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The Emerging Militancy in Pakistan’s Mohmand Agency
01/25/2008 - By Imtiaz Ali from Terrorism Monitor, January 24 - The challenge of militancy in Pakistan's tribal region is no longer confined to the North...
2008-10-26 12:21:25
China opens first sex education museum for women
INT52 International/Education/Health China opens first sex education museum for women Beijing, Oct 24 RIA Novosti China's first museum of sex education for women, disseminating information on human reproduction and sexual psychology, has opened in the southern city of Guangzhou, the China Daily reported Friday. The exhibition, which men are barred from, has eight halls with more than 500 exhibits, housed in the city's Ren'ai Hospital. Women will be shown films and pictures imparting "knowledge on pregnancy, abortions and childbirth," the newspaper said. The museum hopes for at least 200 visitors per day. Authorities hope the experience will allow women to make more informed choices in their relationships with male partners and in family planning. China's first sex museum opened in 1999 in central Shanghai, sparking controversy and protests. It was later moved to the outskirts of the city. In 2000, the China Family Planning Association launched a five-year project to "promote reproductive health education among Chinese teenagers and unmarried youth", providing information on pregnancy and HIV prevention. Widespread ignorance on sex issues have been seen as a major impediment to the Chinese government's efforts to control the population explosion, and has contributed to the spread of HIV in recent years. There are currently an estimated 1.5 million HIV infected in the country. China is the world's most populous country, with over 1.3 billion people, or one fifth of the global total. The country has had a one-child policy since 1979, and is expected to maintain the restriction for at least another 10 years. --RIA Novosti dkg 279 Words 24101739
2008-10-24 08:00:00
One man and his museum in China
INT5International/CultureOne man and his museum in ChinaBeijing, Oct 16 Xinhua Ma Weidu knew little about antiques when he was a child in the chaotic China of the 1960s. But he used to wonder why people hated beautiful old things so much, watching them tearing paintings and dismantling old constructions.Now the 53-year-old has his own museum filled with antiques. He has been in the profession for almost three decades. Ma recently became a household name after he started delivering lectures on antiques and traditional culture on national broadcaster CCTV."I watched how China's antique collection boomed. Now two places are most crowded in Beijing before sunrise everyday: Tiananmen Square where tourists crane their neck to watch national-flag raising and Panjiayuan a curio fair where people bend their head down to hunt for treasures."Ma believes three indices attest to antique collection prosperity: extra money in pockets, government permission and increasing interest in, and knowledge of, antiques.When Ma began collecting antiques, they were cheap. "It was like picking up treasures littered on the ground."Most people were throwing out old things to equip themselves with modern products such as "a collapsible chair, a TV set, sofa or a bike" in the late 1970s and early 1980s when China just opened its door to the outside world and launched economic reforms.Ma dropped out from school at 11 when the Cultural Revolution 1966-1976 began. He became an editor of a literature magazine after publishing a novel. He once joined writers such as Wang Shuo and Liu Zhenyun in producing China's early TV comedies in the 1990s."When I was young, literature was my ultimate dream. But I left it when I found the circle corrupt - some writers could bribe judges for a prize."He turned to antique collection. "It's like when you drank quality wine, you can't go back to common wine or when you smoked a quality cigar, you can't go back to common cigarettes.""In antique collection, there is a definite answer on whether an object is genuine or not."When Ma got a treasure, he enjoyed showing it to his friends. "Once, when I rushed into a friend's home, people inside were embarrassed and quickly turned off the TV. When I found they were watching porn, I said nothing exciting to watch porn, let's look at the bowl I just collected."Ma named his museum after a word from the Taoist classic "Tao Te Ching, Guanfu", which literally means "watch it again and again". "If you watch an object again and again, you are either in love with it or studying it." His 3,500-square-metre museum mainly displays furniture and china, Ma's two favourites."A museum is a place for you to enjoy culture. China's museums have improved a lot. When I visited museums in the 1980s, they were badly equipped with broken lights and women were knitting sweaters at the door."Ma plans to leave his collection to society when he passes away."Antiques belong to the society. We are just temporary keepers. When looking at antiques, I often felt it was not I who was staring at them, but they were staring at me. Most have been passed on by at least 10 generations or up to 50 generations. We are passengers before them."He describes himself as a "passionate" and "diligent" man who "perseveres" in doing what he believes in.A friend describes him as a "man with the most common sense." Wang Gang, an actor and anchorman for a TV show on antiques, called him frank in determining the authenticity of antiques.Once when a collector took out a curio for Ma to judge on a show, he called "the object interesting, it's younger than me". The collector took out another. Ma said "this one is younger than my son". When another collector presented a cup, he announced "there are only three such cups in the world. You've got the fourth."To make sure he gets authentic antiques, Ma reads through basic books and takes every chance to study relics in museums, exhibitions or curio fairs.Now he spends some days every month to help appraise "treasures" brought by visitors. "It exposes me to the pressure of market changes and helps me keep an eye on fake production technique changes. If you don't follow the market changes closely for one or two years, you are out."Ma's home is furnished with traditional hardwood furniture. "My son often cried when he bumped into them. But when he grew up, he could clearly remember a certain wooden chair that he had finished his homework on and had deep affection for it."Though he gained all his knowledge outside school, he wished he had "regular" education. He enjoys observing and talking on subjects like literature, art medicines and anthropology with unorthodox comments.His obsession in seeking authenticity in antiques and social phenomena may come from his Taoism studies. "I'm an atheist, but I study Taoism for its philosophy. Taoism doesn't have class differences. Many others have class divisions and discuss things in certain circumstances with time and space limits."Curios were dubbed "adult toys" in the past, providing intellectual pleasure for collectors. "Today people put monetary value before intellectual enjoyment. There is too much knowledge covered under an antique."Ma said he built the museum not to revive ancient culture, but to remind the offspring "we once arrived at such cultural prosperity".--Xinhuadkg/jg/ky 989 Words16100811
2008-10-16 00:00:00
Goa police afraid rape suspect may leave India
NAT54National/Politics/CrimeGoa police afraid rape suspect may leave IndiaPanaji, Oct 15 IANS The Goa Police Wednesday said they were concerned about the possibility of state Education Minister Atanasio Monseratte's son Rohit fleeing the country, after he was formally charged with raping a 14-year-old German girl Tuesday. "We are worried about him Rohit leaving India," Superintendent of Police north Bosco George told reporters here.Rohit has managed to elude the police, even as his father maintains he is innocent.Police, however, refused to divulge any more information on its probe into the sensational case where a German woman has charged the minister's son of raping her 14-year-old daughter and sending her lewd messages. The complaint, which was filed by the victim's mother Fadela Fuchs Oct 2, was registered after 12 days at 12.10 p.m. Tuesday. Fuchs had claimed that the police "preferred her not to pursue the complaint". Minister Monseratte has also been booked for abetting his son in the crime. Asked how long the police would take to declare Rohit an absconder, George refused to give a clear answer. Questioned about Monseratte's claims of his son's innocence, the officer said: "Then let him come to the police station and prove it." Inspector General of Police Kishen Kumar said a women police officer, a child psychiatrist and an NGO working for child rights were trying to get the victim to make a statement."We are using a psychological approach. She is a small girl and this is a sensitive case," he said.Earlier the German Consulate in Mumbai wrote to the Goa government expressing its concern in the matter. It has asked the government to ensure "that the safety of Fuchs and her daughter is not compromised". Fuchs has claimed that the minister's wife had also approached her, asking her to drop the complaint against her 21-year-old son. Fuch's counsel Aires Roderigues was severely injured Monday night after he was assaulted by a group of masked attackers. Roderigues alleged at a press conference Tuesday that Monseratte had masterminded the attack. The minister has denied the allegation.--Indo-Asian News Servicemb/mv/jg384 Words*15101933
2008-10-15 10:03:05
The untold story: Army helps Kashmiris rebuild lives
NAT3National/Kashmir/Society/DefenceThe untold story: Army helps Kashmiris rebuild livesBy Binoo JoshiJammu, Oct 14 IANS Sixteen-year-old Iqbal Ahmad, from a frontier town in Jammu and Kashmir, was shattered after he lost his left arm and leg in a landmine blast that also killed his father some years ago.But today Iqbal is happy and walks to his school - of course with difficulty - but no longer feels despondent. "Thank you", he says to the Indian Army, which gave him not only the artificial limbs but also free education."The army took care of my family. It not only gave me free artificial limbs but is also educating me free of the cost. I owe a lot to them," Iqbal, of Mendhar town in Poonch district of Jammu, told IANS over the telephone.Iqbal's is just one of the many success stories of the Indian Army's 10-year-old Operation Sadbhavana goodwill in the violence-plagued state. The Indian Army has been constructing school buildings, roads and bridges and helping to ameliorate sufferings, particulary of women and children as part of the exercise.Fighting heavily armed guerrillas since 1989, the army began the goodwill mission in 1998 to rebuild Kashmir's socio-economic structure that had been shattered by years of terrorism and to restore confidence among the people."Women and children were the worst sufferers of terrorist activities. So they were the natural focus of Operation Sadbhavana," said Col. D.K. Kachari, spokesman of the Northern Command that administers the exercise."The various projects of Operation Sadbhavana focus on quality education, women's empowerment, better healthcare and community development," he pointed out."The operation began with a modest budget of Rs.4 crore Rs.40 million and till now the army has spent Rs.300 crore Rs.3 billion on it," Kachari told IANS.According to the spokesman, the army has constructed about 60 school buildings and renovated 534 in the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions of the state.This apart, it is running 60 Army Goodwill Schools that impart education to about 6,800 students and provide employment to 346 teachers."These are run on a not-for-profit basis," the spokesman said.The army also provides vocational training to women, has established computer training centres, installed micro-hydel projects, organises medical camps to provide free artificial limbs and primary health, and has set up many orphanages across the state.Said Eijaz Kazmi, a journalist in Poonch: "Many people have benefited in terms of education, vocational training, employment and medical aid from Operation Sadbhavana."P. Namgyal, the Congress' Rajya Sabha MP from Ladakh, was extremely appreciative of Operation Sadbhavana"The best part of the scheme was introduction of greenhouses in the cold desert region of Ladakh, due to which Ladakhis are producing vegetables, which otherwise was impossible," Namgyal, a former central minister, told IANS on the telephone. Binoo Joshi can be contacted at binoo.j@ians.in--Indo-Asian News Servicebj/sk/vm518 Words**14101011
2008-10-14 01:00:00
Two premier scientific institutes being built in Bhopal
NAT52National/Education/ScienceTwo premier scientific institutes being built in BhopalBhopal, Oct 8 IANS Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh Wednesday stressed on more scientific research and development in India and said the central government had earmarked Rs.840 billion in the 11th Five Year Plan for the development of human resource. Singh was here to attend the foundation laying ceremony for two premier scientific institutes - Indian Institute of Science Education and Research IISER and the School of Planning and Architecture SPA - at Bhounri village near here. The two institutes are being set up at a cost of more than Rs.5 billion.The minister said students were being motivated to carry out more research activities in science and teachers should come forward to encourage it. Stressing upon the need for women's education in the state, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said his government has introduced 'Gaon ki Beti' daughter of the village scheme under which annual stipend of Rs.5,000 was given to those girls who scored more than 60 percent marks in their examinations. --Indo-Asian News Servicess/ak/sk/dg189 Words08101939
2008-10-08 10:00:09
Nearly 600,000 students to write B.Ed exam Lead
NAT31National/EducationNearly 600,000 students to write B.Ed exam LeadAgra, Oct 5 IANS Agra University is set to hold Oct 19 what its officials say will be the country's biggest Bachelor in Education B.Ed entrance examination. Nearly 600,000 forms have been sold. The examination date was announced by vice chancellor K.N. Tripathi Saturday after being postponed from the original Sep 23 to Oct 5 and again to Oct 12.The delay has meant more revenue for the university as each form costs Rs.736, a university source said. Another official said that it would be the biggest examination of its kind in India.According to Tripathi, 587,289 men and women will appear for the combined B.Ed entrance exam in 925 centres all over Uttar Pradesh. In Agra alone, 58,393 students are expected to take the examination at 91 centres. Lucknow will host 120 centres.The authorities propose to impose Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code - which prohibits the assembly of five or more people - within 300 metres of the examination centres.And in a bid to prevent the copying and illegal transmission of question papers and answer sheets, the working of public call offices PCOs as well as fax machines will not be permitted in this zone on the exam day. --Indo-Asian News Servicebk/pb/dg/mr233 Words05101511
2008-10-05 07:01:07
Kajol appointed goodwill ambassador of Loomba trust
INT63International/Society/EntertainmentKajol appointed goodwill ambassador of Loomba trustLondon, Oct 3 IANS Bollywood actress Kajol has been appointed goodwill ambassador of the Britain-based Loomba Trust that works for the welfare and education of children of poor widows in India."I am honoured and I hope I would be worthy of this appointment," said Kajol while accepting a plaque from Cherie Blair here Thursday.Cherie, wife of the former British prime minister Tony Blair, is president of the Loomba Trust. Kajol attended the annual Diwali dinner organised by the trust. The occasion also marked the UN International Day of Non-Violence, commemorating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.The event raised 150,000 pounds for charity to provide scholarships for the children of poor widows in India.Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, India's High Commissioner to Britain, congratulated the trust for "a worthy job" and promised his support for its noble efforts. Cherie said that the trust helped to educate at least a hundred children of poor widows in every state of India that totals 3,600. She also extended the trust's projects to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda.Raj Loomba, founder trustee and chairman of the trust, said that women often lose their husbands due to violence and it was apt on the day to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary who was an apostle of non-violence."We should light a candle tonight to celebrate the festival of lights and give those unfortunate women a ray of hope," he said. --Indo-Asian News Servicekul/rob/rd/rn267 Words03102251
2008-10-03 13:08:15
Non-violence has solution to rising terrorism: President
NAT66National/TerrorismNon-violence has solution to rising terrorism: PresidentRaipur, Sep 29 IANS Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence theory that was instrumental to achieve independence has a solution to rising terrorism worldwide and its fallouts too, President Pratibha Patil said Monday."Gandhi's non-violence theory is an effective weapon to end rising terrorism across the world. Nothing can be achieved by adopting violence, it can only produce destruction and pain," the president said here addressing the golden jubilee function of the government-run Dudhadhari Bajrang Girls Degree College in the evening."Problems can be sorted out only through dialogues," said Patil in her 15-minute speech in Hindi without referring to any terror group or incidents. She arrived here Sunday on a two-day trip. At a well-attended function she said: "Our country can grow fast only if the atmosphere of peace will prevail." Chhattisgarh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister Raman Singh and several of his ministerial colleagues shared the dais with the president.Emphasising women's empowerment she said, "A social revolution is required for women empowerment in the country and also to change the approach of society towards women.""Education is an index of development, it gives us strength to tackle challenges and make us disciplined. We can effort to develop India as a major human resource hub by providing quality education, teaching moral values and technical training to the country's 54 crore youth population," Patil said.--Indo-Asian News Service suj/sk/vt250 Words*29092225
2008-09-29 13:05:09
Forces open doors to women, but just a little
The government on Friday issued orders for permanent commission for women officers only in the legal and education wings of Army, Navy and IAF,
2008-09-26 14:00:00