Punjab: A Dying Civilization?
Repeat of devastation of Sindhu Valley Civilization
By Umendra Dutt
About two years ago my friend the famous singer Rabbi Shergill in one of his Punjabi article says “There is no doubt that it was just because of a major environmental change that the great civilization of Indus valley had completely vanished. The same reasons, in [...]
Petrol Subsidy Removal an Opportunity?
long awaited and perhaps much needed realignment of national petroleum product prices with the international markets was announced today. The cost of petrol will increase by Rs. 3.75 per litre, kerosene by Rs. 3 a litre, and LPG costs will rise by Rs. 35 per cylinder. While petroleum prices are freed, diesel [...]
The Jury Speaks (IPT Interim Observations)
The jury heard the testimonies of a large number of witnesses over three days from the States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Orissa as well as some expert witnesses on land acquisition, mining and human rights violations of Operation Green Hunt. The immediate observations of the Jury are as follows:
Tribal communities represent a substantial [...]
Why is IYCN opposing Operation Green Hunt?
Normally disclaimers are posted on the forums like website, google-group, print media and news channels. For the first time I’m writing a claimer. When we in Indian Youth Climate Network (IYCN) decided to endorse Independent People’s Tribunal (IPT) against forced displacement, land acquisition and operation green hunt, we were bombarded with lot of questions like: [...]
Op. Green Hunt Rolls out Red Carpet for Mining
Proceedings of Independent People’s Tribunal-Day2 (10th April, 2010) Part-1
Session-1 & 2 Jharkhand
The session was inaugurated with the song “Goan Chhodab Nahi, Jungle Chhodab Nahi” and after that Mr. Prem Prakash Verma, chair of the session briefed the audience about the undemocratic model of development. He added that human rights has to be seen in [...]
Six Stories You Won’t Forget (IPT)
Proceedings of Indian People’s Tribunal, Day 1 (Part-3) 9th April, 2010
Session-4
The fourth session of the day had more testimonies from Chhattisgarh and disposition of Pravin Patel.
Testimony 1 (Adivasi man-Name cannot be disclosed):
In Dantewada, I was captured by the CRPF. I too was beaten up and was told that I was a naxal. I told [...]
Testimonies Reveal the Fight for Survival in Chhattisgarh (IPT)
Proceedings of Independent People’s Tribunal-Day 1, 9th April, 2010 (Part two)
Session: 3 Chhattisgarh
The third session started with the testimonies of the people from Chhattisgarh who are suffering from government supported violence in the area.
Testimony 1 (Adivasi Women)
“I am XX. My hustand was YY (Names cannot be disclosed). He was traveling to inform family members [...]
Independent People’s Tribunal (IPT)
1st Sessions: Inauguration
Dr. Vandana Shiva (Navdanya) introduced the audience to Independent People’s Tribunal:
“Last year a broad coalition was formed that has worked to put this tribunal together. The IPT will create a dialogue so that the adivasis of India can be brought in the debate. This is the reaction to the lie that Maoists are [...]
An Innovative Way of Sharing Diminishing Groundwater
Cross posted from MyNews, written by Ch. Narendra
India: An Innovative Way of Sharing Diminishing Groundwater
“We no longer worry about the rains. We now have the confidence to grow alternative crops even if the monsoon fails,” said Balaraju, a farmer in one of the most drought-prone and economically vulnerable regions of Andhra Pradesh in southern [...]
As Climate Talks Stumble, U.N. Process in Question
p>A key deadline for countries to submit emission reduction goals to the United Nations as part of the recently negotiated Copenhagen Accord passed last Sunday. The U.N. received commitments from 55 nations, but 139 countries remain unsupportive of the political statement, leading the international body to push back the commitment deadline indefinitely.
Since the high-level climate [...]
The Truth Of What Happened at Copenhagen
By Fidel Castro
21st December 2009
(Cross posted from Countercurrents.org, )
The youth is more interested than anyone else in the future.
Until very recently, the discussion revolved around the kind of society we would have. Today, the discussion centers on whether human society will survive.
These are not dramatic phrases. We must get used to the true facts. Hope [...]
Accord or Discord!
As was being expected in the last few days of the COP, we do not have a “fair, ambitious and binding deal” in place. What we have is an agreement which is neither fair nor binding. It is being called the “Copenhagen Accord”.
“We underline that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our [...]
I always had answers, until now!
When I was in grade V and I had a tough time with Math, I was somehow able to find answers! Even while sitting for the entrance examinations, I sometimes struggled but was able to answer! IIT was not a smooth ride either but still, we could find answers! But when a fourteen year old [...]
Battle until Dawn over Humanity’s Survival
It is 6:13 am and in the Bella Conference Center I am listening to the chair of the AOSIS (Association of Small Island States) trying to fight off uncontrollable tears. I am almost certain that the Group of 77 (a behemoth of 130 plus developing country states) is coming to an end. Countries [...]
The difficult birth of REDD (or is it a funeral?)
By Freidrich Wulf, Pro Natura, Switzerland
Cross posted from Eco, CAN International
Emotions have been going up and down on UNFCCC
COP 15’s most dynamic topic: Reducing Emissions form
Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD).
On Friday Facilitator Tony La Viña (Philippines) put together a chair’ text based on what he heard from Parties in the first part of the week. [...]
