Thursday, August 11, 2011
Indian Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare for Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen...
What is Lokpal Bill? (Anti-corruption)
Anna Hazare Indian social activist fasting from April 2011 for Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's ombudsman Bill)
The first Lokpal Bill was passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but could not get through in Rajya Sabha, subsequently, Lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008, yet they were never passed. Th Lokpal Bill was visualised as the watchdog institution or ministerial probity. Broadly the provisions of different bills empowered the Lokpal to investigate corruption cases against political persons at the central level.
Main objective of the bill is to provide speedy, cheaper form of justice to people. In the proposed system Lokpal will have complete powers to dismiss a corrupt official.
Lok Pal will have powers to probe or prosecute any judge, even CJI, without any permission while in present scenario CJI permission is required even to register FIR against any judge. Also, in the proposed system, politicians will not have any say in selections of chairperson and members of Lokpal.
Loss caused to government will be recovered from accused. The punishment if found guilty will be 5 years to maximum life term in the proposed system. Right now the punishment is 6 months to maximum 7 years.
http://hyderabad.0fees.net/anna-hazare-indian-social-activist-fasting-for-jan...
A look at the salient features of Jan Lokpal Bill:
1. An institution called LOKPAL at the centre and LOKAYUKTA in each state will be set up
2. Like Supreme Court and Election Commission, they will be completely independent of the governments. No minister or bureaucrat will be able to influence their investigations.
3. Cases against corrupt people will not linger on for years anymore: Investigations in any case will have to be completed in one year. Trial should be completed in next one year so that the corrupt politician, officer or judge is sent to jail within two years.
4. The loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be recovered at the time of conviction.
5. How will it help a common citizen: If any work of any citizen is not done in prescribed time in any government office, Lokpal will impose financial penalty on guilty officers, which will be given as compensation to the complainant.
6. So, you could approach Lokpal if your ration card or passport or voter card is not being made or if police is not registering your case or any other work is not being done in prescribed time. Lokpal will have to get it done in a month's time. You could also report any case of corruption to Lokpal like ration being siphoned off, poor quality roads been constructed or panchayat funds being siphoned off. Lokpal will have to complete its investigations in a year, trial will be over in next one year and the guilty will go to jail within two years.
7. But won't the government appoint corrupt and weak people as Lokpal members? That won't be possible because its members will be selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians, through a completely transparent and participatory process.
8. What if some officer in Lokpal becomes corrupt? The entire functioning of Lokpal/ Lokayukta will be completely transparent. Any complaint against any officer of Lokpal shall be investigated and the officer dismissed within two months.
9. What will happen to existing anti-corruption agencies? CVC, departmental vigilance and anti-corruption branch of CBI will be merged into Lokpal. Lokpal will have complete powers and machinery to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.
10. It will be the duty of the Lokpal to provide protection to those who are being victimized for raising their voice against corruption.
Friday, June 24, 2011
इसीलिये रतन टाटा वन्दनीय और "सरकारी व्यवस्था" निन्दनीय हैं… Ratan Tata, 26/11 Terrorist Attack, Taj Hotel
कोई भी कर्मचारी अपनी जान पर खेलकर अपने मालिक के लिये वफ़ादारी और समर्पण से काम
क्यों करता है? इसका जवाब है कि उसे यह विश्वास होता है कि उसका मालिक उसके हर
सुख-दुख में काम आयेगा तथा उसके परिवार का पूरा ख्याल रखेगा, और संकट की घड़ी में
यदि कम्पनी या फ़ैक्ट्री का मालिक उस कर्मचारी से अपने परिवार के एक सदस्य की भाँति
पेश आता है तब वह उसका भक्त बन जाता है। फ़िर वह मालिक, मीडिया वालों, राजनीतिबाजों,
कार्पोरेट कल्चर वालों की निगाह में कुछ भी हो, उस संस्थान में काम करने वाले
कर्मचारी के लिये एक हीरो ही होता है। भूमिका से ही आप समझ गये होंगे कि बात हो रही
है रतन टाटा की।
26/11 को ताज होटल पर हमला हुआ। तीन दिनों तक घमासान युद्ध हुआ, जिसमें
बाहर हमारे NSG और पुलिस के जवानों ने बहादुरी दिखाई, जबकि भीतर होटल के
कर्मचारियों ने असाधारण धैर्य और बहादुरी का प्रदर्शन किया। 30 नवम्बर को ताज होटल
तात्कालिक रूप से अस्थाई बन्द किया गया। इसके बाद रतन टाटा ने क्या-क्या किया, पहले
यह देख लें -
1) उस दिन ताज होटल में जितने भी
कर्मचारी काम पर थे, चाहे उन्हें काम करते हुए एक दिन ही क्यों न हुआ हो, अस्थाई
ठेका कर्मचारी हों या स्थायी कर्मचारी, सभी को रतन टाटा ने "ऑन-ड्यूटी" मानते हुए
उसी स्केल के अनुसार वेतन दिया।
2) होटल में जितने भी कर्मचारी मारे गये या
घायल हुए, सभी का पूरा इलाज टाटा ने करवाया।
3) होटल के आसपास पाव-भाजी,
सब्जी, मछली आदि का ठेला लगाने वाले सभी ठेलाचालकों (जो कि सुरक्षा बलों और
आतंकवादियों की गोलाबारी में घायल हुए, अथवा उनके ठेले नष्ट हो गये) को प्रति ठेला
60,000 रुपये का भुगतान रतन टाटा की तरफ़ से किया गया। एक ठेले वाले की छोटी बच्ची
भी "क्रास-फ़ायर" में फ़ँसने के दौरान उसे चार गोलियाँ लगीं जिसमें से एक गोली सरकारी
अस्पताल में निकाल दी गई, बाकी की नहीं निकलने पर टाटा ने अपने अस्पताल में
विशेषज्ञों से ऑपरेशन करके निकलवाईं, जिसका कुल खर्च 4 लाख रुपये आया और यह पैसा उस
ठेले वाले से लेने का तो सवाल ही नहीं उठता था।
4) जब तक होटल बन्द रहा,
सभी कर्मचारियों का वेतन मनीऑर्डर से उनसे घर पहुँचाने की व्यवस्था की गई।
5) टाटा इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ़ सोशल साइंस की तरफ़ से एक मनोचिकित्सक ने सभी घायलों
के परिवारों से सतत सम्पर्क बनाये रखा और उनका मनोबल बनाये रखा।
6)
प्रत्येक घायल कर्मचारी की देखरेख के लिये हरेक को एक-एक उच्च अधिकारी का फ़ोन नम्बर
और उपलब्धता दी गई थी, जो कि उसकी किसी भी मदद के लिये किसी भी समय तैयार रहता था।
7) 80 से अधिक मृत अथवा गम्भीर रूप से घायल कर्मचारियों के यहाँ खुद रतन
टाटा ने अपनी व्यक्तिगत उपस्थिति दर्ज करवाई, जिसे देखकर परिवार वाले भी भौंचक थे।
8) घायल कर्मचारियों के सभी प्रमुख रिश्तेदारों को बाहर से लाने की
व्यवस्था की गई और सभी को होटल प्रेसिडेण्ट में तब तक ठहराया गया, जब तक कि
सम्बन्धित कर्मचारी खतरे से बाहर नहीं हो गया।
9) सिर्फ़ 20 दिनों के भीतर
सारी कानूनी खानापूर्तियों को निपटाते हुए रतन टाटा ने सभी घायलों के लिये एक
ट्रस्ट का निर्माण किया जो आने वाले समय में उनकी आर्थिक देखभाल करेगा।
10)
सबसे प्रमुख बात यह कि जिनका टाटा या उनके संस्थान से कोई सम्बन्ध नहीं है, ऐसे
रेल्वे कर्मचारियों, पुलिस स्टाफ़, तथा अन्य घायलों को भी रतन टाटा की ओर से 6 माह
तक 10,000 रुपये की सहायता दी गई।
11) सभी 46 मृत कर्मचारियों के बच्चों को
टाटा के संस्थानों में आजीवन मुफ़्त शिक्षा की जिम्मेदारी भी उठाई है।
12)
मरने वाले कर्मचारी को उसके ओहदे के मुताबिक नौकरी-काल के अनुमान से 36 से 85 लाख
रुपये तक का भुगतान तुरन्त किया गया। इसके अलावा जिन्हें यह पैसा एकमुश्त नहीं
चाहिये था, उन परिवारों और आश्रितों को आजीवन पेंशन दी जायेगी। इसी प्रकार पूरे
परिवार का मेडिकल बीमा और खर्च टाटा की तरफ़ से दिया जायेगा। यदि मृत परिवार ने टाटा
की कम्पनी से कोई लोन वगैरह लिया था उसे तुरन्त प्रभाव से खत्म माना गया।
हाल ही में ताज होटल समूह के प्रेसिडेंट एचएन श्रीनिवास ने एक
इंटरव्यू दिया है, जिसमें उन्होंने उस हमले, हमले के दौरान ताज के कर्मचारियों
तथा हमले के बाद ताज होटल तथा रतन टाटा के बारे में विचार व्यक्त किये हैं। इसी
इंटरव्यू के मुख्य अंश आपने अभी पढ़े कि रतन टाटा ने क्या-क्या किया, लेकिन संकट के
क्षणों में होटल के उन कर्मचारियों ने "अपने होटल" (जी हाँ अपने होटल) के लिये क्या
किया इसकी भी एक झलक देखिये -
1) आतंकवादियों ने अगले और पिछले दोनों गेट
से प्रवेश किया, और मुख्य द्वार के आसपास RDX बिखेर दिया ताकि जगह आग लग जाये और
पर्यटक-सैलानी और होटल की पार्टियों में शामिल लोग भगदड़ करें और उन्हें निशाना
बनाया जा सके, इन RDX के टुकड़ों को ताज के कुछ सुरक्षाकर्मियों ने अपनी जान पर
खेलकर हटाया अथवा दूर फ़ेंका।
2) उस दिन होटल में कुछ शादियाँ, और मीटिंग्स
इत्यादि चल रही थीं, जिसमें से एक बड़े बोहरा परिवार की शादी ग्राउंड फ़्लोर पर चल
रही थी। कई बड़ी कम्पनियों के CEO तथा बोर्ड सदस्य विभिन्न बैठकों में शामिल होने
आये थे।
3) रात 8.30 बजे जैसे ही आतंकवादियों सम्
क्यों करता है? इसका जवाब है कि उसे यह विश्वास होता है कि उसका मालिक उसके हर
सुख-दुख में काम आयेगा तथा उसके परिवार का पूरा ख्याल रखेगा, और संकट की घड़ी में
यदि कम्पनी या फ़ैक्ट्री का मालिक उस कर्मचारी से अपने परिवार के एक सदस्य की भाँति
पेश आता है तब वह उसका भक्त बन जाता है। फ़िर वह मालिक, मीडिया वालों, राजनीतिबाजों,
कार्पोरेट कल्चर वालों की निगाह में कुछ भी हो, उस संस्थान में काम करने वाले
कर्मचारी के लिये एक हीरो ही होता है। भूमिका से ही आप समझ गये होंगे कि बात हो रही
है रतन टाटा की।
26/11 को ताज होटल पर हमला हुआ। तीन दिनों तक घमासान युद्ध हुआ, जिसमें
बाहर हमारे NSG और पुलिस के जवानों ने बहादुरी दिखाई, जबकि भीतर होटल के
कर्मचारियों ने असाधारण धैर्य और बहादुरी का प्रदर्शन किया। 30 नवम्बर को ताज होटल
तात्कालिक रूप से अस्थाई बन्द किया गया। इसके बाद रतन टाटा ने क्या-क्या किया, पहले
यह देख लें -
1) उस दिन ताज होटल में जितने भी
कर्मचारी काम पर थे, चाहे उन्हें काम करते हुए एक दिन ही क्यों न हुआ हो, अस्थाई
ठेका कर्मचारी हों या स्थायी कर्मचारी, सभी को रतन टाटा ने "ऑन-ड्यूटी" मानते हुए
उसी स्केल के अनुसार वेतन दिया।
2) होटल में जितने भी कर्मचारी मारे गये या
घायल हुए, सभी का पूरा इलाज टाटा ने करवाया।
3) होटल के आसपास पाव-भाजी,
सब्जी, मछली आदि का ठेला लगाने वाले सभी ठेलाचालकों (जो कि सुरक्षा बलों और
आतंकवादियों की गोलाबारी में घायल हुए, अथवा उनके ठेले नष्ट हो गये) को प्रति ठेला
60,000 रुपये का भुगतान रतन टाटा की तरफ़ से किया गया। एक ठेले वाले की छोटी बच्ची
भी "क्रास-फ़ायर" में फ़ँसने के दौरान उसे चार गोलियाँ लगीं जिसमें से एक गोली सरकारी
अस्पताल में निकाल दी गई, बाकी की नहीं निकलने पर टाटा ने अपने अस्पताल में
विशेषज्ञों से ऑपरेशन करके निकलवाईं, जिसका कुल खर्च 4 लाख रुपये आया और यह पैसा उस
ठेले वाले से लेने का तो सवाल ही नहीं उठता था।
4) जब तक होटल बन्द रहा,
सभी कर्मचारियों का वेतन मनीऑर्डर से उनसे घर पहुँचाने की व्यवस्था की गई।
5) टाटा इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ़ सोशल साइंस की तरफ़ से एक मनोचिकित्सक ने सभी घायलों
के परिवारों से सतत सम्पर्क बनाये रखा और उनका मनोबल बनाये रखा।
6)
प्रत्येक घायल कर्मचारी की देखरेख के लिये हरेक को एक-एक उच्च अधिकारी का फ़ोन नम्बर
और उपलब्धता दी गई थी, जो कि उसकी किसी भी मदद के लिये किसी भी समय तैयार रहता था।
7) 80 से अधिक मृत अथवा गम्भीर रूप से घायल कर्मचारियों के यहाँ खुद रतन
टाटा ने अपनी व्यक्तिगत उपस्थिति दर्ज करवाई, जिसे देखकर परिवार वाले भी भौंचक थे।
8) घायल कर्मचारियों के सभी प्रमुख रिश्तेदारों को बाहर से लाने की
व्यवस्था की गई और सभी को होटल प्रेसिडेण्ट में तब तक ठहराया गया, जब तक कि
सम्बन्धित कर्मचारी खतरे से बाहर नहीं हो गया।
9) सिर्फ़ 20 दिनों के भीतर
सारी कानूनी खानापूर्तियों को निपटाते हुए रतन टाटा ने सभी घायलों के लिये एक
ट्रस्ट का निर्माण किया जो आने वाले समय में उनकी आर्थिक देखभाल करेगा।
10)
सबसे प्रमुख बात यह कि जिनका टाटा या उनके संस्थान से कोई सम्बन्ध नहीं है, ऐसे
रेल्वे कर्मचारियों, पुलिस स्टाफ़, तथा अन्य घायलों को भी रतन टाटा की ओर से 6 माह
तक 10,000 रुपये की सहायता दी गई।
11) सभी 46 मृत कर्मचारियों के बच्चों को
टाटा के संस्थानों में आजीवन मुफ़्त शिक्षा की जिम्मेदारी भी उठाई है।
12)
मरने वाले कर्मचारी को उसके ओहदे के मुताबिक नौकरी-काल के अनुमान से 36 से 85 लाख
रुपये तक का भुगतान तुरन्त किया गया। इसके अलावा जिन्हें यह पैसा एकमुश्त नहीं
चाहिये था, उन परिवारों और आश्रितों को आजीवन पेंशन दी जायेगी। इसी प्रकार पूरे
परिवार का मेडिकल बीमा और खर्च टाटा की तरफ़ से दिया जायेगा। यदि मृत परिवार ने टाटा
की कम्पनी से कोई लोन वगैरह लिया था उसे तुरन्त प्रभाव से खत्म माना गया।
हाल ही में ताज होटल समूह के प्रेसिडेंट एचएन श्रीनिवास ने एक
इंटरव्यू दिया है, जिसमें उन्होंने उस हमले, हमले के दौरान ताज के कर्मचारियों
तथा हमले के बाद ताज होटल तथा रतन टाटा के बारे में विचार व्यक्त किये हैं। इसी
इंटरव्यू के मुख्य अंश आपने अभी पढ़े कि रतन टाटा ने क्या-क्या किया, लेकिन संकट के
क्षणों में होटल के उन कर्मचारियों ने "अपने होटल" (जी हाँ अपने होटल) के लिये क्या
किया इसकी भी एक झलक देखिये -
1) आतंकवादियों ने अगले और पिछले दोनों गेट
से प्रवेश किया, और मुख्य द्वार के आसपास RDX बिखेर दिया ताकि जगह आग लग जाये और
पर्यटक-सैलानी और होटल की पार्टियों में शामिल लोग भगदड़ करें और उन्हें निशाना
बनाया जा सके, इन RDX के टुकड़ों को ताज के कुछ सुरक्षाकर्मियों ने अपनी जान पर
खेलकर हटाया अथवा दूर फ़ेंका।
2) उस दिन होटल में कुछ शादियाँ, और मीटिंग्स
इत्यादि चल रही थीं, जिसमें से एक बड़े बोहरा परिवार की शादी ग्राउंड फ़्लोर पर चल
रही थी। कई बड़ी कम्पनियों के CEO तथा बोर्ड सदस्य विभिन्न बैठकों में शामिल होने
आये थे।
3) रात 8.30 बजे जैसे ही आतंकवादियों सम्
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Happyyyyyyyyy Holiiiiiiiii
Holi, or Holli (Hindi: होली), is a spring religious festival celebrated by Hindus. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and countries with large Indic diaspora populations, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, United Kingdom, United States, Mauritius, and Fiji. In West Bengal and Orissa of India it is known as Dolyatra (Doul Jatra) or Basanta-Utsav ("spring festival"). The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj region, in locations connected to the god Krishna: Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandagaon, and Barsana. These places have become tourist destinations during the festive season of Holi, which lasts here to up to sixteen days.
The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as "Kama DahanamSouth" India.
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna Purnima.
In Vaishnava Theology, Hiranyakashipu is the great king of demons, and he had been granted a boon by Brahma, which made it almost impossible for him to be killed. The boon was due to his long penance, after which he had demanded that he not be killed "during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or in the sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra". Consequently, he grew arrogant and attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He demanded that people stop worshiping gods and start praying to him.
Despite this, Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlada, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. He was poisoned but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, poisonous snakes and survived. All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered young Prahlada to sit on a pyre on the lap of his demoness sister, Holika, who could not die because she also had a boon which would prevent fire from burning her. Prahlada readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika burnt to death, while Prahlada survived unharmed, the burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi 2011.
There is alternative story detailing the origin of Holi. This story is about Kamadeva, a god of love. Kama's body was destroyed when he shot his weapon at Shiva in order to disrupt his meditation and help Parvati to marry Shiva. Shiva then opened his third eye, the gaze of which was so powerful that Kama's body was reduced to ashes. For the sake of Kama's wife Rati (passion), Shiva restored him, but only as a mental image, representing the true emotional and spiritual state of love rather than physical lust. The Holi bonfire is believed to be celebrated in commemoration of this event.
The main day, Holi, also known as Dhuli Vandana in Sanskrit, also Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as "Kama DahanamSouth" India.
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna Purnima.
In Vaishnava Theology, Hiranyakashipu is the great king of demons, and he had been granted a boon by Brahma, which made it almost impossible for him to be killed. The boon was due to his long penance, after which he had demanded that he not be killed "during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or in the sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra". Consequently, he grew arrogant and attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He demanded that people stop worshiping gods and start praying to him.
Despite this, Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlada, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. He was poisoned but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, poisonous snakes and survived. All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered young Prahlada to sit on a pyre on the lap of his demoness sister, Holika, who could not die because she also had a boon which would prevent fire from burning her. Prahlada readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika burnt to death, while Prahlada survived unharmed, the burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi 2011.
Radha and the Gopis celebrating Holi, with accompaniment of music instruments
Later Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (who is half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra).
In Vrindavan and Mathura, where Lord Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days (until Rangpanchmi) in commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Lord Krishna is believed to have popularized the festival by playing pranks on the gopis here. Krishna is believed to have complained to his mother about the contrast between his dark skin complexion and Radha's (Shakti or energy that drives the world) fair skin complexion. Krishna's mother decided to apply colour to Radha's face. The celebrations officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.There is alternative story detailing the origin of Holi. This story is about Kamadeva, a god of love. Kama's body was destroyed when he shot his weapon at Shiva in order to disrupt his meditation and help Parvati to marry Shiva. Shiva then opened his third eye, the gaze of which was so powerful that Kama's body was reduced to ashes. For the sake of Kama's wife Rati (passion), Shiva restored him, but only as a mental image, representing the true emotional and spiritual state of love rather than physical lust. The Holi bonfire is believed to be celebrated in commemoration of this event.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
International womens day
“Women are the real architects of society.”
~ Harriet Beecher Stowe
Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity
- MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI
“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”
~ Margaret Thatcher
“The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.” ~ Charles Malik
- 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
- 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
- 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
- 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
- 2006: Women in decision-making
- 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
- 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
- 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
- 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
- 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
- 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
- 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
- 1998: Women and Human Rights
- 1997: Women at the Peace Table
- 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
- 1975: First IWD celebrated by the United Nations
~ Harriet Beecher Stowe
Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity
- MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI
“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”
~ Margaret Thatcher
“The fastest way to change society is to mobilize the women of the world.” ~ Charles Malik
Each year around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Organisations, governments and women’s groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues.
Some years have seen global IWD themes honored around the world, while in other years groups have preferred to ‘localize’ their own themes to make them more specific and relevant.
THEME: So while many people may think there is one global theme each year, this is not always correct. It is completely up to each country and group as to what appropriate theme they select.
Below are some of the global United Nation themes used for International Women’s Day to date:
- 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women
- 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
- 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
- 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
- 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
- 2006: Women in decision-making
- 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
- 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
- 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
- 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
- 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
- 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
- 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
- 1998: Women and Human Rights
- 1997: Women at the Peace Table
- 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
- 1975: First IWD celebrated by the United Nations
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Some helpful statistical information
Frequencies of the letters in the English language
E 12.51%
T 9.25
A 8.04
O 7.60
I 7.26
N 7.09
S 6.54
R 6.12
H 5.49
L 4.14
D 3.99
C 3.06
U 2.71
M 2.53
F 2.30
P 2.00
G 1.96
W 1.92
Y 1.73
B 1.54
V 0.99
K 0.67
X 0.19
J 0.16
Q 0.11
T 9.25
A 8.04
O 7.60
I 7.26
N 7.09
S 6.54
R 6.12
H 5.49
L 4.14
D 3.99
C 3.06
U 2.71
M 2.53
F 2.30
P 2.00
G 1.96
W 1.92
Y 1.73
B 1.54
V 0.99
K 0.67
X 0.19
J 0.16
Q 0.11
Z 0.09
The most common first letter in a word in order of frequency
T, O, A, W, B, C, D, S, F, M, R, H, I, Y, E, G, L, N, O, U, J, K
The most common second letter in a word in order of frequency
H, O, E, I, A, U, N, R, T
The most common third letter in a word in order of frequency
E, S, A, R, N, I
The most common last letter in a word in order of frequency
E, S, T, D, N, R, Y, F, L, O, G, H, A, K, M, P, U, W
More than half of all words end with
E ,T, D, S
Letters most likely to follow E in order of frequency
R,S,N,D
The most common digraphs on order of frequency
TH, HE, AN, IN, ER, ON, RE, ED, ND, HA, AT, EN, ES, OF, NT, EA, TI, TO, IO, LE, IS, OU, AR, AS, DE, RT, VE
The most common trigraphs in order of frequency
THE, AND, THA, ENT, ION, TIO, FOR, NDE, HAS, NCE, TIS, OFT, MEN
The most common double letters in order of frequency
SS, EE, TT, FF, LL, MM, OO
The most common two-letter words in order of frequency
of, to, in, it, is, be, as, at, so, we, he, by, or, on, do, if, me, my, up, an, go, no, us, am
The most common three-letter words in order of frequency
the, and, for, are, but, not, you, all, any, can, had, her, was, one, our, out, day, get, has, him, his, how, man, new, now, old, see, two, way, who, boy, did, its, let, put, say, she, too, use
The most common four-letter words in order of frequency
That, with, have, this, will, your, from, they, know, want, been, good, much, some, time, very, when, come, here, just, like, long, make, many, more, only, over, such, take, than, them, well, were
The most commonly used words in the English language in order of frequency
The, of, and, to, in, a, is, that, be, it, by, are, for, was, as, he, with, on, his, at, which, but, from, has, this, will, one, have, not, were, or, all, their, an, I, there, been, many, more, so, when, had, may, today, who, would, time, we, about, after, dollars, if, my, other, some, them, being, its, no, only, over, very, you, into, most, than, they, day, even, made, out, first, great, must, these, can, days, every, found, general, her, here, last, new, now, people, public, said, since, still, such, through, under, up, war, well, where, while, years, before, between, country, debts, good, him, interest, large, like, make, our, take, upon, what
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, who holds a legendary status in Indian Classical music was born in Gadag (Karnataka) on 14 February 1922. His unique style and mastery over ragas has made him un parallel to any other vocalist in the country.
A conservative schoolmaster's son, Bhimsen Joshi had a passion for music even from his early childhood. The little boy deeply moved by a recording of Abdul Karim Khan, the founder father of the 'Kirana gharana', was later destined to become an accomplished jewel of the gharana. He left home in 1932 and was on the move for the next two years in search of a guru. He travelled to Bijapur, Pune, Gwalior where he tutored under Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, the well-known sarodiya and father of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, then to Calcutta, Punjab and back home, only to goad his father into sending him to Sawai Gandharva for training.
In 1936, Joshi started his rigorous training under Sawai Gandharva (Pandit Rambhan Kundgolkar), the eminent Khyal singer student of Abdul Karim Khan at Kundgol, near Gadag. He taught him the basics of Khayal singing. The tutoring spanning several years honed his inborn talent and helped him attain his mastery over ragas.
Bhimsen Joshi sings in the khayal style and has also rendered heavenly thumris and bhajans. Some of his popular numbers are 'Piya milan ki aas', 'Jo bhaje hari ko sada', 'Mile sur mera tumhara' etc. He has improvised and combined ragas to form new ragas like the Kalashri (Kalavati and Rageshri) and LalitBhatiyar (Lalit and Bhatiyar ragas) and has also developed and excelled in an unique style of singing adapting characteristics from other gharanas. Be it a new raga or a bhajan, khyal or kirti he performs with absolute ease moving from one pitch to another in the same breath effortlessly. His first public concert, to mark the shashtyabdipoorti (60th birthday) of his guru Sawai Gandharva, was held in Pune in January 1946. By the early 50's his voice became known throughout the country and then he began to travel extensively in India and abroad giving concerts.
This musical marvel is the recipient of prestigious awards like the Padma Shri from the Indian government, Sangeet Natak Academy Award, the Mysore Sangeet Natak Academy Award etc. Every year he has been conducting a music festival at Pune with performances of famous classical musicians, to observe his Gurus death anniversary.
This musical marvel is the recipient of prestigious awards like the Padma Shri from the Indian government, Sangeet Natak Academy Award, the Mysore Sangeet Natak Academy Award etc. Every year he has been conducting a music festival at Pune with performances of famous classical musicians, to observe his Gurus death anniversary.
Bhimsen Joshi received the country’s highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna' in recognition of his contribution to Indian music in 2008.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
National Youth Day on Swami Vivekanand's birthday 12th January
India celebrates National Youth Day on Swami Vivekanand's birthday 12th January every year.
about Swami Vivekanand :
Date of birth: 12 January 1863
Place of birth: Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India
Birth name : Narendranath Dutta
Date of death: 4 July 1902 (aged 39)
Place of death: Belur Math near Kolkata
Guru/teacher : Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Quotation: "Come up, O lions, and shake off the delusion that you are sheep; you are souls immortal, spirits free, blest and eternal; ye are not matter, ye are not bodies; matter is your servant, not you the servant of matter."
about Swami Vivekanand :
Date of birth: 12 January 1863
Place of birth: Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India
Birth name : Narendranath Dutta
Date of death: 4 July 1902 (aged 39)
Place of death: Belur Math near Kolkata
Guru/teacher : Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Quotation: "Come up, O lions, and shake off the delusion that you are sheep; you are souls immortal, spirits free, blest and eternal; ye are not matter, ye are not bodies; matter is your servant, not you the servant of matter."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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