grateful memory of their deliverance took up their abode here, which accounts for the fact that every important individual stone or prominent rocky area is revered by the faithful.
At present important rocks depicting Jwala, Maha Ganesha are situated on the south-western side of the Parvat. Further on, the rock known as “Sapta-Rishi”, with which the earliest scientific calendar devised by Kashmiris and now 5078 years old is associated, is worshipped. Thereafter, we have the shrines of Mahakali and Siddha Laxmi. The resting place of Abhinava Gupta, the well known founder of Kashmiri Shaivism is also associated with Sharika Parvata.
Yours etc…
Predhuman K Joseph Dhar
EPFO to give 8.5% interest
NEW DELHI, Jan 12:
Retirement fund body EPFO on Monday is likely to retain 8.5 per cent interest on PF deposits for its over 5 crore subscribers in 2013-14.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s apex decision making body – Central Board of Trustees (CBT) – is scheduled to meet tomorrow to decide on the PF interest rate for this fiscal.
According to the agenda for the trustees’ meet, 8.5 per cent interest will leave a small surplus of Rs 56.96 crore.
The EPFO, which is estimated to have an income of Rs 20,796.96 crore in the current fiscal, needs Rs 20,740 crore to pay 8.5 per cent interest to the subscribers.
EPFO had provided 8.5 per cent interest in the 2012-13 fiscal, which was higher than 8.25 announced in 2011-12.
According to estimates, hiking the interest payment by half a per cent to 9 per cent would require an additional amount of Rs 1,220 crore, which does not seem feasible.
“Payment of interest to the members is expenditure for the Trust (EPFO), which is to be met out of its earnings. Thus, the rate of interest should be commensurate with the total earnings of the Trust,” the EPFO has said in its proposal to the trustees.
The trustees are meeting tomorrow after a gap of almost one year. They will also take up a proposal to increase the minimum administrative charges for managing EPF Scheme 1952 and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976 to Rs 500 and Rs 200 per month from existing rate of Rs 5 and Rs 2, respectively.
The EPFO has proposed an increase of service charges to Rs 75 and Rs 25 per month respectively for managing EPF and EDLI schemes for non-functional establishments having no contributory members.
Besides, the CBT will also take a decision on hiring a consultant for initiating process of selection of new multiple fund managers for its huge corpus of about Rs 5 lakh crore.
The consultant would also evaluate the performance of new fund managers and appoint a custodian and concurrent auditor for the EPFO. At present, Crisil is providing consultancy services to the EPFO.
The body will also launch a software to monitor over 2,700 Private Provident Fund Trusts regulated by it so as to improve the delivery of services. These trusts manage around Rs 2 lakh crore corpus.
These Trusts are those firms which manage their workers’ PF accounts and funds themselves, and are governed by the EPF Scheme 1952, regulated by EPFO. (PTI)
Stand firm against the US
Dr Bharat Jhunjhunwala
Indian Diplomat Devyani Khobragade had been arrested in United States on charges of paying less than minimum wages as per US law to her Indian maid. Khobragade had secured US visa for the maid as a personal domestic help. The maid jumped the visa, absconded from Khobragade’s home and lodged complaint with the authorities that she was being paid less than minimum wages prescribed under US law. The US Government took serious cognizance of the complaint. It went far to pursue the case. The US Embassy bought tickets for the family of the maid, gave them Visa and flew them out of India before Khobragade was arrested. This was done, it appears, to preempt any attempt by the Indian Government to pressurize the family that was still living in India. Khobragade was arrested despite the fact that she had reported to the police about disappearance and contravention of visa conditions by the maid. The Indian diplomatic establishment has been taken aback. Such perks were routine for them. Now the US law is catching up with them.
The basic principle established by Khobragade’s arrest is that a diplomat must adhere to local laws scrupulously. Following this principle, the Indian diplomatic establishment has retaliated by removing police barricades from the US embassy. Various privileges such as duty-free imports have been withdrawn. The American Center in New Delhi was screening movies without a license to do so. This has been stopped now. The Indian Government has sought details of wages paid to Indian workers working in the US Embassy. Technically, the Embassy is US territory hence it is contended by our diplomats that Indian nationals working in Embassy should be paid wages according to US Laws. The US Government is standing firm though and plans to launch prosecution shortly.
The reason for US’s aggressive stance seems to lie in the widespread anger against cheap labour from India which is rendering many Americans unemployed. There is sympathy for the maid in the US because she symbolizes the pain of large number of Americans who have been similarly hit by cheap Indian labour. Now the US is telling India: Here is the proof that you are exploiting poor workers! Stop it!
The problem of falling wages in the US is inherent in globalization which is inexorably leading towards global equalization of wages. Manufacturing migrated to China in the first wave in the eighties. Textile mills, for example, have completely disappeared from the American landscape. The US is now manufacturing only goods for domestic consumption a handful of high-tech goods for exports. This loss of jobs did not bring forth such violent reaction, however, in the US for three reasons. One, the loss of jobs came along with availability of cheap goods such as garments and toys from China. The pain of losing job was thus partly compensated by the joy of getting cheap toys. Two, the migration of manufacturing took place when the services sector was rising in the US. The personal computer and internet were just being invented. Microsoft and CISCO were doing good. The loss of jobs in manufacturing was compensated by gain of jobs in the services sector. In fact, the UNDP had welcomed the migration of manufacturing with the observation that blue collar jobs were being shipped overseas while high-wage white collar jobs were being created in the developed countries. Three, the confrontation with cheap Chinese labour was not direct and personal. These workers were located in faraway China. This was a war, so to say, fought by drones.
The migration of manufacturing was followed by migration of services to India in the last decade. This had a qualitatively different impact on the American people. One, the cheaper services provided by call centers came through American corporations. The benefit from cheap services provided by Indian call center accrued to the Corporation. The American customer did not feel the consequent reduction in price. Two, there was no sunrise sector to compensate for the job loss. There are three major sectors of the economy. Agriculture is already constricted with less than one percent workers employed here. The loss of jobs in manufacturing came along with gain of jobs in services. But loss of job in services is a dead end. The loss is permanent and complete. Three, the competition from cheap Indian labour is personal and direct. The American engineer who sees his job being taken away by an Indian feels the anger personally and directly. For these reasons there is a deep sense of anger against Indians. The American psyche has picked upon the low wages paid by Khobragade as a revenge. They want to hit back at India for the pain inflicted by us on them.
President Obama has highlighted this concern: “Billions of people from countries like India and China are striving hard to ‘out-educate’ Americans in mathematics and technology… In previous generations, America’s standing economically was so much higher than everybody else’s that we did not have a lot of competition… Now you have got billions of people from Beijing to Bangalore to Moscow, all of whom are competing with you directly. And those countries are working every day to out-educate and out-compete us… And every year brings more research showing them pulling ahead, especially in some of the subject matter that this school specializes in – math and science and technology… We live in a 21st century global economy. And in a global economy, jobs can go anywhere.”
It is this fear of India that is behind the aggressive stance taken by American authorities against Khobragade. The choice before us is difficult. On the one hand Khobragade is clearly in the wrong in not paying minimum wages as per US law. The fact that the maid jumped her visa does not remove this illegality on her part. The equally aggressive stance taken by the Indian diplomatic establishment is prompted, it seems, by the fact that this act by the US Government is seen as a challenge to Indian sovereignty. If the US wants to put India in her place; India wants to show the US that they are not overboard such practices.
It is good that we are standing up to the US. That said in this war the loser will be Indian workers. An aggressive stance by India will bring forth an equally aggressive stance from the US and create a public perception that workers are exploited in India. This will reduce the scope for the penetration of our service providers in the American economy. Our diplomatic establishment has done well to take on American highhandedness but it has chosen the wrong field for doing so. I think we must settle the Khobragade matter but continue to stand up to the US.
2014 for Jammu
Karanvir Gupta
The hangovers must be over and everyone would have started settling for 2014. Resolutions must have been set as always just to be taken again next year. Just if we could understand that New Year would keep the things same and remain unchanged until and unless we push for it and try hard to rise above our own predefined levels. Alas, we are caught in our own “busy” lives always making an excuse for one or the other reason and not making it to what we resolve to achieve. But have we ever given a thought that we have always been selfish enough to make resolutions for ourselves. Was it really the purpose of us being born, to live for ourselves? Probably not so bright a thought to ponder upon in the beginning of the year but then enough as food for thought!
This year, 2014, I intend to shift your epicenters of thought towards our very own ‘City of Temples’, the Jammu city. My thoughts have not been just my own. They have been accumulation of certain incidents that happened recently on my vacation to Jammu and over the things that have happened over the time. As always I see Jammu racing faster and pacing up with times. More and more branded outlets coming up in Jammu, the variety of cars ever increasing, roads seeming narrower than before, more trees getting vanished in every new trip but unfortunately people drifting away from the roots of culture.
Seven years staying away from home, I have been thrusted upon by many a question regarding our culture, community and language. Though I tried my best to find answers to many of them yet there were times when I couldn’t. This time I thought of gathering more and authenticated information about Dogri culture, literature and history. But to my dismay, there were only pieces tattered here and there. There was no consolidated text or work that could satisfy my quench for the same. The question is why? Unfortunately as you drift away from northern India, people even do not know if there is a language called Dogri. That answers that just getting a language recognized in the eyes of constitution is not sufficient to keep it alive.
Jammu Festival that was held a few days back, though a good move, but seems to be for namesake. I do not believe that were the only things to be put up on display. I would say rather it was a poor show. Why not have it conceptualised in the form of Jammu Haat just as Delhi Haat exists. The place and the ambience should be reflective of our culture, sweetness and hospitality that we are known for. I doubt if a generation immediate next would even be able to understand Dogri or not.
I wonder if when the old forts, fortresses and temples would be restored properly to preserve the heritage. Or probably not taking care of the heritage of a community (that too minority) is one of the new ways in taciturnity to eliminate it over the period of time. Business and money is all what we have always meant. Our doors and hearts have been always open to everyone irrespective of any sect or religion people belong to. And this is our strength but then to prevent our own identity is our onus alone. This might sound weird at this point of time but if you see in the foresight, this is time we need to take preventive steps.
I am neither taking potshots at anyone nor undermining the efforts of anyone who has been working to preserve and promote the cultural heritage. My thoughts are probably more of an introspection which I believe many of you would agree with because I consider myself equally responsible for such a negligent attitude that we have adopted towards our culture over the years. By just liking or commenting few pages on social networking sites, we might not be able to achieve what we really want to. This is time for some real ground work. And it requires elderly, young; everyone to work for the same. Let’s do it before we run out of reservoir of source of information on our culture and its roots.
All what I expect out of each one of us is to dedicate this year of 2014 towards consolidating Dogra culture and contribute in the best possible ways we can. Literature, old art forms, dance, language, architecture and buildings; all that reflects our culture needs to be taken care of. Some of you reading might call this piece of article orthodox in nature, I call this forewarning preventing the people from the pangs of pain that might have to be faced in future because of disinterest shown now. Only when we will stand to the cause and work for it, the policymakers and Government would come forward to support the same.
(The writer is a student at IIM Shillong)
Santoor meastro
Ravi Rohmetra
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma is a very famous classical musician, who has acquired international fame by playing the classical instrument, Santoor. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma is a one of the “Navrattans” of India in classical music. Originaly this music came from Iran during medieval period to Kashmir. He is a son of the Duggar soil. His music has come from his heritage. The flavour of Santoor basically comes from Shivalik Himalayas of Jammu. The Santoor is a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer often made of walnut wood and has 72 strings, which are struck with two delicate carved wooden mallets. The Santoor is essentially a folk instrument that originated in Kashmir valley, which was given the status of a classical instrument due to the persistent efforts of Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. Reaching at this level in life was not easy for him and it is because of the determination of Shiv Kumar Sharma that the Santoor is a popular classical instrument. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma was born on 13th January, 1938 in Jammu. He was introduced to the Santoor by his father and teacher, Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma. He is renowned player of the instrument and also vocalist. He was a disciple of Pandit Bade Ramdas Ji of Banaras. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma learnt the tabla and also vocal singing before dedicating himself to learn the Santoor extensively. The Santoor was known as the Shata-Tantri Veena in earlier days. It was used in a particular type of singing known as Sufiana Mausiqi. Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma gave the responsibility of taking the Santoor on the world stage to his son Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma . Shiv Kumar Sharma has truly been successful in giving the Santoor the position of a popular classical instrument. Sharma modified the folk instrument in order to make it more suitable for classical music. He increased its range to full three octaves and also created a technique for smoother gliding between music notes in order to imitate human voice quality. Shiv Kumar Sharma also created a new way of playing it so that the notes and sound continuity could be maintained for a long time. Shiv Kumar Sharma has collaborated with many musicians like Zakir Hussain and Hariprasad Chaurasiya. He also composed music for Hindi films like” Lamhe”, “Daar”, “Silsila”, etc. Some of his famous albums are “call of the valley”, “Sampradaya”, “elements”; “water”, “music of the Mountains”, “Megh Malhar”, etc. His son Rahul is also a famous Santoor Player. Shiv Kumar Sharma is the recipient of many prestigious awards like “Padma Shree”,”Padma Vibhushan”, “Sangeet Natak Academy Award”. Honorary Doctorate from the University of Jammu.”Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Award”,”Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar”, etc. He also has an honorary citizenship of the city of Baltimore, USA. This flawless musician truly deserves these honors and more. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma has created history in the world of music, is an understatement, and inadequate attempt to capture the maestro’s achievements and contributions. After all how many musicians can boast of single handedly bringing forth an obscure, almost unknown instrument to the level of being “Indispensable” on the concert platform musicians and their instruments do become synonyms, but how often does an instrument acquire an identity because of a musician. Santoor, which was used in Soofi music in the valley of Kashmir, owes its classical status to Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma. When Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma, a renowned vocalist from Jammu and a disciple of Pt. Bade Ramdass Ji of Benaras spotted it, he was convinced of the potentialities of the instrument. After extensive research on the instrument he bestowed the responsibility of establishing it on the concert platform on his only son Shiv Kumar. The rest, as they say, is history, however, the road to success was far from smooth. After several radio broadcasts and performances he appeared for his national level concert in Mumbai in 1955. This was a turning point in his life where he received applause as well as was severely criticized by the orthodox sections of musicians and listeners. Today Santoor is at par with any classical instrument, well established not just all over India, but across the globe with his creative genius. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma has created a new genre of instrumental music. Through his performance career of over a half century, he has created a new technique of playing with which he could sustain notes and maintain sound continuity. He believes in the immortality of this great heritage of Indians classical music and wishes to leave no stone unturned to make it so. With this aim in mind, he has been imparting this knowledge to the next generation of musicians. So deep in his conviction that despite no institutional or government support, he has been teaching in the Guru Shishya tradition, without charging a fee from his students, who come to him from all the corners of India as well as different parts of the world like Japan, Australia, America and Germany.
Peerkho-Mahamaya ropeway
After years of extended bureaucratic exercise, visits by survey teams, skullduggery at numberless meetings of officials and exhaustive paper work, the project of constructing the contemplated three tiers ropeway viz. Peerkho-Mahamaya-Shahbad, seems to be now on the last leg of its tortuous journey. With the Forest Advisory Committee giving its nod to the transfer of around 70 kanals of forest land to the J&K Cable Car Corporation, the last hitch in putting the project on rails has been removed.
Perhaps at the time when the project was conceived for implementation a couple of years ago, nobody had thought of convoluted process through such projects are required to go before they come to the execution stage. The Supreme Court, the Central Empowerment Committee, J&K State Cable Car corporation, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, State Forest and Revenue Departments and finally the Sate Cabinet are the agencies who needed to make input before the project would see the light of the day. The fundamental guiding factor that had to be kept in mind at all stages and by all stakeholders was that the project did not disrupt the ecological balance of Jammu. As we know Jammu town is already maintaining very critical ecological balance owing to various factors. Mahamaya forest in close proximity of the town is regarded the lungs of the body of Jammu city. The city breathes through it. Therefore it had to be ensured at every step taken towards the finalization of the project that no damage was done to the environmental character of Mahamaya forests.
The ropeway is expected to be a great tourist attraction as passage in a gondola over the ropeway end to end will present a grand and imposing panoramic view of the city of temples, it crisscrossing roads and flyovers, the serpentine river bed, the mountains and the forests. The nearly 1600 meter long ropeway will be a fun for the children, and a spectacle for the grown ups. The two terminals will also provide smart eateries and amusement for the kids that would be additional attraction for visitors to the ropeway.
We learn that M/s RITES India Limited, have been engaged as consultant for the project and M/s Damodar Ropeway and Infrastructure Ltd, Kolkata in collaboration with STM Teleferik Turkey has already been awarded the contract. These are reputed firms with considerable expertise in the field. One more important aspect connected with the project in hand is that of acquiring land belonging either to the Government (forest department) to private owners. The Forest Advisory Committee has only two days back given its nod to acquiring of the land that is owned by it. As far as the private land is concerned, the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu has said that there is no dispute on private land acquisition. All documents have been verified and approved and even money to be paid by way of compensation to the land owners has already been transferred to the Revenue department.
We appreciate the Government expeditiously pursuing the project and hopefully it will be launched soon and brought up within the stipulated time. However what we would like to emphasize is that we do have many interesting projects floated in the State but after a while there end up in a flop for the reason that necessary maintenance is not made available. This should not happen to the ropeway under discussion. It will be revenue generating mechanism and the system should not be allowed to collapse.